Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KJWorks 1911 is very good since it is modeled after a real steel 1911 which makes it short and crisp with a very light trigger pull. There is a very slight take-up at the very beginning of the pull but once your get past this the release is crisp and perceptible. Since it is not a double action trigger you will need to either rack the slide for your first shot or pull the hammer back if you have already chambered a round.
Accuracy: I have not done my actual Field Test Shooting video review for the KJWorks 1911 Airsoft Pistol but I did get the chance to make a short preview video where I shot some clay pigeons setup around 20 feet away. The KJWorks Full Metal CO2 Airsoft 1911 was a lot of fun to shoot at the clay pigeons and I had no trouble hitting them form that range over and over again. I am not sure exactly what the FPS will be but considering this version of the KJWorks 1911 has the CO2 mag it should shoot up into the 360+ fps range using .20 gram Airsoft BB's. Blowback operation is strong and the slide cycles full length. Keep posted for my upcoming Field Test Shooting Video for the KJWorks Full Metal 1911 CO2 Airsoft Pistol.
Build Quality: As expected, the KJWorks 1911 build quality is just like all the other KJWorks Airsoft guns I've tested so far, excellent the fit and finish is the best in my opinion even when compared to any of my 4.5mm steel BB shooters or 6 mm Airsoft pistols. When using KJWorks guns regularly, areas that are painted like the metal friction areas and high spots show very light wear which is rarely the case with metal built blowback Airguns. Again the tolerances between the moving parts like the slide and frame are extremely tight showing excellent workmanship and machining from KJWorks.
Realism: The KJWorks CO2 Full Metal 1911 Blowback Airsoft Pistol copies the real steel very popular even today Colt 1911 A1, it is really hard to tell the KJWorks Airsoft 1911 apart from the real 45 caliber version. The KJWorks 1911 can be field stripped very similarly to a real 1911 Semi Auto pistol and all parts function virtually the same including a working safety, grip safety, slide catch-release, magazine release and hammer.
Pretty much all metal pistol with good realistic weight to it.
Full cycle heavy blowback operation.
Excellent fit and finish as always with KJWorks pistols.
High capacity 28 round full size drop out magazine that holds the Airsoft BB’s and CO2. (Can get Green Gas mags)
Seems to be accurate and well centered on target.
Nice two tone finish.
Working grip safety.
Nice light true single action only trigger.
Field strip-able.
Cons:
Sights are non-adjustable but you can adjust elevation using the hop-up.
Field strips a little different than a real 1911.
CO2 magazine sticks out a bit but KJWorks makes Gas Mags also.
Comments:
I am a big fan of 1911 pistols and love getting my hands on pretty much any version weather it be a Real Steel 45 caliber 1911, a 4.5mm Steel BB version or 6mm Airsoft Pistol. As long as it has that true 1911 single action short light trigger to it. I love the way the slide cycles a bit slower than most semi auto pistols and this can be found in many Airgun and Airsoft version like this KJWorks 1911 making the shooting experience even more realistic. The fit, Finish and overall quality of the KJWorks 1911 over other brands is worth the slight additional costs so if you don't mind paying juts a tad bit more for that extra quality and you're looking for a CO2 1911 then you will not be disappointed with the KJWorks Full Metal CO2 Airsoft 1911.
My Vimeo Table Top Review of the KJWorks M9and M9A1 Full Metal Blowback Airsoft Pistol:
We recently received some new pistols from KJWorks, The CO2 versions in Full Metal of the Colt 1911, the Berretta M9 and the Berretta M9A1. All of these guns are really well made, the fit and finish is excellent. Definitely a very high quality Airsoft pistol and worth spending a little bit more to get this extra quality. We have even lowered the price on many of our new KJWorks guns to make them even more affordable so check them out in our Canada Replica Airguns Store!
So I made a quick demo preview video where I get away from my table top and go outside to show them off a bit and shoot a few rounds through them at some clay pigeons. I did have some camera issues but you will get a good idea on how these guns look and perform.
My main goal in this Shooting Performance Test was to see how the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPAConversion Kit performed side by side with a standard 12 gram CO2. Keep in mind that you can also switch over at any time to a regular 12 gram CO2 even after installing the ANT adaptor system in the gun or magazine.
My choice of Airgun for this test was the KWC - Cybergun Mini UZIConverted to Full Auto. I chose this Blowback 4.5mm CO2 BB Gun because it uses a lot of CO2 with each shot and when shooting in full auto it literally eats CO2. I knew this airguns would really put the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit to the test.
My first performance test was to comparing both systems using a Chronograph so I could see how the fps velocity slowed down because of the CO2 cool down effect. The 12 gram CO2 did pretty well emptying a full 25 round magazine but keep in mind I was shooting in semi auto only for the sake of using a Chronograph. I did notice a drop in velocity from a high of over 300 fps to a low of around 260. When I switched over to the Bulk CO2 ANT System and performed the same test the fps started out a bit lower but stayed pretty much about the same with a few ups and downs. The initial lower fps may have been a result of using separate magazines for each test since the valves in each magazine are most likely tuned a bit differently to let out more or less CO2 with each shot.
My second and most impressive test was to empty a full 25 round magazine in full auto mode! Again a started out using the standard 12 gram CO2 and to make this a real world test, I did not replace the 12 gram CO2 form the previous test. I figured 50 shots was a realist amount of shots to get from a single 12 gram CO2 and after all I was only shooting in semi auto which uses a lot less CO2 then shooting in full auto.
My KWC Blowback Mini UZI rocked pretty good using the 12 gram CO2 until it hit about a third the way through the magazine and then it stated to slow down and pretty much stop dead in its tracks with about 5-6 rounds still left in the magazine. The CO2 was all gone and I was left a bit unsatisfied :(
Without any significant break time to let my KWC Mini UZI warm up again, I switched over to the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit magazine and unloaded the full magazine in no time with no cycle rate slow down at all, even after the magazine was deprived of Steel BB's I kept squeezing the trigger and letting the blowback hammer my shoulder for several more satisfying bursts. Now that is what you expect from a full auto Blowback BB Machine gun!
In conclusion, when shooting in semi auto you will see better fps consistency using the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit but where this system really shines at least for me is I can shoot as fast as as long as I want and it will feel same as the very first shoot I take even when using a full auto system. No more switching out 12 gram CO2 every few magazines, just speed load some more BB's in and your good to go.
I was sent a really cool new product form a company called ANT (Advanced Novelty Tech). Their CO2/HPA Converter allows you to hook up either a large CO2 tank or High Pressure Air system using standard Paintball hose system.
What's kind of neat with the Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit, is that you can still interchange your 12 gram CO2 if you want to even after modifying your gun to use Bulk CO2 or HPA!
The ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit works with well over 100 BB, Pellet and Airsoft guns most of which would be Pistols but some rifles are included in this list.
The main advantages over using standard 12 gram CO2 cartridges would be a significant lower cost for CO2, along with less fps velocity fall off, so better performance overall.
Stay posted as I will be making a field test performance test using the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit with my KWC Mini UZI Full Auto BB Machine gun :)
The best way to describe a Blank Gun is to imagine it as a real gun in just about every way except one… There are no dangerous bullets flying out the front of it. That’s right, a Blank Gun just like a real gun uses a brass or metal shells, loaded with a primer and gun powder, but for what ever reason reason, some rocket scientists forgot to put a bullet at the end of the Blank shell.
Why Would You Want a Blank Gun?
Isn’t the entire purpose of a gun to shoot something? So why on earth would you buy a gun that doesn't shoot anything at all, what purpose would it serve? Even Nerf guns, water guns, potato guns all shoot something…
One way to look at a Blank Gun is to imagine it as a cap gun, but for grown ups. Similar to how kids like to shoot their cap guns because they go bang and sparks and smoke fly out of them, Blank Guns do the same thing but on a much grander scale and in most cases they look and sound a lot more like a real gun than a cap gun does.
So Blank Guns don’t actually do the main function of a real gun (that is to shoot a bullet), but they do look and sound the part of a gun. So how could this be of practical use to anyone?
Signalling Devices:
First off, have you ever heard of a Starter Pistol or a Flare Gun? Blank Guns have been historically used to signal the start of races. Many Blank Guns also have the ability to shoot flares by adding a flare adaptor to them so a person can shoot a flare into the air to signal distress if they are lost or hurt.
Gun Handling and Training:
Since many Blank Guns look, operate and feel almost exactly like real guns, Blank Guns are a great place to start out when training a person on proper gun handling and operation. If they make a mistake while using a Blank Gun, the consequences are far less severe than with a real gun. There is also much less kick from a Blank Gun so shooting a Blank Gun is less scary or intimidating for new shooters.
Dog Training:
Dogs used for police, military and hunting are required to stay calm around loud noises like gun shots, trained dogs also need to get used to the presence of guns and even how to attack the gun hand of a person who could be a potential threat. Again using Blank Guns in this training situation is a much better option than using a real gun for obvious reasons.
Movies, Video TV and Stage:
Introducing live ammunition on a movie set would be ridiculous, there is absolutely no need to shoot a bullet in this type of situation. Blank Guns make perfect stage props since they again look the part and sound the part without the dangerous bullets flying all over the place…
Collectors:
Many collectors want to own guns but for reasons like gun restrictions in their area, they may not be able to own a real gun or certain types of real guns. Blank Guns can offer a person with heavy gun restrictions in their area the ability to own similar Blank Gun versions. Perhaps they can own real guns but just simply don’t want to go through the licensing and registration hassle of owning a real gun. Blank Guns can generally be purchased for far less money than a real gun which is appealing to collectors who in many cases may not even shoot them.
Celebration:
In places like Turkey, people celebrate holidays and events by shooting Blank Guns into the air, at one time they actually shoot real guns, but people where getting injured or even killed by the falling bullets. Because of this, Blank Gun production became an industry in places like Turkey as Blank Gun manufacturers like EKOL, Retay and Zoraki (also know as ATAK Arms) are Turkish companies.
So now you know some of the reasons why a person would want to own a Blank Gun. I have Blank Guns and I also own real guns too. One reason is because there are many Blank Guns I own that I can not own in their real steel versions because of Canadian gun restrictions so obtaining a similar version in a Blank Gun allows me to own these models.
If a Blank Gun is not for you, then by all means get a real gun, but please understand that there is a place for Blank Guns, and in those environments, a Blank Gun is actually a better choice than a real gun.
First off let’s get one thing straight! What I’m looking for in a BB gun is more than likely going to be way different than what someone else is looking for in what they think is the “Best BB Gun” available.
Many people will determine the Best BB Gun as the BB gun that has the highest price tag, usually you get better quality the higher the price goes up but not always, there are times when perhaps you are paying for a name brand or cosmetic add ons that don’t always make the gun better or the best.
On the other hand, some people will determine the best BB gun as the one that is the least cost since they may not have a lot of money to spend, and an expensive BB gun is a BB gun that that person would not be able to afford or even own, far from an ideal or the Best BB Gun for them.
Many people only look at the specifications to determine if that particular BB gun is the outright best BB Gun. One specification that people seem to fixate on is how powerful is the BB gun in question? If it has the highest FPS then surely it must be the best BB Gun! That Pop can never saw it coming! What about cost of operation, so things like reliability and how many shots per CO2 you can get out of a BB gun. All important features to consider when picking out the Best BB Gun!
Style is another important part of what makes a BB Gun the Best option for you, are you wanting a classic BB Pistol? Perhaps a Modern BB Gun, Maybe even a BB gun that you can not get in your area because of gun laws? Style is a very individual preference and what looks good to me may look terrible to someone else.
One aspect that is very important to me, is realism, does the BB Gun operate the same and does it have similar metal and plastic parts as the real steel version? Does the BB gun I am considering have blowback operation and a true single or double action trigger like it’s big brother? What about a full size drop out magazine and the ability to field strip the BB Gun?
Some people want their BB gun for simple backyard good old fun shooting and so as long as it shoots pretty straight and works as it’s supposed to, then that is all they care about. Many real steel shooters want a BB Gun to operate exactly like their real steel version, so they can practice with it to get in more trigger time when going to a gun range is not an option.
Of course there are aspects like Reliability, Performance, Fit and Finish, Licensing and Build Quality that all determine what makes the Best BB Gun and again it really depends which of these qualities are most important to you that will determine which BB Gun is the best BB Gun.
So how do you determine which is the Best BB Gun? Make a list of what you are looking for in a BB Gun. Attributes like Cost, Performance, Build Quality, Style, Realism, Availability…
Once you have narrowed down your Best BB Gun list, get as much information on each BB Gun you are considering, to narrow the list down even more. There are tons of Youtube videos you can watch for your Best BB Gun final short list to help you determine your ultimate choice.
So please don’t ask me what the Best BB Gun is? I can not even tell you which one I like the best since my wish list changes from day to day…
It has been way too long since I got to go to the gun range and shoot my "big boy" guns! I say that sarcastically, sure my real steel guns are fun to shoot but it sure costs a lot of money and basically all we really do is shoot paper targets. Shooting at papper targets is fun for a while but I kind of enjoy shooting my airguns at pretty much any type of target I choose to shoot at. And of course any time I want to and for pennies per shot.
So getting back to Range Day shooting my real steel big boy guns ;) I went with a couple of buddies of mine and we shot a nice variety of guns. My Norinco NP-30 double stack 45 cal 1911, my Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm, a couple of my friends Glock 40 cals, my Norinco NP-34 P228 and Norinco Tokarev Type 54 9mm pistols, my Chiappa 1911-22 and ISSC M22 22LR pistols, a nice Sig Mosquito 22LR, my buddies S&W M&P 15-22 22LR rifle along with my ISSC MK22 SCAR 22LR rifle and my friends mighty custom Ruger Mini 14 in .223 caliber...
It was a cold day but a really fun day and it gave me a chance to really use my iPhone 6 plus camera for its slow-motion capabilities in a decent lighting situation.
Enjoy the footage of these "real guns" shooting in real time and slowed down.
Make sure to also checkout my full Table Top Review where you will find more details and specifications for the KWC Luger P-08 Airsoft replica pistol which is virtually the same gun as the 4.5mm BB version with the only real difference being the ammo type and the amount of rounds per magazine (21 rounds for the 4.5mm BB version and 15 rounds for the 6mm Airsoft version).
Basically in this YouTube video, I shoot the 4.5mm Steel BB version of the KWC P-08 Luger head to head against the Airsoft Version to see how they compare in terms of Feet Per Second speed and Accuracy from30 feet away from a paper target using a semi rested shooting stance. As expected the heavier 4.5mm Steel BB's shot a bit slower but did seem to have a slight advantage in the accuracy department.
Watch my YouTube Field Test Head to Head Shooting video of the KWC Luger P-08 CO2 Blowback Replica Pistols to see how they both compared:
This topic of Blowback Airguns Versus Non-blowback Airguns comes up often so I thought I would address it a second time around since I get a lot of new visitors and subscribers daily who may not have watched my first video explanation on this topic. You can also checkout my first video on this subject since there may be some stuff I missed out in this video second video ;)
There are really two types of people asking or commenting on Blowback Airguns Versus Non-blowback Airguns. The first type of person who genuinely wants to know which is best and for what reasons. Then there is the other kind of person who makes a narrow minded statement that one type is clearly better than the other type, based on their own preferences and interests but not considering that there are other people out there with different opinions and preferences than them. You know who you are and we all know you are not going to change cause that would require an open mind...
Here is a list of the Pros and Cons I go over for each style of Airgun:
Pros:
Blowback guns simulate recoil.
Blowback guns can have better and more true triggers compared to their real steel counterparts.
Blowback guns can be better suited for action shooting.
Blowback guns are better as prop guns.
Blowback guns are generally more realistic in terms of mechanics.
Non-blowback guns generally use less CO2 per shot.
Non-blowback guns generally have higher fps.
Non-blowback guns can be more accurate.
Non-blowback guns can be more reliable.
Non-blowback guns can be less expensive.
Cons:
Blowback guns generally get less shots per CO2.
Blowback guns generally have lower fps.
Blowback guns can be less accurate.
Blowback guns can be less reliable.
Blowback guns can be more costly.
Non-blowback guns do not simulate recoil.
Non-blowback guns do not have true single action only triggers.
Non-blowback guns generally have heavier triggers that slow down shooting performance.
Non-blowback guns are generally not as good for prop use and or training.
Non-blowback guns generally are not as realistic compared to their real steel counterparts.
Watch my Vimeo video where I go into detail on Blowback Airguns Versus Non-blowback Airguns again ;)
In this Vimeo video, I go over a common question I get pertaining to the recoil effect of Airguns and Blank Guns. Many people want to know if Airguns and Blank Guns have similar recoil effects to a Real Guns and if so, how much recoil will you feel from an Airgun or Blank Gun?
The short answer is yes, there is some recoil with both Airguns and Blank Guns since whenever there is a force in one direction there will be a somewhat similar force in the opposite direction creating what we feel as recoil. With Airguns since the force from the CO2 or compressed air is rather small in comparison to that of the gun powder blast from a Real Guns or even a Blank Gun, the recoil is very slight. Blank Guns have similar gun powder charges to a Real Gun and so the recoil is more noticeable but unlike a Real Gun, a Blank Gun does not really push against a sizable object like a bullet, a Blank Gun only pushes against the air in front of the barrel which has very limited resistance and so there will be much less felt recoil from a Blank Gun than the recoil from a Real Gun pushing on a heavy grain bullet.
With semi auto Guns like Blowback Pellet and BB Guns and semi auto Blank Guns, there is also the momentum and mass of the slide to consider as it moves backwards and forwards which also gives the effect of recoil and in the case of an Airgun accounts for most of the recoil felt by the shooter.
Watch my Vimeo video on this subject where I go into much more detail and explain the effect of recoil when shooting Airguns and Blank Guns:
In this Comparison video I go through the benefits and shortcomings of both Blowback and Non-Blowback Airguns. I focus mainly on Airguns but there is a definite crossover with Airsoft guns.
Here are some basic statements that best describe both Blowback and Non-Blowback Airguns.
Blowback Airguns:
Blowback Airguns usually have a movable slide that moves back and forth with each shot.
Sometimes the blowback operation is internal (Internal bolt) so there may not be an external moveable slide.
Some CO2 is used to move the slide rearwards in a Blowback Airgun.
The Blowback motion of the slide with some blowback airguns can also cock the hammer or internal striker allowing for true single action trigger pull. But not always!
Some Blowback airguns have the potential for full auto capabilities since they can have a true semi auto action.
There is some noticeable recoil from the Blowback action simulating the recoil of a real gun.
Non-Blowback Airguns:
Non-Blowback Airguns can have fixed or movable slides but they will not cycle back and forth with each shot.
Non-Blowback Airguns tend to have less working parts since no Blowback valves are required or even a moveable slide.
There are some Blowback and Non-Blowback Airguns that field strip similarly to their real steel counterparts but this is most commonly found in Blowback Airguns.
Non-Blowback Airguns require the shooter to cock the hammer for single action shooting or use a double action trigger pull for semi auto like performance.
Pros:
Blowback Airguns:
Blowback Action causes a noticeable recoil which makes the airgun feel more realistic.
Blowback Airguns in some cases have true semi auto action with true single action triggers which mimic the authenticity of the real steel versions of the guns they replicate much better making them better training tools.
Having some recoil makes blowback Airguns potentially better training tools.
Blowback Airguns look really cool when shooting them and are great action prop guns.
Non-Blowback Airguns:
Non-Blowback Airguns tend to have less working parts so less to go wrong and more reliability.
Non-Blowback Airguns can be more accurate since the recoil from the blowback is not a factor.
Non-Blowback Airguns have more potential power and more shots per CO2 since no CO2 is robbed for the blowback operation.
Cons:
Blowback Airguns:
Blowback operation can rob some of the power and will also rob how many shots you get from the Airgun.
Blowback Airguns are effected even more by cold weather and the cool down effect.
The recoil from Blowback Airguns can effect accuracy for some shooters.
Non-Blowback Airguns:
Non-Blowback airguns are generally double action when shooting semi auto and so the trigger pull will be longer and heavier.
Non-Blowback Airguns do not replicate the recoil action of a real gun.
Non-Blowback Airguns do not look as cool to shoot and are not as good of an action prop gun.
I stopped by the ICS Booth, we don't sell too much of their products but have carried a few items from time to time. ICS caries some nice quality Airsoft guns including the M1 Grand with real wood stock, and some AK & AR variants.
One of our suppliers had the new FN Herstal Five-seveN Blowback Airsoft pistol, I believe made by Marushin. Like the real FN Herstal Five-seveN, the pistol is pretty much all polymer including the slide and frame. This pistol also uses CO2 in the full size drop out magazine which should make it fairly powerful.
Looks like there is another Dan Wesson contender available now in the form of a Swiss Arms S&W 357 Magnum 4 inch and 6 inch barreled version, they look really nice and like the Dan Wesson have the realistic reusable brass shells that hold the 4.5mm Steel BB's.
Ever considered owning a mobile Gunsmith vehicle, look no further, I came across this pimped out Firearms Van complete with machine guns mounted in the front :) Inside was a complete firearms workshop.
Last but not least, we had some fun while in Vegas. I go down for the SHOT Show for business but I also bring my wife and we make time for some non business related activities. I generally stay at the WorldMark resort each time and this year the weather was pretty nice so we where able to get some sun by the pool a couple of days and I even got a tan line! Of course the food and entertainment is always awesome in Vegas.
We carry a lot of the G&G line and perhaps have as much in stock as you would find at the G& G booth ;) I did see a few items we do not have in stock so I will have to see what I can do about that. Some products that I hope to see added to our Canada Replica Airguns Store would for sure be the M1 Grand and our Canadian Military Colt C7A1/2.
One company I took notice of was Inokatsu, they make super high quality Airsoft guns. I was drawn to their Sig Sauer P229 and 1911 pistols that by the way are made out of real steel and as close to the real version as possible without it being a real gun. The Inokatsu pistols I looked at are not cheap and will set you back over a grand but are as close as you can get to a real sidearm as possible in an Airsoft version. They feel amazing to shoot with heavy blowback and that sound real steel makes when the slide snaps back.
Let me know if you're like me and would be willing to part with a substantial amount of money for one of these treasures?
So it's 2014 but I still needed to make my 2013 Airgun, Airsoft Gun and Blank Gun Collection Favorites for 2013. It's become a tradition I guess you could say. No I do not show all the guns in my collection but I do cover most of my favorites and also some new guns I picked up in 2013.
Here's a peek but make sure to watch the YouTube video bellow where I go over all my top picks for 2013. You can also buy many of the guns I show in this YouTube video over in our Canada and US Replica Airguns Store!
In this Field Test Shooting Review I do actually shoot the ME 9 Mini-Para 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol which is what many of you want to see :) I shoot 5 rounds through the ME 9 Mini-Para 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol until the slide locks out and capture all of this using my Nikon 1 1080p HD camera along with my Casio EX-ZR1000 slow motion 240 frames per second camera.
My ME 9 Mini-Para 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol even though it could be as old as 10+ years still performed perfectly with no misfires or failures to load or eject, a testament to the West German build quality!
Model:ME 9 Mini-Para (Similar to a S&W 469 or Shorty 40).
Materials: Mostly Metal with some steel parts.
Weight: 2.12 pounds. (960 grams)
Barrel: Front firing. (No Red Tip)
Propulsion: Gun powder.
Action: Single & double action.
Ammunition Type: 9mm P.A.K. Blanks.
Ammunition Capacity: 8+1 rounds.
FPS: N/A.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ME 9 Mini-Para 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol is fairly light in single action mode as would be expected and this is for the most part how you would shoot the gun since you need to rack the slide to pickup a round for the first shot. If you do decide to de-cock the hammer, you can shoot in double action but it is extremely heavy, perhaps close to 15 pounds or more! The take-up in single action is pretty short and the release is crisp. The safety is a standard firing pin block so you can release the hammer with the safety on but the hammer will hit the firing pin block first rather then strike the pin.
Accuracy: NA.
Build Quality: The overall build quality of the ME 9 Mini-Para 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol is similar to the ROHM German made blank pistols we sell in our Canada Replica Airguns Store. So in other words, the build quality is very good. Like most blank pistols, much of the gun is made out of zinc alloy (or pot metal) but the parts that see the most wear and tear and higher pressures are made from steel, these parts would be the barrel, magazine, magazine release, extractor, firing pin, springs and most of the screws and pins. In terms of finish, mine was picked up used and I'm not even sure how old it is? It could be as old as 20+ years? That said it is mechanically in very good conditioned even the finish is pretty good with only some minor wear.
Realism: The ME 9 Mini-Para 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol is a very realistic looking gun; operation, size, weight, feel and looks are what you would expect from a real gun and it almost is a real gun except that it's made to shoot blanks, not actual bullets. The ME 9 Mini-Para 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol is not an exact copy of any gun that I know of in production but it does share a lot of commonalities with a Smith & Wesson Shorty 40.
Purchase from: A private collector.
Pros:
Well made, materials fit and finish is all very good considering it was purchased used.
Decent amount of rounds (8+1) in its single stack magazine.
Steel parts where they need to be.
Nice light single action trigger, can also be shot in double action.
Made in Germany.
Cons:
No external slide catch release, must remove the empty magazine to release the slide.
Double action trigger is super heavy!
Very hard to find here in North America.
Comments:
When ever I find a blank gun that is unique or hard to get, it interests me. Especially if it is as good quality as the ME 9 Mini-Para 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol. Mine may have a few wear marks and blemishes on it since I did get it used but they are minor and I may even strip it down and refinish it at some point since this blank pistol would definitely be worthy of the time and effort involved. It's kind of unfortunate that locating one of these very fine ME 9 Mini-Para's is so hard here in Canada and the US but at least we do have the ROHM line of German made blank guns if you are in the market for such a quality blank pistol.
My Vimeo Full Video Table Top Review for the ME 9 Mini-Para 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol:
