If you are looking for a proper shooting video view for the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol that get’s right to the meat and potatoes without any time waisting fluff, then you came to the right place. In this video I test out the actual real world velocity and accuracy of the Barra 380 in the Replace Airguns in door Sea Can Airgun Shooting Range. If you are more interested in details and specifications or perhaps some close up video of the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol then checkout my Table Top Video Review here.
So let’s get right to it! For my Chronograph Test I put a brand new 12 gram CO2 into the Berra 380, I made sure everything was about room temperature 20C - 69F (Gun, CO2 and shooting area), and then proceed to shoot 5 rounds through my Chronograph. I was able to average 407 fps which is damn close to Berra’s claim of 410 fps so this first test was a pass!
For my Accuracy Test I used my standard 30 foot paper target setup where I sit on a stool in the back with my hands rested on a sand bag up front. This allows for pretty stable shooting with less human factor than an unrested shooting position. It is not perfect but gives us an idea of the potential of the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol. I proceeded to shoot 10 rounds into a fresh pepper target and got what I would say was a 2 inch grouping again from 30 feet away. There are no sight adjustment on the Barra 380 so I was hoping my grouping would be close to the bullseye and it was. Just a bit high but fairly well centered left and right. If you are aiming at a pop can 30 feet away you would most lily hit it every time near the top of the can if you placed your aim point at the bottom of the can (Just a Tip).
So how did the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol do? Pretty good and kind of as expeceted. I have shot a bunch of these CO2, NBB, DAO Trigger, Stick Magazine, BB Pistols that have the exact same mechanic internal attributes but with a different skin on the outside. And they generally do a good job of compromising between price, function, power, CO2 efficiency, accuracy, realism and fun factor. If you like more of a Beretta look then perhaps the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is the right choice in one of these fairly basic NBB CO2 BB Pistols but take a look around the Replica Airguns store and see what else may catch your eye.
I have already reviewed several Crosman 357 Pellet/BB Revolvers in the past like the Crosman Vigilante which also has the ability to shoot both .177 caliber pellets and 4.5mm Steel BB’s, (Really they all are with the right magazine). With the Vigilante my pellet chronograph tests got similar results but with Steel BB’s the Crosman Vigilante did a lot better than my Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver using a similar 6 inch barrel. As expected both the Crosman Vigilante and the Crosman Triple Threat did about the same in terms of accuracy getting better results with pellets over Steel BB’s.
Starting with the velocity portion of my Indoor Field Test Shooting video, I placed a brand new 12 gram CO2 into the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver and tested out some 7 grain .177 caliber Lead Pellets. I averaged 382 fps in what I would consider normal indoor temperature ranges so you can expect a bit higher velocities in warmer conditions. Moving on to 4.5mm 5.1 grain Steel BB’s, I averaged quite a bit lower velocity at 288 fps. I was surprise since it was almost 100 fps lower than the heavier 7 grain lead pellets. The logical reason for this is that lead Pellets fit the barrel much more snug, stoping any CO2 from getting around them which helps increase the velocity over Steel BB’s which are a hard metal and need to be slightly smaller in diameter and therefore do let some CO2 get by reducing the pressure behind them.
For the accuracy porting of the the Indoor Field Test I shot 10 rounds for my pellet magazine first and then 6 rounds for the BB magazine, simply because this is how many rounds each magazine holds… Makes sense right? Even with the pellet magazine holding 10 rounds over the BB magazine’s 6 rounds, the Pellet magazine was still able to get a much tighter grouping at around 1 inch over the BB target which was closer to 3 inches. BB’s seemed to really like to hook a bit with the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver, so I would for sure go with pellets if accuracy is importatn to you. Both pellets and BB’s shot a little bit high and to the left from the bulls-eye but that can easily be adjusted with the fully adjustable rear sight.
The Crosman Triple Threat performed rather as expected and was not a big surprise other than the BB’s really having a much lower velocity this time around. It is clear to me that I would not waste my time shooting Steel BB’s unless this is all I had on hand as they where not only much slower but also a lot less accurate. Over time the steel BB’s could damage the rifled steel barrel effecting future pellet accuracy. The Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver offers a lot of options with ammo choice and barrel choice that alter it’s looks and even performance to some degree but if you want a Crosman 357 type CO2 Revolver than it for sure gives you the most flexibility.
On with the show… First I shot five rounds through my Chronograph using a brand new CO2 in what I would consider to be room temperaterer (20C or 70F). Sig Sauer claims their MCX Rattler shoots around 325 fps and in my testing I got a five shot average of 318 with my slowest shot hitting 298 and my fastest shot hitting 346. So I would say Sig is right on the mark here.
I then setup a fresh pepper target 30 feet away and loaded up a full magazine (30 rounds) for my accuracy test where I first shot in 10 rounds in semi auto and then the remaining 20 rounds in three round burst. I would say I was able to get around a 2 inch grouping in semi auto but I did have to shoot aiming on the bottom of the rings and I was using the flattened sights rather than the pop up sights as you have two options with the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle. Once I switched the selector to three round burst, my grouping really did not change all that much, maybe 3 inches at most and that was with 20 rounds.
The Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is a lot of fun, it is by far not the most powerful blowback full auto-ish Blowback BB Rifle out there but it performs decent and looks really good. The internal blowback action does give you a slight tapping feel and it does allow for a true single action trigger. If you want a rather compact Blowback BB Rifle with Sig licensing and branding along with Sig quality then take a look at the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle. Did I mention it was really affordable too?
Type: Non-blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Bear River. Model: Bear River BR45. Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: 1 pounds (454 grams). TotalLength: 8 inches (203mm). Barrel: 4.72 inches (120mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto non-blowback, DOA trigger. AmmunitionType: .4.5mm steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 20 round drop out metal stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 410.
Trigger Pull: The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol has a double action trigger commonly found on lower cost NBB CO2 BB Pistols with a long trigger pull that requires more length and effort to pull, but I would say is still usable for action shooting. Your finger will get worked a bit after several magazines of action shooting. The Bear River BR45 trigger pull makes the internal metal barrel move forward and out of the front of the barrel opening but as it has a recessed barrel you don’t really see it protruding out of the front. When you reach the release point the barrel snaps back into the BB Pistol acting like the hammer and releasing CO2 and shooting a BB.
Accuracy: I have not shoot the Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol yet or performed my standard Field Test Shooting Video, so I can not comment at this time on the actual performance other than what is claimed in terms of fps (410fps). I have shot several similar CO2 BB Pistols which share almost the exact same internal components but have a different external skin on them. One bonus is that all this style of metal stick magazines are the same so they will be interchangeable. My previous experiences with similar BB Pistols is that they will get mid 400fps velocities and in general will shot around a 2 inch grouping or so. It is hard to say how close the Bear River BR45 is going to shoot to the bullseye, as out of the box it may shoot a bit high or low or left or right. We will find out during my shooting test.
Build Quality: The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is an almost all plastic moulded Airgun with only a few metal parts I can pick out. The trigger and magazine are metal along with the inner barrel and the area where the CO2 goes in. Because of the plastic build, it is rather light weight at around 1 pound which can actually be good if you were to drop it on a hard surface as the mass is low resulting in less damage. Scratches will also be less noticeable on an all plastic exterior Airgun over a metal Airgun as the material on a plastic Airgun is going to have the color throughout the material rather than a painted surface that will show blemishes a lot more. The simplicity of the design means you should get a lot of use from the Bear River BR45 before encountering any issues.
Realism: The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is not a replica of an exact real steel gun in production but it does take after a Sig Sauer or H&K looking at the basic shape and features. There are few external mechanical working parts on the Bear River BR45 other than the trigger, safety, magazine and inner barrel. The barrel is well recessed and the CO2 tab is sunken in the grip which helps in terms of it looking more realistic.
Pros:
Nice size BB pistol, feels good in the hand.
Decent FPS rating of 410.
Picatinny rail on frame for adding on accessories.
Non-blowback should get lots of shots per CO2.
Easy to see white dot sights front and back.
CO2 tab is recessed and somewhat hidden under the grip.
Double action trigger pull is long but not too firm.
Uses a generic all metal stick magazines commonly found in lower cost BB pistols.
Recessed barrel looks that part.
Simple design with not a lot of moving parts will make it reliable for a long time.
Cons:
All plastic gun for the most part.
Not many working parts, pretty much all moulded gun.
CO2 tab a bit hard to use for people with bigger fingers.
Comments:
The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is a basic mostly all plastic NBB CO2 BB Pistol very simple in design which makes it dependable and reliable as there is a lot less to go wrong as compared to a blowback metal BB Pistol with lots of moving parts. Also keep in mind the metal in Airguns is not as hard or strong as you find in a Real Steel Pistol so all of these moving metal parts will wear over time and some may eventually fail. Other advantages of a NBB CO2 BB Pistol are that it will have a decent velocity rating and it will also get more shots per CO2 as compared to blowback Air Pistols, so not only is the initial cost of a simple NBB Air Pistol going to be less but also you will not need as much CO2 to operate it. I do like the size of the Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol as it is a bit larger than similar NBB Replica Air Pistols which for me and my larger hands is a good thing.
Type: Non-blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Barra. Model: Barra 380. Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: .93 pounds (422 grams). TotalLength: 6.89inches (175mm). Barrel: 4.25 inches (108mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto non-blowback, DOA trigger. AmmunitionType: .4.5mm steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 20 round drop out metal stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 410.
TriggerPull: The Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol has a typical double action trigger with a longer trigger pull that requires more length and effort to pull, but I would say is still usable as an action shooter. Your finger will get a bit tired after several magazines of action shooting. The Barra 380 trigger pull makes the internal metal barrel move forward and out of the front of the barrel opening enough to see it clearly, then when you reach the release point it snaps back into the BB Pistol acting like the hammer and releasing CO2 and shooting a BB.
Accuracy: I have yet to shoot the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol or even performed my standard Field Test Shooting Video as of yet, so I can not comment at this time on the actual performance other than what is claimed in terms of fps - 410fps by the way. I have shot several similar CO2 BB Pistols which share almost the exact same internal components but have a different external skin on them. One benefit is that all this style of metal stick magazines are the same so they will be interchangeable. My previous experiences with similar BB Pistols is that they will get mid 400fps velocities and in general will shot around a 2 inch grouping or so. It is hard to say how close theBarra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is going to shoot to the bullseye, as out of the box it may shoot a bit high or low or left or right. We will find out during my shooting test.
BuildQuality: The Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is a pretty much almost all plastic Airgun with only a few metal parts I can see on it. The trigger is metal along with the inner barrel and the area where the CO2 goes in. Because of the plastic build, it is rather light weight which can actually be good if you where to drop it on a hard surface as the mass is low resulting in less damage. Scratches will also be less noticeable on a plastic Airgun over a metal Airgun as the material on a plastic Airgun is all tan/black throughout the material rather than a painted surface that will show blemishes a lot more. The simplicity of the design means you should get a lot of use from the Barra 380 before encountering any issues.
Realism: The Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is not a replica of an exact real steel gun in production but it does take after a compact Beretta when you look at the open barrel and similar trigger guard. There are few external mechanical working parts on the Barra 380 CO2 NBB BB Pistol other than the trigger, safety, magazine and inner barrel. The barrel is slightly recessed and the CO2 tab is hidden in the grip which helps in terms of it looking the part.
Pros:
Nice compact size BB pistol easy to transport.
Decent FPS rating of 410.
Should get lots of shots per CO2 as it is non-blowback
Picatinny rail on frame for adding accessories.
Does have a white dot sight up front.
Finger groves on pistol grips for a secure grip.
CO2 tab is well hidden within the grip.
Double action trigger pull is long but not too firm.
Uses a generic all metal stick magazines commonly found on lower cost BB pistols.
Simple design with not a lot of moving parts will make it reliable for a long time.
Cons:
All plastic gun for the most part.
Not many working parts, pretty much all moulded gun.
Grip can pop of kind of easy if you pull a bit hard.
Sights are non adjustable and no white dots on the rear sight.
Comments:
I often mention how I prefer blowback Airguns that have a more solid weight and feel to them with more working parts, but again there is a lot more that can go wrong and complex parts wear out over usage a lot quicker than a more simple design as in the the case of the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol. Price is also going to be a lot less when looking a more simplified Air Pistol like the Barra 380, as the plastic build is a lot cheaper to produce over more expensive metals. Another bonus with non-blowback CO2 airguns is that they do tend to have a higher velocity with more shots per CO2 than a similar CO2 Blowback Pistol, so less expensive to shoot over time. It really depends what you are really looking for? A couple other strong points to mention about the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol would be the compatibility with other similar styled CO2 BB pistol metal stick magazines and if you like the look of a Beretta then you may also like the look of the Barra 380.
Type: Non-blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Crosman. Model: MK45. Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: .63 pounds (281 grams). Total Length: 7.25 inches (184mm). Barrel: 4.5 inches (114mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto non-blowback, DOA trigger. AmmunitionType: .4.5mm steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 20 round drop out metal stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 480.
Trigger Pull: The Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol has a typical double action tiger with a longer trigger pull that requires more length and effort to pull, but I would say is still usable as an action shooter. The Crosman MK45 trigger pull makes the internal metal barrel move forward and out of the front of the barrel opening a bit, then when you reach the release point it snaps back into the BB Pistol acting like the hammer and releasing CO2.
Accuracy: I have yet to shoot the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol or performed my standard Field Test Shooting Video, so I can not comment at this time on the actual performance other than what is claimed in terms of fps. I have shot several similar CO2 BB Pistols which share almost the exact same internal components but have a different external skin on them. The good news is the metal stick magazines for all of these type NBB CO2 BB Pistols are the same so they will be interchangeable. My previous experiences with similar BB Pistols is that they will get mid 400fps velocities and in general will shot around a 2 inch grouping or so. It is hard to say how close the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol is going to shoot to the bullseye, as out of the box it may shoot a bit high or low or left or right. We will find out during my shooting test.
Build Quality: The Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol is a pretty much an all plastic Airgun with only a few metal parts I can find on it. The trigger is metal along with the inner barrel and the area where the CO2 goes in. Because of the plastic build, it is rather light weight which can actually be good in a fall as the mass is low resulting in less damage if you were to drop it on a hard surface. Scratches will also be less noticeable on a plastic Airgun over a metal Airgun as the material on a plastic Airgun is all tan/black rather than a painted surface that will show blemishes a lot more. The simplicity of the design means you should get a lot of use from the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol before encountering any issues.
Realism: The Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol is not a replica of an exact real steel gun in production but it does share a lot of cosmetic characteristics as what you would see on a Sig Sauer or even H&K Pistol. The magazine release on the Crosman MK45 looks and works a lot like what you will find on an H&K Pistol. There are few external mechanical working parts on the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol other than the trigger, safety and inner barrel. The barrel is slightly recessed and the CO2 tab is hidden in the grip which helps in terms of believability.
Pros:
Desert tan with black grips looks really good in my opinion.
High FPS rating of 480.
Picatinny rail on frame for adding on accessories.
Non-blowback should get lots of shots per CO2.
Easy to see fiber optic sights front and back.
CO2 tab is nicely hidden inside the grip.
Double action trigger pull is long but not too firm.
Uses a generic all metal stick magazines commonly found on lower cost BB pistols.
Ambidextrous magazine release.
Simple design with not a lot of moving parts will make it reliable for a long time.
Cons:
All moulded plastic BB gun for the most part.
Not many working parts, it’s pretty much an all plastic BB gun.
Grips are fairly loose, they don't really snap into place.
Sights are not adjustable.
Comments:
I personally prefer blowback Airguns that have a more solid weight and feel to them with more working parts, but again there is a lot more that can go wrong and parts tend to complex parts wear out over usage a lot quicker than a more simple design like in the case of the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol. Price is also going to be a lot less when looking a more simplified Air Pistol like the Crosman MK45, as the plastic build is a lot cheaper to produce. Another bonus with non-blowback CO2 airguns is that they do tend to have a much higher velocity and also generally you will also get more shots per CO2 than a similar CO2 Blowback Pistol. It really depends what features you want more and in this case you also get a more cost effective Air Pistol with plenty of shooting enjoyment. A couple other strong points to mention about the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol would be the fiber optic sights front and back and its sharp l looking two tone layout.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver like pretty much all of the 357 type Crosman Revolvers is rather nice in single action with virtually zero take-up and it has a not too light weight with a predictable feel to it. In double action it does get much longer and heavier but still very usable. If you have larger thicker finger then you may want to start off in single action as the finger opening is a bit tight.
Accuracy: I have not specifically tested out the Crosman Triple Threat so far but I would be very surprised if it was any different than the standard Crosman 357 and the Crosman Vigilante I have already done Field Test Reviews for. Other than the shape of the outer barrel, both of these guns are virtually the same including the frame and the 6 inch barrels. Back in 2012 when I tested out the Crosman 357 I averaged around 400 fps using mid grain lead pellets and was able to get a 1 to 1.5 inch multi-shot grouping at 30 feet away from my paper target. I will be making an update Field Test Shooting Video so we will see if I can replicate these results with the standard Crosman 357 and Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver.
Build Quality: The CCrosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver is a fairly basic pistol that incorporates a variety of length plastic outer barrels and inner steel barrels (3/6/8 inches), the grips are also plastic as expected and so are the magazines and sights. Most everything else is metal including the receiver, trigger and hammer. This line of Crosman 357 pistols has been around for decades so you can expect hours of fun and reliable shooting with their multi-barrel dual ammo version.
Realism: There are for sure a lot more realistic looking Replica Revolvers out there with swing out cylinders that eject the shells just like their real steel counterparts, but where the Crosman Triple Threat shines is in performance, reliability and consistency. You will get more shots per CO2, higher fps and better accuracy with the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver over other more realistic Revolvers on the market.
Pros:
Inexpensive Pellet revolver with a proven track record that goes back decades.
Good usage of metal parts where you need them most. (Metal trigger, hammer, frame, barrel, CO2 Tab screw
Single and double action trigger for action and more focused shooting.
Excellent accuracy and good power with a reasonable amount of shots per CO2 (based on similar versions).
Fully adjustable rear sight.
Riffled steel barrels (All three of them).
3 different barrel choices (3/6/8 inches) depending on the look and how compact you want it to be.
CO2 and tab are nicely hidden and use all metal.
Come with both a Pellet and BB magazines..
Cons:
Outer barrels are plastic but very solid. Metal would have added a bit more weigth perhaps better balance?
Grips and trigger pull length may be a bit long for smaller handed people when shooting in double action.
Not your most real revolver out there in terms of replicas out there but probably more usable then most.
No white dots on the sights.
Comments: The Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver is basically another reskinned Crosman 357 at the end of the day with a ton of options including 3 different barrel lengths that will change the look, size and power depending on your needs. You also have the choice of what ammo you want to use, cheaper 4.5mm Steel BB’s or more accurate and even higher velocity lead pellets for greater downrange energy and precision. If you are not sure which Crosman 357 type revolver to get? The standard 357… the Vigilante or the Triple Threat, maybe go with the Triple Threat at the end of today as it offers the most options and variety of configurations.
Type: BB Rifle. Manufacturer: Sig Sauer ASP Model: Sig Sauer MCX Rattler Materials: Metal and Nylon Fiber build. Weight: 4.6 Pounds (2.1 kg). Barrel: 7 inch (17.8 cm) steel non-rifled. Propulsion: Single 12 gram CO2. Action: Semi auto and 3 round burst with internal blowback (single action only trigger). AmmunitionType: 4.5mm Steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 30 rounds spring fed. Velocity: Claimed of 325 fps.
TriggerPull: The trigger pull on the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is a single action only trigger that requires initial activation of the charging handle, after the first shot the internal blowback action will do this automatically for each followup shot. The single action only trigger is fairly short with a light pull and predictable release, great for action shooting. You also have the option of shooting in true semi auto (one trigger pull and one shot) or selecting 3 round burst mode which allows for one pull of the trigger with 3 rounds in full auto.
Accuracy: I really don’t have much feedback to give here as I have only shot a single magazine so far with the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle in a very uncontrolled format as I was not so much testing it out but rather just having some initial fun to see what it was all about. I will of course be following up this Table Top Review with a Field Test Review shortly to find out what the actual velocity is and see how accurate it is in both semi auto and 3 round burst mode.
BuildQuality: The build quality for the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is really good considering it is mostly all plastic on the outside. It does feel solid and well built when holding it in the hand. From what I can tell the metal parts would include the barrel, the charging handle, the main controls and also much of the internal components inside both the rifle and the magazine. I would have liked to have seen a metal flash hider and perhaps the pop-up Iron sights could have also been metal.
Realism: The Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is a 1 to 1 scale very realistic Replica of the real steel Sig Sauer Rattler normally chambered in 5.56 NATO. It would have been nice if the dust cover opened up when charging the Airgun for realism but most of the other controls work as expected, like the charging handle, selector switch, magazine release and I am not sure but maybe even the bolt release, I will know more when I make my Field Test Shooting video for the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler.
Pros:
Perfect size and weight for a fun BB semi / full auto shooter.
Fully adjustable pop up sights that are usable in both the down and up position,
Lots of accessory mounting options with the picatinny top rail and MLOCK in the sides and bottom.
Folding rear stock allows for a compact size and much easier transportation.
Ambidextrous selector switch.
Can shoot in both semi and 3 round burst modes.
Very solid AR15 type magazine that holds the 30 4.5mm steel BB’s and the single 12 gram CO2.
Reasonably priced at around $250 at the time of this video.
Sig Sauer licensing.
Cons:
Only uses a single CO2, two would have been better in a fast action shooter like this to maintain fps.
325 fps seems a bit low.
Lots of plastic but build quality does feel good.
Comments:
The Sig Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle reminds me a lot of the Umarex Steel Storm and Steel Force which are both Compact AR type Semi and Burt mode 4.5mm CO2 Blowback Airguns. Where the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle shines, is in the quality and realism as compared the Umarex counterparts. I do like that both the Umarex Steel Storm and Steel Force use dual 12 gram CO2 cartridges which I feel allows them to have more consistent velocity and performance as compared to the single CO2 in the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle. My First impressions without really testing the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler are all pretty positive but it will really come down to how well it performs and so I will put my recommendations on hold until I actually test it out!
My Table Top Review of the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle:
I love making these Mystery Box Unboxing Videos as many of the items inside are actually real mysteries to me, some I may have an idea of but even these items are new to me so it’s fun to open them up and check them all out. In this October 2023 Mystery Box Video I checkout 9 items ranging from AEG Airsoft Rifles to Airsoft , BB and Pellet Pistols. There is even a new Steel BB product from Sig Sauer that is a compact rifle with a 3 round burst option when shooting.
In this Field Test Shooting Review Video I test out the Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle (which I would consider to be a midrange AEG Airsoft Rifle) to see how it performs in the Replica Airguns Sea Can Indoor Shooting Range. As always this test is to see what the real world velocity is using .20 gram Airsoft BB’s and I also shoot 10 rounds in semi auto and then essentially a mag dump in full auto to see what kind of accuracy I can get from 30 feet away shooting in both shooting modes. If you want more info on details and specifications along with some closer up video of the Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle then watch my Table Top Video Review here.
Starting with the velocity or fps portion of my review, my 5 shot average produced 320 fps that was very consistent shot to shot. My lowest velocity was 319 while my highest velocity was 322 so not a big spread at all. This may seem a bit low but keep in mind it is a CQ (Close Quarters) Compact AEG Rifle purpose built for that situation, It is not really made for outdoor shooting where longer range shooting may be required.
For my Accuracy test, I placed a paper target 30 feet down range and actually ended up having to make this portion of my Test Video twice as two of my cameras did not cooperate with me and I do like to get multiple camera angels to make the videos a bit more interesting. For my second test I was able to get around a 1 inch group shooting 10 shots in semi auto. I did find the Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle shot rather high so I had to place my aim point at the bottom of the rings on the papper target. This resulted in mid point shots but it did shoot a bit to the right. I would invest in either a red dot or perhaps some more adjustable iron sights for this Airsfot Rifle. As always I was shooting using a semi rested position sitting on a stool in the back rested on a sand bag up front. When I switched the sector to smile mode (Full Auto) I essentially did a mag dump of my remaining 50-60 rounds resulting in the grouping opening up to around 3 inches but this is expected with all those rounds being added to the grouping. Recoil was not really a factor as AEG Rifles don’t really move around all that much.
Overal the Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle performed well for me in this Field Test Review. the FPS may seem a bit low but at close range it is more than enough and you don’t have to worry about hurting anyone so you can keep your mind on the game at hand. Accuracy was also in line with a mid range AEG Airsoft Rifle, perhaps even a bit better than most. The Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle does come with a basic battery and charger but along with a better sighting system I would also invest in upgraded batters and charger to really complete this purchase. With the quad rail setup you can really make this AR Airsoft AEG your own in terms of customization, all that can be added at any time.
Type: Airsoft Rifle. Manufacturer: Bear River. Model: Black Ops SR4 CQ Materials: Mostly Metal. Weight: 6.2 pounds (2.8 kilograms). Length: 24-27.5 inches (610-699mm) BarrelLength: 7.8 inches (198mm) inner 6.06mm non-rifled. Propulsion: AEG. Action: Semi & Full Auto SAO. AmmunitionType: 6mm Airsoft BB's. AmmunitionCapacity: Mid Cap 300 rounds. FPS: 370 using .20 gram Airsoft BB’s.
TriggerPull: The trigger pull on the Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle like pretty much every other AEG Airsoft Rifle I have reviewed is a SAO with a light and short trigger, typical of most AEG Airsoft guns having basically a trigger that is an electrical on/off switch. The trigger pressure I would say is about medium for this type of trigger and about a 1/4 inch in length. It has a curved metal trigger and works as expected.
Accuracy: I have not Field Test Reviewed the Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle so far but I can only hope it performs as well as the Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle I reviewed already as it really surprised me for such a low cost entry level AEG Airsoft Rifle. Bear River claims around a 370fps using .20 gram Airsoft BB’s but they do recommend using .25 gram or heavier Plastic BB’s. We will find out when I do my actual Field Test Shooting Video for it. Similar with accuracy, we will have to wait till my shooting video to know how the Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle performs on a paper target in the Replica Airguns Indoor Sea Can Shooting range.
Build Quality: Build quality for the Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle is exceptional with nearly the entire Airsoft Rifle made out of some sort of metal including the receiver, hadn't guard, buffer tube, barrel, sights, trigger, charging handle, sights and all of the controls. Internally you will find a full metal Gen. 3 gearbox from SRC with with 8 mm metal bearing bushings, metal spring guide, upgraded metal piston head, cylinder, and cylinder head, and pre-shimmed all steel gears. The Hop-up is also metal and Bear River has installed a high torque long axle motor from SRC along with a metal hop-up.
Realism: The Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle like so many other AEG AR type Airsoft Rifles is super realistic, with the Black Ops SR4 CQ it takes it to the next level with so much equality and metal everywhere. Because of this it is fairly heavy for such a compact AR Rilfe coming in at over 6 pounds which does make it feel super solid to hold.
Pros:
Super compact CQ style AR.
Comes with charger and 9.6 volt Ni-MH battery to get you started.
Lots of mounting points for accessories.
Iron sights have 4 aperture option peep sight options.
6 position rear stock for different shoulder pull lengths.
Adjustable metal hop-up under dust cover.
Semi and full auto selectable.
Almost all metal build with good weight and feel to it.
Black Ops branding looks good.
Great looking Compact AR Replica.
Cons:
No dedicated bolt release.
Will want to upgrade battery soon to get the most out of it.
Sights are non adjustable.
Comments:
The Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle for the price is a real deal as far as I am concerned selling currently for just over $400 in the Canada Replica Airguns Store, and $299 in the US Store. Keep in mind that also includes the 9.6 volt battery and charger to get you started, (I would recommend an 11.1 volt LIPO battery for higher RPM and a more responsive trigger). I really like more compact Rifles as I just like the look and they are easier to maneuver on the field or indoors with less bulk to get in the way. For the price you get a lot with the Bear River Black Ops SR4 CQ AEG Airsoft Rifle so if you are on a bit of a budget but still want all the bells and whistles then go for it!
Type: Airsoft Rifle. Manufacturer: Specna Arms. Model: RRA SA-CO2 Materials: Metal and Plastic. Weight: 4.96 pounds (2.25 kilograms). Length: 27.5-31 inches (699-787mm) BarrelLength: 10.63 inches (270mm) inner 6.03mm tight bore non-rifled. Propulsion: AEG. Action: Semi & Full Auto SAO. AmmunitionType: 6mm Airsoft BB's. AmmunitionCapacity: Mid Cap 450 rounds. FPS: 410 using .20 gram Airsoft BB’s.
TriggerPull: Like almost every other AEG Airsoft Rifle I’ve reviewed in the past, the trigger pull on the Specna Arms RRA SA-CO2 AEG Airsoft Rifle is a SAO with a light and short trigger feel. Most AEG Airsoft Rifles basically have a trigger that is an electrical on/off switch. The trigger pressure is not super light but for sure not heavy and the pull length is about a half centimeter long (quarter inch or so) and when you get to the end it basically actives the electric motor which compresses the spring allowing for semi or full auto shooting depending on what you have selected. Keep in mind higher voltage batteries will wind faster and make the hesitation shorter from the time you pull the trigger till the spring releases and shoots a BB.
Accuracy: In most cases I make my Table Top Review Video for each gun I review first, so I will not be able to share my experience of how this Specna Arms RRA SA-CO2 AEG Airsoft Rifle performs as that experience has not happened yet. I am planning to make my Field Test Shooting Video in a couple of weeks so stay posted for that video. You can watch a similar Specna Arms Core AEG Airsoft rifle video I have made previously showcasing a Core versus Edge series. The Specna Arms RRA SA-CO2 AEG Airsoft Rifle should performs about the same as a similar Core AEG Airsoft Rifle from Specna Arms.
Build Quality: Generally speaking from my past hands on with Sepcna Arms products both in Core and Edge version, they have been good in terms of quality and build. The Core versions will be a step down from the Edge version but they have still proven to perform well and hav a good overall build with decent internals no matter which version you decide to go with. I will say I did experience a problem with my Specna Arms RRA SA-CO2 AEG Airsoft Rifle when I pulled the charging handle back I had a fairly major malfunction with it. I am fairly sure the spring got jammed and now the charging handle will not spring back into forward resting position. This should not affect my Field Test Shooting Video as the only real purpose of this type of charging system is to open the dust cover and allow access to the hop-up system. I can still do this but need to pull back the hop door manually. Getting back to build quality, you get a plastic reacievr, buffer tube, carry handle, fore grip, magazine, rear stock and pistol grip. Metal can be found in most of the controls, the barrel and of course the trigger.
Realism: Other than the Specna Arms RRA SA-CO2 AEG Airsoft Rifle having a fair amount of plastic components it is a very realistic copy of a similar styled AR type Rifle. It will be a bit lighter but feels decent to hold and you can add a bit of mass by swapping out the carry hand and fore grip with metal versions.
Pros:
More classic AR15 look to it if you prefer that.
Quality components throughout even in the lower priced Core series.
ESA™ quick spring change system makes spring changes quick and easy.
Comes with two springs for potential indoor and outdoor usage.
Plastic parts are fiberglass reenforced making them very durable.
Fully adjustable peep sight with two aperture positions.
No orange tips on our Canada Store versions.
6 position rear stock for varies shoulder pull lengths.
Metal V2 Gearboxes with metal gears and mostly all metal parts inside.
Easy access to motor for any possible trouble shooting you any need to do.
Cons:
Plastic receiver.
Charging handle had a major malfunction in my demo unit.
You will need a more compact and specific battery size/type with this style of AR AEG.
Comments:
It is unfortunate that my review version of the Specna Arms RRA SA-CO2 AEG Airsoft Rifle was defective, this can happen to any product ever high end Airguns. It does not happen very often thankfully and this would be the first time it has happened to me with a Specna Arms Product so don’t be too hard on them. Fortunately I should still be able to make my Field test Shooting Video and get that info out to everyone. As it stands I think the Specna Arms RRA SA-CO2 AEG Airsoft Rifle is well priced and good value (in 100% working condition of course). Personally I would look more at the Edge series as the quality is a for sure a big step up but not everyone has a big budget so get what works best for your needs and budget.
In this Replica Airguns Unboxing Video I take a look at 6 Airguns consisting of 2 Paintball Pistols, 3 Airsoft Rifles and one Pellet Rifle. This is not a full review in any way but is rather a preview of what i will be doing full Reviews for over the next several weeks.
This is not exclusive to Airguns since trends of Airguns are highly influenced by what type of Real Steel Pistols are popular to people. This is often based on what people see portrayed in movies and TV Series, and also promoted online. There is for sure an overlap in what is popular and it is hard to say what is influencing what? Is it the popularity of Pistols out in the real world that influences what we see being used in the movies and on TV? Or is it what we see in Movies and TV that influences our choices of pistols out in the real world? Perhaps it is a combination of both?
My list is based on my own personal experience and does not represent the entirety of types of Pistol designs available.
In this Filed Test Shooting Video for the Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle I test out the claimed velocity and then the general accuracy in both semi and full auto to find out if spending top dollar gets you top results. If you want more information on specifications and details along with more close up video then make sure to watch my Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle Table Top Review Video already uploaded.
Krytac claims the Warsport LVOA-C is able to shoot a velocity of around 390-410 fps using .20 gram Airsfot plastic BB’s and by God it does. I was able to get an average 6 shot result of 402 fps with the slowest shot hitting 400 fps and the fastest shot toping out at 404 fps. This is ideal for most Airsoft Game shooting situations, having enough power to shoot out at fairly far away targets without hopefully injuring anyone that may get shot closer in.
For my Accuracy Test of the Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle I first shot 10 rounds into a fresh paper target placed 30 feet down range using a rested up front and sitting in the back shooting position. I. Was not able to use the rear stock as my battery configuration was too bulky and did not allow for this so not being able to shoulder the Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG was not ideal but I got it done. My 10 shot semi auto grouping resulted in a solid 1 inch grouping, I did have one round come out just a tad but that was more than likely human factor rather than the gun. In terms of shot placement out of the box the Krytac Warsport LVOA-C was almost right on sight with a good amount of shots in the bullseye but leaning a bit to the left and a smidge low. You could easily adjust the sights to be dead on as they are fully adjustable. I then repeated this test but in Full Auto and basically emptied the 300 round magazine amazingly quickly and this time my grouping spread out an additional inch to 2 inches. Remember this was for 200+ total rounds!
So do you get what you pay for? Sure you do, I would say this AEG Airsoft Rifle has one of the fastest rates of fire I have tested to date, it is almost like shotgun a gatling gun! Additionally I really like the mid/high cap magazine design that does not have a standard spring tensioner you need to wind between groups of shots. Basically just use a speed loader to fill it up and shoot till it’s empty. Overall performance was really good as the testing showed. I would like to get this AEG Airsoft rifle outside and test it out at longer ranges to see how it stacks up against a lower costs AEG Airlift Rifles. Maybe that will be my next video? But for now I can for sure recommend the Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle to anyone looking for a high end AEG AR styled Airsoft Rifle.
In this Field Test Shooting Review Video I try out the low cost BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle to see if you can actually get a decent performing AEG Airsoft Rifle for around $200 Canadian that comes with everything you need to get started including the battery, charger, cleaning rod and even a small bag of AIrsoft BB’s. As always I test the velocity and the accuracy so you can compare it to previous Field Test Videos I have made for similar AEG Airsoft guns, most being a lot more expensive. If you have not watched my Table Top Video Review then make sure to do so for specifications, details and more closeup video of the BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle.
Starting with the velocity, I ended up shooting 11 rounds through my Chronograph because I was a little bit in disbelief at all the duplicate fps shots I was getting (basically this means they where mostly all the same fps at 373) I did end up getting an 11 shot average of 373 fps with the slowest hitting 370 fsp and the fastest at 374, and again pretty much all the rest where right on 373 fps. I was using .20 gram Airsoft BB’s for this test which explains the lower than 420 fps claimed by the manufacturer using .12 gram BB’s. 373 fps, so 737 fps is right on point and very usable in most Airsoft game situations.
So with that really great velocity result in the books, I then moved on to my accuracy test. As always I setup a fresh paper target 30 feet downrange and shot in both semi and full auto to see what kind of groupings I could get from the BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle. I stayed with the .20 gram Airsoft BB’s and sat in a somewhat rested shooting position with a sandbag upfront and sitting on a stool in the back. My 10 shot semi-auto grouping was an impressive 1 inch, just a bit lower and to the right of the bullseye using the fiber optic non-adjustable sights. I would need to use the pop-up sights to adjust for windage and could have brought up the rounds a bit using hop-up, or one could put a red dot on the top rail for bang-on shot placement. In full Auto the grouping opened up to around 2 inches in right about the same location but this was easily over 100+ shots, so again an excellent result from the BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle!
Every once in a while you come across an underdog type Airgun that on paper and based on low cost you are not expecting to see amazing results from. The BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle is one such AEG Airsoft Rifle that overachieved my expectations by a lot, and I would say performed as well as any AEG Airsoft Rifle out there at even much higher price points. All of my testing was performed using the included 8.4 volt battery which worked well but I did find the rate of fire was a bit slower than if I was using a higher volt 11.1 volt battery. My advice if you do end up picking up the BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle and want a higher round per minute full auto, then at any time you can upgrade your battery and charger to a higher volt one. So what are you waiting for?
Type: Airsoft Rifle. Manufacturer: BARRA. Model: Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: 4.8 pounds (2.2 kilograms). Length: 29-32.5 inches (737-825.5mm) BarrelLength: 12 inches (305mm) inner 6.08mm non-rifled. Propulsion: AEG. Action: Semi & Full Auto SAO. AmmunitionType: 6mm Airsoft BB's. AmmunitionCapacity: Mid Cap 300 rounds. FPS: 420 with .12 gram Airsoft BB’s.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle is a SAO light and short trigger, typical of most AEG Airsoft guns having basically a trigger that is an electrical on/off switch. The trigger pressure I would say as about medium for this type of trigger and about a 1/4 inch in length. It has a curved metal trigger and works well in general.
Accuracy: I have not Field Test Reviewed the BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle, or tried it out yet as it is this is the first time I have seen this AEG. BARRA claims around a 420 fps using fairly light .12 gram Airsoft BB’s but I generally test using standard .20 gram Airsoft BB’s to keep my Field Test Shooting Reviews consistent. I would expect the velocity to be in the mid 300’s using .20 gram BB’s but we will find out when I do my actual Field Test Shooting Video for it. The same goes for accuracy, we will have to wait till my shooting video to know how the BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle performs on a paper target.
Build Quality: The BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle is pretty basic and made mostly out of plastic on the outside with the exception of some mechanical parts like the inner barrel, buffer tube, selector switch, trigger, magazine release, charging handle and a few other pins and screws. everything else is plastic including the magazine but the BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle does use standard AR type magazines so if you have some in metal you can use them. The plastic seems to be made of decent quality and the fit and finish is good overall.
Realism: Even though the BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle may not have much metal in the build, at least in terms of the receiver and forward grip, it does look the part of an AR, perhaps a bit lighter but not bad considering all the plastic on the outside. Almost all the mechanical parts work as expected except for the bolt release since it does not stay back when you pull the charging handle back for access to the hop-up. You will have to hold the charging handle back to adjust the hop-up but not a big deal.
Pros:
Very affordable on a tight budget.
Comes with charger and 8.4 volt Ni-MH battery.
Lots of mounting points for accessories.
Dual position sights, fiber optic when down, adjustable for windage when up.
6 position rear stock for different shoulder pull lengths.
Adjustable hop-up under dust cover.
Semi and full auto.
Finger groves on pistol grip for added comfort and they look cool.
Black Ops branding looks good.
Good looking AR-15 Replica.
Cons:
Mostly all Plastic build.
Need to hold back charging handle to access hop-up.
Sights only adjustable for windage.
Comments:
The BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle may not have a lot of metal going on but that will bring the price tag down a lot and on the plus side it does come with everything you need to get up and running including the battery, charger and even a small back of Airsoft BB’s that won’t last long ;) I also l like the dual position iron sights that when flat utilize fiber optics front and back and when in the popped up position give you the standard peep in the back which is adjustable for windage. If you want to add a red dot, optical sight or other accessories there are lots of mounting points on the forward grip for this. Another nice touch is you also do get a metal gearbox so internal mechanical longevity should be good. If you want to take the plunge and get started with Airsoft and see if it fits for you then the BARRA Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle is a great way to test the waters and see how you like it.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle is a SAO light and short trigger, typical of most AEG Airsoft guns having basically a trigger that is an electrical on/off switch. The Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle however has what feels like a mechanical reset which you can feel as you release the trigger to let you know your trigger has been reset and is ready to reengage at anytime. This type of trigger is something you find on a mechanical trigger rather than an electronic trigger and is a nice touch that adds even more realism to this AEG Airsoft Rifles.
Accuracy: I have not Field Test Reviewed the Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle, or even tried it out yet as it is a brand new AEG Airsoft gun for me. Krytac claims around a 390-410 fps velocity which is right where I personally would like to see it being as this is ideal for most shooting situations. Not too powerful for more closeup shooting conditions yet powerful enough to be able to shoot out to longer ranges when required. In terms of accuracy we will have to find out, but I full expect the Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle to do a bang up job and get a nice tight grouping in both semi and full auto when I make my Field Test Shooting Video for it…
Build Quality: The Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle is a beast when it comes to build quality with top notch just about everything including the T6 machined Aluminum hard coat anodized Hand-guard, the Aircraft Grade Aluminum Receiver and the NAUTILUS V2 GEARBOX and Nautilus MOSFET system to name a few key points. Yes you are going to have to pay for this added quality and workmanship but that’s how it works!
Realism: The Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle is a one to one Replica of a real steal Warsport LVOA-C AR-15, made out of high quality metals with a superior finish. As expected the majority of the mechanical components work in the same manner as a real steel AR such as the charging handle, dust cover, selector switch, bolt release and as expected the trigger, magazine release and multi-position rear stock.
Pros:
Full metal build, Aircraft Grade Aluminum Receiver, T6 machined Aluminum hard coat anodized Hand-guards.
Flat electronic trigger with noticeable click reset.
FPS is right where you want it to be.
6 position adjustable rear stock.
Pop up removable metal iron sights, adjustable for windage and elevation.
Fully Licensed - Warsport LVOA-C.
Made/Distributed by KRISS (Actual real steel firearm manufacturer).
Ambidextrous selector switch and sling mount.
NAUTILUS V2 GEARBOX and Nautilus MOSFET.
Numbered Rotary Hop-up makes it easy to switch between Airsoft Ammo weights.
More than typically found battery compartment room.
Cons:
Rather expensive price tag.
Comes with orange flash hider only, can swap out.
This version is a bit long for my tastes.
Comments:
In a sea of a multitude of AR based AEG Airsoft Rifles, I feel the Krytac Warsport LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle does stand out from many of them with its super high quality build, Warsport LVOA-C licensing, quality components throughout and its unique style and look. Mind you, it does come at a fairly hefty price tag so be prepared for a bit of sticker shock, once you get the sticker shock out of the way and bring one of these bad boys home and in your hands, all that useless cash you would have spent on Starbucks and $20 McDonalds meals will be forgotten and you can get on with enjoying a lifelong ownership of what could be the last AEG Airsoft rifle you will ever need or own? Well that is a bit of a stretch, let’s just say you’r going to love it!
As always I placed a brand new C02 in the Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol to get maximum power and the temperature was around 21 degrees Celsius or about 70 degrees Fahrenheit which is warm enough to get good velocity results but not hot enough for maximum fps so keep that in mond. I deiced to shoot 4 Steel BB’s, and 4 Lead Pellets through my chronograph and averaged the velocities out for each ammo type. The Steel BB’s weigh about 5.1 grain while the Lead Pellets weigh a bit over 7 grain so I was expecting to see higher numbers with the BB’s which is exactly what I got but not near as high as the claimed 495 fps.
My actual velocity result for Lead Pellets was a 4 shot average of 332 fps with the slowest being 313 and the fastest shot hitting 359. For steel BB’s I was able to average 346 fps so not a lot faster at the end of the day but close. My slowest Steel BB Chronograph reading was 342 with the fastest shot at 356 which was actually just a bit slower than the Lead Pellet fastest velocity reading. Lead Pellets tend to seal in the barrel better than Steel BB’s so even though they are a bit heavier they still get pretty close velocity readings to BB’s since the less CO2 blows by the ammo with Lead Pellets.
Sine the Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol has a double sided rotary magazine that holds 8 rounds on each end, I loaded one side with BB’s and one side with Pellets and proceeded to see how tight of a grouping each ammo type was capable of with 8 rounds. As expected again the Lead Pellets performed better getting about a 1.5 inch grouping well centered up a down on the bullseye but a tad to the left of it. The Steel BB’s did spread out somewhat getting closer to a 4 inch grouping that this time was better centered side to side but a little bit low of the Bullseye. Out of the box the sights seem to be fairly well centered which is nice since they are not adjustable.
So the Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol isn’t the flashiest Replica Airgun out there, maybe not the most powerful or accurate Airgun either but it is fun to shoot and does offer more options in terms of ammo choices when shooting. Velocity is really close between Steel BB’s and Lead Pellets and since the Lead Pellets are about 2 grain heavier they will have more energy downrange when they hit a target. The Lead Pellets also performed better in the accuracy department and shot a respectable 1.5 inch 8 shot grouping so if this was my Airgun I would probably go with Lead Pellets as long as I had some on hand, but if all you have around is Steel BB’s than at least you can keep on shooting which is what it’s really about at the end of the day.
You may be thinking, not another KWC 1911 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol Review! I get it, there are so many renditions of this 1911 Air Pistol either direct from KWC or distributed through almost all the big Airgun companies with their unique branding and licensing. Is there anything different about this version? In terms of performance not really, they all shoot about the same which is good. Not the highest fps but great triggers, nice heavy blowback operation and pretty consistent and decent accuracy. Really the only difference with the BARRA 4006 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is it is a bit chunkier than most other KWC based 1911’s which is mostly from the more beefy picatinny rail. You can watch my Table Top Video Review for more details and specification along with more close up video of the Barra 4006 here.
Getting right into the Field Test part of this Review video, I shot 5 rounds through my Chronograph using a brand new CO2 in average room temperature conditions and I was able to average 292 fps with the slowest velocity hitting 286 fps and the fastest velocity hitting 300 fps. The general claimed fps for Full Blowback CO2 BB KWC 1911’s is around 330 as a best case most likely in very warm conditions. 300 fps is all you need to shoot pop cans and paper targets 30 feet away and feel like a champ doing so.
When it comes to the accuracy of the BARRA 4006 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol, I was not surprised to get around a 2 inch 10 round grouping at 30 feet away shooting at a paper target. This is pretty much exactly what I get from all the KWC Full Blowback 1911 BB shooters out there. Out of the box I did shoot a tad bit to the left but in terms of elevation the BARRA 4006 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol was up for the job at 30 feet out. Since the white dot sights are non-adjustable, you will have to shoot just slightly to the right to drop pop cans consistently but this again is going to be the case with just about any BB or pellet pistol that does not have adjustable sights. They rarely ever shoot perfectly dead center on the bullseye. You could add an adjustable laser sight to the picatinny rail if you do want more precision aiming.
So that brings us to the concluding of this Filed Test Shooting Video for the BARRA 4006 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol. All in all a super fun 1911 Replica Airgun with one of the best trigger out there, nice heavy blowback action, velocity that gets the job done and accuracy to match. I have a soft spot for 1911’s and I love full blowback all metal Airguns, the BARRA 4006 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol seems to have little bit more heft to me (@ 2.2 pounds) which I like in a 1911, perhaps closer to a real steel 1911 in this case. Another great CO2 Blowback BB Pistol to chooses from!
