Javelin Tactical AK47 review by Booligan
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Introduction
Ordering
Basic Gun Information
First impressions/Packaging
Included
Gun Specifications
Externals
Trademarks
Magazines
Performance
Internals
Modifications
Pros/Cons
Overall
Introduction:
I have an absolutely huge soft spot for tactical AK variants and Javelin has produced a very interesting AEG with some pretty cool features. This full metal AK comes complete with all the proper tactical features that you might want on your gun, and is topped off with a mechanical blowback system that gives you a big of recoil while shooting. I will discuss all of the various aspects of this AEG, both good and bad, in this review!
Ordering:
I obtained this AEG through Airsplat, who currently has it available HERE, priced at $209.99. This qualifies it for Airsplat's free shipping promotion using UPS ground, which got it to my doorstep in about two days. Spartan Imports, the company that imported the gun by Javelin gives you a 60 day warranty for factory defects, so you are covered in case you have problems out of the box.
Basic Gun Information:
The Javelin AK47 is, as mentioned previously, a full metal AEG that comes equipped with a piston driven blowback system, 6 position M4 style stock, ergonomic pistol grip, railed front handguard, and other small tactical features that come together to make a very comfortable and easy to use gun. It features a full length outer barrel that is terminated in an AK74 type muzzle brake. The gun is OEM'd by APS, who manufactures this, and a few other AEGs, all featuring piston driven blowback systems.
First impressions/Packaging:
Javelin puts together a nice little package, with an orange and black colored box and a small sticker indicating what gun is held within. Inside, the gun and all the accessories are secured by cardboard cutouts, complete with little locking devices to keep anything from shifting during shipping. My first impression upon looking at the gun was high quality finish on the receiver, which has a mildly textured feel to it.
Included:
Along with the AK itself, Javelin has included an 8.4v 800 mAh stick battery and charger, cleaning/unjamming rod, a single hi-cap magazine, a folding vertical grip, and a small bag of BBs. Interestingly enough, there wasn't a manual included with the gun. Instead, Spartan Imports, the importer of the gun, included a piece of paper with a web address for the manual on their website. Also included is a 60 day warranty through Spartan Imports, which covers your gun for factory defects.
Gun Specifications:
Weight: 6 lbs
Length: 36-39.25"
Width: 2.4"
Height: 10.5"
Sight Radius: 15.2"
Externals:
Like all Javelin AEGs, this gun is a full metal replica, as everything that is metal on the real gun is metal on this one. The tactical furniture modernizes the timeless AK design, much to the chagrin of AK purists.
From this point on, click on the thumbnails to view full size photos
External overview, left side
External overview, right side
Shouldering the AK is easily accomplished using the 6 position M4 style stock. The stock used features a rubber butt pad, which covers a battery compartment for two CR123A batteries. The right side of the stock has a removable 20mm rail for mounting various accessories to the stock. Lastly, at the bottom of the stock you will find a sling mount, which can be used with the front mount to attach a two point sling.
Stock
Stock extended
Battery compartment
Sling mount
Sling mount on the stock tube
Moving forward, you will hit the stamped steel receiver, which frankly, is nicer than the recevier on my real WASR-10. Javelin really did a great job on the receiver of this AEG, with crisp stamping lines, no excess body gaps, and tight magazine tolerences. The selector switch is located on the right side of the receiver, like all AKs, and it clicks smoothly between the different settings. Unlike most AKs, the selector switch itself has a second ledge further down the lever, allowing you to operate the switch with your trigger finger. Javelin also veered away from the standard AK formula when they chose the magazine release lever, as it uses an extended and bent unit that fits right below the trigger guard, also allowing you to operate it with your trigger finger. Lastly, on the left side of the receiver, you will find a side mount for optics and rails.
Receiver
Selector switch, note the second finger position
Magazine release
Side scope mount
The pistol grip is a tactical unit that feels GREAT to hold, and unlike my previous APS AK, fit very snugly with the receiver with no wobble. It can be removed to adjust the motor height by removing the bottom screw.
Pistol grip
Javelin installed a polymer tactical foregrip, which features rails at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. The lower portion of the handguard had some slight wobble, however, you can tighten a small hex screw at the top to keep it from moving too much. The upper handguard also exhibited some wobble, but I couldn't find a quick fix for it, aside from replacing the whole thing with a railed gas tube.
Railed foregrip
Front sling mount
The outer barrel is full length and is terminated in a 74 type muzzle brake. Out of the box, my gas block and front sight were both a tiny bit loose, but it was quickly rectified by tightening the phillips head screws on the bottom. The factory muzzle brake was a massive orange plastic piece, which I replaced with a black metal unit for review photo purposes. If you remove the entire brake assembly, you'll find a 14mm threaded muzzle for attaching various other accessories.
Outer barrel
Barrel attachment
Last but not least, aiming this replica is accomplished using the standard AK style iron sights. The rear is adjustable for elevation without any tools, and the front can be adjusted by using a special tool. The upper handguard has a rail, but it is a bit wobbly, so I wouldn't advise mounting any optic on there that requires peak stability, however, a small reflex sight would do fine.
Rear iron sight
Front sight
Trademarks:
Javelin has placed their trademark on the right side of the receiver along with printed safety selector markings. On the magazine, you can find an APS marking, and a small "Made in China" can be found on the bottom of the receiver. Interestingly, you will find a unique serial number laser engraved on the left side of the receiver.
Javelin marking
Made in China marking
Serial number
Magazines:
The included magazine is a plastic bodied hi-cap, which holds 500 or so rounds. It features the standard bottom mounted winding wheel as well as a modern ribbed design. I didn't have any fitment or feeding issues with any of my spare magazines from Cyma, G&G, Kalash, or CA, so it is fair to say that you can use pretty much any magazine you can get your hands on.
Magazine
Feed hole and BB fill door
Winding wheel
Performance:
Chrono results using Airsplat .20g BBs, shot through a Madbull V1 chrono, after a 500 round break in period:
High FPS: 401.2
Low FPS: 389.6
Average FPS: 398.7
Rate of fire with the stock 8.4v battery wasn't terrible, coming in at 15 RPS, but the battery life was pretty abysmal. Get a different battery for the gun ASAP, as mine wouldn't hold a charge overnight. Range and accuracy were more than acceptable, as I was able to hit my torso sized target from 155' with no problems whatsoever.
The blowback effect is fun, but I generally advise disabling it unless you really want to have it intact. As the blowback is piston driven, it will reduce your ROF and battery life, and could cause durability problems with the piston. It's cool, but not cool enough for me, so I yanked it out on mine.
Internals:
Inside this gun, you will find a variant of the V3 gearbox, with ventilation slots at the rear, and a large opening at the top for the blowback shuttle to ride in. It comes equipped with steel gears and 6mm plastic bushings.
Gearbox unit
Gearbox, other side
Blowback shuttle
Inside the gearbox, you'll find a polycarb piston with ventilated head, polycarb cylinder head, and polycarb spring guide with washer bearing. The air nozzle is aluminum, and the sector gear is equipped with a sector chip for enhanced feeding.
Internal parts
Piston
Piston head
Cylinder head and air nozzle
Gears
The motor is a standard torque unit, which fits well into the motor cage. The motor cage itself is slightly loose fitting against the gearbox, but it gets held solid by the pistol grip.
Motor
The hop-up is a plastic one piece unit, which is attached to the 485mm or so inner barrel. It is attached stably to an inner plastic piece that keeps it centered, to prevent side to side deviation.
Modifications:
I am actually in the process of making some substantial changes to this gun, namely by chopping the barrel, swapping out the front sight and upper handguard, and generally turing it into a poor man's MAG-K.
Pros:
Full metal construction
Affordable price – about $210
Entertaining blowback
Tactical furniture adds a lot of functionality to the gun
Adjustable to fit most users
Cons:
Handguard wobbles a bit
Piston driven blowback negatively affects battery life and ROF
Only able to use stick batteries
Overall:
This is my first experience with a Javelin AEG, and I really do like what they've offered! The body is fantastic, the gearbox is solid, and the model is unique. They are able to do this in a gun that costs a hair over $200, which is a great mid-level price. Overall, I'm really pleased with the gun so far, and can't wait for all my parts to come in so I can finish tweaking it to my liking!
Many thanks again to Airsplat, and of course, Airsoft Retreat!
