CYMA Platinum SLR Airsoft Works AK-74 AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU

If you're in the mood for a full length AK with a modern twist, the CYMA Platinum SLR Airsoft Works AK-74 AEG is exactly that. This AK is based around the sensational CYMA Platinum E-EDITION High Speed internals, rocking a high torque Neodymium magnet motor, CNC aluminium piston and cylinder head, 13:1 CNC steel high speed gears, 8mm ball bearing bushings and the EShooter Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU to keep everything running smoothly and add programmable fire controls into the mix!

The party trick of this AK is its integral tracer unit, mounted to the HOP-up unit and powered by the same battery that powers the AEG itself. This means you can light the night up with tracer BBs without needing to mount anything to the 14mm CCW threads up front, keeping the weight of the platform as low as possible and maintaining its excellent handling qualities. This is a very impressive feature to find in a mid-priced AEG and has previously only been available on the aftermarket for a premium price while requiring extra expertise to install.

As we might expect for a platform licenced by SLR Rifleworks itself, the SLR AK-74 is dressed to impress on the outside. We are treated to a full metal build with a large proportion of steel parts, a licenced SLR Rifleworks Billet stock and Synergy Mini-Comp muzzle brake, an M-LOK/20mm Picatinny hybrid handguard and a 20mm Picatinny railed gas tube. The result is a realistically built AK replica bristling with the most modern accessory attachment interfaces available, ready to be decked out!

Starting at the front, we can find a highly detailed replica of the SLR Rifleworks Synergy Mini-Comp muzzle brake with multiple ports around its circumference and an engraved SLR marking on the bottom. The device looks fantastic on the 1Ak-74, giving it a brutal and menacing front end for an extra intimidation factor. The muzzle device mounts to 14mm CCW male threads, meaning you can swap it out for an alternative if you have a preferred muzzle device, just make sure you remove the grub screw first. It goes without saying, you won't need a tracer for this bad boy as there is already a tracer unit built into the HOP-up!

To the rear of the Mini-Comp, we come to the front sight, a standard AK-74 front sight block with an adjustable front blade protected on either side with built-in protective wings. This part is constructed from alloy and has a very realistic finish applied, simulating the anti-corrosion paint applied to real Russian AK rifles. The front sight can be adjusted for elevation using a front sight adjustment tool and is one of the few aspects of the iconic AK silhouette that remains on this customised piece.

Behind the front sight, we come to the outer barrel which sports realistic grooves along its design, intended to help dissipate built-up heat in the real rifle. This also adds a bit of visual interest to the design and makes the barrel less reflective, helping you stay concealed in woodland skirmishes. The outer barrel is constructed from alloy and is of the standard 16.3-inch AK length, meaning a lengthy tightbore inner barrel so you can harass the enemy team out to long range.

Following the barrel back, we can find the gas block of the AK-74 which is finished with the same simulated anti-corrision finish as the front sight. The change in finish between the barrel, gas parts and receiver adds contrast to the SLR AK-74 design and makes it look that bit more realistic, avoiding the telltale signs of being a replica and giving it the same level of detail as the real thing.

Behind the gas block, we come to the gas tube which is constructed from aluminium and equipped with a 20mm Picatinny rail at the top. This rail is perfect for mounting a red dot sight but there is plenty of room in front for an offset flashlight mount or other 20mm Picatinny accessories. Mounting an RMR-style or T1-style micro-red dot here can give you a lower 1/3 co-witness with the iron sights, making for more intuitive aiming and a great combination of precision along with fast target acquisition. The upper handguard also includes a discrete SLR trademark at the front, a subtle display of SLR's pride in its design.

The lower handguard is an M-LOK/20mm Picatinny hybrid design, replicating the real steel SLR AK "Solo" handguard, with 20mm Picatinny rails at the front and M-LOK slots following just behind. The front Picatinny sections are in the perfect spot to mount a tactical flashlight or laser and also have a QD socket built into each, ready for a QD sling swivel to be added. The M-LOK slots give you access to the latest vertical and angled foregrip designs but can also be used to mount 20mm Picatinny rail adapters for M-LOK, offering a wider variety of accessory options than either M-LOK or 20mm Picatinny alone. The handguard is constructed from aluminium and has linear grooves at the offset angles, intended to provide extra grip to improve wet weather handling.

Following the handguard, we come to the trunnion block which provides the mounting point for the classic AK tangent rear iron sight. The rear sight provides multiple graduations for adjustment and a fine rear sight notch to align with the front sight post. The authentic Russian Cyrillic markings on the sight add a touch of realism, and the sight itself can be adjusted by pressing the drums on either side of the sight notch and moving the notch back and forth on its base. The lever on the right side is the handguard disassembly lever and is functional, but due to the use of a railed gas tube, the Allen bolts holding the gas tube on will need to be removed before the lever comes into use.

The receiver itself follows the standard AK-47/74 format with a centrally positioned ambidextrous magazine release at the front of the trigger guard, a mock bolt carrier on the right side of the receiver and a 3-position fire selector on the right side. The fire selector provides 3 modes of fire; safe, full auto and semi-auto, in that order. It is an AK after all! This was designed in to allow for fast selection of semi-auto with a quick sweep down of the selector, and isn't actually because the AK was designed for full auto, as is the common myth. This selector has also been enhanced by SLR and perfectly replicated by CYMA, featuring a welded-on extension to allow you to switch modes with your trigger finger without removing your hand from the pistol grip.

The receiver top cover of the SLR AK-74 is also constructed from stamped steel and is the appropriate design for a modern AK, with ribs stamped into the upper surface to provide additional strength while keeping the material thin and lightweight. The battery compartment is beneath the top cover, and to access it, simply press the button at the rear of the top cover and it should come straight off, revealing a Deans/T-plug battery connector.

Thanks to its pre-installed EShooter Kestrel Basic MOSFET and highly upgraded internals, the SLR AK-74 is ready for an 11.1V LiPo straight out of the box, and we recommend an 11.1V 1200mAh LiPo in AK stick configuration for a perfect fit and excellent performance. With the battery connected and installed, you can place the top cover back onto the receiver, align the button with the hole in the rear of the top cover, and pull the charging handle to lock the cover down if necessary.

To access the HOP-up unit of the SLR AK-74, simply hold the charging handle to the rear to reveal the alloy slider adjustable HOP-up unit. The slider unit is known as one of the best designs out there, and that is the reason this unit has not changed in design since the original Tokyo Marui AK-47 AEG. To increase the HOP-up effect, simply move the slider rearwards. Returning the slider to the front will reduce the HOP-up to its lowest setting. This HOP-up also has some extra wires and circuit boards on it, adding tracer functionality so you can light the enemy up without needing to add a tracer muzzle device.

The pistol grip of the SLR AK-74 is a standard AKM/AK-74 type pistol grip, with diamond checkering on either side to ensure the rifle stays firmly in your grasp in any weather condition. The trigger guard and magazine release can be found just ahead of the pistol grip, and are constructed from steel to provide solid magazine locking and ample rigidity. The magazine release is placed in the centre of the receiver and is accessible from either side of the AEG. The magazine retention system of the AK platform is a "rock and lock" motion, requiring you to first index the front "hook" on the magazine inside the receiver, then rock the magazine to engage the catch.

At the rear of the SLR AK-74, we have a highly detailed licenced replica of the real steel SLR Rifleworks AK Billet stock, constructed from aluminium using CNC technology for the perfect combination of low weight and high strength. The stock is side folding, just like the original AK-74 steel side folder, but is far lighter and requires far less effort to fold and deploy.

To fold the stock, simply pull it upwards to defeat the spring-loaded hinge mechanism and the stock will fold to the side, staying in place without the need for a fiddly latch or any buttons whatsoever. The stock also features SLR trademarks engraved on either side and an ambidextrous QD sling socket, allowing a two-point rifle sling to be mounted when paired with the front QD sling sockets and QD sling swivels.

Inside the SLR AK-74, we are treated to the best internals CYMA currently has to offer. The gearbox shell is a version 3 design with reinforcements in all the key places, the gears are CNC steel 13.1 ratio high-speed examples and the motor is a neodymium magnet high torque motor, guaranteeing a speedy rate of fire which will have the enemy on the run!

The gearbox internals are also all upgraded, including a polycarbonate piston with a steel tooth rack, 8mm steel ball bearing bushings, a CNC aluminium ball bearing silent piston head, a ball bearing spring guide and a double O-ring equipped CNC aluminium silent cylinder head, promising smooth performance, flawless air seal qualities and enhanced durability to maintain reliability at high-performance parameters. The EShooter Kestrel Basic MOSFET is the icing on the cake, 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.

If you've been keeping your eye out for a modernised AK but you want a full-sized rifle and none of this carbine nonsense, the CYMA SLR AK-74 is one to watch. Its high end, cutting-edge looks will make it a head-turner in the safe zone and its thoroughly upgraded internals with a tracer HOP-up to top it off will keep the enemy at bay as long as you do your part!

Features

• Full metal construction - Mostly steel
• Tracer unit built into the HOP-up unit - Powered by the AEG's battery
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Improved accuracy potential
• Licensed SLR Synergy Mini-Comp pre-installed - Awesome looking muzzle device
• 14mm CCW Male threaded barrel - Ready for a suppressor or alternative flash hider
• QD sling sockets at 3, 6, & 9 o'clock on the handguard - Plenty of sling options
• M-LOK/20mm Picatinny hybrid SLR "Solo" lower handguard - M-LOK slots at 3, 6 & 9 o'clock with 20mm rails in front
• 20mm Picatinny railed upper handguard - Ready for a red dot sight, laser unit or other 20mm accessories
• Tangent iron sights - Adjustable via the drums on either side of the rear sight, authentic Cyrillic markings
• Steel receiver and top cover - Realistically hefty and solid, a mix of real and mock rivets in all the right spots
• Textured pistol grip - Standard AK-74 design, diamond texture on each side for improved grip
• Ambidextrous magazine release - Centrally positioned, accessible from either side
• Extended fire selector lever - Switch fire modes with the trigger finger from a firing grip
• Licensed replica SLR AK Billet Stock - Ultra light side folding stock, 6061 Alu construction
• On-Off Switch for the integral tracer unit - On the right side of the HOP-up unit, accessible with the bolt pulled back
• Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU functions:
  • Adjustable pre-cocking
  • Binary Trigger
  • 3-Round burst
  • Active braking
  • Low/high voltage cutoff
  • Low battery warning
• Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU programming instructions available here
• CYMA Platinum E-EDITION High Speed internals:
  • Reinforced Version 3 gearbox shell with quick change spring system
  • Polycarbonate piston with full steel tooth rack
  • CNC Machined steel 13:1 high speed gear set
  • 8mm Ball bearing bushings
  • CNC Aluminium silent ball bearing piston head
  • CNC Aluminium silent double O-ring cylinder head
  • Ball bearing quick change spring guide
  • High speed Neodymium magnet motor
  • Low resistance wiring
• Rear wired: Deans/T-plug battery connector - Recommended battery: 11.1V 1200mAh LiPo AK Stick battery
• Compatible with AK-47/74 AEG magazines - Spares are always available

Package Includes

• CYMA Platinum SLR Airsoft Works AK-74 AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU
• 140rnd Mid-cap magazine
• Speed loader