HEAD TO HEAD: KRYTAC V AVALON

TRIDENT

V GLADIUS

WANT TO MOVE UP FROM STARTER RIFS TO THE MID-RANGE? STEVE T PITS TWO PERENNIAL FAVOURITES AGAINST ONE ANOTHER - AND FINDS A CLEAR WINNER...

There comes a time in every airsofter’s “career“ when they want to progress from their starter RIF. Maybe you’re looking for more solid construction. Maybe you’re looking for a performance hike; better range or accuracy. Either way, that barely triple-digit dollar value gateway gun no longer scratches your itch.

But the good news is that you don’t need to spend the thick end of four-figures to see a real difference. Even better, you don’t even need to spend half that in order to purchase a definite improvement right out of the box. Nobody’s hating on budget guns here - hell, I know of more than one former soldier turned airsofter that sees no need to own anything other than an entry point RIF - but I also know bikers than can hustle a Harley faster than most riders on a sportsbike. But they’re a breed apart.

My point? We mere humans could do with any leg-up we can get,

NEPTUNE VS KING ARTHUR Anyone researching great out-of-the-box performance in the last few years will inevitably end up with a shortlist of two ARs that trade blows on forums the world over - Krytac’s Trident and VFC’s Avalon ranges.

The former is renowned for performance plus reliability as standard, while VFC continues to enjoy a reputation for excellent externals with easy to upgrade internals. On paper

“ANYONE RESEARCHING GREAT OUT-OF-THE-BOX PERFORMANCE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WILL INEVITABLY END UP WITH A SHORTLIST OF TWO ARS THAT TRADE BLOWS ON FORUMS THE WORLD OVER - KRYTAC’S TRIDENT AND VFC’S AVALON RANGES.”

at least, it seems like the purchasing decision comes down to whether you want to tinker or not. No? Get the Trident. Yes? It’s an Avalon for you…

AN EARLY SHOWER I personally own both RIFs - paid for out of my own pocket - and have no affiliation with either manufacturer. As a review, this is a mix of direct experience, data and individual opinion. I fully expect this head-to-head to be a close-run affair to the bitter end.

Buy the Krytac!

I know, I know: it’s my job to keep you reading and I hate to short-circuit this tension-filled comparison but it’s an absolute no-brainer. The Trident looks and feels sharper, shoots better and even costs less in CRB trim versus the comparable Gladius. I couldn’t believe it was so clear-cut either...

According to owner reviews, Krytac has been the manufacturer to beat in airsoft’s AR middle-ground for several years now - especially among patriots in the good ol’ US-of-A that appreciate the company’s domestic presence.

VFC upped its game with the Avalon range seeming to deliberately target Krytac’s dominance, with many online reviews calling it a dead heat. That’s exactly why I wanted to pitch them against one another in this review.

But on the basis of the two RIFs on test here, VFC came up short. I’m a big fan of the brand - and genuinely love its recent P320 and MCX releases - but while this Gladius may be good, it isn’t that good.

PHYSICAL GRAFFITI As a legacy of the Gladius’ origins, it features a stock that’s mounted as if it should fold - but doesn’t. Which is fine, but it’s less solid than a conventional fixed stock - even after nipping up the grub screws - while still not being able to fold for confined spaces. It’s the worst of both worlds, without any advantage.

By comparison, the Trident’s stock runs on a conventional buffer tube and feels more solid with plenty of room for larger batteries. The Gladius shows its PDW roots with a slightly shorter reach from stock to grip too. Both feature KeyMod rails that work with every accessory we’ve bolted on.

The trigger feels better defined - smoother and crisper - on the Trident, while both feature a conventional and ambidextrous 180-degree fire select switch. But where the Krytac’s movement is positive, the VFC has slop with multiple stops between positions. The Trident is also more accepting of a wider range of magazines; ironically including the standard VFC unit that will barely seat in the Gladius. It’s just a shame that magazines rattle around in the magwell.

This Gladius’ charging handle also easily bent out of shape, which is not exactly the end of the world since it’s basically non-functional, but disappointing given the price point. Both RIFs have easily accessible rotary hop adjustment accessed through the ejection port using that charging handle. But where the Krytac’s features a more positive click and the bolt release then operates with a satisfying clack, the VFC is more muted and also lacks even a mock forward assist.

DEAD HEAT The VFC averages 290FPS using .20 BBs versus the Krytac’s 320 using the SPR upper - but swapping that for the shorter PDW drops the Trident’s average to just 255!

One feature of the Trident is that you can purchase a package that includes both the longer SPR upper and the CQB-friendly PDW. With included barrel, hop and handguard on both, it literally takes seconds to swap from almost DMR range to up close and personal. Of course, you

“BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOW DO THEY COMPARE IN TERMS OF ACCURACY? AT 25M AND USING .25 BBS, THE LEADING STEED IN THIS TWO-HORSE RACE PULLS FURTHER AHEAD, EVEN IF NOT BY A COUNTRY MILE.”

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- Anatomical cut with adjustable cus and easy to adjust waist - Side VersaStretch® panels for additional freedom of movement - Reinforced knees, compatible with Low Prole Protective Pads - Anatomical cut with adjustable cus and easy to adjust waist - Side VersaStretch® panels for additional freedom of movement - Reinforced knees, compatible with Low Prole Protective Pads

can do this with other makes but Krytac makes it easy from the moment you click “Buy”. It’s a very consumer friendly offering but with hindsight always being 20-20, I’d choose the middle of the road CRB if I had a do-over. The SPR is a bit long and unwieldy, while the PDW looks odd with a full stock.

Back to this versus test though and the swappable Trident uppers mean that neither Krytac configuration matches the VFC in terms of barrel length. Given that a longer inner barrel = higher FPS, you can see that the Gladius’ intermediate length falls almost exactly between

either extreme of the Trident, which is borne out in terms of FPS. It seems fair to call a dead heat for output.

DMR OR DOA? But most importantly, how do they compare in terms of accuracy? At 25m and using .25 BBS, the leading steed in this two-horse race pulls further ahead, even if not by a country mile.

Once dialed in, the Gladius’ standard hop certainly does a good job of lifting the ammo but not in a consistently straight line, with shots landing left and right of the centre line on a six-inch target. Airsoft is all about hitting a human-sized target though - and the Gladius will do that all day long. Target shooters should know the spread was most of the width of the target but most of us will be impressed to learn that you can choose which pec to hit in a skirmish.

The Krytac acquits itself even more favourably, with more hits within the middle inch or two. There’s still a spread of shots but the point of impact is more reliably nearer to the point of aim every time. The Trident is no sniper rifle but I know from using it in-game that this assault rifle can make shots far enough out to make a DMR envious.

CONCLUSION With airsoft forums and YouTube reviewers alike calling a dead heat between these two mid-range M4-alikes, I found that King Krytac’s throne is safe from VFC’s advances - at least for now. There’s not a lot between them but the Trident is just out of the Gladius’ reach in every area when tested head-to-head.

Used in isolation, VFC’s giant killer is impressive and a clear upgrade from an entry level RIF but it just can’t measure up to the Krytac, which has earned its reputation for good reason. While both RIFs acquit themselves well in terms of performance, there’s a clear winner here.

If you really like the looks of the Avalon - or get a great deal - then rest assured that you’ll buy a solid RIF that works well and is ripe for upgrades. But for everyone else, I’d recommend Krytac’s Trident - in any configuration - without a second thought. AA

Krytac Trident SPR (PDW) Price: £500 (Two upper receivers) Weight: 2,800g Length: 840-920mm Inner barrel length: 416mm Inner barrel diameter: 6.05mm FPS: 320 avge (Tested) Hop: Adjustable Construction: Metal/ Polymer Full auto: Yes Recoil: No Power source: Battery Magazine Capacity: 300 VFC Avalon Gladius DX Price: £400 Weight: 2,390g Length: 670-688mm Inner barrel length: 285 mm Inner barrel diameter: m6.03m FPS: 290 avge (Tested) Hop: Adjustable/Nonadjustable Construction: Metal/ Polymer Full auto: Yes Recoil: No Power source: Battery Magazine Capacity: 120

“USED IN ISOLATION, VFC’S GIANT KILLER IS IMPRESSIVE AND A CLEAR UPGRADE FROM AN ENTRY LEVEL RIF BUT IT JUST CAN’T MEASURE UP TO THE KRYTAC, WHICH HAS EARNED ITS REPUTATION FOR GOOD REASON. WHILE BOTH RIFS ACQUIT THEMSELVES WELL IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, THERE’S A CLEAR WINNER HERE.”