ISSUE 140

WINNER BEST AIRSOFT MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

ISSN 2634-9515
CONTENTS
8 ARMOURY: G&G MXC-9
Airsoft Action are proud to have a fabulous working relationship
with G&G Armament, and once again we were able to get the
lowdown on their very latest SMG model before it hit the stores!
Jimmy has been running the MXC-9 through its paces for a while
already and brings in his report on a model that’s sure to raise some
eyebrows for many positive reasons!

ISSUE 140
WINNER BEST AIRSOFT MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022
ISSN 2634-9515

Editorial Director: Bill Thomas 18 ARMOURY: RAVEN R14

Graphic Design: Calibre Publishing Bill was overjoyed when Ross at RAVEN introduced him to the pre-
Ad Design: Deadshot Design production version of their new GBB pistols and he’s been using
Publisher: Calibre Publishing one for nearly FIVE years now, both at home and abroad! Since
then the marque has moved ever-onwards offering players a mind-
bending array of models and indeed colours to choose from, and
the latest R14 is something just a bit special… again!

Wyche Innovation Centre,

Walwyn Road,
Upper Colwall,
Malvern,
Worcestershire,
WR13 6PL, UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 1684 878 003
Web: www.airsoftaction.net 24 ARMOURY: LCT LK53A3
©Calibre Publishing Limited 2021 Anyone who knows Stewbacca will know that you’re rarely likely to
All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be see him wielding an AEG by choice; the climate, the heavily MilSim
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, style of play and his recent move towards “Jungle Ops” have all
photocopying, recording or otherwise without the lead him to lean towards gas blowback rifles for their realism, fun
express permission of the publisher in writing. The
opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those
factor and that they work effectively in the heat. So if he’s singing
of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit the praises of an AEG, you know it’s worth taking a look at!
submissions prior to publication.

FIND US ON…

LETTER , IDEA OR
QUESTION?
Got something to say? A question for our 34 ARMOURY: KRYTAC EMG FN-LICENCED P90
experts? An article or article idea? The airsoft P90 is undoubtedly a model that divides player
Drop us a line and let us know. Either email the
opinion, but one that has been with us in “6mm” form for many,
Editorial Director: bill@airsoft-action.co.uk, write to
us at the Calibre Publishing address above, or talk to
many years and has given solid service and enjoyment to owners
us on Twitter or Facebook. worldwide. But do we need another version of this diminutive
PDW, and if so, what does the Krytac/EMG “take” bring to the
table? Bill delves deeper…

40 TOD: BASHA BUILDING
We thought it was time to start
putting some of those Tactical
Outdoor skills into practice, so Bill
and Jimmy have been out in the
woods building fast-set shelters that
can see even the most efficient and
“light is right” players amongst you
comfortable for a night or two!
44 THE CAGE: SLINGS
There are many aspects to consider
when you’re setting up your primary
for airsoft, and over the past couple
of months the Legionnaires have been
discussing this in depth. Now we
come to a piece of equipment which
is often overlooked by many, and
that’s your sling!
48 RED CELL: SBR UPDATE
Way back in Issue 124 Red Cell
gathered to look at AR SBRs. Nearly
a year and a half later they put their
heads together again to see how
some of these test models have done
- and what new ones have caught
their eye and been added to the Test
Pool!
60 RELOADED GE AMD-65
Bill is always on the look-out for well-
priced yet unique replicas to add to
his AK collection. He finally found one
that has been evading him for some
time, the Hungarian AMD-65! After
giving the poor thing some real abuse
he now reports back on the AEG
version from Golden Eagle Airsoft.
66 TECH: AGM MG42
In our D-Day Red Cell “special” Jimmy
had a few choice words to say about
the AGM MG42! As promised he now
brings in his full assessment, and the
steps he took to make the well-priced
support gun into a true, BB-chucking
beast!
70 TECH: M4 SOPMOD BUILD
If you look through the range of
virtually any manufacturer out there
it’s going to be the AR-style that is
dominant! Bill continues with his
journey to recreate a BLOCK 1 M4
SOPMOD, a Mod 0 CQBR, and the kit
to go with it
Contents
AUGUST 2022
76 LEGION EVENT: OP CABRIT
In Issue 138 we brought you Jase’s
report on “OP CABRIT”, but while
he was busy out “on task”, behind
the scenes two more of the AA Crew
were making things work in relation
to “special effects” and now Jimmy
reports back…
80 AA LEGION: USA
Airsoft is flourishing all over the world
again and this is where the members
of the AA LEGION are really coming
into their own! With new members
coming online the international event
and game reports are flowing. Here,
Dan in the USA reports in on a “Wild
West” game with a difference!
86 AA LEGION: PORTUGAL
Miguel is a “seasoned vet” in the AA
LEGION and with questions like “Do
you like Airsoft? Do you like a great
get-together with players from other
parts of your country? And all this
with good food and drinks?” you
can see why as his enthusiasm for all
thing airsoft just keeps on shining!
90 AA LEGION: HONG KONG
Our “Man in Hong Kong” Larri is
really excited about sharing the
passion for airsoft there, and this time
he reports on a SpeedQB Pre-Match
that he believes takes Hong Kong
SpeedQB Competition to next level!
94 SHOP DROP
This month we’ve got a couple of
important pieces of retail-related
news to share, both about brands
that we’ve been working with closely
and that we’ve mentioned online in
the “website dailies” but though they
needed more space!
96 LAST POST
Many AEGs are surprisingly robust
and just go on and on. But what can
you do if you don’t pay attention,
or if you meaningfully TRY to do
the worst to your beloved AEG…
just HOW can you kill it? In his usual
wry fashion, airsoft-industry veteran
Frenchie has the answer!
 ARMOURY
G&G MXC-9

SHORT...
BUT OH SO
SWEET!
8 AUGUST 2022
 ARMOURY
G&G MXC-9

AIRSOFT ACTION ARE PROUD TO HAVE A FABULOUS WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH G&G
ARMAMENT, AND ONCE AGAIN WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE LOWDOWN ON THEIR VERY LATEST
SMG MODEL BEFORE IT HIT THE STORES! JIMMY HAS BEEN RUNNING THE MXC-9 THROUGH ITS
PACES FOR A WHILE ALREADY AND BRINGS IN HIS REPORT ON A MODEL THAT’S SURE TO RAISE
SOME EYEBROWS FOR MANY POSITIVE REASONS!

I
t was mentioned a while back now in our daily
website news that Airsoft Action had got hands-
on a brand new SMG model from G&G, the MXC-
9! A few of the team saw this for the first time at
IWA 2022 and they were all very impressed; sadly I
did not make the trip but I was kept very much in the
loop and had a few images sent to me direct from
the show which got me quite excited!
From what I understand from the IWA-team this
new platform gained a fair amount of interest also
from another big name in airsoft that has made a
bit of a living from a certain SMG model (I shall keep
you guessing on that…), and if you didn’t catch
the scoop on IWA 2022 rest assured we’ve got you
covered in the back issues of AA available on the
website.
G&G is a brand I have come to respect and I love
the fact they are always coming up with something
new. G&G are a major player in the airsoft industry
and their products are very popular indeed, from the
budget right up to the premium range. I was very
honoured to get the chance to test and report on
this new platform as it was one of the first to land
on UK soil, being sent directly to us from the factory!
It is quite a privilege I must say, so thank you, you
lovely G&G people in Taiwan!
“Higher Higher” at Airsoft Action have built a very
strong relationship over the years with G&G, and
know them on not only a professional level but on a
personal one as well. So where did G&G originate?
To recap for newer players, in 1986 Guay Guay
Trading co. ltd was established in Taipei, Taiwan.

www.airsoftaction.net 9
 ARMOURY
G&G MXC-9
From the very beginning
Guay Guay were dealers
of airsoft toys, action
figures, and military/law
enforcement equipment for airsoft and
military enthusiasts. In order to broaden
the scale of airsoft Guay Guay launched
their own brand to focus solely on airsoft, and
2001 saw the birth of G&G armament.
From the early days (2004 up until 2013) G&G had
already developed, manufactured and distributed
more than 100 different replicas around the world.
Still going strong in 2022 G&G to my knowledge are
one of the few manufacturers who have strayed from
the path and designed and manufactured their own
designs, meaning these aren’t “replicas” of anything
that exists in the real steel world. Of course they
have teamed up with the likes of Cobalt Kinetics and
Knights Armament now to offer some true “replicas”
and to me this just shows how much respect they
have earned from the “real” firearms industry, and
rightly so!
Anyhoo, let’s get back to the matter in hand shall
we? The MXC-9; what a cracking platform! I have
really enjoyed getting out on the field with this, and
yes you read right, out on the field which means this
isn’t an “as new” review, this as always is another
review on not only what it looks like but also its
performance - and boy has it performed! As with
most things there is always a ‘but’; in this case there is
no ‘but,’ seriously, I have found no fault or flaw with
the MXC-9 and it is so nice to be able to say this.
A SOLID FOUNDATION
G&G have had undoubted success with their ARP-
9 in the “PDW” market, and it would be rude not
to mention this here; however, this has not stopped
them taking things forward with their new models
“I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED GETTING OUT ON THE FIELD WITH THIS, AND YES YOU READ
RIGHT, OUT ON THE FIELD WHICH MEANS THIS ISN’T AN “AS NEW” REVIEW, THIS
AS ALWAYS IS ANOTHER REVIEW ON NOT ONLY WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE BUT ALSO ITS
PERFORMANCE - AND BOY HAS IT PERFORMED!”
10 AUGUST 2022
though, and as usual they
have done this in their
own special way and
created some super SMG
platforms to go alongside their
PDWs!
It would have been easy for them
to simply redesign the ARP9 a little and
slap a big old UMP- like “.45” mag into
it, and many would have shaken their
heads sadly and said “oh, another AR”,
and to be honest I would have been amongst
them. But no! As usual G&G decided to do things
THEIR way, and rather than go with an existing design
in a different “calibre” they threw that all to one side
and created something entirely, refreshingly new,
something that gives a nod to the past but brings
things completely, thrillingly up to date.
Now many that have seen the PCC-45 have
immediately said “this is just a modern take on the
Heckler & Koch UMP” and they would be right in
saying this purely down to the fact that the PCC-45
uses that larger magazine, but they would also be very
wrong in my opinion as this was an entirely new beast
that just happened to use a visually similar magazine!
But how does this all fit in the story of the MXC-9?
Let’s get this out there early, the MXC-9 has been
fashioned around the very popular PCC-45 model,
but when I say fashioned I mean redesigned! The
PCC-45 works incredibly well and looks absolutely
fantastic, and G&G have realised this to be a very
good base; I’d have to agree that it’s a really solid
foundation on which to base a whole series of SMG-
style platforms (please!). Here is a ‘but’ though; the
PCC-45 while it looks fantastic (with a serious nod to
the LWRC SMG 45!) it has one major flaw and that is
the battery placement. Sadly you are very limited on
battery choice and even batteries that do fit it are still

very tight, and the
possibility of damaging a
battery is very high.
What G&G have done
with the MXC-9 is to completely
revamp the battery placement, and
the path they have chosen is a path
I will happily walk. They have taken
a good platform and made it almost
perfect in my opinion. Others may
disagree but I’m not listening quite
frankly…
Out of the very well-presented box, first impressions
on the MXC-9 are very good; first impressions can
play a major part and have significant effect on
what you think or how you see things further down
the line, and my initial evaluation just on the box
alone was, “very well presented”, not your average
packaging, good things come in small packages
apparently; quality!
So, to the platform itself! It looks somewhat similar
to another very popular and well-known airsoft SMG
platform in my opinion, and is roughly the same size.
With CQB in mind this platform will be very effective
in that environment. Although it is mainly polymer
it is very solid, with no movement between any
of the parts. The M-LOK-style 5.5 inch handguard
is aluminium and in true G&G form it is very well
machined and finished with a nice little handstop
incorporated, so no need to add any extras.
The overall length is 605mm fully extended but
the MXC-9 does have a folding stock so can be made
very short making it easy to carry in a rucksack and
weighs in at 2330g. I really like the stock design as it
reminds me of a “Zhukov” stock, with six adjustment
levels and a moveable cheek rest. Inside the stock is
where the battery is housed and the MXC-9 can easily
accommodate an 11.1v stick battery; a Giant Power
“DUE TO THE FACT THE STOCK CAN FOLD G&G WENT FOR A CONDUCTIVE HINGE ON
THIS, AND FOR ME IT IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE USED ONE, ALTHOUGH FROM WHAT I
UNDERSTAND IT ISN’T A NEW DESIGN; I FEEL IT IS A GREAT IDEA AS THERE ARE NO
WIRES IN BETWEEN THE STOCK AND THE BODY.”
ARMOURY
G&G MXC-9
15c stick or similar fits
perfectly and this should
keep you going all day
long!
Due to the fact the stock
can fold G&G went for a conductive
hinge on this, and for me it is the first
time I have used one, although from what
I understand it isn’t a new design; I feel it is a great
idea as there are no wires in between the stock and
the body. Although the body of the MXC-9 is just a
PCC-45 G&G have designed a completely unique set
of magazines in “9mm” guise and they look great !
They come in two flavours, 130BB or 170BB and both
sport the new FOUR CHANNEL converging system.
This means there are four separate channels in the
mags which merge into one feed tube, the benefit
being you’re able to fit more BBs into a smaller area,
and the springs feed better due to sitting inline and
not bent around the inside… just don’t be in a hurry
to take them apart, trying to get the four springs back
in is like trying to get wet spaghetti into a Maccy D’s
straw lol!
I prefer the look of the 170BB mag as it has a
chunky rubber base, so in the event you drop it the
rubber will certainly protect it. For the record you can
use both MXC-9 mags and PCC-45 mags, the mags
will happily swap between the two platforms so you
don’t need to worry about being specific with your
mags.
ZERO SNEAKY!
Naturally I had to go inside and see if there were any
differences between the two G&G platforms, and the
main difference I found was the MXC-9 has a 25k Ifrit
motor whereas my PCC-45 came with the 18k motor,
so a massive difference in performance where speed is
concerned. The 25k Ifrit motor is a very capable motor
www.airsoftaction.net 11
 ARMOURY
G&G MXC-9

with lots of torque and a very respectable speed that we cannot not deny as it clearly says it on the
giving you on 11.1v 15c around 20 rps which by side, but I am a massive fan of the 45 even with its
my standards is more than enough. The G2 gearbox flawed battery compartment. However, the MXC-
sounds great with the 25k motor, while I feel the 9 doesn’t just up the awesome looks it also totally
PCC-45 sounds a bit laboured with the 18k. eliminates the battery storage issue! With the new
Out on the game field is where this compact stock design and the new handguard I’m somewhat
platform really shines! Being compact you would shocked to hear myself say that the MXC-9 looks
automatically think it to be an indoor close quarter better than the PCC-45, although I may have to swap
tool, and well, you would be wrong to think this. Even out stocks between the two just see how the 45 will
with its meagre 128mm barrel this thing surprised look with the MXC-9 stock…
me fully, allowing me to reach out to distances which I would like to be able to say definitively what
a barrel three times its length should be reaching. In the price range will be in the UK and Europe (www.
fact I was reaching out past many others, and this redwolfairsoft.com are showing the MXC-9 at US
mainly due to G&G’s new BLUE rubber. It is a great $354.99 which sounds right…) but as I said, we
hop rubber in comparison to the tried and tested received it way before it was due to land in store! I
G&G GREEN which has been over the years a popular imagine they will be landing in your favourite airsoft
choice. I reckon with a premium inner barrel, the blue shop very soon though, and within reason I will say
hop rubber and an Omega nub you could see some the MXC-9 will be worth every penny!
crazy ranges! I would like to say a massive thank you to the
Don’t try to be sneaky with the MXC-9 as guys at G&G Armament (www.guay2.com) for the
everybody on the field will know where you are! This opportunity to test and report on this great new
is due to the muzzle device fitted; it is large and very platform; I look forward to what comes next with
loud, in fact I’m going to say it’s probably louder than some anticipation! AA
the Fire Hawk, and if you know the Fire Hawk then
you get the picture. I really would love to see some
EBB on these new offerings though; being a fan of
EBB I love hearing the noise and getting a sense of
realism from the operation of seeing the bolt fly back
and forth.
Filling up with my usual .20g BUSHIDO BB “testers”
the MXC-9 gave a mean chronograph reading of 0.99
Joule/328fps which was on the nose pretty much
each and every shot! I’m not sure what G&G have
been up to in the depths of their “skunkworks”, but
this shot-to-shot consistency is becoming the norm
for them, as I’ve had the same level of consistency
when I’ve tested other recent G&G models, and this
is obviously perfectly site friendly for the majority of
countries legally. I’ve been running the MXC-9 mostly
on my usual .28gs “in game”, and the hop is easy and
simple to adjust even wearing tactical gloves. With
all the controls on the MXC-9 being ambidextrous
(another thing I’ve come to almost expect with newer
G&G models), it makes operation extremely simple
and comfortable for all potential users.
So to conclude, yes, this is a PCC-45 underneath,

“THE MXC-9 DOESN’T JUST UP THE AWESOME LOOKS IT ALSO TOTALLY ELIMINATES
THE BATTERY STORAGE ISSUE! WITH THE NEW STOCK DESIGN AND THE NEW
HANDGUARD I’M SOMEWHAT SHOCKED TO HEAR MYSELF SAY THAT THE MXC-9
LOOKS BETTER THAN THE PCC-45...”

12 AUGUST 2022
 ARMOURY
G&G MXC-9

www.airsoftaction.net 13
 ARMOURY
RAVEN R14

NEXT GEN
1911!
16 AUGUST 2022
 ARMOURY
RAVEN R14

BILL WAS OVERJOYED LATE IN 2017 WHEN ROSS AT RAVEN INTRODUCED HIM TO THE PRE-
PRODUCTION VERSION OF THEIR NEW GBB PISTOLS AND HE’S BEEN USING ONE (OF MANY!) FOR
NEARLY FIVE YEARS NOW IN HIS PERSONAL AIRSOFT ADVENTURES BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD!
SINCE THEN THE MARQUE HAS MOVED EVER-ONWARDS OFFERING PLAYERS A MIND-BENDING
ARRAY OF MODELS AND INDEED COLOURS TO CHOOSE FROM, AND THE LATEST R14 IS SOMETHING
JUST A BIT SPECIAL… AGAIN!

R
AVEN GBB pistols
have always
been to me
what I lovingly refer
to as “fightin’ irons”,
and by that I mean
simple, straightforward
yet elegant handguns designed specifically to be
it
accurate, durable and reliable in a game setting, and
does
the fact that they are REALLY competitively priced
pale
doesn’t hurt either, especially at the moment when
just a little against the
many of us are feeling a bit of a financial squeeze!
performance of the Hi-
A RAVEN pistol is a tool that you can use
Capas, and having been
immediately you buy one, and if you wish, work on
spoiled by these I found
to become a partner that will serve you well over a
myself wanting just a little
considerable “service life”! I’ve got original RAVEN
bit more from the “old
1911s that are still running as new, and my RAVEN
campaigner”…
“training, NOT a…” gets extensive use; with even
And blow me if the RAVEN
basic maintenance these handguns run and run,
team haven’t read my mind, as
unlike some of the competitors out there that burn
the latest pistol in their ever-
bright initially but fade away over time…
expanding stable is a marvellous
I still maintain that the RAVEN Hi-Capa is by far
mix of the two! It’s an “MEU-style
one of the best “fighting pistols” that I’ve ever come
1911” BUT one that has been up-specced and uses
across, simple yet SO effective, and that’s not bias
Hi-Capa magazines! This to me is a magic combo for
towards my friend Ross coming out as he’s been
airsoft use, as although I wouldn’t get away with any
behind the concept and design of many fine GBB
kind of Hi-Capa at a living history event, at an airsoft
handguns now, it’s just a fact that the Hi-Capa is a
game I can use it happily while pretty much keeping
fine, fine pistol FOR THE USER! I now have in my
“in theme”!
collection a 5.1, 4.3, and a 3.8 RAVEN Hi-Capa, and
The R14 is to me a stunning pistol and the idea
I love them all for different reasons, the 3.8 RDS
of having “Hi-Capa Utility” in a somewhat more
model being the latest acquisition for my PAMG
classic design appeals to me greatly! C’mon, who
setup.
amongst us doesn’t want all the performance we
But as I’m having a bit of an “airsoft throwback
can get from any platform, but still have it look great
moment” and looking back to my old “US SF” gear
too? I for one want a “secondary” that’s going to
I found myself digging out my original RAVEN MEU,
be unwavering in delivering BBs to target time and
and although it’s still a more than serviceable shooter
again, with performance from the box that means

“THE R14 IS TO ME A STUNNING PISTOL AND THE IDEA OF HAVING “HI-CAPA UTILITY”
IN A SOMEWHAT MORE CLASSIC DESIGN APPEALS TO ME GREATLY! C’MON, WHO
AMONGST US DOESN’T WANT ALL THE PERFORMANCE WE CAN GET FROM ANY
PLATFORM, BUT STILL HAVE IT LOOK GREAT TOO?”

www.airsoftaction.net 17
 ARMOURY
RAVEN R14
I can just run it “as is” and be assured of reliability
when I REALLY need it… as I’ve often said, if I have
to go to my secondary in-game then it’s because
something has gone seriously pear-shaped, and I need
that secondary to do its job right!
After having shot all of the current range, from
pre-production models through to “seasoned
campaigners” I have that confidence in RAVEN
handguns and that’s why more often than not if you
see me at a game there’ll be one in my
holster.
Whilst I can fully
appreciate a new
pistol model from any
manufacturer if it works
as it should, and there
are many lovely models to
choose from now that do,
unless I am running a very
specific loadout that requires
a particular model that isn’t in
the RAVEN line-up then you
can pretty much bet on the
fact that my handgun will feature that black avian
on the magazine base. RAVEN has really come on as
a brand in its own right since I was involved in the
launch of those initial models, and although, like any
manufacturer they’ve had their “ups and downs” it’s
been pretty much all “ups” as the range has matured
and grown!
SYMBLOISM MADE REALITY
I’ll go back here to what Ross told me when the
RAVEN concept was just that, a concept and not the
impressively comprehensive range of handguns that
we see from them now! When I asked him “why
“GBB PISTOLS ARE THE RELIABLE SECONDARY YOU KEEP AT YOUR SIDE, SO WHEN
NAMING THIS NEW GBB BRAND WE TOOK INSPIRATION FROM THE NORSE GOD ODIN,
WHO AT ALL TIMES HAD HIS TWO FAITHFUL, RELIABLE ‘RAVEN’ SERVANTS AT HIS
SIDE”
18 AUGUST 2022
RAVEN?” he told me:
“GBB Pistols are the reliable secondary you keep at
your side, so when naming this new GBB Brand we
took inspiration from the Norse god ODIN, who at all
times had his two faithful, reliable ‘RAVEN’ servants at
his side. THIS is exactly how we want our customers
to feel about their new RAVEN GBB Pistols; we want
to create pistols that players can rely on 100% as their
“sidekick” or game-partner, something that would
always be with them as they progressed in their
own personal airsoft
journey, forever
learning and growing
as they move ever-
forward like the hero
in a saga of old…”
And I’d say it’s
“mission achieved” from my perspective,
as the RAVEN line now encompasses many different
models and variants thereof, and I have zero doubt
that this line will continue to expand, and even
improve as new materials and technologies become
available; for what is seen by many as an “entry level
brand” due to that keen pricing these pistols quite
literally provide an immense amount of “bang for
your buck” for players that are starting out on their
own airsoft journey, or for those old-timers like me
that need a little inspiration to pep up their game!
As much as the existing RAVEN EU and “1911”
models were first rate, and that range continues to
grow, the guys behind RAVEN felt strongly that they
wanted to really make a firm statement of intent
when it came to what they are able to achieve, and
the net result of that was their excellent range of
Hi- Capas. These models moved on from the original
single-stack, more classic 1911s, with a modern,
strong, almost “blocky” look that is still right on the
button for current combat pistol design.
Again, at the time of their introduction Ross told
me:
“With the Hi-Capa’s we’ve kept thing completely
streamlined without any fuss or ornate work to any
of the main parts. These are pistols fundamentally
designed to be skirmished with, to be used rather
than just carried in a holster. We’ve beefed up areas
that we felt needed it to give them longevity and

durability, only adding features where necessary like
the threaded outer barrels and the light/laser rail on
the frame. We also upgraded the slide spring to cope
both with the minimal increase in weight, and to give
them a real kick!”
And I can certainly attest to their efficiency and
efficacy, both in “pistol-only” games and on the
range; I just love these pistols! But, and there is a BUT
here, I do love a classic 1911, and certain loadouts
do indeed cry out
for one. The new
R14s move this
into new territory
though, featuring
railed tactical
models with more
“MEU-style” lines
that benefit from all the latest advances
along with Hi-Capa levels of power and performance.
GETTING IN EARLY!
Once again I was lucky enough to be sent the last
model of the “pre-production” R14s, one which
actually has the individual serial number of “0001”
that meant it was the first of the fully realised new
pistols, albeit with cosmetically-unfinished parts still in
evidence. I actually quite liked this as I could see some
of the work that had been undertaken to make the
pistol work efficiently in a very visual way, although
beneath the surface there were other things going on
that weren’t immediately apparent!
The R14 actually brings together many concepts
found within RAVENs current range of GBBs to
produce a punchy, efficient and reliable secondary.
Starting with the true “driver” of a GBB pistol, the
23 BB mag is “double-stacked” which means a hefty
amount of BBs and gas storage; in fact the R14 will
use any of the magazines from the RAVEN Hi-Capa
series, and you’ll be able to shoot every single BB in
that double-stack with ease.
Surrounding the magazine is the moulded-stipple
RAVEN grip which has an almost rubberised feel,
something like the feel of the old Pachmayr grips
for those that know them. The “Beaver Tail” safety
fitted to the rear was one of the parts obviously
modified to accept the greater width of the magazine
“FROM EXTENSIVE TESTING OF THE “0001” MODEL I IMMEDIATELY KNEW FROM BOTH
THE FEEL AND PERFORMANCE PERSPECTIVE THAT THIS WOULD BE A GBB PISTOL
I WOULD LOVE TO ADD TO MY ARMOURY, AND SO WHEN THE FULL-PRODUCTION
VERSION ARRIVED (NUMBER “0197” JUST FYI) I WAS OVERJOYED TO SEE THAT THE
FINISH WAS FIRST-RATE.”
ARMOURY
RAVEN R14
housing, along with the slide release. In the hand it
feels outstanding, and for those of you that, like me,
own a Browning Hi Power there is a distinctly familiar
positive, “chunky” feel to the R14 grip geometry.
The frame features a Picatinny Accessory Rail on
the front lower much like that of the M45A1 CQBP,
essential for going “full-tactical” with a taclite or
LAM. Bringing this replica together, the R14s slide is a
thing of beauty in its own right; whilst similar to the
classic 1911 slide, it sits atop a frame that
makes
allowance for that big
old double-stack mag,
so the R14 has a top-
notch “power-to-weight
ratio” thanks to the fact
that the slide itself has
been made relatively light to
aid in overall performance.
It’s still slim like a single-
stacker slide which of course
means that apart from being
efficient in cycle, and having a
really sweet recoil impulse, the whole
pistol will still fit into even classic-1911 holsters! I
do hope that at some point there’ll be a non-railed
version with a flat magazine baseplate as this would
work SO well in a Namsoft loadout…
From extensive testing of the “0001” model
I immediately knew from both the feel and
performance perspective that this would be a GBB
pistol I would love to add to my armoury, and so
when the full-production version arrived (number
“0197” just FYI) I was overjoyed to see that the
finish was first-rate. When it comes to handguns
I’m a bit “Henry Ford” as any colour will do as long
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RAVEN R14

as it’s black… although I may occasionally make an
exception if it’s “SF Bronze” or green to fit into my
PAMG setup.
The black R14 is MINT! Yes, I know that there are
more colours to choose from, including an absolutely
outrageous FULL PINK model (although in fairness
the pink/silver actually looks quite elegant!), but black
is what I wanted, and black is what I got! The finish
really is one of the best that RAVEN have created to
date, an almost satin black that gives a real “quality”
feel. Markings are extremely subtle with just a tiny
“R14” unobtrusively on the slide, although there is
a neat, etched “.45 ACP” on the outer “chamber”.
The outer barrel comes internally pre-threaded for an
additional muzzle device or suppressor should you
wish to fit one… and to me the R14 really cries out
for an “SF-y Advanced Armaments-style” can!
DOWNRANGE
And as for my testing, “0001” has been going on
now for nigh-on a couple of months of regular
morning range sessions; after a couple of hundred
mags downrange to date it’s still kicking out BBs
perfectly, even though I’ve been purposely running
it “dry” and un-lubed! Putting BBs to target happily
at 10m each and every time I’ve recorded an average
reading through the chrono of 1.02 Joule/332 fps on
RZR .20g BBs using NP 2.0 gas, and the R14 handles
heavier weight BBs just as well!
I’ve been running “0197” on NUPROL 2.0 gas,
using .20g RZR BBs for testing since it arrived, and the
chrono settles consistently at 1.03 Joule/334fps on
that weight, with little variance. The pistol has now
had about 35 mags worth down the barrel (a mix of
.20 and .25g RZRs), and to date I’ve experienced no
issues. The trigger is awesome, as this is now super-
crisp with just a mil or two of take-up, and accuracy
is actually getting better the more I run it; at 10m I’m
now down to regular 75mm groupings when I try and
consistently at 10m it’s a breeze hitting steels each
and every time, even when I’m on the move!
I’ve been close to the R14 project for a good while
now, and I have to say that I’m truly happy with the
look, feel, quality, and performance of the finished
product; it absolutely looks like Ross and the RAVEN
crew have done it again, and it feels like each and
every RAVEN release just moves things on! For a GBB
pistol that’s going to be selling in that all-important
UK£100 bracket, the R14 100% delivers on all fronts.
Available with or without a pre-mounted RDS, the
R14 is available in multiple colours and it’s hitting
stores right now! For more information please do visit
www.rvnairsoft.com or keep an eye on their Facebook
page for regular updates. AA

“THE TRIGGER IS AWESOME, AS THIS IS NOW SUPER-CRISP WITH JUST A MIL OR

TWO OF TAKE-UP, AND ACCURACY IS ACTUALLY GETTING BETTER THE MORE I
RUN IT; AT 10M I’M NOW DOWN TO REGULAR 75MM GROUPINGS WHEN I TRY AND
CONSISTENTLY AT 10M IT’S A BREEZE HITTING STEELS EACH AND EVERY TIME, EVEN
WHEN I’M ON THE MOVE!”

20 AUGUST 2022
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RAVEN R14

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LCT LK53A3

OLD SKOOL/
NEW SKOOL
BEST!
ANYONE WHO KNOWS STEWBACCA OR FOLLOWS HIS EXPLOITS IN TAIWAN WILL KNOW THAT
YOU’RE RARELY LIKELY TO SEE HIM WIELDING AN AEG BY CHOICE; THE CLIMATE, BOTH LITERALLY
AND IN TERMS OF THE HEAVILY MILSIM STYLE OF GAMEPLAY THERE AND HIS OWN RECENT MOVE
TOWARDS “JUNGLE OPS” WITH TEAM TAIJI, HAVE LEAD HIM TO LEAN TOWARDS GAS BLOWBACK
RIFLES DUE TO THEIR REALISM, FUN FACTOR AND THE FACT THEY ACTUALLY WORK EFFECTIVELY
THERE IN THE HEAT. SO IF HE’S SINGING THE PRAISES OF AN AEG, YOU KNOW IT’S WORTH TAKING
A LOOK AT!

24 AUGUST 2022

H
aving spent quite some time at their large
stand at MOA Campfest 2022 (featured
back in May’s issue 137) and then shortly
afterwards visiting their facility down in the midlands
of Taiwan (June’s issue 138) as well as online
communication with their team, I’ve spent
a lot of time getting to know LCT Airsoft
a little better than before in recent
months. Having done the factory tour
and enjoyed the hospitality of the
staff
and their
showroom
chock full of
ALL the guns, I took
to introducing some
of their products and
sharing my thoughts as
part of their Youtube LCT
Fresh episode 15. At MOA
and on the tour I evidently
took quite a shine to their LK53
EBB variant which is one of the
latest models in general, originally
being released in August 2021, but
now also one of the most recent to
receive their EBB system re-working for
added realism and end user experience.
Unsurprising, given my love of all
things Heckler & Koch, you no doubt
assume; in fact I did have their LK33A2 full
length rifle AEG previously which I got as part
of a bundle from a well-known friend here along with
my Modify PP2K; at the time I didn’t have a battery or
charger and never got around to acquiring one due
ARMOURY
LCT LK53A3
to my heavy emphasis on all things GBB and the fact
I rarely got chance to field the LK33A2 due to other
obligations for review. As well as it being very heavy
and unwieldy for me with my ageing back, it ended
up moving on to another teammate better suited to it
without me having had any chance to enjoy it myself.
Nonetheless, my interest in its smaller sibling had
been noted and Benita from their staff contacted me
a week or two before my birthday back in
May and told me she was sending
one for me (not
requiring return or
purchasing, full
disclosure and whatnot!) for me
to keep and assess over the long term. I specifically
requested the LK53A3 with the telescopic stock as I
prefer that kind of thing over fixed stocks in general
due to my lack of personal transport as well as the
greater ease of storage in general!
A few days later another in a line of long and
suspicious packages was left with my concierge and
I came home to an exciting unboxing experience
of my own LK53A3 EBB, as usual well packaged in
LCT Airsoft’s nicely decorated, information rich and
sturdy packaging as well as including some additional
goodies hidden beneath the plastic shell layer for
me to use along with it; an LK013 front RIS system
for HK platforms, as well as their PK406 GP74 styled
combined battery box and ergonomic front horizontal
grip unit, along with an extended wire loom end unit
to help reach into it and connect to the battery stored
within.
GREAT IN THE HAND
The immediate impression you get when handling
any LCT product, and no less this one, is the heft
and build quality; the stock and bare LK53A3 EBB is
admittedly around the same weight as my GBBR MP5s
with all the trimmings added on, but they really are
the closest thing you’re likely to find to the real guns!
Having seen them stamping and pounding plain metal
sheets into the intricate shapes of AK & HK platforms
during my visit, their level of industry is somewhat
difficult to match in this field; I very much doubt even
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LCT LK53A3

I could break one of their products, and believe me, especially with regard to its earliest shortened carbine
I already tried, as when I fell over and sprained my versions) many special forces turned to the HK53 as
ankle at the weekend while testing it, IT came out an ideal recoil/ roller delay operated, handy weapon
unscathed and worked fine for the rest of the day, which was less sensitive to ammunition and the
myself, not so much! environmental conditions which gave the M16 and
What is an HK53, you ask? Practically speaking, an XM177 such a bad initial reputation.
MP5 chambered in 5.56mm! The external appearance, With high profile users such as the US Navy SEALs,
dimensions, even the accessories to some extent, are UK SAS and other special forces, as well as extensive
close or identical to an MP5, which, coupled with use by air crew and Royal Protection details among
H&K’s general modularity in construction, and LCT’s other special purposes, the HK53 is a bit of a silent
close replication of it and the dimensions of their partner that many airsofters or impression/loadout
replicas, means you can interchange certain parts lovers might otherwise overlook due to the lesser
with ease, even with real steel components or those fixation upon it in media and historical prominence.
of other manufacturers! I was very happy to stumble Despite this it clearly offers a great primary choice
on the fact my existing MP5A5’s integrated weapon and enables you to match it with an array of different
light front handguard will fit equally well on the LCT military or police forces impressions should you choose
LK53A3, although the stock handguards are of slightly to.
different lengths, with the rear ‘skirt’ or overhang of
the HK53 type extending back further,
but the mounting ‘shoe’ or hook it
latches onto the receiver with is in
the same place in both types, making
them interchangeable.
Having spent most of my adult life
in Nottingham after heading there
to study at university, and hanging
around for a decade in industry before
heading to the tropics, I am most
familiar with the firearms choices of
Midlands Police Armed Response or
patrol units, so I immediately liked the
look of the LK53A3 with the integral

Image from Public Domain source

weapon light as well as a top picatinny
low rail mount and EOtech 558 clone
which again are all readily compatible
thanks to LCT’s replication of real steel
dimensions. This all goes together
nicely to give me another ‘police’ gun
familiar to my formative years, along
with my MP5A5, G36C and P99 pistol.
The HK53 has a much longer
lineage in the use of security forces
FIT AND FUNCTION
worldwide, however; originally developed along with
The quick change spring system of LCT’s heavy duty
its full size HK33 sibling during the early 1960’s to
gearbox makes it very easy to upgrade or downgrade
compete with the AR platform (which had reliability
the power output without having to dismantle the
issues in general during the Vietnam conflict, but
whole gun or even remove the gearbox, as simply

“WITH HIGH PROFILE USERS SUCH AS THE US NAVY SEALS, UK SAS AND OTHER
SPECIAL FORCES, AS WELL AS EXTENSIVE USE BY AIR CREW AND ROYAL
PROTECTION DETAILS AMONG OTHER SPECIAL PURPOSES, THE HK53 IS A BIT OF A
SILENT PARTNER THAT MANY AIRSOFTERS OR IMPRESSION/LOADOUT LOVERS MIGHT
OTHERWISE OVERLOOK”

26 AUGUST 2022
 ARMOURY
LCT LK53A3

popping the retainer pin on the stock and sliding it off comfortable to switch into or out of that setting; it’s
the back exposes the base of the spring guide which also fairly stiff and has the retention divots in the
can then be pressed in slightly and turned to unlock arc of the receiver wall beneath it that enable very
it and allow its removal along with the mainspring, positive locking of the already stiff selector lever into
enabling the end user to rapidly tune the gun for site each position.
or game rule variations. The charging handle has the forward folding lever
The magazines are of course interchangeable with unit that retains on an external dimple to prevent it
their earlier LK33 larger version, and you are supplied moving unwantedly, and gives you a great amount
with a single shorter “25 round” real steel equivalent of leverage and a comfortable control when locking
which gives you in airsoft a 100 BB midcap magazine; it back for isolating the EBB unit, or adjusting the
it’s actually 104 BB capacity, which nicely accounts HOP unit, but of course also allows for an extremely
for the four excess rounds left in the feeding tube satisfying “HK slap” without any worry of damage
upon emptying and removing the magazine during long term!
reloading, so you get exactly a hundred BBs fed
effectively. The longer “30 round” real steel equivalent
magazine variant affords you a slightly higher 130
BB capacity in a midcap, while you can elect for old
school high capacity winding magazines in the same
external dimensions which carry 300 or 600 BBs
respectively.
The magazines themselves are fitted in a rock and
lock fashion similar to the earlier 7.62mm G3 family of
weapons; nose in the front lip of the magazine into its
supporting lug, then rotate it backward and upwards
to engage the release lever and retain it solidly in the
magazine well. The release can be actuated with the
typical ambidextrous flapper release lever beneath
and behind the magazine well, or the push button on
the right side of the receiver if you have long enough
trigger fingers like mine.
The fire selector is of the more traditional left side
only, longer lever and further sweeping S-E-F trigger
pack style with the earlier ribbed and insert pistol grip
unit familiar to earlier adopters of the MP5, whereas
the later pictographic style selectors of the US Navy
style have a smoother overall profile and shorter
selector levers with shorter throw angles between
positions. This may be a mixed bag of ergonomics
depending on your usage and experience, the longer
lever of the more traditional trigger pack style is
arguably easier to actuate from safe to semi auto
without breaking your firing hand grip (if your thumbs
are shorter or you otherwise find modern MP5 style
controls less comfortable). However, if you’re going
to be using full auto a lot, the 90 degree downward
position of the selector lever makes it a little less

“WITH A STURDY BUT BASIC GEARBOX, THE STOCK TRIGGER HAS OF COURSE
QUITE A REASONABLY LONG PULL TYPICAL OF H&K PLATFORMS OF THIS ERA, BUT
THE TRIGGER IS COMFORTABLE AND EASY TO GET USED TO ACTUATING, WHILE THE
GEARBOX ITSELF OBVIOUSLY HAS THE USUAL WIND UP OR LOCK TIME ASSOCIATED
WITH NON MOSFET OR PRE-COCKING ENABLED AEGS”

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 ARMOURY
LCT LK53A3
The front muzzle device is a typical enclosed
birdcage similar to an AR, and has the standard 14mm
thread beneath it for the attachment of silencers
or other muzzle devices or tracer units. The upper
receiver and cocking tube assembly follow the original
dimensions so the end user can easily attach a low
claw rail as I have, or a higher sitting claw mount for
a scope or red dot sight should they wish. At the rear
of the receiver is a large fixed slinging loop, while the
cross pin retaining the front sight block has the usual
eyelet on its end for hooking on a small sling clip,
and with the telescopic stock variant you have the
standard swinging flag beneath the stock plug where
it meets the receiver, pulling it towards the left of the
receiver unlocks the stock for deploying or collapsing,
with retention latches for fully extended or collapsed
positions.
With a sturdy but basic gearbox, the stock trigger
has of course quite a reasonably long pull typical
of H&K platforms of this era, but the trigger is
comfortable and easy to get used to actuating, while
the gearbox itself obviously has the usual wind up or
lock time associated with non MOSFET or pre-cocking
enabled AEGs. I imagine fitting such an aftermarket
unit would make the LK53A3 quite something when
coupled with its performance and EBB system.
Despite regularly carrying gas guns and magazines
where my whole loadout is perhaps less than 200 BBs,
when you have a hundred BBs in a single magazine
you seem to get through it a lot more quickly! In my
experience of fielding the LK53A3 I think I may have
to furnish myself with more of the 100 BB midcaps
to fill up my magazine pouches; these are of course
equally well suited to my 5.56 style TMC Scorpion
FASTmag pouches given their general sizing.
MIXING IT ALL UP
With the LK013 RIS handguard installed (a simple
matter of pushing out the front retainer pin of the
original handguard, removing the short original wire
loom termination and installing the extended one
LCT sent me, then putting on the handguard itself,
feeding the extended cable through one of its cooling
holes in a convenient place for fixing the battery, and
tightening the retention grub screw on the bottom
of its rear end which helps retain it against the main
“THE OUT OF THE BOX PERFORMANCE, GENERAL HANDLING, BUT PARTICULARLY
THE RECOIL EXPERIENCE, HOWEVER, WERE VERY MUCH TO EVERYONE’S TASTE WHO
HANDLED IT AND LET OFF A FEW BBS (OR MAGAZINE LOADS!) DURING MY FIRST FEW
GAME DAYS DURING ITS INITIAL EVALUATION”
28 AUGUST 2022
receiver body) I could also slide on and grub screw
retain the additional PK406 ergonomic handguard and
battery box which will hold a small LiPo battery with
ease, with a roughly 100mm internal storage space
length and allowing for very rapid battery changes by
simply popping out the retainer pins at both ends and
pulling the lower section of the grip off.
This whole setup is a great idea in terms of rapid
battery changes, and was indispensable for me given
that I’d specifically asked for the telescopic stock
variant; if you don’t mind getting the LK53A2 with
the fixed stock, you’ll have an even easier time with its
much larger battery space in its internal compartment.
Either solution offers a great experience in ease of
use and handling, and particularly for myself the
ergonomic grip helped eliminate the usual strains or
discomfort I get from fielding shorter guns without
vertical foregrips, although admittedly the aesthetic
might not be to everyone’s taste - including some of
my teammates.
The out of the box performance, general handling,
but particularly the recoil experience, however, were
very much to everyone’s taste who handled it and let
off a few BBs (or magazine loads!) during my first few
game days during its initial evaluation! Most of my
teammates were very impressed and vocal in singing
its praises for build quality, feel and particularly the
consistency and range despite it being stock and out
of the box, even when using full auto fire.
DOWNRANGE
The LK53 internal barrel is 270mm long and
composed of the typical brass, and despite being
somewhat shorter than rival systems nonetheless
delivered excellent consistency and range straight out
of the box; the gearbox was kicking out around 1.6
Joules with the stock spring! I chronographed with
0.2g BLS BBs and got a range of ten shots between
121.3 - 126.9m/s (398 - 416 fps) as well as 100.8 -
104.1m/s (330 - 341 fps) using 0.3g BLS BBs, all of
which is fine for Taiwan’s local regulations but will
no doubt need downgrading for UK or other lower
power limits; no big issue given the quick change
spring system.
This also surprised me somewhat, again having only
really dabbled slightly in recoil AEGs back in the UK
 ARMOURY
LCT LK53A3

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 ARMOURY
LCT LK53A3
as they were first starting to show up with the likes of
my Marui AK102, which had a somewhat lacklustre
recoil feeling and power by comparison. The general
heft of the LK53A3, nearly four kilograms all told, is
nonetheless very effectively thrown around during
automatic fire with the EBB system, giving you a great
experience of the juddering sight picture and the rat-
a-tat factor; with my EOtech’s donut shaking around
the targets I’d chosen at distance, but nonetheless all
rounds landing nicely on target.
The HOP unit is easily adjusted by retracting the
folding charging handle and locking it up into its
rear retention notch, which retracts the faux EBB
bolt and exposes the slim drum type HOP adjuster in
the ejection port, which is easy to use and holds its
position well, allowing for a consistent effect despite
the vibration of the blowback unit. The EBB feature
can also be isolated by doing this; if you fire with
30 AUGUST 2022
the charging handle locked back the EBB bolt will
not travel with the internal piston of the gearbox,
thus allowing you to either tune your HOP unit with
greater ease, or operate more stealthily if you don’t
want your position to be given away by the somewhat
loud report of the blowback unit clattering with each
shot!
On our first outing to Hutoushan to the West of
Taipei, myself and few of the other guys who had a go
with it were drilling BBs into small abandoned burners/
drums at 20m effortlessly, while more recently on our
Xindian shoot to the South the following weekend I
was laying single shots and even long bursts of fire
on a human torso width tree trunk at 50m away with
great ease, without any rounds straying even during
extended full auto fire. Despite the relatively short
internal barrel and all the recoil impulse throwing the
LK53A3 around, it still manages to effectively put
 ARMOURY
LCT LK53A3

BBs down at range, and in a small target box - most in a handy package, just like its real steel equivalent
impressive, I found. did for many dangerous people in dangerous
I used 0.3g BLS BBs for the most part but also environments in real conflicts in the past. So, if you’re
dabbled with 0.4g BBs while I had some to hand, and looking for something which is aesthetically pleasing,
it just runs like a sewing machine on either with an good to handle, and will happily throw medium to
easy but slight adjustment of the HOP to account for heavy weight BBs all the way out easily past 50m or
the difference in ammunition weight. I was having more, and perhaps want something a little different
a great time with it and was even managing to land which works well for special forces, armed police,
bursts on an empty gas can at the base of the tree,- protection detail or air crew impressions, why not
so with enough BBs run through it, the HOP will no consider the LCT LK53?
doubt bed in nicely and start giving you a really tight I’d like to once again extend my sincere thanks to
and satisfying grouping, particularly with an optical Benita and the rest of the LCT Team for sending me
sight and the repeatability of point of aim that gives the LK53A3 EBB along with the additional accessories
you. The stock iron sights are the typical H&K four for evaluation, and I’ll undoubtedly have more fun
position rotating rear diopter drum sight and front with it in the future and have further thoughts to
post in a protective ring, and not ideal for my ageing share. Do check out their entire range by visiting
eyes, the donut of an EOtech or dot of other sights www.lctairsoft.com AA
would suit it well.
I didn’t experience a single feed issue or
malfunction throughout any of my shenanigans, even
after slipping over and doing my ankle in, landing
on the gun and getting it a little muddied (even in
the muzzle Frebchie!), it just kept on shredding away
and being genuinely fun to shoot, not something
I’d associate with an AEG in my hands to be entirely
honest. Evidently LCT are doing a lot of things right,
and despite the overall weight being a potential
downside for some users, I had a great time wielding
it and could see myself having it on hand more often
as it’s just short enough to fit in my 5.11 Rush 72 hour
backpack with the stock retracted, which allows it to
shrink to just 563mm, or 755mm with it deployed for
shoulder firing; the fixed stock A2 variant is 745mm
overall.
It also presents a great option for new players,
with it being applicable to so many different loadout
scenarios as well as short enough to find its way
through CQB fields with ease, you’re basically
getting all of the handling of an MP5, but with
a sturdy package and larger magazine profile for
ease of handling and compatibility with more AR-
oriented tactical gear making it easier to use with
a lot of existing loadouts or equipment (instead of
having to stuff MP5 or other 9mm sized magazines
into oversized pouches or rework your rigs to use
pistol/SMG mag pouches) as well as the general
performance meaning it is easy and effective to shoot
without much faff for new players.
With all that in mind I might invest in some more
of those 100 BB midcaps and run mine out in some
of the MilSim weekender games we have been
waiting to be rescheduled after ‘rona related delays; it
certainly provides a lot of performance and firepower

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 ARMOURY
KRYTAC EMG FN-LICENCED P90

OPERATIONS
SPECIALES!

THE AIRSOFT P90 IS UNDOUBTEDLY A MODEL THAT DIVIDES PLAYER OPINION, BUT ONE THAT HAS
BEEN WITH US IN “6MM” FORM FOR MANY, MANY YEARS AND HAS GIVEN SOLID SERVICE AND
ENJOYMENT TO OWNERS WORLDWIDE. BUT DO WE NEED ANOTHER VERSION OF THIS DIMINUTIVE
PDW, AND IF SO, WHAT DOES THE KRYTAC/EMG “TAKE” BRING TO THE TABLE? BILL DELVES
DEEPER…

34 AUGUST 2022
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KRYTAC EMG FN-LICENCED P90

www.airsoftaction.net 35
 ARMOURY
KRYTAC EMG FN-LICENCED P90
A
n FN P90 replica is without doubt an AEG that
divides player opinion like virtually no other I
can easily think of, with vociferous and vocal
“yay” and “nay” camps on either side of the debate!
I will admit that I have personally never used a P90
AEG in game or even on the range, and to this point
have always been firmly in the “nay” category, but for
reasons that frankly I am hard-pressed to fathom!
The airsoft version was originally launched by Tokyo
Marui in 2001 and upon its release it was received
very favourably, probably for “Stargate” reasons
amongst Japanese cosplayers! However, although the
AEG was innovative at the time, there were flaws.
Over the years, companies such as Laylax have offered
up a whole host of upgrade parts for the AEG which
did rectify several issues but it was ultimately still not
“TM perfection”. I have however known many solid
players that absolutely swear by their P90 AEG, and
will have not a word said against it. Many players local
to me in the South East of the UK will remember “Big
Mark Mac” who is still a very good friend of mine
even though his airsoft days are apparently behind
him; “Big Mark” was something of a connoisseur
of AEGs, spending many an hour in his workshop
getting his “game guns” just right, and amongst his
36 AUGUST 2022
impressive armoury was a TM P90 that he cherished.
Why is this of note? Well, I’m a big guy but
Mark dwarfs me, and I honestly always thought
that the tiny P90 looked somewhat ridiculous in his
hands! What I can tell you though is that in a CQB
environment, the real P90s intended “home”, his little
AEG was absolutely devastating, and odd as he may
have looked with it I certainly always wanted him on
my team!
KEEPING IT REAL
Over time I have genuinely often wondered if I
was missing a trick with the P90 as it’s actually, in
real firearms terms, something pretty darn special!
Okay, you will NEVER mistake a P90 for any other
firearm, that’s for certain, but its uniqueness extends
far further than just the external appearance.
Fundamentally the P90 was designed by Fabrique
Nationale for a specific purpose, that of a PDW, and
was created in conjunction with a cartridge designed
to defeat modern body armour! Much like the H&K
MP7 with the 4.6×30mm armour-piercing cartridge
the P90 is chambered in 5.7×28mm (initially the SS90
and subsequently the SS190, a cartridge it shares with
the FN Five-SeveN pistol) and shows the changing face

of modern-day combat needs… and the debate about
which is the more effective round still rumbles on at
the very highest level!
It’s stated widely that:
“Both the P90 and the 5.7×28mm ammunition
were developed by FN Herstal in response to
NATO requests for a replacement for the 9×19mm
Parabellum cartridge and associated pistols and
submachine guns. NATO called for two types of
weapons chambered for a new cartridge, one a
shoulder-fired weapon, and the other a handheld
weapon.”
According to the NATO requirements these
weapons, termed Personal Defence Weapons or
PDWs, were to provide “personal protection in last-
resort situations when the user is directly endangered
by the enemy”, and to do this they had to be able
to counter OPFOR who might be wearing protective
body armour which was still a novel concept in the
late 1980s and showed at least some foresight on the
part of NATO procurement for once!
Although the development process for the new,
shoulder-fired weapon began around 1985/6 it was
not until 1990 that production commenced, hence
“Project 90”, or P90 for short. Created in a bullpup
style to keep the overall length down, high-tech
polymers were used extensively to keep weight as low
as possible too, resulting in a weapon that weighed in
at just 2630.84g/5.8 lb and is 505mm/19.88 inches
long… but with a 263.9mm/10.39 inch barrel!
It’s said that “the P90 was designed to have a
length no greater than a man’s shoulder width, to
allow it to be easily carried and maneuvered in tight
spaces, such as the inside of a vehicle”. Its unusual
shape was based on extensive ergonomic research,
so the P90 was, and is manipulated via a thumbhole
in the frame that acts as a pistol grip, as well as an
oversized trigger guard that acts as a foregrip for the
support hand. The main “Mil/LE” model came with an
integrated reflex sight and fully ambidextrous controls,
and the design incorporated several innovations
such as the unique top-mounted magazine along
with further integrated features which included an
interchangeable visible/IR laser manufactured by
Laserex of Australia. It also ejected spent casing from
the bottom… go figure?
“BOTH THE P90 AND THE 5.7×28MM AMMUNITION WERE DEVELOPED BY FN
HERSTAL IN RESPONSE TO NATO REQUESTS FOR A REPLACEMENT FOR THE 9×19MM
PARABELLUM CARTRIDGE AND ASSOCIATED PISTOLS AND SUBMACHINE GUNS.”
ARMOURY
KRYTAC EMG FN-LICENCED P90
All of this was pretty “out there” in the late 80’s
and early 90’s, but the P90 proved its worth early in
the 2000’s with both Belgian units and particularly
French SF in Afghanistan where it was issued to
operators under the auspices of the Commandement
des Opérations Spéciales who were charged with VIP
close protection. The PS90 Standard is the current
model offered by FN Herstal, and this features a MIL-
STD-1913 rail fitted to the top of the receiver, which
allows the shooter to mount their preferred optical
sight; the rail includes a set of integrated iron sights,
as backup in case the primary sight is damaged and
offers more scope (pun intended!) for personalisation
and mission specific setup.
The P90 in all its variants has gone on to be used
by more than 40 nations around the globe, probably
most notably by the United States Secret Service, and
when firing the military and law enforcement-only
SS190 round (there are “civilian”, semi-auto variants),
the FN P90 has proved to offer great accuracy and
reliability with unbeatable stopping power, and is
therefore highly respected by its users.
NEW EYES ON
So, once again that question… have I been missing
a trick with the airsoft P90 for all these years? It ticks
many of my personal “boxes” in that it has not only
real-world provenance with both Mil and LE, and is
actually a highly-respected platform amongst those
that use it in earnest. It benefits from some unique
characteristics that make it perfect for both MilSim
roles and CBQ skirmish encounters, and of course it’s
been the absolute and undoubted “star of the show”
www.airsoftaction.net 37
 ARMOURY
KRYTAC EMG FN-LICENCED P90
in the “Stargate” franchise and numerous video
games!
So, when I was offered the chance to try out the
new Krytac/EMG P90 by iWholesales I thought it was
about time that I gave in and actually tried one with
“new eyes on”, and you know what, I’m actually
pretty glad that I took them up on their offer!
The “FN P90 Tactical Submachine Gun” is another
collaboration job that came in with huge fanfare,
and is the love-child of Evike Manufacturing Group
(EMG), the production and distribution subsidiary of
Evike.com, and is actually
manufactured in
collaboration
with KRISS
USA Inc.’s premier brand of
airsoft products, KRYTAC,
under license granted by
Cybergun SA! There’s some
seriously big hitters right there!
At the time of launch George Melahn, Evike.com
Marketing Manager told us:
“We are very pleased to collaborate with KRYTAC
and Cybergun on this endeavor. The P90 AEG is
beloved for its compact size, weight, and ease of
upgradability.”
“SO, WHEN I WAS OFFERED THE CHANCE TO TRY OUT THE NEW KRYTAC/EMG P90 BY
IWHOLESALES I THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT TIME THAT I GAVE IN AND ACTUALLY TRIED
ONE WITH “NEW EYES ON”, AND YOU KNOW WHAT, I’M ACTUALLY PRETTY GLAD THAT
I TOOK THEM UP ON THEIR OFFER!”
38 AUGUST 2022
KRISS USA Marketing Manager, Tim Seargeant
went on to say:
“We’ve elevated this great platform in the same
way that every KRYTAC product stands above the
rest. Subtle, but significant, features are designed
into this P90 to improve the useability and ownership
experience.”
And it’s true, the new P90 does indeed appear,
after extensive testing on our part, to offer more than
those that have come before. It’s actually a true 1:1
representation of the FN PS90, a top loading, bullpup
PDW, with MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny top rail. The
body is made of a durable, impact-resistant polymer,
with a high-grade alloy upper receiver. You get an
ambidextrous magazine release, charging handles,
and selector switch.
This version is a select fire SMG with a
compound trigger in auto mode, so a half press
fires one BB, and a full press fires… well, every
BB in the 200 BB mid-cap magazine (with
selectable 50 BB capacity switch) if
you keep the rigger
depressed!
Thankfully the trigger
pull is adjustable through
a small port behind the grip, so you
can set this to your own sensitivity preference! The
hop up window opens when you work the charging
handle, and it’s large enough to be adjusted while
wearing gloves. Removing the butt plate reveals the
quick change spring guide and a generous battery
compartment with no unnecessary wiring. Internally,
 ARMOURY
KRYTAC EMG FN-LICENCED P90

8mm ball bearings support all three gears (the AEG really does go like a jack-hammer! My only criticism,
actually features the same gear sets used in the and this is a personal thing, is that I find the top-rail
“Trident Series” and will work with most standard too far over the bore to happily mount an optic for
V2 gearsets), integrated MOSFET, T-plug connector, CQB work, but thankfully the built-in “irons” are
and electronic fire control unit with last round cut off easily acquired.
when using KRYTAC Magazines; don’t worry though, So all in all the little P90 is a bit of a gem; even
if you do have TM magazines, they will fit but they though it’s small those “ergonomics” really shine
won’t have the last-round cut-off feature. through, so it’s very comfortable and instinctive to
So, this latest “take” on the P90 aims to change all use, and given its size, easy to carry all day long and
the issues that we’ve seen on others, even the TM! transport safely and easily, a real bonus if you’re
The polymer construction is superb, with nary a flaw, heading to a city-centre indoor site! It really is so
and is far better that the plastic I’ve seen used in other handy that it is only slightly more difficult to use than
replicas. The alloy upper receiver gives a weight of just a pistol and it offers FAR greater firepower. Spare
2290g and when mated to the polymer lower, and the magazines for it are not a problem, but IMO it’s worth
AEG feels solid as a rock which takes it forward in the sticking with the Krytac models to get the last-round
“felt and perceived durability” stakes. That old, clunky cut-off.
“P90 trigger” that many complained about has gone, The Krytac EMG FN Licensed P90 really is a whole
replaced by the Krytac version with that adjustable lot of fun, but given the price (currently UK£450 at
“pull; the pull-weight is also adjustable by swapping most retailers) it may not tempt players like me into
out a spring, and it has an incredibly quick response picking up a whole new platform! This said, it does
thanks to the high-tech electronics used! seem an awful lot of AEG for the money, and if you’re
a new CQB player or someone who has had and loved
DOWNRANGE P90’s in the past and been slightly less than impressed
Now, as I said I’m a big guy, and the P90 does still by their performance then it’s a model you should
feel odd because it is so small! At just 503mm long I most definitely have a look at!
have to really hunch up to get myself around it, and For more information on the P90 and numerous
the muzzle feels like it’s right on top of my fat fingers! other fabulous replicas please do pay a visit to www.
That said, it IS highly manouverable even in the iwholesales.co.uk, and for more insight to the
tightest of spaces, and even with a suppressor fitted companies involved behind its creation do check out
(the P90 flash hider is spot-on and has a 14mmCCW both www.emgarms.com and www.krytac.com AA
thread) it’s “footprint” is still minimal. The magazine
change takes a little getting used to, but with 200BBs
at hand you shouldn’t need to be changing-out too
often in a semi-only CQB environment, and as the
magazine appears to feed without a hitch, you’ll be
good to go from the box.
With everything set up, an 11.1 LiPo fitted, and
the full-fill of 200 .20g VORSK BBs it was time to see
what diminutive P90 was capable of and it certainly
didn’t disappoint. On semi-auto BBs flew nicely
downrange at a very respectable and site-friendly
1.06 Joule/339fps. Accuracy was unexpectedly
good, and range when I moved up to .28g BBs was
actually exceptional given the incredibly short 255mm
inner barrel; this is a replica ideal for CQB where
engagement distances are short range, but pleasingly
solid out to the extent of the 30m “woods range”
too, so even in dense woodland this is going to be a
winner! Pressing down and changing things up to full-
auto this is a right wee beastie, and you’re going to
burn through mags fast if you keep the gas on; thank
goodness everything inside IS first-rate as the P90

www.airsoftaction.net 39
 OUTDOOR
TACTICAL OUTDOOR DEVELOPMENT

BASHA UP!

WE THOUGHT IT WAS TIME TO START PUTTING SOME OF THOSE TACTICAL OUTDOOR SKILLS INTO
PRACTICE AFTER TALKING ABOUT THEM FOR SO LONG, SO BILL AND JIMMY HAVE BEEN OUT IN THE
WOODS BUILDING FAST-SET SHELTERS THAT CAN SEE EVEN THE MOST EFFICIENT AND “LIGHT IS RIGHT”
PLAYERS AMONGST YOU COMFORTABLE FOR A NIGHT OR TWO!

B
ack when I was a teenager I was really into
my cadet-force life, and lived for “parade
days” on a Friday! Back in the 8o’s it was
perfectly acceptable to wear our DPM to school
and then head straight out to “army training sir”!
Due to being in a garrison town we had a regular
turnover of units in residence and it was my great
honour (although not always pleasure!) to receive
training from the likes of our parent Regiment The
Royal Engineers, but also the likes of the Parachute
Regiment, Royal Marines, the Gurkhas, Royal Irish
Rangers, and the Queens Infantry Regiment!
Weekend and summer camps were the undoubted
highlights of my year, but especially those summer
two-or-three-weekers where my friends and I lived
and breathed all things “army”! Proper days on the
range shooting everything that UKLF had to offer,
section and platoon skills, all kinds of field training,
but most importantly for me a good 48 or 72 hour
exercise to round things off.
The final exercise was where we put ALL the
training we’d been given into practice, and after a
full day of patrols, ambushes and section attacks
our platoon laager at the end of the day was where
“field admin” really came into play, and I have to
admit that this experience went about shaping the
future person (and indeed airsoft player!) that I
would one day become.

40 AUGUST 2022

Personal admin (ie keeping yourself clean and your
sh1t squared!) came to the fore, along with cooking
expediently over a hexi-burner with mess tins; water
was largely what you carried in a couple of ’58
waterbottles so you had to be efficient! Although
we “stood to” at dusk and dawn, and undoubtedly
pulled “stag” during the night, I remember that on
those short summer nights under a “basha” I slept
like a log!
Our old “bashas” were put together using two ’58
pattern ponchos, bungees, paracord, and a couple
of tent pegs, but essentially a basha can be easily
made using any waterproof canvas or plastic sheet
which you can always find in camping, outdoor, or
military surplus stores. This can happily act as a “fast-
set” shelter, in the form of an impromptu “tent”
supported with cord and bungees attached to trees.
The origin of the word “basha” I’ve discovered
from further research online (we didn’t have
“online” back when I first started building bashas!)
comes from Assamese, meaning a “hut that takes
the form of naturally fabricated shelters made of
bamboo and palm materials”. That research also tells
me that it probably first entered British Army “slang”
to describe a temporary jungle shelter by Chindits
operating behind enemy lines in Burma! A more
accepted adoption of the word then came during
the Malayan Campaign (1950–1959) where many
ex-Chindits were recruited to fight the communist
insurgents in the jungles.
Bashas are used primarily by the military,
particularly the British Army, the Australian Army
(where they are colloquially known as a “hooch”,
“hoochie” or “hutchie”), the New Zealand Army and
other commonwealth forces and the term describes
a fast-set shelter on operations, usually constructed
out of the equipment carried between two soldiers,
or a “buddy pair”, they are basic, super-lightweight
and can put up swiftly, and camouflaged simply with
foliage specific to the AO. Their low profile provides
a minimal silhouette, and as many military tarps are
infra-red reflective, this makes them even better!
Normally bashas are erected in woods, as the trees
support the basha using bungees and paracord.
Whilst they are by no means “sniper hides” they can
also provide cover for longer term recce missions due
to their ultra-low-profile.
HOME FOR THE NIGHT
If you decide that your airsoft adventures will lead
you into the MilSim world, then the ability to set
up a suitable overnight shelter quickly is a crucial
OUTDOOR
TACTICAL OUTDOOR DEVELOPMENT
skill. Yes, you can carry a tent or a hooped bivvy,
but this all adds to weight and bulk of load, making
you ultimately less effective during “ops”. Although
not as comfortable overall, a fast-set shelter will still
provide protection from wind and rain and help to
keep in some warmth, allowing for an adequate
night’s rest; there’s nothing worse than having a crap
night’s sleep, and you want to be fully switched on
for the next day, don’t you?
A “military” basha is as simple as it gets; by using
very little equipment that you carry as a part of your
“line gear”, you can create a tactical shelter within
minutes, and one with a very small footprint and
silhouette! With a basha you have a multitude of
configurations to choose from depending on the
ground, to make an effective shelter and a solid,
weather-protective “home for the night”.
These days in my
Patrol Pack I always have
a couple of super-light
“Stashas” (stasha =
stashable basha, clever!)
from Snugpak with which
to create my basha. In
addition I carry a selection
of green, hook-ended
bungee cords, two small
rolls of different thickness
paracord, six tent pegs, and a small roll of sniper
tape; my advice would be to NOT use standard metal
tent pegs, they are cheap sure enough, but weak,
and as they may need to be driven into the ground
between the rocks and roots, it’s worth investing in
some really good pegs! Bungees can also be found
very cheaply online these days, and although just
carrying paracord will do the job, you really don’t
want to be messing about with knots in the cold and
rain if you can avoid it!
So, in terms of a “basha kit” I would personally
recommend that you have in your pack the following
items:
• Snugpak Stasha, Military Poncho or Tarp with
Corner Eyelets
• 4 x Green, Hook-End Bungees (two different
lengths)
• 6 x Tent Pegs
• 5-10m of Paracord
• 1 x Small Roll of Duck or Sniper Tape (the
answer to all problems!)
Some people use tent-style guylines (the Stasha
comes with a set) but paracord can simply wrap
around a tree to provide stability and lift the shelter
www.airsoftaction.net 41
 OUTDOOR
TACTICAL OUTDOOR DEVELOPMENT
centre to let rain and dew run off. The tent pegs are
to peg in the sides or corners, and it may be useful
to also carry a couple of karabiners which can be
used in conjunction with the paracord to give more
flexibility when attaching corners of the tarp to
securing points.
CORD AND TAPE
Interestingly when I was in the midst of writing this
article I got into a back and forth with our resident
historian Will F, and he gave me some information
which I’ll share with you as I found it fascinating!
The Brits call it “Sniper Tape”, the Americans
“100 mile an hour tape” and civilians commonly
call it duck, duct or gaffer tape. The actual US Army
designation for it is “Olive Drab Green Reinforcement
Tape”!
During World War II the US Army asked Johnson &
Johnson to develop a seal that would keep moisture
out of ammunition boxes. J&J came up with OD
green reinforcement tape. It is said that the tape
was so effective that rain beaded off it like “water
off a duck’s back” earning it the name “duck tape”.
Duck tape would end up having multiple uses when
GI’s didn’t have the proper tools to fix something
they would use duck tape. The popular myth was
that it would hold a Jeep together travelling at 100
mph, hence the nickname “100 mile an hour tape.”
Another version of the name that dates from the
Vietnam War where it was in such demand that if
a user did not keep a firm hold on a roll it would
disappear at “100 miles an hour”!
For many years the British Army used a heavy
duty black fabric tape for the functions covered by
100 Mile and Hour tape. It was formally known
as black masking tape
but better known as
‘black nasty’ or ‘bodge
tape’ while the Royal
Marines called it “Pussers
Tape”. The British
Army sniper tape that
entered service during
the war in Afghanistan
is manufactured by
Scapa and follows the
lead given by 100 Mile an Hour. It is available in
“THE BRITS CALL IT “SNIPER TAPE”, THE AMERICANS “100 MILE AN HOUR TAPE” AND
CIVILIANS COMMONLY CALL IT DUCK, DUCT OR GAFFER TAPE. THE ACTUAL US ARMY
DESIGNATION FOR IT IS OLIVE DRAB GREEN REINFORCEMENT TAPE!”
42 AUGUST 2022
olive green and desert sand, and the matt fabric is
non-reflective, and can be painted over or written
on. Sniper Tape has been used to reinforce the
camouflage around the brims of helmets, secure
loose equipment straps and make expedient repairs
to clothing in the field.
Tape can fix a lot of problems but sometimes
you need a different sort of back up, and here
“Paracord” is the answer. It was originally the rigging
lines of discarded or damaged military parachutes
(hence the name) but is now produced for military
and civilian use. Perhaps the highest accolade that
can be given to Paracord is that it was used by
space walking astronauts in 1997 in the 82nd Space
Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space telescope!
The best Paracord to go for is MIL-C-5040 550
which is the same size and breaking strain (550 lbs)
as the Type III Commercial Paracord but is made to
a very specific set of guidelines dictated by the US
Military. It can be identified by one of the inner seven
strands which is multi-coloured, allowing it be traced
back to source. This is useful because some stuff that
is passed off as Paracord is just green nylon cord and
sometimes polyester.
You don’t need to be in the Services, or a
dedicated airsofter to discover that 100 Mile an
Hour Tape and Paracord are incredibly useful friends
to have in your EDC Kit, and especially so when
building bashas!”
SETTING IT UP
If you look online you’ll no doubt find countless ways
to set up a basha, but there are two configurations
that have always been my default! The “A-Shelter”
is probably the simplest (and quickest to set up!) and
dates way back to when man first started to make
an improvised shelter in which to rest overnight! All
you need to do for an “A-Shelter” is find two trees
a little wider apart than the LONGEST length of your
“stasha” and run a tight length of paracord between

them.
Once you have your paracord in place you simply
toss your “stasha” over this line and then secure the
ground-edges with your tent pegs. What you end up
with is a low shelter that when looked at from the
front makes an “A” shape, hence the name!
For an even lower silhouette you can set up a
really classic British Army-style “basha” with a pair
of stashas, one for a groundsheet and one for the
“roof”. For this you’ll need to locate two trees or
saplings a little wider apart than the SHORTEST
length of your stasha and run a bungee to each from
the corner eyelets. Once you’ve done this pull the
stasha back to form a sloping over-cover and stake
this out using two tent pegs for the rear eyelets.
This is your basic “roof”, and if your tarp has a
central point it’s worth running a length of paracord
OUTDOOR
TACTICAL OUTDOOR DEVELOPMENT
from above to lift it and create a low, conical
structure as this will let rain or dew roll off more
easily; if you’re using a military poncho simply tie
off the hood to do this. Now you can slide in your
“groundsheet” under the “roof” (having first cleared
your sleeping area of obvious rocks and ground-
litter!) and peg this out using the remaining four tent
pegs in your kit (total, six pegs!).
And that, as they say, is “all she wrote”!
With your shelter created it’s then as simple as
throwing in your sleeping bag on top of your kip-
mat; I use either a Snugpak full-length TRAVELITE
mat or a Snugpak MIDI MAT depending on the
duration that I’ll be spending in the basha; both are
self-inflating and are low-volume, low-weight which
keeps my physical pack size down.
Both Jimmy and I had a lot of fun out in the
woods rekindling our love for the simple basha, and
it’s definitely something that you can do with your
own “battle buddy” to keep the skill honed. I would
confess though that we did take the MSR and my
coffee pot to have a decent brew while we worked…
as I always say, “any fool can be uncomfortable”!
Next month we’ll take things up a notch and look
practically at lightweight hooped bivvys and tents
that are ideal for an “overnighter”.
As always my sincere thanks go to our old mates
at Snugpak for working with us on this article. Be
sure to check out all they offer by visiting www.
snugpak.com/sleeping/military-tactical AA
www.airsoftaction.net 43
 THE CAGE
SLINGIN’ IT!

THE CAGE:
SLINGIN’ IT!
THERE ARE MANY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU’RE SETTING UP YOUR PRIMARY FOR AIRSOFT,
AND OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS THE LEGIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS IN
DEPTH. NOW WE COME TO A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WHICH IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY MANY, AND
THAT’S YOUR SLING! BILL AS USUAL LEADS OFF…

S
o, to sling or not to sling?
When I received my training courtesy of Her
majesty’s Armed Forces way back when the
sling was a piece of equipment that was pretty much
frowned upon! Yup, we were taught that the place
for your personal weapon was in your hands, and that
it should never be more than an arm’s length away
from you… we all learned over the course of many
hundreds of press-ups that an “arm’s length” was a
subjective measurement at the whim of the DS…
How things move on though, and the fact is
that the sling has actually become a useful piece of
equipment in our weapon manipulation drills! Sure,
a sling will help carry your rifle, but a GOOD sling
will also be able to serve as a support, helping you to
maintain that key point of aim.
There’s actually an entire science behind the humble
sling that we won’t go into here, and although there
are many, many types of sling that all offer “benefits”
and work better with different platforms, it’s probably
easiest to focus in on two of the most popular models
for airsoft, and that’s the single-point and the two-
point.
Starting with the latter, a two-point sling is exactly
that; it attaches to your primary via two points, usually
with one on the butt or stock, and one on the rail or
front stock. However, not all two-pointers are equal!
A simple canvas/web two-point like the one that you’ll
see on weapons of a historic nature or vintage are
usually “passive”, and though they are adjustable for
length, that’s pretty much all she wrote! A modern
two-pointer allows for much more…
A modern design two-point sling is different from
that old carry strap in that they are designed primarily
to retain the weapon on the shooter’s front side rather
than on the back or over the shoulder. They offer
superior platform retention while also allowing the
shooter to quickly bring the primary on target from
a slung position, often with a QD release to enable
extension from “rest” to “shoot”. I use a couple of
different models of this type of sling, one from Direct
Action in Poland, and one from Viking Tactics in the
USA, although the new VIPER VX sling offers the same
features for less money and is really all you need for

“A MODERN DESIGN TWO-POINT SLING IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OLD CARRY STRAP
IN THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO RETAIN THE WEAPON ON THE SHOOTER’S
FRONT SIDE RATHER THAN ON THE BACK OR OVER THE SHOULDER. THEY OFFER
SUPERIOR PLATFORM RETENTION WHILE ALSO ALLOWING THE SHOOTER TO QUICKLY
BRING THE PRIMARY ON TARGET FROM A SLUNG POSITION”

44 AUGUST 2022

airsoft.
For many, many years I used a single-point sling;
the single-point excels at accommodating a wide
variety of shooting positions and movements at
the cost of support and retention. Attaching to a
dedicated plate at the lower rear of the receiver,
a good single-point will give you freedom of
movement to perform swift manipulations and
strong/weak-side transitions. Used as a punch-out
brace for a stockless primary like the MP9 or MP5K
it also helps to strengthen your overall shooting
position, allowing you to keep shots on target better.
However, a single-point makes it harder to stabilise
your primary when you let it loose to transition to a
sidearm, sometimes resulting in the dreaded “crotch
smash” for unwary users if they’re not careful!
For me a single-point is the ideal sling for CQB-use
where my primary will be in my hands the majority
of the time, but for general field-use I definitely
prefer the two-pointer as I’ll often need to secure my
AEG or GBBR while I carry out other tasks like team
comms or map-reading!
THE CAGE
SLINGIN’ IT!
TEAM TALK
So, my question to the members of the AA Legion
this month was simply “Do you use a SLING on your
primary? If yes, what type of sling do you prefer
(Singlepoint? Two Point? Three Point? Padded or
Unpadded?) and why? If it’s a no, then why don’t
you choose to use one?”
Stewbacca: For the PSG-1 I have a slightly
padded two-point sling permanently attached to it
to help carry the weight and have it sit nicely across
my chest at rest. All my other guns have a QD Fastex
buckle attached at their rear or in the area of the
pistol grip which attaches to the floating QD female
clips which slide along the custom integrated slings
on my plate carriers and allows for single-point
slinging and ease of transitioning which works fine
for the vast majority of gameplay I’m involved in.
I also have a larger male Fastex QD buckle on the
front of most of my guns which can be clipped into
the left side of my play carrier either with the gun in
front, or once it’s slung over my shoulder at the top
www.airsoftaction.net 45
 THE CAGE
SLINGIN’ IT!
limit of the integrated sling so it’s held tight across my
back for any instances where I have to use my hands
or sidearm for longer.
Robbie: Sling = two-point kevlar (melt proof); I use
my sling to transition or carry. I want the rifle out of
my way but quick to access. So, long carry would be
quiver style across the back, but most carry is single
shoulder, transitioning is over my left shoulder muzzle
down. I can do this one handed while drawing my
sidearm and I can also take it off my shoulder one
handed and into a shooting position faster than most
can draw a sidearm and without getting leg-burned or
crotch smashed like singles do. I usually run an AKM
for note; I attach mine via kevlar paracord. Pull loop
front and depending on either paracord or shockcord
rear point (allows me to stretch over rear of stock and
around front post for out of the way).
Miguel: A sling is a must for me, as a team leader,
I’m always handling maps, objectives, or other items
depending on the event. I normally use a Viper Tactical
VX Sling, it’s comfortable, strong, and it has a fast
length adjustment, it’s perfect for what I need. Mine
has seen a LOT of use and ZERO issues.
Dan: A sling is a must-have accessory in my book. If
“FOR ME A SLING IS PREREQUISITE! I LOVE FINDING MYSELF IN THAT SITUATION
WHEN YOU HAVE TO DRAW ON YOUR SECONDARY. IN THE EVENT YOU NEED TO USE
YOUR PISTOL SPEED IS USUALLY OF THE ESSENCE AND WE ALL KNOW DRAWING
YOUR SIDEARM IS QUICKER THAN A RELOAD IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT”
46 AUGUST 2022
you’ve ever done a 2 or 3 day MilSim that has a lot of
rucking and long distance patrols, you’ll wish you had
one. It’s also good to have for just being able to free
your hands up, doing transitions, pulling grenades,
working comms, maps, etc.
I’ve been using two-point Blue Force Gear VCAS’s
since forever. Most of my stuff is equipped with QD
sockets now, so I can easily transfer slings around with
the push of a button. But there’s a few guns like the
AK and SVD platforms that have a permanent VCAS
mounted out of convenience. I have them looped
through the factory sling loops
and run an AK or HK hook
up front. I normally wear it
with the strap looped over
my neck, and adjust the slider
as needed. For the heavier
guns like the PKM, I’ll use the
padded version of the VCAS
which makes carrying them
much more comfortable. I’m
a big fan of the material and
slider design on these. They
have the perfect amount of
grip and smooth sliding. The
slings themselves have been
absolutely bombproof, with
the only signs of wear being
the heat-transfer logo wearing
off after a time.
I did just pick up a Magpul
MS3 to run as a single-point
for the MP7. That thing is just
short enough that a two-point feels like it’s crowding
it, and a single-point can be used without muzzle
tapping your nuts when doing transitions or taking a
knee lol
Jimmy: For me a sling is prerequisite! I love finding
myself in that situation when you have to draw on
your secondary. In the event you need to use your
pistol speed is usually of the essence and we all know
drawing your sidearm is quicker than a reload in the
heat of the moment. If you need to shoot and move
then putting your primary down is not an option this
is where your sling comes into play. It’s something I
drill a lot, getting the rifle out of the way and getting
 THE CAGE
SLINGIN’ IT!

“FOR MY AUG’S I USE A STANDARD ISSUE NO FRILLS ADF SLING (BASICALLY AN L85
SLING WITH A DIFFERENT CLIP), AND FOR MY AR’S A SINGLE-POINT BUNGIE SLING
(MINE IS NUPROL) THAT’S THE SAME/SIMILAR TO THOSE USED AGAIN BY THE ADF”

to the pistol quick; some would think it to be an easy
task, while it looks to be easy doing it fast and fluid
takes practise.
As I use a selection of slings getting the movement
right is paramount. Now it all depends on what
primary I use at the time and I have three go to slings
which all play different roles. Note all my slings are
replicas and not the real deal so I don’t always have
100% confidence they will hold out but so far I have
only dropped one rifle. My favourite is the Magpul
style MS4 Dual QD; this is a fairly robust sling which
can adopt different roles and has a fast-adjust system
and can easily be switched out for both left and right
handed shooters. This one I mainly use for my smaller
CQB platforms.
Next up is my Magpul-style MS3, much like the
MS4 but without the QD; instead there are two
lockable hinged clips, great for sling plates. This one
I will use for my slightly bigger rifles and use mainly
for outdoor. Both the MS3 and MS4 I use as a single-
point but both are capable of being used as a two-
point should you feel the need. The third I use is a
Nuprol two- point sling which I use when I take the
larger, heavier rifles out; being a two-point it helps
spread the load a bit but it does make transition
between primary and secondary a bit slower, but a
little practise helps. With the two-point I also use it
to help balance the weight a little by ensuring proper
placement, so when I grasp the front of the rifle
the sling sits across the top of my hand aiding with
accuracy.
Chris: It depends on the Kit/Gat. For my AUG’s I use
a standard issue no frills ADF sling (basically an L85
sling with a different clip), and for my AR’s a single-
point bungie sling (mine is Nuprol) that’s the same/
similar to those used again by the ADF, you can see a
pattern forming here can’t you? On my Steyr Scout I
need to get hold of a Ching sling, but at the moment
I use a two-point sling by FRV Tailoring; again no frills
but it works and keeps my rifle on my shoulder when
bimbling about in a tactical fashion! AA

www.airsoftaction.net 47
RED CELL
SBR UPDATE

RED CELL
Short
barelled
rifle FTW!
WAY BACK IN ISSUE 124 RED CELL GATHERED TO LOOK AT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AEG
GROUPS OUT THERE, THAT OF AR SBRS. NEARLY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER THEY PUT THEIR HEADS
TOGETHER AGAIN TO SEE HOW SOME OF THESE TEST MODELS HAVE DONE - AND WHAT NEW ONES
HAVE CAUGHT THEIR EYE AND BEEN ADDED TO THE TEST POOL!

T
he airsoft industry never sleeps! That’s for
sure, and although we’ve been through some
trying times, and indeed the world is still not
fully recovered from challenges both medical and
commercial, the manufacturers keep on delivering
new models for our delectation!
Whilst the pandemic certainly put a big dent in all
things airsoft, the ongoing issues with shipping and
distribution thankfully appear to be easing at last.
However, now I’m hearing from many friends in the
retail side of the industry that given the economic
pressures we are all facing the sales of new AEGs
and GBBs have slowed right now, with more players
spending what money they have on getting to games
and keeping their existing replicas serviced and
running to their best.
As someone who has lived through several global
recessions this doesn’t surprise me at all, as when
money is tight we all, as players, tend to keep spare
cash for actually getting out to play, and the purchase
of a new platform gets pushed back in favour of
keeping what we already have going. It strikes me
that this makes what we do in the Red Cell program
even more valid than ever before, as many of the
models we have “in test” are models that you own,
and where we are beginning to encounter problems
(or not!) then we can comment on the potential fixes
for these very issues you may yourself be facing.
Bottom line is that EVERYTHING electrical and
mechanical will eventually fail! We do all tend to give
our replicas a proper hammering when we play, and
even with the very best maintenance regime in the

“IT STRIKES ME THAT THIS MAKES WHAT WE DO IN THE RED CELL PROGRAM EVEN
MORE VALID THAN EVER BEFORE, AS MANY OF THE MODELS WE HAVE “IN TEST” ARE
MODELS THAT YOU OWN, AND WHERE WE ARE BEGINNING TO ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS
(OR NOT!) THEN WE CAN COMMENT ON THE POTENTIAL FIXES FOR THESE VERY
ISSUES YOU MAY YOURSELF BE FACING.”

48 AUGUST 2022
 RED CELL
SBR UPDATE

world, parts WILL wear and eventually lead to the

failure of a very complex piece of machine art. What
we always intended to look at in Red Cell is when
things fail in some very popular brand AEGs and GBBs
and then come up with fixes for these; is it a simple,
inexpensive fix, or something far more involved?
The fact is that none of us have a bottomless
wallet (I wish!) and that we need to get the very best
performance from our platforms, not just as new,
but also in the long-term. This is especially true when
money is tighter than usual, so that fact that some our
test AEGs featured here are OLD we hope will give
you a heads-up on where best to spend your money!
To set the scene for SBR ARs, and why they’re so
important to us as airsofters I’ll refer back to my words
when we first looked at this category; developments
in doctrine and tactics mean that the carbine, and
especially the SBR (Short Barrelled Rifle) has become
the weapon of choice now for CQB/CQC. In US-
parlance and SBR is an AR (or similar) that has a
shoulder stock, with a barrel length of less than 16
inches, although for the purposes of this article the
Red Cell team decided to go sub-14.5 inch (“M4
carbine) barrel length. For CQB/CQC use a shorter rifle
is easier to manipulate in buildings and vehicles and
a shorter rifle is also easy to use and put into action.
Shorter rifles can also be lighter and better balanced if
they’re well set up.
In the real world this means that you can have the
benefit and higher penetration of a .223/5.56mm
round, but of course many SBRs can still handle the
newer 6.8mm ammunition and cartridges like the 300
Blackout to give a real performance edge! However,
there is a downside to an SBR, namely that “rounds
down” from a shorter barrel are going to start losing
velocity when compared to a “regular length” carbine
and rifle length. Velocity loss means you are going
to get a serious dent in terminal ballistic potential at
longer ranges, and potentially the “muzzle blast”,
both visible and auditory can be huge unless a suitable
suppressor/muzzle brake/ blast deflector is used. Barrel
length pretty much makes an SBR a medium-range
weapon at best or close quarters rifle for most, but of
course in trained hands with the correct “bolt-ons”
the SBR comes into its own as a short-range platform
that will defeat (or at least seriously hinder those

“THE FACT IS THAT NONE OF US HAVE A BOTTOMLESS WALLET (I WISH!) AND THAT
WE NEED TO GET THE VERY BEST PERFORMANCE FROM OUR PLATFORMS, NOT JUST
AS NEW, BUT ALSO IN THE LONG-TERM. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN MONEY IS
TIGHTER THAN USUAL”

www.airsoftaction.net 49
RED CELL
SBR UPDATE

wearing) body armour whilst still maintaining the from the ground up if ordering up every
ability to reach out further. component separately through them.
This is why we now see so many military and police Contrary to popular misconception
units ditching (in the main) their pistol calibre MP and the recoil is not “electronic”, but is
SMG models in favour of platforms like the L119A2, purely mechanical; being driven by the
HK416A5 and MK18 CQBR, and if your taste in airsoft rearward movement of the piston and
replicas is more “mil” then an SB-AR will undoubtedly mainspring, which drives a large brass
be high on your list of must-haves. This is also true recoil weight inside the buffer tube. It’s
if you’re a dedicated CQB player as the additional a very robust and simple design, which
manipulation utility offered by short-barrelled carbine is not prone to breaking. Slightly unique
will prove invaluable! to the T10 is the change in gearbox
design, known as the “AEG 3.0” which
THE ONLY EASY DAY! allows for it to accommodate the hugely
Also as I said before, with all of that as a background popular Gate TITAN electronic trigger unit.
of course in the world of airsoft, and the engagement Preceding designs, such as the RM4A1,
distances we encounter, the barrel length of our which is based off a traditional 14.5”
replicas is not so important, and although we might M4 style rifle offer the same ERG recoil
fit a suppressor or blast deflector for a cosmetically system, but are fitted with a gearbox
pleasing look, we aren’t having to deal with that has last round
“signature” either, so a shorter rifle for indoor or cutoff
urban use is going to be something that we always capability.
look at seriously. KWA’s
With this is mind the Red Cell team once again current
got their heads together to review suitable “SBRs”, system
models that we have now used in game and can of rifles
comment on with “time in”, or those that have embraces a modular
impressed us in testing and have now entered the test type of design, in that
program; suffice to say that for these AEGs “the only it is possible to transfer
easy day was yesterday!” the cutoff-capable
Dan: One of the platforms I happen to specialize on gearboxes to the
through my work is KWA’s, so I have naturally accrued T10 platform and
a lot of experience with the Ronin T10 in particular. vise versa. In a
As far as recoil based AEG’s are concerned, it is my similar vein, one
humble opinion that KWA’s ERG system represents the can also convert the
best in class for sheer robustness of design, felt recoil gun over to the Variable
and ease of disassembly and upgradeability. For end Performance System (VPS), which is a
users on this side of the pond in the USA, the base more traditional quick-change-spring
rifle is 1.49J ready without requiring the extensive style setup that allows for fine tuning
investment in upgrades that its nearest competitor, the FPS output.
the Tokyo Marui NGRS, requires in order to be Moving to the exterior of the rifle,
reliable at higher velocities. The majority of internal we have ambidextrous selector
components are compatible with standard V2 parts, switches and charging
which allows for a lot of pathways to upgrading. handle. The charging
KWA also offers excellent parts support, to which handle in particular
end someone could literally build the entire rifle is a solid one-piece
T-shaped design blows

“AS FAR AS RECOIL BASED AEG’S ARE CONCERNED, IT IS MY HUMBLE OPINION THAT
KWA’S ERG SYSTEM REPRESENTS THE BEST IN CLASS FOR SHEER ROBUSTNESS OF
DESIGN, FELT RECOIL AND EASE OF DISASSEMBLY AND UPGRADEABILITY.”

50 AUGUST 2022

the Radian and similar designs out of the
water for sheer strength. A slim 10” M-LOK
rail and bespoke 2-port custom muzzle
brake round out the front. The Ronin
comes outfitted with the excellent
PTS EPG-C motor grip and EPS
stock, which offers impressive
battery space as well as durable
nylon-fiber construction. PTS
backup iron sights are also fitted
as standard.
The base rifle will generally
provide many years of
workhorse-like performance, but
end users may wish to upgrade
the stock bucking as it is often
not ideal for environmental
conditions outside of the high
humidity and heat of its native
Taiwan. For anyone looking to
select a solid out of the box
rifle – with recoil - that can be
skirmished with right away, the
Ronin T10 is an excellent first
choice that can be maintained
and upgraded well into the
future.
Bill: It’s fair to say that I
have a bit of history when it
comes to the HK416 in airsoft
terms as I’ve been running my
Gen1 VFC since 2007! When I
moved to the USA in 2006 I wanted
to keep on playing airsoft, but as many
of you old-time readers of AA know I
had to replace my entire armoury thanks
to shipping constraints at the time. Long
story short is that I ended up buying a
then-new 416 from AEX in California, and
it’s been with me ever since, returning
with me to the UK courtesy of British
Airways in 2011!
This has been a fabulous AEG in all
ways, and after a few niggly-wiggly
wiring issues as new (not something we
have to contend with majorly these days
“WHEN I GOT IT BACK FROM MARCUS AND JIMMY, THERE WAS A STRATOSPHERIC
CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE, COMPARED TO THE NORMAL STANDARD PERFORMANCE
THAT I TEND TO PREFER.”
RED CELL
SBR UPDATE
thankfully!) it’s continued to run and run! I have had
it serviced professionally twice in the intervening
years, and in fairness it’s probably overdue for
another bit of TLC again (please Jimmy!) but other
than o-rings and seals, hop-rubbers, bucking, and
one new spring it has been a faithful and reliable
partner-in-crime since new. It’s also had a new,
shorter inner barrel as I decided
that its final form would be as
a “DEVGRU-style” CQB-length
variant… and the outer barrel
extension ended up on my longer
L119 anyway!
I have thought about getting it upgraded from
time to time, but the fact is that the 416 “as
stock” has never really needed it in my opinion
as I get a solid ROF, along with decent range and
accuracy as it is. I’ll hand off to Boycie now as he
decided that it WAS worth going the
extra mile…
Boycie: I had
the VFC 416 for a
year or so before I
handed it over to
Marcus and Jimmy
to work their magic
on it. While it was
working fine and I was happy
with it, I thought it would provide
an opportunity to try one of
the, then new, Leviathan
fets, along with one of their
flat triggers. The build was
featured in the Tech Talk
section of the January 2021
issue of AA. When I got it back from
Marcus and Jimmy, there was a stratospheric
change in performance, compared to the
normal standard performance that I tend to
prefer.
One of the first things which took me
a while to get used to was the near
instantaneous trigger to cycle time
that the 416 now had. The travel of
the trigger was about 1-1.5mm and
lets me quickly loose off 2-3 rounds.
www.airsoftaction.net 51
RED CELL
SBR UPDATE

ARES X-CLASS AR-091E

Price: iro UK£390.00
Age: New
Weight: 2600g
Length: 690mm/770mm
Magazine Capacity: 140, will accept all STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 1.12 Joule/348fps
Hot Chrono: 1.12 Joule/347fps
Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.iwholesales.co.uk

BOLT B4
Price: iro UK£350.00
Age: One Year
Weight: 2000g
Length: 530mm/630mm
Magazine Capacity: 190, will accept most STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 0.83 Joule/300fps
Hot Chrono: 0.78 Joule/290fps
Taclite Compatibility: Magpul-Style
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

CYMA CM.097B
Price: iro UK£155.00
Age: 3 Years
Weight: 2770g
Length: 730mm/815 mm
Magazine Capacity: 160, will accept all STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 109 Joule/344fps
Hot Chrono: 1.09 Joule/344fps
Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.taiwangun.com

EVOLUTION E-416
Price: iro UK£295.00
Age: 17 months
Weight: 2,920g
Length: 700mm/780 mm
Magazine Capacity: 130, will accept all STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 109 Joule/344fps
Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps
Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: store.evolutioninternational.it

SPECNA ARMS MK18 SA-E19 EDGE

Price: iro UK£230.00
Age: 18 months
Weight: 2675g
Length: 700mm/785mm
Magazine Capacity: 125 (2), will accept all STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps
Hot Chrono: 1.04 Joule/335fps
Taclite Compatibility: Standard rail
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.gunfire.com

VFC (UMAREX) HK 416 D CQB V2

Price: iro UK£430.00
Age: 15 YEARS (for the Gen 1)!!!
Weight: 3074g
Length: 705mm/805mm
Magazine Capacity: 320, will accept all STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 1.09 Joule/344fps
Hot Chrono: 1.09 Joule/344fps
Taclite Compatibility: Standard rail/SMR on A5
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.landwarriorairsoft.com

52 AUGUST 2022
 RED CELL
SBR UPDATE

SPECNA ARMS RRA SA-E04

Price: iro UK£175.00
Age: 2 Years, 6 months
Weight: 2600g
Length: 700mm/780mm
Magazine Capacity: 125 (2), will accept all STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps
Hot Chrono: 0.98 Joule/325fps
Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.gunfire.com

SPECNA ARMS SA-H12

Price: iro UK£190.00
Age: 18 months
Weight: 3000g
Length: 730mm/820mm
Magazine Capacity: 300, will accept all STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps
Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps
Taclite Compatibility: Dedicated, SMR
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.gunfire.com

EVOLUTION RECON M EMR A ETS

Price: iro UK£260.00
Age: One Year
Weight: 2200g
Length: 650mm/740mm
Magazine Capacity: 130, will accept all STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 0.95 Joule/320fps
Hot Chrono: 0.95 Joule/320fps
Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: store.evolutioninternational.it

VALKEN KILO
Price: iro UK£150.00
Age: 18 months
Weight: 2494g
Length: 620mm/700mm
Magazine Capacity: 300, will accept most STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps
Hot Chrono: 0.98 Joule/325fps
Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.308-sniper.co.uk

KWA VM4 RONIN 10 SBR 2.5

Price: iro UK£375.00
Age: 18 months
Weight: 2900g
Length: 724mm/794mm
Magazine Capacity: 120, will accept most STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 1.09 Joule/344fps
Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps
Taclite Compatibility: KeyMod
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.iwholesales.co.uk

G&G SR30
Price: iro UK£360.00
Age: 14 months
Weight: 2760g
Length: 700mm/770mm
Magazine Capacity: 90 (G2), will accept most STANAG/AR
Cold Chrono: 0.98/325fps
Hot Chrono: 0.95 Joule/320fps
Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

www.airsoftaction.net 53
RED CELL
SBR UPDATE
I’m not a full auto hoser so the semi trigger to
cycle time is a real bonus. The re-shim whilst the
Leviathan was being fitted had also reduced the
noise from the gearbox and all I hear on firing is
the “zip, zip, zip” that used to only be heard in
Systema PTWs in past years. The 416 has also
now gone through some cosmetic changes with
a new front rail and a few other small parts. I
usually run 11.1v to power the rifle but even on
a 7.4v I get around 13rps with
auto selected.
One of the really cool
options now is that I have
the ability, thru Bluetooth,
to change the settings,
read off how many rounds
have been fired and loads of other data, all kept
on my “smart” phone. This is a great advantage
over some other fets which you have to change
selector and pull the trigger to
change settings.
When I manage to
get out on the field
and play, the 416
is my “go to” rifle,
and since Marcus
and Jimmy worked
their magic I’ve had
people asking “what the heck have
you done to that” and I usually
get a big smile from folk when
I offer them the chance to go
and give it a run!
Bill: Sticking with 416-style
models I was very impressed
with the new E-416 when
first received it for
initial testing. Evolution have come a LONG way
since I first met them, and I’d have to say that
the E-416 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”
“EVOLUTION HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE I FIRST MET THEM, AND I’D HAVE TO SAY
THAT THE E-416 DEVGRU IS A FABULOUS AMALGAM OF EVERYTHING THAT THEY’VE
LEARNED ABOUT AIRSOFT OVER THE YEARS, HANDILY PLACED INTO ONE EXCELLENT,
GREAT LOOKING PACKAGE!”
54 AUGUST 2022
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.
As I concluded at the time I first
looked at it “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 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”… and the
user of the Test Pool 416 is
Jimmy!
Jimmy: So looking back at
the Evolution E-416 my first
impression on this platform was
that it is an awesome piece of
kit and I couldn’t really find fault
with it; a very solid well-built package.
The black and the bronze really
we appealed to me that and the fact it came
factory fitted with their ETS system, I’m
a sucker for an electronic trigger. When
I first encountered this platform it was
a bit of an unbox review with very little
range time, as you don’t need weeks
of testing to see if something is initially
good.
There are times when a flaw can
immediately stand out but with the
E-416 this wasn’t the case. Having now
 RED CELL
SBR UPDATE

fielded the 416 on numerous occasions I can safely

say my opinions haven’t changed since the first day.
There are a few things I would change though; this
isn’t due to fault it is more down to personal
preference really, things I have found I like
and one is a shorter trigger pull. The ETS
system gives the user a degree of adjustability
and one of them is trigger sensitivity, so for
me I would like and adjustable trigger to compliment
that parameter. I would also change the motor grip
for something a little chunkier due to my hands being
quite big; I have become a big fan of the SPR-style
grips. Like I said these choices are personal to me and
not a prerequisite so please don’t muddle my words
by thinking that they need changing immediately!
Out on the field it performs perfectly and
accommodates a selection of different magazines,
Nuprol mid-caps, Saigo mid-caps, G&G 2500 BB drum
mag, Battleaxe 900BB… they all feed with no issues
whatsoever. The Nuprol mid-caps and the Battleaxe
hi-caps had a little bit of movement to them but
nothing significant enough to cause feeding issues.
On an 11.1v 15c lipo BBs were feeding at a rate of
18rps which is perfectly acceptable in my opinion and
one fully charged battery can almost see a whole day
gaming as the 416 isn’t power hungry.
Range and accuracy are what you would expect
from an ootb platform with its brass 6.03mm inner
barrel and standard hop rubber it is effective out to
around 45-50m, easily hitting a man-sized target; I
wouldn’t be trying to get inch groupings but a hit is
a hit in my book so tight groupings aren’t something
I worry about and if you can hit a player at 50m
consitently then that is good enough for me.. I
have really enjoyed playing with the E-416; it looks
great, works perfectly, isn’t overly expensive and has
withstood the abuse from me. Would I recommend to
others? Oh yes.
Bill: And there’ still another 416 to go at! We’re
now seeing more and more images of operators
with the HK416, and especially now the HK416A5,
and although there are a few airsoft versions out
there already, they haven’t exactly been aimed at the
“starter end” of the player market with price tags
heading way up there and that’s before you start
adding all those “necessary” accessories!

“IT IS EFFECTIVE OUT TO AROUND 45-50M, EASILY HITTING A MAN-SIZED TARGET;

I WOULDN’T BE TRYING TO GET INCH GROUPINGS BUT A HIT IS A HIT IN MY BOOK
SO TIGHT GROUPINGS AREN’T SOMETHING I WORRY ABOUT AND IF YOU CAN HIT A
PLAYER AT 50M CONSITENTLY THEN THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME..”

www.airsoftaction.net 55
RED CELL
SBR UPDATE

When it comes to CQB-length
AEGs, Specna Arms had an
undoubted success with their “MK18
CQBR” at the back end of 2020 (more
on this shortly!) and they’ve moved
things along nicely with two new
models that step firmly into the
NSW replica arena whilst keeping
things real when it comes to
pricing. The SA-H11 and H-12 are
without any question “416-alikes”,
and as they’re both priced sensibly
this puts the “operator primary”
well within the reach of those on a
budget, and that is fabulous!
The H-12 variant arrived with
us late in 2020, with our first look
after initial testing early in 2021;
since that time it’s been with our
resident “MilSim-
aholic”
Jase!
Jase: H12, it’s still a
nice RIF to just
look at just
hangin on
the wall, and
it’s prived to
be a pretty
cool shooter
in all respects, and
the build quality of this fine
example of the H&K is one I’m
happy to have in my arsenal!
While the H-11
is pretty much a
“standard” A5 with
the usual railed
HK system with
integrated flip up
sight, the H-12 takes things up a notch with an
“Geiselle SMR” style system, and it’s a fabulous
slimline rail that brings down the front-end weight
and bulk of the carbine. The H-12 benefits from
ambidextrous operating controls; bolt catch, magazine
release, safety/fire selector lever and charging handle,
the rounded “winter” trigger guard for use with
gloves and cold weather clothing, contiguous top rail
for use of optics and aiming accessories, a redesigned
ergonomic pistol grip (there’s no storage compartment
for a field stripping tool of course!), an enlarged bolt
catch lever and protective barrier against accidental
use, and the latest slimline multi-position sliding stock;
all in all a VERY tidy package!
I’m pleased to tell you that in operation the H-12
that was provided for testing is, if anything, even
better than other heavily-upgraded HK416s I’ve
tried… from the box! Last year I had issues with
magazines not sitting properly in the magwell and
only last month I actually got round to trying to
address the issue. With the help of some Velcro (soft
side) added to the mag well and it for seem to have
fixed the issue, so now I just need to head out onto
the playing field to give it a run out again!
Bill: Now I mentioned the Specna Mk18, and this
is STILL an AEG that I am totally in love with! Okay,
I have my 416, but as I’m a closet NSW-fan I had to
have me a Mk18 AEG for general play to go alongside
my VFC GBBR version that is lovingly held back
for training and MilSim. Both platforms are set up
exactly the same so that I can go from one to another
without any issues!
The Specna Mk18 has been with me for nigh-on
18 months, and with zero work done still performs
like new! We’ve seen some great looking new AEG
AR models from Specna, but also their super every-
player-can-own-one- priced M249, some great new
programmeable technology for the future, and to
really put the icing on the cake now theor licensing
collaboration with Daniel Defense … and what
resulted was the Mk18 CQBR!
The first observation I would make is that this
AEG is a “looker” that will please players that favour
a more “military” model. I like to use the phrase
“fighting gun”, and the Mk18 (or E19 in Specna
parlance) is most certainly that; there are no frills, no

“IT’S STILL A NICE RIF TO JUST LOOK AT JUST HANGIN ON THE WALL, AND IT’S
PRIVED TO BE A PRETTY COOL SHOOTER IN ALL RESPECTS, AND THE BUILD QUALITY
OF THIS FINE EXAMPLE OF THE H&K IS ONE I’M HAPPY TO HAVE IN MY ARSENAL!”

56 AUGUST 2022
 RED CELL
SBR UPDATE

bells and whistles, just a solidly made short AR AEG

that’s immediately ready to BB-up and get out onto
the field with. The Mk18 has been manufactured in
cooperation with EMG Arms in the USA, and every
part appears to have been made and fitted with the
utmost care and attention to detail.
In game it has proved to be a real tack-driver with
no issues to report so far! I really do love the Mk18
as it’s proved to be an exceptionally tight package
both inside and out; care has obviously been taken to
provide something in AEG form that’s fully worthy of
carrying the Daniel Defense name!
I won’t comment here on the other Specna that I’ve
had for a couple of years now, the E04, as you’ll find
more on this particular SB-AR in our “BLOCKS” article
this month, but suffice to say that after a little love it’s
cranking on nicely!
Jase: I’ll continue the love for licensing here as
another of the test models I’ve had access to is
G&G take on the Knights Armament SR30! My
first thoughts on the SR30 were “impressive”. The
immediate quality of this RIF was good. It felt solid,
really solid! Apart from the stock giving off a wee
rattle, the whole platform did not make a noise. I
wasn’t expecting this. In the years I have been a player
in the community, I have fettled with my fair share
of AEGs from expensive to cheap so I know what a
good RIF feels like. Back in the day, a few of my team
ran G&G Combat Machine M4’s which were budget
orientated (which you cannot fault them for) but they
were a spot on the ropey side, so when I was tasked
a with this G&G review, I was not holding out much
hope in the quality department. How wrong I was!
I have been treated with plenty of well trademarked
RIF’s of late so I was eager to see how well G&G had
engraved this SR30. Talk about a good job, from what
I can tell this is the spitting image of the real thing.
The trades are super crisp, and I’d go as far as to say
laser engraved as they look so nice. When I compared
this with photos of the real Knights SR30, apart from
the missing CTR stock and slightly different pistol grip,
this was a damn fine Knights Armament replica.
The G&G Knights Armament SR30 has been really
nice to use too, I’ve had zero issues or gripes. The
SR30 comes fitted with a programmable Mosfet
as standard and it’s great to see G&G moving this

“APART FROM THE STOCK GIVING OFF A WEE RATTLE, THE WHOLE PLATFORM DID NOT
MAKE A NOISE. I WASN’T EXPECTING THIS. IN THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN A PLAYER IN
THE COMMUNITY, I HAVE FETTLED WITH MY FAIR SHARE OF AEGS FROM EXPENSIVE
TO CHEAP SO I KNOW WHAT A GOOD RIF FEELS LIKE.”

www.airsoftaction.net 57
RED CELL
SBR UPDATE

along; their “take” on this gearbox/ get-go to be a reliable yet stylish, up-to-the-minute
Mosfet combo offers really handy choice for players. In the case of the 091-E this
features! Here in the UK this SR30 is premium AEG has thoroughly modern styling with a
competitively priced for a solid, well- Radian Arms-inspired lower receiver, and a “Geissele-
made, beautifully “traded” AEG. style” rail system, one which seems to be very popular
Would I recommend this G&G SR30? in airsoft circles at the moment! The high-grade alloy
So far it’s a “Yes”. CNC 6063 handguard fitted as standard to the X
Bill: As Jase has so ably made the CLASS looks very much like an M-LOK Super Modular
argument for a properly licenced Rail MK4, but without the additional picatinny
model I feel it’s only fair to conclude sections at 3 and 6 o’clock, and it looks great!
with something that is still relatively The flip-up sights that come fitted as standard to
new, and unashamedly airsoft the 091E are more than adequate for most situations,
through and through… and that’s so the AEG is ready to roll straight from the box if you
the ARES X-CLASS AR-091E that I add a battery and some BBs, although for full testing
looked at in Issue 137, and this is I added my favourite holosight and a foregrip. At
another AEG that I’ve already come 30m unsupported it’s easy to get hits on a 400mm x
to respect greatly! 400mm torso-sized target with each BB flying straight
I seem to have spent a fair amount and true. Now it’s been out in earnest for longer
of time with new ARES range testing, the carbine performs superbly on .28g
models BBs, easily and accurately sending them to target at
on the 50-60m now it’s bedded in; not too shabby at all, and
range I’m looking forward to seeing just how well this new
in the AEG performs over time!
last We’re running out of space this month, but suffice
year, to say that the CYMA 097, BOLT L4, Valken Kilo and
but the Evolution Recon are all running as they should!
there’s Posh (Evo Recon) is currently on an “airsoft hiatus”
one series that due to a new job, and sadly Bill W-R (Valken Kilo) is
both Jimmy and still recovering from an illness; I’m sure you’ll join us in
I got a little wishing him a speedy recovery to full health, and we’ll
excited update all these models in “RELOADED” articles at a
about, but later date. AA
for very
different Red Cell is supported by:

reasons, and
that was their new
“X CLASS”! So, what’s new and
interesting about the new X CLASS
variants, of which there are a few
ranging from the 555-650mm
Model 6 “PDW” up to the
850-930mm Model 15?
Basically put ARES
have created a line
of AR AEGs that are
designed from the

“...IT’S BEEN OUT IN EARNEST FOR LONGER RANGE TESTING, THE CARBINE PERFORMS
SUPERBLY ON .28G BBS, EASILY AND ACCURATELY SENDING THEM TO TARGET AT 50-
60M NOW IT’S BEDDED IN; NOT TOO SHABBY AT ALL”

58 AUGUST 2022
RELOADED
GOLDEN EAGLE AMD-65

BLOC ON A
BUDGET!
BILL IS ALWAYS ON THE LOOK-OUT FOR WELL-PRICED YET UNIQUE REPLICAS TO ADD TO HIS AK
COLLECTION AND AFTER MUCH SEARCHING HE FINALLY FOUND ONE THAT HAS BEEN EVADING HIM
FOR SOME TIME, THE HUNGARIAN AMD-65! AFTER GIVING THE POOR THING SOME REAL ABUSE HE
NOW REPORTS BACK ON THE AEG VERSION FROM GOLDEN EAGLE AIRSOFT.

O
kay, I make no bones about the fact that
I’m an AK “fanboi” and when it comes to
playing OPFOR there is, in my opinion, nothing
better than an AK-variant to distinguish yourself from
BLUFOR. I’m also a fan as in its base form (and here
I’m looking at the wood-furnitured AK47, AKM/S and
the 74 SU specifically) it’s a classic piece of functional
military design that rightfully deserves a
place on
anyone’s
gun wall!

The “Automat
Kalashnikova” of 1947
created by Mikhail
Kalashnikov was a genuine,
100% “game changer” in
the world of military firearms,
allowing the humble infantry soldier
access to a fast-firing, durable, and above all

“I MAKE NO BONES ABOUT THE FACT THAT I’M AN AK “FANBOI” AND WHEN IT COMES
TO PLAYING OPFOR THERE IS, IN MY OPINION, NOTHING BETTER THAN AN AK-VARIANT
TO DISTINGUISH YOURSELF FROM BLUFOR.”

60 AUGUST 2022

reliable battlefield tool. The humble AK has come in
many variants during its long service life, even within
Russia, but when you take into account the number
of models “based” on the AK but built under licence
in different Soviet Bloc countries the variations can
become somewhat mind-boggling!
The AK, including all of its variants, has truly
become one of the most widely manufactured and
used firearms in the world, of this there is little
doubt. Interestingly though one of the first licence
agreements after the initial Russian-only manufacture
of the AK-47 was with the Hungarians! By 1957
the Magyar Nephadsereg (Hungarian People’s Army)
decided it was high time to replace their aging and
outmoded bolt action Moisin Nagant rifles with a
modern AK-47-style battle rifle. The Hungarian AK
was designated the AK-55 and it was simply a direct
copy of the Soviet AK-47; it came with a cleaning
rod and lacked a bayonet lug, but a barrel-mounted
bayonet was available. Manufacturing quality was very
RELOADED
GOLDEN EAGLE AMD-65
good.
Femaru- Fegyver- es Gepgyar (FEG) based in
Budapest started re-tooling for the AK in 1957, and
the first AK-55 left the factory in 1959. The receivers,
which were machined from steel blocks, were made
by Danuvia Gepgyar initially, as that company boasted
better machining facilities than FEG, and the stock,
checkered pistol grip and fore-end were made of
locally-sourced wood. The AK-55 shared a basic form
and structure with the AK-47 but differed slightly
due to the shift in manufacturing from a forged and
machined receiver to a lighter sheet metal receiver.
This alteration to the design made the AK-55 two-
thirds lighter than its predecessor, and it was adopted
in every evolution of the Hungarian AK afterwards.
This modification has been left out of many historical
accounts of the rifle, with the initial forging and
machining process, which was so revolutionary in the
creation of the AK-47, almost lost from the story.
The AK-55 served until 1963 until the introduction
www.airsoftaction.net 61
RELOADED
GOLDEN EAGLE AMD-65
of the AKM-63 with its sheet metal receiver, and all
parts were made by FEG. The AKM-63 proved to be
a highly functional and reliable rifle, popular with the
troops, but of course development never stands still
and the AKM-63 was duly replaced in 1966 by the
AMD-65 (Automata Modosított Deszant of 1965);
this was a shortened (by 98mm) “paratrooper”
variant of the AKM-63 with a simple folding tubular
butt and rubber butt plate in place of the heavier
wooden version; the butt could be folded by pressing
a catch under the receiver behind the rear pistol grip,
and the shorter length reflected the increasing use
of helicopters, vehicles and especially AFVs by the
Eastern Bloc Armed Forces in general.
The short barrel had a distinctive large two-
port muzzle brake, and the early pattern wooden
pistol grips were replaced later with dark-coloured
plastic ones. The front handguard area was made of
perforated sheet metal which incorporated the black
or grey plastic vertical foregrip (this was attached to
assist in controlling fully automatic fire from a shorter
weapon) and the vertical foregrip was canted forward
to lessen interference with the early “banana-style”
magazine changes.
UNIQUE AND SPECIAL
So why, you might ask yourself, has someone gone
to all the trouble of producing an airsoft replica of
what was essentially a rather obscure AK variant?
Well, the fact is that the AMD-65 is a bit of a “grail
gun” for many of us AK-fans, and it’s actually a
model that has appeared somewhat bizarrely and
regularly throughout the more recent conflicts in the
Middle East! While it is undoubtedly a model that
any “period” airsofter would wish to own, it was also
used by the Afghan National Police and has been
seen in the hands of many private contractors in
Afghanistan and Iraq.
Online research from “Tactical Life” tells me that
“the Afghans started receiving them around 2006,
when they went out of Hungarian service. I have seen
figures to the effect that the Hungarians “donated”
39,000 AMD-65s and the U.S. purchased 45,000
more for the Afghan Police”.
These are significant numbers in anyone’s book,
and the fact is that for police issue the shorter
barrelled, folding stock AMD-65 would have been a
“WHILE IT IS UNDOUBTEDLY A MODEL THAT ANY “PERIOD” AIRSOFTER WOULD WISH
TO OWN, IT WAS ALSO USED BY THE AFGHAN NATIONAL POLICE AND HAS BEEN SEEN
IN THE HANDS OF MANY PRIVATE CONTRACTORS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.”
62 AUGUST 2022
perfect choice given that fundamentally it’s the same
same as other AKs, a design with which the Afghans
would have been more than familiar.
A few years back I had the great pleasure of
looking at the LCT version of the AMD-65 and it was
righteous! However, at the time I didn’t have £UK350
to spare for a new AEG, and as much as I loved it, it
was returned following the review and test process.
From that point on the AMD-65 has been in the back
of my mind, so when I can across the same model
from Golden Eagle (GE) I was intrigued, especially
given that at UK£150 it seemed a real bargain, so I
picked one up with a view to upgrading it later!
I do know Golden Eagle International (HK) Limited,
they’ve been around a while so they obviously do
something right! Founded in 2007, with experience
in developing and manufacturing airsoft guns, airsoft
parts and related products under the brand GE Airsoft
(Golden Eagle Airsoft) you’ll find Golden Eagle under
their own brand name across most of Europe, but if
you’re in the USA then no doubt they’ll be offered
under the “MATRIX” banner… the same thing
basically…
Long story short is that GE actually have a lot of
experience and they’ve been quietly making airsoft
replicas since they started, often at the more “budget
end” of the market. Although they are well priced
they are often of quite decent quality externally, and
the AMD-65 AEG comes with a solid and durable
metal body and barrel and benefits from black plastic
grips fore and aft, the tubular side folding stock, and
the distinctive muzzle brake; for a rifle that first saw
service in the 1960s the placement of the foregrip,
which is essentially just a reversed pistol grip, gives
the “65” a surprisingly modern “feel”. Everything is
put together very well indeed and there are absolutely
no creaks, groans or wobbles apparent anywhere;
the overall weight loaded fully of 3175g means that
you can happily carry this AEG all day long, and at
610/860mm it’s also a great AK for use in both CQB
and woodland games.
Internally things are solid enough for the money;
there’s a tried and tested (and easily upgraded!) V3
gearbox all driven along by an “okay” short-type
motor. Nothing inside really sets the pulse racing
but it’s all serviceable to start with, and the fact
that everything is compatible with all TM-spec AEG
 RELOADED
GOLDEN EAGLE AMD-65

upgrade components means that with the absolutely hop-unit and inner barrel relationship. This should be
rock-solid externals you could end up with a very a relatively cheap area to upgrade that would give
respectable, uniquely-charactered OPFOR shooter! almost instant performance results!
I’ve always personally fancied an AMD-65 to add
DOWNRANGE to my collection, and I have to say that this model is a
Performance-wise the AMD-65 is no slouch from the real gem of a find given the quality of the externals,
box to be fair though. The AEG comes with a 600 BB and the performance as new is quite acceptable
High Capacity magazine which is also of full metal without any upgrades. If you like a bit of an “old
construction; I have tried it with other AK-47 and school AK” that’s just a bit different, and at a great
AK-74 magazines of different capacities and all feed price, then you really should get your hands on an
very well with no jams or misfeeds. It seems to work AMD-65 from Golden Eagle Airsoft.
happily on an 11.1V LiPo which gives it a nice trigger My thanks go to www.iwholesales.co.uk for
response and ROF, and thus far after about 20K BBs supplying the review sample; for more information on
nothing has burnt out or spat the dummy… yet! the AMD-65 along with other models from Golden
There are sling points fore and aft Eagle please do pay their website a visit. AA
should you wish to fit a sling (canvas
webbing please!), and the control layout
of the AMD-65 is much the same as every
other AK variant on the market (I return
to that comment earlier about “Afghan
use”…). The charging handle cover hides
a traditional sliding hop-up adjuster, and
the safety lever has three positions; top is
“safe”, middle is “auto”, and the lowest
setting is “semi-auto”, just like the real
thing; you do need to keep the selector arm
screwed down tight though as this has a
habit of shaking itself loose and interfering
with the choice of shooting modes.
With the magazine fully loaded and
wound, and a charged TITAN stick-LiPo
fitted initially the AMD-65 through the
chrono was actually very (surprisingly!)
consistent at a site-friendly 0.92
joule/315fps using .20g BBs; rate of fire
was also pleasantly “AK”, chugging along
nicely on a 7.4, but darn quick on the
11.1. The AMD-65 also has some “legs”
in relation to range, and once the hop has
been dialled in it happily sends out .28g BBs
to the extreme of the 30m “woods range”;
at 30m prone I’m able to easily hit a dinner
plate-sized target… none too shabby for a
“cheap gun”.
However, and this is quite a big
“however”, just like the real deal it’s not
always perfectly accurate, and you do get
a few “flyers” from every mag. I would
stress that I am still using the GE “stock”
with zero upgrades as nothing has broken
yet (it’s actually lasted longer than I thought
it would!), and I think that the first thing
I will task Jimmy with is to look at the

www.airsoftaction.net 63
VENOM BOOTS
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■ Internal nylon stabiliser shank
■ Integrated EVA midsole
■ Aggressive, multi-directional grip, rubber sole
■ Moisture wicking lining

Material: 1000D Cordura upper

Sizes: 7-12

Black / Dark Coyote / SRP: £89.95

 TECHNICAL
AGM MG42

GIVING THE
BUZZSAW
SOME
TEETH!

LAST MONTH WE LOOKED IN DEPTH AT THE WEAPONS, AND THEIR AIRSOFT REPLICAS THAT MIGHT HAVE
BEEN USED ON D-DAY AND IN OUR RED CELL “SPECIAL” JIMMY HAD A FEW CHOICE WORDS TO SAY
ABOUT THE AGM MG42! AS PROMISED HE NOW BRINGS IN HIS FULL ASSESSMENT, AND THE STEPS HE
TOOK TO TURN A WELL-PRICED SUPPORT GUN INTO A TRUE BB-CHUCKING BEAST!

W
hen it comes to weapons of an era I do
prefer the more modern models, although
I do have a small interest in weapons of
Cold War. While WWII replicas are still very popular
a lot of them don’t really interest me; that said there
are a few which do grab my attention such as the
Colt 1911 Government, Browning 9mm, the BREN
and let’s not forget the wrecking machine that is
the MG42! As I have become quite familiar with the
MG42 I shall give an insight into my experience with
its workings, and the ensuing issues I faced, but first
let’s have a little history on its real counterpart!
The MG 42 (shortened from German:
Maschinengewehr 42, or “machine gun 42”) was a
7.92×57mm general-purpose machine gun designed
by Mauser in Germany and used extensively by the

66 AUGUST 2022
 TECHNICAL
AGM MG42

Wehrmacht and German Forces during the second 3, Italian MG 42/59 and Austrian MG 74. It also
half of World War II. Entering production in 1942, it spawned the Yugoslav unlicensed nearly identical
was intended to supplement and replace the earlier Zastava M53… strangely there was a small car which
MG 34, which was more expensive and took much took the name Zastava made by Yugo…. But let’s get
longer to produce, but both weapons were produced back to the matter in hand.
until the end of the war, and in the case of the
MG42 far longer, but more on that later! Designed
to be low-cost and easy to build, the MG 42 proved
GIVE ME LOVE!
I got my hands on the AGM MG42 due to it needing
to be highly reliable and easy to operate. It is most
some much required maintenance and a bit of true
notable for its very high cyclic rate for a gun using
tech love as it was misfeeding… sorry; make that
full power service cartridges, averaging about 1,200
not feeding at all! Velocity was very poor and in
rounds per minute compared to around 850 for the
general it just sounded horrible. One thing that is
MG 34 and perhaps 450 to 600 for other common
fast apparent with the MG is it’s colossal presence;
machine guns like the M1919 Browning or FM 24/29
it’s a beast of a machine and when fully loaded with
or Bren. This ability made it extremely effective in
magazine and it’s large capacity of BBs it really is
providing suppressive fire, and its unique sound led

to it being nicknamed “Hitler’s Buzzsaw”.

heavy at nearly 6000g, so anyone running around
The MG 42 was adopted by several armed
with this all day deserves credit.
organizations after the war, and was both copied
Aesthetically stunning it is a well-built platform
and built under licence. The MG 42’s lineage
from its large muzzle device right down to the fin
continued past the AXIS defeat, forming the basis
shaped stock. One thing I found to be a bit of an
for the nearly identical MG1 (MG 42/59), chambered
annoyance is the bipod, that thing does what it
in 7.62×51mm NATO, which subsequently evolved
wants to. I understand it needed to give the user a
into the MG1A3, and later the Bundeswehr’s MG

www.airsoftaction.net 67
 TECHNICAL
AGM MG42
wide range of manoeuvrability but when you’re trying
to work on it or move from point to point it just flaps
all over the place.
Designed with one thing in mind, “suppression”,
the airsoft variant takes quite a beating and sadly
AGM didn’t use the best quality internal parts and
they also adopted certain standards which don’t
follow suit of other parts manufacturers which makes
part sourcing a bit of a nightmare. When it works it
is fun to use and due to its internal barrel being in
excess of 700mm it is amazing! The range you can
get most airsoft platforms similar to this have much
shorter barrels and can’t find the same range.
The big old drum mag can be a bit of a fiddle to
fit, especially the locking catch, and you have to get it
lined up perfect in order for it to clip in and can take
two or three attempts at that, but once on it is very
well secured so no worries of it falling off. I like the
idea of having it hardwired but powered from its own
power source requiring 4 AA batteries; no need to
push any buttons or switches just pull the trigger and
the mag will self-wind.
The way they have set up the mechanics is nice
also as you have two complete separate sections,
the lower section which houses your gears and your
trigger mechanism and the upper portion which deals
solely with your compression side of things, making
life a bit easier when it comes to maintenance as
both are incredibly easy to remove. Battery space is
better than most to be honest, batteries are stored in
the rear of the body and the stock although caution
should be taken when fitting the stock as you have to
twist the stock on which could compromise a wire.
INTERNALLY UNREMARKABLE
Getting into the internals AGM have used standard-
quality budget parts and not much diligence has been
used in putting them all together. I found the gears
were very poorly shimmed with little to no grease, the
safety switch was very stiff, motor height was way off,
the piston was of poor quality and again there was no
lubrication where it was needed except just smeared
on areas where no contact of parts were.
So my job was to unfudge the fudgery!
When installing the new piston I discovered the
original piston to be marginally thinner that the three
“ONE THING I FOUND TO BE A BIT OF AN ANNOYANCE IS THE BIPOD, THAT THING
DOES WHAT IT WANTS TO. I UNDERSTAND IT NEEDED TO GIVE THE USER WIDE RANGE
OF MANOEUVRABILITY BUT WHEN YOU’RE TRYING TO WORK ON IT OR MOVE FROM
POINT TO POINT IT JUST FLAPS ALL OVER THE PLACE.”
68 AUGUST 2022
models that I tried to fit, resulting in the new ones
jamming when the shell was closed and forcing me to
modify the piston to allow smooth operation. I had to
trim a couple of mill off the tappet plate as the nozzle
was being held open way too long causing drastic
power loss. Shimming the gears required them to be
sat as low as possible in order for the sector gear to
get a good engagement of the piston rack meaning I
couldn’t get the motor to sit as high as I would have
liked which can be detrimental to either the pinion or
bevel gears, but time will tell I suppose.
The main reason for the misfeeding was down to a
number of issues; the main factor was the length of
the nozzle as it was way too long and due to the odd
size AGM had used, no aftermarket part was available
so I had to carefully machine material away until I
had reached the correct length which took several
attempts to get right. The old saying you can take
more off you can’t put any back so this resulted in
best part of an afternoon to get just right.
Another problem was with the hop unit alignment
to the upper half of the compression housing.
Although the hop unit fixed directly to the housing
when installed the two parts were not linear, so it sat
a little too high. This platform tested my abilities and
at times had me questioning myself and made me feel
I was out of my depth, but perseverance prevailed and
the beast succumbed finally to my wishes.
Now fully operational I was happier than a pig
in mud. So a platform that looked amazing on the
outside was lacklustre on the inside, but with a few
choice enhancements and a fair amount of my time
it became the machine it should have been. Running
on 11.1v it has a very crisp sound and will pump out
a very healthy 18rps which isn’t far from the real
MG42’s rof, at between 345 & 350fps so I’m very
pleased with that.
I always like a challenge, and I find that the more
AEGs I work on, the more I understand their individual
characters and the MG42 although initially hard to
fathom turned out just fine with some thought and
perseverance. Unless you’re a skilled tech with a well-
set up workshop I’d say getting the most from one of
these AEGs will be hard, so my advice to you is to take
it to a good tech who will find the correct path, with
the correct parts, to really put some teeth into your
Buzzsaw! AA
TECHNICAL
AGM MG42

www.airsoftaction.net 69
 TECHNICAL
M4 SOPMOD BUILD

In Partnership with NUPROL and Military1st

THE
BIRTH OF
THE BLOCKS
PART II
THE AR AND “M4” STYLE OF AEG HAS PROVED TO BE THE “PRIMARY” CHOICE OF AIRSOFT PLAYERS
AROUND THE GLOBE, AND INDEED IF YOU LOOK THROUGH THE RANGE OF VIRTUALLY ANY MANUFACTURER
OUT THERE IT’S GOING TO BE THE AR-STYLE THAT IS DOMINANT! BILL CONTINUES WITH HIS JOURNEY TO
RECREATE, WITH THE HELP OF OUR FRIENDS AT NUPROL AND MILITARY1ST, A BLOCK 1 M4 SOPMOD, A MOD
0 CQBR, AND NOW THE KIT TO GO WITH IT!

I
do love a build project; in fact when I was a kid I
wanted to be a gunsmith but my family talked me
out of it as “there’s no money in guns”… hah, if
only I knew then what I know now! Here I am, the
older and wiser (I hope!) me and what do I do for a
living? I build, shoot and write about guns and gear
both real and replica, and although I’ll never be a
millionaire, I LOVE what I do!
The “BLOCKS” project so far has been a really
interesting one, but when I sat back to think about
it I realised that what I was doing was essentially
recreating the platforms and loadout that I used when
I was at the very height of my playing days! Once I’d
set the wheels in motion to create a passable BLOCK 1

70 AUGUST 2022
 TECHNICAL
M4 SOPMOD BUILD

M4 and a Mod 0 CQBR and

handed them off to Jimmy
for some internal refinement
I found myself ordering in a
new set of tri-colour BDUs
from Military1st and digging
out all my old gear from the
very early 2000s!
I am an absolute
“magpie” when it comes to
gear, so although I wanted
a new uniform set, the rest
of the appropriate kit was
still safely stored away in the
“Gear Locker”, and I had
a great afternoon digging
it all out and reminiscing
about games and comrades
past! I still have all of my
BDUs and combat shirts in
ACU cut in the US Universal Image from Public Domain source
Camouflage Pattern (UCP),
but although I have some been done, and how have I configured them and
more “modern” tri-colour I’ve always wanted a basic- why? For the first part I’ll hand over to Jimmy to detail
ish BDU, and a visit to www.military1st.co.uk scored just what he’s done inside the two SPECNA ARMS
me a lovely two-piece set from Helikon-Tex which they AEGs!
had at for a reasonable price, and delivered super-fast!
My intention with the tri-colour BDU is to
reconfigure the shirt as more of a “RAID-style” to fit
INSIDE TRACK
Both of these platforms being from SPECNA ARMS
in with the “SF Theme” of the two ARs, and I’ll come
have already been well-used and seen some (airsoft!)
back to that in the concluding part of my “BLOCKS”
action but they have fairly robust internals and from
series later.
the multitude of Specnas I have worked on to date
So, where do the two ARs sit now, what work has
I have only ever seen
one faulty Gate X-ASR
and one bevel gear fail.
The task at hand here
was to give them a bit
of an overhaul, rectify
any velocity problems
and increase accuracy.
I carried out exactly the
same process on both
of them apart from
having to replace one
of the advanced motors
due to it locking up;
fortunately I had an
exact replacement on
hand!
Both gearsets were
completely re-shimmed
starting with the bevel
Image from Public Domain source gear in order to get the

www.airsoftaction.net 71
 TECHNICAL
M4 SOPMOD BUILD

best motor height and perfect

mesh between the bevel and
pinion gears. Fully cleaned and
re-greased using Abbey gun
grease, which is a favourite of
mine for gears. All compression
parts were cleaned thoroughly
and re-lubed using GHK silicone
oil. Piston o-rings were replaced
for Viton rubber o-rings which
gave a perfect cylinder airseal;
the original ones were leaking
a little which gave inconsistent
chrono readouts.
I lightly sanded, using fine
wet and dry, a few small
imperfections from the gearbox
piston rails making them much
smoother allowing smoother
piston travel. Both barrels were thoroughly cleaned
through using isopropyl alcohol and then lightly
polished using a very small amount of Autosol just to
remove any tarnish in order to aid the BBs to travel
on a much smoother surface helping the BB maintain
the spin, thus increasing range slightly. As a result of
the work done I managed to get both carbines hitting
comfortably and pretty consistently at 345 +/- 3 fps
(on a .20g BB).
I do like the Specna internals; they are actually fairly
good as stock internals go. Full metal rack piston,
double o-ring piston head, double o-ring cylinder
head, o-ring nozzle… there are far worse gearboxes
on the market in all honesty!
FIELD READY
To achieve my own “field ready” SOPMOD M4 and
Mod 0 I went back to the “official” components in
the first “BLOCK” or group of modular enhancements
to the basic “infantry M4”. This list is now also easily
available in the public domain if you look for it, but
you can also find it in PART I of this series back in Issue
136.
I also looked long and hard and reference images
online of how “operators of the day” had their
carbines set up (this again is far easier these days!)
and also thought about how I had my much-loved
Image from Public Domain source
“noughties” M4 configured; one reference image I
remember we all used from the first time round I’ve
included here, that of a SOPMOD M4A1/203 combo.
I do still need to find a Quick-attach sight for use with
the M203 but as a good G&P version is iro US$60 that
may have to wait! I also consulted my old “Weapons
of Delta Force” book (written by Fred Pushies circa
2002, ISBN-13: 978-0760311394) which is an
invaluable source for information!
As both the Specna E03 and E04 are quite close to
an original “A1” in many ways I needed to do very
little to the basic carbines externally other than finding
a couple of decent CRANE-style stocks for them; I do
have the “XM-style” stock (as shown) but the CRANE-
style allows for better battery storage, so is more
useful in airsoft terms. I’ve also (at the moment) kept
the original motor grip in place… just because I like it
and it works for me! Many SF users fitted COTS parts
to their M4s so this isn’t a “deal breaker” for me.
Two parts were ultra-important to me in the build
though, were the Insight Technology AN/PEQ-2 and
the KAC quick-detach sound suppressor (QDSS) as
they both scream “Afghan M4”! Luckily I already
had a couple of old “PEQ-2” boxes lurking in the
man cave (and ordered a new red laser model from
Daves Custom Airsoft), but you can find these easily
enough online for very few pennies these days… I
had forgotten just how big these are compared to the

“TO ACHIEVE MY OWN “FIELD READY” SOPMOD M4 AND MOD 0 I WENT BACK TO
THE “OFFICIAL” COMPONENTS IN THE FIRST “BLOCK” OR GROUP OF MODULAR
ENHANCEMENTS TO THE BASIC “INFANTRY M4”. ”

72 AUGUST 2022

LAMs we use now, and when fitted to the top of the
rail I remembered why I used to fit them on the side
instead, so as not to obscure my optic sight picture!
This is also shown in many reference images.
I still had my original Guarder KAC Style QD
Silencer but as this was already sprayed up I was
pleased to find that you can still get these if you
search hard enough (thanks to Ronald at titan.eu for
helping me get hands on a new one!), so I grabbed a
plain black one for the Mod 0.
SEEING CLEARLY
Optics choice? Well, as I said in Part I of this build
report I stuck with the NUPROL range, mainly for
cost reasons! I do still have my original, real “511”
holosight that came home with me from the USA,
but the NUPROL repro is perfect for the Mod 0;
my reference for the Mod 0 though shows an
Aimpoint COMP M2, but as I’m still hunting for a
“straight mount” for this I ended up going back to
the 511-style as I love this as a wide FOV CQB optic
anyway.
For the longer carbine I went for the NPCOG 4 X
32 as this works pretty much perfectly to replicate the
early-model Trijicon ACOG, and for the “field-ready
SOPMOD M4” this is my definite choice. Looking
again at my “ref pic” it actually showed the longer
model M203 mounted, so this went on, the “big
badda boom” option that screams SOPMOD M4
to everyone, from their S&T distributorship. I’m still
debating whether or not to mount the “old skool”
G&P Scorpion Series VLI X9 Illuminator Combat Light
as standard as the front end of the M4 is now getting
pretty heavy as it is… I’ll probably “pouch” this and
attach as needed!
TECHNICAL
M4 SOPMOD BUILD
Talking of “illumination”
I was slightly reticent to fit a
Scout-type light to the Mod
0 as although the early ones
were definitely about in the
time-period I’m looking at for
this build, it’s not something I
used personally “back in the
day” and it just didn’t “feel”
right to me. Luckily I noticed
that S&T also do a M910 LED
taclite/foregrip combo that’s the
dead-ringer for the old SureFire
M910A Picatinny Rail Vertical
Foregrip Weaponlight (which
was included in the “wider”
SOPMOD list) that I used to run
on my SCAR circa 2007-8; this
had already been around for a
while, and seemed the ideal solution for a CQB-length
beastie!
Both carbines are now pretty much complete
bar the small details that really make a build like
this “sing”, so the next stage is bringing everything
together. I am still considering “paintjobs”, but as
things stand I think that the Mod 0 will remain plain
black, although the longer version will receive one of
my sprayjobs. For the final part of the BLOCKS project
I’ll conclude on the finished carbines including some
range-testing results, along with some suitable kit to
go with them!
My thanks as always go to Tom at www.nuprol.com
for helping (and humouring me!) with this project,
and also to Lukas at www.military1st.co.uk for getting
the new BDU set to me so swiftly! AA
Image from Public Domain source
www.airsoftaction.net 73
 TOKYO MARUI
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 TECHNICAL
LEGION EVENT OP CABRIT

SEEING THE
FLIP SIDE
THE AA CREW LIKE TO PLAY AIRSOFT FOR SURE, BUT THEY’RE INVOLVED IN FAR MORE THAN JUST
PLAYING! IN ISSUE 138 WE BROUGHT YOU JASE’S REPORT ON “OP CABRIT”, BUT WHILE HE WAS BUSY OUT
“ON TASK”, BEHIND THE SCENES TWO MORE OF THE AA CREW WERE MAKING THINGS WORK IN RELATION
TO “SPECIAL EFFECTS” AND NOW JIMMY REPORTS BACK…

M
id-March saw my attendance of my first familiar faces turning up, Ryan M (I love airsofting
MilSim event, not from a players perspective with Ryan as I know he appreciates my love for a
though as Mr Spencer, my fellow AA Red drum mag and a good full auto story… NOT! Haha),
Cell member, had asked if I could join them and help and Harry T my barista for the weekend; I say barista
with the effects side of the event. Gladly I accepted but actually I forgot coffee and I discovered he had
his offer without an inclination of what lay ahead… brought a fine blend and quite frankly went on to
I had little or no equipment for spending a consume most of it over the course of Saturday and
weekend out in the wilderness (not really the Sunday, thank you Harry you sweetie!
Wilderness, it was a forest in Surrey!) so naturally I These are guys who I have played alongside in
put out a call to the group and ended up getting my the past and are a joy to be around. We set up
hands on some pretty good gear with a sleeping camp down the bottom end of the FOB; we had
bag from Posh - and cooking/admin kit too! My bed three sleeping bays, a technical operations room
for the weekend though sadly sat 4” off the ground and a kitchen all set up in the hour. After that we
as it didn’t appreciate 16st, so I pretty much slept on had a quick scout of the site so the other Ben and
the floor but in all honesty the weather was fair to James had an idea of where to set up the effects for
us so it wasn’t too bad…. suffice to say I have now certain ops. Then it was a case of chill out for the
invested in a decent military cot-bed though! evening have a few adult beverages with the guys
On Friday evening myself, James (Spencer) and and generally mingle and get to meet some cracking
our mate Ben (CS Sharpy) set off for the hour and people.
half drive up to Dogtag Airsoft, a
nice little site which I have previously
visited several times before so I
already knew the lay of the land
which helped with manoeuvring
around at the dead of night in the
pitch black (we had head-torches, but
I’m trying to set a scene here okay!).
We arrived on site to be greeted but
a small number of chaps, mainly the
organisers who were going to be part
of the Task Force, and slowly over
the course of the evening numbers
started to increase. It was nice to see

76 AUGUST 2022

Smooth Jase, my good buddy whom I have known
for over fifteen years (and who I once mocked for
playing airsoft and choosing not to come cycling
of a weekend, oh how the tide has changed and
here I find myself in the same boat!) introduced me
to a few of his fellow Milsimmers, very nice chaps
indeed, and one guy I will not forget! Spencer S was
an especially nice chap and that is due to the fact he
rustled up the most fantastic sweet BBQ pulled pork
rolls! Oh my gosh I have never tasted anything so
delectable in all my life so much so I am now hooked
on pulled pork. Funny thing is I never used to like
pork…
It felt very “Pre-Op”, guys turning up setting out
their gear and sleeping equipment, checking mags,
cleaning rifles, sorting comms, but the obligatory
banter a completely different feel to setting up in
the Safe Zone at a skirmish where everything feels
rushed; these guys had their sh1t together!
ZERO DARK THIRTY
Saturday morning would see an early start and we
were up around 0700 ready to get setup for the
first ambush in the dark. Myself, James and Sharpy
wandered off into the forest and set out a series of
bangs on one of the main roads. During the placing
of said bangs James’ wire cutters all of a sudden
disappeared which had us all completely baffled as
he had just had them in his hands. We made do with
what we had to hand, finished all the connections
and bimbled back to the FOB just in time for the first
set of briefings.
James had his Sabre Rocket System (the build of
which you’ll find detailed in our Back Issues on the
website) all loaded and ready to go for the first push.
After the briefings Sam (the “OC”) approached me
and asked if I could play the role of a civilian in need
of aid after stepping on a land mine later in the day,
and in fairness for us though there was a fair but
of down time in between Tasks which gave us the
opportunity to get the next part set up in time, and
still get involved where needed to ensure the game
ran really well for the players
During the Saturday there were Sabre launches
against incoming missile raids on the Castle during
the “Rescue the Hostage” (other Ben) Tasking and
“IT FELT VERY “PRE-OP”, GUYS TURNING UP SETTING OUT THEIR GEAR AND SLEEPING
EQUIPMENT, CHECKING MAGS, CLEANING RIFLES, SORTING COMMS, BUT THE
OBLIGATORY BANTER A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FEEL TO SETTING UP IN THE SAFE
ZONE AT A SKIRMISH WHERE EVERYTHING FEELS RUSHED; THESE GUYS HAD THEIR
SH1T TOGETHER!”
TECHNICAL
LEGION EVENT OP CABRIT
James set up a series of explosions and flashes to
simulate mortar fire. There was to be a briefing for
the Task Force back at the FOB which saw another air
raid, which was met by another Sabre rocket launch!
After that was where yours truly came in with
something to keep OPFOR on their toes; COVERED
IN (fake!) BLOOD I made my way to my POI to await
my call. It was quite funny seeing the guy’s faces
who were on point at the road into the OPFOR
camp. I came wondering up the road with rifle in
hand covered in fake blood said a cheery “Hi!” as I
passed them and stomped through the woods; they
must have known something was about to go down
but what exactly had them baffled.
My task was to act as a victim of a land mine
attack right on the doorstep of the OPFOR camp;
after being rescued I was then moved to the camp
where I received medical attention from guy called
Jack and an interrogation of sorts to ascertain if I was
in fact part of the Task Force. They were confused
as to why I would purposely blow my own legs off
with a grenade, so I kindly said “It’s supposed to be a
mine injury and do you have any beer?”
During this time a raid occurred which caught the
OPFOR by surprise a little as the focus was on me.
After a good half hour of laying on the floor I was
hauled into a vehicle, driven to the Task Force FOB
and kindly dumped on the ground about 50mtrs off
where a Task Force patrol would find me, detain me,
and interrogate me further.
DARKSIDE OPS
This was followed by a bit of a lull which gave us
chance to then setup for the night ambush which
would be a series of explosions and blinding white
light which was to be around 2000. A little wait
and a chance to get some grub. As darkness set
in we followed the Task Force out to a point to
await a passing patrol. It felt like forever crouched
down with my finger poised on the detonator. We
crouched in cover in the pitch black; I couldn’t see
a thing nor could I feel my feet as I had crouched in
the most awkward of positions and for fear of being
heard and giving away the Task Forces’ position, I
literally couldn’t move. The patrol approached and
OC Sam gave the order for us to let rip, which was
www.airsoftaction.net 77
 TECHNICAL
LEGION EVENT OP CABRIT

fast followed by a trade-off of fire between the two
forces. I was hoping it was going to last longer but
it was over in minutes. We let the guys bug out and
make their way back to the FOB so we could reel
up our cables and collect all the detonators before
heading back ourselves.
We set up the same lights on the back of the FOB
overlooking the chapel and positioned the mortars
about 40mtrs off to the side. Conveniently there were
two pieces of tubed framing which would be perfect.
This was all set for a planned attack at around 2300.
James set the lights off and I rigged up the mortars
which were large roman candles; now we did discuss
the mortars and we had guessed which way up they
went as there were no distinguishable markings or
instructions. At around 2245 it kicked off; Sharpy was
to operate the lights and me and James hot-footed
it to the mortar site. It fast became apparent that
we had the mortars up the wrong way and it was
a proper ‘oh feck’ moment as we now had roman
candles firing at our feet!
How embarrassing! I leapt into action and flipped
the tubular framing over so they were now firing over
the FOB! We made our way back and it was getting
quite full-on when Harry ran to me, threw his rifle at
me followed by “fix it” lol. I had done some previous
upgrades on his TM 416D where I noticed the base
plate screw holes were damaged; not being able to
find a replacement grip I attempted to fix it the best
I could and managed to get it operating again as we
had some field gaffer tape; not the prettiest fix but it
got him through.
MORNING GLORY!
Following this at around 0100 Sunday morning myself
and James needed to go for a bit of a hike and carry
the power pack all the way over to “Spooky Woods”
to The Castle and setup the comms panel. The power

“AT AROUND 2245 IT KICKED OFF; SHARPY WAS TO OPERATE THE LIGHTS AND
ME AND JAMES HOT-FOOTED IT TO THE MORTAR SITE. IT FAST BECAME APPARENT
THAT WE HAD THE MORTARS UP THE WRONG WAY AND IT WAS A PROPER ‘OH FECK’
MOMENT AS WE NOW HAD ROMAN CANDLES FIRING AT OUR FEET!”

78 AUGUST 2022

pack was not light but we made it. I have seen these
woods in the daytime and they’re not one bit spooky
but at 0100 on the pitch black… yeah it’s spooky.
Once setup we made our way back to grab Sharpy
and take another hike, this time around 0230 where
we would set up a downed UAV and a series of
smokes which would allow the Task Force to bugout
under a blanket of thick yellow smoke; we prayed that
we had positioned everything at the right points!
It would be Sharpy’s mission to rendezvous at
the trenches in order to set these off at 0600, and
thankfully our positioning was spot-on! Task Force
regrouped at the FOB and at 0800 it all kicked off
again with a full on frontal attack from OPFOR which
would see them seize control and push the Task Force
out and make their way to the LZ for extraction.
Before leaving the Task Force destroyed any evidence
on the hard-drives which was an impressive display in
itself.
James had set up a large number of explosives all
TECHNICAL
LEGION EVENT OP CABRIT
around the FOB to simulate this attack and it was
quite full-on seeing grenades, smokes and TAG rounds
peppering the rooftops .It was at this moment that
a TAG grenade landed at my feet and all I could do
was just look at the thing hoping it wouldn’t scorch
my socks! OPFOR entered the FOB, and swept for any
remaining Task Force; quite exciting if I’m honest, this
was what my expectation of a MilSim was and finally
the moment had arrived, and even just watching the
action my adrenaline was pumping by this point!
At this point our services were no longer needed so
we started packing up, gathering all our gear ready
to make our way home. All in a very good weekend
with the exception of sleep deprivation! I’m glad I
went and would like to thank James for inviting me,
and his “special effects” certainly did the trick helping
with the “event immersion”. Also a big thanks to
the guys of SEO MilSim; I look forward to a Milsim
sometime soon, and maybe next time I’ll get a little
more “involved”. AA
www.airsoftaction.net 79
 GAME REPORT
AA LEGION - USA

TALES
OF THE
OLD
WEST

AIRSOFT IS FLOURISHING ALL OVER THE WORLD AGAIN AT LAST, AND THIS IS WHERE THE MEMBERS
OF THE AA LEGION ARE REALLY COMING INTO THEIR OWN! WITH NEW MEMBERS COMING ONLINE
THE INTERNATIONAL EVENT AND GAME REPORTS ARE FLOWING IN NOW, SO WHO BETTER THAN DAN
IN THE USA TO REPORT IN ON A “WILD WEST” GAME WITH A DIFFERENCE!

80 AUGUST 2022

“The year is 1913. The Wild West is rapidly
disappearing. The days of the gunslingers and
outlaw gangs riding the range are coming to a
close. The six-gun is feeling its age against the
rise of a self-loading pistol designed by John
Browning just two years ago.
“Horse trails have given way to railroads
and paved roads have been laid down in some
cities for the horseless carriages growing in
popularity back east in New York, Chicago and
Detroit. The Pony Express is being replaced by
the telegraph and the telephone.
“The frontier is fading rapidly here in the
small town of Mesquite along the Mexican-
American border, but there still might be time
for another score.”
T
hus sets the scene for our themed event
hosted by Pegasus MilSim, “Mesquite”, an
escape to the early 20th century a year before
the Great War would reshape the map of the
world.
As an active airsofter who has been playing for
many years now, I have found the routine MilSim
and generic pickup games started to lose their
lustre over time. You start craving for that first-
game hit, or something unique and interesting that
represents a fun diversion from the humdrum of
the norm… which is why every now and then a
unique themed event can be just the ticket needed
to get the creativity and passion for airsoft flowing
again!
Mesquite was not so regimented in the minutiae
of impressionism as to be too restrictive on what
one could use and wear. It was largely restricted to
items and weapons used in the late 19th to early
20th century: chiefly bolt-action rifles, lever guns,
revolvers and early semi-auto pistol designs. This
would naturally change the pace of battle from
the usual high-volume full-auto firefights to more
measured and precise engagements. With limited
capacity and however fast you were at running
a bolt or lever gun, you had to make your shots
count.
For myself, I equipped with an S&T Kar98k
spring rifle outfitted with a full TNT upgrade kit
and a modified real steel walnut stock. My sidearm
was a KWC Luger P08, with a 1912 marked
German leather holster and belt, Kar98 cartridge
pouches, canvas trousers, suspenders, and a 19th
century work shirt and bowler hat. This was a
GAME REPORT
AA LEGION - USA
mostly period
correct
ensemble
that wasn’t
too rigid
in period-
specific
impressionism
that it would have
limited use in other events
down the line. For the most part,
I elected to only lightly age and weather
some of my kit rather than give it the overall
appearance of being something over 100 years old.
The rifle would show normal signs of use and wear
consistent with routine carry and exposure to the
elements, but other items would have a more new
appearance, which would be realistic for things
more recently purchased by our fictional character.
On a related note, the process of researching
and acquiring new gear is an adventure all its
own. It was fascinating to read of the evolution
in clothing and styles of the period, and anyone
who enjoys military and small arms development
history will note this is a very rich period indeed
when invention and ingenuity were being pushed
forward with a full head of steam.
THE MIGHTY DOLLAR!
While this was by most definitions a themed
skirmish, it was not all strictly war games, as our
little western-themed town featured a general
store, saloon, bank and a sheriff’s office. Players
started out in the little town of Mesquite and were
expected to engage in some commerce, trading
and seeking out bounties that were placed on
players who “offended” the law. There was also
plenty of gambling, gentleman’s duels and gun-
games to partake in too. Like any good western,
temptation awaited the actors of this film, with the
bank housing a safe and a pile of gold. In order to
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AA LEGION - USA

crack this safe, one had to use at least four sticks of criminal elements that were bent on stealing it and
dynamite, which could be purchased (or stolen!) from using it to crack the bank safe. Before long, a plan
the general store. was hatched that involved multiple conspirators, one
The game was based around having a of whom would secret away into the tree-line to
currency-based economy, snipe the owner of the general store. At the precise
with each moment the owner was incapacitated, I was tasked
with pilfering the crate of dynamite for as many sticks
as my hands could hold and ideally get away before
the Sheriff could react!
The plan MOSTLY worked, but during my escape
from town I took a “bullet” in the back from
an unseen assailant; presumably it was a noble
townsperson who couldn’t let such thievery
happen on their watch! My
co-conspirator was hot on
my heels, however,
and
swooped
in and
retrieved
most of the
player at the dynamite
outset rolling a 12-sided dice I had
to determine how much starting cash they scored.
would begin with. In concept, this actually worked out He left
pretty well and ensured a realistic disparity in available two
cash reserves amongst the players. For myself, I came
away with a whopping $2, which admittedly couldn’t
buy much in our fictional economy. The respective
owners of the saloon and general store set prices, and
the currency could be used to buy real world food
items, beverages, and even that dynamite, the latter
being initially priced exorbitantly high to limit its
proliferation on the field.
Naturally, the high sticks on
price my body as a
“consolation” prize to
the Sheriff to throw off how
many our little outlaw band had
actually stolen.

WANTED:DEAD OR ALIVE!
Since we had now become part of the scurvy-ridden
banditry, bounties were placed on our heads, with
myself being hunted for the princely sum of $200
USD. In quick order, we found ourselves having to
evacuate the premises, and as bandits are wont
to do, we retreated to the surrounding forest and
fended off our pursuers.
These small skirmishes really showcased some of
of the limitations of the period correct gear and gave
dynamite lent itself you an appreciation for what people of the era had
perfectly to the quick formation of to fight with. I was finding that my cartridge pouches

82 AUGUST 2022

and Luger holster were sliding all over the place on
the belt. The canvas trousers did not come with belt
loops, as was correct for that style of pants, so the
belt more or less just hung off your hips, with nothing
else to really secure it. Being used to the rigidity of
MOLLE, where every pouch simply stays where you
place it, this was something new to get used to.
The Luger holster was basically an all-encompassing
shell of formed leather and wasn’t really designed
for quick access so much as fully protecting the pistol
from the elements. In hindsight, a field harness or
leather keepers would have probably lent some more
stability to my setup. Similarly, as nearly everything
in my modern collection is running a red dot or optic
of some sort, going back to running old school iron
sights was a unique change of pace too.
After thoroughly exercising the bolt on my Kar98k,
I felt it safe enough to try and sneak back into town
to see if we could take a stab at the bank safe. But
the old axiom “there is no honor among thieves” bore
true, and I found myself shot in the back (again!) by
my fellow bandit who hauled me before the sheriff
and scooped up the $200 bounty on
my head! All’s fair in love
and war, as
they say!
As enjoyable as this
themed event was, it was also a bit
dismaying to see the low levels of attendance.
Historically speaking, themed events have traditionally
always had poor attendance, though. By nature of the
events themselves, there is often a barrier to entry in
“WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS, THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE A GENERAL LACK OF
INTEREST IN DRESSING UP AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN PSEUDO-SPECIAL FORCES, AND
“COD-FEVER” STILL HANGS HEAVY LIKE A WET BLANKET OVER THEIR SHOULDERS. THIS IS
PERHAPS THE HARDEST ASPECT TO OVERCOME ITSELF.”
GAME REPORT
AA LEGION - USA
outfitting
oneself
with the
appropriate
gear. In this case, it
wasn’t helped that we are still
dealing with major supply chain disruptions
and material shortages in the present.
In the months leading up to the event, there was a
distinct lack of retail inventory available for revolvers,
lever guns and even WWI and II era rifles. Even
historical clothing suppliers had a dearth of available
items and sizes from which to select from. With the
younger generations, there also seems to be a general
lack of interest in dressing up as anything other than
pseudo-Special Forces, and “COD-Fever” still hangs
heavy like a wet blanket over their shoulders. This is
perhaps the hardest aspect to overcome itself.
In particular, site owners are the ones taking on all
the risk breaking away from the usual games to offer
something unique, and it doesn’t always come out
ahead for them; often quite the inverse. They put a lot
of heart, blood, sweat and tears into their events. This
also doesn’t account for the many volunteers who are
the ‘silent army’ that assists the site owner in setting
up events and put forth equal toil into building
structures, props and more.
As players and attendees, it’s on us to support
our local fields and ensure they stay afloat and
continue to offer quality events. I would argue
that this also means supporting the less-popular
themed events, even if it is not your usual gaming
preference. At the very least, I challenge you to try
something different for a change of pace… you may
genuinely surprise yourself with how much fun it can
be!
For more information on games run by Pegasus
MilSim please check out their Facebook page, www.
facebook.com/PegasusAirsoftGroup, and thanks to
Rob and the team for the game images … Yeeha! AA
www.airsoftaction.net 83
 GAME REPORT
AA LEGION - PORTUGAL

AA LEGION
PORTUGAL

OP
INTERIOR
MIGUEL IS FAST BECOMING A “SEASONED VET” IN THE AA LEGION AND WHEN HE POSES QUESTIONS
LIKE “DO YOU LIKE AIRSOFT? DO YOU LIKE A GREAT GET-TOGETHER WITH PLAYERS FROM OTHER
PARTS OF YOUR COUNTRY? AND ALL THIS WITH GOOD FOOD AND DRINKS?” YOU CAN SEE WHY AS HIS
ENTHUSIASM FOR ALL THINGS AIRSOFT JUST KEEPS ON SHINING THROUGH!

86 AUGUST 2022
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AA LEGION - PORTUGAL

I
n the past month of May, my team “The Ghosts” travelled to a town in Portugal called Castelo Branco,
where we were invited by our friends from the USAC Airsoft Team to take part in an event. We arrived on
Saturday and by the end of the afternoon we were welcomed in a pavilion equipped with most of what
we needed, from WCs, kitchen appliances, electricity, and of course food and drinks! We had a great time
talking with players until late at night. The next morning we woke up to a great breakfast and coffee!

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AA LEGION - PORTUGAL
But now let’s talk about the game, and we can’t
talk about with without looking at the field! And
oh boy, what a field! Over 1000 hectares (yes, one
thousand), with pine and eucalyptus forests, rocky
areas, buildings, a small river, and even a lake! The
game itself had a simple “recipe”, two opposing
factions fighting to collect artefacts around a specific,
but big, area of the map, along with special missions
that took place outside that area.
Each objective and mission had a certain score to
it and in the end, the faction with the most points
would win. Now, my team wasn’t part of any of these
two factions, we were under the direct “orders”
from the game’s organization (the USAC Team) and
our goal was to be a balancing force in the game,
so if one of the factions started to take a big lead
we would be ordered to strike at them by being an
OPFOR.
HOT LZ!
So, most of the time we were dropped by a jeep
in a random position close to one of the faction’s
objectives and proceeded to create chaos! We were
even tasked once to attack one of the main bases
and it was a memorable situation; we were dropped
way behind enemy lines and proceded with a careful
approach to the Blue base.
We got to 20-25 meters without being noticed
and when we opened fire there were even screams
from two photographers that were there at the
moment! We eliminated everyone present in a flash
attack, stole everything possible, and ran out before
reinforcements arrived, then we hid in the woods and
called our extraction; truly an Airsoft moment for the
books!
After the game ended we had a great lunch (BBQ
of course!) together with everyone present, followed
by a giveaway with goodies from Gunfire! I want to
make a special mention of this event as we welcomed
into our midst the Serbian player Elvis Varcelija. He
was invited by the organization but since we are close,
and we already had a great connection with him, we
picked him up at the airport; he stayed and travelled
with us, and played along with my team in the event.
It was great to learn about airsoft from Serbia, change
opinions and show him a bit of Portugal and even
how we play Airsoft here.
“OPERATION INTERIOR AIMS TO PROMOTE AIRSOFT IN PORTUGAL AND PARTICULARLY IN
THE BEIRA BAIXA AREA, WE AIM TO CREATE A MEMORABLE GAME FOR ALL PLAYERS WHO
PARTICIPATE, AND AT THE SAME TIME CREATE SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN PORTUGAL.”
88 AUGUST 2022
Elvis I know you are reading this, you will always be
welcomed here!
ENDEX
To finish I asked my good friend Miguel Barata aka
Snowhead, team leader of the USAC Airsoft team,
and the organizer of Op. Interior for a few words
about the event.
“Operation Interior aims to promote airsoft in
Portugal and particularly in the Beira Baixa area, we
aim to create a memorable game for all players who
participate, and at the same time create something
different in Portugal. We want to have a big game in
Portugal where anyone from Portugal or even other
European countries can come to play and get to know
this beautiful part of our country.
Regarding the first edition of OP INTERIOR, we
want to point out that the event went well; there
were some technical flaws that were promptly
resolved. During the course of the game we tried to
create a model completely different from anything
we’ve played before, giving the “faction leaders “ the
ability to make decisions with the possibility of benefit
or hazard at the same time; we also created a “Task
Force” that was under the control of the organization
in order to balance the game in case there was a big
difference in the score.
We would like to thank our great friends from the
“Ghost Ops” team for accepting the challenge of
playing as a “Task Force”, you guys are the best! We
also want to leave a shout-out to Elvis Varcelija for
accepting our invitation to come to Portugal to play;
I think it was very important to compare the airsoft
that is practiced in the two countries. Elvis Varcelija, it
was an honour for us to receive you in our house, and
you already know our house is yours! Thanks for the
opportunity.”
So, who knows, this could be the start of
something for airsoft in Portugal, and perhaps next
time we may even host some of the AA Legion to
come and join us… and you too if the thought of
playing airsoft with fellow enthusiasts in our beautiful
country is attractive to you!
To keep an eye on what Miguel and his fellow
“Ghosts” are up to next, be sure to check out
their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/
ghostopsairsoft AA
GAME REPORT
AA LEGION - PORTUGAL

www.airsoftaction.net 89
 GAME REPORT
AA LEGION - HONG KONG

UP TO
SPEED!

OUR “MAN IN HONG KONG” LARRI IS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT SHARING THE PASSION FOR AIRSOFT
THERE, AND THIS TIME HE REPORTS ON A SPEEDQB PRE-MATCH THAT HE BELIEVES TAKES HONG KONG
SPEEDQB COMPETITION TO THE NEXT LEVEL!

90 AUGUST 2022
 GAME REPORT
AA LEGION - HONG KONG

A
irsoft events are coming back in Hong Kong,
and as a CQB speedsofter, it was my great
pleasure to witness a game event run in
SpeedQB format in recently! This was the first ever
“official” SpeedQB event in Hong Kong with a
proper SpeedQB style layout, which brought players
a great way to compete using their marksmanship,
teamwork and speed in SpeedQB style!
SpeedQB, established in 2016, makes use of
tactics and a venue setup very different from skirmish
and MilSim games. It is a fast paced competition
setting, where the gear used by players is vastly
different from what we would usually take to a
game; usually the gear is are colorful, comfortable to
wear, and pads are used that are especially great for
sliding!
According to SpeedQB.com, the official game
mode consists of FIVE players per team. The objective
of each match is to obtain the most points after all
rounds are played (Three rounds in total and Two
rounds with highest scores will be counted). Points
can be earned by eliminating the opposing team’s
players, capturing the flag, and touchdown with the
flag on the opposing side (touching the flag to the
opposing team’s breakout wall). There is definitely
more regulation during the competition, and also
penalties for misconduct to maintain fairness during
competition.
In recent years, more SpeedQB style communities
have been growing
in Asia; there were
SpeedQB competitions
organized in Taiwan,
and several community
events happened in Hong
Kong. The size of the
SpeedQB communities
is growing exponentially
and younger players seem
dedicated to promoting
this sport, which brings
a new experience and
choices to airsoft players.
promote SpeedQB style competition. The event were
sponsored by several Airsoft Gear providers, and also
supported by St. John Ambulance to provide first –
aid service if needed! As this was a competition is a
pre– match only limited airsoft teams were invited.
Participating teams included GOS, ROA, Smile Lab,
SOF & VOC with a total of 30 game matches for
the championship. This pre-match also had its own
house rules; for example, instead of getting a first
touch flag score, any team who grabbed the flag and
got hit received no points! This lead to eliminating
enemies being the primary objective.
SpeedQB is definitely not just rushing and kill; as
it is a “5 vs. 5” game each team member has their
designated role, and their team role has different
call out names, for example: Snake, Mid Player and
Guard. For their strategy, usually they will rush and
take over half of the arena, and when the chance
comes they will rush together and clear the enemy,
which requires great coordination among teammates
for the attack. During the competition, venue crews
took part as referees and hosts; they treated every
match seriously with professionalism.
Finally, after four hours of fast and furious
competition, the winners were:
• Champion: GOS
• 1st runner up: Smile Lab
• 2nd runner up: ROA

GAME ON!
This event took place
at Landing Zone Hong
Kong, organized by
Speed.HKClub, which is
a club formed in 2022
and includes several
SpeedQB team leaders to

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 GAME REPORT
AA LEGION - HONG KONG
IT’S ALL ABOUT TEAM
After the competition, I had the opportunity to speak
with the team leaders, and these teenagers were very
keen to promote airsoft and SpeedQB, exactly what
we love to see in all areas of airsoft! They told me
about their teams, so here’s a “lowdown”!
GOS
GOS sent two squads for the competition; their
leader, Deep is interested in SpeedQB because of the
fast paced gameplay, and he also think that there
is a huge potentials in SpeedQB play style in Hong
Kong. So in the near future, they are growing their
community size!
ROA
ROA was formed by Ero, and the team enjoy
coordinating teamwork and encountering all
difficulties during gameplay. Although his personal
pursuit is on speed advancement, Ero also thinks
other airsoft play styles are cool and skillful, and looks
forward to enjoying more styles of airsoft and making
airsoft a more popular sport.
Anson is the youngest player of the event, he
is only 14 years old, and the pacing of the match
attracted him, although actually he is also interested
in MilSim play style and hopefully he hopes to meet
more airsoft players through a variety of events.
Nadia, one of the ladies in the community, thinks
SpeedQB requires a different set of knowledge in gear,
fitness and strategy. As the Pandemic hurt the industry
a lot, she is a believer of making airsoft great again,
she thinks it is important to respect all players and set
good examples to promote airsoft.
SMILE LAB
Smile Lab is a recently formed team, but their
players have been playing SpeedQB style for a long
period of time. They believe playing airsoft, especially
SpeedQB is all about having fun, in the near future
they hope they can share their experience with new
players and grow the community.
SOF
SOF has recently rebranded from STP, and their
current team leader is Peter. He was a MilSim player,
and he also enjoys MilSim, and he thinks both styles
have their own challenge, and as a airsoft player, it is
great to experience different game modes, make use
of the benefits of each style and them to different
situations.
“AS A SPEEDSOFTER MYSELF, I ALWAYS ENJOY FAST-PACED CQB ACTION; HOWEVER,
ORGANIZING AN AIRSOFT CQB COMPETITION I THINK THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF PHYSICAL
LIMITATIONS AND CHALLENGES LIKE REFEREE LOCATION, CAMERA SETTINGS, AND
OBSERVATION POINTS.”
92 AUGUST 2022
VOC
VOC was founded in 2018, and they were the first
SpeedQB team in Hong Kong. They are dedicated to
providing resources to promote this sport, and also
very passionate about building the community. Their
founder, Deacon, believes that SpeedQB is different
to other types of competitions among airsofters, a
competition format that requires true teamwork and
speed, but it is also a way to challenge the limit of
players endurance. With this growing community, it is
great to meet friends sharing the same goal to have
fun and promote this sport together.
As a speedsofter myself, I always enjoy fast-paced
CQB action; however, organizing an airsoft CQB
competition I think there are also a lot of physical
limitations and challenges like referee location, camera
settings, and observation points. Luckily, with such a
high roof, at Landing Zone the referee can observe all
action easier. I believe their support is very positive and
a great advantage for further SpeedQB competition
development in Hong Kong!
For those who interested is seeing Landing
Zone, you can check out my video on gameplay
there on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=C83OBJ-rDms). For SpeedQB, this is
definitely something I would love to try in the nearly
future. Hopefully the pre-match success will give
more insight and support to promote airsoft sport in
different ways. AA
INFORMATION
Venue: Landing Zone HK
https://www.instagram.com/landingzonehk/
Organiser: Speed.HKClub
https://www.instagram.com/speed.hkclub/
Teams by alphabetical order:
GOS
https://www.instagram.com/gosairsoft/
ROA
https://www.instagram.com/roa.airsoft/
Smile Lab
https://www.instagram.com/smilelab_airsoft/
SOF
https://www.instagram.com/sof.airsoft/
VOC
https://www.instagram.com/voc.airsoft/
 GAME REPORT
AA LEGION - HONG KONG

GOS SMILE LAB

ROA VOC

www.airsoftaction.net 93
 KIT & GEAR
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

SHOP ‘TIL
YOU DROP!!
THIS MONTH WE’VE GOT A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT PIECES OF RETAIL-RELATED NEWS TO SHARE, BOTH
ABOUT BRANDS THAT WE’VE BEEN WORKING WITH CLOSELY AND THAT WE’VE MENTIONED ONLINE IN THE
“WEBSITE DAILIES” BUT THOUGH THEY NEEDED MORE SPACE!

I
n Issue 137 we carried an overview of what durability so the pants keep on looking as good as
Outrider Tactical is all about, and we were they did when new. The design offers many storage
definitely interested to see their T-Shirt being worn options and at the same time leaves a low profile
by a certain President still standing up to Russian for the wearer. The waistband height is optimized
despotism! Bill looked specifically in the overview for concealed holsters to be ideally covered by a
at some of the gear, but his testing has continued shirt or jacket. The sophisticated pocket and interior
(actually he never stops!) and now that the gear is pocket concept offers many options for organizing
hitting many good stores. Several garments were
highlighted in his original article, but here’s some
more information on a couple more pieces he’s been
trying out!
The T.O.R.D. Performance Polo has an innovative
fabric composition (50% Lyocell and 50% Polyester)
that creates some serious advantages Lyocell, I’m told,
warms almost as well as sheep’s wool, cools similarly
to linen and is more wicking than cotton, and in the
recent hot weather the latter has proved invaluable
during ranges session. In addition, Lyocell is extremely
tear-resistant even when wet, making it a very durable
material. The fabric is very soft and comfortable to
wear, the honeycomb structure on the inside allows
better ventilation and dries moisture from the body
more quickly. Bacteria growth is reduced by Lyocell
in a natural way and completely without chemical
additives. Thus far, a big thumbs-up from me!
The T.O.R.D. Flex Pant AR is characterized by
durability, functionality, light weight and high mobility.
To achieve the best possible freedom of movement, a
stretchable fabric has been used, which is additionally
coated to repel stains and water; a 65% polyester
/ 35% cotton mix that benefits from mechanical
stretch, this fabric is Teflon coated to increase

94 AUGUST 2022
 KIT & GEAR
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

equipment. So far, everything about these pants for

me is positive!
To check out all the great new garments available
from OUTRIDER TACTICAL please visit https://outrider-
tactical.com
Second on the list of “must share the news brands”
is our old and trusted friends at SNUGPAK; as Bill is
currently working on the “TOD” column and talking
about “overnighter solutions” we were very pleased
to see something a bit different when it comes to
“camo solutions”, and Snugpak, the UK’s leading
sleeping bag and insulated clothing manufacturer
has a whole collection of products featuring the
brand’s best-selling “Terrain Pattern”. Users will now
be able to mix and match products to complete their
collections!
A number of their most popular sleeping bag
models are now available in Terrain Pattern. The
Snugpak Explorer Kids sleeping bag for the “littlest
Snugpak’s popular bushcraft range has a capsule
ones” is ideal for sleepovers or camping trips and as
of sleeping solutions which are available in Terrain
it can be opened fully to add versatility it can be used
Pattern, including the Tropical Hammock which is
as quilt or blanket as well. In addition, the Sleeper
strong, lightweight and easy to set up, thanks to the
Lite, Sleeper Extreme and Sleeper Expedition are
Suspension Attachment System. Made out of “550”
ideal camping sleeping bags and an introduction to
paracord with spaced out knots, it allows for various
Snugpak’s performance range. They all are mummy-
attachment points and distances from the tree. No
shaped and have different warmth ratios depending
more fumbling and tying knots, simply wrap the
on your needs. All the sleeping bags in the Sleeper
Suspension Attachment System around the desired
collection are robust and durable with a soft touch
tree then run the knotted end through the loop end
feel and a manageable pack size.
and attach the carabiner on the hammock to the
knotted section to achieve the desired length and
height when setting up. The Hammock comes in a
stuff-sack with the suspension system guy ropes,
carabiners and tree protectors.
Snugpak‘s Jungle Hammock has all the features and
benefits of the Tropical Hammock but with an added
mosquito net. It offers the perfect solution when you
are out in the wild and protection is needed from
When it comes to shelter from the elements
mosquitos or midges. The Polyester net features 1000
the compact Ionosphere (a firm AA favourite!) is a
mesh per sq. inch which will ensure that no insects
two-pole, one door, easy to pitch (inner first) tent
disturb your sleep.
for overnight stays, wild camping and adventure
The All Weather Shelter G2 is a rhombus shaped
racing. The inner tent is made of a No-See-Um Mesh
3x x 3m tarp shelter that offers versatile protection
Mosquito Net which not only keeps out bugs and
from the elements thanks to its taped seams and
snakes but it can also be used without the fly as a
waterproof polyester rip-stop. The shelter can be
stand-alone mosquito shelter/barrier in the summer
configured as a traditional diamond-shaped tarp, Fly,
months and in warmer climates. When weight is a
Lean-to Shelter, as well as other free-standing shelter
consideration, the Ionosphere packs down small with
designs. It comes with four extendable guy lines and
a light trail weight of only 1.2kg / 2.65lbs (fly, poles
eight alloy tent pegs making it ideal as an emergency
and inner tent) and doesn’t take up valuable space,
shelter for group activities and wild camping. A
making it suitable when weight and pack size are
smaller tarp, the Stasha G2 is also available.
vitally important. A Terrain flysheet is also available
For further information or to buy online via one
for anyone who already owns an Ionosphere (we’ll be
of Snugpak’s preferred stockists, head over to www.
looking at this in detail in “TOD” next month!).
snugpak.com AA

www.airsoftaction.net 95
 last post
HOW TO KILL AN AEG

HOW TO KILL
AN AEG!
THESE DAYS WE’RE USED TO AEGS THAT JUST GO ON AND ON, AND MANY ARE SURPRISINGLY ROBUST!
BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU DON’T PAY ATTENTION, OR IF YOU MEANINGFULLY TRY TO DO THE WORST
TO YOUR BELOVED AEG… JUST HOW CAN YOU KILL IT? IN HIS USUAL WRY FASHION, AIRSOFT-INDUSTRY
VETERAN FRENCHIE HAS THE ANSWER!

I
had a peculiar and frankly unique experience
recently. I live in a town with a port, a port which
used to build ships. One of the relics of this past
is a large crane which has stood unused for many
years. The industry which needed it has gone, and
finally it was due to be demolished. Having lived
with this landmark for so long, I was making a point
of photographing the process, and I had paused
to do so. As I snapped away, my camera told me
the battery was exhausted. Oh well, I proceeded
to change batteries. As I did so, I kept an eye on
the ongoing demolition and was, to put it mildly,
somewhat surprised to see many, many tons of crane
topple off its base and into the port below. Naturally,
with no battery in my camera, I failed to capture this
unique moment!
So, what has any of this to do with airsoft? Nothing
of course, but it got me thinking about the death of
machines and the longevity of airsoft guns; how bad
does your gun have to be before you simply have to
accept that it’s beyond repair…
The more I thought about this the more I realised
that as with so many things in life it’s a value
judgement. The bottom line is that you can replace
everything in and on an airsoft gun should you need
to, it just boils down to whether or not the individual
is willing to spend the money required to do so. I
know from experience that there is a hard core of
players who often spend far more than the cost
of a new gun to get it upgraded well beyond the
capabilities it has out of the box, and that’s before
they’ve even pulled the trigger once.
For some, the cost to restore a favourite gun is not
much of an issue. If you signed up to the Systema
club, you are probably used to replacing expensive
components on a regular basis, whereas if you own
a brace of G&Gs (depending on the model) you most
likely spend next to nothing on them. Rarity plays
a key role. If you have AR variants, you’ll probably
have no problem getting parts, either replacement or
upgrades. Likewise AK variants, whereas if you own a
minigun, parts might just be an issue!
GETTING DOWN TO IT
The bottom line for most of us however is that killing
a gun actually requires a fair bit of effort. Having
replaced every conceivable component of airsoft guns
over many years the simple truth is that to utterly kill
one you need either a furnace or an industrial metal
chipper. You could I suppose rebuild the exact gun
from parts, but at that point surely just replacing it
would be the easier option.
Ok, if killing them is actually difficult, how do you
at least try?
Go swimming with your gun. Those gearboxes
just love water cooling and heaven help you if the
lithium in your battery comes into direct contact with
water, the results can be spectacular… for which read

“SO, WHAT HAS ANY OF THIS TO DO WITH AIRSOFT? NOTHING OF COURSE, BUT IT GOT ME THINKING
ABOUT THE DEATH OF MACHINES AND THE LONGEVITY OF AIRSOFT GUNS; HOW BAD DOES YOUR GUN
HAVE TO BE BEFORE YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT IT’S BEYOND REPAIR…”

96 AUGUST 2022

Image from Public Domain source
‘explosive’! Speaking of batteries, damaging or even
better, short-circuiting them will generally do it every
time. The interwebz is awash with videos of smoking
and occasionally flaming airsoft guns. There’s a
surprising amount of energy stored in those things
and when it finds an uncontrolled outlet, things can
get interesting quickly.
Use your gun as a walking stick because let’s
face it, all that running and creeping is tiring. Most
guns are strong enough to support the weight of
an average child so you should be fine, no? At best
you’ll compress all manner of muck into the barrel,
and if you’re really lucky you may manage to cause
structural damage. The former acts as an efficient
suppressor, or at least until the back pressure caused
by the blockage persuades your gearbox to eat itself.
The latter is just a wonderful surprise waiting to sneak
up on you, especially if the damage isn’t immediately
obvious. There’s really nothing like
your stock falling off mid-shot, or
finding out your barrel is no longer
straight to spice up an otherwise
ordinary game!
UNCONCEALED CARRY
It’s important to carry your gun
properly when in game. My
experience suggests that long arms,
especially M16s are best carried like
an oversized pistol with the muzzle
pointing down. This keeps it in a
safe position until you’re ready to
“USE YOUR GUN AS A WALKING STICK BECAUSE LET’S FACE IT, ALL THAT RUNNING AND CREEPING IS
TIRING. MOST GUNS ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF AN AVERAGE CHILD SO YOU
SHOULD BE FINE, NO?”
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HOW TO KILL AN AEG
use it and additionally means that
every log, rock, ditch and low wall
can modify your long arm into a
short one. Now there’s a result!
This will give you the welcome
opportunity to replace pretty
much everything with high quality
alternatives… lucky you!
If that’s just not your scene,
carrying it horizontally across your
midriff is also a winner. I particularly
recommend G3s for this as they
bend beautifully, especially if you
have gone to the effort of already
installing an expensive aftermarket
full metal kit. A gap between trees,
or a narrow doorway are just aching to help you turn
your iconic cold war bauty into a boomerang. The
silver lining to this apparent cloud? You’ve fitted
the full metal kit once, it will be so much easier the
second time and you’ll almost certainly have the ideal
opportunity to install an upgraded barrel and hop
unit… and a new outer barrel and flash hider... And
maybe a new gearbox as well…
Don’t forget gravity either. Many guns are
surprisingly drop-proof, others not so much.
Depending on the height of the drop and the landing
surface you may well be able to pick it up and carry
on as if nothing has happened. Some plastic guns are
remarkably resilient, others less so. If you think full
metal has you covered here, think again. If they were
made of steel, yeah, no problem, but the alloys used
in airsoft gun production can be surprisingly brittle,
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HOW TO KILL AN AEG

especially if they are brought to a short halt by a

carefully lurking rock, or a nice chunk of concrete…
an ideal opportunity to replace that stock/receiver/
forend with something new and shiny. Result.

GLORIOUS MUD
And let us not forget humble mud. Mud is great
stuff. It can clog barrels and find its way into
magazines and onto ammunition. If you combine
it with a bit of water, a nice ditch for instance, or a
torrential downpour mid-game, it finds it so much
easier to get into all the hidden nooks and crannies
of your pride and joy where it can act not unlike
valve grinding compound; polishing components that
shouldn’t be, insulating switches that really don’t
need it and generally making a damned nuisance of
itself. After a mud bath, you’ll be obliged to get in
there and thoroughly clean your gearbox!
The moral of this little monologue, if it has one,
is that to truly destroy an airsoft gun takes effort or
serious misfortune. The potential to incrementally
hurt them though is much more prevalent; I didn’t
even bother to touch on the joys of the ill-advised
and poorly performed “upgrade”, that deserves
a piece all on its own. While airsoft guns are
still essentially well designed toys, they are often
constructed with quite close tolerances which don’t
respond well to the ingress of contaminants, their
materials are nowhere near as robust as their real
world inspiration and their motive power source,
electricity, is worthy of some respect. As outlined at
the start, most damage can be repaired but really it’s
better to avoid that expense until you decide that
you want those upgrades! AA

“MUD IS GREAT STUFF. IT CAN CLOG BARRELS AND FIND ITS WAY INTO MAGAZINES AND ONTO
AMMUNITION. IF YOU COMBINE IT WITH A BIT OF WATER, A NICE DITCH FOR INSTANCE, OR A
TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR MID-GAME, IT FINDS IT SO MUCH EASIER TO GET INTO ALL THE HIDDEN
NOOKS AND CRANNIES OF YOUR PRIDE AND JOY...”

98 AUGUST 2022