Airsoft Action March 2020 | Page 21

EVENT REPORT SHOT SHOW 2020 - LAS VEGAS, USA impossible to bring you every tiny piece of news here but I’ll give you an overview of things that I personally found exciting. First off I mosey’d straight on over to the ASG stand to check out the “announced at SHOT” B&T USW. Using their license to B&T to full effect, ASG pulled a bit of a flanker by dropping the USW (Universal Service Weapon) as this is an interesting sidearm designed by the Swiss company. It was first introduced in 2016 and it brings the old concept of a stocked pistol to a whole new level. The airsoft version is a real sweetie, feels good and solid and I am certain it will be a hit with players of all types as it definitely ticks all the “Mil/LE” boxes whilst having a far wider appeal to both bolt-action and DMR users as a backup! And speaking of snipers, ASG also had the latest addition to their Accuracy International line of replicas, showing a very tidy MK13 Mod 7 springer! They were also showing the new ICS “CXP-ARK” AK which looked super-cool but as I’m seeing ICS at IWA in person, I’ll concentrate more on that next month in our report from the German show. Specna arms were also “loud and proud” at the show, with a tidy booth showcasing their firm favourites along platform, and I for one can’t wait for this. Add to this, new partnerships for Specna Arms with Daniel Defense and Strike Systems and it looks like it’s going to be quite the year for them. Thankfully, this year EVIKE had moved up from the depths of the lower halls to take over a dominating site close to Group (EMG). I’ve always been a Noveske fan so seeing both AEG and GBB versions of current firearms that are being built with input from the manufacturer themselves was a REAL thrill. I’ve already been booting the beejaysus out of the new “Infidel” AEG model on the range and I’ll be reporting back on that fully in Issue 112 next month! “SPECNA ARMS WERE ALSO “LOUD AND PROUD” AT THE SHOW, WITH A TIDY BOOTH SHOWCASING THEIR FIRM FAVOURITES ALONG WITH SOME NEW MODELS AND SOME REALLY INTERESTING 3D-MODELLED CONCEPTS TO ADD TO THEIR ROCK RIVER ARMS COLLECTION…” with some new models and some really interesting 3D-modelled concepts to add to their Rock River Arms collection, along with some of their own creations such as an angled foregrip incorporating QD mount points, some neat “blade” trigger designs, and a nicely ergonomic stock thought up specifically to take into account new battery designs. Internally they had some cleverness going on with ORION gearboxes put together to maximise the performance given by the GATE ASTER. Although Specna Arms are saving the physical launch of the product range until IWA in March, they were also talking a LOT about the new EDGE 2.0 models that will come with the ASTER as standard, high torque motor, new hop- up unit, and the ESA-2 quick change spring system. On the wall to handle and stroke was the latest Specna prototype model incorporating their take on the PDW stock system, which felt rock solid and was very easy to use. Again, being saved for IWA (hopefully!!!) is the new “J-Series”, their take on the mighty AK other airsoft companies. Whilst EVIKE are obviously known best as a “mega” retailer in North America they are also fast becoming a purveyor of their own sub- brands of airsoft gucciness! First up for me was the range of “Novseke” ARs that are being created by the Evike Manufacturing The new “Strike Systems” (that name again!) “F4” AR from Dytac looked lovely, everything a thoroughly modern AR should be, with some extra goodies to boot. On the pistol front their Archon Type B looks good, and word is that this should be starting to ship soon, and a prototype www.airsoft-action.online 21