The TAN AS36 from ARES is a family of AEGs patterned after a modern polymer bodied gas piston operated assault rifle. While ARES forgoes the 5.56mm round in favor of the 6mm BB, this group of AEGs still looks the part.

At its core, all the weapons are the same using the same internals and main receiver; where the specific models vary is the handguard length, barrel length and handle/rail/scope type. Some models also sport special accessories.

They clock in at around 360 FPS for reasonable mid range skirmish power and make use of a high capacity magazine of about 400 rounds. The realistic arrangement of the piston combines with the electric blowback for a realistic action. It might not kick as much as a gas weapon but for an AEG at this price level its pretty damn amazing.

The fire selector, magazine release and bolt charging handle are all ambidextrously accessible making it a good choice not only for left handed players but also veteran players in general who switch shoulders/hands on the fly.

The AS36C is the shortest model, the compact or commando version with the 9 inch barrel, 8 inch handguard and has short rails on the sides and bottom. It features the shorter carry handle which places the long flat top rail at the correct height for attaching aftermarket optics (not included). The the folding stock helps immensely on this model, folded out it handles like a compact rifle but folded its little more than a chunky SMG.