Type: BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Crosman. Model: Fortify. Materials: Mostly plastic, some internal metal parts. Weight:1 pound (455 grams). Total Length: 10.5 inches (26.6cm). Barrel: 5.55 inches 14cm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2. Action: Revolver SAO. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB’s. Ammunition Capacity: 18 round internal magazine. FPS: Claimed 420.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver is a single action only trigger, so you will have to cock the hammer back before each shot which does take away most of the trigger pull length and weight, making it short and light and easy to shoot. Perfect for slowed down accurate shot placement, but less effective as an action shooter.
Accuracy: I have not tested out the Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver any capacity, nor do I have any experience with it as the design is new from Crosman and I have not seen it before with any other Airgun on the market. So for now all we can go on is what Crosman claims, which is around 420fps and when it comes to accuracy your guess will be as good as mine so keep checking back for my upcoming Field Test Shooting Video for the Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver were I will test the velocity and accuracy out in the Replica Airguns Indoor Sea Can Shooting Range.
Build Quality: When it comes to the build for the Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver, there is not a lot to write home about. It is basically a mostly plastic gun with some metal parts internally like the barrel, trigger, hammer and CO2 area. The Crosman Fortify has that lower cost Airgun, two halves, screwed together build which generally looks better on the side without the screws showing. As it is mostly plastic it is very light in the hand at around a pound or so. Overal there are not a lot of moving parts so it should be reliable enough just because of this. All the mechanical components do what they need to do and feel solid enough.
Realism: The Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver at a glance looks a lot like a Colt Single Action Army Revolver, it has the same shape and size but the weight is very slight. The lack of actual bullet holes in the cylinder looking from the front of the revolver also takes away from the realism. I guess I am really used to the new generation revolvers with working cylinders and real loadable shells but these guns are more expensive and hold less ammo as they are genuine to the 6 shooter capacity.
Pros:
Inexpensive revolver as compared to other shell loading styled revolvers out there.
A decent looking replica of a Colt Single Action Army revolver.
Single action only trigger is short and light and well suited to careful shot placement shooting.
420 claimed fps is about perfect for plinking at ranges up 30-40 feet.
18 round magazine has a nice high capacity and easy to load when empty
Safety is well thought out and built into an already existing part of the gun rather than simply adding a switch afterwards.
I like the look with the all back frame and bone white grips.
CO2 Allen key is built into grip so always have it on hadn’t and will not lose it.
Cons:
Mostly plastic builds makes it a bit light in the hand.
No fake shell holes in the front of the cylinder, could have added this for a more genuine look.
Safety is rather on the the firm side.
Comments: The Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver is a completely new concept in design over what we have become use to in todays Single Action Army Revolvers. I want to hold my opinion on it till I actually shoot it as that could make or break this one for me. Maybe if it is a really fun shooter then I can excuse some of the shortcomings it has as a Replica Revolver but I guess we will see in a little bit when I get to my Field Test Shooting Review for it. For under $100 it may be worth it to some to try out especially if you don't already own a Single Action Army Revolver in your Airgun collection.
Starting the year off with a Preview Unboxing Update Video of three CO2 Air Pistols. One from Gamo is a NBB CO2 Dual Ammo (Pellet/BB) Semi Auto style pistol called the Gamo P-27. The other two are for Crosman and are both Revolvers but from very different aras. The First Revolver I look at is the Crosman SNR357 which is essentially an early revision rebranded Dan Wesson in a 2.5 inch barrel. You can use either .177 caliber pellets or 4.5mm BB’s with it loading them into the 6 shells that come with it. A new comer I have never seen is the Crosman Fortify styled after the classic Single Action Army Colt 45 old West Revolver. Unlike many of today shell loading CO2 Revolvers, the Crosman Fortify has an internal tube fed magazine with a spring follower that holds 18 4.5mm Steel BB’s.
Watch my Preview Unboxing Update Video where I take a quick look and go over some basic specifications along with my initial thoughts…
I have already reviewed several Crosman 357 Pellet/BB Revolvers in the past like the Crosman Vigilante which also has the ability to shoot both .177 caliber pellets and 4.5mm Steel BB’s, (Really they all are with the right magazine). With the Vigilante my pellet chronograph tests got similar results but with Steel BB’s the Crosman Vigilante did a lot better than my Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver using a similar 6 inch barrel. As expected both the Crosman Vigilante and the Crosman Triple Threat did about the same in terms of accuracy getting better results with pellets over Steel BB’s.
Starting with the velocity portion of my Indoor Field Test Shooting video, I placed a brand new 12 gram CO2 into the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver and tested out some 7 grain .177 caliber Lead Pellets. I averaged 382 fps in what I would consider normal indoor temperature ranges so you can expect a bit higher velocities in warmer conditions. Moving on to 4.5mm 5.1 grain Steel BB’s, I averaged quite a bit lower velocity at 288 fps. I was surprise since it was almost 100 fps lower than the heavier 7 grain lead pellets. The logical reason for this is that lead Pellets fit the barrel much more snug, stoping any CO2 from getting around them which helps increase the velocity over Steel BB’s which are a hard metal and need to be slightly smaller in diameter and therefore do let some CO2 get by reducing the pressure behind them.
For the accuracy porting of the the Indoor Field Test I shot 10 rounds for my pellet magazine first and then 6 rounds for the BB magazine, simply because this is how many rounds each magazine holds… Makes sense right? Even with the pellet magazine holding 10 rounds over the BB magazine’s 6 rounds, the Pellet magazine was still able to get a much tighter grouping at around 1 inch over the BB target which was closer to 3 inches. BB’s seemed to really like to hook a bit with the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver, so I would for sure go with pellets if accuracy is importatn to you. Both pellets and BB’s shot a little bit high and to the left from the bulls-eye but that can easily be adjusted with the fully adjustable rear sight.
The Crosman Triple Threat performed rather as expected and was not a big surprise other than the BB’s really having a much lower velocity this time around. It is clear to me that I would not waste my time shooting Steel BB’s unless this is all I had on hand as they where not only much slower but also a lot less accurate. Over time the steel BB’s could damage the rifled steel barrel effecting future pellet accuracy. The Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver offers a lot of options with ammo choice and barrel choice that alter it’s looks and even performance to some degree but if you want a Crosman 357 type CO2 Revolver than it for sure gives you the most flexibility.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver like pretty much all of the 357 type Crosman Revolvers is rather nice in single action with virtually zero take-up and it has a not too light weight with a predictable feel to it. In double action it does get much longer and heavier but still very usable. If you have larger thicker finger then you may want to start off in single action as the finger opening is a bit tight.
Accuracy: I have not specifically tested out the Crosman Triple Threat so far but I would be very surprised if it was any different than the standard Crosman 357 and the Crosman Vigilante I have already done Field Test Reviews for. Other than the shape of the outer barrel, both of these guns are virtually the same including the frame and the 6 inch barrels. Back in 2012 when I tested out the Crosman 357 I averaged around 400 fps using mid grain lead pellets and was able to get a 1 to 1.5 inch multi-shot grouping at 30 feet away from my paper target. I will be making an update Field Test Shooting Video so we will see if I can replicate these results with the standard Crosman 357 and Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver.
Build Quality: The CCrosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver is a fairly basic pistol that incorporates a variety of length plastic outer barrels and inner steel barrels (3/6/8 inches), the grips are also plastic as expected and so are the magazines and sights. Most everything else is metal including the receiver, trigger and hammer. This line of Crosman 357 pistols has been around for decades so you can expect hours of fun and reliable shooting with their multi-barrel dual ammo version.
Realism: There are for sure a lot more realistic looking Replica Revolvers out there with swing out cylinders that eject the shells just like their real steel counterparts, but where the Crosman Triple Threat shines is in performance, reliability and consistency. You will get more shots per CO2, higher fps and better accuracy with the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver over other more realistic Revolvers on the market.
Pros:
Inexpensive Pellet revolver with a proven track record that goes back decades.
Good usage of metal parts where you need them most. (Metal trigger, hammer, frame, barrel, CO2 Tab screw
Single and double action trigger for action and more focused shooting.
Excellent accuracy and good power with a reasonable amount of shots per CO2 (based on similar versions).
Fully adjustable rear sight.
Riffled steel barrels (All three of them).
3 different barrel choices (3/6/8 inches) depending on the look and how compact you want it to be.
CO2 and tab are nicely hidden and use all metal.
Come with both a Pellet and BB magazines..
Cons:
Outer barrels are plastic but very solid. Metal would have added a bit more weigth perhaps better balance?
Grips and trigger pull length may be a bit long for smaller handed people when shooting in double action.
Not your most real revolver out there in terms of replicas out there but probably more usable then most.
No white dots on the sights.
Comments: The Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver is basically another reskinned Crosman 357 at the end of the day with a ton of options including 3 different barrel lengths that will change the look, size and power depending on your needs. You also have the choice of what ammo you want to use, cheaper 4.5mm Steel BB’s or more accurate and even higher velocity lead pellets for greater downrange energy and precision. If you are not sure which Crosman 357 type revolver to get? The standard 357… the Vigilante or the Triple Threat, maybe go with the Triple Threat at the end of today as it offers the most options and variety of configurations.
I love making these Mystery Box Unboxing Videos as many of the items inside are actually real mysteries to me, some I may have an idea of but even these items are new to me so it’s fun to open them up and check them all out. In this October 2023 Mystery Box Video I checkout 9 items ranging from AEG Airsoft Rifles to Airsoft , BB and Pellet Pistols. There is even a new Steel BB product from Sig Sauer that is a compact rifle with a 3 round burst option when shooting.
I don’t get to test out Bolt Action Airsoft Sniper type Rifles all that often but I do enjoy them for sure. I would like to test out the S&T Matrix KAR98K Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle using longer ranges than I can here in the Replica Airguns Indoor Sea Can Shooting Range but hopefully this Filed Test Review gives you an idea of what this Spring powered Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle can do. Make sure to watch my Table Top Review for the S&T Matrix KAR98K Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle for details, specifications and closer up video. In this video I mainly test out the velocity and accuracy at 30 feet away to see what the actual fps is and how tight of a 10 shot grouping I can get on a paper target.
Starting with the velocity test, I generally put 5 rounds through my Chronograph and then average them out for a real world rating. In this test I used standard .20 gram Airsoft BB’s for both the velocity and accuracy components of the video. I was very impressed with the consistency of the velocity with the slowest shot hitting 362 fps and the fastest shot hitting 363 fps averaging 362.5 fps and only having a 1 fps maximum difference between all shots. Pretty good right? Consistent velocity is very important for any sniper type rifle as if there is a large spread in velocity this can reduce elevation accuracy down range.
In terms of accuracy I was again very impressed with my results. For my target test I setup a fresh paper target 30 feet away and proceeded to shoot 10 rounds into it. I did have to reset for each shot as I had to manually work the bolt after each shot, this can affect accuracy but it did not seem to all that much. I was using a seated position in the back with my hands rested on a sand bag up front which does hep settle things down. Even with having to reset between each shot, I still managed to get close to a 1 inch 10 shot grouping, one shot did shoot just a bit high but that was probably me pulling it a bit. Out of the box with no sight adjustments the S&T Matrix KAR98K Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle shot almost dead center in the bullseye, it is fairly easy to adjust the elevation using the rear sight but there is no easy way to adjust for windage using the built in iron sights.
I know this is a Field Test Shooting Video and so it’s not really all about build or quality. That said I do love the quality and attention to detail the S&T Matrix KAR98K Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle has and the fact that it performs really well too is a big bonus. One last point I did not even mention in the Field Test Video is that Was able to load a lot more than 11 rounds into the magazine. I stoped at 19 as the spring was getting on the tight side, but may have been able to load more? If you’re looking for a sniper rifle with a history and that will stand out in a game then take a look at the S&T Matrix KAR98K Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle as an option.
Type: Pellet Rifle. Manufacturer: Beeman Model: Black Panther Dual Caliber. Materials: Metal and Synthetic Plastic. Weight: 7.2pounds (2.3kg). Total Length: 44 inches (111.8cm). Barrel: 16.75 inches (42.5cm). Propulsion: Spring Piston. Action: Single Action Single Shot. AmmunitionType: .177 & .22 Caliber Pellets. AmmunitionCapacity: 1. MaxFPS: 495 Claimed.
Trigger Pull: The trigger on the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is single action only requiring you to break the barrel and compress the internal spring piston before you can shoot it. This will also engage the safety which you have to disengage for each shot manually as an added security measure. The actual trigger pull is I would say a medium pull with an easy first stage then a more firm second stage. I am pretty sure the Black Panther uses the Sportsman tigger setup which does have some adjustment for trigger pull as far as I am aware of. Once I get a chance to shoot the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle I will be able to tell you more about how the trigger feels.
Accuracy: I have not performed any shooting tests with the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle so far, I will be making a Video Review next in the next few weeks “weather permitting” as I want to get outdoors for this test to be able to shoot the Black Panther at longer ranges. I expect the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle to perform well in the accuracy department using the 4x32 optical scope. In terms of power the spring does seem to take a bit of effort so I am hoping for a decent fps in both .177 caliber and .22 caliber!
Build Quality: The Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is made in China but looks to be fairly well made. It is mostly metal including the front and rear sights with a synthetic plastic stock and feels good to hold resting the cushioned rubber butt-pad to your shoulder. The stock and trigger guard are a one piece design, that said the trigger guard is fairly thick so it should stand up to some abuse.
Realism: The Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is not a copy of any real steel gun in production but does have that overall rifle shape to it so it looks like a gun but most people will be able to immediately see that it is a Pellet Rifle and that is exactly what it is since it is not trying to be a Replica Airgun or copy of any real steel rifle in production.
Pros:
All Weather durable ambidextrous synthetic stock.
All metal front and rear fiver optic sights.
Can shoot both .177 and .22 caliber pellets for multi purpose shooting.
Sportsman trigger (adjustable) with automatic safety system.
Comes with included 4x32 scope and mounts.
Very solid build at 9.92 pounds.
Nice cushioned rubber butt-plate looks good and adds to shooting comfort.
Has a scope-stop so your scope will stay nicely in place.
Cons:
Hard to tell if the claimed 495 fps is for .177 or .22 caliber lead or alloy pellets?
Hard to find this exact gun for info, not even on Beeman’s own website.
Made in China.
Comments: The Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is designed to be a more affordable Break Barrel Spring Piston Pellet Rifle with metal where it counts and a synthetic stock for durability and resiliency to weather conditions. You do have the option of shooting either .177 caliber pellets for a faster flatter trajectory or if you use the .22 caliber barrel, you benefit from perhaps a bit more downrange energy and less effect from windy conditions. You can also choose between shooting with the open fully adjustable metal sights or install the 4x32 scope for longer range shooting. You for sure get a versatile Spring Piston Air Rifle with the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle at the end of the day.
Type: Airsoft Rifle. Manufacturer: S&T Model: KAR98K Materials: Metal & Wood. Weight: 3300 grams (7.28 pounds). Total Length: 1120mm (44.1 inches). Barrel: 483mm (19 inches) Smooth bore. Power Source: Spring Piston. Action: Bolt Action - Single Action Only. Ammo Type: 6mm Airsoft BB. AmmoCapacity: 11 Round Magazine. FPS: 380-420.
Trivia: The Karabiner 98 kurz (German: "carbine 98 short", often abbreviated Kar98k or K98k and often incorrectly referred to as a K98 (which was a Polish Carbine) is a bolt-action rifle chambered for the 7.9257mm Mauser cartridge that was adopted on 21 June 1935 as the standard service rifle by the German Wehrmacht. It was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles. Although supplemented by semi- and fully automatic rifles during World War II, it remained the primary German service rifle until the end of the war in 1945. Millions were captured by the Soviets at the conclusion of World War II and were widely distributed as military aid. The Karabiner 98k, therefore, continues to appear in conflicts across the world as they are taken out of storage during times of strife.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on S&T Matrix KAR98K Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle is a single action only trigger as the bolt action not only compresses the spring but also readies the trigger for release making the trigger pull short and light. There is a short amount of takeup with a crisp and light release.
Accuracy: I have not shot the S&T Matrix KAR98K Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle so far but plan to make a full dedicated Field Test Shooting Video shortly to find out what the actual real world velocity and accuracy will be. So stay posted for my upcoming shooting test in a few weeks time…
Build Quality: The build quality for the S&T Matrix KAR98K Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle is really good as it is made almost exclusively of either metal or wood. The stock is finished in a dark walnut stain and the metal has a rustic finish about it which is what you would find in a real steel aged version. You will also find a CNC Aluminum body along with a Reinforced metal barrel, bolt assembly and internals. The S&T KAR98K has a quality feel about it inside and out.
Realism: As mentioned earlier the finishes has a less refined look adding to the realism, that combined with the real wood stock really makes this Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle supper believable as a Replica Airgun. The only real giveaway is when you pull the bolt back and it is a solid unit with no visibility in to the magazine area. Other than that the S&T Matrix KAR98K Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle is a solid copy of the real steel version.
Pros:
Super believable replica of the real Kar98k.
Very solid build quality weighing over 7 pounds.
Realistic materials including the real wood stock.
CNC Aluminum body.
Reinforced metal barrel, bolt assembly and internals.
No need for a battery or to use CO2 or gas.
Adjustable rear sight on the fly for elevation.
Bolt action feels smooth.
Easy to adjust Hop-up.
Cons:
Does come with a red tip (should be able to remove).
Rear sight not adjustable for windage.
No sling included, would have been nice.
Bolt does not allow to see into magazine area.
Comments:
The S&T Matrix KAR98K Bolt Action Airsoft Rifle looks and feels the part for sure and has a lot of quality going on with it’s real wood stock and quality metal throughout. I love the finish of not only the wood stock but also the metal parts as they have a less refined and aged quality about them that would be similar as to how a real World War 2 rifle would look today. If you want an ultra realist bolt action World War 2 Carbine that you can shoot almost anywhere, then look no further. OK the sticker price on this one is a bit higher than some, but again so is the quality so if that's important to you be prepared to pay a bit more.
In this Indoor Field Test Shooting Video I test out the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver to see what the real world velocity is and what kind accuracy I can get shooting at a paper target 30 feet away. For this Video Review I use a brand new CO2 along with .68 caliber Rubber Balls. I have already made a Table Top Video for the Umarex T4E TR68 so check that out if you’re interested in specifications and details along with more closeup video of this Paintball Revolver. And for fun I also made an interesting outside shooting video using actual Paintballs that highlights this Revolver along with the Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol.
So let’s get straight to the shooting results! For my Chronograph test, being indoors the temperature was about room temperature, maybe a bit lower at around 19-20 Degrees Celsius or 66-68 Degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature can affect velocity as CO2 performs better in warmer conditions. My fastest Chronograph result was 205 fps while my slowest shot hitting 190 fps resulting in a average of 198 fps . Keep in mind the .68 caliber Rubber Balls have a lot more weight to them than the smaller .50 or .43 Caliber Balls used in other Umarex T4E Paintball Airguns.
Next I performed the accuracy portion which for me is the fun part, I often shoot 10 rounds in to my paper targets setup 30 feet down range, since the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver magazines only holds 5 rounds, I did have to make a quick magazine change half way through my Accuracy Test. I was also using a semi-rested shooting position with my hands resting on a sandbag up front and sitting on a stool in the back. There was also one other disruption in my shooting worth mentioning as I had to go up and put the paper target back on as it was dislodged by the energy of these larger Rubber Balls. That all said, I was able to get about a 5 inch grouping from my 10 rounds which is pretty good for a Paintball Airgun. I am confident you will be able to get all your shots on a body sized target at 30 feet out with a little bit of practice. Most of the shots were pretty well centered, perhaps just a little bit under the bullseye.
Even though the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is a lot larger than the somewhat similar Umarex T4E TR50 .50 Caliber Paintball Revolver, I prefer it as I found it to shoot a bit more reliably and with good accuracy. It is maybe a bit large for some people as compared to the TR50 but I feel the extra size is worth it for the increased energy at point of impact and again the superior accuracy and reliability.
Summer will be over before we know it, so why not get out and shoot some Paintball Pistols on a bunch of random targets in the yard before fall kicks in! I rarely get to use actual Paintballs in my Paintball Guns as I mainly test indoors and so I pretty much have to use Rubber Balls or have to deal with a bunch of clean up afterwards.
So today I grabbed my two newest Umarex T4E Paintball Pistols, the Umarex T4E TR68 and Umarex T4E HK VP9. I of course I loaded them up with their appropriate ammo .68 and .43 caliber Paintballs, and headed outside.
Figuring out how to make the video interesting and get lots of different camera angles can be fun, so I decided to grab my Hover Camera X1 which I think from now on is going to be my new “Camera Man” when I need a camera recoding me as I move around. I also placed my Insta 360 One R and my iVUE Vista Camera glasses in the mix. All being audio recorded with my Comica Vimo C Wireless Lapel Mic so you can actually hear everything clearly.
Seems like a lot of production using all of these recording devices and then having to line up, cut and mix everything together in post. Well you guys are worth it and I’m a bit of a tech junky so it was all kind of fun for me too.
Type: Paintball Gun. Manufacturer:Umarex - T4E. Model:T4E TR68 Materials: Metal & Polymer. Weight: 773 grams (1.7 pounds). Barrel: 6.5 inches (165mm) ,Smooth bore. Total Length: 13 inches (331mm). Power Source: 1x12 gram CO2. Action: Revolver - Double action only trigger. Ammo Type: .68 Caliber Paintball or Rubber Ball. Ammo Capacity: 5 Rounds x 3 magazines. FPS: 230-300.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is double action only but not very long with a much smoother feel than the TR50, so maybe Umarex did some improving here. without any ammo in it the T4E TR68 trigger feels responsive for a double action trigger. We will have to see when I do my Field Test Shooting Video how it performs and if fully loaded up and primed, if it feels the same?
Accuracy: So far I have not had the opportunity to test the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver out, the only other similar product that may compare would be the Umarex T4E TR50 but I have a feeling both these guns will perform rather different since the ammo is a lot larger on the TR68. Also with the way the different triggers feel, I expect this to help with performance on the Umarex T4E TR68.
Build Quality: The build quality of the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is good overall. It is a mostly plastic build with some metal parts where they need to be internally. It is essentially two plastic halves held together by small screws with few actual mechanical working external parts. You have the trigger with its working trigger safety, the removable magazine and magazine release and of course the quick puncture CO2 screw knob. The hammer is internal. The Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is not very heavy but it does feel really solid in the hand because of its very large size.
Realism: The Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is not really a replica per say of any real steel gun that I know of. It does share a lot of similarities with the Crosman Vigilante which is a CO2 BB/Pellet Revolver with its main design going back several decades. The Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver looks similar to what a modern looking large caliber revolver such as a 357 or 44 magnum looks like. It is not going to fool anyone up close that you actually have a real steel revolver but then again I don’t think if you are shooting it at anyone they are going to want to get all that close to you :)
Pros:
Hoping to get a bit more raw energy out of the T4E TR.68 than the TR50 as it uses larger heavier ammo. (TR50 averaged 328 using rubber balls for reference).
Lots of mounting options for accessories like a tac light, laser or other sighting option with it’s upper and lower picatinny rail setup.
Quick CO2 pierce system so you can leave a CO2 in it ready to go any time with no worries about CO2 leaking out while in storage.
Working Trigger Safety.
White dot sights super easy to see on targets of varying colors and shades.
DOA Trigger feels pretty decent, not too long or heavy.
Comes with 3 total magazines you can preload ready for use.
Super non-complicated design. Once loaded with CO2 and Paintballs or Rubber Balls, all you need to do is hit the CO2 knob and then pull the trigger.
Build quality feels good, the gun is fairly beefy but not overly heavy.
Grip is normal size even thought the gun itself is fairly large.
Cons:
Mostly all plastic build.
Sights are not adjustable so hopefully it is well centered out of the box.
Do not expect a lot of shots per CO2. Will find out when I do my Field Test Shooting Review.
Comments:
The Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is an interesting Paintball gun, overseas versions are marketed as the HDR86 which stands for “Home Defense Revolver”, while the North American or Canada version is marketed as the TR68 for “Training Revolver”. This is mainly because in Europe most countries are not allowed to own real handguns but can own “Self Defense handguns”. In the US real handguns are very easy to obtain and can be used for self defense. Just across the border here in Canada we can not really purposely have on hand anything that we plan to use as a weapon for self defense so the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver, like the TR50 is marketed as a Training Revolver. What’s the difference? Not much, our North American 230+ fps version is a lot like the lower powered German versions in terms of power but you can also get more powerful versions in the UK. All that said, the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver at least here in Canada is made and marketed as a Training Paintball gun maybe not all that suitable on the field? What you decide to do with it is up to you.
In this Replica Airguns Unboxing Video I take a look at 6 Airguns consisting of 2 Paintball Pistols, 3 Airsoft Rifles and one Pellet Rifle. This is not a full review in any way but is rather a preview of what i will be doing full Reviews for over the next several weeks.
This is not exclusive to Airguns since trends of Airguns are highly influenced by what type of Real Steel Pistols are popular to people. This is often based on what people see portrayed in movies and TV Series, and also promoted online. There is for sure an overlap in what is popular and it is hard to say what is influencing what? Is it the popularity of Pistols out in the real world that influences what we see being used in the movies and on TV? Or is it what we see in Movies and TV that influences our choices of pistols out in the real world? Perhaps it is a combination of both?
My list is based on my own personal experience and does not represent the entirety of types of Pistol designs available.
Airguns are generally cheaper to buy and for sure cheaper to shoot. Airguns can cost as little as $50-100 to buy while real guns in similar models will cost many time more. Cost of ammo is so much less expensive than Real Gun ammo by a mile!
Difficulty to Obtain:
Airguns in most countries do not require any licensing or registration. Generally there are more available options in Airgun choices than Real Gun choices as restrictions often prohibit many Real Guns to be obtained.
Places to Shoot:
Unless you live in a super remote locations and your laws allow you to shoot Real Guns in those locations, then in most cases you can shoot an Airgun almost anywhere within reason. You can even shoot certain Airgun models in your basement. Airsoft is a great option for indoor shooting as the plastic ammo does not carry very much energy so with minimal effort you can make a backstop that will trap the ammo very well.
Trigger Time:
Because ammo is much less expensive and places you can shoot are easier to find, you can get a lot more Trigger Time under your belt which will also improve your shotgun with Real Guns and after all it’s just fun to shoot guns even if they are Airguns.
Safety:
I am not talking about safety in terms of protection. I am talking about safety as in if you do something stupid and your Gun goes off accidentally. If you accidentally fire your Airgun indoors, the bullet will not travel through floors or walls and potentially harm or kill someone on the other side. If you do manage to shoot yourself with an Airgun, the consequence are much less severe than shooting yourself with a Real Gun. That said, always treat an Airgun as if it was a Real Loaded Gun, as server injury and even death can occur even with an Airgun.
Ware Games and Training Situations:
There is no way you can use a standard Real Gun to shoot at people, unless extensively altered with special parts that make the Real Gun unusable to shoot live ammo. With Airguns you have the choice of using an Airsoft or Paintball gun that are both designed specifically for this purpose.
Pest Control:
If you have the need for pest control in an urban area where you do not want a stray bullet to travel too far or penetrate buildings if a shot where to go awry, then an Airgun designed for accuracy and power may be perfect for the job. Accuracy with target and hunting Airguns is on par if not better than many Real Guns and are have powerful enough to kill a pest humanely without having too much power for the job and having to worry as much about your background.
Prop Guns:
As mentioned already, Airguns can look a lot like Real Guns, so they are perfect to be used as a stand-in or Prop Gun when you need to simulate the look and function of a Real Gun. Again they are easier and cheaper to obtain and if something does go wrong, the consequences are much less severe.
Social Stigma:
Unfortunately Real Guns and perhaps any gun these days are looked upon with a social stigma as being the cause of the Crime rather than a tool used in a Crime. And so people blame Guns for these crimes rather than the people committing these crimes. If a person is motivated enough to do something bad, they are going to do it either way and will use whatever means is available to them to commit these Crimes. Including other means like: Knives, Blunt Objects, Poisons, Vehicles, Explosives… Sad but true! Airguns are not used in homicides or mass shootings as they are completely underpowered for a crime like this. They can however be used in crimes as a show of threat, as they do look a lot like real guns, generally people that use Airguns for real crimes, if challenged will give up immediately as they are completely outgunned. Don’t bring an Airgun to a Real Gun fight, you have better chance with a knife!
I have made a fair amount of video reviews for the Dan Wesson Line of AIrguns that encompass Table Top and Field Test Reviews on several versions of the Dan Wesson line: BB, Pellet, Airsoft, in a variety of barrel and color choices. It has been a while, so why not make another Review Video to revisit the Dan Wesson Line and so this time here we have the Steel BB version in a 2.5 inch barrel length. As always I will test they CO2 Revolver to find out what the velocity is and how accurate it is shooting at a paper target. Also make sure to watch my Table Top Video for specifications, details and closeup video.
Here we go with the Velocity test! I placed a brand new CO2 in the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver and shot a cylinder full of 4.5mm steel BB’s that weigh 5.1 grain through my Chronograph. The temperature was average so about room temperature. Only the last 4 of my shots registered on my Chronograph as it was acting up a bit on me at first two shots but I did manage to average 332 fps with the last four. The first two shots would have been a little bit faster had they registered on my chronograph so this may have brought up the average a bit to say around 334…
I then placed a fresh paper target 30 feet down range and proceeded to unload a full 6 round cylinder into it, I was shooting in single action with the hammer cocked back between shots. I was also using a semi rested shooting position with my hands resting on a sand bag up front and seated in the back for stability. Generally speaking even with Steel BB’s I can get close to a 1-2 inch grouping with hess Dan Wessons but this time my 6 shot grouping only produced a 3 inch group? It was probably me as there is always some human error involved and each test can result in different results so keep that in mind. The grouping was well centered out of the box but the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver does have fully adjustable sights in case yours is a bit off.
It never get’s old loading up the shells with ammo and placing them in the cylinder followed by either quick action shooting or more relaxed and accurate single action shooting, then repeating again and again… The original Dan Wesson line of revelers has been around for a long time now and if I am not mistaken was the first Airgun revolver to use reloadable shells. We now have more refined 715 version of the Dan Wesson which does have some improvement but the original versions still hold strong and are very capable and fun shell loading revolvers that come it a bit lower price tag then the newer 715 versions so no matter which version you get you will have lot of fun shooting and reloading these enjoyable Airguns!
Type: BB Revolvers. Manufacturer: ASG Model: Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold Materials: Mostly metal. Weight: 1.9 pounds. (862 grams) Barrel: Metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Revolver, single and double action. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds (removable shells). FPS: 327
Trigger Pull: The ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver shoots in true modern revolver style offering single and double action. The double action has a bit of friction to it since the cylinder is being rotate during the first part of the trigger pull and there is a spring fed metal gasket between the barrel and the cylinder that creates a seal but does add some resistance to the trigger pull in double action. Single action is much lighter as expected since pulling the hammer back turns the cylinder removing that friction point from the equasion.
.Accuracy: So far I have not done my Filed Test Shooting Video for the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver, but I plan to in the near future as a revisit since I have made a lot of similar Field Test Videos for the Dan Wesson line of products in 4.5mm Steel BB and 6mm Airsoft, here is a link to me shooting the 8 inch a while back in my old setup. Wow, this one goes back to 2014 almost 10 years ago!
Build Quality: The ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver overall is really well built with good weight to it and a nice fit and finish, I do like the Gold version in this 2.5 inch version. It is almost all metal with the exception of the grips which are made of a semi hard plastic. One beef I have with the original ASG Dan Wesson line of revolvers are how the grips slide back to access the CO2, closing them can be a bit of a chore as they can come off their track super easily. The other complaint I hear about them is the play in the trigger and hammer side to side.
Realism: The ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver like all the other ASG Dan Wesson Revolvers is very realistic with its realistic pop out cylinder and 6 removable shells you can reuse and load up for numerous rounds of shooting. You can also buy additional shells and have them preloaded and ready to go in the Speed loader to speed things up. Two things about the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver that take away a bit from the realism would be the non recessed barrel and the rather large space in front of the hammer. A real steel Dan Wesson or even most revolvers do not have this large space. I believe they did this to allow for the internal valve system. The newer Dan Wesson 715 however was designed with a smaller space in front of the hammer.
Pros:
It's a revolver with actual shells! Gives you the feeling of a real 6 shooter.
Almost all metal design with good weight and feel.
Lots of detail in this gun, very well made, fit and finish is very good.
Good power and good accuracy. (going off of already done older reviews)
Fully adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Can add the included accessory rail for more options (optical or red dot sight…).
Dan Wesson licensed via ASG.
Gold finish is unique. (Gold is the Best!)
Moulded and textured pistol grips.
Grips fully hide CO2 screw.
Can shoot in both double and single action for action shooting or more accurate shot placement.
Cons:
Plastic CO2 screw tab.
Plastic grip setup can be a bit awkward to close.
2.5 inch does not have the recessed barrel.
Hammer and trigger are a bit sloppy compared to 715 version.
Comments:
It’s been a while since I reviewed one of the first generation ASG Dan Wesson Revolvers and the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver does bring back some memories for me going back almost a decade. If I’m not mistaken this revolver was the first one to implement actual removable and reloadable shells making Airgun Replica Revolvers a lot more interesting and realistic! I do kind of prefer the newer 715 version as they are even beefier than the original ASG Dan Wessons and ASG has fixed the sloppy hammer and trigger along with the space in front of the hammer has been reduce making the 715 even that much more realistic.
Watch my Vimeo Video Table Top Review for the Dan Wesson 2.5 Inch Gold BB Revolver:
In this Preview Review Video I take a look at 4 newer products now in our Replica Airguns Online Store. One is a 4.5mm Steel BB Revolver, two are 6mm Airsoft Pistols and one is a .68 caliber Paintball Shotgun.
The first item I take look at in this video is the Umarex HK30 AEG Airsoft Pistol, this product is pretty entry level with analyst all plastic build and is very light to hold. It does however shoot in both semi and full auto since it is an AEG Airsfto Pistol (not many of them out there). The fps is rather low at a claimed fps at just under 200, the Umarex HK30 AEG Airsoft Pistol also comes with two 16 round remove; plastic magazines. Who knows, maybe it will be fun?
Next I take a look at the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch 4.5mm Steel BB Gold Revolver. This is a CO2 powered shell loading BB revolver very much like similar ones I have reviewed in the past but in Gold finish. Will the gold finishes make it perform better, well I guess we better find out!
I then take a look at a “Glock Like” CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol for KJWorks called the KP13. It has a full size drop out metal magazine that holds the CO2 along with 24 rounds of 6mm Airsoft BB’s. The KJWorks KP-13 has a metal slide, metal magazine and polymer frame with a velocity over 360fps using the included barrel extension.
Last but perhaps the most interesting for me is the Umarex T4E HDB which is a lower cost Paintball/Rubber Ball Shotgun which could possibly be used for home protection? The T4E HDB is a mostly plastic constructed rifle with decent weight to it and uses an internal spring fed 16 round magazine. You will find all kinds of mounting points for accessories and for a sling on the Umarex T4E HDB and again at much lower cost than similar T4E rifle based Paintball/Rubber ball Airguns.
Type: Pellet Pistol. Distributer:Umarex. Model:Stainless Ruger Mark IV. Materials: Metal and polymer build. Weight: 1.56 pounds (708 grams). Barrel: 5.3 inches (135mm). Total Length: 11 inches (279mm). Propulsion: Spring Piston. Action: SAO Break Barrel. Ammunition Type: .177 caliber pellets. Ammunition Capacity: 1 round. FPS: 320.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Stainless Ruger Mark IV Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistolis not too bad, I feel it is a around 6-7 pounds or so without measuring. In comparison to a real steel 22LR semi auto SAO trigger pistol, the trigger is much heavier but most of these 22LR pistols of this nature have what I would consider to be near perfect triggers. Over time once you get use to the pressure and release point accuracy with this pistol it is for sure possible.
Accuracy: I have tested out the all black version of this pistol which will perform exactly the same or should I say is expected to perform the same since they are virtually the exact same Pellet Pistol but in different finishes. You can watch my Field Test Shooting Video for the all black version but in case you don’t make it there I will fill you in on the basic results… In terms of velocity I averaged 312 fps using 7 grain lead pellets and got around a 2 inch 7 rounds grouping but expect with a bit more trigger time to get closer to 1 inch.
Build Quality: The Stainless Ruger Mark IV Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistolis a low cost target plinker that also doubles as a licensed Replica for that coolness factor so you won’t get an all metal super top quality build here. That said metal and plastics are well used and for sure details in the fit and finish have been improved over the Buck Mark URX version where I found the barrel felt a bit sloppy and the trigger was plastic. The Umarex Ruger Mark IV Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistol has a much tighter barrel fit when closed and the trigger is now metal! Maybe Umarex watched my video back in the day and took some notes?
Realism: The Umarex Ruger Mark IV Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistol most resembles the Mark IV Hunter edition and is pretty much bang on in terms of being a replica other than the tell tail hinge just under the barrel required for a spring piston design, there really is no way to get around this so I’m not going to criticize this minor difference. The real steel version is almost 3 pounds and so the pellet shooting version is a bit under weight so it would have been to have had more metal perhaps in the barrel and lower frame. Again since the pellet shooting version is a springer you will not have any working bolts or slide catches or a built in magazine.
Pros:
It's a decent Ruger Mark IV Replica!
Feels well built overall.
Expect it to have really good accuracy like the Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX since they share similar mechanical design.
Barrel locks into place much better than the Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX did.
Fully adjustable rear sight with fiber optic front sight.
Auto locking safety, just don’t forget to unlock before each shot
Actual metal trigger in this version.
Nice and compact, not too heavy.
Full Ruger licensed via Umarex.
Fairly low price tag.
Cons:
No built in rail for a sight system like the Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX.
Would have liked a metal trigger and maybe a slightly lighter trigger pull to match the real Buck Mark's very light trigger pull.
A bit more metal would have been nice.
Significantly more expensive than the black version which is the same exact gun in a different color.
Comments: The Stainless Ruger Mark IV Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistol is a decent looking replica and a decent pellet shooting target pistol and if you own the real steel version in 22LR you may just want to get your hands on one of these Break Barrel Replica Pellet shooters. The only real question is do you get the Stainless version with simulated wood grips or the all black version? If you like the look of the stainless version and don’t care about money whatsoever, then pickup that one up since it is a Limited Edition version that will only go up in value over time. If you are on a budget and don’t mind the look of the all black versions or maybe even prefer it then by all means grab one since at the end of the day they will both perform exactly the same.
My Vimeo Table Top Review Videos for the Umarex Stainless Ruger Mark IV Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistol:
This time I have a tiny Mystery Box to unpack and show you guys, this time there are only two pistols, one is a Spring Piston Single Shot .177 Caliber Pellet Pistol and the other is a 6mm Airsoft Blowback BB Pistol, both are Licensed Replicas for Umarex. If you want to find out more about each Air Pistol then make sure to watch this Mystery Box Unboxing Preview Video!
This will be my only video this week as I am in what is called Peak Week in preparation for the Vancouver Fall Calssic Fitness show I am competing in this upcoming weekend. Peak Week really takes a lot out of me and is rather time consuming with the physical activity I am doing and daily blog styled videos I am posting for my other channel www.GetFitOver40.com.
If you are interested in what I do fitness wise then checkout that channel and follow me along this week as I hope to kick some but competing against dudes half my age.
Starting with my velocity test, I shot 3 rounds through my Chronograph using .177 caliber 7 grain lead pellets achieving 482, 489 and 466 fps with an average of 479 for the three shots. Not bad for a fairly compact Break Barrel Airgun. This is perhaps fast enough for small game like mice and small rats but you would need to get proficient on your shot accuracy to make sure you got a good head or lung shot to make it a more humane pest control.
For the accuracy portion of this Field test Shooting Review I proceeded to fire 6 rounds into a paper target setup 30 feet away. I use a semi rested shooting position with the Umarex HK MP7 .177 Cal Break Barrel Pellet Gun resting on a sand bag up front and me sitting on a stool for stability. My 6 shot grouping was all within around 1.5 inches but I feel like this Pellet gun can do better with me getting a bit more use ot it, still not bad out of the box and with my first round shooting it.
I really like the Umarex HK MP7 .177 Cal Break Barrel Pellet Gun as not only a Replica but it also shoed itself ot be a decent target Airgun at the end of the day. I do have to say the trigger is a bit long but not heavy at all, it has a smooth pull with a soft release. Most pimple should be able towel with this just fine. SO if you are looking for a Replica but also want an Airgun that can shoot hard and with decent accuracy then look no further than the Umarex HK MP7 .177 Cal Break Barrel Pellet Gun.
