GBB | EMG X TARAN TACTICAL INNOVATIONS JW4 PIT VIPER GBBP!

Hi friends! 

Welcome back to the blog! Today I’m back with another review, and in this one, we’re going to take a look at the EMG X Taran Tactical Innovations JW4 Pit Viper GBBP from Extreme Airsoft! 

The Pit Viper was created by Taran Tactical specifically for JW4 - designed to be the apex fighting pistol for one of the world's most dangerous men. Which, Armorer Works has lovingly recreated for us so airsofters can have a replica of a handgun that is poised to take the crown for one of the most badass handguns in Hollywood history. A cool fact about the real steel JW4 Pit Viper is that Taran sent it (with no fan fair or announcement) to take the overall title at the first-ever USPSA 2-Gun Nationals in 2021. It is also pretty interesting that the Pit Viper was designed before the Sand Viper, but had to wait until the release of JW4 to be shown to the world. 

Firstly, let’s chat about the externals! The EMG X Taran Tactical Innovations JW4 Pit Viper GBBP features a detailed CNC machined aluminium slide that has officially licensed TTI roll marks and TTI laser engraved markings, the slide also features the TTI professional slide lightening cuts help the slide cycle faster. The slide sits atop the CNC-machined aluminium frame, although the frame is aluminium, it features moulded reinforced polymer grips. The grips are nicely stippled to give the user added grip whilst wearing gloves and in wet/cold conditions. It also features an extended magazine release and TTI licensed carry flared mag well that aids in quick reloads. 

Internally it has a non-tilting barrel design that helps ensure smooth cycling regardless of whether a compensator or barrel extension is mounted to the end, a CNC precision barrel that has a large single port compensator and fibre optic front sight integrated into the design of the pistol. 

The EMG X Taran Tactical Innovations JW4 Pit Viper GBBP comes presented in a sleek black branded box and it is easy to remove. On getting the pistol out of the box it has a comfortable weight to it and it feels nice in hand. The finish is of great quality and the construction appears to be sound - unlike some of the other TTI airsoft pistols that have been released in the last few years. There are no major rattles or wobbles which is a very good sign! What I love the most, aesthetically about the TTI Combat masters is the bronze barrel - it really is a gorgeous colour. It fits nicely in hand and the stippling isn’t too much when you aren’t wearing gloves, but gives good resistance when you are. Aesthetically, I much prefer this to the Alpha. I think with the compensator and Taran's signature "Ghost Profile" Shrouded adjustable rear sight it has a nice silhouette and one that is easily recognisable as the Pit Viper. 

So it’s ergonomic and looks visually striking but how does it shoot? It shoots consistently and has a pretty good kick to it. It is comfortable to wield and easy to operate/manipulate. It shoots at around 334 FPS (with green gas at around 12 degrees). 

It is compatible with a range of Hi-capa aftermarket parts and accessories including the Deadly Customs Signature Hi Capa Kydex DC1 Series Holster. 

In the box, you get the EMG X Taran Tactical Innovations JW4 Pit Viper GBBP. From Extreme Airsoft, this replica retails for £249.99 but you can use my code ‘femmefatale23’ for 5% off! 

Post sponsored by Extreme Airsoft.

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AK | ARCTURUS AK74U CUSTOM AEG!

Hey friends! Welcome back to the blog, today I have another AEG review for you and in this one, we’ll be looking at the Arcturus AK74U Custom AEG from my friends over at Extreme Airsoft in Croft, Leicestershire. 

The AK74U Custom AEG by Arcturus is a modern update of the infamous AK74U. It is mostly constructed of Steel sheet and aluminium making it durable, and weighty giving it a good feel. There is only one polymer part on this AEG which is the pistol grip. Externally, and starting at the front of the rifle we have an aggressively styled muzzle brake (which kind of gives potato masher vibes) on a 14mm CCW thread, a tactical hand-guard which has a small 40mm Picatinny rail on top which has a built-in iron sight (perfect for adding aftermarket accessories such as a PEQ box) and side rails on either side for lasers, torches etc. Following on from there, we have a pistol grip made from high-density polymer and a skeletonised, folding stock style stock similar to the stock we see on the MCX (which gets a big thumbs up from me!). 

Internally, we’re looking at a Micro Switch trigger system (which gives the replica a longer life-span), a quick change spring system, and a Spring Tension Release button (inside the. Trigger guard) which helps prolong the lifespan of the rifle by reducing unnecessary stress on the gearbox whilst the replica isn’t being used. Other features of note include, the nozzle being finished with Teflon and sealed by O-Rings to ensure a tight air seal, an alloy HOP chamber and low-resistance wiring. 

The Arcturus AK74U Custom AEG comes nicely presented in a branded box, I know I bang on about it all the time but nice packaging IS a must, opening a new replica should be an experience. On getting it out of the box, its full metal construction gives it a nice weight in hand and it doesn’t have any wobbles or rattles which is always a good sign. Included in the box are two magazines, which isn’t too common but I think it is great that out of the box you have the option of a high-capacity mag and a mid/low-capacity mag. To switch between the capacities on the mid/low cap, users need to remove the baseplate of the magazine, remove the inner portion of the mag and move the marked switch, but be sure to do this when the mag is empty so you don’t damage it. 

Like most AKs, the Arcturus AK74U Custom AEG is top-wired and has a Mini-Tamiya connector underneath the dust cover. Although rather than the connector being placed at the front as would be expected with an AK, it is placed at the rear which means that it isn’t hard to fit a battery in the designated space but I will say putting the cover back on after installing the battery is a bit fiddly and can take some time to get used to. 

Aesthetically, I like what this AK74U has got going on - the aggressively styled muzzle brake and the skeletonised folding stock give this version of the AK74U a modern vibe, which is right up my alley. I also think in terms of usability, it is well equipped for an AK as it has lots of tactical rail space. One of the reasons I don’t use AKs as much as I’d like to is because I like to add a lot of attachments to my RIFS but as this has 20mm rails and M-LOK slots on the handguard, as well as a raised 20mm rail above where the iron sights would usually be, there are plenty of options to add torches PEQ boxes. It also has two QD sling points which are always nice. 

So, how does it shoot? It was consistent on both semi and full-auto. I’ve never used an Arcturus replica so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I certainly wasn’t disappointed. I tested it both using a 7.4v and an 11.1v Lipo and I think it performed and sounded better on the 11.1v battery although as it doesn’t have a built-in MOSFET, the 7.4v is a much better choice. Overall, it is a fun gun to shoot. You can check out my TikTok range test here! 

In the box, you get the Arcturus AK74U Custom AEG replica, a high-capacity magazine, a mid/real capacity magazine, a cleaning rod and of course the all-important manual. From Extreme Airsoft, it retails for £319.99 but you can use my code ‘femmefatale23’ for 5% off!

Post sponsored by Extreme Airsoft.

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LMG | FN HERSTAL M249 MK46 MOD 0 AEG!

Hi friends! 

Welcome back to the blog! Today I have another review for you, in this one, we’re going to be checking out the FN HERSTAL M249 MK46 MOD 0 AEG from Evike Europe! 

The FN HERSTAL M249 MK46 MOD 0 AEG is an AEG replica of the M249 in its MK46 version under the FN Herstal license by Cybergun and A&K. This replica has been manufactured from a combination of ABS plastic and metal alloys. At the front of this Light Machine Gun, we have a bird cage style flash hider on a 14mm CCW thread (giving users the option to add aftermarket accessories such as a mock suppressor or tracer unit), a flip to-open bi-pod that adds extra stability when firing. Following on from this, there is a short Picatinny rail system for attachments such as lasers etc. On the receiver there is also a Picatinny rail section for the addition of red dot sights and at the rear there is a fully removable stock. 

Internally, it features a 6.08mm tight bore inner barrel, V2 QD Gearbox, an adjustable hop-up, MOSFET/ETU, and Long Axis Motor. It is wired to a mini Tamiya and the recommended battery is a 9.6V Ni-MH. Its V2 gearbox means that it is compatible with upgrade parts should you want to spice it up out of the box. Now unfortunately it isn’t ambidextrous (meaning the controls can’t be easily accessed from both sides of the replica) and doesn’t have an empty mag firing stopper, these are two features that I would’ve loved to have seen on this AEG. 

The FN HERSTAL M249 MK46 MOD 0 AEG comes presented in a blue FN Herstal branded box and does need a little assembly to be ready for skirmishing. To fit it in the box, the stock (and mag of course) aren’t attached. The stock is really easy to install - it is a case of simply lining the stock up with the attachment points and the pin placing through. On getting the M249 MK46 out of the box, it feels well-made and sturdy. There are no wobbles, or rattles - which is always a good sign. Now she is also quite a heavy gal, weighing in at just short of 5kg, you definitely need a sling if you’re going to run this all day. 

The box mag is easy-ish to install: the side of the magazine is removable and when removed exposes the battery compartment and where the BBs go. There is a button on the bottom of the mag that controls how it fires - I always choose the ‘sound’ option which means the mag feeds when it ‘hears’ the replica fire and this works really well for me. For ease, I install the feeding tube into the LMG before securing the mag to the LMG (this means I don’t need to bend or faff around with the tube). Admittedly, if you aren’t familiar with the LMG platform, it is a little bit of a learning curve. 

During our range test, it was consistent on both semi and full-auto. Now, I didn’t have access to any 9.6V Ni-MH batteries so, in true chaos gremlin fashion, I tested it using a 7.4v Lipo. It sounded great and was overall a fun gun to shoot. Out of the box though, it is a little spicy. When I chrono’d this replica it came out at 374 FPS, which of course is too hot for pretty much every UK airsoft site/event so I have had it downgraded by a local store. Be sure if you’re purchasing this that you request it is downgraded. 

In the box, you get the FN HERSTAL M249 MK46 MOD 0 AEG, a 2400 battery-powered box mag, an unjamming rod and the all-important user manual (which is actually really useful if you haven’t used an LMG before. From Evike Europe, the FN HERSTAL M249 MK46 MOD 0 AEG retails for €379.90. You can save 15% on your order before shipping using the code FEMMEFATALE15 at www.evike-europe.com. 

Post sponsored by Evike Europe

Photography by Samwise Photography UK

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