This line of suggestion does not in any way undermine your years in the sport or your experience. When I saw "AK" mentioned I was thinking "OOOH! and opportunity for me to type something on my boring, uneventful day off.
My thoughts are If you want a solidly built, authentic AK (and) I agree, sort of, regarding LCT's and my "sort of" is ONLY based on my analinus towards "true" or as close as they can get authenticity of the model of aeg, GBBR and any airsoft piece in general, including performance.
E&L Gen 1's are great build platforms, LCT Ak's are also solid platforms and once set up right it will become old faithful. BUT if you are REALLY picky around micro detail then VFC ("Soviet") Real Sword (CHICOM) or E&L ("Soviet") (Meister Arms / Spartan Arms) are the way to go imho.
LCT being the Soviet era, Russian Federation era and Romanian (Semi-EX-Eastern Bloc) line of AK variants as I understand it but do use allen head bolts instead of rivets in their trigger guard. I know, who cares right? haters be hatin'
anyway,
Gen 1/2 AND VFC AK's are all (as I understand) riveted with no allen head screws on the exterior. VFC AK's, if you can find one have the selector notches in the correct location and are a 1:1 copy.
VFC magazines are also the correct length with the correct markings including the loaded mag indicator hole and rear spines with the Izhmash logo, I'm in reference to the black midcaps. The magazines are also the bolstered type and they are needed to prevent sloppiness in the magwell obviously.
The VFC 74 magazines also fit E&L AK's extremely well and the exterior finish is beautifully replicated in terms of gloss and smooth finish. The finish is similar to GHK 74 mags. Other magazines are available with similar detail but my top score will always go to VFC in terms of authentic replication.
One unfortunate thing to consider is VFC magazines will NOT fit LCT and vice versa without modifications and from my experience LCT plastic magazines tend to be brittle. LCT magazines WILL fit E&L AK's but with major modifications that may, in some cases further reduce the strength of it and wind up in that spare parts bin.
E&L Gen 1 AEGs do not come with the one-piece cylinder/cylinder head which has been well documented to have QC and airseal issues plus you may pick up a gen 1 for less than a gen 2 if you can find one. In terms of realism and dimensions of the mags I would take midcap VFC-74's over others. This will stir up a debate I'm sure.
Be aware that if you upgrade a Gen 1 you will need the LONG type nozzle with the short type cylinder head.
Sometimes the least expensive aeg with the right improvements will have you come out as last player standing. It takes one hit to make a kill and whether it's a cheap AEG or a gold gilded head turner the main objective in my opinion is having a good time and feeling like Rambo at the end of a skirmish
Regarding pistols I found the most reliable to be TM and KSC. Some plastics are more prone to breaking or cracking. KWA although solid tend to have super finniky hop-ups and adjustments can be a serious pita. I believe a non-blowback pistol might be lacking in realism but favorable for reliability and more consistent fps but this again is debatable and who doesn't like the realism of blowback?
I could ramble on and on but I won't. Bottom line is go with what you like after research, make sure parts are available and enjoy the build.