Necro Add.
That said, I have the UTG 96 as a "shell" for a project build up. So far I have painted it, added a PDi stainless TB (6.01 - 495mm) PDi Hop, Firefly Bucking, laylex cylinder head, PDi barrell spacers, laylex piston, laylex spring guide, laylex piston head.
Im necro'ing because allot of people say this gun is fine out of the box and perfect for a build up. My comments are -
1. if you happen to get a good one, yes its solid out of the box and great for a build. However the QC at UTG is not the best. The gun is over lubed from factory, it shipped with the dirtiest inner barrel i have ever seen, etc. It took more than 7 full patches to clean it! It has allot of fly aways, which a bucking and or new hop fixed.
2. its not a good rifle if you are doing a marksmen or sniper role where you have to change positions frequently, it is a giant gun and has some good heft to it.
If you ae looking for a shell for a 96 build then yes go for the UTG all the externals are tough enough. There is Alot of info on upgrading this gun on A.R., even a few how to instal "x". A red dot or even iron sights would work fine on this gun a 3-9x scope has def been overkill, i rarley ever go more than 3 or 4x. If you want something good bolt action wise i recomend buying one thats already built or is used ive seen ones with dead internals sell for as low as 40.00. or you can buy a bar10, great base allot of mods and is only 74.00. If anyone considering the 96 for purchase or upgrade, has questions on it I would be happy to help.