AirsoftPope

Manufacturer: X Factor / TMC
Package: 1x Metal Mesh Half Mask.
Type: Gear / Protection
Rating: 5/5
Cost: $20 @ Airsoft Extreme

I have never been one for face protection outside of the CQB environment. Paintball masks make me feel very claustrophobic and fogging was always an issue due to my heavy breathing being recycled into the poorly ventilated lower part of the mask. Eventually I gave up and started wrapping a shemagh around my head and biting the knot when I knew contact was eminent. Not really 100% safe by any stretch of the imagination. Fast forward to July 2011 when AEX had their big 4th of July sale going on and I found the X Factor V2 Metal Mesh Half Mask while surfing their online store for random items (which I do more often than I’d like to admit).

I instantly fell in love with the soft, cordura covered foam lower half of the mask which greatly adds to the comfort during movement. The ear protection does limit and event restricts which radio headset I can use, one of the major con’s of the mask. The cut of the mask can rub on the bridge of your nose if your straps are not secured correctly, a mistake I did that literally rubbed me raw during field tests.

I field tested on two games, one being in a high-humidity environment, the other in a very normal, 80F day. During the high-humidity game, I noticed a considerable amount of either sweat or condensation (couldn’t really tell) forming on the wire mesh portion of the mask. This really didn’t hinder the masks operation, just seemed a little odd. No rusting or staining occurred from sweating through the cordura. At 98% humidity, the masked performed great. During the 2nd field trial nothing really exceptional happened. The mask performed as designed and I actually got zapped in the lower face at approximately 25 feet. The mask rang with every BB strike, letting me know there was no doubt that I was hit. I had no problem sighting in on my AEG using iron sights and red dots respectively.

In conclusion, for $20 you can’t get better face protection. Comfortable, light and durable, the X Factor V2 Metal Mesh Half Mask is the protection you need at a price point that won’t break the bank. After all, a trip to the dentist to replace that chipped/broken tooth is going to cost a hell of a lot more than $20 no matter how good of insurance you have!

Manufacturer: Hakkotsu
Package: 1x Firing Core, 2x Cotter Pins, 1x Flashbang shell, 2x MK2 “Pineapple” shells.
Type: Grenade
Rating: 4/5

My lust for a functional airsoft grenade goes back to my very early days of airsoft. Way back then, we used tennis balls with a streamer attached. Ghetto-milsim, but it was better than nothing. Gradually, we moved up to cast-rubber grenades with streamers attached. Not too shabby, low tech and cheap, but calling hits was always and issue. Then came my beloved Escort M26 gas grenades which had a finicky and difficult timer system and only blew gas out of the bottom . At this point, I swore off grenades forever, convinced I would never find a truly functional milsim airsoft grenade. Then came the Hakkotsu Thunder B. I first experienced the Thunder B at a now-closed CQB field in SoCal when one rolled in the room I was bunker’d in. When it went off, my ears rang and I leaped out of my skin… I must have it.

I received the Thunder B Beginners Package from Airsoft Extreme in the mail a few months later and ripped into the package accordingly. The operation of the Thunder B is amazingly simple in it’s complexity. A 12g CO2 cartridge is fed into an aluminum tube where once the spoon is released, a sharp plunger is thrust into the narrow end of the CO2 cartridge. The gas expands and bursts the plastic shell, letting out a horrific 130db boom. Very satisfying to say the least and the loudest non-pyro grenade I have heard.

The Thunder B amp’s up MilSim events like I always dreamed they could be. Loud booms all over the field really sets the immersion level bar higher than your average airsoft game. I do find that when fields allow these sound grenades in as area weapons, we ran into the same problem of folks not calling hits simply because they can’t identify if they are in range. No fault to those players, 130db is disorientating and quite frankly hard to range in the open field. I see the Thunder B much more of an asset to the CQB arena but still has it’s place in the large overall field games.

While I do love the Thunder B, it’s not without it’s draw backs. For example, firing core head is made of plastic and gives it a very “toy” feel. I have heard reports of this plastic breaking for some users on the first throw and while this is not the case with my unit, it is something to be wary about when lobbing this towards your foe. Another negative is the arming procedure. I found it a little cumbersome and difficult to cock the firing hammer, set the spoon, set the pin, put in the CO2 cartridge, screw on the cap and screw on the shell. Seems a bit much in my opinion, but for a functional airsoft grenade, I can cope. Lastly, I don’t care for hauling out the spent grenade shells. I wouldn’t dream of littering, dropping them in the field, but hauling garbage out is not fun and with the Thunder B, it’s a must.

In conclusion, the Thunder B adds a rich dynamic to airsoft events that you need to experience to believe. I love the Thunder B so much that I have 20+ extra shells on hand and keep them permanently in my airsoft go-bag “just in case”. The immersion factor alone makes these grenades a must for any serious MilSim player and all negatives stated above are out-weighed by the bowel-shaking 130db assault your opponents feel when one lands at their feet. You can pick a beginner pack up from Airsoft Extreme for $22.99 USD.

Manufacturer: Javelin Airsoft Works
Package: Javelin Airsoft Works AK74 EBB, manual, 1 x 500rd Hi-Cap magazine, 2 x Javelin Airsoft patches.
Type: AEG
Velocity: Average 415fps with 0.20g BBs
Rating: 5/5

Much like with the M4, the airsoft market has been flooded in recent years with forgettable AK variants en mass. I planted my AK flag in Classic Army’s yard when they first debuted their AK line and never really looked back. That is until a friend turned me on to a relative new-comer to the AEG game, Javelin Airsoft Works. I knew Javelin made BBs as far back as 2009, but I thought that was it. Turns out they have been producing AEGs as far back as early 2010! Seeing as I was pretty much on airsoft-hiatus during 2010, no wonder I didn’t recognize the name.

Regardless, I was looking for another AK to beef up my armory and decided to give the Javelin AK74 EBB a shot. Retailing for $230 USD from Airsoft Extreme, the box came packed with a 500rd Hi-Cap, manual and to my surprise, two Javelin patches (I’m kind of a patch nerd).

The AK74 is full metal and wood construction with very few but appropriate plastic pieces. The pistol grip is made from a high grade polymer which is textured on the sides. My stock was loose and had quite a bit of play right out of the box. I went over the entire gun and torqued down the random loose screws, a few more than I would expect on a factory-fresh AEG.

I ordered an 8.4v 1400 stick batter but sadly it just wasn’t enough to cycle the gun. Replacing it with a 9.6v battery was the trick, bringing the ’74 to vicious life. Semi-auto was crisp and responsive. Full-auto is where the EBB really came into it’s own. Everyone I handed the AK74 to was impressed with it’s weight and construction. They became sold when they flipped the safety to full-auto and rattled off a few rounds down-range. The EBB gives and ever-so-slight kick and mechanical noise that you just don’t find in standard AEGs. EBB makes the rifle feel more ‘wild’ and ‘dangerous’ for no other reason than the clacking sounds three inches from your face.

My AK74 averaged 415fps with G&G Bio 0.2g weight BBs, placing it in that sweet spot of not needed to upgrade to make it field ready. The hop-up is average, holding the settings placed and making long shots a breeze. The battery needed a little ‘encouragement’ to fit, but nothing too scarey in the process.

Unlike most of my new guns, I wasn’t too ginger with the AK74 EBB. After all, it’s built like a tank and bench testing had shown that this AEG needed a bigger venue than just a local pick-up game to prove it’s salt. I rocked the ’74 as my primary weapon at OLCMSS’s 3-day airsoft event Op: Lightning Strike II at Ft. Drum on August 3rd 2011. As you may or may not know, airsoft Op’s eat AEGs alive so I figured what better trial scenario. Over the weekend, I shot nearly 8,000 rounds which sounds a bit excessive… but at 200 players vs 12 of us staff, seems a bit more reasonable. Not once the AK74 fail me. Not a single jam, misfire or hiccup to mention. Simply awesome.

In conclusion, I have to say I’m in awe of the Javelin AK74 EBB. In all honesty, I didn’t have much faith in it when I first opened the box and still brought my venerable CA SLR-105 as a back-up for when (not if) the Javelin failed. The Javelin made a believer out of me, putting to rest my belief that quality guns have to cost over $400 USD. While there are a few random con’s (loose screws, plastic flash suppressor, 9.6v battery requirement) that are easily overcome, this AEG definitely has a permanent home in my arsenal.

Manufacturer: Airsoft Innovations
Package: 1x AI Gas Can, 1x Bottle GBB Oil, 1x Propane adapter + cap + duster adapter, Manual.
Type: Accessory
Rating: 5/5

AI: GasCan

I have never have been much for gas guns, mostly because of the weight of the mags or portability of green gas containers. In fact, it would be safe to say that outside of 40mm grenades… I hated gas devices. When Orca approached me, touting that the new AI GasCan will make me fall in love with gas guns all over again, I literally laughed in his face. There is no way this little accessory will convert me, I thought. I stand before you today a changed man.

GasCan + accessories in the package

The AI GasCan is basically a reusable aluminum gas storage tank for Green, Duster and Propane gas. It is slightly larger than a 40mm 168rd shower shell and weighs next to nothing with a retail price tag of approximately $40 USD. Two can fit in a double M4 mag pouch and with that kind of portability, what’s not to like?

Operation of the GasCan is pretty simple and AI does an amazing job (as in all their manuals) on how to use it. So much so that instead of having me butcher the instructions, I’ll just post that portion of the instruction manual. It’s not that I’m THAT lazy, but why mess with what honestly works?

GasCan user manual

My favorite feature of the GasCan is the hassle-free oiling of my magazines/grenades. Basically all you have to do is add GBB oil or Tornado oil into the GasCan and gas up accordingly. No more adding oil between the propane adapter and propane bottle! I’ll be honest.. I have terrible aim and constantly lubed the outside of my propane bottle on almost every refill. AI went one step further and actually had the foresight to put checkboxes on the side of the GasCan, allowing the user to mark what this particular can is used for, preventing any possible cross contamination. I think I will still used colored tape for fast recognition, but still, very thoughtful on their part.

On a side note, when my GasCan arrived via USPS the fill nozzle would vent any gas put in immediately. I went to Airsoft Innovations’ website and submitted a tech request. They had a new cap out to me with nothing out of pocket. Amazing customer service. Here’s how the replacement cap packaged arrived from USPS. Amazingly no damage was done and my GasCan is back to 100% operational status.

The AI GasCan is beautiful in it’s sheer simplicity and honestly is one of the most useful airsoft accessories on the market today. From the range of devices it can be used with, any role in airsoft will benefit from this accessory. I love the GasCan so much, I bought a second one. Seriously.

Manufacturer: KWA
Package: KMP9, manual, 1 x 48rd magazine, silicon oil, hopup adjustment tool.
Type: GBB SMG
Velocity: Average 387fps with Propane @ 67F
Retail Price: $220 USD
Rating: 5/5

Being a long time KWA fan and owning a number of their GBB pistols, I knew the KMP9 would be amazing… I just didn’t know it would be this amazing.

I received the KMP9 from my good friends over at Airsoft Extreme, courtesy of SoCal Airsoft League. Out of the box, the ergonomics when holding the KMP9 with the stock folded is what stood out most. Very natural and very comfortable. Racking the charging handle gave a very satisfying clack and firing from the closed bolt position gave me hope that foreign object obstruction would die with the venerable MAC11A1 series.

Performance is where the KMP comes into it’s own. While designed to be a CQB monster, the KMP9′s high velocity and outstanding hop up make this little SMG a field worthy weapon. My tests did not fare well with .20g bbs as the flight pattern appeared to be all over the place. When I stepped it up to a .25g bb, the KMP9 began to shine. I was hitting a man-sized object at 100ft with minimal hop up with absolutely no problem. With the FPS being so high on propane (average 387 w/0.20g bbs) you may run into problems when deploying in a CQB environment, but for field play, it’s a blessing. KWA does offer a Low Power Bolt for the KMP9 which will reduce the velocity by 50-70fps, making the KMP9 much more CQB friendly. Also be aware that the noise made when firing will turn heads on the field, and brown the shorts of the opposing team!

KWA hit a home run with this little monster SMG! So much so that I acquired 3 more magazines and run it as my secondary whenever possible. Definitely recommended for all those looking to get into the GBB SMG scene.