Most Airsofters are familiar with the spritely little CQB demon, the G&G Armament ARP9, its whithering rate of fire and menacing 9mm PCC/SMG looks. The new ARP9 3.0 builds on the success of the ARP9 to provide a more refined internal system which keeps the incredible performance of the original in a more modular and efficient package with plenty of innovative new features packed in, as we would expect from pioneers like G&G.

So what has changed on the outside? If you cast your eyes to the rear of the ARP9 you will see something unique...the CHFS stock system. CHFS stands for Conductive Hinge Folding Stock, meaning your battery is located in the super slim stock butt plate, and the AEG can be operated with or without the stock folded with no risk of chopping your wires if you close the stock too quickly. To make matters all the more impressive, the ARP9 3.0 comes with the new G&G double feed mid-cap, a short mag design with an impressive 68 BB capacity that feeds through dual feed channels to effectively double the capacity without resorting to a winding wheel and a rattly high-cap mag.

Starting at the front of the ARP9 3.0 we can find a super compact micro suppressor, giving us the recognisable snub-nosed look of the ARP9. We would be lying if we told you this suppressor dampens the muzzle noise; if anything it seems to have become louder! Beneath the micro suppressor, we are treated to 14mm CCW male threading on the alloy outer barrel, meaning the ARP9 3.0 can play to its strengths and mount a tracer unit for some game-winning intimidation factor for close quarters skirmishing.

The micro suppressor sits slightly recessed into the aluminium 5-inch M-LOK handguard which provides a 20mm Picatinny rail up top which mates with the receiver rail seamlessly in a "monolithic" style, and M-LOK negative space attachment slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. This means you can either directly mount M-LOK accessories to your handguard or add M-LOK 20mm Picatinny rail adapters to use the more common 20mm Picatinny accessories. This handguard is a new design and features wider vent ports than the original for an alternative look, and a slimmer profile to match modern slim handguards. The upper rail comes with flip-up aperture iron sights pre-installed which can be used as a primary sighting system, left flipped down as backup sights or removed entirely if you prefer to spray and pray!

The ARP9 3.0 shares the same receiver style as the original ARP9, with its modern "billet" style and looks signalling that this is an SMG of the 21st century. The 3.0 receiver has a few slight aesthetic changes to mark it out from the older variants, including an enlarged bolt release catch recess and stylish angled serrations at the rear of the upper receiver, adding to the high speed looks of the ARP9 3.0. The front of the magazine well includes gripping grooves for shooting in cramped and unconventional positions, and the magazine well has a wide flared design to help funnel your magazine in, meaning you can reload quickly without the risk of missing the magwell.

The controls of the ARP9 3.0 will be familiar to most, as they have a lot in common with the prolific M4/AR15 platform. The fire selector is positioned just above the pistol grip on the left side, sitting directly beneath the shooter's thumb for fast access from a firing grip. The charging handle, which provides access to the Rotary HOP-up unit, is located at the top rear of the receiver, just like an M4/AR15, and is ambidextrous to allow easy access for both left and right-handed shooters.

The magazine release is slightly different and is a paddle-style magazine release which can be operated from either side, with an additional extension to allow for drop-free speed reloads. The extension is a new addition to the ARP9, and though it may be a small change it makes a big difference when it comes to carrying out an emergency reload under pressure. Both the paddle mag release and extension have a textured surface to ensure this vital control remains effective regardless of the weather conditions.

Over on the right side of the upper receiver is where we can find the mock ejection port which is covered by a modernised dust cover, keeping the cutting edge look consistent across the platform. The rotary HOP-up unit of the ARP9 3.0 is located inside the ejection port, and can be accessed with the charging handle held back. The rotary unit style is the best current design for the M4/AR15 platform and has the benefit of holding its setting more effectively under the vibration of rapid fire, and can also be adjusted in finer increments for easier tuning with a variety of ammo weights.

The new ARP9 3.0 grip is another change, and now has a more vertical angle to provide a more comfortable position for the wrist when paired with the short CHFS stock system, allowing for better ergonomics in the ARP9's natural habitat; cramped CQB skirmish sites. The grip has linear serrations on the front and rear, and grip texture on either side along with a G&G logo, meaning you have all you need to keep the ARP9 3.0 firmly within your grasp as you sprint around clearing rooms like a man possessed!

Next up we come to the stock, which is one of the most innovative aspects of the ARP9 3.0. The stock is known as the CHFS system, which denotes Conductive Hinge Folding Stock. As you might assume, this means the stock has no external wires to get caught, and the wiring runs hidden inside the hinge itself meaning no matter how rough you are when folding and unfolding the stock you will never chop your wires by mistake. This means you can effectively have your cake and eat it too; enjoying the benefits of an ultra-slim snag-free stock while avoiding having to use a battery box or external battery which would complicate the setup and take up rail space.

To install the battery in the CHFS all you need to do is press the small tab at the top rear of the butt plate and you can slide the butt plate down to reveal a mini-Tamiya connector to which you mount your battery of choice. For the ARP9 3.0, we recommend an 11.1v with a 15C discharge rate for the best combination of an easy fit and performance.

The stock itself is a side folding slimline stock, similar in style to the latest MP-X and MC-X slimline stocks but with a bigger butt plate to facilitate the built-in battery compartment. The stock also features 3 QD sling sockets; one on the base of the stock, and one on either side at the rear. The ARP9 3.0 comes with a QD sling swivel included, meaning you are ready to go if you like a single-point sling, or you can add a front sling point and run a two-point sling if you are using the ARP9 3.0 as a backup to a bigger weapon in outdoors skirmishes.

On the inside, the new ARP9 3.0 keeps all the good things from the original, including its 8mm ball bearing bushings and 25,000 RPM high speed motor and throws them into the new MIG, aka MOSFET integrated gearbox. The new G&G MOSFET retains the enviable functionality of the original, including the option to program the fire selector for 3 round bursts and its electronic trigger contacts which give a near-instantaneous trigger response in semi-auto. The MOSFET also protects the trigger contacts from power surges and allows the pre-tuned internals to function reliably with an 11.1V LiPo battery, resulting in a positively terrifying rate of fire more akin to a minigun than an SMG!

Yet again, G&G has raised the bar with the ARP9 3.0, offering the same incredible performance that put the original on all of our radars with new innovations throughout. The new CHFS stock brings the ARP9 into line with modern SMG designs like the MP-X and the other choice refinements made to the ergonomics results in a CQB platform that is equipped to compete with the best, and outdo the original in practically every aspect. As the AR-9 arms race intensifies, G&G Armament retains its lead with the new ARP9 3.0!

Features

• Aluminium M-LOK handguard
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel
• Micro suppressor pre-installed
• High density polymer receiver
• G&G Stubby vertical grip included
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Ready for a tracer!
• New M-LOK handguard design - Slimmer than the original
• Ergonomic pistol grip with a refined grip angle
• Gripping surfaces on the front of the magwell
• Rotary HOP-up unit - Fine adjustments possible
• G&G MIG Gearbox with MOSFET & ETU
• Flip up aperture iron sights pre-installed
• 20mm Picatinny receiver rail - Ready for red dot/optical sights
• Modern "billet" style receiver design - Cutting edge looks
• Side folding CHFS stock system - No wires to get trapped!
• QD sling swivel included - Can be used with any of the 3 QD sockets
• 11.1V LiPo ready - BRRRRRRRRRRRT
• Ambidextrous extended magazine release - Drop-free reloads are now possible!
• Ambidextrous charging handle - Easy HOP-up access for left or right-handed users
• 3x QD sling sockets on the stock - One at the base, one on each side
• New magazine design - Double feed, double capacity!
• Compatible with previous generation ARP9 magazines

Package Includes

• G&G Armament ARP9 3.0 Enhanced Combat Machine AEG
• 68rnd Short medium capacity double feed magazine
• G&G Armament Stubby M-LOK vertical front grip
• QD Sling swivel
• User manual