armoury IN ASSOCIATION WITH ARCTURUS AK-12 “RAGIN’

IN EARLY 2019RUSSIAN BILL GOT HIS HANDS ON A CRACKING “TACTICOOL AK ” FROM THE THEN EMERGENT” BRAND, ARCTURUS AND HAS BEEN PUTTING IT THROUGH ITS PACES EVER SINCE. BUT OPFOR PLAYERS HAVE BEEN WAITING EAGERLY FOR THE ARCTURUS “TAKE” ON THE AK-12 AND FINALLY WE BRING YOU THE LOWDOWN ON THIS EXCITING NEW AEG! ack in Issue 100 I looked closely at the Arcturus to AKs the fact that Arcturus is right up there, for me AT-AK04 and my conclusion was: means that when you are considering a purchase I - and we B - can lead you in the “right direction”. “Overall the AT-AK04 is one hell of a package. It’s When it comes to “new military models” the humble AK beautifully put together and finished, the parts are hasn’t really, fundamentally changed for many years. Why? completely bombproof, and it shoots really, REALLY well. Because the operating system is fundamentally durable and And the best bit? It costs under 240 quid! Yup, you heard sound. The fact is that the basic Russian Service has that right, a top-of-the-line “tacticool” AK with everything been largely the same for many, many years and although you need to get in the game for £237.56 at the time of we’ve seen tweaks and external modifications aplenty, writing! If you’re not an “AK Guy” already, then this AEG an AK is still an AK. However, for those wishing to fully could well change your mind!” embrace the whole “Ratnik” future infantry combat system idea as a viable loadout, the choice of the latest rifle to That set a benchmark for me on what to expect from enter service in AEG form has been seriously limited! Arcturus and over a year on (and after some pretty abusive Whilst replica, and indeed even some real “Ratnik” gear use both in game and on the range) the AT-AK04 is still is becoming more and more available, OPFOR players have rockin’ and rollin’. Test guns don’t have a happy life with been gagging to own an “AK-12” and, just like the troops me and I’m a firm believer in not just doing “one take” that have been waiting for the “real deal”, we now have a but in keeping some models back (when we can) for more decent, well-priced AEG version that’s going to please the extensive evaluation and where the manufacturers are “kalashnikov kollektiv” immensely. pleased for us to do so. There will be more on this when we finally leave lockdown behind, as this process has been PARTY FUN! ongoing for over a year now and I’ve got some interesting Now, in fairness, I have written about the AK-12 history information to share! before but for those that are new to this service rifle I Suffice to say that amongst the Airsoft Action team will recap, as the story of how it came to be is long and there are a number of “AK Fans” and that must surely say somewhat torturous! something! We are lucky enough to get to see, test, and In May 2010, following a Russian Ministry of Defence evaluate many manufacturer’s offerings and when it comes “JUST LIKE THE “REAL DEAL”, THE AT-AK12 IS SOLID AS A ROCK AND WEIGHS IN AT A HEFTY 3480G. IF, LIKE ME, YOU’RE USED TO A “CLASSIC AK”, THEN THIS WEIGHT FEELS “RIGHT”; THIS IS A BRUISER OF A RIFLE WITH STEEL AND HIGH-QUALITY ALLOY USED THROUGHOUT THE CONSTRUCTION.”

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ARCTURUS AK-12 statement, we learnt that the AK-12 rifle was to be tested 2019, 2020 and 2021. Russian Airborne Troops are believed in 2011. The early prototype model (AK-200) was presented to be the first recipients of the AK-12 on a priority basis to the Russian Prime Minister, , during to gain operational experience with the rifle and various his official visit to inspect the products of the Izhmash accessories. The AK-12 has also entered service with the arms manufacturing plant in . However, this was military subdivisions of the National Guard of Russia and apparently a basic AK-74 with a few “twiddly bits” added, Kalashnikov Concern and Russia’s Defense Ministry signed although the Izhmash prototype was fitted with a large- a contract in February 2018 for the delivery of the RPK-16 capacity 60-round casket . On the early prototype automatic . model the traditional locations of the cocking handle, safety lever and fire selector remained unchanged. Bottom line? It UP TO DATE, UP TO SPEED! looked great but was basically just grandpa in rave clothes! I’m pleased to report that, like other Arcturus models I’ve Although the Russian Deputy Defense Minister tested and used to date, they have really delivered with announced that the Russian Army would not be buying the their take on this latest electric rifle! AK-12 in January 2012, the Russian Ministry of Defence Just like the “real deal”, the AT-AK12 is solid as a rock began trials of the rifle in November of the same year. The and weighs in at a hefty 3480g. If, like me, you’re used to a Russian Army stated they would not introduce a new rifle “classic AK”, then this weight feels “right”; this is a bruiser in the near future but then state acceptance trials began of a rifle with steel and high-quality alloy used throughout in June 2013! Series production was due to begin by the the construction. Again like the “real deal”, the receiver end of 2013 and Izhmash prepared 30 prototypes for state cover is another unique feature of the design as it has a trials. The company announced that they would have the permanently affixed top Picatinny rail where the rear sight capacity to produce 1 million per year for buyers. assembly mounts directly to the cover. This means that the In typical “soviet” fashion, this slightly-less-then-clear rifle is all ready for an optic should you desire to fit one and situation got even more involved when, in September this is mated firmly to the dust cover. 2013, the Deputy Chairman of the Military-Industrial Of course, this also means that the rear latch has gone Commission of Russia said the Russian Army would start and the dust cover is released instead by rotating the receiving AK-12 assault rifles chambered in 5.45mm and retained front locking arm above the cocking handle and 7.62mm in 2014 and that the new rifle would be put into sliding the entire cover back and up to access the battery service along with new handguns, machine guns and sniper compartment. This is easily done and although the locking rifles. The AK-12 was to replace three previous AK models arm on the test rifle was a little “sticky” to start with, it and standardize assault rifles in the Russian military. The doesn’t feel at all flimsy and will put up with some abuse government’s rejection of the AK-12 was simply because until it frees up. There’s also a great ergonomic senior commanders said they had millions of stockpiled AK- grip modelled on that of the real rifle, more rails on the 74 models and did not need a new rifle! handguard and an extremely solid, side-folding, multi- On 6 September 2016 (my birthday as it happens!), it position stock. The muzzle brake has been 100% replicated was reported that Kalashnikov Concern had introduced from the real thing and, thankfully, the Arcturus version is the final production model of the AK-12, which was threaded 14mm CCW, rather than being fitted with a “QD derived from the proven AK-400. There were to be two System” so it’s easy to fit a suppressor or tracer unit should base models introduced: the AK-12 (which was chambered you wish to. Included with the AT-AK12 “package” are two in 5.45×39mm cartridge) and the AK-15 (which was excellent polymer DMAGS, one 30/130BB variable-capacity chambered in 7.62×39mm cartridge). Kalashnikov Concern magazine and one 500BB hi-cap magazine; both are solidly also introduced a new that was made, replicate the real-deal perfectly down to the “round- chambered in the 5.45×39mm cartridge, the RPK-16, which count-window” and fed perfectly in testing. was based on the traditional Kalashnikov layout and design The reinforced gearbox with proven internal parts is and had a number of technical and ergonomic features now what I expect from Arcturus and the AT-AK12 doesn’t derived from the AK-12 program. disappoint! Featuring a quick-change spring system The AK-12 (Glavnoye raketno-artilleriyskoye upravleniye (without the need to pull out and open the gearbox), MO RF (GRAU) designation 6P70), alongside the AK-15 bearing spring guide, bearing piston head, full steel tooth (6P71), were accepted into service in January 2018 and polycarbonate piston, steel gears mounted on 8mm steel the first deliveries of 2,500 AK-12 assault rifles began bushings, you can happily give the AT-AK12 some real in December 2018. The Russian Ministry of Defense has abuse knowing that the mech will take it! The motor signed a three-year contract with Kalashnikov Concern for gear is mounted on dedicated bearings to ensure it can 150,000 AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles to be delivered in rotate freely at high speeds and the “12” is also equipped

“…THE TEST SAMPLE DID INDEED COME IN AT A MEAN OF 1.12 JOULE/348FPS USING .20G RZR BBS. I HAD REQUESTED THE AEG BE SET IRO 350FPS ON A .20G PRIOR TO SHIPPING AND, ONCE AGAIN, THE SERVICE OFFERED FOR THIS BY TAIWANGUN PROVED TO BE SPOT ON.”

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ARCTURUS AK-12

AK for under £300. If you’re following that “Ratnik Route” then the Arcturus AT-AK12 is going to be a “must have” item to complete your loadout but if you fancy something bang-up-to-date as a general skirmish AEG then it with a micro-switch trigger, which, in combination will not disappoint you either. As a self-confessed with low-resistance wiring, works great with Li-Po “mate of Mikhail” this new AEG thrills me and batteries. The use of an electric trigger eliminates the makes me smile and I am really looking forward to problem of burned out contacts and improves the response running it in a game as soon as I can! to the trigger, more on that in a bit... The replica also My sincere thanks go to taiwangun.com for providing features a sealed nozzle that works great with a metal hop- the Arcturus AT-AK12 for testing. Taiwangun have been up chamber and comes with a precision polished stainless kind (and confident!) enough to let us add this model to steel inner barrel as standard. the long-term “torture test pool”, so watch out for updates So, fully up to spec inside and out and, as I suspected in future issues of Airsoft Action! AA based on my experience with other Arcturus models, the test sample did indeed come in at a mean of 1.12 Joule/348fps using .20g RZR BBs. I had requested the AEG be set iro 350fps on a .20g prior to shipping and, once again, the service offered for this by Taiwangun proved to be spot on. With this out of the way it was time to set up my plates at 10, 20, and 30 metres to see what the “12” was capable of. After correctly setting the hop on semi-auto using RZR .28BBs and using just the stock iron sights, the rifle performed perfectly straight out of the box. With a 425mm/6.01 inner barrel it was definitely a case of “see the target, hit the target” at 20m and moving out to 30m I switched the safety lever to its full-auto mid-point (the replica AK-12 still works just as the real thing does in this respect) and I was soon knocking over those plates on easily-controlled three-round bursts; that super-snappy micro-switch trigger works REALLY well. Out to the extent of the range beyond the 30m backstop mark but still with a safe run-out, shooting prone and back on semi I was still hitting the plates happily each and every time. As a lover of simple, no-nonsense “military style” AEGs, the AT-AK12 ticks all the right boxes for me and the fact that it’s also the very latest “issue AK” rifle of Russian Forces endears it to me even more! As an AEG it shoots fast, well, and accurately, it’s built like a tank, and it’s a great length for both CQB and woodland use (700mm stock folded/880mm stock open/950mm stock fully extended). With the two magazines that come with it (Taiwangun also do some great DMAG AK12 30/130RDS variable cap magazines at just over £10 a pop if you want to up-load) you’ve got enough capacity from the box to get in a game straight away, and in my opinion you would have to go a LONG way to find as good a thoroughly modern

“IF YOU’RE FOLLOWING THAT “RATNIK ROUTE” THEN THE ARCTURUS AT-AK12 IS GOING TO BE A “MUST HAVE” ITEM TO COMPLETE YOUR LOADOUT BUT IF YOU FANCY SOMETHING BANG-UP-TO-DATE AS A GENERAL SKIRMISH AEG THEN IT WILL NOT DISAPPOINT YOU EITHER.”

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