EMG Rifle Dynamics RD-704P AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU

If you like AK platforms but prefer to live in the modern day, the EMG Rifle Dynamics RD-704P AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU is just for you! This AK has been built with the sensational CYMA Platinum High-Speed internals, rocking a high-speed Neodymium magnet motor, CNC aluminium piston and cylinder head, 13:1 CNC steel high-speed gears, 8mm ball bearing bushings and the added benefit of the prestigious EShooter Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU to keep everything running smoothly and add some programmable fire controls!

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.

Rifle Dynamics is an American firearm company that focuses on enhancing and improving the classic AK model, to them, it deserved the same love and attention in America that other rifles received. They aim to make AKs that are easy to use, reliable, incredibly accurate and beautifully crafted. They keep the nostalgia and history of the AK intact but build on the classic look to bring it into the 21st century.

Starting at the front, we can find a stylish steel muzzle break, with a slightly aggressive look. This gives the front end a slightly menacing look, reminiscent of classic AKs, but toned down in line with Rifle Dynamics' outlook on bringing the AK to the modern day. 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 muzzle device, 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 iron sight, we find the stylish 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 11" in length, meaning a lengthy tightbore inner barrel so you can throw some long-range shots at far-away foes.

After that, we can find the gas block of the RD-740P and 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 ergonomic polymer lower handguard is retained by a handguard cap which includes a sling point on the left side, ideally for hook-type slings. Moving upwards, the trunnion block also provides the mounting point for the classic AK tangent rear iron sight, which provides multiple graduations for adjustment and a fine rear sight notch to align with the front sight post. The sight can be adjusted by pressing the buttons on either side of the sight notch and moving the notchback and forth on its base. 

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 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.

The RD-704P receiver top cover is constructed from stamped steel, which is the appropriate design for a modern AK. Ribs are stamped into the upper surface to provide additional strength while keeping the material thin and lightweight. The battery compartment is beneath the top cover. To access it, simply press the button at the rear of the top cover. 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 RD-704P 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 RD-704P, 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 RD-704P is a replica of the one used on the real steel platform, it's called the "Tango Down BG-AK Grip" and features leather-like texturing on the side flanks for great gripping qualities. 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.

Moving to the rear of the receiver we can find an AK side rail, positioned on the left side of the receiver. This rail is intended for AK side mounts and should be compatible with most side mounts out there if you want to add an optical sight to your RD-704P. This AK rail also allows authentic Russian-styled optics to be mounted if you are going for a super realistic Milsim-style setup. 

The buffer tube and stock are located to the rear of the rail mount. This is unusual for a classic AK, but with more modernised AKs being produced, this style is starting to become more popular. The M4/AR-15-style buffer tube mounts to the stock tang via a steel castle nut, and it is constructed from aluminium, as is the standard for AR buffer tubes.

The stock has a unique design for AK platforms. It is low profile and has an adjustment lever on the bottom. It also has QD sling points on either side, allowing you to mount a two-point sling for easy carrying. The stock is mostly polymer, except for the arm sling, which is rubber. This arm sling has been included because the real steel rifle requires it to be California-compliant.

Inside the RD-704P, 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.

Features

• Full metal construction - A lot of steel
• Rifle Dynamics trademarks - Gives the AEG the real steel look
• Tracer unit built into the HOP-up unit - Powered by the AEG's battery
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Improved accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW Male threaded barrel - Ready for a suppressor or alternative flash hider
• Sling loop on the left of the handguard - Ready for a hook sling
• Polymer handguard - Ergonomic and comfortable
• 20mm Picatinny railed upper handguard - Ready for a red dot sight, laser unit or other 20mm accessories
• Steel receiver and top cover - Realistically hefty and solid, a mix of real and mock rivets in all the right spots
• Textured pistol grip - "Tango Down BG-AK Grip" design, leather-like texturing 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
• M4/AR15 Buffer tube - More comfortable than the usual AK choices
• Rubber arm brace - California compliant, identical to the real steel variant
• 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:
  • Low battery warning
  • Low/high voltage cutoff
  • Active braking
  • 3-Round burst
  • Binary Trigger
  • Adjustable pre-cocking
• Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU programming instructions are available here
• CYMA Platinum 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

• EMG Rifle Dynamics RD-704P AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU
• 140rnd Mid-cap Magazine