Well done Airsoft Dynamics for getting them here so fast!! The Tactical Launcher is available from them now for about £120.

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Tokyo Marui Tactical Launcher

The Tactical Launcher is the latest release from Tokyo Marui. It can best be described as an M203 grenade launcher (as fitted to M16's and derivatives) with an M4 pistol grip, sliding stock and triple rail mounts. The Tactical Launcher is not based on a real weapon, but to me personally this is not an issue.

Those familiar with the Marui M203 launcher will recognise most aspects of the Tac' Launcher. But for those of you that are not it uses a triple barrel system (shared with the Marui SPAS 12 and Benalli shotguns) allowing it to fire three BBs at a time. BBs are loaded into a 'Shot-shell' magazine which has a capaity of 30, allowing ten shots before the fake shotgun cartridge needs replacing. The Launcher is spring powered and is loaded and cocked with a pump action, the black ribbed foregrip being the cocking slide. The fore grip does get very close to the trigger when slid fully back to cock the gun, so watch those fingers! Pushing the catch on the side of the gun and pushing the foregrip forwards reveals the recess for the cartridge, which is ejected by pushing a button between the 'chamber' and the trigger. Cocking the Launcher with the trigger pulled will 'slam-fire' the gun, that is it will fire as soon as the slide is pushed fully forward. The Launcher has a safty catch just in front of the trigger, this is pushed towards the trigger to make the gun safe. The pistol grip is the same as that used on M4s and M16 A2's, but since it doesn't need to house a motor it has been converted into a holder for a spare cartridge, very handy!! A cartridage can be seen sticking out from the bottom of the pistol grip in the picture above. It is simply pushed in and is gripped securely till pulled out for use.

Above the pistol grip on the left of the gun is the stock release button. The stock merges with the pistol grip when not in use, allowing the Tac' Launcher to be easily fired one handed. The stock consists of a simple metal bar with an ABS butt plate. It has a slight wobble in it when extended, but no more than any other Marui sliding stock. The gun is much harder to cock when shouldered because of the overall shortness of the Launcher, the angle just doesn't seem right. It is also hard to get down to the basic built in sights, but this not a sniping weapon! A red dot, or flip up sights would help out in this respect, or the M4 handle/flip up sight combo pictured below. The Tac' Launcher comes with three rail mounts; a pair about 8cm long, one on each side, and a huge 27cm rail along the top. A high mounted red dot would make sighting possible, and a torch / pointer could be fitted for indoor / cqb play. An M4 carry handle fits straight on for an even more unusual look! The Launcher is pretty light at 1.2 kg and as mentioned can be aimed and fired as a pistol. A single sling hook is mounted towards the rear of the launcher and I will be seeing if it works out as a back up weapon, that is keep out of the way until required. Visually the weakest link is the front end. The 40mm tube is blocked off at the end with small three holes to allow the BBs out. Extending the tube a little would increase the looks of this (and M203s in general) no end. Next job...?

The Marui M203s have proved to be reliable, though I'm not sure they actually get used much, and the other Marui shot guns last well when not dry fired (without BB's!) all the time (this applies of course to the M203s and the Tac' Launcher too), so there's no new technology here to embarrass itself. Performance wise the Launcher could be an effective close quarters weapon. The three BB shot will reach pretty much as far as an AEG thanks to the fixed Hop Up system, and the grouping is reasonably tight but could get you a double hit! The well formed text on the body of the Tac' Launcher reads 'M203 Stand Alone Module',but as mentioned it is not based on a real weapon. This may put some people off, but I think this is a positive move for Marui. Why do effective airsoft 'weapons' have to be based on the real thing? The Tac' Launcher isn't pretty by any means, in fact it may lack styling completely. But it has a solid, functional sort of Sci Fi look to it which I like. Progress reports to follow....

Length: 480mm/720mm Weight: 1270g Barrel: 121mm x 3! Mag: 30 rounds (10 shots)

Well done Airsoft Dynamics for getting them here so fast!! The Tactical Launcher is available from them now for about £120.

'Crude but effective?'