We where out of the Umarex Steel Storm for a while, I had a lot of people asking about this one so I thought I would let everyone know we now have the Umarex Steel Storm back in stock and for sale again in the Canada Replica Airguns Store.
We have been out of some of the Umarex pistols in the Canada Store for some time and just got some more Umarex pistols back in stock:
Umarex HPP
Buy Umarex HPP gun in Canada - Buy Umarex HPP in the US
Umarex Colt Defender
Buy this gun in Canada - Buy this gun in the US
Canada Customers only - Act fast on this one, I am selling the Cybergun Sig Sauer P226 X-Five Sight Rail Version at $30 off the regular price, this is for the first five customers that buy it! I am also throwing in five CO2 cartridges for free!
Keep in mind the sight rail version comes with a compensator, sight rail and adjustable rear sight and it's selling for less than the standard version right now!
Here is a bit of a heads up for some future reviews and YouTube videos. I have had a lot of requests to review the Gamo PT-85 and Gamo P-25 so I went ahead and picked up one of each. Now I do not currently sell these blowback air pistols in the Replica Airguns Canada Store but I do have them available in our US Replica Airguns Store.
I also took in an EKOL Lady in Chrome finish from a customer of mine looking to purchase another item in the Replica Airguns Store. Since I don't have this model it will get added to my personal collection of replica guns :) Either way we all benefit because now I have a new blank gun I can review for you all!
Checkout my Vimeo Update Video of these guns...
After what seemed like forever, we now have some more Cybergun Sig Sauer P226 X-Five's back in stock. And I am talking about the non-open or non-sight rail version, we never did run out of the sight rail version...
So if you have been waiting you can pick one up Right Now!
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:
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.
One question I get asked often is "Which are my favorite airguns?" or "What are my top 5 gun choices?" I have done my best to avoid answering this question because it's a very hard question to answer and to be truthful on any given day I may come up with a different selection of guns as there are just so many great airguns out there!
So today I took a bunch out and shuffled through them all to see if I could come up with five of my top picks, well at least for today that is, and I'm pretty happy with my selection (Umarex Desert Eagle - ASG CZ 75 P-07 Duty - Baikal MP-654K Makarov - Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness 1911 - ASG Dan Wesson 6 Inch Sliver). I know for a fact they are some excellent choices and if you happen to own or plan on buying one then I'm sure you will agree wiht me.
So checkout this Vimeo Video Review where I go through them and explain what I like about each gun, and why they made my Top 5 Airgun Pick.
Some more good inventory related news! We now have the Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness 1911 A1 Blowback BB Pistol Back in Stock in both the Canadian and US Replica Airgun Stores. So if you've been waiting to order yours you can order one now...
The CBSA (Canada Customs) has posted some good news for a change about the Reclassification of Airsoft Guns that shoot over 366fps! (Customs Notice 12-005)
So what does this mean? In a nutshell, any Airsoft gun that shoots a .20 gram airsoft BB at over 366 fps is now considered an uncontrolled firearm just like a regular airgun. And so it can be made out of full metal and look exactly like a real gun even without the red tip. (before the threshold was .22 gram BB had to shoot over 407 fps)
This means we will now be able to bring a lot more "All Metal Replica" Airsoft guns into Canada that where previously not allowed because of our much higher feet per second restrictions.
Here is the official statement from the CBSA:
1. The purpose of this notice is to advise of changes affecting the classification of 6mm calibre airsoft guns.
2. Section 2 of the Criminal Code defines a firearm as “a barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person, and includes any frame or receiver of such a barrelled weapon, as well as anything that can be adapted for use as a firearm”.
3. As outlined in Memorandum D19-13-2, Importing and Exporting Firearms, Weapons and Devices, it was previously established that an airsoft gun, firing a .22g 6mm plastic pellet, must have a muzzle velocity in excess of 124 m/s (407 fps), in order to be considered a firearm.
4. Based on the latest research, it is now established that the muzzle velocity at which a .20g 6mm plastic airsoft projectile is capable of causing serious bodily injury is 111.6 m/s (366 fps).
5. Airsoft guns, firing a .20g 6mm plastic pellet, with a muzzle velocity above 111.6 m/s (366 fps), will be classified as firearms. Please refer to D19-13-2 for the import requirements of low muzzle velocity firearms, including low muzzle velocity “uncontrolled” firearms.
6. If an airsoft gun, firing a .20g 6mm plastic pellet, shoots below 111.6 m/s (366 fps), and resembles with near precision an existing make and model of a firearm, other than an antique firearm, it will be classified as replica firearm. Replica firearms are prohibited devices and must meet import requirements as listed in D19-13-2.
7. Inquiries and comments about this notice should be directed to: Other Government Department Programs Unit Programs Branch Canada Border Services Agency E-mail: faw-aaf@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Here is the direct link to this Customs Notice 12-005 on the CBSA website!
UPDATE: The 4 inch Black and 6 inch Silver Dan Wesson Revolvers are now back in Stock!
First, the bad news... We are sold out in our Canada Store of some of our most popular Airguns; this includes most of the ASG Dan Wesson revolvers along with the STI Duty One, and the very popular Cybergun Witness 1911.
Now for the good news! You can pre-order these while we get some more back in stock and save $20 while also reserving yours ahead of the non-pre-orders.
We are looking at about a 2-3 week wait while we get more in and as soon as they are back in stock we are putting the price back up so if one of these has been on your wish-list then make sure to grab one on sale now!
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:
Last but not least, and the only Blowback pistol out of the bunch, the Crosman PRO77 is a decent single action true blowback BB air pistol worth checking out.
The
has realistic weight, power and feel in a compact semi automatic blowback air pistol. Squeeze the trigger and put 17 BBs downrange at 350 feet per second as quickly and accurately as you can. Then fully functioning slide re-cocks the hammer with each pull of the trigger. The under barrel weaver style rail will accept most tactical accessories or use the fixed blade and notch sights to zero in on your target. Accepts the 12 gram CO2 Powerlet.
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:
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.
OK, so I took a day off to appease the wife and did some "shopping" but then today it was back to business and I made the wife come along for the ride, she was a good sport about it so it all worked out!
I went back to Umarex and Crosman, just to verify a few things, first of all, the Umarex P38 is in fact a blowback pistol and it has a nice 400 claimed fps. I am looking forward to testing this one!.
I also went back to Crosman to checkout the C51 and the C*TT to see if the C51 Glock-ish looking replica had a polymer frame which it does and also to see if the C*TT is blowback which it is not :( But it is mostly metal and has a working slide so there is hope for the C*TT.
I dropped by the ASG booth but there was nothing really new there. I already have pretty much all their 4.5mm BB guns but they do have a nice selection of Airsoft guns, and speaking of Airsoft guns I am spending a significant amount of my time these days looking into the Airsoft market and what I can bring into Canada for sale. I have been talking with several suppliers and we should have some nice offering for us Canadians shortly so stay posted on this one...
Lastly, I have a few 22LR guns coming my way that I will be reviewing. yes I know they are not airguns but whenever I review a 22LR gun, I get a lot of questions and if you are like me, and you have your PAL, the 22LR guns make a nice addition to your low cost guns that you can buy and shoot for a fraction of the cost of the larger caliber guns out there.
Today I stopped by Chiappa and checked them out. I have a 1911 Tactical 22LR on the way that I will be reviewing and I may get some more 22LR from Chiappa down the road if the 1911 reviews well. By the way I also have a 22lR M22 ISSC "Glock" styled pistol also on it's way for review!
Well that's it from the Vegas SHOT SHow 2012 for now, see you on the flip-side!
I thought the Crosman C51 was dead, it was expected to be released back in the summer of 2011 but it got delayed and then word came out that it was dropped! But then to my surprise I saw it on display at this years SHOT Show and after a few questions it looks like it is back on the table as a new product for 2012.
This is great news because I have to say this is a very well made pistol all around very realistic. It has excellent weight to it, especially in the slide and it has a floating barrel with full blowback action and a single action trigger. You will also be happy to hear it has a full drop out metal magazine and seems to be designed like many of the 6mm Airsoft blowback airguns.
I am really looking forward to getting my hands on this air pistol!
Enjoy the photos - I took lots :)
One new item from Umarex that at first I thought was pretty much exactly like the Crosman C41 but after closer inspection it is very different and has some features that I believe will make it the better of the two.
For one the Umarex P38 has a slide catch and release, the Crosman C41 has a moving slide but no slide catch to speak of. The Umarex P38 also has the actual Walther P38 licensing which is a nice touch and it has an actual working hammer. I am not 100% sure if it is blowback or not but I plan on going back and asking a few more questions about the Umarex Walther P38 as it looks to be a nice addition to the Umarex Replica Air Pistol line up.
Enjoy the photos for now...
The SHOT Show is out of this world! You really need a week to check it all out or perhaps a clone of yourself... I barely touched the surface today. I did make sure I had a chance to checkout both Umarex and Crosman, I also made it to some other booths, but I will touch on them later in another post. There is enough information I can share with you from Crosman and Umarex to keep you drooling for now.
In short, here is what is new...
Crosman is bringing back the C51 Glock inspired Blowback BB pistol that we all thought was dead and I have to say it looks really really nice - more to come on this one. Crosman also has the new C*TT BB pistol that looks to be a blowback pistol replica of the Russian Tokarev. I also saw a very nice looking two tone version of the M4-177 and there may just be a Canadian detuned under 500 fps version on the way? Crosman is also introducing a really well made Nitro Piston air pistol called the Benjamin Trail NP that looks to be a very well made break barrel spring piston air pistol that shoots in the 500 fps neighbourhood.
Umarex also had some new items, one of which at first glance looks a lot like the Crosman C41 P38 replica but I have to say it has more going for it with a locking slide, licensed trade marks, true single action and overall just a more realistic version of the real P38. Umarex is also bringing the Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8 BB Revolver to North America, which is very similar to the Dan Wesson line but with extra rails on the top and bottom of the barrel. Umarex is also adding a couple Browning based air guns, one is a low fps Browning Buck Mark copy which is a break barrel .177 caliber pellet shooter targeted for the beginner target shooter and also a Browning High Power replica. One last BB pistol many people have been asking for is the Beretta 90 Two BB pistol and it looks like it has landed in North America finally!
Make sure to check back for some more photos and more info on all these guns...
