Tanio Koba, Hop Twist Barrels

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Manufacturer: Tanio Koba (Japan)
Type: Inner Barrel


Tanio Koba – Hop Twist Barrel Advert

I purchased a KSC MK23 used, and it was in great need of repair/upgrade. One of the things I upgraded was a Zeke Metal Slide/Outer Barrel setup which I also bought second hand.


Tanio Koba – Hop Twist Barrel – "Rifling" Closeup

One thing I did learn about the Zeke Metal Barrel setup is there is no way to re-install the KSC hopup system.


Tanio Koba – Hop Twist Barrels

So thinking the Tanio Koba Hop Twist barrel was rifled I got 1 to solve my no hopup prob.? Well it didn't.. Made everything worse.? BB's fly EVERYWHERE.??My pals at First Factory ended up setting me straight.


Tanio Koba – Hop Twist Inner Barrel

Tanio Koba Hop Twist Barrels work. But they have to be used in conjunction with your Hop-Up ON and on sub 350 fps guns.

Your bb still backspins from the hop-up, and the twists in barrel act as an air "cushion" around the bb, "centering" it more down the barrel.? While it doesn't seem to add too much FPS, it does seem to make your bb's flight path more consistent. Over 350 fps guns, the sprialing air tends to effect the hop-ups backspin.

We've tested on TM M14's.? We kept the internals stock and just added the barrels.? Sample results on the M14 were a fps increase from 319 – 325 (Not that much more then stock).? But groupings of shots seems to be tighter.? We also tried on APS Type 96's, but they were harder to gauge since they are spring snipers, and you always seem to pull off target when cocking them.? Problem with running accuracy tests, is the are pretty subjective.

Maruzen – Tactical Light MT-1

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Manufacturer: Maruzen (Japan)
Type: Tactical Weapon Light


Maruzen Tactical Light MT-1

I own the G&P M3 and G&G GM3 II Tactical Weapon Light Systems and must say this Maruzen MT-1 is the most adaptable. The MT-1 uses a "screw on" attachment to secure the weapon light instead of a spring clip type on the previously mentioned lights. No more broken spring clips on this light.

The MT-1 has an ambidextrious on/off switch (Unlike the G&G GM3) but this unit does not seem to have "Constant On". The G&P M3 and real steel Insight M3 have the best designed switches of an M3 or clone IMHO.


Maruzen Tactical Light MT-1 with 20mm Rail Attachment Installed

The MT-1 Also has a second 20mm Rail Attachment that will adapt this light to any rail mount system.


Maruzen Tactical Light MT-1 on WA Doberman

The MT-1 is also a bit larger then the other M3 clones and I feel it looks better on large frame guns. While an M3 clone looks great on a Glock, I think it's a bit small on an MK23 or 1911 type. The MT-1 is a nice size step between the other M3 and an MK23 LAM.

STAR – Special Forces Crane Stock

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Manufacturer: Star Airsoft (Hong Kong)
Type: Stock


Special Forces Crane Stock with 9.6V 2000 Ni-CD Battery

I had a problem with my M4 R.I.S. and battery capacity a s many M4 owners do. I have owned both the Ready Mag and AN/PEQ solutions for my M4, but I was never happy with either solution. Then the Crane Stocks from various manufacturers started coming out last year and that peaked my interest.

Then I came across the STAR Crane Stock from WGC which has a different feature then other airsoft crane stocks in that you insert the battery from the rear. Other previous Crane Stocks, make you remove the stock to e replace the battery if you wire the battery down the stock tube. With the STAR version you simply depress 2 tabs and the rear butt plate releases and then batery pulls out. The other HUGE selling point was the STAR Crane Stock and 9.6v 2000MaH Battery cost $88.00.

I actually sent my M4 into AEX to get a Systema wire harness installed and asked them to take care of the wiring down the stock tube. (For some reason I couldn't open my Systema Metal Body… GAH)

The STAR Crane Stock itself is a pretty well built unit. There are some downsides though. The piston that holds the stock in postion on the stock tube wasn't secured well and would not lock in position. I fixed this by using a 4 1/2" X 3/8" X 5/8" polypropolene to fill a void to force the piston at a 90 degree angle and thus lock into place. (See images added at the end of this post) Less of an issue was the fact that when the battery is in the stock, it will not collapse all the way, but I think this should be a problem with most Crane style stocks that have batteries and wires in the stock tube.


STAR – Crane Stock – Coiling the wiring


STAR – Crane Stock – Showing how far it will collapse with batteries installed

But overall I feel this is a good solution. The stock works well with battery installed. It's a very comfortable stock and seems to offer a little more goggle clearance then the original stock. After getting used to the rear cap and battery replacement, it's done with relative ease. For the price it's a great deal and the fact you can carry a 9.6 2000mah bat is great! They make 9.6 3000Mah batteries for this stock, so your battery woes for M4 owners are over.


STAR – Crane Stock – Stock Fully Extended


How it looks…

An Arnie’s user recently asked what I meant about the polypropelyne insert I made for the Crane Stocki wrote on earlier. Here area few pics of the insert:


STAR – Crane Stock – Polypro Insert


STAR – Crane Stock – Polypro Insert Installed

Gunner, The Military DVD Magazine

Gunner, The Military DVD Magazine

Here's a neat, airsoft magazine produced DVD, of real steel and real gun manufacturers.  I figured there would be some interest on this site since we have fans of both.

The Gunner DVD Magazine series is being produced by ARMs Magazine (Very popular Japanese airsoft magazine) and HobbyJapan. This is pretty much the only airsoft tie-in other then the WA and Marui ads in the small MOOK included.  Even though an airsoft magazine is producing the DVD, this is a 100% Real Steel pr0n DVD!

Vol 1-  Language: Japanese/English


Box – Front Cover


Magazine – Front Cover

Box set includes:

  • Box with integrated Magazine
  • 8pcs Business card sized photo cars/calendars
  • 4:3 NTSC DVD


Business card sized calendars

Contents include:

  • Strategos International (M4, P90, G36, MP5A3)
  • Heckler & Koch Defense (HK416, XM320GLM, P2000's, USP's, water Suppressor)
  • Remington Military Products Division (M24A2SWS, M870MCS, XM110)
  • Iron Brigade Armory (Armory, Sniper Training)
  • Robert Silvers Collection (M14 Crazy Horse, M14A1, M4, AKS74U, MP5A3, AUG)
  • Cobra Gold 05 (Mk19Mod3, M2)
  • And More… (JGSDF Tsuchiura Weapons School, and other bits)


DVD Jacket Insert

This is a much better DVD then the 12/2004 Arms Magazine, Real Steel trip to the Philippines. Much more technical info and direct from manufacturers.  But no semi hot girls shooting guns.

The visit to HK-USA was AWESOME! Showing a real 416 in action and under the imfamous HK/XM8 dirt/water test. A nice "off the hip" shot of a XM320, through a tire 100yards downrange.   The Remington  870 MCS, Modular Combat System, has QD stocks and barrels And a Remington  SR-25 which they jsut teased you with.. This one guys collection, Robert Silvers, is insane and so large its held in a "bunker".

This DVD is some great eye candy regardless of language.  Most interviews are done in English though.

Volume 2 – Kalishnokov


Volume 2 Kalashnikov!!!

This version is a Japanese version, so all Magazine text is in Japanese and no subtitles.  But as the previous DVD, most interviews are in English… even in Russia.

Contents include:

  • ROST 2005 Russian Military Show.
  • Spetsnaz Training
  • Dinner with Kalishikov
  • Tour Sig Sauer Factory
  • Tour Barret Factory
  • Low Light technique
  • Systema (Nothing to do with Systema Japan)
  • HK Defense
  • SOF Week 2005

The Included MOOK in in Japanese text only, and has ads from WA and Marui.

This Volume spends a majority of time in Russia, but luckily the people they deal with in Russia  speak english.

The trip to watch the Sptenaz training was interesting, especailly the fact they do CQB training with live rounds as other team members holding targets on sticks that pop out behind doors…  I'd hate to be the FNG in Spetznaz training.  The Kalishnikov dinner was interesting, although it seems Kalishnikov has given the same speech many times now.  And the trips/tours to the Sig and Barrett factories were awesome.

Now available in the US at AEX.

Gunner DVD Vol1
http://www.airsoftextreme.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2438

Gunner DVD Vol2
http://www.airsoftextreme.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2439

Gunner DVD Vol3
http://www.airsoftextreme.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=267&products_id=2497

Preview vidz are here:

Gunner01 Preview

Gunner02 Preview

Gunner03 Preview

Up to Gunner 6 now.  Preview vids are here.

Guns Digest

Guns Digest 2004
Language: Japanese
Print Frequency: Annually


Guns Digest 2004

Guns Digest 2004 is the annual "Bible" of all things airsoft in Japan. It lists all Airsoft, Model/Replica, Blank Firing, Guns, Accessories and Upgrades. It also shows a few "How To's" but the bulk of the book is dedicated to listing of products and their specifications.

It's a great reference guide to what has been produced and even lists guns that have yet to be released but are due this year and prototypes have been sent to GUN Magazine. (i.e. for the last 2 years the specs on the TOP MP40 have been listed with release dates… haha).

So for the airsoft fanatic this is a gret book to score if you can.

Toygun Tune Up File

Toy Gun Tune Up File
Language: Japanese
Print Frequency: Annually

TGTUF (Toy Gun Tune Up File) is published by the same people who publish Arms and Hobby Japan Magazine, so the focus is on the "Hobby" of airsoft. The issue I currently have is 2003 and am keeping my eyes open for the 2004 version.

This book or MOOK (Half Magazine Half Book) as the Japanese call it, is full of "How To"s, pic by pic instructions and listings of most Japanese upgrade parts. It has step by step, pic by pic instructions of how to disassmeble all major AEG's, GBB's, NBB's and Springers. It's very informative and a great reference book for anyone who will be doing some major upgrades to their guns.

Even though the book is in Japanese, the pictures used are a great reference for most internal upgrade projects.

I hope to have the time to Highlight translate and post different issues and article I run across.

Arms Magazine

Arms Magazine
Language: Japanese
Print Frequency: Monthly
Avg. Page Count: 250 – 300 pages


Arms Magazine (Missing Issues have all been "Borrowed" and never returned Crying or Very sad )

Japan has some of the strictest gun control laws going back to the US occupation of Japan after WWII. This did not take into account model or replica guns nor the Japanese appetite for weapons technologies and thus the Airsoft industry was developed, grew, shrank and grown again thanks to the globalization of the Internet. There are still Japanese laws that prohibit the export of replica weaponry directly to the US (Watch out for Websites that claim to sell direct from Japan), so large Airsoft companies like Tokyo Marui, KSC, etc. are very Japanese centric in their marketing. Thus the reason there a few monthly Airsoft related magazines, each publishing over 200 pages a piece per month.

Arms Magazine is one of 2 most distributed Japanese airsoft magazines. Arms is published by Hobby Japan, famous for magazines devoted to things like Gundam Models. Arms focuses on Airsoft as a Hobby, Skirmishes, Anime, etc. This magazine is famous for it's cover girls/airsoft guns and have done some pretty weird things with this combination Wink Most issues have Centerfolds/Posters of the girls with some sort of gun in some sort of costume and a section of pictorials. Some of their main articles have included:

  • Game and Anime Toy Gun Guide
  • War in Iraq
  • Real Gun Shooting in Guam (Guns shot by a cute girl, DVD included)
  • Ghost in the Shell, Stand Alone Complex Weapons
  • CQS Close Quarters Sniping

Arms is devoted to people who play airsoft and reenact movies/tv/historical battles. The gun reviews are the same caliber as COMBAT magazine, but it's a much more light hearted view of Airsoft.

There are reviews of skirmish areas and specific tactics to use. There's even an on-going section of places to skirmish with a guy wearing a Luche Libre mask and goggles and his crew of misfits, going around and challenging the local at each skirmish site. Hella funny!

There are also reviews of Airsoft Shops, Airsoft Recycle Shops (Used Airsoft) and trick 3rd party upgrade houses like Fortress (Fortress was the first shop to jam an AK gearbox into the M249). Tons of "How To's" to modify your gun's appearance and performance and very interesting articles on the Garage Shops (Resin Kit and Metal shops) that make a stock AEG into a Sci Fi classic.

Of course to fill the 200+ pages are hundreds of pages of ads by Airsoft Manufacturers, Retailers, ,Airsoft Garage Shops, Military Surplus and Uniform Reproduction Dealers. Typically a full color ad from a large Airsoft manufacturer will indicate when a new gun will be released. As you know the detail Japanese Airsoft goes into, combat gear and uniform reproduction are just as accurately detailed (I purchased USMC Jungle Marpat almost 2 years ago, before it was available to our Marines, and an M44 WW2 Field Jacket Repro).

Arms is a magazine for the Airsoft Player and Collector. A very fun look at the world of airsoft.

I hope to have the time to Highlight translate and post different issues and articles I run across. Maybe I'll just post the Airsoft girlies pics…

COMBAT Magazine

COMBAT Magazine
Language: Japanese
Print Frequency: Monthly
Avg. Page Count: 200 – 260 pages


COMBAT Magazine

Japan has some of the strictest gun control laws going back to the US occupation of Japan after WWII. This did not take into account model or replica guns nor the Japanese appetite for weapons technologies and thus the Airsoft industry was developed, grown, shrank and grown again thanks to the globalization of the Internet. There are still Japanese laws that prohibit the export of replica weaponry directly to the US (Watch out for Websites that claim to sell direct from Japan), so large Airsoft companies like Tokyo Marui, KSC, etc. are very Japanese centric in their marketing. Thus the reason there a few monthly Airsoft related magazines, each publishing over 200 pages a piece per month.

COMBAT Magazine is one of 2 most distributed Japanese airsoft magazines. COMBAT focuses on "REAL STEEL" weapons in relation to the Airsoft counterparts. Typically each issue will start out with a multipage review of a "Real Steel" or Military weapon or technology. Some Real Steel/Military reviews have included:

  • AMP DSR-1 Modular Sniper Rifle System .338 Lapua Magnum
  • JGSDF (Japanese Ground Self Defense Force) CQB Training
  • Barreta CX-4 Storm (Pistol based Carbine rifle)
  • M4 Sniper
  • SIG P226/Rail
  • Small Arms of the U.S. Marine Corps
  • Aimpoint Lasers and LAM
  • US Shot Show Review (About 50 pages of pics)
  • STI Super Comp
  • "Future Warrior" A look into the next gen of weapons and gear

Usually there's always a few pages devoted to the JGSDF (Japanese Army) excercises and tactics. Then it will go into the new Airsoft developments and in alot of cases relate that directly with a Real Steel counterpart. There are also articels on mil/sim video games and always a section devoted to action movies (that use alot of guns).

There are of course Airsoft and Model gun reviews. In most cases guns are reviewed in this magazine 1-2 months before they go retail. (hehe this isn't the case of the TOP Mp40, which has had a few reviews and still isn't available for retail).

There are also reviews of Airsoft Shops, Airsoft Recycle Shops (Used Airsoft) and trick 3rd party upgrade houses like Fortress (Fortress was the first shop to jam an AK gearbox into the M249).

Of course to fill the 200+ pages are hundreds of pages of ads by Airsoft Manufacturers, Retailers, ,Airsoft Garage Shops, Military Surplus and Uniform Reproduction Dealers. Typically a full color ad from a large Airsoft manufacturer will indicate when a new gun will be released. As you know the detail Japanese Airsoft goes into, combat gear and uniform reproduction are just as accurately detailed (I purchased USMC Jungle Marpat almost 2 years ago, before it was available to our Marines, and an M44 WW2 Field Jacket Repro).

COMBAT is a magazine for the true Gun Freak, be it Airsoft or Real Steel. It's very "No Nonsense" in it's approach and reviews are based on fact.

I hope to have the time to Highlight translate and post different issues and articles I run across.

Wolf M97 – MK23 LAM Unit

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Manufacturer: RedWoflAirsoft (Hong Kong)
Type: Gear


Wolf M97 – MK23 LAM Unit

This LAM unit by Wolf sports both a tactical light and laser and is designed for use on any MK23 gun. The tactical light is a Surefire P60 clone and the unit uses 2 CR123A batteries that most tac light use.


Wolf M97 – MK23 LAM Unit

The unit is mostly plastic except for the tac light bulb housing. The light is very bright as it shoudl be. It's very easy to install on an MK23 and the $88.00 price makes it the most affordable LAM with laser and tac light available for any hand gun.

One big downside for me though… There are 2 seperate switches to turn the light or laser on. These are both pressure switches on the left side of the LAM. There is no "constant on" function to these switches and the placement of the switches makes holding the gun adn operating the swithches a bit awkward. It also is taller the the stock Marui LAM and will not fit in a KSC MK23 Holster.