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Manufacturer
Tokyo Marui
Model
AK102
Capacity
480rds
Weight
2900g
Power
300fps
Motor
EG1000
Hop-up
adjustable
Battery
mini 8.4v (not included)
Shooting Mode
semi | full auto
Construction
aluminium, polymer
Pros Cons Verdict
# Extremely sturdy gearbox build
# Ideal for winter milsim games
# Clever design with the gas block to accommodate a mini battery or a small lipo
# Thicker and longer gear teeth
# EG1000 motor as standard
# Aluminum die cast receiver
# Zinc alloy parts
# Easy to access and precise hop mechanism for high effective range Enough recoil to let you know it's there but not enough to affect
# your groupings
# Noise, the noise this generates definitely will be attracting many pairs of eyes on the field if you used it in a skirmish
# Wire placement may be tricky inside the battery compartment
# Bolt does not move full length
# Battery shows through from foregrip's port holes
# Rails are plastic on the front end
# Magazines are not reverse compatible with previous AK's
# No aftermarket gearbox cases available yet.
# Recoil not as strong as GBB rifles
# Flash hider not 100% authentic
# Limited to use only small batteries
If you're looking for a head turner and want to stand out in the skirmish field, this is it. With a distinctive firing noise, differentiating from the usual sewing machine/power tool noise AEGs typically produce along with a satisfying sensation of blowback in full auto without the cool-down drawbacks whilst being able to fine tune your FPS with conventional upgrade parts. This may be the win-win situation for the mil-simmers that still like to have a practical skirmish rifle.
Introduction:
With the recent introduction to the new EBB series from Tokyo Marui, the 'Next Generation A.E.G.' with their revolutionary 'recoil shock' system seen on the AK74mn, TM have also released recently the AKS74N and the AK102 to follow up their new line of next gen. AEGs. The predecessor of the AK 102 was the AKS74U, but it came with a 80-round low capacity magazine, and some sample BBs. Also runs on a 8.4V mini battery, can be a tight fit in the handguard area, and not the stick battery that are commonly seen on AK's due to the redesign of the gearbox to house the blowback and recoil mechanism there. The installation of a stick battery was out of the question, as it won't fit under the receiver cover. So what's so different and is the 102 better seeing they've had feedbacks from the previous models?
Only takes mini batteries, possible chance of a modification for a small lipo?
Possibly to eliminate the chances of being cloned?
Initial impressions.
The TM AK102 came in a basic box and the basic stuff you'll need to use in the field apart from a battery and a charger. The box has been clearly marked to give the impression for those that are not aware of the new systems that it's a revolutionary design with the 'Next Generation A.E.G.' and 'Recoil Shock AEG system' markings on it. The contents include the AEG itself, a 480rds magazine and some sample BBs. Running on an 8.4V mini battery, which has to be said is quite a tight fit inside the foregrip. This can be accessed via using the gas block lever that allows you to open up the cavity inside the gas block, you can see there is also a cradle to accommodate the battery to reduce any rattling that may occur if it was used in a skirmish, quite a nice touch. The receiver is also made from aluminum which it already differentiates it from the regular Marui's line of AEGs where it typically use a plastic polymer for its receiver. Although using metal may add unnecessary additional weight on to the gun or affect its weight balancing, this is not the case with the AK102 where the balance is just right and not too heavy for those that peruses a long weekend game of milsim yet would rather save the energy for the event itself.
Even the box has a dedicated, foam lined cavity for the cocking handle to protect it
On to the gun itself.
Using EBB to simulate recoil, there're both good and bad points about it already since we're comparing the blowback between an electric system to the gas system. Pointing out the obvious first, the feel of the recoil simulation will never be as satisfying to the GBB rifles like the WA M4 or the GHK AK considering you really are hurling back a block of metal backwards every shot but what if you're in an area where gas is limited or even restricted due to local laws? That has to be said it's quite an extreme case but with winter kicking in any time now, GBBs may have to hibernate for a few months unless you can guarantee the gas system remains warm enough to function. Which is tricky.
The flash hider may look funny or weird for some people and to others it reminds them of the Noveske flash hider, which in the real steel version on the AK it's their own design that provides projectile stability and the internal expansion chamber inside the flash hider relieves the gas pressure generated to help the stability of the real steel mechanism. What does this do on the Airsoft version then? Apart from replicating the real deal, this acts as a directional loudener so not only will the enemies hear your EBB recoil coming closer, but also know your AEG is pointed towards them as they hear that distinctive muzzle report this gives.
The fire selector, mag release, foregrip (if you do not count the RIS rails) are realistic to the real thing, sure some critics may say the 'ice cream cone' is not realistic considering the 102/103/104 series uses the 74U type flash hiders. It is however, supposed to be a 'modern' version hence the more bold flash hider and the RIS rails. On the topic of the RIS rails, the top rails have a central groove running down the length of the rail to allow the use of the iron sights without any obstruction. Those of you that compares Airsoft designs to the real deal would know that placing that RIS rail there above your gas block will reduce the mirage effect when the weapon is under strenuous use. With the RIS rail placed there, the platform where you will be mounting any optics will also be on the same plane as your iron sights, so this will not affect your shooting stance/grip of the gun therefore your performance will not be hindered.
hop adjustment can be found behind the bolt.
battery compartment can be found inside the gas block
So is this gun really the Next Gen. AEG?
Performance:
The Tokyo Marui AK102, chronos out of the box at 300fps, with the recoil giving a satisfying jolt on the shoulder when firing, specially on full auto. Obviously as mentioned earlier, the recoil will not be comparative at all to the GBB series but this experience is better than the other alternatives on the market today. There were critics claiming that the EBB will reduce the rate of fire on this gun compared to the regular AEGs due to the extra work the gearbox will have to cope with for the recoil engine, well this may be the case but due to the new gearbox design, with what seems to have a more efficient and sturdier gearbox, this AK102 has a VERY similar rate of fire to the TM AK47 using the same battery.
So what about the range? There has been a reputation on Tokyo Marui's AEG systems for having ridiculous range even with a lower fps due to their local Japanese laws restricting the muzzle velocity on replicas. For example the TM M14 had made a new benchmark on range even with a humble muzzle velocity of 290fps, so it is expected that the range on this AK102 will not be sub par compared to other AEGs on the market today with a similar barrel length. Tuning the hop to what seems to give the flattest trajectory without the BB taking off towards the end of the flight to give the typical parabola path, it was still ab
