Jing Gong JG3000 LK58 Carbine Replica

Introducing the Jing Gong JG3000 LK58 rifle. This rifle is a modern classic, based on the FAL which is regarded by many as the best of the cold war battle rifles, though the debate still rages on. The LK58 is a short-barreled carbine variant and includes a pre-installed reinforced top cover with a Picatinny rail across the top for mounting optical sights.

Starting at the muzzle we can find a standard AR15 birdcage flash hider, constructed from steel. This allows the use of QD suppressors and keeps the rifle faithful to the real-world SA58. The steel flash hider mounts on to the 10-inch outer barrel using a 14mm CCW male thread, allowing the use of any tracer unit, suppressor or any alternative muzzle device you choose.

Behind the flash hider, we can find a rotating sling swivel that attaches around the barrel and can be used for standard rifle slings. The sling mount can also be removed if you have alternative plans for carrying this thing. Next up we have the alloy mock gas block, which features a mock gas adjuster, mock gas cut-off and winged front sight blade, which is adjustable for elevation. The mock gas parts all move, as they should, adding a touch of realism to this high-quality reproduction. Attached to the gas block we can find the two-piece polymer handguard. This of an ergonomic triangular design, with 3 vent holes on each side, and attaches to the gas block using a flat head screw that goes through either side, keeping the handguard strong and free from rattle. Beneath the handguard is a metal mock gas tube, which aids in keeping the rifle structurally strong.

The receiver is thick, strong alloy, giving the rifle its heft and keeping the centre of balance realistic since most of the weight should be in the receiver on a real rifle. The mag well is of a semi-protected design with an extension on the right side of the receiver. This gives you something to index with the magazine during a reload, guiding the mag in and assisting with reload speed without causing difficulties with the "rock and lock" insertion method. The rear of the mag well features a mock bolt catch, which can be engaged if the blowback mechanism is removed, otherwise, it serves as a nice feature for realism and completes the FAL look.

The modernized magazine release can be found next to the bolt release catch, on the right side, putting it perfectly within reach of the trigger finger, allowing you to release the magazine with the firing hand whilst inserting a fresh mag with your reaction hand. A big improvement over the original FAL design, especially if you like fast reloads! Behind the magazine release, we can find a large steel pin, which forms the axis for the FAL receiver to be split in half. Unfortunately, this part cannot be used in the same manner as on a real FAL due to the confines of the Airsoft internals and the version 3 gearbox inside.

Above the magazine well we have the charging handle, which can be pulled back about an inch and a half to reveal the HOP up adjustment drum, on the right side behind the mock bolt carrier. The bolt carrier includes "sand cuts" machined in, a feature added to later variants of the FAL in order to prevent fine sand from causing the rifle to jam, instead re-directing any sand away from the bolt carrier and out through the magazine well. Other than this the right side of the receiver is relatively plain, with the serial number found on the magazine well extension, and some mock takedown pins engraved in. This can be advantageous, as it makes the rifle easy to sling across your back without being stabbed by charging handles and ambidextrous controls, and prevents the rifle from snagging on your gear in the process.

The standard FAL top cover has been replaced with a reinforced railed top cover, being locked to the receiver using ten flat head screws and featuring a long Picatinny rail, easily long enough to mount larger rifle scopes or Red dot sight + magnifier combinations. This part mimics the real SA58 and provides essential functionality to bring the cold war rifle into the 21st century. On the left side of the lower receiver, we can find the fire select lever, which has a very short throw between fire modes and is well placed under the shooter's thumb, allowing you to quickly bring the rifle from safe to semi to engage your target. Surprisingly modern for a rifle designed in the late 40s!

The pistol grip is a truly excellent design, especially considering it came from the era when ergonomics was not even a consideration when designing a rifle. It fits the hand perfectly and stays put, with linear groves to aid gripping and a shelf to prevent the rifle from slipping out of your hand. This grip has found its way into the modern era in several forms and is used on the FN M249, SIG SG55x series, and several modernized AK variants. At the rear of the receiver we can find the mock take down lever, which unfortunately doesn't split the gun into to halves but does move under spring tension, a thoughtful feature for JG to include.

The rear sight block can be found on the top of the lower receiver to the rear of the top cover. The sight is mounted here because in early versions of the FAL the top cover functioned similarly to an AK and was not considered to be stable enough to mount sights to. The rear sight features protective wings and two apertures for different ranges and light levels. This sight can be removed and sits in a dovetail, similarly to pistol sights, which also allows the sight to be adjusted for windage.

The stock is made from strong, textured polymer and is a very comfortable design, providing ample cheek-weld and allowing you to comfortably see down the iron sights. The bottom of the stock features a standard sling swivel which can be rotated 360 degrees, minimizing the potential for you to go down like an AT-AT on Hoth, all wrapped up in your sling (it does happen!). At the rear of the stock, we can find the polymer butt plate, which features a rubberized surface to keep the stock firmly in your shoulder during firing. This can be removed by pushing down on it, revealing the battery compartment. Inside we can see there is space for a mini block type battery of approximately 11cm in length, 4cm in width, and 2.5cm in depth.

Internally the LK58 features JGs standard reinforced version 3 gearbox, with steel gears with a reinforced piston and piston head. The inner barrel is fully compatible with Tokyo Marui AEG spec. aftermarket parts, should you feel the need to lengthen the range of this beast into DMR territory. The rotary drum hop unit definitely allows for some serious accuracy potential, and can also take any aftermarket AEG bucking or nub. The LK58 also features electric blowback, which is much nicer than many I have tested and gives a loud "clack" as it reciprocates. This is actually loud enough to conceal the noise from the gearbox, making this almost sound like a GBB rifle from a few feet away.

One for the unconventional, the JG3000 LK58 is a unique setup with some unique perks. Often seen in use with PMC operators in Afghanistan and Iraq, this rifle offers classic design features with modern optics mounting solutions, modern ergonomic features, and a great set of internal parts with a satisfying, crisp electro-mechanical blowback. The high-capacity magazine which comes with this rifle holds a whopping 500 rounds! It somehow manages to do this without extending beyond the pistol grip, meaning you can lay nice and low when prone and lay down some support weapon levels of firepower! Great for CQB and even better for a woodland committed runner and gunner, the LK58 from Jing Gong is a perfect skirmish companion for those sick of AKs and ARs.

Features

• Rotary HOP unit
• Snappy rate of fire
• Excellent iron sights
• Ergonomic pistol grip
• Full metal construction
• Nice short selector throw
• Mock gas parts all move
• Perfect PMC loadout primary
• 500 round magazine included
• Version 3 reinforced gearbox
• Long Picatinny rail on top cover
• Electro-mechanical blowback system
• Balance point at the rear of the mag well

Package Includes

• JG3000 LK58 AEG rifle
• 500 round High-cap magazine w/key winding
• Instruction manual