They should be, as there have been many attempts by the Polish airsoft players to modify their existing AK AEGs into one that has any semblance to the newest assault rifle of the Polish Armed Forces. Łukasz Bonczol of Gunfire Poland sent in the news yesterday with some photos, but we decided to put it off and asked him more questions about the Ares Airsoft wz 96 Beryl AEG and have it written as a feature story for today.

Before I proceed with the story, you can read more about the real steel Kbs wz. 96 Beryl at Wikipedia so I don't have to really explain further about it.

Łukasz mentioned that existing conversions of AK AEGs into the Beryl all had issues, which is usually the case when tinkering on your own. Furthermore, Polish airsoft players want a wider availability of this AEG, which they can proudly claim to be their own. As most airsoft guns are trace their design origins as American, Russian, British, German, Czech, Belgian, Chinese, with a Japanese one here, a Taiwanese one there, a French here and there, and of course the Italians. For the Polish, they have their own homegrown arms industry and it would such a shame if their own guns don't have an airsoft version.

(Photo Above: Home made Beryl AEG. Owner of this photo can contact us for proper acknowledgement in this story)

The Beryl presents the best of both worlds --- the reliability and simplicity of design of the AK, and being able to use standard NATO 5.56x45mm rounds, as Poland is now part of NATO and being able to standardize in ammo use is a must in the alliance. Łukasz says this combination brings out a good rifle for the Polish Armed Forces with its "precision and accuracy comparable to the modern arms of the western world."

Łukasz further explains how the airsoft version came about:

ARES, together with the 'Łucznik' (“Archer”) Arms Company from Radom in Poland, the manufacturer of the real steel Beryl, have announced to have started the project of introducing an AEG wz. 96 replica into the market. The first steps have already been taken – 'Łucznik' has supplied ARES with blueprints and all technical data needed to give the project a kick-off, and works on the prototype have already begun. Thanks to that, the Polish fans of the Beryl as well as all other airsoft players around the world fond of the Polish GROM or FORMOZA special forces units will soon have the opportunity to get their hands on a well-made and fully licensed airsoft replica of supposedly the most important assault rifle in the history of the modern Polish Army.

(Photo above: Sample of the Ares Airsoft Kbs wz. 96 Beryl AEG as provided by Gunfire Poland showing the front area)

A good example of cooperation between an arms maker and an airsoft manufacturer. Other airsoft guns are not true to the external features of the real steel guns they try to emulate. One can get more accurate and faithful to the design when the actual design from the owner is followed. Łukasz confirmed that Ares Airsoft was chosen due to "quality and accuracy when it comes to detailed reproduction".

The Beryl AEG got unveiled during the Intenational Defense Industry Exhibition held in Kielce which was last 9th to the 11th of September 2011. This will be made available worldwide. So those who want a different looking AEG will be able to have one of these. Of course, it would be great to get feedback from the Polish airsoft community, such as their satisfaction with the design of the AEG.

Most likely that this will be with a version 3 gearbox, but we can never tell until we get photos of the internals.

(Photo above: Sample of the Ares Airsoft Kbs wz. 96 Beryl AEG as provided by Gunfire Poland showing the rear area)

We forgot to ask Łukasz about the actual sales date for the Beryl and suggested retail price. But since it was already unveiled, then full production will come next after some testing is done. We would love to have a Polish player send us a review of this AEG when it gets released, full credits to the reviewer.

We guess that for the Polish Airsoft Community, Christmas has come early. Our next guess will be that at Mini-Beryl Automatic AEG will come right shortly for CQC games purposes.