E&L Essential series – ELAK12 airsoft gun test
ELAK12 E&L Essential airsoft gun – characteristics
The described airsoft gun is modelled on the AK-12 semi-automatic rifle. This is certainly a very big plus for people looking for unusual constructions. Nevertheless, inside we will find solutions that have already been tried and proven in other airsoft guns. The Essential series from this manufacturer are airsoft guns with a very good quality external construction. The compromise compared to the higher series is the interior. This does not mean that the replica is missing something. I would rather say that it is catching up with the market standards of the mid-price range, rather than making an airsoft gun of the budget proposal.
The feature that is probably the first to catch the eye of this construction is the presence of mounting rails on the dust cover and the front grip of the airsoft gun. I must admit that this is something that I always miss in constructions modelled on the AK platform. Here this problem is eliminated. Although in the live firearm we find information that standard rails have their problems maintaining zero, in airsoft we don't have to worry about it. We can safely use this solution and mount our favourite accessories and sights on the airsoft gun.
Players for whom this is to be the main airsoft gun will certainly appreciate the quick way to replace the main spring in the replica. It consists in moving the gearbox, which exposes the spring guide. The video prepared by Gunfire shows it well. Thanks to this solution, we can easily adapt the airsoft gun to various game limits.
What do we get in the set with the ELAK12?
The airsoft gun comes to us in a cardboard box with foam filling. It seems to be slightly thinner than packaging from other manufacturers, but this does not affect the protection of the structure. The replica itself is quite heavy and if it was insufficiently enclosed with cardboard filling, it would certainly be visible. A nice touch that is still not present in the boxes of some AK platform airsoft guns is the protection of the charging handle, which often makes holes in the boxes. There is no problem here.
Together with the ELAK12 itself, we also get a mid-cap magazine, a battery adapter and some marketing materials. There were also instructions and a factory test certificate. Although the airsoft gun also comes with an oiler, the cleaning rod is missing. It is worth remembering this when buying.
External construction of the E&L Essential series airsoft gun
ELAK12 is a solid construction. It is difficult to look for looseness or disturbing sounds in it. The name of the game in this case is steel. Most of the airsoft gun was made of it. It is easier to list the elements that are not made of this material, i.e., the stock, pistol grip, covers and a few minor elements. Importantly, the barrel cast is also made of steel. In airsoft guns from other manufacturers, this element is often made of aluminium alloys, even when the rest of the receiver is made of steel. This makes the replica more solid, but also increases its weight. With the magazine but without the battery it is slightly over 4 kg.
Steel elements are oxidized. Also, don't be discouraged when it turns out that the airsoft gun after taking it out of the box is ... greasy. This is a factory protection of steel against corrosion, which may appear after some time of using the replica. This is quite normal and is a problem even in real steel counterparts.
The replica's mounting rails will easily accept various types of optics as well as other accessories. The sight of the airsoft gun has been moved to the back of the cover in relation to more classic designs. It also changed its shape to a small circle. A nice ergonomic touch is the fire selector with an additional wing, thanks to which we can easily reach it without taking the hand off the pistol grip.
Inside of the airsoft gun
As I mentioned earlier, the Essential series from E&L is characterized by the fact that inside we will find components rather standard for the mid-high price range. It is difficult to avoid comparisons to the higher series of this manufacturer, where very high-quality parts are used. In the Essential series, to be honest, there is nothing extraordinary considering the price of the airsoft gun, but there is nothing to complain about either. Certainly, it is enough for us to have fun with a replica straight from the box on standard airsoft games.
A nice touch is the metal hop-up chamber and the gearbox based on 9mm bearings. We also find here a quick spring replacement system and the cylinder window has rounded corners. The gears are made of steel and the cylinder is made of stainless steel. The piston is polycarbonate and has only one steel tooth. The cylinder head and the tapplet plate are also made of plastic. The plastic nozzle is equipped with a seal. The inner barrel is 455 millimetres long. It is made of brass and has a diameter of 6.03 mm. What's interesting - at its end there is an O-ring for stabilization in the outer barrel. The airsoft guns uses a standard ELM 120 motor. It is also worth noting that the construction is equipped with a magwell spacer, which makes it easier to attach a magazine.
Performance in the E&L Essential series
The Essential series, despite the use of slightly cheaper internal parts than the higher series of this manufacturer, should not give us reasons to complain about the performance straight from the box. The airsoft gun should generate about 1.4 J with the hop-up set to zero. This is quite a good result for this price range.
When it comes to range, there is also nothing to be ashamed of. In the factory configuration, the airsoft gun should have an effective range of up to about 50 meters. To improve accuracy, it is worth betting on slightly heavier BBs. Personally, I would use 0.3g or 0.28g BBs for such a replica, but I also found information on the Internet that the ELAK12 can handle 0.32g ammunition without any problems.
Who is the Essential series from E&L for?
I will say straight. In my opinion, the Essential series from E&L is for people who put the quality of external workmanship of airsoft guns first. I don't think there is anything wrong with this field. The external construction does not differ from the higher series of this manufacturer, which means that it is at a high level. First of all, steel reigns here as the main material used for production. In addition, the tolerances are so precise that we will not experience play.
The internal construction of the airsoft gun follows market standards. It's perfectly fine, but nothing really stands out in my opinion. This is by no means a defect. Everything works well and is a good compromise compared to the price of the replica.
ELAK12 is therefore, in my opinion, the perfect base for tuning. People interested in a well-built airsoft gun, which will be modified anyway, should abandon further search. However, if we are not interested in tuning, should we remove E&L from our shopping list? Not necessarily. The performance offered should be enough for standard shooters anyway, and the solid construction will surely appeal to reenactors as well as players who are simply looking for a solid airsoft gun.
Author: Boreq
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