Intel – AEX L.A. – 08.23.07

Yeah it’s been a while since I’ve reported on anything. Quite honeslty, I’ve either been buying stuff that I touch at the shop and posting direct reviews on them or just not seeing anything worth while to mess around with. But a few goodies I had to check out in the last few trips.

VFC – BAR 1919

It’s a great BAR replica. It’s deceptively light at about 9 lbs, it’s less then half the weight of a real BAR. This is a good weight difference example of building a gun in aluminum over steel. But it’s 1:1 scale and really only for people with big paws. This is a Metal and Wood build.

This one held around 365 fps consistently and it includes a high cap magazine.

But the $1700.00 price tag will probably keep this 1 AEG out of most peoples hands.

Classic Army – CA53

I’ve been waiting for this to show up for a while now.

Shot around the 325-335 fps mark. Beautiful reproduction of the early HK53 with SEF lower. Hope CA makes the HK53 with Navy Markings adn teh 3 shot burst one day.

Features: Metal Body, Metal Front Set, Steel Flash Hider, A3 Lower Receiver, One-piece Forgrip, Metal Hop Up Chamber, 450 Rd Hi-Cap Magazine, Spring- Loaded, Retractable Stock.

Classic Army – SA58 Carbine

The CA SA58 is a reproduction of the DSA SA58, which is a licensed copy of the FN-FAL. this is the Carbine version of the SA58. The build is solid with an all metal machined upper with integrated rail. The big suprise was the working bolt catch!

I was able to do a side by side comparison with the King Arms FAL Tactical Carbine. The CA version is a bit lighter even though more metal is being used. The CA SA58 has integrated top rail, the KA FAL does not. They do not use the same magazines.

The CA SA58 held around 295-310 fps and is a solid build.

Features: Real Firearm Trademark, Realistic Bolt Action, Unique Serial Number, 500 Rd Hi Cap Magazine,7mm Metal Bushing Gear Box, Fiber Fore-Grip, Stock & Hand Grip, CNC Upper Receiver with Scope Mount.

 

 

ORCA’s Collection Pics


Collection Pic 2007. Getting real hard to fit them all in 1 pic and even forgot to put a few AEG's in


Old collection Pic Pre 2005

O.K. From the top, left to right:


Handguns Collection – Pic updated 04-10-04

From the top, left to right:

Added since 01-05:


Classic Army M249 Para – MK46 Mod0
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Tokyo Marui – M14
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Tokyo Marui – Uzi
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Western Arms – MARSOC, Kimber
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KWA – USP Full Size
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Maruzen – CA870
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Seburo – CX Compact Xploder
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Tokyo Marui -Glock 26 Advance
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Tanaka – M700 AICS
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Tokyo Marui – Hi-Capa 5.1
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Tokyo Marui – Hi-Capa 4.3
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Tokyo Marui – JGSDF Type 89
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Tanaka – JSDF Sig Sauer P220
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Tokyo Marui – Samurai Edge Standard Mod
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Tokyo Marui – M4A1 Carbine (New Version)
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Tokyo Marui – M1911A1
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Tokyo Marui – AK47 SOPMOD {simplegrade:5}


Tokyo Marui – AK74 SOPMOD {simplegrade:5}


Classic Army – SCAR-L
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Tokyo Marui – M14 SOCOM
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Marushin – M500 U.S. Export Version
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Marushin – FiveSeven USG 6mm
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Tokyo Marui – VZ61 Skorpion
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Tokyo Marui – MAC 10
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CAW – M1014 Shotgun
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Tokyo Marui – M4A1 Carbine (New Version) with Magpul Body
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Retailer – DragonRed Airsoft – USA/China

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DragonRed Airsoft
USA/China

Decided to give DragonRed Airsoft a shot. They advertise A.C.M. (All China Made) products, but with Local US Stocking/Shipping. But as I found out when I purchased they have a mix of what’s stocked in the U.S. and what ships fm China. In my case the product shipped direct from China.

The DR website is pretty bad in it’s build. Some products will actually go into their shopping cart, some go direct to Google or Paypal checkout. If they go direct to Google or Paypal checkout, those products are probably going to ship direct from China. If the item goes direct to google or paypal checkout look at the shipping price. If it seems high (i.e. $20 shipping on a $49.99 metal body) then it’s probably shipping direct form china. When they ship from China add a day to what you would expect Hong Kong shipping to be.

I ordered some parts on Wed’s early afternoon, and paypal’d immediately. Got a quick reply back from Charles as DR that the order would ship form China Wed evening our time. While a little skeptical it was nice to get such a fast response. 10pm Wed eve my time I get an email with tracking number that items shipped. Saturday items arrived! (It’s nice how EMS and USPS work together and do Sat deliveries w/ no extra charge)

1 of the items I ordered was a newer generation $49.99 metal armalite body. The 1st gens were manufactured by D-Boys and as I posted before, there were tolerance/fitting probs. A new company, Sabre is supposedly using new die cast molds and is who is manufacturing these newer generation of cheap bodies. Hope to have time to install soon. I’ll be installing on a TM M4 New Type.

So even though their websites on the crappy side in function, the customer service is top notch right now and the product mix is defiantly interesting.

Edit 09/2007

The VLTOR Body Pics:


For a $69.99 ($49.99 + $20 int’l shipping) it’s not a bad deal. Qualtiy wise the body was OK. Trademarks are laser etched paint, so at some point they will rub off. These bodies seem to be G&G copies and they are pretty good spec wise. This is a "slide on" body and does not use the rear body tabs. Only problem so far is the fake bolt catches on the body. Should be an easy fix though.


Body kit includes:

  • Upper and Lower Metal Body
  • Charging handle w/ return spring
  • Ejection Port Door Mechanism
  • Magazine Release Mechanism
  • Body Pins
  • Selector Switch

Does NOT include:

  • Hop-Up unit
  • Fake Bolt

You will need to get a upgrded hopup unit tht has an attached hopup feeder. I have the Systema which works fine.

Retailer – PointAct – USA

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PointAct
USA

PointAct sells the bargain ACM (All Chna Made) products you can also find at Gunner and RSOV in Hong Kong. But PointAct is located in the U.S. in Utah. They are a few weeks behind the ACM Hong Kong Retailers in getting stock, but their fair domestic U.S. shipping prices and the fact their prices aren’t that much higher then what you see from Hong Kong make it worth the wait.? ?(Shipping from HK on an AEG = $80-$100.? Domestic Ground Shipping from PointAct. for an AEG = $12-$20)

Reliabilty wise, if the prodcuts in stock, for all my orders, they shipped the day after order is placed. If you pre-order a product, they have great communication and keep you informed of status until the product ships.

And if you can qualify for dealer pricing, it’s aggresively lower:

Examples:

Galaxy MP5k
Regular = $80.00
Dealer = $65.00

A&K M249
Regular = $360.00
Dealer = $300.00

Retailer – Tokyo Model Company – Hong Kong


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Tokyo Model Company
Hong Kong

Please Note: Tokyo Model Co. in Hong Kong, has no relation to tokyohobby.net.

TMC has been around for years, I just never found anything of interest to order until recently. There website is a little problematic though and it lists items in stock when they are not.

I ended up ordering a couple of items from TMC, just to see how well they work. They work the usual Hong Kong way of taking your order, and sending you an email back quoting shipping. With other HK retailers this happens usually overnight, but there was about a 1 day difference with TMC's replies. The quote with shipping charges came back, and I paid with paypal immediately, but it took TMC 3 days to acknowledge the payment and another 4 days after to ship the products. they claim Easter caused the delay which I believe was fair.

Shipment came in this morning,but a problem with 1 of the parts, The Nitro.Vo – Battery Box Type-E, ?was?the wrong color. I ordered it in Black, not Sand.? Out of the hundreds of airsoft orders I've placed with Hong Kong retailers, this will be the first "mistake" I've had.

I'll keep you posted on how they after sales support is and if/how they fix this little problem.

04/13/2007

Recieved an email back stating they will excahnge the product back for the correct color, but paying double International shipping isn't sitting right with me (I could have bought this same part from a regular HK retailer with out a problem).? Will keep you guys posted.??

04/26/2007

Replacement item received in the proper color. It was an unfortunate mistake, but TMC was very professional and apologetic about the mistake and credited me?the shipping charge for the return.

05/05/2007

I have placed a 2nd order to use that shipping credit?and want to give TMC another chance to place an order. Wil keep you posted on the turnaround.

05/06/2007

I was informed by TMC that an item?I already?paid for was "not in stock".? This seems to be a problem with their website showing products in stock that are not. While its a little frustating as a customer, I simply asked for a different part to be substituted. Overall on this 2nd order I lost $1.00 due to the cost of the replacement part being $1.00 cheaper.? Not gonna fight for it though.

05/09/2007

2nd order received.

I think I gave TMC a few chances now, but I'd have to probably not recommend them based solely on the fact I haven't had these types of problems with WGC, UN, Den, Redwolf and other HK retailers.? If you do order, double check on stock?and color variants before you paypal. ??

Retailer – Boom Arms – Hong Kong


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BOOM ARMS Airsoft
Hong Kong

BOOM ARMS Airsoft is not only a Hong Kong based retailer, but a Cafe. It's nice to do business with people who are actually into airsoft as a sport.

Quote: Boom Arms Website
Boom Arms Cafe is a great place for airsoft fans to sit and share their experience on airsoft, wargame, etc… We provide different kind of nice snacks and drinks for our customers, at the same time, they can have their love guns and gears on hand and play with them. Below are some snapshots of Boom Arms Cafe which show how enjoyable our customers are!

They've been around for years, but I've had some problems in the past with slow replies to orders. Fortunately they just recently released some new Bomber parts (I believe Bomber is BOOM ARMS own brand. Will confirm). And their replies were very quick.

I ended up ordering a Bomber Troy Sights,?AK74 Wood Stock Kit and Element AK74 Metal Body. Paypal'd the order and received it in a day and a half (It seems to have bypassed customs all together). Excellent service and great quality, extremely affordable product.

Only gripes I have is sometimes they are a little slow to reply and their website get's laggy at times (Seems to be a web hosting issue). I will definitely order again.

Retailer – RSOV – Hong Kong


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RSOV
Hong Kong

RSOV is a Hong Kong retailer specializing in the ACM (All Chinese Made). I found them while researching Gunner Airsoft on Arnie's website, as being a good alternative to Gunners since he got so busy.

I'm not into the Chinese Clones, but I found it interesting how RSOV was communicating they would also get stuff for you from other Hong Kong retailers on top of their own product line. I decided to test them out on this.

I've been wanting to get custom AK SOPMOD Bolt and Selector from GWS (Gunsworkshop) (These are the same guys who made the original XM8/G36 conversion kits), but their website isn't very order friendly and it seems they only want to deal with quantity or high priced sales.


AK SOPMOD Bolt and Selector


AK SOPMOD Bolt and Selector

So I shot off an email to RSOV, to see if he could source the product an a few hours later I got the reply, with price including shipping and the fact that RSOV (Keith) would go and p/u up the part the next day. The price was more then fair, so I agreed and he didn't even ask for money up front. Next day I get and email with a picture of the part(s) and a confirmation of price. I immediately paypal'd the funds and 2 days later, received the parts here in the U.S.! Out-f-ing-standing service! With this type of effort I can see RSOV (Keith) becoming a huge success soon. I just hope he doesn't get too busy to provide this level of service.

Now his website is still a little "raw", but I'm sure that will improve as his business grows. For U.S. based customers, in the lower left of the website, you will find a drop down to select to view pricing in U.S. Dollars. RSOV did quote me in British Pounds though, but I just used Paypal to make that conversion.

Intel – UFC, X47 Rail System

In Arms Magazine, 04/2007, there's an ad by the UFC (Union Fire Company), http://shop.ufc-web.com.UFC is the same company that has brought us the airsoft versions Magpul M93 and CTR stock systems.

The ad is showing X47 rail system for Tokyo Marui AK47's. This looks to be a proper copy of the TDI AK Railsystem used on the BHI SOPMOD AK's. (ICS came out with a similar looking rail system, but it can only be used on an ICS AK74 and it's not a 100% replica of the TDI Rail system) This rail system is made from 7075 Aluminum. Expected release is around "Middle of March 2007".

TM AK47 + UFC X47 + G&P 58* AK Conversion + VLTOR style stock + GWS SOPMOD Bolt and Selector = SOPMOD AK!!!


Chicks dig BHI SOPMOD Ak's!

Intel – First Factory Goodies 2007

Veteran airsoft shoppers know the First Factory brand. FF is 1 of the largest Airsoft retailers in Japan and they also manufacture their own goods. FF is well known for their custom rail systems and AEG conversions.


Yet another First Factory Meat Tenderizer!

I came across this in ARMs Magazine. 04/2007. This appears to be a new Armalite front end piece called the Judgment. Details past that aren't available yet. Will keep you posted on developments.

Helmet Collection

Collection of military helmets


From Left to Right, Top Row then Bottom Row:

MICH TC 20012 (Replica)

  • Muilticam Helmet Cover
  • Paulson ATAC Googles
  • BLackhawk Google Cover
  • Custom Pathces by Camotech

USMC Type Helmet (Replica)

  • G&P USMC OEF Goggles

JGSDF Type 88 Helmet (Replica)

  • USGI SWD Goggles

MICH TC 2000 (Replica)

  • 3 Color Desert Helmet Cover
  • Custom Helmet Band

SPH4 Helicopter Helmet (Gentex)

CVC Helmet (Gentex)

  • USGI SWD Goggles

PASGT Helmet (Replica)

  • Marpat Helmet Cover
  • Marpat Goggle Cover
  • Night Vision Mout (Direct from Iraq)
  • USGI SWD Goggles
  • Custom Helmet Band

AF SpecOps Helmet (Pro-Tec)

USGI M1 Helmet

CVC Helmet (Gentex)