Airsoft Action - March 2021 by Airsoft Action

ISSUE 123 - MARCH 2021 - FREE ISSN 2634-9515

PROUD TO SUPPORT PILGRIM BANDITS CHARITY

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CON ONT TEN ENTS TS

MARCH 2021

ISSUE 123 - MARCH 2021 - FREE ISSN 2634-9515

ARMOURY: G&G PCC45 PROUD TO SUPPORT PILGRIM BANDITS CHARITY

ARMOURY: FALKOR BLITZ

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

Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: +44 (0) 1684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.online ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2019 All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to print.

KIT & GEAR: CHOOSING THE RIGHT BOOTS

60 UPGRADES: WARHEAD MOTORS

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INSIDE AIRSOFT: EVOLUTION AIRSOFT

64 FEATURE: IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT

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.

ARMOURY: MODIFY PP-K2

THE CAGE: PLATE CARRIERS

Contents MARCH 2021

8 ARMOURY: G&G ARMAMENT PCC45 We are very honoured to work directly with some of the biggest “names” in the global airsoft industry and every so often that means that we get to take a “first look” at new models from source. This month our good friends at G&G have entrusted us to do this with their very latest 2021 model and sent Bill an evaluation sample of their new PCC45 all the way from Taiwan!

looks and its many movie cameos and finds there’s much to love about the airsoft take on the mighty Chiappa Rhino!

14 ARMOURY: EMG FALKOR DEFENSE BLITZ When is an AR AEG something more than its component parts? When does it cease to become simply a tool and become a work of “firearms art” that grabs the user and fills them with a desire to shoot it as often as possible? Bill gets behind the sights of the latest version of the EMG-licenced FALKOR DEFENSE BLITZ SBR to provide an answer…

56 UPGRADES: MASTER MODS We are always pleased to hear about new upgrade parts, especially when one of our trusted brands is involved. ICS were kind enough to supply us some of the parts they distribute from Master Mods, so we tasked Jimmy to get to work and check them out!

20 ARMOURY: LCT “AK BABY” & “TX BABY” Whilst LCT Airsoft have been wowing us with a host of new models, that’s not to say that they are neglecting their extensive “back catalogue” and amongst the models benefitting from a restock are two diminutive models that we love - but not for the most obvious of reasons! 24 FEATURE: SPECNA ARMS The last time we saw our friends from Specna Arms face to face, was actually at SHOT in January 2020, after which that they had a busy year - and 2021 looks set to be equally exciting! 28 KIT & GEAR: FOOTWEAR CHOICES There are places where you can skimp and save a bit of money with your airsoft loadout but having good footwear is not one of them. Choosing the wrong boots can make all the difference to having a superb day on site or going home early. Bill looks at making the right choice irrelevant of your budget! 32 KIT & GEAR: ONETIGRIS Elsewhere this month Jimmy has had a look at some righteous tech to increase the efficacy of our AEGs but he’s also interested in the gear that makes him equally efficient on the field, like the new Chest Rig and Low Profile Plate Carrier System from ONETIGRIS! 34 KIT & GEAR: PMC LOADOUT Bill takes a moment to look back on his “PMC Gear” and muses on this versatile loadout and why he believes everyone should have their own “take” on it in their personal gear locker. 36 INSIDE AIRSOFT: EVOLUTION AIRSOFT Bill takes look at Evolution International as we go “Inside Airsoft” to look at a European company that’s taking on the established manufacturers of the Far East and succeeding in their own unique way… with a dash of Italian flair! 40 RED CALL: PDWs As the UK lockdown continues once again, the Red Cell crew have had to work remotely to bring in their conclusions of the latest batch of “AR” style “PDW” models. This has led to some pretty in-depth analysis of the chosen AEGs as they detail more variants than ever before! 48 ARMOURY: CHIAPPA RHINO Bill steps back into the world of the silver screen, as he indulges his passion for revolvers and gets his hands on a big old wheelgun that became famous both for its unique

52 RELOADED: WE MP5K There are few real steel platforms as iconic and instantly recognisable as the Heckler & Koch “Maschine Pistole 5”. AA Legionnaire, Stewbacca, revisits this airsoft stalwart, in the form of the WETech Apache MP5K.

60 UPGRADES: WARHEAD MOTORS AA Tech Team member, Jimmy, has a bit of a “thing” about upgrading his personal AEGs to get maximum performance and durability from them and recently he put his knowledge to good use by thoroughly “beasting” some unique new motor technology from Warhead Industries and liked what he found… A LOT! 64 FEATURE: IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT Whilst he waits for various components to arrive for his missile silo projrect, James moves onto the next project on his list. In Part 1 of 2, he details his research to create a working version of the UK Cold War era “HANDLE” warning system! 68 ARMOURY: MODIFY PP-2K Airsoft Action Legionnaire, “Stewbacca”, is right in the thick of Taiwanese airsoft and able to bring the latest from the airsoft companies that reside there, including Modify and their PP-2K. 72 THE CAGE: PLATE CARRIERS In his gear article last month, Bill took a long hard look at Chest Rigs but the Plate Carrier still seems to be the choice for many players and thought it was high time to revisit what the “AA Crew” are using themselves and why! 76 FIRST AID: CPR & AEDS Although we hope it never happens at an airsoft event, it is always worth remembering “Prior Preparation and Planning Prevents Poor Performance” and might just save someone’s life. Survival expert, Paul Yelland, explains… 80 KIT & GEAR: MAXPEDITION HEAD-TO-HEAD The no-name bag (Noteus) from eBay arrived only a day or so after Frenchie finished his previous article comparing the Versipack & the Siebertron copy. In that case, the copy won but will it be 2-0 for the copies this month? Read on… 82 RETAIL ROUNDUP Another month has gone by, and the goodies for 2021 just keep on arriving! Last time we looked at some of the new AEGs and GBBs that have been hitting the market, but that doesn’t mean that there’s not accessories and gear that we can be equally excited about, so here are some of the things that have got the Airsoft Action team excited this month! 86 LAST POST: BAGS OF OPINION Last Post was always intended to be a bit of light-hearted, slightly ranty, fun. Since Frenchie is given to being a little opinionated, this has generally proved not too difficult…

armoury G&G ARMAMENT PCC45

PCC PERFECTION 8

MARCH 2021

armoury G&G ARMAMENT PCC45

AT AIRSOFT ACTION WE ARE VERY HONOURED TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH SOME OF THE BIGGEST “NAMES” IN THE GLOBAL AIRSOFT INDUSTRY AND EVERY SO OFTEN THAT MEANS THAT WE GET TO TAKE A “FIRST LOOK” AT NEW MODELS FROM SOURCE. THIS MONTH OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT G&G HAVE ENTRUSTED US TO DO THIS WITH THEIR VERY LATEST 2021 MODEL AND SENT BILL AN EVALUATION SAMPLE OF THEIR NEW PCC45 ALL THE WAY FROM TAIWAN!

s we move further into the beginning of a new year and as our friends in the Far East celebrate their own start to the “Year of the Ox”, we are all living in a slightly uncertain world but one thing that I can be certain of, is that G&G Armament will continue to launch more new AEG and GBB models, along with a host of parts and accessories! Throughout the duration of the global pandemic I have been in close and direct contact with Rick at G&G HQ in Taiwan and although business is always business, my personal friendship with him has, much I hope due to a shared sense of humour, grown by leaps and bounds. It’s strange isn’t it, that somehow our communication with others via video meetings and regular messaging has led in some cases to us getting to know others better and finding out that our shared passion for airsoft is just one of the many things that we share! It’s become very important to me personally - and to Airsoft Action as an entity - that we need to spend more time with the companies and the wonderful individuals who work within them and make them flourish, to give all of our readers a better understanding of how the “mighty machine” really works behind the scenes and Rick has most certainly helped me, on behalf of course of Mr Lau and the G&G team as a whole, to understand more about G&G and we hope that we may share this with you more as the year moves forward. Airsoft is fundamentally based on the principles of trust, integrity and honour and that also happens to be a great foundation for both friendships and mutual respect, so when Rick asked me at the back end of 2020 if I would like to be one of the first to physically see, and indeed test, the new PCC45 AEG I was both pleased and a little apprehensive in accepting this kind offer. Pleased of course, that goes without saying but also a little nervous at the possibility of finding a problem with a product I was being entrusted with by someone I trusted and respected as a friend.

It may surprise some of you that are a little cynical about the review process, that a good tester takes their role very seriously indeed! Unlike some, we do not do this for our own self-aggrandisement but because we love airsoft, every single part of it! We want to see and understand the advances that are being made every day in the airsoft industry and to play our part in it; this is not about “me” but about “us” and, most importantly, about the AEGs, GBBs, accessories and equipment we all rely on from the manufacturers we trust. As it turns out and given my knowledge of the quality and performance of recent G&G releases, I should not have been worried, as the PCC45 has turned out to be one awesome AEG, a style that most will love but some (strange people!) will not but one which carries forward the positive advances that G&G have made in recent years in a whole new way!

PCCs, WHAT ARE THEY GOOD FOR?

The idea of a Pistol Calibre Carbine is far from new and indeed G&G have ruled the roost with their excellent ARP9 for quite some time. As you will see from our “Red Cell PDW” report this month, the line between a PCC and a PDW is hair-thin but at the end of the day, a short carbine that uses a “pistol calibre” magazine differentiates the placement and categorisation of the models. Whilst virtually any super-short carbine can be crowbarred in to the PDW category, it’s only those models that use a “pistol calibre” magazine than can enter the hallowed halls of the PCC. And although G&G have had undoubted (read HUGE!) success with the ARP9, this has not stopped them taking things forward and as usual, they have done this in their own special way to create a “.45” model to go alongside the “9mm”! It would have been easy for them to simply redesign the ARP9 a little and slap a big old UMP-like “.45” mag into it - and many would have shaken their heads sadly and said “oh, another AR” and to be honest, I would have been amongst them. But no! As usual G&G decided to do things THEIR way and rather than go with an existing design in a different “calibre”, they threw that all to one side and created something entirely, refreshingly new, something that www.airsoftaction.net

armoury G&G ARMAMENT PCC45

gives a nod to the past but brings things completely, thrillingly up to date. Many that have seen images of the PCC45 have immediately said “this is a modern take on the Heckler & Koch UMP” and they would be right in saying this, purely down to the fact that the PCC45 uses that larger magazine but they would also be very wrong in my opinion, as this is an entirely new beast that just happens to use a similar magazine! If anything, the gun bunny in me would say that in looks the PCC45 is far closer in aesthetic to the Walther MPK/L, the poor “second” of the 1960’s to the H&K MP5 but with an UMP-style stock and a big mag. Yes, I know that the MPK and MPL were both 9×19mm

Parabellum but if you look at the silhouette and the way that the forward venting slot positioning on the Walther is so similar to what we would class as M-LOK these days, then I believe you’ll see where I’m coming from. Like it or not though, the PCC45 is one of a kind and that uniqueness of character to me makes it all the better for that. Externally the PCC45 is a solid affair that feels beautifully put together whilst having an enormous visual appeal. It retains and enhances the design traits seen on both the SMC9 and the latest TR16 SBR 308s to give a feeling that a “new family” is emerging here, being both futuristic and at the same time traditional. The front slim-line 205mm CNC Hard Anodized QD M-LOK Handguard looks absolutely modern and of course gives great scope for mounting accessories. It melds almost seamlessly into the upper receiver, which has a continuation of incuts to mimic the M-LOK at the front and “flow” the design pleasingly along the length of the AEG, as well as a railed upper for mounting optics if you desire. Whilst many of the external parts are made of highquality alloy, the upper and lower are of high-grade, high-strength fiberglass-reinforced polymer and this construction carries on through to the generouslylong, side-folding stock (okay, this does look a bit 10

MARCH 2021

“UMP” I’ll concede) and down to the slim, elegant motor grip. At the sharp end there is an alloy knurled muzzle cover which hides a standard 14mm CCW thread and the PCC45 comes pre-fitted with G&Gs own excellent flip up iron sights. There’s a QD-stud sling point on both the handguard and the stock but if you prefer there’s also a rock-solid sling point to rear left too. Internally is what we have come to expect as the “norm” now from G&G and that’s reliable and effective electrics and mechanicals! In addition to a 25K

Long Axis (G&G Orange) motor there’s a full metal G2 8mm bearing gearbox with a quick spring change design, full metal gearset and metal bushings, along with G&Gs Gen4 Mosfet with ETU. The ETU is designed to add choice, as well as offering battery protection to prevent the carbine from firing when the voltage is too low, along with motor jam and spring compression detection to be totally on the safe side! The ETU also lets you reprogram the full auto mode through the trigger, so you can choose between semi/ auto and semi/three round burst modes easily and with audible cues to assist.

“ROUNDS DOWN”

The PCC45 comes with a 110 BB “exposed bullet mag” as standard which fits and feeds well and we understand that G&G will also provide 520 BB hi-cap to support the AEG. I was unable to try the hi-cap but I have no doubt it will also function perfectly. I did try the magazine in a couple of SMG-mag pouches but, as with the UMP, these are physically quite large, so an UMP mag pouch is the obvious solution here. Just to note, I also tried a couple of different brand UMP mags in the AEG and neither fitted, so my advice is to

armoury G&G ARMAMENT PCC45

buy what you think you’ll want, or need, in terms of mags when you buy the AEG itself (I‘ve pre-ordered more mids and a hi-cap from UK distributor NUPROL for long-term testing). Filling up with my usual .20g RZR BBs the PCC45 gave a mean chronograph reading of 1.07 Joule/340fps which was on the nose pretty much each and every shot! I’m not sure what G&G have been up to in the depths of their “skunkworks” but this shotto-shot consistency is becoming the norm for them, as I had the same when I tested the TR16 and this is

obviously perfectly site friendly for the majority of countries legally. The rotary hop is easy and simple to adjust even wearing tactical gloves, with the ejection port locked back after with the ambi charging before being released ambi “bolt” release… ALL the controls on are ambidextrous, operation extremely comfortable for all

staying charging handle, by the actually the PCC45 making simple and users. Now you may be wondering just where you fit a battery and I have to say that without the direction of the clear and concise instruction manual I may have been searching for some time! Beneath the M-LOK handguard in front of the magwell is a ratchet lever. When you pull this downwards to release the handguard forward (a pleasantly snug and superbly engineered fit BTW) this exposes a protected battery compartment that will securely and invisibly accommodate a small 11.1V LiPo stick. Reversing the process locks the handguard immovably back in place, a well thought out, and

astonishingly well achieved battery storage solution that I like a lot! Re-bombing with .25g RZRs, setting the fire selector to semi-auto and easing the sensitive flat-bladed trigger sends BBs downrange with an extremely satisfying “crack” and in super-quick time. For something with a mid-length inner barrel, the PCC45 is quite astonishingly accurate, hitting sandbag targets easily at 50m, with legs to go even further. Switching things to full-auto/3-round burst will undoubtedly put a smile on your face, as the

G&G does really sing away, sending BBs to target unerringly. Again, I have to say that this was my experience with the new TR16 too, which bodes well for further G&G releases in the future. Overall, the PCC45 is a really tremendous AEG and I can really see it comfortably acting as your main (make that only!) primary if you’re getting started, or simply love the design as I do and fancy adding something different to the armoury. Although it won’t be super-cheap (and given what it is, it shouldn’t be!) it’s not going to be an uber-expensive model either and trust me when I say you are getting an absolutely tremendous amount for your money. The PCC45 looks great, is superbly, impeccably finished and put together and functions flawlessly. The technology inside has been tweaked, refined, and completely perfected prior to release and in my opinion this AEG continues G&Gs march towards the ultimate. What you will get with a G&G Armament PCC45 is a superb AEG that will become a trusted companion for the majority of your “airsoft life” if you look after it and that, my fellow airsofters, is all we can ask of any AEG and therefore my conscience is totally clear in recommending it to you! My sincere thanks go to Rick and the team at G&G Armament for supplying the PCC45 test sample. Please do check out www.guay2.com for the very latest news on their products and if you’re in the UK keep an eye on www.nuprol.com for information on when the PCC45 should be landing with your local shop. AA www.airsoftaction.net

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armoury

LIGHTNING STRIKE!

ARESFALKOR EMG AIRSOFTDEFENSE L85A3 BLITZ

MARCH 2021

armoury EMG FALKOR DEFENSE BLITZ

WHEN IS AN AR AEG SOMETHING MORE THAN ITS COMPONENT PARTS? WHEN DOES IT CEASE TO BECOME SIMPLY A TOOL AND BECOME A WORK OF “FIREARMS ART” THAT GRABS THE USER AND FILLS THEM WITH A DESIRE TO SHOOT IT AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE? BILL GETS BEHIND THE SIGHTS OF THE LATEST VERSION OF THE EMG-LICENCED FALKOR DEFENSE BLITZ SBR TO PROVIDE AN ANSWER…

ith so many AR pattern AEGs on the market it’s hard to differentiate exactly what makes one stand out from another, isn’t it? Ultimately, an AEG is our “tool of the trade” that lets us get out and enjoy our airsoft in whatever form that may take, from a simple day of skirmishing with our mates, to full-on competition if that is your thing! These days we are inundated with AR AEGs that perform more than adequately straight from their factory-fresh packaging, so having a reasonably reliable and functional carbine or rifle that delivers solid performance and enough accuracy to “get the job done” as soon as it arrives with you is not only wished for, but also now expected. External parts, on offer as standard, are better than they have ever been, with even a “budget AEG” looking great as well as being solid and workmanlike, whilst the internals “arms race” seems to bring us more performance and durability in function almost weekly. Whilst there are still some “lemons” out there, they are increasingly rare. I’m not talking about having uber-levels of performance as standard, as “standard” can inevitably be improved on to suit your personal taste, your desire for specific performance elements and your wish for the AEG to look and feel just as you want it. The aftermarket parts industry for airsoft upgrade parts and technologies has never been stronger and has certainly never been so easy to access as it is now, and even the most basic of “techs” can do upgrade work in the comfort of their own workshop, or even at home. As I’ve said many times before though, I am no “tech”! Yes, after nearly 26 years of playing around with AEGs I know my way around a gearbox and motor and I can normally diagnose a problem when it appears, but this is not a side that I am personally over-enamoured with, I just want to get and shoot my stuff, and I want that “stuff” to perform properly from the get-go! Is this an unrealistic expectation? I’d say not, as my belief is that you should be able to head to a new field or site, pick up whatever they have as a rental and get your game on, no matter what AEG you are offered and if said AEG performs even halfway-well, you should be having yourself a fine day of airsoft adventure!

But as with everything, you get what you pay for! If you buy a 100K car (I wish!), you can expect more performance from it than a 10K family hatchback, right? Luckily for us, we’re talking of additional tens and possibly hundreds of buckeroos rather that thousands but my point still stands, and enhanced uniqueness, quality and performance when I spend more is my expectation, otherwise I’m potentially spending money just to chase a fancy name or follow the latest, unjustified and “influenzed” trend! When I first saw the FALKOR DEFENSE BLITZ from EMG I have to say it was a bit of “love at first sight”, as the visually unique look of this AEG really took my eye. Not being a name I immediately recognised, I started to find out just who FALKOR Defense were and this only increased my already deep interest in the design elements of the rifle further. FALKOR Defense is located in Kalispell, Montana, where in their 50,000 square foot facility they do their magic using the latest aerospace technology in CNC machining, anodizing and assembly, ensuring the highest manufacturing standards. They continue to grow as one of the most innovative, accurate and reliable firearm creators around, where their mission is to continually exceed the expectations of the consumer by delivering firearm technology that is relevant and well-priced, without jeopardising quality and reliability. On their website FALKOR tells us that the real Blitz SBR “represents the latest technical advancements in todays modern sporting rifles, boasting unparalleled control and reliability.” The upper and lower receiver sets are precision machined in-house to optimise operation and when combined with the specially designed bolt carrier group, Blast Cap tunable muzzle break and mirrored ambidextrous controls, the Blitz represents a breakthrough in AR design, resulting in a superbly reliable SBR. As much as the overall rifle is real eyecandy though, there was one element that particularly drew my attention, and that was the FALKOR Defense “Blast Cap”; this is a specialist muzzle brake that was designed specifically for short barrelled rifles to both direct the concussion away from the shooter, whilst eliminating muzzle travel including rise and recoil and it looks like nothing else!

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armoury EMG FALKOR DEFENSE BLITZ

REAL TO STUNNING REPLICA

In keeping with the precision behind the real thing, undoubtedly part of the licencing agreement, EMG started with a metal upper and lower receiver unlike any other AEG on the market, “billet” type AR receivers treated with firearm grade external finish for ultimate realism. With extensive tactical styling, these receivers are quite something as, in addition to the unique look, nearly every control is ambidextrous, including the magazine catch, bolt release,

short throw fire selector and a FALKOR Mach 15 ambi-charging handle. A flat-blade, straight design results in a fast and positive trigger and the flared magwell grip features ridges on the front for ease of manipulation. There’s a contiguous, flush top rail for optics leading to the “FALKOR Fatty” Free-Float 11.5 M-Lok handguard, allowing you to install any M-Lok compatible accessory you might desire! The furniture of the Blitz is also optimised for performance, modularity and comfort and feels very positive in terms of fast and easy manipulation. On the sharp end you’ll find a superb representation of that unusual “Blast Cap” and this, to me, gives the Blitz a real personality; this part is beautifully made too. A textured, slim profile motor grip paired with a distinctive and comfortable RS2 minimalist stock with QD sling point not only completes the look of the rifle but makes it natural to shoulder and shoot. Internally, the Blitz features a

reinforced gearbox that has been precisely polished and inspected to ensure a low

thermal and frictional coefficient. 8mm stainless ball bearings, a smooth trigger, high heat contact switch, a ball bearing spring guide and a high-quality steel gear set make the internals of the Blitz match the outstanding externals of this rifle. In this latest iteration, the APS Silver Edge gearbox is yet another step forward with improvement of the tried-and-true version 2 gearbox and when APS set out to develop the new gearbox, they wanted to bring to market an ultra-smooth, low-amperage- draw, ultra-reliable system with huge upgrade potential. The newest iteration of the Silver Edge gearbox, named “eSilver Edge” takes everything that made the original great - and improves upon it! APS tell us in their information pack that they took their original gearbox design and improved upon it with some excellent new features. First, they use an improved strength Grade 5 aluminium alloy for the gearbox shell material and then they then fully polish the interior of the gearbox to a chrome-like finish, effectively reducing friction on the moving parts that contact the gearbox walls, such as the sides of the piston and the tappet plate. From there they deck the gearbox out with steel gears riding on 8mm stainless steel bearings, low-resistance wiring and trigger switch and, to top it all off, a QC spring guide allows for easy spring changes in the future. APS quote that all of these improvements net around a 15% increase in overall efficiency, when compared with standard Ver2 gearbox designs. What this means for the user is better battery life, smoother gearbox performance, and improved gearbox longevity. In addition, 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 gun. To improve trigger performance further, the eSilver Edge gearbox features a micro switch trigger which works together with the S.D.U. chipset for near instantaneous trigger response (as fast as 0.02 seconds). When combined with a short-stroked trigger, users can achieve an incredible semi-auto rate of fire.

DOWNRANGE

With an overall length (stock in) of just 33.25-inches (844.55mm) and weighing in at 5.75 lbs (2,608g),

“THE MICRO SWITCH/S.D.U. CHIPSET TRIGGER COMBO IS INDEED SUPER-CRISP AND YOU’LL NEED TO FINE-TUNE YOUR TRIGGER FINGER, AS IT’S SENSITIVE AND SENDS BBS DOWNRANGE WITH THE GENTLEST TOUCH!” 16

MARCH 2021

armoury EMG FALKOR DEFENSE BLITZ

the Blitz is an easy AEG to drive from target to target, especially with the ergonomic pistol grip and the positivity of that striking “Fatty” handguard. The ambi-everything controls are familiar but the fact that you can operate them with either hand is a huge bonus. In terms of practicality, the RS2 stock has a push-thru-pin-release, hinged buttplate so changing batteries is fast and straightforward even in the heat of the moment! The battery connection is Deans/T-Plug, so this is obviously set up to work with Titan Power batteries from the get-go (although others will work just fine), as of course that’s another collaboration that EMG have these days. With a Titan Power 3000mAh, 7.4V Li-Ion battery installed, I loaded up the 450BB wheel-winder with .20g BBs and had at it on the 50m range. The micro switch/S.D.U. chipset trigger combo is indeed super-crisp and you’ll need to fine-tune your trigger finger, as it’s sensitive and sends BBs downrange with the gentlest touch! Through the chrono the Blitz settled perfectly and consistently at 1.07J/341fps. There are no “iron” sights fitted as standard to the Biltz (sadly a minor niggle these days!), so I fitted some that I had in the spares box and at 50m supported, on .25gs, it was easy to get hits on a torso-sized target, with each BB flying straight and true.

I also got the Blitz onto the 10m short range where I have the Attack Sense Target System set up and the rifle performed superbly. In reality, again down to the responsiveness of the superb trigger when the targets were flashing on the highest, fastest setting! I’m pleased to report that the FALKOR DEFENSE BLITZ certainly lived up to my expectations and that the striking, unique look is certainly backed-up by more than adequate performance straight out of the box. I would like to have seen some “irons” fitted as standard, which would make the AEG usable straight from the get-go but this is a minor quibble in relation to what is a stunning rifle. I’ve seen the Blitz for sale generally around the UK£380 mark which these days is not super-cheap but the fact is that it really does provide quality and performance for the money - and I come back to “getting what you pay for” here. FALKOR Defense were voted “brand of the year” at SHOT Show in 2017 and I have to say that when you get your hands on the Blitz, even in replica form,

“I’M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE FALKOR DEFENSE BLITZ CERTAINLY LIVED UP TO MY EXPECTATIONS AND THAT THE STRIKING, UNIQUE LOOK IS CERTAINLY BACKED-UP BY MORE THAN ADEQUATE PERFORMANCE STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX.” you can begin to understand why they received this accolade! The fact is that the Blitz looks stunning, is fast and easy to manipulate and puts BBs on target with alacrity. Once again I believe that APS and EMG have got this totally right and I applaud them for yet another fine licenced replica that personally I find both attractive and completely functional from new - and one I would sincerely love to own myself! My thanks go to www.iwholesales.co.uk for supplying the test sample. You’ll find all the EMG/APS “FALKOR Defense” models on their regularly updated website. AA

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armoury LCT AK BABY & TX BABY

BE MY BABY!

MARCH 2021

armoury LCT AK BABY & TX BABY

WHILST LCT AIRSOFT HAVE BEEN WOWING US WITH A HOST OF NEW MODELS, THAT’S NOT TO SAY THAT THEY ARE NEGLECTING THEIR EXTENSIVE “BACK CATALOGUE” AND AMONGST THE MODELS BENEFITTING FROM A RESTOCK ARE TWO DIMINUTIVE MODELS THAT WE LOVE - BUT NOT FOR THE MOST OBVIOUS OF REASONS!

hese days, when it comes to my own airsoft, I’m quite a dedicated opposing force (OPFOR) player; whilst I love this in a fully immersive Military Simulation setting, it’s also a role that is becoming increasingly popular in more relaxed scenarios. Many players spend a lot (and I mean a LOT!) of money getting their “BLUFOR” or modern Russian “Ratnik” gear absolutely nailed (and full credit to them for that) but OPFOR players can be much more relaxed in this respect, so it’s a great way for newer players to move on from just general skirmishing. Equipment in relation to OPFOR is often very straightforward. I tend to play as a “Militia Fighter” and that means it can be as simple as throwing on some civilian clothing (an old Adidas tracksuit top is an OPFOR “must have”!) mixed with army surplus gear, a canvas ChiCom chest rig and a concealed carry pistol holster. To give this loadout a distinctly different feel to modern military armed with M4s and H&Ks, my choice of primary is always some form of the venerable AK. For woodland scenarios that means my classic AKM/S or SVD but when things get a little more “up close and personal” in an urban setting, it’s my short AKS-74U that comes into play. The “SU” is a cracking little bit of kit, and I’ve reviewed both gas and electric versions in the past; my personal choice is an open bolt gas version, but this takes time and no little expense to get right, so many players will opt for an AEG version both for ease and cost-efficiency. Once upon a time, like all airsoft AK variants, you would have been limited to a select group of manufacturers but these days if you decide to opt for playing an “SU” wielding “freedom fighter”, your options are almost unlimited!

THE SHORT OF IT

To recap… No doubt inspired by the US carbines of the time, in 1973 the Soviets decided to look for a shorter weapon themselves, even shorter still than the folding stock AKS74. The specifications set out requirements that the new weapon should weigh no more than 2.2 kg, have an overall length of 75/45 cm with the stock unfolded/folded, and a muzzle velocity of at least 700m/s. The challenge was taken up by Kalashnikov with the PP1 design, Stechkin with the TKB-0116, Simonov with the AG-043, Konstantinov with theAEK-958 and Dragunov, who called his model the “MA”. In fact, all the great Soviet firearms

designers of the day wanted a piece of the action! In 1977 the Glavnoye raketno-artilleriyskoye upravleniye MO RF, or GRAU, decided to adopt Kalashnikov’s model (which was pretty much just a shortened AKS-74), as it promised significant production cost savings by utilising existing equipment for the AK-74 line. A final round of large-scale testing with Kalashnikov’s model was performed by airborne divisions and the AKS-74U (“U”, Ukorochenniy, or “shortened”) was officially adopted in 1979. The carbine’s compact dimensions were achieved by using a short 206.5 mm (8.1 in) barrel and a reduction in the length of the operating mechanism; this in turn led to a rise in the cyclic rate to 700rds/min. In order to effectively stabilize the round, the barrel’s twist rate was increased to adapt the AKS-74U for muzzle velocities of 720 m/s (2,362 fps) and higher. A new gas block was installed at the muzzle end of the barrel, with an extremely distinctive muzzle booster. This featured an internal expansion chamber inside the cylindrical section of the booster, while the conical end acted as a nozzle to increase pressure inside the gas chamber by supplying an increased amount of propellant gasses from the barrel. The chrome-lined muzzle booster also burnt any remaining propellant, which would normally reduce muzzle blast. However, due to the extremely short barrel and conical end of the booster, the muzzle blast was still dragon-like! The forward sling loop was relocated to the left side of the carbine and the front sight was integrated into the gas block. The AKS-74U also had a different sighting system, with a U-shaped flip sight instead of the standard sliding notch rear sight. The rear sight is housed in a semi-shrouded protective enclosure that is riveted to the receiver’s spring-loaded top cover. The AKS-74U bridged the gap between a submachine gun and an assault rifle. It was intended for use mainly with Special Forces, airborne infantry, rear-echelon support units and armoured vehicle crews. It is still used in these roles but has been augmented by various submachine guns and the AK105.

OH BABY!

As an airsoft replica the AKS-74U is a personal OPFOR favourite; it’s simple, straightforward, lightweight and extremely compact, especially with the stock folded www.airsoftaction.net

armoury LCT AK BABY & TX BABY

to the side. In close quarters this compactness makes it extremely effective whilst you’re navigating gloomy corridors and compounds. Unlike the “NATO” troops, I and my fellow “militia mates” will often get into character, firing from the hip and even with the stock collapsed, so it came as no surprise to me when I saw two REALLY short AK “pistols” in the LCT range and, after a brief period of being out of stock, they’re back and oh baby, are they cool little numbers! LCT Airsoft, as we know, make some superb airsoft replicas and their extensive range of “Soviet” rifles, carbines, SMGs and now support guns, has to be seen to be believed. LCT AEGs are made from a mix of steel, wood and aluminium; they are extremely well finished with a hard wearing coating that is more resistant to wear and tear than normal airsoft AKs, with excellent and realistic colour matching. Internally things are equally as good; there’s a tried and tested V3 gearbox, a ribbed aluminium cylinder, aluminium cylinder head with double O-ring, a plastic nozzle with O-ring, polycarbonate piston with steel teeth, an aluminium piston head, and a precision hop chamber. This sounds all very well and in actual fact it is, as these components will give you great performance straight from the box. What makes the “AK Baby” so interesting for me though, is that it’s very close in look to the movie firearm used by Art Malik in the 1994 film “True Lies”. “Salim Abu Aziz” can often be seen using a custom shortened, stockless AK with two magazines taped together “guerilla-style” as his primary weapon. It

appears to have had the barrel professionally shortened to compact status and clearly uses the

“HAVING CREATED A SUPER HAVE THOUGHT THAT LCT WOULD THE “TX BABY” MODEL PROVES TO ME PRETTY SERIOUS CQB PLAYERS WORKING 22

MARCH 2021

hooded SU front sight, as well as other parts from the Norinco Type 56 and the AKMS. Given then that this shortened AK would have used the 7.62×39mm M43 intermediate rifle cartridge, it does beg the question of how it would actually worked, given the problems it would have encountered in cycling; with no muzzle booster” the gas pressure must have been a real issue. I’ve spoken to a number of “AK friends” around the world about this and it’s seriously left us scratching our heads! That aside though, the LCT is a corking lookalike of the “movie gun”. It’s of full steel construction with a 35mm CCW steel flash-hider, a shortened 110mm real wood handguard and a polymer AK74 tactical pistol grip, which offers a rugged surface and finger groove design for maximum grip retention. There’s an AKM style adjustable rear sight, whilst the front sight is distinctly SU and on the left side of the receiver is a mount for an optics rail. Metal front and rear sling points mean it can be used with single, two, or three tactical slings - as there’s no stock at all on the “Baby”, it screams out to me for a singlepoint. Having created a super “movie” replica, I would have thought that LCT would have called it quits but the “TX Baby” model proves to me that there must also be some pretty serious CQB players working for the company. Taking the original “Baby” as a donor, LCT seriously up the ante by dropping the wood and the AKM style flash-hider and replacing them with an absolutely beautiful 155mm metal quad rail

and a chunky spiked muzzle brake. All the other features remain the same but these slight, far from subtle changes, turn the “TX Baby” into a serious CQB monster! Both AEGs come with a steel 600 BB High Capacity magazine, although for the “TX” model I would change this out to a “Bakelite” ’74 version, or even one of the “tacticool” variants, to bring the look fully up to date.

“MOVIE” REPLICA, I WOULD HAVE CALLED IT QUITS BUT THAT THERE MUST ALSO BE SOME FOR THE COMPANY.”

armoury LCT AK BABY & TX BABY

LCT offer different styles and capacities of AKstyle magazines (even a very cool drum these days!) at very reasonable prices (£13 will get you an AK74 70 rounder!), so this is easily achieved and there’s now a whole range of supporting “AK Accessories” in the LCT range too, made to the same scrupulous standards as their AEGs. A 7.4v LiPo is recommended and this type of battery fits easily under the top cover, although you can squeeze in an 11.1V LiPo and this does have a positive effect on the rate of fire. Of course, when you’re playing close-in you really don’t need as much power as when you’re engaging over longer distances and again, LCT obviously recognise

is not what these little beasties were designed for. In fairness though, with the “TX” supported I was able to send a BB out to the end of the 30m range reasonably accurately. To sum up, these two re-released models from LCT have proved to me again that this manufacturer is truly building some of the nicest AK-style AEGs out there right now and each model I receive from them puts a big smile on my face. Both the classic “Baby” and the “TX Baby” come in at £199.00 apiece which, for what you’re getting in terms of looks, materials, build quality and performance, makes them absolutely tremendous value for money. If you’re a dedicated CQB player then one of these cracking little Kalashnikovs should be on your shopping list and, if like me you’re more into your outdoor scenarios then don’t worry, as LCT do a first rate AKS-74U for the same price as well! For more information on the two models featured here, as well as the full range of AK variants from LCT, visit www.nuprol.com. AA

this. With the magazine fully loaded and wound and a charged NP Power LiPo fitted, it was time to run the “Babies” through the chrono and the result was a very highly consistent average in both models of 0.78J/290fps using .20g BBs. Obviously, with such a short barrel, I did wonder how the wee ones would perform in relation to both range and accuracy and once the hop and the iron sights were dialled in I was pleasantly surprised! At 10m (a normal CQB distance) I was able to nail a target “centre mass” time and again, perfect for indoor and urban settings. The total absence of any stock at all means that as ranges increase things do tend to widen out significantly but that, of course, www.airsoftaction.net

FEATURE SPECNA ARMS NEWS

A BUSY 12 MONTHS! 2020 WAS OBVIOUSLY A VERY STRANGE YEAR AND 2021 HAS STARTED THE SAME, ALBEIT WITH A HINT OF SUNSHINE NOW ON THE HORIZON! THE LAST TIME WE SAW OUR FRIENDS FROM SPECNA ARMS FACE TO FACE WAS ACTUALLY AT SHOT IN JANUARY 2020, AFTER WHICH THAT THEY HAD A BUSY YEAR - AND 2021 LOOKS SET TO BE EQUALLY EXCITING!

ast year was absolutely thrilling when it came to new products from Specna Arms. Newlylicensed replicas appeared, some older models were superbly upgraded and the brand expanded its range of accessories, some of which we saw at SHOT just as 3D printed “prototype” forms! The beginning of 2021 has already been similarly intense, with the introduction of the EDGE 2.0™ series and dedicated parts, some of which originated from those self-same 3D prints, so as there are no shows to report from (where we’d normally see all the new models), we thought we’d give you an overview of their most important new products.

EDGE 2.0™

The EDGE 2.0™ series has introduced a completely

MARCH 2021

new quality and uniqueness to the Specna Arms family, by adding new functionalities and innovations to the standard already enjoyed by airsoft players worldwide. As a result, Specna Arms EDGE 2.0™ carbines now offer a new and exceptional level of quality and technical advancement straight out of the box. The latest version that we reported on a little while ago (VERY cool!) is equipped with GATE ASTER™ Unit, Solar™ Trigger (made under Gate Quantum Trigger ™ license), Helium™ Flat Hop Bucking, High Torque Motor and the ESA2™ Quick Spring Change System. We saw this again as a preproduction item but the newly-released models also have reinforced ball bearings ready for high speed configurations and a polymer piston head that offers better sealing and gives more stable results (including stronger springs).

FEATURE SPECNA ARMS NEWS

MK18 SA-E19

The MK18 has to be one of the Airsoft Action team’s favourite AEGs of 2020, on the range and subsequently our test model is absolutely exemplary! The AEG was manufactured in cooperation with EMG Arms and carries engraved licensed markings of Daniel Defense®, which make it internally and externally a very attractive package. The carbine features a factoryfitted MOSFET X-ASR module by Polish GATE, the high-quality MOSFET X-ASR that looks after the safety of the components, improves the trigger reaction and extends the lifetime of electronics and the battery. It will also enable diagnosing basic malfunctions inside the AEG thanks to integrated status diodes. The MK18 also features an ESA™ Quick Spring Change System. The heart of the replica consists of the ORION gearbox based on a reinforced frame and equipped with the function of the main spring release.

CORE X-ASR

This too is an exceptional series of replicas that introduces a new quality to the market again. An attractive price in combination with an innovative

spring exchange system, as well as high-quality materials make these AEGs suitable for beginners and seasoned airsoft players alike. With well-known replicas from the Specna Arms lightweight series, the new edition X-ASR™ versions include the advanced X-ASR™ MOSFET by GATE. The module looks after the safety of the replica components, improves the trigger reaction and extends the lifetime of electronics and the battery.

SA-H11/SA-H12

H-Series replicas in the Specna Arms ONE™ line, the SA-H11 and SA-H12 carbines are made of an aluminium alloy, steel, and polymer. The models are equipped with the Enter & Convert™ system, a rotary hop-up chamber, ambidextrous manipulators, an active bolt-catch and a set of mechanical flip-up sights. These are all-new models for 2021 and we have to say that if they’d been shown at SHOT or IWA, we firmly believe they would have caused a LOT of conversation! Benefitting from just about everything that Specna Arms have become known for, these also

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FEATURE SPECNA ARMS NEWS

mimic the ever-popular “416 look”, in the case of the H-12, right on the nose for current models. Not only do the H11 and H12 look GREAT, but they’re also setup to perform wherever you are in the world with minimal fuss! A sample of the H-12 is on the way over to us from Gunfire in Poland as I write, so you can look forward to seeing the full lowdown soon!

GUN CASE

If you are looking for a solid hard case to transport your carbine, then this is another model that we can thoroughly recommend as we’ve been using one ourselves for a number of months now! This is a wellsized gun case made of thick and durable polymer, and it can easily store a carbine with a maximum length of 1,020mm, along with additional equipment such as optics, magazines or tactical accessories. Thanks to strong walls and inserts made of soft

foam, the case allows you to safely and comfortably transport equipment to a game, even in the back of a rattly 4x4. High-quality polymer makes the case resistant to impact, shock and falls. Inside, there are two inserts with the option of cutting out the shape of your primary, secondary and accessories, which allows you to personalize it to your liking. The case features: • hook and loop fastener panel with a laser-cut Specna Arms logo • closed using 4 solid latches • 2 holes for additional securing padlocks (not included in the set) • up to 4 inserts made of foam: thick, thin and two special inserts that allow for cutting out the shape of a replica • thick seal made of EDPM rubber • wheels for easy transport • 2 case grips • pressure adjustment valve • room inside the case for a replica measuring

•

max 1,020mm x 325mm total capacity: 45 litres

PROMETHEUS SPECNA ARMS EDITION

A new series of internal parts has been created in cooperation between Specna Arms and the legendary Japanese brand Prometheus, whose products have been placed on the top shelf for many years. Precisely made Prometheus/Specna Arms Edition components will be a perfect choice for AEG replica tuning for every demanding player.

SAAS (SA ACCESSORY SYSTEM)

As mentioned earlier, we first saw these as prototypes early last year and we’re extremely pleased that this new range has become a reality! The SAAS (Specna Arms Accessory System) project is a result of their vast experience in manufacturing airsoft replicas and it covers various types of accessories like stocks, magazines, and tactical grips. Designed in the European Union, from the initial concept to the finished production items, SAAS accessories have been designed with ergonomics and durability in mind and, to provide users with the best performance possible, they have selected highquality materials and used precision manufacturing technology. SAAS accessories are the perfect complement to your Specna Arms AEGs (and of course other brands too!), increasing their level of functionality. We hope that you’ll find this short overview helpful and rest assured that Airsoft Action will continue to bring you the very latest exciting developments from Specna Arms as soon as they happen AA

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KIT & GEAR FOOTWEAR CHOICES

CHOOSE THE RIGHT BOOTS

THERE ARE PLACES WHERE YOU CAN SKIMP AND SAVE A BIT OF MONEY WITH YOUR AIRSOFT LOADOUT BUT HAVING GOOD FOOTWEAR IS NOT ONE OF THEM. THIS SHOULD BE AS FUNDAMENTAL A PART OF YOUR AIRSOFT GEAR AS YOUR AEG OR GBB! CHOOSING THE WRONG BOOTS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE TO HAVING A SUPERB DAY ON SITE OR GOING HOME EARLY. BILL LOOKS AT MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE - IRRELEVANT OF YOUR BUDGET!

uring the course of my professional life I’ve been lucky enough to work directly with some of the best bootmakers in the business, both in relation to military/tactical models and those for outdoor adventures. For both end uses the requirements of the footwear will be broadly similar and mainly to do with comfort, support, protection and suitability for the intended terrain. Most good bootmakers will have a range of models to cover every eventuality, from lightweight, quickdrying boots for jungle environments, sturdy boots with great support for urban environments and even thermal-lined waterproof versions for the deepest of winter months. One of the great things about how we play though, is that we’re unlikely to be wearing our boots for more than 36 hours straight at a MilSim and usually it will be just a matter of hours at our local skirmish site. Does this, however, mean you can save a few bob by buying into cheap boots for airsoft? My answer to this would be an unequivocal and resounding “NO!” Not looking after your feet, or wearing badly fitting boots, can have severe ramifications. Ask yourself for a moment, is (for instance) a boot designed for the deserts of the Middle East going to be the ideal model for the UK in

the depths of winter? You may say “Well, my desert boots are Gore-Tex lined so they’re waterproof and I’m only wearing them for a short while so they’ll be fine…”, however, are you analysing this closely enough? A good desert boot will inherently be made with less insulation than a winter, or indeed even a temperate model, so as much as a good waterproof technology will keep your feet dry, the boot overall will leave you with cold feet, or worse on a snowy morning. Cuff height may also differ, as in general a winter boot will have a higher cuff to keep out snow and spindrift. I was at a game where I stepped into a water-filled pothole deeper than the height of my desert boot cuff and although they’re membranelined, water does tend to get in through the big hole on the top where your foot goes in! So why not just wear wellies? Well, two things here really… Firstly, wellies are pretty much always not going to be breathable, so although they will keep water out (and with specialist socks be warm), they will also keep moisture in. Someone once told me that we have more than 250,000 sweat glands in each foot, making them the most perspiring parts of your body. Your body can produce as much as a pint of

“I WAS AT A GAME WHERE I STEPPED INTO A WATER-FILLED POTHOLE DEEPER THAN THE HEIGHT OF MY DESERT BOOT CUFF AND ALTHOUGH THEY’RE MEMBRANE-LINED, WATER DOES TEND TO GET IN THROUGH THE BIG HOLE ON THE TOP WHERE YOUR FOOT GOES IN!”

MARCH 2021

KIT & GEAR FOOTWEAR CHOICES

sweat per day per foot and if you’re wearing wellies, most of that will stay inside the boot! Secondly, most basic wellies offer very little support. You’ve also got to build into this equation that boot manufacturers make different outsole units for different conditions. This may not, on the face of it, be a major concern but if the tread pattern of the outsole has been designed for warm, dry conditions, how will it fare in wet grass or on wet-leaf covered rock? Let me tell you… Not very well at all and you’re seriously asking for a slip which could lead to a turned ankle … or worse!

WHAT MAKES A “GOOD TO GO” BOOT In our “Hi-Speed, Lo-Drag” world of airsoft, one of the most important things is your equipment, especially a good pair of tactical boots. Tactical boots for professionals need to stand up to wear for extended periods of time. Although as airsofters don’t particularly need this level of performance, having it is an absolute plus. When choosing a tactical boot look for a style with superior support, lightweight and durable construction, comfort and protection from the elements and rough terrain. A good boot for airsoft will also provide heightened traction in any tactical/gaming situation that you may face. The height, midsole, outsole, heel and structure of the boot factor into its support level too. Ideal tactical boot components include a six inch to eight inch height and a heavy-duty, yet flexible and lightweight sole to provide traction and grip, both in and out of the woods. A good fit that doesn’t sacrifice comfort is crucial in choosing your boots. The use of EVA foam materials guarantees lightweight, cushioned support in the midsole of your boots. The best tactical boots are easy to put on (and take off at the end of the day) and many boots on the market feature fragile side zippers or complex laceup closures. A good boot will feature a combination of eyelets and D-rings in the closure system, which allows for a personalised fit just by adjusting the lacing pressures. Flexible and lightweight material construction is an essential component of a good tactical boot, specifically to protect you from the weather. A waterproof exterior or membrane is a crucial boot feature to keep you protected from the elements. By using breathable technologies waterproof boots prevent moisture from building up and potentially forming harmful bacteria and blisters but also allow for perspiration to get out.

For even greater protection in the winter months, look for boots that are both waterproof and insulated. Insulated linings keep warmth inside the boot so that you can stay comfortable and protected during cold weather games. We may all face a range of weather conditions on any site through the year, so don’t let your boots hold you back from enjoying the game! When you talk about style and comfort, you should think about only good quality boots, as they are manufactured taking into account the best type of materials, construction, padding, cushioning and inner soles. Such boots provide great cushioning and support to your feet as well as avoiding any foot pain and discomfort that arises due to longevity of wearing; your best friend is a good quality tactical boot that provides you the best possible safety, comfort, durability, and flexibility over uneven and rough surfaces. Such boots are obviously made from the top-quality materials that offer high performance and long-time comfort and safety for your feet. To illustrate what I’m talking about, let’s look at some models in more depth.

LOWA ZEPHYR GTX

A few years back, before the word “Lockdown” became part of our vocabulary, I found myself coming out of the winter months and looking forward to a spring of skirmishes and MilSims, without a pair of lightweight boots in the gear pile for general use. The thought of having to break in new boots always fills me with dread, so I was extremely careful in my search for a new pair. One model of boot that I found myself returning to time and again was the Zephyr from Lowa. I’d been using their full leather Mountain Boot for a while and it had performed (and continues to perform) exceptionally well. Having become

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KIT & GEAR FOOTWEAR CHOICES

something of a Lowa “fanboy” I decided that the Zephyr GTX could well be the replacement I was looking for and since I got my very first pair, they’ve proved to be excellent and have become a “fave”, not just with me but with many of the AA crew and other players as well. As part of Lowa’s Task Force range, these boots are highly rated by both UK and US SF alike as a tactical lightweight desert boot. The Zephyr GTX fulfils the requirement for those operating in a lightweight role who require a Gore Tex lining. They feature a slip lasted construction with an injected Lowa “Cross” sole; more of that in a bit. The upper is a clever combination of suede leather (1.4 - 1.6 mm) and Cordura and a full Gore Tex VISION 3LY inner lining ensures waterproofness. They weigh in at a meagre 1,120g per pair, with a very supportive mid height cuff; the foot is held firmly in place courtesy of closed hook lacing. The Zephyr also features Lowa’s innovative MONOWRAP® 2 sole unit construction with a firm 7/8 TPU stabilizer is the most stable and offers optimal traction and perfect support with its high-quality surface materials. The system features a PU heel stabiliser, a PU-Frame, an additional plastic stabiliser and the “Cross” outsole. The plastic stabiliser element features in all Lowa multi-functional footwear, improving ankle and joint stability and torsional rigidity. I’ve continued to wear them on an almost daily basis and have now subjected them to some pretty foul conditions. In all situations other than full, snow-on-the-ground winter, they have performed admirably. The Lowa Zephyr GTX is available in a number of different colours for use with UK MTP or MultiCam types of uniform and clothing but I have to say, given the sporty look of them in black/grey, they look pretty sharp with a pair of cargos or even jeans too. Expect to pay iro £130 for a pair from www. lowa.co.uk or most good stockists.

MERRELL ACCENTOR

Beloved of units like the US Rangers, Merrell boots from their outdoor line are certainly worth a look if you’re running a “tactical athlete” set of range gear and a trip to my local outdoor pursuits store showed me that Merrell definitely still have what it takes! I recently invested in a pair of ACCENTOR GORETEX MIDS for summer and indoor wear and they look the absolute business if you’re running fast and light, especially in “black kit”! With a waterproof inner to keep your feet dry and comfortable, the body has been designed 30

MARCH 2021

so that water can’t get in, but moisture vapour can escape through the billions of pores in the Gore-Tex membrane. In addition, an Aegis antimicrobial, odour-fighting treatment keeps

your feet fresh for longer. Humidity isn’t a problem in these breathable boots either, as a membrane keeps your feet dry and a large bellows tongue keeps debris away from the foot. When you encounter slippery patches after rainfall, you’ll be thankful for two features, a mid-length cut that adds ankle support, and a durable rubber outsole for better grip. For more on these super-light yet supportive boots please check out www.merrell.com.

BATES SHOCK FX

My “EDC” boots of choice are the SHOCK FX from Bates. With a really cool look and a “mid-cut” cuff these are cracking-looking boots and come in three colourways to complement different uniform requirements but, in each case it would look just as good on a mountain trail or simply out and about. I think these will be a real winner, not just for the UK market but globally as it most

KIT & GEAR FOOTWEAR CHOICES

definitely sits in the “tacticool athlete” category and having a waterproof and breathable membrane inside means it will perform in most weathers too. As well as benefitting from the Bates EPS system, the SHOCK FX benefits from waterproof full grain leather and performance nylon upper with protective panels, a breathable waterproof membrane with moisture wicking lining to keep your feet dry, mesh tongue for added breathability, plus Bates anti-fatigue Endurance Performance System, providing you all day comfort and flexibility. A multi terrain slip resistant rubber lug outsole and a “Cement” construction provides a lightweight and flexible platform. I’ve worn these boots day in, day out whatever the weather and they’ve become trusted partners for all my outdoor adventures come rain or shine. You can check them out by visiting www.tactree.co.uk

LOWA MOUNTAIN BOOTS

As I mentioned earlier, last but by no means least are my “winter specials”, otherwise known as LOWA MOUNTIAN BOOTS! If you were to visit any barracks in the UK, I guarantee that you would find a high number of guys wearing “LOWAs” and one of the most soughtafter models has been the Mountain Boot, to wear along with their MTP. I’ve put a good number of miles under the soles of my LOWAs during the past few winters and at no time did they feel anything other than sturdy and solid. The

Vibram “Tsavo” sole unit has provided stability even on the worst days, with a nice high cuff giving excellent support around the ankle. The boots are made from 2.4/2.4mm full grain leather which has moulded well to my foot and the Gore Tex Duracom inner has meant that my feet have stayed 100% dry even in deep, soft snow or extreme wet weather. Open hook lacing means that you can set up the fit of the boot just as you like it and, once you’ve found your “fit”, everything stays locked down and in place. The foot is anchored solidly in place with no movement or “sloppiness” that will cause blisters. The boots are available in UK 3–15 including half sizes. Overall, this is one heck of a boot and I can see now why it has become the choice of the professional user. Whilst our lives may not depend on it, this is a fabulously well-made boot, put together with the very best of everything.

MAX PERFORMANCE!

I’ve chosen the boots here not because they are the cheapest out there but because, in my opinion, they offer great value for money and between them will have you covered all year round (other than in mountainous areas in full winter) and all will provide maximum performance for your money. For “true winter” you’ll need a more specialist mountain boot that is crampon compatible - and that’s a whole other ballgame! Do bear in mind, however, that these boot models fit my particular foot-shape well and may not be so ideal for you but I hope I’ve given you an idea what to look for when you come to buy. And when it does come to buying boots, go to a specialist tactical boot fitter, or one of the top outdoor shops, who will be able to offer a very good service in relation to precise fitting when it comes to the civilian models. If you’re after a dedicated military model, then your local tactical store or airsoft shop is the place to go. Buy right, buy once even if you are “Daddy Bigbucks” - and if you’re usually skint, like most airsofters I know (including myself!), then getting it right first time is a bonus! AA

“I THINK THESE WILL BE A REAL WINNER, NOT JUST FOR THE UK MARKET BUT GLOBALLY AS IT MOST DEFINITELY SITS IN THE “TACTICOOL ATHLETE” CATEGORY AND HAVING A WATERPROOF AND BREATHABLE MEMBRANE INSIDE MEANS IT WILL PERFORM IN MOST WEATHERS TOO.”

www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR ONETIGRIS CHEST RIG/PLATE CARRIER

ONETIGRIS CHEST RIG AND LOW-PROFILE PLATE CARRIER SYSTEM

WHEN IT COMES TO THE “AA LEGION” WE ALL HAVE OUR AREAS OF SPECIALITY BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE ALSO ALL PLAYERS, JUST LIKE YOU! THIS MONTH, ELSEWHERE JIMMY HAS HAD A LOOK AT SOME RIGHTEOUS TECH TO INCREASE THE EFFICACY OF OUR AEGS BUT HE’S ALSO INTERESTED IN THE GEAR THAT MAKES HIM EQUALLY EFFICIENT ON THE FIELD, LIKE THE NEW CHEST RIG AND LOW PROFILE PLATE CARRIER SYSTEM FROM OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT ONETIGRIS!

ou may well remember a few issues back, that we tickled your tactical tastebuds with the taste of a new line of tactical gear from the wonderful people at ONETIGRIS (www.onetigris. com) and we announced we would be bringing you an evaluation of that new gear. ONETIGRIS make an amazing array of gear for many applications and occasions and compliment any user’s experience. Whether you are walking the dog or living the life “off-the-grid”, they produce some fine tactical dog gear, amazing tactical gear for even the most operator among us and a rugged outdoor range for the campers and explorers among us. I feel very privileged to have this opportunity to bring you my findings and give an honest evaluation of this great new range. Over the past couple months, I have been putting both the new modular chest rig system and the lowprofile modular plate carrier with a selection of the buckle up placards through a series of tests. Now, unfortunately, due to government guidelines and the most recent lockdowns (which are widespread across

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the UK) I haven’t actually been able to get out to a game day to really put them through any kind of torture but rest assured, I have tested and used them to the best of my imagination and ability! ONETIGRIS have used up to date technology and materials to ensure not only will it be strong, lightweight and comfortable but that it also comes with certain resistant properties against the elements. Made from high-quality solid 500D nylon you can be sure these carriers will endure anything even the most unforgiving player can throw at it. First, I shall be looking at the lightweight Chest Rig and if you are a player who likes to keep things light then this rig will suit you down to the ground. It will compliment anyone fitting a marksman or sniper role who doesn’t require the need to carry much into the field. The simplistic, yet very effective design, allows you to maintain manoeuvrability with no restrictions to function. Adjustable straps will accommodate many sizes of player and can be worn over or under a jacket or ghillie suit. The buckle up system on this is really quite strong,

KIT & GEAR ONETIGRIS CHEST RIG/PLATE CARRIER

with an exceptionally rugged Velcro, ensuring once your placard is attached it really isn’t going anywhere. With the chest rig ONETOGRIS have designed the buckles to be clipped to the placard, as well as the placard buckles clipped to the 2” harness straps. The harness itself is very comfortable and designed in such a way it evenly distributes any weight you may be carrying. The Duraflex buckles appear to be nice and strong and you can be certain these are going to endure the test. The harness itself comes in at a mere 350g (that’s without any placards attached) so it is one of the lightest rigs I have ever seen, but in no way is this a lightweight contender. ONETIGRIS say that this will fit up to a maximum chest size of 45 inches, but I think that may be a little out as I’m a 44.5 inch chest and I can fit it on over two layers and a soft shell jacket, so I’d say probably more around 48 inches realistically. I think that ONETIGRIS could have added some form of tabs over the shoulder straps for cable management were you to want to use any comms, but honestly that’s just a little niggle which most could overcome. Moving on brings me to the Plate Carrier and I must say I am highly impressed with it. This isn’t me being nice just because we have been given some kit to review, this is a genuine “I’M IMPRESSED!” What am I impressed with? I hear you cry. Well, the fact is …everything! The quality is perfect in every way, as it can stand next to some of the higher priced carriers and easily hold its own. It is produced of the same materials as the lightweight chest rig, rugged 500D nylon and has the same wear resistant properties. Once fitted you can really load this thing up due to the fact it has the placard system on both front and back, so not only can you carry your own gear you can backup carry for team mates as well… genius! Both cummerbunds are adjustable by way of strong velcro and give you the ability to carry mags, radios, phones and all your shizzle without the need to attach extra pouches, as each side has 4 elastic cells which largely increase your carry capacity. It’s probably because it’s still relatively new but fitting mags in 5.56 guise is a bit stiff, although I’m sure over time this will become a lot easier. It comes with adjustable velcro shoulder straps which are easily adjusted on the fly. The carrier can accommodate medium SAPI plates and ONETIGRIS are kind enough to supply you with two EVA foam plates. These I found to be too flat but with a little heat and some flexing they are easily formed to make them a lot more comfortable for the user. So comfortable that I spent most of Christmas day wearing it around the

house - which got me some funny looks from my wife. LOL! Weight-wise, it’s specced at around 1.2kg but I honestly think it’s closer to 1kg. The placards, which are made of equally strong materials and are of the same high quality, come in different guises: • No.1 Triple AR/AK magazine • Double pistol magazine • Utility pouch • No.2 Triple AR/AK magazine • Triple pistol magazine • No.3 Triple AR/AK magazine Added webbing for MOLLE compatibility provides space for add-ons or tools. Each placard sports the same characteristics, such as adjustable shock cords for retention of magazines, drain holes to combat any water from building up and each are the same size with the same strong velcro and clips, allowing them to be used on both the chest rig and on the plate carrier. I can safely say that what ONETIGRIS have made, are of high quality and I would be confident to rock out at a game day knowing that what I had not only looks awesome but does its job just as well. I can see a bright future for ONETIGRIS gear and myself and I’m sure I will be purchasing many more of their products! Not having being able to get together with the crew this month due to the ongoing restrictions, my thanks go to ONETIGRIS for letting us use their images and I’ll finish up by wishing you all “Happy New Gear”; let’s hope this year will see the demise of the dreaded c-virus so we can start to get back to some sort of normality - and start enjoying again what we all love the most: airsoft! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR PMC LOADOUT

THE LURE OF THE PMC LOADOUT

DURING THE C-VIRUS LOCKDOWN PERIOD WE KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU, LIKE US, HAVE BEEN WORKING ON YOUR OWN PROJECTS. BILL HAS TAKEN A MOMENT TO LOOK BACK ON HIS OWN “PMC GEAR” AND MUSES ON THIS VERSATILE LOADOUT AND WHY HE BELIEVES EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THEIR OWN “TAKE” ON IT IN THEIR PERSONAL GEAR LOCKER.

hen it comes to loadouts there’s most definitely one that has been done to death - and that’s the “PMC” style. So you may wonder why I’m bringing it up all over again and I would answer simply that that this loadout, to me, almost entirely embodies my own style of play and I view it as one of the easiest to achieve but most versatile of any set of gear you will ever own! Over the years I’ve used a “contractor” set of kit for an uncountable number of games, from straightforward skirmishes to full on multi-day MilSims, from “Wednesday night under the lights” to post-apocalypse grindsters and it’s one that has become almost a default setting to me. It’s incredibly simple to achieve but done right can see you through playing everything in every setting, be it protecting civilians and supplies at your most altruistic, to carrying out the darkest of ops for an evil mega-corp. Since I put my first set of “contractor” gear together the tactical world has moved on and the “look” of the modern-day contractor reflects this. Although the way the guys appear is most definitely still individual, many aspects of their gear have been updated with really “lo drag” gear. Much of the time these days, even in the airsoft world, we are operating in urban environments, so in keeping with an ultra-low profile the choice of gear will reflect this. Jeans or civilian cargo pants, t-shirts and polos and performance gear from outdoor pursuits brands when necessary, along with tactical boots or trainers. Tactical gear is pretty simple and straightforward too as well, with some form of plate carrier and lightweight belt kit being thrown on when needed as things go “hot”, 34

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and there may well be a shemagh involved, along with tactical gloves, a ballcap or helmet and some “cool guy” ballistic shades. For my own gear I tend to stick with Warrior Assault Systems (WAS), as they offer all I need and for the plate carrier I use my tried and trusted Ranger Green DCS. The DCS (Dynamic Combat System) is a lightweight, low profile system which is rugged, yet superbly designed to provide exceptional comfort and functionality. Designed with direct input from active S.F. personnel the DCS is suitable for all types of operating environment and is available in a number of camouflage patterns, plain colours and platform specific configurations. As well as the Ranger Green version shown here with the WAS Open Top mag pouches, they also have closed top M4, G36 (which will carry 7.62mm mags) and AK specific setups available from stock. In the image Jon also wears a WAS carrier but this time the RECON variant in Coyote Tan. Since I got the DCS I’ve also upgraded my belt kit to a great set from the Polish former “operators” Direct Action, again in plain “adaptive” green. The lo-profile Mustang inner belt works simply as a trouser belt and as a stabiliser for both the Mustang and Warhawk outer belts. As it attaches to the inner Velcro loop panels of those belts, it prevents rideup during dynamic movement or when drawing a pistol from a holster. With this belt in place there’s no need to use suspenders or a drop leg panel in order to achieve a secure pistol draw. Made out of proprietary laminate and Velcro this is simply a flat, feather-light accessory to keep your pants up and

KIT & GEAR PMC LOADOUT

your working equipment belt where you’d expect it to be. The ultra-thin profile of the trouser belt effectively eliminates “buckle over buckle” discomfort and can be worn all day long. Made of heavy-duty tubular webbing, proprietary laminate and lined with Velcro loop the Mustang Rescue/Gun belt is bartack-reinforced in stress points, stiffened to carry the weight of holsters and magazine pouches and secures with a certified AustriAlpin Cobra buckle. There’s an anchor point for carabiner/lanyard/tether next to the buckle and this is compatible with FROG buckle or shackles. It’s Velcro-loop lined on the inside so that it mates perfectly with the inner trouser belt, so you can have all your kit pre-mounted and be good to go within seconds! In terms of clothing I just use either a check long-sleeved shirt or a plain colour UBACS for the top half and either jeans (as Jon has in the picture) or some plain colour combat pants, in this case the excellent MK.II Operator Combat Pant from Clawgear, for the bottom. That said, “civvy” combats can be picked up for much cheapness if you don’t already own some. Add some good supportive boots, gloves, ballcap and some tasteful accessories (don’t forget the “cool guy” shades!) and with your favourite AEG or GBB in hand you’ll be good to go! Really the only thing here that costs a few meaningful bucks is the plate carrier but these days you can find a halfway decent “buckle up” model from a number of manufacturers that are very, very well priced and won’t even get close to breaking the bank. All in all, the “contractor” loadout is relatively cheap and straightforward to put together and works in many styles of airsoft scenario, including both BLUFOR and OPFOR at larger MilSim events if said scenario is a good and involved one! Ultimately airsoft is the adventure that YOU make it with your own choice of AEG/GBB and loadout, your own sense of fair play and honour and your desire to hit “Game On” as well-prepared as you can be. If money is tight, as it is with a lot of us right now, then having spare cash to build a complicated and involved loadout may be beyond you but there is NOTHING wrong with that! Airsoft is all about getting out there and playing the game, whatever your style may be, taking your hits and coming back for more and a simple yet effective loadout is well within your grasp if you plan it right. Now is the time to be thinking about getting back out to games in the foreseeable future, getting your AEG or GBB exactly as you like it, and prepping your gear to work for you. Don’t overcomplicate things, find a simple set of gear that is unique to you and lets you play hard and fast! And for this, a “PMC” loadout is the very thing, and this is why it should be in your “gear locker” as it is in mine. The image shown here was taken when Jon and I did a photoshoot with NUPROL a while back, so thanks to Ross for allowing us to use it. AA www.airsoftaction.net

INSIDE AIRSOFT EVOLUTION AIRSOFT

ALTHOUGH WE’VE LARGELY BEEN CONFINED TO OUR HOME OFFICES DURING LOCKDOWN, THE FACT IS THAT AIRSOFT IS NOT ONLY ALIVE AND WELL BUT POSITIVELY THRIVING IN TERMS OF NEW PRODUCTS AND NEW INNOVATION! THIS MONTH BILL TAKES LOOK AT EVOLUTION INTERNATIONAL AS WE GO “INSIDE AIRSOFT” ONCE AGAIN, TO LOOK AT A EUROPEAN COMPANY THAT’S TAKING ON THE ESTABLISHED MANUFACTURERS OF THE FAR EAST AND SUCCEEDING IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE WAY… WITH A DASH OF ITALIAN FLAIR!

don’t know about you but knowing the people behind the brands in airsoft and finding out a little bit of what makes them tick is very important to me. Whilst I do not expect them to share their innermost secrets with me - and none of us should have that expectation to be honest – as, after all “business is business”, I do like a bit of the inside track! I also like to know that what I spend my “airsoft pocket money on” is not only worth it in terms of the product itself, but also in relation to the passion, drive and ethical position of the company be-hind it. I was lucky enough to meet Sergio Castelluccia, from Evolution International, in person many moons ago at IWA and each year I attend that show I always make a beeline for their stand to see what airsoft loveliness they have on offer! Sadly, as we all know, there is no “IWA 2021” so I thought it was a great chance to highlight an airsoft company I have the greatest of respect for, a respect that has grown with the years. But what is the history of Evolution International? Who set it up, when and why? Evolution International S.r.l. is based in Vimodrone

(Milan), Italy. In the HQ you’ll find the Commercial and Sales Department, the Marketing, Communication and Graphic Design Offices, Administra-tion, Tech Department, R&D and the Warehouse. That’s just the physical stuff but to me the real history of the company is far more interesting, as it all began with what I will call “one of us”! Evolution International S.r.l. is the result of a passionate concept born in 1996, the year in which Sergio Castelluccia, one of the two founders, made airsoft not just his passion but his way of life! Sergio was part of a very competitive and well-known airsoft team, which played at very high lev-els around Italy and, given his technical skills with a background as a Licensed Gun Smith for real firearms, he began to repair airsoft rifles for his teammates, becoming known by various teams, who in turn came to trust him for repairs and upgrades. He told us: “At the time, it was not easy to find replacement parts and upgrades, so I decided to start manufacturing them, using them for my own businesses and selling them to stores.” At the same time Sergio also created the first

“SERGIO’S AMBITION, HOWEVER, WAS TO CREATE HIS OWN PRODUCTS, SO HE DECIDED TO GRADUALLY ABANDON DISTRIBUTION TO DEVOTE HIMSELF TO INNOVATION AND PRODUCTION, FOCUSING ON THOSE ASPECTS THAT, IN HIS OPINION, WERE NEGLECTED BY OTHER MANUFACTURERS. ”

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INSIDE AIRSOFT EVOLUTION AIRSOFT

Italian online Airsoft blog, airsoftnews.net, which become very popular with us early adopters online! After graduating university, Sergio decided to convert his passion into a full-time job by involving the co-founder of Evolution in his fledgling business, Giovanni Castelluccia, his father. Their first intention was to make the Far Eastern brands available to the European market and in a short time, Sergio gained the exclusive distribution of very important brands such as Classic Army, Systema and ICS and Evolution International’s activity continued as sole distributor for several years. Sergio’s ambition, however, was to create his own products, so he decided to gradually abandon distribution to devote himself to innovation and production, focusing on those aspects that, in his opinion, were neglected by other manufacturers. The first product launched on the market, dating back 15 years (around the time I first met him from memory as I remember the launch of these!), was the XTREME PRECISION BIODEGRADABLE BB. At the

time, biodegradable BBs timidly appeared on the market causing many problems to us-ers due to their unstable production materials. Sergio’s solution was by way of using PLA (polyactic acid, typically made from the sugars in corn starch, cassava or sugarcane; it’s biodegradable, car-bon-neutral and edible!) as a basic material, creating biodegradable BBs with the same characteris-tics as normal ones. The XTREME PRECISION BBs have been an incredible success and cemented the path Evolution chose to follow: innovation, technological superiority and out of the box think-ing! In the years following this philosophy

was adopted for all Evolution products. Sergio’s obsession was perfection. To him, airsoft replicas had to reflect faithfully real weapons so the next step was obtaining licenses to produce faithful replicas of real firearms such as Tangodown, Z-M Weapons, Lone Star Tactical, ADC Armi Dallera Custom and DSR Precision. For several years Evolution International S.r.l. focused on production of licensed replicas but for Sergio it still wasn’t enough, so he decided not to limit himself only to the production of replicas but to design his own original models! He hired a well-known Italian firearm designer based on Val-trompia (the “Firearms Valley” of renown!) and working side by side with him for six months, he developed from the ground up the GHOST series, an original family of rifles with a very distinctive look designed in-house from scratch. But Sergio’s obsession as an airsoft player was not just about the exterior of an AEG but also the interior! Thanks to technological development that made miniaturized electronic components available, it has been possible for Evolution International to start developing its unique electronic boards. They have gradually evolved up to the ETS III CONFIGURATION, which are built-in as standard in all the new HARD www.airsoftaction.net

INSIDE AIRSOFT EVOLUTION AIRSOFT

CORE SERIES AEGs giving freedom to the user to personalize the behaviour of the gun in endless configurations. This is a great system and one that I can personally comment on positively, having tried the very latest iteration in the E-416 reviewd (and on the cover) last month!

working on new products that will be released in the next 2/3 years. They will be characterized by an even greater technological push. “Our ETS III is not a point of arrival but we consider it as a starting point. AEGs in many ways arrived at their limits of mechanical development a few years ago, but with electronics we are able do anything!”

INTERACTION AND UNDERSTANDING

Evolution has been behind some great innovation “in-house” and obviously works extremely well with License Partners, so I asked Sergio what were the high points in this respect and he told me: “Working with License Partners represents a key point for Evolution International. This cooperation helps the company to increase the technical knowledge of process design for manufacturing real weapons, which has enabled Evolution to create absolutely perfect replicas. “Thanks to the relationships established with the License Partners, the Company has free access to the original Weapons Blue Prints, to the firearms production departments and to weapons sam-ples. Our replicas were designed starting from technical drawings of the real weapons and by tak-ing measurements directly on the real firearms. This is why they are so realistic.” He also went on to tell me: “Evolution International is entirely dedicated to innovation, so we can confirm that we are already 38

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For Evolution International, shows like IWA represent a meeting point with customers, dealers and other manufacturers. It is an opportunity to get together, to exchange news, show prototypes of products to be released the following year and have direct feedback from customers. They are also a direct meeting point with the airsoft community via airsoft media, and this is obviously important to Evolution as a whole in their wish to interact with and understand the wants and needs of their end-users! In line with this wish, this year Evolution International decided to create a new Brand Ambassador Program, different from others that had gone before. For 2021 Evolution launched the “Evolution Face Program” because every single selected player represents the company around the world. The “ambassadors” will help Evolution to raise awareness, promote products and represent the company in a positive light in their own countries. Evolution Faces are based in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Germany, Ukraine and from this year in Japan too as Evolution now export there as a releavant part of their production, taking European airsoft inovation back to the cultural home of the game! Sergio and his team have created a new experience, encouraging the “Faces” to have fun while “spreading the good word” of the Evolution Brand;

INSIDE AIRSOFT EVOLUTION AIRSOFT

“…as an “Evolution Face” you must think about your behavior, not only what you post but also as a player on the fields, and this drives me to excel and wish to spread this along with the message of Evolution International; exemplary conduct, not only in airsoft, but in life too.”

he stated: “For us the Evolution Face Program is an extra boost to spread the Evolution brand and its qualities to players, customers and dealers from all over the world.” And, of colurse, we’re lucky enough to have one of those newly-appointed “Faces” as a part of our very own Airsoft Action international “Legion”, in the form of my friend and fellow “Bearded Bro” Bjorn Klockar. I asked Bjorn to expand on what exactly being an “Evolution Face” means to him in a practical way, and what responsibilites he has to the company and he responded: “Practically my role is to expose the brand in the best way possible, not only by photos and videos, but also to be involved in discussions about Evolution in different forums and on social media. They get a “man on the ground” so to say. “We are now a team spread over several countries embedded in the global airsoft community, so the exposure gets pinpointed to the right people at the right time, the players themselves. But we also can be of help with development as we are in a direct link to Evolution and their (development) staff.” I also asked Bjorn about the benefit to him. “Well, it’s definitely not only that you can get a gun or whatever it may be! I see it as a mutual ex-posure kind of deal as they also share my photos, put my face in their catalogue, on their web page and so on. That also makes my face and name recognized in both the community and the airsoft industry. Isn’t that a nice benefit or what?

“Ultimately though, as an “Evolution Face” you must think about your behavior, not only what you post but also as a player on the fields, and this drives me to excel and wish to spread this along with the message of Evolution International; exemplary conduct, not only in airsoft, but in life too, this is something we should all aspire to. This is the core message for Evolution, and you have to know that they are counting on you to bring this message “front and centre” in everything that you do.” It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know more about Evolution International as a company, one that we can trust to deliver new and exciting airsoft products for many years to come! But for me once again it has been another joyous journey of discovery, one that I have undertaken in possibly the worst of times from my office desk and returned from enlightened and strengthened by my experience! Along the way I have got to speak even more to my old friend Bjorn but have made new friend-ships based on mutual trust and a passion for airsoft with both Sergio and Francesca at Evolution; my thanks go to them for their kind participation in the creation of this article and not only do I look forward to seeing them at a show as usual soon, but also one day to visiting them in person and seeing everything firsthand. Now that will be a journey to look forward to! For more information on everything that Evolution International create, please pay a visit to www. evolutioninternational.it AA

www.airsoftaction.net

RED CELL PERSONAL DEFENCE WEAPONS

AS THE UK LOCKDOWN CONTINUES ONCE AGAIN, THE RED CELL CREW HAVE HAD TO WORK REMOTELY TO BRING IN THEIR CONCLUSIONS OF THE LATEST BATCH OF “AR” STYLE “PDW” MODELS. THIS HAS LED TO SOME PRETTY IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE CHOSEN AEGS AS THEY DETAIL MORE VARIANTS THAN EVER BEFORE!

up, lockdown is most definitely getting to us all, isn’t it? That said, the Red Cell team have been in constant touch with one another, looking at different AEG models and breaking them down into “bite-size chunks” as the sheer volume of “AR-style” AEGs out there is just absolutely vast! This month we decided to take a look at the current crop of “PDW” AEGs, picking from our favourite and most trusted manufacturers, as well as throwing in a couple of “curveballs” to give you all food for thought. In fact, the term “PDW” itself, as in Personal Defence Weapon, caused quite a debate amongst the crew, as the “AR” models that we look at here are brought together by that sliding minimalist stock design and there was some friendly argument as to whether these were “true PDWs” or in fact AR “pistols”. US legislation tells us (in relation to real firearms) “…a firearm, as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4), is made when a handgun or other weapon with an overall length of less than 26 inches, or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length, is assembled or produced from a weapon originally assembled or produced only as a rifle” and this would indicate most of the airsoft models here fit into that category. The same document goes on to say: “… nonetheless, if a handgun or other weapon with an

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overall length of less than 26 inches, or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length is assembled or otherwise produced from a weapon originally assembled or produced only as a rifle, such a weapon is a “weapon made from a rifle” as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4). Such a weapon would not be a “pistol” because the weapon was not originally designed, made, and intended to fire a projectile by one hand.” So, these are not “pistols” either, so what are they? The general consensus is that a model of this length with a retractable stock is simply an ultra-shortbarrelled carbine and, on that basis, the term “PDW” actually does fit, as such a compact weapon in the real world would undoubtedly be built for personal or home defence. What I will say is that, ultimately, these are all great AEGs, consistent, accurate over our foreshortened engagement distances, and certainly ideal for CQB/ CQC use, although most of them will hold their own outdoors as well! So, bottom line is, if you are a smaller player, or someone that just likes REALLY short ARs, then you’re going to have a hard time choosing between the models featured here! But enough with the blah blah blah, let’s get down to business and see what the guys had to say about the TWELVE models we put through their paces, both together and in isolation!

RED CELL PERSONAL DEFENCE WEAPONS

James: Not quite the PDW day we had in mind, with it would be the extended battery tube for the sat at home with the wind and rain lashing against stock, as the Mosfet is installed with the wiring loom the windows as I write this but needs must and the in the battery compartment and after purchasing the ongoing pandemic restrictions continue to put a hold smallest battery I could find, there was still no way for now on the groups usual meetings. This month to fit them in on the standard tube supplied. Again, I I will look at two models one from my personnel shall keep you updated on ongoing usage. collection, the Classic Army X9 Nemesis and the Jase: With lockdown 3.0 still ongoing, I took a Specna Arms E21. call from the Boss telling me to pick up a wee care The Classic Army X9 Nemesis has been my “go package. So, as I knocked on his door, I was greeted to” for my last few games and so far has performed with the new VFC Avalon (along with licks from his flawlessly in it’s out of the box state. Classic army’s dog, Minty!). This prime example had been lent to first venture in to the 9mm AR section of the market, us by the good people of RedWolf UK. I now had it has a full aluminium receiver, M-Lok front rail and something to keep me occupied for a few days. Yes! flip up iron sights and a “PDW” style stock. It comes First up though, a quick history lesson for those with an ESC mofset as standard which makes for a who don’t know and the reason for the big debate snappy trigger response and burst fire options and a amongst the group… quick-change spring. The “PDW” was an idea for a firearm that could On my usual set up I have it with a stubby fore grip, be carried as a concealed weapon, or for use with standard red dot sight and set to semi-auto and five non-frontline service men. As we now know, speed round burst, along with a Nuprol NX600s taclite for defeats body armour and with the new concept, those dark interior spaces. NATO wanted to replace the It consistently chronos .45acp and 9mm round with and easily keeps range faster 5.7mm and 4.7mm “AS I SPENT A FEW HOURS with the longer AEGs I’ve FETTLING WITH THIS LOVELY “PDW” ammunition. The first PDWs come up against in game. came out in the 1980’s, in the I STARTED TO REALLY LIKE IT. The rotary style hop up guise of the H&K MP5K-PDW, PDWS, PER-SE, HAVE NOT REALLY is simple to set and one Parker Hale PDW, and Spectre thing I do love about it, is PDW to name a few. BEEN A STYLE THAT’S TAKEN MY the fact that although it I don’t get to unbox many FANCY BUT THIS EXAMPLE, IN ITS has a super-compact size, EXQUISITE BRONZE COLOUR, REALLY new AEGs so this was a bit Classic Army have thought of a novelty for me, that HAD ME.” about the fact that to use “new car smell” as I opened it you will need to be able the box…. ”Ahhh, Bisto!”. to put a battery in it and The AEG was secured well it has ample space in the compartment on the stock by Velcro, which was nice to see, this meant no hard to fit without crushing the wires in! It comes with surfaces scratching it while in transit. In the box you 120rd mid cap stick mags and a drum mag is available got a magazine, larger battery box and user manual. should you require. This AEG is one that I shall be This particular example didn’t come with iron sights doing a long-term test on so I shall keep you updated but I’m not sure if that was a packaging issue from on its progress. the factory or this being a review example. The Specna Arms E21 is one of the AA Red Cell As I spent a few hours fettling with this lovely pool guns I have taken out on long term loan to test “PDW” I started to really like it. PDWs, per-se, have over an extended period. Unfortunately, the ongoing not really been a style that’s taken my fancy but this lockdowns have prevented much in-game use so far example, in its exquisite bronze colour, really had but, hopefully it will be on the field again soon. With me. There are plenty of great features on it, from a solid receiver, alloy M-Lok front rail and the split the ambidextrous mag release/selector to the wellbronze and black finish it looks great. It comes out moulded pistol grip but there were three features of the box with a “PDW” style stock, flip up sights, that I really liked. The first being the index finger rest an X- ASR Mosfet from Gate, a quick-change spring that was built into the trigger guard, just a nice place and an easy to set rotary hop unit. Trigger response to rest your finger while your finger wasn’t on the is fast and snappy and it chronos consistently. It takes trigger. The second was the charging handle, the way standard M4 mags so plenty of options out there. The this one is set up can be manipulated with either one only addition I would recommend purchasing along or two fingers, that was a nice touch. The third thing www.airsoftaction.net

RED CELL PERSONAL DEFENCE WEAPONS

Model: G&G PRK9 RTS Price: iro £340.00 Age: New Weight: 2580g Length: 557mm Magazine Capacity: 40 BBs (200 BB and Drum Available)

Cold Chrono: 109J/344fps Hot Chrono: 1.07J/340fps Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

Model: NUPROL Freedom Fighter Price: iro £240.00 Age: New Weight: 2580g Length: 557mm Magazine Capacity: Any AR

Cold Chrono:1.1J/ 345 fps Hot Chrono: 1.04J/335fps Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

Model: Nuprol Spec Ops Price: iro £250.00 Age: Two Years Weight: 2252g Length: 525mm (with regular flash hider) Magazine Capacity: Any AR

Cold Chrono: 1.01J/330fps Hot Chrono: 1.01J/330fps Taclite Compatibility: Dedicated Accessory Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

Model: Specna Arms E21 Price: iro £210.00 Age: New Weight: 2275g Length: 570mm Magazine Capacity: Any AR Magazine

Cold Chrono: .07J/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.04J/335fps Taclite Compatibility: M-Lok Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.specnaarms. com

Model: Krytac Trident MKII Price: iro £325.00 Age: New Weight: 2400g Length: 533mm Magazine Capacity: Any AR Magazine

Cold Chrono: 0.92J/315fps Hot Chrono: 0.89J/310fps Taclite Compatibility: M-Lok Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Available From: www. landwarriorairsoft.com

Model: G&G ARP9 Price: iro £210.00 Age: New Weight: 2000g Length: 490mm Magazine Capacity: 300 BBs (60 BB and Drum Available)

Cold Chrono: 0.89 Joule/ 310fps Hot Chrono: 0.89 Joule /310fps Taclite Compatibility: M-Lok Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

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RED CELL PERSONAL DEFENCE WEAPONS

Model: G&G ARP556 Price: iro £250.00 Age: New Weight: 2420g Length: 506mm Magazine Capacity: Any AR Magazine

Cold Chrono: 0.9J/320fps Hot Chrono: 0.9J/315fps Taclite Compatibility: M-Lok Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

Model: Saigo Defence RONIN Price: iro £180.00 Age: New Weight: 2000g Length: 500mm Magazine Capacity: Any AR Magazine

Cold Chrono: 1.01J/330fps Hot Chrono: 0.95J/320fps Taclite Compatibility: M-Lok Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Available From: www. allagesairsoft.com

Model: ICS PDW9 Price: iro £325.00 Age: New Weight: 2692g Length: 619mm Magazine Capacity: 330 BBs (Dedicated)

Cold Chrono: 1.07J/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.01J/330fps Taclite Compatibility: M-Lok Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Available From: www.firesupport.co.uk

Model: BOLT B4 PDW Price: iro £360.00 Age: New Weight: 2800g Length: 530mm Magazine Capacity: Any AR Magazine

Cold Chrono: 0.96J/323fps Hot Chrono: 0.95J/320fps Taclite Compatibility: Dedicated Accessory Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

Model: VFC Avalon Calibur Price: iro £390.00 Age: New Weight: 2199g Length: 545mm Magazine Capacity: Any AR Magazine

Cold Chrono: 1.01J/330fps Hot Chrono: 1.01J/330fps Taclite Compatibility: M-Lok Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Available From: www. uk.redwolfairsoft.com

Model: Classic Army X9 Nemesis Price: iro £260.00 Age: One Year Weight: 2400g Length: 500mm Magazine Capacity: 120 BBs (1,200 BB Drum available)

Cold Chrono: 1.07J/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.04J/335fps Taclite Compatibility: M-Lok Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Available From: www. patrolbase.co.uk www.airsoftaction.net

RED CELL PERSONAL DEFENCE WEAPONS

I really liked was the spring-loaded stock, with the touch of a button the stock would shoot out from fully closed to fully open, this I loved! Being lucky enough to have a long garden, I can utilize this by putting up a target at 45m away. So, I connected the only battery I had with a Mini Tamya fitting, which was an 11.1 stock tube type. This gave me a good excuse to try out the longer battery box which fitted in behind the body. Rate of fire was good and so was the trigger response, I couldn’t complain. With a few quick adjustments of the hop I had this little number dialled in; four mags worth of the finest RZR .20g BBs were all sent down range with good grouping. Now this should not surprise me, as this AEG is sold with a pre-installed Maple Leaf bucking. I’ve run Maple Leaf nubs and buckings for many years and rate them highly. So fresh out of the box, no new buyer would be unhappy. I run a Platatac Badger plate carrier pretty much without fail in all the airsoft games I go to and I use this particular PC because its slim shoulder straps allow me to really shoulder a butt stock and this was no exception with the Avalon PDW. Its stock is not very tall and sat snugly into my shoulder - that made me very happy. On the whole I really liked this RIF and what it offered. Now, where are the “but’s” I hear you asking?? Well, there are only a couple. Firstly, the battery box, be it the small or large one didn’t fit tight enough for my liking and I feel that they could have possibly been made to sit a bit tighter into the clips. Second gripe was the trigger, I’m just not a fan of the straight-cut triggers but that is more of a personal thing. The last being the magazine quality, it was poor, at one point of filling I could see it flexing in a way that I wasn’t happy, it was far too malleable when compared to the likes of a PTS magazine and if I was pay the £389 for this Avalon, I think I’d like a magazine with much better build quality. One last thing I should point out, that in the instruction booklet it states you should always drain the battery before charging but now we know this to cause irreversible problems, that’s a nono! On the whole though, very well done VFC, keep it coming. Marcus: As I work as full-time tech in my shop in Dover, I’m used to seeing many makes and models come through the door for me to fix and upgrade and as CQB/CQC is popular in Kent (with the likes of the .308 Sniper Killhouse just up the road), “PDWs” seem to be regular visitors to me, so I can comment on a number of them! The NUPROL Freedom Fighter has a nice solid construction, and really the main issue that I have to deal with is the micro switch gearbox, which has a 44

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nasty habit of locking up on semi-automatic; the only remedy for this is to go to full-auto! Other than that, this is a solid AEG that’s well made and performs well. The NUPROL Special Ops (read “Amoeba”) is again a nice gun, a great performer as it has the Electronic Fire Control System (EFCS) gearbox that’s supremely programmable (I have the programmer in the shop for just this reason!). It has a great trigger, a rigid polymer body, and the the only downside to this AEGs is the battery compartment, as it’s quite small. The G&G ARP9 is also a fine AEG, with a well-built body, a good gearbox and fire control unit but you have to run 11.1v batteries on them as the fire control unit is set up for this, although it does also have a low voltage cut out built in. Again, the biggest problem with this AEG is the battery compartment as it’s very small, but I like the straight 9mm mags and for people that like really big mags, there’s a large 2500rd drum mag that has a really great and smooth winder on it. Overall, not a bad AEG at all! The G&G ARP556 is more or less the same as the ARP9 but uses a standard AR mag that’s more convenient for most, but it has the same same problem with batteries though. When it comes to the Saigo Defence RONIN, this is a really great little AEG that sells well and players like! It has a nice strong body and a good gearbox, which shouldn’t be a shock as it would appear that all the Saigo’s are basically Specna Arms with new party clothes on! Internally the gearbox and the majority of the working parts, along with other body and grip parts are identical to Specna Arms, which is strange but not bad news really. The only downside to this gun is again the battery compartment but at least you can run a 7.4v battery in this. Overall a superb AEG for the money, even if the internals are a bit of an “eyebrow raiser”! Now I do like the BOLT B4 PDW, as it has an exceptionally strong body and gearbox and a nicely set up recoil system that actually provides some “recoil”! This AEG is not for everybody as it’s an expensive gun and not everybody likes the recoil but if you do, it’s a great performer! The battery compartment at the front is a great solution, although you obviously can’t run a minimalist rail system and as you have to run 11.1v batteries in this (that’s just for the recoil system), it’s a great AEG when it comes to ROF and trigger response. Finishing up, the Classic Army X9 Nemesis is not bad either, with a good solid body and rail, a good gearbox, and I particularly like the fact you can program “burst”. Again, as with all the “PDWs”, the battery compartment is too small but that’s the nature of the beast with these models; overall a good allround performer in a CQB environment!

RED CELL PERSONAL DEFENCE WEAPONS

Jimmy: I was initially going to do a small review on my Saigo Defense Ronin but then I thought to myself do I really want to publicise something which is a straight knock off of a respected brand and it is blatantly obvious it’s a knock off? Unfortunately, I can’t bring myself to do it. Saigo have appeared out of nowhere - much like a dandelion pops up out of the patio. Nobody likes a dandelion. So I decided to give you my thoughts on a brand I do respect; Specna Arms SPECNA and in particular, the EDGE PDW. Out of the box you are getting a gun that, quite frankly, doesn’t need any upgrades or fettling and as usual gives you the same quality which all the EDGE range hold and for the money, a gun of this quality should cost far more than they do. However, I’ll start with what I find to be a little bit of a flaw in the design and I think Specna may have realised this and have already taken steps to change it, by way of making a new part. That flaw, as with a lot of “PDW” style models, is the battery compartment, as it is too small for the vast majority of batteries. Specna got straight on this though and brought out an extended battery tube, giving you far more room than before, so they redeemed themselves in my book! Let’s look at the specs which really show off this rifle.

It is of full metal construction, with the exception of the usual parts (grip, stock, sights) and in typical fashion, it is a well-finished body incorporating their nano-coating to prevent scratching (I like the matt finish the coating gives). Everything fits together very snug and due to this snug fit there is no wobble between receivers at all (hat’s a gripe of mine… wobbly receivers, I can’t stand them!). Its free-float M-Lok system is nice and solid with a slim profile, sporting full length top rail and 3 removable M-Lok rails, which is a bonus as you don’t need to buy extras giving plenty of room for the solid stubby grip which is also supplied and heaps of rail space for torches, lasers, peq, and all that gubbins! The stock, being collapsible, offers a full 100mm of adjustment, taking the length from 560 to 660mm long and even at full extent it doesn’t wobble like some I’ve seen. The motor grip is the same tool-less motor removal style. One thing I always do with Specna, although this is by no means a criticism, is alter the wiring so the wires come up the front of the grip rather than the factory placement, and I find this makes the motor sit at a better angle which actually makes it a tad quieter. It comes with two 125BB polymer S-Mags which are a robust mag and the fit is good with minimal wobble and they feed exceptionally well in my experience; if you need extras they are readily available at a very

www.airsoftaction.net

RED CELL PERSONAL DEFENCE WEAPONS

respectable price, although I found it cheaper if you buy the box of five rather than individually. One thing that stands out for me, is the fact a gun of this quality and this price comes with a GATE X-ASR Mosfet so you can use either a 7.4v or an 11.1 LiPo and it will allow the use of up to a m120 spring as stated in the specs. Included is a little card which tells you what the Mosfet is diagnosing as it features a basic troubleshoot; in the event something goes wrong you may be able to rectify it yourself before the unnecessary trip to a tech. Specna Arms still use the standard shuttle and contact system in a lot of the EDGE models, so trigger response can sometimes be a little slower than the person using it …just FYI. This AEG would make a great starter for anyone looking to purchase their first, or it would provide a great base for the more experienced player looking to buy and upgrade. Bill: Well, it would seem that the crew have done a really cool job with the individual models, all of which I’ve tested myself in the past, apart from the Krytac Trident MKII PDW that I’ll review fully next month as it really deserves some space! It only remains for me to mention the “curveball” model in our selection, which is the G&G PRK-9 and we decided to place it in the “PDW” category given its size! At just 350mm long with the stock folded to the side, the PRK-9 looks utterly like an insanely chopped AK, with a full metal lower receiver and hinged top-cover visually the same as those you’d find on any AK variant. The fire-selector is also 100% “klacker” but of the “tactical style”, featuring (as it does) the thumb-rests for ease of use. Whilst the dedicated and stockless “pistol” variant is nice, it’s the RTS model that to me is the most useable, as it features a FAL-style locking system that holds a buffer tube with polymer sliding stock (the stock design is one of G&Gs own, and is very, very good!) firmly and solidly open, or closed, meaning you can shoulder and 46

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aim properly, rather than just holding it above your head spraying and praying! At the front end things are also distinctly different, as the muzzle of the PRK-9 is only a mere 90mm from the front of the lower receiver! Yes, it really is THAT short! Even so, there are some cool features in evidence with a fixed 5-slot lower rail for a foregrip, and additional 10-slot rails fitted at 3 and 6 o’clock. The rail on the RHS is cut away to accommodate a short folding cocking lever which reveals the hop adjustment wheel. In addition, the muzzle itself is neatly finished off with a knurled cover, which can be removed to reveal a standard 14mm CCW thread so that you can fit a suppressor or tracer unit… in my mind the PRK-9 is just gagging for a suppressor. All I can say in conclusion about this lovely “oddball”, is that I have added a PRK-9 RTS to my “Kalashnikov Kollektiv” because it’s superbly made, shoots well and is actually a genuine addition to the ongoing story of the much-revered, much-loved (by me at least!) Automat Kalsahnikova! AA As always, our thanks go to Red Cell partners NUPROL (www.nuprol.com), VIPER (www.viperkit.co.uk), Attack Sense Smart Targets (www.attacksense.com) and Invader Gear (www.invadergear.com).

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armoury CHIAPPA RHINO

AS TOUGH AS THEY COME BILL STEPS BACK INTO THE WORLD OF THE SILVER SCREEN, AS HE INDULGES HIS PASSION FOR REVOLVERS AND GETS HIS HANDS ON A BIG OLD WHEELGUN THAT BECAME FAMOUS BOTH FOR ITS UNIQUE LOOKS AND ITS MANY MOVIE CAMEOS AND FINDS THERE’S MUCH TO LOVE ABOUT THE AIRSOFT TAKE ON THE MIGHTY CHIAPPA RHINO!

here are few firearms that stand out as the choice of movie armourers when it comes to portraying “guns of the future”. The Steyr AUG springs immediately to mind, from the movies and TV series of my youth, making appearances as it did from classics like “The Fifth Element” and “Robocop”, to far-reaching space-operas such as “Space: Above and Beyond”. Many “prop guns” have started out quite unassumingly, like Han Solo’s Mauser-based “Blaster” and Deckard’s “LAPD 2019” “Frankengun” that was the fusion of a humble Charter Arms Bulldog revolver (somewhat bizarrely) mated to a Steyr Mannlicher bolt-action rifle! And, as a child of that time, I come from a generation where, to many, the revolver, or “wheelgun” is still an absolute favourite when it comes to pistols and I’ve dipped in an out with different models over the years. More recently, the airsoft world has been dominated by semi-auto models like the (not a) Glock and, of course, the venerable 1911 in all its glorious forms, so you might well ask if the revolver is dead to us as players? Personally, I’d say not and even today there are new revolver models coming to market in the real firearms world, amongst them the “Rhino” from Italian master-gunmakers Chiappa and, like the AUG, this futuristic looking wheelgun has attracted movie and TV armourers, given its unmistakeable silhouette and its sheer on-screen presence! The history of Chiappa Firearms began in 1958, 48

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when Ezechiele (Oscar) Chiappa opened his company. Initially an artisanal workshop, the company has grown over the years to become a thriving gunmaking entity. Still wholly owned by the Chiappa family, their firearm models are now available in 60plus countries, competing with the biggest companies in the world! The Chiappa Rhino is undoubtedly one of the most innovative developments in revolver technology for quite some time, with improvements that move the revolver forward into the 21st century! Unconventional in appearance and with superior performance, the Rhino fires from the bottom of the cylinder rather than the top, as is usual with most revolvers. An aluminium alloy frame and barrel shroud make the Rhino (relatively!) lightweight and easy to shoot, whilst an accessory rail on the bottom of the barrel shroud takes it into regular lights and laser-indicator territory. The snag resistant “hammer” is actually a cocking device because of the Rhino’s innovative, completely enclosed firing mechanism, which can be fired either single or double action. A cocked indicator is clearly visible to indicate the internal hammer status. Another innovation is the hexagonal cylinder which keeps the revolver’s width to a minimum.

WHEELGUNS IN AIRSOFT

I spoke to my friend and fellow AA contributor Andy N, an aficionado of airsoft revolvers, who shared his

armoury CHIAPPA RHINO

opinions with me. In his words (and I paraphrase): “My personal choice, or should I say my favourite handgun, is the revolver but I would only consider a revolver as an emergency back-up and not something I would carry as my first choice. Revolvers manufactured today are a popular choice amongst many of us, but you should know which type of handgun is best for the right application and also why. The semi-auto can accommodate more BBs than that of the revolver and is easier to reload with speed. So, if semi-automatics hold more BBs and are easier and faster to reload, why are revolvers still a valuable model to consider? “The Revolver is basically a “load, point and shoot” or a “fire and forget” tool. There is no safety device or complex procedure to get a revolver up and running once the rounds are loaded in the cylinder. Semi-automatics, on the other hand, require several procedures to get them into action and this can lead to some mistakes being made on the part of the operator. “Revolvers also have very few exposed moving parts and rarely need to be stripped down for cleaning and maintenance. Semi-automatics have to be disassembled for cleaning, which can be difficult and there is always a risk of losing or breaking components in the field. One of the more common fails with semi-autos is turning up at the range or site and finding that you have left your magazines at home, something that will never happen with a revolver!” Although I have personally owned (and still own) a number of airsoft revolvers, I’ve always found them a little uninspiring, apart from the ASG “Dan Wessons”, which are a great handgun in fairness. Most though work right enough, although they have generally been either seriously overpowered for skirmish use, or underpowered enough so as to make them relatively useless! The overall construction generally left them with a very poor feel in the hand and poor plastic moulded imitation wood grips didn’t really set my world alight either, as you couldn’t change them much as the gas storage was usually tucked away inside the pistol grip. I was also wary about trying to holster them hard and fast as they felt fragile; things of beauty to look at but far from practical. Recently (and thankfully) though, that has changed

with the Chiappa Rhino. Most famously and obviously used by Colin Farrell and Kate Beckinsale in the remake of “Total Recall” and not so obviously by Linda Hamilton in “Terminator: Dark Fate” (one of the redeeming features of the movie for me if I’m honest!) the Rhino has gripped many an airsofter as “the wheelgun of the future” already and, as an eminently usable airsoft pistol, it’s endeared itself to me as well.

A MIGHTY BIG HANDFUL!

I’ll get this out of the way straight off… the airsoft Rhino is one big, sweet handful of pistol! At just over a kilo this is absolutely no lightweight but the unusual design, carried over from the “real deal”, actually lets you handle it like a far smaller handgun. As with the real firearm, lowering the barrel results in it not sitting in the traditional position and having a BB fire from the “top” of the cylinder, but instead the Rhino fires from the bottom. This change in overall design transfers the weight and balance and lets the Rhino sit much lower in your hand and you don’t experience as much of a “height over bore” issue as other, more “traditional”, revolvers either. In the real thing this also helps with recoil mitigation as the barrel sits much lower, making the transfer of rearward force straight back into the arm of the shooter. In practical terms this design also allows the pistol to have a beaver tail at the rear of the grip, allowing the shooter to have a relatively high grip for a revolver. As you might expect, the Rhino is all metal, in this case a nice quality alloy which adds to the overall feel. Everything is very sweetly put together and finished, with zero “shake, rattle or roll” apparent anywhere, even when it comes to the cylinder fit. With many airsoft revolvers the cylinder feels quite rattly but there’s none of that with the Rhino, and this leads to a superb seal between the barrel and chamber, which (with the fixed hop) means that you can use virtually any weight of BB within reason and get great performance in relation to accuracy. There’s the double-action trigger that you would expect, so that you can cock the pistol using the hammer, or jut pull the trigger in single action as you desire. One strange feature to note here, is that cocking using the hammer actually actuates an internal mechanism (again like the real thing) and, in principle, this should make the trigger more

“I’LL GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY STRAIGHT OFF… THE AIRSOFT RHINO IS ONE BIG, SWEET HANDFUL OF PISTOL! AT JUST OVER A KILO THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHTWEIGHT BUT THE UNUSUAL DESIGN, CARRIED OVER FROM THE “REAL DEAL”, ACTUALLY LETS YOU HANDLE IT LIKE A FAR SMALLER HANDGUN.” www.airsoftaction.net

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

armoury CHIAPPA RHINO

responsive and easier to pull – but It doesn’t! If anything, the trigger sensitivity “pre-cocked” is heavier than in single action, which is a bit odd but you soon get used to it and I’m certain that, like me, you’ll soon find the “take-up-sweet-spot”. When you do pre-cock the Rhino, there’s a super little red indicator nub that pops up next to the hammer on the left to show that you’re hot-to-trot and ready to fire. A trigger safety is also located just to the rear of the hammer for keeping things controlled properly when the pistol is not in use, or when it’s stored.

BACK TO BASICS

As with many airsoft revolvers, the Rhino is powered by a CO2 Bulb in the pistol grip, which splits like a clamshell to give access. A nice touch is a hex-key that’s an integral part of the (actually quite nicely done) nicely logo’d fake-wood grips. Going absolutely back to “airsoft revolver 101” basics you simply pop a single BB in each shell and load them into the cylinder. With the BBs loaded you’re ready to hit the targets. I tried the pistol in numerous “pancake” and shoulder holsters designed for revolvers and one problem is that the Rhino is such an unusual shape that you’ll probably need a dedicated carrying solution, which hardly came as a surprise. With this done, first stop (as ever) for me was the chronograph and I got an extremely consistent mean of 1.01 Joule/330fps using .20g BBs, which was decidedly pleasing. Moving up to .30g BBs, accurate placement of shots and good groupings are possible at 10m thanks not only to the consistent power, but also thanks to adjustable rear sights and a clearly defined front sight. Moving to a heavier BB is certainly the right thing to do with the Rhino, and it really does seem to be just

about perfect on a .30g. Fitting a taclite onto the lower rail may pose a few problems with positioning for ease of activation and I actually found that my INFORCE rifle light worked better on the Rhino than my Surefire X300… and honestly, it looked pretty cool too in a futuristic, slight sci-fi way! For close-in work this pistol is going to be every bit as accurate as you need and it really is just so much fun to shoot! Developed by engineers from Chiappa Firearms in Italy, BO Manufacture in France, Wingun in Taiwan and assembled in Italy in the Chiappa Firearms factory in Brescia, this unusual and striking revolver certainly ranks right up there in terms of quality and performance but, unlike some, the Rhino has both usable power allied to durability of construction. I’m not going to say for a moment that this is a pistol model that will suit, or even appeal, to everyone but if you’d like something unusual and with a character all its own and that still offers great range and shoots as straight as a laser, then the Rhino is a must have! For more information on this lovely revolver please pay a visit to www.iwholesales.co.uk, and my sincere thanks go to them for the loan of the test sample. AA

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RELOADED WE MP5K

EMISSION POSSIBLE: 3

THERE ARE FEW REAL STEEL PLATFORMS AS ICONIC AND INSTANTLY RECOGNISABLE AS THE HECKLER & KOCH “MASCHINE PISTOLE 5” OR, AS WE KNOW IT, THE “MP5”. AA LEGIONNAIRE, STEWBACCA, REVISITS THIS AIRSOFT STALWART, IN THE FORM OF THE WETECH APACHE MP5K.

rom the outstanding free advertising in the hands of the UK’s SAS resolving the Iranian Embassy siege, to the ubiquity in media and video games and no doubt many of you, like me and the Airsoft Action Red Cell folks, recently enjoyed the great Christmas tradition of watching Die Hard …with a suitable MP5 to hand if you own one! From its initial introduction in the late 1960’s, to its continued presence even today in the hands of military and law enforcement operatives the world over, the HK MP5 has cemented itself as a firearms cultural centrepiece. It is the “model of comparison”, or what everyone seeks to better, with its roller delayed action famous from its WW2 origins and the Mauser works engineers (who would go on to work for CETME in Spain before founding Heckler & Koch in Oberndorf, in Germany), building on the decades of firearms experience that brought the world the G3 battle rifle, which was then scaled down to its new 9mm sibling, in the guise of the submachine gun. Personally, I’ve owned various versions over my years of airsofting, with JG and Galaxy MP5J, MP5A4 and MP5k PDW AEGs back in the UK and now for most of my time in Taiwan, a second-hand WETech Apache MP5k PDW GBB. With imminent plans to obtain more spare components, magazines and a solid stock, as well as either a WETech MP5A3 or MP5SD3 in early 2021, to allow me to cover a wider range of models with replaceable telescopic, folding or fixed stocks.

SHOOTING FUN!

Having acquired my own from a local player who was selling his off and given the apparent difficulty in sourcing them (judging by the amount of questions

MARCH 2021

I’m asked as to where I got mine), I was happy to add it to my ever-growing collection of HK-themed GBBs. Although its manual of arms and reloading are arguably outdated and more cumbersome than more modern platforms, the fun factor of shooting it and enjoying the handling and iconic style of it in game and in close quarters environments, is undeniable! With the relatively short 50mm stroke compared to larger rifle platforms, its response and dwell time as such are much snappier, although the bolt assembly itself is significantly heavier than the likes of my MP7’s. As a result of this heavier bolt group, the recoil is fairly clunky and forceful and although arguably not as crisp as the MP7, it has never left me wanting or able to outrun it with my trigger finger. The trigger itself is consistent, if a little creepy or spongy. Unlike an ARstyle trigger, there isn’t a two stage take-up and then wall break but the 1.5kg/3lb weight is continuously taken up before the sear break at about 6mm (out of the around 8mm of total travel), with a reset click occurring at the very front of return travel, which at least makes it easy to loose multiple rounds in semiauto in quick succession due to the predictable travel during its cycle. The performance is perhaps limited due to the short barrel, comparable to any typical pistol at around 100mm overall length, with a muzzle velocity around 85-95m/s (280-310fps) and definitely a lower accuracy or shot placement consistency compared to the likes of my other GBBs. Perhaps with an upgraded tightbore barrel in future, I might be able to achieve greater consistency with my typical 0.3g BLS ammunition. Nonetheless, it is already predictable enough to achieve shots on body-sized targets in CQB environments and with the claw mount picatinny rail adaptor installed on its upper receiver, it can accept a

RELOADED WE MP5K

suitable red dot or even holographic sight to suit your tastes or requirements. I immediately purchased and affixed a T2-style, heavy-duty red dot sight on a fixed riser unit with a through-vision slot to enable iron sight usage, which not only gives the classic MP5 look but also provides excellent practicality and durability. The included muzzle device allows not only for standard 14mm threaded adaptor usage for silencer or tracer units but also the typical three lug silencer adaptor of HK style barrels. I tend to run a tracer unit on my own during games, having used it for my occasional SpeedQB game involvement thus far, due to its compact nature and relatively high 45 round magazine capacity. Aside from the new PP2K, Thompson or P90 (and discounting cumbersome drum magazines), the highest capacity of any GBB SMG or PDW I’ve found thus far and I tend to run two of them taped together with a spacer in the “jungle mag” or “Wmag” format. I like to use this for all my guns as it allows for rapid reloading without the requirement for re-indexing empty magazines or retrieving a fresh one and all the time (and fumbling) associated with doing so! 90 rounds is usually sufficient for most game rounds in the CQB environments I play in and, failing that, I will sling the MP5k PDW across my back and switch to whatever sidearm I’m running that day. There is also an interchangeable flush variant of the muzzle nut I acquired, to give the sleeker appearance of the flat fronted unsuppressed MP5k, as seen in the likes of “Mission Impossible: 3”.

THE BEST THINGS…

The WETech MP5k PDW weighs in at an overall “dry” weight of 2.7kg with no magazine fitted, no doubt thanks to its realistic stamped sheet steel construction and the hefty bolt carrier group and fire control group. With the T2 red dot and twin 45 round magazine pack fitted, the overall weight tops out at exactly 4kg, the heaviest replica I have (second only to my LCT HK33, which is considerably bulkier but only half a kilo heavier) but despite such mass, it is all concentrated into a small package. This makes it easy enough to handle and operate, although it can put a little strain on your arms if you are holding it at the “low ready” or not shouldering it or crouching into a stance with it for prolonged periods. This is not something typical for me and the integral vertical foregrip and side folding triangular PDW stock do at least make it comfortable and easy to control and shoulder effectively. For me, one of the great selling points for the WETech Apache series, is its inclusion of the threeround burst functionality before many other GBB

offerings did so. Admittedly, this is an older, simpler system akin to the burst ratchet mechanism of AR platforms, which has a “memory” and will always count out the number of rounds before resetting, whether the cycle is interrupted or not during firing. So if you fire one shot and release the trigger, the next trigger press will release a maximum of two rounds before resetting the burst cycle, unlike the real steel HK and more recent VFC systems, which always reset regardless of progress through the burst. This feature also has a tendency to wear on a particular internal part, which then leads to firing of four rounds per burst in some cases as the total round count climbs over the life of the gun. This can be remedied with regular servicing and replacement of the culprit component. The other benefit of the WETech MP5k series, is the inclusion of an empty chamber gas valve deflection unit, which lifts the valve striker above (and out of alignment with) the magazine valve once the last round has been fired. This allows for dry firing in general, causing the hammer to drive the striker forward without it striking the valves and therefore not firing on an empty chamber, thus replicating the functionality of the real steel gun properly. As there is no bolt hold open functionality on the MP5, the bolt will drop on an empty magazine and chamber and result in a dry fire/ the hammer falling on an empty chamber as well. This can, however, be overridden should you wish to dry fire test magazines during maintenance; there are nubs on the top of the magazines which can lock the followers down to avoid the valve striker being deflected by them inside the gun. In terms of other mechanical failures during the two or so years I’ve had the MP5k PDW, I’ve had to replace the main hammer spring guide rod inside the fire control group. This failed mid-firefight and obviously jammed up the gun! The rod has a hole through it which is used to capture the mainspring during reassembly of the whole fire control group which, unfortunately, also represents a weak point and likely location of failure. Aside from that somewhat catastrophic failure in-game, there have also been a few oddities in operation. The bolt carrier group itself is comprised of softer alloy, so to avoid excessive wear it has a steel shoe installed on its lower face which trips the auto sear bar in the fire control group. I have had to reattach or replace this on a few occasions, as the original small retention screw found its way out and probably ended up in the fire control group, before falling www.airsoftaction.net

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BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: £49.95

RELOADED WE MP5K

out completely at some point. I ended up gluing the original and replacement ones back in place. If (or perhaps when) this wear component falls off, it prevents the reset of the fire control group and auto sear, so the bolt will cycle properly but the hammer will fail to drop due to the sears not resetting as the bolt returns to battery at the end of the firing cycle. This has happened a couple of times during a firefight, resulting in runaway, full-auto fire - or just a dead gun! The bolt carrier group also has retention screws in both sides of it for the telescopic gas nozzle, which is retained by plastic inserts disguised as the roller locking components of the real gun. These have caused some issues in the past, by hanging up on internal surfaces of the receiver, with the screws backing out and catching on the receiver, causing the bolt to jam occasionally during its forward return movement into battery. The outer barrel is screwed onto a threaded section split across both of the hop unit shell halves, which fractured during a range night session while I was at KUI Airsoft. The outer barrel, front sight and cocking tube then fell off forwards somewhat comically and I had to acquire spares to repair the hop unit and the outer barrel assembly. Aside from these relatively minor (and easily remedied failures) I haven’t experienced any other problems with the WETech MP5k PDW. The magazines

require the usual maintenance to prevent slow leaks or underperformance over the long term but, other than that - and the room for improvement in terms of basic accuracy or consistency regarding the barrel - it presents a very solid and reliable replica, which is eminently enjoyable to make use of in game. The takedown procedure is very much like that of the real steel, with the typical process of cycling the action to cock the hammer, then removing the two rear body pins which hold the buttplate to the main receiver, as well as holding the fire control group pistol grip unit upward in place. Once this is done, the stock and butt plate can be removed - usually springing backwards due to the recoil spring - then the fire control group can be rotated down to allow the recoil springs and bolt carrier group to be removed out of the rear. If the fire control group also requires maintenance then the front body pin can also be removed to separate it from the main receiver body. Despite the very occasional failures of individual components within the fire control group, the WETech MP5k PDW GBB has performed excellently and reliably throughout my use of it. It has been well worth the investment, to the point that I very much want to expand my collection, especially having used my teammate’s MP5A3 in some games. If you can find one, or get the chance to borrow one, I’d certainly recommend giving it a try for the fun factor alone! AA

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TECHNICAL MASTER MODS

MASTER MODS AIRSOFT UPGRADE PARTS In association with

ALTHOUGH IT’S OUR BELIEF THAT EVERY AEG OR GBB SHOULD COME AS “FULLY FUNCTIONAL” FROM THE BOX, AIRSOFT ACTION ARE ALWAYS PLEASED TO HEAR ABOUT NEW UPGRADE PARTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE OF OUR TRUSTED BRANDS IS INVOLVED. ICS WERE KIND ENOUGH TO SUPPLY US SOME OF THE PARTS THEY DISTRIBUTE FROM MASTER MODS, SO WE TASKED JIMMY TO GET TO WORK AND CHECK THEM OUT!

his month I have been presented with yet another haul of shiny goodness, courtesy of Olivia over at ICS - and who doesn’t love shiny goodness! I have been looking at some of Master Mods’ very impressive internal parts, which you can purchase here in the UK from the chaps over at Fire Support (www.fire-support.co.uk). Never heard of Master Mods? NO! Well neither had I until just recently, as ICS and Master Mods have collaborated to bring you some of the highest quality internal upgrade parts - and boy are they high quality! Yes, they are distributed by ICS but that does not mean they are proprietary, as they cross over and fit other brands exceedingly well. We were sent a nice little bundle which included two precision barrels, piston, piston head, cylinder and nozzle. I couldn’t wait to get these open and have a nosey and my first initial thoughts were “WOW these look expensive!” so, first up I looked into how much these parts would be setting you back. Pleasantly surprised was I to see the prices were actually very respectable. I was expecting to see a much higher price if I’m honest which would reflect the quality. These mods are coming in at a middle-of-the-market price bracket but can easily hold their own with the

biggest names in airsoft mods. I had a couple of rifles which were in need of a little love, so off I went to the man cave with mods (and coffee) in hand. I would be testing the parts on a nearly two-year old (and well-abused) G&G GC16 Predator, plus a relatively new Specna SA-E12 PDW. One thing that stood out for me (and altered some of my opinions) was the barrels and the new R hop setup from Master Mods. I’ve never seen the fascination and indeed, never felt the need, to R-Hop a barrel, purely for the fact that it is a fine art and a lengthy process. For me it is a lot of faffing when, quite frankly, you can get the same results from doing things another way, where it’s just a case of fitting which saves you so much time. What Master Mods have done in my eyes is to reinvent the R-Hop and it’s really quite genius, as it allows you to have a R-Hop without the cutting, trimming, gluing and sanding. Included with the precision machined barrel you get an AEG flat hop rubber, GBBR flat hop rubber, an R-Hop patch and a nice little very-well- machined brass tensioner, so that one barrel can be used on different styles of rifle. The R patch is a little ring which fits over the hop window and sits very precisely and flush with the barrel and the flat rubber sits snug over the top. Once

“I HAD A COUPLE OF RIFLES WHICH WERE IN NEED OF A LITTLE LOVE, SO OFF I WENT TO THE MAN CAVE WITH MODS (AND COFFEE) IN HAND. I WOULD BE TESTING THE PARTS ON A NEARLY TWO-YEAR OLD (AND WELL-ABUSED) G&G GC16 PREDATOR, PLUS A RELATIVELY NEW SPECNA SA-E12 PDW. ”

MARCH 2021

TECHNICAL MASTERE MODS

both are fitted they give an amazing air seal when fitted in the hop chamber, so good in fact, that I had to detune the Specna to bring it back down to legal limits - and the same with the G&G! Just the barrel alone gave me an increase of nearly 40fps and a substantial increase on range over the stock Specna barrel and rubber. I fitted the rest of the parts to the G&G, with some minor alterations to the cylinder head, which took all of 10 seconds just to make the holes fit over the locating pins inside the gearbox casing. Once they were all fitted I was eager to get testing and I was a little disappointed at first, as I had a drop in power output. Puzzled… Hmmm… What could be the problem? So, I started the process of elimination and it fast became apparent as to what the problem was: the aluminium nozzle wasn’t sealing inside the hop rubber feed lips. So, I had to dismantle the gun once more and remove the Master Mods nozzle, replacing it with the stock G&G nozzle, only to find when chrono’d again that the power was now at 380fps. So the nozzle was the issue 100%. 380fps though, on a gun that was only pushing around 295fps to start with! I’m very impressed with the parts as I was using the original spring, which obviously meant the stock G&G parts weren’t giving a good air seal. The Master Mods nozzle is very flat and square edged on the end, with no taper for it to seal on the rubber (which was strange) and I can’t see why they would do this. Was it a manufacturer defect or an actual design flaw? We shall endeavour to find out.

FITTED TO PERFECTION

Let’s have a look at exactly the parts fitted in the G&G. 300mm stainless 6.04mm barrel which has been precisely machined and finished to an exceptional standard, with not a single flaw to be found. I personally prefer a 6.03 or a 6.02 but I have no complaints over accuracy or range achieved with the Master Mods parts - I was losing sight of the BB they were travelling that far! The combination of their barrel and new R-Hop setup is a game-changer and the 14-tooth metal racked reinforced piston is of superior quality and it is honestly so solid. I haven’t ever seen a piston as beefy

or as strong as the Master Mods piston, so I can’t see this breaking any time soon. The metal teeth of the piston mesh really cleanly with the G&G sector gear, so they should wear relatively well, prolonging the life. The spring was a nice snug fit also, which I believe is the reason why it no longer twangs after each shot. The runners are very smooth, making piston travel much more efficient (I’ve definitely found my new replacement pistons!). The 6061 aluminium 8 vent piston head is a nice chunky piece of kit, which comes with a thrust washer and the anodising is near perfect. It’s been etched with the Master Mods logo, not that it’s on show but it is a nice little touch of class. It sealed well in the stock cylinder, giving me most of the power uplift due to its superior seal. The 6061 aluminium cylinder head is again of high quality and has a nice little feature to the front. It has a rubber insert which, when fitted, cushions the head against the inside of the gearbox. Sadly, I had to remove this in order for it to fit the G&G gearbox but that said, it didn’t take away any of its performance. Two O-rings give a really good seal; it was a little tight to fit but nothing a little silicone oil couldn’t fix. The two holes which hold the cylinder head in place had to be very slightly modified in order for it to fit over the pins but I’m not talking anything drastic, no more than 1mm of material removal to get it sitting over the pins (and it’s not the first time I’ve had to do this to a cylinder head!). Sadly, the 6061 aluminium M4/M16 cross air nozzle was a bit of a let-down for me if I’m honest. The nozzle itself is a lovely piece of kit with its O-rings and its cross cut on the end for air direction, with a great finish on the anodising but it’s just I feel the flat nontapered end has made this part the lesser for me. We’ve now spoken to the Master Mods techs about this, and they told us: “We consider it’s important when players are getting this nozzle from Master Mods, that they need to check if their stock gun fits 21mm, which is on the nozzle marking, because there is always dimensional tolerance between each brand and the boxes. Though it says it’s for “M4” (which we will amend to be clearer), still, there are dimensional gaps and the user may have to do some adjustment. Therefore, maybe we will develop more nozzles of different

“THE 6061 ALUMINIUM CYLINDER HEAD IS AGAIN OF HIGH QUALITY AND HAS A NICE LITTLE FEATURE TO THE FRONT. IT HAS A RUBBER INSERT WHICH, WHEN FITTED, CUSHIONS THE HEAD AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE GEARBOX. ”

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STRETCH PANTS BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: £69.95

TECHNICAL MASTERE AEG MOTORS MODS

lengths in the future to fit more brands specifically!” This is a great response and a real step in the right direction; not everyone understands the importance of correct nozzle length and it would be a good idea to offer different lengths as not all are 21mm. I’m always happy to recommend brands that truly listen to feedback, another huge plus for Master Mods in my view! With the exception of the nozzle, the rest of the mods have transformed the G&G into something quite remarkable! It’s better than it has ever been (which wasn’t all that bad to start with!) and I can only applaud both ICS and Master Mods on some fine, high-quality parts products that are a joy to work with! I would like to say a massive thank you to Olivia from ICS for sending us the parts to test out. It has

been great fun and who knows, maybe, just maybe, I might be converted to using a master mods R-Hop over my usually brands! Time will tell… AA

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TECHNICAL AEG MOTORS

THE FUTURE OF AEG MOTORS AIRSOFT ACTION TECH TEAM MEMBER, JIMMY, HAS A BIT OF A “THING” ABOUT UPGRADING HIS PERSONAL AEGS TO GET MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE, COUPLED WITH MAXIMUM DURABILITY FROM THEM AND RECENTLY HE PUT HIS KNOWLEDGE TO GOOD USE BY THOROUGHLY “BEASTING” SOME UNIQUE NEW MOTOR TECHNOLOGY FROM WARHEAD INDUSTRIES - AND LIKED WHAT HE FOUND… A LOT!

ack in November, during my daily perusal of a certain social media platform, I stumbled across a newly born brand and what they had to offer really caught my attention. After several days of researching this company and watching numerous videos I was convinced that what they had manufactured was something truly quite amazing and, in my opinion, could very easily become a market leader. A bold claim I know, the brand I’m talking about is Warhead Industries and they have created what I believe to be the best brushless motor to date! Let’s be real here; when it comes to airsoft motors, we are really quite behind the times compared to the guys in the RC industry, who have been using - to great effect - brushless motors for over 15 years now and we need to be seeing better motor technology. Yes, the brushed motors we all use do work and do a good job but they are flawed in more way than one. A brushed motor has certain parts that wear, for example brushes and a commentator, which require the users to either replace or maintain, whereas a brushless motor (there’s a small clue) does not have these flaws as such. Brushed motors come in a variety of guises… you have speed motors, balanced motors and torque motors; each motor differs in performance and is denoted by the TPA (Turns Per Armature). Brushless

motors come in a variety of guises also but brushless motors are generically torquey motors and do not rely on TPA, as they are governed by something called “Kv”. “What does Kv mean?” I hear you ask. Kv refers to the constant velocity of the unloaded motor and it is measured by the amount of turns that motor will rotate when using 1volt of power. As with any motor, the more power you throw at it the faster it will turn. That is a given but a brushless motor will literally absorb everything that you can throw at it! Having done my research, I was mightily impressed with what I was seeing and, with the help of Airsoft Action, I had an arsenal of tools to enable me to approach Warhead industries in the hope of getting some sample motors which they were putting the final touches to. I found myself talking to a lovely guy called Ben Lawrence (who is the European “go to guy”) and he was more than happy to let me have a couple of samples to test. Might I add, the level of service these guys have provided has been second to none, top notch communication, they are very openminded and are super eager to hear feedback from the people using their motors. Warhead Industries are a sub-company of KO Technologies, who are experts in the design and manufacture of brushless motors and electric vehicle

“…WHEN IT COMES TO AIRSOFT MOTORS, WE ARE REALLY QUITE BEHIND THE TIMES COMPARED TO THE GUYS IN THE RC INDUSTRY, WHO HAVE BEEN USING - TO GREAT EFFECT BRUSHLESS MOTORS FOR OVER 15 YEARS NOW AND WE NEED TO BE SEEING BETTER MOTOR TECHNOLOGY.”

MARCH 2021

TECHNICAL AEG MOTORS

technology and currently work with some of the biggest names in the world, delivering product and bespoke solutions. They have spent many years refining the perfect motor. Their experts hail from Europe, UK, Australia and China and the manufacturing facility is based in Wuxi, China, in the Jiangsu province. The new brushless motor from them offers the user amazing performance across power, response and torque allowing you to dominate the field. The motor has been designed from the ground up, with the highest specification and the greatest quality and utilising the best parts available on the market in order to offer what they claim to be the best AEG motor to date.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST!

I was excited to receive the motors and very eager to get some testing done and, to be honest, I was like a child waiting for Christmas (I am a great fan of brushless motors from my years racing RC drift cars)! Upon arrival I was impressed with the packaging, this was just a sample model and the packaging was very retail-ready and the motor was nicely nestled in a quality foam cradle, which was very reassuring to see. I removed the motor to find that I had to fit the pinion gear which was no real

issue as it was a D pinion, so nice and easy to fit (be sure and use a nice strong loctite and use a sufficient amount). There is a reason it has a D pinion, as Warhead didn’t want you to be tied to just one pinion (not all pinion gears are made equal), so you have the option to use another brand which may mesh better with your gearset. With the pinion head fitted and while I was waiting for the loctite to set, it gave me the opportunity to have a real good look at the motor and I honestly could not find one single flaw, this thing was made to perfection. The quality of the 7075 aluminium casing was very high. It has a solid CNC base plate which will accommodate any height adjustment screw. The

CNC shaft is fitted with the well-known ezo bearings for minimum friction and strength to boot. There’s very crisp laser etching (which is a nice touch) on the outside, so this motor screams quality but, for me, it’s all about the numbers and the output. With the loctite set after 24 hours I dropped the motor into my upgraded PDW ready for a day of testing. I use a Jefftron Leviathan which enables me to see exactly how the motor is performing and on a 7.4v battery I saw instant gains over my brushed motor, giving me an increase in efficiency and a vast increase on my ROF, jumping from 12rps to 22rps! Cycle time had improved greatly, which made semi auto very fast, making the follow-up shot so much quicker. Amperage draw had been decreased by 25%, meaning less stress on my batteries and giving me a longer battery life. I spent 12,000 BBs on 7.4v and the motor did not once miss a beat - and I was not being nice to it! Mag after mag and temps on the Mosfet didn’t go past 35 degrees on the Leviathan. I went for another mag dump and my rifle made a horrendous screech; you all know that sound, we’ve all heard it! I removed the motor to discover to my horror that the pinion head was no longer attached to the shaft. I could only imagine the horror that I was going to discover. I was expecting the worst, so I had to pull the gearbox to make sure but there was nothing adverse to be found, not even a scratch to my amazement, so I retired back to the drawing board. I mentioned earlier about using a strong Loctite? Yeah, I found out for myself that you need a good loctite on an ultra-high-speed motor. I purchased a stronger loctite but this time I also put a small amount on the shaft itself as well as the grub screw and again allowed 24 hours for it to cure. In the meantime a colleague had dared me to test my SSG build using an 11.1v battery… How reluctant was I, given the fact the super-high-speed model spins in excess of 50,000 rpm on 11.1v and I hadn’t built this to sustain a high ROF and was running a M105 spring? I was about as reluctant as a kid being taken to the dentist! I really did not want to do it but, for the purpose of science and you, the readers, I bit the bullet (or should that be BB???). With gritted teeth and breath held I squeezed the trigger and, to my amazement, my rifle cycled at an incredible rate and I cannot lie, I grinned like a Cheshire cat and chuckled like an evil villain… Mwah ha ha ha! It was fair game from that point on and I was in my element, spitting out BBs at a rate of 36rps! OMG! I

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TECHNICAL AEG MOTORS

have never had that rate of fire in my life and I don’t know many people who strive for that kind of fire power. The fact my gearbox withstood that kind of punishment astonished me, as it was not built for a high ROF seeing I used 18:1 ratio gears. I continued the abuse and dumped another 6,000 BBs in about an hour, mag dump after mag dump and not once did that motor hesitate. The motor also has incorporated a built in custom designed ESC (Electric Speed Controller) which features a handy LVC (Low Voltage Cutoff) at 3.1v and over current draw, which will protect your LiPo batteries from over discharge which can cause you cells to degrade.

THE NEED FOR SPEED!

Warhead have produced three speed variants to their motors and at present they are only available in a long shaft but the wait won’t be long for a short shaft version. You can find all the info at www. warheadindustries.com Version 1: Ultra high speed 35,000rpm 7.4v52,000rpm 11.1v Version 2: High speed 25,000rpm 7.4v- 36,000rpm 11.1v Version 3: standard speed 20,000rpm 7.4v30,000rpm 11.1v Why would you want to use a brushless motor in your AEG? To start with, it is the step forward that AEG motor technology needs, quite frankly! Brushless output is significantly higher and has more efficient output and has a lower susceptibility to mechanical wear than their brushed counterparts. Brushless motors also offer a number of advantages, including: • higher torque to weight ratio • increased torque per watt of power input • increased reliability and lower maintenance requirements • reduced operational noise • increased lifespan • elimination of ionizing sparks from the commutator as it hasn’t got one • near elimination of electromagnetic interference I would like to thank Warhead industries for allowing me to give this motor a damn good torturetesting and I really look forward to what they have in store for the future of airsoft. Please do watch this space and follow us for more info as we shall be giving away to one lucky reader one of these beautiful motors soon! AA

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FEATURE IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT

FOUR MINUTE WARNING!

FOLLOWING LAST MONTH’S FEATURE AND WHILST HE WAITS FOR VARIOUS COMPONENTS TO ARRIVE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC-SLOWED INTERNATIONAL POST SYSTEM FOR THE MISSILE SILOS, JAMES MOVES ON TO THE NEXT PROJECT ON HIS LIST. IN PART 1 OF 2, HE DETAILS HIS RESEARCH TO CREATE A WORKING VERSION OF THE UK COLD WAR ERA “HANDLE” WARNING SYSTEM!

hinking about what makes airsoft immersive to players, a big part comes from our senses. The sight of plumes of smoke coming from smoke grenades and the flash of MK5s and Tag rounds detonating over the battlespace draw us in visually. When it comes to hotly contested targets, the sounds of GBBRs cracking, AEGs running full-auto bursts and the thud of incoming pyro certainly gets the adrenaline pumping. There is one iconic sound related to warfare, especially here in the U.K., that is missing though, one that’s instantly recognizable and could work in a number of scenarios - and that’s the humble British Air Raid Siren. Simply having a siren on a pole which you switch on and off would give you that sound instantly, job done! But after research the UK’s warning system I found there was a lot more involved to make that siren start and the idea of making a representation of that system you could interact with began to form.

”HANDLE”: THE UK NUCLEAR ATTACK WARNING SYSTEM

In the immediate period after the WWII, most parts of

the remote-control system for the public air raid sirens were scrapped, with only some parts of the system adapted for rural fire stations to call out firemen. By the early 1950’s and with the cold war tensions rising, the Home Office made the decision to reinstate the air raid warning system. A new system known as “Post Office System E” was installed by General Post Office (GPO)/Post Office Telephones who, at the time, were the sole provider of the telecom network to public and military, to remotely control the sirens from central locations. During the 1960’s the system was upgraded to the first incarnation of “HANDLE”, the code name given to the warning system, which used 250 Carrier control points based at police stations all over the country. The system was split into two units; WB600 (WB standing for wire broadcast) which controlled the air raid sirens and WB400 was the receiver for speech and warning signals. At the time of installation little was known about the effects of EMP (electromagnetic pulse) released during a nuclear detonation and, as a consequence, this system would have been vulnerable in the event of attack.

“THERE IS ONE ICONIC SOUND RELATED TO WARFARE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN THE U.K., THAT IS MISSING THOUGH, ONE THAT’S INSTANTLY RECOGNIZABLE AND COULD WORK IN A NUMBER OF SCENARIOS - AND THAT’S THE HUMBLE BRITISH AIR RAID SIREN.”

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FEATURE IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT

By the 1980’s British Telecom was in charge of the UK’s telecom network and a new system was being introduced to replace the ageing technology. This time taking account for the effects of EMP, the WB1400 equipment carriers replaced the units at police stations and WB1400 Receiver speech and signalling replaced the units at warning points and siren stations. This version of “HANDLE” ran until the end of the Cold War, until the UK made the discussion to decommission it in 1992. Now just a few sirens remain in use as flood warnings in coastal areas, in chemical plants or as escaped inmate warnings at some psychiatric institutions but even now, these are slowly being decommissioned to be replaced by text alert systems, sending alerts directly to people’s mobile phones and the iconic siren warble will be consigned to history. It is this last version of the system I shall make a representation of.

HOW IT WORKED FOR REAL

Even today here in the UK, if you dial 123 on a BT landline or on some mobile networks, you will connected to the UK’s “talking clock”, telling you “At the third stroke the time will be... XX:XX”, followed by three “pips”. The number may have changed but, started in 1936 by the GPO, this service has been running ever since. However, if you had rung the talking clock at 02.00 or 02.15am on the 1st Wednesday of the month in January, April, July or October before 1992, you would have heard a BT engineer stating “this BT testing from...” followed by a random UK town name, before it kicked back to the talking clock. This rather innocent sounding test was, in actual fact, a test of the secret “HANDLE” nuclear warning system. Utilizing the public talking clock circuits, BT exchanges and existing telephone trunk lines it sent attack warnings all over the UK. In its finale guise, the initial warning would be sent from The Air Defence Operations Centre at Strike Command in RAF High Wycombe, with its back up location being Preston U.K.W.M.O Sector Headquarters. The WB1800 units at these locations, when activated, would seize control of the UK’s two main public talking clock circuits and send a sequence of tones to activate the 250 WB1400 carrier control points at police stations around the UK, wired into these circuits at local BT Exchanges. At the police stations the two red phones on the WB1400 equipment carrier (one for the X Circuit, one for the Y Circuit) indicator lights would illuminate, along with a ring tone. By picking up either set the War Officer on duty would receive a spoken message of national

attack warning. When the broadcast was complete the circuits would be released and would return to the talking clock. The reason behind the use of the public circuits was that they already existed and were maintained by BT against faults, so were a very effective cost-saving way to run the system. On receipt of the attack warning, the message it sent would then be passed on via the same unit (by lifting both red handsets) to the warning points in that sector. In total, 20,000 warning points around the UK, including R.O.C Monitoring posts, RGHQ’s, military installations, fire stations and centres of industry (to name a few) would receive the warning via the WB1400 receiver speech units at their locations. A series of tones sent from the carrier control points via the BT Exchanges would active these units and start a six-second “warbling” attack signal, which would then be followed by a spoken “Attack Warning Red” broadcast from the carrier control points. From there, the final part was to warn the public of impending doom! Back on the WB1400 equipment carrier at the police carrier control point, a master key turn and button sends the attack warning signal to WB1400 Receiver Signalling units in street cabinets and high buildings at 7,000 locations, telling the air raid sirens to start. By using these tone sequences the system was protected from accidental activation by short circuits and the like. With all this information in hand, I set to re-creating my very own “HANDLE”, a “prop” that could be made to work in an airsoft game setting with some effort - but one that could certainly add a real air of tension. I imagine that an industrial-level siren going off would certainly get your attention and in a “Cold war Goes Hot” game it would most certainly add to the immersion level! Next month I’ll show you how I went about the project! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

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armoury MODIFY PP-2K

PP-2K

HAVING A “MAN ON THE GROUND” IS THE ROUTE TO “THE BEST INTEL”. AIRSOFT ACTION LEGIONNAIRE, “STEWBACCA”, IS RIGHT IN THE THICK OF TAIWANESE AIRSOFT AND ABLE TO BRING THE LATEST FROM THE AIRSOFT COMPANIES THAT RESIDE THERE, INCLUDING MODIFY AND THEIR PP2K.

he airsoft circuit can often seem very “boom and bust”, in terms of new releases hitting the market, waiting for one of the mainstream manufacturers to risk something new, or looking for something “other than an M4” as many will lament (usually without understanding the sheer investment involved in such differentiation). The majority of airsoft manufacturers seem to follow the same development arc over their lifespans… beginning as a distributor or custom parts manufacturer, progressing to releasing their own full gun (usually a simple air cocking or electric model), before finally venturing into the most complex realm of gas blowback technology. The majority of manufacturers will also make these steps using derivatives of proven platforms or technologies; most likely derived from Tokyo Marui’s long standing product lines and developments. Modify of Taoyuan in Taiwan, however, decided to “go big or go home” with their first foray into the gas blowback market, by showcasing their bold new design at the Military Outdoor and Airsoft in 2019 (as featured in my article in Airsoft Action Issue 110, back in February 2020) and breaking clear away from the pack by undertaking a totally new replica model as a totally new GBB producer, the Russian-made PP2K/PP2000 PDW/SMG. Garnering immediate attention, both for their entrance into the GBB field as well as their atypical (and much sought after) choice of initial offering, I was very pleased to spend some time on their booth back in 2019 and get the low down from their staff.

Having already visited their facility way back in early 2018, I was already familiar with them at least. Fast forward to late 2020 and the PP2K was finally released following delays due to the pandemic and the impact it’s had on all industries, even though Taiwan has been largely unaffected in terms of infection. I managed to score an early release model complete with its carry case, “hug emoji” PP2K velcro patch, short gas magazine, long gas magazine and long CO2 magazine, plus, of course, the gun itself, all encased in cellular foam I later cut out to conform to the gun and mags. Having a penchant for CQB short profile weapons and related gaming environments I was very excited to try out the shiny new gun and, in particular, assess how it fares compared with my KWA MP7 GBB and WETech MP5k PDW GBB. Having done some research into what optics are suitable to use in conjunction with it, I found something akin to a C-More open reflex, a short hooded Holosun style windowed optic, as well as some Russian troops making use of the EOTech 558 mounted at the very front of the short picatinny rail atop the receiver. As most will know, I have an affinity for EOTechs despite them being massive targets for incoming fire and requiring specialised screen protectors as a result and I had recently invested in a 558 replica intended for use with my WETech T91, due to its own top rail being shorter than my other GBBRs (where I have the space to mount the EOTech 552 models I otherwise use).

“THE MODIFY PP2K, BY COMPARISON, HAS AN OUTSTANDINGLY CRISP TRIGGER WITH ALMOST NO TAKE UP, MAYBE A MILLIMETRE OR TWO OF SLACK BEFORE YOU REACH A HARD WALL THAT BREAKS LIKE A GLASS ROD EVERY TIME YOU PULL THROUGH IT ” 68

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armoury CHIAPPA MODIFYRHINO PP-2K

With a real world relevant optic affixed and also making use of a new Acetech Lighter S tracer unit onto the standard muzzle thread - accessed by removing the small grub screw on the underside of the flash hider - I took the PP2K for its first outing to Linkou CQB west of Taipei. Initially I found myself very frustrated with repeated failures to fire more than 15 rounds from either the short or long gas magazines which surprised me, although the range and accuracy from the few shots I did manage seemed very good - no doubt thanks to Modify’s well regarded internal barrel and hop unit components and the inclusion of their premium hop bucking. Despite this rocky and disappointing first outing, which meant I basically couldn’t field the gun and had to resort to a teammate’s GHK 553 GBBR (that was not a terrible eventuality at least) having talked to the source of the gun, it seemed that their magazines are just somewhat gas hungry! Whereas a 3-5 second blast of green gas will fill most of my pistol or PDW magazines completely, it takes around 8 seconds to fill the smaller gas magazine and a good 15 or so seconds to fill the longer gas magazine. As for the CO2 magazine, I haven’t used that at all really, as most fields won’t allow CO2 guns to be used but having talked to other reviewers locally, it seems that even the CO2 capsule magazine is unable to feed and fire a full 56 round load on a single capsule. I am aware that Modify did further delay the release of the PP2K due to some mechanical concerns, perhaps this issue has been resolved as a result, or otherwise it’s just worth realising that the performance may not be directly comparable with other models on the market. With the magazines fully gassed up on its next outing I had a much better experience in game, once again at Linkou CQB, where it performed very well throughout the day’s gaming. I did forget to fully top the magazines off before one round but managed to

keep the gun running largely flawlessly otherwise. Adjusting the hop unit is done by using the extra-long allen key supplied with the gun, which can be inserted through the hole in the bottom of the trigger guard, up into a hole on the underside of the receiver and straight into the hop unit adjustment grub screw. This is a great setup which allows you to do very fine adjustment and get the trajectory shooting nice and flat without any disassembly - top marks for that design feature. After the first few fieldings at Linkou I decided to try the PP2K in the smaller and even more intense and up-close environments offered by Action Bunker Taipei. Now that I maintain the gas fill on the magazines properly it’s been an absolute dream to use and I haven’t touched much else since I started using it. Even though I only have the one long gas magazine with 56 rounds, that’s still nearly 50% more ammunition than my MP7 in one load, plus, now the gun will cycle and fire it entirely it presents the highest capacity I own. I might get another long magazine or two at some point but for now it provides ample firepower for CQB and allows me to get some sidearm usage in if I do run it dry during longer games, or survive longer into the games. Possibly the best feature of the gun overall is its trigger. Most guns I own have slightly spongier or creepier triggers; the KWA MP7 is very usable but still has a long throw Glock like trigger, while the WETech MP5k PDW has a long throw but a reasonably consistent pull and a crisp break. The Modify PP2K, by comparison, has an outstandingly crisp trigger with almost no take up, maybe a millimetre or two of slack before you reach a hard wall that breaks like a glass rod every time you pull through it and also resets at the initial position, meaning you can easily get used to the two positions of break and reset. I’ve managed to run the gun so fast people assume I’m on auto as a result! It just fires crisply and cleanly and the short bolt throw and trigger pull make it a dream to run in CQB, quickly laying down double taps with accuracy.

“THE HANDLING IS ALSO EXCELLENT AND VERY WORTH MENTIONING. NOTICEABLY LIGHTER AND HANDIER THAN MY KWA MP7 AND DEFINITELY FAR LESS CLUNKY THAN MY WETECH MP5K PDW, THE PP2K FEELS COMPARABLE TO A HEAVY PISTOL AND HANDLES SIMILARLY ” www.airsoftaction.net

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armoury MODIFY PP-2K

I haven’t had much call to use the short 23-round, pistol-sized magazines and even when fully charged with gas they don’t seem to have the same endurance or consistency and I imagine the cool down on the full metal construction with such a thin gas reservoir cross section is to blame. Nonetheless, running the gun quite simply with just the long gas magazine fitted and switching to a sidearm if required makes for excellent game play in my experience, and the sheer accuracy and consistency of the barrel and hop once set up, coupled with a good optic and the trigger, mean that you can really make those rounds last well and take on heavily armed OpFor. The handling is also excellent and very worth mentioning. Noticeably lighter and handier than my KWA MP7 and definitely far less clunky than my WETech MP5k PDW, the PP2K feels comparable to a heavy pistol and handles similarly - aside from the long magazine dangling from the pistol grip. Nonetheless, it is easily wielded one-handed if required and easily controlled. With a two handed grip it’s extremely comfortable and responsive and just points really easily. The folding stock is slender but extremely sturdy despite its appearance and the only thing I have had to do is wrap the box section which fits into the back of the polymer frame of the PP2K. As per the real one, you can use the stock affixing port to also fit spare magazines in, perhaps interchanging two long magazines when the first runs dry. However, that would mean performing two reloads simultaneously by taking the full one from the rear stock well and putting it in place of the empty one in the pistol grip, then putting that empty into the rear stock well. This is somewhat kitsch but cumbersome and the magazines wobble even more than the stock extension/fitting block itself. I would personally just use the stock and pack it with electrical tape as I have to eliminate all wobble completely, making it an excellent and stable option. Takedown of the PP2K is also very simple. Pushing forward on the lever secreted in the hollow forward grip section of the polymer frame allows the upper receiver to be removed off the lower frame (almost in the same manner as a pistol), taking the gas piston and “engine” with it, leaving the fire control group components in the frame below. Thus, whatever maintenance may be required is extremely easy to effect and the general layout of the gun is very simple internally, but it’s worth mentioning that the magazines lack a hold open device so the bolt will just stop short out of battery, held back by the fairly substantial magazine follower when empty.

The fire selector lever on the left side is easily acutated by the right hand, thumbing it down from safe (also locks the bolt from travelling), into full auto, then down to semi auto at the bottom in the manner typical of AKs and other Russian platforms. The lever itself can sometimes be a little loose or not engage entirely positively but for the most part I just leave it in semi auto anyway. Thus far, despite a bit of a disappointing start where I didn’t understand the idiosyncrasies of the new gun and worrying I’d picked up a lemon, I’ve otherwise had an excellent time using the PP2K and look forward to fielding it more in the long term. It’s just a horrendously fun gun to use and the accuracy, trigger response and experience, as well as its ergonomics and cool factor, make it well worth considering if you want something new and different. AA

www.airsoftaction.net

THE CAGE PLATE CARRIERS

THE CAGE: PLATE CARRIERS IN HIS GEAR ARTICLE LAST MONTH, BILL TOOK A LONG HARD LOOK AT CHEST RIGS BUT THE PLATE CARRIER STILL SEEMS TO BE THE CHOICE FOR MANY PLAYERS! AS THE AIRSOFT ACTION “LEGION” HAS GROWN DURING THE LAST YEAR AND, GIVEN THE FACT THAT NEW MANUFACTURERS AND NEW MODELS OF CARRIER HAVE ENTERED THE MARKETPLACE DURING THAT TIME, HE THOUGHT IT WAS HIGH TIME TO REVISIT WHAT THE “AA CREW” ARE USING THEMSELVES AND WHY!

late Carriers are, in my mind, quite a strange concept for airsoft in one way, as we really don’t need (I hope!) the ballistic protection they offer (or at least that given by the plates they conceal), to protect us from those dreaded BB hits, now do we? However, the humble “Armour Vest” has been transformed in recent years into something far more useful, carrying not only protective plates but also all the other “shizz and shingle” that we carry into contact with us! Once upon a time (and not so long ago, if I’m honest), an “Armour Vest” was exactly that, a vest into which you fitted plates to protect you from harm and again, it wasn’t too long ago that these were simply called “bulletproof vests”, although that in itself was a bit of a misnomer! Not truly “bullet proof”, the majority of vests were just about able to protect your vital core and organs from pistol-calibre rounds and movies of the time would often refer to bullets that would still penetrate these vests as “cop killers”, as the vests were predominantly used by LEOs. However, materials science moved on apace and armour technology moved swiftly on with it. Plates became more protective, better able to withstand larger calibres (even though impact trauma was still an 72

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issue, once explained to me in no uncertain terms by a prior-service USMC friend who’d taken an AK round to centre mass and lived to tell the tale, thanks to his body armour!) and lighter, although “lighter” is a somewhat relative term. That efficacy though, meant that a “plate carrier, or PC”, that combined the vest with load-carrying capability became both feasible and a reality. These days it’s almost impossible to find an image of a soldier and indeed many police officers, where some form of plate carrier system isn’t in evidence and whilst I would revert to my opening comment that perhaps we don’t need the ballistic protection element - the “look” is all-important if you’re going to create an even halfway decent MIL/LE airsoft loadout. Whilst the “military” plate carrier has changed in increments though, the “civvy” versions are pushing the boundaries of design, even being created to carry mock, weighted “plates” for exercise purposes (I came across a guy wearing a 5.11 TacTec the other day when I was out with the hound, running happily wearing it!). And it must be said that there are even some interesting and unique designs out there designed specifically for airsoft use and those are making the plate carrier even more affordable for even the most

THE CAGE PLATE CARRIERS

budget-oriented player and you know what, some of them are actually pretty darn functional! Bottom line is that if you want one piece of tactical gear that will let you carry everything you need “in game”, from magazines to comms, from BBs to hydration systems, then the not-so-humble plate carrier is actually worth a darn close look… Do I own and use a PC myself? Yes I do, I have several, from an old OSPREY MKII in DDPM, right up to a relatively new low-profile Direct Action Spitfire, and I use an old out-of-ballistic-date SAPI in the front of them all to offset the weight of the big old hydration bladder on the rear!

TEAM TALK

So, as usual these days I spoke to the great team of Airsoft Action contributors and writers and asked them the simple questions “Do you use a plate carrier, if yes which type, and if no, why not? Do you wear real/training/foam inserts and why? How do you set up your plate carrier (pouches/accessories/comms), and why?” And this is what they told me… Boycie: “It’s a never-ending search for the “perfect” way to carry the magazines and pyro that I want for skirmishing and MilSim. A lot of people find a picture of a kit they want and make an exact copy. That is fine if you have the same body shape and body mechanics as the original wearer. Its by far better to get a setup which works for you. A wise man once told me “to be effective you have to have your kit where it suits you and then practice, practice, practice with it”. Some units have a requirement for “operators” to have certain equipment in a specific location, so everyone in the “unit” knows where it will be most, however, will specify a type of pouch or specify brands and then allow the end user to position them where is best for them. “My first rig (plate carrier) is my Multicam C2R Lite, one of the first types that C2R in Hereford made and often was seen worn by UKSF and UKSF Support troops. As a big lad, a medium size plate carrier, for medium plates, isn’t always ideal but this fits well and is very comfortable. In this I use training plates either made by Trident Gear Co or Milsimminded. Both types are lighter than ballistic plates but give a little weight to help the rig sit better and maintain shape. My second rig is the C2R Laser Cut in Wolf Grey. This is the second rig I have owned in Wolf Grey and I believe is the only XL size carrier in civilian hands. The big advantage to this rig is that it covers more of my torso and is even more comfortable than the medium MC version. In this I currently run XL plates made by Milsimminded to again, give me the shape and weight that I find makes the rig sit properly. My third rig is the

latest Templars Gear TPC in black. This is a Large plate carrier as it is the biggest that they currently make and is all laser cut in the latest fashion. It forms the basis for my “Red Cell” and Bill’s “Lost Ship” inspired set up. Again, in this I run Large plates by Milsimminded. I also pair this rig up with the Templar’s Gear PT5 belt. For the most part I also use Templar’s Gear pouches. Due to Covid restrictions, I haven’t been able to “field” the TPC kit yet but I have loaded it up and had some practice sessions (in my garage so that I am out of public sight). In addition to these rigs, I also have ones that I made or adapted myself to suit a specific game day/weekend/event and I think so far there are about 10 different rigs and set ups that I own.” Andy N: “I’ve been wearing the VANQUISH plate carrier in Coyote Brown from CONDOR. I was looking for something low profile and low fuss. I don’t skirmish anymore, (yes, I’m now officially old!) but I still work hard drills on the range as both an instructor and student. All I need from my BA is real estate for my long and short magazines and somewhere to put my paperwork (drills and TAMS). The Vanquish ticks all the boxes for me and coupled with real steel plates it will probably be the last one I’ll ever own. “I’ve opted for the Vanquish Armour System (VAS) KANGAROO mag panel and for those hot days on the range I’ve chosen the Condor TIDEPOOL Hydration carrier. For the rest of my kit, holster, dump pouch and Ute pouch I have on a separate belt system. There is plenty of MOLLE to attach other items and plenty of Velcro for patches, if that’s what floats your boat. Fully adjustable for size this is a cracking set up for me. I’ve added a single point sling to the vest via a MOLLE ‘T’ sling. This gives me easy and unobstructed access to my pouches. The armour panels are front and rear www.airsoftaction.net

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THE CAGE PLATE CARRIERS OPTICS

with clear open sides that doesn’t obstruct access to my battle belt. The Condor Vanquish is one we use at Calibre Shooting and is highly recommend by all the instructors.” Jimmy: “Personally I do use plate carriers and I prefer them purely for the weight distribution factor, plus it makes it easier for carrying other things such as comms, and hydro packs - and they look tacticool imo! I have several carriers, all setup very similarly purely for muscle memory and the fact that is what works best for me. I like to carry as many mags as I can on a plate carrier and try to keep my belt light, as I feel a lot of weight around my middle slows me down. I always run with my mags front and to the left, as I like to keep my right side clear so to keep my right arm tight to my body. Being a right-hander I load with my left, hence why I prefer mags round to my left side even on my belt which is common sense to me. “I don’t feel real plates are required, as they can be expensive and very weighty so I opt for a dummy training plate, usually EVA foam which is nice and solid but is easily formed to be comfortable and once formed generally keep that shape which is nice. A training plate gives the carrier a bit of bulk and feels better and requires less tension on any straps or point of adjustment. When I first started I never used any form of plate and I found when running the carrier would bounce up and down and become quite annoying, so naturally I would tighten it to combat the movement, which in turn had an effect on my breathing. “I have three favourites, one of which is a very new part of the collection, the cheapest being from 8FIELDS; while it is the cheapest of my faves it is still a great setup. I recently purchased from smooth Jase a lovely TMC CPC in Multicam, which is my most expensive and it is very nice and looks very military. The third is the cracking ONETIGRIS; it hasn’t seen a game yet but I’m confident it will perform as well as it looks!” Bill W-R: “I have never used plate carriers as I have never found one at a decent price to fit my pure specimen of a body! However, if I found a reasonably priced one that fitted I would use it and use training plates to aid more weight loss and increase cardio... Manufacturers please take note!” Stewbacca: “I used TMC 6094 PCs with my old team back in the UK just before leaving and in Taiwan have used the same Kryptek JPC style PC the whole time I’ve been here. I switched over from chest rigs or other custom loadouts as I rationalised most of my RIFs to common magazine sizes, or pouches and

use EVA foam plates to maintain shape but minimise unnecessary weight. I find they help spread the load and keep my torso, especially my lower back, more supported, as I have issues with my back. I find lately though that mine has been shrinking in the wash a bit and is probably undersized to fully protect me now.” Jon: “I use my jean pockets now! I’m real Op3r8or you see, you could even say “proper8or”! Ha Ha!” (he’s lying, I have pictures of him in his Warrior Assault Systems rig – Bill) Björn: “Depending on mission/playstyle could be either Chestrig or PC. But yes, I usually use a PC. I have always liked the JPC style (or similar) and in the past I always used foam in mine because wearing one without is just a no... floppy flop floperator! But since Jut at Travail fitness asked me a couple years back if I wanted to try his plates out, I never went back. Now I have three different sets of plates, even one set for one of my Russian Cs that takes Granit plates. I gave Jut measurements to make them and they turned out so great out he sold some more right after! I also have a real set of plates that I sometimes use. As for setting the vests up, I try to balance them up front and back as best possible and preferably add extra stuff to my weak shooting side to have better and freer movement on my strong one.” Chris: “The only plate carrier I own is an old gen Warrior DCS as a stand in for TBAS for when I’m in my Aussie Navy kit. This DCS came from an SFSG bloke, so it’s “combat used” and pre-fitted with Warrior mag pouches (soon to be replaced by TBAS ones), TBAS Flare pouch, Hydration pouch, Medium utility, FFD holder, Folding Dump pouch. I also have on it a SORD mini admin pouch, Platatac Strobe pouch, and Eylex (Australia) prc152 pouch. Rest of the time it’s a chest rig with a PACA for CQB!” AA

www.airsoftaction.net

FEATURE FIRST AID – CPR & AEDS

FIRST AID: CPR & AEDS

KNOWING WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF SOMEONE SUFFERING A CARDIAC ARREST CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PERSON LIVING OR DYING. ALTHOUGH WE HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS AT AN AIRSOFT EVENT, IT IS ALWAYS WORTH REMEMBERING “PRIOR PREPARATION AND PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE” - AND MIGHT JUST SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE, AS “AIRSOFT MEDIC”, PAUL YELLAND, EXPLAINS…

cardiac arrest can happen at any time, and during an airsoft event is no exception. I am going to explain the principles of the Primary Survey, how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and talk about using Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in conjunction with a resuscitation attempt. I am also going to highlight some important changes that have been made to the resuscitation guidelines that need to be followed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESPONSE

On approaching the casualty, start to look at how they are presenting. What position are they in and are they moving? What is their skin colour – normal, pale or blue? Talk to them and introduce yourself. Are they alert and looking at you normally, or do they have Speak, shout and shake to check response

THE PRIMARY SURVEY

By approaching every incident in the same methodical way will ensure that the rescuer remains safe and that any life-threatening conditions / injuries are dealt with before less serious ones. The Primary Survey is the initial assessment tool used for this purpose and it is abbreviated as DR ABC, which stands for: Danger Response Airway Breathing CPR

DANGER

Before rushing into any situation, it is important to make sure that it is safe to do so. Deal with any dangers that are present and if it is not possible to remove the danger away from the casualty, then as a last resort, the casualty must be moved away from the source of danger. Personal safety is paramount – especially during the global pandemic, and the rescuer should be wearing gloves and face mask as a minimum with safety eye wear if available. 76

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their eyes closed and only open them as you speak? If their eyes remain closed as you talk to them, loudly give a command such as “open your eyes for me”. If there is no response from this, place your hands onto their shoulders and give them a gentle shake (be careful if you suspect a spinal injury). If there is no response, the casualty is classed as unresponsive. A = ALERT V = VOICE - Eyes open and they respond when you talk to them P = PAIN - Place hands firmly onto the shoulders and gently shake U = UNRESPONSIVE

FEATURE FIRST AID – CPR & AEDS

AIRWAY

In an unconscious casualty, maintaining an open and clear airway is priority. The unconscious casualty is at risk of aspirating vomit and their airway obstructing as Use the head tilt and chin lift method to open the airway

the tongue drops backwards. Inside the mouth needs to be visually inspected for any foreign objects and the airway must be ‘opened’ by lifting the chin and tilting the head backwards. Doing this will lift the tongue off from the top of the airway, allowing for unobstructed breathing.

BREATHING

Once the airway of an unconscious casualty has been opened, the next step is to check that they are breathing. To do this the rescuer places their cheek close to the casualty’s mouth while looking down towards the chest. This allows the rescuer to look for chest movement, to listen for any breathing noises Look, listen and feel to check for breathing

and CPR commenced.

IMPORTANT – COVID-19 ADJUSTMENTS TO ADULT CPR

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the resuscitation guidelines have been changed to prevent cross infection from casualty to rescuer and vice versa. The rescuer must not place their head / face close to the casualty’s, but instead perform a visual breathing assessment from a safe distance. If the patient is found to be in cardiac arrest, no artificial ventilations should be performed. Instead, place a light cloth over the casualty’s mouth and nose to prevent expired air from being forced upwards towards the rescuer and commence chest compression only CPR, which is uninterrupted compressions at a rate of between 100 and 120 compressions per minute.

CALL FOR HELP

It is important to call for help at the earliest opportunity. Bystanders can be used for this task, or if you are a lone rescuer and have a mobile phone with good signal, calling 999 and using the speaker function will keep your hands free for carrying out CPR. If you are on your own and have no mobile phone or poor signal and the casualty is an adult in cardiac arrest, you must place them into the recovery position before leaving to go for help. On your return, you would then start CPR.

STARTING CPR

Early recognition of a cardiac arrest and the swift commencement of good quality CPR is required if the casualty is to stand any chance of surviving. Once a cardiac arrest is confirmed, the rescuer should Place your hands on the middle of the chest

and to feel for any exhaled breaths on the side of their face. This breathing check should last no longer than ten seconds. If the casualty is breathing effectively, then place them into the recovery position. However, if the casualty is not breathing or is only making occasional gasps that are ineffective breaths (agonal breathing) they should be considered in cardiac arrest

start to perform chest compressions. To carry out compressions, the rescuer needs to kneel beside the casualty and place the heal of one hand onto the www.airsoftaction.net

FEATURE FIRST AID – CPR & AEDS

middle of the casualty’s chest (onto the breastbone) with the other hand put on top of the first one with fingers interlocked. Lean directly above the casualty’s chest with straight arms and locked elbows and press down onto the centre of the chest between 5 to 6 centimetres and then let the chest wall fully recoil upwards, and repeat. The chest is compressed 30 times at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute. As a guide, compressing in time to the Bee Gees song ‘Stayin Alive’ will give you an idea of the required speed. After completing the first 30 chest compressions, move towards the head and re-open the airway by lifting the chin and tilting the head back. Pinch the Give two ventilations

nose closed and take a deep breath, lean down and completely cover the casualty’s mouth with your own and blow until their chest rises. Move away from their face, take another breath and deliver a second ventilation. Each one should last for around a second and try to avoid over inflating the lungs as this can cause problems with vomiting. Then repeat the process – 30 chest compressions to 2 ventilations (30:2) either until help arrives, you become too exhausted to continue or the casualty starts to show signs of recovery. REMEMBER – During the COVID-19 pandemic DO NOT perform mouth to mouth ventilations on an adult and continue with chest compressions only.

DEFIBRILLATION

The one piece of equipment that can really improve the chances of a casualty surviving a cardiac arrest is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). There are public access AEDs everywhere nowadays and the reason for this is early defibrillation following a cardiac arrest can increase the casualty’s chances of survival. The chain of survival demonstrates this well. If any link in the chain is broken, surviving the cardiac arrest is less probable. The AED is designed to

be operated by a person who has received no training in its use. There might be an AED located near to the incident and some airsoft sites might have one available. If so, someone else should go and collect it while CPR is being carried out. When the AED arrives at scene, open the box and turn on the machine. There will be voice prompts giving clear, simple instructions. Stop CPR and expose the casualty’s chest. Remove jewellery such as necklaces and dry the chest if wet. If the casualty is laying in water, move them to a drier area. The next command given will be to apply the two adhesive pads to the patient’s bare chest (after removing the plastic backing). There will be diagrams on the front of the pads or the packaging showing where to place them. A hairy chest might need to be shaved in places to allow the pads to stick properly. The pads will then need to be plugged into the AED and the socket will be clearly indicated. Once plugged in, it is important that everyone stands clear and does not touch the casualty while the AED analyses the heart rhythm. The AED will either inform you that no shock is advised and to continue CPR or to ‘Stand Clear – charging’. Some AEDs will deliver the shock without the user needing to press a button, whilst other units will need someone to press the ‘Shock’ button. Either way, Safely delivering a shock

safety is paramount and whoever is using the AED must ensure that nobody is touching the patient when a shock is being delivered. Once a shock has been given to the casualty, continue CPR until the AED gives a further voice prompt after two minutes. Not all cardiac arrests result in an AED delivering a shock as the heart could be in a non-shockable rhythm. If after defibrillating the casualty and giving CPR they start to show signs of life and begin to breathe again, place them into the recovery position, monitor them closely and keep the AED attached and switched on – the casualty could re-arrest. The information in this article is current and up to date at the time of writing but it is no substitute for attending an actual first aid course. Visit www. airsoftmedic.com for more information and advice. AA www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR MAXPEDITION HEAD-TO-HEAD

MAXPEDITION HEAD-TO-HEAD ROUND 2

ALTHOUGH THESE PIECES WILL APPEAR A MONTH APART, THE NO-NAME BAG (NOTEUS) FROM EBAY ARRIVED ONLY A DAY OR SO AFTER FRENCHIE FINISHED HIS PREVIOUS ARTICLE COMPARING THE VERSIPACK & THE SIEBERTRON COPY. IN THAT CASE, THE COPY WON, DESPITE THE UNDOUBTED QUALITY OF THE MAXPEDITION ORIGINAL. WILL IT BE 2-0 FOR THE COPIES THIS MONTH? READ ON…

he Maxpedition Versipack Proteus is a pack which will be familiar to most of you. If it’s the original (and I cannot confirm that) it is very widely copied. Small in size, with a main compartment, a separate front pouch, two fullheight end pouches and a substantial waist belt, it is designed to be used as a standalone utility pouch or attached to any PALS/MOLLE equipment. It is also fitted with substantial plastic loops to accept a shoulder strap, although none is supplied. For many years Viper have carried a version of this, although it finally seems to have fallen by the wayside as they introduce more original designs.

although 48 inches in length, simply doesn’t work as a shoulder strap, which is what I really wanted. I had qualms about wielding the knife but in the years that have passed, I’ve never missed the belt. Thanks to the smaller size and the heavy nylon construction, the Proteus feels like you could feed it

THE PROTEUS

The Proteus is made from the same 1,000 dernier nylon as the Jumbo Versipack and on the smaller bag the stiffness of that material is really apparent. When I got it, I used the built-in waist band for a while but ultimately the kit-bashing knife came out and it was removed. I don’t use waist bags and while the design is fairly good, when folded into the velcro’d holder on the back of the bag, that two-inch webbing strap with its two-inch buckle was a noticeable lump. I also felt it impacted on the utility of the main compartment, which is adequate but not huge. Also, the waist strap, 80

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through a rock crusher - and probably break the rock crusher in the process! All the fittings are standard Maxpedition, consequently the zips feel slightly oversize, contributing to this sense of invulnerability. For me it is a bag I use to carry what I need with me, it’s not a bag for a spontaneous shopping trip – unless

KIT & GEAR MAXPEDITION HEAD-TO-HEAD

I was buying watches I suppose. There is an integrated handle which doubles as compression straps; this is a mixed blessing. I love having a handle I can grab when I’m not wearing a bag over my shoulder, however, you have to unclip two buckles to access anything but the end pockets. In summary, tough, compact, and versatile, if not large. Expect to pay between £65 - £85 depending on the retailer.

THE “NOT-EUS”

This came from eBay and has no branding whatsoever, unlike the Seibertron bag. It doesn’t even pretend. Cost? £10.00! The basic design and layout are identical to the Proteus but that is where the similarity ends - with a screech of balding rubber and the crump of something hitting a concrete barrier!!

This is basically, well… crap! Yes, the nylon is PU backed but it feels like something a “bag for life” from your local supermarket should be made from. The buckles are functional black plastic, although I suspect I could snap them by hand. The webbing straps are thin and floppy, unlike the Seibertron where they were flexible but reassuring. The overall standard of construction is, sadly, exactly what you should expect for £10! Someone, maybe many someones, has made some money from this and that left precious little for construction and materials. In order to photograph it, I have stuffed it with socks, otherwise it was just a coyote brown blob with buckles. The colour matched zips are, to my surprise, similar in size to those on the Proteus but again, that’s where the similarities end. They’re unbranded and are stiff and jerky in use, giving me all the confidence of a man parking his car in the middle of a frozen lake at the start of the spring thaw! Stitching is off-line, offcentre and generally awful. There is one interesting original idea though, and that is a strap which serves as either a waist belt or

a shoulder strap; a smart idea badly let down by its execution. For me it is far too short to be a useable shoulder strap, although it is a perfectly functional waist belt despite the fact that, like many of us, I have gained a few pounds over this year. The method of attaching the strap is good but let down by shoddy construction. A combination of Velcro and a pressstud is combined to hold the strap ends onto the anchor points and this works well, unfortunately, the poor stitching doesn’t really give me much confidence that it would withstand much abuse. To its credit, this bag does feature the same belt storage as the Maxpedition and while I feel exactly the same way about it, it works and it’s there, so some points for that.

CONCLUSIONS

Yeah, I think you’re way ahead of me here! For £10 the Noteus is almost a disposable item, I certainly wouldn’t spend any time repairing it should it fail. It will do all that you can reasonably expect of a cheap bag but it is just that – a cheap bag and while it might last and last, even as I unpacked it, I was expecting something to fail, which is a poor start. The Maxpedition, on the other hand, is an absolute tank and I would expect it to emerge from a nuclear conflict unharmed! It is a very particular piece of luggage and will do what it does very well. It isn’t large but within its capacity limitations it is very competent. I really like mine and it gets more use than my Jumbo Versipack. You could stuff it with anything I suspect, and it wouldn’t care and certainly wouldn’t tear. It screams “quality” and “tough as a bast***” and I like it for that alone! Value for money is subjective and there is an ocean between the price of these two. I find the price of the Maxpedition less daunting but that is in part because I like this style of bag and I appreciate the quality, so while I do stand by my comments regarding Maxpedition’s pricing in the previous article, I think this is acceptable. You will get you money’s worth out of this bag and it is very functional, discrete, and flexible. The Noteus and its ilk are best avoided. There are much better bags available for a little more. Even though it was twice the price of Noteus, it is still substantially cheaper than the original Proteus and is very impressive for the price. For the purpose of this article, I bought a fairly rotten bag so that you don’t have to. Tucker couldn’t even bring himself to give it a serious savaging, I think he felt it was beneath him! www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP!!

ANOTHER MONTH HAS GONE BY, AND THE GOODIES FOR 2021 JUST KEEP ON ARRIVING! LAST TIME WE LOOKED AT SOME OF THE NEW AEGS AND GBBS THAT HAVE BEEN HITTING THE MARKET, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT THERE’S NOT ACCESSORIES AND GEAR THAT WE CAN BE EQUALLY EXCITED ABOUT, SO HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE GOT THE AIRSOFT ACTION TEAM EXCITED THIS MONTH

o kick off we’re currently snowed in as we create this month’s issue! Yup, you heard that right! Having said that we’ve been cooped up in our individual offices over recent months, and like many of you have found one day blurring into another, not so much working from home as living at work! With the cold weather very much upon us it’s been great fun to get out in the snow and, as one of our mantras is “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear” it’s finally given us a chance to try out a couple of cold weather garments we’ve been holding onto!

PENTAGON

Lightweight and practical, the Panthiras Jacket from Pentagon is made of breathable fabrics (88% Nylon 12% Elastane) with light padding (60Gsm 3M Insulation) for added warmth. The jacket comes with an adjustable hood with an elastic cord on the back, high collar with a chin guard and a full front YKK zipper with a glovefriendly pull. There are two zipped hand pockets and one internal zipped pocket for documents, keys, or other personal belongings. The elasticated cuffs, bottom hem and hood provide excellent protection from the wind or rain, and indeed from wind-driven 82

MARCH 2021

snow and spindrift. It’s an ideal jacket for this time of year and for those chilly MilSim overnighters as an extra shell layer, and it’s not even that expensive! www.military1st.co.uk have these in stock right now in four plain colours with sizes ranging from XS to a whopping 4XL!

SNUGPAK

One jacket that we’ve REALLY been keeping back because it is actually SO specialist is the SJ12 Reversible from our good friends at Snugpak! The SJ12 is Snugpak’s warmest jacket model and one, that in its standard fettle, we’ve been very thankful for on cold range days and training courses. To be honest, it’s actually too warm if you’re doing much else than standing still! The reversible model is obviously designed for the likes of the Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre as one side is the traditional Snugpak OD, whilst the other is pure, snowy white! This is a UK-made insulated jacket, a technical jacket

KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

suitable for extreme winter alpine conditions, so the SJ12 is rated down to -20°C / -4°F and uses windproof and weather-resistant Paratex Micro outer fabric, whilst inside the exclusive-to-Snugpak Softie Premier insulation retains heat and can even work when wet. Lightweight and packable, with a stuff sack included, the SJ12 Reversible offers warmth, comfort and protection from the weather whenever you need it. If you’re planning a winter adventure or expedition, the SJ12 reversible is an outer layer jacket that will keep you warm and comfortable whatever conditions you may encounter!

WISPORT

We’ve made it pretty clear that we like the packs created by Polish brand WISPORT, and again at Military1st we’ve noticed that they have some new colourways available in the different pack models to match your loadout, and one model in particular has caught our eye for those summer weekenders we’re all looking forward to so much, and that’s the CRAFTER. Designed for one or twoday long trips, this new generation of single compartment tactical backpacks has a lightweight and durable PU coated (for added flexibility, impact and water resistance) Cordura construction, high functionality and innovative technology. The main feature of this unique backpack is a “U” shaped clamshell zip opening, which allows for quick and easy access to the main compartment from the front. Wide and ergonomically shaped shoulder straps, together with padded waist belt help to distribute weight evenly and relieve the pressure from the back. The belt can easily be detached from the rucksack which allows the use of modular belt kit together with a tactical vest or plate carrier. Multiple quick-release buckles allow the backpack to be quickly dropped on the ground when required. The pack is also fully CamelBak compatible, with an easily accessible zipped hydration compartment, and fully MOLLE compatible thanks to webbing placed around and inside the pack, and also comes with waterproof rain cover hidden inside easily accessible bottom compartment. The CRAFTER (packed properly!) is big enough to fit everything you

need without having to dig through a massive main compartment, and it performs exceptionally well in virtually all conditions.

TAIWANGUN

Moving on to airsoft-specific items the next things on our list of “good kit” are actually re-issues that we haven’t seen around for a little while, but we’re very glad to see that the guys at www.taiwangun. com have found more of the MAG Midcap magazine box sets! We still have a bunch of the MAG 100BB AK74 magazines in the test pool, and after over ten years of both skirmish and test use we have to say that they have stood up better then virtually any other magazine of this style that we’ve come across! Not only are they sturdy and dependable, feeding in just about every AK-AEG we’ve ever come across, but they’re also a far better “Bakelite” colour than most too, and a box of five of these will set you up nicely for most games! MAG also offer box sets of other styles of magazines, and once again the 130BB M16 shorties (box of seven) have served a number of us very well for “Namsoft” over the years; whilst these haven’t had the abuse that the AK74 mags have, they’ve still given great service, and the polymer shells have stood up to abuse really well. If you’re in need of multiple midcaps in one go, then the MAG boxes are excellent value for money!

VORSK

Of course if you’re buying magazines you’re going to need high-quality BBs to fill them with, and although we did announce this on the website quite recently we thought we’d give a bit more detail on the newlyreleased VORSK BB range! VORSK have entered the BB market with one of the most comprehensive BB ranges that we’ve seen to date, comprising 5 styles, across 8 weight classes, with 6 different size options, resulting in 96 unique products that come beautifully and precisely packaged! Instead of being forced to buy over 3,000 BBs for each desired weight, VORSKs new, smaller container sizes allow you to buy exactly what you need: 2,000 .25g and 1,100 .25g Tracer BBs for your AEG? No problem! A small bottle of .36g for your DMR? Easy! The convenience of having smaller bottles gives the ability to carry them onto the field to match your choice of primary, with the 2,000 BB bottle fitting nicely into a 40mm grenade pouch. Lower size options also give players more choice when preparing their loadouts. Of course, VORSK also want to provide for players looking to purchase in bulk. The 3,600 BB bottles offer additional savings when compared to www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

RWA AGENCY ARMS

the standard 3,000 and 3,300-count bottles and 1kg resealable bags, along with huge 25 kg sacks finish off the range of size options! Your favoured site will also play a role when deciding your choice of BB. Many CQB Events are held inside, in contained areas, whilst the majority of skirmishes still take place on woodland sites and these woodland sites can sometimes be found bordering Nature Reserves where there is a legal requirement to run Bio-Degradable BBs. In fact, location is key for some players in territories where plastic BBs are no longer used at all. VORSK’s range of Bio-Degradable BBs is broad to say the least, as .20g to .43g BBs are on offer, as well as Bio BBs infused with Tracer Green for those night-time battles. Tracer Green and Tracer Red BBs are also available as standard plastic. We all know that high-grade BBs are essential to get best performance from our AEGs and GBBs, and VORSK BBs come in with a consistent 5.95mm diameter (+/- 0.01 mm tolerance), are triple polished and manufactured in such a way as to ensure a consistent “centre of mass” throughout regardless of weight, which of course leads to enhanced performance, shot after shot; thankfully the guys at VORSK sent us a “goodie box” of the new BBs across the weight/type range and we’re pleased to report that in testing we found zero issues in loading and feeding, the new BBs performing very well indeed in multiple AEG and GBB platforms. We’ve come to expect A LOT from VORSK, and with the new BB range it would certainly appear from our initial 10m testing that once again they have met our expectations and surpassed them. You can check out all the new BBs by visiting the VORSK CONSUMABLES PAGE on the VORSK website, and we’re told that these will be arriving with your favourite shops right about now!

Okay, we couldn’t let a month go by and not include at least one shooter, now could we? Back in early December we posted on the website the imminent arrival of the new RWA Agency Arms EXA GBB pistol from Redwolf Airsoft (RWA), and we’re pleased to tell you that a test sample has literally just arrived with us from Redwolf UK. This is an exciting model, as it’s the first GBB Pistol that RWA has ever released under the Agency Arms and Lone Wolf Distribution license. At a glance, the EXA boasts Agency Arms’ EXA Hybrid slide cut, mid-line fluted outer barrel, and Lone Wolf’s signature Timberwolf frame custom modified to Agency specifications. Out of the box it feels superbly made, with a smooth action and sensitive trigger, and the ergonomics are excellen The EXA pistol’s footprint is similar to the Glock 17, so you’ll get holster compatibility as the EXA will fit holsters compatible with the Glock series of pistols (excluding 19, 19X, 42, 45). As a final touch, the inner barrel is blacked out to add realism to its fluted, midline tapered barrel which sits flush with the slide, with engravings on the ejection port that denotes the real steel calibre. Overall, this pistol is designed to provide you with the best performance features and details in this price category, and from what we’ve already seen direct from the “Redwolf stable” this model has a LOT to live up to and we can’t wait to get it on the range as soon as possible! Even though February is a short month we’ll do our best to get this downrange and evaluated for a full report in the March 15 main issue but for now you can check out some great videos from Redwolf’s very own Marck and Max by visiting the EXA page on the Redwolf UK website!

As usual, keep safe, stay frosty (no pun intended!) and keep prepping ready for the return of regular games! AA www.airsoftaction.net

last post BAGS OF OPINION

HOW CAN YOU BE OPINIONATED... …WHEN THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON?! “LAST POST” WAS ALWAYS INTENDED TO BE A BIT OF LIGHTHEARTED, SLIGHTLY RANTY, FUN. SINCE FRENCHIE IS GIVEN TO BEING A LITTLE OPINIONATED, THIS HAS GENERALLY PROVED NOT TOO DIFFICULT!

irsoft, like any other aspect of life, turns up the fabulous, the stupid, the silly and the dumb with repetitive regularity. Or rather, it used to. For nearly a year now, in case you hadn’t noticed, life in general has been anything but normal and airsoft has ground into complete inactivity. So, you’ll forgive me if this month I make a start on a series that I have been wanting to do for a while. If I had to give it a title, I suppose “Site to Street” would encapsulate it well. As someone who wore camo trousers for nearly a decade (because working within airsoft you could get away with that) and let’s face it, they’re really practical, I have a penchant for kit that works both on site and on the street. Nowadays, that tends to preclude camo for me but the increased use of Coyote brown, greys and other solid, neutral colours on tactical gear ensures that this isn’t an issue. I’m also a bag whore and I refuse to apologise for it! So, it’s natural that I would gravitate towards these for everyday carry. I’m going to go into these in greater detail in future editions but this month I’m going to have a look at the Viper Modular Maxi Pouch. I bought a couple of Viper bags through Viper Tactical Shop. Despite the name this site is not an offshoot of Thatchreed, Viper’s parent company but the service I received was outstanding nonetheless and I have no hesitation in recommending them. This is a rarity - a pouch which I would happily incorporate into a MOLLE-based loadout. It’s a good size and would make a fantastic general-purpose pouch. In my head it sits on the left-hand side of my 86

MARCH 2021

rig, just forward of the side centreline. What do you mean I’ve already given this too much thought?! The Maxi, despite its name, is not a big pouch, nowhere near as large as the Maxpedition Jumbo Maxi but it is well thought out and well built. The colour - Titanium (grey) - is nicely neutral and doesn’t look out of place if you use this away from the site. The central pouch is big enough for odds and sods chocolate, electrical tape, bag of BBs - stuff like that. The lid is slightly elasticated to keep the elements (and curious hands) out and the pouch is closed by a drawstring. It’s held closed by a single strap and clip the strap is a very decent length, handy if you need to secure something that is too tall for the pouch itself. There is also a drainage grommet in the bottom of the pouch - a useful feature that’s often overlooked. The zipped side pouches are large enough for things like a mobile phone, pistol magazines, hand sanitiser and are accessible without having to open the main pouch. There are mesh sleeves inside both, allowing a degree of content organisation. They have big zip pullers on them which will facilitate manipulation with gloved hands and my only criticism is that they are slightly angled towards the front of the pouch and that can be a slight irritant if you’re trying to open them in a hurry, as the main lid gets in the way. Under the lid, on the front face there is a simple sleeve pocket - ideal for pens or small tools and there are a couple of elastic loops in there to secure items better. On the back, between the two MOLLE straps is

LAST POST BAGS OF OPINION

another sleeve pocket - this is handy as it can be used without having to open anything. The MOLLE setup is good and solid - I suspect the stiff straps would punish fingers while fitting but it’s going absolutely nowhere once attached. A long shoulder strap is supplied, affixed by a snap clip at each end. With this in place the Maxi makes a highly usable shoulder bag, albeit on the smaller side. The strap mounting points are quite close together but the bag sits well regardless and it can be worn on either side of the body and over the thickest of clothing with ease. It’s also easy to put on and take off - something that should never be taken for granted! The additional spring clip pictured on mine was there to hold filled “dog bags” until I could reach a bin! As an everyday carry I rate it highly. With a bit of careful organisation it was capable of taking everything I normally carry in my 5.11 Bail Out Bag - a much larger beast. The only thing I lost was the space to chuck some shopping in! That statement may serve to sum up the Maxi both on site and elsewhere - it’s a bag that is capable of carrying what you put in it. I know that is rather axiomatic, that is what bags do after all but some give you a degree of flexibility to deal with unexpected carry requirements. That is a function of size and the Maxi just doesn’t have enough spare space

compared to some. That said, I was really impressed with this bag. It feels solid, I’m guessing the material is around 1,000 dernier, it’s well-designed and that design is well executed. I would put it up against the Maxpedition bags any day of the week in terms of function and it works better over the shoulder than the much more expensive American products. A little fiddly to access at times but that is part of the size/ function compromise and I can live with that. Were it larger it couldn’t work as a pouch attached to LBE and it will fulfil that role really well; I wish this had been available years ago. If you regularly use a shoulder bag and this appeals, better grab two, because you don’t want to be unravelling your MOLLE between every game. The suggested retail price is £25.00 but shop around - I paid just over £10.00 for mine and for that paltry sum the Maxi is a stunning little bargain. Given my bag habit, you would be correct in assuming that I have loads of them strewn around the house. Many get little use, others like the 5.11 bag see near constant use - the Maxi will be my go-to when I want a tough, casual bag that isn’t so large as to be intrusive. Next month I’ll get opinionated about another bag that should be really, really good but, sadly, isn’t for the silliest of reasons! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

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