It doesn’t seem two minutes since I took delivery of what I considered was a beautifully turned out CYMA CM.036A - their ‘metal and wood‘ replica of the Kalashnikov AKM. So it was with a mixture of surprise and annoyance that I heard of the release of yet another CYMA AKM replica hot on the heels of the AKM I just bought (and have only had a chance to use twice)!

Above: On the left is the 'new' CM.048M replica of the AKM, on the right it's predecessor the CM.036A. Spot the difference! Source: RSOV.com

However, annoyance soon turned to excitement and admiration when I got hold of the details and a few snaps of the CYMA CM.048M.

It’s a mark of the competitiveness within the airsoft gun market that CYMA not only felt that it is commercially viable to release an update of the same model so soon , but also that they also felt they had to update their model just to maintain their competitiveness.

So what’s new?
The CM.048M exemplifies the new appetite among the airsoft community for steel replicas. In essence it’s upping the stakes in realism, and realism in the replication of firearms is one of the key selling features in airsoft these days. There is nothing an airsoft freak likes to brag about more than just how the manufacturer of his particular replica has got the design ‘just right’.

Steel can be seen as being both a positive and negative thing. For the authenticity geeks it is obviously the way to go, simply because the real guns are made of steel. But for the practical airsoft player carrying a steel AEG – that sometimes actually weighs *more* than the real steel original – can be a right pain.

This is probably why, even though CYMA has released this beautiful CM.048M, they are still also manufacturing their very nice ABS AK models. They are ensuring they cater for both milsim and sporting airsoft players.

Aside from the steel, the new CYMA AKM has a lovely wood set, recreating the real AKM’s laminated furniture. Additionally, so I am told, CYMA has started to use VFC rather than Tokyo Marui as the basis for its clones.

Above: Here you can see the 'grain' of some of the laminated furniture and also - thankfully - CYMA has also included a nice metal version of the AK magazine (rather than the hideous early orange bakalite one that came with the previous CM.036A). Source: RSOV.com

It talks the talk…
There is absolutely no doubt about it, the new CM.048M is the closest you will get to the real AKM without having to fork out a huge sum for an Inokatsu kit (remembering that the kit only gets you the externals and you still need a donor TM AK47 for the internals).

The steel will have the AK milsim crowd all gooey, as they can now ‘weather’ this AEG properly, giving it that nicely worn look that all AK owners crave. Being the price that it is, in fact, you don’t mind doing some judicious weathering – I for one would not like the idea of scratching up an expensive VFC replica!

In particular, CYMA is to be applauded for their inclusion of far more realistic laminated type wood stocks. Although, already, the authenticity geeks are arguing about whether it is quite the right shade of red – poor things! I am also very glad to see that they have dropped that hideous ribbed outer barrel that they had on the CM.036A.

Does it walk the walk?
As for internals, here again it is said that CYMA had upgraded it’s already very sturdy mechanism. But on the down side it looks like they have decided to stick with that niggley mini-Tamiya battery connector that will have many airsofters reaching for the wire clippers in order to retro-fit the larger size ‘plug’.

Again – as is usually the case for CYMA – this AEG runs too hot for the UK market and will have to be downgraded. I am told that it is hitting 370fps.

To my mind, just from the looks, if you haven’t got a wood AK (AK47 or AKM) in your collection then you *must* buy this AEG. It is by far the best budget replica out there – and must be giving even VFC the jitters. CYMA seem determined to wrench back the lead that Kalash (Dboy) has worked hard to achieve with its excellent range of AK replicas and by choosing an AKM - a replica that Kalash *doesn’t* do – CYMA have been extra crafty in their approach to this.

The bottom line is this – even though I recently bought the very nice CM.036A, I am seriously considering upgrading to the CM.048A! (Luckily I had already had an idea for a conversion project for my 36A).

The CYMA CM.048M raises the bar for ‘budget’ AEGS. With Classic Army producing a very successful ABS plastic range of entry level AEGs, and the new wave of steel replicas coming onto the market (Kalash are producing all their new AEGs in steel) I think we are finally about to say goodbye to ‘pot metal’ replicas.

…Once again it is the Chinese airsoft manufacturers that are showing the Japanese how things should be done.

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The CYMA CM.048M can be purchased in the UK from Airsoft World for £149.95 (but remember the downgrade!).