RED CELL: COLD WAR SPECIAL

RED CELL AEGs OF THE COLD WAR

THE RED CELL CREW ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT DIFFERENT AEG AND GBB PLATFORMS THAT ARE “GOOD TO GO” FROM THE BOX BUT WHAT’S THE SITUATION WHEN IT COMES TO PERIOD-SPECIFIC MODELS? WITH A LOVE FOR NATO MODELS FROM THE COLD WAR ERA, “THE CELL” HAVE PUT TOGETHER THEIR FAVOURITES TO BRING IN THE FIRST OF THEIR “SPECIAL REPORTS”!

For some of you reading this, “The Cold War” is just another part of history but for some of the older members of the Red Cell crew, memories of the later Cold War period - and the 1980’s specifically - are the time when they were taking their first tentative steps into the “military realm”, and their knowledge of the weapons platforms, uniforms and equipment used are still from first-hand experience!

The Cold War period (generally acknowledged as the late 1940’s through to the start of the 1990’s) saw some really profound changes in military doctrine, with a move towards highly mobile, mechanized units and fast-moving battlefield formations and equipment moved along with the changes. The “Western Bloc” was largely built up of (what became) the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) countries that came together as an inter-governmental military alliance to implement the North Atlantic Treaty, which was signed in 1949. These countries allied to support one another in face of external aggression and faced off against the “Eastern Bloc”, which was led by the Soviet Union and its Communist Party. At this time the US supported right-wing governments and uprisings across the world, while the Soviet government funded communist parties and revolutions! As many fledgling states achieved independence they became Third World battlefields in the Cold War and emergent national power-bases started to flex their muscles…

Focussing on the later years of the Cold War, an era of “small wars” globally but thankfully one that never saw the much-feared WWIII, the fighting soldier still retained many trappings of their forebears from earlier conflicts. Although there had been huge advances in military gear and hardware, your average “grunt” was still wearing belt-mounted load-bearing equipment and carrying a big old battle rifle! This was the time of the L1A1 SLR, the FN FAL and the H&K G3. SMGs were still the issued weapon of support and special operations personnel, although the US forces (and by proxy their NATO allies) had adopted the M16 over the M14 as pretty much a “one size fits all” solution. It was still the time when “7.62” reigned supreme, although moves were already afoot to standardise to “5.56” amongst the NATO partners.

And these days, although some of the period gear is becoming scarcer, there has actually never been a better time to put together a “Cold War” loadout, as virtually every one of the necessary weapon platforms is available in 6mm form! To this end “The Cell” now presents their personal favourites and, using a slightly different format incorporating some history and their “user comments”, we bring you, with the help of “guest star” Frenchie (plus Bill and Jimmy playing “Dress Up” - which we’ll come back to in a future issue!), “Red Cell - AEGs Of The Cold War Special”!

L1A1 SLR

The L1A1 SLR was a British variant of the Belgian FN FAL battle rifle, produced under licence and adopted by the British Army as the L1A1 in 1954.

The L1A1 SLR incorporated modifications developed by the Allied Rifle Committee. The weapons were manufactured by the Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield, Birmingham Small Arms, Royal Ordnance Factory and ROF Fazakerley. After the production run ceased replacement components were made by Parker Hale Limited. The SLR was designed using Imperial measurements and included several changes from the standard FN FAL. A significant change from the original FAL was that the L1A1 operated in semiautomatic mode only, the MOD stating that every British rifleman was a trained marksman and would only take single, well-aimed shots and that support weapons such as the L4A1 LMG and L7A1 GPMG would provide significant fully automatic fire as needed.

The first run of rifles was fitted with walnut furniture, consisting of the pistol grip, forward handguard, carrying handle and butt. The wood was treated with oil to protect it from moisture, but not varnished or polished. Later production weapons were produced with synthetic Maranyl furniture (often referred to incorrectly as “Bakelite”), a nylon and fiberglass composite. The Maranyl parts were “stippled” with an anti-slip texture. In addition to four lengths of butt, sized to suit individual users, there was also a special short butt designed for use with Arctic clothing or flak jackets, such as those regularly seen in Northern Ireland. After the introduction of the Maranyl furniture, as extra supplies became available it was retrofitted to older rifles as they underwent armourers maintenance, and this resulted in a mixture of wooden and Maranyl furniture within units and often on the same rifle. Wooden furniture was still in use in some reserve units until 1989. The SLR was officially replaced in 1985 by the L85A1 and by 1994 the L1A1 rifles were gradually phased out.

Bill: “I will sing the praises of the L1A1 SLR to anyone who will listen, as it’s one of the rifles I learnt to shoot with as a youngster, courtesy of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces! The SLR has been seen in airsoft form several times as both King Arms and the STAR Airsoft Company issued a classic, semi-auto only version of it with synthetic furniture; in fact, if you visit the STAR website you’ll still find a picture of the original model there! I was lucky enough to buy one of the originals and even then it felt as if I were returning to a younger life! Can I say that the re-released ARES airsoft L1A1 SLR had been updated and upgraded? Not really is the answer, as it feels and performs just like my original STAR, but I can tell you that the accuracy and performance are absolutely first rate; the ARES SLR shoots like a laser, and the “wood kit” version is simply drool-worthy!”

L2 STERLING

Speaking to many who served in the UK Armed Forces during the 1980s, the thought of a Sterling brings a kind of misty-eyed reverence, obviously returning them to a very specific place and time in their lives. Based on the Patchett machine carbine first produced in the 1940s, the Sterling L2A1/C1 first entered service with the British and Canadian forces in 1953 and was produced in the UK by the Dagenham-based Sterling Armament Company. The Royal Ordnance Factories also manufactured the Sterling purely for the British Forces and over 400,000 were produced. Going through minor modifications, the L2A2 and finally, the L2A3 had a long and distinguished service career until it was finally phased out in 1994, when the L85A1 was fully introduced. There was also a suppressed version of the Sterling, the L34A1, which was used to some effect by the ASASR and NZSAS during the Vietnam War, as well as by UKSF and even the Argentinians during the Falklands War.

ARES L1A1 SLR

Price: iro UK£470.00 (£560.00 Wood Version) Age: Two Years Weight: 3900g Length: 1160mm Magazine Capacity: 120, Hi-cap available Cold Chrono: 1.24Joule/366fps Hot Chrono: 1.31Joule/377fps Taclite Compatibility: Zero - and all the better for it! Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW (but a bayonet is better!) Supplied By: www.iwholesales.co.uk

S&T STERLING L2

Price: iro UK£320.00 Age: Three Years Weight: 2850g Length: 490 - 680mm Magazine Capacity: 110 and that’s your lot! Cold Chrono: 1.10 Joule/345fps Hot Chrono: 1.11 Joule/347fps Taclite Compatibility: Nope! Suppressor Compatibility: Not a chance! Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

CYMA CM.009C MOSFET EDITION (M16)

Price: iro UK£125.00 Age: New Weight: 2640g Length: 998mm Magazine Capacity: 160, will accept all STANAG/AR Cold Chrono: 109 Joule/344fps Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Taclite Compatibility: No again! Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.taiwangun.com

LCT LC3A3 (G3)

Price: iro UK£400 Age: New Weight: 4410g Length: 1026mm Magazine Capacity: 140, Hi-cap available Cold Chrono: 1.04 Joule/336fps Hot Chrono: 1.04 Joule/336fps Taclite Compatibility: Nada! Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

LCT LK-33A2

Price: iro UK£450 Age: New Weight: 4080g Length: 929mm Magazine Capacity: 300, Mid-cap available Cold Chrono: 0.91 Joule/314fps Hot Chrono: 0.91 Joule/314fps Taclite Compatibility: Mmmm… No! Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

UMAREX MP-5

Price: iro UK£290.00 Age: New Weight: 1635g Length: 465 mm (675 mm Full Stock) Magazine Capacity: 30 - Mid/Hi-caps are available Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Taclite Compatibility: Dedicated Forestock can be mounted Suppressor Compatibility: Dedicated Supplied By: www.landwarriorairsoft.com

KING ARMS FN FAL

Price: iro UK£300.00 Age: Old! Weight: 3300g Length: 970mm (“Para” variant) Magazine Capacity: 90, Hi-cap available Cold Chrono: 1.0 Joule/328fps Hot Chrono: 1.02 Joule/332fps Taclite Compatibility: Nope. Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.fire-support.co.uk

TOKYO MARUI UZI

Price: iro UK£200.00 (original price!) Age: VERY OLD! Weight: 1800g Length: 470/655 mm Magazine Capacity: 40 (220 Hi-caps were available) Cold Chrono: 0.63 Joule/262fps Hot Chrono: 0.64 Joule/264fps Taclite Compatibility: Hmmmm, possibly not. Suppressor Compatibility: VERY dedicated!!! Supplied By: www.fire-support.co.uk

JG STEYR AUG A1

Price: iro UK£100.00 Age: Three Years Weight: 3200g Length: 809mm Magazine Capacity: 300, Mid-cap available Cold Chrono: 1.02 Joule/332fps Hot Chrono: 1.03 Joule/333fps Taclite Compatibility: What do you think… NOPE! Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.taiwangun.com

TOKYO MARUI FAMAS

Price: iro UK£200.00 Age: New Weight: 2900g Length: 757mm Magazine Capacity: 60, Hi-cap available Cold Chrono: 0.74 Joule/283fps Hot Chrono: 0.74 Joule/283fps Taclite Compatibility: Not a hope! Suppressor Compatibility: VERY dedicated!!! Supplied By: www.fire-support.co.uk

The Sterling was a simple beast, that’s for sure. Many who used it in anger described it as the “scaffold gun” due to the simplicity of its construction. It was entirely put together from steel and plastic with a curved, 34-round, 9mm SAA Ball, side-feeding magazine and collapsible stock; the latter made the Sterling perfect for vehicle mounted and airborne troops where the lengthy L1A1 issued at the same time proved to be unwieldy. The issued Sterling was a carefully machined firearm in spite of its somewhat rudimentary appearance, which made it more expensive to produce than many of its contemporaries but it was generally reliable and stood up well to “squaddie abuse”.

James: “I first came across the S&T Sterling online, from pictures posted by a friend who happened to have attended the big show on Hong Kong. I questioned him immediately and he was kind enough to send me some video of the Sterling in action and I was hooked from that moment on. Pictures were taken and I began to circulate these quietly amongst other friends who I knew shared my passion for firearms of the Cold War and their reaction was exactly the same as mine… WANT!”

Bill: “I love the Sterling but is the S&T version an ideal skirmish-ready replica? I’d have to say that finally we have an airsoft Sterling that absolutely is! The components and the finish are superlative, although personally I will eventually have the metalwork reworked for that classic look, but the performance is great. Overall, it’s a winner as far as I’m concerned and as it has both semi and a safety setting, this would make a perfect CQB tool. As I’ve recently picked up the suppressed L34 there’ll be a review coming on that in due course!”

M16

In the late 1950s, a (then) relatively unknown firearms designer by the name of Eugene Stoner produced the prototype of a new rifle called the “Armalite”. Development continued through the 50’s until, in 1956, it came up to Army specification using a .222inch Remington cartridge with an improved bullet. In July 1959 production of the rifle was licensed to Colt and, later in that same year, production started on the Colt Model 601. The bulk of the rifles went to the US Military, with 8,500 going to the Air Force, 1,000 going to the Army for evaluation in project AGILE and a handful going to the Navy SEALs.

During the late 1950s and early 1960s the way the USA fought wars experienced a paradigm change, moving from massed “force on force” set pieces to “manoeuvre warfare”, with far more deployments taking place on a smaller scale; troops became mechanised and air mobile and the rifle they used needed to reflect this. It needed to be smaller and lighter in weight than the ungainly and heavy M14s, L1A1s and G3s in use at the time by the US and other armies worldwide. Engagement distances, especially in the jungles of south east Asia, were decreasing and the need for a high power 7.62mm was lessened. After many trials and tribulations, the US Army finally standardised an upgrade of the XM16E1 as the M16A1 in 1967 and the Model 603/M16A1 remained the primary infantry rifle of U.S. forces in Vietnam until the end of direct U.S. ground involvement. It also became the standard service rifle for all U.S. military ground forces after it fully replaced the M14 service rifle in 1970.

In March 1970, the USA recommended that all NATO forces adopt the 5.56×45 mm cartridge, and this shift represented a change in the philosophy of the military’s long-held position about calibre size. By the mid-1970s other armies were looking at M16-style weapons systems and indeed, there is much evidence of the “M16” in various guises being used by UK and other European forces during the Cold War period. In fact, the “M16” became a kind of “de riguer” weapon for SF units across the globe and British Forces, such as the Royal Marines, liked the “M16” series (in reality more likely to be Colt export models such as the 711 and 715), as did the SAS from their time in the jungles of Borneo.

The M16 was the most commonly manufactured 5.56×45 mm rifle in the world and, at its height, was in use with fifteen NATO countries and more than 80

countries worldwide! Numerous companies in the United States, Canada, and China have produced more than 8,000,000 rifles and variants on the original pattern and it is alleged that some 90% are STILL in operation!

Iggy: “I started my airsoft life with a TM MP5 (a dream choice from seeing one on the cover of a Janes book of guns!) when I was 14 but when I grew big enough I hurried to buy a TM M16 Vietnam! I had it for 14 years and got it rebuilt upgraded and had Hobbs, sprayed it in tiger camo, the lot, and I loved it. Sadly it had to go before I emigrated to Australia…”

Bill: “Airsoft replicas of US “period-specific” rifles and carbines has become better and better and with the current drive in technology in relation to internals, they actually perform excellently too these days! Externals have also improved, with many re-enactors that I know owning AEGs and GBBs because they are just “right” and you’ll see many of them at shows like War & Peace or Military Odyssey. Although I’ve owned many “period ARs”, the full length M16 has never really been my preferred model. That said, most of the Cold War airsoft players I know revel either in the role of the lowly “grunt” or some form of “SF”, where “Mr Colts Best Girl” is most definitely their favourite choice and thankfully now there are many excellent models to choose from!”

G3

The “Automatisches Gewehr G3” was a 7.62×51mm NATO battle rifle, developed in 1956 by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K) in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME (Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales). Germany bought the manufacturing license for the CETME rifle and transferred it to Heckler &Koch, who slightly modified the CETME design and, in 1959, the Bundeswehr adopted the CETME/Heckler & Koch rifle under the designation G3 (Gewehr 3 – Rifle, “Model” 3). From 1959 to the current day the G3 has served, in different variants, as the issue rifle not only for German Armed Forces, but also for many other countries.

Initial production of the G3 rifles differed substantially from more recent models; early rifles featured closed-type mechanical flip-up sights (with two apertures), a lightweight folding bipod, a stamped sheet steel handguard, a wooden buttstock (in fixed stock models) or a telescopic metal stock. Before delivery to the Bundeswehr, each G3 went through functional checks, zeroing the sight line and undergoing a shooting test at the factory. In the process, five shots were fired at a target at 100 metres with particularly accurate sighting-in ammunition.

Although several companies were involved on the production of the rifle, in 1977 the West German government ceded ownership of G3 production and sales rights exclusively to H&K. The rifle proved successful in the export market, being adopted by the armed forces of over 40 countries. The G3 was (and in some cases continues to be) produced under license in France (MAS), Greece (Hellenic Arms Industry), Iran (Defense Industries Organization), Luxembourg (Luxemburg Defense Technologie), Mexico, Myanmar, Norway (Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk), Pakistan (Pakistan Ordnance Factories), Portugal (FBP), Saudi Arabia, Sweden (FFV), Thailand, Turkey (MKEK) and the United Kingdom (Royal Ordnance).

Boycie: “The G3 was one of my first skirmish rifles. I think it appealed to me as it was a little like an SLR, with its big mag, decent length barrel and “cool” look. Even though it was a long rifle, it was still quite easy to swing about and employ in CQB back in the day at the famous Lightfighter Urban site in Sheffield.”

James: “With the current “Airsoft Trend” towards close quarter encounters in “urban” settings, I could say that anyone choosing a full-length, 1026mm/4.5kg “battle rifle” had gone in the wrong direction, but I think I’d be lying! “Sunday Woodland Skirmishes” are every bit as popular as they have always been, and for this setting a G3 can be absolutely devastating. For me this would be an AEG to use in a DMR role though, where picking your shots and accurately achieving them is of paramount importance.

“Overall, the features are excellent as these days a G3 will come with a full steel construction, and the upper can accept any standard claw mount for optics intended for use on a G3 or MP5. The rifle also has a comfortable, slimline forend and the furniture is available is either black or green (the issued colours). With high quality externals, scrupulously achieved internals and extreme attention to detail, the airsoft

G3 is a strong, reliable rifle for those interested in something with a definite history, and that is stunningly different from most AEGs out there!”

HK33

Along with the G3, Heckler & Koch also began developing new firearms for military and police use and in 1968 introduced the 5.56mm HK33 assault rifle series. Essentially a re-scaled G3, the HK33 was produced in several different variations, including a fixed stock (A2) and retractable stock (A3) rifle, a carbine (HK33K) with either a fixed stock (A2) or retractable stock (A3), and a “Scharfschutzen Gewehr” (sharpshooter rifle) with a bipod, precision trigger and telescopic sight, known as the HK33SG/1.

A licensed US-made copy by Harrington and Richardson (called the “T223”) was tested in combat by the US Navy SEALS during the Vietnam War and the HK33 was also extensively and favourably tested by the French Army in the 1970s. Mostly for political reasons, the French Army adopted the FA-MAS instead of the HK33 and the Bundeswehr also showed no interest in changing from the 7.62mm G3 they’d invested heavily in. Nonetheless, the HK33 did very well internationally for H&K. The rifle was adopted by the Brazilian Air Force, the Chilean and Ecuadoran Marine Corps, the Thai, Turkish and Malaysian armed forces, as well as law enforcement and military units in more than 40 other countries including the US and the UK. Standard magazines for the HK33 series were 25- and 40-rounders made of pressed steel.

Bill: “I’ve always personally fancied an “HK33” to add to my collection and thankfully LCT have provided a really good one now. As a Brit it’s an important model to me, as it’s believed that “The Regiment” used the HK33KA3 carbine variant for close protection duties, usually keeping the rifle in their vehicles, so it sits perfectly alongside my SLR, Sterling, and Browning! Given the “real-like” feel, the quality and the outright “BB performance” of the LCT, this is most definitely a rifle to own and cherish. If you like a bit of “old school” that’s just a bit different, then you really should get your hands on an HK33!”

MP5

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 submachinegun (SMG). The Germans, of course, had a bit of a history with SMGs and “machine pistols” and two companies, Carl Walther Waffenfabrik in Ulm-anDonau and Heckler & Koch (H&K) GmBH in Obendorfam-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 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 pistol-calibre, blowback operated roller-locked 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 MP5s 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, the MP5 has become the choice of the worlds’ most famous elite anti-terrorist, special operations and special law enforcement organisations.

Stewbacca: “I had a whole array of MP5 AEGs from various manufacturers back in the UK. When I was still playing with the J-Team (and basically arming the whole team), me and my flatmate acquired four different MP5 AEG models. These included a Galaxy MP5k and MP5k PDWs, a JG MP5J and MP5A4 (all of which I tended to lend to the ladies due to their lightweight and the fact they looked pretty badass wielding them) and I’d make use of the “WMag” high-cap magazine units to avoid the need for

reloading as such. These ready-made twin MP5 magazine stuck together set ups were basically a single manufactured unit which allowed you to fill BBs by pushing the fake rounds of the left side forwards to gain access to the hopper, then winding the wheel across the bottom of the unit to feed up the right column.

“These all worked excellently for the most part, providing a lightweight, simple and fun solution for new players or physically smaller ones and the magazines were great as a no fuss way of carrying and feeding as much as 500 rounds in something that added to the realism. Eventually my friend managed to strip the gears of the MP5A4 but aside from that I never had any issues with any of them.”

Stu: “MP5… possibly one of my faves. TM/JG/CA/ Cyma, I’ve run at least one of each make! Sliding and fixed stock. SD fore-ends, tac versions (jubilee clip, M4 RAS section) even fitted a real H&K slim foregrip. I loaned a JG MP5 to a mate who’s own highly tec’d m4 had lunched itself; he was highly sceptical of said MP5, until he returned it to me later. He was somewhat at a loss to see how cheap-soft MP5 had rinsed his M4! My only grumble was with the external HOP slide adjuster, but a bit of tape usually solved that. Of them all, I’d say the CA B&T SD was my favourite, accurate, pointable and an excellent range.”

Boycie: “I’ve loved a few models of MP5 over the years. Being compact and giving the ability to carry plenty of mags, 100rd Mids or 50rd Lo Caps depending on the game and my mood at the time, it’s a super, compact, lightweight platform. A big advantage was that I could use the M4 closed pouches to hold 4 x MP5 mags and this saved much profanity when considering the need to change over mag pouches to better suit each platform format!”

FN FAL

The FN FAL (Fusil Automatique Léger) has to be one of the most pictured rifles of the Cold war Era after the Russian AKM. The first FAL prototype was completed in 1946 and it was designed to fire the intermediate 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge developed and used by the forces of Germany during World War II. After testing this prototype in 1948, the British Army urged FN to build additional prototypes, including one in bullpup configuration. However, after evaluating the single bullpup prototype, FN decided to return instead to their original, conventional design for future production. Designed by Dieudonné Saive and Ernest Vervier and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale d’Herstal (FN Herstal), it might truly be said that FN created what is possibly the classic post-war battle rifle!

There are many, MANY, variants based on the original FAL design and they have also been manufactured with both light and heavy-barrel configurations, with the heavy barrel intended for automatic fire as a section or squad light support weapon. Most heavy barrel FALs are equipped with bipods, although some light barrel models were equipped with bipods and a bipod was later made available as an accessory. During the Cold War it was adopted by many North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries, with the notable exception of the United States. It is undoubtedly one of the most widely used rifles from the period, having been used by more than 90 countries, and it’s STILL seen to this day!

Bill: “Although I own a number of RIFs that are completely correct for the 1980’s I decided that I’d really like to create something a bit unique for a “merc” role, so set about researching what weapons that were most popular with them and of course, other than the venerable AK there was one that really jumped out - and that was the FN FAL, so a FAL it had to be! Luckily my initial search for an airsoft variant led me to an old King Arms FAL with a battery and four Mid-Cap magazines for £100; a bargain that has proved to be a formidable shooter! King Arms have always been known to look at some of the more esoteric historical weapons in airsoft form and there has been much talk about the re-introduction of the FAL AEG line, which encompassed a number of FAL variants. Although I’m yet to see any solid evidence of this at retail I can only hope it is, or will be, true, as I’d dearly love another full-length one brand new from the box as it’s actually a darn good AEG!”

UZI

The Uzi is such an iconic firearm! Uziel Gal, the designer, did actually crib a few features from the Jaroslav Holecek-designed Czech ZK 476 (prototype only) and the production Sa 23, Sa 24, Sa 25, and Sa 26 series of submachine guns, namely in relation to the open-bolt, blowback operation. What truly makes it unique though, was the fact it was designed when Israel stood alone and was produced entirely in that country!

The Uzi was made primarily from stamped sheet metal, making it less expensive per unit to manufacture than an equivalent design machined from forgings. With relatively few moving parts, the Uzi was easy to strip for maintenance or repair. The magazine is housed within the pistol grip, allowing for intuitive and easy reloading in dark or difficult

conditions, under the principle of “hand finds hand”. The pistol grip is fitted with a grip safety, making it difficult to fire accidentally.

Initially, the Uzi came with a wood stock with a metal buttplate and three variations of this were used by the IDF. In 1956 IMI developed a downwardfolding, twin-strut metal stock with two swivelling sections that tucked under the rear of the receiver - and the “look” of the Uzi that most will recognise was born!

Since its introduction in 1954 the Uzi has been exported to over 90 countries. Over its service lifetime it has been manufactured by Israel Military Industries, FN Herstal and other manufacturers. From the 1960s through the 1980s, more Uzi submachine guns were sold to more military, law enforcement and security markets than any other submachine gun ever made.

Bill: “Although I’ve had other airsoft Uzis over the years, such as the Guarder-enhanced WA/KWC CO2 “Mini”, these have come and gone and the TM is the only model that’s been with me for the duration. I love it to bits and these days I’m extremely careful with it as I know if it breaks, parts are now almost impossible to find. It is a super little AEG, sturdy as anything and even after many moons (and a few services) still manages to raise an eyebrow with other players when I (very!) occasionally take it out to a game and they see just how good it is. Like many of you, I too hope that Tokyo Marui (or some other capable manufacturer who may read this!) might re-release this little gem; I’d have another in a heartbeat!”

James: “Introduced at the back end of 1998, the TM Uzi was a long-awaited replica that proved an immediate hit with airsofters around the globe. With an EG1000R motor and a completely unique V5 gearbox and piston design, the Uzi also offered a small amount of recoil/blowback vibration for added realism - which TM christened “the recoil shock system” - and to this day the end result is quite unique! Like Bill, I hope that someone produces a new airsoft Uzi and that it’s as good - and as much fun - as the old TM!”

STEYR AUG

The Steyr AUG is an Austrian bullpup 5.56×45mm military rifle, which was originally developed and designed in the 1960s by Steyr Mannlicher GmbH & Co KG. The AUG (“Armee Universal Gewehr” or “Universal Army Rifle”) was adopted by the Austrian Army as the StG 77 (Sturmgewehr 77) in 1977 to replace the 7.62×51mm StG 58 automatic rifle (a licence-built FN FAL) and became the standard small arm of the Austrian Bundesheer and various national police units. Designed as a family of rifles that could be quickly adapted to a wide variety of roles (with the change of the barrel to a desired length and profile), the AUG is a modular configuration and employs a high level of polymer and advanced alloy components. The primary variant of the rifle, designated the AUG A1, consisted of six main parts: the barrel, receiver with integrated 1.5x telescopic sight made by Swarovski Optik, bolt and carrier, trigger mechanism, fiberglass-reinforced polyamide 66 stock and magazine.

Many believed the AUG rifle to be revolutionary in many respects when it first appeared but, in fact, the AUG is a clever combination of the various existing ideas, assembled into one sound, reliable and aesthetically attractive package. Since its inception the AUG gained great popularity, being adopted by the armed forces of Australia, Austria, New Zealand, Oman, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and some others. It was also widely purchased by various security and law enforcement agencies worldwide, including the US Coastguard. The Steyr AUG can be considered probably the most commercially successful bullpup assault rifle to date.

Stewbacca: “Ah… the AUG! I acquired one from a teammate which I believe was a JG, the AUGA2 civilian style in black with the rail. I always quite liked the handling and feel of the dual stage trigger and the long internal barrel offered excellent performance; I’ve always been a fan of bullpups!”

Chris: “The Steyr AUG is a later addition to my collection but one I sit and think “Why on earth did I not pick one up sooner?” I’ve owned two for about four years now (ASG and JG) and I’ve fallen for the platform hard. The ergonomics, the modularity and the general classiness of a design that must have seemed out of Sci-Fi at the time of its conception, but still holds its own against any modern firearm

design like the FN2000. Being Bullpup it’s very much a Marmite gun, either you get on with the bullpup style or you don’t, but I especially find the AEG versions well balanced, fairly light (unlike various L85s - yes, I’m looking at you ICS) and pleasantly comfortable with no sharp angles to snag on kit or woodland foliage.

“Modularity is a massive plus of the AUG as, with a flick of a switch, you can change barrels and with a push of a pin you can change uppers, so having one gun for all situations is absolutely a plus. With 3D printed parts now available that turn it into the 9MM version it just adds a little “something different” to a collection. If you haven’t had the chance to pick up an AUG yet I suggest you do.”

FAMAS

The FAMAS (Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne or, in English, “Assault Rifle from the Saint-Étienne Weapon Factory”) and known by French troops as Le Clarion (The Bugle) due to its distinctive shape, saw service for many years! Operational conditions proved the weapon to be reliable and trustworthy and gave rise to its long service life. Development of the bullpup FAMAS began in 1967 under the direction of General Paul Tellié and the first prototype was completed in 1971, with French military evaluation of the rifle beginning in 1972. However, developmental and manufacturing delays meant that the final model was not delivered and issued to French troops until 1978.

This rifle served, without its fair share of complications, through until 1994 when the FAMAS G2 was developed to comply with NATO standards by accepting standard NATO magazines. The French Navy purchased the FAMAS G2 in 1995 and issued it to their Fusiliers Marins and Commandos Marine but the French army refused to purchase the G2, preferring to rely on the FAMAS F1 as their primary rifle. The successful design remained fundamentally unchanged from what it was originally and the legendary but old-fashioned FAMAS finally bit the dust in 2017, with French troops now being issued the Heckler & Koch HK416.

Stewbacca: “At the dawn of time, when the world was still young, there was only Marui and Classic Army. They were the best of times. They were the worst of times. Excel were the only BBs, and 3,700 BBs in a bag seemed like hard currency. All batteries were NIMH or NICD, Lithium was the stuff of Star Trek - and the FAMAS was the bestest gnu!”

Frenchie: “To hold the Marui FAMAS F1 is the have a piece of airsoft history in your hands. It was the very first electric airsoft gun (AEG), it featured adjustable hop up and the Version 1 gearbox is - and remains - unique.

“The problem with history is that it gets left behind and although the FAMAS had a silly rate of fire in its time, it will seem a bit tame these days. Range is also an issue, that hop unit may be adjustable but it’s not the most efficient and the very uniqueness of the gearbox militates against meaningful upgrades. Churning out a modest 250 feet per second approximately, the ability to add another 70 fps would make a significant difference. And it creaks! That big plastic foregrip where the battery lives isn’t particularly stealthy.

“But… I love them so much I have owned SIX of them over the years. They have a good weight, not too heavy; the bipod is useless in the field because it can’t be slewed but great in the safezone for keeping the gun out the mud. Finally, the gun is stupidly reliable. I don’t know if Marui still produce these, probably not, it would be nice if they would give it a much-needed upgrade but I doubt they will. France has moved on and adopted the HK 416, understandably, but good though the 416 is, it will never be as cool as the “Clarion”. Vive le FAMAS!” AA

COVERT BOOT

BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: £49.95