RELEASE THE "KRINKOV"

VFC released a new AK GBB system earlier this year in the form of the AK74M, which featured top-tier external and internal construction with proper half-inch thick rivets that hold the steel machined front/rear trunnion and dovetail side rail securely in place, a realistic all-steel fire control group that looks and functions like the real thing, and a highly realistic adjustable long stroke CNC steel bolt carrier. Fast forward nearly a year, and VFC is releasing another very much anticipated AK variant, the AKS-74U, with the same highly detailed and robustly built 1:1 package! But first, let's dive into the concept and history of the AKS74U itself.

In 1973, during the midst of the Cold War era, a design competition (codenamed: Modern) was started for the adoption of a fully automatic carbine, with notable gun designers like Igor Stechkin, S.G. Simonov, Yevgeny Dragunov, and Mikhail Kalashnikov joining. In 1977, the GRAU decided to adopt Kalashnikov's model, which was, for the most part, a shortened AKS-74, because its performance was pretty much baseline and no worse than the competition, and promised significant production cost savings by utilizing existing equipment for the AK-74 line of rifles. The rifle was officially adopted in 1979 and was given the official but seldom used GRAU designation "6P26". It was made famous during its first deployment in the Soviet-Afghan War, which started later that same year. The AKS-74U (Avtomat Kalashikova skladnoj 1974 goda ukorochenny or Kalashnikov Assault Rifle Model 1974 Shortened) is the compact carbine variant of the Soviet AK-74 rifle, and was primarily designed to bridge the tactical deployment gap between a submachine gun and an assault rifle, giving infantry more flexibility between longer effective range and effectiveness in tight CQB environments. It was intended for use mainly with Russian special forces, airborne infantry, rear-echelon support units, and helicopter/armored vehicle crews. Production of official AKS-74U's stopped in 1993.

However, due to its unique compact profile and history with it being the first short-barreled AK variant, AKS-74U (nicknamed "Krinkov" by Americans) is extremely sought after by AK rifle enthusiasts, especially in the United States, where short-barreled rifles have become increasingly popular throughout the years and U.S. Firearm companies like "The AK Guy Inc"-by Brandon Herrera and Palmetto State Armory (PSA) are making reproductions of the AKS-74U and other variants with more modern features like an integrated Picatinny rail dustcover and AR-Style adjustable stocks.

Like VFC's AK74M GBB Airsoft rifle, the VFC AKS-74U features a true 1:1 construction and is packed full of features. Externally, the rifle features a tough full-steel construction with parts like the receiver assembly made using stamped steel, which is very rigid and durable, and is topped off with a simulated surface treatment that gives the AKS-74U (AVS74U) a nice and smooth finish. You can also expect that the engravings and markings on the VFC AKS-74U to all be there, and are highly detailed and period-correct. Just like the older VFC AK-74M, the AKS-74U external gun assembly is the same dimension and size as the real rifle, allowing the user to install and fit real AKS-74U furniture and accessories with little to no problems. The handguard is made with high-quality laminated wood and is marked with 3 digits, which is like what Russian echelon personnel did on their AKS-74U back during the Soviet-Afghan War. The rifle is also outfitted with a stamped-steel triangle side-folding stock that locks positively into place when folded, and a tough yet lightweight fiberglass polymer pistol grip. On the left side of the receiver is an AK dovetail mount, which is designed for use with standard AK side rails and Warsaw-Pact-style optics like the KOBRA red dot or the Russian PK-A.

Internally, the VFC AKS-74U boasts the same level of quality when it comes to internal components and structure. Featuring a CNC-machined steel bolt carrier, simulated bolt, and long-stroke piston assembly. The bolt carrier group is built to be incredibly tough, durable, and robust. Its cylinder assembly has been beefed up with an enlarged 22mm cylinder, which naturally results in a much stronger kick and recoil impulse compared to other brands of GBB AKs on the market. The gun also features an adjustable bolt travel setting, which allows the bolt to travel fully to the rear like a real AK system or a short-stroke half-travel bolt position, which only allows the bolt to travel half the distance when gunning for a faster rate of fire. Next, the fire control group is also a full steel construction for additional durability and robustness, and is equipped with a realistic braided wire hammer spring, like seen in a real AK FCG. The AKS74U also comes equipped with a fully adjustable hop-up unit that has an easy-to-disassemble design. The hop-up bucking and inner barrel are all using the standard VSR-Spec pattern, making it very easy to upgrade with already available aftermarket buckings and inner barrels.

The VFC AVS-74U comes paired with VFC's new Plum colored 5.45x39-style AK gas magazine, with the rifle being fully compatible with VFC's other Black AK74M gas magazine. The outer shell of the magazine is made using the same fiberglass polymer used for the pistol grip, while the core of the magazine is machined using lightweight aluminum alloy, making the overall magazine unit extremely lightweight. It is able to hold 42 rounds of 6mm BBs and boasts a massive 107cc gas capacity, which is the largest compared to other brands of AK gas magazines on the market to date! The magazine also comes equipped with a dry fire mode, which allows the shooter to experience shooting the gun safely without ammo.

Overall, the new VFC AVS-74U (AKS-74U) GBB Airsoft rifle is a must-have for AK enthusiasts and for those who have a penchant for building and kitting out AK platform Airsoft guns with real external parts for a more authentic feel and aesthetic. Whether kitted out with sought-after Zenitco furniture and accessories or synthetically weathered to look like a Warsaw-Pact relic, the VFC AKS-74U is the perfect platform, as it blends realism, functionality, and skirmishability into a perfect piece that is well worth its price tag!

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Capacity:

• 42 Rounds 6mm BBs

Magazine Compatibility:

• VFC AKS-74U Gas Magazine
• VFC AK-74M Gas Magazine

Includes:

• x1 VFC AKS74U (AVS74U) GBBR Airsoft