LCT AK-74M 2.0 AEG; ASTER II Bluetooth® ETU

About the real Kalashnikov AK-74M Rifle

The real AK-74M was first issued in 1991, with full-scale production beginning at the Izhmash factory in Izhevsk. The M prefix stands for modernizirovannyy, which means "modernised", denoting the addition of matte black polyamide polymer furniture to improve strength and heat dissipation qualities, a side folding stock design for easier storage and transportation and a redesigned muzzle device with an improved thread design.

While the AK-12 is slowly being adopted by more and more units, the AK-74M is still used by most Russian Ground and Naval infantrymen, along with VDV airborne forces, favoured for its reliability and familiarity in comparison to the latest AK-12. The AK-74M is also offered for export, available in several calibre options as the AK-101 (in 5.56x45 NATO) and the AK-103 (in 7.62x39 Russian), used by the Armed Forces of Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Syria, to name but a few.

Suggested Setups

Russian Ground Forces: LCT 20mm Picatinny "classic" mount | JJ Airsoft 1P87 Red Dot Sight | Element Rubber Butt Pad

Platform Details

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 AK-74M 2.0 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 it 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.

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.

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.

The receiver top cover of the AK-74M 2.0 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 AK-74M 2.0, we recommend a 7.4V 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 AK-74M 2.0 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 AK-74M 2.0 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 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.

Internals

Inside, this flawless AK build is based around the Real Sword AK gearbox, a slightly shorter V3-derived design which allows the 2.0 receiver to be shortened, more in keeping with real steel sizing. 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 35K RPM brushless motor. The result is a super-smooth running gearbox, with little left to improve!

This version of the LCT AK-74M 2.0 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.

In terms of compatibility, the gearbox has a standard-length piston, standard AEG gears and a short-shaft motor. The other components are specific to LCTs AK 2.0 line, so if you're shopping for upgrades, make sure you look for LCT AK 2.0-specific components.

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
• 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 a black finish
• Proprietary gearbox (Real Sword clone):
  • Steel ball-bearing quick-change spring guide
  • 9mm Ball-bearing bushings
  • Chrome-plated brass cylinder
  • CNC-machined cylinder head
  • CNC-machined piston head
  • CNC-machined nozzle
  • 16:1 Ratio CNC Steel gears (standard AEG spec)
  • POM Piston with steel tooth rack (Standard V2/3 AEG spec)
  • 35K RPM Brushless Motor (short shaft type)
  • Gate ASTER II Bluetooth® ETU
• Top-wired: Deans connector - Recommended Battery: 7.4V 1000mAh LiPo

Package Includes

• LCT AK-74M 2.0 AEG; ASTER II Bluetooth® ETU
  • 130rnd Medium-capacity magazine