Gruppa Grif blog

16. Mar 2019.24. Mar 2019.

Very first Croatian RPK-16 build

Short introduction to RPK-16

The RPK-16 5.45×39mm squad automatic weapon is a further modernization of the RPK-74. It is based on the traditional Kalashnikov layout and design, featuring several novel technical and ergonomic features derived from the AK-12 program.

The RPK-16 is chambered in 5.45×39mm cartridge and uses a Picatinny rail mounted detachable bipod instead of the fixed bipod of the RPK-74. It features the traditional Kalashnikov gas-operated long-stroke piston system, a detachable suppressor, a Picatinny rail on the top of its receiver for mounting various optics/scopes and on the bottom of the handguard for bipod mounting, an ergonomic pistol grip and a folding buttstock and two main barrel lengths; a 550 mm (21.7 in) long barrel (when it is applied or configured for the light machine gun role) and a 370 mm (14.6 in) short barrel (when it is applied or configured for the assault rifle role). Its design enables it to have an interchangeable barrels, that can easily be removed. It has a combat weight of 6 kg (13.23 lb), a full length of 1,076 mm (42.4 in), a cyclic rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute (RPM), an accuracy range of 800 m (870 yd) and uses a standard 96-round drum magazine. It is also compatible using magazines from the AK-74 and RPK-74.

My goal

Since there is currently no airsoft replica of RPK-16, and my friend was suddenly selling a G&G RK74E, I decided and tried to do full facelift in order to make RPK-16 out of G&G RK74E. It’s important to say at the beggining, it is not a 1/1 copy, and there are some minor things to do, but I think tremendous job has been done to replicate real steel RPK-16.

Comparison between G&G RK74E and RPK-16 light machine gun

Huge thanks i need to say for 3D tech wizard who I contacted through my friend. This guy, Marko, can even 3d print you a girlfriend if you dont have one: https://www.instagram.com/dr.3d_frankenstein/

With the first contact we established, he had a numerous ideas how to make and fit RPK-16 handguard into non-standard G&G front set with outer barrel. First, he made 3D look of handguard, with 100% real steel measurements

Beside from front handguard, Marko did a tremendeus job with replicating railed dust cover. If you look closely on real steel RPK-16, there is a split between standard RIS rail, just like this one he made in computer program

Picatinny rail on a dust cover, 3D model

Leaving him to do his job, I needed to do mine, to find some good reference photos, and start to collecting externals for my build. I decided to go with these:

Photo by: Konstantin Lazarev
Photo by: Konstantin Lazarev

Taking in consideration few referent pics I have found, my shopping cart was containing next:
1) FAB Defense GL Core buttstock
2) CAA Tactical vertical handguard
3) Barrel extender paired with flashider (random one, but edited with epoxy resin to match a look with real steel one)
4) LCT AK12 pistol grip

Fotografija Nikole AS. — FAB Defense GL Core buttstock

After collecting all of these, I decided to do minimalistic and very simple paintjob. For collimator, i choose Eotech 552 holographic sight, to complete tactical look. About the mags, since there is no modern looking 5.45 mags like the ones you can see on photos, my acquisition was standard Cyma 5.45 polymer mags. Surely, we all hope that someday, LCT will bring out airsoft replicas of those new mags.

Now I’m only left with few little things like finishing a loadout that goes with it 😀

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

19. Feb 2019.19. Feb 2019.

Interview with V. Skender – fellow Russian reenacter

We had a privilege to talk with one of the first airsoft pioneers of Russian reenactment in Croatia, a face many will recognize, fellow Russian reenacter, Vedran Skender. Here is a little interview with him.

Could you describe the beginnings of airsoft in Croatia?

When I was starting with airsoft, around 2010., there were teams like AT Delta, Ursus, PRAVDA, Dark Horse and others, so I can’t say this was beginning of airsoft in Croatia. I came when those teams already started to working up on specific thematic loadouts. A few teams were using real steel equipment. But one thing I can recall, there were much more events, approximately 2-3 per month.

How did you end up playing airsoft?

I was always interested in militaria, especially guns, but also photograpy in general. First time I heard about airsoft from my friend. Since then, I became addicted.

How did early airsoft events look like?

Well, some were larger, and some were minor. It mostly depended on the club who organised it. But, all teams were eager to make better meetings as time passed. Mostly through updating the rules, adding more props or even vehicles. It was interesting and exciting to wait another year, to see how they will try to make their meetings more realistic.

Did you have any legal obstacles, misunderstandings or complaints by locals?

Actually, never, and key was properly transporting my gear, without harrasing the civilians. Photography with full loadout in nature could be tricky, so I always chose uninhabitated places for that.

Why Russian loadouts?

Well, I don’t have specific reason for that. At the same time I bought my first replica (AKS-74), some Russian equimpent became available for sale, and I gone for it.

-Have you ever reenacted some western loadout, besides Russian?

No. Through years, there were a lot of teams who reenacted western military forces, so russian loadout was my way to go.

Where did you get your gear from, was it hard to find certain parts of equipment?

I remember the Soviet Propaganda Shop and Red Alliance Forum. Once upon a time, all equipment was bought through them. And, like today, some things were easier to acquire, and some were pain in the ass to get your hands on.

Can you compare RUSFOR scene in Croatia, now and then?

From what I can see, number of Russian themed airsofters is growing today. Few years ago, there was only few teams and some freelancers. But, it looks like they are now trying to reenact regular army loadouts, instead, then popular, special forces loadouts.

What were the RUSFOR pioneers, first serious airsoft teams?

Pravda is first on my mind, although it has never been a host of airsoft meeting. Guys from Zagorje, Osijek and Pula were also some of first russian teams in Croatia. When we talk about other teams, Delta’s, Dark Horse, Ursus, Hristo and his „Jews“ left a big mark on Croatian airsoft scene.

From which sources have you collected your information from?

When I talk about russian loadout, first and foremost I must mention Red Alliance forum. It was a place where you could collect all relevant and fresh informations about Russian equipment and loadouts.

Compare quality of equipment now and then?

When I talk about SSO, I think best quality of equipment was from year 2000. until 2007. Since then, it has started declining. It is completely different situation for regular army, where I think there has been a lot of progress. Special forces always used best they could acquire.

Experiences with different equipment manufacturers?

I can’t comment on that because all my equipment is real steel. It is difficult to compare equipment, because it depends on period and purpose.

Your favourite piece of equipment/loadout?

My favourite loadout was always combination of gorka and smersh. Actually, that was a loadout who gave my team, Pravda – recognition.

Comparison of western and Russian equipment?

Throughout years, western and eastern equipment became equal by quialty. Materials of uniforms got upgraded, like the quality of ballistic vests. My opinion is, that eastern equipment has better bulletproof vests, but it is lagging when we talk about optics and night visions.

Generally about airsoft scene today?

I can hardly say anything, because of my inactivity in last 2-3 years. At the moment, i am planning to take part in a mislim event in Pula, so i will know more details.

Your opinion about future of airsoft, some predictions?

I don’t have any predictions 🙂

Dear Vedran, we would like to thank you for your time, see you on the battlefield tovarish!

20. Jan 2019.

Upgrading WE Makarov

Because specific airsoft regulations, airsoft players (especially one with bolt or DMR) must carry secondary weapon. For us, passionate Russian reenacters, that rule is somewhat painful, because lack of high quality replicas of Russian pistols. Gas blowback replicas, or even high quality NBB replicas of modern russian pistols like MP443 Grach still are not available, we need to satisfy ourselves with good old PM (Makarov).

On first sight, WE Makarov looks really high quality built, with steel of good texture, colour and sturdiness. This post is about upgrading the internals, so we are gonna move to the thing.
We need to identify initial problems, and they are: 1) too low FPS without silencer (cca 250fps), 2) not enough hop for BB’s higher then 0.20.
Because of simple physics law, we know that heavier BB’s go easier through air and reach further distance. Our task is to improve hopup system with some DIY methods, and reason behind that is to make heavier BB’s usable and effective in this system.

WE has made dissasembly of Makarov same as real gun. On first look, hopup chamber system looks really good, and style of applying pressure should be unique and effective. But, where is the problem? Where has my hop gone?
Because specific design of hopup arm, it doesn’t apply enough pressure on a hopup bucking, so it is advisable to insert some thin piece of plastic, aluminium, or something else, to make more contact between bucking and arm.

Plastic piece used like a shim between hopup arm and hopup bucking

I saw big potential in this hopup chamber, so outside of DIY mod, i decided to do basic upgrade of internals, with Maple Leaf Crazy Jet inner barrel (80mm)* and Maple Leaf autobot 60° hopup bucking. I have only good experience with those parts, because I used them few years ago, in VSR 10 bolt replica.
With installation of those parts, and adding a plastic shim between hopup arm and bucking, replica was able to perform constantly within 50 meters range, which is, comparing it with initial 20-25m, exceptional upgrade.
Furthermore you can see difference between applied hop with and without plastic shim. If you have for more questions we will be glad to help. We really hope that you all owners of WE PMM will be satisfied with this easy and cheap DIY mode, which can really help make your Makarov not only photoshooting model, but usable and reliable sidearm.

* With Maple Leaf Crazy Jet 80mm, it is impossible to use silencer anymore

1. Jan 2019.1. Jan 2019.

Modern RATNIK loadout kitlist

In next few lines, we would like to present you our main loadout. This is the complete Ratnik loadout, which is standard issued equipment for all military branches of Russian Federation Armed Forces. Certain pieces of equipment are used in GRU impression in combination with different gear, but we will present that in another article. Now we will concentrate on this one and enlist pieces of equipment:

Modern VDV 2016-present

Primary Gun

LCT AS VAL:

Medved HPA milsim
ZCI 6.02 370mm barrel with Rhop
LCT hopup chamber
Redline SFR Regulator
0.8L tank

Secondary:

WE PMM (Makarov) with

Maple leaf Crazy Jet inner barrel
Maple leaf Autobot 60° hopup bucking

Headwear
6b47 helmet with Digital flora cover

FSS-014 helmetlight
GsSH-01 6M2 active hearing protection
Wool balaclava from the 6B47 set

2nd line

Universal battle-transport set for the Army of the Russian Federation 6Sh117 UMTBS:

6Sh117 Enhanced vest MOLLE
Pouch for 2 AS VAL magazines, right – 2 pcs
Pouch for 2 AS VAL magazines, left – 1 pcs
Pouch for 1 hand granade – 2 pcs
Small universal pouch – 1 pcs
Army universal holster – 1 pcs
Army Pouch for Military Radio – 1 pcs
Russian Army Bayonet “6X4” – 1 pcs
Small backpack – knapsack – 1 pcs
Army pouch for Gas Mask – 1 pcs

1st line
6b45 basic bulletproof vest

Uniform:
Ratnik 6sh122 dual sided suit
Summer VDV blue Telniashka
VKBO 1st layer

Knee and joint protection:
6b51 elbow and knee pads

Backpack:
6sh118 backpack of Russian army 60L + 20L
Russian army infantry shovel
Army pouch for shovel

Boots:
BTK group boots

Gloves:
Ratnik 6sh122 black gloves

30. Dec 2018.30. Dec 2018.

Who are we?

It’s never been a doubt, only Russian loadouts were appropriate to us…

Группа Гриф (rus., Vulture Group) is a 7-member airsoft team based in Dalmatia region (Croatia). We started few years ago, motivated by the common goal, bringing together eastern equipment enthusiasts, to form a modern Russian themed airsoft group. Our loadout is based on modern (2017.+) “Ratnik” program Russian Armed Forces loadout, and we also reenact GRU units (Special Forces of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces).

*OP Drekavac, 24h event organised by AT Sabaka*

Since knowledge about Russian equipment is generally scarce, and RusFor teams are still rare (at least in this part of Europe), we would like to popularize it and familiarize everyone with it, by doing reviews, writing articles and guides.
We are always striving to improve and modernize our gear, and we are looking forward to help anyone who wants to take the same path.

Welcome to our little Russophile blog, spasibo.

29. Dec 2018.29. Dec 2018.

Welcome all!

Dear Russian airsoft reenacters, passionate lovers of eastern small arms, equipment, Russians all over the globe, and all airsofters, we would like to introduce you our new project.

Our goal is to inform you about Russian army loadouts, to write reviews regarding new incoming equipment, and to show you bits and pieces for the sake of linking you with Russian airsoft reenactment!

,,AK is better then AR” – Ivan