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8 ARMOURY: GHK DANIEL DEFENSE DDM4 PDW GBBR
When it comes to his own “AR ARMOURY” then anyone that knows Bill will also know he has a “bit of a thing” about Daniel Defense replicas, and when it comes to getting things right in airsoft-form he’s quite particular about how these are put together! Having loved the ICS AEG take on the DDM4 PDW he now turns his eagle-eyed attention to the latest gas version of this platform from GHK!
18 ARMOURY: TOKYO MARUI FEST REVEAL
Rai sensei is back with sudden breaking news on a surprise reveal from Tokyo Marui in Tokyo at the exclusive Tokyo Marui Festival 2025! The brand new, cutting edge, Tokyo Marui EVOLT premium AEG series was revealed, and Rai sensei and his team were there to witness this, and can now break down the EVOLT and its technical details!
26 ARMOURY: PROJECT STACATTO P1
Sometimes we like to return to specific AEGs and GBBs and give them a little bit of the “AA Magic” to see just what performance and utility we can really get from them, and our love for STI/STACATTO pistols “IRL” means that the airsoft version is a prime contender! Boycie heads up a new project with L’il Stu, our old RS friend and airsoft veteran Tim Criddle, and Trampas Swanson from ARMED LIFESTYLE magazine.
42 RED CELL: DMR UPDATE 2025
Hopefully the “final shot” of RED CELL will be one that’s heard around the world by airsofters everywhere, and we thought to finish up this epic journey by circling back to a category that continues to cause debate amongst players and site operators alike… yup, we’re talking about Designated Marksman Rifles (DMRs), that are awesome to build and own, but cause both joy and concern in equal measure!
34 TECH: DRONES HOVER AIR X1
Last month in AIRSOFT ACTION we had a very special report from Ratty and Rich detailing the very latest in drone technology, but how can we apply the same technology in an affordable way to our airsoft games?
After wowing many a player down at the NAF in August, Ben now shares his thoughts on how this can be achieved!
68 GEAR: SAFE ZONE KIT
As the months turn wetter and colder Bill believes it’s time again to check out gear specifically for keeping switched on in the Safe Zone when the temperature plummets and the sleet and snow (or more likely heavy rain in our case at AAHQ!) drive in, gear that will let you “adapt and overcome” and make the most of even the harshest winter gameday!
84
AA LEGION: TAIWAN
The inaugural “Highland Target Challenge” was held in late July n Ji’an Township, Hualien, on the picturesque eastern coast of Taiwan; the local “Highland Group” spent a month and a half organising the event, promising the most exciting and thrilling competitive shooting experience for people of all backgrounds and ages, and our own ‘Military’ Anny Wu made the trip out to cover the event, so now we get to see what her experiences and those of the shooters were!
62 TECH: GOOD NITE GEAR NVG50
Continuing his deep dive into all things technical, and specifically night vision gear that’s tailor-made for airsoft use this month Bruno gets into the GOOD NITE GEAR brand and check out their NVG50 to see just how it perfroms!
76 AA LEGION: PORTUGAL
The members of the AA Legion in Portugal are well and truly back on the airsoft battlefield, and their game tempo is certainly one that we believe many will be slightly jealous of! In addition to small-team games the Portuguese community is becoming well-known and respected for their larger events, and Miguel brings us his report now of the latest iteration of the exciting and inclusive INTERIOR series!
92 AA LEGION TAIWAN: SHOW REPORT
TADTE is a biennial trade show that gives both native and international exhibitors an opportunity to show off their latest wares as well as being open to the public, which gives the local populace another opportunity to interface with the national defence apparatus and the tools and technologies being developed and fielded with their tax dollars. Stewbacca took the time to visit the show again and see what’s on offer in general, and also how airsoft is becoming an increasing part of training for legitimate forces worldwide.
‧ Fixed Outer & Inner Barrel Design
‧ Slide Integrates with RMR Mount
‧ Switchable Semi Auto/Full Auto Mode
‧ TDC Hop Up Chamber
‧ Low Resistance Slide Design
‧ Rock Textured Anti-Slip Pattern
Innovation Competition Pistol
‧ Ambidextrous Thumb Rest
‧ Ambidextrous Slide with Quick Pulling Bump
‧ Side-changeable Magazine Release Button
‧ Extended Magazine (TM G17/18 Compatible)
‧ Luminous Sights (TM G17/18 Compatible)
‧ Detachable Magwell (Compatible with TM G19 mag while removing)
Facebook (Global): ICSBBAirsoft
Youtube: ICS AIRSOFT
Instagram: icsbbairsoft
Twitter (Global): icsbbairsoft
CQB COOL!
WHEN IT COMES TO HIS OWN “AR ARMOURY” THEN ANYONE THAT KNOWS BILL WILL ALSO KNOW HE HAS A “BIT OF A THING” ABOUT DANIEL DEFENSE REPLICAS, AND WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING THINGS RIGHT IN AIRSOFT-FORM HE’S QUITE PARTICULAR ABOUT HOW THESE ARE PUT TOGETHER! HAVING LOVED THE ICS AEG TAKE ON THE DDM4 PDW HE NOW TURNS HIS EAGLE-EYED ATTENTION TO THE LATEST GAS VERSION OF THIS PLATFORM FROM GHK!
Imake zero bones about the fact that it comes to my ARs, be they AEG or GBBR, I am a bit of a Daniel Defense “fanboi”, and whenever I get the opportunity to visit their stand at a show you can bet I’m all over it! My personal collection continues to grow, and back in Issue 141 I had the
pleasure of reviewing the first ICS/EMG-licenced version of their Daniel Defense MK18 AEG, and that’s become a firm, all-round skirmish-day favourite.
Roll on to the beginning of this year, and ICS wow’d me yet again by releasing not only an
“GIVEN THAT I TRULY LOVE THE LITTLE ICS PDW YOU CAN IMAGINE MY JOY WHEN I LEARNED THAT GHK, GAS-MEISTERS THAT THEY ARE, WOULD BE RELEASING A LICENCED GBB VERSION OF THE DANIEL DEFENSE DDM4 PDW, AND THAT MOST DEFINITELY GOT MY ATTENTION!”
brilliantly, the stock holds a good size LiPo that’s easy to change out in the wild, and as I said at the time IS ACTUALLY LONG ENOUGH FOR ME when fully deployed! I concluded in that particular review that:
“In my opinion ICS have got everything 100% right with these new models… If you’re an out-and out CQB monster then the PDW will undoubtedly be the one for you, but with the two new models I truly believe that you’ll be spoiled for choice!”
Given that I truly love the little ICS PDW you can imagine my joy when I learned that GHK, gas-meisters that they are, would be releasing a licenced GBB version of the Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW, and THAT most definitely got my attention! Thus far given that I already have a fair armoury of WE and VFC gassers I’ve always shied away from GHK a little as it means yet more expensive magazines (the V2s are iro UK£40+ a pop!), and although I do have a couple for testing purposes that’s been a reason not to invest in yet another platform with specific feeding needs.
However, every GHK model that I’ve had the pleasure to test and evaluate has pleased me greatly in terms of fit, finish, range and performance; okay, nearly every GBBR needs a little extra love and attention to truly get the best from it, and you have to understand your gases, but GHK have always made a solid product which
to “V3”, and showed visitors to the Taipei show some new twists on their existing gas tech, potentially increasing performance and upping the felt recoil yet again , and it appears that they’ve achieved both with their amped-up V3 gas system which has now appeared in the DD PDW GBBR V3 which is fully licensed by EMG and Daniel Defense… yup, same profile as the ICS AEG, but now a version powered along by an improved gas system and peripherals… how could I not possibly want one to shoot?
Thanks to my mates at IWHOLESALES in the UK as soon as one of the new GHK’s appeared in their stock list they were kind enough to get one out to me to try, and I’ve been enjoying this diminutive little AR on the woods range for a while… suffice to say, without giving the game away, that I love it, and there’s some very good reasons why!
SUPER-COOL INSIDE AND OUT
As I said when I looked at the ICS AEG, the real DDM4 PDW SBR comes in 300 Blackout, with a 7-inch 300 Blackout Cold Hammer Forged barrel that provides “great ballistics for such a short barrel using subsonic loads”, or so I discovered when I first researched the ICS AEG version.
The real PDW SBR comes with a Maxim
“IT WOULD APPEAR THAT GHK HAVE CERTAINLY MANAGED TO PULL THE V2 TO V3 UPGRADE OFF, UPDATING FROM THE V2 SYSTEM WITH INCREASED AIR VOLUME (THEY CLAIM 20%), AN UPDATED NOZZLE, STAINLESS STEEL BUFFER, AN UPDATED HOP-UP UNIT, AND AN UPDATED 35 BB V3 GHK GMAG GAS MAGAZINE”
defense...plus it’s a ton of fun to shoot”, which is actually totally true of the airsoft version too!
And just like the ICS AEG replica of this superb little PDW, the GHK GBBR version looks completely righteous! From what I can see, just like ICS, GHK have got this right too and obviously fully complied with the licence requirements. What you get with the new PDW is EMG-Licensed Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW with “official” trades/ markings on a CERAKOTED receiver set and boltside, once again faithfully replicating “the real” in airsoft-form.
You also get a superb replication of the EMG-Licensed Daniel Defense M4 MFR XL 6” Handguard, but rather than the EMG ZETA motorgrip you get a rather plain A2 grip… I can see that most potential gas-owners would soon change that out, and for me it would have to be one of the real Daniel Defense grips… jeez, I mean, the “real deal” is only 37 bucks, so why would you (and also, why didn’t GHK?)! Another difference between the AEG and the GBBR is of course the sliding PDW stock, as with the DDM4 AEG you get an ICS PDW stock rather than the Maxim one. The GHK stock is a real doppleganger for the Maxim stock though, and although it’s some 60mm shorter than the AEG version, the five-position slider is still comfortable even for my ape-arms
“I
you’ll know a typical muzzle brake vents gases out to the side, whilst the Linear Compensator directs blast force forward, both reducing the lateral signature (a good thing for a CQB tool!) and helping to reduce perceived recoil (probably also a good thing for such a short-barrelled platform using 300 BLK!).
So, externally everything is 100% tight… if I can find anything that I’d like different it’s the pistol grip, and a little bit the charging handle which is a pretty standard AR design too; the “real deal” comes with a CNC “GRIP-N-RIP” charging handle, and it feels to me like GHK have saved a few production-bucks in this area. But I’m being super-picky now, and I feel a perhaps a little harsh in respect of what is actually a very coollooking, easily-manipulated little AR.
But as always, what are good looks without performance? GHK promised a lot with their updated V3 system, their focus apparently on further increasing operating efficiency and gas usage, while upping the felt recoil.
It would appear that GHK have certainly managed to pull the V2 to V3 upgrade off, updating from the V2 system with increased air volume (they claim 20%), an updated nozzle, stainless steel buffer, an updated Hop-up unit, and an updated 35 BB V3 GHK GMAG gas magazine; again I’m told that the PDW could be
TOOK THE PDW GBBR TO MY 30M WOODLAND RANGE, AND ALSO TO THE INDOOR 10M RANGE TO CHRONO AND TEST, AND IN TERMS OF POWER I GOT A CONSISTENT 1.12 JOULE/348FPS ON A .20G BB USING LOW-TEMPERATURE SMART GAS ON THE STANDARD SPRING AS FITTED WHICH OFFERS INCREASED GAS EFFICIENCY”
dual-powered just like older versions, making use of both green gas with V3 CO2 magazines too. The V3 magazine has been modified structurally in terms of the magazine lip shape, to improve the impact and wear due to bolt operate, the internal reservoir compartment has been optimised to improve gas volume and efficiency, and a new follower design enhances the empty position to make the bolt catch function more stable. I can tell you though that my GHK V2 test-magazines appear to work just fine in terms of feeding, although I did notice that the bolt didn’t lock back on empty on a couple of occasions.
The new V3 Hop Up unit I like a lot, as this now allows you to adjust things much more straightforwardly; it’s still an adjustment via the ejection port into the chamber, but thankfully GHK have developed a cool little hop-adjustment tool (similar to that seen for the latest VFC system) that actually comes with the platform as standard. This is really, REALLY easy to use, easier than anything to date other than the muzzle hop adjusters that we’ve seen in recent years, and very, VERY precise.
DOWNRANGE
I took the PDW GBBR to my 30m woodland range, and also to the indoor 10m range to chrono and test, and in terms of power I got a consistent 1.12 Joule/348fps on a .20g BB using low-temperature SMART GAS on the standard spring as fitted which offers increased gas efficiency (you also get a Bolt Carrier Counterweight and “strong” Recoil Spring in the box which I’ve yet to try…). Easily adjusting the hop to .30g BBs the accuracy was amazing at that both short and medium range.
The 35 BB V3 magazine is easy to load thanks to the inclusion of a very sturdy BB-loading tube, and fits and feeds perfectly… again, I’ll reiterate that the PDW worked just fine with my older GHK AR mags, apart from the odd failure to lock on
last, so if you already own some of the V2 40 BB metals then you’re quids in.
Measuring out 30m in the woods I secured one of my sandbag targets and popped though half a dozen mags prone and supported, and the bag was thumping more than not with every carefully placed .30g BB. On the 10m “short range” the PDW really excelled, and target to target manipulation was excellent! On semi the trigger was crisp and light with minimal reset, and the felt-recoil from that all-new system is very, very cool indeed.
So, the DDM4 PDW GBBR… I love the design aesthetic from the linear compensator at the sharp-end through to the minimalist stock at the rear, and onto that distinctive, stubby M-LOK rail; once again I’ve added my usual stunty foregrip and RDS so it feels comfortable for me, and the overall length of 640mm (stock fully extended, 530mm fully closed) and weight of 2600g is absolutely perfect in my mind for a fast-mover CQB-focused tool.
I’ve now managed to get in some quality rangetime with the PDW, and the added sense of realism that the gas operation brings to a platform I’ve already fallen in love with just adds to the feeling that you’ve got something just a little bit different, and a little bit special in your hands rather than a plain airsoft platform; having now shot the PDW on a regular basis over the last couple of months I can tell you that GHK really do appear to have lived up to all the promises that were hinted at back at MOA 2023!
What GHK have done in my opinion is take the very elements of the systems and magazines that they have created over recent years, and put everything into one single package. Yes, it’s a short-ass gasser, and yes, it’s not cheap, but with the amount of coolness this offers we should all be prepared to invest in a gas platform that will actually let us use it year round… my most recent outdoor range sessions have been on the coldest
“WHAT GHK HAVE DONE IS TAKE THE VERY ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEMS AND MAGAZINES THAT THEY HAVE CREATED OVER RECENT YEARS, AND PUT EVERYTHING INTO ONE SINGLE PACKAGE. YES, IT’S A SHORT-ASS GASSER, AND YES, IT’S NOT CHEAP, BUT WITH THE AMOUNT OF COOLNESS THIS OFFERS WE SHOULD ALL BE PREPARED TO INVEST IN A GAS PLATFORM THAT WILL ACTUALLY LET US
USE IT”
days of 2025 so far, and the PDW had performed admirably at all times.
As GHK have licence agreements obviously available to them via EMG I would love to see them put their V3 gas-OS into a more militarystyle carbine or rifle which would be a “MilSim and training win”, but who knows what the future holds, and what Stewbacca, Anny and I will see at MOA 2025? When it comes to the DDM4 PDW GBBR I believe it has been created for players, shooters and training-users, people that want a 6mm BB shorty that not only looks and feels stunning in operation, but one which operates exactly like the “real deal”, and with high-
efficiency too.
My advice to you? If you want a pukka Daniel Defense PDW replica and prefer an AEG then 100% buy the ICS version of this platform, but if you’re a fellow “gas-head” undoubtedly go for the GHK version, and if you’re getting into gas platforms for the first time then the latest V3 GHK DDM4 PDW GBBR could very well be a GREAT place to start!
My sincere thanks go to the guys at www. iwholesales.biz for sending over the GHK DDM4 PDW GBBR for evaluation; forewarning that this one might be getting bought and paid for! AA
EVOLTLUTION OF THE AEG!
RAI SENSEI IS BACK WITH US ONCE AGAIN WITH SUDDEN BREAKING NEWS ON A SURPRISE REVEAL FROM TOKYO MARUI IN TOKYO AT THE EXCLUSIVE TOKYO MARUI FESTIVAL 2025! THE BRAND NEW, CUTTING EDGE, TOKYO MARUI EVOLT PREMIUM AEG SERIES WAS REVEALED, AND RAI SENSEI AND HIS TEAM WERE THERE TO WITNESS THIS, AND CAN NOW BREAK DOWN THE EVOLT AND ITS TECHNICAL DETAILS FOR YOU TO GIVE THE FULL PICTURE OF THIS NEXT AEG EVOLUTION FROM THE JAPANESE AIRSOFT MASTERS!
Saturday, November, 8th at Tokyo Marui Festival 2025, the new EVOLT series was revealed with a mix of completely new technology as well as improved technology seen in the TM NGRS and Systema PTW series. The EVOLT is the next evolution of the AEG following the Next Generation Recoil Series or NGRS from 2007!
Tokyo Marui was the original creator of the automatic electric gun, or AEG as we know it with their famed (or infamous!) FAMAS sporting the Version 1 gearbox from 1991. The late 90s presented us with the standard AEG series of Version 2, 3 and subsequent gearboxes. In the early 2000s the high cycle series was introduced as an improvement over the original AEG. Following this was the NGRS series in 2007 through the 2010s, and now in 2025, the EVOLT series.
The EVOLT series will released in the near future at a “to be determined date”. The first model will be the M4A1 Carbine with the RS FPR Geissele Mk4 model following a fear month after the M4A1. The M4A1 Carbine will feature the 14.5 inch shockless model of EVOLT. All EVOLT models will feature an M-System Type II MOSFET; this new FET contains a micro controller unit with multiple sensors to regulate the EVOLT system. Everything from firing modes, battery voltage, malfunction emergency stopping, and motor regulation for overall system safety. Players can fully customize their builds with swapable uppers that feature the shockless and recoil shock systems built in.
Externally, the EVOLT series will all feature realistic upper and lower takedowns, and all uppers and lowers will be compatible with each other for maximum customization. The upper and lower receivers will also be 1:1 scale to real steel rifles meaning compatibility with multiple real steel parts and furniture. The upper receivers will feature the barrel, bucking, chamber, charging handle, and recoil weight systems. The recoil
weight system will come with a default 300g recoil weight for a more turbulent and realistic recoil impulse compared to previous NGRS systems. There is also speculation for after market recoil weights for even greater recoil in the future. Please note that the first model, the M4A1 will be a “Shockless” model without the recoil feature, and the subsequent models starting with the RS FPR Mk4 or “Recoil Shock Federal Patrol Rifle Mk4” will have recoil weight uppers compatible with all lowers should you want to swap them out.
Tokyo Marui also plans on manufacturing “a la carte” uppers and lowers in the future for players to construction their own custom rifles to their liking.
FEATURE LED
A few additional features of the upper receiver include the charging handle, improved hop up chamber and compression unit, and pitch thread of the receiver. First, the charging handle is now fully functional and required to load the first BB into the chamber, and this also means with the real sizing of the receivers, real steel charging handles are now drop in compatible with the EVOLT replicas.
Next, the newly design hop up chamber provides multiple improvements over past models; the chamber now features a spring loaded and flexible nozzle that should reduce misfeeds and jams tremendously, increasing reliability and air seal. This improved accuracy furthers the notion of the “Tokyo Marui magic dust” that is famed with all Marui AEGs for their exceptional range and accuracy. This dynamic nozzle and chamber system also works in conjunction with the new magazines that we will touch on later, but essentially ensures that every BB is fed into the chamber, meaning no more wasted BBs. The system also allows for a fully functional bolt lock system. Lastly is the thread pitch of the upper receiver which will feature an
“THE EVOLT SERIES WILL RELEASED IN THE NEAR FUTURE AT A “TO BE DETERMINED DATE”. THE FIRST MODEL WILL BE THE M4A1 CARBINE WITH THE RS FPR GEISSELE MK4 MODEL FOLLOWING A FEAR MONTH AFTER THE M4A1. THE M4A1 CARBINE WILL FEATURE THE 14.5 INCH SHOCKLESS MODEL OF EVOLT”
inch and millimeter dual pitched thread for use with real steel and airsoft handguards and barrel nuts of your choosing.
The lower receiver will be compatible with all upper receivers of the same platform, and will feature a real steel pitched buffer tube meaning you can use any combination of stocks you wish. The lower will host the new EVOLT gearbox which allows for the upper and lower to be taken down similar to Systema PTWs and ICS split gearbox replicas. The unique design of the lower however allows for a more compact and simple gearbox design which will lead to a more reliable and durable overall system; less moving parts will equate to less potential failure points. All models will also allow for ambidextrous controls and potential for full modification.
Next is the buffer tube setup; with previous NGRS models the recoil unit was located in the buffer tube for many models, however, the recoil system has been completely moved to the upper leaving the lower to the electronics. The buffer tube will now allow a battery to be loaded from the inside of the lower and plugged into the gearbox directly. This means in order to plug in your battery, you must first take down the upper and lower, then plug the battery directly into the gearbox box, and finally sliding in the 7.4v lipo into the buffer tube from the inside of the lower receiver. No more wires being caught up in the butt stock, leading to increased realism and durability.
MOTIVE FORCE
Moving on the rest of the replica, we now see a brand new motor, coined the EG 1000 BR or bearing reversed motor. This means that the gearbox no longer relies on an anti-reversal latch to stop the bevel gear, and instead has the ARL built into the pinion gear of the motor. From the on-stage presentation we witnessed a much
quieter operation with almost no gear or motor squeak.
The built in ARL is similar to many brushless motors on the market, working in conjunction with the new M-System MOFEST for cycle detection and sharp trigger response. It has not been confirmed however as to whether the motor and grip have been resized for real steel sizing.
Moving on the dynamic nozzle and magazine, we now see a completely revamped system that ensures greater air seal, increased accuracy and every BB being fed. The nozzle, hop up chamber and magazine are now a singular unit as opposed to separate components working together. The nozzle now fully locks into the chamber between every shot with its fixed wing design and springloaded shutter. This shutter now opens and closes between every shot, meaning no more jams or misfeeds as the shutter regulates the precise timing of BB loading.
Until now, nearly all AEGs relied solely on the tappet plate and sector delayer chip for timing. Now that the MOSFET and new chamber, nozzle, magazine unit are functioning in tandem, most of this problem areas are now eliminated.
A few other new design changes we see involve the gearbox. The gearbox as mentioned in now compact similar to a System PTW in that many of the traditional parts of a Version 2 gearbox are now obsolete. The piston is now proprietary and built with a slightly different shape and number of teeth.
The trigger is now modeled after a real steel trigger providing for a more tactile feel and realistic trigger pull. The gearbox now features all steel bearings made in Japan for a much smoother operation of the gear train. The gearbox still features the traditional bevel, spur, and sector gear with the additional of a new unnamed gear that tracks the piston and BBs simultaneously providing for a bolt hold open when the magazine is empty.
“EXTERNALLY, THE EVOLT SERIES WILL ALL FEATURE REALISTIC UPPER AND LOWER TAKEDOWNS, AND ALL UPPERS AND LOWERS WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH EACH OTHER FOR MAXIMUM CUSTOMIZATION. THE UPPER AND LOWER RECEIVERS WILL ALSO BE 1:1 SCALE TO REAL STEEL RIFLES MEANING COMPATIBILITY WITH MULTIPLE REAL STEEL PARTS AND FURNITURE”
“THE LOWER WILL HOST THE NEW EVOLT GEARBOX WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE UPPER AND LOWER TO BE TAKEN DOWN SIMILAR TO SYSTEMA PTWS AND ICS SPLIT GEARBOX REPLICAS. THE UNIQUE DESIGN OF THE LOWER HOWEVER ALLOWS FOR A MORE COMPACT AND SIMPLE GEARBOX DESIGN WHICH WILL LEAD TO A MORE RELIABLE AND DURABLE OVERALL SYSTEM”
FUTURE MOVES
Now that the system mechanically relies on a charging handle and bolt lock, the replica will now function like their real steel counterparts as opposed to a simulated bolt lock and charging handle of times past.
Finally, you can sit easy with Tokyo Marui’s latest development of materials used in their replicas. Starting with their 5th Generation of Glocks, Marui has developed a highly durable and flexible new carbon polymer hybrid material for many of its latest replicas, this same “carbon infused polymer” is utilized in all of the EVOLT series. The metals used in the EVOLT replicas are now of much higher quality over their NGRS cousins which still utilized zinc alloys. The company has now shifted to aluminum alloys for lighter and more durable receivers.
The new EVOLT series is an exciting leap forward as Tokyo Marui continues to innovate and lead the entire airsoft industry. Tokyo Marui was suspiciously quiet for the past two years working on revamping their high cycle series into the PLUS series while developing multiple new handguns such as the 5th generation of GLOCKS and the P320 series.
However, it is now clear that Tokyo Marui have been hard at work at revolutionizing the entire airsoft game yet again with their latest EVOLT series. It promises a high level of customizability along with the token Marui performance and durability. As in the past, we can expect Marui to further innovate as well as other companies putting their own twist on the new EVOLT system as we move forward. Expect exciting new models and features to pop up!
Stay tuned for further developments of the EVOLT series and future models to come!
Image credit to the Tokyo Marui website for additional images, some of which are shown here for information purposes. More information on the EVOLT program can also be found on the Tokyo Marui website, https://www. tokyomaruiairsoft.com/post/evolt-the-newstandard-in-automatic-electric-guns
“IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT TOKYO MARUI HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK AT REVOLUTIONIZING THE ENTIRE AIRSOFT GAME YET AGAIN WITH THEIR LATEST EVOLT SERIES. IT PROMISES A HIGH LEVEL OF CUSTOMIZABILITY ALONG WITH THE TOKEN MARUI PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY”
PROJECT STACATTO!
SOMETIMES WE LIKE TO RETURN TO SPECIFIC AEGS AND GBBS AND GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF THE “AA MAGIC” TO SEE JUST WHAT PERFORMANCE AND UTILITY WE CAN REALLY GET FROM THEM, AND OUR LOVE FOR STI/STACATTO PISTOLS “IRL” MEANS THAT THE AIRSOFT VERSION IS A PRIME CONTENDER! BOYCIE HEADS UP A NEW PROJECT WITH L’IL STU, OUR OLD RS FRIEND AND AIRSOFT VETERAN TIM CRIDDLE, AND TRAMPAS SWANSON FROM ARMED LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE IN THE USA TO CREATE SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL USING THE STACATTO P AS A BASE!
It seems a long time ago that myself, Li’l Stu, Steve and Dan had the opportunity to get our hands on the range of Staccato pistols whilst at Shot Show 24. Being at SHOT Show gives us the opportunity to not only handle real firearms which are not legal in the UK, but also to have the opportunity to get hands on and live-fire test them too!
Last year we also had hands on with the fully licensed Staccato replica on the Evike stand, coming from the EMG/Army Armament program. As some may remember, I also had the chance to talk with Michelle Viscusi, one of the Team Staccato shooters, and as the lads will likely attest, that became one of my highlights of the 2023 SHOT Show!
Having had the opportunity to handle the real versions of the Staccato line, this gives me a more unique perspective over others who may only have the chance to handle and use only the 6mm replicas. Onwards to 2025 and again, we had the opportunity to see and handle both RS and replica models. I’m hopeful that in 2026 when we return to Vegas for SHOT Show 26, that we may just be lucky enough to be able to make a trip out to the newly named Staccato Vegas range to do some testing, along with our good friend and owner/editor of Armed Lifestyle Magazine, Trampas Swanson.
Bill provided an overview of the new Stacatto airsoft pistol line last year in ISSUE 165 (available in Back Issues on the AA website), and said of the initial models:
“In summation my time on the range with the P COMP SOC 2011 has been a highly pleasurable experience; I know that the real Stacatto handguns have an excellent reputation, and now I’ve had the chance to shoot with one of the replicas I can completely understand why in relation to ergonomics, balance and ease of manipulation. When you shoot a Stacatto airsoft pistol you can feel that it has been crafted by skilled hands to perform every time.”
This time though we’re going to focus on another specific model in more detail, and there are good reasons why.
The model we have got hold of is the fully licensed Staccato P, and the OEM of the Staccato replicas is Army Armament; some years ago when Army Armament started producing replicas, they were seen as part of the “cheapsoft” ranges with not great performance and as someone once said “shonky build quality”. That the Tokyo Marui range of replicas seem to have some “fairy dust” sprinkled on them as their performance is almost a thing of legend, I have to say that now with the performance of the OEM of the Staccato range of pistols, Army Armament have improved, in all
“HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HANDLE THE REAL VERSIONS OF THE STACCATO LINE, THIS GIVES ME A MORE UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OVER OTHERS WHO MAY ONLY HAVE THE CHANCE TO HANDLE AND USE ONLY THE 6MM REPLICAS”
respects, so much that I would say that Tokyo Marui have some serious competition in highperforming replicas, and I don’t say this lightly!
BOX FRESH
Our test model, the P variant, came in a cleanlooking white box with the Staccato branding on it and some clear “warnings” on one edge. Opening the box you find the instruction booklet or as we sometimes jokingly call it “the manufacturer’s opinion”.
Also inside is a test card showing the model number, ours being R611-3, calibre, serial number and the tested power level. We’re not sure what gas is used for the test, I presume it is green gas and that the BB is a .20; our test unit serial number 00679 was recorded as 343 fps. Also included in the box is a cool credit card-sized certificate of authenticity with the Staccato logo
alongside EMG International’s logo.
Having been lucky enough to handle the real Staccato P at SHOT Show in 2024 and 2025, both L’il Stu and myself said how close it was to the real thing. Our friend Trampas, over in Florida, owns two real Staccato P’s and also the same model of replica which he uses for training. We’ve been discussing the P for a while and he told me “It’s a very well made replica in my opinion. I would say it’s on a par with my SIG226 for weight and realism”, it’s a dead ringer for the real version. I’ve sent you some comparison pictures of my real Staccato P alongside my airsoft replica and there is little difference between them.” Check out the comparison pictures for yourself and see just how close they are!
With the airsoft replica there’s not much to set up before testing to be honest. Charge the magazine with your desired gas (I used HFC Green Gas), and load it up with BB’s. We decided
“AN
OPTIC WILL ALSO ADD SOME DEGREE OF BULK AND WEIGHT TO YOUR SIDE ARM AND MAY DICTATE A CHANGE IN HOLSTER IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE IT. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NOW MANY HOLSTER MANUFACTURERS THAT NOW OFFER A VERY WIDE COMBINATION OF PISTOL AND OPTICS”
on using the ASG Devil .28’s as those were easily to hand. For the test we used the standard iron sights initially, then thought about fitting an optic; more detail on this new optical sight to come in the second article in this multi-part series.
The iron sights on the P are crisp and really clear. The first test was at 10m and L’il Stu commented that “This thing is a nail driver!” I can say that I had the same feeling when I put the second mag through it as we both could consistently hit the target, approximately the size of the top of a soft drinks can. We then wanted to see how it performed at further distance so we moved back to 25m and were really impressed with the performance in hitting an A6-sized aiming point for almost every shot we took.
Being lucky to be using a live fire range that gave good shelter, we didn’t have any breeze to blow the BBs off course. Stu jokingly set up a line of used 12G cases at the end of the range tests
and said “Go on then bertie, bet you can’t hit them”. Challenge accepted and after a couple of ranging shots, I took three cases off in a row and it took a further ten shots to remove the remaining four cases, all using the Iron sights. We’d like to thank my friend Jono for allowing us to test the P at the range normally used for live fire.
Next was fitting the optic sight and then taking some photos. We were that taken with the P’s performance that we forgot to take pics before fitting the sight, although Bill was able to provide some stock versions that he had on file from his overview article. Before we get to the article on the optical sight, our colleague Tim has a look at the argument between irons and optics.
TIM’S TAKE
The addition of optics to pistols in airsoft is now commonplace. There are a plethora of replica and real steel options at various price points
“OUR TEST MODEL, THE P VARIANT, CAME IN A CLEAN-LOOKING WHITE BOX WITH THE STACCATO BRANDING ON IT AND SOME CLEAR “WARNINGS” ON ONE EDGE. OPENING THE BOX YOU FIND THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET OR AS WE SOMETIMES JOKINGLY CALL IT “THE MANUFACTURER’S OPINION”…”
to choose from, depending on the look and functionality that is required. So, what comes to mind when considering if your side arm would work better for you with iron sights or if it’s time to look at an optic?
Iron sights or “irons” are reliable and fairly robust, in other words, they are “Always Ready”. There’s no need to turn them on, adjust the brightness, or replace the batteries, making them the traditional or entry level choice for many airsofters, although times are changing. For those looking for an authentic load out, the addition of an optic may not be appropriate, WW2 or Vietnam War era would fall into that category. Many would agree that there is still something very ironic about a classic, standard single-stack 1911, which would obviously have just irons.
In contrast, optics like red dot sights can have significant advantages for the user that can improve the effectiveness of their pistol; they offer faster target acquisition, ease of use, and better performance in low-light conditions, but they can be more prone to failure and require battery power.
In addition, there is the risk of damage, a BB hitting an iron sight won’t be an issue, however a BB at close range into glass of an optic (particularly one with lower quality glass) could well mean that it’s beyond repair. An optic will also add some degree of bulk and weight to your side arm and may dictate a change in holster in order to accommodate it. However, there are now many holster manufacturers that now offer a very wide combination of pistol and optics.
Irrespective of which option is decided on it’s important to get proficient with whatever you have fitted to your pistol. Some airsoft sites run training courses and where space permits people have targets set up at home, but in any case, the old adage still rings true...”practice makes perfect…!”
We’ll have more from Tim in the next article
“THE
in the series which will look at the sight in more depth. That’s about it for the initial impressions and test of the Army Armament OEM EMG licensed Staccato P. I’ll leave the last word to L’il Stu...
“I have to say that I am speechless having seen and experienced the performance of the Staccato P. It’s phenomenal for an out of the box replica, I wonder how much better it could be made to perform.”
One step at a time Stu, but a good idea for another future “TECH” article perhaps… AA
IRON SIGHTS ON THE P ARE CRISP AND REALLY CLEAR. THE FIRST TEST WAS AT 10M AND L’IL STU COMMENTED THAT “THIS THING IS A NAIL DRIVER!” I CAN SAY THAT I HAD THE SAME FEELING WHEN I PUT THE SECOND MAG THROUGH IT AS WE BOTH COULD CONSISTENTLY HIT THE TARGET”
“IT’S A VERY WELL MADE REPLICA IN MY OPINION. I WOULD SAY IT’S ON A PAR WITH MY SIG226 FOR WEIGHT AND REALISM”, IT’S A DEAD RINGER FOR THE REAL VERSION. I’VE SENT YOU SOME COMPARISON PICTURES OF MY REAL STACCATO P ALONGSIDE MY AIRSOFT REPLICA AND THERE IS LITTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM”
DRONE WARFARE... AIRSOFT STYLE!
LAST MONTH IN AIRSOFT ACTION WE HAD A VERY SPECIAL REPORT FROM RATTY AND RICH DETAILING THE VERY LATEST IN DRONE TECHNOLOGY, BUT HOW CAN WE APPLY THE SAME TECHNOLOGY IN AN AFFORDABLE WAY TO OUR AIRSOFT GAMES? AFTER WOWING MANY A PLAYER DOWN AT THE NAF IN AUGUST, BEN NOW SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON HOW THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED!
Let’s talk drones in airsoft; now it has become far more popular using drones to one’s advantage not only in the real world driven by their adoption in conflicts such as that in Ukraine and Gaza but in airsoft too.
Mostly I’ve seen drones used on the MilSim frontier as the recon tool gathering intel for a teams strategic plans of attack or intercepting an attack, and the most common drone outside of real warfare and in airsoft is the DJI mini models as far as I can see.
DRONES HOVER
AIRSOFT TECH
These are understandably the most ideal and practical drones for this purpose, but there does come a slight snag with these drones as the majority of them need an operator with a remote and take up to about two minutes to set up which in all fairness isn’t too bad. Some of the latest models do have some features like “follow me tracking” but still take an operator to set that up via the remote first.
With this style of drone they do have quite the advantage; they can go higher, move faster zoom in and out with camera, withstand higher winds and travel further, and they have sensors to detect collisions and last a bit longer flying... compared to my drone the Hover Air X1...however with my model of drone it is a quick deploy, 30 seconds or so (pull out of your pocket or pouch and unfold wings) self-tracking selfie drone which can also be manually controlled via a mobile app or remote!
This little drone, that takes off from the palm of your hand with a push of a button and lands back in it with either a reach out suggestion of your hand or crossing your forearms over your head,
is quite perfect for a one man or small squad “eye in the sky”, quickly deployed to scout your close surroundings for possible enemy forces or compounds in either a skirmish or milslim game. I mostly use it to capture third person in-game clips or photos as I enjoy making my videos for my YouTube channel, but it’s very versatile!
HOVER AIR X1
The Hover Air X1 comes with pre-built-in fastdeploy tracking modes such as “hover” where it will hover in place and track the user in a 360 degree pivot, “follow” where it locks on to the user and follows at whatever range or height preset, “birds eye” where it again locks onto the user and goes straight up in the air up to 15 metres depending on presets, “zoom out” where the drone will fly away from you up to 9 metres and come back.
You can also pre-set height and distance, and in “orbit” it will circle you from 90 degrees to a full 360 or 900 degrees with different heights and ranges, “dolly” which is a following mode of the drone in front locked onto you flying
“THIS LITTLE DRONE THAT TAKES OFF FROM THE PALM OF YOUR HAND WITH A PUSH OF A BUTTON AND LANDS BACK IN IT WITH EITHER A REACH OUT SUGGESTION OF YOUR HAND OR CROSSING YOUR FOREARMS OVER YOUR HEAD IS QUITE PERFECT FOR A ONE MAN OR SMALL SQUAD “EYE IN THE SKY””
itself backwards with heights and distance you choose...
Then you come to the custom set-up mode with a couple more features like, side track, manual mode (live feed to mobile app), snap shot (takes photos), indoor follow and smart control where you can control the drone with hand gestures to perform a couple of the pre-built in modes all in one flight and continuous recording!
The Hover Air X1 is a neat little drone that slides into your pocket or admin pouch, weighs no more than 129 grams and is just a pucker little tool to add some modern-style warfare to your game. The first edition model I have has a 2.7k camera and is very impressive, but the latest models can come with a 4k up to 8k camera and is considered more the sports line as it travels faster and tracks better plus has the rear collision sensor. These drones were mostly built for capturing some extreme sports that people like to do like downhill mountain-biking, skiing, skating or just to even capture memorable moments and places you come across in life, so for me it fits in with all that in our world of airsoft.
IN-GAME
I always get asked about it whenever I use it in games; yes, there’s a chance it might get shot down... but that’s where we just hope that we are among respectful players and of course, it’s always wise to have a word with the Marshals before any games start and have it mentioned in the briefing so you stand a better chance of people respecting you’ve got a relatively expensive tool that can’t do any harm, but can add a more unique game for both team’s, either to avoid being detected or to take as much advantage of the info this tool can provide. However, for me, I just enjoy getting my small clips to spice up my videos; if it’s something you’re looking into then don’t ignore the Hover Air X1, but be sure to get your licence and public cover and check with the sites you play at that it’s ok to fly. Once you’ve done this simply get out there and make whatever use of it you see fit… happy droning players!
“THE HOVER AIR X1 IS A NEAT LITTLE DRONE THAT SLIDES INTO YOUR POCKET OR ADMIN POUCH, WEIGHS NO MORE THAN 129 GRAMS AND IS JUST A PUCKER LITTLE TOOL TO ADD SOME MODERN-STYLE WARFARE TO YOUR GAME. THE FIRST
MODEL I HAVE HAS A 2.7K CAMERA AND IS VERY IMPRESSIVE”
• Maximum Speed: 7m/s horizontally, 1.5m/s ascending, 1.5m/s descending
• Maximum Wind Resistance Speed: 7.9m/s (Level 4)
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32° to 104° F)
• Maximum Flight Height: Maximum flight altitude is 10 meters. In Bird’s eye mode, it can be set up to 15 meters.
• Maximum Take-off Altitude: 2000m, max 5000m (fly carefully)
• Real-Time Image Transmission Distance: Up to 30m
• Effective Working Environment for Positioning System: Ground height from 0.5m to 15m, with diffuse reflective surface, discernible texture, reflectivity greater than 20%, and sufficient lighting conditions (greater than 15 lux, normal indoor fluorescent light conditions)
Camera
• Photo Modes: Standard mode, Burst mode
• Video Modes: 2704*1520@30fps, 1920*1080@60fps, 1920*1080@30fps (HDR)
• Charging Speed: 35 minutes to 100% (using charging hub), 55 minutes to 100% (charging X1 while inside)
• Recommended Charging Adapter: PD 18W adapter
App
• App Name: Hover X1
• Mobile System Requirements: iOS 12.1 or above, Android 9.0 or above
For more information on the Hover Air X1, and other drone options, please do check out https:// uk.hoverair.com
Many thanks, as always, to Josh and everyopne at Krios Photography for the awesome imagery that supports this article! AA
“I ALWAYS GET ASKED ABOUT IT WHENEVER I USE IT IN GAMES; YES, THERE’S A CHANCE IT MIGHT GET SHOT DOWN...BUT THAT’S WHERE WE JUST HOPE THAT WE ARE AMONG RESPECTFUL PLAYERS AND OF COURSE IT’S ALWAYS WISE TO HAVE A WORD WITH THE MARSHALS BEFORE ANY GAMES START”
“DON’T IGNORE THE HOVER AIR X1, BUT BE SURE TO GET YOUR LICENCE AND PUBLIC COVER AND CHECK WITH THE SITES YOU PLAY AT THAT IT’S OK TO FLY. ONCE YOU’VE DONE THIS SIMPLY GET OUT THERE AND MAKE WHATEVER USE OF IT YOU SEE FIT… HAPPY DRONING PLAYERS!”
DRONES HOVER
RED CELL
HOPEFULLY THE “FINAL SHOT” OF RED CELL WILL BE ONE THAT’S HEARD AROUND THE WORLD BY AIRSOFTERS EVERYWHERE, AND WE THOUGHT TO FINISH UP THIS EPIC JOURNEY BY CIRCLING BACK TO A CATEGORY THAT CONTINUES TO CAUSE DEBATE AMONGST PLAYERS AND SITE OPERATORS ALIKE… YUP, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT DESIGNATED MARKSMAN RIFLES (DMRS), THAT ARE AWESOME TO BUILD AND OWN, BUT CAUSE BOTH JOY AND CONCERN IN EQUAL MEASURE!
FINAL SHOTS…
Ah, the “Designated Marksman Rifle” or “DMR”! What a joy it is to own one of these big boi specials, especially if you have it set up right and you’re able to reach out and touch a fellow player in the best possible way… but what a bone of contention these mid-range ass-kickers have been over the years!
When I was running games in the USA we saw things like the M14 EBR appearing “in theatre”, and almost immediately the conversation started about how this could be nest represented in airsoft terms, a debate that still seems to drag on although most of us have made our peace with the concept, and indeed have fielded a “DMR” ourselves at some point, in my case my beloved WE ACE SVD that’s been with me now for nigh on eight years. It would also appear that this is again prime territory for technology advancement, as once again a good semi-auto only HPA setup is perfect for the role if tucked away in a suitable body.
What you’ll find listed here this month are all models that sit in our personal armouries, and although we talk about a couple of new and different models for the DMR role, the ones in the list have seen action over an extended period. At this stage though, I asked the guys not to comment on specific platforms per se (although Stewbacca wanted to update the PSG-1 and FAL specifically), but rather to talk about the DMR, and how it works as a concept.
No doubt the debate on what constitutes a “DMR” and how it should be fielded will rage on and on, but to kick things off here I’m going to hand things over to our returning “Tech Viking” Jimmy, who’s slowly making his way back
to as normal as he ever gets, and bringing his own brand of airsoft magic back into AA! With a wealth of DMRs both upgraded for fellow players, and built for his own enjoyment, he knows a thing or ten about this topic…
Jimmy: A Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) in airsoft is a specialized platform designed to bridge the gap between a standard assault rifle and a bolt-action sniper rifle. In real-world military terms, a designated marksman is a trained shooter who provides accurate fire at ranges beyond those of standard infantry rifles, but not as far as a sniper. The same concept applies to airsoft, where a DMR serves as a midto-long-range precision platform, capable of engaging targets with improved range, accuracy, power, and consistency compared to a typical automatic electric gun (AEG) or a GBBR.
“WE SAW THINGS LIKE THE M14 EBR APPEARING “IN THEATRE”, AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE CONVERSATION STARTED ABOUT HOW THIS COULD BE NEST REPRESENTED IN AIRSOFT TERMS, A DEBATE THAT STILL SEEMS TO DRAG ON ALTHOUGH MOST OF US HAVE MADE OUR PEACE WITH THE CONCEPT”
In airsoft, a DMR is almost always a semiautomatic rifle that has been tuned for greater range and accuracy. Most fields require DMRs to be locked to semi-auto fire only, meaning the player can fire one shot per trigger pull, with no full-auto capability. This rule maintains balance and prevents a high-powered DMR from becoming overpowering in close-range engagements. The trade-off for the higher velocity and longer range is typically a minimum engagement distance (MED) often around 30 meters (UK) below which the player cannot shoot opponents and often carry a sidearm for those closer engagements. This ensures safety, as DMRs usually fire at higher velocities than standard rifles.
The performance specifications of a DMR vary by field rules, but they typically shoot between 400 and 450 feet per second (FPS) with a 0.20gram BB. In contrast, standard rifles are often capped at 350 FPS, while sniper rifles may exceed 500 FPS. Because of this increased power, DMR players can reach out to targets at greater distances, often using heavier BBs such as 0.30g to 0.40g for better stability and wind resistance. The combination of power, accuracy, and heavier ammunition allows DMR users to deliver precise shots that can change the tide of a match.
Building or upgrading a DMR often involves several internal and external modifications. Internally, players focus on creating a consistent air seal, improving hopup performance, and
ensuring stable FPS readings. Common upgrades include a tightbore inner barrel (6.03mm or smaller), I tend to settle at 6.03mm, a highquality hop-up rubber, a reinforced gearbox, and an upgraded spring to achieve the higher FPS limit; however raw FPS is not key when it comes to range and accuracy. A BB that carries kinetic energy for longer will always be more accurate (this is known as joules) and better joulage can be achieved by BB weight. A good ETU will ensure no mechanical lock up which is something most if not all users have suffered from.
Externally, DMRs often feature longer barrels, bipods, and magnified optics like low-power variable optics (LPVOs) or scopes to help players identify and engage distant targets. The goal of these upgrades is to maximize accuracy and consistency rather than sheer rate of fire.
On the field, the role of the Designated Marksman is a tactical one. The DMR player supports the squad by providing overwatch, covering open areas, and eliminating threats that standard riflemen might struggle to reach. They
“A DESIGNATED MARKSMAN RIFLE (DMR) IN AIRSOFT IS A SPECIALIZED PLATFORM DESIGNED TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN A STANDARD ASSAULT RIFLE AND A BOLTACTION SNIPER RIFLE. IN REAL-WORLD MILITARY TERMS, A DESIGNATED MARKSMAN IS A TRAINED SHOOTER WHO PROVIDES ACCURATE FIRE AT RANGES BEYOND THOSE OF STANDARD INFANTRY RIFLES, BUT NOT AS FAR AS A SNIPER”
G&G ARMAMMENT GR25 (SR25) AEG
Price: iro UK£425.00
Age: Four Years
Weight: 2730g
Length: 1010mm
Magazine Capacity: 50 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.06 Joule/339fps
Hot Chrono: 1.08 Joule/342fps
Accessory Compatibility: Railed
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied by: www.nuprol.com
CYMA CM.032 M14 EBR AEG
Price: iro UK£345.00
Age: Five Years
Weight: 4342g
Length: 950/1030mm
Magazine Capacity: 400 BBs (Mid Caps available)
Cold Chrono: 1.07 Joule/341fps
Hot Chrono: 1.09 Joule/344fps
Accessory Compatibility: Railed
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied by: www.iwholesales.biz
UMAREX H&K G28 AEG
Price: iro UK£900.00
Age: Six Years
Weight: 5130g
Length: 970/1040 mm
Magazine Capacity: 100 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.58 Joule/414fps
Hot Chrono: 1.62 Joule/419fps
Accessory Compatibility: Railed
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied by: www.fire-support.co.uk
VFC/UMAREX PSG-1 GBBR
Price: iro UK£850.00
Age: Four Years
Weight: 4700g
Length: 1220mm
Magazine Capacity: 20 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.48 Joule/400fps
Hot Chrono: 1.48 Joule/400fps
Accessory Compatibility: Dedicated
Suppressor Compatibilty: Dedicated
Supplied by: www.vegaforce.com
G&G SBR 308 MKII
Price: iro UK£400.00
Age: Five Years
Weight: 2400g
Length: 705mm
Magazine Capacity: 40 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.06 Joule/339fps
Hot Chrono: 1.06Joule/339fps
Accessory Compatibility: M-LOK
Suppressor Compatibilty: 14mm CCW
Supplied by: www.guay2.com
often operate at the edge of the engagement range, between the frontline riflemen and the sniper. This position requires patience, good field awareness, and excellent marksmanship. A good DMR player doesn’t just rely on their gun’s power… they use positioning, camouflage, and timing to dominate mid-range engagements.
In summary, the DMR in airsoft represents a blend of power, precision, and strategy. It is not simply a high-FPS rifle but a specialized tool for players who value accuracy and tactical play. Whether built from an AR, SCAR, or SR-25 platform (or the OPFOR equivalent), a welltuned DMR can be one of the most effective and rewarding roles on the airsoft field.
The more purist airsofter does believe that a DMR should be of a specific criteria and insist on absolute adherence to tradition, rules and structure, with some sites actually laying down rules stating it should look a certain way. I am very much of the belief that if it can be locked to semi-auto only and comes under the sites recommended power limits then it can be used as a DMR. We are all using a 6mm spherical ball of plastic for ammunition and the
platform doesn’t need to mimic its real world counterpart, although when done right it is very cool. I personally enjoy the use of a DMR and I’m constantly in search of that perfect long shot, and speaking from experience the feeling you get from that one single shot is better than dumping half a mag at close range. I pride myself on my game and I like to show respect for the opposition and you can show that respect in how you treat them on the field… one shot is far more friendly than laying into them with half a mag on full auto!
Boycie: For me a proper DMR needs to be a few things. First is to be able to deliver more velocity than a standard AEG/GBBR. Second it has to be semi-only, and third tweaked for accuracy and swift follow up shots. For me there’s none of this run a standard “M4” with a scope on and be a DMR. You only need look at the differences in the British Army’s L85/L403A1 “individual weapons” and the L129A1. Whilst the L85 and L403 can do the job at reasonable distances, the L129’s larger round and accuracy gives better performance at longer ranges. It’s almost three times heavier projectile is more stable over distance and despite airsoft projectiles starting at .20g I used to work on .36 for DMR use when I was running my A&K SR25. It would chrono at 450 fps with a .20 and that gave it a bit of an edge over the standard AEG/GBBR. I’ve seen some players using their ‘DMR’ at close range and indoors which for me would be done in the real world of combat but this is a game and we have to have rules. Usually the rule when I ran DMR was no use indoors and a minimum of 25/30m engagement range. This would mean carrying either a
“BUILDING OR UPGRADING A DMR OFTEN INVOLVES SEVERAL INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL MODIFICATIONS. INTERNALLY, PLAYERS FOCUS ON CREATING A CONSISTENT AIR SEAL, IMPROVING HOP-UP PERFORMANCE, AND ENSURING STABLE FPS READINGS”
VFC M110K1 GBBR
Price: iro UK£480.00
Age: Three Years
Weight: 3550g
Length: 908-990mm
Magazine Capacity: 20 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.86 Joule/449fps
Hot Chrono: 1.86 Joule/449fps
Accessory Compatibility: Railed
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied by: www.vegaforce.com
VFC SR25 ECC GBBR
Price: iro UK£500.00
Age: Five Years
Weight: 3090g
Length: 908-990mm
Magazine Capacity: 20 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.44 Joule/395fps
Hot Chrono: 1.44 Joule/396fps
Accessory Compatibility: Partially Railed
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied by: www.vegaforce.com
CM0.98A E-EDITION
Price: iro UK£370.00
Age: Six Years
Weight: 3200g
Length: 980/1070mm (Max)
Magazine Capacity: 500 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.57 Joule/412fps
Hot Chrono: 1.61 Joule/418fps
Accessory Compatibility: M-LOK
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Available From: www.taiwangun.com
TOKYO MARUI SCAR H NGRS
Price: iro UK£530.00
Age: Two Years
Weight: 3350g
Length: 902mm/965mm
Magazine Capacity: 90 BBs
Cold Chrono: 0.78 Joule/290fps
Hot Chrono: 0.79 Joule/293fps
Accessory Compatibility: Partially Railed
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Available From: www.redwolfairsoft.com
ARES X AMOEBA AR308 AEG
Price: iro UK£470.00
Age: Three Years
Weight: 3070g
Length: 810/875mm
Magazine Capacity: 130 BBs
Cold Chrono: 0.93 Joule/317fps
Hot Chrono: 0.96 Joule/322fps
Accessory Compatibility: M-LOK
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Supplied by: www.iwholesales.biz
standrad AEG/SMG or GBBP as a secondary.
It also meant that I had to be more canny indoors and could really get some fun pistol and pyro ‘kills’, not to mention using the rubber knife to make some silent ‘kills’. I’ll be honest in that I really enjoyed the DMR role as I’d usually hang back a bit from the initial fury of “GAME ON!” and my team would call me forward to help take out problematic players who were dug in. It also helped as I got older and not feeling like keeping up with the banzai charges of the under 20’s!
My first DMR was a TM SG-1 running back when we had ‘big boys rules’ and as the sport took off, I went to the SR-25 which was the basis of my ‘L129A1 ish’ replica. Nowadays I’m more a high speed (Ha! said L’il Stu) low drag player. I tend to carry an SMG, a secondary and maybe half a dozen lo caps but just occasionally the DMR calls.
Dan: Of any role on the field, I would say the DMR has certainly enjoyed the most controversy. Here in the USA, I have seen the role run the gamut from full-on bans to “anything goes” to much more nuanced selection. Lately, it seems to have (temporarily, at least) settled into the latter category.
Our local field had for many years banned the role on the basis that it simply made no sense and streamlining the rules adhered to the golden axiom of K.I.S.S. It has only been in the last few years that they opened it back up again with some caveats. Since the reintroduction, I would feel comfortable
in saying it hasn’t made a significant impact on the games themselves, nor has it been a widely adopted role inasmuch as a mechanism to get guns through chrono that would have otherwise been considered “too hot” before.
In some effort to police things, the bulk of fields in the USA have limited this class of rifles to specific models based around the 7.62mm cartridge or larger, thusly nixing anyone who is wanting to rock up with their MP5 fitted with a heavier spring or the AR-15 SPR variant camp entirely. Locally, this holds true here too, with some additional rules being that it must have a magnified optic equipped and you also must carry a sidearm for engagements within your MED. And of course, be semi-auto only too. Beyond that, it’s up to you how you want to dress it out, and there’s nothing really preventing you from rocking a short-barrelled SCAR-H and popping in a drum mag to boot, for example.
Technically speaking, the DMR platform is supposed to bridge the gap between carbines capped at 1.5J and sniper rifles running up to 2.8J.
“FOR ME A PROPER DMR NEEDS TO BE A FEW THINGS. FIRST IS TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER MORE VELOCITY THAN A STANDARD AEG/GBBR. SECOND IT HAS TO BE SEMI-ONLY, AND THIRD TWEAKED FOR ACCURACY AND SWIFT FOLLOW UP SHOTS”
SECUTOR RAPAX M6
Price: iro UK£550.00
Age: Four Years
Weight: 3000g
Length: 900-980mm
Magazine Capacity: 160 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.85 Joule/447fps
Hot Chrono: 1.85 Joule/447fps
Accessory Compatibility: M-LOK
Suppressor Compatibility: 14mm CCW
Available From: www.iwholesales.biz
WE ACE VD GBBR
Price: iro UK£425.00
Age: Eight Years
Weight: 2900g
Length: 1215mm
Magazine Capacity: 20 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.79 Joule/440fps
Hot Chrono: 1.79 Joule/440fps
Accessory Compatibility: It’s WOOD!
Suppressor Compatibility: Nope
Supplied by: www.nuprol.com
LCT SVD AEG (OLD STYLE)
Price: iro UK£800.00
Age: Four Years
Weight: 3900g
Length: 1225mm
Magazine Capacity: 55 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.71 Joule/430fps
Hot Chrono: Joule/fps
Accessory Compatibility: Nyet!
Suppressor Compatibility: Dedicated
Available From: New ETU models now available
CYMA CM.057S SVDS
Price: iro UK£290.00 (often available second hand now!)
Age: Old… like “Bill Old”!
Weight: 3715g
Length: 1095mm
Magazine Capacity: 100 BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.75 Joule/435fps
Hot Chrono: 1.79 Joule/440fps
Accessory Compatibility: Nope!
Suppressor Compatibility: Still Nope
Supplied by: Bill
LCT SVDS ETU
Price: iro UK£780.00 (Estimated)
Age: Two Years
Weight: 4100g
Length: 875/1135mm
Magazine Capacity: 55BBs
Cold Chrono: 1.53 Joule/407fps
Hot Chrono: 1.61 Joule/417fps
Accessory Compatibility: Ha… NO!
Suppressor Compatibility: Dedicated
Supplied by: www.lctairsoft.com
In theory this makes some sense, but in practice, the waters are a bit muddy as there is often a lot of overlap with the LMG class - and sometimes overlap with the sniper class too. For example, it is not uncommon to encounter fields that have both LMG and DMR capped at the same velocity limits. But the difference is the LMG can fire full auto, while the DMR is restricted to semi-auto… and both share the same MED restrictions. Given this legal oddity, it sometimes makes more sense to select the LMG on the merits of “quantity has a quality all its own.”
Indeed, with all the advancements afforded to us in the teching department these days, the LMG can be built to run very accurately. In many respects, I personally feel the accurized LMG renders the DMR class obsolete, especially if you’re not putting up the extremely artificial limitations that an LMG simply be used for spread and suppression. And with many fields also allowing for semi-auto snipers running up to 2.7 - 2.8J, it often just makes more sense to build your gun out for that. Obviously, one should pay heed to what their local fields allow as well as any sites they may wish to visit in the future as
this will be the hard standard you have to follow. Usually when I am approached for a DMR build, I first ask the prospective party what their field(s) allow for, at which point they often go “Oh!” and have to make adjustments, sometimes selecting an entirely different platform from what they had initially envisioned.
All that being said, the choice of whether to run DMR or not often boils down to personal preference. Most fellows who select a DMR are looking more for a change of pace from their usual BB hose and want the challenge of adopting themselves and their gear to that role too. Yes, there is a bit of theatrics to it, but after all... dressing up is also part of the appeal in airsoft!
Stewbacca: While most MilSim games and site operations will determine DMRs by specific platform or profile, typically a semi auto only locked 762 format system for the ‘bigger boollets’ and related encumbrance that real marksman systems tend to follow for the sake of realism and form a barrier to entry, in Taiwan at least our power limits are higher to begin with, and all our games are semi-only with some exceptions for machine gunners, which do have to be the usual belt fed variants in most cases and fired only from static stances and positions. Personally I’ve obviously got the VFC HK PSG-1 which has been used extensively in my time with it here as a DMR or sniper platform, easily being the heaviest and most cumbersome of the platforms I own and run, at 1.23m long and 6.5 kilos with the bipod, scope, magazine and general bulk of the base gun included and is semi only from the factory as with the real deal. I might also
“MOST FELLOWS WHO SELECT A DMR ARE LOOKING MORE FOR A CHANGE OF PACE FROM THEIR USUAL BB HOSE AND WANT THE CHALLENGE OF ADOPTING THEMSELVES AND THEIR GEAR TO THAT ROLE TOO. YES, THERE IS A BIT OF THEATRICS TO IT, BUT AFTER ALL... DRESSING UP IS ALSO PART OF THE APPEAL IN AIRSOFT!”
argue that my VFC FAL now fills the role quite well too, again being a big boi calibre rifle and a cold war classic, but having had so much work done to it by this point it’s somewhat of a ‘ship of Theseus’ or ‘trigger’s broom’ in terms of modifications or replacement parts - nonetheless its capabilities certainly make it fit the bill for a gas gun, and I’ve also added my own CAD designed and 3D printed components to limit it internally to semi auto only, as well as help upgrade the mounting rail top cover to make it more like the more recent improved OSW variant.
All that being said, I might also argue the likes of my VFC M16A1/A2 could both fit the bill, given their longer overall length as somewhat classic rifles, and with the G&P replica of the 4x ‘toobscope’ mounted atop the carry handle. I’ve
certainly stretched their legs for very long range shots and indeed outranged a bunch of OpFor moving up at me on the beach last year at POLK 4 - with their full auto AEG fire being power limited lower than my gas blowback semi auto, I wasn’t even aware they were firing on me as their rounds were falling so short, indeed it was only after seeing their own headcam videos after the fact that I realised they’d recognised me personally and then started hosing my general direction before I took them out from comfortably outside their own effective range.
Ultimately, I think the role and equipment should fulfil the appearance and character of the game to justify its use. While 762 platforms tend to be preferable, the likes of the longer-barrelled 556 ARs or even the likes of my VFC FNC with an ELCAN replica up top are also very effective systems in airsoft terms, and have real world counterparts in terms of use case - particularly with one of the guys on Heavy Recoil Club seeing my FNC setup and then showing me photos of him carrying the same but in real steel format during service with Belgian forces in African deployment - indeed they were used as both standard individual weapons and DMRs alongside F2000s for grenadiers in Belgian forces deployment in mechanised formations according to a ‘Battle Order’ channel video I watched recently on youtube. So it could be argued that a heftier/longer barreled platform could fit the bill regardless of real life calibre, certainly something scoped and more encumbering and more noticeable in silhouette than a standard infantry AR or whatever flavour should be acceptable to my mind - a 500650mm internal tightbore barrel and 0.4-0.45g BB certainly seems to get the job done well in my experience.
Umarex VFC Heckler & Koch PSG-1 - Now I’m reaching the four year mark with my VFC HK PSG-1 it’s seen plenty of use over the
“MOST MILSIM GAMES AND SITE OPERATIONS WILL DETERMINE DMRS BY SPECIFIC PLATFORM OR PROFILE, TYPICALLY A SEMI-AUTO ONLY LOCKED 762 FORMAT SYSTEM FOR THE ‘BIGGER BOOLLETS’ AND RELATED ENCUMBRANCE THAT REAL MARKSMAN SYSTEMS TEND TO FOLLOW FOR THE SAKE OF REALISM AND FORM A BARRIER TO ENTRY”
years, particularly at our Xindian forest site in the mountains in the south of Taipei where its range and capabilities have certainly made it very useful at eliminating OpFor at 40-60m from the brows of hills overlooking positions, or hiding among the large roots of trees.
Recently all but one of my four long 20 round magazines (and the stubby custom 5 round one I got largely for display purposes) have all developed leaks on the main baseplate seals; these are the now typical VFC specialised shaped gasket seals which do work more reliably and for longer than a deformed standard o-ring. However, it seems they’re finally due a proper service so I’ll have to take them over to the Pentagon Centre for new seals and perhaps fasteners too… I have tightened them up in the past to alleviate small leaks, but it seems eventually you reach a limit of how much you can do that, and it even looks as if some of the countersinks have deformed slightly as a result, so might need some work done on them to rectify their internal geometry for proper sealing with fresh gaskets - the 4UAD smartairsoft 4uantum seal grease is nonetheless a very useful and effective go-to for prolonging the seals and delaying the need for deeper servicing.
Other than that, I’ve had the mainspring of the fire control group changed out for a stronger, shorter example at the Pentagon Service Centre a few years back due to the original snapping a coil and collapsing in on itself, the sears had
also worn a little so I had a rework done of the whole fire control cassette. Sometimes the trigger reset is not as reliable now due to asymmetric loading of the sears and springs, so I may have to push the trigger forward occasionally to reset it fully, besides that I’ve had a few issues with the main cylinder rear plug loosening up on the bolt carrier group having had it apart to fit an NPAS valve for the sake of adjusting the power output to keep things sensible once I installed the Unicorn Airsoft 6.03mm tightbore 650mm replacement barrel from the stock one - which halved the group sizes and increased consistency of the muzzle energy.
I tend to run it on 0.48g BLS BBs to help carry the energy out to longer ranges and keep the groupings tight. You can also remove the magazine limiters from the bottom of the BB channels while you have them open for servicing the seals (something I’ve done to allow me to upload the four large mags to 28 rounds like the FAL ones if I choose to, just to improve usefulness in game at the slight expense of realism). Only
“PERSONALLY I’VE OBVIOUSLY GOT THE VFC HK PSG-1 WHICH HAS BEEN USED EXTENSIVELY IN MY TIME WITH IT HERE AS A DMR OR SNIPER PLATFORM, EASILY BEING THE HEAVIEST AND MOST CUMBERSOME OF THE PLATFORMS I OWN AND RUN, AT 1.23M LONG AND 6.5 KILOS WITH THE BIPOD, SCOPE, MAGAZINE”
having four magazines at present means I have to carry additional BBs and a loader into the field as well as a small can of gas. Coupled with the much greater bulk and weight overall that does sometimes make me want to field the FAL instead as it is approaching the same performance at this point, but I have twice as many magazines and it’s a lot lighter and more nimble and less front heavy by comparison.
VFC FN FAL - As I mentioned earlier, at this point my VFC FN FAL GBBR has seen so much action at longer ranges and been scoped up with at least a 4x optic for most of its use with me - it offers a lighter and more wieldy alternative to the admittedly awesome PSG-1 which makes me more inclined to deploy it in game, as well as the sheer aesthetic and wow factor of it as well as having eight magazines and it just being easier to run in general.
Having previously detailed some of my trials and tribulations back in my ‘FALure point’s’ reloaded article in Issue 174, I have since had even more work done to the FAL; a whole new steel receiver was installed back in June just after I submitted the article the previous month for that issue. The aluminium rear underside of the main receiver that interfaces with the locking latch peeled open and the whole thing was very loose and I wondered what the hell was wrong on its previous outing until I noticed the cracks. Apparently this is not uncommon on early version standard receivers before they were amended to strengthen them in later batches.
At this point it’s had the top rail adapter unit (which caused some splaying out of the upper receiver rails and the design has been amended on the OSW to avoid this) and I have used 3D printed spacers to create the same effect now in my own FAL unit. It’s had a new rear sight after it flew off under recoil, a new rearsight receiver rear block after it broke due to running it without
the plastic spacer unit, a one piece steel outer barrel, a new steel upper receiver after the cracking as mentioned, a new HOP unit cage after the pressure blade broke off the previous one and I didn’t realise during my year or so of messing around with it trying to get it to work with the 500mm x 6.03mm Unicorn Tightbore barrel which I finally re-installed successfully after the previous service and returning it to the original stock configuration and resolving the broken HOP problem, and an NPAS unit to avoid the longer barrel making it ridiculously over-powered, and most recently a new ‘rat’s tail’ after the last one broke off the rear of the bolt carrier group.
Evidently it’s seen a lot of wear and tear in games, a rifle competition, as something I reached to more than once for MilSims and longer range games, and it’s just one of the few ‘top tier’ emotionally significant purchases I’ve made like the PSG-1 and FNC which are excellent performers and things I just reach for when I’m not actively reviewing something and just want to enjoy a shoot for myself. I’ve run it with either a 4x ACOG replica (as in POLK 3) and other games around the same timeframe, and more recently with the longer 4-16x zoom scope I tend to slap on various longer range platforms.
Bill: So there we have it… nearly five years on from where we initially started RED CELL as a testing program is now complete. It’s been one hell of a journey, and it’s allowed all concerned to dig deep on specific areas of airsoft platforms, increasing our joint knowledge and understanding of them along the way.
All that remains now is to pull ALL the reports together in one place at one time, but obviously this will take a while! Meanwhile, our thanks go out to all the manufacturers and distributors that have got on board with RED CELL, and we look forward to publishing our complete test results in due course!! AA
“NEARLY FIVE YEARS ON FROM WHERE WE INITIALLY STARTED RED CELL AS A TESTING PROGRAM IS NOW COMPLETE. IT’S BEEN ONE HELL OF A JOURNEY, AND IT’S ALLOWED ALL CONCERNED TO DIG DEEP ON SPECIFIC AREAS OF AIRSOFT PLATFORMS, INCREASING OUR JOINT KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THEM ALONG THE WAY”
BRIGHT FUTURE TECH
CONTINUING HIS DEEP DIVE INTO ALL THINGS TECHNICAL, AND SPECIFICALLY NIGHT VISION GEAR THAT’S TAILOR-MADE FOR AIRSOFT USE, THIS MONTH BRUNO GETS INTO THE GOOD NITE GEAR BRAND AND CHECKS OUT THEIR NVG50 TO SEE JUST HOW IT PERFORMS!
Welcome to an in-depth exploration of a brand that’s swiftly becoming a major player in the nocturnal optics space!
For years, night vision was a domain governed by analog technology, specifically the image intensifier tube. It provided that signature green-hued clarity and near-zero latency, which made it the gold standard for professionals and enthusiasts alike. However, this superior performance always came with a significant price tag and a key vulnerability… exposure to bright light could permanently damage the core of the device!
But the world of digital technology never stands still, and a new era is dawning. Digital night vision has been evolving at a breathtaking pace. The advances in sensor technology, processing power, and low-light algorithms are closing the performance gap with every new generation. It’s no longer a question of if, but when digital night vision will stand on equal footing with its analog counterparts, offering a more versatile, durable, and accessible solution, and leading this charge is a brand that truly understands this potential, Good Nite Gear.
Founded in 2022 by content creator Kyle Moran, the brand was built on the core mission of making powerful night vision and thermal gear accessible to everyone.
From its base in California, the company has seen explosive growth, shipping thousands of units to a wide spectrum of users, from airsoft players to hunters, and even enforcement personnel. Their rapid success and stellar reputation are a direct result of their commitment to delivering exceptional performance without the prohibitive cost. They are democratizing the night, opening up a world previously reserved for a
select few.
HANDS ON
Today, I’m going to share my experience with their most compelling offering yet, the NVG50 digital night vision monocular.
Unlike traditional image-intensifier-based devices, the NVG50 uses a cutting-edge Ultralow illumination CMOS sensor. This isn’t just a marketing term, it’s the heart of the device’s technical superiority, making it completely immune to bright light exposure. For someone like me, who operates in dynamic environments with fluctuating light sources, this is a massive advantage.
The visual experience is driven by a stunning OLED display with a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. This high-resolution screen provides an incredibly crisp, detailed image, which is crucial for target identification and navigation. The monocular can be set to either 30 or 40 frames per second (Hz) at 2K resolution, or up to 60 frames per second at FHD, which offers remarkable fluidity and reduces motion blur in fast-moving scenarios.
From an optical standpoint, the NVG50 is meticulously designed. It features a 20mm objective lens and a 23mm eyepiece, delivering a
“DIGITAL NIGHT VISION HAS BEEN EVOLVING AT A BREATHTAKING PACE. THE ADVANCES IN SENSOR TECHNOLOGY, PROCESSING POWER, AND LOW-LIGHT ALGORITHMS ARE CLOSING THE PERFORMANCE GAP WITH EVERY NEW GENERATION”
While the basic optical magnification is 1X, the device boasts a powerful digital magnification with four settings, 1x, 2x, 3x, and 4x, allowing you to get a closer look at distant objects. The viewing distance is impressive, ranging from 0.2 meters to infinity. In starlight conditions, without any external light source, it can detect objects up to 300-400 meters away, which is a testament to the sensitivity of its CMOS sensor.
The NVG50 comes equipped with a built-in 940nm IR light. For those in the know, a 940nm IR wavelength is completely invisible to the naked eye, making it a powerful tool for clandestine operations or simply for observing wildlife without being detected. The monocular is also built to endure, constructed from a strengthened ABS shell and boasting an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means it can withstand immersion in
water. It operates flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -25°C to +50°C, making it suitable for almost any climate.
One of my favorite technical features is the NVG50’s versatility in colour modes. It offers four distinct options: a full-color mode, a classic black and white mode for high contrast, and two-night vision classics, a vibrant fluorescent green and a crisp white phosphorus. This level of customization allows you to adapt the display to your personal preference and the specific environment, whether you’re prioritizing detail or simply reducing eye strain, adding to this, on the settings, a really useful compass can be activated, once ON, while you using the night vision you can also check the bearings in degrees and the cardinal direction, I say that this is super useful because in a situation of giving your
“THEIR
RAPID SUCCESS AND STELLAR REPUTATION ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE WITHOUT THE PROHIBITIVE COST. THEY ARE DEMOCRATIZING THE NIGHT, OPENING UP A WORLD PREVIOUSLY RESERVED FOR A SELECT FEW”
colleagues information, you already have the most important part right Infront of you
Powering the unit is straightforward. It uses two 18350 rechargeable lithium batteries, or it can be connected to an external power bank or battery pack via its Type-C USB interface. This flexibility is a huge benefit in the field.
The monocular supports memory cards from 8GB to 64GB, giving you plenty of space for video and photo capture. The list of features is extensive, including support for nine languages, video playback, brightness adjustments, circular recordings, a microphone switch, automatic shut-off, time adjustment, WIFI, Picture-inPicture (PIP), a crosshair, and a 180° view switch. It even has a sport mode at 40 frames per second for high-action scenarios and can be used with both eyes for a more immersive experience. The unit itself is incredibly compact, with dimensions of 87x65x50mm and a weight of just 192g.
CHANGING THE GAME
From my perspective, what I have with the NVG50 is an absolute game-changer.
For a price of around €475,95 or UK£412, it’s a compelling piece of kit that has completely changed how I approach my nighttime activities. It’s robust, packed with high-end features, and incredibly user-friendly. I can attest to its durability. It’s handled everything I’ve thrown at it. I did notice that with the built-in IR illuminator, passive aiming with a red dot sight can be tricky due to the bloom, but there’s a simple solution for it, instead of having the built in IR on for passive aiming, just have a weapon mounted IR flashlight on and the bloom will be gone!
For anyone serious about extended use, the NVG50 External Battery Pack is a non-negotiable accessory. Priced at approximately €70 or UK£61, it’s a critical piece of the ecosystem. This pack houses two 18650 batteries and, when paired with the NVG50, boosts the total operational time
up to 22 hours; this is a crucial technical upgrade that transforms the monocular from a short-use device into one capable of handling prolonged missions. The pack also serves as a perfect counterbalance when mounted on a helmet, a subtle but significant feature that drastically improves comfort.
And of course, a night vision monocular is only as good as its mounting platform.
Good Nite Gear offers a range of robust solutions to ensure a stable and secure setup. For my needs, the NVG50/NVG30 Adjustable Wilcox Mounting Arm is the perfect platform for attaching the device to my helmet. For those looking to set up a dual monocular system, their “NVG Mount + Dual Unit Binocular Bridge Mount” offers a versatile solution, and for those who need more illumination, any IR illuminator will be welcome. The fact that the NVG50 can be mounted on a standard picatinny rail or a helmet shows its versatility.
A quick tip to those who have smartphones with face recognition; cover the IR illuminator of your phone if you want to use night vision… it is a serious matter, an enemy can detect you across a pitch-black field with ease!
The NVG50 monocular truly represents the next phase of night vision technology. By focusing on a direct-to-consumer model and selecting highperformance components, Good Nite Gear is able to deliver a powerful, reliable, and affordable device that significantly outperforms its price point. What I have is a product that is perfectly suited for a wide range of applications, from tactical training to recreational use. The future of night vision is digital, although we may be not there yet, with brands like Good Nite Gear leading the charge, that future is brighter than ever.
For more information on everything that Good Nite Gear produce, and for more on their technologies please visit https:// goodnitegearshop.com AA
“POWERING THE UNIT IS STRAIGHTFORWARD. IT USES TWO 18350 RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERIES, OR IT CAN BE CONNECTED TO AN EXTERNAL POWER BANK OR BATTERY PACK VIA ITS TYPE-C USB INTERFACE. THIS FLEXIBILITY IS A HUGE BENEFIT IN THE FIELD”
WINTER WARMERS!
AS THE MONTHS TURN WETTER AND COLDER BILL BELIEVES IT’S TIME AGAIN TO CHECK OUT GEAR SPECIFICALLY FOR KEEPING SWITCHED ON IN THE SAFE ZONE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE PLUMMETS AND THE SLEET AND SNOW (OR MORE LIKELY HEAVY RAIN IN OUR CASE AT AAHQ!) DRIVE IN, GEAR THAT WILL LET YOU “ADAPT AND OVERCOME” AND MAKE THE MOST OF EVEN THE HARSHEST WINTER GAMEDAY!
It’s that time of the year again that we start to look at gear specifically for the coming winter months, and a good “Safe Zone Jacket” is one of the things that I place high on my personal list of must haves!
What do I mean by a “Safe Zone Jacket”? Pretty much exactly what the name would suggest, a jacket that can be kept back in the Safe Zone to throw on for immediate warmth and comfort when I come off the field with a head of steam up, a real “winter warmer” if you like.
I actually feel that this is a crucial piece of gear to own for two main reasons. Firstly, after a hard mornings skirmish you’re going to have warmed up but when you’re out on a basic site with no heated Safe Zone (in many cases you’ll be operating from the back of the car or from a shed of some sort) it’s very, very easy to chill down quickly when you stop for lunch. This leads to discomfort and on a cold, snowy winters day, or especially one when it’s cold and wet, and I’ve seen many players leave a game at lunchtime as they’ve become too chilled to continue…
Secondly, sadly in the UK where AAHQ is based
it’s often not the cold, pretty white stuff falling from the sky that we need to contend with but grey rain and sleet; if you’ve ever stood in an exposed Safe Zone with horizontal sleet driving in you’ll totally get why I find an insulated jacket to be and indispensable bit of kit!
In the winter months if you really need to push up the insulation levels of your mid-layer then it’s seriously worth considering some form of lofted garment. Once upon a time everyone would have been saying “get a down jacket”, and in certain conditions I’d thoroughly agree with that. These days though I pretty much always go for a synthetic fill rather than down; synthetics retain a high percentage of their insulative properties even when wet whereas when down gets wet it will stay wet and will actually try to use your own core body heat to dry itself resulting in you being even colder!
Another benefit of a synthetic fill is that you can also compress it, and leave it compressed for extended periods of time without causing any damage to its structure. Most of the jackets will come with a compression or stuff sac which
“IT’S VERY, VERY EASY TO CHILL DOWN QUICKLY WHEN YOU STOP FOR LUNCH. THIS LEADS TO DISCOMFORT AND ON A COLD, SNOWY WINTERS DAY, OR ESPECIALLY ONE WHEN IT’S COLD AND WET, AND I’VE SEEN MANY PLAYERS LEAVE A GAME AT LUNCHTIME AS THEY’VE BECOME TOO CHILLED TO CONTINUE…”
can be used to minimise its size making it easier to store and carry with you.
Hypothermia is not something to be taken lightly and let’s face it, you really don’t want to be “that guy” who causes a problem for everyone due to lack of forethought and preparation. I know, I really do, that you could easily look at this and say that an insulated jacket is just another piece of kit to buy, just another expensive item of clothing that won’t get used that much. In fact once you own such a garment I think you’ll be shocked actually how much you do use it!
All the “big names” out there will offer one if not more insulated jackets in their clothing range and shopping around will get you something in your price range. Although camouflage insulated jackets are available think about where you’ll be wearing it. If you buy a simple block colour rather than camo then you’re also going to end up with something you can wear every day which makes it even better value for money…. just like waterproof shell gear your “Safe Zone Jacket” will not be a cheap buy, but to me this type of investment is exactly what turns some who plays airsoft into an airsofter proper!
know just a little about cold weather performance, so the first jacket on my list is the HELIKON WOLFHOUND HOODIE JACKET, and I’ve been using one since 2021. Made from lightweight and durable 100% WindPack Nylon shell with additional Climashield Apex insulation, the Wolfhound Hoodie Jacket features hard-wearing YKK main zipper with glove-friendly zip pull, chin guard and warm stand up collar and multiple zipped pockets. The thinner elasticated
With all that said here are my “five of the best” for the Safe Zone; keep warm, keep switched on, and above all else, keep playing airsoft and enjoy your winter games!
POLISH HEAT!
HELIKON-TEX WOLFHOUND JACKET
Helikon-Tex are well known for providing solid, well priced garments, and being Polish they
VersaStretch fabric in the armpits area improves air circulation and provides the maximum comfort of wearing. In addition to that, the left hand loop panel allows to attach custom patches while the elasticated wrists and bottom
“THIS IS A GREAT CHOICE FOR SOMETHING THAT’S EASILY PACKABLE AND QUICK TO EITHER STOW OR DEPLOY! AVAILABLE IN MALE AND FEMALE SIZES, PLAIN COLOURS AND A WHOLE RANGE OF CAMO PATTERNS THE WOLFHOUND IS THE IDEAL THING TO HAVE IN YOUR PACK FOR WHEN THINGS TURN CHILLY!”
hem ensure maximum body warmth. Highly recommended for security and armed forces personnel, the wolfhound hoodie Jacket is also a fantastic choice for camping, trekking, outdoor and hiking activities.
This is a great choice for something that’s easily packable and quick to either stow or deploy! Available in MALE AND FEMALE sizes, plain colours and a whole range of camo patterns the WOLFHOUND is the ideal thing to have in your pack for when things turn chilly!
HELIKON-TEX YUKON JACKET
A new model that’s got my attention is the new WINTER YUKON JACKET which is rated to -16/-25°C, but as its new for this winter season I will admit that I haven’t yet had chance to put it fully through its paces in the extreme cold, although I have given it a run out on the range on damp, chilly days and have found the fabrics to be bomber-tough, the design fully functional, and the feature set solid.
The YUKON pairs lightweight, fast-drying Climashield Apex insulation with a tough Duracanvas shell that resists dirt, scuffs campfire sparks, ideal for hard use outdoors.
“THIS
Inspired by Helikon’s Wolfhound Hoodie and SAS Smock Jacket, this durable, practical winter shell is built for toughness and deep-winter cold, yet it doubles up brilliantly for everyday wear too with a choice of five muted block colours.
This is a practical insulated jacket with an adjustable hood, a two-way front zip, efficient ventilation and a well-thought-out pocket layout that keeps you organised and comfortable in very low temperatures, the YUKON is part of Helikon’s Bushcraft line, and features include a full-length two-way front zip with chin guard and glove friendly pullers, two zipped chest pockets, two zipped hand pockets, one zipped left arm pocket with a loop panel for patches or IDs, one zipped internal chest pocket, and two internal mesh pockets at the waist … and there’s even a couple of MOLLE loops on both sides at the waist for compatible accessories and some neat hanging loops for gloves under the chest pockets too! This looks to be exactly what we need for in-between games and staying warm during range downtime and as with all things Helikon-Tex the new YUKON is a super jacket that has all the features you’ll ever need along with great cold, wet-weather performance. I got mine in Coyote Tan so I can wear it on a daily basis as well as on the range and on-site, and it’s also very well priced for the performance level indicated which means you get a lot of “bang for your buck”; for these reasons alone it already earns a place in my recommendations!
BRINGING IT HOME
Of course I have to “fly the flag” a little here when it comes to insulated jackets, and Snugpak, the leading British sleeping bag manufacturer, has built upon the success of its best known insulated jacket, the Softie, to bring
LOOKS TO BE EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED FOR IN-BETWEEN GAMES AND STAYING WARM DURING RANGE DOWNTIME AND AS WITH ALL THINGS HELIKON-TEX THE NEW YUKON IS A SUPER JACKET THAT HAS ALL THE FEATURES YOU’LL EVER NEED ALONG WITH GREAT COLD, WET-WEATHER PERFORMANCE”
continued innovation to its clothing collection. The new generation of insulated jackets from Snugpak are British made in the company’s factory in West Yorkshire, and are manufactured using its exclusive Softie Premier insulation.
The Airsoft Action team and I have worked with Snugpak a LOT over the years, and have huge respect for what they create, and as their gear is used, and much loved, by serving military personnel you can rely on Snugpak to get the job done each and every time. This is something I know to be true, as I’ve used the gear extensively around the globe in differing environmental condition, and I’ve never found Snugpak gear to be anything less than exemplary!
SNUGPAK ARROWHEAD JACKET
Based on the Sleeka Elite jacket, the combination of the water-repellent Paratex outer material and the exclusive Softie 100% polyester insulation, Snugpak has created a warm, breathable, windproof and lightweight jacket which provides excellent protection from the elements with a comfort rating of 0˚C. The SNUPAK ARROWHEAD (now available as a WTGE model) can be worn either as a coldweather mid-layer or outer-layer garment and the brushed polyester lined neck warmer and insulated zip-off detachable hood adds valuable additional warmth, protection and versatility.
Other features include deep hand warmer style pockets, internal zipped pocket, hook and loop adjustable cuffs and handy zip pockets on the arm, chest. The jacket weighs 820g and is supplied in a handy stuff sack with mesh bottom for easy compact carrying. It is available in Olive, Black and Multicam colour options in unisex sizes S to XXL.
real “keeper”. Over the winter months during the past couple of years I was able to try it in various conditions and, especially when the temperature plummeted it really performed,
cover! If you’re looking for a really great winter jacket that is absolutely perfect for wear in the Safe Zone then I’d urge you to take a really close look at the Arrowhead as it comes with my thorough recommendation.
SNUGPAK MML6 SOFTIE SMOCK
I’ve been really pleased to have this model in my personal gear-cage and it’s proved to be a
Given my own personal history in the outdoor pursuits world though there’s one model that
“AS A PART OF SNUGPAK’S “VENTURE” RANGE THE MML6 SOFTIE SMOCK WAS IN MY MIND A FLAGSHIP GARMENT. IT’S A TRI-LAYER GARMENT AND USES BOTH PARATEX MICRO AS A FACE FABRIC, AND AN INTERNAL SOFTIE PREMIER FILL, ENCAPSULATED WITH A PARATEX LIGHT LINING”
has been my favourite for some time, and although the MML6 SOFTIE SMOCK had now been suoperseded by the TACTICAL SOFTIE SMOCK
WGTE the originals in Multicam are still out there if you search for them… and you should!
For years I always had an original Snugpak “Softie” jacket
wanted a bit of instant warmth, but Snugpak really upped the ante though, taking things to an entirely new level, and it’s a level that I’ve embraced as an “upgrade” fully! Developed by
Snugpak with input from professional navigators, mountain leaders, climbing instructors, meteorological staff, and military personnel, the Military Mountain Leader (MML)Smock was created to support the user in a diverse range of operational environments, especially when exposed to extreme cold weather.
As a part of Snugpak’s “VENTURE” range the MML6 Softie Smock was in my mind a flagship garment. It’s a tri-layer garment and uses both Paratex Micro as a face fabric, and an internal Softie Premier fill, encapsulated with a Paratex Light lining. Designed to provide excellent thermal protection against the cold the MML6 is rated -5C to -10C; it also provides a high degree of wind protection. The MML6 Softie Smock is lighter than normal expedition style jackets, and uses water resistant YKK zips, making it ideal when size and weight need to be kept to an absolute minimum. It is ideally worn with a variety of base layers, such as the Snugpak 2nd Skinz Coolmax base layer, to move moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and regulating core temperature in extremes of cold.
The quick drying, Paratex Micro 100% nylon material has a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Water repellency can be maintained with a cool tumble dry after washing and periodic retreatment with suitable after care products, such as Nikwax and Grangers. The MML6 Softie Smock will keep you dry in a short, light shower, giving you time to find a safe place to stop and put on more effective waterproof layers. The MML6 Softie Smock can also be worn under waterproof membrane hard shells in severe weather, still allowing easy access to your essential equipment.
Whilst not exactly cheap at UK£199.95 the MML6 Softie Smock should be viewed as a
“THE MAIN JACKET ZIP AND POCKET ZIPS ALL USE YKK WEATHERPROOF ZIPS, TO KEEP YOU PROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS, AND THERE ARE ALSO UNDERARM VENTILATION ZIPS WITH MESH COVERING, TO ALLOW YOU TO VENT AND REGULATE AND MANAGE YOUR CORE TEMPERATURE.”
long term investment, especially if you act as a Marshal as well as a player; whilst skirmishers can easily head back inside to warm up a Marshal needs to be out onsite at all times that a game is in progress. The MML6 easily lets you do this so in my mind is an invaluable addition to your kit locker.
SNUGPAK TORRENT WGTE JACKET
Another new addition to my gear-cage for this winter is the waterproof and insulated Torrent jacket, and I guess that adding this model to my
gear I add now tends to be fully functional! The Torrent WGTE jacket, as Snugpak say, “is built to battle everything nature has to throw at it”. Insulated with exclusive Softie insulation and featuring fully taped seams, not only is this a very warm jacket that’s rated to -10°C (extreme), but it’s fully waterproof too, just perfect for winter range days at AAHQ! This fully featured jacket comes with a detachable insulated hood that can be rolled away or removed when not in use, dual adjusters on the sides and rear of the hood allow for a perfect fit.
Deep hand pockets allow you to store your gloves or valuables safely and thermal linings also help to keep your hands warm and comfortable. You will also find a deep hidden chest pocket inside the jacket. The main jacket zip and pocket zips all use YKK weatherproof zips, to keep you protected from the elements, and there are also underarm ventilation zips with mesh covering, to allow you to vent and regulate and manage your core temperature. Available in Black and Forest Green the aptly-named TORRENT really is a great jacket.
Like the excellent HELIKON-TEX YUKON, the SNUGPAK TORRENT WGTE JACKET is a superb option for everyday wear, and if you choose either then you’re going to get some excellent performance, and a jacket that will last you for many years! If however you really want to go the full airsoft hog then any of the camo variants indicated will also serve you very well indeed… there’s never a reason to be uncomfortable, but there’s EVERY reason to get the right gear and stay in the fight, no matter what “old Ma Nature” may throw at you!
My thanks as always go to www. military1st.co.uk for all things HelikonTex, and to www.snugpak.com for letting me test out the new TORRENT WGTE! AA
“THERE’S NEVER A REASON TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT THERE’S EVERY REASON TO GET THE RIGHT GEAR AND STAY IN THE FIGHT, NO MATTER WHAT “OLD MA NATURE” MAY THROW AT YOU!”
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OP INTERIOR III
THE MEMBERS OF THE AA LEGION IN PORTUGAL ARE WELL AND TRULY BACK ON THE AIRSOFT BATTLEFIELD, AND THEIR GAME TEMPO IS CERTAINLY ONE THAT WE BELIEVE MANY WILL BE SLIGHTLY JEALOUS OF! IN ADDITION TO SMALLTEAM GAMES THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNITY IS BECOMING WELL-KNOWN AND RESPECTED FOR THEIR LARGER EVENTS, AND MIGUEL BRINGS US HIS REPORT NOW OF THE LATEST ITERATION OF THE EXCITING AND INCLUSIVE INTERIOR SERIES!
Ithink that one of the main aspects that keeps people in airsoft is the get-together, those great periods before or after a game, where players from different teams talk shop, change experiences and just have some laughs, especially over a good meal and with a cup of coffee or a beer in hand (this last part is only for post-game!). It’s always great to see people from different backgrounds, different professions and different locations, people who otherwise would never meet, leave it all behind and talk as an airsoft player.
And this is one of the aspects that every year brings us to the town of Oleiros, in Castelo Branco. Each event is filled with teams from different locations and with the conditions that the organizing team offers, the stage is ready for a great event. They have a big sports complex for the teams, with a place to sleep, WCs with showers, kitchen and a big hall for the meals, with some big round tables, that create great moments. But before all that, let’s talk about the event itself.
Every year, our friends at the USAC team organize their yearly Operation Interior. It’s an event that aims to bring together not only the teams of the region, but teams from other parts of the country (like mine). The game takes place in a small location called Estreito, which is part of the Oleiros town. And since this small village has seen so much airsoft, you can walk around in full gear, and the residents won’t even find it weird, and will actually give you a happy “good morning”. They will welcome you with open arms! I guess airsoft brings a lot of new people and business to an otherwise quiet location.
So, our adventure started Friday afternoon, when we hit the road for the usual three hour trip. We had three cars going at different times and mine was the first one to hit the road. We took the chance to have a little meeting regarding our upcoming event that we were organizing (my
next game report!), as there were some topics to debate, there are always a few aspects to align, and it’s always better to talk in person, rather than online.
The trip was smooth, and with five guys in a car, there is always something to talk about. When we arrived, we were greeted with a “late night” BBQ and beer to go along… my kind of welcome! And with so many known faces, soon we were all enjoying some talks along with the BBQ. But, we had a full day waiting for us, so it was time to turn in, and get some rest…
GEAR UP AND GO!
Saturday morning we got up early and had breakfast, courtesy of the staff, and afterwards it was time to gear up.
We were part of the Mafia faction, the same faction has in previous years, who normally works as an OpFor against the other two factions, but this year we also had our own goals. And, like it’s normal, we were asked to use an all OD uniform. So I was rocking my Invader Gear MKII Invader combat pants, Viper Tactical Special Ops combat shirt and Plate Carrier - all in OD - and my Specna Arms J82, which has become one of my favourite replicas in the past few months.
After having our gear ready, we stored our vests and replicas in the trunks, got into our cars and drove toward the field, which was just a short drive away. There we got our first look at the scenario site this year, an almost-abandoned village placed in a valley, with some houses still in good condition, good paved ways and even a water fountain…. not only that, but all the surrounding area, with no visible limit to where you could go! The USAC guys have some of the best and biggest fields in the country, no question about it.
Now, onto the game itself! The game was based around a fictional map which had several territories on it, and the goal of each faction was
“EVERY YEAR BRINGS US TO THE TOWN OF OLEIROS, IN CASTELO BRANCO. EACH EVENT IS FILLED WITH TEAMS FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND WITH THE CONDITIONS THAT THE ORGANIZING TEAM OFFERS, THE STAGE IS READY FOR A GREAT EVENT”
to “buy” as many of those. And how could you buy them? You had to collect resources, like fuel, ammo and manpower. You had multiple ways of getting these resources; first, you had some persistent capturable points around the field, and every time you switched one of those to your faction, you would collect.
Secondly, you had special missions, these could be bought with the resources that you already had, but, on completion, you would be rewarded. So they were a high risk, high reward options.
And lastly, you had the territories themselves, since each one purchased would multiply the resources that you would get from the capturable points and missions. So the game revolved around this, getting resources and buying territories. You could even buy one that was already under another faction’s control, but at a much higher price.
But, there was another aspect of the game just for our faction, the Mafia. Which was our vehicle! Yes, the Mafia had a repurposed vehicle that
the USAC team has been working on, and this was its first game. The vehicle was the Mafia’s own objective, with the resources gathered we could upgrade our vehicle following one of two “technology” branches. It could either be a medical vehicle, acting as a respawn that we could move around, or a combat vehicle, fitted with up to two support guns and carry five people.
We began at the Mafia’s HQ, which to be honest was just a spot in a crossroads, there was nothing of interest there. But as soon as the green light was given, we moved towards two resource points and then pushed towards the village.
My initial plan was to position the car as a respawn at the entrance of the village, since our faction had half the players of the other two, and keep on turning the resource points to our side, until we had enough to buy a mission. For a good while, we had control of the center of the village, with plenty of contact coming from both enemy factions, and with our mobile respawn stationed at one of the village’s entrances, we had a small advantage.
MISSION 1
Little by little we were gathering resources and after a while we got our first mission, the traditional pilot rescue mission. But, to do this we had to pull out from the village, in order to force the enemy factions to fight among them, while we had a small group look for the pilot, which was in the outskirts.
As soon as they located the pilot, the rest of the Mafia moved to the East outskirt of the village to try to create safe passage to the guys escorting the pilot. It was all going well,
“SATURDAY MORNING WE GOT UP EARLY AND HAD BREAKFAST, COURTESY OF THE STAFF, AND AFTERWARDS IT WAS TIME TO GEAR UP. WE WERE PART OF THE MAFIA FACTION, THE SAME FACTION HAS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WHO NORMALLY WORKS AS AN OPFOR AGAINST THE OTHER TWO FACTIONS”
but one enemy sniper appeared out of nowhere, and saw us escorting someone. So he took the shot, eliminated the pilot and was taken out right away. Although he knew he was in a big disadvantage, he took the chance. Great play! Threw a wrench right to my plan!
With the pilot eliminated, even the organization was unaware of what to do, because this scenario
dropped by the same pilot during his crash. So our plan was to have the majority of our faction make a distraction in the village, while the rest moved away from it, to recover the crates.
As my group started pulling the attention of the enemy toward the village, the other guys were able to find the objective that was still a bit outside the village, in one of the many valleys. But, on the way back they found a few random enemies that appeared to either be lost, or doing their own mission. The confrontation was not in our favour, especially since this was enemy territory, and more enemies could appear from the enemy Respawn!
was not in the plans. So the order was to search the pilot, and we got a set of coordinates. Although we didn’t complete 100% of the mission, we got part of the reward, and a hit toward the next mission.
MISSION 2
The next mission was to recover part of the cargo
With this in mind, while some stayed behind cover, the rest rushed into a complicated woodland area with the crates, towards the location of friendly troops, who had positioned themselves after the first radio communication about the enemy contacts. With the fast pacing of the guys with the crates and extra protection from part of the group that were initially fighting in the village, we were able to carry the objective to our vehicle, completing the mission.
MISSION 3
At this time we stopped for a bit, the game staff delivered a mid-game “snacks” and drinks, so we refilled and got something to eat. Even being October, the sun was strong and hydration was mandatory. But, this was no time for a full stop.
Soon we got a new mission, and this one was available for all three factions. The mission was to
“WE GOT OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE SCENARIO SITE THIS YEAR, AN ALMOSTABANDONED VILLAGE PLACED IN A VALLEY, WITH SOME HOUSES STILL IN GOOD CONDITION, GOOD PAVED WAYS AND EVEN A WATER FOUNTAIN…. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT ALL THE SURROUNDING AREA, WITH NO VISIBLE LIMIT TO WHERE YOU COULD GO!”
hold a position in the village, where a laptop was connected to an antenna and was downloading some information. But, since we had lost all positions in the village during our small break, we had to push through again. And it was far from easy.
With the other two factions fighting for control, we had to take advantage of our respawn, that was positioned close to the village. This because our vehicle was having mechanical issues, and the organization asked to have it fixed in a position. So, every enemy eliminated had to walk a lot more to respawn. Even having double our numbers, we had a closer respawn. And after some good hours in those legs, along with the hot sun, many players were quite tired already.
Slowly we got close to the location of the
laptop, but the fighting was not only intense, but also memorable. Being able to play in such a scenario is nothing short of amazing. With houses, streets, stone walls all around, and even garbage bins! And with everyone trying out the location for the first time, it was a great experience! And after some effort, we finally controlled the centre of the village, where the laptop was located. But, we still had to hold it for 20 more minutes, before handing it to the trader.
The ending was truly cinematic, with one of my guys running with the laptop towards the trader, while the blue faction was pushing the centre of the village, but he dropped the objective right in the middle of the main crossroads! So, we had a real standoff, with both factions unable to reach the laptop, while the red faction was trying to push from their entrance of the village. But, luck (and a closer respawn) was on our side, and after controlling a couple of important corners, we got the laptop and handed it to the trader.
As we were still fighting in the village, I got the information that the red faction got a mission to attack our vehicle, and during this period we couldn’t use it as a respawn. So we started to move out from the village centre, but the attack was already underway, with contacts coming from the south side of the village, which I was unaware of. And here I had one of those individual moments that was pure luck.
As I was moving back, avoiding the main road, due
“ONE ENEMY SNIPER APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE, AND SAW US ESCORTING SOMEONE. SO HE TOOK THE SHOT, ELIMINATED THE PILOT AND WAS TAKEN OUT RIGHT AWAY. ALTHOUGH HE KNEW HE WAS IN A BIG DISADVANTAGE, HE TOOK THE CHANCE. GREAT PLAY! THREW A WRENCH RIGHT TO MY PLAN!”
to a few stragglers from the blue faction, I jumped to slope on the south side of the village. As I moved towards the area of our vehicle, I caught a group of enemies from the red faction from the back, completely unprotected and already under fire from my guys. So I just had to pick them off one by one. And with that, the defence of our vehicle was successful.
FINAL MISSION AND POST-OP FUN!
As we reached the end of the game, the last mission dropped. It was a full on attack on the Mafia base (our starting point), where a scientist was located. We forced our legs for a last effort, because the way to our base was completely uphill. But, I guess the two other factions looked at the location and said “nahhhh I’m good”, so no one appeared. And with that, the game ended.
But, being an event from our USAC friends, the game was over, but the event was far from it.
We got back to the sports complex and took a well-deserved shower after removing off all that gear. It felt like heaven. After our showers we moved to the dining hall, and from there on it was a pure socializing, with food and drinks into the mix. At the end of dinner the organization held a giveaway, with plenty of goods from our friends at Viper
Tactical and Specna Arms.
While some guys did leave Saturday, others stayed until the next day, since it was part of the event, and Sunday’s lunch was included. Before lunch there was a small lecture from GOAL’s team leader, Fortes, about their experience in Berget this year. It was quite interesting, learning how it was planned, all the steps and prices, while we were able to ask questions as well. It was also a great way to learn many details of such an adventure.
But soon lunch time arrived, and we had one last big meal with everyone present. After filling our bellies we got everything ready for our trip back, and we closed this chapter on another weekend filled with airsoft! AA
“THE ENDING WAS TRULY CINEMATIC, WITH ONE OF MY GUYS RUNNING WITH THE LAPTOP TOWARDS THE TRADER, WHILE THE BLUE FACTION WAS PUSHING THE CENTRE OF THE VILLAGE, BUT HE DROPPED THE OBJECTIVE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAIN CROSSROADS! SO, WE HAD A REAL STANDOFF…”
HIGHLAND TARGET CHALLENGE!
THE INAUGURAL “HIGHLAND TARGET CHALLENGE” WAS HELD IN LATE JULY N JI’AN TOWNSHIP, HUALIEN, ON THE PICTURESQUE EASTERN COAST OF TAIWAN; THE LOCAL “HIGHLAND GROUP” SPENT A MONTH AND A HALF ORGANISING THE EVENT, PROMISING THE MOST EXCITING AND THRILLING COMPETITIVE SHOOTING EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS AND AGES, AND OUR OWN ‘MILITARY’ ANNY WU MADE THE TRIP OUT TO COVER THE EVENT, SO NOW WE GET TO SEE WHAT HER EXPERIENCES AND THOSE OF THE SHOOTERS WERE!
The newly established “Highland Group” successfully attracted enthusiastic registration from shooters across Taiwan through online promotion; registration for the event closed on June the 30th and the “Highland Group” hoped to offer local shooting teams the “Highland Target Challenge” as not only an exciting inaugural event, but a method to verify that their on-site hardware met competition standards to allow for future growth of the competition.
Game and Outdoor Gear Store, provided advice and assistance as a consultant and served as the event’s chief judge. He has extensive airsoft and real firearms handling experience in Taiwan and overseas, and organises shooting tours with Taiwanese to the likes of Thailand for live fire experiences, as well as operating his own airsoft shop in Hualien.
A “Competition Rules and Safety Briefing” was held on Saturday, July 12th, open to all interested shooters, whether they had registered for the
In addition to the support of their families, the “Highland Group” also received assistance from numerous sponsors; notably, Chen Yanzhi, founder of the Hualien-based Shooter Survival
competition or were still waiting to participate. The instructors invited to this briefing all have professional backgrounds, including active livefire shooters and professional instructors who
“THE “HIGHLAND GROUP” HOPED TO OFFER LOCAL SHOOTING TEAMS THE “HIGHLAND TARGET CHALLENGE” AS NOT ONLY AN EXCITING INAUGURAL EVENT, BUT A METHOD TO VERIFY THAT THEIR ON-SITE HARDWARE MET COMPETITION STANDARDS TO ALLOW FOR FUTURE GROWTH OF THE COMPETITION”
have obtained SO safety officer certification in the United States. They provided participants with detailed explanations of the event precautions and how to safely enter the shooting sport.
On the day of the competition, July the 19th, I took an early morning train from Taipei to Hualien to cover the competition, which officially opened at 0900; the Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan forecast that day there would be a light typhoon, Wipha, which would approach Taiwan, with the heaviest rainfall expected in the eastern half. Meteorological experts indicated that as Typhoon Wipha passed through the Bashi Channel that day and the next, scattered showers would occur in the western half of the country, while heavy rain would fall in the eastern half and Pingtung. Despite the incessant wind and rain, the
shooters’ enthusiasm remained undampened; of the 26 participants who originally registered for the competition that day, 20 still managed to show up… weather be damned!
In addition to the personal support of the entire Highland Group team, the team members’ families also provided full support for the event, and at the registration area, spouses and girlfriends enthusiastically assisted each participant in completing the check-in process, providing crucial support for the smooth running of the event… many hands make light work!
SHOOT DAY!
On the day of the competition, the competitors prepared themselves in the rest area, the on-site
“DESPITE THE INCESSANT WIND AND RAIN, THE SHOOTERS’ ENTHUSIASM REMAINED UNDAMPENED; OF THE 26 PARTICIPANTS WHO ORIGINALLY REGISTERED FOR THE COMPETITION THAT DAY, 20 STILL MANAGED TO SHOW UP… WEATHER BE DAMNED!”
briefing began at approximately 09:30, with the competition venue comprising two stages, and the organisers provided a detailed explanation of the configuration and competition procedures for each stage.
All participants were required to test and adjust their weapons in a safe house to ensure a safe and smooth competition. The chief referee for the event was Chen Yanzhi, founder of “Shooter Survival Game Outdoor Products Store,” who was responsible for overseeing the competition and officiating all related matters.
CON1, and holsters their gun. After the signal sounded, the contestant must first shoot down T1 (a rotating Texas Star with five steel target plates on its arms), T2 and T3 in area A. After hitting all the steel targets, they can move back to area B, then hit T4 and T5 targets, and then move back to area C to shoot T6 and subsequent targets. There was a special rule in the competition that T1 to T4 must be shot only with the strong hand, while targets 6 through 8 required two-handed shooting.
Re-targeting was prohibited after leaving
The first stage of the competition started in restricted area A; the contestant faces the target, loads the magazine and chambers the gun in
the restricted area, and each shooter was recommended to fire a maximum of 12 rounds - each stage featuring 12 steel targets, all of
“THERE WERE 20 PARTICIPANTS IN THE EVENT, INCLUDING A FEMALE FRIEND; THIS WAS HER FIRST TIME ENGAGING WITH FIREARMS AND SHOOTING. THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS PROVIDED HER WITH GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT, ALLOWING HER TO SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY THE SHOOTING PROCESS”
which must be shot down to complete the level - to familiarise the competitors with the venue and procedures, the organisers also provided a 10-minute practice period, giving shooters the opportunity to test their shots and familiarize themselves with the stage configuration.
In the second stage of the competition, the contestants needed to place the toes of both feet on the red start line, face forward, load their magazine into the gun but not chamber a round (CON2) and holster their gun. After the signal sounded, the contestants began from the start line and first entered restricted area A. Before shooting through the window, they first pulled the activator rope and knocked down targets T1 to T4. After completing the shooting, they moved to restricted area B and knocked down targets T5 to T9 through the window. The most challenging was T9, which was a Texas Star, again with five steel targets mounted to its arms… any reloads during the shooting process also had to be done from within cover.
Competition rules required that T2 was triggered by pulling the handle, and once leaving cover in Area A, targets T1 through T4 could be re-engaged. This stage required a minimum of 13 rounds, with one paper target and 13 steel targets, challenging the competitor’s accuracy and control skills.
There were 20 participants in the event, including a female friend; this was her first time engaging with firearms and shooting. The other participants provided her with great encouragement, allowing her to slow down and enjoy the shooting process, and although the two-stage events held in the morning were competitions, the atmosphere was less intense than traditional shooting competitions and more cheerful, with competitors completing each shooting task in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Many participants were also firsttime shooters, and through these events, they
had the opportunity to experience the joy of shooting in a safe and professional environment.
THE “FUN” CONTINUES!
After lunch, the event began again at 13:30 with the “Fun Competition”. In addition to the teams participating in the morning competition, including AP (Apex Predator) and Nemesis, the remaining participants took part as a detached formation. The fun competition not only included a shooting challenge but also offered opportunities for families to participate together, allowing everyone to experience the joy of shooting in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
In the afternoon’s “Fun Competition,” participants took on a speed challenge; the target array was divided into two halves, with two competitors simultaneously competing to see who could shoot down all the targets the fastest. During the event, participants experienced the joy of speed shooting in a relaxed and cheerful way. The organisers also carefully prepared afternoon tea snacks, including cute jellies with small flags of the Highland Group inserted on them, making every shooter feel at home and adding to the warm and inclusive feel of the event.
The event quickly arrived at 16:00, beginning with a lively raffle with a wealth of prizes, which delighted the participants! This was followed by the awards ceremony for the morning’s first “Highland Target Challenge,” where the champion, runner-up, and third-place prizes were presented. For me, every competitor was a champion in their hearts, as most were participating in shooting competitions for the first time.
While the atmosphere at this event was more relaxed and cheerful than traditional shooting competitions, all participants adhered to basic safety regulations, ensuring a smooth and safe event; even the typhoon that made landfall in Taiwan that day couldn’t dampen things! After the
“THE FUN COMPETITION NOT ONLY INCLUDED A SHOOTING CHALLENGE BUT ALSO OFFERED OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE TOGETHER, ALLOWING EVERYONE TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF SHOOTING IN A RELAXED AND ENJOYABLE ATMOSPHERE”
event, I quickly boarded the train back to Taipei while they were still celebrating…
I would like to express my gratitude to the Highland Group members for being thoughtful and picking me up at the train station on the way to the event, and look forward to seeing them again at the next shooting competition in Hualien.
THE HIGHLAND GROUP
Established in October 2024, most members are already working professionals, with families and responsibilities; however, they remain united by their love for shooting sports. They view training and competitions as a way to relieve stress in their lives, finding joy and balance in both focus and challenge.
The team’s name, “Highland Group,” holds special significance; their training grounds are located precisely on the contour line of Hualien, and the name “Highland” not only echoes the geographical characteristics of this region but also symbolises the team’s pursuit of challenging heights and self-transcendence. “Highland Group” has thus become a new calling card for eastern Hualien, writing its own story with dedication and passion.
Highland Group Membership
• Captain: Ryson
• Vice-Captain: Andrew
• Team Members: Hao, Aubla, Aupipi, Willson, Shawn, Bigmouth, Rope
Each member may be a hard-working office worker or a trusted supporter of their family during the day, but at the range they are partners fighting side by side; despite their diverse identities and life stages, they are united by their passion for shooting, together, amidst the mountains and sea of Hualien where they have forged their own unique shooting arena.
For the first-ever Highland Steel Target Challenge Competition the registration fee was NT$350. The competition for the steel target time
trial had the following prizes:
• Champion: Trophy and prize money of NT$1,000
• Runner-up: Trophy and prize money of NT$800
• Third place: Trophy and prize money of NT$500
Registered participants each received a raffle ticket for a chance to win various prizes, and this event is sponsored by several companies, including:
• Shooter Survival Game Outdoor Gear Store
• RA-TECH
• TBRM Precision
Deputy Editor Asia note: Many thanks as always to ‘Military’ Anny Wu for quite literally braving the storm in this case and going to the other side of the country to cover this inaugural competition and bring us news of the growing shooting community and events here in Taiwan. We look forward to seeing further diversification and have the Ding Ding Cup 2025 Steel Challenge coming soon to bring you news of in a later issue. Until next time fellow shooters, hammer down and holster… AA
“WHILE THE ATMOSPHERE AT THIS EVENT WAS MORE RELAXED AND CHEERFUL THAN TRADITIONAL SHOOTING COMPETITIONS, ALL PARTICIPANTS ADHERED TO BASIC SAFETY REGULATIONS, ENSURING A SMOOTH AND SAFE EVENT; EVEN THE TYPHOON THAT MADE LANDFALL IN TAIWAN THAT DAY COULDN’T DAMPEN THINGS!”
TADTE 2025
TADTE, THE TAIWAN AEROSPACE & DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION, IS A BIENNIAL TRADE SHOW THAT GIVES BOTH NATIVE AND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW OFF THEIR LATEST WARES AS WELL AS BEING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WHICH GIVES THE LOCAL POPULACE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO INTERFACE WITH THE NATIONAL DEFENCE APPARATUS AND THE TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES BEING DEVELOPED AND FIELDED WITH THEIR TAX DOLLARS. STEWBACCA TOOK THE TIME TO VISIT THE SHOW AGAIN AND SEE WHAT’S ON OFFER IN GENERAL, AND ALSO HOW AIRSOFT IS BECOMING AN INCREASING PART OF TRAINING FOR LEGITIMATE FORCES WORLDWIDE.
Casting your minds back to ISSUE 155 of November 2023 you can see my first visit and coverage of the 2023 TADTE Expo; at the time it had somewhat crept up on me and Anny had told me about her participation not long before! I’d initially figured it wasn’t something I’d even be allowed into within our remit, but once I realised it was essentially open to anyone I decided to take the Saturday off work on short notice to catch the last day and investigate the show and what’s going on in the industry locally. This year I planned much further ahead and managed to book all three days off work to ensure I could cover TADTE 25 as a media pass bearer when it was quieter and everything was still on show before the wider general public got involved and made things too busy to see things effectively.
From the 18th-20th of September a raft of industry folks descended upon the Nangang Exhibition Centre (Hall 1) at the east end of Taipei and the blue MRT line. This year saw even more of the same, with local and foreign exhibitors who were showing off an ever increasing array of drone technologies… UAVs, UGVs, USV/UUVs… whether it’s sea air or land, they have you covered in terms of observation and offensive capabilities, and other articles in AA will show how it’s impacting airsoft too!
I spent quite a while on Strike Industries’ booth, as not only did they have real steel firearms with their growing range of well-designed and executed carbine kits, pistol chassis force multiplier systems, optics mounts and various furniture or grips, but they have also been cooperating with Narsil Dynamics from the US who have a growing suite of 3D printed and otherwise low cost easily deployable solutions for infantry units to make use of.
Indeed they had a few of their ingeniously named ‘bomblebee’ man portable large fold-out quadcopter systems in various configurations
from stowed in the MOLLE PALS-clad carrying tube (something akin to a tactical version of an art student’s shoulder tube for carrying large papers); the lid can open and the drone quickly slid out and its prop struts unfolded ready for flight! With optical cameras on board and AI driven IFF/ target recognition software suites already under development, the idea is for it to be a ‘fling and forget’ munition with up to a kilo and a half of whatever the end user might want it to carry; for instance direct attack high explosives, deployable claymore mines for area denial, or anything else that is developed further down the line to fit its cylindrical footprint.
Following another awesome naming convention, ‘Kraken Robotics’ were naturally showcasing drones that will help you rule the waves and ruin the day of any opposing seaborne vessels, with a torpedo-like system including high quality video cameras for remote operation. Similarly Bright Future Homeland Security were next to them showcasing their own more civilian RoV styled observation systems with stereoscopic or multispectral camera systems to suit various applications.
Wavepro had an array of airborne units on display, from their smaller fixed-wing quadcopter hybrid ‘Seagull’ for ISR/observation within 3km of the operator, along with their more missile like ‘trident’ payload carrying system boasting a remote control range of 100km from its ground (or perhaps airborne) station, along with an array of smaller hand held observation and munition drones.
These are but a few of the myriad systems I saw on offer, even up to full scale SAR boats with apparently crewless operational capabilities, with the likes of the Thunder Tiger domesticallyproduced helicopter of last show being joined by its seaborne Seashark 800 equivalent; evidently the lessons of the Ukraine conflict are being *very much* heard and considered here in Taiwan
“THIS YEAR I PLANNED MUCH FURTHER AHEAD AND MANAGED TO BOOK ALL THREE DAYS OFF WORK TO ENSURE I COULD COVER TADTE 25 AS A MEDIA PASS BEARER WHEN IT WAS QUIETER AND EVERYTHING WAS STILL ON SHOW BEFORE THE WIDER GENERAL PUBLIC GOT INVOLVED AND MADE THINGS TOO BUSY TO SEE THINGS EFFECTIVELY”
given the drumbeat of our own potential conflict becoming ever louder and closer… the Taiwan Strait will likely become festooned with death machines.
BIG BOI TOYS!
Alongside unmanned systems in ever growing numbers, likewise the ‘big bois’ were out in force, with the likes of Northrop Grumman and BAe among others on site displaying aircraft, land attack and heavy weapons mockups or scale models, with the F16V Viper with enhanced capability add on ‘shoulder’ packs down the top edges of the wing root similar to the F15E’s FAST packs down their engine pods, as well as the IDF, or Indigenously Developed Fighter, Taiwan’s own jet trainer and light combat aircraft which is somewhat Rafale-like in appearance and is growing in use with the RoC Air Force.
Similarly they were very happily showing off one of the recently arrived M1A2 Abrams tanks as a centrepiece of the Ministry of National Defence (MND) area of the show, flanked by HIMARS and their own domestically developed anti-air missile systems, both small short range batteries and massive ICBM killer style long range or highaltitude interceptors.
It’s not just the big toys on display though, small arms had a much stronger showing at this edition of the show, with CZ, Colt and SIG Sauer on site with people queuing up to get hands on with real firearms…- me included! I spent some time on CZ’s stand chatting to Sven, one of their European sales reps about my recent experience of the CZ P10C F in the Philippines compared to my CZ P10C replica here and the comfortable handling, while some local law enforcement and military unit folks were also
“THEY
WERE VERY HAPPILY SHOWING OFF ONE OF THE RECENTLY ARRIVED M1A2 ABRAMS TANKS AS A CENTREPIECE OF THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE (MND) AREA OF THE SHOW, FLANKED BY HIMARS AND THEIR OWN DOMESTICALLY DEVELOPED ANTI-AIR MISSILE SYSTEMS”
asking lots of questions about it. As far as I’m aware the CIB guys and protective detail carry CZ P10Cs already, while many other police will carry Walther PPQ NPAs on-beat or Glocks in terms of special units. There was likewise an array of Scorpion and BREN shoulder arms we were getting to grips with.
“IT’S
SIG SAUER had an entire array of their USmade variants on show, everything from the M17 and M18 through the MPX, MCX, M7/Spear, M250 and 338 MMG, the latter of which was borderline uncomfortable even for my large frame to carry! I wouldn’t envy anyone fielding that, let alone with ammunition considerations… however, all
NOT JUST THE BIG TOYS ON DISPLAY THOUGH, SMALL ARMS HAD A MUCH STRONGER SHOWING AT THIS EDITION OF THE SHOW, WITH CZ, COLT AND SIG SAUER ON SITE WITH PEOPLE QUEUING UP TO GET HANDS ON WITH REAL FIREARMS…- ME INCLUDED!”
their other offerings were easily wieldable and very comfortable and feature rich. I spent some time chatting with the former US Service guys on their booth and checking out the M250’s internal mechanics as it has surpassed the issues of the likes of the M60 by being easily manipulated and loaded regardless of bolt position related to the slewing feed cover closing… fun for the whole family on offer it seems.
Domestically Taiwan’s latest individual weapon iteration the XT112 was also on display again including Small Arms Trainer System variants a la the SAT ranges I learned the L85A1 on many more years ago than I’d like to count, basically gas blowback versions of the gun with lasers in the barrels and a TV screen that basically makes them a souped-up professional grade arcade game. Last time they had a larger station and prone shooting positions available but I didn’t have time to try it out; this year it was just a few variants of the rifle with different sighting systems set up on a just-the-wrong-height for me table which made it difficult for me to get behind the gun properly with the umbilical making it hard to lift it higher for proper shouldering and sighting down the ACOG-esque mid-range optic. Of the six shots I was given I at least got four on target, the third and sixth ones right next to each other on the heart of the simulated falling target… under less than ideal firing conditions I’ll take that! I certainly did better than some others, and also spent time talking with the Defence University personnel about the production and roll-out of this latest domestically designed and produced AR platform, now featuring a slightly odd-shaped fire selector going between safe, semi, two round burst and auto functions.
GOING VIRTUAL
In a similar vein, there were multiple VR training systems in operation from different companies, some of which I observed and chatted with the
representatives for. ‘BigXReality’ were showing small unit tactics (SUT) simulations with small arms, shoulder-fired launchers like the Stinger or Javelin and battlespace control touchscreen systems all integrated with the headsets. They also have a facility very close to me in the West of Taipei whom I might get around to visiting when we finally get through our backlog of other manufacturer visits we’ve yet to write up!
Clearly VR is taking over the training space for law enforcement and military alike. I tried my hand at YunHe’s training system using an M4 GBBR paired with a VR headset; they shared PAF’s booth at the previous show but had scaled up their operation more with a large space and multiple systems on show including a VR shoulder-fired anti-armour launcher I took another go at. Last time it was just the large projector screen system more like a SAT range
“OF THE SIX SHOTS I WAS GIVEN I AT LEAST GOT FOUR ON TARGET, THE THIRD AND SIXTH ONES RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER ON THE HEART OF THE SIMULATED FALLING TARGET… UNDER LESS THAN IDEAL FIRING CONDITIONS I’LL TAKE THAT!”
rather than the virtual setup, but everybody’s getting the computer game generation ready for the real thing it seems.
Mentioning Penghu Arms Factory (PAF) again, they were similarly on-site again with their own booth showing off their prototypes of local small arms in GBB form, with their own XT112 replica under development, as well as heavier systems such as shoulder fired Stingers, grenade launchers mentioned in past articles, and now even their own drone designs for RPG7 warhead carrying quad copters mocked up and on display.
Body armour is another growing theme, and PAF were displaying a partner company’s hard plate ballistic protection at an RF2 rating (Level IIIA+), while there were other exhibitors offering similar products. Body armour and in particular hard ballistic plates have suddenly jumped in popularity in the last few years in Taiwan and there must now be around five or six actual manufacturers on island making compressed HDPE and hexagonal ceramic insert plates alike, with prices coming down as production scales. With a lot of police and military, as well as civil defence or concerned citizens, sourcing their own body plates and helmets, many of my friends and teammates here among them there is preparation for the worst in our collective future here.
Our friends from KAM TACT (featured recently in ISSUE 178) were also on site displaying their latest variations on their already well-established eye protection solutions, but also lightweight polymer 40mm grenade casings, their M14 upgrade kits and also plate armour more intended for aerial applications in terms of ballistically protecting drones or other airborne assets from small arms fire. Some of my teammates and Anny were working the booth and I saw a few familiar faces throughout the weekend taking a look at their products.
Also at the show were UTG/Leapers, headed by David Ding who was back in country for the
show, exhibiting a range of firearms-supporting components by UTG and riflescopes in all manner of formats and applications from Leapers. I was taking a look at their MP5 upgrade programme with a range of M-LOK rail components to help add lights, laser aiming units, vertical grips or other accessories to the likes of otherwise awkward MP5SD front ends, or whole lightweight extruded handguard systems that clamp over standard MP5 front ends to help bring their capabilities into the latest era! Despite their 1960s start and arguably old school manual of arms, there are clearly plenty of people who still love depending on them when a pistol calibre round is required for certain applications.
6MM CROSSOVER
Finally, one of the places I spent a great deal of time at over the whole three days was of course our friends at G&G, who somewhat dominated the show, certainly in terms of airsoft and training tie-in, with a queue around the block to make use of their shooting training setup once again, this being one of the more interesting and interactive aspects of the show.
With an array of their current Taiwanese T91 service rifles in AEG and GBBR format on hands as well as their STP45 HiCapa/Staccato style GBB pistols and their increasingly prevalent latest iteration of the Wireless Electronic Training Target (WETT) system, with an array of target grids and staged targets with timers within their shooting booth.
Once again I was happy to see Charles Joh formerly of LAPD SWAT and now with law enforcement training outfit TriCell USA on site who we’d met back in 2023 at the G&G World Cup and who was supporting G&G’s US training efforts, but also got introduced to Tim Pearce a former LAPD drug/gang unit officer who heads up AUFire (Accuracy Under Fire) which is the third component of the highly interesting and
“BODY ARMOUR IS ANOTHER GROWING THEME, AND PAF WERE DISPLAYING A PARTNER COMPANY’S HARD PLATE BALLISTIC PROTECTION AT AN RF2 RATING (LEVEL IIIA+), WHILE THERE WERE OTHER EXHIBITORS OFFERING SIMILAR PRODUCTS”
effective collaborative effort TDU, the Training Development Unit which G&G have been forging ahead with in the US and looking to other markets for LEO/MIL training using their airsoft platforms in various guises coupled with SWAT style training scenarios and UAFire’s casualty simulation system.
This is a very interesting and highly effective setup that I naturally volunteered to be the first guinea pig to try it first thing on Thursday morning, jumping straight in the shark tank myself with passers by watching me suffer and shoot through the simulation system. Coupled with G&G’s WETT, the UAFire system augments the shooting experience by selectively disabling muscle groups of the wearer, basically derived from a typical muscle stimulation electrode unit like those used for tone building or maintenance, but ‘turned all the way up to 11’! Or four in reality, in their setup; the electrode panels are buried in active-wearstyle sleeves that cover the length of the lower and upper arms and place the electrodes on the inboard and outboard muscle groups, which are then wired into the main shoulder harness which bears a user number, powerpack and transceiver unit to allow them to be remotely controlled on individual channels from control units which allow the instructor to forcibly disable the arms of the trainee by locking their muscles in different arrangements using the corresponding buttons on the control unit.
Take it from me, it’s an extremely effective tool! It isn’t exactly painful as such, but very uncomfortable and disconcerting or distracting initially, basically like the worst cramp you’ve ever had but which doesn’t stop until they turn off the current stimulating the various muscle groups in your arms or wrists!
At the push of a button the instructor can essentially lock one or both of your arms into a useless and distracting chicken wing that you either have to ignore and work around, or actively
peel the weapon from to continue using it in the case of a pistol. I began accurately shooting the various target units distributed around the gallery and then Tim suddenly jammed my right arm up, so I had to ditch the T91 AEG in a controlled manner, then use my left hand to draw the STP45 from my right hand side holster, ready it for use single-handed by making sure it was racked off my thigh, then begin engaging the remaining targets weak-handed, including a thigh clamp of the pistol to effect a one handed reload, all the while my right arm muscles were locked up in a very uncomfortable cramp that I was apparently quite effective at ignoring and fighting through even on the highest setting, so that was a great introduction to the system.
“FINALLY, ONE OF THE PLACES I SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AT OVER THE WHOLE THREE DAYS WAS OF COURSE OUR FRIENDS AT G&G, WHO SOMEWHAT DOMINATED THE SHOW, CERTAINLY IN TERMS OF AIRSOFT AND TRAINING TIE-IN, WITH A QUEUE AROUND THE BLOCK TO MAKE USE OF THEIR SHOOTING TRAINING SETUP”
Throughout the weekend numerous active service local police officers and military folks as well as industry representatives came by to try their hand with fighting through the system and it was very effectively demonstrated.
I hung around with the team for a large part of the weekend catching up with Ryan who I hadn’t seen since the World Cup, as well as chatting with Charles and Tim about the system and how they’re implementing it, as well as airsoft for training in general in various regions and national defence from a Taiwanese perspective.
We all made our way to the presentation stage on the Friday for the team to give a group description of their backgrounds and collective efforts in the US under the TDU and elsewhere to make use of G&G’s airsoft guns and electronic training systems in conjunction with UAFire’s limb wound simulation system and TriCell’s training regimens and instructor knowledge and experience. With videos of US law enforcement trainees battling through multi-person, multiinjury shoot house scenarios in a much more
effective and realistic manner than previous methods of simply taping a trainees’ arm up prior to the beginning of a scenario, the ability to turn the system on and off on a whim allows things to be much more realistic in terms of the sudden and distracting nature of a simulated wound mid-scenario that disrupts your mindset, marksmanship and ability to handle a weapon effectively.
Following this we all returned to the main event space for German beers at a friend’s stall and further discussion.
Overall the show seemed more developed than the previous iteration and I had a lot more time to assess things and speak to people throughout with having all three days this time. Clearly there’s a lot going on in country and further afield not only in terms of airsoft and how it can translate into live firearms crossover training, but also on the sharper end of the effort to defend Taiwan and its freedoms in the future. I look forward to seeing what developments are on display at the next one. AA
“COUPLED WITH G&G’S WETT, THE UAFIRE SYSTEM AUGMENTS THE SHOOTING EXPERIENCE BY SELECTIVELY DISABLING MUSCLE GROUPS OF THE WEARER, BASICALLY DERIVED FROM A TYPICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION ELECTRODE UNIT LIKE THOSE USED FOR TONE BUILDING OR MAINTENANCE, BUT ‘TURNED ALL THE WAY UP TO 11’!”
