ARCTURUS AK74 TWS M-LOK Carbine AT-AK04 AEG

AK enjoyers gather around; this one breaks the mould! The AK74 TWS will undoubtedly be a contentious gun given its combination of modern western mounting solutions and the classic AK platform. Some believe AKs need wood, and that the rifle is just fine without laser do-dads, others want to run an AK that can compete with the AR on a level playing field and run the same aiming devices and ergonomic parts AR users do.

Whichever type of AK guy you are, the AK74 TWS makes a fine alternative to a full wood AK for those with a kitbag full of AK mags already, and its complement of mounting solutions makes it a serious competitor for M-LOK equipped ARs, SCARs and other ultra-modern platforms. It is still an AK however, and with near-full steel construction and weighing in at a hefty 3.4kg, is not for the faint of heart!

Starting at the tip of the 12-inch steel outer barrel we are greeted with a monstrous muzzle brake with a seriously mean look. This muzzle brake wouldn't look out of place on a Barrett .50 cal, but if you want a more subtle look for the front end of your AK74 TWS you can mount whatever you like thanks to the 14mm CCW male barrel threads. The threads are located immediately following the gas tube, and the muzzle brake is held on with a grub screw so make sure you remove this before attempting to unscrew the muzzle device!

The gas tube, like the vast majority of metal parts on the AK74 TWS, is constructed from steel with a realistic surface finish and is of the correct profile for 5.45 and 5.56 AK variants. The handguards follow just aft of the gas block, and are inspired by the real world TWS handguard set, one of the latest enhanced AK parts out of the US civilian aftermarket.

The handguards are constructed from alloy in a two-part configuration, with a 20mm Picatinny rail running along the upper handguard, and M-LOK slots on either side of the lower handguard with a 20mm Picatinny rail along the bottom. This means you can mount your 20mm Picatinny accessories right away, with the option to use the side-mounted M-LOK slots for any additional bits. Using M-LOK on the sides gives the AK74 TWS a slim feel up front while still allowing a vertical or angled foregrip to be mounted to the lower rail for better control when transitioning quickly between targets.

Following the handguards, we come to the trunnion block which is usually where we would find the rear sight on a standard AK platform. This AK platform is far from standard, so instead, we have a hinged top cover which mounts to the apparatus usually reserved for the tangent rear sight. This means that the receiver top cover stays on the weapon during a battery change, making it easier to handle in the field without losing parts. If you are concerned about how you will aim without the standard AK sights you needn't worry, a pair of flip-up aperture iron sights are included in the box, and these can be mounted to the handguard and receiver top cover rails for those who prefer not to spray and pray!

Next up we arrive at the receiver, which like other AKs, is comprised of two parts. The receiver top cover is hinged as previously mentioned, and also has a 20mm Picatinny rail machined into its upper surface to allow all manner of optical sights to be mounted, including red dot sight and magnifier combos. This receiver cover is not like older AK variants and is very tight to ensure you get a reliable zero with your optics even after a battery change.

To access the battery compartment of the AK74 TWS you will need to lift up the top cover by pressing the button at the rear of the receiver, just like a regular AK. With the button pressed you can lift the cover which will be retained on the weapon via the hinge. Inside you will find a Deans battery connector to which you mount your battery of choice. For the AK74 TWS we recommend a 7.4V 1200mAh LiPo Slim AK Stick battery or a 9.6V 1600mAh NiMh AK Stick, though you can also use batteries with a mini-Tamiya connector (eg:9.6V 1600mAh NiMh) as we are treated to a Deans to mini-Tamiya adaptor in the box. Unfortunately, stick batteries designed for M4/AR15 buffer tubes are a very tight fit inside the battery compartment so we don't recommend using one of these as you may damage the cells during installation.

The receiver itself follows the standard AK47/74 format with a centrally positioned ambidextrous magazine release at the front of the trigger guard, 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 actually designed in 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. This selector has also been enhanced by American capitalists, and now has a welded-on extension to allow you to switch modes with your trigger finger without removing your hand from the pistol grip.

Surrounding the magazine well you will see something which is not standard for AKs; a magazine well extension to allow for faster and easier reloads for decadent westerners. This magwell does its job well, and even if you are trying to miss the magwell you will find it hard not to lock the mag in properly every time. If you are already a skilled AK operator you may not need this, but thankfully it can be removed via the Allen screws on the left side.

Over on the left side of the receiver, we have several authentic looking mock rivets, all in the right place for a visually accurate AK replica. Between the mock rivets, we also have the old-school Russian AK side rail, just in case you want to mount a crusty old PSO-1 on this space-aged AK. You probably won't be using this side rail, but there is no harm in having the option of using both modern western accessories and cold war coolness should it take your fancy.

The AK74 TWS's pistol grip is a fantastic design, presumably based heavily on the PTS EPG and real world Magpul MOE and MIAD grips. The grip is a very comfortable design for a wide range of hand sizes, and has crackle texture panels on either side and linear grooves at the front and rear for extra grip. The edges of the grip are bevelled to allow a smooth transition to the trigger guard, reducing hand fatigue when shooting for long durations, and the grip also has a finger ledge at the bottom to keep the AK74 TWS firmly in your grasp during energetic advances.

As we move past the receiver we can say "ta-ta" to the AK features. From here to the rear it's all M4/AR15. The receiver leads onto a 6-position M4/AR15 buffer tube, sandwiching a steel ambidextrous sling plate between it and the rear of the receiver. This sling plate is ideally positioned for a single-point sling, but can also be used to mount a two-point sling if you add an M-LOK or 20mm Picatinny front sling point to the handguard of the AK74 TWS. Being made from steel is essential for a rifle of such a hefty, realistic weight (3.4kg!) and should avoid any chance of failure provided your sling is of good quality.

The stock is a unique ARCTURUS design provided with many of their M4/AR15 AEGs, and takes the best aspects of several real steel AR stocks and combines them for the best of all worlds. The stock is an A-frame design with an adjustment lever within the frame, avoiding the chances of a snag and adding strength to the stock. The butt plate is rubber and has linear gripping texture to keep it firmly in your shoulder in all weather conditions.

At the rear end of the stock, we can find a QD sling socket on either side which can be used with QD sling swivels and a front QD mount for those who like a quick detachable sling setup. The stock also has integral storage areas inside its cheekpiece which are accessed by turning the dial on the butt plate by 90 degrees, after which the stock will hinge open. Inside you can put tools, cleaning supplies, spare batteries or mid-skirmish snacks, saving room in your pouches!

Internally the AK74 TWS Carbine is outfitted similarly to other ARCTURUS releases, with a version 3 gearbox with a plethora of pre-upgraded parts emphasising efficiency and smooth operation. The piston head and spring guide are mounted on ball bearings to reduce rotational stress, as is the motor pinion gear, effectively minimising motor "whine" which is usually a standard thing in AEGs. The addition of a spring decompression lever on the left side of the trigger allows you to store your AK74 TWS with the spring and piston in an unstressed position which will prolong the life of the spring and other internals considerably.

The polymer piston has a full rack of steel teeth for a great combination of strength and low weight for maximum energy delivery, and the steel gearset is mounted on slide bearings for reduced friction. As with most of ARCTURUS's other AEGs, the conventional trigger contacts have been omitted and replaced with a microswitch trigger, offering a longer lifespan than contacts and a more snappy trigger response. To deliver your BBs accurately onto your unfortunate target the AK74 TWS has a 6.01mm tightbore inner barrel constructed from steel for perfect rigidity, and its newly designed rotary HOP-up unit for AKs should give you ample range.

Those who don't want an M4 have another option to consider with the AK74 TWS. This AK ditches the worst aspects of the AK design when it comes to modern skirmishing, allowing you to mount what you want and enjoy the robust steel construction of an authentically built AK rifle with all the modern luxuries you would expect on an AR. East meets West with the AK74 TWS, and the result is fantastic!

Features

• Full metal construction
• High proportion of steel components
• 6.01mm Steel tightbore inner barrel
• Rotary HOP-up unit - New design for the AK
• Hinged receiver top cover - Easy battery changes in the field
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Ready for suppressors and tracers
• M-LOK/20mm Picatinny hybrid handguard - Rails top and bottom, M-LOK on the sides
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for red dot sights and scopes!
• Magazine well extension - Makes reloads easier and quicker
• Extended fire selector - Change modes with the trigger finger from a firing grip
• Ergonomic pistol grip - Very comfy, similar design to PTS EPG and Magpul MOE/MIAD
• Ambidextrous magazine release - Centrally positioned, great for left or right-handed users
• Ambidextrous sling plate - Steel construction, between the grip and buffer tube
• 6-Position M4/AR15 buffer tube - Adjustable for any body type or loadout
• ARCTURUS enhanced M4/AR15 stock - Low-profile adjustment lever and QD sling socket
• Compatible with aftermarket M4/AR15 AEG stocks - Plenty of stock options
• Grippy rubber butt plate - No issues in wet weather or with body armour
• Microswitch trigger - Avoids issues with trigger contacts, snappy trigger response
• Spring decompression function - Keeps the gearbox unstressed and prolongs the life of the spring
• Quick change spring system - Easy power tuning, far easier to work on the gearbox
• Teflon sealed air nozzle - Exceptional air seal qualities, low friction
• Polymer piston with full steel tooth rack - Strong and lightweight
• Bearing equipped piston head and spring guide - Reduced rotational force
• Pinion gear mounted on ball bearings - Reduced motor "whine"
• Compatible with AK47/74 AEG magazines - Mid/High and Drums!

Package Includes

• ARCTURUS AK74 Carbine TWS M-LOK AT-AK04 AEG
• 30/130rnd Adjustable capacity magazine
• Flip-up iron sight set
• Deans to mini-Tamiya adapter
• User manual

Special Instructions

Please note, due to the design of the AK74 TWS scratches will develop in certain areas from normal use. This is unavoidable, and many of our AK74 TWS AEGs already have these scratches from the factory due to the testing and QC process.

An example of such scratches is the AK "selector lever scratch", a scratch which develops beneath the AK style fire selector from use.

These scratches are part of a realistic AK look and will develop over time regardless of whether they are present initially or not. Please consider this carefully before making your purchase.