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!

With “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 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

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!

So, 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.

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

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.

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

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.

If, 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 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

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

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!”

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 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

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