Did you about know the "100 series" produced by Izhmash? The main factory of the AK 47 created this series with which they finally passed on the baton to the wooden AK, using reinforced polymers that increased the lightness and durability of the rifle. And since the colour of the polymer used was black, this new series was called "The Black Kalashnikov".

This model that are the first series of the AK of the Arcturus catalogue is a replica of one of those black Kalashnikovs, the AK 104, with some modern features like the stock, magazines, muzzle, handguards... Since AKs will never stop evolving. They are living history.

- Handguard - 

We liked that the lower part of the handguard is an M-LOK, dispensing with the extra weight and volume that a RIS entails. Made of CNC anodized aluminium, its design reminds us of SLR Rifleworks. We also liked that instead of the upper part they covered the gas tube with a 22 mm Picatinny rail to be able to connect sights (although you have the classic platform on the internal side for that purpose, which will allow you to mount a sight platform even closer to the eye), AN-PEQs or flashlights at the top. And on top of that it includes as standard an M-LOK coupling hand stopper, which reminds us of the Barricade, another piece from the SLR catalogue. 

-Muzzle -

This replica does not carry the Krinkov type muzzle (like that of the AKS74U) as it carries a more modern one that reminds us of the one from the Synergy by SLR Rifleworks. In the real model the crosshead finish that works as flash suppressor, reducing the flare, while the bored contour dissipates the gases of the shot helping to reduce the weapon’s recoil, obviously in the airsoft version this is something merely aesthetic but that makes this AK stand out from the rest.

-Magazines- 

They have also dispensed with the classic metal magazines for this replica of the Gen. 3 PMAG with a capacity of 30 bullets created by Magpul (take a look at the dotted areas in the lower part to write the IDs). Since they are made of polymer they weigh less, they make less noise if they clash against each other in the pouch, and they do not deform if they receive any impacts. And it also includes two magazines, not just one! One is a 300 BB hi-cap and the other a mid-cap, but how many BBs can it hold? 120 BBs, something standard, but if you remove the bottom cover to remove the magazine from the case and find a lever with which to limit the magazine to 30 BBs, turning it into real cap. And, furthermore, it has a window the other side to be able to remove the spring for maintenance without having to open the magazine. 

-Controls- 

The pistol grip, replica of the MOE AK+ by Magpul, is made of reinforced polymer and enables an ergonomic and efficient grip. And the best thing is that thanks to the design of the fire selector (which has a QPQ finish) you will not have to take the hand off the pistol grip, one of the biggest handicaps of the AK, since it has a tab located halfway the selector to be able to operate it with the index finger comfortably. In addition, the upper part of the trigger has a small lever that will loosen the spring to maximise the durability of the gearbox. And all this without letting go of the pistol grip!

-Stock- 

The AK 104 has a complete black polymer stock that can be folded to the left, something that made it functional and comfortable at the same time. They wanted to go a step further in this replica and they have replaced it with an adjustable stock on which they have mounted a CTR (yes, like the classic Magpul). It is very light, very comfortable on the shoulder even with the larger plate carriers, and as the battery is located on top of the gearbox, it offers the whole tube to carry a spare one, emergency tools, or a chocolate bar if you are hungry. In addition, when mounting a tube stock allows to place a very original ring holder, along with the classic ring that protrudes on the inside of the handguard, to carry the replica on a strap.

-INTERNAL PARTS-

We love the model externally, but the internal parts are just even better. It carries a gearbox version 3 (typical in AKs) with quick spring change system¹, although it is necessary to remove the gearbox from the body to be able to change the spring, we can not do so through the tube of the stock as in other replicas. It has a metal spring guide² with bearings that, together with the piston bearings, ensure a correct torsion of the M100 type spring³ it carries.

The piston⁴ is made of reinforced polymer with half metal teeth, and the piston head⁵, which is made of the same material, achieves a good compression inside the ventilated stainless steel cylinder⁶. The cylinder head⁷ is made of polymer, which minimises the effect of the pounding with the piston, and the nozzle⁸ is metallic with a compression ring to improve its performance.

The firing system⁹ is similar to that of some support replicas, and gets a great response even when firing in semi auto. The steel gears¹⁰ rotate on 9 mm bearings which helps to minimise friction.

The hop-up chamber¹¹ of conventional design in AK is metallic, and the precision barrel¹² (6.02 mm) is made of steel and has a length of 345 mm. The replica comes with a sheet where the mechanic who has performed the quality control has written down the speed provided in 10 shots with 0.20 g BBs and with the hop-up set to 0, with an average of 385 FPS, something that we have confirmed in the office. Although we understand that this may vary depending on the market to which the replica is addressed.

- CONCLUSION - 

We can talk about potato crops, or the breeding of butterflies in captivity, because if you still have any doubts about why you should get one of these AKs is that you have not read a single word we have just written here. So STOP LYING TO YOURSELVES! Or admit it's the best AK replica you've seen in a long time. We reckon so.