The replica, together with the magazine, is delivered to us in a plastic case filled in with a shock dampening foam. The front cover has a big logo of the Avalon series with a slogan that reads „the weapons works”. It makes a good impression. Yet, the quality of the materials used for making the case could have been better, it will surely arise interest at the respawn area.
After taking the replica out of the case the first impression is very good. The replicas is put together very well and is ultra compact. Although its looks may evoke feelings of it being a somewhat cheap toy, after taking it to our hands we feel that we are dealing with a solid peace of work.
The replica is almost completely made of metal. The upper receiver has a red and white engraving presenting a leopard logo. The lower receiver has the Avalon series logo on one side and serial number and a tampograph with the "Monster" logo.
The replica's ergonomy is very impressive. The fire selector switch, the magazine release button, the cocking handle, all are ambidextrous, made using precise CNC machining.
The QRS (Quick Response System) butt stock is a very interesting solution designed solely by VFC yet inspired by the one found in the MP5. It is unfolded by pressing one button, it extends automatically to its full length. It can be done quickly and effectively with a thumb while holding the replica by the pistol grip. The butt plate is made out of a rugged polymer and is very comfortable and functional. The stock has 3 setting available. The stock's guide also has space for the battery.
From the QRS series we also get the pistol grip, the trigger guard and the magazine, all with a pleasant non-slip surface.
The replica comes with the „QMAG ONE” mid-cap magazine that holds 120 BBs. It is made from polymer, has a very good finish with great attention to detail and has no problems with feeding. After inserting it in there is no excessive slack. At the beginning we had some problems with inserting the magazine all the way in, but after a while we learned how to properly insert it.
The Monster Rail System (MRS) is a KeyMod system front designed by VFC, with an anodized finish which, as stated by the manufacturer, fulfills military specification requirements. The muzzle device is a typical flash hider known from the AKM. On the side of the muzzle device, the front is decorated with a cut out pattern which is meant to resemble a leopard and give the replicas and original and aggressive look.
The replica comes with flip-up iron sights. Their locks are adequate and accidental folding occurs rarely.
Replica's internals
Disassembly of the replica is very easy. It is based on the well know TM system. After tapping out the front pin we slide the upper receiver forward. It can give a bit of resistance but this translates to zero slack which can be troublesome while assembling and disassembling the replica. Both front and rear pins are tapped out they still remain in the replicas which removes the risk of loosing them by accident. After parting the replicas we get access to the hop-up chamber and the barrel. To remove the stock we have to unscrew the screw in the stock guide.
The inner barrel is mounted using a ring, after unscrewing it (it gives a lot of resistance) we can exchange the barrel to whatever variant we want. The fake low profile gas block, together with the fake gas tube, ends in mid air for some reason, at the length of the ring fastening the external barrel. It does not enter the hole prepared for it in the upper receiver (this is not visible from the outside).
The Hop-upchamber made by VFC is has a very good sealing, and the mold is of very high quality. It has my favourite system of adjusting the pressure on the bucking with a ring (similar to the one used in G36 replicas). Slight clicks can be felt while making adjustments. This kind of chamber gives the ability to very precisely adjust the pressure on the spacer. Inside we will find a bucking made byMaple Leaf with a hardness value of 60, which was specially designed for VFC. It has a characteristic elongated nub shaped like a triangle, resembling the ML diamond bucking (in the AEG version). Together with the bucking we get special elongated concave nub type spacer, a design resembling the Maple Leaf Omega spacer combined with the Leylax flathop, which presses the bucking's nub with its large surface. All this is to achieve a flat, long, stable BB trajectory but is characterized by its great precision and repetition of shots. The whole set is completed with a standard chamber stabilizing ring.
Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
Psalm 144:1
Putting a psalm on the inner barrel might be controversial. We are dealing with a replica, which is in fact really a toy, a simulation of a weapon (though such marking on real firearm are also pompous in my opinion). Some will find it pleasing, but regardless it is a testament to the fact the the manufacturer gave attention to every detail and nothing is random in this project. The barrel was made by Maple Leaf on Vega Force Company order. It is 167mm in length and has a diameter of 6.03mm.
To get inside the gearbox, besides taping out the two standard pins, unscrewing the magazine release lever and the pistol grip, we must unscrew the ambidextrous fire selector switch. While disassembling it we must watch out not to loose the spring and the metal ball which are responsible for step workings of the selector, and also the gears on the outside of the gearbox, which are responsible for its proper functioning.
The core of the replica is a special, reinforced ECS v.2. Gearbox made by VFC, which is used in all replicas from the Avalon series. The frame halves fit together perfectly and it also features a quick spring exchange system. Unfortunately, to get to it we have to take the gearbox out of the receiver, which is very complicated in field conditions. It is held together with Phillips screws. It has the VFC logo molded on both halves.
The inside of the gearbox look very good, the components are of the highest quality. A very well sealed pneumatic set consists of a CNC machined aluminum piston, a light type 2 cylinder, a polymer cylinder head with extra sealing and a polymer nozzle measuring 21,3 mm in length. The polymer piston has 14 teeth, 7 of which are metal. It is worth mentioning that the tapped plate is also reinforced.
The steel gears are of the High Speed type and bear the VFC markings. They are mounted in 8mm Ultra High Speed ball bearings. They have an interesting system which uses springs to keep the gears in a desired distance from the frame. If the shimming is to loose we don't really have to worry about it. The sector gear has a plastic tappet plate delayer. All this translates into efficient workings and a killer ROF.
The trigger system is the Competition Vertical Trigger, in red and a classical trigger switch, made from heat resistant composite.
Using a Mosfet system inside the gearbox is an excellent solution. Another plus is that it can be replaced by products of other manufacturers of the need arises. In my opinion this solution should become a standard.
The long type motor has a red back plate and very strong magnets therefore it should work with strong spring without any problems.
The wires are stiff, insulated with PVC and have a mini-Tamiya connector. They serve their purpose but the manufacturer could have used low resistance wiring.
Shooting
The replica generates 350 fps. It is deal for CQB, but is also manages pretty well in open terrain. This is, in most part, the result of using a Hop-up system based on Maple Leaf's products. The short barrel make the replica quite laud which, in pair with high ROF of around 1650rpm(on 11.1V Lipo) give a psychological advantage. Considerable rang (for such fps), consistent BB trajectory and compact design make for a faithful companion of a mobile player.
Summary
AVALON the Monster Series LEOPARD, is a very bold and original project. The manufacturer took care of every detail, from the gun case the replicas is sold in to the engraves psalm on the inner barrel. Both on the inside and the outside we get the highest quality parts. It transltes into effectiveness on the battlefield. The replica's ROF (1650rpm) combined with its accuracy and range results in pinning the opponent down, and most of the times he is unable to lean out of cover. Compact design, a butt stock that can be extended and retracted quickly all work well in CQB environment. The Leopard can be like for its looks or not, but I am sure that everyone will notice it. The Vega Force Company has created a series which has character, is original and ready for skirmishes.
The test was possible thanks to the courtesy of Gunfire
