CYMA Platinum CM.097D M4/AR-15 SD AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU

If you're seeking a full metal, high performance M4 AEG with a covert aesthetic, the CYMA Platinum CM.097D M4/AR-15 SD AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU is one to watch. Part of CYMA's Platinum line, the CM.097D has been around the block before but this version has been revamped with the impressive Kestrel V2 Basic programmable MOSFET/ETU system from EShooter, giving it functionality the previous version could only dream about!

The Kestrel offers programmable fire modes and a host of quality-of-life features, bringing the CM.097 Platinum series into line with more recent releases. These include 3-round burst and binary trigger fire mode options, adjustable pre-cocking, active braking, cycle completion, low battery warning and low/high voltage protection. Also present in the CM.097D is the usual complement of CYMA high-speed internals, including 13:1 gears running on 8mm ball-bearing bushings, a high-speed motor, CNC aluminium "silent" compression parts, a double O-ring piston head and a quick change ball-bearing spring guide. 

Naturally, CYMA's usual alloy rotary HOP-up unit and 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel are also present, giving you above-average accuracy potential and the ability to deal with foes at long range. If you're stepping up from a beginner-tier platform or looking for a slick modern AR with stealthy styling, the CYMA CM.097D M4/AR-15 SD AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU will definitely do the trick!

Starting at the front, we can find an integral suppressor running beneath the handguard, constructed from aluminium and providing the highly sought-after "Honey Badger" look. The suppressor mounts to 14mm CCW male barrel threads but due to the extended inner barrel which runs through the suppressor, you'll need to unscrew the suppressor and replace it with a barrel extension to mount a tracer unit. 

Next up, we come to the handguard which is a great replica of the real steel URX4, featuring M-LOK negative space attachment slots at the 3, 6, & 9 o'clock positions with additional slots at the offset angles, ready for M-LOK accessories. Running along the top, we have a 20mm Picatinny rail which runs all the way back to the receiver, mating seamlessly with the receiver rail. This gives you plenty of space to mount your choice of optical sight, whether it's a simple red dot sight or a full-sized LPVO or rifle scope. QD sling sockets are also present on either side of the handguard, allowing the QD sling swivels to be fitted for a slick modern sling setup which is easy to remove and remount. The presence of the integral suppressor comes at the small sacrifice that the front M-LOK slots are non-functional due to not allowing enough clearance for M-LOK mounting bolts. 

Moving rearwards, we come to the receiver which is a modernised design with angled surfaces and a reprofiled forward assist bulge/brass deflector. The front of the magazine well features gripping grooves to allow it to be used as a makeshift grip when shooting from unconventional positions and the left side includes an extended magazine release fence to protect an ambidextrous mag release, should you choose to add one. 

The controls are conventionally laid out for an M4/AR-15 replica, with the fire selector positioned just above the pistol grip on the left side, well within reach of the shooter's thumb when the rifle is held in a firing grip. The selector offers 3 modes in a SAFE-SEMI-AUTO layout with a 90-degree throw between each selector position. With the pre-installed Kestrel Basic ETU, you also have the option of switching out full auto for 3-round burst, giving you improved hit probability while saving ammo compared to using full-auto. 

The mag release is on the right side of the magazine well, easily reached for right-handers using the trigger finger and for left-handed shooters with the off-hand thumb. Just below, we can find the trigger guard which is enlarged and built into the receiver; a feature often found on cutting-edge real-world ARs with "billet" receivers. This gives you easy access to the trigger when wearing full-finger gloves and also enhances receiver strength, sidestepping the removable trigger guard of a mil-spec AR which is a known weak point. 

At the top rear of the receiver, we can find the charging handle which is constructed from alloy with a steel locking latch. Pulling the charging handle will open the dust cover and retract the mock bolt, revealing the rotary HOP-up inside. The unit is made from alloy and the adjuster dial is polymer, offering a stronger build than other rotary units. Turning the dial allows you to tune the CM.097D for different ammo weights, looking for the flattest possible trajectory. When you've finished adjusting, hit the "ping pong paddle" bolt catch on the left side of the receiver to release the mock bolt with a satisfying "clank". 

At the bottom of the receiver, we can find the pistol grip which is a modern ergonomic design with a filled-out backstrap and texture on either side. The front and rear features linear grooves for added traction and the grip angle is more vertical than traditional pistol grips, making it more comfortable for modern shooting stances with the stock fully collapsed. At the rear of the receiver, we are treated to an ambidextrous steel sling plate, ideally suited to single-point "hook" slings. The sling plate is a fantastic single-point sling mounting option if you are accustomed to "shoulder-to-shoulder transitions" when skirmishing, preventing the sling from being tangled and avoiding the need to adjust length. 

At the rear, we have the prolific M4/AR-15 buffer tube, constructed from alloy and offering 6 adjustment positions for the pre-installed battery stock. The adjustment lever of the stock is on the bottom; a low profile design intended to reduce equipment snags, a considerable improvement over the ageing crane battery stock design. A QD sling socket is present on either side along with conventional "footman loops" for standard strap slings. The butt plate is rubberised and serrated for optimal wet-weather traction and hinges open for easy battery access via the button in the centre. 

With the button in the centre of the butt plate pulled down, the butt plate will hinge open around the toe of the stock, revealing a Deans battery connector inside. We recommend an 11.1V 1450mAh LiPo battery in crane/nunchuck configuration but buffer tube stick type batteries should also work. 

The highlight of this revamped CM.097D build is its Kestrel Basic ETU/MOSFET, offering 6 levels of adjustable pre-cocking, options for 3 round burst and binary trigger along with low battery warning, cycle completion, active braking and low/high voltage cutoff. This means you can crank up the trigger response for super fast double taps or run the CM.097D with SAFE-SEMI-3RND BURST fire controls. Also inside is a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel and alloy rotary HOP-up unit, giving you superb accuracy potential and the latest HOP-up design for M4/AR-15 platforms.

The astonishing rate of fire and trigger response of the CM.097D is down to the CYMA Platinum E-Edition internals, primarily its CNC machined steel 13:1 high-speed gearset and high-speed motor. The gearbox shell is also reinforced in all the key places for a long lifespan, and inside you will find 8mm ball bearing bushings, a CNC machined aluminium silent piston head and cylinder head set, a polycarbonate piston with a full rack of steel teeth and a ball bearing quick change spring guide. It is no wonder the CM.097D absolutely shreds, there is little left to upgrade!

If you're a stealthy skirmisher looking for a high performance AR platform to match, the CYMA Platinum CM.097D M4/AR-15 SD AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU is ideal! A full metal build with sleek looks and thoroughly upgraded internals at the peak of out-of-the-box performance, the CM.097D M4/AR-15 SD is an impressive shooter and great value!

Features

• Full metal construction 
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer ready with barrel extension
• Integral suppressor - The iconic "Honey Badger" look, extended inner barrel running through
• M-LOK Handguard - M-LOK slots at 3, 6, & 9 o'clock, extra slots at the offset angles
• QD Sling sockets - On each side of the handguard, ready for QD sling swivels
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope
• Flip-up aperture iron sights pre-installed - Rail mounted, removable and adjustable
• Ergonomic pistol grip - A modern design with a filled-out backstrap
• Enlarged trigger guard - Built into the receiver, plenty of space for gloved shooters
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Alloy construction, pull the charging handle to access
• Modernised receiver design - Angled surfaces, reprofiled brass deflector & forward assist bulge
• 6 Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock to suit your body type and loadout
• Steel ambidextrous sling plate - Ready for a single-point sling on either side
• Adjustable battery stock - QD sling sockets on each side, low profile adjustment lever & sloped cheek rests 
• Rear wired: Deans battery connector - Recommended battery: 11.1V 1450mAh LiPo in crane/nunchuck config. 
• Version 2 gearbox:
  • 13:1 High-Speed gearset
  • 8mm Ball-bearing bushings
  • CNC Aluminium "Silent" ball-bearing piston head
  • Double O-ring cylinder head
  • Ball-bearing quick change spring guide
  • High-speed motor
  • Kestrel Basic programmable MOSFET
• Kestrel Basic MOSFET functions:
  • Low/high voltage cutoff
  • Low battery warning
  • Binary Trigger
  • 3-Round burst
  • Adjustable pre-cocking
• Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU programming instructions are available here
• Compatible with standard M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Spares are cheap and always available!

Package Includes

• CYMA Platinum CM.097D M4/AR-15 SD AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU
  • 160rnd Mid-capacity magazine