News da RA TECH, pubblicata una serie di video dei nuovi fucili GBB M4 e HK 416.
News from RA TECH. New viedos show the recent updates to M4 and HK 416 GBB.

Fra le presenze più peculiari, ed ingombranti, dei campi di gioco vi sono le repliche “sniper”.
In realtà, questa definizione è più un omaggio al loro aspetto esterno, che alle prestazioni, del tutto analoghe per gittata alle AEG, e certamente non paragonabili a quelle degli originali a cui si ispirano.
A questa schiera già numerosa si è da poco aggiunta una produzione di A&K, marchio redivivo: uno Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova (SVD) funzionante a molla, offerto nelle due varianti di calciatura lignea e sintetica.
Among the most distinctive, and bulky, appearances on the playing fields there are the sniper replicas.In fact, this definition is more a tribute to their external appearance that to theis performances, of the whole range similar to those of the AEG’s, and certainly not comparable to those of the originals that inspired them.To this already large group it has recently added a produc by A&K revived brand: a Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunov (SVD) springer offered in two variants, with synthetic or wood stock.
Lo SVD, traducendone la denominazione militare, è il “fucile Dragunov per sniper”.
The SVD, translating the military name it is the Dragunov sniper rifle.It is a semi-automatic weapon, originally chambered for the now age-old 7.62 x 54 R Russian ammunition, and able to effective firing distance of 1000 meters.Developed in 1958 for the work of a team headed by Yevgeny Fyodorovich Dragunov, the rifle was adopted by the Red Army in 1963, following a competition, and went into regular production during the following year at the IZHMASH (Izhevsk machine shops), going to gradually replace the Mosin Nagant rifles then used by the Soviet snipers.

Fra le presenze più peculiari, ed ingombranti, dei campi di gioco vi sono le repliche “sniper”.
Among the most distinctive, and bulky, appearances on the playing fields there are the sniper replicas.In fact, this definition is more a tribute to their external appearance that to theis performances, of the whole range similar to those of the AEG’s, and certainly not comparable to those of the originals that inspired them.To this already large group it has recently added a produc by A & K revived brand: a Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunov (SVD) springer offered in two variants, with synthetic or wood stock.
Come si nota, l’offerta di AEG dedicate al fucile di precisione sovietico non è scarsa, e quasi sempre la qualità e la fedeltà sono buone... ovviamente contro un esborso di denaro non proprio lieve. Sino alla comparsa della replica oggetto di queste righe, unica offerta reperibile a basso costo era quella firmata Golden Bow, che però era un ibrido con un AK 47.
As you note, the offer of AEG dedicated to Soviet sniper rifle is not low, and almost always the quality and fidelity are good ... obviously against an outlay of money not just mild. 





La confezione è ispirata al più assoluto minimalismo, consistendo in un imballaggio preformato in polistirolo, protetto da una scatola in cartone priva di scritte o marchi. All’interno trovo la replica, la molla originale, ed un foglietto con alcune indicazioni di sicurezza.
The pack is inspired by the most absolute minimalism, consisting of a preformed polystyrene packaging, protected by a cardboard box with no writing or marks. Inside I find the reply, the original spring, and a piece of paper with some safe use indications.Apart from the lack of accessories which have become common, as the cleaning rod, it is missing the manual.To this can be remedied by visiting the A&K site (http://www.akairsoft.com/), where in the download section you can download it in pdf format. (http://akairsoft.com/download/SVD.pdf ). 

L’aspetto generale dell’SVD è buono: a parte il calcio e l’astina, tutte le parti sono realizzate in fusione di metallo, e finite con vernice nera opaca. La sagoma ed i dettagli sono colti con buona fedeltà e nitidezza.
The general appearance of SVD is good. Apart from stock and foregrip, all the parts are made of cast metal, and finished with black paint. The shape and details are captured with good fidelity and sharpness.By a more detailed examination, you notice some flaws in the paint, and it shows the footprints of the extractors, and sprue cut on plastic. I judge all this, however, as marginal, even viewing that the sale price definitely could be placed into the budget line.

Entrando nel dettaglio, la calciatura in materiale plastico mi pare robusta e resistente, oltre che fedele nelle forme all’originale. Sul calcio è montato il poggiaguancia in legno, trattenuto da un fermo a leva che mi ricorda le bottiglie con tappo a pressione della mia infanzia. La copertura dell’imbottitura è realizzata in similpelle di colore marrone, sulla cui durata credo sia legittimo nutrire qualche dubbio. Per chi ha qualche esperienza di bricolage o modellismo, non sarà difficile sostituirla con dell’autentico cuoio.
In detail, the plastic stock seems sturdy and durable, as well as faithful to the original forms. On it, it is mounted on the wood cheek piece, held by a latch lever which reminds me my childhood’s bottles with a pressure cap. 
Le mire metalliche sono simili a quelle della famiglia AK 47, come del resto accade per i comandi. Questo, nell’arma vera, permetteva che al bisogno un soldato con addestramento basico potesse utilizzare lo SVD o l’AK ritrovandovi la stessa familiare impostazione.
The iron sights are similar to those of the AK 47 family, as is the case for the controls. This, on the real gun, allowed on require that a soldier with basic training could use the SVD or AK, finding the same family setting.The front sight, mounted on a metal stand, and protected by a steel tunnel, it is og the peg kind, adjustable on elevation by screwing or unscrewing it. This is done in a special circular hole on top of the tunnelThe adjustable rear sight it is adjustable in elevation too, and replicates the original calibrated up to 1200 meters, in increments of 100 meters.

Il receiver ospita tutti i comandi efficienti della replica: manetta di armamento, leva di sicura, leva di fermo del coperchio, grilletto, leva di sgancio del caricatore.
The receiver contains all the efficient commands of the replica: bolt handle, safety lever, cover lock lever, trigger, magazine release lever.The bolt handle is connected to a fake bolt. Tot consisting of the usual metal plate but made by casting, it is located on the right side of the receiver, and flows through a special slot. Made of metal, the handle it has a shape as to make it annoying to use bybare hands, with the original great power spring.An auxiliary spring and holds back the handle and the fake shutter till to closing. I appreciate this feature as it protects the internal mechanism from dirt and mud.
La leva di sicura ricorda nel funzionamento quella della famiglia AK, ma ha solo due posizioni: verso l’alto blocca lo scatto ed impedisce che il pistone, arretrato, giunga a fine corsa ingaggiando il fermo. Abbassata, consente di armare il pistone e di sparare, ed inoltre scopre la parte terminale della feritoia di armamento, aprendo quindi una sia pur piccola via per introdurre materiale o corpi estranei nel meccanismo interno. La vista del pistone, anodizzato in un vivido colore azzurro, non porta a crescere di molto l’impressione di realismo.
The safety lever will remember in the functioning those of the AK family, but has only two positions: up blocking the shot and prevents the piston from moving full back, engaging the stopper. Lowered, allows the piston to be cocked and shoot, and also discovers the end of the loading slot, thus opening up even a small way to introduce material or dirt in the internal mechanism. The view of the piston, anodized in a vivid blue color, does not lead to increase so much the impression of realism.



Il fermo a leva del coperchio, ruotato verso il basso, permette di rimuovere quest’ultimo componente, semplicemente sollevandone l’estremità posteriore.
The cover latch lever, turned down, allow you to remove the latter component, simply by lifting its rear end.The trigger it is crescent shaped and has a slender profile, with smooth surfaces.The magazine latch is identical to that found on the AK, with which it maintains the advantage of simplicity, and the lack of a possible accidental release, using the magazine as a grip point for the weak hand.Last note about the receiver is the presence on the left side of the support rail for mounting optics.




Il calcio è in materiale sintetico, e mantiene la forma originale (gli SVD più recenti ne hanno una variante semplificata, od una versione priva dei fori di alleggerimento).
The stock is made by plastic, and retains the original form (the most recent SVD have a simplified variant, or a version without the lightening holes).The butt plate and sling swivel are made of metal ( the sling it is the same used for the Kalashnikov).Replication has also faithfully reproduced the cheek rest with his removable spring clip, which seems copied from an old beer bottle.I noticed that when using the iron sights, it should be removed, while having a scope installed, it helps you find the correct head position.


Per accedere alla meccanica, occorre semplicemente rimuovere il coperchio del receiver. Il cilindro, il pistone, la molla con la sua guida, ed il finto otturatore si offrono alla vista in tutta la loro nuda gloria.
To access the mechanics, you simply remove the cover from the receiver. The cylinder, piston, spring with its guide, and the fake shutter come into view in all their naked glory. The installed spring has a length of 174 mm extended, and a diameter of 14.7, and is therefore compatible with those normally installed on the AEG. The replacement operation is very simple.After removing the receiver cover, simply unscrew the two Allen screws that hold the block with the two spring guides, and lift it. Be careful in making this move, because the springs are in compression, and can fly out.






In questo secondo caso, per rimuovere il calcio basta togliere le tre viti che lo fissano al receiver.
In the latter case, to remove the stock just unscrew the three screws that secure it to the receiver.It then goes to the muzzle brake, restrained by an Allen grain; loosening this, it slips off from outer barrel.Same procedure for the fake gas outlets and the sling swivel.A third Allen grain hold the front breaking lever. After loosening it, the lever must be pulled out, thus making free the half-shells that form the foregrip.To remove the rear sight and its support, rotating it to the front will reveals a screw holding a plate. After removing it, you go to a second screw, and finally you can remove the component.




Alla fine l’impressione è di una concezione meccanica raffinata, e di una buona esecuzione delle parti. Quanto al materiali, l’inner barrel è di ottone, lunga 590 millimetri e con un diametro di 6,04.
In the end, the impression is of a sophisticated mechanical design, and good fulfillment of the parts. As for the materials, the inner barrel is made by brass, 590 mm long with a diameter of 6.04 mm.Piston, cylinder and hop up the group are made of aluminum, with CNC process (although not without some uncertainty) and anodized finish.The other main components seem melted, and typically use a fairly soft alloy.







Due parole infine sul caricatore, che é monofilare da 40 BB, con struttura in plastica e guscio in lamiera. Mi è parso robusto, ed ha sempre funzionato correttamente.
Finally, two words on the magazine, which is a single stacked 40 BB capablew, with plastic frame and metal shell. It seemed sturdy, and has always worked well.



Passando alle esperienze operative, devo inserire una piccola premessa.
Turning to operational experience, should I put a little example.I noticed in the world of ASG a kind of paradox: those who buy one, it seems already certain of having to modify it in order to achieve an useful gaming tool.Since this is the Italian law regarding the maximum ASG power, nothing to say.I wonder whether this SVD of A& K, I purchase already complying with the legislation, in the end can be used as it is, with the only economic hop up rubber replacement, and a general lubrication, and without endow optics, as that already has the iron sights.


Due parole sulla regolazione dell’hop up. Per effettuarla occorre agire con una chiave Brugola su una vite a grano, e per accedervi serve sia rimuovere il coperchio del receiver, che tenere arretrato l’otturatore. Esiste la possibilità che durante la regolazione l’otturatore possa sfuggire alla presa, e colpire la mano che lavora. Si tratta comunque di una operazione poco adatta ad essere svolta sul campo di gioco.
Two words on the hop up adjustment. This is performed by acting with an Allen key on a grain, and to access to the grain it neds to remove the receiver cover, and to keep holded back the dummy bolt. The possibility exists that, while you adjust, the bolt can escape from the grip, and hit the hand that works. However, this is a task not suited to be carried out on the game field.


Il caricatore si rifornisce rapidamente, meglio se usando uno speed loader. Per inserirlo, si aggancia prima al ritegno nel suo alloggiamento la parte anteriore, e quindi si ruota verso l’alto quella posteriore, sino a sentire un lieve click che segnala l’ingaggio del ritegno. Meglio verificare ogni volta che l’inserimento sia avvenuto correttamente.
The magazine it is quickly supplied, preferably by using a speed loader. To insert it, first engage the front into the well, and then rotate up the back, until you hear a slight click indicates that the restraint it has been engaged. Check it out every time if the inserting it was successful.The iron sights, even if outdated design, are surprisingly effective, and allow you to aim precisely.The trigger is not adjustable, and has no pre-race; the rotation of the trigger is quite smooth and the release of the piston is clearly, almost cancelling the after shoot collapse.The impact of the piston is decided, and this also quite noisy.


La precisione, usando le mire metalliche, la giudico fra ottima e buona, almeno nell’assetto originario. Senz’altro permette di far giungere il pallino entro la sagoma alle normali distanze di utilizzo. Un test indoor ai miei 4 metri usuali mi ha dato una rosata di 14 millimetri orizzontali e 7 verticali, con una distanza dal punto mirato di 11 millimetri orizzontali.
The precision, using the iron sights, could be judged between excellent and good, at least in the original arrangement. Certainly allows to bring the BB within a player shape, at the normal distance use. 
In definitiva, ho trovato questo modello affascinante esteticamente (ancorché con calciature in plastica e non in legno) e curato nella progettazione. Le prestazioni sono senz’altro migliorabili, ma con minimi interventi bastano a portarlo sul campo di gioco.
Ultimately, I found this model aesthetically fascinating (albeit with Stocks in plastic rather than wood) and clean about the design. The performance may certainly be improved, but with minimum intervention it will be sufficient to carry it on the game field.Its use as I see it limited to the defence of fixed and well protected stations, and I think that a skilled ambushed player can do several ailments to the opposing team, even with a few BB.And with a more affordable amount you can improve shooting and barrel.
Qui finiscono le mie note, ma ASC parlerà ancora dello SVD di A&K; ed a farlo sarà Etabeta, che ne farà una sua valutazione tecnica, e ne analizzerà la trasformazione per il funzionamento a gas.
Here end my notes, but more will be said of the A&K SVD by AirsoftCommunity; and to do so will be Etabeta, which will make its technical assessment, and analyze the transformation to gas operation.Thanks to the company FREE SHOT (http://www.freeshot.it/) for the particular conditions in the purchase of this model.
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