Manufactuer: Tokyo Marui
Model: AK47 / AK47S
Capacity: 68 (Std) / 600 (Hicap)
Weight: 2900 / 2800
Power: 285 fps
Motor: EG700
Hop - Up: Adjustable
Battery: Large / Small
Shooting Mode: Semi / Full Auto
Construction: ABS / Metal
Tokyo Marui makes two versions of the AK47; the solid stock AK47 and the metal folding stock version, denoted the AK47-S. The latter gives the rifle a much smaller footprint, though at the cost of being able to take a smaller stick type battery in the spine of the receiver. The solid stock model accommodates a large size battery in the hollow stock, which gives you the option to internally store battery size of up to 8.4V 3000mah if required. Access to this battery compartment is through the butt-stock, which opens up to easily slide the battery in and out. As such, the solid stock model is much better suited for those planning for power upgrades, which require the larger and more powerful batteries.
On first glance, Maruis AK47 is quite authentic and the fake wooden fore-grip and stock look convincingly real. These parts are actually moulded plastic that have very realistic grain on them. The plastic is also sufficiently high quality so as not to feel, well, plastic.
The gun is also quite heavy due to the significant amount of metal used. In fact, the entire front section forward of the fore-grip is comprised entirely of metal. Parts include the barrel, the front sights, cleaning rod, and the fluted barrel support. The metal has enough steel content in it allowing the barrel to rust a bit if left unmaintained, which adds to even greater authenticity. The front sight is vertically adjustable using a tool. The AK47 does not have a flash-hider and has something that resembles a thread protector, which screws on over the 14mm counter-clockwise threaded barrel. Attaching silencers and flash-hiders is therefore as easy as a "twist of a wrist". The fake cleaning rod that sits below the barrel is not full length and cannot actually be used. It can however, be detached for authenticity's sake.
The receiver itself is plastic, but the upper spine of the receiver (which is removable to reveal the battery compartment for the AK47-S) is made of metal. On full stock models, there is a metal tube that Marui placed inside this compartment to keep the upper receiver spine cover in place. Pivoted metal sling mounts are located on the left side of the receiver as well as on the front of the gun. You will also notice a delicately crafted range adjustable front sight, also made of metal. The firing selector is also made of metal and is located on the right side of the gun. Contrary to the design of other modern day machine guns, the positions of full-auto fire and semi-auto fire are reversed; the lever has three positions the top is for Safe, the middle position is for Full-Auto, and the lowest position is for Semi-Auto. The movement of the lever is quite tactile and solid thanks to little grooves cut into the receiver, and the long travel between modes eliminates the chances of selecting the wrong mode in the heat of battle. New gun owners will notice though that the movement of the lever actually carves (or scratches) the receiver of the gun as it moves up and down. This is not a problem as these scratches can be observed on real steel AKs as well.
The bolt cover is also made of matte silver metal and is solidly built to pull back and forth with a firm feel. For those who enjoy maverick style loading (pulling back the bolt and letting go to allow the bolt to fly forward), you will be rewarded by a confidence-inspiring "clank". The hop-up adjuster is also located inside the bolt in the form of a small lever. Moving this small lever rear-ward (difficult for those with not-so-slender fingers) will increase hop-up. The trigger is also metal.
The magazine release mechanism is also made of metal and can be easily disengaged with your thumb. The long metal magazine that comes stock with the gun can house 68 rounds, while an optional hi-capacity magazine can house 600 rounds - the largest capacity Marui magazine in the entire line of their AEGs (excluding aftermarket drum magazines that you can get for literally all model AEGs). Insertion of the magazine into the gun requires that you hook the front side of the magazine into the receiver first, and then pivot the magazine into the gun until it is locked into place by the magazine latch just like the real thing.
On picking up the AK47, you will notice how solidly built it is with literally no wobble as found in some of the M16 series guns. It is also one of the heavier AEGs from Marui, weighing in over 3 kilograms.
The AK47-S, with its full metal folding stock, feels even heavier (though the scale clocks the two models at approximately the same). The folding stock can fold forward and around the pistol grip completely to rest against the belly of the gun, making the AK47-S extremely compact. Wildgoose has an old AK47-S where the metal stock has chipped and rusted over the years, adding significantly to its realism.
The Type III gearbox is extremely well built, with the highest precision and tolerance out of all the gearboxes. The result is extremely effective use of air, and much less resistance in its operation which translates to greater willingness to cycle during full-auto fire. Drawing a comparison to automobiles, the AK gearbox can be described as the Lexus of all gearboxes - smooth, quiet, and willing to rev like butter. It is this precision that lends the AK to such high FPS potential. Our experience has shown that an M130 installed in an AK47 will almost match the power of an M140 installed in a G3 or MP5 (given similar barrel lengths). However that benefit does not seem to translate beyond M150, where performance of the AK gearbox seems on par with any other AEG. However the lower spring rate means that there is less need for a powerful battery to give you the same fire-power (FPS).
The AK47 series are the most accurate AEGs "out of the box" from Marui. The hop-up mechanism is precise and easily allows you to adjust your shots into straight projectiles. While we were not able to perform precise target testing for this review, we did perform a simple "backyard" test where we fielded the stock AK against a stock G3-SG1 at shooting a STOP sign from 50 feet (at an acute angle that made the target area quite small but with no wind). Judging from the "pang" sound that was emitted from each hit, the AK47 nailed the target 9 out of 10 times while the SG1 only achieved 7, demonstrating the long-range effectiveness of this fine AEG.
The high accuracy and the high potential for upgrade are the principle reasons why the AK47 is so attractive for a sniper project. (reproduced from redwolf.com)
The bolt cover is also made of matte silver metal and is solidly built to pull back and forth with a firm feel. For those who enjoy maverick style loading (pulling back the bolt and letting go to allow the bolt to fly forward), you will be rewarded by a confidence-inspiring "clank". The hop-up adjuster is also located inside the bolt in the form of a small lever. Moving this small lever rear-ward (difficult for those with not-so-slender fingers) will increase hop-up. The trigger is also metal.
The magazine release mechanism is also made of metal and can be easily disengaged with your thumb. The long metal magazine that comes stock with the gun can house 68 rounds, while an optional hi-capacity magazine can house 600 rounds - the largest capacity Marui magazine in the entire line of their AEGs (excluding aftermarket drum magazines that you can get for literally all model AEGs). Insertion of the magazine into the gun requires that you hook the front side of the magazine into the receiver first, and then pivot the magazine into the gun until it is locked into place by the magazine latch just like the real thing.
On picking up the AK47, you will notice how solidly built it is with literally no wobble as found in some of the M16 series guns. It is also one of the heavier AEGs from Marui, weighing in over 3 kilograms. The AK47-S, with its full metal folding stock, feels even heavier (though the scale clocks the two models at approximately the same). The folding stock can fold forward and around the pistol grip completely to rest against the belly of the gun, making the AK47-S extremely compact. Wildgoose has an old AK47-S where the metal stock has chipped and rusted over the years, adding significantly to its realism.
The Type III gearbox is extremely well built, with the highest precision and tolerance out of all the gearboxes. The result is extremely effective use of air, and much less resistance in its operation which translates to greater willingness to cycle during full-auto fire. Drawing a comparison to automobiles, the AK gearbox can be described as the Lexus of all gearboxes - smooth, quiet, and willing to rev like butter. It is this precision that lends the AK to such high FPS potential. Our experience has shown that an M130 installed in an AK47 will almost match the power of an M140 installed in a G3 or MP5 (given similar barrel lengths). However that benefit does not seem to translate beyond M150, where performance of the AK gearbox seems on par with any other AEG. However the lower spring rate means that there is less need for a powerful battery to give you the same fire-power (FPS).
The AK47 series are the most accurate AEGs "out of the box" from Marui. The hop-up mechanism is precise and easily allows you to adjust your shots into straight projectiles. While we were not able to perform precise target testing for this review, we did perform a simple "backyard" test where we fielded the stock AK against a stock G3-SG1 at shooting a STOP sign from 50 feet (at an acute angle that made the target area quite small but with no wind). Judging from the "pang" sound that was emitted from each hit, the AK47 nailed the target 9 out of 10 times while the SG1 only achieved 7, demonstrating the long-range effectiveness of this fine AEG.
The high accuracy and the high potential for upgrade are the principle reasons why the AK47 is so attractive for a sniper project. (reproucted from redwolf.com)
