Back in December we put out the news that ICS had updated their MK18 program with an updated model, the EMG X DANIEL DEFENSE LICENSED DD4 MK18 RIII S3, and we’ve been lucky enough to have been testing one of these beauties for a little while, with a view to getting out initial review out in ISSUE 171 next month.

At the same time there’s also another new AEG we’ve been outing through its paces, also from the same development program, and that’s the diminutive but brilliant little EMG X DANIEL DEFENSE LICENSED DDM4 PDW S3.

Benefitting from all the features of the carbine-length model, the PDW reduces the overall footprint of the platform significantly, and it strikes us that although the MK18 is undoubtedly “CQB-friendly” the new PDW takes that even further down to “close-encounters” path as a purpose-designed tool! With a newly-designed front end that accurately mimics the DD MFR XL 6” M-LOK system, along with a superb linear compensator unique to this model, the PDW is definitely short and sweet!

Add to this a “PDW-style” sliding stock that’s actually long enough to be properly usable (even for Bill’s ape-arms!) with a battery compartment that will easily hold a small 11.1 LiPo and the PDW stacks up to be quite a wee beastie!

Of course inside again you get all the ICS goodies that you’d expect;

  • III E-trigger system
  • Smart Trigger & Pre-cocking Function
  • MASTER MODS Reinforced Full Metal Teeth Piston
  • MASTER MODS AL6061 Cylinder Head & Piston Head & Air Nozzle
  • MASTER MODS Hop Tensioner Nub
  • T-Dean Plug
  • EBB System
  • Short Stroke Trigger
  • ICS Split Gearbox
  • QD Spring Guide Design
  • One-piece Metal HOP-UP Chamber
  • Spring Release Function

Both models have been performing superbly in testing thus far, and with a couple of weeks to go before we drop our initial evaluation things are looking massively positive! We know that ICS can create a fabulous AEG, and in this case it appears to be two new variants that follow this path of excellence, models that not only look fabulous, but are solid performers straight from the box!