An automatic electric pistol (AEP) is a smaller-frame AEG that runs on a 7.2V battery. Its internals are shrunk down in order to fit in a smaller frame—such as a pistol or small machine pistol—giving a lower muzzle velocity than a stock AEG. Arguably, they are more reliable than pistols that run on gas, especially in cold weather. Since the internals take up a lot of the space inside the frame of the gun, the pistols have a fixed slide and cannot be pulled back (blow back).

AEP's currently available on the market include, from Tokyo Marui: Glock 18C, Beretta M93R, H&K USP, MP7A1, Skorpion vz.61 and Mac 10; from Cyma: CM.030; and from Double Eagle: M81 (versions 1 and 2) and M84. Soon to be released AEPs from TM are the Beretta M92F and TMP.

What makes it tick?

An AEP operates with a four-piece gear set, unlike AEGs that have a three.

It also has the familiar components we're accustomed to seeing on an AEG—the cylinder body, the spring guide and spring.

Cyma CM.030: A lightweight that packs a heavy punch

Cyma’s CM.030 is based on TM’s Glock 18C AEP. It has an all-plastic construction and features full to semi automatic firing. As with all other AEP's, the CM.030 runs on a 7.2v battery, giving a decent 11.4 balls per second (bps) rate-of-fire (ROF). It has an adjustable HOP-UP and shoots at around 190fps to 210fps on 0.20g BBs.

On close inspection, the CM.030 is devoid of any Glock Austria markings on the slide, instead, it is emblazoned with “Made in China”, and “CYMA” and “CM.030” on either side of the grip.

The front and rear sights are outlined with white for easy target acquisition.

The battery and HOP assembly is accessed by pushing one end of the slide and popping it up with the thumb.

The battery slides easily—just take note of the white arrow that tells you which way to slide it down. A lever is provided for easily removing it for charging.

Disassembly

Disassembling the unit requires patience—lots of it! You will need to remove the grip plates on either side (prying it out with a dull knife would do the trick) in order to access the pins that hold the gearbox and motor assembly. Taken apart, here’s how the CM.030 looks like:

Double Eagle M81 version 2:

Double Eagle’s (DE) M81v2 is a clone of TM’s USP .40 AEP, however, the barrel comes threaded for attachment of a mock plastic silencer, which is included with the gun. The TM version does not have this feature. This gives the DE m81v2 an odd look. It may look like a half-baked USP Tactical to some or a very poor copy of the Mk 23 Socom.

Nothing noteworthy about the markings, but I find it rather loud. White lettering against grey is quite visible for me. I prefer subdued markings.

Just like the CM.030, the M81 is ready-to-play. It consists of the main unit, a rechargeable 7.2V 500mAh NiMH battery pack with charger, a 25 +/-3-round magazine, a BB loader, a cleaning rod, some 0.12g BBs, an allen wrench and a user’s manual.

It also comes with a HOP-UP system and has a better ROF at 12.7bps. It clocks at 187fps on 0.2g BBs

Unlike the CM.030, it has an ambidextrous magazine release. The hammer acts as the locking mechanism for the slide, which incidentally is metal. I’m still at a loss what’s the purpose of having the metal slide, apart from adding weight to the gun.

The safety lever serves as the selector switch for full- or semi-automatic fire.

The safety switch is properly marked, unlike the CM.030.

Accessing the battery and HOP adjustment is similar to the CM.030.

Here’s a closer look at the shape of the battery terminal with that of the battery well. Notice that the battery is tapered on one end and rounded on the other—the tapered end should be inserted first.

A word of caution though: the magazine release can be easily pressed accidentally. I had the DE M81v2 on a dropleg holster with the magazine loaded, it fell the moment I ran when the game started.

Disassembly

Surprisingly, the M81 is easier to disassemble, no need to take apart the grip plates. Here are the insides of the unit:

Unlike previous versions of the M81, this unit comes with a steel pinion gear, very similar to what the four-piece gear set is made of.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to GBBs, a CM.030 or a DE M81v2 is a good choice. Never mind aesthetics. These babies can do the job—especially in CQCs. A fully charged battery is enough for the whole day, emptying from four to five magazines.

But between the CM.030 and the DE M81v2, we bet our bottom dollar on the former. How about you?