LCT AKS-74UN AEG; ASTER II Bluetooth® ETU

About the real AKS-74UN "Krinkov"

The real AKS-74UN was conceived in the early 1980s, designed as a short-barreled PDW version of the AK-74 to be issued to Spetsnaz special forces, tank crews and helicopter pilots. Serving with Spetsnaz equipped with the PBS-4 suppressor as the "AKS-74UB", until being replaced by the AK-105, the AKS-74U is a Cold War icon, and its unique, aggressive look keeps it iconic to this day.

While no longer in front-line service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the AKS-74U has a massive cult following in the US amongst civilian shooters, who know the AKS-74U and similar AK SBRs as "Krinkovs" or "Krinks". US civilian Krinkovs are used for everything from home defence to 3-gun competition shooting and tactical training, often seen as a more reliable and robust alternative to AR-15 platforms.

The name Krinkov originated from the Afghan Mujahideen, who regarded the platform as a status symbol due to its rarity and being carried only by elite troops. This is the reason Osama Bin Laden was often seen on film and in photographs accompanied by an AKS-74U. To further its credentials in the fictional realm, the AKS-74U was also used by James Bond himself in the opening scene of Goldeneye (1995).

Suggested Setups

Cold War Spetsnaz AKS-74UB: 5KU PBS-4 Suppressor | Element Rubber Butt Pad for AK-47/74 | CYMA AK Sling

Modern US Civy Krinkov: Airsoft Artisan VR-FAST Suppressor | CYMA 20mm Rail Mount | Vector Optics Maverick RDS

Modern Russian: 5KU PUTNIK Suppressor | JJ Airsoft Rakurs P01x20 Red Dot Sight | 8Fields Two-Point Sling

Platform Details

Starting at the tip of the robust steel outer barrel, we can find the AKS-74U gas booster 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 the Cold War era, omitting the ribs on the exterior, which are only present on later AKS-74U rifles.

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. The gas block/front sight is made from robust steel, with a positively gorgeous finish and phenomenal machining throughout.  On the left side, we have a sling point built in, ready for a two-point 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 shape is designed to provide a stable grip, with a comfortable profile that fills out the hand to assist in controlling recoil. The handguards are held onto the rifle using handguard caps, both of which are made from robust and authentic steel.

Behind the handguards, we come to the trunnion block, a perfect replica of the real steel AKS-74U-specific trunnion. This part joins the barrel to the receiver and also serves as the mounting point for the hinged receiver top cover. Naturally, the trunnion is made from realistic milled steel with a flawless finish, which perfectly mimics real corrosion-resistant paint applied to Cold War-era AKs.

The battery compartment of the 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. The label on the wiring is your ASTER II code. Use this to alter your settings in the Gate Control Station (GCS) app.

With your battery installed, the top cover can be pushed back down, where the spring-loaded button will lock it into place. For the LCT AKS-74UN, 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. 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 is what gives the AKS-74UN its -N prefix, denoting 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.

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. 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-74UN. 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 AKS-74U 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 rifle, we can find its steel folding stock, equipped with a sling point on the right side. The stock is made from super-robust stamped steel, just like the real thing. Like the rest of the LCT AK build, the stock puts rivals, even those made from steel, to shame; thanks to its thicker steel and flawless finish. The butt plate is also made from steel, 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 AKS-74UN 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 trumpet "Gas booster" flash hider - Iconic Krinkov looks
• 24mm CW Male threaded outer barrel - Choose 24mm CW suppressors & tracers
• Steel gas block / front sight - Adjustable front sight post, flawlessly realistic shape
• Steel handguard caps - Maximum authenticity and strength, sling point built-in
• Real wood handguards - Flawless gloss varnish finish, authentic plywood with brass pin
• Open iron sights - Adjustable front sight, two open notches on the rear sight for different ranges
• Hinged top cover - Easy battery access, perfectly matches the real AKS-74U
• 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 AKS-74U rifles
• Side-folding skeleton stock - Sling point on the right side, robust steel construction
• Top-wired: Deans connector - Recommended Battery: 7.4V 1000mAh 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 AKS-74UN AEG; ASTER II Bluetooth® ETU [LCKS74UN-AEG Gate]
  • 130rnd Medium-capacity magazine