To mark the arrival of the first-ever ACM Krinkov on Philippine shores, filAKas conducted a full field usability testing of the Cyma 035. Designated team testers were the Cougars in Metro Manila and 1AD in Davao. They were instantly joined by volunteer independent testers Jarmen Kell, mig520, Saks5thAve, rampage, and Aizen in this forum-wide effort.



We will focus on the results of the field usability tests. Build and operational issue summaries have been included since field play functionality depends on the power components, quality of the materials used, and the quality control exerted during manufacture.

Summary: The Mechbox


left to right: 1AD gearset; Cougar gearset; rampage gearset

Komrad Stan, 1AD tech guru, and Komrad Hans, Cougar weapons specialist, were essentially of the same mind about the mechbox. Komrad Rampage corroborated their findings. All three agreed that the Cyma 035 mechbox had

-- the usual CM02 AK shell
-- a mixed bag of gears
-- the usual overgreasing
-- plastic spring guides
-- steel bushings in some, plastic bushing in others
-- plastic pistons with ported piston heads
-- Type 2 brass cylinders
-- a short but relatively powerful spring
-- an unlabeled motor
-- good, not excellent, compression

SUMMARY: The Build

Cyma almost grasped the lower rungs of excellence with its Krinkov build of stamped metal folding stock and receiver cover, real steel outer barrel, and pot metal for the receiver, rear sight trunnion, and front sight. The handguards are plastic but it is the most realistic imitation of wood ever seen in these parts. The front sight trunnion had the proper lock pin for the upper handguard. The pass-through rear sight trunnion allowed for a stick battery pack of up to 10 2/3C cells.




The receiver includes a side scope mount plate that is screwed onto unto its left side. The locking method on the folding stock trunnion was realistic enough. So was the stock-folded lock at the forward part of the pot metal receiver. Structural strength and integrity was rated excellent despite the fact that a number of parts were cast zinc alloy. Fit between parts was much better than in previous ACM models.




Everyone in filAKas who handled the 035 expressed admiration -- more praise for Cyma will surely come when Filipino players get their hands on the wood version.

SUMMARY: Player Accounts of Field Usability

filAKas published some guide questions to help the testers in their assessment of the Cyma 035's field playability. The guide questions covered weight, balance, ergonomics, trigger pull, target acquisition, structural strength and durability, and firing cycle operation.

Not surprisingly, everybody found the replica very maneuverable, with the weight biased toward the front sight by the metal outer barrel. Jumping and rolling into position was easier, of course, than with a full-barreled AK. A few, probably because they were new to the Krinkov sights, found sight picture acquisition a bit troublesome. Everybody found that the weight of the replica made it more "tactical" -- most have been using replicas with ABS plastic bodies which were much too easy to wave around during play.

Cougars went into action in Metro Manila


from top left, clockwise: Komrads Hans, slayer, sniperWolf, TuK$, mossad


Trigger action was found to be the same as all previous AK models. No misfeeds were experienced even with Boyi quad mags and the HLK drum mag, 11.1v lipoly batteries, and up to PDI 190 springs installed. Quite a few had upgraded their units by the middle of the testing period and everybody agreed that the upgradability and durability of the Cyma 02 mechbox had once again been proven.

Meanwhile, in Davao


Komrad Alakdan higlights his team's anniversary with the Shakedown tests

As, somewhere in Luzon, Komrads mig520 and Jarmen Kell put the 035 through its paces



Sampling of comments from participating Komrads:

mig520: Verdict: play it rain or shine, very good performance -- very similar to that of the real deal in combat! Am very satisfied it's worth all the money I paid for this baby! Maganda!!

Hans: Yummy. Sarap gamitin at napakadali maneuver. Panalo 'to for the price!!

Saks5thAve: The gun shoots great out of the box.

symon: After using the Cyma AKS-74U in two games, I've been converted -- ang ganda talaga nya -- simple lang, walang arte arte!

Alakdan: All I can say of my "Maria Ozama" is she's one hell of a combat sterva!!!

Aizen: No questions -- the Cyma has the advantage in accuracy.

Summary: Issues & Fixes

The most serious build issue was reported by Komrad Rampage. The receiver cover tab that pushes the upper handguard locking pin of his 035 snapped off. A similar case was also reported at Arnies. Another Komrad also had misaligned front sights while others reported dissatisfaction about weak springs in the receiver lock guide rod and the magazine locking latch. There were some hopup adjustment concerns that were eventually traced to oily buckings, bucking positioning, and hopup adjustment lever creep.



Komrad Hans placed a small bit of foam in the stock trunnion to remove the wee bit of play in the locking mechanism. Komrad Alakdan and one other Komrad replaced the 035 muzzle device with the Spets muzzle device to deal with device misclocking.



The filAKas test unit broke its PDI190 spring and stripped its sector and spur gears after going through 10 hicap mags during its upgraded phase. When opened, three bbs -- two of them almost crushed to half their normal size -- were found in the barrel/hopup area. The tester probably continued firing after a bad bb jammed the feeding nozzle and mistimed tappet plate operation.

OVERALL EVALUATION

Suma total? Almost, but not quite, excellent Or, 9-9.5 out of 10. Why? Playability was judged excellent, structural strength and durability was rated excellent, build was seen as outstanding -- as good as the Kart EBR though the materials used were not quite good enough -- performance (meaning range, accuracy, and firing operation) was judged excellent.

Although the Cyma 035 is definitely a few ranks above the rest of the ACM pack, quibbles such as the muzzle device misclocking, bad dimensioning in the rear sight trunnion, and non-RS detailing in the front sight base and the folding stock locking mechanism kept Cyma from getting the gold star of high achievement.



sori kom hans, na windang ako sa noo tama na ba 'yan?

CODA: Player Enhancements

ACM players are, in general, tinkerers who never stop wondering how they can improve their latest love. Not a few immediately started working on their 035s.

Komrad Alakdan varnished his mags and handguards and dared to scallop vents as well -- definite improvements to the 035 look.




Komrad Hans also dremelled vents into his handguards.



And went further by grafting a full-barreled front-end unto the 035 receiver.



Not fond of showroom AEGs, Komrad Sax5thAve, distressed his unit with his trusted rotary tool. Komrad Vityaz is currently exploring the possibility of galvanizing the metal parts of the filAKas unit in an effort to delay the rusting that is inevitable in the humid climate of the Philippines.



This shakedown was actively facilitated by Ma'am Amy and Komrad TuK$




Salamat sa lahat ng Komrads for making this forum-wide effort possible!

I can help it but to launch the flash banner...

Go Komrad zenTaurus...

bilis mo talaga, kom yarik wala akong maitago sa 'yo -- your nickname should be rapide!!! the banner is a quantum improvement on my draft efforts oras na para ihingi kita ng umento kay bosing filAK

bawian na lang kita ng plus dun sa kabila, ha?

UPDATE: Only on its second day of posting at Popular Airsoft and this review has gotten 1,032 hits the day is not yet over and it has already overtaken our Face Off wots hapnin?

Tsek it out here.

UPDATE ULIT: now also on Airsoft New EU.

komrads

iba talaga ang pinoy,ang reviews nyo pang International.

Im going to buy that gun in 2 weeks.salamat sa Unbiased reviews

Congratz to all Filipino AK adiks!

mga comrades,

ano ang inner barrel length nito?

you make ak lovers out there hug their ak's more tightly every night.

kudos komrads in arms

per komrad Hans, 283mm.