Airguns are generally cheaper to buy and for sure cheaper to shoot. Airguns can cost as little as $50-100 to buy while real guns in similar models will cost many time more. Cost of ammo is so much less expensive than Real Gun ammo by a mile!
Difficulty to Obtain:
Airguns in most countries do not require any licensing or registration. Generally there are more available options in Airgun choices than Real Gun choices as restrictions often prohibit many Real Guns to be obtained.
Places to Shoot:
Unless you live in a super remote locations and your laws allow you to shoot Real Guns in those locations, then in most cases you can shoot an Airgun almost anywhere within reason. You can even shoot certain Airgun models in your basement. Airsoft is a great option for indoor shooting as the plastic ammo does not carry very much energy so with minimal effort you can make a backstop that will trap the ammo very well.
Trigger Time:
Because ammo is much less expensive and places you can shoot are easier to find, you can get a lot more Trigger Time under your belt which will also improve your shotgun with Real Guns and after all it’s just fun to shoot guns even if they are Airguns.
Safety:
I am not talking about safety in terms of protection. I am talking about safety as in if you do something stupid and your Gun goes off accidentally. If you accidentally fire your Airgun indoors, the bullet will not travel through floors or walls and potentially harm or kill someone on the other side. If you do manage to shoot yourself with an Airgun, the consequence are much less severe than shooting yourself with a Real Gun. That said, always treat an Airgun as if it was a Real Loaded Gun, as server injury and even death can occur even with an Airgun.
Ware Games and Training Situations:
There is no way you can use a standard Real Gun to shoot at people, unless extensively altered with special parts that make the Real Gun unusable to shoot live ammo. With Airguns you have the choice of using an Airsoft or Paintball gun that are both designed specifically for this purpose.
Pest Control:
If you have the need for pest control in an urban area where you do not want a stray bullet to travel too far or penetrate buildings if a shot where to go awry, then an Airgun designed for accuracy and power may be perfect for the job. Accuracy with target and hunting Airguns is on par if not better than many Real Guns and are have powerful enough to kill a pest humanely without having too much power for the job and having to worry as much about your background.
Prop Guns:
As mentioned already, Airguns can look a lot like Real Guns, so they are perfect to be used as a stand-in or Prop Gun when you need to simulate the look and function of a Real Gun. Again they are easier and cheaper to obtain and if something does go wrong, the consequences are much less severe.
Social Stigma:
Unfortunately Real Guns and perhaps any gun these days are looked upon with a social stigma as being the cause of the Crime rather than a tool used in a Crime. And so people blame Guns for these crimes rather than the people committing these crimes. If a person is motivated enough to do something bad, they are going to do it either way and will use whatever means is available to them to commit these Crimes. Including other means like: Knives, Blunt Objects, Poisons, Vehicles, Explosives… Sad but true! Airguns are not used in homicides or mass shootings as they are completely underpowered for a crime like this. They can however be used in crimes as a show of threat, as they do look a lot like real guns, generally people that use Airguns for real crimes, if challenged will give up immediately as they are completely outgunned. Don’t bring an Airgun to a Real Gun fight, you have better chance with a knife!
In this Comparison Video I show several models of Glock Replica Airguns distributed under the Umarex/Glock license. Umarex has brought to market several Glock Replica Airguns to date including BB, Pellet, Airsoft and even Paintball versions in a variety of models. I showcase only a few of these models in this video but it is a good selection to give most people an idea of what is available from our Replica Airguns website in terms of Glock Pistols.
I have made a fair amount of video reviews for the Dan Wesson Line of AIrguns that encompass Table Top and Field Test Reviews on several versions of the Dan Wesson line: BB, Pellet, Airsoft, in a variety of barrel and color choices. It has been a while, so why not make another Review Video to revisit the Dan Wesson Line and so this time here we have the Steel BB version in a 2.5 inch barrel length. As always I will test they CO2 Revolver to find out what the velocity is and how accurate it is shooting at a paper target. Also make sure to watch my Table Top Video for specifications, details and closeup video.
Here we go with the Velocity test! I placed a brand new CO2 in the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver and shot a cylinder full of 4.5mm steel BB’s that weigh 5.1 grain through my Chronograph. The temperature was average so about room temperature. Only the last 4 of my shots registered on my Chronograph as it was acting up a bit on me at first two shots but I did manage to average 332 fps with the last four. The first two shots would have been a little bit faster had they registered on my chronograph so this may have brought up the average a bit to say around 334…
I then placed a fresh paper target 30 feet down range and proceeded to unload a full 6 round cylinder into it, I was shooting in single action with the hammer cocked back between shots. I was also using a semi rested shooting position with my hands resting on a sand bag up front and seated in the back for stability. Generally speaking even with Steel BB’s I can get close to a 1-2 inch grouping with hess Dan Wessons but this time my 6 shot grouping only produced a 3 inch group? It was probably me as there is always some human error involved and each test can result in different results so keep that in mind. The grouping was well centered out of the box but the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver does have fully adjustable sights in case yours is a bit off.
It never get’s old loading up the shells with ammo and placing them in the cylinder followed by either quick action shooting or more relaxed and accurate single action shooting, then repeating again and again… The original Dan Wesson line of revelers has been around for a long time now and if I am not mistaken was the first Airgun revolver to use reloadable shells. We now have more refined 715 version of the Dan Wesson which does have some improvement but the original versions still hold strong and are very capable and fun shell loading revolvers that come it a bit lower price tag then the newer 715 versions so no matter which version you get you will have lot of fun shooting and reloading these enjoyable Airguns!
Type: BB Revolvers. Manufacturer: ASG Model: Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold Materials: Mostly metal. Weight: 1.9 pounds. (862 grams) Barrel: Metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Revolver, single and double action. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds (removable shells). FPS: 327
Trigger Pull: The ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver shoots in true modern revolver style offering single and double action. The double action has a bit of friction to it since the cylinder is being rotate during the first part of the trigger pull and there is a spring fed metal gasket between the barrel and the cylinder that creates a seal but does add some resistance to the trigger pull in double action. Single action is much lighter as expected since pulling the hammer back turns the cylinder removing that friction point from the equasion.
.Accuracy: So far I have not done my Filed Test Shooting Video for the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver, but I plan to in the near future as a revisit since I have made a lot of similar Field Test Videos for the Dan Wesson line of products in 4.5mm Steel BB and 6mm Airsoft, here is a link to me shooting the 8 inch a while back in my old setup. Wow, this one goes back to 2014 almost 10 years ago!
Build Quality: The ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver overall is really well built with good weight to it and a nice fit and finish, I do like the Gold version in this 2.5 inch version. It is almost all metal with the exception of the grips which are made of a semi hard plastic. One beef I have with the original ASG Dan Wesson line of revolvers are how the grips slide back to access the CO2, closing them can be a bit of a chore as they can come off their track super easily. The other complaint I hear about them is the play in the trigger and hammer side to side.
Realism: The ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver like all the other ASG Dan Wesson Revolvers is very realistic with its realistic pop out cylinder and 6 removable shells you can reuse and load up for numerous rounds of shooting. You can also buy additional shells and have them preloaded and ready to go in the Speed loader to speed things up. Two things about the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver that take away a bit from the realism would be the non recessed barrel and the rather large space in front of the hammer. A real steel Dan Wesson or even most revolvers do not have this large space. I believe they did this to allow for the internal valve system. The newer Dan Wesson 715 however was designed with a smaller space in front of the hammer.
Pros:
It's a revolver with actual shells! Gives you the feeling of a real 6 shooter.
Almost all metal design with good weight and feel.
Lots of detail in this gun, very well made, fit and finish is very good.
Good power and good accuracy. (going off of already done older reviews)
Fully adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Can add the included accessory rail for more options (optical or red dot sight…).
Dan Wesson licensed via ASG.
Gold finish is unique. (Gold is the Best!)
Moulded and textured pistol grips.
Grips fully hide CO2 screw.
Can shoot in both double and single action for action shooting or more accurate shot placement.
Cons:
Plastic CO2 screw tab.
Plastic grip setup can be a bit awkward to close.
2.5 inch does not have the recessed barrel.
Hammer and trigger are a bit sloppy compared to 715 version.
Comments:
It’s been a while since I reviewed one of the first generation ASG Dan Wesson Revolvers and the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver does bring back some memories for me going back almost a decade. If I’m not mistaken this revolver was the first one to implement actual removable and reloadable shells making Airgun Replica Revolvers a lot more interesting and realistic! I do kind of prefer the newer 715 version as they are even beefier than the original ASG Dan Wessons and ASG has fixed the sloppy hammer and trigger along with the space in front of the hammer has been reduce making the 715 even that much more realistic.
Watch my Vimeo Video Table Top Review for the Dan Wesson 2.5 Inch Gold BB Revolver:
In this Preview Review Video I take a look at 4 newer products now in our Replica Airguns Online Store. One is a 4.5mm Steel BB Revolver, two are 6mm Airsoft Pistols and one is a .68 caliber Paintball Shotgun.
The first item I take look at in this video is the Umarex HK30 AEG Airsoft Pistol, this product is pretty entry level with analyst all plastic build and is very light to hold. It does however shoot in both semi and full auto since it is an AEG Airsfto Pistol (not many of them out there). The fps is rather low at a claimed fps at just under 200, the Umarex HK30 AEG Airsoft Pistol also comes with two 16 round remove; plastic magazines. Who knows, maybe it will be fun?
Next I take a look at the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch 4.5mm Steel BB Gold Revolver. This is a CO2 powered shell loading BB revolver very much like similar ones I have reviewed in the past but in Gold finish. Will the gold finishes make it perform better, well I guess we better find out!
I then take a look at a “Glock Like” CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol for KJWorks called the KP13. It has a full size drop out metal magazine that holds the CO2 along with 24 rounds of 6mm Airsoft BB’s. The KJWorks KP-13 has a metal slide, metal magazine and polymer frame with a velocity over 360fps using the included barrel extension.
Last but perhaps the most interesting for me is the Umarex T4E HDB which is a lower cost Paintball/Rubber Ball Shotgun which could possibly be used for home protection? The T4E HDB is a mostly plastic constructed rifle with decent weight to it and uses an internal spring fed 16 round magazine. You will find all kinds of mounting points for accessories and for a sling on the Umarex T4E HDB and again at much lower cost than similar T4E rifle based Paintball/Rubber ball Airguns.
This review shows that low cost Airguns can perform just like higher priced Airguns. They may not be as realistic and all made out of metals for that added weight and feel but in terms of power and accuracy they can still get the job done as is with the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun! In this Field Test Shooting Review I do just that, I test the power and accuracy first by shooting 5 rounds through my Chronograph to find out what the real world fps is, I then I shot 10 rounds down range at a fresh paper target to see what kind of grouping I can get and if the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun is sighted in on the target out of the box.
Starting with the velocity test I first placed a brand new 12 gram CO2 into the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun and loaded up the 10 rounds rotary magazine with Daisy Zinc Coated 4.5 mm Steel BB’s. The temperature was around 22 degrees Celsius which is 72 degrees Fahrenheit in the sea can indoor shooting range so not too warm or cold. The claimed fps from Umarex is 450, I was able to get an average of 403fps with the fastest shot hitting 425fps and the slowest shooting down to 388fps. So a bit under the Umarex claimed velocity but in the ball park.
Next I performed the accuracy test for the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun and since the sights are non adjustable you kind of hope that where you aim is where the shots go but if they don’t then you will need to adjust your aim point just a bit. Out of the box the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun did shoot a bit low but was fairly bang on side to side so when shooting at around 30 feet out you will need to aim just a tad over the intended target. Out of 10 shots, 8 rounds where all within a nice 1.5 inch grouping with a couple of flyers that I kind of want to keep out of this test because it was probably more me than the gun causing them to go off a bit. 1.5 inches is very good for a 4.5mm Steel BB Airgun!
All in all the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun shot right around 400fps which is for sure a step up for something like a Red Ryder BB Rifle that at best can shoot 300fps. You also don’t have to work the pump as hard as you would the lever on a Red Ryder since the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun is CO2 powered rather than spring powered. I also feel like the Umarex NXG Pump Shot was more accurate than the Red Ryder at least for me but that said some people can hit a nickel all day long with their Red Ryders! There are not a lot of Pump Action Looking Airguns out there in 4.5mm Steel BB versions and in more compact easier for younger or smaller shooters so if you fall into that category and want something in a shotgun format then the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun may be perfect for you.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun is pretty decent, there is a short task up and fairly easy release as the pump action not only turns the rotary magazine but also cocks the internal hammer/striker system. So you will need to pump it before your first shot and after each shot.
Accuracy: I have not Field Test Reviewed the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun yet but will be making a full Fields Test Review this week to find out what to expect in terms of accuracy and velocity. So we will find out if the fps is closer to the on the box specs of 450 fps or the mostly online specs of 490 fps. Perhaps somewhere in-between?
Build Quality: The Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun is almost all plastic which is not a bad thing in terms of quality and durability. The fact that it only weighs in at 2 pounds may make it feel kind of light and cheap but in a drop or fall situation it means it will most lily not sustain any damage because of the light weight. Most of todays airguns when made out of metals generally are made out of pot metal or zinc alloy which is a nice heavy metal that looks and feels great but is not super strong so when you drop a heavier gun made out of this material it can easily get damaged.
Realism: The Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun looks like a traditional pump action shotgun and even has a little bit of a recessed barrel to make it more believable but it is smaller in size since it is designed more for younger and smaller shooters. The light weight is not only a giveaway but makes ti feel more like a toy than a real gun. If you can ignore that then hopefully you can enjoy the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun for what it is which is a low cost compact BB rifle made for customs interested in Airguns liek the Red Ryder but that perhaps want a bit more power.
Pros:
Low cost CO2 rifle great for all ages and sizes.
Has a fiber optic front sight.
Comes in a nice looking two tone Black/FDE color scheme.
Fairly easy to pump since the pumping action is not required to activate a spring or compress air.
Built in manual thumb safety.
Stock and high check rest position feel good and a good size length for smaller younger shooters.
Rotary drop out magazine holds 10 4.5mm steel BB’s for quick follow up shots.
Trigger feels pretty good, short and fairly light.
Full ambidextrous design.
Perhaps a step up for entry level shooter over a Red Ryder type BB rifle in terms of power.
Overall a decent looking air rifle.
Cons:
Mostly plastic, so a bit on the light weight side.
Sights are not adjustable in any way.
May be a bit cramped for larger shooters.
Comments: The Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun is not going to win any prizes for quality and realism but keep in mind it is really designed more for entry level younger shooters getting into the Airgun hobby. For them this will be not so intimidating as a larger, heavier more realistic version of a replica Shotgun. I think it will be realistic enough for most new Airgun Shooters and in terms of performance and features it is for sure a step up form something like a Red Ryder BB Rifle. I am looking forward to my upcoming Field Test Shooting Review out what the actual velocity is and what kind of groupings I can get shooting 30 feet down range on a paper target.
My Table Top Video of the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun:
Umarex has released yet another Legends Replica Airgun and perhaps this one may be the most iconic yet, the M3 Grease gun with a history as far back as 1942. It was put into service int 1944 and then the later variant the M3A1 was used in the Korean War. Also make sure to watch my Table top Video for it for specifications and details along with more close up video.
Getting back to the Field Test Review for the Umarex Legends CO2 Blowback Full Auto M3 Grease Gun, as always I like to test each gun out in the Replace Airguns Indoor Sea Can Airguns Range first placing 5 rounds through my Chronograph to find out the real world velocity of each test gun, then I shoot 10 rounds in semi auto at a distance of 30 feet onto a paper target to see how tight of a grouping I can get shooting from a seated and rested position. With full auto Airguns I like to then perform a full auto shooting test to see how it groups in full auto as often times the full auto grouping will open up somewhat as some Blowback Full Auto Airguns do tend to move around a lot more in full auto mode.
For my Power or Velocity test I was using dual brand new CO2 cartages. Umarex does state that the Umarex Legends CO2 Blowback Full Auto M3 Grease Gun will shoot around 450 fps and with my 5 shot test I was able to confirm this and get close to this mark averaging 436fps. The temperature in the Sea Can was around 20 degrees Celsius or around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Perhaps in warmer conditions I might hit the claimed 450 fps but I was close either way.
For my accuracy test I setup a new paper target 30 feet downrange and proceeded to place 10 shots into it using the peep sight on the Umarex Legends CO2 Blowback Full Auto M3 Grease Gun. I was fairly pleased with a fairly tight 1.5 inch grouping in semi auto. I then switched over to full auto fun mode and with the remaining BB’s I unloaded 50 or so rounds in very short order and as expected the grouping opened up to closer to a 4 inch grouping. This was kind of expected since the Umarex Legends CO2 Blowback Full Auto M3 Grease Gun uses an open bolt system which has a fairly heavy bolt which makes the blowback action more intense, similar to the KWC Mini Uzi but to a lessor degree.
Any time a company puts out another Full Auto Replica Rifle, especially full auto firing, I am 100% in on it. Both Crosman and Umarex have done a great job doing this and the Umarex Legends CO2 Blowback Full Auto M3 Grease Gun is another example of a well thought out and what I expect to be very popular Full Auto BB Rifle. Their Legends series encompasses guns of the later era which I personally really like since they are harder to come by in their real steel versions, so having them available in an easier to acquire version that you can even shoot in your back yard is a win win for everyone. I am also happy to confirm the high capacity double stack 60 round magazine seemed to feed pretty good for me only miss-feeding once during my testing while doing the Chronograph portion but it got back on track right away. If you’re into Full Auto Legendary Airguns then for sure pick one up from us!
Type:BB Rifle. Manufacturer: Umarex. Model: Legends M3 Grease Gun Materials: Mostly All Metal Construction. Weight: 7.7 pounds (3.5 kilograms). Length: 29.8 inches (757mm). Barrel Length: 8 inches (20 cm) smoothbore barrel. Propulsion: Dual CO2 Cartridge. Action: Semi & Full Auto Open Bolt Blowback Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 60 rounds. FPS: 460fps. Rate of Fire: 1050
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Legends M3 Grease Gun is fairly light being a single action only trigger. You will have to open the bolt (pull it to the rear) which is located under the dust cover using your thumb but the recoil spring is not super heavy on the Airgun version. I would imagine this would take more effort on the real steel version.
Accuracy: I have not Field Test Reviewed the CO2 BB Full Auto Umarex Legends M3 Grease Gun as of yet but will be making a full Fields Test Review next week to find out what to expect in terms of accuracy on both semi and full auto modes along with velocity using brand new twin CO2 Cartridges.
Build Quality: The Umarex Legends BB Grease Gun is really made with form what I can see is an all metal construction at least on the outside. The fit and finishes feel and look really good and it has a nice balance and weight to it.
Realism: The Umarex Legends BB Firing M3 Grease Gun is based on the actual M3A1 version and looks just like it including the rough welds and simple build. Even the action is Open Bolt which means you have to pull the bolt back using your thumb or finger, then when you release the trigger the bolt moves forward loading a round in the chamber and then acting like the firing pin and firing the gun which in turn uses the pressure to cycle the bolt into the rear position ready to fire the next shot in either semi or full auto mode.
Pros:
Yet another Classic Legends Replica Airgun from Umarex.
Virtually all metal design with good overall weight.
Price is very reasonable for all metal replica machine gun in an all metal construction.
Semi and Full auto select-ability.
Dual CO2 design for increased shots and less cool down effect.
Super high capacity 60 round full size drop out metal magazine. (hopefully it works well)
Great looking replica of the real steel Grease Gun in looks, operation and feel.
Internal bolt blowback will give a bit of recoil feedback feel.
Uses a genuine open bolt system.
Recessed barrel for added realism.
Cons:
Sights are non-adjustable.
Hopefully high capacity magazine feeds consistently?
Selector switch under frame is not authentic but does allow for semi, full auto and safe modes.
Comments:
The Umarex Legends M3 Grease Gun is yet another great addition to not only the Legends Series of Umarex Airguns but also their Full Auto BB Rifle lineup! I am hoping the 60 round magazine feeds properly as double\ stack 4.5mm BB Rounds don’t always feed as well as Airsoft BB’s do. I guess we will find out when I make my Filed Test Shooting Video… That said the M3 Grease Gun is an excellent Replica of the real steel version with an all metal build and even a true to form open bolt blowback system. I really hope it performs well so I can recommend this Airgun, on first impressions and simply holding and looking around this BB Machine gun I am impressed so far.
My Table Top Video of the Umarex Legends Full Auto M3 Grease Gun:
In this Preview Unboxing Video I take a look at three new products just listed in our Replica Airguns Store. Two are products from Umarex both being CO2 4.5mm Steel BB and one is a CO2 powered KWC Blowback Airsoft Pistol. I don’t go into a ton of detail in this video but go over what is listed on the box and a quick walk around of each product.
First up I show off the KWC DE L6 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol, it is much like the Cybergun Desert Eagle L6 I reviewed but without the orange tip and with notched pistol grips, also all back which is classic and looks great. This Blowback pistol shoots 6mm Airsoft BB’s at around 360 fps and has a full size dropout metal magazine that holds the CO2 along with 21 rounds.
Next I showcase a rather entry level 4.5mm CO2 BB Pump Action Rifle called the Umarex NXG Pump Shot that is a mostly plastic lighter weight build perfect for smaller or younger shooters. It uses CO2, shoots 4.5mm Steel BB’s and comes with a drop out 10 round rotary magazine. You will have to pump it before each shot but this makes the trigger fairly light.
Lastly but perhaps my favorite in this lineup I take a look at the CO2 4.5mm Blowback Umarex Legends M3 Grease Gun. Just like the real steel .45 caliber Grease Gun it is capable of full auto and also shoots in semi auto. You will find a full size drop out metal magazine that holds two CO2 cartridges along with 60 4.5mm steel BB’s. Thats a lot of rounds!
If you are wondering why I am doing another Field Test of a Crosman AR-15 type CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle… Well why not, any excuse to play around with one of these and I will take it. You never know, even though the Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle is essentially just a re-skinned R1, what if it performs better or worse than the standard R1. I better test it out and find out for myself.
Like all my other Field Test Shooting Videos I test out the Velocity and Accuracy in the Replica Airguns Indoors Sea Can Shooting Range where I can control the temperature, wind and lighting conditions. The goal is to see if the velocity is what the manufacturer claims and what kind of groupings I can get in this case shooting 10 rounds in semi auto and the rest in full auto.
Starting with my velocity test for the Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle I shot five 4.5mm Steel BB’s through my Chronograph and was able to average 389 fps. Crosman claims a max fps of 430 which would be best case scenario in what would most likely be fairly warm shooting conditions. During my testing the temperature was not overly warm or cool, right around room temperature so around 20 degrees Celsius (70 ish degrees Fahrenheit) and I was using dual brand new CO2 Cartridges.
Next I tested out the accuracy for the Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle first shooting 10 rounds in semi auto and then dumping the rest of the magazine in full auto. Right out of the box using the iron pop-up sights I was able to get all but 1 shot in the Bulls-eye which is about 1 inch in diameter so not only is the Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle very accurate but it was really well centered out of the box in my case. Switching over to full auto the grouping spread out as expected more to around 2+ inches and placing a bit lower on the target but this is expected when shooting a blowback Airgun in full auto as it will move around a bit.
I do have to say the Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle is probably one of the best looking AR’s in the Crosman series of Full Auto BB Rifles and I am happy to report the performance was as expected since I have done several Field Test Shooting Reviews for this series of BB Rifles. No you do not get a red dot with the Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle but rather more old school iron sights but it really suits this BB Machine Gun and for me it didn’t hurt performance at all!
In this Field Test Shooting Video I test out the BARRA 400e Full Auto AEG 4.5mm BB Rifle to test out the velocity along with the accuracy and also get an idea on what the rate of fire is in Full Auto mode as on the box it claims 550 rounds per minute using what I would assume is a 7.4 volt battery. I wanted to test the BARRA 400e using an 11.1 volt battery but mine died on me. I will more than likely make a short video where I test out the 11.1 volt battery to see how this effects the rate of fire. If you want more information on specifications and details for the BARRA 400e then check my Table Table Video for it here.
Starting with testing out the Velocity for the BARRA 400e Full Auto AEG 4.5mm BB Rifle I shoot 6 rounds through my Chronograph to average out the fps and I was able to average 385 fps which is fairly close to the claimed 410 fps. Temperature does not effect an AEG as no CO2 is being used. Battery voltage also does not effect velocity as long as there is enough voltage to make the AEG motor pull the spring all the way back. Only trigger delay and rounds per minute are effected by battery voltage.
Moving on to my accuracy findings, I loaded up a full 50 round magazine and first unloaded 10 rounds fairly quickly into my paper target setup 30 feet down range shooting from a seated shooting position with the BARRA 400e resting on a sand bag up front. I was impressed to get close to a 1 inch 10 round grouping that placed just a little to the left and down from the bullseye right out of the box. I could easily center the sights as they are fully adjustable. I then switched the BARRA 400e Full Auto AEG 4.5mm BB Rifle to full auto and shot the remaining 40 or so rounds into the same paper target and even though the grouping opened up a little bit, it was not by much so accuracy in semi and full auto is very good with the BARRA 400e.
I have to say the rate of fire on the BARRA 400e Full Auto AEG 4.5mm BB Rifle using a 7.4 volt battery is rather slow even compared to other Airsoft AEG Full Auto Airguns but I still yet have to test it out using a brand new 11.1 volt Lithium battery so I do expect the rate of fire to improve a noticeable amount. Stay posted for that update video. Even with the slower rate of fire from the BARRA 400e this gun is awesome, it is really accurate and the velocity stays super consistent since CO2 cool down is not a factor. The mostly all metal construction and overall quality is very good and the fact that this is really the first commercial AEG 4.5mm Steel BB Rifle makes that alone a great reason to pick one up.
Type:BB Rifle. Manufacturer: BARRA. Model: BARRA 400e. Materials: Mostly Metal with some plastic. Weight: 7.5 pounds (3.4 kilograms). Length: 42.25 inches (1073mm). Propulsion: AEG (with Deans Connectors). Action: Semi & Full Auto. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 50 rounds. (1000 shots per battery charge Aprox.) FPS: 410fps. Rate of Fire: 550+ rounds per minute in full auto (depending on battery voltage).
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the BARRA 400e AEG Full Auto BB Rifle like other AEG Rifles is not mechanical per say as it is essentially electrical driven so basically it is an on off switch that is closest in feel to a single action only trigger since it is light and short. You will notice a slight delay between pressing the trigger and the actual round being fired since the trigger activates a motor which first pulls the air spring back, once the spring is fully drawn back it releases and compresses the air which then propelled the 4.5mm steel BB. The higher voltage battery you use will shorten the delay as the motor will spin faster and pull back the spring quicker allowing for less noticeable delay and also a higher rate of full auto fire.
Accuracy: I have not Field Test Reviewed the BARRA 400e AEG Full Auto BB Rifle or even tried it out yet as it does not come with a battery or charger and as it uses a Deans connector I will need to get a battery that not only fits this gun size-wise but also has a Deans connector on it. Once I have this battery I will be able to make my Field Test Shooting Video for it. It should have a very consistent velocity since there is no CO2 cool down to factor in so each shot when I Chronograph it should be very similar in fps. I also expect accuracy to be decent since there will not be a lot of recoil as there is no blowback action here.
Build Quality: The BARRA 400e AEG Full Auto BB Rifle is almost all metal in design with an actual CNC machined aluminum hand guard and reciever! It feels very solid when holding it and the fit and finishes are really good. The only plastic I noticed on this AEG styled BB Rifle are the rear stock, pistol grip, and pop-up sights, everything else as far as I can tell are made out of metals.
Realism: The BARRA 400e AEG Full Auto BB Rifle is based on the AR platform in terms of its overall design and looks like a sub variant for sure. It is missing the default forward assist but in all the AIrgun versions of AR typo rifles the forward assist is just for show since there is nothing to assist with an Airgun. Most mechanical parts work as you would expect like the charging handle, magazine release, sectors switch, dust cover and of course the trigger.
Pros:
No CO2 required so cost to shoot is less.
Very consistent velocity as there is no cool down effect from CO2 cooling the gun.
Have the option to shoot in semi or full auto modes.
Almost all metal construction, very solid feeling gun.
Lots of rail option for mounting accessories (Picatinny on the top and M-LOK on sides and bottom).
Flip up sights use a dual mode, when not flipped up you have finer optic lower profile sights, when up there is a post in the front and peep in the back.
6 position adjustable rear stock.
Nice high capacity 50 round magazine, will need more mags for sure since you get 1000 shots per battery charge.
Comes with a speed loader too.
Lots of working parts including the charging handle, dust cover, magazine release, selector switch.
Selector switch is ambidextrous.
Cons:
No blowback operation as with some other Full Auto BB Rifles like the Crosman AR Series.
Does not come with a battery or charger, will need ones that fit and use a Deans connectors.
No red dot included with this version but the iron sights are well thought out.
Comments:
The BARRA 400e AEG Full Auto BB Rifle is something new to the Airgun industry and I always like it when a company doesn’t just make their own version of something we already have in the market and basically just put their branding and licensing on all the same guns. BARRA has made what I believe to be the first AEG 4.5mm Steel BB rifle at least one that has come to market and I always wondered why nobody has tried this before? Well here it is and now we get to see how well an AEG performs with 4.5mm Steel BB’s! Maybe this will start a new market of AEG type 4.5mm Steel BB Guns? I say if it works, well then go for it.
My Table Top Video of the BARRA 400e AEG Full Auto BB Rifle:
Type: BB Rifle. Manufacturer: Crosman. Model: R1 Fallen Patriots AR. Materials: Metal & plastic. Weight: 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms). Length: 26.25 / 29.25 inches (Stock closed / extended). Propulsion: 12 gram CO2 dual cartridges. Action: Semi & Full AutoBlowback - single action only. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 25 rounds. FPS: 430fps. Rate of Fire: 1400 rounds per minute in full auto.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle is single action only since the charging handle must be pulled back first before you can shoot it. The trigger is short and fairly light as you would expect from an AR type trigger action. The real fun happens with the Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle when you switch it over to full auto mode and with just one pull and hold of the trigger you empty the 25 round magazine in mere seconds.
Accuracy: I have not Filed Test Reviewed the Fallen Patriot version of the R1 just yet but you checkout my Filed Test Shooting Video for the Crosman R1 Regular Version where I test out it using my Chronograph and I get an average of 385 fps and a nice 30 foot grouping of right around 1 inch in semi out and a decently tight full auto group of about 3-4 inches.
Build Quality: The Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle as with all the Crosman AR type BB Machine Guns is well made all around. Weighing in at 6 pounds without any add on accessories it feels solid and well built. There is a lot of metal going on inside and out of this rifle but keep in mind the top and bottom receiver are plastic with metal parts where they need to be like in the internals, pretty much all the working parts are metal, the magazine is full metal, the buffer tub is metal, charging handle, selector switch, magazine release, bolt release, trigger and of course the barrel is metal.
Realism: The Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle is about as real as you are going to find in a CO2 Blowback AR/M4 styled Airgun. You can even take it apart and split the top and bottom receivers like the real steal version. The blowback action gives you some recoil but more importantly offers a true single action trigger and of course the full auto ability we all want and love. Almost all the working parts work like they would on a real AR/M4 other than the forward assist which is moulded into the receiver.
Pros:
Color scheme is awesome looking.
Super realistic working M4/AR 4.5mm BB Rifle just like the otters Crosman Rifles in this lineup.
Full blowback operation with both semi and full auto shooting, can feel the blowback operation rocking the gun.
Great weight and feel to it.
Almost everything works exactly like the real steel version. (Charging handle, dust cover, bolt release, magazine release, selector switch…)
Duel CO2 full metal drop out magazine that holds the 25 4.5mm steel BB’s as well.
Adjustable and customizable AR butt stock.
Included iron pop-up sights you can add a red dot sight on rail if you want to but looks classic without it..
Lots of rails for mounting additional cool hardware.
Removable flash hider that uses standard threading.
Cons:
Receiver is plastic but well made and does not compromise feel or weight since there is lots of metal throughout this gun.
No red dot included with this version.
Comments:
The Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle is really pretty much the same as the Standard Version Crosman R1 with really only cosmetic color scheme changes. That said these cosmetic changes make it look awesome and in my books this is the nicest looking Crosman AR Series Full Auto BB Gun so far. I even like the fact that it comes with Iron Sights over a Red Dot. Typically I prefer a Red Dot as I find them easier to shoot with but on this version the iron sights really suit it and give it a more classic AR look to it. If you want you can easily add a Red Dot sight so do what every makes you happy.
My Table Top Video of the Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots CO2 Blowback BB Machine Gun:
In this Preview Unboxing Video I take a look at two full auto BB Machine guns but both very different and both from two separate companies. One is traditionally CO2 operated and the other is AEG operated which is a very new concept for a 4.5mm Steel BB Airgun. I have always wondered why nobody had attempted an AEG 4.5mm Steel BB gun before so here we have the first one to be released…
Starting with the Crosman R1 Fallen Patriots Full Auto CO2 BB Rifle it is essential a re-skinned R1 with a very unique coloration and of course the Fallen Patriots markings on it. The main receiver is a gun metal grey with black and red accents throughout and a purple-blue magazine. It really is stunning to look at and perhaps my favorite Crosman AR series Full Auto BB Gun to date. You do get pop-up Iron sights rather than a red dot which I feel suits this Airgun best and everything else in terms of specifications will be the same as the R1 so check that rifle out for more info.
Now the BARRA 400e is really something new to Steel BB Guns, basically it steals the AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) from what is typically reserved for Airsoft Rifles. I have always wondered why this technology has never been transferred over to 4.5mm Steel BB Airguns? Well now it has with the BARRA 400e Full Auto AEG BB Rifle. According to BARRA you can export to get around 410 fps and that should be super consistent since there is no CO2 cool down effect. You can also shoot in semi or full auto and it has a 50 round magazine that comes with a speed loader for easy loading. Another point to mention is that the BARRA 400e is almost all metal and feels really solid.
In this Field Test Shooting Video Review I test out the brand new Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun in the Replica Airguns Indoor Airgun Range Sea Can to see what the actual velocity is along with accuracy. I first test fps using my Chronograph and I perform this test with and without the barrel extension to see how much the additional barrel length will increase velocity. I also shot the Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun in both semi auto shooting 10 rounds into my paper target setup 30 feet down range and then I perform a full auto 25 round magazine dump to see if the grouping expands or not.
Staring with the velocity test I did use brand new CO2 for this and the temperature was around 20 degrees Celsius or 68 Fahrenheit so not too cold or warm. With the Barrel extension installed I managed to average 418 fps shooting 4 rounds. With the barrel extension removed as expected the velocity did drop a bit down to 373 fps shooting 4 rounds and averaged out.
For my Accuracy Test I placed the Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun in semi auto for the first portion and fired 10 shots into the paper target setup 30 feet away, I was using a semi rested shooting position with a sand bag up front to rest the gun on and me sitting on a stool in the back. I did not sight the red dot in and found that out of the box the Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun shot down and too the right a fair amount but at least I was able to get most of the shots on the paper target and on camera. The grouping was around 2.5 to 3 inches so not super great but not bad either.
I then flicked the main selector to Full Auto since this is what most people want to see. I also reloaded the magazine with 25 rounds from the onboard hopper and unloaded the full magazine in a second or two. I did aim a bit higher and to the left this time to get the shots closer to the bullseye and I was able to do so with most of the 25 shots all within about 2.5 to 3 inches so not really any difference shooting in semi or full auto at least in terms of accuracy.
As I mention before in my Tabel Top Review for the Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun, it is a bit different looking and for me took a bit of getting use to but the good news is that it performs about the same as the other Crosman CO2 Full Auto Blowback BB Rifles in this similar lineup so if you like the look then don’t be afraid to pick one up over on our Canada or US replica Airgun Stores.
Type: BB Rifle. Manufacturer: Crosman. Model: ST-1. Materials: Metal & plastic. Weight: 6.07 pounds (2.75 kilograms). Total Length: 17.75/33 inches (Pistol/Rifle). Barrel Length: 15.5 inches. Propulsion: 12 gram CO2 dual cartridges. Action: Blowback - single action only. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 25 Round/Spring - 300 Round/Hopper. FPS: 480fps. Rate of Fire: 1400 rounds per minute in full auto
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun is single action only since the right side charging handle must be cocked first before you can shoot it to engage the action. The trigger is short and fairly light but not overly light. The real fun happens with the Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun when you switch it over to full auto mode and with just one pull and hold of the trigger you empty the 25 round magazine in a mere matter of seconds at 1400 rounds per minute.
Accuracy: I have not actually shot this BB Rifle to date but expect it to get similar results to the other Crosman Full Auto BB Machine guns I have already reviewed. I am expecting a bit more velocity with the longer barrel extension installed and would be happy if I was able to get in the mid 400’s. Accuracy should also be about the same with 1 inch semi auto groups from 30 feet out expending a bit when in full auto.
Build Quality: The Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun is well made all around. Weighing in at 6.07 pounds without any add on accessories other than the included compact Red Dot sight. It feels solid and well built. There is a lot of metal going on inside and out of this rifle but keep in mind the top and bottom receiver are plastic with metal parts where they need to be like in the internals, pretty much all the working parts are metal, the magazine is full metal, the buffer tub is metal, charging handle, selector switch, magazine release, bolt release, trigger and of course the barrel is metal.
Realism: The Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun is not modeled after any real steel gun I know of. It resembles a futuristic weapon you would see in a SciFi Action Movie or Alien First Person Shooter. I was not a fan of it when it was first released by Crosman but after seeing and holding it in person it is growing on me quickly.
Pros:
Very unique, not like your regular Replica Rifles, very futuristic in design.
Drop out magazine doubles as the 300 round hopper and holds CO2 and BB’s.
Comes with Red Dot Sight and lots of rails for mounting what every you want on it.
Can be either a Pistol or Rifle or a PDW by adding or removing the Barrel Extension and Rear Stock.
Barrel Extension actual lengthens the barrel and should increase fps, not just for show!
Tactile comfortable rubber padding in multiple locations.
Semi auto and full Auto selectable.
Expected higher fps of up to 480.
Cons:
Some people may not like the look? Not like your normal modern rifle.
Front rubber grip comes off really easy at least on mine?
Will require barrel extension for full velocity.
Comments:
The Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun is a brave move by Crosman, I was not expecting something like this from them and when I originally saw it I was not sure if it was a good idea or not but again once seeing it in person and actually holing it I feel a lot better about it. It will for sure appeal to those looking for a futuristic Airgun or wanting something that looks like a gun from a video game or SciFi movie. I also like the versatility you have with the Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun being able to configure it how you like either as a Pistol, full on Rifle or PDW style shooter.
My Table Top Video of the Crosman ST-1 CO2 Blowback Full Auto Steel BB Machine Gun:
As the title suggest this a video about a Huge Mystery Box so I am not going to say what’s in it, I can say that their are 4 main products mostly rifles per-say. One is a Futuristic Full Auto BB Rifle, one is a Paintball Shotgun, One is an AEG Airsoft Rifle and one is a Replica Break Barrel Pellet Rifle.
So I have a lot of variety here to show everyone! I did absolutely zero research on any of the products I show in this video since like you I had no real idea what was inside other than how many and that most where rifle based.
Enjoy finding out what new products I will be reviewing over the next month with dedicated Table Top and Field Test Shooting videos.
Sights for guns in general are the same for Airguns as is with real steel guns for the most part and can be mixed and matched with a couple of exceptions. Spring piston rifles for instance are an exception because of the unique vibration the spring makes and how it can damage a standard optical sight, so in this case you’re best to use an optical sight designed for a spring piston Airgun. In most other cases sights can be used on all types of guns.
In this Airgun Sights video I will go over the various types of sights that either come as part of the gun design or can be added afterwards using a rail or mounting system.
Types of Airgun Sights most commonly used.
Iron Sight (Fixed or removable).
Iron Sight (Adjustable).
Iron Sight (White Dot, Fiber Optic).
Come in Post/Notch, Post/Aperture (Peep).
Common on Pistols and Rifles
Laser Sight:
Generally added to a rail or can sometime be integrated into the design of the gun.
Common on both Pistols and Rifles.
Red DotandHolographic:
Generally not magnified.
Most common on Rifles but can be used on Pistols.
Optical Magnified (Telescopic)
Come in a variety of magnifications for different shooting ranges.
Gun Safeties generally are going to be similar for all types of guns, so Safeties used with Airguns are often the same types as used with Real Steel Guns. Some guns will have no Safeties at all while other guns many have multiple Safeties on them. In this informative video I go over six of the more common types of Gun Safeties used in Real Steel Guns and Air Guns.
Here is a list of the more common types of gun Safeties.
