CYMA CM.097 M4/AR-15 AEG Platinum Upgraded Version

We have already seen what the new CYMA Platinum upgraded version can do in the form of the super compact CM.106, and boy, were we ever impressed! The addition of high-speed gears and silent cylinder parts perfects the Platinum internal design and provides a trigger response and rate of fire that will shock you if you aren't ready for it. When these internals make their way into a long M4/AR-15 rifle like the CM.097 it is a match made in heaven for woodland warfare and would make a great starting point for a DMR build thanks to its length and its pre-upgraded internals.

Starting at the tip of the 16-inch outer barrel we can find a KAC style tri-prong flash hider to match the modern look of the whole rife. This flash hider mounts to 14mm CCW male threading, so if you have a preferred flash hider or you want to add a tracer unit or suppressor this is easily done, with no adapters needed.

The combination of the 16-inch barrel with the 14.5-inch handguard gives the CM.097 a super modern, high speed look, matching the latest and greatest tactical AR-15s on the US market. The handguard length makes this rifle great for a really stretched-out C-clamp grip, but also provides loads of room for accessories which can be mounted either directly to the M-LOK or to 20mm rail adapters which can be mounted to the M-LOK slots if you prefer to use your old Picatinny accessories.

As it comes the M-LOK handguard is quite comfy, even without rail covers or a grip thanks to its smooth anodised surface finish and rounded corners. Across the top surface of the handguard we have a 20mm Picatinny rail which runs all the way back to the rear of the receiver in a "monolithic" style. This makes this rail perfect for longer optical sights, with plenty of room left over for a PEQ laser or tactical flashlight, and even a bipod on the bottom if you are doing some long ranged work with this bad boy.

At the base of the handguard, we are also treated to a pair of QD sling sockets, one on either side. These can be used with QD sling swivels and either the sling plate at the rear of the receiver or the QD sockets on the stock for a quick removable sling solution.

Mounted at the front of the handguard and rear of the receiver we have a pair of flip-up iron sights which are fully adjustable. The front sight has an M4/AR-15 style square front post which can be adjusted using the dial in the centre of the sight body. The rear sight is a multi-aperture sight, offering two different apertures for aiming.

The larger of the two apertures is for low light conditions, CQB and full auto, and the finer aperture is intended for accurate long ranged semi-auto fire. The windage adjustment is built into the rear sight in the form of a textured knob on the right side of the sight. Turning this knob will move the sight apertures to either side and let you get sighted in. These sights are particularly good given they are included with the rifle, and we hope they are released separately one day!

Moving on to the receiver we can find a familiar M4/AR-15 configuration in a modernised format, with angular receiver surfaces to match modern CNC billet style receivers and serrations at the front of the magazine well for gripping in unconventional shooting positions. The fire selector is located right where we would expect it; above the pistol grip, on the left side of the lower receiver. The selector offers 3 modes of fire, safe, semi and full auto, with a 90 degree throw between modes. To match the modern styling of the receiver each mode is indicated with a modern bullet pictogram, with the hot modes in red, and the safe mode indicated with a white crossed-out projectile symbol.

The magazine release is positioned on the right side of the receiver on the magazine well and is protected from accidental mag drops by a protruding magazine well fence machined into the receiver itself. This is great for when you are carrying the CM.097 on a sling, as it prevents the mag catch from being pressed by your kit. The position of the mag release is well thought out and sits right within reach of the trigger finger when the rifle is held in a firing grip.

The CM.097 also has several dummy controls, all of which don't provide a function in an Airsoft AEG but are included for realism. The forward assist button is located on the right side of the upper and can be pressed in, but doesn't provide any function (some argue this is the same with the real M4!). The mock bolt catch is present on the centre left of the receiver, and while it doesn't do anything during a reload, it can be used to release the mock bolt when it is locked back for HOP-up adjustment.

To access the HOP-up adjuster of the CM.097 you will need to pull the charging handle back, which is located at the top rear of the receiver. This will open the dust cover and retract the mock bolt, where it will be held back to reveal the gear HOP-up adjuster of the alloy HOP-up unit. Turning the gear will vary the amount of backspin applied to your BBs and allow you to set the CM.097 up for your ammo weight of choice. The gear style HOP-up unit is an older design, but has the benefit of faster adjustments than the more modern rotary unit, and is constructed from alloy to ensure the piece is strong enough that you will never need to replace it.

Moving downwards, we can see the CM.097 is equipped with a modern PDW style pistol grip with a refined grip angle which is well suited to modern shooting stances which often use the stock in the fully collapsed position. The grip allows your wrist a more comfortable position and feels great thanks to its filled-out back strap and textured surface. The trigger guard is enlarged, allowing for gloved use without restricting your access to the most important control (the trigger!).

At the rear of the receiver, we are treated to an ambidextrous sling plate which offers attachment points for a hook-style sling on either side of the AEG. This sling point is perfect for a single-point sling, but can also be used together with the front QD sling sockets if you prefer a two-point sling. Behind the sling plate, we come to the castle nut, which holds the 6-position M4/AR-15 buffer tube onto the receiver.

The buffer tube is constructed from alloy, and is compatible with the vast majority of aftermarket M4/AR-15 AEG stocks, though the one that comes with the gun is very impressive. The stock is a modernised crane stock equivalent, with a decently sized battery compartment, a low profile adjustment lever, QD sling sockets in either side and a hinged butt plate. Like the crane stock, the sides of this stock are angled to provide a comfortable cheek weld, and there are slots present in the stock for a traditional strap sling.

The low profile adjustment lever reduces the chances of the stock snagging on your kit as you move, and the hinged butt plate means when you need to switch batteries you don't have any separate parts to drop in the leaf litter and never see again. To access the battery compartment, simply pull the button in the centre of the butt plate down, and the butt plate will hinge down, revealing the battery compartment and the Deans connector within. We recommend a 11.1V 1300mAh LiPo battery for the CM.097 in either stick or nunchuck configuration.

On the inside we are in for a real treat with this upgraded Platinum AEG. The usual Platinum gearbox found in the other CYMA Platinum AEGs remains, with its pre-installed ETU and MOSFET, quick change spring system and reinforced shell, but now has additional upgrades installed, because, why not? The standard steel gearset has been replaced with a 13:1 ratio gearset running on 8mm bearing bushings, which combines with the impressive high-speed motor to provide a monstrous rate of fire, and exceptional trigger response.

A silent piston head and silent cylinder head have also been installed, with a double O-ring on the cylinder head and a ball bearing on the piston head to help reduce the overall noise from the gearbox for a smoother sound and more efficient running. The spring guide is also equipped with ball bearings, reducing the stress on the rear of the gearbox and effectively resolving a known weakness in Airsoft gearbox designs.

Adding to the already impressive internals we have a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel, which will provide improved accuracy and a slight FPS increase when compared to a standard bore barrel, helping you get a bit more power from the same internals for a more efficient overall system. Everything is upgraded on this AEG, so if you want to save yourself some hassle down the line and get something future-proofed, the CM.097 would be an excellent choice.

Whether it is for conversion into a DMR or use exactly as it comes, the CM.097 would be a superb battlefield asset for any skirmisher. This AEG is best suited to outdoor play but can be used in CQB with some practice and care, but really you want to get it outdoors and stretch its legs, and play to the CM.097s strengths!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel
• MOSFET/ETU Pre-installed
• Version 2 CYMA Platinum gearbox
• High speed motor
• 13:1 Ratio high speed gearset
• Silent piston head and cylinder head
• Alloy gear adjustable HOP-up unit
• 14mm CCW male threading - Tracer/suppressor ready
• 16" outer barrel - Potentially a great DMR
• M-LOK handguard - Slots at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, 20mm up top
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - ready for an optical sight
• 14.5-inch handguard - Loads of room for mission-essential goodies
• Flip up M-pro style aperture iron sights - Fully adjustable, nice and light
• Ambidextrous steel sling plate - Perfect for a single-point sling
• Front and rear QD sling sockets - Great for a two-point sling
• Ergonomic pistol grip with a refined grip angle
• 6 Position AR buffer tube - Adjustable for any body type
• Modern battery stock - Low profile adjustment lever, hinged butt plate
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines

Package Includes

• CYMA CM.097 M4/AR-15 AEG Platinum Upgraded Version
• 160rnd Medium capacity magazine