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AA LEGION – THE LAST POST!

The time has arrived already for us to bid farewell to Nige and Bill and say “welcome aboard” to Trampas and John as we prepare to wind things down for this particular website to make space for the “GEN III” version that will be appearing soon! Bill told us “this week has really encompassed a lot of "lasts" for me... my last issue as ED, my last news posts to the website, my last sending out of emails to the industry to announce that new issue, and now my last SFTW "call to arms"... very strange feelings I can tell you... But I know that I am handing AIRSOFT ACTION over to my padawans Trampas and John in the best shape the magazine, and indeed the business, has ever been in! Trampas started out way back as a Staff Writer and then my Deputy Editor on a security-related magazine before launching ARMED LIFESTYLE, and my padawan there has become a publishing Jedi Master in his own right, something I am insanely proud of. John has grown and grown as a writer, and working with both Trampas and I has flourished into a confident Jedi journalist; with our ongoing mentorship I believe he will make an outstanding Editor for the new AA! So, with a somewhat heavy heart I bid you all the very best, and now I’m off to concentrate on my own training and GBBR projects, which no doubt will be shared in the new AA in due course, along with other titles in the training and firearms spheres… hopefully I’ll see some of you out there!” And it means that it’s also time for our “Last Post” here, and what better way to set things in motion for the future than to bring you our usual “Something For The Weekend” Friday update! Incoming Editor John (Boycie to his mates!) told us “Saturday holds some range work and some coaching with some friends who are polishing skills. Gen III is a bit like… Airsoft Action Gen III, The Next Generation... these are the articles of the crew of Airsoft Action. Its continuing mission, to explore new sites, to seek out new products and innovations, to boldly go where no airsofter has gone before! It’s going to feel strange going forward without Bill at the helm but he assembled an awesome crew who, I am sure, will be carrying Airsoft Action forward and making him proud!” Stewbacca continued “this weekend I'll lead Team TaiJi to CQB in the absence of our other higher ups who are dealing with the upcoming POLK 6 arrangements for the next MilSim installment of it at the end of April, I've been doing more gun and equipment shakedowns lately and updating my comms systems to hopefully improve over the shortcomings of the last beach assault we had. This time we're going further inland to a large mixed terrain play area and have a hundred players a side on the books. Along with that I'm just looking forward to more regular game days and perhaps going further afield to try out new places when time permits, as well as a few upcoming products I'm waiting for the release of (VFC HK33 and HK P7M13 top of the list) as well as trying to thin out the excesses of my personal armoury/collection a bit to free up space for such things. Also more of the same on the reporting front I'm sure, still lots of people I haven't had chance to visit for interview and further introduce to our readership, so that's always in the back of my mind as we go forward into the latest iteration of what we do here. Lots to be done, fellow shooters...” Dan over in the USA told us “the time has come for another deep clean of the shop. Tidying up all the loose springs, screws, and leftover bits and bobs, wiping down the benches, and vacuuming up the bajillion BB's littering the floor. I'm thinking about putting the last stock of my higher-end brushed motors on clearance since nobody is really buying those anymore due to the brushless takeover. Maybe I'll also give the chrono bucket a dump and a rotation... As to the future, my friends and I have been discussing hitting up one of the Fallout themed events at one of the local fields. We've always attended the ones at Pegasus MilSim and enjoyed them, so this should be interesting. I'd also like to sneak in a few long-distance travel games this year if possible too as it's been awhile since I've done anything like that. Adulting with children tends to make the magical confluence of having free time, free scheduling, and free funds more of a distant dream than reality lol” Miguel commented “this weekend we are planning to host a small game, just among us and one or two teams; something simple, just for the fun. For the upcoming months we have plenty of major games lined up, as well as our 18th anniversary event. And of course, with smaller games in between. For AA GenIII I'm looking forward to seeing how it will grow from here, the reaction of the readers and of course, or partners!” and Sara added “I’m looking forward to this week's small game, and hoping for a bit more sunlight (because it's raining again!!!)... I’m also looking forward to grow a bit more as a photographer, so I'm looking into some promising changes in the future!” Ben said “this weekend I'll be doing some target shooting and final zero-tweaking on MTW, then one has plans to be heading out to a couple sites I've not played in the next couple months so looking forward to that, and to getting some reviews written…then I shall also be getting bits and bobs furnishings to tart up some of my toys!” and Rich added “this weekend I’m either at Redcon-2 for a game or F&O the Jungle for a build day. Waiting for a man flu update on the guys I was meant to be going to Redcon with!! As for the future? Each day as it comes baby, each day as it comes. Looking forward to seeing what happens!” So there we have it, everyone is cocked and locked ready for AIRSOFT ACTION to move on and take even more ground! As the “old crew” depart we wish Nige best wishes for his retirement, and Bill all the very best for his new projects! Don’t forget that this website will be coming down on 27th MARCH, so if there’s anything you want to save then please do in in the coming week! We look forward to seeing some of you on the field during the course of the impending summer months… and if we do see you can bet that we’ll be Playing Hard, Playing Safe, and Playing with Honour!

THE LATEST - AND GREATEST - ISSUE OF AA IS OUT NOW!

ISSUE 184 is a bit of a landmark for AIRSOFT ACTION in that it’s the final one from the original management team; both Bill and Nige have decided to take a step back to an easier pace of life, and in Bill’s case to pursue some “airsoft passion projects”, so they’re handing things over to a new team to take things forward, but with all the trusted contributors you’ve come to know and love in place for the next evolution of both the magazine and the website! As such we decided to do something just a little bit special to round out their nearly SIXTEEN YEARS of consistent publication, so you’ll see that 184 is a bit different! To kick things off Bill, Stewbacca, Dan, and Miguel pick different areas of “airsoft life” to talk about, with a focus on AEGs, GBBs, Optics, and Gear for airsoft in the mix! Dan picks up the optics theme with a great look at “what actually works and why”, Stewbacca (with the able help of Military Anny) delves into ACETECH and JTECH, and Boycie revisits EVIKE OUTPOST in Las Vegas. The members of the AA LEGION both present day, and some from the past, then come together to talk about what being part of an award-winning airsoft magazine and writing team has meant to them before we round things out with our massive annual report from IWA! Yes, it’s different look this month, but it’s once again time for things to move on, and with the sheer wealth of airsoft love, knowledge, and experience that you’ll find displayed in this “swansong issue” you can bet that AIRSOFT ACTION will be back soon after a short "operational pause"… and you can be certain that it will be stronger than ever! Airsoft Action is FREE TO READ on the Airsoft Action website, plus all these digital publishing platforms: Yumpu: Flickread: Calameo: Readly ("All You Can Read" subscription service): Magzter: Read the full article

AA LEGION – SFTW 13/03!

Well, it may be Friday 13th, but all is cooking along nicely at AAHQ as we start to upload ISSUE 184 ready for publication on SUNDAY… and it’s going to be another BIGGY as not only are there a whole heap of interesting and informative (and we hope entertaining!) articles, but of course it will also feature our report from the last major show of this season… IWA! So, be sure to tune in on SUNDAY 15th for that! And it’s also the last issue of AIRSOFT ACTION before Nige and Bill step back and start to transition things over to the new management team, so it’s just a little different an issue than usual as we look at both airsoft itself, and the experiences that AA has given everyone involved… we hope you’ll enjoy it as it has been a little bit of a “labour of love”… Everything is now fully in place for the handover to the “New Crew”, and we’ll be making an announcement about what that means later next week… suffice to say that although there will be a short “operational pause” while the new management team pull everything together (there will be a new and improved website for starters!) all of the existing writers and contributors will carry forward to “AA GEN III” so you can be sure that you’ll be getting all the very best in airsoft news and opinion again soon! But as always, while “stuff” goes on in the background the AA Crew are as enthusiastic and busy as always! Stewbacca told us that “this week, team TaiJi will be mostly going to our Longtan site out to the southwest of Taipei; I'm thinking full length FAL and FAL OSW to share magazines and loadout and test both after some recent fixes on the run up to taking both to POLK 6 at the end of April. #TheRightArmOfTheFreeWorld #TheShortRightArmOfTheFreeWorld #PuttingProperHolesInImproperPeople” Miguel said “this Sunday we were invited to a private game in a new field in the area of Sines, maybe around one and a half hours south of where we are located. A game followed by something really important now that we have good weather again… a BBQ!”, while Sara added “on Saturday Bruno (pictured this week) and I will be burning calories continuing with the repairs at home and on Sunday we will be burning them in the field, him shooting the other team members and me shooting everyone… with my camera!” Over in the USA Dan commented “I'll be starting in on the preliminary assembly work for an HK416 "ground up" build for someone. This is going to be a bit of a fancy beast; with Cerakote, authentic laser engravings, a genuine Geissele rail and more. And if luck is on my side, I also need to convince WIFECOM to let me attend an FTX on Sunday” and Matt added “a quieter one for me as I need to write up the article on AMS X-1!” Boycie is “doing a bit of planning for things and features that are upcoming; I’m taking a steady weekend especially as it’s Mothers Day on Sunday!” and Li’l Stu said “I’m hopefully testing out the VFC XM177/933 combo on the range now that it’s come together…” Ben said “now I have the few upgrades for my MTW and put it all together it's running like a dream... the new hop rubber needs bedding in then it's a final tweak. I’ll get a little bit of that done Saturday morning but unfortunately not out to play just yet, although I have a metal target plate to do some range shot practice with... nothing quite as satisfying as hearing that metal dink noise from 60m away!” Bill rounded things out in our weekly group chat by telling everyone that “it's already that time again for a new issue... tempus really is fugit at the moment! And yes, as we approach publishing day I shall be here behind my monitor on Saturday "gettin' shit done" as always, although I'm hoping to get up on the range Sunday for a shoot as I’ve been rebuilding my old WE AKSU GBBR into full tacticool fettle, and I want to make sure that the internals are set before I finish up the externals… I may be stepping back from running AA, but I ain’t dead yet, and GBBRs need to be shot!” So that’s it from AAHQ for another week, and we sincerely hope that you’ve got some airsoft adventures of your own planned for this weekend… and as Boycie said earlier don’t forget that it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday too… so make sure you act accordingly! And if you are out in-game, then remember the AA LEGION mantra… Play Hard, Play Safe, and most-importantly Play with Honour!

SALVO PRECISION BRN-180 GEN 2 AEG

We always like to see something a bit different when it comes to AEG design, and the SALVO PRECISION BRN-180 GEN 2 most certainly fits that bill! We’re told that; “The BRN-180 platform represents a significant evolution of the AR design, moving to a modern piston-driven system that allows for a functional folding stock. The Salvo Precision BRN-180 Gen 2 Deluxe Edition AEG, is a premium replica that brings this unique mechanical advantage and aesthetic fidelity to the airsoft field. This rifle is engineered for the discerning player who demands specialized features and uncompromising reliability in their modern carbine.” And not only does it look pretty cool but the SALVO PRECISION BRN-180 GEN 2 AEG (Deluxe Edition) is a high-end, modern carbine engineered for fast play when lightning-0quick manipulation is needed! This full metal AEG features the unique BRN-180 folding stock capability and a precision-tuned internal gearbox for reliable performance. With its modular M-LOK rail and robust GEN 2 Deluxe construction, the BRN-180 appears to be a great choice for players seeking an exclusive, highly functional, piston-style AR platform for dynamic Milsim and CQB. The features look good too: - Unique Platform: High-fidelity replica of the BRN-180 Gen 2 piston-driven rifle, known for its self-contained upper and Folding Stock capability. - Deluxe Edition: Features Gen 2 refinements, likely including enhanced internals (such as a quick-change spring guide) and a premium finish. - Full Metal Construction: Robust Full Metal receiver and external components, providing realistic weight (approx. 2.8 kg) and superior durability. - M-LOK Rail System: Features a modular M-LOK Handguard for versatile and secure mounting of grips, lights, and lasers. - Folding Stock: Equipped with a functional Folding Stock mechanism, drastically reducing the overall length for transport and storage versatility. - Internal Performance: Utilizes a precision-tuned AEG Gearbox (likely V2-compatible) for consistent performance and reliability. - Authentic Aesthetics: Replicates the BRN-180's non-reciprocating charging handle and distinctive piston-style receiver profile. So, if you’re looking for a new AEG, one that’s certainly pretty unique, then the SALVO PRECISION BRN-180 GEN 2 will certainly provide that… how does it perform? We’ll let you know as soon as we’ve had one on the range!

CL PROJECT DESIGN ARES 4” COMBAT CO2!

Those who follow AIRSOFT ACTION on a regular basis will know that we have a long and abiding relationship with Clarence Lai, Airsoft Surgeon and now the driving force behind CL Project Design (CLPD), and we’re overjoyed to see that one of his creations in collaboration with ARES has now reached our shores in a meaningful way! Stewbacca detailed the rollout of the CLPD revolver program quite recently in ISSUE 181, and now our mates at iWHOLESALES have let us know that they now have stock of the 4” COMBAT model here in the UK! They say; “The CL Project x Ares 4-inch Combat Version is a competition-ready CO2 revolver engineered in collaboration with legendary gunsmith Clarence Lai. Built on a full-metal L-Frame, this "Combat Version" features a custom CL Project spring set for a feather-light trigger, a distinctive bronze hexagon cylinder, and an adjustable TDC hop-up for superior accuracy. Supplied with six stainless steel shells and a hard carry case, it is the ultimate choice for revolver enthusiasts and competitive shooters. The Ares APR-005 Combat Version represents a significant evolution in airsoft revolver design. Developed alongside Clarence Lai (CL Project Design), this 4-inch model transforms the classic S&W 686 platform into a modern tactical powerhouse. Finished in matte black with striking bronze and silver accents, the APR-005 is built for those who demand the reliability of a competition-grade sidearm with the soul of a classic wheel gun.” And this model of course comes with some Clarence Lai custom enhancements! The 4” COMBAT version benefits from the internal fine-tuning by CL Project Design, and comes pre-fitted with a custom-made spring set, drastically reducing the pull weight of both single and double-action firing. This allows for rapid, accurate follow-up shots that outclass standard airsoft revolvers. Externally, the cylinder has been replaced with a unique bronze hexagon 715-style design, providing a modern aesthetic and smoother rotation. In addition to this you also get some extra features too; - TDC Adjustable Hop-Up: Features a Top Dead Centre (TDC) hop-up unit that applies even vertical pressure to the BB, ensuring a flatter and more stable trajectory compared to traditional side-lever systems. - Tactical Mounting: Equipped with integrated Picatinny rails on both the top and bottom of the barrel, allowing for the easy installation of red dot sights, torches, or lasers. - Fibre Optic Sights: High-visibility orange fibre optic front and rear sights allow for near-instant target acquisition in various lighting conditions. - Enhanced Controls: Includes an extended cylinder thumb release for faster reloads and a tactile rubberised grip with ergonomic finger grooves for maximum control. The 4” COMBAT is made from high-grade zinc alloy with stainless steel components, and we already know it feels incredibly substantial in the hand and shoots incredibly well. The kit includes six precision-engineered shells crafted from stainless steel and copper with rubber tips to ensure a perfect gas seal, and the revolver is also fully compatible with Ares moon clips and speed loaders for efficient range and skirmish use. We’re loving this, and it’s great to see the wondrous works of CLPD and ARES more widely available… sign us up please!

WELL PRO KS-1/KS-3 GBBR!

We’ve talked a lot about the KS-1 rifle in recent months, and indeed both Bill and Stewbacca have been having a great time so far with their VFC KS-1 GBBRs with nothing untoward to report after their continuing range and gameday outings… and of course the “want” for the KS-1 is strong right now! However, alongside the KS-1 you have the Knight’s Armament (KAC) KS-3 which is a compact 5.56mm NATO short-barreled rifle (SBR) variant designed for close-quarters combat, featuring an 11.5-inch barrel, URX6 handguard, and the E3.2 bolt with dual ejectors. As a lighter, more compact version of the KS-1 (designated L403A1 in the UK), it offers improved rigidity, full ambidextrous controls, and enhanced reliability for suppressed use. So it’s great to see both KS-1 and the KS-3-style (pictured) variants appearing from WELL PRO who seem to be making hay right now with their BLUFOR military-themed GBBRs! The WELL PRO M4 KS-style GBBRs are lightweight, performance-oriented replicas designed for players who prefer the realism of a gas system with the manoeuverability of a polymer build, and the features look good to us: - Operating System: Powered by a Gas Blowback (GBB) system that provides realistic recoil and bolt cycling. - MWS Compatibility: Built on the Tokyo Marui ZET system architecture, allowing for high compatibility with MWS-spec magazines and internal upgrade parts. - External Construction: Features a high-density polymer receiver and rail system, significantly reducing overall weight for improved mobility. - Ambidextrous Controls: Equipped with dual-sided fire selectors, magazine releases, and bolt catches to accommodate both left and right-handed users. - Precision Barrel: Includes a 6.02mm tight-bore inner barrel as standard to enhance shot consistency and gas efficiency. - Modular Handguard: Utilizes a modern M-LOK rail system for the easy attachment of lights, grips, and other tactical accessories. - Adjustable Hop-Up: Features an externally accessible hop-up adjustment dial for quick tuning of BB trajectory. - Muzzle Threading: Finished with a 14mm Counter-Clockwise (CCW) threaded outer barrel, compatible with most suppressors and tracer units. - Magazine: 30 BB gas magazine with a realistic manual of arms and last-round bolt hold-open functionality. With an extremely attractive pricepoint, a good look, and some excellent features the WELL PRO KS-style models do appear to offer a solid starting point for those looking to move from skirmish games into MilSim territory! Given that MWS-compatible mags are starting to get cheaper (hurrah for that!) this could well be an attractive option for anyone looking to try a GBBR rather than an AEG. We’re keen to check them out, and we believe that you should be too!

MONDAY GUNDAY – UMAREX GLOCK 19X MOS!

As we crank into another week we’re hard at work at AAHQ to draw together the final articles and reports for ISSUE 184, but all is nicely on track for uploading in readiness for the 15th as usual! As you’ll read in our mammoth IWA show report in this upcoming issue, one of the manufacturers we spent time with was UMAREX, and as many of us in the AA Crew are “Glock Fanbois” we were very pleased to see the launch of the GLOCK 19X MOS. The guys at UMAREX told us that; “The GLOCK 19X MOS is a special version in the live-fire original that was realized exclusively on request for an American wholesaler, as the G19X is not available with a MOS cut as standard. The platform is further enhanced by a muzzle thread (M14x1 left) to accommodate a suppressor. The high suppressor sights allow for precise aiming even with a suppressor mounted. The CO₂ airsoft model consistently incorporates these features to allow for the mounting of a point sight and are supplied with four adapter plates (Docter, Trijicon, C-More, Leupold). A lanyard loop as well as authentic field stripping are also part of the equipment for both models. The CO₂ airsoft version in 6mm BB calibre delivers an energy level of < 1.0 joule with a magazine capacity of 18 rounds. It is designed for ambitious players looking for maximum realism and field-readiness. A gas magazine is optionally available.” The GLOCK 19X MOS looks like a fabulous addition to the existing UMAREX line, and as more and more of us are using an RDS on our secondary these days, it’s super to see them giving us this option… Now all we need is for them to make ALL of the latest GEN 6 models and then we MIGHT be happy…

AA LEGION – SFTW 06/03!

So, that's "Show Season" done and dusted for the start of this year, and we hope that everyone is home safe and now recovered from all the mighty efforts the industry and community have put in at all the major shows... it's been one hell of a season that's for sure, and when we wrap up the IWA report that is AIRSOFT ACTION truly set up as the rest of 2026 beckons! Of course at IWA we let everyone in on the future of the magazine as it sets itself ready to evolve yet again, and everyone (EVERYONE!) was fully supportive of the plan to go forward... we'll be detailing this once ISSUE 184 is out in the wild on the 15th so that all our partners and all of our valued readers and followers know exactly what's going on. But for now it's still "airsoft biz as usual"; we’re looking forward to getting all the individual reports in for IWA so that we can land another massive event report in 184, but in the meantime the AA Crew are as active as ever! Bill kicked things off by telling everyone “as I prepare to step back from my leadership role at AIRSOFT ACTION, visiting Germany for IWA was a little bit bitter-sweet; I was in meetings much of the time to bring our industry partners up to speed with the our future plans and how the magazine and web news will change in the future, but thankfully this was massively well received, and I had a superb team working the show halls to support me. I’ll be kicking back a little over this weekend, but I do need to get ISSUE 184 nailed, and I do want to get up to the woods range to blow off some steam and waste some BBs! I think it’s time I got back to some handgun work…” Stewbacca is out and about as usual and shared “this week, Team TaiJi will be mostly playing at "Boom" again in Miaoli, which was quite a fun little site last time we were there for my first outing at it. Now to decide what to use... maybe the KS1 as I have some pertinent filming to do while I'm there…” Dan (pictured this week in full-flow!) said “I'll be attending a game this weekend with my buddy and a new guy to the sport. Should be a good time with good weather and good friend…” while Matt added “I’m going to AMS X-1 this weekend in Kileen, Texas and then reporting on it!” Miguel told us “this Sunday we are organizing some field work. We need to tend to some trees that fell down during the storms that hit the country a few weeks ago...” Boycie shared that “for me, this weekend holds some coaching and training, then on Sunday I’ll be working on new articles”, and then Ben said “I've brought new hop chamber for my MTW and on single shot it’s performing well, full auto no so much so I’ve got some tinkering to do! I’ve also got some more new Agilite Tactical Gear coming so I’ve got that to sort out…” After our busy “Show Season” a number of the AA Crew are taking some well-deserved downtime with their families and friends, but just like Ben we’re sure that they’ll be spending some moments looking to their gear for what promises to be an exciting year of airsoft ahead! Whatever you may be doing in relation to airsoft yourself we hope that you’ll enjoy every minute of it, and if you’re out and playing as always Play Hard, Play Safe, and most-importantly Play with Honour!

VFC LAUNCH SOLGW MK1 GBBR!

Although the AA Crew didn’t have chance to get their hands on the SOLGW MK1 GBBR that was announced part-way through IWA, they certainly had chance to talk to VFC about it, and this is shaping up to be yet another superb licence agreement that they will undoubtedly make the most of, and adds an additional “big name” to their GBBR program (which we love BTW!) The official spiel went like this; “VFC is proud to officially announce an exciting new collaboration. Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW), in partnership with Lancer Tactical, proudly introduces the all-new SOLGW MK1 GBBR. The SOLGW MK1 rifle was selected by U.S. SOCOM in 2025 and awarded a contract under the Combat Assault Rifle (CAR) program. In this collaboration, the SOLGW MK1 GBBR will be built on VFC’s latest AR GBB system platform, delivering outstanding realism, reliability, and performance in a true gas blowback rifle. This partnership not only represents recognition of VFC’s technical excellence, but also brings an exciting new officially licensed product to airsoft players across Asia and Europe. Stay tuned for more updates!” Direct from the SOLGW website (where you’ll also find a lot more technical information on the platform) they state; “At Sons of Liberty Gun Works, innovation isn’t just about adding features, it’s about solving real-world problems and creating a weapon that truly serves its user. The Sons of Liberty Mk1 carbine represents an aggressive approach to firearm design, where every detail has been carefully considered to create what we call the ‘ultimate fighting carbine’… for those seeking a lightweight, versatile, and meticulously designed firearm, the Sons of Liberty Mk1 offers a compelling package that goes beyond conventional expectations.” And we will most certainly “stay tuned”, and we’re looking forward to finding out just exactly what the SOLGW MK1 GBBR brings to the airsoft-party… sadly we’ve only been able to find a basic image of the VFC replica, but it shows that this will be one fine-looking GBBR. When we know more of course we’ll share that information with you just as quickly as we can!

WOLVERINE MTW AK-105!

One of the exciting things that the AA Crew saw at IWA 2026 was the launch of the MTW AK-105 by WOLVERINE! It’s pretty much everything users love about the MTW in an AK form, and the Crew were told that; “The MTW AK-105 brings the legendary performance, reliability, and serviceability of the MTW platform to the iconic AK design. Built from the ground up around our INFERNO XTS HPA engine, it delivers the same build quality, purpose-driven design, performance, and modularity you expect from an MTW, housed in a rugged and authentic stamped steel receiver set and CNC-machined trunnion.” They also found out that some external parts have been created in collaboration with our old friends at LCT, and the finish of the platform certainly lives up to their high-quality standards… but it’s what’s going on inside this new OPFOR-friendly beast that REALLY makes it interesting! WOLVERINE state that the features include: - Authentic stamped steel receiver set with classic WA logo - AK-105 front end - Intrinsic alignment with CNC-machined aluminum and steel trunnion and engine chassis (patent pending) - Steel buffer tube/MTW stock adapter - INFERNO XTS HPA Engine - BLINC Bluetooth® FCU for MTW AK - Precisely control ROF, Dwell, and burst settings - Save custom profiles - Auto tune dwell (when paired with compatible Acetech Bluetooth chronograph) - Wireless firmware updates - Programmable mag capacity / simulated empty mag detection with functional charging handle and detector board (BETA) - Ultra low battery consumption - Adjustable hop, trigger and front sight post - Picatinny rear sight rail for mounting optics - Stainless steel feed tube - Faster reloads with engineered magwell designed to prevent magazine over-travel - Easy serviceability including dummy cleaning rod with integrated takedown tool - MTW-Spec compatibility: - Engines - Hop up body - Inner barrel - WRAITH / QUAKE MTW stocks (with adapter line) - LCT-Spec compatibility: - Handguard - Selector switch - Real Steel parts compatibility: - Grips (with modification for air line) - Buffer tubes (milspec) - AR style sling plates - Compatible with most AK AEG magazines Now that’s a whole heap of features right there, and the AA Crew (along with everyone else that had the opportunity to try the MTW AK at the show!) were very impressed not just with the platform itself, but with all the new, cutting-edge HPA technology that’s sitting inside! Bruno was especially taken with it, and has already discussed the possibility of obtaining a test model for evaluation… the WOLVERINE website is currently showing “Get notified when the MTW AK is available!” so if this tickles your pickle as much as it does ours, then get on over and sign up for notifications now on the MTW AK page!

LET’S HAVE A GUNDAY - WELL PRO XM5/XM7 MCX SPEAR!

As we missed “Monday Gunday” yesterday due to the final post from IWA 2026 we thought it was time that we had another GBBR on here to make you drool, and this flagship gasser from WELL PRO that the AA Crew saw in the flesh at on their stand at the show in Germany certainly fits the bill! This rifle seems to be all the rage amongst certain airsofters right now, and in the “real” the SIG MCX MCX-SPEAR is a multi-calibre platform developed by the American division of SIG Sauer. The M7 (previously designated as XM7 and originally as XM5) has become the U.S. Army's adopted variant for the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program in 2022 to replace the M4 carbine. The SIG MCX-SPEAR is primarily chambered in 6.8x51mm, but can be adapted to 7.62×51mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor with a barrel change! Now we’ve seen the “real” at shows and it does look mighty fine, and the WELL PRO XM5/XM7 MCX SPEAR replica, although pretty darn expensive, does show what an airsoft manufacturer can do when they set their mind to it, and the finish and feel are absolutely first rate. The feature set isn’t too shabby either! - Operating System: Powered by a Gas Blowback (GBB) system that delivers a realistic recoil impulse and functional bolt cycling. - MWS Compatibility: Built on the Tokyo Marui ZET system architecture, ensuring compatibility with MWS-spec gas magazines and a wide variety of aftermarket internal upgrades. - Reinforced Steel Bolt: Features a single-piece steel bolt carrier group as standard, providing increased weight for felt recoil and significantly higher wear resistance compared to zinc alloy bolts. - Full Metal Construction: Engineered with a CNC-machined aluminium upper receiver and handguard, offering a realistic weight, structural rigidity, and a high-quality tactical finish. - Ambidextrous Layout: Equipped with dual-sided controls for the fire selector, magazine release, and bolt catch, as well as a non-reciprocating side-charging handle and a rear T-style charging handle. - Modular M-LOK Handguard: Features a modern M-LOK rail system for the direct attachment of tactical accessories such as lights, lasers, and foregrips. - Side-Folding Stock: Includes a multi-position folding stock mounted via a rear 1913 Picatinny rail interface, allowing for a compact profile during transport or CQB use. - Adjustable Hop-Up: Designed with an easily accessible hop-up adjustment dial to fine-tune BB trajectory and backspin. - Muzzle Threading: The outer barrel is finished with 14mm Counter-Clockwise (CCW) threads, compatible with most airsoft suppressors, flash hiders, and tracer units. - Magazine: Includes a 30-round gas magazine modelled after the .308 style Lancer L7AWM, featuring a last-round bolt hold-open function. We’re loving the look of this battlefield beast, and we’re 100% certain that the BLUFOR MilSim fraternity are going to love it as much as we do! All the pieces suggest that this should be an airsoft rifle with which to “take names” and we’re looking forward to getting one on the range as soon as we can to see if this is the case…

IWA DAY 3 – THE FINAL PUSH!

The AIRSOFT ACTION team have really been putting in the steps at IWA over the past couple of days, and as Sunday is a shorter day (the show closes at 1600 rather than 1800) they will have a little time to “decompress” and enjoy Nuremberg before they start their long hauls home… Bill was in touch as usual late last night to share his thoughts on DAY 3 and the show in general, and shared; “Well, that’s another IWA in the bag for the AA Crew, and what a crew it was again this year… the guys were still running hard to track down those last little stories right up to the last minute… although I took a short pause with my good friends Sergio and Veronica from EVOLUTION to celebrate another successful show with a glass of prosecco! Sometimes I really do enjoy being ‘Boss’… Joking aside the entire team went above and beyond this year, and I can only continue to praise them for all their hard work… with the much-valued support of Josh from Krios Photography who worked alongside our own Sara to gather pictures of all we saw, this will come to fruition with our mega-report in ISSUE 184 later this month! The show itself was, as always, very impressive, but I do believe that after speaking to many, many old friends on their booth that the IWA team will need to look very carefully indeed at how airsoft is represented at the show… yes, it was quieter this year, but many manufacturers said that the show had been successful for them, but with MOA beginning to cement itself very firmly as THE airsoft show, I do believe that some very serious conversation need to take place in relation to airsoft at the best European show… I hope to be involved directly in this conversation. As for what we saw… well, the new issue is only a fortnight away, and I like to keep some things behind to make our report extra-spicy, so do be sure to watch for your push-notification when that goes live! For now I can only express our great thanks to the IWA team, to all the many, many manufacturers who made time for the AA Crew, and to all our fellow media friends from around the world that made 2026 a memorable event yet again. Hopefully we'll see you in Nuremberg from 4 to 7 March 2027 for the next adventure!” So, that’s IWA for another year, and as we continue to prepare to transition to “the new and improved AA, Gen III” we believe that everything is set for another amazing year of airsoft, and of AIRSOFT ACTION!

IWA DAY 2 - ROLLING ON!

According the the AA Crew it's been another beautiful day in Nuremberg, and of course another busy day at IWA 2026! Bill's been in touch at the end of full-team DAY 2 to share the following... "Another wonderful day in Germany where, quite honestly, the team and I would rather have been outdoors rather than inside, but inside is where the stories are, so that's where we've been too - although the terrace of the Media Room does at least let us have a coffee in the sun! The AA Crew continued their direct action assault on the halls of the Messe today, and as I said yesterday I really am quite incredibly proud of how they've worked the show so far with such friendly professionalism! Their hard work gathering intel from not just the airsoft hall, but also all of the others has been amazing, and when I've visited certain stands myself later, the manufacturers have all been very impressed with what the "New AA Crew" have already brought to the party... Things are looking very, very positive indeed for the future! I've been more busy myself today, rather than being tucked away in meetings. I was super-pumped to see the VORSK VMAR family of GBBRs being unveiled in pre-production form... they look absolutely mega, feel great, and are jam-packed full of great features as standard! As I had a little to do with the initial concept design of the VMAR, I have to say that I'm very pleased with the almost-finished products, and I look forward to testing them when the finalised rifles and carbines arrive in Q2 (...probably!)! I spent some lovely time on the Airsoft Helden stand checking out their HPA Carbine before heading on over to Rossi, who appear to have a rather "tacticool" AK called "GROM" that's just begging for some attention! And talking of AKs, I had the chance to get a little more time with the LCT AK 2.0, and it's still looking great! More meetings followed and, while they took place, VFC dropped even more news as they unveiled the launch of their latest AR, in the form of their new "Sons of Liberty" Gun Works MKI GBBR! Nobody saw this one coming, and I'll update more when I'cve got to the bottom of things... We're just about now to call it a day and head over to have a beer with G&G to celebrate their 40th Anniversary before we head into town for MEALSIM! This promises to be a cracking event this year... and there are sure to be shenanigans! Haha!" We wish the guys all the very best and hope that they enjoy MEALSIM... they've certainly earned a good feed after all day pounding the halls! There's just one more day of the show to go, and you can be certain that the AA Crew will continue to dig out some cool stories to feature in their report on 15 March! Read the full article

IWA DAY 1 - GETTING IT DONE!

So it's the first full day of IWA 2026 for the full AA Crew, and it's really got the whole thing off to a flying start for Bill, Jase, Miguel, Sara, and Bruno... they tell us that the sun has been shining in Nuremberg providing a balmy 16 degrees... not that they've seen much sunshine as they've been pounding the halls in search of stories and new product launches! One again Bill checked in to share that; "It really has been the most amazing sunshiny day here in germany which has been a little unexpected to be honest, but it's certainly out a smile of everyone's face, and a sense of expectation of new and exciting things is ruling! We all had some bad news just prior to leaving for the show that the metro system would be on strike for today and tomorrow, but the IWA team have done an excellent job providing a replacement, free of charge bus service from the city centre to the show, and coming in above ground for once on such a beautiful morning was actually a rare treat. Whilst Jase and I have been off having meetings, Miguek, Sara, and Bruno have been working massively hard on the show floor, and I have to say that they really are the modia team that I've always dreamt of having; they are diligent, inquisitive, and their obvious enthusiasm and knowledge has quickly made them fabulous ambassadors for the 'New AA'... it really is a pleasure for me to have them at the show! Tomorrow is my day to hit the airsoft Hall 2 properly, but I did manage to catch up with my old mate Ray from VFC, and the extension of their AK GBBR program looks amazing, with a full-length 'AKM" to join their new 'SU", a full-length 'taciticool' AV74M and a super-cool modern AV105! Okay you all know I'm a VFC fanboi and that I like an AK, but these new models rock! Jase and I also attended a great presentation from G&G on the developments in the 'Training Development Unit", and I'll speak a lot more about this in due course... I also got to listen to Taran Butler for a while on the Canik stand which was a proper experience for sure... There'll be a lot more detail to bring you tomorrow, and with the input of Jase, Miguel, Sara, and Bruno I believe that the final IWA report to appear in Issue 184 will truly be one of our best ever!" We understand from Bill that the end of the day today is also the IWA-organised airsoft meet & greet, so we'll be interested to hear how that went... we're sure there's going to be a whole lot of networking there, and it'll be interesting to hear what the show-gossip-machine bring to the surface... tune in tomorrow to find out if any meaty secrets were dropped! Read the full article

IWA 2026 – WHEELS DOWN!

After an early (make that “stupid o’clock”!) start Bill and Jase have arrived in Nuremberg and have met up with Miguel, Sara, and Bruno to get this year’s show coverage started… and they’ve all hit the show floors in a meaningful way from the get go! Bill reported in to share his thoughts on Day 1: “Leaving home in the early hours of this morning to get to the airport for our flight out to Germany saw us roll in to Stansted with enough time for breakfast, and things kicked off well as we met up with old mates Kelly (Femme Fatale) and Charlie, along with Josh from Krios Photography, Pete from The Airsoft Project, and many more from the UK airsoft industry and community… it’s always a rush to have everyone in one place knowing that we’ve all got a busy weekend ahead! Dropping into Nuremberg always gives me a sense of “coming home” a little these days as I’ve been to the show so many times, but this year it was especially poignant given the fact that it would be my last one at the helm of AIRSOFT ACTION… I finally intend to make the most of it with my regular wingman Jase and the rest of the AA Crew. Straight from the airport to the Messe saw us (after a lot of warm greetings and pressings-of-the-flesh!) hit our first official appointment with the great guys from WOLVERINE, and they had a lot to show us! First up was was their new MTW AK, and boy, did we like that! After some quality time spent catching up in person with Miguel, Sara and Bruno, and seeing a whole host of old friends and catching up on their airsoft adventures since we saw them last, it was time to go and chill with many more friends and airsoft contacts including the great guys from Heavy Recoil Club, and Chris fro Airsoft & MIlsim News. After a thoroughly pleasant start to the evening, Jase and I made our way to our apartment up by the amazing old Kaiserburg Nuernberg, the striking old Imperial Castle of Nuremberg that dominates the high ground of the city overlooking the Pegnitz river, We're looking forward to the first meat-fest of the trip in proper German fashion, and no doubt to spending some quality time with our airsoft mates from all over the world both later, and tomorrow at the show.” We hope that everyone survives “Night 1”, and we’re looking forward to the “dailies” this weekend as IWA 2026 progresses… do tune in tomorrow for the next report from Bill and the AA Crew as they tackle the first full day of the show! Read the full article

AIRSOFT ACTION – THE NEXT EVOLUTION!

As the AA Crew prepare to hit Nuremberg for IWA 2026 it’s time for us to break cover and let you in on what we’ve been alluding to for a while now, that it’s once again time for AIRSOFT ACTION to EVOLVE! In an ever-changing media environment it is time for change, and sadly the first part of that change is that our current Editorial Director Bill has decided that it’s time he stood down and spent more time in the “safe zone of life” pursuing other personal and professional projects. Six years ago we made the transition to full digital-only publication of the monthly magazine, and Bill was integral to that move which proved to be one of the most successful decisions that we could ever have imagined, with many more thousands of you tuning in from all over the globe on the 15th of every month to get your regular fix of airsoft joy online. However, just like a player in-game, we have to keep moving forward and taking ground, and this is especially true in the world of digital publishing. Many of our industry partners and regular readers have asked us to provide more regular online articles and reviews in addition to our successful magazine format, and we have listened… It’s become very apparent to us that the way airsoft content is consumed continues to change, and that has been reflected by the hugely increased traffic we’ve seen for our daily web news, something that has already been recognised by both the industry and the player community and we’re very proud of that! In light of this, as he stands down, Bill shared his thoughts with us... “It’s a somewhat exciting yet melancholy day for me as I prepare to head off to Germany for IWA, but it’s time that I looked to the future again, and as such it’s also time for me to pass on the torch that I’ve carried so successfully in relation to AIRSOFT ACTION for the past ten years to those that I know can carry things forward in a meaningful way. In the last six years that I’ve spent leading an absolutely fabulous group of friends and contributors I’ve transitioned from an old-skool pen and paper journo to an Editorial Director with a multiple- award-winning digital publication under my belt, but I know that there’s more to be done, and I know in my heart that it needs a new generation of content creators to realise the next evolution of AIRSOFT ACTION effectively. Over Christmas Nige and I discussed this in-depth, and in January I tendered my resignation with a view to taking a slightly slower pace in life and working on some passion-projects of my own. Both Nige and I are now in our sixties, and through a global pandemic and my own personal battle with cancer we’ve continued to run a very successful small business together, but we both feel it is now time to bow out gracefully and let the younger guys roll on with the same passion that we have devoted to AIRSOFT ACTION. To this end we have made the decision to shut down AIRSOFT ACTION in its current format, and this will happen at the end of March once ISSUE 184 has been published and we have honoured all our financial commitments to our advertising partners. However… THIS IS NOT THE END OF AIRSOFT ACTION! Bill went on to say that... “Although Nige and I will be heading to ENDEX ourselves I have already ensured that the magazine will continue with the same excellent writing team as now, but with a new management team in place, and in a different format with increased weight placed on our website-based daily content whilst the digital magazine format remains firmly in place. A handover has already been instigated, one which will include our full back catalogue of digital issues so that these can continue the legacy of the ‘old AA’ as it transitions to ‘new AA’, and a discussion is ongoing at the moment within the contributors group to decide upon an exciting, all-new format for content realisation… of course this will need a little time to achieve, and there will be a short organisational pause at the end of March before AIRSOFT ACTION re-launches later this year! There is a timeline for this, of course there is, and things will start to happen at IWA as I advise our industry partners and friends of what will be happening in the future, and I look forward to sharing this in person with many of you at the show. This really is massively exciting and positive news, and although I part ways with you all with a heavy heart, I hope that you will all commit to be a part of things as AIRSOFT ACTION evolves yet again… Im working right now to ensure that this transition takes place smoothly, and with the new management team I know that the future will be magnificent, and that the legacy of AIRSOFT ACTION will be in safe hands! My time with you all, my splendid and capable AA Crew and AA Legionnaires, all of my wonderful and innovative industry partners, and all of the many, many fabulous airsofters I’ve played alongside over the years all over the world has been amazing, and together we have achieved absolute airsoft greatness; those memories, and my memories of all the airsoft adventures I have undertaken and shared with you all will always remain very special indeed. Thank you for every single one of them. Will I be giving up airsoft? No way! I’m sure you’ll still see occasional articles from me in the ‘new AA’ and elsewhere, and other projects mean that airsoft will remain as sacred to me as it ever has been, as important a part of my life as it has been over the past thirty-plus years… as the saying goes ‘I have served, and I will be of service.’ See you out there… Wild Bill Out.” So there it is… we’d like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to both Nige and Bill, and indeed all of those who have contributed to the magazine, for their commitment not only to creating and publishing AIRSOFT ACTION over the last fifteen years, but to keeping a truly independent media voice alive for the airsoft community all over the world. Bill leaves some pretty massive shoes to fill as he’s done so much for both the magazine and in relation to bringing the global airsoft community together, and he WILL be missed, although we’re glad to hear he won’t be leaving us completely yet! We believe that you’ll join us in wishing both Bill and Nige all the very best for their future endeavours, and of course we’ll keep you fully up to date with developments in relation to the “New AA Crew” as AIRSOFT ACTION moves on and evolves positively yet again, continuing and expanding upon the legacy that our “planks owners” have created! Read the full article

STIRKE INDUSTRIES X PWS VIPER PDW!

It’s back to “airsoft biz as usual” here at AAHQ today, and we’ve been keeping out usual close-eye on new arrivals at some of our favourite stores! Now we do like a nice little PDW, and we LOVE a bit of STRIKE INDUSTRIES, so when you put those two things together then it’s gonna get a thumbs up from us, and the GENII STIRKE INDUSTRIES X PWS VIPER PDW most assuredly ticks a lot of boxes for us… Originating with CYMA and TAIWANGUN courtesy of EMG the VIPER PDW is made from CNC-machined aluminium and designed for dynamic CQB gameplay and intensive use. It offers a rate of fire of up to 25 BBs per second, a modern CYMA Platinum V2 GENII gearbox, and an advanced, programmable Eshooter ETU. The package looks great as it features externally licensed STRIKE INDUSTRIES X PWS components such as the stock, buffer tube, pistol grip, M-LOK handguard, and muzzle device. Inside there’s a 6.03 mm precision inner barrel, and a High Torque motor, providing lightning-fast trigger response, high shot consistency, and full readiness for play straight out of the box! This neat little AEG certainly looks like it means business to us, and we’re also certainly looking forward to getting one on the range to see how it performs in the wild!

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