Airsoft Action - February 2023

CONTENTS

8

ARMOURY: ICS TOMAHAWK

ICS Airsoft are never afraid to go their own way when it comes to new models, and we’re always excited when we see another example of their fabulous in-house design! With the TOMAHAWK they have finally entered the sniper-rifle arena, and Jimmy has been out testing it to see how this recipient of the “TAIWAN EXCELLENCE AWARD 2023” really performs in-game!

16

ARMOURY: VORSK REQUIEM

What makes you buy a new pistol, and what makes this pistol a “keeper”? As we enter 2023 VORSK are just about to launch even more models to their already comprehensive range that offers a handgun-solution for virtually any style of airsoft loadout, and Bill takes a close look at why the new VX-14 REQUIEM EDITION should be in any discerning airsofter’s collection!

24 ARMOURY: LCT “ MODERNIZIROVANNY” PROGRAM

If you’re an OPFOR-focused player then you will undoubtedly be a fan of LCT. But times move on, and even the humble AK has been driven to modernisation by the increased demands of the warfighter, and LCT have taken note and worked to create new airsoft replicas and accessories to upgrade old ones accordingly for the current-day “6mm Battlespaces”!

FIND US ON…

34 ARMOURY: DOUBLE EAGLE/JDG P80 PFS9

The drive towards unique airsoft GBB handgun models with their roots firmly in the real firearms community seems to show no sign of abating, with new licences being granted and shared to create some pretty stunning pistols! Bill had the chance to check out something a bit different this month in the form of the P80 PFS9!

38 TOD: BEING PREPARED

We hit a whole new year ready to get our game on, but what needs to be done to make yourself totally game ready? This month Bill is rejoined by specialist contributor Andy N to talk about preparedness from the military standpoint and how this can be applied to airsoft!

44 THE CAGE: NEW YEAR, NEW GOALS

Just like all of you out there setting up for a whole new year of airsoft the members of THE AA LEGION are making plans and getting their gear in order! So what have the team got in their own planning for 2023, and what are their resolutions?

‘22!

We’re privileged to have not only great direct relationships with our industry partners and see the very latest AEG and GBB models as soon as they come into existence, but also to have an experienced and knowledgeable crew to look at them! Bill got with the members of Red Cell AND The AA Legion over the break to check out which models have proved popular within the team during the last year!

62 KIT & GEAR: NUPROL ACCESSORIES

Anyone who reads Airsoft Action will know that we are extremely proud of, a long-standing and deep friendship with the team at NUPROL, and we’ve come to respect them more and more as they have continued to grow into a true airsoft-industry leviathan! As we head into a new year and look to get “game ready” all over again, Bill delves into their accessory range to highlight some real gems!

96 RELOADED: VORSK HI CAPA

66

KIT & GEAR VIPER 2023

Like many of you we always start a new year of airsoft with a bit of a “gear audit”, looking at what needs replacing in our existing kit, and indeed what new items need to be added to our personal gear lockers for the coming twelve months! Red Cell have been hammering their existing VIPER clothing and equipment, so Bill looks back on the old and rings in the new!

70 TECH: PERUN P90/AUG MOSFETS PART II

Perun and Airsoft Action have developed a fabulous relationship over the past couple of years, and their Mosfets are now our go-to electronic upgrade when it comes to working on our own platforms! Perun is a name all airsofters should be familiar with, but why? Jimmy will tell you why in Part II of his look at the new tech for the P90 and AUG as he gets into fitting them!

As Laylax close out their 25th year in operation in Japan the return to normality for their Krytac Owner’s Meeting Volume 5 held at Tokyo Sa-ba-ge park in early November, is just one of the many feathers in their caps as they embark upon creating a truly international presence in the coming year with their new US operations afoot ready to spread their airsoft related products, message and culture.

Having already had the consolation prize local industry and players only MOA2022 Campfest earlier in April as a result of the cancellation of 2021’s show and the continued embuggerances at the time regarding pandemic controls on event sizes, finally MOA could return in its true incarnation, MOA2022…2? Stewbacca might as well make up for lost time eh?

Last summer both Bill and Jimmy added a VORSK Hi CAPA to the personal armouries for a very good reason, as quite apart from assured performance the pistols matched up with their new ICS Mk18s… yes, we really can be that vain, but when you have the ability to add a matched carbine and pistol combo to your loadout, then why not? Six months in they now give their thoughts on their handgun choice.

48 RED CELL: FAVOURITE “LONGS” OF

76 AA LEGION: JAPAN

84 AA LEGION: MOA 2022

NEW BEGINNINGS

ICS AIRSOFT ARE NEVER AFRAID TO GO THEIR OWN WAY WHEN IT COMES TO NEW MODELS, AND WE’RE ALWAYS EXCITED WHEN WE SEE ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THEIR FABULOUS IN-HOUSE DESIGN! WITH THE TOMAHAWK THEY HAVE FINALLY ENTERED THE SNIPER-RIFLE ARENA, AND JIMMY HAS BEEN OUT TESTING IT TO SEE HOW THIS RECIPIENT OF THE “TAIWAN EXCELLENCE AWARD 2023” REALLY PERFORMS IN-GAME!

area which is continues to find new fans constantly, and it would seem, rapidly, and I do believe this is mainly due to more and more online content surrounding this type of role; this role of course being that of the airsoft sniper (aka the ghillie!).

With more and more manufacturers providing up to date platforms with great performance out of the box, it was only a matter of time before ICS would join the gang and put their vast manufacturing experience to the test. That resulting platform is the new TOMAHAWK, and it has grasped the interest of budding snipers around the globe. In the time I have had hands-on with this platform I have monitored its roll-out and spoken at length other well-known airsoft snipers who also have been testing it to see what opinions they have and to see if those opinions match my own, and I have to say there are some very positive noises being thrown around!

Being a big fan of ICS I couldn’t wait to find out more on this new rifle but at the time I initially found out about it, there was nothing more to go on than pictures and ICS were keeping their cards close to their chest, only providing minimal info. My curiosity was overwhelming and I had to seek out info on specs which our valued contact at ICS, Rita, kindly provided; these details intrigued me even further and on paper the TOMAHAWK looked set to be a major contender.

amazement it was showing on average 520fps!

There is no way that would have passed chrono at my local site, so I had to quickly reduce the power. I had a spare Rapax 2J spring kicking about so I fitted that in the hope it would slightly decrease the power; it did bring it down, but I was seeing fluctuations on FPS, so back to the drawing board. I decided the best course of action would be to shorten the stock spring slightly by removing two full coils and then dressing the end of the spring. This modification brought the J down to a respectable 2.32 and 352fps on a 0.40g which was pretty bang on the money, and on the plus side removed a lot of the twang out of the spring which was a bonus.

After speaking with Rita at ICS I later learnt they do provide am M100 spring so bear that in mind; anyone looking to purchase one of these rifles, ICS do indeed have the angles covered. Talking spring changes it is a very quick spring removal, and literally takes seconds; I say seconds, that is if you know to remove the little grub screw securing the spring guide LOL! I spent the best part of an hour trying to fathom out how to remove the guide; after removing the butt pad you slide out the cylinders dust cover where you will see a 1.5mm grub screw, and once removed you simply twist the spring guide about 30degrees and out it

“WITH MORE AND MORE MANUFACTURERS PROVIDING UP TO DATE PLATFORMS WITH GREAT PERFORMANCE OUT OF THE BOX, IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ICS WOULD JOIN THE GANG AND PUT THEIR VAST MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE TO THE TEST. THAT RESULTING PLATFORM IS THE NEW TOMAHAWK, AND IT HAS GRASPED THE INTEREST OF BUDDING SNIPERS AROUND THE GLOBE.”

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

I’ll come out and say this from the outset; I am not used to a bullpup-design sniper rifle, I am much more familiar with a VSR style rifle, so the TOMAHAWK was a bit alien to me at first I have to admit. That said it is a comfortable platform with good ergonomics. The pistol grip is nicely shaped and a perfect fit even for a large hand like mine. I had a few players on site ask me what it was and did make the assumption it was an SRS and the fact remains it does resemble one.

So after getting the scope fitted correctly and loading up a mag full of 0.40g BBs I made my way to the range to carry out some basic “field-prep” and the TOMAHAWK was very easy to set up, no fiddling with tiny allen keys in places fat fingers cannot fit, no removal of magazines to adjust the hop. ICS have done something many others haven’t and that is the addition of a TDC wheel which is easily accessible making hop adjustment tool free, quick and easy, as well as giving the ability to make very fine adjustments . In conjunction to the TDC there are two grub screws, one either side of the TDC, which allow for any deviations left or right in trajectory and allowing for very fine tuning. This ensures your BB travels straight and true, obviously depending on the conditions

receiver, and it’s a bit hit and miss whether you locate them easily! You need to

free but the side adjusters do require tools… so not completely tool free. After around ten minutes on the range though I had the hop set and the optics dialled and was effectively hitting targets at around 60m.

As well as the three-way adjustable one piece CNC hop unit, ICS have incorporated some of the Master Mod components in the form of the 6.04mm steel barrel and the R-Hop patch which I am a fan of. I do believe it is a great idea, but I also believe 0.40g is probably the heaviest this setup can cope with effectively. If the hop nub was to be a bit longer it would have greater effect and yield some fantastic results, and lifting heavier ammo wouldn’t be a problem. I have seen other testers saying it will just lift a 0.48g, but in my opinion that is putting too much pressure on the R-Hop patch and could potentially misshape its surface, causing inaccuracies and inconsistent velocity.

In-game, throughout the course of the day I was making small but noticeable adjustments, but I was easily hitting player-sized targets over 70m away and getting ever more comfortable with the design and ergonomics of the rifle; I was also getting to grips with the mag fitment which is quite interesting. It is a side loading 50BB magazine and the BBs feed from the top, and I did have a few feeding issues. As I only

“IN-GAME, THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE DAY I WAS MAKING SMALL BUT NOTICEABLE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT I WAS EASILY HITTING PLAYER-SIZED TARGETS OVER 70M AWAY AND GETTING EVER MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE DESIGN AND ERGONOMICS OF THE RIFLE”

got sent a single magazine with the rifle I can’t say whether it was a one-off with the mag I have, or an issue across the board.

I was thankful for the large volume cylinder which allows the use of a lighter spring, making cocking the rifle rather easier, so less fatigue; unlike some rifles which need a real heavy spring to create the volume needed to give higher velocity, the TOMAHWAK just works in this respect. I feel ICS could have been a bit more creative on the charging handle as it is just a large shiny round ball which kept coming loose, meaning I had to keep checking it was tightened up. I did use some blue loctite but maybe the wrong type so will try another type and see how that fares… They have used a stainless steel 61cc cylinder which means a greater volume of air without the need for much energy to propel the BB.

So after the first trip out with the TOMAHAWK I have to say I was impressed, and it was every bit as good on paper as it was during use, so my initial expectations were fulfilled. I wouldn’t get a chance to use it again for another week, so took the chance to strip it down and see what made it as good as it was.

The first thing I wanted to look at was the large volume cylinder and piston, and upon removal I was amazed at how light the piston was compared to others I have seen. I couldn’t though understand why so much grease had been used on areas that didn’t need to be greased; it was a tad overkill in my honest opinion as both the piston and cylinder as well as the cylinder chamber were over-greased so naturally I went about cleaning that up and putting some silicone lube only on the areas needed.

Next was to get up close with the hop unit and this is a very easy process; by way of removing the entire outer barrel, you have two retaining allen keys which need loosening but take note, do not remove completely, just loosen them slightly. On the right side of the receiver there is a large locking screw which you turn only through 45 degrees allowing you to then slide the outer barrel from the body. The hop unit is retained in the outer barrel which requires the removal of a couple of grub screws. I love how easy it is to disassemble, you can have the whole thing stripped down in minutes. After stripping down and cleaning a few parts I double checked the velocity and it was still showing a consistent power.

COLD COMFORT

My second trip out with the TOMAHAWK would see me playing in some fairly cold and very damp conditions as it had been snowing, and sadly this is where I started to encounter a few problems… now just to be clear these problems were not a result of me taking the thing apart as I too suffered with the self-same problems as did others whose opinion I respect, although we’re yet to fully compare notes on them. The power was all over the place, trajectory was poor, and I put this down to the cold affecting the hop rubber which isn’t unheard of.

When I was cocking the rifle I had to give the top of the mag a firm tap as the feeding became worse, and as a result would sometimes double feed BBs into the hop unit. I persevered in the hope the problems might disappear, but alas things only got worse for me. I started experiencing jams in the hop unit so I left the game and went back to the safe zone to investigate, and what I found shocked me a bit, mainly because I hadn’t realised what was happening…

BBs were making their merry way into the cylinder chamber and were getting crushed under the force of the bolt, so and I had lots of BB material built-up in between the bolt head and hop unit, creating a gap so the air couldn’t push the BB out; I am firm on my opinion that the hop unit may need to be revised and a small sprung detent added to stop BBss from coming back out of the hop unit and into the path of the bolt. At this point I put the rifle back in my case and just went back out with my pistol…

My overall opinion of the TOMAHWAK is still very positive, but it has been dampened very slightly as normally I can’t find fault with ICS products, so it is difficult for me to admit there are any problems… but that is what we are here to find out are we not? I shall continue my journey with this platform in an attempt to iron out the problems and see where any improvements can be made, and of course I shall report back when I have done so.

I really do love the TOMAHAWK and I think it has great potential; it looks great, feels great, and I KNOW we can get it working just as great; I can totally see why this won the “design excellence” award that it did, but as a game-tool it still needs a little refinement. I would like to thank Rita at ICS for allowing me the opportunity to test the initial rifle out, and fingers crossed together we can get it right!

REQUIEM AETERNAM DONA EIS

When in our airsoft “life” do we make the jump from player to collector? I know that after nearly thirty years of a somewhat passionate connection with our beloved game of airsoft my personal “armoury” now gives me great joy when I look at the AEGs and GBBs I have amassed; think about that for a moment… even if I had bought just one pistol, SMG, carbine, rifle, shotgun or LMG a year that would be a solid collection, but the fact is that it really hasn’t been just “one”… it can never be “just one” now can it?

But that, it turns out is one the greatest gifts of longevity in the game, as each and every AEG or GBB holds a memory of glories past! Each time I pick one of my collection up it reminds me fully of a game, of a place, and ultimately of the friends and players that were there “in the moment” with me. Some of them send me far, far away to different countries and years long passed, and some remind me of shows, events, and range days that for one reason or another have stuck firmly in my memory, also in the company of good friends!

I may be one of the “old airsoft guard” these days, but I’m hoping that this year I can throw off the shackles that have bound me and kept me from playing for way too long, and get back out there to meet more players, make even more airsoft friends and create even happier airsoft memories! But what makes a “memorable gun”, one that earns a place in your personal collection to be revered and enjoyed in those quieter moments? What makes you want to keep said AEG or GBB and give it a place on honour of your pistol shelf or gun wall?

For me again the decision is a very personal and almost intimate one; every single model in my armoury does indeed hold a special memory and none more so than those from VORSK. Why so you may ask, and I’ll simply say that many years ago now as a player who’d started to write about airsoft I met another young player and fledgling tech at a show, and we got on even though we came from very different generations.

We stayed in touch and talked much of the “future of airsoft”. I watched this young man, who I knew

had gone through the mill grow in confidence and ability until he started working in the airsoft industry proper. I watched with pleasure and some pride as this young friend of mine found his mojo fully and started to do magnificent things, building a team around him that were equally passionate about creating superb gas airsoft platforms that would be cherished by players for many years to come.

And yes, you guessed it, that young airsofter was no other than Ross, the driving force behind the VORSK brand, who along with tech-ninja Mark and

CONCEPT TO REALITY

The REQUIEM concept was to be put in place in order create some absolutely unique iterations of VORSK pistols that yes, of course they could be used in game, but would also be “collectable” as items of pistolmagnificence! We have all seen, and many of us own, the VX-9 AGENCY “Hitman” pistols, especially the matched pairs, and the seed for the VX-14 (I’ll be talking in more more about this model next month!) and REQUIEM concept originated right there!

The guys told me;

“WHAT MAKES A “MEMORABLE GUN”, ONE THAT EARNS A PLACE IN YOUR PERSONAL COLLECTION TO BE REVERED AND ENJOYED IN THOSE QUIETER MOMENTS? WHAT MAKES YOU WANT TO KEEP SAID AEG OR GBB AND GIVE IT A PLACE ON HONOUR OF YOUR PISTOL SHELF OR GUN WALL?”

“The project started with the question “what would a modern take on the VX-9 AGENCY look like?”. There are some iconic features linked to the VX-9 AGENCY that would need to be retained, namely it coming with a suppressor (this is an “airsoft assassins” pistol after all!) and the signature ‘ridge-rail’ along the top of the slide.

“Obviously the VX-9 AGENCY came as a double pack with Extended Magazines to boot, but we felt that providing our “modern airsoft assassin” with more BBs wouldn’t go amiss so this new

polymer furniture throughout including the fibre sight mounts, pistol grip, and magazine plate, and it is this combination of white furniture and the silvered finishes on these two new models that define the REQUIEM edition.

With a 750mm, ridge-railed “hardballer-style” slide the VX-14 REQUIEM is the same length as the VX-9 AGENCY but feels much more modern and distinctly like it has more mass, although without a magazine fitted it is actually only 5g heavier than the earlier model (561g v 556g). This is actually pretty darn cool as both the slide and the frame of the REQUIEM have additional features and details added both for functionality and overall aesthetics. There’s extra, angled detail machined into the slide which will help with cocking and manipulating the new pistol, whilst the frame now boasts an accessory rail should you wish to fit a pistol light or LAM, and hi-vis fibre sights are another welcome update. Also following the lead taken on the VX-9, the VX-14 REQUIEM comes with a suppressor as standard, and the suppressor “kit” of both shroud and an extended inner barrel has been updated and shortened to create a compact package that is just 130mm long when everything is put together; the suppressor shroud also features a new “dash and dimple” pattern which is visually attractive too. Gone though are the hybrid wood/ rubber wrap around grips of the VX-9, replaced by stylish and functional polymer grips in statement “REQUIEM White”.

The VX-14 REQUIEM will be available in two stunning and eye-catching finishes as either a single pistol, or as with the VX-9 a game-on, dual-wielding twin-pack! The single pistol finish is an almost smoked-silver with subtle, golden undertones coming through; the guys told me, and I agree “it’s a seriously pretty pistol”! The second finish is only available in the double pack and has more bluish hues coming through, more gun-metal but still a bright silver finish. Both versions are enhanced by the fitting of white

DOWNRANGE

Once again the VORSK team have created a rather gorgeous new pistol model, and this “pretender to the throne” offers both beauty and performance! Unique pistols are great for narrative-driven-games, but because the REQUIEM is ultimately a Hi Capa it holds a significant amount of BBs and can also be used as a regular secondary for game days too.

And the REQUIEM does PERFORM! It uses the same magazines as other VORSK Hi Capa models which means that it’s pretty much compatible with any Hi Capa magazines out there, so this is a total win. I love the hi-vis fibre-optic fixed sights, and as well as the slide modification both front and rear “iron sights” have also been given a facelift and this actually helps with target acquisition.

The REQUIEM is gas-driven and on VORSK V6 FUEL from the box it delivered a consistent mean of 0.83 Joule/299FPS on a .20g VORSK BB. It has a really, really punchy recoil impulse, even more so when you use the extended inner barrel and suppressor shroud as the power jumps up to a whopping mean of 1.23 Joule/365fps on a .20g, and that was on V6… I am not even going to try it on V12, and I believe that for CQB sites you’ll need to be very mindful about what gas you run! Accuracy is also very good and at my regular pistol-testing range of 10m I’m I’ve been able to drill some very respectable groupings using .28 and even .30g as things have bedded in, and at 5-10m it’s a breeze hitting plate targets even when moving!

I’ve been lucky enough to have REQUIEM 0002, the second of the “first production” pistols to test since November ’22; this was one of the initial finished models that was sent over to VORSK HQ before things got fully signed off for a main production run. It may interest you to know that the 0001 sample of any VORSK model is usually retained and kept on show by the team at their HQ, and it’s an increasingly impressive display I have to tell you!

On my daily sessions on the short range at home I’ve been using the REQUIEM a lot over the last month or so, so I’ve now been able to bond with it fully; it always takes time to learn the small idiosyncrasies of any new pistol, so spending some lovin’ time with it will always yield results in how you use it effectively. It’s been out with me in all weather conditions, in good weather and in bad, and now we’ve actually had some snow I’ve been able to give it a hammering in some properly chilly conditions and this does tend to show any and all shortcomings of a GBB!

And so far it’s run like a dream! I already have magazines from my other VORSK pistols so I have BBs aplenty which is great for running drills, and

the redesign on the lower-frame-rail works well with most of my pistol taclites. I say most as the rail on the 0002 sample is perhaps just a tad too wide which makes fitting of some light models a problem, but I’ve been told this will be addressed for the final production models; as always I suggest you try any accessory before you buy (which is sound practice with anything) just to be certain! You will need to look at your holster for the REQUIEM if you wish to run it “suppressor on” full-time, but I found my usual Kydex Customs Hi Capa Holster works just fine with the “bare pistol”.

Whilst comparisons will undoubtedly be drawn between this new VX-14 REQUIEM special edition and the VX-9 AGENCY I can only come back to where I started, to the realm of the discerning pistol owner and collector! This is a totally new model that does indeed drive onward and update its predecessor; the REQUIEM has a rather unique and magical identity all of its own, and a huge amount of character too. The silver finishes and the white furniture accents make the REQUIEM unique, more so than any pistol I have in my collection, so VORSK have once again given us more to choose from in how we want our personal pistol to look, feel, and perform and that to me is a yet another massively positive point when it comes to owning, and loving, a pistol that will last with you through your airsoft playing-life and beyond, and allow you to create even more special memories as you use it!

The REQUIEM will certainly do that for me, and alongside my VX-9s and my silver shotgun it builds sweetly on my fledgling “assassin” collection; now I just need VORSK to create me a silver JW-style carbine and I’ll be all set! To conclude though, you may wish to know what the Latin title of this review means, and it’s simply “grant them eternal rest” which of course is what we want to provide for our opponents ingame… I thought it fitted rather well!

Thanks to the guys at www.vorskairsoft.com for giving me the privilege of trying out the REQUIEM well in advance; the REQUIEM should be appearing in-store very soon now, so make sure to get your local retailer to order you one as undoubtedly they will sell FAST! AA

“AND THE REQUIEM DOES PERFORM! IT USES THE SAME MAGAZINES AS OTHER VORSK HI CAPA MODELS WHICH MEANS THAT IT’S PRETTY MUCH COMPATIBLE WITH ANY HI CAPA MAGAZINES OUT THERE, SO THIS IS A TOTAL WIN”

THE SUM OF ALL PARTS

IF YOU’RE AN OPFOR-FOCUSED PLAYER THEN YOU WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE A FAN OF LCT AS THEY PRODUCE SOME OF THE FINEST RUSSIAN-THEMED AEG PLATFORMS ON THE MARKET TODAY! BUT TIMES MOVE ON, AND EVEN THE HUMBLE AK HAS BEEN DRIVEN TO MODERNISATION BY THE INCREASED DEMANDS OF THE WARFIGHTER, AND LCT HAVE TAKEN NOTE AND WORKED TO CREATE NEW AIRSOFT REPLICAS AND ACCESSORIES TO UPGRADE OLD ONES ACCORDINGLY FOR THE CURRENT-DAY “6MM BATTLESPACES”!

as LCT now offer a collection of other models that are every bit as solid, and perform just as well as their “klackers”.

Currently in my armoury I have an LCKM, LCKMS, LCKS-74, LCKMSU (modified a little…), LCK-12 and a PP-19-01 “Vityaz” and I adore them all for different reasons, although it’s also beyond doubt that the LCKMSU is the model I come back to time and again! This is not a purists SU as it has the under-folding LCKMS-style stock rather than the side-folder, and now it’s more of an “homage SU” as it’s set up like the Art Malik one in “True Lies”!

Ever since I went to the cinema in 1994 to watch “True Lies”, from that moment on the smallest of the

later, of course the “real deal” has been around for significantly longer! The AK74 was developed in the early 1970s by Mikhail Kalashnikov as the replacement for the earlier AKMS. It used a smaller 5.45×39mm cartridge, replacing the 7.62×39mm chambering of earlier Kalashnikov rifles. The AKS74 (“S” standing for Skladnoy, or Folding), was developed in tandem with the full-stock version and was equipped with a sidefolding metal stock; it was developed primarily for use by airborne infantry. Both variants first saw service with Soviet forces in Afghanistan during the 1980s, and continue to be used by the majority of countries of the former USSR. This platform, whilst still in use, has been comprehensively modified, with parts by the

“IT IS BEYOND DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT LCT HAVE DONE MORE TO POPULARISE THE “AK” AEG PLATFORM IN GENERAL THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE MANUFACTURER, AND THUS FAR I’VE NEVER HAD AN LCT MODEL IN MY HANDS THAT DIDN’T DELIVER THE GOODS IN ALL WAYS!”

out there with a side-folding stock I decided to keep things “in the family” by looking for a model with a buffer tube just like I had on the field rifles.

To cut a long story short, this entailed me creating something almost from scratch, and at the time I had to root around to find the parts I wanted; ultimately I spent way too much time and money creating an AEG which I do 100% love, but one which would only see intermittent use. However, LCT have now really taken this area to heart with an entire subrange of their “Z-SERIES” parts that are purpose made to work with their own AEGs (and fit some other brands too!). In this range you can find anything from

I would like to have seen here is the inclusion of the ZRK motor grip, but that’s easily remedied. The bonus of course with this little AEG is that I can use all the AK mags I already own which helps to keep costs down, and a side rail for an AK mount means I can run any optic I choose as the cheek riser on the ZPT-1 stock is fully adjustable

GOING “9”

Whilst the ZKS-74UN-AEG gives a more “modernised classic” feel, if you’re a fan of the current “9mm PDW Trend” then there’s another model, this time a new one, that you really should pay attention too in the

“ALTHOUGH MY PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH THE AEG VERSION OF THE “74U” REALLY DIDN’T HAPPEN UNTIL MUCH LATER, OF COURSE THE “REAL DEAL” HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER! THE AK74 WAS DEVELOPED IN THE EARLY 1970S BY MIKHAIL KALASHNIKOV AS THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE EARLIER AKMS”

LCT line, and that’s another shorty at 720mm/640mm, the ZK PDW 9MM EBB! I own one of LCT’s original PP19-01 (the 9mm “Vityaz”) AEGs and it’s an absolute beast, and the new model both modernises this able platform and adds LCTs hard-kick EBB function to the mix too!

Whilst many airsofters, me included, enjoy a good classic AK replica there are actually more and more players out there that are embracing something different, but with the current world situation there are still some that are wary of embracing the “AKlife” although I would point out that there are as many in the hands of the “good guys” as the “bad guys”! LCT offer products that are not only equally as unique and cost effective as anything out there, but AEGs that are attractive to many different airsofters, and that are reliable in performance and solid in build quality; my old “Vityaz” has proved a real winner in every respect.

The predecessor to the currently-issued (although not in as great a number as we’d been led to believe!) AK-12 was the AK-74, and one thing that came to light during the early design glimmerings of the “12” was that there would be no shorter carbine variant to replace the AKS-74U; the AKS-74U was initially issued to a few very specific units, but by 1979 it was far more widespread, being fielded by Special Forces, airborne infantry, rear-echelon support units and vehicle and helicopter crews. As time went by more and more of these carbines ended up in the hands of special units of both the military and police, and the question of course was “what would be the replacement?”

Chambered for the standard Russian 9×18mm Makarov pistol cartridge, and able to also fire the new high-impulse armour-piercing 57-N-181SM round, the PP-19 “Bizon” was developed at the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) in the early 1990s and was primarily intended for counter-terrorist and law enforcement units that usually need fast and accurate fire at close ranges; the helical magazine under the front end that was designed to keep it ultra-compact was a departure from the traditional box, and encountered some feed issues. Prototypes were trialled by the Special Equipment Research Institute in 1995 where they outperformed several

competitors, and the weapon was accepted into service on December 28, 1996. Although a good performer, there were defects in the “Bizon” that eventually led to it being replaced.

The Vityaz-SN PP-19-01 is a 9×19mm Parabellum submachine gun was developed in 2004 by Izhmash. It was based on the AKS-74U carbine and offered a high degree of parts commonality with it. The PP19-01 evolved from the relatively unsuccessful PP-19 “Bizon” after further requests from the elite Russian law enforcement team “Vityaz” (“Knight” in Russian) for a highly compact firearm that could be used in the close quarter environments found in cities.

Although the original PP-19-01 is very much a true “replica” of the real firearm, keeping up to speed with the very latest developments the latest LCT take on the “Vityaz” features some airsoft parts that are proving to be increasingly popular. Yes, there’s a rail system as standard (another Z-SERIES, PP-19-01 specific version), but the big buzz about this model has been all about the PDW-style sliding stock!

Now as I’ve said before I’m not personally a fan of this style of stock as I find them too short for my somewhat ape-like reach, but I do understand that many of you love the style, and if it works for you, then embrace it and roll with it! You should always make a choice that works for you in-game, and although gun-bunny-purists like me might be silently screaming, I totally understand why LCT have taken this direction, and what’s anathema to me might well be exactly what you have been praying for!

The rail and the stock certainly make the ZK PDW look modern right enough, and LCTs take on the stock itself is a good one. The stock assembly is rock-solid as you’d expect from them, with three locking-position points; closed, short, and fully extended. The cheek rest is lightly stippled but comfortable, and lies quite flush to the battery compartment; personally I would have liked to see a riser of some description here as anyone who has spent time behind any kind of “AK derivative” will know that getting a cheekweld whilst using a raised optic means you have to stick your head up higher… not always a great idea when the BBs are flying! The battery compartment is generous for once though, easily swallowing a mid-length LiPo, and a little “T1” style sight finishes it off nicely...

“LCT HAVE PROVIDED US THE GOODS WHEN IT COMES TO OPFOR AEGS, AND NOW THEY’VE PROVIDED A METHOD OF UPGRADING THEM PERFECTLY EXTERNALLY, AND INDEED OFFER COMPLETE AEGS WITH PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING FITTED IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING DOWN THIS PATH”

ARMOURY DOWNRANGE

As I said, I’ve had extensive experience with LCT AEGs, and I’ve always found their performance solid, even “box fresh”. My own models have seen many thousands of BBs through their hops and down their barrels, and they continue to please me greatly every time I field one of them!

In my experience airsoft SUs have amazingly, given their relatively short 250-ish-mm (255mm on the LCT) inner barrel, been really accurate, and it’s one of the reasons why I love them so much. With the 130BB mid-cap magazine topped off I set the hop on the ZKS-74UN-AEG and had at it! Like all AKs the “SU” has the lever fire selector with up being safe, mid-point being full auto, and fully down being semi; with semi engaged the little AK went off with a right “crack”, sending BBs straight downrange to target at 30m. Cranking up to full auto just upped my smile quotient!

Given that the internals are the latest iteration of those tried, tested, and refined by LCT I had no doubt that out-of-the-box performance would be right up there, and I wasn’t to be disappointed!

Using .20g RZR BBs the ZKS delivered a massively consistent chrono reading of 0.92 Joule/315fps which is absolutely perfect for use on all sites in the UK. I did try it with a number of different brand AK magazines, and all of them seated and fed well.

I had high expectations for the “Vityaz” too; LCT recommend a 11.1v Li-Po as the power source for their AEGs, and as usual it’s a tight fit given that the battery sits in the compartment beneath the stock. Given the slightly more generous capacity of the compartment though, and as I’d worked out the battery fit already (thanks NUPROL for your excellent “small stick” LiPos!), it was time to get the little devil to chrono, and the test sample came in at a UK site-friendly mean of 1.01 Joule/330fps using .20g RZR BBs; all LCT replicas are in fact downgraded by the factory in Changhua to UK legal specification and tested before they are shipped. The twin 50 BB magazines come with the correct style of coupler although they can be removed from this for easier pouch storage, and additional 50, 100, and 200 BB magazines are available for sensible prices from all good retailers.

Setting up my targets at 10 and 30 metres and after setting the hop on semi-auto it was time to get some plates falling, and the “Vityaz” was no disappointment; even though the inner barrel is relatively short at again 255mm, and struggled a little with accuracy at the 30m extent, the replica proved precise enough to hit a “Fig 11” at that distance

unsupported which in airsoft is, of course, what we’re after, and on full auto it gave a nice little thump in the shoulder from the EBB!

Whilst neither of these AEG platforms are the the cheapest on the market, oh boy, what corkers they are! I am most definitely biased because I love the “74U” so much as a model, but after owning many I have to tell you that this is honestly one of the best I’ve come across in terms of components, general feel and performance; as much as I adore my gas “74U” for MilSim I can see that an LCT ZKS-74UN will undoubtedly end up in my armoury as it gives all the good stuff with the added reliability of an AEG in cold weather; is this finally the “74U” I’ve been waiting for? Given the stock, rail and muzzle brake it could very well be!

When it comes to the ZK PDW I’m a little more sanguine as I’m not a fan of the stock, but everything else about it is 100% spot-on; thankfully LCT give me options though and I could easily upgrade my existing “Vityaz” with the rail system as they offer this as an accessory part. Alternatively I could choose to buy the yet-to-be-released LPPK-20 which comes with a “Zhukov-style” folder… and add the rail… with the Z SERIES parts your choices are not endless, but definitely exceedingly comprehensive!

As much as I love a classic AK I can tell you from my own experience that having the ability to add optics and accessories to your personal platform is worth its weight in BBs! There’s a good reason why the “real guys” add rails and mounting systems to their primary platforms after all… LCT have provided us the goods when it comes to OPFOR AEGs, and now they’ve provided a method of upgrading them perfectly externally, and indeed offer complete AEGs with pretty much everything fitted if you are just starting down this path. As I said at the start of this article, I’m already an LCT fan, and what they are creating right now is way better than just the sum of all the lovely parts, and this will ensure that I stay a fan for a LONG time to come!

My thanks as always go to the guys at www. nuprol.com for the loan of the test samples, and expect to see new LCT models and accessories in all good airsoft retailers soon! AA

OPTIMAL

However, as much as I like the pistol, and I’ll explain can reap huge rewards for your personal performance,

from Double Eagle and was a licenced replica of the Polymer80 PFS9! The PFS9 is another Glock amalgam with a very unique frame, and as I am, at heart, still a “G-Bunny” this was music to my ears. Of course I was also very interested to see what Double Eagle could do when it came to a GBB!

I’m hearing from a lot of folk that this is “a new GBB replica of the PFS9 pistol from Polymer80 in the USA made by Double Eagle under license from Janus Division Group” but I’m thinking here that some folk haven’t really done their homework thoroughly enough! For sure the new Double Eagle is a “Polymer80 PFS9”, but it looks to me that Double Eagle have (somewhat cleverly and astutely it must be said!) worked with the Janus Division Group (JDG) to achieve this super new GBB pistol, and that’s it’s been

for other GBB Glocks, namely the TM Model 19 Gen3 and the UMAREX / VFC Glock 19 Gen3! The Double Eagle takes things just a step further in that it’s a COMPLETE pistol.

REAL DEAL COOL

With all that now cleared up, let’s look at why the PFS9 is so unique, and just why it might be the pistol for you! Polymer80, Inc. designs and develops innovative firearms and after-market accessories that provide ways for the user to participate in the build process, and to create a final firearm that is unique and personal”. Polymer80 say that this will lead to “a greater sense of pride in their completed firearm, strengthening our brand loyalty. We summarize this with our motto of “Engage Your Freedom”.

actually also offer aftermarket “Polymer80” lowers

coupled with clean, modern

lines and a heavy front chamfer which allows effective manipulation and holstering while maintaining a lowkey profile. Further features like the extended beaver tail, double undercut trigger guard, and a thumb ledge considerably enhance the ergonomics allowing for an effective grip and improved recoil mitigation.

This a transfers perfectly into the airsoft replica with those same innovative ergonomics and functionality; the frame is made of a reinforced high-strength polymer with an aggressive texture on the sides, front and rear, ensuring excellent grip, and the slide is a modern design created in aluminium by CNC machining with an anodized finish. As standard the Double Eagle comes with an RDS cut, hidden by cover plate to keep the clean line of the slide.

The PFS9 also comes with a Polymer80 Front and Rear Sight, and Suppressor/RDS-height sights as well, so they really have your aiming options fully covered. I particularly like the aggressive stippled grip, and the fibre-reinforced polymer feels of first-rate quality; the trades on the frame are awesomely done, and these transfer onto the slide where you’ll find a deeply engraved “P80” marking. When it comes to longevity of operation there’s a lot of steel part in the mix like a steel slide stop and steel hammer set too.

DOWNRANGE

Overall the feel of the PFS9 is first rate, and although I’m not overly keen on the big “bumper-style” 30BB magazine I’m pleased to report that this feeds very well indeed, and you’ll get a good couple of mags worth on a full fill; you can also use regular G-series mags in the PFS9, so if you already own some of these you’re good to go!

And talking of “go”, what’s the bottom line on performance? Very nice indeed, very nice! Weighing in at 820g and at 195mm overall this is a well-balanced and ergonomic design that’s easy when it comes to the draw and manipulation. I used my go-to G-series Kydex Customs holsters in range testing, and the PFS9 fitted well in both the light-bearing and standard models. I’ve spent some time with the PFS now, having mounted a SHIELD RMS-4MOA Mini Sight. This excellent little optic mounted easily and is now sitting in place like it was born to be there! I also like to run a taclite to my pistols, and I’m pleased to report that my Surefire X300 fits perfectly on the lower frame “rail”. With the PFS9 set up like this I’ve spent a few more hours working it on the Short Range (between 5 and 10m) and I’m really liking it as a setup.

I’ve been running the PFS9 on green gas and to date I’ve had no major issues with consistency of power. The action of the pistol has been lubed after

each range session, and retains the smoothness that it had when it first arrived with me; in fact, if anything the action cycles even more efficiently now than it did as brand new, and it was pretty smooth in the first place… when a pistol is used regularly things “open up” more, and the performance gets even better!

In terms of performance I’ve now personally logged in excess of 1000 .20g, .25g, and .28g BBs through the pistol; thus far it is still performing as new at 5-10m on steels with solid accuracy at that distance, the realistic maximum distance I would usually expect to use a “secondary” at, although it does certainly have the ability to reach out further! The MOS has registered highest at 0.79 Joule/293fps on a .20g BB, settling in at 0.76 Joule/287fps and staying there. I’ve found that now it has “settled” it does like .28g BBs as its regular fodder, and this is most certainly the weight I would use with it. The magazine feeds very well indeed, and that additional gas-efficiency is certainly in evidence, especially when you start to drop BBs fast!

Queries about provenance aside, the PFS9 is actually a very cool handgun indeed, and branded as Double Eagle it offers great performance for the money! The DOUBLE EAGLE/JDG P80 PFS9 allows you to have a RDS if you wish while having raised “iron sights” as a co-witness option, or indeed you have the option to run the pistol “clean” if you so desire by simply leaving the cover plate in place. It’s a thoroughly modern style that would suit pretty much any loadout, and if you already have G-Series mags then it’s a total win. Whichever way you like to run your pistol it’s always nice to have options, and on that front alone, as on many others, the PFS9 delivers fully.

The DOUBLE EAGLE/JDG P80 PFS9 is now available from most good airsoft stores, and you can check it out further by visiting www.iwholesales.co.uk; currently available in Black and Training Blue, I hope that the FDE and Cobalt Grey frame colour options will also soon be available too! AA

How many times have you turned up for a good old fight and found that you have left something at home? Perhaps there’s a new piece of kit that you wanted to try out or maybe something more important such as your BUG or NVG. There have been many times that people have not forgotten items of vital importance, but it’s often more trivial things like straps missing off vests, threadbare weapon slings and even forgetting to charge batteries… or even batteries altogether! This is all down to bad personal admin; to serving soldiers, personal admin is one of the most important parts of winning battles and more importantly staying alive, so I’ll hand over to Andy to expand on this topic!

FAIL TO PREPARE ...PREPARE TO FAIL!

To a true warrior personal admin is the number one guarantee that you are organised and prepared for the tasks that you will face in the heat of battle. Personal admin does not only lend itself to the battlefield but also to the rest of the “Toms” life for it is this that sets them apart from all others. In this article I want to go over the main points or personal admin in the field before going into battle, or in this case, an airsoft game.

This admin is also known as Battle Preparation.

Battle Preparation is designed to enable you, the ground pounder, to ensure that nothing is forgotten and that everything you carry works. As with most things in the British military battle preparation it is remembered by using a mnemonic or acronym, and the important mnemonic here is PAWPERSO. Remembering what each letter in PAWPERSO stands for will help you to prepare without finding out that you have forgotten something or have weapons and kit malfunctions when the heat is on and the lead (okay, BBs!) starts flying in your direction.

Battle Preparation should be done in plenty of time for the next fight. As soon as you have received your orders or pre-game scenario brief, prepare yourself using PAWPERSO and you will be ready for the next game without having to run around at the last minute panicking and wondering if you have got everything. To have good personal admin and be ready for the next Op you should use PAWPERSO to be able to be ready not once, but every single time!

P – Protection

In the military you may not be in a safe place or in a harbour area when preparing for battle so it is important that the section or group is protected at all time with all round defence. One half of the

group should provide protection whilst the other half prepares for battle. This is also known in the trade as the “buddy-buddy system”. In an airsoft setting you’ll normally have a Safe Zone to work from, but when you enter more serious MilSim territory then this is as true for airsoft as it is for “real”.

A – AMMUNITION

When it comes down to ammunition (BBs) we need to make sure that we have the right ammo weight and plenty of it. We also need to make sure that we have a constant supply when needed. Obtaining the right, and even decent ammunition when you arrive on site can be a task in itself, so preparation beforehand will see you set. This may sound like basic stuff, but we also need to make sure that the BBs are clean, stay clean, and of a good quality. One of the biggest problems caused by BBs is that they can rattle when we move; this is a big no-no as the noise will give our position away so we need to ensure that our method of carriage not only protects the BBs but stops them from rattling around too. And ammunition does not mean just BBs; we should also include any flash bangs and grenades that we may be carrying. These need to be kept in a safe condition and in a pouch that is easily accessible. It is also a good idea to waterproof any ignition fuses on grenades and flash bangs.

W – WEAPONS

Weapons, in this case AEGs and GBBs should be clean and serviceable at all times. This means testing them, on the range if possible, before going into battle. There have been many times that I have witnessed an AEG going down just at the time when it’s needed most due to neglect. Make sure that all magazines are clean and serviceable and any optics you may have fitted have fresh batteries and spares are carried. Also check that any bolt on kit is secure, such as lights. This also means that your platforms should be zeroed as well.

P – PERSONAL CAMOUFLAGE

If you’re on a woodland site then personal camouflage is important not just in contact but also throughout the duration of the game. Make the most of your surroundings and make sure that you re fit any camouflage that falls off and change it when the terrain changes. Concealment also falls into this category. Make the most of what you have at your disposal such as shade and darkened areas, but remember camouflage is concealment and so won’t stop BBs!

E – EQUIPMENT

Your webbing or assault vest and body armour is

your equipment. Make sure that you have all the kit you need including water and food. Your kit should be clean and serviceable meaning that it is in good shape. Make sure that all pouches are secure and nothing rattles when you move around. Make sure also that you can access all the important pouches when you need the things needed to win the fight, such as ammo pouches, batteries and other back up platforms (like your pistol!). Any repairs should be made as soon as possible even if this is in the field. From past experience I now carry cable ties as I have been able to make repairs in the field to my kit with these…and don’t forget the duct tape either!

R – RADIOS

More and more teams are using radios these days so it is important that you should include radios in your preparation. You should test all radios that are to be used in the game. Make sure that you have the correct frequencies and channels before you move off and also any time changes. Radios should

be mounted in a secure place on one’s person that affords easy access should you need to, but also in a position that keeps the radio safe from any damage during the game. Spare batteries should be carried at all times and call signs should be noted. Radio checks should also be made prior to moving out.

S – SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT

This may not be relevant to most games but it should be included in the PAWPERSO preparation list. Any equipment that is not carried as standard kit is classed as specialised kit. Make sure that you have the right kit and that it is clean and serviceable and that you know how to use it. Also make note of who is carrying it and where in the section or group it is. Such specialist equipment may include ladders, radios, ropes, medical kit, and specialist tools and weapons.

O – ORDERS

This is one of the most overlooked areas of preparation. You should attend all briefing orders

and make sure that you understand them fully. This includes any safety details. If you don’t have the relevant training or experience now is the time to make it known. Always ask questions if you do not understand what is expected of you. All games have “orders” of how the task should be undertaken, so a full understanding of the task in hand is a must for a successful mission.

The use of PAWPERSO is the easiest way to prepare you for any game or scenario and it can be used to great success for any combative situation. It is easy to follow and will enable you to fulfil your brief and on-game mission if you are fully prepared for the forthcoming events. It ensures that you have everything that you need when you need it, that it works, and nothing is left behind or will malfunction in the field.

WRAPPING UP

Our thanks go to Andy for bringing us the benefit of his hard-earned knowledge, learned during many years as a serving soldier and then contractor. I’ll add my own words to round things off; rather than rushing at the “latest and greatest” I’ve spent an extended period researching exactly what I need in-game and what I want it to do. All of the items Andy has talked about here are easily available but

some are not cheap, but if you intend to have an “airsoft career” as long as mine then they should be viewed under the heading “investment”. Whether you decide to buy into expensive kit like comms and NVGs is totally YOUR choice, but I believe this article may give you some “pointers” in how to prepare it if you do own it.

Next time I’ll be getting into detail on how you can go about looking after your kit, so the last word this time is going to be about that crucial maintenance; spend some time and really research what is out there to help you keep your kit performing to the optimum standard and deal with it NOW before you need it again if you’ve been having some downtime over the winter months. Grangers and Nikwax in Europe both have a superb range of maintenance products so you can keep your kit clean, waterproof and performing up to the optimum level, and all of their treatments, whether it be for boots, gloves, fleeces, soft shells, insulated garments, or hard shells, can be carried out easily and swiftly at home.

Be the “prepared player”; choose your kit carefully, maintain it well, and prepare to excel ingame. If you do this you’ll be an absolute asset to your fellow players, your team, or any site you are a member of… and have a lot of fun too!

Thanks again to Chris Bravo from Airsoft & MilSim News for additional imagery used. AA

TURN YOUR PHONE INTO THE MOST AFFORDABLE VIRTUAL SIMULATION SHOOTING SYSTEM. WORKS WITH REAL FIREARMS, GEL BLASTERS AND AIRSOFT.

Another year, and another exciting year of AIRSOFT ACTION!

As we head into YEAR 12 of continuous monthly publication the team, it must be said, is as strong as ever and the levels of commitment shown by everyone to producing the best, most insightful and entertaining airsoft content has just grown and grown!

As with any group there is a hard core of individuals who are committed to making AIRSOFT ACTION truly the #1 monthly airsoft magazine out there, but that’s not to say that every single contributor doesn’t have this “front and centre” too! We are lucky to be able to call on specialist occasional contributors to bring in real depth to our articles as this month’s TOD column shows.

There have been many that have contributed to AIRSOFT ACTION over the years, and virtually every single one of them is still a friend to the magazine. Have there been “fallings out”? You bet there have been as we wouldn’t be human without admitting this, but largely we are still able to call on past contributors when we need their expertise, and as with Andy N this month, this expertise is gladly and freely given as they believe too that all players should have access to the best information possible!

As we reset for the coming year there’s an awful lot to look forward to, and we’ll continue to make new friendships and add new contributors as we move on forward.

It’s a year that kicked off early with MOA in December, and what a huge amount of goodness we saw in that single show as Stu highlights in his Event Report in this very issue! Boycie, L’il Stu and Dan are all set for SHOT Show this month, and we’ll have coverage of that as it’s happening! Jase and I will be heading again to IWA in March, and again we’ll bring you updates of new directions at the show as we see them!

But for me there’s already a couple of things that are exciting me for this year like the new VORSK REQUIEM (reviewed this issue and soon to land in store!), the VFC XM177/XM148 GBB combo, and the latest AK from Arcturus filled to the brim with PERUN goodness!

I already KNOW that there will be more from VORSK, Specna Arms, EMG, ARES, VFC, G&G, ICS and a number of our manufacturing friends for 2023 as I’m privileged to be able to know just a little of

what’s in their design pipeline, but I’m also curious to see what happens with some of the less well-known names in the industry, especially as ARCHWICK are now rolling with their B&T licence…

For my own resolutions… simple really, shoot more AEGs and GBBs but this year actually get out and use them more in-game too! I’m recovered now from my personal battle with the “Big C” and I need to get my fitness back up there, but I won’t let this stop me playing locally and hopefully even further afield as the year progresses! I definitely want to get to one of the games in Portugal this year to play alongside my “familia” Miguel and Elvis, and who knows… will 2023 FINALLY be the year I make it to Taiwan???

TEAM TALK

That’s quite enough from me already, so I asked the members of the AA LEGION “WHAT ARE YOUR AIRSOFT NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS, AND WHAT NEW AEG/GBB (that we know about!) ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?” and this is what they had to tell me!

Stewbacca: For me it’s weight loss and gun gain, I guess. Not an easy one but I really need to start striking a better balance with general health and fitness; the day job doesn’t help with the inconvenient hours and commuting and general exhaustion and exasperation, but, hopefully I can try and find more time for doing

JUST LIKE ALL OF YOU OUT THERE SETTING UP FOR A WHOLE NEW YEAR OF AIRSOFT THE MEMBERS OF THE AA LEGION ARE MAKING PLANS AND GETTING THEIR GEAR IN ORDER! SO WHAT HAVE THE TEAM GOT IN THEIR OWN PLANNING FOR 2023, AND WHAT ARE THEIR RESOLUTIONS?

healthy things as well as maintaining a good training/ testing and shooting schedule in 2023. And, you know, fit in all the articles and editing around all that. I also want to spend more time meeting or visiting manufacturers and the like where possible.

In terms of “NEW” then after MOA I can say that VFC are rocking it; the VFC Walther PPK has a place in my heart for sure, but also their M249 GBB and the Krytac Maxim 9. Decisions, decisions...

Larri: Happy New Year! I’m glad to be a part of the AA family, and my wish for this coming year is that our sport becomes even more popular!

Robbie: 2023? Get over to Europe from the USA and actually game with my old mates like Bill! He keeps telling me about VORSK handguns so I need to get on the range with him and a few of those too!

Boycie: Resolutions for me are go to the USA for SHOT Show (tick), and get out and play more too. I’m going to continue to develop a set of airsoft components and hopefully get them tested, and possibly released by Christmas next year!

definitely” too so let’s hope this happens!

Miguel: Happy 2023 everyone! I would say my resolutions are to keep playing as I do with my guys, and get a new CQB field! We’ve got our eyes on a couple and are waiting on some feedback and then we can welcome more players from outside Portugal to our events!

As one of their Ambassadors I would like to see Zenitco-style or 9mm AK from Specna Arms, and Elvis tells me that “a Vityaz with Zenitco furniture most

Dan: I definitely want to hit more games this year and maybe even attend a couple of travel events out of state if possible. I worked more than played in 2022 and unfortunately missed out on a lot of events. Aside from that, hitting up the SHOT show was always on my wish list, and that looks to be happening this year with Boycie and L’il Stu!

I am hoping that the popularity of the VFC FAL GBBR spurs more manufacturers to consider building an AEG FAL or similar rifles (why don’t we have an AEG SKS yet?) from that period rather than delivering us “yet another bog standard M4 variant.”

Bjorn: Well I definitely have to get out to those games and events more, but the wheels are turning a bit slow here still catching up since the ‘rona... I look forward to seeing more friends when I do!

I know that my friends at EVOLUTION AIRSOFT have some more AEG plans for 2023 so I’ll look forward to talking about those, and as I just got a couple of new pistols from VORSK I’m interested to see just what new they have too!

Chris: Happy New Year chaps! As the others have said, definitely play more airsoft for me, and the KWA F90 hands down has got me buzzing for next year! I want one, and I want to use the hell out of it!

Ben: So my airsoft resolution is to remind all you reading this that airsoft is about fun! And not just self-fun but to bring ideas to the field too; I’ve done some cosplaying and feel this can be something I can bring to put smiles on faces,...I feel there’s not enough silly fun, too much “wanna be a hero of the day”.... it’s the games that have something out of the ordinary that are memorable and bring back that “YES! This is why I love Airsoft” feeling....

Now for new guns I’m looking forward to in this year? I’ve not really had anything jump out at me as of yet, but I do love the look of the Army Armament’s Taran Tactical SandViper; I’m not big into pistols, but that looks nice, so hopefully I can get my hands on one soon and will share my thoughts with all interested!

The new Silverback MDR-X has definitely got my attention; with a brand new design in gearbox technology this out-of-the-box high-performance modular DMR is set to be every bit as good as the SRS. Yes, it is a bullpup, and I am not a massive fan of bullpups, but it’s what is inside that has me intrigued. ICS look to be bringing out a new line of Hi Capas too, and as I am a sucker for a nice Hi Capa and for ICS products…. you get where this is going, right? AA

Jimmy: Happy 2023 all! It may be a new year, but no doubt I’ll still be chained to the same workbench, but on the positive side there’s new games and new airsoft experiences to look forward to as well!

RED CELL

FAVOURITE “LONGS” OF ‘22!

WE’RE DISTINCTLY PRIVILEGED AT AIRSOFT ACTION TO HAVE NOT ONLY GREAT DIRECT RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS SO THAT WE SEE THE VERY LATEST AEG AND GBB MODELS AS SOON AS THEY COME INTO EXISTENCE, BUT ALSO TO HAVE AN EXPERIENCED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE CREW TO LOOK AT THEM WHEN THEY ARRIVE! BILL GOT WITH THE MEMBERS OF RED CELL AND THE AA LEGION OVER THE BREAK TO CHECK OUT WHICH MODELS HAVE PROVED POPULAR WITHIN THE TEAM DURING THE LAST YEAR.

Wow! What a year 2022 was!

It seems so long ago now that our entire world was governed by the C-VIRUS lockdown status of the moment, and as we plan to head to SHOT and IWA 2023 it seems an absolute age ago that we had travel restrictions to contend with! For those of us that attended the shows as usual last year it was very strange indeed to find show-halls and lobbies almost deserted, and many of our friends not in attendance.

Games were still affected too at the start of 2022, and how long ago it feels since we had to keep an eye on game-day status too; I’m certain that you, much like all of us, had the occasional site closure or game cancellation at the last minute due to changing restrictions and infection levels!

However, airsoft survived, and certainly as we entered the mid-part of last year the manufacturers were in full swing again… even if delivery/transit times were affected negatively. Again like us I’m certain that many of you saw a new model released and thought “that’s a bit of me right there…” but then had to wait months for said new model to finally be stocked… and believe you me, this had a pretty negative effect on us being able to review and evaluate too, as new models disappeared into lost containers or got held up in clearance when they did finally get into the UK.

Much as many would argue this, BREXIT has not been kind to those wishing to make personal imports into the UK, and as many manufacturers use UPS to deliver their shipments in the UK we have all been faced with unreasonable and lengthy delays to inbound shipments… even when our goods have actually reached the UK… my personal “record” is for the VFC LAR that was sent to me by my great friend Ray which took EIGHT WEEKS to get to my door, although it had only taken THREE DAYS to travel from Taiwan to the UK!

And these days, Airsoft Action is not just a “UK Magazine” but a truly international one, carrying reports from all over the airsoft world and directly working with manufacturers around the globe too! Delays have meant in some instances that we’ve had to push back reviews, and indeed I have passed over some of my workload to Stewbacca so that we can generate reports and reviews at source, and report

on new developments more promptly... at one point I even thought of moving abroad again myself!

But ultimately, we adapted and overcame, and here we all are again, looking back on a year that saw us freed to get out and play airsoft again, and I thought it would be cool to get together with Red Cell and our AA Legionnaires to see what everyone has been using, and how these models have performed; my question to the whole AA Crew was “WHAT WAS YOUR MOST USED AIRSOFT PLATFORM FOR 2022?” and this is what I was told… Stewbacca: Hands down, gotta be the VFC FAL. It was so worth the wait, The aesthetic, build quality, range and consistency /performance, recoil experience, and the fact that it’s so close to real spec you can use genuine furniture if you like all make it an exceptionally well-rounded offering to my mind, and it’s been another “emotional journey” moment in acquiring it. Still not sure how they can top it, but they evidently haven’t stopped to catch their breath given what I saw at MOA.

“I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COOL TO GET TOGETHER WITH RED CELL AND OUR AA LEGIONNAIRES TO SEE WHAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN USING, AND HOW THESE MODELS HAVE PERFORMED; MY QUESTION TO THE WHOLE AA CREW WAS “WHAT WAS YOUR MOST USED AIRSOFT PLATFORM FOR 2022?””

Having spent a few weekends navigating Taiwan’s heat and humidity with my own right arm of the free world, and thoroughly enjoying every minute of fielding it I can fully attest that a large proportion of the fixtures and fittings are made of steel, again finished with a realistic looking parkerized-tone paint finish, while the remaining aluminium components are anodised to resemble parkerized steel as per VFC’s Mk48 LMG and M733 offerings. The lower receiver and top dust cover are both stamped sheet steel, while the main receiver is cast aluminium alloy which is then CNC finished on its mechanical surfaces; the deluxe DX variant will make use of steel for this key component, which represents most of the material and machining value of both variants, but it will be

released in far more limited numbers and cost 50% more than the standard version, so if you really have to have a steel receiver for the weight and realism, dig a little deeper into those pockets, I’m sure it will be worth it for the discerning types.

At the POLK2 MilSim I didn’t have to make any adjustments because (as I touched on in my full review of this beauty!) the VFC FAL is a straight shooter and heavy hitter; it was pounding BBs out to the middle of my ACOG crosshairs with a distinctive, if not too easily-detected report, usually followed by my own gleeful or aggressive noises. Top job VFC!

Ben: My favourite and most used platform has to be the TM GBB MP7 GBBR! It has an outstanding performance for such a compact weapon, and the recoil is just a joy as it really helps you immerse with the feel of the SMG. It’s light weight makes it easy to handle whether on the battlefield or transporting it about, and it has that rarity about it that turns heads and gets people talking which makes friends and keeps the love of airsoft alive! It looks bomber with any combination of attachments, and in the right hands it’s feared by its enemies and respected by its master! It’s title “MP7” to me doesn’t just stand for “machine pistol” but “master piece” and 7 is heaven’s number, so when you hear it on the field your either smiling with delight or heading back to respawn!

Miguel: Well, my range of choices is not that wide, being a brand ambassador and all that. But my choice would be the Specna Arms Mk18 EDGE 2.0. Firstly, I’ve always been a fan of the Mk18, since it’s a great and simple AR platform, but besides that, I think that Specna Arms did some great work after reviewing some problems that were pointed out at the first batch of EDGE 2.0 series. Not only that, but the constant firmware updates from GATE helped with some issues with the Aster as well. It’s really hard to

the EDGE 2.0 series

find all that

have to offer at

“IT LOOKS BOMBER WITH ANY COMBINATION OF ATTACHMENTS, AND IN THE RIGHT HANDS IT’S FEARED BY ITS ENEMIES AND RESPECTED BY ITS MASTER! IT’S TITLE “MP7” TO ME DOESN’T JUST STAND FOR “MACHINE PISTOL” BUT “MASTER PIECE” AND 7 IS HEAVEN’S NUMBER, SO WHEN YOU HEAR IT ON THE FIELD YOUR EITHER SMILING WITH DELIGHT OR HEADING BACK TO RESPAWN!”

this price range. In the field, the Mk18 is a blast; get some good weight BBs (0.28g or 0.30g) and you will see them fly and reach awesome ranges. Mine saw a lot of action during 2022 (I got it in January) and it has never let me down.

Dan: It’s hard to pick any one thing, to be honest! But one of the builds I’ve recently completed for a customer that really caught my eye was this VFC SIG MCX turned Rattler. We had a vision for a “50 shades of FDE” type of build, and with some additions of HK416 parts Cerakoted in RAL8000 and sporting real SIG accessories, I think it turned out beautiful inside and out. If optioning a production rifle, then I would say the KWA KO:EVE series was a nice opener for 2022. While technically it was supposed to be a 2021 release, the pandemic related state of the industry delayed release until 2022. I feel these are one of the best new entry-level AEGs to hit the market, and certainly they have raised the bar for what to expect out of a budget priced rifle. From players to field owners revamping their rental fleets, there has

been unanimous praise for this platform for its outof-the-box performance and durability. These have also unexpectedly been very popular with female Airsofters, who seem to like the original design and lightweight handling characteristics of the gun. I’m looking forward to seeing the expansion of KWA’s polymer series into the upcoming SMG formats, which should be another solid hit!

L’il Stu: For me it has to be the VFC M733; the urge to get one is mahoosive! It ticks all the right boxes for me; it’s an M733 (BHD, HEAT, et al) so it’s relatively light weight, compact, pointable, and REALLY doesn’t need anything “speshul tacticul” adding onto it. It has just a fixed carry-handle body, and proper skinny grips, so what’s not to like ? And as an indoor CQB platform for the discerning user I think it’s damned near perfect!

Jase: As a MilSim player one of the most surprising AEGs that has come through my hands has been the Knights Armament G&G SR30! My first thoughts were “impressive”; the immediate quality of this AEG was good, and it felt solid, really solid! Apart from the stock giving off a wee rattle, the whole platform does not make a noise; I wasn’t expecting this. In the years I have been a player, I have fettled with my fair share of AEGs from expensive to cheap, so I know what a good RIF feels like. The SR30 really is great to use, I have zero issues or gripes. It comes fitted with a programmable Mosfet as standard which is now being found as a standard item in a lot of premium line of RIF’s and it’s great to see G&G following suit; their “take” on this gearbox/Mosfet combo offers really handy features like a Quick Change Spring (once the gearbox

“I FEEL THESE ARE ONE OF THE BEST NEW ENTRY-LEVEL AEG’S TO HIT THE MARKET, AND CERTAINLY THEY HAVE RAISED THE BAR FOR WHAT TO EXPECT OUT OF A BUDGET PRICED RIFLE. FROM PLAYERS TO FIELD OWNERS REVAMPING THEIR RENTAL FLEETS, THERE HAS BEEN UNANIMOUS PRAISE FOR THIS PLATFORM FOR ITS OUT-OF-THE-BOX PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY”

first known unit in Europe), I’ve fitted a Warhead motor and a hop rubber change and the thing is firing like a laser. Unfortunately with my day job I’ve had little chance to get out and field it much but when I do, I really like the compact nature and small mags which I can wear on a belt rig, allied to a slick carrier and partnered with either the M17 or my trusty VFC G17 it makes an awesome combo for me. 2023 will see me getting back out as much as I can but only when the house move and Shot Show are complete! I’m hoping we can also hear Bill put out the call for “Legion and Red Cell Assemble!” for a game where most or all of us can get together and play.

is removed from the receivers), Audible Alarm Warnings, Basic Troubleshooting and the Empty Magazine Cutoff System which we’ve also seen in the TR16 variants that we’ve tested. I have had a little play with this feature and set it up with 3 and 5 round burst without issue, the instructions are easy to follow. After spending time with this fine AEG would I recommend the G&G SR30? Yes. If you are looking to step up your playing style to a more MilSim level then this might well be a RIF worth looking at.

Boycie: I have to say I’m still very impressed with the MPX which I reviewed for the magazine. Since I got it at the tail end of 2021 (the

“AS A MILSIM PLAYER ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISING AEGS THAT HAS COME THROUGH MY HANDS HAS BEEN THE KNIGHTS ARMAMENT G&G SR30! MY FIRST THOUGHTS WERE “IMPRESSIVE”; THE IMMEDIATE QUALITY OF THIS AEG WAS GOOD, AND IT FELT SOLID, REALLY SOLID!”

VFC LAR (FAL) GBBR

Price: iro UK£650.00

Age: New Weight: 3950 g Length: 1095 mm Magazine Capacity: 20 BBs Cold Chrono: 1.20 Joule/360fps Hot Chrono: 1.71 Joule/430fps Supplied By: www.vegaforce.com

VFC M110 K1 GBBR

Price: iro UK£500.00

Age: New Weight: 3090g Length: 900/980mm Magazine Capacity: 20BBs Cold Chrono: 1.73 Joule/433fps Hot Chrono: 1.86 Joule/449fps Supplied By: www.vegaforce.com

ICS DANIEL DEFENSE MK18 AEG

Price: iro UK£600.00

Age: New Weight: 2877g Length: 726-821mm Magazine Capacity: 120 will accept all STANAG/AR

Cold Chrono: 1.03 Joule/334fps Hot Chrono: 1.03 Joule/334fps Supplied By: www.icsbb.com

SA DANIEL DEFENSE MK18 AEG

Price: iro UK£240.00

Age: Two/Three Years Weight: 2675g Length: 700-785mm Magazine Capacity: 2 x 125 will accept all STANAG/AR Cold Chrono: 1.12 Joule/348fps Hot Chrono: 1.12 Joule/348fps Supplied By: www.gunfire.com

EVOLUTION GHOST L EMR AEG

Price: iro UK£295.00

Age: One Year Weight: 2520g Length: 740mm/830mm Magazine Capacity: 120, will accept all STANAG/AR

Cold Chrono: 0.95 Joule/320fps Hot Chrono: 0.92 Joule/315fps Supplied By: www.evolution-airsoft.com

G&G KNIGHTS ARMAMENT SR30 AEG

Price: iro UK£370.00

Age: Two Years Weight: 2760g Length: 700/770mm

Magazine Capacity: 90 (G2) will accept all

STANAG/AR

Cold Chrono: 0.99 Joule/328fps

Hot Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps Supplied By: www.guay2.com

SIG AIR MPX AEG

Price: iro UK£540.00

Age: One Year Weight: 2540g Length: 425/635mm

Magazine Capacity: 100 BBs

Cold Chrono: 1.04 Joule/336fps

Hot Chrono: 1.04 Joule/336fps

Supplied By: www.sigsauer.com/airsoft

VFC M733 GBBR

Price: iro UK£460.00

Age: New Weight: 2270g Length: 685/770mm Magazine Capacity: 30 BBs

Cold Chrono: 1.64 Joule/421fps Hot Chrono: 1.80 Joule/440fps Supplied By: www.vegaforce.com

G&G

MXC-9 AEG

Price: iro UK£350.00

Age: One Year Weight: 2190g Length: 422/655mm

Magazine Capacity: 130BBs, drum available!

Cold Chrono: 0.99 Joule/328fps

Hot Chrono: 0.99 Joule/328fps

Supplied By: www.guay2.com

TOKYO

MARUI MP7 GBBR

Price: iro UK£300.00

Age: Two Years Weight: 2200g Length: 381/586mm

Magazine Capacity: 40BBs

Cold Chrono: 0.75 Joule/284fps

Hot Chrono: 0.83 Joule/299fps

Supplied By: www.alphadeltaairsoft.com

Bjorn: The GHOST M EMR A from Evolution is the AEG that I have used the most. The GHOST was a ground-breaking project for Evolution as the AEG has been entirely designed in Italy, to develop a ground breaking line of guns that is unique when it comes to overall design and the technological and technical content. The AEG is externally created from a space-age carbon-reinforced techno-polymer (Carbontech) designed to be lightweight and strong under heavy duty use; this is a cutting-edge techno-polymer that provides improved strength, extra durability, a great feel in the hand, and that extends the life of the parts in their entirety. Of course there is still high-grade alloy used for the rail, outer barrel and buffer tube to give the GHOST some substance. Internally, the Evolution GHOST is right up there with the best as it incorporates an ETU (Electronic Trigger Unit) with electromagnetic sensors. I have used the GHOST with a Titan 7.4v/ 2600mah stick battery to power it, and this works like a charm! The aluminium targets I have made make that nice “ploink” sound to give you receipt of a hit. And when the aim is dialled in its just that sound you hear moving around the range, the sound of satisfaction! With the range of different styles in the GHOST lineup you can choose your favourite setup and length, whether you’re up for some super-tight CQB or skirmishing the woods.

“THE GHOST WAS A GROUND-BREAKING PROJECT FOR EVOLUTION AS THE AEG HAS BEEN ENTIRELY DESIGNED IN ITALY, TO DEVELOP A GROUND BREAKING LINE OF GUNS THAT IS UNIQUE WHEN IT COMES TO OVERALL DESIGN AND THE TECHNOLOGICAL AND TECHNICAL CONTENT”

Jimmy: I think it would be easier for me to tell you which wasn’t my favourite! It would most definitely include all of the ICS range as I cannot find fault in any of their more recent rifles, but also without hesitation the G&G MXC9. ICS for me has become a very familiar and much loved brand, and as it stands today they are producing some of the finest airsoft RIFs ootb money can buy. The level of quality and the attention to detail is unmatched. The addition of the Master Mod components in their RIFs is something no other manufacturer is providing and all other manufacturers have some large footsteps to follow. Bold claim I know, but it’s the truth. High quality both externally and internally with performance to boot they will appeal to many and quite rightly so; ICS have been around for many years and they keep raising the bar. They should change their motto to ‘Be a game changer through innovation’!

The MXC9 is probably the best G&G platform I have seen thus far; it is everything the PCC45 should have been, and technically it is a PCC45 only better a more perfected version. The MXC9 has seen a completely revised handguard, battery placement and a much better mag design eliminating all of the problems the PCC45 suffered. It is difficult for me to admit the flaws in the PCC as I had very high hopes for it and I hated to agree with others that it had these flaws. The MXC9 though amazed me out on the field with an unrivalled level of performance and for a rifle with a sub 200mm inner barrel it would outmatch most; this is mainly down to the update of their rotary hop unit and new blue hop rubbers and I wouldn’t be surprised if the new blue hop rubber replaces the green rubber as a popular choice of upgrade for many airsofters. Both ICS and G&G are making all the right noises and the airsoft world is hearing them!

“HIGH QUALITY BOTH EXTERNALLY AND INTERNALLY WITH PERFORMANCE TO BOOT THEY WILL APPEAL TO MANY AND QUITE RIGHTLY SO; ICS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR MANY YEARS AND THEY KEEP RAISING THE BAR. THEY SHOULD CHANGE THEIR MOTTO TO ‘BE A GAME CHANGER THROUGH INNOVATION’!”

Elvis: The Specna Arms Mk18, that’s been my #1 replica almost three years, like Miguel! Actually with the MK18 I had the first one ever as that was one project for SA and they accepted it. As you may know the MK18 and the “HK” were my idea, so I’m feeling like those are my kids, no matter which one I will use or review. Basically, I’m a kinda “trademark” for the Mk18 as you have noticed with my setups, and this is definitely the one AEG I’ve used the most. I’ve also used my H20Edge with the Aster unit, but the Mk18 so far is the most used, abused (not intentionally), and I’m still running the first set of gears in it!

Bill: Much like Jimmy it’s a case of, “Oh my, where do I start???” I carry out the bulk of tests and evaluations of new airsoft platforms for Airsoft Action (although I hope that Stewbacca will be getting more involved in this for 2023) and as such I literally see hundreds of AEGs and GBBs each and every year. I see new concepts at shows and when I visit manufacturers in person, and indeed I’ve been privileged a few times to be directly involved in development processes, even from a design stage.

When I’m not in the office doing the “boring admin stuff” that goes with running a monthly magazine I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time on the range shooting new AEGs and GBBs; this is, after all, one of the (I hope!) many reasons that thousands of you continue to read Airsoft Action each month, you want to know how new platforms perform, and indeed how they continue to perform after extended and somewhat less-than-gentle use!

So why do I tell you this? It’s simple really, to impress me these days a new airsoft platform has to be not just good, but GREAT! It needs not have all the latest shiny whizz-bang gizmo technology, but it HAS TO WORK, work properly and consistently. And it has to keep on working with little or no maintenance as I know that many of you naughty ‘softers out there use your favourite AEG or GBB week in, week out with not so much as a dust-down!

I still try to look at a new model with the eyes that I had nearly thirty years ago when I started messing

around with this wonderful game of ours; I want the “WOW!” factor, but these days I also want to see solid and assured build-quality along with consistent performance as new, and I want to see that performance if anything get better over time as things bed in.

So what has tickled my personal airsoft pickle this year, and what continues to impress me? Like our two Specna Arms Ambassadors I have to agree that my relationship with the SA Mk18 continues to be a loving one… when I have managed to get out and play this has been a bit of a “go to” as it shoots REALLY well and looks a million bucks still. It sings to the Milsim part of me, but it’s also a righteous skirmish-day tool, and it is 100% rock solid!

One that came somewhat out of left-field for me in 2020 was the Golden Eagle “AMD-65”; you’ll find Golden Eagle under their own brand name across most of Europe, but if you’re in the USA then no doubt they’ll be offered under the “MATRIX” banner, but at the end of the day their models are well priced and they are often of quite decent quality externally, and the AMD-65 AEG comes with a solid and durable metal body and barrel and benefits from black plastic grips fore and aft, the tubular side folding stock, and the distinctive muzzle brake; for a rifle that first saw service in the 1960s the placement of the foregrip, which is essentially just a reversed pistol grip, gives the “65” a surprisingly modern “feel”. Everything is put together very well indeed and there are absolutely no

creaks, groans or wobbles apparent anywhere.

Internally things are solid enough for the money; there’s a tried and tested (and easily upgraded!) V3 gearbox all driven along by an “okay” short-type motor. Nothing inside really sets the pulse racing but it’s all serviceable to start with, and the fact that everything is compatible with all TM-spec AEG upgrade components means that with the absolutely rock-solid externals you could end up with a very respectable, uniquely-charactered OPFOR shooter. I’ve had some time with the “65” now and it’s settled in well, an it’s a great AK for use in both CQB and woodland games.

As Stewbacca said, the VFC FAL is a proper asskicker of a GBBR and I love mine (now that it’s here!) with every ounce of my soul! It is very much a rifle of my youth and for that alone I adore it, but when you add that it’s built like a tank and shoots like a laser then… SOLD! I’ve not got any meaningful time in with it yet on the range, and I definitely need some more magazines to get in-game with, but I’ll return to it again later in the year when it’s been a little more “used and abused”.

Again I find my thoughts in concert with Jimmy when it comes to ICS, and sticking with the Mk18 theme, their “take” on this in AEG from is absolutely sublime! Now it is beyond doubt that ICS make some of the finest, high-performance AEGs out there, and their split gearbox has now become part of “airsoft lore”. They also go their own way when it comes to design, and as much as I love to see this (I mean, their ARK is a beauty!) as it’s a healthy direction for any airsoft manufacturer, it does mean that it is not always to my own personal taste, but I love it when they create something under licence. Every ICS AEG though is built with masses of QC and a lot of love, and they shoot brilliantly, it’s just that I do like my own platforms to be “real” these days… and their new certainly EMG-MK18 -collaboration ticks all my boxes, and more!

The ICS DD MK18 has been created under the EMG Daniel Defense Licence and as such is 100% fully-branded, and I do mean FULLY, even down to the correct font in the trademarks! It’s genuinely, drop-dead gorgeously RIGHT, and I’m basing this on those real rifles and carbines I saw at SHOT, and oh my lawd, with those Master Mods parts as standard it shoots like a dream too. This is most definitely an AEG that I intend to field as I get back properly onto games in the coming year…

However, IF you were to push me then there is one GBBR rifle that sits perfectly with me in every respect, and that’s the VFC M110K1! When I look at this new

GBBR (and I do look at it a lot!) I am staggered once again at just what an elegant rifle it is! It looks like everything is where it should be, and there’s nothing that doesn’t need to be there! It’s slimline and of a good length (900/980mm with the CRANE-style stock) and weight (3,090g) so it feels that although you have an “Enhanced Combat Carbine” it’s one that feels like it is tailor-made to be thrown round in-game!

The build-quality is HIGH above the average airsoft AR, and to start off with the VFC M110K1 is built under licence from Knight’s Armament Company so it has FULL pattern markings and trades to give it a real high-quality “feel” from the get go. As with the earlier VFC SR-25 ECC the M110K1 is a righteously faithful replication of the real thing and features all the correct markings; anywhere you see a trademark or a marking it will have been replicated from the real deal.

At the end of my review (in Issue 145) I said: “With the looks and performance available in one GBB platform I’m kind of wondering where VFC will go next, as they seem to have everything pretty darn nailed right now in my opinion. The M110K1 is, again my opinion based on my experience with many GBBR platforms, as good as it gets when it comes to an outof-the-box gas DMR and I shall be hanging it proudly next to my VFC Mk18 CQBR when I redo my office gun wall.”

As both a DMR and a gas rifle it’s not going to appeal to everyone, and indeed will not suit a more “Direct Action” play-style, but for me the M110K1 is about as good as an airsoft replica gets if you want as “close to real” as possible, and for this reason alone it takes my coveted top-slot for 2022.

It says an awful lot to me that there are a number of gas models in our “year review” for 2022, and this shows to me that gas platforms are just getting better and better, and for many game styles are now a thoroughly valid choice. We’ll be following this through 2023 to see just where things go next! AA

Red Cell is supported by:

Many of you will recall that I worked closely with NUPROL on their more “classic accessories” during my “AR BLOCKS” builds last year and it really opened even my eyes to just how much they now have in relation to the “bolt-ons” that we all adore and use to make a stock platform truly one of a kind, and truly our own.

By “bolt-ons” I mean all the accessories that we add to our AEGs and GBBs that make them unique and beloved to us, accessories like optics, taclites and LAMs, suppressors, tracer units, and even humble rail covers! These are the items that we add that make a stock platform completely usable from our own perspective, one that we can confidently head ingame with and enjoy fielding time and again!

Over my long and somewhat undistinguished “airsoft life” I’ve had the chance to really refine what accessories I really like on different platforms, and now if you looked at my collection you’d find that all the modern ARs look very much the same, and although different the same can be said for my modern AKs! It’s not that I’m boring or can’t be bothered, more that I know what setup works best for me and I stick to it.

Why so, simple really… by setting each of my rifles and carbines in the same fashion that good old “muscle memory” kicks fully into gear and I don’t have to overthink where a pressure switch operating

button is as I already know that. This means in turn that in-game I can concentrate on my situational awareness rather than having to keep checking where the button for my taclite is! Having a “standard” setup just makes my life easier, and hopefully makes me just that little bit slicker on the field.

But what do you REALLY need when it comes to accessories? A light? A laser? A red dot, holo, or magnified optic? Rail covers and foregrips?

This of course comes down to personal choice, and there is absolutely no wrong choice if what you have mounted on your own platform works for you! For me it’s quite simple again; if it’s a carbine for CQB I want a foregrip holo sight, taclite and LAM in case I go to “lo-light/no-light NVG work, and maybe a suppressor/ tracer. If it’s a DMR I want a magnified optic, decent back-up sights, a LAM again, and probably a bipod. For general use on a longer carbine or rifle for woodswork I’ll probably again go for a foregrip, holo sight, perhaps with a magnifier (more for checking out treelines than for true distance work), a suppressor/ tracer, and I’ll probably have a LAM still for night ops.

Yup, that’s largely me, a simple, straightforward setup that works across platforms, and quite frankly if I need anything I just head to NUPROL these days. Let me break it down for you so you can see what I mean…

TACLITES AND LAMS

The NX200 is a light designed to be fitted to a range of railed handguns, giving the ability to quickly acquire

hands on your pistol. The with an alloy body and head, a solid polymer toggle switch at and features a 200 Lumens switch features

right handed shooters. Included in the box is a spare fitting plate and allen Key. This is perfect for any night game or CQB situation, as you can light up an entire corridor or sweep out corners in any room with added accuracy and visibility.

The NX300 has the same excellent build quality of the NX200 but increases illumination to 300 Lumens

larger in the head area. The NX400 not only us the power to a whopping incorporated adjustable laser. The back of the laser including the torch and laser being on at the same time if your desire.

Moving up to rifle/carbine lights, my faves these days are the NX600 series. The two models, available in Black or Tan, are Long (L) and Short (S) variants. They follow the trend towards small, bright “scout” type tactical lights that affix solidly to the rail of your and gives out a clear white

The L variant is 125mm long and takes 2xCR123. Both lights have a very slim, low profile, and the single bolt clamp is equally minimalist. The two lights come superbly packaged with both a “rats tail” remote pressure switch and standard tailcap which makes them very versatile; NUPROL even include the velcro strip to attach the pressure switch and a full colour instruction sheet so they really have thought of everything!

Finally I have to mention what I believe is one of the best PEQ15 replicas on the market today, and that’s the NPQ15 LIGHT/LASER BOX. Available in black or tan, this is a very sturdy “PEQ Box” but one that actually has all the functionality you need rather than being a place to store an oversized battery! Thi IS NOT a battery box, functioning item that a bright white CREE LED, red daytime laser, and an IR laser for use with night vision devices! It fits straight onto a 20mm RIS Rail and comes with a removable pressure switch, or “Rats Tail”; I’d also add here that it works perfectly with some of the dual pressure switches out there that let you control your taclite and PEQ from a single interface. The PEQ uses 2 x CR123A Batteries (Not Included) and comes in a sturdy carry case, although for me it stays fitted full-time on my platforms.

OPTICS

NUPROL have had a solid range of different optics for some time now, both magnified and “tactical” style, so you have a whole array of options here from a simple RDS for pistol and shotgun work (the NP MICRO RDS) which also works excellently as a backup to a magnified DMR optic on a 45 degree mount. You might argue that given the realistic shooting range of an airsoft replica this is really all that’s needed other than on a rifle or carbine, but the reality is that we want our platforms to look cool, and therefore we need a choice of style!

On my AKs I tend to use the NPOINT E1 RDS SIGHT (a T1 style) as this sits nice and close to the bore. However, many years ago I got to using the “Eostyle” holosights and to be honest I’ve never looked back as I find these both robust and easy to use. I guess it’s the “two eyes open aiming thing” that I like

most about these, and although for years I used the NPTECH 881 style (this gives windage and elevation adjustment and a reticle colour change (green / red) all powered by two LR44 1.5V batteries (included)), but recently I’ve moved to the slightly smaller NPTECH 886 in all my platforms (this offers all the function of the 881 but uses two easy-to-find AA batteries). If you fancy something different though, there are more styles available to suit your taste!

But NUPROL have, if you’ll pardon the pun, looked at this long and hard at their optics offering, especially when it comes to the magnified variety, and come up with a neat, compact range of models, of good quality, at a sensible price. If you want “MIL-style then their 4x32 NCOG sights are pretty cool (especially for more period-defined builds), and they bring things well up to date the NP PHANTOM F 4 X 32 SCOPE models.

For that classic “scope look though you have a number of great options the NUPROL range; I’ve been running a NP Optics - 1.25-5x26 IR on my DMRs, and this is a super-clear optic that boasts some excellent mechanical features not often seen on such an affordable sight. The windage and elevation dials can be popped and locked into place to avoid any accidental changes made to your zero.

really works very well and everyone I’ve shown it to thus far has been impressed!

In relation to more “traditional” optics there are three new models. You can now choose between the NP Optics - 4x32 IR, 3-9x40 IR, and 3-9x50 IR, so you can really find the ideal airsoft sniper scope that works for you should you wish to take out a target at distance. Thanks to the wide selection of colour and brightness modes on the reticles you can take out your target in any lighting condition be it outdoors or in built up urban environments. The NUPROL scopes all come with 20mm rail mounts; they’re very easy to set up, rock solid once fitted and add very minimal weight to your rifle.

SUPPRESSORS AND TRACERS

In reality an airsoft suppressor is really a bit of “dressing up” for your primary (or indeed secondary, the AGENCY suppressor rocks!) as virtually none of them, even the most expensive, actually provide any real kind of sound suppression. That said there is one simple area where a suppressor can actually help to enhance the performance of your AEG or GBB; by fitting one as a barrel extension you can easily and effectively lengthen your outer barrel, which in turn means that you can fit a longer inner barrel!

Apart from the “look” this is actually a very good reason to fit a suppressor to any airsoft platform, but even if you’re not going to try and increase performance there of course is the undisputed “cool guy” factor of adding a “can”. This is especially true if you’re going to try and nail certain “SF” styles as you are definitely going to need

Now for a good while NUPROL have offered their excellent range of both QD and non-QD suppressors

“THERE IS ONE SIMPLE AREA WHERE A SUPPRESSOR CAN ACTUALLY HELP TO ENHANCE THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR AEG OR GBB; BY FITTING ONE AS A BARREL EXTENSION YOU CAN EASILY AND EFFECTIVELY LENGTHEN YOUR OUTER BARREL, WHICH IN TURN MEANS THAT YOU CAN FIT A LONGER INNER BARREL!”

and barrel extensions in the form of the COBRA, BOA, MAMBA, VIPER, and COPPERHEAD “sound hog”, but more recently they’ve added some super little cans and tracer units for both “shorts and longs”.

I particularly like the 132 and 158mm NUPROL TRACER UNIT as it mimics a certain “SF” suppressor nicely with the added bonus of tracer-capability, and as it comes with a prefitted battery and

use in-game as you can always give it an extra boost if you carry a small powerbank! In the same vein there’s also a “sound hog” length NUPROL COMPACT FLASH-P TRACER UNIT which has a 4 hour/2000BB battery life; the unit has one-button operation and enters “sleep mode” after a minute of inactivity, but then re-activates after your next shot! This is also rechargeable via provided.

To be honest I could go on and on, but I won’t as I wanted to focus on the accessories in the NUPROL range that I have used personally and got great performance from. I also use their super 9” MULTIFUNCTION BIPOD extensively on my larger rifles, especially when combined with a magnified optic, and find this a first-rate, stable support.

The only area where I struggle to find what I need in the NUPROL line is foregrips; although they do some excellent models I prefer a very slimline “stubby” style, and this is something I’ve talked

to them about many times! I have seen their own designs in this respect, and they look righteous, so I’m hopeful that this year these designs may finally become a reality! Still, when they cover off all of my other accessory needs this is really massive nitpicking…

Bottom line is that NUPROL can genuinely supply ALL your accessory needs at sensible prices unless you’re looking for something very specific, and they are usually fully “in stock” of all of them, making sure that their retail partners, and ultimately “we, the players” also have what we need, when we need it!

To check out the entire range of NUPROL accessories just head on over to www.nuprol.com or check with your local stockist for availability. AA

NEW YEAR... NEW GEAR!

LIKE MANY OF YOU WE ALWAYS START A NEW YEAR OF AIRSOFT WITH A BIT OF A “GEAR AUDIT”, LOOKING AT WHAT NEEDS REPLACING IN OUR EXISTING KIT, AND INDEED WHAT NEW ITEMS NEED TO BE ADDED TO OUR PERSONAL GEAR LOCKERS FOR THE COMING TWELVE MONTHS! RED CELL HAVE BEEN HAMMERING THEIR EXISTING VIPER CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT, SO BILL LOOKS BACK ON THE OLD AND RINGS IN THE NEW!

When I first set up the Red Cell testing program for Airsoft Action I had in my mind something quite unique and special, and I REALLY wanted “The Cell” to have a strong visual identity, one that was put together in partnership with out old mates at VIPER. I chose VIPER not only because they are long-term friends of Airsoft Action, but because their gear in recent years has come on absolute leaps and bounds!

For many years VIPER provided great entry level tactical clothing and gear but their changes in the last couple of years, and the re-working of their ranges of clothing and gear in an extremely focused way has paid dividends, not just for them in terms of sales, but for us in relation to the ubiquity and quality of the kit we can add at sensible prices to play airsoft!

Their range has condensed and crystallised into something quite special , and has taken things up into a whole new level of performance and choice . Although they have produced all sorts of gear and clothing before, it’s superb to see the VX Buckle Up range moving forward yet again as this took modularity in exciting new directions, and allowed you a huge amount of versatility when it came to setting up your gear just how you like it. The fabrics used and the quality achieved were better than anything they’d done before in my opinion, and the design was bang up to date.

I said at the time it was launched of the VX Buckle

Up Multi Weapon System Set that;

“Not only have they developed new products but they’ve obviously had a very close look at how trends have developed in the tactical world, and the latest designs reflect a thorough understanding both of the “light is right tactical athlete” approach, and the change to “mission adaptable” gear that takes into account different methods of load carriage and adaptability from one primary platform to another whilst maintaining a solid “base”.

This was true at the time, and it’s equally true of the Gen 2 set as we enter a whole new year of airsoft, but one of the small issues I had with the set as it stands was the “workspace” that their modular-magazinesleeve-holding Ready Rig took up. It’s a personal thing, but I’m not keen on lots of clutter on the front of any rig I wear as I find it degrades my ability to go fully prone. Good as the Ready Rig/Mag Sleeve is, and I do love its modularity, it’s a little too bulky and I’ve told the guys at VIPER my opinion on multiple occasions…

Therefore you can imagine how pleased I was when at the back end of ’22 to see some new additions join the VX Buckle Up system, namely three new “uber lodrag” magazine panels. VIPER have obviously looked again to functional new technologies and designs that show “current best practice” in the tactical gear market, and they’ve developed the new panels, elasticated and lo-profile, one each for PISTOL MAGS (5 cells), for SMG MAGS (4 cells) and for AR/AK

MAGS (3 cells)… very sweet!

All three elasticated panels fix solidly to the velcro and twin-buckle arrangement of the VX Buckle Up Plate Carrier Gen2 and are VERY close fitting, something that I 100% approve of, and of course this means that your plate carrier setup become even MORE mission-adaptable than ever before! I’ve had all three to play with; they work brilliantly, and I even managed to squeeze a couple of SR25-style “big-boy mags” into the AR/AK version although of course this will deform the elastication over time, so I hope that a dedicated platform for this style of magazine may be forthcoming in time.

If you already own a VX Buckle Up Plate Carrier Gen2 these new panels are available in Green, Tan, Black and V-CAM and are a great addition to your personal “gear cage”; and if you don’t own one a VX set yet then it may well be worth considering one when it comes time to change out your kit!

SOFTWEAR UPDATE

Updates to the VIPER clothing range have been arriving steadily, but at a sensible pace that shows that the guys are really thinking about what we need, and how best to create this in a usable and affordable way! One thing I’d like to comment on here is the result of a conversation one of Red Cell had with another airsofter who bemoaned the fact that “VIPER is just airsoft gear”… and “not up to military spec”!

Let’s address this is fullness shall we? VIPER have never made any claims to being “MilSpec”, but firstly I know for a fact that many of their gear items have found their way into the hands of service personnel and contractors; in fact one old mate of mine who was on “The Circuit” once commented to me that he would take VIPER items out with him as he knew they would work for “long enough”, and he would have to ditch them at the end of his “tour”; said items usually ended up finding a home with the “local lads”.

Secondly let’s go back to that old adage about military kit and “the lowest bidder” shall we? I’ve not served full-time but I’ve been told by mates who have that the kit they were issued was “absolute crap”; these were regular soldiers and not some mythical “SF Operators”, but the fact is that most issued military uniforms are made to contract, to a contract price, and are not always of particularly high quality! I do own enough “real kit” and have worn it for long enough to tell you from a technical-clothing fabric and design perspective that most issued clothing is “utter sh1t”.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, as those of

course are like buttholes… everyone has one!

However, I can relate to you my direct experience of some of the VIPER clothing, unadorned…

A favourite of virtually every member of Red Cell, the ripstop-polycotton Trousers have now moved into Gen 2 of their design and these just keep getting better and better; although the basic trouser can be had for less, the latest VCBLK camo version is most definitely worth the money if you want something REALLY distinctive and this has proved popular with us “in-house” as you’ll discover soon!

With multiple features these trousers modified to the user’s for comfort and feel. yet removable ABS with neoprene lining comfort, protection for hard use. There’s closure and zipped fly, along with elasticated waist adjustment. There are two regular, angled thigh pockets which are easy to access, two buttoned back pockets, two deep cargo pockets, and two ankle utility pockets. Velcro knee retention tabs keep the knee pads exactly where you need them, along with internal pad adjusters located in front two pockets; this is a neat feature as the pads can effectively be “lifted” to position them perfectly. The ankle closures are also velcro tabs which can be set to snug in around the cuffs of high leg boots keeping dust, dirt, and debris out effectively. With all the features and the level of adjustment the ELITE trousers can be set up very individually and offer great value for money, especially as the knee pads are included in the price, and the addition of V-stretch material allows for a more athletic feel and additional comfort!

The members of Red Cell and indeed some of the AA Legion especially like the ELITE trouser model, and in fact that’s one of the VIPER items that “The Cell” chose for their rangewear and has served them well. However, for a long while now we’ve been asking the VIPER guys to bring out a matching combat shirt that offers the same comfort and performance, and we know that we’re not alone in this as many of you out there have been asking for the same; finally VIPER

have come up with the goods!

The new VIPER Special Ops Shirt has been specifically designed to be worn body armour and plate carriers. With elbow pad pockets and hook and loop panels on the shoulder pockets, you can customise the shirt according to your specs and taste. The shirt features 100% cotton material for the body part allowing for maximum breathability and comfort. The sleeves are made of ripstop fabric providing enhanced performance during the activities. The ¼ neck zip and adjustable cuffs with hook and loop tabs allow for a perfect fit of the shirt. The new shirt can be used throughout the year in a variety of environments which makes it perfect for airsoft; I’ve been wearing one for a while now, and thus far it’s stood up to some proper abuse well!!

One sound little item that kind of crept into the VIPER range with little fanfare was something SO that I’m honestly amazed that I’ve not one before… especially in so many colours and patterns! Wearing layers of clothing during any outdoors activity allows for easy control of the body core temperature, and the VIPER Tactical Roll Neck Top is a versatile garment that can be worn as an outer layer during warmer months or as a baselayer in autumn and winter. It is made of fast-wicking mesh fabric that draws moisture away from your body, helping you to maintain a stable core temperature and providing comfort as it helps keep skin dry. The roll neck not only provides additional temperature control but can be worn over the face, so can act as an emergency face covering as well as giving some protection from BB strikes! Available on Black, Coyote, Green, Titanium, V-CAM, and VCBLK this is an ideal base garment for any loadout.

Another firm favourite among us is the VIPER

Frontier Jacket; although this is not a new model it’s one that has REALLY proved its worth, and my black one is most definitely an “EDC” item! The Frintier is a padded/filled thermal layer to compliment your current BDU or it can be used as a stand-alone jacket. It’s made of 100% Polyester and has a RipStop-esc inner and outer. It’s a man-made filling material, rather than down but that’s a positive as it stays warm even when wet. It’s lightweight, weighing in at only 500g/17.6oz and packs down into a stuff sack that is provided, measuring only 140mmx254mm/5.5”x10”. This is great as it will fit in a daysack or large pouch.

Available in Tan, Black, and V-CAM, this is a well-designed, well-cut, comfortable and practical addition to your kit. If worn correctly and in conjunction with other items of a layered system, this jacket could well save your skin on a cold day. I’m genuinely pleased at just how well my Frontier Jacket has performed over the winter months and it’s a bit of kit that will be in my, and our, gear lockers for a LONG time to come although I believe that the main zip may well need taking up to a larger size to provide true longevity.

All of the latest gear and garments are a cracking addition to any collection of VIPER kit you may already own, and all of them have been worn and used by me, and us. They offer a cool look with the latest colours and patterns whilst not costing the earth; in fact you could pay as much for a jacket from one of the gucci BNBs (Big Name Brands) as you will for a complete VIPER loadout; this has to be a good thing for any airsofter on a budget, but 100% does not mean that you won’t be getting righteous-looking and totally serviceable gear!

There are still more items in the range that I haven’t included, not because they’re not good, but because they are still to be added to this growing range. All of the gear though adds to the already focused yet comprehensive range that VIPER offer, a range that will give a total camo solution of excellent quality, at a sensible price. To keep up to date with the new VIPER tactical products as they become available please visit www.viperkit.co.uk and youll also be able to find full stockist details there too. If you’d prefer you can follow VIPER TACTICAL via their Facebook and Instagram pages which are regularly updated.

Thanks to VIPER TACTICAL Ambassador and AA Legionnaire Miguel for some great “in-game” images of the gear; rest assured there’ll be more to come in next month’s issue as we pull together a very special “photoshoot loadout” for a new airsoft product launch! AA

MAKING BAD GOOD

Perun have fast become a popular choice and for me, and it is the only name I have faith in these days when it comes to electronics in AEG’s. As a tech I have seen most of their products and to date installed countless numbers of their incredible Mosfets.

Jakub and his team really do know their onions and know exactly what airsofters want. They don’t over-complicate things, they just make some fantastic equipment and so far I have seen a zero fail rate. They are the only brand I will recommend to someone looking to enhance the airsoft experience, and it is my opinion that Perun are fast becoming market leaders in airsoft electronics. The quality of what they make is very high, their pricing is very respectable, and customer service is second to none. So, if you are in the market for upgrading your AEG then I seriously suggest you look no further than Perun, and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

They cater for many different platforms varying from the common V2 and V3 types but also the likes of the G&G ETU system, the popular Krytac Kriss Vector and now they have come up with a system for two more platforms, two platforms I loathe, or loathed should I say, the P90 and the AUG. These are what I like to call “marmite rifles”, yes marmite as you either love of hate and for a long time I hated the bones of both… that was up until I got my hands on

the new Mosfets.

The main reason I hated both the P90 and the AUG was mainly down to their horrible two-stage trigger setup, which I found to be very unresponsive and very sloppy, and I know I am not alone in that opinion. To be fair though from a techs perspective they are both very easy to work on; I mean, two screws and the internals come straight out of the rear of the bodies, no faffing about splitting receivers, removing grips or receiver pins so they do make life quick and easy. Perun haven’t done away with the two-stage triggers; they are still very much two-stage but what Perun have done is to make them much more responsive, much more reliable, and very much 21st century. Gone is the horrid semi-lock-up and the long trigger pull!

When I opened up both packets of goodies from Perun it is evident they come with more components than something like the Hybrid Mosfets and that naturally could confuse some, but in reality they are both pretty straightforward systems to install and Perun give enough info on exactly how to do that. Note both systems are not compatible with certain brand P90’s and AUGs; there are lists which tell you the compatibility so bear this in mind if looking to purchase. For both you get trigger board, main board and program board along with wiring to connect the three components.

“IT IS MY OPINION THAT PERUN ARE FAST BECOMING MARKET LEADERS IN AIRSOFT ELECTRONICS. THE QUALITY OF WHAT THEY MAKE IS VERY HIGH, THEIR PRICING IS VERY RESPECTABLE, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SECOND TO NONE”

PERUN AND AIRSOFT ACTION HAVE DEVELOPED A FABULOUS RELATIONSHIP OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND THEIR MOSFETS ARE NOW OUR GO-TO ELECTRONIC UPGRADE WHEN IT COMES TO WORKING ON OUR OWN PLATFORMS! PERUN IS A NAME ALL AIRSOFTERS SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH, BUT WHY? JIMMY WILL TELL YOU WHY IN PART II OF HIS LOOK AT THE NEW TECH FOR THE P90 AND AUG AS HE GETS INTO FITTING THEM!

The P90 does have a support board to go next to the trigger board; this is to ensure a firm fix. Installation requires the removal of the trigger systems and the trigger bars (HOORAH!) and the P90 is the easier of the two as all the electronics are external to the gearbox so no need to break open the casing; the AUG however does require you to get inside the V3 casing.

P90 INSTALL

Looking at the P90, after removal of the trigger bar and gearbox you need to remove all the old mechanical trigger assembly and original cut-off lever, along with the trigger bar; these are now obsolete. Affix the main board to the left hand side of the gearbox using the supplied screw and locking nut. In order to fit the new screw you will need

simply slip the trigger board in place and snug up the retaining screws, but do pay attention to the signal wire as it does need to be in the correct position for the gearbox to go fully forward and needs to be routed in the right place for fitment of the upper receiver.

There are two extra hex screws on the boards; if there is any movement you can adjust the hex screws to make them more secure but don’t go crazy as you could break something. On the magnet housing is a screw for retention and this is to stop any movement as well as account for any slight adjustment should you need revise its position; again don’t go crazy something will break!

Now comes the program board; after inserting the gearbox retaining plate you can fit the program board as it just plugs on to the shorter signal wire. You can fit the program board before fitting the back plate, but it doesn’t matter either way. Use the original screws to tighten down the backplate along with the program board.

After checking all the screws are tight you can go ahead and begin the trigger calibration. After going through the program menu choose the calibration setting. This process is a must as this ensures your safe mode is functional as well as both stages of the trigger. It is an easy process by pulling the trigger in all fire modes and pressing the program button, the system knows where each setting is.

Here I would advise you fit the wires to the motor and the signal wires to correct location on the main board; be observant of orientation and be careful when pushing in the plugs, they are tight! I used my nails on the very edges and applied pressure until fully seated.

Fitting the trigger board I learnt it’s easier to attach the board to the longer of the three wires prior to fitting the gearbox. Perun say to fit the trigger board then feed the wires through but I found this to be difficult to get to. It was much easier to fit the support bar, board and magnet housing first with a loose fit then feed the trigger board through when fitting the gearbox. Once the gearbox is fully inserted you can

Once the calibration is finished and correct you will hear a long beep followed by a green light to indicate a successful calibration, and it also indicates correct installation. That pretty much sums up the install on the P90 it really is as easy as 1-2-3. It has completely altered the performance of a platform I once hated; with the programming ability it is possible to personalise exactly how it works as with all Peruns and this is going to be a game changer and make the P90 the true CQB machine it always should have been!

AUG INSTALL

The AUG install was a fair bit more challenging I have to say due to the main body being much larger than that of the p90. Cable management was a bit more difficult and at times frustrating, but perseverance

“FITTING THE TRIGGER BOARD I LEARNT IT’S EASIER TO ATTACH THE BOARD TO THE LONGER OF THE THREE WIRES PRIOR TO FITTING THE GEARBOX. PERUN SAY TO FIT THE TRIGGER BOARD THEN FEED THE WIRES THROUGH BUT I FOUND THIS TO BE DIFFICULT TO GET TO.”

prevailed and I did not succumb. While the two systems have exactly the same operational properties installation is very different. Removal of the gearbox is similar to the P90 but can be a bit troublesome due to the motor cage, so you may have to gently lever that out.

To remove the trigger bar requires the complete trigger to be removed, but one thing to pay close attention to is the two little springs that reside under the trigger itself; these will ping out, trust me I know LOL! Once the bar is removed you can then fit the

all closed up, refit the motor cage and connect the motor wires ensuring correct polarity. You may notice that the screw used to hold the external circuit board from the original AUG wiring is now too long, but don’t panic as Perun supply one that is the correct length. You can now attach the two signal wires into the board. The long one goes to the front, the smaller one to the rear. Check correct orientation before install as these connections are also tight like the p90.

This is where I had difficulty feeding everything through the body of the AUG; the wires just would not conform and I couldn’t get the signal wires for the trigger to go where I wanted them to. After much battling and swearing I had an idea; I taped a long cleaning rod to the wires and first fed it through from front to back. You need to get the wires in the absolutely correct place on the AUG as a section of it passes right through the magwell and correct placement is needed for when the upper receiver is fitted; when inserting the gearbox be patient and pay attention to all of the wires as they can easily get snagged. I found life easier if the receiver release and safety switch were completely removed.

Now you will need to disassemble the gearbox, removing the external wiring and the internal mechanical trigger setup, trigger included and cut-off lever; none of this is needed any more! Once inside the gearbox I took the opportunity to make a few alterations just because I could, but that is for another day. The main board for the AUG is basically Perun’s V3 Optical System just with the trigger sensors and programming section spread out.

Thread the main board through the gap in the casing and secure using the cut-off lever screw, no need to over tighten that. You may find here that it is a good idea to shim your gears ensuring your sector gear is well clear of the board and the sensors. Failure to do this could cause damage to the board rendering your new Mosfet useless.

So with the main board fitted and gearbox casing

So now with the gearbox fitted and wiring properly positioned you can connect the trigger board and programming board. Fit the backplate and program board and voilà job done. Again the same as with the P90, you need to calibrate the trigger but first you need to reinstall the safety switch, that is of course if you did remove it like me. Once calibrated you are good to go.

As a result of the new Perun Mosfets my opinion on both the AUG and the P90 of that they have been improved greatly. While they are both still as ugly as sin (change my mind!) they operate so much better now, and I am looking forward to getting out to a game day with both of them and really put them through some rigorous testing… watch this space! So, all in all a massive round of applause to the genius people at Perun (https://perunairsoft.pl) and a massive thank you once again for giving us the chance to get hands on with these great new Mosfets! AA

“A SMALL AMOUNT OF SUPER GLUE IS RECOMMENDED; DON’T OVER TIGHTEN THE RETAINING SCREWS AS THIS DEFORMS THE TRIGGER DUE TO IT BEING PLASTIC AND THE TRIGGER BECOMES STIFF”

ADVENTURES IN JAPAN

Alongside the obvious coverage of the main event itself, the international team that Laylax hosted for around a week or two at the beginning of November 2022 I also had the pleasure of being introduced to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Japan in both a traditional sense with Masaki, Marck, Ryan and occasionally other members of their team giving us a very pleasant guided tour of the cultural and tourist attractions which we were ably shown around and informed of the significance of. Beyond the obvious beauty of many of the buildings and scenes, or delicious local treats we were habitually engulfing, whenever the opportunity presented itself we also saw the more modern subcultures and idiosyncrasies relating to airsoft and the player base, game sites and industry at large that supports it; Japan, after all is the spiritual and technological home of all things airsoft, and while here in Taiwan the ever growing industry has managed to carve out a majority share of the sheer production and development of related products, it’s impossible to overlook the significance and heritage that Japan represents in terms of bringing us all this (hobby?… habit?… addiction?…lifestyle?) in the first place.

At the Krytac Owner’s Meeting itself, and among the various content that the Laylax team and international guests produced and released during and since the event, it’s clear that so many of the people and ideas touched a great many of us in terms of the way the local players comport themselves not only on the field, but also off it, with a very welcoming and inquisitive nature towards the foreign guests as well as impeccable sportsmanship and honourable play during the games themselves.

Having played extensively in the UK, Spain and

attention and expertise, and clearly a lot of crossover exists in the two subcultures with lots of zombie, police, special forces, foreign unit and anime-like outfits scattered among the more traditionally clad players, as well as an array of small businesses on site to sell their niche goods to aforementioned players.

The generally warm hearted and jovial nature of the players definitely shone through with nobody seeming to take themselves all that seriously compared to some players I’ve seen elsewhere, and instead focusing on playing to the best of their ability or otherwise enjoying themselves and being supportive of each other in a faultlessly polite and cheerful manner bordering on stereotypical.

VENUES, GAMES, AND MANY TREATS!

with airsoft in our own countries of focus, the clashes between play styles or groups, none of which seemed to manifest themselves in Japan! Perhaps we all need to get back to the roots of what this community is and represents at times; a common interest and goals to enjoy together that seems to be a perpetually contentious and threatened gun related pastime whichever corner of the world we find ourselves in.

The openness and individuality of the Japanese player base was writ large on the day with the sheer variety of loadouts lovingly crafted and with myriad Krytac platforms to match; many people evidently pour their heart and soul into crafting their replica guns and tactical gear to an almost Cosplayer level of

Further afield after the main event we took a private tour bus from our hotel in Chiba nearer the airport and Sa-ba-ge park around the outer Tokyo area on the way to Yokohama in the West where we would again stay overnight before taking the Shinkansen, or “bullet train”, to Osaka and Laylax headquarters on the Monday. Along the way the Laylax team introduced us all to “Mokei Paddock”; directly south of our staging point in Chiba, this is a fascinating blend of large- floor-plan airsoft store on the ground floor that borders on a museum judging by some of the sheer variety of original early era niche guns we were all excitedly recognising and drooling over, as well as a somewhat open air and almost Greek market styled street scene themed CQB battle arena on the upper floors!

“JAPAN, AFTER ALL IS THE SPIRITUAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL HOME OF ALL THINGS AIRSOFT, AND WHILE HERE IN TAIWAN THE EVER GROWING INDUSTRY HAS MANAGED TO CARVE OUT A MAJORITY SHARE OF THE SHEER PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF RELATED PRODUCTS, IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERLOOK THE SIGNIFICANCE AND HERITAGE THAT JAPAN REPRESENTS”

Sandwiched between both was an ultraclosequarters kill

the process.

style rabbit warren of small rooms and even accessible air vent style crawl spaces; all of this, it turns out, is homed in a former sports centre with the now defunct swimming pool forming the crawl space CQB area beneath the floor of the main upper arena which was built over the pool space itself, while the overlooking floor to ceiling windowed terrace above forms the safe-zone and break area. This allows a turnaround of teams during busy sessions with out-of-game players being able to reload, prepare their equipment, enjoy refreshments and watch the action unfolding beneath with those currently in game.

Maydaysan was good enough to narrate the action and explain the somewhat unique playing style that was unfolding as we watched the players engaging below before taking a tour of the whole playing space between rounds. Ultimate Airsoft Battle – UAB, is essentially a juxtaposition of the ever increasingly popular SpeedQB styles prevalent in the US and Asia as of late, and instead of balls to the walls high speed action the objective is to remain as hidden as possible and methodically and slowly move between cover to achieve a firing solution on the opponents, peeking out rapidly and letting off short salvos or double taps with a pistol or compact PDW style AEG or gas blowback guns and minimising your own exposure and watching all the angles cautiously in

As with SpeedQB this style can be somewhat contentious at times as well due to the much slower pace of the action and the almost risk-averse nature of the gaming making it not everyone’s cup of tea as such with some likening some of the shooting and movement exhibited to near blind firing techniques. But, as with everything else, all varieties of play should be encouraged to my mind and given a niche to work within assuming everyone in that space is playing the same style and within the same rules. Having pored over the vast array of guns and gear in the ground floor shop and seen around the gun workshop spaces upstairs which had some truly rare pieces lying around, we bid the staff farewell and embarked on our cross town highway ride to the opposite side of the bay.

In an otherwise typical and sedate shopping mall resides our next stop; on the top floor, in what used to be an indoor activity centre complex complete with onsite kitchen is Area 41 - Yokohama Airsoft Arena, complete with a reasonably sized

centre, specialised SpeedQB arena and CQB arena complete with overhead catwalks to observe or oversee the action below… which we all availed ourselves of to grab some photo and video content for our various media activities.

Again the pace of the action seemed to be matched only by the enthusiasm but good nature and honesty of the players involved; with many of them apparently being younger and making use of pistols with tracers and doing a blend of SQB or

“AS WITH SPEEDQB THIS STYLE CAN BE SOMEWHAT CONTENTIOUS AT TIMES AS WELL DUE TO THE MUCH SLOWER PACE OF THE ACTION AND THE ALMOST RISK-AVERSE NATURE OF THE GAMING MAKING IT NOT EVERYONE’S CUP OF TEA AS SUCH WITH SOME LIKENING SOME OF THE SHOOTING AND MOVEMENT EXHIBITED TO NEAR BLIND FIRING TECHNIQUES”

UAB styles with the cautious peeking and shooting interspersed with feats of athleticism to get to the next available cover unscathed and make room for their teammates to advance behind them. In the case of the main arena the intensity of the action is throttled to an extent with an effective ‘DMZ’ or no go border between the sides of the arena which prevent players getting uncomfortably close and forces them to keep their heads on a swivel and choose their movements and angles carefully to minimise their exposure while maximising their effectiveness.

Up next was the end of the day’s bus tour at Yokohama waterfront! With many of us being wanted to a glimpse of the Gundam Base tourist attraction at the end of one of the piers before it is dismantled and moved elsewhere. Again it was another pleasant excursion in good company that allowed many to experience something they just can’t anywhere else as well as stock up on the obligatory memorabilia… ah those three little words; “exit via giftshop!” I also managed to bump into my old flatmates from the UK who live in Yokohama and whom I hadn’t seen for around 5 years since heading to Taiwan, so we managed an all too brief reunion while the rest of the group leisurely moved north along the dockside towards our hotel for the night.

After moving in groups along the waterfront and grabbing numerous pictures of the lights and sights we all eventually arrived at the Yokohama Grand Hotel and settled in for the night, awakening the next morning to spectacular views of the bay below that reminded me of my first stay in Hong Kong.

After breakfast it was a case of “to the Shinkansen; post haste” taking a few stops on the Tokyo Metro to Yokohama station and waiting for our high speed adventure to Osaka in the West; we can travel in very similar speed and comfort in Taiwan thanks to the high speed rail company buying Japanese bullet trains, but we don’t get to enjoy the epic views of Mount Fuji on the way round our coast!

LAYLAX BOUND!

Arriving in Osaka we made for Laylax headquarters in the East end of the city with the foothills as a backdrop to the rooftop view no doubt recognisable to many of you from the numerous videos staged up there. The equally familiar top floor workshop studio would serve as a base of operations for many of us over the next few days, with lots of the content creators producing introductory photos and videos of Laylax’s latest products due to hit the market, from their modern surface finished spring sets with multiple different flake free colours to represent different spring rates, as well as their much anticipated CNC machined HOP unit for AEGs, Prometheus range barrels and HOP bucking nubs for optimal performance in a range of environments the world over. I was also excited to get hands on the EMG licensed KrytaC produced SilencerCo Maxim 9 GBB pistol with integral tracer unit; the preproduction of which seems to fit my hands very nicely and I’ve since test fired it at MOA 2022, as well as the numerous P90 AEG upgrade components and modular front rail systems. Among the various platforms on display were also some of the resident artisanal productions in the

“UP NEXT WAS THE END OF THE DAY’S BUS TOUR AT YOKOHAMA WATERFRONT! WITH MANY OF US BEING OBVIOUS HORRENDOUS NERDS, WE WANTED TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE GUNDAM BASE TOURIST ATTRACTION AT THE END OF ONE OF THE PIERS BEFORE IT IS DISMANTLED AND MOVED ELSEWHERE”

form of GBB pistols with expertly crafted cell-shaded stylised paint jobs that made them look like they were popping out of the screen of anime episodes, as well as custom Krytac Trident AEGs with A-10 Warthog style paint jobs with shark mouth nose art and multi-barrel muzzle cap to boot. I also eyed the Marui Mk23 SOCOM NBB pistol in its tooled-out guise with grip wrap, custom Laylax red dot ready slide and the softened internal valve and hammer spring system that makes for a much lighter trigger pull as well as adjustable power output on the magazine valve to allow optimisation for the power or efficiency bias the player desires! The team were good enough to gift me their breakout holster, valve kit and replacement outer barrel unit to allow me to customise my own Mk23 that I acquired since returning to Taiwan and will be putting through its paces in 2023.

It’s not just about the guns though, Laylax have an ever growing soft goods and tactical gear line to discuss, and at the owner’s meeting event we’d all already been furnished with their excellent Aeroflex breathe easy masks with ballistic protective inserts that allow for good facial protection without impeding cheek weld upon your gun’s stock and also help limit fogging of eye pro with their two piece fabric and plastic construction. Similarly we’d been introduced to the BiteMag hard shell magazine pouches which I made use of with the P90 and since returning to Taiwan have been happily utilising mounted on my belt kit with MP5 GBB magazines with great retention and ease of retrieval and reindexing thus far.

Another familiar product being extolled was their container gun bag which I’ve been field trialling the original civilianised denim looking variant of since its release when Jonothan of Airsoftology was good enough to pass it on to me for user testing and which has since served me very well and garnered a lot of interest and envy from my teammates; thankfully the few shortcomings of the earlier model appear to have been addressed in exactly the fashion I would have suggested in the newer variants which have reinforced main zips and stitching as well as more internal space for carrying multiple carbines with a luggage style collapsible zip retained concertina on the outer edges which takes the strain of the main zip.

“IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE GUNS THOUGH, LAYLAX HAVE AN EVER GROWING SOFT GOODS AND TACTICAL GEAR LINE TO DISCUSS, AND AT THE OWNER’S MEETING EVENT WE’D ALL ALREADY BEEN FURNISHED WITH THEIR EXCELLENT AEROFLEX BREATHE EASY MASKS WITH BALLISTIC PROTECTIVE INSERTS THAT ALLOW FOR GOOD FACIAL PROTECTION WITHOUT IMPEDING CHEEK WELD”

Alongside these were the variety of company branded T-Shirts and swish looking weatherproof jackets with hook and loop panels for affixing patches too.

MORE OSAKA, MORE!

In the intervening week we were treated to local sightseeing in the form of a trip to Osaka castle, a

As the week drew to a close I had to say my goodbyes earlier than most as my day job had limited my available time out of country; some of the guys like Kev, Norah, Romain, Scott and Iosephus were going to play over the weekend at local airsoft sites while others were travelling onwards elsewhere incountry either to return flights from Tokyo, or further personal travel elsewhere in Japan.

highlight for me being a shameless nerd having come from a city with both a castle and cathedral to its name, and the grounds and building itself provided a very pleasant and calm experience among the otherwise busy schedule as well as an interesting touch point with Masaki relating to us about the construction of the local area and its history and culture.

A day trip outing to the local markets of Kyoto to the north was also a highlight for many with the local cooking implements and cuisine on offer being quite literally right up our alley, we were also enjoying progressing along the market stalls and engulfing all manner of baked, fried or frozen snacks along the way while taking in the sights and sounds and the many local people dressed up in awesome traditional Japanese attire before we headed towards the hills and the temples and gates residing there with commanding views of the city below, enjoying the views and postcard-level photo opportunities as the sun crept below the hills in the distance and we retired in force to the train back to Osaka.

I navigated through the Tokyo metro system surprisingly successfully given my lack of phone network and managed to get all the way to Kansai airport with only one minor error in staying on the wrong part of the train as it split at one station to head along different lines. A quick stop off and return to the previous station and I finally found myself at the airport and on my way back to Taipei with a few souvenirs and a lot of great memories in tow.

I must again extend my sincere thanks to Masaki, Marck and Ryan as well as the wider Laylax team for not only putting on an awesome owner’s meeting event, but for their hospitality and support throughout everyone’s time in Japan, and all the extra insider information and local knowledge they imparted with us regarding the customs, history and culture. I find myself missing the general quiet of the land of the rising sun and homeland of airsoft already, and much as I love my life in Taiwan… it certainly feels like it’s turned all the way up to 11 all the time!

Until next time… fellow shooters. AA

MOA 2022 - BACK TO BUSINESS!

Having rushed to sort tickets to Japan for the Krytac Owner’s meeting less than a month before, cramming in multiple testing skirmishes and competitions on either side of MOA, the last two months of 2022 have certainly been an… experience… in terms of compressing all of the content I would normally have a more relaxed schedule for into basically a nonstop shootfest where I’ve barely had time to process my own thoughts, let alone all the resultant photos or especially videos! But, sleep deprivation and general mania aside, I’ve been living the dream as usual with everything going off and was extremely happy to finally see long lost friends from before the “Thanos Blip” return to our shores here in Taiwan, as well as see some other familiar faces make their first trips here and doing business on island with plenty of site visits and meetings going on in the runup days and weeks prior to the main event.

Thanks to the timely

abolition of incoming traveller quarantine requirements, a flood of international visitors returned in force for what has rapidly risen to become the de facto airsoft trade show in Asia! QRF magazine’s Eric Chu has worked tirelessly over the past few years not only to keep his online and print magazine afloat but also return the Military Outdoor and Airsoft exhibition - MOA - back to its former 2019 glory from before the “dark times”.

Our friend Vic of Popular Airsoft could finally come back in person on his way back to his native land for the holiday season, as well as the gents from Poland’s WMASG media outfit returning, alongside business focused people from various distributors in the UK, South Korea, Japan and Europe either being present at the show itself or doing their rounds on the lead up to it. It’s certainly felt like there’s been a buzz in the air before and after the show with many important deals and announcements being made for numerous manufacturers who have been undoubtedly isolated from their partners outside of telecoms related exchanges; certainly in Asia, the culture has heavy emphasis on benign there in person when important initial or milestone meetings or agreements are required to get things moving, while on the media side it’s of course nice to see our international siblings joining the likes of myself and Jonothan from Airsoftology who are basically part of the furniture here at this point. We’re back in force, and back on course, fellow shooters!

Once again I booked off a long weekend off work for the 2nd-4th of December allowing me to cram as much floor walking and flesh pressing as I could to take in as much of the people, show and the new products, and in some cases entirely new businesses springing up, that made their debut at the show this Xmas period. In the evenings prior I’d been hitting my usual local haunts to see Vic as well as Larry from CentOp/Gunfire Asia and Joppe who was in town for a few weeks scoping out potential business opportunities or suppliers and reconnecting over a taste of home and the usual liquid conversation lubricant in pint form.

IN COUNTRY AND GOOD TO GO

With everyone in country and all preparations made we descended in concert once again on the Taipei International Convention Centre

(TICC) in the shadow of neighbouring Taipei 101 and prepared for a tour de force of information gathering and content or business deal generation, with around 70 individual stalls or exhibitors present to show off their latest releases or ongoing projects and product lines. These ranged from the one man custom operations right up to industry leviathans; the sheer variety and fact there’s a place for everyone is one of the things that makes MOA an excellent experience and truly representative of a cross section of Taiwan’s local airsoft industry and just how much it has to offer the world! At present boasting 70% of the world’s market share, it continues to be “airsoft central” as Bill put it, so many issues back when I first came abroad and aboard.

Arriving on the Friday morning I scoped out the upstairs floors overlooking the show itself prior to opening time, watching the fine folks below busily putting the finishing touches on their booths and getting the lay of the land for myself in person having already perused the published exhibition map and mentally planning out my movements and time as best I could; lots to be done, as always, especially with things escalating in general as of late here.

Returning to the foyer I bumped into Piotr and Patryk from the Gunfire team and said my “Hellos!” to them and their multinational team on site to move things ahead with their Asia division. While we waited for our passes at the information counter, I also bumped into Nelson of Archwick with his cohort of South Korean friends who were taking in the show prior to returning home. Military Anny was working the AST/RATech booth right inside the right front entrance so came out to touch base before the mad rush ensued, while many other familiar faces passed by and the usual forlorn pleasantries and catchup chats ensued.

As 10:00 rolled around the queues were already backing up out the main door of the foyer and people eagerly filed in as the typical cacophony of dry firing AEGs and excited murmuring began to fill the air. I made a bee-line for A001-001 - AST & RAtech to see what the folks there have been up to - Anny had pre-briefed me on their release of their Noveske N4 GBBR platform, which she was handling adeptly and showing off in usual apt fashion (available in four variants) with either 5.56mm or 300BLK markings and realistically

positioned gas blocks and systems as well as two lengths 10.5 & 14.5” barrel lengths to match their real steel counterparts. Not only are these finished to an outstanding aesthetic quality with the realistic markings in all the right places, but are also produced from realistic aerospace grade materials formed and finished in the same way as their real world siblings with genuine forged aluminium AR receiver blocks and machined billet lower receivers as well as CNC machined extruded aluminium front handguards. Internally these are also exceptionally smooth in operation and lack the typical mid-stroke hangups of most GBBR ARs as the bolt carrier group rides over the hammer as it cocks it; I’m not sure how they managed this feat, but colour me impressed, the whole setup looks and feels the business.

RA Tech are the manufacturing outfit behind numerous upgrade components (some of which already reside in my WE G36C, T91 and HK416 GBBRs) including steel action components, reinforced

CNC machined nozzles or bolt carrier units, magnetic latching NPAS systems as well as optional external or aesthetic assemblies for a wide range of existing manufacturer’s AR, AK, and other GBBR systems, as well as more recently releasing their own turnkey FN SCAR-SC GBBR platform, DD Mk18, and Mk16 URGI platforms among a myriad of other options. Including a hefty WE Tech - RA Tech infused M14 EBR and M1A1 Thompsons they had on display - AST - AirSoft Taiwan are their front of house business that sell and distribute RA Tech and other manufacturer’s components and products locally and internationally.

To the rear of AST/RAT were Maple Leaf who have recently opened their own custom house and showroom in the southwest of Taipei which I need to get around to visiting when time permits; alongside their much loved inner barrels and HOP rubbers, they were also showcasing their own turnkey bolt action sniper and GBBR platforms, including their “hummingbird” buffer tubeless bolt carrier system allowing AR18 style systems to be produced and

amply demonstrated with their ultra shorty AR GBBR pistol akin to something out of Star Wars which I of course had to have a go with. The bolt action offerings included urban style systems with moulded chassis and stackable baffle/barrel extension systems

components and 3D prints as stand ins) with the 3D printed AEG equivalent prototype flanking it and pegged for release toward the tail end of 2023 under present plans; longer-barrelled AEG variants are set to follow in the longer term, as well as the established USW-G chassis systems being joined by their more economical polymer framed counterparts, and the B&T SPR300 PRO bolt action urban sniper rifle with large capacity cylinder, dual style magazine feed system (VSR up front or realistic more rearward magazine in the correct position to match the real steel equivalent). They were also showing off some of their high end AR offerings in the shape of MRP, MFR, L119A2, and DDM PDW turnkey platforms with GHK/MWS system internals and usual high-end realistic manufacturing methodologies and finishes we’ve come to expect from them.

PISTOL GOODNESS AND MORE!

allowing for a highly customisable overall length as well as TDC HOP units with nomenclature clad fine click adjustment dials hidden in the front end of stub picatinny rail sections to better blend them into the aesthetic of the rifles as well as provide a base for scope camera setups or other forward auxiliary attachments.

Across the walkway from Maple Leaf on the bottom right corner of the show were my good friends Archwick, whose facility I spend a lot of time hanging out at and getting an all access kind of arrangement with, so while none of the products were a surprise to me, it was nonetheless exciting to see everyone else’s reactions to them!

Having recently cut out the middleman and struck an unusual, for the industry, deal direct with B&T of Switzerland to produce their B&T AIR product line; with the much anticipated APC9k GBB SMG stealing the show for the most part in its advanced prototype guise with functioning mechanism (albeit with some of the controls awaiting final

Behind them were our friends from Poseidon & CSI sharing a booth.

Poseidon’s growing range of Orion Glock format pistols (with hidden select fire system under the rear slide) as well as an array of aesthetic components to enable users to highly customise the colour scheme and appearance of their GBB pistols were on display

and their proven internals are also being used as the basis for CSI’s more futuristic pistol offerings, with their external appearances being very aesthetically interesting as well functional with various iron or optic sighting options, tracer unit compatibility and replacement top units offering picatinny rail should users wish to attach more involved scopes. I got to let off a few BBs into their upward canted firing channel with the tracer unit, and they already sent me a sample model of the Orion earlier in the year which I need to get around to fielding; I’ll also be happy to visit their plant in the far East of Taipei when I have the time.

Besides them towards the centre of the show were Thunder Sports, the domestic distributor of major brands like ESS (my trusted eye pro for a decade and a half!) as well as Krytac; I had already gotten hands on with early production mock-ups of their surprise-drop Maxim 9 GBB pistol in Japan at Laylax, but now also got to test out the final release

including the integral tracer unit and the specific holster available! Mr Song is a well-known character in the community here with his long beard and heavily tattooed appearance but perpetually warm and friendly nature he was more than happy to get me letting off BBs into the small firing range box on their booth and get my first impressions of the Maxim 9; I

should hopefully be getting hands on a T&E unit when they are released in full soon.

Against the right wall were Acetech exhibiting not only their ever growing range of more ‘standard’ pistol and rifle tracer units of various functionality and aesthetics, a new QD mounting system for their full suppressor systems, as well as their own APP driven target array systems, chronographs and other

accessories, but also their Quark KSG shotgun tracer and related internal module, which they were also showing me installed into a new M870 compatible shotgun attachment. My prior musing at Hooha show where I first encountered this proved to be true in the form of them expanding into more common models after using the KSG as a bold technology demonstrator for their module.

Beyond Acetech was the TPSA booth, Taiwan Practical Shooting Association, the governing body I’m a member of that organises and administers shooters and events in domestic Action Air / AIPSC in Taiwan, and along with their usual promotional materials they

were of course also letting people try their hands on their own short stage arranged to test people’s shooting skills; having just had the level one shoot and the level three one looming, I didn’t feel the need to get any trigger time myself, but again I was happy to bump into many familiar faces from said events and see them encouraging new shooters to try their luck.

Towards the rear of the show were ModelWorks Custom (MWC) who make highly customised GBB pistols and rifles, typically compatible with MWS

OLD FRIENDS APLENTY!

Along the rear edge of the show near the main stage was Specna Arms/Gunfire Asia’s booth, with Piotr and his team displaying a small offering from their expansive range of Edge 2.0 AEGs as well as soft goods; for the most part they seemed to be very busy with face to face meetings elsewhere given their recent activities in setting up their new business wing on this side of the world, and it sounds like there’s plenty of opportunity for them to have domestic media creators to help raise awareness of their products.

And opposite them along the very back wall were PAF Airsoft, Penghu Arms Factory, and my good friend Well Hsu who’s making a name for himself in the heavy weapons field both locally with the ministry of defence and supplying them with training mockups of field systems, as well as selling them further afield to collectors or reenactors who would rather not have to deal with purchasing real M2HBs or grenade/rocket launchers! He’s recently moved into an office nearby to provide a more Taipei centric business approach despite being previously based on the outlying islands between Taiwan and the PRC.

platform components, including their new retro CAR15 rifles along with more modern platforms as well as their T91 national service rifle and AK offerings. They are also partnered with Laylax as their domestic distributor and thus had an array of upgrade components such as the Prometheus barrels and HOP buckings, springs, as well as soft goods such as their Aeroflex face masks, container gun bag and breakout holster and upgrade components for the SOCOM Mk23 NBB which they already sent me home with form their headquarters previously.

The opposite back corner was dominated by the RoC defence capabilities in the form of recruitment booths and weapons systems displays of all branches of the domestic armed forces, with many taking an interest in clambering over attack buggies and handling an array of weapons systems or getting their pictures taken with the camouflage and balaclava-clad SF units sporting their frontline gear, an array of small arms and body armour.

Working from the front left next I went to see Bolt Airsoft; I’d seen their team and Tomy at the POLK 2 MilSim and our teammate MingYang has been long term testing their latest offering in the form of the Cybergun licensed FC SCAR-SC EBB AEG so I’d had hands on with it long before the show, but nonetheless wanted to see what else was on offer. With a growing range of their SWAT (MP5) EBB AEG platforms including the smallest MP5k and larger SD variants, as well as Daniel Defense licensed DDM4, M4A1 and Mk18 systems using the Bolt Recoil Shock System (BRSS) I haven’t visited Bolt since I first arrived so I might have to go and cover them for Airsoft Action at some point soon as well!

Front and centre was the quite large LCT Airsoft stand which I’d seen the impressive design for floating around the online media prior to the show; it was nice to catch up with their team as always and check out the latest releases they’d been perfecting since I visited their facility back in April as featured in issue No.138 - June 2022. Back then I’d gotten hands on with the late stage prototype LK-3K SAS, the shortened G3 AEG version of

the platform favoured by the British special forces which makes for a handier package, while elsewhere on the stand their latest 9mm AK variants such as the LPPK20 which has the latest in ergonomic profile pistol grips as well as an AR style telescopic and side folding stock and slim front handguard as well as optics rail, in their case sporting an EOTech 558 clone which suited the overall aesthetic surprisingly well. Also keep your eyes peeled for their new Zenitco style lightweight front rail handguard variants that make for more manageable tacticool AK models!

Back towards the left edge of the show was Northeast Airsoft’s typically understated but nicely presented booth, with their ever present comfy couch and gun hanging displays emphasising their niche but excellently finished range, this time purely focused on their array of MP2A1 GBB Uzi SMGs including their second generation offerings with large suppressor and heavily modernised top mounted cantilever picatinny

rail allowing the affixing of myriad optical and illuminating devices, as well as the U-shape folding stock allowing for use with masks or respirators.

Dominating the middle of the show was the VegaForce Company (VFC) split stand that showcased an array of their different classes and families of replica weapons of all shapes and sizes; with a few surprise announcements as always this year, smallest in scale but nonetheless of great interest to this avid James Bond fan is their imminent release of the Walther PPKS GBB available in both flat black and chrome, with a stubby silencer also available! I couldn’t get hands on unfortunately but will of course as soon as humanly possible. Moving up in scale there were the their Gen 2 MP5k and MP5SD5 variants of everyone’s favourite 9mm SMG, as well as a surprise announcement of HK53 in both slick and tactical versions, the display of their FAL DX edition with steel receiver and realistic wooden transit crate, along with the array of Carl Gustav M3 MAAWS recoilless rifle gas launchers with a variety of payloads on display; I should hopefully get hands on with some of these soon and report accordingly!

Stealing the show for them however was their pleasantly shocking announcement of an M249 GBB LMG which is lightweight enough to field all day long, but throws down in a realistic fashion thanks to its 150-175 BB cassette magazines which snap in to the top cover and feeds downwards into the open bolt mechanism, all powered by either a mock AR style

magazine that functions as a gas reservoir, or larger underslung gas reservoirs for green gas, single or twin large CO2 bulbs, or even HPA line in systems! Allowing for at least 500 BBs of firepower from a single filling of the green gas reservoir this should be landing late 2023 and I’m extremely excited to field it with Team Taiji as a realistic section weapon given my experience of test firing it on their integral range at their booth. The steel plate was ringing, as were my ears, and I was grinning. Outstanding, as usual, guys!

Behind them were Modify, focusing mainly on the release of their ‘mud’ coloured licensed Steyr Scout Elite, with all of the previous models features such as the TDC wheel adjustment HOP unit hidden beneath the full length picatinny top rail, integral flush fit fold down bipod legs secreted in the sides of the front of the stock, as well as a more adjustable stock cheek pad, and an available reversible corrugated silencer that also allows for installation of a suitable tracer unit module should the user require one.

My next stop was CLPD’s booth and Clarence and Katherine were showing off the latest in option parts for ASG CZ Shadow 2 & SP01 models, including

all of the internal and external upgrades previously covered in my Issue No.141 September 2022 article but also Clarence’s latest offering in the form of an entirely CNC machined aluminium lower frame and top slide for improved durability and lower overall weight. Additionally his range of revolver upgrade components as well as holsters, moon clips and holders were also on show; I’ve seen a few shooters sporting these at the IPSC and IDPA competitions as of late, so he’s clearly having a continued influence on the competition circuit since coming to Taiwan.

REALISM AND IT’S A WRAP!

Further to the rear were Trench & Victory Airsoft, specialists in WW2 collectible rifles either in airsoft bolt action formats, or non-firing prop versions that are ultra-realistic and even make use of genuine furniture or components, and offer something a bit niche and special for discerning collectors or players… including their prototype MAS 38 rifle of French service.

A quick stop off at Svoboda allowed me to check out their ultra-heavy and ultra-realistic shell ejecting big-bore rifles in the form of their Barrett and Cheytac Intervention centrepiece antimateriel rifle platforms before I rounded off the new releases with a look at GHK Airsoft, who were showcasing not only their new licensed Colt Mk12 Mod 1 GBBR US SOCOM sniper platform, but also their 5th generation MOS optics ready Umarex Glock with additional front slide serrations and using their somewhat unique realistic striker system fired GBB pistol which seems to have a vastly improved trigger pull from what I experienced; however the magazine was not gassed up so I can’t comment further on performance until I get hands on with one when they are released.

There were many other booths and stalls to see, but most are directly related to more domestic only oriented products or auxiliary services and given the already long nature of this article I figured I’d try and stick to the more obvious or pertinent products that are likely of interest to the widest audience, however the entirety of my photographic exploits can be found on my Stewbacca: Island Insider Facebook page.

Over the course of the three days I had lots of time to converse with old friends and industry partners and should hopefully have more content and site visits or product testing to undertake in 2023 as a result of all these renewed connections following the relative silence of many manufacturers over the last few years. As always our sincere thanks go to Eric and his team at QRF for putting on such an excellent show and to all the exhibitors and our friends in the media for making the show, and the wider community at large what it is. AA

CHANGING IT OUT WITH VORSK!

As regular readers of AA will know I’ve been following the magnificent VORSK story right from the very beginning, and indeed from the very first of their pistol models that landed in the UK! After some initial question-marks the player community in both the UK and now in Europe has REALLY embraced the VORSK brand, not only for the performance they give from the get-go, but also because of their unique and thoroughly modern styling!

More and more we’re seeing

if they don’t already come with a dot sight fitted! And guess what, VORSK have been doing this right from the very first models, and whilst prescient to coming change they’ve just got more unique whilst maintaining that crucial shooting performance.

I’ve been continuing to shoot all the VORSK models in the AA long-term test pool on a regular basis, and although some of them have now undergone some basic maintenance (just a tidy up and an application of MAGLUBE where required to be honest…) and seals on the magazines have been replaced, the original models are still rocking… I’ll update the “VORSK Diary” in the coming months to give the FULL lowdown on this. That said, I already know that the performance of the VORSK pistol range is exemplary; I have spoken at length on the existing pistols, I have yet to find a model in the line that is truly “wanting”.

However, one of the models that I hadn’t spent meaningful time with was the VORSK HI CAPA 5.1, so when the ICS Mk18s arrived and I looked around for a complementary pistol in a deep “SF Bronze”, that model really jumped out at me! The addition of a slightly longer pistol to my armoury (I usually run with an 4.3) means that I can have a specific

sidearm for general field use, one that is easily capable of delivering BBs beyond my usual “10m rule” if necessary, but that is in operation one that I have “muscle memory” for. It also meant I could use my existing VORSK HI CAPA magazines (WIN! No new mags needed!), my existing Kydex Customs Holster, and have a secondary that matched up beautifully to my new shiny primary… yeah, that’s me being a true airsofter right there!

So what do you get from the VORSK Hi Capa’s as standard, and what sang to Jimmy and I?

Let’s break down the features, which are applicable to all models in the line from the 5.1 down to the 3.8 PRO;

• Reduced Weight Slide – Slide Cut-Outs and Etch Styling

• Moulded, Stipple Textured VORSK Grip

• Flared Magwell and Extended Magazine Baseplate

• 12mm (CW) to 14mm (CCW) Barrel Thread Adaptor

• 6.03 mm Inner Barrel

• Fluted Outer Barrel

• Fibreoptic Sights (BDS Option Available)

• Hi-Capa – Large Gas Reservoir – Excellent Gas Efficiency

VORSK Hi Capas have always had excellent shot performance and provided great gas efficiency. This high gas efficiency, the result of a large gas reservoir combined with their distinctive weight-reduced slides continues to be very apparent in the 5.1. With the slide reduced in weight you get a faster cycle rate, snappy trigger action and a really solid felt Blow-Back.

The forward Picatinny Accessory Rail is there for mounting taclites and LAMs, making the 5.1 perfect for close-quarter, indoor environments, but it’s also perfectly at home at longer engagement distances; as I’ve always said, my “secondary” is exactly that, and if I need to go over 10m there’s something badly wrong, but having a little extra reach is a good thing on some occasions! VORSK Hi-Capas come fitted with a 12mm (CW) / 14mm (CCW) thread adaptor hidden under a muzzle cover so you can easily attach a tracer or suppressor, and even the 6.03mm inner barrel is threaded, making it ready for the barrel extending VORSK AGENCY suppressor!

And when it comes to performance the 5.1 Hi Capa

is impressive! It chrono’s just shy of 0.83 Joule/300FPS using VORSK V6 gas and.20g VORSK Precision BBs and on the 10m range it’s 100% dead-on! I’ve not had the chance to use it in-game yet, a situation I intend to rectify this coming year, and of course I’ll report back further when this has happened.

I’m currently running the 5.1 absolutely stock… well, almost! I have made a change in that the stock bronze model comes with a very cool FDE wrap-round grip and trigger guard assembly, but all the accents on my Mk18 are black! A quiet word with the lovely VORSK crew though saw a black assembly on its way to me, and this was easily and quickly fitted by Jimmy! My 5.1 now marries up to the Mk18 perfectly… and I love it!

THE TECH TAKE

Jimmy: When it comes to pistols I am definitely a sucker for a Hi Capa. I love everything about a 1911-style, be it a 3.8, 4.3 or a 5.1; they all have earned adoration from me. What’s better than M1911? Not much in my eyes but it certainly has been trumped by a Hi Capa, a modern twist on John Browning’s 1911 with a redesigned frame and a higher capacity magazine formulated in the real world by the founders of STI (Strayer and Tripp, now Stacato) and fast adopted by competition shooters for their efficiency, speed and accuracy. It wasn’t all STI though as another famous shooter, Chip

“WHEN IT COMES TO PISTOLS I AM DEFINITELY A SUCKER FOR A HI CAPA. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT A 1911-STYLE, BE IT A 3.8, 4.3 OR A 5.1; THEY ALL HAVE EARNED ADORATION FROM ME. WHAT’S BETTER THAN M1911? NOT MUCH IN MY EYES BUT IT CERTAINLY HAS BEEN TRUMPED BY A HI CAPA”

I like. ICS fast grabbed my attention with their new Challenger which in my eyes was set to rival TM, offering up a competition-ready platform that you could just take out of the box and run a stage with, and it was going to take a lot for me to alter that opinion, but we are talking competition shooting.

Like Bill though I got my hands on one of the newer VORSK range of Hi Capas when my “battleship grey” Mk18 arrived direct from the lovely people at ICS; he’s been on at me to make a jump over to VORSK for ages, and as they had a model that “keyed” in colour with my new carbine I thought “Okay, let’s give it a go…” Everybody knows the name now, and while at first I didn’t really have any opinion on the VORSK pistols I largely, like many an old airsofter set in their ways, ignored the brand… however, after time served with the VORSK 4.3 RDS I have to say it has grown on me, and I definitely now have an opinion, and it’s surprisingly positive!

Is this a competition ready pistol or more for your average skirmish airsofter? Well, this is what we are going to find out. The VORSK Hi Capa range is really very vast and will appeal to many players offering up several different models, lengths and colours, sporting many different slide designs, attachments for an RDS or RDS-fitted…they really have thought about it and obviously appreciate that not all airsofters want the same thing. The ability to have that choice to stand out and be different is what makes VORSK very different, and better for it.

Having had the 4.3 for some time now it was inevitable that I would take this thing apart a see what it consists of and for the record I can confirm it is of “TM spec” and yes, I have swapped parts on to my older TM 4.3, and with no mods or alterations

they work flawlessly so for anyone out there looking to alter their TM pistols, feel free. You can buy a lot of the Hi Capa parts individually from VORSK as replacements or as cost-effective upgrade items, as lets be fair some aftermarket “upgrades” can be hideously expensive. Certain parts such as slides, frames, outer barrels, and grips would lend themselves well as a base for a custom builds; I believe the quality of the components to be than adequate for a custom pistol build.

For an out of the box pistol the 4.3 is solid and has a very respectable price which is not to be sneered at; it can definitely hold its own on the field be it CQB or skirmish, and can easily stand up to the rigours of competition shooting, and with a few choice tweaks could prove to be a great contender in the right hands.

When I was very first introduced to VORSK I did kind of turn my nose up at them and instantly dubbed them cheap and not very cheerful pistols. However, the brand pressed on with constant R&D and kept producing different iterations, and over the last year they have really grabbed my attention and earned my respect. They have become a very popular platform among the player-base and I know this to be true as Alpha Delta Airsoft (the retail outfit I work with directly) can’t get enough of them, VORSK being a top seller!

Many thanks to Ross and the team for letting me get hands on with the 4.3 Hi Capa, it’s been a thoroughly enjoyable experience so far with the pistol, and I am definitely looking forward to our Red Cell VORSK range day later this year… Keep up the good work chaps, the VORSK future is bright! AA

PHOTO COURTESY KRIOS PHOTOGRAPHY