Evike.com Blog & Articles

Within the airsoft community, word of mouth can carry a brand far. The recent rise of Specna Arms and Arcturus demonstrate this perfectly, as they’ve quickly become immensely popular picks for beginners due to the good things experienced/intermediate players have to say about them. As a result, the “hit” brands take the community spotlight, leaving developments in lesser known brands to stray off the radar. APS is one such brand where community discussion hasn’t been quite as prevalent. Despite this, cogs have been turning at the APS headquarters. Working with the minds here at Evike.com, design updates and upgrades have been made to their AEG and GBBR lineup that might be worth a bit of attention. Certain design shortcomings in the past may have justifiably left them out of popular favor, but that’s only left APS with ample room to grow. In this article, we’ll dive into the changes APS has made to their platforms in recent months. Through our comprehensive exploration of their developments in AEG design, we hope to aid you in deciding whether APS’s new and improved internal design would make their rifles a worthy new addition to your arsenal.



First, let’s talk about the original eSilverEdge system!



Most of the flagship APS rifles will come equipped with their eSilverEdge gearbox system, which features a microswitch trigger that offers quicker trigger response and consistent shot-to-shot response. The main advantages of a microswitch are that it eliminates the possibility of mechanical trigger lockup and allows for faster semi-automatic follow up shots, making your gameplay on the airsoft field significantly smoother.


The eSilverEdge gearbox with the S.D.U. chipset

With a reinforced gear set, full steel tooth, piston, and CNC machined aluminum nozzle to aid in reliability, an APS rifle containing the eSilverEdge gearbox has everything going for it to make it a competitive option as a standalone internal platform. However, there are two primary criticisms that stop this technologically advanced system from being at the top of people’s recommended lists.

First, the S.D.U. microswitch is sensitive to overamperage and shorting. Though they do have some degree of rudimentary protection against electrical misfires, it’s not uncommon for an unknowing player to easily fry it by continuing to pull the trigger after a motor lockup.

Secondly, if any part does break down on the eSilverEdge gearbox, the system is designed in such a way that upgrading or finding replacement parts is incredibly difficult. The gearbox design doesn’t allow for other electronic trigger units to be installed, locking it to the S.D.U. microswitch system. Additionally, the gears have a unique integrated magnet that serves as a cycle detector for the microswitch, making them proprietary to the system as well. These restrictions compounded upon the sensitivity of the S.D.U. chipset have left experienced players suggesting more versatile systems instead.

Now, that’s not to say the eSilverEdge system is a poor performer. When running, these gearboxes perform excellently, delivering quick semi-automatic performance with impressive accuracy thanks to the new 6.04mm inner barrels APS employs. Internal versatility is a highly valued component by the intermediate/advanced airsoft community, which doesn’t fare well for the impressive yet limited eSilverEdge system.


As far as externals go, the APS Ghost Patrol pictured above has an impressively solid full metal build construction with cool OD green accents to make it stand out. Ambidextrous controls add to this rifle's ease of manipulation, and the low-profile RS3 stock makes quick battery swaps a breeze due to its easy-to-open pin system.

So, those complaints I just listed? They fixed them!

From here on out, APS is taking a new direction to their internal design. Let’s take a look at one of APS’ newest releases:



Right out of the box, the new APS Noveske Chainsaws feel immediately different from their previous rifles. The quality of the exterior metal has a more matte finish than usual, and the overall feel inspires confidence that the rifle can handle a good beating from rough play and still keep kicking. Aside from the RS-3 stock and its QD sling-loop that it conveniently comes with, nothing wobbles or feels insecure. The improvements in exterior build construction are greatly appreciated, but the changes under the hood are what truly caught my eye.


Investigating the new EDGE II Gearbox

Plugging in an 11.1v Li-Po battery into the APS Noveske Chainsaw, the shooting experience is very reminiscent of a Krytac AEG. Though there’s no longer a clicky microswitch articulating every trigger pull, each shot is impressively snappy. APS has opted to take the route of mechanical trigger contacts over their previously proprietary eSilverEdge design, aiding in its reliability and ability to be upgraded later down the line. I find this change to be hugely advantageous to APS rifles overall, since you have the secure reliability of trigger contacts right out of the box with the option to upgrade to a higher end electronic trigger device later down the line. Given how snappy the trigger was during test firing, I’d probably opt to just keep the gearbox as is. Another major advantage the EDGE II gearbox system has over its predecessor is its newly reinforced compression components. The piston head and cylinder head are now CNC aluminum, eliminating the risk of stress-induced fractures. From the factory, the air seal does indeed seal air, delivering a consistent velocity output of +-2 FPS at 370 feet per second. My one and only gripe with this gearbox is the lack of radial cuts at the front of the cylinder. Adding these cuts can greatly increase the lifespan of the gearbox by reducing its ability to form fracture lines there. Beyond that, everything looks pretty solid! I’m thoroughly impressed with the improvements APS has made, and now wholeheartedly recommend giving one of their new rifles a chance!

APS Introduces a New Gas Blowback System!



Alongside their new gearbox, APS has developed a fascinating new gas blowback with some unique features. Most notably, the G-Box gas system is developed from the ground up within an AEG receiver, making it cross compatible with other APS AEG body components. Find yourself outgrowing a certain receiver style but don’t want to buy a whole new GBBR? Simply pick up a new receiver package and drop in your existing G-box parts! In order to make this possible, APS has opted for a “short stroke” blowback system. Since the blowback action operates within the same area an AEG’s gearbox would ordinarily occupy, the bolt travels half the distance a normal GBBs would, leading to increased gas efficiency and snappier performance. It’s fresh entry into the market hasn’t given it a due test of long term performance, but if you’re looking for a cool new GBBR with fascinating modularity, give the APS G-Box a try!

As with any hobby, there's going to community favored brands. However, let their supremacy in popularity not blind you to due improvement elsewhere. The collaboration between APS and Evike.com has led to significant design enhancements in both their AEG line, addressing previous shortcomings and positioning them for a noteworthy comeback. Our in-depth examination of APS's recent upgrades, particularly in AEG internal design, reveals their potential as a valuable contender in your airsoft collection. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, the new and improved offerings from APS merit serious consideration, highlighting the importance of keeping an open mind towards evolving brands in the ever-changing landscape of airsoft technology.