Reports we have been receiving from the Far East have not been encouraging, especially with the ACM manufacturers based in Mainland China being arrested and the products being confiscated and­ destroyed. The news is now slowly making rounds to airsoft forums, news sites, blogs, and will get faster by today. A worrying situation indeed as it will affect the supply of airsoft at its most affordable segment.

While some reports are sketchy, RedWolf Airsoft's blog has made it very clear: "With the recent arrest of AGM’s boss and A&K ceasing production of airsoft guns – is this the beginning of the end for Chinese-made airsoft guns?"

While we have understood the lack of airsoft supplies from the Maniland manufacturers last year, in respect to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, this one has been a serious crackdown on the manufacture of airsoft guns with AGM and CYMA owners arrested. A&K now will stop production. We are still trying to get news about JG and DBoys.

Photo Source: Shenzen Daily as blogged by RedWolf Airsoft

We deem Real Sword as safe since it's connected to Norinco, which supplies the Chinese PLA. But then, Real Sword, while it's technically an ACM, is more a high-end manufacturer that may have approval from the Chinese authorities on the strength of Norinco's relationships.

Now, we do not know yet the effects of these developments on other airsoft manufacturers who outsource some, if not all, of their components in Mainland China, especially in the Guandong province. Questions will arise on the availability of supplies from Hong Kong since Hong Kong is the main transit point for almost everything airsoft. So now, we expect supplies to dwindle perhaps to a trickle.

The questions to come to our minds are:

• Will airsoft parts be part of those being banned from production, especially the external ones such as rails, mounts, butt stocks, body kits, etc? Internal components may be allowed to be manufactured since they do not form a complete airsoft gun. Parts manufacturers such as Element may survive. Accessories such a torches, bipods, may have a chance, but it's hard to count on it.
• Will there be a rise in prices from other manufacturers outside of China who have braved the low-cost and proliferation of ACM guns? It is an opportunity for them since demand might outstrip supply.
  
• Connected to the second question, will airsoft manufacturers not based in Mainland China but outsource their parts there, move their operations back to their original countries, where it will cost more in terms of wages and other production concerns?
• Will gearmakers be affected too? Though this is the last thing in our minds as they are not guns in the first place.
  

Whether you disdain ACM airsoft guns or not, one thing that we cannot deny is that they have caused worldwide spread of airsoft due to their affordability. Pricing alone has brought new players, in which before, only players with more disposable incomes can, and have been a limiting factor to the adoption of airsoft. When we are seeing a rise in quality of ACM guns, the hammer was then slammed down on them.

Will the ACM manufacturers survive after this?. We are not sure, but we hope they do. They may adapt to talking to the authorities by taking more stringent measures and ensuring that their products are for export only, rather than allowing some leakage to the local market where airsoft is illegal. Or they may break up into smaller components parts makers and have the finished product done somewhere else. Chinese business is always resilient, and they will always find a way to fill in the gaps left behind by the present manufacturers. For those who have been eyeing some AEGs from the mentioned ACM manufacturers, better grab them now before they're gone for posterity.

As a Chinese proverb says... "A crisis is an opportunity riding the dangerous wind."