Classic Army SLR-105 Steel Version

[Kokanee]

Classic Army SLR-105 Steel Version Review
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First Impressions

Ever since the CA SLR steel version (SLR) was released months ago I've been eagerly awaiting it's availability here in Canada. Thankfully HoJo was good enough to allow me to poach his incoming CA order and snag one before it "hit the shelves" so to speak.

The box is standard fare, cardboard and styrofoam. Rest assured, it does an adequate job of protecting that which you have paid for. As well a Japanese manual is included that is pretty much good for the trashbin if this isn't your first AEG, nothing special.

But open up that unremarkable box, and wow! Right off the bat when it comes to aesthetics, the SLR impresses. The blued steel receiver and wood furniture look amazing and the heft is enough without being too much of a burden.

Construction

The SLR is 100% rock solid right off the bat. The wood furniture is solid and there is no wobble in the pistol grip. I have all visible screws a tweak just to check, but everything was nice and tight right from the factory


CA SLR Steel version compared in size to ICS M4 w/ silencer

The blued steel receiver is a first in the airsoft world when it comes to a full-run AEG, and it looks simply amazing. Once you lay eyes on it, all other AK series painted/parkerized receivers look like complete bullocks. The receiver does have the controversial "Arsenal" trades on the left-hand side, but they aren't noticeable to the casual look and don't detract from the "made in mother Russia" looks this aeg exudes.


Arsenal trades and sight attachement


The blued-steel receiver is of outstanding quality and everything fits together amazingly well. The quality of construction gives one 100% confidence that in the event of a dead battery, the aeg could be used as a blunt* weapon no problem

Performance

Classic Army developed something of a reputation for less than stellar quality and performance in it's AEGs when they first began manufacturing runs, especially when they did a "1st gen" run of a new aeg. Those days are apparently over, as the SLR is an outstanding performer out of the box. Shooting approx 300fps factory, and possessing a hopup that is rock solid enables this aeg to hold it's own no problem. The first day I had this out to a training day, of course it was passed around like the village bicycle as quite a few people had a go. The dominant comments were "wow it's quiet" and "it's a laser, shoots right where you point it"

It is indeed a very quiet aeg in comparison to most. And regarding the accuracy, once the hop is set, it's positively a tack driver, putting rounds downrange with amazing precision, time after time.

One issue I must raise however. Rumblings concerning this aeg tell of the need to replace the piston after the first 1,000 rounds. Apparently there are some durability issues w/ all CA pistons. I have not had a chance to crack the mechbox yet, but I will report on this issue once I have, as by my estimates I've put about 1,500 rounds through this rifle so far with no problems.


The SLR's gastube is a cast piece, adding to the impressive weight overall of the AEG.

Conclusion

I'm really quit happy with this purchase. The CA SLR Steel version is a "contender" right out of the box with no QC issues** so far. I'm planning to keep it stock as a "enemy force" weapon, and the solid construction ensures it will be around for awhile no matter how many times I may drop it out of a moving vehicle or bang it against rocks etc....

It is a bit pricey, but 100% worth it.


*One should never use an aeg as a blunt instrument in assaulting another player. Anyone who doesn't realize the above statement was in jest obviously is not familiar w/ the concept of sarcasm....

** After less than 1000 rounds had to replace the piston, however this is the norm with all CA aeg's. I recommend replacement of the piston upon purchase.

[ex]

It can also apparently be used at the end of a string to lure unsuspecting and naive airsofters. Demonstrated here by Kokanee himself.


P.S
Great Review buddy. It really is a rock steady weapon. It fires great and feels very realistic in your hands.

[Kokanee]

lol, I was wondering where those pics went! For everyone's benefit, I decided to try and get rid of that "stepped out of a catalogue" looks of the SLR and dragged it around in the rocks for a bit to "ugly it up" some...

[attack-beaver]

bout bloody time.

great read and great look i guess a must have for any AK fan?

[stokes]

Awesome Review man. Im not much if an AK fan but to hear how durable the construction is makes me think otherwise...

By the way did you repaint your ICS I remember it had blue and Coyote brown streaks?

[Vivisector]

Fuckin' A. Beautiful

Lower foregrip looks a little too squared off for me. That's about my only issue. It looks REAL.

[ancorp]

Originally Posted by Vivisector

Fuckin' A. Beautiful

Lower foregrip looks a little too squared off for me. That's about my only issue. It looks REAL.

Agreed on all that. You're using the wrong form magazine too... Use a 5.45 curvature for more realism

Cheers,
Alex

[Kokanee]

Originally Posted by ancorp

Agreed on all that. You're using the wrong form magazine too... Use a 5.45 curvature for more realism

Cheers,
Alex

they're in the mail

Originally Posted by stokes

....
By the way did you repaint your ICS I remember it had blue and Coyote brown streaks?

The M4 is the project gun this winter, getting a new RAS for christmas muhahaha

[Identity]

Hey is that a 47 mag I see in your gun?!
I thought the Classic Army SLR105 only fits 74 mags?
How much did that beast cost you? I'm looking for an AK but not sure what brand to go with...
The Handgrip looks a bit plasticy but the rest of the gun is gorgeous.
Maybe you should get a wooden handgrip.

[thephenom]

I'm using the CA AK47 mags in my SLR-105, perfect feed, not complaints.

I asked the same question about the handgrip when I saw the gun at ASCA, but that's how the real one is supposed to look.

[Kokanee]

Originally Posted by Identity

Hey is that a 47 mag I see in your gun?!
I thought the Classic Army SLR105 only fits 74 mags?

The dimensions of AK74 and AK47 magazines are identical where they lock into the receiver.

Originally Posted by Identity

How much did that beast cost you? I'm looking for an AK but not sure what brand to go with...

If I recall correctly it was just over $800

Originally Posted by Identity

The Handgrip looks a bit plasticy but the rest of the gun is gorgeous.
Maybe you should get a wooden handgrip.

Not my taste. It's an Russian AK74, which were produced with polymer pistol grips... a wooden pistol grip would just be wrong. I did however throw on a Guarder plum AK74 pistol grip that I think looks better;

[Identity]

Originally Posted by Kokanee

Not my taste. It's an Russian AK74, which were produced with polymer pistol grips... a wooden pistol grip would just be wrong. I did however throw on a Guarder plum AK74 pistol grip that I think looks better;

That looks way better.
The plasticy brown handgrip just looked nasty. That Guarder one you put on really makes a differnce.

Have you managed to put 1500 rounds in the gun and replaced the cylnder.
Is it 1500 or 15000?
I never knew the gun came in a woodfinish. I thought it was black.

[thephenom]

Originally Posted by Identity

I never knew the gun came in a woodfinish. I thought it was black.

Get with the time. =P

This is the new steel/wood SLR-105 from CA.

[Kokanee]

Originally Posted by Identity

...Have you managed to put 1500 rounds in the gun and replaced the cylnder.
Is it 1500 or 15000? ...

I replaced the piston with a stock TM one and everything is fine, I had put less than 1000 rounds thru at the time of failure. Since then I'm still under the 1500 round mark - 4 aegs all crying for gametime means low duty cycles

[Kokanee]

*Update

For those (like me) who consider the pistol grip that comes w/ this AEG to look completely wrong, fear not. The plastic dyes amazingly well with RIT brand dye. I did a black dye job on it and it looks 500% better.