'Tactical' AK shopping list - Part One
Milgeek
11 Comments
Outside my participation as a member of Team AKA and with the adherence to unblemished Kalashnikovs that is a part of it's ethos, I have long yearned for a 'Tactical' AK. The reason for this is quite simple, while I do enjoy the comradeship and teamwork inherent in belonging to an airsoft team I do occasionally like to 'go rogue'.
See Milgeek post: SOPMOD AK - heresy?
I have thus far made a few trips to play airsoft on my own and in those situation felt I would like to take the 'rouge' status a little further by developing a loadout that is very different from my Team AKA Russian airsoft incarnation.
'White Russian'
Being inherently 'counter revolutionary' and reactionary my Russian alter-ego would have that Russian flavour, but with a twist. I had for some time been interested in the science fiction influenced airsoft loadouts which are based on the computer game called S.T.A.L.K.E.R. With it's grungy, Pseudo-Cyber-Punk looks these loadouts gave me an idea for a post-apocalyptic faction loadout of my own - the 'White Russian'.
Imagine an alternative (not to distant) future Russia, where militia factions are rampant across a disintegrating Russian Federation. Tsarist rebels are once again waging a war to reinstate the Romanov line - these are the 'White Russians'
Hokey background story apart - this alternative history gives me an opportunity to mix the best of Russian equipment with - well, anything else I fancy! In particular I can 'tacticalize' an AK with impunity, and it allows me to create a very individual and personal loadout for those occasions I go 'rogue'.
Part One - Tactical AK shopping list
This is, in fact, the easy part as 'tactical' AKs abound these days, you can even take the lazy option and buy one 'off the peg' from manufacturers like JG and CYMA. Both of these manufacturers have produced some tactically furnished AK47s with railed polymer grips and Western style folding Para stocks. But I wanted to go a bit further and try and create something a little more individual...
Shopping list:
> Base AEG: Classic Tokyo Marui AK47 - very well supported AEG for after-market accessories
> Front end: Koutetsu AK Clamp Sight - Link
> Rail system: King Arms X47 rail system - Link
> Folding stock: King Arms Tactical AK folding stock - Link
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Reader Comments (11)
Afraid all I can say is SOPMOD AK 'am' teh fail ;)
Not a fan. The most an AK should have is a Kobra sight and a PBS silencer but I see why your doing this and I await the finished article as I feel that the whole thing may offset the 'tacticool' AK.
Absolutely D... And usually I would agree (I would never use a SOPMOD mixed with a Russian loadout for example), apart from a few specific occasions:
First of all there is when an AK *is* a SOPMOD (AK used by western special forces), next there is the fictional scenario, as with my science fiction loadout, and finally there is the real world use of tactical rails and accessories as with, for example, the Czech Army.
Like it or not, tactical AK accessories are out there, and are widely used. The Czech Army is using Tactical accessories to upgrade it's vz. 58s while it migrates to a new battle rifle.
For my hybrid-STALKER sci-fi scenario, well - aside from the point that it's sci-fi and so there are no rules, my 'White Russian' backstory adequately provides fro a very good excuse to finally use a tactical AK.
No, it's not an authentic Russian military impression, but then I already have a excellent AK74M for that.
Thats' teh great thing about airsoft - we are only playing soldiers! :)
Yeah I can see why your doing it and I must admit when I looked back through your blog posts earlier today to find the daftey store where you'd picked up knee pads, one of the SOPMOD AK's did catch my eye.
I said above that I reckon tha the STALKER loadout style will probably offset the tactical AK and I reckon it, having played the original STALKER, I like it and reckon the sci fi suits it. After all, I'm modding my G36 to get myself a lasgun and many G36 fans may hate that!
Somehow seeing people in ACU and a tactical AK seems wrong. Almost like people in Russian BDU's using M16's!!
As an aside, it's that an OSW handle on the AK above? And it looks like the PEQ box on it would block line of sight!
Forgot to say, at the end of the day, we are just playing soliders and I respect peoples loadouts. Espcially ones that have effort put into them as after I now have a sci fi loadout that some people may find funny/amusing/stupid etc.
Anyhow, when are you and Team AK coming down to Leeds to try the new First and Only site? ;)
I checked out the First & Only website after reading this post earlier today....the CQB gaff looks very good indeed, and I only live in Shipley so it's practically on my doorstep as well!
Might have to see if I can persuade any of the other Hellfish lads to have a trip dwon to Leeds!
Yeah - I really fancy doing the Leeds site! Team AKA are hugly into woodland at the moment, but I can see that changing as the weather turns (LOL)...
But in any case I fancy going rogue again and trying this out myself. It's *really* handy for me (living as I do in Scarborough). But it would be great to have some of teh Hellfish and AKA guys together on a 'road trip' LMAO! ;)
(Airsoft roadtrip - now there's an idea!)
Yeah, I don't see the problem with trying new things out - its personal preference at the end of the day - also as a member of team aka it wouldn't bother me if any of our guys turned up with that. We aren't strict and its not like we are in any way professional as you know Ranger :o) The whole AKA team are currently trying out various sites - we still like SYA but theres a lot of other good sites out there - and variety is the spice of life ...
Not much or a road trip for me I'm afraid! It'll only take me around 30 mins to get ther on a Sunday morning......and thats if I drag my heels!
Quite fancy a blast @ CQb tho...only been to the SYA CQb site once and it was fun.
From the sounds of things tho, it looks like they allow full auto at First & Only whereas at SYA is semi-auto.
Close in Shooting on Full Auto = PAIN! Full face protection is a must (Although I shall also be wearing shin, knee, forearm and elbow protection for CQB as well!)
The semi-auto thing is one of the things that put me off trying the SYA CQB, although I was pretty excited about it in the beginning.
One of the things I think is a bit daft about this is that if we enter a hut at Proteus how many of us think 'oh - I better switch to semi-auto as I'm inside now!' - practically nobody!
I've been hit in the face at very close range while doing what is in effect CQB in the huts in Proteus.
The worst injury I got in a hut in Proteus was actually semi-auto from aGBB pistol - which some twat stuck almost right in my face and fired off 3 or four shots!
So this whole idea of restricting CQB to semi auto is a bit daft - especially when they have a FPS limit anyway!
Ooooops....Bit of a rant there! :)
You have a point I suppose, but at proteus its a bit differnt as you can soon bugger of back outside.
In CQB you might not have anywhere to run to which means you get hosed until you bleed. Not cool.
The semi auto ruling didnt seem to hamper play mind you, in fact it probably helped it, along with the ammo limits (Only 1 hi cap allowed per person - rest can be either mids, lows etc)
With CQB some guy with a ton of 600 round AK hi caps and a full auto rifle can ruin a good game. You just wont be able to move....
But still...full face and body armour for CQB means they can hoe away and I'll be fine!
Read my review on my blog.
Full auto is ONLY allowed out in the main mill section. Inside the close offices, it's single shot only and the marshalls make sure it's enforced strictly. It works very nicely. And it's not like there's a huge amount of movement from mill to offices to mill etc so your not switching all the time.
Mind, would be nice to see it all semi auto.