A&K M1 Garand AEG

Described as "the greatest battle implement ever devised" by General George S. Patton, the real steel M1 Garand is one of the most iconic firearms designs of all time, the first US Army semi-automatic rifle which entered service in 1936, well ahead of its time. The A&K M1 Garand AEG; Real Wood is a highly detailed, skirmish-ready replica made from hefty alloy with a real wood stock, ideal for WW2 reenactors and those who simply must have this iconic retro platform in their arsenal.

On the outside, the A&K M1 is a perfect match for the real deal, including all of the original Garand's unique details with an alloy version 7 gearbox to provide the necessary punch downrange. Also inside is a 6.05mm tightbore inner barrel, alloy rotary HOP-up, 18:1 steel gears running on 6mm bushings and a quick change spring system for easy power tuning. Whether you're into WW2 reenactment or need a Garand to complete your old-school collection, the A&K M1 Garand AEG; Real Wood will put a big smile on your face!

Starting at the front, we can find a featureless muzzle, perfectly matching the real steel M1 Garand. Sorry, CQB players, no tracer unit for you! The outer barrel itself is made from alloy, and the front iron sight/gas block assembly follows shortly after the muzzle, a perfect match for the real steel production Garand with its long-stroke gas piston operating system.

On the bottom of the gas tube, we can find a dummy bayonet lug, completing the iconic Garand silhouette. We haven't been able to test compatibility yet, but with several WW2 reenactors on board, stay tuned; it's only a matter of time until we get curious enough to try a real steel bayonet. Following the barrel rearward, we can find what is known as a "stacking swivel", designed to allow 3 M1 Garands to be interlocked for storage, keeping them off the ground and clear of mud. This is a very old-school feature present on many retro rifles, and if you have a couple of mates with Garands, you can take advantage of this at lunchtime!

Moving rearwards, we come to the wooden forestock with the outer barrel exposed on the bottom, held in place by alloy barrel bands at the front and rear. On the rear barrel band, we can find our first of the two "infantry" style sling swivels, allowing a two-point sling to be fitted so you can sling the A&K M1 Garand like the real warriors did!

Next up, we come to the wooden heatshield and stock, recessed on the right side to allow for the M1 "Operating Rod" (charging handle) to protrude through, connecting the gas piston to the bolt in the real steel. Pulling the charging handle rearwards reveals the rotary adjuster dial of the alloy HOP-up unit, allowing you to tune the amount of backspin applied to your BBs, seeking the flattest possible trajectory.

The wood finish of the stock and heatshield is consistent across all parts, a dark wood stain finish with a deep and varied grain, a fantastic match for real M1 Garand rifles. The finish is far less orange-looking than other real wood Airsoft replicas, instead opting for a more discreet finish representative.

One area the AEG M1 deviates from the real deal is its feeding mechanism. While the real thing used 8-round enbloc clips, the AEG uses a detachable magazine cunningly disguised as the baseplate for the real M1's built-in magazine. To release the magazine, you'll need to hit the equally well-disguised magazine release, the button on the left side of the receiver, which is the bolt release catch of the real M1 Garand.

At the top rear of the receiver, we come to the rear iron sight, which is fully adjustable for windage and elevation. This superb rear sight design derives from the US Army's emphasis on marksmanship at long range in the pre-war era and was carried over to the M14, the predecessor to the M1 in US Army service. Elevation is adjusted via the drum on the left side with a satisfying tactile click, which allows for fine adjustment increments and holds the sight in place under vibration. Windage can be adjusted using the dial on the right side, also offering a strong click with each adjustment increment. While it may be a bit of a challenge to add an optic to the M1, you probably won't need one with such impressive iron sights built right in!

 On the bottom of the stock, we can find the trigger guard, trigger and safety catch, all constructed from alloy for maximum realism. The square lever with a port in the centre functions as the safety catch, offering super-fast manipulation and a physical block in front of the trigger when engaged, a great feature for ascertaining your fire mode in low light. Over on the left side of the receiver, we can find the fire selector switch, something the real steel M1 didn't have (for good reason - high recoil!). This was included to provide competitive Airsoft performance, but if you want to use your M1 properly, we recommend selecting "semi" and leaving the switch where it is.

As we reach the rear, the iconic "semi-pistol-grip" stock of the M1 comes into view, equipped with an alloy sling loop on the bottom, ready for a two-point sling. The wood grain here is just as beautiful as on the heatshield and forestock, providing the realistic feel and drop-dead-gorgeous looks any M1 Garand fan will love.

The butt plate is made from alloy and serrated for optimal wet weather traction, also serving to provide access to the battery compartment via the small door in the centre. With the door open, you'll find a Deans battery connector inside, ready for your choice of battery. We recommend a 7.4V 1200mAh LiPo battery in stick configuration for an easy fit, but there is loads of room in the stock and it can potentially handle a bigger battery if care is taken during installation.

Internally, the A&K M1 AEG is based around the Tokyo Marui M14 AEG, featuring a version 7 gearbox with an alloy shell, 18:1 ratio steel gears running on 6mm bushings and a quick change spring guide for easy power tuning. The gearset is reported to be TM/CYMA compatible, meaning plenty of upgrade options for performance seekers. The inner barrel is also a 6.05mm tightbore, offering excellent accuracy potential and a slight raise in FPS from the same strength spring, thanks to air seal advantages. The alloy HOP-up unit also shows a lot of potential, being easy and quick to adjust and compatible with TM AEG spec inner barrels and HOP-up buckings.

If you're a collector who wants a wall covered in the most iconic firearms designs of all time, or you're into WW2 reenactment, the A&K M1 Garand AEG; Real Wood should be right up your street. A real man's rifle from front to back, the M1 Garand is hefty, realistic and incredibly satisfying to wield!

Features

• Full metal construction
• Gorgeous real wood stock - Authentic feel & finish
• 6.05mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• Mock bayonet lug on the bottom - Matches the form of the real thing perfectly
• Stacking swivel at the front - Stack it with other M1 Garands like this
• Sling swivels front and rear - "Infantry" style sling swivels on the bottom, ready for a two-point sling
• Adjustable aperture iron sights - Fantastic sights, adjustments applied via the drums on the rear sight
• Alloy receiver, operating rod & mock bolt carrier - Makes a satisfying clank when pulled!
• Alloy Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Accessible with the charging handle held back
• Hidden magazine release - Press the bolt release (plate on the left side of the receiver) to release the mag
• Lever-style safety switch - Inside the trigger guard, push forward to fire
• Chequered alloy butt plate - Plenty of grip for wet weather use
• Rear wired: Deans connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1200mAh LiPo Stick Battery
• Version 7 gearbox:
  • Alloy gearbox shell
  • Steel 18:1 Gearset (TM V7 Spec.)
  • 6mm Bushings
  • Quick-change spring system
• Compatible with A&K M1 Garand AEG magazines
• An authentic WW2 M1 Garand replica! - Ideal for reenactment or collectors

Package Includes

• A&K M1 Garand AEG; Real Wood
  • 30rnd Low-capacity magazine