Airsoft Action - February 2020

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AIRSOFT ACTION - ISSUE 110

CYMA 098 AR MODIFY XTC PDW THE CAGE: FACEPRO VERSUS: STEYR V TAVOR ARCTURUS MOS CARBINE SITE REPORT: REAPER OPS IN THE FIELD: PATROL RATIONS SPECIAL REPORT : MOA TAIWAN

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FEBRUARY 2020

PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS

FEBRUARY 2020 - £4.50

AIRSOFT ACTION - ISSUE 110

CYMA 098 AR MODIFY XTC PDW THE CAGE: FACEPRO VERSUS: STEYR V TAVOR ARCTURUS MOS CARBINE SITE REPORT: REAPER OPS IN THE FIELD: PATROL RATIONS SPECIAL REPORT : MOA TAIWAN

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ARMOURY: CYMA 098A

ARMOURY: UMAREX GLOCK 19X

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INSIDE AIRSOFT: DAVE’S CUSTOM

SITE: REAPER OPS

Editor: Nigel Streeter Graphic Design: Calibre Publishing Ad Design: Deadshot Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter Cover Photo: Bjorn Klockar.

UK 13-issue subscription rate: £46.50 UK 6-issue subscription rate: £24.00 For overseas prices email: subs@airsoft-action.co.uk

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Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: +44 (0) 1684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.online ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2019 All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to print.

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KIT & GEAR: CLAW GEAR

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KIT & GEAR: TM MICRO PRO

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

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

VORSK DIARIES: A2 RANGE DAY

SPECIAL REPORT: MOA - TAIWAN

CONTENTS 8 GALLERY: AIRSOFT ACTION PHOTOS Photos in the snow from Sweden and the sunshine of Kent.

16 ARMOURY: UMAREX GLOCK 19X Self-proclaimed Glock-hater, Steve T, tries out VFC’s latest officially licensed pistol to see if he’s been missing out.

22 ARMOURY: ASAR CQB It’s a rare thing for Bill to get all “all hyper” about an “AR” AEG but a host of new models with innovative solutions and features, even he is being drawn back to the “American Rifle”. And now he turns his attention to the very latest variant to hit the stores from Airsoft Systems.

26 INSIDE AIRSOFT: DAVE’S CUSTOM AIRSOFT It is not everyone that gets to turn their dream into reality, however, Lez Lee takes a trip to meet a man who has done just that, as he heads to the opening of Dave’s Custom Airsoft shop.

32 SITE: REAPER OPS Bill kicks back into gear with a review of a unique site that’s opened in his neck of the woods, “Reaper Ops” in Kent.

36 COLLECTOR: L85 Frenchie continues his series of “Collectable” RiFs with a look at a true “Marmite” rifle that is admired and hated in equal quantity.

39 THIS IS MY M4 PART 3: OPTICS After years of making minor modifications to RIFs with varying degrees of success, Steve T goes all-in on his MWS to find out just what an inept home tech can achieve. This month he takes a look at optics.

40 KIT & GEAR: CLAWGEAR Bill has been trying the latest version of the Instructor Shirt from Clawgear - and is raving about it!

41 KIT & GEAR Steve T takes a look at a couple of useful additions to your kit bag, Airtech’s CHL and Delta Mike Face Protection.

42 KIT & GEAR: ELEMENT PEQ If any of you have seen any photos of Phil Bucknall’s guns, you’ll realise he has a bit of a thing for PEQ boxes. He has one on all of his guns bar one - and has one on order for that already.

46 VORSK DIARIES: RANGE DAY AT A2 Last Bill brought you the exclusive story behind the creation of the new VORSK airsoft Pistols. Now he

FEBRUARY 2020

reports back from A2 Airsoft Supplies, where he finally got to check them out on the range!

12 ARMOURY: CYMA 098A Last month Bill got his teeth firmly into the very latest 097B AR Carbine from CYMA, in preparation for testing the new addition to this range of AEGs in the form of the “big boy” 098 DMR. After some considerable time spent blasting many (MANY!) BBs downrange he now brings in his findings.

43 KIT & GEAR: TM MICRO SIGHT Fancy an RDS on your pistol? Steve T comes over all unnecessary to review the Tokyo Marui Micro Pro Sight.

Contents

50 ARMOURY: ARCTURUS MOS CARBINE Sometimes it is difficult to stand out in a crowded market but Phil Bucknall gets his hands on an AEG that seems to do just that.

54 THE CAGE: FACEPRO Last month the AA crew shared their thoughts and preferences on Eyepro in THE CAGE and when married up to some serious face protection it can provide a “360 Solution” to not catching a BB in your chops! Bill gets together with them again to find out what they prefer when it comes to “Facepro”.

56 HEAD TO HEAD: GHK V TM Steve T pits the two brands that sit at the top of the GBBR market against one another to see who comes out on top. Between the well-established Tokyo Marui and GHK as relative newcomers, the result is closer than you might think...

60 IN THE FIELD: PATROL RATION PACK When you are out for the best part of a day skirmishing, you need food that Is quick and easy to prepare but will provide you with all the energy required to get you through the event. Paul Yelland looks at one solution...

62 SPECIAL REPORT: MOA Every year Airsoft Action reports from both SHOT in the USA and IWA in Germany to make sure that you get very latest news on what is to hit the airsoft market. “MOA” is rapidly becoming a yearly fixture too and once again Bill speaks to “our man in Taiwan” to get the lowdown on the 2019 show!

66 ARMOURY: MODIFY XTC PDW Airsoft Action reader, Keith Fox, got in touch to say he’d got a Modify XTC PDW and would we like a write up – once he’d finished putting it through hell for a couple of months. “Keith”, we said, “it would be our pleasure!”

69 IN THE FIELD: RATION PACKS Following on from Paul Yelland’s Patrol Rations article, Military Historian, Will Fowler, takes a look at how some of the world’s armies keep their soldiers sustained in the field.

72 VERSUS: STEYR V TAVOR Staying with more “modern” designs after his look at the L85, Bill delves further into the world of bullpup military rifles and their airsoft counterparts by putting two major contenders head to head, the venerable Steyr AUG and the young pretender, the Tavor T21.

76 LAST POST: ARMCHAIR CRITICS “Keyboard warriors”… their rantings criss-cross the internet but there also exists those who, from the comfort of their armchair, offer their opinions.

It turns out that not even Frenchie is immune from occasionally joining their ranks…

78 SITE DIRECTORY & ACTION AIR CLUBS Looking for a skirmish site, or your local Action Air Club? Then we may have the answer, with pages of sites and clubs throughout the UK.

Photo by Victor Karlund. https://www.instagram.com/victorkarlund

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AA GALLERY AIRSOFT ACTION PHOTOS

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FEBRUARY 2020

Our friendly neighbourhood airsoft viking, Bjorn Klockar, has been out and about in his home country and sent us these great photos.

Credit: Bjorn@klockarairsoft

AA GALLERY AIRSOFT ACTION PHOTOS

Starting on Page 32, Bill reports from Reaper Ops, in Kent but we only had room for a few photos, so here are some more...

Thanks to MJ Reed Photography. www.airsoft-action.online

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armoury CYMA 098A E-EDITION

CYMA 098A: DESIGNATED MARKSMAN RIFLE O

kay, I’m going to speak bluntly and tell you that the CYMA 097B has been the major surprise of the year for me when it comes to well-priced AR AEGs and after more time “living with” the 097B, it continues to enthral me! The little sub-£200 AR has now had upwards of 3,000 BBs put through it, mostly on semi (which will vex even the best-made AEG at times), but also on full-auto with some majorly unforgiving mag-dumps!

Running it on an NP 11.1 30C LiPo and both .20g and .25g RZR BBs has landed some absolutely startling results!

The 097B has not in any way been treated gently so far, either by myself, or by other players on range days and the overwhelming consensus is that “this is a good gun” - not just “for the money”, but in all ways. As yet it still has to pass the long-tern durability test, but with

an unshakeable alloy construction (read “tank”!) and what have proved thus far to be great internals, I have high hopes for it.

Time will tell but it also bodes well for the very newest model in the CYMA lineup, and that’s the 098 DMR. Before I launch into the review proper, let’s pause for a moment to look at the “Airsoft DMR” and what that actually means…

A “Dedicated Marksman Rifle” is something that (in the real world) lets one or more member/s of an infantry rifle section, squad or fireteam have the ability to “reach out” in a firefight. By its very description, a DMR is a high-precision weapon system, usually fitted with a correspondingly high-quality optic and the “designated marksman” is different to a sniper because of deployment role, rather than by operational range. A “designated

LAST MONTH BILL GOT HIS TEETH FIRMLY INTO THE VERY LATEST 097B AR CARBINE FROM CYMA, IN PREPARATION FOR TESTING THE NEW ADDITION TO THIS RANGE OF AEGS IN THE FORM OF THE “BIG BOY” 098 DMR. AFTER SOME CONSIDERABLE TIME SPENT BLASTING MANY (MANY!) BBS DOWNRANGE HE NOW BRINGS IN HIS FINDINGS.

marksman” will usually work with an engagement distance of 300-600 meters, which falls between that of a regular infantry rifleman and a dedicated sniper.

DMRs are developed to dominate this middle ground in a tactical role, rather than the sometimes strategic role of the sniper.

Unlike the true sniper rifle, DMRs are usually semi-automatic rifles benefitting from higher rates of fire and that (typically) have larger magazine capacities to allow rapid engagement of multiple targets.

DMRs have to be effective at ranges exceeding those of ordinary battle carbines and rifles, but do not require the extendedrange performance of a dedicated sniper rifle. DMRs often share some basic characteristics with sniper rifles though, in that they usually have a magnified optic affixed as part of the “system”, along with

“A “DESIGNATED MARKSMAN” WILL USUALLY WORK WITH AN ENGAGEMENT DISTANCE OF 300-600 METERS, WHICH FALLS BETWEEN THAT OF A REGULAR INFANTRY RIFLEMAN AND A DEDICATED SNIPER. DMRS ARE DEVELOPED TO DOMINATE THIS MIDDLE GROUND IN A TACTICAL ROLE...”

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armoury CYMA 098A E-EDITION

a QD bipod to allow enhanced stability and accuracy. The DMR also needs to function as part of squad complement and sometimes even at close quarters - think “Lone Survivor” and “Blackhawk Down”!

With the combat performance problems of the NATO 5.56x45mm round at distances beyond 200m that have come to light in numerous recent theatres, the good old 7.62×51mm round has most definitely come back into vogue! Rifles like the M14 EBR, FN FAL, AR-10 and Heckler & Koch G3 have all had their moment, while additions like the Heckler & Koch HK417, L129A1 LMT Sharpshooter Rifle and the Knight’s Armament Company SR25 have all effectively entered the fray.

THE AIRSOFT DMR

So how do we make this work in airsoft terms? It’s a question that back in the 90’s and early 00’s many scratched their heads over, including me when I was actually running games… How do we replicate the additional power, range and effectiveness of the military DMR whilst keeping things safe for players - and as realistic

safely allow a slightly greater engagement distance than the average, stock AEG. My Marshal group at the time made the decision that this level should sit at 1.67 Joule/425fps on a .20g BB, with an absolute maximum of 1.87 Joule/450fps.

The rifle in question would be restricted visibly to semi-auto only (we actually drilled a hex-bolt into early creations so that the selector could not be moved to the fullauto position!), would carry a magnified optic and bipod and, just like a bolt-action sniper rifle, would be restricted by a minimum engagement distance (MED).

Whilst at the time of adoption this new ruleset caused a furore in the global airsoft community, thankfully things move on and this is now established practice with many sites, plus there’s now also a lot of choice for “DMR” replicas for you to pick from. Whilst to a degree a DMR user needs to step into the “mindset territory” of the airsoft sniper (that’s a whole other discussion!), they are also able to get stuck in as part of a team with their mates and a true “Airsoft DM” can be a real force multiplier (if they know what they’re about and know how to use their rifle!).

098 AND GOOD TO GO!

as possible in games?

The answer was to look at AEG power levels (usually 350400fps for full-auto dependant on country) and those of bolt-action sniper rifles (500550fps again country dependant) and to find a sweet spot in the middle that would

However, a good DMR in the past has either taken a lot of time, effort, and money to get right if you built your own, or indeed just cost a LOT of money to buy (I’ll use the HK417 as an example here) and still needed fettling. With the CYMA 098 though, most players, even those on a very modest budget, can step into the world of the “Designated Marksman”.

As with the 097B Carbine that I looked at last month, the 098 series of designated marksman rifles are essentially “AR10s”

that have been created after a lengthy period of cooperation between CYMA and TAIWANGUN.COM (TWG). Also, as with the carbines, the DMR variants have a lower receiver, upper receiver, stock tube, outer barrel, fire selector, trigger, enhanced charging handle and the front and rear sight built in high-standard alloy to give them a great “feel”. All the furniture is high standard polymer.

Each model has a unique serial number, and the 098A model I received for testing came with a 16 inch outer barrel, although you can also have it with a 20 incher, and in fairness to stay with the “MIL DMR”, CYMA/TWG have also produced a “straight” 098 that looks suspiciously like an SR-25! Inside all the 098s you get a rotary hop adjustment (precisely adjustable and different from the hop unit fitted to the 097 carbines), reinforced V2 gearbox with quick spring change system, a processor unit with built-in MOSFET system, a polycarbonate piston with steel teeth, a CNC machined steel gear set, 8mm bearings, a CNC machined aluminium silent cylinder and piston head set, and a hi-torque motor.

Overall the 098A is a bit of a beastie, and externally you could initially write it off as a somewhat “Gucci” looking uber-carbine; the only real giveaways that this is not the 097 series carbine are the semi-only fire selector, the “7.62 Bullet” pictogram on the upper and the hoofing great 500BB winding HiCap “7.62” mag! This does give it a very different and distinctly unique feel from the “5.56” carbines and it certainly looks like it means business!

This new E-EDITION rifle has a mean power level of 1.87 Joule/450fps on a .20g RZR BB which may still be a little “warm” for some sites but the quick-change spring facility means that it’s a problem (if it is a problem at all!) that is quickly and easily

“…THE TRIGGER RESPONSE IS ABSOLUTELY SUPERB; IF YOU GET A TARGET APPEARING IN YOUR OPTIC THEN EVEN A FLEETING GLANCE WILL LET YOU GET A SHOT AWAY. I AM NOT JOKING WHEN I SAY THAT THIS TRIGGER IS SIMPLY SUBLIME…” www.airsoft-action.online

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armoury CYMA 098A E-EDITION

dealt with. Like the 097B that I’ve been running hard since its arrival, the trigger response is absolutely superb; if you get a target appearing in your optic then even a fleeting glance will let you get a shot away.

I am not joking when I say that this trigger is simply sublime and those who have shot the 098A are in agreement with me.

One area of warning that I’ll flag up for UK players though, is that although the fire selector is quite clearly marked “Safe/ Semi” it is still

possible to rotate the ambidextrous selector to the “Auto” position. Obviously, at the standard power level as measured, this puts the 098 immediately into the “legally suspect for the UK” category and therefore my advice to anyone ordering one is to have the spring downgraded by TWG before shipping (a service they

offer free to UK players!) to be legally compliant. If you wish to introduce a higher power spring once you have it to take it back to true DMR territory, then you can have your local shop tech restrict it properly to semi-only before you do so.

Once I discovered the fact that that “auto”

was possible, the test sample went straight to the workshop to be restricted and make it legally correct and this is an easy fix for any good tech.

At present I’ve only been able to shoot the 098 on our existing 30m range and I genuinely think at that range, a normal MED for DMR on most sites, you’d have to really be trying NOT to hit the target with this AEG! In the spring, new AA “Staffer” Jon and I will be setting up a 140m outdoor range for testing and you can bet your bottom dollar that the CYMA will be at home there we’ll certainly be reporting back in a more regular sequence of revisits to test rifles in 2020!

If there is one tiny gripe that I have about the CYMA 098A, it’s to do with the magazine. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the winding 500BB HiCap that comes with it but I do wonder why, given that they provide an absolutely cracking polymer 160BB MidCap with the 097 series, CYMA have chosen a HiCap to go with a precision rifle where “less” is definitely “more”? Luckily (and more to my personal taste) TWG do a Battleaxe 120BB SR25/AR10 mag for just £6.23 (current price) which works perfectly in the 098.

£200 you can have a superb skirmishing tool whether you favour full-on, direct carbine action, or some more considered longer-range DMR shooting. Due to both performance and price I have to say these super CYMAs are definitely my choice for the bargains of the year!

My thanks again go to www. taiwangun.com for providing the test sample and if you’re at an event that Airsoft Action attends then please don’t take my word for just how good these AEGs are, come and try one yourself, as I intend to keep them with me and available in the “AA Armoury”! AA

Conclusion

In conclusion, I just have to reiterate how much I’ve enjoyed - and continue to enjoy - testing these CYMA AEGs! For under

“AT PRESENT I’VE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO SHOOT THE 098 ON OUR EXISTING 30M RANGE AND I GENUINELY THINK AT THAT RANGE, A NORMAL MED FOR DMR ON MOST SITES, YOU’D HAVE TO REALLY BE TRYING NOT TO HIT THE TARGET WITH THIS AEG!” 14

FEBRUARY 2020

0.20g

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armoury UMAREX GLOCK 19X

GLOCK MATHS:

17 + 19 = 19X SELF-PROCLAIMED GLOCK HATER STEVE T TRIES OUT VFC’S LATEST OFFICIALLY LICENSED PISTOL TO SEE IF HE’S BEEN MISSING OUT.

L

et’s get a couple of things straight from the get-go... First, I’m a straight-up Glock hater - not even an apologist; I just don’t like the things.

Yes, I know they “just work” but, in my humble opinion, the only reason they win government contracts over superior offerings such as Beretta’s M9 or the Sig 226, is that they’re built down to a cost.

And they’ve only become so ubiquitous in airsoft because of those same contracts.

Second, I don’t like guns in hearing aid beige. Think of any RIF ever - pistol, rifle, whatever - and chances are that it will look more badass in matte black. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a law of physics up there with gravity.

So, can you think of anyone less suitable to review a tan/coyote brown Glock such as the 19X we have on test today? No, me neither. But you know what? As an open-minded critical thinker, I’m always happy to question my assumptions and you might be as surprised by my findings as I am...

MAY THE VEGA FORCE BE WITH YOU

After years without an official airsoft option licensed by Glock, Umarex finally

sealed the deal and subsequently assigned Vega Force Company (VFC) to manufacture pistols for the brand. Admittedly, VFC’s subsequent charge on the market with a range of models could rival Max Verstappen on the first lap of an F1 race, but that doesn’t seem to have been at the expense of quality - if anything, quite the reverse.

VFC could have simply chosen to add those all-important trades and ramp up production on their existing models but by all accounts, the results were altogether better from the get-go. I’ve owned a number of VFC pistols over the years and they’ve always been “OK”. Way better than the lowest common denominator, but still a tier below the premiere league.

But since being founded in 2004, VFC has continually improved its offerings. A couple of years ago the company released its Avalon M4 series in direct competition with the likes of Krytac’s Trident range and matched them blow-for-blow. I hope to bring you more on exactly that battle in a future issue.

Strictly in terms of VFC’s Glock offerings, the consensus is that while earlier models were accurate but not entirely effective, the latest models have matched the company’s ambitions for

its M4 range. So, can the G19X achieve nirvana or is it just no fun?

GENETICALLY SPEAKING

The G19X is an odd proposition. Imagine Glock’s boffins left the office for the night and a stubby G19 got together for party time with the larger framed G17 to produce the 19X. It might sound like a parts bin special, but based on this evidence, that unholy union is genuinely greater than the sum of its parts.

Simply put, the 19X features the shorter slide of Glock’s 19 newcomer, with the full frame of the time-honoured 17. And you know what? The result is better than anything that came before.

America’s Navy SEAL sidearm contract may have famously been awarded to the Glock 19, but regardless of the fact that either model has been proven effective at bad breath distances, there’s no escaping the fact that big hands will fall off the end of the 19’s grip.

As a result, the G19X has been developed to combine the quick draw potential and pointability of the 19, in the 17’s fit for man-sized hands. As a result, you can mimic the new SEAL sidearm without feeling too dainty.

I love it!

“…SINCE BEING FOUNDED IN 2004, VFC HAS CONTINUALLY IMPROVED ITS OFFERINGS. A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THE COMPANY RELEASED ITS AVALON M4 SERIES IN DIRECT COMPETITION WITH THE LIKES OF KRYTAC’S TRIDENT RANGE - AND MATCHED THEM BLOW-FOR-BLOW.” 16

FEBRUARY 2020

armoury UMAREX GLOCK 19X Image: © Glock.com

“IMAGINE GLOCK’S BOFFINS LEFT THE OFFICE FOR THE NIGHT AND A STUBBY G19 GOT TOGETHER FOR PARTY TIME WITH THE LARGER FRAMED G17 TO PRODUCE THE 19X. IT MIGHT SOUND LIKE A PARTS BIN SPECIAL, BUT BASED ON THIS EVIDENCE, THAT UNHOLY UNION IS GENUINELY GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS.” THE NEXT GENERATION

Today though, we’re looking at the official airsoft incarnation of the totally trick G19X and boy, is it a treat. That full-size frame comfortably accommodates even the largest hands, while the shorter slide makes the G19X both quicker to draw and easier to wield than a more conventional G17.

I bought this pistol at full retail because I thought it looked cool, seemed like a solid performer and promised real-world benefits for airsoft. I wasn’t disappointed with some caveats.

I’ve owned several VFC pistols over the years, but the 19X is in another league.

From the moment you take it out of the packaging, you know that this is a tier one offering. There’s a beautiful contrast between the matte polymer frame and satin metal slide that needs to be fondled to appreciate. It both looks and feels beautiful.

You’ve probably seen the same online reviews saying this is the best VFC Glock ever and who am I to disagree? With limited exposure to previous - more conventional - models, I can tell you that the 19X’s construction is more solid, with deeper, almost luxurious coatings to the slide, improved texture to the frame, plus sharper trades.

generations of Glocks but as far as I know, the G19X grip is modelled on the Gen 5. The loss of finger grooves on the grip might seem like a step backwards in terms of ergonomics but in practice it means that the grip will work better for more hands, more often. The pimpled texture is similar to that which I last encountered on the FNX-45 that also ensures a firm grasp on the grip. I approve.

Another benefit to the 19X’s ergonomics is the slight flare to the front of the magwell that further improves comfort for larger hands, but regardless of your glove size, you’ll be greeted by a beautifully matte texture with the

traditional Glock recess for your thumb.

Like most pistols, the G19X might be a predominantly right-handed affair, however, not only is the slide release truly ambidextrous but lefties can also swap the mag release to the other side.

The G19X also features chamfered contours to the front of both slide and frame that are designed to make reholstering the weapon easier. I can’t speak to the improvement but I certainly experienced no difficulties with this incarnation.

And as you’d expect, the G19X features Glock’s usual scissor trigger safety that blocks you from shooting unless you finger

THE NEXT NEXT NEXT ETC GENERATION I’m far from an expert on the various

www.airsoft-action.online

17

armoury UMAREX GLOCK 19X

fill valve. It might sound like a pain, but not only does it help make the RIF look even more R, it also only takes a second or two. And unlike previous offerings from competitors, that same mag is also beautifully brown all the way up to the black feeding lips. The way that the attention to detail extends to the magazine is a good example of the way that VFC has upped their game for this licensed release.

That said, while the 19x comes with a lanyard point, it lacks the included interchangeable backstraps of previous Glock models. It’s no big deal, but it would be nice if VFC made more options available in the future as aftermarket accessories to help owners customise the pistol to their needs. I’d certainly be happy to spend a few more quid for a slightly chunkier grip. covers the entire width of the trigger. It works perfectly.

FROM GLOCKALIKE TO GLOCK OFFICIAL

VFC may have produced “Glockalikes” prior to Umarex awarding them the license, but since then VFC has taken every advantage. And who could blame them?

To the left of the slide is engraved not only the Glock logo, but also “19X”, “Austria” and “9x19”. The right of the slide carries a serial number that matches the one on the ejection port - as well as every other VFC G19X. And unlike copycat versions, you’ll also find that both front and rear sights are chunkier and feature full branding. You’ll also find the Glock logo to the bottom left of the grip, while the right side reads “Officially licensed product of Glock”.

One neat touch we particularly like is that the butt of the magazine also shows the Glock logo. To recharge with gas, you’ll need to lower a lever in the mag to slide the butt plate forwards, revealing the

from another brand and it performed like a champ again.

You could say it’s unfair to even mention these issues in a review, but I share my experience because you might encounter the same thing. If you do, then look at alternative ammo if you can before crying off entirely. To be clear, back on the range using readily available BBs and the G-19X sent every round straight to the target every time.

And when it does? You can reasonably expect up to four reloads of BBs per gas charge. That’s not only stellar performance, but it also outperforms the marketing claims of some high profile rivals. We’re pretty impressed.

CONCLUSION

As someone that hates both Glocks specifically and brown guns in general, I’m happy to report that this brown Glock is now one of my favourite pistols!

I know - I’m as surprised as you! But when all’s said and done, how can you argue with something that looks great, feels great and works great? AA

YOU HAVE THE BRIDGE, NUMBER ONE

Using green gas and .20 BBs, we measured the G19X at an average of 260FPS/0.63J, with a low of 237/0.52 and a maximum of 286/0.76. That’s about what we’d expect from a GBB pistol, even if it won’t exactly set the world on fire.

The G19X might have performed without fault pelting .2s into an indoor target in a warm house, but it fell short on its first real outing. Not only was range down but it also fed just every other round. Had I bought a lemon?

Not only was it up against a cold winter’s day using .30 ammo - the upper limit for most pistols to be fair - but also Bio BBs as per site rules from a less than mainstream manufacturer. Others in my team had feeding issues in other RIFs using exactly that ammo on more than one visit to the same site, so I feel confident the problem doesn’t lie with the VFC. Back on the home range, I tested the G19X again with ammo of the same weight

“I’M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THIS BROWN GLOCK IS NOW ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PISTOLS. I KNOW - I’M AS SURPRISED AS YOU! BUT WHEN ALL’S SAID AND DONE, HOW CAN YOU ARGUE WITH SOMETHING THAT LOOKS GREAT, FEELS GREAT AND WORKS GREAT?” 18

FEBRUARY 2020

armoury AIRSOFT SYSTEMS ASAR CQB

NOT ALL RIFS ARE MADE THE SAME IT’S A RARE THING FOR BILL TO GET ALL “ALL HYPER” ABOUT AN “AR” AEG BUT A HOST OF NEW MODELS WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND FEATURES, EVEN HE IS BEING DRAWN BACK TO THE “AMERICAN RIFLE”. AND NOW HE TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO THE VERY LATEST VARIANT TO HIT THE STORES FROM AIRSOFT SYSTEMS!

Y

es, it’s true, I am being drawn (to a degree!) back from the OPFOR dark side to the realms of BLUFOR because the back end of 2019 has seem some excellent new “AR” models arrive on the market, and 2020 promises to be a year when there are more on the horizon!

Although I do, and always will love my “AKs” (and there will be more on this to come too!), I can’t help but be impressed by what is appearing at the moment when it comes to giving superb value for money and innovative new tweaks in terms of the “AR”. Whether it’s the sheer quality of what is available for the new airsofter on a budget, or new features that increase both performance and user-interface for the more seasoned player, the “time” is most definitely “now”!

The “AR/M4” is still, by far, the most popular choice of carbine/rifle that is seen on airsoft fields worldwide and given the longevity, modularity and ongoing development of the platform in the real shooting world, it’s hardly surprising.

The “AR” has always been viewed in the western world as the go-to primary for the white-Stetson-wearing good guys and it’s absolutely 100% prolific in games, TV shows, and movies. Everyday it seems we

see them in pictures from newspapers, magazines and online new channels and, to be frank, they’ve kind of become ingrained in society as the choice of the LE and military professional for “WTSHTF” moments.

Of course, we in the airsoft world wish to emulate the professional user and even the UK airsoft defence mentions “law enforcement and military scenarios”.

Whilst there are other platforms that are used, it’s the “AR” that usually takes centre stage and a good “M4-esque” AEG or GBB fulfils a huge amount of loadout requirements.

But with so many good “ARs” out on the market now, even at what a few years ago we would have called “silly prices”, what makes a model stand out, what really makes it exciting? For me, obviously first and foremost it has to be well made, using quality materials and components and it has to offer a good level of performance as standard from new. I struggle somewhat with phrases like “pre-upgraded” as that says to me that, as it stands, the original design or performance is somehow substandard and additional parts were needed to make it work correctly!

To me, that’s just plain silly! An AEG or

GBB (as has been argued by my colleagues in issues past) should work from new, from the box and anything that is fitted should be central to this tenet and “standard”.

What turns me on is when someone says: “Here’s our new AEG/GBB and it’s good to go and will deliver excellent performance from the moment you put a battery/gas and BBs in it”.

Now THAT’S what I’m talking about!

REALLY GOOD TO GO

So, with all that firmly in mind I present you with the Airsoft Systems ASAR 15 CQB! Straight away you have something that you know is a bit different from the herd, as this AEG originates not in the Far East but from Bulgaria! Yup, you read that right! This is an AEG system that’s been developed and created on the Euro side of the “Big Pond” and that, to me, makes it interesting from the get go.

Airsoft Systems have been around for a while but quietly, in the background, doing solid work. They have over ten years of experience and specialise in developing innovative products for the airsoft community. They were actually the first in

“EVERYDAY IT SEEMS WE SEE THEM IN PICTURES FROM NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AND ONLINE NEW CHANNELS AND, TO BE FRANK, THEY’VE KIND OF BECOME INGRAINED IN SOCIETY AS THE CHOICE OF THE LE AND MILITARY PROFESSIONAL FOR “WTSHTF” MOMENTS.” 22

FEBRUARY 2020

armoury AIRSOFT SYSTEMS ASAR CQB

the world to fully integrate a computerised MOSFET with sensors inside a Version 2 AEG gearbox. Vladimir was actually the brains behind the design of the system that you’ll find in the EVO AEG, which he completed on request from (and under the supervision of) ASG. Today, Airsoft Systems produce some of the most advanced and field proven electronic systems for airsoft use; they are also an OEM (bah, that phrase again!) of electronic units for other airsoft brands. In 2018 they opened a new factory, were they closed the circle from design to prototyping to full scale production with their cracking new AEG, the ASAR 15.

Now, a little bird tells me that Vladimir and his team at Airsoft Systems also have an interest in things “real steel” and when I turn fully to the ASAR 15 CQB which RedWolf UK kindly provided for test and evaluation, this explains a couple of things. Firstly, the ASAR is solid as a rock - and I mean 100% SOLID! There’s not a gap anywhere between the outer metal component parts, nor a squeak or rattle no matter how hard you twist or shake it. I’ll also comment on the finish of the upper and lower as these look almost like they’ve been at the nozzle-end of a Hammerite

rattlecan. However, RWA Herman let me in on the fact that this is the exact finish that Vladimir uses on his real ARs and I’m going to tell you right now that it’s tough as old boots and incredibly hard to scratch!

So far so good… Excellent feel and fit and real firearm finish; tick! But it’s inside the ASAR 15 that things start to get REALLY interesting.

Each ASAR 15 is fitted with an Advanced System Control Unit (ASCU) G5, an electronic module (consisting of a command unit and a sensor unit) which, once installed, significantly improves their

the current location of the sector gear, fire mode selector and trigger.

The collected information is transmitted to the command unit, where the software in the CPU analyses it and controls the motor of the replica via the MOSFET with active brake, improving gearbox functions to the highest levels of performance currently possible.

What the ASCU also does is oversee gearbox operation no matter the speed with which the trigger is squeezed and it is responsible for completing a full cycle of the piston’s operation, both in semi-auto and full-auto modes so that after each shot, the piston stops in its exact starting position. The ASCU does not allow battery over-discharge, which is very important when using lithium batteries (LiPo, LiOn,

operation. The traditional connector circuit is replaced with a sensor unit that monitors

LiFe) and the ASCU also stops the firing cycle in case of any problems, thus

“I STRUGGLE SOMEWHAT WITH PHRASES LIKE “PRE-UPGRADED” AS THAT SAYS TO ME THAT, AS IT STANDS, THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OR PERFORMANCE IS SOMEHOW SUBSTANDARD AND ADDITIONAL PARTS WERE NEEDED TO MAKE IT WORK CORRECTLY!” www.airsoft-action.online

23

armoury AIRSOFT SYSTEMS ASAR CQB

protecting the internals from damage.

The sensor unit monitors the operation of the sector gear and thanks to that, the whole system is capable of completing full cycles of the gearbox operation (a BB will never remain in the barrel when the magazine has been pulled and the spring will never be strained when the replica is idle), plus the unit shortens and expedites the reaction of the trigger, which is practically instantaneous. Added to all of this, the ASCU is adapted for operation with the ASHU, a hop-up chamber with integrated sensor that will stop you firing shots when the magazine is empty using standard AEG magazines! This is a function that I personally love as you need to run proper “AR drills” if you decide to use this function (it is optional!). When you fire the last BB in your mag the AEG cuts out, you change your mag out for a fresh, filled one, slap the bolt release and away you go again; it will not fire on an empty mag and

unless you slap that release, it still won’t fire… lush!

FULLY PROTECTED

Essentially, what you get with the ASAR 15 is an AEG that is component-protected to a massively high degree, ensuring both durability and longevity, which in turn simply means that your AEG keeps on performing, for longer. Of course, all the clever internal wizardry also means that the ASAR 15 is completely programmable to offer you Safe + Semi + 3 Round Burst + Full Auto, Safe + Semi + Full Auto, Safe + Semi + 3 Round Burst and Safe + Semi Only!

So overall, what’s on offer apart from all the electronics is a fundamentally sound AEG that benefits from CNC receivers, CNC stock tube, full metal body with hard phosphate finish on the outside, along with 16:1 steel gears, CNC stainless steel bushings, aluminium CNC cylinder head, aluminium CNC piston head, aluminium CNC nozzle, and a High Torque motor. It has a new, innovative split gearbox with detachable cylinder, a quick and easy spring change facility, and you can take it down similar to the “real deal”.

In terms of function, it’s a lovely AEG to work with as well and the trigger is especially crisp and quick. Out of the box the example I received ran through the chrono at a highly consistent 0.96 Joule/322fps on my usual RZR .20g test BBs - but more on that in a moment. The magazine which comes with it holds 85 BBs and feeds flawlessly and additional mags will be available as singles or packs of five. Airsoft Systems tell me “we have chosen the 85 BB option as this provides us with an internal construction with the least possible frictional restrictions” and I have to say that it works perfectly, although other “AR” style mags I tried also fed well without mishap.

Airsoft Systems say that the ASAR 15 system is “optimised for heavier BB weights” and I can report that it is indeed excellent using both .28g and .30g RZR BBs, even with that 0.96 Joule/.20g power level that I mentioned earlier; on the 30m range it was accurately punching holes in paper at the far end with the more weighty BBs. I knew that my mate Pete at local shop Platoon Stores had also tried the ASAR and when I quizzed him his response was “You’ll get easily double that range mate!”

As you might expect with the standard of materials, construction, internal excellence and performance from the box, the ASAR 15 CQB doesn’t come in “cheap, cheap” but the asking price in the UK of iro £460-470 seems eminently reasonable to me (even if it does come with no sights at all!). You’re seriously into what most would refer to as “upgrade territory” given its overall functionality, performance with heavier BBs and its range/accuracy but thankfully, as far as Airsoft Systems are concerned, this is “standard operation” and it’s 100% refreshing to see!

My thanks go to uk.redwolfairsoft. com for providing the T&E sample shown here and please do take a look at www.airsoftsystems.com for in depth information on the ACSU systems available and a downloadable operations manual which comprehensively describes exactly how to program your rifle/carbine. AA

“WHEN YOU FIRE THE LAST BB IN YOUR MAG THE AEG CUTS OUT, YOU CHANGE YOUR MAG OUT FOR A FRESH, FILLED ONE, SLAP THE BOLT RELEASE AND AWAY YOU GO AGAIN; IT WILL NOT FIRE ON AN EMPTY MAG AND UNLESS YOU SLAP THAT RELEASE, IT STILL WON’T FIRE… LUSH!” 24

FEBRUARY 2020

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

INSIDE AIRSOFT DAVE’S CUSTOM AIRSOFT

DAVE’S CUSTOM AIRSOFT

IT IS NOT EVERYONE THAT GETS TO TURN THEIR DREAM INTO REALITY, HOWEVER, LEZ LEE TAKES A TRIP TO MEET A MAN WHO HAS DONE JUST THAT, AS HE HEADS TO THE OPENING OF DAVE’S CUSTOM AIRSOFT SHOP.

D

avid Taylor, the creator of Dave’s Custom Airsoft Ltd. has had his ambition become reality and opened a state-of-the-art airsoft showroom unlike anything else that I have ever seen.

This isn’t an airsoft shop as such, but a “facility” where you can have your dream RIF created from the ground up. From style, system and functionality to the day you send that first plastic ball down the barrel, you can take pride in knowing that “This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My rifle, without me, is useless.

Without my rifle, I am useless!” (I think I’ve heard that somewhere before!!)

This visit was indeed an inspirational experience and I was keen to hear what motivated Dave to create this unparalleled facility and his journey thus far, and due to the unique nature, this can only be explained in detail by the man himself: LL: So when and how did it all begin Dave?

DCA: “I first played airsoft back in 2000, it was always my hobby growing up. I studied military history at university hoping

26

FEBRUARY 2020

to find a career in the defence industry afterwards. Once I graduated I found myself with not enough money to go down the pub and buy a beer and it was taking a long time to find the job I wanted, so I started a Facebook page and with £25 (borrowed from my girlfriend at the time) I took on my first AEG repair job. At that time (approx. 2011) there was nobody really making custom guns or unique guns for the general public and so I picked up “likes” rather easily and customers were very kind indeed.

“In 2013 I attended my first British Shooting show and from there on in I have steadily grown. In 2017 after working for Thales and QinetiQ, I left the defence industry to work on Dave’s Custom Airsoft full time and I have never looked back since. Until recently, I was also an Imagery Analyst in the Intelligence Corps Army Reserve. In the last 3 years DCA has been lucky enough to go from a 4m square office to a 2,500sq ft. Showroom. DCA is now, without question, the UKs largest dedicated custom builder and I “aim” to increase in both quality and scale as the years go by. I am incredibly lucky to have an excellent following of customers who always amaze me with their generosity

and loyalty and having a price match policy ensures our customers always get a fair deal (please call for further details, quotes, etc).”

LL: What do you specialise in and what sets you apart from other airsoft enthusiasts and retailers?

DCA: “If I had to pick a specialism, I would say AEGs. The vast majority of the work I undertake are AEGs and most parts and accessories are for AEGs also. This includes recoils, non recoils, rear wired, front wired, metal, plastic and everything in-between.

“What sets DCA apart from other retailers is first and foremost the customer service.

I respond to messages almost 24hrs a day, I am passionate about our sport therefore very happy to give free advice wherever requested and frequently carry out small tasks for people for free in the shop. I never quibble about refunds or returns and I always ensure (where possible) that the customer is made to feel welcome and happy with their experience - and just to show how much I appreciate customers giving me their hard earned money, I always chuck a little “extra something” in with every order.

INSIDE AIRSOFT DAVE’S CUSTOM AIRSOFT

“The turnaround time for custom work is 10-14 days and DCA offers a 6 months warranty on all AEGs that we have carried out gearbox work on.”

LL: Which manufacturers do you favour and why?

DCA: “I am less interested in “manufacturers” and more interested in “good products”. I do not stock the full range of any manufacturer’s items as most, if not all, have good products and bad products. Also, I believe that no airsoft weapon is perfect and so I take a good look at each weapon individually and bridge the gap between the manufacturer and the customer. Guns leave the factory 75% as good as they can be (as an average figure), we add the final 25%.

“The top brands that I would say have become our most trusted over the years would be as follows: Tokyo Marui, with its incredible pixie dust range fairies, although the original parts availability for these is shockingly poor and the attitude to non-Japanese countries leaves much to be desired.

Krytac, which make excellent M4s with incredibly strong gearbox shells and lovely externals, although they suffer from very average Mosfets and self-shimming gears that would be much better replaced with

standard gears properly shimmed.

Arcturus. A very young brand, big in the U.S and still yet to take off in the UK, however, they are incredibly robust with excellent internals and externals, they have QCS gearboxes with spring de-tensioners as standard and for the money they are incredibly good value.

LCT make the most realisticfeeling AEGs you can get.

Their AKs and G3s blow our minds with their external quality and the PP-19 has proven very popular over the years. The internals, however, need work and the internal attention to detail is poor and often alignment is an issue and the accuracy of the steel stampings on vital components, such as magazine catches, is not always up to scratch.”

LL: How have you seen the industry change since you became involved?

DCA: “The Airsoft industry worldwide has “professionalised” a great deal since I first became involved, this in many ways has been helped by the increasing amount of competition, particularly in the UK market.

There are still some issues which I believe need to be improved across the board,

primarily with regards to stock-holding, given that a sizeable number of companies worldwide now advertise stock that they do not physically have “in stock” and this can be a real nightmare for us - and I am sure our customers also.

“Going forward, I would like to see manufacturers making much more effort to involve retailers in their design and QC processes and for the channels to be in place for any faulty items sent to retailers to go back to manufacturers directly.

This would help to improve the overall quality of airsoft products worldwide.

www.airsoft-action.online

27

INSIDE AIRSOFT DAVE’S CUSTOM AIRSOFT

“THE AIRSOFT INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE HAS “PROFESSIONALISED” A GREAT DEAL SINCE I FIRST BECAME INVOLVED, THIS IN MANY WAYS HAS BEEN HELPED BY THE INCREASING AMOUNT OF COMPETITION, PARTICULARLY IN THE UK MARKET.” Communications between retailers and manufacturers will also ensure that new items coming out are what the fan base would like to see.”

LL: At what point did you decide to take things to the next level and open your own hi-tech showroom?

DCA: “Our last unit was 500 square foot and within 6 months we had outgrown it.

At one stage there were so many guns in the build queue that we could not move on the floor. With other shops holding back over Brexit fears, I decided now was the time to go hell for leather and 8 weeks later we now have this beautiful showroom which I believe better reflects us as a company and the attitude we take towards our work.”

LL: Tell us, in more detail, about this unique showroom.

DCA: “The idea behind our showroom was to create a “gun heaven” that was, in every aspect, different from other shops. I did not intend to display hundreds of guns or thousands of products, I wanted on show a small amount of key products with a space that felt modern, clean and welcoming.”

“The “Gun Cabinet” Coke machine, AK Coffee Table, Gun Drawing light boxes and the central workbench were concepts that I was keen to put together because I believe

they create the right balance of aesthetics and practicality.

“I do not want to get customers in and out quickly, I want to invite customers in, welcome them, give them refreshments and have a chat. This is aided by the use of our tablets and computers which can help customers browse the products. I am always happy to get products out for customers to look at, use or add to their weapons and our staff always show the highest level of professionalism.”

LL: Anything in the pipeline Dave?

DCA: “We are soon to release a range of our own brand of DCA items, the first of which will be triggers and a bolt release for TM Next Generation Recoil Shock rifles. This will hopefully be the first of many products as we plan to build an ever-increasing range of high-quality, well-priced items. The holy grail for this would be to one day build our own massproduced rifles. I have been approached by several companies around the world to create a collaborative rifle and so again, at some point this may also happen.”

LL: What will your customers experience on a visit?

DCA: “A genuine warm welcome and free refreshments. Customers can touch the items as they please, shoot the guns, cock the pistols, look down the sights. I will always be interested in the customers, their stories, their ideas and of course their guns. Many of our customers have become friends and that is really where the strength in the company lies.

“In the future, DCA will have seasonal open days, range competitions etc. I also plan to hold some classes to teach people basic AEG maintenance and upgrades.”

LL: Before the interrogation ceases Dave, have I missed anything?

DCA: “The only thing I want made clear is that our prices are competitive and we will match any like for like UK price, as I have heard some folk on the forums moaning that we “are expensive”.

“I nearly forgot.... THAT quirky gun storage unit. The Coke machine is a massive attraction for anyone coming into the shop, its unique nature perfectly embodies the company that we aspire to be. Unique

and outstanding but also practical.

“The open day was a fantastic success and we thank everyone for coming along to support us, I would also like to thank everyone who has come in subsequently, DCA is now open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm to give customers even more opportunities for shopping.”

So that’s it! The journey from hobby tinkering, to professional technician in loving detail and let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to get paid for working in an industry that they love!

My personal opinion after my visit? Well it is certainly “one of a kind” and with price match prices plus the customisation and upgrade service, you would be hard pressed to find anything like this. Simply decide your budget, choose your style and “enhance” your new RIF to any spec that you want.

Genetic engineering comes to airsoft...

Kind of? AA CONTACT DETAILS Dave’s Custom Airsoft Unit K, The Factory Dippenhall, Nr. Farnham Surrey GU10 5DW Tel : 01252 715 777 Email : info@davescustomairsoft.co.uk Web : www.davescustomairsoft.co.uk

www.airsoft-action.online

29

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SITE REPORT REAPER OPS

REAPER OPS AIRSOFT

THE FORT, KENT

AS READERS OF AIRSOFT ACTION WILL KNOW, OUR REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR, BILL, HAS BEEN THROUGH THE MILL OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS - BUT NOW HE’S BACK AND HITTING THE FIELD AS WELL AS THE RANGE! HE KICKS BACK INTO GEAR WITH A REVIEW OF A UNIQUE SITE THAT’S OPENED IN HIS NECK OF THE WOODS, “REAPER OPS” IN KENT.

Additional Site Photography courtesy of M J Reed

A

s much as I love being on the range and testing AEGs and GBBs, those of you that know me personally know that I’m happiest when I’m out playing! Whether it’s an immersive MilSim or a simple skirmish day, if it’s on a good site and is well run with players that are there to play hard and fair, then I’m happy as a hog in a puddle of mud.

After my recent battle with “The Big C”, I’m pleased to report that I’m slowly getting back to fighting weight and in mid-December I had the opportunity to revisit a site that is local to me, Reaper Ops Airsoft. You may recall that I visited the site in the summer to attend their Boot Fair and said that I would return and when the opportunity arose to do so (in the fine company of local Kent team “The Expendabellies”), I was keen to get on site.

At the time of the Boot Fair, Dan and the team at Reaper Ops were also running a “CTSim” and my access was limited to the outer part of the site only.

So although I knew where the site was, until I went to play I didn’t know what they had to offer “inside the walls” so to speak, as Reaper Ops is set up in the grounds of “Fort Borstal”, one of the old Medway Forts - and that in itself is a great reason to visit!

For those of you that don’t know the history of the Medway Forts; construction started in 1756 at the southern end of the Brompton lines of defence, to protect

the south eastern approaches to Chatham Dockyard and the River Medway against a French invasion. Online sources tell me that the primary purpose of all the Medway fortifications was the defence of the Naval Dockyard. This was largely the result of the Raid on the Medway in 1667, when the Dutch fleet inflicted heavy damages on the dockyard. Defences were planned for the dockyard from 1708 and land was then acquired by two Acts of Parliament in 1708 and 1709 and the land was surveyed in 1715 by the Duke of Marlborough. The first plan of defences was an enceinte (ring of fortifications), from Gun Wharf, Chatham, to north of the village of Brompton.

Fort Borstal, though, was built as an afterthought thanks to the 1859 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom and constructed by convict labour between 1875 and 1885, to hold the high ground southwest of Rochester.

It is of polygonal design and was never originally armed, although an anti-aircraft battery was based there in the Second World War. Nowadays, the site is used primarily as a filming location for TV productions.

The sense of history is strong at Reaper Ops, as you will be quite literally walking in the footsteps of soldiers from ages past and the fact that the old fort is now being

“WE ALL TALK ABOUT “TAKING OUR HITS” AND “PLAYING FAIRLY” BUT ON THIS SITE IT IS AN ABSOLUTE, 100%, REALITY AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT I’VE NEVER IN MY YEARS OF PLAYING COME ACROSS A SITE WHERE IT IS EMBEDDED INTO THE VERY FABRIC OF THE GAME DAY EXPERIENCE.”

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SITE REPORT REAPER OPS

“THE SENSE OF HISTORY IS STRONG AT REAPER OPS, AS YOU WILL BE QUITE LITERALLY WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SOLDIERS FROM AGES PAST AND THE FACT THAT THE OLD FORT IS NOW BEING USED FOR (LET’S BE HONEST HERE) A “COMBAT SPORT”, IS SOMEWHAT FITTING.” used for (let’s be honest here) a “combat sport”, is somewhat fitting. Even as you drive towards the site, you’ll enter Crown Estates and pass by both an HMP and HMYOI which is very sombre indeed - and a very strong reminder that we all need to

of main artery tunnels lead you into the inner compound and this is where you start to get an idea of what lays ahead for the day. The “central run” along the middle of the site is thoughtfully laid out with semi-permanent barricades and old

stay on the right side of the law!

The site is well marked from the access road and there’s ample parking.

You’ll need to unload and carry all your gear into the main compound though, as a sturdy metal gate is closed during active game time. The entire compound is “Safety Glasses On” as soon as you pass through the gate and this is quietly, but strictly enforced, as even the outer compound will be in play when things kick off.

Booking in is under cover and well organised and as well as the “Admin Desk” you’ll also find both the coffee/ tea area and the onsite shop, run by respected local retailer, Platoon Stores, in this spacious room. As somewhat of a “coffee-aholic” I can attest that what is on offer is of an excellent standard and the coffee pots are regularly refilled throughout the day; do bring your own mug though as the guys try not to use disposable ones (these will cost you 10p if you need one!) to cut down on waste.

There is also a “tuck shop” where you can buy a choccy bar if you really must, although you will need to bring your own lunch on a skirmish day.

From the outer compound, a series

vehicles and on all sides the inner banks rise away from you. A central block

Several flights of steps and numerous walk-friendly slopes lead you to the upper level of the site, where there are concrete bunkers and gun pits to use for cover, and as Reaper Ops put it themselves; “There are turrets and hiding places perfect for snipers to plot up, and there is never a place on the site where you’re far from the enemy. This means you’re forced into battle and have to stay switched on. It also means that games are usually fast-paced and exhilarating. As an added bonus, it also means there’s not far to walk to respawn, so you can get back in the action quicker.”

Trust me, all of this is true!

On the morning I visited my intention was to take pictures first and then get a game in myself and the rest of the “Expendabellies” were keen to get stuck in from the off. After a thoroughly professional Safety Brief from Marshals Dan and Alex (experienced airsofters both, and darn nice guys!), it was straight into Game One, which was a “Roving Patrol” scenario that split all the players down into groups of four. Each group had to make their way around the site (no camping here!) and engage other patrols that they met along the way. It was a

(playable inside and out) dominates the main courtyard where the comprehensive Safety Brief and subsequent game briefings take place (and here you really can imagine those “ghost soldiers” marching back and forth!).

clever game that got newcomers to cover ground and get to know the site layout quickly, whilst the strict “no camping” rule meant that even “The Regulars” couldn’t use their knowledge of the site to any real advantage.

www.airsoft-action.online

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SITE REPORT REAPER OPS

After a couple of “Storm the Fort games” the morning wound down with a hostage scenario with a twist; I won’t give details as I’m sure Alex will use it again but suffice to say it wasn’t as simple as it sounds!

COFFEE AND CAKE TOO!

I mentioned I like good coffee, right? Well, I also like a nice bit of cake to go with it, and the Reaper Ops crew made sure that even this whim was satisfied, with an excellent selection of cupcakes and muffins! Although we were blessed with dry weather it does get pretty nippy this close to the river, so most players retreated to the dedicated indoor Safe Zone to grab a bite and bomb up ready for the afternoon.

After a great catch-up chat with old mates Pete and Jim from Platoon Stores, it was time for me to gear up and join in.

With “the littlest AK” in hand I joined “Red Team” to defend the inner compound from the pesky “Yellows”; although they bravely pushed hard on us to gain a foothold it was not their day, and we held fast. This scenario was then reversed and I persuaded a number of “Red Team” (poor misguided fools!) that the best way to get the job done was a fast, full-frontal assault up the middle tunnel to gain the centre ground of the inner compound… and blow me down if my plan didn’t work perfectly!

Once inside we were able to engage the Yellows from all angles, with a number of my “Expendabellies” mates leading the way (and in one case taking a spectacular “Hollywood” stumble that was worthy of an Oscar but resulted in no injury other than to his ego, as we all took the mick!), this is a site that really rewards aggressive (in a tactical sense!), dynamic action and the old adage of “stay in one place and you’re done” has never seemed so appropriate.

To me, this is where the “tone” of the site shone like an absolute beacon.

Even when we’d been hammering the Yellows, at ENDEX they were the first to come and congratulate us all on “well played”. Apologies were made for shots that had stung (no “fire and forget” in evidence!) the recipient and in turn, those shot, congratulated the shooter on the expediency of their aim! It was absolutely brilliant gamesmanship at its very, very

best!

In short, what makes Reaper Ops so special (apart from the uniqueness of the site’s history and setting) is that “tone”. Dan, Alex, and their team have set a tone that’s all about safety, fair play, and honesty, and their regulars have adopted that tone for themselves and taken it to heart. We all talk about “taking our hits” and “playing fairly” but on this site it is an absolute, 100%, reality and I have to say that I’ve never in my years of playing come across a site where it is embedded into the very fabric of the game day experience.

At Reaper Ops you will experience airsoft at its very finest; it’s a unique site run by professionals, with interesting scenarios that unless specified were all run on semi-auto. There was no “overshooting” and for the entire day I never heard a single raised angry voice, not even a grumble.

This is airsoft for grownups (whatever their physical age!) run by grownups and it’s an absolute delight; I will be back for more of the same soon!

My thanks go to Dan, Alex, and their onsite photographer Matt, for making me so welcome and also to the “Expendabellies Airsoft Team” who I thoroughly enjoyed running with. I’m now an actual member of the team, “EAT-16 Jean-Luc” and I look forward to more adventures with them in the future! AA

“I PERSUADED A NUMBER OF “RED TEAM” (POOR MISGUIDED FOOLS!) THAT THE BEST WAY TO GET THE JOB DONE WAS A FAST, FULL-FRONTAL ASSAULT UP THE MIDDLE TUNNEL TO GAIN THE CENTRE GROUND OF THE INNER COMPOUND…”

AA SITREP Location: Fort Borstal, Fort Road, Rochester, Kent ME1 3NT Access: Car access necessary Parking: Parking on dedicated semi-hardstanding Disabled Access: Possible, but please check with Reaper Ops in advance Safe Zone: Indoor safe zone with rental equipment and shop (Platoon Stores Rochester).

Coffee and Tea is included in the game day fee (please bring your own mug to cut down on waste!) and a paid “tuck shop” is available indoors. Clean toilet facilities are available.

Safety: An in-depth and comprehensive Safety Brief was provided before games commenced.

All questions were answered. First aiders were on site during the day. No dry firing is allowed in the Safe Zone area(s).

• 350 FPS Maximum for all RIFs (except sniper rifles) • 500 FPS Maximum for bolt action Sniper Rifles (with a minimum engagement of 30m) • No DMR Rule; DMR’s are treated as “normal” AEGs so must be sub-350fps • No Box or Drum magazines permitted unless on a recognised support weapon • Laser sights are permitted if type approved and used sensibly (red only) • All Pyrotechnics not purchased on site must be checked by staff prior to usage. Only products from Enola Gaye, TLSFX, or Cloud 9 will be permitted. Homemade devices are not allowed.

All FPS limits are with .20 BBs. At the start of the day there is a mandatory chrono. Spot checks during the day may also be carried out. If a player knowingly uses a ‘hot’ gun or attempts to cheat any chrono test they may be removed from play for the remainder of the day.

Overview: A spacious and historically unique site that includes buildings, bunkers, numerous tunnels, and small wooded areas, vehicles (stationary) and semi-permanent barricades.

There are steps and slopes which could prove challenging for less mobile players.

Style: Skirmish/CQB/MilSim style site which offers varied games throughout the day, along with especially themed events that are detailed on their website.

Cost: Skirmish Walk-On £25, Skirmish PreBooked £20. Please note that The Fort is a compact site which means most game days have a player cap of 40 or less to ensure good fluid gameplay. Be sure to book early!

Contact Details: • Website https://reaperops.com • Duty Directing Staff Member Mobile(Game day): 07309 970063 (Calls and SMS Only) • info@reaperops.com for General Enquiries • sales@reaperops.com for Booking Enquiries UKARA Registered: Yes

www.airsoft-action.online

35

THE COLLECTOR

DON’T CALL ME “SA80 “SA80”! ”!

L85

FRENCHIE CONTINUES HIS SERIES OF “COLLECTABLE” RIFS WITH A LOOK AT A TRUE “MARMITE” RIFLE THAT IS ADMIRED AND HATED IN EQUAL QUANTITY.

A

h, the L85... A word to the wise: don’t refer to it as the “SA80” in front of squaddies; in my experience they get narked about that! SA80, or “Small Arm for the 1980s”, was the program that delivered the L85 (as was) to the British Army to replace their SLRs. The SLR was a fine rifle, although to listen to older soldiers you’d think it was capable of imposing world peace all on its own, then nipping back to barracks and making a nice cup of tea – “NATO Standard”, of course! It was a big, heavy rifle, long and difficult to use in the confines of a vehicle and I’m dubious of any rifle that breaks the sight line for routine cleaning. But then I’m a pedant.

Britain had experimented with bullpup rifles since the end of the Second World War, briefly adopting the EM2 as the “Rifle No. 9”. If only we had told the USA to go shove their obsession with .30 calibre!

The .280 round was, by all accounts, an excellent intermediate cartridge and the EM2 could probably have coped with 5.56mm had the Yanks been on the ball.

Later came the EIWS – Enfield Individual Weapon System – another bullpup chambered in 4.85mm. Sadly, apart from the layout, that development was to have no influence on the SA80 program.

To write a full history of the SA80

program and the weapons that came from it would take a book. Suffice it to say that, as far as I have been able to establish, there were few (if any) firearms engineers involved in the program and Sterling Arms, who made the AR18 under licence in the UK, are still p**sed off that their operating system was used without any reference to them, never mind licence fees!

Yes, it is fair to say that the L85 was a dog. Great accuracy, feed problems, a tendency to hurl its innards around when stripped, broken firing pins, rubbish plastic furniture, an unprotected magazine catch almost designed to drop magazines at the worst possible moment. The list is long and depressing. It should be no surprise that the UK sold few to foreign buyers and, on a broader note, it is sad that the L85 should be the final “Hurrah!” of an arms industry that gave us the Bren, the SMLE, P14, Vickers and the No.4.

A midlife upgrade by Heckler and Koch (then a part of Bae Systems) corrected many of the gross problems and the resulting L85A2 was undoubtedly better than the first iteration and the L85A3 has an improved and lighter railed front end with improved optic mounting options.

Since the A2 upgrade, the weapon has performed better but all of the problems

encountered with the original should have been eliminated during testing, suggesting that the whole process was

rushed and poorly managed.

If the British army wanted a bullpup, they should probably have dusted off the EM2 design or simply bought the rights to

“THE SLR WAS A FINE RIFLE, ALTHOUGH TO LISTEN TO OLDER SOLDIERS YOU’D THINK IT WAS CAPABLE OF IMPOSING WORLD PEACE ALL ON ITS OWN, THEN NIPPING BACK TO BARRACKS AND MAKING A NICE CUP OF TEA – “NATO STANDARD”, OF COURSE!” Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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FEBRUARY 2020

THE COLLECTOR L85

the Steyr Aug …but hindsight is such a wonderful thing!

IN AIRSOFT

There are three principal airsoft offerings of this troubled but undoubtedly iconic rifle, from G&G, ICS and WE. The first two are AEGs, the WE is gas-powered. In the way that the airsoft AK seems to mimic the reliability of its real-world progenitor, the L85 in airsoft comes with a slew of moreor-less irritating issues!

The G&G is well made, as you’d expect and represents the A2 variant. The original design had a unique gearbox, with the equally unique ability to come to rest in a position where it completely severs all electrical connections and won’t fire again until it’s flicked to full-auto and fired! G&G have subsequently redesigned the fire control group with an electronic trigger unit and an onboard MOSFET and this, it is reported, has finally resolved these issues.

Additionally, the G&G guns retain the piston-driven “blowback” feature, which although blamed for many ills, wasn’t nearly as problematic as some assumed. I cannot comment as I have had no handson experience with this revised version.

For my money, the G&G L85 series were always the best looking of the available options, so if that trigger issue is genuinely resolved, happy days!

ICS also make a slew of L85 variants, some of which are real, some less so.

Again, their guns feature a unique gearbox with a quick-change spring to allow for a bit of muzzle velocity tweaking.

If I were throwing money at an L85, ICS would get it, although nowadays I would want to stress test the new G&G first. The ICS box was simple and robust and their use of an electronic trigger linkage (which G&G have now added) made for a reasonably responsive gun. For me the big letdown was always the hop unit, which was miles behind the G&G M4-style unit and although I could get them to work well, never inspired confidence.

They were also prone to contact issues in that electronic linkage.

Other than those specific issues, both guns were well made from pressed steel and felt pretty much like the real thing. Aftermarket front ends are available so you can attempt to

upgrade your A2 to A3 status.

Finally, the WE L85A2. Full of gas blowback goodness, this is honestly one of the most enjoyable GBBRs I have fired. That’s mostly down to all the action happening right under your nose (literally) which makes it quite visceral. I would seriously recommend ear protection if you’re using this long term, however, “long-term” use isn’t high on the list of WE L85 attributes, sadly. Like all stock GBBRs, the L85 had a habit of demolishing its internals, especially the fire control group, and parts were at times hard to come by. As ever, there will surely be some of you that have never had a moments problem with your WE but I have handled and worked on loads that were far from healthy. I suspect if converted to HPA, it would just be an absolute hoot in the field and it’s a shame I even have to write that!

As a wall hanger, it wins hands down, simply because of the realistic handling of gas rifles and again, replacement parts are available to change out the front end should you wish to.

If you want to do both – gaze and game – and if G&G have genuinely fixed the problems with their L85 (and their ETUs don’t have the best reputation), that would be the way to go. Their version of the L85 always looked better, I leaned towards the ICS version simply because it was, at the time, more reliable.

I will make a nod to the R85 from Action Army, guns with which I am only

too familiar. Cheap, yes, but essentially a Chinese built copy of an already complex G&G design, they were never going to be brilliant. Quality varied hugely, to the point where some components like handguards, were pinned in the wrong position but they were cheap and if all you want is a carcass to decorate your den, it might be worth picking up.

Finally, yes, some of the photos accompanying this month’s piece might include my old L85A1 springer! Although I have issues with the L85 for a whole bunch of armchair critics reasons, I still find the design iconic and I don’t think I have ever not had an L85 in my collection, even if it was a springer and never used on the field.

For me it’s a throwback to the earliest days of my airsoft adventure although even then I couldn’t squeeze anywhere like sufficient performance out of an L85 springer to make it worth carrying! I’ll make a nod also to the Academy L85A1 which was the first electric L85. It was awful, having a bad FAMAS copy gearbox shoehorned into a plastic springer receiver and should be ignored. There was an external air powered version of that same plastic L85, I have only ever seen one of these. If you can find one, I’ll sell you my unicorn farm to go with it!

The L85 was never the rifle it should have been but the British Army has persisted with it and although still often described as the worst modern army rifle, there is no doubting that it won’t be forgotten in a hurry! AA

“…THE WE L85A2. FULL OF GAS BLOWBACK GOODNESS, THIS IS HONESTLY ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE GBBRS I HAVE FIRED. THAT’S MOSTLY DOWN TO ALL THE ACTION HAPPENING RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE (LITERALLY) WHICH MAKES IT QUITE VISCERAL.”

www.airsoft-action.online

37

FEATURE THIS IS MY M4

THIS IS MY M4 PT 3: OPTICS AFTER YEARS OF MAKING MINOR MODIFICATIONS TO RIFS WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SUCCESS, STEVE T GOES ALL-IN ON HIS MWS TO FIND OUT JUST WHAT AN INEPT HOME TECH CAN ACHIEVE. THIS MONTH HE TAKES A LOOK AT OPTICS.

U

nless you’re an experienced tech with parts on hand, no build goes as planned.

In this instance, I’d hoped to start with an adjustable nozzle to vary FPS but it seems that it wasn’t to be. Last issue, I wrote that the parts were on a slow boat from China - which is not untrue! The problem is that having made its way all the way from Hong Kong to the UK, the parcel got lost at the local sorting office, just 12 miles from my door!!

Now, I’m not saying Royal Mail is crap, but instead of advising me the parcel had been lost, they instead advised me they’d attempted delivery and even allowed me to arrange redelivery… Twice! It was only when I called in and waited for more than half-an-hour that I found out what was going on.

We’ve all had courier problems, so why do I mention it? Because Angry Gun doesn’t insure their despatches - which is in their T&Cs to be fair - but if you have a problem, it’s down to you or your credit card company to resolve. I didn’t know but now you do.

Having received orders from the same supplier without issue, I have no doubt it’s a local delivery problem but the more risk averse among you may want to wait until there’s stock in the UK before hitting that “Buy Now” button.

THE BEST LAID PLANS

So, while I wait for a PayPal refund and place a replacement order, let’s turn our attention to another external mod optics. As a fat old man, I never rush into engagement, so I wanted a long-range

scope to pick off targets at range. But as someone that also likes to get stuck in up close and personal, I wanted a dualpurpose solution that would work in either scenario as the game evolves.

Given the limited maximum range of airsoft RIFs, all I needed was x4 magnification, plus a sexy Red Dot Sight (RDS) for when shizzle gets rizzle. Of course, I could always partner any RDS with a flip-to-side magnifier but I wanted something a bit more special for this build.

I first saw Trinity Force’s Assault Scope Combo in a video by everyone’s favourite Swamp Sniper and instantly said “Want!”

The problem was that US vendors can’t export to the UK for fear of alienating non-existent overseas suppliers. The solution was to find someone in the US that was happy to purchase it on my behalf and then send it on. Sorted!

construction.

That RDS is so low to the main scope on a vertical plane that it makes the transition from long to short range as easy as raising your chin. The whole assembly comes on a cantilever mount that not only fits perfectly on the MWS rail, but also looks 100% badass.

The problem on my specific build is that these optics look too good. How is that a problem? The line of sight just doesn’t work with FAB’s chunky CP cheek riser as fitted last issue - even without face pro. Add a mesh mask and the eye relief is as good as useless. I tried a rail riser for the scope but that killed the looks for me.

Given the trade-off between the funky but unnecessary cheek pad and making the scope work as intended, my original vision for this build had to give way to functionality. Riser 0 vs 1 Scope.

Next month: Internals. (Really!) AA

RADAR LOVE

Maybe it’s a transatlantic issue but US-based manufacturer Trinity Force weren’t even on my radar. And if they’re not on yours, they should be.

This thing not only works great but feels bulletproof! You can choose either mil-dot or sniper markings for the magnified scope, with a piggyback RDS that nuzzles perfectly atop its metal www.airsoft-action.online

39

KIT & GEAR CLAW GEAR INSTRUCTOR SHIRT MK11 LS

CLAW GEAR INSTRUCTOR SHIRT MK11 LS

ALTHOUGH IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE REALLY START LOOKING AT COLD WEATHER PREP, THERE ARE CERTAIN PRODUCTS THAT CAN’T WAIT TO LAUNCH AND BILL HAS BEEN TRYING THE LATEST VERSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR SHIRT FROM CLAWGEAR - AND IS RAVING ABOUT IT!

I

’ve been working directly with the guys at Clawgear for a good few years now and I’ve been really overjoyed to see them gaining slow but certain traction in the tactical clothing market. Given my background in technical clothing and fabrics, they have not disappointed me with the new garments and indeed, gear they have produced. After a great deal of interaction with them I’ve come to trust the merits of their technical clothing systems and they have always had total confidence in the products they send me to test and evaluate - this process continues as a “two-way street” and long may that be the case!

The very latest garments to come my way show that whilst Clawgear continue to innovate, they don’t necessarily throw out what are great existing designs, but instead improve on them!

During the summer months I’ve been using their excellent Instructor Shirt on the range when testing (and when shooting abroad with friends) and it’s really become a bit of a “goto” garment for me. The Instructor Shirt MKII has been developed specifically for use at shooting ranges and training facilities. Clawgear have designed this unique shirt to fulfil the requirements of comfort and utilitarian configuration, whilst maintaining a paredback, cool look. The Instructor Shirt is exceptionally versatile as it features velcro mounting points and zip pockets on both sleeves, plus a hidden side pocket for a mobile phone, including cable outlet, has also been included. It’s a simple T-shirt design but the cut is generous to aid with

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FEBRUARY 2020

dynamic movement whilst shooting and the 60% cotton, 40% Polyester fabric mix is both durable and comfortable next to the skin.

However, as I tend to shoot for real in “hot places” the short-sleeved option is not always the best and, of course, in the autumn months in the UK T-shirts are not the ideal

rangewear! I have longed for a model that would give me more coverage and perhaps a little more protection for the lower arm, and BAM! Enter the Instructor Shirt MKII LS! Inspired by the popularity of the original, the long sleeve version has

been developed as for use primarily on the shooting range and for instructors. Due to its versatility, it is also suitable for a variety of other tasks, including, as Clawgear put it “professional level light operations”.

The fabric of the torso maintains the great feel of the original and is great for use and comfort under plate carriers.

The technical design of the sleeves ensures extremely high freedom of movement and they are made of a very durable, stretchy and water-repellent 87% polyamide, 13% polyurethane fabric mix; combining this shirt with a light, water repellant vest gives you superb protection whilst maintaining high levels of breathability and movement.

The two upper arm pockets provide sufficient storage space for range cards and small items, while the loop surfaces offer space for ID badges if required. The shirt also features an extended torso to avoid slipping out of your trousers and, overall, the main 60% cotton, 40% Polyester torso fabric is quick drying, breathable and very, very comfortable.

Both the Instructor Shirts are available in a range of plain colours, so they will fit pretty much any loadout.

Clawgear will never be the cheapest option on the block but as they say, “you get what you pay for” and in this case that’s an awful lot of comfort, performance and durability!

For more information on the superb range of gear from Clawgear please do visit www.clawgear.com and check out retailers like www.heinnie.com in the UK for their excellent garments! AA

KIT & GEAR AIRTECH CHL/DELTA MIKE FACE PRO

EVO CHARGING SPRING WOES BEGONE

FED UP WITH YOUR CHARGING HANDLE SPRING BOUNCING AWAY INTO THE DISTANCE WHEN YOU FIT YOUR BATTERY? STEVE T TESTS A SOLUTION FROM AIRTECH STUDIOS

I

’ve been impressed with Airtech Studios’ common-sense application of engineering to eliminate airsoft user issues since the brand first came to my attention a year ago. And their latest offering is no exception.

ASG’s Scorpion Evo is a mighty little SMG but one thing I hate about it, is removing the entire front end to fit the battery. Not only is it a fiddly affair but you also run the risk of that pesky charging handle spring doing its best “Tigger” impression as it bounces away across the safe zone.

You could untwist the end of the spring and seat it to prevent that or add a sling adaptor to also block the charging handle, but Airtech came up with its “Charging Handle Lock”. It sits across the top rail to prevent said handle firing off into the ether - and like most of their solutions, not only

is it beautifully simple, it just works.

Fitting the CHL is but the work of a moment; if you can fit a scope to a rail, then you can fit this. And it 100% removes the risk of your charging handle ricocheting off the furniture.

QUALIFIED OPINION

that elevates the Evo about other RIFs for me.

I’ve installed the CHB for this review and found that it works completely as advertised - but then I took it straight back off again. Whether you should fit one to your Evo is entirely down to how you want it to work for you. AA

For all its efficacy, the CHB does come with one - very big - qualification. You can no longer fully rack the charging handle. Airtech themselves acknowledge this shortcoming and say that while the part answers some users’ needs, it’s down to the individual to decide what’s more important for them.

I admire such a democratic approach to parts development and fully support the development of more choices for the end user. But that said, sacrificing that functionality takes away one of the things

THE SOFT OPTION FOR FACE PRO A

lot of airsofters don’t bother with face protection - and I understand why. It seems unnecessary, means spending more and prevents you from getting right down on your stock for a good view through your sights. But I’ve also seen players outraged at having a tooth chipped, followed by an expensive trip to the dentist. Suddenly, that sub£25 mask doesn’t look like such a bad investment!

Sure, traditional mesh fastened with elastic straps isn’t the most comfortable solution, so players might be interested to learn there is a more comfortable alternative from Delta Mike Face Pro; you’ll find him on Facebook. Once found, I jumped at the chance to protect my teeth without looking like Hannibal Lecter!

DON’T WANT TO LOSE YOUR TEETH - BUT ALSO DON’T WANT TO LOOK LIKE A SERIAL KILLER? STEVE T TESTS DELTA MIKE’S RANGE OF FACE PRO.

KEEP IT SIMPLE, STOOPID!

Like most great inventions, this is a simple idea that works - make a neck tube out of camo material, add a small patch of mesh to cover teeth, plus a draw-string fastening if you need to cinch it up. Brilliant! £23.50 later and one conversation with the personable Mike about how well the Forest Green colourway matches A-TACS and my new face pro was on the way. And you know what? It works so well that you wonder why the big boys haven’t thought of it! It’s way more comfortable than a rigid mask but offers the same level of protection for those valuable tooth-pegs.

Like any neck tube, it will only make you heat up as you run and gun. The use of perforated material - in a range of colours - minimises local warming but I struggled since I overheat at the drop of a pin.

If you’re a normal human being that plays airsoft and wants to protect their teeth without looking like a serial killer, then you should definitely investigate Delta Mike’s range of face pro. AA

www.airsoft-action.online

41

KIT & GEAR ELEMENT AIRSOFT PEQ-15

ELEMENT AIRSOFT NEW STYLE PEQ-15 IF ANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN ANY PHOTOS OF PHIL BUCKNALL’S GUNS, YOU’LL REALISE HE HAS A BIT OF A THING FOR PEQ BOXES. HE HAS ONE ON ALL OF HIS GUNS BAR ONE - AND HAS ONE ON ORDER FOR THAT ALREADY, SO…

A

s you can imagine, I have tried an innumerable amount of PEQs from a variety of manufacturers, ranging from very good and actually useable to those that are, well simply put, glorified battery boxes with lasers that either go off the second there’s any vibration, or they cannot be zeroed for love nor money.

It is rare to find a decent one that isn’t bank-balance-busting and, unless you have a few grand in your back pocket, you’re not likely to be going for a real one, so it’s clones or bust.

A few issues back I reviewed the torch/PEQ/dual switch combo from Element and found them to be both realistically priced and functional, with good throw on the torches and a laser that can be adjusted and stays put when done on all but the most violent recoil platforms - mainly on my GBBRs (where the zero shifted ever so slightly but was still close enough to ensure a hit on a torso sized target).

When I heard they had a new version of the venerable PEQ-15 coming out (that had a couple of differences and even improvements over the existing models), I was all ears and keen to get one to play around with. For a lot of my lasers, optics and accessories I tend to use Ali Express as the pricing is reasonable and, whilst delivery is sometimes a little on the slow side, it generally is free of charge.

There are a few versions of the PEQ-15 out, including the latest LA5/UHP style and this new offering from Element (product code EX676) comes in tan or black, with either a green or red visible laser as well as an IR laser and is based on the LA5/ UHP version. It has the guards around the adjustment controls and “UHP” moulded into the on/off button on the top of the unit. It comes with a remote pressure switch but be aware if you want to use it with any different switches you may already own, as it uses a 3.5mm jack not 42

FEBRUARY 2020

2.5 like most of them do. The battery cap is extended and easy to unscrew or tighten, under which goes the single CR123A battery. Unlike others this PEQ unit only needs one battery to function, which given its functions is not bad at all.

One of the biggest visual differences and a dead give-away that it is the newer model, is the laser aperture, whereas most of the PEQ units I’ve ever bought have a moulded plastic part here with two holes - one for each laser. The new Element

version has a single glass lens covering both. I think it looks quite fancy and is apparently more in keeping with the real one. The LED illuminator is pretty bright at 300 lumens and has a reasonably tight focussed beam, with minimal diffusion over distance. This unit even has a strobe function; something I certainly haven’t seen on a replica PEQ-15 up until now and it is very erm… (for want of a better expression) strobey! I can imagine in urban games it could be used to gain a tactical advantage by disorientating the enemy but in woodland games it’s not so beneficial.

The IR laser is apparently pretty good (according to people with NVGs enabling them to check this particular feature) but I cannot comment on it as I haven’t the equipment to verify this. However, I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the claims as they are from trusted sources. For night games or in dark rooms, for those with NVGs, having a decent IR laser can be quite the advantage for pointing out the enemy to other team mates, as well as aiming.

The dial for selecting different modes is very positive and clicks between each function, so you know when you have gone from one to the other even with gloves on. Both the rubberised button on top, as well as the remote switch, also have a nice positive click when pressed and thus far seem more than up to the task in hand, having been used quite extensively during the testing.

Overall, the new PEQ-15 from Element delivers in all the areas that to me I consider vital. Its construction is of nylon fibre polymer and plenty tough enough with a decent finish to it and stickers that actually stick!

The torch is bright and the lasers work. The threaded cap is easy to manipulate and the threads seem plenty good enough - I have found that the threads in the past have been points of failure on some of the lesser replicas, so its reassuring to see the quality of build is above average.

I know that the real popular and sexy laser illuminator is the DBAL-a2 but at over £140 it is out of reach for most of us - definitely if you need more than one or two. This PEQ box will set you back less than £40 and I think for that price you are getting a lot of box for your cash. So if you need to get a decent PEQ-15, then you should definitely give this one some consideration. AA

KIT & GEAR TOKYO MARUI MICRO SIGHT PRO

TOKYO MARUI MICRO PRO SIGHT

FANCY AN RDS ON YOUR PISTOL? STEVE T COMES OVER ALL UNNECESSARY TO REVIEW THE TOKYO MARUI MICRO PRO SIGHT.

D

o you need a red dot sight on your sidearm? No, of course you don’t!

But that doesn’t stop it being enjoyable to use. OK, so this is a review of a largely unnecessary accessory on an arguably unnecessary airsoft weapon - but that doesn’t stop it being tres cool.

Marui designed the Micro Pro Sight to drop straight onto its pistols, such as the FNX-45, which is how it came to my attention. And I’m so glad they did.

Fitting the Micro is as easy as removing the blanking plate on the slide and bolting the sight on instead - as long as you pay attention to which side the ever-so-slightly longer bolt goes.

Weighing in at just 17g (tested and including battery), the Micro adds next to nothing to the reciprocating mass especially when you consider that TM’s plastic slides weigh less than their metal counterparts to begin with. Even if your pistol requires the use of the included 20mm rail adaptor - or you fit it to a rifle or SMG - that only adds a further 14g (tested). It could be a great solution for a small SMG like an MP5.

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

This thing is tiny. The obviously plastic construction keeps weight down but we wouldn’t be confident it would survive a run-in with a door frame. That said, the ruby coated resin lens is claimed to resist BBs at 300 FPS, so Marui has obviously thought about resilience. There’s also an included plastic shroud to protect the sight in transit, which we think is a nice touch.

The fiddly 3-position physical switch to the right side adjusts between lowoff-high settings. Low is for night games,

where high is for sunny days. The dot is reasonably crisp in both settings, however, there are a lot of reflections in either mode.

That may not be ideal but we can make allowances for a £60 airsoft replica that would cost many times that investment for a real steel version.

Adjustable for both elevation and windage, the Micro Sight is powered by a single CR2032 battery and even though it’s not perfect, it holds zero reasonably well. In terms of pure accuracy, even when carefully zeroed, the Micro is actually worse than traditional iron sights in my experience. But - and this is crucial - it absolutely kicks arse for rapid target acquisition. When you consider that it is intended to be attached to that sidearm you only ever pull out when stuff is going down, then I can get onboard with that.

With most holsters, the slight extra bulk causes no obstruction and adds nothing to draw times, but we’ve found that it makes getting on target just that bit quicker than stock sights. It’s hardly a “night and day” difference but, in the right circumstances, maybe that moment is just enough to turn a skirmish in your team’s favour.

break the bank, works great, looks cool and might make you the envy of other, less clued-up operators next Sunday... AA

BE CLUED-UP

Even though it can be used in other applications, I wouldn’t recommend the Tokyo Marui Micro Pro Sight for most rail-based applications. Going just a little bigger offers greater rewards, even at lower cost. That said, I’m now running it on a PDW short-rail M4 platform with great results. If you’re building a low cost, low drag loadout, then the MPS is definitely a good shout.

If the MIcro drops straight into your pistol platform then why not? It won’t

www.airsoft-action.online

43

DIGITAL EDITIONS

Got a digital device?

Then you can take your favourite airsoft magazine with you!

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VORSK DIARIES A2 SUPPLIES RANGE DAY

ORSK RANGE DAY AT LAST MONTH IN AIRSOFT ACTION, BILL BROUGHT YOU THE EXCLUSIVE STORY BEHIND THE CREATION OF THE NEW VORSK AIRSOFT PISTOLS. NOW HE REPORTS BACK FROM A2 AIRSOFT SUPPLIES, WHERE HE FINALLY GOT TO CHECK THEM OUT ON THE RANGE!

I

’ve been so intimately involved in the creation process behind the VORSK pistols, that it’s all too easy for me to forget that these are totally new to most people - and even to forget that when I wrote the overview, I had yet to shoot any of the finished production models!

When you’ve been so very close to a project, you sometimes have in your own mind that they’ve been around for some time already and it’s a “step back a pace” mental adjustment when you’re faced with incredulous, excited comments on social media. Of course, very few people were even aware that VORSK existed before things went live and it’s been an absolute joy (apart from the few grouches who seem not to be excited by anything other than that same old boring “OEM”

question) to see the positive response the launch has had.

VORSK is now well and truly “out there” and hopefully many of you will have had the chance to get at least hands-on and possibly even to test fire them. If you haven’t had the chance so far, then I’d really urge you to give them a try as they are by no means something existing put into a new set of party

clothes!

During the first week of December, the VORSK container finally arrived at the NUPROL warehouse and once again I was privileged to have a running commentary as they unloaded (thanks to my old mate Ross). As the container was emptied and more models were unpacked, pictures started arriving from him and my excitement grew and grew!

This was the day that all the work that had gone before finally became a reality and I have to admit to sitting back in my office chair and giving a huge sigh of relief.

Immediately, Ross went about organising a Test Day for the lucky few to try the entire range of new models and so it was that I headed back to A2 Supplies in Reading for a “Range Day”. Now I say “back to

“…VERY FEW PEOPLE WERE EVEN AWARE THAT VORSK EXISTED BEFORE THINGS WENT LIVE AND IT’S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE JOY (APART FROM THE FEW GROUCHES WHO SEEM NOT TO BE EXCITED BY ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT SAME OLD BORING “OEM” QUESTION) TO SEE THE POSITIVE RESPONSE THE LAUNCH HAS HAD.” 46

FEBRUARY 2020

VORSK DIARIES A2 SUPPLIES RANGE DAY

A2 Supplies” as I visited them earlier this year when they were “between homes”.

Many of you that have been around the UK airsoft scene for a while will know Chris and Andy of old, as they’ve been “in the biz” for a while, first at Viking Airsoft/Airsoft Armoury, then both at Airsoft Armoury and then out on their own with A2 Supplies, which ran alongside the old “Mall” in the centre of Reading itself for a number of years.

Sadly, as we all know, “The Mall” was finally closed for redevelopment and that meant that Chris and Andy had to find a new home too, as their super retail unit was in the same block. They say that misfortune often leads to new and interesting paths though and in this

case it couldn’t be truer, as the new A2 Supplies setup out on the Oxford Road is a triumph as far as I can see!

NEW AND IMPROVED

When I visited Chris and Andy in the summer they had just signed off on a new warehouse unit, which sits at the far end of Oxford Road, beyond the old TA barracks, leading out of Reading.

When I first saw it you could say they had a space and a vision and oh boy, has that vision become a reality or what?

Parking up in a secure, fenced compound, the plain exterior of the building hides a BIG secret, as inside any visiting airsofter will be in for a treat!

Immediately as you enter there is the main office along with male and female toilet facilities. Turning right you then climb a flight of stairs, which leads you in one direction to a super “chill out room” for regulars with a table and chairs, sofas, and big screen wallmounted TV for watching suitably shooty movies of playing games and, in the other direction, to a roomy, well-lit shop area where you’ll find all manner of AEGs, GBBs, kit and clothing displayed professionally on slat-wall, attractive racks, and in glass cabinets. Everything is beautifully lit so you can check things out in detail and again, there is a big old sofa where you can sit and chew the fat about the latest arrivals at your leisure, as all the major brands are

well stocked!

Heading back downstairs though is where the fun begins in earnest, as the majority of the old ground floor warehouse space has been transformed into a series of ranges where the guys hold their regular Club Nights and events! Immediately to the left when you enter this “Eyepro On” area is a small work/prep bench and then you’re straight into the courses of fire, which are varied and bang-up-to-date. In front of you you’ll find a three-track, Xcortech automated mini-target range and, to the right of that, a full-length, ten-target AttackSense course which has been built so that it can be changed out week to week to keep things fresh. But it doesn’t end there, as alongside that is a 15-20m range with hanging “steels” at the far end, which is deal for testing your new AEG that you just bought upstairs. To the left of the “mini range” is a display area that leads you round to the back where there’s yet another mini-CQB range.

Chris, Andy and their team have really done a super job with the shell that I saw some months ago, their obvious knowledge and experience turning an empty space into what I would call a “shooter’s indoor heaven” and I just wish that I just lived a bit closer, as I’d certainly be asking them if I could use the facility for my testing!

DIARY ENTRY ONE!

When we got onto the range it was straight down to business, as Ross had already laid out the different VORSK models along with RZR BBs and NUPROL 2.0 gas to feed and fuel them. An example of each model was available to shoot, so guess what? We shot ALL of them! Much as the automated ranges were tempting we decided just to go for the long, hanging steel targets - both to get an idea of range and accuracy and so that we could (quite literally) dump entire mags of BBs to see how the pistols stood up out of the box. This was a cold December morning and whilst the range was not freezing, it was still pretty nippy - all the better to shoot a gasser and find its limitations.

Starting with the snazzy new HiCapas, we got straight into it and from word go those steels were a’clangin’ at

“WHEN I FIRST SAW IT YOU COULD SAY THEY HAD A SPACE AND A VISION AND OH BOY, HAS THAT VISION BECOME A REALITY OR WHAT? PARKING UP IN A SECURE, FENCED COMPOUND, THE PLAIN EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING HIDES A BIG SECRET, AS INSIDE ANY VISITING AIRSOFTER WILL BE IN FOR A TREAT!” www.airsoft-action.online

47

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VORSK DIARIES A2 SUPPLIES RANGE DAY

“I TRIED A COUPLE OF WALK-DOWNS ALONG THE RANGE, FIRING ON THE MOVE AND BOTH VARIANTS KEPT THINGS ON TARGET NICELY. MAG CHANGES WERE ALSO A BREEZE AS THE EXTENDED FLOORPLATES ON THE MAGS AND THE FLARED MAGWELLS REALLY HELPED TO PUSH THINGS ALONG EFFICIENTLY AND SMOOTHLY.” 15 metres! Although there was some cool down (as you would expect), the pistols kept on shooting and our grins kept on growing. Then it was onto the EU models and although these seemed a little less “punchy” than the HiCapas, they were still happily ringing the steels at the same distance. I tried a couple of walk-downs along the range, firing on the move and both variants kept things on target nicely.

Mag changes were also a breeze as the extended floorplates on the mags and the flared magwells really helped to push things along efficiently and smoothly.

So, as I also said in my VORSK intro last month, I shall be keeping a diary of my experiences with the pistols, so here we go with the first entry: “Tried all the VORSKs at A2 in Reading and settled on a HiCapa 4.3 and an EU17 as the long-term testers. Both performed well as new at 15m on steels using .20g RZR BBs, even on a chilly winter morning.

In terms of the chrono, things were exactly where I hoped and expected; the VORSK HiCapa 4.3 recorded a high of

1.01 Joule/330fps using .20g RZRs and settled nicely in the 320’s on the same weight BB. The VORSK EU18 was highest

at 0.78 Joule/290fps on a .20g RZR, settling in at 272fps.

Both were efficient on NUPROL 2.0 Gas and accurate beyond the 10m “combat” distance I would normally use them at. Out of the box I can honestly say they performed as well as I expected.”

I’ll continue putting the two new VORSK pistols through their paces during the course of the coming year but, for now, my sincere thanks go to Ross for making the pistols available and to Chris and Andy for hosting a great day’s shooting.

Do check out vorskairsoft.com for details of the full VORSK range and if you’re out Reading way, you’ll find A2 Supplies at Oxford Industrial Estate, Gresham Way, Reading RG30 6AW. You can see what they have to offer by visiting their website, www.a2supplies.co.uk but trust me when I say, you won’t regret paying them a visit in person! AA

“IN TERMS OF THE CHRONO, THINGS WERE EXACTLY WHERE I HOPED AND EXPECTED; THE VORSK HICAPA 4.3 RECORDED A HIGH OF 1.01 JOULE/330FPS USING .20G RZRS AND SETTLED NICELY IN THE 320’S ON THE SAME WEIGHT BB. THE VORSK EU18 WAS HIGHEST AT 0.78 JOULE/290FPS ON A .20G RZR, SETTLING IN AT 272FPS.” www.airsoft-action.online

49

armoury ACTURUS MOS CARBINE

ARCTURUS: STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD SOMETIMES IT IS DIFFICULT TO STAND OUT IN A CROWDED MARKET BUT PHIL BUCKNALL GETS HIS HANDS ON AN AEG THAT SEEMS TO DO JUST THAT.

S

ometimes as a reviewer you get things that you wouldn’t usually look at. Other times you get really excited about what’s coming, as you’ve been looking forward to it for what seems like an age - and then there’s the times that, as the go-to M4/AR guy, you get a message saying there’s a new M4 style AEG on its way for you to have a look at and you really don’t know what you’re getting. When it’s the latter it can go one of two ways - it’s either a very pleasant surprise or it isn’t!

Before we get into the meat and bones of the review, I’d like to say thank you to Taiwangun for the loan of the MOS carbine. As always, it is greatly appreciated when a company lets us play around with demo samples.

Once I’d taken a few minutes to check out the MOS Carbine specs and photos on their website, I was thinking to myself “Okay, this actually looks like a decent starter gun and could be quite good fun to have a play with. Let’s see if it stacks up against some of the other budget guns I’ve looked at in 2019.”

Packaging-wise, it arrived via courier in a tightly packed excess of bubblewrap covered in black sticky wrap. There was no way this was getting damaged in transit, so good work and kudos for that guys. Once I’d been at it with scissors for a couple of days - obviously a joke - it was more like a day and a half, I managed to

pull the Arcterusbranded, understated brown box out of its bubblewrap prison and get my hands on the gun.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

First impressions are everything, or so we are led to believe and my first thoughts were that I liked the aesthetic of the gun and that its control layout was very good, as you’d expect from an AR pattern gun. An added bonus was that all controls are ambidextrous, including the bolt release paddle, which

“MOST OF THE EXTERNAL COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE MLOK HAND GUARD, OUTER BARREL, FIRE SELECTOR, MAGAZINE CATCH, BOLT CATCH, AND BUFFER TUBE ARE MADE OF ALUMINIUM AND LIGHT ALLOYS, WHICH HAS BEEN ANODISED FOR DURABILITY.” 50

FEBRUARY 2020

armoury ARCTURUS MOS CARBINE

components, such as the MLOK hand guard, outer barrel, fire selector, magazine catch, bolt catch, and

on the MOS holds the mock bolt back enabling easier adjustment of the rotary hop unit - another tick in the positives column, especially for any lefties out there. So far things are looking pretty good for this new AR and let’s face it, in a heavily saturated market anything that differentiates you is a good thing.

IN THE BOX

In the box you get: • The gun!!

• A pull cord 300rnd PMAG style hi-cap magazine (that fed flawlessly for the duration of the review and seemed durable enough to last regular use/ abuse).

• A set of functional polymer back up sights, although you’re chucking an optic on this aren’t you? C’mon, no need to be shy, it’s what we’d all do …isn’t it?

• A set of back straps of varying sizes for the pistol grip. This is a seriously nice

addition and something that most definitely wouldn’t be expected at this price point.

EXTERNALLY

This replica is the latest in a series of replicas in which the upper and lower receiver are made of a durable nylon, so the overall weight (and just as importantly, cost) is low but this doesn’t mean that strength has been sacrificed because they have inserted metal sleeves where needed. So at the rear of the lower receiver where the buffer tube attaches, is the first insert giving a solid base for the stock and the included metal sling loop then, on the front of the upper is the second one, meaning you can torque the barrel nut nice and tight without worry of ripping plastic threads apart.

The metal MLOK handguard has 5 QD sockets, which worked with the few different QD sling loops I own so compatibility shouldn’t be an issue. Neither should finding a position that works for you when using a sling. Topping

the rail and sitting flush with the rail on the upper is a crisply cut and finished picatinny rail, giving you ample real estate for optics. If you want to install a vertical grip or torches on the sides, then you can either mount direct using MLOK specific accessories or attach a few rail segments where

buffer tube are made of aluminium and light alloys, which has been anodised for durability. The receivers, as mentioned already, are of nylon construction and quite flex free while the ejection port cover, rear sling plate and the flash hider are made of steel.

INTERNALS

Internally the gearbox has a quick spring change system

and the spring guide, as well as the piston head, are bearings types. It has a polymer piston with steel teeth and this all runs on “high-quality” gears. As I didn’t disassemble the gun I can’t comment on the veracity of this statement however.

The gears are mounted in bearings to be able to cope with the high loads (if

required and use those.

Most of the external

that’s your thing),

whilst

“ALSO FITTED IS AN ELECTRIC TRIGGER “MICRO SWITCH”... THE MICRO SWITCH IS CONNECTED TO LOW-RESISTANCE WIRING, WHICH IS ROUTED REARWARDS PUTTING THE BATTERY STORAGE IN THE BUFFER TUBE AND COVERED BY A VERY SLICK-LOOKING COPY OF A MAGPUL MOE SL STOCK.” www.airsoft-action.online

51

COVERT BOOT

BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: £49.95

armoury ARCTURUS MOS CARBINE

delivering smooth operation. On firing, it sounded fine and properly shimmed and the rate of fire was absolutely fine for a replica AR.

managed to keep a decent group size and the rotary hop is much easier to adjust accurately than the older style M4 hop units with the wheels on the side of it.

Also fitted is an electric trigger “Micro Switch”, to eliminate contacts burning out and delivering a faster response to the trigger pull. The micro switch is connected to low-resistance wiring, which is routed rearwards putting the battery storage in the buffer tube and covered by a very slick-looking copy of a Magpul MOE SL stock. There was no rattle at all and the stock is another plus point as it’s quite minimalist, however, this does limit battery options and a crane stock could offer more solutions for larger battery packs. I ran the MOS using my Titan Liion 2600mah stick pack but this meant I couldn’t fully collapse the stock - not an issue for me but if you like it slammed then it could be annoying!

Finally, for the guts is an aluminium, sealed nozzle and the Rotary hop-up chamber in which a hardened 6.01mm precision steel barrel is mounted.

Although that is a proper tightbore, it copes fine with both NUPROL 0.28g and Airsoft Surgeon Precision Grade 0.28g BBs. I would suggest you think carefully about what ammo you feed the MOS carbine, as any dodgy BBs are gonna’ jam in that barrel real fast. Good BBs = happy gun! With the ammo I had it was happily chucking BBs out past 55m and there was obviously some spread at range but it

SO FAR, SO GOOD

Okay. All good so far. Well… yes and no really! There is an awful lot going for this gun besides the price of £127.45 from www.taiwangun.com and it’s packing features that you would usually have to pay more to get. I found that the receivers, whilst strong enough, did look quite “plasticky” in certain lights but that’s nothing a dusting of paint couldn’t rectify. I reckon the liberal application of some Krylon (other paints are available!) will really elevate the look and whilst it is based loosely off civilian Ars, it could easily pass muster as a military arm. It shoots really nicely and due to its light weight it’s a cinch to transition from target to target, or to bring up to the

shoulder from a low ready and would make a nice starter gun for someone looking at practical target shooting for example, as well as a skirmish gun.

The second issue I found was that the controls were a bit “floppy”. I really like good crisp transitions between fire modes, with satisfying “clicks” so you know without looking you’ve engaged the right fire mode. The MOS has some play and it often required a visual check and a little over selecting and then pulling back to get it just so. This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker and remember it’s sub £130! I can forgive sloppy fire selectors as the pros far outweigh the cons. Before I close I have to address the one thing that I’ve not touched on and that was the guns FPS. Sadly it was a little on the “warm” side so I couldn’t use it in game.

I don’t feel there’s any merit in posting what it was, as I confirmed with the guys at Taiwangun that any coming into the UK would be very much UK-Legal, so even though it’s a moot point really, I would’ve felt remiss to not mention it at all.

SUMMARY

Overall this is a pretty solid little lightweight AR carbine that’s fun to shoot and won’t break the bank. I have to say I think 2019 has been a bumper year for people looking to start airsoft. The choice in guns at this price point has never been better or more varied and if you want a modern looking AR then check out the MOS carbine before you hit the “Checkout” button …you could well be pleasantly surprised! AA

“THE CHOICE IN GUNS AT THIS PRICE POINT HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER OR MORE VARIED AND IF YOU WANT A MODERN LOOKING AR THEN CHECK OUT THE MOS CARBINE BEFORE YOU HIT THE “CHECKOUT” BUTTON …YOU COULD WELL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED!” www.airsoft-action.online

53

THE CAGE FACE PROTECTION

THE CAGE:

FACE PRO

LAST MONTH THE AA CREW SHARED THEIR THOUGHTS AND PREFERENCES ON EYEPRO IN THE CAGE AND WHEN MARRIED UP TO SOME SERIOUS FACE PROTECTION IT CAN PROVIDE A “360 SOLUTION” TO NOT CATCHING A BB IN YOUR CHOPS! BILL GETS TOGETHER WITH THEM AGAIN TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY PREFER WHEN IT COMES TO “FACEPRO”.

I

t’s a funny old world isn’t it? When you journey around the globe playing airsoft you’re going to encounter many different styles of play, and indeed many different “local safety guidelines” to go along with them.

In my time playing airsoft in the UK and abroad it comes as no surprise to me that this is the case. If I look back to my time playing regularly in the USA, when it came to Eyepro many fields, sites and games insisted on “full seal protection” that was ANSI rated –

basically, military-spec goggles to cut the story short. Another CQB field that I played at each Wednesday night (big shout out to the old “Ulmerton Gang”!) made it mandatory to wear full-face protection and that, I have to admit, I hated, especially in the high humidity of a Florida evening when fogging was an inevitability, not an “if” but a “when”!

One of the things for me about playing airsoft is the whole “freedom” aspect, the fact that as an adult I can make my own choices. I fully accept that some older crossover fields (who still rely on existing “paintball” insurance), may have a caveat in their policy that mandates full face protection and I’ll happily live with that but, generally speaking, I’ve always been happiest with a decent pair of MilSpec shooting glasses from a reputable source.

When we talk of “immersion”, probably more specifically when it comes to historically-themed or MilSim events, wearing full face is total anathema. We all want to “look the part” whilst hurtling BBs at one another, don’t we? I know that I’ve gone to extreme lengths to find

a suitably certified pair of clear glasses for Nam games, although these days for modern MilSims, “Gucci” shades are perfectly acceptable as they are now an “issue item” for most armies around the globe.

Of course, the BB “round count” at a MilSim or historical game is often far less than at a regular weekend skirmish due to ammo restrictions and magazine capacities but again, in the past I’ve never worn “facepro” to play airsoft as, for me, it detracts from the overall “feel and freedom” of things, however, these days it would appear that I am in the minority.

A lot of the guys I play with swear by their “facepro”, and frankly I am loath to admit that I do sympathise with their position.

Many of the “old and bold” that still play will steer away from lower face coverings but I believe this is now more habit, than not having access to some righteous, well made and effective gear. I read Kelly’s excellent take on the T’Farge Comfort Mask (in the December issue) and her comments about wearing it for an extended period and how it performed

“I FULLY ACCEPT THAT SOME OLDER CROSSOVER FIELDS (WHO STILL RELY ON EXISTING “PAINTBALL” INSURANCE), MAY HAVE A CAVEAT IN THEIR POLICY THAT MANDATES FULL FACE PROTECTION AND I’LL HAPPILY LIVE WITH THAT BUT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, I’VE ALWAYS BEEN HAPPIEST WITH A DECENT PAIR OF MILSPEC SHOOTING GLASSES FROM A REPUTABLE SOURCE.”

54

FEBRUARY 2020

THE CAGE FACE PROTECTION

when actually aiming an AEG, and I came away thinking this might be something for me to try, rather than just relying on my little, greying beard to get me safely through the day!

I’ve also spoken to a number of friends who regularly use facepro and with more modern and comfortable materials many of them tell me they actually don’t really notice that they’re wearing it until they need it. Perhaps I have been doing the “mask” a real disservice; ultimately anything that increases player safety is a good thing and the fact that I, as a grouchy old sort, make the personal decision not to wear it is simply that… my decision.

However, with pictures appearing quite regularly now of police/security services wearing what look to be just airsoft half-masks, it’s a decision that I’m beginning to rethink!

TEAM UP!

So, with my personal feelings put to one side I took my questions to the AA contributors to find out what they had to say on the matter. I asked them “Do you use “facepro” and if so why? Half-face, full-face, or simply cool as shit beard? If not, why not?” and this what they told me: Steve T: “I’ve seen first-hand how much it hurts having a tooth shot out, so I use face pro most every game. CQB? No-brainer; buckle up unless you want pain! Woodland? You takes yer chances!

I recently tried Delta Mike’s neck tube which is great if you want to warm your neck too. The rest of the time, I run the Gbase CM01 half-face mask most games.

Of course, it’s far from essential, but that extra dose of courage makes me just a tiny bit braver storming outposts!”

Jon: “I run a gumshield occasionally at MilSim games (especially if I know there’s a certain group of Teflon coated warriors there!), other than that, I tend to not bother.”

Paul Y: “TMC half face for CQB to preserve my teeth. Scrim or shemagh for anything else!”

Phil: “TMC half face mask for CQB

only. Woodland? Nothing normally. Odd exception is a shemagh if the fighting is close.”

Callum: “I do or don’t depending on the event! For ‘Nam absolutely not, it would ruin the look but for post- apoc madness I do but only a half face that I built myself!”

ROUNDUP

This actually proved to be far less emotive and contentious amongst the team than I thought, as personally I feel quite strongly about the subject but bizarrely, less about what I wear myself than what others wear. There does seem to be a total lack of consensus amongst the team, with both lower mask users and those who prefer nowt in equal measure!

That said it has forced me to revisit what’s on the market and the choices are greater today than they have ever been, with more options from more manufacturers than ever before, which is superb news if the “mask” is to your taste. Personally, I will still run mostly with my shooting glasses, although I do have to admit to buying an FMA Helmet Mandible Guard for my OpsCore replica!

This actually sits well with me as the “Gunsight” mandible is something that exists in the “real world”; the real thing is

a ballistic jaw guard designed to integrate directly with the helmet system that balances flexible, detachable utility and fragmentation protection and as far as I’m concerned, gives kind of a cool look with the added bonus of protecting from the majority of face strikes, especially in a CQB environment. Although the FMA replica looks like it’s totally solid it’s actually made of a flexible material that lets you attain a cheek-weld easily and it sits close enough to your face to protect from most BB strikes, whilst it’s far enough away not to cause fogging of your eyepro.

As I said earlier it would also appear that half-masks are now making a bit more of a regular appearance “in the wild” so to speak, so again, perhaps it’s time for a re-think and a re-jig of some of my loadouts!

Unlike Eyepro there is absolutely no right or wrong when it comes to whether you wear Facepro or not, just whether it is appropriate in the type of game/scenario you’re involved in. If you’re comfortable without it and don’t mind BBs to the face/nose/lip/earlobe (all of which bloody sting - and I speak from experience!) then good for you. If, however, you’d prefer not to suffer the slings, arrows and BBs of outrageous misfortune than perhaps a mask is exactly what you’ve been looking for! AA

“PERHAPS I HAVE BEEN DOING THE “MASK” A REAL DISSERVICE; ULTIMATELY ANYTHING THAT INCREASES PLAYER SAFETY IS A GOOD THING AND THE FACT THAT I, AS A GROUCHY OLD SORT, MAKE THE PERSONAL DECISION NOT TO WEAR IT IS SIMPLY THAT… MY DECISION.”

www.airsoft-action.online

55

HEAD TO HEAD GHK V TM GBBR

HEAD TO HEAD...

GHK V TM

GBBR

STEVE T PITS THE TWO BRANDS THAT SIT AT THE TOP OF THE GBBR MARKET AGAINST ONE ANOTHER TO SEE WHO COMES OUT ON TOP. BETWEEN THE WELL-ESTABLISHED TOKYO MARUI AND GHK AS RELATIVE NEWCOMERS, THE RESULT IS CLOSER THAN YOU MIGHT THINK...

A

sk anyone experienced using Gas BlowBack Rifles (GBBR) for their opinion on what to buy and the consensus is almost always unanimous: get a GHK or Tokyo Marui. They’re not exactly cheap - with prices around £500 but if you’re going gas, why not bite the bullet and get it right from the get-go?

With two manufacturers clearly at the top of the GBBR food chain, what we have here is a head-to-head comparison of two leviathans. We’re in no way calling these gas guns dinosaurs but it’s like the infamous T-Rex fighting it out with the less well-known but equally ferocious Allosaurus...

BRAND ON BRAND

Is there an airsofter that isn’t aware of Tokyo Marui? The Japanese firm has a long heritage of creating the highest quality mass-market airsoft RIFs, dating back to the mid-60s, commonly acknowledged as the daddy of the now everyday AEG.

Tolerances in airsoft manufacturing generally aren’t all that they could be, but Marui is well-known for some of the best quality control there is. Combine that with the legendary Marui magic hop and there’s at least one of the Airsoft Action team that when they’re looking to buy a pistol, if it ain’t TM, it ain’t gonna happen!

By way of contrast, GH-who? It’s probably fair to say that most airsofters won’t have heard of the brand, unless they’ve considered using gas power. The Taiwanese firm set up shop in 2008, focused entirely on producing high quality GBBRs. Instead of being distracted by developing various power sources and diluting their engineering talent, GHK does one thing - gas power. And boy, do they do it well! With levels of build, accuracy, efficiency and feel that is the envy of more established rivals, GHK’s AK series of GBBRs have become legendary, with the M4 line not far behind. They also

offer the EVO-alike G5, the AUG and a Sig 553. And that’s it! Five basic model lines, all powered by gas.

So, which should you choose - the big brand or the smaller specialist?

I personally own both RIFs on test today with no involvement from the manufacturers or distributors and as ever, I’ll say what I see…

APPLES AND ORANGES

In before anyone says it; we’re not exactly comparing apples with apples here. The GHK is obviously a Sig that (even in the real world) is a halfway-house between AK and M4, while the Marui Modular Weapon System (MWS) is pure M4. But GHK applies their experience in gaspowered RIFs across their range. Both manufacturers have differing philosophies to their products, which is what we’ll explore here.

They say you should never judge a book by its cover, but from the moment you set eyes upon either the GHK or

“INSTEAD OF BEING DISTRACTED BY DEVELOPING VARIOUS POWER SOURCES AND DILUTING THEIR ENGINEERING TALENT, GHK DOES ONE THING - GAS POWER. AND BOY, DO THEY DO IT WELL! WITH LEVELS OF BUILD, ACCURACY, EFFICIENCY AND FEEL THAT IS THE ENVY OF MORE ESTABLISHED RIVALS, GHK’S AK SERIES OF GBBRS HAVE BECOME LEGENDARY…” 56

FEBRUARY 2020

HEAD TO HEAD GHK V TM GBBR

“…THE FINISH IS ASTONISHINGLY GOOD ON THE MARUI; THAT CERAKOTE IS DEEP AND LUSH IN A WAY THAT DEMANDS YOU BRUSH YOUR FINGERS ACROSS IT. WE’RE ALSO FANS OF THAT DARK CHARCOAL, NOT-QUITE-BLACK COLOUR ON THE RECEIVERS.” TM, you know you’re in for a premium experience. Both units on test are cerakoted but where that’s standard on the TM, it’s an option on the GHK happily one that we have here, making for a fair comparison.

Another option on the GHK is the engraved trades - something UK suppliers can’t offer and a good reason to import from Taiwan instead. There are no such concerns with the Marui, with authentic Colt markings throughout from the getgo.

While the GHK’s externals impress, the finish is astonishingly good on the Marui; that cerakote is deep and lush in a way that demands you brush your fingers

a fluid reset. The recoil suitably thumps along, giving you that feel in the shoulder that only gas can offer.

TM’s offering is altogether more refined. We’re not saying better as such, just less mechanical. In every aspect of its operation, the M4 shows just that little bit more polish; it’s the more finished product of the two, albeit with a slightly wobbly stock. Happily, that is but the work of moments to swap out.

The Marui feels every bit as authentic to wield at about 3kg and just 350g lighter than its real-world counterpart.

Okay, that’s 200g further out than the GHK but we defy you to feel the difference. Anyone predisposed not to

clad and weigh 454g with capacity for 35 BBs. Green gas will power two-and-a-half loads of shots.

It’s worth noting that either GBBR magazine is a pain to load with a thumb-driven speedloader and both manufacturers include old-school pipe loaders that are far more effective. But where GHK’s tube is metal with a plastic collar, Marui’s is just clear plastic with a ridiculously long ram rod.

In a series of dead heats between the two, there is one area where there’s a clear winner though - TM absolutely trounces GHK for aftermarket parts and accessories from third parties. That won’t matter if you intend to leave your RIF

across it. We’re also fans of that dark charcoal, not-quite-black colour on the receivers.

like TM pistols based on their all-plastic externals - myself included - will be pleased to hear that both upper and lower receiver are metal here. Compared with the GHK, the TM’s trigger feels less natural and ever-so-slightly detached from proceedings - but we really are splitting hairs here.

The GHK’s 553 magazines feature a polymer shell, weighing in at 388g each with a 32-round capacity and cost $55.

A full charge of gas will power about two-and-a-half loads of BBs. CO2 versions are also available. Their M4 mags cost about the same, can carry 40 rounds and weigh in at 460g. They also offer a PMAG variant - Marui, please take note!

The MWS’ £50 magazines are metal-

stock, but you’ll be better catered for with the Marui if you like to fiddle and fettle your firearm to make it your own.

NOT A TOY STORY

From the moment you lift it from the box, the GHK feels real. This is no toy gun. Weighing in at 3,050g with mag, it’s within 150g of the real deal. Everything just feels solid, with no creaks or wobbles.

The grip is sturdy, with a solid and satisfying action to the AK-inspired mag release and the way magazines themselves are seated. The operational charging handle is a physical thing, while the trigger feels beautifully natural. It has an utterly predictable break point, with

WHAT COUNTS IS ON THE INSIDE

We all know that beauty is more than skin deep, so how about the internals? I’m no expert, but anyone can see that where the GHK is a simpler system, the Marui has more complex mechanisms.

That’s where the differing philosophies come to play. GHK takes great pains to make the airsoft experience as authentic as possible with moving parts that replicate real steel, while TM aims to make an airsoft RIF perform as well as it www.airsoft-action.online

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Airsoft & MilSim News Blog @AMNBOďŹƒcial Airsoft & MilSim News Blog @airsoftmilsimnewsblog

AWARD WINNER

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If you have any old kit or gear tucked away in a cupboard, garage or shed that you have thought about sticking on eBay, or a forum to get rid of it, then why not donate it to the Pilgrim Bandits instead and Tez will make sure any money raised from its sale will go towards helping even more people – and you can be sure of the undying gratitude and thanks of those who it helps to live again.

Please contact Tez on either his mobile: 07748 800 981 or email: terry.arnett@pilgrimbandits.org

HEAD TO HEAD GHK V TM GBBR

“WE’RE TALKING ABOUT TINY DISTINCTIONS HERE, SO YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THE ONE YOU PREFER - OR GET A GOOD DEAL ON - CONFIDENT IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT EITHER WAY, YOU’RE GETTING A SUPERB GBBR.” can. Where Taiwan wants to make you feel like you’re wielding a weapon on Sunday, Japan wants to turn you into a weapon on game day.

When my GHK arrived in the UK with FPS reading just 280 on average, I was properly peed off. There should be an obligation for advertising numbers to more closely match real world performance.

The answer was an aftermarket adjustable nozzle that enabled me to easily dial in FPS depending on site limits or weather conditions. If you’re considering running a GBBR, then it’s the single most effective mod I can think of

and should be a day one job.

It turns out the TM is also hamstrung albeit not to the same extent - achieving just 300FPS on average using green gas as standard. Small wonder that one of the most recommended mods on user groups is the Negative Pressure Air System (NPAS), with similar results to the GHK. In the interests of a fair comparison, we’ve waited until we could fit the NPAS before comparing range and accuracy between the two. At the end of the day, both GBBRs are now capable of reliably hitting my goal of 340FPS. Each gun has its foibles; for instance, while the Sig’s bolt catch not only feels more solid, it also performs as expected, whereas the TM’s feels more lightweight and has stuck open more than once - but at least there’s a functional forward assist to help out. By way of contrast, when removing a part-filled mag from the GHK I’ve learned to cycle the lever a couple of

times to prevent double-feeding when reloading, while the TM needs no such forward planning.

If only either gun didn’t run out of steam on full auto, venting gas with both FPS and recoil dropping fast. But that’s a trait of green gas as a power source and only switching to HPA can offer more consistent performance.

So, with both GHK and TM on a level playing field in terms of output, how do they compare for accuracy?

And anecdotally - with no data to back this up other than observations from the field - both remain comparable at longer ranges. As a result, we’d be more than happy to take either out for longer engagement distances.

PREFERENTIALLY SPEAKING

TARGET ACQUIRED - AND NEUTRALISED

You know how annoying it is when a reviewer hedges their bets and never declares a winner? Yeah, sorry about that.

The fact is that both of these marques are commonly acknowledged as the pinnacle of GBBRs. It turns out that’s for a reason - they’re the best in the business!

David and Goliath have traded blows and come out about the same for build quality, feel and reliability, but accuracy at range is arguably the most important factor. After all, that’s what might make the difference against opposing forces - and it’s where that renowned Marui magic could come into play.

With both RIFs now making about 340FPS using .20 BBs and shooting targets with .30 from a rested position at 20 metres... there’s still very little to choose between them. Both GHK and TM consistently land shots on a target about six inches across - and both will also make torso-sized hits at greater ranges all day long.

But which is the more accurate on the range? On this day, for this shooter, with this gas, ammo and weather conditions - all the same for both - we can say that the TM just edges it at 30 metres. As ever, your mileage may vary...

If you want shoulder-thumping recoil and an experience to remember, then I’d go for the GHK every time. It’s a solid unit with performance in another league from your typical AEG, terrific fun and has made me feel like an absolute hero in many games.

But if you value pure performance over physical sensation, then the TM just edges out the GHK - and we do mean just! The recoil might not measure up to the nth degree, but it has that final one per cent in terms of range and accuracy.

Both run like absolute troopers in our experience and there are no losers here, so your decision should be based on whether you prioritise feel over performance - or vice versa.

We’re talking about tiny distinctions here, so you should choose the one you prefer - or get a good deal on - confident in the knowledge that either way, you’re getting a superb GBBR. AA www.airsoft-action.online

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IN THE FIELD PATROL COMBAT RATION PACK

IN-GAME FOOD

PATROL COMBAT RATION PACK

WHEN YOU ARE OUT FOR THE BEST PART OF A DAY SKIRMISHING, THERE IS A NEED FOR FOOD THAT IS QUICK AND EASY TO PREPARE BUT AT THE SAME TIME WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH ALL THE ENERGY REQUIRED TO GET YOU THROUGH THE EVENT. PAUL YELLAND LOOKS AT ONE SOLUTION...

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he traditional British Army 24-hour ration pack has served its purpose well for many years but following military operations in the Middle East it became obvious that a smaller ration pack containing more ready to eat snacks rather than cooked meals was also required for shorter duration operations, so the 12-hour patrol combat ration pack was developed. I am going to take a look at this newer concept of ration pack to

find out what it has to offer.

The patrol combat ration pack weighs approximately 1.20kg and provides the soldier with 2000 kcals. This is the equivalent to half of their daily energy requirements, with the 24-hour ration pack delivering 4000 kcal. The traditional ration pack (or ‘rat pack’) cardboard box has been replaced with a heavy-duty plastic bag. This is heat sealed so will keep the contents dry until opened. The bag also has a useful carrying handle for grab and go situations. There is a ‘Fresh Check Indicator’ sticker on the outside of the bag that gives information about the integrity and edibility of the food within the rat pack – when a black dot appears inside the circle, the rations have probably seen better days.

There are different types available – Occidental (Western), Vegetarian and Halal, all with varying menu options. The one that I am looking at for this article is the Occidental Menu 3. On opening, you will find the standard menu sheet and feedback form which is printed in both English and French. One main meal (MRE) is provided and in this ration pack, it was beef meatballs and pasta. Like normal MRE’s, this can be eaten either hot or cold but as this is the only potential source of hot food within the ration pack, it would be worth making the effort to use the included flameless ration heater and warm up the MRE. The dessert is a rather small fruit and oat bar that appears

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IN THE FIELD PATROL COMBAT RATION PACK

“THE FRH SUDDENLY BURST INTO LIFE AT AROUND 4.30 MINUTES AND AFTER ALLOWING THE INSTRUCTED TIME TO PASS, I OPENED THE HEATER PACK AND REMOVED THE MRE POUCH. REASSURINGLY, THE FOIL POUCH FELT VERY WARM TO TOUCH AND ON OPENING, I HAD A RELATIVELY WARM MEAL. ” to be something like a flapjack. Other snacks include a sesame seed bar, tropical fruit and nut mix, chocolate bar and cola flavoured sweets. To be honest that on seeing the contents laid out, my initial thought was “is that it” but to be fair, this ration pack is only intended to last someone 12 hours and not 24.

The most obvious difference with this 12-hour ration pack for me is the lack of hot drinks. Instead there is a choice between an apple protein drink or a lemon isotonic drink. Both are in powder form and need diluting with 500ml of water. But if you are on the go and don’t have time to get a stove out and make a brew these powdered drinks are ideal.

In fact, there is no need to carry a stove whatsoever if you are using one of these ration packs, which helps to save weight.

Other included items are a plastic knife, fork and spoon which is a change from the spork that was found in the 24-hour operational ration packs. There are also wet wipes, tissues, dental gum, salt, pepper and a resealable plastic bag.

Water purification tablets are still included in the 12-hour ration pack and the need to remain hydrated is emphasised on the menu sheet.

FIELD TEST

I went on a short duration ‘patrol’ covering a few miles over an area on Dartmoor. The air temperature was no more than a couple of degrees above freezing, so I was looking forward to stopping at some point and getting the hot meal from the ration pack inside me. The terrain was rugged with varying gradients. It wasn’t a physically challenging route, but one that would still benefit from having a pocket of high energy snacks to keep me going.

I opened the rat pack and delved straight into the snacks. First on the list was the cola flavoured sweets and these were an instant hit. The small sweet bag is resealable as well which I found useful.

Next was the chockablock bar. This tasted like dark chocolate and certainly would not be my choice if buying chocolate from a shop. However, it was edible and would go down well enough if you were hungry and in need of energy.

The sesame seed bar was very tasty.

The pack contains three slices that are extremely sticky and needed to be broken apart with a knife before I could eat them. These bars are hard to chew so mind your teeth! The tropical fruit and nut mix contained peanuts, raisins, pineapple and banana so was another good energy source that you could eat on the move. The fruit and oat bar at first glance seemed disappointingly small but I found the bar extremely filling and it was certainly another winner with me.

As it was bitterly cold, I stopped to heat up the MRE using the flameless ration heater (FRH). I ripped open the FRH packet and placed the MRE inside, ensuring that the heating pad was central to the foil pouch of the meal. I added a small amount of water to the FRH – filling it up to the water level line and folded the top of the heater packaging in half, fastening it closed with the sticker provided. It is important to lay the FRH onto a flat surface for it to work properly and leave it for twelve minutes. My previous experience with these chemical heaters has been mixed

and I have often found that they under perform in cold temperatures. This caused me to be slightly concerned as this was going to be my only source of hot food. The FRH suddenly burst into life at around 4.30 minutes and after allowing the instructed time to pass, I opened the heater pack and removed the MRE pouch.

Reassuringly, the foil pouch felt very warm to touch and on opening, I had a relatively warm meal. It could have been warmer, but it was better than eating the food cold. Taste wise, the meal was not too bad and it was certainly welcomed on a cold day in the middle of November.

The main issue that I had with the patrol combat ration pack was the lack of hot drinks. Instead you get powdered energy drinks that need to be mixed with 500ml of water. I tried the apple flavoured protein drink and to be honest, I could only take a few sips before wishing that I hadn’t bothered, but this is purely down to personal taste. It is important to mention that the water used to activate the FRH is not fit for human consumption and cannot be used to make a drink.

So overall, despite the initial concerns, I was quite impressed with the 12-hour patrol combat ration pack. No, you don’t get the hot brew kit, but I suppose that it was developed with a specific requirement in mind. It would also be suitable for situations that required a hard routine such as occupying covert observation posts. The good thing about this ration pack is the fact that you can grab it with a few water bottles and just head off for the day without the need to prepare any food and still have all of your energy requirements catered for. AA www.airsoft-action.online

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INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL REPORT: MOA 2019 - TAIWAN

SPECIAL REPORT: MILITARY OUTDOOR AIRSOFT & AIRGUN SHOW 2019 - TAIWAN EVERY YEAR AIRSOFT ACTION REPORTS FROM BOTH SHOT IN THE USA AND IWA IN GERMANY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET VERY LATEST NEWS ON WHAT IS TO HIT THE AIRSOFT MARKET. “MOA” IS RAPIDLY BECOMING A YEARLY FIXTURE TOO AND ONCE AGAIN BILL SPEAKS TO “OUR MAN IN TAIWAN” TO GET THE LOWDOWN ON THE 2019 SHOW!

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OA is still a relatively new show on the international airsoft calendar - but one that’s becoming more important. Taiwanese companies seem to be forging more new paths than ever before with some of the BIG names in AEG and GBB manufacture located there, so where better to get an idea of what’s “new and improved” than quite literally “on their doorstep!”

Airsoft Action is blessed with many friends in Taiwan, so Bill got his head together with a fellow player and airsoft writer who is our “man on the ground in Taiwan”, Stu Mortimer, to get the lowdown on this year’s show.

AA: Hey Stu, welcome back to Airsoft Action! Could you give us an idea of what the show means to the community in Taiwan, both players and manufacturers?

Stu: “MOA has seen growth every year since I attended its first iteration in December 2017, from its early beginnings in that smaller scale sports centre venue, to moving to the Taipei International Convention Centre just at the foot of Taipei 101 in 2018. This year Eric and his team have consistently attracted some of the biggest names in Taiwanese domestic airsoft gun and ancillary equipment manufacturing, as well as many visitors and exhibitors from overseas, both in Asia and further afield.

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FEBRUARY 2020

“The Military, Outdoor and Airsoft (MOA) exhibition is fast becoming an anchor point and key event in the calendar for anyone in the industry in this hemisphere or that’s willing to make the journey from the US or Europe - and many are!”

AA: How big is the show?

Stu: “The last two years the show has occupied the whole ground floor of the TICC main hall, with around 80 individual stalls of varying sizes (ranging from shared floor spaces of smaller independent or upstart retailers, distributors, manufacturers or media operations), to the centrepiece stands of the likes of LCT, VFC and ICS which exhibit a wide range of their current and upcoming products, as well as some providing live firing ranges to test out their equipment or test the player’s skills.

“It’s great to see such a broad spectrum of various industry players, big and small, in attendance and getting real engagement from both airsoft specific, as well as domestic mainstream, media sources and hopefully

painting the hobby and industry in an increasingly positive light than we all seem used to in our various corners of the world.

“It’s obviously a good opportunity for players to get hands-on with new prototypes, as well as industry insiders to talk shop and grease the wheels of the industry whilst raising awareness of their products, services and the hobby and its benefits as whole.”

AA: In your opinion who are the key companies that you saw in attendance?

Stu: “In terms of domestic manufacture there is a broad spectrum of innovation going on right now in Taiwan. ICS have continued to forge ahead with new

INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL REPORT: MOA 2019 - TAIWAN

iterations of their onboard electronics we mentioned last year, as well as bringing new platforms such as their ARK Kalashnikov and CXP9 PDW AEGs and Turkish SAR GBB pistol, along with displaying more in depth information regarding their REVO option parts for improved gas efficiency, which they had displayed in a cutaway and exploded format for increased clarity.

“LCT are continuing their push to bring an ever increasing range of much sought after cold war and ComBloc weaponry to

discerning players who want high impact in terms of both aesthetics and on their targets, with their Heckler and Koch and AK/RPK platforms receiving additional members to the family in this year’s exhibition.

“VFC impressed - and perhaps surprised - a lot of people with their move into a similar demographic, with the announcement of their GBBR FN FAL rifle platform, which was in a closed display case along with some of their similar sized battle rifle offerings and which is bound to pique the interests of folks back in the UK who have fond memories of the SLR.

“Bolt Airsoft have also delivered on their previous promises of fielding MP5k and PDW variants of their Bolt Recoil Shock System AEGs, as well as displaying a work in progress AKM variant based off their previous success with the AKSU74 I saw under development on my previous factory visit to them and which has gained great interest since its release.

“Modify perhaps deserve a larger share of the accolades this year, finally completing the typical manufacturing arc many companies seem to follow in terms of starting out as option parts manufacturers, then making pneumatic/ bolt action guns, entering into their own AEG platforms and now finally bursting into the gas blow back scene in a somewhat daring fashion. Bucking the trend of many manufacturers new to GBB platforms who play it safe and create derivatives of proven Marui component compatible designs and emulating typical real steel models, Modify chose to gamble on something their market feedback had demonstrated a clear desire for and a lack of existing products; thus they displayed their PP2000 PDW and an array of accessories under development or near completion. It’s impressive to see them pressing ahead with such a niche offering off the bat.”

AA: What were your personal high points in relation to Pistols?

Stu: “GHK joined the ranks of shock releases by bringing to market a brand new variant of the Glock 17 Gen 3, their first foray into pistols, being known mainly for their extensive range of heavy recoiling, durable and quality manufactured GBBR platforms.

“Many immediately questioned the mentality of “another Umarex licensed Glock?”, given that VFC so recently brought their range to market with the blessing of the German umbrella license holders.

However, seeing is believing and I was able to get hands-on at their booth and strip down their new offering, as well as talk to their production and marketing teams to get an insight into what’s so different about it. Hopefully I’ll manage to get a site visit in during early 2020 as well and be able to report in more depth regarding their capabilities and plans.

“Like Modify, they have gambled with their first entry into a new venture and while it looks like “just another Glock” externally, once you pull it apart you can see they’ve totally redesigned the operating mechanism, eliminating the typical Marui style internal hammer with a roller that re-cocks it during cycling and opting for a much more realistic drop sear released internal striker (albeit the striker sits in the frame and hits the magazine gas valve, rather than being integrated into the slide like a real Glock).

Needless to say, they have achieved leaps and bounds through their risky R&D heavy approach and will be releasing lightweight aluminium green gas and CO2 ready magazines to make use of their enlarged gas cylinder and piston, which makes better use of the space no longer needed to house a swinging internal hammer.”

AA: Same question, but for “long guns”; what caught your eye, and why?

Stu: “This one is perhaps more difficult to pin down. I’m an avid fan of LCT & ICS’ offerings for their build quality, attention to customer demands and bringing interesting variants to market but VFC have captured my attention with their FAL offering, while Bolt’s range continues to grow with an appealing build quality and recoil experience.

“Rare arms were also on site and showcasing their latest shell-ejecting Armalite model, which I’d seen the internals and empty casings of under development at their stall last year.

This, coupled with an electronic shooter training system, they were demonstrating the potential for practical shooting training or applications, letting customers get hands on with the guns and projectorbased games system (dry firing, of course). Unfortunately I didn’t get around to having a go myself, as I only had one day on the floor this year and they were www.airsoft-action.online

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INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL REPORT: MOA 2019 - TAIWAN

understandably drawing a crowd and a queue.

“However, I spent a bit more of my time at the Specna Arms stall. I’ve been writing about a lot of their range through my work for Combat King Monthly out here and wanted to get a better look at their offerings and see whether they were doing anything different. Their externals are fairly familiar, with a wide range of Armalite-based platforms being joined by AK and G36 platforms and with further, more modern HK weapons nearing release as well.

“Piotr and Marcin caught my attention with their demonstration of what had taken most of my interest during my previous writings about their products, their onboard electronics and very fast spring change system. With bluetooth connectivity capability nearing market release and making use of both Gate Titan trigger control units and their newer miniaturised Aster range, SA seem to be offering an awful lot of features and functionality for a reasonable price range and good build quality. With programmable control units you would expect to see on premium priced Marui, PTS, Bolt or APS offerings, but with a range of prices and models more suited to newer players and bringing the functionality to a wider plethora of gun models, all potentially programmable with a mobile phone in seconds!”

AA: In relation to clothing and gear, who was leading the way?

Stu: “Eye protection, or general personal protective gear, seems to be an increasing focus, which is good to see as I’m always a proponent of it being the most critical part of any airsofter’s gear, having seen or had some narrow misses with eyes - as well as having had one and a half teeth shot out during my time in the UK! “HYZ are a Taiwan-based start-up who travelled with me and CKM to Changsha and the 4th China War-Game Tournament in October, providing high quality and safety rating approved ballistic glasses in a

range of tints and frames, all of which are ruggedised but also flexible and can be interchanged by snapping out the lenses with a decent amount of twisting force.

They were displaying a test sample of their thicker lenses, which had absorbed multiple rounds of high FPS shots at point blank with minimal deformation and no fragmentation or separation. They aim to bring high quality eye pro at a more affordable price point, certainly for the domestic market, given that I’ve always used ESS for the last decade but over here they are fairly expensive given the weaker currency and earning potential of Taiwanese players.

“Wiley-X and local outfits KAM Tact and QEF design were also displaying new ranges of eye protection solutions, so it’s encouraging to see so much market attention is being given to protective equipment given the ever-increasing capabilities to throw plastic downrange, especially with consideration to higher or unregulated local site limits in some environments.

“Field equipment-wise, Laylax were on site showcasing not only their latest gun accessories but also baggage solutions, such as their modular pistol carry case which has been well received by the market and apparently inspired imitation elsewhere.

“Warchief, who I had also first encountered in Changsha, were also on site selling a vast array of combat clothing and carrying equipment, as well as the ever popular plaid shirts; Garand Thumb has a lot to answer for in terms of fashion, even among my own teammates!”

AA: MOA seemed to be well represented in terms of international airsoft media, who did you bump into?

Stu: “This year I managed to make time for my first MealSim! Last year I had to leave the show early and get to the opposite end of the country on personal business but this year I spent a few nights in a row out with various locally and internationally based faces in the industry.

“Living in Taipei itself as of August, after I moved from my old posting in Zhubei, it’s now far more convenient for me to hang around town and not worry about getting the last train home! So naturally I was a dirty stop-out and met Vic from Popular Airsoft a few nights in a row for food, drink and war stories, as well as the

Polish boys of WMASG, arriving in time for a Thursday night out that involved beers, Jagerbombs and friendly banter and “man-hugs”. The Swedes of airsoft. nu arrived in time to join us for MealSim along with fellow “resident foreigner”, Jonathan of Airsoftology and the Laylax team who were visiting from Japan to exhibit and explore.

“Legendary gas blow back godfather, Tanio Kobayashi, also made an appearance at the show, giving an on

stage interview about his exploits and long standing history of production in the pistol market, as well as visiting local manufacturers to impart his wisdom over the days following the show. Me and a few of my industry friends and teammates managed to swag some awesome personally signed posters of the man himself!

“We all had a blast and it’s always great to meet these folks as well as the local player base, media operatives, sales and manufacturing teams and generally press the flesh and share ideas with folks, as well as see what’s hot and new in terms of products. Next year I think I’ll book the whole three days off my day job and sort out a Press Pass, so I don’t have to compromise on my time and miss out on things. Roll on November 2020!” AA

www.airsoft-action.online

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armoury MODIFY XTC PDW

READER’S REVIEW

MODIFY XTC PDW AIRSOFT ACTION READER, KEITH FOX, GOT IN TOUCH TO SAY HE’D GOT A MODIFY XTC PDW AND WOULD WE LIKE A WRITE UP – ONCE HE’D FINISHED PUTTING IT THROUGH HELL FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. “KEITH”, WE SAID, “IT WOULD BE OUR PLEASURE!”

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Photography by Emma Powell aka 1 Legion Fiercefox

odify have been around for a while now, lurking in the background making upgrade parts for various weapon systems. I hadn’t really had much experience with them until a friend of mine, Richard Cairns, approached me to do a review and give feedback on their most recent release, which he would pass directly back to them for development purposes.

The model in question is the XTC PDW, a very compact rifle with just a 7.8” outer barrel.

WHO ARE MODIFY?

I wanted to know more about the company itself, as I think a manufacturer’s background can explain quite a lot with regards to how a product is approached. I discovered that they originally made high grade watch parts, a type of engineering that requires incredibly precise attention to detail and impeccable quality control.

Because of this I expected precision tuning, high quality parts and, most importantly of all with things airsoft related… Synergy. Everything put into a watch needs to work together in order for it to remain accurate and if they had followed this through into their foray into airsoft, then we could expect big things.

I received the rifle in a fairly plain box, nothing snazzy or eye-catching to see here. The rifle is held in a plain brown box with basic printed logos and cardboard padding, a patch and a wrist snapper were included plus the rifle and a 190-round mid-cap magazine. The presentation doesn’t dazzle you or get you excited - but this isn’t where Modify shines, however, I’ll get into that later.

EXTERNALS

I’m not going to go into what type of alloy is used externally, just that it is high quality, solid and isn’t going to break.

The finish is matte and it’ll survive whatever you throw at it, so long as you don’t try and knock a wall down with it. There is a small amount of play between the receivers but I’m nitpicking if I’m being honest; shake the thing and it doesn’t rattle.

The aesthetics are fairly basic, with

a Keymod handguard. I personally dislike Keymod but luckily rail covers exist, so I slapped some Vism inserts in the holes and she’s looking prettier already. The flash hider is a crown style affair, which is interesting and there’s a somewhat aggressive look to the rifle overall. There are Modify logos on the receiver as you would expect, again nothing special but not disappointing.

The stock is a pet peeve, not because it’s bad but I have Orangutan arms, they’re long and shorter rifles make me feel like I’m trying to squeeze into myself.

No exception here, the stock although effective has a short adjustment length, It

“FOR A STOCK RIFLE THERE’S A HIGH LEVEL OF QUALITY AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL GOING ON HERE. GEARS ARE OF A HIGH CNC STANDARD, WIRING IS GOOD, MOTOR IS A STRONG HIGH TORQUE MOTOR AND THERE’S SOME STUFF HERE WHICH YOU DON’T SEE OFTEN, LIKE CERAMIC BEARINGS.” 66

FEBRUARY 2020

armoury MODIFY XTC PDW

is comfortable in the shoulder and does its job well.

There is a sling attachment but it is one sided only, not ambi like most recent releases. I would like to see that updated personally as a lefty shooter.

The fire selector is one of my favourite features strangely, it’s a 45’ selector and not 90’ like most AR platforms. I personally really like SCAR selectors and this just made me happy.

The battery is housed within a small compartment as with most PDWS. You can adjust the FPS on these with a handy tool by rotating the spring guide which is also quick change.

I would avoid doing this though, as this is a new (ish) feature in the market and I’m unsure on the durability of this. Saying that, it’d be unlikely that you’d need to mess with this once you’ve obtained the desired FPS. The best LiPo I found to ensure comfortable fit was a Turnigy 11.1 20c 800Mah stick-type. You can squeeze a Modify 1000Mah LiPo in here but the one I was sent had lost a lot of capacity. This is a one off I’m sure, as I’ve heard good things about Modify’s own LiPos. Feedback has been consistent to Modify on this and there’s an extension cap that has been made to allow for larger LiPos. Great to see a company listen to its customers, so hopefully they’ll bring an M-Lok alternative out for that handguard (hint hint).

wiring is good, motor is a strong high torque motor and there’s some stuff here which you don’t see often, like ceramic bearings. There’s almost zero wind up noise in this gearbox, it’s almost clinical and you just get a very satisfying thud when fired. There is no screech at all.”

There’s a very high quality 6.01mm tight bore barrel, probably one of the best barrels I’ve seen in a stock rifle. Not only that, this rifle comes with a flat hop from

SUMMARY

INTERNALS

I had the internals examined by a tech at Combat UK, who kindly volunteered to examine the PDW to see what going on inside. Thanks to them for this.

“The gearbox is CLEAN and correctly lubed. For a stock rifle there’s a high level of quality and attention to detail going on here. Gears are of a high CNC standard,

outstanding.

The trigger is a flat trigger and it has a mechanical reset, this does mean you get very good feedback from it but a con of this is that you can’t feather that sweet shot for spamming (not something I like to do anyway), so this agrees with my particular tastes. Something I would like to see is the trigger travel to be a little shorter, there’s about a half centimetre travel before you hit the wall.

The hop up is very, very good! It adjusts well and does not slip off like some do. Hop chambers have been improving massively across the market recently and yet Modify have created one that still stands above rest.

Price-wise, the rifle retails at £350 from Longbow. It’s at the higher end of midrange but you do get a lot of performance for your money.

You won’t need to change anything out on it, just put in a LiPo and you’re ready to compete with most rifles out there, upgraded or otherwise.

It is common in today’s market to see some kind of Mosfet built in at this price range and I think that due to this rifle running best on an 11.1, that is something that Modify should look into. However, I’ve used the XTC PDW for several months before hitting the keys to write this up and as of yet I’ve seen no decline in performance.

the factory and it’s very effective. I have been running 0.32g BBs in this to get the best results and I’ve been consistently hitting 60/65 metre targets. I’ve passed this rifle around for several people to test and the most common feedback I’ve had is that it’s very accurate and the range is

I like this rifle. Externally it doesn’t dazzle, there’s a little work that could be done to make this more attractive but that is not Modify’s forte. The magic with Modify rifles lays in their attention to detail, high quality control and performance.

Overall, a solid choice for any player who wants to put a little more money into something that they’ll not have to upgrade and who wants to be able to keep up with any other rifle on the field.

“I LIKE THIS RIFLE. EXTERNALLY IT DOESN’T DAZZLE, THERE’S A LITTLE WORK THAT COULD BE DONE TO MAKE THIS MORE ATTRACTIVE BUT THAT IS NOT MODIFY’S FORTE. THE MAGIC WITH MODIFY RIFLES LAYS IN THEIR ATTENTION TO DETAIL, HIGH QUALITY CONTROL AND PERFORMANCE.” www.airsoft-action.online

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

IN THE FIELD RATION PACKS

WOT? NO DELIVEROO?

FOLLOWING ON FROM PAUL YELLAND’S PATROL RATIONS ARTICLE, MILITARY HISTORIAN, WILL FOWLER, TAKES A LOOK AT HOW DIFFERENT SOLDIERS KEEP SUSTAINED IN THE FIELD. H SACK RATS

OK, so you’re probably wondering what the heck are “H Sack Rats”!?

For some, this strange abbreviation is familiar as “British Army Speak” for “Haversack Rations”. It was a packed lunch put together in the cookhouse that included such delights as crisps, sandwiches, a chocolate bar, an apple and a horrible fizzy drink.

COLD COMFORT

Thankfully, things have moved on but if you are in the French Army they have moved on a lot and now their soldiers (and happily Airsofters too) can enjoy a Ration Individuelle d’Exercise or “R.I.E.” It is a ration similar in concept to the US Army Tactical Operational Training Meal, or T.O.T.M. There are eight different menus but in essence, an RIE that comes in a carboard box and weighs 800 grams, contains three courses. A starter, normally biscuits with tinned pate, a main course of

tinned meat and vegetables and a tinned pudding, all with ring-pull tops. There are two sweet snacks and a pack of paper towels. Some of the rations are listed as “Sans Porc”, for soldiers whose religion forbids pork.

Once out of the box the tins can be

distributed in a pack or utility pouches on a belt order. There is no brew kit or cooker but all the courses can be eaten cold. However, you will need a K.S.F… Yes, another “Armyism” (for “Knife Fork and Spoon”). The tinned rations are all COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf), so are good quality and tasty - as I discovered when I tried two. They are well-balanced and the ones I purchased (for just under £10 from Surplus and Outdoors) have a use by date of 2021.

SOME LIKE IT HOT

If you like your food hot, then the United Nations 12-Hour Patrol Ration fits the bill, as it comes with a flameless ration heater. All the UN rations have a resealable plastic bag, spoon, knife, fork, menu sheet, water purification tablets, two wet wipes and tissues. They are in a well-designed MRE-style heavy-duty polythene bag, that has a built-in handle and weigh 900 grams. Given the dietary requirements of a multi-national force, the rations include main courses that are vegetarian, halal or Hindu, as well as Occidental. Essentially you will not find pork meat or lamb but beef and chicken are on the menu.

The rest of the contents are broadly similar so, for example, a vegetarian ration has a syrup-flavoured maple bun, protein drink powder in apple flavour, Isotonic drink powder in lime flavour, fruit and nut mix, blackcurrant flavour sweets, a Chockablock Bar, sesame seed bar, pepper, iodised salt and dental gum.

A UN patrol pack costs around £8 and the ones on sale through Surplus and Outdoors are dated 2020. They are an ideal emergency meal to carry in a day sack or in the car, as all you will need is a bit of water to activate the ration heater.

Enjoy your H sack Rat!

NORWEGIAN ARCTIC RATIONS

You burn a lot of calories in the Arctic in winter just to stay warm, consequently, military rations are high in calories and you get plenty of them in Norwegian Army rations produced by Drytech of Tromso, since each ration has about 1300KCal of nutrition!

Those that are available are not cheap - but then quality always comes at a price - £19.99 from Surplus and Outdoors.

They are offering 14 different rations, ten main meals and four breakfasts. All are 1991 dated though, from personal experience with military rations, they would be edible a couple of years after the use by date. They are vacuum packed in a 20cm by 20 cm green plastic bag and weigh around 350 grams and the label that lists the contents (colour-coded for

breakfast or main meal) can be peeled off to re-seal the bag.

The main meal in the breakfast packs is either berry, blueberry and vanilla or sports muesli, or porridge. Adding hot water to the pouch them makes them a tasty filling meal to start the day.

Both types come with: spoon, disinfectant wipe, chewing gum and a Ziplock bag. There are no tissues that could be used as toilet paper and since the main meals are dehydrated there is no flameless heater. www.airsoft-action.online

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SEPTEMBER 2019

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71

VERSUS

STAYR AUG STEYR AUG V TAVOR T21

V

TAVOR T21

STAYING WITH MORE “MODERN” DESIGNS AFTER HIS LOOK AT THE L85, BILL DELVES FURTHER INTO THE WORLD OF BULLPUP MILITARY RIFLES AND THEIR AIRSOFT COUNTERPARTS BY PUTTING TWO MAJOR CONTENDERS HEAD TO HEAD, THE VENERABLE STEYR AUG AND THE YOUNG PRETENDER, THE TAVOR T21.

Some images sourced from Public Domain

I

t seems to me that there any many things to disagree on when it comes to airsoft replicas - and indeed airsoft itself - but one that always makes me smile is the horror that some folk seem to express in relation to “bullpups”!

It’s a regular laughing point down in my neck of the woods as the L85 does have a small following, whilst the Steyr AUG maintains its popularity in large because my mate Chris is the founder of the “Steyr AUG (Airsoft) Owners Group” page on Facebook! But whilst we may all share a good chortle about the efficacy of the bullpup in the airsoft world, the fact of the matter is that the majority of the real world rifles in this configuration (and in this group I do now include the L85) have proved to be solid, dependable military tools that, in some cases like the FAMAS, have been issued for quite some time and have given their users superb service.

Several years ago my good friend Robbie and I went through the process of looking at airsoft AUGs from a whole group of manufacturers and, in general, found that they were all first-rate RIFs in terms of accuracy, performance, and build

quality. We bought them, rebuilt them and skirmished with them for the entirety of one summer and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and largely down to this there has always been an AUG knocking around somewhere in my workshop. I did for a while have an IWI TAVOR 21 (TAR21) from Umarex knocking around, again some years back but I never really got on with it so it went the way of all AEGS that don’t “sing to me” and I lost track of who now owns it!

However, since NUPROL took on S&T distribution I’ve had more of a chance to get to grips with the brand and have liked what I’ve seen so far. So a short time ago I took the plunge and treated myself to the S&T “Explorer Version” of the Tavor and I have to admit that it’s growing on me more and more! It’s a quirky AEG (and I’ll come back to that later) but suffice to say it sits nicely on the wall with my TM Uzi, King Arms FN FAL Para and King Arms Galil MAR, to further enlarge my little “Israeli” collection.

Fact is, I am genuinely a bit of a bullpup fan. As a lad the EM2 and the L64/65 Enfield Individual Weapon, or facsimiles of them at least, often

appeared on the pages of my favourite comics. I recently picked up a new copy of the old “Invasion” comic strip that ran in 2000AD from 1977 to 1978 and the “IW” features quite regularly in that! (Note to themed game organisers, check out “Invasion” for some righteous potential scenarios for games!) I think that is where my love affair with the bullpup originated as it stuck in my mind as a thoroughly futuristic design that combined matters military with my love of sci-fi.

MEANWHILE, IN AUSTRIA…

At the very same moment that I was happily lapping up that “Invasion” comic story, in Austria the bullpup was fast becoming “science fact”! The AUG (“Armee Universal Gewehr” or “Universal Army Rifle”) was adopted by the Austrian Army as the StG 77 (Sturmgewehr 77) in 1977 to replace the 7.62×51mm StG 58 automatic rifle (a licence-built FN FAL).

Designed as a family of rifles that could be quickly adapted to a wide variety of roles with the change of the barrel to a desired length and profile, the AUG was a modular configuration and employed a

“THE PRIMARY VARIANT OF THE RIFLE, DESIGNATED THE AUG A1, CONSISTED OF SIX MAIN PARTS: THE BARREL, RECEIVER WITH INTEGRATED 1.5X TELESCOPIC SIGHT MADE BY SWAROVSKI OPTIK, BOLT AND CARRIER, TRIGGER MECHANISM, FIBERGLASS-REINFORCED POLYAMIDE 66 STOCK AND MAGAZINE.” 72

FEBRUARY 2020

VERSUS STEYR AUG V TAVOR T21

“…IN 1995 ZALMAN SHEBS, KNOWN AS THE “FATHER OF THE TAVOR,” LED A PROJECT TEAM WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF CREATING AN ASSAULT RIFLE THAT WAS MORE RELIABLE, DURABLE AND EASIER TO MAINTAIN FOR SOLDERS OF THE IDF THAN THEIR AGING STOCK OF M4A1 CARBINES…” high level of polymer and advanced alloy components. The primary variant of the rifle, designated the AUG A1, consisted of six main parts: the barrel, receiver with integrated 1.5x telescopic sight made

by Swarovski Optik, bolt and carrier, trigger mechanism, fiberglass-reinforced polyamide 66 stock and magazine.

The fact that the AUG was a modular platform based on the same receiver and action to create either an automatic rifle, carbine, or light machine gun appeared to be a new idea but in actual fact, this type of system was originally developed in the 1920s, in France, by Rossignol and used in their ENT B1. However, with all of this noted, the clever part of the AUG was that it took a number of features already in existence and placed them all in one very tidy package.

Since its inception the AUG has gained great popularity, being adopted by the armed forces of Australia, Austria, New Zealand, Oman, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and some others. It was also widely purchased by various security and law enforcement agencies worldwide, including the US Coastguard. The Steyr AUG can be considered probably the most commercially successful bullpup

assault rifle to date. In 1997, SteyrMannlicher produced an updated version of the AUG, the AUG A2 which featured a redesigned charging handle and a detachable telescopic sight which could be replaced with a MIL-STD-1913 rail, and in 2005 introduced the most recent version of AUG, the AUG A3

AND IN ISRAEL…

Although it took them a bit longer to get there (which is understandable!) in 1995 Zalman Shebs, known as the “father of the TAVOR,” led a project team with the objective of creating an assault rifle that was more reliable, durable and easier to maintain for solders of the IDF than their aging stock of M4A1 Carbines, whilst also being better suited to close-quarters combat and mechanised infantry roles.

The Galil had proved costly to produce and even with its folding stock, difficult to deploy well from the confines of vehicles, so due to the military’s infantry requirements, the project team selected a lightweight bullpup design that would allow the weapon to be compact while keeping a long barrel able to achieve greater pinpoint accuracy.

In the latter part of the 20th century the TAVOR underwent testing unlike anything that had been seen before.

The TAVOR began trials for ergonomics (handling and carrying) with select IDF units. Variants went to the IDF NCO Infantry School for extensive field tests and finally, in 2002, the TAVOR was given to an army company in the renowned Givati Brigade for real-world testing and use. By September, 2003, the IDF trials concluded and the TAVOR MTAR 21 rifle was chosen as the standard issue weapon for their infantry troops; as of 2009 this issue has been rolling out steadily and although full adoption was scheduled no later than 2018 the M4 is still pretty apparent with IDF Forces!

AIRSOFT BULLPUPS TO LOVE!

Although I’ve had a number of AUGs from different manufacturers, the model in my collection is a bog-standard “infantry” ASG Proline AUG A1, with green furniture and a very accurately reproduced 300 BB Hi-Cap which is translucent, just like the real thing.

Internally things are as I would expect

“BY SEPTEMBER, 2003, THE IDF TRIALS CONCLUDED AND THE TAVOR MTAR 21 RIFLE WAS CHOSEN AS THE STANDARD ISSUE WEAPON FOR THEIR INFANTRY TROOPS; AS OF 2009 THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ROLLING OUT STEADILY AND ...FULL ADOPTION WAS SCHEDULED NO LATER THAN 2018 ” www.airsoft-action.online

73

VERSUS STEYR AUG V TAVOR T21

“CHRONO’ING STEADILY AT 1.04 JOULE/335FPS ON A .20G BB, IN TERMS OF ACCURACY THE AUG IS BOB-ON AND ONCE YOU MASTER THE BALANCE OF THAT EXCELLENT TRIGGER YOU’RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER TIGHT GROUPS AT CQB DISTANCES, AND BE ABLE TO “REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE” AT 30M PLUS.” them to be in one of the ASG Proline models; the AUG features a short-type motor, a version 3 full metal gearbox with 7mm bearings and highquality gears and piston, plus a quick-change spring. Externally, the AUG features a rugged nylon-fibre body with a textured surface, along with a full metal receiver and barrel and an integrated 1.5x scope; this last feature is a real bonus as you get a magnified optic straight out of the box!

In terms of performance I’m going to say straight out that the AUG is very, very good indeed and has a remarkably balanced feel and great weight. The two-stage trigger is one of the best I’ve ever come across in an airsoft AUG, offering snappy, quick semi-auto fire and a very well defined full-auto trigger pull.

Remember that the real AUG has a progressive trigger (pulling the trigger halfway produces semiautomatic fire, pulling the trigger

all the way to the rear produces fully automatic fire) and the airsoft versions replicate this perfectly. Chrono’ing steadily at 1.04 Joule/335fps on a .20g BB, in terms of accuracy the AUG is bob-on and once you master the balance of that excellent trigger you’re going to be able to deliver tight groups at CQB distances, and be able to “reach out and touch someone” at 30m plus. Pulling the trigger back delivers a withering hail of BBs, especially with an 11.1 LiPo tucked away under the rubber buttplate!

Although still a bullpup, the S&T Tavor is a very different beast, and really does live up to the “sci-fi look” that I adore!

Externally the Tavor is certainly ergonomic alright with a large, well angled pistol grip which has not a trigger guard but more an entire hand guard - if you play during the winter months this could be a real bonus as the rifle is easily operated even with bulkier insulated gloves. Ahead of this is a comfortable fore-end which fills the hand very nicely and this fore-end hinges open when the large button on the left is pressed, revealing a reasonably sized battery compartment. The stock is fixed but even players of smaller stature should find this a comfortable replica to use.

Although the TAVOR is built almost entirely in a well-finished green plastic (you can have it in black or tan too and do bear in mind that the real deal is polymer!) mould lines are pretty much non-existent and everything feels solid as a rock. As it’s an accurate replica you get some very nicely achieved trademarks and also a serial number (which are hidden underneath S&T logos stickers for some reason!). The Tavor has a flip up front sight and a flip out rear sight and these are the only parts that feel a little flimsy; that said the rifle has a section of rail on top which screams out for an EoTECH (my choce), Mini-RDS, or Meprolight optic!

Internally you have an 8mm Custom High Strength TAR21 gearbox which is fully upgradeable, with a quick spring change design.

In operation the TAVOR is simply great fun! With an 11.1V NUPROL LiPo you’ll get superb results both in rate of fire and trigger response. Testing on .20g BBs, which feed unerringly from the metal 300 round HiCap mag that comes with

the gun, you’ll get a mean reading of 1.0 Joule/329fps which is absolutely spot on.

Range and accuracy are also very good given the length of the inner barrel; once the hop-up was set from new I was happily hitting plate targets out to 30 metres plus with a nice flat trajectory.

Fact is that an airsoft bullpup is a really strong contender for your pocket money and although I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the old ASG AUG A1 for a good while, the new S&T T21 is definitely going to be my project for 2020! The bullpup design still looks refreshingly modern and sits as

well with a “Future Soldier” loadout as it does with either an historical

or “post-ap” one.

Both the AUG and T21 are great AEGs and once again I think that your choice will be governed simply by whether you’re a bullpup lover… or not! AA www.airsoft-action.online

75

last post ARMCHAIR CRITICS

ARMCHAIR CRITICS!

“KEYBOARD WARRIORS”… THEIR RANTINGS CRISS-CROSS THE INTERNET BUT THERE ALSO EXISTS THOSE WHO, FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR ARMCHAIR, OFFER THEIR OPINIONS. IT TURNS OUT THAT NOT EVEN FRENCHIE IS IMMUNE FROM OCCASIONALLY JOINING THEIR RANKS…

MUPPET, MUPPETS, and the Muppet Characters are registered trademarks of The Muppets Studio, LLC.

I

n previous musings I have roundly decried armchair critics for pretty much everything from threatening world peace to bringing about the end of airsoft as we know it. I stand by those criticisms but I have to admit (well, I don’t have to but I will) that I am as guilty of a form of armchair criticism as anyone else.

The realisation came to me as I was writing this month’s collector piece on the L85, a rifle I love and abhor in almost equal measure. Let me be clear… Like the vast majority of those involved in airsoft, I have never served in any branch of our armed forces, therefore, I have never had to put my trust in any weapon, let alone one as controversial as the L85. That small fact has never stopped me forming an opinion about it though and I would hope, in my defence, that I have read reasonably widely on the subject, so I am not entirely ignorant, especially of the story which led to the development and introduction of the weapon. Nevertheless, I am aware that if I am pontificating, I am doing so from a position lacking any real-world experience.

Before I go further, I will note the following: Unlike most serving soldiers, as an airsofter I have had the privilege of deciding which weapons I will use, even if they were replicas. Your average squaddie still has to deal with what he or she is given and in the British Army that’s the L85. So, their experience of firearms beyond issued items may well be quite limited. Older soldiers of my acquaintance still eulogise the SLR but I can’t help

wondering if that is because what replaced it, the L85, was initially such a bloody dog.

The SLR is a big, heavy beast and while it is true that it will put a bullet through a wall, the German Army had worked out by the end of WWII that a smaller, intermediate round (as used in the STG 44) was a better and more realistic option in combat. Likewise, the Soviet Union had been working on the same concept since the early 1940s.

See? There I go, offering opinions again! Can’t help myself! As I have stated before, airsoft for me was an avenue to playing with guns, which in real life I would never get my hands on. That fascination had been there for years previously and I had read voraciously (pre-internet, children) - even managing to persuade my school librarian to get me information directly from Artillerie Inrichtigen in Holland regarding the AR10 rifle. I’m definitely a geek.

That said, I play with what are, legal issues aside, toy guns. My SPAS12 isn’t a

real shotgun, my AR15 variants were never real battle rifles, so it’s not the same and therein lies the danger… that we make assumptions about the real gun based on the performance of a facsimile. We would be wholly entitled to draw some lessons on handling from our airsoft experience, even though the weight we dealt with was nearly always considerably less than the real thing. I hefted a couple of AR15 variants in Germany at a show years ago and was struck by how much heavier they were than the airsoft copies I was used to. That weight matters when drawing conclusions about the nature of a real gun from limited experience.

I used to own an airsoft PPSh41, I now have a deactivated PPS43 in my possession.

I thought the PPSh41 was pretty realistic; lots of steel, cumbersome and just old fashioned. Compared to the ‘41 the PPS43 is sleek and far more manageable, with its folding stock and excellent box magazine which is easier to handle than the iconic drum of the older design. But by God, it’s a heavy bugger! The steel you make a real firearm from is, of necessity, somewhat heavier that that used on an airsoft gun.

I have also handled deactivated PPSh41s and they are seriously cumbersome too.

In my opinion, the PPS43 is a far better submachine gun and if forced to choose between the ‘41 and the ‘43, the newer gun wins hands-down but the weight of a real gun gives you a whole different perspective!

Likewise, recoil, something airsoft

“THAT FASCINATION HAD BEEN THERE FOR YEARS PREVIOUSLY AND I HAD READ VORACIOUSLY (PRE-INTERNET, CHILDREN) - EVEN MANAGING TO PERSUADE MY SCHOOL LIBRARIAN TO GET ME INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM ARTILLERIE INRICHTIGEN IN HOLLAND REGARDING THE AR10 RIFLE. I’M DEFINITELY A GEEK!” 76

FEBRUARY 2020

LAST POST ARMCHAIR CRITICS

manufacturers go to great lengths to incorporate, while real weapon makers do their damnedest to reduce or eliminate entirely! I remember my first Marui VSR “real shock”. Lovely gun but the “recoil” went the wrong way! Because the weight was attached to the piston, when you fired it basically bounced away, not towards you! Nice try …but really! GBBR rifles can be pretty good but it’s still nothing compared to a real gun.

There is an excellent video on YouTube, featuring Ian McCollum of “Forgotten Weapons” discussing the Thompson submachine gun with Ken Hackathon.

“The Thompson” is seriously iconic for

all sorts of reasons but frankly, it gets demolished very quickly in this discussion.

Any of you that own or use an airsoft version know that it is actually quite a big gun (and the real one was heavy) and it’s that factor that weighs against it (excuse the pun!). Although reliable, the Thompson was a pain to carry and use whereas the M3A1 Grease Gun that officially replaced it - and has been subjected to much derision - was, according to those who actually had to use the thing, a much better gun. Why? The M3 was much lighter, smaller, easier to maintain and had a much lower rate of fire with the same .45 ACP round, making it far easier to keep on target. If you are up to your knees in mud and snow, chasing a determined and elusive enemy would you rather have a gun that works well or one destined to be a legend but which weighs about the same as your dad’s car?!

What I’m driving at, is that our perception of the replicas we

use and, by extension, their properties as real firearms, are skewed. In truth, even an academic account of a particular weapon won’t give you a good all-round perspective if it doesn’t include the experience of those who had to use it and live with it. So, yes, I will still spout opinions on guns I have read about but I am also aware that no matter how much I read and absorb, I still don’t have the sort of knowledge that could be considered well-rounded and expert. Airsoft guns have given me an idea of what it feels like to carry certain weapons but even there, it is simply how user-friendly or otherwise their form is - this is especially true of long arms, whereas airsoft pistols are closer to their real-world cousins.

Lacking the ability to address this lack of experience, short of moving to the USA, I shall remain comfortably ensconced in my armchair, continuing to read and listen to those who know a darned sight more than I do! AA

“IF YOU ARE UP TO YOUR KNEES IN MUD AND SNOW, CHASING A DETERMINED AND ELUSIVE ENEMY WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE A GUN THAT WORKS WELL OR ONE DESTINED TO BE A LEGEND BUT WHICH WEIGHS ABOUT THE SAME AS YOUR DAD’S CAR?!”

Airsoft & MilSim News Blog @AMNBOfficial Airsoft & MilSim News Blog @airsoftmilsimnewsblog

& AWARD WINNER

WWW.AIRSOFT-MILSIM-NEWS.COM www.airsoft-action.online

77

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

SYMBOL KEY

IS IT WOODLAND OR URBAN? CHECK THE KEY! UKARA MEMBER

SHOP ONSITE

WOODLAND

PYROS ALLOWED

URBAN

BATTERY CHARGING

DESERT

REPAIR SERVICE

INDOOR

DISABLED FRIENDLY Image Courtesy of Bjorn Klockar

Email nige@airsoft-action.co.uk to add or change a site listing

ABER AIRSOFT – THE BUNKER

AIRSOFT KGB

AMAZON EVENTS

BADLANDS AIRSOFT

Allt-lywd Wood Farm,

Porkellis Moor near Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0 Chef1322@hotmail.com

Hellingly, East Sussex, BN27 4HL

Rowlands Castle, Hamps PO9 6DP

Tel: 0844 2570433

Tel: 07534 465589

www.amazonoutdoorevents.co.uk

www.badlandsairsoft.co.uk

AMBUSH ADVENTURES ALTON

BARNSLEY AIRSOFT

Hill Farm Road, East Tisted, Nr. Alton,

Tel: 07779 236166

Hampshire.

www.barnsleypaintball.co.uk

outside Llanrhystud, nr. Aberystwyth, Wales.

Tel: 07511554740

www.kgbairsoft.com

www.aberairsoft.co.uk

AIRSOFT PLANTATION ABSOLUTE AIRSOFT Maidenhead, SL6 3SS Tel: 07871 314951

Goatsmoor Lane, Billericay, CM4 9RS Tel: 07534 636289 / 07771 556395 www.airsoftplantation.co.uk Email: apairsoftplantation@gmail.com

www.absolute-airsoft.co.uk

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES Tong Wood, Newport Road Wolverhampton TF11 8PN

Stoulton, WR7 4QW Tel: 07764 587410 www.airsoftskirmish.co.uk

Tel: 07786 192832 www.aceairsoft.co.uk

ACE COMBAT Kent, TN12 7DG Tel: 01303 814803 www.acecombat.co.uk

AIRBORNE 101 AIRSOFT CLUB

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH CQB Studley, B80 7LY Tel: 07764 587410

robinsonm24@btinternet.com

AIRSOFT ASYLUM North Lanarksire, ML7 5 www.airsoftasylum.webs.com

78

FEBRUARY 2020

Tel: 07592 564614 Email: ambushadventures@yahoo.com Web: www.ambushadventures.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/6179156767

APOCALYPSE AIRSOFT Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7QP Tel: 07872 348 576 www.apocalypseairsoft.com

BATTLETEC AIRSOFT La Couture, Guernsey, GY1 2 Tel: 07781 104068 www.battletec.co.uk

BLACKDAGGER AIRSOFT Grasscroft Wood, Barlow Lees Lane, Dronfield, S18 7UR www.blackdagger-airsoft.co.uk

www.airsoftskirmish.co.uk

ARENA AIRSOFT ALL ARMS AIRSOFT

Grimsby, DN31 3JD

Near Trawden, BB8 8SN Tel: 07909 683464

www.arenaairsoft.com

Tel: 07752 404060

www.allarmsairsoft.co.uk

Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 Tel: 07718 032541

Shafton, Barnsley, S72 8RE

ALPHA 55

Northern Ireland, BT39 9PH Tel: 028 9303 7030 or 07729219341 www.borderlinecombat.com

Sawbridgeworth, Herts, CM23 4BJ Tel: 07732 184957

www.alpha55.co.uk

www.awaherts.com

Le Mont de Rozel, Jersey, JE3 5 Tel: 01534 733697 www.aegairsoft.je

51 Green Road, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim

AWA HERTS

Halkyn Wood, North Wales CH8 8DF

ALPHA ELITE GAMING

BORDERLINE AIRSOFT

BRAVO 2-2 AIRSOFT Leisure Lakes, Mere Brow, Southport PR46JX Tel: 07790 715059 www.bravo22airsoft.com

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

BRISTOL AIRSOFT Bristol, BS1 2HQ Tel: 07776 288826 www.bristolairsoft.com

BRIT-TAC AIRSOFT Sheffield, S2 5TR Tel: 07795 631331

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE WORKS (URBAN)

COMBAT SOUTH WOODLAND

DRAGON’S LAIR

Fareham, PO17 5ND

Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA

Off Badger Lane, Hipperholme, Halifax,

Tel: 02392 655636

Tel: 07703 530189

West Yorkshire HX3 8PL

www.combatsouth.co.uk

www.dragonslairairsoft.co.uk

CONTACT! FIGHT SCHOOL

DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT

Kelvedon Hatch, Essex, CM14 5

Caerwent Training Area,

Tel: 01438 368177

South Wales, NP26 5XL

www.thefightschool.demon.co.uk

Tel: 07921 336360

Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

www.brittacairsoft.com

BUNKER 51 Charlton, SE7 8NJ Tel: 0870 7549653 www.wolfarmouries.co.uk

BUSH VALLEY AIRSOFT Runham Woods, Lenham ME17 1NQ Tel: 07786 448608 Email: bushvalairsoft@gmail.com

CHESTERFIELD IMPERIAL AIRSOFT

www.dragonvalley.co.uk

Brimington, Chesterfield S43 1DQ www.cia-airsoft.co.uk

COOL UNDER FIRE Doddington, Kent, ME9 0JS

D.T.W AIRSOFT

CLOSE ACTION AIRSOFT

Tel: 07960 532613

Colchester, Essex CO1 2ZF

Corby, NN17 3BB

www.coolunderfire.co.uk

Tel: 01206 790046

Tel: 07740 165787 www.close-action.co.uk

www.dtwairsoft.co.uk

CORNWALLS ELITE AIRSOFT Truro, Cornwall, TR2 4HF.

C3 TACTICAL Longhope, Gloucestershire, GL17 0PH Tel: 07597 938011 www.c3tactical.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE COMPLEX Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RP Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE OUTPOST (WOODLAND) HPC, York Road, Flaxby, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG5 0XJ Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE SANDPIT (DESERT) Bolton Wood Quarry, Bolton Hall Road Bradford, West Yorkshire BD2 1BQ Tel: 07891 469492

COMBAT ACTION GAMES Combat Street, Felthorpe, Norwich,

Tel: 0773 153 1113 www.cornwallseliteairsoft.com

Norfolk, NR10 4DR. Tel: 07748 023832 www.facebook.com/combatactiongames

Just off the A11 outside Thetford Norfolk

www.combatairsoftgames.co.uk

Bourton Woods, On the B4479, Blockley www.cotswoldairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07724629140

CUMBRIA AIRSOFT Dumfries, DG12 cumbria.airsoft@virgin.net

CONTACT FRONT

www.cumbria-airsoft.com

Wattons Lane, Matchams, Bournemouth BH24, 2dg Tel: 0845 116 2830 info@contactfront.co.uk

DANGER CLOSE AIRSOFT

Tel: 01332 493258 Email: info@combatreadyairsoft.co.uk www.combatreadyairsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – RIVOCK EDGE Keighley, BD20 0LS Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS SHEFFIELD Sheffield, S6 6JE Tel: 07891 469492

Middle Wildpark Farm, Wildpark Lane, Brailsford, Ashbourne DE6 3BN Tel: 01332 493258 Email: info@combatreadyairsoft.co.uk

www.combatsouth.co.uk

www.elitebattlezone.co.uk

EXPERIENCE AIRSOFT Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 0AN Tel: 01380 728982 www.experienceairsoft.co.uk

Lewisham, SE13 5SU Tel: 07973 240177 www.firefight.co.uk

DELTA TEAM 3 Skelmersdale, Lancs WN8 8UT Tel: 07986 053076 www.deltateam3.co.uk

DOGS OF WAR Houston, Renfrewshire PA6 7BP Tel: 07853 195290 www.dow-airsoft.co.uk

DOG TAG AIRSOFT Portsmouth PO6 3LS Tel: 02392 655636

Tel: 07968 448475

Tel: 07455 906132

www.combatreadyairsoft.co.uk

COMBAT SOUTH URBAN

Bexley, Greater London, DA5 1NX

FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS

www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

COMBAT READY OUTDOOR

ELITE BATTLEZONE

Ellough, Norfolk

Ellough Lark Raceway, Benacre Road,

COMBAT READY CQB 38 Full Street, Derby DE1 3AF

Tel: 01455 285605

COTSWOLD AIRSOFT

follow signs for Combat Paintball Tel: 07703 045849

Unit 8, Winston Ave, Croft, Leic. LE9 3GQ www.thedepartmentcqb.co.uk

Near Bourton-on-the-hill

COMBAT AIRSOFT

DEPARTMENT CQB AIRSOFT

FIFE WARGAMES St Andrews, KY10 3XL info@fifewargames.co.uk www.fifewargames.com

FINMERE AIRSOFT Buckingham, MK18 4JT Tel: 07976 184897 www.finmereairsoft.com

Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4SE

FIREBALL SQUADRON

TEL 01293 852 314

Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA

www.holmbushpaintball.co.uk/airsoft

Tel: 07582 684533 www.fireballsquadron.com

www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

www.airsoft-action.online

79

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

FIRST & ONLY:

FIRST & ONLY:

ANZIO CAMP

THE ARMOURY – WREXHAM

Blackshaw Moor, Nr Leek,

Oak Road, Wrexham, Denbighshire LL13 9RG Tel: 0161 727 8863

Staffordshire ST13 8TL Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY: FIRST & ONLY: CROSSFIRE WOODS – PRESTON Moss Lane East, Preston PR4 3SP 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY:

THE BASE CQC – YATESBURY 1 Jugglers Ln, Yatesbury, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 8YA Tel: 0161 727 8863

GROUND ZERO WOODLAND Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 2DF www.groundzerowoodland.com

STEALTH WOODS – OTLEY Stealth Woods, Dob Park, Norwood Bottom Road, Otley LS21 2NA Tel: 0161 727 8863

FREE FIRE ZONE Farcet, Peterborough, PE7 3DH Tel: 01733 247171 www.freefirezone.co.uk

THE MILL CQB – WIGAN

FRV AIRSOFT

Unit S2 Mill 1, Swan Meadow Industrial Tel: 0161 727 8863

Annacloy, Downpatrick, BT30 8JJ Tel: 07730 586926 www.frvairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY:

FULL METAL AIRSOFT

THE OUTPOST – KIDDERMINSTER Drakelow Tunnels, Kingsford Country Park, Near Kinver, Kidderminster DY11 5SA Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: SHELL SHOCK WOODS – BRIDGNORTH Uplands Coppice, Off B4363, Bridgnorth,

Cilyrychen Quarry, Llandybie, Ammanford, Camarthenshire, SA18 3JG Tel: 01269 850404 www.fullmetalairsoft.co.uk

GASS AIRSOFT – PENN Penn Bottom, Bucks, HP10 Tel: 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

Shropshire WV16 5LS Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY:

Gorebridge, Midlothian, EH23 4LG

Tel: 07772 919974

Tel: 0131 654 2452

www.greenzonecombat.com

www.airsoftedinburgh.co.uk

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – TUDDENHAM

LAC AT COMBAT ZONE

Cavenham Road, Tuddenham, Bury St Edmunds IP28 6DF Tel: 07711 774461 (Doug) or 07711 774401 (Josh) www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk/gunmanairsoft-tuddenham/

www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS The Grange, Frogmore Grange, Balsall Common, Coventry CV7 7FP Tel: 01676 532 384

GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON Piddington, Oxfordshire, OX25 1 Tel: 07907 788970/ www.gassairsoft.co.uk

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – EVERSLEY The Welsh Drive, Fleet Road (A327), Eversley, Hants RG27 0PY Tel: 07711 774461 (Doug) or 07711 774401 (Josh) www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk/gunmanairsoft-eversley/

HILTON PARK AIRSOFT Wolverhampton, WV10 7HU Tel: 08000 354490/ www.paintballuk.com

HOMELAND TACTICAL AIRSOFT

Bull Ring Farm Rd, Leamington Spa CV33 9HJ Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

GRANGE LIVE GAMING Bravo One Birmingham, 93–99 Holloway Head, B1 1QP

HUMBER AIRSOFT

Tel: 07792 680297

INVICTA BATTLEFIELD Kent TN12 0HP www.invictabattlefield.co.uk

ISLAND RECON Near Shorwell, Isle of Wight, PO30 Tel: 07964 751047 www.islandrecon.co.uk

80

FEBRUARY 2020

Haigh Park Road, Stourton, Leeds LS10 1RX Tel: 0113 277 7707 / 07968 258952

LINDSEY AIRSOFT Tel: 07955 487983 www.lindsey-airsoft.co.uk

MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5FW Tel: 07974 507166 www.matlockcombatgames.com

MAYHEM AIRSOFT Upper Harbledown, Nr. Canterbury, Kent CT2 9AX Email: mayhemairsoft@hotmail.com www.mayhemsoutheast.com

Abbey Cwm-hir, Midwales, LD1 6PG Tel: 01686 627594 www.facebook.com/Midwales-airsoft

MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Wrightington, WN6 9PL Tel: 01942 514724 www.militaryoutdooradventure.co.uk

Tel: 01622 831788 / 07876 263290

Tel: 0121 643 2477 info@grangelivegaming.com

LEEDS AIRSOFT: THE FOUNDRY CQB

MIDWALES AIRSOFT

Wilden Park Road, Staplehurst,

THE JUNGLE – HARBURY

Belfast BT170AE / Tel: 07733128484

facebook.com/HomelandTacticalAirsoft

www.humberairsoft.co.uk

www.gingerliberationfront.com

17G Stationview, Dunmurry,

Tel: 07802 837440/07949 486510

Leicester, LE9 9FP

FIRST & ONLY:

LAGAN AIRSOFT CLUB

Manby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8HE

North Lincolnshire, DN21

GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT

Saxillby, LN1 2JW Tel: 07775 877057

info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk

Spanby, Lincs, NG34 0AT/ Tel: 07971 560249

STEALTH WOODS – OTLEY Stealth Woods, Dob Park, Norwood Bottom Road, Otley LS21 2NA Tel: 0161 727 8863

LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT

Co. Armagh, BT60 1NE

www.giairsoft.co.uk/Skirmish-days

FIRST & ONLY:

Estate, Swan Meadow Road, Wigan

GREENZONE COMBAT

MILSIM UK Checkley, Staffordshire, ST10 4NS Tel: 07523 916607 www.milsimuk.co.uk

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

NCIS AIRSOFT Edinburgh, EH14 4 nick@ncis-airsoft.co.uk www.ncis-airsoft.co.uk

PATHFINDER GROUP AIRSOFT MILITARY SIMULATION

www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

Former RAF Camp Sopley/Merryfield Park,

RIFT AIRSOFT (COTTENHAM)

Hants, BH23/ Tel: 02380 899369

Cambridge, CB24 8RL Tel: 07751 586781 / www.riftairsoft.com

NOMAD AIRSOFT Fenwick, Ayrshire, KA3 6AY Tel: 07904 998250 www.nomadairsoft.com

PHOENIX AIRSOFT Welbeck Airsoft, Academy, Budby Road, Notts NG20 9JX Tel: 07956 587213 / 01623 812483

Unit 4, King Street, Gatehead, NE8 2YP info@nolimitspaintballandlaser.co.uk Tel: 07464 482410/ 0191 441 4574

Shotts, North Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB Tel: 07974 026517

www.s8airsoft.com

SENTINEL AIRSOFT Dunstable, LU6 2EE

PLATOON 1HQ Rochester, Kent, ME1 1 HQ Tel: 01634 829063/ www.ptt-1hq.co.uk

NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3LQ Tel: 01845 565465 www.northernallianceairsoft.co.uk

PLAYERS OF WAR High Bonnybridge, FK1 3AD Tel: 07767 203979/ www.playersofwar.co.uk

NORTHFLEET CQB

PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES

Northfleet, Kent, DA11 9AA Tel: 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk

Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF Tel: 02897565651 / 07825169631

NPF AIRSOFT, NPF BASSETTS POLE

RAVENSHEAD AIRSOFT

Trickley Coppice, London Road, Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA Tel: 0121 323 1000 info@npfairsoft.com www.facebook.com/npfairsoft

www.predatorcombat.com

Tel: 07967 940043 www.facebook.com/Ravenshead-Airsoft

SUSSEX AIRSOFT Slinfold, RH12 Tel: 020 8150 9284 www.sussexairsoft.co.uk

SG1 COMBAT GAMES Co. Londonderry, BT45 8NA Tel: 07713 273102 www.sg1combatgames.co.uk

SHROPSHIRE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES Holbrook Coppice, Buidwas Bank (A4169),

SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY

SKIRMISH EXETER

RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA Tel: 01900 85645

Durham, DL4 2ER

TA EVENTS Hemel Hemstead, Herts, HP2 7QB Tel: 07894 059794 /www.ta-events.co.uk

TACTICAL WALES AIRSOFT Reynoldston, Swansea SA3 1AS Tel: 01792 473336 www.tacticalwales.co.uk

TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PL Tel: 0203 490 8008/07983 657093 www.tacticalwarfare.co.uk

Exeter, Devon, EX4 5/ Tel: 01548 580025 www.airsoftexeter.co.uk

www.airsoftcumbria.co.uk

Tel: 01642 281220 www.ntac.co.uk

OBAN AIRSOFT – ILL ARGYLL

RED1AIRSOFT

Argyll and Bute, PA37 1

Chislehurst, Bromley BR7 6SD

Tel: 07967 710185

Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069

www.argyllsurplus.com

www.red1airsoft.co.uk

TAZ AIRSOFT Farr, Inverness IV2 6XB Tel: 07848 448408

Wigton, Cumbria CA7 3SZ

NTAC

Boathouse lane, South Wirral, Cheshire, CH64 3TB www.swatairsoft.eu Tel: 07703 177756

Billericay, Essex, CM11 2TX www.airsoft-billericay.co.uk

www.ravensairsoft.co.uk

Hetton, Sunderland, DH5 0 Tel: 07983 333521 / www.nscairsoft.co.uk

S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT

Buildwas, Telford, Shropshire, TF8

Suffolk, IP8 4 / Tel: 01473 831563

NSC AIRSOFT

Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 4LD Tel: 07515 937633 www.stormforcepaintball.co.uk

www.sentinalairsoft.co.uk

Tel: 01277 657777

RAVEN’S NEST

STORMFORCE AIRSOFT

Tel: 07535 896683

Tel: 07786 192832 / www.aceairsoft.co.uk Ravenshead, Notts, NG15 9DH

Coventry, CV3 6NX Tel: 07831 429407 www.stirlingairsoft.com

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

www.phoenix-airsoft.co.uk

NO LIMITS AIRSOFT

STIRLING AIRSOFT

SOUTH COAST CQB Browndown Road, Lee-On-Solent

TECH BRIGADE

PO13 9UG Tel: 07533 434203

Newgate Street, Hertfordshire.

SG13 8NH Tel: 07841 713356 www.techbrigade.org

SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LR Tel: 07766 770830 www.southdownairsoft.com

TASK FORCE SKIRMISH Cowbridge, S Glamorgan, CF71

OP-TACTICAL UK – TEAN-OPS Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT Tel: 07964 990831

www.op-tac.co.uk

Red1 CQB. Kings Langley, WD4 8RN Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk

OVER THE TOP AIRSOFT CLUB Anglesey, LL71 8VW www.ottairsoft. github.io / Tel: 07895 478634

Tel: 02920 593900

RED1AIRSOFT CQB

RIFT AIRSOFT COM’S SITE 3 Chipping Warden, OX17 1LZ Tel: 07751 586781

www.riftairsoft.com

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7EU Tel: 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk

THE BUNKER Aberystwyth www.aberairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07841 462806

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT– THE ROCK Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EG Tel: 07984 656947

www.airsoft-action.online

81

SITE DIRECTORY

Email nige@airsoft-action.co.uk to add or change a site listing

FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

THE DEPOT

www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

Glasgow, G45 9SB Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.thedepotglasgow.com

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – LIMPSFIELD

THE EX SITE

Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0RH

Mold, CH7 4 Tel: 07840 001975

www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

www.ebsc.co.uk

YORKSHIRE TACTICAL AIRSOFT - THE PIT Engine Lane, Shafton, Barnsley S72 8RE

HALO MILL

01226 414004 To Book

The Penthouse,

www.theexsitewales.co.uk

Colne Valley Business Park,

URBAN ASSAULT THE WARGAMES CENTRE Lundholm Road, Stevenston, Ayrshire, KA20 3LN

Tel: 01733 247171 www.urbanassault.org.uk

Bawtry Forest Great North Road

VIKING AIRSOFT Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 0UN

THUNDER PARK AIRSOFT

www.thunderpark.co.uk Food & drinks available on site

TORRENT WARFARE Co Tyrone, BT71 4DY Tel: 07922 377131 Facebook: search ‘Torrent Warfare’

WARMINSTER AIRSOFT Warminster, BA12 7RZ www.warminsterairsoft.co.uk

WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT F O B (Woodland), Hollington Road, Upper Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT On site parking, HPA Top ups, covered safe zone, male & female toilets, hot lunch

TROJAN AIRSOFT

included, free tea and coffee available all

Macclesfield, SK10 4SZ

day. Site memberships.

Tel: 07428 024874

Tel: Paul – 07861427553

www.trojan-airsoft.com

Bawtry, Doncaster, DN10 6DG 01226 414004 To Book

www.vikingairsoft.co.uk

Luxulyan, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL305FA Tel: 01726 858613 or 07590 030887

Manchester Road, Linthwaite,

YORKSHIRE TACTICAL AIRSOFT - THE PINES

Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, PE26 1

www.thewargamescentre.com wargamescentre@gmail.com

Email: paul@wmairsoft.co.uk

Weir Mill, Viaduct Street, Chestergate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK5 7JP Tel: 07428 024874

WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT High Command (CQB), Doulton Trading Estate, Doulton Road, Rowley Regis B65 8JQ

www.trojan-airsoft.com

Tel: Paul – 07861427553 Email: paul@wmairsoft.co.uk www.wmairsoft.co.uk

UCAP AIRSOFT Portsmouth, Hants, PO17 6AR Tel: 07590 818881

www.ucap.co.uk

WORTHING AIRSOFT Arundel Road, Worthing

UCAP GREEN OPS Linch, West Sussex, GU30 7

Tel: 07877 210898 www.worthingairsoft.co.uk

Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – FAWKHAM Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NY Tel: 01268 796130

82

FEBRUARY 2020

YORKSHIRE TACTICAL AIRSOFT - THE MANOR Church Lane Sheffield S75 3DQ 01226 414004 To Book

Huddersfield HD7 5QG Tel: 01484 840554 www.halomill.com

XSITE PRACTICAL SHOOTING Fryers Farm Lane,

PRACTICAL SHOOTING DIRECTORY

High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 3NP Tel: 01494 881430

GRANGE PS

SOUTH WEST PRACTICAL SHOOTERS (SWPS)

Bravo One, 93-99 Holloway Head,

Action Air IPSC Club

Birmingham, B1 1QP Tel: 0121 643 2477 http://www.grangelivegaming.com

Based at The Tunnel Target Sports Centre near Charmouth

Facebook: GPS

The Tunnel,

info@grangelivegaming.co.uk. Range

Axminster Road,

open for booking Wed-Sun. Club nights

Charmouth,

every Thursday, 6.30-10.30.

Dorset DT6 6BY

www.wmairsoft.co.uk

TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB

ebpracticalpistol@gmail.com

Contact: SWPSClub@Outlook.com

WATFORD PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB WatfordPPC@gmail.com

TYPHOON SHOOTING ACADEMY

DOUBLE TAP PSC

Mondays in Braintree, Essex.

StrikeForce CQB, Morelands Trading Estate, Bristol Road, Gloucester GL1 5RZ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Double-Tap-Practical-Shooting-Club979585958732937

Details on our Facebook page:

FPS ACTION AIR IPSC 24 Scarrots lane Newport Isle of Wight PO30 2JD 07964 751047 Open five nights a week 7pm-10pm Info@islandrecon.co.uk www.4dsportsclubs.co.uk Facebook:@fpsiow

https://www.facebook.com/ groups/290646868310496

TYPHOON AIRSOFT TARGET SHOOTING CLUB Fridays in Sible Hedingham, Essex.

Details on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TyphonCQB Both clubs offer Action Air, 2 & 3 Gun, IPAS and Dynamic Action Sport.

Contact via FB or 07939 557029.

EAST BARNET SC MOD-approved gun club PP, IDPA, IPAS, IPSC, 3GUN UKPSA Coaches UKPSA-qualified Range Officers Equipment hire available

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