Manufacturer: Javelin Airsoft Works
Package: Javelin Airsoft Works AK74 EBB, manual, 1 x 500rd Hi-Cap magazine, 2 x Javelin Airsoft patches.
Type: AEG
Velocity: Average 415fps with 0.20g BBs
Rating: 5/5

Much like with the M4, the airsoft market has been flooded in recent years with forgettable AK variants en mass. I planted my AK flag in Classic Army’s yard when they first debuted their AK line and never really looked back. That is until a friend turned me on to a relative new-comer to the AEG game, Javelin Airsoft Works. I knew Javelin made BBs as far back as 2009, but I thought that was it. Turns out they have been producing AEGs as far back as early 2010! Seeing as I was pretty much on airsoft-hiatus during 2010, no wonder I didn’t recognize the name.

Regardless, I was looking for another AK to beef up my armory and decided to give the Javelin AK74 EBB a shot. Retailing for $230 USD from Airsoft Extreme, the box came packed with a 500rd Hi-Cap, manual and to my surprise, two Javelin patches (I’m kind of a patch nerd).

The AK74 is full metal and wood construction with very few but appropriate plastic pieces. The pistol grip is made from a high grade polymer which is textured on the sides. My stock was loose and had quite a bit of play right out of the box. I went over the entire gun and torqued down the random loose screws, a few more than I would expect on a factory-fresh AEG.

I ordered an 8.4v 1400 stick batter but sadly it just wasn’t enough to cycle the gun. Replacing it with a 9.6v battery was the trick, bringing the ’74 to vicious life. Semi-auto was crisp and responsive. Full-auto is where the EBB really came into it’s own. Everyone I handed the AK74 to was impressed with it’s weight and construction. They became sold when they flipped the safety to full-auto and rattled off a few rounds down-range. The EBB gives and ever-so-slight kick and mechanical noise that you just don’t find in standard AEGs. EBB makes the rifle feel more ‘wild’ and ‘dangerous’ for no other reason than the clacking sounds three inches from your face.

My AK74 averaged 415fps with G&G Bio 0.2g weight BBs, placing it in that sweet spot of not needed to upgrade to make it field ready. The hop-up is average, holding the settings placed and making long shots a breeze. The battery needed a little ‘encouragement’ to fit, but nothing too scarey in the process.

Unlike most of my new guns, I wasn’t too ginger with the AK74 EBB. After all, it’s built like a tank and bench testing had shown that this AEG needed a bigger venue than just a local pick-up game to prove it’s salt. I rocked the ’74 as my primary weapon at OLCMSS’s 3-day airsoft event Op: Lightning Strike II at Ft. Drum on August 3rd 2011. As you may or may not know, airsoft Op’s eat AEGs alive so I figured what better trial scenario. Over the weekend, I shot nearly 8,000 rounds which sounds a bit excessive… but at 200 players vs 12 of us staff, seems a bit more reasonable. Not once the AK74 fail me. Not a single jam, misfire or hiccup to mention. Simply awesome.

In conclusion, I have to say I’m in awe of the Javelin AK74 EBB. In all honesty, I didn’t have much faith in it when I first opened the box and still brought my venerable CA SLR-105 as a back-up for when (not if) the Javelin failed. The Javelin made a believer out of me, putting to rest my belief that quality guns have to cost over $400 USD. While there are a few random con’s (loose screws, plastic flash suppressor, 9.6v battery requirement) that are easily overcome, this AEG definitely has a permanent home in my arsenal.