The Tokyo Marui E-VOLT M4A1 that Molcom checks out is a fresh take on electric airsoft guns, arriving in a split-box setup that makes it look like it has undergone a minor medical procedure. The internal gearbox is divided between the upper and lower receivers, which is a clever thing of engineering, even if it means you have to play some assembly required right out of the gate. It comes with a few extras like an extension barrel, though the charging handle still feels more like a clicking toy than the heavy metal of a gas-powered rifle.

Setting this thing up requires a bit of patience and perhaps a snack. The battery installation is particularly unique, requiring you to perform a full take-down of the rifle just to slide the proprietary lithium-ion pack into the buffer tube. You can think of it like having to take the doors off your car just to fill it with gas, but once the wires are tucked away and the receivers are snapped back together, the gun is ready to behave itself.

When it finally comes time to pull the trigger, the Evolt shows off its improved rapid-fire capabilities compared to older models. The bolt carrier moves back and forth with enough energy to keep things interesting, and the accuracy at 20 meters is solid enough to hit what you're actually aiming at. While the trigger feel is still more electric button than real firearm, the performance on the field suggests it’s more than just a fancy science project.