The Tokyo Marui MTR-16 Gold Edition is a sporting purpose version of the popular M4A1 MWS replica. However, as it is usual from the Japanese manufacturer, the new variant also comes with some technical upgrades at the same time.

The first striking difference on the MTR-16 is the drastic change of external features. The handguard is very long and is accompanied by a futuristic-looking outer barrel. The latter part has a two tone black/gold painting, which is a dividing feature among players. Unfortunately, the golden parts do not have that good of a finish, I found it lackluster. On the other hand, the replica is put together well, and it is also surprisingly light for its size. It is not even close to feeling 3 kg (~6.6 lbs). The new pistol grip has a different angle, and it is very comfortable to hold. Moreover, the lower half of the stock can be swapped to point inwards or outwards, depending on user preference.

The new trigger is also comfortably shaped together with the new charging handle. The bolt catch is different from the previous version, being larger and more comfortable. I also like the new fire selector and bolt release button. The trigger group did not change that much, but there is a significant difference in the fitment of the parts. It became much more crisp. The bolt catch piece is still a separate plate, I think it deforms rather quickly, and the same goes for the inner end of the bolt carrier (behind the firing pin imitation). The moving parts of the bolt carrier received much stronger springs and the nozzle spring now has an incorporated rubber band to prevent it from getting stuck. The handguard is mounted in place using a bunch of parts, mainly screws in every place around, this way it is rock solid. The notch at the end of the outer barrel is a little bit too wide, and therefore the hop up chamber has a chance to rotate in it. It is recommended to pay extra attention to this detail when assembling the replica. If you see that the BBs hop to one side, the reason is most likely a tilted chamber. The inner barrel has good quality, but it does not go all the way to the end of the outer barrel. The factory hop up bucking is slim and soft, it is unable to hop heavy BBs and the hop up nub is not helping either. The Poseidon bucking was too much for the MTR-16, but with the Modify X-Range 55/65 buckings, it shoots ridiculously good. I did not like the short 20 BB magazines. It is true that they are small, compact and light, but their gas capacity and BB capacity is seriously limited. Moreover, this type of magazine performed even worse with strong gases (and in Japanese designs like this, even regular green gas is considered strong). Just like in other Marui magazines, the sealing O-ring is missing from the gas inlet valve, so it is impossible to fill enough gas into the mag. 

All in all, the Marui MTR-16 is a very good replica, which will probably impress the sporting rifle enthusiasts with its unique appearance. Thanks to its small updates, it is a slightly better replica than the basic version. Just like the original M4A1 MWS, it is a durable workhorse and therefore, I highly recommend it.