I recently acquired a “prototype” G&G AKMS and I have to say, I think I have finally found an AK variant AEG that I’ll keep.  Having played with more than a few AKs, nothing except maybe a teammate’s RS Type 56 or highly upgraded AKs have felt right or solid enough for me to game with.  I say that because it’s like a rite of passage for me to fall on all my rifles multiple times hence me wanting something that will not break. 😉

Having previously owned a G&G RK47 (which was also a nice gun but not for me), I was definitely intrigued at the AKMS prototype’s offering.  Based on the real AKM-S (modernized AK47 with folding stock) the G&G AKMS definitely looks the part when comparing it to pictures of the real thing.

The G&G AKMS is rather plain looking (what I like), like other AKM style weapons and similar to AK47/74 though with subtle differences. The gun weighs in at ~3.5kg (7.5 lbs), externally is made entirely of steel with wood handgrips and a plastic pistol grip.  G&G AEGs normally comes with hi capacity magazines though the one that the AKMS came with this gun was malfunctioning so the retailer gave me a mid cap mag instead (which is fine by me, I hate hi caps).  Also included is a front sight adjustment too, ~500 BBs, a barrel cleaning rod and the user’s manual.  According to G&G, the AKMS comes with a 6.04mm diameter tightbore 455mm inner barrel but that is something I cannot verify.

The G&G AKMS is equipped with a folding stock so that means it uses a stick battery which goes under the top cover.  Space is tight so watch out for stray wires when putting the top cover back on. The controls are on the right side of the gun, the selector lever like all AKs goes from safe to auto then semi.  The lever is large enough to manipulate even with thick gloves on (something that is useful here in Canada during winter games) and the hopup adjustment is hidden behind the bolt door.  Because the battery is stored in the top above the receiver the fake bolt does not move all the way back like with G&G’s RK47.  Also missing is the entire long stroke piston assembly (that comes with the RK47) but that’s understandable since the battery is in the way.

On the left side of the gun, there is the stock lock button which when depressed allows you to fold or extend the stock.  There are also two sling loops, one near the gas block and one at the rear near the sling lock button. Notably missing is a rail on the left side for attaching Russian style optics.  Right behind the fore grip is a faux manufacture year and serial number.

Like all other AKs, the open iron sights are only adjustable for height but that’s not a huge deal for airsoft and at least for me using them is easier than with the peep iron sights on M4/M16s. The gun comes equipped with an AKM slant muzzle break; it is coloured orange so I guess this AEG came from the US but whatever that’s something that a quick spray of paint can fix.

Taking down the G&G AKMS is very different from the traditional TM design, whether it is better I don’t know but the gun certainly feels very good to hold and use.  To those interested in the internals sorry I am not going to tear it down just yet, the gun is shooting very smoothly so I see no need to go into the mechbox.  Not as much of a tweaker as I once was, perhaps I am getting lazy.

The G&G AKMS fires just like every other AEG, groupings seem good thanks to the 6.04mm tightbore inner barrel though I have yet to field the gun in an in game situation.  At the moment I have only tested the AKMS with TM and G&P mags and both brands function just fine in the rifle and other brands should work just fine as long as they are TM compatible.  The gun chronies in at ~425 fps with 0.2g BBs though I am not sure if the gun was tweaked by the retailer beforehand. One thing I did notice is the plastic err cap that covers the gears with version 3 mechboxes by the trigger was missing so dirt can get into the mechbox.  Will have to mcguyver  something to block that space in the mean time.

First impressions from the G&G AKMS are pretty darn good and this is a rifle I think I will be keeping.  Time will tell how it stands up (interested in seeing it compared to the RS Type 56s on the team) to hard play and if there are any updates I will definitely post them. I am not a collector but I am told since this is a prototype model from G&G, there are only two in North America right now and that is kind of cool.  I certainly hope G&G goes ahead and releases its AKMS because this gun here is damn solid.

In low light operations having a flashlight is a must (that is if you don’t have night vision), used sparingly it’s a great tactical tool and nothing is more handy than a weapon light.  Attached to the gun the flashlight can almost be used as an aiming device (assuming the contact is not too far) and is always guaranteed to light up the area that the gun is pointed at.

For the last four odd years I’ve been using the Insight M3, which has served me well but I’ve wanted something that is LED based for many reasons (more efficient, last longer, does not generate heat, just to name a few).  When I decided to order a new pair of Magnum boots on LA Police Gear, I saw that it had a sale on the Streamlight TLR-1 so I decided to add it to my shopping list. 🙂

The Streamlight TRL-1 weapon light comes with two Streamlight CR123 batteries as well as a few different mounts (Glock, 1913, S&W 99, TSW and Berretta 92) and a basic instruction manual. According to Streamlight the TLR-1 puts out light in the 135 lumens range, while I do not have a device to measure this it is brighter than my old Insight M3.  The flashlight is constructed of aluminum, is waterproof and the LED is rated for 50,000 hours. Run time according to Streamlight is 2 1/2  hours of continuous output.

Now that the “specs” are out of the way the Streamlight TLR-1 is roughly the same size as Insight M3 though it’s slightly heavier (the M3 is plastic).

Mounting the light is different from the Insight M3 (more on that in a sec) but the controls are in the same spot and function in the same manner. To mount the light onto a pistol or picatinny rail is a bit different from other weapon lights.  Instead of sliding along the rail, move the TLR-1 into position, press the twist/secure button and the light clamps in place.  Tighten the screw (hand tight is enough) and the TLR-1 is nice and secure on your gun rail. Dimensions of the flashlights are about the same and with the TLR-1 installed on the TM Glock 17, I do not have any problems inserting the combination into my Safariland 6004 Glock w/M3 thigh holster.

At the rear there’s a clip which secures the err rear switch mechanism (don’t know what it’s called) and it’s pretty darn tight.  The first few times you’ll definitely need to use a tool (a coin works quite well) to snap it out of place but once it breaks in, you should be able to do it with just your fingers.  When the battery compartment is open, insert your batteries then close things up.

With the Streamlight TLR-1 locked in place on your weapon, you certainly have a something that’s ready to rock in low light conditions.  The 135 lumens rating is high enough to blind opponents in a CQB environment and the LED bulb means you’ll have something that can run for a long time without killing the batteries, burn out or generate a ton of heat (yeah I’m guilty of accidentally leaving activating the my weapon light while in my kit bag).

The Streamlight TLR-1 is still new to me and time will tell if it serves me as well as my old Insight M3.  The manufacturing quality seems top notch and Streamlight has a good reputation, I have little doubts that my search for a LED based pistol weapon light is over.