In this informative video I go over the very basics of gun "handling" safety. I don't talk about gun storage or even shooting of the gun, I strictly go over the main aspects of handling a gun in a safe manor.
These are the four main points I demonstrate in this video:
Fingers off the trigger till you are ready to shoot.
Keep the gun unloaded till you are ready to shoot it.
Assume your gun is loaded at ALL times.
Always point your gun in a safe direction.
Hopefully this video will prevent some unfortunate accidents, even airgun related accidents can cause serious injuries which in most cases can be prevented with the correct gun handling information.
You really need to watch my Vimeo Video to see how easy it is to take a brand new out of the box gun and give it that weathered, old, worn and used look that you would find in a classic vintage gun like a Luger P.08, Colt 45 1911 or any other classic firearm. Of course this is something you would do to a new gun that you want to make look old :)
This is a great way to take a gun that already has some wear marks on it and really give it the full worn in look, kind of an alternative to having to touch it up or refinish it.
Here is a hint... I use something magical to do it!
One of the most important keys to shooting accurately is how you grip the gun! In this video I show you the two handed grip that I use and that I have learned from watching other accurate shooters. I also talk about arm and shoulder placement which is more important when shooting large caliber pistols but even when shooting airguns that have virtually no recoil you may as well practice the correct hand arm and shoulder placement for when and if you do start shooting heavy recoil guns.
The main hand grip points I talk about in this video are how to overlap your finders and thumbs and also the pressure used by each hand that will make all the difference down range when shooting at targets.
Watch my Vimeo Tutorial Video on the Best Two Handed Pistol Grip:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Steel Force CO2 BB Machine gun is single action only, so you will need to charge the rifle by pulling back the charging handle first, one this is done the trigger is reset and ready the gun is ready to shoot. The blowback operation charges the internal bolt automatically afterwards so keep this in mind, to release the bolt you will need to take out the CO2 magazine and press the trigger. The trigger is fairly light but has some initial take up and then a bit of creep before it releases the bolt.
Accuracy: I shot the Umarex Steel Force at a target from 30 feet away in a semi rested position using both the semi auto and 6 round burst modes, the Steel Force performed very good getting around a 1.5 inch 10 shot grouping in semi auto and then spreading out a bit in 6 round burst mode which was to be expected, still a respectable grouping. Shots where well centered on the target but I did have the advantage of using a red dot scope, I found when using the none adjustable open sights that come with the Umarex Steel Force that I was shooting under the target at closer ranges. My Chrony testing did not go exactly as planned due to my temperamental Chronograph but I was able to get two shots to read and they average out at 466 fps, well over the 430 claimed fps.
Build Quality: The Umarex Steel Force CO2 BB Rifle is mostly plastic on the outside with most of it's metal parts on the inside, you will find a metal flash hider, metal trigger and metal trigger guard but other than that everything else externally is plastic. The plastic seems durable enough but it has just a bit too much shine for me which I think makes it look less like metal and more like plastic. Everything seemed to function as expected but again I would have liked to have seen a bit more metal, not necessarily the outer shell, but I feel the selector switch, sights, magazine release, charging handle and front and back sights could have been made out of metal and would have given this Umarex rifle a bit more weight and balance.
Realism: The Umarex Steel Force CO2 BB Rifle is designed on the AR platform and for the most part is about the right size shape and look of an AR pr M16 rifle. Even the selector switch, magazine release, rear adjustable stock and Charging handle function just like a real AR! Some parts are model in just for looks like the bolt release, dust cover and forward assist but at least they fully look the part. The plastic for me was the real tell here as it kind of looks like plastic where as some plastic guns are really hard to tell they are not metal, but other than that this is a pretty decent replica of an AR Rifle.
Good accuracy in both semi and 6 round burst mode.
Got lots of shots per dual CO2 (Full Hopper).
Love the adjustable AR stock which was missing and needed on the Steel Storm.
Not a bad replica of an AR platform gun.
Full auto has a very high rate of fire.
Internal blowback does give a bit of recoil feedback feel.
Lots of rials for adding on accessories.
Price point is good for a fun dull auto BB rifle.
Cons:
Sights are non adjustable.
Plastic finish could have been a bit higher grade, like what most Airsoft AR's use.
Just a bit more metal would have been nice and added to the overall weight a bit: Selector, Magazine Release, Sights, Charging handle.
Comments:
The Umarex Steel Force CO2 BB Machine Gun is for sure an improvement over the Steel Storm, first of all it is a true replica of a real rifle in production (The AR/M16 platform), it also has a rear stock that is adjustable which makes shooting this gun on target so much more easier. Overall I feel it shoots better than the Steel Storm with improved accuracy and performance. With that said the Steel Storm is still a great BB machine gun if your looking for more of a pistol SMG design. For the low cost of the Steel Force you really can not go wrong, this BB machine gun will put a smile on your face every time you take it out to shoot it.
My Vimeo Table Top and Field Test Videos for the Umarex Steel Force BB Machine Gun:
So what is the best way to describe the Umarex T.A.C. Converter? Well it converts several Umarex pistols into more of a PDW (Personal Defense Weapon). It's an accessory with a built in folding stock, included for-grip that also allows you to add other accessories to it converting your basic pistol into just about any configuration of tactical gun you can dream up! Add lasers, tac-lights, red dots, optical sights, flip up sights or what ever else you can think of...
The Umarex T.A.C. Converter works with the following Umarex pistols: The H&K USP, the S&W M&P40, the XBG, the CZ Enforcer, the Walther P99 DAO and the SA177. It currently does not work with any other pistols as you need to use the required adaptors that are specific to each gun. I suppose it is possible Umarex could make adaptors for other guns, only time will tell?
The Umarex T.A.C. Converter is a neat concept from Umarex that allows air-gunners to take an already existing umarex air pistol or one they plan to get and create something entirely different and new.
As usual with my Field Test Shooting Reviews I test out the Umarex Legends P08 Luger using my Chronograph and put five rounds through it to get a real world average fps. Umarex claims around 410 but I got a bit higher results of 435 using a brand new Umarex CO2 cartridge. The temperature was warm but not hot so there may be room for even up to 450 fps on this CO2 BB pistol Replica.
I decided to step back to the 30 foot mark for my target potion of this review since in my pre-test I was at 20 feet and I got a 1.5 inch grouping. While shooting from a semi rested position at 30 feet back I was able to place pretty much a 2 inch 10 shot group which is very good considering the rather heavy 10 pound trigger on the Umarex Legends P08 Luger BB Pistol. You will want to use a double handed grip with this gun to get good accuracy so you can relax with your trigger hand and grip tight with your supporting hand.
You can expect to get right around 6 really good and consistent magazines worth of shots before having to change the CO2, that is over 120 shots! And even on the last magazine the fps seemed to stay nice and high.
Some people have criticized the heavy trigger on this pistol but I see it as an opportunity to work on your double action shooting since some real world guns have trigger pulls up into the 10 pound range, so you never know what to expect when shooting a new gun. If you can lay down constant shots with the Umarex Legends P08 Luger CO2 BB Pistol then you should have no problems shooting other heavy triggered guns.
Action: Semi auto non-blowback, double action only.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 21 round metal stick magazine.
FPS: 410.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex P08 CO2 BB Replica is rather heavy but since it is a double action only trigger, I did not expect it to be light. There is a fair amount of take up with the entire pull being about 9-10 pounds with the release point happening right at the very back almost touching the trigger well. The release is not very predictable when trying to shoot slow but this does teach a firm yet relaxed grip to get consistent shots. This type of trigger I would consider to be a great double action training aid as it teaches proper grip and trigger control while building stregth.
Accuracy: I shot the Umarex P08 BB Pistol at a target from 20 feet away in a semi rested position, and it performed very good getting a solid 1.5 inch 10 shot grouping that was very well centered on the target. The P08 almost got a 1 inch group with the acceptation of two flyers. The sights are non-adjustable so adjusting the Umarex P08 BB gun is not possible unless using a modified aim point! My initial Chrony testing puts this classic BB replica at right around 430 fps which was higher than the claimed 410, and keep in mind my test day was not a super hot day so there is more room for higher fps with this air pistol. I managed to get six 21 round magazines worth of shots which is a very respectable 120+ shots per single CO2.
Build Quality: The Umarex P08 CO2 non-blowback BB Pistol is almost all metal with the exception of the grips which is always nice to see! I found the fit and finish to be very good with a black-grey-ish satin paint job , I did notice the paint was wearing off kind of quickly on the high points which I don't mind with this airgun since it will give it a more aged look that I feel is more fitting for this classic World War replica.
Realism: The Umarex Legends Luger P08 CO2 BB Airgun is very close to the real steel P08 (Luger) and even has the P.08 markings on it. If you where to put a real P08 side by side they would look like mirror images so in terms of looks this replica gun has it. If you're looking for working parts there are not a lot other than the trigger, magazine release, and safety. But then again there is less to go wrong!
Pretty much all metal and has a nice heavy weight to it.
Accuracy to the original is very good, lots of detail.
Magazine release and safety work like the real version.
Nice wide open recessed barrel adds to the believability.
Good concealment of CO2 cartridge and tab.
Got well over the claimed 410 fps, more around 430 fps.
Got 120 plus shots out of 1 CO2 Cartridge.
Very good accuracy (1.5 inches) and well centered on target.
Glad to see another World War BB replica pistol!
Cons:
No blowback and not a lot of moving parts.
Finish seems to wear off pretty quick on the high points but this may enhance the look for some?
Pretty heavy double action trigger, around 9-10 pounds.
Comments:
There are not too many older Classic Airguns out there from the World War era so it was great to see this one added to the Umarex lineup, now all we need is a Single Action Army Revolver ;) I am glad that Umarex made sure to make this gun look authentic, maybe even perhaps over functionality since there are not a lot of working parts. With that said, everything that does work, works well and you can expect to get lots of accurate and powerful shots from a single CO2. The fps consistency is really good on this one. Being that there are not many World War replica airguns on the market this is a must have for any collector of such guns.
My Vimeo Video Review for this great Umarex Replica P08 CO2 BB Pistol:
I have some more anticipated items from Umarex to show you all, and a special thanks to Bradley from Umarex for sending them my way to review.
If you like the Steel Storm then you should for sure like the Umarex Steel Force, both models share some basic mechanical attributes like semi auto and 6 round burst blowback operation, duel 12 gram CO2 cartridges, 300 round BB hoppers and 30 round spring fed magazines. The Steel Force however is more of a "replica" as it is modeled on the AR platform including an adjustable rear stock which will come in handy taming the high rate of fire 6 round burst mode.
Next up from Umarex is a classic replica of the Luger P08, it's always nice to see some older classics made into BB shooters, it may be the only way some of us will get to experience them and from what I can tell, the Umarex Legends P08 is near spot on! You won't find blowback or even a lot of actual moving parts other than the trigger, the safety and magazine release but this BB gun is all metal and well built, it has a nice weight to it with a firm double action trigger.
My last review item is not a gun but rather a gun accessory, the Umarex T.A.C. Converter which transforms several Umarex pistols into tactical PDW's. The actual models supported are the: HK USP, S&W MP40, X.B.G, CZ Enforcer, Walther P99 DOA and the now retired Umarex SA 177. With the T.A.C. Converter wrapped around your pistol of choice you are all setup with a folding stock and foregrip, not to mention anything else you may want to add onto the rails.
Keep posted for my full reviews of these items from Umarex.
Watch my Vimeo Update Video for these Umarex Products:
I did want to take the Blackwater BW1911 R2 back a bit further than usual and shoot it from 30 feet out to see what kind of results I would get and got pretty close to a two inch group that was well centered but just a bit under the bulls eye. This is not going to be the hottest gun in terms of fps as my Chronograph confirmed for us coming in at just a bit over 300 fps. I can see this BB pistol hitting the claimed 320 fps and even faster on a hotter test day.
The beauty of the KWC/Cybergun 1911 serious is the true single action trigger and full blowback operation, these airguns look, operate and shoot just like a true model 1911 45 auto but of course with a bit less kick ;)
I did have one hiccup during my testing when the heavy blowback in combination with my high thumb position, knocked the safety into the safe position, other than that this CO2 Blowback BB Pistol performed very well for me and like the other KWC/Cybergun 1911's was a total joy to shoot.
Watch my full Video Field Test Shooting Vimeo Video below:
Here is my official Field Test Shooting Video Review for my ASG CZ 75D Compact CO2 BB Pistol. Make sure to checkout my previous Table Top Review for more detailed info about the ASG CZ 75D Compact where I also did a pre test and got similar results.
My 5 shot Chronograph test resulted in a slightly lower than previously tested 370 average fps while my accuracy test shot from 30 feet out (this time) using a semi rested position came in at right around three inches. For some reason I got a double shot, not really sure why. In terms of shot placement the ASG CZ 75D Compact CO2 BB Pistol shot fairly well centered but just a bit high and a tad to the right. Again I was able to get well over 100+ shots using a single CO2.
The ASG CZ 75D Compact CO2 BB Pistol is about what I expected in terms of performance, I would liked to have seen it be more consistently shooting at around 400 fps but I think I was having some CO2 feeding problems as the fps would drop noticeably when shooting faster, perhaps the CO2 I was using was not the best suited for it? I do like the single action trigger, it is very usable and predictable. The adjustable rear sight for windage is also a nice touch if you find yours is shooting a bit to far left or right.
Action: Semi-Automatic, Non-Blowback, Single & Double Action
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BBs
Ammunition Capacity: 17 Rounds
FPS: Up to 407
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ASG CZ 75D Compact is fairly light in single action as all the cocking has already been done, when shooting in double action mode, the pull is still fairly light but has a point right before the break where it stiffens up for a moment, not too noticeable when shooting quickly but you may find it more noticeable when shooting slow in double action.
Accuracy: I did do my pre-shooting test and fired off some shots through the ASG CZ 75D Compact airgun at a target from 20 feet away in a semi rested position, it performed well getting a 1 inch group with a few stragglers stretching it out to just under 2 inches fairly well centered on the target. The sights are adjustable for windage in the back so this could be corrected if the gun out of the box is not shooting exactly down the center. My Chrony testing with a five shots resulted in fps ranging from 380 right to almost 400.
Build Quality: ASG as usually only distributes high quality guns, the fit and finish is as nice on the ASG CZ 75D Compact as any other other ASG product, The slide wiggle is virtually nonexistent, one of the best I have seen thus far. I would have liked to have seen a metal slide on this one but even so the gun has decent weight and balance to it coming in at 4 pounds in a compact pistol. There is metal where it really matters like in the trigger, hammer, safety, magazine release and of course many internal parts.
Realism:The ASG CZ 75D Compact is very accurate replica of the real steel version, with full licensed CZ trademarks and even the 9x19 caliber markings in the slide ejection port area. The magazine is full metal and full size and does not have any tell tale CO2 tab sticking out or elongated area hiding it. Again the metal slide would have finished it off.
Well made, fit and finish is very good (slide has zero wobble).
Good combination of power, accuracy and shots per CO2.
Adjustable rear white dot sight.
Full size drop out Metal magazine adds weight to it.
Single and double action hammer trigger.
Recessed barrel.
Accessory rail for add ons.
Cons:
No Blowback action but does have a working slide.
Plastic slide, would have better balance and feel with a metal slide.
Slide catch does not work, moulded in.
CO2 is a bit hard to install - be careful!
Comments:
I am a bit of a blowback guy so I generally don't look as much forward to reviews of guns without blowback, It was however nice that the ASG CZ 75D Compact does have a moveable slide and it has the least amount of wobble out of any gun I have reviewed to date. I was impressed withe the overall performance of this air pistol, nothing stands out but overall it is a nice complete package getting lots of shots per CO2, good fps, good accuracy, a single and double action trigger, adjustable sights, a rail for add ons, a full size drop out metal magazine and it's a rally good overall replica with full CZ licensing throughout. Not bad for a fairly low cost 45.mm CO2 BB pistol!
Action: Semi & full auto, single action only with full blowback.
Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 16 round full size drop out metal magazine.
FPS: 280+.
Trigger Pull: The Single Action Only trigger pull on the Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol is kind of what I would expect form the real Smith & Wesson M&P 9C, fairly light with a small amount of take-up and creep but still fairly short. And the trigger safety actually works just the same as the real steel Smith & Wesson M&P 9C!
Accuracy: I have already done my dedicated Field Test Shooting Video for the Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol so check out the link here, This very short barreled pistol is not going to win any target shooting contests but it faired well and even shot a bit tighter groupings and higher fps than I expected. Most importantly it worked exactly as it was supposed to without any problems.
Build Quality: The Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol is extremely well built and you will find metal and polymer in pretty much the same places as you would find on a real S&W M&P 9C. Fit and finish and quality of materials seems really good, I am really happy with the work VFC is doing with their guns, at least from what I see here with their Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol.
Realism: The Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol is based on the real steel version Smith & Wesson M&P 9C and I have to say this is one of the most bang on replications of any gun I have seen, you would have to get right up close to tell the difference and only then if you looked at either the magazine or you could see the inner Airsoft barrel. This gun is juts that realistic. There is Smith & Wesson licensing and marking all over this gun and even the white warning instructions on the right side of the slide. Of course this Airsoft Replica Pistol field strips and functions just like the real Smith & Wesson M&P 9C Pistol.
Very good weight and solid feeling gun for being so compact.
Full size drop out metal magazine.
Nice snappy blowback action.
Excellent fit and finish.
Extremely accurate looking and working Smith & Wesson M&P 9C - Fully licensed..
Rear sight is adjustable for windage.
White dot sights for quick target acquisition
Working trigger safety
Fully field strip-able.
Cons:
Comes with an orange tip not required for Canada.
White dot sights need to be install?
Right side slide catch-release is for show only - non-functioning.
Comments:
Overall the Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol as I said is really a wonderful replica in terms of realism in looks and function, I wish all Airsoft guns and Airguns paid this much attention to the details. But more than that, the Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C is really well put together and even though it is small it feels tuff and well made. I could see myself using this exact pistol as a backup gun for some future Airsoft battles :) I hope to have the opportunity to review more guns made by VFS down the road...
My Vimeo Video Review for the Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol:
Action: Semi auto, single action only with full blowback.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 20 round full size drop out metal magazine.
FPS: 300+.
Trigger Pull: The Single Action Only trigger pull on the Cybergun - KWC Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol is what you would expect for a gun made specifically for IPSC styled shooting, it is nice and light with a very short take up and smooth release. Exactly what you would be looking for when wanting to shoot accurately and quickly!
Accuracy: I have already done my dedicated Field Test Shooting Video for the Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB pistol so check out the link here, I can tell you it shot a very nice tight grouping and stayed on target between shots very well, it also got a bit higher than claimed fps which is always nice for a Blowback steel BB shooter.
Build Quality: The Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol is well built being that it is pretty much entirely metal (even the grips), It weighs in at almost three pounds so be prepared for a heavy gun, the tolerances are very good with very little slide slop and the seems are virtually non existent on this air pistol, the golden brown color is unique and I kind of like the way the writing on the gun blends into the color of the gun so it does not stand out too much.
Realism: The Cybergun - KWC Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol is based loosely on a CZ 75 styled pistol, Cybergun - KWC has taken some liberties in restyling it to some degree and really made this pistol look the part of a dedicated target shooter. In terms of functioning and looking like a real gun it has it all, full size drop out metal magazine, full blowback operation, full slide lock back and of course it can be field striped if need be.
All metal construction - Good weight and very solid feeling gun.
Full size drop out metal magazine.
Heavy and snappy blowback action.
Good fit and finish.
Well balanced, so even with heavy blowback the gun stays on target.
Light and smooth single action trigger for quick followup shots.
Very Good accuracy, and a bit better than claimed fps.
Come with sight rail for mounting a red dot sight.
Would make a nice entry level IPSC trainer.
Cons:
Does not come with iron sights of any kind.
Not a lot of shots per CO2 about three magazines.
Sacrifice fps and shots per CO2 because of the heavy blowback but worth it.
Need to remove compensator to field strip the gun.
Comments:
Overall the Cybergun - KWC Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol is a great gun to shoot, I found it to be one of the nicest balanced guns I have shot to date which allowed me to shoot this blowback BB pistol really quickly and yet stay right on target even with the heavy and snappy blowback operation. I was pleased to see it even come in a bit higher than the claimed fps from Cybergun. The heavy all metal three pound weight and good fit and finish makes this airgun a nice choice if your looking for an action shooter that performs very well.
My Vimeo Video Review for the Cybergun - KWC Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol:
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"
I almost forgot to do my field test review for my WE AK-74UN & WE G18C Tactical GBB Airsoft Pistol and Rifle! I decided to do them both together on this one but I still did my usual full testing for both guns which consisted of my Chronograph, Target and Can destruction along with some high speed slow motion of the blowback action of both guns in full auto mode.
Photo of WE G18C Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
Your best bet is to watch my Youtube video and see how both of these WE Airsoft guns perform. Overall they are both rally nice and super realistic, the WE G18C Tactical is definitely the full auto monster here while the AK-74UN is the bull in the China store with its crazy heavy blowback action, it has so much recoil that when shooting in full auto it kind of runs our of steam near the end, not so with the WE G18C as it did not slow down even with the 50 round magazine loaded up!
The WE AK-74UN even with it's crazy recoil holds on target very well in semi and full auto and of course has the superior fps performance. I found when shooting the G18C in full auto, I needed to hold my aim-point low as the blowback and super fast cycle rate wanted to pull the gun up and over my target, same would be true with a real gun so no surprise here.
Photo of WE G18C Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
I filmed this video Field Test Shooting Review of my Cybergun VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol alongside my Cybergun Tanfoglio Gold Custom which I already posted, both guns performed very well for me. I am supper impressed with the realism of the Cybergun VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C and was hopping that the testing would prove this Airsoft pistol to be equally as good of a shooter as it is a looker and I was not let down. It's not going to win any awards for super high fps or tight accuracy but it did a nice job overall and most importantly it worked without any problems whatsoever.
I shot this Cybergun blowback Airsoft pistol using .20 gram Airsoft BB's through my Chrony Chronograph and got just under 300 fps which is not bad for such a compact short barreled GBB Airsoft pistol. I also shot 5 rounds first in semi auto at the target from 20 feet out using a semi rested position (resting on a sand bag up front and kneeling in the back) and the S&W M&P 9C shot a respectable 2 inch grouping. When I switched over to full auto and blasted the last 10 rounds it was pretty much a spray and pray but who cares it was fun and if anyone was standing in front of that they where gonna get hit for sure.
I really like the Cybergun VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol , not just because it really looks the part, it also feels solid and well built, everything about it seems to be very high quality and the shooting performance is no letdown either. This may even be one of my favorite Airsoft pistols! Look forward to my upcoming Table Top Review for this very fine Cybergun Airsoft Pistol...
As per usual I shot this blowback BB pistol through my Chronograph and actually got a much higher than the 300 claimed 5 shot average fps of 341. I kind of had a feeling right out of the box this gun had more in it! I also shot 10 rounds at the target from 20 feet out using a semi rested position (resting on a sand bag up front and kneeling in the back). Again the Cybergun Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol performed very well shooting a tight 1 inch grouping. When I free handed it and rattled off the remaining 7-8 rounds left in the magazine the grouping only widened to about 2 inches, this may be in part to the heavy weight and good balance and stability of the Cybergun Tanfoglio Gold Custom.
Since this 4.5mm Steel BB pistol does not come with any iron sights, you will need to purchase a red dot, I was fortunate enough to find a very nice silver matchup at my local surplus store that worked out well with this airgun. The magazine does claim to hold 18 rounds but 17 is a bit better fit, I was able to get off three magazine s before the CO2 fizzled out. One of the nicest traits this guns has to offer is the very smooth, short and light single action trigger which in part I am sure helped me get that 1 inch 10 round grouping. Another factor that may help the accuracy of the Tanfoglio Gold Custom is the fact that even though the blowback is decent, the 3 pounds of steel holding this airgun in place keep movement to a minimum.
All in all this is a really great IPSC styled BB shooter with a unique and ultra modern look, kind of like a CZ 75 on steroids you could say. It shot very nicely for me and even performed better than claimed and better than expected. Although I did have an idea this CO2 Blowback BB Pistol was going to impress!
I received some review BB and Airsoft guns and as I often like to do, I made a quick Update Vimeo Video for you. This way I can show them off real quickly so you get at least a bit of a taste of what's in store...
Below are the guns I show you in todays Update Video!
FPS: 750 with Pellets and 800 with BB's for the US version (Up to 495 with Canada version).
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman MK-177 is medium length and fairly light. The trigger mainly releases the bolt so no pre-cocking of the trigger is required. The trigger is plastic but seems to work just fine as there is no real load on the trigger when shooting, you do need to get used to where the release point since there is some take up well before the trigger releases.
Accuracy: I found the Crosman MK-177 Air Rifle to be a very good shooter, getting about a 1 inch 10 shot 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 somewhat failing Chrony Chronograph using 3,5 & 10 pumps and the MK-177 with the maximum 10 pump shot as high as 631 fps using 6.9 grain RWS lead pellets. I would expect the Canadian detuned version to shoot well below the 500 fps Canada limit much like my Canadian Crosman M4-177 I reviewed a while back.
Build Quality: The Crosman MK-177 Multi-pump Air Rifle is mostly molded plastic, but for a $100-ish Military Styled 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 or tripple this price point! Even though plastic is used throughout this Air Rifle, there are some internal metal parts where they need to be, the fit and finish seems to be good and I do not get the feeling the Crosman MK-177 is cheaply made in any way. The fact that most parts are molded means there is very little that can snap or break off and will make this air rifle even more durable longterm.
Realism: The Crosman MK-177 is a lose replica or copy of an FN SCAR Assault Rifle or ACR. It is not exact in terms of true dimensions to accommodate the pumping mechanism, You will not find very many working parts as just about everything is molded into the plastic on this Crosman MK-177 rifle. Unlike the Crosman M4-177 the lower magazine area is not removable and the rear stock is also none adjustable, I am not sure why Crosman didn't add these features to the MK-177 like they did to the M4-177? I am glad to see another Replica Assault rifle on the market as so few of them are available in Pellet or steel BB shooters.
None red dot version comes with detachable and adjustable iron sights.
Rails on top and sides for accessories.
Option of shooting pellets or BB's, I would stick to pellets and save the barrel since it is not semi auto.
Feels super solid since there are very few moving parts that could break.
Looks like the Crosman M4-177 Pellet magazines are compatible.
Cons:
Mostly plastic and just about everything is molded into the gun.
Bolt and magazine are on opposite sides?
Would of been cool if Crosman made a dedicated BB magazine?
Comments:
The Crosman MK-177 Multi-Pump Pellet/BB Air Rifle is very much like it's brother the Crosman M4-177 with a few plusses and a few minuses when comparing the two of them together. On the plus side the MK-177 has a bit more power and also the pumping is much easier while yielding higher internal pressures. On the downside the Crosman MK-177 is almost entirely molded plastic with no removable lower magazine or adjustable stock, and the bolt has been switched around to what I feel is the wrong side since now you need to index the magazine on one side and work the bolt on the other requiring a less efficient approach. Either way it is nice to have another replica air rifle on the marker and for the relatively low price you get a nice accurate pellet rifle, great for target shooting and even small pest control.
Watch my Vimeo Full Video Review of the Crosman MK-177 Pellet/BB Air Rifle:
I wanted to show off a few new items that I will be reviewing, one being the Crosman MK-177 Pellet and BB pneumatic multi-pump air rifle that was very graciously provided to me by Crosman for review. And the other item is something kind of new in terms of the type of gun, since it is not really gun but rather a bow, or crossbow to be exact. We hope to be adding to our Replica Airguns Store a couple variations of the Avalanche Trailblazer 150lb Crossbows in wood stock and polymer stock versions.
Here are a couple key points about each item being looked at in this update video and then I will leave you with some detailed photos to drool over and of course my YouTube Update Video to watch...
Crosman MK-177 multi-pump bolt action .177 caliber BB/pellet air rifle:
Shoots both .177 caliber pellets and 4.5mm Steel BB's
Maximum 800 FPS (US Version being reviewed here)
5 shot pellet magazine and 300+ BB reservoir
Multi-pump single shot bolt action
3-10 pumps per shot
16.75 inch rifled barrel
3.5 pounds
Mostly plastic with some internal metal parts
Avalanche Trailblazer 150lb Crossbow with Wood Stock:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the WE AK74UN GBB Airsoft Rifle is very light (maybe even under 1 pound) since the blowback action has already pre-cocking the action making this rifle single action only. The take-up is very short, about one eighth of an inch or even less! The magazine has two switches, the one on the top allows you to dry fire while the one on the backside resets the trigger block. You will need to push the side switch down after reloading your magazine to allow the trigger/hammer to function again.
Accuracy: Out of the box the WE AK74UN Airsoft Rifle shot on the high side for me, about 8 inches at 30 feet, you can adjust the front sight post to some degree for elevation but I was not able to find any way of adjusting the windage? I did my pretest shooting from the 30 foot mark and I found the WE AK74UN Gas Blowback Airsoft Rifle AK74 Replica shot a very respectable 5 shot 1.5 inch group in semi auto which opened up of course when I shot the rest of the rounds in full auto. The full auto group stayed pretty tight considering all the recoil that was going on. I would say this gun should be able to shoot fairly accurately at distances even greater than 50 feet and even in full auto.
Build Quality: The WE AK74UN Airsoft Rifle is very well made with a lot of actual stamped steel parts, the only metal (zinc alloy) would be the trigger group, bolt, and part of the front sight, the pistol grip and front stock are made out of a matt finished hard plastic. Fit and finish is near perfect and I had no problems with the functionality of this Airsoft replica in any way. There are third party steel replacement parts for the trigger group and bolt if you want to swap these out at some point.
Realism: Everything about this gun is realistic! Operation, field stripping, tones of steel and metal parts, the long travel bolt, the slower cycle rate, and the heavy recoil all make the WE AK74UN GBB Airsoft Rifle as near perfect a working replica that you can find. Sure WE modernized this AK74 variant a bit with the addition of some enhancements but they do work well and make this Airsoft rifle very usable.
Long travel bolt with heavy blowback, lower cycle rate like a real AK!
Lots of steel and metal in this gun, very hefty and solid.
Awesome blowback kick really hits you in the shoulder.
Semi auto & full auto selectable.
Field strips just like the real AK.
Nice high 400+ FPS and good 1.5 inch 5 shot group from 30 feet away.
Decent use of Gas.
Modified improved selector/safety switch can be used with trigger finger and also can be used to lock the bolt back for easy hop-up adjustments.
Magwell guide helps with insertion of the magazine.
Cons:
Long travel bolt kicks so hard that it can wear the softer Zinc Alloy internal parts quickly like the bolt and trigger grouping.
Sights are not really very adjustable, at least for windage.
Comments:
I really love my WE AK74UN Gas Blowback Airsoft Rifle, it is truly one of the most realistic replica guns I own, not just in looks but in how it functions and shoots. The heavy use of stamped steel, lots of metal throughout, full travel bolt with heavy blowback and realistic AK cycle rate make this one of the most fun guns to shoot that I own. If you're looking for a Gas Blowback AK styled Airsoft rifle this one is one of the best out there!
My Vimeo Table Top Video REVIEW of the WE AK74UN Gas Blowback Airsoft Rifle:
