1. Introduction
Ever since I laid eyes on the PDW, I was very intrigued with the design. After all, KAC rarely has created a unique design; this PDW and the LMG being the only exceptions. I was more intrigued by the part AR-15 heritage, combined with a folding stock and a gas piston system. Put it all together, and you have a pretty bad*** weapon.
For RS info, go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight%27s ... ompany_PDW
http://www.knightarmco.com/images/pdw1.html
Being a KAC fan, this quickly became a must-have on my list, after my 11.5 URX carbine. Unfortunately, the only option before was the VFC PDW, at a whopping $450. Soon, there was word of a Dboys PDW, but hopes were dashed for a good 6 months before it was actually release. Now that it had, I had to get one, even if just as a wall hanger.
2. Ordering:
I've been essentially tracking the progress of the Dboys PDW for a good 5 months now, and finally it was released to EBB for $166. Though I initially feared EBB due to the review here, my friend convinced me to give them a try. Luckily, my fears were quelled when I received the package, only 5 days after I ordered (including a weekend), with everything intact, and even a TRADED VERSION! Yep, though EBB had said there were no trades, I, like another member on here, got a version with white laser engraved trades.
3. Impressions, Externals:
Finish: Simply put, the Dboys KAC PDW is a very handsome gun. The finish seems to rival the one on my G&P, with a nice flat black with no signs of two-tonedness. For the most part, all of the plastic is a nice matte color, and feels very solid. The only gripe I have about the finish is the magazine. The PDW magazine is unfortunately a semi-glossy gray, and doesn't look that great…
Build Quality: This gun is very solid. The only discernable shake is somewhere in the gas piston, within the hand guard (almost sounds like a loose metal piece is bouncing around a little). However, this shake is a very, very minor complaint, and it has no wobble at all throughout the gun. The stock is very solid when extended, and has no shake at all (a very impressive feat for a folding stock). Folded, it does not feel as solid (IE: No clicking or solid sound), but will stay in place. The stock folds easily, and the button to fold the stock is easily accessible.
The details: Dboys has done pretty well here, with a very nice rubber buttpad on the stock, thus feeling very comfortable to shoulder. Also, the included BUISes are pretty decent, though nothing to write home about. The selector switch is nice and stiff, and gives an audible click. The mag release is just right, not too soft or stiff. The bolt catch function works pretty well, although the bolt catch is pretty stiff. The casting seems to be well done, with no burrs or anything. The engravings are also pretty clean and well done, though there are no "Knights armament" engraved Markings on the left side of the gun (like above the mag catch).
Some gripes though: Though my flashhider wasn't painted orange, (nor was a plastic orange one included), it felt very cheap, like potmetal. Also, when looked at up close, it also looked plasticky. Furthermore, Magazines seemed to have to be really forced into the magwell to properly seat, or else they would drop out on their own.
Another thing to note is that my Aimpoint T-1 replica QD mount would not attach to the PDW… Either the mount was too thin or the PDW rails were too wide. However, the low mount (which is what I will be using) does work pretty well.
Accessories: The PDW comes with all the accessories as listed on the EBB order page, minus the single point sling (though I'm not really complaining as I got trades). The PEQ box felt very cheap however, and was made out of plastic.
Other: The PDW is very comfortable to shoulder and to shoot. The thin stock is positioned just right so that you can get a center line of bore aim. The pistol grip is actually more comfortable than a normal m4 grip (I like smoother grips). Like an Armalite variant, it felt very familiar to shoot and hold. However, I don't really like the PEQ box on there at all…. You are forced to "broomstick grip" (Anyone who has watched Art of the Tactical Carbine will know what I'm talking about) the vertical grip, which I hate. That, or a magwell grip. Also, the PEQ box is really obtrusive on such a small gun, but I suppose that's with the VFC as well…
Also, Star PMAGS seem to seat better than the supplied PDW mag, and look better too (IMO). PDW mags will not seat into a standard armalite (or at least my G&P). The mag catch on an m4 will not hold the PDW mag.
Overall: I'm very impressed with the externals, for the money. It looks nearly as if the finish is from a high end gun, and overall, the gun is very solid too. There were a couple minor issues, but given the price of the gun, I couldn't really complain.
4.Initial Impressions: Performance:
Since I really only got off work, I haven't had a chance to really test the performance of this gun. My friend shot it a couple times (while I was at work), and said that the accuracy was OK for an ACM gun with a short barrel. In short, it was somewhat poor- average accuracy. However, there was quite a bit of wind, so perhaps an actual test will show the true accuracy. I'm just hoping for decent accuracy, as this will be a CQB gun for me.
ROF: With the supplied 8.4v Nimh, ROF was decent. Maybe around 11 RPS.
Power: I've heard that these shoot really hot, around 400-430 FPS. Perhaps Downgrading the spring will up the ROF.
That's it for now, until I can perform some actual tests. I will be taking this to a game on Saturday, so I'll let y'all know how this performs. Crappy pictures will be up later tonight. Also, I'm not too good with internal gearbox work, so I'll probably steal a pic or link to filairsoft, where others have taken pics of the internals
Here: http://www.filairsoft.com/forum/showthread.php?p=692541 Scroll down, and you will find internal pics. It is a Ver 2 gearbox
