Airsoft Action - March 2022

PROUD TO SUPPORT PILGRIM BANDITS CHARITY

ISSUE 135 -MARCH 2022 ISSN 2634-9515

Tap/Click Images For More Information

Tap/Click Images For More Information

CONTENTS 8 ARMOURY: VFC Mk48 MAXIMI LMG You might have caught our livestream presentation at the VFC booth during MOA2020 when Ray Chang, our good friend and Marketing manager at VFC, was showing off a somewhat game changing AEG in the form of the Mk48 LMG, and now Stewbacca gets a close-up and personal first look at a another very exciting model!

PROUD TO SUPPORT PILGRIM BANDITS CHARITY

ISSUE 135 -MARCH 2022 ISSN 2634-9515

Editorial Director: Bill Thomas Graphic Design: Calibre Publishing Ad Design: Deadshot Design Publisher: Calibre Publishing

18 ARMOURY: S&T LEE ENFIELD We’re absolutely delighted this month to be able to bring you Bill’s full overview on the very latest spring rifle to come from S&T, a model that’s been causing quite a stir amongst airsofters and collectors alike, and of course we’re talking about the Lee Enfield No.1 MkIII*! Time for him to take another trip down Memory Lane…

Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1684 878 003 Web: www.airsoftaction.net ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2021 All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to publication.

24 ARMOURY: BOLT DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE BOLT are known for being just a little different when it comes to creating their stunning BRS System AEGs, and in a collaboration with EMG they’ve tackled an absolute classic in their own unique way again! Bill follows his hear with a close-up look at the DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE, a Mk18 by any other name… but with a twist!

FIND US ON…

LETTER , IDEA OR QUESTION? Got something to say? A question for our experts? An article or article idea?

Drop us a line and let us know. Either email the Editorial Director: bill@airsoft-action.co.uk, write to us at the Calibre Publishing address above, or talk to us on Twitter or Facebook.

32 ARMOURY: CUSTOM L129A1 All too often in airsoft circles we hear the phrase “custom gun”, and this means very different things to different people! Recently Bill got together with Dave from “Dave’s Custom Airsoft” to take a look at their very latest creation that will undoubtedly bring joy to players who favour a “modern UK Forces” theme to their loadout but want something other than an L85A3… bring on the L129A1!

Contents MARCH 2022

36 GEAR: MAPA GEAR For many airsofters Multicam and its derivatives rule the roost, with a wider and wider pool of gear makers choosing this ubiquitous pattern.

However, if you fancy something a bit different then you really should be looking at the MAPA gear that’s now available from GUNFIRE!

70 TRAINING: VIRTUAL SHOT Continuing our coverage of the Virtual-Shot Training System this month Jase takes a view on things practically from a MilSim perspective and looks at what may be gained by training with it.

40 TOD: PACKS This month Jon hands over the TOD column to our in-house pack expert Bill to return to the crucial area of what pack you need, and what you should be looking for in terms of features to carry your sustainment load safely and securely!

74 FEATURE: BPRE 28MM The last couple of years the lack of airsoft games have seen many players look for other ways to enjoy their love of things “tacticool”, and for some that has meant turning to tabletop adventures! Bill takes a close look at this phenomenon, why it should be important to us all.

46 CAGE: NEW YEAR, NEW GEAR! Everyone loves a new loadout, or at the very least adding the finishing touches or enhancements to an existing one! We’re off and running again and already planning for games and events ahead this year, so it’s time to check in with the AA Legion and see what they have planned for 2022!

84 EVENT: 26TH HOOHA SHOW Shows are where a LOT of prep is done for the year ahead and where we get to meet face to face with industry friends old and new. As shows begin to finally come back online, Stewbacca reports direct from Taiwan and the 26th Hooha Show.

50 RED CELL: SUB MACHINEGUNS We sincerely hope that this is the last report we’ll have to bring in from Red Cell whilst separated! However, with a depth of knowledge based on hard game use, you might say we know a thing or two about SMGs, so as usual, Bill kicks things off!

92 FEATURE: TWAAA In an industry that seems woefully short of “checks and balances”, Stewbacca brings in a report on a Taiwanese organization that could well set the tone for how in-house regulation can lead to better relations with the wider world, and open the door for similar models worldwide!

62 TECH: MAINTENANCE Keeping your gear squared away and clean, and taking time to prep is always a good thing in our opinion!

As a whole new year of airsoft beckons, Dan takes a look at what you should be doing do keep your shooting platforms and gear in tiptop, battle-ready condition!

100 SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP We’re stepping away from the usual format this month as Posh has been lucky enough to have a preview of some new footwear that is just now coming into stock at Military1st. If you’re in need of some new “LPCs” then some light shopping might well be in your immediate future!

66 TECH: ICS UPGRADES We had a look at the BLE Challenger GBB pistol from ICS some time ago.

That program has moved forwards, so Jimmy has a go at fitting some additional parts to the base model to see if this further enhances what was already a solid and more-thanserviceable hand cannon!

102 LAST POST Supply of airsoft guns and gear has been a little “problematic” recently, with container delays from the Far East, and massively increased costs!

Although things do seem to be easing, Frenchie looks closely at why this situation may be, in some ways, here to stay.

AVAILABLE NOW

6

THE GENERATION OF NEW • SSS.III E-trigger system (SSS only) • Smart Trigger & Pre-cocking Function (SSS only) • Titan T-Dean Plug (Titan only for SSS) • MASTER Upgraded Internals (SSS only)

• Blaster Steel Flash Hider • ICS Split Gearbox • QD Spring Guide Design • 20°-Vertical Pistol Grip

DMR ICS-310 / ICS-310S3

KOMODO JUNIOR ICS-308 / ICS-308S3

Promotion Video CXP-MARS.II

CARBINE ICS-309 / ICS-309S3

Facebook (Global): ICSBBAirsoft

Youtube: ICS AIRSOFT

Twitter (Global): icsbbairsoft

Instagram: icsbbairsoft

ARMOURY

MAKING YOUR MARK VFC MK48 MAXIMI LMG

IF YOU ARE A LONG TERM FOLLOWER OF AIRSOFT ACTION YOU MIGHT HAVE CAUGHT OUR LIVESTREAM PRESENTATION AT THE VFC BOOTH DURING MOA2020 WHEN VEGA FORCE COMPANY SOMEWHAT DOMINATED THE SHOW WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF NUMEROUS EXCITING UPCOMING RELEASES; RAY CHANG, OUR GOOD FRIEND AND MARKETING MANAGER AT VFC, WAS SHOWING OFF A SOMEWHAT GAME CHANGING AEG IN THE FORM OF THE MK48 LMG, AND NOW STEWBACCA GETS A CLOSE-UP AND PERSONAL FIRST LOOK AT A ANOTHER VERY EXCITING MODEL! 8

MARCH 2022

ARMOURY VFC MK48 MAXIMI LMG

A

long with their epic gas blowback 7.62x51mm rifles such as the PSG-1 I acquired and reviewed in the Christmas issue, and the upcoming LAR I’m eagerly awaiting along with everyone else who’s a person of good taste, Ray Chang – Marketing manager at VFC at MOA2020 was also showing off a somewhat game changing AEG in the form of the Mk48 LMG AEG! Now, you might think, LMG AEGs are nothing new as such, and, as I was relaying to Ray earlier when I visited the VFC Pentagon Service Centre a few MRT stops away from my place on the way home from work to pick up this latest release, I had hands on with such things way back in the winters of the mid 2000’s when my teammate had a full metal M249 at First and Only Matlock, running around in the snow with it for a round or two.

The difference that all those years have had, is a great deal more design and innovation squeezed into the latest LMG that VFC are offering; with a greatly reduced overall weight compared to longer serving competitors, contrasting a ridiculous heavy weight of fire brought to bear, the amount of ammunition that can be laid down in a single loading of the deluxe VFC Mk48 LMG AEG is equal to around half the weight of the gun itself! Boasting an overall weight of around 4 kilograms ‘dry’, the ease with which the Mk48 LMG

can be wielded compared to its typical counterparts cannot be understated; indeed if you saw the livestream Ray was happily waving it around single handed with ease and even threatening to dual wield them in future, and he’s a much slighter and less portly fellow than myself!

This ultra-light-weight is achieved through the extensive use of aluminium for the construction, with the majority of functional controls or fixture components being steel. The bulk of the receiver and barrel bodies are aluminium that is specially surface finished and anodised in a manner that closely resembles parkerised steel, giving you all of the look and luster of the heavier construction of the real steel counterpart, without the actual real ‘steel’ and associated weight. Some may see this as a disadvantage or adversely affecting the realism or heft and user experience of the Mk48, but on the contrary!

The intention, as with all VFC products, is to provide a quality replica gun which is not just a wall hanger to

be appreciated, but a genuinely useful and enjoyable reproduction that brings great firepower capability without crippling or exhausting the user. Suffice to say all those years ago I’d had my fill of the other full weight M249 after a round or two of running around with it in freezing miserable conditions and my back would undoubtedly give out if I were to have to deal with that kind of load over a whole game or MilSim weekender.

Thus, the VFC Mk48 LMG offers a step change in performance and user experience. Great attention to detail is apparent in the external appearance and realism, to the point where the pistol grip and butt

“WITH A GREATLY REDUCED OVERALL WEIGHT COMPARED TO LONGER SERVING COMPETITORS, CONTRASTING A RIDICULOUS HEAVY WEIGHT OF FIRE BROUGHT TO BEAR, THE AMOUNT OF AMMUNITION THAT CAN BE LAID DOWN IN A SINGLE LOADING OF THE DELUXE VFC MK48 LMG AEG IS EQUAL TO AROUND HALF THE WEIGHT OF THE GUN ITSELF!” www.airsoftaction.net

9

ARMOURY VFC MK48 MAXIMI LMG

stock and associated fixtures and receiver geometry are identical to the real steel ones, allowing users to replace them with genuine furniture if they have it available. Furthermore, there’s ability to interchange the fixed butt stock with the paratrooper version that rotates and telescopes down the sides of the receiver to provide a much shorter package. This is not yet available as a VFC-produced accessory, but it might be made in future depending on the success of the product and perceived user demand. The same is true of any difference in barrel length, but judging from the news that Ray told me regarding their initial run of 600 odd units intended for Asia only already being spoken for with confirmed sales, and at least a six month wait for the other undoubtedly salivating users in the West or elsewhere, it seems the Mk48 has certainly caught the attention of the appropriate fan base.

RUNNING AND GUNNING DELUXE

It will also be made available in two pricing bands of standard and deluxe; the latter ‘DX’ model will include some additional creature comforts that not only vastly improve the functionality and field-usefulness of the Mk48 but also the user experience and realism. With a drop-in unitised recoil simulation hammer unit that engages with the main piston of the gearbox and can be slid into engagement from the rear opening above the gearbox shell itself when the butt stock is removed or pivoted downwards, the realism is increased with a

10

MARCH 2022

juddering of the mechanism during firing which is in perfect time with the gearbox operation; this unit can however be readily removed rearward if at some point its functionality is not desired for any reason.

This unit also engages with a pawl on the feed tray which shakes the fake belted ammunition upon firing to give the visual impression of the belt feeding rounds through the top cover from the box magazine!

The box magazine itself is also an additional benefit of the DX variant, and not only rounds off the visual impact of the Mk48 but carries a ludicrous amount of additional ammunition, 8000 BBs, which can be fed electrically by the integrated motor which is also be slaved to the same battery in the butt stock which drives the main gearbox. Two small springloaded contacts protrude up from in front and behind the main mount locking lever and connect with corresponding contacts on the underside of the receiver to feed battery power from the buttstock to the motor and worm gear in the base of the box magazine. This then feeds the rounds from the box itself up a typical flexi-spring style hose which terminates in a face plate that can be slid down into an engagement slot on the front left of the main receiver just behind the pivot point of the top cover (which is covered by a lever style side plate when not in use) and this then feeds BBs into the top of the integral magazine space that is the main body.

800 BBs can be stored within the internal volume of the main receiver and the cosmetic gas piston

ARMOURY VFC MK48 MAXIMI LMG

and cylinder that extend forwards out beneath the barrel, all of which are then fed into the hop unit from beneath, and can be manually filled from a latch at the rear of the body beneath the top cover. Even without the DX variant box magazine, 800 BBs is still a decent amount without even having to worry about an external magazine box or bag; the top cover is raised by pressing in the twin retention buttons at the top rear of the cover and lifting it up until it engages with the retention pawl on the front end which provides enough resistance to keep it in place ag unless you move the gun around a lot and cause it to close inadvertently.

The top cover hides the upper end of the integral magazine space, with a reasonable sized sliding hatch at its rear end that can be manually opened against its return spring using the slider in front of it, allowing you to pour BBs in from a bottle or bag; once the filling operation is completed the user can either manually trip the return button to the rear of the hatch, or alternatively a swift closing of the top cover will automatically trip this button anyway. The BBs themselves feed down through a small opening in the front right opposite the box mag hose port, and when filling it might require you to tilt the gun forward on its bipod and even shake it a little to make sure the BBs pass through the side channel beneath the cosmetic ejection port and fill the front storage compartment.

The cosmetic ejection port cover also has a small

fin on its inside face that blocks this channel when closed, preventing feeding of ammunition from the upper magazine space as well as, by extension, the external box mag, and while I would not advise relying on this method as a safety feature, it does seem to allow you to at least empty the front magazine space and prevent further BBs feeding in. Thus the cosmetic charging handle on the right side of the receiver which opens the cosmetic ejection port cover must be cocked to open the port cover during use and allow BBs to pass through, then it is advisable to close it at the end of each game, to prevent anything getting in through the small opening that the blocking fin protrudes into.

The box magazine itself is mounted onto a fairly typical lateral lug under the receiver that the dovetail on top of it slides into from the left hand side, with the sprung tongue latch on top engaging on its underside to keep the box magazine in place. Although it is naturally a little stiff anyway, it’s advisable to support the whole gun on its fully extended bipod if you are fitting or removing it. In reality, however, aside from storage or carriage to and from game sites, there is no real reason to remove the box during the course of the gameplay, aside from perhaps instances where its physical height impedes your playing style or getting very prone, because the box can be topped off easily by loosening the lowest fake round of the ammunition belt from under its retention nub at the front end to reveal the filling port

www.airsoftaction.net

11

ARMOURY VFC MK48 MAXIMI LMG

12

MARCH 2022

ARMOURY VFC MK48 MAXIMI LMG

www.airsoftaction.net

13

ARMOURY VFC MK48 MAXIMI LMG

beneath. Ammunition can be easily poured into the box through here, although be warned it also pours out easily in transit if not blocked off somehow! My only complaint really, and something a 3D printed plug or factory installed sliding cover would solve, otherwise a tight pouch or bag for transit should avoid spills.

EXTERNALLY COMPOSED

The bipod is comprised of entirely CNC machined components and affords the user three levels of adjustment, actuated by pressing in the spring steel protrusions that pop out through the three cutouts in the outer lower stanchions of the bipod legs to allow them to slide up or down into the other positions.

Deploying the bipod from either the front or rearward stowage positions merely requires pulling down into the vertical position, and the legs will spring outwards naturally and lock, albeit with a little flex built in to allow movement during deployment and prone firing. To store them is the reverse; grabbing both legs within your hand, easier with bear paws like mine, and squeezing them back together then raising them forwards or backwards and up into either stowage positions and then releasing them to lock in the upward position.

Atop the receiver and main barrel body is the carry handle, which is well placed to allow the whole gun to be carried around with ease. This can be locked in the upward position with a nub that latches forwards

when the handle is lifted; pulling the whole handle rearward disengages this and allows it to drop to the either side out of the line of sight of any optics mounted on the integral Picatinny rail of the top feed cover. VFC were good enough to provide me a sample with an excellent replica ELCAN already fitted, an ideal optic of choice.

The handle also allows the barrel itself to be removed; the large swinging latch behind and above the barrel root collar is pressed and the barrel itself pulled off forwards with the carry handle. This allows for ease of maintenance as the hop unit, rubber and top adjustment grub screw as well as the rear end of the barrel are all readily accessible, allowing changing, cleaning or adjustment at leisure, although the hop unit can also be adjusted through the small hole at the front of the receiver underneath the opened top cover as well if preferred.

The pistol grip and buttstock are fibre reinforced nylon in construction similar to the real steel equivalents, with the fixed butt stock having a rotating butt pad that allows access to the internal battery space. The leads provided terminate in Deans / T-Pugs which are becoming somewhat of an industry standard thankfully, although an adaptor lead for use with mini Tamiya is also included. VFC recommend an 11.1V LiPo battery to ensure responsiveness of the gearbox especially when the electric recoil hammer unit is also a load upon its piston and the battery is also used to drive the box magazine feed

“AFTER SOME INITIAL SETUP AND FIDDLING TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS IN ORDER I STARTED STRETCHING THE LEGS OF THE MK48 USING ABANDONED OFFICE CHAIRS WITH SPENT GREEN GAS CANS ON AS TARGETS AT ROUGHLY 20, 30 AND 50 METRE DISTANCES.” 14

MARCH 2022

ARMOURY VFC MK48 MAXIMI LMG

motor too. An integrated electronic cutout battery protection unit is included and the ‘C’ rating of your battery should be appropriate to its overall capacity, although the butt stock storage compartment will limit your options to some extent. The internals reflect the same attention to detail as the excellent looking externals; the gearbox is the latest design, and the DX variant even sports fully CNC machined gears over the typical offerings used in the standard version and other products, ensuring superb smooth running and durability especially considering the additional load of the recoil hammer unit and ammo belt.

The iron sights reflect their real steel counterparts with an elevation adjustable shielded front post which requires a real steel tool to adjust…not included! As well as the diopter rear sight with a left side windage adjustment dial in front of the range adjustment dial behind, beneath and rearward of these are the large retention knob that unlocks the butt stock for access.

Finally, should you find yourself possessed with the need to create an expensive discotheque the barrel is in fact threaded as standard for tracer units to be fitted, which would be admittedly impressive for night operations, one assumes! The rate of fire of the Mk48 is deliberately limited to 800 rounds per minute in order to prevent the gearbox outrunning the feed mechanism and also reduce the wear and tear on the DX version’s hammer recoil assembly.

DOWNRANGE

So, with all this waxing lyrical about the ins and outs of it all, how does it shoot? The gents were good enough to give me a full box load and internal magazine brimming with 0.2g BBs and not only let me have a blat at the Pentagon centre, but also take the Mk48 away over Chinese New Year to field it for some outdoor range testing to see how it performs.

We were fortunate enough to have a team outing coming up the weekend of Chinese New Year, so after picking up the Mk48 from Ray and the Pentagon Centre team on the Thursday afternoon beforehand, we made our way out that Sunday to the same abandoned incinerator site you may recognise from my PSG-1 review photos; it has an excellent massive internal hall ideal for sheltered target practice and testing, which was good as the weather was fine sideways rain all day and we stuck to playing inside of the buildings.

After some initial setup and fiddling to make sure everything was in order I started stretching the legs of the Mk48 using abandoned office chairs with spent green gas cans on as targets at roughly 20, 30 and 50 metre distances; the floor was also waterlogged

due to the derelict nature of the building and all its leaking ceilings, which was actually useful for picking out the BBs peppering the floor when they missed the chairs or gas cans. At the first chair around 20m away and using 0.2g BBs the Mk48 was easily carving out a group within the seat section of the chair and can easily engage a torso sized target at that range; even stretching it out to the 30 and 50 metre chair targets the BBs were reaching out there albeit with some walking in of the fire; using the ELCAN or a similar 4x magnification optic is ideal for this platform as it allows you to follow the arc of your fire and adjust drop over distance.

Nonetheless, the range was impressive and even out at its limit the size of the beaten zone I could see through the scope and with the hits on the water causing splashes, you can easily use the Mk48 in its intended harassing or suppressing fire role out to a good distance; heavier ammunition and some tweaking of the hop would no doubt improve things, along with a properly bedded in hop bucking, if you really feel the need to tighten the grouping for some reason.

All of the team tried their hand with the LMG and loved the recoil function, range, added realism of the belt feed shaking unit and the obvious performance the Mk 48 offers, and we’re seriously considering clubbing together and buying one as a team gun we can all share and make use of, particularly in MilSim games where we like to use more realistic squad roles and tactics together. The only minor issue I had was what appeared to be a failure that took some time to remedy; we had a stoppage, with the alarm sounding on the onboard electronics, I changed the battery a few times with no luck, then I realised the barrel was slightly forwards out of battery. It seems I’d lifted the top cover a bit too swiftly at some point and tripped the barrel release lever as a result, but it’s a good indication that the onboard diagnostic system does its job well; I removed the barrel, shook out some loose BBs that had gotten in between it and its trunnion, and we got back to emptying the magazine between us. Huge grins and convinced faces all round, it’s definitely solid, yet lightweight enough to be an easily-wielded piece of kit!

I’d like to once again extend my sincere thanks to Ray and the VPSC staff for their time taken answering all my questions and not only explaining in depth, but also entrusting me with one of the few prototypes to get a first look into this exciting new platform. If you’re looking for a convenient, high quality, ultrahigh-capacity but still easily-fielded LMG, you should really turn it up… to the Maximi! AA www.airsoftaction.net

15

ARMOURY S&T LEE ENFIELD

OLD SKOOL COOL 18

MARCH 2022

ARMOURY S&T LEE ENFIELD

WE’RE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED THIS MONTH TO BE ABLE TO BRING YOU BILL’S FULL OVERVIEW ON THE VERY LATEST SPRING RIFLE TO COME FROM S&T, A MODEL THAT’S BEEN CAUSING QUITE A STIR AMONGST AIRSOFTERS AND COLLECTORS ALIKE, AND OF COURSE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THE LEE ENFIELD NO.1 MKIII*! TIME FOR HIM TO TAKE ANOTHER TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE…

M

y personal relationship with the Short Magazine Lee Enfield, SMLE, “the smelly” or simply “the 303”, goes back a LONG way, and you’ll have to excuse me if a certain amount of misty-eyed memory comes into play in my overview and review. I first set my hands on a Lee Enfield over 45 years ago (where does that time go???) when I joined my school CCF, and it was with this rifle that Her Majesty’s Armed Forces taught me the principles of marksmanship. Many happy days were spent in the sun (and some not so happy in the rain!) on Hythe and Lydd Ranges learning the intricacies of the “shooters art” and, whilst on “Summer Camps” around the UK and overseas, a Lee Enfield was never far from my hands.

As a somewhat chubby, 1.5m, 63kg 12 year old the “Rifle,No.4 Mark 1” at 1129mm long and weighing in at 4110g rifle was a bit of a handful to say the least, and hauling it around on exercise was a challenge whilst we learned all the skills of the basic infantryman! By the time I was 17 though, I’d shot up to 1.89m and 83kg and the Lee Enfield had become an old and trusted friend, one that I carried with great joy and shot to competition level

at Bisley. Eventually of course, being a big lad I ended up lugging the section BREN, and then the L1A1 SLR took over, but that’s a whole different story!

My memories of the Lee Enfield, like the memories of other cadets in the late 70’s and early 80’s, are firmly etched in place; whilst not in any way a “gun bunny” my immediate neighbour was an Air Cadet at a similar time, and we often laugh about the fact that as youngsters we would scrunch up our berets under our battledress jackets (yes, we were still to be issued DPM when I first joined!) to try and mitigate the recoil of the “303”, and how we learnt very quickly to mount the rifle correctly so as not to return home after a range day with a bruised shoulder! We also smile fondly about the time “pulling through” after shooting, and the mantra of “I have no live rounds, empty cases, or pyrotechnics in my possession, SAH!” that we intoned at the end of every shooting session! To us the Lee Enfield was not just a rifle, but a part of our journey into adulthood.

It was, and is, a superlative rifle, and in the hands of a skilled and drilled marksman it proved to be deadly on many, many battlefields, and under www.airsoftaction.net

19

ARMOURY S&T LEE ENFIELD

different marques one that had a lengthy service life in frontline use as it was officially adopted in 1895 and was issued until 1957, and in some cases far beyond that!

NEW WORLD ORDER

In 1888 the British Army adopted the Lee Metford rifle, a bolt-action, magazine-fed rifle that replaced the breech-loading Martini-Henry, but was still a “black powder rifle” in essence. The Lee Metford (or MLM, Magazine Lee Metford) though illustrated a new design in modern infantry rifles as it combined mechanisms from James Paris Lee and William Ellis Metford to create a rifle that offered the soldier a eight or ten round detachable magazine that superseded the smaller non-detachable internal magazines of previous rifles. This of course meant that even the humble infantryman could now accomplish a devastating rate of fire by simply working the bolt and replacing spent magazines with pre-filled charger replacements, meaning again of course that they could lay down fire just as fast as they could cycle the bolt and ammunition was available!

Lee’s rear-locking bolt system was carried forward into a new rifle design pretty quickly though, and in 1895 the British Army adopted the Lee Enfield, so named from the designer of the rifle’s bolt system and the factory in which it was designed, the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield. The Lee Enfield featured a ten-round box magazine which was loaded with the excellent .303 British cartridge manually from the top, either one round at a time or by means of fiveround chargers, of which many could be carried; this enabled a well-trained infantry soldier to perform the “mad minute”, firing 20 to 30 aimed rounds in 60 seconds, making the Lee Enfield “the fastest military bolt-action rifle of the day”. It may interest you to 20

MARCH 2022

know that the current world record for aimed boltaction fire was set in 1914 by a musketry instructor in the British Army, Sergeant Instructor Snoxall, who placed 38 rounds into a 12-inch-wide (300mm) target at 300 yards (270m) in one minute… now that’s a LOT of “effective rounds down” even by modern day semi-auto standards!

Online sources tell me that the Lee Enfield “was the standard issue weapon to rifle companies of the British Army, colonial armies (such as India and parts of Africa), and other Commonwealth nations in both the First and Second World Wars (such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada)”. It’s also true that the Lee Enfield was carried by British and commonwealth troops into Korea and Malaya, and although not officially issued there are even images of the No 4 Mk I (T) sniper-variant in use with early US “advisers” in Vietnam! Replaced in the UK with the L1A1 SLR in 1957, the venerable Lee Enfield stayed in British service until the mid-60s and the 7.62 mm L42A1 sniper variant remained in service well into the 90s.

MKIII

Of course my direct experience with the Lee Enfield is of the “Rifle, No 4 Mk I”, and also of course, this is not the rifle that S&T have endeavoured to replicate, and this is cool as you might say that the model that they have chosen in the No.1 Mk III* actually has a much greater importance in global terms.

The key word in the SMLE’s designation is ‘Short’, which actually has nothing to do with the length of the magazine, but instead refers to the overall length of the rifle as compared to the issued models that had gone before. Due to the more efficient .303 cartridge it was possible to have an overall shorter rifle without any loss of range or accuracy, and WWI proved this point as the SMLE showed plainly that it was a most effective rifle in use in the harsh, trench-warfare conditions, being acknowledged by all as reliable and hard-hitting, although potentially not as accurate as the Mauser Gewehr 98 it faced across No Man’s Land all too often.

The SMLE Mk III was distinctive in outline, featuring a full stock with a hand recess, along with a distinctive muzzle cap and the sight-protecting “dog ears”. The Mk III* came about as an attempt to increase production during WWI and because of this it did away with the long-range sights and magazine cut-off which the Mk III featured. In 1926 the SMLE was re-designated ‘Rifle No 1 Mark III (or III*)’, and production continued until 1939 by Birmingham Small Arms Ltd.

ARMOURY S&T LEE ENFIELD

However, during WWII Australia reproduced various British weapons to arm its own forces, and Australian forces joined the fight in Europe and the Western Desert, as well as playing a key role in the Pacific War with US forces, and where they went, the Lithgow SMLE No1 MKIII* went with them. And the same could be said for the majority of the commonwealth forces who answered the “Old Country’s” call, and this led to some strange concoctions indeed, such as the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mark III bolt-action rifles that were converted by New Zealand engineer Philip Charlton into effectively what we would know now as an LMG with a minimum of redesign! And you may well be thinking that WWII was the “swansong” of the Mark III, but you’d be oh, so wrong, as in the 1960’s the Rifle Factory Ishapore in India began producing a rifle known as the “Rifle, 7.62mm 2A”, which was based on the SMLE Mk III* and was redesigned to chamber the 7.62×51mm NATO round.

Externally the new rifle was very similar to the classic Mk III*, but had a “square” magazine to carry twelve rounds instead of ten!

REPLICATING A CLASSIC

So, have S&T done a worthy job of replicating a classic battle rifle that has importance to many commonwealth countries? I’d have to say an

overwhelming “YES”!

Coming in at 3640g and with an overall length of 1130mm the S&T Mk III* “feels” very right to me, and it’s amazing how quickly the old rifle drills fall back into place… as I’ve always said, “training leads to perfection” and having the Lee Enfield in my hands just makes me realise just how very good the training given to my fellow cadets and I was, and how well it was ingrained into our very psyches… but then I was once Right Marker for a Cadet Royal Guard of Honour!

In terms of materials and finish the S&T is impeccable, and if anything it’s just too darn good!

The stock is made of high-quality real wood, and the main parts such as the barrel, bolt, receiver, sights, magazine housing, trigger and trigger guard are made of high-grade metal alloys with a steel bolt, and everything hangs together beautifully! However, the finish of the alloy parts all benefit from an innovative Black Oxide finishing process that makes it look new yet aged, whilst the reddish woodwork in just WAY too unblemished; it certainly looks like no Lee Enfield I ever had my hands on and I can see now that prospective owners will be stripping the woodwork down and re-staining it! This is not a criticism in any way, as once upon a time every Lee Enfield must have been “factory fresh”! Although the buttplate is

www.airsoftaction.net

21

ARMOURY S&T LEE ENFIELD

metal, and finished “brass effect”, sadly it’s not real brass, and again I can see owners replacing this with a real one; it looks good though and does feature the hinged cap for the oil bottle compartment, so merely an observation, not a criticism.

Internally I understand that the Mk III* features an inner barrel, hop and hop bucking fully compatible with the ever-popular VSR10 system, and has a steel cylinder (24mm x 174mm) and 90 degree metal trigger group assembly so I expect to see proud owners tweaking these to the max! What I KNOW though is that this is ultimately a spring-gun (albeit a very fancy one!) with very little to go wrong, and that the hop is easily set with a sliding lever just behind the “dog-ear” on the right of the body; simple, easily maintained, and easy to adjust… WIN! The magazines themselves are chunky full-metal affairs, each holding 30 BBs, and are easy and quick to fill with a speedloader. So, without further ado it was off to chrono and shoot! Drawing the bolt smoothly (oh so smoothly!) to the rear, then back into battery perfectly I was good to go. Initially I carried out the chrono with .20g BBs, and the first BB downrange went off with a satisfying crack at 1.35 Joule/382fps, and this proved to be insanely consistent; S&T quote 400fps as a mean, and once the rifle has properly bedded in I can see that this is more than possible.

Moving to the range I filled one magazine with .20g and then with .30g; once the hop was set the BBs were flying straight and true out to 50m plus, and even moving to the heavier weight was still giving me a good 40m with almost pinpoint accuracy. This is a rifle which will definitely hold its own in the right game situation.

Overall I have been extremely impressed, not only by the Lee Enfield itself, but by the approach of S&T themselves, as all the representation online in marketing this new rifle has been almost reverent.

22

MARCH 2022

For the dedicated WWI or WWII airsoft player this is most definitely a rifle that will find a hard-earned space in any collection, and in a themed “Aghan” skirmish it’s going to work very well indeed for any players representing “mujahideen”. At your local airsoft “Sunday Skirmish” you’re probably only going to use this is “sniper mode” due to the low magazine capacity, but it’s certainly a model that would work well in that role, and indeed it’s another project that I shall return to as Dave’s Custom Airsoft have already reproduced the No.1 MKIII* H.T. Sniper Rifle variant with some genuine parts and a WWI Era Scope, and it looks AMAZING!

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

To conclude this month, you may well have noticed that for this review I have purposely left out our nowusual “cross page with the gun” image, and this I have done as a conscious choice. I am not a WWI or WWII living historian, and have no wish to pretend to be, although I have the very greatest respect for those that do it well. Yes, I have played WWII airsoft games, but in my period USMC gear, “Pacific” style. The fact is that WWII (Europe) is in many ways still too close for me, as my father landed and fought in Normandy on D-Day, and I guess the thought of “playing war” as a British squaddie of that era is just a little too close to home for me.

What I do know is that my father carried a Lee Enfield into battle, and that after being badly wounded in action and seconded to “base duties”, taught other soldiers to use their own Lee Enfield’s, and to stay alive, as an Infantry Instructor. I have instead found some wonderful images in the public domain of other soldiers, from many nations and timelines, with their own Lee Enfield’s in hand. This to me is the legacy of a fine service rifle, as a tool that helped brave young men stay alive in the face of tyranny, and helped them to defend the freedoms that we so easily take for granted today.

Thank you S&T for creating a superb replica of the Lee Enfield No.1 MkIII*, one that we can certainly use today to play airsoft with, whilst remembering all those that shouldered a Lee Enfield in countless battles as we do so.

My sincere thanks go to the guys at www. iwholesales.co.uk for entrusting me with one of a very few samples of the S&T Lee Enfield No.1 MkIII* that they had in their initial delivery, so please do take time to check out what they have on offer from S&T and all the other fabulous brands that they represent. AA

ARMOURY S&T LEE ENFIELD

www.airsoftaction.net

23

ARMOURY BOLT DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE

BOLT ON TOOL! BOLT ARE KNOWN FOR BEING JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING THEIR STUNNING BRS SYSTEM AEGS, AND IN A COLLABORATION WITH EMG THEY’VE TACKLED AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE WAY AGAIN! BILL FOLLOWS HIS HEAR WITH A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT THE DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE, A MK18 BY ANY OTHER NAME… BUT WITH A TWIST!

24

MARCH 2022

ARMOURY BOLT DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE

O

h the Mk18! When I take off my beloved OPFOR hat and it comes to doing any kind of “modern SF” loadout these days there’s one AEG or GBBR that has become my “go to”, and that’s the Mk18! I’ve always had a love for SBR’s and to me the Mk18 is the epitome of this style, a thoroughly up-to-the-minute firearm design that does all that it should, and nothing more.

If you’re talking about real “hi-speed, lo-drag” then the Mk18 is the thing. It already has a proven combat record with some of the hardest-charging “operators” in the world, and although I say it’s a no frills platform it has everything that you could possibly need in its design. In the real world it’s built to do a job, and that job is to dominate close quarter conflict zones and perform more than adequately out to midrange engagements distances, and it does so magnificently!

So, for an airsoft primary this sits perfectly for me in the “ready to rock” category. It’s designed for close-to-mid range work so that’s perfect for the engagement distances I’ll find on any skirmish site or CQB arena, and it’s short and light enough to be easily manipulated even in the tightest spaces. It’s also got that all-important coolness factor to it, which is something I’ve written about before but will return to here as the history don’t change.

To recap on the “real deal” Mk18, it’s a crucial component of the Naval Special Warfare armoury. Even shorterbarrelled than the M4A1 carbine with a 10.3 in (262 mm) barrel, the upper receiver was designated the Close Quarters Battle Receiver (CQBR), while the entire weapon system was designated the Mk 18 Mod 0 by the United States Navy, and became a common

sight amongst the USN VBSS units, NCIS, and USN SEALs. The purpose of the CQBR was to provide operators with a weapon of compact size, but one still capable of firing a rifle cartridge, intended for urban warfare and other close quarters battle (CQB) situations; one of two proposed “special mission receivers” that were planned for inclusion into the SOPMOD Block II kit, the CQBR has proved incredibly popular amongst its users. The CQBR has been pretty much owned by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWCCrane or just “Crane”, like the stock) following the CQBR’s removal from the Special Operations Peculiar MODification (SOPMOD) program. The complete CQBR-equipped carbine was type-classified as the M4A1 CQB/R Block II.

AIRSOFT CRAZY!

Over the many years I’ve been playing and writing about airsoft I’ve dealt with many, many manufacturers around the globe, and virtually all of them will tell you rather too readily “we’re airsofters ourselves”, going as far as to put that on their websites and marketing materials. In truth what they’re probably saying is that “we have played once and shot an AEG or a GBB on the range a couple of times because the boss said we must”, as all of you reading this will know that “being an airsofter” is more than that, it’s a whole other level of passion, investment and commitment, with a good dose of crazy thrown in… and trust me, the guys at BOLT are real airsofters through and through!

BOLT Airsoft (Taiwan) provide AEGs with a powerful recoil system able to use low voltage batteries. Their powerful recoil system and quality of materials used are the keys to keeping that goal on track. The Bolt Recoil Shock System (BRSS) produces kinetic energy produced by the piston’s movement, transferred to a recoil weight in the stock tube which sends that energy down through the receiver and into your body through the stock. Their gearboxes are a work of art and forged steel gears seated in low friction bearings will handle heavy firing loads all day, every day! You even get an aluminium spring guide, one piece metal hop-up unit, high torque motor and a precision inner barrel as standard in BOLT rifles, SMGs and carbines.

“IF YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT REAL “HI-SPEED, LO-DRAG” THEN THE MK18 IS THE THING. IT ALREADY HAS A PROVEN COMBAT RECORD WITH SOME OF THE HARDESTCHARGING “OPERATORS” IN THE WORLD, AND ALTHOUGH I SAY IT’S A NO FRILLS PLATFORM IT HAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU COULD POSSIBLY NEED IN ITS DESIGN. ” www.airsoftaction.net

25

ARMOURY BOLT DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE

You do get a lot of advantages with a BOLT AEG such as: • Powerful Recoil Movement; BRSS technology generates strong recoil ; the feeling of the stock punching back with each shot is a real pleasure for players who enjoy a real “kick” • Low Energy Consumption; BRSS technology provides a great recoil impulse even when using Low Voltage batteries. Its unique design makes this AEG highly durable, with outstanding reliability.

• High Internal Durability; BRSS gears are made of sturdy materials, which makes them stronger and able of standing up to a strong recoil shock, which adds to the longevity of the AEG’s life.

• High Compatibility; The BRSS gearbox system offers a high compatibility with other brands’ gearbox parts; over 90% of B.R.S.S parts are compatible with those available on the market.

In fact BOLT AEGs offer tremendous value and performance for your money, with extremely realistic metalwork and attention to detail throughout. With bodies made from aluminium, high-standard alloys, and steel, and with ABS pistol grips and glass fibre reinforced stocks; trust me when I tell you that you can pound a BOLT AEG all you want and not break

it… I know, I’ve tried! Even outer barrels are a one piece design offering superior accuracy and zero barrel movement.

Although a BOLT AEG is totally unique high compatibility with other brands and easy-to-find COTS parts is a huge advantage in the form of lower costs and bigger choice on upgrades, modifications and customizations if you want to go that route… personally though I can’t understand why you’d want to though as every BOLT AEG I’ve tried has been a scorcher out of the box!

Mk18 BUT DIFFERENT!

BOLT’s goal has always been to design AEGs as close to a real gun as possible to satisfy skirmish and MilSim game players as well as military collectors, and with the DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE in my opinion they’ve taken things to a whole new level, but kept to that all-important core value of making an AEG for airsofters!

For the DAGGER LITE BOLT has cooperated with EMG in the USA as part of the EMG “HELIOS” program; the Helios vision is to recruit more players to enjoy the sport of airsoft by offering the same high quality internals, the same high performance, and the same level of care in the QC process as its

“WHAT THEY’RE PROBABLY SAYING IS THAT “WE HAVE SHOT AN AEG OR A GBB ON THE RANGE A COUPLE OF TIMES”, (BUT) AS ALL OF YOU READING THIS WILL KNOW THAT BEING “AN AIRSOFTER” IS MORE THAN THAT, IT’S A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL OF PASSION AND COMMITMENT, WITH A GOOD DOSE OF CRAZY THROWN IN!” 26

MARCH 2022

ARMOURY BOLT DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE

bigger brothers in the EMG lineup, but at a much more affordable price point. EMG work directly with the manufacturers to ensure the lightweight externals look and feel amazing and are highly detailed.

Through this collaboration BOLT have, via EMG, managed to obtain the use of the original Daniel Defense designs, which means that what you get with the DAGGER LITE (and indeed with the DAGGER-S, more on this in a bit…) is undoubtedly a Mk18, but with one crucial difference. On a regular Mk18 you get a 9.5 inch RIS II picatinny quad rail, but with the DAGGER this becomes a 7 inch rail… why? I don’t know to be honest, but it makes an excellent short CQB platform even more manouverable in tight spaces and screams out to me “Suppressor Ready”.

I’ve been testing the DAGGER LITE variant from BOLT, and externally this looks absolutely brilliant, and they’ve REALLY made the most of the Daniel Defense trades! If you check out the Daniel Defense website you can get a close look at all their current AR platforms, and the positioning of the trades on both the receivers and the rail are absolutely spot on, other than that the DAGGER sports the “DDM4” legend and not that of the “MK18”. Overall the fit and finish of all the BOLT external components is spectacularly good. The furniture is also excellent, with your hand resting on a very ergonomic motor grip, and the

sliding stock being very similar to a CTR but with dual paddles; I’ve yet to see anyone fully replicate the design of the distinctive new Daniel Defense Buttstock and Pistol Grip, but I’m sure it will come.

Pre-fitted (but adjustable) to the rail is a chunky foregrip, and this is where BOLT have been really clever with this latest design, as this holds the battery (63mm x 35mm x 15mm). Given the BRS System in the buffer tube of most BOLT AEGs there’s nowhere there for the battery there, so for many of their models it has always meant that you’ll need an external battery box, and indeed this is often solved by attaching a “PEQ Box”. However, as many of us are now using functional LAMs (especially for MilSim where you want a working IR unit to use in conjunction with NVGs) the old days of the “PEQ Battery Box” are behind us, and another solution is required, and the foregrip is a great option now that improved battery technology means we can have a small, powerful, long-life, and safe power source. As I run all of my AR platforms with a foregrip this is no biggie for me, and as the DAGGER came with a really neat BOLT-branded 11.1 LiPo with a mini-Deans that fits the grip perfectly (and keeps any external wiring run to an absolute minimum) it’s actually a distinct plus point.

My single criticism of this lovely AEG comes down

“THROUGH THIS COLLABORATION BOLT HAVE, VIA EMG, MANAGED TO OBTAIN THE USE OF THE ORIGINAL DANIEL DEFENSE DESIGNS, WHICH MEANS THAT WHAT YOU GET WITH THE DAGGER LITE IS UNDOUBTEDLY A MK18, BUT WITH ONE CRUCIAL DIFFERENCE.” www.airsoftaction.net

27

ARMOURY BOLT DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE

to personal taste… Why, oh why did they fit a “sound hog” muzzle device to this otherwise stunning AEG, and not even a particularly nice “Sound Hog” either!

This was immediately removed from the test-DAGGER and replaced with a 14mm CCW suppressor-ready birdcage… obviously I’m more of a purist than I thought, or perhaps it’s just my love for the Mk18 as a platform that wants it to be “military and unadulterated” coming through! Whilst not a criticism in any way as it feeds perfectly, my other question mark was down to the 140 BB Mid-Cap that comes with the carbine… why green and not black? Not really a bother, but aesthetically unusual…

DOWNRANGE

The greatest thing about the DAGGER LITE though is the recoil and bolt operation simulation system.

Given that the internals are the latest version of the tried and tested BRSS I had no doubt that out-ofthe-box performance would be right up there, and I wasn’t to be disappointed! BOLT AEGs can be quite “warm” from the box but pleasingly the model I received to test came in at an extremely consistent 1.11 Joule/346fps using .20g VORSK BBs over several strings of ten, with the highest shot recorded at 1.13 Joule/349fps, which is perfect for UK legality and most CQB sites.

I will say once again that I am totally used to BOLT rifles, carbines, and SMGs being insanely accurate once you get the hop set correctly, so with the greenand-pleasant magazine filled with .28 VORSKs it was time to get some BBs flying; I did try the DAGGER on different brand magazines and all fed perfectly well.

With semi engaged the BOLT went off with a great 28

MARCH 2022

muzzle snap and a good jolt in the shoulder, sending BBs straight to the sandbags at 30m, and you will have to deal with some muzzle management if you crank it on full auto… which is sure to bring a smile to your face!

I’ve already stated my sincere and lasting love for the Mk18, and I really do like this BOLT carbine a lot, even though it’s not a strict “replica”. It strikes me that since I tried my very first BOLT AR years ago they really have refined the BRSS system as it functions flawlessly and smoothly, and given the quality of parts and finish overall it just feels “right”; it shoulders well, and shoots well with the added bonus of that little nudge in your shoulder each and every time you squeeze the trigger. As I mentioned earlier there is an even sorter shorter “PDW” version of the DAGGER LITE, if that is what you prefer, the DAGGER-S. It should be noted that Daniel Defense do have the DDM4 PDW SBR in their current range, although this in reality features the MFR XL 6.0 M-LOK rail rather than the RIS II of BOLT’s DAGGER-S .

With a BOLT AEG you are very much getting what you pay for and the DAGGER really is a short, extremely sturdy and yet dynamic little AEG that’s just perfect for CQB encounters, so it’ll be money well invested. It’s righteous both in build quality and performance, but once again I’ll say that I don’t think that the airsofters at BOLT would sell this to a fellow airsofter if it wasn’t 100% good to go!

Many thanks to the guys at www.nuprol.com for supplying the DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE, and do check their website for stockists of BOLT AEGs. Thanks also to everyone at www.bolt.tw just for continuing to keep it real and being awesome! AA

ARMOURY BOLT DANIEL DEFENCE DAGGER LITE

www.airsoftaction.net

29

TOKYO MARUI

L119A2 CUSTOM BUILD

NEXT GEN RECOIL SHOCK CONTACT US FOR DETAILS

THE L119A2 IS JUST ONE POPULAR EXAMPLE OF OUR CURRENT RECOIL MODELS, BASED ON TOKYO MARUI’S FANTASTIC SYSTEM - FITTED WITH THE ANGRY GUN RAIL SYSTEM AND REAL STEEL MAGPUL FURNITURE

ARMOURY CUSTOM L129A1

AS CUSTOM AS IT GETS! ALL TOO OFTEN IN AIRSOFT CIRCLES WE HEAR THE PHRASE “CUSTOM GUN”, AND THIS MEANS VERY DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE! RECENTLY BILL GOT TOGETHER WITH DAVE FROM “DAVE’S CUSTOM AIRSOFT” TO TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR VERY LATEST CREATION THAT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BRING JOY TO PLAYERS WHO FAVOUR A “MODERN UK FORCES” THEME TO THEIR LOADOUT BUT WANT SOMETHING OTHER THAN AN L85A3… BRING ON THE L129A1!

A

lthough Airsoft Action now has a truly international, indeed global, purview and strives to interact with players wherever they may be in our big wide world of airsoft, the fact of the matter is that sometimes were are very proud to be a UK-based magazine, and that’s never truer than when we see a REALLY cool “UK Forces” loadout being rocked! It sometimes surprises us that so many of you around the world go for the “British Squaddie” look with some MTP and an L85, L108/110 or an L115, but then the traditions and battle honours of the British Army are really second to none so it really shouldn’t surprise us that many of you wish to emulate this, and in terms of loadouts we’ve seen it done SO well, by SO many over the years!

32

MARCH 2022

But up until now there has been one major “missing link” in the UKplayers armoury and that’s the L129A1, and by association the L192A1 Sniper Support Weapon (SSW)… until this so important? Well, “Elite UK Forces”; “The L129A1 is a marksman’s rifle that fielded by UK forces late 2010.The weapon procured in order to capability gap identified by in Afghanistan, where British

now! Why is according to Sharpshooter has been since was fill a experience infantry units

ARMOURY CUSTOM L129A1

were often engaged by small arms fire from outside the range of their own assault rifles and light machine guns. At ranges between 500m and 800m, the only small arms carried by infantry units that were capable of returning effective fire were the GPMG or the boltaction L96A1 sniper rifle, which is not suitable as a patrolling soldier’s weapon.”

They go on to say; “The L129A1 is a 7.62mmx51mm semi-automatic rifle designed to give an infantry squad the ability to engage targets with accurate fire out to 800 meters. Unlike the L96A1 bolt-action sniper rifle previously used in the role, the

chambered in 7.62mmx51mm NATO fed from a 20-round box magazine and benefits from a quickchange free-floating 16 inch barrel. As issued it comes with a Trijicon ACOG 6x48 primary optic with an additional Trijicon 1X LED Rugged Miniature Reflex (RMR) sight atop the main scope for “close encounters”; these, in the tradition of the British marksman are supplemented by flip-up iron sights. As part of the package the soldier also gets an adjustable bipod, extendable stock, and fold-down foregrip.

Although fundamentally the same base rifle, the SSW is designed for use by spotter in a sniper pair. It replaces the ACOG scope with a L17A2 Schmidt & Bender 3-12 x 50 Sniper Scope and adds a SureFire suppressor; the rationale here is not just for accurate target acquisition and shot-reporting, but if for some reason the sniper’s scope fails, the SSW’s scope can be moved across to the L115A3 to keep the team fully in the fight! So, for a couple of pretty major reasons the L129A1 is now an important part of the UK-themedplayers armoury, and certainly if the whole team is themed (like that of some great player friends in Germany!) then it’s a bit of a “must have”.

CUSTOM OR NOT?

Sharpshooter is fitted with a 20-round box magazine and sights for both long range and close quarters target acquisition.”

And it’s a darn fine looking rifle too! Manufactured

by Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT), the L129A1 is

The fact is that up until now, if you wanted an L129A1 then you’d really have to go for a full “custom one off”, and this really begs the question as to what we really mean by a “custom gun” for airsoft.

As said, this means different things to different people, and to me it is not the bolting-on of accessories or a fancyschmancy paintjob that makes the difference! A true “custom gun” may be a thing of imagination, sure enough, but if you’re trying to replicate accurately an existing military firearm then the devil is 100% in the detail!

The guys over at the L119 Facebook group (of which I am a member) do a fabulous job in replicating both the A1 and A2 variants of the UKSF primary, and of course you can now buy a “COTS A2” from the clever folk at Archwick if you like a GBBR. However, when it comes to the L85, the “infantryman’s backbone”, there doesn’t seem to be so much going www.airsoftaction.net

33

ARMOURY CUSTOM L129A1

on, or perhaps I’m just missing something!

Of course there are many manufacturers that make L85 variants both AEG and GBB, but if you want a true “Afghan A2” you’ll be searching high and low for certain parts like the SureFire muzzle device and the ACOG Z-mount. Okay, ARES now produce an A3 which is actually super-nice (apart from the battery compartment) and a great base AEG to work up, so you’ve got some pretty solid ground to build from, but getting it 100% right is still not to me making it a “custom” as you’re basically just bolting on parts to an existing, often bog-standard platform.

And this is where my old mate Dave, from Dave’s Custom Airsoft, comes into the picture, as he’s the driving force behind a kit that will transform an existing “7.62 DMR” into a tack-driving L129! Now I’ve known Dave for many years and have enjoyed visiting him both at UK shows and more recently in his fabulous shop in the South East of the UK; it’s actually one of the most visually impressive and well-stocked airsoft stores that I’ve had the pleasure to visit over the years (oh, that coffee table… those that know, know!) and pride of place goes to many of the true custom airsoft models that he and his team have created!

Although they do upgrade work on virtually anything, it’s the true one-off or limited-run custom creations that they make that really let you know that you’re with people that truly understand what goes into fabricating a totally down-to-the-nuts-and bolts unique airsoft platform, and when I talk about the L129 “kit” this is far and beyond just a few parts to bolt on to give it the appearance of the LMT! I spoke to Dave and asked him all about the project, and this is what he had to tell me.

AA: Dave, it’s a pleasure to speak to you as always! Please could you give readers a bit of a quick 34

MARCH 2022

lowdown on Dave’s Custom Airsoft, and the most unique custom projects that you’ve worked on to date?

DCA: We are an SE England based Airsoft Retailer / Small Time (for now) Manufacturer with an increasing line up of our own parts and accessories. As well as the retail side of our business which we take great pride in, we also repair, build and upgrade AEGs and Spring Sniper Rifles. This includes some commission builds and showcase builds. My favourite builds we have completed so far are our HK11 MG and MG3 KWS, these were very extensive builds requiring hundreds of many hours and included parts that were CAD produced in house, 3D printed Steel & Polymers & much more. Our KWS design files have proven so popular we have sold them all over the world, including the United States where they are modified by people making real MG3 Replicas.

AA: It’s a real privilege to be able to get under the skin of this particular project, so could you first tell me why you felt that you needed to create the L129A1?

DCA: I have always had a love for anything British in terms of military equipment, and, during the war in Afghanistan the L129A1 was regularly seen on TV and in the media, the look of the rifle was a real turn on for me and with peoples love for the L119 series being what it is today I thought there must be similar interest in the L129A1 platform.

AA: You describe the L129 as a kit that is “quick and easy to install on your existing SR-25 AEG”, but there’s so much more to it than that! Please could you expand a little on this?

DCA: We are always about giving our customers as many options as we can, with that in mind we sell our bolt on L129A1 Rails & Flash Hiders as standalone set.

These can be fitted to the majority of SR25 AEGs (and maybe GBBR, we have not tested this yet) in the same way as you fit the Angry Gun L119 Rails etc.

For those who are looking to add some extra realism we have taken it a step further by putting together a set to include our Rail & Flash Hider set, AEG Pistol Grip, Bi-Pod, Folding Vertical Grip, Stock, Rail Covers and your choice of either our Replica X6 ACOG with RMR, or, our very own DCA produced L115A3 Scope Mount with a replica PMII scope (SSW setup which is getting more and more common now).

These kits are very easy to fit with simple tools you can find around the house.

As well as this, for those who want a complete rifle we are offering a full L129A1 ready assembled with either optic setup. We also have Cerakote or Krylon paint jobs on offer for those who want the in theatre look. We have seen L129A1s with Multicam Paint

ARMOURY CUSTOM L129A1

Work and various different schemes so it is not always as simple as what you saw on TV, doing some google research is always a good thing when trying to make a replica.

This L129A1 kit represents an enormous undertaking by DCA and we hope that the airsoft community will continue to support us by placing your orders for these fantastic kits.

DCA are working hard to produce a modification kit to allow you to turn your G&G, Classic Army or A&K SR-25 into a British Army L129A1 Sharpshooters Rifle. So far we have completed the CAD design for the L129A1 Rail System and Barrel Nut that will allow you to swap out your existing SR-25 Rail System. This rail has been prototyped and tested on G&G & Classic Army SR-25s, by this logic we assure it will also fit A&K SR-25 and this will be tested in due course. We have also completed CAD designs and prototype on the flash hider. The Rail System and Flash Hider will be CNC machined on our behalf by Angry Gun who have produced a number of other DCA products for us, of course this means they will be of the highest quality.

As well as the DCA L129A1 Rail System and Flash Hider this kit includes the following; Your Choice of either a DCA L115A3 Scope Mount with PMII Replica Snipers Scope, or, DCA TA-648 ACOG Replica (Pro-3D Printed Body, Cerakoted Externals, x4 ACOG Internals, QD Mount and RMR; be aware this optic is not a factory optic and will not provide the same level of optical quality as factory produced scopes, butit provides a useful aid for watching the fall of shot and adjusting accordingly).

• Flip Up Iron Sights • Exclusive Only 25 Full Sets Made • Folding Vertical Grip • Crane Stock • TD Rail Covers Set • Ergo Pistol Grip AEG • Harris Style Bi-Pod with QD Release Arm • CAD Works by Toyohide Miyaki

ability to modify their SR25 rifles as realistically as they would like into an L129A1. We are always looking at more accessories and modification kits and the more people get behind our brand and support us the bigger and better our offerings will become. We hope to produce full replicas one day.

So there you have it! That’s the lowdown direct from the source! We’re REALLY pleased to finally see all the required parts for an L129A1 in one place, and it’s certainly something that we will be keeping an eye on, and who knows, perhaps even building one for ourselves!

Now that we ARE able to start dreaming about playing overseas games again a number of the AA crew (known in-house as “Section Eight”) have put forward the idea that we really should fly our own national flag high and proud when visiting games abroad, so that means MTP/Multicam gear and all the UK Forces weapons platforms that go with it! In discussion a couple of the team who dislike bullpups and aren’t support gun users bemoaned the fact that there wasn’t an L129A1 readily available, but now thanks to Dave and his team their wishes may just have come true, so expect to see more on this later in the year!

For now, my thanks go to Dave for his time speaking to me, and please do take time to visit the DCA website (www.davescustomairsoft.co.uk) and their busy social media channels to keep an eye on “what happens next”… it’s bound to be interesting! AA

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

AA: This sounds absolutely first rate to us! Are there more projects lined up for the future that go into this amount of detail and design?

DCA: We have an ever-increasing line up of DCA products, all of which we have taken great care with, we also partner with excellent designers such as Toyohide and manufacturers such as Angry Gun to ensure that the physical products are manufactured to the highest possible standards.

The L129A1 has been the largest project we have taken on to date and it provides people with the www.airsoftaction.net

35

KIT & GEAR MAPA GEAR

IN A CONTINUING “WAR OF THE PATTERNS” IN THE WORLD OF CAMOUFLAGE AND CONCEALMENT, ONE THAT IS SEEMINGLY FIERCER THAN EVER, FOR MANY AIRSOFTERS MULTICAM AND ITS DERIVATIVES RULE THE ROOST, WITH A WIDER AND WIDER POOL OF GEAR MAKERS CHOOSING THIS UBIQUITOUS PATTERN. HOWEVER, IF, LIKE BILL YOU FANCY SOMETHING JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAT FITS BOTH BLUFOR AND OPFOR REQUIREMENTS EQUALLY THEN YOU REALLY SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE MAPA GEAR THAT’S NOW AVAILABLE FROM GUNFIRE!

A

nyone that knows me will understand that I get quite excited when I discover a new camouflage pattern, and that my personal taste is a million miles away from that of the Multicam-clad “OPR8R”. I prefer effective multienvironment camouflage schemes that work in my favoured temperate conditions, and offer high levels of concealment… which is odd given that my style of play is still quite “direct action” oriented… I guess that my idea here is that I like to stay concealed until I’m ready to get my game on, and anything that helps me in that is greatly appreciated!

That said, I do go for “military patterns” (otherwise I might just end up like a character from “Duck Dynasty”!) and many of my favourite loadouts are centred around this theme; okay, I’m a huge fan of GreenZone, but there are other patterns out there that take my eye immediately as I can now, after many years of study, immediately recognise where such a 36

MARCH 2022

KIT & GEAR MAPA GEAR

pattern would work best, and Polish MAPA has been on my personal radar for some considerable time, I’ve just never been able to get hold of a full set!

For those that follow camouflage developments closely as do I, back in 2017 Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) revealed a new pattern during the MSPO-2017 defence exhibition in Poland.

PGZ unveiled it as a concept that formed part of a broader project called the “Dromader” Integrated Weapons and Equipment Carrying System. An integral part of this concept was the Polish MAPA pattern, and in total some 28 elements of the system, designed by PGZ’s Maskpol, were put on show.

But where has MAPA come from, and what has driven it? What we do know is that the initial MAPA (Multi-environmental Adaptive PAttern) was “natural hybrid”, a pattern designed to provide best concealment at close, mid and long range in temperate woodland, but what went before is worthy of mention. In the mid-90s the “woodland” wz.93 Pantera (Panther) pattern was introduced for all branches of the Polish Armed Forces after extensive trials with Grupa Reagowania OperacyjnoManewrowego (GROM). Sometimes called “presidential woodland” after Lech Walesa was seen wearing it, it was made up of black, brown and green shapes on a khaki background; in addition to a combat uniform, hats, helmet covers, tactical gear and field equipment were produced in the pattern.

Fast-forward to the early “noughties” and we saw a desert version of the standard wz93 Pantera pattern, called (according to the excellent fellows at Camopaedia) wz2000, and sometimes referred to as Snajper (Sniper) or Pantera Pustynna (Desert Panther). This design was of beige, tan and green shapes on a light tan background, and saw service with Polish forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Polish Army Special Forces began using a Multicam-like design called “Suez” in 2008 and again this saw use in Iraq and Afghanistan. Images later emerged of Polish Special Forces elements using ATACS (including ATACS iX) camouflage designs for specific operational deployments, so you could say that the SF units at least were able to specifically source the right pattern for their deployment AOs… black credit card anyone?

FUTURE WARRIOR, FUTURE PATTERN

In 2015, the Polish Armed began to conduct a search for a new camouflage design to replace wz93. Again, according to online research two patterns were submitted for consideration by the Wojskowy Instytut Techniki Inżynieryjnej (Military Institute of the Engineering Technology) as part of that aforementioned “Future Warrior” program.

Two variants, intended for use in spring/summer and autumn/snowless winter respectively, were evaluated, but neither pattern was chosen for adoption by the Polish Ministry of Defence.

At the same time a separate family of camouflage designs was developed by then PhD student Maciej Dojlitko, and this family was known as MAPA. The “forest pattern” design consisted of layers of macro and micro patterns that effectively defeated the ability of an observer to detect or recognise the wearer, and this split-second reduction in detection or recognition could sometimes literally mean the difference between life and death in the real world!

This comprehensive and hybrid combination of features helped the user avoid detection more effectively in their specified AO, which is really what wearing camouflage is all about isn’t it?

Although not officially adopted, the MAPA pattern was, and is, certainly both unique and effective, and the second generation of MAPA was introduced in 2018; this had three colour variations for woodland, transitional, and desert environments. The new versions, according

“THE “FOREST PATTERN” DESIGN CONSISTED OF LAYERS OF MACRO AND MICRO PATTERNS THAT EFFECTIVELY DEFEATED THE ABILITY OF AN OBSERVER TO DETECT OR RECOGNISE THE WEARER, AND THIS SPLIT-SECOND REDUCTION IN DETECTION OR RECOGNITION COULD SOMETIMES LITERALLY MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH IN THE REAL WORLD! ” www.airsoftaction.net

37

KIT & GEAR MAPA GEAR

to the official spiel “were developed on the basis of a graphic design different from the original one, consisting of fuzzy elements (points of variable density) and sharp (spots and strokes). This treatment creates the impression of three-dimensionality and colour penetration that misleads the eye of the observer.”

What we do know is that the initial MAPA was a“natural hybrid”, a pattern designed to provide best concealment at close, mid and long range in temperate woodland. The collection of tactical uniforms and gear now available from GUNFIRE are produced by the specialist manufacturer MASKPOL SA and offer the user a simple, classic cut combined with the unique MAPA masking print.

TOTAL SOLUTIONS

GUNFIRE are now stocking the beginnings of a total camo solution in MAPA B “forest pattern”, and the starting range consists of both clothing and some basic gear. Using a durable fabric for military applications, a 50% cotton and 50% durable polyester mix reinforced with a rip-stop weave, means that you get a unique, bombproof fabric combination in the base clothing that is intended for hard use, and for the user that understands both the pattern, and the design of the clothing models.

First up is a simple T-Shirt, but then we get immediately to a classic pant, the CP-01 Combat pant, that features seven functional reinforced pockets, kneepad pockets, adjustable leg width, Karabiner holder, and an adjustable Velcro closure.

Next is the matching CJ-01 Combat Jacket/shirt in a modern style that features five pockets, a two-way zipper, pockets for elbow pads, a chemlight holder, Velcro panels for attaching unit/team patches/ID, and Velcro adjustable cuffs. For the user that will be using body armour or a plate carrier, the CS-01 Combat Shirt (UBACS) has sleeves and yoke made of material reinforced with a Rip-Stop weave with the body made of breathable knitted fabric with a soft internal structure. Here you get two pockets on the shoulders, pockets for elbow pads, and again Velcro panels and Velcro adjustable cuffs. To round out the clothing there is also the SM-01 Soft Shell which is a slightly different material composition, but still features 50% Polyester, 50% Cotton with a ripstop weave, and this has three pockets, two-way zip, and Velcro closure on the cuffs; this garment is designed more as outerwear, and here the MAPA pattern appears over the shoulders and to the rear arm position, with a solid olive green in the main body.

38

MARCH 2022

Allied to the clothing is a range of accessories such as ballcaps, boonie hats, a Buff-like neck gaiter/ headwrap, and even some up-to-the-knee gaiters to protect the lower leg! In terms of kit there’s a radio pouch, dump pouch, and the Sparrow 30 Gen. II Backpack; this is a pack from Polish brand WISPORT that we’ve spoken about and have great respect for as it’s got some real “tried and tested” provenance behind it and you can check out my article on the brand by accessing Issue 109 in Back Issues on the website.

Suffice to say though that back in 2018 when I attended “WarZone 2018” thanks to our friends in Crete, I had the opportunity to try and a whole bunch of gear and as was reported back after the event the gear caused no worries at all! One of the items that we took with us was the “Sparrow” Patrol Pack from WISPORT. The Sparrow Gen II backpack is the latest generation of compact backpacks made of extremely

durable 500D Cordura Nylon and developed in collaboration with Polish Military forces. The ACS (Air Comfort System) carrying system guarantees comfort and excellent ventilation of the back, ensuring the appropriate stiffness and sturdiness overall.

The main compartment of Sparrow comes with an internal hydration sleeve on the backside inner, a zippered pocket and multiple elastic loops for easy organisation. Additionally, above the sleeve pocket are a hook for the attachment of hydration system and a passage for the hydration hose or an antenna.

KIT & GEAR MAPA GEAR

“ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION WE RECEIVED TODAY FROM SPECOPS POLAND, THE PRIME CONTRACTOR FOR THE POLISH ARMY’S FUTURE SOLDIER CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT, THE CAMO HAS BEEN DESIGNED AS A FAMILY-OF-PATTERNS AND THAT THIS IS JUST THE FIRST PROTOTYPE SO THERE MAY WELL BE SOME FURTHER TWEAKS!” The pack features a front compartment with zip closure, and multiple quick release buckles allow the backpack to be quickly dropped when required. The side compression straps allow the pack to be adapted to the size of carried kit and prevent it from shifting inside which may cause unnecessary noise, discomfort and disturbance to balance. On the front of the pack and side panels are multiple MOLLE strap attachments points, which allows for mounting various MOLLE accessories.

Durable and lightweight, the Sparrow is perfect for carrying all you need to a full days skirmishing, and serves perfectly well as a MilSim patrol pack too!

THE CAMO-ISTS TAKE

I’ve been speaking for a long while and in depth about MAPA to specialist AA contributor and fellow camo-ist Lawrence who posted some details about MAPA on his own Strike-Hold! Blog way back about the then-new pattern, and he told me: “Like it or loathe it, everybody’s into new camouflage these days. And while some countries are taking the path of least resistance and adopting MultiCam, or a derivative of it, other countries are taking a more in-depth approach. Poland is an example of the latter, although they do also seem to not be in much of a hurry about it. But perhaps the pace is about to pick up a bit on the back of the news

that there is now a new indigenous-designed pattern entering the scene.

The pattern is called MAPA (Polish for “map”) and has been scientifically designed by “ASP post-graduate Mr. Maciej Dojlitko” to specifically match the terrain and vegetation found in Poland. According to the information we received today from SPECOPS Poland, the prime contractor for the Polish Army’s Future Soldier clothing and equipment, the camo has been designed as a family-of-patterns and that this is just the first prototype so there may well be some further tweaks!”

And the tweaks have now come! It’s my opinion that these durable products in a unique and effective pattern now available to airsofters will provide the user with performance and comfort, and will allow for long-term use in any, even extreme conditions, so I am really looking forward to where things go from here!

At this time GUNFIRE have a small yet functional range of clothing and gear in the MAPA pattern which shows some exceptional design features, but we are hoping this is just the beginning! As I write samples of the clothing are inbound for us to test fully, and I’ll return with a comprehensive evaluation report at a later date. As an OPFOR player I’m looking forward to putting together a loadout based on the MAPA clothing, perhaps with a nice FB Beryl or even a MSBS Grot (if only!), that will be the equal of the Multicam hordes, so watch this space! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

39

OUTDOOR

PACKING IT IN! TACTICAL OUTDOOR DEVELOPMENT

WHY TRY TO REINVENT THE WHEEL WHEN IT’S ALREADY ROUND AND WORKS? THIS MONTH JON HANDS OVER THE TOD COLUMN TO OUR IN-HOUSE PACK EXPERT, BILL, TO RETURN TO THE CRUCIAL AREA OF WHAT PACK YOU NEED, AND WHAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR IN TERMS OF FEATURES TO CARRY YOUR SUSTAINMENT LOAD SAFELY AND SECURELY!

Image licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

I

t’s a whole new airsoft year, and this one is perhaps even more important than the many that have gone before! It finally looks like we’ve got ahead of the “covid curve” and that some normality will be returning to our lives; of course this mean that airsoft games and events will be coming back online in force, and we may even be able to travel overseas to attend the best and biggest of airsoft events again! I always get a little tingle of excitement as a whole new year beckons, and of course this summer looks to be even more exciting than usual as hopefully the lockdowns will end and we can FINALLY get back to playing at full speed… Hi-speed, lo-drag baby!

I’ve been lucky enough over the years to have played weekend games that have encompassed military training areas in the UK and USA, vast tracts of forest woodland, French mountains, and even former monastery buildings on Crete, and a good “weekender event” to me is the best possible form for an airsoft game as not only will it usually give two (or possibly even more!) full days, possibly with a night game thrown in, but it will also give me an opportunity to catch up with fellow players from different parts of the world! Stories will be told,

tactics from the day will be analysed, new kit will be discussed and rated, and new RIFs will be drooled over; it’s always great fun, especially if it’s warm and fair, and the evenings are mild.

But of course we must always be prepared for every eventuality, and the preparation of our gear, what we carry, and how we carry it must always be a primary consideration. I’m going to come straight out and say this, I’m a pack monster! Call it what you will, pack, backpack, ruc, rucsac, or load-lugger, it’s all the same to me, but in my opinion EVERY airsofter worth their salt should be able to carry all they need for a day game, and indeed if you’re into MilSim I don’t believe you can consider yourself “full on” unless you own a pack that’s able to keep you in the field for multiple days!

I worked for many years for one of the very best pack makers in the outdoor industry before I decided to devote myself entirely to airsoft and tactical, so you could say I know a thing or three about how a pack should be put together, how it should be fitted, and indeed how it should be packed and used. I’ve spent many, many days with different packs on my own back, and covered lots of miles in the wild places of the world with my life strapped to my back.

“I ALWAYS GET A LITTLE TINGLE OF EXCITEMENT AS A WHOLE NEW YEAR BECKONS, AND OF COURSE THIS SUMMER LOOKS TO BE EVEN MORE EXCITING THAN USUAL AS HOPEFULLY THE LOCKDOWNS WILL END AND WE CAN FINALLY GET BACK TO PLAYING AT FULL SPEED… HISPEED, LO-DRAG BABY!” 40

MARCH 2022

OUTDOOR TACTICAL OUTDOOR DEVELOPMENT

I’ve seen many cheap packs fail, and many people end up in a world of hurt due to this, or to poor fitment. A badly fitting back will sit wrong and lead to fatigue very quickly, and the way you carry items inside will also have a bearing, but that’s a topic for another day, and Jon and I will work on that for a future article. Choosing the best pack is a difficult and personal thing, and there is no single definitive answer as to what will be best for you, but ultimately it’s all about getting the job done safely and efficiently; there is simply “no one fits all” pack that will suit every individual or scenario, and it all really comes down to how you’re planning to use it.

LOAD UP!

As I’ve said many times before, and I’ll return to here again, for any game that’s going to involve more than you can carry in your pockets or your first and second line gear, you’re going to need a pack! Even a sustainment pack fitted to the back of your plate carrier will help, and as much as I love these, I will usually opt for a standalone pack for a number of reasons. You may think that “all packs are equal” but they actually have lots of functional differences.

I am of the opinion that even one pack will not be adequate for all scenarios, and even as a believer in “light is right” I have multiple packs for different scenarios; having two to three dedicated packs can cover you for pretty much any scenario you find yourself in, and although you can wing it with a single model, having more than one allows you more choice, and more tactical flexibility.

What I mean by this is simply how you’re going to carry your gear. At many weekenders you’ll be able to camp directly next, or at very least close to the vehicle you arrived in so you can have your kit packed and organised in a large haul bag. However, there are some games where you will crash out in

buildings onsite overnight and this will often mean that you need to carry everything on your back; indeed part of the scenario itself may involve you actually making a march in to a FOB site which will become your “home” for the duration so not only do you need to haul your gear in, but you need to keep it squared away too. Therefore your very first consideration must be some form of pack. Over the years I’ve seen some utterly terrible sights, with guys turning up for a game absolutely overloaded with goodies that they “might need”; I’m sure we’ve all seen that meme with the guy hauling the ruc that is bigger than he is and had a good laugh at that, but the truth is that there are many players out there who really shouldn’t be laughing, instead looking to their own personal admin and preparation of their load.

Are you a player that likes to cover all the bases, one that is prepared for any kind of weather that “Old Ma Nature” may throw at you, the player that’s prepared to bivvy at the drop of a hat? Are you a “lone wolf” or are you part of a team? To begin to work out what size and type of pack is right for you, first think about the following: • Fit: This is paramount to me for a tactical pack; if it weren’t I could just drag around a big old trash bag containing my worldly goods!

• Role: How you’ll use the your pack, and in what setting, can will give you an idea of the features you’ll need • Capacity: Just HOW MUCH gear are you going to be lugging (ask yourself why; do you REALLY need it all!)

• Features: How many compartments do you need, and why? How easy is the pack to access? How easy is it to dump if you need to bug out fast?

• Packs come in all sizes, absolutely humongous, big, and small, so when you’re thinking about what you need to buy, REALLY think about what you need to have in it. Can the pack swallow up a bottle of BBs, a bottle of gas, some snacks, and water for a day game? Will it be large enough to carry and extra layer and your waterproofs on a bad-weather day?

Do you need to carry any specialist items like comms and overnight equipment? Let’s look at things by size first!

• Up to 10 litres : These can be great for a skirmish game where you just need to have a few choice essentials, and are usually pretty stable as most models will be designed for

www.airsoftaction.net

41

OUTDOOR TACTICAL OUTDOOR DEVELOPMENT

•

•

hi-speed pursuits where little bulk or weight is really carried. They’re great if you can head back to the Safe Zone whenever you need to, but at any other time you’ll be wanting something bigger!

10–20 litres: This is my “go to size” if I’m going to be working close to a FOB or from vehicles, as generous re-supply will still be relatively close at hand. At the larger end of this spectrum a 20 litre pack will let you carry additional shell garments, a more substantial FAK, and more food and water so you can sustain yourself for a longer period if needed 20–50 litres: When it comes to multi-day events and scenarios then this is where I look to have enough packed on my back to last, with occasional re-supply of rations and water, for some considerable time! I’ve gone into packing lists for multi-day scenarios before, but the 40-45 litre mark is where this really clicks into gear for me; you can go smaller if you’re REALLY super-minimalist, but around 40 litres is the absolute sweet spot as far as I’m concerned!

Photo By: Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Yarbrough

STABILITY FOR THE WIN

You’ll find that many smaller, lightweight packs do an excellent job of adapting to the shape of your back, and if you’re in 0-20 litre territory you can make do with very little mechanical support as part of the pack construction. When you move up in size, and therefore potentially in the weight that you may carry though, you need a little help to get the right fit and correct support that will help you avoid discomfort and fatigue! Many mid-size packs have an internal frame that helps support the weight you’re carrying; some will have plastic parts that add lightweight structure, whilst others will make use of alloy rods or staves to support the load. Bottom line; the sturdier the frame, the more the pack, and you, can handle!

But the framework of the pack is only the beginning of getting the “fit” right, and your pack should be as individual in how it interacts with your body as you are! A good pack “fit” will give

you the correct size appropriate for your torso length (NOT your height), and will offer support via the hip belt which should be a snug fit if it’s a padded version such as those you’ll find on larger models; for the smaller, low-volume, lowweight packs the hip belt can be more minimal and is really there for stability.

You’ll find that some packs are available in multiple sizes to fit a range of torso lengths, and that ranges vary by manufacturer and by gender. While trying framepacks on, position the hip belt so the top edge is just above your hips, then look at how the shoulder straps work on your back and shoulders themselves; with no weight in the pack, the straps should sit slightly proud of your shoulders, enough that you can slip a finger beneath without feeling pressure, as when you add weight the straps will be pulled down.

If there is a big gap the pack is likely too long for you! If at all possible try on your potential new loadpartner with some weight in; most good stores will have weight bags specifically for this. Some packs feature an adjustable torso that lets you really dial-in the fit; if you struggle to find the right fit with other packs, consider one with an adjustable torso. This is also a good idea if you’ll be sharing the pack with someone too!

Hip belts on daypacks usually accommodate a wide range of hip sizes, so when trying a pack on, just make sure you can get the hip belt loose enough or snug enough to fit comfortably around your hips!

Female-specific backpacks usually have dimensions that are generally shorter than on men’s or unisex packs, and hip belts and shoulder straps that are contoured with the female form in mind. Because

“A GOOD PACK “FIT” WILL GIVE YOU THE CORRECT SIZE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR TORSO LENGTH (NOT YOUR HEIGHT) AND WILL OFFER SUPPORT VIA THE HIP BELT WHICH SHOULD BE A SNUG FIT IF IT’S A PADDED VERSION SUCH AS THOSE YOU’LL FIND ON LARGER MODELS”

42

MARCH 2022

OUTDOOR TACTICAL OUTDOOR DEVELOPMENT

women’s packs have smaller frame sizes, they often work well for youngsters too.

On a good pack you’ll find additional features that will let you get it set up specifically for you, and one to ensure that you have, whatever the size of the pack may be, is a Sternum Strap! This mid-chest strap found on most packs allows you to draw in the shoulder straps, which in turn can boost your overall carry comfort and stability. This is particularly useful on uneven terrain where an awkward step or slip could cause your pack to shift to one side and throw you even further off-balance.

FIELD READY!

In the past the majority of packs were of a toploading design, and this has been around probably since the first pack was ever made! Items that you didn’t need until you set up your camp or overnight position were stuffed deep and dark inside, with quick-access items towards the top. However, time and technology moves ever on, and just because this is the way it was done “back then” isn’t the best or most useful way now!

My access preference has been changed in recent years thanks to the arrival of packs with front-openings, sometimes called panel or “clamshell” access. This design offers a main storage compartment that is accessed via a U-shaped zipper; when fully opened, the front panel can be moved completely aside, making it far easier to load and keep organised even when you’re searching for something deep inside. In addition some packs may feature base access to the interior in addition to a top or front opening. This can (sometimes) be handy for accessing gear or clothing at the bottom of your pack without having to take everything out first, but it’s certainly not on my “must have feature” list, especially now with “clamshell” designs.

Whatever your choice for access options, and this is part of the personal aspect of your pack, there’s a few more things that you can look for to make sure you have all the features you could possibly need, and I don’t just mean extra lines of MOLLE or a big Velcro section for your team/morale patches!

USEFUL features to look for are: • Hydration Compatibilty – most good packs now have an internal sleeve so that you can slip in a hydration reservoir, along with ports for the drinking hose (also useful for comms cabling!)

• Mesh Back Panel: Some packs have a ventilated back panel made of mesh that’s constructed so the pack rides along a few inches away from you back. This allows a steady flow of air to combat getting a sweaty back, and allows breathable clothing to at least have a chance of working properly!

• Sleeping Bag Compartment – At the larger end of the Patrol pack spectrum some olderstyle top-loaders will still have zip access to a sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the pack. Frankly this is something I can do without, as my sleeping bag only ever comes out when I’m hunkering down at the end of the day!

• Raincover – If, like me, you live and play in an area where “liquid sunshine” is a regular occurrence this is a great feature to have! Trust me, most packs ARE NOT waterproof, and even if you have your gear stored in drybags, a raincover will stop the pack fabric from wetting out and gaining weight!

Whatever features you decide will be right for you will be exactly that, RIGHT for YOU, and don’t let anyone tell you that a feature is wrong if YOU find it useful! Decide what you need your pack for, what really NEEDS to go on it, and buy accordingly.

If there’s one thing to get right, it’s the fit. Don’t be swayed by a pack just because it’s in the right camo pattern to match the rest of you oh-so-gucci-gear, find one that fits you properly that you can carry all day long if you need to! As always, I’d suggest trying a pack before you buy, but once you know what you need you can buy with confidence each and every time!

My thanks go to www.military1st.co.uk for the product images shown with this article, and if you’re in need of a good pack then head on over to take a look at the extensive range they have on offer from some superb brands! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

43

THE CAGE NEW YEAR, NEW GEAR

THE CAGE:

NEW YEAR...

NEW GEAR!

EVERYONE LOVES A NEW LOADOUT, OR AT THE VERY LEAST ADDING THE FINISHING TOUCHES OR ENHANCEMENTS TO AN EXISTING ONE! WE’RE OFF AND RUNNING AGAIN AND ALREADY PLANNING FOR GAMES AND EVENTS AHEAD THIS YEAR, SO IT’S TIME TO CHECK IN WITH THE AA LEGION AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE PLANNED FOR 2022!

C

’mon, who amongst us doesn’t like planning a new loadout? We all have that “dream kit” that we would love to own, and even if we already own it, new developments and new kit means that we can update what we have already!

It may be that you’ve seen a new TV show or movie and liked the kit that you see there, or perhaps it’s a single image from the news that’s caught your attention. Bottom line is that suddenly you look at your existing kit and think “oh boy, what if I had THAT to add to it???” It might be a new game that fires you up, as BPRE (featured in our crossover article this month) has done for me, and made me hanker for a righteous “Team Scorch” loadout with NVGs and all (jeez, I already have most of it and a BCM MCMR!!!), or indeed the release of a new pattern like MAPA… whatever may fire your imagination IS doable for an airsoft loadout, so what’s stopping you?

If you’re anything like me then it’s one thing that bars all my airsoft kit dreams, and that’s simply

money! Realistically all of us mere mortals are constrained by real life; we have mortgages and rent to pay, a car to keep running, and food to put on the table. We may have other hobbies that eat into our budgets too… I mean, who doesn’t need just one more snowboard? We have families to look out for, and even for you singletons there are still many, many demands to be met when the monthly paycheck comes in.

So, what to do? If you’re really into your airsoft then loadouts can be long-drawn-out affairs, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you want something to be realistic then you’re going to need to invest in the right, and here I mean real, kit where it’s legally available to you, so it’s worth saving up for.

Some of us have loadouts that even after many years are not “complete”, and I wonder in some cases if they ever will be!

If, after nearly twenty-eight years (this coming November!) of being involved with this wonderful

“IF, AFTER NEARLY TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS (THIS COMING NOVEMBER!) OF BEING INVOLVED WITH THIS WONDERFUL THING KNOWN AS AIRSOFT THERE IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU IT’S THIS… TAKE YOUR TIME, GET IT RIGHT…”

46

MARCH 2022

THE CAGE NEW YEAR, NEW GEAR

thing known as airsoft there is one piece of advice I can give you it’s this… take your time, get it right… I would say buy right and buy once, but again if you’re anything like me you’ll get it wrong so many times it’s embarrassing, but again I guess that’s part of the learning curve.

Work out what you want to create in your loadout, and even if it’s not a living-history-standard “impression”, make sure that what you put together 100% works for you. Try things, beg and borrow, (but never steal!) and work out just what YOU need.

If you’re going “Team Six” then nail it down to the very last detail, but if you’re going for what works then there is no “wrong kit solution”, and if what you choose makes you comfortable and more effective as a player, then go to it.

Personally, apart from having a crack at a BPRE loadout and creating a new set of OPFOR gear around the new MAPA gear I am STILL working on my MCBLK loadout… it’s NEARLY there, but then I say that time and again, and keep on adding to it and changing elements out. I can run pretty much any platform now, but I still need a decent set of belt kit, and of course I am bound to spot something “Gucci” that of course I really, REALLY need, aren’t I?

It’s airsoft… and it NEVER stops!!!

TEAM TALK

So, with all of those comments in mind, I asked the Legion “Have you planned, or are you planning a new loadout for 2022? If yes, what is it? If no, and you’re going to run and gun another year with what you already have, what do you intend to add to your existing favourite loadout this year to take it to the next level?” and this is what they had to tell me!

Jase: I did indeed plan for the 2022! I already have my kit sorted, a TMC JPC 2.0 and panel, MP7 with mags and accessories; in short, nothing more nedded than the new PC on order to shoulder the weapon systems I use to a more comfortable position. My 2022 is sorted!

Chris: In the planning stage; current Issue Australian Defense Force AMCU camo uniform to accompany the up and coming KWA F90, because being an ADF collector I feel it’s needed to have some of the newer kit. I only have the helmet cover at the mo (which alongside the plate carrier is the hardest and most expensive bit to get hold of!). I think pigs may fly by the time I get the AMCU vest and pouches so Multicam will have to be a stand in (fine for an earlier issue look).

Work In Progress... kit worn by Aussie Commando and Counter Insurgency specialist “H”! The mix of camo peaked my interest, I then did some research into his operational history, the bloke is a machine!

It’s about 75% complete with boots, vest, Headset/ PTT and Surefire 6p being needed to finish it. Also WIP: Australian Infantry in Afghanistan circa 2014; the uniform is the Aussie-made multicam (AMC) pattern with Tan TBAS plate carrier and various pouches, and a nice touch is the older DPCU helmet cover. This loadout

“W IN PROGESS... KIT WORN BY AUSSIE COMMANDO AND COUNTER INSURGENCY SPECIALIST “H”!

THE MIX OF CAMO PEAKED MY INTEREST, I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH INTO HIS OPERATIONAL HISTORY, THE BLOKE IS A MACHINE!”

www.airsoftaction.net

47

THE CAGE NEW YEAR, NEW GEAR

is about 98% complete. I’m waiting on the vest and pouches to arrive then maybe look into getting a backpack, then and I’ll call it done.

Boycie: My plan for 2022 is to try to get out to actually play a game day for the first time in nearly four years, rather than working at them! Since Covid landed, and the things that have arisen from that, the shape of my weekends has changed somewhat. I now have a regular job on Sundays so that counts out visiting a lot of sites around me as they only open on a Sunday. I’m hoping that occasionally I’ll be able to get out to a site on a Saturday, when family time allows.

Loadout-wise, I’m actually reducing my kit substantially and am likely to keep only my black First Tactical clothing, a pair of grey trousers and my Red Cell UBACS, allied with my Templars Gear TPC and belt kit (seen in the pics of the MPX in the latest issue of AA). The rig and belt kit will be pretty much able to take any of the magazines I may need for my playing.

I will also combine my Black FT Defender Shirt, or Red 48

MARCH 2022

Cell UBACS with a pair of Clawgear Tactical Jeans to give yet another “look” if I want something different.

RIF wise, I am also reducing my collection down to 2-3 AEGs and a couple of pistols. For the amount I get to play I really don’t need the large collection, as nice as it is (said no airsofter, EVER!!!)

Stewbacca: With the potential release this year of VFC’s much awaited LAR/FAL GBBR, which was originally murmured about for the tail end of last year and which I enjoyed using the functional prototype of at MOA2020, I considered returning to my family roots with a mid-70s L1A1 based loadout. While it’s understandably potentially contentious for some, it is still part of our history and obviously close to my heart and own origins as pops would regale me of his experiences fielding the right arm of the free world on ranges, guard duty and when working around RAF Aldergrove... So I had my sister send me out a simple triple pouch 58 pattern webbing belt kit as an Xmas present already, and will look to source some period gear to go with it. I did also consider a “Siege of Jadotville” Republic of Ireland kit for balance’s sake, and because it’s an awesome film and an equally important historic tale from the other side of the border.

Having also recently acquired an L85 GBBR and handling the Lee Enfield SMLE from S&T at Hooha 26, I’m considering doing a few periods of British service loadouts. In Taiwan I’ve never really bothered with any camo or impressions thus far due to the climate and lack of need to due to my previously largely indoor play. However, since joining team TaiJi we play outdoors a lot and I need both a team AOR2 camo setup whenever I can find it in my size, but also doing some home or local service gear to go with the array of relevant rifles I have might be good.

Miguel: In my case it’s hard to start a new loadout, being part of a team that follows some rules in that regard. Sure, in practices we are free to use what we want, so this year I’ll being using a ATACS FG loadout with OD gear, I want to see how effective it is on our woods!

Robbie: Miguel, that all looks nice, I’ll take a set of that! If all goes well I’d like to get into some Three Gun locally and with that a matching setup for airsoft training. As for my actual kit, I could make claims, but it will be like every new year and squirrel! Ooops sorry, it will be random as always. Desires... tac pants, and a nice tactical fleece. More eyepro dual purpose. I am due for new boots! Hey shiny stuff... oh sorry what was the question again. Oh Yes... stuff. Yes. BUT ... I want to get the new Sionyx when they arrive…

Dan: More of the “gun front” for me really; I

THE CAGE NEW YEAR, NEW GEAR

picked up a PKM from a friend for an unbelievably good price this year, so that’s going to be my upcoming project build. I’ve never actually fielded an LMG / GPMG myself, so this will be an interesting change of pace. As I am a veritable Hobbit, I will be doing a fair number of modifications to it, with the goal of shortening it up substantially and trimming as much fat and weight off the assembly as possible.

I’ll also be ‘maxing’ out the internal build as well.

The impression scene has never really been much of a thing locally, and I’m not on a team, so other than adhering to field limits on velocity (450 FPS here for LMG / GPMG class) I have a lot of latitude with what I can build.

I’ve got no real plans to change my LBE setup.

That’s the same base rig (Tactical Tailor MAV with X-Harness) I’ve been rocking since my eraly days nearly twenty years ago now. It’s attained “bombproof” status in my book and using anything else feels like a sin lol. I’ve got a 2nd identical MAV that I am going to finish out as my lightweight sniper rig for my Real Sword SVD. I’d like to find some modern single-cell Kydex pouches or maybe an improved MOLLE pouch for the SVD mags. Still on the hunt for something there…

Related on the sniper front, I’ve sort of taken an interest in maybe picking up a spring gun to fiddle with. I’ve been tuning up an S&T Kar98K for a friend and just drilled and tapped the receiver so I could install this Ares ZF39 scope for his build. Seems like it would be a fun setup to play with, so one might find its way into my collection with some associated gear… might… lol.

Jimmy: Oh man where do I start? My appetite for gucci gear is increasing which means the cost of gear goes up dramatically. I’m one who is never quite happy and there is always something new

popping up that I need, yes need. I want to finish my “Cold war” gear and my FBI HRT ranger green loadout, I need a full as close as the real thing CTSFO loadout, black SWAT loadout, MC BLK loadout, and a Russian GopTac setup. I’m gonna need a lot of stuff to complete it all. My multicam loadout is complete and I’m pretty happy with that, but you can bet your life I will alter it in some way. To have a selection of loadouts for me is important due to my vast collection of RIFs, I like to match a RIF with a particular uniform/ loadout. Loadouts serve a purpose and work well in the environments they were designed for as does the weapon, so I feel it fitting to match everything together Iggy: At present I am still running a PMC loadout and only plan on adding a scrote pouch to the front of my 5.11 all missions plate carrier. The reason I don’t plan on many changes is the team I’m with tend to be “red” or PMC. Of course I do have my MTP and Multicam stuff but I keep that for airsoft in New Zealand and the UK whenever I can get there! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

49

RED CELL SUB MACHINEGUNS

RED CELL SUB MACHINE GUNS

JUST LIKE MANY OF OUR FELLOW PLAYERS AROUND THE WORLD, RED CELL ARE LITERALLY CHAMPING AT THE BIT TO GET BACK OUT FOR FULL RANGE DAYS AGAIN, AND WE SINCERELY HOPE THAT THIS IS THE LAST REPORT WE’LL HAVE TO BRING IN WHILST SEPARATED! HOWEVER, WITH A DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE BASED ON HARD GAME USE, YOU MIGHT SAY WE KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT SMGS, AND AS USUAL BILL KICKS THINGS OFF!

A

h, the Sub Machinegun, or SMG, is a subject I never tire of talking about! I guess I come from a slightly different timeline from many of you reading this, and I grew up reading “Victor, Warlord, Battle/Action” and “Commando” comics where the hero of the piece would undoubtedly have a Thompson, a STEN gun, or an MP40 in hand during their adventures! The SMG was “THE THING” for many of my age and it’s something that I carried all the way through my earliest airsoft games in the form of an MP5 from numerous brands!

But the tale of the SMG is a long one! I would argue that the very first of what we would refer to as the “modern military SMG” was the MP 18 manufactured by Theodor Bergmann Abteilung Waffenbau that was brought into service in 1918 by

the German Army during World War I as the primary weapon of the “Sturmtruppen”, the specialised German WWI trench assault groups. Up until then infantry combat was traditionally “ranged” and the bolt-action rifle was the king of the battlefield, but the bloody and gruesome, often hand to hand combat seen within the close-confines of trench systems called for something smaller, and with a higher rate of fire… the term “trench broom” which referred to shotguns, fully-automatic carbines, and eventually the Bergmann SMG was coined for a reason!

WWII saw most armies still largely armed with those bolt-action rifles, and the .303 SMLE did sterling service against the venerable 7.92×57mm Kar98k, but the with the “Blitzkrieg” came a new, fast-moving type of land warfare fought from the backs of vehicles

“I GREW UP READING “VICTOR, WARLORD, BATTLE/ACTION” AND “COMMANDO” COMICS WHERE THE HERO OF THE PIECE WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE A THOMPSON, A STEN GUN, OR AN MP40 IN HAND DURING THEIR ADVENTURES! ” 50

MARCH 2022

RED CELL SUB MACHINEGUNS

development process.

H&K looked at the that required more easily carried, fast-firing sub-machine guns with effective riflemen and LMG gunners in support; far from the days of the “Sturmtruppen” being over when trench warfare ceased to be the norm, the soldiers of a new war were confronted with fighting in towns and cities, and the “weapons mix” was chosen accordingly.

WWII was surely the “War of the SMG”, and whilst the Germans were again at the forefront with the excellent MP38/MP40, the Allied forces soon followed with the likes of the Thompson, the STEN, the Owen Gun and PPSh-41, and of course the M3A1 “Grease Gun”.

Even during the Cold War years the “battle rifle” still ruled the roost initially with those self-same boltactions, and then with the likes of the FN FAL, L1A1 SLR, G3, M14 and of course the AK47/AKM and the sub-machine gun largely fulfilled the role of

“Individual Defence Weapon” or IDW for the likes of signallers, engineers, drivers, and support personnel. Whilst, for instance, the British had the Sterling and the M3 was still seen in the hands of some American rear echelon personnel, once again the Germans went their own way with the MP5.

During the early to mid-1960s it became apparent to security forces worldwide that the rise in terrorist atrocities was a trend that they had to counter and for this reason many police and military units started the hunt for a lightweight, accurate, pistol calibre sub-machine gun. The Germans of course had a bit of a history with SMGs and “machine pistols” and two companies, Carl Walther Waffenfabrik in Ulman-Donau and Heckler and Koch (H&K) GmBH in Obendorf-am-Necker were at the forefront of the

successful G3 rifle designs, and then adapted things so make use of the 9×19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge.

The MP5 was created within this group of firearms and was initially known as the HK54.

First created in 1964, the H&K MP5 was developed as a pistol-calibre, blowback operated roller-locked member of the H&K weapons system, and in 1966 it was officially adopted by the German Federal Police, border guard and army special forces.

Still regarded of as one of the most reliable and effective submachine guns in the world after more than fifty years has seen the MP5 become the choice of the worlds’ most famous elite anti-terrorist, special operations and special law enforcement organisations. While more modern

submachine guns have been designed since the introduction of the MP5 it is still the user’s choice when lives are at stake.

But times they continue to be a’changin’, and whilst the SMG world has largely cooled, the development of IDW/PDW platforms has grown hotter and hotter!

The terminology began to change, and in the 1990’s the term “PDW” began to crop up more and more when it came to fully-automatic small calibre firearms, and in 1991 the FN P90 appeared, featuring an unusual design with a futuristic appearance. A simple blow-back automatic weapon, it was designed to fire the FN 5.7×28mm cartridge which could penetrate soft body armour, and was designed to have a length no greater than a man’s shoulder width, to allow it to be easily carried and manoeuvred in tight spaces, such as the inside of

“IT BECAME APPARENT TO SECURITY FORCES WORLDWIDE THAT THE RISE IN TERRORIST ATROCITIES WAS A TREND THAT THEY HAD TO COUNTER AND FOR THIS REASON MANY POLICE AND MILITARY UNITS STARTED THE HUNT FOR A LIGHTWEIGHT, ACCURATE, PISTOL CALIBRE SUB-MACHINE GUN. ” www.airsoftaction.net

51

RED CELL SUB MACHINEGUNS

a vehicle.

Form a firearms historian’s perspective, a few years later Parker-Hale unveiled an interesting and dedicated personal defence weapon in 1999. The Parker-Hale PDW (a reworking of the Bushman Ltd IDW) was designed as a multi-purpose weapon that could take on a number of roles. Primarily it was designed as a super-compact submachine gun, but it could also be used as a handgun, a marksman weapon or a light support weapon. It was very much intended to be the ultimate “SF” weapon. It was tested by the British Army and Special Forces, and again showed signs of promise, but Parker Hale hit financial trouble and was bought out, ceasing all firearms manufacture; sadly all work on the PDW was brought to an indefinite standstill, and never resumed.

In 2001, the Heckler & Koch MP7 was introduced as a direct rival to the FN P90, and this has gone on to become another iconic firearm. Featuring a more conventional looking design, the MP7 uses a short stroke piston gas system as used on H&K’s G36 and HK416 assault rifles, in place of a blowback system traditionally seen on sub-machine guns. The MP7 is able to use 20, 30 and 40round magazines and fires 4.6×30mm ammunition which again can penetrate

52

MARCH 2022

soft body armour. Due to the heavy use of polymers in its construction, the MP7 is much lighter than older SMG designs, weighing only 1.2 kg (2.65 lb) with an empty 20 round magazine.

Though personal defence weapons, and indeed a couple of models here could fall into the cloudy area between SMG and PDW/PCC, they have not proved to be drastically different from the “old skool SMG” in terms of their use, they have been acquired by many special forces and law enforcement groups as direct replacements for older models due to their ability to counter threats using body armour. However, this is far from the end of the story as the Pistol Calibre Carbine or PCC has become the civilian firearm – owner’s friend, and is carrying 9mm into its next iteration!!

THE LOWDOWN

It’s interesting to note here that amongst Red Cell there are some real SMG fans, including me, so we’ve distilled our joint experiences to compile this report on some of the models that we own ourselves. Full Range Days are once again on the cards as the situation continues to change in relation to C-19 restrictions,

RED CELL SUB MACHINEGUNS

and as “The Cell” enters its second full year of group tests, like you, we are very much looking forward to this. For now though, let’s crack on and talk in more depth about the models we’ve agreed on amongst us Boycie: I’ve had a G&G SMC-9 for a while and have been impressed with the way it handles and feels in the hand. For me, carrying pistol-sized mags and running on the semionly mode is the way to go but with the option to go full auto when needed is good.

I prefer the semi-only as I can get two fills of BBs with one fill of gas so all I need to do is carry a speedloader or two just in case I begin to run low. The range, for me and my style of play, is great and it handles my favourite .28’s with ease.

I’ve owned an EVO a few years ago, and at the time it was one of the most fun SMGs I ran. Again pistol-ish sized mags so I could carry 6-9 “lo-caps” depending on the site and games. I never got one of the hi-caps as I enjoyed the reloading and didn’t want to be carrying a tactical maraca when it started to run a bit low. If I needed more ammo I would use pistol mag size speedloaders as those could be emptied in to two standard mags and then would not be the source of a rattle after use. Accuracy and ROF was plenty for me in out of the box.

One of the ‘had to haves’ in the past, I loved the MP5 as the mags (4) would fit in M4 type pouches and as I preferred to use either lo-cap (50) or mid-cap (100) mags this worked well.

Back in the day I ran 9.6v NiMH 1600mAH on all standard internals and it would acquit itself well against the “opposition”. The “K” was another favourite for me as it was so compact.

My go to mag for this was the short K mag and I’d carry 4 (3+1) then 3 or 4 mid-cap (100’s) on a belt. Again running 9.6v NiMH 1600mAH, whilst the range wasn’t fantastic, I really enjoyed getting closer, sneaky beaky style, to get the hits than standing off at longer range.

I’m still to field the new SIGAIR MPX but in range practice and testing I’m really liking this AEG now that I have changed the spring and motor. The max range that I’ve been able to shoot over so far is about 40m and she’s sending the .28’s straight and level to that and likely more. Normally I find that a hop rubber change is needed in all AEGs to suit the UK www.airsoftaction.net

53

RED CELL SUB MACHINEGUNS

JG WORKS JG069 MP5 Price: iro UK£70.00 Age: Two Years Weight: 1725g Length: 735mm (Stock Collapsed) Magazine Capacity: 240 BBs (Mid and Realcaps available) Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Taclite Compatibility: Dedicated Suppressor Compatibilty: Dedicated, or buy the SD6!

Available From: www.taiwangun.com ELITE FORCE (UMAREX) H&K UMP Price: iro UK£155.00 Age: Two Years Weight: 2075g Length: 450mm/680mm Magazine Capacity: 400 BBs (Midcaps available) Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: Dedicated Supplied By: www.gunfire.com G&G SMC9 GBB Price: iro £UK£285.00 Age: One Year Weight: 2125g Length: 420mm/630mm Magazine Capacity: Gas, 50 BBs Cold Chrono: 1.04 Joule/335fps Hot Chrono: 1.04 Joule/335fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.guay2.com G&G PCC45 Price: iro UK£290.00 Age: 1 Year Weight: 2500g Length: 500mm/735mm Magazine Capacity: 110 BB (Mid and Hicaps available) Cold Chrono: 1.04 Joule/335fps (after spring change) Hot Chrono: 1.04 Joule/335fps (after spring change) Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.guay2.com TOKYO MARUI MP7A1 GBB Price: iro UK£295.00 Age: New Weight: 2200g Length: 381mm/586mm Magazine Capacity: 40BBs Cold Chrono: 0.95 Joule/320fps Hot Chrono: 0.92 Joule/315fps Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: Dedicated Available From: www.alphadeltaairsoft.com

54

MARCH 2022

RED CELL SUB MACHINEGUNS

ASG SCORPION EVO A1 Price: iro UK3330.00 Age: Three Years Weight: 2300g Length: 425mm/625mm Magazine Capacity: 75BBs (Hicaps available) Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: Dedicated Supplied By: www.actionsportgames.com KRYTAC KRISS VECTOR Price: iro UK£440.00 Age: New Weight: 2600g Length: 665mm Magazine Capacity: 95BBs Cold Chrono: 1.12 Joule/348fps Hot Chrono: 1.12 Joule/348fps Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Available From: www.landwarriorairsoft.com SIG AIR MPX Price: iro UK£330.00 Age: New Weight: 2540g Length: 635mm (stock collapsed) Magazine Capacity: 100BBs Cold Chrono: 0.92 Joule/315fps Hot Chrono: 0.89 Joule/310fps Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Available From: www.redwolfairsoft.com S&T AIRSOFT AVENGER BIZON Price: iro UK£220.00 Age: Three Years Weight: 2900g Length: 485mm (Stock Folded) Magazine Capacity: 300 BBs Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps Taclite Compatibility: None Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Supplied By: www.nuprol.com LCT PP19 Price: iro UK£400.00 Age: Four Years Weight: 3220g Length: 480mm/705mm Magazine Capacity: 50 BBs Cold Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps Hot Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps Taclite Compatibility: None Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Available From: www.fire-support.co.uk

www.airsoftaction.net

55

RED CELL SUB MACHINEGUNS

limits and climate but in this particular platform this hasn’t been the case yet. Running at an average of 330fps on .20’s it’s the ROF, which now she has a Warhead Motor fitted, has brought the previously lacklustre performance to a whole new level of performance. I really like the 100 BB mags that come with the MPX and when they’re available as spares I’ll definitely be getting more.

Stewbacca: I had the Marui MP7 AEP way back in the late 00s when I was still playing at the likes of Proteus; it was an entertaining sidearm with reasonable reliability and useful range for a first of its kind that was rushed to market to the point they infamously under-scaled it by about 20-25% due to a lack of reference materials to work from. Obviously it was somewhat hampered by a small gearbox and battery space, but was ideal for snipers who wanted a within MED backup that wasn’t a has pistol.

As for the JG MP5 series I’ve mentioned before my love of both the A4 and J versions I had which were just as good as Marui to my mind, for 2/3rds the price.

Hours of reliable fun and ease of use by the many smaller-statured “noobs” I took along!

Jimmy: I was never really into the whole SMG thing being a lover of an AR. AR, aka assault rifles, took

56

MARCH 2022

the place of the SMG for many reasons. The need to the use of SMG has decreased largely due to the fact an AR was a more effective platform, especially in SBR form. The concept of war had altered massively seeing battles fought over greater distances and the AR was able to give the user much more effective range and stopping power over those distances.

SMG’s are still used today by Special Ops units and used predominantly for close quarters, which is, as Bill said in his opener, what they were initially designed for. The SMG was invented back at the beginning of the 20th century when battles were fought in the trenches so engagement distances were very close indeed. Anyhoo I’m getting sidetracked…

With all that I’ve said in praise of the AR, to date I currently own four SMGs, each sporting their own characteristics and features. I have in my armoury; • Umarex Ares UMP45 • ASG CZ Scorpion EVO A1 • Krytac Kriss Vector • G&G PCC45 There is one thing all of these have in common and that is something I know a lot of airsofters gripe about and that is lack of battery space. SMG’s are inherently a smaller platform which makes life a little difficult

RED CELL SUB MACHINEGUNS

as to where to place the batteries but we carry on regardless praying that a wire hasn’t been nicked or a battery hasn’t been compromised while cramming them into the reduced compartments.

I have had the UMP45 for quite some time now and it has seen much use but still it’s labouring on. It gets a fair bit of attention when on site as not many have seen an EBB version and I have actually had a few offers to buy from players, which exceeds the original retail price. “No I am not selling!”

This platform although full polymer is a very solid piece of kit I must say and sports the HK trademarks.

While I’m not really that fussed about trades it is a nice little touch. Another thing it comes with which other brands don’t include is the metal 14mm threaded outer barrel allowing you to pick and choose your suppressors. It has a working charging handle making hop adjustments a tad easier. One thing that drew me too this particular model was the blowback feature it makes a very distinctive and very satisfying noise when operated.

Having the EFCS system makes it work perfectly; okay, it has a slightly long trigger pull but it just works and guaranteed no mechanical lock up when spamming in semi-auto. Due to the EFCS it comes with 4 selectable fire modes; safe, semi, two round burst and full auto. It has one small flaw with the fire select you need to be very careful when selecting burst as there is a very fine line between semi and full so you sometimes over-select and get full auto.

“OOTB” it was putting out around 300fps which for a CQB platform is perfect in my opinion. Two gripes I found with it is battery space (I will mention that a lot) and top rail. There isn’t much real estate around four inches of rail so you’re very limited as to where your sights sit, but other than that I love the UMP45 and if you are lucky enough to find any left in stock anywhere, it’s seriously worth buying.

Moving forward the Krytac Kriss Vector; once a hater of this gun I eventually succumbed, was it temptation? Was it pressure? Actually it was neither, the fact we got sent the new Vector Perun was the reason for this purchase. Overtime I’m sure I will come to appreciate it. To look at it, it is a bit of a lump to be fair but ignore the looks for a minute because it works incredibly well and unlike the A&K version it isn’t front heavy. Being Krytac it isn’t a cheap piece

but you are buying quality. I tried real hard to find fault but the only fault I could find was battery space.

This is a major flaw there is no way you can fit an amply powered 11.1v battery and fit the bottom cap.

You are forced to buy the extension (Airtech Solutions) which isn’t a great deal of money but why should we have to they could have just made the grip two inches longer?

Performance-wise there was no issue at all, using a 20c 11.1v gave a healthy ROF, nothing crazy but acceptably around 17rps and due to the electronic trigger board offered a nice response on semi with quite a short trigger pull. It is a perfect CQB tool sporting a short barrel, but I must say range was pretty good at around 45mtrs it was pretty accurate and easily lifted a 0.28g BB. Velocity is a respectable 330fps. I haven’t had the Vector for long and haven’t managed to field test it properly but from the testing I have done I am impressed with it and now having installed the new Perun I am itching to get it out!

Finally the ASG Scorpion EVO, probably one of the best things ASG have produced to date in my eyes and it is a very popular platform indeed although not without flaws. I have the A1 version, so the very short model. This has seen a fair bit of use so I am pretty familiar with it and I have only found three little problems here. Again battery space is quite limited; ASG have made a battery for the EVO although it is quite a tight fit. The hop adjuster isn’t great, it doesn’t offer much adjustment and it’s difficult to get your fingers in to get to the tiny wheel; several options are available to make life easier but from other manufacturers who realised this flaw.

ASG have designed an aftermarket hop unit but hearing from others experiences with these it is very hit and miss as to whether or not it works properly.

The ambi selector can be a pain especially when you’re mid use and you accidentally hit the selector while firing. When holding the grip the selector actually sits right on top of your trigger finger. An easy solution is just to remove it and fit the cover which is optional.

Problems aside it operates flawlessly. Having an electronic trigger system you have four fire modes, safe, semi, 3rd burst and full auto, sadly though no programmability. There’s a very light trigger pull and fairly short travel makes for a very responsive action

“THERE’S A VERY LIGHT TRIGGER PULL AND FAIRLY SHORT TRAVEL MAKES FOR A VERY RESPONSIVE ACTION AND GIVEN IT IS POWERED BY AN ASG BASIC 18K MOTOR ON 11.1V IT SPINS PRETTY QUICK WITH A TOF AROUND 18RPS. ” www.airsoftaction.net

57

RED CELL SUB MACHINEGUNS

and given it is powered by an ASG Basic 18k motor on 11.1v it spins pretty quick with a TOF around 18rps.

Standard mags are only 90 BBs and they empty pretty rapidly to where the EVO will stop alerting you to reload! After inserting a mag you need to hit the cutoff switch in order to fire again, and I have forgotten about this a few times… ‘DOH’. Overall the body is pretty rigid for a full polymer platform with only minor wobble on the stock at full extent.

Jase: For many many years I wanted to own an SMG and the MP5 was top of the list. As a kid growing up the MP5 was very much in the limelight from previous famous military operations as the storming of the Iranian Embassy in London where the SAS used in MP5 in that scenario. From then it was ingrained in my mind and that I must have one of these once I started playing Airsoft. Not only do I have a love for the MP5 but I now have a massive admiration for the MP7 as I think it’s a fantastically versatile platform that can be used very well in many an airsoft game!

The MP5 has been a lockdown project which has been worked on closely with some of the Red Cell members and is a dream build for myself. It has a Jefftron Leviathan inside with a tight bore barrel and upgraded bucking. It was running a Warhead motor but due to the speed that the Warhead ran at it was decided best to change out for a slightly less highspeed motor for this application before it chewed itself up. Being a custom build this example fires very well and on a good day with no wind can easily hit a target at 50m. Before customisation, this AEG started out as a JG Sportline, basic but reliable, on the range fresh out of the box it was grouping well and being able to pick one of these up for less than UK£130 at the time, why wouldn’t you??

The latest addition to my arsenal is the Tokyo Marui MP7. I’ve wanted one of these MP7’s for some time. I have added a Vector optic, WADSN DBAL and taclite.

The DBAL and taclite are both operated from a pressure switch on the left-hand side of the firearm. Because this is so new to me I haven’t been able to hit the field with it as yet, but it has been tested and it does fire very accurately at 45m.

So far I’ve gone through about 15 mags and it’s not missed a beat since I’ve set it up. These short weapon systems are brilliant in CQB environments because both are ace at quick target acquisition and rate of fire.

Bill: Over the years SMGs have come 58

MARCH 2022

and gone from my personal armoury, with everything from WWII STENs, “Grease Guns” and MP40s to Spectres and Macs, Sterlings and MP9s, and now the excellent G&GSMC9 which I completely adore (full review in Issue 112!)! There have been many, many MP5s from the “K” to the SD6, electric and gas, that have graced my collection, and all of them have performed well-enough to keep me playing both home and abroad. But what is it that makes the MP5 such a favourite of mine, and a bit of a “must have” for any airsofter? The simple reason is that it has some serious “provenance”, being used by military and police forces worldwide, has appeared in the hands of many screen “action heroes” and of course was the firearm carried by the SAS during Operation NIMROD in 1980; yes, yes, I know I say this whenever I mention the MP5, but when you saw it happen live on TV as a kid, it tends to stick with you! It’s also been used by the USN SEAL Teams, GSG-9 and virtually every special operations unit in the western world, and even today we still see the MP5 in the hands of our firearms trained police officers.

The fact is that the little MP5 in all its various guises still ticks almost every box you can imagine, and that’s probably why it still ranks as a “first buy” for many new airsofters. Spare parts, upgrade parts, magazines and a whole host of accessories means that your MP5 can be as individual as you are, so when it comes to simple AEGs, in my mind the MP5 is undoubtedly the “daddy”, and that’s coming from a man with an AK addiction worthy of Mikhail himself! I’ve tried many brands and models, and to be honest the simple and cheap JGs have always served me well.

I was privileged to have one of the very first ASG Scorpion EVOs in the UK, and I’ve seen this little beauty rise and continue rising! Since ASG released

RED CELL SUB MACHINEGUNS

their original CZ EVO in 2015 it has proved to be a massive success with airsofters all over the world, even generating its own online fan page! But just as with CZ in the world of real firearms things moved on and ASG updated their range; the EVO 3 B.E.T. was the first AEG built specially to use LiPo or LiFE batteries.

With the use of an ULTIMATE basic motor, high quality wiring and an electronic control unit (ECU), the EVO 3 A1 is also the first AEG born to use 7.4V LiPo batteries right out of the box.

In use the EVO is a tremendous replica too; it’s very light at just 2530g, and even with the stock fully extended it’s only 870mm long! A 6.03mm precision inner barrel fitted as standard ensures great accuracy.

The battery compartment is accessed by removing the B.E.T. which allows the whole front end to slide forward and the battery to be inserted. Unlike the tight compartment of the original SMG the carbines will allow you to fit many more shapes and sizes of battery, although you still need to be careful whilst doing this as the cocking handle is not retained and has a slightly annoying habit of flying out. This is a VERY minor niggle as the overall design is superb, with excellent performance to match!

Of course it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t mention a couple of OPFOR models, now would it? Quirky and distinctive, the S&T Bizon is actually one of my favourite “sneaky beaky” SMGs! The Bizon for me is the ideal platform I would want for a more “covert” role in an airsoft game due to the fact that it is easily concealable, and that the “helical” magazine makes it far more streamlined and less likely to catch on outer clothing or straps inside a pack. The “Sportline” Bizon also weighs in at just 4050g so it’s perfect for carrying all day long!

The Bizon is capable of semi and full auto fire, with a typical AK-type safety with the lever on the right side of the receiver. Although plastic the sturdy skeletonized buttstock folds to the left side when not needed, but you can’t lock it in this position as the magazine fouls this; I will say here that sturdy as the stock is I wouldn’t want to take a tumble on it.

As a so-called “Sportline” I wasn’t expecting superb performance from the little Bizon out of the box, but oh my, how things move on! Once upon a time you’d be “fettling” any entry-level AEG to get it anywhere near full performance, but the Bizon has a smooth operation and performance came as a bit of a shock; load it up with BBs and with an 11.1 Stick LiPo and it will deliver a consistent and site-friendly 340fps, and it kicks BBs out to well over 50m too!

And to conclude I’ll return to one of my favourite manufacturers of OPFOR goodness, and again of

course, that’s LCT and their excellent PP-19-01 “Vityaz”! LCT offer products that are not only unique and well-priced in the main, but also reliable in performance and solid in build quality. Their take on the Vityaz features a very high-quality external build, utilising 9mm bearings, a 22000rpm motor, a brass, chrome-plated cylinder, and both the cylinder and piston heads are CNC Aluminium Alloy. The wiring throughout is, as usual for LCT, high quality 18AWG, which will give good, reliable long-term performance.

Having now had quite a lot of experience with LCTs AEGs, and more than happy with their tank-like build, I had high expectations for the PP-19-01; once again LCT recommend a 11.1v Li-Po as the power source for this AEG, and as usual it’s a tight fit given that the battery sits under the top cover. At chrono you’ll get a mean of 330fps using .20g BBs; all LCT replicas are in fact downgraded by the factory in Changhua to UK legal specification and tested before they are shipped.

Accuracy-wise it’s brilliant at CQB distances, and that’s of course what it was designed for, and now it’s properly bedded in it’s no slouch at 40-50m either!

It’s an absolute cracker of an SMG, and if you fancy the idea of an AK variant, but want something that’s a little unique, different and thoroughly up to date then the Vityaz could be just the thing you’ve been searching for!! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

59

www.kydexcustomsuk.com

UK-BASED KYDEX HOLSTERS AND EQUIPMENT Manufacturer of products for police, military and airsofters around the world!

-

Holsters Light-Bearing Holsters Magazine Carriers Magazine Inserts Grenade Carriers Radio Carriers Shotgun Carriers Knife sheaths

WORLDWIDE SHIPPING AVAILABLE sales@kydexcustomsuk.com @kydexcustumsuk Kydex Customs

TECHNICAL ENDEX: TIPS FOR NEW YEAR MAINTENANCE

TIPS FOR NEW YEAR MAINTENANCE

GETTING YOUR GAME ON IS GENERALLY A SIMPLE THING IF YOU KEEP YOUR GEAR SQUARED AWAY AND CLEAN, AND TAKING TIME TO PREP IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING IN OUR OPINION! AS A WHOLE NEW YEAR OF AIRSOFT BECKONS, DAN TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING DO KEEP YOUR SHOOTING PLATFORMS AND GEAR IN TIP-TOP, BATTLE-READY CONDITION!

A

s the deep cold is settling in here in our northern state of the USA , airsoft similarly grinds to a freezing halt and most of us in this climate shelve our guns till the return of warmer days.

In this wintery slow-down period, I always take the opportunity to do some basic year-end maintenance of my guns and gear to keep things in tip-top shape.

These basic tips are also helpful throughout the year or whenever you might consider placing your airsoft equipment into storage for any lengthy period of time.

AEGS

Starting with the cool stuff first, lets talk about prepping your airsoft guns for storage conditions.

Obviously, it should go without saying, but never store your AEG’s with a battery connected. This advice also applies to any battery powered device, for that matter.

For guns outfitted with ETU’s or MOSFET’s, these will often draw a minute charge to keep the FET’ powered on. Over a period of weeks or months, this can draw down your battery to unsafe voltage levels, especially if that battery was previously used and is already at lowered voltage. I’ll cover a bit more on batteries further below.

HOP UP

The second thing to check over is that your hop up is dialed all the way off. I actually do this after the end of every event myself, but anytime you put your gun away for an extended period of time, you should ensure you turn the hop up off. This is to prevent a 62

MARCH 2022

“set” from forming on the hop up bucking. Once this takes hold you might find yourself having to apply more and more hop up adjustment just to get a good trajectory. In severe cases, the bucking might be so deformed that you even run out of adjustment on the hop up dial and the bucking will have to be replaced.

This is especially critical for guns equipped with flat hops, as those are slightly more prone to deformation and taking on a set than traditional buckings or R-Hops. Incidentally, this is something I encounter frequently when taking in guns for repair that have been sitting unused for extended periods of time or where the owner left the chamber in a permanent “on” condition, and they no longer shoot as well as before.

TECHNICAL ENDEX: TIPS FOR NEW YEAR MAINTENANCE

CLEANING

Turning off the hop up is also important for this next step, which is to clean the bore. Most airsoft rifles and guns will usually come with a plastic unjamming

rod in the box. Most of these also have a provision for a cleaning patch to be affixed. Never use a steel or aluminum rod as these can scratch or damage the internal surface of your barrel, especially if using Teflon coated barrels such as the Madbull Black Python series. I recommend using a .223/5.56mm sized patch soaked in some rubbing alcohol (also referred to as Isopropyl alcohol). Contrary to old “wisdom”, never use silicone oil to clean your bore.

Silicone oil attracts dust and will also negatively affect your accuracy until it’s removed from the bore.

Rubbing alcohol will evaporate off, leaving no residue behind. For your more advanced users, you may want to also disassemble the hop up chamber from your barrel so you’re only working with one part. This also gives you the opportunity to inspect the bucking for damage or wear and reset the entire assembly, ensuring nothing has shifted out of alignment over

time.

Swab the bore with your patches until they come out clean. You may also notice a lot of flakey white residue buildup if you’ve shot an especially large amount over the year or haven’t cleaned your bore in a while. This is old BB residue left behind from the passage of BBs. Over time, this can build up to an excessive amount and seriously impact your accuracy.

It’s more common to encounter it on very tight bores or when using a lot of biodegradable ammo. In really severe cases I have had to resort to using a nylon bristle bore brush to break up heavy deposits that are layered in thick.

I also like to clean off the exterior of the gun.

Personally, I’m a big fan of toothbrushes to scrub away dirt and grime that collects in the nooks and crannies and between rail spaces. Here you’re also looking for signs of corrosion or rust formation.

On screws and small set screws, this can become problematic for future maintenance if they are

completely rusted out as they will require more medieval methods of removal. Most airsoft guns do not have many true steel surfaces to contend with, but there are some brands that use copious amounts of steel, such as LCT and Real Sword, as an example. For these, I like to use barrier wipes to coat the exterior surface with a thin protective oil that will prevent surface rust from developing.

For generalized cleaning where there is lots of

“YOU MAY ALSO NOTICE A LOT OF FLAKEY WHITE RESIDUE BUILDUP IF YOU’VE SHOT AN ESPECIALLY LARGE AMOUNT OVER THE YEAR OR HAVEN’T CLEANED YOUR BORE IN A WHILE. THIS IS OLD BB RESIDUE LEFT BEHIND FROM THE PASSAGE OF BBS”

www.airsoftaction.net

63

TECHNICAL ENDEX: TIPS FOR NEW YEAR MAINTENANCE

grime and grease residue on the exterior finish, rubbing alcohol is again tops and will cut through it all easily, leaving behind a nice appearance after evaporating off.

Once again, more advanced users may wish to dig a little deeper and give the gearbox side some inspection and minor maintenance. On guns I’ve used heavily during the year, I’ll usually open them up at least once to clean the box out, re-grease the components and install new o-rings for the compression parts. Personally, I like to know the exact condition of my guns whenever I go to reach for them.

MAGAZINES

It is normally not a good idea to leave magazines fully loaded with BBs for extensive periods of time.

As airsoft magazine springs aren’t made of especially strong spring steels like one might find in real steel magazines, these are more prone to taking on a compression set and ending up deformed. If you leave biodegradeable BBs stored in magazines they can swell up and render the magazine inoperable, at which point it will have to be fully disassembled around the swollen BBs to extricate them.

If you’ve noticed that your magazines seem to weakly spit out BBs, this can be a good indicator that they need some cleaning and maintenance. Ideally when one pulls back on the BB release latch on a fully

64

MARCH 2022

loaded magazine, the BBs should spray out with good force. Dribbling, hanging up or weak ejection is a sign of contaminated magazines, damaged or weakened springs, or bad BBs fouling things up. Fortunately most magazines manufactured these days can have their springs replaced with little trouble. But as with anything, if it’s well past the point of resurrection through normal means, then it probably means it’s time to cycle it out for good.

Magazines should be considered consumable items; similar to hop up buckings in that they do eventually wear out.

GAS BLOWBACKS

For gas-blowback guns, the same methods and techniques apply as above. The one minor caveat is that it is a good idea to store your GBB magazines with a small charge of gas in them to help keep the seals popped out. This is beneficial in the long term as it will also help prevent the seals from shrinking, drying out or leaking. You can generally leave a GBB mag stored in this condition for many years without a seal failure.

TECHNICAL ENDEX: TIPS FOR NEW YEAR MAINTENANCE

BATTERIES

On the subject of batteries, if they’re going into storage for any length of time, it’s a good idea to set your charger to a storage charge. As always, I recommend following manufacturer recommendations for your particular battery type as they do vary. But let’s take a quick look at one of our most common types of battery used: LiPo’s. Most novice players do not know that these will naturally self-discharge, albeit at a very low rate. If left in a discharged state, they can discharge below their safe voltage limit. This will render the battery useless the next time you want to charge it. Conversely, if left in a fully charged state and unused, the cells in a LiPo will unbalance quickly.

Proper storage voltage for a LiPo is nominally 3.85 volts per cell. Most quality battery chargers will have a storage function that will either charge or discharge your LiPo until it reaches 3.85V per cell.

It’s a good idea to store your batteries in a fireproof sack or sealed container as a safety precaution. I use

will begin to degrade over time through exposure to oxygen, heat, humidity and other conditions. Modern BIO ammo is better than previous efforts and can also have better protection against moisture and humidity. Even still, it’s a good idea to adhere to the basic tenants of storage: cool and dry is best. And one should apply the same principles of “FIFO” to their ammo too: First-In, First-Out. Cycle out your BBs periodically, and you will usually never encounter a problem.

LOAD BEARING GEAR AND HYDRATION

Back when I was an avid paintballer, I used to have to clean my load-bearing gear literally after every game.

Aside from the smell and stains, if left untouched for too long, you would eventually experience rotting gear from things being left in a continuously greasy, moist mess. Fortunately airsoft is not nearly as messy an endeavor, but it’s still a good idea to occasionally give it a good cleaning. This is also a good opportunity to inspect for damaged buckles, loose threads or make adjustments to your layout.

If you use a hydration carrier, such as a Camelbak or SOURCE, I highly recommend giving it a good sanitizing cleaning and letting it air-dry fully before storing it away. Depending on where you get your water and how long it’s been since you last cleaned it, these can build up moldy growths or biofilm, both of which can make you feel ill. There are good commercially available cleaning tools that work well for the hard to reach areas of these hydration carriers and they are worth the small investment.

EYE PROTECTION a .50 cal ammo can for this purpose, myself. Avoid storing them in high heat or humid environments or places that are subject to large temperature fluctuations (no, your vehicle is not a good storage place for anything airsoft related!). Cooler storage environments with a temperature range of 4 – 10C (40 -50F) are optimal for long term storage. Likewise, this also applies to the safe storage of gas canisters for your GBB items. These can be especially dangerous and explode when exposed to high heat, such as is commonly encountered in vehicles.

BBS

BBs should be stored in a cool, dry place. This is more critical if you use a lot of biodegradable ammo as it

With regard to eye protection – if it’s yellowed, cracked, excessively scratched or you’ve been using it for longer than 5+ years, switch it out. There’s no substitute for properly protecting your eyes, and contrary to popular perception, protective lenses do have an expiration date. Continuous UV exposure over years of use will cause your lenses to become more brittle and degrade the effectiveness and ability of your lenses to absorb impacts.

By practicing a little routine preventative maintenance, you can ensure your guns and gear remain in optimal condition for the next time you head out to an event or put your stuff away for storage. Forestalling problems before they arise is also less expensive in the long run and can be the difference between sitting out a game or slinging BBs with your friends! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

65

TECHNICAL ICS CHALLENGER UPGRADES

IC-YES PLEASE!

WE HAD A LOOK AT THE BLE CHALLENGER GBB PISTOL FROM ICS SOME TIME AGO NOW, AND IT WAS A MODEL THAT REALLY SHOWED THEIR INTENTIONS TO DRIVE FORWARD THEIR HANDGUN RANGE INTO THE NEXT GENERATION! TIME MOVES ON, AND THAT PROGRAM HAS ALSO MOVED FORWARDS, SO JIMMY HAS A GO AT FITTING SOME ADDITIONAL PARTS TO THE BASE MODEL TO SEE IF THIS FURTHER ENHANCES WHAT WAS ALREADY A SOLID AND MORE-THAN-SERVICEABLE HAND CANNON!

Y

I got the opportunity to get hold of said pistol and I will admit at first I was a tad “meh” about it as It looked just like the Korth pistol and seemed

was the very lovely Vulture GBB if you don’t remember that means you probably never saw it feature, so please do visit the back issues section and familiarise yourself with that article, although Bill’s conclusion in short was: “I believe that the BLE Vulture is ICS’ “coming of age” pistol model, one that gives a firm nod to the best developments in the “real world” whilst providing the very best of that “ICS flair” in design and airsoft gas performance. It strikes me as a pistol that 1911 fans will most certainly want in their collection but one which they will rely on and use regularly, and that makes it another winner for ICS, and this time a winner totally on its own merit!”

to be very similar in design, utilizing the same recoil system, the same grip and lower frame along with the same single stack 17BB magazine, but after a fashion I discovered that while it

ou may well remember back in issue 127 that Bill had the pleasure of testing a new release from ICS. That new release

“I DIDN’T REALISE AT THE TIME THAT ICS HAD MADE A 2ND EDITION OF THE VULTURE, BUT THIS ONE WAS BY FAR FOR ME THE BETTER OF THE TWO, AND LOOKED SO MUCH BETTER, AND I CAN LAY CLAIM THAT THE “TACTICAL” VERSION DOES IN FACT PERFORM TO ANOTHER LEVEL TO THAT OF THE STANDARD VULTURE. ” 66

MARCH 2022

TECHNICAL ICS CHALLENGER UPGRADES

does look a bit the same and has a similar design as the Korth,

the functions between the two are worlds apart.

I understand now why Bill referred to it as a “coming of age” model as it moved things along to be a proper, in–house ICS big-boy pistol.

I didn’t realise at the time that ICS had made a 2nd edition of the Vulture, but this one was by far for me the better of the two, and looked so much better, and I can lay claim that the “tactical” version does in fact perform to another level to that of the standard Vulture. On the outside the only noticeable difference is the compensator/ muzzle device, whatever you want to call it. My initial perception was that all they have done is screw the device on and given it the title TACTICAL. How wrong was I to think that, it looks absolutely fantastic with the added device making it around two inches longer.

PROFESSIONAL, AND OLD FRIENDS

After chatting with Rita from ICS I managed to secure the parts needed to do the conversion, along with some very nice quality apparel in the form of a zip-up hoodie, t-shirt and a nice new baseball cap which I very thankful for! I think I was more excited about the

fact I myself had made a connection on a professional level with ICS; Airsoft Action has a long-standing professional relationship with ICS might I just add.

Parts landed and it was a very quick delivery I must say, and I was very eager to get started on this little project. What was sent over at first had me baffled; we received several little bags of bits and I was scratching my head as there was half a hop unit, an outer barrel on its own, and the hop up

housing.

After a bit of headscratching the penny dropped… I needed to connect the two pieces of the outer barrel (Loctite don’t forget Loctite!) and swap the left half of the hop unit with the original!

From here on installation was pretty straightforward. Included also was a longer inner 6.03mm brass barrel, threaded adaptor for the muzzle device and a short stroke screw. Using the short stroke screw really did make a difference on the overall performance and increased gas efficiency and together with the short stroke trigger adjustment made a very fast response.

Accuracy has been increased largely due to the fixed hop unit and the addition of the fixed outer barrel and the extended inner barrel. When fixing the outer barrel to the hop unit it’s wise to take care; the screw is short and the threads are very fine. I think the main reason for the fixed outer barrel is to aid the added weight of the muzzle device and to aid the recoil spring as the Vulture doesn’t use a guide-rod unlike something like a 1911 which uses a separate rod. On the Vulture the recoil spring sits around the outer barrel so the added weight of the muzzle device could possibly put pressure on the spring creating issues for the blowback.

“... IT WAS OVER A DISTANCE WHERE THE GAINS WERE REALLY NOTICED AND THE FIXED OUTER BARREL REALLY DID AID THAT INCREASE, CONSISTENTLY HITTING COLA CANS (WE USE ONLY THE BEST TARGETS YOU KNOW!) AT 30MTRS OUTDOORS AND THE HOP UNIT WAS EASILY LIFTING 0.28G BBS” www.airsoftaction.net

67

TECHNICAL ICS CHALLENGER UPGRADES

Adding these parts I was eager to get some testing in and I wasn’t disappointed. Using Nuprol’s Green-

68

MARCH 2022

bottle 2.0 gas and 0.20g BBs the chrono was showing an increase on velocity at 290fps +/- 3fps, so an increase of around 30fps which I put down to the extended inner barrel and the fact everything was now more stable.

On the range at 10 meters accuracy was pretty much the same as the out of the box Vulture, that being very accurate, hitting a spinning target which is just over 1 inch in diameter, it was over a distance where the gains were really noticed and the fixed outer barrel really did aid that increase, consistently hitting cola cans (we use only the best targets you know!) at 30mtrs outdoors and the hop unit was easily lifting 0.28g BBs. I believe that with the addition of the Master Mods R-Hop kit this would send a 0.32g BB out to around 50 meters with a 90% hit rate, but that is just a theoretical opinion, but one which I would love to try, and most probably will! I also added a pair of FMA silver CNC pistol grips to make it a little more special looking… performance and bling, a match made in heaven, or Taiwan!

As I said in my article on the ICS Challenger pistol I do believe Tokyo Marui has finally found some very close competition with the latest offerings from ICS, and it’s nice to see what I would say to be true innovation in their products. Information can be easily sourced on all ICS products on their website www.icsbb.com or you can join them for regular and informative updates on their social media pages. AA

TRAINING VIRTUAL SHOT

VIRTAULLY DYNAMIC

CONTINUING OUR COVERAGE OF THE VIRTUAL-SHOT TRAINING SYSTEM THIS MONTH JASE TAKES A VIEW ON THINGS PRACTICALLY FROM A MILSIM PERSPECTIVE, AND LOOKS AT WHAT MAY BE GAINED BY TRAINING WITH IT.

I

n the world of airsoft innovation there hasn’t REALLY been too much in the last few years in real terms. Things like Jeftron Leviathon and the Gate Titan offer a lot of functionality with their trigger systems but in my opinion things have stagnated a wee bit with technology only pushing the sports boundaries in certain areas, and let’s face it, the majority of players are still running AR and AK platforms with V2/V3 gearboxes. So where do we turn when we want something new and exciting?

From a MilSimmers perspective the gas and electric platforms that we have offer sufficient performance, so where do we turn to next; for me, that’s training to use those platforms optimally, and although there are many “real” training tools and systems out there, what is there for us, and where is that new technology? Last month I was handed a box from Australian company Virtual-Shot. Had my complaints of lack of innovation been answered?

Story time; Virtual Shot was the brainchild of one of the founding members back in 2010 while serving as an infantry officer in the Australian Army. With the constraints on range time and training, he wanted to find a way of easily bringing weapons training to the soldier, the end user who really needs to keep on top of their game.

So in 2015 after leaving the Army and setting himself up with a new career in software

development, he pushed forward with his vision of Virtual-Shot (VS), and what we have today we can thank Daryl (that founder), Matt and Simon for, and all of their years of military experience can be felt within this training app.

GETTING YOUR APP ON

The unboxing bit; inside the box is a mounting system so you can add your mobile phone to the top rail of your RIF to which has an optic built into it to give you a real life feel to what you are shooting at downrange. The app can be downloaded from the Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Once you have downloaded the app onto your

“ONCE YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THE APP ONTO YOUR DEVICE YOU CAN THEN ADD THE MOUNT TO YOUR RIF’S TOP RAIL AND POP IN YOUR PHONE AND FINISH SETTING UP THE PHONE TO THE MOUNT’S OPTIC.”

70

MARCH 2022

TRAINING VIRTUAL SHOT

www.airsoftaction.net

71

TRAINING VIRTUAL SHOT

device you can then add the mount to your RIF’s top rail and pop in your phone and finish setting up the phone to the mount’s optic. Once you have done all of this you can then add a battery to your AEG. The reason for putting in a battery is to be able to dry fire the AEG because this app uses the phone’s Mic to pick up on the cycle of your gearbox once you pull the trigger. The VS team do say; ‘’Virtual-Shot uses both the phone’s sensors and microphone to detect the dry fire sound of real guns, air guns, airsoft, paintball and gel blasters. The sound detection algorithm will detect pretty much anything that makes a click sound when dry firing. Virtual-Shot is a dry fire training system, this means that you can use Virtual-Shot on any (platform) that you can dry fire on (rifles, pistols, air rifles, airsoft rifles, paintball guns, gel blasters... pretty much anything that can be dry fired.’’

Now, with all of the above done and you have found a safe place to train, run the app as normal and you will be greeted with a few options. To start my Virtual Shot adventure I opted to look at the ‘Skills Development’ section where there are 6 training videos and 10 levels to master and hone your skills.

I was really taken back by the real sense of teaching from the tutorial videos that play on the far side of the screen while you take in the information given and adapt to the app. It was really nice to have these little touches incorporated into the app.

VIRTUALLY DOWNRANGE

I spent an hour or so plinking off in the Open Range, Standard Range and Static Targets/Moving Targets.

Within the architecture of the game there are options to engage in short and long distance shooting, mechanical ranges with 6 different scenarios, my favourite, obviously, being the Counter Terrorism levels.

Once you have had time to get your eye in and get a feel for the application, you can try your hand at a few of the games. In total there are 5, Junkyard, Hunting, Zombie Survival, Zombie Level and Blackhawk Down. I’ve had a pop at all of them and my two favourites here are Hunting and Blackhawk Down, both really enjoyable little games.

In airsoft we encounter many dynamics, the two main ones for me while playing are shot drop off and the wind, all affect us while we try to manipulate the weapon system for the perfect shot.

Can Virtual Shot help the average airsoft player?

Yes, I actually feel it can.

The VS team tells us that; ‘’Virtual-Shot will enable you to practice with real 72

MARCH 2022

bullet drop and wind effects at all distances. Fully customizable ranges where you control the target type, distance, movement and even wind conditions.

Advanced shooting analytics that enable you to review barrel movement before and after shots to perfect your breathing trigger manipulation and shot release.

Professional built in shot timer so you can break down your shooting and work on improving split times between shots.’’

So with all of this in mind, I found that the Hunt mode really helped me with the understanding and practicing round drop off. I am sure that when I’m next in game, this practice will have helped my judgment, aim and fire to go down in a more professional manner and with correct manipulation of my RIF. Yes I know in Airsoft we have many other variables like how the hop is set and suchlike, but all training is good training. I am yet to try this out in full kit to simulate how I would operate with a PC on and dry mag changes, but with those options brought into the equation I think that Virtual-Shot could make for a very useful training tool to anyone wanting to brush up on their skill set.

I ran this training application on my iPhone which is a 12 Pro but did also try it on my OnePlus 8t which runs Android. Back to back I did find that the iPhone ran better but I would say that if you want to try the Virtual-Shot app to check what OS your phone runs and that it’s compatible with Visual-Shot beforehand, which you’ll find information on in your App store of choice.

For more information visit www.virtual-shot.com AA

COMING IN EARLY 2022!

FEATURE BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM

THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS DURING LOCKDOWNS, AND THE ACCOMPANYING LACK OF AIRSOFT GAMES HAVE SEEN MANY PLAYERS LOOK FOR OTHER WAYS TO ENJOY THEIR LOVE OF THINGS “TACTICOOL”, AND FOR SOME THAT HAS MEANT TURNING TO TABLETOP ADVENTURES! BILL TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT THIS PHENOMENON, WHY IT SHOULD BE IMPORTANT TO US ALL, AND AT “BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM”, A GAME THAT APPEARS ALMOST PERFECT FOR AISOFTERS THE WORLD OVER!

74

MARCH 2022

FEATURE BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM

E

very so often in AA we run an article on the crossover between airsoft games and tabletop games, as to us there is a real synergy between the two! What do I mean by a “tabletop game”?

Simply put it’s what I grew up calling a wargame, something that you play with your mates on your kitchen or dining table with military models or miniature figures, some terrain, a rulebook, some dice and a tape measure. The “oh, we must not talk about WAR” fraternity have attempted to change the definition and make things “more inclusive”, and indeed there are now many, many excellent games out there that don’t involve shooting, but the bottom line to me is that I WANT A WAR game

www.airsoftaction.net

75

FEATURE BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM

where I can pit my heavily-armed and equipped operators against the bad guys and come out with a win!

I am unashamedly a fan of “proper” WAR games, and I will call them that if I wish, and I’m by no means alone in that. Wargames have a rich history, and it’s not all about old men reliving past glories, or schoolboys looking for battlefield adventures these days.

Wargames are mainstream, and there are some gaming behemoths out there, especially of the grimdark sci-fi genre that are thriving, moneymaking business machines… all power and fair play to them I say, and if the player enjoys what they create, then go for it.

However, there’s another side to “wargaming” that we should acknowledge, and some say that the 19th-century Prussian military first adopted wargaming as a tool for training their officers and developing doctrine, and this continues to the present day in helping to train military officers in the art of strategic thinking, or to study the nature of conflicts past, present, and even future; I’ve read that wargames are now used down to squad level to look at small unit tactics and how chance can play a part in the battlespace. Simply put, an understanding of strategy and tactics, and how to 76

MARCH 2022

FEATURE BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM

react when you get thrown a curveball can ultimately save lives, and many Defence Departments have wargaming units for a good reason!

So, how does this pertain to airsoft you may ask?

Again, bottom line is that an awful lot of airsofters play on the tabletop as well as at their favourite sites, and I’m proudly one of them! Let’s be honest for a moment and admit to ourselves that even at the highest levels of MilSim in airsoft we are ultimately “playing soldier” and running around the woods with “toy guns”! Yes, I will be the first to admit that there is a growing fanbase for “6mm Training”, and it’s an effective addition to the training toolbox, but when we play airsoft games we are relying on a lot of “suspension of disbelief” to have our fun, and this applies equally to “Tabletop Ops”.

And oh boy, have things changed since I first built a 1:72 plastic tank when I was a kid! Now you can have your tiny operators totally as you would like them, dripping in the most cutting-edge kit and carrying miniscule versions of the very same shooting platforms that you love to skirmish with… fabulous!

I will be the first to admit that many are turned off by wargames due to the utter, mind-boggling complexity of some rulesets; rulesets are a fundamental part of the wargame scene, and I have played games where you are constantly having to go back and forth to rules and tables of statistics, or “stats”, and to be honest this (as a good friend and rule writer calls it) “crunchy” end of the spectrum is a real turnoff for me. My time is precious, and so is that of my friends as we all have IRL to deal with, so I personally want a game that is as rules free as possible whilst still maintaining a functional framework, and gets me straight into the action!

One of the games that I’ve come across recently that offers this is from Echelon Software, the guys behind the best-selling graphic novel series, “Black Powder Red Earth”, or BPRE. If you’ve not come across this series yet (doom on you!) then you should really check it out as it’s a series of stories that focuses on “Cold Harbor PMC” and their missions in a possible near-future, a trope that many, many airsofters love! The kit depicted is utterly righteous; Jon Chang, the author of BPRE is probably better known to you as Co-Founder of Haley Strategic Partners, and he’s also been both a creative consultant for BCM, as well as a special operations liaison and had input in product development as well! Jon also has amongst his many credits the creation, production and directorship of American Gunfighter, so I’ll say that when it comes to developing a wargame to the best of my knowledge there’s literally no one else

making games with his background, and this is a real differentiator. The storylines are gritty, hyper-realistic, and in some cases utterly harrowing, although they do depict the modern dynamic style of warfighting perfectly.

And for us “tabletop operators” to enjoy, Echelon Software recently introduced “Black Powder Red Earth 28mm” (28mm denoting the physical size of the game figures used) which is set in that selfsame possible near-future and detailed with both a “conflict bible” in the Core Rules and in the pages of the ongoing graphic novel, “Black Powder Red Earth® Awbari”. It’s a close-quarter combat skirmish wargame built on a fast and fluid ruleset pitting player against player in tabletop miniatures battles. Built around a responsive combat system that is fast and easy to grasp, players direct their customised small unit teams in pitched battles through war-torn sprawls on the border between two failing states.

GETTING CRUNCHY

I’ve recently treated myself to the core BPRE 28mm Rulebook (which retails iro UK£25) and it’s a thing of absolute beauty in itself as the artwork closely follows the no-punches-pulled graphic style of the novels themselves; if you’re looking for some airsoft loadout inspiration then this is IT, and the emphasis here is on the “real deal”; there are even nods to BCM, Nigthforce Optics and Unity Tactical in the credits bar! This book contains the rules you need to set up and play games of Black Powder Red Earth 28mm, along with lore and character sheets for the factions involved. It’s actually a darn good read!

I’ve played through a few of the scenarios offered up in the rulebook already, and it is FAST… a simple “encounter game” can be done and dusted within half an hour… or even faster if the dice are unkind to you… as the creators say “survival is not guaranteed.

Bloodshed is!” As I’ve only just begun my own “BPRE Missions” I spoke to a mate, fellow airsofter and game-player Michael who is an airsofter and the guy behind the impressive, enjoyable and informative “CHARGEBLOG – ADVENTURES IN WARGAMING” blog (hntdaab.co.uk/blog) to give you more of a lowdown on the game itself, and he tells us: “Set in the Awbari storyline, BPRE 28mm is a skirmish wargame focused on one thing, night raids by the Cold Harbor Team Scorch against enemy positions in the border clades. Each mission lets you take a selection of Cold Harbor operators and send them against the local insurgents and their Hongbin mercenary handlers. The front of the book is a big chunk of lore describing the situation, giving anyone www.airsoftaction.net

77

FEATURE BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM

who may have missed the first volume of the new graphic novel a lowdown on the situation. It’s very evocative, conjuring the images of the world and the forces into your mind. At the back of the book there is also the action (sequence) from Issue 1 of the Awbari arc, giving you some more inspiration for the games to come and just how your tabletop actions will look in your mind’s eye.

Once past the lore, the meat of the book is the rules. And let’s just cut to the chase: I am kind of amazed at just how slick the core of the rules is. Take for example the enemy of rules writers everywhere, character profiles.

While most games include separate stats for combat, leadership and equipment options, BPRE cuts it down to four things: How fast can I move, How well can I hit the bad guys (the hit roll), how easily do I go down when shot (the save roll) and

what special things can I do (special rules)…. And yet, despite this dialing back of complexity, the character types still have a different feel to them…

The rest of the core fundamentals are pretty damn solid as well. Shooting is a two stage process 78

MARCH 2022

(roll to hit, roll to save) with very few additional modifiers (at most maybe a single numerical one) with details for cover included in the attack roll.

Rolling high on either of these is good, while 20’s give you either an unsavable kill (useful against S-Vest and body armour users) or ignores the staggering effect of being shot. Cover is also simple, it’s all done from the top down perspective you are either out of Line of Sight, Obstructed or in the open (with any additional line of sight rules covered with some handy diagrams). Doors on the battlefield, key in a CQB engagement, also play a part, blocking line of sight unless movement is spent to open them. Activating a character at any point drops an ACT (ACTion- Bill) chit on them, with specific rules for this varying during whatever stage you are in.

A final general rule element is facing – rather than 180 degrees or 90, BPRE goes with 135 degrees, or 90 degrees to their left and 45 degrees to the right. While at first puzzling, it made a little more sense when I thought back to my airsoft trips, during which your visibility to your right is usually filled with at least some element of your armament during a close quarters engagement.”

FEATURE BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM

GETTING YOUR OPERATOR ON!

As Michael says, this is a very simple, yet slick and satisfying approach to a game, and the miniatures that go with it are equally as slick! I do love the modeling and painting side of wargames, although the painting is not strictly necessary if it’s not your idea of fun! The figures are multi-part resin that you need to assemble to a degree, but once together they are awesome with all the up-to-the-minute “battle rattle” you could dream of! The “Cold Harbor Crisis Troop Box One” is really a BPRE 28mm starter kit that gives you a full set of 10 28mm figures, designed, cast and manufactured in the USA, and you get 1 Advisor, 1 Automatic Rifleman (support gunner), 4 Assaulters, and 4 Recce operators… good to go!

To ensure the highest quality every game component, playing cards (integral to the overall “feel” of the game covering taskings, time/weather, and battlespace details, available as a standalone if you don’t want to reprint from the book), miniature figures, and the core Rules book are all made in the USA, with materials sourced in the US or other western nations. In the book you’ll find: • Full rules for playing Black Powder Red Earth 28mm, a small unit tactics close combat skirmish game • A comprehensive history of the proxy wars between the failing North African states of Awbari and Qasra • Sheets and stats for eight light infantry shock troops, with which to build your own team • 11 readyto-play combat scenarios • Five battlespace layouts for campaign play.

FIX.FINISH.REPEAT.

As it says in the Rulebook... “One of the defining characteristics of war is chaos. Tactics, techniques, and procedures are the counterweight to this chaos.

Establish positive control over the chaos. One body at a time. FIX.FINISH.REPEAT.” As you can probably tell I’m very excited about this game, but to keep things on track I spoke

directly to Jon Chang himself to get more of a feel for the process of creating BPRE 28mm, and what we can look forward to in the future! He was gracious enough to answer the questions I had, and this is what he had to tell me!

AA: Given your real world experience with the likes of Haley Strategic Partners, BCM Rifle Company, and the AMERICAN GUNFIGHTER project what made you turn to the world of comic books and graphic novels to tell the BPRE story?

JC: I started reading comic books in 1986, when Eclipse published Kaoru Shintani’s manga, Area 88. Area 88 is the story of a mercenary air force fighting a Middle Eastern civil war for the reigning

monarchy against a Soviet backed revolution. While I would read other works like Akira, Judge Dredd, The Nam, and Bad Company, Area 88 had a profound impact on me.

When I began work on what would become BPRE www.airsoftaction.net

79

FEATURE BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM

in 2002, I initially wanted to create something “real” based on the various people I was being introduced to through “networking” in what was a very small world. Ultimately, the medium that would afford me the most creative control was graphic novels. I had worked with Josh on an animated short in 2004, and when it came time to move forward with a production, we reached out to him and began work on Black Powder Red Earth Book 1.

AA: I see within the stories images of the team going through scrupulous drills along with weapon cleaning and kit maintenance post-op; has your own experience of working with cutting-edge tactical gear and firearms companies influenced the narrative arc of the stories?

JC: It was more the relationships with people I developed working with BCM, Haley Strategic, and Northern Red vs. the equipment. To design and optimize tools that enable real-world missions, you have to understand real-world needs. One of the first things you figure out is the equipment is just that, an enabler.

A group capable of manoeuvring as a coherent and coordinated element is by far more important than any weapon system, accessory, or PPE. Of course, modern weapon systems and optics make this easier, but no piece of equipment is going to win a battle.

It’s the ability to coordinate movement that sets conditions for victory and the moral courage of the soldier to put the mission above themselves that wins.

AA: I watched with interest the panel discussion “Envisioning the Future of Urban Warfare”; do you feel that BPRE helps to inform on what modern urban conflict and the warriors that take part in such operations looks like?

80

MARCH 2022

FEATURE BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM

JC: BPRE has always been a story of speculative conflicts versus heroic character arcs. Every series we have developed was built on the ground truth of a given region, projected forward (typically 7-10 years in our various series). Ultimately, this has made us more “Battle of Algiers” than Bruckheimer, but it has made BPRE very distinctly ultra-modern grimdark vs. hero’s journey.

AA: The world of the PMC is one that is very popular in airsoft circles; what made you choose “Cold Harbor PMC” as the protagonists rather than a military SF unit?

JC: Shortly after the Taliban and Al Qaeda had escaped into Pakistan, I was connected with an individual who was employed by Dyncorp. My relationship with that man was very much responsible for the entire road I went down with BPRE, and led me to my fateful meeting with Travis Haley and

ultimately Kane Smith, whom I co-created the original series with.

While researching, developing, and creating these books, it became very clear to me that the conflicts of the time would continue, long after the American public and politicians had grown tired of them. Partners to the U.S. would continue to pursue objectives that aligned with U.S. interests and they would need to be supported. At the “end” of the war, I believed America would have a uniquely talented pool of warfighters with more combat experience than any other force in history.

It seemed natural that monarchies built on wealth beyond comprehension would want the best people to fight their wars, same as they brought in the best people to harvest/monetize their natural resources.

Hence, BPRE.

www.airsoftaction.net

81

FEATURE BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM

AA: Do you feel that “BPRE 28mm” transfers that action to the tabletop in a meaningful way?

JC: Absolutely. BPRE 28mm is a unique offering that focuses on manoeuver, momentum, and the tempo of actual infantry fighting as informed by decades of combat experience.

During the development process, we required FM 3-21 (The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad manual – Bill) to be read and used as the basis for all balances, structure, settings, and units on the board. As a team, we are laser focused on the application of small unit tactics and decision making as it exists in actual battle which gives us a very different feel than anything out there IMO. AA: What do you see in the future for BPRE, and especially “BPRE 28mm”?

JC: We are currently working towards an expansion for release in November 2022. Leveraging the existing 82

MARCH 2022

rules, we’re expanding the battlespace and unit capabilities in ways that will give players new options for structuring their kill teams to address new missions and settings.

So, there you have it! As Michael says in his excellent blog review; “Razor focused on delivering close quarters and gripping firefights without being bogged down in minutiae, the fact you can play a game in a lunch break is pretty fantastic… It’s easy to learn but still with plenty of depth. It’s also a game I’d be excited to see how it grows. With a powerful but simple core mechanic set, it would be pretty easy to add new units (perhaps local government forces) or even things like additional mechanics, adding things like stealth.

Even after my first Night Raid, I was already thinking about how you might model other forces, always a good sign in a new system!”

FEATURE BLACK POWDER RED EARTH 28MM

CONTACT.WAIT.OUT.

I also asked Michael how he felt wargaming complemented his airsoft (and vice versa). And he told me: “As an airsofter and a wargamer, I’ve found the two hobbies collide more often than I’d expect.

Based on the fact many airsoft stores have gained a rack of tiny soldiers over the last few years, I doubt I’m alone in this! There are a few ways in which in which the two hobbies combine well.

The first up, the social aspect; between work, family events, the weather, having fully-working gear, herding your mates and THEIR gear together and then getting to a good site, you may find yourself struggling to actually go properly airsofting as much as you like. Wargames provide an alternative to your social get together, one that ends up with far less mud covered boots but the same level of hangout achieved.

The other benefit comes with learning things.

Like many readers, I haven’t had to use firearms in combat or carry around my own body weight in armour, water and ammo. Airsoft provides a taste of this, a few hours to play soldier. Seeing as most wargaming rules come from a similar place, having some understanding of reality can help you understand some of the more intricate rules, improving how they flow. Little things like how body

armour affects movement, or how much suppression fire can work, all can be seen in many small scale rules and learnt through actually running around airsofting.

And surprisingly, it goes the other way as well.

Using wargames, you can easily explain tactics and concepts that can be reused on the airsoft field.

Sometimes it’s easier to run through ideas like bounding overwatch on the gaming board than it is to attempt to talk through them after someone shouts “game on”. Now, I’m not saying you should go and make a layout based on your local airsoft site (although I’m not going to stop you, that sounds rad) but playing with toy soldiers can help out your planning and coordination.

Finally, wargaming can help airsoft site owners to up their game in setting the scene and writing objectives. After playing it out on the tabletop, and trying a few cunning mission plans from games, it helps to open up the toolbox to plan out scenarios to really grab the players on the airsoft field!”

I can only agree with Michael’s comments; this is a fast and furious ruleset that does let you get right into the action with very little “crunching”, and for this reason alone, quite apart from the superb storytelling and absolutely first-rate production values, it’s a game that I shall be embracing. It’s a game that is absolutely perfect for airsofters that requires only a minimal investment in figures and equipment, one I can see being played in an evening at a weekender around the firepits, and one that, in my opinion, that many will learn valuable lessons from in relation to working with small teams.

“Black Powder Red Earth 28mm” is quite literally a blast to play, and if you’ve never played a wargame in your life then it’s one that I can thoroughly recommend to you! My sincere thanks go to Jon Chang for so graciously answering my questions and for allowing me to reproduce some wonderful images for this article, and to Michael for letting me reproduce part of his review on the game; you can read his entire review HERE, and I’d thoroughly recommend that you take the time to so do.

I’ll certainly be bringing my own “Cold Harbor Team” to the National Airsoft Festival 2022… anyone fancy an evening game?

To find out more about the entire “Black Powder Red Earth” world simply head on over to www. blackpowderredearth.com where you’ll find all the very latest on the game, new graphic novels, merchandise, and even a video game version that’s available to play on STEAM..AA www.airsoftaction.net

83

EVENT THE 26TH HOOHA SHOW

THE 2 HOO SHO

ATTENDING SHOWS IS ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOU OBVIOUS REASONS! MANY SEE SHOWS AS A SOMEWHAT BUT, IN FACT, THEY’RE WHERE A LOT OF PREP IS DONE F FACE TO FACE WITH INDUSTRY FRIENDS OLD AND NEW. STEWBACCA REPORTS DIRECT FROM TAI

O

ne of the first things I did when I arrived in Taiwan way back in Summer 2017 was attend the 22nd Hooha show in Taipei, organised by Eric Wang and his team from local Taiwanese based airsoft magazine Combat King Monthly. I got an immediate impression for the local community and prevalence of airsoft manufacturers, brick and mortar shops, both the larger chain stores present in the major cities on the West of the island, and even some of the smaller more independent stores, as well as the interest in airsoft from many different segments of society and it being a more accepted and entrenched past time.

The show used to be held every six months and would move around between Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung, the most Northerly, central and Southerly

“THE SHOW USED TO BE HELD EVERY SIX MO TAIPEI, TAICHUNG AND KAOHSIUNG, THE MO MAJOR CITIES OF TAIW 84

MARCH 2022

EVENT THE 26TH HOOHA SHOW

26TH OHA OW

UT WORKING IN “AIRSOFT MEDIA” - BUT NOT FOR THE T SELF-INDULGENT, BACK-SLAPPING FRENZY OF EXCESS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD AND WHERE WE GET TO MEET W. AS SHOWS BEGIN TO FINALLY COME BACK ONLINE, IWAN, AND THE 26TH HOOHA SHOW! major cities of Taiwan respectively, and I enjoyed visiting all the shows as a matter of course with my growing band of foreign and local shooting compatriots and colleagues from school who I indoctrinated into this addictive hobby.

My blog coverage of the shows for TacticalTwo at the time, along with my wider airsoft and manufacturing industry experience, also garnered interest from Eric himself as he has been working on English language annual release Toy Gun Consumer Guides that collate information and review experiences and introduce all the guns released from different manufacturers in Taiwan, Mainland China and Hong Kong throughout each year to the Western English speaking collectors and skirmishers, with a particular focus on the US market. I have

ONTHS AND WOULD MOVE AROUND BETWEEN OST NORTHERLY, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERLY WAN RESPECTIVELY...” www.airsoftaction.net

85

EVENT THE 26TH HOOHA SHOW

86

MARCH 2022

EVENT THE 26TH HOOHA SHOW

www.airsoftaction.net

87

EVENT THE 26TH HOOHA SHOW

since spent the last four years as an English language editor for CKM prior to also joining the Airsoft Action Legion and Red Cell to bring you more regular online introductions to my escapades and experiences here.

Unfortunately due to the obvious restrictions which we’ve bemoaned ad nauseum in other articles the 25th Hooha Show held in Kaohsiung back in July 2019 was the last time we had the opportunity to get together with the usual show crew, and Eric had originally been contemplating relocating the show to Japan for one of the event dates prior to everything going awry. Nonetheless everything happened and then none of the shows after MOA2020 did, following the local quasi-lockdown as a result of some community spread.

Finally things began loosening towards the end of 2021 in Taiwan; however MOA still could not go ahead as planned due to the larger scale of that show, the booths and infrastructure and the likely footfall when dealing with the remaining indoor event restrictions and cleaning measures required.

Thankfully Eric managed to organise a return of the Hooha show to one of the smaller scale arts and cultural centres to cater to the independent manufacturers and distributors with smaller stalls and lower infrastructure requirements.

A WEEKEND TO SAVOUR!

Over the long weekend of January the 14th-16th an array of exhibitors gathered in the east end of Taipei to share their latest products with the public; the format actually worked very well with a single wide strip of stalls either side of a central raised platform somewhat like a fashion runway, built into what I assume are the old engine sheds of the long disused railway marshalling area! Each of these now hosted a variety of craft or special interest shows.

As soon as I arrived I was fortunate enough to bump into the 4UAD SmartAirsoft guys just as they were leaving and had a good chat and catch up with them before we parted ways and I headed inside; the first thing that confronted you as you enter are the large barrels of PAF Airsoft’s heavy weapons bearing down on the main entrance! I visited Well Hsu and his team at PengHu Armaments Factory on the Islands West of the Taiwanese mainland back in May 2021 and reported on their efforts in the July issue No. 127;

since last seeing them they have perfected not only their EBB M2HB system but also their hand-cranked grenade launcher as well as an impressive replica of the Carl Gustav M3 recoilless rifle with different reloadable shells catering to mass BB shower shells or Taginn projectiles depending on the user’s needs. Well was also showing me the progress on his M1919 AEG prototype so along with the M134 minigun kits in progress, so PAF have plenty to offer those who need something vehicle-borne or emplaced for a MilSim event or game site.

RST Airsoft’s stall was nestled right next to them inside the door and showing a mixture of tactical gear, gas rifles, optics and also Acetech’s latest release shotgun tracer, the multi-barrel meat-mallet frontend unit called the ‘quark’ which was mounted on the front of the already aggressive looking KSG pump action gas bullpup shotgun, alongside an array of earlier releases from Acetech along with silencer style outer shells for tracer modules.

Moving on from there BCS and 5.11 stores were present and selling a variety of airsoft and air guns, and tactical gear and apparel respectively, before the remainder of the right side of the ‘runway’ all the way to the stage was occupied by AOG / S&T’s huge collaborative stall with a vast array of guns, gear, accessories and even bows and archery supplies on offer.

AOG are an airsoft retailer with a handful of stores in the South, North West and East of Taiwan who specialise in tactical gear, uniforms of various camouflage patterns, a vast array of morale patches and of course, a comprehensive selection of gas pistols, AEGs, GBBRs and bolt action guns as well as accessories and consumables for them. Usually with large brick and mortar shops that have literal wall to wall guns on display. I used my functional mandarin to chat with the man in charge as we’ve been looking to make inroads with S&T platforms in particular and I’m personally very interested in their Lee Enfield SMLE No. III bolt action rifle (also featured in this issue thanks to Bill!) and will no doubt be looking to add one to my collection now I’ve handled one and appreciated the real wood finish. But a good chat and an exchange of details later and we were on our way to me getting good prices and anything I wanted; it’s all about networking over here!

“I USED MY FUNCTIONAL MANDARIN TO CHAT WITH THE MAN IN CHARGE AS WE’VE BEEN LOOKING TO MAKE INROADS WITH S&T PLATFORMS IN PARTICULAR AND I’M PERSONALLY VERY INTERESTED IN THEIR LEE ENFIELD SMLE NO. III BOLT ACTION RIFLE (ALSO FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE THANKS TO BILL!)” 88

MARCH 2022

EVENT THE 26TH HOOHA SHOW

LOADOUTS AND COSPLAY!

Moving back down the left side of the hall away from the presentation stage towards the front door I was met by the local TRA (Taiwan Reenactors Association) and LARP stalls where some of my old acquaintances were loitering in an array of RoC and other uniforms and even Roman Legionnaire and other such garb from an array of historical periods. After a bit of a discussion about their equipment and where they source it from as well as where they make use of it and hold their events I moved along past the additional cosplay-oriented stands where I’d bumped into a few other friends who move in both shooting and cosplay communities. There is a large amount of overlap in Taiwan, given the cultural propensities and communities here, so cosplay and Japanese influences are quite strong which is of course where all the airsoft related equipment and gameplay also originated. Alongside hardcore MilSim players there are plenty of people pouring money into both ultrarealistic historical loadouts and re-enactment or LARP as well as fantasy or video game and media influenced costumes or loadouts.

Following on from some other local retail stalls I happened upon HYZ Airsoft and their manager who was with me and the CKM crew in Changsha on our trip to China a few years ago; he’s continued building his business on locally produced ballistic eyewear and also now branched out further into exotic materials science and manufacturing, producing SAPI ballistic armour plates for the domestic market.

Slong airsoft were next up; having first happened upon Joanna when she was first starting out just as I arrived in Taiwan, from humble beginnings making a limited range of Glock front handguard/spare magazine carrier foregrips that mimic the look of a Kriss Vector and attach to the accessory rail of a Glock and provide an extra magazine readily available. Since then, she’s expanded her range of option parts and also AEG internal components massively, as well as now offering an array of ready built AEG and bolt action platforms that I was having a look at having written about some of them for CKM’s upcoming 2022 guide.

Next to Slong was local ASG distributor Gun & Toys stand, where along with an array of Dan Wesson gas powered revolvers, scorpion EVO AEGs and USWA1 & the Archwick USW-Glock systems, and I spied something I feel I have to buy now that I’ve gotten hands on with it, alongside the SMLE! The new urban grey variant of the CZ75 Shadow 2 was calling me and the new surface finish has a really nice feel to it which gives it a warmer and more gripping feel in

the hand, and I have struggled to find the standard Shadow 2 or even any replacement parts in stock anywhere due to KJ Works’ apparent manufacturing priorities of late. Thankfully Clarence Lai has been giving me a lot of his components to make use of, but I feel I should probably invest in a whole new gun especially for competitions given the wear and tear my original Shadow 2 has taken; I recently split another outer barrel following my previous competition!

Last up were local outfit MWC, run by some of my friends who I’ve seen move from skirmishing at Action Bunker to running their own business; they are dealing in high end custom gas blowback pistols and rifles, as well as offering components, stippling services and durable coatings or surface finishing such as Cerakote or hard anodising, and making use of lots of genuine imported furniture from real steel guns as well as creating kits for the Marui MWS AR platform that allow you to convert it to the local Taiwanese T91 service rifle.

With plenty of people and equipment seen for the first time or first time in a while I made good my escape and met with friends nearby to catchup and grab dinner. Many thanks to Eric and the CKM team for holding the event despite the ongoing restrictions and difficulties, it was really refreshing to see some familiar faces I hadn’t in too long! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

89

Tap/Click Images For More Information

EVENT TWAAA

A FORCE FOR GOOD IT’S A FACT THAT TAIWAN IS ONE, IF NOT THE, CURRENT DRIVING FORCE BEHIND AIRSOFT MANUFACTURE THESE DAYS, AND LUCKILY WE HAVE “A MAN THAT CAN” IN THE FORM OF STEWBACCA TO REPORT MONTHLY FROM SOURCE! IN AN INDUSTRY THAT GENERALLY SEEMS WOEFULLY SHORT OF “CHECKS AND BALANCES” HE NOW BRINGS IN A REPORT ON A TAIWANESE ORGANIZATION THAT COULD WELL SET THE TONE FOR HOW IN-HOUSE REGULATION CAN LEAD TO BETTER RELATIONS WITH THE WIDER WORLD, AND OPEN THE DOOR FOR SIMILAR MODELS WORLDWIDE! 92

MARCH 2022

EVENT TWAAA

A

nyone who’s familiar with my earlier beginnings in my airsoft life path way back in 2005 as part of the original NTUSAS (Nottingham Trent University Student Airsoft Society) will no doubt remember my level of activity on the likes of airsoft forums and the amount of time and effort I spent conversing. This was especially true regarding matters of technical and legal aspects of firearms and replica firearms policy and culture in the face of the Violent Crime Reduction Act/Bill of 2007 that sought to outright outlaw anything remotely realistic imitation firearms related without much knowledge or thought towards the impact on what was then, before the growth of social media in particular, a fringe and niche hobby or interest largely undertaken by a fairly undiverse demographic.

I began actively skirmishing after being in university for a few years and having already collected gas pistols for as long as I was legally allowed to buy and own them, despite my mum’s vehement dislike of all things gun related, given her upbringing in the worst of the troubles in Northern Ireland. I guess I was fighting negativity from the outset.

Back then I remember many a… heated discussion… on the likes of ASCUK forums and whatnot, where I used to go by ‘Mr47’ before I eventually acquired the ‘Stewbacca’ moniker (which my parents inspired, ironically enough, calling me a ‘Wookie’ for my stature and the sound of my yawning!). Many back then didn’t necessarily always agree with what I said, but some nonetheless complimented me on the manner in which I delivered my thoughts… I guess it’s the Irish in me leaning on poet roots, or mum’s instilling of the likes of ‘If you can’t say anything nice, at least say it WELL’ – and since then I’ve always tried to deliver well-considered and accurate information, which has continued into my articles and reviews.

As it was, the likes of equally passionate, but perhaps better experienced bodies of people such as the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association (UKARA) and United Kingdom Airsoft Player’s Union (UKAPU) helped to advocate effectively for our rights to continue doing our hobby and self-regulate the flow of new imports and sales of airsoft guns with a legal defence or exemption for registered legitimate airsoft skirmishers.

Nonetheless the advocacy and political awareness bug was already deeply rooted in me having been fortunate enough to not previously have much to complain about or feel affronted by in regards to legislative shifts and negative public opinions, misunderstanding, or outright intentional misrepresentation for personal or political point scoring, airsoft had already become of core interest and importance to me and my motives all that time ago.

TAIWAN BOUND

So it was when I moved to Taiwan back in 2017, I can’t lie that the comparatively permissive environment and culture here, as well as the increasing wealth of manufacturers based in the comparatively small island nation (apparently it now accounts for 60% of the world’s market share of a variety of airsoft or airgun products!) was a massive pull factor in my final decision making, and I’m sure my life would be immeasurably different, and worse if I’d gone elsewhere! Luckily I fell in love with the island on my first visit, the rest was inevitable.

Casting your minds back to issue August 2020’s issue 116 I wrote ‘Trouble in Paradise’; having already engaged with the legal and political landscape here as a result of the then recent shifts in legislation which were once again threatening to haphazardly sweep aside our interests in the vague name of the public good and a feeling of safety and legislative change towards genuinely threatening conversions of prop or model guns into live firing ones used for criminal activity… it all sounded painfully familiar at the time to the cries of the uninformed back in the UK about the alleged (and obviously ludicrous) ease with which our realistic looking toys could be easily reworked into death machines by bad actors.

Thankfully, again, advocacy groups and the strength of the resident manufacturing industry and obvious commercial interests, something the UK largely lacked during its similar experiences, helped to guide public and political information and education to prevent inadvertent negative impacting upon the airsoft industry and community both locally and internationally. Many in the UK at the time were concerned gas blowback guns were about to be axed

“WHEN I MOVED TO TAIWAN BACK IN 2017, I CAN’T LIE THAT THE COMPARATIVELY PERMISSIVE ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE HERE, AS WELL AS THE INCREASING WEALTH OF MANUFACTURERS BASED IN THE COMPARATIVELY SMALL ISLAND NATION (APPARENTLY IT NOW ACCOUNTS FOR 60% OF THE WORLD’S MARKET SHARE OF A VARIETY OF AIRSOFT OR AIRGUN PRODUCTS!) WAS A MASSIVE PULL FACTOR IN MY FINAL DECISION MAKING” www.airsoftaction.net

93

EVENT TWAAA

entirely for being too realistic, which is still a concern for many USbased users or distributors that limits their market penetration in the States as a result.

These positive efforts at the time were effected by not only protests by members of the community and industry, but funded and supported by manufacturers here, with many of their employees also being players or collectors and numbering those making their voices heard, but also by the relatively new TaiWan Airsoft & Airgun Association, the TWAAA.

to better enable the hobby to be undertaken as well as the continued excellence and market leading design, development , manufacture, sale and distribution domestically without undue interference from the local authorities or harassment of players due to misunderstandings.

I had the pleasure of being introduced to Mr ‘Willy’ Zhang BaiXun, the present leader of the TWAAA, during the latter part of 2021 following the easing of restrictions and the association’s continued efforts to inform and educate the public on our activities and the industry as a whole in Taiwan through the co-operation with the local government in taking over the nearby disused Shulin campground which has since been used and redeveloped to some extent to hold public

TWAAA FTW!

The TWAAA was instituted in 2016 as a result of the continued shifting political landscape and somewhat indifferent or negative government, law enforcement and public perceptions or opinions of airsoft and the community here and everywhere in the world – once again a common theme I’ve seen everywhere I’ve played and with all nationalities I’ve discussed it with; the whole hobby and industry was born of restrictive laws in Japan governing real steel guns after all.

Since its inception, the TWAAA has made use of the extensive financial and industrial resources afforded by a whole host of manufacturers to advocate for common sense approaches and positive reforms to firearms and related legislation in Taiwan

relations events and product introductions as well as events for a myriad of different demographics.

This includes most recently the Christmas Day Shooting Experience Day which saw many local mentally handicapped children and adults get to enjoy using Nerf, gel blaster and airsoft guns in controlled firing range environments with local industry partners supplying the relevant equipment and infrastructure.

As well as working with the team who were brought

“THIS INCLUDES MOST RECENTLY THE CHRISTMAS DAY SHOOTING EXPERIENCE DAY WHICH SAW MANY LOCAL MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND ADULTS GET TO ENJOY USING NERF, GEL BLASTER AND AIRSOFT GUNS IN CONTROLLED FIRING RANGE ENVIRONMENTS WITH LOCAL INDUSTRY PARTNERS SUPPLYING THE RELEVANT EQUIPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE” 94

MARCH 2022

EVENT TWAAA

on from the old Camp 66 militaria museum I visited a few years back which has since been forced to close, all are helping to administer the site and run the program there as well as make use of their Polaris attack buggies to give people a taste of military vehicles and experiences.

Coupled with these events the last few years have also seen many newcomers enjoy the ‘camo show’ which introduces children and their parents to the positive aspects of toy gun use in a safe environment as well as promoting outdoor activities and military themed assault courses lowith 5v5 small scale skirmishes, to give the public a better idea about our activities and present them in a more realistic and less threatening manner and avoid misconceptions, as well as outright promote the community and its benefits.

Aside from these public relations efforts, the TWAAA also operate as a legal consulting body in terms of representing the industry and players as a recognised body that can deal direct with the government and local judicial or legislative departments to present no-nonsense cases and information to better inform policy and legal changes that protect both the country and its people, but also the legitimate actions of the non-criminal elements of airsoft and shooting sports in general in Taiwan.

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

I recently had the privilege of finally answering Mr Zhang’s offers to visit their head office not far from where I’m based in Taipei, which also happens to be where many of the manufacturers are based

(convenient placement for me, eh?), having recently rounded off a lot of the article work and other responsibilities getting in my way as of late. The office space is adorned with various photographs and posters of different partnered manufacturers and retailers supporting the different positive aspects of replica weapons, and even features a mini-museum following the progression of the legal atmosphere in Taiwan with a timeline of important events and changes in legislation. There are also displays informing visitors of the composition of various types of airsoft or airguns, their methods of operation, and most importantly a sensible approach to classification based upon projectiles used and muzzle energies to make it clear to people not previously in the know that airsoft guns are very much less dangerous than air weapons or metal pellet high powered systems used in Olympic shooting or pest control.

The walls tell a story of the TWAAA and airsoft’s journey from the early era of importing Japanese made Marui guns and the loosening or abolition of overly restrictive laws which were previously stifling the industry, and charts the rise of some of the now world renowned major manufacturers since these changes, as well as the improvements in technologies and product ranges particularly domestically. A long table down the centre of the room is festooned with myriad larger forms of weapons such as assault rifles and sniper rifles, while the sides have displays of pistols and other accessories, as well as consumables or supporting industries such as ammunition, gas, tracer units, camouflage and tactical gear as well as storage and carriage solutions, while the end of the mini-tour addresses the aspects of sporting and hunting use of air weapons with www.airsoftaction.net

95

EVENT TWAAA

pictures of the likes of Wu Jia Ying (a Taiwanese Olympic ladies’ air pistol competitor) and native aboriginal hunters making use of airguns for eco-friendly invasive species control.

Finally aspects of police training and civilian-military education are shown with the displays of Umarex’s Training 4 Engagement simunitions/paintball pistols as well as Umarex/VFC gas blowback pistols replicating the Taiwanese National Police Agency’s Walther PPQ M2 NPA models. Mr Zhang tells me these have all lead to great improvements in training and capabilities of the local police due to the shift towards force on force training they afford where live fire only flat range qualifications are too limited to instil the right capabilities. Alongside this is a display of past and present Republic of China armed forces weapons from the M14, to the T65 and current T91 AR derivative rifles.

Much like the golden rules of firearms safety themselves, the TWAAA have their four main tenets adorning the entry to the museum area; they aim to; • Promote positive development of the industry – through standardisation and selfregulation of the types of replica guns produced as well as their function and capabilities.

• Strive for legal protection of the industry and players – with their efforts towards effecting positive changes in firearms related legislation and avoiding 96

MARCH 2022

misuse of inappropriate laws intended for use against either those of genuine criminal intent or genuinely dangerous firearms, and preventing undue harassment or intervention by potentially misinformed or misguided law enforcement where no offence is committed.

• Promote survival games (skirmishing) and the association and its activities – by means of their public relations and outreach events and educational programs and related activities.

• Raise awareness, support and understanding of national defence – using airsoft or model guns to allow people to take part in low intensity shooting experiences but also get a feel for the trials that serving defence personnel endure.

Mr Zhang also pointed me to an apt supporting epithet emblazoning the wall that translated roughly as “understanding national defence begins when one appreciates the weight of a rifle”; allowing people to handle realistic replicas of standard weapons and equipment better informs them to the hardships the RoC armed forces undertake, and perhaps makes them appreciate and understand or support their efforts better. Taiwan still operates a national conscription model, albeit with progressively reduced terms of service over recent years which now amount to completing basic training, it seems as a result, that they could use all the help and public interest or support they can get, given the increasing intensity

EVENT TWAAA

and magnitude of their task.

On the other side of the facility is a very unique imported chronograph system the only of its kind in Taiwan not in the possession of the law enforcement apparatus; as a function of its oversight and legislative representation and self-governance, the TWAAA now requires its industry associates to provide samples of each gun typical of their production output for testing and evaluation, which also add to the permanent library of guns to help inform visitors or allow future reference as these are to be left with the TWAAA for the entirety of any production activities until they are removed from the market.

An industry-leading Oehler produced chronograph system imported from the US is enclosed in a climate controllable mini firing range with twin light curtains two metres apart and a permanent firing point half a metre in front of the first scanning unit to allow consistent measurements to be made and standards to be developed and adhered to, with the environment being adjustable to suit chronograph use at either 20*C for export models or 25*C for those domestically distributed replica firearms, with ten rounds being fired in every string and a printout of muzzle velocities being produced to be included with each sample.

On the walls near the main entrance to the office are nameplates of the various partners in terms of both manufacturers and distributors, as well as signatures of industry members and supporters who

have visited which adorn one wall, which I happily added my own name to, and the entrance to the museum area has one simple phrase which I felt was best saved for last, and encompassed both the TWAAA’s mantra, and my own: “Beyond age and gender”.

I’ve always been a passionate advocate for *everyone* having the same opportunities to enjoy replica or real firearms, regardless of who they are, and the public relations aspect of the TWAAA’s activities have a strong focus on changing the perception that only young or middle-aged men of fringe or niche groups can or do enjoy shooting sports or hobbies. As with the Taiwan IDPA’s continued efforts as well, the more varied people we get involved and interested in a positive manner, the more voices and varied ones at that, we have to support our cause and continued enjoyment of all aspects of shooting.

It is Mr Zhang’s hope that the TWAAA can inspire similar organisations elsewhere in the world, to normalise shooting sports or hobbies, particularly South Korea and Australia which have very overbearing restrictions, and roll back unnecessarily oppressive legal frameworks or negative public perceptions. I think that’s something I, and everyone, can get behind. I’d like to sincerely thank Mr Zhang for his time and efforts, and hope to see the TWAAA, its supporting members and the community continue to flourish here, and its ideals spread elsewhere. AA

www.airsoftaction.net

97

KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP!!

WE’RE QUITE LITERALLY STEPPING AWAY FROM THE USUAL FORMAT THIS MONTH AS POSH HAS BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A PREVIEW OF SOME NEW FOOTWEAR THAT IS JUST NOW COMING INTO STOCK AT MILITARY1ST, AND IF YOU’RE IN NEED OF SOME NEW “LPCS” THEN SOME LIGHT SHOPPING MIGHT WELL BE IN YOUR IMMEDIATE FUTURE!

I

’m five weeks into the testing phase of the Magnum Ultima 6.0 WP Boots and so far, so good!

I’ll be honest from the outset, when I got a message from the kind folks over at Military1st asking if I wanted to review the new (then unreleased) Magnum 6.0 WP boots I wasn’t overly enthusiastic.

I’ve not had great experiences of Magnum Boots in the past. I had a set of the originals way back in the day and they were superb, however their replacements a couple of years later were at best, awful if I’m honest. The sole separated from the upper so I had it repaired, then the zipper broke on the other boot, eyelets pulled and stitching separated.

The build quality wasn’t fantastic at all which left me with a sour taste in my mouth and more importantly a significant dent in my wallet. From then on, I decided I wouldn’t wear another pair. I’m a one strike and you’re out, kinda guy when it comes to kit that’s designed to protect me. That said, the guys over at Military1st know their stuff and I thought I’d give the Magnum Brand another shot.

I’m glad that I did. The Ultima 6.0 WP is the latest edition to the Magnum range and to their credit, are the first pair (as far as I’m aware) of boots made from 100% recycled materials. They are an ultra-

lightweight pair of boots which are suitable for *almost* all kinds of outdoor activities and rapid response situations. The boots are the “just above the ankle” style and are ridiculously comfortable due to the padded collar and tongue, blown EVA midsole and the Hi-Poly PU anti-bacterial footbed. They have ten punched holes, two material loops and four metal swivel loops for the laces which allow you to really get a good cinch and secure fit on each boot. They really do fit my feet exceptionally well and I’m fairly certain that they are wider than your normal boots.

The upper is made from nearly three recycled 380ml plastic bottles and has a waterproof and breathable membrane that keeps your feet dry and protected.

TASK ADAPTABLE

I’ve recently had an IRL career change and have had to embark on some fairly strenuous training, so I needed some hardy footwear that could cope with all kinds of abuse ranging from fitness assessments to self-defence and take down training. I was glad I chose these for the task. In the dojo they stuck to the floor like the well-known proverbial item did to the blanket and in the field they provided ample support to the arch of my foot and kept my ankles upright but

“I WAS GLAD I CHOSE THESE FOR THE TASK. IN THE DOJO THEY STUCK TO THE FLOOR LIKE THE WELLKNOWN PROVERBIAL ITEM DID TO THE BLANKET AND IN THE FIELD THEY PROVIDED AMPLE SUPPORT TO THE ARCH OF MY FOOT AND KEPT MY ANKLES UPRIGHT BUT ALLOWED FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT.”

100

MARCH 2022

KIT & GEAR SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

allowed freedom of movement. They didn’t let in any water and much to my surprise, they didn’t bake my feet like some of my other boots would have. As an added bonus after a fairly hard day, with my sweaty feet in them, they didn’t smell, they still don’t.

Win! As an aside, I like to get out and about and hit the trails on my mountain bike. I’ve found the Ultima 6.0 WP to be hands down the BEST MTB shoes I’ve ever owned, absolutely knocking my Adidas FiveTen Trailcross out the ballpark and with the added bonus is they’re £60 cheaper than the Adidas.

There have been a few niggles that have caused me some concern though, that’s why I starred the “*almost* all kinds of outdoor activities”. Due to the lightweight nature of the boots, they don’t have the most sturdy or grippy of soles in the world. When out on frosty or icy concrete and tarmac I found myself losing my footing every other step and they don’t fare well in wet mud, in fact, the traction on some sections was non-existent. This isn’t because the boots are bad, it’s just that to allow them to be light, there have to be compromises. One such compromise was the tread depth and its ability to eject mud and water.

Once the frost dispersed and I got onto less swampy ground, they were outstanding. I could move freely and with an agility that I wouldn’t have achieved with something like my Lowa Elites (which I absolutely love adore and are easily my favourite boots of all time).

Despite the upper being of a woven construction, they’re ridiculously easy to keep clean. I had to clean them each day as we weren’t permitted dirty boots on site and a quick rinse under the tap and a wipe over with a rag, hey presto-sparklo!

All in all, I’m genuinely taken by these boots.

They’re light, they’re comfy, they’re waterproof, they help to reduce waste and go some way to preserve the environment. Oh, and they look smart enough (when clean) to wear out to the pub after a wellearned *cough* lemonade. For UK£105, which I appreciate might be a bit too far for some folks, I think they’re outstanding value.

Thanks to www.military1st.co.uk and Hi-Tec Europe for the opportunity to change my mind on the Magnum Brand. I look forward to many happy miles travelled in these boots!

We’ll be back to our usual format next month as there’s another crop of new AEGs and GBBs about to hit the stores, and of course “new gear” season is getting into full swing with shows now back on!

Watch this space, the AA crew have got your six! AA

www.airsoftaction.net

101

last post AIRSOFT DISTRIBUTORS

DEMAND AND SUPPLY

SUPPLY OF AIRSOFT GUNS AND GEAR HAS BEEN A LITTLE “PROBLEMATIC” RECENTLY, WITH CONTAINER DELAYS FROM THE FAR EAST, AND MASSIVELY INCREASED COSTS! ALTHOUGH THINGS DO SEEM TO BE EASING, FRENCHIE LOOKS CLOSELY AT WHY THIS SITUATION MAY BE, IN SOME WAYS, HERE TO STAY.

I

n the ‘traditional’ supply chain model goods go from producer to distributor and then to retailer.

For a long time Airsoft bucked that trend with retailers importing directly, either from producers or from overseas distributors (Marui products are a good example of this). This led to an interesting situation where retailers could and did end up also acting as distributors, supplying goods to other retailers for resale.

This model was not without its problems. The first was one of scale; producers wanted to sell as much product as they could and your average UK based retailer could seldom commit to purchasing in the sort of quantities that satisfied that requirement as it required a substantial investment in stock which had to be sold to recoup the investment and turn a profit.

This was exacerbated by the fact that other retailers have proved reluctant to buy from what is literally their competition. There are many levels of distrust operating here but one of the principal ones was the fear that a “distributor” would take advantage of the actual cost of goods to them and undercut their own customers, other retailers.

There was one individual who was notorious for doing just this, and those of us who have been involved in airsoft for long enough will know whom I am referring to. Suffice it to say that I suspect that many people’s experience of this practice has resulted in a lingering suspicion about the motives and morals

of other retailers engaged in distributing airsoft equipment.

This aside, there was also a complete lack of dedicated wholesale outlets in the UK who could supply airsoft-related gear. There were a couple of businesses who dabbled in the cheaper reaches of the industry but they were first and foremost suppliers to the gun trade and their attitudes reflected that. That lack of stock that retailers actually wanted allied to a tendency to threaten legal action if the day had a ‘y’ in it did nothing to improve and advance relationships between them and the majority of retailers.

This situation pretty much pertained up to the advent of cheap ‘ChinaSoft’ imports. It’s hard to explain to anyone who wasn’t into airsoft at the time what effect the influx of cheap airsoft guns from China had on the market. For those of you that missed it, we went from a situation where an AK47 would cost you around UK£200 without hi cap magazine or battery, to being able to buy one for around UK£70 that came with battery, charger and hi cap magazine as standard. I remember literally piling Chinese-made guns high in the shop and selling them hand over fist.

While not solely responsible for a swathe of bedroom-sellers, the ability to buy airsoft guns for not very much, bang on a bit of profit and still sell them for less than bricks and mortar retailers changed the market substantially. This was very much a “caveat

“IN THE ‘TRADITIONAL’ SUPPLY CHAIN MODEL GOODS GO FROM PRODUCER TO DISTRIBUTOR AND THEN TO RETAILER. FOR A LONG TIME AIRSOFT BUCKED THAT TREND WITH RETAILERS IMPORTING DIRECTLY, EITHER FROM PRODUCERS OR FROM OVERSEAS DISTRIBUTORS (MARUI PRODUCTS ARE A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS). ” 102

MARCH 2022

LAST POST AIRSOFT DISTRIBUTORS

emptor” market as you couldn’t expect any serious after-sales service from many of these sellers, but airsofters are nothing if not bargain hunters and if they can get the same gun for substantially less from “Airsoft Iz Uz!”, they’ll do it. This was the only period during my time in retail that I was regularly unloading containers of guns, they were that cheap that shops could afford to buy in serious bulk.

A CHANGING MARKET

Nothing lasts forever and a combination of circumstances conspired to throttle this runaway market. Firstly, as far as we could tell, actually producing airsoft guns in China was illegal and as a result shipments could depend on the payment of appropriate ‘considerations’ at the right time.

Moreover delivery could be, and was, interrupted for long periods when the authorities cracked down.

Stories of raids and jail sentences trickled through the grapevine. In short, yes it was cheap, but it was becoming less reliable.

At the same time companies like G&G in Taiwan took a look at the market share they were losing and decided to do something about it. We started to see models like their Combat Machine series which were simple AEGs, offered at reasonable prices (around the UK£100 mark if I recall correctly) and which performed superbly for the money. No need to strip, clean and tweak these guns, unlike many of the Chinese offerings. Others followed suit and we started to see some Chinese products appearing in the offerings of the big European distributors, now properly licensed and a bit more expensive. The direct to market days were over.

It was around this time that the wholesaler in airsoft began to assume their allotted role. One of the biggest, Action Sports Games (ASG) from Denmark had been around for years but had never really penetrated the UK market.

That started to change. Supply was reliable, products were getting better, even where they were fundamentally the same Chinese equipment we had been buying for years previously, and there was proper support. To a retailer that last point is more important than you might appreciate. I have personally been in the position of emailing ASG (in this case) looking for spare parts to repair a customer’s gun. I got them quickly. That is literally gold; the customer is happy and trusts us, we’re happy and trust the distributor to have our back, and the distributor should be happy because we’re increasingly likely to put more business their way. That’s how the model should work. Buying directly meant as retailers we had pretty much no after sales support at all.

We would see Nuprol establish themselves firstly as distributors of WE pistols in the UK and rapidly expand their offerings by bringing in a lot of the better Chinese made accessories, PEQ boxes, holsters, cases, slings, masks, the whole kit and caboodle, in addition t establishing their own range of AEGs and BBs. From a retailers point of view if we had a problem

“IT WAS AROUND THIS TIME THAT THE WHOLESALER IN AIRSOFT BEGAN TO ASSUME THEIR ALLOTTED ROLE. ONE OF THE BIGGEST, ACTION SPORTS GAMES (ASG) FROM DENMARK HAD BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS BUT HAD NEVER REALLY PENETRATED THE UK MARKET. ”

www.airsoftaction.net

103

last post AIRSOFT DISTRIBUTORS

our solution was now in the UK. Yes, wholesale ‘warranties’ are limited, but any business worth its salt won’t leave customers hanging.

ASG had established a presence in the UK, but would go on to open a full-blown office to service their customers. With the addition of Tim Wyborn iWholesales expanded even further, offering a range of products to the market. The scene was changing, it was finally maturing…

One role that distributors perform is to winnow the wheat from the chaff; many of their products still come from China but they are of better quality and design. During the ChinaSoft boom customers didn’t believe that goods were available in various grades, with prices to match. Some discovered this to their cost when their ‘bargain’ turned out to be less than fabulous, like Action Army L85s in which the gas block was in the wrong place with no way to shift it. Oops! No wonder the front end would stay on.

Retailers still import, and some still distribute within the market, but it is less common than it was and the wholesalers seem to have become accepted as providing a useful service.

THE TRUTH OF IT

I have spent January chatting with UK-based distributors and what follows is taken from my conversation with Gareth (Gadge) Harvey of ASG UK, however the points he makes seem to reflect the general trends and experience of distributors over the past several years. I started by inquiring about the general health of the distribution sector, as we have all had a torrid time of it over the past two years especially. Gadge was more upbeat than perhaps I expected: “Speaking for ASG, we’ve seen things actually go from strength to strength, we’ve actually had an increase in orders from distributors despite the issues of Covid 19 and global shipping. I would say things are pretty healthy for distributors when it comes to ordering our products.”

I then moved on to the more general subject of retailers being seemingly more willing to use distributors than was the case many years ago. Were those actually doing the distribution seeing that, and if so, why the change?

“I think that ‘minimum order quantities’ imposed by other distributors have made it difficult for small stores to order from manufacturers/suppliers directly.

At ASG we don’t have those restrictions so we have a healthy mix of independent retailer orders just for their shop and massive orders from distributors to supply to their own follow-on chains of stores they 104

MARCH 2022

supply.”

We moved onto the role of distributors within the airsoft market. By the time I left Landwarrior (about four years ago now), it appeared to me that UK-based distributors were much more important to retailers than had been the case, say, 10 years ago. Am I wide of the mark here? Assuming I haven’t dreamt this, what do you think has driven this change; more problems with importing goods facing retailers?

Improved choice and service from distributors? Better value? Higher costs and greater admin overhead of direct importation?

“I think you’re right; distributors have really come into prominence over the last ten years in the UK and they are a vital link between wholesaler/manufacturer and smaller stores for some of the reasons like MOQ and shipping we mention above.

It’s really a big mix of things that can make buying via a distributor sometimes a more attractive proposition than buying directly though. Many wholesalers/manufacturers and distributors have a ‘volume’ based discount scheme so you’ll save a lot more buying 200 of an AEG than you would buying just two (this could be as much at 20 per cent off from the original manufacturer) So if you combine that with maximising the content of a shipping pallet as we mentioned before you see that a distributor working in bulk can make great savings and they can in turn pass this onto the stores they supply and hopefully those savings get passed to the end user. The other issue is the speed you can get your order. If you’re working with a distributor based in Europe (or the UK) you’re obviously going to get your stock supplied faster to your store than if you’re using someone based in the Far East. For many small stores that operate ‘day to day’ this is important as they need to buy stock on a weekly or even daily basis whereas a larger company can afford to make a big monthly purchase and maintain a larger inventory of items.”

Supply chains and transport costs. It was suggested to me by a retailer recently that the global spike in shipping costs is going to feed heavily into product

LAST POST AIRSOFT DISTRIBUTORS

prices; do you think they’re wrong in that assessment?

Are we likely to see sustained across the board price rises within the market as a result?

“Well the cost of raw materials and shipping has gone up drastically. For example a shipment that might have cost UK£1500 to get from the Far East to the UK in 2018 for instance will now cost you closer to UK£6000. Costs have gone up to the ‘end user’ a little bit (and of course to the store as well a little more) but in no way are those increases proportional to the costs the manufacturers and distributors are bearing the weight of. Will this go down? Who knows, I mean if you are a global shipping company and you KNOW you can charge six thousand for a service and there is a high demand why would you reduce that fee? The law of supply and demand states that costs will only go down if we find more accessible raw materials or more shipping becomes available to transport it. At the moment not only are shipping costs much higher than they used to be but a shortage of carriers and delays getting in and out of ports (due to many being closed at times) means that the actual ‘wait time’ on an order has increased dramatically too leading to some other companies being critically short of stock.

These circumstances mean that a small order that would be previously sent on a shipping pallet is sometimes placed by smaller stores through one of our sub-distributors rather than directly to us. This is purely because the cost of shipping by pallet is constant , whether it is full to the brim or not, and if you only want , for example, five AEGs you don’t really want to have to pay the shipping for a pallet that could hold fifty but a pallet is the ‘industry shipping size’. At ASG we can ship some items via airmail (particularly smaller consignments) but once the order gets to a certain weight it really needs putting on a road/sea freight pallet.”

How has Brexit affected you in the UK? I appreciate much of your stock will come from ‘third party countries’ i.e. countries outside the EU, but ASG, with their base in Denmark and other suppliers like Umarex in Germany will have to deal with this.

“I don’t think Brexit has benefited anyone of the ‘normal people’ of this island. For me personally it makes getting to my office in Denmark a bit more of a hassle than it used to be! In very real terms it made shipping items into the UK much slower as many people, including border checks and customs, were just not properly prepared for it. For the average airsofter it’s been bad news for sure as the days of buying directly overseas for a ‘bargain’ are over, but then what did those who voted for Brexit expect, you

can’t leave a club and still want access to the clubs facilities! For ASG it’s largely been business as usual as we’re an international business with the majority of our customers (as in our ‘business to business’ customers) based in Europe and obviously as a Danish company… we’re still in the EU! There was an initial ‘difficult period’ that slowed a few deliveries down as new regulations came into play but I’m pretty sure it’s back to normal for UK orders now as well.”

It’s always nice to have your personal observations confirmed by those who deal with these matters dayto-day and time will tell just what effect the global shipping issues and Brexit in the UK have on prices.

The rise of airsoft distribution within the marketplace has been a long time coming and it’s probably significant that professional distribution companies are going from strength to strength as they occupy a very different business space from their customers. That lack of potential competition or conflicts of interests has probably gone a long way to reassuring retailers that this is both sensible and sustainable and there is sufficient competition between wholesalers to ensure that their offerings haven’t restricted choice in the market.

Imports by retailers won’t stop as there are some products which can only be obtained by going direct, or niche products which distributors choose not to carry for whatever reason. However it certainly appears that this tier of the supply chain is finally wellestablished and garnering sufficient business to ensure its long term survival and stability.

Next issue, I’ll be looking at the challenges facing bricks and mortar retailers and how they see their future. AA

www.airsoftaction.net

105

Tap/Click Images For More Information