The Armory:
TSD Tactical/SRC’s RPK
Most of us, when we hear RPK, cringe as we reflect on what we know is a high priced item, usually starting with a TM AK-47 and then adding one of those uber $700 Guarder kits, some very pricey drum magazines, and an RPK bi-pod with an end result that’s often well in the ballpark of $1k. Well, SRC’s looking to change everything we know with their release, the TSD Tactical RPK OEM by SRC. Packaging & MSRP Around $365-$410 USD gets you an all metal & wood RPK. Additionally, SRC has included a 600rnd AK HiCap magazine, RPK bipod as well as a 3000rnd RPK drum magazine. The package is filled out with a box of 100 .20bbs, manual, and catalogue. Real Steel: “The RPK (Ruchnoi Pulemet Kalashnikova = Kalashnikov light machinegun) was developed as a light support weapon, and had been issued in Soviet Army by one item per each infantry squad (10 men). It had been officially replaced in service by RPK-74 but in fact is still in use with many 2nd line and noninfantry troops, as well as with other Para-military organizations in Russia and other states. Basically, the RPK is a AK-47 (AKM) assault rifle with sturdier receiver, heavier and longer, non detachable barrel, and re-contoured wooden buttstock. The sights were re-calibrated according to longer barrel, and the rear sight has a windage adjustments. The non detachable, folding bipods are mounted under the muzzle. RPK can be fed from special 40rds box or 75rds drums magazines, as well as from standard AK-47 type 30rds box magazines. The paratrooper version of the RPK, called RPK-S, had side-folding wooden buttstock.”
from world.guns.ru Used with permission
Specs: Manufacturer: SRC
Distributed by TSD
Length: Weight: Build Material: metal, wood and ABS Fire Selection: semi/full-auto Mechbox Type: Ver3 reinforced mechbox Power Source: (battery – not included) Motor: ultra high-torque Hop-up: yes Blowback: no Power: electric FPS: 330-350fps Magazine Capacity: HiCap – 600rnds, Drum – 3000rnds Pro/Con Pros: Right out of the box, this rifle can only be described by any self respecting airsofter, whether you’re a fan of the AK series or not, as one hell of a beautiful piece. It’s almost a work of art! The metal body really gives you
the sense that this is one durable, and considerably mean looking mother. Additionally, the wood is simply gorgeous. The stock, foregrips and pistol grip have all been carefully stained the same color as the real steel version. The cost is also a great pro as it’s considerably reasonable for an LMG. SRC has improved upon Guarder’s kit with their piece. Swapping out the battery is quick and easy. As with TM’s AK series, the butt plate slides right off of the stock, allowing access to the hollow inside for quick insertion/swap-out of the battery. The inner barrel extends all the way from the hop-up to the flash hider meaning you’ll gain a fraction in FPS and accuracy over other AK variants, with the overall barrel length. The TSD Tactical RPK comes complete with 3 sling attachments. One on the front as is standard with the AK series, one on the receiver and another on the stock (although I wouldn’t recommend slinging it to the stock – see Cons). SRC has utilized a Ver3 mechbox which adds substantially to the durability as well as the upgradeability of this gun. Like Marui, SRC has a battery tray covering the mechbox. Not only does this provide stability for the charging handle, but upon further inspection, one could easily rewire the battery placement from the stock to the upper receiver and run an extended stick battery all the way through the inside of the upper receiver through the foregrip. The included bipod means you won’t have to hunt down that rare item that seems to elude lots of the custom jobs you can find on the internet. The TSD Tactical RPK is also 100% compatible with Tokyo Marui, Classic Army, MAG and STAR magazines meaning you won’t have to go out and spend a small fortune on magazines but that’s highly unnecessary anyway. Not only did SRC include a high capacity magazine but probably the coolest thing here, is the inclusion of arguably the best and one of only two RPK drum magazines on the market. With the exception of Hero Arms’ RPK Drum magazine, all of the drum magazines out there now are simply airsoft customized RPD drum magazines. SRC’s is actually an RPK drum magazine. Not only that but the magazine is an auto-wind magazine that runs on 4 AAA batteries. As with the gun itself, installation of the batteries is straight forward and can be done in less than 30 second. Cons: We’ll get the main con out of the way first. This was revealed by UPS abuse during shipping. Unfortunately, the tabs/flanges that hold the stock are actually molded as part of the magnesium body. It’s uncertain just how much force is needed, but if enough is applied, the prongs will snap clean off. Another con, which is just here in the US, is the fact that we’ll receive a “blaze-orange” birdcage M4 flash hider vs. the funnel-type RPK flash hider that our Asian, UK and European airsoft brothers will get to enjoy. It would’ve been nice to get the RPK flash hider with the funnel painted orange. Additionally, with the birdcage flash hider, the RPK comes sans pin & spring to secure any aftermarket flash hider the user might want to purchase. While the butt plate is a pro, unfortunately, it’s also a con. While you don’t have to worry about unscrewing the plate from the wooden stock, the luxury of easy battery placement runs you the risk of losing it during a game. The bipod doesn’t secure firmly to the mock cleaning rod, meaning that while running, the bipod comes lose and begins to rattle. This is easily secured with a rubber band or Velcro strap around the barrel, forgoing realism to keep it in place. An on/off switch would’ve been good for the drum magazine. If one isn’t careful with storage, the auto-wind can easily be engaged running the batteries dry between use and also running the risk of burning the motor with the continual use and dry loading. Efficiency: Us older players are all to familiar with all the oldschool rumors from elitists regarding SRC. This gun can easily be qualified as a myth buster. As with the ICS late last year (see iss. 12), I decided to go all out and try to break the internals to refute all the rumors running amuck. Not only did the gun pump out BBs as fast as I could load and reload the HiCap, but it flawlessly dumped the drum mag in it’s entirety without any double feeding whatsoever…on both semi and full-auto! The gun only stopped shooting after my
9.6 3300 MAH battery ran dry. The fact that it also worked with all the other mags we had readily available made this rifle even more desirable. Additionally, if your arms get tired of holding this beast, you can easily go prone and drop the bipod for more secure accuracy when firing. Durability: This thing reads like a recipe for Durablility: TSD Tactical RPK version comes standard with steel gears, a metal hop-up unit, ultra high torque motor, all metal reinforced mechbox w/metal bushings pre-installed. And to back up that durability is a TSD Tactical 60 day manufacturer warranty. Using metal and wood, SRC really produced a durable piece. With the utilization of a Ver3 mechbox, the need to purchase a reinforced mechbox with potential upgrades is a worry negated. There are only 2 concerns I have with the durability of the TSD Tactical RPK. The first are the flanges molded as part of the magnesium body which popped clean off during shipping. This means stressing caution around the stock, especially if you decide to utilize the sling attachment on the stock. The second is the wiring in the drum magazine. It has a tendency to want to creep between the back plate on the drum magazine and the bold housing. This means it gets pinched if one isn’t careful when opening and closing the drum magazine and continual pinching will result in a split wire. Other than that, these small issues, this is one solid piece. Upgradeability: Considering airsofters usually purchase kits to turn their AKs into RPKs, there really isn’t much here to be upgraded. The only upgrades I can see would be the purchase of an RPK flash hider (at any numerous sites or gun shows) and a mechbox upgrade. Both are readily and easily available. Additionally, for those who want to run scopes, there are rail systems which mount to the receiver bolts beneath the lower receiver. Rank: Colonel
Final Thoughts: Considering several people have purchased near $1k USD worth of kit to get their AKs up to this point, Howitzer included, the rifle by itself, with the woods and metal, is more than worth the price. Add the included bipod and the drum magazine (which would run you near the cost of the TSD Tactical RPK anyway) and you’re looking at a piece that’s poised to give Guarder/Inokatsu a run for their money in the RPK department. I’m thoroughly impressed and definitely recommend this piece to anyone in the market for an RPK or a reliable and extremely affordable LMG. by Reaper
TSD Tactical RPK donated courtesy of [TSD or Team SD]
www.AirsoftSD.com