UTG M324 Gen 5 Spring Sniper Rifle Review

Near the end of the spring semester (some time in April) I took a short road trip into Delaware and decided to stop at Shorty USA's walk-in store before heading home. I had been looking for a new spring sniper rifle after getting ripped off by a 'friend' who claimed the gun he was selling me was 'brand new' and 'barely used.' When I was actually able to put some rounds through it, I found that it was broken internally and mostly just good for parts. I have since decided to use it as a practice weapon for doing custom cammo paint jobs, since if I mess up, it's not like I'm losing an expensive gun in the process. Anyway, back to the story.


After looking at some of the rifles on display, I decided to take a closer look at the UTG M324 Gen 5 in Olive Drab and was very impressed with the quality of its construction. I had read a few reviews online for the Gen 3, which was upgraded internally to the Gen 5, and users seemed dissatisfied. Many were disappointed to have to pay extra in order to upgrade their rifle to shoot on par with most spring sniper rifles, rather than just being able to take it from the box to the battle field. I can assure you that UTG has really stepped up to the plate and pulled out all the stops with this rifle. The Gen 5, which came with everything shy of a scope, shoots at around 450 FPS with .2 gram bbs, and has an effective range of over 200 feet, making it perfect for sniping right out of the box. One noticeable downside is a lack of iron sights, meaning a scope must be used in order to aim. Having owned the UHC Super 9 PRO for a number of years, I had gotten used to being able to use iron sights for backyard shooting. I didn't get terribly caught up on this little detail, as it is common for sniper rifles not to have iron sights. The distance shooting they are designed for would make a scope a necessity anyway.

Feeling a little impulsive, I decided to go ahead and buy it, and I am very satisfied with my purchase. As with most sniper rifles, some assembly was required. The upper receiver is attached to the stock with a series of screws, which are different sizes. It is very important to read the instructions carefully for which screws go in which location as to not damage the gun. This rifle features two rail mount platforms: one for a scope and one for a bi-pod. Each are a good size for various accessories. There is a sling mount on the left side of the stock, and a swiveling mount just below the barrel at the front of the lower receiver. The bolt action functions smoothly, making this gun easy to operate. As with most sniper rifles, a safety switch is located to the right of the bolt assembly just behind the bolt handle and can be operated by the right thumb. The hop-up lever  is located on the left side of the barrel near the fore grip. 

The rifle came with two magazines, each with a 25 round capacity, an extendable bi-pod, a sling, and three stock extenders, which give the gun an extra inch and half of length. The stock extenders make this gun ideal for shooters of different body sizes and builds. After attaching and sighting in a scope, I tested the rifle in my backyard with a series of cans, and it performed consistently and accurately, taking out each aluminum assailant with ease. I would highly recommend this gun to anyone looking for a well built, quality sniper rifle for a reasonable price tag (This gun retails for $99.99 on ShortyUSA's website). My advice would be to carry a small AEG, such as an MP5 or an MP5K, as a backup weapon if you plan to use this rifle as a primary, or carry it in conjunction with your primary weapon, using it when necessary for those long distance shots.

Pros:
Price (Only $99.99 with no sales tax - I love Delaware)
Magazine Capacity (25 rounds each. If you need 50 rounds to hit a target, maybe sniping isn't for you)
Accessories Included (Bi-pod, Sling, Spare Magazine, Stock Extenders)
Fully upgraded from the M324 Gen 3
Minimal Assembly (ready to shoot almost right out of the box, all necessary tools included)
Solid Construction (High quality plastic, quality internals)

Cons:
Doesn't come with a scope (But very few guns do, and if it did, it would cost somewhere around $150)
Not threaded for a silencer/suppressor (minor detail, but if you like the look of a suppressor, you may want to consider a different rifle)

Overall: Great Quality Gun. Highly recommended for new and experienced players, ready to use right out of the box without needing to spend extra money on upgrading. The rifle is available in four different color options (OD Green, Black, Digital Camo, and Army Camo).
Available from both Shorty USA and Airsoft GI, as well as other retailers at very affordable prices.