Strike Industries ARK17 Two Tone Blowback 4.5mm BB CO2 Air Pistol by EMG/KWC
This is the ARK17 in its “absolutely not trying to blend in” form. The polished, diamond-cut finish turns an already aggressive design into something that’s very clearly built to stand out.
If subtlety is your thing, this is not your thing.
Build & Finish
The polished two-tone finish highlights every cut, contour, and angle in the slide. It looks sharp, it reflects light, and it draws attention immediately.
It also comes with the usual trade-off. Polished surfaces will:
- Show fingerprints
- Pick up marks more easily
- Require occasional maintenance to keep looking right
Leave it damp or sweaty and it will start to show it. Look after it properly and it’ll hold up fine.
Weight and construction are identical to the matte version, sitting around 800g with the same solid feel.
Handling & Operation
The grip texture is aggressive but usable, and the overall ergonomics follow the familiar Glock-style layout.
Blowback is snappy enough to keep things interesting, and like most pistols in this category, you’ll notice:
- Slight slide movement/play
- A bit of rattle
That’s normal. If anything, this design hides it better than most.
The 17-round drop-out magazine houses the CO2 capsule, keeping things simple and familiar.
Features
- Licensed Strike Industries ARK17 design
- Polished / diamond-cut slide finish
- CO2 blowback system
- Adjustable hop-up
- 14mm CCW threaded muzzle
- Raised iron sights
- 17-round drop-out magazine
Performance / Use Case
This is a short-range plinking pistol with a bit more usability than most, thanks to the hop-up system.
Adjustable hop-up gives:
- Flatter trajectory
- Better usable range
- More flexibility with BB weights
It’s not about raw power. It’s about making the most of what it has.
Practical Notes
- Suppressors will fit, but mostly for looks
- Avoid heavy or overly long attachments
- Expect normal wear on contact points over time
- Rail-mounted safety can interfere with some accessories
Specifications
- Calibre: 4.5mm BB
- Power Source: 1x 12g CO2
- Magazine: 17 rounds (drop-out)
- System: Blowback
- Barrel: 90mm smoothbore
- Muzzle: 14mm CCW
- Length: 210 mm
- Weight: 800 g
- Safety: Slide safety
Included
- Pistol
- 1x magazine
- Allen key
The polished ARK17 is the one you buy because it looks good, not because it’s practical.
Mechanically, it’s identical to the matte version. Visually, it’s a completely different story. If you’re happy to put in a bit of care to keep it looking right, it’s easily the more striking option.
If not, you already know which version to pick.
