Full steel PP19 BIZON-2 AEG produced by Silverback Airsoft.

INTRODUCTION

The following test could be conducted thanks to the Polish Airsoft company - Gunfire.pl - that provided WMASG.pl editorial staff with the Silverback Airsoft PP19 BIZON-2 AEG test copy.

Due to adjustments to Japanese law, the velocity of bullets is lowered. Nevertheless, the producer claims, that stock models produced for foreign markets will have their FPS ranging from 350 to 360 FPS.

We invite you to read our Silverback Airsoft PP19 BIZON-2 AEG review.

A BIT OF HISTORY

During early 90s, at the request of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kalashnikov and Dragunov constructed PP19 BIZON submachine gun. PP19 BIZON first appeared on public in 1993 and later, in 1996, it was accepted into service.

real BIZON firearm, source: bronstrzelecka.cba.pl

The weapon bases on AKS-74 - it uses shortened AKS-74 receiver, same pistol grip, trigger unit and folding stock.

real BIZON firearm, source: bronstrzelecka.cba.pl

It uses cylindrical, helical-feed magazine located under the barrel and the front part of receiver. The magazine is also a handguard, thus it's outer layer is made from plastic (although magazines were primarily made from aluminium). It contains 64 bullets (compared to 67 of the earlier version). Bizon uses 9x18mm 57-N-181S ammunition or the more powerful version - 9x18mm 57-N-181SM.

real BIZON firearm, source: primeportal.net

PP19 BIZON submachine gun uses rear flip-up sight with two open square notches (settings for 50m and 100m) and a round post front sight. The newer model (BIZON-2) have three settings - 50m, 100m and 150m (an open U-notch rear sight and a semi-shrouded front post) and enhanced flash hider that enables user to mount sound suppressor.

real BIZON firearm, source: primeportal.net

PACKING

This AEG comes inside a plain carton box with removable cover.

Basic information about the model and the producer is included on the stickers on the top and on the sides of the box - the box itself have neither graphics nor any coloristics. Inscription about the age requirements brings attention. Another annotation about the age is placed in user manual. People in some countries have to obey the age requirements.

Inside the box, the gun with its magazine are well-protected by a foam pad. The cover of the foam pad is almost 20 millimeters thick. The producer makes a good job in terms of security.

Apart from the AEG, there is also a paper sheet inside, containing unique serial number of the gun - in our case it is "0009".

The user manual contains information in English language and meaningful images concerning usage of the AEG.

THE FIRST IMPRESSION

After picking BIZON up it seems very realistic.

It makes a very good impression. It does not bring to mind a toy - BIZON is heavy despite its slightly compact size.

All elements of the gun are tightly fit. None of them seem to move and BIZON does not make any sounds even while shaking it strongly (except for the flash suppressor, but it stops moving after tightening to the end of the thread, past the retaining pin).

PP19 is relatively massive. This feeling is surely enhanced by a large cylindrical magazine. Holding PP19 is not similar to holding AKS-74U. Although it is not strongly perceptible, the AEG seems to have heavier front side which may be a disadvantage for some users.

The AEG is very realistic, also in the terms of disassembling. Similarly to the real gun, elements are pinned or riveted - there are no screws inconsistent with the firearm. The size of the gun brings to mind AKS-74U. Same goes with the process of getting good shooting stance. An additional advantage is the lack of long curved magazine that may cause inconvenience, for example while shooting in prone position.

THE EXTERNAL APPEARANCE

Some basic information: weight - 2900g, length - 480mm/740mm, barrel length - 275mm.

Metal used in PP19 has mostly mat black color. Some of the smaller elements have dark grey color.

Including the handguard, the AEG is mostly made from steel. Magnets on the pictures below show what parts are made of steel (the only external part which is not made of steel, apart from the pistol grip and the magazine outer layer, is the trigger). The receiver is a steel product of stamping that is internally reinforced. The magazine has few elements made of steel.

The pistol grip, as well as the magazine outer cylinder, is made of good quality plastic, thus it seems solid.

Handguard is made of steel and it is fully opened from the bottom.

Skeleton stock is stable and it is folding to the left. It is tightly fit - there is no movement no matter if stock is unfolded or folded.

The folding stock button works with a little resistance. The butthook works fine.

BIZON does not have a spring-loaded capture known from some AK series on its receiver. Instead, the stock is held closed thanks to a pin having extended length (it is visible in the front part of the left receiver side).

Although it is consistent with the real gun, this solution is slightly problematic and it makes folding and unfolding the stock not so smooth. In our opinion, it requires too much force. The edge of the stock latches in recess of the pin. On one hand, it provides great stability of the folded stock, but on the other hand it makes folding and unfolding stock more difficult. BIZON firearm can be seen on some photos with a special notch on the stock that makes folding and unfolding it easier.

However, since the real BIZON uses the same solution, it can be seen as a disadvantage only from the Airsoft point of view. The manufacturer reflected the AEG well.

Sling mount.

Gun sights are consistent with the original. Rear sight settings have white color.

However, the gun sights of our PP19 copy do not seem to be parallel to the barrel. In effect, despite the unscrewing front sight as much as possible (vertical adjustmensts) and lowering rear sight, we still had to aim below the target.

The front sight block and the flash suppressor. The front sight lock is pinned to the barrel.

The front sight in a half-opened protective hood.

The bottom part of the front sight block contains pinned magazine front side catch. These parts are integrated.

14mm counterclockwise thread.

The notched pin that can be seen in the photos is responsible for blocking the flash suppressor in appropriate position. However, mounted like this, the flash suppressor is slightly loose. It is possible to immobilize it by tightening it more (although it will not be in appropriate position anymore).

Flash suppressor. It has bell-mouthed shape and a notch for the blocking pin.

The side mount.

It is hard to say about a classic magazine housing in case of PP19. It is completely "open" as shown in the pictures below.

Magazine catch, trigger guard and the trigger itself.

Bolt carrier.

The fire selector lever works with a little resistance. It is tightly fit.

Fire selector settings.

Receiver cover.

Receiver cover latch.

The bolt carrier is also made of steel.

User gains access to the hop-up regulation lever after pulling the bolt carrier. Moving the lever to the back causes increasing the hop-up influence, while moving it forward decreases it. Hop-up works fine and it does not alter the adjustment.

MAGAZINE

When we think of the AK weapon series or any other firearm basing on AK rifles, a curved steel or plastic magazine comes to our mind (sometimes drum magazine as well). In this case, PP19 BIZON stands out completely.

The AEG comes with a ribbed cylindrical magazine, which in fact is a 160BB mid-cap magazine. Its outer layer is made from plastic.

It has caliber markings, similar to those on the receiver.

The front catch of the magazine is reinforced with a steel insertion.

The PP19 magazine also plays the role of a handguard. Such grip is relatively comfortable.

Tight fit of the magazine causes difficulties while inserting the magazine. Moreover, sometimes user is required to pull the magazine catch. It prevents the magazine from being quickly replaced. However, we think that the magazine catch should wipe a little after some time, thus allowing user to insert the magazine more easily.

Since the rear magazine catch is made of plastic, it requires precision while inserting the magazine to avoid getting it damaged. In our test copy, the magazine has already been damaged, probably due to inappropriate inserting. The magazine catch seems to be a little to wide, thus its edges were "cut off".

Being fully loaded, the magazine works fine - we did not notice any jams. However, the less number of bullets inside, the more often we heard "empty shots".

MARKING

Apart from selector settings located on the right side of the receiver, there is also a caliber designation.

There is also an AEG serial number located in front of the trigger, visible from the bottom of the gun.

POWER SUPPLY

BIZON may use standard stick type battery as well as LiPo battery of a given shape that fits under the receiver cover (batteries lay on the top of the gearbox).

It is also possible to use extended, narrow stick type batteries that can be put in the rear sight block hole.

This AEG uses tamiya mini plug.

THE LOOK OF THE PARTIALLY DISASSEMBLED PP19 BIZON-2 AEG

DISASSEMBLING

Since the AEG is tightly fit, disassembling it requires some tools and some force. The front set can be removed in various ways. For example, by moving a small sheet metal part to the side (it blocks the front set in the front sight block) then just pulling the front set upwards (be aware of tightly fit elements like small sheet metal front set latches, as they can be damaged). Another way of taking out the front set is removing the front sight block. Since we needed to disassemble the gun anyway, it was better for us to remove the whole barrel. To do this, unscrew the pressing allen screw located in the magazine housing and remove the barrel mounting pin (the one that also holds folded stock). After that, just slide out the barrel with the front sight block.

Now it is possible to remove the handguard.

Outer barrel with a mounting pin.

Further disassembling processes are similar to those of AK AEGs.

INTERNAL DESIGN

1. Gearbox.

It is a V.3 gearbox and it seems tightly fit. It brings to mind gearboxes produced by King Arms company. All of the gearbox elements are identical to those of King Arms gearboxes that we know.

The engine does not have any trademarks.

Opened gearbox.

Gearbox case.

The gear set is made from steel. The bevel gear has 4 anti-reversal teeth. There is a sector clip visible on the neighbouring gear. 7mm ball bearings are made of steel.

The piston is identical to those that we have seen in KA AEGs - it has a specific notch. Plastic piston head is ventilated.

The piston is perfectly fit to the cylinder (type 0). The same goes with the tightness of the nozzle.

Plastic cylinder head.

The spring guide without bearing is also made of plastic. It does not look solid, thus it may need to be changed while using hardened springs.

Power spring has linear spring design. Its ends are not grinded.

2. Inner barrel and hop-up chamber.

The hop-up chamber is made of plastic. The inner barrel is 275mm long.

Hop-up system is smoothly adjustable. The hop-up rubber is made of silicon.

SHOOTING

The AEG makes good impression while shooting. The gearbox does not make any unwanted sounds and the sound of firing is nice. The mechanism works properly and the working culture seems to be very good. The hop-up works just fine, we did not notice the tendency of altering the adjustment.

Shooting from PP19 AEG is enjoyable, even though we noticed "empty shots" while there was low number of bullets inside the magazine.

Since BIZON is a compact gun, operating in narrow spaces (for example, inside the buildings) is easy. Proper and fast aiming is relatively comfortable as well as holding the massive magazine being a handguard. We consider it as a better solution than the one used in AKS-74U.

TESTS

1. Velocity and energy measurement.

During this test, 0,2g Blaster BBs were used. The average velocity of 10 shots was 318 FPS (0,93J energy).

The exact results of these 10 shots are presented below.

2. Accuracy test (30m and 40m).

This test was conducted using silhouette target. Since our target was not 1:1 scale (about 80%), we present additional pictures on which our target is compared to 1:1 scale target (the hits within the target are more visible).

A 100m tape measure was used to mesaure the firing distances. In first two tests, ten shots were taken in semi-automatic firing mode using 0,25g King Arms BBs.

30m distance, semi-automatic firing mode.

10 out of 10 shots hit the target. 10 out of 10 hits were within the silhouette target (both 1:1 and 80% scale).

40m distance, semi-automatic firing mode.

10 out of 10 shots hit the target. 9 out of 10 hits were within the silhouette target (1:1). 5 out of 10 hits were within the 80% scale silhouette target.

40m distance, fully-automatic firing mode (30 shots).

27 out of 30 shots hit the target. 25 out of 30 hits were within the silhouette target (1:1).

3. Effective and maximum range measurement.

We estimate that the effective range reaches 45m. There are no problems with hitting a silhouette of a man on that distance.

Maximum range is about 50m.

4. Measuring the rate of fire.

16 BBs per second is the actual rate of fire while using 11,1V 1600mAh 15C LiPo battery.

SUMMING UP

PP19 BIZON-2 SMG AEG produced by Silverback Airsoft company is made with precision and is tightly fit. It makes good impression since the first contact. Being heavy and made from steel, the PP19 AEG may be disassembled similarly to the real gun (pinned parts) - those factors cause this AEG to be very realistic. Users that pay much attention to those aspectes will surely appreciate this AEG.

Default performance, compact design and tight fit should satisfy CQB Airsoft players.

The producer claims, that this copy was adjusted to Japanese law. PP19 AEG will eventually have better default performance.

Another advantage of BIZON is the lack of long curved magazine known from AK series as it improves operating comfort.

Although it has some cons, this AEG is something fresh on the market, thus it may interest not only Russian weaponry enthusiasts. The uniqueness of PP19 on the Airsoft battlefield is another advantage - seeing tons of AKs and AR-15 rifles on the Airsoft games, the PP19 user will definitely stand out.

Pros:

+ realistic look

+ made from steel as the real gun

+ tightly fit

+ pinned and riveted elements

+ uniqueness

+ well-functioning hop-up system

Cons:

- issues concerning inserting magazine (tight fit)

- lack of stock folding and unfolding smoothness (although consistent with the real gun)

- irregular work of the magazine while low BB number

- bad balance (the front part of the gun seems to be heavier)

We could test the Silverback Airsoft PP19 BIZON-2 AEG thanks toGunfire.plcompany:

Special thanks forneQ11for his help.

The source of the real gun photographs:

www.bronstrzelecka.cba.pl 

http://www.primeportal.net

Author: Borax, Promant

Translation: LogaN