CYMA CM.053C Full Steel AK-74M AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU

If you're a fan of the iconic AK-74M aesthetic but need a replica which truly does the real thing justice, the CYMA CM.053C Full Steel AK-74M AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU fits the bill! Made entirely from steel, other than the high-density polymer furniture, the CM.053C is a significant step up from previous CYMA AKs in terms of build quality and feel, but also boasts CYMA's epic Platinum internals, putting it miles ahead of the competition!

Internally, this ultra-authentic AK is rocking a high-speed Neodymium magnet motor, CNC aluminium piston and cylinder head, 13:1 CNC steel high-speed gears, 8mm ball bearing bushings and the EShooter Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU to keep everything running smoothly and add programmable fire controls into the mix. If you're after the iconic AK-74M in its most realistic AEG-based form, the CYMA CM.053C Full Steel AK-74M AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU is the one!

Starting at the tip of the 16.3-inch steel outer barrel, we can find a steel AK-74 muzzle brake, the perfect muzzle device for an authentic Cold War-era AK-74. The muzzle brake mounts to realistic 24mm CW male threading, making it compatible with 24mm CW threaded Russian-style suppressors or 14mm CCW male threaded muzzle devices if you remove the 24mm adapter. To remove the muzzle device, you will need to hold the detent pin in the front sight down to allow the muzzle brake to be unscrewed. The easiest way we found to do this is to hold the pin down with a small flathead screwdriver. To remove the adapter beneath, locate the grub screw and remove it before attempting to unscrew the adapter itself. 

The steel front sight of the CM.053C mounts directly to its outer barrel and provides an adjustable front post with protective wings to ensure an accidental bump or scrape does not render your sights useless. As part of the classic AK aesthetic, we can find a dummy cleaning rod running parallel to the outer barrel, through the front sight block and gas block. This isn't intended for cleaning an Airsoft barrel, but is an essential part of the realistic AK look. 

Moving further down the outer barrel, we come to the dummy gas block, made from steel with an authentic finish matching the front sight and trunnion block. This connects to the stamped steel gas tube, which meets the ribbed polymer upper handguard via a steel handguard cap. The handguards are styled after the standard AK-74 polymer type, with linear grooves for additional grip. These handguards match perfectly with the post-Bakelite era AK furniture, such as the side-folding solid stock and shortened AK-105 length outer barrel to complete the modernised AK-74 look. 

The lower handguard surrounds the steel outer barrel and is retained by its own handguard cap, also made from steel, which includes a sling point on the left side, ideally for hook-type slings. The steel trunnion block also provides the mounting point for the classic AK tangent rear iron sight, which provides multiple graduations for adjustment and a fine rear sight notch to align with the front sight post. The sight can be adjusted by pressing the buttons on either side of the sight notch and moving the notch back and forth on its base.

The lever on the right side of the trunnion is the handguard and gas tube disassembly lever. This lever allows you to quickly remove the upper handguard and gas tube of the CM.053C, just like a real AK-74. This is one of the many perks of using the VFC-style external construction over the TM-style: you can strip it like a real AK for extra nerd points!

Next up, we find the receiver, which is constructed from stamped steel, just like the real thing. The finish is also spot on for an AK, with a convincing blued effect which needs to be seen in person to do it justice. The receiver has standard AK-style controls on the right side, with a steel fire selector lever which doubles as a dust cover when in safe mode, and a charging handle attached to an authentic black dummy bolt carrier, also made from steel. In typical AK style, the first position on the fire selector is fully auto, and the lowermost position is semi-automatic. Each fire mode is denoted by a crisp, moulded, authentic Russian Cyrillic marking, adding some realism to this already very realistic AK.

Over on the left side, we can find an AK quick-detach mounting rail, allowing for authentic Russian scopes to be mounted, or Picatinny rail mounts if you prefer a more modern western optic. The receiver also provides several authentic dummy rivets, all found in the correct place for this AK variant. 

To access the adjustable HOP-up unit of the CM.053C, simply hold the charging handle to the rear to reveal the alloy slider adjustable HOP-up unit. The slider unit is known as one of the best designs out there, and that is the reason this unit has not changed in design since the original Tokyo Marui AK-47 AEG. To increase the HOP-up effect, simply move the slider rearwards. Returning the slider to the front will reduce the HOP-up to its lowest setting.

The receiver top cover of the CM.053C is also constructed from stamped steel and is the appropriate design for a modern AK, with ribs stamped into the upper surface to provide additional strength while keeping the material thin and lightweight. The battery compartment is beneath the top cover, accessible by pressing the button at the rear of the top cover, after which it should come straight off. Inside, you'll find a Deans battery connector. For the CM.053C, we recommend an 11.1V 1300mAh slim stick battery for an easy fit and flawless performance. With the battery connected and installed, you can place the top cover back into the rifle, align the button with the hole in the rear of the top cover, and pull the charging handle to lock the cover down if necessary.

The pistol grip of the CM.053C is a standard AKM/AK-74 type pistol grip, with diamond checkering on either side to ensure the rifle stays firmly in your grasp in any weather condition. The trigger guard and magazine release can be found just ahead of the pistol grip, and are constructed from steel to provide solid magazine locking and ample rigidity. The magazine release is placed in the centre of the receiver and is accessible from either side of the AEG, a definite advantage over other designs for left-handed shooters. The magazine retention system of the AK platform is a "rock and lock" motion, requiring you to first index the front "hook" on the magazine inside the receiver, then rock the magazine to engage the catch.

The stock of the CM.053C is constructed from polymer and is a realistically slim design to facilitate side folding functionality, mounted on a steel folding mechanism to complete the flawless full steel build. To fold the stock to the side, simply press the button on the left side of the rear of the receiver, fold the stock to the left side and lock it on its hook. To unfold the stock, press the button on the butt plate to disengage the hook, after which the stock can be folded into the deployed position and locked. The right side of the stock also features a sling loop, which pairs well with the front sling point on the lower handguard cap, providing appropriate mounting apparatus for a two-point sling, but ideally suited to an AK-47/74 sling.

Inside the CM.053C, we are treated to the best internals CYMA currently has to offer. The gearbox shell is a version 3 design with reinforcements in all the key places, the gears are CNC steel 13:1 ratio high-speed examples, and the motor is a neodymium magnet high torque motor, guaranteeing a speedy rate of fire which will have the enemy on the run!

The gearbox internals are also all upgraded, including a polycarbonate piston with a steel tooth rack, 8mm steel ball bearing bushings, a CNC aluminium ball bearing silent piston head, a ball bearing spring guide and a double O-ring equipped CNC aluminium silent cylinder head, promising smooth performance, flawless air seal qualities and enhanced durability to maintain reliability at high-performance parameters. The EShooter Kestrel Basic MOSFET is the icing on the cake, offering 6 levels of adjustable pre-cocking, options for 3-round burst and binary trigger, along with low battery warning, cycle completion, active braking and low/high voltage cutoff.

Whether you're working on a Russian-themed loadout or you collect replicas of the world's most iconic firearms designs, the CYMA CM.053C Full Steel AK-74M AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU is a top-notch choice with all the boxes ticked. With stunning CYMA Platinum performance in an ultra-realistic full steel build, the CM.053C looks great on display but is ready to play!

Features

• Full metal build - Full steel, other than the furniture
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• 24mm CW Male thread adapter pre-installed - Compatible with Russian-style tracers & suppressors
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Remove the adapter to mount standard tracers & suppressors
• Steel AK-74 muzzle brake pre-installed - Iconic Ruskie styling
• Steel front sight, outer barrel and gas block - Realistic weight distribution
• Adjustable Tangent iron sights - Elevation adjustable via the buttons on the side of the rear sight
• Steel trunnion block, receiver & top cover - Maximum steel for ultimate realism
• Russian AK dovetail side mount - Compatible with Russian AK optics or 20mm Picatinny mounts
• Steel mock bolt carrier - Authentic finish, sounds great when racked
• Slider adjustable HOP-up unit - Alloy construction for strength, accessible with the charging handle held back
• Ambidextrous magazine release - Easy reloads from the left or right side
• Realistic disassembly - VFC-style build, all pins and rivets, no screws!
• Side folding stock with steel butt plate - Great for storage & transportation, steel sling point built-in
• Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU functions:
  • Low battery warning
  • Low/high voltage cutoff
  • Active braking
  • 3-Round burst
  • Binary Trigger
  • Adjustable pre-cocking
• Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU programming instructions are available here
• CYMA Platinum High-Speed internals:
  • Reinforced Version 3 gearbox shell with quick-change spring system
  • Polycarbonate piston with full steel tooth rack
  • CNC-machined steel 13:1 high-speed gear set
  • 8mm Ball bearing bushings
  • CNC Aluminium silent ball bearing piston head
  • CNC Aluminium silent double O-ring cylinder head
  • Ball bearing quick-change spring guide
  • High-speed Neodymium magnet motor
  • Low resistance wiring
• Top-wired: Deans connector - Recommended battery: 11.1V 1300mAh LiPo in Crane/Nunchuck config
• Compatible with AK-47/74 AEG magazines - Plenty of spare magazine options available

Package Includes

• CYMA CM.053C Full Steel AK-74M AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU
  • 140rnd Mid-cap magazine
  • Speed loader