{simplegrade:5}
Manufacturer: Tokyo Marui (Japan)
Type: AEG (Automatic Electric Gun)
Date Acquired: 10/2008
Tokyo Marui – AKS74U
I honestly thought I reached my limit for AEG’s and I had seen the previous TM Blowback AEG the AK74MN and it only slightly piqued my interest. In fact I wrote off the TM AKS74U as being yet another AK74U release. But when i saw this being test fired at AEX, it was much more impressive then I would have imagined.
Tokyo Marui – AKS74U
The electric Blowback mechanism that TM created is a very clean implementation. The fake bolt blows back and closes forward consistently, unlike the VFC AK Blowback system. Info on both the TM AK74MN and VFC AK Blowback AEG’s here if interested. The Blowback on this AKS74U seems to be more powerful when compared to the AK74MN and gives the feeling of recoil when fired. This could also be due to the AKS74U being shorter and less mass. Just seeing that recoil when someone else test fired it sold me right then and there. This is also why I’m excited about the new Blowback M4 TM recently announced.
Tokyo Marui – AKS74U
The new TM AK74 Series takes a different type of AK magazine from the older TM version 3 gearbox AK’s. While at first I thought this was unfair, now seeing how the new design works, I’m happy to see the improvement. TM redesigned the Armalite style magazines on the Type 89 so they would feed/fire all bb’s in the magazine. They followed that design to the Mac-10 AEP’s magazines and have carried it onto the AK74 series. <speculation>Making an educated guess, the new Blowback M4’s will also have these new redesigned magazines as well and will not be able to use older Armalite style mags.<speculation>
Tokyo Marui – AKS74U
Another trend/design that TM has carried forward since the M14 and Type 89 is the build using a metal body. And compared to Chinese aftermarket AEG bodies, the Japanese designed metal bodies are an excellent build are a good balance of strength to weight.
Tokyo Marui – AKS74U
Only downside so far is the small battery compartment which you have to cram an 8.4 Mini battery in. I have a few Lipos on order to see how well they work. Will post updates on this later.
Of course I had to add a few parts…
- ACM/EBB – PBS1 Silencer
- ACM/EBB – Rubber Buttpad
- Classic Army – KFH
Going with LiPo. (Update 01/2009)
Tokyo Marui – AKS74U – LiPo
The 8.4v Mini batteries (Intellect), I’ve been using on this AK have been a real pain to use. They barely fit in the hand guard, and I’ve run across a few brands that won’t fit at all, due to how the wiring was soldered onto the pack, use of spacers and length of wiring to connectors. The rate of fire with an 8.4 mini with the recoil system seemed to be a little sluggish.
Tokyo Marui – AKS74U – LiPo
I purchased a couple of 7.4v 1500 Mah, 25C CONTINUOUS / 40C BURST batteries form onlybatterypacks.com. These are dimensionally slightly smaller then an 8.4 Mini Battery pack, so hand guard fitment is MUCH easier. Even though it’s voltage is lower then an 8.4 mini, its output rate is higher and does result in higher ROF. Don’t worry… even though my existing chrono’s don’t measure ROF, I have 1 incoming just to do that. Will keep updating this to the performance of LiPo usage in this specific AEG.
Tokyo Marui – AKS74U – w/ Laylax Battery Sling
A user on a local forum asked me how the AKS74U would look/work with a Laylax battery sling. Works well and it looks as if TM designed in a couple of gaps on the hand guard to accommodate external wiring!
Tokyo Marui – AKS74U – w/ Laylax Battery Sling
Tokyo Marui – AKS74U – w/Freedom Art – Low Mount Base
Chrono Results (FPS)
.20 BB’s
Avg: 305 fps