First impression
Directly out of the box first impression is really good. LCT ZK104 doesn’t feel like a toy, the weight (around 3.5kg) and density feels more like a real thing than an airsoft replica. There is no flexing or creaking, everything feels sturdy. You will definitely notice that it is front heavy due to zenit-style handguard. Finish is very dark/matte, controls feel stiff and mechanical in a good way. The external components are steel, with the exception of the stock, handguard and gas tube cap and lid(aluminium), pistol grip is plastic. The replica has tamya mini connector for battery which we advise to replace to deans T connector.
Final verdict on first impression out of the box: 10/10
Stock performance feel
What you will instantly notice is that ZK104 doesn’t have mosfet in its stock configuration, that said trigger response is average. The feeling is reliable and smooth enough but nothing impressive. Although what we noticed during field tests and game plays, you can put in 0.32g BBs and it will hold a power of around 1.43J and that is very good for a replica out of the box. In the new replicas you also get a rotary hop up unit which works good and it is till effective at mid range engagements.
Final verdict on stock performance: 7/10
Internals:
V3 gearbox
9mm ball bearings
Reinforced 18:1 gears
Short type motor
Chrome-plated brass cylinder
CNC aluminum cylinder head
Nylon fiber piston head
Polycarbonate piston with steel teeth
QD spring system
Steel spring guide with bearings
Rotary hop-up chamber
365mm brass inner barrel
Upgrade potential
Usually the first thing to replace is hop up rubber and a better barrel, you can do the replacement at home with very little knowledge, but if you are not sure about doing it yourself we still advice to give it to someone who upgrades airsoft replicas.
Next thing is usually best if it is done all at once and that is the upgrade of the whole inside of gearbox. You can look up different forums on what people use. Below is what I would/will do:
First of all the replica needs a mosfet, here i would go with Perun since I have very good experience with it in my other upgrade build. Pair that with a high-torque motor and a 13:1 gears, use a maxx model trigger and you get a really responsive replica. While you are at it and if you want to have a premium upgraded replica also change the piston, piston-head, nozzle, cylinder and cylinder head. Make sure everything is shimmed as it should be and that AOE is good and you shouldn’t worry about your replica working or not for a long time.
