This is a bit of a strange one - and weirdly co-incidental*. Airsoftnews.eu carry the report of a 'new' Kalash, but - inexplicably - it's actually a re-make of their very popular 'full metal' (monkey metal) AK74U RK.01...But, this time in 'full steel'!

(Click on the above picture to see very larged and detailed version.)

Now, this news will have a lot of people shaking their heads and saying 'but why?'

Their AK74U (Mk. I) was what it was, a budget metal AEG that neatly filled a hole in the market. So surely remixing this model in steel is kinda supperflous? For one thing unless they are going 'up market' then they will be using cheap steel, and if they are using cheap steel then what was wrong with the 'monkey metal' version?

(The answer to this may be in part answered by my previous post on my having to repair my 'monkey metal' Kalash!) 

Additionally, steel means more expensive - and more heavy - so will this really have any more pull over their first model? I mean to say, if you want good quality steel you'll go for the VFC AK74U on which Kalash based it's clone in the first place - right?

And here is where we perhaps find the clue to why Kalash are doing this. You see, Kalash's first AK74U broke a lot of new boundaries, here was a so-called 'cheapsoft' AEG that was reliable, cheap, accurate and looked good - real good. I know - I had the opportunity of directly comparing my Kalash with a VFC AK74U at my local site, and let me tell you, the owner was none too impressed that - for the price - the 'cheapsoft' AK74U was not as far away in quality and was far better value for money than his expensive version...

So, now it seems Kalash are on a mission. They are pushing the boundaries even more. Now the VFC owner can't even say 'yes, but MINE is made out of STEEL!'

It's a bit of a gamble, as the price will not have to be that much more than the original 'pot metal' model to grab people away from buying the VFC. Quality control will also have to be improved (there were several loose items on the MK. I), and the quality of the finish will also have to be improved.

But if Kalash get all these things right there will be a lot of people still shaking their heads - only this time it will be because they will be wondering why they should pay all that extra money for a VFC when Kalash has an AEG that is the dog's danglies!

We shall see! 

* I say co-incidental because I have just wrote a piece - 'AK74U repair - monkey magic!' - on how I had to repair my 'monkey metal' Kalash AK74U - and how this brittle metal and lack of spares was one of the main disadvantages of this AEG!  So perhaps moving to steel is in part to remedy this flaw.