First I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, hopefully you get all the toys you have been wanting! Maybe we can help you out a little with that over on our Online Canada and US Replica Airgun Stores.
I also have a new Red Ryder Type BB Rifle to show off, this one is John Wayne licensed and called the John Wayne Lil Duke. At first glace it looks a lot like a Red Ryder but it has the large loop styled lever which is designed for easier use when wearing gloves, perfect for our Canadian weather ;) The John Wayne Lil Duke Lever Action BB Rifle has a really nice fit and finish, perhaps even a bit better than the classic Red Ryder BB Gun. I really like the real wood stock finish.
Another nice touch is that the John Wayne Lil Duke Lever Action BB Rifle comes with a lasso scope rail that you can attach just behind the rear iron sight to accommodate dove tail scope mounts. Just make sure to really tighten down the rear screw as it comes loose super easy due to the spring vibration. I would even recommend adding a bit of lock tight to the screw to be sure.
Here are some of the main specifications for the John Wayne Lil Duke Lever Action BB Rifle: 4.5mm Steel BB's, leaver action spring piston, 350 fps, 550 round magazine, 2.5 pounds, smooth bore 9.5 inch barrel, adjustable rear sight for elevation, included scope mount for 11mm dovetail rings, metal and wood build.
In this Classic Legends Airguns comparison video I look at a number of different Classic or Legendary BB Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I personally feel is the best . My final choices are of course based on my own personal opinion and in this video I end up picking two as they where kind of each in their own class.
In this Makarov comparison video I look at a variety of different versions of Makarov BB Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I feel is the best in their class. My final choice is of course based on my own personal opinion and even then I found it hard to pick a clear winner.
In this Revolver comparison video I look at a variety of different types of Revolver Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I feel is the best Revolver styled Airgun. My final choice is of course based on my own personal opinion.
In this comparison video I look at a variety of different Sig Sauer P226 Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I feel is the best Sig Sauer styled Airgun. Of course my choice may not be your choice :)
In this comparison video I look at a variety of different Beretta 92/Taurus PT92 Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I feel is the best Beretta/Taurus Airgun. Keep in mind what's best in for me may not be best for you.
In this comparison video I look at a variety of different 1911 Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I feel is the best 1911 Airgun, well at least for me.
Type: Multi-pump Pellet-BB rifle. Manufacturer: Umarex USA. Model:NXG APX. Materials: Metal and polymer parts. Weight: 3.4 pounds (1.54 kg). Barrel: 20 inches, rifled. Propulsion: Multi-pump. Action: Single shot pellets/repeater BB's. Ammunition Type: .177 caliber pellets & 4.5mm steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 75 BB's in hopper. FPS: up to 490.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex NXG APX Multi-pump Pellet-BB Rifle is not too bad, I would not say it's overly light but not on the heavy side either. Essentially it has a single action trigger since you need to pre-charge the bolt to engage the trigger. There is a little bit of take-up and then a fairly noticeable break point where you will feel the most trigger weight right before it releases.
Accuracy: So far I have not performed my Field Test Shooting review for the Umarex NXG APX Multi-pump Pellet-BB Rifle so I do not have any velocity or accuracy information to share at this point. I do plan on making that Shooting video Review this week so stay posted for that one.
Build Quality: The Umarex NXG APX Multi-pump Pellet-BB Rifle is not going to be one of your highest quality airguns but it does get the job done and feels solid enough with all the working parts feeling tight and secure. Most of the Umarex NXG APX Multi-pump Pellet-BB Rifle is plastic, even the bolt and trigger but you will find more metal inside where it counts like the inner steel barrel and the outer steel barrel shroud. The stock is plastic and that's OK, I do like the addition of the rubber butt pad and cheek rest as they work well and help to make the Umarex Umarex NXG APX Multi-pump Pellet-BB Rifle feel comfortable to hold in position and shoot.
Realism: Since the Umarex NXG APX Multi-pump Pellet-BB Rifle is not a replica, realism is not really a factor here but it does look like a gun so treat it as if it was a real gun since most people will not know the difference. Always transport and store any airgun safely and discreetly.
Pros:
Low cost air rifle with a lot of features.
Iron sights actually look really usable with the fiber optic red dot up front.
Comes with an 4x15 optical sight which should help with accuracy at longer ranges.
Super easy to pump even when getting close to the 10 pump max.
Built in auto safety.
Stock and cheek rest position feel really good.
Choice of shooting pellets or BB’s.
Trigger feels pretty good, not too heavy.
Mostly an ambidextrous design so good for lefties too.
Has a rifled barrel.
Overall a good looking air rifle.
Cons:
Mostly plastic, not the highest quality build.
Included 4x15 scope is super low budget but will work till you can upgrade it down the road.
Comments: I really hope the Umarex NXG APX Multi-pump Pellet-BB Rifle shoots well as it is kind of a cool air rifle with a lot of features at a low price tag and would make a great little target and maybe even small pest air rifle if it turns out to be accurate and hit that near 500 fps mark with pellets. The Umarex NXG APX Multi-pump Pellet-BB Rifle is not going to win any quality or design awards but from a usability stand point it works well and feels good to hold and shoot, the rear stock and cheek rest are in a perfect piston for me and this is a pretty small airgun overal. Personally I would invest in an upgraded scope, something like the Walther 4x32 would be perfect and not too expensive.
Type: Break barrel pellet rifle. Manufacturer: Umarex USA. Model:Ruger Explorer. Materials: Metal and polymer parts. Weight: 4.45 pounds (2.5 kg). Barrel: 12 inches, metal rifled. Propulsion: Spring piston. Action: Single shot. Ammunition Type: .177 caliber pellets. Ammunition Capacity: 1. FPS: 495.
Trigger Pull: I found the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle to have a fairly light trigger, there is some initial take up with a smooth almost undetectable break or release point, I found that as I shot the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle the trigger seemed to be breaking in a bit which made it a bit hard to figure exactly when the trigger was going to release but I feel over time and once the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is broken in the trigger will become more predictable.
Accuracy: Since I have already made a shooting or field test video for the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle, I can comment on its performance n this review! With 6 grain lead pellets (on the lighter side), I was able to get a 5 shot Chronograph average velocity of 485 fps. Using heavier 7-8 grain pellets the velocity slowed down a bit to around 400 fps. In terms of accuracy the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle performed well getting about a 1 inch 10 shot grouping on my paper target setup 30 feet down range. I know the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle can do better than this once the trigger settles down a bit since some shots went off unexpectedly.
Build Quality: The Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is not an expensive air rifle and is more or less an entry level spring piston pellet shooter. That said it is built fairly well with a metal receiver, barrel and trigger setup. The modern looking stock is polymer and the steel barrel is coated in a synthetic soft plastic to help with long term durability. The real fiber optic sight is plastic so you will have to be careful with it as it does protrude a bit from the air rifle.
Realism: Since the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is not a replica realism is not really a factor here but it does look like a gun so treat it as if it was a real gun since most people will not know the difference. Always transport and store any airgun safely and discreetly.
Pros:
Really great looking air rifle with a modern look to it.
Finish is very durable with its polymer stock and plastic/rubber coated barrel.
Fully adjustable fiber optic sights are easy to sight in and use.
Receiver is notched for ring mounts so you can add an optical sight or red dot to it.
Trigger is fairly light, just need some break in time with it.
Cocking effort is fairly easy at 16.5 pounds.
Great size gun for all ages.
Power and accuracy were good for an entry level air rifle.
Cons:
I did find the trigger break/release point to be a bit unpredictable but I feel this is a break-in issue and will become more consistent over time.
You have to remember to push that safety in with ever shot.
Comments: The Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is marketed as a Youth air rifle but in reality it would be great fun for all ages. I am a fairly large person at 6 feet tall and I had no problem dealing with the slightly shorter configuration. The trigger guard is nice and open and allows for large fingers which is not always the case with airguns designed for smaller individuals. The overall quality you get with the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle for the lower entry level price tag is very good and in terms of performance I feel you for sure get your monies worth with the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle.
I don't do a lot of Springer (Spring Piston) Air Rifle shooting tests or even reviews for that matter. Mainly for a couple of reasons: Number 1, my content is mostly focused around Replica style Airguns and Number 2, it's kind of hard to test out the longer range airguns in my 30 foot airgun range. That said I felt the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle would be a really great airgun to review since it is both affordable and even though it is targeted for the youth market, it really does make a great shooter for all ages.
I have not done a Table Top Review for the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle but plan to shortly so stay posted for more detailed info on the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle down the road in that review.
So how'd we do during my Field Test Shooting Video for the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle? Not bad I would say! Using about 6 grain rather light weight .177 caliber lead pellets I was able to get really close to the 500 fps claimed fps mark coming in just under at a 5 shot testing average of 485 fps. I did put a couple heavier grain pellets through my Chrony Chronograph and got closer to the 400 fps mark, still not bad for this lighter sprung spring piston air rifle.
In terms of accuracy, shooting at my paper target setup 30 feet down range in my Sea Can Airgun Range, I shot about a 1 inch 10 shot grouping. I was finding the trigger break-in to be a bit unpredictable during this testing which led to some premature shots going off so I do feel once the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is broken in and me getting use to the trigger break, I should be able to improve on this result.
Overall the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is a really nice entry level airgun perfect for all ages and not just the youth market. It looks really cool, is easy to cock and has a very resilient finish. Oh ya it shoots pretty good to!
Type: BB Gun/Rifle. Manufacturer: Umarex USA. Model:Morph 3X. Materials: Plastic with some internal metal parts. Weight: 2.5 pounds (1134 grams). Barrel: 4.5 inches, metal non-rifled. Propulsion: 12 gram CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto, double action only. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 30 round internal magazine. FPS: 480+.
Trigger Pull: The double action type trigger pull on the Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun is reasonable, it is a bit on the longer side but is smooth with low friction and has a predictable break point. I found it very easy to shoot this gun with good accuracy shooting out in front as a pistol or rested on the shoulder using the shoulder stock more like a rifle.
Accuracy: The good news is that I have already done my Field Test Shooting video for the Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun so make sure to check that video review out when you have a moment. I was very impressed with the overall shooting performance of the Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun, it scored well in both power and accuracy! I was able to get a nice tight 3/4 inch 10 round grouping on my paper target setup 30 feet away and even with this Canadian versions 4.5 max length barrel I was still able to get really close to 500 fps out of the Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun! I wonder what velocity I would have managed if the extension barrel actually included the inner barrel portion for the full 12 inches of barrel length?
Build Quality: The Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun coming in at around $100 is a low cost BB gun considering it is so versatile. At this price point you are going to find an almost all plastic build with the exception of some internal metal parts. That said the Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun feels solid and well made, all the fitted parts feel tight when put together.
Realism: The Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun is not a replica of any gun that I can point out? It can also morph into so many different variation, Umarex says it has 3x configuration but I counted 8 possible configuration when mixing and matching components. Available From: The Replica Airguns Store.
Pros:
Under $100 in Canada at the moment of this review.
Super versatile airgun with lots of configurations.
Very powerful CO2 BB gun even in short barrel pistol only mode.
Shooting test showed it had good accuracy, as good as any BB gun I have tested.
Rails top and bottom for accessories.
Fiber optic sights front and back.
Has a Velocity Screw for adjusting fps power.
In Pistol form with the rear stock, it would make a great back pack airgun.
30 round internal magazine for lots of shooting fun without having to reload so often.
Uses 12 gram CO2, cheap and easy to buy.
Cons:
Mostly plastic build.
No inner barrel inside rifle extension so just for show, does not increase velocity.
Rear sight is not adjustable but you have the option to add on a red dot or optical sight to the rail.
Comments: I was pleasantly surprised with the Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun, I expected it to be much different from a lot of the other airguns I have reviewed since it is so versatile with all of its configurations. I was not expecting it to be so powerful with only the short 4.5 inch inner barrel. I was again surprised but the accuracy, not many BB guns get a 3/4 inch grouping at 30 feet out! Another kind of cool feature I didn't even know about at first is the ability to adjust the velocity using a screw for higher or lower fps. Lower fps will maximize the amount of shots you get from a 12 gram CO2 while higher fps is just kind of more fun to shoot in. I also don't often recommend BB guns for pest control but in this case with how light weight and easy the Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun is to break down and put in a backpack, and the fact that it is fairly powerful and accurate out to 300 feet. I feel in a pinch you could take down some small vermin if you found yourself hungry and lost in the woods.
My Table Top and Field Test Videos for the Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun:
So I decided to revisit the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle CO2 BB Gun and retest the accuracy in my new Sea Can using paper targets setup 30 feet away using a rested and lated shooting position. I also redid my Chronograph velocity test siren my new Chromo setup is working so well.
I did get very similar results with my velocity Chromo Test, my first test I averaged about 430 fps and this time I got 428 fps shooting a 5 shot string. Moving onto the accuracy potion of my Field Test Shooting Review for the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle CO2 BB Gun, I did notice that it was shooting a little bit to the left, elevation was bang on but unfortunately with the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle CO2 BB Gun you can only adjust elevation and not windage?
Even so I was able to get about a 1.5 inch grouping with 10 shots on target with the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle CO2 BB Gun. But there was one mystery shot that seemed to for sure hit the target but left no indication of where it hit, perhaps I hit the same hole as my first shot?
The Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle CO2 BB Gun is a really cool rifle, I would love to test out the Gletcher M1944 longer version but so far I have not been able to get my hands on one and have only seen it so far at SHOT Show. Keep checking our Replica Airguns online stereo for stock as our Gletcher inventory does go in and out of stock at times.
I usually do my Table Top Video Review first but in this case I decided to pump out my Field Test Shooting video ahead of it. So if you're looking for more detailed specifications then just wait a bit till I get my Table Top Review out. What you really need to know about the Umarex Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun is that it's a CO2 4.5mm BB Gun with a 30 round internal magazine sporting multiple configurations as the stock, barrel and forward stock are all removable so it can be a pistol or a rifle and many variations in-between, even more than 3X of them.
The US version of the Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun when installing the rifled barrel (Which is not rifled buy the way), will shoot faster than when the Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun is in pistol version since the add on barrel adds a lot of additional barrel length to the airgun. The Canadian version which I am testing does come with the extension rifle barrel but it is only for show as the inside is missing the 4.5mm inner barrel. This is because our Canadian import laws for uncontrolled firearms would not allow the rifle version of the Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun here in Canada as it would potentially shoot with too much fps (around 600 fps) and foot pounds of energy for our Canadian non regulated gun laws. As it stand the Canadian version of the Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun has an fps rating of 480 fps in both pistol and rifle configurations.
All that aside how did the Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun do during my testing? Awesome to be precise! It actually averaged a 5 shot Chronograph Velocity Test of 498 fps even in pistol configuration which is very impressive for a CO 2 BB gun. I also was able to get the majority of my 10 shots on a paper target positioned 30 feet away from me using a rested seated position within about 3/4 of an inch. I even played around a bit with holding the Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun out in front like a pistol and tight to my shoulder using the rear stock.
It's kind of too bad we don't have the inner rifled version here in Canada as even at 600 fps we are just under 4.2 foot pound Canadian limit but trying to explain that this is still OK to our CBSA border guards is just a little too much for them to process :) Even without the inner barrel the Morph 3X CO2 BB Gun is a really great and super versitile airgun with lots of power and just as good accuracy!
Another revisit for an inexpensive and fun BB shooter, the Crosman Marlin Cowboy BB Rifle! I have done some previous video reviews and comparisons for the Crosman Marlin Cowboy BB Rifle so make sure to check them out. I also recently did an update Field Test Shooting Video for the Daisy Red Ryder BB gun which is a very comparable airgun to the Crosman Marlin Cowboy BB Rifle.
Here is a quick overview of the Crosman Marlin Cowboy BB Rifle, it's designed for younger smaller shooter with it's short stock but it's still fun of all ages! You can store 700 4.5mm Steel BB's in its internal magazine and Crosman claims a max velocity of 350 fps. Like the Daisy Red Ryder the power source is a spring piston that is activated by the lever action.
Now let's talk about how the Crosman Marlin Cowboy BB Rifle performed in my Sea Can Field Test Shooting test... Crosman claims a max fps of 350, my Chronograph results came in at a 5 shot average of 316 fps which is not bad compared to the Daisy Red Ryder that also has a claimed fps of 350 but only shot around 240 fps.
So the Crosman Marlin Cowboy BB Rifle is the clear winner in terms of velocity over the Daisy Red Ryder but what about accuracy? That's a different story, the Crosman did not perform all that great for me shooting at a paper target 30 feet away using a rested shooting position. I shot 10 rounds at my paper target and got about a 5-6 inch grouping, there was an underlying smaller tight group that was closer to about 3 inches but a god 3-4 of the BB's came out of it spreading out the group significantly. Compare that to the Daisy Red Ryder with a nice tight 2 inch group.
So what do you want? Power or accuracy? I figure since the Crosman Marlin Cowboy BB Rifle is really targeted of the younger more entry level shooter that it should have good accuracy so they know when they are doing it right and less concerned on if the gun is performing as it should. Sure power is fun and smashing your targets does give a certain satisfaction but you have to hit the target first :)
It's been a while since I pulled out the old Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun. And I know I have already done some Vimeo videos for the Red Ryder and the Crosman Marlin Cowboy but I really wanted to make an updated Field Test Video specifically for the Red Ryder and see how it fairs in a more controlled shooting test.
As always with my Field Test Shooting videos I test out the velocity using my Chrony Chronograph and see what the real world fps is compared to what Daisy Claims which by the way is up to 350 fps. I also setup a paper target about 30 feet back and take 10 shots using a rested and seated shooting position to determine what kind of grouping I can get and how well centered the airgun is out of the box.
During my velocity testing the Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun shot well under the claimed 350 fps by around 100 fps. I can say that the Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun was super consistent and shot between 242 fps as a low and 244 fps as a high averaging 243 fps. The Daisy Red Ryder is sure one of the most consistent airguns I have tested to date in terms of velocity constancy! This will help a lot with vertical accuracy.
During my accuracy test I would have to say the Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun shot pretty close to a 2 inch grouping and was pretty well centered with 4 shots hitting the black bullseye , I did pull my last shot a bit which extended the group a little but this was for sure my fault as I new I pulled it as soon as I shot it, the stock actually dropped on my shoulder a little just as I pulled the trigger.
Overall I really enjoy shooting the Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun, it's so simple yet so fun to shoot, there is just something about a lever action rifle that I really like and the super low cost to purchase and shoot a Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun also makes it a must have for anyone no matter how many airguns you own or what type you shoot.
My final video for the Sig Sauer Spartan and Max Michel Blowback CO2 BB Pistols where I find out exactly how they perform. I test out the fps velocity with my Chrony Chronograph and then setup a paper target about 30 feet away and shoot 10 rounds from a rested and seated position with my hands on a sandbag for stability.
I decided to only shoot the Sig Sauer Spartan 1911 since the Max Michel is really the same gun mechanically but with slightly different cosmetics which should not change the performance in any way. I did use a brand new Sig Sauer CO2 along with Umarex zinc coated steel 4.5mm BB's for this test.
Starting with my fps velocity Chronograph testing for the Sig Sauer Spartan and Max Michel Blowback CO2 BB Pistols, it did take me 2 shots to get the chronograph to read but after that I got 5 good readings averaging about 370 fps with the fastest shot close to 400 fps. I know the first couple of shots that did not read where up in the higher ranges so my average result may have been a little higher if they had been included in the testing.
For my accuracy test I shot 10 rounds at a paper target setup about 30 feet away using my standard sea can seated and rested shooting position and I didn't feel like I pulled any shots. That said 2 of the 10 shots seemed to get away on me a little bit but the other 8 where well within a 2 inch grouping and the 2 outliers only extended the grouping by about an additional inch. In terms of placement on target the sig Sauer Spartan Blowback CO2 BB Pistol was well centered left to right but did shoot about 3 inches high.
I was a bit surprised by how heavy the blowback is on the Sig Sauer Spartan and Max Michel Blowback CO2 BB Pistols, it kind of rocked my table a little bit especially when the CO2 was new. I also really like the trigger and feel that theses Sig Sauer 1911 offerings really give the KWC 1911 blowback CO2 airguns a run for their money. If you can get over the plastic stick magazine then I think you would really like owning a Spartan or Max Michel Sig Sauer 1911 CO2 Blowback Airgun.
Type: Air Pistol. Manufacturer: Sig Sauer Model:Sig Sauer Spartan & Max Michel 1911 Materials: Mostly all metal build. Weight: 2.06 pounds (934 Grams). Barrel: 5 inches - Non-rifled. Propulsion: 12 gram CO2. Action: Blowback single action only. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 16 round stick magazine. Max FPS: 410.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Sig 1911 CO2 blowback pistols is excellent! juts like a real 1911 it is single action only and both Sig Sauer 1911's have very short and very light trigger pulls. To make the shooting experience even more realistic you will need to engage the working back strap safety in order to shot these guns, again just like a real 1911.
Accuracy: I have not done my official Field Test Shooting Video for the these Sig Sauer CO2 Blowback 1911's but I did do a shooting field test for the Daisy Winchester Model 11 which these guns are built in design from. The Daisy Model 11 on a rather cold day shot around 360 fps so I am expecting better results from the new updated Sig Sauer Max Michal and Spartan especially in warmer shooting conditions. during my previous Daisy Model 11 testing I was also able to get around a 2 inch 10 shot grouping from a 30 foot shooting position.
Build Quality: Both of the Sig Sauer Spartan and Max Michel Blowback CO2 airguns are built really well, they feel solid in the hand and all the mechanical parts feel tight, the finish is also nice and does not show any signs of wearing. You will find metal parts pretty much everywhere except the magazines, even the safety, magazine release and slide catch are metal, it's kind of too bad the magazine was also not metal?
Realism: Sig Sauer modeled the Spartan and Max Michel after their real steel version and overall they are very similar with the exception that neither of the real steel version have under barrel rails, you will also find adjustable sights on both of the real steel versions and of course proper full size magazines. Other than that both the Sig Sauer CO2 Blowback 1911/s look the part and have full Sig Sauer Licensing and branding,
Good overall replica of the real steel 1911 Sig Sauer pistols.
Really nice single action trigger.
Full Sig Sauer markings and licensing.
Cam lever system for easy CO2 loading.
Working grip safety.
Can expect reasonably decent blowback feel.
Higher fps than the KWC 1911’s range.
White dot sights front and back.
Rail for accessories.
Cons:
Plastic stick magazine.
Rail would not be on the original Sig Sauer pistols.
Sights are pretty basic and none adjustable.
Would have liked a more recessed barrel.
CO2 Grip comes off pretty easily.
Comments: I know that everyone seems to like airguns with full size drop out metal magazines and yes it does make the airgun look and feel more realistic but once the magazine is in the gun the experience for the most part is the same. Having a stick magazine in this case allows for a more efficient CO2 delivery which should increase power and shots per CO2, I know a lot of people complain about the low FPS of the KWC 1911's so if this is you then perhaps you then you may need to give up a full size mag for more power and shots per CO2? Other then the stick mag issue both the Sig Sauer Spartan and Max Michel are really nice CO2 Blowback Airguns and I am really hoping they perform well when I get to my field test shooting review shortly.
My Vimeo Table Top Review of the Sig Sauer Spartan & Max Michel Blowback CO2 BB Pistols:
At SHOT Show this year I got to checkout two new 1911 CO2 Blowback BB Pistols from Sig Sauer, the 1911 Spartan and the 1911 Max Michel. A couple years back Sig introduced their (Advanced Sport Pellet) or ASP line of pellet shooting Airguns in both rifle and pistol version but interestingly enough Sigs 1911 line of airguns are not pellet shooter but rather 4.5mm Steel BB airguns.
Both the Spartan and the Max Michel 1911 BB Pistols are styled after current real steal Sig Sauer 1911's. There are some slight differences in the airgun version cosmetically, notable the added Picatinny rails on both of them but overall they are decent replicas of the real steel versions.
The Spartan and the Max Michel 1911 BB Pistols are built on the same components but have different finishings but their general specifications will be identical.
12 gram CO2
4.5mm steel BB's
16 round stick magazine
410 fps
2.06 pounds
Full metal slide and frame
Semi auto blowback operation
Single action only trigger
Cam lever CO2 loading port
Functioning grip safety
White dot sights
Both Sig Sauer 1911 Blowback BB pistols feel really solid and the single action tigers also feel really nice, what you would expect from a real 1911 trigger. As I mentioned already both Sig 1911 BB Airguns have Picatinny raise which you will not find on the original real steal versions, and I also notices that the Max Michel version has standard sights rather than competition sights and is also lacking the flared but-plate on the magazine.
I am looking forward to giving both these Sig Sauer 1911 Blowback BB pistols a good testing in the Sea Can Airgun shooting range so stay posted for my Field Test Shooting Video and also full Table Top Review.
I was a bit surprised by the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol, it actually shot a lot better than I was expecting it to perform. I did have to aim rather low since the Umarex DX-17 BB Pistol likes to shoot on the high side but if you are shooting at closer in ranges then you won't have to adjust your aim point so high.
Getting into my performance testing for the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol, I placed 5 shots through my Chrony Chronograph and averaged 210 fps which again was very close to the Umarex claimed 200 fps, even a little bit higher! he DX-17 is a single shot repeater but because of the BB reservoir you can quickly reload follow up shots by simply point the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol a little upward while pulling the slide back and pushing it forward to active the spring piston and load a BB at the same time.
As I mentioned the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol shot on the high side, at 30 feet it's a good 8-9 inches high but I have a feeling that this is about as high as the BB's will rise since they are not going that fast and gravity will start bringing them back down. At about 10-15 feet out from a target the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol seemed to shoot about 3-4 inches high so not nearly as bad and this can be adjusted pretty easy by simply aiming a bit under the target you are shooting at. In terms of a 10 shot grouping theUmarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol got about a 4 inch grouping which I have to say kind of surprised me as I was expecting a much larger spread.
So for about $20 you kind of get what you pay for but I really think with the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol you perhaps get a little more! It has a really good trigger, seemed to be built pretty tuff, shot exactly right on the claimed fps mark and was even able to keep a reasonable grouping. And to keep costs down even more you never need to buy CO2 so that's another bonus.
I had a good time reviewing the Umarex Beretta APX CO2 Blowback BB Pistol, this airgun feels really good in the hand, has some nice crips blowback action, shoots pretty hard and shot right on target at 30 feet. The trigger is a bit long but it feels really smooth with an easy release and no real friction points to it.
Getting to the actual performance testing, I put 5 round through my Chrony Chronograph with the Umarex Beretta APX CO2 Blowback BB Pistol and was able to average 395 fps which by the way is exactly what Umarex says it will do! The temperature was not too hot or to cold and I was using a brand new CO2 so it was a fair test all the way around. It's good to see accurate fps specification coming from airguns companies.
Next I preformed my accuracy test shooting the Umarex Beretta APX CO2 Blowback BB Pistol at a paper target setup about 30 feet down range while using a seated and hand rested position for stability. I was impressed with how well the Umarex Beretta APX CO2 Blowback BB Pistol shot in terms of closeness to the bullseye, it really centered well on the paper. I put an 11 round string of 4.5mm steel BB's into the paper target and was able to get them all within about 2 inches. Not bad at all.
Overall I really like the Umarex Beretta APX CO2 Blowback BB Pistol, if you're an APX owner and want a BB shooting version for some back yard practice then you may want to pick one up. I would even suggest Glock owners or enthusiasts take a look at the Umarex Beretta APX CO2 Blowback BB Pistol since actual Glock airguns are hard to come by and the APX is pretty close in terms of size weight, shape and even looks.
Also make sure to checkout my Table Top Review for more closeup video and details on this CO2 Blowback air pistol.
