SHOP DROP: RETAIL ROUNDUP

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP!!

IT SEEMS THAT AIRSOFT IS NOW, AT LAST, COMING FULLY BACK TO LIFE, RISING PHOENIX-LIKE FROM THE ASHES OF THE C-VIRUS AND ALTHOUGH WE ARE STILL NOT COMPLETELY BACK TO FULL SPEED, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT MANUFACTURERS AROUND THE GLOBE ARE SHAKING OFF THE COBWEBS AND RE-APPEARING WITH SOME ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS NEW “GUNS N’ GEAR”! SADLY THOUGH, THERE IS STILL ONE SHADOW ON THE HORIZON THAT WILL AFFECT US ALL AND THAT’S WHERE WE’LL BEGIN OUR ROUND-UP THIS MONTH…

Shops, sites, games and events are all restarting slowly but surely around the world and in many ways airsoft is positively thriving! New players have been drawn to airsoft, all of them wishing to take part in a group activity with their mates that gets them out of the house, away from their screens and as far from lockdown as they could possibly imagine.

And they’re entering a world that is has never been better to be a part of than right now, with more guns, more gear, and more choice than we have ever had before! But - and this is a BIG BUT - things they are a-changin’!

CHEAP AS CHIPS

In recent years we have seen the price of AEGs and GBBs come tumbling and, as we’ve often said, you can pick up a “starter AEG” for almost silly money at the moment. Competition (sometimes unfair and unscrupulous) amongst manufacturers and retailers particularly (we’re looking hard at you, “bedroom resellers”!) has seen the price of AEGs, GBB pistols, and all kinds of gear come crashing down and these days a UK£100 AEG will get you in the game with performance to spare.

Sadly, for many it looks as if these days are well and truly numbered. We’ve been speaking to numerous manufacturers and retailers and everyone is telling us that 2021 into 2022 is the time we will see these prices changing. Some manufacturers have already increased their trade prices by as much as 30%, which means that the item is now more expensive to the retailer and although we are sure some retailers will try to swallow some of the increase, doing so is not sustainable in the long term, so we ARE expecting to see prices rise across the board.

However, before you start screaming “Rip Off!!”, let’s try to understand the reasoning behind this; the fact is that raw material prices have rocketed in the last year - and don’t even get us started on shipping costs! To put it in a nutshell, we’re hearing that the price of a 40-foot container from the Far East (IF you can find one!) has soared from U$2,500 to almost US$18,500! Although you can fit a lot of AEGs in a 40-foot container, that still means an incremental per unit rise.

Border regulations have, for better or worse long term, also changed within the EU and for UK players that does mean that (currently) some brands are now almost beyond our reach. However, although this is now calming down and “mainland retailers” are finding logistical solutions, it does mean additional duty for the buyer and, as such, that UK£100 AEG is now going to cost you significantly more! The bottom line is that we will see AEGs and GBBs climbing back to higher price levels but, as airsoft prices have been almost artificially low for quite some time, this is in some ways just balance being restored… Perhaps Tokyo Marui have had their prices right all this time after all!

Which brings us very nicely to more exciting and positive news, as the first thing on our menu of airsoft delectability this month is the new TM AKM GBBR!

TOKYO MARUI

We were lucky enough to get our hands on a sample of this lovely new GBBR earlier this month and as we have some real AK-lovers amongst the AA crew, it was both eagerly anticipated and very warmly received! As we expect from TM, both the construction and the performance of the AKM are first rate and even their “faux-wood” looks to be of the highest grain! We particularly liked the finish of the metal parts and the attention to detail, right down to the “Bakelite” pistol grip that mimics the real perfectly and we’ll be getting “range hands on” with one of these as soon as we can! These are now arriving with stockists and as we hear that mags are currently in short supply, we’d advise that you buy a few extra where possible!

Staying with TM, there’s also news that their latest Next Generation Recoil Shock (NGRS) model should be hitting the Asian market later this month and, of course, it’s their eagerly-awaited MP5!

As we reported on the AA web news page, the MP5 NRGS also features the new “M-System”, which has been newly developed so that a microcomputer (MCU = microcontroller unit) comprehensively monitors and controls FETs, FC (Fire Control), batteries, and motors. There’s also an Ambidextrous FireSelector that includes a Burst function, improved Trigger Response with FET and more! This is looking to be a truly special AEG and we are seriously looking forward to getting one on the range! We hear from Scott and the crew at Land Warrior Airsoft (LWA) that they are expecting this model to be with them in October, so if you fancy one then you’d better get your order in soon!

We are STILL just on AEG news here, as things are shaping up for a bit of a tussle when it comes to new P90s!

EVIKE MANUFACTURING GROUP

Again, as we reported via our web news, Evike Manufacturing Group (EMG) have collaborated with KRISS USA Inc.’s premier brand of airsoft products, KRYTAC, under a license granted by Cybergun SA, to create a new P90 model and this promises to be a superlative AEG. We further know that the EMG P90 AEG will be a 1:1 representation of the FN P90 Tactical SMG, with MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny top rail. The body will be made of a durable, impact resistant, polymer, with an aluminium upper receiver and an ambidextrous magazine release, charging handles, and selector switch. The P90 will be a select fire SMG with a compound trigger in Auto mode; a “half press” fires one round, while a “full press” fires automatic.

The EMG P90 will be fed through a 200 BB mid-cap magazine, with selectable 50 rounds capacity switch.

TITAN BATTERIES

We also just got word from our mates at TITAN that they’re in with the rollout too when it comes to batteries. They told us; “Fitment and performance, we got you covered! We did extensive battery fitment and performance testing together with KRYTAC. What do these batteries have in common? We can already confirm they all fit the new Krytac FN P90; only the 11.1v nunchuck will need the additional battery extender!” We understand that the extender will also be released with the AEG in September and we’ll have more news on that soon…

Although we’re still not 100% convinced that the P90 is the model we would have chosen from the FN licence agreement with Cybergun, what we do find exciting is the level of support that this new AEG appears to have from multiple industry partners all

TAP/CLICK IMAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION

working together! So often we see fabulous AEGs and GBBs that go unsupported by anyone other than the original manufacturer and it really is GREAT to see so many quality brands coming together to work and support each other, and ultimately benefit the players that do buy the new P90!

BUT it would seem that EMG, KRYTAC, Cybergun et al have some immediate competition - and it’s come again from the airsofter that some love to hate, Novritsch!

NOVRITSCH

The SSR90 Electric SMG has a pre-order on now, with an ETA of February 2022 and this is going to come into “direct contact” with the FN P90! Given that the SSR90 will come “in a completely redesigned, preupgraded package tailored for the most demanding players out there” we’re very interested to see what the fallout of this may be in licensing terms as, let’s face it, there’s some mighty big names in play here! This may be one to grab that “Michael Jackson Bucket of Popcorn” for, to sit back to watch…

Also coming soon will be a model that is sure to please all the “bolty” users out there!

SILVERBACK AIRSOFT

Fresh in the airsoft world and fresh in the door at LWA HQ (who personally gave us the news) is the Silverback Airsoft TAC-41P Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle, complete with a myriad of awesome features. A very capable long gun that is surprisingly light and short, weighing at around 2.65Kg locked and loaded and measuring 110 cm long, it’s ideal for both urban and woodland environments. Each rifle is individually serialised, with a CNC Aluminium Receiver and Fibreglass Reinforced Nylon Stock, and comes in four colour options: Black, FDE, Wolf Grey and Olive Green. What’s more, LWA have plenty of each colour in-stock now but they expect these to sell very quickly, so don’t hesitate!

VORSK

We are also over the moon that VORSK have just dropped yet another fabulous GBB pistol model, in the form of the VP26X!

We’ve been biting our tongues until recently as we REALLY wanted to shout about the very latest handgun model from VORSK but were sworn to secrecy on the new VP26X until the official announcement came. As Bill has already mentioned this model in VORSK DIARY this month we won’t go into huge detail here, but there’ll be a FULL review on the way of this model in Issue 130 next month!

And to round out we’ll stick with pistols and shout a bit about the latest RAVEN R226!

RAVEN

As much as we love the original RAVEN R226 Railed GBB pistol (and we do love it as it’s a great pistol with super performance!) there are some instances where you just feel the need for a bit of a “classic” and the latest R-Series non-railed, full-metal pistol really sings to us in that respect!

The R226 is of full metal construction. RAVEN’s experience with other GBB models ensures first-class gas efficiency, easily emptying the standard 20 BB magazine when unloading downrange. You have the option of R226s with or without the 20mm rail now, allowing for the attachment of a range of accessories such as torches or laser units of you wish, or the ability to “run clean” is you’re a bit of a classicist! All furniture is functional including the de-cocking lever for returning the hammer to a safe position without discharge. With the introduction of the non-railed version you now have many, MANY options when it

comes to owning an R226! You can have a Railed or Non-Railed Version, an Iron Sight or BDS Sight Version, and you can choose from Black, Blue, Tan, Tan-Black, Grey, GreyBlack, Green - and even Chrome or Gold if you really want to out-bling the opposition!

So, that’s it from us for another month! We realise that this month we’ve been a bit “gun heavy” so we’ll catch up with all the superb gear that’s come to our attention recently next issue! For now, keep safe - and go play airsoft! AA