Cybergun/CYMA Galil SAR review by Booligan
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Introduction
Real Steel History
Ordering
Basic Gun Information
First impressions/Packaging
Included
Gun Specifications
Externals
Trademarks
Magazines
Performance
Internals
Modifications
Pros/Cons
Overall
Introduction
Cybergun has a long and, in some opinions, sordid history with airsoft, stretching back to the early 1990s. Many of their early products were budget oriented, and weren't particularly high quality. In the last few years, however, they have partnered up with better and better manufacturers, and have started cranking out some seriously high quality airsoft replicas, all with legally licensed trademarks. This model is no exception, and I will cover all of the high and low points in this review!
Real Steel History:
The Galil is a family of Israeli small arms designed by Yisrael Galili and Yaacov Lior in the late 1960s and produced by Israel Military Industries Ltd (now Israel Weapon Industries Ltd) of Ramat HaSharon. The weapon system consists of a line chambered for the intermediate 5.56x45mm NATO caliber with either the M193 or SS109 ball cartridge and several models designed for use with the 7.62x51mm NATO rifle round. The Galil series of rifles are selective fire weapons operated by a Kalashnikov-pattern gas-driven piston system with no regulator. The SAR model, of which this replica is based, is the short barreled carbine version. The weapon is locked with a rotary bolt with two locking lugs that lock into recesses milled into the receiver. The weapon is fitted with a high-impact plastic handguard and pistol grip and a side-folding (folds to the right side) tubular steel skeleton stock. The rifle can also be used with a sound mock mock mock mock suppressor. The weapon also features a bottle opener and wire cutter built into the bipod. The bottle opener feature was included to prevent damage to magazines being used to open bottles, due to the large civilian reservist nature of the IDF. The wire cutters were included to reduce the time necessary for IDF troops to cut down wire fences common to rural areas in Israel. The Galil’s design is optimized for operation in arid conditions and is based on the Finnish RK 62, which itself was derived from the Soviet AK-47 assault rifle. It was selected as the winner of a competition for the Israel Defense Forces that included many other rival designs (among them, the M16A1, Stoner 63, AK-47 and HK33) and was formally accepted into service in 1972, replacing the dust-sensitive FN FAL.
Estonian soldier with Galil SAR
Image and photo taken from Wikipedia.org.
Ordering:
I was sent this gun by Airsoft Atlanta[/url], compliments of Cybergun in order to review it here on Airsoft Retreat. Airsoft Atlanta carries most, if not all, of the new Cybergun AEG models, at very competitive prices. This model is available HERE, currently priced at $229.99. I received the gun safe and sound just a few days after it was sent out, using UPS Ground. Many thanks to Airsoft Atlanta and Cybergun for making this review possible!
Basic Gun Information
The Cybergun Galil SAR is a full metal AEG that is manufactured by Cyma in China. It is based on the KA Galil design, albeit without the piston driven blowback system found on the KA gun. It has a side folding stock, just like the real Galil, and is a very sturdily built AEG.
First impressions/Packaging:
The Cybergun Galil comes packaged in a sturdy cardboard box which is emblazoned with glossy images of the gun held within. It also has information about the gun, the included accessories, as well as listing that the IWI trademarks on the gun are properly licensed.
Included:
Included with the gun is a single hi-cap magazine, 8.4v 1100 mAh stick battery, trickle charger, cleaning/unjamming rod, front sight adjustment tool, and a fairly comprehensive manual. Everything is held quite securely inside their own compartments in the cardboard shipping box.
Gun Specifications:
Weight: 8.5 lbs
Length: 25.25"-35"
Width: Â 2.5" (at cocking handle)
Height: 11.5" (sight to mag)
Sight Radius: 17.5"
LOP: 14"
Externals:
I was very pleasantly surprised by the external quality of the Cybergun/Cyma SAR, as it features a nice mix of steel structural components, a zinc-alloy receiver, and nylon polymer furniture.
From here on, click all pictures to enlarge
External overview
Starting at the rear, one of the parts of this gun that really increases its versatility is the side folding stock. The stock is made entirely out of metal, with much of the hinge assembly being made out of steel. It folds to the right, by first pushing down on the stock assembly to unlock it, and swinging it to the right side. When folded, it locks securely at the hinge, and must be pushed down again in order to extend it. When extended, it has a bit of up and down wobble, due to slightly loose tolerances in the hinge locking assembly. On the left side of the hinge, you will find a sling mount, which works great for single point sling systems. Â
Stock extended
Stock folded
Hinge assembly
Sling mount
Moving forward, you will encounter the metal receiver. If you've ever used an AK, this gun will feel very close to home for you, and you will be able adapt very easily. The receiver is made of a nonferrous metal, most likely Cyma's normal zinc alloy, which is plenty strong for most airsofters. The selector switch is located on the right side of the receiver, and is a standard AK pattern selector; Safe-Full Auto-Semi, marked as S-A-R. The pistol grip is extremely comfortable if you have large hands, and has a faux selector assembly molded onto the left side. A real selector here would be nice, but would necessitate a complicated linkage assembly to work. The magazine release is similar to an AK styled one, except that it is extended quite a bit for easy access. It is extended on the right side to allow for your right handed trigger finger to push it without taking your hand off of the grip.
Receiver - right side
Receiver - left side
Pistol grip
Pistol grip - note molded faux selector
Close-up of faux selector
Trigger and mag release
Mag release detail
The cocking handle is oversized, and is extended towards the top. This actually allows you to cycle the bolt with your left hand while keeping your right hand securely on the pistol grip. Fun, but not particularly useful for airsoft. The bolt handle can be pulled back all the way, opening up the mock ejection port entirely. This allows you to easily access the hop-up adjustment slider. A note of caution, cycling this action is EXTREMELY satisfying, delivering a solid metallic crack when released, but the cocking handle attachment point isn't the best. It is very solidly attached to the faux bolt using a screw, but it only uses a very small metal nub to keep it from rotating. After a bit of overzealous action cycling, I sheared off the little nub, allowing the handle to rotate freely. This was remedied by sanding both the bolt as well as the handle, and putting a bit of JB Weld where they connect, followed up by installing the attachment screw. Now it's rock solid.
Cocking handle
Handle pulled all the way back
The top cover appears to be made of steel, and houses the battery compartment. It is removed by pushing the release button at the rear, and sliding the cover off, just like a standard AK. The battery compartment isn't particularly large, requiring the wiring to be tucked inside the gas piston tube before putting the battery in. The included 8.4v battery fits well, and a small 11.1v LiPo battery tucks in with a little pressure. When closed, the top cover has slight rotational freeplay.
Battery compartment
Moving forward from the cover, you will hit the handguard and mock gas tube. The handguard is made of the same nylon polymer as the pistol grip, and is located a bit farther forward than a standard AK. It's pretty comfortable, and is mounted with only a slight (1-2mm) amount of front and back freeplay. The gas tube is made of metal, and has vents at the front for realism. There are no rails on this gun, but you can easily mount some on the handguard for foregrips, lights, lasers, etc.
Handguard
Faux gas tube
The outer barrel is made of zinc allow, with the gas block being made of what appears to be cast steel. A second sling mount is located on the left side, allowing installation of two point sling systems. The outer barrel is about 12" long, terminating in a 14mm- threaded muzzle. My gun has absolutely zero barrel wobble. The installed muzzle device is a birdcage style flashhider, with an orange plastic ring glued on to comply with US Federal regulations.
Front assembly
Barrel and muzzle
The iron sights are quire interesting in that you basically have two iron sight assemblies. At the rear, you have a rear nonadjustable sight, with two different apertures, designed for different ranges. On mine, the difference between the two holes is negligible. In front of this, you have a flip up sight with two large white dots, which on the real gun would glow for night use. To use the flip up rear sight, put the "day" rear sight in between the two ranges, so that it doesn't block your view. The front sight is a fully hooded AK type post, with a flip up "night" dot. The front "day" sight is adjustable for elevation using the included tool.
Rear "day" sight
Rear "night" sight
Front "day" sight
Front "night" sight
Overall, I was very pleased with the externals on this gun. Having handled most of CYMA's AK lineup, I'm glad to see their continued improvements both inside and out. The body is sturdy and should last a lifetime of airsoft abuse, and the few negative points are easily forgotten.
Trademarks:
The gun features licensed trademarks through IWI, Israeli Weapon Industries. The trademarks are located on the right rear of the receiver, as well as the left side of the receiver. The magazine also features some Hebrew writing at the bottom.
Trades
A single "Made In China" is located just in front of the magazine well.
Made in China
Magazines:
This replica is portrayed as being chambered in 5.56 NATO, and as such, is equipped with the 35 round style magazine. The gun comes with a hi-cap magazine, holding about 450 rounds. Spare mags are available, but they aren't terribly plentiful. I've found that this gun will actually work with certain AK style mags, but they don't lock in very well, and may fall out during use.
Magazine
Feeding bits
The magazine rocks back into the magwell just like an AK mag, but unlike most AK based guns, this has absolutely zero magazine wobble when installed. Literally, once locked in, I can't get the magazine to wobble even a single millimeter.
Performance:
Baseline performance after a 500 round break in period is as follows:
FPS (Recorded using Airsplat .20g BBs shot through a Madbull V1 chrono):
High: 405.8 FPS
Low: 401.7 FPS
Average over 10 shots: 404.5 FPS
This gun shoots VERY consistently, and at a reasonably high FPS. Most CYMA guns nowadays are coming out shooting over 430 FPS, and it's a nice change to see one shooting right about 400 FPS with great consistency. Rate of fire isn't fantastic using the stock 8.4v stick battery, and even with an 11.1v lipo, it's not stupendous. I suspect the motor installed is set up more for high torque use as opposed to high speed use, so for higher ROF, I would suggest a different motor, and most likely a downgraded spring.
Range and accuracy were really quite good, mostly due to the BAX hop-up system, which gives you a very consistent side to side accuracy. I set up my torso sized target at 170', where I was able to achieve my benchmark 90% accuracy requirement, using TSD .26g bio BBs. The hop-up puts plenty of spin on the BBs, allowing you to eek out bit of range from your gun.
Internals:
Disassembling this gun is fairly simple, once you actually know what you're doing. There are no disassembly guides that I was able to find, so I had to get a little inventive to take this gearbox out. First and foremost, make sure you remove the battery and magazine from the gun before you attempt to disassemble it. The next step is to remove the top cover, exposing the top of the gearbox. Then, you want to push the top cover release button forward, then turn it to the right, removing the guide rod and faux cocking handle. Now, you want to unscrew the selector switch, which you can do by hand. Then, using a phillips head screwdriver, unscrew the grip and remove it from the gun. You'll notice that, at this point, the gearbox is held in by the air nozzle inside the hop-up. This is when things get complicated.
Remove the gas tube by pulling it back towards the stock. This will expose two hex grub screws, which secure the outer barrel. Unscrew these, as well as the two phillip heads screws on the hop-up. Pull the outer barrel forwards, removing it from the gun. Now, you can pull the inner barrel and hop-up forwards, and pull it off the air nozzle and out of the gun. The gearbox can now be easily removed from the receiver.
Remove the gas tube
Loosen these two hex screws...
...and these two phillips screws.
The gearbox will seem very familiar to anyone who has ever worked on a Cyma AK. It's the standard CM02B gearbox shell, with the slot in the side for a piston driven blowback assembly. The piston is a white plastic, and the bushings are metal. The air nozzle is made of clear plastic. It's a solid little gearbox in its stock form, and responds well to simple upgrades, such as a replacement O-ring, and a reshim/relube job.
Gearbox
Metal bushings
Familiar Cyma gearbox
This gun utilizes the BAX hop-up system, which is basically a V-hop. The bucking is split, giving you a very stable hop-up chamber. The chamber itself is plastic, and the inner barrel is about 380 mm long, with room for up to 400 mm.
Hop-up and barrel
Hop-up
BAX system
Modifications:
The Galil is a rare enough gun to begin with, so you won't need to do much to set yourself aside from the army of ARs and AKs out there. Unfortunately, as it's somewhat rare, your modification options are somewhat limited. Rails can be added for mounting optics, but they'll pretty much have to be custom mounted. An AK side scope mount can be installed on the receiver with a fair bit of custom work. Several real steel companies manufacture rail systems for the real Galil, and I suspect that these can be adapted to fit on this replica.
Pros:
Sturdy full metal construction
Licensed IWI trademarks
Good performance out of the box
Versatile design - folding stock, different sights, etc
Zero mag wobble
Great materials used on grips
Cons:
Low ROF
Fragile cocking handle
Small battery compartment
Lack of external accessories
Slight stock wobble
Faux selector on the grip
Overall:
I hadn't really heard anything about the Cybergun/Cyma Galil, so I didn't really know what to expect. When it arrived, I was really surprised that more people hadn't gotten the gun, and that there wasn't more info out there about it. It really is a solid gun, that delivers good performance, all in a relatively compact package. It's a gun that will really turn heads on the field, and set you apart from the hordes of ARs out there.
Many thanks again to Airsoft Atlanta, Cybergun, and of course, AirsoftRetreat