UNBOXING
OVERVIEW
Fast, light, small and ICS build quality. This is the Dagger!
My Dagger (FET vs SSS)
The dagger comes in 2 versions: the Mosfet version and the SSSv3 version. Mine is the SSSv3 version so it comes with some extra features. Let’s start there to show the differences.
Mosfet
On the outside the SSS version has the Ergo stock while the mosfet has the MTR stock, that’s the one that I have on my UK1 captain. The ergo stock has a massive space to store your battery. Personally I’m not the biggest fan of the looks but it feels very comfortable. Not only the stock is different but also the Stock tube itself. On the SSS version it’s metal and on the Fet version it’s lightweight polymer. To see the difference between the two, on the upper receiver there is a logo that says SSSIII, which means that it’s the SSS version.
Most changes are found on the inside even before we enter the gearbox. The Mosfet version has a dean plug but a normal one and the SSS has the Titan Dean plug. I actually don’t know the difference, it does the same thing and it’s awesome to see Dean plugs on both of them.
Gearbox
Then we switch to the gearbox, where the most changes between the 2 models are. The mosfet version has a basic mosfet that protects the contacts and has some basic functions. The SSS version is something else, it has the ICS SSSv3 mosfet that has grown quite a bit during the years. Which include a smart trigger and pre-cocking function. It makes the Dagger very snappy. Besides that mosfet it also has upgraded Master Mods part. The cylinder head, the piston head, full steel teeth piston, air nozzle and hop tensioner nub is all upgraded. It also has the EVO1 35000rps motor and you can switch to burst mode.
Outside
Now those are the differences but it’s important the things you get in both models. Let’s start on the outside again. At the front there is a plastic flash hider that I don’t like or I just don’t know how it works. But it has been changed to a tracer unit, because this is my CQB rifle.
The lightweight M-LOK polymer handguard, together with the polymer body makes this rifle lighter than another rifle from the same size. But still, because of the gearbox and other metal parts, this is not the lightest CQB rifle you can get. It’s polymer but it doesn’t feel like that. It weighs a little over 2kg.
The awesome ICS Split gearbox, yes I’m a fan, makes up a lot of the weight, you get the same quality in this rifle as in any ICS rifle that has a V2 split gearbox, which is important to know because this is a less expensive ICS rifle, but you still get that ICS quality. You also have a quick detach spring guide to easily switch the spring.
I’m happy to say that this feature is back on this position. If you’re done playing for the day, you press the assist knob to release the spring tension. On the UK1 it happened every time you went to safe, but I didn’t like that.
On the top you get the flip up sights, it’s something that I keep on there as a backup for my dot and there is a fancy flat style trigger. Still don’t understand the purpose but people apparently like it.
Extra stuff
Now, those are the features. Usually I go over the rifle when I get it and a year later I make the ‘one year later’ post. Well, I didn’t make a first impression post, so instead of waiting that much longer I combined both in one post. Another reason I do them both in one is because I didn’t change anything to the rifle. I only brought it to CQB games, but our CQB field is quite big so I could test the range too. The range, snappiness, accuracy and quality amazed me. I don’t know what to expect because this was the first time using a sportline version from ICS.
But holy crap, this thing is a beast in a tiny package. Even the ERGO stock that has a weird shape for a small rifle feels super comfortable when using it.
I run this with my standard cheap M4 mags, the ones I use in every rifle and they feed perfectly. No misfeeds, no problems, it eats the bbs and spit them out to the other side.
Mine shoots out of the box, 1,1 joules with .25 gram bbs and that is perfect for Belgium. Note that depending on your country it can have a different velocity.
The only thing I changed is the flash hider has been changed for a tracer, because that’s a lot of fun indoors and I added a reddot sight. You might recognize it, yes I use it on all my rifles.
The only thing that bothered me a bit was the wobble on the stock. But that’s something I notice on more polymer stocks. I fixed it with a small bit of tape and that fixed the problem. My ICS MARS has the same stock and there I didn’t have that problem.
To sum up
You can pick up the Mosfet version for 285 euro and the SSS version for about 370 euro. There is a hefty price difference in the 2 models. If you like to upgrade things, I advise you to get the mosfet version because you get all the lightweight stuff with a very good gearbox and you can change what you want. But if you don’t like upgrading, go with the SSS version. I’m not saying you need to upgrade the FET version, I have been running AEGs without mosfets for years and they still go strong. But in CQB the single shot takes quite a toll on your internals.
This will be my CQB rifle for quite some time. It’s small, compact and it shoots awesomely. All the things I need to go to a CQB game.
ONE YEAR LATER
Over a year ago I went over all the details of the ICS dagger, the differences between the SSS and mosfet version, that was already after playing with it for a few months. In the meantime I moved countries and still use the Dagger as my main CQB rifle.
Besides myself using it, it has been the rifle that I lend out to people (Sofia, Wilma, Budda, … ) for outdoor or indoor games. I get the same reaction after each game day, this thing is amazing. While I feel the same way about it, I feel I had to make an extra video about this little beast.
On the outside you can see a change, I added a loudner at the front, I still don’t understand why it came with the crappy plastic flash hider. I had this lying around and when I use it on an outdoor field and not using a tracer, this is how I run it. It makes a bit more noise, which is nice.
On the inside, the rifle is still 100% stock, well, maybe 95%. The tappet plate broke and I had to replace that. Which took me about 10 minutes because of the split gearbox. It broke because of the usage, not because it was a bad design. I think this rifle has the most amount of bbs that went through it. Some part are consumables and will need replacing after x amount of rounds.
I did change the optic because my other one got shot out and I had to replace it.
Things I love about it after all the usage
- Trigger response
- Rate of fire, which I almost never use, but it’s really nice.
- The build quality. Nothing moves, or wobbles after dropping, hitting, using, throwing it
- The big stock for the battery
This I don’t like
- The stock, because of how it looks. Even though it is a comfortable stock and has room for a good size battery.
- The Flash hider, but we already established that
- It does not have a good anker point for putting a sling on it. The Mars has a nice ring, that would be good extra feature
- The grip is nice but basic, having the same Mars II grip would add to the comfort
But we can’t forget that the Dagger is an entry rifle in the ICS line and there are always some things that can be improved, but that does not change the heart of the rifle, which I love.
The price did go up, same as all the other airsoft rifles, from when I made the last video and you get this one between 350 and 400eur. Depending on the store.
This ICS Dagger has entered the ‘rifles I love’ category and if you’re looking for an out of the box very good rifle that you don’t have to do anything with, the ICS dagger is the perfect one for you.
It does take time to test rifles to the fullest and give an honest review about it. My Patreons make it possible for me to keep making videos like this, that take years to come to a complete review. Thank you for the support.