Good day. Seems you have done your research, as you have listed in order is pretty much how they go. CYMA has brought up quality in the last 15 years, recently had the 040H (74U) and for the price I was not overly excited. I have no personal experience with the Lancer tactical line tho at that price point i would be spending the extra $100 on a E&L. I have had great experience with the Arcturus line of Ak's, tho they both needed small adjustment out the box. LCT are bang on for the externals and have been hit or miss with the internals.
-Random food for thought-
-Back in the day CYMA was a company I would not ever consider, my brain still has a hard time getting past that.
-Arcturus AK01 out of the box needed the barrel DEEP cleaned, tho I had a extra sitting around that went in. This rifle did not need anything after that and served me well for 2 seasons.
-Arcturus AK06 out of the box needed the motor adjusted ^Up into the gearbox. Pull the pistol grip, adjust a small Allen key until motor and gears sounded happy.
-Arcturus AR03 (PDW AR Syle) amazing gun out of the box. This had a metal rotary hop which many of the current productions don't.
-CYMA 040H, this gun off a battery just did not perform as I would have wanted if running AEG. Swapped a kythera in it, still was not happy. The overall build quality is just not the same as what I have accustomed myself to.
-E&L line up. Our local shop has recently acquired a batch of E&L AK's. These rifles feel on par with LCT and arcturus externally. Back in the day E&L was on par with LCT and I feel this still stands. Others may agree or say different.
In the end whatever your budget allows will get you the external quality and build. I almost feel like every AK AEG has its downfall and finding a perfect rifle.. well in Russia rifle finds you. If you want a non standard looking AK, not have to sink money into front rails or optic mounts, take a look at the arcturus line. If you want traditional, step into an E&L or if you can stretch the budget grab a LCT.
Try before you buy. If you can go see the rifles in person I highly suggest. Feel them out, check the barrel for corrosion/debris, if the shop will let you test fire, do it.
Personally I would be out for a E&L or LCT AK105!
Good luck with the search!
Pic of the current AK family Top to bottom, E&L, Arcturus and lastly LCT.
