CYMA AK74 Metal Airsoft AEG Rifle Manual

This is an exact copy of the VFC AK S-74UN version . This model is very similar to the Spetsnaz used by the Russian Special Ops except this version has simulated wood handguards and skeletal side folding stock. The full metal receiver perfectly mimics its real steel form and feels solid. The 500-round quick wind mag can fire 150 rounds with one wind from its QW key. This isa great new line of AK74's out of China.

Cyma 035 AK Vs. Boyi (D-Boys) Kalash RK01 Airsoft AEG Rifles!

Editor's Note: review and comparison of two of the recently released AK clones --- the CYMA 035 and the Kalash (DBoys/BOYI) RK01. Previously, AKS kits were expensive to acquire, and with the release of two low-cost ACMs, have made collecting for avid AK lovers more affordable. This review is very comprehensive and loaded with pictures. Let's catalog the similarities and differences of these two Krinkov airsoft gun clones and see which one is the best fit for you and your play style. To make for easier reading, the discussion will be divided into:

• packaging
• the business end -- muzzle brake and front sight block
• handguards
• rear sight block
• receiver: fire selector lever, side scope mount plate, pistol grip
• receiver: mechbox, hopup assembly, bolt carrier & guide rod
• folding stock
• performance
• issues & concerns
• overall impressions

Boyi uses a downward extension of its shorter carrier handle to keep the shorter guide rod in place.

This extension slots into the receiver (red brackets) near the right side of the mekbx. This method does not seem sufficient - a definite rattling can be felt when you try to move the charging handle without pulling it backwards.

Another nice touch in the Kalash is the ridged receiver lock -- verrryy RS.

FOLDING STOCK

Both the Kalash and the 035 have stamped steel folding stocks and pot metal stock trunnions. There is a minor difference the way Boyi and Cyma made their stock strut plates. The Kalash is nearer the RS with its welding mark but is a bit sloppy with the way the sling swivel is made.

The Kalash is also nearer RS in the way the folding stock locks into the stock trunnion.

Yellow arrow shows the ridged receiver lock which attaches to the top rear of the mechbox in a different way.

The tabs on the receiver lock are only half that of the standard TM-style locks and slides into appropriate slots at the rear top of the mechbox. Red arrow shows the lock ridge which in the RS helps prevent unlocking during RS bolt cycling but is just nice to have in our replicas.

PERFORMANCE
The 035 averages 370fps out of the box while the Kalash chronoes at 390-400 stock. With minimal upgrades such as good shimming, an air seal nozzle, and a bearing spring guide the 035 I tested equaled the Kalash. Using the poor man's chrono, both pierced both sides and the bottom of a Coke Light can but only dented the center top.

All users of the two replicas reported satisfying accuracy for both. To see for myself I did a test with .2g ICS bbs from 12' in a sitting position (I have no backyard and my room is quite small he he he ) with unzeroed iron sights.

The Kalash posted consistent and good groupings in both semi and auto.

But the 035 registered even better groupings.

Three 10-round auto bursts with the 035 produced very consistent groupings with all eight rounds in the third burst hitting the bullseye. The two flyers in the third burst (red arrows) were very close. The longer inner barrel of the 035 certainly made a difference.

It seems that Cyma is learning its lessons well. This kind of accuracy tops the accuracy results registered by two of its recent products – the M14 and the Thompson. Two 035 filAKas users (team mates, iirc) reported 3 out of 4 hits at 150ft and 3-4 inch groupings at 40 meters. No definite data from filAKas Kalash users except that they were surprised at the range and accuracy they were getting from the short barreled Kalash.

ISSUES & CONCERNS

1. Several users of both replicas reported bb flight stability problems that were later traced to dirty/oily barrels and/or hopup buckings. One 035 user, however, is still trying to find the cause of bb flight instability in his unit and thinks it is due to muzzle brake/outer barrel misalignment.

A related issue is the misaligned front sight due to improper placement of the front sight block retaining screw in the 035 reported by a couple of players.

2. Some folding stock play due to loose-fitting stock hinges. Also some stock wobble due to a loose fit with the stock trunnion for both replicas.

3. Over-hinging in receiver cover for both replicas due mainly to the very narrow overlap between the rear sight detent tabs and top edges of the rear sight block.

The stiff spring activating the upper handguard locking bolt doesn't help those players who are not used to the Krinkov. If you just unlock the receiver, it leaps up and pretty soon a rut is scratched on top of the receiver block that allows the receiver cover to fold beyond 90 degrees over the sight block. This often allows the locking bolt to escape and the spring to be lost.

There are also, AFAIK, two documented cases of receiver cover push tabs breakings. However, these may due to players being new to the upper handguard locking mechanism of the Krinkov.

4. The filAKas 035 test unit suffered a breakdown after running through 10 hicap mags in stock configuration and 10 hicap mags with a PDI 190 and an 11.1v lipoly battery.


When disassembled, three bbs were found blocking the inner barrel near the hop up chamber of the test unit so this was probably due to user fault rather than gear failure. Some will probably argue that the gears should have withstood bb jamming situation.

5. The Cyma accepts Boyi, JG, and CA mags including the HLK drum mag and the Boyi Quad mag. The Kalash can only use its own brand mag and JG mags without some shaving. This is mainly due to the difference in mag catch widths of the different mags.

In shaving the mag catch, one also has to follow the standard slope angle of the Boy mag catch. This allows easy mag release. Pic below shows the 035 hicap mag sandwiched between two Boyi hicap mags.

6. There are gaps between the Kalash receiver cover, the top of the rear sight block, and upper handguard rear retainer ring that allows the batt to peep through.

7. As mentioned before, the upper handguard of the Kalash is so loose in fit it can rotate around its horizontal axis by about 15 degrees left and right.

8. The mag lock spring on the 035 is weaker than that on the Kalash. A 035 user reported dropping his mag thrice because he accidentally nudged the mag relese lever while moving around.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

Filipino players, especially those who have not experienced using shorty AKs, have been very happy with the functionality, playability and robustness of the Kalash and the 035. They have found that the maneuverability and pointability of both make target acquisition easy and the stock ergonomics suited to local physiques. The 035 feels a little bit more pointable because of its metal outer barrel while the metal receiver of the Kalash biases the weight a little bit more into the palm of the hand.

Here's a summary of what we've looked at:

Material: point goes to Kalash for its wood handguards and metal receiver although its finish needs improving to bring out the beauty and strenght of the materials; consolation to the 035 for its metal outer barrel

Build quality: point goes to the 035 for its generally very good build; pat on the back to Kalash for its RS features.

BIG demerit for Kalash for sloppy tolerances. One player experienced his barrel pin slipping out while his unit rested on the bed. Could be an isolated case but it should not happen at all -- especially since that pin is the main attaching point between the fore end and the receiver.

Stock fps: slight edge to Kalash for its 390-400 fps versus the 035's 370 fps.

Accuracy: Kalash has good groupings but the 035 has better groupings.

Functionality and Playability: slight edge to the 035, IMO; another pat on the back to Boyi for including a stock battery that gives significantly better ROF than the Cyma stock batt. Especially when used in the 035.

Overall, then, the 035 and the Kalash come out almost even with the Kalash topping the looks department and the 035 having a little bit of an edge in playability due to its longer inner barrel, metal outer barrel, and more structurally rigid feel.

Many players will argue this conclusion and that is expected. The majority of airsofters, as is usual, get and play their preferred weapons - no matter what other players say.

The debate about which clone Krinkov should get hotter when the JG Krink is released, although by that time it may well be known as the Vector. Such a pity that Cyma did let go of the opportunity to brand the 035 by its deserved label -- THE ACM KRINKOV.