SHAKEDOWN: Cyma 035 Full Field Tests
filAKairsoft
26 Nov 2007
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, mig920, Saks5thAve, rampage, and Aizen in this forum-wide effort.
Whie the focus here will be 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
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 came close to ACM 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. One very nifty feature is the crowned inner barrel -- yummy!
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.
It
was not a surprise that 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
Meanwhile, in Davao
Komrad Alakdan higlights his team's anniversary with the Shakedown tests
Trigger
action was found to be the same as all previous AK models. No misfeeds
were experienced even with the Boyi quad mag and the HLK drum mags, 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.
As, somewhere in Luzon, Komrads mig920 and Jarmen Kell put the 035 through its paces
Here's a sampling of comments from participating Komrads:
mig920: 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! A real beaut !!
Hans: Yummy !! So sweet to use and very easy to maneuver. A real winner 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 -- she's a real honey -- simple, honest, and nothing extraneous !
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
So what's the final verdict? 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 -- and 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.
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.
filAKas, to be honest about it, underestimated the time and effort needed to bring a full field usability testing venture to fruition. The onset of the moonsoon rains inserted a very uncertain factor into test schedules and prized replicas were risked in drizzles and downpours to keep field tests on track. We would not been able to do it without the active facilitation of Ma'am Amy and of Komrad TuK$.