While at the 2015 Operation New Horizon game, put on by the folks at the Operation Lion Claws Military Simulation Series (OLCMSS), we got the chance to check out two airsoft rifles: The Krytac SPR and the Krytac PDW. Two very different airsoft guns, the SPR is meant for field-distance games with a range of 150 to 200 feet depending on the weight of BBs you use. Its smaller brother, the PDW, was designed for CQB games where players get up close and personal with each other. What surprised us, however, was just how much range we got using the Krytac PDW. Operation New Horizon took place at Sanna Movie Ranch in Agua Dulce, CA. The environment was dense jungle with bamboo, brush, trees, streams, mud, and ants – lots of ants… In this environment, the PDW excelled – not only because of its being able to sling a lot of plastic downrange but, also, its small size. The PDW was a perfect choice to navigate through the dense landscape. Our SPR gunner kept getting tangled up in the environment due to its longer length.
From a design standpoint, the PDW is one of Krytac’s standout airsoft guns. The short Defiance keymod rail system is just long enough to allow a vertical fore grip and the rail on top has plenty of real estate for an optic and optic shield.
The teeny tiny elephant in the room is the Krytac PDW’s battery space – or, lack thereof. The battery compartment is located in the nifty multi-position stock, but you won’t be able to fit much in there. What we did was use a slightly larger LiPo battery without the battery cover in place, keeping everything together with some camouflage fabric tape. The other issue with the PDW’s battery compartment is that the butt plate is held onto the stock via a screw. So if you are in the field and need to quick change your battery out, you might get fumbled up with removing the cover. The way we had the battery installed meant that quick changes were easy – just be sure not to put pressure on the stock adjustment button with the wrap or the battery.
It is worth mentioning that the Krytac PDW does not come with any rail segments for its keymod system – those have to be purchased separately. I think they should at least include one for attaching a fore grip – especially given its $345 dollar price point (which is MAP controlled at online airsoft retailers). What the PDW does come with, is Krytac’s reinforced version 2 gearbox and all the rest of the goodies seen on other Krytac AEGs. Goodies like the built-in MOSFET, which allows you to protect your trigger contacts while safely using 11.1v LiPo batteries. Additionally, the Krytac gearbox features 8mm ball bearings, polymer piston, enlarged cylinder head, high torque motor, and high quality gears.
Overall, Krytac’s PDW is a great little airsoft gun for medium length engagements as well as CQB game arenas. It has a fast rate of fire as well as easy to maneuver size. The biggest issue in using the airsoft rifle on the field is the lack of battery space and awkward method of changing the battery inside the compartment. Krytac’s internal build quality easily shines through these shortcomings, however, making the PDW a mean machine to face off to your opponents with.
[easyreview title=”Krytac PDW Airsoft Electric Gun Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]
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