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FEATURE: #NOTGOINGTOIWA

ARMOURY: KWA QRF MOD1

EVENT: SPEEDSOFT IN TAIWAN

ARMOURY: NOVESKE INFIDEL

Editor: Nigel Streeter Graphic Design: Calibre Publishing Ad Design: Deadshot Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter

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KIT & GEAR: SIONYX AURORA

LETTER , IDEA OR QUESTION? Got something to say? A question for our experts? An article or article idea? Drop us a line and let us know. Either email the Editor: nige@airsoft-action.co.uk, write to us at the Calibre Publishing address above, or talk to us on Twitter or Facebook.

KIT & GEAR: 0241 TACTICAL

LAST POST: FEELING BINARY

CON ONT TEN ENTS TS 8 #NOTGOINGTOIWA IWA 2020 was expected to be a great show for airsoft, but the outbreak of Covid-19 showed that even the best laid plans do not survive first contact! Luckily Airsoft Action has many friends within the industry, so Bill reached out to find out just what “new and improved” products we can expect to see from our friends in the coming months in an exclusive inside look!

APRIL 2020

that strikes a chord with users, and Bill has been following the progress of the SMC-9 Carbine from G&G since he first saw it at IWA a couple of years back. Now that stock is starting to hit the stores, he gets hands on to see if the wait has been worth it!

28 ARMOURY: KWA QRF MOD1 Here in the UK, Phil Bucknall has looked at a number of PCC releases from KWA but hadn’t got hold of one that really floated his boat …until now! 32 EVENT: SPEEDSOFT IN TAIWAN March 1st 2020 marked the start of a new month and the start of a new era in the Taiwanese airsoft scene and following a few months organisational effort in conjunction with local indoor site, Action Bunker in East Taipei, the inaugural Speedsoft Taiwan event was held and our “Legionnaire in Taiwan”, Stewbacca, brings us the scoop! 35 KIT & GEAR: DTD MK23 HOLSTER Getting his sniper sneaky freak on, Steve T tests an open-frame retention holster for the almighty TM’s MK 23 sidearm. 39 KIT & GEAR: VIPER VX UTILITY RIG If you’ve lusted after expensive Micro-Rigs, Steve T tests a budget alternative from Viper Tactical. 40 ARMOURY: NOVESKE INFIDEL With so many great AR style AEGs on the market it’s sometimes hard to decide between them, so when a model appears that ticks all the boxes for being “unique” it’s definitely going to be worth a look. This month Bill gets on the range with the latest Noveskeinspired model from EMG! 44 THE CAGE: NIGHT VISION Each month Bill speaks to the entire Airsoft Action team to find out their thoughts and preferences for righteous game gear, and this time he turned his attention to Night Vision equipment, not expecting to unleash a debate within the group that is still raging! 46 KIT & GEAR: PTS EMP1 Every so often a product comes along that challenges the status quo and causes us to rethink what we know. Phil Bucknall checks out a product from PTS that might just fall into that category. 48 ARMOURY: RAPTOR SV-98 Steve T puts a new airsoft replica of the motherland’s SV-98 sniper rifle from Taiwan through its paces. 52 ARMOURY: G&G SMC-9 Every so often an airsoft model comes along

Contents

56 KIT & GEAR: AIRSOFT MULTI-TOOLS Frenchie covered this subject some while ago and now things have changed, he updates us on his thoughts regarding airsoft and multitools. 59 KIT & GEAR: YTTK BATTLE BELT Do you even need a chest rig, assault vest or plate carrier? Steve T tests YTTK’s battle belt and harness to find out… 60 FEATURE: MCX DREAM BUILD For this issue we’re joined by our good friend John T who takes a look at the “tool of choice” for specialist Law Enforcement units in the United Kingdom, and works with Dan from Tactical Parts in the USA to create his “perfect” SIG MCX! 64 KIT & GEAR: NIGHT VISION As the “Airsoft Action Legion” begins to have real input from around the globe, contributor Rob brings in a great report on gear he wishes he’d had “in the day”, tying in nicely to our CAGE feature this month! 68 THIS IS MY M4: PART 5 After years of making minor modifications to RIFs with varying degrees of success, Steve T goes all-in on his MWS to find out just what an inept home tech can achieve. This month: a longer inner barrel. 7O FEATURE: THE COLOURS OF AIRSOFT Around the globe there are many “colours” that come into play for numerous reasons both legal and personal, and Bill takes a step back to consider whether or not “black guns matter” or if something more rainbow-like really has a place on the skirmish field! 74 KIT & GEAR: 0241 TACTICAL At Airsoft Action we absolutely love seeing good friends doing great things and rightly benefitting from their efforts! A couple of years ago Bill got together with Sean from 0241 Tactical and now revisits this veteran-owned company to see how they have gone from strength to strength! 78 FEATURE: WHAT IS REALLY USEFUL Having returned from a tiring trip “down south”, Frenchie got to pondering the answer to a question we may all have asked ourselves at some point. 82 LAST POST: FEELING BINARY Following Airsoft Action’s switch to fully digital only, Frenchie reflects on why this is so important in today’s society and why paper magazines are on the way out.

Photo by Victor Karlund. https://www.instagram.com/victorkarlund

ADVANCED LITHIUM ION BATTERY

Standard lipo balance chargers are recommended Discharge Rating: 10C at 2600 mAh (equiv. 20C at 1300 mAh, a common airsoft lipo) Fits standard airsoft battery storage areas Can store on average 2-5 times the energy of other Airsoft batteries keeping you in the game longer

Distributed by RWA Group ( United Kingdom and Europe )

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

WA 2020 was expected to be a great show for airsoft, but the outbreak of Covid-19 showed that even the best laid plans do not survive first contact! Luckily Airsoft Action has many friends within the industry, so Bill reached out to find out just what “new and improved” products we can expect to see from our friends in the coming months in an exclusive inside look! There’s an ancient proverb that allegedly originated in China, “May you live in interesting times”, which is actually more of a curse; whether we like it or not, we live in interesting times right now, and although they could be viewed as times of danger and uncertainty, they are also times of unbridled creativity and innovation in the airsoft industry! Usually at this time of the year I would be hammering out my usual “Show AAR” in order to hit our publishing deadline, especially now we are putting new digital issues up every 15th of the month, but due to the postponement of the show I decided to speak to our industry friends to pull together a special report to showcase what we would have seen, as there are some pretty fascinating developments that will be heading our way

APRIL 2020

during 2020! When the postponement was called there was huge disappointment in the airsoft community, as IWA is not only a trade show where we get to see all the new “shiny things”, it’s also a place where we all get together face to face and have

an opportunity to discuss all things airsoft. With the Airsoft Meetup and the nowtraditional “MealSim” we have a chance to gather and share ideas and information in person, rather than just messaging or emailing one another. But such is the resilience and dark humour of my friends in the community that soon after the announcement of

the postponement I was soon seeing the “#notgoing” symbol appearing in chat groups, and this has taken on a life of its own; like all of you, we are not fazed by adversity, we merely find another way to deal with a problem. This set me to thinking and the idea of a “#notgoing” article formed in my mind. Now sadly I cannot cover every tiny thing that we might have seen at the show in Germany, but I hope the following pages will give you some idea of new directions and products that will be appearing in your favourite stores soon! Also sadly, some were not able to meet our publishing deadline, and others, like ASG and Valken, appear to have made the decision to hold over their new product launches to the new show date in September. My thanks go out to all our industry partners that did get information to me to collaborate on getting news out in a timely fashion; just simply click on the website address on the relevant page to take you direct to all the latest news! Without further ado I’ll get into the meat of things, and for now I’ll just say to you all, friends old and new, “See you at IWA in September”! AA

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.evolutioninternational.it

Evolution International have the mantra “STYLE, SOPHISTICATION, PERFORMANCE” and we speak to them each year we attend IWA. Francesca had this to tell me about some exciting new products for 2020! “The most fascinating and valuable airsoft models in the world are the result of commitment in competition. Evolution represents the purest expression of refined technique, unmistakable design and passion for airsoft.” “Evolution is innovation and new technologies development oriented. Our products are known all over the world due to their shooting performance and excellent workmanship. Our Electronic Trigger System, entirely designed, developed and produced in Italy and our constant development of both technical and visual aspects, are the distinctive signs that affirm the uniqueness of Evolution, whose mission is to guarantee customers a real competitive advantage and the best game experience ever.”

EVOLUTION COMBAT SERIES “High standard set up for beginners and experienced players. One of the new entries in the Evolution International line is the RECON STEALTH PDW 8’’ M-LOK METAL, part of the

Combat Series. The Evolution Combat Series boasts extremely high quality, affordable price, latest technology and, no less important, a platform which is expandable with the Evolution drop in Electronic Trigger System (ETS). The Evolution Combat Series is solid as a rock: components CNC machined from billet aluminum alloy, super-reinforced internals and Carbontech™ engineering polymer. The Combat Series rifles have right out of the box what the other brands sell as “upgrades” or “option parts”. Don’t be surprised to find in these guns a heavy-duty gearbox with a reinforced piston with all teeth made out of steel, steel gears with delayer, a real Quick Access spring guide that allows to swap the main spring quickly without taking out the gear box from the body, in order to easily adapt the shooting performance to the game. Another important feature is the revolutionary tool-less access to the motor compartment that allows you to gain access to the motor without using any tool and other innovations such as the very accurate rotary hop up chamber.”

RECON STEALTH PDW 8’’ M-LOK METAL

“The Recon Stealth PDW 8’’ M-LOK METAL represents one of the newest models made by Evolution International. As can be seen from the pictures, it is a full metal model with a series of features listed below: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

A Type Flat Fast Trigger Curved Trigger Guard PDW Stock Unique serial number Deep Laser engraving High Torque Motor Flip up metal battle - sights CNC aluminium rail system CNC one piece outer barrel 6.01 Precision innrer barrel Reinforced gearbox Reinforced steel gears Sector gear delayer Full Steel teeth piston Quick removable spring - guide 8mm radial ball bearings Tool - less access motor grip T - plug connector Rotary hop up chamber 130 BB mid - cap magazine

The Combat Series rifles represent the best choice for those players looking for reliability and performinance in one complete and affordable product!”

www.airsoft-action.online

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.guay2.com

G&G are well known and well respected by the playing community and they are also long-term friends of Airsoft Action. I spoke to Rick who told me that they would have been showcasing new models along with new developments at IWA 2020 and here are the details! “G&G is constantly researching new ways to innovate in designs and materials to ensure the best quality of our products. All G&G products are designed and built with computer assisted design tools such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC) turning operation to ensure tight precision and quality. G&G values the customer’s feedback, as we incorporate improvements and upgrade to our future products. All G&G products are proudly made in Taiwan. It is the G&G vision that our customer can enjoy the best experience using our product and we strive in delivering the best quality product as the key to our success. Our new models for release are as follows.”

PRK9

“The G&G ARP9 has been the top seller in the market, but G&G is not going to stop there. In 2019, G&G debut the first AK platform in 9mm, the PRK9. This product line comes with three different lengths, the shortest one is PRK9, and then we got the folding stock one, PRK9 RTS and the longest one, PRK9L. The PRK9 family will suit your needs whether in indoor CQB or out in the fields. There are two different

magazine capacities you can choose from, 40 rounds or 200 rounds, and soon to be released, 1,730 rounds drum magazine. PRK9 also equipped with G&G latest ETU and Mosfet for faster trigger response. The hop-up unit is the first-in-the market rotary hop-up chamber for Ver.III gearbox. With this much fire power and accuracy, PRK9 is the most deadly beast in the game!”

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TR16 SBR 308

“Ever since the new G2 gearbox was released in 2017, feedback has been nothing but good! However, before 2019, the G2 line only came full size. The TR16 SBR 308 line is the solution to those in need for CQB scenarios. There are two different styles, MkI and MkII, but both are short 12” barrel, alloy M-LOK rail with new butt stock feature

Type 64 BR

“Over the years G&G has been dedicated in bring different airsoft models to the market. From AK5 (the Swedish rifle), RK95 (the Finnish rifle), L85 (the British rifle), FN2000 (the Belgium rifle) to the most common M4 (the AR platform) and AK (the Russian rifle), G&G decided to release the Type 64 (the Japanese rifle) in 2019. To accommodate the needs of latest technologies, G&G developed the new electronic trigger unit, O.S.T. (stands for Optical Sensor Trigger). The advantage of optical sensor is to avoid physical contact to reduce wear on the parts or over-pressure on the switch. Because of the optical

technology, Type 64 BR is able to switch different burst modes and adjustable trigger pulls. This unit also features powercut safety when the magazine is removed or empty. Looking for a high-tech airsoft gun? Type 64 BR from G&G Armament is your number one choice!”

more battery spaces than previous version. The MkI is more low-profile style whereas the MkII is more modern design. Same as their big brothers, the TR16 SBR 308 also comes with G&G premium G2 gearbox in .308 style featuring and improved air seal cylinder system, robust gearbox shells, responsive trigger pull and burst control. If you are already satisfied with our TR16 MBR 308, then you won’t be disappointed with our new SBR. If you haven’t tried our G2 system, then our new SBR 308 line is your best bet to experience a top of the line product.”

ICS-420

CXP-MARS PDW9

ICS-420S3

ICS Split Gearbox QD Spring Guide Design 20Â°Vertical Pistol Grip Tri-way Magazine Release Pre-cocking Function (sss only)

IMG-420-1 IMG-420S3-1

Competition Short Stroke Flat Trigger (sss only) Realistic 9mm Pistol Caliber Magazine & Ejection Port

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.icsbb.com pistol grip. Not only it’s modern look, but the internals have also been upgraded with the 6061 aluminum cylinder head and piston head, which can greatly upgrade its durability (for SSS version only).”

Lightway Peleador 2.0

ICS are always on my list to visit at IWA and are an established name in the airsoft business. They’ve been teasing us with the new products for 2020 and Olivia outlined what they have in the pipeline for me. “I Chi Shivan (ICS) have been trading since 1995, the first company to build AEGs in Taiwan. We go about things our own way with a strong R&D team containing professionals from sixteen different yet associated industries. ICS constantly devote resources into product design while obtaining patents and authorised certification from firearm companies to provide their customers with exactly what they need to play airsoft. “This is the mission of ICS: Innovation, Competition, and Satisfaction.”

CXP-MARS PDW9

“The CXP-MARS PDW9 is one of the highlights from ICS in 2020, featuring an integrated metal upper receiver, ICS iconic split gearbox, and lightweight M-LOK 6.5” handguard. A rear-wired design, and retractable stock presents an extra battery

compartment space. Additional features include SSS II E-Trigger and short-stroke flat trigger to improve the shooting response time. The 9mm modern aesthetic and the rose gold plated bolt plate add uniqueness from inside out. This model is available with two colors, matte black, and urban grey, and two systems, MOSFET and SSS, and is equipped with a shadow barrel extension tube and a new 20° vertical-style 12

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SAR 9

“The anticipated SAR 9 is a Sarsilmaz licensed handgun and its design was based on all the successful handgun features and handgun ergonomics, featuring a stylish matte black frame, 22 rounds capacity

“The Lightway Peleador 2.0 is the new solution to performance speed games. It is constructed from super high strength nylon fiber polymer, and is equipped with ICS’s outstanding SSS electronic trigger system. The FRP piston unit and shortstroked trigger makes this light weight AEG a real performer! By combining light weight construction and high performing

internals, this is certainly the choice of gun for many players out there.”

CES-P

“The MP5 is the legend that began in 1960. To pay respect, ICS produces the CES-P frame as the real steel version, using the strongest steel and follows the real steel production method. The ICS CES-P is packed with the most advanced ICS SSS V2 Electronic Trigger System, this makes it the undefeatable AEG in the airsoft market. If you are looking for the most realistic MP5

that is equipped with the outstanding internals, then don’t miss the ICS CES-P. This model is available with options, the A5 and MS1 retractable stock.”

magazine and ICS inventive REVO Valve System. The remarkable innovations of this model must go to its fixed barrel design and straight-pull H-UP system, performing a stable trajectory and shooting accuracy. Also, the creative modular fire control system presents the advantages of easy assembly and maintenance. Sarsilmaz SAR 9 is available in matte black, along with interchangeable backstraps for personalized fit. Worldwide distribution will commence in May 2020.”

CXP-ARK

“The CXP-ARK combines the two legends in the world of guns, taking the robust from the AK and integrating the precise from the M4. This fusion beast comes with ICS’s newest V3 gearbox technology,

featuring quick spring change and spring pressure release; but most importantly the SSS V3 Electronic Trigger System is now available in V3 Gearbox platform. We now can proudly announce, this is the product that can take a beating and shoot precisely in the field! The CXP-ARK will be available in late 2020, so please stay close to ICS website and social media platforms.”

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.iwholesales.co.uk iWholesales are a very well respected distributor of numerous top-end airsoft brands, so I spoke to Rishy and Tim to find out exactly what they were excited about showing in Germany and this is what they had to tell me! “At iwholesales we were looking forward to IWA to showcase many of our products and Brands to our existing and potential customers. We were due to take several brands we are proud distributors of including, but by no means limited to Ares, Armourer Works, WE, Golden Eagle, Saigo, Secutor, Classic Army , APS, Tokyo Marui, KWA, Army, Jag Precision, King Arms, Big foot and EMG. As an airsoft wholesaler we stock one of the largest range of brands held by any UK and European wholesaler, all available to our customers next day from our extensive UK warehouse.”

Gearbox and lots of options including arm brace stocks, and other features, ideal for CQB or playing in tight confined spaces.”

guns in several forms, as well as their VX series carbine body kits. Their gas box mags in 5 variations and 2 colours also would have taken centre stage.”

CYBERGUN

“Cybergun have recently launched some interesting variants of the classic Desert Eagle, which were being showcased for the first time. Many of our retailers have already snapped up the variants as they went live on our site in the week leading up to IWA so we had to monitor stock carefully making sure we had enough to display. The unique “tiger stripe” design in Gold, Silver and Black has been very popular.”

ARMOURER WORKS

“Armourer Works and WE had already decided they would not be able to attend

ARES

“From Ares we were taking many different guns including the full range of their sniper rifles, from the ultra-compact AS003 with its stockless design, through all the permutations right up to the AS01. We also intended to showcase the full M45 range of AEGs, all the M45s come as standard with the legendary Ares EFCS IWA following restrictions from their government on travel, so consequently as their premier distributor, we were carrying the flag for them and were taking huge amounts of their products. Armourer Works products were mainly dominated by their HX and VX series

“WE were sending us samples direct to the stand in Germany for several new products they were releasing. It was a complete surprise! Unfortunately apart from existing stock, these samples are still somewhere in the great delivery chain, so you will have to wait a little while longer for pictures and descriptions as even we haven’t seen them yet!”

JAG PRECISION

“Jag Precision have more than landed as a brand following their launch of a very affordable licensed JW3 Combat master in association with Taran Tactical. Rarely has a single gun from a manufacturer proved so successful. Even seasoned IPSC shooters that tout £2k race guns have been pleasantly surprised with its performance and build. A hand stippled grip on a mass produced gun is a rarity but very true to the original.” “Overall iWholesales were very disappointed the show was postponed, because we were so very much looking forward to it, but the new dates in September should allow us to showcase our fantastic products and brands, bigger and better than before.”

www.airsoft-action.online

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.kingarms.com logo are made in America by American workers. “Their mission is to produce the highest quality products out of the highest quality materials, with the best customer service in the industry. From the inception of Black Rain Ordnance Inc., they vowed to never

there is more to come with this program!”

Micro RONI PISTOL—CARBINE CONVERSION “King Arms are proud to work in line with The CAA Airsoft, and the Micro Roni is the compact version of the pistol to carbine conversion kit. It comes with a rigid folding

Another company that I make a beeline for at IWA is King Arms, as they have always been known to look at some of the more esoteric historical weapons in airsoft form including Mosin Nagant bolt actions, Thompson SMGs, Galils, FN FALs, and even an L1A1 SLR. More recently though (although there is some talk about the re-introduction of the FAL AEG line!) they’ve been doing some business with their CAA licence, and especially with Black Rain Ordnance, so I spoke to Shirley to see what’s in the pipeline!

BLACK RAIN ORDNANCE

“Black Rain Ordnance, Inc. is a precision firearms manufacturer, specializing in tactical style rifles and suppressors. Incorporated in January of 2009, it’s a young company, but far from new to the firearms industry. From the beginning they acquired the best machinists to manufacture the finest parts possible. Its design team created a unique look and feel, with features that all shooters can appreciate while using the best materials available. They strive to use only American metal; it is important for them to ensure that all products carrying their Bio-Hazard

produce anything that themselves would not personally own and operate. At King Arms we strive to faithfully replicate these “American Idols” with our range of BRO AEG replicas, and you can be assured that

stock for carrying easy. It equipped with a rear quick detachable sling mounting points and a large charging handle. Charging the weapon is easy and it is user friendly to both left and right-handed operators. “The aluminum flash hider and polymer built receiver provides the benefit of light weight together with sturdiness. The top and both sides have rails for mounting accessories and it features with a spare magazine holder for faster reloading. The RONI Pistol Carbine Conversion includes a pair of thumb rests and a charging handle. “While working with the leading firearms manufactures, we provide to our patrons a level of innovation and authenticity that can’t be found anywhere else in the airsoft industry, and please do watch for our announcements on social media for the very latest additions to the ever-growing King Arms range. “

APRIL 2020

COVERT BOOT

BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: Â£49.95

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.lctairsoft.com

LCT are relatively new friends to Airsoft Action but have really found a place in the hearts of the OPFOR community with their fabulous range of Russian and Eastern European models! I got online with Bella over in Tawian to find out just what LCT have to wow us with in the coming year! “The annual hot sale items are the Z series parts, Z series AEG, RPK drum magazine. The traditional wooden LCK can now be modified to a modern tactical style, and players will have more choice to customize their own AEG to their own individual taste! “First, pick up the Z series parts which are your favorites and directly install on LCT AEG and GHK GBB, you don’t need to do any further work. The Z series includes

flash hiders, silencers, upper and lower handguards, fore grips, and buttstocks. The high-quality metal craft will satisfy your need, and free for you to customize as you like! “Second, there are four types of Z series AEG for you to choose from, and internally they can be upgraded to Quick Spring Change Gearbox!! The models are ZKS74M AEG, ZKS-74UN AEG, ZK-104 AEG, and ZP-19-01 AEG. “Third, the RPK 2000rd Full Metal Electric Winding Drum Magazine; this has a realistic appearance, full steel mag catch, is 100% solid and 100% durable. It’s absolutely amazing after bluing and looks great on the classic wood version AEG!! “The very latest products will be launched in the coming year, and the first of these is the muchanticipated LCK-16 which is the latest light machine gun AEG with a more modern tactical drum magazine. Of course, it

comes with a QD gearbox, so you must have it for your own, especially for those who love Russia series models! “Lastly the LK33 series has four new models and will have the EBB as well. The internal is also with the QD gearbox. The related accessory parts will feature two kinds of magazines, which are the 20rds and 40rds as you would find on the real firearms, along with wide and slim handguards, bipod and retractable butt stock which will also be available to purchase soon.”

www.uk.redwolfairsoft.com

RedWolf Airsoft (RWA) really needs no introduction as they always seem to be at the cutting edge of the airsoft industry. Known both as a retailer and an innovator of new products, RedWolf have a following that is simply massive and the sheer range of what they offer is mind-blowing! I spoke to Danny at RedWolf UK to find out “what will happen next”! “This year at IWA 2020, our focus was to be on two major product concepts and the first of these is the RWA Battle Arms Development 556-LW and RWA Battle Arms Development SBR AEG. This is our latest M4 platform AEG that we build

APRIL 2020

from the ground up with the following features… “Externally it will come with a host of B.A.D. licensed parts, such as the outer barrel, gas block, receiver, bolt release, ambidextrous selector, mock bolt, pistol grip, and VERT Stock. In addition, there will also be parts from Fortis Manufacturing, including a Fortis 556 Muzzle Brake, Fortis Switch Rail M-Lok and both models will benefit from a built-in RWA Edition ASTER ECU by GATE Electronics with pre-set binary flat-face trigger feature and more. “Internally as well, they will come with an extended battery tube and stock cover to cover a wide range of battery selections in the market, standard V2 Gearbox for future upgrades, a rotary style hop-up unit, and they’ll be standardized with T-Plug connection. “All in all these will be stunning looking AEGs with the performance to match, and I am certain that customers will be more than satisfied when they buy one! “The second focus area is that of the RWA Agency Arms EXA Pistol. The EXA Slide features aggressive top serrations, an enlarged top window for C-Port barrels,

and side windows, and it gives the pistol a really strong look as well as great levels of performance. “The overall package will include a fully licensed slide, barrel and trigger (Syndicate) by Agency Arms, fully licensed modified Timberwolf Lower by Lone Wolf Distribution, pre-installed blacked-out rear and red fibre front sight and those extra serrations for various manipulation techniques. “There will also be a Syndicate (Agency Arms) adjustable flat face polymer trigger and the pistol will come with two back straps for different hand sizes, along with a polymer magwell for ease of speed reload. This model will be fully compatible with Umarex Glock 17 Gen 3 internals for those that like to work further on what is already a stunning pistol. “These models would have been our main focus and debuts for this year’s IWA but of course, we will have many more to come and 2020 is already looking to be another very strong year both for our own projects and those that we work on constantly with our brand partners. “

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www.nuprol.com Thanks to this supply chain efficiency it means that even smaller retailers and on-site shops can stock products from NUPROL and that makes the brands even more accessible to the most important part of this system, the players themselves!

Some may say that I have a “soft spot” for NUPROL and that would be true, as I believe that they are doing some truly unique and exciting things when it comes to our beloved airsoft. With a bigger basket of brands than ever before, along with some super products of their own, they are truly a force to be reckoned with! I managed to track down Danny to get the lowdown on the latest developments. “2019 was a REALLY big year for all of us at NUPROL and first off I’d like to thank every single one of our customers, both in the trade and the individual players themselves for their continued support! “In the UK, throughout Europe and internationally, we can assure superb service and after-purchase support for all our brand products thanks to a proficient and well-established supply chain that runs from the manufacturers themselves to professional retailers around the world.

“At NUPROL we always try to treat our partners and customers with honesty and integrity. We know that our brand partners are constantly innovating to bring us new models with greater reliability and performance, and that they will continue to do so in the future!

everything from your pistol, up to your full team’s gear! This is something that we are very, very proud of and, as players seem to agree with us that we really do have the best hard cases on the market, we need to ensure that we keep our retail partners fully up to speed with developments. Sadly, we will miss the opportunity to speak face to face with friends that we would have seen in Germany. And I won’t mention the “VIP Party” we had planned on the stand this year …Oh but I just did! Rest assured though, even without this everyone will receive a warm reception each and every time they speak to one of the NUPROL team!”

“Of course, there’s always something going on at NUPROL and this year we’ve added even further to the portfolio of brands that we deal with and distribute. At IWA we would have been showing new innovations from G&G, BOLT, LCT, Modify, E&L, and Poseiden to name just a few, supporting our partners who had already decided not to attend the show due to the “situation”! “And we would also have had all our own products such as our own AEGs, RZR BBs, our full gas range, batteries and accessories which are all leaders in the market! “One thing that we had saved up specifically for IWA was the latest extension to our popular hard case range. This has been enlarged again to include some new models so that we can protect

www.airsoft-action.online

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.ptssyndicate.com “ONE” also means “FIRST” and PTS always makes the FIRST in the market. To

When it comes to accessories for any airsoft platform, then who better to turn to than the guys at PTS! Luckily I managed to spend some time on their stand at SHOT and got a good look at what they had to offer for 2020. However, I did manage to catch up with my old mate Andy H, to highlight what would have been on the stand in Germany. “When it comes to training, simulation and the ultimate experience, there’s PTS and then there’s everyone else. With RDT&E (Research, Development, Test & Evaluation) Teams in both USA and Asia and using the best materials and manufacturing processes, PTS Syndicate is committed to bringing the highest quality and most innovative products onto the market to meet - and exceed - the exacting standards of the most discriminating end user. PTS is also a prolific exclusive licensee of the latest and greatest products in the tactical market. We have an excellent reputation as a trusted license partner that works closely with our licensors to extend awareness of their brands into new markets! “At SHOT you saw the new MTEK Flux Helmets, the EPM1 magazine and the ZEV Omen conversion kit for TM G17

along with the ZEV Comp V2. The PTS® Enhanced Polymer Magazine ONE, or EPM 1 for short, is more than worthy of comment as it is a new type of High capacity Polymer Magazine for AEGs. 20

APRIL 2020

be the first, we co-operated with Odin

uncluttered without reducing capability. Also, the front sight post can be removed so that the rear BUIS aperture can be used with a traditional front sight such as the PTS FUSION folding front sight, creating a more conventional sight radius. Both front and rear BUIS are completely adjustable for windage and elevation. “The PTS Unity Tactical FAST™ FTC (Flip-To Center) Aimpoint Mag (Magnifier) Mount feature the first ever Flip-To-Center (FTC) mechanism (patentpending), providing stowage completely within the footprint of the rifle/ carbine receiver while not occluding the host optic’s sight picture at all! “We also had to show the prototype of the PTS B.E. Meyers MAWL-PTS (under license), and the EP Trigger Guard for AEG and GBB; in fact there was a whole host of great parts and accessories that we wanted to show to all our European customers and fans and hopefully we can soon do so! For now though, all the products are detailed in the 2020 PTS Catalogue and you can always reach out to us for more information via our social media channels.”

Innovation and we designed the ultimate high-capacity internal shell which makes the EPM1 the first ever over 200 round BB spring magazine in the world! “And there was more of this to come at IWA, with prototypes of the EPM1-S, EPM G36, and EPM LG models. We also wanted to show off the new PTS Unity Tactical FAST mounts (under license); the Unity Tactical FAST™ is a series of optic mounts that provide end users with a quicker sight picture than standard height mounts. The PTS Unity Tactical FAST™ Micro Mount features built-in standard height back up iron sights (BUIS) that keep your airsoft gun

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.rvnairsoft.com these two ravens out each day to soar across the lands. At day’s end, they would return to Odin and speak to him of all they had spied upon and learned on their journeys. We wanted to create pistols that players could rely I was very pleasantly surprised late in 2017 when Ross introduced me to the pre-production version of the new RAVEN EU17 GBB and I’ve been using one ever since in my personal airsoft adventures! Since then the marque has moved everonwards, offering players a mind-bending array of models and indeed, colours to choose from! I asked him what there would have been to look forward to at IWA and this is what he told me. “Raven has really come on as a brand in its own right since we launched those initial models and although, like any manufacturer, we’ve had our “ups and downs”, it’s been pretty much all “ups” as the range has matured and grown! “The raven is symbolic of mind, thought and wisdom in Norse legend, as the god Odin had two Ravens as his sidekicks. The first was Hugin who represented the power of thought and the active search for information. The other raven, Mugin represented

“With the Hi Capas we’ve kept everything

on as their “sidekick”, something that would always be with them as they progressed in their own personal airsoft odyssey, forever

learning as they went.

the mind and its ability to intuit meaning, rather than hunting for it. Odin would send

RAVEN HI CAPAS, both 4.3 and 5.1. Both these models have moved on from the originals, with a modern, strong, almost “blocky” look that is right on the button for current combat pistol design.

“As much as our existing RAVEN EU and “1911” models are first rate (and those ranges continue to grow), we felt strongly that we wanted to really make a firm statement of intent when it came to what we are able to achieve and the net result of that was the new range of

completely streamlined without any fuss or ornate work to any of the main parts. These are pistols fundamentally designed to be skirmished with, to be used rather than just carried in a holster. We’ve beefed up areas that we felt needed it, to give them longevity and durability, only adding features where necessary like the threaded outer barrels and the light/laser rail on the frame. We also upgraded the slide spring to cope both with the minimal increase in weight and to give them a real kick! “The RAVEN Hi Capa line has been on sale for a little while now but IWA was going to be the first show where we highlighted the entire range, as well as the new concept model for the Hi Capa, the “Dragon 7”. This model is still in development, but as you know we go from concept to reality pretty fast these days, as everything is 100% “in house”. “There will be more to come with RAVEN, so make sure to keep your eyes on the website and Facebook page for news and updates!” www.airsoft-action.online

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EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.specnaarms.com

Luckily we met with the team from Specna Arms out at SHOT Show, so we had a little idea of what is on the way for this year, but of course, just like many of you we really wanted to get our hands on the new “J-Series”. I spoke to Adam and Pawel who very kindly gave me an update on plans for the rest of this year. “One of the key moments in the upcoming year will be the introduction of the new series in the EDGE™ replicas family, EDGE 2.0. The new models are based on the proven, full-metal construction known from the EDGE AEG models. The new line consists of standard replicas, and those licensed by Rock River Arms. The upgraded version has a built-in GATE ASTER™ unit with the innovative, optical sensors and

offers a wide variety of functions. EDGE 2.0 is equipped with a high-torque motor, the flat hop-up, and the ESA2 system that increases the level of performance. The ESA2 requires no tools and allows you to change the spring in less than a minute. Just remove the buffer tube, unscrew the spring guide, and it’s done! You can adapt your replica to indoor or field airsoft games in a second. “Another breakthrough is the release of the highly-anticipated line of replicas which is Edge H-Series. The H-Series in the EDGE standard was announced in October 2019 and received amazing attention from our fans. The release is planned for the first half of this year. What’s even more exciting, replicas from the H-series will be introduced in the EDGE 2.0 standard. Thus, from the beginning, customers will have two versions to choose from. “The next great premiere of this

APRIL 2020

year is the long-awaited Edge J-series™. It consists of replicas based on the legendary assault rifles. The J-Series™ replicas feature a very solid construction with a full-steel outer barrel and many more parts made of steel like a receiver, or a muzzle brake. The offer includes both classic models with wooden parts and tactical models with RIS/Picatinny and M-LOK rails. J-Series™ replicas have the reinforced ORION™ V3 Gearbox with the Enter & Convert™ quick spring change system. “The start of our cooperation with Rock River Arms, an American manufacturer of firearms, was a milestone in terms of brand recognition. It was an award for our hard work and another step on the scale of realism of our products. Therefore, we are thrilled that this year, we are going to expand the range of licensed replicas. In cooperation with EMG, we’ve acquired the licensing rights from the internationally recognized, American firearms manufacturer, Daniel Defense. That’s not the end of great news. Simultaneously, we will introduce to our offer replicas produced under the license of Strike Industries, the renowned producer of accessories and parts for firearms. “It will be a busy year, but we are not stopping. We are constantly working on our projects and products. We’ve just introduced EDGE BBs by BLS, Silencer - Mini Tracer Unit and there are more products on the way. Visit our social media to see new 3D projects of grips, receivers and other products that we are currently working on. We are counting on your feedback!”

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.gettitanpower.com

A number of the Airsoft Action team have been testing and evaluating Titan Power batteries and technologies and have been very impressed by their performance. Although I spent some “quality time” with Matt and Ronald at SHOT, they had this to tell me about what to expect next!

“As always, all of our batteries come with a one-year, no questions asked warranty, our batteries don’t puff like a lithium polymer, they don’t have any memory or any fading effects like a nickel metal hydride, they’ve always had great capacity, sometimes two to five times the capacity of any other battery in the same size... “So what’s different in 2020? Well, the biggest change is that our factory is now located in the United States. We’ve always been designed in the US, but starting in

the summer of 2019 we moved all of our production to America and so now we are entirely built, designed, qualityassurance, shipped... everything from Idaho. This is unique in the Airsoft industry! “We introduce our version 7, so as the name suggests we’ve gone through six iterations of our batteries in the past. Version 7 has twice the discharge rate improvement of all the prior versions- combined. It’s a dramatic improvement for Titan, we’ve tested v7 against lithiumpolymer packs of the same size and we’ve noticed that they now equal or beat lithiumpolymer packs in rate of fire and trigger response. “There’s basically two parts of a battery, the cell that stores energy and the wiring that takes the energy from the battery to your AEG. We’ve improved our battery from a 2600 mAh cell to a 3000 mAh cell. That cell not only has more capacity but has a higher discharge rate. Adding to this the second component is wiring; all the the things that takes all the energy from the battery to your rifle that has been dramatically improved. We now provide a 15% capacity increase, a 31% performance boost - all in the same size with the same price!

battery is now a part of your kit, and not a consumable. “We’re also announcing “Titan Power Academy”, a video series close to weekly to cover a variety of topics, like a C rating, how to take care of your batteries, common misconceptions, and the like. 2020 will be exciting! “Simply put, we provide the only airsoft battery made in the USA with a one year warranty. Titan Power packs have the performance, high capacity, and reliability needed to make your battery a lasting friend. Patriotically rapid innovation with strict quality assurance brings airsoft players a power solution that needs very little attention to maintain a long life of use. The American team of owners, engineers, and production employees love airsoft and hope that passion shines brightly through each product.”

“We can now build a battery that has the performance, the reliability, and the capacity needed so that a www.airsoft-action.online

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.vegaforce.com

Over the past couple of years I’ve become personally friendly with Ray at VFC but that aside, I’ve been massively impressed by what I’ve seen coming from them recently. There’s a whole heap more VFC goodness on the way, and I managed to get Ray to spill the beans on exactly what this will be! “VFC’s most important AEG new products of the year without doubt will be in the Avalon Series, the CALIBUR II Carbine and CQB AEGs. These two AEGs come with a new design M-LOK Handguard and special QRS pop-up stock. It is worth mentioning the CALIBUR II

AEG’s full CNC flash suppressor. This flash suppressor can increase the noise to let your opponent fear when you fire! Also, 26

APRIL 2020

internally it comes with a high precision ECS Gearbox with 8mm ultra high-speed ball bearing to match the high torque motor to match build-in MOSFET Electric Fire Control System Set. This setting gives you absolute advantage on the airsoft battlefield. “And the AVALON Samurai Edge Premium AEG Series that was publicly displayed last year, we will release a compact version in this year, the AVALON Samurai Edge CQB AEG. This has inherited the Samurai Edge’s excellent performance, but the short version allows you a greater combat advantage in CQB environments. Coupled with an electronic trigger update, we believe that players will discover more fun when they are in the battle. “In relation to VFC’s GBBRs, the Knight’s Series GBBR will catch your eyes. The KAC SR16E3 CARBINE MOD2 GBBR and KAC SR16E3 CQB MOD2 GBBR will feature a built-in steel bolt carrier for all players. Players don’t need to pay for a bolt upgrade. In addition, the SR16E3 CARBINE MOD2 GBBR will come installed with KAC Style 45 Degree Folding Sight Kit, new design steel hammer set, and our patented Guide-HOP Hop-Up quick adjusting system will also be added. You can feel completely VFC’s AR series GBBR design has reached full maturity and stability. “Used by U.S. special forces, the USGI got a lot of attention. VFC will also announce this model as an addition to our existing AEG and GBBR platforms. You can find steel CNC standard issue flash hider, standard issue full CNC M-LOK handguard, and ambidextrous charging handle on both platforms. The AEG version has an added high rigidity outer barrel with MAPLE LEAF competitive grade inner precise barrel. The GBBR version faetires all upgrade designs of VFC’s GBBR. Also VFC’s USGI stripped matches all VFC AEG or GBBR lower

receivers just like the real USASOC upper receiver group. “If you have been considering whether to buy VFC products before, this year will be a good time to do it!”

EVENT REPORT #NOTGOINGTOIWA 2020

www.vorskairsoft.com customers can see and feel the passion in the final product when it launches mid-2020. “The VX9 features a clean slide with an integrated signature ridge that runs the full length of the top of the slide and integrates the front and rear sights in this distinctive manner. The ridge is integrated into the mould and is one piece and not attached to the slide. We also have custom wood and rubber grips with inlayed rubber texturised sections that wrap around the lower frame/grip. The VX9 also features threaded inner and outer barrels for barrel extensions and the included Agency Silencer. Available in silver or black, and as a single model, the VX9 will

also be available as a “matched pair” in a special box featuring the two pistols, two magazines, and two extended magazines … what’s not to love! “The VX9 is designed to be the perfect replica you can sit at your desk and stare at or equally load up and go out and have some real fun on the skirmish field, or even finish off the perfect cosplay. There has been a lot and investment and development that have gone into tooling the

VX9 and we are hopeful and excited to incorporate some of this tooling into future models. The VX9 is an exciting model and we look forward to showing you many more in the coming months.

TITAN 7

“Having already announced the Agency VX9 we wanted to keep a little surprise for the IWA show. Due to the delay of the show we are ready to unveil another new model, The Vorsk TITAN 7! The TITAN 7 is all about making that “hand cannon” we have always wanted to make as airsoft as well as to appeal to all firearm enthusiasts and collectors. “All you need to do is look at the Titan 7 for it to evoke the feeling of “wanting to shoot that bad boy” at least it did with us while designing it, as well as most of our friends in the press and at Nuprol. At

over 9 inches long with a threaded inner and outer barrel (yes the Vorsk Agency Silencer fits) this Replica is a real “beast” designed in the same vein as the 4.3 and 5.1 counterparts from Vorsk. “The Titan 7 features a split slide design that offers unparalleled performance and trigger response as well as a long full body length under barrel rail with multiple optic rail mounting. (The optic rail is another new Vorsk item developed for this model). “Coming Mid-2020 this model will be available in a variety of colours, with and without red dot option.”

I’ve been really privileged to have been in on “Project Vorsk” from the very beginning, and it really pleases me immensely to hear all the positive feedback from players on the quality and performance of these unique pistols! But there’s more to come and I got with my good friend Ross to bring you the scoop!

AGENCY VX9

“Vorsk are proud to unveil and announce one of many new models for 2020-2021. The Agency VX9 is the culmination of many months of hard work here at Vorsk and we are very proud of what we have been able to achieve. We really hope that

www.airsoft-action.online

armoury KWA QRF MOD1

PISTOL CALIBRE CARBINE - KWA STYLE! HERE IN THE UK, PHIL BUCKNALL HAS LOOKED AT A NUMBER OF PCC RELEASES FROM KWA BUT HADN’T GOT HOLD OF ONE THAT REALLY FLOATED HIS BOAT …UNTIL NOW!

f you haven’t already noticed, there has been a trend in real steel shooting for Pistol Calibre Carbines, or PCCs. They are kind of like a cross between a dedicated submachine gun and a shortbarreled carbine for a larger calibre round. The benefit of this additional weight from using a bigger chassis, is obviously “recoil control”, thus making them easier to use. As the vast majority are based loosely around the AR receiver groups it makes training and use far more natural, as most people who have one will invariably have an AR as well! In the airsoft realm there is little need for recoil mitigation; heck, we go out of our way to spend silly amounts of money on guns that simulate recoil - I’m looking at you Mr. Mk46 NGRS! But the style and handling of these PCCs means they do lend themselves well to airsoft guns, especially if you are looking for a perfect little CQB gun. If a PCC does grab your fancy then there is a veritable smorgasbord of different models from a wide variety of manufacturers - G&G’s ARP-9 is probably one of the most widely used from what

I have seen on sites but KWA has been steadily releasing their take for a while now. They started with their TK45 Ronin range, which featured a full-stocked ERG recoil version and a shorter non-recoiling tanker-stocked model. Whilst these both performed really well - I was lucky enough to review both a while back and found them to be excellent little guns - neither really jumped out at me as ones I would like to personally own.

A FIRST IN EUROPE

A little later KWA released the T6 Ronin. This was in the same vein as the TK45 with regards to styling but it was more a short-barreled rifle/pistol AR, rather than a PCC. Now the T6 really tickled my fancy. Its aesthetic appealed to me as soon as I saw it and I got one via John of JTAC Custom, as he is a bit of a KWA specialist and a good friend. He managed to really pull it out of the hat this time, as I have the second of only six in the whole of Europe, as the QRF Mod1 isn’t going to be available on general release until April. I’d get your preorder in ASAP as these are

going to sell out fast and so will the boxes of three midcap mags! Skip forward a bit and KWA announced they would be releasing two PCCs, the “Mod0” and the “Mod1”. Both were in the same style as the T6 but with “9mm” magazines. The Mod0 coming with straight mags (the TK45 ones I believe) and the Mod1 with curved polymer mags. The stocks were also slightly different but more on that later. It was the Mod1 that appealed to me the most, being as it used the same upper as the T6 and that just looks great from the shape of the upper itself, to the Ronin specific MLOK rail and old school surefirestyle flash hider. Obviously, as it uses curved 9mm magazines versus AR mags, the lower is different and very reminiscent in places to the venerable HK MP5. In fact, it looks like a reimagined modern take on the MP5, which is no bad thing as it was a style icon and probably one of the few guns Joe Public could usually identify (thanks mainly to John McLane and the Die Hard franchise). Starting at the rear of the gun, there is a small convex stock - again a nod to

“…THE LOWER IS DIFFERENT AND VERY REMINISCENT IN PLACES TO THE VENERABLE HK MP5. IN FACT, IT LOOKS LIKE A REIMAGINED MODERN TAKE ON THE MP5, WHICH IS NO BAD THING AS IT WAS A STYLE ICON AND PROBABLY ONE OF THE FEW GUNS JOE PUBLIC COULD USUALLY IDENTIFY...” 38

APRIL 2020

armoury KWA QRF MOD1

the classic design of the MP5 - on a wire stock. Obviously, there is some flex in the stock due to its construction but it clicks into place nicely and doesn’t feel like it is just waiting to collapse at any given moment. Where the buffer tube would be on an AR there is a contoured battery box. I use Titan Li-Ion batteries in all of my guns and I have a couple of 7.4v brick style ones that offer (with the new version 7 packs) 3000mah in a very compact size. Sadly, they are just a few mm too long to fit in without using one of the extension units made by Airtech Studios. With that the battery storage is increased greatly and it doesn’t detract from the lines of the gun either. There is a double sling loop at the rear of the receiver and an ambidextrous charging handle. Grip duties are taken care of by the very comfy and durable PTS EPG-C pistol grip,

one of my favourites due to the slightly more vertical grip angle. There are polymer ambifire controls which are very positive in their movement and with no play between positions. The trigger guard is large enough to be comfy even with thick gloves on and just in front of this is one of three magazine releases. It is a little paddle that you push forward to remove the mag. There is another on the side of the receiver. This one is extended and very easy to reach without removing your hand from the grip. Above the mag release is an ambidextrous bolt release. Useful when adjusting the rotary hop unit without needing to hold the bolt plate back manually. There is another bolt release and magazine release on the left hand side of the receiver so, all in all it is a gun that is comfy to shoot regardless of what handedness you are and you are never far away from a control when needed. On top of the receiver is a set of the rather excellent PTS polymer BUIS – I have got to say that I am a big fan of these and also the ongoing collaboration between KWA and PTS that sees their guns specced with some very high quality components. The gun also comes with a couple of MLOK rail segments, so that you can fit any accessories you have with minimal fuss. Magazine-wise, the Mod1 uses propriety curved polymer 85-round offerings. To me they look like how I’d imagine a MP5 mag would look if it were designed today. They don’t have any play when in the gun but don’t take monumental efforts to remove either. They are sturdy enough and have withstood some pretty rough handling but have never failed to feed any of the weights of

BB I tried in them. Thanks to KWA’s extended follower they also feed every last BB, so none will drop out when its empty. Thanks to some ridges in strategic places they are easy to handle when covered in mud or when wet and they fit in the standard 9mm calibre SMG mag pouches I have.

UNDER THE HOOD

Internally, the QRF Mod1 uses the AEG 2.5 gearbox, which means you can adjust the FPS really easily using the provided T-handled allan wrench. Need it slightly lower for CQB? Not a problem! Want a bit more punch for woodland games then you can have that too - all without having to open the gun up or change the springs. There is a high torque motor in the pistol grip with switch life extender and high speed gears are in residence in the gearbox. All this combined gave me a RoF of around 16-19 rounds per second and a FPS of 300 (1.17J) on the nose using 0.28g BBs. This was without adjusting the spring either. The only change I made to the stock gun was a change in hop rubber. I swapped the KWA one for a Guarder clear, as I tend to do in all of my guns. It is a perennial problem with KWAs at UK power levels and one I keep on mentioning in the hope they will one day change it because the supplied rubber is just too hard for UK power levels. Unlike my ERGs, swapping the hop rubber was a piece of cake and took only a couple of minutes but it transformed the gun, giving it an effective range of 55-60m. My BBs started to drift a little at the extremes but it was more than competent and very capable of holding its own against even some heavily upgraded guns. As this is the 2.5 version gearbox, it is also possible to upgrade the trigger switch to a GATE Titan, a very popular upgrade. I found that I needed to have the stock all the way out to be comfy but my son, who also used the Mod1 due to its size and light weight (at a shade under 2.5kgs) had it in the first position and found it to

“THERE IS ANOTHER BOLT RELEASE AND MAGAZINE RELEASE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE RECEIVER SO, ALL IN ALL IT IS A GUN THAT IS COMFY TO SHOOT REGARDLESS OF WHAT HANDEDNESS YOU ARE AND YOU ARE NEVER FAR AWAY FROM A CONTROL WHEN NEEDED.” www.airsoft-action.online

armoury KWA QRF MOD1

work perfectly for him also. The Mod1is a beaut to shoot. It’s light weight and short length make transitioning between targets really snappy and the trigger response, coupled with a decent rate of fire, means it doesn’t take long before you are putting down some fire. It has quite a distinctive sound to it and on an 11.1v battery it really sounds like someone has shrunk an A-10 Warthog into an AEG sized package!! All in all, it is a very well put together little hybrid PCC. It ticks a lot of boxes and pretty much everyone who had a hold of it or a go could see it was a quality AEG. I know that this category isn’t to everyone’s taste and there is a glut of them on the

market, most of which are cheaper than the £360 asking price of the KWA but most aren’t finished to as high a spec and

built so solidly. It is definitely worth your consideration and will put a smile on your face if you do get one when they hit our shores in April. For those of you outside of the UK, pick one up as soon as it lands in your country and you might find, like me, that you don’t want to put it down again! AA

“THE TRIGGER RESPONSE, COUPLED WITH A DECENT RATE OF FIRE, MEANS IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG BEFORE YOU ARE PUTTING DOWN SOME FIRE. IT HAS QUITE A DISTINCTIVE SOUND TO IT AND ON AN 11.1V BATTERY IT REALLY SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE HAS SHRUNK AN A-10 WARTHOG INTO AN AEG SIZED PACKAGE!!” www.airsoft-action.online

EVENT REPORT

LIVE AND LET DYE! SPEEDSOFT --TAIWAN TAIWAN

MARCH 1ST 2020 MARKED THE START OF A NEW MONTH AND THE START OF A NEW ERA IN THE TAIWANESE AIRSOFT SCENE AND FOLLOWING A FEW MONTHS ORGANISATIONAL EFFORT IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL INDOOR SITE, ACTION BUNKER IN EAST TAIPEI, THE INAUGURAL SPEEDSOFT TAIWAN EVENT WAS HELD AND OUR “LEGIONNAIRE IN TAIWAN”, STEWBACCA, BRINGS US THE SCOOP!

nitially I sought to provide a new regular game time, or space for the more speedsoft-oriented elements of our growing TaiWan Anglophone Team, to get their gaming fix with like-minded players from other local teams without causing as much of the friction (which is apparently an unfortunate universal truth throughout the world) since “Speedsoft”, or “SpeedQB” began gaining traction from its origins in Southern California and has evidently ruffled the feathers of the “Old Guard” or more traditional MilSim players in many areas, Taiwan being no exception. From initial discussions with Steve, the co-owner of Action Bunker, about ideas to grow the player base and provide a “Home Field” to develop the play style and competitions (Action Bunker being ideal due to its indoor nature and excellent facilities and having already held similar events in the past with the likes of the renowned “Umbrella Corp Airsoft Team of Hong Kong), we soon realised there was growing interest from even well-established traditional teams who wanted to dabble in speedsofting, having

encountered some of our team playing against them in that style during standard open day games there. Luckily, alongside my own compatriots, we soon found a friend in Khann, who runs the n00b_soft YouTube channel and has had dealings with local Taiwanese organisations and experience with regard to previous 5v5 outdoor events and how they played out and what elements to retain or develop for our first indoor offering. As well as becoming increasingly prevalent within the local Taiwanese airsoft community and the wider international viewer base, he also has good contact with the teams who eventually participated and also lacks the language barriers I have with such things, being an American with Taiwanese heritage. Thus, with his excellent efforts and the enthusiastic support and participation of many of the local players and even some industry insider sponsorship (in the form of prize money or other winnings) to be had, the stage was set to break out the play style which seems to be growing in popularity in all theatres. Essentially

a nexus point of paintball and airsoft communities, with a lilt towards athleticism and outlandish gear, usually HPA gas tankfed GBB pistols or AEGs like OPS - On Point Squad; the eventual victors consisting of n00b_soft and the more SpeedQB oriented TWAT members - tend to run. These high speed setups reduce the need for reloading and accent the colourful outfits and streamlined tactical gear with tracer units for the added “indoor disco warzone” visual effect.

BUILD A LONGER TABLE

Prior to the wider formalisation of the event and within the last year or so where Speedsoft and SpeedQB branded equipment have been growing in prevalence but still used alongside more MilSim oriented equipment and players there, has been the inevitable push back and community in-fighting, speculation and derision that seems to be encountered everywhere. Despite the fact it seems that much of the player base in Taiwan is somewhat

“…WITH A LILT TOWARDS ATHLETICISM AND OUTLANDISH GEAR, USUALLY HPA GAS TANK-FED GBB PISTOLS OR AEGS... THESE HIGH-SPEED SETUPS REDUCE THE NEED FOR RELOADING AND ACCENT THE COLOURFUL OUTFITS AND STREAMLINED TACTICAL GEAR WITH TRACER UNITS FOR THE ADDED “INDOOR DISCO WARZONE” VISUAL EFFECT.” 32

APRIL 2020

EVENT REPORT SPEEDSOFT - TAIWAN

“IDEALLY WE CAN ALL WORK TOWARDS FINDING A GREATER PLAYER BASE, WITH A PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO FIND WHAT THEY WANT FROM THE HOBBY. AS THE OLD VIKING SAYING GOES “BUILD A LONGER TABLE, NOT A HIGHER FENCE” AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND A SEAT FOR EVERYONE!”

transient or seasonal at times, with many players coming and going after a year or two and moving on to other things and with perhaps a more limited “old guard” (like yours truly and many of the more invested players I left behind in the UK, who tended to last a matter of decades without moving on to other things) there has still been an evident resistance to new ideas symptomatic of the same purist elements seen in many places in the airsoft community and also among many other sports. Khann himself shared with us a video from the 80’s regarding the advent of snowboards and how traditional skiers were up in arms at the “faddish” new technology and sporting style of the trailblazers, which led the way to what is now a far more mainstream subculture of another expensive hobby. Whilst, from a UK standpoint, I can entirely understand the resistance - having spent entirely too much time dealing with the VCRA during my early playing days at university and attempting to understand and educate others about the ever-shifting legal implications (as no doubt anyone who

knew me back then or through the airsoft forums will attest to!). With the legal “specific defense” for our continued access to Realistic Imitation Firearms apparently hinging largely on the continued need for “suspension of disbelief”, in as much that players had to have realistic looking replicas and equipment to take part in the military themed simulations, I can imagine the potential furore that would be caused by the advent of “paintballers” taking over the hobby and making it more sport like. While that obviously presents a potential issue in the long term (with the ever-shifting legal minefield that is the firearms or replica firearms scene in the UK and even Europe at large more recently) and justifying our need for such equipment and wish to continue our activities without seeking to harm or intimidate others, it can also be argued that giving it a “friendlier face” or less militarised looking activity could be of benefit. In the same way, Jiu Jitsu leaders spawned the more sport-like and officially regulated Judo subculture in its earlier days, to gain wider societal

acceptance for a martial art-cum-combat sport which was similarly dimly viewed by peers outside of its practicing circles. Perhaps in a similar vein, this shift towards diversified gameplay styles and equipment used could be viewed as positive progress; manufacturers certainly seem to be stepping up to the demand, with an ever increasing array of option parts and, more recently, fully assembled “speedsoft-specific” platforms becoming available. A little diversification within the industry can only make it stronger, one could imagine. On a related subject, recently there have been murmurings of anti-airsoft mindsets within the Taiwanese social and legislative circles. At the moment these efforts seem to be somewhat similar to the original purported aims of the VCRA in the UK, apparently largely aimed at regulating those airsoft guns such as GBBRs which have an alleged greater capacity to be converted to fire live ammunition. While many in the local player base and, of course, the massive airsoft manufacturing industry would and are arguing strongly

“…THIS SHIFT TOWARDS DIVERSIFIED GAMEPLAY STYLES AND EQUIPMENT USED COULD BE VIEWED AS POSITIVE PROGRESS; MANUFACTURERS CERTAINLY SEEM TO BE STEPPING UP TO THE DEMAND, WITH AN EVER INCREASING ARRAY OF OPTION PARTS AND, MORE RECENTLY, FULLY ASSEMBLED “SPEEDSOFT-SPECIFIC” PLATFORMS BECOMING AVAILABLE.” www.airsoft-action.online

EVENT REPORT SPEEDSOFT --TAIWAN TAIWAN

against such things, however, I will leave the finer details of that to a later article. In an attempt to soften the image of airsoft in Taiwanese society the “Camo Show” has been operating over recent years and most recently incorporated the aforementioned original outdoor 5v5 speedsoft event. This was was organised largely in conjunction with the TWAAA (Taiwanese Airgun and Airsoft Association), which oversees manufacturers and related activities and concerns within the local industry. With all this behind the scenes progress and hopefully an improved public image or even greater interest as a result, the future of airsoft in Taiwan will be bright and thus the rest of the world’s related industries can continue to follow suit. Ideally we can all work towards finding a greater player base, with a place for everyone to find what they want from the hobby. As the old Viking saying goes “build a longer table, not a higher fence” and we should be able to find a seat for everyone!

GAME FACES ON

So, with all of that lengthy preamble regarding the international and local scenes dealt with, how did the event actually go? “Brilliantly”, would be the first thought that comes to mind! Thanks to everyone’s efforts behind the scenes and support from throughout the community and industry, the whole day went off largely without a hitch. Eight teams of five players eventually participated, with the potential for that to have reached eleven if it wasn’t for the unfortunate arrival of the COVID-19 coronavirus, which has caused much more widespread disruption even postponing IWA 2020 to everyone’s disappointment but with good reason. One of the local teams from slightly further afield withdrew as a result, to try and minimise their risk of travelling and potentially contracting or transmitting the infection any further, although Taiwan has thus far fared very well by comparison. Similarly, there were even teams in Macau and Hong Kong who were wholeheartedly interested in coming to participate, however, were similarly prevented from doing so given the situation. The forty players were also augmented by reserves as well as a reasonable number of supporters and spectators who turned out to help photograph and film the event from various angles – or just to cheer on their partners or friends. The atmosphere was very enjoyable with a great camaraderie among the teams and excellent sportsmanship dominating the vast majority of gameplay. This has been an issue in previous game days, where MilSim and speedsoft players have had to be lumped in together due to practicalities, causing obvious friction in terms of disagreeable gameplay styles and equipment usage or underlying rules. With this specialised event, however, these typical problems were averted, with everyone

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signing up for the same game style and understanding the formalised rules, as well as there being less potential for new players being put off by the intensity of the gameplay given the existing teams all being well established and equipped. This being most evident in the photos and videos from the day, with the ever synonymous “DYE” full face masks being the more dominant war face of choice, in conjunction with shorts, jerseys and tactical gear either sporting the SpeedQB logo or otherwise inspired by their offerings. With each of the eight teams initially playing off against four other teams, following a blind draw which assigned each team a number for use in conjunction with the prefabricated competition board, individual rounds lasted a maximum of three minutes each, with both teams then switching ends to ensure fairness within each face-off, given the asymmetric nature of the game area’s standard unaltered arrangement. Following rules fairly allegorical to the standard Speedsoft/SpeedQB setup used elsewhere, the first team to get hands on the single flag left around the midpoint immediately gained twentyfive points for their team, regardless of whether the flag was retained. A further fifty points was awarded for getting the flag to the opponent’s starting barrel, with a final fifteen points bonus being awarded if this was all accomplished while one or more of the opposing team was still in play. Finally, elimination of an opposing player chalked up an additional five points, meaning the maximum available in a “perfect” round a potential one hundred and fifteen points to the winning team. Following the initial twin round contests between two teams at a time, the four teams with the highest points accumulated would then play off in the finals, with the first and second scores going to teams OPS and KSJV respectively, with teams FGMT and Speedsoft Schoolers duking it out over the runner up position. When the dust settled and the tracer rounds finally ceased ricocheting brightly and noisily off every surface in sight, OPS stood victorious by a slim margin of a single five point elimination against KSJV, with both teams playing out of their skins and providing some excellent photo and videoing opportunities for me in the final rounds. Similarly, Speedsoft Schoolers, arguably one of the younger teams, won the day for third place against their finalist competitors FGMT, who are a more established but traditionally more MilSim oriented team. Clearly there’s a lot to be said for it being a “young player’s” game. Us old guys on TWAT team managed to fight off coming last at least but it’s certainly a faster-paced game than even we are used to, with most of us playing alongside the OPS guys who usually form part of our larger team! Nonetheless it was all a great experience and we are already planning the second event for six months time. AA

EVENT REPORT SPEEDSOFT - TAIWAN

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KIT & GEAR DTD MK23 RETENTION HOLSTER

SNAP TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER

GETTING HIS SNIPER SNEAKY FREAK ON, STEVE T TESTS AN OPEN-FRAME RETENTION HOLSTER FOR THE ALMIGHTY TM’S MK 23 SIDEARM.

ver wanted to carry something that looks a little like an M4 carry handle on your hip? Well now you can, thanks to the MK23 retention holster from Double Tap Designs (DTD)! Happy days! At 20cm long and even with its open design, DTD’s open holster may not be exactly the last word in small form factor but then neither is the legendary sidearm it’s been designed to accommodate. Tokyo Marui’s MK23 has rightly earned its place as the airsoft sniper’s de facto sidearm but it’s not exactly easy to find a holster that fits. I know at least one person for whom a universal solution such as Warrior Assault System’s holster works a treat, but mine requires such fastidious positioning to re-holster the 23 that it’s more trouble than it’s worth - even when it does fasten.

WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF COMEDY?

One peculiarity of the MK23 - at least by TM - is that the included suppressor is needed to make the most of its performance at range. That means adding a long add-on to an already long pistol. As such, the draw from a conventional holster can be almost comedic, with shorterframed players performing pantomime pulls before they even think about getting on-target.

TIMING!

By comparison, using the thumb-driven DTD holster means that you can pull the pistol away from your body the second retention is broken. Instead of an up-upup-and-out motion before you can acquire target, the draw is now simply out-andup to shoot. It’s almost supernatural how much easier it is to bring the MK23 into use. As long as you apply pressure to the thumb release, the mechanism will free up the pistol to draw in an easy arc.

APRIL 2020

Thanks to its roto-mount, you could add the DTD to a suitable drop-leg, belt or paddle to fit your loadout. Given the MK23’s extreme length fully loaded, we’ve gone for a belt-mounted paddle that also gives us the option to easily remove it to run a more conventional pistol for other games at the drop of a… paddle? DTD’s rig is open-faced meaning that your sidearm is always exposed to the rigours of the field - but the pistol also both snaps in and snaps out every time. It takes some persuasion from new, with pressure towards the business end to start, but that eases with use. We accelerated this process by manipulating the mechanism over and over, as well as shooting lube into the recesses, but you’d likely get the same result in the due course of time.

your MK23. Specifically designed to work with this pistol - and this pistol alone - it exerts an almost supernatural grip until you

decide it’s go-time. Available in three colours to complement your loadout - Black, Coyote and Green (as reviewed here) - DTD’s MK23 retention holster is everything we could ask for - and more - to give us both

WORKING OVERTIME

We’ve heard that the frame can weaken and snap over time and given the fact that the rigid structure is unsupported, we can believe it might become an issue, but testing our example - full retail paid - across a number of games, we’ve had no problem so far. It’s probably something that would surface after months - if not years - of abuse and something we’ll report back on in the due course of time. Costing between £40-£50, this retention holster is not exactly cheap but it should meet the mission parameters for

easy and reliable access to our sniper sidearm of choice. Unless we experience a physical fracture in the future, we’d recommend it without hesitation. AA

KIT & GEAR GUNGIR TM MK23 RMR SLIDE

BY ODIN’S SPEAR! STEVE T TREATS HIS SNIPER SIDEARM - THE UBIQUITOUS TM MK23 - TO AN UPGRADED SLIDE AND RMR GOODNESS TOO!

okyo Marui’s mighty MK23 has rightly earned its reputation as the sniper’s preferred sidearm. As a NonBlowback (NBB) pistol, it’s not only quieter than most pistols but it also returns greater consistency between shots. But even though the package includes almost extravagant ad-ons such as a suppressor and LAM unit, there’s one thing you can’t add to TM’s MK23 as standard: a Red Dot Sight (RDS). Unless, that is, you purchase an aftermarket slide such as the Gungnir RMR slide from Laylax…

SPEAR OF ODIN

Yep, we surprise ourselves by swapping one plastic slide for another plastic slide at a cost of £40, but we’re less bothered with feel and “clinkability” with this pistol because you never need to rack this slide. It won’t even move a millimeter during normal operation. So why make the change? Well, we could talk about the slightly waved serrations to the rear of the slide, or even the higher ones at both sides of the front. But as we’ve already mentioned, these are of no practical use. You’ll lose the HK markings to the left - which may upset MilSim fans - at the same time as “Gungnir” appears above the slide release. OK, that includes the word “gun” but it’s actually cooler than that – “Gungnir” is Odin’s spear in Norse mythology. And as a latter-day Viking, that appeals to me. While the right side of the original slide is blank, Laylax’s replacement reads “Take aim and pull back on the trigger”. Well, duhr! But also… good life advice?

more is more. The only way to add an RMR to the TM is a new slide such as the Gungnir. It doesn’t hurt that just adding the slide alone gives this pistol a slightly more aggressive appearance, but once you’ve added a sight, the MK23 looks weird without one. Fitting is as simple as sliding off the standard unit, removing the working parts to refit into the replacement and sliding the assembly back in place. Takedown is pretty standard, with the only difference being that the slide doesn’t, well, slide off to the front. Instead, move it both forwards and upwards to remove. Just pay attention to the angle the original comes off and replicate that on the way back. The only even slightly tricky bit was persuading the feeding assembly out from the rear of the original slide. Gently widen the slide and wiggle it free. Then reverse for the new part. All told, the whole

process takes no more than 10 minutes less if you know what you’re doing.

BADASS IN ANYONE’S BOOK

There’s no discernible difference in weight between the new slide and the original but now you can easily mount TM’s RMR - other options are available - and that is simply badass in anyone’s book. Target acquisition is now faster but, thanks to canny sculpting to the top of either side of the slide, you still have 45-degree physical sights to fall back on as long as you don’t have the suppressor fitted. It’s a clever solution that shows a lot of thought has gone into this design. Admittedly, an RMR on a sidearm is something of an indulgence but it’s all the more compelling on a pistol that can outrange some budget AEGs. And if that’s something that appeals to you, then the Gungnir is a great option for the ultimate sniper sidearm. AA

BIG IS BEAUTIFUL

But if ever there was a pistol crying out for an RMR, it’s the hand cannon that is the MK23. It’s just such a big lump that there’s no question of subtlety here. In this case,

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ULTIMA JACKET BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: Â£89.95

KIT & GEAR VIPER VX UTILITY RIG

IF YOU’VE LUSTED AFTER EXPENSIVE MICRO-RIGS, STEVE T TESTS A BUDGET ALTERNATIVE FROM VIPER TACTICAL.

icro chest rigs seem to be the latest du-jour accoutrement amongst airsofters too savvy to saddle themselves with cumbersome plate carriers for a Sunday skirmish. The problem is that products from the likes of Spiritus or Haley cost hundreds of pounds, which is a bit rich for most of us to be rolling around in ditches just dodging BBs. Luckily for us, Viper Tactical has come out with a solution that costs a fraction of the price but performs every bit as well as we might need on a Sunday - the VX Utility Rig.

LIGHTWEIGHT AND MODULAR

This airsoft solution shares common inspiration with its firearm forebears, in that it’s designed to be a lightweight modular solution that can be used

to address a wide range of mission parameters. The idea is that you buy the central rig for about £30, then add the components you need. It comes with a detachable cover over the front pouch, which I’ve removed to make room for two rows of three STANAG magazines, using the separate sleeves at around £6.50 each. Now I can carry six mags up front - but I could just as easily swap either sleeve out for a 4x1 SMG mag insert, or a pistol and double pistol mag sleeve. It’s a truly modular system. The sleeves are a snug fit in the rig to say the least and take some time to seat properly with enough room for all mags. They’re secured inside the rig with velcro fore and aft, which has proven to be both secure (and an utter pain in the proverbial) to fit. Our tip is to use a sheet of thin card (or even paper) to isolate the sleeve from the rig on the way in, to avoid the velcro taking hold. Once you have it inserted to your satisfaction, pull the barrier out of the way and squidge to secure.

THE UNIVERSAL

With its velcro back panel, you could always slap the VX Utility Rig onto a plate carrier, but it comes with a semi-H harness and straps around the torso as standard with a wide range of adjustment that secures it well once properly set up. I’ve added a Dangler pouch for added utility. Further investing in the modular ecosystem, Viper has also created the Charger Pack which readily clicks into place using the Rig’s buckles. You can also wear it as a standalone backpack or attach it to other items using the Molle straps. It’s a small backpack but expandable and should be big enough to carry supplies for a full day’s game without weighing you down as much as a full-sized pack with separate straps. You could also use it to hold a water bladder for longer games.

CONCLUSION

Does Viper’s VX Utility Rig have the measure of more expensive micro-rigs? No. But it does offer most of the same benefits for a fraction of the price. For an affordable option that offers true modularity for your loadout, the VX is hard to beat. AA

Being a universal system, some mags fit better than others but pretty much every STANAG mag we’ve tried has worked just fine, including slightly chunkier EPMs. You might experience issues if your mag has odd protuberances though, such as the Sig 500 series. The elastic used on the sleeves keeps the mags good and snug so they won’t fall out, but there’s a pay-off because inserting them takes some work. This is not a set-up that enables you to re-index part-spent mags and that’s probably the main demerit compared with more expensive platforms. www.airsoft-action.online

armoury EMG NOVESKE INFIDEL

EMG NOVESKE INFIDEL WITH SO MANY GREAT AR STYLE AEGS ON THE MARKET IT’S SOMETIMES HARD TO DECIDE BETWEEN THEM, SO WHEN A MODEL APPEARS THAT TICKS ALL THE BOXES FOR BEING “UNIQUE” IT’S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE WORTH A LOOK. THIS MONTH BILL GETS ON THE RANGE WITH THE LATEST NOVESKE-INSPIRED MODEL FROM EMG!

t must have been back in the early 2000’s that Noveske Rifleworks first appeared on my personal “Airsoft Radar” as I was in the mood to build a short AR. I’d been invited to a game with the remit for creating a close protection team for an HVT and, as we’d be operating from vehicles a lot over the course of the weekend, I wanted something a bit “short and special”. I looked at various SMG models but then started looking into “real world” options, and it was at this point that I discovered the “Gen 1 Noveske Diplomat”. This cracking little SBR was designed for CP details by an American company called Noveske Rifleworks, founded by the late (and sorely missed) John Noveske in 2001. It was a super-compact and highly modified AR system that featured the original KX3 “Sound Hog” and it fitted my requirements perfectly as, in its real form, it was as compact as an MP5 yet had the stopping power of the 5.56mm round! I

set about gathering parts but at the same time, my mate Frank (then at Airsoft GI in California), was also working on the selfsame project! After a number of phone calls back and forth, the project came slowly together and if memory serves, my original “Diplomat” was based on a cheap and cheerful ECHO 1 “M4” which was chopped and changed, the correct rail and KX3 fitted, and made ready for action. The only problem was that I really didn’t want to run a battery box so as to keep everything “slimline”, but at that point in time there was no suitable battery (this was pre-LiPo!) that would fit inside the rail and my tech skills in those days didn’t run to rear wiring. After much back and forth with a number of custom battery-builders I finally ended up with a one-of-a-kind battery to power things and the little beast was alive! Now, this is all somewhat ancient history and times have moved on. Noveske Rifleworks has of course now released their

Generation 4 series of rifles, PDWs, and SBRs that are available in 300 Blackout or 5.56mm, with barrel lengths of 7.94 inch, 10.5 inch, and 16 inch and all offered with M-LOK or Keymod free-floating front ends. Finish options include Bazooka Green, Sniper Grey, and Black. Features, depending upon the particular model, include Geissele triggers and charging handles, KX3, KX5 and Cherry Bomb muzzle brakes, Norgon Ambidextrous magazine releases and 60 degree STS selector switches, Q PDW style stocks, Magpul MBUS Pro Folding Sights and other top quality features. With Noveske Gen 4 it’s like someone opened the best gun part “toybox” ever and said “Pick what you like!”

CRY INFIDEL!

If you are a gun bunny like me, then you will already know the Noveske brand and when it comes to airsoft, you will

“IT WAS A SUPER-COMPACT AND HIGHLY MODIFIED AR SYSTEM THAT FEATURED THE ORIGINAL KX3 “SOUND HOG” AND IT FITTED MY REQUIREMENTS PERFECTLY AS, IN ITS REAL FORM, IT WAS AS COMPACT AS AN MP5 YET HAD THE STOPPING POWER OF THE 5.56MM ROUND!” 60

APRIL 2020

armoury EMG NOVESKE INFIDEL

also already know about the licensed NSR Rail System and KX3 “Hog”, as they’ve been on the market for years. In 2019 though, APS was set the task by Evike Manufacturing Group (EMG) to make the first fully licensed complete “Noveske AEG”, the “Noveske 13.7” Gen 4 Infidel”. This fully licensed replica has all the trademarks from the original Noveske rifle, which can be clearly seen on the lower receiver. The receiver setup mimics the real Gen 4 perfectly in relation to fire selector, mag release and bolt release which are all ambidextrous. The fore-end again replicates the Noveske NSR-13.7 M-Lok Rail System and is also trademarked, whilst the ergonomic pistol grip is designed exclusively for EMG with their own trademark on it. When it comes to the receivers and front end, all metal parts are CNC creations, with every joint completely seamless and beautifully finished like the real firearm. Internally the Gen 4 Infidel AEG comes with the latest eSilver Edge SDU 2.0 programmable gearbox made by APS. Simply by pressing down the button underneath the gear box you can switch fire selector modes and no external programmer or trigger jiggling are needed,

smooth, low amperage draw (the gearbox only pulls 11amps at iro 380 FPS!), ultra-reliable system with huge upgrade potential. The newest version of the Silver Edge gearbox, named eSilver Edge, takes everything that made the original great and improves upon it. The newly developed advanced S.D.U (Super Dynamic Unit) chipset monitors the amperage draw from shot to shot and will cut power to the gearbox if the current spikes too high and before damage can be done to your AEG. To improve trigger performance the, eSilverEdge gearbox features a micro switch trigger which works together with the S.D.U. chipset for near instantaneous trigger response. When combined with a short-stroked trigger, you can achieve an incredible semi-auto rate of fire! Additionally, the gearbox shell itself has been greatly reinforced to withstand the stress of up to an M190 spring. Great thought and detail has gone into this gearbox to make it more durable, more efficient and, at the same, time remain compatible with the great majority of TM spec upgrade parts. And there’s more, as the inner barrel is made of ChromiumMolybdenum (Cr-Mo) Steel Alloy and through a unique machining and heat treatment process, the inner barrel grinding not only gets an incredibly close tolerance but also increases the lifetime of the barrel.

how does it fare when you start boogying that trigger? First up, let’s look at the power. The “stock” model I received for testing chrono’d with massive consistency at 1.34 Joule/381fps using .20g RZR BBs. I jest not when I say “consistently” as with a ten BB string I was looking at a deviation of less than 0.5fps! That’s pretty outstanding whichever way you look at it! Next up was to play with the different selector modes and it proved incredibly easy to cycle through the modes by pressing and holding the button underneath the gearbox, which is easily accessed from the magwell. You see a red LED light, hold the button until you see it’s blinked twice, and then release the button to accept the changes; you simply repeat this step to continue through the modes. Then you just double click the button or unplug the battery to reset the ECU back to its factory settings (Mode 1). • Mode 1 (Default) Safe/Semi/Auto • Mode 2 Safe/Semi/3-Round Burst • Mode 3 Safe/2-Round Burst/Auto • Mode 4 Safe/3-Round Burst/Auto • Mode 5 Safe/3-Round Burst/9Round Burst While Mode 5 is a bit of a beast, I do like to retain semi so for me, Mode 2 is the one to go for. With this set I loaded up the 300BB winder with .25g RZRs and had at it on the 30m range. That trigger is most certainly crisp, as just a “tickle” sends BBs downrange happily. On semi you really can get shots away super-fast and the three round burst function works brilliantly! I couldn’t resist setting it to Mode 5 though

DOWN AND DIRTY so it’s easy to program anytime and anywhere! When APS set out to develop the Silver Edge gearbox, they wanted to bring to market an ultra-

So, externally the Infidel ticks all my “Noveske Love” boxes, whilst internally there’s a LOT of stuff going on to increase both performance and longevity. It’s a totally neat package that looks awesome, but

“TO IMPROVE TRIGGER PERFORMANCE THE, ESILVEREDGE GEARBOX FEATURES A MICRO SWITCH TRIGGER WHICH WORKS TOGETHER WITH THE S.D.U. CHIPSET FOR NEAR INSTANTANEOUS TRIGGER RESPONSE. WHEN COMBINED WITH A SHORTSTROKED TRIGGER, YOU CAN ACHIEVE AN INCREDIBLE SEMI-AUTO RATE OF FIRE!” www.airsoft-action.online

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armoury EMG NOVESKE INFIDEL

and that 9 round burst is just fabulous! I just wish there was a mode for Safe/Semi/9 as that KX3 really does grunt when you put down a burst that long! The flip-up sights that come fitted as standard to the Infidel are more than adequate and are sturdily made of alloy, so the Noveske is ready to roll straight from the box just by adding a battery and some BBs! At 30m unsupported in was easy to get hits on a torso-sized target with each BB flying straight and true. I also took the Infidel down to our 10m indoor range where we have the Attack Sense Target System set up, and the rifle performed superbly, again in reality down to the responsiveness of the superb trigger when the targets were flashing on the highest, fastest setting. I have to say that the 13.7” Gen 4 Infidel has

REALLY rekindled my love for all things Noveske and with a sub-£300 price tag here in the UK, it really gives a massive amount of quality and performance for the money. It looks great,

feels great and shoots like a dream and so as far as I can see, APS and EMG have got this 100% right. I can simply just recommend this AEG to you as I believe it is a model of its time, with a fabulous nod to real innovation in firearms built in. My thanks go to www.taiwangun. com for supplying the test sample. You’ll find the EMG “Noveske” models on their regularly updated website. The Noveske Gen 4 AEGs will be available in different colours, Black, Tan, and Bazooka Green, with different lengths and different flash hiders to choose from, all coming soon! AA

Weight: 2440g Length: 830mm Stock Closed/910 mm Stock Extended Material: Aluminium, Polymer, Steel Fire mode: Semi/ Auto/3 Round/9 Round Length of inner barrel: 383 mm Diameter of Inner barrel: 6.04 mm Magazine capacity: 300 BBs Magazine material: Polymer Power: 1.34 Joule/381fps (tested with .20g RZRR BBs)

“THE “STOCK” MODEL I RECEIVED FOR TESTING CHRONO’D WITH MASSIVE CONSISTENCY AT 1.34 JOULE/381FPS USING .20G RZR BBS. I JEST NOT WHEN I SAY “CONSISTENTLY” AS WITH A TEN BB STRING I WAS LOOKING AT A DEVIATION OF LESS THAN 0.5FPS! THAT’S PRETTY OUTSTANDING WHICHEVER WAY YOU LOOK AT IT!” www.airsoft-action.online

THE CAGE NIGHT VISION

THE CAGE: NIGHT VISION AS ALWAYS EACH MONTH BILL SPEAKS TO THE ENTIRE AIRSOFT ACTION TEAM TO FIND OUT THEIR THOUGHTS AND PREFERENCES FOR RIGHTEOUS GAME GEAR, AND THIS TIME HE TURNED HIS ATTENTION TO NIGHT VISION EQUIPMENT, NOT EXPECTING TO UNLEASH A DEBATE WITHIN THE GROUP THAT IS STILL RAGING!

hether you like it or not, Night Vision gear, be it scopes, monoculars, binoculars, or indeed “Mil Grade” tech has become a part of airsoft! Once upon a time it was the territory of the hardcore MilSim player, but with the technology becoming easier to access, and indeed dropping dramatically in price, it’s now well within the reach of most players, even for a simple night game. Before I “open the box” on what the Airsoft Action team thought though, let’s have a look at what we’re actually talking about as there are still huge misconceptions about what “NV” really means. Simply put I’m talking about kit that lets you “see in the dark”, or in extreme low-light conditions and as I said before, this can physically have many forms. You can have NV gear mounted on your rifle or carbine, you can carry it in a pouch as a scope, or you can, with the correct mount, have it placed on your helmet, ready to “drop down” when you need it. This last one, of course, has a certain “cool factor” and is totally “legit OPR8R” but

whichever way you may mount or carry it, in my opinion, it can quite literally be a “game changer”. NV tech usually works in one of two ways, either through thermal imaging or image enhancement. Basically put, thermal imaging uses a special lens to focus on the infrared light emitted by an object, which is then transformed into a detailed temperature pattern called a thermograph by the detector elements in the night vision goggles or scopes. Image enhancement devices (often referred to as NVDs) though, focus on the light reflected off objects rather than the light they emit. These devices use an image-intensifier tube to collect infrared and visible light through an objective lens, and then enhance it so that it can easily been seen by the naked eye. When it comes to NV gear, we’ve all heard the phrase “Generations” and, in a nutshell, the higher the “Generation” number, the more advanced the device. Though modern “Gen 1” NV devices are the most popular they are now becoming quite dated. “Gen 2” NV is primarily used by professionals

or LE as they include the addition of a micro-channel plate (MCP), which is able to amplify light many more times than Gen 1 models, giving you a brighter and sharper image. “Gen 3” is the latest in night vision technology, featuring a photocathode with gallium arsenide added to it, producing an even brighter and sharper image. “Gen 4” NVDs feature gated filmless technology; Gen 4 devices have had their ion barrier film removed and their systems gated, resulting in an increase in target detection range and resolution, especially in low light conditions. Generally speaking, modern Gen 1 night vision devices will be able to handle most activities, including airsoft use. Generations 2, 3 and 4 do have advantages that come along with their higher price tag, with longer viewing distances and the ability to perform under the lowest of light conditions. These top-end devices definitely have their place… if you have the coin! However, as well as the cost of the device itself you also need to consider what level is not only available, but legal

“GENERATIONS 2, 3 AND 4 DO HAVE ADVANTAGES THAT COME ALONG WITH THEIR HIGHER PRICE TAG, WITH LONGER VIEWING DISTANCES AND THE ABILITY TO PERFORM UNDER THE LOWEST OF LIGHT CONDITIONS. THESE TOP-END DEVICES DEFINITELY HAVE THEIR PLACE… IF YOU HAVE THE COIN!”

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THE CAGE NIGHT VISION

where you are! ITAR plays a big part in what can be shipped between countries, and indeed some technologies may well still only be available to professional users and the military, so beware “that guy online” who tells you that you can have the very latest Gen 4 kit! Where has this come from? It is not unknown for unscrupulous individuals to offer stolen goods - as stories within the community have sadly proved over the years.

CAGE UP!

So with all this in mind the questions that I posed for the team this month were “Do you use Night Vision Devices and what place do they have in airsoft?”What happened next was a surprise even to me! Scott: “I’ve got dual white phos tubes. They’re fine for larger events like Stirling (MilSim) games, but for me, only slower paced games. A big torch always wins!” Callum: “Other than MilSim 24hr games not sure I see the point of them tbh, despite how cool they look!” Steve T: “I know this is an unpopular opinion amongst players than can afford and own NV, but I also know a lot of players that would agree it’s the airsoft equivalent of pay-to-win in videogames. Of course, players can spend as much as they want on their kit but when NV costs more than many players can afford to spend on their primary and secondary combined, then it’s no longer a level playing field. Night games are zero fun if only one side can afford NV, because it can make games so unbalanced they’re almost pointless. Those with the available budget are able to buy a potentially unbeatable advantage - far more so than the slight edge gained by a new inner barrel or higher Rate of Fire - and where’s the fun in that? There’s no denying it’s incredible kit but good luck to everyone taking on the NV overlords with an el-cheapo flashlight for the win...” Iggy: “Night vision does have a place in airsoft, in the bigger MilSim games and events. I personally don’t have any but I don’t mind them at all.... a useful aid.” Phil: “If you have the cash and want them then go for it. It’s your money.

I can certainly see the advantages of them having had the opportunity to look through some on a couple of occasions though. I can’t afford them and I did want some but I have played one night game and zero 24/48hr MilSims in over 25 years, so they’d only be a fashion accessory!” Baz: “We’ve used some pretty highend gear and I have to say it’s a game changer, but it makes it all pointless if the other team doesn’t have it. You can see as far as you can in daylight but in the pitch black. And you don’t even need the IR torch. It’s incredible. This is Milsim though, where guys generally spend more on their kit…” Stef: “I use the Sionyx camera with night vision and an IR lamp on nights with little or no light. I use this camera all at MilSims.” Turgay: “In Turkey we can’t use it, it’s forbidden to use night vision; even Gen1 is not useable!” Rob: “I have used night vision from low grade, through to full dual-tube Gen 3 and FLIR at games BUT never at the advantage of when others don’t have NV. At large events it is common so yes, at smaller games I had tended to use it to catch people cheating (there are always a few) like those who go out of bounds etc. My stance is it shouldn’t be like entering a cheat code!” Sean: “Night vision and thermal devices are pretty popular in Canada. At any event where there’s a dark room or night time action you’ll probably see them show up. Anything from single and dual tube amplification devices, thermal clipons or scopes and Sionyx cameras could be present. Cost is the primary limitation for most people. With the US as our closest neighbour and exports of ITAR restricted items being heavily controlled, night vision can easily cost thousands more than it does south of us. Tactically and strategically speaking, night vision shifts the dynamic of events. There’s still a belief by non-users that it is a magical and unstoppable force and you can see that in the way behaviours change when the sun goes down. It’s definitely not magical and it can be easily defeated but very few groups organize well enough to make that happen. There are some really fun events here that prohibit these

devices in order to encourage everyone to fear what goes “bump in the night.” It’s a dynamic technology and it’s interesting to see it evolve for airsoft!” Now, I have “abridged” the conversation that went on in our “virtual team room” as, believe it or not, some bad language “may” have been used as we thrashed out our feelings as a group. I believe I can sum up though and tell you that there are concerns about how NV can create a “cost ceiling” between players but we do, although not with utter consensus, agree that NV most definitely has its place in airsoft… in the correct setting where opponents have access to the same technology if they wish. Airsoft, it seems, is sometimes all about the gear and as Sean rightly points out, just having top-end NV doesn’t amount to much if you’re not using it correctly in a tactical sense and as a cohesive team. However, as a largely OPFOR-focused player these days, I can honestly say that it really doesn’t bother me personally, as I’ve been on the receiving end of “moons out, goons out” on numerous occasions and it makes it all the sweeter when you pop a proper night ambush on the “Gen 3 Warriors” and come out victorious (I find a big strobe taclite and an PKM helps)! As we Brits say, “If you want to spend your money that way and it enhances the enjoyment of your gameplay, then crack on!” AA

“I’VE BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END OF “MOONS OUT, GOONS OUT” ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND IT MAKES IT ALL THE SWEETER WHEN YOU POP A PROPER NIGHT AMBUSH ON THE “GEN 3 WARRIORS” AND COME OUT VICTORIOUS (I FIND A BIG STROBE TACLITE AND AN PKM HELPS)!”

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KIT & GEAR PTS EPM1 MAGAZINE

PTS EPM1 EVERY SO OFTEN A PRODUCT COMES ALONG THAT CHALLENGES THE STATUS QUO AND CAUSES US TO RETHINK WHAT WE KNOW. PHIL BUCKNALL CHECKS OUT A PRODUCT FROM PTS THAT MIGHT JUST FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY.

o one is ever likely to say that airsoft is going to change the world but there are a few accepted truisms that have been around for ages. When it comes to magazines for airsoft guns, there have pretty much always been three types to choose from: Lo/Real cap mags that typically hold thirty BBs; Midcaps that hold anywhere up to 150 BBs and finally, Hi-cap mags for any capacity above that, although usually from 190-600 in a conventional style magazine body and up to 2,000 for box mags used on LMGs. The first two examples generally do not require winding to feed BBs and just rely on the spring pressure feeding them through, along a single or double stacked channel. The latter Hi-cap type require some form of winding to feed BBs and this is usually either a manual clockwork system, or electrically powered. However, rather than having a channel that loops through the body of the mag, they will have a hopper into which you pour your BBs and a mechanism to collect them and funnel them to a feeding tube and then into the gun.

ACCEPTED NORMS?

So where does the EPM1 fit into this and why is it challenging the accepted norms? The EPM1 is the latest magazine to be released by PTS and follows on from the success of their EPM magazines. For those who have never heard of PTS (where have you been living?!), they are a Hong Kong based company that many years ago started producing very high quality licensed Magpul products, amongst a small stable of other Gucci real-world licensed

items for the airsoft market. One of the items they are probably most remembered for is the PMAG Midcap magazine - for AR platform AEGs. Later on, Palm AK polymer mags and even G36 mags followed using the same durable DuPont Zytel polymer. Sadly, due to a veritable tidal wave of fake Magpul products (specifically vertical grips and stocks) Magpul pulled out of airsoft completely and, just like that, PMAGs became very hard to come by and thousands of airsofters around the world sobbed. Luckily, PTS didn’t give up and whilst adding various other real steel manufacturers to their list of licensed partners, they also came out with their own line of polymer products to replace the Magpul items that had proved so successful. These are the enhanced polymer range and include stocks, magazines, grips, iron sights and vertical foregrips too. Whilst these are not based on any real-world alternative, they are very high quality and very durable. The original EPM’s came in a variety of flavours: Standard for the vast majority of AR AEGs; Next-gen recoil ones for the Marui recoil guns and ERG compatible ones. These had the ability to switch from 30

“…DUE TO A VERITABLE TIDAL WAVE OF FAKE MAGPUL PRODUCTS (SPECIFICALLY VERTICAL GRIPS AND STOCKS) MAGPUL PULLED OUT OF AIRSOFT COMPLETELY AND, JUST LIKE THAT, PMAGS BECAME VERY HARD TO COME BY AND THOUSANDS OF AIRSOFTERS AROUND THE WORLD SOBBED.”

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KIT & GEAR PTS EPM1 MAGAZINE

“I WOULD VERY HAPPILY RUN WITH FOUR OF THEM AND THAT LOAD OUT WOULD GIVE ME MORE AMMO THAN MY CURRENT 6X120RND MAGS, FOR PROBABLY THE SAME OVERALL WEIGHT.” to 60 BBs by just flicking a switch and they instantly became very popular. They maintained some aesthetic cues to the old

PMAG style, were just as tough and they worked. Perfect! The ERG versions I use can be switched from 30-120 rounds in less than a second too.

SO, WHAT’S NEW?

What about EPM1’s then? Well, these new mags have managed to cram 250 BBs into a normal AR style magazine but are not wind up clockwork powered ones. Nope, these feed the same way as Mid and Locap mags. Hence my question about what determines the category a magazine sits in. At 250 rounds, that’s more than some smaller High-caps and it’s over double the average Midcap too. I’ve pondered it for a while now - going back and forth - and after much deliberation, I’m going to say it’s a “High-cap, non-winding magazine” and leave it at that. As it is non-winding it relies entirely on the strength of the spring to push all of the BBs out and a direct result of that, is that the magazine can be very stiff to load the last few BBs into the feed channel. I used an Odin Speedloader which helped with this and also hand fatigue! It’s hard work and takes quite a while to fill it. Once you’ve done it half a dozen times though, you really start to resent it in a way. One of the best features on the magazine (and one that is actually useful to some degree) is the mag level indicator. It’s nothing more than an orange piece of plastic that is visible from either side and

behind a clear plastic panel, which moves as BBs are expended. When it is empty the indicator is at the bottom of its channel and it rises ‘til it’s at the top as you fill it. Some people have said it’s a bit of a gimmick but I can see it having a very real benefit to players. Say, for example you’re midfirefight, you can see in an instant what your ammo situation is without removing the magazine and losing BBs. As already said, the mag uses a very tough polymer and has “dot matrix” dimples on either side to aid with grip when wet, muddy or wearing gloves and there are also ridges on the leading edge for similar reasons. You can really notice the “grippiness” when you pick it up - that and it’s solidity! It’s very sturdy and has some weight to it without being overly cumbersome. I would very happily run with four of them and that load out would give me more ammo than my current 6x120rnd mags, for probably the same overall weight. I tried the EPM1 with a variety of BBs, of varying weights, from Nuprol, ASG and RedWolf, in a variety of guns from different manufacturers, including PTS, Specna Arms, KWA and Nuprol. The weights used were 0.2, 0.25 and 0.28 and all

fed fine and all kept up with whatever RoF that particular gun had. The weight had no bearing on them. I am happy to report that the magazine worked brilliantly in all of the guns I have …bar one, my KWA T6 Ronin but in all fairness, it is very, very picky and seems to only feed with KWA magazines. T6 aside though, the EPM1 had no problem fitting in the different magwells; neither too tight nor to loose. It fed consistently and all of the guns had the same sort of FPS and range that it had with other magazines. It dropped free when the mag release was hit, needing no more than a little wiggle on occasion to shake it loose under its own weight.

AVAILABILITY

As it stands, the EPM1 will be available for standard AEGs in both the long and short versions, in black or tan and there will also be a G36 version. I can only imagine that PTS will release NGRS, ERG and maybe even PTW compatible ones to mirror what they did with the EPM magazine. If you want to get your mitts on EPM1s in UK and Europe, then I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait a few weeks until April for their European release date. However, I would suggest that if you do want them, then as soon as PTS Stockists put them up for pre-order, you should get as many as you need because I have a feeling they will sell out very quickly! AA

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armoury RAPTOR SV-98 DELUXE

SOVIET SNAIPERSKAYA: DA ИЛИ NYET? STEVE T PUTS A NEW AIRSOFT REPLICA OF THE MOTHERLAND’S SV-98 SNIPER RIFLE FROM TAIWAN THROUGH ITS PACES.

h, there’s nothing quite like the smell of a wooden-bodied rifle even before it’s seen action and absorbed the blood, sweat and tears from crushing defeats or hard-won victories. Thinking about it, maybe especially before… In a sector dominated by Tokyo Marui’s plastic, hollow-bodied VSR-10, it’s so refreshing to feel a natural material in hand, thanks to the SV-98 Deluxe Edition Airsoft Sniper Rifle by a new manufacturer from Taiwan; RAPTOR.

SNAIPERSKAYA SPEAKING

Russia fans, get your geek on, because this is a rare example of a recent RIF drawn from the motherland - and it isn’t an AK! It may look more like a relic from the cold war to some, but the Snaiperskaya Vintovka Model 1998 - SV-98 to its friends - was designed by Vladimir Stronskiy right at the end of the 20th Century. It was issued to Spec Ops forces in 2003 and saw combat in Chechnya.

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Created to engage targets at a range of up to 1KM, the SV was based on the Record Shooting rifle by Izhmash - better known as JSC Kalashnikov Concern - with a cold-hammer forged receiver and freefloating barrel. The laminated plywood stock can be adjusted for height and pitch, with an adjustable cheek riser. The SV is arguably most recognisable for the old skool detachable carrying

handle to the right side, but the glass fiber reinforced nylon 10-round magazine speaks to its modernity. Izhmash developed an upgraded variant in 2013 with an aluminum alloy receiver and skeleton stock. The SV-98 has seen service with armed forces in and Armenia, and you’ll find it in videogames such as Warface and Escape From Tarkov.

“RUSSIA FANS, GET YOUR GEEK ON, BECAUSE THIS IS A RARE EXAMPLE OF A RECENT RIF DRAWN FROM THE MOTHERLAND - AND IT ISN’T AN AK! IT MAY LOOK MORE LIKE A RELIC FROM THE COLD WAR TO SOME, BUT THE SNAIPERSKAYA VINTOVKA MODEL 1998 - SV-98 TO ITS FRIENDS - WAS DESIGNED BY VLADIMIR STRONSKIY RIGHT AT THE END OF THE 20TH CENTURY.”

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

You might not have heard of RAPTOR as an airsoft brand before, because the Taiwanese company was only established in early 2017. But the Kaohsiung company was borne from accessory manufacturer, Tactical Weapon Industries (TWI), so they have prior form in the industry. The SV-98 on test here was just released in September and is now available in the UK from Airsoftworld.net. When you open the box, you won’t find an assembled RIF, but poly-coddled parts to assemble. Which is fine - if there were

armoury RAPTOR SV-98 DELUXE

instructions as to how to put it all together. Even Ikea gives you more guidance than this! The main job is to seat the firing assembly into the stock. I don’t know about you, but I can think of one or two airsofters that would struggle with even this. You need to figure out which of the two loose bolts to use where. (Both from underneath, long one behind the trigger guard, the other in front of the mag well.) However, once assembled, it’s rock solid. In the absence of useful information from the manufacturer, we’d recommend this excellent video from Germany’s always thorough REAPERs Airsoft at www.bit. ly/2R54aHx. You’ll learn a lot, even without English subtitles.

A COOL LONG DRINK

Damn, this is one long gun! At 120cm It’s the longest sniper rifle I’ve hosted in my home range. And if that’s still not long enough for you, there’s also an included suppressor to add more than 20cm. It’s almost comically long - and it’s not even a .50 cal! If you need to compensate for anything, then this would be a good place to start. But despite its length, the SV is surprisingly light at 6.5kg. The overall balance is good - especially for such a long rifle - with a nice crisp bolt pull that only has about an inch of travel.

While the pull presents no problems, the arm meets the upper on the push stroke unless you just drop its radius ever-soslightly on the way home. It’s far from a dealbreaker and something you’ll soon get used to. The trigger also has a short, crisp action that is thoroughly predictable. The detachable carry handle certainly helps its portability, as well as matching the original firearm. There’s a top rail with limited slots for attachments such as a scope with an uncontoured mid-section of about 9cm that could make fitting your optics a little tricky, depending on the mounts you use. Sticklers for detail will appreciate the 50-round polymer magazine that is accurately placed, with no troublesome feed ramp to worry about. You’ll find two mags in the box and the decision to include a spare is definitely a welcome move from RAPTOR, even if the so-called “Regular” version has to go without this extra. The magazines are easy to fit and remove - once you understand that the magazine release is on the mag, not the receiver - and we had no feeding issues. There’s a functional safety behind the bolt handle, as well as a hop-up that’s adjustable with an Allen key through the top of the receiver.

GOD OF WAR?

The SV’s internals are based on the Ares Amoeba Striker S1, which is a sub-£200

RIF, albeit now wearing a designer dress suitable for the most high-profile of parties. Although that’s one-third the price of the £650 SV-98 Deluxe Version, when you bear in mind that aftermarket wooden stocks cost around £300 - some less, some more - it goes a long way to explaining the price difference. As mentioned above, you could always save a few quid by choosing the Regular Version that forgoes accessories such as the carry handle, bipod, flash hider, suppressor and spare magazine. The use of Striker internals is potentially both good and bad news. In terms of upgrades, we’re dealing with a known quantity here, so parts will be readily available even if they need fettling to fit this application. It should also be fully compatible with AEG springs and the legendary VSR hop units. Less promising is the Striker’s small cylinder combined with an inner barrel that’s now nearly double the length at 600mm in the new SV instead of 310 in the donor S1. As a result, you might be looking at a lengthy list of modifications if you want to lift truly heavyweight sniper ammo over .40g.

ERGO SUM TOTAL

In terms of ergonomics, the SV is streets ahead of more modern fare - including one very popular bullpup by Silverback. Not only can you adjust the length of the stock by adding or removing sections, but there’s also an adjustable cheek riser. It’s just a

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TAP THE IMAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION

armoury RAPTOR SV-98 DELUXE

shame that no matter how tight we try to fasten the hand spinners, we still get slop side-to-side. That kind of sets the pattern that we experienced with RAPTOR’s SV-98; great functionality with slight question marks over the end result. For instance, we love the fact there’s an under-barrel bipod included - but you have to yank it so hard out of its recess that you feel you’re going to break something every time. That eases with use. We’re also not convinced the mount that secures it to the body is robust enough to withstand too much rough and tumble. Similarly, the height-adjustable rear monopod doesn’t seat firmly unless you really crank that knob in and we suspect that will also not wear well over time. We were more impressed by the way you can adjust the silicone butt pad to slide up and down through an arc of about 5cm. That might not sound like a lot, but it really helps to tailor the shooting experience. And the contours of the grip, thumb holes and trigger guard are curvaceously smooth with plenty of room for thick winter gloves. I don’t know what material has been used for the synthetic dimpled inserts to either side of the grip, but they work to provide a firm grasp. Overall, this replica captures the versatility of the SV-98 platform that’s light years ahead of more popular rifles in terms of ergonomics.

POWER AND PERFORMANCE

With UK site limits for sniper rifles generally in the 400s, you might be disappointed to learn that this SV-98 returns just 277FPS/0.71J on average using .20 BBs. But that’s actually about the same as the

perennial favourite - and admittedly much cheaper - VSR-10 as standard. RAPTOR claims 130-135mps (approx 427FPS) on their website but doesn’t state the weight of BBs they used to reach this figure. However, we all know that FPS is far from the be-all-and-end-all in airsoft (don’t we?) - especially for a sniper rifle where the almighty hop-up is king. So how does the SV-98 perform in terms of accuracy? We gave it an easy test for a sniper at just 25m, for no other reason than that’s the space I have to work with. As it turns out, that was ample. After running a few mags through it over several days to ease everything in, I managed a 2-inch grouping using .25s with several fliers that went high and left of the 6in target, but that could be down to shooting between gusts of wind. I’d expect better results indoors with practice - and a more talented shooter behind the trigger. Things were much improved with .30 BBs when most shots landed on target for a one-and-a-half inch group. But fiddle as we might with settings, there was still an arc to the trajectory requiring hold over - aiming above the objective, rather than each shot travelling straight and true with the sights on centre target. And that’s at 25m - less than the Minimum Engagement Distance for snipers at many sites. Purely for the sake of a thorough test, we found that .43 dedicated sniper ammo struggled to even make it the full range. Given the 277FPS output that we measured earlier, we can’t say we were surprised. As standard, it seems the sweet spot for ammo for the SV-98 as standard is .30 BBs, with upgrades on the cards sooner rather than later to enable use of those heavier spheres beloved of all snipers.

BEST SNIPER OR BEST SV-98?

The SV DX’s not inconsiderable £650 asking price pitches it right up against - or even above - two of the finest proponents of the good-to-go sniper rifle right now; Silverback’s SRS and the SSG24 from YouTube darling, Novritsch. But that may be missing the point. What we have here is an accurate replica of a rifle that’s under-represented in airsoft - and I’m the first to support manufacturers willing to take a risk and bring something new and distinctive to market. Perhaps more importantly, I know that many airsofters have a passion for Russian hardware in general - and many of those have a specific desire to add an SV-98 to their collection. If that’s you, then we think you’ll enjoy this offering from RAPTOR. With its physical dimensions, there’s no getting away from the fact that this sniper rifle has undeniable presence and with that wooden finish, it’s a beautiful object to handle. This may not be the best outof-the-box sniper rifle …but it IS the best SV-98 in airsoft. AA RAPTOR SV-98 Deluxe Edition Airsoft Sniper Rifle Price: £649.95 Available from: Airsoftworld.net Weight: 6.5kg (Claimed) Length: 120cm-142cm (standard/ suppressed) (Tested) Inner barrel length: 600mm (Claimed) Inner barrel diameter: 6.04mm (Claimed) FPS: 277 avge (Tested) Construction: Wood and metal Power source: Bolt/spring Magazine type: Polymer Capacity: 50 rounds

“IN TERMS OF ERGONOMICS, THE SV IS STREETS AHEAD OF MORE MODERN FARE - INCLUDING ONE VERY POPULAR BULLPUP BY SILVERBACK. NOT ONLY CAN YOU ADJUST THE LENGTH OF THE STOCK BY ADDING OR REMOVING SECTIONS, BUT THERE’S ALSO AN ADJUSTABLE CHEEK RISER.” www.airsoft-action.online

armoury G&G SMC-9 CARBINE

G&G SMC-9: HYBRID EXCELLENCE EVERY SO OFTEN AN AIRSOFT MODEL COMES ALONG THAT STRIKES A CHORD WITH USERS, AND BILL HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE PROGRESS OF THE SMC-9 CARBINE FROM G&G SINCE HE FIRST SAW IT AT IWA A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK. NOW THAT STOCK IS STARTING TO HIT THE STORES, HE GETS HANDS ON TO SEE IF THE WAIT HAS BEEN WORTH IT!

istol-based carbines, what’s that all about then? The fact of the matter is that pretty much ever since the inception of what I will call “the modern pistol”, carbine variants have been tried, discarded, and tried yet again! You only need look back to models such as the “Artillery Luger”, the “Broomhandle Mauser”, and the “Stechkin” to

see what I’m talking about - and going even further back you could even include “saddleguns” in this list! simply put, the pistol calibre carbine has been tried time and again with varying degrees of success. But with modern handguns proving capable of greater, dependable performance, and indeed ammunition that has become more consistent and reliable, once again we’ve seen a return to the pistol “carbine kit” and in its current form you can choose from a bewildering array

of accessories that will transform your handgun into a halfway decent carbine! Kits like the FAB Defense K-Pos, Hera Triarii or CAA Roni do much more than just adding a shoulder stock (as was the old format), as they add a forward grip for added stability, rails for mounting optics and taclites, and even allow

for fitting suppressors in countries legal. I having a a few an Israeli carbine kits onto the not really that in

where this is remember conversation years back with friend about the that were coming market at the time, understanding then Israel, although we commonly see pictures

of folk going about their daily business with an M4 slung across their back, civilians can’t own SMGs under Israeli law. So it could be argued that carbine conversions are a solution to bypass a legal problem, allowing users to own a short, pistol-calibre platform that is ideal for home defence. Of course, that also means

that anywhere SBRs or SMGs require extensive paperwork for ownership, the carbine kit also becomes of interest, and you can have both a carbine and a pistol at a fraction of what you’d pay for the even the semi-auto version of an SMG! So that’s all well and good then, in the real world there is a desire for a kit which can transform your pistol into a carbine but where does this sit in relation to airsoft, where we can legally own pretty much anything from a Derringer to a Ma

“ALTHOUGH I’M A HALFWAY DECENT PISTOL SHOOTER, AT MUCH BEYOND 10M, ESPECIALLY IN A WOODLAND SETTING, I’M BASICALLY WAITING FOR MY OPPONENT TO COME CLOSER BEFORE I CAN ENGAGE… GENERALLY NOT A GOOD THING!” 52

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armoury G&G SMC-9 CARBINE

Deuce? Again, the truth of the matter lies with the user, and the “pistol carbine” has become the darling of many a sniper or designated marksmen for when the action takes place within Minimum Engagement Distance (MED). As a regular DMR user I will usually carry a handgun as a backup, but that inevitably leaves me with a big gap to cover between 10m and 30m (30m being the MED on most sites I play at). Although I’m a halfway decent pistol shooter, at much beyond 10m, especially in a woodland setting, I’m basically waiting for my opponent to come closer before I can engage… generally not a good thing! And this, to me, is where the pistol carbine REALLY excels - and it’s also why I’ve been so excited to see the SMC-9 finally hitting the stores!

GTP-9 SPECIAL

I believe it is pretty common knowledge that the SMC-9 has at its heart the G&G GTP-9 gas pistol and even on the grip of the SMC-9 you’ll find the pistol markings. This is no bad thing at all, as the GTP-9 has the G&G Whirl Cylinder Valve (which spins when fired to break up “frost” deposits inside the nozzle, with the net result of enhanced performance). And then there’s the clever new hop adjustment, which is easily accessed at the muzzle, making fine tuning a snap. But of course, unlike the “real world” the SMC-9 has been designed as a single, efficient platform and although you could drop in the lower frame and gubbins from your GTP-9, the SMC-9 comes fully assembled and good to go. And what a fine little platform it is! Externally the SMC-9 is a beauty, slim and light at just 1.55Kg and just 420mm long with the stock folded (610mm extended). Even with this low weight and diminutive size though, you still get a 7’’ M-LOK handguard with eleven attachment points, a full length top rail for attaching optics, front QD sling mount, a unique full metal flash hider (removable to reveal a 14mm CCW threaded outer barrel), a side-folding polymer stock with rubberised buttplate and removable flip-up front and rear sights. In terms of controls you have Safe, Semi and Auto firing modes and then ambidextrous EVERYTHING! That’s ambidextrous magazine release, slide release, selectable left or right ejection port covers, side selectable sling loop, and a non-reciprocating charging handle! The push-through safety is positioned well above and to the rear of the trigger, whilst the selector itself is a separate push-

through button sited to the rear of the ejection port. You also get a comfortably textured pistol grip with interchangeable backstraps for different sized hands, and a two stage “safety trigger”. All in all, it’s a very, very tidy package!

BANGING ON!

One of the things that I truly like about the SMC-9 is how much it reminds me of my favourite SMG, the Israeli (again!) Uzi

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UP YOUR GAME

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armoury G&G SMC-9 CARBINE

and like the Uzi, the H&K MP7 and the B&T MP9 (and others), it has that wonderful “hand meets hand” style of reloading and the 50BB gas magazine (you can also use standard 27BB GTP-9 mags) supplied with the carbine is styled perfectly to make the most of this. That said, the SMC-9 does pose a little challenge when it comes to actually holding onto it, as that 7” M-LOK rail at the sharp end is occluded a little by the ambi charging handle. Now I haven’t got the biggest of hands but I found it hard to get a good control hand grip, and I feel that the inclusion of some form of folding foregrip “a la MP7” would have been a good addition. This is a totally minor niggle though, as the SMC-9 is perfectly shootable as is and it’s the “shooting bit” where things really get fun! I set the SMC-9 up with .20g BBs for chrono and got a pleasingly consistent and perfectly playable 1.04-1.07J/335340fps over the course of the magazine on NUPROL 2.0 “Green Bottle”. I have seen warnings on some retailer websites to keep an eye on this, as there are different SMC-9 variants for different countries to fit with legal and site-imposed power limit variances, so do check on this carefully with your favourite shop before you buy! And of course, with any gas-powered platform you need to keep an eye on this power if the temperature starts to soar, as the Whirl Cylinder Valve will certainly help you in the cold, but won’t stop that gas heating when it gets hot! As much as the SMC-9 is a stunning modern design and a lovely thing to behold, at the end of the day it’s the

“shooty bit” that’s all-important and if anything, it shoots even better than it looks! As I stated earlier, for me the SMC-9 steps into that 10 to 30m void where I have to lay down my DMR and draw my pistol and, as I’d hoped, at those distances it absolutely rocks! Once you’ve set the “muzzle hop” with the clever little tool that you’ll find secreted behind the pistol grip to your chosen weight of BBs (0.25g worked well for me), at 10m it’s deadly accurate on semi-auto, which makes it an absolutely ideal CQB tool. However, where my pistol would start to fade a little beyond 20m, the SMC-9 is still bang on the button. On the 30m range using the standard flip-up sights I was still happily hitting sandbags at the furthest extent and this is with a 220mm, 6.03 inner barrel. My thoughts are that with a bit of fettling the power is certainly there to reach further and when you hit that “giggle button” for full auto, I swear you will have a smile a mile wide. So, has the SMC-9 that G&G have been teasing me with for so long been worth waiting for? Oh yes it has, it 100% HAS! Although this is classed as a carbine and indeed what many have referred to as a “carbine kit”, as it essentially contains the GTP-9 as the “driving force” it is so much more than that. I would put the SMC-9 firmly into SMG/Machine Pistol territory and if, like me you love an Uzi or an MP9, then you are going to downright love the little G&G! At the time of writing this review I’ve been talking to Rick at G&G about their new TR16 SBR 308 MKII (I’m aiming to mod one of these to semi-only for DMR use in our long-term test pool), which looks to share the same modernistic styling as the SMC-9 and I’m thinking already about a jolly three-way featuring the SBR, the SMC-9, and the GTP-9. I can totally see that “big boy” with a good optic on it for distance use, with the SMC-9 as a backup and the GTP-9 as a “failsafe”, plus with the latter pair sharing magazines for ease. This to me sounds like a perfect all-rounder

setup and one I intend to work on! For now though, I’ll conclude by saying that I do completely love the SMC-9 and I sincerely hope that G&G will make further additions and steps forward with this hybrid style of platform. They obviously have the tech know-how, have nailed performance in terms of gas efficiency and range and have wrapped that all up in one superbly attractive package. What’s not to love? My thanks go to G&G (www.guay2. com) for providing this sample for evaluation and to NUPROL for facilitating this as my country’s G&G distributor. AA

“AS MUCH AS THE SMC-9 IS A STUNNING MODERN DESIGN AND A LOVELY THING TO BEHOLD, AT THE END OF THE DAY IT’S THE “SHOOTY BIT” THAT’S ALL-IMPORTANT AND IF ANYTHING, IT SHOOTS EVEN BETTER THAN IT LOOKS!” www.airsoft-action.online

KIT & GEAR AIRSOFT MULTI-TOOLS

AIRSOFT AND MULTITOOLS: A RETHINK… FRENCHIE COVERED THIS SUBJECT SOME WHILE AGO AND NOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED, HE UPDATES US ON HIS THOUGHTS REGARDING AIRSOFT AND MULTITOOLS.

ome considerable time ago I wrote a series of pieces on the value of multitools to airsofters and I made some recommendations, based on experience, as to which I thought were worth buying. That was then, and this is now. If, like me, you spend or have spent years with a lump of metal strapped to your belt you may occasionally wonder if you need all that capability, day to day. I certainly did, and that started me on a journey through alternatives to the evercapable Leatherman or Victorinox Swiss tool. My end point was not one I had anticipated but my argument here is that, maybe, this is actually all you need on the skirmish field.

LOOKING BACK

Let’s start a while back: Throughout my school days I carried a Victorinox swiss army knife in my pocket, not something that is deemed acceptable these days sadly, but it ruffled no feathers then. It was the “Executive” model, fairly slim and discreet, with the usual raft of tools. Since it was the only tool I carried, it did everything; a classic case of “if all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail”. Somewhere at university it disappeared, I think, and I can’t remember what I used after that. Eventually I was given a Leatherman, the original Pocket Survival Tool. I still have it and I still use it a lot. That

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was to set a trend of the next God knows how many years; why carry a limited knife, when you can have all that capability? Over the years I have bought, used, lost and given away many multitools and I wouldn’t be without them – my thanks go out to Tim Leatherman for his persistence! However, they are moderately heavy, some more than others and are better carried in their sheath on your belt. As my work patterns changed, I found I had less call for the sort of facilities they offered, and I was less inclined to lug one around on the off chance that a Land Rover door should fall off and need to be reattached. I started to look again at the venerable Swiss Army Knife (SAK), of which I have always had a few, and ask if this wasn’t better suited to my needs? I was also cognisant that we live in a world these days where knives are seemingly always in the news and nearly always for the wrong reasons and, while I am not a natural target for a quick stop and search, I didn’t want to cause alarm by doing a Crocodile Dundee, no matter how legal

or appropriate it might be. My complaint with SAKs is that to be reasonably useful they had to be reasonably bulk. I have a Tinker with pliers amongst other invaluable tools and in terms of weight and bulk it is pretty close to the Leatherman PST, not something I’m comfortable popping into my pocket on a regular basis. The answer came by accident during a holiday. My wife bought me an Alox Classic SAK. For those of you who know your knives, the Classic is the

KIT & GEAR AIRSOFT MULTI-TOOLS

smallest knife in the range with a petite 30mm blade, scissors and a combined file and flat head screwdriver. Having aluminium scales (hence the Alox) it doesn’t even have tweezers or a toothpick. What bloody use is this?! I mean, it’s a keyring knife! Ah... This is where you live and learn.

SMALL BUT USEFUL

This tiny knife is surprisingly useful, and when you get hold of a Classic SD with the normal scales, and therefore add the tweezers and toothpick, it gets even more useful, and if you then persuade someone to buy you the Manager version of that knife, with the addition of a Philips head screwdriver, bottle opener and wire stripper and a pen you start to realise that you have a proper tool kit in your pocket. A toolkit that is shorter than your pinkie and which weighs, well, I think the technical term is “bugger all”. The knife takes and holds a fearsome edge, is long enough to be useful but short enough to cause neither fear nor alarm amongst the populace at large. Indeed, with a blade length of only 1”1/8 (30mm) you can carry it on a plane within the European Union, thanks to EU Directive 2015/1998 which permits blades up to 60mm in the cabin. All the other tools work as they should and although I wouldn’t want to strip

the engine of my Trabant with it, it has surprised me with just how functional it actually is. Suffice to say that it is, and has been for some years now, my daily carry. It appears I can live without pliers and a multitude of different screwdrivers provided that the ones I do have are of decent quality. It opens boxes, helps me fix my bass, set up my guitar, dig crap out of my teeth, keep my nails in check, lever things open, tighten up errant screws, cut string, open packaging. The list isn’t endless, but it is pretty long. In all of this I realised that on a skirmish site, while a multitool can be a boon, maybe there is a limit to what you actually need. Frankly, if you’re the sort of player who will strip a gun in the safe zone, the chances are you already carry sufficient tools with you to do that. If, on the other hand, you want a handy tool that will deal with all the little irritations; loose screws, cutting paracord and tape, or opening your M&S sandwiches, you really don’t need any more than this. It’s cheap – the basic SD can be had for about £10 -and it’s robust. I would strongly recommend tying paracord or similar to the keyring loop so you don’t lose it, or clipping it onto your gear with a small carabiner, but apart from that it will take all the abuse you care to throw at it and ask for nothing more than a rinse in clean water to get rid of mud. If you want

to go super-light, the Alox variants are even thinner and weigh less. Any tool that isn’t with you is no use, that is absolutely stating the obvious, so it follows that a tool that is always with you, even if not perfect, is a better tool. I have become so attached to this little knife that

when I lost one on holiday in Seville, I went straight to the nearest shop that sold them and bought another. I have probably given them as presents to my entire family by now, its capabilities were a revelation and it can - and does - go everywhere with me. If you were to carry just one tool that wasn’t specific to your loadout to a game, make it one of these. It won’t weld a broken barrel back on, and its rubbish for stripping a gearbox, but for loosening, tightening and prising things out of places they shouldn’t be, it’s an absolute boss. AA

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KIT & GEAR YTTK BATTLE BELT

THE BATTLE OF THE BELT DO YOU EVEN NEED A CHEST RIG, ASSAULT VEST OR PLATE CARRIER? STEVE T TESTS YTTK’S BATTLE BELT AND HARNESS TO FIND OUT…

nswering the set-up question straight out of the gates… Yes! Unless you’re exclusively a sniper or a pistols-only bandolero, then you’re going to need somewhere to keep your assault rifle magazines. Unless you only play short games between trips to the safe zone, when one or two High-cap magazines will suffice, then you’re going to need to run a chest rig, assault vest or plate carrier - especially if you’re using a GBBR with lower capacity mags. For that reason alone, I made the move from a belt-based loadout to a vest, but with that came added bulk. And as someone that easily overheats, the additional heat retention was an unwelcome by-product. So, I wanted to find out just how much of my loadout I could shift to my waist, reducing my reliance on torso space with a view to adopting a micro rig for better breathability - more on that in another review.

NO HARNESS REQUIRED

There are many battle belts available but YTTK’s Battlebelt Gen2 stood out for me for a couple of reasons. Not only are the Molle fixtures lazer finished but there’s also a rigid insert that helps to retain its overall shape. Where some belts sag under load, this one stays the same shape. The other feature that caught my attention was the fact that the inner surface is soft velcro. If you run a velcro inner belt to hold your trousers up, then the YTTK outer can grip onto its surface. Yes, it means buying a new inner belt as well but the results are startling - suddenly, all your kit stays exactly where you want it! Previously, I’ve used either belt couplers or a harness to prevent my duty belt from rotating mid-game - especially during ironic combat rolls - but this velcro combo works so well that you no longer really need either. Of course, a harness will still help

to spread the weight across hips and shoulders but I’ve ditched it after a couple of games and haven’t looked back.

out that’s the one that works for me. Although I might try swapping the dump pouch to my left...

A GROOVY KIND OF MOLLE

YOU CAN’T HURRY A LOADOUT

At around £60, this belt costs more than some and less than others but the Battlebelt Gen2 is well put together from laser cut Nylon fabric with nary a loose thread to be found. The UV resistant material means that it shouldn’t fade with exposure to sunlight and the Molle spacing is uniform, working well with every pouch, holster or mount I’ve thrown at it. Everyone’s game set-up will be different but here’s how I’ve organised my battle belt from left to right: Two pistol magazines side-by-side; two sniper mags stacked; M4-style Speedloader with a pistol loader on top; radio; water bottle; green gas can; two grenades; open panel for drop-leg holster; universal pistol holster and, finally, folding dump pouch. Of course, there are a million different combinations - and I’ve watched a bunch of real operator videos - but I’ve worked

I was happy to make the transition to a vest-based loadout but I’m even happier to come back to a belt. By establishing a base platform that will work for every role I play - swapping from infantryman to sniper and back in the course of the day - I’ve been able to remove bulk from my torso to improve heat dissipation and can always add back in a lightweight chest rig purely for AR mags, depending on the game. Certainly, there are many battle belts out there but I like this one for both its semi-rigid structure and the velcro inner, that combine to mean that your kit stays where you want it. As long as it continues to stand up to torture tests (as well as I think it might), YTTK’s Battlebelt Gen2 will make the basis of every loadout for me from now on. AA

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FEATURE MCX DREAM BUILD

SIG MCX DREAM BUILD

FOR THIS ISSUE WE’RE JOINED BY OUR GOOD FRIEND JOHN T WHO TAKES A LOOK AT THE “TOOL OF CHOICE” FOR SPECIALIST LAW ENFORCEMENT UNITS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND WORKS WITH DAN FROM TACTICAL PARTS IN THE USA TO CREATE HIS “PERFECT” SIG MCX!

n the years leading up to the 2012 Olympics, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in the UK (aka “the Met”), the highest authorised Police Firearms Officer was the Specialist Firearms Officer or “SFO”. With the potential threat level for terrorist actions and as part of the preparation for the Olympics, the Met trained some of their officers to a much higher standard, mostly along the lines of the UK Special Forces (SAS and SBS). This would include fast rope access from helicopters, maritime operations, explosive methods of entry (EMOE), more specialist equipment in order to deal with potential threats and also using live rounds during Close Quarters Combat (CQC) training. Thames Valley, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire and Strathclyde Police (now Police Scotland)

also increased their training and capabilities by equipping their officers with the same equipment and procedures as the Met CTSFOs. Together the force areas would form the national Combined Response Firearms Teams (CRFT) and they would provide armed police officers known as Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officers (CTSFO). In August 2016, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe announced that the first of 600 extra armed officers were ready to be deployed to work in London. With the photos of the public “unveiling” of the CTSFO published, those airsofters who were interested in making an “impression” of the new CTSFO were on the lookout for the must-have rifle that was issued to the CTSFOs and this was the SIG SAUER MCX rifle, along with the Arc’teryx TALOS clothing and Grey C2R plate carrier.

LICENSED MCX

When Cybergun released their licensed SIG MCX, these players were straight to the shops to get one and soon the impressions were being seen at airsoft sites around the country. With the gradual release of photos of the CTSFOs on operations, various “builds” were being seen and some parts becoming the next “must have” part for the players. The Cybergun MCX, OEM by VFC, came equipped with the fantastic VFC Avalon gearbox and sported the same KeyMod rail as the real MCX. Out of the box the MCX gave approx. 300fps but in a quite rare occurrence for airsoft manufacturers, VFC also supplied three extra main springs (M100, M110 and M120) which could be speedily changed via the quick change (QC) spring guide. The only drawback was the lack of space provided for the battery. This could be easily addressed by either the addition of a battery box PEQ or the use of the “Suppressor Compliant” rail which SIG produce for the Real Steel Firearms. This, however, is quite an expensive option, costing nearly half as much again

“…THE “WOLF MOD” MONIKER STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT NO EXTERNAL ASPECTS ARE CHANGED, MAKING IT OTHERWISE OUTWARDLY INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM A STOCK RIFLE… MAKING IT A REAL WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING!” 60

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FEATURE MCX DREM BUILD

as the cost of the base rifle. When real CTSFO were seen with suppressed rifles this rail also became a must-have and then the search was on for a suppressor with the right “look” for the impression. A small number of similar looking dummy suppressors were CNC manufactured by JTac Custom Ltd. The “cans” had the ability to accept the Xcortech XT301 tracer unit as well as some foam discs, so that users had the option to use tracer BBs in game. Fast-forward to 2019 and with the discontinuation of the Cybergun MCX, SIG SAUER® announced that they would be taking the control of the Virtus MCX in-house, under the ProForce banner and customers were then eagerly awaiting the release of the new AEG rifle. When SIG decided to stop making the older model of MCX (now known as the “Legacy” MCX) the new model would be called the “Virtus MCX”. (For an in-depth review of the Cybergun MCX, check out Scott’s report in the April 2018 issue of Airsoft Action.)

THE SAME, BUT DIFFERENT

There are a few differences between the Cybergun “Legacy” MCX and the ProForce Virtus MCX AEGs: • Gas Block: this has the new Virtus looking gas plug. • The outer barrel is longer than on the Cybergun Legacy MCX by 75mm (3”) difference. The Legacy was fitted with a 195mm outer barrel (and also a removeable 10mm extension), whereas the Virtus comes in at 280mm. It also has a flat portion on the top of the barrel, which nicely addresses the problems with the Cybergun rifles where it was a nightmare to get a battery to fit. The battery storage on the ProForce is also helped by cutting down the mock gas piston would be and was on the Legacy rifle. For those who really prefer the battery and wiring not to be seen, wrap them in fabric tape and they almost disappear inside the rail. A good feature with the outer barrels on the AEGs is that they are interchangeable between the Legacy and Virtus models. There is also an option for a 6.75” barrel which is available through Virtus Training Systems Ltd. • A huge difference in the rails is obvious, as the Legacy was Keymod and the Virtus is MLok. Another big difference is the overall length of the rail. Legacy comes in at 203mm and 41.5mm wide, where the Virtus rail measures at 262mm long and 43.5mm wide. The Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver is also changed to mirror the differences in the real rifles. The Legacy has a rounded profile whereas the Virtus is

the standard flat in the same way you’d see on something like an M4. Small differences between the two versions are that the Virtus has the addition of “Exeter-NH-USA” under SIG SAUER INC on the receiver, while the ejector cover is slightly set back on the Virtus model and also has nice “Virtus” and Logo engraved on it. Looking underneath the rifle around the trigger guard, we can see the Pentagon with “F”, which means it will be accepted in Germany, provided it is converted to semi-auto only. There is also a warning on the base of the trigger guard to “Wear eye protection – this is not a toy – Read Owner’s Manual” etc. Other than those differences that have been noted, it is essentially a common lower, gearbox, controls etc between the two models. Usually I am one who may change a hop rubber and stop there, but for this Virtus MCX I decided I would “upgrade” a rifle and then make some side by side comparisons on the range. Dan, from Tactical Parts in the USA and the tech behind the excellent Black Swan Dynamics custom builds, has completed a similar upgrade build for my KWA T6. Here he lays out the upgrade work on my ProForce MCX.

The MCX “Wolf Mod”

This upgrade is based on previous work with upgrading a KWA T6 for my colleague at UK’s JTAC Custom, something now colloquially referred to as the “Wolf Mod.” Distilled down to the nuts and bolts, the “Wolf Mod” is a full makeover of the internals with a Gate TITAN, new gear ratio, upgraded motor

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FEATURE MCX DREAM BUILD

and compression parts, as well as outfitting it with an R-Hop, hop up chamber and upgraded inner barrel for improved range and accuracy. This build is primarily tuned for rapid semi-auto response and CQB sites where there are restrictions on full auto use. With the quick-change main spring, it can easily be configured to compete on the field with its excellent range and above-average full auto. Thusly, the “Wolf Mod” moniker stems from the fact that no external aspects are changed, making it otherwise outwardly indistinguishable from a stock rifle… making it a real wolf in sheep’s clothing!

The Heart of the Matter

Disassembly of the MCX Virtus is nearly on par with any of VFC’s other Version2-based offerings and will be eminently familiar to those who’ve worked on such before. The one feature of this particular design I can really appreciate, is the fact that the quick-change spring guide is accessible without having to remove the gearbox; rather, one simply unmounts the stock via a single screw and the spring guide is visible and ready to be accessed. VFCs are among some of the easiest and best AEGs to upgrade; the tolerances are excellent and consistent throughout. The first step of upgrading this MCX will be prepping the gearbox for the TITAN installation. This may seem slightly backwards to some, as most start off with a proper re-shimming of the gears, but this step requires some filing which generates metallic dust and is best accomplished without the internals in the way.

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Taking the right gearbox shell half, we will start with filing flat the metal posts that normally keep the wires pressed down into their channels. As this is a frontwired installation, it is actually only really necessary to remove one of these posts, but I always follow suit with removing all of them to “future proof” the gearbox, should it undergo a configuration change. Since we’re in the midst of generating filings, this is also a good time to radius the front edge of the gearbox as well. This assists in reducing the chances of the gearbox cracking from the impact of the piston slamming forward on every shot. Lastly, and as a small extra touch, I elected to polish the piston guide rails. This helps to smooth up the piston track and improves efficiency by reducing drag. Now we can move onto the shimming stage. As this gun will be receiving a new motor, it will be necessary to properly re-shim the gears. I have selected the excellent ASG Infinity 22K Neodymium motor for this application. I always shim pinion-to-bevel, so we will first be installing the motor into the motor grip, ensuring the motor plate is attached too. ASG motors are taller than VFC, so this step is also necessary to obtain the correct motorto-bevel height. On the subject of gears, we will be using a set of SHS 13.65:1 ratio CNC gears. SHS sets are an excellent value for the money and have generally proven themselves to be quite durable, provided you don’t draw the Chinese Lottery. As mentioned previously, this gear and motor combination will produce an excellent semi-auto response with an above average full auto. To meet the UK’s strict 350 FPS criteria, I will also be short stroking the sector gear by three teeth. Aside from reducing FPS (approximately 10 – 15 FPS per tooth removed), short stroking can help increase your cycle time and eliminate PME (Premature Engagement) risk; the latter is not really a concern on this particular setup, however. After all the shimming is done, one can now install the Gate TITAN, taking care to correctly lay out the wires in a manner that will prevent the motor pinion from slicing through them on reassembly. One of the things I really like to pair with the TITAN is the new MAXX CNC tuneable flat triggers. These allow you to fine tune your over-travel adjustment point and, coupled with the adjustable trigger sensitivity on the TITAN, you can easily obtain a highly reduced trigger pull. All of which assists in faster follow up shots; further enhancing what we essentially call a “semi-auto spam build.” For the MCX “Wolf Mod” John chose not to have this

FEATURE MCX DREM BUILD

option fitted. The work is not yet done though! Moving onto the compression side, we’ll be installing a new CYMA FMR piston, Lonex POM ported piston head, Lonex double O-ring aluminium cylinder head and a 70D Air-Pad for AOE correction. The main goal here is to replace the OEM components with more durable aftermarket analogs and improve the FPS consistency – a key facet of maintaining tight groups and accuracy. While CYMA is not especially known for being “high end” (and even “mid-tier” might be debatable), their FMR pistons are a true diamond in the rough. I have not yet managed to break one of these in all the years I have been using them. I’ve even had one outlast a Siegetek DSG sector on a 70 RPS build! Truly amazing pistons. These require some preparation before use, however. The flimsy piston head and heavy weight they come equipped with out of the packaging will be discarded. The rack is removed from the piston body and will have the 2nd from last tooth removed for

AOE correction and three teeth removed up front for the short stroking modification. Lastly, the rack will be epoxied in place and the piston body “swiss-cheesed” for some weight reduction. The Lonex POM piston head will be installed with the bearings removed for further weight

reduction. On the Lonex double O-ring aluminium cylinder head, the stock rubber pad is removed and replaced with a 3/16″ 70D Gen. 2 Air Pad. These are a superior grade material to the more common Sorbo pads and do not take on a set over time either. They’ve well-proven themselves to stand up to the rigors of even the most aggressive builds. VFC tappet plates are somewhat infamous for being brittle and prematurely breaking. The newest type are moderately improved, but still benefit from a high quality tappet plate that’s not going to break anytime soon. My preference is for the ASG Ultimate series tappet plates as they have excellent quality control, fit and finish and also secure most air nozzles quite well. Now that we are done configuring the gearbox, we can lubricate the components with Super Lube synthetic grease, taking care not to overlubricate for the sake of the optical sensors on the TITAN and close the shell up!

FAST IS FINE BUT ACCURACY IS FINAL

The final component of the Wolf Mod upgrade will be to upgrade the barrel and hop up

components. I’ve largely switched all custom builds entirely over to Lambda One barrels. These are 6.01 diameter bores made from cold forged SUS304 stainless steel and finished out to within 1 micron of straightness. Surprisingly, they are equivalent in

cost to Prometheus but with a muchimproved hop up window cut and have demonstrably superior accuracy and are daresay (sacrilege!) on par with the top tier PDI and EdGI offerings. A quality barrel is only as good as the work done on the hop up side, however, so that’s where an R-Hop installation comes into play. An R-Hop is a handmade contact patch that fits into the hop up window of the inner barrel and provides a dramatic increase in surface area contact with the BB. You will see a marked improvement in range with an R-Hop, especially when used in conjunction with heavyweight BBs. The best part is an R-Hop will last indefinitely. I have personal examples well in excess of a decade of use without fail. An R-Hop requires that one take a conventional bucking and “flat hop” it. This consists of removing the inner mound via careful sanding to obtain a perfectly flat surface. Here the excellent Prometheus purple bucking steps in for modification. The Prometheus purple is also a great choice for an all-weather bucking; that is to say, it does well in both hot and cold climates.

AND FINALLY

The last component will be to upgrade the hop up chamber. By design, the MCX will only accept a rotary style chamber, but the available options pare down significantly due to a restriction on the height of the hop up arm area. Some MCX owners have also remarked that the MCX is a bit unforgiving on magazine selection, which is partly due to the feed nozzle height on the VFC hop up chamber. Owing to all of the above, we will be using the MAXX ME Pro rotary hop up chamber. The MAXX chamber has a CNC milled construction and uses a true “top down center” style hop up arm assembly. It is, in fact, purpose built with R-Hops in mind. Thus, it is a perfect accompaniment to this setup. AA

SPECIFICATIONS Lambda One 6.01 SUS3034 stainless steel inner barrel MAXX ME Pro rotary hop up chamber Prometheus purple bucking R-Hop w/M-Nub Lonex double O-ring aluminium cylinder head 3/16″ 70D Gen. 2 Air Pad Lonex POM ported piston head CYMA FMR piston, AOE corrected and swiss-cheesed ASG Ultimate tappet plate SHS 13.65:1 ratio gearset, short stroked 3 teeth Retro Arms 9mm bushings ASG Infinity 22k Neodymium motor Gate TITAN Advanced (front wired)

www.airsoft-action.online

KIT & GEAR NIGHT VISION

SIONYX AURORA SPORT

AS THE “AIRSOFT ACTION LEGION” BEGINS TO HAVE REAL INPUT FROM AROUND THE GLOBE, CONTRIBUTOR ROB BRINGS IN A GREAT REPORT ON GEAR HE WISHES HE’D HAD “IN THE DAY”, TYING IN NICELY TO OUR CAGE FEATURE THIS MONTH!

“He was talking too loudly when I tapped him on the shoulder and whispered: “Shhh! You stupid American!” We were on watch and, as per normal SOP, we were to record what we saw and report back. Stealth was the name of the game. Two guys went by and I hit record. Wait, they had red arm insignia on not blue badges? Ah confirmed those are the special units we heard about but no way we could tell with the monochrome NV sets we normally used. “It was 0 dark 1/8 moonlight, not enough to see your hand in front but with any decent NV it looked almost daylight outside of the canopy. I slid away having what we needed, and we picked our way through the dense cover, not afraid of using our illuminators now as they were 1065nm and traditional NVGs don’t see in that range …but this SiOnyx colour NV camera did. Earlier I was arguing with my teammate about these low-cost cameras; yeah I’m a fool and now I saw their value was far above what I thought. He had laughed and said: “Colour is information and information is good”. Yeah mate, it is!”

recently received a SiOnyx Aurora Sport IP67-rated action night vision camera and was asked if we needed these for our team. My first reaction was “We all have PVS14s and FLIR, so why would we need that?” Well colour is indeed information and more information is indeed good. Jumping ahead though, this is now in my go-bag and most likely should be in yours as well. Before we get off to the camera lets cover a few details. Seeing in the dark is important, so much so that man has used fire, flashlights and more for ages. Then the military developed light intensifiers, owning the night and these evolved into our current NVG tech, but it sees in monochrome. So why is “Seeing Colour at Night” so Important? The answer is pretty straightforward… Seeing colour enhances situational awareness, resulting in faster and more accurate decision making. It allows for a better understanding of the terrain and the surrounding area and can reduce fatigue and disorientation that has been associated with conventional, monochrome NVG. Seeing in colour is just what the human body is used to and so a typical individual can mentally process what

they’re seeing faster with these systems. Seeing in colour aids reconnaissance and target identification. Colour night vision can provide important missing data (the colour of a target vehicle or clothing, etc.) allowing positive identification faster, and positive identification further. Night colour vision aids in night-time search and rescue and recovery operations more efficiently and with greater safety. Colour can be crucial for rapid and accurate wound assessment and treatment, as with monochromatic night vision, blood can look the same as water. This system enables the user to differentiate arterial from venous blood. Colour also can allow bomb techs to see red, green, blue, and different colour wires, components, and more. And then there are maritime uses (IP67 rated remember) where colour may be the key to “knowing” rather than “guessing”. Wreck that $50k skiff and see how much your boss wants to pay you!

SIONYX

So what makes this system what it is? Cost? MSRP of US$399 as of Nov 2019. A typical Gen2+ sees less and can cost over US$1,000+, then at Gen3 we get into 3 to 5 thousand US dollars and it is

“SEEING COLOUR ENHANCES SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, RESULTING IN FASTER AND MORE ACCURATE DECISION MAKING. IT ALLOWS FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TERRAIN AND THE SURROUNDING AREA AND CAN REDUCE FATIGUE AND DISORIENTATION THAT HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH CONVENTIONAL, MONOCHROME NVG.”

APRIL 2020

KIT & GEAR NIGHT VISION

still monochrome. While this individual unit cannot see as well in low light as a Gen3 (very close though) it beats a Gen2 and with a 1065IR illuminator that most Gen3 cannot see, it sees clearly. We tested this out and all of our 850, 940 lasers and illuminators worked well but the icing on the cake was the custom 1065 illuminator we tried. It was able to see clearly, while the PVS14 we had could barely make out it was used. A Tactical advantage for CQB operations and stealth, as we all know from when Kevin turned on his 940 illuminator …RIP Kevin! Then there is ITAR! How many times have you left only to return and have your fancy toys taken due to ITAR? No? OK, well some of us have. Haha! This is not on ITAR and is sold worldwide to travel, so no issues. SiOnyx LLC is a sensor company with over 40 patents. Their sensor can see further into the IR spectrum than a PVS or such. SiOnyx owns the technology and controls the cost, and this keeps things affordable and we can expect many more great products soon from the company. I wish I could say more but company OPSEC simply says “soon”. SiOnyx was awarded $20M as part of the army’s IVAS program for next general digital NV though... Can I wear these NOD-style you may well ask? Many want to know if it can be worn head-mounted for NVG use. The answer is yes - and they are even lighter

than most NVG sets. Although it does from you and their direction (when they have a small amount of lag on the lowest are also running the Aurora black camera). settings (I run mine at 30fps, night and Last but not least, LEO and legal use? -2.0 diopter and they are great, and we Since the Aurora black camera records are talking only 15ms versus the eye at more information, colour, has a timestamp 10ms) and the field of view is a tad smaller and GPS as well, it is admissible as but after running this in a dual nod setup evidence! AA in our shoot house, I have come to love this set. It is cheaper for the pair of Sports and mount (see below) than just a single Gen2, which it blows away. If there is any light, I can actually identify clothing colour and with the 1065nm illuminator I can slide in 100% O dark not be noticed until too late. Lionsgear Solutions offers an amazing mount and other accessories for your SiOnyx NOD set up via Wilcox and other mounts, along with lens covers protectors, eye cups Sport Version Features and more. Their dual NOD Machos mount is state of the Sensor: Ultra-Low Light CMOS 1” (Yes 1”!) Near Moonless Starlight capable art military grade, including Colour or monochrome display the option to adjust for each Lens: f/1.4 Night, f/2 Twilight, /5.6 Day 16mm lens that eye alignment individually and stainless steel hinges that cannot be damaged by daylight in night mode. Video: 720p Mov lock at any given degree. FPS: 7.5, 15.24, 30, 60 SiOnyx also offers the Photo: .9mp smarter sibling, the Black Shutter speeds: 1.5, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, “Aurora” model at US$800 1/120, 1/240, 1/480, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, 1/8000 which contains a built-In Wifi: USB 2.0 Wi-Fi, GPS, compass and MicroSD 4: 32GB by the time of this article, Micro OLED Display it should have the software IP67 update that allows and USB Rechargeable battery (swappable) adds “Augmented Reality”. IOS and Android app So, when looking into the Remote Live View, Record, Download, Share camera, it will show you Under 8oz and fits in the hand where your base, objective and team members are, their ITAR friendly For more information visit to www.sionyx.com tag, how far away they are

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AWARD WINNER

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If you have any old kit or gear tucked away in a cupboard, garage or shed that you have thought about sticking on eBay, or a forum to get rid of it, then why not donate it to the Pilgrim Bandits instead and Tez will make sure any money raised from its sale will go towards helping even more people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and you can be sure of the undying gratitude and thanks of those who it helps to live again. Please contact Tez on either his mobile: 07748 800 981 or email: terry.arnett@pilgrimbandits.org

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Journey to perfection

THIS IS MY M4 PART5: BARRELS

THIS IS MY M4 PT 5:

INNER BARREL AFTER YEARS OF MAKING MINOR MODIFICATIONS TO RIFS WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SUCCESS, STEVE T GOES ALL-IN ON HIS MWS TO FIND OUT JUST WHAT AN INEPT HOME TECH CAN ACHIEVE. THIS MONTH: A LONGER INNER BARREL.

ven with a well-established manufacturer such as the revered Tokyo Marui, it’s fair to say that this build has suffered more than its fair share of setbacks due to parts availability. Of course, that’s not down to TM but it’s a good indicator when you’re planning a project, that aftermarket parts might not be as readily available as you’d hoped for, from even the most well-supported airsoft brands. Depending upon the parts you choose, not only may you need to be willing to import from say, Hong Kong or Taiwan, but you should also factor in all the international postage costs and potential “lost parcel” perils that might entail. Before we go any further, let me remind you that this series is aimed at novices to wrenching such as myself, not talented techs that already know everything.

BARRELLING AHEAD

This month it’s time to work on the MWS’ front end to accommodate the longest inner barrel that fits the standard outer, meaning nothing too excessive. I know that a longer barrel doesn’t necessarily mean more accuracy but it (usually) equates to slightly higher FPS and more range. As someone that tends to hang back looking for a tactical advantage, rather than piling into a situation headfirst, that’s what I want.

One advantage to working with such a popular platform is that there are many alternatives. You could always add a longer outer barrel but where the MWS standard inner is 250mm long, the Prometheus GBB 370mm from Laylax fits the standard outer like a dream. At 6.03, it also potentially offers improved finish and tolerances for greater consistency between shots for about £50. So, other than lacking tech skills - Hello! That’s me! - why wouldn’t you? Of course, swapping the inner barrel means removing the entire front end, which is not something the average airsofter will feel comfortable doing - but how hard can it be? Famous last words maybe, but let’s find out…

FULL FRONTAL STRIP

In theory, the removal and replacement of the front end is a relatively simple affair but, as we all know, life isn’t always as easy as we’d expected. Since this is a functional work in progress, the first step was to remove the foregrip, front sight, QD sling point and optics we’d used in earlier games. Separate the upper and lower receiver by removing the rear pin, then we found that it then helps to rotate the upper down before trying to remove the front pin, when it should just pop out from the left - while still being retained on the far side.

No need to worry about losing it. From there, just pull back on the lower section of the rail down to remove it. Using a 2.5 allen key, remove the bolt to the top of the rail at T14 and lift the rest of the rail off. Unscrew the flash hider clockwise and put the washer and O-ring to one side. The most obvious physical obstruction to remove is the front A-frame sight. Remove the screw to the bottom using a 1.5mm key, then resting the barrel rightside down, tap both pins out from the nearside. You could use something like an Allen key or a jeweller’s screwdriver with a small hammer. One of ours was firmly seated and needed some persuasion. Pay attention to which way around the pins came out if you intend to reuse the foresight, but we could disregard this.

A-FRAME BEGONE

Then you can wiggle the A-frame forwards and off the outer barrel; the gas tube and fittings will most likely come with it. After which, undo the crosshead screw to the underside and slide off the other components before loosening the barrel nut using an armorer’s wrench. You could use an adjustable wrench for this step but you run the risk of chewing up the surface material. I’m trying to avoid specialist tools I may never use again for this build but, for the sake of a tenner, this is one

“DEPENDING UPON THE PARTS YOU CHOOSE, NOT ONLY MAY YOU NEED TO BE WILLING TO IMPORT FROM SAY, HONG KONG OR TAIWAN, BUT YOU SHOULD ALSO FACTOR IN ALL THE INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE COSTS AND POTENTIAL “LOST PARCEL” PERILS THAT MIGHT ENTAIL.”

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THIS IS MY M4 PART5: BARRELS

time I splashed the cash. I bought the “DDwrench” by Mad Bull but there are many others to choose from; heavier duty units will survive more builds if you plan on making a habit of this. Once that’s done, you can pull the barrel assembly out. You might want to tap on the rail from the rear to free it. Now you can release the inner barrel and bucking by pulling back on the plastic assembly that nestles into the gold-coloured collar. Gently remove the O-ring from the front of the inner barrel - ours was an utter PITA to the point of being impossible without jamming a tiny flathead screwdriver underneath to lever it out and risking damaging it. There’s also one just behind the unit’s front edge, but you can just pull the assembly to the rear, spread it open and then pull the O-ring off. This is a good time to pay attention to which way around each part came out, because you’ll be putting them back together soon.

BUCKING THE TREND

Before fitting the new inner barrel, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s clean. You know that long plastic unjamming rod that came with the MWS? It has a use other than dislodging BBs. Split a piece of lint-free material maybe 1cm high by 4cm wide - a bit of clean T-shirt will do at a push - and poke it through the holes at one end of that rod. Dip the fabric in isopropanol solution, insert it into the barrel and move it through the length while twisting to scoop up any extra gunk. You’d hope there wouldn’t be any on a newly manufactured barrel, but it can’t hurt and might just improve performance. Once you’ve let the barrel dry - it takes no time - reassemble the parts with the new inner barrel in place. The raised ridge on the outside of the bucking - which by all accounts is good as standard - should be to the rear of the barrel - in our case to the right - pointing towards the perpendicular slot to the far side of the window. Depending upon the bucking you choose, you might find a raised ridge on the inside that handily slides into a groove on the barrel. It wasn’t very pronounced on the standard item, but you could just about feel it when it slotted into place.

To improve air seal, we added a wrap of PTFE tape, then reassembled the housing, swapping out the standard two-part hop arm with a one-piece unit from Laylax while we were at it. Since you have to position lugs in holes, there’s really only one way to fit this part, which should ensure both a more effective hop performance and greater consistency too. It might seem weak that the unit is held together by a single O-ring right now, but it will be far more secure once you reinsert it into the cut-out in the outer barrel. Slide the inner back into the outer, then squeeze the plastic housing together until you can seat it firmly. Push it back into the upper, with the hop arm to the top under the rail. We thought we’d quickly see if there were any improvements from the internal upgrades by briefly refitting the barrel nut before further mods. Looking more like a paintball marker than a RIF without its handguard, everything works fine and without taking any measurements, it’s already effectively reaching longer ranges. Next month: Rails. AA

“LOOKING MORE LIKE A PAINTBALL MARKER THAN A RIF WITHOUT ITS HANDGUARD, EVERYTHING WORKS FINE AND WITHOUT TAKING ANY MEASUREMENTS, IT’S REACHING LONGER RANGES EFFECTIVELY ALREADY.”

www.airsoft-action.online

FEATURE THE COLOURS OF AIRSOFT

THE COLOURS OF AIRSOFT AROUND THE GLOBE THERE ARE MANY “COLOURS” THAT COME INTO PLAY FOR NUMEROUS REASONS BOTH LEGAL AND PERSONAL, AND BILL TAKES A STEP BACK TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT “BLACK GUNS MATTER” OR IF SOMETHING MORE RAINBOW-LIKE REALLY HAS A PLACE ON THE SKIRMISH FIELD!

ot so long ago I witnessed a whole discussion going on in one of the international airsoft groups I belong to, focussing on the fact that our airsoft brothers and sisters in Portugal need to have their AEGs and GBBs brightly painted (and I mean dayglo!) at least 5cm back from the tip of the muzzle, with the butt or stock the same, and not having them like this may result in a really hefty fine! Those players involved weathered the generally light-hearted banter around this subject with good grace, but it really got me to thinking about colours of airsoft guns. In the UK beginner players often start their “airsoft life” with what we call a “two tone” where a large proportion of their chosen platform is coloured, usually blue or green, to differentiate it from a real firearm. When I lived in the USA we had the “blaze orange muzzle”, although this was swiftly removed and replaced when it came to game time (and then refitted after). I’ve even seen players arrive at their first game with clear plastic AEGs. And let’s not forget that, in the “real world” the universally accepted colour for training is blue and I’ve even seen some fabulous airsoft replicas done out for “simunitions” using blue barrels,

magazines and parts - and this in some real “gear junkie” MilSim groups where everything has to be correct, correct, correct right down to the brand of your bootlaces! Many fields are (quite rightly) accepting of the whole “bright colours” thing, as it is often a legal part of ownership or indeed a legal way for players to get started. However, I also know of fields who have a strict “No Two-Tone” policy as this “spoils immersion” and whilst I can accept this in relation to a MilSim event, for a general day of skirmishing does it really matter? Is this a simple rule to “keep things real”, or is it snobbery and elitism? The fact is we can all choose which fields and sites we play at, so we’ll vote with our feet depending on which way your personal cookie crumbles. I do appreciate whole-heartedly that many, including myself, want our replicas to look as real as possible and the thought of having to spray my classic AKM or L1A1 SLR is a horrifying one but when I was researching my review of the Noveske Infidel this month, another thought struck me. One of the colours that the real Noveske rifle is finished in, is what started out life as a custom Cerakote colour, namely “Bazooka Green”, a mid-green

that is also quite “bright”. Whilst I was at SHOT earlier this year I checked out both the EMG Noveske replicas, as well as the real thing and they kind of grew on me. I also visited other stands like those of Black Rain Ordnance (Oh my… that BRO “Terminator”! I need to build it as an airsoft rifle!!!), UTG and Timber Creek Outdoors, where colour was most definitely the order of the day! So, if real firearms manufacturers are delighting in all the colours of the rainbow and producing rifles and carbines with striking designs and even graphics, is this not something that we should be looking at for airsoft? Again, I totally understand that in some countries one of the central tenets of ownership is that we will use our airsoft bb-slingers as part of “a military or law enforcement scenario” and you could rightly ask if brightly finished pistols, rifle, carbines and the rest have a justifiable place given this. I would say that from a “military” perspective not and even “LE” would be pushing things somewhat. However, as a shooter and an airsofter I actually like the “colour” thing; even if we are lucky enough to be members of a team, ultimately we are all individuals and therefore your platform of choice might

“…IF REAL FIREARMS MANUFACTURERS ARE DELIGHTING IN ALL THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW AND PRODUCING RIFLES AND CARBINES WITH STRIKING DESIGNS AND EVEN GRAPHICS, IS THIS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT FOR AIRSOFT?”

APRIL 2020

FEATURE THE COLOURS OF AIRSOFT

hang up your where the be as unique as you are, and chest rig and call gear and the what is wrong with that? it a day and your guns are most choice of what you necessarily 100% decide to use during that GOING GREEN righteous, I’ve also After I’d spent some time the Noveske journey should be yours and embraced a new Infidel during the evaluation and testing yours alone. direction. For me, airsoft process, I decided that I actually liked it Ultimately, airsoft is about should be completely immensely and that it could easily be a shooting and if you choose, or indeed inclusive, from your very rifle that I could learn to live in harmony are forced by law, to use a coloured first game, through every event with, but when it came to choosing “my rifle, then what the hey? I don’t care a you attend, right up to the day when you own” I made the snap-decision not to jot if the individual (and I choose that go for “boring black” but to word carefully) next to me is male, give that “Bazooka Green” a go. female, aardvark, or identifies as I then remembered that in the a cabbage patch doll. I don’t care range of the new RAVEN Hi-Capas about their race, colour, creed, or there were also models that were religious beliefs. If they can shoot, “…FROM YOUR VERY FIRST finished in a very similar colour … they can shoot and for me that is far GAME, THROUGH EVERY EVENT and a “cunning plan” began to more pertinent than WHAT they’re form in my mind! shooting with. I’d rather have an YOU ATTEND, RIGHT UP TO THE With all the great gear and accurate and efficient shooter who DAY WHEN YOU HANG UP YOUR clothing that’s coming onto is totally zoned into enjoying their the market at the moment (just airsoft experience by my side with a CHEST RIG AND CALL IT A DAY check out those new Helikonred or green AEG, than a poor AND YOUR CHOICE OF WHAT YOU blue, Tex shooter shirts for instance!), shooter who just happens to have DECIDE TO USE DURING THAT I decided that I’d quite like to the very latest “Delta-MacDoodlepull together a set of gear that JOURNEY SHOULD BE YOURS AND Spets” carbine but is grumpy was “tactical” but not in any because their PEQ is the wrong YOURS ALONE.” way Mil or LE, a kind of “civilian shade of tan! shooter” look if you like; a little I’m approaching things a little bit “Division” but without the differently now and that is pretty respirator and wrist computer. much all down to the fact of what For this a rifle/pistol combo that I saw at SHOT, IWA and other was “hardcore” but reflected shows over the past couple of current trends within the firearms years. Colour is here to stay when it industry would work and that comes to firearms and airsoft AEGs included both the EMG AEG and and GBBs should be no different. the RAVENs. When the pistols So, do black guns matter? Yes, and rifle arrived with me I was they most certainly do and always taken by how cool they looked will and we must to continue to together and although the fight for and maintain a defence pistols are not quite “Bazooka for those “Mil and LE scenarios” Green”, they are tonally close where we want everything to enough so as not to matter. be just as you’d see it in “real Sticking to the black/green life”. And yes, we need to ensure palette for accessories actually that “black rifles” are there for strengthened that “look” rather historically-themed games but I for than diminishing it! one will be happily skirmishing with So, here I am, one of the “old my “Bazooka Green Babies” this and bold” saying that whilst I summer …and loving it! AA do love a good “Mil/LE” setup,

“I’D RATHER HAVE AN ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT SHOOTER WHO IS TOTALLY ZONED INTO ENJOYING THEIR AIRSOFT EXPERIENCE BY MY SIDE WITH A BLUE, RED OR GREEN AEG, THAN A POOR SHOOTER WHO JUST HAPPENS TO HAVE THE VERY LATEST “DELTAMACDOODLE-SPETS” CARBINE BUT IS GRUMPY BECAUSE THEIR PEQ IS THE WRONG SHADE OF TAN!” www.airsoft-action.online

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KIT & GEAR 0241 TACTICAL - USA

t seems like only yesterday when I wrote the words “Sometimes it seems to me that the only things some people are interested in is the latest bit of “tac-gucci” kit to come to market, irrelevant of whether it actually works or not. I’m therefore always delighted to meet good folk who have “been there, done that, and got many T-shirts” and turned their hard-won knowledge to creating 74

APRIL 2020

quality gear that really serves a purpose.” But, as it has a habit of doing, time moves on and you suddenly realize that you haven’t spoken to old friends for too long. As I was due to head to SHOT earlier this year, I reached out again to Sean at 0241 Tactical, so that we could meet up and catch up! When I first met Sean he was still a serving Marine, although one that had already started turning his wealth of knowledge into some righteous bits of “snivel gear”, those little items that can add up to making a huge difference to your comfort in harsh conditions and letting you perform optimally. What I also found especially interesting, was that 0241 Tactical have never shied away from working with cutting edge and unique

KIT & GEAR 0241 TACTICAL - USA

camouflage patterns, along with classic patterns like ERDL and Desert Tiger Stripe, which have been proven to work effectively. As you read deeper into this update with Sean, you’ll see that this is an ongoing process. I’m always keen to get under the skin of a story, so Sean kindly agreed to answer some more questions about who 0241 Tactical are, where they’ve come from and where they are heading. AA: So Sean, in your own words please remind our readers what led you to set up 0241 Tactical? 0241: “My wife (a Military Veteran) and I started 0241Tactical when I was serving in the (US) Marine Corps. When I was

deployed, I noticed we were always having to invent items that we were not issued to help get by in the desert. For example, when we were dealing with sandstorms everyone would pull up their t-shirt over the mouth and nose and would use a cut-up sock to cover their goggles. While this worked, it wasn’t ideal and I always thought it wouldn’t be too much for the Government to create some facial protection for us. So we started our product line off of very simple yet useful items (Neck Gaiters and Goggle Covers) to help protect personnel and their equipment from the elements while enhancing their camouflage scheme.” AA: When and where did you start making your products? 0241: “We began our store in 2011 while living in San Diego. We started making a few items and they sold quickly on eBay, so we ordered more material and sold more. It’s been snowballing into more and more products and eventually we morphed into our own webstore (www.0241Tactical. com) and the business has become a fulltime occupation for us.” AA: Who do you see as target customers for your products?

0241: “When we started off we envisioned primarily military personnel utilising our gear. However, as we expanded our camouflage patterns into non-issue military patterns, we saw an opportunity for security service contractors, law enforcement, hunters and the recreational community to use our products. We target military and law enforcement for our products but if other communities can use them, then that’s great.” AA: Do you work with military and police personnel, or just civilians? 0241: “We cater to everyone that we can sell to legally and in good conscience. We’ve had orders from Police Departments worldwide and in 2013 we got our first large military purchase from the Naval Special Warfare Development Group in Virginia. We’ve been serving them regularly ever since. We also supply the US Air Force SERE School in Washington with our products on a regular basis. We’ve supplied various military units from around the world, including American customers in Iraq. We’re pretty open to supplying anyone as long as we’re not shipping to countries whose principles are contrary to our own, or precluded by law.” AA: What exactly do you specialise in? 0241: “We started off making small yet useful items (Neck Gaiters, Goggle Covers etc.) but we’ve grown into Tarpaulins (Basha Shelters) and clothing. Given that it’s very difficult to mass produce uniforms in the United States, we feel that we’re pushing that as much as we can with our Tactical Operator’s Pullovers (TOPs) and

www.airsoft-action.online

KIT & GEAR 0241 TACTICAL - USA

Tactical Over Trousers (TOTs). We’ve formed alliances with other US manufacturers, such as Head On Tactical, to provide tactical gear in the same patterns our products are made in, to give the customer more of what they are looking for in one place. So we’re kind of a shotgun blast of gear and equipment, not specialising in one item.” AA: I know that you work with excellent camouflage patterns and pattern developers; can you tell me more about this? 0241: “We work with the makers of many patterns, buying direct from the factories here in the United States. We communicate constantly with PenCott and A-TACS (and many others), working to be at the top of the list whenever a new pattern becomes available. PenCott has been great to work with because, due to my geographic location (next to one of the US Printers), we’re able to work with PenCott to develop new materials not typically available and provide cool products to our customers. Our neck gaiters, balaclavas, and caps are an example of this. We saw a shortfall where a good material was needed and PenCott worked with us and the printer to develop a great material to meet that need. Additionally, 0241Tactical developed its own suit (tops and bottoms) in DEPSOC as well as boots, caps, balaclavas, and various other tactical gear.” AA: You make a lot of your products to your own designs; what’s the process there? 0241: “Trial and error! If we take a look at the Tactical Operator’s Pullover (TOP) with regard to changes (which we consider improvements), we’re probably on version 20 at this point. The TOPs originally started off as a very rudimentary anorak and we’ve really turned it into a shooter’s jacket, with features that have made it a sought-after piece of gear. Our templates are originally rough drafted with cardboard and adjusted ...and adjusted again ..and again until the final design is what we’re looking for. Then we make a final template out of a more robust material and that becomes our standard.” AA: I know that you have a tie-in now with some other premium brands; who are they? 0241: “As time has progressed it became clear that we needed to start expanding our staff to meet the increasing volume

APRIL 2020

of 0241Tactical sales. In order to pay for the additional staff, we took on the business philosophy that “We make tires but we’re going to sell another company’s cars in order to sell more of our tires”. This has turned our webstore into a one stop shopping site selling our own, locally produced items as well as items we retail. We began to sell for Sk7 USA (who’ve been an amazing brand partner) a few years ago to meet the demand for PenCott camouflage items but that quickly morphed into selling many other patterns. A-TACS Camouflage has been amazing to work with and we work hand in hand with their owners. When the new BDU Extreme clothing line came out, 0241 made the first order with Tru-Spec. We’ve really tried to branch out and offer more unconventional tactical clothing intended for customers who need tactical clothing but don’t want to look like they’re deploying to Afghanistan. As far as listing out companies, we sell Tru-Spec, Sk7USA, URTactical, HRT Tactical, Viktos clothing, KWA USA, and even a few smaller companies that make incredible gear, such as UW Gear in Florida and Head On Tactical in California. We’re looking to join SnugPak and another company this year.” AA: Where do you see 0241 Tactical evolving in the future? 0241: “Slow growth and hire our military veterans. 0241Tactical started while I was serving in the Marine Corps. The United States has the Department of Veterans Affairs that seeks to help those veterans who’ve served with educational, job placement and medical assistance. My wife (an Air Force veteran) works with a local government department to help our veterans navigate the government bureaucracy and get the assistance they’re entitled to. Along those lines, I wanted to be in a position to help other veterans by providing jobs for them. However, this isn’t a charity case. I see their service as valuable experience that provides amazing insight into a market they’re very familiar with. Our first full-time sewing guru, Kyle, is a prior Army Parachute Rigger who learned sewing machines during his service. The military teaches attention to detail and he’s marked by exactness and accuracy of workmanship. He’s been an amazing addition to 0241Tactical. That being said, we want to grow 0241Tactical, with veterans like Kyle, to become a tactical sew shop in America. We want to produce our own brand items but offer a US-based production service for other companies looking to production here in the USA.”

AA: When I saw you at SHOT you told me that you’d signed up with KWA for their gas products; you mentioned them earlier, so how do you see this going forward? 0241: “When I was stationed in the United Kingdom I became friends with the guys at Free Fire Zone/Fire Support and started hanging out at their fields near Peterborough and, as a result, got a ton of experience with Airsoft Electric Guns (AEGs). My perspective is that airsoft is an incredibly fun sport that motivates people to get off the couch and get moving. The problem I saw with airsoft was that when you can carry nearly unlimited ammo, it diminished the realism of force on force training and often turned games into a frenzy of BBs flying everywhere! “This year at Shot Show I saw the KWA booth and saw that KWA has really begun to market towards law enforcement and the military, with their Professional Training Rifles and Pistols. Elements of authenticity have been reintroduced by limiting magazine capacity, including recoil but most importantly, the operation function of the training systems mimic the real function of actual firearms. This means muscle memory learned in a training environment will translate to real world situations. With increased government scrutiny on spending, KWA provides significant cost-savings but this is overshadowed by the risk mitigation training with 6mm BBs offers, instead of shooting live ammunition. As 0241Tactical expands we are looking to provide law enforcement, military and private citizens with the tools to enhance their own shooting techniques. If the relationship with KWA USA bears fruit, we’ll expand with other brands that can offer similar training systems.” AA: If someone reading this article likes the sound of what you offer, what should be their next step? 0241: “Check out our website at www.0241Tactical.com and if you don’t see what you want, email us at sales@0241Tactical.com and let us know what you’re looking for and in what pattern/material. If we can get it and it’s feasible, we’ll work with you. If you need a large order for your unit, please hit us up as we can support that too.” AA: Thanks so much for talking to us Sean. We wish you continued success with the new designs, patterns, and projects and certainly look forward to seeing you at SHOT in 2021! AA

KIT & GEAR 0241 TACTICAL - USA

www.airsoft-action.online

FEATURE REALLY USEFUL

WHAT’S THE THE MOST USEFUL BIT OF AIRSOFT GEAR YOU’VE OWNED? HAVING RETURNED FROM A TIRING TRIP “DOWN SOUTH”, FRENCHIE GOT TO PONDERING THE ANSWER TO A QUESTION WE MAY ALL HAVE ASKED OURSELVES AT SOME POINT.

s I write this, I am just back from a flying weekend visit to London, where I was attending the wedding celebration of friends. It all went smoothly, and the event itself, held in the Hogwartian (is that a word?) splendour of Middle Temple Hall, was fabulous. What was lacking, for one reason or another, was sufficient sleep so, as I finally drifted off last night in the comfort of my own bed, the thought “what’s the most useful bit of airsoft gear you’ve owned” crossed my mind. I have absolutely no idea why but it seemed as good a subject as any to consider. I’m going to exclude airsoft guns from consideration. Obviously, they’re “useful”, one might convincingly argue that they are actually essential – to airsoft. In my sleepdeprived langour, that wasn’t what I was thinking about, it was the items that make airsofting better or easier. So, things like load-bearing gear, or boots, or multi-tools; a personal favourite. As ever your answer will probably be radically different to mine and the problem with mine is that, frankly, I’m not sure what it is!

elsewhere… Boots occurred next. Like most of you (I suspect), I have been through many different pairs of boots over the years on site. Bad boots are a nightmare! No grip, no water resistance, no support, whereas good boots are the exact opposite. Cold wet feet will get you down regardless of how well everything else is going, so boots could be high on the list. That said, the best boots I ever owned weren’t waterproof or particularly warm, they were

a pair of OTBs I got a long time ago. I used them, and both of my sons used them when they played and it was many years before they (the boots, not the kids) finally died. Although not waterproof, they dried very fast and they were as comfortable as slippers. Absolutely top kit! Radios. As someone who spent most of his airsofting life running games rather than playing them, radios are a godsend, especially if they are decent radios. Like most of us, I ran a variety of PMR sets and

POTENTIAL ANSWERS

My instant answer to my own question was a multi-tool; I have lost track of how often I have used mine on site to fix, cut, tighten, loosen and otherwise fettle something, but then that is also true of daily life – if I don’t have a tool on me, I feel naked, so maybe I should look

“...I THINK NOT. A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHY THIS IS USEFUL IS HOLSTERS FOR SIDE ARMS. LOTS OF PLAYERS START WITH A GENERIC, NYLON LEG HOLSTER WHICH ARE BASICALLY GOOD FOR ENSURING THAT YOU LOSE MAGAZINES AND PISTOLS - OR BOTH!” 78

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FEATURE REALLY USEFUL

some of them were exceptionally good. A common misconception about radios is that more output is good, as it must mean more range and better cut-through in congested areas. I suspect that this is partly behind the popularity of Baofeng nonPMR handsets, with their higher-than-PMR output. However, that misses the point: the true strength of a good PMR radio, or indeed any radio, is its ability to receive well and I have used a couple of sets, Binatone (believe it or not) and Motorola, which excelled in that respect and as a result allowed unfettered communication right across sites. As an organiser that radio was my right hand, connecting me, as it did, to other staff who could make things happen if required. The single best example was when a player dislocated their knee in a fall. The ease of communication ensured that he was attended to almost instantly and the arrival of paramedics happened as smoothly and as quickly as possible. Load carrying equipment. I’m unsure whether or not this falls into the same category as airsoft guns, but I think not. A really good example of why this is useful is holsters for side arms. Lots of players start with a generic, nylon leg holster which are basically good for ensuring that you lose magazines and pistols - or both! A good holster will ensure that none of

that happens and makes sure that you can get to your secondary as quickly as possible. Likewise, well designed, well-built loadbearing gear will spread the weight of your equipment while making it easier to get to what you need. I know that latterly I moved away from full CIRAS-style vests to much lighter and more useable rigs as function began to outweigh style and my willingness to wrap myself in a tactical corset! Maybe cool sights are the most useful thing? Yeah, but no, but yeah. Sure a good red dot sight or a short dot scope can be really useful but how often have all of us walked our fire onto the target simply because it’s easy to see where white BBs are going? You can see my problem here – this isn’t the easiest question to answer. Leaving aside the individual ability and motivation of each player, there is little dispute that good kit makes everyone’s life a bit easier. I don’t necessarily mean expensive kit, just stuff that works and doesn’t fall apart. But is that the same as “useful”? Eye protection is useful if you don’t want to risk being blinded, but that wasn’t what I was thinking about. My problem here is that “useful” is an awfully wide term and I am struggling, even as I write, to understand what my original question actually meant! My

whistle was “useful” as was something to drink, or a good supply of decent ammo which was most useful? Honestly, I can’t come up with one, single item. The more consideration I give this the more I come to the conclusion that it wasn’t a case of one supremely useful item, rather a complete package of things which in my case was arrived at over years of trial and error. It was a combination of all the items I have already mentioned and more; paracord, electrical tape, ibuprofen, pens. The list is long, and the majority of it had a place in my kit and lived there. The years and changing roles would alter it along with the occasional purge to get rid of rubbish and weight. The question is probably unfair, to you and to me. If you can come up with one item, I’m impressed, but I can’t. Communications were vital both as a player and especially as an organiser, but I could manage without them if absolutely necessary and the same is true of so much else. Damn! I had hoped to find a nice clean answer, shining on a plinth to be held aloft but no – as far as kit is concerned, I think it simply mirrors airsoft itself; it’s an ensemble piece and greater than the sum of its parts. Next month, an easier question – whats the meaning of life?! AA

“DAMN! I HAD HOPED TO FIND A NICE CLEAN ANSWER, SHINING ON A PLINTH TO BE HELD ALOFT BUT NO – AS FAR AS KIT IS CONCERNED, I THINK IT SIMPLY MIRRORS AIRSOFT ITSELF; IT’S AN ENSEMBLE PIECE AND GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS.” www.airsoft-action.online

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last post FEELING BINARY

FEELING ALL BINARY! FOLLOWING AIRSOFT ACTION’S SWITCH TO FULLY DIGITAL ONLY, FRENCHIE REFLECTS ON WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT IN TODAY’S SOCIETY AND WHY PAPER MAGAZINES ARE ON THE WAY OUT.

ast month’s edition of Airsoft Action represented a massive change to the way it is published. For various reasons, Nige decided after much consideration to take the magazine fully digital and to offer it for free. Now, despite the apparent rejoicing in certain niche corners of the airsoft universe, this is not the foreshadowing of doom that they would like. Indeed, sticking blindly to print these days suggests a failure to understand the market - or a desire to watch your titles go down like the Titanic. Time will tell. Right, let’s make something clear straightaway: I am not writing a puff piece for Nige or Airsoft Action. He’s made his decisions, I know why, and I agree with them, but it’s up to him to explain and defend those decisions if necessary. Rather, having spent the better part of the last two decades writing for one or other of the UK’s airsoft magazines, along with a purely digital in-house publication and a stint editing another magazine, I have been forced to learn a few things about publishing in the UK. So, I’m going to take that experience and apply it to this current situation and the broader aspects of publishing for airsoft in the UK.

TRUTHS

A few truths first: Publishing on paper is expensive, as is striking distribution deals with major retailers like WH Smith,

here in the UK. They charge publications handsomely to carry them in-store and even more if that magazine wants to be displayed prominently. Given that airsoft (within the UK) was and remains a niche market, that’s a lot of up-front cost to try and reach a small market. It can be done obviously; there are plenty of niche pastimes catered for by print magazines but I am going to bet that even hobbies like train spotting have more adherents in the UK willing to drop a few quid a month on a magazine, than does airsoft. Second truth: Publishers will always exaggerate their distribution. It is embarrassing to admit you only sell 800 copies per month or whatever and more importantly, the costs of producing a magazine are not met by sales or subscriptions but by carrying advertising. It is necessary, therefore, to convince advertisers that their money is well spent and that their advertisements are going to be seen by as many interested people as possible. Advertising within airsoft is a whole other subject which I may cover in a future issue. My tuppence-worth is that it probably doesn’t have as much effect as everyone involved would like it to, but there is the intangible downside of not being seen to advertise. Suffice it to say, that my only experience of adverts being mentioned when I worked in retail happened when the advert wasn’t changed monthly and someone complained that product X should cost £Y - because “that’s what

the advert said”. How does going digital address these issues? Well, it’s cheaper, much cheaper than producing paper copies. That is a huge saving, meaning that your overheads drop like a stone. Given that AA has several regular contributors, all of whom need to be paid, that’s a serious consideration. It would be nice if we worked for “exposure” but that’s a game for mugs and those who would exploit them. It also removes any geographical boundaries. Airsoft is a global pastime and it is simply not possible to reach everyone with hard copies of a magazine, that simply isn’t the world we live in anymore. What you can do, however, is reach them electronically – on their phones, their tablets or their laptops. Suddenly your potential readership has expanded exponentially. I would start chucking in international copy if it were me - but it turns out Nige was way ahead of me on that.

“GIVEN THAT AA HAS SEVERAL REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS, ALL OF WHOM NEED TO BE PAID, THAT’S A SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE WORKED FOR “EXPOSURE” BUT THAT’S A GAME FOR MUGS AND THOSE WHO WOULD EXPLOIT THEM.”

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LAST POST FEELING BINARY

GLOBAL REACH

Regardless of my personal experience with advertising, businesses can see the advantages of reaching a far larger global market. Most serious retailers do an amount of trade abroad and we are all told in the brave new Post Brexit world we’ll have to do more. Perfect opportunity, as suddenly your advertising spend is going much, much further. Think “Rangoon” rather than just “Rotherham”! I don’t know the details, but I suspect the cost of advertising hasn’t changed much, if at all but what you do spend now buys you global reach. How’s that for a value proposition? Remember, it’s advertising that pays for magazines, and the pool of potential advertisers has also just expanded to be global as well. And that’s how you make it free. You have seriously improved your overall costs, while offering far better returns to advertisers and potentially adding more advertisers to the mix. Oh, it’s also just

possible that being free, you will reach many, many more readers and not only that, you can quantify how many readers you have, where they are and quite probably what they’re reading within the magazine. That’s proper data that allows you to establish what’s working and what isn’t - and that allows you to craft a better, more appealing magazine, which leads to more readers…. You get the idea. It’s not a new idea, not these days but it is a brave move when there are naysayers just waiting to crow at a false dawn and luddites who are unimpressed by any hint of moving with the times. For myself, I was excited to hear of these changes and to see them actually happening. The stuff I write has been read in all sorts of odd places and that was never a motivation for me. I’m quite happy to write about airsoft as I see it, from a distinctly British perspective but I am looking forward to learning more about how it is played across the world. Who knows, maybe I’ll find I can do years’ worth

of “compare and contrast” pieces! It’s highly likely that the majority of you are not Radio Four listeners, let alone listeners to “Just a minute”, a show hosted by late Nicholas Parsons. In his intro he invariably referred to their audience, as “not just in the UK, but around the world!”. That’s the world the Airsoft Action now inhabits, a global world where we are all connected through airsoft. Now, tell me that’s not exciting! AA

“MOST SERIOUS RETAILERS DO AN AMOUNT OF TRADE ABROAD AND WE ARE ALL TOLD IN THE BRAVE NEW POST BREXIT WORLD WE’LL HAVE TO DO MORE. PERFECT OPPORTUNITY, AS SUDDENLY YOUR ADVERTISING SPEND IS GOING MUCH, MUCH FURTHER. THINK “RANGOON” RATHER THAN JUST “ROTHERHAM”!”

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