S A M PREVIEW SWISS ARMS. M6 Sniper Power and accuracy. No. 26 October 2006 NEW CYBERGUN WEBSITE. KALASHNIKOV AK 47 Electric replica of a legend

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1 S A M OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR REPLICA WEAPONS FIRING PLASTIC PELLETS NEW CYBERGUN WEBSITE No. 26 October 2006 KALASHNIKOV AK 47 Electric replica of a legend DESERT EAGLE.50AE SIG SP 2340 The new range Electronic Blow Back System PREVIEW SWISS ARMS ACCESSORIES The multi-pocket tactical vest M6 Sniper Power and accuracy

2 SOMMAIRE TEST Editorial Fall 2006 is particularly rich in new models! Cybergun has really spoilt us in many different fi elds: precision shooting with Swiss Arms M6 Sniper, electric handguns featuring the brand new Electronic Blow Back System, represented by two very well known weapons (Desert Eagle.50 AE and Sig SP2340), or else top notch electric replicas with the Kalashnikov AK 47 et AK 47S. All these replicas have something in common: the quality of their manufacture. We can add to those the extension of the Swiss Arms accessories range, that gives us superb tactical vest fi tted with numerous pockets. Finally, to complete the new look of its communication (new catalogue and new SAM), Cybergun has unveiled its new Internet site. We went to meet these two designers. Stéphane Balle, Editor NEWS Page 3 All the fall 2006 new models, with the superb Sig Sauer SP 2022 CO 2 fi xed bolt, used by the French Police. TEST: DE.50AE - SP 2340, electrically yours Page 4 Electric handguns are a separate family in the Soft Air world. Cybergun offers a new range of replicas named: Electronic Blow Back System. Let s fi nd out! TEST: The precision rifle Sniper M6 Page 6 Coming from Swiss Arms, this is a magnifi cent example of bolt-action rifl e. Thanks to the range of accessories from the same make, you can transform this rifl e into a superb replica of a sniper s weapon. TEST: AK 47, THE MYTHICAL WEAPON Page 10 The Kalashnikov assault rifl e needs no introduction, but here are two replicas one of the standard models, the other of the AK 47S model ; these electric replicas will impress you by their realism and their out-of-the-ordinary standards. INTERVIEW: Marc Courcelle and Alain Robin Page 14 Page 4 Passionate about IT and Macintosh, they tell us how the design of the new Cybergun Internet site was developed. ACCESSORIES: Multi-pocket tactical vest Page 15 Page 15 The range of Swiss Arms accessories expands with this very handsome multi-pocket vest. Page 10 Page 6 Cybergun is a Registered Trademark of Cybergun S.A., exclusive worldwide* licensee for these famous brands: * Except Beretta 2

3 NEWS TEST TAURUS PT99 CO 2 New model in the CO 2 range, the Taurus PT99 comes in Semi Auto and Full Auto versions. As all other CO 2 models, the PT99 is powerful (90m/s with 0.20 G rounds), accurate (fitted with a BAX adjustable trajectory correction system), combat persistent (the magazine holds 38 rounds) and realistic (it is Full metal ). Moreover, CO 2 allows shooting in all weathers! Disponible Novembre 2006 SIG SAUER SP2022 CO 2 Another CO2 model. This time, it is a replica of automatic pistol equipping the French Police and Gendarmerie. Contrary to the Taurus PT99, the SP 2022 is not Blow Back. While it is slightly less realistic, the replica is more powerful (116 m/s with a 0.12 g round) and has greater shooting capacity (over 250 rounds per Sparklette capsule). The presence of a BAX system endows it with high accuracy. Available November 2006 SWISS ARMS Accessories A lot is happening at Swiss Arms: SMITH & WESSON M645 Spring In keeping with current film news, Cybergun offers a replica of one of Sonny Crocket s weapons in Miami Vice. Performancewise, the M645 will shoot its 14 rounds at 86 m/s; its trajectory correction system is a fixed Hop Up. To ensure the look, a silencer is provided in the box. Available October 2006 Two sighting scopes: one compact (5x42 E, ref.: , EUR 55) and the other standard (4x40, ref.: , EUR 40), adaptable to all weaver or Picatinny rails. The body is made of aluminum, and in the case of the 5x42 E, the electronic intensity adjustment features seven levels. Available September 2006 Magnificent rifle case made of tough, thick nylon. The 3-colours decorative high quality stitching on the front enhances the classy look of the case; its large pockets can accommodate all your accessories and your rounds. Ref.: Average price: EUR 34 VThese are the new safety specs stamped SWISS ARMS. Comfortable and adaptable, the arms are removable and can be replaced with a strap. The specs meet EU standards and American ANSI Z standard. In short, serious gear! Ref.: TAURUS PT24/7 spring Among the heavies, a new model is announced with a manufacturing quality unequalled yet for this category of manual models! It is a replica of Taurus PT24/7 and its realism will strike you at once, as will its smooth and powerful action. However, the best feature of this model is its soft rubber grip that endows it with exceptional handling, like the original. It weighs 525 g, the magazine holds 24 rounds and it is fitted with the BAX system. The energy is 0,5 J, with a 70 m/s velocity with 0,20 g and 90m/s with 0,12. Available October 2006 Ref. :

4 DE.50AE - SP 2340 Electrically yours Cybergun enlarges its electric handguns family with two interesting models: the Desert Eagle.50 AE and the Sig SP With the capability of burst fire as a bonus! In the Soft Air world, electric replicas are often longbarreled weapons. The possibility of burst fi ring is the justifi cation for the presence of an electric motor. On handguns, gas replicas allow automatic fi re, and the blow back system adds striking realism. The most advanced, such as the Desert Eagle CO2, are able to shoot in full auto mode but their price is quite high. A solution had to be found for low power, entry-level replicas. Thus came the Electronic Blow Back System. The presence of a small motor allows the reproduction of the slide movement and the ejection of the round. As on long-barreled electric weapons, the motor compresses a piston, which ejects the round when it liberates the air contained in the chamber. A mechanism uses the motor to actuate the slide. The motor needs four LR03 (AAA) batteries to operate; these are placed in the grip in a precise order. Polarities are marked on the opening door. It should be reminded that all four batteries must be of the same capacity. It is better to use new batteries. To pen the door, push it back and lift. Next, the magazine must be fi lled. It is also located in the grip, just in front of the ammunition chamber. It is extracted by pulling on the tab (on the SP 2340), or on part of the magazine base-plate (on the DE.50AE). All you need do now is to insert the 16 rounds (DE.50AE) or 17 rounds (SP 2340). The curved shape of the magazine is explained by the lack of space in the grip, due to the presence of the batteries. You are now ready to shoot. As on all Soft Air, and to prevent accidental discharges, the presence of a safety catch is mandatory. The latter is located below the trigger guard. To shoot, this button must be depressed at the same time as the trigger is pulled. Fortunately, it falls naturally under the middle fi nger. With a stated power of about 0.1 joule, and despite the presence of a Hop Up, I would advise to use 0.12 g yellow rounds. This leads us to the new feature of this Electronic Blow Back System range: the possibility to shoot full auto. 4

5 Thanks to a selector placed under the barrel, you can fi re single shots in semi mode, or an unlimited burst in auto mode. The presence of rudimentary markings is noticeable on the replicas. On the SP 2340, only the name of the model appears on the slide. By contrast, the Desert Eagle has its name and the IMI logo painted on both sides of the grip. In conclusion, I should say that with these replicas costing less than 30 euros, Cybergun offers two quality electric handguns. Text and photos: Stéphane Balle Thanks to the electric motor, the replicas of Desert eagle.50ae and Sig SP 2340 from the electronic Blow Back System can reproduce the movement of the slide. The battery housing is located in the pistol grip. Be careful to observe the polarity. To help you, a + and marks are stamped on the door. The 0.1-Joule power allows access to these replicas to the youngest among us. The markings of the DE.50AE are engraved on the slide while the SP 2340 is painted. The safety catch falls naturally under the middle finger and allows shooting. Indeed, to activate the replicas, the safety catch and the trigger must be squeezed at the same time. Please note the presence of the magazine release catch and the safety: both are fake. Here is the new element of the Electronic Blow Back system : the presence of a selector for Semi or Auto shooting. If the selector is pushed to Semi, a single round is shot for each pull of the trigger. On the other hand, if the selector is on Full, a burst will be shot. In both cases, the magazine has a curved shape. It holds 16 (DE.50AE) or 17 (SP 2340) rounds that must be loaded one at a time. On the left, the battery compartment door can be seen, with its + and signs. 5

6 The precision rifle Sniper M6 The Sniper M6 is not strictly a replica of a precision rifle extant in the world of real weapons. Indeed, to date, no manufacturer sells a rifle called M6. This replica is therefore a total creation from Cybergun under the Swiss Arm make, for our greatest enjoyment. This precision rifl e is manufactured by the Cybergun Company in the Chinese People s Republic, hence the PRC initials. It is manufactured under Swiss Arm license as can be seen on the box cover. The latter shows an M6 and a rather good night-scene in the background where several helicopters can be seen in infrared vision mode. Beneath that image, the main characteristics of the M6 are shown. The rifl e shoots at 105m/s with 0.20g rounds. The stated range is 40 meters. Besides, the rifl e is fi tted with a BAX trajectory correction system, adjustable to boot. As for accuracy, it is claimed that 50mm groupings are achievable up to 5 meters. There is also a mention that the M6 comes complete with a Speedloader two 25-round magazines as well as extra stock pads in order to adapt the size of the stock to that of the user. Finally, as can be seen on the photo of the Sniper M6, this rifl e is fi tted with two standard Picatinny rails. One of these rails is located beneath the rifl e forward of the hand-guard to receive a bipod, a laser or a light; the other rail is located above the rifl e, near the bolt. This rail is intended for a scope or a red dot system. Elsewhere, on one side of the cover, the user s instructions for the M6 are shown. Upon opening the box, the sniper M6 is found in two parts. This means that you must assemble it yourself; we will see the assembly instructions later. A barrel cleaning/clearing rod is also found, along with a three-point sling, a bag of 0.20g rounds, a bag holding the screws and the Allen key required for assembly, as well as the assembly instruction sheet that doubles as guarantee. Assembling the replica The Sniper M6 is sold in two parts. The upper part comprises the barrel, the bolt, the cocking lever and the trigger assembly in one unit. The lower half comprises the stock and the hand-guard. Both halves are assembled by means of three screws and a single Allen key supplied in the box. One of the three screws is already fi tted to the replica. It is located near the trigger guard. First, the upper part (barrel, bolt) must be joined to the lower half (stock, hand-guard) in such way that the trigger assembly is properly located in its housing. Then, the already inserted screw needs to be slightly tightened. Next, the assembly is completed by tightening the other two screws. To avoid mistaking the screws, the procedure is quite simple: you only need to know that the largest diameter screw fi ts in the orifi ce near the centre of the rifl e. Therefore, the smallest diameter screw fi ts in the forward orifi ce on the rifl e. Regardless of which screw, tighten all of them slightly 6

7 Assembling the M6 Sniper First, position the barrel on the chassis by slotting in the trigger first. before tightening fully. To that end, fi nd the thread for each screw, start the tightening by hand, then use the Allen key provided to tighten further. When all three screws are three-quarter tight, you may tighten them fully. Once the assembly is complete, the whole is a solid unit, without play or creaks. Handling the rifle The Sniper M6 weighs g and is mm long. Each of the three stock extension pads is 10mm long. The length of the M6 rifl e can be adjusted to 1 090mm, 1 100mm or 1 110mm as needed. To fi t the required number of these pads, to achieve good handling, it is suffi cient to remove the stock plate with the Allen key provided, to add the required pads and then to replace the stock plate. The handling of the M6 is very good thanks to a good repartition of its weight and thanks to the anti-slip fi nish on the hand-guard and on the grip. Also, the fi t inside the shoulder is pleasant thanks to a rubber insert on the stock plate. The Sniper M6 is constructed of ABS and metal. The metal parts are the barrel, the bolt, the cocking lever, the internal mechanism, the trigger and the two Picatinny rails. The rest of the rifl e is ABS. The plastic used is of high quality. Its aspect is matt black. This rifl e is not fi tted with sights, hence the presence of a rail on the upper part of the bolt cover. This rail is 170 mm long. This is suffi cient to attach any optical sights to it (scope or red dot system). The run of the cocking lever allows optical sights to be fi tted with low, median or high mounting rings. The other rail is 55mm long and is located beneath the hand-guard. Its position and size allow the fi tting of a bipod, a light, or a laser. As far as markings are concerned, there are no specifi c markings on the Sniper M6 other than the Swiss Arms logo painted on the right side of the stock, and the made in P.R.C mark on the stock plate. Once the rear part is located, clip the barrel. Next: On the early versions of the M6 Sniper, the screw located under the trigger guard was independent from the replica; it is now a solid part of it. In the box of the Swiss Arms M6 Sniper, there are three pads to adjust the length of the rifle to the needs of its user. Still using the Allen key provided, their fitting is child s play. Using the Allen key provided, simply tighten the three screws. 7

8 Next: Close-up of the magazine housing. Centre: The presence of two Picatinny rails allows the fitting of accessories to the M6. The rail shown beneath the replica can receive a bipod, a tactical light or a laser. The rail positioned on top receives sights (scope or red dot ). Cocking the M6 Sniper The M6 Sniper is a bolt action rifle; there are three steps in cocking it: 1. Lift the bolt handle 2. Pull to the rear until a click is heard. Also, once the pump is primed, the mechanism resistance becomes much lower. 3. Push back the bolt handle to its initial position. If the safety is not applied, be careful not to touch the trigger, a shot might be released. Next: A sling is supplied in the box; this is the fixing point located on the stock, the other fixing point is located forward of the lower rail (see second picture on the left). En haut, la sécurité est sur la position «S» pour «Safety», le tir est donc impossible. En bas, la sécurité est sur la position «F» pour «Fire», vous pouvez tirer. Using the Sniper M6 Each of the magazines supplied holds 25 rounds. To fi ll the magazines, simply use the Speedloader supplied. This rapid loader holds 90 rounds. It allows you to fi ll three magazines before needing to reload. It is therefore an accessory that should be kept nearby in a pocket because it takes much less space than a bag of rounds, and above all there is far less risk of tipping and losing one s rounds. Using the Speedloader is very simple. Open the black door at the back of the accessory; pour rounds into it until you reach the 90 mark, then close the door again. Then press on the on the black button on the side of the mark Push open in order that the ball follower comes out of its housing. All you need do now is fi ll the magazines by placing the neck of the Speedloader on the neck of the magazine and pressing the black button as many times as necessary, i.e. until resistance is felt. To return the follower to its original position, simply push it fully and depress the black button on the side of the Push Lock indication to lock it. Once the magazine is full, simply insert its neck towards the front of the rifl e until a slight click is heard. To remove the magazine, press the button located forward of the housing, place the thumb and index on 8 the marks either side of the housing and remove magazine downwards. The safety is located on the right side of the cocking lever. Shooting positions are indicated by the letters F (Fire) and S (Safe). To shoot with the m6 sniper rifl e, place the safety catch on F and cock the weapon using the cocking handle. Cocking is done by raising the lever to the horizontal position, pulling it fully back until a characteristic click is heard and fi nally returning it to its original position. It is the classic cocking procedure for any bolt-action rifl e. During re-cocking, some resistance is felt, which leads to believe that the spring is rather beefy : this is a good omen. Shooting tests The Sniper M6 is not fi tted with sights, but, as explained previously, it has a Picatinny rail that allows fi tting a scope. Unless you intend to shoot at very short range (10 to 15 meters maximum), the installation of a x4 / 40 scope is strongly recommended. For the shooting tests, I used a mid-range 4 x 40 scope with high mounting rings. First of all the shooting range is greater that that stated on the box. A shooting distance of 50/55 meters is easily attainable. The velocity of the rounds varies between 100 m/s and 110 m/s depending on the

9 make of the rounds used and their weight. The BAX accuracy system assumes its role perfectly. It is adjusted on the left side of the barrel, level with the handguard. However, the adjustment knob is very sensitive. Care must be taken during adjustment. The shooting tests were very conclusive since up to 50 meters, [BAX system and scope properly adjusted] it is possible to achieve groupings on an A4 sheet of paper (21 x 29.7 cm). Granted, the impacts are not close, but the sheet can be hit with each shot. The shooting tests have shown that the best compromise of velocity and trajectory was to use 0.23g or 0.25g rounds. The BAX trajectory correction system is operated by means of a little sliding tab. Conclusion The Sniper M6 is a smart precision rifl e for many reasons. Indeed the shooting quality (velocity and accuracy) is more than satisfactory. Its look is rather successful. It is delivered with a number of above-average accessories. And above all, its price (average price of EUR 79) is beyond competition. In short, apart from its low price, everything else is top of the range quality. The opposition pales in comparison. I will only say one thing: get yourself one soon and enjoy yourself. Text: Laurent Kachler Photos: Stéphane Balle Customize your M6 Sniper Thanks to the Swiss Arms accessory range, you can improve your replica. The new 4 X 40 scope (Ref , EUR 45) will endow your M6 Sniper with long distance shooting sights. For supported shooting, the preferred position of a sniper, the aluminum bipod (Ref.: , EUR 49.90) will be perfect. Note that the two rails allow many combinations and the opportunity of fi tting all accessories compatible with this system on your M6 Sniper. Next: Close-up of the aluminum bipod manipulation. Below: Note that it is possible to extend the bipod. 9

10 Who does not know the AK47? In his latest film, Lord of War, Nicolas Cage presents it as the most popular guerrilla weapon in the world. This true, the AK47 is, has been part of all conflicts across the globe, and the latest models from Cybergun, the AK47 and its shortened version AK47S, both in AEG, let us put them under the spotlight. The magazines supplied in the AK47 boxes are of High Cap type and hold about 300 rounds each. Loading is made loosely through the top door of the magazine. Once the rounds are in the magazine, simply twist the knob at the bottom of the magazine to position the rounds and start shooting. TheAK47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova Kalash is an assault rifl e created by the Russian Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov. This weapon is very popular in the world and justly so, it is estimated that more than 90 million model 1947), often known under the name Kalashnikov or have been manufactured in a dozen countries, mainly in Asia and Eastern Europe; and its success is still current. It is a legendary weapon of recognized robustness, reliability even in extreme situations, the simplicity of its maintenance and also for very low production cost. This weapon has a rich history, but before anything else, its ammunition deserves to be discussed: the 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge. At the turn of the century, nearly all rifl es used by the military were of bolt-action types, with a few semi-automatic exceptions; they were chambered for long and powerful cartridges, liked for their long-range accuracy, such as the famous 7.92 x 57 mm Mauser. The problem was that these cartridges were too powerful AK MYTHICAL for use in a weapon with a high rate of fi re: the recoil forces would have been too high. The Germans created a shorter and less powerful cartridge by reducing the propellant charge and thus was born the Sturmgewehr 44 rifl e. When it came in possession of some examples, the Red Army realized its potential and created an equivalent cartridge, the 7.62 x 39 mm round. It appeared and was adopted by the Red Army in At that time, Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov was a sergeant in an armored division; after being wounded during the battle for Briansk, he drew some weapons during his convalescence, but without the anticipated success. He left the army to join the IZHMASH Ijevsh armament factory when he created his own rifl e in 1947; however, contrary to widespread opinion, he did not copy the German ri- fl e; he gained inspiration from the workings of the M1 Garand as well as from some Browning weapons. His project evolved until 1951 to lower production costs still further. This latest version of his rifl e was adopted by the Soviet army in 1953, but kept its fi rst designation: AK 47. This armament legend was destined for phenomenal success from the outset. On the strength of this success, several countries wished to manufacture their own AK 47 models; this led to the production license being sold to such countries as China, Finland with its Valmet Rk 76, Poland, Croatia, Romania with its AI, Serbia and Yugoslavia with the M70 B1. However, this is not all, Israel gained inspiration from the Finnish rifl e to create its own Galil that was later produced under license with the Vektor R4 name in South Africa. Later, Ukraine with the Vepr, India with the INCAS, Bulgaria, Cuba, North Korea with Model 58, Egypt with the MISR, Hungary wit its 10

11 47 WEAPON AK 55 and East Germany with it MPj-KM produced their version of the famous Russian rifl e. This gives an idea of the global success of the weapon. Latterly, Russia has developed the AK 101 and 102, both chambered for the 5.56 x 45 mm NATO round, the AK103, 104 in 7.62 x 39 mm caliber and lastly the AK105 in 5.45 x 39 mm caliber. This weapon is present in all confl icts and is appreciated by its users for its many qualities. It still has a great future ahead and, who knows, it may still be talked about in a century from now. First impressions When opening the box, we can see that it does not simply contain the replica and a magazine, as is the case with other manufacturers. In fact, it contains an en- Right: this is the standard AK 47; Left, the short model with the folding stock: the AK 47S. tire package and this AK47 is supplied with all necessary accessories. This is quite an interesting concept since its price is lower than other AK47. Thus, we fi nd a battery and its charger, a sling ant not 1 but 2 magazines of High Cap type holding 300 rounds each, the kit is truly complete. This AK47 is reproduced in its two best-known versions: the fi rst is the standard AK47 version with a standard full stock; the other is the AK 47S version with a folding stock. The fi rst impression when looking at the replica is that it is largely made of ABS plastic, but it also possesses many metal parts: the barrel, the sights and their bracket, the gas regulator, the stock obviously, the trigger guard, the top cover, the rear sight, etc The parts that attracted my attention, on fi rst inspection, were the pistol grip and the hand-guard that really look like wood and I must admit that I was very nearly taken in. The fi nish The fire selector has three positions: 1. is the Safe position, shooting is impossible ; 2. Full Auto position, the weapon shoots as long as the trigger is depressed ; 3. Single shot position. The selector is identical on the standard version and on the S version. The impression of stamped metal enhances the realism of the replica. Below: a sample of all the markings present on the AK47 and AK47S. 11

12 Installation of the battery in the AK47S During re-assembly, take care to position the cover correctly as on the photograph. Press the button located at the rear of the carcass and push back the cover to reveal the battery compartment. Centre: To open the battery compartment, you need to push down the black plastic part on the end of the stock. Above: On the standard AK 47, the battery sits inside the stock; it is larger than that on the AK 47S. A battery and its charger are found in the AK 47 box. Shown here is the Stick battery plugged into its charger. It is strongly recommended not to charge it for more than 6 hours, or it can be damaged. Below: Detail of battery connection on the AK 47S. is good and the replicas are not too light; they are quite convincing. Presentation As on all AK47, we fi nd the usual fi re selector on the right side with its three positions (Safe, Auto and Semiauto). As on the real thing, it is agricultural, but the fi nish is well executed (good choice of paints on the plastic) and the wood imitation is really impressive, only slight molding fl ash spoil the superb effect. As previously mentioned, there are many metal parts that add to the realism of the whole; it will be noted that parts attached to the barrel are a little too shiny (front sight and gas regulator) but this is an unimportant detail. The stock of the AK47S is easily unfolded and allows a stable shooting position without too much play in the assembly. The markings are not engraved but 12 just painted. The top cover is made of metal, bringing realism and added solidity, a good thing. As on many electric replicas, the ejection port gives access to the trajectory correction system. The sights are simple to use, easily adjustable and agricultural, as on the real AK47, while the fi xing screws hold the whole tightly together. We also note that the folding stock can damage the hand-guard once folded but nothing much can be done about it. The sling hooks look solid and, as this replica is not too heavy, there should not be any worries. As for the power supply, it is worth reminding that the replica is sold with an AK type battery (an appropriate name here!) of 8.4V / 600 mah for the AK47S; the full stock version has a battery of 8.4 V / 1300 mah. The charger supplied is simple and of the slow charging type, it will therefore require several hours to reach full charge. It should also be reminded that the battery cells are NiCd, the battery needs to be fully discharged before charging and no discharger is supplied. To conclude this presentation, let s discuss the magazines. As it was explained at the start, the weapon is provided with two magazines holding about 300 rounds. They are made of plastic and only the forward part, which clips into the AK47, is made of metal. However, their fi nish is quite well executed. The rounds are fed from the top as in most High-Cap magazines and the loading door seems solid; it does not open on its own. Inspection After removing the top cover, using the small button located at the rear, access is gained to the battery compartment. The latter fi ts easily and the usual connection is still simple. It will be noted that the electrical wires used are thin but very strong. When the battery plastic housing removed, access to the fuse is gained; the trajectory correction system can be seen, as can the top of the gearbox. The motor of this AK47 is accessed by stripping the pistol grip, like on the Marui versions, it is well held in position. The main cog of the motor seems sold and shows no traces of wear, even after several shooting sessions. Let s now examine the strengthened parts located inside the replica. We note that the stock bearers are reinforced on both sides; traces of red anti-vibration thread locking compound can be seen. The part holding the magazine release button and the forward magazine catch are also reinforced. Of course, this is normal and it would have been inconceivable that they should be plastic. At fi rst sight, the gearbox is of high quality and well machined; the screws are well fi tted. The Selector plate deserves a mention: this part is quite important because it is activated by the Fire Selector and therefore it

13 allows mechanical and electrical selection of shooting modes from Semi (i.e. one shot for each pull of the trigger) to Full auto (continuous burst). What is interesting when we examine this Selector plate made of white plastic on the left side of the gearbox is that it has no electrical contacts, unlike the Marui model. In fact, it can be seen that both electrical contacts are soldered together; the only safety is therefore mechanical. This is a good thing because, in the long term, corrosion of the contacts could lead to malfunctions; this is another positive point of the weapon. Looking more closely at details, we note that the cogs are of reinforced type and their construction shows their quality, yet another positive point. The original fi t is good and even after fi ring over 5,000 rounds, no signs of wear can be seen on the Tappet plate, a part made of black plastic, in contact with the upper cog. As for the nozzle, the spring guide-rod is made of high quality transparent plastic; the manufacturer did not forget to fi t a washer at the bottom to save on wear caused by the spring, which appears to be beefy enough. The piston itself is made of polycarbonate, as is the piston head; the whole is light and robust. Even after shooting thousands of rounds, no wear is visible on the teeth. In short, we can state that this gearbox, as well as all its components, is of high quality and that it will last a long time since it all appears solidly made. Let s now move to the last part of this replica that we have not really mentioned yet: the trajectory corrections system. Apart from the screws, it is entirely made of plastic. It is of the BAX One Way type (with two humps). Its adjustment is very simple, it is carried out by moving the white part: the further back it is moved, the greater the increase of the trajectory correction. Note that the shape of the rubber choke is uncommon since there are two humps instead of one; this reduces the friction of the ball on the membrane quite noticeably, as will be seen during the shooting tests. Operation, power and accuracy tests After setting up the AK47, I started shooting in Semi mode. Everything went well and the range is correct for an original replica. I then moved to Full auto and everything worked perfectly; having High Cap magazines is an appreciable plus: shooting is worry-free, The projectile trajectory correction system is of the BAX One Way type. To adjust it, you need to use the black tab under the cocking handle. Close-up of the Selector Plate : in order to avoid possible electrical problems, the contacts are soldered. Details of the gearbox cogs, there is a general air of quality. The muzzle brake (top) and the sights (bottom) are identical on the standard and AK47S versions. no empty shots! We then moved to the power and accuracy tests. The power of 0.8 Joule approximately, combined with a 90 m/s muzzle velocity, is quite good for an original replica while the average rate of fi re is in keeping with the average found in originals. The replica was tested with 0.20g rounds. As for accuracy, groupings are quite acceptable at 20 meters; the impacts are not too scattered. In short, this is quite a satisfactory package in all respects: power, rate of fi re (between 600 and 800 shots per minute depending on the output of the battery used), range and accuracy. The good balance and handling of this replica contribute to the very good stability during shooting. Conclusion This AK47 combines everything to be a reliable replica. Let s underline again its very good fi nish, its excellent wood imitation and the quality of its gearbox. The fact that it is sold with all its accessories (two High Cap magazines, the battery and its charger) for a price lower than other makes is truly its trump card against the competition. The classic model, with its fi xed stock is sold for EUR 199 and the AKS model with the folding stock is sold for EUR 18. This AK47 has a great future assured. Text: Anthony Diat Photos: Stéphane Balle 1

14 INTERVIEW Cybergun has just overhauled the look of its website. Visit to find a multitude of information, both for professionals and for Soft Air fans. The artisan behind this change is called Marc Courcelle and he has recently been joined by Alain ROBIN, the new webmaster, whom we interviewed for you. SAM: Tell us about the download section A.R.: well, that s where you can find the 2006 catalog, and all the back issues of SAM since the first, which has become a collector s item, exploded diagrams of the products and a brand new VIDEO section, enabling Air Soft users to fix breakdowns and maintain their products. SAM: Why did you include videos on the website? A.R.: We realized that a large number of returns to the workshop were due to poor knowledge of a few basic rules. We therefore decided to illustrate these basics using videos, which is a more fun accessible format. The 13 videos (in wmp format) explain how to correctly use an Air Soft Gun, remove a jammed round, correctly maintain one s replica, etc... SAM: Is the website designed more for professionals, or for the public? A.R.: the website is currently designed for the public but the reseller section will be expanded to enable them to enter their orders directly online. SAM: How long does a transformation like this take? A.R.: The complete overhaul of the website took around 4 months. We had to take a large number of new photos, of the articles, but the part that took the longest is the site management tool that enables us to broadcast the most up-to-date information in record time. For us, Internet has become a vital tool in our sector, and Cybergun, the leader in its field needed a corresponding website, which we now have. There is still a lot of work to be done on an everyday basis to retain this position, and that is my challenge. SAM: Alain ROBIN can you introduce yourself in a few words? Alain Robin: My background is in the specialist press in a field of leisure quite similar to Air Soft. My job at Cybergun will be to inject new life into the website. I am doing all I can to make it better suit the expectations of Internet users who are always looking out for something new. SAM: Why did you decide to completely transform the website? A.R.: we really needed to refurbish our website; the old site did not enable us to be sufficiently reactive. We wanted a more modern interface, and sections 14 with more content and more frequent updates, in other words, a living site. SAM: When was the first Cybergun website created? A.R.: the first site was developed in early SAM: What are the major changes in the new website? A.R.: The homepage has been totally redesigned and the animated banner enables us to promote products, events, etc... The most important change concerns the catalog, which is now more complete, with an improved presentation to the product data sheets containing a wealth of information, illustrations, numerous views from various angles, including exploded views, etc... More weighting has been given to news, on the homepage, with direct links to the technical data sheets for the new items. This very important section will of course be the one that changes the most frequently. A new downloadable videos section has appeared, to provide users with assistance. The resellers section enables visitors to the site to find their nearest exclusive Cybergun point-of-sale. SAM: What was the hit rate on the site before and after the overhaul? A.R.: Since the site was overhauled, the number of visits has more than doubled and is rising constantly; we are keeping a permanent eye on the indicators. SAM: Does the Products section include the entire Cybergun catalog? A.R.: almost all of the content of the printed catalog can be found in this section, as well as the forthcoming new items, product associated accessories, etc Above: an example of a technical data sheet. A large amount of information is available for each model in the catalog.

15 ACCESSORIES Multi-pocket tactical vest We had announced its arrival last spring, and here is the superb tactical vest in the Swiss Arms range in hardwearing Cordura. Reviewed in detail! Special pockets to hold spare magazines: they can hold magazines for any handgun, the Cybergun Speed Loader, or even an M6 Snipper magazine The upper pocket is designed to hold accessories such as a tactical light or, as illustrated, a laser. The bottom right part of the vest has three pockets for three magazines from long weapons such as the AK 47, the M4 A1, or the ini UZI, or indeed any other model you may own. These pockets are elasticized and can also be used to carry smaller magazines. Two large pockets on the sides are perfect for carrying a pair of sunglasses or a bottle of projectiles. Lastly, the inside of the vest has two immense pockets that can hold bags of 1,000 rounds. The vest is fully adjustable with three adjustable straps on the left and on the right, ensuring a perfect hold in all conditions. 15

16 LEGENDS NEVER DIE PLAY IT DUO DUAL KIT A Colt M4 R.I.S. rifle, Spring + A Colt MK IV handgun, Spring EUR 89 Ref. : or PLAY IT SOLO? Ref. : Colt M4 R.I.S. spring, with red dot, fl ash lamp and laser red dot. EUR 79 Ref. : Colt MK IV spring, with silencer, red dot, laser point rouge EUR Ref. : Electronic target with 3 tilting targets and projectile recovery net EUR Ref. : Colt M4 R.I.S. spring EUR 69 Ref. : Colt MK IV spring, with silencer and red dot EUR 12 Sign up at buy@cybergun.com (password: SAM) to: > receive the technical data sheet of new items by > join the CYBERGUN customer loyalty program Replicas of dummy firearms firing harmless 6mm plastic projectiles. Non-contractual photos. Find your nearest dealer by calling L O F F I C E N S E D I C I A L P R O D U C T