CYMA CM.009F XM177E2 AEG; Platinum Edition

If you reject modernity and embrace tradition, the CM.009F XM177E2 AEG should keep you pleased! The CM.009F is a mostly faithful replica of the Vietnam Era XM177E2, the second iteration of the earliest AR15 carbines to be issued to US Army, USMC and MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group) during the latter stages of the Vietnam conflict.

The XM177E2 can be identified by its 11.5-inch pencil barrel, fixed A1 carry handle, collapsing 2-position XM177 stock and large XM177 sound/flash moderator on the tip of the barrel. This rifle was still in use way into the 1980s, and is the conceptual grandfather of the M4A1 we all know and are sick to death of seeing at every skirmish. If you want to prove that modern optics, rails and other doodads aren't needed to get the job done, the CYMA CM.009F is what you need!

Starting at the muzzle we can't help but notice the massive flash hider on this old school beast. This is the XM177 moderator, conceived to hide the monstrous muzzle flash of the original Colt M607, the original CAR15. This flash hider was a bit too effective and was rumoured to be designed to mimic the muzzle report of the AK47 to help SF troops stay concealed behind enemy lines. It is to this day classified as a suppressor by the American ATF. Thanks to its steel construction, this flash hider gives the CM.009E a distinctive "ring" noise as it fires, giving it a distinctive muzzle report and satisfying the cave-man part of the brain that enjoys cool sounds.

Beneath the flash hider we can find a 14mm CCW thread at the end of the alloy outer barrel, so if you are going for the 80s SF or the Delta Force BHD look you can add a suppressor to complete the look. Moving rearwards we come to the AR-15 triangle front sight/gas block, which houses an elevation adjustable front sight blade and a sling mount. The bayonet lug has been omitted, keeping it accurate to the real XM177E2 and removing useless weight as the barrel is too short to mount a bayonet. On the bottom of the front sight/gas block assembly, we have our first sling point which can be paired with the rear sling point on the stock to mount a two-point sling.

Next, we arrive at the handguards; the only part on this rifle that are not period accurate. These are M4A1 large handguards and have been used by CYMA to allow larger batteries to be used in the CM.009F, keeping it running all day long. The handguards feature ribbing across all surfaces to give the shooter positive control over the rifle in even the worst jungle monsoon. The battery connector is a Deans type, reducing resistance and allowing for more efficient battery use. The handguards attach via a "slip ring", the old school equivalent to the delta ring, fulfilling the same function and allowing any delta ring compatible handguards to be used on the CM.009F.

Following the handguards, we arrive at the receiver which is 100% period accurate for the XM177E2. The finish is a gun metal grey paint, matching the real rifle perfectly. The lower receiver is an A1 fully fenced type with the correct lack of strengthening around the front receiver pin hole and a full magazine release fence machined in, giving it that distinctive A1 profile.

The fire selector is on the left side and lies comfortably beneath the thumb when taking a firing grip. The markings "SAFE- SEMI-AUTO" appear on both sides of the receiver and are machined in, pairing well with the period accurate nature of the CM.009F. The magazine release can be found on the right side of the receiver, protected from accidental magazine drops by the "magazine catch fence", which is machined as part of the lower.

The upper receiver is an A1 type, featuring a fixed A1 carry handle with A1 aperture sights on the top and a "teardrop" forward assist but no brass deflector on the right side, as should be expected for an XM177E2 replica. The charging handle can be found at the top rear of the receiver, and when pulled, locks the mock bolt to the rear giving you access to the rotary adjustable HOP-up inside the ejection port. The HOP-up unit allows you to tune the CM.009B for your choice of ammo weight, looking for the flattest possible trajectory. When you have completed your adjustment, the mock bolt can then be released using the "ping pong paddle" bolt release, found on the left side of the receiver. A nice touch adding to the realism of this already super-realistic AEG!

The pistol grip is an A1 type, with checkering on both sides to provide a grippy surface and lacking the finger groove found on A2 grips, which some find less comfortable. The grip has a heat sink motor base plate, allowing the AEG's motor to cool between extended strings of fire. On the left side of the lower receiver you will find your unique serial number, an excellent feature for theft prevention and to help you identify which rifle is yours in the safe zone.

Following the receiver, we can find an AR-15 buffer tube which is compatible with any buffer tube stock you wish to put on, though we advise you avoid heresy and keep the original textured polymer XM177 stock right where it is. The buffer tube is a 2-position tube, allowing either fully extended or fully closed positions, though this can be swapped for a modern 6-position one and no one would know and come after you for ruining a period inaccurate old-school AR. As mentioned, the stock is an XM177 type and uses textured high density polymer construction, with a diamond textured butt plate to stop the stock from sliding around on your shoulder. There is a sling point present on the stock, allowing 2 point slings to be used.

The internals of the CM.009E are exactly what you would expect being CYMA Platinum AEG. The version 2 gearbox inside features 8mm steel ball bearing bushings, a ball bearing spring guide, an aluminium silent piston and cylinder head and a polycarbonate piston with steel teeth. This combination of parts is proven to be reliable, and a considerable upgrade over most AEGs in this price range.

The gearbox also features a quick change spring system, accessible through the buffer tube using the included Allen key, allowing the velocity to be increased or reduced depending on your local site's limits. To keep these high end internals well-timed and running at their best, CYMA has pre-installed a MOSFET processor unit, The MOSFET provides active braking to prevent your gearbox from over spinning and protect the electrical components inside, as well as raising the rate of fire and trigger response. The inner barrel is a 6.03mm tightbore measuring 363mm in length, giving this AEG excellent accuracy and consistency.

To round things out, the motor inside the CM.009F is a high torque motor with Neodymium magnets inside, improving trigger response and allowing for stronger springs to be used. If you are a Vietnam War movie fan, BHD impressionist or you want to make a statement about how rails are not needed to get kills, the CM.009F XM177E2 is perfect for you!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• Real world accurate XM177 moderator style muzzle device - Steel construction, rings when you shoot!
• 11.5-Inch Pencil profile outer barrel - Alloy construction, matches the real XM177E2 perfectly
• Ribbed handguards - M4A1 type, compatible with rails for M4 polymer handguards, large battery compartment
• Front wired: Deans/T-plug battery connector - Recommended battery: 11.1V 1300mAh LiPo
• Slip ring handguard attachment method - Compatible with aftermarket Delta ring/slip ring handguards
• Sling point on the front sight - Pair it with the rear sling point on the stock to mount a two-point sling
• "A1" Style receiver - Fixed "A1" carry handle, teardrop forward assist, no brass deflector, fenced mag catch
• Ghost ring iron sights - Front sight adjustable for elevation with the included tool, rear sight windage adjustable
• Compatible with 20mm Picatinny rail mounts for fixed carry handles - Build your Delta carbine!
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Alloy construction, accessible with the charging handle pulled back
• "A1" Style textured pistol grip - Accurate to the real XM177, more comfortable than the "A2" for most users
• 2-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Compatible with aftermarket stocks, can be swapped for AEG 6-position tube
• XM177 Style polymer stock pre-installed - Realistic looks, superb quality, sling point built-in
• Version 2 Gearbox - 
  • Quick change spring system
  • CYMA Platinum MOSFET
  • Polycarbonate piston with full steel tooth rack
  • Steel gearset running on 8mm ball bearing bushings
  • CNC Aluminium silent piston head
  • CNC Aluminium silent cylinder head
  • Ball bearing spring guide
  • Stainless steel type 1 cylinder
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines

Package Includes

• CYMA CM.009F XM177E2 AEG; Platinum Edition
• 300rnd High-capacity magazine
• User manual
• Front sight adjustment tool
• Allen key