Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Smith & Wesson 357 686 Revolver is very light and smooth in both single and double action. Single action is much shorter and a bit lighter with just a very short take up to it. In double action it does get a hair heavier and much longer as is expected but still very usable and easy to shoot quickly and with accuracy.
Accuracy: I found the Umarex S&W 686 pellet revolver to have some of the best accuracy I have tested out of a pistol, getting about a half inch grouping from 30 feet out in a semi rested position (sand bag up front, standing in the back). I also put 5 rounds through my Chrony Chronograph and the Umarex 357 686 averaged right around 450 fps using RWS 7 grain lead pellets which is even better than the claimed 425 fps from Umarex.
Build Quality:The Umarex Smith & Wesson 357 686 CO2 Pellet Revolver is almost entirely metal with the acceptation of the rubber grips and front removable sight, it has a very substantial overall weight and feel to it coming in at just under three pounds. Keep in mind this is one of the higher end German made Umarex guns and you can tell in the workmanship and fit and finish. All the mechanical parts work flawlessly and have very tight tolerances, the finish is also superb. Yes the price is up there but this is a an airgun you will most likely be passing down to future generations one day as a collectors item, and I would imagine also in working condition.
Realism:The Umarex S&W 686 is a replica of the real stell Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum and overall looks pretty similar in shape and style. It would have been nice to have seen a full swing our cylinder but this would have meant a more complicated design with potentially less performance? In a perfect world, loadable shell casings like the Dan Wesson would have been very cool but keep in mind this is an airgun that really performs in terms of power and accuracy. Mine was the silver version, I would have liked to have seen a color matched magazine but since it is metal it could be color matched after the fact. The Smith & Wesson licensing and markings along with the heavy weight, hidden CO2 Tab and recessed barrel help to give the Umarex S&W 686 a very believable look and feel.
Pretty much all metal, has a nice solid feel and good weight.
Higher than claimed fps (right around 450 fps)
Amazing accuracy, one of my best pistols tested to date.
Very high quality German made workmanship.
Very comfortable rubber grips.
Fully adjustable rear sight (windage and elevation).
Well hidden CO2 tab.
Full S&W licensing, good overall replica.
Single and double action with a nice trigger in both SA and DA.
Magazines are removable for easy loading and have a high 10 shot load capacity.
Cons:
A bit on the expensive side of things.
Rotary magazine is not color matched on the Silver version.
On the low side of shots per CO2 (About 60-70).
No rail mount for a accessories of any type.
Comments:
The Umarex Smith & Wesson 686 CO2 Pellet Revolver is not for everyone and I say that because the $250 plus price point is going to be just too much for many buyers. If you can find a way to get past the price then you will have a very high quality German made air gun on your hands, not only are the Smith & Wesson 568/686 CO2 Pellet revolvers very well made but they also perform as good if not better in terms of accuracy and velocity then even some dedicated target air pistols I have tested. Looks will not let you down either and I would not be surprised that this gun if well taken care of can be passed down to future generations as a working collectors item. If you are looking for a high quality, excellent performing replica pellet revolver then make sure to consider the Umarex Smith & Wesson 586 and 686 line of CO2 replica pellet revolvers.
Sometimes we all get caught up in which gun is brand new and has the most realistic features. I wanted to put the focus back on a few high quality German made Umarex Airguns that where designed from the ground up to be very good replicas but also take into consideration that yes, they are airguns and so they should be designed to operate like an airgun and have excellent build quality, and performance. Quality and performance sometimes gets sacrificed on newer guns that just go after realism and can sacrifice form over function.
Sure these German made Umarex air pistols are not cheap, but hold one in your hand and shoot it and you will quickly see that they are built to last a lifetime, these guns are an investment!
I have already reviewed the Colt Government 1911 A1 (Satin version), I wanted to also show you how it looks in the all black model. Two other Umarex German made guns I have been asked often to review are the Walther CP99 and Smith & Wesson 586/686 Revolvers. I am happy to inform you that I have these guns on hand and will be reviewing them shortly for you.
You can watch my Update video to see a bit of a preview of these very fine German made Umarex pellet shooters:
These are the 7 shot .22 caliber blank front firing versions, very high German quality, come in a nice presentation box and include the flare adaptor! Grab yours before they are gone again...
A bit of a heads up, one of our most poplar BB and Airsoft Pistols, the Dan Wesson line is for the most part fairly well stocked right now in the Canada Replica Airguns Store and ready for the Christmas rush! With that said don't hold off too long because we always run out of at least a few of the most popular versions...
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Bolt Airsoft B4A1 is fairly short and light as it is essentially just an on off switch for the internal electronic components. You can shoot this gun very quickly in semi auto mode, and of course in full auto when full auto position is selected. As is with all AEG rifles there is a bit of a delay while the spring is retracted and released, this is not as noticeable in full auto.
Accuracy: I tested the B4A1 Airsoft rifle by putting around 10 rounds into a target from 30 feet with .36 gram Airsoft 6mm BB's while using a semi rested position (sand bag in the front - standing in the rear). I used a non-magnified red dot scope for this test rather than using the built in iron sights. I got very good result in semi auto and even with the recoil making my sights jump around a bit in full auto still stayed well centered on target and got about a 1.5 inch group in both semi and full auto. My chronograph testing with lighter .20 gram BB's resulted in a 421 fps 5 shot average.
Build Quality: The Bolt Airsoft B4A1 Metal AEG Carbine is very well made with a full Metal upper and lower receiver, along with metal and polymer parts exactly where they would be on the real steel version of an actual Colt M4. The only plastic or nylon components are the stocks and the grips and perhaps some internal parts. I found the adjustable stock and magazine tolerance to be tighter than my King Arms M4A1 I previously reviewed which showed the Bolt B4A1 had a bit higher quality in the workmanship, for the most part the fit and finish was very good!
Realism: As with many Airsoft guns, there is great attention to realism and the Bolt Airsoft BRSS B4A1 Carbine is another great example of an Airsoft Carbine based on the Colt M4 platform. It is an AEG but because of the BRSS (Bolt Recoil Shock System) you get a very nice compromise between a conventional AEG and a GBB (Gas Blow Back Airsoft) gun. In other words, like a standard AEG I get that endless stream of consistent BB's flying down range on target but unlike a true Gas Blow Back Airsoft gun, I don't get that drop off in power and limitation to about 30 usable rounds per magazine . What I do get similar to a GBB is that recoil action that helps make the shooting experience so much more believable! Even the sound from the Bolt B4A1 is much snapper than a standard AEG and more like a GBB. I also like the fact that the charging handle and forward assist work similarly to a real M4 and also the dust cover cleverly exposes the bolt and internal hop-up for easy adjustment along with the bolt cycling just like a GBB rifle would cycle which is similar to a real steel M4.
Great attention to detail with lots of working parts.
All Metal upper and lower receiver, lots of metal parts throughout.
Semi auto & full auto selectable.
High capacity 300+ round magazine.
Removable carry handle with Weaver/Picatinny rail underneath.
Nice high 420 real FPS.
Extremely accurate for plastic BB's.
Fully adjustable sights with two position Peep sights.
6 position adjustable stock.
Easy access to internal hop-up system.
Realistic Blowback Recoil system (BRSS) for a very believable shooting experience!
Cons:
May not get off as many shots per battery charge as a traditional AEG because of the Bolt Recoil Shock System.
Does not come with battery or charger but most higher end AEG's also do not.
Not yet readily available in Canada, maybe we can change that :)
Comments:
The Bolt Airsoft B4A1 Blowback Airsoft Carbine is a great compromise for the avid Airsofter looking for a practical skirmish weapon, but also craving the realistic experience of having blowback with recoil which up until now was really only provided by Gas Blow Back systems. I really like this concept and find it great fun to shoot even if its just for plinking in the yard. The overall quality is very good and you just have to love the M4 platform it's based on. If you're into customizing you can mix and match many external and internal parts with other existing Airsoft mechanical parts and I would imagine real steel accessories. I like mine as is with my addition of a riser and Red Dot and if I every get a chance to get out for a skirmish this will be my weapon of choice for sure!
As with most new items I pickup, I like to share them with everyone. I am checking into some more ROHM blank guns, an RG-59 and RG-88, the RG-59 is a lot like the ROHM RG-56 .22 caliber blank revolver I sell in the Canada Replica Airguns Store but in .380 caliber and the one I show off here is a 5 shot two-tone model. Other than that they use the same frame and mechanical parts throughout.
I also received a black/blued ROHM RG-88 which is kind of like a Walther PPK in design, it field strips the same, has a similar safety setup and even has a similar size and look to it although it is definitely not a replica of a Walther PPK. I am impressed with the overall quality of the ROHM blank guns, material used, fit and finish is very good.
Lastly, I acquired a pre-owned Umarex CP99 CO2 Pellet Pistol from a customer of mine. It is in pretty much in new condition and is one of the Umarex guns I was missing in my collection and have been looking to add. The Umarex CP99 is a pretty good replica of the Walther P99 and uses the standard Umarex metal 8 shot rotary magazines and shares the same CO2 grip fed magazine as the CPSport. The CP99 is German made so it's not one of the lower cost Umarex pistols out there but you do get what you pay for ;)
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ASG/KWC MP9 A3 is single action only as the charging handle has to be pulled back to open and release the bolt for the first shot. There is a trigger safety but it is not noticeable when shooting this Airsoft machine gun. There is a short take-up and then a light release and short reset.
Accuracy: Right away I put my NcSTAR 1x25 Red Dot sight on the ASG/KWC MP9 A3 as it was a perfect fit for this small and compact machine pistol, it did not take long to sight it in and I was able to get decent accuracy in both semi auto and full auto burst due to the mild but very fast cycle rate. I was able to get a 2 inch grouping at 30 feet out using a rested position. In full auto mode the grouping did not really get too much wider. I also got between 350 and 370 fps when testing the ASG MP9 on my Chronograph.
Build Quality: The ASG/KWC MP9 A3 Airsoft Machine Pistol is built very well, using similar components that you would find on the real steel version so yes it has a plastic shell but that is to be expected. The ASG/KWC MP9 A3 does use lots of metal where it needs to be like in the internal parts, pins, bolt, barrel, rails and even the magazine. The fit and finish is near perfect!
Realism: I have to say the ASG/KWC MP9 A3 is pretty much a bang on copy of the real steel Brügger & Thomet MP9 A3. The only telltale sign is the ASG branding on the right side along with the 6mm caliber beside the ASG logo. One other small detail is the magazine which is metal on the Airsoft version where as you would find the real version uses a transparent polymer magazine.
Rate of fire is very fast and does not slow down much even when the gas is running low.
Good overall power for a short barreled gas blowback gun.
Very nice trigger with working trigger safety.
Excellent replica of the real steel version in just about every way.
Can add a lot of gear and make this gun your own.
Decent price for all you get out of the ASG MP9!
Cons:
Bolt didn't lock back for me when the gun got really cold?
Real magazine would actually be transparent polymer.
Comments:
I really like the ASG/KWC MP9 A3! I love the look, I love the features and the price is also really good for what you are getting. I was really impressed with the super high cycle rate and because of the small low weight bolt the gun does not move around too much or slow down in rounds per minute even when you do a full mag dump. There is however just enough blowback recoil to give you that GBB realistic feel! I also found that the magazine holds a lot of gas so it is possible to get two magazine worth of shots out of a single fill, that's around 100 shots. I also like how easy it is to add to the ASG/KWC MP9 A3, I had mine pimped out and looking amazing right away and suggest if you get one you do the same :)
My Vimeo Video of the ASG/KWC MP9 A3 Airsoft Machine Pistol:
For my Canadian Blank Gun collectors, I'm not going to list these ones as Silent Auction items this time around so if you're looking for an EKOL blank gun, I have one of each of the following versions for sale:
Model:ME Ranger (1873 Colt 45 Single Action Army).
Materials: Mostly Metal with wood grips.
Weight: 2.2 pounds.
Barrel: Cylinder venting with fully plugged barrel. (No Red Tip)
Propulsion: Gun powder.
Action: Single action only.
Ammunition Type: .380 Crimped.
Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.
FPS: N/A.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Bruni ME Ranger Colt 45 Single Action Army Revolver is very light as it is a single action revolver and most of the effort is done by pre-cocking the hammer. All you are doing is releasing the hammer which with the ME Ranger is nice and light with next to no creep.
Accuracy: NA.
Build Quality: The overall build quality of the Bruni ME Ranger is nice an believable. It has good weight to it and the finish is not perfect but you would not expect and Single Action Army styled revolver to be perfect. All the mechanical parts felt tight and functioned perfectly for me.
Realism: The Bruni ME Ranger Blank Revolver is a pretty decent replica of a real Colt 45 Single Action Army Revolver in terms of size, weight and most general appearances. It does lack the 45 caliber larger more open Cylinder holes as it is chambered in .380 caliber but you can only see this when looking from the forward position of the ME Ranger. My version also had the plugged barrel so all flame and gasses emit from between the cylinder and the back of the barrel, it would be nice to un-plug this barrel so some of the gasses and flame would come out the front of the barrel.
Purchase from: A private collector.
Pros:
Well made, materials fit and finish is all very good.
True to the original 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver.
Real wood grips.
Nice light single action trigger.
Made in Italy.
Cons:
Not fornt venting.
9mm P.A.K. blanks do not fit - too long.
Wood grips are a bit bland.
Comments:
As my first replica Old West Single Action Blank Revolver, it is a nice addition to my collection. It would make an awesome prop for any cowboy or cowgirl costume, maybe I can convince my wife to go as a cowgirl this year for halloween ;) Overall I really like the Bruni ME Ranger and I plan to perhaps open the barrel up so that I get a more realistic shooting experience with flames and smoke coming out the front of the barrel. That and perhaps some work on the grips to give them a more rugged and weathered look.
My Vimeo Full Video Review for the Bruni ME Ranger Blank Revolver:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the WE G39C is about what you would expect from a Single action only Semi Auto rifle, it has a very slight take up and then about a 4 pound trigger pull that is crisp and smooth.
Accuracy: Out of the Box the WE G39C shot great up close and farther out, the hop-up seemed to be already dialed in, and even though I was using only .20 gram BB's which is a bit light for this gun, I still found they tracked well and stayed on target both near and far. My 30 foot semi rested testing produced a nice 2 inch grouping. Shooting the barrel out on the tactical range I did have to aim just a bit higher when back out at 60 or more feet away. Maybe a slight bit more hop-up would do the trick.
Build Quality: The WE G39C is very well made, yes it has lots of polymer but so does the real version and the plastic seems very durable, The fit and finish looked great and there is a lot of metal in and around the G39C where it would be on the real steel gun and where it is really required to be. Like the trigger, flash hider, rails, pins, switches, rear sight, magazine and most internal parts also.
Realism: I bet if you had the real G36C sitting beside the WE G39C you would be hard pressed to tell them apart? WE did a great job making this Airsoft version very believable not just in appearance but also when field stripping it and shooting it with it's heavy bolt and felt blowback recoil.
Amazing attention to detail, just like the real H&K G36C.
All metal internals and metal external mechanical parts.
Semi auto & full auto selectable.
Awesome blowback kick really hits you in the shoulder.
Field strips just like the real steal version.
Nice high 400 FPS and good accuracy near and far.
Full ambidextrous, even the charging handle can be switched side to side.
Can get up to three magazines per propane fill up.
Very well priced for how awesome it really is.
Cons:
Some people may not like that it is a polymer built gun externally but it is what it is!
And that's it!
Comments:
So far I have been impressed with We an Airsoft company, they really know how to make very realistic and high quality products. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the mostly polymer external build on this gun but the sheer quality and solid build took away any ideas that tis Airsoft gun would be anything like a toy. The WE G39C is one of the best performing GBB Airsoft guns I have tried out getting up to 90 shots per gas fill on a magazine which is very impressive. We was also able to keep the price down which means more people can get into one of the G39C's. If you've been thinking about adding one of these to your arsenal I don't see any reason why not to!
Action: Semi auto, single & double action with blowback.
Ammunition Type: .43 caliber paintball or rubber bullet.
Ammunition Capacity: 9 round magazine.
FPS: 250-300fps.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Real Action Paintball RAP4 X50 is rather nice in single action, being a true blowback gun, the cycling of the slide not only chambers a round but also pre-cocks the hammer allowing for a very smooth and light single action trigger pull. There is also a working de-cocker that allows you to release the internal hammer. Double action is noticeably heavier but would only really be used on the first shot if you had already used the de-cocker.
Accuracy: After my previous review of the RAM X50 I was expecting this gun to perform pretty much the same. I did find it to be a bit more accurate within the 20-25 foot range using the rubber balls but when I got out into the field and switched over to the Paintballs I found that they where really hooking and darting all over the place? Mind you, this gun was right out of the box and not broken in yet. I also got a bit lower fps (right around 250) out of the RAP4 RAM Walther P99 compared to my RAM X50 but again my review unit had not been adjusted in any way and I imagine I could turn it up a bit to get more fps out of it if I wante to. The plus side is I was able to get an astounding 8 magazines worth of shots out of one CO2.
Build Quality: The RAP4 RAM Walther P99 styled Paintball Pistol is built very well, it does have a polymer frame but the gun overall has lots of metal parts and a very good overall 2 pounds weight to it dry. The blowback action is very snappy and all the mechanics and fit and finish all look and function very nicely. The slide spring is nice and firm giving this paintball gun a snappy recoil and the feel closer to a real gun than that of an airgun.
Realism: The RAP4 RAM Walther P99 was primarily made to simulate real word shooting environments for Police and Military users and even includes Walther branding and licensing, it is a very believable looking and functioning copy of the real steel semi auto pistol it replicates. Other than the exception of the CO2 Cylinder hanging a bit far out of the bottom of the handle. The RAM P99 would be hard to tell from the actual Walther P99, especially when looking down the large .43 caliber barrel. The Blowback action and firm recoil help pull off the believability when shooting this ralistic Paintball Pistol.
Very Accurate Walther P99 replica including licensing and trademarks.
Everything works pretty much like the real gun so a great training tool.
Good accuracy up close and lots of shots per CO2 for such a large round.
Nice light single action trigger and working de-cocker.
Fairly affordable.
Cons:
CO2 cylinder sticks out from the handle and looks a bit odd.
Paintball accuracy out at range was unpredictable.
Does not field Strip conventionally.
Comments:
This was my second time testing a RAP4 RAM product and again I took the chance to use it as it was intended to be used - in the field going through simulated tactical situations. My targets where barrels this time but they could have been other people with similar paintball guns shooting back at me which would have put even more pressure on me and forced me to really see where my mistakes are being made. That's the whole point of this type of training airgun, make it as real as it can be without your actual life being in danger so that when you are in danger you will not have to think about what you are doing but simply react based on your previous training. I think anyone who is a gun owner wanting to improve their reactive shooting skills should invest in one of these Paintball guns. One day you may thank yourself but let's hope it does not come to that!
Photo of Mystery KSC Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
All references, photos and video claiming that any item in this Review/Video looks like a Glock or is a Replica of a Glock in any way shape or form have been removed from this post as requested by Glock"Renzulli Law Firm"
Type: Airsoft GBB pistol. Manufacturer: KSC? Model: NAME REMOVED 17. Materials: Plastic & metal. Weight: 1.6 pounds. Barrel: 4 inch, non-rifled. Propulsion: GBB - Propane. Action: Semi auto - single action only. Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 23 round drop out all metal magazine. FPS: Up to 330. Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on this Mystery NAME REMOVED 17 GBB Airsoft pistol is very nice with some take-up at the beginning but once you hit the resistance part it is smooth and the release is very light. The NAME REMOVED trigger safety actually works on this model which is a nice touch!
Photo of Mystery KSC Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
Accuracy: I found the (KSC) NAME REMOVED 17 to have very good accuracy, getting about a 2 inch 8 shot grouping from 20 feet out in a semi rested position (sand bag up front, standing in the back). I also put 5 rounds through my Chrony Chronograph and this Airsoft Gas Blowback pistol averaged right around 326 fps using .20 gram 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's.
Photo of Mystery KSC Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
Build Quality: The (KSC) NAME REMOVED 17 Airsoft pistol uses a combination of plastic and metal and has a decent overall weight and feel to it thanks to the full size drop out metal magazine. The frame like a real NAME REMOVED is plastic but the slide and outer barrel are also plastic which on real steel NAME REMOVED would not be the case. Even so the overall weight is good and the fit and finish is very good. Even though this is a pre-owned Airsoft gun it is in as-new condition and seems to be holding up very well.
Photo of Mystery KSC Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
Realism: The (KSC) Airsoft NAME REMOVED 17 is very realistic in appearance and operation with all parts working exactly as they would on a real NAME REMOVED 17. Even the trigger safety works and field stripping this Airsoft gun is the same as a real NAME REMOVED. NAME REMOVED trademarks are present throughout, the only real giveaway is the plastic slide and outer barrel but you would need to examine this gun close up to see this for yourself. Purchased privately, check out some other Airsoft guns in theReplica Airguns Store.
Photo of Mystery KSC Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
Pros:
Very realistic and accurate licensing.
Got a tight two inch group but was a bit low, hop up should get it back up.
Decent FPS for a short barreled GBB Airsoft gun.
Even thought the frame and slide are polymer, it has good weight to it.
Everything works like the original, field strips and most mechanical parts are metal.
High capacity 23 round full size drop out metal magazine.
Adjustable rear sight for windage but is a bit lose on mine.
Good usage of the gas - two full magazines.
Photo of Mystery KSC Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
Cons:
Hard to get here in Canada.
Mostly plastic main build - slide and outer barrel are plastic.
Rear sight was a bit lose.
Comments: I am hoping that someone will know for sure who make this Airsoft NAME REMOVED 17 but either way it has been great playing around with it and doing my research to see if I could find out on my own. It's hard to tell you to go out and get one because I'm not sure what to go out and get at this point or even if this version can still be purchased and if so where from? All these questions... I can tell you that it's great to finally have an actual NAME REMOVED replica in my collection, I have a few NAME REMOVED-like guns but until I got my hand on this Mystery NAME REMOVED 17 GBB Airsoft pistol I really only had close proximities. So if you have the opportunity to snatch up something like this I say go for it!
Photo of Mystery KSC Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
Watch my YouTube Full Video Review of this Mystery NAME REMOVED 17 Airsoft Pistol:
I already posted that I recently hit 10,000,00 YouTube video Views but I have been hinting about there being another Giveaway/Contest. After much thought I wanted to have a way that more than just one person could benefit from this. So I decided to list a bunch of my Canada Store products on sale. (Sorry US customers but I have a lot more restrictions in the US when it comes to what I can do with my pricing).
These Canadian sales will be in effect from now until October 10th and to make things even better, one lucky shopper during this time will get their entire order for free (This includes US Customers too).
So make sure to get in on the savings and the chance to get your order free!
In this "Update Video" I also show off some new previously owned guns added to my collection, an Airsoft ASG shell ejecting CZ 75, a no-name KSC Airsoft shooter and a Gamo Combat .177 caliber pellet revolver. And if you're into spring piston break barrel pistols, make sure to watch for my customized Exisco XSP180 .177 caliber Verminator!
Ten Million Video Views Giveaway Plus CZ 75 - Glock Airsoft - Gamo Combat Pellet Revolver
Here is a sample of some of the items on sale right now...
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman 357 is decent in both single and double action. Single action is much shorter and lighter but not overly light with just a very short break to it. In double action it does get heavier and much longer as is expected. People with small hands may have to adjust their grip so they will have enough extension for the entire trigger pull, this is partially because of the larger grips that sit far back on the revolver frame.
Accuracy: I found the Crosman 357 pellet revolver to have excellent accuracy, getting about a 1 inch grouping from 30 feet out in a semi rested position (sand bag up front, standing in the back). I also put 6 rounds through my Chrony Chronograph and the Crosman 357 averaged 402 fps using RWS 6.9 grain lead pellets.
Build Quality:The Crosman 357 CO2 Pellet Revolver uses a combination of metal and plastic and has a good overall weight and feel to it. There could be more metal (like in the outer barrel) but Crosman used metal parts where they really needed to be like in the main frame, trigger, hammer, CO2 area and inner barrel. This air pistol has been around for a long time and so you can count on all the bugs being worked out. You will not find a great amount of detail in the Crosman 357 and some of the joints seem a bit unrefined but overall it is a nice looking airgun and feels well made.
Realism: The Crosman 357 is a replica of the Colt Python 357 Magnum and overall looks similar in shape. I would have liked to have seen a full swing our cylinder but this would have meant a complete redesign and the Crosman 357 main design goes back to the early 80's. Yes there are some newer revolver styled airguns like the Dan Wesson that have full swing out cylinders (BB only) but I still would have liked to have seen this, maybe on a future updated revision?
Inexpensive Pellet revolver, not really any other pellet revolvers out there to compare to.
Good usage of metal parts. (Metal trigger, hammer, frame, barrel, CO2 tab screw).
Single and double action trigger.
Excellent accuracy and good power with a reasonable amount of shots per CO2.
Can mount optics on the dove tail railed barrel.
High capacity 10 round removable magazine.
Fully adjustable rear sight.
Cons:
Outer barrel is plastic.
Grips and trigger pull length may be a bit long for smaller handed people when shooting in double action.
Some of the finish detail could be better (seems).
A slight recess on the inner barrel would have added to the realism.
Comments:
Reviewing this fun Crosman Pellet revolver was a bit of a walk in the past for me. back when I was in my early teens I had one and it went with me on just about all of my back woods adventures. I'd have to say I learned how to shoot with this pistol and it felt right at home back in my hands after all these years... Back in the day I didn't do any scientific testing with my Crosman revolver but I can tell you it shot hard and true then, just like it does now! I'm not sure why I held out so long getting another one, the price is right and if you are looking for a nice multi-shot pellet pistol with excellent accuracy and good power for well under $100, the Crosman 357 might just be for you.
Sorry for not posting any videos for almost a week but the kids are back to school and I was also away in Whistler on a short family get away for the first half of the week. So I thought I would put together a quick Update video to show off some new products added to the Canada Replica Airguns Store and also an upcoming product review of a Crosman Pellet Revolver.
In this video Update I show you around two KWC Airsoft pistols, the Sig Pro SP2022, and the Taurus PT 24 (24/7), both of which I just added to the Canada Replica Airguns Store. I also show you a very nice alternative to the Cybergun Sig Sauer P226 X-Five - the KWC Equivalent which almost exactly the same but with an adjustable rear sight, flared magwell and an unlicensed slide.
One air pistol I get asked to review over and over again is the Crosman 357 .177 caliber pellet revolver and so I contacted Crosman and they where kind enough to send me one for review, so keep checking back for that one, it will be coming up soon.
Oh-yh, one more thing. I briefly mention an upcoming contest/giveaway that will coincide with my 10,000,000 YouTube Channel Video View that should be happening in the next couple of week!
Materials: Mostly metal with minimal plastic parts.
Weight: 2.1 pounds.
Barrel: 6.9 inches, metal rifled.
Propulsion: Spring-piston-operated.
Action: Single shot.
Ammunition Type: .177 & .22 caliber pellets.
Ammunition Capacity: 1 pellet.
FPS: 400-499.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Webley Tempest is very good, being that it is single action, there is next to no take-up and the pull itself is very light, yet not so light that you would accidentally shoot the gun. This helps a lot with accuracy. And to top it off, you can even adjust the trigger pull weight to your liking from 3-5 pounds!
Accuracy: Being that the Webley Tempest is a spring piston design, there is a noticeable amount of felt recoil when the spring snaps backwards, and I say backwards because it compress towards the front of the gun. With many spring piston rifles the spring snaps forwards almost giving a reverse recoil effect. The Webley Tempest recoil hits you in a familiar direction which made the airgun feel a bit more natural and I believe helped me to get a nice 1.5 inch 5 shot grouping from 30 feet out in a semi rested position. I also got a 400 fps average rating form my .22 caliber 11.9 grain RWS pellets which took me right up to the Canadian limit of 5.7 Joules to stay just within the limits of the uncontrolled firearm status for an airgun. FEW!
Build Quality: Build quality is very good, most of the gun is all metal with a few plastic parts, basically the nose cap and hand grips, everything else is metal on the Tempest. The Webley Tempest has a nice compact size for a spring piston design and has a nice weight to it making it feel very solid but not overly heavy. I do have to say the cocking effort is very heavy and you will have to try a few different techniques until you find a way that works for you.
Realism: This is not a replica airgun so to speak of but the basic pistol grips and trigger are designed to replicate a revolver more than anything. The Tempest is very unique and its basic design roots go back to the 1920's.
Fully adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Small and compact yet very effective power.
Trigger pull adjustable from 3-5 pounds.
Cons:
If you're left handed the grips will not be as comfortable for you.
Sight adjustment will take some time to get right.
Spring recoil takes some getting used to so practice - practice - practice.
Cocking effort especially on the .22 caliber model is very heavy.
Comments:
Some people may qualify the fact that this "new version" is now made in Turkey but with that said I have been selling the Turkish made Webley Alecto for some time now and it has been one of my most trouble free airguns in the web-store. The Tempest looks to me to be just as well made and a nice perk with the Turkish made Tempest is its jump in velocity with the .22 actually hitting 400 fps and the .177 getting right around 500 fps, not bad at all for a fairly short barreled pistol. I also really like the small size this airgun has, it's no larger or heavier than say a Beretta 92 yet somehow it has to cram all the mechanics for the spring piston design into it and still get good performance. The only real reason I would not recommend this gun to some people is if you are of slight build or perhaps have some hand or wrist problems because it does take some effort to cock this gun, if this is a factor for you, you may want to go with the .177 caliber version as it does have a lighter cocking effort.
Action: Blowback, Single action only on KP-07 - Single/Double action on KP-02 & Elite 1A
Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 20/22/20 rounds.
FPS: 366+ fps.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on all of these KJWorks Airsoft guns is very nice in both single and double action, The KP-07's true single action only 1911 trigger is a beauty, with no take up at all and a very light and smooth release. The Beretta Elite 1A is the next best with a surprisingly light weight double action trigger. All of these guns will be shooting primarily in single action as the blowback precooks the hammer with each shot.
Accuracy: I shot all of these fine KJWorks Airsoft guns from 20 feet out in semi rested position and got very similar results. I was able to place 10 rounds in a 2 to 2.5 inch grouping for all guns, with the KP-07 1911 shooting the most well centered. The Beretta Elite 1A shot well centered also but just a hair under center mass while the KP-02 seemed to shoot low but could be adjusted to shoot higher by increasing the hopup. All three KJWorks Airsoft pistols got right around the 330-350 fps mark (5 shot average chrony testing) with the KP-7 1911 and Elite 1A Beretta hitting the higher end and the KP-02 Sig P229 getting right around 330fps. All three KJWorks Blowback Airsoft guns should be able to hit 366+fps in the right shooting conditions.
Build Quality: I was extremely impressed with the build quality of these KJWorks Airsoft guns, the fit and finish is the best I have seen on any of my guns including Airguns also. Even after shooting several magazines worth of BB's, the painted metal friction areas did not seem to show nearly as much wear as some of my other blowback guns. The tolerances between the moving parts like the slide and frame are very tight showing excellent workmanship and machining with these KJWorks Airsoft guns.
Realism: All of these KJWorks 6mm Airsoft pistols are based on real steal versions of the same guns (KP-02 is a Sig Sauer P229 copy, the KP-07 is a Colt 1911 copy and the Elite 1A is a Beretta Copy). They are very good replicas even though the KP-02 and KP-07 do not have any specific licensing on them. The Elite 1A does have licensing which is a plus. The only negative thing I can think of is the fact that the KP-02 has the rather unusual CO2 magazine that sticks out of the bottom of the handle that is not at all like a real P229 magazine. I do believe you can find a GBB magazine that would be much more in line with the real steel version of this magazine.
All metal guns with good overall realistic weights.
Very heavy blowback on all guns, especially the KP-07 1911
Excellent fit and finish - best I have seen.
Nice mid range fps - great for on the field.
Very consistent accuracy for all KJWorks Airsoft guns.
Very believable replicas of the real steel versions.
Cons:
KP-2 and KP-07 did not have official licensing.
All seem to go through CO2/Gas fairly fast.
KP-02 had a rather strange looking CO2 magazine.
KP-02 slide did not lock back after last shot, may be due to CO2 magazine configuration.
Comments:
I guess you get what you pay for, these KJWorks Airsoft guns do fetch a bit higher price but when you take them out of the box and really look at them closely you can see why, they are pretty much flawless and the fit and tolerances are very good with very little play in the mechanical parts. Shooting these guns is just as wonderful, they all worked very well and got consistent accuracy and fps between shots. There where no ammo loading problems and no unexpected behaviors with any of these Airsoft pistols. If you can afford to pay that little bit more for one of these very high quality KJWorks Blowback Airsoft guns, you will not be let down!
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex HK P30 is fairly nice in single action mode while shooting in double action will give your trigger finger a bit of a workout. You can fire off pretty quick in double action but not as fast as with airguns that have a lighter double action.
Accuracy: I shot the Umarex HK P30 at a target from 20 feet away in a semi rested position using both pellets and BB's to see how both ammunitions worked. I was also interested to see if pellets would perform better than the BB's? Using 6.9 grain RWS pellets I was able to get just over a one inch grouping close to the center of the target and also averaging 363 fps with my 5 shot chronograph testing. BB's did get higher chronograph results as expected with an averaged 415 fps but grouped a bit larger at just under two inches.
Build Quality: This is an extremely well made metal and polymer air pistol with great fit and finish and a nice dense 1.7 pound weight to it. It's another "made in Germany" Umarex that uses the 8 shot rotary pellet magazines but with teh added ability to shoot BB's loaded in the full size drop out magazine? There is plastic on this air pistol but it's in the same places you would find it on the real steel HK P30. The balance, ergonomics and feel this gun offers is as good as it gets.
Realism:The Umarex HK P30 is a licensed replica of the real HK P30 semi auto pistol. It looks almost exactly like the real steel version with the exception of the break in the slide where the rotary magazine is accessible and the smaller .177 caliber muzzle opening.
Rifled barrel for Pellets but can also shoot BB's.
Full H&K Licensing.
German made!
Comes in a nice hard-shell case.
Full size drop out magazine that holds BB's and CO2.
Adjustable rear sight for windage.
Double and Single Action trigger.
Rail for adding accessories.
Very nice holding gun, good ball acne and weight.
Good accuracy and power.
Cons:
More expensive then many entry level guns but much higher quality.
Barrel is not recessed at all.
Did not get a lot of shots form a CO2.
Trigger is a bit tuff in double action mode.
Comments:
I have had a lot of people ask me to review this air pistol and to be honest I thought it would be just like the other Umarex German made rotary magazine pellet shooters, and that's not a bad thing! But it is different then the rest as it is the only one that also has the ability to shoot BB's by loading up the inline drop out magazine with 15 BB's and fitting the BB adapter where the rotary magazine would normally go. I also really like the look and feel of this gun. It is the perfect size and weight, not too big or small and not to heavy or light. I would really lie to get my hands on the real steel HK P30 to see if it has similar characteristics? If you want the best of both worlds, an accurate CO2 pellet pistol and an action shooting high capacity BB shooter, you can have it all with the HK P30.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull for both KWC blowback single action pistols is very good, the Desert Eagle is a bit better with less play and a lighter pull while the Sigma SW40F still feels very good but has a little bit more take up and a slight bit more pull required.
Accuracy: I shot both guns from 20 feet out in semi rested position and got similar results. I was able to place 10 rounds in a 2.5 to 3 inch group and both guns shot well centered. I have full confidence that I could easily hit a man sized target from 50 feet away. Both KWC Airsoft pistols got right around 400 fps (5 shot average chrony testing) with the Desert Eagle only 10 fps higher than the Sigma SW40F and this was using .20 gram plastic Airsoft BB's.
Build Quality: The build quality for both guns is pretty much the same, both have a metal slide and barrel with a polymer frame and plastic grips, the Sigma SW40F had a plastic magazine release and trigger while the Desert Eagle used metal in these parts. The KWC Sigma SW40F seemed to wear a bit better as the painted finish seemed more durable. I found the metal on metal areas on the Desert Eagle where losing the paint and also in some of the high spots. Over all the guns worked very well and had good fit and finish.
Realism: The KWC Desert Eagle .50 and Sigma SW40F are very accurate replicas of their real steel counterparts, with the Desert Eagle also having the full licensing on it for added authenticity. The workings of both Airsoft guns are pretty much just like a real gun with full size drop out magazines and very heavy full blowback operation. The slides on each gun give a nice metallic sound when operating.
Very believable replicas of the real steel versions.
Cons:
Paint wear in high spots noticeable on the Desert Eagle.
Non adjustable sights.
Both go through CO2 fast.
No trademarks on the Sigma SW40F.
Comments:
It's wonderful to get these KWC blowback Airsoft guns here in Canada finally and have the ability to review them for everyone. They remind me a lot of the Cybergun 4.5mm Steel BB blowback pistols very much and this is probably because there are Airsoft version of these guns also distributed by KWC. Whether you want one of these very nice Airsoft pistols for plinking and target practice or to use in battle on the Airsoft field, either gun would make a great choice. I am really loving the fact that I now have more guns I can review and Airsoft or 4.5mm Steel BB it really doesn't matter to me, I'm having way to much fun to care ;)
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull for both ROHM Le Petit and Little Joe blank revolvers in single action is nice and light. The action for both blank revolvers is very solid so cocking both guns requires a firm grip, the ROHM Le Petit also allows for double action shots and while it takes some force, the mechanics are very smooth and you can really feel the German quality in the hammer and trigger.
Accuracy: NA.
Build Quality: Even though both revolvers are made as blank/signal guns and do utilize scaled down metals (not high pressure gun steel), they are made very well and many of the internal mechanical parts, pins and screws are solid steel. The fit and finish is excellent and both guns worked flawlessly for me in my testing.
Realism: Both ROHM blank Revolvers are derivatives of similar real guns (Freedom Arms and RG 22) but again have been made from the ground up to be blank guns and can not be converted in any way shape or form to fire live ammo. The quality and feel is very believable, they also both fire out the front of the barrels and can shoot 15mm flares with the required flare adaptors attached.
Can also shoot 15mm flares with appropriate flare adaptor attached.
Come in gift box with cleaning rod and manuals (Le Petit RG-56 also comes with flare adaptor)
Cons:
Real wood grips would have been a nice touch but could be added later.
Little Joe does not come with a flare adaptor.
Comments:
We now have some blank guns that seem to be somewhat available in Canada... At least for now! And even though some of the other blank guns I was selling may have been more to the liking of the folks that where looking for a semi auto styled blank gun, the good news is both of these guns are very high quality and revolvers in general are very dependable. I also like the fact that both of the ROHM Blank Revolvers are fairly compact and so if you want to take them with you out on a hike or in the back country, they will not take up much room or add too much weight, but are still ready if required to scare off something bigger or more dangerous than you!
