It's always good to start the week off with an update video so everyone knows what's happening short-term and long-term...

I recently acquired a couple new items that I will be reviewing in the near future (along with several other reviews that I will be trying to get to ASAP!) First off is the Crosman M4-177 which is basically a multi-pump pellet and BB shooting replica of an AR or M4 styled carbine used by the US military. The Crosman M4-177 is mostly plastic on the outside but on first inspection seems to be built fairly well. It has removable metal sights and the magazine is also detachable but is not used as a magazine but rather a compartment for storage. The unit I have is the Canadian detuned version which shoots .177 caliber lead pellets and 4.5mm steel BB's at under 500 fps.

I don't currently sell the Crosman M4-177 in the Canada Replica Airguns Store but I do have it available for purchase in the US Replica Airguns Store for my US customers.

I also received my first old west blank shooting revolver (M1873), I have wanted one of these for a while and finally got my hands on one :) Unfortunately this one has a plugged barrel so it vents out of the cylinder area which may get a bit messy. I may see about making this one a front venting gun if possible and of course as long as it's within the law as I plan to make sure the cylinder stays semi plugged so no actual rounds could ever be shot out of it. The Old West M1873 Blank Revolver holds six .380 crimped blanks and is an all metal and wood construction. This should be a fun review!

I also touch upon a few other guns on the list of items I need to review and by the way in an attempt to get caught up I will be doing my Table Top and Shooting reviews combined.

Here are some of the guns that I will be reviewing over the next while...

• Gamo P-25 & PT-85 .177 Caliber Blowback Pellet pistols (This one will get done this week!)

• Daisy Powerline 5501 Blowback 4.5mm BB pistol.

• Webley Tempest .177 & .22 Caliber Spring Piston Air Pistol.

• Western Arms Smith & Wesson Shorty 40 Blowback 6mm Airsoft Pistol.

• Kimar Lady K Stainless Steel 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol

• EKOL Lady Chrome 9mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol. 

Type: Airsoft.

Manufacturer:Western Arms (WA).

Model:Shorty 40.

Materials: Polymer & Metal.

Weight: 1.7 pounds.

Barrel: 3 inches, metal.

Propulsion: GBB

Action: Semi auto, single & double action.

Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic BB (recommended .20 gram).

Ammunition Capacity: 20 round magazine.

FPS: 260-270.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Western Arms Smith & Wesson Shorty 40 is very light in both single and double action but of course the lightest when shooting in single action mode. The single action is short with next to no reset making for very quick followup shots. If you have de-cocked the gun using the de-cocker, you may find it hard to re-cock again as there is no exposed hammer to grab. You will need to pull the trigger just a bit to expose the hammer and then pull it back the rest of the way as per normal.

Accuracy: This is now the third Airsoft gun I have tested and I always assumed Airsoft guns would not be nearly as accurate as my metal BB shooters but again I have been proven wrong! The WA S&W Shorty 40 even with its short 3 inch barrel got a nice 2 inch group my first time testing it out from 20 feet out in a free standing position. And 4 shots got right in the bullseye! Considering this Airsoft gun was supposed to be non-working, it worked pretty good for me!

Build Quality: When you first pickup the Western Arms Smith & Wesson Shorty .40, you immediately think it is an all metal gun since it's all black and has really good weight to it sitting in at 1.7 pounds and in a very small package. On close up inspection the WA Shorty 40 has a lot of plastic in it including the slide and the frame. Polymer frames are not uncommon and to be honest if the gun looks and feels like metal but is actually plastic, there are some benefits. This review model being used has seen some action but it looks pretty much like a brand new gun, the reason being is because of the plastic exterior - in general, plastic is not painted but rather the color is throughout the material so it will not rub off or show a scratch nearly as much as a painted or blued finishe which will show the grey metal underneath. And to be fair, my Western Arms Shorty 40 has lots of high quality metal parts where they really need to be like the magazine, magazine release, slide catch, trigger, hammer, barrel and many other internal parts.

Realism: From looking at photos of the real Smith & Wesson Shorty 40, I can say the Airsoft version is a dead ringer. The Western Arms version has all the markings and and licensing in all the right places and from what I can tell without actually having used the real steel version, it seems to function and even field strip like the real .40 caliber model. The only real telltale sign are the plastic parts but as I said before it is very hard to tell because of this Airsoft guns heavy weight.

Purchased From: Used.

Pros:

• I got this one as a bargain ($50) to say the least.

• Very realistic replica with full licensing.

• Seems to be very accurate for a short barreled Airsoft pistol.

• Decent FPS for a compact GBB Airsoft gun.

• Even thought the frame and slide are polymer, it has very good weight and feel to it.

• Everything works like the original, field strips and most mechanical parts are metal.

• Safety also works as the de-cocker.

• Adjustable rear sight for windage.

• Very nice light single and double action trigger.

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Cons:

• Hard to find this one, not in production as far as I know?

• Plastic slide and frame but still very high quality.

• Seems to go through gas fast - 20 BB's and it's done!

Comments:

For those of you who have been a bit down on the Airsoft guns I have been reviewing, maybe you just haven't put your hands on the right ones so far? I am now on my third Airsoft product review and I have received all kinds of comments from people ranging from very positive to very negative, with some people comparing Airsoft guns to kids toys. The funny thing is it's all about perspective - people who only shoot powder burners will say an Airgun is a toy but again many powder burner shooters also shoot airguns for economical and practical reasons. I think we should respect peoples interest and if it's not for you then stick with what is for you but at least first give it a chance. I plan to take part in some Airsoft games so this is a great time for me to see what Airsoft guns I like and will work well once I get in a battle situation. Now getting back to the Western Arms Smith & Wesson Shorty 40 at hand... It is a pleasure to shoot and for a "Broken" gun it sure works well, I wonder what a new pristine condition one would shoot like? It's hard for me to tell you to go out and buy one since they are not readily available but if you do manage to come across one, grab it if you can!

My Vimeo Video Review for the Western Arms Smith & Wesson Shorty 40 Airsoft Pistol:

Buy Airsoft guns in Canada   -   Buy Airsoft Pistols in the US

I already mentioned all three of these gun in my previous posts, two being Airsoft: the King Arms Colt M4A1 All Metal and my Western Arms Shorty .40. And one being a 4.5mm steel BB shooter, the Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911. I wanted to make you a quick YouTube Preview video to show you around all three replica guns before I get around to actually doing my full reviews for each of them.

I will most likely start off with my King Arms Colt M4A1 All Metal Airsoft rifle, then review my Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 4.5mm BB pistol, then finish off with my deal Airsoft pistol, the Western Arms Shorty 40.

This preview video should give you a good idea about these guns, but make sure to stay tuned for my full review videos for each of them.

Buy this Airsoft rifle in Canada   -   Buy this Airsoft rifle in the US

Buy Swiss Arms GSR 1911 in Canada

Every once in a while you get kind of lucky and get a real steel on something. Here in Canada, getting your hands on an "all black" Airsoft pistol is kind of hard since they are literally impossible to import as they are considered replicas unless they shoot "over" a set fps which most Airsoft pistols have trouble obtaining. There are some all black guns floating around from before the import restriction and there are some that slip through the cracks.

Yesterday I went into my local Army Surplus store (they also sell Airsoft guns) and saw a rather interesting little black pistol in behind the glass, something I had never seen before. When I looked at it a bit close it was in fact an all black GBB Airsoft pistol version of the Smith & Wesson .40 caliber Shorty! The sales person quickly told me the $50 price tag was because it was non-functioning or as he called it a "Grave Yard Special" I though hey, makes for a nice replica even if it does not work and so I bought it on the spot.

As is pretty normal for me, I rarely take anyone at their word and like to check things out for myself. So I loaded the magazine up with propane, added 20 BB's to the magazine and headed to my deck to give it a try. 20 rounds later and with my slide locked back I came to the conclusion that there was nothing wrong with this Airsoft catch of the day!

If your wondering where to get one I am not really sure, I did see them online in some overseas sites for around $220 or so. So my $50 was well spent ;)

I am in the process of making a "preview video" of this gun and will do a follow up full review video down the road a bit.

 Buy Airsoft guns in Canada   -   Buy Airsoft Pistols in the US

If you have not already read my Table Top review for the WE SCAR-L, then make sure to check it out for specifications and an overall review of this very nice Blowback Airsoft rifle.

This Field Test review kind of baffled me, I was surprised with almost everything about it. Initially when I got my WE SCAR, I tested it out with one of my CO2 mags and got some pretty decent results not only in FPS performance but also in the accuracy department, I got around 400+fps and a nice 2 inch group from 30 feet out in a semi-rested position.

So when I headed out to record my Field Test, I was expecting some decent results! I'm not going to say this gun let me down but it did perform radically different for me on this day then the previous day and the only real difference is that I did a complete filed strip, clean and lube of the Airsoft rifle which in my opinion should of improved things but I guess not?

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The most surprising realization I had was that with CO2 (as compared to the Propane), I did notice a heavier blowback and faster rate of fire in full auto but for some reason I had less velocity by almost 100fps when compared to using my Propane magazine? And my accuracy suffered also by an amazing amount. Some rounds had trouble even getting on the paper?

I will revisit this rifle in the summer, I think I will strip it down and wipe it down and perhaps redo this test entirely! I still love this Airsoft blowback rifle for so many reasons but on this day at least it came up a bit short for me.

My Vimeo Video Field Test Review for the WE AWSS SCAR-L - SCAR Type Rifle:

Buy Airsoft rifles in Canada

Buy Airsoft rifles in the US

Make sure to also watch my Field Test Review for the WE SCAR-L!

Type: Airsoft.

Manufacturer:WE.

Model:AWSS SCAR-L Generation 3 Closed Bolt (Tan).

Materials: Metal & Polymer.

Weight: 6.9 pounds.

Barrel: 11.5 inches, metal.

Propulsion: Green-gas - propane - CO2

Action: Semi/full auto, single action.

Ammunition Type: 6mm Plastic BB.

Ammunition Capacity: 30 round magazine.

FPS: 450.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the WE SCAR is very short and light. You can shoot this gun very quickly, that is after you recover from the very heavy blowback action you can really feel in your shoulder.

Accuracy: I thought I would test this Airsoft rifle just like I do my other BB guns, why put it in a class by it's self? So I put about 10 rounds into a target from 30 feet out using a semi rested position (sand bag in the front - standing in the rear). I was using a non magnified red dot so there was going to be some variance on the target from that range no doubt. When I walked up to the paper I was rather stunned as this Airsoft rifle shooting .25 gram plastic BB's got a 2 inch 10 round grouping! This makes for an awesome plinker - Airsoft or not!

Build Quality: The WE AWSS SCAR is very well made with a full CNC Aluminum Upper, all steel internals and very high quality polymer lower receiver and folding stock. As far as I could tell all the external mechanical parts are also metal including the trigger, selector switch magazine release, bolt catch release, charging handle. all accessory rails and sights and anything else I missed! The Magazine is also metal.

Realism: One thing about most Airsoft guns is the attention to realism and in this area they generally have the edge over their 4.5mm Steel BB shooting brothers. This WE SCAR copy is 100% true in design and even field strips exactly like the real NATO round firing version. It even has the true marking indicating "MK 16MOD O and CAL. 5.56 MM." on the upper receiver. Like the real SCAR, everything functions the same including the semi auto and full auto selector switch :)

Purchased From: Private sale.

Pros:

• Amazing attention to detail.

• All CNC aluminium upper.

• All metal internals and metal external mechanical parts.

• Semi auto & full auto selectable.

• Awesome blowback kick really hits you in the shoulder.

• Field strips just like the real steal.

• Nice high 400+ FPS even with .25 gram BB's

• Extremely accurate for plastic BB's.

• Full ambidextrous, even the charging handle can be switch side to side.

• Can use propane or CO2 with the appropriate magazine.

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Cons:

• Not cheap to buy in Canada.

• Eats CO2 pretty quickly.

• Because of heavy blowback, you need to check wear and tear on the parts often.

• May be too powerful for skirmishes without some detuning.

Comments:

This is really my first Airsoft review and for the most part my first real serious Airsoft gun. I do have a Crosman M50 (UZI copy) that I bought a while back and I will review it also but it was one of those Canadian see through guns that look like kids toys :( Getting back to the WE AWSS SCAR-L... I just love the design of this type of rifle, I even bought the almost exact same gun in a .22 rimefire - the ISSC MK22 SCAR, check that review out if you have are looking for  a .22LR gun. Again getting back to the WE AWSS SCAR-L!! It's got so much going for it. Quality, realism, performance, made by a reputable Airsoft company and as far as GBB Airsoft guns go it is well priced!

For those that like to skirmish or use these in Airsoft war games, they may want to go with the AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) version because they require less reloading and have more sustained FPS. But for me since I don't really do any Airsoft war games, well at least not yet? I kind of like the realism of the blowback with its kick and more realistic magazine capacities. Since I go after the most realistic guns I can get, this Airsoft rifle really speaks to me and just because it shoots a plastic BB rather then a metal BB, I really can't say it makes to much difference for what I'm shooting at anyways. I point it at stuff and the stuff gets knocked down and generally with the same hole in it my 4.5mm BB's would have made. Look forward to more Airsoft reviews in the future...

My Vimeo Video Review for the WE AWSS SCAR-L - SCAR Type Rifle:

Buy Airsoft rifles in Canada   -   Buy Airsoft rifles in the US

I wanted to get this video out to you a bit sooner but I have been really sick the past three days and so I have not had a lot of time to put this YouTube Video together. It's a pretty simple compilation of some photos and videos I took during my time walking around the 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, not all of it is to do with airguns but most of it is. I even took a few touristy shots since it wasn't all work ;)

This isn't an Airsoft review just yet but I will be reviewing the WE SCAR Gas Blowback 6mm Airsoft Rifle next week, I just purchased this one used from another fellow YouTuber "FuzzyDicePimp" who was gracious enough to sell me his.

You will have to bare with me a bit on this first review as I more experience with Airguns so I think my first Airsoft review may be a bit more of me comparing the WE AWSS SCAR-L to my airguns but then again I don't really have that many tactical rifle styled air guns to compare it to.

The WE SCAR I am reviewing is a generation 3 with the closed bolt system, it came with a gas magazine but I purchased a couple of CO2 mags as that is more what I am use to. So we will see if I can get a propane converter and I can do a comparison of the two magazines in my review.

My first impression of this gun is "WOW" FuzzyDicePimp sent it to me with some juice in the magazine so I shot a few rounds through it. I had some .12 gram 6mm Airsoft BB's lying around and I also had some 6mm steel ball bearings, both of these really seemed to shoot hard and the blowback on the WE SCAR is very solid.

Check back next week for more on this very nice Airsoft Rifle.

Buy Airsoft rifles in Canada   -   Buy Airsoft rifles in the US