Airsoft Action - October 2023

CONTENTS

8 ARMOURY: KING ARMS TWS 9MM SBR GBB

We’ve been trying to re-establish “clear comms” with KING ARMS for a while to get the story from source, and finally having done so Bill is going to look at their “9mm SBR” in some detail, and tell just why we’ve been wanting to talk about this potential “game changer” for some time!

18 ARMOURY: G&G SGR 556 AEG

Just when you think that G&G have taken things as far as they can, BOOM, off they merrily go in a totally new direction again! We’ve been testing an AEG that takes a new direction for them, one that we’ve been waiting for… for a while… and Bill now takes a very close look at the SGR 556!

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26 ARMOURY: ICS CXP APE SE AEG

When we see a new AEG or GBB it’s often the case that we’ve seen the total development of a range, and had hands on with many of them! Bill looks back at his long association with the CXP program from ICS, and sees it mature fully with the new CXP APE SE!

32 ARMOURY: RWA BATTLE ARMS DEVELOPMENT SBR

We’re very lucky to have regular contributors that are based around the world, and when it comes to a lot of the new AEG and GBB platforms that we see hitting the market obviously their “source” is the Far East! This month our regular speedsoft guru in Hong Kong, Larri, brings in his first in-game look at the latest BAD SBR from RedWolf!

38 KIT & GEAR: GEAR UP FOR TRAINING!

“If it ain’t raining, we ain’t training” is a phrase that’s much overused, but it does set the scene for the fact that you should be fully prepared for all eventualities when it comes to attending an airsoft training day or course! Bill reflects back on his time with FAST TACTICAL recently and what kit he found useful.

68 AA LEGION: PORTUGAL

Miguel is back in the field and back with the AA LEGION this month as he reports on an annual event that takeS place in Portugal, which sees teams from all over the country gathering to test out their “night game” skills as they battle through another round of “NIGHT OPS”!

44

We’re rolling on with our focus on different camo patterns and colours for gear this month with a look at the many forms of green that are out there, why this is such an important colour for airsoft, and what specific bots of kit that the AA LEGION like and recommend!

76 AA LEGION: UK

With player numbers back in the thousands, The National Airsoft Festival (NAF) is still the UK’s largest airsoft event and after a cracking 2022 event there were even higher expectations for this year’s gathering of airsofters not only from the UK, but from across the water too! Bill brings in his report on the annual event that we always look forward to for so many reasons!

48 RED CELL: SMG UPDATE

It’s time to revisit our SMG category this month, to check in on how all the little beauties in the RED CELL program are faring after a couple of year (or more!) of use and abuse! We’re starting to really focus down on some specific models, with some great tech input as well as our ongoing user-data!

86 AA LEGION: TAIWAN

“Military” Anny Wu and Stewbacca provide coverage of an exciting competitive shooting event held with support from the local airsoft industry and competitive shooting teams with the involvement of our good friend Clarence Lai the ‘Airsoft Surgeon’ in an apparently very successful attempt to open up the competitive circuit to new and particularly younger practitioners, eschewing the typical expensive barriers to entry like regulated shooting belts and equipment as well as the need for lengthy training and certification to compete!

60 INSIDE AIRSOFT: LCT AIRSOFT

With collaborative efforts between ‘Military’ Anny and Stewbacca intensifying, our dynamic duo turned their attention to re-visiting our friends in Changhua and spent the day with LCT Airsoft catching up on their latest releases and upcoming products (those they are comfortable talking more openly about!), with the same dual-language interview technique to cover off various aspects of their operations.

94 RELOADED: ROSSI NEPTUNE 10.5” SAS

After six months in testing Bill now gives his verdict on the ROSSI NEPTUNE 10.5” SAS, how it has fared so far, and his journey to take it from a basic AEG to something that he’d be happy showing off at any level or airsoft game from Sunday Skirmish to full-on MilSim!

THE CAGE: GREEN GEAR

CHANGING THE GAME

YOU MAY WELL WONDER WHY WE’RE HEADLINING THIS MONTH WITH A GAS MODEL THAT’S ACTUALLY BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR A WHILE ALREADY, BUT WE’VE BEEN TRYING TO REESTABLISH “CLEAR COMMS” WITH KING ARMS FOR A WHILE TO GET THE STORY FROM SOURCE, AND FINALLY HAVING DONE SO BILL IS GOING TO LOOK AT THEIR “9MM SBR” IN SOME DETAIL, AND TELL JUST WHY WE’VE BEEN WANTING TO TALK ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL “GAME CHANGER” FOR SOME TIME!

So, the KING ARMS TWS 9MM SBR is a gas-driven AR derivative that uses “9mm” pistol magazines. It’s a tight little package with some unique features that make it highly visually appealing, it’s well put together, and it functions very nicely indeed. So far so good, but there’s a host of other models out there, both gas and AEG, that use “9mm” magazines, so what makes the TWS 9 stand out for me? Simply put it’s the fact that not only does it use “9mm” magazines, but in this case the exact, self-same gas “9mm” mags” that power ALL my favourite Glock and G-SERIES pistols, both standard and extended, gas and C02!

Yup, you did indeed read that right, as I’ve tested the TWS 9 on every single G-SERIES mag that I own (which is a considerable amount!) from TM, WE, RAVEN, VORSK, Umarex/VFC, AW, Evolution, ICS, and ARMY, and every single one powers this superb little AR perfectly!

Why is this important? Why have we used the much-overused phrase “potential game changer”? It’s

because that I genuinely believe, and have believed for some considerable time, that the first company to create an AR-style platform using simple GBB pistol magazines could actually change the face of gasplatform use worldwide… and I am totally scratching my head as to why the TWS (series, because there’s more than one model!) 9 hasn’t got airsofters screaming about it!

A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE

Let me put this into perspective. Many of us believe that gas-airsoft is our beloved game in its purest form… yes, I know that there are far more AEG users out there, and there always will be for reasons I’ve talked about before and won’t bore you with again, but to me a good gas platform just sings in every way. Although gasses themselves are becoming eminently more stable and predictable in a myriad of climatic conditions, you do still need to be 100% on-tippity-top of your maintenance, but this should be hardwired into us in relation to ANY airsoft platform that we own.

We need to love our GBBR with a passion, and look to it for use in scenarios where it will really perform well and to its best, such as CQB, MilSim, themed games, and for training if that is your thing. We actually need to set it up right so that optics and accessories work properly with it, and of course we are still constrained by limited capacity when it comes to magazines, with 50 BBs being about the max.

But… BUT… are you REALLY a good shot? Can you make a single BB or a double-tap count? Take the focus off the platform for a moment and look to yourself, and if you can shoot well, have a reliable and accurate platform, and perhaps most importantly

“YUP, YOU DID INDEED READ THAT RIGHT, AS I’VE TESTED THE TWS 9 ON EVERY SINGLE G-SERIES MAG THAT I OWN (WHICH IS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT!) FROM TM, WE, RAVEN, VORSK, UMAREX/VFC, AW, EVOLUTION, ICS, AND ARMY, AND EVERY SINGLE ONE POWERS THIS SUPERB LITTLE AR PERFECTLY!”

work with a team of likeminded friends who train and play together regularly then it is my belief that you can hold your own with a gasser in pretty much any scenario.

Of course the main constraint to gas platforms in my, and just about everyone’s, mind is cost. Again, I’ve said this before, but basic gas platfroms, especially AR-styles, are coming down and down in price and in time even the most “bare bones” models will get more durable and reliable. However, once you’ve bought into a gas platform the expenditure has only just started as unlike AEGs gas magazines ARE expensive. I’d go as far as saying that to date the cost involved in setting yourself up as a gas user is largely down to buying a decent mag load, and you can easily double the cost of the platform itself by adding sufficient mags to actually fight with.

And this is where the TWS 9 WINS, and I mean TOTALLY WINS! I’m a self-professed “Glock man”, and in my airsoft pistol collection I have 22 G-SERIES variants… okay, there are a number of G17 models as this is the handgun that I have shot and trained with “real”, but there are also some fancy-pants models that are “G-based”. Pretty much all of them will use the magazine from any of the others, so that gives me a large pool of potential mags to draw from…

“THE POINT I’M MAKING HERE IS THAT EVEN IF YOU OWN A SINGLE G-SERIES MODEL THE LIKELIHOOD IS THAT YOU WILL ALSO OWN A BUNCH OF MAGS TO GO WITH IT, AND ALL OF THEM SHOULD WORK IN THE TWS 9, SO THAT’S A WHOLE HEAP OF COST AVOIDED FROM THE GET GO!”

and that’s before I get into spare mags and extended models.

The point I’m making here is that even if you own a single G-SERIES model the likelihood is that you will also own a bunch of mags to go with it, and ALL of them should work in the TWS 9, so that’s a whole heap of cost avoided from the get go!

This is why, to me at least the TWS 9 does indeed “change the game”, and thankfully it’s also a lovely AR-style platform in its own right, and from what I saw at IWA ’23 the basic models (if you can call them that) got a whole lot more interesting as they now incorporate licenced parts from one of my favourite “real” manufacturers, Black Rain Ordnance (BRO)… the BRO T800 Terminator STILL ranks up there for me as one of the coolest ARs I’ve ever had my hands on!

GETTING DOWN TO BASICS

Before I get into the BRO loveliness though I’m going to concentrate on the model that I’ve had in testing, and that’s the original TWS 9MM SBR. It’s a short and light platform at 610/690mm and 2111g, and although I would usually choose a longer model (you can also buy a longer carbine version 690/772mm) the fact that the SBR comes with a full buffer tube and sliding stock (more on this in a bit) means that it’s comfortable even for me, although for testing I added an ARES handstop I got from IWholesales (thanks Tim!) rather than my usual stubby foregrip.

Things kick off at the sharp end with a foretaste of “things to come” in the form of a HEXAGONAL COMPETITION COMPENSATOR based on that from the good guys at BRO, and this is recessed nicely to a one piece CNC-machined three-slot metal M-LOK handguard which provides a solid rail platform, and space for accessories should you wish to fit them. If you wish to run a suppressor then you’ll need a short outer barrel extension, but my mate Marcus at All Ages knocked me one up in about five minutes flat to fit perfectly. On top of the rail there’s a short standard rail continuation that marries up with the flat-top upper, and another one at the front which accommodates the excellent metal flip-up foresight; this foresight is complemented by the corresponding rear flip-up as standard from the box.

The upper itself is pretty much standard AR, and

the only comment I would make here is that it would have been nice to see a “9mm” ejection port rather than the standard size, but this does let you see the full glory of the gold high-speed BCG; this has reinforced steel bolt-stop parts installed as standard for durability. The lower is a different beast though, as this is a bespoke solution to ensure that the G-SERIES pistol mags work in total harmony, and it looks great, with a neatly designed mag release catch that accentuates the line.

Moving inside you have a metal outer barrel and delta ring mount to avoid any potential wobble/flex and a precise 6.05mm brass inner barrel; there’s even a neatly recessed lo-profile faux gas block and tube to finish things off. The bolt release, selector lever, and trigger are all metal to ensure durability, and the trigger, selector lever, hammer, and sear are all reinforced from the get go. The trigger itself is a little heavy, but you soon get used to it, and the reset point is very positive; I can see that the trigger and inner barrel are points to look at in the future for potential upgrades and refinement, but as standard everything works very nicely as a complete unit. The pistol grip is an A1 style, and this is the only thing I can see that I will replace “from the box” for something more ergonomic.

I said I’d come back to the sliding stock, which I love. The TWS TYPE 4 stock is a unique design, and it is certainly eye-catching as well as being very user-friendly and comfortable. It’s a minimalist, ergonomically-angled design that’s easy to work with, made from nylon fibre, and can be locked down to virtually eliminate movement in the stock; a distinct and solid paddle controls the movement, and there’s an additional locking lever that literally cements everything down when you have it set as you like. There’s also a sling point and quick-detach stud-point provided for wide variety of sling options, although I will probably fit a singlepoint attachment too. Although he stock is perfect on the TWS 9, it does have an easily-removable recoil pad that means that you could also use it with an AEG, and I love the fact that it can be quickly converted to fit commercial or Mil-Spec buffer tubes; thankfully KING ARMS offer this as an accessory part in either black or FDE.

“THE UPPER ITSELF IS PRETTY MUCH STANDARD AR, AND THE ONLY COMMENT I WOULD MAKE HERE IS THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO SEE A “9MM” EJECTION PORT RATHER THAN THE STANDARD SIZE, BUT THIS DOES LET YOU SEE THE FULL GLORY OF THE GOLD HIGH-SPEED BCG; THIS HAS REINFORCED STEEL BOLT-STOP PARTS INSTALLED AS STANDARD FOR DURABILITY”

DOWNRANGE

In operation the TWS 9 is an absolute beast, and if you’re buying it as a training or “practical rifle” then you’ll need to do absolutely nothing to it other than charge your existing G-SERIES magazines with green gas and load up your BBs. I tested using VORSK .20g BBs and VORSK V6 FUEL and recorded 1.01 Joule/331fps as an average on a warm day (19C) with no shot exceeding 1.06 Joule/ 338fps ; if you’re planning to use this as a skirmish gun though you’re going to need to keep an eye on the power when the temperature rises, but that’s the same with all “gassers”.

The provided 50 BB extended magazine fed well throughout testing, as did every single magazine from other manufacturers I tried in the TWS 9! At 10m using .30g this thing drills holes in a target as 15mm groups are easily achievable from a supported position. This widens out slightly when firing unsupported but is way, WAY more than adequate. At 30m it‘s possible to hit a sandbag target unerringly and I believe that the TWS 9 would reach out even further than this, and will do when everything has bedded fully. On semiauto the trigger is as I said a little heavy, but nice and crisp with a proper “reset”, and switching up to full sends BBs downrange to target time and again.

“THE TWS TYPE 4 STOCK IS A UNIQUE DESIGN, AND IT IS CERTAINLY EYE-CATCHING AS WELL AS BEING VERY USER-FRIENDLY AND COMFORTABLE. IT’S A MINIMALIST, ERGONOMICALLY-ANGLED DESIGN THAT’S EASY TO WORK WITH, MADE FROM NYLON FIBRE, AND CAN BE LOCKED DOWN TO VIRTUALLY ELIMINATE MOVEMENT IN THE STOCK”

I have to say that I do genuinely love the TWS 9, and if you’re looking for a training tool to keep your skills and drills up to date then it works perfectly for that as TWS actually stands for “TRAINING WEAPON SYSTEM”; as well as for airsoft I run an open-bolt ARs to help me with preparing to go and shoot “real” with my friends overseas, and although the recoil is minimal and there’s no muzzle blast to mitigate with a gasser, the “drills” that I need to keep on top of can be run very well with the airsoft version.

As I already own a number of G-Series pistols, and have a grab-bag of magazines for them, a “training pistol calibre carbine” is 100% my ideal tool… no need to buy a whole other set of mags, I can just use the same ones for both pistol and carbine training! I also think that given complementary mags, any airsofter considering moving to “full gas” in their loadout that already owns a G-Series pistol will find this a cheaper option too. The superb new lower for the TWS 9 is a piece of “airsoft art”, and the fact that no proprietary magazines are needed is, I feel strongly, a real bonus for both training-users and potential “gas carbine” skirmishers…. And the

fact that AIRTAC have an HPA adaptor that fits too (we physically checked this at NAF!) means a whole new realm of user-possibilities!

And to make the deal even more attractive, this very thing that led to my discovery of the TWS 9 has now become a reality, as you can now have the models with even more Black Rain Ordnance loveliness! Okay, it’s essentially the same platform, but where my “original” has just that BRO comp, the latest TWS 9 models have much more! Now you can have an alloy 6061 receiver with CNC engraved Black Rain Ordnance trades, and the evermemorable “LET IT RAIN!!” laser engraved markings on the dust cover; the licenced BRO models also come with an EMG “ALPHA Combat Ready Retractable Stock”, although in fairness I prefer the TYPE 4…

Overall, is this FINALLY the gas training/skirmish AR I’ve been waiting for? Yes it is, as it shoots straight, shoots well, is built like a tank, and has some cool unique features with both KING ARMS and aftermarket parts already in place to ensure further development potential. Combat load-carriage is also simple as obviously you’re just carrying pistol

“IN OPERATION THE TWS 9 IS AN ABSOLUTE BEAST, AND IF YOU’RE BUYING IT AS A TRAINING OR “PRACTICAL RIFLE” THEN YOU’LL NEED TO DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO IT OTHER THAN CHARGE YOUR EXISTING G-SERIES MAGAZINES WITH GREEN GAS AND LOAD UP YOUR BBS”

mags, and I’ve been using the VIPER VX five-cell pistol mag placard on my PC, along with the VX Admin pouch for the 50BB extended mags.

I totally believe that KING ARMS have to come to market with a viable gas carbine in AR configuration that is completely compatible with gas pistol magazines, and that makes it a winner for me! Now WHY are people not singing and shouting about the TWS 9… for the absolute life of me I can’t tell you the answer to that question as they REALLY should be, but believe you me I’ll be telling everyone about it given the opportunity to do so.

Game changer? You’d better believe it… and although it’s not the cheapest gas AR platform out there right now, it’s a beauty with so much going for it, and this is why it’s my “headline pick” for this month now I’ve been finally able to get one on the range!

My thanks go to www. airsoftworld.net for facilitating the prompt delivery of the test model, so please do check them out. Thanks also to Guang and the entire team at www.kingarms.com for putting up with my questions and pestering, and for having the faith and trust in me to start telling the story of their TWS 9… there’ll be a LOT more to come as this enters the long-term test pool, and I’ll report back again at a later date! AA

“OVERALL, IS THIS FINALLY THE GAS TRAINING/SKIRMISH AR I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR? YES IT IS, AS IT SHOOTS STRAIGHT, SHOOTS WELL, IS BUILT LIKE A TANK, AND HAS SOME COOL UNIQUE FEATURES WITH BOTH KING ARMS AND AFTERMARKET PARTS ALREADY IN PLACE TO ENSURE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT”

NEXT LEVEL COOL

JUST WHEN YOU THINK THAT G&G HAVE TAKEN THINGS AS FAR AS THEY CAN, BOOM, OFF THEY MERRILY GO IN A TOTALLY NEW DIRECTION AGAIN! WE’VE BEEN TESTING AN AEG THAT TAKES A NEW DIRECTION FOR THEM, ONE THAT WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR… FOR A WHILE… AND BILL NOW TAKES A VERY CLOSE LOOK AT THE SGR 556!

Any of you that know me, and know Airsoft Action will know that we go to great lengths to ensure that we have really close ties and very open channels of communication with the manufacturers that we now see as friends as well as colleagues in an industry that is constantly moving forward, an industry that is always striving to find new ways, and incorporating the very latest technology, to make our playing experience just as good as it can be!

You’ll also know that I have a very close relationship with G&G ARMAMENT, one that I’m proud to

their “home turf” to report on the G&G World Cup event in Taipei, and I’m very much looking forward to spending more time with them while I’m there as I usually only get to see them at shows where we are all insanely busy.

But that’s still a few weeks in the future, and the past few weeks I’ve been lucky enough to have been hands-on with something that I’ve been waiting for, a new AEG which incorporates both new and existing technology in a very, very tidy package, the SGR 556!

Ever since I saw the prototype of this AEG a couple of years back I’ve been itching to get one on the range as it incorporates their new G3 split gearbox design, a first for

have forged over many years, and I speak to Rick and Apple on a very regular basis, usually via messenger at the start of my working day, and at the end of theirs given the time difference between the UK and Taiwan. I’m absolutely thrilled that next month they’ve given me the opportunity to visit them on

them. Okay, Systema, blah blah, ICS… yup, both have had split gearboxes in the past and I am a fan of the ICS version, but this is the G&G “take”, and whilst there has to be some common ground as all three… split… as usual G&G have taken their time to go their own happy yet well-planned way and married this new approach up to some other features that extend the finished AEG even further than ever before in my opinion.

And that’s the G&G way isn’t it? They do things

“AND THAT’S THE G&G WAY ISN’T IT? THEY DO THINGS THEIR WAY AND THEY TAKE THEIR TIME, AND ALTHOUGH THEY’VE HAD (LIKE EVERY MANUFACTURER OUT THERE I MIGHT ADD) SOME STUMBLES ALONG THE WAY, THEIR STORY OVERALL HAS BEEN ONE OF RESOUNDING SUCCESS”

first GBB AR platform as I believe it will be something just a little bit special…

However, as usual I digress… with no apology whatsoever!

ELEGANT AND REFINED

What’s important right now is the SGR, that AR AEG that I’ve waited for somewhat less than patiently, and yes, it is ANOTHER AR! Let’s not forget that G&G always offer platforms other than the AR (their new MP5-alike looks fabulous!), but as for pretty much all manufacturers, the AR is still the undisputed “King of Airsoft”, and that’s where the volume sales to we, the players, still resides. It therefore makes total sense to me that this is the platform they have chosen to make the most of all their latest advances, and I’ll tell you straight of, the SGR is a real piece of ARt-work.

Starting on the outside, once again the SGR is certainly an elegant and refined looking AEG, and

placed QD stud point on the stock itself. The motor grip is G&G’s own, a nice design that nods to “MPstyle”, and the upper and lower receivers are beyond doubt G&G, the upper benefitting from a slick modern design with a “butterfly” charging handle, and the lower featuring fully ambidextrous controls, a flared magwell, oversized trigger guard, and an easyto-operate oversized magazine release on the right.

The top rail is absolutely contiguous to that of the M-LOK rail system, which again incorporates QD stud points both L/R which will marry up harmoniously with those on the stock if you like to run a two-point sling; there are also flip-up sights front and rear, G&G’s own which personally I believe are some of the nicest around! At the business-end you get one of G&Gs distinctive muzzle brakes, and then… then… there’s the hop adjuster set into the gas block!

Yup, this is another front-end-adjuster, no need to open the dust cover for hop-adjustment! G&G have

“THE AR IS STILL THE UNDISPUTED “KING OF AIRSOFT”, AND THAT’S WHERE THE VOLUME SALES TO WE, THE PLAYERS, STILL RESIDES. IT THEREFORE MAKES TOTAL SENSE TO ME THAT THIS IS THE PLATFORM THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO MAKE THE MOST OF ALL THEIR LATEST ADVANCES, AND I’LL TELL YOU STRAIGHT OF, THE SGR IS A REAL PIECE OF ART-WORK.”

BELLY OF THE BEAST

Now it’s time to get inside and get to the real “meat” of the SGR, and the big news here is the G3 splittype V2 gearbox with a QC spring function. If you’re familiar with other split-gearbox setups then I have to say that although there are visual similarities once you crack the hood, the G&G gearbox looks exceptionally tidy, and very refined. Everything is neat and precise, and even the wiring that is visible looks to be beautifully channelled. The gearbox of course is the “beating heart” of this AEG, but G&G have taken this to a new level and then made it operate perfectly with all the other technology that calls the

“THE G&G GEARBOX LOOKS EXCEPTIONALLY TIDY, AND VERY REFINED. EVERYTHING IS NEAT AND PRECISE, AND EVEN THE WIRING THAT IS VISIBLE LOOKS TO BE BEAUTIFULLY CHANNELLED. THE GEARBOX OF COURSE IS THE “BEATING HEART” OF THIS AEG, BUT G&G HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A NEW LEVEL AND THEN MADE IT OPERATE PERFECTLY WITH ALL THE OTHER TECHNOLOGY THAT CALLS THE SGR “HOME”.”

I adore this feature as it does indeed bring something quite special to our gameplay; you fire off your mag, the AEG simulates “bolt locked back”, you do you lightning-fast magazine change you slick player you, hit the bolt release and you’re back up in the game… I don’t know about you, but in the heat of a firefight this is something that adds to the adrenaline rush even more, especially if you’ve not been “counting your rounds” and it happens unexpectedly!

And no, we’re not anywhere close to being done with “internal ops” yet, as the SGR also comes with a MOSFET (which conveniently and neatly sits on top of the lower gearbox) that allows you to adjust pre-cocking up to 80%, trigger travel with three adjustable modes, 3-BB and 5-BB burst, it will also perform ETU diagnostics, and all this is easily achieved on the AEG itself or via the provided remote control; this controller is well-explained in the instruction manual. The ETU is also “modular”, and this means that new modules can be dropped in for easy replacement; it also makes maintenance a breeze.

DOWNRANGE

So, the SGR 556 is a very tight unit with all the bells and technical whistles (okay, beeps not whistles!) that are at the cutting-edge of the AEG market right now, and then adds a few extra features on top! As you all know though I am a techno-luddite, and all I really want is for an AEG to fire accurately at good range, and do it every time I squeeze the trigger, G&Gs semiflat-face trigger design in this instance!

With a battery fitted I got to work using the remote controller and set this to PAIRING MODE; I found this simple and intuitive to use with the AEG thanks to the instruction manual; with just a few button presses and an the accompanying beeps as things set

“THE SGR ALSO COMES WITH A MOSFET (WHICH CONVENIENTLY AND NEATLY SITS ON TOP OF THE LOWER GEARBOX) THAT ALLOWS YOU TO ADJUST PRE-COCKING UP TO 80%, TRIGGER TRAVEL WITH THREE ADJUSTABLE MODES, 3-BB AND 5-BB BURST, IT WILL ALSO PERFORM ETU DIAGNOSTICS, AND ALL THIS IS EASILY ACHIEVED ON THE AEG ITSELF OR VIA THE PROVIDED REMOTE CONTROL”

I soon had the trigger set to FRONT (sensitive), BURST set to 3 BBs on full-auto, and PRE-COCKING on… yup, I managed all of this… ME! So, with the simple changes I’d wanted to make done of course I needed to check it out, so it was off to the Short 10m Range to see if I’d been able to work with the electro-magic of all that clever stuff, and it had all worked perfectly! Crisp, light trigger… lovely! 3 BB burst… yeah baby! After check-firing it was off to the chrono!

As the SGR had come to me direct from Taiwan the power level initially was a little high for most UK sites, so it was time to check out the QC spring function, and within a few minutes I had a new spring in, and the AEG was set so as to comply with UK legal and field guidelines. On chrono the AEG was as consistent as I’ve come to expect from G&G of late, settling at 1.11 Joule/347fps on a .20g.

Moving things up to .28g on the 30m woods range, performance was in line with other G&G models I’ve tried lately, and with that superb hop adjusted perfectly both range and accuracy were right up there with the best of them to the extent of the range. All magazines I tried fed well, and the cutoff with all the G&G “120” mags (I have a few of them now!) worked perfectly time and again. As I fired the AEG I also noticed that the motor seemed very muted, and it seemed to hum quietly rather than whir (or lawd-forbid screech!) which indicates to me that everything is sitting in perfect alignment, and working together seamlessly.

Overall I have to say that as someone not known for their love of “tech” everything I have found on and in this test model has been exemplary! We already know that G&G offer great “bang for your airsoft buck”, but if what I’ve had my hands in the form of the SGR 556 is what we can all look forward to in the future from our G&G AEGs, then the future is indeed golden!

My sincere thanks go to all at G&G ARMAMENT (www.guay2.com) for providing this evaluation sample, and to Apple for making sure it got me swiftly and securely! As I’ve said many times before I look forward to seeing what G&G do next… especially when they get their GBBR into production… watch this space! AA

“MOVING THINGS UP TO .28G ON THE 30M WOODS RANGE, PERFORMANCE WAS IN LINE WITH OTHER G&G MODELS I’VE TRIED LATELY, AND WITH THAT SUPERB HOP ADJUSTED PERFECTLY BOTH RANGE AND ACCURACY WERE RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE BEST OF THEM TO THE EXTENT OF THE RANGE”

FULLY MATURED!

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN SHOUT ABOUT AT AIRSOFT ACTION IS THE DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE AMONG THE TEAM, BOTH AT A CORE LEVEL, AND ALSO IN A WIDER SENSE, AND THAT MEANS THAT WHEN WE SEE A NEW AEG OR GBB IT’S OFTEN THE CASE THAT WE’VE SEEN THE TOTAL DEVELOPMENT OF A RANGE, AND HAD HANDS ON WITH MANY OF THEM! BILL LOOKS BACK AT HIS LONG ASSOCIATION WITH THE CXP PROGRAM FROM ICS, AND SEES IT MATURE FULLY WITH THE NEW CXP APE SE!

Anegative (via anti-social media of course!) that has been thrown at the current team at Airsoft Action is that we’re all old, and yes, it’s true, quite a few of us are “older gentleman airsofters” who are no longer in the prime of our halcyon days of shootin’ and lootin’! However, the age among the team varies considerably from those in their twenties pretty much up to me… and yes, by the time you read this I’ll be 59! You’d better believe that shocks me more than it probably does you,

and events that I fancy, and now I’m fully recovered health-wise I intend to get out to my local site more. I know that there are a lot more folk like me out there where airsoft has become a huge part of their adult life, and that are continuing to play into their “greybeard years”… let’s not forget that in this age of youth and alleged beauty, in some cultures the elder generation are still revered for their knowledge and wisdom, and when

but it means I’ve been playing airsoft for nearly half that time and I’ve loved every single minute of it!

Fact is that although I don’t play as regularly as I used to (and surviving the “Big C” and now running Airsoft Action on a daily basis also has had something to do with that!), I do still play at games

this is applied to airsoft it means that a number of the current AA crew were out and playing with “toy guns” pretty much when the whole story began.

And this leads me neatly onto the latest AEG creation from I Chi Shivan, or ICS as we all know them these days, as the CXP APE SE (Special Edition) shows that ICS AEGs have matured somewhat more gracefully than I and their performance continues to improve exponentially… unlike my own…

My association with ICS goes right back to their earliest days and I’ve had at least one, if not more, ICS AEG in my personal armoury since 1999, if my memory serves me faithfully. However, looking back at my files it appears that my first published review of an ICS AEG was in 2016, and it was the CXP Proline CQB! This was swiftly followed in 2017 with a review of the CXP HOG SD SR, and my first ICS review for Airsoft Action was in Issue 54 and was the original CXP APE, so it feels somewhat fitting that 100 ISSUES ON I’m once again looking at the APE, but oh boy, is it a different beast!

“LET’S NOT FORGET THAT IN THIS AGE OF YOUTH AND ALLEGED BEAUTY, IN SOME CULTURES THE ELDER GENERATION ARE STILL REVERED FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM, AND WHEN THIS IS APPLIED TO AIRSOFT IT MEANS THAT A NUMBER OF THE CURRENT AA CREW WERE OUT AND PLAYING WITH “TOY GUNS” PRETTY MUCH WHEN THE WHOLE STORY BEGAN.”

RINGING THE CHANGES

When I looked at the original CXP APE I commented: “There have already been numerous airsoft replica versions of the Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR), some licenced and some not, but generally speaking, like any replica model it went through its moment of glory and then dipped off in popularity for a while. This has changed again with new models hitting the market as I write and the Masada is due, in my opinion, to rise again.

But what of the CXP APE? Is it a replica of the ACR or not?

I have to say that in my opinion it most certainly is as some of the features just scream out ACR. Although it does not purport to be an exact replica (licenced or not) of the American rifle there are just too many similarities to push aside. Starting from the rear you have a six-position “SF1” sliding stock with rubber buttpad which acts as the battery compartment; this also has an adjustable cheek rest and folds to the right. The rear sling point sits just ahead of the stock as it does with the ACR. The pistol grip is pretty much that of the late model ACR, and on the ICS it can be changed out as it’s not part of the all in one polymer body of the original…”

So, what has changed? In profile the CXP APE SE has the striking self-same overall silhouette of the original, that cool modern ACR aesthetic and one can only wonder “what if” of the real thing. However, the quality of just about everything in the APE SE feels somehow more than that of the original; the 2020 version of the APE was a beautifully presented AEG without doubt, but everything on the new version just oozes with the external quality that I’ve come to expect from ICS, one of the reasons I love them so very much!

I received the grey/black version for testing in advance of its release, and I have to say that it’s dropdead gorgeous to look at. The counterpoint of the grey “lower”, rail and stock looks perfect against the black of the other parts, and the sheer feel of the AEG is one of “these guys have obviously used the very best they can” throughout.

The upper is a one-piece alloy affair with a long, continuous rail along the top, but it’s up front where ICS have actually upped the ante by installing a very

cool lightweight M-LOK system which incorporates a flip-up front sight and allows you to position a QD sling stud in the perfect position for a twopointer(the stud is provided, thank you ICS!); M-LOK is “all the rage” at the moment so ICS are right on the ball as I expect them to be with their latest APE, and the finish of the rail is absolutely impeccable. The fire selector is fully ambidextrous which is a very nice feature, as are the magazine and bolt release catches and charging handle (this can righty to this once again mimics the controls of the real-world ACR.

from ICS to test the lower (now metal too, a departure from the original!), and polymer six-position stock (with five increments all finished in a slightly different grey to the metal rail given the difference in colouring disparate materials, but completely complementary. The “sharp end” is finished off well with a very “ACR-like” mock gas block and a birdcage flashhider, probably the single thing I would replace…. An “ACR” needs a suppressor!

“I RECEIVED THE GREY/BLACK VERSION FOR TESTING IN ADVANCE OF ITS RELEASE, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT IT’S DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS TO LOOK AT. THE COUNTERPOINT OF THE GREY “LOWER”, RAIL AND STOCK LOOKS PERFECT AGAINST THE BLACK OF THE OTHER PARTS, AND THE SHEER FEEL OF THE AEG IS ONE OF “THESE GUYS HAVE OBVIOUSLY USED THE VERY BEST THEY CAN” THROUGHOUT”

INTERNAL UPGRADES

Of course internally ICS have always done things their own way, yet another reason to love them as their “workings” are now very much tried, tested, and have been found durable and long-lasting! They are well known for their tried and tested split gearbox design and this is easy to dissemble and simple to maintain, upgrade and even repair if necessary. The hop-up adjustment on the APE SE is of the rotary variety, easy to adjust, and is accessed by pulling back the cocking handle which moves the bolt cover to the rear.

Okay, so far so good, but this is another area where ICS have moved on, and although there are two versions of the APE SE (FET and SSS E-Trigger) the one I received was the SSS with the SSS E-trigger system;

this can intelligently detect how the trigger has been pulled. In Full-Auto mode, you’ll fire continuously in full-auto if the trigger is held down, and the SE will fire three BB bursts if you give it a single tap once you have it set up; the Unique SSS Trigger system offers you the choice of four firing modes between Safe –Semi/ 3 Round Burst, and Full Auto through the fire selector and is controlled by a micro-chip in the trigger system. The Short Stroke Trigger that works with the pre-cocking feature of the SSS E-trigger can effectively reduce the trigger travel distance too, increase the rate of fire, and greatly enhance responsiveness.

Another benefit of the SSS version of the APE SE is that it comes with some uber-tasty internal parts pre-fitted; or Techno-Viking Jimmy has raved on time

“ANOTHER BENEFIT OF THE SSS VERSION OF THE APE SE IS THAT IT COMES WITH SOME UBER-TASTY INTERNAL PARTS PRE-FITTED; OUR TECHNO-VIKING JIMMY HAS RAVED ON TIME AND AGAIN ABOUT THE MASTERMODS UPGRADE PARTS THAT HE REVIEWED BACK IN ISSUE 123, AND THE SE ARRIVES WITH SOME OF THESE AS STANDARD!”

and again about the MasterMods upgrade parts that he reviewed back in Issue 123, and the SE arrives with some of these as standard! Unseen, but most definitely there are MasterMods Aluminium Cylinder and Piston Heads, Piston with Full Steel Teeth, and a Metal Air Nozzle, all of which adds up to even more durability and assured performance!

DOWNRANGE

In use the CXP is on the money! All the ergonomics come into play when you bring everything together and it handles well and is easy to manipulate. All the controls are easy to use once you get to know them, and the magazine setup is similar enough to a standard AR that mag changes are instinctive and straightforward. The SE comes with ICS’s own 300-BB high capacity “T” magazine which provides maximum firepower, and is designed with a transparent “window” so you can see at a glance how many BB’s remain in the magazine. The grippy magazine shell also provides excellent grip in all weather conditions, although it has very specific dimensions so you may find that certain “aftermarket” magazines won’t fit the SE.

After an initial chrono that saw the test model kicking out BBs well above the UK legal limit (a bonus for players in countries with higher power levels!) it was straight off to the workshop to change the spring out; thankfully this is simple with ICS AEGs and I was soon back at the chrono station! With the magazine loaded with my usual .20g test BBs and fitted with a 7.4V 1450 mAh LiPo battery in the stock (nice feature, easy to change batteries quickly with no tools needed and the SE comes DEANS ready!) it was time to get down to business.

As stated earlier the SE has a flip-up front sight incorporated into the top rail, and ICS provide a detachable rear flip site as part of the deal; these are adjustable for windage and elevation and are perfectly acceptable should you not wish to attach an optic. The CXP comes into the aim surprisingly easily and with a quick “click” it’s safety off and onto the target. With the new spring the SE chrono’d in at a very respectable, consistent and sight-friendly 1.03 Joule/334fps using .20g BBs and once the hop was set it was accurate enough for me! At 10m groupings

were tighty-tight, whilst at 30m I was happily hitting my sandbags; the BB trajectory was pleasingly flat, with .20g just spinning off at around the 50m mark. This was easily rectified by moving up to .28g BBs and re-setting the hop, which resulted in “flat to fifty”.

Switching up to full auto gave a crisp response from the excellent flat-face trigger and sent the bolt cover (the electronic blowback component) clattering happily back and forth; in my opinion this blowback area is something that ICS still need to improve as it’s a little insipid against my GBBRs, but this is an unfair comparison really, and knowing them they will keep at it, and it does definitely provide some tactile response!

The ICS CXP APE SE will come in black or a mix of grey and black which is actually a superb as you can see. Are you getting an ACR-style rifle with a fancy M-LOK system with the APE SE? I’d have to say actually “yes” as the similarities between them are too obvious to overlook. That said, if you like the ACRstyle and want to have something quite different then the ICS CXP APE SE is most definitely worth a look.

The CXP APE SE is a really solid and tight AEG that shows the maturity of the CXP program, illustrating to me at least that longevity and experience are worthwhile traits if you continue to develop them, and use that knowledge wisely! Once again ICS have delivered an AEG that is stunning in its look, beautifully put together and finished, is filled with the very latest technology and state-of-the-industry parts… and it shoots accurately over distance even as new. ICS have upped their game yet again with the CXP APE SE, and their constant devotion of resources into product design continues to provide their customers exactly what they need to play airsoft. As they put it, “This is the mission of ICS: Innovation, Competition, and Satisfaction.”

I’d say with the CXP APE SE it’s definitely a case of “Mission Achieved”

My sincere thanks go to ICS Airsoft for once again kindly providing an early test model, and please do be sure to visit www.icsbb.com to check out the other models from the brand and much, much more! I understand that both colour models should be landing with your favourite ICS retailer round about the time you read this, so keep any eye on ICS/Retailer updates for more information on this! AA

“THE CXP APE SE IS A REALLY SOLID AND TIGHT AEG THAT SHOWS THE MATURITY OF THE CXP PROGRAM, ILLUSTRATING TO ME AT LEAST THAT LONGEVITY AND EXPERIENCE ARE WORTHWHILE TRAITS IF YOU CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THEM, AND USE THAT KNOWLEDGE WISELY!”

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

BAD TO THE BONE!

WE’RE VERY LUCKY THESE DAYS TO HAVE REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS AS PART OF THE AIRSOFT ACTION LEGION THAT ARE BASED AROUND THE WORLD, AND WHEN IT COMES TO A LOT OF THE NEW AEG AND GBB PLATFORMS THAT WE SEE HITTING THE MARKET OBVIOUSLY THEIR “SOURCE” IS THE FAR EAST! THIS MONTH OUR REGULAR SPEEDSOFT GURU IN HONG KONG, LARRI, BRINGS IN HIS FIRST INGAME LOOK AT THE LATEST BAD SBR FROM REDWOLF! BILL KICKS THINGS OFF…

To set the scene, I said I’d help Larri out with his very first AEG review for Airsoft Action as although we know him for his excellent venue and gameplay reports that appear regularly in AA, putting together a review of a new AEG platform is something quite different. Larri of course has a mass of experience both in the intricacies of fast-paced CQB action and in the guns and equipment he uses for this, but when he, I and Max at Redwolf first spoke about the new BAD SBR I decided it was time that he unleashed his passion to create a review for us.

I said to him my knowledge of the “real”, and the manufacturers involved would allow me to make an introduction to the new AEG, but that the actual testing would be down to him, and I’ve been proved correct that this is indeed a winning formula!

Now any airsofter worth their salt will know Redwolf Airsoft (RWA), and if you don’t, exactly which rock have you been living under???

RWA are one of the “plank holders” of the airsoft world, and I’ve been involved in more projects with them over the years than I care to mention! But for this particular piece it’s their long-standing licencestewardship and relationship with BATTLE ARMS DEVELOPMENT (BAD… to the bone baby!) that’s the important bit.

RWA have really taken the relationship with BAD to heart and run hard with it, releasing some fabulous parts, GBBs and AEGs under the licence. It strikes me that both companies have a similar ethos in that they strive for perfection, and as BAD themselves say, “engineer superlative performance advantage, added

value, ingenuity, and attention to detail into every product it designs”.

BAD have been around since B.A.D. Inc. officially launched on Independence Day, July 4th, 2009. An American and minority owned small business, all B.A.D. Inc. products are “100% made in the U.S.A. and held to the highest manufacturing standards to exceed the expectations of the most demanding end users” and their reputation is such that they seem to be exceeding even those expectations! What they create is cutting-edge stuff, both in terms of complete firearms and all the parts that go together to make them special.

And the new BAD SBR mimics one of their designs perfectly as far as I’m concerned, The 300 BLK Silent Professional SBR which as BAD say “embodies the true essence of innovation in the PDW platform that the most hardcore operators would envy. The modern design and engineering look like something right out of a secret agent weapons laboratory. It is built on the groundbreaking, monolithic BAD-PDW billet 7075-T6 aircraft grade aluminum lower receiver with our upgraded VERT© PDW stock. This purposebuilt SBR was designed for maximum strength, concealment, maneuverability, lightweight, reliability, and controllable firepower”. Seems the ideal thing for an AEG CQB replica, right? But in 6mm BB not 300 BLK of course!

The RWA/BAD SBR in AEG form though actually builds on the inspiration as it replaces the standard free-float rail/handguard with another licenced replica, this time the Fortis Mfg. SWITCH which is

“THE RWA/BAD SBR IN AEG FORM THOUGH ACTUALLY BUILDS ON THE INSPIRATION AS IT REPLACES THE STANDARD FREE-FLOAT RAIL/HANDGUARD WITH ANOTHER LICENCED REPLICA, THIS TIME THE FORTIS MFG. SWITCH WHICH IS A LIGHTWEIGHT, LO-DRAG M-LOK RAIL”

a lightweight, lo-drag M-LOK rail. I’ve been a Fortis fan for some time, and have a couple of their rails myself, but they say of the SWITCH AR15 Mod 1 Rail System “when designing the SWITCH, we wanted a handguard that was easy to install, but also be able to quickly change rails for a variety of mission or competition specific setups”. The real rail features a brand new patent pending locking mechanism that allows tool-less removal which is replicated for the AEG, but c’mon, the rail design not only looks great and is cool as hell, it’s very functional, and it adds minimal weight to the platform overall!

So, three GREAT companies working together to create something in airsoft form that will tick ALL the boxes for many players wanting something short, light, fast, and performance-driven for “close encounters”… it all looks good to me, so now I’ll hand over to Larri to tell you all about performance!

MEET THE AIRSOFT “SOMMELIER”!

Good to meet you all again fellow airsofters, It’s been a while since my last game and site reviews, and this I’m heading somewhere other than community and airsoft venues! As you know, I’m a pistol user in CQB action; however, I’m always interested in short versions of the AR as besides its looks, the best thing about AR for me is that there are always new directions with attachments and accessories so you can customise your guns performance or look.

So this time I’m going to show you my first review on an AR, one which RWA, under the Battle Arms Development licence, manufactures. Back in the review preparation stage, I talked a lot with Max (RWA Gambit in his online persona!), as I always think an AR video montage (something that I’m known for creating) is cooler looking than with pistols; we can install multiple cameras on the gun, and also there are several ways to use the AR and as a result, a whole video can be edited with more interesting content. Max suggested an SBR AEG among his armory, as it was perfect for use in CQB, Target shooting, and SpeedQB, and that was the very latest BATTLE ARMS DEVELOPMENT SBR!

First of all, this is a fully licensed AEG with Battle Arms Development and Fortis Mfg as Bill already mentioned; for those who are keen to know about which parts are licensed, detail features include:

• Fortis licensed SWITCH 556 Rail System – MLOK

• Fortis licensed Muzzle Brake 5.56

• B.A.D. licensed collapsible VERT Stock

• B.A.D. licensed 556-LW Receiver

• B.A.D. licensed Light Weight Low Profile Gas Block

• B.A.D. licensed Ultramatch LIGHTRIGID Fluted Outer Barrel

• B.A.D. licensed BAD-ASS Safety

• B.A.D. licensed Enhanced Bolt Catch

• B.A.D. licensed Large Enhanced Modular Magazine Release

• B.A.D. licensed Enhanced Takedown Pin

• B.A.D. licensed BAD-ATG AEG Grip

The total length of the gun is only 555mm, so it’s perfect for close combat without sacrificing a lot of movement speed. As for weight, it is only 2750g, so it’s not heavy for an AR. However, as I have played pistol-only for several years, the first game took me some time to get used to it, luckily with the QD point I was able to grab back my old MS3 sling for this experience, and with the M-LOK rail system, there were numerous possible locations for different kinds of attachments, so I installed two cameras and red dot sight!

COMBAT READY

The default power is 0.83 Joule/300fps on a .20g BB which is very friendly for CQB, and from my personal experience, I can witness it can handle targets within 30m without a problem. As it uses a Rotary style hopup, you can adjust your hop-up easily, different from first-generation Tokyo Marui AEG more than 20 years ago! Back in those days, I hated adjusting the hop-up when I got a new AEG since it took a very long time for tuning it in, plus a lot of parts need to be removed to reach the hop-up system!

The default trigger is pretty sensitive, for a semionly game, you just need to slightly pre-pull the trigger then it can give you a very quick response, and if you are willing to spend some time and few bucks on it, it will give you a VERY quick trigger response. But, if you want a zero-budget solution for a faster rate of fire? The system itself allows you to change to binary fire mode, and all you need to do is link your gearbox with a smartphone app, then you can switch on the binary mode. It’s fast but not every game venue or game host may allow this function.

As I had owned several short versions of AR before, the magazine catch of this beast is nice. It is way bigger than ordinary AR, so it helps for quicker reload. If you want to use 7.4V batteries, you can install them from the back of the gun, as the B.A.D. VERT stock and a buffer tube extension also provides you a good space to install 11.1V batteries, but then the AEG will be slightly longer, but it is still user-friendly in a CQB environment. However, this gun uses batteries more quickly than I expected, a 11.1V battery can last around 30 minutes of gameplay at the pace we play,

RWA BATTLE ARMS DEVELOPMENT SBR

“IF YOU WANT TO USE 7.4V BATTERIES, YOU CAN INSTALL THEM FROM THE BACK OF THE GUN, AS THE B.A.D. VERT STOCK AND A BUFFER TUBE EXTENSION ALSO PROVIDES YOU A GOOD SPACE TO INSTALL 11.1V BATTERIES, BUT THEN THE AEG WILL BE SLIGHTLY LONGER, BUT IT IS STILL USER-FRIENDLY IN A CQB ENVIRONMENT”

ENHANCING YOUR TOOLBOX!

“IF IT AIN’T RAINING, WE AIN’T TRAINING” IS A PHRASE THAT’S MUCH OVERUSED, BUT IT DOES SET THE SCENE FOR THE FACT THAT YOU SHOULD BE FULLY PREPARED FOR ALL EVENTUALITIES WHEN IT COMES TO ATTENDING AN AIRSOFT TRAINING DAY OR COURSE! BILL REFLECTS BACK ON HIS TIME WITH FAST TACTICAL RECENTLY AND WHAT KIT HE FOUND USEFUL…

Whether or not you believe that there is a benefit for “airsoft training” the fact of the matter is that many of us will attend a training day, or indeed a multi-day training course in our “airsoft careers”, and indeed it’s a part of airsoft that I actually enjoy greatly and embrace fully!

As good as we may think we are, be that in a greenside or urban environment, one thing that a thankfully long life has taught me is to never stop learning! We can become entrenched in doctrine (right or wrong, but is there actually a “wrong” if it’s safe practice?), and fall into habits (good or bad) that actually end up restricting our development as players. If we only ever play on one team, or only play one style of airsoft at a handful of sites, then frankly I believe that we’re missing out.

Why so? Simply put if our habits, that “muscle memory” of both physical skills and mind-set, become set and that’s where we leave it, then there’s always going to be someone out there that does something in-game we can’t mitigate against. How many times have you heard even veteran players say “we got owned by that rental guy”? It’s a hard fact that the unpredictable can sometimes shake even the most experienced player to the core, a time when those “hardwired skills and drills” need re-evaluating and some new tools added to the “tactical toolbox”, and this for me is where airsoft training plays a vital part in the equation.

And it’s not just a single training day or course that I’m talking about here; in all walks of life, and especially the military there’s a thing called “continuation training”, and if you look to the history of any unit, and most of all the elite ones, new skills are constantly being learned, new methods and fresh approaches considered and implemented. Why should we be different?

In my opinion if you have the opportunity to attend

a good training course then grasp it eagerly with both hands, not once, but often! You’ll learn new wrinkles on tactics and gear from the Instructors/DS, but you’ll also learn from the other guys that are on the course with you. Before I even get into gear the one single thing that I would advise you take to an airsoft training course is open ears and an open mind, as there will always be something that you can learn, even if you’re former military!

To put this in context from my own recent experience with FAST TACTICAL, for some time now I’ve worked with a couple of excellent two-point slings, one from DIRECT ACTION (their Carbine Sling) and one from VIPER (the VX). I ditched my much-loved old singlepoint and moved to a two-pointer as I’d started using longer AEG and GBBR platforms more than shorties, but when I went back to my VFC Mk18 for the course I realised why I’d loved the singlepoint in the first place!

I discussed this at some length with the DS and found myself guilty of sliding into a “bad habit” where I tried to use one bit of kit for multiple environments… lesson learned right there, kit for the job in hand and all that!

IT AIN’T RAINING…

With that admission made I’ll progress to the kit I used; thankfully our day at Silverstone was undertaken in lovely British summer weather… it only rained a couple of times, so it was largely “fairweather gear for all! First up for me was an Operator Combat Shirt and MKII Operator Combat Pants from CLAWGEAR, and my LOWA ZEPHYR boots, all of which have been with me for a while and are worn-in and comfortable… never underestimate comfort; as I love to say “any fool can be uncomfortable!”

My belt kit is all DIRECT ACTION, their Mustang two-piece belt, this time set up specifically for Mk18

“IN MY OPINION IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND A GOOD TRAINING COURSE THEN GRASP IT EAGERLY WITH BOTH HANDS, NOT ONCE, BUT OFTEN! YOU’LL LEARN NEW WRINKLES ON TACTICS AND GEAR FROM THE INSTRUCTORS/DS, BUT YOU’LL ALSO LEARN FROM THE OTHER GUYS THAT ARE ON THE COURSE WITH YOU”

and G17 mags; basically two carbine mags, two pistol mags, dump pouch, first aid/TQ pouch, vehicle/helo safety lanyard, and my G17/Surefire holster from KYDEX Customs. This is the exact same setup that I use when shooting “real” and covers all the bases.

Still DIRECT ACTION, and my favourite plate carrier is the modular Spitfire System; I love this as it’s loprofile, lo-weight, and you can easily swap out multiplatform magazine placards for different missions. In this instance I mounted a three-cell Speed Reload panel, and on the rear a Utility Back Panel so that I could run a 2L hydration system with the tube secured at the front with a V-LOCK.

In terms of “safety gear” I used my old FAST lid, along with PELTOR SPORTAC earpro (a cheaper but solid alternative to COMTACS if you’re not running comms), my BluEye shooting glasses, and RAGNAR RAIDS Valkyrie Mk1 gloves. Depending on environment a ballcap also works… and as you will know my favourite cap is very much “worn in”… again, all of these items are very much “tried and tested”.

For my primary I chose the VFC Mk18 GBBR, the right tool for the job in hand (urban CQB work) with six mags, one in the carbine, two on the belt, and three on the Spitfire. I mounted an EoTECH Holo, PEQ-15 and Scout Light, the latter pair married up to a WADSN dual pressure switch. My secondary was my now-ultra-reliable and accurate Umarex G17 with an X300, with one mag for the pistol, and two spares on the belt.

Let me pause for a moment here to talk about optics and accessories. If you’re going on a training course then please, PLEASE make sure that everything you mount on your primary is good to go when you arrive! Optics should be zero’d beforehand, as should any laser marking devices, and do ensure that you have fresh batteries installed (with spares on hand!) in everything that needs them! Sounds daft, but it’s SO easy to swap an optic from one platform to another and lose zero… it’s also easy to leave batteries onboard for a while and for your electrics to fail you just at the wrong moment. Co-witnessing your irons is a great idea, but if you’re running lo/no light scenarios without NVGs and your white light goes dead that’s you pretty stuffed right there…

“MY BELT KIT IS ALL DIRECT ACTION, THEIR MUSTANG TWO-PIECE, THIS TIME SET UP SPECIFICALLY FOR MK18 AND G17 MAGS; BASICALLY TWO CARBINE MAGS, TWO PISTOL MAGS, DUMP POUCH, FIRST AID/TQ POUCH, VEHICLE/HELO SAFETY LANYARD, AND MY G17/ SUREFIRE HOLSTER FROM KYDEX CUSTOMS”

RANGE BAG FTW!

If you are heading off to a training session, then a good range bag is a must, and my choice here is a FIRST TACTICAL Recoil Range Bag. Designed with tough 600D polyester and closed foam padding to keep your gear organised while on the go, it has numerous specialised internal pockets and compartments, and stiff padded dividers pull out for easy organisation. Complete with two padded pistol pockets with ten pistol mag pockets, the interior pull-out organiser makes keeping everything just where you need it simplicity itself. There’s a specialised compartment for storage of cleaning kit and tools, and the pocket flap unzips and folds down to reveal an oil-resistant lining perfect for pistol cleaning needs.

In a bag like this you can carry extra mags for your primary and secondary, along with gas and BBs for replen. I also carry a small tool kit, and old unjamming rod, some MAGLUBE, and a clean paintbrush… no I’m not getting into watercolours, this is for swiping away dust in my pistol and carbine to ensure they stay clean and perform properly! Spare gear goes into the Range Bag too; replacement eyepro, spare gloves, ballcap, watch cap and buff, my HELIKON-TEX Windrunner and VIPER FRONTIER jacket (you’re going to cool down between sessions so be prepared!), and my GORE TEX waterproofs just in case it actually does become “training whilst raining”!

Some ranges and training centres may ask you to bring along a case in which to transport your platforms between training elements, and I used my old NUPROL SMG wheeled hardcase for this which was perfect; of course any decent gun case or bag will do as long as you can easily and swiftly pack away or deploy your primary and secondary when you need them! I also take along breech flags for my gassers; these cost pennies from most good gun stores and illustrate a level of safety and competency by “showing clear” to both those around you and anyone who may be observing; yes, these are replicas, but safety is paramount at all times and sometimes when we’re on a live-fire-rated site it’s just good practice to show that we are serious about handling and safety!

So, a snapshot of MY favoured kit by way of illustration of what you might need, and how you do

need to have things set up for a training day! As I said at the outset, you may not believe in the efficacy of formal training for airsoft, but from my experience you WILL learn something and take away perhaps the very skill that you need when it comes to being effective on your next game-day.

What I will absolutely guarantee you is that when you attend a training course you WILL meet some righteous people, fellow players all of whom bring their own style of play, and their own dedication and enthusiasm to learning, and this in itself is airsoft gold… I met some awesome guys on the FAST TACTICAL day, some of which have now become mates that I speak to on a regular basis, finding out what they’re up to, where they’re playing, and what they’re using, along with having a right good laugh!

And me, what did I learn this time? I added a couple of new wrinkles to my own “tactical toolbox”, reinforced some stuff that I knew already… and then I went home and dug out my old singlepoint! AA

“OPTICS SHOULD BE ZERO’D BEFOREHAND, AS SHOULD ANY LASER MARKING DEVICES, AND DO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE FRESH BATTERIES INSTALLED IN EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS THEM! SOUNDS DAFT, BUT IT’S SO EASY TO SWAP AN OPTIC FROM ONE PLATFORM TO ANOTHER AND LOSE ZERO… IT’S ALSO EASY TO LEAVE BATTERIES ON-BOARD AND FOR YOUR ELECTRICS TO FAIL YOU JUST AT THE WRONG MOMENT…”

THE CAGE: IT’S GOOD TO BE GREEN!

WE’RE ROLLING ON WITH OUR FOCUS ON DIFFERENT CAMO PATTERNS AND COLOURS FOR GEAR THIS MONTH WITH A LOOK AT THE MANY FORMS OF GREEN THAT ARE OUT THERE, WHY THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT COLOUR FOR AIRSOFT, AND WHAT SPECIFIC BOTS OF KIT THAT THE AA LEGION LIKE AND RECOMMEND! BILL STARTS THINGS ROLLING AS ALWAYS…

Everywhere we turn these days there seems to be a comment about “going green”, and when it comes to playing airsoft I couldn’t agree more, as historically right up to “The Now” green has always been fabulous option for clothing and gear!

Historically virtually every army in the world has at one point or another “gone green”, and if you’re looking for easy “from the past” inspiration then a search for OD Green or Olive Drab will bring you images of uniforms worn from the last 100 years or so. Probably the best known OD uniform for many will be the US “Nam Fatigues” where modern features really first started to appear on combat uniforms; through a number of iterations this uniform finally became one of the “founding fathers” of all the features we now expect to see in our clothing, and the “combat pant” that we know and love today owes much to the US design.

But times they do move on, and new slants on both personal protection and functional use dictated that what we wear could help to save us from injury, and become even more easy to use with features designed to help the user get the most from their clothing. Knee and elbow pads were incorporated into the fundamental design of clothing, mixed fabrics were used in the same garment to take into account our bio-mechanics, and of course gear became as protective as it was lead-bearing.

Now of course we are spoiled for choice when it comes to clothing and gear, with a huge market supplied by countless manufacturers of kit both real

and replica, and one of the easiest colours to buy into for total clothing/equipment solution is plain green.

After looking at the darling of BluFor last month in the guise of Multicam, it has always struck me that green has now become one of the defacto choices for OPFOR use, especially when it’s mixed up with a bit of camo! All the go faster kit is available in plain green, whether it be OD, Ranger, Adaptive, or RAL7013, the last one being my personal favourite. The choice of manufacturers making “green gear” is huge, and if you pick and pluck from multiple sources you can really end up with a righteous loadout, and you’ll see mine in my “CQB Kit” article this month.

But is it just me, or do others in the AA LEGION feel the same about green kit that I do? This is where things start to pare back a little, as obviously in any group, a group no doubt just like you and your airsoft friends too, we all have differing opinions, and make different choices based on our different operational zones around the world. I’m expecting to see some unique opinions generated in this sequence of THE CAGE, with different members of the crew almost “championing” their kit of choice… it’s time to see just how similar we all are, whilst at the same time rejoicing in the individual differences that we all have!

TEAM TALK

So, without further ado I asked the members of the AA LEGION a simple question; “Green, OD, Ranger, Adaptive... what green kit do you use? Old or new, why do you use it, and what is your absolute favourite bit of plain green gear or clothing?”

Miguel: Oh boy! My turn! So as it’s well known for The GHOST’s, we like to have our uniforms to keep the team well organized in that aspect. We have our rules and some guidelines, but one of the main objectives of having different uniforms is mainly to help us have slots in factions that might have

“HISTORICALLY VIRTUALLY EVERY ARMY IN THE WORLD HAS AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER “GONE GREEN”, AND IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR EASY “FROM THE PAST” INSPIRATION THEN A SEARCH FOR OD GREEN OR OLIVE DRAB WILL BRING YOU IMAGES OF UNIFORMS WORN FROM THE LAST 100 YEARS OR SO”

uniform rule, like “desert vs woodland” or “camo vs no camo”. With that in mind, we started using a full OD uniform as part of our gear, not only as it’s great for “no camo” faction, since you won’t lose much in terms of camouflage, but it’s also great to mix up with other patterns, like our M81 or the ATACS AU.

In the team, we mainly use combat uniforms, with most of our members using the Gen3 Combat Uniform from Primal Gear (courtesy of Gunfire), but I really liked my old Viper Tactical Warrior Uniform, it was tested, used and abuse for many years, and it never failed me; the colours faded away a bit due to the wear and tear, but my only shame is that Viper only remade the Warrior Shirt and not the combat pants (Ian!). I’ve also used a Primal Gear Gen4 OD combat uniform, but the colour is more of a RG than an OD.

One thing that we have been testing is that the OD top works REALLY well with ATACS pants, normally the ground is always more arid and the bushes are green, so it works really well as camouflage. Besides the OD uniforms, for over 10 years one of our rules is that all gear (vests, belts, holsters, etc) must be OD. Throughout the years, we have switched uniforms more than once and having our gear in OD makes the change easier. Also, in my opinion, the OD gear fits well in most pattern.

Stewbacca: Since coming to Taiwan my flat OD kit has been somewhat limited; I had a lot more plate carriers or other gear in OD back in the UK. I have fragments of the 58 Pattern webbing belt gear that my sister sent me for my FAL review, the Irish getup which I already used with the FAL mags for the shooting competition.

Besides that my Helikon-Tex OD Soft shell jacket is something that I’ve kept hold of for years; we bought them as a team standard back in my latter years in the UK, and it continues to serve me well out here as it’s lightweight and a good sun or wind blocking option, as well as feeling relatively cool in the tropical heat with a cold feeling on the skin.

It isn’t the best in terms of waterproofing as it tends to just saturate quickly in the rain out here, but for going up mountains or running outdoor events or expos it’s a compact lightweight option I can throw on which has open-able vent zips and velcro for patches and whatnot.

Bill: And for me? Although I’ve got a whole wardrobe of “green gear” these days that I’ve talked about (and do so again this month!), one of my fave pieces is still the DCS plate carrier. Over the years I’ve been privileged enough to run a number of plate carriers and load carrying systems featuring integrated body armour protection, and although these days I tend to run more “light is right”, the Warrior Assault Systems DCS has stuck as my personal favourite for full-on scenario games; it has become my default “battle” plate carrier design and the Ranger Green colour from WAS merges with my RAL7013 clothing perfectly.

The DCS (Dynamic Combat System) is a lightweight, low profile system which is rugged, yet ergonomically designed to provide exceptional comfort and functionality. Designed with direct input from active S.F. Operators the DCS is suitable for all types of operating environment and is available in a number of camouflage patterns, plain colours and platform specific configurations. As well as the Ranger Green version shown here with the WAS Open Top mag pouches, they also have closed top M4, G36 (which will carry 7.62mm mags) and AK specific setups available from stock.

You can purchase the DCS rigs on their own, or as a ready set up, complete system. The DCS DA 5.56mm (Direct Action) comes as standard with five Open Mag Pouches for 5.56mm Mags (inc PMAGs and EMAGs), and two Small Utility / Medic Pouches. I’ve added a large Utility Pouch, one of WAS’s excellent Rip Off Personal Medic Pouches, a front opening Admin Pouch, and a Cargo Pack with hydration compartment to my personal rig which pretty much covers all the bases. AA

“WE STARTED USING A FULL OD UNIFORM AS PART OF OUR GEAR, NOT ONLY AS IT’S GREAT FOR “NO CAMO” FACTION, SINCE YOU WON’T LOSE MUCH IN TERMS OF CAMOUFLAGE, BUT IT’S ALSO GREAT TO MIX UP WITH OTHER PATTERNS, LIKE OUR M81 OR THE ATACS AU”

STILL SHORT... AND VERY SWEET!

IT’S TIME TO REVISIT OUR SMG CATEGORY THIS MONTH, TO CHECK IN ON HOW ALL THE LITTLE BEAUTIES IN THE RED CELL PROGRAM ARE FARING AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS (AND MORE) OF USE AND ABUSE! WE’RE STARTING TO REALLY FOCUS DOWN ON SOME SPECIFIC MODELS, WITH SOME GREAT TECH INPUT AS WELL AS OUR ONGOING USER-DATA!

So, SMGs… don’t we all love ‘em! When it comes to CQB-play this is what the SMG was ultimately designed for, so it’s the ideal platform for that environment, but with airsoft ranges and engagement distances as they are it’s also a platform that many choose overall, be that for indoor, urban, or woodland airsoft adventures!

I’ve used an SMG as my primary so many times in the past, and I’ve had models in my personal armoury ever since Tokyo Marui unveiled their awesome (but oh my lawd, SO hard to work on!) Uzi. I’ve had AEGs and gassers aplenty of my own, and even more that I’ve tested and reviewed, and I have to say that it’s an area that I love coming back to… in fact you could say that this category is my personal favourite of all that we’ve tested over the last two year!

Whether you’re a skirmisher, a MilSim fanatic, or a dedicated OPFOR-ist there’s and SMG for you out there, and as time goes by there seem to be more and more available! We won’t be concentrating on the VORSK VMP-1 in this update as we’ve only just reviewed the production model (last issue), but for me this is a fabulous indication of how a really good SMG can, and will, be adopted by players embracing all styles of airsoft… from the sheer number that I saw down at the NAF I know this to be true, and every proud owner of a new VMP-1 only had good things to say about it… and this was on a verymuch-woodland site!

Before we get into the meat of things, also at the NAF a number of you asked me more about the Red Cell program itself, so I believe it’s time to clarify exactly what it is, and how we run it, again. Basically we started a little over two years ago with a number of categories covering the majority of the most common airsoft platforms, and between the members of the testing group we brought together a basic ten models in each category to start testing with the goal of running them all through a five-year testing cycle.

And no, these are not all MY platforms (I bloody wish!), but models that are owned also by members of the Red Cell team who kindly allow everyone in the group to try their AEGs and GBBs and keep a

running tally on use and continued performance. Thanks to the way the program has been embraced by certain manufacturers (we thank you!) who wish to know how their AEGs and GBBs perform over an extended period there is indeed also a “Test Pool” of models that is kept (in stock, out of the box form) in the AA Armoury, and many of these end up with Red Cell members to test over time as well!

As you can see, this is all about seeing how the models we have perform not just as new, but with continued hard use. Yes we maintain them, but unless there is a very specific reason, none will be upgraded from new… we want to see what breaks over time, how easy the fix is, what that fix costs, and what performance we can get from some basic and minimal upgrading.

Thankfully numerous manufacturers now feed into the program on a regular basis, so our “Starting 10” has now in many cases become 15+ by category! By the end of the program each and every model will have an “on-par” BB count although of course some may be newer than others. Bottom line is that Red Cell hammer them, break them and fix them so you can have all the info and an assurance of performance when you choose to add a new model to your own armoury!

THE LOWDOWN

So, nuff said on that, and let’s get to THE GUNS!

It’s cool to see that among Red Cell there are some real SMG fiends, including me, so we’ve distilled our joint experiences to compile this update on some of the models that we own ourselves, or have run for some considerable time from the pool.

Although there is one MP5 here, if you’ve followed the program then you’ll know that “THE FIVE” has a category all to itself, and yes, we’ll be following up with that in due course. This time, as I said, I’ve asked the guys to really start digging down, taking a real “deep dive” into individual platforms, so I’ll shut up now and let them get into it!

Jimmy: I have become somewhat of a SMG fan over the past couple of years and have built up quite a collection, most of which are more the modern type. My favourite has to be the UMP45 as this for

“WHEN IT COMES TO CQB-PLAY THIS IS WHAT THE SMG WAS ULTIMATELY DESIGNED FOR, SO IT’S THE IDEAL PLATFORM FOR THAT ENVIRONMENT, BUT WITH AIRSOFT RANGES AND ENGAGEMENT DISTANCES AS THEY ARE IT’S ALSO A PLATFORM THAT MANY CHOOSE OVERALL, BE THAT FOR INDOOR, URBAN, OR WOODLAND AIRSOFT ADVENTURES!”

me has to be the best looking SMG ever made which is why I got excited when I learned of the PCC45 and the UTR45, a more modern twist on the UMP. It is my belief that all SMG’s should be a “.45 caliber”!

My first SMG was the Umarex Elite Force UMP and I get questioned about it a lot. It is my understanding that these are no longer available and certain proprietary parts are non-existent, so I tend to use this mainly for special occasions. It brings attention due to its very loud electric blowback which is a very satisfying sound indeed. Battery space is limited and you do need to be mindful of what batteries you use as the mock bolt when moving passes over the battery so could potentially damage the battery. The Elite Force UMP was, as far as I am aware, the only model to incorporate a 2 BB burst which is a nice little touch. The mags do play up sometimes as they are hi-cap mags; sometimes they jam internally, but if you give the bottom a firm tap they unjam themselves… it wouldn’t be the first time I have had hi-cap mags jam! The addition of the quick-change spring makes it easy to adjust power depending on your sites limits and it is a very quick change Indeed. Adorned with the right attachments the UMP45 really does stand out in a crowd.

Moving on to the DE UTR45, a reasonably recent platform brought to us by Double Eagle; it’s a very impressive piece of kit indeed. This is an exact replica of the LWRC45 and really does look the part. Sporting the Falcon Fire Control System it operates flawlessly and offers a certain amount of programmability. Battery space situated at the very rear is a tad tight and limits you to small, low mah batteries forcing you to carry a few for a day of ‘softing, but if your only doing short games it’s fine. Able to lift a 0.30g BB out of the box is something to brag about slinging BBs out to 60m with effect will please many!

Boycie: I still really like the MPX even over the MCX.It’s perfect size to drop in a rucksack, with mags, ammo etc and then just take off to a site. With the addition of a plate carrier and belt kit, the whole set up is compact and so much easier to take out than the “everything and the kitchen sink” kit with a big loadout. Covered in the Feb 2022 issue, the first MPX in the UK is still in my “armoury”. Performance-wise, since I made the modification of motor and other

tweaks it’s certainly consistent and really good fun to use. Range is also great for such a short rifle.

I’m really liking the “grab and go kit” as all the MPX mags along with secondary and mags are on my belt and at one place; I even wore it all with a jacket over the top and running the MPX on the RTS sling I’m sure a few players didn’t even realise I had it under the jacket ….. that caused a few surprises when moving thru a “hot area” without being engaged and then getting to a suitable point to uncover and then open up on unsuspecting opposition players. I can see the MPX staying in my reduced armoury for some time yet!

Dan: Much like John, I am a massive fan of the MPX platform, but admittedly sway towards favouring the MCX over it for general outdoor field use. That being said, outside of select Rattler conversions, the MPX is the far more compact ensemble and easily fits inside a small backpack, duffel or concealed under a heavy jacket. As discussed in previous issues, the stock motor is a little anaemic for the task at hand, but with a nice aftermarket motor installed the gun really comes alive. One shouldn’t let the short barrel length dissuade them from considering the MPX for outdoor use. This gun is not really hampered in the volume or gearbox department like the smaller VFC MP7A1 AEG when it comes to setting this up to compete on the fields and it will have no issues holding its own.

On some of the really high mileage MPX’s I’ve built that are pushing 100K+ rounds and had come back in for some servicing, I’ve been noting a few cracked gearboxes. Despite radiusing and sorbo being added, the Avalon series shells do not seem to be quite as durable as the older grey VFC shells were. I’ve also seen a small number blow out the back of the gearbox where the spring guide is situated. Some of these I have learned were also ran in a stockless configuration, so more stress was directly transferred through the spring guide to the gearbox shell as opposed to having the stock to brace up against. Realistically, this is an incredible volume of fire and often well beyond what the average player will execute in their airsoft lifetimes before moving on to other guns or other things, so it’s not altogether unexpected.

Overall, I have not seen any real issues with the

“I’M REALLY LIKING THE “GRAB AND GO KIT” AS ALL THE MPX MAGS ALONG WITH SECONDARY AND MAGS ARE ON MY BELT AND AT ONE PLACE; I EVEN WORE IT ALL WITH A JACKET OVER THE TOP AND RUNNING THE MPX ON THE RTS SLING I’M SURE A FEW PLAYERS DIDN’T EVEN REALISE I HAD IT UNDER THE JACKET”

JG WORKS JG069 MP5 AEG

Model: JG WORKS JG069 MP5 AEG

Price: iro UK£70.00

Age: Four 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 AEG

Price: iro UK£155.00

Age: Four 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: Three Years

Weight: 2125g

Length: 420mm/630mm

Magazine Capacity: Gas, 50 BBs (Will accept 27 BB GTP9 pistol mags)

Cold Chrono: 0.99 Joule/328fps

Hot Chrono: 1.04 Joule/335fps

Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK

Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW

Supplied By: www.guay2.com

G&G PCC45 AEG

Price: iro UK£290.00

Age: Three Years

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: Two Years

Weight: 2200g

Length: 381mm/586mm

Magazine Capacity: 40BBs

Cold Chrono: 0.95 Joule/320fps

Hot Chrono: 0.99 Joule/328fps

Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail

Suppressor Compatibilty: Dedicated

Available From: www.alphadeltaairsoft.com

body or other externals failing as long as the gun is properly cared after. I was admittedly a bit sceptical on the overall durability of the magazine material at first, but this has proven to be the opposite case and the magazines have held up to abuse very well. Having spent a lot of time on this platform now, the VFC MPX remains firmly amongst my top picks for SMG AEG’s. If you are a fan of SIG’s modern lineup, this will feel right at home in your armoury!

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 semi-only 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.

Ben: G&G, SMC9....first of all let me start off by saying how good looking it is, the gull-wing ejection dust covers, the forward ambidextrous charging handles, that overall look of the rail… now this similar but not the same as the VMP as in it’s a company’s take on making something new that no one has seen before nor does it exist in the real steel or gaming world, so in that respect it’s unique.

The SMC9 as a CQB SMG is quite a beast in its own right, with a good standard range 50+ meters and very accurate up to 40ish which if you use this gun for what it’s designed for that’s perfect. This platform seems to be rather popular with the speedsoft crowd, but it’s still a formidable primary weapon in the right hands; playing the front-line pusher either in CQB or open field games or as a sidearm for snipers it gets the job done!

It’s known not to be gas efficient so I choose to follow what has been said is the best way to get the better performance out of it (HPA)....I ordered myself the Airtac TM 400 BB drum mag kit, had the wonderful Wizard Jimmy piece it together for me and it works perfectly well. I prefer to run a GBB as it should be with a load of mags and have that more realistic feel to my play with stoppages and mag changes, but as we know GBB platforms don’t

perform too well in colder weather so I had to think about adapting for this, hence the HPA-tapped drum mag. Now with the SMC9 not being so gas-friendly regardless of the weather I agree that running this beauty on an HPA-tapped mag is the way forward! It is truly a wonderful SMG and looks good in anyone’s collection, but would I recommend it!? Of course, but go down the HPA-tapped drum mag route if you plan on running it as your primary platform.

Boycie: 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. After my recent visit to ASG UK I can tell you now that the EVO just got even better, and I’ll be reporting back on the latest developments in due course!

Bill: 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 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, 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 allowing the whole front end to slide forward and the battery to be inserted. Unlike the tight compartment of the original SMG the EVO carbines will allow you to fit many more shapes and sizes of battery, although you still need to be

“THE SMC9 AS A CQB SMG IS QUITE A BEAST IN ITS OWN RIGHT, WITH A GOOD STANDARD RANGE 50+ METERS AND VERY ACCURATE UP TO 40ISH WHICH IF YOU USE THIS GUN FOR WHAT IT’S DESIGNED FOR THAT’S PERFECT. THIS PLATFORM SEEMS TO BE RATHER POPULAR WITH THE SPEEDSOFT CROWD, BUT IT’S STILL A FORMIDABLE PRIMARY WEAPON IN THE RIGHT HANDS”

ASG SCORPION EVO A1 AEG

Price: iro UK3330.00

Age: Five Years

Weight: 2300g

Length: 425mm/625mm

Magazine Capacity: 75BBs (Hicaps available)

Cold Chrono: 1.04 Joule/335fps

Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps

Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail

Suppressor Compatibilty: Dedicated Supplied By: www.actionsportgames.com

KRYTAC KRISS VECTOR AEG

Price: iro UK£440.00

Age: Two Years

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 AEG

Price: iro UK£330.00

Age: Two Years

Weight: 2540g

Length: 635mm (stock collapsed)

Magazine Capacity: 100BBs

Cold Chrono: 0.89 Joule/310fps

Hot Chrono: 0.93 Joule/317fps

Taclite Compatibility: Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW Available From: www.redwolfairsoft.com

S&T AIRSOFT AVENGER BIZON AEG

Price: iro UK£220.00

Age: Five Years

Weight: 2900g

Length: 485mm (Stock Folded)

Magazine Capacity: 300 BBs (Silverback Midcaps available)

Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps

Hot Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps

Taclite Compatibility: None, but you can easily fit a rail section

Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW

Supplied By: www.nuprol.com

LCT PP-19 AEG

Price: iro UK£400.00

Age: Six Years

Weight: 3220g

Length: 480mm/705mm

Magazine Capacity: 50 BBs (Double Included, Hicap available)

Cold Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps

Hot Chrono: 1.05 Joule/337fps

Taclite Compatibility: None (Aftermarket rails are now available)

Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW

Available From: www.fire-support.co.uk

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!

Jimmy: 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 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.

I have had in my possession for some time now courtesy of G&G, the MXC9 and as I wrote in my initial review, I mentioned it is a perfect SMG, one which I could not find fault with and everything about it pleased me. Originally G&G released the PCC45 a fine looking SMG and I couldn’t wait to get my hands

on one; it performed flawlessly and I really did enjoy using it but it had one massive flaw in the design and that was the battery placement which is in the handguard and is way too small. Seeing how some airsofters cram batteries in left me wondering how many people have damaged batteries trying to fit the handguard. As a result of the battery space my PCC45 has been relegated to the rack where it will stay.

Good news though as G&G reworked the PCC, ironed out the issue and brought us the MXC9. It is still a PCC45 and it clearly says it still on the receiver but what they done was to convert it to rear wired and fit a stock which can house a very ample sized battery with less risk of damage. By doing this it allowed for the front to be made shorter and it has become a fantastic little CQB platform with performance to be feared. A complete redesign of the magazines changed it from straight to a curved, more 9mm-esque mag with a unique feed system. They are a mid-cap mag but it has four chambers capable of holding nearly 200 BBs and they feed absolutely perfectly!

Bill: When it comes to fine engineering you could well say that the Swiss know what they’re on about! Renowned for their fine, elegant and highly intricate timepieces, the Swiss also know a lot about what goes into making cutting edge firearms A great Swiss arms manufacturer, who in fairness are better known for their suppressors and accessories, is Brugger & Thomet (B&T).

The licenced ASG B&T MP9A1 is a right little handful, and beautifully balanced as all the weight sits around the pistol grip (something I love about the VMP-1!); the alloy bolt and the 48 BB metal magazine account for most of this weight as the body, just like the real thing, is of a reinforced, lightweight fibre polymer. Overall I have to say that the MP9 has certainly found a place in my heart, and if you’re looking for a cracking, compact CQB tool, or an absolutely excellent back-up for a sniper rifle then I have to recommend this to you. Priced around UK£200 it’s a good price for a gasser, although as with all GBBs buying extra magazines will send this price up. It’s a really solid performer and it appears that ASG made the most of their licence, although as we all know this has now lapsed… I struggled to find

“I HAVE HAD IN MY POSSESSION FOR SOME TIME NOW COURTESY OF G&G, THE MXC9 AND AS I WROTE IN MY INITIAL REVIEW, I MENTIONED IT IS A PERFECT SMG, ONE WHICH I COULD NOT FIND FAULT WITH AND EVERYTHING ABOUT IT PLEASED ME”

DOUBLE EAGLE M917G UTR45 AEG

Price: iro UK£180.00

Age: Two Years

Weight: 2250g

Length: 440/700mm

Magazine Capacity: 120BBs (HiCaps available)

Cold Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps

Hot Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps

Taclite Compatibility: Bespoke Fitting, but most rail sections will fit

Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW

Available From: www.patrolbase.co.uk

TOKYO MARUI MOD M AEG/P

Price: iro UK£245.00

Age: Two Years

Weight: 1365g

Length: 337-565mm

Magazine Capacity: 260 BBs

Cold Chrono: 0.65 Joule/265fps

Hot Chrono: 0.73 Joule/281fps

Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail

Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW

Available From: www.landwarriorairsoft.com

ASG MP9 GBB

Price: iro UK£200.00

Age: Three Years

Weight: 1750g

Length: 305-527mm

Magazine Capacity: 48 BBs

Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/340fps

Hot Chrono: 1.08 Joule/342fps

Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail (RHS, High)

Suppressor Compatibilty: Dedicated

Available From: Sadly, these will now be second-hand only…

G&G MXC 9 AEG

Price: iro UK£

Age: One Year Eight Months

Weight: 2190g

Length: 420/665mm

Magazine Capacity: 130 BBs

Cold Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps

Hot Chrono: 1.01 Joule/330fps

Taclite Compatibility: M-LOK

Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW

Supplied By: www.guay2.com

VORSK VMP-1 GBB

Price: iro UK£200.00

Age: NEW!

Weight: 1829g

Length: 557/690mm

Magazine Capacity: 48 BBs

Cold Chrono: 1.06 Joule/339fps

Hot Chrono: 1.08 Joule/342fps

Taclite Compatibility: Standard Rail

Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW (comes with a dedicated suppressor muzzle device, or with suppressor on the X variant)

Available From: www.vorskairsoft.com

an ASG MP9 with UK retailers when I was putting this article together which is a huge shame… if you see one, then grab it!

Of course it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t mention a couple of OPFOR models, now would it? The S&T Bizon is still rockin’ and rollin’ (surprisingly as I didn’t hold out huge hope for its durability!), and the excellent LCT PP-19-01 “Vityaz” is still going like a train!

Dan: Sticking with Swiss design, and one which is undoubtedly mired in aesthetic controversy, the Vector is emblematic of the unconventional look and deftly divides its adherents and detractors into two opposing camps. Previously, one was only entreated to GBB versions of this compact SMG, but Krytac stepped into the void with their AEG example that houses a rather unique gearbox layout that can either leave you scratching your head or amazed at the innovative approach.

Owing to the design constraints put forth by the Vector’s body design, the gearbox upends traditional layouts with a vertically oriented approach; an angled cylinder head and an interesting air nozzle and tappet linkage paired with a short type motor and a quickchange spring guide. The gearbox shell itself is a rather massive and robust beast, which lends itself well to handling the higher stresses imparted from powerful springs needed to compensate for the short 155mm factory barrel length. There is some commonality with a few V2 components, but most of what is contained within is proprietary. There is also a rather curious ‘decompression’ feature that releases main spring tension when the selector switch is rotated into safe, similar to that found on an ICS.

The Vector also has an on-board MOSFET that interfaces with a microswitch for the trigger. The selector setup mimics the real steel version exactly, including the option of running 2-round burst, which is a lot of fun. Perun makes a fantastic dropin MOSFET that improves on the functionality of the original while also bringing pre-cocking to the table, which greatly improves the trigger response.

On the performance metrics, the trigger response of the as-equipped Vector is nothing to write home about, though the range and accuracy is sufficiently adequate for closer distances, Krytac’s weak motor

and the gears generally being shimmed too tight, coupled with a heavy trigger spring all contribute to the slow feeling drive train. This is a gun that benefits immensely from a good tune up, omitting the selfshimming spring on the spur gear, a re-shim and a brushless motor install… the latter especially so as the battery space is quite tight and only accepts small LiPo packs, even with the optional extension fitted. With some effort, you can improve trigger response greatly, remove the AEP-like ‘whine’ and also significantly reduce amperage draw and increase ROF too.

With its compact barrel length and unusual compression parts layout, this is a gun that generally excels better on the CQB arena than the field. Most of the “400 FPS” models actually turn in around 360 FPS in my experience. But with select upgrades and some fine tuning, the range and FPS can be improved greatly. Carbine kits also exist to help gain some FPS without having to install massive springs to boost velocity too. And speaking of the aftermarket, this platform does enjoy a fair bit of support in this arena. Everything from stocks, barrel assemblies and shrouds, suppressors, drum magazines, and more exist to transform the Vector into the SMG of your dreams.

Overall, I’d have to say the Vector is a bit of a curious beast to me because it feels a bit like a game that’s had certain features gated off behind a paywall. I appreciate the innovation and innate versatility of the chassis, and even the aesthetics grow on you after a time, but the best features can only be unlocked by spending some coin on the DLC. AA

“WITH ITS COMPACT BARREL LENGTH AND UNUSUAL COMPRESSION PARTS LAYOUT, THIS (THE KRYTAC VECTOR) IS A GUN THAT GENERALLY EXCELS BETTER ON THE CQB ARENA THAN THE FIELD. MOST OF THE “400 FPS” MODELS ACTUALLY TURN IN AROUND 360 FPS IN MY EXPERIENCE. BUT WITH SELECT UPGRADES AND SOME FINE TUNING, THE RANGE AND FPS CAN BE IMPROVED GREATLY”

Red Cell is supported by:

AA RETURN TO LCT!

WITH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS BETWEEN ‘MILITARY’ ANNY AND STEWBACCA INTENSIFYING, FOLLOWING ON FROM THEIR INITIAL COOPERATIVE VISIT TO RATECH BACK IN MAY (FEATURED IN AUGUST’S ISSUE NO. 152), OUR DYNAMIC DUO TURNED THEIR ATTENTION TO RE-VISITING OUR FRIENDS IN CHANGHUA AND SPENT THE DAY WITH LCT AIRSOFT CATCHING UP ON THEIR LATEST RELEASES AND UPCOMING PRODUCTS (THOSE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE TALKING MORE OPENLY ABOUT!), WITH THE SAME DUAL-LANGUAGE INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE TO COVER OFF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THEIR OPERATIONS.

Having already cooperated effectively with LCT over the last few years to introduce their growing range of Heckler & Koch themed AEG and EBB replica platforms I was keen to catch up with a few other projects that had been announced at MOA shows recently or that I’d seen evidence of in their promotional videos or being prototyped during my previous initial factory visit (covered in issue No. 138 of June 2022), as well as being keen for Anny to see their operations and capabilities and hopefully help us both get a better understanding of their philosophy and current plans and directions from the native language angle again.

In mid-July Anny and I made our way to meet up at Taipei’s main station early in the morning of Tuesday the 18th to take the high speed rail down to Taichung where our ride awaited; Benita had returned from her studies in Spain and was in town while we were visiting so picked us up personally, taking us out to the West of the central industrial city and into the green rice- field plains of the coastal Changhua county, where Li Cheng Technology reside… better known to most of you as LCT Airsoft.

Arriving on site we met the management and administrative team downstairs and settled into the office and meeting room to cover initial talking points, before being shown out to the factory floor and touring through the various work stations of punching, stamping, riveting, grinding, bending, spot welding, robotic welding, manual TIG welding, polishing and sub assembly! We got to follow the process of some of the internal gears, AK receivers, as well as the new SVDS’ folding tubular stocks and top covers, furniture retainers, and barrel assemblies through their journeys from raw plate or forged or cast blanks to their finished shapes ready for further assembly into sub-components of the overall guns.

Moving upstairs we were immediately presented with mobile racks laden with completed new SVDS and LC3K AEGs, as well as an array of other AK platforms ready to be boxed up and sent out to distributors and end users. The final assembly and quality control room buzzes with activity as the many operatives (mostly women, as it happens!) put together electrically powered box magazines, gearboxes, and whole gun assemblies, which are then

tested for function and power output before being put on the mobile racks for packing.

“I FIRST MET THE FOUNDER OF LCT AT A MILITARY EXHIBITION IN TAIWAN, HE ALWAYS APPEARS WELL DRESSED IN BUSINESS SUITS, AS DO HIS STAFF AT SUCH EXHIBITIONS, SETTING THEMSELVES APART FROM MANY OF THEIR PEERS; AS WELL AS PRESENTING HIMSELF AS CALM, COLLECTED AND RESERVED”

INTEL FROM THE SOURCE

During her conversations with the top man himself, Anny managed to glean some more in depth background of the origins of the company, so it’s over now to Anny!

The founder of LCT, who is also known as the “Godfather of the AK”, inherited his father’s business of a moulding factory but in the process of continuing its operation, he unwittingly helped out a well-known toy gun brand OEM at that time.

Later, by chance, he decided to found the LCT Airsoft sub-brand in 1982 having already gleaned a lot of experience in producing stamped replica weapons components for the OEM, it seemed a natural progression to build their own systems; but why did he choose the AK series? What about the positioning of the gun brand?

Actually because it is an unpopular choice for others, not being easy to design and manufacture, and when he was a student, he had studied mouldrelated disciplines, and been influenced by it since he was a child. Thus, LCT found their expertise being applied to a sector of the industry few others dared to enter; in fact, having graduated from EMBA in

June 2021 he even wore his bachelor’s robes to the company exhibition room, posing with AKs in both hands to take his graduation commemorative photos! Not long after in 2023 he returned to “The Affiliated Industrial Vocational High School of National Changhua University of Education” and received their “outstanding alumni” award on stage for his efforts.

I first met the founder of LCT at a military exhibition in Taiwan, he always appears well dressed in business suits, as do his staff at such exhibitions, setting themselves apart from many of their peers; as well as presenting himself as calm, collected and reserved for the most part, not talking too much, rather letting the products do the work. However on Facebook he often shares many of his deeper thoughts and business related axioms, such as;

“Birds of a feather flock together, and people belong to groups. In your life, you can either influence others or be influenced by others. When you are still at the bottom of society, it is very important and necessary to be influenced by others. The key is who is influencing you, and whether you are often influenced by others. Some people at the same level as you are always

“THE FOUNDER OF LCT, WHO IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE “GODFATHER OF THE AK”, INHERITED HIS FATHER’S BUSINESS OF A MOULDING FACTORY BUT IN THE PROCESS OF CONTINUING ITS OPERATION, HE UNWITTINGLY HELPED OUT A WELL-KNOWN TOY GUN BRAND OEM AT THAT TIME.”

hypnotised negatively, just like everyone else? Remember, who you make friends with will determine who you may be like in your life! Unable to move forward and retreat, only blame others every day, never self-examination. Such a person can only stay in place forever~

Through self-expansion, self aggrandisement, often invisibly, you will become a joke of others, without knowing it~

People are not divided into classes, they have experienced the same growth process, the same effort, different platforms, and different tools, but if you persist until the end, the result may be different, so your “choices” are very important.”

During our visit of the facilities it also became clear to me that there are many aspects of LCT’s production capabilities which just cannot be found readily anywhere else or be readily outsourced to sub-contractors; many of the moulds and stamping techniques are proprietary and developed by LCT themselves and very specific to airsoft guns and the industry itself.

COMING SOON!

That’s what I’m talking about, and this is why Anny is such a vital part of how things will continue to develop for AA in “Airsoft Central”! Upcoming products include the SVDS AEG, the paratrooper variant of the legendary Dragunov ‘sniper rifle’, although most likely consider it more in the role of a Designated Marksman’s Rifle in reality, and the SVDS is somewhat shorter in overall length as well as incorporating a neat side folding skeletal tubular steel stock that makes it much more convenient for storage or transport to site in a more typical gun bag. The traditional fixed-stock wood-furniture full- size SVD being 1.23m long (like the PSG-1)making it a bit of a pain to carry around especially as it doesn’t break down like its H&K counterpart! The SVDS by comparison has a common receiver and front furniture and assembly, but a shortened overall barrel length of 565mm, with the overall length being reduced to 1135mm or 875mm with the stock extended or folded respectively.

The construction is otherwise largely the same as the full-sized version with the genuine forged billet

receiver that is then CNC machined and finished to perfection in basically the same manner as the real steel gun. With a similarly weighty and solid construction and handling, coupled with a very responsive MOSFET trigger system enabled extended 4-geared mech box, LCT were good enough to send me one of the earliest prototypes from the multitude we saw upstairs that they had in their storage racks of completed guns awaiting packaging and shipping.

A day or so after returning from our visit it arrived ready for testing (full report to follow in an upcoming issue) and thus far it’s basically indestructible, garnering lots of envious looks of my teammates. LCT won’t be producing their own PSO-1 replica scopes or picatinny adaptor mounting side-rails for other optics, but rest assured commonly available examples on the market are compatible as I’ve already tried a few different sighting solutions on “my” rifle; there will be an initial run of a thousand units already released as of the end of July 2023, albeit there will of course undoubtedly be some time required to get them all to the various corners of the world ready for your own enjoyment.

Expected before the end of 2023, LCT’s ‘Z series’ AK compatible furniture will also be made available in a wide range of styles compatible with each of their platforms in the LKM, LK74, LK74SU LK104, and PP19 & PP20, allowing users to mix and match upper and lower front furniture sections with various herringbone or skeletonisation patterns to choose from that also serve to give an equivalent to the latest western M-LOK solutions allowing end users to customise not only the look of their modernised furniture solutions, but also the accessories mounted to them and their location. With an array of personalisation and set-up options available, produced from extruded aluminium blanks which are then CNC milled and anodised for a durable and aesthetically and tactilely pleasing solution; a further AK related product we saw was a CRS-style telescopic PDW stock solution which is already nearing market readiness and presents yet another in LCT’s ever growing option parts for end users to customise the form and function of their LK AEG

While we were on the subject of Russian weapons systems I inquired about the likes of their PK/PKM/RPD

systems.

“LCT’S ‘Z SERIES’ AK COMPATIBLE FURNITURE WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN A WIDE RANGE OF STYLES COMPATIBLE WITH EACH OF THEIR PLATFORMS IN THE LKM, LK74, LK74SU LK104, AND PP19 & PP20, ALLOWING USERS TO MIX AND MATCH UPPER AND LOWER FRONT FURNITURE SECTIONS”

systems, all of which are currently out of production (and of course the RPD was a limited edition product only); at present there are sadly no plans to resurrect or restart production as the PKM has already reached a level of market saturation and there seems to be little to no demand or sufficient orders, interest or feedback from suppliers to justify such a venture. However, one thing that was mooted is their US counterpart in the form of LCT’s much-loved heavyweight behemoth M60 AEG platform; a surprise return of a legend, their team told us that the whole family will return to production to at least some volume, with a lot of shared components between the variants they plan on re-releasing, including the more modern M60E3 and E4 versions used more recently by special forces outfits, along with the full sized vietnam

war era original that is beloved by many re-enactors or collectors alike… something to look forward to for those who missed the boat on the earlier production runs!

AND THE FUTURE?

Keeping with the cold war theme, I did, as I do every time, ask Bella and the rest of the team the everpresent ‘FAL/L1A1 WHEN?’ question that a lot of my followers and especially old shooting friends from the UK badger me to ask at every opportunity; this is still something they would like to consider, but they still have a lot on their plate and also need to work out whether they would be better off replicating the commonwealth L1A1 SLR given its much more limited family of variants (just different furniture on the same

“...AN MP5 AEG WHICH WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE BUILT LIKE A TANK IN AN IDENTICAL FASHION TO ITS REAL STEEL COUNTERPART AND NO DOUBT BLOW AWAY OTHER AEG OFFERINGS OF EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE ROLLER DELAYED BLOWBACK SAS DOORKICKING BALCONY APPRECIATORS MASCHINE PISTOLE 5”

format, really) or if recreating the FAL and its more modern offshoot family members such as the SA58 would be a better path… I guess you should all make your voices heard, of course I implored that the L1A1 is what the people really want, but give LCT your constructive feedback and ideas!

Returning to my preferred Heckler & Koch-themed platforms, many of you will have noticed allusion to an MP5 AEG which will undoubtedly be built like a tank in an identical fashion to its real steel counterpart and no doubt blow away other AEG offerings of everyone’s favourite roller delayed blowback SAS door-kicking balcony appreciators Maschine Pistole 5! However, at present they are awaiting a stabilisation of the supply chain and market forces before focusing on its eventual release; they want to get it right, and at a price point that will make it competitive in a saturated market, so we’ll all just have to wait, I guess.

Similarly the keen-eyed among you may have noticed in one of their own videos a while back the unmistakable club foot style butt stock of an HK21 light/ general purpose machine gun; based heavily off the G3 platform they have already perfected the other variants of, they were good enough to show us the aforementioned 3D CAD assembly in its advanced stages of design finalisation, immediately appealing to the nerd in me, given my own past life and present dabblings in such design efforts and software.

Again, it’s really a case of awaiting a better market that will allow them to produce what is quite a heavy and complicated product line which also requires quite a few proprietary moulded or stamped components that differentiate it from their existing H&K components; it’s not really a matter of technical challenges besides perhaps some new and potentially tricky plastic moulds, but again largely based more on bringing the product to market in a sensible and appealing price range that will make it accessible to the fanbase that will appreciate it… patience, fellow shooters!

NOW FOR THE WOW!

With lots of ground covered with both Anny and myself we moved upstairs to the gun show room to enjoy the vast array of different AK and HK variants

along with the machine guns and launchers arrayed on the floor, and got hands on with the traditional SVD and newest SVDS AEGs as well as looking at the new Z series accessories and comparing their extruded billets and end products to get an idea about their manufacture.

Yup, we took plenty of pictures and videos of the multitude of guns and components available; I did finally manage to break something of LCT’s manufacture… unfortunately it was their “Game of Thrones-esque” armchair composed of various gun parts welded together… I guess I have a wide bone structure or something as I managed to pop off the spot weld of the arm on one side… I believe I need to run around in the hills some more with some of LCT’s heavyweight AEGs!

Before I could wreck the joint anymore we collected our thoughts and equipment and said our goodbyes before Benita was good enough to drop us back at the HSR station for our return journey to Taipei. I look forward to seeing more of the upcoming products from LCT and I’m sure you’ll all be equally excited to see me share my thoughts of them; keep your eyes peeled for the SVDS AEG review coming soon, fellow shooters!

Many thanks as always to our good friends at LCT for their hospitality and openness to answering our questions and showing us around their facilities, as well as of course to Anny for accompanying me and handling the native language aspect of the interview and a lot of the photography while I filmed manufacturing processes for other content to follow later!

AA

“YUP, WE TOOK PLENTY OF PICTURES AND VIDEOS OF THE MULTITUDE OF GUNS AND COMPONENTS AVAILABLE; I DID FINALLY MANAGE TO BREAK SOMETHING OF LCT’S MANUFACTURE… UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS THEIR “GAME OF THRONES-ESQUE” ARMCHAIR COMPOSED OF VARIOUS GUN PARTS WELDED TOGETHER…”

NIGHT OPS V: GHOSTS IN THE DARK

MIGUEL IS BACK IN THE FIELD AND BACK WITH THE AA LEGION THIS MONTH AS HE REPORTS ON AN ANNUAL EVENT THAT TAKES PLACE IN PORTUGAL, WHICH SEES TEAMS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY GATHERING TO TEST OUT THEIR “NIGHT GAME” SKILLS AS THEY BATTLE THROUGH ANOTHER ROUND OF “NIGHT OPS”!

How many of you have played Airsoft at night? The game changes almost completely, right? The distances seem a lot bigger, hiding is a lot easier, but one never knows if on the other side is someone with NVGs or thermals looking right at you. The gameplay is a lot slower, almost no one runs, and the risk of friendly fire increases a lot, so you need to play smarter.

So this year awaited us another Night Ops organized by the ANA association, and it has become one of their best-known yearly games. Last year the game was in Braga, in the northern part of Portugal, but this year it was quite close to us, so there was no excuse to miss it!

Before the game, the organization held their now typical online briefing via streaming. I think it’s a great way to explain how the game will go, the rules, the field and any other important points of the game, instead of written posts in the event, or just focusing on the on-site briefing, where we know many aren’t paying attention. Here, the players can also write comments and see their questions can be answered in real time by the staff.

Now fast-forward to the game day, the players started arriving at the end of the afternoon; we all passed in a check point before parking, where we had to show our event ticket to the organization, a QR code was read and with that we were on the list for the end-game giveaways, simple and easy. After parking, it was time to greet players, gear up, adjust hop up, test the comms and the whole process that we have all done hundreds, if not thousands of times. And since it was a nationwide event, it was great to see some faces from other parts of the country. In this game I used my Specna Arms mk18 EDGE 2.0, a full OD uniform, part Primal Gear part Viper Tactical, and my Viper Tactical VX Gen 2 plate carrier.

After everything was ready, it was time to go through the check in, and it was set up having several stations where we had to pass; first it was the chrono,

then the table with the game gifts (red light, lanyard, game patch, food tickets and a discount code for the upcoming Salamandra II), the third stop was to pick up the shirt and/or hoodie of the game if you ordered one (I got both!) and the last stop had two tablets with one Ares Alpha QR code for each faction, for you to read and join your side. After that, we got to mingle a bit in the safe zone while waiting for the briefing.

At the scheduled time, the briefing started, and the staff went through the important points of the game, like it was mentioned in the online briefing. Both factions were competing for points that were controlled by Ares Alpha, and there were several ways of getting points for your faction, first you had two sectors, each with an Ares Alpha ATS, and by controlling those ATS (you had to shoot them to switch them to your faction colour) you would get points for each minute the area was under your control, then you had timed missions assigned to each section, both factions were divided in four sections, and each one had missions assigned at specific hours. This way, everyone experienced the whole field and different missions with attack and defend scenarios.

GOLF GHOSTS

My team was part of the Golf section, along with the guys from F.O.E, UPJ and Warriors Airsoft and since our first assigned mission was still almost 1 hour away we started our game in one of the ATS sectors along with other section who were also waiting for their time to be present at the HQ tent. We located the ATS station, threw some BBs at it until it was red (our faction colour) and set up a defensive perimeter, since there were sections from the enemy faction who started in the annexed ATS sector. But nothing really happened until it was our time to report to the HD tent; one of our sections did venture into the enemy controlled sector, but ours was calm during that time.

“BEFORE THE GAME, THE ORGANIZATION HELD THEIR NOW TYPICAL ONLINE BRIEFING VIA STREAMING. I THINK IT’S A GREAT WAY TO EXPLAIN HOW THE GAME WILL GO, THE RULES, THE FIELD AND ANY OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS OF THE GAME… QUESTIONS CAN BE ANSWERED IN REAL TIME BY THE STAFF”

So at the established time we left our positions and headed to the HQ tent where we got briefed about our next mission.

Before we got our first mission, we had a chance of hitting the BifANAs trailer, where we could get some bifanas (pork slices in bread) to eat and something to drink as well. And since it was located close to the HQ tent, it was perfect. Nothing like going on a mission with some grub in!

Our first mission was to raid two settlements (a bit further apart) looking for a radioactive canister, and for this scenario anyone who had thermal sights had an advantage, because the canister that we wanted was warm, while the inactive ones were cold, so with a thermal you could see which one we had to focus

the given time, since these locations were constantly getting new sections doing their own missions.

There was not much time between the first and second mission, so we rearmed and refilled what was needed in the safe zone before hitting the HQ tent again for another briefing. This time, the mission was about an ambushed jeep that was INOP but had to be destroyed, so our objective was to place an explosive device inside the trunk of said vehicle. We made our approach plan and moved in from the West and took advantage that the enemy section was still taking defensive positions. But even with a good start, due to a couple of friendly-fire accidents close to the jeep, the enemy was able to remove the explosive device that we were had successfully planted. We headed

our forces on that location. Luckily, we had a member of the Golf section with a thermal sight on his replica, so we were able to locate the objective quite quickly, in an old warehouse on the western part of the AO, but of course we had an enemy section defending the location, so we had to fight our way through to the objective. And we all know how night combat goes in airsoft, flashlights here and there, the guys with the NVG or thermals calling out contacts, tracers flying around, the whole show. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach and capture the objective within

back to the respawn and safe zone to plan our next move, since there was still some time until our next two mission (there were 4 missions total for each section).

REAL TIME INTEL!

In the respawn tents, we had access to a table that would show in real time the map on the Ares Alpha app along with the score of the game. At the time, our faction was a bit behind in points and the enemy

“BOTH FACTIONS WERE COMPETING FOR POINTS THAT WERE CONTROLLED BY ARES ALPHA, AND THERE WERE SEVERAL WAYS OF GETTING POINTS FOR YOUR FACTION, FIRST YOU HAD TWO SECTORS, EACH WITH AN ARES ALPHA ATS, AND BY CONTROLLING THOSE ATS YOU WOULD GET POINTS FOR EACH MINUTE THE AREA WAS UNDER YOUR CONTROL”

held both ATS sectors, and that meant that even with successes on the missions we would not catch up, so we decided to take the Golf section and attack the ATS sectors. Firstly, we moved into the northern ATS sector, the one where we started the game, and were more familiar with. Luckily, we found no resistance, and we were able to control the area quickly.

Then we moved south to attack the next sector, there we found some resistance, but we were able to control it with few “casualties”. With this, our faction had both sectors under our control, and the points were dropping in, allowing us to get really close to the blue faction. We held a defensive position until it was time for us to get the 3rd mission of the night. So we returned to the HQ tent, but not before engaging an enemy section who also had the same idea as we did. Sector defended, but we really had to return!

It was time to visit the HQ tent for the third time and see what was in store for us. Our mission was to locate and open two safes with the given codes in the northern AO, and for this mission anyone with an NVG would have an advantage, since the location of one of the safes had an IR strobe. Once again, we had the necessary tools for the job, since we had two NVGs in the section, but luck was not on our side in this aspect, since the IR strobe stopped working at some point during the night.

So after we reached the AO, we had to do it the old way, search each corner until we found the safes. Our guys were able to find the safes and open then, inside were codes (one had to be read with an NVG or a UV light) that we had to pass on to the marshal located in the area. Objective done, and now we had

to defend the area until the clock ran out; time to set up defensive positions and await the enemy. Not long after, there they were, and of course a huge confrontation started. The attack was well organized, with enemies moving in from different flanks, and soon both sides started losing forces. Although I was eliminated during the confrontation and the enemy getting close to their objective, I was later told that the enemy couldn’t reach it in time. At this point, the game was neck and neck, with both factions really close to each other in points.

Our fourth and last mission was next, and what little time we had we used it to rest a bit and eat something (the bifanas were still going hot!). Soon we got into the HQ tent for the last time and got our briefing. Remember the jeep mission? This time it was our turn to defend it! So we moved out, and set up our defensive positions, awaiting the enemy. We had a good guess of their approach direction and gave them hell, of course the enemy was not joking as well and were able to push from some flanks.

Once again, I was eliminated before the end of the mission and had to head back to the safe zone. And since we can’t get back into AOs after being eliminated, it was game over for me. I was later told by a teammate that the enemy was successful in placing the “explosive device” in the jeep, but they closed the trunk door, which needed a couple of tricks to open it, so when my guys tried to remove the “explosive” they were unable to open it. In the end, we took the situation to the marshals, but they gave the points to the attacking section. And with that it was game over!

“OF COURSE WE HAD AN ENEMY SECTION DEFENDING THE LOCATION, SO WE HAD TO FIGHT OUR WAY THROUGH TO THE OBJECTIVE. AND WE ALL KNOW HOW NIGHT COMBAT GOES IN AIRSOFT, FLASHLIGHTS HERE AND THERE, THE GUYS WITH THE NVG OR THERMALS CALLING OUT CONTACTS, TRACERS FLYING AROUND, THE WHOLE SHOW”

ENDEX AND DEBRIEF

To end the event, the ANA staff held a small debriefing, the victory went to the blue team, 11k - 10k points, a close match indeed, and even gave out a NVG (courtesy of the RYOT Airsoft shop) and a “Low-Light” combat course that will be given by the Portuguese Commandos! My congratulations to the staff, it’s hard to organize an event where everyone has a chance of experience the game the same way, everyone attacked and defended but at the same time had freedom to move between assigned missions.

And to finish the article, here as usual are some words from the ANA staff.

“We continue to state that each of our events have a specific identity. The goal is to continue to provide several games during the year with different approaches that can fit any player preference. Night Ops is a series that is not only a night game, but where we also try to build dynamics to empower the ability to play at night!

First off, Night Ops is the best event you can attend if you want to try play at night for the first time. Is also, a really fun game to the players who are experienced and have gadgets to play at night. We create missions where you can benefit from those. While giving you the chance to conclude the missions even if you don’t have any gadget.

Night Ops had a general dynamic, completely autonomous, of control Zones. Powered by ARES ALPHA Technology and props, 2 LED Impact Boxes were placed strategically on the field. The goal was for the teams to capture those boxes, by shooting bbs at it, and turn the box into the team’s colors. If you did that, points were awarded to your faction every minute the zone was controlled. You could follow the status of each control zones on your smartphone or at the respawn where you had Tablets showing the map and the position of your friendly teams.

Also, at specific hours, each team would be called into the command center to receive specific missions. We aimed to elevate the experience of playing at night. We used UV paint that could be seen by NVG devices (or a UV light close by if you didn’t had the NVG gogles); We used IR strobes to quickly identify a target house in the “Favela” Zone; We heated liquid, in order for the “Chemical Bomb” to be identified by Thermal devices; etc.

With all these dynamics running, we saw players heavily engaged on the match, which reflected in a very close series. The winner was just found on the last 30’ of game! It was a banger!

As all our events, the game is just one part of the fun. We do create event or festival environments. We had a bar to feed players with soup, sandwichs, coffee and non-alcohol drinks during match. We had Merchandising, music, Live Interviews on social media and giveaways. All of that to create a space where we can all share our passion. A special mention to our event Partner, RYOT Airsoft Store, who gifted 1 NVG Device to be awarded to a lucky participant!

Night Ops V was a banger, and the Portuguese community really enjoyed it. We had amazing reviews. There is natural talent in this team and it also helps that we do national events every 2 months, giving us the experience of what works and what doesn’t. We continue to push the boundaries of what you can do on Airsoft, with experiences you don’t get anywhere else! Next up, in September: our biggest event of the calendar year, with airplanes, amphibious missions and players parachuting into the battlefield. SALAMANDRA: The biggest Airsoft Festival of Portugal!

Check us out on our social media, and we hope to see you soon!” AA

“TO END THE EVENT, THE ANA STAFF HELD A SMALL DEBRIEFING, THE VICTORY WENT TO THE BLUE TEAM, 11K - 10K POINTS, A CLOSE MATCH INDEED, AND EVEN GAVE OUT A NVG (COURTESY OF THE RYOT AIRSOFT SHOP) AND A “LOW-LIGHT” COMBAT COURSE THAT WILL BE GIVEN BY THE PORTUGUESE COMMANDOS!”

NAF 2023: FULL SPEED AHEAD!

WITH PLAYER NUMBERS BACK IN THE THOUSANDS, THE NATIONAL AIRSOFT FESTIVAL (NAF) IS STILL THE UK’S LARGEST AIRSOFT EVENT AND AFTER A CRACKING 2022 EVENT THERE WERE EVEN HIGHER EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS YEAR’S GATHERING OF AIRSOFTERS - NOT ONLY FROM THE UK, BUT FROM ACROSS THE WATER TOO! BILL BRINGS IN HIS REPORT ON THE ANNUAL EVENT THAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO FOR SO MANY REASONS!

Ialways love the National Airsoft festival, not for the truly MASSIVE gameplay as that isn’t “my thing”, but for the opportunity it creates, bringing together players from literally everywhere and allowing the manufacturers and vendors present to tease us all with their latest wares!

As I said after last year’s post-pandemic event report (oh boy, that already seems so long ago!) Airsoft Action has been present at all but one NAF and I have seen (what was then-called) The National Airsoft Event become a joyous meeting place for airsofters Europe-wide, with players and industry representatives travelling from around the UK and from across the continent (and indeed this year from the USA!) to enjoy not only the wide-ranging gameplay, but also the incredible social atmosphere created when thousands of airsofters get together!

This year’s event was fully maxed out, and fully back up to previous years, and for those 3,500-PLUS PLAYERS who did make it this year, we were treated to a madly-fabulous weekend of all-things-airsoft both on and off the field of play!

And as I say every year, yes, the gameplay is great fun and, given the sheer size and scale of the Ground Zero Airsoft site, as challenging as you choose to make it, but there is just something “special” about the Festival that takes the event as a whole up so may notches! From the moment players start arriving

on Friday morning to check in and get their player number and wristband, the atmosphere starts to build as groups of players form and merge and, following loads of “high-fives” and “man-hugs”, the inevitable “airsoft banter” begins!

Right alongside the event, the truly campsite rapidly fills to capacity becoming a madcap “home away from home for everyone on-site, with multiple team “swimming pools” and “bars”, although there is also a “quiet area” for those who actually prefer to sleep! Last year, the Airsoft Action crew approached the event in a slightly different way and camped together with all our many friends… and we had a blast… although Jimmy ended up sleeping in the van… as he forgot his tent! For this year we decided again to play and roam rather than having a stand in the vendor area and once again it proved to be a sound decision as we got to interact directly with mates old and new, and much banter was had!

This also gives us more of an opportunity to hear directly from players what they’re loving about airsoft right now, what they’re looking forward to in terms of new guns n’ gear, and possibly most importantly for me, what we as a magazine are doing right, and I’d like to thank everyone that talked to us for their positive comments and input!

Ben and I travelled down together (with an enroute stop and Dave’s Custom Airsoft to pick up a

“THIS YEAR’S EVENT WAS FULLY MAXED OUT, AND FULLY BACK UP TO PREVIOUS YEARS, AND FOR THOSE 3500-PLUS PLAYERS WHO DID MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE WERE TREATED TO A MADLY-FABULOUS WEEKEND OF ALL-THINGS-AIRSOFT BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD OF PLAY!”

few choice little airsoft morsels!) and the 3.5 hour journey gave us a good chance to chat about our expectations for NAF 2023. It’s always interesting that we all approach and game or event differently, and as a more active player than I right now, Ben’s input is invaluable to letting me create the annual report as whilst I’m schmoozing with our industry friends and getting the low-down on things he’s out playing… there’ll be more from him directly in a bit… Jimmy of course has a different agenda as he’s now on site to speak with the manufacturers present on a technical level, but suffice to say that we all look forward to another hugely entertaining event every year in our own ways …and that is exactly what we got at NAF ‘23!

NAF CONTINUES TO GROW!

For our international readers, the UK National Airsoft Festival (NAF) takes place every August Bank Holiday down at the Ground Zero site in the depths of the

with so many players in one place at one time means that this is magnified…

Many players, even good ones that are always willing to give the benefit of the doubt decide not to attend the NAF for this reason, and having now been a number of times before, as I said last year when we were able to meet after the frustrations of lockdown, I think they are genuinely, truly missing out on a great “airsoft experience” even if they don’t play for a minute as the event maintains the warm, friendly “Festival Feel”, and I for one love a bit of that action! Many will say “don’t bother” when it comes to the NAF, but pay the “naysayers” no heed! This year the numbers were solid again, and 3,500-plus airsofters in one place is a truly a sight to behold, especially given some of the “fancy dress” options… Clone Troopers, Nuns with Guns, Templars in plate armour, and even Cap’n Jack Sparrow (Pirates? Where?)… you name it, you get it although our personal fave was one young player who mixed “Nam VC” with “Samurai”… he certainly put a big smile on our faces for his obvious enthusiasm!

IT’S ALL ABOUT LOGISTICS!

I am eternally impressed with the sheer size of the field and the diversity of terrain at Ground Zero, and that is just as you drive in!

beautiful New Forest. The NAF/NAE has been running since 2007, when Ground Zero/Zero One made history by hosting what was at that time the largest airsoft event ever held in in the UK (and probably still is!), bringing in players from all over the UK and Europe. Again as I’ve said before, the NAF is just one HUGE celebration of airsoft, not just for UK players, but usually for players from around the world that make the pilgrimage to Ground Zero, and this year the player numbers continued to grow! The thought of a massive airsoft game involving quite literally thousands of players is my personal worst scenario though; we all know that sadly you get the odd “cheater” at even the very best game, and the chance of that happening

Ground Zero is situated about a mile from the nearest road on the private grounds of Somerley Estate in Ringwood, Hampshire, and boasts some 175 acres of playable terrain, with a massive 50 acres of Safe/Camping Zone! Now you may find that latter number “overkill”, but I’m going to tell you that with thousands of bodies and all the varied entertainment/ logistics/industry staff on site 50 acres soon becomes very, very small and intimate.

The main Safe Zone is split away from the camping area and is almost a self-contained “festival village” in its own right. There are always a multitude of gear-sellers around the village, with Jo and family from Flecktarn UK, the Enola Gaye team, Flash Bang Smoke, Kydex Customs, and AIRTAC among the number and as always Ian and Dave (Ratty and Rocky to their friends!) with the VIPER TACTICAL stand who made a one player each day VERY happy with their “player number locked crate” gear giveaway!

“FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL READERS THE UK NATIONAL AIRSOFT FESTIVAL (NAF) TAKES PLACE EVERY AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY DOWN AT THE GROUND ZERO SITE IN THE DEPTHS OF THE BEAUTIFUL NEW FOREST. THE NAF/NAE HAS BEEN RUNNING SINCE 2007”

It was fabulous to see the ASG crew back at the event with all their new shiny things (Boycie will be reporting on this in full at a later date!), and new additions were the guys from Optics Warehouse (who were using my review of the HIKMICRO thermal sights on their stand… proud writer moment right there!), the BLOC Tactical Eyewear team, and it was truly fabulous to meet the guys from WOLVERINE

Then there’s a whole plethora of stands that make up the “food court”. If you wanted an ice cream or a bacon roll, then it was there for the having, and if you didn’t want to cook over the weekend then you had a choice of very well-priced (for a festival) food including burger and chips, good old fish n’ chips,

who’d come all the way over from the USA! We’ll be working with all these great people in the year to come, and meeting them all in person was just superb.

And you could even have your photographic portrait done by Josh from Krios Photography! It was a pleasure to finally meet James from and his whole crew from AIRTAC (we picked up the new VMP-1 HPA

wood-fired pizza, some stunning Bratwurst, Mexican, and even fresh coffee and donuts! The licensed bar marquee this year was rocking as usual, but being fully open on one side made the most of the breeze, and the usual outdoor table area was packed out! Again as usual, the Ground Zero team did an excellent job of making sure that they did the very best possible for player’s enjoyment.

adaptor that Jimmy and Ben will be playing with and reporting on), and to get a chance to chat properly with Finchy from Finch Embroidery (and patches!) about the future of our own team patches at last! Sincere apologies to others exhibiting and selling that we just didn’t get time to speak to… we hope you all had a GREAT time though!

One thing that for me was incredibly positive this year was how many of my media friends had made the journey to the festival! As always it was a true pleasure to spend time with my old mate Femme Fatale, as Kelly and I have shard many (many!) airsoft adventures over the years! I also had a great time with the guys from Reaper Crew who I’ve only met more recently in person but that have turned out to be both excellent airsofters (yes, I have played against them!) and really professional media guys too, and it was truly enlightening to finally be able to have some “quality time” with both Airsoft Girl SkinnyBitch and

“IF YOU WANTED AN ICE CREAM OR A BACON ROLL, THEN IT WAS THERE FOR THE HAVING, AND IF YOU DIDN’T WANT TO COOK OVER THE WEEKEND THEN YOU HAD A CHOICE OF VERY WELL-PRICED (FOR A FESTIVAL) FOOD INCLUDING BURGER AND CHIPS, GOOD OLD FISH N’ CHIPS, WOOD-FIRED PIZZA, SOME STUNNING BRATWURST, MEXICAN, AND EVEN FRESH COFFEE AND DONUTS!”

Verage Airsoft who had both come to the UK for the event… I’ll be speaking more with Verage about the www.airsofter.world project soon…

GAME ON!

As per past years I was able to watch all the proceedings as players arrived and booked in, and this was again done very efficiently with an absolute lack of fuss, although the line at times was LONG… with so many players booking in and needing to chrono a long line was inevitable, but things at least appeared to move on swiftly enough; the “range” stayed open late into the evening, and was in use the whole time, and you could also try out the Attack Sense target system that we’ve been using for our Red Cell Test Days on the ASG stand.

After a relatively swift and to the point safety brief (Team Briefs had happened well before this) it was time for “Game On” and players headed out to their respective start points. Although the

also broken down into smaller “game zones” that are eminently playable in their own right, and that on a regular “skirmish day” would delight anyone. There’s a small village, a “prison”, outposts, guard towers, trench systems and numerous other structures to play through.

Of course for the weekend

EVERYTHING is in play at the same time, and wherever you went there was the sound of a firefight taking place. All three teams had objectives to achieve and points to

be earned from them and from what I saw every objective was hardby the eventual victors.

As Day One wound down, the evening “action” started with the raffle, and the now usual “banter” from Marshal Rich; this is now something of a legend, but if you’re of a gentle disposition it’s best to stay away as just like the game, the action gets somewhat “down and dirty”, but in a very funny way! This was when the real “festival spirit” took over, and in “The Village” the bar rocked thanks to some live music that featured a real old mixture of classic tunes, but it seemed that the heat of the day had sapped everyone. A number of “adult beverages” went down in a sociable and thoroughly chilled out atmosphere (apart from the occasional conga-line we were well-informed…), with groups from all the teams exchanging their “war stories” from the day and having a genuinely good laugh. As the evening progressed though many players moved on outside, and shenanigans continued… what happens at NAF stays at NAF though!

The teams obviously felt there was still more to play for though, and the points tally showed this to be true! So on Sunday morning they headed back to the game, and they just kept on playing, gaining objectives and points whilst having a thoroughly good time. Reports are that there were actually very few negative on-field incidents this year, although by early afternoon a few players were heading back in; again I believe that this was in the minority though, as most players were still having a great time of it as we headed on out to be back in the office on Monday…

I’ll hand over now to Ben for his thoughts on the game itself…

“WITH SO MANY PLAYERS BOOKING IN AND NEEDING TO CHRONO A LONG LINE WAS INEVITABLE, BUT THINGS AT LEAST APPEARED TO MOVE ON SWIFTLY ENOUGH; THE “RANGE” STAYED OPEN LATE INTO THE EVENING, AND WAS IN USE THE WHOLE TIME, AND YOU COULD ALSO TRY OUT THE ATTACK SENSE TARGET SYSTEM ON THE ASG STAND”

THE PLAYERS TAKE

Another year another festival oh yeah! And this one did not disappoint either, apart from the general shenanigans that happened in camping site and Jimmy forgetting his tent lol (what a plonker Rodney!) there was fun and giggles all over the weekend!

Bill once again honoured us with his cooking and legendary chilli which went down a treat all round, after breakky’s in the morning we got down to business, taking photos with the Krios Photography team and showing our faces, meeting old and new friends visiting the stalls like Viper Tactical, AIRTAC, ASG, Vortex, Kydex Customs, Flecktarn, Bloc, Wolverine, Lonestar Tactical and a smattering more. Seeing all the amazing player loadouts and costumes getting ready for the battles to come is always a joy as there’s always the weird, the why, and the wonderful!

This year I was playing on Bravo team, and with my wingman (Jimmy) down this year I had to step up my game and bring some firepower, and the Classic Army M132 micro mini gun (HPA) with the high-speed motor flinging 50 rounds a second did not disappoint!

I also was running the TM MP7 GBB as this allowed me

to change on the fly from suppressive firepower to CQB disciplined shooting on semi.

From this year

I’ve again come away with awesome memories (and kills!) meeting up with two other team members with their M133 micro/ mini guns and all three of us simultaneously laying down suppressive fire which will be a moment to remember… not only by our fellow team members around us at that moment in time but also the suppressed and scared enemy lol! Inevitably Bravo team prevailed and won the game which I’m not surprised with that kind of suppressive support. I had a blast and will never forget these awesome memories, and

thankfully I can share them with you our supportive readers as I run cameras to which you can find my videos on my own (He Who Dares Airsoft) YouTube channel, but I’ll be sharing this for the AA website too.

As for how things were run on site there were some good improvements this year to do with how the toilet facilities were maintained and kept clean regularly… hats off to the team on that; it may sound weird but the portaloos

are one of the things we all dread at an event of this size, but all the facilities were kept as clean as possible which makes the camping experience a little nicer!

My thoughts on the event overall? It’s not your typical festival but a friendly gathering of fellow like-minded airsofters who make it their own fun and if you have never been it is worth going at least once in your lifetime to experience this individual style of festivities and make new friends and connections with so many fellow airsofters! There is far more goodness to take away from this than negative so save up, boot up, book on and we’ll see you there next year! ...just don’t forget your TENT…

Thanks to Ben for his input from the game side, and there’s one last mention that I have to make; 2023 was the first ever meeting of the new VMP-1 owners group, and although the guys from VORSK were unable to make it themselves due to scheduling, they did provide free VORSK FUEL and BBs for all those that turned up! It was my true pleasure to co-host the event with James from AIRTAC at his stand, and it was great to be able to chat with fellow owners, and now-friends (yeah Stu, talking about you, ya lovely!), about their experiences with the VMP1 so far. I sincerely hope that next year this will be an even bigger thing… and I’m sure that Taig will gatecrash again with even more Kydex Customs VMP-1 holsters to delight everyone with (he will, and we’ll be reporting on this soon…). Thanks from everyone that attended, to VORSK for the freebies… and for a fabulous SMG!

And my final thoughts on the National Airsoft Festival 2023? As I’ve said many times before, the site is superb and the organisation impeccable, even with numbers of people on-site! The facilities were firstrate again this year and the scheduling spot-on.

Once again I’ll echo my thoughts of past years as the play that I saw was hard, fast, and in the main fair, with hits taken and compliments given where they were due, and Ben would appear to agree with that.

The “after game” was as much fun and as lively as ever, and the bottom line is that everyone seemed to have a thoroughly bang-on time whether they played for the duration, for a few hours, or not at all!

Well done to the players of BRAVO who took the win this year, and I’m certain that DELTA and THE OTHERS will be back to contest things next year! Again as I now say after every NAF, whatever your style of play may be the National Airsoft Festival has something to offer you. The Festival is first and foremost just that, a joyful festival event that celebrates airsoft in all its diverse and wonderful forms, and a festival that just happens to be set on an awesome site that has an enormous game going on at the same time… BRING ON NAF 2024!

Our thanks as always go to AA LEGION associate Josh and his crew at www.kriosphotography.com for their help with additonal photography. If you want to see all their NAF 23 photos, head over to www.kriosphotography.com/Airsoft/National-AirsoftFestival-2023. For further information for the 2024 National Airsoft Festival please keep an eye on www. groundzeroairsoft.com/nae, and the AA Crew look forward to seeing you there! AA

STEEL CHALLENGE: THE DING DING CUP 2023

“MILITARY” ANNY WU AND OUR TAIWAN RESIDENT GUNSLINGER STEWBACCA ONCE AGAIN TEAMED UP TO PROVIDE COVERAGE OF AN EXCITING COMPETITIVE SHOOTING EVENT HELD WITH SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL AIRSOFT INDUSTRY AND COMPETITIVE SHOOTING TEAMS WITH THE INVOLVEMENT OF OUR GOOD FRIEND CLARENCE LAI THE ‘AIRSOFT SURGEON’ IN AN APPARENTLY VERY SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO OPEN UP THE COMPETITIVE CIRCUIT TO NEW AND PARTICULARLY YOUNGER PRACTITIONERS, ESCHEWING THE TYPICAL EXPENSIVE BARRIERS TO ENTRY LIKE REGULATED SHOOTING BELTS AND EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS THE NEED FOR LENGTHY TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION TO COMPETE!

Life seems somewhat cyclical at times, or otherwise you find yourself returning to something that sparked it all!

Way back in early 2019 I started my competitive shooting journey in Taiwan when I was invited by my Filipino skirmish teammate Belinda as a guest participant with her team ‘Spring Rain’ at the time, to dabble in Action Air IPSC with the Ding Ding Cup, a fun focused competitive shooting event that brings together the various shooting teams in the Taipei area for a more light hearted steel-shooting extravaganza.

After four years of training with Team SPPT, and all of the pandemic related cancellations and mishaps, the Ding Ding Cup finally made a triumphant return in 2023, so it was a nice return to my roots here.

The Ding Ding Cup has been operating since 2016 when ‘Jackie’ Xie ZiYuan, the chairman of the ‘New Taipei City Airsoft Gun Sports Safety Association’ held the inaugural competition of the steel challenge format event, and (COVID issues aside) it’s been held in some capacity every year since, with 2023 seeing the opening up of the event to try and encourage new practitioners and make it accessible to younger shooting enthusiasts who are not likely to be locally licensed competitive shooters, nor active skirmish/’survival games’ players.

In order to expedite the administration and ensure safe operations when considering the sheer number of participants and of course the new blood unfamiliar with typical competition circuit rules and etiquette, the competition itself focused purely on marksmanship and speed, with the shooters not moving around larger stages between target presentation as in other more gated community events I’ve reported on in the past. Thus three stage-net-walled bays were erected at the West end of Taipei’s underground mall just next to the main train station in the city centre, with 5 steel targets of various sizes or formats being arranged within each stage, including one in particular which would register the final hit of each string with the ‘Shooters Global’ shot timers being used to record times.

Every competitor would shoot the five target strings on every stage five times rapidly, one presentation after another, with pauses to reload between strings if required, but no need to move or reload during firing. The four fastest times were then added up to arrive

at each competitor’s overall score time for each stage, with mobile phone apps being used to prompt and collate every participant’s times into a central database to streamline the whole process in lieu of the more typical manual scorecard system. Seeing as only steel targets were being used any hit is a score regardless of position and there’s no need for recording position or grouping of the single hits as with the usual paper target scoring.

This approach kept complexity and the possibility for any guns being pointed up-range or used in an uncontrolled fashion to a minimum, allowing many new players from a variety of school ages to take part and enjoy a taste of practical shooting. This was the brainchild of Clarence Lai with the oversight of the New Taipei City Association to formulate and adapt

the rule set and content of the event with range control and adjudication being provided by Taipei Shooter’s Union and its regular practitioners, headed by ‘Paul’ Li XiaoZong and ‘Bear’ Zhen DengXiong, all very familiar faces and names from my past competition exploits.

FAMILIAR FACES, AND NEW TOO!

With around five of the typical teams of practitioners participating, my own compatriots from SPPT joining

“THIS APPROACH KEPT COMPLEXITY AND THE POSSIBILITY FOR ANY GUNS BEING POINTED UP-RANGE OR USED IN AN UNCONTROLLED FASHION TO A MINIMUM, ALLOWING MANY NEW PLAYERS FROM A VARIETY OF SCHOOL AGES TO TAKE PART AND ENJOY A TASTE OF PRACTICAL SHOOTING. THIS WAS THE BRAINCHILD OF CLARENCE LAI WITH THE OVERSIGHT OF THE NEW TAIPEI CITY ASSOCIATION TO FORMULATE AND ADAPT THE RULE SET”

myself in taking part, as well as Spring Rain/165 Fighters, Taiwan Shooters Union making up the majority of the adults, and a variety of players from elementary (under 12s), middle and senior high school (13-15 and 16-18 year olds respectively). The younger participants required a parental consent form and many of them were mentored by a member of their school staff who also happened to be an experienced shooter themselves; with a total of 71 shooters participating all told, in itself a much larger crowd to deal with than our more typical local competition circuit events of around 2030 in three divisions.

Every one of the age range divisions had cash prizes of NTD2000 (around UK£50) for first place as well as other cash prizes for second and third place, along with commemorative coffee mugs (Ding Ding Cup is not just a clever name… you actually get a usable cup!) and tangible goods in the form of giveaway bags of CLPD BBs, tote bags, guns and accessories provided by the likes of VFC and local retailers with a final raffle draw also being

held for all competitors to have the chance to take away an array of goods.

The three bays were set up in separate morning and afternoon configurations giving a total of six stages to be shot by all participants, but, as with the Kaohsiung level 3 competition of last Xmas myself and my team captain ‘Mars’ Liu decided to punish ourselves by taking part in both pistol and optic enabled rifle divisions… so we got a double helping, along with a few friends from the community who were similarly masochistic! Many others only competed in pistol division, all told there were sixteen rifle participants, only three of whom used iron sights; I decided to field the excellent RATech EMG Noveske N4 GBBR I reviewed back in Issue No. 152 with a T1 style red dot which served me very well (more on that later!), as well as my more typical CLPD Shadow 2 on the Double Alpha Lynx belt for the pistol stages.

Having signed in and undertaken the morning briefing we got to work loading up our magazines and preparing our various belt kit and gun bags to deal with running both pistols and rifles where applicable, and the range officers began marshalling us all through the various stage presentations. Mars and myself were squadded up with some of the other pistol and rifle dual competitors to try and navigate the stages more efficiently, and thankfully due to the more relaxed equipment stipulations and lack of need to move on the stages I just added rifle magazine pouches to the front of my Lynx belt to avoid the need

“EVERY ONE OF THE AGE RANGE DIVISIONS HAD CASH PRIZES OF NTD2000 (AROUND UK£50) FOR FIRST PLACE AS WELL AS OTHER CASH PRIZES FOR SECOND AND THIRD PLACE, ALONG WITH COMMEMORATIVE COFFEE MUGS (DING DING CUP IS NOT JUST A CLEVER NAME… YOU ACTUALLY GET A USABLE CUP!)”

to switch out belt gear between stages and divisions. For the most part the organisers and range officers worked fairly efficiently given the

stage was curtailed somewhat to try and speed things up. In the end the afternoon ran more smoothly and made up for lost time, however we were slightly delayed rounding things off past the intended 1830 closing of ceremonies.

RUNNING AND GUNNING

With the focus being purely on shooting and without much need for stage planning, moving or reloading I actually managed to hold my own quite well; all those evenings wearing the sears smooth on my WE G36C at my old KUI Zhubei haunt came flooding back and the short and light triggers of my Shadow 2 and N4 helped me throw BBs

participants and the special considerations for younger and less experienced shooters, and managed to have most people complete all their shooting without any issues, although some inevitably succumbed to equipment failures and a very few number of disqualifications. People were cycled through the stages fairly quickly given the simplified setup and lack of need to patch

stage of 1.96 seconds on the rifle and 2.15 seconds with the pistol; the latter surprised even myself and garnered a round of applause from the guys in the rear… always nice to be appreciated, but I think the guns do a lot of the work for me!

events, but despite this by lunchtime things were reshuffled somewhat and the ‘briefing’ time allowed for each participant to dry run each

The youngest practitioners also garnered particular attention and praise, with Jackie’s son Xie HaoYu (only 8 years old!) performing very well alongside his older sister Xie QiaoYu (12!) comporting themselves very well and clearly being ‘chips off the old block’ as we would say and following well in their father’s footsteps. In general the wealth of new shooters, especially youngsters from a variety of schools and

“THE YOUNGEST PRACTITIONERS ALSO GARNERED PARTICULAR ATTENTION AND PRAISE, WITH JACKIE’S SON XIE HAOYU (ONLY 8 YEARS OLD!) PERFORMING VERY WELL ALONGSIDE HIS OLDER SISTER XIE QIAOYU (12!) COMPORTING THEMSELVES VERY WELL AND CLEARLY BEING ‘CHIPS OFF THE OLD BLOCK’ AS WE WOULD SAY AND FOLLOWING WELL IN THEIR FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS”

age ranges is very heartening to see, and no doubt instils a growing interest in responsible shooting pursuits. With members of the public

Throughout the day there were also retailers on site with stalls set up between the competitive stages and the public walkway to provide additional points of interest for passers-by as well as providing a convenient separation of them from the business end of things. VFC’s booth notwithstanding, No. 9 Workshop (the embroidery outfit responsible for my personalised ‘Stewbacca Island Insider’ patches among numerous other offerings), Hawk Survival Games store (a local supplier of guns and gear who also house Spring Rain’s training ground), HTA Studio who make custom universal holster setups and also had some of their staff participating to showcase their products in a

being on site in force and showcasing some of their latest products as well as allowing ‘civilians’ to go to their own stage booth at the far left of the three live competitive ones to try their hands at steel challenge using their SR16E3 CQB GBBR, Avalon AEGs or an array of Glock GBB Pistols. This allowed anyone to get a acceptance.

as gear and custom equipment providers He JingZhi Cabinet 2.0 and Hammer Coach outdoor military products studio along with Taichung based gaming site Terraced Battlefield; all allowed participants and the public to browse their wares or make purchases during the day, as well as generously donating numerous prizes to the champions and the final raffle.

Anny and I were also presented with some very nice framed certificates of appreciation for ourselves individually and for Airsoft Action for helping to cover it in the magazine and raise awareness, with other similar presentations being made to direct supporters of the event such as manufacturers like Bolt Airsoft, Vega Force Company

“ANNY AND I WERE ALSO PRESENTED WITH SOME VERY NICE FRAMED CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION FOR OURSELVES INDIVIDUALLY AND FOR AIRSOFT ACTION FOR HELPING TO COVER IT IN THE MAGAZINE AND RAISE AWARENESS, WITH OTHER SIMILAR PRESENTATIONS BEING MADE TO DIRECT SUPPORTERS OF THE EVENT”

and HTA Studio, player organisations such as my skirmish team Taiji Alliance, as well as Yilan county and Keelung airsoft associations and Taiwan Shooter’s Union, retailers such as Hawk, No.9 and Minutemen as well as Tianqing Training & Consulting, Dan Leather Studio and Shihang Industrial company.

WRAPPING UP

As the gameplay drew to a close I was actually the last rifleman to throw down and close off one of the stages, and our scores were readily tabulated thanks to the integrated mobile phone application collating everyone’s final scores. It was quite a good haul for team SPPT; team captain ‘Mars’ Liu HanLin took first place in red dot enabled rifle, with me managing to swag third place… just like my other rifle competition a few years ago! Our other teammate Dan DingXuan took third in non-optic pistol, and I actually placed sixth in that division, which I was fairly happy with given that there were twenty-four participants in it in the end.

Zheng JiaHua of team Spring Rain took first place in pistol without optics, with Tsai YuQi on his heels in second; red dot pistol saw our friend ‘Tom’ Lau JiaYu take first place, Lin WeiJian in second, and Shi JiaHao in third. The Elementary school division saw Huang ZhiXuan in first, Xie HaoYu in second, and Xie QiaoYu in third; middle-schooler Chen YuCheng took first, with Xu WenZhe in second and Shen HongYan in third, and in the high school division Zhao ZiXiang took first, Jiang ChengHao in second and Lin YanWu in third place.

A special mention should go to our good friend ‘Doobie’ Zhuang YiXuan (a friend of our team, and many in the community and one of the guys at KIC Airsoft who regularly help me out sourcing guns, optics and components) who took second place in optics-enabled rifle between myself and Mars, with a time nearly two seconds faster than my own; we were really chasing speed on stages and shooting one after another in most cases so we got to film each other,

what makes it all the more inspiring is that ‘Doobie’ is his nickname as it’s derived from the Chinese for ‘lone arm’; Zhuang’s missing his right forearm from just below the elbow which obviously presents a challenge for weapons manipulation, but despite this he trains at SPPT’s home facility when he isn’t running the shop or getting enthusiastically getting stuck in to MilSims, skirmishing or even recent SUT training events; you rarely see him anything other than cheerful and positive and he never lets his physical impediment diminish his participation in our hobby, and continues to excel at it regardless. Outstanding effort, my friend!

Many thanks as always to all who organised and participated in another great competitive event, and I hope to see such things continue to grow in popularity and further push legitimate shooting pastimes into a more mainstream and accepted space. Thanks as well to the ROs who worked a long day setting up, running and dismantling everything, and to the retailers and manufacturers who directly supported the event as well as being present to add retail and demonstration aspects for the participants and raise public awareness. But of course thanks most of all to Anny, who spent the entire day ducking around between stages trying to capture as many of the moments she could; it’s great to have someone else help with the coverage especially if I am competing and can’t be everywhere at once!

More of our cooperative exploits to come…until next time, fellow shooters. AA

“MANY THANKS AS ALWAYS TO ALL WHO ORGANISED AND PARTICIPATED IN ANOTHER GREAT COMPETITIVE EVENT, AND I HOPE TO SEE SUCH THINGS CONTINUE TO GROW IN POPULARITY AND FURTHER PUSH LEGITIMATE SHOOTING PASTIMES INTO A MORE MAINSTREAM AND ACCEPTED SPACE”

Innovation Competition Pistol

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MISSION SUCCESS

AFTER SIX MONTHS IN TESTING BILL NOW GIVES HIS VERDICT ON THE ROSSI NEPTUNE 10.5” SAS, HOW IT HAS FARED SO FAR, AND HIS JOURNEY TO TAKE IT FROM A BASIC AEG TO SOMETHING THAT HE’D BE HAPPY SHOWING OFF AT ANY LEVEL OR AIRSOFT GAME FROM SUNDAY SKIRMISH TO FULLON MILSIM!

It’s true that every airsoft platform I work with, and most certainly those that end up full-time in my personal armoury undergo a “journey” from the point they are lifted free from the box to the point where I have them just as I like them, both in terms of look and performance. I can’t actually believe that the ROSSI

very regular basis, with every step of my testing and development of their then-new AEG being documented and shared. It’s also been a period of getting to know Dave at Dave’s Custom Airsoft a little better as he kindly acted as intermediary in facilitating my getting hold of the “SAS” in the first place, and since then has acted as something of a co-conspirator during the process of turning the AEG into something that I’m now very proud of!

Every step of a project-journey means that there is the potential to meet new friends and kindred spirits, and I have to say that my airsoft

NEPTUNE 10.5” SAS

(aka my “poor man’s L119A2”) has been with me for six months already, as it seems like only yesterday that I sat down with the guys from ROSSI at IWA. But yes, that time has gone by, and I’ve been corresponding with Rafa at ROSSI EUROPE on a

“career” has been kind to me in that I’ve met many wonderful people involved in the industry, and the road I’ve travelled so far with the “SAS” has been no exception. I’ve spoken to friends old and new to garner the information I needed to take a stab at really getting this AEG into “Obi Wan” territory, and whilst not a direct replication I’m pretty darn happy with the overall build.

Whilst the AEG itself is a sound proposition, and I’ve not heard whisper of complaint from anyone that has bought one since they first arrived in the UK (and indeed further afield as I now follow the ROSSI EUROPE page on FB), like any new platform that’s really only the starting point, isn’t it?

“EVERY STEP OF A PROJECT-JOURNEY MEANS THAT THERE IS THE POTENTIAL TO MEET NEW FRIENDS AND KINDRED SPIRITS, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT MY AIRSOFT “CAREER” HAS BEEN KIND TO ME IN THAT I’VE MET MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE INDUSTRY, AND THE ROAD I’VE TRAVELLED SO FAR WITH THE “SAS” HAS BEEN NO EXCEPTION. ”

legwork for stuff that becomes issue later, and this seems to be the case here…

The Holy Warrior take on the Romeo-4T is actually incredibly nice, and provides a great alternative to the T1-style that I’ve always used before for this tasking; clear and with a very precise 0.5MOA illuminated reticle, the little sight is solid as a solid thing and target acquisition is fast and accurate. It easily mounts to a 20mm rail and is fully windage and elevation adjustable, and it also has multiple brightness settings and can be adjusted via the + /buttons on the side (which I lazily painted over, but have now “worn” to look quite cool!). I’ll admit that I’d not tried a Holy Warrior optic before, but if this is an indication of their quality I will say right now it

this is a NPQ15 LIGHT/LASER BOX, and I’ve also added a WADSN dual pressure switch to tidy everything up, although again I’ll tinker with the cable management until I get this perfect. At the shooty end I’ve added an ANGRY GUN SF SUPPRESSOR which looks great… I’ve left this black, just like the one shown in the pictures…

As this has been an “inspired by” build rather than a complete replication the only other thing I’ve added right now is something that wasn’t the cheapest option, and again was thankfully secured with the help of Dave, and this is an FDE ERGO MOTOR GRIP from ELEMENT. This style of pistol grip is very obvious on the “real” if you look closely, and even the airsoft version is incredibly strong, and features a very comfortable textured finish. It’s

“AS THIS HAS BEEN AN “INSPIRED BY” BUILD RATHER THAN A COMPLETE REPLICATION THE ONLY OTHER THING I’VE ADDED RIGHT NOW IS SOMETHING THAT WASN’T THE CHEAPEST OPTION, AND AGAIN WAS THANKFULLY SECURED WITH THE HELP OF DAVE, AND THIS IS AN FDE ERGO MOTOR GRIP FROM ELEMENT”

well, giving good results for accuracy at 30-40m, and in terms of out and out range I’m now hitting targets solidly at 50m+… I believe that the “SAS” still has some legs though.

I’ve still haven’t changed anything at all in relation to the programming to be honest as “classic” mode continues to deliver all that I need; the trigger is crisp and responsive, every AR mag I own feeds through it, power and ROF are consistent on an 11.1, and operation in general is impeccable… why the hell would I want to mess with that?

Ultimately what I’ve ended up with is an AEG that in total has cost me about UK£400 to put together as I wanted and one that will pass muster in any given situation. Without doubt it’s a great skirmish tool, but

Once again my sincere thanks go to Rafa and the team at ROSSI EUROPE for supplying the NEPTUNE SAS 10.5 test sample, and to Dave at Dave’s Custom Airsoft for his help in creating the finished project AEG; I hope that this will be the start of a long and fruitful friendship between ROSSI, Dave’s Custom Airsoft and Airsoft Action!

The “SAS” will now enter the Red Cell Test Pool for longer term evaluation, but if you like the look of what you see then please do check out www.rossieurope.com for the very latest news on their products, and keep an eye on www. davescustomairsoft.co.uk for information on when the “SAS” and all the accessories needed to create your own “L119A2” are available in store. AA

“THE TRIGGER IS CRISP AND RESPONSIVE, EVERY AR MAG I OWN FEEDS THROUGH IT, POWER AND ROF ARE CONSISTENT ON AN 11.1, AND OPERATION IN GENERAL IS IMPECCABLE… WHY THE HELL WOULD I WANT TO MESS WITH THAT?”