FYI - We just got some more Dan Wesson 6 inch Silver in stock in our Canada Store, we are going to get our pre-order sales units out first to the customers who have been waiting for their pre-paid units and then we will take new orders, if you want one act fast as inventory is limited...
Buy Dan Wesson Revolvers in Canada - Buy Dan Wesson Revolvers 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.
The verdict is not out yet for the Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 4.5mm BB Pistol. I really had no idea what this airgun was like and so I was eagerly awaiting for it to show up so I could get a closeer look at it. For a $79 gun you do get a lot: 400 fps, with a 20 round drop out metal magazine, included laser sight with pressure switch, small pack of 4.5mm zinc plated BB's and a pair of protective shooting glasses. All in all a good value!
The down side is most of the gun is moulded plastic including the laser sight but what do you want for a few bucks? To really know if this airgun is a bargain or not, I will need to test it out on the Chronograph and a target. I think the real world performance is going to make it or break it for me with this one so stay tuned for the upcoming review...
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...
I am still waiting for some updated photos but we now have the Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 BB pistol with laser in stock. I am expecting to get my review copy shipped from the Toronto warehouse early next week so for sure I will have some photos and a better description I can share with you shortly...
I have been asked so many times to make a "How To Video" on cleaning Airguns and Blank Guns so I thought I better make the video so people stop asking me to make one :) and if they do ask, which I am sure they still will, then I will be able to direct them to this awesome video tutorial...
So basically in this video I clean an Airgun that can be field stripped and I also clean an Airgun that can not easily be field stripped. I then clean a blank gun even thought the process is very much the same.
I also talk a bit about cleaners and general air gun maintenance but for the most part I just show you how to clean the guns so watch the video!
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!
Type: .22 caliber pistol.
Manufacturer:Chiappa.
Model:1911-22 Tactical.
Materials: Metal (Chiappalloy & Steel).
Weight: 2 pounds.
Barrel: 5 inches, metal rifled.
Propulsion: Gun Powder.
Action: Semi auto, single action only.
Ammunition Type: .22LR caliber rimfire.
Ammunition Capacity: 10 round magazine.
FPS: 1,138 - 1255.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical semi auto pistol is fairly heavy at the start of it's life at close to 10 pounds! This is a bit distracting but it has been reported that as the metals harden and the gun breaks in (Closer to the 2000-3000 round mark), you can expect a much lighter trigger pull of closer to 5 pounds.
Accuracy: I put about 500 rounds through the Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 and took some time getting used to how it felt and also shot several groups on target before I did my final test group. I shot two full magazines (20 shots) and was able to get a 6-7 inch group from 10 yards out (30 feet). I was shooting in a standing unrested position using the open sights unadjusted and my grouping was well center but just a tad bit high and to the left. Interestingly enough I had a nice tight 5 shot sub-group that all landed within each other almost dead center on target.
Build Quality: The Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical 22LR is not built out of the same hardened steel material (with the exception of some key high stress areas) as you would find in a large caliber hand gun as it is not necessary with the lower pressure of 22LR rimfire ammunition, but it is an almost all metal gun and seems to have decent fit and finish. Chiappa utilizes a special proprietary metal they call Chiappalloy throughout much of the pistol to make the 1911-22 look, feel and weigh about the same as a conventional 1911 45 auto.
Realism: The Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical looks the part for sure of a real 1911 A1 styled 45 auto. It even feels about the same weight and has a similar balance to it. On the outside you can tell because of the smaller diameter .22 caliber barrel and the lack of a working grip safety. Internally the 1911-22 has a fixed barrel which is not true to the original 1911 design but it does make the 22LR version more accurate and simpler in design.
Purchased From: Wholesale supplier.
Pros:
Inexpensive to purchase and shoot but still has that "1911" look and feel.
Came with two 10 round magazines.
Comes in a nice hard shell case.
Can add an accessory rail under the barrel.
Adjustable rear sight for windage.
Fixed barrel for better accuracy and less moving parts.
Nice realistic weight adn ballance to it.
Very easy to take down and clean.
Similar dimensions to a real 1911 and should fit most holsters and add-ons.
Has a secondary "tool based" firing pin lock for safe storage.
Made in Italy.
<!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-9036472715040282"; /* Replica Airguns Content */ google_ad_slot = "1487049688"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 15; //-->
Cons:
Trigger is very heavy at first - needs to be broken in!
Slide spring is very light which can lead to some cycling problems if you are not careful.
No working grip safety like the real 1911.
Plastic magazines.
Comments:
My Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical first impression was that it kind of had a blank gun look and finish too it which is not a bad thing but I wondered if it would take the abuse of constant 22LR rounds being shot through it and it most certainly did. Chiappa has put hardened steel where it needs to be and used their proprietary Chiappalloy where it is best suited. after about the first 100 rounds the 1911-22 stated performing consistently for me using a couple of brands of 22LR I brought with me and cycled both 22LR Standard Velocity and High Velocity just fine. I did notice it started to act up at around the 400 round mark but on inspection, the Chiappa 1911-22 just needed a cleaning to clear the debris that was forming in the breach area. I would also suggest keeping the magazines loaded up fore a few weeks to decrease the spring tension which helps with chambering the first couple of rounds out of a new magazine. Overall, I am really happy with my Chiappa 1911-22 purchase and plan to shoot this gun often and extensively!
My Vimeo Video Review for the Chiappa 1911-22 Tactical .22LR Pistol:
I have a new air pistol for my Canadian customers arriving in about a week! Sorry I have limited info on this Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911, I will updating the info here as soon as I know more about it?
I figure at $59 and it comes with a laser sight, safety glasses and 250 BB's to get you stated, well you can't go too wrong! Why not be the first one on the block to have one ;)
This is what I do know so far:
Pre-Order-Special - Save $20 by ordering now and reserving yours now! (Expected the first week in March)
Type: .22 caliber pistol.
Manufacturer:ISSC.
Model:M22.
Materials: Metal & Polymer.
Weight: 1.5 pounds.
Barrel: 4.17 inches, metal rifled.
Propulsion: Gun Powder.
Action: Semi auto, single action.
Ammunition Type: .22LR caliber rimfire.
Ammunition Capacity: 10 round magazine.
FPS: 1,138 - 1255.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ISSC M22 semi auto pistol is fairly light at about 4.4 pounds and it has a nice predictable break point. Some people claim the trigger itself is a bit edgy but I did not find this the case for myself at least when shooting off several hundred rounds at a time. No blisters for me :)
Accuracy: I put about 500 rounds through the ISSC M22 and took some time getting used to how it felt and also shot several groups on target before I did my final test group. I shot two full magazines (20 shots) and most of my shots (17 out of 20) landed within a 3 inch group from 10 yards out (30 feet). I was shooting in a standing unrested position using the open sights unadjusted and my grouping was well center but just a tad bit high. I was very happy with these results.
Build Quality: The ISSC M22 is a very well made pistol in just about every way. The materials are very good and the fit and finish is excellent. There is nothing cheap about this gun and even after over 500 shots through the M22, it still looked brand new (after a well needed cleaning of course) with barely any wear marks to speak of. I especially liked the solid aluminum magazines. I have no doubt this 22 caliber pistol will last me for a long time.
Realism: The ISSC M22 may not be a bang on copy of a Glock but it certainly looks the part with only a few exceptions like the rear hammer, safety and fixed internal barrel. I have even heard you can use real Glock accessories with this semi auto pistol! Even the kick kind of surprised me, I was using high velocity 22LR rounds and they gave me a nice crisp recoil that of course was not as hard as a 9mm but never the less it was enough for working on double taps and rapid sight acquisition.
Purchased From: Wholesale supplier.
Pros:
Inexpensive to purchase and shoot but still has that "Glock like" look and feel.
Came with two 10 round magazines.
Very well made - no quality issues as far as I can tell.
Accessory rail under the barrel.
Very usable sights similar to a real Glock. (also fully adjustable).
Ambidextrous safety and de-cocker.
Similar trigger safety as a real Glock.
Very easy to take down and clean.
Nice compact and light weight.
Similar dimensions to a Glock and may work with many of the same accessories.
Made in Austria like the Glock.
<!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-9036472715040282"; /* Replica Airguns Content */ google_ad_slot = "1487049688"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 15; //-->
Cons:
Can come off of safety kind of easy.
Some Glock users may not like the external hammer and safety setup?
Some people have commented on it being a bit picky with certain ammo and the trigger being a bit edgy.
Comments:
I really fell in love with the ISSC M22 22LR Glock copy. I know this gun is going to get a lot of use and to be honest I'm not even worried about it. With the low cost of 22LR ammo I will be shooting this gun more than any of my other pistols simply because it's totally fun, and gives me almost the exact same experience as my larger caliber semi auto shooters at about 1/10th the price to shoot. I'm pretty sure I will even get out to the range more often knowing that I can shoot the entire day for about $20! I found the M22 to be reliable, accurate and comfortable while shooting so as far as I'm concerned the ISSC M22 is a real winner!
My Vimeo Video Review for the ISSC M22 Glock Copy .22LR Pistol:
Type: BB air pistol.
Manufacturer:UmarexUSA.
Model:Smith & Wesson M&P R8. Buy in CAN - Buy in US
Materials: Plastic (polymer) and some metal construction.
Weight: 1.37 pounds.
Barrel: 5.1 (6.5) inches, metal smooth bore.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2 x 1.
Action: Repeater, single and double action.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 8 shot rotary magazine.
FPS: 420.
If you haven't already checked out my Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P Table Top Review, make sure to do so for all the details and specifications on the Umarex S&W M&P R8 CO2 BB Revolver.
This Field Test Review focusses primarily on how the S&W M&P R8 performs in feet per second velocity, its accuracy and of course my comments on it's shoot-ability and CO2 efficiency.
Although the Umarex R8 did not get a very high average FPS rating (336 fps 8 shot average), it was very cold on my test day and on the positive side, the lower FPS enables the R8 to get a lot of shots per CO2, I would imagine you can get close to 200 useable shots out of one CO2 cartridge with the Umarex S&W M&P R8. The low usage of CO2 also make this gun very quiet to shoot so if you live in an area where noise is a factor the R8 may be a great choice for you.
<!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-9036472715040282"; /* Replica Airguns Content */ google_ad_slot = "1487049688"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 15; //-->
During my Table Top Review, the trigger felt a bit heavy to me but when actually shooting the R8 it felt pretty good in both single and double action with the double action actually surprising me a bit at how it seemed to smooth out. I was able to get very good double action target results even when shooting close together. When shooting in single action on a target I managed to get six out of eight shots within the 1.5 inch bulls eye, two stragglers made it outside but overall the Umarex S&W M&P R8 shot very well for a smooth bore BB pistol.
As far as mechanical consistency the Umarex S&W M&P R8 performed perfectly for me with no malfunctions of any kind and other then reloading being just a bit awkward (There is not much room to get the magazine out for reloading - very tight tolerances) the Umarex R8 makes for a very decent low cost BB revolver.
If you're on a budget and want a replica CO2 BB revolver with good accuracy and tons of shots per CO2, the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P makes for a very suitable option.
My Vimeo Field Test Review for the Smith & Wesson M&P R8 BB CO2 Revolver:
Make sure to also checkout my Field Test Review of the Umarex S&W M&P R8 for the real world performance results!
Type: BB air pistol.
Manufacturer: UmarexUSA.
Model: Smith & Wesson M&P R8. Buy in CAN - Buy in US
Materials: Plastic (polymer) and some metal construction.
Weight: 1.37 pounds.
Barrel: 5.1 (6.5) inches, metal smooth bore.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2 x 1.
Action: Repeater, single and double action.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 8 shot rotary magazine.
FPS: 420.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P R8 is not too bad but has a stickiness to it right at the beginning as the cylinder rotates and pushes the metal spring "feed ramp"in and out. Shooting this revolver pre-cocked in single action mode is a bit smoother but also has some resistance right at the beginning. Overall I would say it has a medium pull to it. UPDATE: When actually shooting this gun, the trigger felt very respectable and I was able to get excellent accuracy result shooting in both single and double action.
Accuracy: Very good! I got 6 out of 8 shots inside my 1.5 inch bullseye and only two shots went outside a bit. these results where done shooting from 20 feet out in a semi-rested position. I also shot freehand in double action shooting quickly and also got a fairly well placed grouping. When it came to FPS performance the Umarex S&W M&P R8 was a bit disappointing (336 fps average 8 shots) but on the plus side it got well over 150 shots per CO2 and was extremely quite to shoot.
Build Quality: This is an almost all external polymer air pistol with some metal components on the inside like the inner barrel, hammer and some other internal framing components. The fit and finish is very good on the S&W M&P R8 and the plastic seems rigid and does not have much flex to it. Overall the R8 has decent weight but I felt another half pound would have helped this gun out.
Realism: The Umarex S&W M&P R8 is a licensed replica of the actual Smith & Wesson M&P R8 revolver. It is a very close looking copy in almost every way. There is a lot of attention to detail that helps make this gun very believable like the Smith and Wesson markings throughout the airgun and full size swing out cylinder!
Provided by: ReplicaAirguns.com
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
The Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P R8 BB CO2 Revolver based on my first impressions in this table top review portion is a rather nice low cost CO2 revolver. Other than it's low cost, it has a lot going for it like the extensive Smith & Wesson trademarks and the full size swing out 8 round cylinder, just like its hard hitting 357 big brother. The S&W M&P R8 also has an adjustable rear sight and full single and double action trigger for fast paced shooting or slowed down precision. I also really like the well hidden CO2 tab and larger diameter barrel opening that add to the realism of this Air pistol. Yes it shoots BB's only, and yes it is mostly plastic but I think once you start shooting this gun you will quickly forget these two minor shortcomings and remember how little all this enjoyment cost you!
My YouTube Table Top Review for the Smith & Wesson M&P R8 BB CO2 Revolver:
As you know I have been doing some reviews of my 22LR "Real Steel" guns and I added a couple more to the collection I want to share with you all. From my past experience, airguners also like the low cost 22LR guns for a variety of reasons including reduced operating cost, low recoil, lots of places to shoot them and so on...
Today I bring to you a quick preview of my ISSC M22 Glock Copy in 22LR and also my Chiappa 1911-22 1911 22LR Copy. You may also remember the review I did a while back of the ISSC MK22 SCAR styled 22LR.
<!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-9036472715040282"; /* Replica Airguns Content */ google_ad_slot = "1487049688"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 15; //-->
I took both these guns to the gun range and put several hundred rounds through them and by the end they where both shooting very reliable using inexpensive box Blazer 22LR ammo. I stuck with this ammo because it seemed to be working well. The Chiappa 1911-22 was a bit pickier at first but I think it was mainly to do with a rather stiff magazine spring, making it difficult for the first couple rounds to chamber, again most of this sorted itself out by the end of the shooting day.
My ISSC M22 really performed well, the slide was a bit tight at first creating a few failures to chamber and eject but after a few magazines it settled right down and would hammer through all 10 rounds with no problems. I am really loving this little 22LR Glock replica!
Stay tuned for my full reviews on both of these guns and enjoy my Vimeo preview video for now!
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!
Finally got my hands on a Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P R8 Revolver to review for you. I have been waiting for what seems like forever and although it is a bit on the light side it looks durable enough. I will hopefully be staring my review process at the tail end of this week.
There is a lot of use of plastic in the S&W M&P R8 but I can say it does make for a good all weather robust kind of shooter. It does feel good and solid in the hand and I like the fact that the swing out cylinder is all one piece with no tell tail sign of a pellet or BB magazine like some of the other revolvers on the market. I'm not sure if it's going to stack up to the Dan Wesson line but then again it is only a fraction of the cost of a Dan Wesson revolver.
Good things come in pairs so I figured I'd get a Glock 22LR to go with my 1911 22 LR and since I already had another rather nice ISSC 22LR product the ISSC MK22 SCAR 22LR I picked up something familiar and went with the ISSC M22 22LR Glock-Styled semi auto pistol.
From first inspection it is really well made pistol, very similar in design to a Glock but with a few differences like the hammer and safety but still close enough to satisfy many large caliber Glock shooters. I am looking forward to shooting this one for sure!
Yes this is mainly an Airguns and blank gun website but every time I post something regarding my 22LR Firearms, I get lots of great feedback and it seems airguners are also into the small caliber firearms for many of the same reasons... cheaper to buy and shoot, can also shot them in more locations. Less recoil means less fatigue at the end of the day too.
I don't have much to tell you about my recently purchased Chiappa 1911-22 Tactical 22LR semi auto pistol but I will be doing a review on it down the road just a bit so stay tuned. So far it looks pretty nice and has the size and weight of a 1911 45.
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.
