In this Field Test Shooting Review I only test out the KWA LM4 RIS PTR GBB Airsoft Rifle since both the RIS and KR7 are virtually identical in terms of their build and internal components, the KR7 has a a slightly shorter barrel but both KWA Airsoft AR M4 Rifles should perform very similarly.
To begin this Field Test Shooting Review of the KWA LM4 RIS PTR GBB Airsoft Rifle I first place 5 shots through my Chronograph using .20 gram plastic Airsoft BB’s and a full mag filled with propane gas. The rounds varied anywhere from around 330-360 fps but averaged a nice 345 fps which is perfect for most Airsoft games.
Next I placed a fresh paper target 30 feet away in my Indoor Sea Can Airgun Range. I then proceeded to shoot 10 shots in semi auto to see how accurate the KWA LM4 RIS PTR GBB Airsoft Rifle would perform for me. I am not a big fan of the aperture or peep sights found on most AR rifles, sure they work well for quick target acquisition but in terms of accuracy at least for me I find them hard to look through. Even so I was able to get about a 4 inch grouping with the KWA LM4 RIS PTR GBB Airsoft Rifle. I am pretty sure I could tighten this up with some more practice using these types of sights so user influence was involved here.
Of course I also had to place the KWA LM4 RIS PTR GBB Airsoft Rifle in Full Auto mode and do first a mag dump of the remaining 25 rounds and then I switched up the magazine for a fresh 40 rounder and did some shorter bursts again followed by a mag dump. The KWA LM4 RIS PTR GBB Airsoft Rifle performed flawlessly even in this somewhat cooler environment (17 degrees Celsius - 62 degrees Fahrenheit).
the KWA LM4 RIS PTR and LM4 KR7 Full Metal GBB Airsoft Rifles are fantastic performers, it’s hard to find consistent Gas Blowback Full Auto guns that can truly get through an entire mag without some sort of major cool down effecting their performance. In my testing even at the end of a full auto magazine the cycle rate was still high and there was no problem at all getting all 40 rounds out. If you want one of the highest quality and best performing Gas Blowback AR M4 styled Airsoft rifles then look no further!
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KWA LM4 RIS PTR and KWA LM4 KR7 PTR Full Metal GBB Airsoft Rifles is exactly what you would expect on an AR style rifle. You are required to pull the charging handle back for the first shot which draws the bolt back and chambers a round. The Single action trigger has very little take up and a light crisp release. Of course if you select full auto mode all you need to do is hold down the trigger until the magazine is empty!
Accuracy: So far I have not field tested either the KWA LM4 RIS PTR and KWA LM4 KR7 PTR Full Metal GBB Airsoft Rifles but I did throw some green gas in one of the mags and fires off a bunch of semi and full auto shots in my Sea Can Airgun shooting range. You can expect a ton of felt blowback recoil and both semi and full auto modes performed perfectly for me with no problems unloading a full 40 rounds magazine and no slow down in the blowback action.
Build Quality: The KWA LM4 RIS PTR and KWA LM4 KR7 PTR Full Metal GBB Airsoft Rifles are about as good as it gets in terms of build quality. They both have pretty much the same aluminum metal receivers and reenforced steal bolts. Fit and finishes is excellent everything just looks and feels great on these high end KWA Airsoft rifles.
Realism: The PTR in the name stands for “Professional Training Rifle” and the KWA LM4 RIS PTR and KWA LM4 KR7 PTR Full Metal GBB Airsoft Rifles not only look the part but operate as close as you are going to get to the real steal version in an Airsoft rifle. You can even interchange the stock, grips, trigger guard with MilSPec components and the same goes for the rails, all MilSpec ready. I want to mention the blowback recoil again because it is truly awesome on these rifles!
Really well built mostly aluminum and steel components.
Fully customizable MilSpec design throughout.
Amazingly realistic perfect for training.
Gas Magazine performs really well easily getting through the 40 rounds.
Type 3 Hop-up for extended range shooting.
Fully Field Strippable.
Cons:
GBB system has more limitation compared to an AEG, less rounds, not goof in cold weather.
Not the cheapest Airsoft rifles out there but worth every penny.
Hard to keep in stock.
Comments:
I know most go-to Airsoft rifles for game play are going to be an AEG since they are going to have a lot more rounds per mag and more consistent performance over a Gas Blowback Airsoft rifle. That said the KWA LM4 RIS PTR and KWA LM4 KR7 PTR Full Metal GBB Airsoft Rifles really make you want to reconsider this choice and try and figure out if perhaps you could use a Gas Blowback Airsoft Rifle on the field? Sure you will need a lot of extra magazines but man is it ever fun feeling that blowback action on your shoulder and experiencing a more true to life experience shooting the KWA LM4 RIS PTR and KWA LM4 KR7 PTR Full Metal GBB Airsoft Rifles. If you want the most realistic training Airsoft rifles then it would be hard to find a better option out there.
Some more stuff came in and I just had to show it off before moving on with the reviews. I know you're going to like it so here we go again...
First off the super anticipate Umarex Glock 19 CO2 BB Pistol has arrived and is now available in our Canada and US online Replica Airgun Stores so get yours while we still have them, if we still have them? No this version is not a blowback or even working slide version and yes it has the dreaded stick mag! That all said the Umarex Glock 19 CO2 BB Pistol feels really solid and well made and heck it's the first licensed Airgun Glock ever so it's a good start. Umarex has said that more elaborate blowback versions will be coming out down the road. There are full blowback Airsoft version licensed by Umarex but the FPS is too slow right now for us to import them into Canada, hopefully there is a fix for this at some point...
I have been waiting at least three months now for my AW Custom AG-HX2003 Double Stack Tactical 1911 Full Blowback CO2 BB Pistol to show up. Canada Customs got their hands on it and felt it needed to be processed for three months before delivering it to me. at least I did end up getting it without a fight!
I made a similar video about how to hold your airgun a while back but sometimes they get a bit buried in all the video I make. I feel it's really important how you grip your gun even if it's only an airgun with very little kick or recoil. Proper pistol grip is something you should use no matter what so that you can carry it forward to what ever gun you are shooting.
More kick or recoil means a firmer grip is required to hold the gun so when shooting a powder burner with lots of kick grip becomes even more important.
In this video I go over the proper two handed grip to use when holding a pistol, which hand to hold lose and which had to grip tight, how to overlap your fingers and thumbs.
Type: Airsoft Rifle. Manufacturer: KJWorks. Model:M700P. Materials: Metal with textured synthetic stock. Weight: 7.8 pounds (3600 grams). Barrel: Smooth bore barrel. Propulsion: Gas operated (Green Gas or propane). Action: Bolt.. Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 10-11 round metal magazine. FPS: Up to 550fps.
Trigger Pull: the trigger on the KJWorks M700P Gas Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle is what you would expect from a bolt action style hunting/sniper rifle. The working of the bolt does most of the work for your trigger finger so all that is required is the release of the firing pin from a very short and light tigger.
Build Quality: The KJWorks M700P Gas Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle is well built all around and the fit and finish feel good. all the mechanical parts functioned without any problems and I do like the textured stock and nice rubber butt pad. I did notice a couple of spots on the textured stock where it there where cosmetic imperfections, perhaps this is form the moulding of it?
Realism: The KJWorks M700P Gas Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle is based around the Remington 700 platform which looks like your standard high powered hunting rifle. The Airsoft version looks and functions just like the real deal since we are using Green Gas rather than a spring making the bolt easy and smooth to operate. Available From: The Replica Airguns Store.
Pros:
Bolt is super easy to use compared to a Spring style bolt action Airsoft rifle.
Textured stock feels great.
Lots of sight option with the built in scope rail and removable adjustable iron sights.
Ready for Bipod or sling.
Full size drop out metal magazine that holds the Gas and Airsoft BB’s.
Easy to adjust Hop-up screw.
Cons:
FPS was a little bit lower than expected.
Was not able to get 11 rounds into the magazine.
Some imperfections on the textured stock.
Comments: I have revised a couple of spring bolt action Airsoft rifles in the past and although it's nice that all you need is a bag of Airsoft BB's and your ready to shoot, having the Gas operation makes the bolt so much easier to operate allowing for much quicker follow up shoots. The more time you have to acquire your next target and make the shot can make all the difference when your enemy is closing in. The KJWorks M700P Gas Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle is a nice ready to shoot out of the box Airsoft rifle that if you want to can be customized pretty easy with a bipod or scope which I would recommend since not only will this make the KJWorks M700P Gas Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle look a lot better but also way more practical.
My YouTube Table Top Review Video for the KJWorks M700P Gas Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle:
I'm trying to remember if I have ever reviewed a Gas Operated Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle before or not? I know I have reviewed Spring Operated Bolt Action Airsoft Rifles but I think this is a first for me. With Spring Bolt Action Airsoft Rifles there is some work involved in the back and forth movement of the bolt since the power is coming from the spring tension, compared to a Gas Bolt Action Airsoft system there is virtually no resistance in the bolt so you can get off your follow up shots a lot quicker.
I would like to get out and test the KJWorks M700P Gas Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle at a much longer distance than here in my Indoor Sea Can Airgun Range but the weather outside right now is kind of cold and wet. Perhaps in the summer I can do a revisit of the KJWorks M700P Gas Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle and test it out at amuch longer range using heavier Airsoft BB's.
For this indoor short range testing I used .20 gram Plastic Airsoft BB's and placing 5 shots through my Chrony Chronograph I got a an average of 382 fps. The gas magazine was fully topped up using propane gas and the temperate was around 15 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit).
Again using .20 gram Plastic Airsoft BB's I then performed my close range accuracy test (about 30 feet away) and the KJWorks M700P Gas Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle shot about a 1.5 inch grouping with one outlier that went kind of low, perhaps a bad Airsoft BB? With most sniper style Airsoft rifles you will want to use heavier gram Airsoft BB's which should help with accuracy so I would expect the KJWorks M700P Gas Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle to tighten up a bit using a .30 or higher gram BB.
So it begins, I have been to this years SHOT Show in Las Vegas and checked out the new products from Umarex, Crosman, Sig Sauer and ASG. I have taken video and Interviewed the main Airgun companies. Now it's time to report back to everyone what I saw and learned. To start with here is a Teaser Video with some scenes from Vegas, inside SHOT Show and of course some of the highlight products from each airgun company.
It was fun to shoot the Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol for a change but really it was a lot like shooting one of my BB and Airsoft pistols, except in this case I was shooting .43 caliber rubber balls. I decided to not use paintballs inside my nice new Sea Can Indoor Airguns Shooting Range to keep things clean :)
First, I put three rounds through my Chrony Chronograph to see what the real world FPS would be, keep in mind I was using rubber balls rather than paintballs and the rubber balls are a little bit heavier than paintballs so this could bring the FPS down a bit compared to the lighter paintballs. Using a brand new CO2, the Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol average 316 FPS which was high than the claimed 290 FPS!
Moving on to my accuracy testing, as per usual I positioned myself 30 feet back from my paper target and using a seated and rested shooting position I shot a full magazine (8 rounds) of rubber balls on target with the Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol. I was not expecting anything close to what I would get with a BB or Airsoft pistol since Paintball guns are not known for super tight groups. I did manage to shoot around a 6 inch group with most of the shots staying within around 3 inches. This is about what I was expecting as paintball guns are not meant for "target practicing", generally you are going to be shooting human sized objects and hoping to get some well placed center mass shots. 3-6 inch accuracy at 30 feet will get the job done for sure. I did find the trigger using rubber balls did have a bit more friction while the inner barrel seated itself into the magazine. When shooting quickly it is much less noticeable.
I know some of you are going to ask about using the Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol with rubber balls for non-lethal self defense and the reality is it will not stop a person who is persistent on hurting you. There is simply not enough stoping power here. Will it "sting like a bitch" if you get shot up close with one of these Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol? For sure but a well timed punch has more chance of dropping someone than a .43 caliber rubber ball moving at around 300 FPS. You may scare someone off simply by brandishing it but you take the chance of the person calling your bluff. Perhaps 8 rubber balls to the face will change their mind but that's a chance you have to figure out if you want to take or not.
As a paintball pistol, the Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol is about the best I have seen in terms of replica paintball guns. It is as good as they come for realism, even better than many BB and Airsoft guns and in terms of performance it did not let me down either.
Type: Paintball Gun. Manufacturer:Umarex - T4E. Model:Walther PPQ M2. Materials: Metal & Polymer. Weight: 848 grams (1.87 pounds). Barrel: Smooth bore. Power Source: 1x12 gram CO2. Action: Semi-Automatic with blowback action. Ammo Type: .43 Caliber Paintball or Rubber Ball. Ammo Capacity: 9 Rounds. FPS: 290.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol feels a lot like a double action trigger, internally it may be striker fired so expect a bit of a longer trigger pull with a fairly long reset and a medium strength trigger weight. There is also a working trigger safety which works well.
Build Quality: The build quality of the Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol is really very good, metal parts are where you would expect them, the slide, slide catch, barrel, magazine and most internal parts giving the Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol a nice near 2 pounds (1.87 pounds) of weight with the magazine in which makes the Paintball version a little heavier than the real still version (1.53 pounds) but once the real steal version is loaded with a full mag this may even out a bit. The Walther PPQ M2 does have a polymer frame but again this is normal with todays modern guns and helps keep the weigth down. Fit and finish is also excellent.
Realism: The Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol is a near perfect replica of the real steel Walther PPQ M2, form the fully licensed markings to the large .43 caliber diameter barrel. If you placed the Paintball version side by side with the real steel version I doubt you could tell them apart? You will find that the slide cycle distance is a bit shorter than it shoudl be meaning that when the side catch is engaged the slide does not go as far back as it should. Filed stopping the Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol may requires some tools.
Full Metal slide that locks back on the last shot.
All metal heavy full size drop out magazine adds some additional weigth to the gun.
Very Accurate Walther PPQ replica, almost indistinguishable from the real still version.
Everything works pretty much like the real gun so a great training tool.
Adjustable yellow dot sights.
Working trigger safety.
Fit and finish is excellent.
Magazine spring release really shoots the magazine out.
Love the .43 caliber barrel opening, adds to realism.
Cons:
Trigger pull seems a bit long as it shoots like a double action trigger, may be striker fired internally?
Magazine only holds 9 rounds, so you are going to need extras.
Blowback action is not full blowback, more like a typical BB airgun.
Comments:
I'm really glad to see another Replica Paintball Pistol available in Canada, especially such a well made and realistic version. The Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol looks to be perhaps the best to date .43 caliber Paintball gun on the market and may even prove to be an option for non-lethal personal defense when using rubber balls with it. Not that I would trust my life with it but it sure looks the part and I am sure most people would not want to be on the receiving end of 9 rounds coming at you. As a training tool and Paintball gun the Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol offers superb realism for this purpose. I am looking forward to testing mine out shortly :)
I don't get many Gas Blowback Airsoft Rifles to review all that often so when I get my hands on them I sure have a great time testing them out and feeling the blowback action tapping me in the shoulder as I shoot in semi or full auto modes. Sure Gas Blowback Airsoft Guns don't perform like their AEG counterparts, especially when you're shooting in full auto. You can expect way less rounds in each magazine and even with less rounds the last 5 or 10 shots when shooting rapid fire are going to be compromised but I really don't care because a well made Gas Blowback Airsoft rifle like the KJWorks M4 CQB Carbine GBB is just so much more fun to shoot than an AEG and way more realistic.
So let's get on with my test results for the KJWorks M4 CQB Carbine GBB Airsoft Rifle... The fps consistency was really decent, super consistent when I spaced out my 5 test shots they averaged 377 fps, not really having any low or high fps shots out of the bunch. I did have a full gassed up mag and was using .20 gram plastic 6mm Airsoft BB's for this part of the field test.
Again shooting in semi auto mode, I placed 10 rounds into my paper target setup downrange 30 feet and as per usual I was using a rested shooting setup sitting on a stool and resting the KJWorks M4 CQB Carbine GBB Airsoft Rifle on a sandbag up front. 9 out of the 10 rounds all grouped in about a 3/4 inch group with only 1 round coming outside a bit stretching the 10 shot grouping out to about 1.5 inches. Still really great for a Gas Blowback or any Airsoft rifle for that matter!
Next I shot the rest of the mag in full auto burst mode which was about 20 rounds left in the KJWorks M4 CQB Carbine GBB Airsoft Rifle at this point. As expected the KJWorks M4 CQB Carbine GBB Airsoft Rifle cooled down pretty quick and the last 5 rounds did fire just fine but there was a noticeable drop in power making the rounds shoot low on the target. Keep in mind I was shooting in a not too warm environment, about 15 degrees which is not bad but also not that warm.
I would have liked to have seen the KJWorks M4 CQB Carbine GBB Airsoft Rifle perform as consistently in full auto mode as it did in semi auto but that would have been asking a bit too much from a Gas Blowback Airsoft rifle. The KJWorks M4 CQB Carbine GBB Airsoft Rifle is a really well put together Airsoft Rifle that didn't let me down in the end.
First off make sure to checkout my Table top review for the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol, it really is a nice Beretta Airsoft copy, perhaps one of the best out there!
In the Field Test Shooting Video I perform my standard Chronograph and accuracy tests on the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol. I put 5 rounds through my Chrony Chronograph using .20 gram plastic Airsoft BB's with a full propane filled magazine. My Sea Can indoor airgun range was warmed up sufficiently for a gas gun test but I found the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol did shoot a tad bit slower than the 330 or so claimed fps coming in closer to 300fps. Still totally usable for indoor airgun wars.
Moving onto my accuracy test I placed 10 shots on target 30 feet down range using a rested shooting position, sitting in the back and sand bag up front. This time I was impressed with how tight a group I got, I was able to get the bulk of the shots all within about three quarters of an inch with only two shots hitting just a little outside of this. I did notice the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol was shooting a bit low for me but that can be easily corrected by adjusting the the internal hop-up to raise the shot placement up as required.
The G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol has a somewhat relaxed blowback but has plenty to give some recoil feel. You will get at least a full 27 round magazines worth of shots from each gas fill, perhaps even two if you stretch out your shooting a bit.
Type: Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol. Manufacturer: G&G Model: GPM92 Materials: Metal slide & frame. Weight: 2.24 pounds (1016 grams). Length: 8.9 inches total Barrel: 4.6 inches,Metal non-rifled smooth bore. Propulsion: Green gas or propane. Action: Blowback, single and double action. Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 27 rounds. FPS: 350+ fps.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol is very good in both single and double action. Double action is a bit longer but not that much heavier when shooting in single action. Single action shooting is short, light and crisp as you would expect when shooting a real steel Beretta 92 style pistol.
Accuracy: I have not done my actual Field Test Shooting video review for the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol but I did get the chance to shot it quickly in my Sea Can indoor shooting range. Blowback felt good and accuracy seemed tight even though I was shooting free hand. I did notice the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol shot just a little bit low but I can adjust the hop-up slightly to account for it.
Build Quality: Like pretty much all G&G Airsoft guns, the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol build quality is right inline. Fit and finish where excellent and a lot of attention to detail was seen all over this Replica Airsoft Pistol. There is also some new gas valve technology from G&G that should significantly help with freezing in colder or fast shooting situations.
Realism: The G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol is an excellent replica of the real steel Beretta Mod. 92FS, the safety even acts as a working decocker. You'll also find 5, 10, and 15 numbered markings on the backside of the magazine that would normally indicate how many bullets are in the magazine, a nice touch for sure! Everything works pretty much the same as it would on a real Beretta M9 including the ability to fully field strip the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol.
Whirl Cylinder Valve system should expect to get decent amounts of shots per gas fill.
White dot sights front and back.
Comes with hard shell case.
Very detailed full size drop out metal magazine.
20mm rail for accessories.
Comes with high quality speed loader.
Safety also works as a decocker.
Threaded removable barrel tip for add on mock suppressor.
Cons:
Sights are non adjustable.
A little bit more expensive than some other Beretta M92 full blowback Airsoft pistols
Barrel opening not as recessed as much as a real 9mm would be.
Comments:
I would have to say the G&G GPM92 is one of the nicest Beretta Model 92FS Airsoft Pistols you are going to find out there. There is a ton of attention to detail for sure, You also get the hard shell case with included high quality speed loader and G&G's new Advanced Safety Release Valve and Revolutionary Whirl Cylinder Valve that help with freeze-up issues. You might pay just a smidgen more that some other similar Blowback Beretta M92's out there but I feel it is well worth it.
My Vimeo Table Top Review of the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS GBB Airsoft Pistol:
I just received some really nice G& G Airsoft guns to share with everyone, I have two CQB Styled AEG rifles and a fantastic Gas Blowback Beretta Mod. 92FS.
The AEG CQB AR or M4 styled rifles are similar in a lot of ways and are super compact and really well built. The G&G ARP-9 has a polymer receiver and hand guard while the G&G ARP-556 has a full metal receiver and hand guard. Both have good weight to them. You will also find Skeletonized PDW stocks and large crown flash hiders on both models along with M-LOK hand guards. Inside you will find upgraded ETU and MOSFET electronics.
Obvious difference are the 9mm style magazine found on the G&G ARP-9 versus the M4 styled high capacity magazine on the G&G ARP-556. You also get an ambidextrous safety sector switch on the G&G ARP-556.
Next I show off the G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol. It comes in a high quality hard plastic case with a well made speed loader. If you place the magazine in the gun you will have room for two magazine in the hard shell case. The G&G GPM92 hold 27 roads in it's double stack magazine that has some interesting new features that help it perform much beet in cold environments and really boost green gas usage. G& G calls them the Whirl Cylinder Valve system and Micro gas filter. Both help eliminate free up in the gun when shooting fast.
The G&G GPM92 Beretta Mod. 92FS is really well made and shoot in double and single action and the safety even works as a decocker. For those looking to add a mock suppressor you will happy to know the G&G GPM92 has a threaded barrel tip.
In this comparison video I look at a variety of different Sig Sauer P226 Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I feel is the best Sig Sauer styled Airgun. Of course my choice may not be your choice :)
And finally my last Vimeo video from SHOT Show 2017 in Las Vegas! Sorry there is no Interview this time with KWA but I did talk a lot with the KWA folks over at SHOT Show this year and I even got to test out their Laser Targeting System designed to be used with several specifi KWA guns by laser-ammo.com.
Unfortunately we don't carry the KWA brand in the replica Airguns store, a few models sneak in when being distriubted by another company like ASG in the case of the ASG MP9. I would love to carry KWA Airsoft Products in the future since they really do make very high quality Airsoft guns.
KWA has a great selection of Airsoft pistols and rifles in both Gas Blowback and AEG formats. The quality reminds me of the KJWors Airsoft guns we sell in the Replica Airguns Canada Store, you can really feel the quality when you pick them up and hold them for yourself.
Power Sources Covered in this review: CO2 - Green Gas / Propane - Spring - AEG / AEP (Automatic Electric Gun - Airsoft Electric Pistol)
Pro’s:
CO2 Airsoft Guns allow for fast repeat shooting, great for action shooters, generally CO2 Airsoft Guns will have a little more power then Green Gas Airsoft Guns. There is no need to pump or cock your CO2 powered Airsoft gun in-between shots and a CO2 power source can allow for a very realistic action of the gun you are shooting.
Green Gas (Propane) Airsoft Guns operate much the same as CO2 Airsoft guns so they all make for great action shooters and the Green Gas powers the mechanical operation allowing for very realistic operation. Green Gas (Propane) Airsoft Guns can cost a little bit less to operate that a CO2 Airsoft Gun especially if you plan to use Propane as it can be cheaper to buy than the smaller 12 gram CO2 Cartridges.
Spring Airsoft Guns are generally fairly basic and low cost so they are the usually the most affordable Airsoft guns to buy. There is no need to buy CO2 or Green Gas or even a Battery and Charger Setup so the cost to shoot Spring Airsoft Guns is only going to be subject to the Airsoft BB’s you plan on buying.
AEG (Automatic Electric Guns) have the most consistent power as they use a spring internally that the electric motor draws back before each shot, the internal spring will essentially apply the same force to the Airsoft BB’s with each shot. AEG (Automatic Electric Guns) are a great option when you are wanting a Full Auto Airsoft gun since there is no cool down effect and as long as your batteries are charged and you have Airsoft BB’s in your magazine, the gun will simply keep shooting. AEG (Automatic Electric Guns) allow for the highest capacity magazines and often hold as many as 500 Airsoft BB’s in a single magazine. So if you’re looking for raw firepower an AEG or AEP Airsoft Gun is your best option. Once you have purchased your AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) and a battery and charger setup, they are fairly inexpensive to operate since no CO2 or Green Gas is required.
Con’s:
CO2 Airsoft Guns require the additional cost to buy the CO2 cartridges as they will not function without it. CO2 Airsoft Guns have a limited power output and lose power as you shoot and use up the CO2. CO2 Airsoft Guns are effected by hot and cold temperatures and will have less power in colder temperatures and may not even work in super cold environments. CO2 Airsoft Guns will have a more conservative ammunition capacity since too high of a capacity magazine would freeze up the magazine and even the gun.
Again since Green Gas (Propane) Airsoft Guns work much like CO2 Airsoft Guns, they are effected by cool down and lose power when shoot quickly or as the Green Gas or Propane runs low. Green Gas does not expand as much as CO2 so it will not be as powerful and even less effective in colder temperatures. Green Gas Airsoft Guns will have a more conservative ammunition capacity since too high of a capacity magazine would freeze up.
Spring Airsoft Guns are not the best action shooters since you need to manually operate the slide to pullback the spring prior to each shot, this does work well with Pump, Lever and Bolt Action Airsoft guns but is not the best option for pistols since most real steel pistols operate in semi auto mode.
If you plan to use your AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) in a battle then it will require a multi battery setup which does cost a bit more upfront. AEG (Automatic Electric Guns) are know to not operate as realistically as a CO2 or Green Gas Airsoft gun since CO2 and Green Gas Guns do allow for the same realistic mechanical operation which can give very believable blowback operation, this is hard to replica with an AEG Airsoft Gun.
This is not to say that a “Real Gun” is not as good as an Airgun or better in other ways, in this video I’m just pointing out how an Airgun in some cases can actually be better suited than a Real Gun.
Availability: What I mean by this, is that in many countries Real Guns can be very hard to acquire and often require safety course and applications before one can purchase a Real Gun. I have no problem with this but it is a reality that must be considered. Having an Airgun versus not having a gun at all makes it a better option for people that live in countries that have strict gun laws. Here in Canada we are allowed Real Guns, even pistols but we do have restriction on our pistols and so I can only get certain guns in an Airgun version. As a collector this is better than not having the gun at all.
Price to Buy: Generally speaking you can pickup an enter level Airgun for much less money than a real gun.
Cost to Shoot: Real gun ammo prices have been steadily increasing to the point that a day out shooting can cost several hundred dollars just on the ammunition alone.
Comparison of Price:
50 rounds of 9mm ammo will cost around $18.00
6000 rounds of 4.5mm Steel BB will cost about $18.00
CO2 is a bit less than $1 per 12 gram Cylinder which can yield up to 100 shots each.
To shoot 100 rounds of 9mm will cost close to $40 versus 100 shots of 4.5mm steel BB at around $1.
For this reason alone an Airgun can make a lot of sense even for Real Gun owners looking to get more cost effective practice time.
Access to Shooting Locations: Depending on where you live you will have to consider your local laws and where you are allowed to shoot both types of guns but typically you can shoot an Airgun safely just about anywhere as long as you implement some backstop safety precautions. Here in Canada we can only shoot a pistol at designated gun ranges, where as Airguns have a lot more allowances to shot them as long as you are not braking any city bylaws.
Training Guns: Even if you plan to eventually step up to a Real Gun at some point, an airgun is a great option to first learn proper gun handling skills since if you where to make a mistake, the consequences are much less severe. Airguns are also a lot less intimidating than a real gun since they are much quieter and have less recoil, you don’t even need to wear ear protection with most Airguns which means an instructor can communicate to his pupil on the range a lot easier.
Prop Guns: Since Replica Airguns look so much like real guns these day, they can often be used as a safer substitute for use in Movie, TV or other Photo and Video productions. Using a Real Gun on set generally requires a certified “Gun Wrangler” be on hand as Real Guns must be transported, stored and handled using very strict regulations. Airguns generally do not need to follow the same rigid regulations that Real Guns are bound to.
Tactical Training with Live Targets: Obviously shooting a real gun at a live target would not fair well for anyone involved, so that is completely out of the question. Airsoft Airguns are however perfect for Tactical Training and other weapons based simulations. All that is required for safety when using Airsoft guns is the use of eye protection and generally some heavy clothing.
I am sure there are some more areas in which Airguns may have the advantage over a Real Gun but these are the main ones that I could think of.
To make this as comparable a test as possible I used two KWC/Gletcher Makarov Full Blowback Pistols each with their own separate magazine, again one with a 12 gram CO2 and one using the ANT system.
HPA or High Presure Air is not effected by cold weather which makes this setup ideal for shooting in cold situations since fps is not effected at all. As CO2 requires heat to expand, the colder the outside temperature the less amount of expansion you get from the CO2 whihc results in less power, this is really noticeable on your follow-up magazines as the CO2, magazine and even the gun will have started to cool down from the CO2 exposure.
The ANT Advanced Novelty Tech FIRE CO2 HPA Conversion Kit even when using large 20 ounce CO2 tanks will help with the cool down effect since the large CO2 tanks will take much longer to cool down and even freeze up as compared to the smaller 12 gram CO2 which can get frosty even after the first magazine.
I did notice in this Field Test Shooting Review that the CO2 did pretty good as it was my first magazine and the temperature was not all that cold out. I can say the HPA System was shooting much harder, after making this video I popped off another couple magazine with each gun shooting out to at least 100 feet and the ANT FIRE HPA setup was really throwing the 4.5mm Steel BB's out there quickly. As expected the 12 gram CO2 mags really started to trail off especially on the third magazine of shots.
All in all, the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech FIRE CO2 HPA Conversion Kit will not only bring your cost per shot down significantly but it allows you to keep shooting with no down time waiting for your gun to warm back up and the ability to use HPA (High Pressure Air) means you will get even more fps performance out of your air guns but also much more consistent shot performance all day long!
Well ANT (Advanced Novelty Tech) made an update model that supports a bunch more guns, that's a good thing of course. This new model is called the "FIRE" and it supports the following guns. I did find however that ANT list that the Gletcher NGT and Webley Mark VI Revolvers where supported by the FIRE but my findings indicated the CO2 screw on both these guns had a smaller diameter so they where not compatible. Other than that small discrepancy most of the other guns on their list should work just fine.
What exactly is the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech FIRE CO2 HPA Conversion Kit?
The Advanced Novelty Tech FIRE CO2/HPA Conversion Kit is a remote line adapter for Airsoft, BB, and pellet guns. Compatible with over 60 guns, it is easy to install and converts a compatible gun for use with a Paintball remote line and CO2 or HPA tank. Eliminating the need for disposable CO2 cartridges, while still being interchangeable with disposable CO2 cartridges, it delivers a longer, more powerful, and more consistent shooting experience between refills.
So what is the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech FIRE CO2 HPA Conversion Kit going to do for you?
Eliminate the need for the more expensive disposable 12 gram CO2 cartridges.
Use interchangeably with disposable 12 gram CO2 cartridges.
Use in conjunction with a Paintball remote line with standard quick disconnect fittings and a CO2 or HPA tank. (recommended use up to 1000 psi)
Shoot thousands of rounds before needing to refill your CO2.
Fits compatible Airsoft, BB, and pellet gun CO2 pistols.
Easy drop-in installation.
Overall cost savings.
More consistent FPS especially when shooting fast or in full auto.
