CYMA AK Product Range

[wmerrifield]

I'm soon getting my UKARA number, so I'm looking at various AEGs. I like the look of the AK platform, and as a beginner I don't want to drop the best part of £500 on a TM with recoil, etc. so I'm looking at the CYMAs mostly.

I've been playing CQB so far (with M4s), but I'm booked on a 24-hour event this summer that's a mix of CQB and Woodland/Field environment, and would like to try a variety of playstyles later on, so I don't want to get something too specialised just yet. I'm also 6'5", so I want a gun that doesn't look like a toy in my hands. So I think a (side) folding stock seems like a must (I like the look of a skeleton stock as well as the practicality of it); and I think having rails for attaching a flashlight and a red-dot scope would be great. The AK-102/104/105 are about the ideal length for me, I think.

But since CYMA don't have a website that I've found, trying to figure out what the difference is between the various versions of their AKs is pretty tricky. I think I want a CM040 but it's hard to figure out the difference between each of the variants. 

So far I've got this as a shortlist:

• CM045C (I've handled this): Looks cool; side-folding skeleton stock; has short RAS rails. Maybe a bit too short; it feels almost submachinegun size, and  a bit too small for me.
  

And then several versions of the 040: 

• CM040D (I've handled this): Side-folding (solid polymer) stock; no rails, but an ideal length, I think. But could I swap the polymer handguard out for a third party RIS rail system? Is there a railed version of this somewhere? Is there a skeleton stock version?
  
• CM040B: Is this just the same as the '040D', above, but with the side folding skeleton stock? Again, no rails though. Also, I've not actually seen this for sale anywhere in the UK.
  
• CM040K: Side-folding skeleton stock; nice big RAS rails, but also the longest of the three (As it's based on the full-length AK74). Maybe too long for CQB, even when folded. I haven't seen this "in the flesh" anywhere, so I can't be sure.
  
• CM040I (I've handled this): Looks like it has the appropriate RIS rails, but a crane stock which I hate. But if I could get those rails on the 040B, I would be very happy. 
  

What are your opinions on those? Are the internals/build of the 045 better than the 040? Are there any other variants (or even manufacturers) I should consider? Is there a reasonably-priced aftermarket rail system to put on the 040B variant (which would be my ideal solution?)

 

[Greg147]

I owned a CM040B for quite a while. Definitely worth consideration as a starter gun, had a decent feel to it and performed well out of the box. Only thing to consider is that with that CYMA range,the metal is pot metal rather than proper steel, so can be brittle (the button to unfold the stock snapped off mine when taking a scope off, and the front end never properly fit together nicely without cable tie). That said, I may have had a dud, but it doesn't feel quite like the steel versions.

Unless I'm much mistaken, all of the 040 range have the same internals, so it's purely what version looks most appealing to you. I can't speak for the CM045C, but I suspect this may be the same, just externally based on the SU model of AKs. 

Regarding the rails, there are tonnes of CYMA compatible rail systems out there that should be compatible with most 102/104/105 models. So if you buy one without rails and decide you want one, you can always get one to suit you later.  

So as a starter gun, I'd say they're worth the money in my opinion (although I got mine from Taiwangun, so paid less than UK shops). Just be aware they're not the greatest build quality, but they'll do for a starter, and I only sold mind because I broke it and wanted to upgrade to an LCT model. 

 

[Samurai]

Cyma makes pot metal AKs AND almost full steel AKs where the barrel is not, but everything else is steel. The 048 are steel, I don't know about the 040.

Internally cymas are great.

 

[Ajax]

Hi all. 

I am thinking about getting an AK. I like the look and feel of AKMS (i.e. CM.048s). I read a bit already. And some people are recommending Boyi RK-10s. 

For reasonable price what would be your recommendation for steel, real wood furniture AK?

P.S. unless you know the place to buy cheap Ares Beryl

 

[Samurai]

Cyma are better in the inside, Kalash (Boyi's AK range) are better on the outside. Not that they are bad the other way around.

 

[Ajax]

Thank you for your reply. How much better the CYMA guts  are? Do you know if Boyi has plastic hop up chamber or steel like CYMA? Also with front folding stock is there a way to mount the scope? Or should I consider side folding stock instead? Thank you.

 

[Samurai]

The folding stock folds under the body, doesn't affect the scope. The side folding one folds to the right side, the AK rail mount is on the left. You can also get a railed top cover, but IMO go for a red dot that's front handguard mounted or there are rails available that go on the rear sight which is a perfect place for a small red dot.

Cyma insides are really good. They continuously improve their products while Boyi doesn't really. I would definitely get the cyma. I'm not an AK fan so I don't see the difference between the looks of the Kalash and the Cyma. People say the Kalash looks more authentic.

IDK what hopups are in them now, but that's a strong point of AKs so both are fine.

 

[Ajax]

Thank you. So now to find CM.048s in decent price. For some reason they seems to be more expensive than full wooden stock 048 and 048m