The market for eye protection is already saturated. There are lots of capable eyewear that can protect our eyes and many of them affordable. The best are the ballistic ones, able to protect our eyes from the projectiles coming out of flashing barrels meeting requirements of military organisations which are very stringent in terms of protection gear.

Even with these capable eye wear available, many still do not fight fogging adequately. There are ways to prevent fogging of lenses: anti-fog spray which can last for long, microfiber cloth to wipe away the moisture, air vents to let in air to whisk the fogging away, or installing battery operated blowers. But I have to be honest, I have not yet been satisfied by any eyepro in terms of anti-fogging capabilities.

But perhaps ShadowStrike Anti-Fog Ballistic Tactical Sunglasses from Revision Military might be the eyewear that I want so I can banish my worries about eye pro that fogs up.

Sporting a wrap-around design which can give you that “operator” look, Revision Military says it gives the wearer an unobstructed view and it fits securely and comfortably.  The polycarbonate dual-frame lenses are interchangeable with a novel nosepiece mechanism.  Also, the lenses provide distortion-free cision and provide 100% UV-A-B—C protection. One of the good features that it is compatible with equipment used in missions, not getting in the helmets, equipment mounted on the head, and comms.

Now for the fun part which is its anti-fog feature, the ShadowStrike has what Revision Military calls “Ocumax Anti-Fog Coating” which is tested to be proven to last 10-20 times more than other solutions and is also chemical resistant. The same coating prevents scratches, streaks, and smears.

The ShadowStrike will be available with an MRSP of US$115.00 and comes with a standard two lens kit, solar and clear. Frame will initially be in black with more lens and frame option colours to be released later in the year.

We can now confirm that the Airsoft Meetup for the IWA Outdoor Classics 2018 in Nuremberg Germany got the go signal. Thus, for all those in the airsoft industry and related industries, they can now start making plans of including the Airsoft Meetup in their IWA 2018 Calendar.

The Airsoft Meetup is an annual event for the Airsoft Media, Airsoft Community, and Airsoft Industry to listen to what the industry has to offer for year. In one room, we get to watch presentations of the various speakers from different companies and even airsoft organisations to what everybody in airsoft can expect for the year. There is no other event in the world wherein the airsoft industry can meet with a greater number of airsoft media representatives in one event and make their case.

Now that it has been confirmed, we are now opening the doors to interested speakers. If your company has something very interesting to show us and you might not be able to present everything properly at your display booths during the IWA Outdoor Classics 2018, then the Airsoft Meetup is the best place for you to say what you want to say. You can make presentations without being disturbed by curious trade visitors and all recorded to be put on YouTube via the Popular Airsoft YouTube Channel.

Slots are limited and thus, it is a first come first serve basis for those who want to book a slot. So here are the details that potential speakers will need to know:

1. Speakers are given a maximum of 15 minutes to present and answer questions.
2. They should have an audio-visual presentation that will be projected to the wall.
3. The Airsoft Meetup will take place at the Hong Kong Room of the Nuremberg Messe on the 11th of March 2018, from 1300H to 1600H.
4. Interested companies/speakers can immediately contact Slickaxe of NLAirsoft.com as he is in charge of the speakers’ line-up. There are some requirements that he will ask from you before getting approved to become a speaker.
5. Topic should be about their companies and what the airsoft player will expect from them in 2018.

We’ll post the finalized list of speakers as soon as Slickaxe sends us confirmation that all the slots have been filled up.

For more information of the Airsoft Meetup, visit www.airsoftmeetup.com. You can book your tickets to reserve your slot to attend the Airsoft Meetup.

Yes indeed! We have two weeks remaining for the Voting/Finals Period for the 8th Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards. That is still a lot of time, but sometimes time flies past that before you know it, it’s over. Rather than putting off your vote, better cast it now to make sure it gets counted.

So get that vote out and head to the voting area by clicking the image below:

Again, we’ll have to remind the finalists, even those who want to win an award again in their categories will have to put up a fight. No matter how many fans you have on social media, or whatever platform you have a following, there is no guarantee that such a following will make you win an award at the Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards. So it’s a matter of working harder to ensure that you get their votes as they just prefer someone else to vote for even if they liked your page or subscribe to your channel. Remember, everyone on the internet don’t just like just one social media page or subscribe to one online video channel. They always follow other pages and channels that are maybe owned by other finalists.

You’ve got to weeks to get the vote out and that it means more work.

Now, a reminder that there are awesome raffle prizes to be won at the awards. But your name won’t have the chance to get drawn if you do not vote. Again, vote and you might win any of the raffle prizes below:

PRIZES FROM TOKYO MARUI

SGR-12 AES

AK-47 Type 3 New Generation AEG

USP Gas Blowback Pistol

RAFFLE PRIZES FROM MILITARY 1ST

First Tactical Tactix Half-Day Backpack OD Green

Helikon Raider Backpack Shadow Grey

PRIZE FOR EUROPEAN VOTERS FROM GUNFIRE

SET 1

Specna Arms SA-A03 Chaos Grey
Gunfire Patch
Specna Patch
Specna 0.25 BBs - 1000 pcs

SET 2

Specna Arms SA-C04 Half-Tan
Gunfire Patch
Specna Patch
Specna 0.25 BBs - 1000 pcs

Set 3

Rush Plate Carrier
Waist Bag
Gunfire Patch
Specna Patch
Specna 0.25 BBs - 1000 pcs

We hope you like the prizes and motivate you to vote now.

Also, please take time to visit the sponsors for without them, running the awards won't be as big as this over the years:

MAIN PRESENTER

GOLD SPONSORS

REGULAR SPONSORS

Don't forget to cast that vote! :)

In a few hours, the SHOT Show 2018 officially opens doors at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. We’re excited to find out what’s in store in the firearms world that we can all gawk at and also what airsoft vendors are going to display as well at the event. But mainly this event is really a real steel show even if airsoft is getting a bigger presence each year.

We are mainly looking forward to the new designs and ideas that the firearms industry will unveil for this year. The designs will definitely make a lot of airsoft players drool and dream that these will have airsoft versions, whether licensed or not.

But before start sharing the reports from various industry media, bloggers, Tube Channels and news sites as they cover the exhibit floor, there is a traditional Monday event that usually kicks off the show: the Media and Industry Day at the Range. Vendors and manufacturers participating in the Media and Industry Day at the Range have an array for guns that will be tested out, especially new ones.

Thus, as we start the SHOT Show 2018 reportage, we’ll have to watch first these various videos from different YouTube Channels such as the channel of Breach Bang and Clear as bullets fly and shell casings ejected with firearms get tried out on the range.

Standby for the reports.

It looks like doing livestreams now from trade shows is an in thing now for vloggers and airsoft celebrities on YouTube as they cover the SHOT Show 2018 taking place right now in Las Vegas. We might just do that too in future events, provided that we get good bandwidth and that our data plans will not send us into personal bankruptcy.

Even if the quality of the videos are not good given that more ultra-high or high definition videos are uploaded everyday on YouTube doing livestream is like breaking the news ahead of the rest. Thus, we’ll see more livestreams as we can now do these on Facebook and YouTube. Let’s let Unicorn Leah and her other half, Jet DesertFox talk about what they saw on the first day, starting on welcoming their viewers and visiting the Evike and ASG booths. These are the recorded replays of the livestream so you will have to bear the lower quality resolution:

As for real steel that you want to see, here are the videos we found online:

More to follow...

We get to see more airsoft coverage from the usual suspects on the second day of the SHOT Show 2018. Yesterday, we mainly reported on the livestreams from the first couple of airsoft, Jet DesertFox and Unicorn Leah as they visit the various airsoft companies who have set up shop at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas.

The two are still busy sending our reports having visited Elite Force, ZShot and the PTS Syndicate Booths. But we get more feeds other companies such as G&G from The Frog Airsoft, Airsoft Atlanta, and USAirsoft. The Elite Force area  is always interesting as they have the Heckler & Koch airsoft products,  which many in airsoft would always flock to. But they have the new fully licensed Glock gas blowback and CO2 pistols, and a CO2 MP40.

RWA got their booth up and have announced their new pistols licensed from Agency Arms and Nighthawk Custom. As for the HPA there is a PolarStar PTW HPA rifle called the PR-15 PRO which uses the PolarStar Eliminator UGS (Universal Gas Stock).

So here are the videos of as taken from the SHOT Show by the various airsoft channels:

We know you want to see some real stuff, so here they are:

There are still more to see as the third day of the SHOT Show 2018 is about to start.

It’s hard to keep with airsoft’s first couple, Jet DesertFox and Unicorn Leah as they are the busiest on the floor reporting on airsoft at the SHOT Show 2018. The third day concluded yesterday and they are still posting videos of the second day.

Apart from the couple, we see the German crew of GsP Airsoft at the SHOT Show and the first video is about a German company, Umarex, and the products they got licensed from a famous Germany firearms company, Heckler & Koch. USAirsoft is also reporting from the floor still and mentions that his favourite of the show is the KWA TK.45 which is an SBR AEG that uses a .45 ACP-style magazine just like the KRISS Vector AEG which is based on the .45 ACP design.

Now here is an interesting development, Milsim Media reports about Maxim Defense having a AR-type Gas Blowback prototype. Watching the video, we see Jack Farrel, whom OptimusPrime met with at the MOA Exhibit representing Helix Airsoft, presenting the design. Knowing that Maxim Defense does CQB stuff for the real steel market, Jack mentions in the video that they have been acquired by Maxim Defense and thus this MDX-415 Gas Blowback Rifle that will released under the Maxim Defense brand.

Videos for this report include second day videos we have missed which includes Classic Army, KWA, Maxim Defense, PTS Syndicate, and Umarex as reported by the airsoft YouTube Channels we mentioned above:

And here the real world stuff that are on display and reported for third day of the show:

The final day of the SHOT Show 2018 starts later. Still more to share here.

The final day of the SHOT Show 2018 and we get to see the other booths of airsoft vendors at the show with more videos from Unicorn Leah and Jet DesertFox who were busy doing livestreams more this time. Airsoft Pacific was there at the show for their own reports for their online airsoft community.

For this post, we get to see the Tippmann booth and what they have ready for the airsoft market for 2018. We also see Spartan117gw making rounds at the show, apart from helping man the PTS Syndicate booth. Pain X gets to report other companies too. RedWolf Airsoft got some RWA stuff to be ready for this year and Tim Shelby gets to tell them. The Kaiju does a quick tour of the Valken Tactical booth.

Indeed an interesting product is the KWA’s TK.45 SMG, an AEG that looks like an AR-style KRISS if you look at the profile and the use of the .45 ACP magazine. It sounds good and gives a kick as well as shown by Jet DesertFox in the video. But so far the highlights in terms of airsoft are the following in no particular order:

1. New RWA Pistols to be expected
2. The Hera Arms CQR from ICS and ASG
3. Osprey Armament MK36H Precision Rifle License to Krytac
4. Valken Tactical’s ASL series, new pistol and shotgun lines
5. KWA’s TK.45 SMG AEG
6. G&G Armament CM16 LMG AEG
7. Wolverine Airsoft’s MTW
8. Maxim Defense MDX-415 Gas Blowback Rifle

There will be more videos from the SHOT Show 2018 from various airsoft YouTube channels such as Airsoftology and Brain Exploder as they were there at the show. So it’s now over yet and there will still be more interesting reports for the show.

But as far as the SHOT Show 2018 coverage, we are now signing off. Next big event will be the IWA Outdoor Classics 2018 in Germany where there will be even more airsoft exhibitors and Popular Airsoft will be there on the show floor to cover the event.

We are seeing the some of the finalists of the 8th Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards ramping up their campaigns that those who have not cast their votes to better vote now. They better be as we are in the final days of the Voting/Finals Period so it’s now or never.

Still, there is no guarantee that no matter how hard a finalist campaigns that he/she gets to win in the category, though the chances of winning by campaigning harder is higher. There are those who have really solid and loyal bases and to break these solid followings is like moving mountains. But it can be done, by hard work or praying for a miracle.

If you have not cast your vote yet whilst reading, better clicking the image below to vote now and come back here to further read on:

As the final week’s reminder to all Popular Airsoft readers, casting your vote for the 8th Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards will get your name (well, more of your email address) included in the raffle draw. As to what you will win, better scroll further down to find out what await the those who get lucky and win a raffle prize:

PRIZES FROM TOKYO MARUI

SGR-12 AES

AK-47 Type 3 New Generation AEG

USP Gas Blowback Pistol

RAFFLE PRIZES FROM MILITARY 1ST

First Tactical Tactix Half-Day Backpack OD Green

Helikon Raider Backpack Shadow Grey

PRIZE FOR EUROPEAN VOTERS FROM GUNFIRE

SET 1

Specna Arms SA-A03 Chaos Grey
Gunfire Patch
Specna Patch
Specna 0.25 BBs - 1000 pcs

SET 2

Specna Arms SA-C04 Half-Tan
Gunfire Patch
Specna Patch
Specna 0.25 BBs - 1000 pcs

Set 3

Rush Plate Carrier
Waist Bag
Gunfire Patch
Specna Patch
Specna 0.25 BBs - 1000 pcs

We hope you like the prizes and motivate you to vote now.

Also, please take time to visit the sponsors for without them, running the awards won't be as big as this over the years:

MAIN PRESENTER

GOLD SPONSORS

REGULAR SPONSORS

Remember, it's the final week to cast your votes. Better make them count!

The Delta Dogs Airsoft Team based here in Essex, England are organising their annual charity event named “Many Minds One Heart” that will be held at the Airsoft Plantation on the 25th of February. So please support this charity for a good cause while at the same time enjoying the hobby we love.

Here is what the charity is all about and how it all started courtesy of Adam Pegram of the Delta Dogs team, who tells more about how everything started:

The "Many Minds One Heart" Charity Game in aid of Abigai'ls Footsteps, came about as a means to unite the airsoft community for a surprisingly common cause.

Abigail’s Footsteps are a Charity that help and support individuals as well as their families in relation to Miscarriage, Neonatal and Stillborn Deaths in Babies. They understand and know nothing can prevent stillbirth or neonatal deaths, but they can and do support healthcare professionals and families cope better during these times.

Photo: Delta Dogs Airsoft Team

We chose this particular charity as for me, they relate for a personal reason. In the beginning of my partner’s second pregnancy, we occurred bleeding and feared the worst. One of founders of Abigail’s Footsteps, David Ward took time to offer us help.as a family.

Thankfully and happy to say we were blessed as our son is now a healthy 8-week old. However, the more I spoke To people and mentioned about my experience, the more it became apparent how commonly this occurs, and how sometimes it's not an outcome that any one should have to go through.

This is where Abigail’s Footsteps come in. They are a vital service that is there at any given time, offering services to those that need help. The Charity, its workers and supporters go above and beyond, ensuring no one suffers in silence.

We have combined the love our airsoft community has for the sport, and an opportunity to raise money for such a good cause.

The charity event has been in the pipeline for about 2 months and went live at the beginning of January 2018. I am so proud to be a part of the Community and of this Charitable Event. I have had nothing but positive feedback. Lots of major and small business all willing to field their teams and contribute towards the raffle by donating prizes and wares.

The event will be held at Airsoft Plantation on the 25th February with the entry fee set at £30. A big raffle will be held during the day’s Lunch Break. All proceeds go directly to Abigail’s Footsteps. A representative of the Charity will be there on the day to answer any questions or queries you may have.

Please come along and  support this event. Point of contact is via manymindsoneheart@outlook.com.

Italy’s national gendarmerie, the Carabinieri, just placed an order for 1,000 Beretta PMX Submachine guns worth €816,000, or US$1 Million last 19 January 2018 according to Jane’s 360. The Beretta PMX, which was shown at the Milipol Paris last November 2017, is the successor to the Modello 12 or the Beretta Model 12.

Established in 1814, the Carabinieri are the fourth branch of Italy’s armed forces (the others being the Army, Navy, and the Air Force) and they are in charge of policing both the military and civilian populations. As of present, it has over 100,000 members.

The Beretta PMX Submachine Gun is a closed-bolt system and according to the company, the barrel and bolt are machined from a special high-strength steel to withstand harsh environments and abusive conditions. It is chambered in 9mm has a lightweight folding stock and a 6.9-inch barrel. It also comes equipped with Picatinny rails at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions as well as a full length rail at the 12 o’clock position to mount aiming devices.

The safety lock can be operated on both sides as well as the locking lever making it an ambidextrous weapon for use by left and right handed shooters. When optics are mounted, both the front and rear sights can be flipped down.

The order seems to be just the first batch given that the Model 12 production has already been stopped. The Model 12 had been in production since it was first introduced in the 1960s for use in the Carabinieri.

Full Specifications:

• Caliber: 9 x 19 mm
• Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
• Barrel Length: 6.9 in. (175 mm)
• Overall Length: Extended stock – 25.2 in. (640 mm), Folded stock – 16.5 in. (418 mm)
• Overall Height (With Magazine): Without sights – 9.8 in. (250 mm), With folded sights – 10.6 in. (270 mm)
• Overall Width: With extended stock – 2.9 in. (74 mm), With folded stock cocking handle right – 3.4 in. (86 mm), With folded stock cocking handle left – 3.9 in. (100 mm)
• Line of sight: 9.8 in. (250 mm)
• Weight (Unloaded): 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg)
• Locking System: Blowback
• Operating System: Semi-auto and full-auto
• Safety: Manual safety on selector which locks the trigger and automatic firing pin safety with bolt open lever
• Sights: Rear sight adjusts in windage. Front sight adjusts in elevation. Both are removable.

Game publishers, especially those working on military-based video games, are actively doing their part to help military veterans get back on their feet. In this case the Call of Duty Endowment has been working in the U.S. helping "veterans find high quality careers by supporting groups that prepare them for the job market and by raising awareness of the value vets bring to the workplace."

It has set a goal of helping 50,000 veterans to work by 2019 with 43,000 already helped since 2009. As of September 2017, the Call of Duty Endowment has expanded its operations to the United Kingdom, which is a major ally of the U.S.A. And as of yesterday, the Endowment finally announced that it has selected two charities in the UK will become recipients of the Call of Duty: Seal of Distinction Awards and thus, they are to receive US$30,000 (£21,150) each.

The recipients, the Walking With The Wounded and the RFEA: The Forces Employment Charity jive with the objectives of the Endowment, being both involved in the reintegration of former service members back into society. Walking With The Wounded focus on the more vulnerable veterans whilst RFEA provide employability and employment support to working age veterans in the UK.

More details in the press release below:

‘RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity’ And ‘Walking With The Wounded’ Become First Uk Charities To Receive Call Of Duty Endowment Seal Of Distinction Awards

The Call of Duty™ Endowment (“the Endowment”) is proud to announce the selection of RFEA - The Forces Employment Charity and Walking With The Wounded as the first UK recipients of the Call of Duty™ Endowment Seal of Distinction, the standard of excellence in the veterans’ employment sector. Winners each receive a $30,000 unrestricted grant and the opportunity to apply for additional funding, advice, and support.

“Meaningful employment is the single most important way to ensure that service members successfully transition back to civilian life,” said Dan Goldenberg, Executive Director of the Call of Duty Endowment. “The Seal of Distinction recognises RFEA - The Forces Employment Charity and Walking With The Wounded as go-to organisations for veterans seeking high-quality jobs, and models for veteran-serving organisations to emulate.”

The UK Seal of Distinction recipients are:

• RFEA - The Forces Employment Charity was Founded in 1885. Operating across the UK, they are the leading source of career advice and jobs for ex forces. Working in partnership with other organisations and employers who respect and value the unique qualities and abilities of all those who have served, they exist to provide life-long, life changing support, jobs and training opportunities to service leavers and veterans, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.
• Walking With The Wounded was established in 2010 to provide a pathway for vulnerable veterans to re-integrate back into society and sustain their independence. Offering assistance through their programmes to veterans who have been physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged by their service, they assist them through new sustainable careers outside of the military. This includes providing support to homeless veterans and veterans in the Criminal Justice System, areas which are too often ignored.

Commenting on their Seal of Distinction awards Stephen Gledhill, CEO of RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity, said: “We’re delighted to be one of the first recipients of The Call of Duty Endowment in the UK. RFEA supported 20,000 ex-forces personnel last year, providing tailored employment advice and helping them find work suited to the skills and experience of a military career.

With the help of the Endowment we’ll be able to reach even more people who need our skills in finding meaningful employment for those who have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.”

With Edward Parker, Co-Founder and CEO of Walking With The Wounded adding: “We are hugely honoured to receive this recognition and the award. Since the inception of the Endowment, we have seen the positive impact and influence it has made in the US for ex-service personnel, and I’m delighted that, as result of this expansion to the UK, now British ex-servicemen and women will also benefit from such support. This award means a great deal to the work we do, and we know what a great difference it will make.”

RFEA - The Forces Employment Charity and Walking With The Wounded join a distinguished group of non-profit organisations recognised by the Endowment for successfully serving veterans in their search for employment.

The Seal of Distinction program would not be possible without Deloitte’s support in thoroughly vetting all Seal of Distinction nominees.

Applicants for the Call of Duty Endowment Seal of Distinction must meet rigorous criteria to be considered, including opening their books to provide extensive documentation about their job placement results. The metrics assessed included number of placements made, average cost per placement, average starting salary, retention rates, key employee background checks, and a variety of organisational financial health indicators. All qualified applications were initially reviewed and evaluated by the Endowment’s outside advisory team. Semi-finalists were then independently assessed on a pro bono basis by Deloitte and ultimately approved by the Endowment’s Board of Directors.

Funding for Endowment programmes is made possible, in part, via the sale of The Call of Duty®: WWII - Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Bravery Pack available digitally on (PS4/XboxOne/PC).  Developed by Sledgehammer Games, this digital pack includes a special Call of Duty Endowment in-game helmet, calling card, and emblem. All proceeds received by Activision, as a result of sales of these digital items to UK consumers, will go towards Endowment programmes dedicated to finding veterans high quality work.

The Endowment’s initial goal in the US was to identify and fund best-in-class organisations to place 25,000 veterans in jobs by the end of 2018. That goal was met two years early, and has subsequently and ambitiously been revised to placing 50,000 veterans into high-quality jobs by 2019. The Endowment launched its Seal of Distinction program in August 2013 and to-date has awarded more than £17 million in grants to previous Seal of Distinction recipients, and Activision Blizzard has donated over £20 million to the effort since inception in 2009.

The City of Baltimore Police Department (BPD) is embroiled in a massive corruption scandal. During the corruption trial, the department’s Gun Trace Task Force which is tasked to keeping illegal guns off the streets, kept replica BB guns in their cars in case they “accidentally hit somebody.”

According to Maurice Ward, a former detective who served in the unit, Sgt. Wayne Jenkins who is the unit supervisor instructed the officers to carry replica guns so that they have something to plant in case they are in a jam according to a report in Baltimore Sun. This can mean that in case they shoot an unarmed suspect dead during an operation, they can plant the gun on the dead body and report that the suspect drew a gun on them forcing them to shoot.

Cases of people being shot for carrying replica firearms such as airsoft guns by the police have been in the news. The prominent one was the Tamir Rice case in Cleveland, Ohio in 2014 where police officers shot and killed 12-year old Tamir Rice who was carrying an airsoft gun in a playground. The City of Cleveland settled with the Rice family for US$6 million.

A WE Airsoft G17 Pistol. The Glock 17 pistol was one of the service pistols used by the Baltimore Police Department. It has been replaced by the Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol.

Ward did not mention any incident in which the officers in the unit ever planted a gun on anyone. But such a practice puts into doubt the credibility of the BPD.

The Baltimore sun reports that one of the defendants in the case, Detective Marcus Taylor, was arrested in 2016 and authorities found a replica gun in his glove compartment. The corruption case involves 8 members of the Task Force with 6 already having pled guilty to racketeering charges.

The trial is still ongoing.

The Russian military will finally use the latest generation Kalashnikov rifles. The Ministry of Defense have given their approval that these rifles can be issued to infantry, airborne troops and marines. The approval was given after excessive tests were conducted in 2017. This was announced by Kalashnikov Concern last 30 January 2018.

The AK-12’s development started in 2011, with the base initial base prototype being the AK-200. The prototype models based on the AK-200 were abandoned due to a range of defects in favor of the well proven AK-400 base prototype leading to what we now know as the AK-12 and the AK-15.

The AK-12 and the AK-15 rifles are essentially the same rifles. The AK-12 uses the 5.49x39mm ammo whilst the AK-15 fires the 7.62mmx39mm ammo. Both are gas-operated, long stroke gas piston with a rotating bolt. They both have a 5-position adjustable stock, quick detach muzzle brake and compensator, picatinny rails and polymer handguard. As for the magazine, they both also use a 30-round polymer magazine.

The rifles will be part of the Russian Ratnik System or the “future combat system”. Russian soldiers will be equipped with the system by 2020.

Below is the full news release from Kalashnikov Concern:

Kalashnikov AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles officially approved by Russian MoD

Newest family of Kalashnikov assault rifles, the 5.45mm AK-12 and 7.62mm AK-15, are officially approved and recommended by Russian Ministry of Defense for issue to Infantry, Airborne and Naval infantry troops of Russian Armed Forces. New rifles were developed by “Kalashnikov” group according to the requirements, set during the “Ratnik” program that originally sought new tactical and combat equipment for Russian Special forces. Both AK-12 and AK-15 rifles have successfully passed all tests, including field trials by various units of Russian army and in various climate zones.

New Kalashnikov rifles combine famous, battle-proven high reliability with modern ergonomics, increased hit probability and capabilities to effectively use all modern accessories, from red dot, night and IR sights to underbarrel grenade launchers, forward grips, lasers and flashlights, sound suppressors and more.
AK-12 and AK-15 rifles share most of its arts and assemblies, with key differences being in the ammunition used. AK-12 is chambered for Russian Army standard issue 5.45x39 ammunition, while AK-15 is chambered for older, but still very popular 7.62x39 ammunition. “Kalashnikov” group also designed compact versions of both rifles, known as AK-12K and AK-12K, which are better suited for CQB use by Special Forces, or as Personal Defense Weapons for heavy armament and vehicle crews.

Specifications:

• Caliber: 5.45х39 (AK-12) or 7.62х39 (AK-15)
• Length, overall: 880-940 mm
• Length, shoulder stock folded: 690 mm
• Barrel length: 415 mm
• Weight, with empty magazine: 3.5 kg

There is nothing much to say to remind everyone that today is the final day of voting for the 8th Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards. After a month of the Nomination Period and now a month for the Voting/Finals Period, the biggest online airsoft event is finally coming to an end.

If you have not cast your vote yet, better do so now by clicking on the image below:

For the finalists, it’s about making the last hurrah, and really get the vote out if they really are serious in winning an award. We wish them all the luck as that’s what they need today, having Lady Luck smile on some of them and bring the shiny silver plate with the gold rim as proof that they won the Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards. No need to remind them what to do today but just go all out.

Yes, today is the final day of the Voting Period. Votes will not be accepted by 12 midnight PST.

Just two more reminders:

Awesome raffle prizes await voters of the Awards. If you want to win, better cast your vote now:

PRIZES FROM TOKYO MARUI

SGR-12 AES

AK-47 Type 3 New Generation AEG

USP Gas Blowback Pistol

RAFFLE PRIZES FROM MILITARY 1ST

First Tactical Tactix Half-Day Backpack OD Green

Helikon Raider Backpack Shadow Grey

PRIZE FOR EUROPEAN VOTERS FROM GUNFIRE

SET 1

Specna Arms SA-A03 Chaos Grey
Gunfire Patch
Specna Patch
Specna 0.25 BBs - 1000 pcs

SET 2

Specna Arms SA-C04 Half-Tan
Gunfire Patch
Specna Patch
Specna 0.25 BBs - 1000 pcs

Set 3

Rush Plate Carrier
Waist Bag
Gunfire Patch
Specna Patch
Specna 0.25 BBs - 1000 pcs

Also, please take time to visit the sponsors for without them, running the awards won't be as big as this over the years:

MAIN PRESENTER

GOLD SPONSORS

REGULAR SPONSORS

Remember, it's the final day to cast your votes. Better make them count!

Rarely do we get to post something big that is going to happen in South America. Whilst we all know that the continent has a very healthy airsoft communities in the different countries comprising it, we rarely get to post news. It is like airsoft is on its own world there. Nevertheless, we are seeing more stirrings in the area that it will be the next big growth in airsoft.

We usually get to hear events happening in Chile, which has a very vibrant airsoft community. Now we get to hear from the biggest country, Brazil. Airsoft is expensive in Brazil as importation taxes add 60% more to the cost of the value that sometimes we hear that an entry level AEG in the country will setback an airsoft player around U$600.00. Still, airsoft players in Brazil try not to be deterred by such administrative obstacles and there has been an estimate of almost a 100 thousand people playing airsoft the country.

Now, airsoft players in Brazil want to host the biggest event in the Americas. Called the WarZone, they are expecting players from the different countries in South America and even outside of the continent. Set for the 7th to the 9th of September2018 in the Rua Esmeria Maria Rodrigues, Arujá  at the outskirts of São Paulo.

Interested in experiencing airsoft in Brazil? We’ll let 2a1 Cenografia, the organiser of the event, to tell more:

The 2a1, a specialized company in solutions for scenography, is bringing for the first time in Brazil the Airsoft event that is considered to be the major one in the Americas: The WarZone, which will be held between September 7 and 9, in a 1.5 million square metre area and there will be an expected number of 650 participants. Such incredible records will surely put the event hosted by 2a1 as the largest event of this kind in Brazil.

The WarZone is the first event of airsoft to be held in Brazil with an international game status, since it has been the only one recognised by Federacion Internacional de Airsoft Associacion (FIAA) so far. “We are impressed with the magnitude that WarZone has been taking. We have at the moment 600 subscribers in pre-registration only, many of them from outside Brazil. Competitors from all over America are signing up,” said Caio Paulino, Marketing Director at 2a1 Cenografia, the company responsible for the management of the competition.

The Warzone will be conducted in Milsim mode and the players will be divided into three armies: Santa Ana, Domus Dei and Leograd, each with its own history and particularity and participants are allowed to register in the group they are most interested in. These three armies will participate in the Genesis mission, which features an original plot that is specially written for the event.

“Altogether, there will be 44 hours of creative plot, military vehicles, scenographic cities, everything so that we can get as close to reality as possible. It will certainly be an event to spotlight Brazil and once and for all put the country on the World Airsoft map”, explain Paulino.

Key Information:

Date: September 7 to 9
Place: Rua Esmeria Maria Rodrigues, S/N, Arujá – São Paulo
Registration: www.warzonebr.com.br

Important: We will not rent weaponry and clothing for Brazilians. Weapons will be made available for rental only to athletes from other countries.

It sounds an exciting event to attend to. With seven months to go, we hope that will be enough preparation time to save up and attend this event. You can go around São Paulo, which is like the New York of Brazil in terms of urban landscape after the event or fly to Rio de Janeiro right after and check out the sights and sounds before heading back home. Remember, Brazilians know how to party, airsoft or not.

Now that the SHOT Show 2018 is in the past, many airsoft companies are preparing for the next big event in the airsoft trade calendar --- the IWA Outdoor Classics 2018. Held every year at the Nuremberg Messe in Germany, the IWA Outdoor Classics is now on its 44th Edition and covers about outdoor equipment, functional clothing, hunting sports and shooting sports.

There are more exhibitors from the Airsoft Industry at the IWA Outdoor Classics as compared to the SHOT Show. What is more convenient for trade visitors at this event is that most of the airsoft exhibitors are located in Halls 7 and 7-A, easier to find them if the visitor is focused on the airsoft business. At the SHOT Show, airsoft exhibitors are scattered inside the Sands Expo. Thus, for the airsoft media wanting to to find out the latest from the industry most converge at the IWA Outdoor Classics as compared to the other trade exhibits.

The IWA Outdoor Classics is where the Airsoft Meetup takes place and perhaps it is the biggest airsoft meetup in the world in terms of the airsoft media and industry meeting together and discuss the latest in the airsoft market. Started in 2011, the Airsoft Meetup is hosted by NLAirsoft.com and Popular Airsoft.

Exhibitors from the Airsoft Industry, whether offering airsoft guns or tactical gear, are invited to present for 15 minutes in a more formal setting. Interested exhibitors can contact NLAirsoft to book their slots as there are only limited slots.

The Airsoft Media, whether print or digital, bloggers or vloggers, will be there to record the presentations and ask questions. Exhibitors can conserve more time for presenting to more Airsoft media representatives as compared to doing at their respective booths.

Also, the Airsoft Media is where the awarding ceremony of the Airsoft Players Choice Awards takes place.

If you are not an exhibitor but a trade visitor, you can book your seat by registering at the Airsoft Meetup website. In order to attend the Airsoft Meetup, attendees should first have tickets to visit the IWA Outdoor Classics 2018. Attending the Airsoft Meetup is free.

We’ll see you next month so please do remember the Airsoft Meetup details:

Airsoft Meetup 2018
IWA Outdoor Classics 2018
11 March 2018
1400 to 1700H
Hong Kong Room (NCC Ost/East)
Nuremberg, Messe
www.airsoftmeetup.com

The start of 2018 is looking good for Kalashnikov Concern. Last month, the Russian Ministry of Defense finally approved the use of the AK-12 and AK-15 rifles for use in the Russian Army. Then last Tuesday, the approved and signed the contract for an undisclosed number of RPK-16s.

Pravda.ru cites a report from Russian news agency, TASS, on the latest firearms acquisition. When Kalashnikov Concern CEO Alexey Krivoruchko was asked if a contract has been signed, he answered in the affirmative.

The RPK-16 is upgrade of the RPK-74 and is chambered in the 5.45×39mm cartridge and it uses the traditional Kalashnikov gas-operated long-stroke piston system Just like the AK-12 and AK-15 it also uses Picatinny rails to mount weapons accessories such as aiming devices, polymer hanguard and a detachable suppressor. Up front is a bipod for a more stable shooting.

The main draw of the RPK-16 is that it has an interchangeable barrel system—a 550m long barrel to perform the role as a light machine gun and a 370mm shorte barrel for use as an assault rifle.  The system has been designed that it is easy to do a barrel swap without the need for tools. Whilst it is designed to use a 96-round drum magazine, it is able to use the magazines made for AK-74 and RPK-74.

If used with as an assault rifle with its stock folded, it can be used for close quarters. The stock contains a cleaning kit. It has a cyclic range of 700 rounds per minute and an effective range of 800 metres.

There is no information when Kalashnikov will start delivering the RPK-16s though the Ministry of Defense have already ordered an experimental batch.

While we were mainly focused on the airsoft announcements at the SHOT Show 2018, there are also products at the show on real firearms that we also want to take a look and just wish airsoft versions for them are available. But there were two that were on display there that we do really want to be in our collection: the Paratrooper and Tanker .300BLK PDW SBRs from Battle Arms Development.

As Short Barreled Rifles, both the Paratrooper and Tanker have 7.5-inch barrels. What we like are the touches of wood such as the handguard and the pistol grip which are made of Grade A French Walnut. Both use the RIGIDRAIL M-LOK free float rail system but if you want to know what separates one from the other as at first glance they’re like twins but the Tanker has its buffer tube as another piece from the lower receiver and it is attached with the use of a short buffer tube. The Paratrooper has the  telescoping stock machine to the lower.

"PARATROOPER" 7.5" .300BLK PDW - SBR

TANKER 7.5" .300BLK PDW - SBR

Both have been designed as homage to World War II weapons and their finishes match M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, 1903A3, and other weapons of that era. These are made to order weapons and customers must allow 6 weeks for one to be put together. The Tanker will set you back US$2,999.99 and the Paratrooper will cost you US$3,050.00.

This means that any chance of airsoft versions being made as well if far-fetched unless PTS Syndicate, which has the license from Battle Arms Development, will have the time to do such custom work. Thus, unless you’re in the U.S., the chance of owning one is almost nil.

But we can still drool and dream that airsoft versions can be made too.

After over two months of the awards process with many of the finalists campaigning to be voted as the best their categories, we finally announce the winners of the 8th Airsoft Players Choice Awards. They deserve to win an award because you, our readers (or their fans), have voted for them as the winners in their categories.

We’re sure you want to know the winners, all 25 of them, so here they are:

Best Airsoft Retailer for North America

Evike.com

Best Airsoft Retailer for Europe

Gunfire

Best Airsoft Retailer for Asia

RedWolf Airsoft

Best Gear Retailer for North America

Evike.com

Best Gear Retailer for Europe

Military 1st

Best Gear Retailer for Asia

eHobby Asia

Best Airsoft Magazine (Print or Digital)

Airsoft Action Magazine

Best English Language Airsoft News Website

Airsoft & MilSim News Blog

Best Non-English Language Airsoft News Website

WMASG.pl

Best Airsoft Blog (Regardless of Language)

Hyperdouraku 

Best Airsoft Community/Forum

ASG Evo Scorpion Owners Group

Best Airsoft Video Posted Online in 2017

Krytac Kriss Vector AEG - Redwolf Airsoft TV

Best Airsoft Event (Over 500 Players)

Border War 9

Best Airsoft Podcast or Video Channel

Airsoftology

Best Airsoft Upgrade/Parts Maker

Laylax

Best Airsoft KABOOM (Grenade/Mine/Mortar/Rocket/Pyro) Maker

Airsoft Innovations

Best HPA Airsoft Engine

PolarStar Airsoft Fusion Engine

Best Airsoft Pistol (Regardless of Power Source)

ASG CZ-P09

Best Airsoft Gas Blowback Rifle

Tokyo Marui M4 CQB-R Block 1

Best Airsoft Shotgun (Regardless of Power Source)

Tokyo Marui M870 Breacher

Best Airsoft Sniper Rifle

Tokyo Marui VSR-10 G-Spec

Best Airsoft Automatic Electric Gun (AEG)

Tokyo Marui HK416 Delta Custom

Best Airsoft Manufacturer

Tokyo Marui

Special Airsoft Player Award (Male)

Marty Airsoft 

Special Airsoft Player Award (Female)

Kelly Louise Hardwick

"Femme Fatale Airsoft"

Congratulations to all the winner and commiserations to the other nominees and finalists. Remember there will be 9th Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards and there is more than enough time to start on working to be the best in what they do.

The awarding ceremonies will be during the Airsoft Meetup at the IWA Outdoor Classic 2018 in Nuremberg, Germany. If you want to receive your award at the Airsoft Meetup, please do ensure you have trade visitors pass to the IWA Outdoor Classics and reserved your seat at the Airsoft Meetup. The Airsoft Meetup will take place at the Hong Kong Room, NCC East, Nuremberg Messe, on the 11th of March 2018, from 1400 to 1700H.

If you are winner but have will not be attending the Airsoft Meetup, please do get in touch with us in order for us to ship your award.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for the Awards, without them, the Awards would not happen over the years. Please do take time to click on their logos below and visit their websites:

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Tomorrow, we announce the raffle prize winners. Who will be lucky voters of the 8th Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards?