CONTENTS
8 ARMOURY: G&G LEVAR
Every so often an airsoft rifle comes to life that seems to cross all the boundaries of playing styles and game genres, one that becomes an instant classic from the moment that it hits the trade shows, and most certainly when it starts to hit sites and skirmish fields! Ever since we laid eyes on the new LEVAR from G&G we just knew we wanted one …and Bill tells why!
Editorial Director: Bill Thomas
Deputy Editor (Asia): Stu Mortimer
Deputy Editor (USA): Dan Whedon
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Ad Design: Deadshot Design
Publisher: Calibre Publishing
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©Calibre Publishing Limited 2024
All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to publication.
18 ARMOURY: TOKYO MARUI SAIGA 12 SBS
With the arrival of Tokyo Marui’s long awaited recent release of the SAIGA 12 SBS many discerning players and fans of their new gas automatic tri-shot platform were keen to get hands on with it; our “man in Japan” Tama once again brings us tales of his own experiences and his enjoyment of a new addition to his personal airsoft armoury as he’s played with it for a while now in the Tokyo area!
28 ARMOURY: STACCATO 2011 SERIES
Whilst in Las Vegas for SHOT a few years back Bill had a chance to get some range time courtesy of STI International and came away very impressed with their extensive range of “1911 and 2011” style handguns… but times they change, STI has become STACCATO, and now we can have their latest handguns in GBB form courtesy of ARMY/EMG… so how do they stack up?
36 AIRSOFT INTEL: HYDRATION
Although the summer so far at AAHQ has been less than stellar, we’re very aware that this is not the case where some of you may play, and as is our way at this time of year we like to focus in on staying hydrated! To stay switched on in-game you need to keep a close eye on hydration and overheating, and having played extensively in hot-weather AOs Bill is a real stickler on this one!
40 KIT & GEAR: HOLSTERS
Once again our good friend, “AA Vet” and head trainer at CALIBRE RANGE, Andy N re-joins us, this time with some sound advice on holsters; what are the benefits of different styles, what makes them useful, and how can you set up you gear to get optimal performance when it comes time to “draw down”!
48 RED CELL: CLASSIC AK UPDATE
In an airsoft world still dominated by AR/M4-style replicas Red Cell are returning to a family of firearms, and airsoft replicas thereof, that rightly bears the description “iconic”, and that’s the classic Kalashnikov in all its wonderful, workmanlike forms!
62
TECH: LCT Z SERIES MODULAR AK PARTS
Stewbacca rounds off his assessment of the staggering accessory range that our good friends at LCT Airsoft sent him back at the start of the year alongside their LCK74MN AEG; having already completed phase one and two reports in April and June’s issues, now he looks at a further set of configurations that implement the remaining components and give some final thoughts regarding setups for different use cases.
70 AA LEGION: SPECIAL REPORT
Training ai always something that we have time for here at AA, and it’s a couple of weeks since Boycie returned from an exhausting series of courses. He’s most definitely one of the AA crew that puts in the hours and effort to “continuation training” and shows us all that there’s always something new to learn! In his first report from this busy period he zones in on his experiences attending a Hostile Environment First Aid Course (HEFAC), run by Black Onyx Academy.
82 INSIDE AIROFT: HEAVY RECOIL CLUB
Stewbacca recently “sat down” with another of the increasingly prominent faces within the community, Ivo Bridges from the Netherlands, who is the man behind ‘Heavy Recoil Club’ and its related Discord server, a haven for all things gas-blowback related and a fountain of knowledge and positive support and interaction between end-users and even some manufacturers giving and getting direct feedback or solutions!
90 AA LEGION: TAIWAN
It’s been half a year since Stewbacca last got behind his sights in anger for a Taiwan Practical Shooting Association organised competition (the Kaohsiung Level 3 weekend-long Christmas shoot featured in Issue 158!), and with the closure of the more local shooting centre that used to host three heats a year, and him missing out again on the PengHu islands shoot since COVID cancelled the prior ones, it was finally time for a new approach along with a reasonably new gun!
‧ Daniel Defense MK18 9.55-inch Handguard
‧ Daniel Defense MK18 Body Lettering
‧ EMG ZETA Grip & Stock
‧ SSS.III E-Trigger & Pre-Cocking Function
‧ EBB System
‧ Master Mods Reinforced Internals
‧ Split Gearbox
‧ Gearbox QD Spring Guide Design
‧ Spring Release Function
‧ Short-Stroke Trigger
INTERNATI
Manufactured by EMG Under License from Daniel Defense INC Licensor
Facebook (Global): ICSBBAirsoft
Youtube: ICS AIRSOFT
Instagram: icsbbairsoft
Twitter (Global): icsbbairsoft
FILL YOUR HANDS!
EVERY SO OFTEN AN AIRSOFT RIFLE COMES TO LIFE THAT SEEMS TO CROSS ALL THE BOUNDARIES OF PLAYING STYLES AND GAME GENRES, ONE THAT BECOMES AN INSTANT CLASSIC FROM THE MOMENT THAT IT HITS THE TRADE SHOWS, AND MOST CERTAINLY WHEN IT STARTS TO HIT SITES AND SKIRMISH FIELDS! EVER SINCE WE LAID EYES ON THE NEW LEVAR FROM G&G WE JUST KNEW WE WANTED ONE …AND BILL TELLS WHY!
It doesn’t matter what kind of airsoft you love to play, if you’re an out and out skirmish demon or a MilSim monster, as occasionally a new airsoft rifle hits the interwebz and everyone goes a little bit crazymad… in a REALLY good way!
Now Jase and I are very different airsofters in that I’ll have good dabble in any given genre and enjoy every moment if it means slinging BBs, whereas Jase is very much the MilSimmer in our midst (even
used, and the test models have been given our usual thorough “beasting”!
I would be the first to point out that even with the very best QC in the world until a new model is used extensively in-game there is always a possibility of an unforseen issue no matter how rigorous production testing is, and I believe G&Gs testing to be amongst the most thorough out there these days. Indeed, one of the most expensive AEGs I own, the G&P Stoner,
to shoot it!
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that there have been a couple of comments online concerning an issue in a minute number of LEVARS globally, and I do mean “minute”, and frankly I have further questions in relation to the models affected that I’ve seen images online of for myself. G&G have to their immense credit responded directly to this lightning fast, and I for one cannot ask any more from a manufacturer; if for whatever reason an issue is raised, however small it may be as in this case, then the manufacturer needs to look into it, and G&G have done so with remarkable speed, efficiency, and openness from what I’ve witnessed. I will tell you now that we have not experienced any issues in the test models of the LEVAR we’ve had access to or
encountered to date, and we’re not seeing anything other than positive comments on the LEVAR in the majority of both “gen pop” and user groups… long may this continue as our experience so far has proved it’s a VERY fine airsoft rifle!
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
So, with that out of the way, what is the LEVAR, why does it appeal to such a huge cross-section of players, and why should you want one? Simply put, because it is 100% PURE UNADULTERATED AIRSOFT FUN!
The name kind of gives the game away from the get-go, in that the LEVAR (or LevAR) is a completely unique amalgam of old skool and new! It’s a leveraction (like the old cowboy Winchester, vibes of John Wayne!) rifle brought to the modern age, one
“WHEN WE BOTH SAW THE G&G LEVAR OUR OLD AIRSOFT-EYES WENT ALL MISTY, AND IT’S WITHOUT DOUBT THAT THIS AMAZINGLY UNIQUE GAS RIFLE SEEMS TO TRANSCEND BOUNDARIES”
that combines an AR upper with a dedicated leveraction gas lower mated to a thoroughly modern rail system, and to me it just looks cool. Basically you get everything that you get with a modern tacticool rifle with the added funtimes of the lever-action; gasdriven with the gas held in an internal reservoir filled via a nozzle in the pistol grip, the other huge plus for the LEVAR is that you can use all your existing AR-style AEG mags, although it does come with a dedicated
that forms a hand-rest under the rail; the dedicated magazine is designed to work with this angle too, and looks great while it does so. On the LHS on the lower you simply have a mag release and on-off safety, whilst on the RHS there is a cleverly-designed, elongated mag release lever that allows you to drop your empty mag while your hand remains inside the lever!
The lever itself is nicely realised too; if you have ever
look it up!) and the short rail still provides three, fourslot picatinny sections along with multiple M-LOKstyle mounting points at 3,6, and 9 o’clock (with a couple more offsets in-between) should you wish to fit lasers or taclites, with even greater acreage on the 15”! Up-top you get a full-length rail that continues onto the upper with G&Gs new fibre-optic low-profile battle sights fitted as standard front and rear; I found these a little difficult to use in their closed position on a standard AR, but on the LEVAR they work perfectly.
The upper is pretty darn standard AR, with the top rail perfect to add your optic of choice, and moving down to the lower, well, that’s where things get interesting! Although it’s obviously been designed to mate up perfectly with an AR upper the design is very different, with an enlarged, angled magwell
it… and you’re all set, rinse and repeat!
On both the 7.5” and the 15” the stock is removable as it tightens onto a short picatinny rail at the base of the pistol grip; the 7.5” comes without a stock, but obviously the 15” version comes with the stock pre-fitted, with an adjustable cheek-riser (which you’ll need if you’re running an optic up to), and a rather nifty-looking “bullet rack” featuring fake rounds which is a sweet little touch. One word of warning here… the stock fit to the pistol grip is VERY tight and to fit or remove it you may be tempted to give it a tap with a rubber hammer… just remember there is a tiny concern right now in relation to the pistol grip/gas connection so just don’t wallop it too hard!
“WHAT IS THE LEVAR, WHY DOES IT APPEAL TO SUCH A HUGE CROSS-SECTION OF PLAYERS, AND WHY SHOULD YOU WANT ONE? SIMPLY PUT, BECAUSE IT IS 100% PURE UNADULTERATED AIRSOFT FUN!”
“UP-TOP YOU GET A FULL-LENGTH RAIL THAT CONTINUES ONTO THE UPPER WITH G&GS NEW FIBRE-OPTIC LOW-PROFILE BATTLE SIGHTS FITTED AS STANDARD FRONT AND REAR; I FOUND THESE A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO USE IN THEIR CLOSED POSITION ON A STANDARD AR, BUT ON THE LEVAR THEY WORK PERFECTLY”
And here’s the good bit; as much as the LEVAR is already a unique beast, the fact that it makes use of an AR-style upper means that the sky is the limit when it comes to how you can put things together just as YOU like them, and folk, like those at
governed by how fast you can work the lever action, but this is very smooth in operation, as is the trigger itself; you do need to ensure however that you cycle the action fully and you also need to make sure that you get your fingers out of the way though, as this gal can bite ya!
This performance is extremely consistent, and I have to say that I find the LevAR utterly charming, and it’s proved to be no slouch in terms of build quality or
Patrolbase here in the UK, have already proved that the upper is compatible with other G&G M4/AR uppers so that you can REALLY play around with things in the future. The hop is G&Gs excellent (from the box) rotary, and all the inner-barrel hop parts are AEG compatible should you wish to customise and upgrade things further.
DOWNRANGE
So, all well and good… and incredibly funky and fun… as far as we’re concerned, so now let’s have a look at how the LEVAR performs!
My Take (Rangetime, 7.5”): As new the LevAR loaded up with its full complement of 36 0.20g BBs and charged with VORSK V6 gas fully lived up to my expectations. Through the chrono the rifle delivered a consistent average of 1.02 Joule/332fps over a string of 10 BBs which is perfect for all sites. With the hop reset (this is easily accessed by cocking the rife to open the dust cover, and simply adjusted) to .30g BBs and using the G&G “irons” at 10m unsupported I was able to group 10 BBs within 25mm, and I could easily hit my “sandbag” at 30m. The rate of fire is of course
performance either. I will go as far as saying that this is a replica I will genuinely love owning as it has HUGE character, and is quite unique… and I’m certain that as owners let their creative juices flow, the uniqueness of LevARs in the wild will only become more pronounced as this is a rifle that just screams to be customised!
For the 7.5” version I decided to turn it into a bit of a “stealth assassin beast”; G&G have now confirmed that they will offer the stock as an accessory, and they kindly sent me one with the rifle. As I said before the stock fits (like gentle-rubber-hammer-time VERY!) snugly onto the short picatinny at the bottom rear of the pistol grip, and once secured it ain’t going anywhere. Next up for me was to fit a suppressor, and the big old VORSK QD version that is an accessory to the VMP-1 sang to me… so that’s what went on and it looks awesome as far as I’m concerned, although I did need to fettle a short outer barrel extension (silver still in image) to give enough space for the suppressor to seat over the muzzle device. I chose my favourite short optic for up top, the NUPROL NP OPTICS - 1.255X26 IR, and this also looks the business.
A couple of things still to do until I’m completely happy though; first up I need to pop the NP optic onto a QD mount, and I would REALLY love to have a really quick-detach stock on the rear. The first is easy, but the second one is a little harder as until G&G design a QD side-folder stock, or someone makes a picatinny adapter for the angled pistol grip so that I can fit my First Factory stock, it’s the “stock stock” or
“WHERE G&G HAVE BEEN PRETTY CLEVER IS THAT THEY’VE OVERSIZED THE LEVER A LITTLE SO THAT YOU CAN EASILY USE IT WITH GLOVES ON… BEWARE THOUGH, IT’S STILL EASY TO TRAP YOUR TRIGGER FINGER AS YOU WORK THE LEVER, AND IT DOES BITE UNTIL YOU GET USED TO IT!”
nothing… ultimately I want all the accessories to be QD so that I can run the 7.5” “minimalist Mare’s Leg” perhaps with a bespoke holster and then add options as I need them.
So, would I use this as a skirmish rifle on a weekend? I’d have to say maybe, as if you’re a bit of a “spray-er and pray-er” this isn’t going to be for you, but with a little TLC and the right accessory setup the LevAR could be a great sneaky-stealthy option, and I believe that many will come to love it as such. However, if you’re thinking of dabbling in anything themed, especially some kind of “Fallout-style” or similar game, then this is a rifle that will give you an enormous edge over the springers and bolties, and you’ll have a whole lot of fun doing so! Fill your hands you post-apocalyptic SOAB!!!
Ben’s Take (In-Game 15”): G&G’s LevAR Rifle, does it live up to all the hype? Well, let me start off with the fact that it has a great look which is very much in line with the hype! It is an awesome-looking platform and as I’m sure everyone knows it is compatible with other G&G top receivers which is a welcome bonus; definitely part of G&G’s out the box thinking and taking their game to a new level!
Now is this platform for me? No, not really my cuppa tea, but I had the great opportunity given to me by my good friend Ritchie who lent me his LevAR 15” rifle to use in-game, and I actually quite enjoyed my time with it surprisingly! Fresh out of the box, it was something different to use and adapt to; not properly zeroed in with scope that was mounted, I adapted and overcame and adjusted my aim. The LevAR cocking action functioned flawlessly and was very, very smooth; however, I did find a couple of times on retracting the lever that my trigger finger accidentally caught the trigger and I fired prematurely as the trigger is very light and sensitive...again, I’m just not used to this platform, but I soon got the hang of it!
I didn’t have any issues with what I thought would have been the issue to deal with; giving it the overlook inspection, the mag release button is close to ones trigger finger, and I know there
“WITH THE HOP RESET (THIS IS EASILY ACCESSED BY COCKING THE RIFE TO OPEN THE DUST COVER, AND SIMPLY ADJUSTED) TO .30G BBS AND USING THE G&G “IRONS” AT 10M UNSUPPORTED I WAS ABLE TO GROUP 10 BBS WITHIN 25MM, AND I COULD EASILY HIT MY “SANDBAG” AT 30M”
were some people questioning the placement of that mag release, but I didn’t come across this as a problem… my only real issue was my short arms! So often I find with a full stock rifle that to shoulder it just feels a little too awkward for me but I just about managed with the LevAR; I found using the rifle canted seem to work best for me when I was in the medium to close ranges where I got a good number of kills. I used the rifle fully shouldered with the scope for medium to long shots with which I also got a couple of kills… all with a rifle that wasn’t mine and that I’m not yet fully used to!
I feel though that the LevAR rifle would work best HPA-adapted as to me being a gas-blowback-primary user mostly this rifle just felt “off” and by that I mean it didn’t seem to have that feel of power that the rifle should have; it sounded a little weak from the muzzle, yet it still performed well. I just believe for that the consistency with HPA would be the way forward with it.
So, would I say it lives up to the hype? Yes and no; it’s got the cool looks and some adaptability, it does perform well but that also depends on the person using it, as in you really have to want to have this style of platform and be comfortable with it. It’s not for me I personally as it doesn’t feel comfortable with my short arms and with my style of play (although I’ve yet to try the 7.5”!) as I need that quicker semi/full-auto action, but I would definitely be okay with borrowing one for a game just to switch up how I’m playing from time to time, or to use on the range for a bit of fun!
It will be cool to see in the future what other people do with this rifle, things like changing out the top receiver and what furniture they add to it for their own unique individual look. Overall it is a beautiful looking platform, functions well, and shoots well. I still think it would be better HPA, and maybe in future G&G could come up with possibly a shorter style stock for us hobbits lol! Maybe then I would feel more keen about it… however I still enjoyed my time using it and was quite satisfied with the kills I got, and that’s all that matters!
So, there we have it, two opinions that ultimately say the same thing… the G&G LEVAR works, works well, and is a whole heap of 6mm fun! Whether or not this platform is for you will of course depend on
your airsoft “tastes”, but the fact is that the LEVAR is with us to stay, and I can certainly see it building up a hefty fanbase, and a whole heap of innovative aftermarket part options.
For now though the fact is that virtually every retailer I know with any stock of the LEVAR is already sold out, and there are still players keen to get their hands on one! Does it have an inherent fault? A tiny number of models may have as is sadly the way with all things manufactured, but G&G and their distributors are commendably already well on top of this, so I believe that you can buy with confidence in the knowledge that if anything were to go awry you will be very well looked after.
This to me is what the airsoft industry needs more of; great new models with unique operating systems and design, that function perfectly from the get-go, with some good old customer service support to back them up! In my opinion G&G should be rightly proud, not only in respect of their creation in the form of the LEVAR, but also in how they have reacted to even the thought of a problem; this to me is what makes a great airsoft manufacturer and why I enjoy working with my friends in Taiwan so very much… contrary to some opinions, they do care, and they care deeply about what they create.
My thought right now is that the LEVAR is a wonderful creation, one that shows real flair for unique design, and a true understanding of what it means to make a new, mainstream airsoft rifle that is fundamentally different, and all the better for that. In the hands of a player with the right mind-set I believe it will prove to be a platform for those that enjoy the thrill of the hunt like Ben, and I shall be watching out for tales of this in the user groups! Personally I shall be enjoying the LEVAR 7.5” in some further range sessions, and of course I’ll report back further after more extended use.
My thanks go to my good friend Apple at G&G and to NUPROL for facilitating the delivery of our test sample… it will get used and abused, and you WILL be getting feedback as it does! Thanks also go to Matt at NUPROL and to Josh at KRIOS PHOTOGRAPHY for their kind assistance with images used in this review. AA
“MY THOUGHT RIGHT NOW IS THAT THE LEVAR IS A WONDERFUL CREATION, ONE THAT SHOWS REAL FLAIR FOR UNIQUE DESIGN, AND A TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT MEANS TO MAKE A NEW, MAINSTREAM AIRSOFT RIFLE THAT IS FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT, AND ALL THE BETTER FOR THAT”
ULTIMATE BREACHER
Finally the long-awaited new Tokyo Marui Saiga-12 SBS is upon us! Their brand new tri-shot gas blowback shotgun with semi-auto and fun for the family, full-auto mode is a new member for their flagship Saiga-12 family lineup.
Debuting at the 2023 Tokyo Marui Festival, it reached stores in Japan on late March this year, finally fulfilling their promises of selling it by spring this year, without any delay, for a hefty price tag of 64,800 Yen (US$411.36 or EUR380.96).
Now this May I bought it with the last of my “food budget”, and it reached my front door shortly after; it entered my own personal collection, and after
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF TOKYO MARUI’S LONG AWAITED RECENT RELEASE OF THE SAIGA 12 SBS MANY DISCERNING PLAYERS AND FANS OF THEIR NEW GAS AUTOMATIC TRI-SHOT PLATFORM WERE KEEN TO GET HANDS ON WITH IT; OUR “MAN IN JAPAN” TAMA ONCE AGAIN BRINGS US TALES OF HIS OWN EXPERIENCES AND HIS ENJOYMENT OF A NEW ADDITION TO HIS PERSONAL AIRSOFT ARMOURY AS HE’S PLAYED WITH IT FOR A WHILE NOW IN THE TOKYO AREA!
using it for almost a month in multiple games, I can comment on it from top to bottom.
Before we get into the details, we should talk about where its moniker is derived from; Saiga-12 is a Russian-made automatic shotgun, or semi-automatic if considering the civilian models, named after the indigenous Saiga antelope that lives in the mountains of Urals and the steppes of Mongolia and of course the “12” refers to the calibre and ammunition it uses, namely 12-gauge shotgun shells! The Saiga is thus intended predominantly for hunting and sport shooting. For anyone with a passing knowledge of guns, you would likely see the Saiga-12 and say “That’s an AK-47”, because it is yet another variation of the venerable and widespread AK platform. It uses the same rotating bolt, long-stroke gas piston system as an AK rifle, as well as the same controls.
With the same large lever for safety on the right, ducktail shaped charging handle, and large topmounted cover, it even uses the same rail or scope mounting shoe on the left side of the receiver, although of course all in a modified form so it can fire the huge 12-gauge shotgun shells. They increased the width of the dust cover, with a sliding metal flap that rides on the recoil spring to completely seal the dust cover from any dust that can get into the gun, with a bolt-lock when the magazine is empty. They also modified the stock with a sporting stock on some models, to make it into a proper sporting shotgun. The Saiga-12 SBS is basically a cut down version of the normal Saiga-12, from the original 22.8-inch barrel
“SAIGA-12 IS A RUSSIAN-MADE AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN, OR SEMI-AUTOMATIC IF CONSIDERING THE CIVILIAN MODELS, NAMED AFTER THE INDIGENOUS SAIGA ANTELOPE THAT LIVES IN THE MOUNTAINS OF URALS AND THE STEPPES OF MONGOLIA”
the recoil of the real thing!
REPLICATED-ISH
The Tokyo Marui Saiga-12 SBS is technically not a proper replica of the Russian model Saiga-12 as it was modelled after a Tromix S-17 Semi-auto shotgun, which is an American upgrade of the Russian Saiga-12, by an American company for the American civilian market. However, they don’t make their own copy of the Russian Saiga-12 shotguns, but rather modify an existing base Saiga-12 to a much more 21st century shotgun, making the gun shorter with an 8-inch barrel, fitting a Tromix folding stock onto it, door-breaching muzzle brake, SAW pistol grip, Galil handguards, charging handle, and iron sights, and also making use of much better American made internals and materials.
If Tokyo Marui wants to make a proper Russian Saiga-12 replica of the gun, they should go with the Saiga-12S EXP-01, which is basically a Saiga-12 with the length, furniture, and operating system of the AK-102, or what they should really go for the VEPR-12 which is the Saiga-12 that is decked out with picatinny rails which makes it a proper tactical shotgun. But onto the main event! The Tokyo Marui Saiga-12 SBS replica itself!
The first thing you notice is that it has a very good box, as is always the case with any Tokyo Marui, it comes with good packaging, although admittedly by
“THE
manual, but TM also come in with a special loading adaptor for a speed loader, even though honestly you don’t really need it… we’ll get into that later.
Everything feels generic with the paperwork, unlike the AKM, AKX, or even their earlier Saiga-12K, where they look pleasing and feels more like a brochure you get from Mercedes-Benz; the Saiga SBS “intel” is just a normal paper that is put inside a plastic ziploc bag. It feels like what you get when you bought cheaper AEG or what they call outside of Japan manufacturers, it doesn’t feel like what Tokyo Marui would be putting out. But hey what am I bothering about, it’s just some owner’s manual, you’ll probably trash it the moment you finish reading it, and of course it won’t be foreshadowing any problems with the gun itself (Yikes).
So, the gun itself! Since I already tried the prototype version of the Saiga SBS during Tokyo Marui Fest, I was impressed that they kept almost everything the same as what they revealed during the event, it’s practically the same thing. They kept the muzzle brake, Boxy Galil-inspired handguards, the four picatinny rails, M4 style stock and grip, and overall it is as I expected. Unlike its real-life depiction it’s missing the Galil iron sights, charging handle, the SAW-style grip, and the original folding stock, and it’s still manageable, but I’m just butthurt by the detail they missed.
SAIGA-12 SBS IS BASICALLY A CUT DOWN VERSION OF THE NORMAL SAIGA-12, FROM THE ORIGINAL 22.8-INCH BARREL LENGTH TO AN ALMOST DANGEROUSLY SHORT 8-INCH BARREL, THAT’S ALMOST DOWN TO JUST A QUARTER OF THE ORIGINAL BARREL!”
as expected from any other Japanese market replicas, but it does feel good, you can still clamp it firmly, but it’s pretty huge, and the ABS plastic of the handguard makes you a bit wary when gripping it too hard. It’s also being held on by the Picatinny rails on the sides and a single bolt on the bottom part. You can install an additional bolt, to make sure it’s locked in place, but you have to install the lower picatinny rail to put it in place. Also every picatinny rail from the factory is plastic, a bit weird considering the gun is a recoil beast, even the top picatinny which is made of alloy, and is still being held by the side picatinny rails and basically floating on top of the gun.
Let’s move down to the receiver, now if you had the original Tokyo Marui Saiga-12K, you will notice that the Saiga SBS’s receiver is similar, unsurprisingly, but hear me out here! Tokyo Marui basically recycled the Saiga-12K receiver to the Saiga SBS, without doing any modifications, even though the SBS stock is basically completely different to the Saiga-12K, with an M4 style stock and a collapsing button on the buffer stock, they still retain the original AK style release button and locked it with a bolt, heck!
They also still retain the hole where the hook for the stock locking catch is when it’s folded, they just got rid of the hook itself and left a hole on the receiver. Moving to the rear we get to the stock itself, a normal generic M4 style stock, with four positions of
as in the Sig Sauer MCX, a boxy tube but hollowed out with adjustment points, but unlike the Sig’s stock, the Saiga SBS’s stock tube is made out of polymer, not steel or aluminium. Unfortunately it’s being held by a single allen bolt, on an M4 AEG buffer tube bracket, so long-story-short, you’re stuck with the original stock, until some OEM company makes parts for it.
Lastly, the Saiga SBS original long magazine, and as expected it’s huge; the magazine itself looks cool, it feels good, even though it’s made out of ABS it feels nice and firm, and it also retains the same feature on the old Saiga-12K short magazine, the integral thermometer to show how cold your mag is, as well as the ease of pulling the mag out of its shell with a single button, and of course the ease of turning it to dry-fire mode, this would come in handy later on. But other than that, as expected the magazine is just huge!
I tried to jam it into any pouch I had to hand, almost none of them would fit it. Single stack AK mag pouches, Esstac style 7.62’s, 7.62 NATO magazine pouches, Soviet surplus mag pouches, and many more but none of them would take it; the only magazine pouches that I tried and managed to fit it in were the open-top G36 magazine pouches, Smersh or SSO double stack AK magazine pouches, Chinese Chicom chest rigs, and Yugoslavian RAP M-70 magazine pouches. But out of all of these except the Yugoslavian RAP M-70, it was still a struggle
“EVERY PICATINNY RAIL FROM THE FACTORY IS PLASTIC, A BIT WEIRD CONSIDERING THE GUN IS A RECOIL BEAST, EVEN THE TOP PICATINNY WHICH IS MADE OF ALLOY, AND IS STILL BEING HELD BY THE SIDE PICATINNY RAILS AND BASICALLY FLOATING ON TOP OF THE GUN”
to get the magazine inside, and it’s too long for the magazine pouches to be closed. So for anyone wanting to buy the long Saiga SBS magazine, do note that finding pouches that fit them is going to be a big pain in the butt, or alternatively just buy the short magazines, it’s way cheaper and easier!
SHOULDER BREAKER!
After you’ve finished gazing upon the new Saiga-12 SBS, it’s time to use it like it’s meant to be used, shooting the damn gun! Since the Saiga-12 SBS is basically a gas-blowback AK-47 that shoots three BB’s at the same time, operating the Saiga SBS is like operating any other gas-blowback AK. Insert the magazine at an angle, make sure the lip of the magazine is seated into the magwell and rock it back into a locked position on the release latch, flip the safety to fun mode, and pull the trigger for some pew-pew action, and let me tell you, this thing is a recoil beast!
Every time you shoot it’s basically trying to dislocate your shoulder, even when you use the low pressure non-freon gas (which is the only gas that is legal in Japanese fields), and the speed even on a .20g is pretty low at around only 50 to 60 m/s (164 fps to 196 fps) on non-freon gas, and 80 to 98 m/s (262 fps to 320 fps) on green gas. But it feels like you’re firing a CO2 powered AK47 with a full-travel kit, the Saiga SBS really rocks like crazy!
Fielding this thing is also super fun, since it shoots three BB’s at the same time, you don’t really need to be as accurate with your shots because the spread of BB’s will do the work for you. The BB spread is pretty wide, almost a half a body width and can reach out to up to 45 metres. Unfortunately the Saiga SBS is a non-hop up shotgun, which means you can’t change the trajectory or increase the range, it’s strictly a close range weapon. But it is a shotgun after all; you don’t use a shotgun to blast enemies from hundreds of metres away, you use it to blast away enemies in close proximity, and even with no hop-up, 45 metres with good accuracy and BB’s flying beautifully straight is already enough, and it’s a perfect weapon for CQC. And of course when you’re firing a gun that sounds so loud and shoots multiple BB’s at the same time, you’ll attract everyone’s attention; nobody in the
“THE
enemy team wants to be on the other end of the barrel of the Saiga-12 SBS! I’ve seen people running away, hiding, begging for you to not shoot, and even worse I’ve seen a guy use his friend as a meat shield, so he wouldn’t get pelted by three BB’s at the same time, this gun can turn any six-pack dude with a fauxNavy-Seals background into someone begging for his life. This gun is just built differently, and what I mean is that can be either a good thing and a bad thing.
But let me talk about the Tiger Tank issue; if you’re a military tank lover or basically anyone who watches Girls und Panzer (BTW that anime is legit the best!), you will know what I when I talk about the Tiger tank, dreaded by most Allied soldiers of WW2, it was an AFV that became a legend for killing tanks, but it was never the most reliable or versatile; it was good at killing things, but not so good at staying alive, and that’s the problem of the Saiga-12 SBS.
The Saiga is plagued with weird problems that have baffled a lot of people, and the biggest problem is one that’s huge and makes the gun unusable. This problem comes from the factory standard magazine, the Saiga-12 long magazine, designed especially for the gun. The problem is the magazine is very unstable; most of the time the magazine doesn’t wanna load BB’s into the gun, or it does load BB’s, but won’t shoot, or it does load BB’s but it will only shoot either 1 or 2 BB’s at the same time, or stop shooting midway after you dump a full-auto barge of BB’s, or worse it just plain dead triggers the gun. It’s a very odd problem; it’s just like the gun plain out rejects you, and shoots whenever he feels like it too, because most of the time I check, the BB’s already went into battery, but the gun would act like there’s no BB’s or gas in the gun. If you try and turn the magazine into dry-fire mode, the gun will shoot but no BB’s will come out, even if you filled the mag full of BB’s.
We tried lubing some parts of gas O-rings and the knocker valve, but to no avail. We reduced the stress on the magazine spring, by putting less BB’s, still with no joy, and if you think that this problem is only for Saiga SBS’s, you’d be wrong, the original Saiga12K’s short magazine works flawlessly on the Saiga SBS, which is so weird because the long magazine is
SAIGA SBS’S STOCK TUBE IS MADE OUT OF POLYMER, NOT STEEL OR ALUMINIUM. UNFORTUNATELY IT’S BEING HELD BY A SINGLE ALLEN BOLT, ON AN M4 AEG BUFFER TUBE BRACKET, SO LONG-STORY-SHORT, YOU’RE STUCK WITH THE ORIGINAL STOCK, UNTIL SOME OEM COMPANY MAKES PARTS FOR IT”
“EVERY TIME YOU SHOOT IT’S BASICALLY TRYING TO DISLOCATE YOUR SHOULDER, EVEN WHEN YOU USE THE LOW PRESSURE NON-FREON GAS (WHICH IS THE ONLY GAS THAT IS LEGAL IN JAPANESE FIELDS)”
designed specifically for the damned gun, but it just doesn’t seem to work!
Also speaking about the magazine, the long magazine is super thirsty in terms of gas consumption, it’s like driving a supercar! I usually field the Saiga SBS on small and CQC oriented fields, where you probably only fight 10 to 20 people, the least being 5 people; so not too many people and because it’s a GBB, you try to conserve your shots. But even with that, almost every match I have to constantly fill gas and BB’s to the brim, and because it needs 90 BB’s per mag and has a huge gas reservoir it’s just too thirsty! You might end up using a full bag BB’s and a tank of gas for only half a day, especially if you carry more than one magazine. The second problem comes from the recycled receiver; you might think it’s a smart move, trying to make savings by using practically the same receiver as your earlier model, and doing little to no modification to it, but the thing is, they left the hole where there supposed to be a locking hook for the stock when being folded, a hole not big enough for a human finger to fit through, but a hole big enough to jam a BB into it right in a place next to where the magazine sits and feeds the gun with BBs, a recipe for disaster; BBs that get
“JAMMED BBS ARE A VERY PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE SAIGA SBS, BECAUSE THE MAGAZINE IS LIKE A HYBRID OF AEG AND GBB MAGAZINE; THEY HAVE THE KNOCKER VALVE, GAS RESERVOIR, AS WITH A NORMAL GBB MAGAZINE, BUT AN AEG STYLE FOLLOWER”
stuck in the hole, and then will obstruct you from loading a magazine and pushing new BB’s properly into position in the chambers. It’s just a small hole with no purpose on the gun, but why in the name of god did they leave it there? It’s a hole that can create problems!
Jammed BBs are a very persistent problem with the Saiga SBS, because the magazine is like a hybrid of AEG and GBB magazine; they have the knocker valve, gas reservoir, as with a normal GBB magazine, but an AEG style follower. So you can basically take out remaining BB’s from the magazine with a single lever, like the lever on an AEG magazine, and when you remove the magazine, 2 to 3 BB’s will come out of the magazine, just like an AEG. Unfortunately this can cause BB’s to jam frequently, not only on the aforementioned holes, but on almost every single opening in the gun, the knocker valve, the trigger mechanism, on a hole near the chamber, and more. I mean it’s like any other GBB AK, which has a tendency to hide BB’s inside, not only that, but usually where they’re almost unreachable or hard to get rid of.
Also with regard to the build quality of the gun, it’s sub-par, the plastic handguard doesn’t feel the strongest, the internals and furniture use alloy (because of Japanese regulations), and they also plugged the original stock lever and AK stock, replacing it with an extension for a mock M4 buffer, if you use it pretty roughly, the stock might fail on you at some point.
And yet the Saiga SBS with all of these problems comes with a hefty price tag, a whopping 64,800 Yen as stated earlier, with the problematic long magazine being priced at 7,980 Yen (US$50.87 or EUR 47.04), and that’s expensive for a gun that has these teething problems! And the magazine, just wow, that’s almost the same price as buying GHK M4 CO2 mags! You can buy two new Tokyo Marui M870 or KSG shotguns for the same price, or the cheaper and already preexisting Tokyo Marui AA-12, and still have some of the magazine money to spare. Also fun fact, if you’re thinking of buying this gun to invest and sell it in the future, you might wanna rethink your decision, because right now in the second-hand market, Saiga SBS are being sold around 45,000 to 52,000 Yen, a 10% drop in price and yet it’s not selling in there
either! On the day I’m writing this review, Tokyo Marui has yet to address the Saiga SBS’s problems, but Marui being Marui they might make a 2nd lot with the problems solved, but for the time we are stuck with a Siberian Tiger with no fangs…
TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY?
Now onto my conclusion, should you buy the Tokyo Marui Saiga-12 SBS tri-shot gas blowback shotgun? Well it depends; if you are a pretty new player and have a thin wallet, I suggest staying as far away as possible from this gun, not just from buying, but also from the barrel as this thing is just scary to use and to be shot by. But if you are Elon Musk with a budget of SpaceX and twitter, really like GBBs and AKs in general, and don’t care about reselling your gun later, this is the gun for you.
Since it’s a very novel gun, with Tokyo Marui’s state of the art GBB technology, the tri-shot system, good build quality, and for those who don’t care about modifying their guns, this is the perfect beast for you! Or you just plain out wanna overpower people on the field with a full-auto tri-shot, yeah.... this gun will do the trick!
But this gun does still symbolise how Tokyo Marui are still market leaders; when it comes to the technology and manufacturing of gas blowback guns, no one in the industry is competing with what Tokyo Marui can put out right now, but unlike its predecessor, the Saiga-12K, the Saiga-12 SBS does leave a lot to be desired, especially when it’s not Tokyo Marui’s first rodeo when it comes to GBB shotguns. They showed the airsoft world that they can achieve the impossible with the OG Saiga-12K, even though they took their sweet time, but they executed it well. The Saiga-12 SBS… it’s just they haven’t taken their time well, and it felt rushed into the market. We’ll just have to wait and see if the Saiga-12 SBS can be the next flagship GBB of Tokyo Marui, be the “ultimate breacher”, and take the throne of the GBB competition, or it’ll be just a waste of money and a fake hype… hopefully I can bring better news regarding its development in future.
So, Tama from Tokyo with the Saiga-12 SBS review signing out! Sayonara! AA
“BUT THIS GUN DOES STILL SYMBOLISE HOW TOKYO MARUI ARE STILL MARKET LEADERS; WHEN IT COMES TO THE TECHNOLOGY AND MANUFACTURING OF GAS BLOWBACK GUNS, NO ONE IN THE INDUSTRY IS COMPETING WITH WHAT TOKYO MARUI CAN PUT OUT RIGHT NOW”
RAPID FIRE COOL!
WHILST IN LAS VEGAS FOR SHOT A FEW YEARS BACK BILL HAD A CHANCE TO GET SOME RANGE TIME COURTESY OF STI INTERNATIONAL AND CAME AWAY VERY IMPRESSED WITH THEIR EXTENSIVE RANGE OF “1911 AND 2011” STYLE HANDGUNS… BUT TIMES THEY CHANGE, STI HAS BECOME STACCATO, AND NOW WE CAN HAVE THEIR LATEST HANDGUNS IN GBB FORM COURTESY OF ARMY/EMG… SO HOW DO THEY STACK UP?
I’ve always been a huge fan of the venerable “1911” and what a history that pistol has; getting the opportunity to get “hands on and live” with various of the real models then manufactured by STI International some years ago was a rare treat which gave me a far deeper appreciation of what they then offered.
For over 25 years the gun community knew STI, the company that evolved John Browning’s classic 1911 design into the 2011platform, and the new STACCATO website tells me that... “with its
sophisticated ergonomics, increased capacity, and less recoil, our 2011® pistols were embraced by competition shooters for their speed and accuracy. The STI brand was (and arguably still is) the most decorated brand in the competitive shooting world, having won thousands of matches and championships. Flash forward to today: We are Staccato.”
At SHOT earlier this year, the AA Crew of Boycie, Li’l Stu, Dan and Steve had the opportunity to see the real STACCATO line first-hand, so I’ll pass things
over to Boycie for a moment...
“In years gone by I had used the real steel STI International Race Gun and also I ran a custom selfbuild STI 2011 pistol during some competitions which have now become known as IPSC/UKPSA Action Air matches. I have to admit over a number of years I have been a follower, and had a soft spot, for Michelle Viscusi as a member of the Glock Factory Team and then onwards when she became part of the Staccato team. One of my highlights of Shot Show 2024 was to go and see, amongst others, the Staccato stand and get hands on with the real steel in the new form.
What I REALLY like about the pistols is that they feel just like the familiar 1911. I do have a preference for 1911’s generally but in the Staccato 2011’s there may be different size frames but they all feel great in my hand. The 2011’s are available in a multitude of calibres as well. Now Bill tells me that there is a 6mm range….. oh dear I fear my wallet being lightened quite quickly!
The platform has a wide spread of users, from competitive shooting all the way up to Law Enforcement with a number of Police Departments using the Staccato 2011 as their standard service sidearm. Also there are a huge amount of options for fitting tactical lights and red dot sights making it truly a firearm which can cover almost every area that it may be called upon to fulfil.
Now the icing on the cake for our Staccato standvisit at SHOT was to hear that Michelle was due to on the Staccato stand each day between certain hours and this meant that (oh the hardship!) we would have to go back and see if we could at least get a photo. Well I was chuffed to bits to go one better and had the opportunity to meet her and have a short chat about her time at Glock but a longer chat about her role within Staccato.
Like some of the Staccato pistols, Michelle may be small, but is such a powerful package; an Army Veteran, Mother, Wife and Practical Pistol Shooter, as well as a gymnast, but such a really nice person to talk to. After our chat, Michelle signed a photo and then agreed to stand alongside me so L’il Stu could take our own picture. I bade Michelle farewell and L’il Stu and I went off to find a dark room to chill out in, but decided it was time for a coffee and look at the
photos. I didn’t realise just how small Michelle is when standing next to me (at 6ft 4”), I joked that I looked like Gulliver in Lilliput!
I do feel a little jealous that Bill got to get hands on the 6mm replicas first but I am sure that it won’t be long until one of the Staccato 2011’s is being delivered to me!”
So, a new name, but the same drive to manufacture some of the very finest 2011 models out there! Like STI International, Inc before them, STACCATO is a Texas-based company that manufactures complete pistols and parts for competition, duty and self-defence; although the focus appears at first to be on the competition-
“STACCATO IS A TEXAS-BASED COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURES COMPLETE PISTOLS AND PARTS FOR COMPETITION, DUTY AND SELF-DEFENCE; ALTHOUGH THE FOCUS APPEARS AT FIRST TO BE ON THE COMPETITION-SHOOTING WORLD, STACCATO ARE NO STRANGERS TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY”
shooting world, STACCATO are no strangers to the law enforcement community, and indeed they continue to evolve the platform they created over a quarter of a century ago by building 2011handguns that are duty-ready. Again, as they say themselves“this means delivering all of the shootability, accuracy, and speed of our competition legacy, but with “out of the box” consistency and reliability required by law enforcement’s high qualification standards. To achieve this, we have invested in research and design, and brought precision manufacturing to the art of gunsmithing. The result is a world-class-line-up of 2011® handguns that are reliable, insanely accurate, durable, and easy to shoot well.”
And this appears to be 100% legit, as further research tells me that the real STACCATO P COMP SOC is approved for duty by more than 1,300 law enforcement agencies and carried by elite units like the Texas Rangers and the US Marshals Special Operations Group, as well as thousands of officers across the USA! Not just for the “comp shooters” then…
Today, STACCATO manufactures a full range of 2011 pistols, and their commitment to making some of the very finest custom-quality handguns that your hard earned money can buy goes far deeper than some plaque on a factory wall. It is a personal responsibility of every employee to put their best into each gun that leaves the building. For them it is more than a job, it is innovating and engineering to keep raising the standard; it is machining and hand crafting each part for a fit and finish that fills sings of quality, and it is the integrity to stay the course even if it means doing things differently. Each gun is fully function-tested and meticulously inspected for any blemishes, and completed STACCATO pistols represent some of the finest in handgun quality, performance and accuracy.
GOING SIX MIL!
Arriving recently to visit with iWHOLESALES I was stunned when Tim showed me the five-models currently available here of the new STACCATO GBB, and the diversity of what was available over the models. Taking in variants from the 2011 program,
“TIM SHOWED ME THE FIVE-MODELS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE HERE OF THE NEW STACCATO GBB, AND THE DIVERSITY OF WHAT WAS AVAILABLE OVER THE MODELS. TAKING IN VARIANTS FROM THE 2011 PROGRAM, WITH MAGAZINES AND STEEL PART KITS FOR IMMEDIATE UPGRADE, THE OFFERING IS EXTENSIVE AND UTTERLY COMPLETE AS IT STANDS”
Staccato C2
Staccato C2 Comp
Staccato C2 Comp SOC 2011
with magazines and steel part kits for immediate upgrade, the offering is extensive and pretty complete as it stands. As I got speaking to the Tim it became very clear that as no mean competition shooter himself he had both passion for, and complete faith in, all the models on show, and in short time he was saying to me “Well, you didn’t come here just to talk…”; that’s called putting your money where your mouth is…
At the end of my time with him, and having checked out the design of all five models available right now, it struck me that as a new range it was already pretty “mature”, but given that EMG have had a hand in this project, with ARMY ARMAMENT producing the pistols themselves, this came as no surprise as EMG are pretty scrupulous when it comes to those working with their licences.
Add to this that the STACCATO replicas are the product of the EMG’s relationship with 6mmProShop, Inc, and things get even better! Established in 2011 and based in the USA, 6mmProShop Inc. has a mission to bring law enforcement training, airsoft sporting events, and military simulation to the next level, and to read their spiel, “6mmProShop features exclusive licensed products, unique innovations, and distribution rights of many exciting products from Japan, Europe, South America, and Asia”; if the STACCATO GBB replicas are anything to go by, they’re doing a pretty darn good job!
The five models currently available from iWHOLESALES do indeed show a good cross-section of what STACCATO offer, a real taster that goes from the solid functionality and more simple lines of the C2 and P 2011 models (these look like prime fightin’ irons to me) to the more esoteric and range-shooterlike profiles of two different C COMP and P COMP SOC 2011. I was given a sample of the P COMP SOC 2011 to take away with me to range test further; Tim well knows my range-testing regimen, and knew that I would put the new pistol, stock, and with zero upgrades at this time, through its paces, and I have to admit that I left rather looking forward to this!
In the real world the P COMP SOC 2011 features a single-chamber compensator to reduce muzzle flip and felt recoil, and is finely crafted with wide, weight-saving cuts at the front and rear of the slide
“THE
SLIDE
IS RMR
READY
AND COMES
providing superior grip while racking it back, reduced recoil and improved cycling speed, and all of this is replicated in the airsoft version very faithfully indeed. The slide is RMR ready and comes with a RMR plate for the installation of your favourite reflex dot sight (which I believe would please Stewbacca greatly these days!), but you still get a slide-mounted pronounced fibre-optic front sight and a tall rear sight that allows use of the “irons” even with most dot sights installed… this does of course mean that you’ll need to be careful in relation to holster choice as the front sight especially is sizeable, which is superb for superfast sight acquisition, but will obscure in a standard “1911/2011” holster!
The “P” metal frame is solid as a rock and nicely weighted for a very steady feel, and comes with an under-barrel rail for taclites or lasers. “As standard” is a textured polymer grip which provides a comfortable and secure hold, this featuring the “STACCATO Star” which is a very nice adornment indeed. Other external features include a comp-style flared magwell, skeletonized trigger and hammer, and a textured trigger guard (mirroring the texture of the grip) which potentially gives more stability while firing. The authentic licensed logos, patterns and trademarks present on the pistol also give it a real quality look, making it even more attractive to own if you’re a “2011 fan.
Internally there’s a lot of TM Hi-Capa compatibility, and we all know just how many aftermarket upgrade parts are available for the TM don’t we? Out of the box though the pistol has a perfectly adequate 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel, along with ARMY’s latest cold-resistant nozzle, designed for improved consistency and to combat potential cool-down, along with (I’m reliably informed) new-formula performanceoriented O-rings, routers and the like. All I’ll say here is that everything internally looks very tidy indeed, and time has obviously been spent here to ensure that the stock, out-of-the-box pistol is as good as ARMY can make it, and given the oversight of EMG and 6mmProShop, it’s actually very good indeed.
I’m told that although there are already steelpart internal upgrades available as a kit (I saw them, they’re for real!), it may be possible in the future to have a STACCATO GBB with these fitted as standard;
WITH A RMR PLATE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF YOUR FAVOURITE REFLEX DOT, BUT YOU STILL GET A SLIDE-MOUNTED FIBRE-OPTIC FRONT SIGHT AND A TALL REAR SIGHT THAT ALLOWS USE OF THE “IRONS” EVEN WITH MOST DOT SIGHTS INSTALLED”
as I understand it this is still in the discussion/planning phase, and of course would add extra cost to the pistols, meaning in turn a higher price to the player, but I for one would love to see just how much extra these parts would bring to the party! That said, the “stock model” as-is certainly is no slouch on the range!
DOWNRANGE
If you’ve ever used a 1911 or 2011 then you’re going to be right at home straight away with the STACCATOs. There’s that big old “beavertail” grip safety at the rear, with the slide lock and oversized ambi safety in place as usual; I did note that the mag release on the P COMP stands very proud of the frame on the LHS; this makes it easier to operate with gloved hands, and although I didn’t have a problem in testing, it does suggest to me that you’ll need to be careful with this in-game so as not to lose your mag…
The P COMP feels like, and acts like, a well put together, accurate pistol from the moment you lift it from your holster, and in my opinion, where the some of the ARMY “2011s” of the past have been good, the P COMP is better… way, WAY better!
The P COMP initially chrono’d in at 0.86 Joule/305fps on .20g BBs, but it seems to enjoy being fed heavier weight fare best; with a .30g it was superb! With this weight of BB you get cracking performance at 10m, with consistent power delivery through the 30 BB magazine. Good standard sights let you get on target quickly, and a crisp trigger break lets you stay on target too… I say “standard sights” as this is where the RMR-ready STACCATOs take another leap forward, as that slide just cries out for an RDS!
Beauty they say is in the eye of the beholder, and personally I love the P COMP, especially the way the silver of the chunky outer barrel is exposed between the compensator and the slide every time you take a shot, or the action locks back! Put together to last, everything indicates to me that ARMY have done a great job in this respect as everything fits and functions together perfectly, and gives the STACCATO a really great feel in your hand.
In summation my time on the range with the P COMP SOC 2011 has been a highly pleasurable
experience; I know that the real STACCATO handguns have an excellent reputation, and now I’ve had the chance to shoot with one of the replicas I can completely understand why in relation to ergonomics, balance and ease of manipulation. When you shoot a STACCATO airsoft pistol you can feel that it has been crafted by skilled hands to perform every time.
My sincere thanks to Tim for introducing me to the ARMY/EMG STACCATO handgun range, and it is most definitely one I will continue to watch as the program develops further! If you’d like to keep updated on the latest news about the STACCATO line, and many other new developments, then do keep an eye on www.iwholesales.biz and their socials. AA
“I KNOW THAT THE REAL STACCATO HANDGUNS HAVE AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION, AND NOW I’VE HAD THE CHANCE TO SHOOT WITH ONE OF THE REPLICAS I CAN COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WHY IN RELATION TO ERGONOMICS, BALANCE AND EASE OF MANIPULATION”
Staccato P2011
Staccato P Comp SOC 2011
The ZDTK-19 suppressor is a high-performance and lightweight silencer, measuring 10 cm in length and weighing only 177 grams. Made from durable aluminum, this suppressor is designed for fi rearms with a 24-thread barrel and includes a 14-thread adapter, making it compatible with firearms that have a 14-thread barrel. The ZDTK-19 comes in two color options: classic black and silver-gray, catering to di ff erent user preferences. Additionally, each color version offers a model with an illuminator, adding extra functionality and enjoyment to your shooting experience. Choose the ZDTK-19 suppressor to enjoy an exceptional gaming experience with reliable quality.
HYDRATE TO THRIVE!
ALTHOUGH THE SUMMER SO FAR AT AAHQ HAS BEEN LESS THAN STELLAR, WE’RE VERY AWARE THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE WHERE SOME OF YOU MAY PLAY, AND AS IS OUR WAY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR WE LIKE TO FOCUS IN ON STAYING HYDRATED! TO STAY SWITCHED ON IN-GAME YOU NEED TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON HYDRATION AND OVERHEATING, AND HAVING PLAYED EXTENSIVELY IN HOT-WEATHER AOS BILL IS A REAL STICKLER ON THIS ONE!
More extreme temperatures aren’t so great for airsoft unless you’re completely prepared to not only deal with the conditions, but totally thrive in them! As many of you that know me will recall I spent four amazing years living in Florida, and anyone that has visited will know that it, as we Brits say, can get “a little warm” there!
Airsoft, though, was a major part of my life while I was there, and not only did I get along to regular Saturday skirmishes, weekenders, and the occasional “private MilSim” but I also played a fledgling version of “speedsoft” (yes, I actually did, it’s nothing really new!) ”under the lights” on most Wednesday nights down at Ulmerton (those that know, KNOW!).
In Florida I got totally used to playing in a high heat/ high humidity environment, and among the AA Crew I’m not alone in learning lessons about staying tippitytop in the heat, and both Stewbacca and Miguel face such conditions almost every time they play, and it takes knowledge and preparation to deal with a more extreme environment. By the time I visited Crete for “Warzone” in the summer of 2018 staying hydrated was second nature to me as from the time I started playing in the USA a “3L Camelbak” got incorporated into my airsoft kit, and I always made sure to have a big (5L) bottle of water in the car/at the FOB.
Harking back to the “Florida days”, although my OC-16 team-mates and I made sure we stayed “sloshy” we often saw instances of those who didn’t and it wasn’t pretty! I have told this story before, but unashamedly I’ll tell it again; one memory I have
is of being at a big weekend game at the MOUT facility at Camp Blanding; this sits in the middle of a mechanised Company manoeuver area, and is sandy, dusty, and dry as a bone; the temperature inside the buildings would often creep well into the high 30’s, and the humidity hovered around 90-95%. Basically you would start sweating heavily as soon as you stood up, and that was without kit!
During the first day of that game I measured my intake/output and I actually took on nearly FOURTEEN litres of water (plus electrolyte/supplement powders) during that 24 hour period! I vividly recall one guy who didn’t hydrate at the game; I didn’t see him fall, but I certainly heard the drumming of his heels on the tarmac as he convulsed…
Whilst this scenario is one I never hope to see again, I have regularly seen players REALLY suffering due to the heat and dehydration; some do the sensible thing and leave early as they realise they aren’t prepared, but others “soldier on” and suffer the consequences. I’ve even seen players that actually have sufficient water do the classic thing of necking an entire bottle when they have chance, and inevitably they throw it all back up, with therefore ZERO impact on hydration levels…
THE “SCIENCEY BIT”… NOT PRETTY!
To recap again, we all know that if we don’t drink enough, then we’re going to have a dog-dry throat and feel thirsty, but what is actually going on, and exactly how do high temperatures impact the body especially during times of high activity? Without wishing to sound gruesome, here we go!
When it’s hot for an extended period of time, the body’s internal temperature may rise, making the heart rate increase and vessels expand to bring more blood to the outer layers of skin, where the heat is then released. If this heat isn’t released fast enough or the surrounding air is warmer than the body, your sweat glands will try to cool you down. So far so peachy but sweating means a loss of fluids which can lead to a drop in blood pressure causing the heart to beat more rapidly, making the heart work harder to maintain a cooler body. Part of the brain called the hypothalamus controls our core body temperature and is also responsible for sending signals to the skin
“I GOT TOTALLY USED TO PLAYING IN A HIGH HEAT/HIGH HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENT, AND AMONG THE AA CREW I’M NOT ALONE IN LEARNING LESSONS ABOUT STAYING TIPPITY-TOP IN THE HEAT, AND BOTH STEWBACCA AND MIGUEL FACE SUCH CONDITIONS ALMOST EVERY TIME THEY PLAY”
to start sweating. However when it becomes too hot, these signals may not get through properly. In extreme cases where your body temperature goes over 40°C, this allegedly can stop nerve fibres from working properly, which means the messages may not get through to and from the brain. When the body temperature goes higher than normal it can lead to dizziness, feeling weak and tired, poor coordination, and even problems with balance or thinking!
body temperature rises above 40°C and the body’s internal systems begin shutting down. This can impact the nervous system and, if left untreated, can harm specific organs too. Dehydration and a drop in blood pressure can also harm the kidneys, something I personally need to be wary of now I’m flying on one after my skirmish with the “Big C”; in hot weather the body’s energy requirements can exceed its ability to produce energy, causing muscle cells to break down and release a protein called myoglobin and other products into the bloodstream, and again the medicos tell us that some of these break-down products (including myoglobin) can be toxic to the kidneys and can directly damage them.
Another telltale is breathing more quickly; extreme hot weather and high activity levels can put more strain on the lungs, especially if you already suffer from conditions such as asthma. The hot weather can also be “dangerous” for the liver, which is another thermosensitive organ. The medicos tell us that serious conditions such as heatstroke can damage liver cells. Heatstroke is when the core
So, although I’m trying not to be alarmist, and I’m certainly no doctor, even the most basic research will show you that becoming overheated and dehydrated can be potentially much more dangerous than you probably think, and I hate to point it out but severe heatstroke can even be life-threatening. Let’s face it, and I don’t mean to be rude, but many of us that play airsoft (myself included right now) are far from our physical peak, and this only exacerbates the issue.
HYDRATE TO THRIVE!
“Hydrate to Thrive” is another of my favourite mantras! If you look at even the most generalised advice for maintaining hydration levels and dealing with hot weather you’ll often find comments like this (I found these on an online travel page);
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Don’t stay out in the sun for too long, especially during the hottest times of the day (11am3pm).
• Stay in cool, well-ventilated areas where possible.
• Don’t over exert yourself in hot weather – exercising at cooler times of the day is preferable.
Fine, right? Nowhere close is what I’ll say!
If we avoid the hottest part of the day (11am-3pm)
then that’s pretty much a skirmish day over. Staying in “well-ventilated” areas is not an option when it comes to MilSim taskings, and “over-exertion” is often a given when we’re hooning about wearing plate carriers and packs!
Knowing that dehydration and overheating can be a (major) problem should at the very least forewarn us that as with all things we need to prepare properly. How much should we be drinking? There are no exact rules for how much water to drink while exercising, because everyone is different. You need to consider factors including your general level of fitness, your sweat rate (this can be measured), the heat and humidity in your environment, and how long and how hard you are pushing yourself. Looking at numerous sources a general consensus though seems to be:
• Drink .5 to 1.0L of water 2 to 3 hours before you start “exercising”.
• Drink .25 to .50L of water every 10 to 20 minutes during “exercise”.
• Drink .25L of water no more than 30 minutes after you “exercise”, and top this up at regular intervals as needed.
Again, I’ll stress I’m not a doctor, and that you need to take notice of your own body, but this seems largely in line with what I drink during a game, but of course in extreme conditions you may need to notch these levels up higher. Buy a bottle with volume markings on it if possible to keep track of your intake (Nalgene and Camelbak both make excellent models).
For most people, water is all that you need to stay hydrated. However, if you’re pushing along at a high intensity for longer a sports drink may be helpful. The calories, potassium, and other nutrients in sports drinks can provide energy and electrolytes to help you perform for extended periods. Choose a sports drink wisely though! They are often high in calories from added sugar and may contain adverse levels of
sodium. Some sports drinks contain caffeine; if you consume a drink that contains caffeine, be careful as it may cause a diuretic effect on your body. This means that you may have to take a leak more often, and that you don’t fully benefit from what you’re taking on board.
A good sports drink or supplement to your “onboard” water supply that is easily metabolised will help with hydration, but electrolytes are the key. For
optimal hydration choose a drink/supplement that is easily tolerated and digested, but most importantly, one that has a well-balanced electrolyte profile. Electrolytes are tiny particles that carry electrical charges, and they serve many roles to help the body maintain proper function. When you sweat, electrolytes play key roles in keeping water balanced both inside and outside your cells so that your muscles and organs can continue to serve you properly.
Replenishing electrolytes via your drink helps to replenish your mineral losses; electrolytes also help make the most of your water, which is the key to proper hydration. Drinks with the correct balance of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium can help retain fluids, and proper fluid balance contributes to optimal performance. My advice here is to speak to an expert on this, and many high end running, cycling, and outdoor pursuits stores should be able to help you with this.
So, yes, dehydration and overheating can be really dangerous, but with the correct preparation they don’t have to be. Be prepared and look to your own personal admin; don’t be “that guy” that your mates or potentially the site medic have to look after when you crash through lack of preparedness. As the saying goes “Hydrate or Die”, but in my mind it’s a case of “Hydrate to Thrive” to make the very best of your airsoft experience even on the very hottest days!
Please note that some images used to support this article were sourced in the Public Domain. AA
DRAWING DOWN
ONCE AGAIN OUR GOOD FRIEND, “AA VET” AND HEAD TRAINER AT CALIBRE RANGE, ANDY N, RE-JOINS US, THIS TIME WITH SOME SOUND ADVICE ON HOLSTERS. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DIFFERENT STYLES, WHAT MAKES THEM USEFUL, AND HOW CAN YOU SET UP YOU GEAR TO GET OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE WHEN IT COMES TIME TO “DRAW DOWN”!
As any good tradesman would tell you, the tools they use are what makes the job good, and with all tools there are accessories that compliment them; our handgun (or secondary) is by far no exception to this rule. The handgun, to those that arm themselves for protection, defence and sports, has many after-market accessories to better the standard factory model. Such accessories include advanced sighting systems, better ergonomic grips, custom trigger works and even advance coatings to name but a few. One of the most overlooked and underestimated accessories though is the holster.
The holster, in my opinion, is part of the handgun. For all intents and purposes the holster is a means to carry the handgun in a safe and convenient way. It’s essentially a pocket specially designed to carry the handgun which affords quick and effective access when the handgun is needed in a hurry. Holsters can be minimalistic offering only a simple sleeve that covers the muzzle and trigger guard, or complex enough to offer full protection and a high security retention system. Size, and colour is, in today’s market, a matter of choice for the individual, but no matter what holster you go for it’s important that your choice is one that fits the handgun and is comfortable to wear throughout the day and meets the standard required for the job.
When choosing a holster there is many considerations to take into account; hot, humid environments would play havoc with a good old traditional leather holster but would be best suited to one of the more modern materials such Kydex. Normal “duty” wear in temperate conditions may best suit leather rather than a bulky synthetic holster. Holsters can be found in leather, Kydex, Spandex, Rayon and Polyester to name but a few. The method of construction is also a consideration for durability and even the possibility of maintenance in the field. Such builds can include one or more of the following methods; rivets, thread, glue and velcro can all be found to play a part in the manufacturing process.
HOLSTER TYPES
there must be a suitable system in place to ensure that the handgun does not fall out of or move around in the holster during use. There are many retention systems that are built into holsters that facilitate this.
Free Retention Holsters: Free retention holsters offer no retention whatsoever. Holsters like the pocket and kidney holster offer no protection from the handgun being taken or from falling out when being carried. Although speed of the draw is the number one factor here we do sacrifice security for speed.
Friction Holsters: Friction holsters tend to be gun is the holster is designed specific make and model of handgun, although there are universal fitting holsters available. The holster is moulded to the shape of the gun and holds the handgun securely by the contours of the guns trigger guard, barrel and slide cutouts and also by the use of retention screws and clips. This type of holster is minimalistic and can be found in natural materials
holsters can be made from any suitable material and offer a much better retention than the friction kind. The use of a strap that wraps around the rear of the slide / hammer and is fastened via a press stud or velcro offers a more secure platform. The strap usually has a stiffened brace, known as a thumb break, on the end to help release the strap during the draw.
Although the holster is a pocket to hold the handgun
Hood Guards and Button: This type of holster offers maximum security and they are often found in situations of conflict and high risk environments. The hood of the holster rides over the rear section of the
“THE HOLSTER, IN MY OPINION, IS PART OF THE HANDGUN. FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES THE HOLSTER IS A MEANS TO CARRY THE HANDGUN IN A SAFE AND CONVENIENT WAY. IT’S ESSENTIALLY A POCKET SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO CARRY THE HANDGUN WHICH AFFORDS QUICK AND EFFECTIVE ACCESS WHEN THE HANDGUN IS NEEDED IN A HURRY”
slide on a semi auto handgun and over the hammer of a revolver, preventing it from being taken from any undesirables, whereas the button holster secures the handgun in the holster by the trigger guard and can only be released by the operator indexing a button that releases the locking mechanism. These holsters are found in plastic holsters or leather holsters built on a solid frame.
There are so many holsters on the market today that it can be a minefield of choice, so before we purchase a holster we need to know exactly what role it’s going to play. Although some manufacturers claim that their holsters are universal, this only applies to the fit of the handgun and not the use. As time goes by you will come to realise that you will probably need more than one holster, even if you only own one handgun. A full retention holster may be totally useless for concealed carry or competitions. If this is the case then you will find that you have one gun and three holsters, one for duty, one for CCW and one for competitions.
BODY TALK
There are two main areas we need to address when considering job roles; on body and off body.
Off Body refers to a holster that is not going to be worn when the gun is in place. Such off body holsters are the use of a “Fanny Pack” or “Bum Bag”. This is a small bag that is secured around the waist and gives access to a holster secured inside. These are very popular with plain clothes operatives (or OPFOR players in airsoft) and CCW. Briefcases can also be used as off body carry. The briefcase offers maximum
space for a large frame handgun and also enough space for extra magazines and ammunition. Purses are also a popular choice for off body CCW, these are usually carried in a larger bag or in the hand during travel. The off body method is mainly used when the threat levels are low or the handgun is not being used and in transit. This method is slow on the draw and is of no use for immediate defence.
On Body refers to the handgun being carried in the traditional way, on your person. Usually the holster and handgun are secured by a waist-belt secured to the trousers. This is a much quicker method of carry for drawing the handgun in times of need. Once more we need to think of what role the holster has to play in our carry situation. There are so many different holsters to choose from that it is quite easy to purchase the wrong holster for the wrong job. I have listed here some of the more common holsters and a brief description of their use.
So, with this in mind let’s look at holster types, along with their strengths and weaknesses!
Shirt Holster is a snug fitting shirt, usually worn under a dress shirt that has a small pocket sewn in under the arm pit. This small pocket is suitable to house a small semi-automatic handgun with ease and with minimal printing (visible sign) of the handgun if worn with lose fitting over garments.
Shoulder Rigs are designed to home the handgun under the armpit area. Due to the configuration of the shoulder straps used to secure the holster, the holster
“ALTHOUGH THE HOLSTER IS A POCKET TO HOLD THE HANDGUN THERE MUST BE A SUITABLE SYSTEM IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT THE HANDGUN DOES NOT FALL OUT OF OR MOVE AROUND IN THE HOLSTER DURING USE. THERE ARE MANY RETENTION SYSTEMS THAT ARE BUILT INTO HOLSTERS THAT FACILITATE THIS”
Craft Holsters®
is more than adequate to hold heavy large frame semi autos. There are two methods of carry with the shoulder holster, horizontal and vertical carry. This refers to the direction the muzzle points during carry. Shoulder holsters are a cross-draw holster only and are comfortable to wear for long periods and ideal for use in vehicles where the more traditional beltcarry holster causes problems when seated. Although shoulder holsters are considered CCW they do tend to be bulky and have a habit of printing unless they are used in conjunction with lose or baggy clothing.
Chest Holsters are more of a “duty carry” holster. Wearing the holster on the chest frees up room on the duty belt for other items. The use of some body
armour can hinder the draw of a handgun being carried on the belt due to the thickness of the armour causing the handgun to catch or snag on the armour during the draw. Securing the holster and handgun on the chest can also reduce the weight of equipment on the belt, especially if the hand gun is a heavy large frame semi-auto. The chest holster is only suited to overt carry and plays no part in concealed carry.
Belly Bands are a kind of holster that are simply a band of elastic material that wraps around your middle. The band itself has many sections sewn into it that uses the elastic friction to hold the handgun in place. There are many other pockets sewn into the band that can carry extra magazines and other accessories such as a small torch and small personal items and ID. This system is slow on the draw and is best suited to lose or baggy outer garments as the contents of the band have a tendency to print if many
items are carried.
Inside Waistband (ISW) is a truly concealed carry holster. Unlike the traditional holster that sits on the outside of the trouser, the ISW is secured to the trouser belt but sits between the trouser and the body. When correctly fitted the only part of the holster that can be seen that secure it to the are made of both natural materials, such as leather and shark skin, and modern manmade materials such as Kidex and Nylon.
Although quite comfortable to wear the ISW holster may need to be used with a pair of one size larger than your normal fit. The retention on the handgun whilst in the ISW holster comes from the pressure exerted from the trouser belt. Once the handgun is in the holster the only part of the gun you should see is the grip, the rest of the handgun is hidden inside the trouser.
Outside Waistband (OSW) is the more traditional carry holster. The holster sits, usually, on the strong side and is secured by a quality belt, via either, loops or clips secured to the rear or side of the holster. This method of carry is most suited to open carry, although it can be used for CCW in some circumstances. All materials can be used for OSW carry and almost all retention systems are suited to this type of holster.
Cross Draw Holsters are usually OSW holsters that are situated on the weak (opposite to the shooting hand) side. Not many shooters favour this type of draw as the muzzle tends to sweep a large area when being taken from the holster to target. Mainly used for back up guns (BUG) it’s an ideal place to carry secondary weapon.
Pancake Holsters are so called because the lay flat along the belt and keep the handgun tight into the body. Traditionally made of leather the belt passes through two loops either side of the holster. This allows the holster to become close to the body
“CHEST HOLSTERS ARE MORE OF A “DUTY CARRY” HOLSTER. WEARING THE HOLSTER ON THE CHEST FREES UP ROOM ON THE DUTY BELT FOR OTHER ITEMS. THE USE OF SOME BODY ARMOUR CAN HINDER THE DRAW OF A HANDGUN BEING CARRIED ON THE BELT DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE ARMOUR”
and creates a good retention through friction. These holsters are very popular with open and concealed carry in civilian use.
Pocket Holsters are holsters that have been specifically designed to be inserted into the trouser or jacket pocket. These holsters need to be secured into the pocket with Velcro or by some other secure means to prevent the holster from coming out of the pocket when you draw the handgun. With this holster you are limited to the size of handgun that you can carry. Sub compact guns of 5.5 - 6 inch is the maximum size recommended. This is a true CCW method and adds the extra security that you can have your hand on the handgun ready to draw at a moments notice without anyone knowing that your are in stage 1 of the draw. The golden rule here is not to put other items into the same pocket as the handgun.
Drop Leg Holster was designed to free up space and relieve weight off the belt. Located and tethered on the outer thigh, the main anchor point is on the belt. This is via either 1 or 2 anchor points. The drop leg holster, if positioned correctly, will allow the handgun to be in direct line and position with the shooting hand when at rest. This method affords ease of access and speed to the draw. Used in many tactical situations the drop leg holster can be used for all handguns from the smallest revolver to the largest framed handgun with room to add tactical lights, spare magazines and even cuffs.
Cargo Pockets are very similar to pocket holsters only cargo pockets tend to have various pockets or sleeves sewn into them. Personally I’m not a great fan as they tend to be uncomfortable and the handgun
is not very secure. My duty trousers are fitted with such cargo pockets and I only use them to carry rifle magazines. These are very slow to access due to buttons and Velcro fastenings.
Ankle Holsters are nothing else but CCW holsters that are secured to the inside of your calf. The holster itself is a small, usually leather, holster that rests on the ankle with a supporting band that is wrapped around the upper part of the calf muscle. This upper support aids in stability and security during movement. This method of carry is suited to BUG and carrying small frame handguns. If used to conceal carry your primary weapon, then these little gems are worth their weight in gold when it comes to traveling in vehicles. The ankle holster is ideal when seated in vehicles affording immediate access to the handgun with little fuss. When used to carry a primary weapon the ankle holster needs a lot of practice to gain access when in the standing position, however it’s not impossible.
So, that’s carry options, but WHERE should you carry?
Kidney is suited for all OSW and ISW holsters. The holster is carried in the 1 and 2 o’clock or 10 and 11 o’clock position on the belt. Not ideal for the larger framed handguns however, this method of carry is ideal for a secondary / back up gun.
Hip is the most noticed of all the carry methods. The holster is situated on the hip bone on the strong side. The position of the hip bone itself lends a stable platform for the holster. However this is a preference of choice as it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Suited to the OSW holsters it affords quick access and control to the handgun during times of need.
4 o’clock carry sits the holster just behind the hip bone and is suited to both the ISW and OSW holsters. This is a very comfortable position for the holster to be situated. Used with an open jacket the handgun can be out of sight to others around you and also in many cases out of reach from unwanted attention. This natural fit and feel can be a very quick draw and is one of the most popular positions to carry a handgun for protection and defence.
Small of the Back: This is not a recommended carry due to the fact that there has been many cases of injury whilst using this method of carry whilst on duty. Suited to OSW carry, operators have sustained
“THE DROP LEG HOLSTER, IF POSITIONED CORRECTLY, WILL ALLOW THE HANDGUN TO BE IN DIRECT LINE AND POSITION WITH THE SHOOTING HAND WHEN AT REST. THIS METHOD AFFORDS EASE OF ACCESS AND SPEED TO THE DRAW”
back injuries when being taken to the ground during hand to hand fighting. If this method is to be used I would recommend only small frame handguns in this position.
GADGETS AND GIZMOS
The above list is just a fraction of what is available on the market today, but there are so many gadgets and gizmos that come with new and exciting designs that it makes the mind boggle! I have one simple rule in life though, one that the military taught me… “keep it simple”. The less components a holster has, the less that can go wrong with it, and the easier it will be to maintain and fix in the field.
Like all the things that we depend on, especially our lives and the lives of the ones we protect when we use
handguns for real, we must make sure that the holster is the correct type and fit for the handgun, clean at all times and in a serviceable condition. If the holster fails to perform due to neglect then it’s quite possible that you will fail in your attempt to draw the weapon and neutralise the threat.
Holsters, to me, are not an accessory, but rather a part of the handgun itself. When carrying a handgun, I don’t want to be carrying it in my hand all the time, that would be impossible. The need for a holster is just as important as the need for a handgun itself. But like making the right choice for the handgun, making the right choice for the holster is just as important. A good handgun in a poor holster becomes a poor handgun in a poor holster and thus leads to poor skills and drills, and none of us want that, do we? AA
“I HAVE ONE SIMPLE RULE IN LIFE THOUGH, ONE THAT THE MILITARY TAUGHT ME… “KEEP IT SIMPLE”. THE LESS COMPONENTS A HOLSTER HAS, THE LESS THAT CAN GO WRONG WITH IT, AND THE EASIER IT WILL BE TO MAINTAIN AND FIX IN THE FIELD”
RED CELL WOLVERINES!
IN AN AIRSOFT WORLD STILL DOMINATED BY AR/M4-STYLE REPLICAS RED CELL ARE RETURNING TO A FAMILY OF FIREARMS, AND AIRSOFT REPLICAS THEREOF, THAT RIGHTLY BEARS THE DESCRIPTION “ICONIC”, AND THAT’S THE CLASSIC KALASHNIKOV IN ALL ITS WONDERFUL, WORKMANLIKE FORMS!
Iam always wary of using the phrase “iconic” to describe an airsoft replica, but when it comes to one single family of firearms I have said before, and I will say happily again, that there is absolutely no doubt that someone with even the most fleeting of interest in military weapons will immediately recognise the distinctive angular, some might even say “agricultural” outline of the Automat Kalashnikova or “AK”.
Throughout the course of post-WW2 conflict, for the right or the wrong reasons, you will see the AK-47 in historical reports and texts, on news reports and on the front page of most daily newspapers. From Eastern Europe in the 1950s to the conflict zones of the current day the AK has been, and is still, the weapon of choice. And that’s not just for the “bad guys” as the AK will quite often be the weapon issued in theatre to private military contractors or “PMCs”, and indeed in these troubled times, to the freedom fighters of Ukraine.
Used around the world, and produced under licence by many communist states during the Cold War era, and now by some former soviet states, the AK proved, and still proves to this day, to be a formidable and highly effective battlefield rifle. Unbelievably rugged and durable it was said that the original AK-47 would fire even after having been buried in mud for considerable periods; incredibly easy to maintain, it was the ideal weapon for poorly trained indigenous forces as well as for trained soldiers.
That said, anyone who has ever fired a real AK (as I have) will tell you that the recoil is also somewhat formidable too, and the rifle is hard to control unless you really put your mind to it. Once controlled though it is accurate out to 400 metres which is more than sufficient for most infantrymen. Changing methods of deployment meant that Soviet troops were delivered to the battlefield in vehicles, so that original AK went through further development to include models with an underfolding, skeletonised stock which dramatically reduced the length of
the rifle when used by paratroopers or motorised infantry. The safety mechanism also differed from the traditional “safe, semi, auto” format, becoming instead “safe, auto, semi”. This at first seems unusual, but given the Soviet doctrinal preference to engage the enemy with overwhelming force utilising fully automatic fire perhaps it is not actually so.
The AK-47 was a fine combat weapon, and initial models were actually very, very well made. Unfortunately this also meant it was expensive and involved to produce, so eventually changes were made and the AKM (Modernised) entered service, followed in time by the AK-74 and AKS-74 variant with side-folding stock , and these also heralded a change in calibre.
The AK-74M (again with the M standing for Modernizirovanniy or Modernised), was for many years (and perhaps still is if what we read is true) the main service rifle in use with the Russian Federation forces, and the days of perfectly mated wood and metal have pretty much long gone with new polymer and glass-filled polyamides helping to save those forests!
If you’re a fan of the AK like me, or simply want something different from the slew of “M4 variants” out there, then there has actually never been a better time to own an airsoft AK.
We did mention some of the Red Cell test models last month in the “Nam Special” so we won’t dwell on those again here, but with well-respected companies like LCT, E&L, and Specna Arms now making some righteous replicas, and all the older manufacturers like CYMA, Classic Army, ICS, and Tokyo Marui upgrading their offerings to now include upgraded internals and the “100 series”, the choice of “Airsoft AK” has never been wider. If you want anything from a standard AK AEG, through gas blowbacks, to new and innovative “recoil” models they are all there for the taking.
And of course, in the full spirit of “Red Dawn” with a classic AK you do get to shout “WOLVERINES!” whenever you feel like it!
Bill: As with our first look at this category I’m actually going to start off with my own comments in relation to testing, as I have an admission to make; many of the AK models featured this month are from my personal OPFOR “Kollection” and have seen some action, although ownership of at least one AK variant among the AA Crew has grown! That said, all of them have been left completely stock as personally I don’t change anything in an AEG until it malfunctions, and thus far NONE of the AKs that are my own have failed, and that in itself says something does it not? And what surprised me was how consistent these AK models continue to be… the figures don’t
I’ll kick off here with CYMA who are still one of the biggest manufacturers of RIFs and airsoft products in the world, although they do so quietly. To recap, China, there are actually two separate CYMA factories, with one making “budget” guns and the other making more expensive and advanced models. You really don’t hear a lot direct from CYMA themselves about new models and new advances, instead they leave their products to speak for themselves and be lauded by their distribution partners globally, and their AK models, and especially the AK-74 most certainly sing a song
These super AK replicas have all the usual benefits of other CYMA models including steel and aluminium construction, and internals that are renowned for their reliability, and come with a 500BB polymer magazine
so what you get is a superb-looking AEG for not much more than a decent GBB pistol that’s “skirmish ready”! The CYMA “74” is a thoroughly modern airsoft rifle that costs iro UK£200 so what you’re getting is a great bit of kit that looks utterly superb, feels so solid that you could use it to hammer nails, and is perfectly adequate in terms of performance…. From the box!
Dan: CYMA’s AK series are well-regarded for their reliable performance out of the box, while also maintaining a rather attractive price point. The CM.048 model is based off the distinctive 74 series rifle with laminated wood forearm and stock. Another version exists that features the iconic steel folding triangle stock too. This features a stamped steel receiver and full metal construction, adopting the manner of assembly first pioneered by VFC. These are fed from either 500 round hicaps or 140 round midcaps, the latter of which are considered the universal baseline for well-functioning 74 style midcaps. These can typically be had for around US$240 or less, depending on if you catch it on sale, which makes it an excellent prospect for a new airsofter or as a cheap backup.
The lower cost does mean some corners have been cut, namely with the fixtures such as the front sight post, gas tube retainer lever, and so forth. These are made from cheaper castings and have been known to break when hit hard enough on some unyielding surface. Overall, they’re a little more loose compared to the LCT’s and E&L’s out there.
Internally you have the basic V3 gearbox format, fitted with 8mm bushings, an 18.65:1 sintered gearset and many cheaper plastic compression parts, all slathered in a healthy dollop of blue “smurf lube” when new. Depending on the retailer and perhaps some regional specifics, I have seen newer CM.048’s come in with an improved gearbox, which consists of a CNC double O-ring cylinder head, chrome-plated cylinder, a new air nozzle with internal O-ring and neodymium motors. Additionally, many of the plastic parts such as the piston, tappet plate, and trigger switch housing have been updated to the new blue variants which are higher quality. This latter type is certainly the better value proposition as when it comes time for upgrades, it requires less overhaul. In
“(THE CLASSIC AK IS) NOT JUST FOR THE “BAD GUYS” AS THE AK WILL QUITE OFTEN BE THE WEAPON ISSUED IN THEATRE TO PRIVATE MILITARY CONTRACTORS OR “PMCS”, AND INDEED IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES, TO THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF UKRAINE”
years past, these could sometimes be a bit difficult to upgrade due to the rather loose tolerances with the native parts, but more recently CYMA has tightened things up and they’re significantly less troublesome to improve.
Overall, if you’re on a tighter budget and want to get into the AK game, then this is an excellent first option to consider, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it over the even cheaper Aftermath Kraken and Cybergun Kalashnikov, all of which are basically “disposable” AEG’s that will be cheaper to replace than to repair.
Bill: It’s got to be said that Specna Arms (SA) AEGs are just getting better and better, with levels of personalization and performance that even a couple of years ago I wouldn’t have believed possible in an AEG! With solid performance out of the box, reasonably cheap accessories and magazines should you need more, and the SA-J04 is a great bit of kit;
if you’re in the market for something other than the “M4” then I’d really suggest you take a good long look at the Specna J04 as it replicates the AKS-74 very well indeed, and it’s just crying out for a Double Bell GP-25 Kostyor (“Bonfire”) to sweeten the deal; these grenade launchers are easily fitted, and I have to say that although they add significant weight to the front end of the AEG they look downright awesome!
Shorter than the “74” style, the SA-J08 is more a “105” length, and I have to say that it sits beautifully between the full-length models and the stubby SU, and with the side-folding stock it is a more minimalist AEG that’s great for CQB! On the range the first SA AKs gave very respectable performance, so I expected, and have received, more from the new J08, with pretty solid range and accuracy too. First I ran the rifle through the chrono on .20g RZR BBs and recorded and consistent 1.06 Joule/338fps. A 7.4V LiPo battery fits easily under the top cover, but if you’re judicious
“IF YOU’RE A FAN OF THE AK LIKE ME, OR SIMPLY WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM THE SLEW OF “M4 VARIANTS” OUT THERE, THEN THERE HAS ACTUALLY NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO OWN AN AIRSOFT AK… AND OF COURSE, IN THE FULL SPIRIT OF “RED DAWN” WITH A CLASSIC AK YOU DO GET TO SHOUT “WOLVERINES!” WHENEVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT!”
TMAKS47 NGRS
Price: iro UK£399.00
Age: Three Years
Weight: 3155 g
Length: 630mm/875mm
Magazine Capacity: 90 BBs, proprietary for full function
Cold Chrono: 0.84 Joule/300.6fps
Hot Chrono: 0.84 Joule/300.9fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.iwholesales.co.uk
G&G RK47
Price: iro UK£150.00
Age: Five Years
Weight: 2300g
Length: 890mm
Magazine Capacity: 60, will accept most AK-style
Cold Chrono: 0.93 Joule/318fps
Hot Chrono: 0.92 Joule/315fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.nuprol.com
LCT LCKMS
Price: iro UK£370.00
Age: Six Years
Weight: 3500g
Length: 660mm/900 mm
Magazine Capacity: 130, will accept most AK-style
Cold Chrono: 1.03 Joule/334fps
Hot Chrono: 1.01 Joule/331.8fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.fire-support.co.uk
E&L AKM PLATINUM
Price: iro UK£385.00
Age: Five Years
Weight: 3485g
Length: 916mm
Magazine Capacity: 120, will accept most AK-style
Cold Chrono: 0.99 Joule/327.9fps
Hot Chrono: 0.99 Joule/327.9fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.nuprol.com
TOKYO MARUI AKM GBBR
Price: iro UK£500.00
Age: Three Years
Weight: 3550g
Length: 890mm
Magazine Capacity: 35 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.12 Joule/348fps
Hot Chrono: 1.12 Joule/348fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.allagesairsoft.com
you can squeeze in an 11.1V pack which brings up the ROF quite seriously!
My only quibble with the original J-Series was the top-cover latch, which seemed a little “short, and I felt needed to be a couple of millimetres “prouder” to ensure a solid lock, and I’m pleased to report that SA have taken note of this and made a change to ensure that the new version locks perfectly. I am happy that Specna Arms have given an uplift to their AK AEG platform, and with the inclusion of components like the ASTER™/GCS these are performing as well as you might expect. If you’re looking for an airsoft AK, then Specna Arms are now right up there with the best of them in terms of build and performance!
Miguel: The Specna Arms J08 is part of the brand’s AK model family, more precisely a mix between an AK015 and AK74U. It’s a range known for their solid build quality, advanced internals, and realistic design.
In the case of the EDGE 2.0 model, it comes with ESA2™ Quick Spring Change System, which allows users to quickly adjust the spring without needing to dismantle the gearbox, facilitating easy adaptation for various field requirements.
A pre-installed Gate ASTER V3 MOSFET provides improved trigger response, configuration and reliability, protecting the internals and enhancing performance. The Helium Flat Hop Up, which designed to provide a more stable and precise spin on the BBs, leads to improved accuracy and range. This makes it an excellent choice for players who prioritize precision in their airsoft gameplay, especially when using heavier BBs. Compared with the EDGE 1.0 models it also has the reinforced ORION™ V3 Gearbox; this gearbox is designed for robustness and compatibility with stronger springs, including reinforced polymer pistons and double-sealed
“CYMA’S AK SERIES ARE WELL-REGARDED FOR THEIR RELIABLE PERFORMANCE OUT OF THE BOX, WHILE ALSO MAINTAINING A RATHER ATTRACTIVE PRICE POINT. THE CM.048 MODEL IS BASED OFF THE DISTINCTIVE 74 SERIES RIFLE WITH LAMINATED WOOD FOREARM AND STOCK”
BOLT AKS 74U BRSS
Price: iro UK£420.00
Age: Three Years
Weight: 3100g
Length: 510mm/730mm
Magazine Capacity: 120 (2), will accept most AK-style
Cold Chrono: 0.98 Joule/325.1fps
Hot Chrono: 0.97 Joule/324.4fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.nuprol.com
LCT LCKS74UN EBB
Price: iro UK£330.00
Age: Three Years
Weight: 2685g
Length: 490mm/730mm
Magazine Capacity: 130, will accept most AK-style
Cold Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps
Hot Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: Dedicated Muzzle Brake
Supplied By: www.nuprol.com
JG AKS-74U EBB
Price: iro UK£190.00
Age: One Year
Weight: 2570g
Length: 500mm/730mm
Magazine Capacity: 380, will accept most AK-style
Cold Chrono: 1.03 Joule/334fps
Hot Chrono: 1.01 Joule/331.8fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.davescustomairsoft.co.uk
LCT LCKMSU NV
Price: iro UK£400.00
Age: Five Years
Weight: 3150g
Length: 500mm/744mm
Magazine Capacity: 130, will accept most AK-style
Hot Chrono: 1.03 Joule/334fps
Cold Chrono: 1.01 Joule/331.8fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.lctairsoft.com
SPECNA ARMS J-08 EDGE
Price: iro UK£155.00
Age: Three Years
Weight: 3245g
Length: 590mm/825mm
Magazine Capacity: 130 (2) will accept most AK-style
Cold Chrono: 1.08 Joule/341.9fps
Hot Chrono: 1.08 Joule/341.6fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.gunfire.com
aluminium cylinder and piston heads. On the con side, some issues with magazine compatibility have surfaced, so try to do a bit of research before getting new magazines. Additionally, battery fitment can be restrictive, requiring specific types of stick batteries.
Overall though, the Specna Arms J EDGE 2.0 series, and in this case, the J08, offers a blend of high-quality materials, advanced features, and enhancements, making it a competitive choice in the airsoft market when looking for an AK model. Whether you are looking for a reliable primary weapon for skirmishes or a versatile platform for customization, this series is well worth considering.
Bill: LCT offer products that are not only cost effective but also reliable in performance and solid in build quality. The LCKMS features the same highquality external build expected of LCT products which will give good, reliable long-term performance. Overall the features are excellent with a full steel receiver and barrel assembly, beautifully achieved wooden foreend, correctly coloured pistol grip and a rock-solid folding stock. Enhanced by high quality externals, scrupulously achieved internals and extreme attention to detail, the LCKMS is a strong, reliable rifle for those that love the AK platform and want a viable “MilSim” alternative to gas for the depth of winter. The LCKMS chronos really consistently so if you like your classic soviet-era gear, are a regular OPFOR player, or just want something different then the LCKMS could be the right RIF for you. It has all the benefits of a full-stocked variant with the added versatility of the under-folding stock, and is a top-quality AEG, so you really can’t go wrong with this one!
Dan: LCT is usually the next station in line when one steps up from the CYMA, and that extra US$150 or so is primarily invested here in superior body construction. The LCKMS is based off the venerable 47-style AKMS pattern sporting the classic laminated wood furniture and the unique underfolding style stock. This comes with 100% full steel externals; from the stamped receiver right down to the front sight post, selector switch, rear leaf sight, gas tube lever and more. This is an AK you can feel confident in taking a beating. Purists will denounce the incorrect markings and wrong exterior finish, but realistically you’re not going to get total authenticity until you get
into a Real Sword or redo it yourself. For the player who just wants a good solid AK to skirmish with, these will more than suffice.
Admittedly, LCT’s internals have been a point of contention with many a tech! In 2024, we are still dealing with issues that have plagued the gearbox for years now: oversized gear axles (now on all 3 gears!), brittle motor cages, and unimpressive ferrite motors. Fortunately, LCT does build a good compression set with a nice quality cylinder, piston head, tappet plate and air nozzle. The piston itself features a full metal rack and is reasonably durable. Of the traditional style linear hop up chambers, LCT’s is also one of the better ones out there. LCT has also improved the fit and finish of their inner barrels quite a bit too and they turn in respectable accuracy. The motor cage issue can be remedied by swapping it out with one of LCT’s CNC’d aluminium versions, but just be sure to use some anti-seize grease on the screws! Like all LCT’s, these are easy to work on and upgrade; there is nothing really proprietary here. And despite the concerns with the gearbox side, this does not mean you can’t actually run it as it comes out of the box. Similar to the CYMA, if you don’t let the genie out of the bottle straight away you’ll get quite a bit of life out of the stock components!
All in all (and despite the foibles with the gearbox) I’m a big fan of LCT’s AKMS. It’s hard to deny the aesthetics of the classic AKMS design and the amalgamation of laminated wood and steel! The underfolder in particular has cemented its place in the pantheon of ultimate “bad guy” replicas, having featured in innumerable films and literature over the years.
Bill: Although we mentioned this model last month in our “Summer Special”, the “Platinum” version of the E&L AKM I feel rightly deserves another mention! E&L Airsoft have teamed up with partners known for making very high quality internal parts for the Japanese market, so the internals are interchangeable with others out there. Inside the “Platinum” there’s a Type 3 gearbox employing Japanese technology with super tensile pistons, tappet plates, and high torque motor; not only are the E&Ls beautifully finished externally with extensive use of steel parts, but inside things are equally precise.
“TAKE A GOOD LONG LOOK AT THE SPECNA J04 AS IT REPLICATES THE AKS-74 VERY WELL INDEED, AND IT’S JUST CRYING OUT FOR A DOUBLE
BELL GP-25 KOSTYOR (“BONFIRE”) TO SWEETEN THE DEAL; THESE GRENADE LAUNCHERS ARE EASILY FITTED, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT ALTHOUGH THEY ADD SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT TO THE FRONT END OF THE AEG THEY LOOK DOWNRIGHT AWESOME”
SPECNA ARMS SA-J04
Price: iro UK£160.00
Age: Four Years
Weight: 3240g
Length: 710mm/945mm
Magazine Capacity: 130 (2), will accept most AK style
Cold Chrono: 1.13 Joule/349.7fps
Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/341.9fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.gunfire.com
CYMA CM.048 AK74
Price: iro UK£130.00
Age: Five Years
Weight: 3290g
Length: 960mm
Magazine Capacity: 525, will accept most AK-style
Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps
Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.taiwangun.com
ICS IK74 (WOOD)
Price: iro UK£330.00
Age: Seven Years
Weight: 3314g
Length: 960mm
Magazine Capacity: 550, will accept most AK-style
Cold Chrono: 1.13 Joule/350fps
Hot Chrono: 1.1 Joule/345fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.fire-support.co.uk
SPECNA ARMS SA-J02 EDGE (GATE ASTER)
Price: iro UK£300.00
Age: New
Weight: 3545g
Length: 960mm
Magazine Capacity: 130 (2), will accept most AK style
Cold Chrono: 1.08 Joule/341.9fps
Hot Chrono: 1.1 Joule/345fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.gunfire.com
TM NEXT-GEN RECOIL AK47 (TYPE 3) AEG
Price: iro UK£400.00
Age: New
Weight: 2800g
Length: 875mm
Magazine Capacity: 90 BBs
Cold Chrono: 0.82 Joule/298fps
Hot Chrono: 0.84 Joule/301fps
Taclite Compatibility: None
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Available From: www.fire-support.co.uk
With the distinctive slanted muzzle brake along with quality woodwork it almost has that factory-fresh feel about it, the E&L AKM arrives very lightly oiled so you even get “that smell”; E&L go as far as supplying a green plastic oil bottle as part of the deal, which indicates to me that the externals will need to be kept maintained. With a sensible retail price this is one hell of a performer; okay, I am biased because I love the AKM so much as a model, but after owning many I have to tell you that this is genuinely one of the very best AEG versions I’ve ever encountered. The externals are absolutely spot on, the internals are the very best they can be, and the performance is first rate. Lastly I’ll touch briefly on the recoils; I do love recoil in an AEG and both the BOLT and the TM are things of engineering beauty! I’ve been lucky with my own BOLT AKS74U, but then I’m careful with my AEGs and maintain them regularly, as I’ve heard from some techs that they’ve seen some issues with this model as it really does kick! Mine continues to work well, although I’d suggest you take a look at his comments later in this test report; bottom line is that the BOLT is beautifully made and looks stunning! Unlike some I don’t believe that everything that TM make is sheer airsoft perfection, and although there are features in the classic AKS47 NGRS that I love like the cutoff/ recock the AEG feels very fragile to me, and I hate the fact that they still insist on using “fake wood”. With both the BOLT and the TM the battery compartments are small too, the smallest of any of the AEGs on test, and although battery technology has improved vastly, I’d still like to see space in both for a battery that would last me an entire gameday!
KEEPIN’ ‘EM KICKIN’!
Jimmy: As I’ve often said, “classic AKs” are not really my cup of tea in-game, but I have spent some considerable time working on them, and there’s a few things I’ve picked up along the way. The airsoft gearbox comes in many different shapes and sizes, referred to as ‘versions’ a particular form of something different in certain respects. As we are in the subject of AK platforms I’ll focus on the V3 gearbox, perhaps useful information for those that are new to it.
The V3 box has been used in several different
platforms over the years but is most common in AK’s, you can also find them in MP5k, AUG, SIG 556, G36, G33, UMP… I could go on… The difference between the versions isn’t related to advances in technology and it doesn’t mean that a V3 is an update over the V2. They have been given different versions due to design of a specific platform as not all real world guns are alike, so manufacturers need to cater for different body designs. While all AEG platforms operate under the same principle, motor driven gears, electronic/ mechanical trigger, spring powered piston, the design and layout can differ massively such as, gear position, bush/bearing size, motor position, tappet design, nozzle length, fire selector position, trigger mechanism.
The V3 gearbox in my professional opinion is probably the better gearbox choice for several reasons. The motor is housed in a cage which attaches directly to the casing rather than sitting loose in a grip. This design makes for a more rigid feel and as a result makes for much better alignment and adjustments so the contact between the bevel gear and pinion gear is a lot more precise.
The gearbox casing itself is much stronger and thicker at the front and as a result is considered a great choice for higher FPS builds; with the front of the case being stronger it can withstand heavier impacts and it’s rare to see a V3 case that has cracked unlike the V2 case which I often see with cracks or completely broken off. Just the other week I witnessed something I had never seen before, the entire front of a KWA 2.5 case had snapped off, and this baffled me as KWA are regarded as some of the strongest gearboxes on the market.
The only real niggle I have found with the V3 is the trigger; if you have ever tried to fit one you will know it can be infuriating at times. If you have never tried to fit one be prepared; it is made up of three components, a spring, the trigger blade and the pivoting section which activates the firing mechanism. Just when you think you have it in… ‘ping’ out it all comes and you have to start again! I have learned several methods over the years but never does it go the way you want it to.
The fire selector on an AK consists of SEVEN parts in total and getting these parts all aligned and then
“THE SPECNA ARMS J08 IS PART OF THE BRAND’S AK MODEL FAMILY, MORE PRECISELY A MIX BETWEEN AN AK015 AND AK74U. IT’S A RANGE KNOWN FOR THEIR SOLID BUILD QUALITY, ADVANCED INTERNALS, AND REALISTIC DESIGN. IN THE CASE OF THE EDGE 2.0 MODEL…”
getting the gearbox in the receiver without anything moving or falling off can be challenging as well, especially for someone who is new to tech work. Having the actual selector lever on the right side of the receiver and the selector plate on the left side of the gearbox all the components have to line up correctly in order to work properly. For other platforms utilising the V3 casings the selectors are very different across the board.
There was a time in my early years of teching that I believed the V2 to be the best design purely because that was all I had really ever tinkered with and didn’t fully understand the differences myself; it’s amazing how after you learn and fully understand things that your opinion can change.
Dan: Many of the basic principles for maintaining AEG’s are essentially universal ones, so here the Version 3 AK platform is no different than the Version 2 or anything else. As with any AEG after use, be sure to always remove the battery from the replica and render it safe for storage. If it’s equipped with an ETU, or even an FCU (as with HPA powered builds), these all draw a minute amount of juice to keep the electronics powered on. If left plugged in for extended periods of time, you might find your battery has been overly discharged and cannot be revived.
Some players like to leave their hop up’s set in the adjusted state, but for maintaining optimum longevity you should always store your replica with the hopup in the “off” position. This is to avoid the bucking or nub from taking on a ‘set’, which is a semi-permanent deformation. As a result of a set forming, you might find that you are having to apply more hopup adjustment than usual, and in more serious cases, may even run out of adjustment room altogether and are now unable to achieve an ideal trajectory.
If you’ve played in dirty or dusty environs, I recommend giving the barrel a quick swab with a 5.56mm sized cleaning patch and some isopropyl alcohol. Again, do this with the hopup in the off position. You might also be surprised to see a lot of BB residue coming out with the patch. This is totally normal and a natural by-product of copious
“LASTLY I’LL TOUCH BRIEFLY ON THE RECOILS; I DO LOVE RECOIL IN AN AEG AND BOTH THE BOLT AND THE TM ARE THINGS OF ENGINEERING BEAUTY! I’VE BEEN LUCKY WITH MY OWN BOLT AKS74U, BUT THEN I’M CAREFUL WITH MY AEGS AND MAINTAIN THEM REGULARLY”
shooting. But it’s also a good reason to stay up on the maintenance as heavy accumulation of BB residue will adversely affect your accuracy and can also lead to BB jams in the bore! A nylon bristle brush may be required to break up more aggressive accumulations.
Magazines should be stored unloaded, especially if one is using BIO BB’s which can swell up from humidity and jam in the magazine. I’ve seen innumerable examples of this over the years, many of which have required full disassembly of the magazine to clear out the bad BB’s. Unloading your mags postgame is also good common sense since you never know if you’ll be switching up BB weights down the road and trying to remember what you may have left in the magazine can lead to a frustrating experience as you inadvertently mix weights.
While it is an AK and the temptation to let the exterior get really grimy and “battle worn” exists with these, I’d caution that there’s a strong difference between wilful neglect and natural wear. I’ve seen players literally rubbing dirt and rocks into their AK’s, then later seemingly mystified as they’re paying a tech to fix a contaminated gearbox. No professional army allows its soldiers to neglect the care of their rifle, and neither should you.
Unlike most AR-style replicas which are typically made from cast Zamak or aluminum alloys, the majority of AK platforms now are made from actual steel; therefore rust is the main enemy here. Some brands, such as LCT, E&L and Real Sword will have a blued finish, which is more prone to getting surface rust from moisture and sweat than others. Arcturus uses a QPQ finish, which has better corrosion resistance, while CYMA’s are often finished out with a black paint and do not typically rust unless the finish has been penetrated. Keep in mind, the painted replicas do not often tolerate strong solvents or oils, which may cause the paint to bubble or flake off; as it says on the bottle: “test in an inconspicuous area first.”
For the blued replicas, I rub them down with a good firearms oil. If you do see a bit of surface rust forming, you can usually break this up with a stiff toothbrush and oil. Barrier wipes, which are an oil-impregnated cloth, are excellent for applying a protective coating that holds up for long term storage.
I do not actually recommend storing your AK replica in a gun case or box for long periods of time. In truth, these should only be used for transporting your replica to and from the field. These all trap ambient humidity and moisture within. This can be greatly exacerbated if you’ve come off from a cold, wet, or humid field, cased up your replica and moved it indoors. Condensation will form from the temperature shift, and it’s almost guaranteed you’ll get some surface rust overnight. If for lack of other options, at least be sure to periodically check your replica lest you get an unwanted surprise! AA
“THE (AK) MOTOR IS HOUSED IN A CAGE WHICH ATTACHES DIRECTLY TO THE CASING RATHER THAN SITTING LOOSE IN A GRIP. THIS DESIGN MAKES FOR A MORE RIGID FEEL AND AS A RESULT MAKES FOR MUCH BETTER ALIGNMENT AND ADJUSTMENTS”
Red Cell is supported by:
STEWBACCA ROUNDS OFF HIS ASSESSMENT OF THE STAGGERING ACCESSORY RANGE THAT OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT LCT AIRSOFT SENT HIM BACK AT THE START OF THE YEAR ALONGSIDE THEIR LCK74MN AEG; HAVING ALREADY COMPLETED PHASE ONE AND TWO REPORTS IN APRIL AND JUNE’S ISSUES, NOW HE LOOKS AT A FURTHER SET OF CONFIGURATIONS THAT IMPLEMENT THE REMAINING COMPONENTS AND GIVE SOME FINAL THOUGHTS REGARDING SETUPS FOR DIFFERENT USE CASES.
MODERNIZIRIVANNY LCT:
MODERNIZIRIVANNY LCT: PHASE 3!
Having already made my way through a variety of LCT Airsoft’s ‘Z-Series’ Zenitco-themed Kalashnikov modular accessories, I found myself reconfiguring the system a few last times to make use of what was left and gather my thoughts on what worked best and what I liked most.
Over the course of three games through June and July in a variety of outdoor CQB and open field sites, I tried three different iterations of the LCK74MN AEG employing the remaining unused components.
Initially for our trip to our Yangmei outdoor CQB I decided to go ‘the whole hog’ and make use of the PBS-4 silencer (Part No. PK259, weight: 0.851kg) which attached directly to the 24x1.5mm threads on the front end of the muzzle, adding around 200mm to the overall length but more importantly putting a lot of heft on the front end of the rifle.
The PBS-4 definitely completes the look if you’re going for a specific unit that use silenced AKs, and it looks totally badass, although I did find myself having to adjust the HOP unit!
It seems the sheer weight on the front may have actually impacted the point of impact just like the ballistics of a real rifle get affected by a silencer. It is a pretty hefty piece of steel and excellently made as you’d expect, and there are also tracer unit ready
variants available (the PK259T) for those of you who have the need for illuminated tracer rounds in game. The weight penalty made it a bit more fatiguing for me to make use of it, especially in a faster moving CQB style game, and the additional length obviously made it more cumbersome in that environment, so it’s definitely an accessory you’d want to consider the use case of.
On the same day I’d also elected to try out the lighter weight ‘sport’ style handguards to at least offset the added weight of the silencer; the lower sport handguard (Part No. ZB_10L, weight 0.094kg) as well as the upper sport handguard (Part No. ZB_31L, weight 0.113kg) were a great deal lighter than the previous iterations I’d tried, largely as they are very slimmed down by comparison, with simple extruded cross sections with no added external rails and relying on the Russian equivalent of M-LOK geometry with just open slots and herringbone cuts to allow for venting heat in real steel use or attachment of appropriate accessories. I left these vanilla as I only have picatinny rail-fitting-compatible foregrips at present, but the slimline nature of them made it easier to handle them regardless at least.
Retaining the ergonomic pistol grip (Part No. ZRK_3, weight 0.172kg) of the previous iterations, along with the trigger guard with additional ergonomic extended magazine release (Part No. PK343, weight: 0.056kg) and internal magazine
“THE PBS-4 DEFINITELY COMPLETES THE LOOK IF YOU’RE GOING FOR A SPECIFIC UNIT THAT USE SILENCED AKS, AND IT LOOKS TOTALLY BADASS, ALTHOUGH I DID FIND MYSELF HAVING TO ADJUST THE HOP UNIT! IT SEEMS THE SHEER WEIGHT ON THE FRONT MAY HAVE ACTUALLY IMPACTED THE POINT OF IMPACT JUST LIKE THE BALLISTICS OF A REAL RIFLE”
“ON THE NEXT OUTING TO OUR LONG RANGE OUTDOOR XINDIAN MOUNTAIN SITE, I SWAPPED OUT THE STOCK TO MAKE USE OF PP19 STYLE POLYMER TELESCOPIC SIDE FOLDING STOCK. I’LL ADMIT AT THIS POINT THAT THIS WAS MY DELIBERATE INTENT TO ‘SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST’”
spacer (Part No. PK170, weight: 0.021kg) which I haven’t had any need to remove, I did however decide to add further ergonomic advantages in the guise of the magazine well side guide fins (Part No. PK041, weight: 0.105kg). These have stayed on since their installation as they offer such an advantage during reloading that I can’t imagine not using them in future; they admittedly may not be to everyone’s taste in terms of the aesthetic and being an unusual addition, but adding them and the internal spacer made reloading so consistent and easy it’s absurd, you can almost throw the mag in and get it positioned correctly by comparison with a raw stock AK platform. I did elect to use the magazines separately in these latter instances, but even with the magwell guides installed you could still make use of the magazine couplers (Part No. PK300, weight: 0.060kg) if you affix them with the two magazine feed-heads set further apart to account for the increased offset required by the magwell guides.
On the rear end of this iteration I decided to install the PT3 telescopic stanchion stock (Part No. ZPT-3, weight: 0.515kg) which features a triggerstyle adjustment mechanism to its rear, with the majority of its length merely comprising the very slender telescopic stanchion; the trigger actuation allows this main strut to collapse or extend to suit the required length of pull, although this stanchion arrangement is admittedly a little loose. However, a tightening thumbscrew is included on the underside of the rear outer section, and this allows the whole assembly to be set in a much more rigid fashion, although of course doing so reduces the convenience of adjustment as it must be loosened again to change the position with the rear trigger release function.
A floating cheekpiece is also included, allowing for effective use with higher offset optics where required, with four different overlapping countersink positions and a large thumb screw retainer wheel on the rear right side of the stock. The mounting base of the stock also includes an integrated ambidextrous sling loop allowing for convenient attachment to your sling or load bearing gear, and of course it can still make
OUTSIDE AND IN
use of the standard left side folding hinge system. I found the whole setup reasonably comfortable in use with the low lying red dot I’d had mounted on previous iterations and it’s great for CQB use although being quite slender in terms of cheek weld.
On the next outing to our long range outdoor Xindian mountain site, I swapped out the stock to make use of PP19 style polymer telescopic side folding stock (Part No. PK409, weight: 0.426kg). I’ll admit at this point that this was my deliberate intent to ‘save the best for last’ as I saw things from the outset of this project! I’d kind of fallen in love with this stock when seeing it on the PP19 AEGs at LCT Airsoft HQ during my visit with Bill at the tail end of last Summer, and figured I’d best experience it at the end of the project lest it colour my opinion of the other options.
They’re very much the eastern Bloc equivalent of the much-vaunted ACR stock of AR fame; a wide, comfortable cheek weld, sturdily built but lightweight adjustable telescopic polymer box section, with a ruggedised butt pad for grip and an enclosed swinging lock lever that can be pushed to the right side while looking forwards along the gun to allow adjustment between six equally spaced settings totalling 60mm of length of pull variation. The frontend section of the stock also includes a double sided QD sling point insert that runs through the whole width of the stock, and again the side folding system functionality is retained This was indeed a great setup that allows ease of indexing behind the red dot and fast shouldering or transitions between shoulders without any snag-points or added features that might impede comfortable use; it really pairs nicely with the AK-handling and just looks great and very modern yet clean and simple to my mind, as well as being fairly rigid despite its adjustment.
The final iteration was for use at our recent return to ‘Pewniversity’ in Miaoli; doing medium range CQB movements I had reverted to using the full length picatinny rail bearing classic handguards (lower handguard Part No. ZB_30, weight; 0.268kg, upper handguard Part No. ZB_31C, weight; 0.110kg) as these are more utilitarian for my purposes than the more slender sport handguards. As I wasn’t sure if
“ONCE I HAD ALL THAT TOGETHER, AGAIN WITH THE REAR SIGHT REPLACEMENT
STUB-RAIL AND T1-STYLE RED DOT SIGHT STILL BEING USED, AND THE ORIGINAL MUZZLE DEVICE INSTALLED, I FOUND THIS SETUP TO BE A VERY COMFORTABLE AND ADEPT SYSTEM FOR CLOSE TO MEDIUM-RANGE CQB WORK”
we would be playing indoors or outside, I reinstalled the previously used remote pressure-switch-triggered weapon light on the far front end of the right side rail, with the pressure pad once again attached under the top rail on the left side for my support hand thumb to actuate the light remotely and comfortably, while also once again making use of the full size vertical grip mounted just beneath on the bottom picatinny rail (Part No. ZRK_6, weight; 0.115kg).
I also elected to switch out the pistol grip for the matching PP19 styled variant (Part No. PK408, weight; 0.096kg) and I personally found this to be quite comfortable despite being a lot more slight than the previously used heavy-duty ergonomic pistol grip. It does have its own integral polymer trigger guard and standard magazine release unit, so you lose out on the additional trigger-finger actuated magazine releases, however the light weight and handling are very nice nonetheless.
One other consideration is the fact that the polymer trigger guard and magazine release front end mounting point is substantially thicker than the
previous pressed steel tang of the LCK12 QD trigger guard, and as a result to transfer the magazine well guides over I had to scavenge longer versions of the trigger guard fasteners from elsewhere due to the additional thicknesses the fasteners had to attach through.
Once I had all that together, again with the rear sight replacement stub-rail and T1-style red dot sight still being used, and the original muzzle device installed, I found this setup to be a very comfortable and adept system for close to mediumrange CQB work. If I were to field it in a more MilSim environment I would be tempted to drop off the red dot and revert to using the side-rail cantilever scopemount with the replica ACOG or similar magnified optic for the purposes of positive target identification and observation, and that perhaps pairs better with the prior ZPT-1 or ZPT-3 butt stocks, as they have adjustable cheek pieces for comb height to get your eye behind a less forgiving scope and within its associated eye box.
“YOU COULD MOUNT A TORCH TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BARREL INSTEAD PERHAPS, AND COUPLED WITH THE OVERALL AESTHETIC OF THE PP19 STOCK AND PISTOL GRIP AS WELL AS THE MAGAZINE-WELL GUIDES AS I THINK IT OFFERS THE BEST LOOKING AND MOST COMFORTABLE HANDLING SETUP FOR ME PERSONALLY”
A SATISFYING JOURNEY
All told it’s been an interesting and ultimately satisfying journey through making use of all the different butt stocks, handguards, pistol grips, vertical grips, magazine well accessories and optics mounts. The ZB_13 side-shoe-mounted cantilever scope-rail is definitely a solid and repeatable option in terms of retaining zero and offering great capacity for heavier optical sights or similar arrangements; of course it requires removing to get access to the top cover for installing batteries under the top cover where required, but it’s nonetheless a great option for putting a decent and useful sighting system on for longer range use.
For the most part in my use however the rear sight replacement rail with a red dot affords a much more suitable close to medium-quarters usage without the same ‘tunnel vision’ thanks to the further forwardmounting of the sight which allows for a lot of situational awareness but also rapid shouldering and target acquisition without a magnified optic to contend with.
The full length picatinny-railed handguards are definitely preferable to me in terms of mounting a vertical foregrip along a variety of potential positions, as well as a weapon light further forwards to avoid casting so much of a shadow of the barrel. You could mount a torch to the underside of the barrel instead perhaps, and coupled with the overall aesthetic of the PP19 stock and pistol grip as well as the magazine-well guides as I think it offers the best looking and most comfortable handling setup for me personally and retains its usefulness in the majority of environments and game types I would use it in out here in Taiwan.
Eliminating plenty of OpFor in our games in which I’ve used it, it has offered the great out of the box accuracy and HOP consistency once I’d tightened up the slider retention screw. Similarly the rear sight replacement rail just required a sliver of metal pressing into the gap at its front edge to ensure it no longer swung upward or otherwise interfered with the position and zero of the mounted sight of choice.
Hopefully these articles have provided an insight into just some of the vast and ever-growing array of components available in LCT Airsoft’s LCK / AK range as well as their Z-Series Zenitco-themed range. It’s been an exciting journey for me just being given such a wealth of accessories to play around with and reconfigure to my heart’s content; while the systems aren’t as readily interchangeable as the Heckler & Koch themed push-pin systems of earlier articles, there is arguably a wider range of components to allow a lot more niche or personalised reconfiguration of your LCT AK to suit very specific loadout requirements, or just personal preference for how you want to set up your own AEGs.
My thanks again go to our friends at LCT Airsoft for furnishing me with such a wide range of their products to play around with to my hearts’ content; I wonder what they’ll come up with for us all next? AA
“WHILE THE SYSTEMS AREN’T AS READILY INTERCHANGEABLE AS THE HECKLER & KOCH THEMED PUSH-PIN SYSTEMS OF EARLIER ARTICLES, THERE IS ARGUABLY A WIDER RANGE OF COMPONENTS TO ALLOW A LOT MORE NICHE OR PERSONALISED RECONFIGURATION OF YOUR LCT AK”
HOSTILE TRAINING
TRAINING IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TIME FOR HERE AT AA, AND IT’S A COUPLE OF WEEKS SINCE BOYCIE RETURNED FROM AN EXHAUSTING SERIES OF COURSES. HE’S MOST DEFINITELY ONE OF THE AA CREW THAT PUTS IN THE HOURS AND EFFORT TO “CONTINUATION TRAINING” AND SHOWS US ALL THAT THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TO LEARN! IN HIS FIRST REPORT FROM THIS BUSY PERIOD HE ZONES IN ON HIS EXPERIENCES ATTENDING A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT FIRST AID COURSE (HEFAC), RUN BY BLACK ONYX ACADEMY.
The Hostile Environment First Aid Course (HEFAC) was almost a last minute course for me; a friend who comes into my workplace asked if I was interested in taking part in the course, so I asked a few questions about what to expect. First I wanted to know where it was being held, that was easy he said as it was being held at <Redacted>.
Yes, sorry all, I can’t reveal where it was held but suffice it to say it was “somewhere” in the UK.
I also asked what sort of thing it would include and was told the basics of first aid plus things that would be of benefit their application in a “Hostile Environment”, and a Hostile Environment is basically anywhere you find yourself and where there is the threat of imminent danger or injury. This is the sort of course that members of the Press would undertake before going to a conflict zone or place of natural disaster. After a really short thought-process I happily accepted the offer of the course as I am always interested in learning new skills, but also as the place of work that I manage could have the potential to
become a “hostile environment” in an absolute “worst-case” scenario.
It took me a week to gather together my gear as I was told that I would need a ballistic helmet, body armour and plates....this piqued my interest even more but happily my Templars Gear TPC plate carrier would do the job nicely along wth my surplus helmet which I sourced via Polease the Costumiers, Portsmouth, and huge thanks to Paul for getting it to me in time, would also be suitable for the course.
Inside the carrier nestled a pair of large surplus ballistic plates; the ballistic plates did not have to be “in date” as it was only training and they were there to restrict movement and provide the extra weight needed for the realism.
So, straight onto Day 1; after a drive to <Redacted> which was to be the venue for the course, I arrived and was greeted by Mark, one of the directors of the company providing the training. A short chat then lead to me being shown to the classroom, and soon after the lead instructor and Daz
“I
ALSO ASKED WHAT SORT OF THING IT WOULD INCLUDE AND WAS TOLD THE BASICS OF FIRST AID PLUS THINGS THAT WOULD BE OF BENEFIT THEIR APPLICATION IN A “HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT”, AND A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT IS BASICALLY ANYWHERE YOU FIND YOURSELF AND WHERE THERE IS THE THREAT OF IMMINENT DANGER OR INJURY”
arrived.
As I had arrived in good time and we were waiting for other course members to arrive, I was offered a coffee and we went outside for a bit of a chat. The DS had served in a number of war and conflict zones, plus other operations around the world. I knew that I would really find the course interesting and chatting with the DS I knew there would be a physical element... Be careful what you wish for Boycie...
PUTTING IN THE EFFORT
Day 1 was predominantly based in the classroom and covered a number of first aid and medical lessons, equipment requirements, how and what to load in vehicles travelling to and in a hostile environment.
The first scenario we were presented with was that we were in a Red Zone area when a colleague had walked off for a meeting and hit an AP mine, resulting in him being badly injured. We had to quickly assess the situation, get to him and recover him back to the soft-skinned vehicle. This wouldn’t normally be much
of a challenge, except the casualty was around 100m away and the DS had given us a time limit of when we had to recover him by.
The run out to the casualty wasn’t too bad, but the weight of the plates, helmet and the restriction of the plate carrier meant breathing was harder.
Our casualty, Scot, had to be treated and stabilised, got on a scoop stretcher and transported back to the vehicle. The team had three of us, myself, Chris and A.
We got Scot on the stretcher and the three of us picked him up and began moving at a quick pace. I don’t mind telling you that moving at that pace, with the weight and restrictions of the TPC for someone not used to that level of explosive exercise, I was soon feeling nearly ready to drop! On reaching the vehicle, I dropped to my knees to catch my breath for a few seconds and we then loaded Scot onto the vehicle and drove back to outside the classroom.
Holee heck, this was just Day 1 and when we got a drink, I said to the DS “That was a challenge!” and I
“DAY 1 FINALLY ENDED SOME 10 HOURS AFTER IT HAD BEGUN. AFTER A DRIVE HOME IT WAS TIME FOR HOMEWORK; TODAY’S EXERCISE WAS TO THINK OF A POTENTIAL HOTSPOT AND GATHER THE INFORMATION REQUIRED TO AID IN THE PLANNING OF A VISIT BY A REPORTER TO THAT AREA”
got the reply “There’s plenty more of that to come!”
Over the course of the next four days this was certainly borne out, and Day 1 finally ended some 10 hours after it had begun.
After a drive home it was time for homework: today’s exercise was to think of a potential hotspot and gather the information required to aid in the planning of a visit by a reporter to that area. I, along with my “battle buddy” Mark, chose North East Finland. We went for this as tensions are building recently between them and Russia after Finland’s recent joining of NATO. We had to gather information on a number of subjects to allow us to plan and build the presentation to the “training group”. Once we had got the bulk of the information gathered and chatting over WhatsApp we wrapped up for the day, and I grabbed a muchneeded shower and hit the sack as it would be an early start to get back for Day 2.
Day 2 covered more first aid but was also layering on training on tourniquets and Israeli Dressings, alongside how to plan routes and what you would need to know in the hostile environment. Today would also be our introduction to more of the scenarios based on some of the DS’ experiences around the world. This consisted of lots of short scenarios all building on our training thus far.
Back in the classroom we were shown chest seals and then trained on how to decompress a tension pneumothorax, with lots of practice on the training dummy, followed by nasal airways, Guedal and Igel airways.
The day rounded off with a planning exercise in which Mark and myself were to plan a route between two points in-country. This, you might think, could be as easy as “whack it in the SatNav and hit GO!” But oh no! Far from that! Some parts of the planning would have to include the route, crossing rivers, alternative routes, medical facilities along the route, safe havens, escape
routes etc. Around two hours later we wrapped up for the day and we headed back home to prepare for the next day and delivering our briefings.
Day 3 opened with our briefings and soon after we moved out to the exercise area, and the first exercise was with yours truly being selected as the security advisor.
Earlier in the day we’d been told about the zones in the conflict areas, with Green being regarded as an area which the risk of hostile action, whilst still possible, was at a low level. The Orange Zone was the next level of risk where hostile action was more likely, the Red Zone being the area where hostile action was highly likely and then the Black Zone which was the definite NO GO area.
“THE DAY ROUNDED OFF WITH A PLANNING EXERCISE IN WHICH MARK AND MYSELF WERE TO PLAN A ROUTE BETWEEN TWO POINTS IN-COUNTRY. THIS YOU MAY THINK COULD BE AS EASY AS “WHACK IT IN THE SATNAV AND HIT GO!” BUT OH NO! FAR FROM THAT!”
SCENARIO… GO!
Back to the scenario and I chose to lead the group as I had been informed that we were going to a meeting in an area which may have been mined. We had parked our soft-skinned vehicle at a point and moved out on foot. All seemed to be going well but then we came across a natural barrier of large bales. After careful checking I selected a crossing point and the group began to move over a wide open area, spaced out at around 15m from each other (the normal space when traversing an area suspected to be mined).
A few minutes after crossing the barrier three members of the group, including myself were moving over the open area when we heard a large bang. It was a simulation of either a mine-strike or In-DirectFire (IDF), so we all followed the immediate action and got on our belt buckles! I called out for any injuries and was pleased to hear all okay. After a “soak
period” I had to assess the situation and make a decision on what to do next. I decided that we would move back to the vehicle and extract ourselves from the area.
Just as the three of us who had got across the bale barrier got back to it and were crossing it into cover, all of a sudden we were subjected to simulated IDF we then had to assess and treat the casualty and get them on the vehicle and back to the safety of our “building”.
Time for a break, revision and assessments and back out to the exercise area for another scenario. It was the same for the rest of the day and the next day, we went through more scenarios and assessments with the roles and assignments changing between us students.
One noteable exercise later in the week: This time we parked up some 150m or so from the bales and briefed. Mark was selected as the security advisor,
“I
CHOSE TO LEAD THE GROUP AS I HAD BEEN INFORMED THAT WE WERE GOING TO A MEETING IN AN AREA WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN MINED. WE HAD PARKED OUR SOFT-SKINNED VEHICLE AT A POINT AND MOVED OUT ON FOOT. ALL SEEMED TO BE GOING WELL BUT THEN…”
with myself as the reporter, “A” next and followed by Scot, the photographer and Chris was the fixer.
We moved out with Mark telling us to maintain the 15m spacing as his brief indicated that we were in an Orange Zone which had recently been liberated. The area to our left was reported to be mined and the only “safe area” was on our right side.
We moved off and after a while we approached the bales. Mark got us to “take a knee” whilst he went to find and recover an unknown article. He called us forward and we all began to search. Mark and Chris went to the other side of the bales and soon after “BOOM!” We had experienced a “mine strike” and this time Chris was hit by “frag” resulting in a chest wound. It was decided that “A” would be sent to
get the vehicle to speed up the extraction. “A” was on the way back to the group on foot as the keys were not able to be found when he was “hit by small arms” and received a lower torso wound!
As Scot and Mark were dealing with Chris, I made the dash to get to “A” and assess him. I was told that he had a “gut shot” and there was a seep of blood from a small entry wound. This was assessed as having hit the liver so after dressing the wound I had to drag him so far and then support “A” to walk further as it would have been impossible for me to drag him all the way to cover.
During this period Mark was then hit by frag, leaving Scot to make the decision to get to the Ambulance to get us all out. Myself and “A” got into cover then were “pinned down” by IDF and small arms fire. Shortly later Scot appeared carrying the scoop. Somehow he’d managed to gain access to the ambulance and recover the scoop. We decided that I would leave “A” as he was “T4” and we both went back for Mark and Chris. It was when we got back to the last location that Chris and Mark were to find Chris had gone. We got Mark back to “A”’s location then went back to try and find Chris. We returned to where “A” and Mark were then Endex was called. We then boarded the vehicle and made our way back to the classroom for a debrief.
A NEW APPRECIATION
Even over the 30 minutes or so that we were on that specific exercise, it gave me a lot more of an appreciation of how things can “go south” rapidly when in this sort of environment and brought to mind one of the videos that the one of the DS had shown us earlier in the course of him dealing with mass casualties in Ukraine.
It was later in the day that he told us that the others in the video we watched had all fallen in battle, and this video
“I HAVE TO SAY THE HUGE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE COURSE TOOK A BIT OF A TOLL ON ME; I WAS THE OLDEST ON THE COURSE BY SEVEN YEARS (INCLUDING THE DS!), BUT DESPITE THIS I STILL ACHIEVED A LOT BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY”
was less than a year old. In Ukraine and other hostile environments, there is no endex to be called when at a certain point. Every second matters in treatment and it takes a long time to evacuate a casualty/casualties.
We had a number of further scenarios on the Friday, followed by the final assessments and a full debrief. We were given the good news that everyone had passed the course and it was time to relax, de-kit with any equipment that had been on loan for the course, load our cars up and then make our farewells before most headed for home.
Not for Boycie though as I had to then make a 200 mile trip down to Basildon to attend the UKPSA/NROI Range Officers’ Seminar, but more on that in a future article…
I have to say the huge physical demands of the course took a bit of a toll on me. I was the oldest on the course by seven years (including the DS!), but despite this I still achieved a lot both personally and professionally. I learnt a great deal and also increased the knowledge and confidence that I have when dealing with First Aid situations which will be of great use if I ever have to use my skills and knowledge out in the real world. The qualification we were awarded
lasts for three years and I know that I will seriously look at returning to refresh when the qualification period is running out, and if there is the chance to further my training and experience then that I will always look at.
I would really like to thank Shaun for offering me the place on the course, Glenn for allowing me the time off work to attend the course, to Daz and Mark of Black Onyx Academy for providing the course and to Scot, Mark, Chris and “A” for being my coursemates. If it hadn’t been for them all, I may well have not made it to the end of the course!
If you get any opportunity to attend a first aid course, at any level, then I would honestly say “Go for it!” You really don’t know when you may need it. You being able to step in and help can make all the difference to an individual’s life, not only just to that individual but also their family or even one of your own family members. I hope that all those who I met on the course stay safe in whatever they do and wherever they find themselves after the course.
If you want to know more and possibly enquire about signing up to a future course then please check out www.blackonyxacademy.com AA
“IF YOU GET ANY OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND A FIRST AID COURSE, AT ANY LEVEL, THEN I WOULD HONESTLY SAY “GO FOR IT!” YOU REALLY DON’T KNOW WHEN YOU MAY NEED IT. YOU BEING ABLE TO STEP IN AND HELP CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE TO AN INDIVIDUAL’S LIFE”
BROTHERS IN ARMS
STEWBACCA RECENTLY “SAT DOWN” WITH ANOTHER OF THE INCREASINGLY PROMINENT FACES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, IVO BRIDGES FROM THE NETHERLANDS, WHO IS THE MAN BEHIND ‘HEAVY RECOIL CLUB’ AND ITS RELATED DISCORD SERVER, A HAVEN FOR ALL THINGS GAS-BLOWBACK RELATED AND A FOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE AND POSITIVE SUPPORT AND INTERACTION BETWEEN END-USERS AND EVEN SOME MANUFACTURERS GIVING AND GETTING DIRECT FEEDBACK OR SOLUTIONS!
As Bill and I are all too aware after yet another month-long ban each for daring to talk publicly about airsoft, the climate on mainstream social media is becoming increasingly hostile toward airsoft and other shooting-related hobbies whether the guns are real or not!
The lizard overlords running the show clearly have
political leanings that have a dim view of what we do, regardless of the good will, great communities and experiences that we all know and love as a part of our daily “airsoft lives”, and indeed, that aspect in itself is largely why we do what we do after all.
Ivo, or just “Bridges” in the online world, not only plays airsoft in various forms, but created and runs
the Heavy recoil Club (HRC) Discord server, giving a community space for us to share ideas and knowledge free from the typical anti-gun/anti-fun politicised social media streams of the mainstream providers which many of our industry friends have also fallen foul of in the recent past.
Simply sharing pictures of guns has gotten myself and Bill, among many others we know, into trouble with the thought police, and our good friends at Landwarrior Airsoft had their entire legitimate business-related page just arbitrarily binned overnight after years of work and community interaction and building, making it much harder to advertise their various business wings and ventures, and bring new people into the fold.
Similarly, our friends at LCT Airsoft have had their page removed, and their original Instagram page throttled causing them to diversify into regional and language variations to try and spread their message.
Whilst our main focus of effort at AA goes through the monthly digital magazine and our website news updates, the fact that we are unable to speak freely and clearly to our fellow players more regularly is somewhat angering. So, with this in mind we thought it was time to speak in more depth to someone who is, and has been for some considerable time, doing things differently, and I managed to catch up with Ivo to ask him exactly how he does things, and of course where he sees things heading!
AA: How and when did you get into airsoft originally?
HRC: Airsoft was formally legalised in the Netherlands back in 2013, back when I was around 20, and I was eventually introduced to the hobby by a friend already involved in it (editor’s note, that seems to be an increasingly common aspect of many shooter’s origin stories!)
AA: How do your family, friends and day job feel about the activity?
HRC: Sometimes the work/life balance requires greater consideration, but my colleagues know what I am involved in and understand my need to take time for it in some circumstances, and some have even expressed a positive interest in it or getting involved themselves. As for my family they have been very supportive of my endeavours and take an interest in them; on a personal level it’s been a very positive influence in terms of better forming and maintaining friendships, even longer distance ones, for me as I can sometimes become more insulated or lack the drive to meet new people in daily life.
AA: How have you seen the game change in your part of the world over the years?
HRC: For games, more regular skirmishes, started MilSim after two or so years, a French storyline,36 hour games in Europe. As HRC definitely a shift towards enjoying meeting manufacturers and doing content for the channel instead. I started play in 2015
when it was 8000 players in the Netherlands, and now it’s 28,000!
AA:What was your first gas blowback gun, and how did that affect your gameplay and experience?
HRC: In terms of pistols it was a WE G17 that I still maintain, rifle-wise my first purchase almost made me go broke, snapping up the last in stock of a Hephaestus Tavor GBBR which I loved using.
More recently I’ve taken to building my own GBBR creations from AR pattern components to make entirely original platforms through iteration of various furniture or accessories to make truly unique systems to suit me and my gameplay style perfectly, rather than replicating any real steel equivalents as such; a lot of these make use of real firearm components.
The firearms laws in the Netherlands are rather odd in that only fully-assembled systems with the functional action and supporting components are considered ‘firearms’ and require legal controls; you can readily purchase lone components (aside from magazines or bolt carriers) and sometimes more easily do so than sourcing airsoft counterparts!
AA: What made you decide to set up Heavy Recoil Club on Discord and when did you go about doing so?
HRC: I had taken a bit of a break from playing a few years back; I used to play two or three times a week and was very involved in many aspects of the games and events. However I had fatigued a little from that level of activity and gotten a little bored; during the COVID times I wanted to get involved again and also became aware of the issues with running communities on Facebook or elsewhere, so I started the “Heavy Hitters Club” as a sales workspace and moderated that group which was aimed particularly at 308/DMR style platforms, hence the name.
“Heavy Recoil Club” began as an organic extension of that community and its feedback and growth, as well as the desire to escape the usual censorship nonsense we encountered.
AA: How has the community responded and the server grown since then?
HRC: Initially we had around 1-2,000 early adopters within the first year, many of whom came over from earlier aforementioned efforts, and many others
taking the recommendation about us from personal friends; thus we accumulated a further 3-4,000 members over the space of half a year, and now after five years in operation we have 13,000 members, so on average around 2,500 members a year joining our ranks annually, and more recently manufacturers (especially less established newcomers) are getting more directly involved seeking ideas or feedback, as well as many referencing our materials or those of our contributors.
AA: What benefits have you seen from the community interaction?
HRC: Of course a much better interaction directly within the community in terms of connecting people all over the world through common interests and topics, especially when it comes to maintenance, new upcoming products and experiences of new releases etc.
Many more users are switching over to using GBBRs as a result of increased access to such information and a ‘demystifying’ of gas guns that many would previously be reluctant to try their using. Obviously the quality and prevalence of gas guns available has increased as well. The limited magazine capacity and increased realism have also driven better gameplay to my mind. (Stewbacca’s note; this is definitely something I’ve seen happening in the last 7 years in Taiwan, with many users favouring the realism of function and gameplay as a result of using GBBR systems, and gameplay has improved with less overshooting as a result too.)
AA: How do you fund the operation?
HRC: From the outset I invested my own money and time into the web hosting and server setup, as well as paying for server boosting fees to better establish the Discord and share it further and wider, of course I’ve also brought merchandise to the community in the form of PVC patches, TekMats for maintenance, flags etc to help fund operations as well as pay for travel to participate in events or cover them from a media perspective.
Now I operate it as a registered business just for the sake of improving the tax situation and handling of funds, as well as allow for purchasing of new equipment for content creation without having to pay more out of pocket as I can acquire things at trade
“WE HAD AROUND 1-2,000 EARLY ADOPTERS WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR ...AND MANY OTHERS TAKING THE RECOMMENDATION ABOUT US FROM PERSONAL FRIENDS; THUS WE ACCUMULATED A FURTHER 3-4,000 MEMBERS OVER THE SPACE OF HALF A YEAR, AND NOW AFTER FIVE YEARS IN OPERATION WE HAVE 13,000 MEMBERS”
price.
AA: What are your hopes for the future of HRC?
HRC: That’s a tough question; at present I’m not sure whether I really want to go full time, perhaps it all needs to remain a hobby for me, and I also really enjoy my actual job so I can’t see myself wanting to give that up just to focus on HRC.
I do want to spend more time on it where I can, but I’m unsure as to whether time will permit, and growth at this point is organic and continuous. Hopefully more manufacturers will recognise and appreciate the usefulness of the resource; Social Media is shrinking the ground as an alternative resource, so perhaps having our own website or even more permissive social media platform to avoid all the nonsense we have to put up with elsewhere, but again both time and funding have to permit that endeavour.
AA: Do you get directly involved with existing industry events or organise your own?
HRC: Again due to time and life constraints, I don’t necessarily help run other events directly, but I have provided feedback and advice in a consultative manner for organisers in terms of tailoring certain events to better aim them at GBBR only users, although in 2021 we started hosting HRC community days as part of other event attendance, or just get-ogethers on our own to hold workshops on
maintenance as well as opportunities for members to showcase their personal guns or custom creations within a community that will best understand and appreciate them.
AA: Who else do you have helping out with the day to day operations?
HRC: At present the moderator team really helps me with the running of day to day operations and admin, I concentrate on background operations and content creation.
Currently we have 8 moderators spread around the world; 5 in the US, 3 others in the Netherlands, and we are potentially looking for Asian-based moderators to join the team and help cover off the major time zones and regions, working to better maintain and grow the community. Sometimes these moderators are appointed or approached, or others are suggested by existing moderators or vice versa, however the final decision has to go through me rather than allowing others to run rampant with things.
AA: What’s the most rewarding part of doing what you do within the community?
HRC: The community itself is the most rewarding aspect of it, access to a wealth of knowledge, behind the scenes ideas and information, and the FAMAS release and sneak peeks which helped to build the hype of the product not only helped buoy the product
“SOME BRANDS ARE LESS WILLING TO INVEST AND COOPERATE; MORE ESTABLISHED BRANDS SEEM TO THINK THEY DON’T NEED THE COMMUNITY OR END-USER BASE THEY EFFECTIVELY RELY ON TO BUY THEIR PRODUCTS AS MUCH AS SOME OF THE SMALLER INDEPENDENT OR UPCOMING BRANDS, SOME ARE STILL UNCONVINCED.”
and the community reaction and reception to it, but also saw some people return to airsoft just due to such high profile and exciting - and sometimes long awaited - gas guns versions of everyone’s favourite real steel firearms coming to the fore.
Also seeing people, as I have also done, making long-term friends through this community and interaction over the Discord, and seeing people wearing the HRC patches at events and taking part in the community.
Finally for myself I’m personally getting recognised more at events even though I may not play as much, but it’s definitely increasing in terms of being recognised at IWA and the like; people want to take pictures with me, which feels strange, I don’t do it for the fame or anything, and tend to keep a lower profile in general, so I find myself wondering what to do at times when that happens!
AA: Have you encountered any issues while dealing with end users or manufacturers?
HRC: Not particularly; some brands are less willing to invest and cooperate; more established brands seem to think they don’t need the community or end-user base they effectively rely on to buy their products as much as some of the smaller independent or upcoming brands, some are still unconvinced.
representative cross-section of the global market given our wide distribution but common interests in gas powered replicas.
AA: How can people help to get the word out and grow the hobby in this climate?
HRC: Keep on sharing, especially directly with friends; airsoft is a place for everyone, and despite the GBBR focus, Heavy Recoil Club is a welcoming place for all, despite the different mindsets and the banter about ‘NO AEG’ that prevails!
They appreciate the content but don’t necessarily see the bigger picture, whereas newer brands seek a more direct involvement and want to be proactive on product development based on end user feedback or direct market research using our community as a good
Hopefully we will see continued growth of the player base, products available to us all, as well as more direct information flow from contributors and manufacturers. It’s difficult to know what will happen in the world from a geopolitical angle as well as player bases; local, national or even continental legislation changes or other such things can easily shift our community’s capabilities and permitted activities in short order if they aren’t in our favour. Many thanks to Ivo for his continued support of our own efforts at AA, friendship and all the work he does to benefit our wider community, as well as for sparing the time after work for our couple of hours sit down at opposite ends of the internet to video call and get this interview done” We’ve been happy to see his efforts and the fact they’ve been recognised by the community with HRC joining AA as a winner and a literal “Brother in Arms” by acquiring the Popular Airsoft Player’s Choice Award for ‘Best Airsoft Community/Forum”!
I look forward to seeing more of what he has planned in terms of future content and events!. AA
“AIRSOFT IS A PLACE FOR EVERYONE, AND DESPITE THE GBBR FOCUS, HEAVY RECOIL CLUB IS A WELCOMING PLACE FOR ALL, DESPITE THE DIFFERENT MINDSETS AND THE BANTER ABOUT ‘NO AEG’ THAT PREVAILS! HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE PLAYER BASE”
RED EYES AND RED DOTS –KAOHSIUNG LEVEL TWO SHOOT
IT’S BEEN HALF A YEAR SINCE STEWBACCA LAST GOT BEHIND HIS SIGHTS IN ANGER FOR A TAIWAN PRACTICAL SHOOTING ASSOCIATION ORGANISED COMPETITION (THE KAOHSIUNG LEVEL 3 WEEKENDLONG CHRISTMAS SHOOT FEATURED IN ISSUE 158!), AND WITH THE CLOSURE OF THE MORE LOCAL SHOOTING CENTRE THAT USED TO HOST THREE HEATS A YEAR, AND HIM MISSING OUT AGAIN ON THE PENGHU ISLANDS SHOOT SINCE COVID CANCELLED THE PRIOR ONES, IT WAS FINALLY TIME FOR A NEW APPROACH ALONG WITH A REASONABLY NEW GUN!
Regular readers will no doubt remember my Christmas spirit being somewhat rekindled by the arrival of the ASG licensed KJWorks CZ Shadow 2 Orange and its initial review in Issue 159, and it’s been working very nicely ever since, relegating my earlier heavily abused standard Shadow 2 to a wall hanger for now. With the advent of the new year the TPSA big-wigs appear to be
catching up to the real steel world and decided to announce the opening of the Production Optics subdivision for competitions as of 2024. Missing out on PengHu again was a shame, but it did at least give me a little more time to settle into using a red dot on my competition setup.
I’ve used red dots on pistols before, indeed my venerable KWA HK45 which was my first and only
gun for the first half year of me being in-country ended up sporting a replica Docter sight red dot on a rear sight replacement mount and bagged me many an OpFor scalp at Action Bunker back in my first year of playing in Taiwan. Similarly I’ve slung SRO replicas on the likes of the Krytac Maxim 9 for review purposes and gotten used to aiming with them almost as intuitively as optical sights on my SMGs and long guns. This, coupled with the generally excellent outof-the-box accuracy of the Shadow 2 Orange with its fixed outer and inner barrels, means it really has felt a bit like cheating since putting the Vector Optics orange-cased red dot my friend John of Gaosen Kinetics down in Kaohsiung was kind enough to send me for experimentation and to match the rest of the Shadow 2 Orange’s aesthetic!
The intervening months at the beginning of 2024 have hence been somewhat of a ‘brave new world’ for me; running an optics-enabled pistol has allowed me to significantly close the gap between my performance and that of my SPPT teammates who tend to favour open guns with cantilever red dots, Clarence Lai was good enough to give me his Shadow 2 Red Dot sight mount to replace the rear sight with a
multi footprint optics mounting plate, and in my case I went for the RMR/SRO footprint originally and then switched out to the SRO-like Vector Optics offering John sent me later on.
It really does change the game an awful lot, and having bounced ideas around in the team chat page with Bill and our newly assigned deputy editor for the US in the shape of Dan (who’s also had a lot of recent red dot experience in both airsoft and real steel usage, so we may make a bit of a thing about that in future) I’ve always been firmly of the opinion people should learn on iron sights and understand marksmanship principles with the fewest force multipliers to begin with.
Having switched to red dots on pistols really has made a noticeable improvement in my transitions, ease of maintaining accuracy and stacking rounds on each other on paper targets as well as eliminating Charlies in many cases; I tend to be shooting stages clean with relative ease and minimal misses or makeup shots now the hovering red dot of clarity is my guide instead of the fuzzy front sight and focal plane issues of before… ‘learn on irons, win on dots’ has become a new maxim for me, it seems.
“WITH MY SPPT TEAMMATES DRIVING THEMSELVES DOWN ON THE SATURDAY IN SOME CASES, AND MYSELF AND THREE OTHERS TAKING THE BUS FROM TAIPEI AT JUST BEFORE 0300 ON THE SUNDAY I WENT HOME AFTER WORK AND GOT SOME SHUT EYE AFTER PREPARING MY GEAR THEN HEADED TO THE CITY CENTRE BEFORE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SHUT DOWN”
IN THE SHADOW OF THE TEMPLE
Thus it was announced that our next opportunity for team mischief would be a one day Level 2 match in Kaohsiung at the TPSA shooting ground in the shadow of the Taiwan Tian Tang Temple as with all the previous Kaohsiung shoots. This time it would be six stages of varying lengths, with three short courses, two mediums and one long course totalling 96 shots for minimum scoring requirements.
The upside of this was I didn’t need to take any time of the day job for the Saturday on this occasion as all the shooting would be done and dusted on the Sunday in particular the 14th of July. The downside was logistics and getting all the way to the opposite end of the country for a 0900 sign in and briefing and then back to Taipei that evening; luckily I still have Monday and Tuesdays off to help recover, but it was definitely going to be a sub-optimal ‘red eye’ overnight bus ride down there!
With my SPPT teammates driving themselves down on the Saturday in some cases, and myself and three others taking the bus from Taipei at just before 0300 on the Sunday I went home after work and got some shut eye after preparing my gear then headed to the city centre before public transport shut down for the day, hanging out at my favourite pub a short walk from the central stations and ‘taking on fluids’ to help my try and sleep through the bus ride; at least we had the peak of luxury; with electronic controlled reclining lazy-boy style massage chairs and enough leg room on the bus – bliss!
We all managed to rest relatively well for a few hours at least and I awoke just as the sun was creeping up over the central mountain range to the East around 0500, with some good photo
opportunities at least, and a surprisingly tranquil and epic view to start the day. Transferring by Uber from the bus station to the shooting ground at the other end we were actually there a bit early and spent some time acclimatising to the increasingly blazing sun, but as others started to arrive we soon shuffled over to sign in along with our teammates who had arrived in their own cars.
In the end it seemed there were only 18 competitors in total (normally the competitions wane a little over the summer months, the MilSims and even regular game days likewise) as a lot of the locals aren’t daft enough to go out and shoot in the weather here during the mid-year thermonuclear inferno! Nonetheless many of us came from Taipei and Taichung to compete given the shortage of opportunities in Action Air IPSC as of late, the advantage being we all went in a single squad and played all stages in numerical order making logistics and everything else a little easier on shooters and range officers alike.
STAGE 1 – CROSSROADS
First up was a medium course of 18 rounds total for score; 8 paper targets, 3 with no shoot obstructions, one popper and the ending plate, all arranged in bays to the front and rear left and right of a cross shaped fault line boundary in the middle of it all, with the
“IT REALLY HAS FELT A BIT LIKE CHEATING SINCE PUTTING THE VECTOR OPTICS ORANGECASED RED DOT MY FRIEND JOHN OF GAOSEN KINETICS DOWN IN KAOHSIUNG WAS KIND ENOUGH TO SEND ME FOR EXPERIMENTATION AND TO MATCH THE REST OF THE SHADOW 2 ORANGE’S AESTHETIC!”
shooter starting at the rear centre of the back limb of the cross. 90 points up for grabs, and a condition 2, a magazine in but chamber empty start, actually preferable for me sometimes as I’m fast on the draw and slide rack and it avoids me having to use the long stroke double action first shot.
I shot it all clean apart from one Charlie towards the rear; I fired 21 rounds in total with a few extra in there on papers to make sure, and a pretty slick reload during my move right to left through the middle of the cross; 88 points in 17.13 seconds. Fairly clean, but a little slow all told, only 82.97% of the stage winner and putting me in 5th out of 6 in the production optics division. Not a disaster, but it seems my movement is always the limiting factor; when it comes to marksmanship or shooting from fixed or inconvenient positions or stances I seem to do fine, it’s just my old-man knees holding me behind the whipper-snappers.
STAGE 2 – ARROWHEAD
Our first short course, this comprised an inverted V of fault lines with a further inverted V of barricades
inside its angle with barrels obscuring targets that had to be accessed from both sides of the V, and opposing barricades at the point, with a central opening to engage through. Just four papers, two with no shoot obstructions and a lone popper to the front right as well as the stop plate rear and centre. 50 points up for grabs, condition one start with the magazine in and chamber loaded.
I began at the rear right and shot it clean, aside from a no-shoot on the left which I put a grazing shot through due to it being close and not being used to my height over bore with the red dot, then unfortunately as I slid backwards at pace on the final left leg of the V I rode up over the soft corrugated piping of the rear fault line without realising!
Most places including our training space use hard wooden bars for fault lines that offer a more tactile response through your shoes, and a few people had similar issues elsewhere in the day, so two procedural penalties for shooting with my heel out of bounds as well… only 20 out of the 50 points as a result, in 12.13 seconds which put me in last with only 33% of the lead score as a result; I guess I kept a lot of F^%& ups in one stage there…
“I TEND TO BE SHOOTING STAGES CLEAN WITH RELATIVE EASE AND MINIMAL MISSES OR MAKEUP SHOTS NOW THE HOVERING RED DOT OF CLARITY IS MY GUIDE INSTEAD OF THE FUZZY FRONT SIGHT AND FOCAL PLANE ISSUES OF BEFORE… ‘LEARN ON IRONS, WIN ON DOTS’ HAS BECOME A NEW MAXIM FOR ME, IT SEEMS”
STAGE 3 – SQUARE CIRCLE
The long course of the day was our third stage, a large square ring fault line box with an island of barricades and targets in the middle, and various targets radiating out behind barricades in the back and front corners and along the front edge, all papers
able to see over a lot of the barrels obstructing the targets, the miss and charlies just ate into that benefit.
PAUSE, HYDRATE… AND REPEAT!
We broke for lunch and retired to our competitor’s gazebo to try and escape the midday blazing sun,
in this case. 13 in total with 3 sporting no shoot obstructions, and the stop plate rear and centre again. 135 points for 27 shots total to score, with a rear centre start in condition one again.
I got 116 points in 29.50 seconds giving me just 58% of the winner’s score. Not ideal. I fired 32 rounds with two reloads on the move to ensure some makeup shots and despite that I still ended up with 2 charlies on some of the longer targets and a total miss on the first low right close one through a window; I’m not sure if it was a gun problem or me just missing something which should have been an easy point and shoot target at that range, but there was only one hole when they checked it… sad times. Otherwise I was pretty happy with the stage optimisation and movement which took advantage of my height being
although I ended up with lobster legs and arms as it was a very dry and sunny day with the UV hitting ‘extreme’ and the temperature hovering around 40 degrees Celsius!
We were all chugging water and sports drinks (see Bill’s article on hydration this issue for more on this!) to try and stave off the dehydration and heatstroke, with mixed results; a few of us really started feeling it in the afternoon stages with some folks having the typical ‘buffering’ brain fart moments pausing mid stage to gather their thoughts under the searing sunshine.
STAGE 4 – GET THE L OUT OF HERE
After the usual Taiwanese lunch box of rice, meat and veggies accompanied by sports drinks and team
“WITH THE ADVENT OF THE NEW YEAR THE TPSA BIG-WIGS APPEAR TO BE CATCHING UP TO THE REAL STEEL WORLD AND DECIDED TO ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF THE PRODUCTION OPTICS SUB-DIVISION FOR COMPETITIONS AS OF 2024”
chatter, we congregated for the next short course of the day, an L-shaped fault line box with a single no shoot obstructed paper and popper behind barrels on
the targets through the bars I somehow ended up dead last in 6th out of 6 with a lone charlie on one of the rear targets; I was just slow at 13.69 seconds
its right rear limb, and a popper on the right with 3 further papers and the stop plate at the front of the other limb.
Condition one start, 60 points with 12 shots total to score. Starting at the rear left corner of the limbs of the L shape I did much better on this one placing 4th of 6 with 92% of the winner’s score, shooting it clean in 10.71 seconds, with 12 shots fired; reasonably happy with that, and not so far behind the lead!
STAGE 5 – BEHIND BARS
Another short course, this consisted of a small lateral bounding box of fault lines with paper targets either side and a further two paper targets hidden behind a barricade with a window featuring vertical bars that the rear targets had to be engaged through. 9 shots total, 45 points to score and a condition 2 start with a magazine in but empty chamber again.
Despite having a bit of a height advantage spotting
and 56% of the lead score. I think the heat had been getting to me and the gun perhaps… I fired 13 rounds and had to do some makeups but still ended up with a charlie as the rounds pinged off the barrels obstructing the side targets; I guess at least I realised that and corrected for it somewhat, but it ate into my speed and time too much.
STAGE SIX – PRESS F TO REPEAT
Closing out the afternoon was an inverted L / F shaped bounding box of fault lines with two papers in the front end, one obstructed with a no shoot, and 7 more papers two with no shoots, a single popper and the stop plate all arranged in multiple barricaded bays along the front edge.
Condition one start, 21 shots to score and starting at the front right edge of the fault box; unfortunately I ended up with a somewhat hard to explain Charlie Mike on one target but shot the rest clean. Some of
“I WAS PRETTY HAPPY WITH THE STAGE OPTIMISATION AND MOVEMENT WHICH TOOK ADVANTAGE OF MY HEIGHT BEING ABLE TO SEE OVER A LOT OF THE BARRELS OBSTRUCTING THE TARGETS, THE MISS AND CHARLIES JUST ATE INTO THAT BENEFIT”
the other shooters noted that my gun didn’t seem to cycle fully or made a wired noise on that target so perhaps the heat was making it less reliable with the gas pressure in the magazine fighting the hammer and its spring opening it; whatever the case I had a paper with a single hole in again and lost out as a result…24.17 seconds. I shot 23 rounds and it also seems like the ending plate didn’t register my first shot, so I lost a few seconds re-acquiring it and making sure; it’s kind of annoying when that ruins an otherwise good run, and some of the IDPA guys dabbling in IPSC that day almost forget to bother each time as they usually use more modern acoustic timer sensors that pick up shot noises even with airsoft guns, so don’t have to bother with the electronic stop plates. Regardless it felt fairly fast when I was shooting it, but the penalties incurred sunk me to 88 of the 105 available points and just 52% of the winner’s score.
With all the business end of things dealt with we all retired once again to the gazebo and unloaded our magazines and stowed them before going to the safety area to unholster and stow our pistols while the scores were being finalised. Despite the hiccups and losses on some of my stages, I was otherwise fairly happy; the gun and red dot had largely performed well aside from a few minor issues caused by the extreme heat, and me having to get used to the height over bore, and personally I’d planned the stages well and executed the plans well without missing things stupidly like in the previous competition. Nothing was left unengaged, I just had a few inexplicable misses and the one no shoot from quite close in, overall not terrible from my point of view; it’s all a learning experience each competition, especially with a whole new set up that’s a departure from the last four years of competing. At least it
seems it has helped me speed up in general while making my usual accuracy even easier.
With that we retreated to the inside upstairs of the imposing TianTang Temple for the awards ceremony; as a result of the atypically low turnout some of the divisions only announced the lone champions, however Team SPPT walked away with champion positions for standard division. Ou YiChing, and open division, ‘Mars’ Liu HanLin. Lin DongLiang took second place in open division, while James Chou took third place. Li YaoZhong took Champion for production division, Tsai Min Shu took second place, and Jake Chen took third place. Tsai YiCheng took champion for production optics division, and Jordan Huang took champion for classic division running his 1911 and a lot of magazines!
With the award ceremony dealt with many of us dispersed, while a few of us waited for our Uber back to the HSR station for the homeward trip, the weather suddenly turned and we were treated to a pretty epic thunderstorm with driving rain and gales that we finally managed to escape as our ride arrived. We made our way to the high speed rail at the other end and thankfully managed to get a whole row of seats for the three of us heading back to Taipei, a pleasant departure from the usual nightmare of Sunday nights returning home in Taiwan.
Many thanks as always to the TPSA staff and range officers for organising the shoot despite the lower turnout, and to all the competitors for their usual sportsmanship and supportive banter environment, as well as of course my team SPPT teammates for helping to arrange everything and travelling with me. Until the next challenge, which will probably be Kaohsiung again for the usual Level 3 at Christmas, fellow shooters… AA
“WITH
THE AWARD CEREMONY DEALT WITH MANY OF US DISPERSED, WHILE A FEW OF US WAITED FOR OUR UBER BACK TO THE HSR STATION FOR THE HOMEWARD TRIP, THE WEATHER SUDDENLY TURNED AND WE WERE TREATED TO A PRETTY EPIC THUNDERSTORM WITH DRIVING RAIN AND GALES THAT WE FINALLY MANAGED TO ESCAPE AS OUR RIDE ARRIVED”
