History

For most of it’s history, Systema was known as a premiere manufacturer of airsoft parts. In the 90’s Systema first dabbled with entire gun production by offering complete guns based upon the Tokyo Marui V2 gearbox design. These guns are considered top notch; from the mechanical aspects to the metal bodies. Fast forward to the 2003 ShotShow convention in Las Vegas, the Systema PTW was revealed in it’s prototype form. A gun that was intended to serve as a training utility for military and law enforcement agencies. What seperated the Systema PTW apart from other airsoft guns was the attention to realism. One might ask why it took so long for a gun design to come along that so closely mirrored its real M4/M16 counterparts, the answer falls squarely on the fact that the PTW was designed purely as a training device. As such it incorporates MIL/LE specific requirements, such as the ability to stop firing after the last round leaves the magazine, real 1:1 dimensions, real weight, and a modular and easily serviceable firing mechanism. With that in mind the Systema PTW creates an entirely new category of airsoft guns. For casual airsofters the realism factor wasn’t demanded in their guns overall, however as we all know real MIL/LE agencies do demand such features.

The PTW was the first gun to feature a break-open gearbox, similar in design to the later ICS M4s, however instead of simply splitting a gearbox down the side like ICS, which causes stability and durabilty issues, the Systema PTW has what is called a “Planetary” gearbox. What this means is that the gears and all of the mechanical functions to pull back the piston are kept in the lower receiver, while a cylindrical unit containing the spring, piston, spring guide, and piston nozzle, are self-contained and allow for this unit to be interswapped. Because this now meant the PTW was a modular gun, and allowed for  a realistic take-down that is exactly the same as a real M4/M16 it moved the gun one step further to being a natural extension of a MIL/LE officer’s training and tactics. Instead of a complicated and elaborate take down procedue featured on other airsoft guns the Systema PTW breaks open in the same way as real M4/M16s. In that the rear receiver pin is pressed, and the stock is slapped down, causing the receivers to separate. Again, exactly like the real gun.

In 2004 the first generation PTW was released for pre-review, this first gun was an M16A3. The M16A3 had exact dimensions and weight as it’s real counterpart. However unlike the later generations this gun only came with an M90 cylinder set. While the gun had excellent build quality it’s performance was always being improved upon. At first the gun’s power, accuracy, and upgradability were a little lacking. Further versions improved upon this, called Generations, the first being obviously the Gen 1.

Later that year the Generation 2 PTWs were released, these featured improved accuracy with a re-designed hopup and barrel assembly, improved electronics, and strengthened meterials. With this generation release the Systema PTW line also saw the introduction of the much loved M4 model. This gun featured an integrated collapseable stock and battery combination so as to preserve the look and feel of a standard M4 while still finding a way to actually supply power to the gun. With the Generation 3, released in 2005, Systema upgraded the material qualities further, adding steel barrels to their guns, and improved further on the electronics systems that control the guns. At the end of 2005 Systema then introduced the PTW MAX, which takes the strongest features of the Generation 3 weapons (M4/M16s) and takes the FPS output to it’s strongest possible setting while still keeping all previous advantages of the gun. This was obtained by upgrading the motor/gearbox assembly, and adding strengthening techniques to give the gun the rigidity it needed for over 500fps performance while still retaining the same high rate of fire. Currently the gun is now offered in MAX configurations such as the M16A2, M16A3, M16A4, M4A1, and M4A1 CQB/R.

Ultimately the current situation the PTW finds itself in is that of the premier example of an airsoft version of the M4/M16 line as possible. The gun’s success in the MIL/LE field is still yet to be fully realized, however an incredibly strong grassroots movement amoung civilian users has allowed the recognition of this wonderful gun to grow. Now spanning over a dozen or so countries the word of mouth and testimonies of PTW owners has continued to grow every day. Both the PTW community and the airsoft community as a whole waits with baited breath to see what Systema will release in the future. Regardless the evolutionary developments of the Systema PTW line continue to serve as an example of what can be accomplished by taking a very well established mechanical design and then taking it one step further.