Since I have approximately 3 or so hours to kill while Subaru replaces a recalled airbag, I figured I could finish out a few of the draft posts I have stacked up here and contemplate taking a face load of explosive shrapnel later.

I picked up this LCT PP-19-01 in trade a few years back where it was originally home to a Polarstar HPA engine. So when I received it, it was a true “externals only” gun. I wasn’t planning on going the HPA route myself, so this would have to be converted back to an AEG. Fortunately, I had quite a few LCT parts laying around, including several gearbox shells from various generations from which to choose from.

My goal for this build was to setup a field ready gun, so it needed to shoot around 400 FPS with a .20g BB and be able to compete at range, while also having  a reasonably snappy trigger. This would also be built with parts I already had on hand, so very little of this was actually ordered in.

In this build I went with LCT’s newest 9mm bearing gearbox. It’s a rare day in hell when I see a 9mm size bearing fail. To that end, I have yet to see an LCT bearing fail to perform. I have also used a Real Sword motor cage as these tend to hold up better than LCT’s offering in my experience.

Internal Specs –

• Prometheus 6.03 stainless steel barrel
• Prometheus purple bucking / R-Hopped
• LCT 9mm bearings
• LCT steel gearset
• LCT anti-reversal latch
• Lonex delayer chip
• SHS Ver. 3 cutoff lever
• SHS 14t FMR piston
• Lonex POM piston head
• Prometheus stainless cylinder
• Guarder stainless steel double o-ring cylinder head
• 3/16″ 70D Air Pad
• SHS Ver. 3 air nozzle
• Lonex Ultimate tappet plate
• LCT trigger and switch box
• Systema Area 1000 spring guide
• Prometheus M120 spring
• E&L M170 Neodymium motor
• 16 AWG AlphaWire EcoWire
• Deans plug

The E&L motor setup runs pretty cool, even with semi-auto spam, and is decently snappy with an 11.1v 20C LiPO. ROF is a fair bit higher at 1500 RPM  / 25 RPS then the real steel version, which clocks around 700 – 750 RPM / 11.6 – 12.5 RPS. This could certainly be tightened up a bit and the trigger pull decreased with the addition of a Gate TITAN MOSFET.

Externals –

On the external side I had originally intended to keep the layout fairly conventional….

Then I got bit by the Zenitco bug…

The OEM triangle folder was replaced with a Zenimei PT-1 replica. This stock allows for an extensive amount of end-user customization. With adjustable length of pull and cheek riser height; even the buttpad can be moved up and down for your preference. The fit and finish of this stock is excellent, with nice and sharp lettering, positive adjustments, and solid construction. The rubber buttpad is also substantially grippier on the shoulder than the relatively sleek metal on the triangle folder.

Installation was fairly straightforward and consists of simply driving out the stock pin, removing the old stock and inserting the new one. There is some minor filing required in the case of the LCT with the back of the latch catch to allow the stock to fully lock closed.

An Asura Dynamics B10M lower handguard was installed on the front end. I decided to go with the M version over the more common B10 with its full picatinny rails because the M was slimmer (and also a little lighter). The PP-19-01 uses a standard AK length lower handguard, and the shorter 74U style gas tube cover. With the latter piece, I elected to leave that alone, though I might consider the B-12 mount in the unlikely event that I ever need additional rail space.

The B-10M requires some minor filing on the tang that inserts into the receiver in order to mount up properly:

A Zenimei RK-0 medium length foregrip rounds out the front. My only gripe with this piece is that it doesn’t have any trades, which is a little odd as the other Zenimei components I’ve purchased all do. The finish is also slightly different too. It’s solid though.

Since this gun came without the motor grip, I’ve had to use the PTS US Palm AK Battlegrip instead. I’ve added a few layers of Gorilla tape on the inside to act as shimming and create a tight wobble-free fit. I do this on pretty much all AK grips actually.

For optics, I am running a real steel EOTech XPS3-0, which is a popular optic you’ll often find sitting on top of real PP-19’s out in the wild.

Additional Mods –

I’ve made a couple of other small modifications to better suit my needs. One of which was modifying the dust cover latch area on the gearbox to allow me to completely remove the latch without having to crack open the gearbox shell. Or as is more common – allow me to attach the latch when I’ve already buttoned things up and realize I forgot to install it 😛

I’ve also replaced the two-piece charging handle setup with an E&L one piece steel charging handle.

The best modification – and one I’ve wished I’d done a lot sooner – was fashioning a plate to attach to the hop up chamber adjustment arm that will allow me to more easily reach inside the gun and adjust the hop up. This works wonderfully and still clears the charging handle too.

I’ve also added in some industrial grade adhesive velcro to the front of the magwell to help align the mags. Prior to doing this, I would experience occasional misfeeds due to the mags canting slightly and not fully depressing the BB release latch. After adding the velcro, it’s been smooth sailing ever since.

Future Upgrades –

For the most part, I’d consider this gun “finished.” But every Airsofter and tinkerer knows that is a lie. I will likely at some point be adding a Gate TITAN to the gearbox, and am considering also getting a Klesh series light too. The last bit would be to find the original motor grip someday too, but LCT themselves has so far been unresponsive on that front… c’est la vie.