There are two camps in airsoft, those that AK and those that don't. To 'AK' - generally - seems to imply a complete disregard for accessories (except maybe unless you count a sling as an accessories) and to love the AK in the 'raw', just as Mr. Kalashnikov intended it.

Above: Eek! WTF! An image that can only be compared to walking in on your parents having sex

In my case this can be a little frustrating. I mean to say, what do you review? I've done AK mags, and I really don't fancy doing a piece on my favourite AK sling (which is on my D-Boy AK74S by the way).

So, inevitably you do end up shyly peeking at all those AK mods and accessories featured in the airsoft web portals and magazines. It's rather like your girlfriend catching you peeking at another women, and god forbid you say to your AK owning friends 'hey, did you see that fancy RIS for the AK47?' Why, that would be heresy!

Above: Hgh-end 'tactical' AK accessories from Sampson

So what is AK SOPMOD anyway?

Well, if you can get any answer from an AK fan other than them to spit on you, the answer will probably be something like 'it's an excuse for pussies to hang gun-bling off their AK by justifying it by saying American Special Forces do it!'

SOPMOD is Special Operations Peculiar Modification, and is specially designed kit which allows US Special Forces to customize their weapons for particular missions. With reference to the AK series of assault rifles, SOPMOD AK means Kalashnikovs that have been customized for US Special Forces to use in combat zones where the AK is prevalent.

Above: One of the real-deal SOPMOD AKs, in this case the Blackheart International system

Why? So that covert operators can leave a 'small footprint' in enemy territory. The usual US 5.56mm cartridge left in enemy territory kinda gives the game away that Americans were there. At least using standard Soviet/Russian 7.62mm or 5.45mm rounds would give them 'plausible deniability'.

But, of course, what self-respecting Western Special Forces trooper would use an AK unless they had to? So at least if they SOPMOD one they can have all the convenience of Western accessories while totting an AK around the mountains of Pakistan (allegedly).

So, what have I been looking at that I shouldn't have?

There are now a host of ways to SOPMOD your AK, or you can buy factory 'modded' AKs that is usually called a 'tactical' AK, but which aren't in fact truly authentic SOPMOD AKs.

Above: To my mind, at least G&G have had the decency to design one of the prettiest 'Tactical' AKs available. Click on the image to go to the G&G website

Most of the budget manufacturer's - like CYMA - offer these 'tactical' AKs. They are, basically, one of their standard AK47s with some standard market accessories bolted on; like a railed foregrip, ergonomic pistol grip and maybe a folding stock. All of these sort of AK accessories originated in the United States, where the civilian owners of AKs wanted something a little more inline with the plethora of M4 cutom parts that swamp the market there.

Proper SOPMOD accessories are now reaching the airsoft market, and custom AEG companies - like GWS of Hong Kong - offer some examples fully tricked out for you, at a price. The true SOPMOD will usually have airsoft versions of railed products like the X47 'exoskeleton' or railed parts which were made famous by real steel companies like Sampson.

Above: The 'X47' RAS system, actually a two piece ensemble that adds rails to both the AK series reciever and foregrip. This is an airsoft accessory based on the real steal TDI Arms system of the same name. It is available from Redwolf Airsoft

The point is that, if you are thinking of going down the route of the SOPMOD AK, at least do it properly if you can and avoid the cheap 'tactical' AKs. By 'keeping it real' you can deflect some of the criticism you will undoubtedly get from 'old skool' AK owners.

Finally, one of the more fundamentally practical SOPMOD add-ons addresses one of the biggest design faults with the AK series - the horrendous fire-selector/safety bolt lever. Ever tried changing from semi to full auto or engaging the safety while still holding the pistol grip? Unless you are Edward Scissorhands I doubt you can, so this was one add-on that the US market developed that was of real benefit to the basic Kalashnikov.

Left: The Russian Mania Workshop RMWX47 conversion kit for the TM AK47. This isn't a full X47 conversion kit, you would still have to add one of the X47 rail systems to it to complete the X47 look, but it does add several of the basic improvements to AK functionality that 'authentic' SOPMOD AK should have. Note the modified selector lever, redesigned bolt lever and the extended mag release. The large rectangular block at the rear is to allow the use of US style crane stocks.

An airsoft version of this modified selector lever is available separately from GWS of Hong Kong - but be aware that the reports about this particular item have not been altogether positive. There has been much criticism over the quality of metal used, and many bolt carrier levers have broken with just mild usage or even in transit. Nonetheless, it is a SOPMOD accessory of immense practical use (I believe Inokatsu does a similar product, along with an improved bolt lever and extended magazine release).