Tokyo Marui CQBR Block 1 Review (Mk18 mod1 modified version)

This time, I'll be introducing the Tokyo Marui CQBR Block 1, one of the classic gas blowback long-barreled pistols.

I purchased it in June 2020, and I believe it's likely the same model as the M4 series currently sold by Tokyo Marui, but with modifications to reduce muzzle velocity.

The initial velocity measured at the time of purchase was around 73-76 m/s with 0.2g BBs at a room temperature of about 25°C (hop-up was in its stock configuration, probably the appropriate amount for 0.2g BBs), which was a bit on the tame side.

I bought this CQBR Block 1 with the intention of converting it to an MK18 Mod.1 from the start, so I've already customized it into an MK18 Mod.1. Ideally, I'd like to introduce the customization process, but since I did the customization before starting this blog, this post will only cover the appearance, the customization details, and the shooting performance.

Of course, I will also introduce internal customization methods, including how to adjust the initial velocity, which will likely be of interest to those considering purchasing this product (starting in the next article).

However, the biggest shock was that Tokyo Marui released their MK18 mod.1 gas blowback model in September, just three months after I purchased this product. I had to accept that I got to play with it a whole summer earlier, otherwise I wouldn't be able to accept it.

The M4 series of Tokyo Marui gas blowback machine guns (M4 MWS, M4A1 Carbine, Mk18 mod.1, MTR16) are almost identical in parts and structure to the CQBR Block 1 introduced in this article, with only minor differences in the barrel length and some external parts. I hope you find this helpful.

Now, let's take a look at the CQBR BLOCK1 that has been modified to the Mk18 mod.1.

Overall exterior

First, regarding the appearance, the product's appearance, which I borrowed from Tokyo Marui's website, is as follows.

This is the product after being modified to MK18 mod.1.

opposite side

The main parts I changed related to the exterior are as follows (I gave away the original grips, so there are no photos of them).

Details of the changed parts and how they were assembled will be explained in the disassembly and customization article (there are other internal parts used as well).

Upper receiver exterior

This is the entire upper receiver.

Other side

We will examine the photos in detail, section by section.

1. Front section

Let's take a look at the muzzle and flash hider.

The original flash hider is a KAC type (Knight's Armament type). It's the kind that's commonly found on M4 rifles.

Flash hiders use a reverse-clockwise (CCW) thread (M14) standard, which is common for airsoft guns. Since the flash hider mounts to a reverse-clockwise M14 thread, Tokyo Marui's optional parts such as silencers can be attached, and most third-party silencers should also be compatible as long as the thread standard matches.

When you remove the flash hider, you'll find an O-ring and a cover attached. The cover is easy to lose, so you should be careful.

The flash hider is unusual for Tokyo Marui because it's not secured with a grub screw, but it doesn't loosen or cause any other problems even when used in airsoft games.

Next is the gas block.

I switched to a no-name Daniel Defense low-profile gas block.

The original version comes with a gas block that also serves as the front sight, a feature familiar from the M4.

Next is the front site.

I installed a flip-up front sight, which is standard equipment on other M4 models from Tokyo Marui.

When you lift the site, it looks like this:

The front sight is height-adjustable. While a special tool is generally required, a small flathead screwdriver or even a dummy cartridge can be used for adjustment.

Next, let's look at the rail section.

2. Rail section

This is an overall view of the front rail.

Top view

サイドビュー

I installed the standard Madbull Daniel Defense Mk18 RIS2 9.5-inch rail.

Apparently, they have a license from Daniel Defense, so the rails have an official stamp.

It says "MANUFACTURED UNDER LICESE FROM DANIEL DEFENCE.INC., LICENSOR".

The most distinctive features of this rail are that it is free-floating and that it is securely fixed with six bolts.

As you can see in the photo above, it is securely fixed with six bolts.

Next, regarding whether the receiver bar and rail can be assembled straight when installing aftermarket handguards, on my unit, they were able to be assembled perfectly straight (without any additional modifications).

The compatibility between Madbull and Tokyo Marui seems to be decent (though there might be individual differences?). I'll explain the installation details in the next article (a barrel nut modification is required).

As you can see from the product page, the original front rails have Knight's Armament RIS (Risk Isolation System) installed.

Unfolded

The genuine part has a very realistic rail fixing structure and a sturdy heat guard, making it a well-made and high-quality product.

Upon comparing the rails again, I noticed that converting the Mk18 mod.1 to RIS2 increases the number of rail links by about 1.5 times, and fills the gap between the rail and the receiver, which is quite advantageous as it allows for more attachments to be mounted and provides a greater range of adjustment when mounting optical devices.

Furthermore, the method of fixing the rails will be fundamentally changed, eliminating any wobbling (although there is little wobbling even with the original equipment, some wobbling will occur due to its structure).

This completes the rail section.

3. Rear section

This is an overall view of the rear section.

Other side

Let's take a closer look.

It's a bolt.

The bolt's design is quite elaborate, with molded holes for releasing excess gas, just like on the real thing, and the serrations that allow the bolt forward assist to function are also accurately reproduced. Furthermore, the case reflector, one of the M4's distinctive features, is also molded (the raised area behind the bolt).

Pull the charging handle located at the rear end of the rail.

The charging handle's travel seems to be slightly shorter than the genuine article (or so I've heard). It's not ambidextrous, so those who want that feature will likely need to rely on aftermarket parts.

This causes the bolt to retract (the bolt stop is engaged).

The bolt tip features a faithfully reproduced locking lug. The internal workings of the bolt will be shown in the disassembly article.

Next is the bolt forward assist knob.

This bolt assist forward knob is not a dummy; it is fully functional (it has a mechanism to push the bolt inside).

However, the instruction manual includes a warning not to use it. From what I've seen, the mechanism is the same as the real thing, and it's designed to forcibly press the serrations on the bolt, so I think there's a high probability of the bolt breaking, and you should be careful.

You do so at your own risk, but I think it's fine as long as you push it lightly, making sure the knob doesn't catch on the bolt.

However, since this isn't for real combat, if a bolt malfunction occurs, it's best to perform thorough maintenance (even real ones are for ultra-emergency use).

Next is the rear sight.

The rear sight has been replaced from the original to a flip-up sight, a genuine optional part from Tokyo Marui (front and rear set).

Up state

I like it because it's easy to adjust up, down, left, and right. However, since I mainly use optical equipment, I hardly ever use it.

Tokyo Marui Next Generation HK416D DEVGRU Original Front and Rear Sights
純正品です。

Incidentally, the genuine product comes with an LMT type like the one shown in the following picture.

Top view

The included sights are fully adjustable left, right, up, and down, and the peep sight offers two distance settings. Visually, it looks like the carrying handle has been cut off at the sight section.

The US military's obsession with iron sights

This design is an elaborate one that reflects the US military's belief in hitting the target with every shot. While the general impression of the US military is that it attacks with overwhelming force, the US military's pursuit of hitting the target with every shot since the late 19th century is truly remarkable (not just for rifles, but for all types of weapons).

What's particularly striking is that the M1903, the first rifle to be seriously designed and manufactured in the United States at the end of the 19th century, adopted complex and precise iron sights (peep sights). Since rifle sights in other countries during this period were basically tangent sights, this shows a considerable attention to detail.

Since these rifles are distributed to every soldier (hundreds of thousands or more), cost calculations are bound to be quite strict, so it's normal to hesitate to adopt complex mechanisms that are costly, but this seems to be the norm in the United States (they are overkill for newly drafted soldiers with low training levels).

A little historical research reveals that the significant role played by marksmen (then known as snipers) during the American Revolutionary War, as well as their considerable contributions during the Civil War, seems to have contributed to the U.S. military's unusually high standards of precision shooting.

Even in WWII, Japan, with its strong belief in hitting the target with every shot, used tangent sights on both the Type 38 and Type 99 rifles, while the American Garand had a much more sophisticated peep sight (it couldn't compete in terms of accuracy or sheer numbers).

This approach by the U.S. military wasn't limited to rifles; it extended to all aspects of aircraft, including the gunsights on WWII fighter planes and bombers, where the design was quite sophisticated.

Japan has also made efforts in gunsights in certain fields, such as the gunsights on the battleship Yamato and the Zero fighter (one of the precursors to HUDs), but it seems that they were not adopted as widely as in the United States (differences in technology and production capacity are evident even in small details).

In addition to this, they also possess immense resources, making them an incredibly powerful country that's almost impossible to deal with.

In modern times, that obsession has evolved even further, with GPS guidance circuits being installed in howitzer shells. From my perspective as an engine designer, precision electronic components seem quite vulnerable to acceleration, shock, and dirt, so it appears quite difficult to integrate electronic circuits into artillery shells, which are subjected to harsh conditions.

To use an engine analogy, it's like attaching sensors to a piston that's moving back and forth at high speed to control it (even then, the demands of artillery shells are far more severe).

This suggests that the United States is at the forefront of the world not only in IT but also in less glamorous, fundamental mechanical technologies (such as private rockets and airplanes).

But I digress. That concludes the upper receiver section.

Lower receiver, stock appearance

Next, let's look at the lower receiver.

This is an overall view of the lower receiver.

opposite side

Since the base CQBR Block 1 is a somewhat older model, it is not ambidextrous (it is not designed for left- or right-handed users).

The distances between the various controls when you actually hold the grip are as shown in the following photo.

Other side

With my average Japanese build (175cm tall, 65kg, right-handed), I can access each control with just the right distance. However, the bolt stop release lever is typically operated with the left hand, so I can't reach it with one hand.

Now let's take a closer look at each part.

Bolt stop

A close-up of the bolt stop lever.

Marui's gas blowback M4 series uses an original Z-system bolt stop mechanism, so the structure of the lever mounting part is different from the real thing and does not have a pin.

While this design is a matter of personal preference, I think it's a good structure for making zinc bolts (the real ones are steel) last longer.

When you retract the bolt and lock it, the lever will pop up as shown in the next picture. In this state, hitting (pushing) the lever will move the bolt forward.

This process is something you can't experience with electric guns (excluding special models like DAS), and I think it's a unique pleasure of gas blowback guns.

セレクター

Next is the selector.

The selector switch is located on the left side and offers three positions: safe, semi-automatic, and full-automatic.

This model is a gas blowback, so it won't enter the safe position unless the hammer is cocked.

The other side has an indicator that works in conjunction with the lever.

Cock the gun and switch to the safe position.

The indicator on the opposite side also moves in conjunction.

Unlike a simple switch on an electric gun, the selector has a nice clicky feel because it operates a trigger mechanism.

Incidentally, it's not officially ambidextrous, but many third-party manufacturers sell ambidextrous levers, so you might consider changing it (it's easy to change).

I'm completely right-handed, so I don't find it inconvenient even without ambidextrous settings; I've left it as is.

Grip, trigger

This is the grip and trigger area.

I prefer the PTS EPG grips to the original grips (A2 type), so I changed them.

What I personally like about the EPG grip is the beaver tail and the indentation at the base of the grip, as shown in the photo above.

The grip itself isn't particularly thin, but these two features make it quite comfortable to hold.

Due to its design, the device feels like it can be gripped between the thumb and index finger.

Another advantage of this grip is that the hollow space inside can be used as a small storage compartment.

Press your fingernail on the bottom of the grip and pull, as shown in the picture below.

The bottom can be removed as shown in the following picture.

The grip is hollow inside.

I always keep my Laylax hop-up adjustment lever in this cavity.

This lever is essential for me, and the only drawback of this product is that you have to take it down and remove the bolt every time you want to adjust the hop-up to access the hop-up dial (more details next time).

This lever is quite important because it allows you to lock the bolt and directly access the hop-up dial through the ejection port. Forgetting this lever would be a disaster, so I always keep it inside the grip.

LAYLAX Hop Adjuster
I think this is an essential item for Tokyo Marui M4 series gas blowback pistols. It's very convenient.

Incidentally, the original equipment comes with an A2 type grip like the one shown in the following photo (the photo is of an electric airsoft gun).

It's considerably slimmer and easier to grip than an electric airsoft gun, but I replaced the finger grooves because they didn't fit my fingers and caused pain.

Next is the trigger.

The trigger action is almost identical to what's called single-action only on handguns (similar to the M1911 series).

This is a video of the gun being fired without a target.

Tokyo Marui CQBR Block 1 (Mk18 conversion) Trigger feel

The trigger feels heavy with almost no play, and the hammer is released. Personally, I think it could use a little more play.

The trigger shape itself is the standard type for the M4.

Modifying the trigger mechanism and other aspects of the play is a bit complicated, but it seems possible. I'll also show how to disassemble the hammer mechanism unit in a later article.

engraved

Since it's a military model, the markings are quite simple.

Left side

The markings on the magazine housing read "PROPERTY OF US GOVT. M4A1 CARBINE CAL. 5.56 MM. W346074," which I believe translates to "Property of US GOVT. M4A1 CARBINE CAL. 5.56 MM. W346074 (lot number)."

The area around the selector switch has the manufacturer's markings "COLT DFENCE HARTFORD. CONN. -USA-," so I think it simply indicates the Colt company.

right side

This side features the logos of Tokyo Marui, the airsoft gun manufacturer, and the ASGK (Association of Sports, Science and Technology) mark.

I don't mind it much, but if it bothers you, I think it can be easily hidden by filling it with putty and painting it over.

Around the stock

This is the entire area around the stock.

I've replaced the stock with a standard Magpul CTR-type stock. The stock isn't actually made by Magpul, but is a no-name replica. There's a slight wobble, but it's perfectly usable.

Let's try extending the stock to its maximum.

If you remove the stock and look at the number of extension positions, there are 6 positions, so I think it's unlikely that the length won't be suitable for both men and women.

There is also a maintenance hole in the center of the stock pipe. The instruction manual does not mention maintenance for this part, but it might be a good idea to occasionally spray it with silicone spray.

Furthermore, the CQBR comes standard with a single-point swivel, which is incredibly convenient. I use a single-point sling, so I find it very useful. Apparently, it doesn't come with the M4 MWS and M4A1, but you can attach one later (though it's a bit of a hassle).

Incidentally, the stock that comes with the product as standard is a crane stock.

This stock is also good, but personally, I didn't like it because it was too wide, so I replaced it. Magpul CTR-type stocks are thinner.

Upon removing the stock's butt plate, it becomes clear that it's a repurposed part from a next-generation electric airsoft gun (the wiring area is covered).

I think one of the appeals of gas blowback airsoft guns is that you can easily swap out the stock on Tokyo Marui M4s like this.

This concludes the description of the main unit's exterior.

Magazine

Next, let's look at the magazine.

This is the overall appearance of the magazine.

While the real thing holds 30 rounds, this magazine can hold 35. Also, unusually for Tokyo Marui, it's made of die-cast aluminum (most are made of zinc).

The magazine weighs 478.5g, so it's not particularly light just because it's made of aluminum (empty with a small amount of gas inside).

According to the catalog, this weight is apparently about the same as a fully loaded real magazine.

Adding 35 rounds of 0.25g ammunition to the above weight brings the total to 563.5g. My personal estimate of the weight of a fully loaded magazine from a real-world catalog is approximately 540g, so I think this is a pretty good estimate.

However, unlike real firearms, airsoft magazines hardly lose any weight after firing (for example, a magazine with 35 rounds of 0.25g BBs loses about 85g).

I use five canisters when playing airsoft, so about 2.5kg (500g x 5 canisters) is on my body. It's fine in the morning when I'm full of energy, but my movements become sluggish during evening games.

Next is the gas inlet (bottom of the magazine).

The gas inlet is located at the bottom of the magazine, just like on most gas blowback pistols. Personally, I prefer it to be on the side (or back?) like on WA and other overseas models.

The reason is that, occasionally, dropping the magazine or letting it touch the ground while prone can cause dirt to clog the gas inlet, leading to troublesome situations.

Also, having the valve on the side (or back?) means that when the magazine is attached to the main body, it will be hidden by the magazine housing, which I think is an aesthetic advantage.

Magazine lip section

This magazine lip is made of resin, but it's quite hard and makes it difficult to load bullets (though it is sturdy).

I'm using the Tokyo Marui Option Parts BB Loader XL to load the BBs, and it's so stiff I feel like the loader might break, but it's surprisingly okay (though my thumb gets sore).

Gas route section

The gas route opening is considerably larger compared to a handgun (to move the heavy bolt).

Valve, bolt stop section

Unlike many modern gas blowback rifles, this one lacks a dry-firing mode. While you can dry-fire Tokyo Marui's gas blowback M4 by holding down the bolt stop, it's a nice feature to have (apparently there are third-party parts available for dry-firing).

My overall impression of the magazine is that there are no particularly new mechanisms or features; it seems to be a solidly put-together design.While it's a solid publication, what I personally find revolutionary about this magazine is its relatively low price (list price excluding tax: 4980 yen) and stable distribution (thanks to Marui).

Personally, I think the biggest concern with using M4-type gas blowback pistols from before Tokyo Marui's time was the price and availability of magazines.

Other manufacturers' magazines often cost around 1 yen each, and they were generally out of stock. Even if you managed to collect enough magazines, the availability of replacement parts when they broke was a major concern, making it a rather daunting world to enter.

I think this will almost completely solve the problem, so I have to say, "さすが (As expected) of Tokyo Marui."

Outer box and contents

Finally, here are the box and accessories.

The way the selling points are highlighted on the outer packaging is incredible.

Reading from left to right on the box, you'll find 10 slogans: Z System, Made in Japan, Hi-Quality For the Customers, Powered by Z, No. 4 (Model No.), Gun Power (Power Source Gas), Recommended Age 18+, Adjustable Hop-Up, Cerakote, and World's No. 1 Best Airsoft Gun Manufacturer Hall of Fame (Whose award is this?).

It's clear that this is a very impressive model. The "Z" model, in particular, appeared twice.

Normally, I would show you the unboxed version, but since I've converted it to an Mk18 mod.1, I couldn't recreate that, so I'll show you the included accessories instead.

The accessories, listed from right to left in the photo, are as follows:

That's a pretty good score.

The cleaning lot shown in the photo has been modified for measuring the amount of hop packing jamming and hop volume, so it differs slightly from the original.

Also, loading BBs into the magazine with the included loader is quite difficult because the magazine lip is stiff (I can't load them properly). Therefore, I strongly recommend getting and using Tokyo Marui's optional BB loader XL.

Tokyo Marui BB Loader XL
It's an essential item. I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't have one yet.

The above is a list of the contents. If you have just purchased the product, please use this as a reference to check if there are any missing or extra accessories. I also hope this will be helpful for those who are considering purchasing the product.

Summary

Normally, I would check the actual shooting performance before summarizing, but this time, the internal adjustments and customizations have been made, so it's different from the out-of-the-box state. Therefore, I will introduce the details of the actual shooting performance in a later article.

In summary, with a magazine temperature of 28°C and 0.2g BBs, the muzzle velocity is 90-92 m/s, the rate of fire is 14 rounds per second, and one charge allows for operation for three magazines (approximately using up a 450g gas can in a day of airsoft).

If I recall correctly from when it first came out of the box, the magazine temperature was 28°C, the muzzle velocity with 0.2g BBs was 73-76 m/s, the rate of fire was 12 rounds per second, and it seemed like one charge lasted for about 2.5 magazines.

This time, since I had already converted it to an Mk18 mod.1, I couldn't do a review of the original CQBR Block 1's appearance, but the CQBR Block 1's appearance was also quite good (the main parts are still the original ones).

Although it's frequently used in airsoft games, there's no noticeable deterioration on the inside, and the exterior paint shows almost no deterioration, possibly due to the Cerakote coating, so its durability seems quite high (the sights, which aren't related to the Cerakote coating, are quite worn).

Based on my experience using it fairly frequently, its performance is quite good, comparable to electric airsoft guns. While it might struggle in games like revival matches where you're constantly firing, I don't feel any disadvantage in regular flag capture games.

However, in its stock configuration, the range might be slightly limited due to the muzzle velocity. The trajectory in its stock form is quite similar to that of Tokyo Marui's handguns with higher muzzle velocity.

Furthermore, while a 35-round magazine is a disadvantage compared to electric airsoft guns, the fact that it's close to a real gas canister and the ability to change magazines during gameplay are part of the charm and enjoyment of gas blowback airsoft guns.

Regarding ammunition, I personally use 5 magazines (175 rounds), imagining a flag capture game played back-to-back. If I shoot a lot in the two back-to-back games, I might go through 5 magazines, but in a typical single-game flag capture, I usually only use up to 3 magazines, so 3 magazines seem sufficient (and I get to change magazines twice, which makes it fun).

Regarding operating temperature, in my experience, it can reliably fire continuously in semi-automatic mode from an ambient temperature of 15°C or higher (the bolt stop engages, but full-auto is difficult). Above 20°C, it performs very well and fully delivers its capabilities.

This long gas blowback rifle from Tokyo Marui is high-performance yet relatively inexpensive, with readily available and affordable magazines (compared to other manufacturers' long gas blowback magazines), making it easily accessible. Plus, it's been 8 years since the release of the first model in the series, the M4 MWS, so aftermarket parts have become quite abundant, making it a very enjoyable item to start playing with even now.

Thank you for reading this far.

This post covers the exterior; the next post will cover the disassembly, customization, and maintenance of the handguard, barrel, and hop-up chamber (details of the parts used).

Tokyo Marui Gas Blowback Machine Gun Series CQBR Block 1
This is the base model introduced in this article. You can use it as is, or I think it would be good as a custom base for a 10.3-inch short model (such as a short URG-I).

Tokyo Marui Gas Blowback Machine Gun Series M4A1 MWS
This is the basic M4 MWS. It's so good that it would be a shame to customize the rails, so I think it's best suited for users who want to use it as is. It would be fun to customize the grip, stock, etc. to your liking.

Tokyo Marui Gas Blowback Machine Gun Series M4A1 Carbine
This model is the cheapest in the series, so if you're planning on customizing it, I think it's the best choice (though it's perfectly enjoyable as is). You can do anything with it, from changing the rails to altering the barrel length to make it similar to an SR25.

Tokyo Marui Gas Blowback Machine Gun Series Mk18 mod.1
This is a perfectly finished model. If it had been announced before I made my purchase, I would have bought this one too.

- Spare magazine for Tokyo Marui M4A1 MWS (compatible with the series)
This is a standard 35-round magazine. I use the one that comes with the gun plus four additional magazines for a total of five. Having five gives you plenty of leeway, so I recommend adding four more, but depending on your budget, you can still enjoy the game with just three additional magazines.

- Tokyo Marui Gas M4A1 Series 20-Round Short Magazine (Compatible with the Series)
With a 35-round magazine, it sometimes touches the ground when prone, so I think it's good for marksmen and snipers who often use the weapon prone.