Airsoft Action - July 2021 by Airsoft Action

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ISSUE 127 - JULY 2021 ISSN 2634-9515

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CONTENTS 8 ARMOURY: ARES KELTEC RDB We’re delighted to be able to report on a new model from ARES that’s yet to hit full production, which just happens to be a licenced replica of an outstanding bullpup rifle that Bill has had the pleasure to shoot “real”, the KelTec RDB!

PROUD TO SUPPORT PILGRIM BANDITS CHARITY

ISSUE 127 - JULY 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: EVOLUTION RECON M EMR A ETS Last month Bill had looked at the Carbontech AR from Evolution. This time he turns his attention to their very latest Short Barrelled Rifle (SBR) that adds a full metal body and some unique features to some primo internals, in the form of the RECON M EMR A ETS!

22 ARMOURY: MODIFY M24 SWS Continuing his look at Bolt Action Rifles, Bill turns his attention to a model that has been around for a while but which he believes is a bit of an “unsung hero” when it comes to airsoft sniper rifles, the M24 from Modify.

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: CYMA MP5 With so many ultra-modern “SMG-style” AEGs coming into the market it would seem to be the ideal time for the “daddy” of them all, the venerable MP5, to get a long-awaited makeover, in some thoroughly up-to-date and affordable forms thanks to CYMA!

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.

56 ARMOURY: ICS VULTURE As he gets on the range with the newest pistol from the everexpanding ICS handgun range, it seems like Bill has gone all lyrical on us but will he find true menace lurking with the BLE “Vulture”? Read on to find out…

Image courtesy SUREFIRE Brand Book. Taken from Public Domain source.

Contents JULY 2021

34 KIT & GEAR: VX BUCKLE UP We’re going to run a short searies featuring different models and systems. Jon Mills kicks this off with a close look at the VX BUCKLE UP CARRIER GEN2 and the accompanying system and finds out that VIPER have really moved things on since he last looked at their gear!

66 ARMOURY: GRACH MP-44 GBB When it comes to unique handguns for OPFOR players, models that are both historically accurate but also perfectly usable in game, it’s been a bit limited but finally Bill has got his hands on the RAPTOR GRACH MP443 GBB and takes a look to see if it’s the pistol he’s been waiting for!

38 KIT & GEAR: FT DEFENDER Bill has been working closely with US Brand First Tactical since they launched and watched as they’ve gone from strength to strength. The adoption of their Defender series Shirt and Pant by a number of UK Police Firearm Units takes what they offer to a whole new level!

70 FEATURE: WELCOME HOME The return of airsoft in the UK has really been met with open arms, with players up and down the country waiting for the big day …their first game back! Jimmy reports back on his first “Welcome Home” airsoft experience courtesy of The Heresy Group!

42 THE CAGE: SHELL GARMENTS As the AA Crew continue their quest to bring you the ultimate clothing and gear solutions, they turn their attention to “shell garments”; those that will keep you protected from the elements when the weather - as it inevitably will - turns nasty. Bill sets the scene…

74 ACTION AIR: TAIWAN Action Air is an International shooting sport where competitors need both speed and accuracy to succeed. Our “Man in Taiwan”, Stewbacca, has been shooting Action Air for a while now and here he brings up to date with what he’s learnt and how well (or otherwise) things have gone.

46 RED CELL: TACTICAL AK In the last issue of Airsoft Action Red Cell took a look at some truly “Klassic Kalashnikovs” and this time they’re bringing it home, as they check out some of their favourite “modernised” versions to see what makes the performance cut!

80 FEATURE: BIG GUNS! Airsoft Action is able to bring you reports from companies that may otherwise go unnoticed internationally. Penghu Arms Factory is one such company and Stewbacca findS out more about the company – and the stunning airsoft replicas they produce!

60 FEATURE: IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT After some frustration with parts ordered online James has been hard at work getting his full “Launch and Control” system together, and with “Full Operational Readiness” within his grasp he tells us how things are progressing!

84 SITE TO STREET: THE LAST PART All good things come to an end and so it is with the bags Frenchie received from Viper for review. In this, the last part of his series, he looks at two final items that have made the transition from “Site to Street”.

62 TECHNICAL: PERUN UPDATE Keeping his eye firmly on usable performance upgrades that can be carried out easily in your own workshop, this month Jimmy turns his attention back to Perun and takes a look at their very latest developments and what they bring!

86 SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP! Another month rolls by, and what a month it’s been for new gear coming onto the market! There’s been a few meaningful announcements about new technology in the last few weeks, and it would seem that manufacturers are really starting to push forward again.

90 LAST POST Over many years (decades?) of writing about airsoft, Frenchie has covered numerous topics and subjects but maybe none quite so esoteric as this one, as he ruminates, cogitates and reflects on the subject of pets in airsoft…

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

armoury ARES KELTEC RDB

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armoury ARES KELTEC RDB

AT AIRSOFT ACTION WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE VERY LATEST AEGS, GBBS AND GEAR TO HIT THE MARKET AND THIS MONTH WE’RE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO REPORT ON A NEW MODEL FROM ARES THAT’S YET TO HIT FULL PRODUCTION, WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE A LICENCED REPLICA OF AN OUTSTANDING BULLPUP RIFLE THAT BILL HAS HAD THE PLEASURE TO SHOOT “REAL”, THE KELTEC RDB! www.airsoftaction.net

armoury ARES KELTEC RDB

t’s rare for us to carry an AEG from the same brand for two consecutive months on our cover but that fact that ARES is there again is testament to the work that they’ve been doing over the last year, a year that can only be described as “challenging” both for the airsoft industry and for players alike. Whilst many manufacturers have been beavering away deep in their “skunkworks” and we’re now seeing the fruits of their labours, ARES are having a real charge forward, not just in respect of new models but also in relation to new technologies! Last month I looked in depth at their MUTANT modular AR and I really like that, as I believe it offers players real choice whilst, at the same time, meaning they only need to own a single “base” platform and I look forward to seeing this roll out even further in the future. We’re still waiting on their new “X-Class” ARs but this new “family” is certainly looking to be of interest, and only last week they started dropping some teasers onto their social media pages of a new gearbox featuring an integrated brushless motor. This has evoked a lot of smacking of gums as, of course, there are others that have been (and are) working on similar technologies, but the fact is that ARES are at least making a real effort to finally move forward from the “traditional” V2 and V3 setups. This is exemplary and I do look forward to seeing where they go with this, as it may allow configuration of different weapons platforms in airsoft form - and this leads me very neatly onto the AEG in question here, the RDB that’s been created in collaboration with Evike Manufacturing Group (EMG) under full licence from the makers of the real firearm, KelTec. KelTec are an interesting choice for sure and as I had the pleasure of shooting the real 5.56 RDB (Rifle, Downward-ejection, Bullpup) on Range Day at SHOT

Show and thoroughly enjoyed it, I’m stoked to see an airsoft version! The choice of a “bullpup” design for KelTec is nothing new to be honest, as founder, George Kellgren, who established KelTec in 1991 in Cocoa, Florida, has been creating all their models under the guiding principle that they should be innovative in their design and exciting to use. Now, that name… George Kellgren; he’s the man not only behind most of KelTec’s designs but before that had a major hand in the Interdynamic KG-9 and Intratec Tec-9 lines of military-styled pistols - and even the Grendel pistol! He definitely thinks differently when it comes to firearms design and in the concept for the “Rifle, Downward ejecting, Bullpup” he just took things that had gone before and moved them forward, exactly as ARES are doing with their airsoft designs, so there is some real synergy here. The idea of the “downward ejecting” system is not a new one, as (if you’re a bit of a “gun bunny” like me) you’ll find other models that have gone before, most notably the BREN gun! That said, I can point to the Calico LWS, the AR-57, the Russian TKB-059 and, more recently, the FN P90, as examples using a “downwards” system and there are some real-world benefits to this. Downward ejection means a design where spent cases are ejected downward from the receiver, rather than the more conventional designs which eject spent brass to the side. Downward ejection can be said to help a design be fully ambidextrous and of course, prevents gases and debris from being ejected into the shooter’s face! When I shot the RDB myself nobody mentioned this to me and I was quite surprised when the brass started falling straight on my feet!

“KELTEC ARE AN INTERESTING CHOICE FOR SURE AND AS I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SHOOTING THE REAL 5.56 RDB (RIFLE, DOWNWARD-EJECTION, BULLPUP) ON RANGE DAY AT SHOT SHOW AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT, I’M STOKED TO SEE AN AIRSOFT VERSION!” 10

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armoury ARES KELTEC RDB

BULLPUP, LOVE IT OR HATE IT!

I’ll come out and say that I AM a bullpup fan and over the years I’ve owned airsoft SA-80s (A1, A2, but not yet an A3 although I did enjoy testing the ARES version), AUGs, and I even have a TAVOR squirrelled away somewhere! I’ve found all of them fun to use and I like the idea of having a long inner barrel in what is, essentially, a short rifle! Many friends complain to me that “I can’t get on with a bullpup” (the same folk that usually say they don’t like AKs too!) but in return I usually respond that’s because they’re used to the straightforward “hand in front of the trigger guard” mag-changes of an AR and that they need to learn new manipulation drills. I’m a true believer in mastering drills for any platform I am handed and, as with anything, using a bullpup effectively is just a matter of time and effort! But with the ARES RDB even some of those naysayers have been cooing over the pre-production model that I was kindly loaned by UK distributor iWholesales and it goes to show the level of trust that we have with our industry partners that they let me walk away and head to the range with the only

example currently in the UK! And boy, am I glad that they did, as the KelTec RDB AEG is probably the bullpup that I’ve been waiting for! Form the moment you pick it up you know that you’ve got something a bit different - and just a bit special - in your hands and the 3,040g weight feels negligible and perfectly balanced. At just 695mm long (but with a 420mm inner barrel) it’s a very tidy package and the fit and finish of all the parts, both metal and nylon-fibre, is perfect. When I shot the “real deal” it was the model finished in a matt, almost “Ranger” green and the ARES AEG matches that finish perfectly. Not only that but the “feel” is right too, as the nylon-fibre body and fore-end mimic the near-rubberised, tactile finish of the real rifle and I believe you’d struggle to tell real from replica here. All the controls on the airsoft RBD are exactly as you’d find them on a range-ready KelTec and they’re fully ambidextrous. The selector has the usual three settings (programable though, more later!) but in a “short-throw” arc, the charging handle looks to be easily transferable from left to right, and the magazine release is placed neatly behind the pistol grip. This last is a bit different as the mag release is a large curved “hook” directly in front of the magwell, which is protected behind your shooting-hand wrist during operation. Some have said that it is possible to accidently push this back and drop the mag during operation but in my range session that didn’t happen once and it’s certainly not the problem it was on the

“ALL THE ALLOY PARTS OF THE RDB ARE AGAIN BEAUTIFULLY FINISHED AND THOROUGHLY STURDY AND THE COUNTERPOINT BETWEEN THE GREEN AND THE BLACK MAKES THE WHOLE RIFLE VISUALLY ATTRACTIVE, WHICH I’M CERTAIN THIS WILL BE THE SAME STORY FOR THE TAN/BLACK VARIANT.” www.airsoftaction.net

armoury ARES AMOEBA KELTEC RDB MUTANT SERIES

L85A1! All the alloy parts of the RDB are again beautifully finished and thoroughly sturdy and the counterpoint between the green and the black makes the whole rifle visually attractive, which I’m certain this will be the same story for the tan/black variant. All the KelTec trades are sharply moulded into the body of the rifle, giving everything a very authentic appearance. Internally the RDB benefits from all the experience that ARES have gained during their “L85” program - and it really pays dividends here! Let’s face it, ARES have pretty much become “kings of the airsoft L85” and their A3 is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous; it was actually a model I had a hard time giving back after testing! And like the A3 ARES have used a similar setup in relation to the internal placement of the “worky bits” with the motor in-line with the gearbox, filling the rear of the lower receiver. Unlike the A3 though, the RDB is wired to the front with a BIG battery storage compartment inside the handguard; this was my one and only criticism of the A3 (Okay, I don’t like EBB either much if I’m honest), that the battery storage is tiny but the RDB will swallow a big enough battery to keep you rolling all day, every day. The compartment is easily accessed by knocking through (at least of the pre-prod) a sturdy steel pin and hinging the

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handguard forward and down. Also like the A3, the KelTec benefits from the ARES Electronic Firing Control System (E.F.C.S.) gearbox with a microswitch trigger system, a system that is slowly but steadily growing on me. As I’ve said before, this multi-programme system (you do still need an external programmer) allows you to set up your AEG in different ways but ultimately lets it withstand current to around 30A, enhances piston positioning and allows it to withstand rapid semi-auto fire, which I love. The electronics overall are more resistant to Amperage/ Voltage fluctuations and spikes and allows 11V LiPo and LiFe type batteries to be

armoury ARES AMOEBAARES MUTANT KELTEC SERIES RDB

happily used as standard. Once again, the gearbox is of the highest build quality, coming with a quick release spring guide and silver wiring, along with what appears to be a high-torque motor that sits beneath and in line with the gearbox and provides a tidy, efficient and effective package.

BOOMTIME!

Now I come to my favourite part of any review and that’s how a new AEG performs! The rotary hop is easy to work with and adjust, just a bit different again as it’s WAY up in the magwell! If you look inside the pistol grip of the RDB you’ll find a small screwdriver tool that initially had me scratching my head but then I realised that it was there to adjust to rotary hop wheel and all became clear! Whilst not the easiest-to-work-with hop-adjustment system I’ve come across, once set, it stays firmly in place and with everything set on .20g BBs the RDB is a bit of a performer! The microswitch trigger is most certainly crisp, as

just a tickle sends BBs downrange happily; on semi you really can get shots away quickly and full auto with an 11.1 works brilliantly for a great ROF. The RDB chrono’d with super

consistency at 0.99 Joule/328fps using .20g BBs and I jest not when I say “consistency” - as with a ten BB string I noted a deviation of less than 0.81fps! I see that EVIKE have the RDB on pre-order right now and are quoting a 390-420fps range, so I’m hoping models for different countries will indeed be set to appropriate legal limits OOTB. There are no sights fitted as standard to the RDB, so you will need an optic to pop onto the top rail, but a small red-dot will be more than adequate for most situations and then the AEG is ready to roll as soon as you add a battery and throw some ammo into the 130BB mag supplied with it, although it works just as well with virtually any AR-style mag. For testing I added a mini-RDS and this worked just fine, as at 30m unsupported it was easy to get hits on the “Red Cell” steels with each BB flying straight and true. I also took the RDB up to my local site for longer ranges and it performed very creditably on .25g BBs, easily and accurately sending them to target at 60+m …and that’s from the pre-production model! I have to say that the RDB has seriously rekindled my love for the bullpup and with a price we believe will be somewhere iro UK£380-ish it’s really going to provide some serious bang for your buck. It looks superb, feels amazing and shoots very well indeed, so as far as I can see ARES and EMG have got this very, very right and I look forward to seeing what they come up with next! I really do like the RDB, especially as it immediately takes me back to that desert range in Nevada and to good times with good friends! It’s a supertight package both inside and out and care has obviously been taken to provide something in AEG form that’s fully worthy of carrying the KelTec name. I’m told that the RDB will go into full production just as soon as ARES have fulfilled orders for the A3 and you can bet on the fact that I’ll be putting in my pre-order for one! Many thanks indeed to www.iwholesales.co.uk who supplied the AEG for this review. Check out more details on the extensive range from ARES by paying a visit to their website or visiting one the numerous airsoft stores they supply. AA

“…THE RDB HAS SERIOUSLY REKINDLED MY LOVE FOR THE BULLPUP AND WITH A PRICE WE BELIEVE WILL BE SOMEWHERE IRO UK£380 IT’S REALLY GOING TO PROVIDE SOME SERIOUS BANG FOR YOUR BUCK. IT LOOKS SUPERB, FEELS AMAZING AND SHOOTS VERY WELL INDEED, SO AS FAR AS I CAN SEE ARES AND EMG HAVE GOT THIS VERY, VERY RIGHT!” www.airsoftaction.net

armoury EVOLUTION AIRSOFT RECON M EMR A ETS

EVOLUTION OF THE SBR 16

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armoury EVOLUTION AIRSOFT RECON M EMR A ETS

LAST MONTH BILL HAD A CLOSE LOOK AT THE LATEST CARBONTECH AR FROM OUR GOOD FRIENDS EVOLUTION AIRSOFT OVER IN ITALY. THIS TIME HE TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO THEIR VERY LATEST SHORT BARRELLED RIFLE (SBR) THAT ADDS A FULL METAL BODY AND SOME UNIQUE FEATURES TO SOME PRIMO INTERNALS, IN THE FORM OF THE RECON M EMR A ETS!

do so love getting new AEGs onto the range and, as we finally seem to be having some actual, honest-to-goodness “summer” weather, it’s even more of a joy! Gone are the layers and layers of clothing, winter gloves and beanies and in are shorts, t-shirts and ballcaps! Even the woodland range is looking at its most welcoming, with the trees and undergrowth in all their full burgeoning glory… I’ve even had to take the chainsaw up to clear back an

area around the targets but it’s oh, so worth it when it means that there are wind-still, long summer sessions to look forward to! Last month, along with my good friend Bjorn, I had the great privilege of being able to take a very close look at the Evolution Ghost L EMR Carbontech ETU and bring you our evaluation of this excellent new AEG. However, this month sees me “flying solo” as I get

to grips with yet another new “SBR-length” model from the Italian manufacturer, the RECON M EMR A ETS and give it a hammering on the range - and I’m pleased to say that it will soon get used “in game” too, when Red Cell meet up to play together on 20th June! As I’ve noted before, developments in doctrine and tactics mean that the carbine (and especially the SBR (Short Barrelled Rifle)) has become the weapon of choice for CQB/CQC, as, in this type of scenario, a shorter rifle or carbine is easier to manipulate in buildings and vehicles and get into action more quickly! Shorter rifles can also be lighter and better balanced if they’re well set up. In the “real world”, barrel length pretty much makes an SBR a mediumrange weapon at best or close quarters one for most but in trained hands with the correct “bolt-ons”, the SBR comes into its own as a short-range platform that will defeat (or at least seriously hinder those wearing) body armour whilst still maintaining the ability to reach out further. Of course, in the “airsoft world” where barrel length (and engagement ranges of course) are less important, a good SBR is easy and quick to transition from target to target. When I looked at the GHOST I made the comment about the Carbontech body, that “many airsofters look at AEGs and insist it’s got to be full metal or nothing” and as good and strong as the Carbontech body may be, Evolution have also taken the step to offer new models of full metal construction for those that want it. The new RECON is full, glorious, high-quality alloy throughout, from the back of the buffer tube to the very front of the “amp” at the sharp end! The RECON sits proudly as a part of the Evolution Airsoft Hardcore Series and, as such, benefits from the very best build, with the very best parts that Evolution can offer! This is a line of AEGS that combines state of the art manufacturing solutions, excellent external finishing and cutting-edge internals, all wrapped up in one sweet, short little package that’s designed from the ground up to perform from the get go, plus put up with all the abuse you can give it! www.airsoftaction.net

armoury EVOLUTION AIRSOFT RECON M EMR A ETS

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK

What none of this really addresses though, is what you really get for your money as there’s a lot going on here if you look closely. Yes, Evolution ensure that any replica bearing their logo should be made to the very highest level of quality in their build and when you lift the RECON from the box you are immediately aware that you’re holding onto something that is built to last! The upper and lower receivers, finished in a matt black, are extremely solid with no movement or gaps discernible between them. All of the other parts are finished in the same, uniform matt black, which gives the carbine a visually stunning look and pulls it together as a “quality item”. All logos and trades are simple and tidily achieved, enough that you know that this is one of Evolution’s own but not so much as to detract from the overall appeal. The alloy rail system is a really cool M-LOK affair which brings the RECON right up to current spec, and at 255mm/10” it’s just about the perfect size that I would choose if I were building a CQB/CQC carbine 18

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myself. The rail is also attractively cut away at the muzzle

end,

making the most of the “soundhog” style amp that comes fitted as standard. The last components (which make the RECON look a little different) are the comfortable and positive ergonomic pistol grip which is again of Evolution’s own design, a shallowangled M-LOKcompatible

armoury EVOLUTION AIRSOFT RECON M EMR A ETS

foregrip and a set of polymer flip-up “irons”. To finish off there’s an enhanced cocking handle, a singlepoint sling-plate and a VERY neat, bladed flat trigger. Overall, the RECON measures 690mm (775mm stock fully extended) and weighs in at approx. 2,200g, so this is a tight little carbine you could run and gun with all

day long. Internally, Evolution continue to impress me and the RECON is no exception. It benefits from top of the range internals such as 8mm bearings, a milled CNC cylinder, reinforced cylinder head, steel gear set and a reinforced gearbox with an integrated slot for the Mosfet and the E.T.S III Programmable Electronic Trigger Unit. The E.T.S III is easy to work with needing no external “extras” to carry out programming and what you get… is a lot! I won’t go to detail on each one again but the main functions of the ETS III are: • Configurable firing selector • Adjustable trigger response • Burst Mode • Adjustable Pre-cocking • Adjustable Ramping • Adjustable Active Brake • Full Cycle Control

• PWM ROF Control • Smart Trigger with Auto-Boost • Automatic LiPo, LiFE and Voltage recognition • Programmable low battery warning • Programmable battery failsafe The High Torque motor and reinforced steel gears keeps the gearbox rolling at its peak level and, as with the GHOST, I’m told that the reinforced gearbox can handle up to an M120 Spring. A quick-change feature makes it easy (and fast) to change springs without the need to take things apart fully. Add to this highflow wiring throughout, a fine-tune rotary Hop unit and what you have in essence is a solidly built carbine with some super, state-of-the-art internals and some eye catching externals. But how does this all come together in relation to your weekend skirmish? In a nutshell… excellently!

DOWNRANGE

The RECON comes with a 130BB polymer HiCap magazine which works very well. I tried various other magazines and all of them functioned perfectly, so if you like your Hi or real-caps you’ll have no issues with this AEG. Fitting a battery is simplicity itself,

www.airsoftaction.net

armoury EVOLUTION AIRSOFT RECON M EMR A ETS

usable in a woodland setting. I fitted an EoTECH XP S2 sight to the top rail which in my opinion is the perfect “close in” optic and a Klarus XT11 taclite in an Element mount and oh boy, the RECON sure is fun to use! I’ve had the RECON for a while now and over the course of many a day on the range in the woods or on the Attack Sense setup on the Short Range, I’ve experienced no issues with it whatsoever. At no point has it stuttered or misfed, each and every BB leaving the barrel with a satisfying “crack” courtesy of the

as the AEG is rear-wired with a CRANE-style stock (therefore easily changed if you wish) and there is sufficient space in the buffer tube to run a stick-type LiPo. With the stock set at position five (of six) the carbine works well for me even when wearing a plate carrier, shouldering easily and quickly. The front and rear sights are easily acquired and the Hop is easy to access; pulling back the charging handle moves the “bolt cover” to the rear and the hop wheel is exposed.

Testing with RZR .20g BBs resulted in a respectable and immediately usable average of 0.94 Joule/319fps through the chrono, which means this AEG is usable straight out of the box for most sites and is going to be a little more “CQB engagement friendly” than some! Once the hop is set though, this little SBR was ranging accurately out to the 30m extent of the woodland range, so it will be great for CQB where engagement distances are lower, though eminently

sound amplifier. If you don’t fancy this, then the outer barrel is threaded 14mm CCW which means that any suppressor or flash hider could be easily substituted. The flat trigger is crisp with minimal take-up, so getting off swift semi-auto shots is easy, again perfect for CQB work. All in all, my time with the RECON M EMR A ETS thus far has been a very positive experience. I have a number of SBRs which are pretty heavily upgraded and the RECON gives them a run for their money as a stock gun, so I can’t really say anything negative at all about this super little AEG. I will though, say again a big WELL DONE to Evolution Airsoft, as the growing reputation they have for building quality AEGs has been hard won and is certainly very well deserved! As always my thanks go to Sergio and Francesca at Evolution for providing the test sample. Expect to pay iro UK£260.00 for the RECON M EMR A ETS and for more information on this model and others in the Evolution Airsoft Range please visit https://store. evolutioninternational.it AA

“THIS IS A LINE OF AEGS THAT COMBINES STATE OF THE ART MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS, EXCELLENT EXTERNAL FINISHING AND CUTTING-EDGE INTERNALS, ALL WRAPPED UP IN ONE SWEET, SHORT LITTLE PACKAGE THAT’S DESIGNED FROM THE GROUND UP TO PERFORM FROM THE GET GO, PLUS PUT UP WITH ALL THE ABUSE YOU CAN GIVE IT!” www.airsoftaction.net

armoury MODIFY M24

DANGER... SNIPER AT WORK! 22

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armoury MODIFY M24

CONTINUING HIS LOOK AT BOLT ACTION RIFLES, BILL TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO A MODEL THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE BUT WHICH HE BELIEVES IS A BIT OF AN “UNSUNG HERO” WHEN IT COMES TO AIRSOFT SNIPER RIFLES, THE M24 FROM MODIFY. WILL IT LIVE UP TO HIS EXPECTATIONS, OR IS IT JUST ANOTHER “BOLTY” IN AN EVER-GROWING HERD?

“BOTTOM LINE... IF THE SNIPER ROLE TAKES YOUR FANCY AND YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A GREAT QUALITY, CONSISTENT BOLT ACTION RIFLE THAT’S GOOD TO GO FROM THE BOX AND FULLY SUPPORTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, THEN THE MODIFY MOD24 SHOULD MOST DEFINITELY BE ON YOUR LIST TO CHECK OUT.” www.airsoftaction.net

armoury MODIFY M24

ver the past few issues I’ve turned my focus onto Bolt Action Spring Rifles, an area that has become of increasing interest to me during the C-Virus lockdown. As I’ve said before, the “bolty” is an airsoft platform that is almost purpose-designed to be enjoyed in isolation and one that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed re-embracing during the latter part of 2020 into 2021. Whilst AEGs and GBBs are undoubtedly the very lifeblood of airsoft, especially in a game situation, when there are no games and you can’t even meet with your friends, then a rifle designed for “solitary use” can honestly become your friend. I know that I am massively lucky to have my own range set up in some private woodland owned by friends, where I do the majority of my testing for Airsoft Action and that many of you will not have this luxury. However, where you have space to shoot safely then I can only recommend to you that you get yourself a 6 mill bolty and have fun honing your shooting skills! But games are returning thankfully, not only in the UK but around the world and I’d like to take a moment to look at what being an “in-game” sniper really means, as it’s not what many think it is and for this, I’ll look at the role of the military sniper in a bit more detail. The fact is that a military sniper is rarely the “lone wolf” that we see so often on an airsoft game - “that guy in a ghillie” who just disappears at the start of the game and you never see again until ENDEX. Yes, they may be superb shots and their fieldcraft may be on a par with an Amazonian tracker, but if all you feel of their presence is a BB hit at random times throughout the day with no other purpose than to tickle their own fragile ego in the videos they subsequently post online, then they are not, to me at least, a “real” sniper. There are parts of the sniper’s role that can be absolutely vital in a team setting that a “lone wolf” can never replicate effectively and, over the years, I’ve come to know airsoft sniper/spotter combos that fully embrace their role and actively work as a “force multiplier” for their team-mates. Fully immersed in the arcane arts of stealth, camouflage, infiltration and observation, a good airsoft sniper and his spotter can fulfil a variety of missions in game and, just as in the real world, their first (and primary) mission should be reconnaissance, providing their command element with information about the enemy’s size, strength, disposition and movements. Of course, when the time comes, that same sniper can rattle the OPFOR with a single, surgical shot. Instead of engaging opposing players like their 24

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team-mates, a sniper and their spotter will single out opposing team leaders, support gunners, grenadiers, DMR users and, of course, other snipers on the other side. Using precision shots, a good airsoft sniper can send the opposition into disarray and hold up an avenue of advance. During my time leading teams I’ve often made the call “Sniper Up!” and when I have I’ve expected them to be ready, willing and able to take that longer-range shot effectively but, sadly, on many occasions I’ve found said “sniper” sorely wanting! Sometimes though, there will be no call and no specific objective, so a good sniper and their spotter will look for “targets of opportunity” whilst carrying out their reconnaissance missions. When getting “eyes on” the opposing team a spotter may see an opportunity, such as a support gunner “taking five”, a team leader giving a field briefing or shouting orders, or an opposing sniper setting up a hide. All of these (and more) may be “targets of opportunity” that the sniper can then engage at will, using their judgement and discretion, knowing that taking out these players may ultimately make a difference in the overall game. And lastly, of course, there’s the “sniper v countersniper” engagement and, as famed USMC Sniper, Carlos Hatchcock, once said: “The most deadly thing on a battlefield is one wellaimed shot.” One story that to me illustrates the “sniper v sniper” scenario is that of Hathcock in Vietnam - and I quote directly here from an article written by Larry Slawson… “One of Hathcock’s most famous kills involved the clash with an enemy sniper known as “The Cobra.” Near Hill 55 (just southwest of Da Nang), Hathcock and his spotter, John Roland Burke, stalked the Cobra for several days after it was learned that he had killed several Marines in an attempt to lure Hathcock out of hiding (sources point out that the Cobra was sent to specifically kill Hathcock). After countless hours in the jungle, Hathcock caught a quick glint (light reflection from the enemy’s sniper scope) nearby. Already in the Cobra’s crosshairs, Hathcock was forced to rapidly take a shot. The shot became one of the most famous sniper kills of all time, as Hathcock’s bullet went straight into the Cobra’s scope, killing him instantaneously.” Now THAT is truly “one shot, one kill”!

THE M24 SWS

I realise that the Modify Bolt Action Airsoft Sniper Rifle MOD24 is by no means a new airsoft sniper tool, as it was actually launched back in 2013 but then again, the real M24 has been around for some considerable

armoury MODIFY M24

time too! The M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS) is the military and police version of the Remington Model 700 rifle and the M24 and

M40 military sniper rifles, used by the US Army and USMC, were both based on the Model 700 design. The M24 was the model adopted by the US Army as their standard sniper rifle in 1988 and was referred to as a “weapon system” because it consisted of the rifle, a detachable telescopic sight and other accessories, namely the Leupold Ultra M3A 10×42mm fixed-power scope, which came with a circleshaped mil-dot glass-etched reticle. This was later replaced in 1998 by the Leupold Mk 4 LR/T M1 10×40mm fixed-power scope with an elongatedshaped mil-dot wire reticle. With this in mind I looked upon the Modify MOD24 with a view to game use, rather than solitary shooting on the range, as a “Mil” rife rather than a “Civvy” mode and my personal requirements for this were good power, a smooth action, a decent barrel as standard and a light weight… You don’t want something big and heavy when you’re crawling through the bushes now, do you - and all the modern “uber-chassis” have a little too much going on for my taste! Modify themselves are no slouches when it comes to lightweight, precision performance parts. It’s said that some sixty years ago, Mr. Sun, a tinkerer, made the first watch hand in Taiwan and with the technology passed through generations, Modify have used that self-same watchmaking expertise to develop high-end airsoft guns and parts. In 2001 they started producing custom parts for airsoft guns and five years later the Modify brand was created for upgrade parts. In 2007 they launched the first Modular Gear Set in the market that shorted the time to install a gearbox from half an hour to sub-1 minute, and this was swiftly followed with the introduction of the Quantum

Gear Set that DOUBLED an AEG ROF from 15 RPS to 30+ with a standard motor and 8.4v battery (Yup, an 8.4! How times change!)! The creation of the MOD24 in 2013 was followed by the showcasing of the XTC-G1 at IWA 2015, showing that Modify could efficiently turn their expertise to all areas of airsoft and more recently we’ve seen their PP-2K GBB, which takes them in yet another direction! As I would therefore expect from a company like Modify, their MOD24 is an elegant rifle, with classic lines and a good, adjustable length of pull (sometimes abbreviated as LOP, this is the distance from the trigger to the part of a rifle which fits against the shoulder) and precision quality in evidence throughout. It weighs in without any accessories at just 2,800g, with an overall length of 1,100mm (min) and a respectable and “extremely straight” 6.08mm precision inner barrel length of 485mm. The bolt pull is minimal and exceptionally smooth - and them we come to the trigger, which sings to me as it offers adjustments for both travel and weight of pull; this is simply adjusted using the two hex screws at the top of the trigger, so you can set it just as you like it! The trigger is also wider than the norm and textured to give more sensitivity. The MOD24 is really built for shot-to-shot consistency and reliability of accuracy and other features include a larger trigger guard (so you can use it in the winter with bulkier gloves), a removable milspec Picatinny rail to fit most optics, a steel cylinder and strengthened, metallic internal parts, easily (just turn the big screw) adjustable buttstock and two sling rings with an additional QD stud for a bipod. To top things off, the entire package is finished with a nonglare, anti-reflective coating. One other feature (that is a bit “quirky”) is that the www.airsoftaction.net

armoury MODIFY M24

MOD 24 comes with a 30BB magazine, complete with parts and batteries for an LED system inside so you can use Tracer BBs! Now quite why a sniper would wish to advertise their presence by using tracers is a little beyond me but (should you wish to in a night game) the magazine does mean that you don’t need to fit a tracer unit onto what is already a long rifle! The LED magazine only activates when it’s loaded into the rifle and full instructions are included in the manual, along with three small batteries to power it. Modify also offer a standard, non-LED 30BB magazine for the MOD24 as an accessory though.

“BOLT ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS”

Yup, I’m using another quote here, this time from the book “Crosshairs on the Kill Zone: American Combat Snipers, Vietnam through Operation Iraqi Freedom” by Craig Roberts but, to me, this quote puts everything into perspective about the role of the sniper! However, does the MOD24 live up to all the promises it appears to write technically? Thankfully, my answer to that question is “Yes!” I’ve been working with the spring-powered MOD24 for about a month now and, thus far, I’m extremely happy with it. The MOD24 features a simple and reliable bolt-action mechanism fed from that detachable 30BB box magazine and I’ve found the bolt to be smooth and simple to operate in all conditions, with a positive safety. From the box the MOD24 chrono’s nicely at 1.91 Joule/455fps with .20 BBs, but I am sure that could easily be tweaked higher and still comply with the “sniper” limits found at most sites. However, even at 455fps with the hop set correctly (easy to do), the long precision inner barrel and that amount of power there is a profound effect on range and accuracy. Going up to the .30g Precision BBs kindly supplied in the box by Modify (in a funky little bottle to boot!) I was able to get a more solid trajectory and the MOD24 hurtled BBs 50m downrange with a huge “crack”, which was very satisfying! Once I’d dialled the 4X32 IR NP optic in, I was easily hitting the “dinner plate” targets at the furthest extent of the range, which is exactly what I’d hoped for from a new, un-bedded rifle. When I returned home, much as I hate numbers, I performed some basic calculations which told me that with a slight power-tweak, a .30g BB should, in principle, be able to haul ass way beyond the 50 metre mark, even when the rifle is “stock” and it would appear to me that the MOD24 is fully capable of hopping even heavier BB weights! Delayed from last year for obvious reasons, this

summer I’m finally setting up a new range to give more distance to shoot over and soon I will have 140m to play with, so I’m keen to see what the MOD24 will be able to achieve as it is. Once that has been tested, I believe that this beautiful rifle may be in line for some work to see just HOW FAR I can get a .30g to travel accurately! For now though, all things considered I’m satisfied with the Modify MOD24 and it’s exactly the kind of “reach out and touch somebody in game” rifle that I hoped it would be. Bottom line, if the sniper role takes your fancy and you’re looking for a great quality, consistent bolt action rifle that’s good to go from the box and fully supported by the manufacturer, then the Modify MOD24 should most definitely be on your list to check out. You can easily get this in game without shelling out on a truckload of expensive custom parts and immediately have fun practicing those precision shots. Just make sure that you TRULY know how to use the MOD24 before you do though and to check in with “higher, higher”, get your mission and then stick to it. If you do this, then your team-mates will want you and your MOD24 with them at every single game! Thanks to NUPROL for providing the test model. You can check out all the models from Modify and their many distribution brands by visiting www.nuprol. com AA

www.airsoftaction.net

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 CYMA MP5

RISE OF THE 5!

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

JULY 2021

armoury CYMA MP5

WITH SO MANY ULTRA-MODERN “SMG-STYLE” AEGS COMING INTO THE MARKET IT WOULD SEEM TO BE THE IDEAL TIME FOR THE “DADDY” OF THEM ALL, THE VENERABLE MP5, TO GET A LONGAWAITED MAKEOVER. BILL HAS DISCOVERED THAT THE “FIVE” IS INDEED RISING AGAIN, IN SOME THOROUGHLY UP-TO-DATE AND AFFORDABLE FORMS THANKS TO GOOD OLD CYMA!

f you look around the world of real military and police firearm users, there’s one single SMG design that seems to find fans amongst professional users worldwide, one that has continued to gather praise even to this day and, of course, I’m talking about the “Maschinenpistole 5”, or “MP5”, from Messrs. Heckler and Koch! But what is it that makes the MP5 such a favourite of mine and a bit of a “must have” for any airsofter? The simple reason is that it has some serious “provenance”, being used by military and police forces worldwide, has appeared in the hands of many screen “action heroes” and of course was the firearm

and even today we see the MP5 in the hands of our firearms trained police officers. The fact is that the little MP5, in all its various guises, still ticks almost every box you can imagine, and that’s probably why it still ranks as a “first buy” for many new airsofters. Spare parts, upgrade parts, magazines and a whole host of accessories means that your MP5 can be as individual as you are, so when it comes to simple AEGs, in my mind the MP5 is undoubtedly the “daddy” - and that’s coming from a man with an AK addiction worthy of Mikhail himself! But the fact is that the platform, stupendous as it is in both real life and airsoft form, is now looking a little jaded when you put its basic form up next to some of the “uber-SMGs” and PCCs that have become available in the past couple of years. Yes, you can throw a front rail and a claw-mount onto any MP5 out there, but that is not going to scream “2021 tacticool” at you, and let’s all remember that the MP5 has a LOOOOONG history!

HISTORIC CORRECTNESS

carried by the SAS during Operation NIMROD in 1980. Yes, yes, I know I say this whenever I mention the MP5 but when you saw it happen live on TV as a kid, it tends to stick with you! It’s also been used by the USN SEAL Teams, GSG-9 and virtually every special operations unit in the western world

During the early to mid-1960s it became apparent to security forces worldwide that the rise in terrorist atrocities was a trend that they had to counter and, for this reason, many police and military units started the hunt for a lightweight, accurate, pistol calibre sub-machinegun (SMG). The Germans, of course, had a bit of a history with SMGs and “machine pistols” and two companies, Carl Walther Waffenfabrik in Ulm-an-Donau and Heckler and Koch (H&K) GmBH in Obendorf-am-Necker, were at the forefront of the development process. Initially, the Walther MPL and MPK (basically a long and short version of the same firearm) seemed to have the edge as the design was already finalised in 1963. In 1964 though, the first designs of the MP5 from H&K started filtering through and the rest, as they say, is history. H&K looked at the successful G3 rifle designs and then adapted things so make use of the 9×19mm

www.airsoftaction.net

armoury CYMA MP5

Parabellum pistol cartridge. The MP5 was created within this group of firearms and was initially known as the HK54. First created in 1964, the H&K MP5 was developed as a pistolcalibre, blowback operated rollerlocked member of

the H&K weapons system and in 1966 it was officially adopted by the German Federal Police, border guard and army special forces. In repeated and exhaustive testing the MP5 has proven capable of firing more than 30,000 rounds without a single stoppage or parts failure and it is not uncommon to find MP5’s still serving with in excess of 500,000 rounds through the original barrel and receiver! Still regarded of as one of the most reliable and effective submachine guns in the world after nearly fifty years, has seen the MP5 become the choice of the worlds’ most famous elite anti-terrorist, special operations and special law enforcement organisations. While more modern submachine guns have been designed since the introduction of the MP5, it very much still does the job it was designed to do all those years ago!

SMALL, BUT OH, SO SWEET!

Given that the MP5 has SUCH a strong heritage and pedigree, I thought it would only be a matter of time before someone gave the platform a bit of love and although there have been some stabs at it, I have to admit I didn’t think it would be CYMA that actually went the whole hog and did the job properly, however, in the past couple of years the elusive brand has been doing some downright righteous things when it comes to AEGs, so why not “update” the MP5? Of course, the CYMA takes (yes, multiple!) look like MP5s but are rightly unbranded as there is no licence agreement here. Again, I know I say this every time but if there’s no licence then don’t use trademarks and what CYMA have done is to take the “principle” of an MP5 and enhance it in a way that has no realworld equivalent. This I can live with, as it’s what CYMA has done internally and externally that matters here. The CM.041L (5 inch Barrel, 3 inch M-LOK) is basically a railed “K” with a PDW stock, the G is 32

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standard 5-length (9 inch Barrel, 6.3 inch M-LOK) with the

same stock and the H replaces the PDW-stock of the G with a buffer tube and sliding carbine stock, but they all come from the new PLATINIUM series, created as a cooperation again between CYMA and TAIWANGUN.COM (TWG). The metal body and outer barrel marry up with a nylon pistol grip like the real deal and the compact design with different adjustable stocks makes all three models ideal for CQB/CQC. By cocking the charging handle you can adjust the hop just like virtually any other MP5 AEG design, but internally things look good, as you get a reinforced V2 gearbox frame, full steel tooth polycarbonate piston, CNC machined steel gear set (ratio: 13:1), CNC machined aluminium silent cylinder and piston head set (ball bearing piston head, double o-ring cylinder head), all of which is powered along by a high-speed motor and benefits from a processor unit with built-in MOSFET system. All three variants are what CYMA call their “E-EDITION” & “HIGH-SPEED” models, and set up like they are they’re said to come in with a power around 350-360fps on a .20g, plus, in combination with a LiPo battery, a fast trigger response and OOTB ROF around 25rps! If you’ve ever used an MP5 AEG then everything on the CYMAs is going to seem simple and intuitive, as all the controls are exactly as you’ll find them on any of the airsoft (or indeed real) variants. The fully ambidextrous fire selector has the “bullet” pictograms to show “safe, semi, and auto” and the magazine release it where it always is; namely directly in front of the trigger guard. Sights are simple too, with an enclosed post at the sharp end and an adjustable dioptre at the rear. Obviously, the new batterycompartment stock configurations are thoroughly

armoury CYMA MP5

The CYMA .041 E-EDTION series AEGs all look great, are superbly finished

up to date and the new alloy M-LOK rails are re really cool-looking and rock-solid. CYMA are doing both rail lengths as standalone external upgrade accessories for existing owners (TWG just these up on their although you’ll need a battery storage if yours is front-

MP5 popped website), to find solution wired. Luckily, I was able to borrow a G-configuration CM.041 from a long-suffering mate and get it onto the woodland range to check things out and using .20g BBs the MP5 gave a mean chronograph reading of 1.1 Joule/345fps, which was very consistent and obviously perfectly site-friendly in most places. Setting the fire selector to semi-auto and easing that sensitive trigger sends BBs downrange in a most satisfying manner and, for something with a relatively short inner barrel, the MP5 is quite astonishingly accurate, hitting sandbag targets easily at 30m and the fancy-looking 130rBB Mid-Cap magazine feeds exceptionally well. Switching things to full-auto gave exactly the same result - but with multiple BBs impacting the sandbags rather than just singles, with no discernible loss of accuracy. Overall, the CYMA CM.041G “MP5” is a really tremendous little AEG and I can really see it, or either of its siblings, becoming a favourite for many players getting started or needing a cost-effective backup AEG - and I’m certain that the sniper fraternity will love the “L”. They’re not expensive RIFs either, as you can expect to pay well under £200 for the AEG with a bunch of magazines (MP5 mags are relatively inexpensive and easy to get hold of too!) and for that outlay you are getting an absolute modern-daymaschinenpistole bargain!

and put together and function flawlessly from the box. CYMA have been around for a while, their AEGs have been tweaked and refined and their latest take on bringing a classic completely up to date offers superb value for money. What you get from any CYMA these days is an AEG that will be a trusted companion for the majority of your “airsoft life” if you look after it and that, my fellow BB-shooterists, is more than a bargain in my opinion! My thanks go again to our friends over at www. taiwangun.com for sharing their action images with us to support this article - and what great pictures they are! Please do check them out for any and all of your CYMA needs …and much, much more! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR VIPER BUCKLE UP

BUCKLE UP... ...WE’RE IN FOR ONE HELL OF A RIDE!

LAST MONTH BILL TOOK A LOOK AT PLATE CARRIERS, SO WE’RE GOING TO FOLLOW UP WITH A COUPLE OF ARTICLES FEATURING DIFFERENT MODELS AND SYSTEMS! JON MILLS KICKS THIS OFF WITH A CLOSE LOOK AT THE VX BUCKLE UP CARRIER GEN2 AND THE ACCOMPANYING SYSTEM AND FINDS OUT THAT VIPER HAVE REALLY MOVED THINGS ON SINCE HE LAST LOOKED AT THEIR GEAR!

arrior Assault Systems… Crye Precision… Condor… Virtus… 5.11… the list is endless for body armour and carrier systems. The issue with these are, oftentimes, they’re expensive. My Warrior setups often exceeded £500 by the time I’d added pouches, backpacks, soft and hard armour. That’s without the belt and its accessories! Not exactly enticing prices for those who are new to the sport or those looking to upgrade. With that, a slew of cheap copycat products flooded the market a few years back. I picked up a fully loaded JPC with foam inserts, 3 x Double Stack 5.56 pouches, 2 x pistol pouches, an integrated backpack and hydration bladder for £40. The problem was it was rubbish, poorly constructed, subpar materials with poor stitching and poor fitting! That was the case with the vast majority of these “knockoffs” or “copycats” and it was a downer. It felt like there weren’t many options for a while and you were stuck between a rock and an expensive place. Now, to be clear, there is a very good reason for the price differences and the build quality. One group is designed for those who operate in real world harsh environments, facing life threatening situations where durability, reliability and efficiency are paramount. The other group is designed for a bunch of folks running around woodlands (yes there are other terrain types!) shooting 6mm BBs at one another on a Sunday afternoon and having fun with their friends. These 34

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people do not NEED the most advanced materials weaved together …but it is nice to have them! Time passed and manufacturers started to listen to what the community was asking for. Materials got better. The first thing I noticed was the improvements in the threads used to actually hold the pieces together. It got stronger, it got thicker and rarely unpicked itself. Then came the materials that make up the carriers; they went from being cheap pvc-based items to more complex blends that were less likely to snag and tear. They became more durable. These steps forward obviously came with additional costs but they still weren’t “deal breakers”. Brands like Viper were already known within the marketplace as “entry level” suppliers, (for a time you couldn’t turn up to a site without seeing at least ten Viper DPM Vests!) but they invested time and resources into their product development and started to release better and better quality products. Full disclosure here, I am THE gear whore of Red Cell. I love “Gucci Gear”. I’ve been a huge fan of higherend gear since I first slipped on a tatty old DCS that I was loaned years ago and as such, I’ve been super sceptical of what I perceived to be budget stuff. Right now though, sitting in front of me, I have the Viper Tactical - VX Buckle Up Carrier in Titanium. I’m impressed. They’ve come a long way. I mean, A LONG WAY!!!!

KIT & GEAR VIPER BUCKLE UP

NOT BUCKLING UNDER PRESSURE!

The Viper Tactical VX Buckle Up Carrier reminds me of the CP JPC, so that’s a great start. It has a low profile (at approximately 13” x 10”), meaning that it’s a heart and lung style protection carrier. It sits somewhere between swimmers and shooters cut, as wide as shooters but as short as swimmers. It’s kinda cool! The upper front has a 6” zipped admin pocket that my Huawei P30 Pro Mobile fits in nicely. Below that is a hook and loop ID panel at 6” x 3” for your favourite morale patches. Below that is the “Buckle Up” laser cut MOLLE panel. It’s a six-row, standard MOLLE fitment size which is nice, as I’ve noticed that some other brands vary the width and that pouches don’t fit correctly - but this is bang on. For those not familiar, the “Buckle Up” system is an interchangeable, modular design that consists of a hook-backed panel, that attaches to the carrier’s loop panel and then clips to the carrier with a buckle at either side of the top of the add-on panel. The clips are covered with slipon colour coded, elasticated loops to reduce noise. It’s a great idea as it offers fast interchangeability and no more “MOLLE Fingers” if you swap platforms halfway through a day. I like this as I often jump between AR and AK platforms. Simply “unclip and rip”! The underside has a velcro flap, allowing for the addition of soft or hard plates to be inserted. (The carrier comes with EVA Foam inserts). The back piece is again laser cut MOLLE 5 x 11 configuration (with an additional three at the top centre). Halfway down is a hook and loop flap that the side panels secure under. Inside the front and rear is a heavy duty padded mesh material that allows air to circulate and keep the torso cool. The front and rear are secured by two Hypalon hook and loop straps that are easy to adjust and are wrapped with padded (we’ll come back to that) covers. Both covers are fitted with hook and loop,

loops to run hydration and comms systems through and they work nicely with ample room. “Padding” is a loose term and compared to my W.A.S rig, the VX Buckle Up padding is minimal. After a couple of hours, a heavy carrier really does rub the shoulders and padding is a must. The padding here is a few mm thick and it’s simply just not enough for a long exercise or full-on scenario day. Two mesh side panels are provided to link the system together. Three bands are stitched to mesh which allows for cooling and weight reduction. At one end two clip buckles secure the sides to the front (again with colour coded elasticated sleeves). These clips also allow for quick and easy removal of the carrier. The other end has 4 ½” x 4” velcro panels that attach the sides to the rear piece under the flap that I mentioned earlier. The carrier is made up of 700D Polytech, which essentially means it’ll hold up well against water, dirt ingress and rip damage. The stitching on the rig, both internally and externally, is tidy and feels solid. I’ve pushed, pulled, prodded, poked and even had a “tug of war” with a friend with it. It’s holding up just fine with no tears at the seams, no lifting or fraying. It’s all good. There are a couple of places where the stitching could be straighter and tied off better but at this price point it’s completely over-lookable. VIPER has come a long way and I will say I’m impressed by this carrier.

MAKING IT MINE, ALL MINE!

The more astute of you may have noticed that this isn’t just a bare VX Buckle Up Carrier. Oh no, this is JON’S VX Buckle Up Carrier! In addition to the basic carrier, VIPER offers a plethora of buckle up, hook and loop and MOLLE fittings. So, with that in mind let’s look at what we’ve got. That buckle up panel has the VIPER TACTICAL MOLLE Mag Rig (a Buckle Up version is available). The eagle-eyed among you will notice that there is a slight difference in colour between the Titaniums. That I believe is due to the materials and how the colour www.airsoftaction.net

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

KIT & GEAR VIPER BUCKLE UP

is blended into them and the fact that some items pre-date “Buckle Up”. That aside, the Mag Rig comes with three (STANAG 5.56) rifle mag pouches and four 9mm/Pistol/Multitool pouches. Two of which are “Taco Style” with 2 x 9mm pouches integrated on the front. Being “Taco Style” they can be adjusted by the user with the toggles supplied. The middle offers two open top Multitool/Pistol Mag pouches and one rifle mag pouch. These are PVC lined and have a water drainage hole at the bottom. The construction is good here, better than all of the competition at the same price point. The stitching is REALLY tidy and it looks as though they’ve opted for slightly thicker thread than previously used. It’s made up of 600D Cordura so it’ll take anything an airsofter will throw at it. At the bottom I have opted to fit the Tactical Scrote, for no other reason than it made me laugh and it looks cool. To fit, simply rip off the Buckle Up panel, affix using the hook and loop flap, refit the panel and hey presto, a dangly Scrote! The Viper Tactical Scrote is 10” x 6” which makes it the same width as the carrier, which is nice as often the competitors are smaller. This, however, isn’t and keeps the look and flow on point. It has a reasonable storage capacity which is accessed by a zip along the front. It has three large elasticated loops and a large hook and loop panel internally. The outer front has a 4” hook and loop panel for more patches and is made from the same 700D Polytech material as the carrier. On the rear I opted for the VX Buckle Up Charger Pack. This is a sustainment pack/backpack that has detachable shoulder straps and can be attached to the rear panel of the Carrier GEN2 using the fitted MOLLE straps. My personal opinion is that shoulder straps are a waste of time, as they are too thin and there is no padding on them. As such, you’d not want to use it as a backpack, I’ll be sticking to my 5.11 Rush 12 for that. There is a use for the D-Rings and straps though. These can be used to integrate the pack onto the Viper VX Buckle Up Utility Rig, which is a really smart option. One pack can work with two loadouts… clever stuff! As stated, the MOLLE straps weave through the carrier, giving you a secure, mounted storage system. It’s a little narrower and shorter than the carrier back plate (at 9 ½” x 10”) but the pack has enough room for a 2-litre water bladder, has an elasticated exit hole for the tubing to pass through at the top, middle of the pack and there’s also a hole at the bottom for water to drain should you spring a leak. As with all packs, there is a good-sized, zipper-secured pocket that is almost as wide and deep as the pack itself.

The real clever trick though that this pack pulls off, is its ability to alter the carry volume. Around the circumference of the pack and front pocket you’ll notice a zipper. Opening them takes the pack from a poultry 4 litre capacity to a more useful 14 litre capacity. I really like this idea and it’s executed really well. It’s built using the same 700D Polytech material and has exceptionally well finished stitching. I’m really impressed by it. In truth, VIPER have a whole host of add-ons for the GEN2 carrier, so you REALLY can set up your rig exactly the way you want it! For instance, Bill prefers a really lo-profile setup and whilst messing around with the box of pouches that VIPER kindly supplied us to look at, he ended up using three of their VIPER VX SMART PHONE POUCHES to hold AR/AK mags, which actually works very well! Think outside the box and sometimes you prevail! I started this article talking about costs and made reference to my Warrior Assault Systems rig sitting around the £500 mark. So, where does this sit? Prices are taken from various VIPER stockists and are correct at time of writing in May 2021: • VX Buckle Up Carrier Gen2 - £79.95 • VX Buckle Up Mag Rig - £29.95 • VX Buckle Up Charger Pack - £42.95 • VP Scrote - £10.95 Total cost - £163.80! That, in my opinion, is a great price for a whole lot of kit - and quality kit at that! Will you be deploying to downtown Basra with it? No, of course you won’t. Will it be any good on the airsoft field? HELL YES … and you’ll look good in it too! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR FIRST TACTICAL DEFENDER

BILL HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH US BRAND FIRST TACTICAL (FT) SINCE THEY LAUNCHED IN EUROPE AS WELL AS IN AMERICA AND NOW BOYCIE HAS JOINED HIM AS A BIG FAN OF THE BRAND. SINCE FT APPEARED THEY’VE GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AND THE ADOPTION OF THEIR DEFENDER SERIES SHIRT AND PANT BY A NUMBER OF UK POLICE FIREARM UNITS TAKES WHAT THEY OFFER TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL!

ill: It’s really edifying when you support a brand that enters the market and within just a couple of years you see them gaining great plaudits from reviewers and users alike, including professionals who use the gear “at work”. I’ve been very fortunate to have met the First Tactical Team in person a good few times now and they are super people that are intent on delivering the very best tactical kit and clothing that they possibly can. Having now worn their excellent Defender clothing for some time, it’s also great to see others in the AA team discovering it, so I’ll hand over to Boycie for his “take” on their Defender clothing! Boycie: One of the things I find in airsoft, especially online, is the snobbery around “replica” and “real deal” clothing and equipment. But is there really a need for “real deal” in airsoft? We all have different budgets available to use for the kit we need for skirmishing and MilSims. At the end of the day we are all slinging BBs at each other and numerous times I’ve seen “rentals” out playing on site when they take out a group of “elite” players. What really is nice to see is when those “elite” players in their thousands of pounds of kit, approach the “rental” and say “well done mate!” There are a large number of players who spend a lot of time researching a specific “loadout” that they have seen in photos of Military and Police operations.

Accuracy, for them, is very important and it’s this that can lead them to spend hundreds of pounds on just one part of the gear, for example, combat trousers that can cost £400-£500 a pair! While there are a lot of manufacturers in the Far East who make some great replicas, which are more suited to the lower budgets of some players, there are pros and cons to each side. Through “Lockdown” I’ve been looking more at the kit I have and thinking “Do I really need all this really expensive kit?” I’ve decided that I’m not worried about building a specific multicam “loadout”, so I’m going down the more generic “look”. The main thing that I am not changing is my C2R Lite body armour but the “uniform” is going to change. Out with the old… My “old” kit is Crye G3 trousers and a Massif UBAC shirt. Whilst comfortable, for a lot of players they can’t help having in their mind that if kit gets damaged it will cost a small fortune to replace. For some players with a large budget, this will not be as much of a problem. In with the new… I’ve been using First Tactical Defender clothing, in black, as a “work” and company uniform for two years now and find it really comfortable and functional; not only that but it is very cost effective when you compare it to things like Crye™. This is the same type of clothing that 27 of the 43

“THE FINISHING IS OF THE VERY HIGHEST STANDARD AND IS ABSOLUTELY IMPECCABLE! NOT ONLY ARE THE FABRICS THEMSELVES DESIGNED FOR EXTENDED DURABILITY BUT THE WAY IN WHICH THEY ARE PUT TOGETHER AND COMBINED HAS SHOWN ME THAT THIS IS GEAR THAT WILL TAKE ALL YOU CAN THROW AT IT AND COME BACK LAUGHING!”

JULY 2021

KIT & GEAR FIRST TACTICAL DEFENDER

UK’s territorial Police Forces now issue to their officers, mainly their Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) on Armed Response Vehicles (ARVs). This is a great advantage as more photos start to appear with the Police AFOs wearing it, more people will be interested in acquiring it to use in their “loadouts”. First Tactical clothing is also used by numerous Police Forces and Government agencies in the USA and around the world to equip their personnel. It’s a really highquality product that can stand up to a fair amount of “abuse” in day to day wear. For the “loadout” I’ve built I am going to be using the First Tactical Defender Multicam™ camouflage products.

DEFENDER SHIRT

With the Defender Shirt the main body is a UBACS type material made from Spandex and polyester to keep the wearer cool and give great breathability when wearing a plate carrier. The arms are made from a cotton Multicam™ material, again ripstop and reinforced at the elbows with Cordura™. At the wrist there is plenty of adjustment to suit the user. In addition, there is a flap of the same Spandex/Polyester mix material which prevents chafing and a built-in sleeve which could hold something like markers or pens. Each arm has a mid-humerus pocket, faced with a very fine loop material to allow the wearer to display unit or other patches. At the side of the arm pocket there is also a sleeve

which can hold a couple of pens/ markers or even a medic’s torch. In the centre of the chest there is a zip to allow the user to wear the collar up and closed if required or down and open to help with ventilation.

DEFENDER PANTS

The Defender trousers complete the “uniform” and, as I’ve already said, we use these as company kit for events and pyro jobs we go out on. I’ve found these really comfortable during dayto-day wear and also when out on site. For the new pants the material is a really fine ripstop weave of genuine Multicam™ which after a wash is really soft. There are reinforced belt loops around the waist and a button and pop stud fastening. This fastening I prefer as it “gives” and I really like the ability to add or remove knee pads through a side zip on the leg. Where the knee pads fit there is reinforcement on the back of the Multicam™ but when the knee pads are not fitted the trousers sit and feel as comfy as a pair of jeans. Also, there is no sagging of the material around the knee pad pockets. In the crotch area there are air vent holes to help keep the wearer comfortable in hotter weather. On the back of the knee pad pockets is a soft mesh fabric. There are rivets around the waist band to hold the belt loops in place, this is particularly important as those who wear these in Military and Law Enforcement environments will be wearing belt kit that may be quite heavy. At the opening of the pockets they are reinforced with webbing-like material which prevents a lot of wear occurring. On the front there are a pair of normal pockets, like you may find on a pair of jeans but in addition to these, there are a further four smaller pockets which can hold things like knives and phones etc.. Each of the pockets have vent/drain

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KIT & GEAR FIRST TACTICAL DEFENDER

holes. On the rear are two pockets with zip closures and pull cords. The sides of the legs have large cargo pockets, with internal dividers inside to help keep equipment from rattling around in the pocket. Each of the cargo pockets have zip closure and by the ankle on each side is a small pocket which could hold part of a med kit, or even a spare pistol magazine. I think that if I/we were to wear a cheaper brand of clothing for the work environment then I would have maybe had to replace them a few times over the two years we’ve been using First Tactical, whereas the FT kit is still perfectly serviceable and fit for use. Yes, the trousers retail at £210 for a pair plus £22.95 for the optional knee pads when Crye can be around £400+ and where cheaper brands range from £40 upwards. The old addage “buy cheap, buy twice (or more)” is certainly true. I would suggest that wherever possible that you consider your budget and then buy the best quality products that you can with that budget that you have. This also applies to when you are building a specific impression or loadout.

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Bill: I was lucky enough on Range Day at SHOT 2017 in Las Vegas to meet the FT head designer, Cory, who introduced me to the then-new “Defender” shirt and pant and I have to say that it was, at the time, the most overtly tactical clothing that FT had put together! First Tactical’s Defender Series Shirts are, in my mind, the best of both worlds, performance built to handle any task while maintaining the sharp look needed by the professional user. In the performance department specialised pockets boast ample space for oversized gear, a specialised yoke eliminates unwanted bulk, and oversized sleeve pockets accept patches or embroidery. Creating the perfect warm weather shirt was at the forefront of their design as articulated elbows, running gussets and vented mesh locations providing advanced movement and breathability. The Defender Series Pants offer a total of 28 (yup, you read that right, 28!!!) specialised pockets which give ample space for oversized gear, magazines, and all other equipment. Articulation is at the forefront of design as articulated knees, running gussets throughout and vented mesh pockets provide superb freedom of movement and breathability. Ventilation in multiple key areas makes these the ideal warm weather pants. The Defender Fabric features a breathable cotton and Cordura Nylon blend. The 2-way mechanical stretch Nyco is one of the first to the market and has double ripstop fabric that is moisture wicking and perfect for warm weather. 40

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The specifications are mighty impressive and when I first saw the models themselves, I did feel that this was new territory for First Tactical. They’ve always made a point of using first rate fabrics and material technologies but their initial designs, although perfectly attractive and workmanlike were, in fairness, not dissimilar to other tactical brands. I can totally understand this as the tactical “uniform” clothing market, especially in the procurement sector for the professional user, is a very competitive one, so they needed designs that would immediately appeal to all potential users. The Defender gear though, in my opinion, was the next step in their evolution and when I received the production samples for testing I was immediately drawn to just how intricate the design is, and just how clever the use, and combination of cutting edge fabrics is. However, the features tell only one part of the story… If, for instance, you look at the Defender shirt the main body area is 6.5oz 100% Polyester jersey; snag, fade and wrinkle resistant with a wicking and anti-microbial finish. The sleeves and collar are a 6.9 oz, 55%

KIT & GEAR FIRST TACTICAL DEFENDER

cotton/45% Cordura Nylon mechanical 2-way stretch double ripstop with moisture wicking finish and the whole thing is finished off with high quality YKK zips and Duraflex pull-tabs! The trousers are no less impressive in terms of the fabric mix as they make use of a 55% cotton/45% Cordura Nylon 6.9 oz. 2-way mechanical stretch NyCo fabric, with double ripstop and moisture wicking finish, YKK zips, Prym snaps, and Duraflex pull-tabs. When it comes down to it though, you can have the very best fabric technologies on the planet but unless the design is right and the quality of finishing to the highest standard, you could still end up with a right turkey! I’m pleased to report that after some years of use the fit is absolutely spot-on, with the ergonomically designed articulated areas working just as they should and comfort is superb. The finishing is of the very highest standard and is absolutely impeccable! Not only are the fabrics themselves designed for extended durability but the way in which they are put together and combined has shown me that this is gear that will take all you can throw at it and come back laughing! To date I’ve been very impressed with the quality and finish of all the First Tactical gear (I use their briefcases and now the “Recoil” range bag on a daily basis!) and with the Defender Shirt and Pant I believe they now have the basis of a clothing system that fully lives up to what they intended to achieve. I certainly look forward to seeing what they come up with next!

PUTTING THE BOOT IN!

Bill: As well as both having now tested the Defender gear both Boycie and I have also been putting the First Tactical Operator Boots (quite literally) through their paces! One of the most regular debates I see in online gear chat groups is that of boot choice. Obviously for the UK a fully waterproof boot is going to be a firm favourite and recently I’ve seen some absolute “BS” written about the efficacy of lined or unlined footwear. Whilst a boot with a waterproof lining will give you immediate protection from the elements, it is a huge misnomer that this type of model requires no maintenance! Absolute “black arts and wizardry” that is… All boots require maintenance (I’ll go into the whys and wherefores another time…) but just

because a boot is unlined with an internal membrane or the like, doesn’t mean it won’t protect you - IF you look after it properly. But sometimes you just need a boot that suits your foot shape and your environment and if you’re going to be more in a CQB or range training setting rather than the dark, dank backwoods, then the “Operator” model from First Tactical is going to definitely be worth a look! Built for speed and comfort the First Tactical Operator Boot features a lightweight yet tough synthetic upper providing agility while welded construction ensures the boots can stand up to highlevel use and abuse. Lightweight and breathable while maintaining an unmatched level of durability needed for extended use the Operator Boots benefit from a Torsion Flex fiberglass reinforced composite shank that is 75% lighter than steel. The Operator takes inspiration from athletic shoes, providing the flexibility and comfort you expect from a running shoe but with the durability of your favourite tactical boot. From Ortholite foam to enhanced airflow pockets this boot is well ventilated and will provide comfort in the warmest of environments. Boycie: I have a pair of the Black 7” Operator Boots which I use for day-to-day wear and after coming up to two years there is little evidence of wear on the sole, when I compare my black (used) boots to a pair of factory fresh Coyote coloured boots. Once you’ve tied the laces there is a small pocket on the front of the tongue where you can put the loose lace ends to keep them tidy and prevent them coming undone or caught. Around the ankle are two small pockets in which it is possible to fit a small 1.5” First Tactical knife in its sheath if required, where local laws allow. What I really like about this boot is that they are really light, coming in at around 700g each for size 11 and very breathable. I would venture to say that, for me, the FT Operator Boot is about the most comfortable boot I own/have owned over 40 years. For more information on the Defender Series Shirt and Pant and Operator Boots please visit www.firsttactical.com or if you’re in the UK www. firsttactical.co.uk. We’re also pleased to report that good retailers like www.military1st.co.uk already have First Tactical products in stock, with more arriving all the time! AA

“…FOR THE UK A FULLY WATERPROOF BOOT IS GOING TO BE A FIRM FAVOURITE AND RECENTLY I’VE SEEN SOME ABSOLUTE “BS” WRITTEN ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF LINED OR UNLINED FOOTWEAR. WHILST A BOOT WITH A WATERPROOF LINING WILL GIVE YOU IMMEDIATE PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS, IT IS A HUGE MISNOMER THAT THIS TYPE OF MODEL REQUIRES NO MAINTENANCE!” www.airsoftaction.net

THE CAGE SHELL GARMENTS

THE CAGE:

SHELLING OUT

AS THE AA CREW CONTINUE THEIR QUEST TO BRING YOU THE ULTIMATE CLOTHING AND GEAR SOLUTIONS, THEY TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO “SHELL GARMENTS”; THOSE THAT WILL KEEP YOU PROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS WHEN THE WEATHER - AS IT INEVITABLY WILL - TURNS NASTY. BILL SETS THE SCENE…

have to say that in my years of playing airsoft around the world I’ve come across many “fair weather airsofters”, those that come out to play only when the weather is good and head back to their workshops and armouries when the sky turns grey, which is fine by me if that’s the way you like your airsoft! There’s nothing wrong with this at all in my mind, as we all love to play a game when the sun is shining, it’s dry and hot and the only things you have to worry about are whether you have enough water and if the heat is going to put your GBB over the site limit... Sadly, I’ve also encountered players that seem to have no respect at all for “Old Ma Nature”; players who will come out to a game in the driving rain or falling snow and then have a problem because they are totally unprepared for the conditions. Games I’ve been to in the winter have been called to a halt as players get wet and chilled and I’ve even been at games where they’ve been called off completely due to players starting to get hypothermic! I’m not saying for one moment that I’m a better player because I have “all the kit” (and have invested over the years in the right pieces) but I will say that I have the utmost respect for other players that do their research and adapt their loadouts appropriately for the conditions they will be facing. I actually LOVE to play in the pouring rain, embracing the conditions to my advantage (rain can be especially “noisy” in a woodland setting or a CQB village… Just sayin’…). I especially love to play when it’s snowing and on a couple of memorable occasions have had the joy of doing so.

JULY 2021

We have a couple of mantras at AA, the first of which is that “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad kit” and the second being “any fool can be uncomfortable”! The crux of this is making sure you have the right clothing, understand it and know how to use it! If you look back in the “AA Archives” you’ll find a number of articles on the technical characteristics of clothing, clothing systems and how they really work, however, when it comes to “shell” garments, fundamentally you have two choices: “Hard” or “Soft” shells. The differences between a “Soft” shell jacket and a “Hard” shell jacket are still somewhat “murky”, even though both technologies have been available for some considerable time now. They both offer a variety of benefits, from comfort to protection - so which is right for you and for what conditions? Simply put, “Hard” shell is a waterproof jacket with a hood and matching trousers. Occasionally insulated, they’re designed to provide lightweight, durable and waterproof, breathable protection in rain or snow whilst allowing you to tailor your insulating and wicking layers beneath. The term “Hard” works here as generally the “face” (outer) fabric isn’t very stretchy, has a solid feel and is very durable. When you compare a hard shell to a soft shell, you can tell the difference by feeling the fabric and listening; a hard shell jacket typically makes A LOT more noise than a soft shell jacket due to the “heavier” face fabrics used to get that durability. A “Soft” shell jacket is usually water-resistant (NOT water-PROOF in the main!) and offers more stretch and movement in the fabric but is still a breathable

THE CAGE SHELL GARMENTS

shell that offers some protection from light snow and rain. Some soft shells feature waterproof/breathable technology but most are just water repellent. They are designed to move with you and help you maintain a comfortable and optimal body temperature during high-energy activities, although some soft shell jackets feature an insulated (or fleece) lining that may give additional warmth. Once you know this fundamental difference between the two technologies you can be better placed to make your choice of what will work best for you. Hard shell will keep you dry (until you get wet; everything has its limits!), whilst Soft shell will keep you dry to an extent but also give you greater freedom of movement. You can combine a Hard shell with a Soft one but then you get into implications on total breathability/perceived comfort of your overall system… However, that’s another story for another day!

WHAT’S NEW WITH THE CREW?

I’m constantly updating my personal “gear locker” but, simply put, I have a number of GORE-TEX and similar technology jacket and trouser sets in my collection in different colours and camos, from the likes of Wild Things Tactical, UF PRO, Tasmanian Tiger and Clawgear. As I said before, I’ve got many years (and a lot of buckeroos) invested in my airsoft gear and coming from a mountaineering background I’ve used some of the kit in true “anger” in some pretty wild places! However, when I got together (virtually still…) with the AA crew, I asked them “Do you use a Waterproof or Soft Shell jacket? If you do, when you use it, what model, and why that model in particular?” This is what they told me: Jonathan: “Has to be Arc’teryx soft shell in “Crocodile”, superb for all types of weather!” Chris: “British Army issue DPM Gore-Tex set, or Australian issue Gore-Tex Jacket. The DPM set has to be one of the best sets of GoreTex I’ve ever bought; cheap, never re-proofed and NEVER leaked! Softshell? I’ve had a Trespass one I’ve used in the past that’s worked nicely to keep me warm but now have two Aussie issue ones that are great (if lacking in pockets on the arms!).” Boycie: “I have a number of soft shells which I use depending on what I am doing. For Pyro/SFX I use a Herock Orange one for the Higher Vis that is needed in that line of work. Others I use are my “work” ones in black which are just a generic brand depending on when I order them in. I’ve also got a US Army Issue MC one which has a matt finish to the cloth.”

Stewbacca: “I have a much-loved and used Helikon OD Soft shell jacket that me and my old Honey Badgers teammates all got to be matching, like we did with our OD 6094 plate carriers! I use it quite often even over here in the tropical weather, although it isn’t outstanding in terms of waterproofing versus my 5.11 Gore-Tex, but it keeps the wind off you (or the sun if it’s bright) and it is lightweight enough to not resent carrying around strapped to a backpack, or rolled up inside it. Perfect for after the sun goes down on long day trips when it gets a little cooler or there’s a light shower! It also has plenty of velcro with two nametape bars, one either side of the chest and pads on each shoulder/upper arm for patches, along with zip-open armpits which are a godsend for ventilation!” Jon: “Along with Bill I’ve done a fair amount of research into this area and I find that an issue GoreTex set over a low profile insulated jacket when it’s really cold gives a great, usable and versatile balance!” Bill W-R: “Not “Reaper Ops Downpour-Proof” (and that was biblical as anyone that was there on the day in question will tell you!) but I run a soft shell shower proof jacket that I bought online which is part of the teams clothing choice.” Jimmy: “I have no preference on brand or design if I’m honest! For me a softshell is a softshell. I will wear it whether it’s from the supermarket or 5.11, if it’s good! I’ve worn them for years long before I ventured into airsoft. I purchased my first tactical softshell last year online, I think it was it was a Kryptec pattern, a pukka jacket for the money, less than £30 and very comfortable, with more zips than needed. Unfortunately I outgrew it quickly - either that or during lockdown it shrank in the wash… I bought a new one a few weeks ago (it must be good, it’s the same as Bills!) in Multicam Black, but this time in XXL and fits like a dream, definitely a good buy! I haven’t really put it through anything demanding as yet but time will tell, but for the money you can’t go wrong. I acquired it from Pete at Platoon Stores locally and this one is cut better than the eBay one and I imagine it will withstand the elements much better. The rear of the jacket has been made longer as well and the peak on the hood is to deal with water run-off. The elasticated cuffs make life easier when taking off or putting it on as you don’t have to keep setting the velcro straps, but I feel the drawstring at the waist could be a bit beefier. I’m going to have to subject it to some bad weather to see how it holds up!” Miguel: “We mostly have good weather in Portugal, so protection against the rain is not at all a priority! If we do have a “bad” day, usually a normal www.airsoftaction.net

CLICK/TAP IMAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION

THE CAGE SHELL GARMENTS

“I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR OTHER PLAYERS THAT DO THEIR RESEARCH AND ADAPT THEIR LOADOUTS APPROPRIATELY FOR THE CONDITIONS THEY WILL BE FACING. I ACTUALLY LOVE TO PLAY IN THE POURING RAIN, EMBRACING THE CONDITIONS TO MY ADVANTAGE (RAIN CAN BE ESPECIALLY “NOISY” IN A WOODLAND SETTING OR A CQB VILLAGE… JUST SAYIN’…).”

thermal shirt or a polar one under an ACU jacket works or, in extreme cases, a “Patriot” style jacket.” Dan: “For the last year and a half I’ve been using a First Spear Windcheater soft shell. It’s not a true rain jacket but it’s also not noisy like a true rain jacket. It’s proven to be quite durable and waterproof but also roomy enough that I can wear my Arc’teryx LEAF Atom underneath for extra insulation.” In closing, you’ll see a couple of new names in the “Legion Crew List”; Miguel Olivera from Portugal and Dan A from the USA who have both joined us to provide coverage from their own “neck of the woods” along insight to different gear and brands that they work with and use themselves. We hope you’ll welcome them and we look forward to their stories in coming issues! Suffice to say though, that a decent waterproof for those of us in the UK is a “must have” (gotta love that “liquid sunshine, right?) but this, of course, varies with different climates we may encounter. When I had the pleasure of joining the Greek players for “WARZONE 6” I definitely needed insulation at night in the mountains but not a waterproof. However, when I played regularly in Florida staying dry yet dealing with humidity during Hurricane Season proved a HUGE challenge… My personal advice is that the best thing you can do is find out the conditions where you’ll be playing and what “Old Ma Nature” may throw at you when you’re there; we can work with her, but never beat her! Do your research and gain an understanding of WHY you use a certain technology, where and when it works best and then adapt your clothing system accordingly - and if you’re in the UK… buy some waterproofs! AA

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RED CELL TACTICAL AK

RED CELL

TACTICAL TACTICAL aUTO UTOMAT MAT KALA ALASHNIKOVA SHNIKOVA IN THE LAST ISSUE OF AIRSOFT ACTION RED CELL TOOK A LOOK AT SOME TRULY “KLASSIC KALASHNIKOVS” AND THIS TIME THEY’RE BRINGING IT HOME, AS THEY CHECK OUT SOME OF THEIR FAVOURITE “MODERNISED” VERSIONS TO SEE WHAT MAKES THE PERFORMANCE CUT!

et again, it had to be a day where only a handful of Red Cell could actually meet together but this time we did it in shifts with those already vaccinated against the C-Virus in place, whilst others visited in timeslots. Sadly, this meant that not everyone got to shoot everything but it did give members of The Cell enough time to check out the models that they really wanted to see! Things are getting better here in the UK though, and later this month a group from The Cell are getting together for a game (YES! A real game of airsoft!) and will be putting a selection of the models we’ve liked best over the course of the last few months to work “in the wild” and oh boy, are we looking forward to that! For now though, when it comes to the AK it’s true that we can now unashamedly put the word “tacticool” alongside them, as this is what they have become - with an emphasis on the “cool”. The day of the “classic AK” is far from over as it will always be the favoured tool of the OPFOR player worldwide, just as the real “47s and 74s” are used by irregular forces. But it’s not the “classic AK” that Red Cell looked at

this month as many manufacturers actually make very good ones already (as we showed in the last issue), nor is it strictly the “FSB-inspired” models. Although some, like the “12s” from both LCT and Arcturus had to be included, it’s actually not the “military AK” at all that we’re looking at but more Kalashnikov-based creations that have the look of something that you might see coming from the workbench of Jim Fuller of Rifle Dynamics, or Marc Krebs from Krebs Custom in the USA, the sort of thing that we discuss on “AK47 Chatterbox” or that you might see being torture-tested on “AK Operators Union”! If you look around the real firearms industry nowadays, everyone and their dog has “tacticool” bolt-ons for the AK platform… Magpul? Check! VLTOR? Check! Daniel Defense? Check! Knights Armament? Check again! In fact, virtually every firearms accessory manufacturer worth their salt has recognised that those old “import AKs” are getting a whole new lease of life… that’s just good business! And that is making things a whole heap more interesting for players, like me, that want something

“IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE REAL FIREARMS INDUSTRY NOWADAYS, EVERYONE AND THEIR DOG HAS “TACTICOOL” BOLT-ONS FOR THE AK PLATFORM… MAGPUL? CHECK! VLTOR? CHECK! DANIEL DEFENSE? CHECK! KNIGHTS ARMAMENT? CHECK AGAIN! ” 46

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RED CELL TACTICAL AK

different from the slew of “AR-based” AEGs out there! Don’t get me wrong, I still very much appreciate the graceful, yet functional appeal of the AR platform and I certainly appreciate the ease of operation and reloading that it offers. I love the fact that AR builds are almost “the sky’s the limit” when it comes to what you can bolt onto them, however, these days the same can largely be said for the good old AK. I started building “tacticool AKs” for myself, along with my great friend Robbie, back in around 2006/7 and it’s been a labour of love searching for the perfect setup ever since! Over the years I’ve seen many prototype AK AEGs go from concept to full production, but not until quite recently have I been involved with an airsoft project from absolute “let’s sketch the AK we’d all like” inception to open market release - but now I have and more of that later! Now though, I’ll throw things open for Red Cell to have their say about the not-so-humble-anymore AK! Marcus: “As usual, due to my work in the shop I do tend to look critically at how AEGs are put together and what parts are used both inside and outside, so perhaps I come at things slightly differently! The CYMA CM.076A is a super, well-priced little AEG and is actually very well-made, a typical CYMA AK that works great and that has a very strong rail system; if you don’t want to spend E&L money this could be the AK for you! As for performance, it’s great, just what I’ve come to expect from the latest generation of CYMA AEGs - it’s pretty darn good for not a lot of money. The DYTAC SLR AK105, a good AEG again, and as with most new generation models it has a well-made and strong metal body and I like the design of the rail system, which is a tubular type and very strong; this will handle any kit you want to put on it too. As for the gearbox it’s of the standard V3 variety but it has an innovative quick-change spring system which is well thought out! As a whole this is a very serviceable AEG. “The Arcturus AK-12 is another well-made gun, just what I’ve come to expect from this company. It works well and has a very strong metal body and rail system that is a copy of the current Russian service rifle. The only pain in the rear-end with this AEG is the system for the battery; instead of the usual top cover catch, you use what would be the gas piston cover catch

on the real AK-12. It’s a bit fiddly to release but once you get used to it, it’s okay. Other than that, it’s a heavy AEG but a great piece of kit, especially if you’re into your Modern Russian OPFOR gear! Specna have produced another very usable AK here too, although it is a bit long for my taste! It’s got a well-made metal body and rail system and a very funtional V3 gearbox. There’s not much else I can say about this gun as it works just as well as all the others, and if you like the other Specna models you will certainly like this one as it shoots straight and works well. I would certainly put a ZCI barrel and a Maple Leaf hop rubber with an Omega nub to make it really benefit from the “105” length though. I do like the G&G RK74 as it has a character all of its own! It’s solidly made, with a good gearbox, well-made body and rail system. The magazine though is proprietary so if you break it you might have a problem! “Other than that, let’s be fair about this and say that all gearboxes, regardless of version, are fundamentally the same inside and it’s just the frock they’re dressed up in that makes them different and unique these days! Practically speaking the V3 gearbox is stronger than the V2 - and here’s the important bit… for the UK at least 370FPS/.95J on a .20g BB at about 60/70 meters is good and a hit is a hit in any book! Let’s be fair by saying there’s a good few players that couldn’t hit a barn with a bazooka and c’mon, we ALL have a friend like that, don’t we? What I’m trying to say is most airsoft guns are the “same” internally so it comes down to what you like. The performance of any AEG is capable of the same range and accuracy as any other out there if its set up by a competent smith or tech. I’ve got no problem with AKs as I’ve used both GBB and AEG versions and they work just as well as the AR platform, so anyone that says one gun is better than the other, in truth doesn’t know what he’s talking about! Set them up right to begin with and then they’re all great! Yes, some are better out of the box than others but all AEGs can still be made better with knowledge and experience… watch this space for another rant about airsoft guns in the future!” Chris: “Tactical AKs are like the numerous AR versions nowadays, ten to a penny and very samey with very little to please my eye! I did, however, like the Arcturus AK-12 as I feel it goes that little bit

“I’VE GOT NO PROBLEM WITH AKS AS I’VE USED BOTH GBB AND AEG VERSIONS AND THEY WORK JUST AS WELL AS THE AR PLATFORM, SO ANYONE THAT SAYS ONE GUN IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER, IN TRUTH DOESN’T KNOW WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT! ” www.airsoftaction.net

RED CELL TACTICAL AK

CYMA CM.076A Price: iro UK£135.00 Age: Two Years Weight: 3000g Length: 530/740mm Magazine Capacity: 450, will accept most AK-style Cold Chrono: 1.0 Joule/328.9fps Hot Chrono: 1.02 Joule/332.9fps Taclite Compatibility: KeyMod Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.taiwangun.com

E&L ELAKS74UN-A MOD A PLATINUM Price: iro UK£440.00 Age: Two Years Weight: 3140g Length: 495/735mm Magazine Capacity: 120, will accept most AK-style Cold Chrono: 0.92 Joule/315.1fps Hot Chrono: 0.94 Joule/318.2fps Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

ARCTURUS AT-AK01 Price: iro UK£185.00 Age: Two Years Weight: 3300 g Length: 800/880 mm Magazine Capacity: 120,will accept most AK-style Cold Chrono: 1.03 Joule/334fps (Spring Change) Hot Chrono: 1.01 Joule/331.8fps (Spring Change) Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.taiwangun.com

NUPROL ROMEO NOMAD BRAVO Price: iro UK£299.00 Age: Three Years Weight: 3500g Length: 805/875 mm Magazine Capacity: 500, will accept most AK-style Cold Chrono: 1.02 Joule/332.9fps Hot Chrono: 1.03 Joule/333.5.9fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

ICS CXP-ARK Price: iro UK£365.00 Age: New Weight: 3365g Length: 638/884mm Magazine Capacity: 520, will accept most AK-style Cold Chrono: 0.87 Joule/307.4.1fps Hot Chrono: 0.88 Joule/307.8fps Taclite Compatibility: Railed Polymer Foregrip Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.icsbb.com

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RED CELL TACTICAL AK

G&G RK74E ETU Price: iro UK£299.00 Age: Two Years Weight: 2980g Length: 690/810mm Magazine Capacity: 115, Proprietary Magazine Cold Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps Hot Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps Taclite Compatibility: KeyMod Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

SPECNA ARMS SA-J10 EDGE Price: iro UK£140.00 Age: New Weight: 3370g Length: 800 - 885mm Magazine Capacity: 130 (will accept most AK style) Cold Chrono: 1.08 Joule/342.3fps Hot Chrono: 1.09 Joule/343.9fps Taclite Compatibility: None Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.gunfire.com

DYTAC SLR AK105 Price: iro UK£320.00 Age: New Weight: 3200g Length: 625/800mm Magazine Capacity: 500, will accept most AK-style Cold Chrono: 1.06 Joule/338.1fps (Spring Change) Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340.2fps (Spring Change) Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail and M-LOK Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.iwholesales.co.uk

ARCTURUS AK-12 Price: iro UK£220.00 Age: One Year Weight: 3480 g Length: 700/880/950 mm Magazine Capacity: 30/130 (will accept most AKstyle) Cold Chrono: 1.13 Joule/336.3fps Hot Chrono: 1.1 Joule/337.9fps Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail Sections Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.taiwangun.com LCT LCK-12 EBB Price: iro UK£480.00 Age: One Year Weight: 4215 g Length: 865 - 955 mm Magazine Capacity: 130, will accept most AK-style Cold Chrono: 1.08 Joule/336.7.9fps Hot Chrono: 1.08 Joule/338.1fps Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail Sections Suppressor Compatibility: Dedicated Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

www.airsoftaction.net

RED CELL TACTICAL AK

further to stand out, as it is essentially a new rifle but retains some of the classic styling. The replica itself was extremely sturdy (that is a staple of most modernised AKs) with a decent ROF on an 11.1V battery; sadly range and accuracy was only tested on a 10m range but it hit the target at that distance as one would expect. The hinged top cover is a brilliant addition and saves spending ten minutes and a lot of harsh language trying to refit a standard top cover. Being a big sci-fi lover the mag design also really pleased me, as they are quite “sci-fi” in styling and very sturdy. The handguard doesn’t go OTT with rail space either, which is nice because in reality you really don’t need 12 inches of rail real-estate, just enough for a vert grip and light. The pistol grip was also very comfortable, with finger groves in all the right places. The folding AR style stock is also nice, with a solid click into place and no wobble from the stock tube whatsoever. All in all, a very pleasing and sturdy replica I would be very happy to run for a day and the same goes for the LCT version!” Bill W-R: “So, to report... I was only able to pop into the test day for a short while but I really wanted to check out the two AK-12s on offer and, thankfully, they both felt good and performed well! However, I

JULY 2021

am not a massive AK fan and find that an AR selector is always more positive and reassuring to know what mode you are in than the usual AK selector - and this was the same here. They both fired well and felt reasonably balanced. I do have the ICS CXP-ARK on long term test at present and am looking forward to seeing how well it does in a CQB environment and at the Red Cell team day on the 20th. What I will say though (and as BPT will testify), is I have had a bit of a crush on this rifle ever since I was allowed a little go when we first received it. Some light ranging in the garden has allowed for hop up adjustment to be fine-tuned and I am looking forward to writing up the long-term review in RELOADED in due course.” Jimmy: “As BPT was prepping the test AEGs, one really caught my attention as it was a lovely looking rifle and sported the perfect magazine. Perfect magazine? I hear you ask, yes there is such a thing for me - and it comes in the form of a drum mag (bring on the the h8 lol!). An electric 2,000BB mag to be precise, so, technically, it’s a support gun. I’m talking about the LCT LCK16, which is a modern version of the RPK. If I were going to own a tactical AK then this is the one for me without question and although the 16” was there for “show and tell” only, I really did like

RED CELL TACTICAL AK

it! The LCT range are really quite perfect in all honesty and from what I understand, LCT use the same solid reliable internals across the range of different variations. I love the fact that the “modern LCT AKs” are all black and that no trees have been harmed in the making, as the furniture is a solid fibre reinforced polymer and it feels right, with no sharp edges for you to injure your hand (unlike some of the other tactical AK models). “The LCT ergonomic pistol grip on both the 12 and the 16 is the perfect size for my hand and is a whole world better than the older, thinner style grips and it just looks so much better. The collapsible AR style stocks get a thumbs up from me, giving you not only adjustment at the shoulder but also allowing you to get a little more up close and personal without the worry your weapon will be too long for slicing the corners. How can you tell it’s tactical? Answer… Rails lol!!! Both have been fitted with a full-length top rail and a shorter rail underneath the handguard, which give you the option to fit attachments should you feel the need to. The workings of the LCTs were spot on, as I was expecting them to be sluggish with an overly long trigger pull when, in actual fact, is was quite the opposite. They are really very responsive, allowing quite a fast ROF on semi auto and a very respectable ROF on full auto. Not being an “AK guy” I STILL kept getting full and semi mixed up which is a pain. I can’t understand why they continue to use that configuration on the fire select. I’m used to safe… semi… full. OOTB though they were spot on and a real influence on my opinions of AKs. These aren’t budget AKs; they do have quite a high price tag against them but you are getting one mean AK!

“The ICS was another tactical one that appealed to me, as it doesn’t look like your average AK. ICS have done a marvellous job with this and I am very impressed by both its physical presence and its operational prowess. The response of the trigger is instant and offers a very light pull, making semi auto fire pretty rapid. Sporting some nice features, such as an adjustable and folding stock is a very nice touch, it’s just a shame they made it look like a SCAR stock - which I’m not a fan of as it reminds me of an UGG boot! There is also room for the amount of wire and the battery but it just seemed very cramped. It has a quick-change spring but, sadly, you need to remove the gearbox from the body in order to change the

www.airsoftaction.net

RED CELL TACTICAL AK

spring, which can be a pain should you need to drop the velocity on game days. These are all little niggles and doesn’t detract from the fact I like it, and that it performs well. “The E&L Tactical, like their AKM last month, is a beast of an AEG, a short but sweet heavyweight contender that actually feels like you are holding the real deal. Everything about this screams “Spetz”. An actual pleasure to hold and shoot, the E&L is not the most responsive but it isn’t a slughead either and I’m not going to worry about this thing failing on me as everything felt 100% solid. Fire select was very exact yet easy to select with one finger, although I STILL kept mixing up semi and full. I will get there eventually, haha! Velocity was REALLY consistent though, iro 330fps, so you know you’re site friendly with this one!” Bill: “I’m going to wrap things up this time, as (being completely honest) a lot of the models featured here are actually from my own personal OPFOR collection! Overall, the Arcturus AT-AK01 is one hell of a package. It’s beautifully put together and finished, the parts are completely bombproof and it shoots really, REALLY well. And the best bit? It costs under 52

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240 quid! Yup, you heard that right, a top-of-the-line “tacticool” AK with everything you need to get in the game for UK£237.56 at the time of writing. If you’re not an “AK Guy” already, then this AEG could well change your mind! That, for me, set a benchmark on what to expect from Arcturus and over two years on - and after some pretty abusive use both in game and on the range - the AT-AK01 is still rockin’ and rollin’! Test AEGs don’t have a happy life with me but after being pleased with the AT-AK01 I couldn’t resist the AT-AK12 when it came out! “As a lover of simple, no-nonsense “military style” AEGs, the AT-AK12 ticks all the right boxes for me and the fact that it’s also based on the very latest “issue AK” rifle of the Russian Forces endears it to me even more! As an AEG it shoots fast, well, and accurately, it’s built like a tank and it’s a great length for both CQB and woodland use. If you’re following that “Ratnik Route” then the Arcturus AT-AK12 is going to be a “must have” item to complete your loadout but if you fancy something bang-up-to-date as a general skirmish AEG then it will not disappoint you either. As a self-confessed “mate of Mikhail” this AEG makes me smile!

RED CELL TACTICAL AK

“Sticking with “Mil” I have to admit that I’ve been following LCT Airsoft ever since their tremendous “Eastern Bloc” AEGs started to arrive in the UK, and since that time I’ve added a couple of their excellent AK replicas to my OPFOR armoury, as well as having tested pretty much all of their range! The only criticism I can make of their take on the “AK-12”, is that I wish that they had added the two-round burst setting of the real thing. Yup, that’s it, my one and only criticism! So, if you like your Russian gear, are a regular OPFOR player, or are really on the “Ratnik” train then the LCT LCK-12 will be the right RIF for you. It has all the benefits of existing AKs with the added utility of a thoroughly up-to-the-minute design, along with all the benefits of a top-quality AEG. You really can’t go wrong with this one and I will say that the wait for mine was 100% worthwhile! “Although I’m a huge fan of all of the family “Automat Kalashnikova” I have to say that my personal favourite, both in real and replica form, is the smallest member, the AKS 74U. Over the years there has always been one of these in my personal airsoft collection, although my absolute favourite (closely followed by the classic BOLT recoil version) has to be the E&L ELAKS74UN-A MOD A PLATINUM! With a retail price iro UK£300 this is one hell of a performer. Okay, I am biased because I love the SU so much as a model but after owning many, I have to tell you that this is genuinely one of the very best AEG versions I’ve ever encountered. The externals are absolutely spoton, the internals are the very best they can be and the performance is first rate. In truth I can say that I will never need to buy another SU-style AEG as this has seen me through many a game and is still every bit as good as when I first got it! “Although they’re pretty quiet, CYMA are one of the biggest manufacturers of RIFs and airsoft products in the world. You really don’t hear a lot direct from CYMA themselves about new models and new advances, instead they leave their products to speak for themselves and their AKs most certainly do this. Whilst not the most accurate of AEGs straight from the box, they are easy to work on and little tweaks of the hop and bucking can make a world of difference to them. They are, however, built like tanks and stand up to massive amounts of abuse. Just like a real AK you can drag a CYMA through the mud and it’ll happily continue to spit BBs as long as your battery lasts! I bought the CM.076A on a whim several years back, as I wanted a short AK with a buffer tube for a project and I have to say that with minimal work this has turned out to be an absolutely stunning little AEG. It’s seen a significant amount of game-time and has

never, EVER let me down and for the price I can only 100% recommend this “suchka” to you! “Finally I have another admission to make about an airsoft AK that I love with a vengeance and that’s the NUPROL ROMEO. I’ve been lucky enough to have been involved in the airsoft world for a LONG time and therefore my relationship with certain manufacturers goes back a LONG way and one of the manufacturers I work very closely with is NUPROL. You may well ask how this has any relation to the ROMEO AK series of AEGs? When I first looked at their then “new” series of DELTA AEG prototypes back in 2015, I asked Ross if there would be a “proper AK” and even back then he told me that this was something he would love to do. Fast forward to November 2018 and after a tremendous amount of hard work, much travel to the Far East on Ross’ part, wide-ranging commitment from the NUPROL team, along with a little input from yours truly, “Project AK Series” finally came of age, and the “ROMEOs” were born! Ross sent me a picture of the very first ROMEOs to be unpacked from the container at the NUPROL warehouse and I sat back in my office chair and breathed a sigh of relief as the finished production models looked to be absolutely stunning! “In action the ROMEO is an absolute “beast from the east”, chronoing at 1.02Joule/332fps. The ROMEOs come with a totally unique polymer HiCap of NUPROL’s own design which feeds happily and unerringly but it works just as well on other brands. Are the ROMEOs what I hoped to see from NUPROL? Yes, they are - and more! If I still lived in the USA this is pretty much exactly what I would build for myself in 7.62x39mm, right down to the neat little sling plate under the buffer tube! The models feature superb high-strength and high-quality parts that have been used to the very best effect and the net result, in my mind, is a stunning, up-to-the-minute AK. The ROMEO series is already another enormous success for NUPROL and brings the fully-specced-from-the-box “modern airsoft AK” into the reach of all players!” AA

www.airsoftaction.net

COVERT BOOT

BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: £49.95

armoury ICS VULTURE

THE AGE

OF THE VULTURE 56

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armoury ICS VULTURE

AS HE GETS ON THE RANGE WITH THE NEWEST PISTOL FROM THE EVER-EXPANDING ICS HANDGUN RANGE, IT SEEMS LIKE BILL HAS GONE ALL LYRICAL ON US BUT WILL HE FIND TRUE MENACE LURKING WITH THE BLE “VULTURE”? READ ON TO FIND OUT…

kay, I do seem to be garnering inspiration this month from quotations and sometimes when you’re faced with yet another 1911-style pistol you need to take inspiration where you can get it, although I’m pleased to report that my friends at I Chi Chivan (ICS) Airsoft have yet again gone off in their own unique and exhilarating direction, with a little help from what has come before! Normally if we think of a vulture it’s of the carrioneating kind, which isn’t exactly a flattering picture to have in your mind, or when it comes to naming a rather exciting airsoft pistol… Hawk? Eagle? Kestrel possibly but “Vulture”? It’s only when you cast your inspirational net wider that you come across little gems like this one from W. Somerset Maugham: “In the country the darkness of night is friendly and familiar, but in a city, with its blaze of lights, it is unnatural, hostile and menacing. It is like a monstrous vulture that hovers, biding its time.” Now I didn’t ever think I’d be reaching back into my old “English Lit” days when it came to writing a review of a new airsoft pistol but this quote seems somewhat apt in this instance, for the BLE “Vulture” that’s soon to hit airsoft stores does make me wax a little lyrical, as it’s actually a rather good handgun… Actually, make that VERY good and with its compact “EDC/urban” styling, it certainly has the potential to be a true (airsoft) monster! ICS have been venturing further and further down the GBB handgun road for a while now and it’s been my huge pleasure to have worked with them on pretty much each and every release to date in this respect, and that does give me somewhat of a rare overview of what they have created - and are creating. Whilst I loved their PM2 and the Korth replica for what they were, both of these had some inherent “gremlins” when I first saw them prior to release but, in fairness to ICS, they took my small criticisms on the chin and worked to rectify the issues noted before they released the models to market. Sadly, in the case of the Korth the issue with the weak magazine floorplate did make it to market, marring what was otherwise a very, very fine replica.

However, while ICS have already made some fine “replicas” they have also very much concentrated on their own designs under the “Black Leopard Eye” program and when they go their OWN way this, to me, is where they really shine. In many years of working with them their best work, both internally with their original split gearbox and externally with some brilliant “in house” designs for parts and accessories, has been exemplary and it’s been my pleasure to see their new projects coming to successful fruition time and again!

EYES ON

Let me lead you through the new BLE Vulture if I may, as it 100% deserves your full attention! Firstly, I would say that there is just a little of the Korth in the design of this latest pistol, as it’s a single stack 1911-style which, like the PRS, has a thoroughly up-to-the-moment “blocky” design that we’re currently seeing from a lot of the cutting-edge ‘smiths in the real firearms world. From the front end you get a very square profile, as the cutaway alloy slide marries up to an equally squared-off frame featuring a four-slot rail that’s just perfect for a taclite. Moving back along the high-standard alloy frame, the trigger guard is shaped perfectly with a lower spur to snugly accommodate a Surefire X300 or similar and the trigger itself is attractively skeletonised, but with a positive feel. The pistol grip is distinctly “1911” in your hands, and the rake angle of the pistol grip and the position of the controls will feel immediately comfortable to anyone that owns a “Colt”. At 775g the Vulture has some heft to it, which I personally like, but at just 200mm from muzzle to the extended beavertail it settles in your dominant hand perfectly. The Vulture is beautifully put together throughout, finished an even satin black and is a true 1:1 scale airsoft pistol. ICS even include a CCW 14mm Barrel Adapter in the package if you want to run a suppressor! On the range the Vulture is a very pleasing - and exciting - pistol to shoot! In terms of those familiar www.airsoftaction.net

armoury ICS VULTURE

controls, you get a right-handed safety, the extended slide release is exactly where you’d find it on any 1911 and the cutaway slide (along with what looks to be a stronger return spring) means that you get a real “smack” when you release it forward! This lighter slide also seemed to make a real difference in the operation of the pistol, as over the course of a morning it happily sent .20g RZR BBs downrange with a very consistent reading through the chrono of 0.62 Joule/260fps. The Vulture comes fitted with the Quantitative Gas Injection Valve which we saw first on the BM9 and is carefully designed to release unneeded air pressure, which allegedly increases the gas injection efficiency by 30%! I’d have to say again that this works and that the slide cycles swiftly and smoothly as a result. In terms of performance the Vulture is right up there too. Like the Korth it benefits from tri-dot luminous front and rear sights that make target acquisition swift and instinctive even in low light conditions, and if you mount a taclite these are still obvious in a no light encounter! Once you’ve dialled in the hop to get things nice and flat in terms of BB-flight, then you can crank away to your hearts delight and the “15+1” mag has enough capacity

to keep you rolling! I’ll comment here that the single stick magazine does look very much like that of the Korth but, in this case, it comes with a strengthened floorplate which makes it not only very efficient, but also MUCH more durable and user-friendly, so thumbs-up for this ICS! In terms of accuracy, the Vulture is again right where you want it and at 10m you’ll be hitting your target with ease and I’d say that the consistency of power and those excellent sights really help with this. Like other pistols in the ICS BLE line, you’ll be needing a bespoke holster due that solid “square” front end. I tried the Vulture in a number of 1911 holsters I own, both Kydex and leather, and the only one I have that works is a low-profile Bianchi leather cutaway that accommodates virtually every 1911 in the AA armoury! In summation I have to say that ICS have moved both their BLE and “1911” programs most firmly forward with the Vulture and this feels at last like their take on the modern 1911, evolved. My feeling is that this will be a pistol that really places ICS on the fasttrack forward when it comes to GBB pistols, as the operation is very smooth, the gas efficiency excellent and the design very striking and appealing. I believe that the BLE Vulture is ICS’ “coming of age” pistol model, one that gives a firm nod to the best developments in the “real world” whilst providing the very best of that “ICS flair” in design and airsoft gas performance. It strikes me as a pistol that 1911 fans will most certainly want in their collection but one which they will rely on and use regularly - and that makes it another winner for ICS and this time a winner totally on its own merit! My sincere thanks o to the super team at ICS for providing this early test model for Airsoft Action. Be sure to keep an eye on their website, www.icsbb.com and their busy social media platforms (and Airsoft Action, of course) for regular updates of what they have coming next! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

FEATURE IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT

NEARLY READY FOR LAUNCH!

AFTER SOME FRUSTRATION WITH PARTS ORDERED ONLINE JAMES HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK GETTING HIS FULL “LAUNCH AND CONTROL” SYSTEM TOGETHER, AND WITH “FULL OPERATIONAL READINESS” WITHIN HIS GRASP HE TELLS US HOW THINGS ARE PROGRESSING! 60

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FEATURE IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT

sn’t it great to get back on site again? With the warmer weather now finally with us and restrictions lifting to a fairly material degree, the time for full field testing “in game” of some of my ideas is fast approaching! We left off the last part of “Immersive Airsoft” with the launch controller built and ready. Now it’s time to move on to the firepower side of things with the launch platform itself, so I can finally bring “that heavy rain” into a game setting, or at least some facsimile of it that I hope will (quite literally) give players a “blast” and add to the feeling that they are well and truly in the thick of things. The launcher itself needed to be both 100% sturdy but, so as to make it most effective, easily manouvered from place to place on site and, of course, easy to use for those running the game. Constructed using steel angle and straight profiles to form the outer cage and aluminium checker plates to form mounting points for the rocket launch tubes, I have tried to keep the platform as lightweight as possible. The launch tubes themselves are run in 3 rows of 4 tubes (12 in total) and made from 4inch PVC pipe, all the materials being sourced from my local DIY store! To make the platform mobile, a heavy-duty lighting tripod from eBay attaches to a mounting bracket made from steel box section, which allows the launch platform to be quickly set up on most terrain and gives the platform a 45 degree to vertical rocket firing angle and a 360-degree rotation. Finally, a steel

backplate on the rear of the cage deflects back-blast from rocket motors on ignition. The grey electrical box mounted on top of the cage connects the firing line from the launch controller and delivers a 12volt charge to each of the rocket tubes for ignition. A separate switch for each row on the controller allows for a staggered launch of tubes, to prevent rockets impacting each other when they take off! In preparation for the system’s first outing, the launch, comms and other control gear have now been mounted to a mobile stand and a local launch initiation key has been added for direct control. So far everything, minus some errant parts ordered online due to “user error”, has progressed well and I’m really keen now to get the system out “into the wild” and see just how players react to it - and whether the system does indeed add to their immersion in an event. Next month the system in full will have had its “operational debut” and I’ll report back on the remote launch activation system. I’ve been asked, along with fellow AA Red Cell member Boycie and his pyro, to run the system during a MilSim event locally and along with both Boycie and Jase we’ll be bringing a full report of the system’s first use over the course of a full weekend! Now it’s time for me to recheck all the circuits and get everything squared away, packed and ready for the off. After months of building the system I can’t wait to see it fully in action! AA www.airsoftaction.net

TECHNICAL PERUN UPDATE

A NEW DAY... A NEW KEEPING HIS EYE FIRMLY ON USABLE PERFORMANCE UPGRADES THAT CAN BE CARRIED OUT EASILY IN YOUR OWN WORKSHOP, THIS MONTH JIMMY TURNS HIS ATTENTION BACK TO PERUN AND TAKES A LOOK AT THEIR VERY LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND WHAT THEY BRING!

’d like to start by thanking Perun again for offering us the chance to test their latest products, as they’re great little company working hard to bring airsoft forward and aid us in our search for perfection. You may remember a few issues back, I had the immense pleasure of reviewing a few of their fantastic Mosfets which I was very impressed with, especially the etu++. This time I got to have a look at their newly released products, the new hybrid system, both the v2 and v3 and boy, are these good! I would like to stress that we at Airsoft Action are all about open and honest opinions, no smoke and mirrors and Perun do not pay us in any way to test and review these products, we do it purely for the love of airsoft and seeing where our 6mm adventures may lead! As stated in previous articles I’m smitten when it comes to new tech; I get a real buzz when I get something new on my desk and being tasked with fitting and testing truly is an honour. I started doing a little research in lieu of their arrival, so had a small understanding of what to expect and Perun have created something I truly believe will be a choice contender. If you, as an airsofter, are searching for something that will transform your AEG, is easy to understand and operate, is of a respectable price and is going to give you an edge on the field, then look no further, as Perun has you covered. One thing I love about Perun is the fact they don’t overcomplicate things by adding features that some may see as unnecessary. They

make things simple for the users and not only do they keep it simple, they also make it cheaper than most, meaning it isn’t just aimed at the customers with bags of money. It really does prove the point that, for something to be good it doesn’t require large sums of money. By keeping it simple, I mean the fact that you don’t need anything extra for it to work properly, Perun get two-thumbs-up from me! The hybrid system has been designed to eliminate the need for a mechanical trigger system, making it much more reliable and also offer the user a whole array of features, allowing you to fully tailor your rifle to your needs - and enable the use of LiPo/Li-Ion batteries up to a whopping 14.8v which for airsoft is a huge voltage (and I’m yet to meet anyone who uses that voltage but if you feel the need rest assured the Perun can easily handle it). Information on battery capacities and “C” ratings can be found following the link supplied in the manual. Operation of these new units is fairly idiot-proof (which is a massive bonus) and it can be done on the fly, so no need for USB leads, apps, Bluetooth, or firmware. Providing everything has been fitted correctly, the hybrids work out of the box and come with factory settings already setup on parameters such as AB and LiPo alarm and trigger sensitivity; being able to adjust the parameters only makes it work better. When you look at Perun’s packaging it really is very simplistic; it doesn’t need to be fancy, it doesn’t need to be eye-catching because it’s what’s inside that

“IF YOU, AS AN AIRSOFTER, ARE SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR AEG, IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND OPERATE, IS OF A RESPECTABLE PRICE AND IS GOING TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE ON THE FIELD, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER, AS PERUN HAS YOU COVERED.”

JULY 2021

TECHNICAL PERUN UPDATE

really matters. Inside you will find everything needed to install both devices. So much quality here I might add, there are no half measures, the soldering is perfect, nothing is out of line. As I mentioned with the other Mosfets I tested, the insulation on the wiring they have used feels a bit tougher than on previous versions. I had a look through the instructions, which can be easily found via the QR code provided, just to check that there were no special requirements for installation. The v2 is really very straightforward and fitted in perfectly without any problems whatsoever, whilst the the v3 was a little more involved and required a small amount of soldering and wire management. Still, it wasn’t rocket science as the installation guide is very clear and precise.

FIRST FITTING

Fitting the v2 was very straightforward indeed, but when fitting something like this it is best advised to completely strip the gearbox. The unit fitted perfectly with no need to modify the shell; note this will fit in both a standard v2 gearbox and an ICS split gearbox. The hybrid device utilises both optical sensors and electromagnetic sensors: optical for the sector gear and fire select and the magnet for the trigger so you need to install a magnet onto the top of the trigger but, rest assured, no gluing is involved as they provide a very handy little brace which is screwed onto any existing trigger. Next will be to ensure the sector gear aligns with the unit, which is clearly marked so you can’t really get that wrong and also to check clearance of the gear over the sensors; fail to do so could result in the gear damaging the device, rendering it useless. Provided also are selector plate stickers; choose the correct sticker for your model. With these parts prepared and installed it was time to check they were all working together by way of sensor checks. This is again a very straightforward process and using a series of light indications will point out any errors in your install. Once fully fitted and put through a series of tests, the only thing I discovered to be a little bit of a flaw was the trigger over-travel - but not a major flaw I might add. With trigger sensitivity turned to max it did give me a very responsive trigger but I had a lot of over-travel. This is fixable and I shall do it at a later date, by way of an adjustable aftermarket trigger. Adjusting the trigger to remove a lot of the travel then turning the sensitivity to Setting 1 will sort this out. Fitting the v3 (as I mentioned) was a little more

involved. The device itself works exactly the same way as the v2 using optics and a magnet but, as you may well know, the fire select and the triggers are configured very differently. Please note: This device will not work with an AUG gearbox due to lack of selector plate. The unit fitted very easily with no need for any modding and is held in place by one screw; some v3 have two screws but one is sufficient. As with the v2, once the unit is in place it is crucial to ensure clearance of the sector gear over the optic sensor, as failure to do so could lead to irreparable damage. With the trigger, you have to replace the top half that houses the magnet which is supplied and is a very nice fit on the gearbox. The triggers on a v3 can sometimes be a little problematic to install, so I usually leave that until last just before closing the shell. The selector plate is different on the v3 and does not use a sticker. Instead, there is a small plastic plate which gets glued into the selector. A small tip I found to be very helpful…. before removing the gearbox from the receiver, switch the fire mode to semi-auto and make a mark on both the gearbox and the selector plate at exactly the same point. When gluing in the sensor plate the gearbox will be out of the lower. With the two marks lined up it will be easy to establish where the selector will end up in semi and here you can precisely install the sensor plate over the optic sensor, ensuring perfect placement. An alternative is to refer to the diagrams in the manual, which offers precise measurements on certain specific gearboxes.

CHECK AND CHECK AGAIN!

Once all is fitted you then need to go through the easy sensor check, just to be certain everything is where it is supposed to be. Do carry out the sensor checks before fully reassembling the AEG. You will never be at a loss when it comes to settings on the hybrids, as Perun include a nice playing-card sized guide which can be fitted in your wallet, along with a couple of stickers which can be cleverly concealed somewhere on the AEG’s body, plus a sticker which gives you troubleshooting should any troubles arise out on the field. Programmability is easily carried out: A couple of flicks of the fire selector sees you instantly in the mode and a series of trigger pulls will allow you to change the parameters. Each mode is indicated by a different colour on the LED and can be seen through various apertures on the gearbox. Each colour indicates a different setting and is the same over both the v2 and v3. Programme modes are as follows:

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TECHNICAL PERUN UPDATE

• Fire Mode: Adjust from single shot up to 5rd burst and also gives the option to turn a particular mode off which is great if being used in a DMR platform or a site only allows the use of semi auto. • AB Active Brake: The ability to stop the motor the instant you release the trigger. The device comes factory-et at Level 3 but you can turn it fully off or adjust as far as Level 5. The need for active break can occur on many an AEGs and can combat overspin. • Pre-cocking: With this setting you can set the piston to a specific state upon release of the trigger and you are given eight different positions: 0 being no pre-cock, 8 being fully pre-cocked, making follow up shots much quicker. I’ve found on past builds a small amount of pre-cock can actually be useful and rule out some feeding issues, although leaving a gearbox pre-cocked can decrease the power of your spring, which results in a loss of velocity though. • Binary Trigger: Somewhat a favourite of mine I must admit! Turn your trigger from one shot per pull to two shots per pull! • Two Stage trigger: This mode will give you two different modes on the same fire select and can be altered to give different fire modes. If you pull the trigger slightly it will shoot in semi, then pull the trigger further to operate the burst mode. • Trigger Sensitivity: This allows you to adjust the amount of travel needed in order for your gun to fire. It is adjustable between 6mm down to 1mm of travel. A hair trigger can be achieved with an aftermarket adjustable trigger blade. • ROF Reduction: In some cases a reduction can be very useful. You may be overspinning due to a high ROF and rather than adding more active brake just drop the ROF a little. The hybrid offers five levels starting at 6% and giving a maximum of 30%. The level of reduction needed will be specific to the type of build you have. • DMR Mode: The DMR is a semi auto only rifle, and with a DMR some sites will require you to have a delay between shots. DMR Mode does exactly that, ranging from 0.25second up to 3 second delays. • LiPo/Li Ion alarm: This is a great addition as it will indicate that your battery has depleted to the point it could become compromised. More for the LiPo battery than the Li Ion, a LiPo that

drops below a certain voltage can be rendered either useless or volatile. At 3.7v the device will sound a warning telling you to no longer use the battery until fully charged again. It will automatically sense the amount of cells being used meaning no further programming is needed other than to turn it on. I recommend always keeping the alarm on. • DSG mode: There is no adjustment on this mode, it is either on or off and allows control of the sector gear giving the correct cycle time. • Master reset: The final mode, using this will set your device back to factory settings exactly how it came out of the box. Holding the trigger down for a few seconds will set this. This is useful if you have set a parameter and cannot find your way back to the original, when it’s easier and quicker to start from scratch. If you can make a cup of tea then you can programme this device! Perun have made it very user friendly and I would highly recommend to anyone seeking performance upgrades that they should seriously think about installing a Perun Hybrid System or any other Perun product to meet their demands. As always, I would like to say a massive thank you to Perun and once again say keep up the good work! For more information on the new models, as well as all the other magic that Perun create, please do pay them a visit at http://perunairsoft.pl AA

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armoury RAPTOR GRACH MP-443 GBB

RAPTOR PISTOLET YARYGINA 66

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armoury RAPTOR GRACH MP-443 GBB

WHEN IT COMES TO UNIQUE HANDGUNS FOR OPFOR PLAYERS, MODELS THAT ARE BOTH HISTORICALLY ACCURATE BUT ALSO PERFECTLY USABLE IN GAME, IT’S BEEN A BIT LIMITED BUT FINALLY BILL HAS GOT HIS HANDS ON THE RAPTOR GRACH MP-443 GBB AND TAKES A LOOK TO SEE IF IT’S THE PISTOL HE’S BEEN WAITING FOR!

kay, it’s true, my OPFOR head is never far away! Whilst I am quite happy hitting a game with whatever AEG or GBB I am handed, or with whatever needs testing, if I’m going to a game or MilSim as a player like anyone else, then the chances are that I’m going to be playing OPFOR! Yes, I know that OPFOR can use just about anything they can lay their grubby little “threestriped” hands on, but if I’m going OPFOR then I’m going all the way, and that will mean some form of Soviet or Russian primary platform, and a sidearm to match, but up until recently my choices for a properly “themed” handgun have been limited to one of several Makarov GBB models, or an aging WE TT-33 Tokarev… Some of these are superb little shooters but showing their age badly after giving, in some cases, years of service and I’ve been looking to “modernise” a little for some time. I’ve added a couple of AK-12 models (those appearing in Red Cell this month) to the team armoury, and I’m finally (slowly) pulling together my personal take on usable “Ratnik” gear in Digiflora, which I will mix and match up with my “three stripe” kit and my favourite Partizan Gorka for a properly “insurgent” feel! So, you can imagine a little while back when I heard that RAPTOR Airsoft had released a replica of the current-issue GRACH MP-443 that I was a little excited! The MP-443 GRACH or “PYa” (for “Pistolet Yarygina” or “Yarygin Pistol”) is chambered for the 9×19mm 7N21 cartridge which features a semi-armour-piercing bullet with a tempered steel core. The pistol can also use standard 9×19mm Parabellum 9mm or Luger 9×19mm NATO cartridges, including civilian loads such as hollowpoints for law enforcement, with full metal jacket bullets provided for military users. The development of the GRACH was led by the designer Vladimir Alexanderrovich Yarygin (hence PYa) and was developed under the designation “GRACH” in response to Russian military trials, which began in 1993. In 2003, it was formally

adopted as a standard sidearm for all branches of the Russian military and law enforcement, alongside the Makarov PM, GSh-19 and SPS. However, the venerable Makarov remains as the most-seen police service pistol in Russia due to financial constraints and the fact the “Mak” is so abundantly available, plus the GRACH was initially only issued in small numbers to select Special Forces units. Full production started in 2011, with widespread issue of the new pistol to the Russian Armed Forces starting in 2012. It was hoped that all Maks in military service would have been phased out in favour of the GRACH by 2019, but for many reasons it is said that this is still to happen completely. So, although the GRACH is most certainly “up there”, if you have a Mak it’s still more than valid, especially if you’re playing “irregular OPFOR” and not “main force”.

THE RAPTOR REPLICA

Sadly, when the RAPTOR MP-443 was released I heard varying opinions on its efficacy in airsoft form, which ranged from the usual “this thing is awesome” to “it makes a nice paperweight”, with the latter actually coming from someone inside the industry! As always though, I reserve my own judgement until I’ve actually handled a new model and put it through its paces on the range. RAPTOR aren’t exactly new kids on the block, being established in early 2017 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, mainly producing some very interesting airsoft replicas and working on OEM projects for some of the “names” out there. And before RAPTOR was established, the self-same team owned TWI, making airsoft accessory parts, so they do know their way around what pleases us! Their SV-98 went down well with the AA crew, as did their PKP and for me the bullpup PKP is still a drool-worthy “I want THAT” item! However, making the jump from spring-powered bolt-action rifles and AEG support guns to a GBB pistol is a tall order, so the mixed reception the GRACH initially got made me think long and hard www.airsoftaction.net

armoury RAPTOR GRACH MP-443 GBB

about getting one for myself… However, as I said, I always need to find out personally how good or bad a model is, so when iWholesales recently got some into stock I took the plunge - and boy, am I glad that I did! The RAPTOR “take” actually is a very good one and features all the same controls and details as the real service pistol. If you’re used to a Glock or 1911, then the GRACH is most definitely going to feel different, as the neatly-grooved pistol grip is far more chunky (even more so than a SIG) and for players with smaller hands it may just be a bit too much! Featuring a relatively high beavertail, the pistol sits well in the hand and all the controls are right where you need them to be and easily accessible. Again, completely unlike a Glock or 1911, the GRACH has a hammer that is shielded on both sides, protecting it from both damage and accidental activation. This, to me, is unusual and a little perturbing as you can’t easily check if the pistol is cocked and, as its single-action only, you most certainly can’t carry it in “Condition 1” - which is both good and bad. Whilst you must first work the action to make the GRACH ready, you then have to carry it with the hammer “live” and sadly one thing I don’t like about the RAPTOR, is that the ambi safety is stiff to the point of being unusable! On the plus side, if it ain’t cocked, it won’t rock! Okay, with that grumble aside, the fact is that in operation the GRACH slide is lightweight and cycles very effectively. The outer barrel comes internally threaded and suppressor-ready, although you will need an adapter. I opted for the “Regular” version of the MP-443 which does not come with an taclite rail but RAPTOR make one as an accessory, however, if you buy the “Deluxe” version of the GRACH you get both the accessory rail and an extra 25BB magazine.

10m I’m now down to nice tight groupings when I try. Consistently at 10m it’s a breeze hitting steels each and every time, even when I’m moving. I have to say that I’m actually truly happy (apart from that safety!) with the look, feel, quality and performance of the finished product; it absolutely looks the part and spits BBs with purpose! Okay, it’s not the cheapest GBB on the market as you’re going to need to find iro UK£180 for one, the taclite rail is another UK£35-ish, and mags are iro UK£40 but it does deliver on all fronts, even down to the threaded outer barrel… C’mon, every good “gopnik” needs a suppressor, don’t they? The RAPTOR GRACH MP-443 is most certainly the OPFOR handgun that I’ve been waiting for and that, ultimately, is all I can tell you. I am hoping that the safety will improve with use and a little gentle “fettling” and, of course, I’ll report back on this at a later date. For now though, the GRACH will take pride of place with the Maks and the TT-33 in the “OPFOR Pistol Case of Doom” and I am 100% looking forward to getting it out to a game soon! My thanks as always go to www.iwholesales.co.uk for kindly providing the pistol to me direct, you should be able to find the RAPTOR GRACH MP-443 in most good stores now. AA

DOWNRANGE

With an overall length of 190mm and weight of 991g, the “feel” of the GRACH with that chunky grip for me is superb and this is further enhanced by the almost-rubberised-in-texture pistol grip that’s wrapped around the rear. It gives you confidence that once you have the pistol in your hand it’s going to stay there, whatever the weather, whatever the situation! I’ve been running the GRACH on green gas, using .20g BBs for testing and the chrono settles consistently at 0.83 Joule/300fps on that weight, with little variance. The pistol has now had about 20 mags worth down the barrel (a mix of .20 and .25g), and to date I’ve experienced no misfeeds. Accuracy is actually getting more consistent as it beds in, and at

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FEATURE THE RETURN OF AIRSOFT

WELCOME HOME, AIRSOFT! S

hops, techs, dealers, distributors and available sites will be overrun no doubt. Eager airsofters were wanting to get out and test the newly purchased lockdown gear, or maybe just eager to see people in the hope of remembering how to be human again! I and a group of friends, known as “BAD COMPANY”, had something quite special to look forward to; not only being able to mingle and get together but that long-awaited need for banter - the obligatory abuse you so regularly frequented upon one another. We had the privilege of attending “RUCKUS 2.0”, which was to be held at and old quarry just ten minutes from my home that I vividly remember from my childhood, a game organised and run by the guys from THG (The Heresy Group). Tim and Ritchie gave us an experience to remember and ran the best game day I’ve experienced to date! Up until the beginning of March I honestly had never heard of The Heresy Group but I’m so glad I stumbled across them on Facebook. The night before the game Tim and Ritchie held a live chat explaining how things were going to operate and for anyone who had any questions. A nice touch I felt as I have

never seen organisers do this, and while there was a comedic feel to it, it was still very professional and informative.

COFFEE AND MCDONALDS

Game day arrived and I’d been awake since 04:30 with kit sat ready at the front door and pouring coffee down my neck like it was going out of fashion! Our first “team port of call” was the mandatory stop at the local “Maccy D’s” for a spot of battle fuel (sausage and egg McMuffins all round!). With bellies filled we made our journey to the battleground knowing that that morning we were going to fight. We rocked up at around 07:45 where we were greeted at the sign in tent and, upon registration, automatically entered into a free raffle just for attending. Then it was off to the Safe Zone where Bad Company assembled in numbers to prep our kit. Over the course of the next hour more and more people arrived and the player numbers were evergrowing. The game didn’t kick off until around 11:00 so there was plenty of time to kill, mingle with the group and sort everything out. In one corner of the Safe Zone we could see gazebos being erected from a

“…WE WERE GREETED WITH A BARRAGE OF FIRE WHICH SAW SOME INTENSE FIRE FIGHTS BUT WE STOOD FAST AND IT WASN’T TOO LONG AFTER THAT WE STARTED TO PUT A DENT IN THE ENEMY LINES AND SLOWLY BUT SURELY BEGAN TO PUSH THEM BACK. THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT EASY THOUGH AND GAVE BACK EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE DISHING OUT, TRYING FROM ALL ANGLES TO GAIN BACK SOME OF THE GROUND WE HAD TAKEN.” 70

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All photos courtesy of 1st Legion Milsim Patriot

THE RETURN OF AIRSOFT IN THE UK HAS REALLY BEEN MET WITH OPEN ARMS, WITH PLAYERS UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY WAITING FOR THE BIG DAY …THEIR FIRST GAME BACK! JIMMY REPORTS BACK ON HIS FIRST “WELCOME HOME” AIRSOFT EXPERIENCE COURTESY OF THE HERESY GROUP!

FEATURE THE RETURN OF AIRSOFT

selection of companies; normally you’ll get a site shop and that’s it. Trent from FBS (Flash Bang Smoke) was there with a van load of his quality pyro, which pretty much supplied the whole day (he had some crazy Chinese crackers which were honestly quite epic)! ENVY Night Vision were showing off some lovely NODS and other brilliant rifle attachments, including FMA’s nice new PEQ15. ENVY offer night vision rental and I believe are the only people in the UK to be offering this. Let’s be honest, NV isn’t cheap to buy and if you’re only going to use it a couple of times a year then I think rental is a great option. JCI Comms had equipment I’ve never even laid eyes on, which looked very expensive and made my personal comms look very inadequate. If you need help with comms these are the guys whom you should be speaking with. I understand JCI can tailor to your needs and even custom make you equipment! Valkyrie were there supplying a range of their fantastic new ammo which, I have to admit, is very good - and they also brought some delectable cakes and biscuits which we’re free. Yes, you read that correctly, FREE CAKE! Camoraids were offering supplies and free goodies to be won in a raffle - and who can resist a raffle their biggest offering being a TM MP7A1. Mucho respect to 1st Legion Milsim Patriot who was the professional photographer of the day and captured some cracking photos (which are available to view

on Facebook through the THG page, although I was kindly given permission to share a few here in support of this report). Kitting up, we had to endure everyone’s favourite part of the day - the SAFETY BREIFING. This was about 30 minutes and it was at that point I realised this isn’t going to be a normal day. It did have some “adult themes” but nothing to really gasp at and was just a bit of light-hearted fun. Safety brief over we were then separated into teams: “Team Armband” and “Team No Armband”.

AT LAST… GAME ON!!

The first objective of the game was to rescue and hold a position for as long as we could. It was a little bit of a walk to the objective (Bill and Jon had told me before that this was a big site, one that Jon used to run games on …they weren’t wrong!), but both teams weren’t hanging about and made ground incredibly quickly. Red Team (my team) landed first and soon after we were greeted with a barrage of fire which saw some intense fire fights but we stood fast and it wasn’t too long after that we started to put a dent in the enemy lines and slowly but surely began to push them back. They didn’t make it easy though and gave back exactly what we were dishing out, trying from all angles to gain back some of the ground we had taken. After an hour we had them pressed firmly close by

“EVENTS LIKE RUCKUS ARE GREAT PROVING GROUNDS, AND ALTHOUGH I LOVE SOCIALISING AT EVENTS IT PUTS A SPOTLIGHT ON YOUR ABILITY AND FLAWS, SO PEOPLE WHO HAVE ONLINE “ABILITIES AND SKILLS” TEND TO BE OUTED. STRANGELY THOUGH, I AM CERTAINLY BETTER EQUIPPED AND KITTED OUT IN COMPARISON TO WHEN I WAS ON OPERATIONS IN IRAQ & IRELAND.” www.airsoftaction.net

FEATURE THE RETURN OF AIRSOFT

their spawn point and not an inch was given. With smoke aplenty covering our every move we found ourselves knocking on their door, reigning down the onslaught - but still the opposition didn’t give up hope and kept plugging away. I had previously taken a hit and was medic’d back in… bandage me in silk and I shall ride again! Unfortunately, I took another hit immediately after which meant I had to endure the long walk back to respawn and it was a bit of a slog! I returned back to the fight a little deflated to find a few of Bad Company had pushed up and had now teamed up with a few other “Reds”, two of which really stood out and were quite a force on their own. These guys looked and acted like they had seen a fair but of action. Both played hard, digging heels in where it mattered and pushing us into positions allowing us to close in tight. It’s a joy to see players who are prepared to be “that voice” and inspire a group to play as a team. They went by the names “Rageophile” and “Winks Gilmour” (both can be found on Insta). Winks as a former serving infantryman and told me; “The infantry are the sand bags of the British Army but I wouldn’t have served anywhere else. My Airsoft shenanigans only actually started about 3 years ago, primarily because of my military mindset of “I’m not interested in playing with toy guns and pretend soldiers”. However, I was drastically wrong, I found that so many veterans and like-minded people who missed the camaraderie and banter of serving found something close with airsoft. Like most things, once I’ve got the itch I will scratch until it bleeds and kit, guns, events just generally being in an environment where I feel comfortable creeping and dropping people or running a team at events just fills the void I was missing. 72

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“Events like RUCKUS are great proving grounds, and although I love socialising at events it puts a spotlight on your ability and flaws, so people who have online “abilities and skills” tend to be outed. Strangely though, I am certainly better equipped and kitted out in comparison to when I was on operations in Iraq & Ireland. “All this started with a mate who was an airsofter and I obviously grilled him about it being a joke, so he laid down the challenge to try it and see how I faired. I obliged and went to RIFT COMMS SITE 3 and came away with a bust forehead and love for a sport I never knew I needed in my life. It’s done my mental health no end of good and I’m at a loss when I can’t get out. “On the whole, meeting guys like Rage, Tim, Ritchie, Mondo, Smiley and the rest is all because of this mad sport and I’m glad I got involved. Plus, it’s nice to be shot at without the worry of a sucking chest wound or disfigurement”. It’s a true joy to find others, like myself, who mocked airsofters and airsoft as a hobby, to have their views and opinions completely spun 180 degrees after dipping their toes. I was “that guy”, saying to my friend (and now fellow Red Cell-ist) Smooth Jase “Why would you want to run around playing with toys?”. Airsoft can reward you with so much more than gratification of getting “that shot” in. But I digress, so back to the game! The Reds were a formidable force to be reckoned with mainly due to guys like Rage and Winks who played with passion. But, at the end of the day, everyone involved gave 100% maximum effort. Lunch was upon us and I was making my way back to Respawn yet again which pleased me as 2 hours of full-on gaming took its toll a bit and I was flagging due to my feet and my poor choice of footwear. An hour of lunch and an

FEATURE THE RETURN OF AIRSOFT

opportunity to rest and refuel and the usual safe zone chit chat…

SECONDS OUT, ROUND 2!

No rest for the wicked though! Round 2 was about to go down and the objective this time was to capture a position, mark it as your position and then hold it for as long as possible. Respawns were swapped and this time we were shooting into the wind, a real pain as it was quite a strong wind which not only affected the BBs but also “artillery” and smoke. The whistle blew and like greyhounds out of the traps a large number of Reds were hot-footing it toward the three nominated positions. They made ground incredibly fast which was great to see - and not the normal “after-lunchsluggish-bimble”! We followed up at the rear to find we had taken a very central position and were dug in tight on one of the larger heaps where mortar fire filled the air; it was a sight to behold! A firefight had broken out in the concrete dump east of that position, which saw some pretty intense close quarters battles. I found myself dug in with a couple of the Reds beside me and four Reds flanking on the opposition to cut the enemy off, giving us the opportunity to push into some stacks of concrete. We were met with force and found ourselves at somewhat of a disadvantage. It wasn’t easy to move particularly fast through the network of ill-placed concrete slabs and tubes! The boot firmly on the other foot saw the Reds now being pushed back toward our Respawn! Mortars, tag rounds, and grenades BBs were all being spent at a very healthy rate as I made my way across the field in a vain attempt to medic two fallen comrades. A momentary lapse of concentration gave

a cleverly concealed sniper a chance which he didn’t hesitate to take and he went for the kill. Now not only I but two other guys who needed medic were left with no other option but to take that looong walk back to Respawn. As we approached Respawn the whistle blew indicating the end of that particular game. I honestly didn’t get the outcome of the game, or who were the victors but honestly it didn’t really matter, I was too excited after an amazing game played to high standards by both teams. So, off to the safe zone to reload, grab a quick drink and get ready for the final showdown! The final game of the day was a little bit of CQB fun, with everyone broken up into teams of roughly ten. The object was to all start at one position and when the whistle blew split and find yourself some cover. On the second whistle it was every man/ woman for themselves and last man standing was the winner. Very short sharp games and I managed to get shot before the second whistle as somebody wasn’t listening (…yes, you Alfie …aka “Princess”) only to then get shot in the face by Rosie even though I had my hand up. I let her off and put it down to excitement… Alas, the end of the day was upon us and time to drag our weary behinds back home and reminisce on the day’s event. I was left wanting more (though in a good way of course) and I can safely say I shall be longing for RUCKUS 3.0. A big thank you to Tim and Ritchie from The Heresy group and all parties involved for a great day out, executed with excellency. Thank you to all the guys from Bad Company Ben, Darren, Lewis, Scott, Alfie, Seth, Branden and Rosie who joined me, as it was a joy to get out there with you guys again for a truly spectacular local event. Keep up the good work THG!. AA www.airsoftaction.net

ACTION AIR TAIWAN

SO YOU WANNA SHOOT ACTION AIR?

ACTION AIR IS AN INTERNATIONAL SHOOTING SPORT WHERE COMPETITORS NEED BOTH SPEED AND ACCURACY TO SUCCEED. OUR “MAN IN TAIWAN”, STEWBACCA, HAS BEEN SHOOTING ACTION AIR FOR A WHILE NOW AND HERE HE BRINGS US UP TO DATE WITH WHAT HE’S LEARNT AND HOW WELL (OR OTHERWISE) THINGS HAVE GONE.

aving been shooting Action Air in Taiwan for nearly a year and a half now, as well as being a gas blowback pistol aficionado for nearly two decades (and given the fact that I’ve experimented with a variety of pistols for both skirmishing and Action Air - more recently shifting to using the CZ75 Shadow SP01 and then the Shadow 2 and finding the weak points of the succession of gas guns I’ve used in a competitive environment), I figured it might be a good time to relate to you my experiences of using all these guns, along with how to approach choosing a gun, a division to train and compete in and other sundry considerations for new shooters.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Back in March 2019 the Taipei Focus Action Shooter (TFAS) and Spring Rain (SR) operated “Ding Ding Cup” was held, which was open to all shooters and my skirmish teammate at the time, Belinda (then a member of team Spring Rain), invited me along to give “running and gunning against the clock” a try, instead of against my usual meat target firefights in skirmish settings.

For that initial foray I used my somewhat standard sidearm of the time, a KWA HK45 GBB pistol (as reviewed in depth back in Airsoft Action issue No. 121 January 2021), the first gun I ever bought upon arriving in Taiwan and one that I had used in skirmishes for around a year and a half at the time. As well as adding a Docter red dot site and being very comfortable with the handling, I was making accurate shots at reasonable distances with it. At the time, the HK45 represented a reasonably hard-hitting, accurate and consistent choice, although I had a few magazine leak issues during that competition due to my use of it in skirmishes - and having accidentally dropped some of my magazines on Action Bunker’s concrete floors which compromised their base seals and general gasholding integrity! Were it not for these issues and the fact that when I finally moved to Taipei from Zhubei in late 2019 my HK45 was unserviceable and awaiting spare parts, taking the best part of a year to work out all the issues with and finally return to fully operational status, I probably would have continued using it once I joined team SPPT and began training in Action Air proper.

“…MY SKIRMISH TEAMMATE AT THE TIME, BELINDA, INVITED ME ALONG TO GIVE “RUNNING AND GUNNING AGAINST THE CLOCK” A TRY, INSTEAD OF AGAINST MY USUAL MEAT TARGET FIREFIGHTS IN SKIRMISH SETTINGS.”

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ACTION AIR TAIWAN

However, in the intervening months I had acquired a Double Bell Glock 34 Taran Tactical Innovations (TTI) GBB pistol for my 34th birthday, just before moving and starting to shoot competitively. I had also acquired the somewhat ubiquitous Double Alpha Academy two-part competitive shooting belt, which comes with a velcro loop lined inner belt that you thread through your trouser belt loops before attaching the (more substantial) outer belt rig, with your holster and magazine carriers fitted to the outside with the corresponding velcro hook inner lining. Along with this tacticool - and obviously “John Wick” inspired - birthday present to myself, I splashed out on an official Safariland 6379 active retention ALS holster to carry it in style. Plus, with a more military or police service style holstering option that was no doubt inspired by the Garand Thumb reviews of the time extolling the virtues of the ALS system and its retention capabilities, I could use it for competition and skirmishing alike without too many worries. Unfortunately, this somewhat expensive initial investment lead to issues when I first began training and competing! Having failed to do my homework beforehand and with the Glock 34 being an extended length slide and barrel version and incorporating slide porting and an enlarged magazine well, it is disqualified from use in “Standard” and “Production” divisions, which is where many shooters start their competitive careers before progressing to “Open” divisions, where extended slides and barrels are more par for the course. This, combined with some sear wear and other long term issues which made it a little unpredictable and potentially unsafe or prone to doubling or full auto fire (a situation highly frowned upon in the competition circuit), I was pushed to reconsider my choice of competitive pistol. With the Glock 34 being inappropriate and the HK45 being unserviceable, I fell back on my reserve option and made use of my KWA USP Compact (reviewed in Airsoft Action Issue No. 124 April 2021) and used this for a few months of training and to do my TPSA Action Air licence qualification. While this is an all-round excellent pistol and a previous favourite I’d owned in the UK before emigrating, it isn’t perhaps the most ideal for competitive use. The polymer frame

is a little undersized for my bear paws and is a bit of a squeeze for me to fit - and it disappears into my hands when held with both! That - and the double action/single action trigger with de-cocker and safety lever - made for a slightly slower operation in terms of rapid follow-up shots, which was noticeable when facing off against my teammates during training sessions. It just felt a little poorly suited for shooting fast, despite its reliability and the fact it carried me through my certification before I broke its trigger.

MOVING ON

Thus, a few months into 2020 as I was experimenting out loud through the medium of my Instagram and Facebook followings, I moved towards an open comparison of the Asia Electric Gun (basically WE) F17/SIG Sauer M17 clone GBB pistol I had been gifted by a teammate and the KJWorks CZ75 SP01 I had been gifted by Muubi of UBCA. This allowed me to be very objective (having not spent any money acquiring either of these pistols) and thus not really having a dog in the fight as such. I compared the consistency and accuracy of the groupings as well as measuring the trigger in terms of their ranges of motion, pull weights and reset distances to ascertain which would be better for running stages and gunning at speed. Initially I leaned towards the M17 clone as it had a simpler manual of arms. Due to Action Air mirroring real steel IPSC rules, if you have a DA/SA pistol without a de-cocker you must cycle a round into the chamber on loading, remove the magazine, manually drop the hammer slowly, then re-insert the magazine and fire the first round in a stage in a double action fashion. This all seemed like an additional faff at the time and I was still relatively new to the sporting aspect of Action Air as well as operating in a predominantly Chinese speaking environment (albeit range commands still being given in English). I decided to err on the side of caution and go for the simple strikerfired, one-trigger-pull type operation of the AEG M17, which served me well in my first competition but later developed a bit of a worrying loose outer barrel issue that would cause it to fly forwards and project

“THIS ALL SEEMED LIKE AN ADDITIONAL FAFF AT THE TIME AND I WAS STILL RELATIVELY NEW TO THE SPORTING ASPECT OF ACTION AIR AS WELL AS OPERATING IN A PREDOMINANTLY CHINESE SPEAKING ENVIRONMENT (ALBEIT RANGE COMMANDS STILL BEING GIVEN IN ENGLISH).” www.airsoftaction.net

ACTION AIR TAIWAN

out of the slide. This would no doubt raise eyebrows from Range Officers were I to try and compete with it further in future. Thus, after a few months of various experimentation with striker-fired and DA/SA pistols, with or without de-cocking features and various trigger pulls lengths and weights, form factors and benefits, I was somewhat forced down the road of adopting the KJWorks CZ75 SP01 Shadow GBB pistol to avoid the failures of other platforms I’d trialed and to avoid having to dole out any more money by acquiring a new setup. So, I had the final pistol of choice and also acquired some extra magazines; these were actually somewhat difficult to source in fairness and would continue to be so over the long term, definitely a consideration I would encourage any new Action Air shooters to consider. Much as I love running the oddball guns for my own particular flair or interests, it does make things a bit harder in terms of accessories, maintenance, upkeep and operations in general. My teammate was also good enough to gift me his skeletal IPSC holster rig that he hadn’t had chance to use, which paired nicely with my DAA competition belt and TMC Scorpion Gen 2 FASTMag pouches I’ve been using for basically everything pistol calibre or similar since I arrived in Taiwan. I had originally used plastic shell magazine carriers with variable retention screws for my Glock magazines and may revisit these at some point, but had settled on the TMC FASTMags as they allow easy interchanging of a variety of magazine sizes and profiles during my constant changing of guns. The advantage of a pure competition holster also can’t be overstated! As much as I have more of a lilt towards pragmatic or practical loadouts or realistic carry options in general, trying to use a retention or duty style holster in a competitive environment inevitably slows you down. I also purchased a genuine Safariland 579 adjustable holster, which will basically carry most (if not all) of the different pistols I have for skirmishing or competition, and retain them securely - until your natural grip of the weapon upon drawing pushes the lever on the rear of the holster and disengages the wraparound internal lock that grabs the trigger guard in a fairly typical fashion. This, of course, is faster and more repeatable than

the use of the ALS thumb drive Safariland 6379 or similar, but I found it still caused issues every so often when trying to draw in a hurry during on-the-clock environment training. So, obtaining a dedicated competition-style holster is pretty much a necessity if you want to be effective in Action Air. Mine has an adjustable muzzle cone which can be positioned along the main spar of the holster to sit inside the front end of the barrel, which you seat down onto it, then rotate the pistol rearward so the trigger guard seats into the retention unit for it further up the holster. This unit also includes a manual lock to prevent the pistol falling out during movement around training or competition environments and this should only be disengaged once you are on the firing line and preparing to “load and make ready”. Upon the “go” signal the pistol can be easily and intuitively drawn straight upward, overcoming the retention of the trigger guard gripping unit and allowing rapid and repeatable unholstering, which becomes ever faster and slicker with practice. Magazines themselves can perhaps be a weak point, in terms of extensive usage and drills related beating on them. Another thing to consider with Action Air, is that your mags are going to take a massive increase in lifecycle over someone skirmishing with a pistol as a last-ditch holster filler that perhaps rarely gets drawn. You’ll probably run them into the ground in short order with the amount of ammunition you need to put down range. A key issue with double stack 9mm magazines is their thinner profile compared to the more typically fielded Hi Capa 45 calibre double stack offerings, the internal gas volume and resistance to “cool down” effects over repetitive use in short order are definite concerns to consider. This was less of an issue with my earlier gun choices, however, has caused some chronic issues for me when running the CZ75 SP01 Shadow and Shadow 2, compared to my Hi Capa-wielding teammates, with stuttering or venting of mags during strings of fire as a result of rapid reusing of magazines during colder months (by Taiwan’s standards, at least), or even in general just due to heavy usage during drills prior to practice stages towards the end of sessions. Most of the time we use hair dryers, an air heating machine with racks that we put our magazines in as a team during training, or more recently my teammates

“MOST OF THE TIME WE USE HAIR DRYERS, AN AIR HEATING MACHINE WITH RACKS THAT WE PUT OUR MAGAZINES IN AS A TEAM DURING TRAINING, OR MORE RECENTLY MY TEAMMATES HAVE BEEN REPURPOSING OR REVERSE-ENGINEERING ELECTRONIC BABY BOTTLE WARMERS TO HEAT THEIR MAGAZINES BETWEEN ROUNDS TO AVOID COOL DOWN ISSUES. ” 76

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ACTION AIR TAIWAN

have been repurposing or reverse-engineering electronic baby bottle warmers to heat their magazines between rounds to avoid cool down issues. However, I definitely suffer them worse due to the much slimmer cross-section of my Shadow magazines and thus their lower internal volume and reduced resilience to the mechanics of green gas evaporation upon firing. CO2 magazines are an alternative that I have more recently resorted to. The good thing about KJWorks (and an increasing number of other manufacturers) is the option to use either green gas or CO2 mags in the same pistol. So, for my Shadow 2 I purchased a pair of CO2 capsule powered magazines and a box of 50 capsules to overcome the cool down issues in the coldest winter months of Taiwan, for use in competition stages when reliability is absolutely critical. Although, it is worth realising that this will increase wear on your pistol in warmer environments or if used excessively, resulting in issues shortly after my most recent competition where my Shadow 2’s outer barrel fractured due to increased wear caused by the CO2 magazine use - even though I had switched back to green gas for training at the time. In European settings it might be easier to get away with, due to lower ambient temperatures in general.

CONSIDERATIONS

So, what to consider when choosing a pistol and related division for Action Air training or competition? Trigger pull and weight are likely considered as quite important, as is magazine availability, gas volume, durability, ease of maintenance and resistance to cool down effects. Ammunition capacity isn’t so much of a concern due to the rules for each division always ensuring a maximum of 28 rounds or less, as well as a 17cm overall magazine length restriction, thus ensuring standard magazines for any pistol model will likely be sufficient for the respective divisions they suit. The majority of “Open” competitors will undoubtedly be running a Hi Capa, or similar double-stack M1911 derivative, due to their excellent short, light triggers and ease of finding accessories such as red dot bridge mounts and internal upgrade components. Competition holsters are widely adjustable to ensure compatibility with trigger guard width and top slide and barrel lengths, or presence of compensators in the likes of Open division race pistols, so something like a Glock or other polymer framed duty pistol of H&K or Walther types can still be held effectively by removing the spacer plates to accommodate the trigger guard. Metal framed Hi Capa or CZ75 style guns with thinner trigger guards can equally be

retained. Magazine carriers tend to follow the industry, leaning towards 45cal double-stack magazines and their Open division competitor’s use and set up of them, with adjustable angle carriers being prevalent to allow comfortable placement and grabbing motions with the support hand for faster reloading. Most people carry around four but own as many as ten or more spare magazines. The ability to adjust (or replace) trigger components and do internal tuning is a consideration. Most “Production” division competitors I face off against here in Taiwan make use of Glocks, with lightened or shortened triggers to improve their speed of follow up shots. I’ve only encountered one other competitor making use of a Shadow 2 thus far and seen very few other pistol types being fielded, in all honesty. Red dot mounting options in terms of slide or bridge mounted are another consideration. I would run an RMR or SRO on my CZ75 Shadow 2 if there was a “Production Optics” division available in Taiwan, but there just isn’t enough interest to justify subsets of each of the three major divisions, so it is worth talking to existing clubs or competitors in your area to see what is available. A striker-fired style of pistol, such as a Glock, H&K VP9, Walther PPQ, or similar, will serve you well in Production or Standard division, or you could also make use of a DA/SA style gun (with or without a de-cocker) if you are prepared to do the extra manual of arms preparation each time you run a stage. Maybe something like a Beretta M92 series, H&K USP or similar, or a hammer fired CZ might be worth investing in if you can ensure reasonable accessory and part availability.

IN THE END

In the end it’s down to personal preference but practical considerations obviously encroach into practical shooting. I’ve always been more into European made polymer framed duty-style pistols, which is why I went for Production division, where guns are usually off the shelf service weapons and equipment which makes it slightly more realistic. Although only the Czech police are carrying CZ75 Shadow 2s as far as I’m aware but, nonetheless, I run mine stock with iron sights. I have had a great time thus far in my Action Air “career” and would encourage everyone to give it a try, not only will it improve your pistol skills dramatically, it might also mean you get that muchneeded pistol kill when you are next skirmishing! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

MONSTERLIKE DURABLILITY RELIABILITY

The classical US Military Force pistol "M9", the trigger-hammer linkage function and ambi safety design make it a ambidextrous pistol. Due to its excellent performance and good reliability, it is widely used by military troops in worldwide.

• GBB System • 3-dot Luminous Sights • Interchangeable Backtraps

• REVO High Performance Valve System • H-UP Adjustable

BLE-050-SB

• Double Safety Function • Incl. CCW 14mm Barrel Adapter

BLE-050-ST

FEATURE BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUNS

BRINGING OUT THE

BIG GUNS! HAVING A MAN ON THE GROUND IN TAIWAN, AIRSOFT ACTION IS ABLE TO BRING YOU REPORTS FROM COMPANIES THAT MAY OTHERWISE GO UNNOTICED INTERNATIONALLY. PENGHU ARMS FACTORY IS ONE SUCH COMPANY AND HAVING DISCOVERED THEM, STEWBACCA SOON MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY – AND THE STUNNING AIRSOFT REPLICAS THEY PRODUCE!

engHu is Taiwan’s western county of islands in the Taiwan Strait off the coast of the main island’s southerly city of Tainan and is akin to the Florida Keys, with raised highways and bridges interconnecting the major islands of the small lowlying Archipelago that represents part of Taiwan’s first line of defence in this somewhat tumultuous waterway - both in terms of actual local weather and the tense politics of the region. Undoubtedly, like most others, the only time I’d ever heard of it before I came to Taiwan was in the movie “Spy Game”, where the islands are mentioned as the staging area for a US fleet which is eventually used to mount an incursion into nearby Southeast China to effect a rescue of the main protagonist. Other than that, I hadn’t much prior knowledge of the area. Likewise, I hadn’t heard of “3D Military Movie Props Ltd.” beforehand either. I first encountered its proprietor, Well Hsu, shortly after I arrived in Taiwan and attended the Hooha shows (organised by local magazine Combat King Monthly) where I happened upon his booth. He was exhibiting his early prototypes of their Browning M2HB HPA powered airsoft heavy machine guns, as well as an airpowered mortar system that was comically launching

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foam projectiles across the exhibition hall at intervals. His immediately welcoming and jovial nature and interest in extolling his (already impressive) products easily overcame our initial language barrier issues at the time - I’ve since developed my Chinese and he has also greatly improved his English - and I would continue to see him on occasion at various trade shows in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung. Initially, through my work with TacticalTwo, I garnered the attention of Eric from Combat King Monthly himself and I began working with him to produce English language versions of his annual “Airsoft & Airgun Consumers Guide” (a yearly almanac of all the major new product releases) and Well’s own offerings from 3DMMP soon became a regular feature in its “Special Weapons” section towards the rear.

HEADING TO PENGHU

I would soon find myself being hosted by Well and his family on my first trip to PengHu. Alongside 3DMMP and Penghu Arms Factory (PAF), he also runs five themed guest houses around the island chain. Since moving to the islands nearly thirty years ago (following his military service on Kinmen, where he was an RoC army firearms instructor) and he has been using his connections with the local military

FEATURE BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUNS

units, tourism board and government to improve the image of airsoft on the island. He organised the first MilSim game with the aid of the local authorities and making use of one of its depots not too far from the dual-use military and civil airport on the Eastern side of the main island. I was tasked with doing the photography work and English language write-up of this inaugural MilSim event - “Operation White Sands Rescue” - where players and industry insiders from all over mainland Taiwan, Hong Kong and even Japan would be descending en-masse in early 2019 to enjoy the local island’s hospitality and tourism benefits, as well as engaging in a long weekend of skirmishing, complete with Well’s “technical” vehicle sporting one of the M2HB HPA guns I had witnessed back at our initial meeting. The whole weekend was an excellent experience, with local dignitaries joining in festivities of the Friday night welcome barbecue and party, as well as a local RoC armed forces drumming squad and hand to hand combat demonstration, followed by the the opening of the game itself the next morning - despite the tropical weather! Luckily the deluge ended just as game on was being called, much to the relief of the ranks of camouflage-clad players assembled on the concrete parade square outside the main buildings to be played around. Following this initial foray into the outlying islands and the activities of PAF, I followed the development of their products and engaged with them at successive trade shows, such as MOA where they took up residence in the booth opposite Archwick and displayed their latest offerings with various heavy weapons on interchangeable mount systems (which were then fitted to their large 4x4 flatbed technical vehicle for patrons to play with the big guns!). These earlier systems were of more simplistic affairs, comprising an HPA unit and large external tank operating alongside a bulk BB storage and feed mechanism, all of which is housed in either their M2HB outer shell of receiver, spade grips, barrel and jacket - which can be single or dual-mounted on a pintle system for in-game vehicles or heavily fortified positions - as well as their supplementary twin internal barrelled and grenade launching versions of the Mk19 grenade launcher, which debuted at Shot Show to a great reception.

casing; the pre-Vietnam version in black paintwork and the post-Vietnam modified variant with the altered barrel shroud system presented in olive drab. These outer shells are sold separately, both to the likes of local Taiwanese and US military units for training purposes, as well as to re-enactment groups or militaria preservationists who need the realistic appearance of a heavy machine gun without the extreme price tag of an original functioning or deactivated one. This accounts for around half of the (over one hundred) units sold already, the balance being used by the airsoft or movie production industries - which can be supplied with a selection of four internal operating systems; AEG gearbox, plain HPA, gas blowback HPA, and paintball mechanisms - these systems are all available separately as drop-in units which can be removed in a matter of seconds. Simply remove the spade grips at the rear and the internal mechanisms can be pulled out the rear of the main receiver with great ease, allowing users to invest in a single external shell and operate it in multiple different ways depending on their particular needs at the time. A newer development to add to the functionality is a third party supplied tracer unit which fits into the end of PAF’s new M2HB outer barrel. This allows green tracer rounds to be used as well as producing an orange strobe effect, thus creating an area illumination around the muzzle which adds to the already impressive visual effect of the system. Performance-wise, the HPA unit offers a tunable output in terms of both muzzle velocity and rate of fire. Well demonstrated this with the internal control unit that has twin, screwdriver-actuated dials changing the rate of fire from a realistic five hundred or so rounds per minute up to perhaps twice that - this allows the end user to set the machine gun up

M2HB

The cornerstone of the current product range is their M2HB. This is available in two variants of external

www.airsoftaction.net

FEATURE BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUNS

to suit their site, local power limitations, scenario or other needs. The HPA system can be run off a typical large external dive style tank, a compressor, or even a single use green gas canister if needs be, although the latter option obviously gives limited endurance compared to a larger tank.

The next development in the series is going to aim towards making the recoil impulse of the blowback variant closer to that of its real counterpart if possible, with the majority of customer needs in terms of external appearance having already been met by the existing versions. The internal mechanisms of all variants are fed by a close coil spring encased hose (like that of many M249 models), which is fed from a .50 cal ammunition box that has an electric winding mechanism and hopper included. This feeds through the hose into the underside of the main receiver, where it can be kept out of sight to maintain realism.

MK19

The next model to join the product line was the Mk19 40mm grenade machine gun, also used widely by Taiwanese and US forces. The first version made use of twin internal barrels and their related feed systems held within the larger outer bore, to give an external aesthetic with some airsoft functionality. However, this still left some wanting and a more advanced variant has recently been released which actually realistically feeds and fires 37mm projectiles used by other similar systems already present in the market. This can

launch the projectiles as far as 50m, which may sound somewhat limited but the accuracy and consistency are nonetheless very high, and the potential for use as a static position or vehicle mounted MilSim prop are obviously great and varied. The Mk19 also presents a further product stream for PAF, with real military forces purchasing the heavy fabrications and other support equipment they produce such as tripods, mounts and ammunition cradles as more readily available alternatives to officially sourced components, which obviously have to come from much further afield, particularly for the local frontline frontier forces. Another derivative under development, to make use of the same grenade rounds as the second generation Mk19, is taking a little longer to develop due to technical constraints. Larger weapons are easier to fabricate and make operational but the RG6 rotary grenade launcher has already taken a year to develop and still presents issues. While most other projects take around six months to realise the initial prototypes, the RG6 is proving more difficult due to its “man-portable” nature and the need to find a suitable compact power source that isn’t obtrusive to its profile and visual outline.

M132/M134/M1919

The next product currently under development is an M132/M134 minigun electric and HPA hybrid powered system. Based off the original Classic Army system, the kit is currently in the advanced 3D printed component stage, which will provide realistic barrel length and main body diameter add ons to give the CA a true scale appearance as well as improved function. Further to this will be their upcoming M1919 WW2 .30 calibre machine gun replica, which will scale down the M2HB system and be available as both an HPA and AEG setup, but no recoil kit is planned at this time given the likely more niche market it will appeal to. All the products in the range are 3D modelled by Well himself (who, like me, he has a higher education in mechanical and industrial engineering and design) and prototyped at his facility in Penghu. Once the final versions are settled upon, his own Taipei-based manufacturing plant deals with production level

“A NEWER DEVELOPMENT TO ADD TO THE FUNCTIONALITY IS A THIRD PARTY SUPPLIED TRACER UNIT WHICH FITS INTO THE END OF PAF’S NEW M2HB OUTER BARREL. THIS ALLOWS GREEN TRACER ROUNDS TO BE USED AS WELL AS PRODUCING AN ORANGE STROBE EFFECT, THUS CREATING AN AREA ILLUMINATION AROUND THE MUZZLE WHICH ADDS TO THE ALREADY IMPRESSIVE VISUAL EFFECT OF THE SYSTEM.” 82

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FEATURE BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUNS

components and materials to realise and deliver each product. 3D Military Movie Props now deals predominantly with a range of militaria, souvenirs (such as miniature artillery shells, German WW2 stick grenades and ration packs that function as eCard keychains for use with local transport or convenience stores), as well as fake .50 cal cartridges which function as pens. PAF has branched out as a separate business entity to distance itself from the connotations of 3D printed nature of 3DMMP’s legacy, as they wish to differentiate the business and emphasise that the final products are as sturdily constructed as their real counterparts and are, indeed, employed by the same end users. Penghu Armament Factory thus service airsoft and real steel end users equally and are very much geared towards giving the customer what they want, being very user need driven in terms of their products and development processes. They have already achieved a great deal and supplied a reasonable number of customers with economical but functional and highquality alternatives, and when presented with a clear idea of the design requirements can rapidly and effectively meet them with a well implemented end product. With an impressive existing range and plans to continue adding to it as resources and custom permit, PAF are very much bringing out the big guns

for airsoft players and real soldiers alike. I’d like to sincerely thank Well Hsu and his team for their continued hospitality and accommodations at their facility and trade show booths over the years and for allowing me access to their products and development. I’m sure that their quality will push further future sales once a wider audience can be informed of them, which I hope I can help with..AA

www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR SITE TO STREET

THE FINAL TWOFER!

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END AND SO IT IS WITH THE BAGS FRENCHIE RECEIVED FROM VIPER FOR REVIEW. IN THIS, THE LAST PART OF HIS SERIES, HE LOOKS AT TWO FINAL ITEMS THAT HAVE MADE THE TRANSITION FROM “SITE TO STREET”.

his month I’m going to do a “two in the one” review, mainly because one of them, the Modular Carry Pouch, defies even my abilities to write a full article about it! It’s not that there’s anything wrong with it, quite the opposite, but it simply doesn’t justify several thousand words on its own. I’ll start with the larger of the two, the Viper Tactical Covert Pack. Once again there is some confusion in the nomenclature - I’m not sure what about this bag is “covert” but we’ll just have to let that slide. The Covert Pack is a relatively low-profile backpack, my example arrived in Coyote with black accents, although it is also available in all the various colours that Viper offers. In addition to the padding on the back, there is a large “covert” sleeve, accessed at the top. Be aware that this sleeve is open at both lower corners, so don’t put anything small in there or it will likely escape, never to be seen again. They shouldn’t escape as there is a pocket at the bottom of the sleeve that is clearly intended to catch and protect them, but I wouldn’t bet that anything will actually end up in the pocket as it tends to lie very flat to the back of the bag. An odd bit of design if I’m being honest, I can’t help but feel it would have been easier to close the bottom and be done with it... For use off site, this sleeve will just accommodate a 14” laptop but getting it in is a fiddle as it tends to catch on the edges of the aforementioned pocket. It’s also not terribly comfortable when the pack is on your back as it is very rigid. Fortunately, if lugging laptops is your thing, the bladder pouch in the main compartment also accommodates the same 14” device much more 84

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easily, and although the broad elastic retention strap is tight, it certainly holds everything securely. Since I received this for review, this is the principal role it has been performing and I rate it highly, I’ll go into more detail why later in the article. The padding on the back is adequate given its intended use, likewise the straps; although they are fairly lightly padded. There is plenty of length adjustment available and there is the inevitable sternum strap. If you like these, great; personally, I’m not a fan so I tend to dispose of them. In addition to the previously discussed sleeve on the back, there are two further compartments; the large main compartment and a smaller one on the front. The main compartment is of a decent size - in addition to the bladder/laptop pouch in there, there is a zipped mesh pocket which is ideal for keeping smaller items separate or safe. Above the bladder pouch are two velcro routing ties, along with the opening at the top of the pack for the drinking tube. Two further elasticated loops on either strap will keep the tube under control when not in use. The front pocket is accessed via two vertical zips, one on each side. It has a soft lining and so could be used to carry a tablet or similar but there is no other internal organisation whatsoever. As a result, I have tossed all the cables and miscellaneous items associated with my work laptop in there. They can be easily accessed and don’t require to be neatly, or separately, stored. The grab handle is reassuringly solid, as are the three rows of MOLLE webbing on the front should you wish to attach further storage. As with all the Viper bags I have been looking at, the zips and pullers

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are beyond reproach. It’s something that shouldn’t require mentioning, yet I have more expensive bags where the zips are frankly a pain in the backside. There are two mesh pockets affixed to either side, ideal for water bottles if you’re not using a bladder, or small packets of crisps… Finally, there is the nowmandatory velcro patch for… err… patches, plus two elasticated organisers for routing cables. This is a reasonably compact bag, ideal possibly for a game day but unlikely to appeal to those playing longer weekend games or who want to carry more gear with them. Despite its “tactical” accoutrements, it strikes me that at its heart this is an urban bag first and foremost. As such it performs very well, the smaller size allied to its ability to carry a reasonably sized laptop would make for an excellent commuter bag. Prices currently range from the high twenties to the (very) low forties (in GBP). At the lower end, this is a value for money bag that will serve well on or off site. If you are likely to use it more off-site, the higher prices (circa £42) suggests to me you might be advised to look for a dedicated laptop backpack. That said, it is a reasonably rugged, well-made pack that should return many years of service without too much care being required. Although not sold as a dedicated computer pack, it holds and protects my laptop well and would be even more comfortable if you have an 11” or 13” device. It is also a reasonably attractive bag, despite its name it doesn’t look overly “military”, which may be adventitious if you don’t want to look like an Operator waiting for the “Go” signal whilst commuting! If it’s organisation you want, then the Viper Modular Carry Pouch may be just what you’re looking for. With four discreet pockets, three of which are zipped, velcro MOLLE loops and a series of internal elasticated loops, large and small, this diminutive bag can handle a lot, especially on the field. Unlike the Covert Pack above, this is likely to be more at home as part of your gameday loadout. It’s not a full admin pouch to my thinking, although it has a clear plastic pocket inside the main compartment, but it will keep smaller necessities neat and tidy until you require them. Let’s deal with the negatives first… because they are few. Size: At 17cm wide, 6cm deep and 22cm tall, this makes for a small bag but a decent-sized pouch. The clearview pocket is internal and is fixed internally. Great for securing anything in it but it means that if you hope to have a (small) map in there, you will always be viewing through the opening to

the compartment - you can’t flip it out of the pouch or remove it altogether. This strikes me as a bit of an oversight. If you are going to have a fixed, clear pocket to protect documents against the elements, put it on the outside, even if you have to cover it with a flap to ensure privacy. For the player, the positives definitely outweigh these negatives. Its size means you will more easily find room on your rig for it. The material is the same rugged 700 dernier Polytech as used on the Buckle Up Sling Pack and should stand up to abuse no problem at all. The front pocket is easily accessed, meaning it is the ideal place for important stuff (like Mars bars), while the velcro MOLLE can be used to attach ID patches, further storage or as a place to stick pens or bits of foliage! The main compartment should have sufficient volume to hold smaller items of pyro, the larger elasticated loops should be good for securing Mk Vs. The smaller loops would be ideal for things like cylumes, screwdrivers, pen torches etc. and, at a push, you could possibly squeeze three or four M4 magazines in there if you really needed too. The rear MOLLE webbing is well-stitched and secure - attach this to your loadout and it’s going nowhere and the supplied 38mm webbing shoulder strap does its job just fine. It would make a neat bag - and therein lies the problem. I see this very much as a pouch which happens to have a shoulder strap, rather than a bag that can be attached to a rig. Unlike the Maxi Pouch which is a small but usable bag, the Modular Pouch is mostly small. It’s the only bag out of the four which cannot carry my assorted bits and pieces easily and, for me that defines its utility. Even with the shoulder strap in place, I would regard this as additional storage for specific items that I didn’t want to rig mount for some reason. It’s not expensive at around £17.00 and for that you’re buying a competent pouch. You are not, I fear, buying a genuine dual-use bit of kit, however. I cannot criticise it too harshly for that - Viper doesn’t offer it as such - but it does show that there is a size limit you need to take into account when looking for dual-use gear. My thanks once again to Thatchreed for kindly supplying all the review gear, it’s been a genuinely interesting journey of discovery. Next month, to tie this all up, I’ll look at the one bag that all of these have been competing against in terms of utility and value - the 5.11 Bail Out Bag. AA www.airsoftaction.net

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ANOTHER MONTH ROLLS BY, AND WHAT A MONTH IT’S BEEN FOR NEW GEAR COMING ONTO THE MARKET! THERE’S BEEN A FEW MEANINGFUL ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, AND IT WOULD SEEM THAT MANUFACTURERS ARE REALLY STARTING TO PUSH FORWARD AGAIN, SO AS USUAL THE AA CREW HAS PICKED A FEW CHOICE MORSELS THAT HAVE TEMPTED US, AND WILL NO DOUBT TEMPT YOU TOO!

icking off this month we have to mention more on the ARES Airsoft announcement via their social media platforms, that they have some new motor/gearbox tech on the way! We’re liking the look of this minimalist setup that combines a tiny brushless motor with a what promises to be a minimalist gearbox, almost by the look of things making it one streamlined, fully integrated unit! Apart from some really “teasy” pictures, ARES haven’t yet been very forthcoming about the exact nature of the technology and some have speculated online that

it looks very much the same as the setup offered by SYSTEMA. Our take (thus far) is that any advance in gearbox/motor tech has to be a good thing and ultimately there are only so many ways to make things work. Suffice to say, we’re following this development closely and as soon as we know more we’ll be sure to pass the information along! Sticking with ARES, we’re also pleased to see that their new X-CLASS AEGs are finally getting talked 86

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about in a meaningful way and what an awesome range of AEGs this looks to be! With four new models now on the ARES website and a totally fabulous-

looking new BRONZE colourway, the specifications look righteous: • MATERIAL : Aluminum Alloy + Nylon Fiber + Metal • FIRE MODE : Safe/Semi/Full Auto • MAGAZINE : 100/140 rounds Magazine (Varied by Model) , 6mm BB • BATTERY : 11.1v LiPo Recommended • HOP-UP : Adjustable • VELOCITY : According to Your Local Regulation • GEARBOX TYPE : E.F.C.S. Gearbox (Programmable) • GEARBOX MATERIAL: Metal • MOTOR : ARES Slim High Torque Motor

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• RAPID VELOCITY TUNING SYSTEM (RVTSTM) : Yes • BARREL THREAD TYPE : +14 • Battery Plug: T- Plug We’re very much looking forward to checking these new bad boys out, and again we’ll bring more information as soon as we have it! On the pistol front, as we reported in the website news, it’s nice to see that TM haven’t forgotten the fun aspect of airsoft, as their take on the little Ruger LCP is hitting stores now! The LCP was launched by Sturm, Ruger at the 2008 SHOT Show and is quoted to be the “perfect backup pistol”. Weighing in at just 9.4 oz (266.5 g), this was Ruger’s first foray into the field of tiny, ultra-light defensive pistols. LCP stands

for “Lightweight Compact Pistol” and was designed in direct response to user requests for a compact firearm for use by police as a back-up, and as a defensive handgun for civilian concealed carry needs. In airsoft form the TM “take” features: Slim Silhouette: The proper features and compact nature of the LCP have been replicated as closely as possible • One Trigger Pull Action: Being a NBB replica the LCP operates by simply pulling the trigger (double action) • Long Range: Despite its compactness, short inner barrel (66mm) and relatively low velocity, we’re told the LCP has a little bit of that old “TM Unicorn Dust” when it comes to range, with a fixed hop up system using Marui’s legendary hop bucking • Silent Mechanism: The LCP operates almost silently, so it makes it a perfect pistol for a backup where you may need to get out of a sticky situation quietly and quickly! • Metallic Mechanism: The internals are mostly metal for better longevity; this also adds weight to the replica for a more enjoyable handling • Diecast Magazine: The 10BB magazine is diecast metal for better resistance to cold

weather and provides better gas efficiency All in all the LCP looks to be another righteous little handful like their old Detonics (which we love!), and it’s lovely to see something from TM that again puts the “F for FUN!” back into airsoft. Many thanks to our good friends at Fire Support for letting us know that the new LCP is now in stock with them! Moving onto gear… We’ve been spending a lot of time with Plate Carrier Systems recently, really getting under the skin of what we like, what is great value for money and, above all, what really WORKS on the airsoft field when the BBs start flying! We know that many of you like a “real deal” system and the weight of your gear is sometimes a key element; after all you need to carry everything on you for hours or sometimes even days if it’s a MilSim! Each gramme taken from your overall equipment weight can be redistributed for the weight of extra ammo and consumables. That is why our friends at DIRECT ACTION created the BEARCAT® ULTRALIGHT PLATE CARRIER SYSTEM, which is also the starting point for a new, ultralight tactical equipment system.

Thanks to lightweight, yet durable softshell fabric and reduction the use of laminate to bare minimum, they’ve been able to make one of the lightest plate carriers on the market, without limiting its functionality. Stretchable construction will allow you to fit most of the popular plate shapes, including SAPI and Swimmer Cut. On the sides of the front panel and on the shoulder straps there are elastic loops for cables, antennas etc. Thanks to a systembased approach to the equipment, the BEARCAT Plate www.airsoftaction.net

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Carrier is compatible with some of the accessories from the SPITFIRE system which we already use and love and there’s already some new panels that we like a LOT, like the SKELETONIZED TRIPLE 308 FLAP. Specifications for the “barebones” BEARCAT are: • Made of softshell fabric and laser cut laminate • MOLLE/PALS compatible modular system • Interchangable front flaps • Optional accessory cutaway system • Chest rig attachment system via buckles • Back panel zipper attachment system compatible with Crye Precision AVS™ standard • Elastic loops for cables, antenna, etc • Compatible with Comfort Pad set We’ve used DIRECT ACTION gear all over the world - not just for airsoft - and we love the idea of the new BEARCAT system… We’re sure that you will too! And we do like a good camo pattern so, staying with a “Polish Theme”, we’re pretty excited about the fact that TAIWANGUN.COM have just dropped a full set of clothing in the new Polish MAPA pattern! We’ve been speaking in-depth to specialist AA contributor and fellow camo-ist, Lawrence H, who posted some details about MAPA on his own StrikeHold! Blog. He told us: “Like it or loathe it, everybody’s into new camouflage these days. And while some countries are taking the path of least resistance and adopting MultiCam, or a derivative of it, other countries are taking a more in-depth approach. Poland is an example of the latter – although they do also seem to not be in much of a hurry about it. But perhaps the pace is about to pick up a bit on the back of the news that there is now a new indigenous-designed pattern entering the scene. The pattern is called MAPA (Polish for “map”) and has been scientifically designed by”ASP post-graduate Mr. Maciej Dojlitko” to specifically match the terrain and vegetation found in Poland. According to the information we received today from SPECOPS Poland, the prime contractor for the Polish Army’s Future Soldier clothing and equipment, the camo has been designed as a familyof-patterns and that this is just the first prototype – so there may well be some further tweaks!” What we do know, is that the initial MAPA (Multi-environmental Adaptive Pattern) is an “natural hybrid”, a pattern designed to provide best concealment at close, mid and long range in temperate woodland. The collection of tactical uniforms available from Taiwangun are produced by the specialist manufacturer MASKPOL SA and offer the user a simple, classic cut combined with the unique MAPA masking print. In addition, one of

the most durable materials available on the market, fabric for military applications, is being used, a 50% cotton and 50% durable polyester, reinforced with a rip-stop weave. It is a unique combination that creates many possibilities and is intended for the user that understands both the pattern and the design of the clothing models. These unique and durable products will provide the user with convenience and comfort and will allow for long-term use in any, even extreme conditions, so we are really looking forward to where things go from here! At this time Taiwangun are offering Combat Pants, a Combat (UBACS) Shirt, a Combat Jacket/Overshirt, and a couple of ballcap designs in the MAPA pattern, but we are hoping this is just the beginning! Nimrod Tactical have also been in touch with us to introduce their new line of hard rifle cases. We’ve been using hardcases for AEG and GBB transport for some considerable time and have to say that that they are far superior to other types of gun case. Nimrod’s new version is 1,000mm long which makes it a great length for most carbines out there and you can pick from either WAVE or PNP foam, depending on how Gucci you want to be with your gear and accessories! Solid construction means that any items stored inside will be held securely with no movement at all possible, preventing any damage during transit or storage. The cases also benefit from a PRESSURE EQUALIZATION VALVE should you be looking to transport your beloved RIFs by air…. … and we hope that we’ll all be able to do this again soon for travel to overseas games, and look forward to seeing some of you at them in the future. For now though, stay frosty and where possible, as always, GET OUT AND PLAY AIRSOFT! AA www.airsoftaction.net

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PETS..? IN AIRSOFT..?? .??

OVER MANY YEARS (DECADES?) OF WRITING ABOUT AIRSOFT, FRENCHIE HAS COVERED NUMEROUS TOPICS AND SUBJECTS BUT MAYBE NONE QUITE SO ESOTERIC AS THIS ONE, AS HE RUMINATES, COGITATES AND REFLECTS ON THE SUBJECT OF PETS IN AIRSOFT…

s I have mentioned on more than one occasion before, I have been writing about airsoft for quite a while and this has one serious drawback, to wit, eventually you realise that you have pretty much written about everything that’s worth commenting on. That inevitably leaves only those subjects which frankly aren’t worth commenting on but which become increasingly attractive as you stare down the barrel of a monthly deadline. So, having just watched my cat throw up on the living room floor and with my dog in the vets recovering from a Nad-a-dectomy, let us consider the place of pets in airsoft. (Look, if you think that this is likely to be serious, please go and check out the reviews.) Obviously, pets have NO place in airsoft but as we emerge from the global pandemic into a world full of new opportunities and changing attitudes, maybe it’s time that we in the airsofting community opened our eyes and considered sharing our sport with our best friends - the furry ones that is! Cats would, in fairness, hate airsoft. They lack thumbs which means that their ability to hold a gun is limited …although I suppose we could make a little harness for the gun allied to a mouth-operated switch. That done, they may learn to enjoy it. They are mostly consummate hunters and, apart from the terminally lazy ones, they enjoy stalking their prey and they are utterly merciless. I can foresee problems when some utter b******d of a cat sneaks up on an unsuspecting player and unloads all the ammunition

they have simply because they like the way their victims squeals and dances (any of you who own cats will know exactly what I mean)! Dogs would be more amenable, although the lack of thumbs is also an issue. However, taking our cue from the feline solution we have the advantage that many breeds of dog could happily carry a support weapon all day, along with a consummate supply of ammunition. Dogs are athletic and are natural predators and so should require minimal motivation. “Doggles” are already widely available, as is doggy body armour, so man’s best friend can avoid injury too. Just to get a feel for what this would add to a game, imagine you are defending a fixed position when a rustle in a bush grabs your attention. Without pause, an exemplary specimen of a German Shepherd launches itself at you, teeth bared, back-mounted PKM spraying plastic death. It would make for great videos - and help with constipation no end!

“I CAN FORESEE PROBLEMS WHEN SOME UTTER B******D OF A CAT SNEAKS UP ON AN UNSUSPECTING PLAYER AND UNLOADS ALL THE AMMUNITION THEY HAVE SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY LIKE THE WAY THEIR VICTIMS SQUEALS AND DANCES (ANY OF YOU WHO OWN CATS WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN)!”

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As with cats though, I see some problems. Dogs are notorious for chasing things. That’s a huge advantage if they are pursuing a beaten foe; it’s less great if they follow the grenade you have just flung, catch it and return it to you like the faithful friend they are! There is also the problem of them taking advantage of snipers when they find them prostrate in a bush, as dogs are wont to do. I mean, yes, they’re just being friendly but you can take things too far. What about primates? I know some of you hold the opinion that some fellow players are little better than monkeys but what about real monkeys?! Or Gorillas? Able to walk on two legs, or four, in possession of opposable thumbs and regarded as highly intelligent (well they are if you live in Fife). Sounds ideal. Sadly, no! While there is some documentary evidence that monkeys and apes have fired weapons, there was nothing to suggest that this amusing diversion wasn’t at least as dangerous to their friends as it was to any putative foe. Yes, they could climb trees with skill and give you top cover, but sadly they are as likely to hurl their own faeces at you if they get bored or dislike an instruction. Actually, re-reading that paragraph reminds me of at least a couple of players I have known over the years… If you like your animal companions a bit larger, maybe a Llama is the way forward? A bit of ingenuity

would allow for the mounting of some serious firepower and you have the added advantage of their proclivity for spitting - that would be scarier than the bounding dog. I am given to understand that Llamas can be rather temperamental, which may make them less than ideal safe-zone companions and may lead to

serious spats on the field. A rhinoceros would be outstandingly useful but are sadly rare. Given the unreliability of surplused military vehicles, one of those being used to break through the main line of resistance would be spectacular to observe. There’s a strong argument that they are impervious to nearly all fire and only the very real danger of them trampling players to death suggests that this may not be my best idea. Also, have you ever seen one pee? Lord save anyone hiding beneath that downpour! And so, to the exotic. Drones are everywhere these days but what if you are a snake lover? Naturally stealthy and silent, your average python could quite happily mount a camera that would feedback real time information to its teammates. The prospect of hearing the OpFor screaming like a girls school being visited by that Bieber chappie when they discover your snake in their trench, is nearly priceless… Less so finding their heavy support gunner lodged in the gullet of a large python who feels, with some justification, that meal time is long overdue! You may have some objections. Yes, it is true that none of the creatures named above are noted for their ability to follow directions but neither are airsofters. Some do have questionable toilet habits, but… (let’s not spell that one out eh?) Communication would definitely be a challenge. It might be possible to communicate with the apes and monkeys but that has to be line of sight as they have only ever learned sign language. I believe cats and dogs would be a waste of space in this respect. Nearly all the animals mentioned are prone to being easily distracted. Our PKM-toting dog could be turned on us by the simple use of a stick, or a well-thrown sausage. Dogs may pursue cats. Obviously by “may” I really mean “absolutely bloody will because cats are arrogant sods and dogs hate that with a vengeance”! But, leaving all these minor objections aside, I do feel that there is a place for our pets, by our side during a game day. I would feel far more confident with Tucker - or Normy No Nuts as he’s now known - by my side. My confidence would be that it was all about to go horribly, horribly wrong but you know, you take what you can get and make the best of it. Years ago we had a player on our site who could not, ever, get a grenade to do anything but kill his own teammates. I don’t think he ever removed a single enemy player with pyro. Given that low a bar, surely a Gerbil has a fighting chance with today’s technology. And so, there you have it - food for thought and proof that if you are desperate enough, you can find an airsoft angle in nearly anything! AA www.airsoftaction.net

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Airsoft Action - July 2021

Articles inside

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ARMOURY: ICS VULTURE

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SITE TO STREET: THE LAST PART

FEATURE: BIG GUNS

ACTION AIR: TAIWAN

FEATURE: WELCOME HOME

TECHNICAL: PERUN UPDATE

ARMOURY: GRACH MP-44 GBB

FEATURE: IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT

RED CELL: TACTICAL AK

THE CAGE: SHELL GARMENTS

KIT & GEAR: FT DEFENDER

ARMOURY: MODIFY M24 SWS

KIT & GEAR: VX BUCKLE UP

ARMOURY: EVOLUTION RECON M EMR A ETS

ARMOURY: ARES KELTEC RDB

ARMOURY: CYMA MP5