Airsoft Action - February 2021 by Airsoft Action

ISSUE 122 - FEBRUARY 2021 - FREE

PROUD TO SUPPORT PILGRIM BANDITS CHARITY

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CON ONT TEN ENTS TS

FEBRUARY 2021

ISSUE 122 - FEBRUARY 2021 - FREE

ARMOURY: EVOLUTION E-416 PROUD TO SUPPORT PILGRIM BANDITS CHARITY

ARMOURY: ARES L85A3

Editor: Nigel Streeter Graphic Design: Calibre Publishing Ad Design: Deadshot Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter

Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: +44 (0) 1684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.online ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2019 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 print.

KIT & GEAR: CHOOSING A CHEST RIG

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38 EVENT: TAIWAN CHARITY GAME

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LOCKDOWN LOADOUT: CHICAGO PD

KIT & GEAR: GREY GEAR

LETTER , IDEA OR QUESTION? Got something to say? A question for our experts? An article or article idea? Drop us a line and let us know. Either email the Editor: nige@airsoft-action.co.uk, write to us at the Calibre Publishing address above, or talk to us on Twitter or Facebook.

FEATURE: IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT

VORSK DIARY: ENTER THE VP-X!

Contents FEBRUARY 2021

8 ARMOURY: EVOLUTION E-416 DEVGRU ETS A long-time fan of the HK416, Bill has had one in his personal armoury since 2007 and it’s served him well through skirmishes and ‘sims over the years but with technology marching ever onwards, he takes a look at the very latest E-416 DEVGRU ETS from Evolution Airsoft to see if “the only easy day was yesterday”! 14 ARMOURY: ARES L85A3 Bill takes a look at a great new airsoft replica from ARES that is now the “meat and veg” of UK Forces, the L85A3 and makes a case as to why more UK airsofters - and those that run a “Brit-inspired” loadout around the world - should be looking at this model and how ARES have brought things fully up to date! 20 ARMOURY: LCT LCK-16 This month Bill gets fully back to his OPFOR “roots” as he finally gets his hands on the LCK-16 (RPK-16) from LCT Airsoft. He’s been waiting for this support variant for some considerable time as it’s already proving to be a popular model, so has his wait been worth it? 24 KIT & GEAR: CHOOSING A CHEST RIG Whilst the current trend is for the majority to be wearing some form of plate carrier, Bill takes an “Old Skool” step back to look at chest rigs - be they canvas concoctions or thoroughly modern marvels of hi-tech nylon - and puts forward a case that this is a piece of gear that suits every airsoft need when it comes to load bearing! 30 KIT & GEAR: HARDSHELL MAINTENANCE As some of us are still in our enforced “stay at home” time, it really is a great opportunity to ensure that ALL your kit is squared away and prepared for the day we can get back out to our favourite sites again! Bill gives the benefit of his many years as an outdoorsman to show you what you can be achieving positively in your downtime. 34 KIT & GEAR: LOCKDOWN LOADOUTS Some of the Airsoft Action crew are getting some serious levels of “cabin fever”, with some awesome loadout ideas following on from Bill’s take on “The Last Ship”. This time, it’s Boycie’s turn, as he heads to “Chicago PD” to create a loadout that could lead to giving “lockdown” a whole new meaning!

52 ARMOURY: G&G CMF16 It is no secret that AA’s Legionnaire in Taiwan, Stewbacca, is no great AEG fan, preferring instead the thunder and fire of using a GBB, so what did he make of G&G’s CMF16? Read on to find out… 56 RELOADED: KWA H&K MP7 GBB As a self-confessed H&K fanboy, Stu “Stewbacca” Mortimer, was delighted when he first got his hands on this iconic replica. Now he looks back at how things have gone since then. 58 KIT & GEAR: GREY MAN The subject of a (yet to be released) film on Netflix, the “Grey Man” has become widely (and wildly) popular across airsoft, with many kit manufacturers producing their own version of “grey gear”. Having checked out the rest of his kit, Bill turns his attention to his own personal “grey”. 64 FEATURE: IMMERSIVE AIRSOFT Amongst the Airsoft Action crew we’re lucky to have some exceptionally talented people and not just for the obvious reasons! Whilst everyone involved in AA is a solid player, they also look at different elements of the game to see what can really make a day of BB-slinging interesting and this month Red Cell member, James, lets us in on his very latest project! 68 ARMOURY: WETECH G36C GBBR Recent events in the “real” world prompted Stewbacca to pen a long-term review of one of his all-time favourite airsoft primaries. 72 THE CAGE: RESOLUTIONS As we enter 2021 there are still challenges ahead of us due to the ongoing dangers of the C-Virus situation and of this we must all be mindful but, with hope on the horizon, we can all start to look again to the future and to getting back out on the fields and sites with our friends and fellow players. Bill updates on the progress the magazine made in 2020 and spoke to the AA Crew to see what Christmas brought them and what they’re hoping for in 2021! 76 VORSK DIARY: ENTER THE VP-X! In his ongoing “Vorsk Diary”, this month Bill takes a long look at the new VP-X pistol and gives it some “punishment”!

38 EVENT: TAIWAN CHARITY GAME As a complete airsoft addict, our “Legionnaire in Taiwan”, Stewbacca, went straight from MOA in Taiwan to a game the very next day – but it was all in a good cause.

78 KIT & GEAR: MAXPEDITION HEAD-TO-HEAD “Editorial inspiration” comes in many shapes, sizes and forms and this month, while looking for a looking for something to quiet his boisterous puppy, Frenchie spotted something that got him thinking…

40 RED CELL: FAVOURITE 2020 “ARs” The Red Cell crew have been hit by the lockdown in the UK and have been unable to meet this month. It’s been a big disappointment but, as always, the resilience of the team has come to the fore and this time they take a look at the AEGs that have served them well during 2020!

80 RETAIL ROUNDUP 2021 appears to be starting slowly, with our favourite shops physically shut again for a while at least, and games for many will be off for a while too, so what better time to invest that money saved on some righteous gear in readiness for when it’s time again to get “game on!”

48 FEATURE: NEW FROM VFC Last November Bill and our “Legionnaire” in Taiwan, Stu “Stewbacca” Mortimer, got a chance to “sit in” with Ray from VegaForceCompany to take a look at the new models that will be coming from them later this year. Now we pull together a more detailed look at the new AEGs and GBBs to show exactly what will be on offer!

84 LAST POST: LET’S GET RUGGED! In-game “comms” often consist of a variety of radios systems and/or “walkie talkies”, however, they are not the only choice. Frenchie takes a look at an alternative that might just fit the bill, without breaking the bank.

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

armoury

THE 416 EVOLVES!

E-416 DEVGRU ETS

FEBRUARY 2021

A LONG-TIME FAN OF THE HK416, BILL HAS HAD ONE IN HIS PERSONAL ARMOURY SINCE 2007 AND IT’S SERVED HIM WELL THROUGH SKIRMISHES AND ‘SIMS OVER THE YEARS BUT WITH TECHNOLOGY MARCHING EVER ONWARDS, HE TAKES A LOOK AT THE VERY LATEST E-416 DEVGRU ETS FROM EVOLUTION AIRSOFT TO SEE IF “THE ONLY EASY DAY WAS YESTERDAY”!

armoury E-416 DEVGRU ETS

t’s fair to say that I have a bit of history when it M4” but this was changed in response to a trademark comes to the HK416 in airsoft terms. Back in 2006 infringement suit from Colt Defense! my wife and I had the chance to go and live in The HK416 has subsequently been picked up by Florida for a few years - and you’d better believe that numerous law enforcement agencies and special we jumped at the chance! We decided to sell up and operations units and, perhaps equally importantly, was commit to the move, packing our household into a adopted as the standard service rifle of the Norwegian container and waving goodbye to the majority of our Armed Forces and (more recently) the French Armed belongings for a while but sadly, the container didn’t Forces, replacing the aging FAMAS in 2016, so it’s contain what was then already a reasonable collection no high-falutin’ one-trick pony! However, there’s one of AEGs and GBBs… place that in my mind the 416 shines brighter than At that point the shippers were already wary of ever and that’s in the hands of the USN SEALs. what they could place into the container and I was Now I could mention “Geronimo” here but advised that including “RIFs” might cause problems that’s an old (yet historically important!) story now, with US Customs and lead to our entire household however, the fact is that the HK416 has become being delayed for additional checks, so I decided not interwoven in SEAL lore due to that piece of history. to go there! Initially I thought to leave my airsoft That particular 416 was reported to be “a 10-inch collection behind but, in the end, the majority of it got barrel with a typical Special Operations loadout for sold to friends and I left just a couple of AEGs in the this rifle including an AAC Suppressor, a Geissele UK so that I’d be able to get out and play when I was trigger, Remington RAHG handguard, a Surefire Scout “home”. weapon light attached with an S&S Precision light What that did, of mount, an EOTech course, was allow me optic with an EOTech “THAT PARTICULAR 416 WAS REPORTED TO to arrive at my “new 2x magnifier, and BE “ A 10-INCH BARREL WITH A TYPICAL home” with a good an Advanced Target SPECIAL OPERATIONS LOADOUT FOR THIS few “airsoft bucks” Pointer Illuminator RIFLE INCLUDING AN AAC SUPPRESSOR, in the bank and after Aiming Laser playing locally for a (ATPIAL)” but, as with A GEISSELE TRIGGER, REMINGTON RAHG year or so in Florida many things SEAL, HANDGUARD, A SUREFIRE SCOUT WEAPON with some cheapwe’ll probably never LIGHT ATTACHED WITH AN S&S PRECISION end CAs, I decided know for sure. LIGHT MOUNT, AN EOTECH OPTIC WITH AN it was high time to The fact is though EOTECH 2X MAGNIFIER, AND AN ADVANCED treat myself and my that the HK416 is old friend John Lu TARGET POINTER ILLUMINATOR AIMING LASER seen in SEAL hands (of Lionclaws Airsoft (ATPIAL)” BUT, AS WITH MANY THINGS SEAL, pretty regularly, and fame) kindly put me of course has become WE’LL PROBABLY NEVER KNOW FOR SURE.” in touch with Andrew “de riguer” for fans Ho at Airsoft Extreme of “SIX” and “SEAL in California. Long story short… very soon there was a Team”. Therefore, for players with an “NSW bent” the Gen 1 VFC “416” on its way to me and that self-same 416 is a pretty obvious choice in airsoft form and now AEG has been with me ever since! quite widely available, so I find it unsurprising and At the time the 416 was the golden child of the quite apt that Evolution Airsoft have christened their special ops community, an improved version of the new take on this as the “DEVGRU”. M4 carbine with many changes, most notably a short-stroke gas piston system originally dreamed EVOLUTION, FORM AND FUNCTION up for G36 (in truth it dated back to the AR-18 rifle I’ve been dealing with the friendly team from designed in 1963, but hey, who’s counting amongst Evolution Airsoft in Italy for some considerable time, friends and major arms manufacturers!). It’s said that having met them at IWA before I joined Airsoft Action. Operational Detachment–Delta collaborated directly I always enjoy visiting their stand at the German show with H&K to develop the new carbine and, allegedly, and there’s also a long association with Bjorn from Delta Force replaced its M4s with the HK416 in 2004 Klockar Airsoft, who has graced our Winter Cover a after tests revealed that the piston operating system few times now as well as appearing on Evolution’s significantly reduced malfunctions while increasing the marketing materials. He’s a great friend of mine, a life of parts. The project was originally called the “HK www.airsoftaction.net

armoury E-416 DEVGRU ETS

true “brother in (airsoft) arms” and I’m proud that he’s become a part of our Airsoft Action Legion. That’s not to say there’s any nepotism going on here though, as the new E-416 DEVGRU ETS, to give it the full title, stands quite happily on its own two feet as a solid, yet advanced, airsoft design. Evolution have come a LONG way since I first met them and I’d have to say that the DEVGRU is a fabulous amalgam of everything that they’ve learned about airsoft over the years, handily placed into one excellent, great looking package! Externally, their full-metal take on the 416 looks not only great but, with the anodized CNC machined aluminium “SF Bronze” rail, it’s drop-dead gorgeous and everything, right down to the keyed-colouration of the polymer parts, gives an overall impression of a project where everyone involved has given their all. I’ve worked a long while (and spent quite a few bucks too) getting my own 416 properly “DEVGRU” but apart from my paintjob, the Evolution version is good to go from the box and whilst it looks super on the outside, it’s inside where things get particularly impressive. Internally you get 8mm bearings, a CNC milled cylinder, reinforced cylinder head, a steel gear set, a reinforced gearbox with integrated slot for Mosfet and electronic E.T.S., a high torque motor, rotary hop and 6.01 inner barrel as standard. Even the “unseen” parts are cool, with an upgraded selector

FEBRUARY 2021

plate, high grade metal spring guide, reinforced tappet plate, and even high-flow wiring throughout. Oh and I mentioned the E.T.S., right? The DEVGRU actually features the new E.T.S. III system, but what does this mean? We asked Evolution and they told us: “The E.T.S. III™ is the most advanced programmable electronic trigger ever installed in a stock air soft gun and it is the easiest to use. While other manufacturers install electronic units with very limited basic functions and require you to buy additional software to unlock the advanced functions and use an external programming unit, PC or apps to program them, the E.T.S. III have all the advanced functions out of the box, and no need of extras to use them, all you need is your finger as all functions, even the most advanced ones, are programmed via trigger. Fast and easy!” Essentially what Evolution have done is to push their AEGs to the next level as they see it, so they factoryinstall their most powerful programmable trigger system in their new “Hardcore” series. This system gives the user endless possibilities for different functions and configurations with no additional software, no external programming unit, and no PC connection or Apps required. Basically, it’s super-easy to program your AEG just the way you like it via the trigger!

armoury E-416 DEVGRU ETS

With the new system your AEG can benefit from: • ADJUSTABLE TRIGGER RESPONSE • PRE-COCKING • RAMPING • ACTIVE BRAKE • FULL CYCLE CONTROL • PWM ROF CONTROL • SMART TRIGGER AUTO-BOOST • AUTO LIPO, LIFE AND VOLTAGE DETECTION • LOW BATTERY WARNING • BATTERY FAILSAFE If you’re not conversant with all these functions then Evolution have done an excellent job of putting all the information in one place, and you can find everything by visiting their dedicated page: https:// www.evolutioninternational.it/our-products/air-softguns/evolution-hard-core/evolution-hard-core-e-t-s-iii. There’s also a really good downloadable Instruction Manual on the same page, although everything does come printed in the box too.

short time! It has some classic and unique features externally that I love, and internally it’s set up not only to protect the tech and ensure its continued operation, but to provide more than sufficient operating choices to keep any user satisfied for some time to come. This seems to be getting to be a habit I could get used to but I’ll say that I believe Evolution Airsoft have done a superb job with the E-416 DEVGRU ETS and my sincere thanks go to Sergio and Francesca at Evolution Airsoft for the opportunity to check this excellent AEG out. It may well be time now to retire my old 416 to the armoury and go door-kicking with the new DEVGRU! Please do take a moment to visit the website www.evolutioninternational.it to keep tabs on what Evolution do next, as I’m sure it will be righteous! AA

THE ONLY EASY DAY…

So, the DEVGRU looks fabulous and feels just right! Given the high-quality CNC Alloy rail the balance point is pretty much centred, which is perfect for ease of manipulation and given the short overall length of 700mm (780mm stock extended) and weight of 2,900g it’s really easy to drive from target to target! After establishing a user-friendly and consistent chrono reading of exactly 1 Joule/329fps on .20g RZRs (loaded into the very nicely made 130BB polymer magazine that comes with the AEG), I was really happy on my 30m range at just how good the DEVGRU was from the box, hitting my small steels each and every time just using the “H&K irons” on .25g RZRs. I also took a stroll up to the “woods range” with this AEG as I was keen to see what it was like at longer ranges and even with the power level as standard, it reached out happily to the 70m point. After spending so many “easy yesterdays” with my existing 416 I have to say that any contender for the title was going to have to be exemplary from the get go and I have to admit that after not touching an AEG from Evolution for far too long, the new E-416 DEVGRU ETS has once again opened my eyes to how far airsoft carbines and rifles have come in such a

“EVOLUTION HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE I FIRST MET THEM AND I’D HAVE TO SAY THAT THE DEVGRU IS A FABULOUS AMALGAM OF EVERYTHING THAT THEY’VE LEARNED ABOUT AIRSOFT OVER THE YEARS, HANDILY PLACED INTO ONE EXCELLENT, GREAT LOOKING PACKAGE!” www.airsoftaction.net

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armoury ARES AIRSOFT L85A3

L85A3 KEEPING THINGS INTERNATIONALLY ROUNDED-OUT, BILL TAKES A LOOK AT A GREAT NEW AIRSOFT REPLICA FROM ARES THAT IS NOW THE “MEAT AND VEG” OF UK FORCES, THE L85A3 AND MAKES A CASE AS TO WHY MORE UK AIRSOFTERS - AND THOSE THAT RUN A “BRITINSPIRED” LOADOUT AROUND THE WORLD - SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THIS MODEL AND HOW ARES HAVE BROUGHT THINGS FULLY UP TO DATE! 14

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armoury ARES AIRSOFT L85A3

he SA80/L85 is what we in the airsoft world refer to as a “marmite gun”, as just like the spread you either love it or hate it! In airsoft terms, the bullpup configuration gives little benefit over that of any other AEG or GBB (albeit that it does have a long inner barrel for its overall length) and, just like the real thing, the airsoft versions of the L85 have suffered from all manner of niggly problems over the years. The fire selector is in an odd place, the magazine release of the A1 could be activated just by knocking it against a pouch resulting in a dropped magazine (trust me, I know this to be true!) and the old EBB versions were frankly atrocious, stripping their piston almost unfailingly in the first game you took it to! However, the L85 was the “future weapon” of my childhood, with the EM1 and 2 and the 4.85x49mm XL-series of bullpup rifles being seen in comic books in the hands of the British soldier of the “year 2000”. By the time the “SA80” came into service in 1985 many young men like me had grown up seeing this configuration in both comic strips and movies, as the Steyr AUG, another classic bullpup military rifle, entered service in 1978 and was extremely popular with film companies who wanted to appear modern and up to date. There’s actually an entire history of “matters military” wrapped up in the L85 that I won’t go into fully again but suffice to say, this rifle illustrates the changing role of the infantry soldier on the “modern battlefield” due to increased reliance on a high mobility combined arms mindset, a change in British Army doctrine away from semi-auto only battle rifles for the regular soldier and, of course, the role of politics and NATO standardisation in terms of the 5.56×45mm round. This is a rifle that had a troubled early life but one that has gone on to actually be a trustworthy service weapon and the advances for the L85A3 continue to bring things bang up to date! The “SA80A3” prototype was first seen at the 2016 DVD military show at Millbrook, as part of the “Dismounted Soldier” exhibit, which featured some of the ten prototype SA80A3s built for feasibility testing. An A3 was next seen on Heckler & Koch’s stand at the 2017 Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exposition in London, which is the first time that we saw it “in the flesh”. As part of the

VIRTUS concept that aims to “address the negative impacts on tactical mobility, survivability and muscular skeletal injury caused by excessive load carriage by the dismounted soldier, allowing users to ‘fight lighter”, the L85A3 was integral. Whilst the upgrades to the original L85A1 were fairly major in the A2 program, the further refinement of the A3 takes things forward in increments rather than huge chunks! The rifle is clearly distinguished from earlier A2s by its new Heckler & Koch “HKey” attachment system and the front end which moves everything further forward than the Daniel Defensedesigned RIS handguard, housing a more freefloating barrel and a truncated gas block. The gas block mounting point for iron sights has gone, being replaced by a full length Picatinny rail which allows for the mounting of low interference back up iron sights. The A3 upgrade also includes a modification to the upper receiver and a full-length, contiguous top rail and provides a weight saving of 100g. The rifle also benefits from a new Flat Dark Earth coating offering improved durability and better camouflage across various environments, although the green cheek pad, pistol grip and buttpad have been retained. In terms of actual adoption, the first real sight of the A3 of all things came by way of an online post by the Grenadier Guards showing off the rifle with the caption: “We are the first regiment in the British Army to be equipped with the SA80A3. Newly upgraded equipment helping us meet the varied and demanding objectives around the world.” In the photograph the new variant was pictured with an ELCAN SpecterOS 4x optic and Shield CQS Close Quarter Battlesight mounted on top, along with a MK3 Laser Light Module. Further images released showed that the Grip-Pod seen on the A2 was also part of the package but in FDE to further add to environmental blending.

AIRSOFT L85, FLYING THE FLAG PROUDLY!

When it comes to airsoft, it has always troubled me a little that so many UK airsofters ignore the mainstream of UK Forces when it comes their loadouts. Whilst there are numerous excellent “UKSF” impressions that are particularly noteworthy for their almost living

“AS A FAN OF THE L85, I HAVE TO SAY STRAIGHT FROM THE START THAT I BELIEVE ARES HAVE ONCE AGAIN CREATED A SUPERB-LOOKING REPLICA OF THE CURRENT BRITISH ARMY ISSUE RIFLE! ARES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GREAT AT THE FINISH WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR AEGS AND THE A3 IS NO EXCEPTION; IT LOOKS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.” www.airsoftaction.net

armoury ARES AIRSOFT L85A3

history standard, the poor old British Infantryman is sadly neglected in the main, even though there are several manufacturers that now make half-way decent L85 replicas. I’ve always been proud to “fly the flag” with my personal loadouts and although I’ve probably covered many units and many nationalities in the past, there has always been a basic set of DPM, DDPM and now MTP in my gear locker and the L85 has been ever-present since my first year living and playing in the USA, when the first STAR model was released. Surrounded by guys in their Woodland loadouts and with their tricked out “M4s” every which way I turned, there was something almost perversely enjoyable about being “the guy with the bullpup and the SUSAT”! I discovered that DPM actually worked superbly amongst the palmettos and mangroves and that DDPM was totally at home in the drier inland areas of Florida - and every time I rolled out in my “Brit Gear” my L85 came with me. I’ve owned a number of L85 AEGs over the years, from that original slightly finicky STAR, through the better in all-ways ARES L85A2, the original (and downright dreadful when it first came out!) ARMY R85 EBB, along with the first and subsequent generations of the ICS model, which overall is a pretty neat and trustworthy AEG. I’ve never owned a WE GBB version, or indeed a G&G but every airsoft L85 I’ve personally owned has (admittedly after some fettling of the R85!) given great service. Of course, when the A3 variant was announced I knew it was only a matter of time before an airsoft version appeared and almost straight away new rail systems appeared as aftermarket parts. However, many of the manufacturers who currently make L85 AEGs seemed to be very slow off the mark for once and, thus far, only ARES have gone the whole hog and provided a fully realised A3 which is due for release soon! Thankfully, the guys at iWholesales were kind enough to provide Airsoft Action with a sample of this stunning new AEG, so we were able to get out on the range with it during our “Xmas Downtime” 16

FEBRUARY 2021

and give it some beans, although for obvious reasons I haven’t yet been able to test it “in game”. As a fan of the L85, I have to say straight from the start that I believe ARES have once again created a superb-looking replica of the current British Army issue rifle! ARES have always been great at the finish when it comes to their AEGs and the A3 is no exception; it looks absolutely beautiful. Weighing in at a hefty 5,500g (before you add optics and accessories) it “feels” like the real deal and the component parts are put together with huge attention to detail; it feels absolutely solid as a rock! There’s a mix of stamped steel and high-grade alloy in the overall construction, and it really shows! The main change to the AEG is the replication of the “HKey” rail system with the loprofile (removable) iron sights and that is scrupulously done, even down to the colour (I checked back on my pictures from DSEI 2017!). Talking of colour, the new FDE on the receivers are also spot on, and that finish is definitely growing on me!

UNDER THE SKIN

Internally, the A3 is a bit of a peach too as it benefits from the ARES Electronic Firing Control System (E.F.C.S.) gearbox. With the development of E.F.C.S. system (not only now in the AMOEBA Airsoft line) ARES are now releasing many new products with the E.F.C.S. Gearbox as standard and amongst them is the A3. This programmable system (you do need an external programmer sadly) allows you to set up your AEG in different ways but ultimately lets it withstand current to around 30A, enhances piston positioning and allows it to put up with rapid semi-auto fire. The Mosfet on the gearbox is the new generation “Blue”, which ARES tell us is more resistant to Amperage/Voltage fluctuations and spikes and allows 11V LiPo and LiFe type batteries to be happily used as standard (more on this in a bit…). The gearbox is of the highest build quality, coming with a quick release spring guide, silver wiring and an electronic trigger. Allied with a high-torque motor that sits beneath and in line with the gearbox, it all equates to an efficient and effective setup. I mentioned above the position of the motor and, as this fills the rear of the lower receiver and given the fact that the new slimline HKey rail offers no storage space for a battery, you might be wondering where

armoury ARES AIRSOFT L85A3

this resides …as did I! When the A3 first arrived with me, as it was a pre-release model it came with zero paperwork and as yet there’s very little online to refer to either! After some head-scratching I finally got round to checking inside the pistol grip (by way of the little plate in the base) and lo and behold, there was a mini-Tamiya connector! Yup, the battery lives in the pistol grip and although this is an elegant solution to keep things looking great, it also means that you’ll need a specific battery and I would recommend that you buy a couple when you buy the AEG, as it is a VERY tight squeeze in there! After trying all my batteries I came up short finding one to fit, so I spoke to Tim at iWholesales about it and he kindly shipped me down a choice of two LiPos, a VP Airsoft 7.4V 850mAh 30C and a BIGFOOT 11.1V 850mAh 15C; of the two I found the BIGFOOT battery the better fit. Of course, the A3 is perfectly happy on an 11.1, so job done and I used this one for my range testing. The L85A3 with that battery fitted chrono’d at a perfectly acceptable mean of 1.0J/330fps on .20g BBs, with the provided polymer midcap magazine feeding them unerringly. With targets out at 30 metres I was able to get very reasonable groupings on semi-auto and have some real fun when I switched the selector up to full! The thing for me that REALLY gives the

edge, is a combination of the sheer quality of this AEG, the feel and the EBB function that sends the “bolt” plate back and forth with each and every shot! Squeeze the trigger and you get a BB away in a flash! Squeeze again… crack! Then switch the selector up to full auto and give it some beans and I defy you not to have a HUGE sloppy grin on your face in short time! I’ve used this lovely L85A3 AEG extensively on the range since it arrived with me and have come to love the model all over again. I feel that one of these may be in my personal future and as ARES offer a great package deal with optic, foregrip and an extra magazine if you want to “one stop shop”! I’m hoping to get to some international games again in the latter part of this coming year and with the ARES I really feel I could be flying the flag again. I’ve always wanted to take a full British Infantry Section to a game overseas and this latest iteration of the L85 would be the ideal rifle for that, along with a Minimi for our section gunner. The L85A3 finally looks properly cool, performs flawlessly, and is built like a tank. When it comes to loadouts it’s about the mindset but in this case it’s also all about the right AEG too and the ARES L85A3 is perfect for the job! Our thanks go to the guys at www.iwholesales. co.uk for providing the test AEG and the ARES L85A3 should be arriving in stores soon. AA

“THE L85A3 FINALLY LOOKS PROPERLY COOL, PERFORMS FLAWLESSLY, AND IS BUILT LIKE A TANK. WHEN IT COMES TO LOADOUTS IT’S ABOUT THE MINDSET BUT IN THIS CASE IT’S ALSO ALL ABOUT THE RIGHT AEG TOO AND THE ARES L85A3 IS PERFECT FOR THE JOB!” www.airsoftaction.net

armoury LCT LCK-16

COLD WAR GOES HOT!

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armoury LCT LCK-16

THIS MONTH BILL GETS FULLY BACK TO HIS OPFOR “ROOTS” AS HE FINALLY GETS HIS HANDS ON THE LCK-16 (RPK-16) FROM LCT AIRSOFT. HE’S BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SUPPORT VARIANT FOR SOME CONSIDERABLE TIME AS IT’S ALREADY PROVING TO BE A POPULAR MODEL, SO HAS HIS WAIT BEEN WORTH IT?

t seems only yesterday that I first started speaking with LCT Airsoft about the RPK-16 and, as always, development takes a while to complete - but their little sneak-peeks during the process had me drooling! Fast forward to MOA 2019 and there in all its glory was the finished product, and I knew I had to get my hands on one as soon as possible… But then came “2020” and the supply chains slowed right down. The initial stock of this much-anticipated AEG went superfast and I needed to put my patient head fully on and just bide my time… Thankfully, although we are still not yet back to fullspeed in terms of airsoft games, things are beginning to speed up again and new stock of many models is finally landing in the UK, so when I heard from Tom at NUPROL that the LCK-16 was finally arriving (and that one had my name on it for testing) I was overjoyed! Sadly, with the backlog of containers at the ports right now, even though the AEG was “officially” in the UK there was yet another wait until the container was released. However, just prior to Christmas the LCK16 was delivered to me and I knew that the festive season was going to be a great one! Why was I so excited about this AEG you may ask? It’s simple really… Although I own a very nice PKM for “OPFOR Support Duties” old beastie and if you like to and aggressive in your style of it’s quite the lump to drag day. Even though it benefits HUGE box magazine I myself if this benefit obvious negatives. Yes, standard AK variant magazine but that really with me as a “purist”; a

it’s a BIG be mobile play, then around all from a often ask outweighs the I could use a with a drum doesn’t sit well support gun

should be quite obviously that, and indeed many games, especially MilSims, will ask that a support gun be true to the real deal. Of course, with the old Russian doctrine where offensive direct action using overwhelming firepower was the key denominator of infantry tactics, for general OPFOR “play” there are a number of options that bring the weight of the support gun down whilst still keeping things “real”. The RPD is a physically smaller weapon that’s more manageable than the PKM, but it’s still a bit of a heavyweight and although the LCT Airsoft RPD is a thing of beauty, it’s also expensive. That brings us neatly to the RPK, or Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova, that’s been in service since the 1960s and, with various upgrades and re-chamberings, is still in use to this day by Russian reserve and police units! The RPK has really been the best choice for the “OPFOR gunner on a budget” as they are cheap (certainly in relation to many support AEGS!), easy to work on and, as in the real world, can use virtually any AK magazine as well as a dedicated high-capacity drum. It is a great choice if you want a “Russian” support gun that covers a LONG period of service and will serve well for virtually any OPFOR scenario but again, it’s now kind of “old skool”, long, heavy and slightly

unwieldy with that longer barrel. These days we want a support gun that, like the M249, is shorter and lighter but still able to lay down a huge amount of suppressive fire when needed. So, what’s the answer to our OPFOR prayers? It has to be the RPK (or as LCT

“IN THEIR USUAL INIMITABLE STYLE, LCT HAVE REALLY PULLED IT OFF AGAIN WITH THEIR LCK-16! I AM CERTAIN THAT THE “STITCH COUNTERS” OUT THERE WILL FIND SOME MINUSCULE REASON WHY THIS DESIGN IS SOMEHOW “WRONG” BUT, TO ME, THE FINISHED PRODUCT DOES THE JOB EXCELLENTLY AND REALLY GIVES A TREMENDOUS “FEEL” THE MOMENT THAT YOU LIFT IT CLEAR OF THE BOX.” www.airsoftaction.net

armoury LCT LCK-16

Moscow Higher Military Command School and Russian Special Forces. Inevitably this rollout is still in progress, with the RPK-16 now heading toward “line units” in numbers. call it, the LCK) 16! With the easy availability now of good standard “RATNIK” clothing and gear, in my mind OPFOR has come out of the airsoft closet and is loud and proud about how they go about getting business done! The AK-12/15 models were the first to arrive in airsoft form to fully support this movement, and now it’s a much more common sight to see Russian loadouts on site. OPFOR has moved away from the “ragtag freedom fighter” vibe to a degree, with all the gear to create a “main force” look available in full! Some of the guys local to me have adopted and embraced this loadout style wholeheartedly, and their Digi Flora looks super-cool in a sea of Multicam and MTP and along with their VBKO uniforms, 6B46 plate carriers, and SMERSH load carrying gear the guys are also rocking the AK-12, and it is a righteous look indeed! Like any good infantry unit though, these “Ratniks” need their support gunner and the RPK-16 is the perfect beast for the job. Online digging gives me some history: In May 2011 the FKU NPO “StiS” research division of the Russian Ministry of the Interior announced the tender for the “Development of an assault LMG with variable rate of fire” under the name “Tokar”. According to the requirements, the new light machine gun should have an overall length of 35.4”/900 mm with the long barrel and 27.5”/700 mm with the short barrel at a weight of 14.33 lb/6.5 kg. Ammunition was to be fed from the newly developed 60- and 90-round magazines as well as from standard magazines. Only Degtyaryov came up with anything even part-way decent at the time and the program was mothballed. In 2016, “Tokar-2” came along. The biggest difference was the feeding system: either from a 60-round magazine or a 100- or 250-round belt box. Degtyaryov took part again but an unexpected competitor, Kalashnikov Concern, also expressed interest and the winner was soon determined. The RPK-16 (the number indicates the year 2016, when the developments began) was issued to troops for operational testing in February 2019 after preliminary trials and amongst others, it was issued to the 22

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LCT NAIL IT AGAIN

In their usual inimitable style, LCT have really pulled it off again with their LCK-16! I am certain that the “stitch counters” out there will find some minuscule reason why this design is somehow “wrong” but, to me, the finished product does the job excellently and really gives a tremendous “feel” the moment that you lift it clear of the box. The LCK16 is by no means a super-light AEG, as it’s pretty much ALL made from steel, weighing in at 4,700g plus fully loaded but it’s overall length of 825mm (650mm with the stock folded, and 915mm with the stock fully extended) means that it’s manageable for smaller players - and for bigger guys like me it’s perfectly shootable from the shoulder all day long. Inside, the internal parts make further tuning and upgrades straightforward if you want to take that route, but the basic setup will give you issue-free operation for a considerable time! As well as LCT’s usual impeccable internal build, there’s a tried and tested V3 gearbox married up to a powerful 2,2000 RPM motor and the AEG has a 400mm long brass internal barrel. Overall, the LCK-16 is made from components of superb quality, with great attention to detail throughout to give it every semblance of the real thing, even down to the distinctive steel 14mm CCW flash-hider! As stated before, pretty much everything is made of steel sheet, the only obvious exceptions being the polymer ergonomic pistol grip, adjustable stock, dedicated handguard and the drum magazine. The top dust cover features a rail which is ideal for flush-mounting optics of your choice, but also has a removable flip-up ladder sight as standard. The high-quality polymer handguard also features mounting rails top and bottom so you can fit further accessories, a foregrip, or a bipod. The classic “AKstyle” fire selector features additional finger-rests to improve ease of operation and the finger-grooveprofiled pistol grip sits comfortably in the hand.

RATNIK’S REVENGE!

The well-finished self-winding drum on this AEG holds a respectable 2,000 BBs, allowing you to bring down “BB death” on BLUEFOR to your heart’s content, plus

armoury LCT LCK-16

“IN TERMS OF ACCURACY, I WAS MORE THAN HAPPY ON SEMI BUT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A “FULL-AUTO-SUPPORT-BEAST” AND BE ABLE TO SPIT OUT BBS CONSISTENTLY AND GIVE AN AREA-DOMINATING EFFECT, RATHER THAN BEING NAILON-THE HEAD ACCURATE - AND IT DOES THIS WITH ALACRITY!” the drum can be easily and swiftly filled by splitting it at the rear. The drum also holds a box for three AA batteries (pretty common for AK drum mags) and the winding mech is easily activated using the lever on the front face. Just like the original RPK you can use standard AK magazines in the LCK-16 and I tried a number of brands that all fed perfectly well. This means that if you do go through your allotted “2,000” in a firefight you can grab a mag from a team-mate and get straight back in the game! With an 11.1 LiPo fitted (you need to remove the body pin at the front of the dust cover and slide the whole thing off to fit one, and it’s a tight squeeze so be careful!) you can easily have hails of BBs howling downrange at a very respectable rate. The “UK-Spec’d” test sample chrono’d very nicely at 1.09J/343fps on .20g RZRs and I was very pleased to find that the drum mag fed very evenly and efficiently… it must be good old-fashioned “Soviet Simplicity” even in airsoft form! In terms of accuracy, I was more than happy on semi but this is supposed to be a “full-auto-support-beast” and be able to spit out BBs consistently and give an area-dominating effect, rather than being nail-on-the head accurate - and it does this with alacrity! I will tell you that it’s no slouch when it comes to aimed fire though as, at 50m prone, I was easily able to put all my BBs on target on semi,

and having semi is a bonus as you can still use the LCK indoors without automatically having to resort to a secondary. “Walking” the LCK-16 from target to target with controlled bursts gave me a good idea of what it’s capable of - and that’s a LOT - when it comes down to suppressing your opponent’s fire and movement capability, which is exactly what you want from a support gun. I said earlier, the LCK-16 is still a new model but LCT have a great reputation for durability and longterm performance (my personal AKs are still rocking after years of use), so I’m thinking that things will continue “as new” for some considerable time, even when you’re talking about an AEG that’s going to be used on full-auto the majority of the time. I’m seeing the LCK-16 available around the UK£450-£470 mark at the moment and for a thoroughly modern support gun that oozes “OPFOR/Ratnik Cred” that’s a great price! Having now had one in my hands and on the range, I am most seriously considering adding one to my own personal collection - and that’s the very best recommendation I can give you! My thanks as always go to UK LCT distributor www.nuprol.com for providing the test sample, and these super AEGs should now be appearing in your favourite airsoft shops, so GET SUM! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR CHEST RIGS

CHOOSING A CHEST RIG

WHILST THE CURRENT TREND IS FOR THE MAJORITY TO BE WEARING SOME FORM OF PLATE CARRIER, BILL TAKES AN “OLD SKOOL” STEP BACK TO LOOK AT CHEST RIGS - BE THEY CANVAS CONCOCTIONS OR THOROUGHLY MODERN MARVELS OF HI-TECH NYLON - AND PUTS FORWARD A CASE THAT THIS IS A PIECE OF GEAR THAT SUITS EVERY AIRSOFT NEED WHEN IT COMES TO LOAD BEARING!

n my opinion, a decent chest rig (indeed more than one!) should have permanent residence in any self-respecting airsofter’s personal gear locker, as I genuinely believe it’s one of the most useful bits of kit you’ll ever own! Whether you’re a full-on skirmisher or MilSim “opr8r”, then a chest rig will fulfil all that you need in terms of load carriage or simple gearhauling. There really is a model that will suit both your budget and your style of play! Whilst it is currently popular to lug around a darn great plate carrier (even including plates if you’re “doing it right” - and I’m as guilty as the next man for doing this), I’ve personally always been a huge fan of chest rigs. Even if you’re in a situation where you need to use body armour (dubious really in an airsoft game if you think about, unless it’s for “tacticool” points), then a rig will allow you dump a lot of extraneous weight quickly and easily whilst keeping your plates in place. Over the years I’ve had numerous chest rigs as I

find them comfortable to wear and very easy to work with if the design is right. All of mine have served me very well indeed and I will admit to having a bit of a collection of different models that I’ve built up over the years. My first ARKTIS rig is now well beyond the point of saving and I’ve had rigs to try from some of the best companies in Europe and the USA and, quite frankly, I love ‘em all! I’ve long been a fan of the US brand Tactical Assault Gear (TAG), which was set up by prior service USN SEAL Chris Osman, and one model to me still shows how “the rig” updated itself for what we need today. TAG were right in the game from the very beginning and as one of the first “nylon gear” companies to take up (the then-new) ATACS patterns, they’ve got lots of experience working with different fabrics. Their gear has ALWAYS been really top notch and the combination of a Phalanx Chest Rig and Combat Sustainment Pack has given me more than enough

“MANY WILL RATTLE ON ABOUT THE RHODESIANS BEING THE “DADDY” OF THE TACTICAL CHEST RIG STORY BUT, IN REALITY, THE “RIG” HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT OF A STAPLE THROUGHOUT MILITARY HISTORY, OFTEN BEING WORN BY “SPECIAL UNITS”, OR AT THE VERY LEAST THOSE THAT COULD BE CLASSED UNCONVENTIONAL.” 24

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KIT & GEAR CHEST RIGS

space to carry both a fighting load for my primary and a sustainment/survival load comfortably, and although they’ve been with me for quite some time, both items are still going strong. I believe all of the above actually says a lot about how airsoft itself has changed! When I first started out playing and DPM was “de rigeur”, most guys I knew used some form of belt-mounted load bearing gear (usually ’58 pattern webbing), as it was cheap and easily available. If, in those days, you wanted to look all “ally” and “operator” (I don’t think that phrase even existed back then…) then you’d go for a chest rig over your SAS or RM pattern smock, usually a Webtex model but if you were properly “into things”, then an ARKTIS. I was all set as I already had a classic ARKTIS rig that I’d bought from a Royal Marine in Deal, but in the years that followed the ante was upped as folk started appearing with rigs from the likes of BLACKHAWK! And then more esoteric models like the original LBT models. Movies such as “Blackhawk Down”, which showed DELTA wearing BLACKHAWK! .223 Chest Rigs over PT body armour, sent things in a new direction and soon airsoft fields were awash with setups that would become “Slicks”, with the load bearing element worn separately to the armour carrier. But even then the chest rig was nothing new! Many will rattle on about the Rhodesians being the “daddy” of the tactical chest rig story but, in reality, the “rig” has been somewhat of a staple throughout military history, often being worn by “special units”, or at the very least those that could be classed unconventional. If you look way back at pictures of pirates and Royal Navy Boarding Parties you’ll quite regularly see multiple black-powder one-shot pistols and numerous knives being carried across the chest and of course, the humble canvas/webbing rifle bandolier was also often worn “crosswise” to aid in accessing ammunition! WWII gives us images of bandoliers being worn across the chest by both allied and axis troops (the USMC even had the M1918 grenade vest!) and when you get into Vietnam, an “in-country chest rig” was fairly common practice - and it wasn’t just bandoliers that were used!

This was the heyday of the “ChiCom” rig for the Type 56/AK47 rifle, and once the Americans cottoned on to how useful this bit of kit was, certain units soon started using them too! Not only the “ChiCom” was used but also the rig for the SKS rifle, as 20-round magazines for the M16 fitted this perfectly! Soon certain units were fabricating their own “homegrown” rigs, designed for the longer 30 round magazines and the SEALs in particular were great fans of this style, often operating in the chest-deep waters of the Delta where such equipment kept magazines and ammunition clear of the muck…

PICKING A STYLE

Suffice to say that the chest rig has been around in one form or another for some considerable time, and the choice of styles and load carrying options are now considerable. In my mind though, you can break it down into three distinct areas... Range Rigs: Chest rigs are really having a comeback moment when it comes to “training”. In the real world a “training rig” harks back to that DELTA setup where you wear it over (and in addition to) a low volume body armour vest (LVBAV), as it’s easy to get on and off when you’re on the range. An example here would be the Haley DC3 family or the Direct Action Hurricane Hybrid. Recon Rigs: The first style is one that I’m very fond of and this will include the original “ChiCom”, in that the rig is designed to carry spare magazines and very little else. Often used in conjunction with a patrol pack, “the recon rig” gives you immediate access to ammunition that could be restricted in a conventional belt position by the straps/belt of your pack. Although the “ChiCom” is the best example here, more up-to-date designs are available from numerous manufacturers and I have a couple of super split-front versions from US brands “Head On Tactical” and “Whiskey Two Four”. Fighting Rigs: Upping the load carrying aspect of the rig, the “Fighting” version takes its lead from the “recon and training” and then adds additional storage. A great example of this is the original ARKTIS, the LBT 1961 or, coming up to date, the HelikonTex Guardian and the Direct Action Thunderbolt. In this category I’ll also include the multitude of MOLLE platforms that can be configured to your liking.

LIGHT IS RIGHT!

If you prefer to run “Light is Right”, then a chest rig of some description is going to fit the bill perfectly! Chest rigs are minimalist and lightweight, don’t overly www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR CHEST RIGS

restrict movement and allow you to carry a good load of magazines. The Competition Multigun Rig platform from Helikon-Tex is one of the “keystones” of their new system and is made of hard-wearing Cordura 500D, plus is compatible with magazine inserts dependant of your chosen primary platform. There are two front utility pockets, two pistol mag pouches on the front and it’s MOLLE/PALS compatible. You also get a stable and adjustable H-Harness system, loops for hanging gloves and placing accessories and the rear is part-lined with velour for comfort and moisture management. I’ve been wearing this rig for range sessions for a while now and not only is it superversatile between platforms but also fits so snugly you almost forget you’re wearing it …until you need to “bomb up”! VIPER know a thing or two about chest rigs but I have to say that the Special Ops version is one of the very best designs they’ve ever come up with, especially if you’re tight on funds! With built in quad mag capacity and numerous utility/pistol mag pouches, the Special Ops Chest Rig is capable of bearing a substantial load in a minimal design. The low-profile setup allows the rig to be worn beneath outer layers of clothing, like tactical jackets or smocks and also allows great manoeuvrability in confined environments. Once again, it’s a case of “One Size Fits Most” as the rig is fully adjustable. The fitted pouch configuration features a four-capacity mag sleeve, a GPS or small radio pouch, two pistol mag pouches (which can also be used to carry a multitool) and a Velcro ID Panel. All the straps are unpadded but wide enough to be comfortable even when under load, and durable quick release buckles mean it’s easy to get on and off. Although it’s made of super-durable 600D Cordura, the Special Ops Chest Rig weighs in at just 670g. It’s available in Green, Tan, Black and V-CAM, and with an SRP in the region of just UK£30, this is an absolute steal! Going just a little heavier, the OneTigris Vulture still follows the “Light is Right” design concept and is a minimalist model that’s just perfect for your regular range sessions or short skirmishes. Priced at around US$60 it’s not going to break the bank either! Now you might think that for 60 bucks you would end up 26

FEBRUARY 2021

with something that’s not going to last but this rig is a bit special. Currently available in 500D Cordura Nylon Multicam fabric (I hope that they’ll do other plain colourways in due course), the Vulture benefits from solid construction throughout, along with genuine UTX Buckles and YKK Zippers; the price might be keen, but the components and build quality are great. There are four magazine pockets that will hold the majority of AR or AK-style magazines, along with two flapped pistol magazine/tool/flashlight pockets and a generous zipped admin pocket on the front. The admin pocket features a velcro patch for unit/ names tapes, along with two further rows of MOLLE webbing for additional items should you desire to fit them. The main body of the rig has a full-width breathable mesh backer (which is very comfortable) and the whole thing is topped off with a simple unpadded X-harness, a style I personally prefer as it doesn’t catch up as easily on lo-pro body armour if you’re wearing it.

LOADING FOR BEAR

The Helikon-Tex HTX Lines Project was created in 2016 as a whole new concept of product development within the company and they’ve been slowly but surely rolling it out since then. Initial concepts were turned into pre-production samples, the final versions of which are now available in stores worldwide. Their assets are the right people combining to create one of the most innovative design teams in the industry. The Guardian Chest Rig is a universal carry platform built to accommodate a basic ammunition load and personal equipment. Designed to work along with a backpack and belt kit, it can optimise the configuration of your “shoot gear”. Depending on the number and size of magazines the height of the fixed pouch flaps can be adjusted (think STANAG v AK) and exchangeable magazine/handgun inserts can be rearranged swiftly and easily. The Guardian has a universal, removable and adjustable X- or H-harness, channels on straps for wiring, antenna, hydration tubes, exchangeable inserts (included), double pistol magazine pouches, double rifle/carbine (AR/ AK) magazine pouches and three fixed double rifle/carbine magazine pouches (AK/AR). There are height-adjustable magazine pouch

KIT & GEAR CHEST RIGS

flaps, two spacious cargo pockets (USGI canteen compatible) and multiple PALS/MOLLE panels for additional pouches/accessories. All in all, it’s a well thought out bit of kit and the bonus is that the lightly padded shoulder harness actually makes it comfortable for extended periods! The Tasmanian Tiger Chest Rig MK II PC is another fave of mine. This is a real quality chest rig made in 500D Cordura and it comes with four integrated magazine pouches and two utility pouches and, on top of that, you can attach an infinite number of additional MOLLE compatible pouches to meet your own personal requirements. The four integrated magazine pouches with adjustable velcro flaps, can hold the majority of magazines currently in use (I use mine mostly with my “.308” ARs and DMRs) and the two utility pouches on the sides can each handle a one litre water bottle. The rig is designed with the option to carry ballistic side plates and is covered with MOLLE webbing for attaching extra pouches (Tasmanian Tiger offer an extensive range of different pouches to go with the rig). There’s a large map pouch on the inside, a removable bib with a small document pouch on the inside and the whole thing is lined with 3D mesh. The H-style shoulder straps feature quick release buckles on both ends and there’s a generous amount of adjustment in both height and width. My “got to” though, is the Hurricane from the guys at Direct Action in Poland. So what makes the Hurricane so desirable in my eyes? Simply put, it’s a low profile, adjustable rig made from lasercut laminated 500D Cordura, so it’s tough enough to endure an awful lot of abuse. It has a softshell interior construction that makes it a comfortable rig to wear for extended periods of time. The harness is well constructed and feels sturdy even when the rig is loaded up and it has a reinforced drag handle incorporated into the design, along with the ability to be attached to one of the Direct Action Body Armour systems. The “Hurricane” has nine PALS slots on the sides of the rig which are perfect for radio, medical, utility pockets and horizontal PALS slots under the ammo pouches for items such as tourniquets, pistol mag pouches and 40mm pouches - so you aren’t just limited to the pouches on the rig itself should you wish to upgrade it. If you choose to run comms, the fixed pouches are a great size for most radio PRRs and the rig has routing channels to keep everything tidy and to prevent wires getting caught. Not only is it comfortable and solidly put together but it comes as standard with integrated, adjustable

magazine pouches with paracord retention, that adjust to fit a combination of eight AR, four AK, or even four 7.62mm magazines. It also features a number of fixed external pouches for other essentials including two adjustable pouches, a sealed zipper pouch and a Velcro flap pouch for when you need to access items quickly. The harness is completely adjustable thanks to a secure harness design, and to keep the excess material tidy it has Velcro wraparound “tidys”. It has a split front- zipper design as well, so you don’t need to adjust it every time you remove it, which is very neat indeed. The Hurricane is available in Adaptive (foliage/ranger) Green, Black, Coyote Brown, MultiCam, Pencott Badlands, Pencott Greenzone and Urban Grey so there is a camo option for every environment. At €239 this isn’t the cheapest model of chest rig on the market by a long shot, but if you’re after excellent design along with superlative fabrics and workmanship, then it’s really a bit of kit that you should seriously consider parting with cash for! This is a broad overview but it boils the designs down to their essence. Super-light and basic, light yet versatile and then full-on “I’m out for a rumble” style …basically the choice is yours! I’ve listed a few of my personal favourites to give an idea of what you can be looking for if you’re in the market from your own rig but as always, be sure to “try before you buy” to make sure you get the one that fits right and suits your style of play best. AA

www.airsoftaction.net

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KIT & GEAR HARDSHELLS & MAINTENANCE

GOOD GEAR TO GO! I f you’re spending a lot of money on your gear, then you really want to get the best out of it don’t you? Just like changing tyres or the oil in a car, all of your gear will really, really benefit from some regular “TLC” …a bit of a service if you like. Although the guidelines for staying safe in “The Time of Covid” varies from country to country - and indeed place to place - the fact is that, like it or not, our normal activities have been necessarily curtailed; but that doesn’t mean we should be sitting on our hands, thumbs up behinds and brains in reverse, now does it? Whilst many of us are looking at new ways to complete our routine training at home, and coming up with some unique, interesting, and novel ways to make that happen, there is ALWAYS something you can be doing in “prep” for the change of seasons, so I’ll try to give you an idea of what I’m up to personally when it comes to looking after my tactical clothing and kit. First up is clothing. I truly believe that there is a far better understanding of the fabric technology used in our clothing systems than ever before, and it’s a subject that is a bit of a “holy grail” for me. To recap from a more detailed article I wrote on clothing maintenance some while back, all too often I’m out

AS SOME OF US ARE STILL IN OUR ENFORCED “STAY AT HOME” TIME, IT REALLY IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL YOUR KIT IS SQUARED AWAY AND PREPARED FOR THE DAY WE CAN GET BACK OUT TO OUR FAVOURITE SITES AGAIN! BILL GIVES THE BENEFIT OF HIS MANY YEARS AS AN OUTDOORSMAN TO SHOW YOU WHAT YOU CAN BE ACHIEVING POSITIVELY IN YOUR DOWNTIME.

on the range with my mates and when we get back in the car their “Gucci” waterproof shell gear just gets dumped unceremoniously in a pile in the trunk or even in the footwell underfoot! These are usually the self-same people that I will see at a later date bemoaning the fact that their expensive waterproof jacket “isn’t working”, complaining to all and sundry that somehow the technology has failed and that they are wet and uncomfortable. The most common gripe I hear is that “this funking thing is leaking” when actually it’s still perfectly fine and the fact is, it just isn’t “breathing” anymore! Like all performance items, top-end shell gear needs maintaining regularly to get the best from it. You might only change the tyres on your car infrequently (probably when the MOT or insurance inspection rolls around!) but on a Formula One car they may change the tyres during a single race (sometimes more then once) to get the very best performance. When you buy a Gore-Tex (or similar) jacket you’re investing in a high-performance item and as such, it needs treating like one! Over time things like the hydrophobic (water-hating) Durable Water Repellent (DWR, think a microscopic “film”) on the outer face fabric of the garment will begin to wear and crack

“ALTHOUGH THE GUIDELINES FOR STAYING SAFE IN “THE TIME OF COVID” VARIES FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY - AND INDEED PLACE TO PLACE - THE FACT IS THAT, LIKE IT OR NOT, OUR NORMAL ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN NECESSARILY CURTAILED; BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN WE SHOULD BE SITTING ON OUR HANDS, THUMBS UP BEHINDS AND BRAINS IN REVERSE, NOW DOES IT?” 30

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KIT & GEAR HARDSHELLS & MAINTENANCE

and the fabric will start to hold the water that’s now allowed through to it. As new, water droplets will be held on the DWR layer, simply rolling off the fabric before they penetrate. You’ll notice after a while that this “beading” process will start to lessen and that the water is being absorbed into the fabric itself; this is usually noticeable first in areas like the shoulders where pack straps or a plate carrier rub and abrade the DWR, or on cuff ends where the fabric rubs against itself. Internally over time, body oils, grease and general dirt will also build up and the net result is that your jacket will stop “breathing” as well as it did when it was new. You won’t really notice this until it becomes obvious and water vapour that was previously being transferred out of the system stays inside and re-condenses. You’ll feel cold, clammy and uncomfortable, put your hand inside your jacket, feel “water” and of course your quite natural conclusion will be that the jacket is leaking! A re-proofer will restore the waterproof performance of your gear to ensure it continues to keep you dry and protected. To combat the degradation of performance you simply need to give your jacket (or pants) a bit of care and invest in a maintenance product. There are many of them on the market these days and most can be ordered easily online, so check out brands like Grangers, Nikwax, Storm, Rockin’ Green and Gear Aid. These brands create environmentally sustainable treatments used to clean, waterproof and care for fabrics and the majority can be used in the same wash cycle in your washing machine at home. You’ll also find bespoke products for down, merino and base layer care products to keep all of your gear tip-top. These products offer high performance cleaning, water proofing and after-care treatments that let you refresh and restore the performance of your gear, ensuring your kit delivers the same protection it did when you bought it. The first step is obviously to clean your garments and to do this, you need to ensure that first and foremost you follow the manufacturer’s care guidance that’s given on the label you’ll no-doubt find inside the garment. Most garments, including hard shell, can be popped in the washing machine (check the care label!) and by using a dedicated wash product you can make certain that no harm is going to come to your beloved gear, so it comes out all sparkly and fresh! Once your garment has been cleaned, you should clean out your washing machine’s detergent tray. This is a similar step for washing but you’ll want to clear out any remnants of your washing product. Get

yourself some wash-in proofer (unless your garment has a hydrophilic (water-loving) lining which is used sometimes to help transfer internal moisture, in which case use a spray-on proofer to the outer face as directed!), then simply follow the instructions for volume and temperature settings before setting the washer. Let the cycle run with the proofer and once completed, allow the cycle to repeat and remove excess moisture. Re-proofers usually activate with heat so if your garment allows you to tumble dry it the heat will help activate the replenished coating and then you’re good to go all over again. All of your clothing system will benefit from a good wash and clean and again, cleaning products like sock, base and mid-layer washes will help your clothing system in its entirety. These wash products are specially formulated to work with both natural and synthetic “thermal layering and next to skin” garments to retain and improve performance and aid in effective moisture wicking, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your entire clothing system.

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

There are places where you can skimp and save a bit of money with your gear but footwear is NOT one of them! Choosing the wrong boots, or failing to maintain them properly, can make all the difference to having a superb day on the range or going home early! Just like your clothing system, your footwear choice is all-important year-round but especially so when the weather turns wet, cold and even snowy! A good desert boot will inherently be made with less insulation than a winter, or indeed even a temperate model, so as much as a good waterproof technology will keep your feet dry, the boot overall will leave you with cold feet, or worse! On an icy morning waterproof socks can help if you have an unlined summer boot but do bear in mind that these will fill up the inner volume of the boot more than your usual socks - and that can lead to heat loss via transmission so your feet will be dry but still feel cold. Cuff height may also differ, as in general a winter boot will have a higher cuff to keep out snow and spindrift. I was at a range just not so long ago where I stepped into a water-filled pothole deeper than the height of my desert boot cuff and although they’re membranelined, water does tend to get in through the big hole on the top where your foot goes in! So why not just wear wellies or rubber boots? Well, two things here really: Firstly, wellies are pretty much always not going to be breathable, so although www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR HARDSHELLS & MAINTENANCE

they will keep water out and with specialist socks be warm, they will also keep moisture in. Someone once told me that we have more than 250,000 sweat glands in each foot, making them the most perspiring parts of your body. Your body can produce as much as a pint of sweat per day per foot and if you’re wearing wellies most of that will stay inside the boot! Secondly, most basic wellies offer very little support. You’ve also got to build into this equation that boot manufacturers make different outsole units for different conditions. This may not (on the face of it) be a major concern but if the tread pattern of the outsole has been designed for warm, dry conditions how will it fare in wet grass, or on wet, leaf-covered rock? Let me tell you… Not very well at all and you’re seriously asking for a slip which could lead to a turned ankle or worse. A waterproof exterior or membrane is a crucial boot feature to keep you protected from the elements. By using breathable technologies, waterproof boots prevent moisture from building up and potentially forming harmful bacteria and blisters but also allow for perspiration to get out. For even greater protection in the winter months, look for boots that are both waterproof and insulated. Insulated linings keep warmth inside the boot so that you can stay comfortable and protected during cold weather activities. Winter boots go through a lot. They are subjected to rain, snow, mud, slush, salt and a whole range of crud. By the end of a winter season, poorly cared for boots will repay your lack of care by failing to maintain waterproofness, looking like “sh1t” or even falling apart completely! Even the best boots, leather or synthetic, will put up with plenty of muck and water during use but mud can ruin your boot’s outer if it stays on too long, so when you get home stick your boots under the tap and then scrub with a stiff brush. Dry them with a boot dryer or in a warm room but never put boots next to the fire or on top of a radiator, as too much heat can crack the leather and melt the soles! Remove the insoles (if you can) at the same time you scrub your boots clean (ish!). Insoles hold moisture and will start to get soft and start to rot if you leave them in for an extended period of time. The same goes for boots made from synthetic materials; wet insoles can also become smelly and full of bacteria if they’re allowed to sit in the boot. Just let them dry overnight and they should be fine again. Water will ruin leather, so you’ll need to reapply a Durable Water Repellant treatment once in a while and you also want nylon and Cordura tactical models 32

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to keep water out once the DWR coating wears off. I use items from the Nikwax Footwear Care Kit because it’s easy to use (and PFC-free). You should reapply a waterproofing agent whenever you notice that the outer materials, leather or synthetic, are becoming saturated and holding water. You don’t need to use much, just coat the entire boot with one thin layer, let that dry and you’ll be good to go again in no time. We may all face a range of weather conditions through the year, so don’t let your boots hold you back from getting the most out of your training time!

GOOD GEAR TO GO

Whilst at this time of year it’s 100% important to ensure that your clothing and footwear is ready for the Winter months, this “pause” we find ourselves in is also a great time to give your fighting rig, load bearing kit, and sustainment gear the once-over. Belt setups, chest rigs and plate carriers are your allimportant “tools of the trade” that you’re going to be using whether you’re in short and sharp training situation, or indeed something more serious, so it’s important to make sure that all this kit is completely

ready for action! Empty your gear of all equipment, remove comms setups and have a close look at seams, straps and closures. Check them all thoroughly for any signs of degradation or excessive wear and make repairs where you need to! If closures like buckles are starting to feel loose, then it’s worth replacing these. If you’re using MOLLE/PALS then check the fitment of all your pouches to make sure that the closures are secure - and it may also be the time to make those positioning changes you’ve been thinking about! Packs and load carriers are just like your other “nylon kit” and you need to go over your packs carefully and once again check all the straps and closures, replacing where necessary. Particularly

KIT & GEAR HARDSHELLS & MAINTENANCE

important with packs is the main harness/carry straps. One common point of failure on a load bearing pack is the point where the bottom of the shoulder strap meets the base of the pack body, and if you see that starting to wear or separate, it’s time for a serious repair to avoid your pack falling off you when you most need it not to! Also check the water-tightness of any dry-bags you use to store gear inside your pack, paying attention to the seam-sealing tape runs! When looking to what you carry for longer duration training in the field, it’s worth spending some time on your “snivel gear”! If you store your sleeping bag or lofted (down or synthetic) jacket compressed in a stuff bag, take them out, give them a wash (use a specialist product for this, my favourites are from the Nikwax range of cleaning products) and then hang them somewhere warm to dry naturally. If possible leave them hanging or laid out so that the fill doesn’t become overly compressed during longer-term storage. Do not store your sleeping bag compressed in its stuff sack as this will eventually damage the fill and watertight storage bags are also a bad idea as condensation can build up inside and result in mildew. If you use a bivvy bag, again it’s worth checking all the seam tape and then giving it a wash and re-proof like you would your other waterproof gear and of course, if you carry a selfinflating sleep-pad then also check this for wear and punctures. If you use a foam version, ensure that this is not completely compressed and if it is, replace it. Clean and sterilise your hydration systems and/ or water bottles (most outdoor stores/outfitters can sell you “steri-tabs” for this), especially paying attention to the hoses if you use a Camelbak, Source, or Platypus system. Pull out your cooking gear, mess tins, plates, KFS and your stove and make sure that these are all spotless! If you carry a gas cooker with a hose connector then make sure that the connection is sound, and that the gas tube itself is free from wear and cracks… Don’t forget to check gas canisters if you use them, to make sure these are full! The same

goes for batteries for any flashlights you may carry. If you store ration packs or long-life food items with your sustainment kit, make sure that this is all in date! Also, if you store your kit in a garage, outbuilding or loft then make sure even pre-packed foodstuffs are in sealed containers… It’s my experience that mice and tree rats love a good ration pack (and bizarrely also rubber hoses in your vehicle engine compartment… Just sayin’…)! Finally, check your personal First Aid Kit. Items like disinfectant creams can go out of date and even simple plasters and blister pads can lose their adhesive properties over time. If you don’t carry a personal FAK I would thoroughly recommend that you do and if you’re unsure of what to include then you’ll find some great articles about this over on the UF PRO Blog, written by an SF medic, to give you some pointers (https://ufpro.com/blog)! Fact is we all (sadly) have time to really get all these vital small jobs done at the moment, so use your time wisely and prepare! Don’t be “that guy” that’s always messing around with their kit when they should be “eyes on”. Instead, be “THE GUY” that everyone looks to as the one that always has their personal admin dialled and is ready and good to go each and every time! AA

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KIT & GEAR LOCKDOWN LOADOUTS

AT LAST, WE’RE ALL SERIOUSLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HEADING OUT TO GAMES AGAIN IN 2021 AND IT’S A GOOD THING THAT WE ARE, AS SOME OF THE AIRSOFT ACTION CREW ARE GETTING SOME SERIOUS LEVELS OF “CABIN FEVER”, WITH SOME AWESOME LOADOUT IDEAS FOLLOWING ON FROM BILL’S TAKE ON “THE LAST SHIP”. THIS TIME, IT’S BOYCIE’S TURN, AS HE HEADS TO “CHICAGO PD” TO CREATE A LOADOUT THAT COULD LEAD TO GIVING “LOCKDOWN” A WHOLE NEW MEANING!

he chat group where we discuss all things post-apocalypse has now grown into a whole range of new directions, with the conversation spreading even further afield, to encompass movies and TV series that we could all watch while we had a little enforced downtime. Inspiration came to me in the form of another “LE Loadout”; NBC’s “Chicago PD” TV show first aired in the USA on January 8th 2014 and the UK premier was 22nd October 2014. It showed the uniformed officers of, and the Elite Intelligence unit of, the fictional “21st District” of the Chicago Police Department, headed by Sergeant Henry “Hank” Voight.

THE BASICS

I’ve been a fan of the show since it first aired in the UK and whilst we’ve been living under the Covid19 restrictions in one form or another, having got bored with the “generic” Multicam setups out on sites, I decided that I would, like Bill, put together a loadout to mimic one of my favourite TV shows. Although in a lot of the show the characters wear plain clothes,

FEBRUARY 2021

sometimes, when they go on pre-planned raids and operations, they wear the Chicago PD body armour and also wear tactical black uniform on some occasions. The plan would be to use the badges of “Sgt Hank Voight”, my sidearm would be my Umarex/ VFC Glock 17, as used by three characters including “Detective Jay Halstead”. Being a left hander, the only left-handed character in the show is “Detective Haley Upton”, so this would give me a good mix of parts of each of the main characters. The belt kit worn by the characters varies depending on the “job” that they are going on but essentials that are carried are their side arm (must be worn on belt not on their vest), spare magazines and cuffs. Usually, their radio will be worn on the vest along with spare side arm, magazines and ammunition for their rifle, usually an M4 variant or shotgun, if needed. To start with I would work on the armour vest. I’ve been making vests and tactical equipment carriers for about 8 years but for this I wanted to have something authentic, so I got in touch with Fitore Duma, of Fitore Uniforms, based in Chicago and one of the official suppliers to officers of the Chicago PD. She is also the mother of a serving Chicago PD Officer and health care professional. The vest follows one of the standard patterns used by Chicago PD and carries the “officer’s” badge, name and unit on the front, with “POLICE” across the back. Fitore makes her vest covers with 500D Cordura. The armour pockets are held closed by zips rather than velcro closures. The lower part of the vest has 6 rows of 8 MOLLE loops to allow the end user to customise the position of the equipment that they carry. Also, on the top of the vest

KIT & GEAR LOCKDOWN LOADOUTS

there are two pockets for pens and a notebook etc.. Fitore has been making and altering uniforms and equipment for 20 years and on 12th April 2017 she took the huge step of opening her own uniform and equipment store, to service and support the Chicago Police Department Officers. After passing on some measurements of the genuine soft armour that I was going to use to Fitore and a discussion about what I needed, the manufacturing began in her store. Ten days later Fitore contacted me to say that the vest was ready to ship and would I like the “correct” radio carrier for the vest? I added that to the order. On the same day, after I had paid the invoice, the vest cover was on its way over to the UK. I gave the shipment a few days then started to check the tracking number to see when it was due to arrive. A week later the tracking check told me that it was in the UK and being assessed by Customs for VAT charging. This was completed and the vest was then held at my local depot until the customs charge had been paid. Not wanting to wait a few more days I went, in person, to the depot and collected the carrier. I was really happy to have my nickname and “Intelligence” tabs already on the vest, to look as close to the vest worn on the show. Obviously, as I am not a serving Chicago PD officer, I wasn’t able to buy the vest with all the appropriate patches but with some careful searching I was able to find a replica Chicago PD “Detective” star. These don’t come with a badge number, which the real ones do, but that wasn’t a problem for me at this point. Initially the vest had a Chicago PD Bomb Squad star (with Explosives Tech over the top) which I’ll be able to use as part of my in-game pyrotechnics business. On the back of the vest I would need a “POLICE” patch, which I was made to my specifications, by Nicola and Simon at Stitch Me Up. PUTTING IT TOGETHER I grabbed a cup of coffee and began to fit my soft armour and then checked the fit of the vest. Considering that there were only basic measurements given to Fitore on photos of the soft armour, the panels slipped in and fitted perfectly. Of all the armour vests and carriers I have worn over the years, this is a fantastically comfortable vest to wear, as it would have to be for those who have to wear one for a long shift on duty. To see just how comfortable the vest is to wear I wore it for a number of hours around the house and it’s definitely easy to do all sorts of domestic tasks in, so I am sure it would be great for operational use. Now, on to the tactical clothing. In some episodes the characters wear black tactical

clothing. For this I again got in touch with Fitore, to get accurate information on what is used. The current issue clothing to CPD is black and made by Propper International, based in St Louis, Missouri. They have been making clothing and equipment for Military, Police and Civilians for over 50 years. During that time, Propper International have made over 120 million garments …and counting! What started in 1967 as a single contract to make the iconic white Dixie Cup hats for the Navy, turned into five decades of dedication and hard work as they grew to become one of the largest single providers of US military apparel in the country. Along the way, Propper branched out to serve the needs of the law enforcement and public safety communities, as well. Again, I sourced this tactical clothing from Fitore so the kit build could be as accurate as possible. I www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR LOCKDOWN LOADOUTS

was also able to get the Sgt stripes, name tapes and Chicago Flag from her. Understandably the sale of official CPD Patches and shields is restricted to serving members of the Police Department, so for the Chicago PD shoulder/arm badge and a badge that was accurate to that which Jason Beghe (Voight) wears in the show, number 32419, I went to the internet and

found what I needed. Already I had a plain detective badge without a number, so I got hold of a set of name tapes to also match that under the character Jay Halstead’s name and badge number of 51163. Generally, the characters also wear a metal badge, known as a “Star” on their belt or on a chain around the neck. To get this part of the loadout I contacted Coinsouvenir.com. They supply replica badges but unfortunately I couldn’t get the badge with Voight’s number on it, so I went for plain (no number) and I’ll engrave and colour the number myself. For the boots, a popular choice for CPD officers is the Propper series 100(r) waterproof boot with side zip, but officers are permitted to wear any black “tactical” type boot. For my kit (and the photos in this article) I am wearing my First Tactical Operator boot. There are a number of options for holster and belt that real officers use. For this particular set up I chose to use my Safariland holster. For pouches the “tactical” officers have more leeway on the equipment that they can use and are usually in “plain clothes” in normal duty. They are not restricted to pouches with flaps like the majority of patrol officers. They are known to use open top pouches, such as the Taco and similar types. For this loadout, as there are differences in each episode of the show, I’ll be using open pouches and have taken my own “artistic licence” with the belt kit as there is no fixed requirement of what is used, that and I am not replicating any one specific photo from the show.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Fitore, for making the vest exactly how I wanted it from minimal information and also for the amount of advice she has given over the time I’ve been building this set up. Her store is located at 527 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622 and is well stocked with products. The store can also order in specific items that the Officers would use both on and off duty. If you need to get in touch, Fitore’s store can be called on +1 (USA) 312-391-8569, or emailed on fitoreuniforms@ gmail.com, with their website at www.fitoreuniforms. com. My thanks also go to Nicola and Simon at Stitch Me Up for their ongoing help in making patches and other bits to help me round off the look to a number of kit set ups. Unfortunately, at the time that the photos were taken I was still waiting on the delivery of a couple of pouches and the star (badge) for the belt. Due to all the restrictions due to Covid, things have been taking quite a bit longer to arrive! AA

Please Note: This photoshoot was carried out in a controlled and Covid-secure environment (thanks to my dear wife for taking the pictures!), with batteries and BBs removed from RIFs, so safety glasses are not worn to fit with the overall “theme”. The vest itself is also only for use on sites and for photography in suitable locations. If you do wear a vest or clothing like this, make sure you don’t wear any patches in public which could lead to you being mistaken for a Police Officer. While travelling to and from sites the vest is stored in a bag with the patches kept out of sight in the pockets and the patches on the clothing are also kept in a bag so not on public display. www.airsoftaction.net

EVENT REPORT

REBELS WITH A CAUSE! TAIWAN CHARITY GAME

AS A COMPLETE AIRSOFT ADDICT, OUR “LEGIONNAIRE IN TAIWAN”, STEWBACCA, WENT STRAIGHT FROM MOA IN TAIWAN TO A GAME THE VERY NEXT DAY – BUT IT WAS ALL IN A VERY GOOD CAUSE.

s a continued glutton for punishment and running myself ragged in the name of my airsoft addiction (and experiencing as much as I can) and having bumped into our friend Steven Lin from Taichung while we were walking around MOA2020 on the Saturday, who told us about an event the next day, I decided to skip the last day of my planned MOA coverage. I had managed to get all of the information and photos required in the first day or so and realised I could travel down to Taichung with my teammates the next day and share news of another positive impact of airsoft in Taiwan - and Asia in general. Thus we awoke early on the morning of Sunday the 29th of November and travelled down to Hill Fox Tactical Centre on the hill tops overlooking the West side of Taichung - my first and long overdue visit to this excellent outdoor airsoft site - to join in with the Taiwan Pinoy Airsofters mass meetup game. This was a chance for all the players in Taiwan who hail from the Philippines to coalesce and enjoy a great day’s gaming, while also making a huge positive impact for their compatriots back home. The Philippines was recently blighted by the disruption and destruction caused by Typhoon Ulysses passing through during early November; a category four tropical cyclone that caused the worst flooding in over a decade to Manila and Luzon, before moving on to wreak further havoc in the likes of Vietnam. Taiwan has very good relations with the Philippines and a huge proportion of the very skilled technical workforce in Taiwan - particularly in the microelectronics and machining related industries that are core to the Taiwanese economy and global microprocessor dominance - are composed of Filipinos. The same is also true of the airsoft related demography here too. Airsoft is wildly popular back in the Philippines as well with many people enjoying it very seriously and spending a great deal of time and money on their equipment and events.

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ONE BIG FAMILY

Thus, teams from the major cities and their leadership saw an opportunity to not only bring a large proportion of their locally based players together – most likely for the first time - and share in their own airsoft subculture (as well as the ubiquitous awesome cuisine that accompanies any large gathering of this extended family like group of very warm hearted folks), as well as raise money and awareness to send support back to their homeland during a time of crisis. My TaiWan Anglophone Team-mates from the Philippines drove down in convoy, along with me and my South African colleague, Kiran (who I’ve indoctrinated into airsoft since my arrival and working with him), to Taichung while players from other cities or major teams organised multiple charter coaches to bus well in excess of one hundred players, plus many of their partners or family along to enjoy the event and contribute to the efforts to help back home. Arriving at the ridge-top Hill Fox site in the mid-morning, the

EVENT REPORT TAIWAN CHARITY GAME

sun was always already climbing overhead and the temperature was a little higher than the chill we’d left in Taipei. The site has an undeniably epic setting, when you are confronted with the panoramic view of Taichung - Taiwan’s second and central city - sprawling out to the East below and all the way to the distant central mountain ranges of Taipei further away to its rear, while the multiple structures and palm trees and shrubs provide a great outdoor playing environment with lots of cover in the shadow of the radar tower to the South end of it. Players from the various teams - Task Force 141 (Hsinchu & Taichung squads), Team SAF - Special Airsoft Force (Hsinchu/ Taoyuan), Team Changhua & Team RFAT - Ranging Force Airsoft Team (Taichung) and PUTA - Philippines Untouchable Team Airsoft (Tainan) as well as the Angels (a Filipina/all-female airsoft team similar to Kelly’s efforts with the National Airsoft Girls and Femme Fatale Airsoft in the UK to promote the hobby with women) arrived in force and began debussing, registering and preparing their equipment and readying themselves for the afternoon heat and shooting. Once all the formalities were dealt with, everyone amassed in the open plan part of the safe zone for briefing and dividing the players and teams into “North v South” squads by city of origin and the map of the site was introduced, along with objectives and structures in the middle ground to be fought over - all of which are actually very helpfully spray paint tagged with the same markers as the provided large format canvas map on the site. That certainly helped direct fire or mark out enemy positions or movements in the middle of a firefight! With everyone familiarised with the layout and objectives we all broke formation and got to the start points for each team and readied ourselves for the starting air horn. Even with the teams having in the region of fifty players aside, the topography of the site allowed for everyone to find somewhere to effectively stalk around or take cover and fight it out with the opposition force without it feeling too crowded - although it often sounded like equal enjoyment and chaos with the prevalence of gas blowback guns hammering away at each other across the middle ground! Everyone seemed to be giving it their all and working very effectively in their squads as part of the larger teams, after the first round it seemed that the Southern teams had managed to hold more ground in the capture the flag/ king of the hill. With that first massive firefight dealt with everyone broke for lunch in the customary manner - thankfully the Filipino players are well known for their appetites and cuisine as well as their ferocity of play and as I was invited over to partake in the substantial spread of their national dishes. I quipped that I’m never sure whether I gain more friends or pounds when I attend their games! There were a few birthdays to celebrate on site and the feeling of a huge extended family atmosphere is always prevalent at their games, it’s impossible to go away hungry or

feel left out with their continued hospitality and friendly nature. With the harshest hour of the sunlight passed everyone returned to gear up and no doubt had to loosen off their plate carriers and tactical gear for the post lunch assault, with the reversal of the divide and us Northern players taking the long walk to the Southernmost spawn point. However, before that we managed to get everyone into their city-based teams and squads for a huge group photo with the rolling countryside and Taichung cityscape providing a suitably awesome backdrop! Back in “game mode”, I had elected to stretch the legs of my recently purchased WE Tech T91 GBBR, a replica of the current Taiwan national military service rifle that I purchased back in October just before the local national day celebrations but haven’t had much opportunity to use given my recent commitments. Suffice to say, the ambient heat, longer barrel length and five full magazines on my belt ensured I didn’t feel too outgunned despite using a gas gun outdoors, with the rounds finding their mark well enough and managing some great actions with my squad-mates. The Northerners managed to rally after a bit of a stalemate earlier in the round and eventually displaced the Southerner team and took over the objectives with a final mad push that saw us running our primary weapons dry and charging the last few metres with pistols and colourful language - albeit in good spirits - having been beaten back in the initial round before the break for lunch. After the dust settled and we returned to the safezone, I unfortunately had to drop out and prepare for the return journey back to Taipei. With some of us having evening commitments and the traffic on a Sunday night being notorious in Taiwan, as everyone tends to return to their families or hometowns at the weekends, then commute back to their working environs before the advent of a new week. In the aftermath of all the photo and video editing, I was informed that together everyone had managed to raise 22,000NT - around £600 British pounds - from all the players and other donors, all of which was used to buy essential supplies for those left worst off back home. Videos surfaced a few weeks later of endless bag loads of goods being delivered to those in need by vans sporting banners of the game event and teams involved. It’s a really great feeling to see our community locally and internationally raising the game and giving back and hopefully espousing a more positive connotation for an otherwise embattled past time. In particular I’d like to thank Steven for inviting us along, Ryan and Rick for providing transport for our convoy and Harumi and her team for organising what will hopefully be the first of many excellent events - everyone’s enthusiasm and efforts really paid off well. Also, many thanks to the staff and photographers of Hill Fox Tactical Centre for hosting and providing the drone footage and action shots (I was too busy shooting behind a rifle to get behind the camera!). AA

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RED CELL OUR FAVOURITE 2020 “ARS”

RED CELL

OUR FAVOURITE 2020 “ARs” JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THE RED CELL CREW HAVE BEEN HIT BY THE LOCKDOWN IN THE UK AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO MEET THIS MONTH. WITH A HUGE PILE OF PDW-STYLE AEGS WAITING FOR EVALUATION IT’S BEEN A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT BUT, AS ALWAYS, THE RESILIENCE OF THE TEAM HAS COME TO THE FORE AND THIS TIME THEY TAKE A LOOK AT THE AEGS THAT HAVE CAUGHT THEIR EYE AND SERVED THEM WELL DURING 2020!

hey say that even the best plan will fail to survive first contact with the enemy, and in the last month (again…) our “enemy” had been the implacable coronavirus. As many of you reading this have been waiting to get together at your local site, so we have been waiting to head to “Warehouse 51” to carry out our group shoot. This month we had planned to bring you the lowdown on the “PDW” models that thanks to the support of both manufacturers and distributors we had managed to bring together in one place, at one time, but unfortunately the “C-Virus” had other plans for us, and we ended up in “Tier 4” the day before our meeting! Although we could have easily called this “work” as we prepare our reports for a commercial publication, once again the Red Cell “Chinese Parliament” got our heads together and on the afternoon of the announcement, we jointly made the decision that it was unwise, and morally wrong to meet as a group to effectively “just shoot airsoft guns”, as much as we would all have loved to do just that; meeting as a big group could of course have the potential for us to spread the virus to a much wider than just those that gathered together, and this is something that in good conscience we were unprepared to do, and we are certain that you’ll understand why. Such is the strength and flexibility of the group though that we soon found a solution as to how to bring you something interesting between us this month! We decided that we’d take a look at the AR AEG models that had really hit a chord with us, that 40

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had excited us or been steadfast partners-in-crime over the last year, be they new models, or rifles/ carbines that we’d had for a while. In fairness 2020 was not a bad year at all for new AEGs, and collectively we’ve seen and tested a great number (some of course more than others!) of different models, makes and variants, and it’s been an interesting exercise to find out what is important to who, and what makes a great AR AEG for them. Therefore the selection from the team is understandably diverse, as we all want something different from our favourite “American Rifle”. What of course we all truly want though is an AEG that is reliable, robust, and performs well from the get go, and all the models we’ve chosen have been tried, tested, and found not to be wanting! We will endeavour to get back to “business as usual” with the PDWs next time, but that of course is largely out of our hands if we are to fully embrace the current health and safety guidelines as we should. Once again sadly, our Red Cell “Christmas Dinner” will have to wait as well, but we’re already talking about a post-rangeday BBQ in the Summer… now THAT is something for us all to look forward to!

RUNNING AND GUNNING 2020 STYLE! So, without further ado let’s get straight into things and see what came to the forefront for Red Cell during 2020! Boycie: For some time now I have been a huge fan of the KWA 2.5 and 3.0 AR based rifles. With the advent of the 3.0+ this really opened up options

RED CELL OUR FAVOURITE 2020 “ARS”

for those who wanted to be able to fit a Mosfet internally to their rifle. Their 2.5 variant is the 3.0 version but without recoil, but that does have a really good feature which is the VPS, or Variable Power System. This is a variable length spring guide which enables the user to accurately ‘tune’ their FPS which is something you can’t do with the majority of other AEGs on the market. The 2.5 also keeps the last round bolt stop function which a lot of people who like to be more realistic in their drills consider a “must have”. The 3.0 variant is the type that carries the KWA KFS, Kinetic Feedback System. This also has the last round bolt stop function. Recently KWA have updated their gearbox design to be able to use a standard V2 trigger block, this now means that the user can fit an internal Mosfet like the Gate Titan, Jefftron Leviathan etc. The downside with this change is that the last round bolt stop is now no longer a feature of the system. There is a lot that I really like about the KWAs. Firstly they are solid, the designers have clearly taken time to ensure that the rifles don’t rattle. When I say rattle I mean when you hold a lot of AEGs by the pistol grip and shake you get a rattle from the illfitting upper to lower receiver interface. Secondly is the weight; the KWAs are far from the lightest rifles out there but due to their balance they don’t feel unwieldy. Next is their robustness; a number of people who I have sold ERGs to have commented on how they’ve outlived other makes, this meaning that others have broken or failed once, or more times, while their KWA has kept on running. The majority of the KWA 2.5, 3.0 and 3.0+ systems are interchangeable other than, in some cases, their upper and lower receivers.

They are also equally very happy running on 7.4v or 11.1v LiPo batteries. The two biggest advantages, for me, of the KWAs are that they don’t require ‘upgrades’ from the box. Simply fit a battery and feed them BBs. In the UK we find that the hop rubber compound is too hard for our climate so a change to a 50 degree rubber is usually advised to get top performance at usual UK site FPS limits. The other thing is their cost. Compared to some other brands which have a large and loyal following, the KWA is substantially cheaper but to me is superior due to the reasons I have mentioned. Also the KWAs will use either their own types of magazines but will also easily use a large number of other ‘off the shelf’ magazines, when other brands either need an adaptor or a quite expensive proprietary magazine. Some feel that they have to throw £500 plus worth of ‘upgrades’ onto other platforms to get them to “perform properly”, this is just not needed with the KWAs. When I am asked what rifle I would recommend to a new player, I tell them to look at what is within their budget. There are a large number of recommendations I make that will work within the buyers budget but if you want an awesome AEG for around UK£350, or less, then my go to choice is one of the KWA range. For those looking at a lower budget level then I would recommend that they look at the KWA 2GX AEGs which can usually be found for around UK£200. Jon: 2020 has been a funny old year. Things are most definitely not “normal” any more and that got me to thinking about “normal”. There’s a plethora of M4/ AR variant rifles available from budget and beginner www.airsoftaction.net

RED CELL OUR FAVOURITE 2020 “ARS”

Model: KWA T6 Price: iro £340 Age: 1 year Weight: 2700g Length: Retracted 552mm, Extended 673mm Magazine Capacity: 120 BBs

Cold Chrono: 1.02J/332fps Hot Chrono: 1.02J/330fps Taclite Compatibility: Good Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Available From: All KWA stockists

Model: BO Dynamics LK595 CQB Price: £180 Age: New Weight: 2335g Length: 775mm Magazine Capacity: 120 BBs

Cold Chrono: 1.04 J/335fps Hot Chrono: 1.04 J/335fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Available From: www.targetzoneuk.simpl.com

Model: Valken ASL Kilo Price: iro £150 Age: New Weight: 2500g Length: (stock collapsed) 67cm Magazine Capacity: 300rnds Cold Chrono: 337-356fps

Hot Chrono: 340-352fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibility: Comes with suppressor fitted, 14mm CCW Available From: All Valken stockists

Model: G&G Armament Cobalt Kinetics BAMF Price: iro £600 Age: 18 Months Weight: 3690g Length: 940mm Magazine Capacity: 90 BBs

Cold Chrono: 0.95 J/320fps Hot Chrono: 0.92 J/315fps Taclite Compatibility:M-LOK Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Available From: www.nuprol. com

Model: KWA RM4 Scout Price: iro £380 Age: 6years! Weight: 3400g Length: 90mm Magazine Capacity: 30/60 BBs Cold Chrono: 1.13J/350fps

Hot Chrono: 1.07J/340fps Taclite Compatibility: MOE as Standard Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Available From: Originally from J-Tac Custom

Model: CYMA 097 B Price: iro £195 Age: 1 Year Weight: 2770g Length: 730mm (min) Magazine Capacity: 160 BBs Cold Chrono: 1.07J/340fps

Hot Chrono: 1.07 J/340fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Available From: www.taiwangun.com

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RED CELL OUR FAVOURITE 2020 “ARS”

Model: CYMA 098A E-Edition (.308) Price: iro £198 Age: 1 Year Weight: 3200g Length: 880mm (min) Magazine Capacity: 500 BBs

Cold Chrono: 1.07J/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.07J/340fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Available From: www.taiwangun.com

Model: BOLT B4 LRP Price: iro £400 Age: New Weight: 3100g Length: 855mm (min) Magazine Capacity: 300 BBs Cold Chrono: 0.95J/320fps

Hot Chrono: 0.89J/310fps Taclite Compatibility: Good Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Available From: www.nuprol.com

Model: Specna Arms MK18 SAE19 EDGE Price: iro £235 Age: New Weight: 2675g Length: 700mm (min) Magazine Capacity: 190 BBs x 2

Cold Chrono: 1.07J/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.07J/340fps Taclite Compatibility: Good Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Available From: www.gunfire.com

Model: Specna Arms RRA SAE14 EDGE (Aster V2 Eval Model) Price: TBC! Age: New Weight: 2630g Length: 800mm (min) Magazine Capacity: 190 BBs x 2

Cold Chrono: 1.07J/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.07J/340fps Taclite Compatibility: Good Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW Available From: www.gunfire.com

friendly AEG’s to some top end offerings that cost more than my car. The one thing they all have in common is that they’re all a bit same/same. Sure, internal and external components are often better the higher (or deeper into your pocket) you climb but add an optic, PEQ, fancy flash hider and from 6 feet away they all look the same. This isn’t a bad thing, it allows for folks to realize a vision where budgets are tight, but what it does do is make the market kinda vanilla. AK’s are the same too, classic or tacticool. Nothing really stands out for me any more apart from one offering in the AR family. Enter the Cobalt Kinetics BAMF licensed by G&G! It started making a bit of a buzz in 2018 when it showcased at IWA and a somewhat excited BPT reported back to me saying there was something I would love brewing in the AR world. Cobalt Kinetics

are a passionate and meticulous company in the US that focus on Race or Competition systems. I’m not joking here, each component is inspected FIVE times to ensure perfect fit and operation. FIVE TIMES... I don’t do that when rebuilding my car’s brakes. The pedigree comes from the competition shooting world and it really shows. Three things stand out from the crowd with the CK/G&G collaboration from all other AR rifles. Firstly the CNC machined upper, lower, M-LOK rail and solid stock (honestly it’s a work of art - credit to the G&G boffins for replicating this). It’s strangely ergonomic too, everything being well within reach. Secondly it’s non-military/law enforcement look. The bulk of the rifle is a suave grey colour and highlighted with accents of electric anodised blue. It really does stand firmly and proudly away from the vanilla crew. The www.airsoftaction.net

RED CELL OUR FAVOURITE 2020 “ARS”

third and final part is the replication of the CARS (Cobalt Advantage Reload System) that G&G have renamed ADAM (Auto Drop Advanced Magazine). There’s your clue to the best bit. The BAMF ejects the magazine when it’s empty and utilizing some clever trickery, it will stop firing until a new magazine is loaded, thus eliminating dry fire. I absolutely love this feature. Coupled with the very flared magwell, it makes fast mag changes an absolute breeze. Seriously, you’ve only got to have a rough idea where the well and fresh magazine are, and you’re off slinging plastic again in lightening time! The system works with some clever engineering in the proprietary magazine. Long story short, when the follower ejects the last BB a spring loaded door pops up (roughly where the fill cap would be on a HighCap) and sets it free from the rifle. With that in mind, the “ejecto-seato” feature doesn’t work with standard magazines but the rifle works just as well with them. It’s a beautiful bit of engineering that I absolutely adore. I love this as much as the APS Shell ejecting shotguns. There are a few drawbacks however. I’ve a fair bit of experience with G&G magazines and they DO NOT like meeting the floor from a few feet high and these mags are not cheap. Not cheap at all, neither is the BAMF, rattling in still at circa UK£600, although you can find them cheaper if you’re lucky! All that aside the wife and I would both run one happily on the circuit and on the field in a Mr & Mrs Smith-esque way! Jase: So here in the UK Covid 2.0 has hit us here in and our second cancelled ‘Cell’ meeting means I have to pull out my trusted KWA RM4 for my review. Now I’m not the typical airsofter that has an arsenal that one doesn’t use, I own two pistols and three AEG’s. More than enough. I’ve owned this peach for SIX years now and it has NEVER let me down, which makes it a perfect example for a Cell review. I would often pop to Bill’s for a coffee, chat and to see what’s new. On this occasion there sat a KWA RM4 Scout. At first I was very much, meh, another AEG. This was until I fired off a mag, recoil.....in an AEG......then it stopped. As I handed it back to Bill in a sheepish manner, he laughed loudly in my face. It stopped working because it had a bolt 44

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stop function. My tiny mind was blown, hahaha. Back then Systema rifles where the only AEG on the market that had this function, but they also had a hefty price tag. This KWA was only UK£350. Magazines where three for UK£45. I was sold! Within weeks I had my very own with seven mags. I never looked back. When my rifle turned up it was clad in the finest Magpul furniture and the lower body had full Magpul logo’s and serial number. Back then I was a slag for Magpul kit. I used it in that guise for about a year before I changed the front end for a quad rail to mount my DBAL and taclite. The only upgrade is a 50’’ Maple Leaf rubber, as the standard one is a bit hard for UK climates Now even after all these years playing with this AEG the FPS has only really dropped about 10fps; to me, that’s impressive as it’s my go to faithful, and I’d hate to think how many rounds have been through it. My RM4 can easily hit a target at 45/50m, and that for me is more than enough. If I had one negative it would be that it’s a bit on the heavy side but because

RED CELL OUR FAVOURITE 2020 “ARS”

of its reliability, hard recoil and bolt stop function, I’ll cut it some slack. The paintwork has been amazing, no real wear marks or chips. It’s testimony to the brands quality. The cherry on this cake are the magazines. The earlier magazines where not only great value but they’re changeable from either 30 or 60 BBs and now you can buy them in 30/120 rounds and made from quality DuPont polymer. Bill W-R: So, I have been airsofting for a fair few years now and had a few wild and whacky RIF’s over the years and as fellow team members will testify to it’s usually a different AEG maxed to be the best it can for a given role. So summer 2019 comes and my eldest son MJ aka EAT-05 BOO, aged 12 comes down to the glorious garden of England and decides he wants to have a play with daddy’s pew pew toys… So with gloves, eye pro and a tin-can alley style set up on a table in the garden he is shown the basic operation and trigger discipline. Within minutes he is single shooting soft drink cans off the table with ease. Mag empty he instinctively lifts up the rif with his finger off the trigger, drops the mag and looks round with the biggest grin imaginable. I have created a monster… Suffice to say I promised him his own AEG as a Christmas present but this leaves dad with a quandary. 1. I need something that fits him. This is most important as there is no point a 13yr old lumbering around a m249. 2. It needs to look good (according to him). 3. It must be reliable and in an ideal world 4. must be good value as it may get easily broken or just be a phase in his life. So what did I choose? The Valken ASL Kilo. With an average bundle deal price of UK£235 for the AEG, li-ion battery, charger and a bag of BB’s it is priced at the entry level market and comes with a 12 month no quibble guarantee. We have on a standard M4 platform a good quality V2 all metal gearbox with 6mm bushings and full metal gears married to a 6.05mm barrel at 255mm long. Full polymer/nylon fiber construction makes it light yet robust, a 6 stage vented crane stock will allow a multitude of battery options to be contained and a 9” M-LOK front rail will accommodate a majority of accessories you may desire to hang from your rail. Fitted to MJ’s is a sloped front hand guard. Suitable for righties and lefties alike you will find an ambidextrous fire selector and mag release that will make life easier whichever side you shoot from. It also comes with front and rear hi-vis flip up sights which work well even in lower light conditions. The trigger is a flat match-style trigger giving accurate response for a non mosfet system. Now for the important numbers; The AEG was

tested on team-standard RZR 0.2g bb’s using a Nuprol 2000mAh Li-Ion 7.4v battery. Cold straight from box over 20 rounds it ranged from 337fps to 356fps. After a few magazines this then converted to a min of 340fps and max 352. I am sure once it beds in the fps will drop a little more over time. Rate of fire was straight out the box an average of 11.2 rounds per second. So we have found a reliable, reasonably priced AEG. Having spoken with my local stockists, it is apparent that more and more people are choosing Valken because of its value for money, reliability, the bulletproof 12-month warranty and its upgradability, with the ASL Tango, Kilo and Mod 0 being some of his top sellers in 2020; however as with all things airsoft in 2020 and into 2021 no one can rest on their laurels with the likes of Specna and their core range now snapping at their heels it won’t be long before they are outgunned and Valken and other manufacturers have to innovate to survive. As for MJ, well he is one very happy boy and a new addition to the airsofting family and I’m sure we all wish him the best in his journey through our great sport, as he and thousands like him are the future of airsoft! Jimmy: The LK595 CQB (yes, my Christmas present!) in Urban Grey is a new release from BO Manufacture and certainly new to myself having never come across them before until recently. At UK£180 it will be thought of as a budget rifle, price-wise yes, but what you get for your money says otherwise. This is a cracking package and sports what I believe to be some premium features such like a 6.02mm prescision tight bore barrel, mock bolt lock, EBB (electric blow back), solid rotary hop unit, and a full Lonex gearbox. When I think Lonex I think aftermarket upgrades, so the gearbox you know is already great quality and if you look at the price of a complete Lonex gearbox you are looking at well over UK£100 already! The main body of the rifle is made from a very solid, quality polymer and there is no flex or wobble between any of the sections and it has a near perfect finish. The pistol grip is an ergonomic style giving the user a firm grip and is quite comfortable, fitting nicely in my large hands. The UTG stock is exclusive to BO and I must say it is a great stock; it allows you to use a selection of batteries be it CRANE-style nunchuk or stick, the rear plate swivels on a bolt which is loosened by a small wheel making battery fitting very easy, which shows thought when designing. Also, on the stock is a metal QD sling attachment and on the buffer a sling plate, giving you options… He first test shoot left me highly impressed especially with the fact it has an EBB function (I’m a www.airsoftaction.net

RED CELL OUR FAVOURITE 2020 “ARS”

big fan of EBB); using a 7.4v li-on battery it was very responsive and was shooting a respectable power at 335fps consistently while holding accuracy up to around 60 meters, hopping a 0.30g RZR BB with ease. At 13rps it isn’t the fastest ROF but it is very reliable and using the polymer 120rd midcap magazine supplied it didn’t miss oneshot. The magazine fit is one of the best I’ve seen on an AEG and I’ve seen a lot! It clicked in without the need to force it and once clicked in, not one bit of wobble, quite frankly a flawless fit (I wish I could say that about more AEGs!). So if you are on the lookout for a rifle with a budget price but which offers you so much more, this would be one to have a look at; I wasn’t even looking for a new rifle but at that price and the fact it’s got a full Lonex gearbox I couldn’t resist and I’m glad didn’t! Bill P-T: So, you may wonder what I like from 2020 given the fact that I get to range test on average 5-10 AEGs a month, each and every month? You might think that it would be some “uber-AR” with a Lamboesque price-tag that you couldn’t access yourself, but that whole “elite” bollocks “look at me” approach has never been, and never will be, my way. Yes, I’m quite happy to drop some of my hard-earned pennies on something unique IF it is warranted (my G&P Stoner for example), but when it comes to regular use-at-a-skirmish AEG then I’m quite happy with the exact same thing that most of you will be using! So what really took my fancy in 2020? Four models really made me sit up and take stock of just how far the airsoft industry has come recently, and most of them are sub-UK£250! The CYMA 097 and 098 series prove that we really do need to put the past behind us and look at what is in the here and now. Many retailers are getting directly involved in producing AEGs in collaboration with an established OEM, and from what I’m seeing this is a very good thing as the player is getting exactly what they are asking the frontline retailers for. At the end of the day these are models that you can currently buy for well under UK£200 that look utterly superb, feel so solid that you could use them to hammer nails, and are more (way more!) than adequate in terms of performance. If you’re in need of a cheeky new AR then the CYMA 097 and 098 models are most definitely worth a look if you’re on a budget, and even if you aren’t! BOLT had a great 2020 with a number of new models hitting the stores, and amongst them was the B4 LRP, which is the one more expensive model I’ll include here, but it’s a proper “fighting AR” in my mind, and all the better for that! I really do like this mid-length carbine, and it strikes me that since I tried 46

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my very first BOLT AR several years ago they really have refined the BRSS recoil system as it functions flawlessly and smoothly, and given the quality of parts and finish overall it just feels “right”. Whilst a BOLT AEG is never going to be the cheapest option I can assure that in this case you are very much getting what you pay for both in build quality and performance with the B4 LRP, but then again I don’t think that Tomy at BOLT would sell this to a fellow airsofter if it wasn’t 100% fully up to the job! With my “milsim brain” fully engaged then the Specna Arms/EMG collaboration Daniel Defense MK18 SA-E19 EDGE that I recently reviewed has to be on my list! As I said in my review of this super AEG, it has definitely rekindled my love for all things NSW, and with a sub-£250 price tag here in the UK it really provides some serious bang for your buck. It looks great, feels great, and shoots excellently, so as far as I can see Specna Arms and EMG have got this very, very right. I really do like the E19 as it’s an exceptionally tight package both inside and out, and care has obviously been taken to provide something in AEG form that’s fully worthy of carrying that Daniel Defense name without breaking the bank! Lastly it’s the Specna Arms RRA SA-E14 EDGE, but specifically the new evaluation model I was sent with the ESA-2, SOLAR Trigger, and the programmeable ASTER V2 fitted; I have to say that as someone not known for their love of “tech” that everything I have found on and in this test model has been exemplary and to me this MUST be included in my list (although I feel this model may n up being a little over that UK£250 mark when it becomes fully available!) because it shows admirably the direction of the future when it comes to what you will get as “standard” in an affordable AEG in the not-so-distant future! As always, our thanks go to Red Cell partners NUPROL (www.nuprol.com), VIPER (www.viperkit.co.uk), Attack Sense Smart Targets (www.attacksense.com) and Invader Gear (www.invadergear.com).

FEATURE NEW MODELS FROM VEGAFORCECOMPANY

NEW YEAR... NEW MODELS! ON NOVEMBER 28TH 2020, BILL AND OUR “LEGIONNAIRE” IN TAIWAN, STU “STEWBACCA” MORTIMER, GOT A CHANCE TO “SIT IN” WITH RAY FROM VEGAFORCECOMPANY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW MODELS THAT WILL BE COMING FROM THEM LATER THIS YEAR. NOW WE PULL TOGETHER A MORE DETAILED LOOK AT THE NEW AEGS AND GBBS TO SHOW EXACTLY WHAT WILL BE ON OFFER!

t’s always very exciting to get a “heads up” on new models of AEG and GBB that will be hitting the market in the future and, thanks to the excellent relationships Airsoft Action has with some of the industry leaders in innovation, design and manufacturing, it’s something we are pleased to report is happening more and more! We’ve worked long and hard to establish partnerships with these industry giants, relationships that are based on trust, integrity and a shared passion for seeing new models emerge that are sure to give players around that world that big “Wow!” factor. Like many of you, we’re 100% fed up with the “naysayers” out there, who immediately draw a conclusion on every new model without having even seen it for real and have absolutely no comprehension of the development process that has gone into creating a whole new design. Luckily, WE actually speak direct to the great people in the industry that create the wonderful pistols, carbines and rifles that we take to the airsoft site or field each weekend and they, in turn, trust us to report accurately and factually on what they send us for testing. Like any establishment of trust this takes time, time that results not only in great business relationships, but also in true and lasting individual friendships. 48

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If you watched the video presentation from MOA in Taiwan last November, it’s patently clear that our relationship with VegaForceCompany (VFC) (especially between Ray and Bill) goes far beyond “business” and there’s a friendship there that has grown over a number of years based yes, on a shared passion for airsoft but also in a much broader sense! Perhaps it’s an example that many could learn from and take time to develop similar friendly, trusting relationships with others in our wonderful community, rather than being so quick to find the negative. That aside, we’re pleased to be able to bring you the lowdown on these super new models from VFC and it is fast looking like 2021 is going to hold some real gems when it comes to new models!

FULLY LICENCED TO THRILL!

VFC have been making superb strides ahead with the GBB platforms, both in pistols such as the “1911 Tactical” and rifles like the stunning SR25 ECC, so it was great to see at MOA that they were flag-shipping their 2021 line with a superb new licencing agreement with Bravo Company USA (BCM)! BCM started in the garage of a veteran United States Marine in Hartland Wisconsin, shortly after Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Founded to support the needs of Private Security Professionals working

FEATURE NEW MODELS FROM VEGAFORCECOMPANY

in theatres where military components for their weapon systems were not readily available, BCM (Bravo Company MFG, Inc.) started to create professional grade weaponry manufactured, reinforced and tested to meet the unforgiving needs of the professional – and to be frank, they haven’t looked back! They’ve earned a great reputation amongst professional users worldwide and it’s fabulous to see VFC joining forces with them to create some stunning looking airsoft carbines! The BCM MCMR (GBBR) benefits from a World-First BCM Full License, with a full authorised accessories setup that includes the BCM MCMR (M-LOK®) handguard! Internally the MCMR benefits from steel parts and a steel bolt carrier, along with VFC’s own patented “GuideHOP” adjusting design. This looks to be a VERY tight package and specs are: • Length: 716/790 mm • Inner Barrel: 275 mm • Weight: 1,958 g • Energy: Max 2 Joule • Material: Steel, Alloy, Polymer • Magazine Capacity: 30 BBs Next up is another great “US-driven” design in GBB guise, the M110K1! The Knight’s Armament website tells us: “Winner of the U.S. Army award as one of the “Best 10 Inventions” of 2007, the M-110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (M-110 SASS) is a precision 7.62mm NATO caliber, gas-operated rifle that is highly acclaimed for its battlefield performance. The rifle’s inherent accuracy, quick-change 20-round magazine, ambidextrous controls, abundant MIL-STD-1913 rail mounting capabilities, and highly effective sound suppressor system all contribute to the system’s combat success. Like the Mk11, the heart of the M-110 system is a 20” Chromoly 5R Cut rifled barrel.

To meet Army requirements for service in the current theater of operation, a durable flat dark earth colored coating is applied over standard protective finishes.” This superb-looking GBBR is no doubt going to please “NSW” players out there too, as we’ve read that the Department of the Navy Office: Naval Sea Systems Command is looking to buy MK110K1 uppers from Knight’s Armament and it’s said that Knights Armament Company has offered them an improved, capability upgrade to the upper receiver assembly for the M110K1 SASS. The new upper receiver is for 6.5mm Creedmoor rather than 7.62mm and allegedly provides longer distance shots and increased range. Benefitting from similar internal features, VFC have done a bang-on job of replicating this up-to-the-minute rifle, with the specs being: • Length: 904/989 mm • Inner Barrel: 420mm • Weight: 3,614 g • Energy: Max 2 Joule • Material: Steel, Alloy, Polymer • Magazine Capacity: 20 BBs If you are more an AEG player though, then VFC have you covered here too! Their MK48 “Maximi” will no doubt become a firm favourite with many players, as it offers something different to the support gun area and benefits from being a practical, ultra-lightweight design. It’s also interesting in that it has an all-new AEG gearbox design, feeding from either a detachable 5,500 BB box mag OR an internal 1,000 BB reservoir! We think this is an awesome advance for the airsoft support gunner, offering great versatility while removing the need to have an external box if you desire! Specs here are: • Length: 1,000 mm • Inner Barrel: 465 mm • Weight: 3690 g • Energy: Max 2 Joule • Material: Alloy, Polymer • Magazine Capacity: 1,000 BBs (plus!) Also on the AEG front is the striking Avalon SPR

“BCM STARTED IN THE GARAGE OF A VETERAN UNITED STATES MARINE IN HARTLAND WISCONSIN, SHORTLY AFTER OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM IN 2003. FOUNDED TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF PRIVATE SECURITY PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN THEATRES WHERE MILITARY COMPONENTS FOR THEIR WEAPON SYSTEMS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE…” www.airsoftaction.net

COVERT BOOT

BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: Â£49.95

FEATURE NEW MODELS FROM VEGAFORCECOMPANY

which we’ll be taking a look at in detail soon there’s more “Old Skool” GBB PSG-1! This

but to come for the amongst us, in the form of a

stunning rifle, the “Präzisionsschützengewehr”, or precision shooting rifle was a semiautomatic sniper rifle designed and produced by Heckler & Koch and much beloved of special police and military units during the 70’s and 80’s. It holds a special place in hearts of many airsofters and Stewbacca was obviously very taken with it “in the flesh”! Its widely acknowledged that a certain Japanese manufacturer dropped the ball for once when they replicated this rifle in 6mm AEG form but, knowing VFC as we do, there’s a lot to look forward to with their version. The VFC HK PSG-1 faithfully replicates the appearance of the PSG-1, making use of steel stamping in the upper and lower receivers, along with a reinforced steel charging handle latch assembly. It also replicates the PSG-1 Style adjustable cheek rest stock, along with that unique PSG-1 style dedicated pistol grip with adjustable palm shelf. Specs here are: • Length: 1,220/1,280 mm • Inner Barrel: 650 mm • Weight: 5,200 g • Energy: Max 2 Joule • Material: Steel, Alloy, Polymer • Magazine Capacity: 20 BBs And sticking with “old skool”, there’s one more GBBR that has been causing quite a stir, not only for the rifle in question but for the many derivatives of the original design (including the L1A1 SLR!) and, of course, the rifle is the LAR, AKA “FN FAL” (GBBR)! VFC have been teasing us with the LAR for some considerable time and it is a thing of absolute beauty that stuns all who see it. As the world’s first “FAL” GBBR, the early model style is completely and accurately reproduced, with steel front and rear sights,

steel gas tube, steel outer barrel and of course, steel lower and top cover! Inside there’s a steel 7.62 style realistic bolt carrier assembly, so for living history/airsoft crossover this should take down in a very similar fashion to the real deal! Specs are: • Length: 1,095 mm • Inner Barrel: 491 mm • Weight: 3,949 g • Energy: Max 2 Joule • Material: Steel, Alloy, Polymer • Capacity: 20 BBs We understand that the LAR will come in two “levels”, with a “collector” variant and one that is more keenly priced for the skirmish market. We are 100% looking forward to seeing both soon! Of course, this is not all that VFC have up their sleeves for 2021, as undoubtedly their pistol program will move on apace and the glimpse we were given of the “1911 Ultra Carry” had a certain member of the Airsoft Action team getting all a’flustered as soon as it appeared at the end of the video presentation from MOA! This super-short 1911 (we are told) is based on their “1911 Tactical” that was released in 2020 - and this was a pistol that we reviewed VERY positively - so we have high hopes for its “little bro” too! Undoubtedly there will be more from VFC as the year progresses and we look forward to featuring as many as possible of their new offerings in more detail but for now, we’d like to express our sincere thanks to Ray, both for the video presentation from MOA and for providing more information to us for this article! Do be sure to check out the VegaForceCompany Youtube channel and www.vegaforce.com for the latest updates as they appear. We are certainly looking forward to working with them as things move on! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

armoury G&G CMF16 AEG

AEG TEMPTATION

IT IS NO SECRET THAT AA’S LEGIONNAIRE IN TAIWAN, STEWBACCA, IS NO GREAT AEG FAN, PREFERRING INSTEAD THE THUNDER AND FIRE OF USING A GBB, SO WHAT DID HE MAKE OF G&G’S CMF16? READ ON TO FIND OUT…

ince arriving in Taiwan most of my efforts have focused on building my own Gas BlowBack pistol, SMG/PDW and rifle collection, having not had as much opportunity to do so in my previous years in the UK, due to the much higher cost of acquiring them there and the poorer weather conditions for using them effectively in gaming scenarios. I haven’t even bothered to acquire any AEGs until very recently and still need to get my own batteries and charger, as well as midcap magazines to help me evaluate them when I get samples or access to them. Despite this aversion towards electric guns over recent years and love for all things loud and heavily recoiling, nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised when I got to handle the CMF16 series during my visit to G&G Armament in Changhua county, during the research for my feature back in the September 2020 issue. I was even more pleased when Rick and Apple sent me a shiny new model to evaluate following its very recent release and addition to their product line. The CMF16 and CMF16K are M-Lok foregrip variants clearly modelled after the wildly popular Heckler & Koch HK416 Armalite derivative, albeit without claiming any officialdom or licensing in their naming or markings. The CMF16K being the shorter of the two variants with a CRS style telescopic CQB stock and shortened fore-end and barrel assembly, while the standard CMF16 I received is the slightly longer of the two, with a more traditional Crane-style stock and plenty of space for nunchuck batteries in the rear. Of course, being a total H&K fanboy I was more than happy to add this to my collection and was immediately impressed by the attention to detail. Despite the Combat Machine series being aimed 52

FEBRUARY 2021

at general users, or perhaps being viewed as the “sportline” or more economical or conventional range of AEGs, G&G have packed a lot of features in as standard that you tend to find only in the higher echelons of many of their competitor’s product offerings.

AMBI-EVERYTHING

The CMF16 represents the latest HK416A5 incarnation and accurately replicates the ambidextrous controls. The fire selectors are very positive in their movement and easily accessed and operated on both sides of the receiver but do not cut into the trigger finger of your firing hand (as can be the complaint with some other platforms which make use of ambi-selectors),

while the magazine release is present not only in its standard right trigger finger release position but also with the typical left side flapper button setup, allowing operation by either the trigger finger of your

armoury G&G CMF16 AEG

firing hand, or the thumb of the support hand, regardless of which your strong hand is. Similarly, the bolt release controls are also faithful in their operation. Even though this is an AEG and thus the bolt catches have limited realistic use, G&G took the time to make both releases on either side operative and they allow the release of the fake bolt carrier group in the ejection port. Retracing the charging handle locks this to the rear to open the ejection port and allow access to the hop up unit control wheel (in a fashion now typical for AR AEGs) and actuating either release than drops this fake bolt assembly or shell forwards to close the ejection port and once again conceal the hop unit control wheel. The flip-up iron sights are also of excellent quality, made of metal and with the appropriate adjustment controls for the rear peep sight which can be raised or lowered for elevation shifts with the serrated sleeve around its main body pillar, as well as featuring a windage dial knob on the right side of its mounting base. The front sight also has an adjustment wheel for elevation of the central post and both the iron sights are bolted onto the continuous picatinny accessory rail along the top of the upper receiver and front handguard, so can be easily removed if they are surplus to your requirements. However, given the 400mm of rail space available, they should be able to remain installed but kept out of the way and deployed in the hopefully unlikely case you have an optics failure. These are perfect and the point of impact was smack bang in the middle of the sight picture for my first tentative shots straight out of the box! I was extremely happy with this, given my past experiences of playing around with both sights ad nauseum trying to set them.

COMFORT HANDLING

The general handling of the CMF16 is extremely comfortable. It weighs in at exactly 2.5kg, with the supplied high capacity magazine fitted but without ammunition or a battery present. Given the size and profile of the rifle, this is quite noticeable and makes it very easy to wield. The overall extended length is 825mm, 300mm of which is taken up by the midlength front handguard that replicates the popular short-barreled rifle setups of many AR platforms. This itself is a surprisingly strong and lightweight structure, with 5 M-Lok bays on the sides and bottom and a reasonably open skeletal structure of the intervening faces. It also features QD Sling loop mount sockets

on both sides of its rear end, either side of the top picatinny rail, allowing for lots of slinging options in conjunction with the aforementioned wire style buffer plate, as well as the more traditional sling slots present in the Crane style buttstock. The handguard is also very comfortable, especially compared to the older quad rail style and without the bulk or serrated edges of these more outdated setups. The M-Lok stretches out to the perfect length even for my considerably long arms; my hand just reaches the end of the handguard itself and adding a vertical foregrip or similar angle grip to the bottom surface would make for a very easily controlled front end, along with its light weight and relatively slender profile. The pistol grip has a pleasantly bulbous profile that fits in the palm of the hand nicely, giving a very positive grip, as well as featuring ridges on the front strap and a mottled surface on the side surfaces for added controllability in both bare, or gloved hands, while the downward bowed trigger guard also allows more space for comfortably inserting a gloved trigger finger too. All of this adds up to a platform that just points and shoots exactly where you want it to, with great ease and negligible bulk or discomfort. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside that counts, right? On that front I was also very pleasantly surprised! Having never had anything to do with MOSFETs or other electronics, given my departure from AEG use just as these were becoming more of a normalised trend and increasingly prevalent in stock guns out of the box. G&Gâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on board ETU gives an excellent level of responsiveness and effortless and enjoyable shooting, it allows for very rapid semi-auto followwww.airsoftaction.net

armoury G&G CMF16 AEG

up shots. Having made use of it in-game a few times recently at action bunker and their SpeedQB oriented bottom floor setup; at my most recent game day switching to using the CMF16 AEG immediately levelled the playing field for me compared to the previous rounds trying to use my HK416 GBB against the more dedicated speedsoft players. The ability to lay follow-up shots almost instantly led to me wiping the field on the first round I employed it in - especially with the accurate iron sights and the easy addition of my tracer unit to the front muzzle thanks to its easily removed birdcage flash hider and the thread under it.

BATTERY SPACE

The battery space is fairly reasonable, with both side pods of the crane stock being accessible by twisting the end caps inwards once the butt stock is removed from the buffer tube. The ETU components also reside in their heat shrink wrapping within the slightly skeletonised buffer tube, with the side slots in it allowing for the ETU and wiring to be maneuvered and oriented for reassembly once the battery is installed. I recently took the CMF16 to the Police/SWAT team training centre at Linkou CQB Club, where airsofters make use of the same room entry and killing house setup as the local security services (when the more official guys with real guns aren’t training there!). With a much wider space to play in I was able to really stretch the legs of the AEG and was pleasantly surprised by the overall effective range. Making use of BLS 0.3g tracer rounds and the XCortech XT301 as usual, I was managing to consistently get rounds through narrow gaps or windows with ease, all in the same responsive double tap style I had used in the more enclosed environments before. Thus far I have been very happy with the performance and sheer ease of handling and use that the CMF16 presents, the only downfall I have

experienced is magazine related. The supplied highcapacity manual winding wheel magazine seems to feed fine on the initial winding but occasionally it will jam up during more extended games, or on successive windings of its mechanism. Likely due to the same issues that plagued P90 high caps in the past, the flow of pellets moving into the “bases” or spaces between the teeth of the main feeding wheel likely gets impacted or disrupted. I’ve found the best remedy is to remove the magazine from the gun, invert it to take the “load” of the rounds in the main chamber off the feeding wheel and give it a short, sharp whack on the spine of the magazine against a wall or door to unseat whatever loose BB round has jammed the wheel. You can hear it freewheel a little and refill the front tube that the rounds are pushed up from the reservoir. This is the only issue I have encountered and judging by the trends and shifts in the airsoft market these days, the prevalence of increasingly high-capacity sprung loaded/mid-cap style magazines that operate by a simple spring and follower but offer nearly the same capacity of a more conventional winding high-cap mag, this problem can no doubt be entirely avoided with the use of suitable mid-cap magazines without a detriment to capacity. Overall I’ve been really pleased to see the features and performance G&G have managed to cram into such a good value for money product. Despite never owning one of their guns before, I’m more than happy to recommend their latest products and their clearly advanced features to new or experienced players - and keep the CMF16 on hand for CQB or SpeedQB gameplay alike. I’d once again like to extend my thanks to G&G for providing one of their latest releases - and particularly for choosing a Heckler & Koch themed one which fits nicely within my existing collection! I look forward to seeing more from them in the future and what they bring to market and offer to players. AA

www.airsoftaction.net

RELOADED UMAREX KWA H&K MP7 GBB

THE OBERNDORF TYPEWRITER

AS A SELF-CONFESSED H&K FANBOY, OUR “LEGIONNAIRE” IN TAIWAN, STU “STEWBACCA” MORTIMER, WAS DELIGHTED WHEN HE FIRST GOT HIS HANDS ON THIS ICONIC REPLICA. NOW HE LOOKS BACK AT HOW THINGS HAVE GONE SINCE THEN.

he MP7 has become somewhat of an iconic firearm of its era - with very distinctive aesthetics that make it seem like the natural progression of the Uzi or other pistol grip magazine submachine guns or true machine pistols. It has featured so prevalently in video games, films and other media as well as finding widespread adoption with many security services - I’ve personally seen them in the hands of train station police operatives while visiting Europe after the Paris attacks, as well as their use by the UK MoD Police for defending nuclear sites, among countless other high profile deployments. It truly is an all-round winning platform that really defines the Personal Defence Weapon (PDW) classification of weapon, as well as representing the pinnacle of submachine guns or small calibre select firepower in an ultra-compact form. Thompson coined the original Submachine gun “SMG” moniker to describe his creation, which later became known as “The Chicago Typewriter” for its use in the gangsterism of the US prohibition era and its eponymous “rat-tat-tat-tat” muzzle report. Now the MP7 must surely be its most modern successor to the throne, “The Obendorf Typewriter” - a smooth cycling, accurate, lower recoil, high capacity platform that levels the playing field and squeezes so much into such a small and handy package. If I could only have just one of my guns, this would probably be it!

KWA/KSC MP7 REPLICA

The KWA/KSC GBB replica of the MP7 is largely based off the Tokyo Marui and thus suffers the same issue regarding it being undersized compared to the real steel version, at around 80% of real size. Basically,

FEBRUARY 2021

Marui rushed to be first to market with an MP7 variant just as the real steel ones were being released to market and were therefore still somewhat elusive and very difficult to source reference material for. Unfortunately, in their haste they (allegedly) scaled their drawings and dimensions of the real gun to work from, with a photo where it was being held by an atypically large gent demonstrating it, so they ended up with a somewhat mismatched weapon basing the overall sizes on an incorrect dimension. Despite this somewhat atypical inaccuracy on the part of the Marui and this KWA offering with overall dimensions, the MP7 GBB is nonetheless an excellent replica in terms of its operation, out of the box accuracy and consistency, reliability and aftermarket optional extras or spares and availability. It is easily field stripped and the bolt carrier group can be maintained with relative simplicity. However, I have avoided detail stripping my own wherever possible, as having had to break down everything aside from the fire control mechanism, as it looks like a pain in the backside to deal with and is retained within the lower section of the inner cassette that pulls out of the rear of the main body once the trigger and selector levers are removed.

IN USE

In terms of my usage thus far, having bought mine second hand (albeit not so heavily used) from a teammate back in early 2018, after running just my KWA HK45 for my first few months of playing in Taiwan. I have had exceedingly positive experiences for the most part, the hop unit and internal barrel coupled with the short stroke of the internal bolt mechanism and large gas and ammunition capacity

RELOADED UMAREX KWA H&K MP7 GBB

magazines, make for a very sharp kicking action that delivers very accurate fire within CQB distances of up to 30m. I have run a clone Aimpoint T1 red/ green dot sight on mine since getting it and have rarely had to re-zero the sight and it maintains the ability to hit a 4-inch IPSC plate from 15-20 metres with ease and repeatability. I’ve even managed single shot eliminations in some games where all I could see of the exposed opponent was an elbow! The noise is pretty epic - although occasionally somewhat deafening in prolonged usage - a distinctive ear splitting “bark” that lets you know where and when one is being fired in game. On some days at Action Bunker in Taipei I’ve seen as many of eight players at once running the KWA MP7, so its popularity must extend beyond my praise for it!

LONGEVITY & WEAR

Over the time I have used the KWA MP7 I have put countless magazine loads through it, carrying four 40 round real capacity magazines on my plate carrier and sometimes managing to expend all 160 rounds in some longer games. Even when using single or double taps for eliminations, the gaming intensity in Taiwan can ensure a real Agoge for any gun used. Some of the earliest failures I encountered were the typical sealing or maintenance issues regarding the magazines. This isn’t particularly detrimental or unexpected to my mind and is somewhat par for the course for most of my GBB pistols or PDWs, but it is something to be aware of. In the longer term, the top edges of the magazine followers and the bolt hold open arm they interact with inside the main body of the gun, seem to

have all worn down to a point where they no longer work to hold the bolt open on empty for three of my magazines anymore. So I recently replaced these as well as acquiring a spare bolt hold open arm, although the follower replacements alone have resolved the issue for the time being and all my magazines now lock open again on empty. In terms of internals, however, I have had the bolt carrier out and apart a few times and had to replace it entirely once already. The downside of such a short and violent - but enjoyable - recoil action, is the stress imparted on the piston and the front retaining face of the bolt itself. The telescoping gas nozzle is held in place with a front block, that is held into the main bolt carrier unit with four small screws - two each side – and this tends to be the main failure point for the stock bolt carrier groups. The relatively thin front wall sections tend to break away after a few thousand (or maybe tens of thousands) rounds - I lose track of just how much I put downrange at times! But even my replacement bolt carrier is once again starting to show signs of this wear and, although you can continue to run the bolt in this state without too much trouble, it obviously isn’t ideal. One minor thing I would mention is perhaps the left-hand side bolt release catch. Situated forward of the trigger and fire selector (and in a similar manner as with some ambidextrous Glock model issues I’ve heard about), the whole unit seems to flex across the gun’s axis too much. Trying to use the left-hand bolt release when dropping the bolt with an empty magazine fitted (if for some reason you want to, rather than a fresh magazine with rounds in) is difficult (if at all possible), as it doesn’t disengage as positively as the right-handed one, which sits directly atop the magazine follower and bolt release.

IN SUMMARY

These really are a perfect CQB weapons platform, with all of the compact, “point-ability” and ease of carry of something like a pistol but having the shoulder-firing capability and inherent accuracy and repeatability that brings, as well as plenty of real estate for mounting optics. To round things off, I really can’t recommend the Umarex KWA H&K MP7 GBB enough to people! I haven’t had a huge amount of experience (or heard much about) the VFC or WE Tech GBB models thus far but I’m very interested to run a comparison of them all if I get the chance. Suffice to say other members of my team and many other players at the sites I frequent seem to be happy having invested in them. AA

www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR THE GREY MAN

THE GREY MAN B eing the “Grey Man” is all about operating in a way that won’t draw attention to yourself, blending into your environment and hiding in plain sight. It allows you to move unnoticed and combines, not only certain tactical skills but also kit that will help you achieve your end! Combined with a “direct action” mindset, “Grey Man” skills can give you the edge in any setting but especially in the modern-day urban maze! One thing that being largely “off duty” has allowed me to do is look at certain areas of my personal kit and the money that I’ve saved by not getting out to site, has now been invested in upgrading my old “Grey Man” gear in readiness for the moment that I can get back out to play in earnest again. Although I do love a huge “woodland” site, like many of you I also love a bit of fast and furious CQB/CQC action, so as the rest of my kit is up to snuff, I decided to revisit my personal “grey gear” for that setting. Every so often something just catches your eye and sends you in a completely different direction. A lot of my friends have been heavily influenced recently by LE/CTSFO loadouts, decked out in “grey kit”, with Ops Core lids and some fancy tricked out SIG rifles and carbines. Although I personally don’t want to head down that specific route, the idea of bringing my

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

THE SUBJECT OF A (YET TO BE RELEASED) FILM ON NETFLIX, THE “GREY MAN” HAS BECOME WIDELY (AND WILDLY) POPULAR ACROSS AIRSOFT, WITH MANY KIT MANUFACTURERS PRODUCING THEIR OWN VERSION OF “GREY GEAR”. HAVING CHECKED OUT THE REST OF HIS KIT, BILL TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO HIS OWN PERSONAL “GREY”.

own gear bang up to date inspired by those loadouts struck me as a good one. The whole “Grey Thing” has been another of those trends in the tactical world that has just caught on, and virtually every manufacturer out there has their “Wolf, Slate, Storm, Frost” or simply put, grey. This has particularly come into focus in the UK, as our CTSFO teams initially made grey their uniform “colour of choice”. The idea behind this is a straightforward one; in today’s modern urban environment we have a LOT of concrete and tarmac so grey is an obvious choice to “blend in” to the background. Previously, tactical teams would inevitably be drawn the traditional “black gear” although, in reality, black actually sticks out like a sore thumb in most urban situations as black is not a naturally occurring colour. Are shadows black? Is it black at night? You could argue that in both cases the answer would be “yes” but in reality, if you’ll pardon the expression, it’s all shades of grey. Arc’teryx LEAF in fairness were probably the first of the “Big Names” to drive this forward in any meaningful way, but others were lightning fast to follow their lead and numerous manufacturers came together to create mutually supportive and compatible clothing and tactical gear that all worked well

“NO CORNERS ARE CUT IN TERMS OF FABRICS, MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION, SO WHEN YOU BUY INTO A BIG BRAND YOU REALLY ARE GETTING THE RIGHT STUFF, NOT A SUBSTANDARD COPY THAT’S GOING TO COME APART JUST BECAUSE YOU LOOK AT IT!”

FEBRUARY 2021

KIT & GEAR THE GREY MAN

together. Many of the “names”, though, took their time about things and the “big boys” of the tacticool world are huge international companies that have the luxury of being able to really work things through, rather than just jumping on the bandwagon for the sake of a quick buck. “Real deal” gear has always been popular with airsofters, as manufacturers really do build for the “real world” so every single thing that they make has to be 100% fit for purpose. No corners are cut in terms of fabrics, materials and construction, so when you buy into a big brand you really are getting the right stuff, not a sub-standard copy that’s going to come apart just because you look at it! As I always say, spend your money wisely! Yes, you’ll pay a little more for gear from brands but in the long term it will wear much, much better than cheap copies. These days we are seeing brands that make gear specifically for airsofters and whilst some of these “airsoft brands” are not cheap, they’re not into the big-buck territory and are actually 100% fit for purpose and good to go every bit as much as those “names”! Over the past year or so I’ve been working more directly with the guys over at Invader Gear and have come to both like and trust what they produce in terms of clothing and gear. Invader Gear provide tactical gear, clothing and accessories that are created specifically for airsoft; providing a range of UBACs, shirts and trouser models as well as gloves, pouches and vests at competitive prices in a range of colours and camouflage patterns they can pretty much give you a full-spectrum gear solution without you having to break the bank doing so!

standard fabrics and components and, as the shirt is usually worn under body armour, it is designed to avoid pressure marks and to provide good moisture wicking properties. The modern cut is well balanced for a not too tight (but also not too loose) fit which keeps it comfortable and the collar has a quality zip by YKK, which can be worn open or closed to avoid intrusion of debris. Large upper-arm pockets provide quick and convenient storage and the elbows are

FADE TO GREY

I wanted to create a modular set of kit based on one “core” set of gear, so the first choice I had to make was the basic uniform and it all had to be grey… in this case Invader Gear “Wolf”. Invader Gear offer a considerable range of shirts and trousers and personally I wanted the option of both a “duty” shirt and a UBACS and the Revenger shirt is a classic Tactical Duty Uniform (TDU) top but with thoroughly modern features. With two breast pockets, two angled arm pockets, all of which feature “stress part” reinforcement, plus there’s also a pencil pocket on left forearm make the design complete. The shirt has a velcro and button front closure, with a mandarin collar that can be worn up or down to ventilate, or indeed to protect the neck from BB strikes. The fabric here is a tough-as-old-boots mix, 35/65 ripstop polycotton. If you favour more of a UBACS style shirt, the Invader Gear Combat Shirt features high quality

reinforced with an additional layer of fabric, which is also intended as a compartment for elbow pads. The sleeves, collar and shoulder area of this shirt are made of a sturdy 65% cotton/35% polyester rip-stop woven fabric for great comfort and fast drying properties, www.airsoftaction.net

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

KIT & GEAR THE GREY MAN

whilst the torso is made of an incredibly comfortable 80% cotton/20% polyester knit fabric with good moisture wicking performance. This specialised proprietary blend of mechanical stretch polyester and cotton material works brilliantly together! In terms of pants, I decided to move away from my normal “classic BDU” style, instead opting for something a little more “Hi Speed Lo Drag”, in the form of the Predator Combat Pant. Made of the same rip-stop fabric, along with durable stretch panels and integrated (removable) kneepads, the Predator Combat pant is Invader’s “take” on the modern combat trouser and matches up to the Combat Shirt perfectly. If you fancy a more traditionally-styled pant though, you can check out the Revenger TDU Pant that matches the shirt.

FULLY LOADED

With clothing options sorted, now it was time to get down to business. First up, I wanted a simple belt system so that I could carry a secondary and affix a dump pouch. The PLB MOLLE Belt is a strong, durable and comfortable multi-purpose belt, which makes it ideal for tactical wear. It’s perfect to carry a holster and sidearm without rolling or deforming and it features a sturdy web inner belt with a MOLLE padded cover. Of course, this means it’s ideal for loading up with more pouches if you need to when worn as a standalone and Invader Gear offer an entire range of magazine and utility pouches exactly for this reason.

Talking of holsters, Invader Gear offer a number of solutions for these too. As well as a well-made

yet simple Belt Holster, they also offer two models of Dropleg platform, the SOF and straightforward Dropleg, along with a MOLLE leg platform should you wish to carry more than just a holster. All the holsters are available for both lefties and righties, which makes a pleasing change! Wanting more? No problem, as Invader Gear offer a multitude of solutions with several different types of plate carrier and tactical vest in their line, along with a MOLLE compatible Cargo Pack which can be direct fitted. To finish things off you really only need to add some boots, lightweight gloves (the Lightweight FR Gloves look right to me) and shooting glasses and you’ll be good to go! One thing that Invader Gear have - and something I’ve wanted for ages - is a combat shirt called the “Flannel Combat Shirt”, which is a very cool beastie indeed! With a main body made from a block-colour, comfortable wicking stretch fabric and the shoulders and sleeves from a plaid, heavy-duty, soft-touch material (which both looks and feels great), plus the high zip collar and upper arm pockets with Velcro give it a real “tacticool” vibe. There’s even additional “pockets” over the elbows if you want to add additional pads. For this loadout I chose the black/grey plaid but after some discussion with Red Cell, we’ve adopted the red/black version as our “team strip”, so expect to see more of these in the future! To finish off I already have a favourite “lucky ballcap” but Invader Gear also offer Helmet Covers in various colours and patterns, so a FAST cover in Wolf Grey quite literally tops things off for me! So, my inspiration for this loadout came from my friends and team-mates and then I let my mind wander to create something a little different that would work for me. All the gear is beautifully put together from first rate materials and even though this is not the cheapest setup I’ve ever put together, it’s also by no means the most expensive and I know everything is going to last for some considerable time - and will work in virtually any urban environment. If you find something that inspires you then follow your heart and go for it, no matter what it may be but as always, I’ll say do your research, buy right and buy once! My sincere thanks go to the guys at www. invadergear.com for their kind co-operation in pulling this article together and for providing some superb images as (of course) I’m still stuck in lockdown like many of you reading this and can’t do my own as I usually would. Please visit their excellent website for all your gear needs …and much, much more! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

Helikon-Tex®

MCDU® Combat Shirt Unmatched Comfort on a Mission

• Two zippered bicep pockets • Sleeves made of NYCO® fabric • Torso made of TopCool® fabric

#Journey to Perfection

FEATURE MAKING AIRSOFT IMMERSIVE

MAKING AIRSOFT IMMERSIVE

AMONGST THE AIRSOFT ACTION CREW WE’RE LUCKY TO HAVE SOME EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED PEOPLE AND NOT JUST FOR THE OBVIOUS REASONS! WHILST EVERYONE INVOLVED IN AA IS A SOLID PLAYER, THEY ALSO LOOK AT DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF THE GAME TO SEE WHAT CAN REALLY MAKE A DAY OF BB-SLINGING INTERESTING AND THIS MONTH RED CELL MEMBER, JAMES, LETS US IN ON HIS VERY LATEST PROJECT!

hat makes an airsoft event great? A very open question which I’m sure if you asked a group of 50 players each would have their own different answer! Airsoft comes in many shapes and forms, from target and competition shooting, speedsoft and skirmish days through to Milsim, with many other genres in-between. Recently, myself and a few other friends played at a site local to us, Imperium Airsoft in Kent (reviewed in the January 2021 Airsoft Action edition) and although one event was a Battlesim and the other a skirmish day, one common theme that stood out to me was my immersion into the event. To have military vehicles roaring by as you take cover behind Hescos, the ricochet of incoming BBs and the occasional incoming pyro mortar round going off, along with comms buzzing away in your ear, all added to the “fog of war”. This got me thinking again about the role of props in airsoft, how they can add to the player experience and turn an everyday event into something more memorable. We have all probably been to “that” event, where

you have to carry an old ammo tin with “Bomb” painted on the side, from one edge of the site to another without being shot, or seen the cardboard missile tube making its way to a launcher - but props can be so much more than that! What if they could be interactive and drive along the narrative of the event? With this in mind, myself and Mr Bill-P-T went in search of all things “props” and I also headed to the workshop for a few ideas of my own. Over the next few articles we will show you in depth what we came up with!

GO BIG OR GO HOME!

My first idea came to me on a rainy lockdown afternoon sat in my workshop. “Start small” was my intention but then I thought “We could launch an ICBM… Okay, big it is then!” After a fair amount of Cold War research, I decided upon the classic “missile silo and launch post approach”. This wasn’t going to be a mobile prop and would be a fixed installation on an airsoft site. The only other (not so small) issue was it wasn’t something I could build inside my workshop,

“THIS WASN’T GOING TO BE A MOBILE PROP AND WOULD BE A FIXED INSTALLATION ON AN AIRSOFT SITE. THE ONLY OTHER (NOT SO SMALL) ISSUE WAS IT WASN’T SOMETHING I COULD BUILD INSIDE MY WORKSHOP, SO QUEUE A CONVERSATION WITH THE LONG-SUFFERING WIFE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BUILDING IN THE GARDEN BEGAN!” 64

FEBRUARY 2021

FEATURE MAKING AIRSOFT IMMERSIVE

so queue a conversation with the long-suffering wife and the construction of a new building in the garden began! That minor problem solved, it was on to the fitting out stage. The first task was the main launch control panel and desk. The launch sequence is a multi-stage process, with the controls wired in series, so one stage of the process must be completed before the next is powered and ready and so on, so that the operator follows a linear route. Each stage operates various controls, such as fuelling the missiles or opening the silo blast doors ready for the final launch, which, of course, is done by a big red button! Although the launch position doesn’t conform to any real-world system, I still wanted it to have that “Cold War” era feel, which was achieved by working period electronics and items collected. Some of the original electronics did require rewiring or upgrading to make them in line with today’s safety standards, which of course has to be done by a qualified person.

Luckily/unluckily having studied electrical engineering at college in my younger years, that person was me! Some of the various stages require codes, or physical tasks, to be done before the launch sequence can be completed, which is where this system could fit into an event. Missile fuel, launch codes and target coordinates will have to be acquired from various site locations and times during the event and either radioed in via the comms system on a designated channel, or physically brought to the launch site, culminating (if successful) to the ICBM’s launch. Once the launch button is pressed, a 12v signal is sent from the position to the engine detonator, to start the missile engine. So far, the system has been tested with a model rocket using a C6-3 rocket motor, which happily achieves an 800ft attitude in under two seconds! However, after a quick chat with fellow AA Red Cell member John “Boycie” Turrell, from Virtus Training Systems, hopefully we will be able to come up with something with a bit more bang! The silo itself will be the next part to this project, so I will update soon! AA

“SOME OF THE ORIGINAL ELECTRONICS DID REQUIRE REWIRING OR UPGRADING TO MAKE THEM IN LINE WITH TODAY’S SAFETY STANDARDS, WHICH OF COURSE HAS TO BE DONE BY A QUALIFIED PERSON. LUCKILY/UNLUCKILY HAVING STUDIED ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AT COLLEGE IN MY YOUNGER YEARS, THAT PERSON WAS ME! ”

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armoury WETECH G36C GBBR

GEWEHR’S THE PARTY? RECENT EVENTS IN THE “REAL” WORLD PROMPTED STEWBACCA TO PEN A LONG-TERM REVIEW OF ONE OF HIS ALL-TIME FAVOURITE AIRSOFT PRIMARIES.

iven the recent furore in the real steel community over the alleged replacement, by the Haenel MK556, of the relatively longserving Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle platform as the individual weapon of the Bundeswehr - the German armed forces - following controversy over its alleged wandering zero when used in a manner not originally intended by its design brief and in the desert extremes of Afghanistan by German ISAF forces, I figured this would be a good juncture to field my long term review of one of my favourite airsoft guns of all time. In this case, not the Marui G36C AEG that was my first ever primary weapon, nor the JG AEG that I bought a few years later having sold the other but the WETech “G39” G36C GBBR I now have. Having studied and worked in Nottingham for 14 years before I moved to Taiwan in late 2017, I’ve seen real G36Cs up close, in the hands of the local ARUs - Armed Response Units - of the Nottinghamshire constabulary. This includes witnessing the “hard stop” action of a suspect as I was passing by on a bus and also in the hands of airport police at East Midlands Airport, from where I would often fly to Northern Ireland or Barcelona to see family and friends. I wanted to create a setup in homage to the carbine that the police carry, using an EOtech 552 replica and at one point, a torch - although I removed that as the bulb was shaken loose by the recoil! I’ve always loved the somewhat aggressive aesthetic of the G36C, with the floating upper picatinny rail and its shark tooth zig zag underside profile, as well as its all-round rails on the shortened handguard and dark polymer finish.

FEBRUARY 2021

PLASTIC FANTASTIC

Always having been a fan of plastic fantastic guns, I was very happy to find the WETech G39 replica (of course renumbered due to licensing - or lack thereof) available here in Taiwan at such a ridiculously low cost. Myself and about five other teammates have since acquired one each for 3600NT, which is the cheapest gun I’ve bought in all my time here, even compared to all my pistols, working out at around £90GBP! An absolute steal when I remember meeting some guys at the Stan in Sheffield years back, who said they had to drop £400GBP on their setups. The economy, aesthetics, lightweight and ease of use, wielding, let alone maintenance make it an ideal choice for a first GBBR for those venturing into the field. I purchased my own back in KUI Airsoft’s Zhubei store back when I was still living and working there, not long after acquiring my KWA MP7 second hand from another teammate. I had been going through a bit of a buying spree and saw this beauty at the knock down price while a colleague and I were shopping for his first GHK G5 GBBR late one night after work. Suffice to say, we dropped around 20,000NT that night between us in buying guns, magazines, optics and other accessories and I happily walked away with my first ever full size carbine in GBBR form. As it is largely composed of reinforced polymer throughout, just like the real steel rifle. The WETech G39 weighs in at just 3.43g and that’s my current setup fully accessorised with twin magazines clipped together and fitted, an EOTech 552 replica on its top rail, as well as a vertical foregrip installed on the front underside rail. That’s around a kilogram lighter than my WETech MP5k PDW with a similar setup, just

armoury WETECH G36C GBBR

because of its use of a steel receiver. It is much more compact than the G36C but noticeably heavier and more tiring to throw around all day in games, plus the G39 is comfortable to handle with its chunkier external dimensions. The folding butt stock is very rigid when extended and I’ve never experienced any wobble issues with it. Collapsing and extending it practically every game day to make it easier to fit into the secondary smaller bay of my gun bag, while one of my ARs will usually take up the main compartment due to only having telescopic stocks and the associated rigid buffer tubes. The stock also features a deep and comfortable rubberised butt pad, that spreads the pretty significant recoil force into the shoulder and prevents the stock slipping during handling or movement, providing a stable platform and very comfortable and repeatable cheek weld - especially when using the likes of an EOtech or similar optical sight instead of the irons. The stock has a simple plastic sling loop in its rear lower section, while a sturdier loop is integrated into its locking lug that the control button latches into on the left side of the rear receiver. I tend to run a single point fastex buckle off this point that clips into my plate carrier. The other sling points are at the very front of the handguard on both sides underneath. The stock itself also includes the customary holes for keeping the body pins in during take-down. The hollow pistol grip is built into the fire control group section held into the main receiver boy with two of the pins, along with the removable magazine well which shares the front of these pins and also latches onto the front of the receiver with its hooked protrusions. The entire field stripping procedure is basically identical to the real steel rifle in this respect… Remove the magazine, cycle the action to cock the hammer, then remove these two lower body pins and remove the fire control group and magazine well. The stock can then be folded to the right and latched against the case deflector built into the side of the receiver and the retainer plug beneath it levered backward and down out of its retention slot, pulling the captive recoil spring and rod with it, then allowing the bolt carrier itself to be removed through the rear. The magazines of the G39 snap together with retention studs and ports in the same manner as the real steel equivalents, however, I only ever use them in pairs. Putting three or more together puts too much torque on the magazine well and tends to cause stoppages due to the slowing of the bolt carrier movement, as well as making the whole setup too cumbersome to handle or effectively reload. These attachment studs also tend to shear off in use,

especially if the magazine pairs are dropped during fumbled reloads or otherwise over-stressed. I have resorted to gluing them back on and just duct taping my magazine pairs together more rigidly, as well as tie wrapping fastex buckles to the bases of them to allow them to be attached to my rig (given the difficulty in finding magazine pouches to suit). HSGI 556 tacos are suitable for single G36 magazines, despite the attachment studs, given their flexible nature and retention chords. The magazines themselves have large internal gas reservoirs and provide ample gas supply for as many as four full loads of 30 rounds before requiring recharging. Using green gas (or “12kg”, as it is known as over here), the G39 delivers in the region of 125m/s (1.56J) using 0.2g BLS BBs, although I run mine on 0.3g for improved consistency. The out of the box performance and accuracy are also surprisingly good despite the economy of the GBBR, I’ve been easily able to attain shots on the typical 4” round steel plates within 15-20m ranges at Action Bunker and regularly achieve single shot, or double tap eliminations in games using it in conjunction with the EOtech replica. The trigger unit has a very short and crisp break and reset, allowing for rapid follow up shots, the cycle time of the full stroke action being more of a limiting factor. It presents a comfortable and intuitive action in conjunction with the ambidextrous selector levers. I tend to use mine on semi-automatic only due to the game restrictions at most CQB sites here, as well as my preference towards well-aimed shots and ammunition conservation, or continuing my past real steel marksmanship training from half a lifetime ago.

IN ACTION

Fully auto can be fun, however, I’ve found that’s where most of my issues occur. On my first outing with the G39 I managed to shear off the loading protrusion on the bottom of the bolt face by firing off all my magazines on full auto in quick succession at the end of the game day. Cool down can still be a thing in Taiwan, especially given the large volume of gas used in each shot due to the bulky bolt carrier group, long travel and thus strong gas piston powered recoil impulse required to get it moving. This makes for an excellent gameplay experience, sending single or double tap shots downrange and really shakes your shoulder well but firing lots of full auto will nonetheless cool down the bolt group and thus makes it increasingly likely some of the plastic will break off in the process of rapid fire. The long stroke also makes the nozzle inherently www.airsoftaction.net

armoury WETECH G36C GBBR

unstable in its travel within the bolt carrier, which means it is much easier to use it for a longer period using controlled shots or bursts and not overstressing the whole assembly. I’ve had the same breakage issue twice in all the time I’ve had the G39 and both times were mag-dump related. You’d think I would have learnt after the first instance, at least now I avoid it. RATech in Taiwan make an array of CNC machined aluminium replacement nozzles for a variety of GBBR platforms to avoid this issue but I have thus far been fine replacing the nozzle system with cheaper plastic standard parts and avoiding using full auto as I have no practical need for it anyway. I have, however, used their replacement parts for the valve striker assembly (that hits the back of the magazine valves to release gas and fire the action off), having worn the original units down twice due to the extreme amount of use I put the G39 through. I regularly put as many as 20 full magazine loads through it per week, just doing target practise at KUI on their electronic range in Zhubei after work when I still lived there. I put a hell of a lot of rounds through it doing that - and wore down the original trigger sears as well in the process. I’ve replaced the whole fire control group with a donor unit my teammate gave me from his project gun and then recently made another Youtube video of me transplanting the RATech valve striker into that from the original to return it to normal performance. As the front face of the original stock striker wears down you start getting shorter stroke of the magazine valves and thus “light strike” issues, with insufficient 70

FEBRUARY 2021

gas escaping into the bolt and piston system, thereby causing short stroking of the bolt and feeding issues. Again, bear in mind this is after an extreme amount of use given that my G39 was my go to fun gun for a long time before my collection further grew when I moved to Taipei.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Aside from this (fairly standard) mechanical wear and tear and given the massive cost savings on the much lower initial outlay of the original purchase, I’m extremely happy with the performance and serviceability of the WETech G39 GBBR during the excess of three years I’ve had it and enjoyed fielding it at various sites around Taiwan, as a dependable and very predictable rifle that gives an awesome gameplay experience with its accuracy and recoil noise and force fun factor. For the most part, however, I rarely tend to carry all four of my magazines in interconnected pairs, due to the cumbersome nature of them and related difficulty in handling and reloading. I tend to carry the 60 rounds of the two magazines in the gun and use them up, which is usually sufficient for most close-range games. If I run that dry, I sling the G39 across my back and draw my sidearm, which serves as a good way to close on opponents and still get some pistol action. In short, the WETech G39 offers a great value for money and performance out of the box, whether you are an avid player, or a beginner, or new entrant into GBBR ownership. AA

THE CAGE

2021 RESOLUTIONS

NEW YEAR... NEW RESOUTIONS (AND NEW GUNS!)

AS WE ENTER 2021 THERE ARE STILL CHALLENGES AHEAD OF US DUE TO THE ONGOING DANGERS OF THE C-VIRUS SITUATION AND OF THIS WE MUST ALL BE MINDFUL BUT, WITH HOPE ON THE HORIZON, WE CAN ALL START TO LOOK AGAIN TO THE FUTURE AND TO GETTING BACK OUT ON THE FIELDS AND SITES WITH OUR FRIENDS AND FELLOW PLAYERS. BILL UPDATES ON THE PROGRESS THE MAGAZINE MADE IN 2020 AND SPOKE TO THE AA CREW TO SEE WHAT CHRISTMAS BROUGHT THEM - AND WHAT THEY’RE HOPING FOR IN 2021!

021 really has arrived with a complete and utter mixed bag of emotions for me, if I‘m honest. I’d hoped (both professionally and personally) to be hitting a New Year firmly on the go, both in terms of exciting new projects for Airsoft Action and in being able to get out and get my game on with my friends. Plans were in place for Red Cell (more on that in this month’s Red Cell article) and in the run up to Christmas I was having some great conversations with members of our international “Legion” about games and events for the coming year. Sadly, everything ground to a shuddering (but not wholly unexpected) halt, as the UK began to shut down in response the latest strain of the virus that’s ravaging many parts of the world - and our options once again dwindled away before our very eyes… It might seem that, in many ways, 2020 was an absolute bust in airsoft terms and it’s all too easy to

concentrate on the negative. However, looking back over what’s been achieved “in-house” over the last twelve months, I can only give everyone involved with Airsoft Action a hearty (virtual, of course!) high five for a job very well done! In incredibly adverse conditions the commitment of the AA team has been unquestionable, with everyone putting the job in hand in front of all else! It’s very easy to slack off when things get hard, something we see in many games if I’m honest but, as usual, it’s those committed people who pick themselves up and crack on; adapting, overcoming and ultimately triumphing in spite of adversity! I’m righteously proud of our entire team, for not only rising to the challenge but kicking it out of the park! Here at Airsoft Action we have not only cemented our position at the forefront of global airsoft media but have taken this forward with the regular, free-to-

“IT MIGHT SEEM THAT, IN MANY WAYS, 2020 WAS AN ABSOLUTE BUST IN AIRSOFT TERMS AND IT’S ALL TOO EASY TO CONCENTRATE ON THE NEGATIVE. HOWEVER, LOOKING BACK OVER WHAT’S BEEN ACHIEVED “IN-HOUSE” OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS, I CAN ONLY GIVE EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH AIRSOFT ACTION A HEARTY (VIRTUAL, OF COURSE!) HIGH FIVE FOR A JOB VERY WELL DONE!”

FEBRUARY 2021

THE CAGE RESOLUTIONS

you-the-reader, monthly publication of the magazine online! Not only that but with the daily updates to our website, in the form of industry news, updates and articles, we are now in a fabulous position to offer even greater coverage for all our fellow players around the world! The decision to convert Airsoft Action into a fully-digital publication was taken after more than two years of planning and research, as our digital readership continued to evolve and expand globally. Based on this, we decided that the March, “postIWA 2020” edition would be our first digital-only publication and that by going completely online, we would also make the magazine free to read for everyone and enable Airsoft Action to be read anywhere, at any time! At the heart of our decision was our “raison d’être”… To positively and professionally promote airsoft and provide the widest possible coverage as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, so that readers, wherever they are in the world, would be able to read every issue on any device, at any time. But was our decision the right one? Based on the fact that in the months from March to December 2020 almost HALF A MILLION of you dipped into Airsoft Action for your monthly “airsoft fix”, I think we can say our decision was most definitely the right one! It strikes us that the importance of a trusted and trustworthy - media source who will actively communicate with you to achieve the very best reporting of new and existing products, bringing clarity and honesty from us as players, to you as players, in a professional and reliable way is now greater than ever! 2021 may have started slow again for obvious reasons but that “slowtime” is almost over. Until we reach the point that we can all be together again as one, united in our passion and love for all things airsoft, then you can rely on Airsoft Action to be there - and be there consistently, month in, month out - and our thanks go out to every single one of you for your continued support and faith in us to be “good to go”, even when things are rough!

NEW YEAR, NEW RESOLUTIONS (AND NEW GUNS!)

With hope in our hearts, the AA crew are champing at the bit to get on with things, not only in terms of what we do in the magazine but also, like you I’m certain, in relation to our own “guns n’ gear”! So, the CAGE question to the team to start the New Year was an obvious one... “What airsoft goodies did you

actually get for Chrimbo? And what are your New Year airsoft-related resolutions?” Boycie: “Airsoft related goodies? Well, first off a KWA T6 for the base of my “CMMG build”. I also had the chance to do the deep laser engraving on the lower receiver before it went off for Cerakote. I did treat myself to a SIG Air RDS for my M17, which is almost the same as the SIG Romeo 1 on the real

steel version, so that pretty nice. And resolution(s)? To actually play more and to get a game day in with fellow Red Cell members!” Stewbacca: “I didn’t really do Xmas (as such) out here in Taiwan but I guess you could say that I treated myself to a bunch of bits on the leadup! I picked up my own chrono, a bunch of MP5 mags and parts and an EOTech 558 for my T91. As for resolutions... More of the same in my case, I guess. I rounded out 2020

on my 50th IPSC training session, so hopefully I can at least match that this year and get more competitions and skirmishes done too!” Bill W-R: “I got a British Army Deployment Bag that was all airsoft related along with some new taclites, a scope, a PEQ box and a gucci stainless steel bolt handle for my Stryker, as it was also my birthday on the 14th. Resolutions? To keep the weight loss going for 2021!” www.airsoftaction.net

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THE CAGE RESOLUTIONS OPTICS

Jimmy: “So, for Christmas my dear wife went all out (chosen by me of course)! I got a BO Dynamics LK595 CQB in a lovely shade of grey (grey is the new

black again, don’tchaknow?), a Wadsn DBAL A2, and a Wadsn Scout Recon taclite. My New Year’s airsoft

for many reasons and a new Surefire X300 made an appearance for my GBB pistols, along with a new Theta Holosight/Magnifier Combo for the new MK18. I finally got the internal upgrade parts for my “DMR Project” (more on this in a future issue of AA!) and I l also replaced my aging Under Armour with some rather nifty “snakeskin” compression undergarments for the winter months …but that’s probably just a little too much information right there! The overwhelming response though, from everyone at Airsoft Action, is that we are all more than keen to get back out and play again. In fact, like you, we are gagging for a game! The good news is that we only need be patient for a while longer until the vaccination process kicks fully into gear and then it will be full-steam-ahead once more! With “big game” information both at home and abroad beginning to filter in once again and with manufacturers telling us that they have a LOT to come in 2021, the middle and back-end of the year is looking righteous and we are all truly looking forward to seeing some of you at a game or event somewhere sooner rather than later now. Until then, keep safe, and keep it real …it’s in all our best interests! AA

resolution is to try harder to expend less ammo… Unless of course I’m rocking a drum mag …then I’m bringing the heavy rain!” Björn: “So far… Nada!” Steve T: “Much like in every other area of life, this chrimbo disappointed for airsoft gifts, i.e. nada! That said, all my loved ones are still alive, so I’ll take that! This year’s New Year’s resolution is easy… get back to playing once the jab is more than jibber jabber…” Bill P-T: For me it’s all about some choice little “gifts to self” and so a “few” little goodies “may” have made their way under the tiny tree that I have in my home office… The biggie was the CYMA M16A1

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VORSK DIARY ENTER THE HI-CAPA 5.1VP-X! SPLIT SLIDE

ENTER THE VP-X!

REGULAR READERS OF AIRSOFT ACTION WILL KNOW THAT WE’VE BEEN INTIMATELY INVOLVED WITH THE VORSK TEAM AND THEIR PASSIONATE DRIVE INTO THE WORLD OF GBB PISTOLS AND AS WE ENTER A NEW YEAR IT JUST SEEMS THAT WHAT THEY’RE OFFERING US IS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER! IN HIS ONGOING “VORSK DIARY”, THIS MONTH BILL TAKES A LONG LOOK AT THE NEW VP-X PISTOL AND GIVES IT SOME “PUNISHMENT”!

s a full-time airsoft writer and reviewer, I have to admit that it’s very easy to become somewhat jaded when yet another GBB or AEG is released! You may find it hard to believe but being employed within the airsoft industry I get to see literally hundreds of models each and every year and sometimes, when you have a monthly deadline it’s all too easy to receive a sample for testing and simply place the box in the corner of the office (with all the others), until it’s time to look at it in detail or take it to the range. I know, “first world airsoft privilege problems”, right? However, I’m pleased to tell you that this is a rare occurrence for me as I am a genuine “gun bunny” and, much as I might have a personal preference for certain styles, and indeed certain manufacturers, I treat each and every model I receive to test with equal enthusiasm and with respect for the people that have created it. There’s still something truly wonderful about getting a package and tearing open the wrapping to see what wonderful airsoft magic has been delivered - and this is becoming increasingly the case when a new model arrives with me from the guys at Vorsk! Since this new brand started rolling - and I’ve been exceptionally privileged to have seen ALL the models from the very first to arrive to the very latest to come out of the shipping container - I’ve been consistently impressed

FEBRUARY 2021

(as have thousands of you!) by both the high quality of presentation and the level of “out of the box” performance that is on offer. This is a range of pistols that started superbly with those distinctive Hi Capas and EUs and has continued to thrill me. In fact, I would go as far as saying that Vorsk “1911s” have helped to rekindle my personal love for that venerable platform, after many years of being almost exclusively a user of “striker-fired” models. Those initial Hi Capas and EUs are still very dear to me but subsequent releases from Vorsk have taken things in new and unique directions. There’s the increased efficiency and shooting performance of the Split Slide, the “big boy” Titan 7 is a real handful of airsoft fun to say the least, and the sheer drop-dead gorgeousness of the VX-9 (that also introduced that awesome extended inner barrel to the range) showed that there was a “fun” element to Vorsk that fully embraced one of the core tenets of airsoft itself, that of “suspension of disbelief”. Airsoft, to many of us, is an escape from the mundane; a chance when gameday comes for us to shake off all the troubles and woes of “real life” and become who we dream of being. Over the years I’ve seen super-young “Nam Grunts” and “Operators” who look to be fast approaching retirement age but when “Saturday comes”, they enter the gamezone where age, gender, colour and creed cease to matter and itis all about the airsoft!

VORSK DIARY ENTER THE VP-X!

The VX-9 really played to that, with its cool “Hitman” vibe, especially if (like me) you ended up with that superb twin pack with the extended magazines! And the new VP-X takes that exciting uniqueness forward, both in look and lore! As with all their pistols, the Vorsk team don’t try to give credence to their creations by adding any spurious trademarks, leaving the superbly engineered bodies and slides bare, apart from their individual serial numbers. In all honesty, they don’t need to rely on any other name other than their own, as the models stand up to testing and scrutiny quite well enough, thank you.

PUNISHER LORE

The new VP-X builds on the “lore” side of things by being quite unashamedly “Punisher”, without actually being called that and with a twin pack available, it’s going to pick up a huge fanbase for that reason alone! From the mid 1970’s, the story told in Marvel Comics (and also on-screen in both movie and serial formats) of “Frank Castiglione AKA Castle AKA The Punisher”, who wages a one-man war on crime using various special weapons and tactics, is one that’s gripped generations of readers and viewers. As a former Force Recon “Nam” veteran, of course he’s comfortable with a huge variety of weapons and fighting styles and even gets to use some pretty unusual ones, but my personal vision of him is always with an M16A1/M203 combo, an Uzi and of undoubtedly his signature custom black and silver 1911s! The Vorsk VP-X nails that look perfectly and in-house we’ve already started calling them simply the “Punisher Pistols”. However, looks are not everything and as cool as the VP-X undoubtedly looks, that’s backed up by quality and performance. Externally this 1911/MEU hybrid features a bespoke Vorsk compensator, stylised pistol grips and a dualtone colour scheme. As usual with bespoke Vorsk designs, the attention to detail is great throughout and little things like the magwell

chamfer to properly accommodate a flat-baseplate singlestack 15 BB magazine, just goes to illustrate this. Vorsk tell us regularly that “all of our pistol designs are passion projects” and the VP-X is no exception to this rule. A full metal construction with an anti-porous, electrostatic finish means that the VP-X is going to put up with some abuse and with a choice body colour complimented by a secondary colour found on the moderator, trigger, magrelease, hammer, slide-lock and other furniture, it’s going to look great as it does so. The slide features two 90° vertical slide grips, a fixed Vorsk compensator and V-notch iron sights (standard models), or a Vorsk RDS with a bespoke sight mounting plate. The rear sight is one that is easy to acquire quickly and it can be removed completely on the RDS model. There’s also a cool-looking trigger, a uniquely flared magwell incorporated into the backstrap assembly to aid with quick reloads, a rounded hammer and serrations on both the front and rear of slide. This is particularly useful in relation to the twin-pack on offer, as you can rack the slide against an hard surface if you’re dual-wielding! All models have a chrome outer barrel and spring guide, while new high-stipple pistol grips finish off the strong look of this pistol. The small touches of secondary colour result in a very stylish “1911” indeed. On the short 10m range the VP-X performed flawlessly on NP 2.0 greenbottle gas and using RZR .20g BBs it chrono’d very nicely indeed with a pretty darn consistent 0.94 Joule/319fps, even on a chilly day! Accuracy is great too, as it easily rang the steels at both 5 and 10 meters on .25g RZRs! Overall, I believe that Vorsk have another absolute winner on their hands with the VP-X and if you need a skirmish pistol that looks superb, handles solidly and runs like a train, to enable you to hand out some 6mm “punishment” of your own, then this is a model that you are 100% going to want in your GBB handgun collection. You can check out more on the VP-X and the rest of the extensive Vorsk GBB pistol range by visiting www.vorskairsoft. com AA

www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR MAXPEDITION HEAD-TO-HEAD

MAXPEDITION HEAD-TO-HEAD

“EDITORIAL INSPIRATION” COMES IN MANY SHAPES, SIZES AND FORMS AND THIS MONTH, WHILE LOOKING FOR A LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO QUIET HIS BOISTEROUS PUPPY, FRENCHIE SPOTTED SOMETHING THAT GOT HIM THINKING…

he inspiration for this (and next month’s) piece comes from Tucker Pringle. “Tucker” is a nineweek-old Springer-Collie mix puppy with savage little teeth! As I was casting desperately around for something that he could chew, my attention alighted on my Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack. “That’s tough” I thought and let the wee bu**er loose on it. From there it was but a short step to wondering how cheap copies of this established bag measured up to the original. I have both the Jumbo Versipack and the Proteus from Maxpedition from reviews I did a lifetime ago and both are widely copied designs. I hit Amazon and eBay to find the cheapest copies of each, with the only conditions being low price and that they must replicate the function of the original as closely as possible. A word about pricing… At present you can get the Jumbo Versipack from Maxpedition’s website for $69.00. Normally they’re over $100 but that reduction isn’t reflected here in the UK so expect to pay around £90 GBP.

The competitor in this head-to-head is the “Seibertron Multi-functional Tactical Assault Gear Sling Pack Range Bag Heavy Duty Shoulder Strap Hiking EDC Messenger Molle Bag Travel Camera Compact Utility Military Bag”. Yes... A bit of catch-all labelling there, I think. This style of bag isn’t in my mind strictly “military” - they’re not bail-out bags with magazine pouches - and I use them as, well, bags, or if you want to roll with the lingo du jour, EDC (Every Day Carry) bags. In the USA, the large, zipped pocket is designed for concealed carry amongst other things, in most of the rest of the world it’s just a pocket.

The Seibertron cost £22.99 new, so significantly less that the Maxpedition. The question to be asked is does the Maxpedition justify its additional cost? The Seibertron is obviously based on the Versipack design although there are a couple of notable differences. The side-mounted bottle holder is mesh instead of solid nylon, there is a small, secure pouch mounted where the Versipack has none and it lacks the external clip (key clip?) found on the original.

FEBRUARY 2021

KIT & GEAR MAXPEDITION HEAD-TO-HEAD

The specifications differ considerably too, although in fairness, the Seibertron specs could probably have been “bigged up” a bit had the seller wished to do so. The nylon on both bags is PU backed to improve water resistance. Both can be expected to shrug of rain and mud but neither can be safely submerged! Rather than use up acres of space describing each design in detail I’ll add a couple of photos which show the main features and discuss their differences in more detail. However, I will give you a brief overview that applies to both bags. There is a large, shaped back panel with padded areas to cushion the wearer, to this the main components are stitched. There is a spacious main compartment covered by a secure top flap and a drawstring. Beneath the top flap is a zip-secured pouch with an internal divider and an open pocket on the outside. The top flap is secured by a substantial nylon clip and features a small, zipped pocket and a larger pocket that sits atop the main section when all is closed up. The flap can be tucked into either the main compartment or the rear zipped pocket if you need easy and repeated access to the pouches beneath it. There is a zipped pouch to the right (as you look at the bag) and a bottle holder to the left. There is also the zipped pocket mentioned above. The webbing shoulder strap has a shoulder pad, on both bags I have removed this. They work as they’re meant to; I just don’t like them on any bag. The bag can be worn on the left or right - if there is a “right” way I haven’t found it! It’s a solid utility bag and as player I went through quite a long period of using bags rather than load carrying equipment as I found it less encumbering and more flexible. This wouldn’t be my main choice for a game unless I was using a shotgun, in which case full and empty cartridges went into pockets anyway. The lack of quick access would be a problem in a firefight; it’s much less of a problem on the high street and Maxpedition always intended the Versipack as a utility pouch. That said, with the main flap tucked out of the way and relying on the drawstring to secure the main compartment, it is conceivable that you could carry several magazines and access them pretty quickly. I think I would combine that with a separate dump pouch for empties to avoid confusion. Both bags have a means of securing them around your waist. The Versipack has a 1” web belt attached with clips, the Seibertron has a velcro’d belt loop on the back. Since I dislike this on an EDC bag, both have

been removed. In use, it’ll be no surprise that both bags function as intended. I carry my prescription sunglasses in the top pouch on the flap and small items such as business cards, penknife, torch in the small pocket. If I were gaming with either, I would probably leave the glasses out and tuck the flap flat. In truth, while I understand the pouch on top, I don’t really like it and may remove it from the Seibertron once I have photographed it for this piece. Both have plenty of MOLLE should you want to add more function to an already well specified bag.

CONCLUSIONS

I fear it will come as no surprise that there is truly little to choose between the Maxpedition and the Seibertron. The Maxpedition is made of heavier nylon but the construction is similar, both are double stitched around the seams but I question whether the few differences that do exist are going to be significant to most users. I actually find the slightly lighter nylon of the Seibertron more forgiving; I’ve had the Maxpedition for years and it is as stiff as it was when I first got it. Now, the copy will probably wear faster than the original but even if you had to replace it once you are still saving money. If you want the toughest version of this bag, go the extra mile, and get the Maxpedition. If like me, you want an equally useable bag, the Seibertron is well worth the £23.00 being asked for it. Is the Maxpedition worth £90.00? Honestly? No. I think it’s overpriced for what it is. The current US retail price of $69.00 if directly reflected here in the UK would give us £51.00 and that would make the decision easier – I would go for the Maxpedition. The truth is there are many ‘tactical’ bags available from the £23.00 of the copy up to circa £60.00 which are great value and well made. I have always had a suspicion that Maxpedition trade hard on their American heritage but their bags are made in either Taiwan or Vietnam, just like so many others, so the price isn’t a reflection of the cost of US labour. I have exactly zero issues with where a product is made as long as it’s well made for the price; for me however the Seibertron is a much better value-for-money proposition. I really like good quality gear and Maxpedition is definitely that but were I buying either bag now, the copy would get my hard-earned cash. Next month, I’ll compare the Maxpedition Proteus to the cheapest copy I could find on eBay! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP!!

2021 APPEARS TO BE STARTING SLOWLY, WITH OUR FAVOURITE SHOPS PHYSICALLY SHUT AGAIN FOR A WHILE AT LEAST, AND GAMES FOR MANY WILL BE OFF FOR A WHILE TOO, SO WHAT BETTER TIME TO INVEST THAT MONEY SAVED ON SOME RIGHTEOUS GEAR IN READINESS FOR WHEN IT’S TIME AGAIN TO GET “GAME ON!” NEW MODELS AND GEAR ARE GOING TO BE COMING THICK AND FAST IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, AS AEGS AND GBBS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWN FIRST AT SHOT AND IWA WILL STILL BE COMING, BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY, AND WE’LL BE UPDATING AS SOON AS WE HEAR ABOUT THEM!

ewly arrived with our friends over at Gunfire are two new AEG models (both in two colour options!) that are going to please a lot of players that favour a “modern SF” style in their looadouts in the shape of the SA-H11 and SA-H12 ONE carbines! Both these superlooking “416” style AEGs benefit from striking looks with a choice of up-to-the-minute rail systems, and are solidly made from a mix of Alloy, Steel, and Polymer parts. Inside each of them is the Specna Arms spring release system

the main spring, so you can set your muzzle velocity so as to guarantee an ideal compromise between effectiveness of fire and safety for the user himself as well as other participants, along with local legality. The AEGs are fully compatible with LiPo and LiFe batteries. Due to base muzzle velocity of 430FPS provided by the main spring installed as default at source, the H11/H12 is perfect for operating at

called “Enter & Convert”. With this system it is possible to rapidly and quickly adapt the power of the AEG to the conditions expected onsite without you needing access to a workshop or a set of special tools; once the gearbox has been taken out of the replica’s body, the process of spring change lasts literally seconds.

medium range. The set also includes an M90 spring, which allows to reduce the muzzle velocity to 310FPS immediately so that the AEGs meet local guidelines and are perfect for close-range and indoor use. The gearbox (which is reinforced as standard) hides a steel main spring guide which is the crucial element of the Enter & Convert system, along with 8mm bearings and steel thread-wheels which are placed on spacers. The system is secured with the use of four anti-reversals, and there is a type 2 cylinder and steel breaker. The AEGs are factory-fitted with an accurate, rotary type polymer Hop-Up unit that allows very precise and stable regulation of BBs. So, not only

The advantages of the Enter & Convert system are hard to overstate. In the light of the current tendency worldwide to use legal limitations regarding the muzzle velocity of replicas or internal regulations inside various groups, the system guarantees the user a varied set of possibilities and much freedom. The Enter & Convert system minimal downtime to change 80

FEBRUARY 2021

KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

do the H11 and H12 look GREAT, but they’re also setup to perform wherever you are in the world with minimal fuss! G&G Armament are also having a busy start to the year as they are starting to drop some upgraded models, as well as totally new ones! First up is a new model in the GTP 9 pistol series, the Metal Slide DST! The all-new GTP 9 MS DST features the usual superb engineering we expect from G&G, along with their patent-pending whirl cylinder valve which helps

reduce the frost built-up while firing and increasing gas efficiency, an ambidextrous magazine release, and a lower Picatinny rail to fit attachments. In addition, a hop-up tool is located on the bottom of the backstrap to easily adjust the hop-up inside the barrel, so as with the other variants you will no longer need to remove the slide to adjust. The GTP 9 MS DST comes in a hard plastic case with a speed loader, and an extra backstrap. Next up is a re-release of their popular ARP 9, but with a different twist! Now whilst it’s not a totally new model, G&G Armament are bringing back their Limited Edition ARP 9 Gold for 2021, but with a couple of twists to keep things fresh and interesting! Due to player demand, they’re bringing it back with some changes that are sure to please even existing owners; the all-new ARP 9 Stealth Gold Edition will feature an SS-50 Mock Suppressor and be equipped with a 60 round dummy round magazine. By no means least though we’ve just been given the “heads up” on the all-new PCC 45, and this looks

to be a cracker! This model has been talked about online for a little while now, and many thought that G&G would not be releasing it until much later in 2021, but they’ve just confirmed to us that a test sample will be shipping to us direct from the factory in Taiwan imminently for testing, so it would appear that the wait will not be as long as expected! Whilst there are few details as yet, what we can tell you is that this distinctive AEG will come with a G2 Gearbox with 8mm bearings, a Standard Motor (18000rpm/ Long), and will be a mix of metal and polymer in construction. The G&G website is already showing two magazine types for this new SMG, a “bulletfilled” 110 BB (the standard that will come with the AEG by the looks of it) version, and a plain black 520 BB Hi Cap. We’re absolutely certain that this is just the first of a whole heap of new models we’ll see from G&G this coming year, but of course we’ll confirm them as soon as we know! Sticking with RIFs for now, there’s one final piece of news that we can give you this months, and that’s a “sneak peek” at the latest model to roll out from VORSK! The Defender Pro is due for release soon and looks to be VORSKs take on yet another famous pistol, but as usual with their own distinctive styling and unique touches thrown in. We’ve been following this model during the development process so we already know that there’s a few different things going

on with it (again!), and so far our favourite has to be the black/black variant that had the development name of “The Blackout”. Once again, we know that this is just the tip of the iceberg in what we’re expecting to see from Vorsk this year, and rest assured we’ll keep you posted! Moving on to accessories, our friends at Laylax over in Japan have obviously been hard at it, and they finished off 2020 with some righteous releases including the new Picatinny Rear Stock Base for MP5 users! They tell us: “Our newest line is aimed at changing not only the way you attach stocks but also increasing the variety www.airsoftaction.net

KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

of stocks available. The new Picatinny Rear Stock Base series has been developed to allow for 20mm stock options including pistol type braces and compact rifle stocks. The first of this series of new picatinny stock bases is our MP5 stock base which enables a stockless MP5k option for any of your full sized Tokyo Marui based MP5s. Then later you can add our 20mm buffer tube adapter if you wish to use a M4 stock. Not only is installation much faster and easier than traditional stocks, its much lighter, compact, and its height is fully adjustable. This allows for maximum customization when it comes to various eye protection solutions so that you can have optimal sight lines for aiming. Shooting glasses or Dye masks, adjust it to your liking!” This accessory is designed to make your favourite MP5 even more compact and lightweight, and enables even more interfacing options. The LayLax picatinny 20mm stock base brings the highly customizable attachment 20mm platform to the rear of the gun for a more modern look with a variety of 1913 style stocks and braces. The included 20mm buffer tube adapter allows for even more stock options to attach your favourite stocks, and allows you to pick a stock height for the best sight lines regardless of your eye protection!

quick and easy use. Once you transform your stylish looking backpack into a tabletop gear container, there’s no going back to traditional gun cases! Try various configurations and you can transform your container gun case to best suit your transportation needs. Rounding things off though we’ll go back to more traditional transport options with the S&T Semi Hard Gun Case; from the outside it looks very nice indeed, the exterior being a hard-wearing fabric, but it’s what goes on beneath this that makes it a little bit special, as sandwiched between the inner and outer layers of fabric is a polymer framed box which greatly increases its durability, and offers greater protection to the contents. Coming in at 900mm long x 300mm wide x 100mm deep it’s sized to fit a carbine/mid-length rifle and this can be held solidly in place during transit by

In terms of gear we’ll stick with Laylax for a moment to introduce their new Container Gun Case! The LayLax Container Gun Case brings you a less tactical-looking and more stylish case for not only your guns, but for all of your gear. The case unfolds into a container keeping all of your gear in one place for

placing the padded internal inserts exactly where you want them (the biggest of these can also double up a range rest if you’re zeroing your favourite optic!). The inserts are made from foam but covered by a quality polyester fabric, and there’s enough of them of differing sizes to comfortably secure your primary and secondary along with a few magazines. On the front of there’s a nicely embroidered S&T Airsoft patch, along with a good-sized Velcro panel for your nametapes/team patches, whilst on one end is a plasticised sleeve for travel documents or paperwork you may need to access quickly. His case arrived from iWholesales containing the L85A3 you’ll see reviewed this month, so they obviously trust it with their “special guns”, so we believe you can too! Once again, until next month, keep safe, where possible keep shooting, and enjoy your airsoft to the full! AA

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last post LET’S GET RUGGED

LET’S GET

RUGGED!

MOST OF US HAVE PROBABLY BEEN IN A GAME WHERE “COMMS” CONSIST OF A VARIETY OF RADIOS SYSTEMS AND/OR “WALKIE TALKIES”, HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY CHOICE. FRENCHIE TAKES A LOOK AT AN ALTERNATIVE THAT MIGHT JUST FIT THE BILL, WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK.

FEBRUARY 2021

£100, new. What does that buy you and should you click on the “Buy Now” button? As ever, the answer is “that depends”! If you’re a bit of a sad geek like me, the answer is “yes” …twice! Once because it’s a tank and twice because it’s not a tank - and this apparent contradiction will become clear shortly.

BUILT LIKE A TANK!

The more you spend, the more you get. If you need serious performance from your phone for gaming or suchlike, the cheapest options won’t do it for you. If, like me you actually make calls, do a reasonable amount of social media and handle emails, the lower cost options are simply fine. I have two rugged phones: the Ulefone X7 Armor Pro and the Oukitel WP5. Both run Android 10, both have 4Gb of RAM, 32Gb of internal storage and accept Micro SD storage up to Loads of Gb. The WP5 has an 8000Mah battery, the

Ulefone X7 Armor Pro

here is much talk about the use of comms on the airsoft field and I know I have contributed a reasonable amount myself over the years. Nearly all of this centres on radios, however, there are those who prefer to utilise a communications system they already own, namely the mobile phone. On the face of it, this is an idea with many merits… your comms cannot be intercepted (well, not by the average airsofter!), you can conduct silent comms by text, squad comms via messaging apps and you could distribute photographic reconnaissance material with your team. There are downsides, however. Mobile phones lack the immediacy of radio, so initiating that ambush might not be quite so effective if you’re huddling in a bush furiously typing into WhatsApp… They are also fragile …and expensive. That’s a poor combination for peace of mind and the sanity of your bank balance but there may be a solution - the rugged mobile phone. These have become more available recently and, more importantly, these are armoured smartphones, not older feature phones or dumb phones with a bit of rubber attached. So, if you accept that the mobile phone can actually be a useful skirmish tool, is this generation of tough phones worth considering? I like gadgets, so it follows that I’m a bit of a phone fan. I have always protected my phones with decent cases and screen protectors where appropriate, so the idea of a phone that comes pre-armoured is deeply appealing. You also don’t have to spend a fortune on these devices – courtesy of Amazon and others you can pick up a perfectly decent device for around

LAST POST

Oukitel WP5

LET’S GET RUGGED

X7 half that. Both will last a day of full use no problem at all. Both are rated at IP68 (Ingress Protection), meaning that they will withstand 1.5m of water immersion for 30 minutes, are mud and dirt resistant and are built to cope with drops from one to two meters. Both have Gorilla glass screens – the WP5 is 5, the X7, 3. Both companies do great videos of their products being abused, i.e. being run over by cars, dropped, slung down concrete steps, dumped in liquid mud, boiled, frozen, used to crack walnuts with the screen or hammer in a nail – again with the screen. Seriously impressive stuff! I do not doubt that a heavy impact at the right (or wrong) angle could damage the screen but I watched a video on YouTube in which the reviewer, having looked at the various features, fired up the video camera and launched a WP5 out of a first-floor window onto a slabbed patio. It was utterly unfazed. They are definitely tougher than the average phone! Or are they? One thing that is noticeably lacking from these videos is a comparison with a “normal” phone equipped with a decent case and similar screen material. Leave out the water (I accept an unprotected phone would fail there) but what about the other tests? I wonder. Sadly, I don’t have the phones available to try this out for you so I will simply suggest that your common or garden mobile is a bit tougher than we tend to give them credit for. I also suspect that a BB hit from close range to the screen on any of these phones would put a hurting on them. Additionally, you could install an application like “Zello” which allows you to use your mobile as a

walkie talkie and apparently can map hardware as a PTT. I haven’t tried it, so I make no claim beyond that. Also, there are some rugged phones out there which combine both phone & walkie talkie hardware in the one device. They are currently around the £500 mark and are almost certainly not PMR compliant, although they operate across the “right” frequencies. That said, if you want a relatively cheap but competent phone for daily use which can cope with the rigours of the skirmish field, I think that either of these could be recommended. There are others available, Blackview, Dogee and even Land Rover, amongst many others. They all hail from China and while the manufacturers may be unfamiliar to some of you, all are well made and problem free. Of the two I own, the WP5 is a bit of a handful courtesy of that big battery and some of you (me included) might find it too much as a daily carry phone. That’s why I also acquired the X7. It’s much closer in weight and thickness to a normal mobile and easier to use for it. Beyond that there is little to choose between them and I do swap from one to the other as the mood takes me. There is definitely a feel-good factor to knowing that if your phone ends up underwater in a muddy ditch, it’ll take no more than a rinse with clean water to restore it to pristine condition. Likewise, carry it with the screen towards your body and it’ll shrug off any passing hit it encounters. You could, with confidence I suspect, crawl up to the edge of an enemy held trench and toss it in while shouting “GRENADE!!” at the top of your lungs. The enemy should panic and your phone survive… but maybe that’s taking it just a bit too far! Silliness aside, if you are not overly precious about your phone or you want something that can put up with harsher environments at work or during leisure, I’m happy to recommend either of the phones I own. I have no doubt that some of the others are as good or quite possibly better. It might be that freed from concerns about damage and the associated costs, you could find a more prominent role for your phone in your gaming strategies – it’s not as if military forces world-wide aren’t constantly looking to improve and increase the flow of information on the battlefield. Rugged phones may just prove to be the tool that will help you and your team mates gain that extra advantage - and before anyone suggests that they’re not very “tacticool”, I recommend you seek out photos of Royal Marines using crappy PMR radios when fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan, when they discovered that their expensive comms didn’t function as well as hoped. Use what works! AA www.airsoftaction.net

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