LCT AK-74 AEG; ASTER II Bluetooth® ETU

The real Kalashnikov AK-74 Assault Rifle

The real AK-74 rifle was a response to NATO's adoption of the 5.56x45mm cartridge, a new frontier in small arms development that allowed the infantry soldier to carry more rounds and benefit from reduced recoil. Effectively an AKM rechambered for the Soviet 5.45x39, nicknamed the "poison bullet", the AK-74 was adopted by the Red Army in the late 1970s, first seeing action in the Soviet Afghan conflict in 1979.

Compared to the original AK-47, the '74 was considerably lighter, easier and quicker to manufacture, making use of steel stamping technology as opposed to the milled steel used for the OG AK. The AK-74 also featured a unique muzzle device designed to keep the rifle controllable in full auto, a massive two-port muzzle brake, which defines its iconic yet aggressive look.

While not as common as AKM and Type 56 AK rifles, wherever there is conflict globally, you'll likely find an AK-74 due to Soviet equipment losses during the Afghan conflict working their way through the black market. To this day, AK-74s of various configurations are in use with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, from the mass-issued AK-74M to scruffy, suppressed AK-74s with wood furniture, which are often found in the hands of specialist units who prefer the '74 to the more modern but less reliable AK-12.

Suggested Setups

Red Army Infantry: ACM Training Bayonet Replica | CYMA AK/SVD Sling | Element Rubber Butt Pad

Spetsnaz Afghan Conflict: 5KU PBS-1 Suppressor | CYMA AK/SVD Sling | Element Rubber Butt Pad

Platform Details

Starting at the tip of the steel outer barrel, we can find an AK-74 style muzzle brake, which is designed to counteract the recoil forces of the 5.45mm cartridge and keep the real AK-74 controllable in fully automatic. The muzzle brake is made from robust steel, with an authentic blued-style finish.

The brake mounts to a 24mm CW male thread adapter at the tip of the 16.3-inch outer barrel. This means you can use 24mm CW threaded Russian-style suppressors and muzzle devices, including the mighty DTK-2 Grizzly muzzle brake for a more modern look. We recommend the 5KU PBS-1 Suppressor for the Cold War Spetsnaz look.

Following the beastly muzzle brake, we come to the front sight tower, a perfect match for the real AK-74. The front sight post is adjustable using a front sight adjustment tool, and both the tower and the sight blade itself are made from steel. On the bottom of the front sight assembly, you'll find a bayonet lug. This can be used to mount a Rubber Dummy Bayonet, but always consult the site marshals before fixing bayonets in-game.

Below the barrel, we have a mock cleaning rod, made from steel and mounted through ports on the front sight and gas block, just like the real deal. It goes without saying that you should never use this to clean an Airsoft barrel, but it is nonetheless an important part of the AK aesthetic.

The gas block follows behind the front sight, made from steel with a flawless finish applied. This finish matches the front sight and trunnion block, adding a hint of realistic contrast thanks to its imitation heat/corrosion-resistant coating, which closely matches real Cold War-era AKs. Behind the gas block, we have an authentic stamped steel gas tube, perfectly replicating the shape of the real AK-74 gas tube.

Next up, we reach the real wood handguards, some of the most authentic real wood you'll ever encounter on an Airsoft build. Like a real AK-74, the handguards are comprised of two parts, featuring a deep, authentic wood grain and a flawless varnished finish. The handguards are mounted using steel handguard caps, just like the real deal.

The highlight of LCT's wood is that it is made exactly the same way as real AK wood parts, using layered plywood joined together with brass pins and adhesive. If you look closely, you'll see the brass pins, rounded at the tip to match the shape of the handguard. This shows incredible attention to detail that you simply won't find on other real wood AK replicas.

Between the handguards and receiver, we have what is known as the "trunnion block", a milled steel component which connects the barrel to the receiver. This is where you'll find the rear tangent sight, which is adjustable by pressing the drums on either side of the sight and sliding it back and forth to raise and lower the open notch.

On the right side of the trunnion, you'll see a small lever. This is the disassembly lever, allowing you to remove the gas tube for maintenance in the real steel by rotating it clockwise. This is fully functional on this super-realistic LCT build, and while you won't need to clean the gas tube as part of your regular maintenance, it is very satisfying to mess around with.

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. The finish applied is immaculate and incredibly realistic, with a blued look which is far more authentic than the usual paint finish.

The standout feature of the LCT receiver is its thick, stamped steel construction. Many Airsoft AKs feature stamped steel receivers, but most use thin sheet steel to keep weight manageable and costs down. LCT take it to the next level, with seriously thick steel stamped into a flawless form. Put this next to another stamped steel AK body, and the difference is obvious. If you want the most realistic AK build around, choose LCT!

As we would expect from LCT, all of the realistic details of a real AK receiver are flawlessly recreated. Mock rivets and pins adorn either side, all separate parts with a contrasting finish, which makes the details pop. On each side, we have a reinforcement dimple, designed in the real steel to provide extra strength around the magazine well.

On the left side of the receiver, we can find a Russian AK side rail, realistically riveted onto the receiver. In real steel form, this makes this build an AK-74N technically, with its -N prefix added to denote Nochnoy (Ночной), which means "night time", aka, night vision capable. In Airsoft terms, this rail is intended for either 20mm Picatinny rail mounts or Russian optics designed for the AK-type side rail.

Over on the right side, we can find the controls of the AK-74. The charging handle is of a classic AK format and is machined as part of the steel mock bolt carrier. The bolt carrier and charging handle are authentically coloured black, matching the real AK-74 bolt carrier perfectly. Rack it back for a satisfying "clank"!

With the charging handle held to the rear, we can see LCT's new rotary adjustable HOP-up unit inside. Rotating the dial on the top of the unit allows you to tune the HOP-up for different ammo weights, seeking the flattest trajectory possible. The new HOP-up design shows a lot of potential, with its top dead centre-style design, which reduces side-to-side shot deviation.

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. This layout allows you to slap the selector between safe and semi-auto rapidly for "sights on, safety off" manipulation, and its steel build means it's ready for a lifetime of heavy use.

Below the receiver, we can find the steel trigger guard/mag release assembly and the authentic 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 AK-74 does not slip from your grasp, even in poor weather. This grip differs from rival AKs in its gloss finish, perfectly matching real AK-74 plum grips and avoiding the typical matt finish of modern polymers. Exceptional attention to detail!

The magazine release is accessible from either side, centrally positioned to facilitate ambidextrous use for left-handed users. Naturally, this assembly is made from steel and riveted onto the receiver, just like a real AK.

At the rear of the receiver, you'll find the fixed stock, made from superbly finished real wood and mounted to the receiver via robust steel stock tangs. AKs from other manufacturers are often vulnerable to drops due to using alloy for the stock tangs. This will never be an issue for an LCT, thanks to its near-indestructible steel stock tang.

The stock itself is manufactured the same way as real AK stocks, made from layered plywood held together with adhesive and brass pins. This not only adds authenticity but makes the stock a true utilitarian beauty, showcasing the varying tones of the layered plywood on the top and bottom. The butt plate is also made from stamped steel, just like the real thing. The butt plate is serrated, but if you need more grip, add the Element Rubber Butt Pad!

Internals

Inside, this flawless AK build is based around the version 3 gearbox with TM-compatible internals, ideal for the techy types. Gearbox internals include 18:1 ratio steel gears running on 9mm ball bearing bushings, a steel ball-bearing quick change spring guide, a POM piston with a full steel tooth rack and a powerful 22K RPM motor. The result is a super-smooth running gearbox, with little left to improve!

This version of the LCT AK-74 AEG builds on LCT's usual robust internals by adding the advanced Gate ASTER II Bluetooth® ETU, the latest variant of Gate's optical trigger system. The ASTER II provides a wide range of programmable fire modes, trigger sensitivity settings and adjustable parameters, all of which can be adjusted through the Gate Control Station (GCS) app via Bluetooth. Having an ASTER II on board is a hallmark of a premium build, the perfect pairing for LCT's incredible external quality.

Features

• Steel / real wood build - Unparalleled realism
• Realistic AK-74 Muzzle brake - Iconic, aggressive AK-74 looks
• 24mm CW Male threaded adapter - Use Russian-style 24mm CW suppressors & tracers
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Remove the adapter to use 14mm CCW devices
• Steel gas block / front sight - Adjustable front sight post, flawlessly realistic shape
• Bayonet lug - Add a Rubber Dummy Bayonet for melee kills
• Mock cleaning rod - Steel construction, completes the authentic AK silhouette
• Steel handguard caps - Maximum authenticity and strength, sling point built-in
• Real wood handguards - Flawless gloss varnish finish, authentic plywood with brass pin
• Adjustable tangent iron sights - Adjust by pressing the drums on each side & sliding back and forth
• Ribbed top cover - A perfect match for the real AK-74, ribs stamped in to add strength
• Stamped steel receiver & top cover - Authentic rivet detail, thicker than usual stamped steel receivers
• Steel bolt carrier - Rack it back for a satisfying metal-on-metal "clank"
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Updated design, improved setting retention compared to the slider
• 3-Position fire selector switch - SAFE - FULL AUTO - SEMI, just like a real AK
• Russian AK-style side rail - Mount Russian AK optics or 20mm Picatinny rail mounts for optics
• Textured pistol grip with plum finish - A perfect match for real Cold War-era AK-74 rifles
• Fixed real wood stock - Sling point on the right side, robust steel construction
• Rear-wired: Deans connector - Recommended Battery: 7.4V 1500mAh LiPo
• Version 3 gearbox:
  • Steel ball-bearing quick-change spring guide
  • 9mm Ball-bearing bushings
  • Chrome-plated brass cylinder
  • POM Piston with steel tooth rack
  • 22K RPM Motor
  • Gate ASTER II Bluetooth® ETU
• Suggested Accessories:
  • Russian-style Suppressors: 5KU DTKP Silencer (choose 24mm) | 5KU PBS-1 Silencer | 5KU PUTNIK Suppressor
  • 20mm Picatinny rail mounts: CYMA 20mm Picatinny Rail Mount for AK Side Rails
  • Russian-style Optics: JJ Airsoft Rakurs P01x20 Red Dot Sight

Package Includes

• LCT AK-74 AEG; ASTER II Bluetooth® ETU
  • 130rnd Medium-capacity magazine

Special Instructions

LCT AKs have a very tightly fitted fire selector switch, and most of our examples have the classic AK fire selector switch scratch. This is an unavoidable consequence of testing at the factory, and will develop over time, regardless of how careful you are. Please consider this carefully before making your purchase.