Kalashnikovs are in themselves a love it or hate it entity, but within that broad statement there is range of emotions towards the various designs of AK which can be said to go from 'cugly' (cute-ugly) to 'fugly' (f***ing ugly). At the extreme edge of this spectrum is the AMD-65.

The AMD-65 is a Hungarian AK modification instantly recognizable for it's 'bare-bones' layout, with wire stock and stamped metal fore-grip structure. This industrial design is as stark and utilitarian as a Soviet tower block, and the last vestiges of 'bourgeois' comforts have been stripped away lest the red warrior be distracted by such luxurious appendages as wood stocks!

However, in recent years the AMD-65 has gained a hard core reputation as THE tactical Kalashnikov when the infamous Blackwater company armed some of it's contractors with it in such hot spots as Iraq and Afghanistan. This was something of a Cinderella moment as what was largely ignored as an aberration started to be looked upon with new eyes and airsoft manufacturer LCT picked up on the machismo that the AMD-65 exuded and have produced an AEG replica.

Armie's Airsoft has a review on the LCT AMD-65, where the AEG was given a laudable 8 out of 10 (see links).

My personal view is that this AK variant probably steps across the line in terms of acceptable 'fugliness', even for the average Kalashnikov fan. It does have a certain intimidating presence about it but I much prefer the more Bohemian charm of the Romanian AIMS (a lovely steel Kalash replica of which is due for release over the next month or so).

That said, it does get past that 'oh no, not another AK' fatigue that is creeping in on some airsoft forums!

Estimated price of LCT AMD-65 - expect to pay around £340 in the UK (if comparable LCT's at Fire SUpport are anything to go by).

Useful links:

> Armie's Airsoft review of the LCT AMD-65
> Official LCT Airsoft web site

Real steel information:
> AMD 65 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
> AK47.net entry for AMD-65

New Kalash steel RK-06S (AK-74). Source: Gunner Airsoft Hong KongProduct: Kalash steel and upgraded wood RK-06S (AK-74)
Price: $110usd - probably about £140 when it hits the UK
Retailer: Gunner Airsoft (Hong Kong)

It's nice to see Dboy/Kalash starting to slowly replace earlier pot metal models with steel ones, and the demand is certainly out there. But it doesn't seem too long ago when I bought my Kalash AK74 (pot metal), which puts me in a bit of a quandary about upgrading to the steel version...

I always said that I wouldn't go mad and have a huge number of AEGs, but that I would slowly and continually upgrade the restricted collection I did have. I started my collection buying mainly cheapsoft plastic or pot metal models...And now there is the opportunity to go steel. But is it worth it?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with my pot metal AKs - they have proven strong and reliable. However, the one steel Kalash I have just bought - AK105 (RK-08) - has actually shown a couple of the negative aspects of steel - weight and rust.

Beautiful cosmetic enhancements - but at what cost? Source: Gunner Airsoft (Hong Kong)So, I am now thinking, maybe I should skip the small leap between budget pot metal and budget steel and instead wait and save a bit longer and upgrade my collection to one of the premier makes instead (LCT, Inokatsu, VFC or RS). The exception to this train of thought - or alternative route - is what I'm doing with my pot metal RK-01, slowly upgrade it's parts with steel RK-12 components a piece at a time.

In the meantime, instead of worrying about external cosmetic changes I am turning my attention to upgrading some of the internal components to get the most our of the AEGs I already own.

The one exception to this will be Kalash's forthcoming RK-10 - it's new steel AKMS replica. I don't own an AKMS at all, so this would be a excellent way to get one...

And, in the end, this is perhaps the lesson here - if you already own a good, reliable pot metal AEG it may not be worth spending the additional money for a small improvement. On the other hand, if you haven't already got a particular model represented by these new steel versions then Kalash's recent steel releases represent excellent value for money.

> Kalash RK-06S at Gunner Airsoft
> My pot-to-steel RK-01-to-RK-12 upgrade project

Unusual for me to have a non-AK featured (unless it's an FN!) but this caught my eye. It's a concept for an 'Advanced Combat Rifle' airsoft replica based on the Russian 7.62x39mm cartridge format style.

This takes the rather jaded 'tactical AK' or 'SOPMOD AK' to a new level, as one can imagine that Special Forces would lap up this format in conflict zones where they would need to show a small weaponry footprint (i.e. disguise their activities by using 7.62x39 ammo instead of NATO rounds).

Aside from anything else, it's a rather nice looking design - a sort of cross between a Masada and a SCAR.

No news on whether this is a 'white label' prototype but I suspect it's just on the drawing board, I will watch out for it's progress with interest.

Thanks to Airsoft-News.eu for bringing this to my attention.

Product: Element AK PBS1 Sound Suppressor OT 0306
Source: Ebaybanned.com (Hong Kong)
Cost: $53usd (inc. shipping)

Background
To be correct the PBS (Pribor Besshumnoy Stryelbiy = Device for Noiseless Shooting) is a sound suppressor. It was designed for the Russian army's 7.62mm range of Kalashnikov assault rifles.

Above: Here you can see the PBS-1 in use - second from the top - on a 7.62mm AKM. This short documentary by the BBC brought the PBS-1 to my attention, other influences for purchasing the replica were it's inclusion in the game 'Call of Duty 4'. (Photo source: BBC News)

The real PBS-1 uses special sub-sonic ammunition and was originally issued during the Soviet-Afghan War for use with the AKM Kalashnikov. There is not - apparently - a version of this design available for the newer 5.45mm round, though a different design - the PBS-5 - is available for use with the AK74U.

Element PBS-1 - first impressions
Yikes! That's what you think when you first pick up the Element all steel PBS-1 suppressor. Here's my 60 Second video review which outlines my initial thoughts about this replica:

Final thoughts: I make much of the weight of this accessory, but you'll be happy to know that Element also make a much lighter aluminium version too - and strangely they are both exactly the same price!

On quality, the Element PBS-1 compares very favourably indeed with the VFC made PBS-5 aluminium replica (on the right of the accompanying photo). In fact if I had to choose - without first knowing the manufacturer - I would plump for the PBS-1 being the more expensive item. It really just goes to show how the budget companies and constantly raising their game. Which is good news for us consumers!

Note on attaching the PBS-1 to your AK:

I found on my Kalash AK105 model - which has the 24mm adaptor integral to the front site - did not then allow the PBS-1 to use the AKs muzzle accessory retaining pin. The PBS-1 adaptor - see photo on right - has recesses cut into it to allow the pin to slot into place, securing the adaptor. But screwing the PBS-1 onto my AK105 simply pushed the retaining pin back on its spring into its recess.

Other makes and models of airsoft AK may or may not allow the correct use of the retaining pin. I deducted half a star from funtionality for this.

My ratings:

Quality & finish:

Authentisity:

Functionality:

Value for money:

Coolness factor:

Useful links:

Element PBS-1 retailers:
> Ebaybanned.com ($53 inc. shipping)
> RSOV.com ($36.99 ex. shipping)
> GunnerAirsoft.com ($45 ex. shipping)

Real steel PBS-1 retailers:
> Rusmilitary.com - Dummy PBS-1 (no Firearms Licence required)
> Rusmilitary.com - Functioning PBS-1 (Firearms Licence required)

Full set of additional photos are available on the Milgeek PBS-1 Flickr album

Well, this isn't really a full upgrade - although the parts are now available to do so if I really wanted to. I treated my trusty little Kalash AKS74U (model RK-01) to a some new clothes this week.

Effectively this make-over turns my RK-01 model into a pretend RK-12. The RK-12 is Kalash's latest all steel model, and is a 'tactical' version of the AKS74U in very sexy black plastic furniture (although it is a bit of a love it or hate it AEG).

Since they released the RK-12 Kalash has also distributing the steel parts and furniture as individual items. This is great news for RK-01 users like myself, who may find that their older pot metal RK-01s are starting to look a little dowdy now (certainly, if like mine, they have been used and abused to the extreme).

Above: The Kalash model RK-12, an steel variation of the AK7U

I bought the black plastic RK-12 foregrip from Ebaybanned.com for just $15.50usd, and I also happened to have a nice steel Army Code brand Bulgarian-style 'Krinkov' flash hider to finish the job. As I said, I could go the whole hog and replace all major parts with the newer RK-12 steel parts - giving my RK-01 a full upgrade, but I'm happy at just changing out the occasional part for now.

Ebaybanned do not charge shipping - but the trade-off is that they use the cheapest postage, which meant that my parts took 15 days to arrive. However, this method seems to by-pass the UK Customs attention - at least for smaller items - and Ebaybanned help this by sending items in separate packages. So if your not in a hurry they seem to be a good choice of HK retailer.

Check out any of the following Hong Kong retailers for RK-12 parts:

> Ebaybanned.com
> RSOV.com
> Gunner Airsoft