Entries in How To,Review

KWC Desert Eagle .50 & Sigma SW40F Blowback Airsoft Pistol Review

10 Comments

Type: Airsoft Pistols.

Manufacturer:KWC.

Model:Desert Eagle .50 & Sigma SW40F.

Materials: Metal slide & polymer frame.

Weight: 2.5/1.8 pounds.

Barrel: Metalnon-rifled smooth bore.

Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.

Action: Blowback, single action only.

Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's.

Ammunition Capacity: 21/22 rounds.

FPS: 400/390.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull for both KWC blowback single action pistols is very good, the Desert Eagle is a bit better with less play and a lighter pull while the Sigma SW40F still feels very good but has a little bit more take up and a slight bit more pull required.

Accuracy: I shot both guns from 20 feet out in semi rested position and got similar results. I was able to place 10 rounds in a 2.5 to 3 inch group and both guns shot well centered. I have full confidence that I could easily hit a man sized target from 50 feet away. Both KWC Airsoft pistols got right around 400 fps (5 shot average chrony testing) with the Desert Eagle only 10 fps higher than the Sigma SW40F and this was using .20 gram plastic Airsoft BB's.

Build Quality: The build quality for both guns is pretty much the same, both have a metal slide and barrel with a polymer frame and plastic grips, the Sigma SW40F had a plastic magazine release and trigger while the Desert Eagle used metal in these parts. The KWC Sigma SW40F seemed to wear a bit better as the painted finish seemed more durable. I found the metal on metal areas on the Desert Eagle where losing the paint and also in some of the high spots. Over all the guns worked very well and had good fit and finish.

Realism: The KWC Desert Eagle .50 and Sigma SW40F are very accurate replicas of their real steel counterparts, with the Desert Eagle also having the full licensing on it for added authenticity. The workings of both Airsoft guns are pretty much just like a real gun with full size drop out magazines and very heavy full blowback operation. The slides on each gun give a nice metallic sound when operating.

Available in the:Replica Airguns Store

Pros:

  • Lots of metal and good overall weight.

  • Very heavy blowback on both guns

  • Good fit and finish.

  • Excellent fps.

  • Good accuracy with both guns.

  • Very believable replicas of the real steel versions.

Cons:

  • Paint wear in high spots noticeable on the Desert Eagle.

  • Non adjustable sights.

  • Both go through CO2 fast.

  • No trademarks on the Sigma SW40F.

Comments:

It's wonderful to get these KWC blowback Airsoft guns here in Canada finally and have the ability to review them for everyone. They remind me a lot of the Cybergun 4.5mm Steel BB blowback pistols very much and this is probably because there are Airsoft version of these guns also distributed by KWC. Whether you want one of these very nice Airsoft pistols for plinking and target practice or to use in battle on the Airsoft field, either gun would make a great choice. I am really loving the fact that I now have more guns I can review and Airsoft or 4.5mm Steel BB it really doesn't matter to me, I'm having way to much fun to care ;)

Desert Eagle .50AE.jpg
KWC SW40F.jpg
 
Categories: 6mm, Airsoft, Blowback, CO2, Field Test, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: DE .50, Desert Eagle, KWC, SW40F

ROHM Le Petit RG-56 and Little Joe 6mm - 22 Caliber Blank Revolver Review

10 Comments

Type: Blank revolvers.

Manufacturer:RÖHM.

Model:Le Petit RG 56 & Little Joe.

Materials: Mostly metal with plastic grips.

Weight: 472/134 grams.

Barrel: Front firing.

Propulsion: Gun powder.

Action: Revolver, single & double action/Single action only

Ammunition Type: .22 caliber crimped blanks (6mm Flobert).

Ammunition Capacity: 7/5 rounds.

FPS: NA.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull for both ROHM Le Petit and Little Joe blank revolvers in single action is nice and light. The action for both blank revolvers is very solid so cocking both guns requires a firm grip, the ROHM Le Petit also allows for double action shots and while it takes some force, the mechanics are very smooth and you can really feel the German quality in the hammer and trigger.

Accuracy: NA.

Build Quality: Even though both revolvers are made as blank/signal guns and do utilize scaled down metals (not high pressure gun steel), they are made very well and many of the internal mechanical parts, pins and screws are solid steel. The fit and finish is excellent and both guns worked flawlessly for me in my testing.

Realism: Both ROHM blank Revolvers are derivatives of similar real guns (Freedom Arms and RG 22) but again have been made from the ground up to be blank guns and can not be converted in any way shape or form to fire live ammo. The quality and feel is very believable, they also both fire out the front of the barrels and can shoot 15mm flares with the required flare adaptors attached.

Available in the: Replica Airguns Store

Pros:

  • Sold metal construction.

  • Excellent fit and finish.

  • Made in Germany.

  • Shoot lesser expensive .22 caliber crimped blanks.

  • Can also shoot 15mm flares with appropriate flare adaptor attached.

  • Come in gift box with cleaning rod and manuals (Le Petit RG-56 also comes with flare adaptor)

Cons:

  • Real wood grips would have been a nice touch but could be added later.

  • Little Joe does not come with a flare adaptor.

Comments:

We now have some blank guns that seem to be somewhat available in Canada... At least for now! And even though some of the other blank guns I was selling may have been more to the liking of the folks that where looking for a semi auto styled blank gun, the good news is both of these guns are very high quality and revolvers in general are very dependable. I also like the fact that both of the ROHM Blank Revolvers are fairly compact and so if you want to take them with you out on a hike or in the back country, they will not take up much room or add too much weight, but are still ready if required to scare off something bigger or more dangerous than you!

Rohm RG-56 .22.jpg
Rohm Little Joe.jpg
Categories: .22 cal, Blank Gun, Field Test, Pistol, Review, Revolver, YouTube Video Tags: Le Petit, Little Joe, RG-56, ROHM

Umarex Beretta 90two CO2 BB Pistol Full Review

18 Comments

Type: BB air pistol.

Manufacturer: UmarexUSA.

Model: Beretta 90two.

Materials: Metal and plastic construction.

Weight: 1.2 pounds.

Barrel: 5 inches, non-rifled.

Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.

Action: Single & double actions.

Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.

Ammunition Capacity: 21 rounds.

FPS: 375+ fps.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Beretta 90two is respectable in both single and double action, I found the 90two to be good shooting in both actions but preferred the feel of single action for more precise shooting. In double action you fire off a lot of shots quickly but the trigger is fairly long so you need to use a full pull or you may miss a shot here or there.

Accuracy: The results I got shooting my 8 round group from 20 feet out where excellent, coming in at just under a 1 inch group which is about as good as you can expect from a BB pistol of any quality. I also got well over the factory claimed 375 fps at an average of closer to 400 feet per second.

Build Quality: The Umarex Beretta 90two does use both plastic and metal in its build with an all metal slide and feels solid in the hands but I feel it would of felt even better if it had a another half pound to it or so. I had no problems with it in terms of function and the fit and finish where very good but there is always that feeling you get when you hold something with some weight to it in your hands. I do have to credit Umarex for working in a moveable slide and full size drop out magazine.

Realism: The Umarex Beretta 90 two is very realistic and includes Beretta licensing and markings throughout. As mentioned before, the moveable slide and full size drop out magazine along with the recessed barrel makes this air pistol version look very close to the real steel Beretta 90two. The only real giveaways are the exposed CO2 tab on the bottom of the magazine and the somewhat out of place safety switch on the right side of the gun.

Available in the:Replica Airguns Store

Pros:

  • Has metal working slide.

  • Full size drop out magazine that holds BB's and CO2.

  • Full Beretta Licensing and markings.

  • Single and double action trigger.

  • Rail for adding accessories.

  • Above claimed fps with good usage of CO2 and excellent accuracy.

Cons:

  • Gun could be a bit heavier for added realism.

  • Non adjustable sights.

  • CO2 tab is plastic and exposed.

Comments:

Right off the bat I have to say the Umarex Beretta 90two is a step up from the Elite II, not that there is anything wrong with the Elite II, but given the choice I would go with the Beretta 90two as it's simply a more realistic version of the Beretta 92 with its working metal slide and full size drop out magazine that holds both the BB's and CO2 in it. On the performance side of things, the Umarex Beretta 90two also met or exceeded my expectations so the 90 two is not just built for show. If your a beretta fan looking for a realistic Beretta styled air gun and don't want to spend the big bucks for the all metal German made Umarex version, then the Beretta 90two is an excellent option to consider adding to your collection or even as a first time BB gun purchaser!

 
Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, CO2, Comparison, Field Test, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Beretta 90two, Umarex

Thompson 1928 Tommy Gun & ICS SG-551 SWAT AEG Airsoft Rifle Previews

No Comments

I was really excited to show you my two latest Airsoft rifle additions, the King Arms Thompson Chicago Style 1928 AEG Submachine Gun and the Cybergun ICS SIG SG-551 SWAT AEG Rifle. So I made a quick preview update video to share them both these guns with you.

The video is just a quick preview but you get to see the guns up nice and close and at the end I also show off my 9mm bullet Casing Ear Bud Headphones and talk a bit about what I like about them.

Without further ado here is My YouTube video featuring the Thompson M1928 Submachine Gun, ICS SIG SG-551 SWAT and 9mm Bullet Digital Stereo Earbuds:

Thompson 1928.jpg
Categories: 6mm, AEG, Airsoft, Full Auto, Review, Rifle, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Cybergun, King Arms, SG-551 SWAT Sigarms, Thompson 1928

Umarex Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8 CO2 BB Revolver Full Review

22 Comments

Type: BB air revolver.

Manufacturer: UmarexUSA.

Model:Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8.

Materials: Mostly metal with some plastic construction.

Weight: 2.3 pounds.

Barrel: 6 inches, non-rifled.

Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.

Action: Revolver, single & double actions.

Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.

Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.

FPS: 400fps.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8 is good in both single and double action, I wouldn't say it isn't supper light in either action but pretty decent overall. I found shooting in single action to be the most precise as the release point is instant. Shooting in double action was also fairly predictable.

Accuracy: The results I got shooting my 6 round group from a 20 foot out position where none other than impressive and I would have to say the 327 TRR8 shot the best group (just over a 1/2 inch) I have ever recorded using 4.5mm steel BB's. I'm not even sure if I have bettered these results using pellets from a rifled barreled pistol? This goes to show you how well an accurate BB gun can perform when shooting from a reasonable distance.

Build Quality: With the Umarex S&W 327 TRR8 Revolver being mostly metal, you would expect it to have a decent build quality and I am happy to say it does. Everything looked and fit well, the CO2 Revolver had good heft to it and I had absolutely no problems shooting this gun. My only real reservation is the plastic CO2 screw tab but so far with my other guns that have the same type of tabs, they are holding up well.

Realism: The Umarex Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8 is very realistic in terms of looking and operating as a revolver with it's brass shell casings you load juts like a real revolver, so yes it feels realistic and even looks a lot like a S&W 327 TRR8 to some degree. With that said, Umarex has taken some liberty on this one most likely because it is built off an existing airgun frame and to make it into a true 327 TRR8 replica would have required a complete redesign. I would have to say the Umarex S&W M&P R8 is actually a closer 327 TRR8 Replica than the gun reviewed in this video.

Available in the:Replica Airguns Store

Pros:

  • It's a revolver with actual shells! Gives you the feeling of loading and shooting a real revolver.

  • Almost all metal design.

  • Lots of detail in this gun, very well made, fit and finish is excellent.

  • Excellent power, accuracy and shots per CO2.

  • Adjustable fiber optic sights.

  • Lots of places to mount accessories.

Cons:

  • Plastic CO2 screw tab could cause problems down the road?

  • Only shoots BB's - why not make a pellet version with a rifled barrel?

  • Actually shoots 6 rounds not 8 like the real version of this revolver.

Comments:

What's not to like about this Umarex Smith & Wesson Revolver? It's built very well, it most certainly looks good, it has the best tested accuracy I have seen so far from a BB gun, it shot even higher velocities than claimed, it gets tons of shots from a single CO2, and it loads up just like a real steel revolver but at a fraction of the cost to shoot! If you want to customize yours you have plenty of options with two weaver mounts top and bottom and it comes in at a very reasonable price tag!

 
Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, CO2, Field Test, Pistol, Review, Revolver, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: S&W 327 TRR8, Umarex

Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX Pellet Pistol Table Top & Shooting Review

5 Comments

Type: Pellet air pistol.

Manufacturer:UmarexUSA.

Model:Browning Buck Mark URX.

Materials: Metal & plastic construction.

Weight: 1.5 pounds.

Barrel: 5.25 inches, metal rifled.

Propulsion: Spring piston.

Action: Break barrel, single action only.

Ammunition Type: .177 caliber pellets.

Ammunition Capacity: 1 pellet.

FPS: 320fps.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX is not too bad but I feel it is a bit heavier than the claimed 5.75 pounds. In comparison to my real steel 22LR Buck Mark, the trigger is much heavier but then again my 22LR trigger is what I would consider to be near perfection. I was able to work with the trigger as is but found I was expecting the trigger to release earlier then it actually did and I needed to apply just a bit more force than I would have liked to. Even so, with a bit of practice I was able to nail my shots.

Accuracy: Wow is all I can say, you will need to work withe the Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX a bit to get used to where the trigger breaks but once you dial it in this airgun is a tac driver. I decided to go with a non-magnified NcSTAR Ultra Compact 1x25 Red/Green Dot Sight and found it worked well with this Buck Mark pellet shooter. From 30 feet out I was able to land 4 shots pretty much right on top of each other and ended up with an under 1 inch 5 shot group, and keep in mind that I was only using a standing but rested stance (non braced).

Build Quality: Considering the very low price tag for this pellet shooting Buck Mark Replica, I was not expecting it to be as well constructed as it was, there is a decent amount of metal in teh URX giving it a nice 1.5 pound heftiness to it and the rubberized grips make this air pistol feel much more expensive than it is. My only concern is the hinge area in the break barrel portion of the gun, once cocked there seems to be some play that could effect accuracy down the road when wear appears. But once locked back into the closed position the play is all but eliminated.

Realism: The Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX is a licensed replica of the actual Browning Buck Mark 22LR semi auto pistol. Umarex did a great job making this break barrel pistol look very close in most ways to the actual Browning Buck Mark URX with the exception of the lever required to cock the spring that is located just under the back of the barrel. The barrel itself is also a tad bit long but I am sure this helps when cocking to get a bit more leverage. When you consider this is a single shot break barrel pellet shooting version, it looks pretty authentic and most importantly it feels very similar to the real 22LR version which makes it a great off range alternative for 22LR Buck Mark owners.

Available in the:Replica Airguns Store

Pros:

  • Very decent Browning Buck Mark Replica!

  • Feels very well built overall for a low cost airgun.

  • Excellent accuracy once you spend a bit of time with it.

  • Got much better than claimed fps.

  • Has a built in rail for an added sight system.

  • Awesome rubberized grip texture.

  • Ergonomics are much like the real Buck Mark making this a great off the range substitution for the real 22LR pistol.

  • Very low price tag.

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, Break Barrel, Field Test, Pellet, Pistol, Review, Scope, Single Shot, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags: Browning Buck Mark URX, Umarex

RAP4 RAM X50 (Sig P226) .43 Caliber Blowback Paintball Pistol Field Test Review

3 Comments

Right off the bat I have to say I had a great time making this Field Test Video Review of the RAP4 RAM X50 (Sig P226) .43 Caliber Blowback Paintball Pistol. I did something I don't generally do, I went back into my forest area of the property and setup some human sized targets (5 gallon buckets) and did some tactical real world shooting simulation, it was a lot of fun and the RAP4 RAM X50 Paintball Pistol worked perfectly for this as I could very easily see exactly where I was shooting and also did not have to worry too much about rebounding ammo.

This video only covers the shooting performance of the RAP4 RAM X50, so checkout my Table Top Review for things like the Specifications and Features.

In this video I start out by doing a Chronograph Test and shoot not only Paintball rounds but also some Rubber bullet and got very good average FPS results using both ammo types (288 fps using .43 caliber Rubber Balls and 279 fps using .42 caliber Paintballs).

I also tested the accuracy out from 20 feet away in a semi rested position and got about an 8 inch group with a full 9 round magazine, which on a human sized target would do the trick for sure. Keep in mind this is not a target pistol! My Tactical Field or should I say "Forest test", showed that this paintball pistol performs very well when used in a simulated shooting scenario.

I can really see a use for a gun like this, mainly for training oneself on how to acquire targets quickly and how to improve your tactical shooting skills.

Categories: .43 cal, Blowback, CO2, Field Test, Paintball, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: RAP4, Ram X50

RAP4 RAM X50 (Sig P226) .43 Caliber Blowback Paintball Pistol Table Top Review

3 Comments

Type: Paintball Pistol.

Manufacturer:RAP4.

Model:RAP4 RAM X50

Materials: Metal & Polymer.

Weight: 2.2 pounds.

Barrel: 4.63 inches, metal non-rifled.

Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.

Action: Semi auto, single & double action with blowback.

Ammunition Type: .43 caliber paintball or rubber bullet.

Ammunition Capacity: 9 round magazine.

FPS: 250-300fps.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Real Action Paintball RAP4 X50 is rather nice, being a true blowback action gun, the cycling of the slide not only chambers a round but also pre-cocks the hammer allowing for a very smooth and light trigger pull in single action mode. There is also a de-cocker that allows you to release the hammer without activating the firing pin and placing the hammer in a half cock position rested about 2mm off the firing pin.

Accuracy: I did not expect amazing result with The RAM X50 Paintball Pistol in my preliminary testing as it does use rather light weight and fairly small caliber Paintballs that will be susceptible to wind gusts and the seems on them will make them a bit more turbulent than a standard Pellet, BB or Airsoft round. Even so I was able to hit pretty much any moderate sized target I shot at and I would assume in a battle situation I could place most shots on a human sized target fairly well as along as I was not too panic stricken ;)

Build Quality: The RAP4 RAM X50 Sig Sauer P226 styled Pistol is built very well, it does have a polymer frame but the gun overall has lots of metal parts and a very good overall 2.2 pounds weight to it dry. The blowback action is very snappy and all the mechanics and fit and finish all look and function very nicely. The only function that was not working on my "used" gun was the slide catching on the last round. I have not looked into it too much to see what may be the problem but I can see some wear on the catch area of the slide that may be causing it. I have no idea how the previous owners may have cared for this Paintball gun but overall it is in good condition.

Realism: The RAP4 RAM X50 was primarily made to simulate real word shooting environments for Police and Military users and even though it is not branded and licensed as such, it is a bang on copy of a Sig Sauer P226 Semi Auto Pistol. Other than the exception of the CO2 Cylinder hanging a bit far out of the bottom of the handle, The RAM X50 would be hard to tell from the Real Steel Sig Sauer P226, especially when looking down the large .43 caliber barrel. The Blowback action and firm recoil help pull off the believability when shooting this Paintball Pistol.

Purchase it from:The Replica Airguns Store

Pros:

  • Good weight and solid feeling gun.

  • Full metal slide with nice heavy blowback recoil.

  • All metal heavy 9 round magazines.

  • Very Accurate Sig Sauer P226 replica.

  • Everything works pretty much like the real gun so a great training tool.

  • Fairly affordable in the US adn Canada.

  • Seemed to have Decent accuracy, decent amount of shots, about 3-4 good magazines

  • Nice light single action trigger.

Cons:

  • CO2 cylinder sticks out from the handle and looks a bit odd.

  • My slide does not lock back after the last shot, may be a potential wear problem?

  • Does not field Strip conventionally.

Comments:

I have had my eye on this paintball pistol for some time now, the first time I saw it, it was behind the counter in a Paintball store and generally in Canada they sell in retail shops for about $450+ so I have kind of been holding off to see if it woudl come my way a bit more affordably. The time came when I was able to leverage another sought after item I had and I was able to add this gun to my collection. I found that it shoots much like many of my other blowback airguns but perhaps with a bit more force than most. Shooting at targets 20-40 feet away was easy and the Paintball's had no problems breaking on contact with most medium to hard objects. I normally would not have a need for Paintball pistol but heck, why not if it looks this good and next time I go out to a paintball battle, I will have a surprise waiting for when I run out of rifle ammo or need to work in some close combat situations...

 
Categories: .43 cal, Blowback, CO2, Paintball, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: RAP4, Ram X50, Umarex

ASG AW .308 Accuracy International England Airsoft Sniper Rifle Review

20 Comments

Type: Airsoft Rifle.

Manufacturer:ASG.

Model: ASG AW .308 Airsoft Sniper Rifle.

Materials: Metal & plastic.

Weight: 6.61 pounds.

Barrel: 19 inches, smooth bore.

Propulsion: Spring.

Action: Bolt action single shot.

Ammunition Type: Airsoft 6mm Plastic BB's.

Ammunition Capacity: 28 rounds.

FPS: Up-to 449.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ASG AW .308 Sniper Rifle is very nice, there is very little play, once the trigger safety is flush the release is almost instant and the pull is very light but not so light that you would accidentally shoot it.

Accuracy: Being an Airsoft Rifle and a Sniper rifle in one made me wonder if you could actually get a tight grouping at longer distances? I'm sure hitting a human target at 60 feet shouldn't be too hard but what about a pop can consistently? With a bit of fine tuning I was able to get a 2 inch grouping at 60 feet out using a rested position. And with the Hop-up dialed in, my aim point was the same at 30 feet as it was at 60 feet as a result of the backspin keeping the trajectory even all the way out.

Build Quality: The ASG AW .308 is not over the top price wise so I was not expecting it to be built like a Sherman tank. It is however solid enough but also light enough to use in the field without having to lug around too much extra weight. Most of the parts that you want to be metal are metal including the barrel, bolt & receiver, trigger, magazine, strap rings and rial system. The stock is of course plastic with some added rubber and seems to be hollow in parts which I am assuming is what keeps this rifle on the lean side.

Realism: Without actually having handled a real AW .308 Accuracy International England Sniper Rifle, it's hard to say how spot on it is but it does look very similar to the photos I found online with the exception of the magazine being further forward on the stock. It is a nice touch that the actual Accuracy International England licensing is also on the ASG AW .308.

Available at the:Canada Replica Airguns Store.

Pros:

  • Extremely fun to shoot (Even though it's not a semi or full auto gun).

  • No CO2 or batteries required, ready when you are.

  • Excellent accuracy at most ranges.

  • Very nice trigger.

  • Good power.

  • Good use of metal parts.

  • Will not break the bank.

Cons:

  • Does not come with a sighting system so you need to buy something to shoot it.

  • Light Airsoft BB's will not give you good results, use high end heavy Airsoft BB's for best results.

  • Stock looks adjustable but is not, was not a problem, everything felt good!

  • Some things are not explained in the manual?

Comments:

I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing this Airsoft rifle, you would think that a full auto gun would be so much more fun to shoot and don't get me wrong they are fun to shoot, but there is something to be said about setting up a target well down range, getting into position to take the shot and slowly squeezing off one well placed round! And of course hitting the target. I really like the fact that all you need is a bunch of Airsoft BB's and you're ready to go, no CO2, no dead batteries to deal with. Every time a do another Airsoft review I am impressed with how well these guns shoot and how accurate they are! The ASG AW .308 took this to an even higher level and also showed me that an Airsoft BB can pack some real punch to it. All in all it was a good day and I have a feeling when I get the urge to fire off some well placed rounds just for fun, this rifle is going to get picked more often than not.

 
Categories: 6mm, Airsoft, Field Test, Review, Rifle, Scope, Single Shot, YouTube Video Tags: ASG, AW .308 Sniper

Daisy Powerline 5501 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol Table Top & Shooting Review

5 Comments

Type: BB air pistol.

Manufacturer: Daisy.

Model: Powerline 5501.

Materials: Mostly metal.

Weight: 1.44 pounds.

Barrel: 4 inches, smooth bore.

Propulsion: CO2.

Action: Semi auto, blowback, single action.

Ammunition Type: Steel BBs 4.5mm.

Ammunition Capacity: 15 rounds.

FPS: Up-to 430.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Daisy Powerline 5501 is about average, a bit long but fairly smooth and about a medium pull weight. The first part of the action loads a BB into the chamber and the second part releases the hammer which give the pistol a bit of a creepy first stage.

Accuracy: I was not impressed with how my Daisy 5501 performed in the accuracy portion of this review, it got about a 3 inch 8 shot group from 20 feet out in a semi rested position, in comparison many of my BB pistols can easily get a 1 inch grouping shooting this way. I may try a different brand of BB's even though the RWS BB's I used where of high quality, they just may have not suited this pistol? FPS velocities where a bit under the manufacturers claimed ratings but very close at a respectable average of 386 fps with my 8 shot test shooting on a somewhat cold day. Not bad for a blowback pistol!

Build Quality: The Daisy Powerline 5501 is a pretty much all metal pistol with what looks to be very good build quality. The 5501 is made in Japan, I have found most Japanese made guns to be well made in the past. The frame, slide, trigger, safety, slide catch, CO2 screw, and de-cocker are all metal and of course many of the internal parts too. The only plastic parts to speak of are the grips and the magazine. I would have liked to have seen the magazine with more metal in it but for the most part it is protected within the gun so you should be OK.

Realism: The Daisy Powerline 5501 is loosely styled after the Sig Sauer in combination with a Walther semi auto pistol. It is lacking a cut-out ejection port that would have added greatly to its realism. I would have also liked to have seen a metal magazine as it's seems a bit cheap compared to the rest of the pistol. I do like the fact that the barrel tip has a large diameter opening making the gun look more like the larger caliber weapon it is styled after. It's also one of the few BB pistols with a working de-coker on it.

Available at:Replica Airguns Store US.

Pros:

  • Lots of metal in this gun!

  • Nice hard blowback.

  • Good fps velocity and decent shots per CO2.

  • The two-tone look is very nice with a stainless look to the frame.

  • Accessory rail makes adding a tactical light or laser easy.

  • Warning instructions on slide are color matched to be more discreet.

  • Very well designed CO2 tightening system and also well hidden.

Cons:

  • Did not shoot very accurately for me with the BB's I used.

  • Ejection port is not cut out, takes away from the realism a bit.

  • All plastic magazine.

  • No white dotes on rear sight.

Comments:

All in all I liked this Daisy Powerline 5501, other than the poor results I got in terms of accuracy using my chosen zinc platted RWS BB's, the Powerline 5501 was really very good in all other aspects. I think it is a rather nice looking gun with excellent build quality throughout with lots of metal giving the 5001 a nice 1.5 pounds weight. The Daisy 5501 had very heavy and snappy blowback while retaining decent shots per CO2 and respectable close to 400 fps real world velocities. This Daisy Powerline 5501 blowback BB pistol is priced at well under $100 making it very good value in my mind.

My Vimeo Video Comparison Review for the Daisy Powerline BB Pistol:

 
Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Blowback, CO2, Field Test, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Daisy, Powerline 5501

Umarex SW1911 S 9mm P.A.K. Blank Gun Full Review

6 Comments

Type: Blank Gun.

Manufacturer:UMAREX USA.

Model:SW1911 S

Materials: Mostly Metal with rubber grips.

Weight: 2.2 pounds.

Barrel: Top venting with fully plugged barrel.

Propulsion: Gun powder.

Action: Single action only.

Ammunition Type: 9mm P.A.K.

Ammunition Capacity: 8-10 rounds.

FPS: N/A.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex SW1911 S is actually fairly heavy which I found a bit surprising because it is a single action only gun. I found myself thinking a few times that the gun may have misfired but realised that I just needed to pull the trigger a bit firmer. This can be good in that the gun will not easily or accidentally go off and since accuracy is not a factor it is not a big deal.

Accuracy: NA.

Build Quality: The overall build quality of the SW1911 S is fantastic. It is one of the nicest blank guns in terms of overall build quality and finish quality. The tolerances are very tight and the quality of the workmanship is top notch. When holding the Umarex SW1911 it has a lot of mass to it and feels just like a real 1911 in the hand. This blank pistol is made in Germany!

Realism: The Umarex SW1911 S is a replica of a Smith and Wesson 1911 semi auto pistol but I could not find an exact match to a specific model they currently make. It is licensed and branded by Smith & Wesson and in terms of looking like a real steel gun it is bang on with the exception of the exhaust notch that is cut into the top of the slide. Interestingly enough I think Umarex may have not even needed to cut out this notch as my slow motion video shows that all the burn off happens before the slide even starts to move.

Purchase from: The US Replica Airguns Store.

Pros:

  • Very well made, materials fit and finish is all very good.

  • Two-tone finish looks very nice.

  • Very true to the original 1911 - (A1 styled).

  • Love the nice rubber wrap around grips.

  • I was able to fit 10 rounds in the magazine (2 extra)!

  • German made quality.

Cons:

  • Top venting.

  • Notch cut out of slide takes away from the realism a bit.

  • Magazine can be a bit tuff to get in (pressing the magazine release helps).

  • Heavy trigger pull on mine.

Comments:

Even though the Umarex SW1911 S had a few shortcoming like being a top venting gun, having the notch cut out of the slide and perhaps a bit heavy of a trigger, I still really like it! The quality is evident throughout this fine German made blank gun and you can just tell it's made right. This is also my first true replica blank gun as it is fully licensed by Smith & Wesson, something that has been lacking in all my other blank guns because of our Canadian importation laws. I really wish I could get my hands on some more "replica blank guns" as I don't mind giving up the front firing for top venting to obtain a blank gun that is a true replica.

 
Categories: 9mm, Blank Gun, Field Test, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Umarex

Crosman M4-177 Pellet-BB Multi-pump Air Rifle Table Top & Shooting Review

6 Comments

Type: Pellet/BB Multi-pump Air Rifle.

Manufacturer:Crosman.

Model:M4-177.

Materials: Plastic with some metal.

Weight: 3.6 pounds.

Barrel: 16.75 inches, rifled.

Propulsion: Multi-pump.

Action: Single shot - bolt action with manual advance magazine.

Ammunition Type: .177 caliber pellets & 4.5mm steel BB's.

Ammunition Capacity: 5 shot pellet magazine - 18 shot BB internal BB magazine - 350 round BB hopper.

FPS: Up to 495 in Canada and 600 fps in the US.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman M4-177 is medium length and fairly light. The trigger mainly releases the bolt so no pre-cocking is required. It takes a bit to get used to where the release point since there are no real warning indicators. The trigger is plastic but seems to work just fine as there is no real load on the trigger when shooting.

Accuracy: I found the Crosman M4-177 Air Rifle to be a very good shooter, getting about a 3/4 inch grouping from 30 feet out in a semi rested position (sand bag up front, standing in the back). I also put 3 rounds through my Chrony Chronograph and the M4-177 averaged about 410 fps with the 10 pump maximum which is about what I would expect from the Canadian detuned version, keep in mind the US non-detuned version shoots up in the 600 fps range so it would have been nice if the Canadian version got closer to our legal non-registered limit of 500 fps.

Build Quality: The Crosman M4-177 Multi-pump Air Rifle is mostly plastic which some of my viewers will not like, but for a sub $100 Replica Air Rifle it hits the mark in terms of affordability and if it was an all metal airgun you would more than likely expect to double the price tag - if not more! Even though plastic is used throughout the Air Rifle, there are some internal metal parts where they need to be, the fit and finish is very good and I do not get the feeling that the Crosman M4-177 is cheaply made in any way.

Realism: The Crosman M4-177 is a respectable M4/AR replica. It is not exact in terms of true dimensions as the forward stock is a bit long to accommodate the pumping mechanism, (kind of long like the original AR but without the tapering). Crosman did a good job to add all the parts that you would find on a real M4/AR even if they are simply for show and are molded into the plastic. I particularly like the removable iron sights and full rail for mounting a scope or red dot sight. I am also really glad to see a Replica Assault rifle on the market as so few of them are available in pellet or steel BB shooters.

Available in the: Replica Airguns Store.

Pros:

  • One of the few replica Air Rifles on the market (MP5K PDW & Mini UZI).
  • Very well priced.
  • Excellent accuracy!
  • Comes with detachable and adjustable iron sights.
  • Fully adjustable stock.
  • Picatinny rail on top for just about any type of sight system.
  • Option of shooting pellets or BB's.

Cons:

  • Mostly plastic build.
  • Lower rails you just can not use as the pumping action gets in the way?
  • FPS is well below the Canada non PAL limit of 500 fps so maybe a bit too detuned?

Comments:

The Crosman M4-177 Multi-Pump Pellet/BB Air Rifle is in my opinion a must have air rifle, simply because... why not? How many replica pellet and steel BB shooting air rifles are there out there and for under $100 to boot? What the M4-177 lacks in metal parts, it makes up in accuracy and fun factor. And the M4-177 really is not a bad replica in terms of realism as Crosman made it a point to copy the real steel M4/AR fairly closely. I know for a fact from the emails I received and YouTube comments that many people have been looking for an M4/AR styled Air Rifle and Crosman has now delivered one to us so what are you waiting for ;)

 
Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Field Test, Multi-pump, Pellet, Review, Rifle, Single Shot, YouTube Video Tags: Crosman, M4-177

Browning Hi-power Mark III CO2 BB Pistol Table Top & Shooting Review

6 Comments

Type: BB air pistol.

Manufacturer:UmarexUSA.

Model:Browning Hi-power Mark III.

Materials: Plastic (polymer) and some metal construction.

Weight: .92 pounds.

Barrel: 4.5 inches, metal smooth bore.

Propulsion: 12 gram CO2 x 1.

Action: Semi auto, single and double action.

Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.

Ammunition Capacity: 18 shot full size drop out magazine.

FPS: 410.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Browning Hi-power Mark III is not too bad but has more resistance when the BB magazine is full as the first part of the trigger pull is dedicated to advancing a BB into the BB chamber, this is true in both single and double action. Shooting the Browning Hi-power 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 and as you can see in my shooting results the trigger did not effect the accuracy negatively at all!

Accuracy: Excellent for a BB shooter I shot a 1 inch 7 shot group from 20 feet out in a semi-rested position and this is was with open sights! I also shot freehand in double action, shooting quickly and also got a very respectable 2.5 inch pattern that represented an additional 36 shots. When it came to FPS performance the Umarex Browning Hi-power Mark III was a bit lower than claimed which is not unusual with most airguns (369 fps averaged 8 shots). The Umarex Browning Hi-power did get well over 100 shots per CO2 but I would have given up a few shots for a bit more power.

Build Quality: I would have liked to have seen this air pistol replica use a lot more metal and perhaps some more working parts. As is it is mostly plastic and very light weight but the fit and finish are good overall and the gun should work just fine and hold up over time.

Realism: The Umarex Browning Hi-power Mark III is a licensed replica of the actual Browning Hi-power Mark III semi auto pistol. It is a very close "looking" copy in almost every way. I like the fact that there are no side screw holes that you find in many plastic moulded BB pistols and the Browning Mark III has a working ambidextrous safety and magazine release just like the real Browning Hi-power Mark III. The let down here is in the .92 pound weight of the Browning BB version, it just doesn't have that "gun like" weight to it which makes it feel a bit cheap. I would have really liked to see this BB pistol in all metal and with a working slide, and I would not have minded to pay extra for the upgrade in materials.

Available in the:Replica Airguns Store

Pros:

  • Non of those side assembly screw holes which are a dead giveaway that it's an airgun.

  • Feels well built even though it is a bit light weight.

  • Inexpensive but has good fit and finish.

  • Trigger and hammer are metal.

  • Excellent accuracy and decent power.

  • Full size magazine that is very easy to load.

  • Very good replica of the actual Browning Hi-power Mark III.

  • Single and double action trigger.

<!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-9036472715040282"; /* Replica Airguns Content */ google_ad_slot = "1487049688"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 15; //-->

Cons:

  • Mostly plastic which makes the gun feel kind of light weight.

  • No working slide.

  • Could have just a bit more power even at the expense of less shots per CO2.

  • No white dots on the sights?

Comments:

The Umarex Browning Hi-power Mark III BB CO2 pistol is a very good replica of the real steel version of this gun and in terms of "looks" alone does a good job making this pistol very believable. Now once you pick it up, you know it's not the real deal because of the plastic build and much lower weight. So with that out of the way, let's talk a bit more about what I did really like about the Browning Hi-power Mark III! I liked the excellent accuracy, easy to load and use full size drop out metal magazine not often found in a low price airgun like this, and I also like the fact that there are no screw holes on the side of this gun found in so many plastic and even some metal BB guns. So overall the Browning Hi-power Mark III is a good overall replica, has excellent accuracy and is really the only Browning Hi-power available in an airgun that I know about.

My Vimeo Table Top & Shooting Review for the Browning Hi-power Mark III BB CO2 Pistol:

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, CO2, Field Test, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Browning Hi-Power, Umarex

Zoraki M917 9mm P.A.K. Blank Gun Review

13 Comments

Photo of Zoarki 917 Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"

All references, photos and video claiming that any item in this Review/Video looks like a Glock or is a Replica of a Glock in any way shape or form have been removed from this post as requested by Glock"Renzulli Law Firm"

Type: Blank Gun.

Manufacturer: Zoraki - ATAK Arms

Model: Zoraki M917

Materials: Metal slide, Polymer frame.

Weight: 1.91 pounds.

Barrel: Semi plugged - front firing.

Propulsion: Gun powder.

Action: Single action.

Ammunition Type: 9mm P.A.K.

Ammunition Capacity: 17 rounds.

FPS: N/A.

Photo of Zoarki 917 Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull has a medium pull and also has the built in trigger safety found on the real NAME REMOVED. There is also a grip safety that is used in combination with the trigger safety giving the Zoraki M917 a double safety system.

Accuracy: NA.

Build Quality: The overall build quality of this gun is excellent. The design and materials all seem to be of good quality as is true with all of the Zoraki blank guns. Out of all the blank guns I have reviewed the Zoraki gun materials and workmanship are closest to what you would find on real steel guns.

 Photo of Zoarki 917 Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"

Realism: This gun is not "supposed" to be a replica of any gun in production but it does look amazingly similar to a NAME REMOVED semi auto pistol. The Zoraki M917 is different in that it has the double safety system with the extra grip safety on the back of the grips. The take down switch is also more like what you would find on a Walther series pistols but it makes for very easy field stripping!

Supplied on loan for review.

Photo of Zoarki 917 Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"

Pros:

  • Excellent construction, built pretty much just like a real NAME REMOVED.

  • Front firing and flawless performance.

  • Interesting double safety system.

  • Super easy to field strip.

  • High capacity magazine.

  • Come with a very nice hard shell case and accessory package.

Cons:

  • Not available in Canada at this time:(

  • NAME REMOVED users may not like the double safety system.

Comments:

The Zoraki MOD 917 is another very fine blank gun from Zoraki (ATAK Arms) which is exactly what I expected it to be! It is a real shame we can not import blank guns in Canada at this time and also the recent prohibition of several of the Zoraki blank gun models like the R1, M914 and M925. Make sure to watch my YouTube video on the Zoraki M917 for more information on what is happening in Canada with blank related importation. If you're are lucky enough to live in an area like the US or other parts of the world where your government does not treat you like a small child, then you can have one of these beautiful blank shooters!

Blank gun.jpg
Categories: 9mm, Blank Gun, Field Test, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: M917, Zoraki

King Arms Colt M4A1 Metal AEG Airsoft Rifle Field Test Review

10 Comments

Type: Airsoft.

Manufacturer:King Arms.

Model:Colt M4A1 Metal AEG.

Materials: Metal & Nylon.

Weight: 6 pounds.

Barrel: 15 inches, metal.

Propulsion: AEG

Action: Semi/full auto, single action.

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

Ammunition Capacity: 300+ round magazine.

FPS: 450.

If you haven't already checked out my King Arms Colt M4A1 Table Top Review, make sure to do so for all the details and specifications on the King Arms Colt M4A1 Airsoft AEG Carbine.

This Field Test Review focusses primarily on how the AEG  M4A1 performs in feet per second velocity using .25 gram plastic Airsoft BB's, its accuracy in both semi and full auto and of course my comments on it's shoot-ability and overall performance.

For this field test review of my King Arms M4A1 Airsoft rifle I switched from the .20 gram Airsoft BB's to heavier .25 gram plastic BB's. I did this to have a comparison between the two weights since I had already Chronographed and accuracy tested the .20 gram BB's. As expected the fps dropped a bit, down to around 380 fps but still stayed very consistent for me as would be expected with an AEG styled rifle.

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Another reason I wanted to test out the heavier .25 gram Airsoft BB's is because generally speaking, heavier BB's will shoot a bit more accurately as they are not as effected by the higher fps this guns is capable of shooing. The .20 gram BB's actually did well so I had high expectation for the .25 gram BB's and I was not disappointed! For this test I shot the King Arms Colt M4A1 from 30 feet out in a semi rested position (rested on a sand bag in the front and standing in the back). I shot 10 rounds in semi auto and got a very respectable 1.5 inch group which rivals any airgun in my collection! I also shot in full auto (I can't really tell you how many rounds ;) and the King Arms Colt M4A1 punched a nice 2 inch hole in the target. I would almost say it even beat out my other full auto 4.5mm steel BB shooting guns in terms of how tight of a group it can shoot while in full auto mode.

I am sure the Airsoft Hop-up system has something to do with the accuracy as the back-rotating BB's should keep a truer trajectory. One thing I notice while shooting this AEG styled Airsoft rifle, is that there is a slight delay from the time you pull the trigger till the shot is released. The trigger is actually activating a motor which in turn pulls the internal spring back, which then releases it once it hits the end of it's cycle. It's not a long delay but it is noticeable. In full auto it really does not matter at all :)

All in all I am again impressed with what an Airsoft gun can do in terms of both looks and performance.

My Vimeo Field Test Review for the King Arms Colt M4A1 6mm AEG Airsoft Carbine:

Categories: 6mm, AEG, Airsoft, Field Test, Full Auto, Review, Rifle, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Colt M4A1, King Arms

Umarex Browning Hi-power Mark III CO2 BB Pistol Preview

9 Comments

I received another airgun from Umarex USA, this time it was the Browning Hi-Power Mark III in a 4.5mm CO2 BB Pistol. (Thanks for sending it Umarex!) I did have to cross the boarder and bring it back which always adds to the excitement because you never know what to expect and how educated the CBSA guard will be? It did go pretty smoothly this instance so I had some time to make this short Preview video for you.

Here is some of the basic info about the Umarex Hi-Power Mark III CO2 BB Pistol and by the way it is available in our US Replica Airguns Store, sorry my Canadian customers will have to wait a bit...

If you're a Browning collector, this gun belongs in your vault. The Browning Hi-Power is such a sought-after firearm, so it's about time someone made an airgun replica! This lightweight pistol shoots 4.5mm steel BB's and will deliver hours of shooting fun for only pennies per shot. Since it's a copy of the real steel firearm, you can use this air gun just about anywhere to maintain firearm proficiency without the exorbitant ammo costs or range fees.

  • 4.5mm Steel BB

  • 12 gram CO2 powered

  • 18 round full size drop out magazine

  • 410 fps

  • .75 pounds

  • 4.75 inch steel smooth Bore barrel

  • Single & double action

  • Browning licensed!

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, CO2, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Browning Hi-Power, Umarex

Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 CO2 BB Pistol Table Top Review

1 Comment

Type: BB air pistol.
Manufacturer: Swiss Arms.
Model: Sig Sauer GSR 1911.
Materials: Mostly plastic construction with a few metal parts.
Weight: 1.3 pound.
Barrel: 4.5 inches, metal non-rifled.
Propulsion: CO2 x 1.
Action: Semi auto, double action.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 20 round magazine.
FPS: 398 claimed - 450 real world.
Trigger Pull: The Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 has a double action trigger with about a medium weight pull to it. It does feel somewhat long as the break point seems to take a while to get to but once you master where it is, you can shoot this BB gun with surprising accuracy.
Accuracy: Once I sorted out the laser sight which took some MacGyvering (as explained in the video), this gun shot a nice tight pattern! For my quick test I shot free standing from 20 feet away and put 8 rounds into my target taking my time. I got about a 1.5 inch group which was very good and another note worth mentioning would be the Chronograph results I got, even though the Sig Sauer GSR 1911 CO2 BB pistol has a claimed fps of 398, mine came in consistently right around 450 fps!

Build Quality: The Swiss Arms GSR 1911 is mostly plastic and has very few actual moving parts, I'm personally not too worried about it, in fact the lack of moving parts means there is less to go wrong with it! I found the fit and finish to be good overall and as long as you are OK with the plastic this gun should be just fine for you. The only thing that would have been nice to see improved would be the laser and how it is adjusted. As is out of the box without modification, you will find that it easily moves out of aim. (I do explain how I fixed this problem in my video review)
Realism: The Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 in terms of size and looks, is about what the real gun would look like, with the exception of the trigger which is kind of a strange looking combination of triggers mashed into one. Of course being a moulded plastic airgun, it is much lighter then the real steel 1911 and has the telltale screw holes on the right hand side. The magazine ejector does work but the real steel safety, slide catch/release, hammer and grip safety are all moulded into the plastic so they do not function. On a good note the barrel muzzle is large like a real 45 caliber adding to the realism.
Purchased this gun from: The Replica Airguns Store.

Pros:

  • Much better than advertised FPS and good CO2 usage. (up to 200 shots).
  • Good accuracy once you get the laser working with the gun it adds to the ease of targeting. 
  • Inexpensive and comes with lots of extra stuff that ads value. (Safety Glasses, Laser Sight, Starter BB's)
  • Well hidden CO2 tab and 45 caliber sized muzzle.
  • Full Sig Sauer licensing, decent replica in terms of looks
  • Drop out metal magazines, compatible with other airguns (Umarex Beretta Elite II, S&W M&P)

Cons:

  • Pretty much all plastic and not many working parts (less to go wrong)
  • light weight makes it feel a bit on the cheap side.
  • Trigger action is long and takes some getting used to.
  • Laser sight needs to be MacGyvered a bit to make it stay sighted in (again watch my video on how to fix this).

Comments:
The Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 is pretty much what you would expect from a low cost airgun in terms of build quality, lots of plastic, with less working parts. This does not take away from the performance however as the GSR 1911 performed well in both accuracy and power. It also comes with the laser sight, safety glasses and starter BB's as an added bonus for about the same price as many entry level airguns on their own. If you like ultra realistic guns then this is on may not be for you, but if you want a good performer with the replica look and combined with a value package then I think you will be more than happy with the Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911.

My YouTube Video Review for the Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 CO2 Air Pistol:

Buy Swiss Arms GSR 1911 in Canada

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, Accessory, BB, CO2, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: GSR 1911, Swiss Arms

Western Arms Smith & Wesson Shorty 40 GBB Airsoft Pistol Table Top Review

9 Comments

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:

Categories: 6mm, Airsoft, Blowback, GBB, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Shorty 40, Western Arms

King Arms Colt M4A1 Metal AEG Airsoft Rifle Table Top Review

13 Comments

Type: Airsoft.

Manufacturer:King Arms.

Model: Colt M4A1 Metal AEG.

Materials: Metal & Nylon.

Weight: 6 pounds.

Barrel: 15 inches, metal.

Propulsion: AEG

Action: Semi/full auto, single action.

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

Ammunition Capacity: 300+ round magazine.

FPS: 450.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the King Arms Colt M4A1 is fairly short and light as it is essentially just an on off switch for the internal electronic components. You can shoot this gun very quickly in semi auto mode, and of course even quicker when full auto is selected.

Accuracy: Again, I tested this Airsoft rifle just like I do my other BB rifles and put 10 rounds into a target from 30 feet out using a semi rested position (sand bag in the front - standing in the rear). I used a non-magnified red dot scope for this test rather than using the built in iron sights. Like my initial WE SCAR test, when I walked up to the paper I was shocked at this Airsoft rifle shooting .20 gram plastic BB's. I again got a 2 inch 10 round grouping! I am beginning to think that a well tuned Airsoft gun can make for a pretty good target plinker!

Build Quality: The King Arms Colt M4A1 Metal AEG Carbine is very well made with a full Metal upper and lower receiver, along with metal parts exactly where they would be on the real steel version of the Colt M4. The only plastic or nylon components are the stocks and the grips and perhaps some internal parts. There is a bit of wiggle in the rear stock and metal magazine but this may be a Colt M4 attribute, for the most part the fit and finish was excellent!

Realism: As with many Airsoft guns, there is great attention to realism and the King Arms Colt M4A1 is no exception. It is an AEG and not a gas blowback Airsoft gun so it does lack some realism in terms of the hard hitting bolt action but on the other hand you can fire what seems like an endless stream of BB's in full auto with this AEG Colt M4A1 Replica. I do like the fact that the charging handle and forward assist works similarly to a real M4 and also the Dust cover cleverly exposes the internal hop-up for easy adjustment. The Colt licensing and branding throughout this M4A1 look-a-like help to really make this Airsoft rifle look believably like a real Colt M4 carbine. 

Purchased From: The Replica Airguns Store.

Pros:

  • Amazing attention to detail with lots of working parts.

  • Full colt licensing and markings.

  • All Metal upper and lower receiver, lots of metal parts throughout.

  • Semi auto & full auto selectable.

  • High capacity 300+ round magazine.

  • Removable carry handle with Weaver/Picatinny rail underneath.

  • Nice high 400+ FPS.

  • Extremely accurate for plastic BB's.

  • Fully adjustable sights with two position Peep sights.

  • 6 position adjustable stock.

  • Easy access to internal hop-up system.

Cons:

  • Magazine and stock seems bit lose.

  • Canada version does not come with battery or charger.

  • Came with the orange flash hider, you may want to replace or paint it if legal in your area?

  • May be too powerful for inside skirmishes without some detuning.

Comments:

I was not fully sure if I would warm up to an AEG style of Airsoft rifle as I really enjoy the realism of a gas blowback type of replica gun. But the overall realism of the King Arms Colt M4A1 metal AEG really won me over and the added working components like the charging handle and forward assist along with the fully adjustable sights and 6 position stock just made it for me with this Airsoft Carbine. There is something to be said about an AR15 styled gun, they just look the part and this very realistic and usable M4 Airsoft replica is not just great to hold and look at but also performs very well which would make it deadly on the field! Now if only I could find some time to use it on the field ;)

 
Categories: 6mm, AEG, Airsoft, Full Auto, Review, Rifle, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Colt M4A1, King Arms

My Top 5 Airgun Picks - Pistols Category

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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.

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Blowback, CO2, Comparison, Pistol, Repeater, Review, Revolver, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: ASG, Baikal, CZ 75 P-07 Duty, Cybergun, Dan Wesson, Desert Eagle, Makarov, Tanfoglio Witness 1911, Umarex