Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ASG STI Duty One 1911 Non Blowback is fairly light in both single and double action. Take-up is the same in both modes but when in single action mode most of the trigger pull has little to no resistance until you get to the break point near the end where the hammer is released.
Accuracy: In an Earlier review I shot the Blowback version STI Duty One 1911 air gun at a target from 20 feet away in a free standing position, and it performed well getting a 1.5 to 2 inch grouping right in the center of the target. The rear sight is adjustable for windage which is always nice to have just in case you are shooting a bit to the left or right. For me there was no need to adjust the sights. My Chrony testing with an eight shot averaged result was 373 fps - very decent for a blowback pistol! It will be interesting to see how this Non Blowback version performs since there is more CO2 going to the BB and less gun movement without the Blowback operation.
Build Quality: ASG did a great job designing and making the STI Duty One 1911 Non Blowback BB gun, they didn't really compromise on anything other than going with a polymer frame! With that said all that important parts like the Slide, Slide Catch, Safety, Mag Release, Hammer, Barrel and Magazine are all metal. The fit and finish as with all the ASG air guns is very good!
Realism: The ASG STI Duty One 1911 Non Blowback version is a close replica to the real steel STI 1911, the only real giveaway is the trigger design, as a true 1911 trigger is not your typical lever type. Even with the different type of trigger the STI Duty One is a very good replica complete with STI licensing and trademarks.
No Blowback action but does have a working slide and slide catch.
Adjustable rear sight for windage.
Shoots in both single and double action.
Good quality control, very well made, fit and finish is good.
Should have good power and accuracy like the blowback version, perhaps even a bit better.
May have even better CO2 usage than the already good blowback version.
Metal drop out magazine.
Good STI Replica.
Holds really well in the hand.
Cons:
Trigger is not true to the real steel 1911.
No working grip safety like a real 1911.
Polymer frame rather than a metal frame.
CO2 can be hard to get out.
Comments:
In terms of comparing the Non Blowback version of the ASG STI Duty One 1911 to the Blowback version without actually shooting it, they are pretty much identical except for the double and single action trigger found on the Non Blowback version. Even the slide seems to work the same. The big difference will be when I shoot the Non Blowback ASG STI Duty One. Will it shoot with a lot more FPS and will the reduced slide movement give it more accuracy? I am assuming yes to both of these question but I guess we will all have to wait and see when I do my official Shooting Field Test Comparison...
Watch my Vimeo Video Review for the ASG STI Duty One Non Blowback CO2 BB Pistol:
This video is to give you a heads up on a few guns I will be reviewing shortly. Most of them are different version of guns I have already reviewed except for the Baby Desert Eagle which so far has eluded me :)
So this is not an Airgun related video or even a gun related product review, unless of course, like me you make Gun YouTube videos that require recording gear? In this video I showcase a neat little Lavalier (Lapel) Microphone called the RØDE SmartLav I picked up the other day. Mainly to let you know that the audio in many of my videos will sound a lot better since I will be wearing the RØDE SmartLav during any videos where I get away from the camera.
Camera Microphones usually sound pretty decent when you are up nice and close to them, but as you get further away from the camera (and built in camera mic), you start to sound like you are far away or in a cave. The room tone starts to get mixed in with your voice making the recording sound echoey and thin.
So in order to keep my voice sounding rich and clear, I will be wearing this RØDE SmartLav when I shoot videos that require me to be out front of the camera.
So what makes the RØDE SmartLav so "Smart"? The Smart part is that it works with a "Smart" Phone. All you need to do is plug the RØDE SmartLav into your smartphone, use a recording App like the RØDE Rec and record your voice directly to your Smartphone. Once you are finished your video shoot, you simply match up the audio to the video in your editing software and bingo - you have professional sounding voice audio in your videos.
And because you are recording "hard wired" directly into your iPhone or smart phone, there is no wireless signal to worry about which can often have interference or even cut right out. With the RØDE SmartLav you could literally walk a mile away from the camera and sound exactly as if you where right beside it.
So I think you understand the purpose for one of theses handy little Lapel mics, enjoy the improved audio in my future vids and for those tech savvy people out there, here are the specifications for the RØDE SmartLav:
Acoustic Principle: Pressure Gradient
Active Electronics: JFET
Capsule: 0.10"
Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional - picks up all sides equally
Address Type: End
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20kHz (selected HPF @ 0)
Output Impedance: 0Ω
Sensitivity: -32.0dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (25.50mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz
While the weather is still holding on, I setup some clay pigeon targets at varying further out distances than the typically 30 feet I shoot on my deck. I paced out approximately 40-60-80-100+ foot ranges conservatively thinking this would be a good test to see if a 6mm Airsoft rifle could effectively hit targets at any of these ranges using heavy .36 gram Airsoft BB's.
So today I brought out an Airsoft Sniper rifle since this is what it's made to do, the model being the ASG AW .308 Airsoft Sniper. As with many of my shooting videos I captured all the fun using a bunch of different cameras and camera angles along with a dedicated lapel microphone so the audio also comes in nice and clear.
So make sure to watch my YouTube video and see how the ASG AW .308 Airsoft Sniper Rifle does shooting clay pigeons up to 100 Plus feet away...
While the weather is still nice, I decided to setup some clay pigeon targets at varying further out ranges than the typically 30 feet I shoot on my deck. So I figured 40-60-80-100 foot ranges would be a good test to see if a 4.5mm Steel BB rifle could effectively hit targets at any of these ranges.
I did do a similar test earlier on using my Umarex Steel Force but I think the Steel Force may have been a bit underpowered for the 80-100 foot shots.
So today I brought out my Drozd Blackbird since it has a bit of power and what it may lack in accuracy it for sure makes up in volume! As with many of my shooting videos I captured all the fun using a bunch of different cameras and camera angles and today I even wore a dedicated lapel mic which I have a min-review for coming up shortly!
So make sure to watch my YouTube video and see how the Baikal Drozd Blackbird does shooting clay pigeons up to 100 feet away...
I decided to do my Field test of the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle a little different than my standard filed tests. I pretty much already did a similar Field Test for the M1891 during Table Top Review and if I used the same methods for testing I would most definitely have gotten the same results. Which by the way where a 1.75 inch group from a full 17 round magazine shooting from 30 feet back, and an average of 430 feet per second.
As you know, I have been utilizing clay pigeons in many of my shooting videos so I thought, why not have some more fun and set up a bunch of miscellaneous targets at a variety of distances ranging from 30 feet, right up to 80 feet, and see what I can hit shooting the Gletcher M1891 shooting a couple mags of 4.5mm steel BB's.
Model: Gletcher M1891 (Replica of Sawn Off Mosin Nagant "Obrez").
Materials: Metal & plastic.
Weight: 5.7 pounds (2.6kg).
Barrel: 5.5 inches, smooth bore (inner barrel).
Propulsion: CO2.
Action: Bolt - single shot - single action.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 16 rounds. (I was able to fit 17 rounds in the magazine)
FPS: 394fps (120m/s).
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher M1891 is single action only, the bolt cycle does most of the work setting up the loading of a BB into the chamber and pre-cocking the bolt spring. The take up is minimal and the release is about medium to light weight. The bolt snaps forward firmly and with a nice clanking sound, you can even feel the weight of it as it moves forward.
Accuracy: I did take the opportunity to do a quick pre-test with my Gletcher M1891. I shot several rounds through my Chronograph and averaged around 430 fps which is a bit higher than the claimed 394. I also shot a couple of magazines at a paper target standing 30 feet back using a semi rested position and was about to get a 1.75 inch 17 round group which is pretty good considering I found it kind of unusual to hold the Gletcher M1891 in this manner. The Gletcher M1891 does take some getting used to since you hold it like a rifle but do not rest it against your shoulder for stability.
Build Quality: The Gletcher M1891 is really well made, you can tell by it's robust weight and how solid the action feels when you draw the bolt back and release it the first time. Everything that would be metal on the real Mosin Nagant is metal on the Gletcher M1891 including the full size dropout magazine that holds both the BB's and CO2. Yes the stock is imitation wood but in some ways it is harder than real wood and may actually hold up better. The finish looks great and I like the silver bolt, as with most electromagnetically coated finishes, the coating is not thick so it will wear off in the high spots fairly easily. Some touch up can solve this problem fairly easily.
Realism: I've never actually put my hands on a real steel Mosin Nagant Rifle but from the photos I viewed online, the Gletcher M1891looks really accurate in terms of being a BB replica. Of course the magazine has been adapted to fit CO2 and BB's but once placed in the gun it is nearly impossible to tell it from a real Mosin Nagant, or I should say a sawn off version of one. The weight of this rifle (5.7 pounds) gives it the feeling of genuineness. The only real giveaway is the imitation wood stock which looks pretty good considering. I have read online that a real Mosin Nagant stock can be adapted to fit the Gletcher M1891 so that would indicate that it is fairly true in size and construction to a real Mosin Nagant Rifle.
Pros:
Very Unique BB gun.
A piece of history you can shoot in your back yard.
Mostly all metal gun.
Nice heavy 5.7 pound weight to it.
Adjustable rear sight, at least for elevation.
Nice single action trigger.
Bolt action feels great and has a firm release.
Full size drop out metal magazine that holds both the BB's and the CO2.
More fps than claimed and decent accuracy, I expect to get lots of shots out of a single CO2 because of the magazine design.
Cons:
Stock is plastic but looks good considering.
No real way to adjust windage and the rear sight does wiggle a bit from side to side which could throw off the aim.
Electromagnetically coated finish may be prone to wear in the high spots.
Comments:
The Gletcher M1891 is one of the most interesting BB guns I have had the opportunity to review, it has history, it's kind of a pistol and kind of a rifle at the same time and in this sawn off configuration it looks both old school and modern. I could almost see it being used as the perfect zombi gun ;) Getting away from it's unique looks, the Gletcher M1891 performs very well, shooting a respectable 430 fps with accuracy that surprised me since I found it a bit hard to hold at first. There is something very gratifying about having to work a bot or lever or the hammer on a single action revolver that makes each shot just that much more precious! If you're looking for that ultimate eye catcher that people will have to take a second look at than this is the one for you.
My Vimeo Table Top Video of the Gletcher M1891 Mosin Nagant Replica BB Rifle:
In this video I show you a very interesting 4.5mm CO2 BB replica rifle. A riffle that has a history in the Russian Military going back to the 1800's, but this one has been modified and in a way almost looks modern.
You will have to watch my YouTube update video to see what this mystery gun is, full table top review to follow this week!
I often get asked about using a 4.5mm Steel BB gun for pest control and to be honest I really don't think a BB gun is the right tool even at close range to properly and humanly take care of pests when need be. A much better tool is a high powered pellet rifle in just about any caliber as long as you have taken the time to practice your shot placement at a variety of ranges.
Pellets on the other hand, since they are shot out of a rifled barrel are generally super accurate, even within an inch or so at long ranges. Steel BB's on the other hand will do OK within 20-30 feet but once they get to the farther out ranges, they tend to drift a lot, making it very hard to predict exactly where they are going to go...
So I thought I would back up my words with a real world test by taking an average mid priced BB rifle and taking aim at some clay pigeon targets setup about 100 feet away. Watch my YouTube video to see how my Umarex Steel Force did shooting in semi auto at 100+ feet out.
If you have been watching my Full Auto Fun Videos, then you will have noticed that I have recently been using Clay Pigeons as my go-to targets. Generally Clay Pigeons are shot from launchers and used with shotguns since the flight of the Clay Pigeon simulates a bird in flight nicely.
So I thought, why not use them as reactive targets for my Airguns and Airsoft guns? It turns out they work pretty darn good, well at least with 4.5mm Steel BB pistols and I would imagine even better with pellet guns. What about Airsoft guns, will the Airsoft lighter weight plastic BB's have enough mass to get the job done?
You'll have to watch this video to find out the answer to that question when I unload a full magazine of .20 gram Airsoft BB's into some Clay Pigeons using my KWC .50 Desert Eagle...
Perhaps the last of my 4.5mm Steel BB Dull Auto Fun Video? We'll see? Today I take out my Umarex EBOS (Electric Burst of Steel) 8 Round Burst BB Machine Gun and again take aim at a bunch of clay pigeons I set up 30 feet away. Even thought the EBOS does not have the highest rate of fire with only 500 rounds per minute, it does get the job done because it stays true on target and really proved to be very accurate allowing me to even trim off the smallest bits of clay pigeon stuck in the edges of the holders.
The rate of fire on the Umarex E.B.O.S. almost reminds me of what you would hear or expect from an AK 47 type machine gun.
Near the end of this video I try my luck at shooting some of the clay pigeons out of the air shotgun style but failed horribly :( Perhaps I should give by modified 1200 rounds per minute Drozd Blackbird a go at it :)
Only a few more Full Auto Fun Videos left to do for you, todays features the Umarex Steel Force which is basically an updated version of the Steel Storm but instead of having an H&K styled outer shell, the Steel Force is based around the popular AR 15 series and like many modern AR 15's, the Steel Force has an adjustable stock which really helps with target acquisition and accuracy.
Like my other Full Auto Fun Videos, I take out a bunch of clay pigeons from about 30 feet away. The Umarex Steel Force proves to be very accurate and CO2 efficient (got about 300 shots from the pair of 12 gram CO2's) but is a bit of a pain to reload the spring fed 30 rounds magazine when the 300 round BB hopper is full.
All in all if you'er looking for a low cost and super fun BB machine gun with a high rate of fire, good CO2 efficiency, awesome pinpoint accuracy and pretty decent power, then pick yourself up one of our Umarex Steel Force BB Guns!
The good news is that out of the box the KWC Mini UZI and KWC M92 both shoot in selectable semi auto and full auto modes. And if you didn't already know, the KWC versions are virtually the same guns since KWC makes them for Cybergun. The only real difference being the KWC version does not have the licensing or white lettering on the BB guns and of course the KWC versions are full auto ready to go.
Alright, so todays Full Auto Fun Video may be stretching things just a bit but I figured that since my Umarex Walther SG 9000 does have the ability to shoot 3 rounds with each pull of the trigger that we'll give it the benefit of the doubt and include it in this round of Full Auto Fun Videos.
The Walther SG 9000 is a kind of different looking airgun, the back half looks like a Walther Pistol while the front half is more of a tactical styled shotgun. And like a shotgun you can shoot multiple BB's with one shot. You actually have teh option of shooting single shot or three shot burst. In single shot mode, the Walther SG 9000 is pretty peppy shooting at around 500 fps on a fresh and warm 88 gram CO2. When you switch the SG 9000 over to three shot burst mode, it does slowdown somewhat closer to the 250 fps range so not really that great for any serious penetration.
But I figured since I was shooting clay pigeons which are made for shotgun use, why not use a BB styled multi-round shotgun on some of them! All in all the Umarex Walther SG 9000 got the job done...
I am sad to say that Umarex does not seem to make the Walther SG 9000 anymore so if you're looking for one you may have to settle for a used on if you can find an owner willing to give it up.
Today's Full Auto Fun Video features the Umarex Steel Storm CO2 (Internal) Blowback Semi Auto and 6 Round Burst BB Gun. In my books any gun that can shoot at least 3-6 rounds for every pull of the trigger is full auto in my opinion. I tend to shoot in short bursts even if the gun is truly full auto since holding the trigger down till the mag is empty just means you have a lot of down time reloading on your hands. I prefer short controlled bursts because they are more accurate and you can make corrections if need be. You also use less CO2 giving the gun and CO2 a chance to warm up a bit between bursts.
The Umarex Steel Storm has been in my collection of a while now and was the first out of the box full auto BB gun I reviewed on my YouTube Channel. Version 2 of the Steel Storm is the Steel Force which shares many mechanical attributes to the Steel Storm but the Steel Force (externally) is modeled after the AR platform and has the addition of a multi-position AR styled stock which does help with target hold and accuracy.
I will be shooting the Steel Force in an upcoming Full Auto Fun Video so stay posted for that one!
Yes! More Full Auto Fun Videos on the way and to kick of this week I shoot my ZMZ Tyrex PPA-K-01 Full Auto BB Gun. If you're not aware of the background on this very hard to get ahold of Airgun, I bought it new from another collector and imported it into Canada. I Paid an arm and a leg for it because the Tyrex PPA-K-01 is really hard to find here in Canada and the US, new or used.
The ZMZ Tyrex PPA-K-01 is a super close copy of the Kedr PP-91 (9 x 18 mm Makarov), also made in the same Russian ZMZ factory. So like my Baikal Makarov, the BB version and real steel version are made side by side and both guns use weapons grade steel and some parts from the real guns. Nothing of course that could be converted to a real gun.
As with my other Full Auto Fun Videos, I shoot up a bunch of clay pigeons and record all the fun using several cameras from several angles and points of view. The ZMZ Tyrex PPA-K-01 Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Gun has a very high rate of fire and sounds like a real machine gun but much quieter of course. It is also surprisingly accurate as you will see in this Full Auto Fun Video!
You guessed it, another Full Auto Fun YouTube Video! And another great Blowback BB gun from the past dusted off and brought out for some more shooting fun :)
With that said this video is me actually shooting my original Cybergun / KWC Licensed GSG 92 version that I modded to shoot full auto. It was giving me a bit of trouble today but it seemed to work out the kinks near the end.
In an upcoming Full Auto Fun Video I do plan to bring out a new KWC full auto ready M92 and Mini UZI to see how these factory full auto 4.5mm BB guns shoot out of the box.
I do have to say, modifying the PPK to Full Auto is not recommended, mine originally worked well but the heavy blowback in full auto eventually broke the firing pin setup and I lost it somewhere in my back field. I had to Macgyver a bolt in place to kind of work but now my Full Auto Modded PPK shoots out of control, what I mean by this is when I press the trigger, it does not stop shooting until all the BB's are gone. Safe, I don't think so!
My suggestion is to leave the Umarex Walther PPK as is, it truly is a an awesome CO2 Blowback BB replica with some really decent blowback recoil in a small airgun.
Full Auto Fun video number three this week and this one is perhaps the craziest one! When you take a Drozd Blackbird that already has a 800-1000 round BB magazine, convert it to 1200 rounds of full auto, add a custom JimC Barrel to it, some bulk CO2 and a bunch of other cosmetic accessories... Well you get the most ridiculous full auto BB gun you can ask for.
Since I had an extra 800-900 BB's more than I am used to when making these full auto videos, I decided to add a few additional targets over and above the clay pigeons I have been using so far. I picked up a nice fairly heavy gauge Santa tin and a rather solid hard wax candle from the dollar store that proved to add some drama to this Full Auto Fun video!
Make sure to also watch my first two Full Auto Fun videos:
If you like what you see in this video and want an absolutely crazy BB gun, then checkout our Replica Airguns Store where we Sell the Drozd BB gun and some add ons for it!
In this "Full Auto Fun" video I bring out my RAP4 - RAP5 MP5 Full auto BB Rifle. The RAP5 MP5 started out life as a .43 caliber paintball gun but I bought it converted in the factory to 4.5mm Steel BB. RAP4 converts it by adding a barrel sleeve adaptor and includes some plastic casings that allow you to place 4.5mm Steel BB's into a kind of donut shaped shell that is then placed into the 21 round magazines. The plastic Donut BB shells eject from the gun like a real shell casing which is super cool!
Like my KWC Mini UZI Full Auto Fun video, I shoot up a bunch of clay pigeons but this time using my RAP4 - RAP5 MP5 4.5mm Steel BB Full Auto Rifle which I found to be very accurate but perhaps a bit thirsty when it comes to CO2 usage. Some bulk air would be a nice combination with this BB shooter, maybe in another video...
