Luc has sent in a picture of the new Inokatsu Colt 1911 prototype he took today:
Hi, Being a French customer, and being not far from the Cybergun warehouse, I go there sometimes. I was lucky enough today to see the protoype of the Inokatsu colt 1911, all cnc steel. I could take a quick picture while talking with the boss.
hope every one enjoy Luc.
Sent in from an anonymous source is a reply from the USA’s ATF in relation to a query regarding the classification of the JG M4 airsoft rifle (a copy of the Western Arms M4 GBB design).
The reply from the ATF is shown below, click any image to see larger versions.
The key bit here is that 18 U.S.C. S925(a)(3) states that a firearm is “…any weapon […] which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (b) the frame or receiver of any such weapon…”
In short the reply from the ATF states that they consider the WA/JG M4 GBB a firearm because they state that they can fit the airsoft lower receiver to a complete real M4/16 firearm, do some dremel work on the airsoft lower receiver and then fire rounds through the now jury-rigged real M4.
So as they consider the M4 GBB to be readily convertible, the lower receiver is itself considered a firearm by the ATF.
This may well be import information for anyone in the USA who may be considering importing or have already imported a M4 GBB clone of some form.
Francesco has posted images and videos from the Shizuoka Hobby Show at HobbyMedia.it:
Ciao Arnie! as every year here I am with the news showed by Tokyo Marui during the Shizuoka Hobby Show that closed yesterday.
(this is the video of the Tokyo Marui booth at the fair with a preview of all their news)
- XDM, M&P and HK45 prototypes
- High cycle TM M4 CRW
- crazy small RC heli customized with anime characters
I will post all the other news and more detailed photos within this week (now I’m travelling in Osaka for a couple of days). All the best from Japan! (Francesco)
Over at No Airsoft for Old Men Tim Ellwood has blogged a worrying read about how the law may change in NJ for Airsoft and the legislation amendment in New Jersey which will classify airsoft weapons as firearms:
I know that this is they way it is to a degree in the UK, but it just starting now in the US
Quote from the site:
Airsoft guns are already restricted in NJ, we have done training evolutions with a navy unit up there in the past and it is always a nightmare traveling up with the training guns and gear.
If you read the bill, it is a clarification, most areas up there already treat them as firearms, What I take umbrage to is the fact that they are making a law that makes something that’s not a "firearm" into a firearm… (No Airsoft for Old Men)
Click the link to read the rest of the post over there (oh and checkout the Boomstick poster – awesome!). Thanks go to Tim for the heads up.
Before even mentioning the quite obviously overhyped media spin that’s apparently called news on King5 (as found here and also reported here) which concerned an incident with Airsoft Outlet NW, it was appropriate to wait for the affected retailer to post up their thoughts on what’s gone on.
First here’s the original article that was posted on King5:
by KING5.com
Posted on February 24, 2010 at 1:46 PM
******TACOMA, Wash. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a shipment of 30 machine guns that arrived in an ocean container at the Tacoma Seaport last October.
Officials say the shipment of M-4 automatic rifles, manifested only as "Toys and Parts," was valued at nearly $10,000 and was shipped from a manufacturer in Taiwan.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms found that the rifles were tooled to shoot plastic balls, but replacement of internal components with original machine gun components would render the rifles capable of firing live ammunition.
"These rifles could have had far-reaching and potentially devastating ramifications if they had gotten into the hands of individuals who wanted to do harm in the American population," said Customs and Border Protection Area Port Director, Rolando Suliveras, Jr. "This was a good interception by our officers."
The guns will be destroyed. (KING5.com)
To the skim reader that might sound like a good bit of news, after all terrorists were stopped importing illegal firearms, weren’t they?
Sadly this story is not about real firearms, but a shipment of airsoft WE M4 GBB replicas. From that single point of misinformation the author has then hypothesised what might happen should ne’er-do-gooders get hold of the believed killing machines that were being imported. It does somewhat remind me of a poor scientific hypothesis based on two points of collected data on a graph.
Complex import laws and the ATF’s seemingly irregular implementation of such legislation provides the perfect springboard for media channels to promote doom and gloom for their latest terrorist related story.
The victim of this media spin is Airsoft Outlet NW, a home grown store trading legally within the US. There’s now been a response from Airsoft Outlet NW. As you’d expect it is a well written article and explains a bit more about what was going on in the background:
We had 30 WE TTI M4 GBBR’s seized by the Port of Tacoma customs because they thought they were "machine guns". This is our response.
You can read their full response after the break and on their website here.
Here’s the story covered in their local TV channel:
There’s also a discussion about this in the news forum here.
Alan A.K.A. ThumpMaster6 is hoping to start a debate on potential new US airsoft regulations:
Paintball Sock as an Airsoft Safety device? You Decide…
Thumpy’s VIDEO Test…Is a Paintball Barrel Sock a SAFETY device for Airsoft…or creating a danger itself?
Thumpy’s 3-D House of Airsoft has word from several Field Owners in the USA that new insurance regulations are on the way next year…mandating some type of barrel cover for ALL guns handled outside of safety netting at events. Right now, most fields only have paintball-style barrel socks…a nylon reinforced "pocket" that covers the muzzle of paintball guns, held in place by some type of elastic harness. We obtained one popular model this weekend, and when we put it to a non-scientific but totally real-world test, we got a NASTY surprise! See for yourself and please push the link to Thumpy’s YouTube Video Channel to players, teams, field owners or insurance reps you might know…to spread the word!
There’s been a lot of speculation over the Association of British Airsoft (AOBA), the latest in a series of UK airsoft organisations to spring up in the wake of the Violent Crime Reduction Act, after a number of people wandered across its website address.
Mathew Jarmain, Director of the new organisation has just forwarded us a press release by their Secetary, which hopefully might help clarify the purpose and intent of the organisation:
I would like to introduce ourselves and announce the formation of the Association of British Airsoft the AOBA.org.net
Your association is brought to you by airsofters like yourself.
Mathew Jarmain – Director (mjarmain@aoba.org.uk)
Phillip Bromley – Secretary (pbromley@aoba.org.uk
Mark Bromley (Not related) – Artwork/Airsofter
Freddie Drennan – Junior Airsofter/Graphics/Film
The Association of British Airsoft is run by players, for the players; the non-profit organisations main aim being to bring benefits to Airsoft players; whilst also educating the public and promoting the sport as a whole.
Membership with the AOBA brings a whole host of benefits for players, including full and comprehensive personal insurance, all members will be provided with an authentic registration card that will allow you to avail yourself of the VCRA defence and permit you to buy RIF’s. Also available is free legal advice to any player who finds themselves needing it.
We are working closely with retailers to provide tangible benefits to members with guaranteed high discounts to all members, and we want to get game site’s involved and both listening to and working with you the players.
We are the first group set up purely for the benefit & promotion of the players and the sport. Pre registration is free to join and we want to give players the opportunity to have their comments heard but more importantly listened to.
The Association of British Airsoft will be working with individual players as well as Teams, Game Site’s and Retailers. Our aim is to provide a voice for the players first and foremost because without you in the field playing our wonderful sport there simply is no Airsoft.
We are sure you have many questions and queries and we ask anyone who does have questions to forward them to us with the corresponding email address to obtain the correct information. We want to reduce as much unnecessary forum speculation/rumours.players@aoba.org.uk
sites@aoba.org.uk
retailers@aoba.org.uk
general@aoba.org.ukWe have made our website public to show you the players that we are here and on the way. It will take some time to become fully established and we ask if you have any ideas or suggestions or feedback however constructive, to contact us directly.
Please note our constitution will be available shortly.
Please go to www.aoba.org.uk and sign up for the pre registration. Remember this is your sport so have your say…Regards
Phillip Bromley (Secretary, Association of British Airsoft)
Chris u’5 has posted on the forums with some rather worrying news and a request:
As you are aware I started a thread recently regarding the very real possibility of both airgunning and airsoft being banned in Scotland.
There is a lot going on in the Scottish airgun community currently to oppose this proposed change in law and BASC is also heavily involved.
Currently there are very mixed messages coming from the SNP government regarding their intentions regarding this matter, initially after discussion with BASC the SNP promised there would not be an outright ban on airguns in Scotland.
Recently however they have been suggesting otherwise and it appears they are aiming for a complete blanket ban. BASC have been in contact with the SNP over the past few days and they have again stated that a complete ban is not their intention and they have apparently said that airguns will be allowed for the use of vermin control or recognised sporting events.
Unfortunately the question of airsoft has not been made clear in this entire debacle.
As far as the SNP are concerned airsoft and airguns are all one thing, I am very worried that they will not recognise airsoft skirmishing as one of their "recognised sporting events" and I have the feeling when they say this they are referring to airgun sports such as Hunter Field Target.Tonight a petition was posted at the No.10 website calling for Westminster to regain control of firearm law and not allow the Scottish Government to destroy our sport.
Naturally I am a cynic when it comes to politics but at this stage I feel we must do anything we can to prevent this potential change in law to occur.http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ScottishGunBan/
Obviously this is a potentially serious matter for our sport so I would be extremely grateful to you if you could assist in this campaign.
Kind regards and best wishes,
Chris
To find out more, visit the new Airsoft Ban in Scotland section of the forum here.
Peter of taiwangun.com has sent in news of a new clone:
WELL showed complete clone sniper rifle STAR-RG-AW338, quality is much better than the well-known MB01/WARRIOR.
Shooting power 450fps, gas magazine capacity 23bullets. Clone sniper rifle STAR-RG-AW338 Will be on sale in two months.
Best regards Peter
———————
Krakman SC
Vetulaniego 1A
31-227 Krakow
Poland
www.taiwangun.com
It seems that the “trade-dress” arguments are back and going to court again, here’s a quick rundown and link sent in by a reader:
If you remember the "trade dress" case between Colt and Bushmaster in America from a few years ago, there’s a similar battle going on now between HK and several other companies, including Crosman, Gamo, and Precision Airsoft.
Full information available at http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=6&t=869353
I’ve checked the forum link and there’s a link to the very dull case papers which you can read if you’re interested. There’s a simple explanation of what’s going on on the ar15 pages linked to above.
Jimmy (Moocow) has been in contact with some news from Hong Kong. The annual Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair has been running there, and he’s been talking to several of the key Chinese manufacturers:
KA GBB M4A1
Firstly, in addition to WA / WE / Inokatsu and Dboys who are apparently already manufacturing and selling GBB M4s, KA also have a working prototype and are considering sales, but area first apparently considering the commercial viability of such a project and the possibility of partnership with one of the existing manufacturers.
Many thanks to FightingCock (FC) of the Obliterators for allowing this mugshot to be taken by MooCow!
KA Blowback AEGs
Moocow reports that he considered the prototype KA M4 GBB to work better than the WE variant, with an improved FPS and reliability and better quality materials.
KA are also apparently planning to release a new range of blowback AEGs, including a Galil and SIG 556 (pictured).
New ACM Manufacturer with GBB PTW & GBB MP5
Moocow also reported on a new ACM brand, who he suspects is named P&G, although it is possible they may be P&J; apparently their representative’s dialect coupled with a lack of printed logos made it difficult to be sure. Apparently the company are manufacturing M4 PTW GBBs & MP5 GBB, which certainly makes them a manufacturer to look out for.
That’s not all; the manufacturer are also seeking to produce an AEG M60 along with other AEG support variants
LCT Airsoft
LCT Airsoft also had a stand at the expo, where they were demonstrating some of their new wares. Most of these have been identified already in previous news, but it’s certainly worth watching this space; they’re clearly determined to carve a name for themselves as cheaper Inokatsu-grade AEG manufacturers.
Pics will come as and when Jimmy can get around to sending them me (which will be soon, hopefully!)
STI / SRC
Nothing remarkable to report here, other than expect everyone’s favourite cheapsoft manufacturer to produce yet more AEG clones of existing replicas out on the market before long.
ThumpMaster6 has sent over an email from KWA USA about some models that KWA are updating:
Subject: KWA UPDATES THREE POPULAR MODELS WITH NS2 GAS DELIVERY SYSTEM ( KWA Product Support Forums )
From: forums@kwausa.com
ThumpMaster6,
We are pleased to announced updates to three popular handgun models; M93R, KP45, and KP8 Compact. All three models have been redesigned to incorporate the new KWA NS2 gas delivery system currently used in the Professional PTP series pistols.
The NS2 internal gas delivery system is a KWA patented design and is found exclusively on KWA manufactured products. The new system utilizes an advanced lightweight composite gas piston with a two-stage internal expansion chamber that delivers the gas more efficiently than that of its predecessors. The NS2 design increases the weapon cycle rate and also provides for a crisp, realistic blow back action. Muzzle velocity is increased and shots are more consistent due to the new design and tighter tolerances. The magazines have also been redesigned to be an integral part of the NS2 gas system. The new magazines are now a one-piece construction milled from solid alloy billet. This new construction strengthens the magazine’s structural rigidity and increases pressure carrying capacity.
The new KWA M93R, KP45, and KP8 Compact are available now at all KWA USA Authorized Resellers. Manufacture suggested retail price for the pistols are $259.95 for M93R, $199.95 for KP45, and $179.95 for the KP8 Compact. The actual retail price may vary. All KWA products include a 45 days warranty. (kwausa.com)
Fra has sent in word of reports that Tanaka might have had some troubles with the law:
Ciao Arnie! big news from Japan.
Yesterday the sanpo website confirmed that Tanaka Works has been raided and the legendary Japanese modder has been accused of violation of the strict Japanese Sword and Firearms Control Law.
4 models have been considered illegal, 800 seized and 1000 sold to cutomers…
Police asked to customers to bring their soft air to the nearest local Police station. (source) Fra
Steve (Airsoft World) is out in China and has sent in text and photos (he also posted the text on his forums). Click the link through to read the full article and see all te photos he#s sent over:
Well as promised, here’s the first installment of what’s going on in China and a couple of other places I’m running around over the next two weeks:
The economy is suffering here too believe it or not. There’s factories closing down left right and centre as major foreign buyers (Walmart and other super-******s) are panicking and cancelling their orders. I’m watching the Chinese news here most nights and lots of people are going down the toilet.
WGC sent in a slightly different email from usual which regards possible competitors claiming to be authorised distributors for specific manufacturers when they might not be.
Established dealers such as WGC obviously feel strongly about this issue, but I want to post things carefully so this doesn’t snowball.
In this case the claims relate to a dealer being an accredited VFC/G&G dealer, however G&G for example keep a list on their site that’s updated regularly that can be checked to verify this.
Retailers and competitors will be frustrated when others claim to carry the same status that they may well have fought and bargained hard for. Yet from an end user point of view the possible potential downfalls would likely be support related and falling foul of grey/parallel import issues.
As ever best advice is to always make an informed decision in whatever purchase that you make and be sure to check up on claims and promises made to see that they hold water before laying down hard cash.
Please be aware that it is merely a quoted submission. The link and the name of the specific retailer that they mention has been removed:
Dealer Right and Copyright Violation
Recently we have noticed that there is an airsoft company named [URL snipped] claims itself as an authorized distributor of VFC and G&G without actual authority. We believe that these violations are serious since this is a sort of swindle. We have contacted this company for the removal of all unapproved declarations and images that may mislead customers. However, no reply is received until now. Being a wise customer, please be aware of this matter. Thank you for your kind attention.
Regards,
Kitty Sin
Marketing Department
WGC Shop
Email: marketing@wgcshop.com
Website: http://wwww.wgcshop.com
