To start off, the packaging is quite superb. Reclosable plastic with an insert card backdrop, and all the junk's visible if you for some reason like displaying MOC stuff. But who cares about MOC, we're here to enjoy stuff. Before we open it, let's take a look at the strangest thing about this purchase: the backing.
Seems that Toys City was thinking (or rather, NOT thinking) that German gun = Nazis. They conveniently forgot that the MP7 debuted in 2001 and the G36 program started around the 1990s. Good old Chinese packaging. Here's a closer look at the silliness that can only come from China.
I'm pretty certain you can buy these from their product selection, so you can recreate the anachronistic pairing this product suggests. But anyways, off to the goods!
The set comes with what appears to be a G36C, complete with mounting rails for the included flashlight and the sling attachment (which can be removed). Quite a lot of detail, including the ambidextrous cocking lever that swivels both sides, and a folding stock. It also comes with three magazines that can be stacked together. I however found that the studs for stacking were too short to stay together when placed on the rifle. They'd come off easily. I attempted to extract the bullets from the magazine, but failed. Good for those who already have problems with losing pieces, bad for those who want empty mags for dioramas.Another thing of mention is the folding stock. It's held in place extended by a small tab which wasn't molded properly, so it doesn't really stay in place. When I have anyone pose with it, stock against shoulder, the stock tends to swing out. Rather annoying. It doesn't require a lot of force either.
The MP7A1 is a delightful product. There's no official markings on the grip that identify the gun, likely due to licensing. Something that is inconsequential, but a factor that may influence your decision in buying this. The stock extends and the foregrip drops down (and moves past the hard stop due to the parts being a bit oversized, so it swings about 100-110 degrees instead of 90). You can mount the flashlight to the front rails, but it was a pain in the ass. For both front rails, I felt like I was going to snap them off trying to mount them.I was disappointed in the choice of sights included. No iron sight option and only the optical sight. The optical sight itself is questionable in quality. You put it on by snapping it on the rails, but after a few tries, I noticed the plastic had worn on one of the clips. Probably won't last too many dismountings. You could put it on the G36C if you like (or more, if you CAN without snapping stuff). The only spot the optical sight seemed to grip was the original spot it was mounted on the MP7. So that leaves you with the fun option of optical sight and no sights!
The gun comes with four magazines: two 20 round mags and two 40 round mags. Like all 1:6 scale guns with removable mags, with pistols being notorious, the mag is initially impossible to remove. A few thousandths of tolerance does that to a fit. You'll need to shove the 40 round mag in and wear the inside down a bit before you can even attempt to use the 20 round ones. If you make the mistake I did and shove the short one in first, be prepared for some delicate flathead screwdriver surgery.
I must admit, I did buy this pack just for the MP7. Before this set came out, there was only one way to get a 1:6 scale MP7, and that was buying either a loose one or the Sideshow Cobra Commander it came with originally. Due to the thin parts used in the stock sliding rail, I opted to not make my own crappy version. (It would have totally been crappy. This is one of those situations where buying is better than making. Look at all those rails!)
I had very little interest in the G36C it came with originally, but came to appreciate all the little details it had. The sling clips on with a tiny clip, which as cool as that is, I'm certain it'll break first over any other part of the toy. There's some text on the side that seems to also appear on the actual gun, which was nice. For a pack I bought originally for the MP7, the best aspect turned out to be the G36 packed with it.
If you're still on the fence about buying this pack, I would recommend it only if you really want the MP7. There's better and cheaper options for the G36. It'll have to do for my collection.==Random Statistics==
MSRP: ~$18 (I paid $17.87 shipped, ebay)
Pieces I'm certain will snap off when looked at weird: 5
Pieces that actually snapped off within the first week of fiddling with it: 0
Minutes spent removing the 20 round mag with an X-acto knife edge: 5
Minutes spent using a flat head screwdriver when the X-acto knife didn't work: ~10
Damage caused to the MP7 removing the mag: minimal
Years the Nazis didn't have the MP7 to help them in WWII: 56 years
Unnecessary Nazi women officers on the packaging: 2
