Airsoft Core- Your One Stop Airsoft Site! - AEGs - Classic Army SLR105 Steel Version (AK-47)

First off are the externals. CA was striving to create a more realistic feeling AK when they came out with the steel version. The currently produce AK101s and variants in both "Steel"� and regular pot metal versions. The pot metal is almost a 100% replica of a TM AK with the exception of all metal parts where metal is used. The "Steel"� version came out a few months later. They sport real hardwood grips which makes them ultra realistic. I have had many people comment upon the realism while they were holding the weapon. The second part is the steel body which is formed much like the real AK. They have similar metal grain patterns and even have little perks added in like the trigger guard spacer and single bolt rear stock which add leave many people astonished that they aren't real AK's.

I have worked in many of these weapons including the full 101, the compact, and para versions. The internals are like any other CA, they are reliable while remaining great upgrade platforms. The gearbox fits in much like the TM style AK with the wires running up the rear of the gearbox and looping to the trigger and running through a small hole to the stock or with a tab sticking up for the folding stock versions. The hop up is just like a TM hopup mounting with the exception of mounting on the barrel. The one big difference between CA and other manufactures AK's is the battery compartment, which in the CA version is held closed by 2 screws. The Steel version has 2 brass pieces embedded in the stock to hold the butt plate on. These can pull out and strip rather easily and I would highly recommend getting some 1.5"� wood screws from the hardware store to replace them with. This lets you change from a straight screw head to any you choose as well as making it more secure and less prone to stripping. Pilot the holes with a small drill bit if you have one available so as not to split the stock when you convert it over.

The performance is about standard for CA as far as FPS and accuracy goes, but the ROF is insane for a stock weapon. The weapon will cycle faster with an 8.4V battery than a CA M4 will with a 9.6V (of similar MAH). This means for every 4 or 5 rounds an M4 will put on the target the SLR will get 7 or 8. The best thing is the accuracy stays the same even with the upped ROF. As far as upgrades go throw in an M120 and you have a hellatious field rifle. The M120 slows the ROF a little, but not as much as you would think.

Overall I would have to rank the Classic Army SLR105 Steel Version AKs an 8 overall
9 for the new design (harder to take apart, but allows for customization)
7 for the gearbox (will strip pistons easily if using higher than 8.4V batteries)
10 for the externals (real steel casing and hard wood furniture)
7 for ease of maintenance (its harder to take apart than the one piece front end)

I would highly recommend this to everyone. AK lovers will love the wood, look, and feel, while Techs will love the design and performance, and with the size variations they will fit anywhere on the battlefield and preform well. They are a bit pricey compared to their pot/plastic competition, but they are well worth it for the feel and performance.