CYMA CM.045A AKS-74U Gen.2 AEG

If you're after a full metal AK with a CQB leaning, the CYMA CM.045A AKS-74U Gen.2 AEG is a solid choice! Inspired by the real steel AKS-74U, the iconic "Krinkov" used by James Bond in the opening scene of Goldeneye and favoured by Afghani Osama Bin Laden as a captured status symbol, this is one of the most iconic AK configurations around!

Inside, this CM.045A is a considerable improvement over the already impressive original, boasting CYMA's "Gen.2" internals for a performance and reliability boost. Inside, the version 3 gearbox features 18:1 ratio steel gears running on 8mm ball-bearing bushings, CNC aluminium compression parts, a high-torque motor and the CYMA V3 MOSFET system to crank up trigger response.

On the outside, the CM.045A Gen.2 is equally impressive, retaining the robust build quality of the original CM.045A with its high proportion of steel components for added realism and a substantial feel in the hands. This variant also sports real wood handguards to provide the classic Cold War "Krinkov" look that everyone knows and loves.

Starting at the tip of the alloy outer barrel, we can find the muzzle device, which attaches to the 24mm CW AK threads on the front sight/gas block. The muzzle device is the correct design for an AKS-74U of this era, complete with ribs on the exterior, marking it out from earlier AKS-74U models.

The front sight is adjustable for elevation using the included front sight tool and is housed inside the gas block/front sight block combination, a hallmark of the AKS-74U. Beneath the 24mm CW AK threads are 14mm CCW threads for a tracer unit or suppressor, which can be accessed by removing the grub screw under the muzzle device and unthreading the 24mm CW adapter. This adapter is held on with some form of adhesive, so please be careful not to strip any threads when removing the grub screw and adapter.

If you're going full Cold War Spetsnaz with your AKS-74U, we recommend adding the 5KU PBS-4 suppressor to match the real steel. Just be warned, it is a hefty device! Otherwise, real steel AKS-74U rifles are seen with a wide variety of muzzle devices and suppressors in the US civilian tactical scene, so you can let your imagination run wild.

The front sight/gas block also includes a sling point on the left side, which can be used in concert with the sling point on the stock to attach a two-point rifle sling. Moving rearwards, we come to the real wood handguards, matching the original variant of the AKS-74U first issued in the 1970s. These handguards include two ports on either side, intended for the real firearm to help cool the barrel after rapid firing.

The profile of these handguards is designed to provide a stable grip and have a comfortable profile that fills out the hand to assist in controlling recoil by allowing the user to exert "downforce" to keep the muzzle rise under control.

The wooden handguard look is perfect if you are doing a guerrilla rebel loadout, early Soviet Spetsnaz impression or an Osama Bin Laden loadout. Just be prepared for all the players dressed as SEAL Team 6 to burst into your bedroom and fill you full of plastic! The handguards are held onto the rifle using handguard caps, the lower of which is made from alloy, with the upper handguard caps being constructed from steel.

The battery compartment of the CM.045A Gen.2 is located beneath the top cover and can be accessed by pushing the button at the rear of the top cover down, after which the cover will hinge open. Within you will find a Deans connector to which you connect your battery.

With your battery installed inside, the top cover can be pushed back down, where the spring-loaded button will lock it back into place. For the CM.045A, we recommend a 7.4V 1000mAh LiPo in AK stick configuration battery for a good fit beneath the top cover with space to spare.

Moving down to the receiver itself, we can see authentic rivets and mock rivets, authentically positioned to match the layout of the real firearm. This is always nice to see and adds a touch of extra realism for those who want the most faithful replica out there.

On the left side of the receiver, we can see the latch for the side folding stock, which takes the form of a spring-loaded hook. If you have the stock folded, you need to pull rearwards on this hook to release the stock and deploy it. The next thing we notice is the stamped dimple, present on either side of the receiver.

This is another of these features AK fans will appreciate, as it matches the shape and profile of a real stamped AKS-74U receiver. This was added to the real rifle to increase the strength of the magazine well whilst keeping the receiver thin, light and cheap to manufacture.

Moving to the rear of the receiver, we can find a Russian AK side rail positioned on the left side of the receiver. This rail is intended for either 20mm Picatinny rail mounts or Russian optics designed for the AK-type side rail. Please note: this rail is not the same as the SVD side rail, and SVD-compatible optics and mounts won't fit this replica.

Behind the side rail, we can find the folding button for the stock mechanism. Pressing this in will release the locking mech and allow the stock to be folded to the left side of the rifle for storage or extreme close-quarters work. By design, the stock cannot be folded with an optic or mount installed on the side rail, but fortunately, many of these mounts are QD by nature and can easily be added and removed without losing zero.

Over on the right side, we can find the controls of the AKS-74U. The charging handle is of a classic AK format and is machined as part of the mock bolt carrier. The bolt carrier and charging handle are authentically coloured black, matching the real AK-74 bolt carrier perfectly.

With the charging handle held to the rear, we can see the adjustable HOP-up slider inside. Moving this piece back and forth will vary the amount of HOP-up applied to your BB and allow you to tune the CM.045A for different ammo weights, seeking the flattest possible trajectory.

To the rear of the charging handle, we can find the AK fire selector, which doubles as a dust cover when in the "safe" position, preventing dirt and debris from entering the AEG. This selector is a bit different to most other AEG designs but sits in line with other AKs perfectly with its realistic "Safe - Auto - Semi" layout.

This layout was chosen for the original AK-47 to provide an easy and quick sweep to set the rifle to semi-automatic and ensure that when full auto was selected, it was done knowingly and intentionally.

Below the receiver, we can find the steel trigger guard/mag release assembly and the plum coloured polymer pistol grip. The pistol grip is a classic AK-74 pattern grip complete with diamond checkering on either side to ensure the AKS-74U does not slip from your grasp, even in poor weather.

The magazine release is accessible from either side, centrally positioned to facilitate ambidextrous use for left-handed users. This also allows those uber-tactical operators who like to shoulder-to-shoulder transition to reload with their left hand (if they practised enough!).

The magazine insertion method for an AK rifle is a "rock and lock" motion as opposed to a straight insertion, meaning you first need to index the front of the magazine into the magazine well, then rock the rear of the magazine to meet the mag catch and lock it into place.

This can take practice, but once you are familiar with it, the AK platform can be manipulated with impressive speed. This magazine release also allows for a "mag flip" style emergency reload, though we don't recommend that unless you are okay with damaging your magazines!

At the rear of the rifle, we can find its steel folding stock, which is the correct design for an AKS-74U of the Soviet era. This stock includes a sling point on the right side, which can be used with a single-point bungee sling or with a two-point sling using the sling point on the front sight/gas block.

The butt plate of the stock is made of steel but includes a linear texture to prevent the stock from slipping out of your shoulder if you wear body armour. If you need more grip, add the Element Rubber Butt Pad!

Internally, we are in for a real treat with this Gen.2 variant of the CM.045A. The gearbox has been fully revamped and is now equipped with CYMA's V3 MOSFET, enhancing trigger response and preventing trigger lockups if you shoot semi-auto rapidly.

Inside the reinforced V3 gearbox, we're treated to 18:1 ratio steel gears running on 8mm ball bearing bushings, backed up by a potent high-torque motor with Neodymium magnets. This provides a snappy cyclic rate in both fire modes while reducing wear and tear on the gearbox shell through its low-friction bushings.

Also inside is a CNC aluminium piston head and cylinder head, preventing air leaks and improving reliability in the long term. The piston also has a full rack of steel teeth, ensuring it can go the distance with the rest of the build!

For those with a taste for AKs who need something short for turning and burning in CQB, the CYMA CM.045A AKS-74U Gen.2 AEG should be in your sights. Keeping the best bits of the previous CM.045A with upgraded internals to keep it competitive, this is the CM.045A in its ultimate form!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.04mm Tightbore inner barrel
• Real wood handguards - Iconic AK looks
• 24mm CW AK thread adapter - Use realistic Russian-threaded muzzle devices
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Remove the adapter to fit a standard tracer/suppressor
• AKS-74U Gas booster/Trumpet muzzle device - Completes the authentic Krinkov look
• Russian AK side mount rail - Compatible with 20mm rail mounts & Russian AK optics
• Slider adjustable HOP-up unit - Pull back the charging handle to access
• 3-Position fire selector/dust cover - Authentic SAFE - AUTO - SEMI configuration
• Ambidextrous magazine release catch - Easy reloads for left or right-handed users
• Textured AK-74 style pistol grip - Realistic Plum-coloured finish
• Steel side folding stock - Great for CQB, allows for storage in smaller gun bags
• Front and rear sling points - Ready for two-point slings
• CYMA Gen.2 Version 3 gearbox:
  • Alloy shell
  • 18:1 Steel gears
  • 8mm Ball bearing bushings
  • CNC Aluminium piston head
  • CNC Aluminium cylinder head
  • Stainless steel cylinder
  • Polymer piston with steel tooth rack
  • Quick change spring guide
  • High-torque Neodymium magnet motor
• Compatible with AK-47/74 AEG magazines - Loads of spare mag options!

Package Includes

• CYMA CM.045A AKS-74U Gen.2 AEG
  • 2 x 500rnd high-capacity magazines