PROUD TO SUPPORT PILGRIM BANDITS CHARITY
ISSUE 125 - MAY 2021 ISSN 2634-9515
TAP/CLICK IMAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTENTS 8 ARMOURY: EVOLUTION M40 During the past year our ranges have become hallowed places for us, and Bill and Bjorn got their heads together to take a close look at the new M40 from Evolution Airsoft and really see how it performs!
PROUD TO SUPPORT PILGRIM BANDITS CHARITY
ISSUE 125 - MAY 2021 ISSN 2634-9515
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, UK.
16 ARMOURY: SPECNA ARMS SA-J08 In Issue 113 our resident “AK Geek”, Bill, took a look and tested the new “J-Series” AEGs from Specna Arms. Fast forward almost a year and this range of AEGs has just had a major uplift to fall in line with the rest of the latest EDGE series - and what an uplift it is!
22 ARMOURY: WETTI M4A1 PCC GBB Virtually every airsoft manufacturer produces a replica based on the classic carbine which apart from being the firearm issued to the entire US Military has been sold in vast numbers to over 50 other countries! Bill looks at a variant that’s just a little bit different…
Tel: +44 (0) 1684 878 003 Web: www.airsoftaction.net ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2021 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 publication.
FIND US ON…
30 ARMOURY: G&G SR30 Last month Red Cell looked at Short Barrelled AR models and there was one that we wanted to spend a little more time with due to its unique character! Known for their range of “own-branded” AR carbines, Jase Clarke reviews the fully “Knights-Licenced” SR30.
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.
62 CUSTOM BUILD: CMMG BANSHEE™ After constant ribbing from his friend Brian for always “supersizing” rifles that were meant to be small, as well as being called a geek, Boycie decided to go the other way and shrink, by a long way, a full-sized AR replica!
Contents MAY 2021
36 KIT & GEAR: PATROL PACKS When it comes to using a pack for airsoft there are many differing opinions as to what is best, or indeed if you should bother carrying one at all! Bill Takes a look at this question from several angles and comes up with some solutions that may just make you think again.
70 FEATURE: IMPORT ISSUES If you’re in the UK and you haven’t realised that the “Personal Import” rules have changed for bringing in RIFs and gear from mainland Europe, then you should really take note! Bill recounts his experiences since January to bring you up to speed!
40 LOADOUTS: OPFOR The creation of the AA RED CELL could have been based on the idea of a modern OPFOR. If you know the story of the real “Red Cell”, then you’ll know it’s about finding the best way to mess with conventional forces. Here, Bill expands on the role and mindset of the OPFOR player…
72 END OF DAYS AT DRAKELOW For those of us who have played for many years in the UK, one site became synonymous with adrenalinised airsoft… “Drakelow”. But now, after a long struggle, the tunnels have finally gone dark. Ioan “Iggy” Roberts remembers his first experience “under the hill”.
42 THE CAGE: COMBAT TROUSERS Last month the AA crew took a close look at UBACS and of course you’ll be needing some first rate combat or tactical pants to go with that shirt, won’t you? This time Bill pulls the team together to check out their choices to find out what they’re wearing… and why
74 ARCHWICK USW CHASSIS With “boots on the ground” in numerous countries, Airsoft Action can properly support our industry partners around the world. “Stewbacca” reports from Taiwan, where he has been in daily contact with the guys at Archwick as they push ahead with their latest products.
46 RED CELL: MID-LENGTH AR With a chance to finally meet, Red Cell is BACK – and in the groove again! As things improve the team will continue to bring their experience and personal insight to some of the latest AEGs and GBBs. This time they turn their attention to “mid-length” ARs and Bill sets the scene.
80 FRESH PRINCE OF ACTION AIR Stewbacca continues his Taiwanese journey into Action Air and finds the recent enforced hiatus has actually had some positive benefits, as he heads to his next competition.
56 TECHNICAL: RIF MAINTENANCE As we’re all starting to get excited about getting back to more regular games, our thoughts turn tomaking sure that we’re all prepped and good to go! Jimmy looks at some simple checks to ensure your RIF - and you are ready to GET SUM! the moment that “Game On” is called!
84 SITE TO STREET In his continuing series about items that have moved from the site to the street, Frenchie takes a closer look at Viper’s Covert Shoulder Bag and is pleasantly surprised by what he finds.
60 IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT James has been creating his very own “Early Warning/Mobile Rocket Launch System” and “Stage 1” is now fully operational! Looking back to the “Cold War” era, the majority of the base launching station is complete and the sirens are ready to spool up… and OMG, are they LOUD!
86 SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP! By the time that you read this, some lucky players may well have got their first “post-lockdown-airsoft-fix” in! From what we’re hearing there’s a LOT of gearing up going on, so once again the AA Crew have taken note of the things that have caught their eyes in the last few weeks!
66 RELOADED: HK416 Airsoft Action’s “Man in Taiwan”, Stewbacca, looks back at one of the most-used AR platforms, in the form of the HK416 GBBR, from WETech.
90 LAST POST Last month Frenchie complained that nothing was happening in the world of UK Airsoft and it seems that may be the case for a little while longer, at least as far as skirmishing is concerned. However, you don’t expect local officials to come a-spying!
ULTIMA JACKET BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: £89.95
ICS-87
ICS-86
ICS-85
• Stamping steel receivers • Patented Electric Braking System • QD design handguard for easy battery installation • Upper and lower receivers can be easily separated • Adjustable Spring Guide for easy muzzle velocity adjustment • Charging handle can be held to the rear for easy H-UP adjustment LIGHTWAY-PELEADOR
Light, the way
ICS-441 / ICS-443S3
ICS-440 / ICS-442S3
WWII SERIES
Your great addition to the WWII family
ICS-202
ICS-200
armoury EVOLUTION M40
PLAYERS OFTEN ASK US EXACTLY HOW WE GO ABOUT TESTING NEW MODELS AND WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON PUTTING EACH AND EVERY TEST RIFLE OR PISTOL THROUGH ITS PACES ON A RANGE AT THE VERY LEAST. DURING THE PAST YEAR OUR RANGES HAVE BECOME HALLOWED PLACES FOR US, AND BILL AND BJORN GOT THEIR HEADS TOGETHER TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE NEW M40 FROM EVOLUTION AIRSOFT AND REALLY SEE HOW IT PERFORMS!
8
MAY 2021
armoury EVOLUTION M40
www.airsoftaction.net
9
armoury EVOLUTION M40
M
any of the AA crew have either a range at home or have access to private land where they can set up a range to test on but our good friend, AA “Legionnaire” and Evolution “Face”, Bjorn from Klockar Airsoft, has well and truly trumped us all by taking the new Evolution M40 bolt-action to a professional range to carry out his testing of the new model! It’s fair to say that Evolution International have produced a super airsoft replica of the venerable M40A3 bolt-action, with some great features! Bill: Over the last year many of us have been concentrating to some degree on finding a bolt-action rifle that we really feel comfortable with. Starting at the “budget-end” to start getting my target-eye back in, I’ve already had heaps of fun in lockdown rediscovering a part of airsoft that really got me started in the whole thing 26 years ago - and what is on offer now as standard, is 100% better than even some of the upgraded models I shot way back then! It’s amazing how you forget the simplicity of just being on a range, you and your rifle, with a bag of decent BBs and some targets and just having at it for hours on end. Shot after frustrating shot will head downrange until everything settles in; you’ve relaxed, the rifle has had enough BBs through it to settle both the action and the hop, your scope is zero’d correctly and even the weather is perfect with little or no wind to deflect your shots! When everything comes together it’s a real “WOW!” moment and the satisfaction of just making those near-perfect shots time after time is something that stays with you until the next time you hit the range and start all over again… I’m lucky enough, given my time in the industry and my extensive testing history, to be able to approach different manufacturers and simply request a test rifle, however, I totally understand that this is not the case for many of you out there, hence me writing about my experiences and sharing them with you. Many shops have, in the past, offered “range test sessions” and soon will be again and the manufacturers and distributors themselves will be back out on the road to bring you a snippet of their latest goodies soon. Oh, how I wish it had been that way when I got started! As I’m also one of the few “full timers” in the airsoft/tactical media world, I’m also lucky enough to have time to really keep an eye on what the
manufacturers, distributors and even retailers are doing on a daily basis and the first couple of hours of my working day are spent trawling the news sites, feeds and manufacturer media releases for the latest information. At any one time during this period I can have message boxes open to the creators of airsoft goodness worldwide and global time differences mean that these conversations will continue throughout the day, as industry friends come online where they are. One particular morning, my email box was open with Francesca over at Evolution International in Italy and we got talking about my experiences during the C-Virus hiatus. She asked me if I had seen their latest M40 rifle, then quickly sent me a link to the model on their website. It was love at first sight, given that the M40 is a thing of beauty when it comes to precision riffles in the real world and when I saw the Evolution “take” my interest was completely piqued. Given that shipping times are a bit all over the place to the UK at the moment, I spoke to my friend Bjorn and asked him if he would like to get involved with the testing of this new model, as he’s not only one of Evolution’s “faces” but also a great, trusted brother and a part of our international Airsoft Action Legion. Little did I know at the time but I’d just unlocked a “testing beast” in true Viking form!
NO INTRO REQUIRED
Normally in one of my reviews I’d go into the history of the real-world rifle model but when it comes to the M40 no introduction is really required, other than to say it’s the 7.62mm NATO bolt-action sniper rifle used by the United States Marine Corps. Built from a Remington 700 bolt-action rifle and modified by USMC armourers at Marine Corps Base Quantico, it has had four variants: the M40, M40A1, M40A3, and M40A5. The M40 was first introduced way back in 1966! The changeover to the A1 model was completed in the 1970s, the A3 in the 2000s and the A5 in 2009. Featured in both “Jarhead” and “Sniper” it’s a well-known and much-loved rifle. Externally, the Evolution rifle is very neatly realised A3. All the black metal parts, including the abovechamber rail, are very nicely finished with a matt effect which gives the rifle a classy look and the outer barrel is CNC machined for a superlative finish.
“WHEN EVERYTHING COMES TOGETHER IT’S A REAL “WOW!” MOMENT AND THE SATISFACTION OF JUST MAKING THOSE NEAR-PERFECT SHOTS TIME AFTER TIME IS SOMETHING THAT STAYS WITH YOU UNTIL THE NEXT TIME YOU HIT THE RANGE AND START ALL OVER AGAIN…” 10
MAY 2021
armoury EVOLUTION M40
“I SPOKE TO MY FRIEND BJORN AND ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE TESTING OF THIS NEW MODEL, AS HE’S NOT ONLY ONE OF EVOLUTION’S “FACES” BUT ALSO A GREAT, TRUSTED BROTHER AND A PART OF OUR INTERNATIONAL AIRSOFT ACTION LEGION. LITTLE DID I KNOW AT THE TIME BUT I’D JUST UNLOCKED A “TESTING BEAST” IN TRUE VIKING FORM!”
www.airsoftaction.net
11
armoury EVOLUTION M40
The furniture is available in plain black, plain desert tan and plain olive green, all of which are very nicely achieved. Throughout, the high-impact moulded furniture is very precise with no gaps or prominent lines present and both the grip area and the forestock are nicely stippled for ease of retention. There are QD studs fore and aft if you want to fit a sling and there’s an additional front stud and short rail attachment point if you wish to fit a bipod. You can adjust the height of the cheek pad by simply raising or lowering it to get the best fit for you; this has different heights so you can get the perfect position behind your optic of choice. Bjorn tells me that even as new, the action is super-smooth and precise. With a short lift and sharp pull to the rear there is a little resistance but he told me that you soon get used to this. Internally you will find a 6.03 Inner Barrel as standard and it appears to me that Evolution wanted to make sure the accuracy of this rifle outstanding from the get go. Of course, only thorough testing would tell us if this was so, so I’ll hand over to Bjorn for the range results! 12
MAY 2021
armoury EVOLUTION M40
SHOT OUT
Bjorn: I’ve just started getting the M40 on the range, fitted with a Harris-style Bipod and a Vortex 4-16x50 Crossfire II optic that I got from www.tacticalstore. se and so far I’ve kept things down to 50m until everything settles in. Once I’ve had time to run a couple of hundred BBs through it (this actually takes time with a bolt-action rifle if you’re doing it right!) then I’ll open this distance out in increments until the user himself is able to make shots further out! The rifle itself is certainly capable of it. I test fired a few shots to dial in the hop up and then chrono’d it (that’s the way over here in Sweden) and it chrono’d in at just below 1 Joule which is perfectly acceptable for a “stock” bolt-action spring rifle. To start with I tried some 0.32g BBs, as my other guns tuned to 1 Joule are set up with them. I continued to shoot and soon figured out 0.32g was just too much for the rubber to handle at this power and I found that actually 0.28g and 0.30g gave a better result rangewise. So, after clearing that up and adjusting a bit back and forth, I went to the range for some target practice! We have an old shooting range nearby that I was able to access for testing and to take pictures. It’s a kinda old military range with huge numbers set up in the sand and goes out to 200+ metres - more than enough for an airsoft rifle! First off I set up three plate targets of medium size, (300mm x 300mm approximately) at 30, 40 and 50 metres, as I figured it was what I could expect with this amount of power and a new, un-bedded rifle. • At 30m: No problem! Hits every time! • At 40m: Still okay, maybe hits about every second shot. • At 50m: Okay… now it got a bit challenging! I was hitting the plate about every fifth BB but remember, this is a brand-new rifle and the size of the target at 50m was… small! So, maximum range out of the box I would say
is just above 50 metres but again, the stock rifle as new I got for testing was only at just below 1 Joule! However, the look of the rifle? It screams tactical and awesomeness right away! Assembling it is very easy, just some screws basically. I did notice the rifle is rather heavy, much heavier than my TM VSR rifle but for a potential precision rifle this is not a bad thing as you want a solid shooting base for consistent accuracy. And talking of accuracy the Vortex Crossfire scope is soooo crisp and clear it’s almost crazy! Although some might say that an optic of this level is overkill for an airsoft rifle, I know I was right to choose this one for the M40. This is a solid rifle that I’m only just starting with but I can’t wait to dig deeper in!
IN CONCLUSION
Bill: In conclusion, the Evolution International M40 does seem to me to be on the money in the current market. There are lots of manufacturers making lowend spring sniper rifles to a price-point, but definitely not the M40A3 style and certainly not with the out-of-the-box quality and base performance that Evolution seem to have eked out of this rifle! For very little money Evolution appear to have made a rifle that not so long ago you’d have paid much more money for and delivered it to market for players to enjoy. I believe that Bjorn and I have found a great boltaction rifle that is within the reach of even those players on a modest budget and one that, with VSR compatibility, can be worked on to get that power level up and provide true longer-range accuracy and effectiveness! I am certainly looking forward to getting my hands on and shooting, the Evolution M40A3 in the summer months to come! My sincere thanks go to Sergio and Francesca at www.evolutioninternational.it for bringing this super rifle to my attention and for getting it to Bjorn for testing so fast! Please do check out their website, as there’s a LOT of airsoft goodness to discover there! AA www.airsoftaction.net
13
armoury
EDGING OUT THE COMPETITION!
SPECNA ARMS SA J-08
16
MAY 2021
IN ISSUE 113 OUR RESIDENT “AK GEEK”, BILL, TOOK A LOOK AND TESTED THE NEW “J-SERIES” AEGS FROM SPECNA ARMS. FAST FORWARD ALMOST A YEAR AND THIS RANGE OF AEGS HAS JUST HAD A MAJOR UPLIFT TO FALL IN LINE WITH THE REST OF THE LATEST EDGE SERIES - AND WHAT AN UPLIFT IT IS!
armoury SPECNA ARMS SA J-08
I
t has got to be said that Specna Arms (SA) AEGs up to par with their very latest EDGE AR models. are just getting better and better, with levels of However, now I’ve had one of the new AKs to “play” personalization and performance that even a couple with, I can assure you that the wait has most definitely of years ago I wouldn’t have believed possible in an been worthwhile! AEG! As much as I have slight concerns that we are all Ultimately these days we can choose to own an getting just a little TOO fixated and reliant on all the airsoft replica of virtually any type of firearm we shiny electrical “wizard shizzle” and gizmos that go desire and, with the burgeoning aftermarket parts inside our favourite RIFs, SA continue to impress even on offer, if we can’t have exactly what we want, we the most seasoned of players, including a number of can probably build it! I am constantly stunned by the the Airsoft Action Team, with their current external number of incredible custom builds that I see in the build quality and what is included in the package with airsoft community, such as the wicked CMMG Boycie internals as standard, featuring components such has built and reported on in this very issue! as the ORION gearboxes, GATE X-ASR and ASTER That having been said, with all the choice on offer, Mosfets, plus their “Enter & Convert” quick change both military and civilian, my heart continues to spring function. belong to “Comrade Mikhail”! Ever since I first laid They’ve forged some fabulous strategic alliances my hands on a real AK-47 many, many moons ago in with real firearms manufacturers, first with Rock Africa, I’ve been sold on “The Joy of AK” and even River Arms, and now with Daniel Defense and Strike in its most basic form I, like many, still hold the notSystems. Add to that the fact that they are constantly so-humble-Kalshnikov to be one of the most pure designing and weapon designs out innovating “in there. I’m always house” too, and I excited whenever I believe that Specna see a new AK hit the “IT HAS GOT TO BE SAID THAT SPECNA ARMS Arms are amongst market and thanks (SA) AEGS ARE JUST GETTING BETTER AND a core group of to the guys over at BETTER, WITH LEVELS OF PERSONALIZATION manufacturers Gunfire, I now have AND PERFORMANCE THAT EVEN A COUPLE that are leading a very special SAOF YEARS AGO I WOULDN’T HAVE BELIEVED the way, bringing J08 (AK-100 series value, great builds style to fellow gunPOSSIBLE IN AN AEG!” and performance to bunnies!) to yammer players worldwide! about! As I said almost a year ago… CHOICES, CHOICES! “One area though that has, at least to my mind, Not only have Specna Arms reinvigorated their original been missing from the offering to date though, is J-Series with new “tech” (more on that in a bit!), the not-so-humble-any-more Kalashnikov but I am they’ve also taken the opportunity to do it across a overjoyed that they have now addressed this with range of ELEVEN different variants, some classic and the launch of their “J-Series” (why J and not K I can’t some most thoroughly “modern” with different levels tell ya!) and the initial eight variants/models now of internal “spec”! I chose the J08 because a) I don’t appearing for sale bring a little warm glow to my currently have a “100 series AK” style in the armoury otherwise stony old heart!” and b) because it still had “woodwork” on the front I concluded in my initial review of the J-Series that: end! Call me an old traditionalist but I do like an AK “With solid performance out of the box, reasonably with wood! The model I received was also a little cheap accessories and magazines should you need special… more and an introductory price of just €159 at the When my “bespoke” J08 EDGE arrived one of the time of writing, the SA-J04 is a great bit of kit, and very first things I noted was the overall heft and feel if you’re in the market for something other than the of it, as it has, at 3,245g, a really good weight to it. “M4” then I’d really suggest you take a good long As with the initial J-Series models, all the parts that look at this new model from Specna Arms. I’m just should be metal are metal and steel parts include keen to see exactly where they take “Project J” next!” the receiver, top cover, outer barrel, trigger guard, Little did I know when I wrote those words that magazine latch, fire mode selector plate, gas block, development was already underway to take “Project muzzle brake, sling loop and plate on the stock, rear J” into new territory, bringing them most assuredly sight, cleaning rod, stock latch, stock, plus pins and www.airsoftaction.net
17
armoury SPECNA ARMS SA J-08
rivets. Even where steel is not used, all parts are alloy with a special coating used in the finishing process which gives a very realistic appearance overall. There is a black polymer pistol grip and I’m pleased to report that the excellent standard of the wood handguards have carried over from the first range and are still a much better colour than versions that we see all too often on AKs with a keen pricepoint. On the J08 they are still a very rich brown, almost “chestnut”, hue. In a nutshell, externally the finish of the AEG is superb and the side folding “SUstyle” stock is as solid as the rest of the AEG, both open and closed. Internally, Specna Arms have earned a massively positive reputation for using high-standard and innovative internal parts and, whereas the original J-Series was thoroughly workmanlike, some of the new models follow the trend that I’ve seen SA take with their newest ARs and incorporate the ORION™ and ASTER™ V3 system by GATE. The ASTER™ system is the younger brother of the now-well-known TITAN™ unit and this fourth generation of AEG control systems was designed for models to provide high levels of tuning. The ASTER™ allows you to find that sweet spot of maximum durability/performance whilst retaining a sensible price and this system is characteristic for its uniquely beneficial price to efficiency ratio. Thanks to the ASTER™, you can improve your replica by replacing the connectors with an advanced
controller equipped with innovative optical sensors, which offers up to 240 trigger sensitivity settings. A superb trigger (and many other useful functions) will let you to get an “EDGE” over opponents on the field, whilst an “intelligent fuse” protects the battery, the motor and the controller. This function, along with optical sensors, makes the ASTER™ currently one of the most durable drop-in systems available on the market. The ASTER™ provides: • Safeguard from reverse polarization of a battery • Innovative optical sensors • Hundreds of trigger sensitivity settings • Ability to configure with the use of the replica’s trigger or GCS application • Integrated RGB led diode simplifying the programming of the system • Premium functionality at a reasonable price It was at this moment that I understood why the J08 had arrived with a USB cable and an additional doo-dah with a GATE label on it! I’ve talked before
“ONE ASSOCIATED FEATURE HERE I REALLY LIKE IS ONE THAT YOU MAY EASILY MISS - AND THAT’S THE LITTLE LOCATING PLATE IN THE MAGWELL THAT LETS YOU EASILY SEAT YOUR MAGAZINE… PLUS POINTS AGAIN FOR SPECNA ARMS, AS THIS WILL REALLY HELP NEW AK USERS!” 18
MAY 2021
armoury SPECNA ARMS SA J-08
about the ASTER™ and even as a selfprofessed “techno-luddite”, I really like the system. Using the GATE Control Station (GCS) you get total control over your AEG, as the GCS offers you many, MANY personalization options along with those all-important protection functions! The new models also benefit from the SA Enter & Convert™ system, which adds to the personalization of the AEG by providing a rapid and quick adjustment of the power to the conditions expected on the field without the need for access to a workshop or a set of special tools. Once the gearbox has been taken out of the replica’s body, the process of spring change lasts literally mere seconds and all that is required is to take out the guide along with the spring through the opening in the gearbox frame!
CLANGING THE STEELS!
The J08 came with a pair of new 130 BB mid-cap “S-MAG” AK magazines, which are finished with a stippled effect incorporating the SA logo. I’m pleased to report though, that all my AK mags from different brands fit and function well. I always find that other than steel versions, AK mags can feel a little insubstantial and even “flimsy” but the Specna Arms versions fit and feed well. The inclusion of two mid-caps to me suggests, as does the keen pricepoint, that the J08 is aimed at the slightly more experienced player, or the player who wants a solid AEG from the get-go that will last them for a considerable time without breaking the bank! One associated feature here I really like is one that you may easily miss - and that’s the little locating plate in the magwell that lets you easily seat your magazine… plus points again for Specna Arms, as this will really help
new AK users! The J08 still has standard AK iron (steel) sights but if you fancy fitting an optic, then one additional feature that comes as standard is an AK sight mount on the left hand side of the receiver. You’ll need to buy the correct sight rail to clamp to this though and please note, if you fit the rail then you can’t close the steel stock. On the range the first SA AKs gave me very respectable performance, so I expected (and received) more from the new J08, with pretty solid range and accuracy too. First, I ran the rifle through the chrono on .20g RZR BBs and recorded and consistent 1.06 Joule/338fps. Moving up to .25g BBs, easily resetting the sliding hop adjustment and using just the iron sights, which are also easily adjustable, I was able to clang the Red Cell “steels” and group on paper reasonably at the limit of the 30m range. A 7.4V LiPo battery fits easily under the top cover but if you’re judicious you can squeeze in an 11.1V pack, which brings up the ROF quite seriously! My only quibble
“…TRYING TO FIND A REPLICA MODEL THAT WILL WORK FOR A VARIETY OF LOADOUTS AND THEMES IS A KEY POINT AND THE J08 CERTAINLY TICKS MANY OF THE BOXES IN THIS RESPECT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE “100 SERIES”, IT WAS INTRODUCED IN 2001 AND IT IS STILL BEING USED TODAY, SO THAT’S “MODERN/ OPFOR” AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN CRACKED!” www.airsoftaction.net
19
armoury SPECNA ARMS SA J-08
with the original J-Series was the top-cover latch, which seemed a little “short and I felt needed to be a couple of millimetres “prouder” to ensure a solid lock. I’m pleased to report that SA have taken note of this and made a change to ensure that the new version locks like a padlocked, double-locked thing! For many airsofters, especially those who are new, trying to find a replica model that will work for a variety of loadouts and themes is a key point and the J08 certainly ticks many of the boxes in this respect. If you look at the service life of the “100 series”, it was introduced in 2001 and it is still being used today, so that’s “modern/OPFOR” and everything in between cracked! If you favour the ever-popular “contractor” look then the J08 will work for that perfectly and with the sheer number of modern AK parts now available, the J08 forms the perfect donor AEG for a really “uber-tacticool” build. Am I happy now that Specna Arms have given an uplift to the AK AEG platform? You’d better believe I am! Although the ASTER™/GCS is currently only available on a number of models (J01-J05) right now, I can only say a HUGE thank you to the team at Gunfire who sent me the J08 in this configuration - and this model will soon be available to everyone! Right now though, if you’re looking for an airsoft AK, then Specna Arms are now right up there with the best of them in terms of build and performance, so again I have to ask, “What will Specna Arms do next”? Whatever it is, I’m certain it’s going to be exciting! Thanks as always to https://gunfire.com for supplying the test/review sample. Please do though visit https://specnaarms.com to check out this model and the comprehensive range of Specna Arms models on offer. AA
www.airsoftaction.net
21
armoury WETTI M4A1 PCC GBB
M4KING IT REAL! 22
MAY 2021
armoury WETTI M4A1 PCC GBB
IN THE WORLD OF AIRSOFT REPLICAS THERE IS ONE MODEL THAT QUITE LITERALLY DOMINATES THE MARKETPLACE GLOBALLY AND THAT’S THE “AR/M4”. VIRTUALLY EVERY AIRSOFT MANUFACTURER ON THE PLANET PRODUCES A REPLICA BASED ON THE CLASSIC CARBINE WHICH QUITE APART FROM BEING THE FIREARM ISSUED TO THE ENTIRE US MILITARY HAS BEEN SOLD IN VAST NUMBERS TO OVER 50 OTHER COUNTRIES! THIS MONTH BILL LOOKS AT A VARIANT THAT’S JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT…
I
f you take a look at some airsoft manufacturers, then not only do they offer one “M4 style” but in some cases they have an entire range of them! It’s no wonder then, that if you visit any airsoft site anywhere in the world, you’ll find the majority of players using some kind of “AR/M4”. Indeed, my very first “airsoft replica” was a spring AR in kit form which, sadly, was consigned to the great armourer in the sky many, many moons ago! I’ve personally always been into replicas of different and unusual models of firearm but even so, there have been ARs that have come and gone within my armoury. For specific loadouts the AR/M4 is the only carbine that is appropriate,
but I have to admit that having fired the real 5.56mm M4 and its .223 semi-auto civilian siblings on many occasions, it’s often been a replica that I have shied away from as the AEG versions have left me wanting more. With gasses becoming more stable and efficient though, many manufacturers have been looking more seriously at gas blowback replicas and WE Airsoft have undoubtedly been one of these, with a number of fine “open bolt” gas-powered rifles and carbines. During the last year I’ve been taking a very close look at the latest of these models and have come away being very impressed with just how far the gas replicas have moved on since I first encountered them. Gone are the magazines that vent as soon as the temperature drops a degree or two and in has come features that make them as close to the “real deal” as they can possibly be. The latest model though, the “M4A1 PCC (Pistol Calibre Carbine)”, is a very specific beast (at least in its “pure” form, as WE are offering eight different models in the series!) when it comes to “real deal” counterparts, as it mimics to a high degree the current
Colt 9mm SMG, Model R0991. Colt themselves tell us: “The Colt 9mm Submachine Gun (SMG) is exceptionally well suited for military, paramilitary, and Law Enforcement organizations requiring a lightweight, compact, highly concealable, select fire weapon system for close confrontations.”
SWAT …AND BEYOND!
Although the RO991 is one of the current “9mm SMGs” that Colt offer, the principle dates back to the Model 635, which was first introduced back in the early 1980s! The Colt SMG was originally designed to fit a niche in American military and police units that needed a cost-effective
training alternative to the more expensive 5.56mm “issue” weapons. The original Model 635 came equipped with a 10.5 inch length barrel and had an M16A1 style upper receiver with a fixed carry handle, no forward assist and A1 sights. The magwell of the lower was modified using a special adaptor to use 9mm magazines and, bizarrely, Colt chose to use a copy of the Israeli UZI SMG magazine, modified to fit the Colt and lock the bolt back after the last shot. Firing from a closed bolt, the straight-line construction, coupled with the low recoil of 9mm ammunition, provided highly accurate fire with less muzzle climb, especially in full auto, plus the lower recoil also facilitated ease of training and improved accuracy. With the operation of the Colt 9mm SMG being similar to that for the Colt M16A2/A4 Rifle, Colt M4 Carbine or Colt Commando Carbine, this also helped greatly with user training. Although the initial role intended was that of www.airsoftaction.net
23
armoury WETTI M4A1 PCC GBB
training, it soon became apparent that the “9mm AR” was a great police weapon, due to the power of the lower calibre ammunition and the controllability. The original Model 635 was picked up by many law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, Los Angeles Police Department SWAT, U.S. Dept of Justice-Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and the DEA. The United States Department of Energy used them for protection of nuclear weapons and facilities and many users found that they served them very well “in the wild”, as well as on the range! The fact that 9mm Colt models are still in use today with police units around the world (such as Argentina, India, and Malaysia, and allegedly still by certain special units of the IDF!), shows that there is still a need for the platform and the fact that Colt continue to have 9mm “SMGs” available in their line, would go some way to proving this is the case too!
A CRACK NOT A WHIRR!
It’s not really a surprise then, that so many airsoft manufacturers have taken the AR as their flagship carbine model when you consider just how many real “M4s” there are and, when you add in all the companies that are making accessories for the carbine, there’s an entire industry and sub-culture devoted to it. WE have produced, in my opinion, a very welcome addition to the “airsoft AR family”, one which at first glance may seem very “niche” but does show great potential for the future in game! Externally speaking, there have always been some cracking airsoft ARs but internally, like every other AEG that has a motor and a gearbox, they have always gone off with a “whirr” rather than a “crack”. Although there is a fire selector and a magazine release, that is as far as the “real” controls have gone (until very recently when some have added a “bolt release function”), but most will happily keep cycling even though you’ve fired your last BB. There were VERY expensive “Professional Training Weapons” that simulate last round cut-off but you are quickly into four figures for those, which put them well out of reach for most airsofters and even with the very latest (and more attractively priced) AEGs, the additional functions rely on intricate circuitry which need an
expert hand if they malfunction. Gas pistols have been with us almost since the infancy of airsoft and a number of companies have continued to experiment with gas technology. Amongst them are WE and they have channelled the knowledge gained from creating pistols into rifles and SMGs. Strangely though, given their understanding of all things gas, some early models were pretty atrocious and, like many other players, I quickly became disillusioned with them. Although they were lovely to look at, in operation they left a LOT to be desired and it amazes me that it wasn’t until relatively recently that anyone took time to actually step back and look at the root of their operation… the gas itself! Not only have some companies gone right back to the drawing board with their gasses, they’ve also looked at the function and form of the replicas themselves. It was at this point in my mind that the current generation of gas powered replica rifles and carbines really emerged and changed the game. WE’s gas system has now really come into its own, especially since they released their open bolt technology, and the M4 PCC comes with the open bolt system pre-installed. The PCC is a full metal and polymer carbine and it feels very solid and robust. The build needs to be utterly solid as, unlike AEGs, the receivers are built to contain the real mechanical forces of a fully functional bolt and are not just there to hold a gearbox. The finish of all parts throughout is very nice indeed and with a mixture of matte black and grey metal and well finished black plastic in the pistol grip and “LE” style sliding stock, the carbine really stands out from the crowd. This particular version of the M4A1 PCC is the “base” model, but it still comes with a twopiece outer barrel, which means that you can run it with a full length barrel or as a CQB short barrel, similar to that original Model 635. The inner barrel, however, will need cropping and recrowning
“THE FINISH OF ALL PARTS THROUGHOUT IS VERY NICE INDEED AND WITH A MIXTURE OF MATTE BLACK AND GREY METAL AND WELL FINISHED BLACK PLASTIC IN THE PISTOL GRIP AND “LE” STYLE SLIDING STOCK, THE CARBINE REALLY STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD.” 24
MAY 2021
armoury WETTI M4A1 PCC GBB
should you wish to run it short. On the top of the upper receiver is a removable carry handle with a full length Picatinny rail beneath; the carry handle does incorporate a fully adjustable rear sight but should you wish to install an optic on the top rail, this becomes redundant anyway. The front sight is the traditional “A Post” style. The pistol grip is the standard M16 style but again, as there is no motor within, it’s extremely easy to change this out should you wish to. The sliding stock has multiple positions so it’s simple to set it up to work with you. The PCC is different in that it comes with a completely new and beautifully manufactured lower receiver, which houses a 50 BB “G-style” metal magazine. Sadly, contrary to what I’d first heard, the PCC is not compatible with G-Series pistol magazines - and I’ll come back to that later. It’s also NOT compatible with WE “AR” magazines, as the new lower is a dedicated version. The 50 BB magazine is solid and heavy as, obviously, there’s a lot going on with the gas valves and the like, and the profile on the top of the magazine is flat rather, than angled like a G-Series pistol mag. My feeling is that this has been done so that it will work efficiently with the existing “AR” bolt setup. The open bolt system in this carbine does make the operation pretty much identical to the real thing, in that you must cock the rifle before you fire. Once the magazine has been emptied the bolt locks to the rear and when you insert a fresh, fully loaded magazine you need to hit the bolt release to let it slam forward again - just like the “real deal”. Please note that (once again like the real world counterpart) you cannot engage the safety until the carbine is cocked; trying to force the fire selector into the safe position with an uncocked rifle could lead to damage! In operation it must be said the PCC is an absolute cracker and if you’re buying it as a training or “practical rifle” tool, then you’ll need to do absolutely nothing to it other than charge the magazines with green gas and load up your BBs. I tested using .20g BBs and got an average fps over 10 BBs of 0.88 Joule/309 fps and that was on a cold day. If you’re planning to use this as a skirmish gun, then you’re going to need to keep an eye on the power when the temperature rises - but that’s the same with all
“gassers”. At 10m this thing drills holes in a target like you’re hitting it with a laser and 10mm groups are easily achievable from a supported position. This widens out slightly when firing unsupported but is way more than adequate. At 30m it‘s possible to hit a sandbag unerringly and I believe that the PCC would reach out even further than this, as the BBs were still travelling absolutely flat when they hit the sandbag. On semi-auto the trigger is nice and crisp with a proper “reset” and switching up to full chat sends BBs downrange with a satisfying little thump in the shoulder! I have to say that I really want to love the M4A1 PCC and if you’re looking for a training tool to keep your skills and drills up to date then it works perfectly for that… …BUT I cannot help but think that WE have really missed a trick here! I run an openbolt WE M4A1 to help me with preparing to go and shoot “real” with my friends overseas and although the recoil is still minimal and there’s no muzzle blast to mitigate, the “drills” that I need to keep on top of can be run very well with the gas airsoft version. However, gas AR magazines are NOT cheap… As I also own a number of G-Series pistols and have a
“THE OPEN BOLT SYSTEM IN THIS CARBINE DOES MAKE THE OPERATION PRETTY MUCH IDENTICAL TO THE REAL THING, IN THAT YOU MUST COCK THE RIFLE BEFORE YOU FIRE. ONCE THE MAGAZINE HAS BEEN EMPTIED THE BOLT LOCKS TO THE REAR AND WHEN YOU INSERT A FRESH, FULLY LOADED MAGAZINE YOU NEED TO HIT THE BOLT RELEASE TO LET IT SLAM FORWARD AGAIN - JUST LIKE THE “REAL DEAL”.” www.airsoftaction.net
25
armoury WETTI M4A1 PCC GBB
“WE’S GAS SYSTEM HAS NOW REALLY COME INTO ITS OWN, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY RELEASED THEIR OPEN BOLT TECHNOLOGY, AND THE M4 PCC COMES WITH THE OPEN BOLT SYSTEM PRE-INSTALLED.” grab-bag of magazines for them, a “training pistol calibre carbine” would be 100% my ideal tool. No need to buy a whole other set of mags, I could
just use the same ones for both pistol and carbine training! I also think that given complementary mags, any airsofter considering moving to “full gas” in their
loadout that already owned a G-Series pistol would find this a cheaper option too. Although the superb new lower for the PCC is a piece of “airsoft art”, the fact that proprietary magazines are still needed is, I feel strongly, a real loss for both training-users and potential “gas carbine” skirmishers. I do hope that WE will go back to the design team with the PCC variants and make them completely compatible with G-Series pistol magazines, as the carbine really is quite excellent. Would I own one right now? Yes, I would, as it shoots straight, shoots well and is built like a tank but I also believe that the first company to come to market with a viable gas carbine in AR configuration, that is completely compatible with gas pistol magazines, will be onto a real winner! My thanks go to www.iwholesales.co.uk for providing me with the test model of the WE Airsoft M4A1 PCC, so please do check them out. Thanks also to the team at www.weairsoft.com for putting up with all my questions and constant pestering! AA
www.airsoftaction.net
27
armoury G&G SR30
30
MAY 2021
SHINING KNIGHT!
armoury G&G SR30
IN RED CELL LAST MONTH LOOKED AT SHORT BARRELLED AR MODELS THAT ARE IDEAL FOR CQB PLAY AND THERE WAS ONE THAT WE WANTED TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME WITH DUE TO ITS UNIQUE CHARACTER! BEST KNOWN FOR THEIR SUPER RANGE OF “OWN-BRANDED” AR CARBINES, JASE CLARKE NOW TAKES A LOOK AT THE FULLY “KNIGHTS-LICENCED” SR30 FROM OUR FRIENDS AT G&G.
W
ith lockdown measures starting to ease here in the UK, the light is well and truly getting brighter at the end of the tunnel! This was still going to mean a full “in game” shakedown of the SR30 wasn’t going to be possible and my home range was going to have to make do for the occasion. Within the last 24 months the airsoft community has seen more and more RS firearm companies join the bandwagon, to protect their company’s trademarks by setting up their own airsoft divisions and team up with large Airsoft companies to produce their “own” product, be it for use in the 6mm training environment or on the skirmish field. When it comes to size or brand appeal, for many of us you cannot get much bigger than Knights Armament. So, who are they? Well, Knights Armament started out in 1974, when C. Reed Knight Jr. established and developed a leading enterprise in the field of enhancing “user lethality”, Knight’s Armament Company. His mission was to produce exceptional and innovative products while maintaining an unwavering commitment to value, quality, and client services. After initial cooperative work with mentor and friend Eugene Stoner (yes, THAT Stoner!), he has personally driven innovation of pivotal components dedicated to the professional user of small arms. Two of the biggest names in modern firearms, especially AR, history right there! Then we have G&G. Regarded as one of the truly big producers of airsoft replicas in the world, Airsoft Action’s very own “Stewbacca” produced a fine write up on G&G back in issue 117, so I won’t go on too much about their history but it is a grand one that stretches back to 1986. The man behind G&G is a gentleman called James Liao, himself an ex-ROC Marine who had a taste for the sport and is a collector of militaria. In 2004 G&G released their own selfmade airsoft replica to great acclaim and the rest is history! G&G are striving to push the boundaries of their design and production methods and this can be seen in today’s offering. Would I be left surprised by
today’s SR30 I wondered?
FIRST LOOK
After picking up the SR30 I made my way home for the unboxing. As boxes go, it’s not only a large one but a well-made and presented one, something which I am becoming accustomed to now being part of the AA crew. Twelve 12 years ago when I started playing, RIF boxes were very drab and uninspiring, unlike todays. As I open up the box I’m greeted with two thick, glossy pamphlets. One is the owner’s manual, the other a catalogue of G&G’s vast arsenal of Airsoft Replicas. Currently G&G produce some 300 different replicas, that’s a colossal number when you sit back and actually think about it. I had no idea they had so many lines, I really was gobsmacked. As I took out the SR30 from its well packaged box, my first thoughts were “impressive”. The immediate quality of this RIF was good. It felt solid …really solid! Apart from the stock giving off a wee rattle, the whole platform did not make a noise. I wasn’t expecting this. In the years I have been a player in the community, I have fettled with my fair share of AEGs from expensive to cheap, so I know what a good RIF feels like. Back in the day, a few of my team ran G&G Combat Machine M4s which were budget orientated (which you cannot fault them for) but they were a spot on the ropey side, so when I was tasked a with this G&G review, I was not holding out much hope in the quality department. How wrong I was!! Being the lucky boy I am, as part of the Red Cell, I have been treated with plenty of well trademarked RIFs of late, so I was eager to see how well G&G had engraved this SR30. Talk about a good job, from what I can tell this is the spitting image of the real thing. The trades are super crisp, I’d go as far as to say laser engraved as they look so nice. When I compared this with photos of the real Knights SR30, apart from the missing CTR stock and slightly different pistol grip, this was a damn fine Knights Armament replica.
“THE TRADES ARE SUPER CRISP, I’D GO AS FAR AS TO SAY LASER ENGRAVED AS THEY LOOK SO NICE. WHEN I COMPARED THIS WITH PHOTOS OF THE REAL KNIGHTS SR30, APART FROM THE MISSING CTR STOCK AND SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PISTOL GRIP, THIS WAS A DAMN FINE KNIGHTS ARMAMENT REPLICA.” www.airsoftaction.net
31
armoury G&G SR30
32
MAY 2021
armoury G&G SR30
www.airsoftaction.net
33
TOKYO MARUI
L119A2 CUSTOM BUILD
NEXT GEN RECOIL SHOCK CONTACT US FOR DETAILS
THE L119A2 IS JUST ONE POPULAR EXAMPLE OF OUR CURRENT RECOIL MODELS, BASED ON TOKYO MARUI’S FANTASTIC SYSTEM - FITTED WITH THE ANGRY GUN RAIL SYSTEM AND REAL STEEL MAGPUL FURNITURE
armoury G&G SR30
BBs DOWN!
With the sun lighting up the spring sky, I ventured out to my homemade range with the SR30 and my ready bag and plate carrier. What could be nicer? As some of you now know, I’m a big KWA ERG fan, mainly because of their recoil, mag cut off and reliability and with this G&G having their new magazine cut off, I have good knowledge for comparison which I feel is really important and I wasn’t disappointed. Time to bomb up! Only having one G2-compatible magazine was going to slow down my test but would give me more time to get a feel for this proprietary magazine which holds 90 BBs. It is similar to the KWA system, in that it has a follower that feeds every BB, this then allows a trigger to be cut off until you insert a new magazine. Great for those airsofters looking for the element of realism, I personally like it. The first magazine was used to chrono. Power started at a very solid 316 to 320 fps (iro 0.95 Joule), but this AEG was fresh out of the box so I expected some rise in numbers. Magazine two was used to set the Hop and after a further two magazines, I was hitting a plate at 40m without issue. Magazine five chrono’d at 320 to 323fps (iro 0.96 Joule). Magazine 10 came in at a solid 323/325 fps (iro 0.98 Joule). At this point now I’d started to bang off rounds in semi and full auto, switching between both flawlessly. Rate of fire in both modes is fantastic. The selector switch on this SR30 is to my liking, just the right amount of resistance. By magazine fifteen, I was feeling at one with this SR30 and how it fired. I chose not to put my Vortex optic on it and get a feel for the “irons” and, once set I was very happy with sight acquisition. I’m not a fan of M-LOK rails, I personally find them a bit on the skinny side but like my KWA QRF, this light slender front end really made the SR30 feel nimble when transitioning from target to target. As I banged in the twentieth magazine, I ran a few rounds through the chrono, resulting in 326/328fps (iro 0.99 Joule), so given another 20 magazines, I’d go as far to say you would be getting a very solid 1 Joule/330fps on a .20g, maybe even a tad higher, perfect for the UK skirmish fields and most CQB sites around the globe. In total I fired thirty magazines without a hitch throughout the afternoon.
ZERO ISSUES
This G&G Knights Armament SR30 really was nice to use, I had zero issues or gripes. The SR30 comes fitted with a programmable Mosfet as standard which is now being found as a standard item in a lot of premium line of RIFs and it’s great to see G&G following suit. Their “take” on this gearbox/ Mosfet combo offers really handy features like a Quick Change Spring (once the gearbox is removed from the receivers), Audible Alarm Warnings, Basic Troubleshooting and the Empty Magazine Cutoff System which we’ve seen in the TR16 variants that we’ve tested. I did have a little play with this feature and set it up with 3 and 5 round burst without issue. The instructions were easy to follow too. G&G also make their own premium line of BBs which I have personally used for the last 5 years now and would recommend, it was nice to finally use them in a G&G rifle too… the complete package. So, my conclusion? After spending the day with this fine SR30 on the range my closing comments would be these. Here in the UK this SR30 is competitively priced at £350 for a solid, well-made, beautifully “traded” AEG. The proprietary magazines can be had from as little as £25. Would I recommend this G&G SR30? Yes. If you are looking to step up your playing style this might be a RIF you’re looking for. I know that I didn’t have as much trigger time as I would have liked but I do feel in the long term it would return some solid performance if left alone on the inside! Thank you to the guys at UK distributor www. nuprol.com who supplied the SR30 for test and do be sure to check this model out with your local retailer if, like me, you like an AEG that’s good to go from the box - and that has the full-blessing of the “real deal” manufacturer! AA
“AT THIS POINT NOW I’D STARTED TO BANG OFF ROUNDS IN SEMI AND FULL AUTO, SWITCHING BETWEEN BOTH FLAWLESSLY. RATE OF FIRE IN BOTH MODES IS FANTASTIC. THE SELECTOR SWITCH ON THIS SR30 IS TO MY LIKING, JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF RESISTANCE.” www.airsoftaction.net
35
KIT & GEAR PATROL PACKS
CHOOSING YOUR PATROL PACK WHEN IT COMES TO USING A PACK FOR AIRSOFT THERE ARE MANY DIFFERING OPINIONS AS TO WHAT IS BEST, OR INDEED IF YOU SHOULD BOTHER CARRYING ONE AT ALL! BILL TAKES A LOOK AT THIS QUESTION FROM SEVERAL ANGLES AND COMES UP WITH SOME SOLUTIONS THAT MAY JUST MAKE YOU THINK AGAIN.
I
’m going to come straight out and say this… I’m a pack believer! Call it what you will, pack, backpack, ruc, rucsac, or gear-hauler, it’s all the same to me but in my opinion, EVERY airsofter worth their salt should be able to carry all they need for a day game - and if you’re into MilSim I don’t believe you can consider yourself “full on” unless you own a pack that’s able to keep you in the field for multiple days! I worked for many years for one of the very best pack makers in the outdoor industry before I decided to devote myself entirely to airsoft and tactical, so you could say I know a thing or three about how a pack should be put together, how it should be fitted and indeed how it should be packed and used. I’ve spent many, many days with different packs and covered lots of miles in the wild places of the world with my life strapped, quite literally, to my back. I’ve seen many cheap packs fail and people end up in a world of hurt due to this, or to poor fitment. A badly fitting back will sit wrong and lead to fatigue very quickly and the way you carry items inside will also have a bearing, but that’s a topic for another day. In this article I’m going to look specifically at “Patrol Packs”, models up to 45 litres that will take you
from a day skirmish right up to a multi-day clementweather game. “Big Packs”, or in military parlance, “Bergans”, for winter use are a whole other ballgame and although many of the principles are the same, they are beasts with a character and temperament all of their own and deserve to be treated with utmost respect! Choosing the right patrol pack is a difficult and personal thing and there is no single, definitive answer as to what will be best for you but, ultimately, it’s all about getting the job done safely and efficiently. There is simply “no one fits all” patrol pack that will suit every individual and it all really comes down to how you’re planning to use it For any game that’s going to involve more than you can carry in your pockets, you’re going to need a pack! Even a sustainment pack fitted to the back of your plate carrier will help and, as much as I love these, I will usually opt for a standalone pack for a number of reasons. You may think that “all packs are equal” but they actually have lots of functional differences. I am of the opinion that one pack will not be adequate for all scenarios and, even as a believer in “light is right”, I have multiple packs for different
“CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATROL PACK IS A DIFFICULT AND PERSONAL THING AND THERE IS NO SINGLE, DEFINITIVE ANSWER AS TO WHAT WILL BE BEST FOR YOU BUT, ULTIMATELY, IT’S ALL ABOUT GETTING THE JOB DONE SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY.” Image: Courtesy of Helikon-Tex 36
MAY 2021
KIT & GEAR PATROL PACKS
scenarios. Having two to three dedicated packs can cover you for pretty much any scenario you find yourself in and although you can wing it with a single model, having more than one allows you more choice - and more tactical flexibility. Are you a player that likes to cover all the bases, one that is prepared for any kind of weather that “Old Ma Nature” may throw at you, the player that’s prepared to bivvy at the drop of a hat? Are you a “lone wolf” or are you part of a team? To begin to work out what size and type of pack is right for you, first think about the following: • Fit: This is paramount to me for a tactical pack; if it weren’t I could just drag around a big old trash bag containing my worldly goods! • Role: How you’ll use your pack and in what setting will give you an idea of the features you’ll need. • Capacity: Just HOW MUCH gear are you going to be lugging (ask yourself why? Do you REALLY need it all!)? • Features: How many pockets do you need and why? How easy is the pack to access? How easy is it to dump if you need to bug out fast?
SIZE MATTERS!
Patrol packs come in all sizes, great and small, so when you’re thinking about what you need to buy, REALLY think about what you need to have in it. Can the pack swallow up a bottle of BBs, a bottle of gas, some snacks and water for a day game? Will it be large enough to carry and extra layer and your waterproofs on a bad-weather day? Do you need to carry any specialist items like comms? Let’s look at things by size first! • Up to 10 litres : These can be great for a skirmish game where you just need to have a few choice essentials and are usually pretty stable as most models will be designed for hi-speed pursuits where little bulk or weight is really carried. They’re great if you can
•
•
head back to the Safe Zone whenever you need to but at any other time you’ll be wanting something bigger! 10–20 litres: This is my “go to size” if I’m going to be working close to a FOB or from vehicles, as generous re-supply will still be relatively close at hand. At the larger end of this spectrum a 20 litre pack will let you carry additional shell garments, a more substantial FAK, and more food and water so you can sustain yourself for a longer period if needed 20–45 litres: When it comes to multi-day events and scenarios then this is where I look to have enough packed on my back to last, with occasional re-supply of rations and water, for some considerable time! I’ve gone into packing lists for multi-day scenarios before but the 40-45 litre mark is where this really clicks into gear for me. You can go smaller if you’re REALLY super-minimalist but around 40 litres is the absolute sweet spot!
KEEPING THINGS STABLE
You’ll find that many smaller, lightweight packs do an excellent job of adapting to the shape of your back and if you’re in 0-20 litre territory you can make do with very little mechanical support as part of the pack construction. When you move up in size and therefore, potentially, in the weight that you may carry though, you need a little help to get the right fit and correct support that will help you avoid discomfort and fatigue! Many mid-size packs have an internal frame that helps support the weight you’re carrying; some will have plastic parts that add lightweight structure, whilst others will make use of alloy rods or staves to support the load. Bottom line; the sturdier the frame, the more the pack - and you - can handle! But the framework of the pack is only the beginning of getting the “fit” right and your pack should be as individual in how it interacts with your body as you are! A good pack “fit” will give you the correct size appropriate for your torso length (NOT www.airsoftaction.net
37
KIT & GEAR PATROL PACKS
your height) and will offer support via the hip belt which should be a snug fit if it’s a padded version, such as those you’ll find on larger models. For the smaller, low-volume, low-weight packs the hip belt can be more minimal and is really there for stability. You’ll find that some packs are available in multiple sizes to fit a range of torso lengths and that ranges vary by manufacturer and by gender. While trying frame-packs on, position the hip belt so the top edge is just above your hips, then look at how the shoulder straps work on your back and shoulders themselves. With no weight in the pack, the straps should sit slightly proud of your shoulders, enough that you can slip a finger beneath without feeling pressure, as when you add weight the straps will be pulled down. If there is a big gap the pack is likely too long for you! If at all possible, try on your potential new load-partner with some weight in. Most good stores will have weight bags specifically for this. Some packs feature an adjustable torso that lets you really dial-in the fit; if you struggle to find the right fit with other packs, consider one with an adjustable torso. This is also a good idea if you’ll be sharing the pack with someone. Hip belts on daypacks usually accommodate a wide range of hip sizes, so when trying a pack on, just make sure you can get the hip belt loose enough or snug enough to fit comfortably around your hips! Female-specific backpacks usually have dimensions that are generally shorter than on men’s or unisex packs and hip belts and shoulder straps that are contoured with the female form in mind. Because women’s packs have smaller frame sizes, they often work well for youngsters too. On a good pack you’ll find additional features that will let you get it set up specifically for you and one to ensure that you have, whatever the size of the pack may be, is a Sternum Strap! This mid-chest 38
MAY 2021
strap found on most packs allows you to draw in the shoulder straps, which in turn can boost your overall carry comfort and stability. This is particularly useful on uneven terrain where an awkward step or slip could cause your pack to shift to one side and throw you even further off-balance.
MAKING YOUR PACK WORK FOR YOU!
In the past, the majority of packs were of a top-loading design and this has been around probably since the first pack was ever made! Items that you didn’t need until you set up your camp or overnight position were stuffed deep and dark inside, with quick-access items towards the top. However, time and technology moves ever onwards and just because this is the way it was done “back then” isn’t the best or most useful way now! My access preference has been changed in recent years, thanks to the arrival of packs with front-openings, sometimes called panel or “clamshell” access. This design offers a main storage compartment that is accessed via a U-shaped zipper which, when fully opened, the front panel can be moved completely aside, making it far easier to load and keep organised even when you’re searching for something deep inside. In addition, some packs may feature base access to the interior in addition to a top or front opening. This can (sometimes) be handy for accessing gear or clothing at the bottom of your pack without having to take everything out first but it’s certainly not on my “must have feature” list, especially now with “clamshell” designs. Whatever your choice for access options (and this is part of the personal aspect of your pack), there’s a few more things that you can look for to make sure you have all the features you could possibly need - and I don’t just mean extra lines of MOLLE or a big Velcro section for your team/ morale patches! USEFUL features to look for are: • Hydration Compatibilty – most good packs now have an internal sleeve so that you can slip
KIT & GEAR PATROL PACKS
•
in a hydration reservoir, along with ports for the drinking hose (also useful for comms cabling). • Mesh Back Panel: Some packs have a ventilated back panel made of mesh that’s constructed so the pack rides along a few inches away from you back. This allows a steady flow of air to combat getting a sweaty back and allows breathable clothing to at least have a chance of working properly! Sleeping Bag Compartment: At the larger end of the Patrol pack spectrum some olderstyle top-loaders will still have zip access to a sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the pack. Frankly, this is something I can do
without, as my sleeping bag only ever comes out when I’m hunkering down at the end of the day! • Raincover: If, like me, you live and play in an area where “liquid sunshine” is a regular occurrence, this is a great feature to have! Trust me, most packs ARE NOT waterproof and even if you have your gear stored in drybags, a raincover will stop the pack fabric from wetting out and gaining weight! Whatever features you decide will be right for you will be exactly that… RIGHT for YOU, and don’t let anyone tell you that a feature is wrong if YOU find it useful! Decide what you need your pack for, what REALLY needs to go on it and buy accordingly. If there’s one thing to get right, it’s the fit. Don’t be swayed by a pack just because it’s in the right camo pattern to match the rest of you oh-so-gucci-gear! Find one that fits you properly, that you can carry all day long if you need to! As always, I’d suggest trying a pack before you buy but once you know what you need you can buy with confidence each and every time! My thanks go to www.military1st.co.uk for the product images shown with this article and if you’re in need of a good pack then head on over to take a look at the extensive range they have on offer from some superb brands. AA
www.airsoftaction.net
39
LOADOUTS OPFOR
A DIFFERENT MINDSET!
SOME MAY SAY THAT THE CREATION OF THE AA RED CELL COULD HAVE BEEN BASED ON THE IDEA OF A MODERN OPFOR. IF YOU KNOW THE STORY OF THE REAL “CELL”, THEN YOU’LL KNOW THAT IT’S ALL ABOUT “SHOOTIN’ AND LOOTIN’” AND FINDING THE BEST WAY TO MESS WITH CONVENTIONAL FORCES. HERE, BILL EXPANDS ON THE MINDSET - AND ROLE - OF THE OPFOR PLAYER…
F
or many airsofters who get involved in BattleSim days and MilSim events, OPFOR are often viewed as the “poor relations” when it comes to both gear and the game itself. However, I take a very different view on this! During my 26 years of playing airsoft, I’ve found myself on all manner of teams and every single one has had its own particular plus and minus points. If I think carefully though, it has been the time that I’ve spent playing opposing force, or OPFOR, where I’ve enjoyed myself the most. Whilst I’m not bemoaning it at all, part of working for an airsoft magazine and daily online news site means attending events and games, not just in my local area (soon again now… SOON!) but quite regularly further, in some cases MUCH further, from home. I’m certain that if you speak to any of the AA team and asked them “What is your regular weekend site?” they’d tell you that they don’t actually have one, as we cover games not only around the UK but, from time to time, overseas as well, which can prove problematical for our own individual Defences in Law! With this in mind, as I travel to games I need to
keep my kit to a sensible minimum, so I’ve been following the OPFOR path for some time now and I preach this path as, to me, it brings back some of the freedom of the old days. My loadout has become progressively more simplified - and guess what? These days I find myself running about in a simple chest rig once again and once restrictions are lifted I will try to play more regularly locally, however, following my surgeries (and due to their nature) I find wearing a plate carrier for extended periods quite uncomfortable. This has forced me to step back to simpler kit as I still want to get out and play, have fun, and regain the fitness I’ve lost. Playing more regularly and playing locally means that I can also reconnect with some superb “grass roots” airsofters at local skirmishes and once again I’m looking forward to the social aspect as much as the games. Setting up for my first game back, I tried on my full “BlueFor Battle Rattle” kit and it soon became apparent that I needed to make a change to lighten my load and take pressure off certain “tender” areas. The answer to this, of course, was a decent chest rig and a minimal set of belt order. To this I added some
“WITH THIS IN MIND, AS I TRAVEL TO GAMES I NEED TO KEEP MY KIT TO A SENSIBLE MINIMUM, SO I’VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE OPFOR PATH FOR SOME TIME NOW AND I PREACH THIS PATH AS, TO ME, IT BRINGS BACK SOME OF THE FREEDOM OF THE OLD DAYS.”
40
MAY 2021
LOADOUTS OPFOR
good eyepro, combat pants, a decent set of boots, gloves and my favourite “Team Three Sripe” Adidas top. Once I started playing around with this again I was immediately more comfortable and, in turn, I will be more “switched on” when I start playing again. I’ve spent time discussing this with friends locally and it has become eminently clear to me that I’m not the only one moving away from the “operator” look to something altogether more streamlined. But kit aside, what, to me, makes a good OPFOR player?
THE OPFOR MINDSET
OPFOR is often viewed as being “cannon fodder”, a force which is always set up to lose against the better armed, better equipped BlueFor. I’ll start by saying that if this is how you view OPFOR then it’s not for you. A decent OPFOR to me is a team that has multiple challenges. Yes, BlueFor will have their mission, and, in turn, their taskings to fulfil this mission but they will also have to contend with a fairly rigid command structure and rules of engagement. Being a part of BlueFor at more carefully constructed MilSim events, will also mean quite a rigid uniform and equipment element and I know for a fact that this can seem prohibitive for newer players. OPFOR, however, as my fellow contributors and I have often said, is a great way to get started, certainly if you aspire to that MilSim level, but also for a simple
skirmish day. Kit requirements are simple (i.e., buy a decent AK and a chest rig!) but to me it’s the mindset of the OPFOR player that starts to really make things interesting. As a member of an OPFOR team you will need to be both mentally and physically resilient. You’ll need to be totally selfsufficient, often working without specific situational taskings and most certainly without support elements. You’ll need to be self-reliant whilst still retaining the ability to work as part of an effective cell and, perhaps most importantly, you’ll need the ability to not take yourself too seriously. A large part of any decent OPFOR will be an element of LARP, where you ditch your weapons and meld into a group of civilian NPCs, or indeed create a “CivPop” yourselves! I’m not for a moment suggesting that you can’t be OPFOR and have all the very latest Gucci goodies, as I’ve seen many players pulling off some totally righteous “Main Force” loadouts with AK-12s and RPK-16s and of course, sometimes BlueFor will encounter opposition every bit as well kitted out as they are - something that we’ve covered in past issues thanks to occasional contributor and “Resident Ratnik”, Taz. But when it comes to OPFOR, let’s begin by simply saying that as such you are not there to lose, you are there to adapt, overcome, keep an open and active mind, roll with the undoubted pounding you will get from BlueFor and ultimately thrive and survive to take on your next bit of “shootin’ and lootin’”! If you play it right you’ll enjoy every single minute of it as much as I do! AA www.airsoftaction.net
41
THE CAGE COMBAT TROUSERS
Helikon-Tex SFU NEXT PANTS MK2
THE CAGE: COMBAT TROUSERS
LAST MONTH THE AA CREW TOOK A CLOSE LOOK AT UBACS AND OF COURSE YOU’LL BE NEEDING SOME FIRST RATE COMBAT OR TACTICAL PANTS TO GO WITH THAT SHIRT, WON’T YOU? THIS TIME BILL PULLS THE TEAM TOGETHER TO CHECK OUT THEIR CHOICES TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY’RE WEARING… AND WHY!
C
ombat or tactical trousers are a very personal thing and, although many will buy a specific model to complete a loadout based on what real “operators are wearing in the wild”, there’s an entire multi-million dollarbuck industry out there devoted to this one simple item and the choices are massive when it comes to what are, effectively, just a pair of trousers! Throughout history soldiers have worn “combat pants”; trousers designed to be both durable and practical but to my mind, the birth of the modern “tacticool pant” comes down to one man …and that’s big-rock climber, Royal Robbins. You may not know, but that the company that would become “tacticool giant” 5.11, started out as climbing gear in the Yosemite Valley in the 1930s! One of the first products Robbins made under his brand “Royal Robbins Outdoor Accessories”, was a pant model built to take the punishment from climbing rugged terrain. The pants became popular among climbers in the Yosemite Valley and beyond and were known as the “5.11 pants.” The name comes from the Yosemite Decimal System, a method
of grading the difficulty of recreational climbs. Within the five general classes of climbs, a decimal signifies the relative difficulty of each climb. In the 1930s, 5.10 was the hardest possible climb. A 5.11 climb, then, meant “impossible, but occasionally someone manages to accomplish it.” It was the perfect name for a pair of pants tough enough for the people climbing sheer rock faces in Yosemite. Fast forward via the FBI Academy and happenstance and, in 2003, 5.11 Tactical recognized the growing demand among law enforcement for these products and saw an opportunity to refocus the company to cater to the growing tactical market. The company sold everything but eight core products that fit this new tactical vision: the 5.11 pants, the tactical shirt and a handful of others. This new, slimmeddown collection was re-named the 5.11 Tactical series and the company we know today was born, and we entered a whole new world of tacti-coolness! Enough with the history lesson though! As of today, the choice of what we can wear to comfortably protect our legs and provide superb levels of utility has
“…IT’S INTERESTING TO SEE THAT MANY OF THE VERY BEST COMPANIES PRODUCING “LEGWEAR” NOW HAVE THEIR R&D DEEP IN THE WORLD OF OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE AND USE THE SELF-SAME FABRICS AND TECHNOLOGIES CHOSEN BY TOP-END EXTREME SPORTS USERS.”
42
MAY 2021
THE CAGE COMBAT TROUSERS
grown out of all recognition. However, it’s interesting to see that many of the very best companies producing “legwear” now have their R&D deep in the world of outdoor performance and use the self-same fabrics and technologies chosen by top-end extreme sports users. If you’d like to know more about these fabrics and technologies, then I’d suggest you pay a visit to the UF PRO blog (https://ufpro.com/blog) as they have probably the easiest-to-access information on fabrics and component technology around right now!
GETTING DOWN TO IT
So, what are we all wearing? I popped up these questions in our contributor group: What are your favourite tactical/combat trousers? What makes these your “go to” choice? Fabrics? Features? Comfort? Durability? This is what the guys told me… Chris: “I wear some older gen 5.11’s for work but that’s only because that’s all I have. Not had much exposure to many other brands yet, mainly I’ve worn various issue clothing. I do want to get a pair of Helikon ones though!” Bill W-R: “For a new starter my advice is don’t pay too much. Find something that fits and is comfortable. Remember in the middle of summer you’re going to be running around, building up a sweat with a load on. As for me, I have some old school S95 DPM trousers that I bought online for £25 from a retailer. They are cheap, cheerful and yes are starting to fade and bleach but they have done what I need and I will probably get another pair. However, some gucci ones are on the way and more will be revealed soon!” Boycie: “There are a number of different pairs that I use depending on the “look” required. My go to are the First Tactical Defender trousers. These were selected as the Virtus/JTac company uniform. They are primarily really comfortable, a good cut and the material is pretty soft but able to take a substantial amount of “abuse”. I’ve also got Crye trousers which are good but, for the money, I’d rather spend it on two pairs of First Tactical Defender than more Crye.” Björn: “My brown/grey UF Pro Striker XT pants! I basically live in them, period! For games, for daily use you name it! Comfy, durable, breathe well and
have tons of pockets (13 or more...). I can’t live without them!” Jimmy: “I’ve had the typical army surplus MTP trousers and while they served a purpose I felt there were many features which were missing. After a brief period, I realised I needed something not only more practical but something a little more gucci. I would love to get my hands on some UF PRO strikers but a little pricey so I settled for the Emerson Gear G3 trousers. Why the Emersons? Many reasons; one of which was the price which was considerably cheaper than the UF PRO! Getting the fit right is a must and Emerson tailored for my long legs. “The G3 trousers have many features allowing the wearer to adjust key points in order to make them more comfortable while still maintaining agility and they do allow you to move very freely due to strategically positioned stretchable fabrics. A bonus with the G3 is the fact you get a pair of knee pads which can be incorporated into a cleverly concealed pocket in the knee area and, with the help of a convenient elasticated draw cords, you can adjust the height of said knee pads to exactly where you need them. The waistband has two points of adjustment which will accommodate players who fall in between waist size (much like myself). The 34” being a tad tight for me and the 36” is a tad big, and with the help of the Velcro straps I can get them nice and snug although I do still use a belt. Emerson have been very generous by way of giving you 10 pockets allowing you to carry a multitude of items; the large thigh pockets even have internal pockets which hold an array of different magazines also should you feel the need to carry a couple of extras. “The base fabric is Mil-Spec 35/65 NYCO ripstop with durable 4-way stretch-woven accents, zip fly with Velcro closure. A unique low-profile adjustable waist features a nice light yet strong material which will withstand the rigours of many a demanding player and is apparently combat proven. Coming in at around £70-80 for some might seem a little expensive but I’ve come to realise sometime paying a bit extra will save you some cash over time. For a player www.airsoftaction.net
43
TAP/CLICK IMAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION
THE CAGE COMBAT TROUSERS OPTICS
looking to ditch the surplus gear and buy something more practical and very tactical I would highly recommend the Emerson G3 gear; I haven’t regretted buying!” Robbie: “I’m 100% still wearing the LA Police gear Men’s Operator Pant with elastic waistband, 65/35 poly/cotton ripstop, 10+ Pockets, elastic waistband, double knee fabric, slanted cargo pocket flaps blah bla bla.... but at US$32 they’d look good for casual, work and in the field. I have pairs over 10 years old. I buy around 3 new pairs every 5 years.” Stewbacca: “I used to swear by 5.11 Taclite Pro Pants (Trousers) back in the UK, as I worked in industrial environments where I could just wear 5.11 head to toe all day and not have any problems. Durable, comfortable, ripstop and hard wearing, the only weak point I found was that the crotches would wear through long before the rest of the trousers became anything close to worn. I had most of them sewn up and reinforced with a diamond/triangle added like in Taekwondo or similar trousers. Other than that they’re champion, plenty of good well designed pocket spaces and knife/pen specific pouches, a sturdy drag handle on the backside good for stuffing a lightweight jacket through if you don’t want to carry it, and with a D ring on the front for key or karabiner mounting. Like my Oakley boots I went through many pairs and still use the shorts along with TruSpec equivalents in Taiwan where it’s usually too hot as balls for full length trousers outside of work environments.” And me? Well, over the years I’ve amassed quite a collection in numerous camo patterns. The decision on the trousers in many cases has been to complete an overall loadout, so there are many different makes and styles in the mix, from genuine CRYE models through to simple ‘Nam style fatigues! My “go to” camo pants these days tend to come from VIPER and Invader Gear, who offer great feature sets and very reasonable fabrics for not too much wonga, whilst Clawgear, First Tactical and UF PRO are there for block colours and general wear. I really like the Clawgear Mk.II Operator Combat Pant and the First Tactical Defender Trousers as they both offer great, durable fabrics, a superb cut, and
high levels of comfort whilst maintaining a fairly low-key look. If I were pushed as to my favourites though, it would have to be either the UF PRO Striker XT Gen.2 Combat Pants or the Helikon-Tex SFU Pants. The Strikers offer an insane feature-set that merges modular knee protection, spacious multipocket configuration and extreme durability with superb wear comfort. Whilst these are by no means cheap options you do get what you pay for, and I look on the Strikers as an investment that will probably now last me for the remainder of my airsoft and shooting “careers”. Based on the classic Special Forces Uniform (SFU) design, the SFU NEXT trousers are made of durable and hard-wearing polycotton ripstop material and feature nine easily accessible pockets, reinforced seat and knees, knee pad compartments, adjustable waist and cuffs, and D-rings for optional attachments. These breathable and anatomically cut tactical pants are absolutely perfect for everyday wear yet fulfil each and every role I could possibly want from a tactical pant! AA
www.airsoftaction.net
45
RED CELL MID-LENGTH AR
RED CELL
MID-LENGTH armalite rifles
WITH A CHANCE TO FINALLY MEET, ALBEIT STILL IN A LIMITED GROUP AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ONGOING PANDEMIC REGULATIONS, RED CELL IS BACK – AND IN THE GROOVE AGAIN! AS THINGS IMPROVE THE TEST TEAM WILL START TO AGAIN MEET FULLY AND CONTINUE TO BRING THEIR EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL INSIGHT TO SOME OF THE LATEST AEGS AND GBBS OUT THERE. THIS TIME THEY TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO “MID-LENGTH” ARS AND BILL SETS THE SCENE.
T
ime, as they say, is a healer and finally it looks as if enough time may have passed for Red Cell to reconvene! It’s been a tough job, much harder than we first imagined, to keep the reports rolling in over the past few months, as lockdown and isolation has meant we’ve been unable to gather as a group, as we first envisaged. However, the members of “The Cell” have, in my opinion, excelled themselves even in the hardest of times, rolling with the punches, adapting and overcoming a difficult set of circumstances to continue to provide their input here each and every month! So many (so-called) “voices of experience” have fallen silent, one by one failing to keep up with a dialogue even in relation to simple online social media posts, whereas Red Cell has grown - and continues to grow both in voice and in reach! But of course, it now appears that the days of isolation may be diminishing, at least for some players around the globe and, thankfully, Red Cell have once again been able to assemble! Okay, it was only six of us and not the entire team and we had to ensure that our meeting was largely outdoors and that we maintained the necessary social distance but as last WE COULD MEET! The “indoors” part of the test was carried out very carefully, with each person heading down to the controlled-environment range one at a 46
MAY 2021
time to carry out their evaluations and, where photos were taken, the photographer was masked. It’s also meant that this report needed turning round in a matter of just a few days, so my thanks go to the team for “a job well done”. What our first Range Day for a while did show though, is just how important being together really is, how much we’ve missed one another’s company in person rather than online, and how much better things can get when you’re together! The subject of “serious tech” got a thorough “beasting” on the day, as The Cell got into the question of “has electronic and digital technology inside an AEG gone too far” and I’m pleased to report that after an intense and, at times, heated discussion (please note, we’re all still friends!), this is still a question that remains open to further pondering and debate! You’ll see in the individual comments here this time that there are some strong feelings on this; it’s a contentious subject and one that we will undoubtedly pursue further over time. If you have any strong thoughts on the matter, then please do let us know!
BACK TO BBs!
Without further ado though, I’ll hand things over to the members of Red Cell that got together to have
RED CELL MID-LENGTH AR
a look at a style of AEG that is the real “meat and potatoes” of what we do for most players - and that’s the mid-length AR! This is what the guys had to say after a whole day of shooting, where some 6,000 BBs went downrange… Marcus: “Well, what a lot of loveliness we had to look at this time and, from a tech’s point of view, they were all golden! The ICS KOMODO is not a bad AEG at all, with a nice short trigger response and nice snappy action and the body is well made and looks great, with good velocity out of the box . When it comes to the DOUBEL EAGLE I really like this one! For a budget model it has a Falcon control/ETU system that gives a great fast trigger response married up to a good, well-made body and well set up gear box . The body is sturdy polymer and is strong, and the only thing I would do is to fit a good tight bore barrel and hop rubber to make the gun any better. “The KWA T10 I also really like as it has the elephant of all gearboxes! I’d be surprised if I ever saw one with a broken gearbox case as they’re that wellmade and strong. The only gorilla in the room with this one is the hop rubber; they’re not that good they just don’t seem to work that well, but that’s not that big a problem, as a good hop rubber like a Maple Leaf green or yellow and an Omega nub will sort this out very well. “The BOLT recoil has a good V2 gearbox and good gears all set in a high-quality,
well-made body and RIS; it also comes with a tightbore barrel and not a bad hop rubber, so it has good range for a gun “from the box”. It has a recoil system that has a good recoil impulse so, on the whole a very good AEG.
“The ARES OCTO ARMS nice long AEG with the now-standard “Billet” AR body and a very well made licensed Octo Arms keymod rail system. The hop rubber is a standard ARES and as such, they really need to be replaced with a better one to get the most from that long barrel. The gearbox is the usual EFCF/ ETU system so it can be programmed to use either 7.4v or 11.1v batteries. You can also program either semi and auto, 3 round burst and auto, or semi only, which is a very useful thing to have in any AEG; all in all a good, well-made rifle. “The SPECNA ARMS model has a very nice wellmade body and rail system as I now expect from them. The main thing with this AEG is the gearbox as it has a GATE ASTER fitted which is a good, well set up system and it can be programed using the Gate Control System (GCS) on your phone or computer. This one had the virtual mag programed into it so it would fire 30 BBs on either semi or auto then stop shooting for four seconds! This is to simulate a reload, a great system although not for everyone, but a useful system to have and of course being a GATE, you can set the trigger sensitivity so you could get a very light trigger if you want it. Not at all a bad mid length AEG as a whole, I would use one of these in a game with no problem. “As for the rest of the AEGs, I’m afraid they are all a much of a muchness. After 30 years in the sport, most of it as a gunsmith, they are more or less the same internally the only difference between them is the bodies that the gearboxes sit in. Yes, I know there have been some advances in electronics but sometimes “more is less”. All these eletronics in the AEGs are great, programmable fire control is useful but when all the electronics go wrong, good luck fixing it at home! if you do a gear or a piston in your ARG the electronics won’t tell you what’s wrong, that will still be the skill of the tech, so just rely on the stuff that is useful. At the end of the day all a player really needs in an AEG is for it to shoot straight and to work well! I think sometimes the old shuttle-based trigger system is all you need for things to work well. If you think about it, Toyko Marui, the initiator of all this stuff, they have modified their gearboxes to include recoil but other than that they are still using the same shuttle-type contact system that they’ve used for more than 30 years and those AEGs are still going strong! So, is this trend towards electrical systems a help or a hindrance?” Jimmy: “Sunday the 4th would see the return of the Cell as it should be, although the whole team wasn’t present it was nice to finally get together. We assembled at Warehouse 51 at 10.00 hrs and I myself www.airsoftaction.net
47
RED CELL MID-LENGTH AR
ARES OCTARMS AMOEBA PRO KM13 Price: IRO UK£390.00 Age: New Weight: 2,467g Length: 845mm/925mm Magazine Capacity: 300, will accept all STANAG/AR Cold Chrono: 0.83 Joule/300fps Hot Chrono: 0.78 Joule/290fps Taclite Compatibility: KeyMod Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.iwholesales.co.uk
BOLT B4 LRP Price: IRO UK£400.00 Age: One Year Weight: 3,100g Length: 855mm/945mm Magazine Capacity: 300, will accept most STANAG/ AR Cold Chrono: 0.93 Joule/318fps Hot Chrono: 0.92 Joule/315fps Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com CYMA CM.097 UPGRADED VERSION Price: IRO UK£165.00 Age: One Year Weight: 2,900g Length: 845mm/930 mm Magazine Capacity: 160, will accept all STANAG/AR Cold Chrono: 109 Joule/344fps Hot Chrono: 1.09 Joule/344fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.taiwangun.com
EVOLUTION GHOST L EMR CARBONTECH Price: IRO UK£295.00 Age: New Weight: 2,520g Length: 740mm/830mm Magazine Capacity: 120, will accept all STANAG/AR Cold Chrono: 0.95 Joule/320fps Hot Chrono: 0.92 Joule/315fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: store.evolutioninternational.it
SPECNA ARMS SA-E06 EDGE 2.0 Price: IRO UK£223.00 Age: New Weight: 2,640g Length: 750mm/835mm Magazine Capacity: 125 x 2, will accept all STANAG/AR Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.04 Joule/335fps Taclite Compatibility: URX/RIS 22mm Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.gunfire.com 48
MAY 2021
RED CELL MID-LENGTH AR
G&G TR16 MBR 556WH (G2) Price: IRO UK£330.00 Age: New Weight: 2,900g Length: 910mm/1000mm Magazine Capacity: 90, will accept most STANAG/ AR Cold Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps Hot Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com DOUBLE EAGLE M904A FCS Price: IRO UK£106.00 Age: 1 Year Weight: 2,140g Length: 730mm/810mm Magazine Capacity: 300, will accept all STANAG/AR Cold Chrono: 1.04 Joule/335fps (spring changed) Hot Chrono: 1.04 Joule/335fps (spring changed) Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.taiwangun.com
EMG NOVESKE INFIDEL Price: IRO UK£340.00 Age: Two Years Weight: 2,450g Length: 830mm/910mm Magazine Capacity: 450, will accept all STANAG/AR Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.emgarms.com
KWA T10 3.0 Price: IRO UK£400.00 Age: New Weight: 2,950g Length: 742mm/812mm Magazine Capacity: 120, will accept most STANAG/ AR Cold Chrono: 1.13 Joule/350fps Hot Chrono: 1.1 Joule/345fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.iwholesales.co.uk ICS KOMODO 3S LIMITED EDITION Price: IRO UK£460.00 Age: One Year Weight: 3,160g Length: 840mm/935mm Magazine Capacity: 300 (T-MAG), will accept most STANAG/AR Cold Chrono: 0.98 Joule/325fps Hot Chrono: 0.95 Joule/321fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.fire-support.co.uk www.airsoftaction.net
49
RED CELL MID-LENGTH AR
was eager to get the proceedings started. Probably my favourite selection of gear we had to test, as it was “AR Day” - and I’m a lover of the long ARs. We were presented with a fine selection of rifles from some of the biggest brands on the market. A few of which I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. After sinking a coffee and a few tasty duffnuts (doughnuts)
the whistle blew and the game begun (figuratively speaking, of course)! “Many of these rifles were teeming with modern tech inside, which sparked quite the debate and questions as to whether or not a lot of this tech is actually necessary and does it make the weapon any better? There were some very valid points, some of which I agreed and some I didn’t. That’s the beauty of the guys within the Cell, we can have these discussions. I personally love a lot of the modern tech we are being offered inside some if these guns, it’s starting to become a standard with more and more brands offering us the ability to fine tune how they operate. It allows the player to put a personal touch to their weapons, which also gives you an edge over those without it. Is this tech needed? No, it isn’t needed but it’s nice to have it and I personally have found an increase in performance over a weapon with standard electronics. There were three major players I was most focused on and they were the Double Eagle, ICS and Specna and I imagine you may well be surprised to learn what was the on top spot! “The Double Eagle was the big (HUGE!) surprise of the day and I wasn’t the only one to think this. I never expected great things from the DE but I was taken by surprise once I’d had it on the range. There is a lot of value for money in this. It is actually a very solid rifle, even though it is a polymer body. The M-Lok 10” RIS is made to a high standard of finish, offering up a full length 20mm rail. The 5-point collapsible stock is very easily removed, giving access to your battery compartment and although it does have a little wobble, it is nothing to lose sleep over. Overall, the externals on this rifle are very good quality and I would highly recommend it as a great starter rifle, as 50
MAY 2021
it’s priced as a budget gun. The operating system is the Falcon Fire Control System, giving you a small
selection of adjustments which make it even more fun to use, including: Burst mode, Binary trigger, Trigger sensitivity and Fire select mode. “It has a very light trigger and due to the FFCS it cycles really quite quickly. I found very early on that the hop, while it worked, didn’t hop a BB to a great range and with the slightest adjustment it would overhop but I wouldn’t put that down to the hop unit, rather the hop rubber (which is easily remedied with a new one). The velocity was a tad hot, coming in at 430FPS, which needed to be altered (and was done so immediately to comply with UK legality). Fortunately, DE have made life easy and made a gearbox with a quick-change spring function, which is very nice to see. If you’re looking for a budget rifle with great performance, then I would seriously think about the Double Eagle! “Next on my radar was the ICS! This thing is a beautiful piece of equipment and is quite the heavy weight. This is no budget rifle and it is quite evident. Being a Limited Edition, ICS have made only 1,000 of these and each has its own unique serial number. The Komodo has been designed for the more competitive player and I’ve had my eye on this rifle for quite some time and now, finally, I got to handle one. The CNC upper and lower have been finished in a green/blue coating which seems quite tough, whereas the CNC rail is a blue grey anodized M-LOK affair, sporting heaps of room for added rail sections and attachments. The stock is very 416-esqe and
RED CELL MID-LENGTH AR
offers oodles of battery room, which is very easily accessed by removal of the buttpad. ICS have used an electronic trigger system which offers, from what I understand, no kind of manual adjustment which isn’t a big deal but it would have been nice. The trigger is a lightweight hair trigger, which makes follow up shots incredibly quick - but you do have to be mindful of your trigger finger as I had the gun shoot when I didn’t want it to! Being an ICS, you get the signature split gearbox, which is a fantastic idea and that also has the quick change spring system. To top this off, it features an electric blowback system which is a nice touch and another cool feature is the electronic brake which, with each shot, fully pre-cocks the piston, making it really quite quick off the mark. ICS have added an auto-de-cock so your spring isn’t left in a state of pre-cock, which can significantly reduce the life of your spring. If you are a player who prefers to spend out a bit, then this is a rifle to put on the want list. “And onto the Specna Arms! Being a Specna, specifically the E06 2.0, I was very interested to see the changes! I personally own a Specna E06 but the “standard” Edge version (or was standard) and I’m highly impressed with the 2.0 version. The quality has not altered, from what I can see, from the original E06 EDGE and they have used very similar standards apart from one major factor. The fact this now comes with a GATE ASTER, which offers a massive amount of programmable functionality via the GCS and this
is a great move on Specna’s behalf. There is so much you are getting for your money. Specna have a vast, ever-growing range and cater for every kind of player, starting at budget CORE models right up to models sporting the famous GATE Titan. All the Specna range I have had my hands on work perfectly out of the box and if you are looking for a brand to trust in, then Specna has all your needs covered quite frankly!” Jase: “So, back at we go… Guns in one hand targets in the other! It felt so good to be setting up the range with Bill and Jimmy after such a long time apart from human contact. “Limited to a short range for this meeting, I set off with the BOLT, a RIF I had been looking forward to getting my hands on as it was a joint contender to the KWA ERG RM4 back in the day. Both the Bolt and KWA have a hard kicking recoil function and I was not let down. Back-to-back tests gave the conclusion that both where very similar. The KWA T10 felt good, just like my old RM4, it’s only downside was the lack of mag cut off functionality, which was a bit of a shame. Running 11.1v LiPo, both where very snappy but Jon and myself came to the conclusion that the BOLT had the better trigger feel, the KWA’s was a tad on the long side. “Next up was the Double Eagle, a bog standard AEG that came out of the box firing 430fps which, as we all know here in the UK, is too hot unless locked onto semi. It’s semi rate of fire was brilliant though, possibly for me, the best of the day and bang for buck, fantastic. “Then came the turn of the ICS and although some of the crew raved about it, this for me was a design I wasn’t a fan of, a bit too fussy but would look great at a 3 Gun competition. I did think it was a bit front end heavy and I wasn’t the only one to pick up on this. This ICS had an EBB function that was weak and, quite frankly, this could have been left out as it’s just another thing to go wrong. “Noveske, a brand I really like when it comes to the “Civi” aftermarket. From the pictures this was another RIF I was looking forward to seeing in person. “Don’t meet your heroes” they say… Well that was the truth in this instance! Damn it was green! So green in fact it would have looked great on the back of a Ninja Turtle. The satin green paint was way too bright for me, although I appreciate it is in fact a real Noveske colour option. When it came to firing it, it was fine, nothing wrong with it with good range and accuracy but, ultimately, just another AEG. Balloon well and truly popped! I liked the silver www.airsoftaction.net
51
RED CELL MID-LENGTH AR
trigger though..... “Last in my hand for the day was the Specna Arms E06. Some nice trades but nothing to get me going, it was just a bit “vanilla” - a word that was being tossed about on the day like a booger-ridden tissue in a primary school! Is this the place where the airsoft community’s train has currently stopped, with the only innovation coming from fussy internal systems and digital trigger systems? That’s how some of the gang felt and, to a point, I was with them. Are we moving into an era where ideas are drying up and trades and gearbox ECU are the small separation in what brand you buy into? It left me with a lot of questions about the industry and where it is going…” James: “The first small social distanced meet in months and it was great to catch up with some friendly faces and have some new toys to look at. The immediate stand-out in terms of looks for me, was definitely the Specna Arms E06. With a solid build and quality finish to the surfaces and that came in between 352/350 fps on chrono, so a consistent shooter as well. The only let down on it for me was the fire selector switch. I like to have that confident “click” between safe, semi and full auto, whereas the Specna’s was more like stirring a bowl of porridge; without a visual check the switch could be anywhere! “The surprise value gun was the Double Eagle which at its price point is definitely worth the money, albeit a bit hot! On the chrono at 432fps out the box... When it came to “the recoils”, the KWA pinched it for me; definitely a quality build, with a nice kick, though the trigger-pull was not as positive as the BOLT. Hopefully, with sites opening up soon the chance to run some of these ARs out in field will give a much better test to see how they perform in the real world and, of course, we will keep you updated with our findings!” Jon: “That’s it. I’m officially bored…! “We’ve been spoiled by manufacturers over the last few years. Innovation was once a “thing”, utilising better materials, better manufacturing processes, introducing new technologies and features to our AEG systems. Then suddenly... it’s all vanilla! “Everyone is doing the same thing over and over. Yeah, yeah, I know. When the most popular platforms are of the AR or AK variety, it’s hard to move or innovate how they look or what they do. MOSFET this, Microswitch that. Fire modes here. Binary triggers there. Bluetooth? Got your back son... And like that “poof” the ingenuity was gone. “Walk into any airsoft store and you’ll see subtle differences in build aesthetics, in build quality or features but they’re all much of a muchness. There 52
MAY 2021
was a time when it was super-exciting to play with and review new AEGs but, for the moment, it’s a sea of maroon Fords with “Go Faster” stripes. That’s not to say that I can’t objectively review each offering on its own merits. “The Double Eagle AEG, although hot out of the box for us, is a darn good entry level rifle. It didn’t break in half after the first shot, so definitely an improvement over anything that came before it. The CYMA literally kicked down doors with its trigger feel, balance and price. The KWA felt great, albeit with a trigger pull longer than the waiting list for a date with Jennifer Aniston. The Bolt had a snappy trigger and great “recoil” for those all-important “immersions”. The Noveske was a nice colour and functioned efficiently (honestly, that’s the best I could do!). The ICS was... Meh, I hated it. Sloppy, off balance, and horrid ergonomics. Specna provided the best-looking model of the lot, which had awesome ergonomics, balance, manouverability and overall feel. It shot fairly well too. (Jon also admitted he liked the ARES when Bill remembered to finally get it out of the box!) “Overall though, same, same. “The problem here for me is they all rely on silicon to operate. Inevitably they’re going to fail after a few outings. No one wants their new UK£500+ RIF to go down because of PCB failure, poor soldering or lord forbid, chipset failure but that’s the reality we’re facing. There will be swathes of dead AEG systems, creating more E-Waste. “Analogue isn’t popular anymore because firing one BB at a time (or all of the BBs) apparently isn’t enough for modern users. So, I’m starting to think that I’m either bored senseless with “AR-style assault platforms” or in the bid to make their product appealing, manufacturers have drowned us in innovation and then they’ve run out of ideas for new models. There’s my rant.” Bill: “As I’m the only one to have spent a serious amount of time with the AEGs on test this time, I share the feelings of both sides of this debate. I do like the increased functionality that is available for all the models with electronic fire control systems, especially the Specna Arms E-06 with the ASTER, as it lets me have an accurate “round count” when I’m testing long term. Although I try to make a note of exactly how many BBs have gone through an AEG under evaluation, it’s all too easy to forget and with the GCS readout that’s impossible, as it logs usage for you! “However, when I look at the majority of the AEGs I have used in game over the years there have, up until VERY recently, been few that are anything other than
RED CELL MID-LENGTH AR
what would now be described as “basic” models. I do like the BRSS from BOLT and personally think that some of their recoil models have the edge over the opposition, but I also like the unique design direction that KWA have taken with their latest models. The word “innovation” came up a lot when we met and I do believe that KWA continue to innovate with both their recoil system and their external design ethos. “As much as Jase hated it, I am very taken with the EMG/Noveske Rifleworks Infidel and it’s striking “Bazooka Green” colour. Although it IS bright, it is the exact colour match to the real-world rifle and it sings to me as it’s a bit different! Evike Manufacturing Group (EMG) made the first fully licensed complete “Noveske Rifleworks AEG”, the “Noveske 13.7” Gen 4 Infidel”, and this replica has all the trademarks from the original real rifle, which can be clearly seen on the lower receiver. The receiver setup mimics the real Gen 4 perfectly in relation to fire selector, mag release and bolt release which are all ambidextrous. The fore-end again replicates the Noveske NSR-13.7 M-Lok Rail System and is also trademarked. Plus, internally it has the eSilver Edge SDU 2.0 programmable gearbox made by APS and simply by pressing down the button underneath the gear box, you can switch fire selector modes and no external programmer or trigger jiggling are needed, so it’s easy to program anytime and anywhere! “All the models on test here do what they say they do, shooting well and far and, thus far, reliably. We did have a slight hiccup with the G&G TR16 but we found that this was down to the interaction of some mid-cap magazines with the cut-off microswitch, which can get pulled out of position when a tight mag is forcibly removed. Once we’d analysed the issue and worked out which magazines to use (i.e. the ones that are intended for the platform!) then, as usual, the G&G performed flawlessly and reliably. We included the new Evolution Ghost L EMR Carbontech in the test but you’ll have to wait for the in-depth review of this model next month to hear about what we felt on this one! “What I will conclude with this month, is that the different “flavours” and price points illustrate to me the quality of what is on offer on the market currently for mid-length AR AEGS. The fact that you can have a great looking, fully specced and functional AEG like the CYMA or the Double Eagle for very little money, shows me just how far airsoft has come and how lucky we all are to be airsofters with so much choice! “Whatever your personal feelings may be about enhanced electronic and digital functions inside an AEG, as shown by the ongoing debate within the Red Cell group, the fact is that there has never been so
much choice (and so much functionality if you want it) as there is right now - and airsoft is all the better for that!” AA
www.airsoftaction.net
53
COVERT BOOT
BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: £49.95
STRETCH PANTS BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: £69.95
TECHNICAL RIF MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE 101
AS WE’RE ALL STARTING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT GETTING BACK TO MORE REGULAR GAMES, OUR THOUGHTS SHOULD BE TURNING TO REALLY BASIC MATTERS TO ENSURE THAT WE’RE ALL PREPPED AND GOOD TO GO! JIMMY TAKES A LOOK AT SOME SIMPLE CHECKS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR RIF - AND YOU - ARE READY TO GET SUM! THE MOMENT THAT “GAME ON” IS CALLED!
A
re you all as elated as I am to have airsoft back on the menu? With the guidelines being eased here in the UK (and we hope elsewhere soon too!) and sites finally able to reopen, we need to make sure our equipment is capable of handling the punishment it is about to endure. Spring is upon us and the weather has started to get nice, which means game days will be much more enjoyable and the last thing you want is your RIF or kit to fail you, right when you need it the most! For many new players and indeed even some that are more “seasoned”, maintenance of an AEG or GBB can seem quite daunting but rest assured, if you are unsure there is a whole community out there who are more than willing to assist. If it is a shop you seek for help, then I suggest you get in there sharpish, as techs will be busy as bees over the next few months! Basic maintenance doesn’t mean you have to be a fully qualified tech and we are going to cover some basics here, which is really just checking everything operates as it should. For those of you that are more experienced this should be second nature and will undoubtedly be part of your post/pre-game routine already, so you can think of this as a “crib sheet”. For newer players and those that may have invested in their first “two tone” during lockdown though, what I’ll talk about here may make a big difference to your first game day! The vast majority of players use an AEG, so let’s start by taking a look at what powers
those, your batteries. Most common will be a Lipo or Li-Ion, so a good place to start would be to see if there is any sign of life in them. With a Lipo, check for signs of swelling and if you find your battery has ANY signs of swelling/puffing I urge you not to use them, dispose of them accordingly and seek out a replacement. I would like to think most store batteries in the correct manner and with a storage charge but I know this isn’t always the case, so your best bet is to discharge to the correct value and then fully recharge as normal. Once you have charged all your batteries and you are confident they are safe to operate, go ahead and connect up and give your AEG a testing. There’s nothing worse than assuming everything is ship shape and Bristol fashion only to get on site to find it isn’t working (you know what they say about ASSUmption!)! Your next step is to get your AEG on
“IT IS MY BELIEF THAT IF YOU OWN SOMETHING THAT YOU USE ON A REGULAR BASIS, THEN BASIC MAINTENANCE AND THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO GIVE IT REGULAR CHECKS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. I’M NOT SAYING YOU NEED TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME A TECH, JUST TAKE THE TIME TO KNOW YOUR CHOSEN PLATFORMS.”
56
MAY 2021
TECHNICAL RIF MAINTENANCE
the chronograph, especially if you’ve treated yourself to something new and shiny during lockdown. Check the velocity - it’s highly unlikely that it would have gained any power but it’s quite possible that you may have lost some due to not relieving the pressure in the springs. For instance, at the end of a game day you chuck your beloved AEG in your case and the piston is sat in a state of full pre-cock. Whether your AEG is set for pre-cock or your last full auto burst rendered it in that position, a compressed spring over a period of time will shrink, thus losing power and giving you a drop in velocity. At this point you will need a new spring! Some springs can easily be changed without the need to split a gearbox and we are seeing this kind of system more and more nowadays, which makes life so much easier (a standard I believe should be set by all manufacturers). Either way, if it’s something you’re not confident in doing then some professional help is what you should seek. Why not give your barrel a good clean! You will be amazed just how dirty an AEG barrel can get. For this you will require the assistance of your cleaning rod - most people will have one (or even many). Please, for the love of God, do NOT use any silicone spray or any lube, this is bad for your barrel and will seriously affect performance overall. My advice is to use IPA. No, not Indian Pale Ale! Isopropyl Alcohol, which is perfect for the job. Use a small piece of lint-free cloth or workshop towel, dip it in the
alcohol and run it through your barrel. Try and be vigilant of your hop rubber though, you don’t want to be tearing or damaging it. You can turn the hop off so it isn’t protruding into the barrel but remember you will need to reset it before venturing into a game. When it comes to an AEG’s basic operating maintenance, it’s basically checking that it is functioning as normal. Give it quick eyeball to ensure nothing is loose and tighten up any screws/bolts that may have worked loose, an easy thing to happen if you’ve been moving your RIF about during long-term storage. And make sure that your magazines feed as they should! I know this may sound daft, but your
magazines may have been left with BBs in when you packed them away, oh so long ago now (naughty!) and this may have compressed or weakened the springs. Fill them and release them safely, then refill and run them through your platform to ensure that they are feeding as they should. If they’re not, it’s not the end of the world as you can disassemble many brands and re-stretch the spring, but if you’re not comfortable doing this, then your local shop tech can help you. Also remember to check the batteries in any auto-winders and of course make sure you also check any batteries in optics, taclites and accessories. It is my belief that if you own something that you use on a regular basis, then basic maintenance and the ability to be able to
“LOTS OF PLAYERS WILL BE TRAVELLING A FAIR DISTANCE TO GET TO SITES AND IT’S DISHEARTENING WHEN YOU GET THERE AND FIND YOU YOUR FAVOURITE PLATFORMS REFUSE TO OPERATE! IF YOU’RE LUCKY A “M8” MAY LEND YOU ONE OF THEIR SPARES BUT IF YOU’RE UNLUCKY YOU MAY FORFEIT THE DAY OR, EVEN WORSE, HAVE TO USE A RENTAL GUN!”
www.airsoftaction.net
57
TECHNICAL RIF MAINTENANCE
give it regular checks is your responsibility. I’m not saying you need to learn how to become a tech, just take the time to know your chosen platforms.
LIFE’S A GAS, RIGHT?
Own a GBB? Your only real worry is your mags. Are you that person that doesn’t leave their mags gassed? If you are, then I would highly recommend you get some gas in them mags and check for leaks!
Unfortunately, a flaw in gas mags is that if left ungassed the seals shrink and they tend to leak. If you are experiencing leaks this will undoubtedly need to be addressed and there are a few methods one can adopt in order to resolve this. Ideally this would be a seal kit which, while it is a guaranteed fix, sometimes the kits aren’t available, so another option is jerry-rig a fix by way of applying silicone sealant or grease. As mentioned with the AEG a barrel, a clean will do you a massive favour especially with a GBB, as you may not notice but you are in fact releasing silicone into your barrel with every shot, which can build up and drop the performance of your GBB considerably.
Check your working parts such as slides, your bolt and your trigger mechs and if necessary lubricate where needed. As a big fan of gas platforms, Bill tells me that he uses “real steel” Clenzoil for the metal parts of his but I use GHK silicone oil, which is a great oil designed for a GBB. Last but by no means least, another factor I believe many us may want to check, is that your gear still fits! I personally have gained a few pounds so I’m feeling the pinch. With the Covid blight we haven’t been able to be as active as we are used to and I bet I’m not the only one gaining an extra layer or two…! Remember, shops are going to be at their busiest right about now, so if you need them get in there quick to ensure your AEG/GBB is ready for when you most need it. Lots of players will be travelling a fair distance to get to sites and it’s disheartening when you get there and find you your favourite platforms refuse to operate! If you’re lucky a “m8” may lend you one of their spares but if you’re unlucky you may forfeit the day or, even worse, have to use a rental gun! AA
Remember “The FIVE 5 Ps”: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Now go grab yourself a fresh bottle of BBs and I’ll see you on the field!
www.airsoftaction.net
59
FEATURE IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT
THE SOUND OF SIRENS!
OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS JAMES HAS BEEN CREATING HIS VERY OWN “EARLY WARNING/ MOBILE ROCKET LAUNCH SYSTEM”, TO BRING A NEW LEVEL PF “PLAYER IMMERSION” TO APPROPRIATE GAME SCENARIOS AND “STAGE 1” IS NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL! THE SIRENS ARE READY TO SPOOL UP… AND OMG, ARE THEY LOUD!
W
ith “Lockdown Gen 3” starting to come to an end here in the UK and with the prospect of sites reopening their doors once again, the idea of field testing some of the props in-game has been my objective to work towards this month, bringing together some of ideas so far in a mobile form for an in-game objective. The plan is for players to be able to activate and launch a remote strike package onto a designated objective within the event scenario, such as an enemy held village or fortified position. To achieve this goal the system will require three main components. • A base control station for activating the launch detonators • The launcher itself (a multi-shot rocket launching platform) • A small flight case, remote fire controller that players will interact with. For ease of use the system is designed to be fully automated, so when the Fire Key is turned on the remote fire controller a signal is sent to the base station to activate and it takes over to run the launch. To simulate the fact that the enemy team have detected an incoming strike (although they may not know the intended target!) the base station first activates a threat level indicator warning to the enemy command post, which starts air raid sirens located around the site and finally warning klaxons at the launch site, before firing the rockets themselves! So, quite a lot for me to be getting on with!
THE BASE STATION
This time I’ll look at the “brains” of the system, the base station. To be able to make this work out in the field the whole unit is powered by a 13amp plug which can either be run off a standard 240v supply if available, or a small portable generator. The base 60
MAY 2021
station is divided into four principal units, which each have to activate at the right time.
THE LAUNCH CONTROLLER
This first panel controls all the other units on the base station and coordinates activation timings. When the remote fire controller is switched on by the player an arming signal is sent to this panel which, in turn, illuminates an armed indicator lamp giving Event/ Game Staff and Marshals a warning that things are about to get loud! As the fire key is turned a second signal is received. This immediately activates the sequence start buzzer on the panel and starts a 10 second countdown; after this the automatic sequence begins. Power is sent to the next panel. The threat level indicator unit activates with a traffic light warning light and audio buzzer; this unit is repeated at the enemy’s command post as a first warning of incoming. Five seconds later the main attack warning panel activates, powering the air raid sirens located around the site for a full one minute attack “Warning Red” signal, after which a second timer relay shuts this panel down and the sirens wind down. The final panel, the launch control, activates, sounding klaxons at the launch site. With three group switches it can be pre-set for either a 4, 8, or 12-rocket salvo, which automatically launch on unit activation sending them 1,000m into the air. Pre-set, ground-based pyro detonations will then detonate to indicate where the strike has hit. Moving on we will next look at the player remote fire controller and the launch platform itself and we hope to have a video of the system running at the end! Watch this space and get prepared to “Duck and Cover!” AA
FEATURE IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT
www.airsoftaction.net
61
CUSTOM BUILD CMMG BANSHEE™
HOWL LIKE A BANSHEE! 62
MAY 2021
CUSTOM BUILD CMMG BANSHEE™
BEFORE AIRSOFT ACTION BECAME FULLY DIGITAL THERE WAS OFTEN THE SECTION NAMED “GITAG”, OR “GIVE IT TO A GEEK”, WHICH WOULD FEATURE SPECIAL ITEMS AND BUILDS WHICH REPLICATED, IN AIRSOFT FORM, THE REAL WORLD ITEM. AFTER CONSTANT RIBBING FROM HIS FRIEND BRIAN FOR ALWAYS “SUPERSIZING” RIFLES THAT WERE MEANT TO BE SMALL, AS WELL AS BEING CALLED A GEEK, BOYCIE DECIDED TO GO THE OTHER WAY AND SHRINK, BY A LONG WAY, A FULL-SIZED AR REPLICA!
S
o, what to go for? I suggested the idea of the build to my colleague, friend and fellow Red Cell member, Stuart, and he immediately said “Make it so!” That lead to us planning the build and we started with working out what parts were needed in order to make an accurate replica of an AR pistol. Firstly, we had to decide on which AR based pistol we would build and after watching Eric (Iraqveteran8888) on YouTube reviewing the CMMG Mk4 9mm pistol, I sent Stuart the link and he agreed that it would be good to build our own version using an airsoft replica. The CMMG Mk4 9mm RDB is the pistol that was chosen to be the one that we would build. After deciding that we would base the pistol build on the very familiar KWA VM4A1, the next step was to contact CMMG and let them know my intention to build a replica and ask would they be supportive of the project? I had an email conversation with Tim Zick, CMMG’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager, after which I was given their blessing and also granted their permission to use the official trademarks of CMMG and the CMMG Banshee™ range of rifles.
www.airsoftaction.net
63
CUSTOM BUILD CMMG BANSHEE™
CMMG
CMMG have been big innovators in the world of firearms in the USA for nearly 20 years. Originally established in Fayette, Missouri, in 2002 by John, Jeff, Gretchen and Stephanie Overstreet, their mission was to create a quality AR that was affordable for everyone in their domestic market. By 2006 the company had grown to the point where they could not keep up with demand and began to hire full time employees and expand their facilities, to help in the design of parts and offering products in multiple calibres. By 2009, CMMG established a design and engineering team to ensure that the company would continue to release innovative and high-quality products that would excite their customers by using premium materials and proven manufacturing methods to ensure a quality, reliable and durable product. Soon, as the design and engineering department continued to grow, CMMG established a dedicated Quality Control (QC) department to ensure that all the parts they produce meet or exceed their high-quality expectations. Over the next seven years CMMG continued their growth and by 2016 the whole company relocated to a new location in Boonville, Missouri. Boonville was the childhood home of the Overstreet brothers and it allowed existing employees to stay with CMMG after the transition. By October 24th, 2016, the company began production of firearms, parts and accessories in their new manufacturing and assembly facility. In April 2017 CMMG released another game changing innovation. This time it was a new operating system called “Radial Delayed Blowback (RDB)”. The benefit of RDB is that there is a weight saving in the bolt carrier and buffer assemblies. Not only does this give the user a lighter rifle but also the felt recoil is noticeably less than on the standard straight blowback system. The CMMG RDB has now been used to enable AR chamber calibres which have historically been problematic in the platform. So far, the company has used this RDB system for 10mm, 45 ACP, .40 S&W, 9mm and 5.7x28mm. 2019 arrived and CMMG wanted to bring the benefits of Radial Delayed Blowback to anyone who owns a MilSpec AR15/M16 lower receiver. Working in collaboration with Mean Arms, CMMG released the 9mm AR conversion magazine. This would enable the pairing of a MilSpec lower receiver with a CMMG 9mm RDB upper receiver set.
THE BUILD - PLANNING
As some of the parts would not be available in airsoft 64
MAY 2021
form, we would need to use “real steel” parts in some cases. The RS parts that we had to use would be the hand guard and pistol brace, to accurately mimic the real rifle. The base rifle, as mentioned earlier, would be the KWA VM4A1. This system is very familiar to us and would be a good solid base for the overall build. Also, as the VM4 is a non-recoil (KWA 2.5) system this would give us plenty of space to house a battery in the buffer tube and still allow the pistol brace to be closed fully. The CMMG magazine well markings, Banshee logo and address would be laser engraved and laser marked onto the KWA lower receiver with the manufacturer’s blessing. To follow the CMMG build spec for the pistol we chose to use the PTS MOE pistol grip and Enhanced Trigger Guard in black. Also, we’d seen some of the Mk4 pistols used with a Magpul ™ MVG, we also decided to use the PTS Magpul MVG.
FORE-GRIP AND BARREL
For the authentic look of the pistol we selected the CMMG RML-4 fore grip. This would be paired with a 6-inch KWA outer barrel, which would need to be machined to the appropriate length and completed with a thread protector. There’s no need for a gas block or gas rod as the real rifle uses the RDB system. The barrel nut supplied with the RML-4 has a thread which is slightly different to that of the KWA, so this would have to be addressed when doing the pre-build assembly. CMMG offer the Banshee range in a number of Cerakoted options; Flat Dark Earth, Burnt Bronze, Midnight Bronze, Bazooka Green, Sniper Grey, Slate, Titanium, Stormtrooper White, OD Green and Graphite Black. We’d made the decision that we were going to have our replica coated in Sniper Grey. The Cerakote process would be carried out, after the laser deep engraving, by Mark Dunford at High Calibre Coatings in Suffolk. Mark would also be asked to fill the “auto” selector markings on our lower receiver as this was needed to replicate the look of the semi-only pistol. Once all the parts and the base rifle were sitting on the project shelf, the build process could begin. The first job was to disassemble the VM4A1 to allow the lower receiver to be laser engraved and the upper receiver test fitted to the fore grip. Before it was Cerakoted the lower receiver was engraved with the CMMG markings on the magazine well and lower receiver. The “Banshee” logo on the right side of the lower receiver would have to be laser marked after it had all been Cerakoted.
CUSTOM BUILD CMMG BANSHEE™
With COVID restrictions in place over most of 2020, this build would take a bit of time to complete but as we couldn’t go out to sites and play airsoft this wouldn’t cause much of a problem. Part of the planning of the build would be to check the length of the outer barrel that we would need in order to suit the RML-4 handguard. The best option for a donor barrel was the short (6”) barrel from a KWA T6. This would only require a slight trim and then rethreading. In order to cover the bright aluminium of the rethread the metal was treated with Birchwood Casey Aluminium Black chemicals. The offcut of another barrel trim would be utilised to make the knurled thread protector. We’d originally planned to trim the standard KWA 6.05mm barrel down to suit the outer barrel length but we later decided to use a Prometheus EG 6.03 (135mm), which would be fitted with a Maple Leaf 50 degree hop rubber, Prometheus Hard Tensioner and all fitted within a MAXX ME Pro hop unit. The hop rubber would need a few hundred rounds through it in order to bed it in and be able to accurately set the hop and get consistent shots. In one of our KWA T6s we have it can reach out to around 75m, so the range tests to come will see how much difference reducing the barrel length by 50mm (2”) will make. Although the maximum range will be useful in open parts of sites, this build is designed to be the ideal compact CQB tool when just fitted with the knurled barrel protector.
GEARBOX AND POWER
For the gearbox we decided to make use of the skills of Marcus, a fellow AA Red Cell member. Marcus has a lot of experience with both airsoft and real firearms, having been a tech at Wolf Armouries in the 90’s and also a competitive IPSC shooter at the same time as me. We had a lengthy discussion as to what we were going to do to make it a bit different from the standard KWA spec. First, we decided to fit a Jefftron Leviathan. This would give me all the programmability I wanted, plus tech readouts as I was using the rifle from its built in Bluetooth capability. This would require some modification within the KWA gearbox as the Leviathan won’t “drop in”. The standard KWA piston head is very much up to the job and to add a little more to it the piston head would be mounted on a new piston. During assembly the AOE would be checked and adjusted if necessary. To power this build we decided to use one of the new Warhead motors. We went for the mid-range power version and allied it to the Warhead Hadron 1100mAH 11.1v battery. Having the 11.1v and the
adjustability of the Leviathan it should result in a really snappy cycling rate on semi. As we were using the Leviathan we could, where sites allow, change settings for semi and two or three round burst. For our usual site at Camp Sparta there is a semi-auto only rule in place so we can set the fet to be safe, semi, semi.
ROUNDING IT OFF
To round off the build we would be using KWA PTS PMags (30/60rd) which would be laser- marked with the CMMG logo to look like the real ones, which are available from CMMG. To keep the AEG short, I’d be replicating the “Pistol” look by using a pistol arm brace. To add to the build, I took a Gemtec Suppressor and asked Jim Whiting at LC’s Engineering Workshop to help the project by making a longer body and end cap to replicate the CMMG DefCan9. When the body came back from Jim, I machined the inserts to fit an Xcortec XT301 tracer unit inside the body. There is also the option to half fill the body of the suppressor with foam to reduce the amount of “flash” that could be seen from the muzzle when using a mix of standard and tracer BBS. Again, the DefCan parts would be sent to Mark at HCC to be Cerakoted before being white laser marked with the appropriate CMMG markings, with their kind permission.
RANGE TEST RESULTS
At the time of writing we are still under Covid “lockdown” regulations, so we’ve not been able to take the completed AEG out and give it a full run-out but as soon as the restrictions are lifted and we can safely get to site, we’ll be doing a range of shooting tests. After we’ve completed range and site tests we’ll put together a report and bring that to you all in a “Reloaded” article in a couple of months.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
There are a number of people that we would like to make mention of who, without their advice, support and assistance, we wouldn’t have been able to complete the project. Jim at LC’s Engineering Workshop for the help in replicating the CMMG DefCan9 suppressor; Mark at High Calibre Coatings for the Cerakote work; Marcus at All Ages Airsoft in Dover for the gearbox modifications; Ben at Warhead Industries and, most of all, Tim Zick, the Marketing Manager at CMMG for allowing us to replicate one of their splendid firearms and for the support during the build! AA
www.airsoftaction.net
65
RELOADED WE HK416 GBB
WETECH HK 416 GBBR
AIRSOFT ACTION’S “MAN IN TAIWAN”, STEWBACCA, LOOKS BACK AT ONE OF THE MOST-USED AR PLATFORMS, IN THE FORM OF THE HK416 GBBR, FROM WETECH.
I
f, like me, you’re a big fan of Larry Vickers and everything he’s done for the international special forces and shooting communities, you’ll no doubt be aware of his much-vaunted brainchild and his direct consulting work with Heckler & Koch to bring it into the world, the HK416 – a short stroke gas piston operated variant of the AR platform that brings us the G36/AR18 gas system used in most of the modern assault rifles of the world. The AR18 might have been a bit of a flop itself, mostly being loved by the irregular forces of questionable repute in the Northern Ireland conflict, however, its operating system was adopted, or adapted, into the L85 in the UK, the F2000 in Belgium, G36 in Germany, T91 in Taiwan, the SAR80 in Singapore, Type 89 in Japan and the ACR in the US, among many more no doubt. And so it was, that following his service with the US Delta Force in various conflicts, Larry put his mind to good use with the help of the engineers at H&K to create a short-barreled Armalite derivative that would accept this long-proven and widely used short stroke gas piston system, while retaining the multilug rotating bolt head of the AR15 (as also used in a myriad of other modern assault rifles, with the obvious exception of the twin lug bolt AK series). While the Mk18 still reigns supreme in most of the US Special Operations COMmand and community, with it of course being widely “cloned” by many US civilians, the HK416 has been adopted by the very “tip of the spear”, Delta Force and DEVGRU units as a result of its lineage and its development from their direct combined experiences and input through Mr. Vickers. Further afield, the HK416 has taken Europe and Asia by storm and is finally pegged to replace the G36 family of rifles used by H&K’s home Bundeswehr 66
MAY 2021
forces. Furthermore, the French are breaking their long held tradition of domestically produced Individual Weapon by purchasing the HK416 to replace their ageing FAMAS which have been out of production for some time. Meanwhile, the conventional national forces of Norway, and special forces units of Spain, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Ireland, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Georgia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Serbia, Turkey, Jordan, South Korea, The Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, and Brazil… as well as murmurings from within UK military procurement that it might eventually replace the long serving and initially troubled L85 family of rifles - clearly, #EverybodyLovesTheKoch With that in mind, the HK416 therefore offers the perfect choice of replica for a vast plethora of national militaries, special forces and even police or SWAT teams, that MilSim players or loadout impressionists can enjoy utilising - to not only throw rounds downrange but look good doing it!
THE WE VERSION
Aesthetically, the HK416 blends the original AR layout with a reinforced quad rail in the earliest versions, along with a heightened upper receiver and full length Picatinny rail to accommodate the additional internal space requirements of the gas piston system. The rail unit is free-floated for accuracy, as well as single point fixed at the rear allowing it to be unbolted and removed for access to the gas system for cleaning, while the production tolerances ensure a repeatable lockup to the receiver to maintain zero. Similarly, WE’s HK416 offering builds off its existing AR replicas, with lower receiver and magazine commonality and making use of the same bolt carrier group, fire control group and other such internal
RELOADED WE HK416 GBB
componentry, the main cosmetic difference being the heightened rail and stretch upper receiver to suit. I purchased mine second hand off a teammate who found it too heavy and cumbersome for his much smaller frame than mine. The WE HK416D includes the slimmer profile CAR15 style stock, rather than the chunkier Crane stock or derivatives found on the likes of competitor’s offerings. Also included is a threaded barrel extension section, which allows the user to unscrew the M16A2 style birdcage flash-hider and attach the barrel extension if desired to give the longer rifle version - I stuck with the shorter carbine myself. The vertical foregrip is pretty much a necessity for me on all my guns. I much prefer that grip format (rather than a C-Clamp) due to my long “Kermit the frog” arms and the issues they cause with holding short-barreled platforms (due to the strain on my wrists if I have to fold my arms up and get my support hand palm horizontal instead of vertical). I ended up using a BCM style shorter, fatter vertical grip, rather than the thinner longer KAC style grip as seen on my G36C and T91 rifles - it looks more the part and gives plenty of grip to control the front end of the gun. The HK416-specific pistol grip gives a very comfortable hold and control with its more bulbous rear profile that fills the palms nicely, while the slimline
stock works well enough for me at full extension despite it being less chunky than the Crane stock variants. The fire control group uses mostly identical components with the T91 or other AR platforms offered by WE, however, like the real steel variant, the HK pictograms allude to the safe/semi/auto functionality of the fire selector in place of the more typical lettering. More significantly, the ability to engage the safety regardless of the position of the hammer is a welcome addition to carry over from the real gun into the replica. The charging handle is the typical T-Bar with left hand side spring loaded retention latch and gives a very positive and pleasant charging action, whether gripped over the top with both your index and middle finger, or just “side racked” - or even using the blade of your hand in a rush if you need to clear a malfunction or re-cock the hammer for some reason, which I have had some issues with, as it happens. Every so often, in a rapid string of single shots I might have a stoppage which requires the WE HK416 to be re-cocked. Depending on how far back I cast my mind, I have had occasional issues with double feeds, misfeeds or, in most cases, the hammer following the bolt carrier group home during cycling rather than the auto sear dropping it once the carrier was fully back in
www.airsoftaction.net
67
RELOADED WE HK416 GBB
battery. The hammer unit itself looks slightly deformed on my example, which is no doubt an artefact of my typically maniacal heavy usage in tropical CQB environments and the sheer amount of rounds I’ve put through it in what is a relatively short ownership period compared to many normal players - I break things so you don’t have to… These issues tend to creep in across the range according to my conversations with Zhuang at KIC Airsoft near my home in Sanchong, Taipei - where I’ve sourced most of my guns and parts since moving here - apparently the RATech replacements are very popular overseas as a result of these underlying long term issues and KIC do a lot of parts supply internationally. I purchased the RATech enhanced steel bolt carrier group and, to be fair, it cost more than the gun did second hand! However, it is excellent and has an integrated adjustable NPAS system with a variety of screw-on front nozzles with different internal diameters, to suit different country’s power limits and environments. I spent some time experimenting
(for science reasons) with the BCG when I purchased it, chronographing five shot strings of every single one of the forty position settings the internal NPAS nozzle can be moved to, finding it perfect for tuning the muzzle velocity to suit different site requirements locally. The full metal construction also makes it buttery smooth in its operation, compared to the standard BCG and plastic nozzle setup. In terms of performance and accuracy, the HK416 has been comparable with the G36C, making solid and repeatable shots against the typical 4-inch plate targets at the likes of Action Bunker and readily allowing single shot or double tap eliminations once the hop is bedded in. Aside from the odd BCG-related issue, I’ve had nothing but good times with the WE HK416 and, for the money, it certainly offers an economical but nonetheless practical and effective GBBR platform for someone in the market, especially if you aren’t overly bothered about having the legitimate trademarks and other minutiae. AA
“…THE HK416 THEREFORE OFFERS THE PERFECT CHOICE OF REPLICA FOR A VAST PLETHORA OF NATIONAL MILITARIES, SPECIAL FORCES AND EVEN POLICE OR SWAT TEAMS, THAT MILSIM PLAYERS OR LOADOUT IMPRESSIONISTS CAN ENJOY UTILISING - TO NOT ONLY THROW ROUNDS DOWNRANGE BUT LOOK GOOD DOING IT!”
www.airsoftaction.net
69
FEATURE UK IMPORTING WOES
A LONG AND WINDING ROAD!
IF YOU’RE IN THE UK AND YOU HAVEN’T REALISED THAT THE “PERSONAL IMPORT” RULES HAVE CHANGED FOR BRINGING IN RIFS AND GEAR FROM MAINLAND EUROPE, THEN YOU SHOULD REALLY TAKE NOTE! IS THIS GOING TO HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU AS A PLAYER, OR IS IT JUST A FEW MORE HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH TO GET THE THINGS YOU REALLY WANT? BILL RECOUNTS HIS EXPERIENCES SINCE JANUARY TO BRING YOU UP TO SPEED!
I
’m going to preface this short report with the statement that I believe you should always support your local airsoft shop when it comes to purchases. As a part of the wider “local community” these shops do far more than just provide AEGs, GBBs, consumables, accessories and gear. In many cases they have created a welcoming “hub” where local players can meet and share news and soon they’ll be open for business once again, places where we can share all the information on new kit, sites and the gear we all love! However, there are times that even the very best “local retailer” can’t get exactly what you want and I’m sure, like me, that sometimes you resort to ordering that “thing” online, either from another UKbased retailer or, in more extreme cases of “want”, from retailers overseas. Sometimes when you’re finishing up a build you just need a single part to bring it to fruition (an M-LOK foregrip for instance!) and as much as you search, the only place you can find that crucial part is from a source many hundreds, or indeed thousands, of miles away! Airsoft (and the airsoft industry) has become truly global and, in my opinion, is one industry that is utterly “interconnected” already. New AEG models, for example, come almost entirely from the Far East and many of the accompanying accessories do too. Complex and unique parts also largely originate from “over the water” and in the past we’ve accepted the inherent risks of long-distance shipping with a shrug and a “we’ll see” when it comes to personal imports. With the C-Virus still playing havoc with international shipping - a situation that affects 70
MAY 2021
distributors and retailers every bit as much as us as players - transport costs have skyrocketed. One distributor told me that due to shortages, a 40-foot container that used to cost US$2,000 now costs them US$10,000! Add to increased cost that shipping times have been severely impacted during the pandemic and, in some ways, it seems amazing that we have any new toys at all! International shipping has become a current and ongoing - nightmare for anyone involved in importation of goods to the UK and airsoft is just one amongst many that have been adversely affected. Speaking to folks I know well and trust on the “industry” side has shown me an unremitting series of “tales of woe”, with shipments delayed, misplaced and even lost entirely. This is not a good place for any industry to be, with cashflows and incomes battered and thousands of pounds/dollars tied up unnecessarily.
GETTING PERSONAL
Whilst I am a “Proud Brit” I do understand though, that we work in a truly global industry and that the changes we have seen since January have been somewhat masked by the restrictions that we have been under in the UK. I live close to the Port of Dover and I’ve witnessed personally the backlogs of container trucks awaiting their onward journeys. As many of us have been stuck at home, the fact that the main M20 motorway to the port has been turned into a “Trucks Only” clearing system for many miles on one side has gone largely uncommented upon… Yes, you can blame that on the C-Virus but, sadly, also on unpreparedness on the part of some shippers
FEATURE UK IMPORTING WOES
and carriers too. No offence to anyone but we’ve had FOUR YEARS to prepare for change and yet there still seem to be major problems here in the UK - and sadly it is HERE in the UK that the problems would appear to exist! When we all knew that our relationship with the rest of Europe was about to change for certain, I started thinking about how this would impact us as individual players when it came to personal imports and thus far, in relation to gear and clothing, I’ve seen very little change when I’ve ordered something from overseas, be that from within Europe, or indeed the rest of the world. I will admit that shipping times may have stretched a little but that could easily be down to the pandemic, and not the UK border changes. When it comes to RIFs though, things have most definitely changed and at the moment there is obviously still massive work to be done by certain carriers. I’ve placed orders with companies in Hong Kong and had deliveries of AEGs and GBBs from China and Taiwan, a couple even arriving from Taiwan and Poland in just 72 hours! Yes, I still need to provide a reason for import and a personal Defence in Law, just as I’ve always done and, where applicable, pay tax and import duty. This is not a surprise as it’s the way it has always been! For some reason though, many people and players seem to think that this is not the case when it now comes to imports from mainland Europe but in fact, importing from any other “mainland” country is now just the same as for the rest of the world! As a player with a valid Defence in Law you can order from whoever you like! You have a valid reason as a regular player to import whatever you like as long as it is meets legal requirements. I will say here that, love it or hate it, a UKARA Player Registration number is the easiest way to do this and one that we have confirmed is recognised by the “powers that be”. You are at liberty still to order from whatever retailer, in whatever country, you want to order from but there is a “BUT”… My experiences have been massively varied and for the most part any orders I have placed have moved smoothly from source to me. I have received shipments from all over the world and, as in the past, some have arrived super-fast and some have taken a while. Some have attracted duty and tax, and some have not… it’s basically still a crapshoot! However, I must say that most carriers have still been pretty efficient, apart from one. Sadly, the problem appears to exist when goods arrive here in
the UK, not during transit from source and it appears to be an ongoing problem within the UPS system. I made an order that after nearly a month and a half “in transit” has literally only just arrived with me! The retailer in question (in Poland) shipped in good faith having prepared all the correct export paperwork. I provided my reason for import, along with my personal UKARA number as proof of Defence. Even with this the parcel was delayed (I accept this, “C-Virus “reasons), then it arrived in the UK. Then it stalled, stalled again, paperwork that UPS already had and that they sent to me was requested again and then the shipment stalled yet again. After a long email exchange and finally a telephone call to UPS I was told that the shipment had been lost. Then they found it again and yup, it stalled… and I have the email trail and screenshots of the tracking to substantiate all of this! Finally, the truck pulled up outside my door and the driver (bless him!) appeared with my package - and on my doorstep he presented me with a bill to cover tax, duty and brokerage fees… which could only be paid in cash (even during a pandemic when we have been advised to use our cards as much as possible!) unless I called the main help line and paid it over the phone! He told me he’d take my package away again and return with it once I’d paid over the phone. My response - and apologies to the driver in question who was placed in a horrible situation by his company was “You can stand right f##king there while I make the call mate!” Suffice to say, this was a singularly bad experience but in honesty I’ve been through it all before when I’ve ordered RIFs direct from the Far East. It’s no different, it’s STILL a crapshoot… Whilst I am amazed that a global carrier like UPS have had time to prepare for the “Euro Changes” and still appear to be in utter disarray, even more so as this appears to be now the exact same system that they use for other international shipments from outside Europe, the fact is that YOU CAN still order from wherever you desire and get the goods you order in a timely fashion! Yes, it may take a little longer and yes, you may now be faced with some additional charges, taxes and duties, and yes, you WILL 100% need to provide a valid Defence in Law but that is absolutely NO DIFFERENT than it has been in the past when you order from anywhere else in the world. Suffice to say, I now have a superb CYMA XM177E1, with seven spare midcaps and even with tax, brokerage and duty it still cost me under UK£200 and, oh my, it was completely worth the wait! AA www.airsoftaction.net
71
FEATURE DRAKELOW TUNNELS
THE TUNNELS GO DARK...
FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MANY YEARS IN THE UK, ONE SITE BECAME SYNONYMOUS WITH ADRENALINISED AIRSOFT… “DRAKELOW”. BUT NOW, AFTER A LONG STRUGGLE, THE TUNNELS HAVE FINALLY GONE DARK. IOAN “IGGY” ROBERTS REMEMBERS HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE “UNDER THE HILL”.
I
t’s with a heavy heart I have to say that the First and Only airsoft site known as “The Outpost” or “Drakelow Tunnels” is now closed. I have been there many times over the years and would just like to share some of my memories of this place as a tribute to how good it was. For those of you that don’t know Drakelow, the tunnels were a former underground complex built during the Second World War to manufacture aeroplane engines and then upgraded in the 1980’s to become a Regional Government HQ. The Tunnels were decommissioned in 1993 and sold into Private ownership and, although they were not sealed for a while and were subject to a measure of vandalism, the result was an atmosphere of cold, quiet, dark desolation. My first time there was 20 years ago. I had recently passed my driving test and I was able to drive my team to the site from North Wales. Anxious and excited we eventually found the location hidden away in the hills near Kidderminster, England. Following a 72
MAY 2021
short roadway, you walk into the site through a cut out in the rock and pass through a thick blast door into a corridor taking you deep under the hill. The safe zone is an allocated room just off the main corridor. We soon felt ready once we geared up, sporting our cheap tactical gear and TM G36s and P90s. I distinctively remember being in awe at the size of the site. Four parallel tunnels made up the main playing area, separated by a series of inter-connecting cross-tunnels and rooms. Some of these rooms still contained equipment used by the former incumbents, such as the kitchens, an old manual telephone exchange and a complete BBC Broadcast Studio. Transcripts pinned to the Studio wall made chilling reading, with details of the required broadcasts in the event of War. To further enhance the experience rat-runs and “mouse holes” had been knocked through some of the internal brick walls, making them ideal for “sneakybeaky” stuff. It was in these pitchblack tunnels where our team was trying to flank
FEATURE DRAKELOW TUNNELS
the enemy (we were green and the enemy was red, indicated by tape on our arm) and were cautiously walking through the darkness. You literally struggled to see your hand in front of you but every now and then you would make out a shape of something …or someone. Trying to be as quiet as we could, I walked straight into someone, saying, “Sorry mate!” Then pausing to think… “Hang on, I was point man so there should be no one in front of me???” I said “What colour are you mate? We are green.” ….. Silence… Followed by the sound of awkward footsteps trying to separate some ground between us then a shouted response… “RED!” Followed by a burst of fire from one, two, three… too many positions to count. We all responded firing in the direction we thought the fire came from. Some of the enemy had tracer BBs. This was my first time seeing them. It was similar to a scene in Star Wars. I was so impressed. Obviously, I was hit fairly early on in the engagement. I returned from respawn to the same tunnel, again in deathly silence. You could hear people trying to walk, crawl or move around any way they could. I had to find my team, my friends, somewhere amongst all these people on edge with twitchy trigger fingers! Luckily the first person I came across was one of my teammates. We decided to return to the office section of the tunnels (which were lit) and eventually managed to regroup with the rest of our team. On later visits our kit got better, along with our tactics. Armed with weapons which had torches, mainly MP5s or shotguns and my friend still had his trusty P90, we also had BFGs (blank firing grenades) and MK5s. Room clearing got easier and lighting up those dark corners were a huge bonus. Our radios worked but there were issues between tunnels if we split up. On one occasion our entire side, not just my team, was stuck at a doorway with a double door that opened in both directions. Anytime someone opened the door they were dropped instantly. Eventually we
managed to sneak a couple of grenades through. This cleared the guys who had the doorway locked down but a guy ran to just behind the door, tucking himself into the corner in a position where he would be able to hit anyone of us coming through the door. I asked my friend for his P90 and handed him my MP5. Then I rolled through the doors in some kind of un-graceful forward roll which startled the guy enough for me to shoot him mid roll… only I had the P90 accidently on auto, not semi as I intended and got the poor chap from his groin up in a matter of seconds. I was followed by countless guys from our side that pushed through as I apologised to the guy, I still don’t think he believed me it was accidently on auto as he was holding his crotch!! Lastly, this place introduced me to mouseholes and skirmishing in public bathrooms(!), however, both usually end up painfully. I remember our team doing a “rock, paper, scissors” to see who was going through the mouse hole first… Having to crawl on all fours through a hole in a brick wall into a room with heaps of cover expecting the enemy to be waiting, pointing their guns at the hole…. Or on one occasion with a pistol, waiting right up against the wall shooting you just as you stick your head through. They also act as a great shortcut and sneaky entrance, allowing you to get behind the enemy if they are not expecting it. Always a gamble, just do not lose the rock paper scissors!!! The bathrooms in Drakelow were always a bloodbath for both sides. Limited cover and literally one way through. The only way to break ground was grenades and throwing people at it. Oh the pain and the sacrifice… but if you ease up you lose! Drakelow will always be in my memory as one of our go to urban/CQB sites. I hope many of you share such great memories of the place and look forward to more unique sites opening soon. Iggy out. AA
www.airsoftaction.net
73
armoury ARCHWICK USW CARBINE CHASSIS
IS IT REAL - OR IS IT ARCHWICK? HAVING “BOOTS ON THE GROUND” IN NUMEROUS COUNTRIES MEANS AIRSOFT ACTION CAN PROPERLY SUPPORT OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS AROUND THE WORLD. “STEWBACCA” REPORTS FROM TAIWAN, WHERE HE HAS BEEN IN ALMOST DAILY CONTACT WITH THE GUYS AT ARCHWICK AS THEY PUSH AHEAD WITH THEIR LATEST PRODUCTS.
H
aving spent time getting to know Nelson online before MOA 2020 and during the show itself, and with Archwick’s facility being a short distance away from my own abode in New Taipei City, it’s been very easy to work more closely with Archwick on a near daily basis. Before I head to work I chat with them about their products, see how they work and what their design ethos and company ideals and goals are. There will be a more in-depth article in Airsoft Action once I’ve seen the full gamete of their in-progress product line come to fruition, such as their much-awaited GHK based Colt Canada L119A2 GBBR. Currently their facility being abound by the first batch of their also anticipated ASG sub licensed, B&T authorised and marked Glock USW Carbine Chassis Kit. As a result of Nelson and Ray being busy pioneering a whole plethora of products you will already be aware of (and some you won’t be for some time), as well as balancing family life and the operational requirements of their rapidly growing business, there’s one thing they are both very short of - time to actually 74
MAY 2021
get out and play airsoft anymore! Thankfully, I still spend a lot of time training weekly in Action Air/ Airsoft IPSC, as well as skirmishing most Sundays if I’m not doing any shooting competitions. Thus, our interests once again aligned quite nicely and the gents were all too happy to let me get hands on with their prototype Glock USW carbine chassis kit - with a Marui Glock 17 replica already fitted and ready to rock. Initially, I took it to a Tuesday night session at Team SPPT’s Action Air training, to measure my own performance in terms of a standard pistol run versus the use of the carbine kit, both off hand using the replica ACRO red dot at arm’s length, as well as with the stock deployed - and there was definitely a noticeable improvement in my runs in terms of aiming and transitioning between targets. I allowed my teammates to have a blast with it and feedback was very positive in terms of the form, function and fun factor. Even at the full length of the training area around 15m - it was near impossible to miss with the setup.
armoury ARCHWICK USW CARBINE CHASSIS
ON SITE
Following this initial outing I was then also allowed to take it out once again and put it to task against OpFor targets, in the shape of the regular players at Linkou CQB - just beyond the hills West of Taipei and where the local police and SWAT teams spend their weekdays training for entry operations and other such things. With my XCortech XT301 tracer mounted and BLS 0.3g green tracers loaded, I went to work and managed to get quite a few eliminations, with the initial one being one of my early actions in the first round. As I rounded the far right corner of the mock up building in the centre of the site I managed to eliminate one of the opposing team with a rapid double tap, before moving on further down the right of the slightly more open format killing house style layout. One of the few downsides I have found thus far was encountered at this point. As a result of the loan pistol Archwick gave me already fitted in the chassis being somewhat new or otherwise unfamiliar, I hadn’t set up the HOP unit to deal with the heavier ammunition, so the range was a little hampered and the rounds were dropping off pretty quickly, albeit with a consistent arc. I would certainly recommend ensuring your own Glock of choice is well tuned with the ammunition you intend to run prior to insertion, as it’s not a simple matter to remove it from the carbine kit once installed. However, if you have a Umarex licensed VFC produced Glock, your HOP is conveniently adjustable using the spring guide. With that in mind, I managed to get quite a few eliminations in the rounds we played and enjoyed running the kit to the point where I didn’t touch my AAP01 sidearm - or even pick up my otherwise much beloved PP2K GBB PDW - I was just having too much fun with the Glock kit! During my earlier IPSC session I encountered a few stoppages during stages but chalked that down to not lubricating the host Glock replica properly prior to using it. Bad drills on my part, I was just too enthusiastic to start putting rounds downrange!
LICENCED REPLICAS
The Archwick Glock USW is a very close replica of the B&T original for use with real steel Glock pistols. With the closely matching external appearance and realistic markings, as well as being made from the same high grade, lightweight aluminium primary chassis, machined in basically the same manner, plus the right-side folding stock being reinforced polymer in construction, it is almost indistinguishable when laid beside it. This gives the user the closest possible
replication of the appearance and experience of the genuine article, although some compromises had to be made internally to accommodate the realities of dealing with an ever-growing range of Glock replica pistols, with different standards. Umarex authorised VFC produced Glock replicas of course closely match the external appearance and dimensions of their real steel equivalents, however, earlier reproductions such as Marui and others based off their original designs and dimensions such as WE or Double Bell products, vary slightly - as many airsoft or Action Air shooters will know if they’ve ever tried using real steel holsters. My own Double Bell Glock 34 TTI John Wick style replica required my genuine Safariland 6379 holster to be heat gunned and loosened a bit to fit the front end of the slide and frame in properly when I first acquired the setup. To counter this, Archwick had to resort to including separate pistol rail mounted adaptor shoes, which fit to the appropriate brand of replica pistol’s lower accessory rail and are then themselves retained in the front end of the chassis kit with an adjustable tensioning unit. This is adjusted once the rear retention and stock mounting tongue at the rear end is installed and then the beaver tail of the replica is backed towards it with the adjuster. Similarly, the original real steel carbine kit includes a reversible folding charging handle that runs in suitable cut-out slots on both sides of the chassis to connect through to the rear of the host pistol. On the real steel variant this replaces the standard sized retainer panel fitted into the rear face of the slide but, considering their options and again the potential differences in tolerances of pistols from various manufacturers and that some models don’t even have separate removable rear panels either, they elected to make use of the rear sight as the point for affixing the charging handle. These cast rear sight replacement charging handle mounts and the front rail mounting shoes will also be made available separately to enable users to run multiple guns from different manufacturers with the carbine. Another amendment from the real steel version is that Archwick are also providing a Glock 18C compatible version, with more material removed from the rear left side to allow sufficient clearance for the selector lever to move within. This wouldn’t be achievable with a real steel pistol due to the much higher stresses and the real steel equivalent hasn’t been released in a suitable variant due to the much lower prevalence of real G18Cs, compared to in the realm of airsoft. Archwick’s offering has been extensively tested to ensure the relieved structure is still more than sufficient to deal with the lesser www.airsoftaction.net
75
armoury ARCHWICK USW CARBINE CHASSIS
76
MAY 2021
armoury ARCHWICK USW CARBINE CHASSIS
stresses of the replica. One final difference between the replica and original real steel format, is that the charging handle is not quick release, due to the cap head bolt fixture method. Again a relatively minor consideration, given the fact it isn’t intended for genuine duty use and the likelihood is players will setup a suitable pistol within the carbine, achieve a proper zero with their chosen optic and leave it installed for the longer term. With these minor detractions and practicalities considered, the Archwick ASG sub licensed B&T USW Glock chassis offers a lightweight, easily carried and fielded force-multiplier ready carbine kit to compete with any others within the market. Sporting all the trimmings and trademarks of its real counterpart and boasting the same attention to detail and materials makes it ideal for both the collector’s market, or those who seek a useful but compact sidearm. Airsoft sniper rifle users, CTM Airsoft (the local distributor of Archwick within Taiwan and a close partner), already provide a trigger guard internal surface locking sideways releasing holster, which I made use of during my IPSC runs. Although I ended up using the included rear slinging point during my skirmish games, due to the fact I was running it as my primary weapon and not against the clock with draw times. The rear optic mount machined into the upper surface of the chassis is to the same dovetail specification as its real steel counterpart and is ideal for an Aimpoint ACRO or similar replica as the one I used was provided with. This provides an excellent and clear field of view with a crisp red dot easily zeroed to the trajectory of the rounds headed downrange. If, however, the user would rather affix a different optic of their choice, an adaptor stub section picatinny rail can be fitted over the integral dovetail with twin socket head screws, all included in the kit. With all of these considerations and given the increasing prevalence of pistol calibre carbines (PCCs) in US competition shooting, police and home defensive use, the Archwick ASG B&T Glock USW chassis presents an easy solution to turn a sidearm into a force multiplied platform. With the ability to use fully auto capable Glock 18C models, a true machine pistol can be fashioned out of a simple sidearm, plus be able to use 50 round longer magazines, which are much easier to carry and have a significant gas and ammunition capacity over most of the more conventional AR or similar carbines and SMG/PDWs. Having spent some time at Archwick doing my own photography work and getting some insight into their operations and their plans, I’ve come to realise that the team behind the products are a very experienced,
dedicated and fastidious group who really want to provide the pinnacle of boutique collectable but also very much usable close replicas of the high end real steel weapons systems that dominate the market. Their current USW offerings are very much adhering to this philosophy and I look forward to getting some time behind their Glock 18C variant in the immediate future, as well as getting hands on with their GHK based Colt Canada L119A2 GBBR kit in the next month or so. I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Nelson, Ray and their team for accommodating me so frequently and allowing me unprecedented access and insight into how they have already achieved what they have - and what they intend to get done in the near future - as well as trusting me to put their products through their paces (especially knowing how I usually break most things at some point). Thus far their products very much get my seal of approval! AA
www.airsoftaction.net
77
Helikon-Tex®
MCDU® Combat Shirt Unmatched Comfort on a Mission
• Two zippered bicep pockets • Sleeves made of NYCO® fabric • Torso made of TopCool® fabric
#Journey to Perfection
ACTION AIR TAIWAN
THE OF ACTION AIR STEWBACCA CONTINUES HIS TAIWANESE JOURNEY INTO ACTION AIR AND FINDS THE RECENT ENFORCED HIATUS HAS ACTUALLY HAD SOME POSITIVE BENEFITS.
W
ith the infamy of 2020 finally over and some semblance of normality on the horizon for the rest of the world, Taiwan has had less disruption given the control of the situation. Thus, we started 2021 with greater optimism and gusto, having seen off the end of last year with some competitions missed out on due to COVID worry related cancellations earlier in the year. Thankfully, our first competition this year in March was unperturbed and the whole year is looking good for a variety of upcoming shoots. So, having spent much of the tail end of last year getting to grips using my ASG/KJ Works CZ75 Shadow 2 and dialling in my movements and sight usage (even switching over to using black ammunition like many Action Air practitioners here, as this forces you to use your irons properly instead of allowing you to “follow your own tracer” with more visible white ammunition), as well as working on my speed and consistency of movement and reloading, I have managed to greatly close the gap between myself and my teammates and wider peers in terms of overall performance and confidence, both in training and competition. Given the better situation and plans for 2021, the Shooter Centre Cup that we ended last year with is
back in force at my home field where I train alongside my Setup Practical Project Team (SPPT) teammates. This year there will be three competitions held at our training centre, in March, July and November and the scores across all of them will be aggregated for those who complete all three. This will provide an annual competition aspect alongside the individual shoots and their first through third places in each of the Open, Standard and Production divisions, so we have a further incentive to keep up the effort. March the 7th rolled around just after the Chinese New Year break over here in Taiwan, where we take a full week off work to enjoy the changing phase of the moon and stuff ourselves senseless with a wide array of delicious local cuisine. Coming back an arguably portlier competitor and then managing to temporarily bugger my ankle up somehow, as well as having to catch up on airsoft related work, it turned out that I entered the competition somewhat “cold” as I hadn’t completed a practise session for about three weeks. Normally I practise near religiously every Tuesday on my day off the teaching job, so I felt like I might be a bit sluggish or end up missing a beat before I got onto the stages. Once again due to the indoor and upstairs space we train in, the number of competitors was limited to
“MARCH THE 7TH ROLLED AROUND JUST AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR BREAK OVER HERE IN TAIWAN, WHERE WE TAKE A FULL WEEK OFF WORK TO ENJOY THE CHANGING PHASE OF THE MOON AND STUFF OURSELVES SENSELESS WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF DELICIOUS LOCAL CUISINE. ” 80
MAY 2021
ACTION AIR TAIWAN
forty at sign up, with a total of thirty three showing up on the day; twelve for Open, thirteen in Standard and eight in Production divisions running and gunning against each other and the clock. Three of the ladies were running against each other in Standard division for a single top spot medal within the category and just the one lady in production, who is a past champion and really gives us all a run for our money. On the lead up to competition, particularly around Christmas and early New Year, the temperature did actually drop to what the Taiwanese would consider frigid, while I find it quite comfortable. This is the only time of year that you might possibly find any issues running a GBB system and, given the heft and full metal construction of my Shadow 2, I encountered these issues during training, much to my chagrin (as any followers of my Instagram and Youtube videos will be aware of), with my gassing out magazines, failures to feed and fire and colourful language that followed! Many of my teammates and peers have invested in electronic milk bottle warmers (intended for new parents) to dump their magazines in and bring up their temperature, while I tried out the Warchief electronic heating double magazine pouch. Although this is perhaps better suited to skirmishers carrying it on their person for the occasions you need a side arm rather than hardcore Action Air shooters mag dumping for hours on end. With my continued frustration I resorted to purchasing a couple of CO2 capsule-powered magazines and a fifty-capsule box of the inert and more consistent propellant to go with them. These gave me much less
trouble in terms of confidently and consistently cycling my Shadow 2 with greater force and noise and lasting a good seventy rounds or so per capsule. With my new equipment squared away and feeling reasonably well practised overall, I dragged myself out of bed early on the Sunday morning to join the first squad run through of stages one to three, before the second squad came along after we had finished our runs to do the same while squad one went for an extended lunch as per our last shoot, due to the number of competitors and limited space. Bleary eyed and once again doing the first three stages in reverse order, I began on the third stage which featured another similar heavily obstructed setup as the last shoot. This time, with two large wooden wall panels set further back from the parallel lateral fault lines, we were limited to moving sideways within from the starting point in the centre. Six window cut-outs in both of the two large wooden panels around 20cm square in an upper and lower row allowed for shooting through it to get at the targets hidden behind, with some gymnastics required once again from yours truly given my gangly nature compared to locals. With four paper targets, one of which was at the rear and obscured from the left side as well as having a no shoot covering most of its lower portion, plus three steel poppers and the electronic ending gong, the stage required a minimum of
12 shots - and some in-depth planning given the sheer awkwardness of all the target presentations. Planning is still somewhat of a weak point for me… I’ll spend a while working
“THE NUMBER OF COMPETITORS WAS LIMITED TO FORTY AT SIGN UP, WITH A TOTAL OF THIRTY THREE SHOWING UP ON THE DAY; TWELVE FOR OPEN, THIRTEEN IN STANDARD AND EIGHT IN PRODUCTION DIVISIONS RUNNING AND GUNNING AGAINST EACH OTHER AND THE CLOCK. ” www.airsoftaction.net
81
ACTION AIR TAIWAN
out my particular lines of sight given my awkward proportions compared to other competitors, get my ideas clear in my head, then swiftly forget all that as soon as I hear the beep and just start blasting! I work a lot better against more accessible open targets, but where’s the fun or challenge in that, eh? As a result this was again probably my worst performance, slow, dawdling, forgetting how to line up on poppers and changing my ideas mid-run due to struggling to get sights on the paper. Just under twenty-five seconds, nine alphas, three charlies, six totally missed shots, twenty rounds and one badly timed reload later and I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. Oh well, onwards and upwards.
...OR DOWNWARDS!
Stage two was performed in a seated position throughout, so my knees could take a bit of a rest - having just buggered them somewhat with all the squatting to get eyes on paper in stage three! This was a short but extremely dynamic and fun stage that I loved drilling through. Chris Leung, James Zhou and his son (who run the shooting centre and plan the stages) always have some great ideas for fun dynamic target presentations and this competition and stage were to be no different! Sat in the chair at the rear of the stage, with the pistol in condition two on the stool in front, the competitor has to yank two lanyard-bearing batons on the “Go” buzzer to release the grenade-pin style retainers of the three target systems. This let loose two low-level independent swinging targets that rotated back and forth, in and out of cover, as well as one large bar up high that carried twin paper targets and swung back and forth either side of a central obstruction (which also served as a backstop to the ending plate). I was the dry run test subject for our group and then also ended up immediately going hot as the first competitor. Yanking the lanyards clean out in my usual Garth-like fashion, I quickly grabbed my Shadow 2 and cycled the slide before letting loose a fourteen shot barrage in short order, missing twice and overkilling one of the targets to make sure I scored some good hits! Just over six seconds later I’d managed to get six alphas, two charlies and a delta in my excited flurry of firing. I guess I’m more used to moving targets from skirmishing! Up last for me in the morning session was stage one, the longest of the three at the far left of the room like the last shoot and this was again an entertaining presentation. An entirely walled off stage with three access windows forward left, centre and 82
MAY 2021
right allowing engagement of targets with various obstructions to force you to use all three. Furthermore, they began covered by drop down blinds with the same grenade pin style yank batons… the catch being they were stringed up all over the stage, so that the baton next to one window released the blind on a different one! Having been briefed and witnessed the combination of which baton released which blind, everyone followed the same right to left run, releasing all of them before engaging left to right back toward the start. The targets consisted of seven papers, with two of them having no shoot obstructions to their lower sections, as well as four steel poppers and the ending plate. A nineteen shot minimum required me to plan a reload at least once. As it was, I nailed the forward left window in short order with clean double taps and all alphas on the three papers presented there, before running back right to the centre window and laying down another double alpha double tap on the no shoot obscured low target, taking the popper to its left in a single shot and emptying four shots into the furthest target away to ensure I scored double alpha on that aside with make-up shots for the two charlies that I also landed on it. A quick and slick reload and on to the right window near the start point and I single shot dropped the three steel poppers in a rapid fashion (that surprised even myself) before getting the only charlie of the run on the no shoot obscured lower target. Another double alpha on the far-left paper and hitting the ending after my only miss of the run on the first shot at it. Just under eighteen seconds, eighteen alphas, one charlie, twenty two rounds and one reload. I was really chuffed with that and got a “good shooting” from the RO and a round of applause from the rest of the squad, so I finished the morning on a high note feeling much better about my performance, planning, movement, reloading and accuracy, retiring
ACTION AIR TAIWAN
with the rest of squad one for an extended lunch while squad two came in and did their thing. In the early afternoon we reconvened to find out what the fourth and final stage had in store for us. Once again, we were not disappointed. Eleven paper targets, with two no shoot obstructions, nine steel poppers, one ending plate and a minimum of thirty two rounds, so I’d have to reload at least twice given the fifteen round magazine limitations of production. The shooter started at the rear right of the stage with a pistol case held in their support hand, forcing them to draw and fire from condition one upon the first bay, consisting of two paper and two popper targets behind vertical prison bars to obstruct your shooting. This was followed by a quick dash far left and dumping the gun case in a box, allowing you to go to a two-handed grip as you took on the left-hand bay of a close-up right-hand paper and long shot left paper with a popper at its base. Moving back to the centre and downrange while performing my first reload, there was a single paper and popper to the left, then a quick sweep right to take on a no shoot obstructed high paper and another paper behind a smaller prison bar window and a single popper. Then it was off again to the left for a very low paper behind cover, two poppers shot through a gap in cover and a high and far right paper half obstructed by a wall - which is where it all came undone for me on an otherwise excellent run! I totally forgot that rearmost target and failed to engage it, getting two misses and a procedural penalty which quite possibly lost me third place overall. I finished off the rear right bay with another reload, a few misses on steel before flooring the final popper and hitting the last two paper targets and the ending steel.
very fast and very well compared to my beginnings a little over a year ago at my first Action Air sessions. Onwards and upwards, despite the penalties I still managed to take fourth place of eight, a place higher than last time even with the mess up, so I could possibly have wrestled third place from “Patty” Huang Pei Shan, who took first place at the last competition. We seemed to do well in the opposite stages from each other and balanced out our performance and accuracy fairly closely, so I’m enjoying facing off against her each time and pushing myself to do better. Squad two returned from lunch to finish off their day’s shooting and I stayed to film and photograph them all and my teammates in open division running the final stage. The awards ceremony then followed after the tabulation and posting of results, with the Open division having Liu Jia Yu in third, Ke Pei Chen in second and Hou Bo Xian taking first. Standard division featured Zheng Jia Hua in third, Yu Yu Chen in second and Tsai Yu Qi taking first. Finally, my production division saw “Patty” Haung Pei Shan in third just ahead of me, Liu Yu Xi in second and first place taken by Huang Wei Li. The three ladies of Standard division were bested by Xin Pin Du, who took the single medal available for their sub division. Once again I’d like to thank everyone involved in organising the competition, as well as the teams and competitors who turned out in force to make it a great day and a close match, with Taipei Focus Action Shooters (TFAS), Team Spring Rain (SR) and my own Setup Project Practical Team (SPPT) coming together at the shooting centre to enjoy good sportsmanship and a jovial environment as always. Now I have to try and better myself and keep pushing up the ranks where I can. AA
THIRTY SECONDS LATER
Thirty seconds, twenty-nine alphas, one charlie, six missed shots, thirty-eight rounds, two reloads and that paper failure to engage double miss and penalty that scuppered an otherwise excellent run. I felt like I’d cheated myself pretty stupidly at the point when the RO pointed out the clean paper, most displeased in my own daftness but I guess everyone has bad moments. At least by and large it wasn’t a bad day and not as much of a total mess up as the final stage on my first competition a little under a year before, where I failed to engage a bunch of paper targets and totally screwed the pooch. Despite that somewhat disheartening final hurdle faceplant I otherwise felt like I had acquitted myself very well and was really happy with my improved marksmanship and speed, when I did shoot, I shot www.airsoftaction.net
83
KIT & GEAR SITE TO STREET
VIPER COVERT SHOULDER BAG
IN HIS CONTINUING SERIES ABOUT ITEMS THAT HAVE MOVED FROM THE SITE TO THE STREET, FRENCHIE TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT VIPER’S COVERT SHOULDER BAG.
I
’m not entirely sure what is particularly “covert” about this - but it is definitely a shoulder bag! It’s possibly a marketing term for something that frankly isn’t actually “tactical”; that would be appropriate in this case. It’s hard to see this on the skirmish field; I’ll come back to that later. In the US of A, this would undoubtedly have a pocket specifically for concealed carry, because they do things like that over there. In the somewhat more staid UK though, such additions would be mere affectation or at best, just another pocket. With exquisite timing I also requested a sample from Viper of a product which is now discontinued. That said, it is still widely available at the time of writing and will probably remain so for a while. So, what do we actually have here?
FEATURES • Main compartment with 2 x internal nylon sleeves • Front admin compartment comes with admin pockets for pens, documents and accessories • Adjustable shoulder strap • Front zipped pocket • Covert zipped pocket on rear • 2 x side sleeve pockets • Viper ring pull zippers throughout • Rubber logo patch • Dimensions: 38 X 28 X 20cm Construction is basic throughout - single stitching
and what appear to be waterproof zips, however, the material looks like cotton, so I’m unsure just how waterproof they are. So far I have had no issues with rain ingress but I have avoided the worst of the downpours. May have to chuck it in the shower in order to properly test that… Hmmm… Since that was too attractive a proposition to pass up, I emptied the bag, stuffed a towel in the main compartment and ran it under the shower for one minute. That’s quite a lot of water and, as expected, I think we have to file this as “showerproof”. It didn’t flood - quite - but it did get pretty moist. Those zips look likely to be the culprits, so bear this in mind if you pick one up. It’s now in the airing cupboard drying out again! The shoulder strap is 2” black nylon and is stitched into the bag at either end. Adjustment is via a single black nylon buckle. There is no shoulder pad, so no need for me to chop it off and throw it away. That also means there is no quick release but I don’t think this bag justifies the addition of one. As ever with Viper, it’s available in several colours; coyote, titanium (grey) and olive green. All have contrasting straps and zips - the coyotes and titanium are black, the olive has coyote-coloured accessories. Those are the raw specs but this is a bag of many facets and over the past month I have been pushing it as far as I was comfortable as an everyday carry (EDC) bag. It’s a simple bag, despite its appearance. It’s not a
“IT’S ONE OF THOSE BAGS THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO CONTEMPLATE THE FURTHER TESTS AND REVIEWS I HAVE LINED UP, WHICH WILL REQUIRE USING A DIFFERENT BAG. NO MATTER HOW GOOD THEY ARE IN THEIR OWN WAY, THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO BE AS COMPETENT AN ALL-ROUNDER AS THIS ONE.” 84
MAY 2021
KIT & GEAR SITE TO STREET
well organised bag, or rather, it isn’t a bag that leans heavily towards internal organisation, regardless of the advertising. Yes, there are a couple of pen slots inside the front pocket, yes there are card slots and a D-ring to clip keys to, but really that’s where it starts and ends. The main compartment has sleeve pockets each side, secured with hook and loop fastenings. There are two open pockets either end of the bag, neither of which are large enough to hold a water bottle for instance. Front and back there are simple zipped pockets. All the zips have Viper pullers instead of traditional zip tabs and all work really well. This is important if you are trying to access a pocket one-handed and more so when the bag involved isn’t particularly rigid. This means that it is exceptionally well-suited to just stuffing things into it, without worrying too much about where they’re going. Personally, I like this. The material (I’m guessing around 900 dernier) isn’t restrictive - to call the bag “shapeless” seems like an insult but actually it means that it will accommodate pretty much anything within reason, especially that main compartment. I’ve mentioned my new pup in previous articles - he even assisted with some of the testing, but these days it’s all about walking him – lots! The bag has proved to be a bit of a godsend - treats, poo bags, leads, balls, cameras (usually two) my ball cap, earphones, notepad, pens, keys, gloves, sunglasses and more all disappear into this without any hesitation. It’s one of those bags that makes it difficult for me to contemplate the further tests and reviews I have lined up, which will require using a different bag. No matter how good they are in their own way, they are unlikely to be as competent an all-rounder as this one. Tactically it’s a bit of a non-starter, unless you want a modern-day equivalent of the WWII US musette bag - something to carry a load of sundries. The shoulder strap has plenty of length to it but it will move around as you’re wearing it and, while that is really handy for me when I’m out and about daily, it could be a right royal pain in the ass on a skirmish field. It would be a great bag for carrying your lunch and consumables
to and from the site but I cannot in all honesty recommend it for in-game use, despite the fact that it would probably hold more ammo, more pyro and more magazines than any reasonable player might need for a game. I doubt Viper ever intended it for that kind of role to be fair. On the street it excels. Comfortably capable of being worn either on the left or right, it is super functional. As mentioned above, I’m happy to use it to lug various cameras - it lacks padding so I wouldn’t expect it to protect from knocks but it does a reasonable job of keeping the weather out. It’s a good casual shopper unless you’ve already filled it; it will easily swallow tablets phones and other gadgets we all regard as essential to daily life these days, indeed, I’m getting a little tired of the assumption by some in my household that I will always have space to carry what they don’t want to..! On the skirmish field - a bit of a non-starter otherwise a fantastic EDC bag if you don’t subscribe to the minimalist school of thought. Since Viper has discontinued this, you can find it for as little as £15.00 and that’s a bargain for this level of versatility. Recommended retail is around £25.00 and while it’s no less of a bag at that price, why pay more if you don’t have to. My thanks to Thatchreed for making this available to test and review, it is a pleasure to use. AA www.airsoftaction.net
85
KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP!!
BY THE TIME THAT YOU READ THIS, SOME LUCKY PLAYERS MAY WELL HAVE GOT THEIR FIRST “POSTLOCKDOWN-AIRSOFT-FIX” IN! SO ONCE AGAIN THE AA CREW HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE CAUGHT THEIR EYES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS!
I
t is an exciting time and from what we genuinely hear from our friends in the retail side of the industry, there’s an awful lot of players out there - players both seasoned and absolutely new-to-airsoft - that are champing at the bit!
Stores are reporting that there is some serious pre-game buying going on! In some countries the lockdown is most definitely lifting and with sites reopening players are scrambling to get their kit and consumables together, whilst newcomers who have been lured to our game after watching videos online and doing their research whilst stuck at home are contacting retailers to find out exactly what they need! This is encouraging for the longevity of airsoft itself, as we always need “new blood”, so what’s new and shiny for those just getting into things and what’s looking good for all of us?
ARCTURUS
First up are some new AEGs to bring to your attention, in the shape of a new series of AEGs from Arcturus! Arcturus has already impressed us with their reliability, accuracy and the durability of their replicas and with these new models the main elements such as receivers, rail, gas block, outer barrel, ambicharging handle and receiver extension are made from
high-quality, yet light, alloys. Smaller parts, including the flash hider, ambi magazine catch, ambi bolt catch, assist assembly, extension nut, pins and ambi-end sling mount, are made of steel. Across the new series, which includes the SABER, SWORD, KARAMBIT and DWARF, as usual the AEGs are well put together and everything is protected as new against corrosion. The reinforced gearbox with proven internal parts features a quick spring change system, bearing spring guide, bearing piston head, full steel-toothed polycarbonate piston, steel gears mounted on 8mm steel bushing (so they’ll be able to take some abuse) and the motor gear is mounted on ball bearings to ensure it can rotate freely at high speeds. In addition, the gearbox is equipped with a microswitch trigger, which, in combination with low-resistance wiring, works great with Li-Po batteries. The use of an electric trigger eliminates the problem of burnt-out contacts and improves the response to the trigger. The replica also features a sealed teflon nozzle that works with a metal rotary hop-up chamber and with a precision 6.03mm hardened steel barrel. Available now from www.taiwangun.com, these are well –priced AEGs that appear to benefit for all the right things and we’re looking forward to getting “hands-on” soon!
CYMA
Sticking with TAIWANGUN, they’ve advised us that they are awaiting a restock of the CYMA “tacticool” MP5s that we mentioned last time, with an addition in the shape of the CM.041L which is “5K-style” and fully complements the other models in this range. The CM.041L is from CYMA’s new PLATINIUM 86
MAY 2021
KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP
series and the metal body with the barrel assembly and the nylon pistol grip imitate the material used for the production of the real SMGs. The compact design with the telescopic adjustable stock makes it easier to move around in cramped rooms, so ideal for CQB environments, and an ambi selector lever allows ease of operation for both right and left-handed players. The AEG in the new E-EDITION & HIGH-SPEED configuration has a velocity of around 300fps we’re told and, in combination with a LiPo battery, a ROF around 25rps and a faster trigger response.
WE AIRSOFT
Moving on to handguns, there’s a new WE model that has landed in the shape of the new GALAXY! If you already own a WE G-Series pistol and like it but fancy something completely different, then the WE GALAXY G SERIES is quite stunning… these fabulous-looking pistols are certainly different!
from VORSK. When compared to VORKS’s standard 5.1 HiCapas, the CS VENGEANCE features a new adjustable rear iron-sight, an extended magazine base plate and the inclusion of that floating BDS option. The slide markings are a new pattern with some forward cut-outs revealing the fluted outer barrel within. A common feature of our Hi-Capas is the inclusion of a Flash-Hider, that expertly covers a 12 mm (CW) to 14 mm (CCW) thread adaptor, making VORSK Hi-Capas “attachment ready”, especially with some 20 mm real-estate on the under barrel. We’ve already booked one of these stunning new pistols for T&E and we’ll be reporting back in full as soon as we can get it on the range.
KYDEX CUSTOMS
Based on a WE G-Series lower frame, the all-new slide looks akin to the “MARK IV 22/45 LITE” from Ruger to us, and as that’s already a model that we love, we believe this is going to be popular with a LOT of airsoft shooters out there, especially the “comp shooting” fraternity! Available in Gold, Purple, Blue,Silver, and good old “tacticool black” there’s already one in hands for testing, and they should be with your local WE Airsoft stockist soon!
VORSK
On the way in is the latest offering from VORSK - and one that we’re quietly excited about - is the CUSTOM SHOP “VENGEANCE” HI CAPA! The VENGEANCE is VORSK’s first Hi-Capa variant to come through their “Custom Shop” range and what a Hi-Capa it is! Based on a popular race-platform sidearm, VORSK have furthered this design by introducing a floating BDS option. Add to this a distinct range of colours including a Metallic Red and a Dark Earth/ Tan variant and the CS VENGEANCE is another desirable sidearm
With Hi Capas in mind, holsters are a very personal thing and a number of the AA crew in the UK swear by those created by our old mate Taig at Kydex Customs! We’re therefore pleased to see that he’s been doing some “design skunkwork” and although the existing Hi Capa holster model is one that we’ve very much tried and tested, we’re very pleased to see the new PRO SERIES version! We spoke to Taig to ask him about the new versions and he told us: “There are some big differences between the Basic and Pro Series Hi Capa Holsters. There’s two points of Adjustable Retention, as opposed to the single one on the basic, which allows for more fine tuning and custom, very personalised levels of retention able to be applied. There’s better definition which leads to better fitment in the Pro Series RMR Cut to accommodate larger models of red dot sight, along with greater accommodation for extended magazine and slide releases. Slight changes to the mounting system on the back give the new holsters an even lower profile and can be attached to more makes/ models of mounts. The moulds have been made inhouse from the ground up, by us. So, they’re literally the best holster we can bring to the market and they’re made entirely in the UK.” www.airsoftaction.net
87
CHUVILLE HOODIE// £25.00
HOODIES & FLEECES
FALLBACK SHOOTER HOODIE // £60
.00
FALLBACK crosshatch
ogv crew FLEECE// £48
.00
HOODIE // £60.00
IMAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION NOW INTAP/CLICK STOCK // ONLY AT TACTREE
VIEW ALL VIKTOS GEAR // SHOP NOW
KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP
The new Pro Series Hi Capa Holsters are designed to work with all standard makes and models of Airsoft Hi Capa on the market and we can already tell you that they work superbly with a single-stack 1911 too. We’ve had one of the new models to test out and our overview is that it does indeed move things along in a very positive direction. The new holster sits even closer on the belt or platform, meaning that your draw is even more stable than before. The new retention system is quick and simple to adjust, meaning that you can go from range to field easily (we like a little more retention when in “full rattle” mode!). The profile is indeed very refined and shows huge attention to detail. We’ve tried it with a number of different “1911” styles, both classic and Hi Capa and it works perfectly with all models. These holsters are made from genuine 2mm (.08”) P1 Kydex, and different mounting options are available on the Kydex Customs website, so you can tailor it to your personal carry style. You can even have them wrapped in either 1000D or 500D Cordura Fabric, in different colours or camo patterns, to match your gucci loadout for a few bucks more if you really want! We’ve been lucky enough to know Taig since he first started making kydex gear and we know that every single item in the Kydex Customs line has been thoroughly tested and is made with care and attention to detail in the smallest of things. The new Pro Series Hi Capa Holsters are a welcome addition to an already solid range, and we look forward to seeing what comes next!
HELIKON-TEX
Moving onto gear, in the last issue of Airsoft Action we looked back on all things “Tigerstripe” and at the new direction taken by Helikon-Tex with this venerable yet utterly effective camo pattern! We said in the article that we hoped Helikon-Tex would do more with the pattern and it looks like our comments have been heeded, as they’ve just announced the ROGUE HOODIE that will be available in both Multicam Black/ Black and Tigerstripe/Black - and it looks absolutely righteous in both patterns! The ROGUE HOODIE (Full Zip) is a tactical urban hoodie made for “military style” fans. The combination of a loose cut and ten pockets makes it easy to carry all the elements of your EDC gear in it. The main pockets have additional organizers that will allow you to properly arrange the equipment and protect it against loss. YKK® zipped chest and shoulder pockets allow for quick and direct access to documents or a small, flat wallet. The use of a tear-resistant 50% Cotton/50% Nylon rip-stop fabric
additionally strengthens the panels on the hoodie, whilst the additional polyester fabrics will ensure give and comfort in all the right places! The elasticated cuffs and the cord-adjustable hood provide temperature comfort on cold days too. We are liking this A LOT, and again, we hope that this is just the next garment to appear in a growing range for the future!
MIL-TEC
Keeping to that “in country” vibe, rounding out for this month there’s a few of us interested in “Namsoft” that are gearing up to hopefully get out again this summer for another “Tour of Duty” and we’re pleased to see that our friends at www.military1st.co.uk have got some great boots in at a sensible price to really finish off any good “grunt” loadout! The US JUNGLE COMBAT BOOTS OLIVE from Mil-Tec have exactly the right look, and at UK£58.95 are well-priced compared to some of the “re-enactor” standard copies out there! Okay, they are not exact in their replication of the famed “Nam boot” but they are certainly close enough to pass muster by all but the most vicious of “stitch counters”. The Mil-Tec Jungle Boots have the “Panama” sole that was adopted by U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and they’re a must-have for anyone that wants to complete their loadout! The upper is made of cotton canvas with leather for the toe and heel and there are nylon reinforcements for the neck of the boot. Like the real deal, when they get wet, the water runs out of the side vents (allowing the feet to breathe and preventing foot rot!), so don’t for a moment think these are going to work in the winter months! Bill has been breaking a pair of these in in recent months (while wearing waterproof socks!) and reports that you’ll need to get a few miles under them before they’re completely good to go, so if you’re planning some “SEAL Action” like us, then get them now - and be ready for action! Once again, that’s it for this time, so as usual, keep safe, stay frosty, and get ready to hit the field; we hope to see some of you out there soon! AA www.airsoftaction.net
89
last post WHAT’S HAPPENING?
WHAT’S HAPPENING MAN!! LAST MONTH FRENCHIE COMPLAINED THAT NOTHING WAS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD OF UK AIRSOFT AND IT SEEMS THAT MAY BE THE CASE FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER, AT LEAST AS FAR AS SKIRMISHING IS CONCERNED.
T
he pandemic and its associated lockdowns have had a very real effect north of the border, where I am in Scotland, with the decision by LandWarrior to close their current site, Airsoft Edinburgh, permanently. In a lengthy post on their Facebook page, owner Scott Allen explained that the lack of financial assistance available to airsoft sites and the lengthy periods of inactivity left them with no option but to shut the site as, despite generating no income, it was still costing money in rent and insurance - the cost of which has risen dramatically over the past year. With that decision it is likely that the landowner is going to harvest the timber, meaning that, for this location, there is no going back. LandWarrior are confident that a new site will be found and that operations will resume - given the size and loyalty of their player base I don’t doubt it - but it is telling that many businesses, especially those occupying specialised market areas have found it almost impossible to access any government aid during the past year.
PALPABLE FRUSTRATION
Although he expressed this politely, Scott’s frustration
Quotesideas.com
was palpable, not helped by his local council acting like some two-bit gumshoe operation and forcing entry into the LandWarrior Core gym to make sure that it wasn’t open. Clearly Midlothian Council cannot tell the difference between a gym owner and his wife making use of their gym, on their own, during lockdown and posting about it on social media and a business operating illegally. Therefore, forcing entry, having berated staff and failing to observe social distancing and the requirement to wear a face covering is apparently a reasonable response. It’s no wonder Scott was feeling slightly miffed! Now, I hear on the grapevine (well, Facebook) mutterings of attempts to create another Airsoft Governing Body. I haven’t yet seen any proposals, rather a slew of cynical comments from those who have literally been there and done that - and I have to include myself amongst that chorus of tragedy. “But why? Isn’t it a good idea to be properly regulated, like other sports?”. Arguably, yes, it is but let’s just take a whistle-stop tour through what that actually means. Standardised energy limits for all sites (possibly). Agreed standards of marshal training and behaviour, probably to include first aid training. It may require setting rates of pay for marshals as the “play
“CLEARLY MIDLOTHIAN COUNCIL CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GYM OWNER AND HIS WIFE MAKING USE OF THEIR GYM, ON THEIR OWN, DURING LOCKDOWN AND POSTING ABOUT IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND A BUSINESS OPERATING ILLEGALLY. THEREFORE, FORCING ENTRY AND FAILING TO OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR A FACE COVERING IS APPARENTLY A REASONABLE RESPONSE.” 90
MAY 2021
LAST POST WHAT’S HAPPENING?
for free” system is harder to apply when you have to invest money in individuals and expect them to perform as professionals, rather than as “mates who help out”. Disciplinary procedures to deal with problem players and problem sites. Disciplining players may be expected to apply across all participating sites - get booted off one, get booted off all. That alone means the need for a format to ensure the basic tenets of justice apply or face possible legal challenges. Disciplinary procedures become much more important if you are judging another site for failing to adhere to the governing body’s rules. Now you may be dealing with someone’s livelihood and their investment and that has the potential to get serious. On that subject… What happens to sites who simply do not want to participate - and there will be some. Will the very existence of a governing body become the stick authorities use to determine whether or not a site can operate? Will insurers insist on membership as a precondition of granting cover? Given how many freewheeling individuals are involved in, and possibly necessary to, airsoft in the UK, I foresee some serious issues here. It is, in short, a substantial undertaking. If it’s just for the sites, there is (or was) the UKASGB, the United Kingdom Airsoft Sites Governing Body but it looks like it is, at best, nascent, if not dead. If you want to encompass the entire industry and get retailer buy in, you need to appreciate that the real money lies with the retailers. If you want them to fund this you are going to have to present a convincing business argument and I just can’t see one.
I have argued often for improved standards in marshalling, for a commonality of standards across sites but my experiences back in 2006/7, when the VCRA directly threatened airsoft’s future, made me realise that making this happen was very likely a pipe dream. If you do a search for UKASGB you’ll see quite a few “organisations” pop up in the results, all claiming to represent airsoft or a part of it, in the UK. None of them, not even UKAPU, the players union, do so in terms of buy-in and numbers. Some are in fact simple expressions of self-interest or ego. The fact is that over the last twenty years that I have been involved with airsoft, it has pretty much survived just fine as a loose conglomeration of interested parties. It managed to deal with the VCRA and with the attempts by governments, national and devolved, to define lethality as one joule. In both cases, success was achieved by a small group of individuals representing various parts of the industry working towards a common goal, rather than action by established organisations or mass mobilisation of players. The question, when discussing governance in relation to airsoft, is not whether it’s a good idea (it is in my opinion) but whether airsoft in the UK really needs it. Without that need and without it being pressing, it simply will not happen. Airsoft as we know it will trundle on, ducking and diving as it has for years and largely keeping itself in good order. However, if there are some intrepid souls out there, determined to give it a go - good luck and fair winds! I fear you may be joining us in the cynic’s corner before too long. AA
“IF YOU DO A SEARCH FOR UKASGB YOU’LL SEE QUITE A FEW “ORGANISATIONS” POP UP IN THE RESULTS, ALL CLAIMING TO REPRESENT AIRSOFT OR A PART OF IT, IN THE UK. NONE OF THEM, NOT EVEN UKAPU, THE PLAYERS UNION, DO SO IN TERMS OF BUY-IN AND NUMBERS. SOME ARE IN FACT SIMPLE EXPRESSIONS OF SELF-INTEREST OR EGO.”
www.airsoftaction.net
91
TAP/CLICK IMAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION
