ARCTURUS PP-19-01 Vityaz-SN Submachine Gun - MOSFET Edition

The Real PP-19-01 Vityaz Submachine Gun

The PP-19-01 Vityaz is an evolution of the original Soviet-era PP-19 Bizon SMG, which was chambered in the 9x18 Makarov cartridge and uses an interesting but impractical helical magazine design. The PP-19-01 is a more down to earth modernisation of the Bizon and sports the addition of modern 20mm Picatinny rails for using western accessories, and now feeds from sensible straight magazines through an enlarged magazine well. "Vityaz" (витязь) in Russian translates to "Knight" in English, a super cool name we're sure you agree!

The Vityaz looks just like an AK, and you would be forgiven for thinking that this is just an AK rechambered in pistol ammunition. Under the hood, the real Vityaz makes use of an even simpler operating mechanism than the legendarily basic AK long-stroke piston system, known as "direct blowback". This means all unnecessary complexity has been removed, and in classic Russian style this SMG is cave-man simple, but with some notable modernisations to allow for modern functionality. This SMG entered service in 2005, is currently issued to the Russian military and local police forces, and has gained a substantial following in the US under its clone form, known as the Kalashnikov USA KP-9.

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Arcturus is known for its fantastic range of modernised Airsoft AK AEG rifles, offering the latest variants of the venerable platform in full steel form, packed with realistic features and with a bombproof internal feature set to boot! The PP-19-01 is no different and boasts a massive proportion of steel used in its construction, high-density polymer handguards and pistol grip, and a pre-installed MOSFET to improve the trigger response and protect the internal circuitry from excess wear. You won't need to upgrade this bad boy, all it needs is some accessories to spice it up and you're ready to rock with one of the most modern and unique SMGs out there!

Starting at the tip of the outer barrel we can find a Vityaz style muzzle brake which helps reduce recoil in the real firearm. Our example is constructed from steel and sports a fantastic gun metal finish, and attaches to the barrel via 14mm CCW male threads and a spring-loaded detent built into the front sight to prevent rotation and ensure the device is positioned correctly. Whilst the PP-19-01 looks fantastic with its muzzle brake, it also looks amazing with a suppressor or tracer unit, which can be installed thanks to the common 14mm CCW male threading.

The front sight/gas block is appropriately styled after the real PP-19-01, and includes an adjustable front sight post, and a single slot of 20mm Picatinny rail at the bottom. This is the perfect location to add a tactical flashlight, but could also be used for a bipod if you want to make a PP-19-01 DMR and upset some fanbois! To the rear of the front sight/gas block we can find the handguard caps, which hold the polymer handguards tightly onto the SMG for a rock solid feel. These handguard caps are constructed from steel, as one might expect being made by Arcturus, known for using steel when other manufacturers use alloy. On the lower handguard cap, we can find our first sling point which is positioned on the left side and ideally suited to an AK style sling when used together with the sling point on the stock.

The handguards of the PP-19-01 are full AK length, meaning if you have large hands you will not feel cramped holding this AEG like you might with an AKS-74U or AK Beta Spetznaz style short AK. The lower handguard features ribs on either side for the classic modernised AK look, matching the AK-74M, AK10x series and other Russian modernised AKs whilst providing exceptional gripping qualities when working in the rain or whilst wearing gloves. This is a massive improvement over traditional wood handguards, which can become a hassle to keep hold of if they get wet.

The lower handguard also has a full length 20mm Picatinny rail built into the bottom, and a short section on the right side, at the 3 o'clock position. This means despite the fact that the PP-19-01 is based on the AK design, you can in fact add 20mm Picatinny accessories straight out of the box, including vertical and angled foregrips for improved handling or lasers and tactical flashlights for a special forces look. The upper handguard is slick but has a slightly rough feel indicative of the fibre reinforced polymers used in its construction.

Moving rearwards we come to the trunnion block, to which the rear sight of the PP-19-01 mounts. This is the typical AK style tangent open sight with a wider rear notch for faster sight acquisition when exchanging fire at close range. This sight adjusts in the same way a standard AK rear sight does, by squeezing the textured buttons on either side of the slider you can move raise and lower the sight to suit your engagement range. The sight is marked in tens of meters, which only applies to the real PP-19-01, but is a nice addition for authenticity. On the right side of the trunnion block we can see the handguard/gas tube removal lever, which can be rotated upwards to remove the upper handguard.

Following the trunnion block, we come to the receiver which is constructed from steel with a thick and hard-wearing paint finish which matches real Russian AKs of recent years perfectly. This finish is very novel, and its textured surface almost makes it feel like a polymer, were it not for the hefty feel of the PP-19-01 and its attraction to magnets. As with all AKs, real or Airsoft, this receiver will still develop the classic AK selector lever scratch, though the rear side of the selector lever has been redesigned to alleviate this somewhat.

On the left side of the receiver we can find an old-school touch, and a hallmark of the Vityaz-SN variant of the PP-19-01, the Russian AK dovetail side rail. This can be used to mount Russian style optics or optic mounts and was added to the real Vityaz-SN to facilitate the use of Russian night vision optics. Curiously, we are also treated to a 20mm Picatinny receiver rail, which was also added as part of the -SN upgrade. This was made possible by the Vityaz's hinged top cover, which creates a stable platform suitable for mounting optical sights and retaining a good zero. This means it's your pick, either western 20mm Picatinny mounted optical sights, or Russian side rail mounted optics, either can be mounted to the PP-19-01 without the slightest bit of fuss!

The battery compartment of the PP-19-01 can be found beneath the hinged top cover and can be accessed by pressing the button at the rear of the receiver inwards, similarly to a standard AK. With the button pressed, the top cover will hinge open, and inside you can find a Deans connector to which you connect your battery. For the PP-19-01, we recommend a 7.4V  LiPo 1300mAh stick battery for the best combination of a comfortable fit and long term durability. For those who prefer to use a mini-Tamiya battery, a Deans to mini-Tamiya adapter is provided in the box. Though the box and user manual state an 11.1V battery can be used, this refers to international models of the AEG which are running at a higher power level. The use of an 11.1V battery in a UK spec PP-19-01 AEG will result in premature failure of the internals.

The lower receiver of the PP-19-01 follows a familiar format; it looks like an AK, but smaller! The fire selector can be found on the right side and is the renowned AK style hybrid selector/dust cover with its recognisable shape. This fire selector also sports an extended section which allows the lever to be operated with the trigger finger which speeds up the manual of arms of the PP-19-01 to keep it competitive with SMG-5, UMP and modern AR-9 style submachine guns. Like most of the gun, the selector lever is constructed from steel and has a smooth gunmetal finish which contrasts with the matt finished receiver but matches the finish on the stock and muzzle device. As with the AK rifle, the selector offers 3 fire modes, safe at the top, full-auto in the middle, and semi-auto at the bottom.

The adjustable HOP-up unit of the PP-19-01 can be found behind the mock bolt carrier and can be accessed when the charging handle is held to the rear. This HOP-up unit is a new design, replacing the old "slider" style adjuster with a more modern TDC rotary adjuster. This allows for more precise HOP-up adjustment and less chance of left to right deviation thanks to the design applying pressure directly to the top of the HOP nub, with no angular force applied.

On the bottom of the receiver, we can find a flared magazine well where we would usually find the classic AK "rock and lock" style mag well. This is one of the enhancements which keeps the Vityaz going toe to toe with modern western designs in the area of ergonomics. The magazine well fitted allows for a straight in insertion method, preventing the faff with "rock and lock" magazines, and makes reloading quick and easy when compared to a standard AK. Also included in the box is a wider extension for the magazine well, which can be added to allow for easier reloads on the move, and whilst your eyes are up and scanning the environment. Positioned at the centre rear of the magazine well we can find the ambidextrous magazine catch, which can be used with the classic AK "mag flip" reload, or actuated with the thumb for either left or right-handed users.

Next up, we arrive at the pistol grip and trigger guard, which are patterned after the AK but with some consideration given to ergonomics, for a change. A surprising addition for an AK variant, we thought Russians' hands were so numb from the cold that they didn't care about ergonomics, turns out it only just occurred to them! The pistol grip of the PP-19-01 has been thoroughly redesigned and is the only part of this SMG which feels nothing like an AK. The grip is comfortable to hold and is shaped to aid in keeping a tight grip on the weapon when holding it with one hand during a rapid sprint between cover or during a fast reload. The trigger guard is the same as that found on the original AK rifle and needs no changes thanks to its wide profile allowing for use with thick gloves, and its thin yet robust steel construction.

Moving to the rear of the rifle we can find the side folding skeleton stock, which is a similar shape to that of an AKS-74 rifle but is slightly smaller in profile, and uses a simpler locking mechanism. The stock is constructed from steel, as is its hinge mechanism, guaranteeing the stock can handle almost anything you can throw at it. The rear sling point can be found on the right side of the stock, similarly to AKS-74 rifles, and is constructed from steel to help support the substantial weight of the Vityaz. To fold the stock to the side, all you need to do is press the button on the left side of the receiver, at the rear, and the stock can be folded to the left side and locked under the circular retainer found at the front left of the receiver, below the rear sight. To deploy the stock, simply pull the stock down slightly to release it from the retainer and fold it open where it will lock into place.

Internally, the PP-19-01 has some surprises in store, but not if you're used to Arcturus internals! The inner barrel is a tight bore 6.01mm, granting superb accuracy when coupled with the newly designed rotary HOP-up unit. The gearbox is wired with 15AWG wiring, with a MOSFET pre-installed, offering superb electrical efficiency and preventing the trigger contacts from being worn out with excessive semi-auto use. To provide the "oomph" needed, Arcturus has provided a 24k RPM high torque Neodymium magnet motor, providing superb trigger response, rate of fire and the capability to use higher strength springs. No need to worry about upgrading this AEG, there's little left to upgrade!

So, whether you are an AK fan looking for a smol AK to complete your collection, or you are a Speztnaz Milsimmer or a real steel KP-9 fan, the PP-19-01 Vityaz-SN from Arcturus is the best Vityaz replica on the market so far!

Features

• Full metal construction
• High proportion of steel - Very realistic
• 20mm Picatinny railed gas block
• 20mm Picatinny Railed receiver top cover
• Polymer handguards with integral rails at 3 and 6 o'clock
• PP-19-01 - Modernised AK submachine gun
• Steel Slide folding skeleton stock
• Ergonomic pistol grip - Very comfortable
• Deans battery connector with mini-Tamiya adapter
• Flared magazine well - Extension included!
• 6.01mm Tightbore inner barrel
• Sling points front and rear
• Newly designed rotary HOP-up unit
• Russian AK dovetail side rail  - Russian optic ready
• Includes an adjustable capacity 30/95 rnd magazine

Package Includes

• Arcturus PP-19-01 Vityaz-SN Submachine Gun - MOSFET Edition
• 95/30 rnd Adjustable capacity magazine
• Deans to mini-Tamiya Adapter
• User manual

Special Instructions

Please note, due to the design of the PP-19-01 scratches will develop in certain areas from normal use. This is unavoidable, and many of our PP-19-01 AEGs already have these scratches from the factory due to the testing and QC process.

Examples include the AK "selector lever scratch", a similar scratch on the area beneath the handguard disassembly latch, and a scratch on the area of the hinged top cover which meets the receiver when hinged open.

These scratches are part of a realistic AK look and will develop over time regardless of whether they are present initially or not. Please consider carefully before making your purchase.