Echo 1 AK CPM Full Metal AEG

The gun is Very well balanced and lightweight, i could play with this thing all day without being concerned with fatigue. i was concerned that since its shorter it wouldn't have the range or accuracy of a full length AK, but compared to my friend's echo1 AK74 it was just as accurate, and shot just as far, though it is louder and just slightly lower rate of fire with the stock 8.4v batt, its noticeably louder as well; not as loud as the Crossman r72 (if you've shot one...) you can still hear your team-mates. The compartment for the battery is absolutely HUGE, and by that i mean long.. you can fit a monstorous battery in this thing because the front hand grip is hollow to allow for the battery to be in it.. Downsides are that the battery does slide around in it. Every AK magazine that i've came in contact with HAS clipped in and worked with this gun (Except the crossman r76, though these guns are both based off the AKS-74U) this gun, due to its smaller size is very easy to store and haul. compared to the hastles that my friends have with their larger guns, they're envious when i walk up with my single plastic tub of gear, and there's my gun on top, when they have to keep the original box their gun came in to keep it from getting damaged.

with the way that the front hand grip is made, the front sight is VERY off center, you will either need a red dot sight, or white BB's so you'll know where you're shooting. the problem here is really that the gun has no scope mounts on it by design since its an AK. If you get the detachable sight rail, not only is that an extra cost along with the sight, you wont be able to fold your stock up with the sight on the gun. an awful lot of hastle in my opinion since i prefer the iron sights anyway.

The fold up stock is very sturdy, but the sling mount does have a noticeable "ping" when its clanging around, i just taped mine down. When i got my gun, the Fire selector switch (since full auto is in the middle) would rattle down into Semi-Auto and leave me in a rather tough situation until i figured out you could pop a little metal cap off the selector to find a screw thats very easy to tighten and fix the migrating selector issue. Would i buy this gun if i could do it all over again? Yes... Especially since im a Huge fan of the AK-47, i even own a real one. so if you're into the design, yes... if not.. i'd probably get an M4 since it has a sight rail by design

All metal construction (with the exception of the hand guards), realistic look and feel of a true AK-74U.

Better battery (9.6V instead of 8.6V) and instructions are poorly writen for USA market.

Sling guide on folding stock makes annoying "clank-clank" noise when it hits steel stock. Can correct this with black vinyl tape. No longer marked with Vector Arms logo or any indication of Vector Arms endorsment. This is a Echo 1-Red Star branded item.

Realistic look and weight of the firearm. Feels substantial in your hands. My MIAI is a nicer sub but also costs more and reflects a different era of automatic weapons. My next purchase will be an M16. Then I will have the 3 most notable automatic weapons in history.

Get rid of noisy Strap ring. I'm going to epoxy it flat to the gun. I hate loose parts. I bought it as a collectors item and only shoot in the back yard, no skirmishes. Better sights needed but once you hone in on a target you'll keep hitting it.

Biggest bang for the buck as far as AK47's. Highest FPS at a very reasonable price. There are higher priced that have lower FPS and crappy plastic ones. This one is the one to buy. You can buy metal clips if the plastic bothers you, I did and it works as well. The orange tip is removable with a hack saw and pliers. You may have to use flat back touch up paint.