OCAW - Official California Assault Weapon
The UA Mk15, No Weak Links
The Mk15 from Umbrella Armory is more than just a collection of the best components available, it’s a platform designed with a focus on seamless integration such that the sum of the whole is greater than the individual parts. This design philosophy seems to be what sets UA apart in the world of Airsoft. Guiding each model is an almost ruthless pursuit of optimized performance at the highest levels and the MK15 sits at the top of that pyramid.
Read through the list of the individual parts and you’ll see that everything is top-notch, no corners cut. But what I couldn’t tell from reading the build list is that the way everything is put together serves to elevate each individual component. The experience and craft alone put into building each gearbox is daunting. Additionally, there are hand lapped and polished barrels, custom built R-hop patches, heat treated main springs… the list just doesn’t stop. Put all of these together, and the end result just feels different than other platforms. Solid, consistent and so refined. Dressed up in the flattest, almost velvety, light-sucking matte black finish I've ever seen, and the only word that comes to mind is "Tactical."
I specified the MK15 as a RECCE model to compliment my M110A1 sniper from a previous purchase. I wanted something lighter, that still produced good power with exceptional accuracy and this seemed to fit the bill. Once coupled with a suitable optic, everything fell into place. The actual shooting is a dream, with the adjustable trigger and sensitive hop up unit combining to make setting the rifle up a straightforward exercise. Accuracy is acceptable right out of the box, but nothing compares to the hyper-accuracy you'll get after shooting 1000-2000 rounds. Once fully broken in, the rifle is capable of reliably hitting a 2" round target at 100'. Shot-to-shot consistency is beyond belief and when rocking the selector over to 'Freedom' (full auto) the results are best described as shooting lasers, the BBs are spaced so perfectly.
I bought this rifle because I appreciate well designed, built and executed high-end toys. The look, feel, and function of the MK15 just makes me smile, and since I don’t play golf, I’m actually spending a bunch less than many of my friends spend on a set of clubs. Sometimes, after a fun Saturday crawling in the woods shooting at people, I just like to put the gun on a stand and look at it from different angles. Then I'll connect a battery and bring up the Titan II app on my phone to review settings and see if there's anything to adjust. Once satisfied that all is as it should be, it's time to pack the Mk15 away for another week.
Seeya next Friday!