Whether you like it or not, most of us have come across an Airgun with an ugly orange tip on it at some point. In most cases you will find the intrusive orange or red tips on Airsoft guns that shoot plastic BB's, in some cases you will even find them on Airguns that shoot either lead pellets and/or steel BB's.
It really comes down to where you live as to what your local gun laws have determined is required for your area. You may even live in a region where Airguns and Airsoft guns are not allowed at all! So for you a red or orange tip on the front would be welcome if it would allow you to own an Airgun or Airsoft gun. What about the entire gun being painted a bright color, well that is the case for some folks so again having a red or orange tips may not be as bad as it originally seemed...
In Canada where I live, we used to only be allowed Airsoft guns that had clear sections as our replica gun laws are very strict and all black Airsoft guns would have fallen iinto the "replica" category if they did not have large clear plastic see-through sections on them. This clear section law was revised somewhat over the last several years to allow for all black Airsoft guns here in Canada. It was determined that many Airsoft guns with higher fps limits could cause a serious injury to a human, making them less of a toy in the eyes of the law and more of a weapon. Because of this, Airsoft guns that are capable of shooting a .20 gram plastic BB at a velocity of 360 fps or "higher" are now considered to be similar in the eyes of the law to a regular steel BB or lead pellet shooting Airgun. In Canada, Pellet and Steel BB guns are actually considered firearms of a sort so this allows the higher fps Airsoft guns to be all black since it can not be a replica of a firearm if it is in fact considered to be a firearm by law.
The long and short of all of this is that here in Canada we do not require our Airsoft guns to have orange or red tips since they are considered more or less to be just like any other Airgun and our Airguns do not have red or orange tips either.
Getting back to the title of this article "No Orange Tip On Your Airsoft Gun! Are You Insane?" I often get folks from the US giving me heck for removing the orange tips from my Airsoft guns or asking me why my Airsoft guns don't have them in the first place. These people even state that I could get in a lot of trouble for this! Perhaps they think I live in the US or that US laws govern Canada as well? I am not sure but I can say for the record that I am not breaking any laws at least here in Canada where I live.
I know in the US that wholesalers and retailers by law have to sell Airsoft guns with the affixed orange tips on them, once the end user receives that gun and depending on which state they live in, it may or may not be legal to remove the orange tip. Again, you will need to look into your local state laws as they are different from state to state in the US.
I don't often review target and or hunting rifles since for the most part Replica Airguns is all about well... replica airguns :) I have reviewed some of my own personal spring piston and pump rifles since I have them and there is a cross over in folks that like both the replica airguns and airguns meant for target and or hunting purposes.
We do have a small selection of spring piston rifles in our Replica Airguns Canada store suitable for target and small game so I thought I would point some of them out in this preview video.
Action: Semi auto non-blowback, double action only.
Ammunition Type: Steel BBs 4.5mm.
Ammunition Capacity: 21 rounds
FPS: 394 fps/ 120 m/s.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KWC Metal Slide CQBP M45 A1 Non-Blowback CO2 BB Pistol was about medium to hard but I have definitely experienced heavier trigger pulls on some guns. It is nice that the trigger is in the style of a 1911 and not your typical lever styled trigger like you will find on some 1911 wannabe's. I imagine if the CQBP M45 A1 has a lever style trigger it would have more leverage and be a bit lighter.
Accuracy: I have not shot the KWC Metal Slide CQBP M45 A1 Non-Blowback CO2 BB Pistol but expect it to perform similar to the Cybergun Sig Sauer GSR Sigarms I reviewed a while back since both guns have similar internals so for now until I do my dedicated Field Test review you can read my Cybergun Sig Sauer GSR Sigarms Review: "Accuracy was decent but not outstanding, I got around a 2.5 inch grouping from a 20 foot away free standing position, shooting just to the left and high on the target. I did find that I was able to zone in a bit better with the Cybergun GSR as I got used to the trigger. I also put the Cybergun Sig Sauer GSR through my Chrony Chronograph and got very close the manufacturers 397 claimed feet per second, actually starting off well above it and settling down to around the 370 FPS mark. My 8 shot average on a new CO2 was actually 422 FPS."
Build Quality: You will find a pretty nice balance of metal and plastic on the KWC Metal Slide CQBP M45 A1 Non-Blowback CO2 BB Pistol. The metal slide, magazine barrel and some literals give it a really decent weight in the hand and the fit and fish feel good overall. The trigger and hammer are not the best aspects of the gun in terms of quality as they are both plastic and both kind of made more for show and less for function.
Realism: The KWC Metal Slide CQBP M45 A1 Non-Blowback CO2 BB Pistol looks and feel the part of a M45 1911 A1 including a full size drop out metal magazine, working magazine release and safety. The slide catch release is none functioning and so is the hammer which does not cock back for single action shooting. It would have been nice to have a single action trigger and a working slide to finish off this pistol but it is meant to be more of an entry level pistol at the end of the day.
Should have good FPS and lots of shots per CO2 based on my 4.5mm BB version testing!
Rail for mounting accessories.
Nice white dot sights.
Recessed barrel give it a more realistic look.
True 1911 style looking trigger even though it is double action only.
True 1911 working safety.
Cons:
No blowback - slide does not move either.
Hammer moves but does not cock so no single action shooting.
Non adjustable rear sight.
Trigger action is bit heavy and long so it’s not going to be the fastest action shooter.
Comments:
If you're looking for a lower cost well made 1911 in that classic A1 style but with a little bit of updating like having a Picatinny rail and tactical sights then the KWC Metal Slide CQBP M45 A1 Non-Blowback CO2 BB Pistolmay just be right for you. So it doesn't have blowback or a working slide, on the other hand it has lots of metal on it giving it good weight and feel and with less moving parts there will be less to go wrong down the road. You can also expect to get fps into the 400 range with a decent amount of shots per CO2 so the trade off not having blowback may be worth it for this reason. All in all a nice airgun in the under $100 category.
My Vimeo Videos for the KWC Metal Slide CQBP M45 A1 CO2 Air Pistol:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KWC Mac 11 M11 is double action only and is rather long and a bit firm so you will get a bit of a finger workout especially when shooting a full 39 rounds from the 4.5mm steel BB version. There is no blowback operation so this is a double action only pistol.
Accuracy: The accuracy and true feet per second performance will be tested when I do my future Field Test Shooting Review shortly (weather permitting).
Build Quality: Overall the KWC Mac 11 M11 CO2 BB - Airsoft Pistol is built fairly well as long as you don't mind the all plastic build. to be honest if you where to drop this all plastic pistol on the ground it would most likely just bounce a couple of times no worse for wear since it is kind of light weight and all. If it was an almost all metal build it would weigh in a lot more and the drop onto a hard surface could easily break the zinc alloy metal parts. That said there is some metal on the KWC Mac 11 M11 CO2 BB - Airsoft Pistol and that would be the folding - sliding stock and of course some internal parts. The rear fold out portion of the stock is actually hardened steel!
Realism: As a replica of a real steel Mac 11 M11, the KWC Mac 11 M11 CO2 BB - Airsoft Pistol looks bang on since it is 1 to 1 scale and at least in terms of looks is virtually identical ot teh real Mac 11. In terms of function, that is a different story since the KWC Mac 11 M11 CO2 BB - Airsoft Pistol does not have many working parts other than the trigger, safety and magazine release. The selector switch, bolt charging handle and bolt are all molded into this gun and their only purpose is to look good! The overall weight is rather light too since most of this Mac 11 pistol is ABS or plastic.
Pros:
First 4.5mm Steel BB Mac 11.
1/1 scale replica definitely looks the part.
Full size drop out magazine that holds the CO2 and BB’s.
High capacity 39 rounds magazine.
Built in metal and steel retractable stock.
Decent fps.
Available in both 4.5mm Steel BB and 6mm Plastic Airsoft versions.
Cons:
Pretty much all ABS, kind of light weight.
No blowback or many working parts.
Kind of long and heavy trigger.
Pretty much everything is moulded into this gun.
Comments:
Too be honest when I first saw the box for the KWC Mac 11 M11 CO2 BB - Airsoft Pistol I was a bit excited, that was until I opened it up and found out I was looking at a pretty much all plastic gun with few working parts and no blowback operation. But after holding it and giving this air pistol a good look over I have to say I am warming up to it a bit more now. After all it is the first Mac 11 M11 4.5mm steel BB pistol that I know of and it 100% looks the part so if you are looking for a replica Mac 11 then this will fill that purpose for sure. Even though it is almost all ABS plastic, this airgun feels solid seems to be really well made. The steel and metal stock is a nice addition and so would have been a metal magazine but overall for a low cost replica BB and Airsoft shooter you do get your moneys worth.
My Vimeo Video Review for the KWC Mac 11 M11 CO2 BB - Airsoft Pistol:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KWC Makarov PM CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is really nice. It is single action only since it is a blowback pistol that requires racking the slide to chamber the first round. The take-up of the trigger is slight with a crisp light release, the trigger is definitely not going to get in the way of the accuracy of this pistol.
Accuracy: The accuracy and true feet per second performance will be tested when I do my future Field Test Shooting Review shortly (weather permitting).
Build Quality: Excellent, the KWC Makarov PM CO2 Blowback BB Pistol seems to be really well built like the other full blowback KWC BB and Airsoft pistols I have reviewed and shot in the past. The fit and finish is very good but I expect the electromagnetic black coating to wear off in the high spots fairly quickly but this does give the slight worn in real gun look. In terms of quality it looks like KWC may have even gone to extra effort to beef up some of the areas perhaps prone to breakage like the trigger guard since this pistol is made out of Zink based metals rather than hardened steel like you would find in the real firearm.
Realism: I have to say the KWC Makarov PM CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is a really nice replica overall, perhaps one of the best considering it has full cycle blowback with an all metal full sized drop out magazine. Sure the Baikal MP-654K takes the cake in terms of realism since it is practically a real Makarov rechambered to shoot Steel BB's but the MP-654K lacks blowback operation and the ability to fire quickly using a single action trigger. A couple of drawbacks with the KWC Makarov PM CO2 Blowback BB Pistol that are different from the real steel Makarov PM are the thicker trigger guard and butt plate.
Pros:
Has full cycle blowback operation.
Nice heavy blowback spring makes slide nice and snappy, should have good blowback operation.
All metal build.
All metal full size drop out magazine that holds the BB’s and CO2.
Fully field strip-able.
All part function like a real Makarov.
Open ejection port and reassessed barrel.
No ugly CO2 tab.
Seems to have a really nice single action only trigger.
Internal fixed hop-up for improved accuracy and sustained trajectory.
Cons:
Lower fps because of short barrel and presumable heavy blowback operation.
Magazine base sticks forward a bit more and is thicker than a real steel Makarov.
Trigger guard looks to be thicker than a real steel Makarov.
Comments:
The Makarov is one of my favorite pistols, it's a true classic! So the fact that there is yet another Makarov Air pistol on the market is fine with me. And perhaps the KWC Makarov PM CO2 Blowback BB Pistol might just be the best all around Airgun Makarov hitting all the hot spots us Replica Airgun enthusiasts love... Like full blowback operation, a nice light single action trigger, a full size metal magazine that holds the ammo and the CO2 and of course an all metal build with all those working bits and pieces like you would find on the real steel Makarov PM. But you will have to decide for yourself...
My Vimeo Video Review for the KWC Makarov PM CO2 Blowback BB Pistol:
Wow! Some new 4.5mm Steel BB and 6mm Plastic Airsoft guns and they are all brought to us from KWC. I would expect all of them to be available eventually in both 4.5mm Steel BB and 6mm Plastic Airsoft but for now I have the M11 in both Steel BB and Plastic Airsoft and the Makarov PM and CQBP M45 A1 in Steel BB.
This is just my quick preview video so make sure to watch it as I do show you around the guns fairly nicely but you can expect some more upcoming detailed Table Top and Shooting Videos shortly...
Here are some of the basic specifications for each gun...
Materials: Mostly metal with some plastic construction.
Weight: 2 pounds (900 grams).
Barrel: 2.25 inches, non-rifled.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.
Action: Revolver, single & double actions.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.
FPS: 328 fps (120 m/s).
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher CLT-B25 357 2.5 Inch CO2 BB Revolver is good in both single and double action, even better than the Dan Wesson and S&W 327 TRR8 shell loading revolvers, most likely because the spring tension that pushes the inner barrel to make contact with the cylinder is noticeably lighter on the KWC - Gletcher 357's. Even the hammer is smoother and has less wiggle, just a better trigger and hammer mechanism overall.
Accuracy: In terms of power and accuracy, you can checkout my full Field Test Shooting Video here. I did get a nice 2 inch 6 shot grouping on my paper target setup 30 feet away from my standard semi-rested position (sand bag up front and standing in the back). Accuracy was a bit lower than the factory claimed 320 or so fps coming in at an average of 280. I did perform my field test back in May so the weather was not all that warm perhaps effecting peek fps performance somewhat.
Build Quality: The Gletcher CLT-B25 357 2.5 Inch CO2 BB Revolver being mostly metal has a very good build quality, perhaps even better than the Dan Wesson and S&W 327 TRR8 shell loading revolvers, even the weight of the KWC 357 is noticeably more! The only real plastic or rubber I could find was in the grips and the shell tips. Fit and finish was also good with no noticeable wear or sloppy workmanship.
Realism: The KWC - Gletcher CLT-B25 357 2.5 Inch CO2 BB Revolver overall is a close copy a the real steel 357 styled revolver. I did notice the rear portion of the receiver (between the rear cylinder and hammer) to be a bit longer perhaps to accommodate the CO2 valve length, but other than that this pistol is super close to the original 357 styled revolver it is based on. Again being all metal gives this CO2 BB revolver very realistic weight and feel and the loadable brass shells make using this gun almost exactly like using a real shell loading revolver but for much less cost per shot and of course a lot less recoil on the hands that a real 357 magnum or even when shooting 38 special shells for that matter.
It's a revolver with actual shells! Give you the feeling of loading and shooting a real revolver
Mostly all metal design
lots of detail, well made, fit and finish are both good.
Good overall weight, even for this short 2.5 inch barrel version.
Fully adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Well hidden CO2 Screw.
Recessed barrel.
Nice Trigger pull in both single and double action.
Tactical fingered grips look good and allow for a firm hold.
Cons:
Grips are a bit rough, not as rubbery as they look.
Grips may be a bit large for people with smaller hands.
All black sights not great on dark backgrounds.
FPS could be a bit higher!
Comments:
The Gletcher - KWC CLT-B25 357 2.5 Inch CO2 BB Revolver is yet another addition to the increasing lineup of shell loading revolvers available today in both Steel BB and Airsoft versions. The 2.5 inch reviewed here is meant to be the compact version with its snub nosed barrel but I would have to say it is not a small gun at all coming in at 2 pounds and with rather large grips and a pretty large cylinder to pack around. But then again, that may be just what you are looking for? The shorter barrel does effect the fps performance since longer barreled versions of this same pistol I have tested do shoot much hotter but that is to be expected with pretty much any short barrelled CO2 pistol.
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the Gletcher CLT-B25 357 2.5 Inch CO2 BB Revolver:
Ammunition Capacity: 19 round metal stick drop out universal magazine.
FPS: 394 fps 120 m/s.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher BRT 84 is rather long and a bit on the heavy side but it is smooth and predictable. The release point takes a while to get to but once you figure it out you can get really accurate shot placement with this Beretta Model 84 replica. As with many low cost simplicity designed CO2 Air Pistols, the Gletcher BRT 84 uses the barrel like a hammer. When you pull the trigger, the inner barrel moves forward and out of the outer barrel allowing a BB to move into the breach area, then the barrel snaps rearward hitting the CO2 valve releasing CO2 and shooting the BB.
Accuracy: I tested the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol from 30 feet back shooting at a paper target using a semi rested position I was able to get a near 1 inch 10 shot grouping on two separate occasions with this rather small and unassuming airgun. In terms of feet per second performance the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol is rated at 394 fps, my Chronograph results shooting 5 rounds through the Chrony using a full CO2 and 5.1 grain Steel BB's was a respectable 421 fps, even a bit higher then the factor claim of 394.
Build Quality: Being a pretty much all metal gun, makes the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol feel solid and sturdy even for such a small pistol. The only plastic parts on the Gletcher BRT 84 are the grips, the CO2 tab and perhaps an internal part like seals and such. The painted finish is a nice dark grey and seems to be wearing really well. Since the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol is basically a one piece solid metal moulded airgun, there is really nothing to go wrong and no fit problems to speak of. Yes it is basic but it is also really well made.
Realism: The Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol is a replica of the real steel Beretta Model 84. It is an extremely close copy in terms of looks and feel, but does not have very many moving parts other than the trigger, magazine release and safety. So no slide movement or blowback, no working slide catch release, not even the hammer is functional. That said, not much to go wrong if what you are looking for is a gun that looks like a Beretta model 84.
Very solid all metal construction, good weight and feel.
Stick magazine is universal and can be used in many other guns.
Very accurate with good fps performance.
Grips feel nice, almost have a rubber like texture.
Simple design so not very much to go wrong with this airgun.
CO2 tab is hidden internally.
Reasonable price tag for well built all metal airgun.
Cons:
Very few working parts.
Trigger is a bit long and heavy, not ideal for action shooting.
Sights are non-adjustable
No Beretta Licensing
Comments:
I am usually not a huge fan of non-blowback basic airguns, especially when they do not have many working parts on them. However the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol has some strong points that makes it worth considering, like it's solid all metal build, excellent accuracy and nice high fps performance for such a small sized airgun. It all feels really good in the hand ergonomically and based on the way it's built in such a simple no frills manner, the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol should last a long time if taken care of.
Watch my Vimeo Review for the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol:
Ammunition Capacity: 20 round metal stick magazine.
FPS: 400 fps claimed.
Trigger Pull: Trigger pull on the Umarex HK 45 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol is double action only but doesn't feel too bad, it has the traditional longer double action pull but I did not find it to be too heavy and the release point was fairly predictable for me allowing for some good overall accuracy.
Accuracy: I have already done a full Felid Test Shooting Review Video for the Umarex HK 45 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol so make sure to check that one out! In summary I got a bit higher fps then claimed at 420 fps with a 5 shot string using a brand new CO2 with RWS 5.1 grain zinc coated steel BB's. From 30 feet away shooting on a paper target using a semi rested posting I was able to place 10 BB's within 1.5 inches, almost close to a 1 inch grouping. The shot placement for me was just a tad to the left and a bit down but several shots hit the bulls eye so out of the box accuracy was really good on this low cost BB pistol.
Build Quality: The Umarex HK 45 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol is built fairly basic with few moving parts so there is not much to go wrong, the fit and finish is good and there is metal where it needs to be internally and also the trigger, magazine and slide.
Realism: The Umarex HK 45 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol is a very good overall HK 45 Replica BB pistol in terms of size and looks, it has full HK licensing and even has a metal slide and polymer frame like the original real steel HK 45. It is a bit lighter bit not by too much. There is no working slide and the slide catch/release and hammer are molded into the gun. The only working parts would be the safety, magazine release and trigger.
Metal where it matters, slide, magazine, trigger, internals.
Nice replica of the original HK 45.
Fully HK Licensed.
White dot sights easy to sight in your target on most backgrounds.
Decent double action trigger.
Picatinny rail for accessories.
Cons:
None blowback with a fixed slide.
Slide catch/release and hammer are moulded in and none functioning.
Sights are none adjustable.
Comments:
For a rather low cost CO2 4.5mm steel BB pistol, the Umarex HK 45 has a lot going for it! It is fully HK Licensed with a metal slide and metal parts where you want and need it. The accuracy and power are both good and even the double action trigger is very usable. Sure the Umarex HK 45 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol is a pretty basic gun with few moving parts but then again simple is sometimes better in terms of reliability. If you are an HK fan and want a low cost well made and good performing BB pistol then checkout the Umarex HK 45.
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the Umarex HK 45 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol:
Trigger Pull: Trigger pull on the Webley MK VI .455 CO2 Shell Loading BB Revolver is great in both single and double action, for a shell loading revolver the double action is the best I have come across with next to no friction like I would usually find with shell loading revolvers when shot in double action mode.
Accuracy: I tested the Webley MK VI .455 CO2 Shell Loading BB Revolver on my pool deck first off shooting 6 rounds through my Chronograph. The claimed fps is 427, I got really close to 400 fps in my testing so there is the potential for this revolver to shoot up into the low 400's. When I stepped back 30 feet and shot 6 rounds form my semi rested position, I got a really tight 1 inch group with almost all the rounds landing in the bulls eye. My shots where just a hair to the right but not by much which is good since the sights on this pistol are none adjustable. You can check-out my full Field Test Shooting Video here!
Build Quality: The Webley MK VI .455 CO2 Shell Loading BB Revolver is pretty much an all metal construction other than the plastic grips and any internal seals. The fit and finish is excellent with a great overall weight in the hand. The only complaint I have is that the grips being a thin plastic seem kind of low quality compared to the rest of this otherwise high quality Webley CO2 BB Revolver.
Realism: In terms of replicating a real steel Webley MK VI .455, Webley did a really great job with their CO2 BB firing version. Webley even includes a Small Arms Training Manual based off of the real steel variant. Webley based the BB CO2 MK VI from the original blueprints and the licensing is form the original 1915 version. The only real tell that this is a CO2 BB revolver would be the small safety switch on the lower right side frame and the CO2 valve located right behind the hammer.
Looks amazing and is a very accurate replica of the real steel Webley MK VI.
Great weight and feel in the hand at 2.4 pounds
nice deep Recessed barrel with true .455 caliber opening.
Break barrel design makes it really easy to load the dummy shells.
Hammer / trigger action is great in single and double action.
Webley Licensed.
Well concealed CO2.
Fairly discreet safety location.
No ugly warning instructions on the gun!
Cons:
One of the higher cost shell loading revolvers we sell.
Sights are none adjustable.
Real version would shoot .455 caliber rounds, the dummy shells are actually closer to 357.
Could be a bit loud for some back yard shooters?
Plastic grips seem a bit cheap compared to the rest of this high quality gun.
Comments:
Another classic shell loading CO2 BB Revolver, nothing wrong with that, I remember a time when finding a realistic revolver, even a modern version was hard to do. Now we have a growing selection of super realistic revolvers that replica their original real steel variation with ultra realism. The Webley MK VI .455 CO2 Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver is no exception and makes for yet another option if you want a well designed, super functional and ultra realistic classic BB revolver.
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the Webley MK VI .455 CO2 Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver :
In part one test of the Umarex Polymer Colt Python 357 CO2 BB Revolver, the Chronograph velocity test I managed to get 5 reading out of 10 shots (Chrony was acting up again) and averaged 426 fps using 5.1 grain zinc coated RWS BB's with a brand new 12 gram CO2. Perhaps my average would have been slightly higher if I got all 5 readings on the first 5 shots since the fps is always a bit higher. My highest reading was 442 fps while my lowest reading near the end was 406 fps.
Part two, the accuracy component to this Shooting Field Test gave my fairly good results but perhaps not as good as the all Metal Shell Loading Umarex Colt Python I tested out earlier. I did find the Umarex Polymer Colt Python 357 CO2 BB Revolver shot well centered but got about a 2 inch grouping shooting 10 rounds on the paper target. If you find yours is not set to shoot exactly on the bulls eye you can easily adjust the sights for windage and elevation.
If you are wanting a higher than 6 round CO2 BB Revolver with a low price tag, good velocity, easy loading, adjustable sights, a smooth single and double action trigger and decent accuracy than checkout the Umarex Polymer Colt Python 357 CO2 BB Revolver!
In this Field test Shooting Review I again get out from under my deck roofing and take my Chronograph and target shooting onto the pool patio. I may as well take advantage of the great summer weather we are having and get some rays while I shoot a video :)
The CO2 BB Pistol I chose for this Field Test Shooting video is the Umarex HK45 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol. As per my usual Field Test Shooting Video Reviews, I test out the real world velocity (fps) for the Umarex HK45 BB Pistol by shooting 5 rounds through my Chronograph using a brand new CO2 and using 5.1 grain RWS zinc coated Steel BB's. I did have a few Chronograph issues but managed to get 5 good readings giving me an average of 421 fps.
Then I stepped back 30 feet and shot 10 RWS 5.1 grain zinc coated Steel BB's on a paper target to see how accurate the Umarex HK45 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol would be for me on this day. I was impressed to see a tight 1 inch grouping shooting from my rested position. The BB's where well centered on the target, just a hair to the left but good considering the sights are none adjustable.
Overall the velocity and accuracy of the Umarex HK45 are really good for this low cost BB pistol, the double action trigger is a bit long and on the medium pull, side but that is to be expected. The white dot sights make acquiring just about any target easy which may have helped me in my accuracy portion of the test.
In this Field test Shooting Review I get out from under my deck roofing and take my Chronograph and target shooting onto the pool area. Why not? The weather has been great and the pool is officially open and looking good :)
My pistol of choice for the Field Test Shooting video is the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol. As per my usual Field Test Shooting Video Reviews, I test out the real world velocity for the Gletcher BRT 84 BB Pistol by shooting 5 rounds through my Chronograph using a brand new CO2 and 5.1 grain RWS zinc coated Steel BB's. I did have a few Chronograph issues but got a solid 4 readings giving me an average of 421 fps.
I then stepped back 30 feet and shot 10 of the same RWS Steel BB's on a paper target to see what kind of accuracy I could get shooting the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol. I was impressed to see a close to 1 inch grouping shooting from a rested position. I actually performed this test twice because the first time I forgot to record with my camera glasses but I still got similar results both times.
The Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol is a bit on the louder side with a nice cracking sound when fired. The double action trigger is decent, nice and predictable but a bit on the long and heavy side since it is double action only. The sights are none adjustable but the Gletcher BRT 84 CO2 BB Pistol shot pretty true to the center of the target, juts a bit low and to the right but not by much. Overall for under $100 and being all metal this is a nice replica Beretta 84 BB shooter with good pereormcane.
In this Field Test Shooting Review I put the Webley MKVI .455 CO2 Shell Loading BB Revolver through my Chronograph and Target Tests to see how powerful and accurate the Webley MKVI really is!
Starting off with the the velocity Chronograph test, I shot 6 rounds through my Chrony using a brand new CO2 and RWS 5.1 grain zinc coated steel BB's in my Webley MKVI .455. My 6 shot string averaged just under 400 fps right at 397. Pretty decent for a shell loading BB revolver, not to mention very consistent shot to shot!
Next up was the accuracy component for this Field Test and as per usual, I setup my sand bag 30 feet away from my paper target and unloaded a full 6 round cylinder in to my ammo trap. I use a semi rested position, standing in the back resting my hands on a sand bag up front. This has proven to be a fairly stable shooting platform for me but there is some human factor involved. I was impressed with my 1.5 inch 6 shot grouping (right in the bulls eye) that could as easily been a 1 inch group if the one flyer had stayed a bit tighter but still really good performance for a none rifled BB shooter!
The hammer and trigger on the Webley MKVI .455 CO2 Shell Loading BB Revolver are very smooth in both single and double action with single action shooting being the shortest and lightest for best accuracy. It is still nice that this old school revolver offers double action shooting when you want to unload on your target quickly.
I also like the top break loading design which makes loading fast and easy on this 2.4 pounds all metal CO2 BB Revolver.
I wanted to not only do my Field Test Shooting review for the Umarex 9XP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol but also compare it to the discontinued Umarex SA177 since both guns share most of their internal parts. I had a good idea that both airguns would perform very similarly with perhaps the newer 9XP having the edge due to it being almost 5 years newer.
A with all my current BB Pistol Field Test Shooting Reviews, I test out the real world Feet Per Second performance by shooting 5 rounds through my Chronograph to see what they average out at, of course I use a brand new CO2 for this and my choice of BB was RWS Zinc coated 5.1 grain Steel BB's.
I started out testing the Umarex SA177 to use as my baseline and after about 5 warmup shots, the SA177 came back to life after sitting on the shelf for many years un-shot. My 5 shot string averaged a respectable 397 fps which is pretty good for a blowback pistol!
I then moved on to the newer Umarex 9XP CO2 Blowback Pistol and right away it popped out all 5 shots at over 400 fps with an average of 412 for my 5 shot string. Not only was the Umarex 9XP more powerful but it also had a snappier blowback action and was louder than the SA177 leading me to believe the CO2 valve may be setup to let out a bit more CO2 with each shot.
Stepping back 30 feet from my paper target I proceeded to again first test out the Umarex SA177 for the accuracy portion of this field test. I used my standard semi rested shooting stance, (sand bag up front, standing in the back) since it offers me a pretty stable shooting platform. I generally like to shoot 10 rounds into the paper target but the SA177 for some reason was having some slide lock back issues and I lost a BB in the process. Later on when I reloaded my SA177 I did not have this same problem so I am not sure what was going on. Even though the slide was locking back on some shots it did not really seem to effect the accuracy all that much. I got a main grouping that was about 1.5 inches in diameter and then a couple shots went out of that group extending the diameter to about 2.5 to 3 inches. Still pretty good for a blowback pistol. The shots where fairly well centered on the target.
When I performed the same test using my Umarex 9XP, I did not have any slide lock back issues and was able to get all 10 shot on target although one mystery shot did not seem to make a hole at all even though I clearly heard it fire and hit the target, perhaps it went exactly through an already existing hole? Either way I had a nice 5-6 shot group dead center on the target well under a 1 inch diameter and then 4 shots came outside extending the grouping to about 2 inches, again another well centered grouping!
In conclusion the Umarex 9XP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol is a nice replacement for the SA177, it performs very similarly to the SA177, even perhaps a bit better! To me it felt like the trigger on the Umarex 9XP was a bit heavier than the SA177 but not by much? Maybe the 9XP hammer spring is heavier which would explain the increase in fps. SO if you have been wanting an SA177 but can not find one used, grab yourself one of the Umarex 9XP's, you will not be disappointed :)
My main goal in this Shooting Performance Test was to see how the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPAConversion Kit performed side by side with a standard 12 gram CO2. Keep in mind that you can also switch over at any time to a regular 12 gram CO2 even after installing the ANT adaptor system in the gun or magazine.
My choice of Airgun for this test was the KWC - Cybergun Mini UZIConverted to Full Auto. I chose this Blowback 4.5mm CO2 BB Gun because it uses a lot of CO2 with each shot and when shooting in full auto it literally eats CO2. I knew this airguns would really put the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit to the test.
My first performance test was to comparing both systems using a Chronograph so I could see how the fps velocity slowed down because of the CO2 cool down effect. The 12 gram CO2 did pretty well emptying a full 25 round magazine but keep in mind I was shooting in semi auto only for the sake of using a Chronograph. I did notice a drop in velocity from a high of over 300 fps to a low of around 260. When I switched over to the Bulk CO2 ANT System and performed the same test the fps started out a bit lower but stayed pretty much about the same with a few ups and downs. The initial lower fps may have been a result of using separate magazines for each test since the valves in each magazine are most likely tuned a bit differently to let out more or less CO2 with each shot.
My second and most impressive test was to empty a full 25 round magazine in full auto mode! Again a started out using the standard 12 gram CO2 and to make this a real world test, I did not replace the 12 gram CO2 form the previous test. I figured 50 shots was a realist amount of shots to get from a single 12 gram CO2 and after all I was only shooting in semi auto which uses a lot less CO2 then shooting in full auto.
My KWC Blowback Mini UZI rocked pretty good using the 12 gram CO2 until it hit about a third the way through the magazine and then it stated to slow down and pretty much stop dead in its tracks with about 5-6 rounds still left in the magazine. The CO2 was all gone and I was left a bit unsatisfied :(
Without any significant break time to let my KWC Mini UZI warm up again, I switched over to the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit magazine and unloaded the full magazine in no time with no cycle rate slow down at all, even after the magazine was deprived of Steel BB's I kept squeezing the trigger and letting the blowback hammer my shoulder for several more satisfying bursts. Now that is what you expect from a full auto Blowback BB Machine gun!
In conclusion, when shooting in semi auto you will see better fps consistency using the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit but where this system really shines at least for me is I can shoot as fast as as long as I want and it will feel same as the very first shoot I take even when using a full auto system. No more switching out 12 gram CO2 every few magazines, just speed load some more BB's in and your good to go.
I was sent a really cool new product form a company called ANT (Advanced Novelty Tech). Their CO2/HPA Converter allows you to hook up either a large CO2 tank or High Pressure Air system using standard Paintball hose system.
What's kind of neat with the Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit, is that you can still interchange your 12 gram CO2 if you want to even after modifying your gun to use Bulk CO2 or HPA!
The ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit works with well over 100 BB, Pellet and Airsoft guns most of which would be Pistols but some rifles are included in this list.
The main advantages over using standard 12 gram CO2 cartridges would be a significant lower cost for CO2, along with less fps velocity fall off, so better performance overall.
Stay posted as I will be making a field test performance test using the ANT Advanced Novelty Tech CO2 HPA Conversion Kit with my KWC Mini UZI Full Auto BB Machine gun :)
A few years back the Umarex SA177 disappeared off the face of the earth, well not really, it simply juts stopped being made and fairly quickly retailers ran out of stock... As with anything that people want but can not get any more, the demand went up and all of a sudden everyone seemed to want to get their hand on an Umarex SA177 Blowback BB Pistol.
You might ask why Umarex stopped making what at the time was a fairly popular CO2 BB Pistol? Well if you know anything about Glock, they do not like it all that much when a company makes a product that they feel infringes upon their intellectual properties and copy writes. Did the SA177 look like a Glock, well sure it had some similarities and perhaps Glock felt it was a bit too similar and so may have kindly asked Umarex to stop making it? At least that's what I think happened :)
So that brings us to now. And a new gun on the market called the Umarex 9XP that in many ways is a lot like the SA177 but with a slightly new skin on it, one that differentiates itself a bit more from the traditional Glock look. Sure the Umarex 9XP Blowback BB Pistol has a some Glock looking properties but it am guessing it has enough subtle changes to make the lawyers over at Glock HQ happy enough to allow Umarex to again sell an airgun very similar to the SA177.
Internally and mechanically as far as I can tell the Umarex SA177 and Umarex 9XP are the same and so they should both perform very similarly too each other and with pretty much all the same specifications. Even the magazines seem to be interchangeable! The trigger and trigger pull look to be identical and even the slide catch release are modeled after each other. Again, the only difference are some minor cosmetic changes to the metal slide and polymer frame.
So if you have been looking to get your hands on an SA177, well the next best or perhaps even better airgun is now available in the new Umarex 9XP! And the price is all right too!
Trigger Pull: Trigger pull on the Umarex Colt Single Action Army Shell Loading BB Revolvers is the best I have ever come across in an airgun. Being that the Umarex Single Action Army Revolvers are single action only, most of the work is done while you pre-cock the hammer. The trigger pull is under 2 pounds and has virtually no take up with a crisp release.
Accuracy: I tested both 4.5mm steel BB's and 4.7mm Lead ball BB's in the Umarex Colt Single Action Army Shell Loading BB Revolver. With the Steel 4.5mm BB's I shot just under a 2 inch 6 shot grouping when shooting from a 30 foot distance using a semi rested position (Sand bag up front, standing in the back). The shots where pretty well center hitting the paper target just a little bit high, they did seem to stray a little more left and right rather then up and down. When I switch ammo to the 4.7mm Lead BB's I got a similar 2 inch grouping but they hit the target a bit lower and tended to shoot tighter from side to side with more variation up and down, perhaps because the lead BB's did not seem to shoot at a vary consistent velocity. My Chronograph testing for the Steel BB's was right around 400 fps while the Lead BB's being heavier shot a bit slower at just under 300 fps.
Build Quality: The Umarex Colt Single Action Army Shell Loading BB Revolvers have a mostly all metal construction other than the plastic grips and any seals. The fit and finish is excellent with a great overall weight in the hand. Whether you get the Nickel or Blued version. The mechanical action of the hammer and trigger feels just like it would on a real single action army revolver.
Realism: In terms of replicating a real steel Colt Single Action Army Revolver, Umarex has done a really great job with their CO2 BB firing version. It's really hard to tell one from the other except for the smaller shells and the discreet safety switch located under the frame. Even the barrel is nicely recessed and has some fake rifling twists in it. The CO2 is well hidden with the Allen key built into the handle so no ugly screw tab hanging down.
Looks amazing and is a very accurate replica of the real steel old west version.
Recessed barrel with fake rifling.
Great weight and feel in the hand.
Shell loading design that loads from the back so no need to remove shells if you wish not to.
Hammer and trigger action is about perfect, no take-up, very crisp and super light.
Finish on both the Nickel and Blued version is very nice.
Very well concealed CO2 with built in Allen key.
Discreet safety location.
Cons:
In your face warning instruction on the right side of the barrel are a shame.
Real steel version would shoot .45 caliber bullets, dummy shells are actual closer to a .38.
Seems really quiet to shoot, would like to see a louder more powerful version!
Comments:
All I can say is we finally got our Airgun 1857 Colt Single Action Army Revolver! I have been asking the big airgun companies for this for a while and I knew it would be very popular once made available. As it turns out, not only do the "Americans" want one, but so do many folks overseas! I am really glad that time and effort was put into this first version and we got such a great product that looks amazing and shoots just as good as it looks. For anyone who is interested in owning the classic cowboy six shooter, you have to make sure to get one of these super realistic Single Action Historic Revolves!
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the Umarex Colt Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver :
Some more new guns I will be checking out, well one is just a different finish of the Umarex Colt SAA Revolver but for sure worth taking a look at in this Preview Video.
All the guns in the Vimeo Preview Video and CO2 4.5mm BB Pistols, three are styled after revolvers and one is based on a semi auto modern pistol.
Starting with the revolvers I show off the absolutely gorgeous blued finish on the Umarex Colt Single Action Army BB Revolver and it all I can say is it really needs to be seen in person to fully appreciate how great it looks. I was not expecting the blued version to look nicer than the Nickel version but in my opinion it is my favorite of the two. And that's not to say the Nickel version is not a great looking pistol in it's own right.
I've been waiting a while to see firsthand the Webley & Scott MK6 CO2 BB Revolver and it finally came this week. Another really well built and designed classic Revolver to add to the list of shell loading CO2 BB Revolvers. I was really impressed with the trigger and hammer action, both single and double action feel super smooth and the position of the hammer makes for really easy draw for single action shooting. The 2.4 pound all metal weight give the Webley & Scott MKVI great balance and realism, while the top-break design makes for super easy loading.
Not to be mistaken with the Full Metal Shell Loading Umarex Colt Python 357, I take a look at the more affordable Umarex Polymer Colt Python 357 that fits the bill nicely when looking for a BB Revolver with a nice hammer and trigger, fully adjustable sights, and higher than average capacity magazines than your standard revolver.
Last but not least I look at another fairly affordable CO2 BB Pistol, the Umarex HK45. It's a pretty basic CO2 BB pistol but looks really good and has decent weight with its metal slide. The HK45 features white dot sights, a Picatinny rail, an all metal drop out stick magazine and full Heckler and Koch licensing.
