Entries in Repeater,Real Gun

CO2 Versus Spring Versus Pump Airgun Comparison

7 Comments

In this Comparison Video I go through the benefits and shortcomings of CO2, Spring Piston and Pump Airguns. I focus mainly on Airguns but there is a bit of a crossover with Airsoft guns.

All three systems (CO2, Spring, Pump) create pressure that forces the ammunition with a high force out of the barrel. Similar to how gun powder is the source of energy for a bullet.

Here are some basic statements that best describe CO2, Spring Piston and Pump Airguns.

CO2 Airguns:

  • CO2 Airguns use the expansion of CO2 gas to create the pressure required for the ammo.

  • CO2 Airguns generally store enough CO2 for multiple shots per cartridge.

  • CO2 Airguns have a limit as to how much power they can produce since CO2 has a set vapor pressure of 850 psi, or about 56 bar at room temperature which is around 25 C or 77 F. CO2 Gas also requires a warm environment to expand so warmer temperature and longer barrels help with power.

  • Some CO2 guns can also use pressurized air tanks in place of CO2.

Spring Piston Airguns:

  • Spring Airguns use the release of a pre-cocked spring and plunger system to compress air to power the ammo.

  • Spring Piston Airguns require the cocking of the spring between each shot so they are single shot only.

  • Spring Airguns are limited to how much effort is humanly possible to cock the spring into position. If you make the spring to strong then not everyone will be able to use the Airgun effectively. Too week of a spring and the Airgun will lack power.

  • Spring Piston Airguns are known for having a fair amount of recoil and vibration when the spring moves both forward and backwards quickly inside the Airgun.

  • Spring Airguns can use either a mechanical spring or a gas spring.

Pump Airguns:

  • Pump Airguns (either Single or Multi-Pump) store air pressure in a chamber that when released, powers the ammo.

  • Most Pump Airguns require at least 1 or more pumps, often up to 10 pumps for each shot and you generally only get one shot per set of pumps. Not to be confused with PCP Airguns (Pre Charged Pneumatic) which have large pressure tanks that are recharged with a high volume of pressurized air that is capable of shooting multiple shots per charge.

  • Pump Airguns are also somewhat limited to how much effort is humanly possible since the higher the chamber pressure, the harder it will be to pump the Airgun. 

Misc Airguns:

  • Generally speaking both Spring and Multi-Pump Airguns have more potential power than a CO2 guns since CO2 has a set peek pressure limit.

  • Pump and CO2 Airguns are know to have very little recoil since the pressure is stored in a chamber and then released by a valve. No slapping back and forth of a large internal spring.

Pros:

CO2 Airguns:

  • CO2 Airguns allow for multiple shots per CO2 cartridge for more realistic action shooting.

  • CO2 Airguns do not require any human effort to charge the gun other than loading the CO2 and Ammo into the Airgun.

  • CO2 Airguns allow for true semi auto shooting ability. 

Spring Piston Airguns:

  • Spring Airguns have the potential for high velocity since the larger and stiffer the spring, the greater the output force.

  • Spring Airguns do not require anything other than your ammunition, typically either a Pellet or BB.

  • Spring Airguns are mechanically very simple which makes them very reliable and less expensive to produce than other types of Airguns. 

Pump Airguns:

  • Pump Airguns have the potential for high velocity since more pumps equals greater output force, only limited by the users strength and the pressure rating of the Airgun.

  • Pump Airguns do not require anything other than your ammunition, typically either a Pellet or BB.

  • Pump Airguns have next to no recoil which makes them very easy to shoot and highly accurate.

Cons:

CO2 Airguns:

  • CO2 Airguns require the purchase and use of CO2 or they simple do not work.

  • CO2 Airguns are very susceptible to temperature changes, especially cold temperature since CO2 needs a warm environment in order to expand. Cool down effect also plays a role in power output.

  • CO2 Airguns have a maximum set amount of power output.

Spring Piston Airguns:

  • Spring Airguns require the pre-cocking of the spring for each shot.

  • Spring Airguns can take some getting used to since the spring recoil/vibration requires a very lose grip (Military Grip) to shoot accurately with them.

  • Spring Airguns should not be stored pre-cocked since this can damage the spring, less so with gas spring versions. 

Pump Airguns:

  • Pump Airguns require pre-pumping to pressurize the air chamber for each shot.

  • Pump Airguns, especially Multi-Pump Airguns take the most amount of human effort for each shot.

  • Pump Airguns need to stored with at least one pump in them or the seals can get damaged over time.

Categories: .22 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Break Barrel, CO2, Comparison, Multi-pump, PCP, Pellet, Pistol, Repeater, Revolver, Rifle, Semi Auto, Spring Piston Tags:

Is an Airgun Good for Self Defense?

3 Comments

Is an Airgun Good for Self Defense? Another one of those questions I get asked fairly often that's a bit hard to answer in a few sentences... Not all of us have easy access to a 9mm pistol or even a rifle but many of us can get our hands on an airgun fairly easily and they look real enough, I guess that is one thing they have going for them.

But what if the mere sight of what looks like a gun does not scare an intruder off? If you where hoping that would be enough, you may just be out of luck and what if you just brought an Airgun to a "real" gun fight? You are going to be drastically "outgunned" pun intended and here's why. A 4.5mm Steel BB weighs about 5.1 grains and generally you are looking at about 2-3 foot pounds of energy from a CO2 BB gun. Even a .177 caliber lead pellet is only marginally heavier at around 7-8 grains and if you're really lucky you might just get 4 foot pounds of energy out of a CO2 pellet pistol.

So let's take a look at a fairly conservative "real pistol" rounds, the 9mm. The 9mm rounds come in different bullet weighs but you can get a 120 grain 9mm in a plus p ammo with as much as 400 foot pounds of energy and even with that much raw power, many people claim that a 9mm round does not always have enough stopping power to put down a person even when shot multiple times center mass. It just depends what vital organs or arteries you hit that determines if he gets lucky or you get lucky.

Your 5.1 grain 4.5mm Steel BB is not going to do anything if it hits any type of clothing and even if you find some flesh it's just going to piss off the intruder.

My suggestion is to consider a bat or a golf club or a really big knife or just about anything other than an airgun because if the sight of the airgun replica does not scare an intrude away then you are really buggered.

Keep in mind that you need to abide by any laws regarding the use of self defense in your areas. Even just physical force could be considered a crime and at the end of the day you are ultimately accountable for your actions.

Categories: .22 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, 6mm, Airsoft, BB, Blowback, CO2, Gun Law, Pellet, Pistol, Real Gun, Revolver, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags:

Will this Ammunition Work in my Gun - Can I Convert a Blank Gun to a Real Gun?

3 Comments

Two questions that come up over and over again and to be honest I just hate answering, mainly because both of these questions to me are kind of common sense questions. I feel if someone where to stop and actually think about teh question, the answers would become obvious.

That said, common sense has to be learned somewhere and not all of us are exposed to the same life experiences so here goes...

The two questions are:

  • Will this Ammunition Work in my Gun?

  • Can I Convert a Blank Gun to a Real Gun?

The answer for both of these question is actually the same! Use the ammo made for your gun and do not try to use anything other than the ammo that was made for your gun. Do not try to modify your gun to shoot anything other than the ammo that was made for it, if you do, you may be breaking the law and could land yourself in jail. If you can follow these rules then your ammo and gun will work as intended :)

So that's pretty much it in a nutshell, watch my YouTube video below as I show you examples of ammo types with visuals on exactly why you need to use the ammo made for your gun. I also talk about the dangers of attempting to modify a blank gun to shoot some sort of real bullet and why it is a very bad idea in so many ways to try and convert a blank gun into a real gun.

rohm RG-88.jpg
Categories: Gun Law, Gun Safety, How To, Real Gun, YouTube Video Tags:

Pedersoli Derringer Guardian #11 4.5mm .177 Pellet Pistol Chronograph Test

2 Comments

As promised I did a redo of my Original Chronograph Test for my Pedersoli Derringer Guardian #11 4.5mm .177 Pellet Pistol. The first time around I just could not get my Chronograph to read in the poor lighting I had going on that day. I spent a fair bit of time doing some testing with my Chronograph since it is that time of year when the lighting is poor and determined that I need to use the white defusing panels as it seems that my roofline and the low light are playing havoc with the Chronograph readings.

Once I sorted this all out my Chronograph worked perfectly and I was able to get some readings for you with my Pedersoli Derringer Guardian #11 4.5mm .177 Pellet Pistol. As I assumed I did not get much over 350 fps. I also got a lot of variation in the fps, most likely due to the fact that I had to roll down the pellets a bit on the backside in order to feed them in the barrel from front to back, some pellets where tight and some where a bit looser, the looser ones seemed to shoot a bit faster as less of the pressure may have escaped out the back where the primer was situated.

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Field Test, Pellet, Pistol, Real Gun, Review, Single Shot, YouTube Video Tags: Pedersoli Derringer Guardian

Pedersoli Derringer Guardian #11 4.5mm .177 Pellet Pistol Field Test Shooting Review

No Comments

It's a bird, it's a plan, no wait... It's a pellet gun, no it's a cap gun, or is it a blank gun or maybe it's a real gun? Well it shoots lead bullets out of the barrel using gun powder so who really know's what we should call it? At least here in Canada you don't need a license to buy or own the Pedersoli Derringer Guardian #11 4.5mm .177 Pellet Pistol so that's a good thing :)

If you have not already watched my Table Top Review for the Pedersoli Derringer Guardian #11 4.5mm .177 Pellet Pistol, make sure to do so to find out a bit more info on it since I don't go over too much in this Field Test Shooting Review.

So on with the Field Test Shooting Review results... Right off the top, I have no Chronograph test result, try as I did I could not get my Chronograph to read the pellet speed in the rather low light situation I had today, even with a bunch of added extra lights :( I would say off hand that it was shooting somewhere in the 350-450 fps range and when I do get a brighter day I will pop outside and shoot a couple rounds off and post the updated info here for you all, so check back in a bit if this interests you.

What I can tell you for sure is how this gun shot in terms of accuracy. I was expecting to spray pellets all over the target because there is no back sight on the Pedersoli Derringer Guardian #11 4.5mm .177 Pellet Pistol, there is just a post sight up front.  I was not even sure if I was going to get all the pellets on the paper. I even setup my target at the 20 foot mark just to be safe and as per usual I was using a semi-rested position by placing a sand bag to rest my hands on and then sitting on my knees in the back, pretty stable all around.

I started off the target test by aiming dead center but quickly found that I was shooting about 6 inches high, so my next 5 shots I aimed 6 inches below the bullseye and low and behold 4 out of 5 of the shots landed within 1.5 inches of each other. So I guess having a rear sight is over rated! If you can figure this gun out, the rifled barrel will direct each pellet straight and true so I think it really comes down to knowing how to line up the front sight with an imaginary rear sight and don't try to shoot really small targets far away. Once you get used to where to point the Pedersoli Derringer Guardian #11 4.5mm .177 Pellet Pistol, you should easily be able to hit a pop can out to 20-30 feet with no problems.

Of course you have to reload this pistol before each shot which consists of cocking the hammer, placing a pellet in the front of the barrel and pushing it to the back with the loading ram rod and then positioning a #11 percussion cap on the primer nipple. Not a rapid fire gun at all but you do appreciate each shot considering the work involved. I also found pre-rolling the back side off my pellets helped to reduce the rear diameter so that the pellets loaded into the barrel much easier. You may have to blow out some residue between each shot which is not something I would recommend with most guns but it's very clear that this pistol is safe since in order to see the barrel obstruction there would be no percussion cap loaded onto the gun.

The Pedersoli Derringer Guardian #11 4.5mm .177 Pellet Pistol is a very unique pellet pistol and actually kind of fun to shoot since it involves a bit of work for each shot and of course some hands on time to figure out exactly how and where to point it to get accurate target results.

Make sure to watch my second Chronograph Test where I was able to get some readings for you!

 
Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Pellet, Pistol, Real Gun, Review, Single Shot, YouTube Video Tags: Pedersoli Derringer Guardian

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

2 Comments

Type: Pellet/BB Multi-pump Air Rifle.

Manufacturer:Crosman.

Model: MK-177.

Materials: Plastic with some metal.

Weight: 3.5 pounds.

Barrel: 16.75 inches, rifled.

Propulsion: Multi-pump.

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

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

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

FPS: 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.

Available in the:Replica Airguns Store.

Pros:

  • The only SCAR Pellet/BB rifle I know of?

  • Fairly well priced.

  • Excellent accuracy!

  • Very easy to pump.

  • 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:

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Comparison, Field Test, Multi-pump, Pellet, Repeater, Review, Rifle, Scope, YouTube Video Tags: Crosman, MK-177

What are the Types of Airguns, Airsoft Guns and Blank Guns?

3 Comments

I wanted to cover some basic Airgun, Airsoft Gun, Blank Gun and Paintball Gun information on what do they all shoot, what makes them shoot and some other miscellaneous info thrown in along the way...

Your should also watch the video attached at the bottom of this post as it goes into a fair amount of detail.

Let's begin with the types of ammo used:

Airgun Ammo

  • Airgun ammo for the most part is broken down into BBs and Pellets, the most standard size BB and Pellet is the 4.5mm or .177 caliber Steel BB and Lead Pellet. You can also get Pellets in other calibers and even other materials other than lead such as steel or aluminum, some can have plastic skirting around a metal interior.

  • Pellets also come in a variety of caliber's like .177, .20. 22. 25 and even larger but then I would start considering them to be bullets as they will take on the shape of a bullet when they get into the larger sizes.

  • Airgun Ammo is not be fired at people, it is primarily used for target and hunting small game.

  • Airguns can use Spring Pistons, CO2, Compressed Air and Multi-pump propulsion systems.

Airsoft Gun Ammo

  • Airsoft Guns for the most part shoot round 6mm (.22 caliber) plastic BBs which come in a variety of weights ranging from .12 grams up to .48 grams. There are larger Airsoft BBs such as 8mm and even larger.

  • There are biodegradable and even tracer florescent Airsoft BBs available.

  • Airsoft Ammo is traditionally used for Airsoft battles and can be fired at people using protective gear. Airsoft Ammo can also be used for target shooting.

  • Airsoft Guns can use Spring Pistons, Spring Piston - AEG (Electric Motor) CO2, Gas (Green, Red, Propane) and Compressed Air propulsion systems.

Paintball Gun Ammo

  • Paintball Guns or "Markers" have been historically used for the sport of Paintball but their whereabouts came from the need of ranchers and forestry workers to mark trees. Hence the name "Marker"

  • Paintball ammo comes in a variety of sizes ranging with the most common being .43 and .68 caliber. They are generally made from a gelatin outer coating containing primarily polyethylene glycol, other non-toxic and water-soluble substances, and dye, they are usually biodegradable.

  • Paintball Guns can also shoot a variety of Paintball Ammo that can be made out of Rubber, Plastic, Glass and they can also contain Powders and even Pepper for use in non lethal defense.

  • Paintball Guns can generally use either CO2 or Compressed Air as their propellant.

Blank Gun Ammo

  • Blank Guns are just like Real Guns but without the dangerous bullet at the end of the brass shell. Other than that they work exactly the same as a Real Gun!

  • Blank Guns are used when a bullet is not required or even wanted. For instance... Gun safety, gun training, training animals to be around guns and/or loud noises, Props for Movies - Stage -  Film - TV, Collectors that do not want the red tape associated with owning a Real Gun or when owning a Real Gun is prohibited.

  • Blank Guns can shoot a variety of sized ammo, most common are .22 caliber crimped, .380 crimped, 8mm P.A.K. and 9mm P.A.K.

  • Blank Guns use gun powder as their means of operation.

Here are the most common forms of propulsion used in the guns we discussed earlier:

CO2

  • CO2 is the most common propellant in Airguns (BB and Pellet), it is also used in Airsoft Guns and Paintball Guns.

  • CO2 is a compressed gas which expands when released, it requires a warm environment to fully expand and tends to cool it's surroundings quickly when shot fast or in full automatic which can slow the velocity of the projectile and even freeze up the gun being used.

  • The most common reusable CO2 cartridges are 12 and 88 gram but you can get larger CO2 tanks in a variety of sizes that can be refilled with CO2.

Gas

  • Gas is used primarily in Airsoft Guns, I have not personally seen an Airgun that is made to use Gas other than CO2.

  • Gas is similar to CO2 in that it is a compressed gas that expands when releases, it also cools down the gun it is being used in and requires a warm environment.

  • Gas comes in a variety of names, Green Gas, Red Gas and Propane Gas. Green Gas contains Propane as it's base but has additives in it like silicone for lubrication .

  • Red Gas is know to be a bit more powerful than Green Gas as it has Chlorodifluoromethane or HCFC-22, R22 or Freon 22 used in refrigeration which turns to a liquid under a slightly higher pressure giving you slightly higher fps.

  • Many people use propane gas with an adapter that allows the mixture of silicone as propane is cheaper to buy.

Compressed Air (HPA)

  • Compressed Air (HPA - High Pressure Air) is most commonly used in Airguns and Paintball Guns but some people use it for their Gas based Airsoft guns.

  • The compressed air comes from high PSI tanks that can be purchased in a variety of sizes and contains compressed air at pressures up to 5000psi.

  • These tanks are reusable and usually need to be refilled at a paintball or scuba shop, some people buy their own compressors or large scuba tanks for refilling purposes.

  • Some Compressed Air (HPA) guns have their own built in tanks that can be filled with a compressor or even a manual pump.

  • Compressed air does not cool down the gun it is being used in and is a great option for high output or fully automatic guns.

Multi-Pump Pneumatic

  • Multi-Pump Pneumatic systems are most commonly used in Pellet and/or BB guns.

  • Multi-Pump Pneumatic guns use the same principle as HPA - High Pressure Air guns in that they require pressurized air as the propellant. The main difference with Multi-Pump Pneumatic guns, is that you do all the work by pumping the gun between shots. Generally speaking you pump the gun 3-10 times, take a shot and repeat this process.

  • Multi-Pump Pneumatic guns are not effected by air temperature and are great for target and small pest control.

Spring Piston

  • Spring pistons are generally found in Pellet Rifles and Pistols but some Airsoft Guns also use a Spring Piston System and generally speaking Spring Piston Guns are single shot only or in other words, the Spring needs to be drawn back before each shot. Spring Piston Guns can have magazines that allow for quicker repeat shots.

  • Spring Piston Guns come in many cocking configurations, Brake Barrel and Side lever to name a couple.

  • The Spring can be a Mechanical Spring or a Gas Spring.

  • Spring Piston Guns are not effected by temperature and are often used for small game hunting and target shooting.

Automatic Electric Guns (AEG)

  • Automatic Electric Guns  are generally found in Airsoft Rifles but there are some Airsoft Pistols (AEP) that use this same system.

  • Automatic Electric Guns use a similar system to a Spring Piston gun but have an electric motor that does all the work of drawing back the spring. You can even have fully automatic AEG guns.

  • The power for the electric motor comes from removable batteries, so it is a combination a battery supplying the motor with the power to draw back the spring that creates a pillow of air that shoots the BB.

  • AEG Airsoft Guns are great for situations when you require high capacity magazines with full auto capability. 

Gun Powder

  • Gun powder is used in Blank Guns, in the same manor that it is used in a Real Gun, the charge from the Gun Powder supplies the force required to operate the blowback in most semi auto Blank Pistols, it also creates the sound of a live round along with the muzzle flash which makes Blank Guns great for training and as Props for Movies and Film.

  • Because the kinetic energy from a blank gun is the same as a real gun, blank guns can be very dangerous when used in close proximity to an object, see my "Are Blank Guns Dangerous Video"!

Some other Gun Relevant Terminology:

Blowback

  • Blowback operation is when some of the force of the propellant is used to move the slide backwards, which in most cases cocks the hammer for single action and can also pickup and chamber a round into the barrel.

  • The slide spring supplies the energy for the return to the forward position of the slide.

  • Blowback Guns do rob some power from the bullet force and in the case of CO2 or Gas Guns the also reduce the amount of shots per CO2 or Gas fill.

Revolver, Semi Automatic

  • Revolver: Revolvers feed ammunition via the rotation of a cartridge-filled cylinder, in which each cartridge is contained in its own ignition chamber, and is sequentially brought into alignment with the weapon's barrel by a mechanism linked to the weapon's trigger (double-action) or its hammer (single-action)

  • Semi Automatic:  semi-automatic pistols use the energy of one shot to reload the chamber for the next. Typically recoil energy from a fired round is mechanically harnessed. After a round is fired, the pistol will cycle, ejecting the spent casing and chambering a new round from the magazine, allowing another shot to take place immediately.

Single Shot, Repeater, Semi Automatic & Fully Automatic

  • Single Shot: A Single Shot Gun needs to be reloaded each time it is shot.

  • Repeater: Repeating action Guns are single barreled guns containing multiple rounds of ammunition. These rounds are loaded from a magazine by means of a manual or automatic mechanism, and the action that reloads the rifle also typically re-cocks the firing action. The term repeating rifle is most often applied to weapons in which the next cartridge is loaded by a manual action, as opposed to semi-automatic rifles, in which the force of one shot is used to load the next.

  • Semi Automatic: A semi-automatic, or self-loading, firearm is a weapon that performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing.

  • Fully Automatic: A Gun that uses either its recoil or a portion of the gas propelling the projectile to remove the spent cartridge (in the case of a gun-shell), fire again repeatedly, as long as the trigger is held down or until the magazine is exhausted. Automatic Guns are distinguished from semi-automatic Guns in their ability to fire more than one shot in succession once the trigger is pulled.

Single, Double Action, SA/DA

  • Check out my post explaining Single and Double action!

  • Single-Action (SA): trigger performs the single action of releasing the hammer or striker to discharge the firearm each time the trigger is pulled.

  • Double-Action (DA): The trigger both cocks and releases the hammer or striker

  • SA-DA:  A SA/DA firearm combines the features of both mechanisms. You can pull the trigger in Double Action when the hammer is down which cocks and releases the trigger or you can cock the hammer with your thumb and then release the trigger using Single Action to fire the weapon. 

Lever Action, Pump Action, Bolt Action

  • Lever Action: In a classic lever-action firearm, rounds are individually loaded into a tubular magazine parallel to and below the barrel. A short bolt is held in place with an over center toggle action. Once closed, the over center action prevents opening solely by the force on the bolt when the weapon is fired. This toggle action is operated by a hand grip that forms part of the trigger guard. When operated, a spring in the tubular magazine pushes a fresh round into position. Returning the operating lever to the home position chambers the round and closes the breach.

  • Pump Action: With a pump-action firearm, the action is operated by a movable fore-end that goes backwards and forwards to eject, extract, and chamber a round of ammunition. Pump-actions are usually associated with shotguns.

  • Bolt Action: The bolt opens and closes the breech end of the barrel and contains the firing pin. The bolt is held in place with a lever that fits into a notch. Moving this lever out of the notch will release the restraint on the bolt, allowing it to be drawn back. An extractor removes the spent cartridge, which is then ejected through the lever slot. A spring at the bottom of the magazine pushes up the reserve rounds, positioning the topmost between the bolt and the chamber at the base of the barrel. Pushing the bolt lever forward chambers this round and pushing the lever into the notch locks the bolt and enables the trigger mechanism.

Magazine vs Clip

  • Magazine: A magazine is an ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating firearm. Magazines can be removable (detachable) or integral to the firearm. The magazine functions by moving the cartridges stored in the magazine into a position where they may be loaded into the chamber by the action of the firearm. The detachable magazine is often referred to as a clip, although this is technically inaccurate.

  • Clip: A clip is a device that is used to store multiple rounds of ammunition together as a unit, ready for insertion into the magazine or cylinder of a firearm. This speeds up the process of loading and reloading the firearm as several rounds can be loaded at once, rather than one round being loaded at a time. The term "clip" is also frequently used to refer to a detachable magazine, though such usage is incorrect.

Categories: .20 cal, .22 cal, .43 cal, .68 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, 6mm, 8mm, 9mm, AEG, Airsoft, BB, Blank Gun, Blowback, Break Barrel, Bulk Air, CO2, Full Auto, GBB, Multi-pump, PCP, Paintball, Pellet, Pistol, Repeater, Revolver, Rifle, Single Shot, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags:

Range Day - Shooting the Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm Plus a Few More Guns

3 Comments

I finally got out to shoot my Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm S.S. and it worked pretty well for me, the kick was hard but the design of this 10mm pistol helps reduce recoil so the recoil was not really all that much more than shooting a .45 or .40 caliber. If you have not watched my Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm S.S. Pistol Real Steel Overview then make sure to do so... I did have a few of my reload rounds that seemed to give me a bit of trouble but other than that the Wyoming Arms shot very well for me and was extremely accurate.

I also got the chance to shooting my Norinco Type 54 Model 213 9mm Tokarev copy, another nice gun to shot but even though it was only a 9mm it felt pretty jumpy, perhaps due to it's much smaller size and weight. Again you can also check out my Norinco Tokarev Type 54 Model 213 9mm Pistol Overview for more information on this one.

I also brought along my little ISSC M22 .22LR shooting Glock look-a-like to keep some of my shooting costs down since the 10mm are so expensive I needed to recoup some of my costs shooting the super affordable .22LR ammo. And yes I have a full Table Top Review for the ISSC M22 so check that one out if you're in the market for a fairly low cost .22LR that looks a lot like a Glock.

I had a great time and we got to shot some other guns while we where at the gun range; Walther P38 9mm, Glock 22 .40 Caliber, Sig Sauer Mosquito .22LR and the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 .22LR in all.

Categories: .22 cal, 10mm, 9mm, Pistol, Real Gun, YouTube Video Tags: ISSC M22, M213, Norinco, Tokarev, Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm

Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm S.S. Pistol Real Steel Overview

2 Comments

I do get requests from many of my viewers to do some real steel reviews and so far I have pretty much stuck with 22LR real steel reviews and my Tokarev real steel review. I recently purchased an interesting 10mm semi auto handgun used at a local used gun show and so I though I would share this rather interesting and no longer in production pistol with you. The handgun we are looking at today is the Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm S.S. At first place it looks a lot like a 1911 but it is different in several ways. the obvious traits are the safety on the slide and lack of a grip safety, it also has a very different looking handle and there are some internal differences also.

What drew me to the Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm S.S. was it's 1911 looks, the very nice stainless steel finish and the rather unusual 10mm ammo it was chambered to shoot. If your not familiar with the 10mm round it was developed by the FBI for sue by their field agents but was later determined to be a bit too much to handle for some of their smaller but later agents. The 10mm was then detuned and turned into the S&W 40 caliber which is essentially a shorter less powerful version of the 10mm.

Here are a bunch more photos that really show off the beauty of this pistol!

Definitely make sure to watch this video as I go through the gun and show you around, I also do a field strip and talk a bit more about the Miami Shootout that was the FBI's reason to look into the development of the 10mm Auto round.

 
Categories: 10mm, Pistol, Real Gun, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm

Shooting Henry 22LR - Savage 7mm Magnum - Norinco 12 Gauge with my Dad

No Comments

Earlier this week my father called me up and asked if I wanted to head out with him to go do some hunting/shooting. He has his bear tag but for the most part, hunting with my Dad consists of driving around in his truck hoping to stumble on something since he can not walk all that far these days.

We had a great time just enjoying each others conversation and of course the beauty of Canada BC's Harrison Lake area. We also got to shoot some guns to "make sure they where sighted in and working correctly". I brought my Norinco 12 Gauge Homeland Security 780 which I needed to test out and I'm glad I did since it needs some TLC to get working smoothly. I also brought along my little Henry Lever Action 22LR which is always a blast to shoot. My Dad brought his Savage Arms 7mm Magnum just in case we did see a bear on this outing.

Long story short we didn't bring any meat back home with us but we did see some out of season doe and of course had some nice father-son time together...

Categories: .22 cal, Field Test, Real Gun, Rifle, Scope, YouTube Video Tags: Henry Lever Action, Norinco

Personal Pre-owned Airguns for Sale

3 Comments

ALL GUNS ARE NOW SOLD - THANKS FOR THE AWESOME RESPONSE!

This is a first for me but I guess you could say I have to make room for some more guns ;) I have some duplicate guns and a couple I juts don't have a need for anymore so instead of having them sit around collecting dust, I thought I would offer them up for sale and get them in the hands of someone who can really appreciate and get some use out of them...

Here is a list of the items up for sale: 

  • Baikal IZH-61 .177 Caliber Spring Piston Pellet Rifle: $115
  • Baikal MP-655K Pellet/BB CO2 Pistol (missing pellet magazine): $125
  • Umarex CP99 Compact CO2 BB Blowback Pistol: $50
  • Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 CO2 BB Pistol: $30
  • ASG CZ 75 P-07 DUTY Dual Tone CO2 BB Blowback Pistol: $125
  • Umarex Beretta M92FS .177 Caliber CO2 Pellet Pistol - Nickel with Wood Grips: $200
  • (2x) AK47 BB Gun Magazines: $50 Each
  • Crosman 2240 .22 Caliber CO2 Pellet Pistol (14 inch barrel, RJMachine Breach/Brass Bolt, Wood Grip, NcSTAR 6x32 Scope): $225

Shipping/Handling is $15 Canadian and $25 to the US and you must be 18 or over to buy. You will need to email me at mike@replicaairguns.com to let me know what gun/guns you want to buy - first come first serve, I will send a PayPal request to the person with the first offer to buy and give them 24 hours to pay or I move on to the next buyer.

You can watch my YouTube Video to get a good look at each pre-owned item up for sale:

Categories: .22 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Blowback, Break Barrel, CO2, Pellet, Pistol, Repeater, Replica Airguns News, Rifle, Scope, Semi Auto, Single Shot, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags:

Replica Airguns at SHOT Show Vegas 2013 Highlights

10 Comments

I am happy to report back to you on all the new cool stuff I got to see at this years 2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Make sure to also watch my Vimeo video at the bottom of this post for some first person styled play by play of my experience at the Vegas SHOT Show 2013. (like you're there with me ;)

First up I want to cover a new gun from ASG, I have been wanting to get my hands on the 4.5mm Bersa BP9CC and I finally got to, not only did I get my hands on it but ASG was kind enough to supply me with one to take home for review. You can get the Bersa BP9CC in both Blowback and non-blowback versions and also in either BB or Airsoft. I opted for the 4.5mm BB Blowback version. I will be reviewing this BB gun very soon!

ASG also had a very cool prototype of an Airsoft CZ Scorpion EVO 3A1 hopefully coming out soon.

While roaming around SHOT Show 2013, I came across an interesting booth from FlashFog Security. I often get people asking me about using an airgun as a home defense weapon and I strongly advise against this. If the intruder is not scared off by the gun there is little an airgun can do to actually stop them. The FlashFog system works by rapidly filling a room with dense fog combined with a strobe light effect which blinds and disorients intruders completely. There is little an intruder can do other then try and get the heck out of there!

UPDATE: FlashFog just added a new section to their website specifically for School Security to help keep our schools safer from potential safety threats! So check it out: School Security Smoke Screen

I was a bit surprised by Gamo this year, they tend to stay away from actual Replica's and generally make BB/Pellet guns that look like popular guns but not any gun in particular. Gamo has a new BB/Pellet MP9 based machine pistol that uses a similar mechanism to their P-25 and PT-85 so it can shoot both 4.5mm BB's and .177 caliber Pellets using a double ended 16 shot rotary magazine. It also has an internal blowback system so it should have some recoil feel to it! I am pretty sure it is semi auto only but still a nice addition to their lineup!

Gamo also brought out a new 4.5mm BB Blowback pistol called the C-15 which has a metal slide and plastic frame, it kind of reminds me of the Umarex HPP in how it looks and feels.

Umarex had several new products that I am sure everyone is going to like! One that I think will do really well is the Steel Force, the Steel Force is designed around the 4.5mm BB shooting Steel Storm platform so it has a 6 round burst blowback operation and holds the 2x12 gram CO2 in the magazine while the BB's go in a 300 round hopper that feeds into a 30 round spring fed internal magazine. Like the Steel Storm it will shoot around 430 fps. The Steel Force has the advantage of being styled after the AR platform so it has a collapsible stock which will make shooting very easy.

Another often asked for airgun replica is the historic German Luger. This year Umarex stepped up to the plate and introduced the Umarex P.08 4.5mm BB pistol. Sorry, no blowback or even a working slide on this one but it is all metal and has a very good weight and feel to it.

If you're a fan of the entry level Umarex XBG then you may be interested in the new Umarex T.D.P. 45 which is very similar to the XBG in looks and features but with a slightly different look to it.

If you've ever wanted to turn your pistol into more of a PDW styled gun, you may be able to depending on which Umarex gun you have? Umarex added a very cool accessory called the T.A.C Converter that converts your Umarex HK USP (BB-Airsoft), SW MP40 (BB), XBG (BB), CZ Enforcer (Airsoft) and Walther P99 DOA (Airsoft) into more of a tactical (PDW) or Personal Defense Weapon complete with for-grip, adjustable rear sight, lots of rail options and a foldable stock.

I am assuming the Crosman M4-177 Pellet/BB Rifle has been doing well for Crosman as they have expanded with some more similar assault styled air rifles. The Crosman MSR77NP pretty much looks like a classic M16 but is in fact a Nitro Piston break barrel pellet rifle able to shoot .177 caliber pellets at 1200 fps (I hope there is a 499 fps Canada version planned too?).

A new takeoff of the M4-177 is the MK-177 which also shoots .177 caliber pellets and 4.5mm BB's using a multi-Pump System but it uses an upgraded more efficient pump system that squeaks out more fps with less pumps. The Crosman MK-177 is designed after the FN SCAR and is available in an adjustable iron sight version or a Red Dot equipped kit version.

One thing you can never get enough of in my opinion is another 1911 pistol! Crosman is introducing their GI Model 1911BB Blowback 4.5mm CO2 pistol, the one they had on hand was more of a prototype so the slide was not operational but it will feature an all metal design, blowback operation, 450 fps and a 20 round drop out magazine. I am sorry to say but it looks like the Crosman C51 has been dropped from Crosman's lineup but if you want a similar styled gun you can checkout the KWC SW40F which is a very close airsoft version.

We recently started carrying G&G Armament Airsoft guns, you can checkout my review of the Xtreme 45. I did stop by their booth and they had some new products on display, the M1 Grand (all wood stock) Airsoft had it's magwell all wrapped up as G&G had a propriety magazine system they did not want their competition to see. G&G also had some very interesting targets that light up, when shot they would react by individually turning off so you could see if you hit it or not.

There was a rather large crowd at the KWA booth but it was a shared booth so it's hard to say what everyone was looking at, the KWA area was pretty full, I did talk to the KWA rep and asked him point blank if KWC and KWA where the same or sister companies and the answer was not at all. There are often a lot of guns that look like they could be from the same company, I guess there is a lot of copying going on ;) One gun from KWA I would love to get my hands on is the Kriss SMG!

Now keep in mind many of these guns I have highlighted today are not available yet and a lot of them should be coming out in the spring time frame so please try to refrain from repeatedly asking when I will review them and have them in the store, it takes time and as much as we all want them now, they get here when they get here! 

Watch my Vimeo video of the Replica Aiguns at SHOT Show Vegas 2013

 
Categories: .22 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, 6mm, 9mm, AEG, Accessory, Airgun News, Airsoft, Airsoft News, BB, Blowback, Break Barrel, CO2, Full Auto, GBB, Multi-pump, Pellet, Pistol, Real Gun, Repeater, Replica Airguns News, Revolver, Rifle, Scope, Semi Auto, Single Shot, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags: ASG, Crosman, G&G, Gamo, KWA, Umarex

Norinco Tokarev Type 54 Model 213 9mm Pistol Overview

10 Comments

I first want to say this isn't exactly a review, more of an overview. I do show you around this Chinese made Norinco Type 54 Model 213 9mm Tokarev copy but I don't shoot it or even talk too much about shooting it. I have shot my Norinco M213 and it's quit nice, especially when you consider this gun was designed back in 1930. The Original Russian made Tokarev was built to replace the aging Nagant M1895 revolver that the Soviet troops used as their sidearm.

The Tokarev looks a lot like the Browning FN Model 1903 and was more than likely based off of it but it is different internally utilizing a short recoil dropping barrel similar to what is used in a 1911. The original Tokarev was not normally chambered in 9mm but rather the Russian made 7.62mm round. Being that the original 7.62 round is longer than a 9mm Lugar, Norinco had to place a block inside the magwell to accommodate the smaller magazine. I think it's a good tradeoff so I can use my readily available 9mm rounds in it. Each magazine hold 7 rounds as they are single stack design, this does make the profile of the entire gun very slim.

Another feature to note, that is found on the Chinese Norinco Type 54 Tokarev copy is the addition of a safety. The original Tokarev did not have a safety on it. The safety is similar to what you would find on a Makarov.

I have several Norinco guns and from what I have seen, people either love them or hate them and it's usually the people that own them that love them and the people that don't own them that don't like them. This may be based on first impressions as many Norinco guns are not as refined as what you would see in a Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer and many other higher end firearms. With that said the Norinco firearms kind of remind me of many Russian made guns which are more about how they work and less about how they look. The Norinco metal is tuff as nails and has a very high nickel content in it which is what makes it harder to refine.

Even today the Tokarev is a decent gun and I really love the history behind it, once you get used to it's unusual looks it really does start to grow on you and you can pick one up for pretty cheap these days, I only paid just over $200 for mine and it even came with 4 magazines.

Watch my Vimeo Video Overview of the Norinco Type 54 Model 213 9mm Tokarev:

Categories: 9mm, Pistol, Real Gun, Review, YouTube Video Tags: M213, Norinco, Tokarev

Dan Wesson 6 inch Silver Back in Stock - Limited Quantities!

2 Comments

FYI - We just got some more Dan Wesson 6 inch Silver in stock in our Canada Store, we are going to get our pre-order sales units out first to the customers who have been waiting for their pre-paid units and then we will take new orders, if you want one act fast as inventory is limited...

Buy Dan Wesson Revolvers in Canada   -   Buy Dan Wesson Revolvers in the US

Categories: 6mm, BB, CO2, Pistol, Repeater, Replica Airguns News, Revolver, Semi Auto Tags: ASG, Dan Wesson

My Top 5 Airgun Picks - Pistols Category

7 Comments

One question I get asked often is "Which are my favorite airguns?" or "What are my top 5 gun choices?" I have done my best to avoid answering this question because it's a very hard question to answer and to be truthful on any given day I may come up with a different selection of guns as there are just so many great airguns out there!

So today I took a bunch out and shuffled through them all to see if I could come up with five of my top picks, well at least for today that is, and I'm pretty happy with my selection (Umarex Desert Eagle - ASG CZ 75 P-07 Duty - Baikal MP-654K Makarov - Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness 1911 - ASG Dan Wesson 6 Inch Sliver). I know for a fact they are some excellent choices and if you happen to own or plan on buying one then I'm sure you will agree wiht me.

So checkout this Vimeo Video Review where I go through them and explain what I like about each gun, and why they made my Top 5 Airgun Pick.

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

Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911BB Pistol Now in Stock

No Comments

I am still waiting for some updated photos but we now have the Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 BB pistol with laser in stock. I am expecting to get my review copy shipped from the Toronto warehouse early next week so for sure I will have some photos and a better description I can share with you shortly...

Buy Swiss Arms GSR 1911 in Canada

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, CO2, Pistol, Repeater, Replica Airguns News, Semi Auto Tags: GSR 1911, Swiss Arms

Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical Colt 1911 Styled 22LR Pistol Review

3 Comments

Type: .22 caliber pistol.

Manufacturer:Chiappa.

Model:1911-22 Tactical.

Materials: Metal (Chiappalloy & Steel).

Weight: 2 pounds.

Barrel: 5 inches, metal rifled.

Propulsion: Gun Powder.

Action: Semi auto, single action only.

Ammunition Type: .22LR caliber rimfire.

Ammunition Capacity: 10 round magazine.

FPS: 1,138 - 1255.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical semi auto pistol is fairly heavy at the start of it's life at close to 10 pounds! This is a bit distracting but it has been reported that as the metals harden and the gun breaks in (Closer to the 2000-3000 round mark), you can expect a much lighter trigger pull of closer to 5 pounds.

Accuracy: I put about 500 rounds through the Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 and took some time getting used to how it felt and also shot several groups on target before I did my final test group. I shot two full magazines (20 shots) and was able to get a 6-7 inch group from 10 yards out (30 feet). I was shooting in a standing unrested position using the open sights unadjusted and my grouping was well center but just a tad bit high and to the left. Interestingly enough I had a nice tight 5 shot sub-group that all landed within each other almost dead center on target.

Build Quality: The Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical 22LR is not built out of the same hardened steel material (with the exception of some key high stress areas) as you would find in a large caliber hand gun as it is not necessary with the lower pressure of 22LR rimfire ammunition, but it is an almost all metal gun and seems to have decent fit and finish. Chiappa utilizes a special proprietary metal they call Chiappalloy throughout much of the pistol to make the 1911-22 look, feel and weigh about the same as a conventional 1911 45 auto. 

Realism: The Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical looks the part for sure of a real 1911 A1 styled 45 auto. It even feels about the same weight and has a similar balance to it. On the outside you can tell because of the smaller diameter .22 caliber barrel and the lack of a working grip safety. Internally the 1911-22 has a fixed barrel which is not true to the original 1911 design but it does make the 22LR version more accurate and simpler in design.

Purchased From: Wholesale supplier.

Pros:

  • Inexpensive to purchase and shoot but still has that "1911" look and feel.

  • Came with two 10 round magazines.

  • Comes in a nice hard shell case.

  • Can add an accessory rail under the barrel.

  • Adjustable rear sight for windage.

  • Fixed barrel for better accuracy and less moving parts.

  • Nice realistic weight adn ballance to it.

  • Very easy to take down and clean.

  • Similar dimensions to a real 1911 and should fit most holsters and add-ons.

  • Has a secondary "tool based" firing pin lock for safe storage.

  • Made in Italy.

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

Cons:

  • Trigger is very heavy at first - needs to be broken in!

  • Slide spring is very light which can lead to some cycling problems if you are not careful.

  • No working grip safety like the real 1911.

  • Plastic magazines.

Comments:

My Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical first impression was that it kind of had a blank gun look and finish too it which is not a bad thing but I wondered if it would take the abuse of constant 22LR rounds being shot through it and it most certainly did. Chiappa has put hardened steel where it needs to be and used their proprietary Chiappalloy where it is best suited. after about the first 100 rounds the 1911-22 stated performing consistently for me using a couple of brands of 22LR I brought with me and cycled both 22LR Standard Velocity and High Velocity just fine. I did notice it started to act up at around the 400 round mark but on inspection, the Chiappa 1911-22 just needed a cleaning to clear the debris that was forming in the breach area. I would also suggest keeping the magazines loaded up fore a few weeks to decrease the spring tension which helps with chambering the first couple of rounds out of a new magazine. Overall, I am really happy with my Chiappa 1911-22 purchase and plan to shoot this gun often and extensively!

My Vimeo Video Review for the Chiappa 1911-22 Tactical .22LR Pistol:

Categories: .22 cal, Field Test, Pistol, Real Gun, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: 1911-22, Chiappa

ISSC M22 22LR Glock Copy Table Top Review

4 Comments

Type: .22 caliber pistol.

Manufacturer:ISSC.

Model:M22.

Materials: Metal & Polymer.

Weight: 1.5 pounds.

Barrel: 4.17 inches, metal rifled.

Propulsion: Gun Powder.

Action: Semi auto, single action.

Ammunition Type: .22LR caliber rimfire.

Ammunition Capacity: 10 round magazine.

FPS: 1,138 - 1255.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ISSC M22 semi auto pistol is fairly light at about 4.4 pounds and it has a nice predictable break point. Some people claim the trigger itself is a bit edgy but I did not find this the case for myself at least when shooting off several hundred rounds at a time. No blisters for me :)

Accuracy: I put about 500 rounds through the ISSC M22 and took some time getting used to how it felt and also shot several groups on target before I did my final test group. I shot two full magazines (20 shots) and most of my shots (17 out of 20) landed within a 3 inch group from 10 yards out (30 feet). I was shooting in a standing unrested position using the open sights unadjusted and my grouping was well center but just a tad bit high. I was very happy with these results.

Build Quality: The ISSC M22 is a very well made pistol in just about every way. The materials are very good and the fit and finish is excellent. There is nothing cheap about this gun and even after over 500 shots through the M22, it still looked brand new (after a well needed cleaning of course) with barely any wear marks to speak of. I especially liked the solid aluminum magazines. I have no doubt this 22 caliber pistol will last me for a long time.

Realism: The ISSC M22 may not be a bang on copy of a Glock but it certainly looks the part with only a few exceptions like the rear hammer, safety and fixed internal barrel. I have even heard you can use real Glock accessories with this semi auto pistol! Even the kick kind of surprised me, I was using high velocity 22LR rounds and they gave me a nice crisp recoil that of course was not as hard as a 9mm but never the less it was enough for working on double taps and rapid sight acquisition.

Purchased From: Wholesale supplier.

Pros:

  • Inexpensive to purchase and shoot but still has that "Glock like" look and feel.

  • Came with two 10 round magazines.

  • Very well made - no quality issues as far as I can tell.

  • Accessory rail under the barrel.

  • Very usable sights similar to a real Glock. (also fully adjustable).

  • Ambidextrous safety and de-cocker.

  • Similar trigger safety as a real Glock.

  • Very easy to take down and clean.

  • Nice compact and light weight.

  • Similar dimensions to a Glock and may work with many of the same accessories.

  • Made in Austria like the Glock.

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

Cons:

  • Can come off of safety kind of easy.

  • Some Glock users may not like the external hammer and safety setup?

  • Some people have commented on it being a bit picky with certain ammo and the trigger being a bit edgy.

Comments:

I really fell in love with the ISSC M22 22LR Glock copy. I know this gun is going to get a lot of use and to be honest I'm not even worried about it. With the low cost of 22LR ammo I will be shooting this gun more than any of my other pistols simply because it's totally fun, and gives me almost the exact same experience as my larger caliber semi auto shooters at about 1/10th the price to shoot. I'm pretty sure I will even get out to the range more often knowing that I can shoot the entire day for about $20! I found the M22 to be reliable, accurate and comfortable while shooting so as far as I'm concerned the ISSC M22 is a real winner!

My Vimeo Video Review for the ISSC M22 Glock Copy .22LR Pistol:

Categories: .22 cal, Field Test, Pistol, Real Gun, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: ISSC M22

Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P R8 CO2 Revolver Field Test Review

3 Comments

Type: BB air pistol.

Manufacturer:UmarexUSA.

Model:Smith & Wesson M&P R8Buy in CAN  -  Buy in US

Materials: Plastic (polymer) and some metal construction.

Weight: 1.37 pounds.

Barrel: 5.1 (6.5) inches, metal smooth bore.

Propulsion: 12 gram CO2 x 1.

Action: Repeater, single and double action.

Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.

Ammunition Capacity: 8 shot rotary magazine.

FPS: 420.

If you haven't already checked out my Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P Table Top Review, make sure to do so for all the details and specifications on the Umarex S&W M&P R8 CO2 BB Revolver.

This Field Test Review focusses primarily on how the S&W M&P R8 performs in feet per second velocity, its accuracy and of course my comments on it's shoot-ability and CO2 efficiency.

Although the Umarex R8 did not get a very high average FPS rating (336 fps 8 shot average), it was very cold on my test day and on the positive side, the lower FPS enables the R8 to get a lot of shots per CO2, I would imagine you can get close to 200 useable shots out of one CO2 cartridge with the Umarex S&W M&P R8. The low usage of CO2 also make this gun very quiet to shoot so if you live in an area where noise is a factor the R8 may be a great choice for you.

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

During my Table Top Review, the trigger felt a bit heavy to me but when actually shooting the R8 it felt pretty good in both single and double action with the double action actually surprising me a bit at how it seemed to smooth out. I was able to get very good double action target results even when shooting close together. When shooting in single action on a target I managed to get six out of eight shots within the 1.5 inch bulls eye, two stragglers made it outside but overall the Umarex S&W M&P R8 shot very well for a smooth bore BB pistol.

As far as mechanical consistency the Umarex S&W M&P R8 performed perfectly for me with no malfunctions of any kind and other then reloading being just a bit awkward (There is not much room to get the magazine out for reloading - very tight tolerances) the Umarex R8 makes for a very decent low cost BB revolver.

If you're on a budget and want a replica CO2 BB revolver with good accuracy and tons of shots per CO2, the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P makes for a very suitable option.

My Vimeo Field Test Review for the Smith & Wesson M&P R8 BB CO2 Revolver:

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, CO2, Field Test, Pistol, Repeater, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: S&W M&P R8, Umarex

Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P R8 CO2 Revolver Table Top Review

2 Comments

Make sure to also checkout my Field Test Review of the Umarex S&W M&P R8 for the real world performance results!

Type: BB air pistol.
Manufacturer: UmarexUSA.
Model: Smith & Wesson M&P R8. Buy in CAN  -  Buy in US
Materials: Plastic (polymer) and some metal construction.
Weight: 1.37 pounds.
Barrel: 5.1 (6.5) inches, metal smooth bore.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2 x 1.
Action: Repeater, single and double action.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 8 shot rotary magazine.
FPS: 420.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P R8 is not too bad but has a stickiness to it right at the beginning as the cylinder rotates and pushes the metal spring "feed ramp"in and out. Shooting this revolver pre-cocked in single action mode is a bit smoother but also has some resistance right at the beginning. Overall I would say it has a medium pull to it. UPDATE: When actually shooting this gun, the trigger felt very respectable and I was able to get excellent accuracy result shooting in both single and double action.

Accuracy: Very good! I got 6 out of 8 shots inside my 1.5 inch bullseye and only two shots went outside a bit. these results where done shooting from 20 feet out in a semi-rested position. I also shot freehand in double action shooting quickly and also got a fairly well placed grouping. When it came to FPS performance the Umarex S&W M&P R8 was a bit disappointing (336 fps average 8 shots) but on the plus side it got well over 150 shots per CO2 and was extremely quite to shoot.

Build Quality: This is an almost all external polymer air pistol with some metal components on the inside like the inner barrel, hammer and some other internal framing components. The fit and finish is very good on the S&W M&P R8 and the plastic seems rigid and does not have much flex to it. Overall the R8 has decent weight but I felt another half pound would have helped this gun out.

Realism: The Umarex S&W M&P R8 is a licensed replica of the actual Smith & Wesson M&P R8 revolver. It is a very close looking copy in almost every way. There is a lot of attention to detail that helps make this gun very believable like the Smith and Wesson markings throughout the airgun and full size swing out cylinder!
Provided by: ReplicaAirguns.com

Pros:

  • I don't know the shooting side of things just yet but here's what I can tell you so far.
  • Should have decent FPS and good CO2 usage.
  • Inexpensive but decent build quality.
  • I like that the cylinder is full size and looks real.
  • Adjustable rear sight.
  • Well hidden CO2 tab.
  • Full S&W licensing, very good replica.
  • Single and double action trigger.
  • Magazine is removable for easy loading and you can get extras.
  • Easy to add accessories to it and make it customized to your liking.

Cons:

  • The plastic exterior may put off some customers looking for a more metal gun.
  • Lighter weight makes it feel a bit cheap.
  • Trigger action is a bit sticky at the beginning.
  • I would have liked to see this one in a pellet shooter.

Comments:
The Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P R8 BB CO2 Revolver based on my first impressions in this table top review portion is a rather nice low cost CO2 revolver. Other than it's low cost, it has a lot going for it like the extensive Smith & Wesson trademarks and the full size swing out 8 round cylinder, just like its hard hitting 357 big brother. The S&W M&P R8 also has an adjustable rear sight and full single and double action trigger for fast paced shooting or slowed down precision. I also really like the well hidden CO2 tab and larger diameter barrel opening that add to the realism of this Air pistol. Yes it shoots BB's only, and yes it is mostly plastic but I think once you start shooting this gun you will quickly forget these two minor shortcomings and remember how little all this enjoyment cost you!

My YouTube Table Top Review for the Smith & Wesson M&P R8 BB CO2 Revolver:

Buy this gun in Canada   -   Buy this gun in the US

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, CO2, Pistol, Repeater, Review, Revolver, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: S&W M&P R8, Umarex