We recently picked up the Steambow line of Compact Crossbows and I have already made a Table Top Review for some of their products. So far I had not shot or tested any of the Steambow product line yet and so it was nice to get the chance to shoot a few different models over in the Archery Pavilion at SHOT Show and also talk with Tobias their product specialist. I did get the chance to drop by the Steambow Booth and talked with the Steambow team and founder about some of their new products coming out including a new Rubber Ball crossbow they are working on that should be coming out in the near future.
I’m back from SHOT Show 2025 Las Vegas and finished transferring and uploading all the video from all the cameras we shot it all on. We had a great time, we met a lot of great folks at the booths and it’s now time to put it all together and make some videos for everyone so I can share the experience!
I always like to put out a “Teaser Video” with some quick clips of the entire experience including some of the travels, a bit of the resort we stayed at, shots of Vegas and of course lots of the SHOT Show 2025 experience along with the booths we visited. Enjoy this quick preview and stay posted for my upcoming Interview Videos shortly…
Type: Multi-Ammo Pistol. Distributer:Alies Airguns. Model:GEM. Materials: Mostly metal with some plastic build. Weight: Barrel dependent. Total Length: Barrel dependent 3.5 inches (89mm) with BB and Airsoft Barrels. Barrel: Barrel dependent 2 inches (51mm) with BB and Airsoft Barrels Propulsion: 8 or 12 gram CO2 (12 Gram CO2 required adaptor sold separately). Action: Break Barrel / Single shot. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's / 6mm Airsoft BB’s (Can also purchase .117 Pellet, .50 & .43 cal Paintball, 9mm Arrow Barrels) Ammunition Capacity: 1 round. FPS: up to 400 using 4.5mm Steel BB’s.
Trigger Pull: The Alias GEM Multi Ammo Mini CO2 Airgun is a true single action only pistol that requires the pulling back of the hammer for each shot. This does give it a very nice trigger action that is short to medium in length with an easy release. The makeup is about medium for a single action trigger with a bit of an unpredictable release as there is no point in time that you feel it breaking on you. This can be good or bad depending on how you like your triggers as it is hard to tel when ti will actually release but the smoothness makes it a good trigger overall in my opinion
Accuracy: I have not shot the Alias GEM Multi Ammo Mini CO2 Airgun at all so far as it requires 8 gram CO2 and so I am waiting on the 12 gram adaptor for it before I can even give it a quick try. I will be making a full Field test Review for it swapping between a bunch of barrel options to see how each barrel adn ammo type performs in terms of power adn accuracy so stay posted for that video down the road a bit.
Build Quality: Build quality for the Alias GEM Multi Ammo Mini CO2 Airgun is very good with an almost all metal build other than the front and back sights, the trigger, the safety adn the barrel release. I kind of wish these parts were also metal as the rest of the Airgun is so pristine! The weight of this pistol feels very dense as it is so small yet has a good weight. The fir and finishes is all very good with the chrome finish on most parts and even the inclusion of what I believe are real gem stones on each side of the grips. The mechanical parts are also smooth and precise.
Realism: As far as I know the Alias GEM Multi Ammo Mini CO2 Airgun is not a replica of any production real steel gun that I am aware of. It looks to me like some sort of futuristic compact laser pistol? In terms of gun shape and what we are use to in terms of what a gun is it checks most of the boxes but it is it’s own design for sure.
Pros:
Super compact design, probably the smallest Airgun available.
Multiple quick change barrel and ammo options.
Mostly all metal build, very high quality materials.
Nice smooth and light SAO trigger.
Able to also use 12 gram CO2 with optional adapter.
Comes in different colors (red or black).
Decent velocity up to 400 fps depending on ammo type.
Eye-catching chrome and gemstone detailing make it a collector's piece.
Cons:
Uses 8 grams CO2 standard, harder to get and more expensive.
Only a single shot, not an action shooter.
On the pricy side at over $300 Canadian.
Comments:
I have to say that the Alias GEM Multi Ammo Mini CO2 Airgun is not going to be for everyone as the price point is up there a bit for such a simple single action gun. That said it is super unique and the quality adn design is top notch. It may in fact be the smallest CO2 Airgun on the market adn you can literally put it in your front pocket easily. That combined with all the barrel and ammo options makes it super flexible if you plan on shooting a variety of different ammo types. Like I said in the video you may even be able to get away with buying it as a gift for your wife or girlfriend since it technically can be defined as being jewelry with the imbedded Gem stones in the grips. That may be a bit of a stretch unless she is also an Airgun fan.
This video was made right at the end of December 2024 but I am posting it in the new year so we will call it a late December video… That makes two Mystery Box Videos for December 2024 which means a lot of new products on my plate to review this new year. Hopefully I can get a bunch of them done before I head out to SHOT Show this year in a couple of weeks as I will have a lot of videos and interviews to post for SHOT Show as is always the case when I get back.
At least in this unboxing videos I can give you an idea of some of the new products we have in the Replica Airgun online Stores usually in both the Canada and the US Replica Airgun Stores. In this Unboxing Video I received 5 new products to show you. A Less Lethal Pistol and Spring Piston BB Pistol from Umarex, a Carbine Airsoft Rifle from KJWorks, a Multi-barrel super compact Airgun from Alias Airguns out of Canada, and Bug Exterminator from a company called Skell Inc. Here are some of the basics for each of them:
Type: CO2 Air Pistol. Manufacturer:Alias Airguns. Model: Gem. Caliber: Multi Barrel Comes with 4.5mm Steel BB adn 6mm Airsoft. Power Source: Single 8g CO2 Cartridge or 12 gram with adaptor. Magazine Capacity: Single shot. Buy the .50 Caliber Paintball Barrel Set: AA1002. Buy the Rocket Barrel Set: AA1003. Buy the 12 Gram CO2 Adaptor: AA1004.
Type: Spring Air BB Pistol. Manufacturer:Umarex. Model: DSX 45. Ammo Type:4.5mm Steel BBs. Power Source: Spring Air. Magazine Capacity: 13 Rounds (Rapid Load) with 200 Round Reservoir.
Type: Pump Action Bug Exterminator. Manufacturer: Skell Inc. Model: Bug-A-Salt 3.0. Ammo Type: table Salt. Power Source: Spring Air. Magazine Capacity: a bunch.
you need to cock the bow in order for the trigger to be engaged. The trigger mechanism basically just pushes the bow string up and over the lip of the rail releasing the bow, so there is a bit of friction and I would guess it is about 8-10 pounds maybe a bit less. There is no actual safety on the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical so you will have to practice appropriate finger control so as to not accidentally fire a bolt unintentionally.
Accuracy: I have not recorded my Field Test Shooting Video for the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical and so I am not sure what to expect. I have shot a similar bow, the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow so it should perform a lot like that one but without the auto loading bolt system. If you want, you can check that Field Test Shooting Video out here, I expect the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical to have perhaps slightly less power over the Bear X Desire XL as it is rated to have a 55 pound draw as compared to the 60 pounds of the Bear X Desire XL. In terms of accuracy I do not expect anything similar to a pellet or even BB rifles or pistol but I hope to get somewhere near a 6-8 inch grouping with the 6 bolts loaded in the internal magazine.
Build Quality: The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical is overall well made but does consist of a lot of plastic or polymer, that said it feels sturdy enough when holding it in the hand. The bow itself is fiberglass and the only real metal I can confirm is the cocking rail, mostly everything else other than the nuts, bolts, safety are some sort of plastic. Fit and finish is good. I am hoping the auto bolt loading system will perform well and be consistent but we will find out when I make my Field Test Shooting Video for it soon.
Realism: The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical is not a Replica pistol or rifle, it is a target bow that one could perhaps use of small game if you become proficient with shooting it. I do think this is a crossover product in terms of interest with people that are also interested in Airguns or target shooting. The other benefit is that it has a lot more power than a non regulated Airgun as the it uses nice heavy 142 grain bolts traveling at near 200 fps which gives an energy rating of around 12 foot pounds, the speed may be less than an Airgun but the energy is a lot higher. If raw power is what you are interested in, then this is your best option for something still compact and quiet if you do not have a firearms license or want to avoid that hassle and the legalities around regulated firearms.
Pros:
Light weight and compact.
More power than an airgun yet still quiet to shoot so can use discreetly just about anywhere with a good back stop setup.
Auto loading system for quick follow up shots.
Easy to draw the bow using the stock for leverage.
Top and bottom Picatinny rail mounting options for sights and accessories.
Fiber optic mid sight setup.
Ambidextrous bolt safety easy to engage and disengage.
6 bolts included to fully load the internal magazines.
180 fps (10ft/lbs).
Comes with standard fore grip.
5 portion AR compatible adjustable rear but stock.
Cons:
Fairly expensive.
Sights are not adjustable, mid sight is not as easy to sight in.
Will need a good backstop or will lose lots of bolts.
Takes a little bit of time to set it up but not too hard, just follow the steps in the manual.
Comments:
The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical is an interesting product, the autoloading system with built in 6 round magazines turns this from a simple target bow into a bit of an action shooter once you get the reloading down. As a potential pest control solution it for sure has the power as long as you can harness it by practicing to the point where you can get those 142 grain bolts on target and make a humane shot at the ranges you plan on using it for. Having quick follow up shots I feel is necessary just in case the first shot does not quite get the job done. If you don’t need external 10 round magazines or the upgraded accessories found on the Steambow M10 Tactical and want something a little more affordable than check the AR-6 Stinger out as it is very versatile as a compact Recurve Crossbow.
Type:Arrow Rifle. Manufacturer: Umarex Model:AirSaber Elite X2. Materials: Metal and Polymer. Weight: 8.7 pounds (3.9kg). Air Tank: 4000 PSI - 240cc. Barrel: Double barrel system. Propulsion: PCP (Compressed Air). Action: Side cocking - Single action trigger. Ammunition Type: 350 grain Arrows. Ammunition Capacity: 2. Max FPS: 450 Claimed.
Trigger Pull: The trigger on the Umarex AirSaber Elite X2 Double Barrel PCP Arrow Rifle is single action only requiring you to engage the side cocking latch system before you can shoot it. You will also be required to manually select the barrel using the side mounted cross bolt between shots. The trigger feels pretty light in general since it is a single action only trigger but it does have a fair amount take-up and creep before releasing.
Accuracy: I have not performed any shooting tests with the Umarex AirSaber Elite X2 Double Barrel PCP Arrow Rifle as of yet and I am not sure if I will since this product does require a high powered crossbow type backstop which I do not have at this time. I want to make sure I have a safe shooting environment before unleashing 169 foot pounds of energy downrange. I would imagine since the Umarex AirSaber Elite X2 Double Barrel PCP Arrow Rifle is designed more for mid to large game hunting that it will be accurate out to mid and long ranges, of course you will need to practice at the ranges you will be shooting at to know how the arrow will fly and how much elevation you will need to to adjust for.
Build Quality: The Umarex AirSaber Elite X2 Double Barrel PCP Arrow Rifle is really well built and solid coming in at 8.7 pounds. For it’s size it is not heavy since it ustilizes a combination of metal, aluminum and polymer. All the mechanical parts feel high quality and reactive.
Realism: The Umarex AirSaber Elite X2 Double Barrel PCP Arrow Rifle is not a replica of any real steel gun in production since it is a hunting rifle through and through. It is rifle shaped of course since that is what we have gown accustomed to using and so why change the main design. If you have used a rifle before then you will have no problem using the Umarex AirSaber Elite X2 Double Barrel PCP Arrow Rifle as it is more of a rifle and less of a bow or crossbow to use. It just happens to shoot arrow rather than bullet.
Pros:
Canada non PAL Airgun with enough power to hunt medium to larger game!
Overall price point is good, nothing like this to compare to.
Arrows are propelled from the front, so no archers paradox when aiming.
Arrows come with field tip arrows but can be unscrewed and replaced with broad tip arrow heads for hunting.
Easy to use cross bolt safety on trigger.
Pistol grip allows for easy hold and control.
Fit and finish is excellent.
PCP for more power and consistency than CO2.
Picatinny rails on top for scope, sides and bottom for other accessories.
Rubber butt-plate for added comfort.
Improved easy to use side cocking system.
Double barrel allows for quick follow up shot.
Higher PSI for high power with same amount of shots as older single barrel AirSaber.
Cons:
Need a pump or other compressed air-fill system.
Will require a proper backstop system to practice safety with.
Arrows are not cheap so make sure of your shots.
Comments: The Umarex AirSaber Elite X2 Double Barrel PCP Arrow Rifle is a really unique product that allows virtually anyone to be able to hunt even larger game without a firearms license in Canada. It is not really a riffle or a crossbow, it is it’s own creation that takes the best of a rifle and the best from archery combining both into an easy to learn and use way to be able to hunt proficiently and perhaps even in areas rifles are not allowed to go. For the extra $100 or so I would recommend the Umarex AirSaber Elite X2 Double Barrel version over the original single version barrel but both will get the job done at the end of the day since usually your first shot is your only shot.
In this Preview Unboxing Video I take a look at three rifles, two are Airsoft Rifles and one is an Archery Rifle. Then First Airsoft Rifle form Tokyo Marui i s full Gas Blowback all metal build AR 15 of the highest quality and realism while the second Airsoft Rifle from Sig Sauer is an AEG but again a high quality product for sure. Lastly I take a look at Umarex’s lates Airsaber which now sports dual Arrow configuration for quick follow up shots. I do plan to make future more intensive table top and shooting videos for some if not all of thees Rifles but this video will at least wet your appetite a bit.
This was an unusual Field Test Review for me to do as I really don’t test out Bows or Crossbows all that much and I don’t have the best backstop setup for doing such reviews. So I spent some time making a backstop that was capable of stopping these just over 6 inch almost 10 gram or 150 grain bolts. It required some layers of foam and cardboard along with a blanket behind just in case, and even with this setup the bolts managed to lodge themselves right up to the Fletching (feather part of the arrow). Also make sure to watch my Table Top Video Review for the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow to see it up nice and close and get all the specifications and features.
I kind of wanted to change up this review just a bit and so I recorded my Chronograph Velocity at the same time as I did my Target or Accuracy Test to simplify things. I used 5 bolts in all and got what I felt was a good result using the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow.
In terns of velocity Bear X claims that the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow will shoot around 175 fps. I was able to get consistent 190+ fps readings using the 147 grain 6.5 inch aluminum bolts with my lowest fps being 192 and the highest being 194 so super consistent. This gave an overall Foot Pound energy of 12.4 foot pounds! This is enough for small pests for sure, it really comes down to accuracy at this point as you will want to get either a head or shoulder area shot for a humane kill.
I did do a pre test to make sure I was on target and duding this test I was able to get about a 5 inch 5 shot grouping. During my recored Accuracy Test this did open up a bit as one arrow went high and to the right so if I leave that arrow out of the test I did manage to get another 5 inch grouping with three of the arrows all within 1.5 inches of each otter. I figure with high quality arrows and some practice time using the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow, you should be able to use it for small pest control at least at closer in ranges.
All in all the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow surprised me with how powerful it really was and with the accuracy using standard default bolts. This is for sure not a toy and you would never want to accidentally shoot this at someone as it could cause a very serious injury or even death and I mean that since these arrow would for sure pierce several inches into the body. So if you’re looking for something with a bit more raw power than your standard non-regulated Airgun, then check out the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow over in both our Canada and US Online Replica Airguns Stores.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow is medium to heavy, it is a single action only trigger as you need ot cock the bow in order for the trigger to be engaged. The safety is also engaged when you cock the bow requiring you to take the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow off safe before shooting as an added layer of safety.
Accuracy: I have not made my Field Test Shooting Video for the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow and so I have not sea what to expect for it. I have watched a few videos of other people reviewing it and it looks to perform fairly well but until I get a few bolts in a target downrange I can not say for certain the accuracy of the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow. I will have to figure out some sort of a usable back stop in order to make this Field Test Shooting Video but have some ideas already on material to use as my back stop. FPS is claimed ot be around 175 and I will be doing my best to Chronograph the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow so we can confirm that rating for ourselves…
Build Quality: The Bear X Desire XL Crossbow is actually made pretty decently, yes it is mostly plastic and light weight but feels sturdy enough to hold, the only real metal I can confirm is the cocking rail, mostly everything else other than the nuts and bolts that hold it together are some sort of plastic, the bow itself may be a composite material but I am not sure what exactly it is?
Realism: The Bear X Desire XL Crossbow is not a Replica as is what I usually review here on the channel. But I think their is a crossover in terms of interest for a product like this with people that are also interested in airguns. I know I like the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow and can see a place for it in my collection even if it’s not a replica product.
Pros:
Fairly inexpensive.
Super light weight.
Can shoot in a variety of situations.
Easy to draw the bow.
Safety is automatically engaged.
Picatinny rail already has iron fully adjustable rear sight but can mount a red dot if you like.
Fiber optic front sight.
3 bolts included.
175 fps (not sure of the ft/lbs)?
Comes with fore grip.
3 portion adjustable rear but stock.
Cons:
Will need a good backstop or will lose or damage a lots of bolts.
Takes a little bit of time to set it up but not too hard if you follow the instructions.
Comments:
The Bear X Desire XL Crossbow is an interesting product that once purchased and if you manage to not lose the bolts will cost virtually nothing to shoot since you can reuse the bolts all day long given you shoot them on target and that target does not damage the bolts. It may not offer the rapid fire action shooting of a replica semi auto CO2 Pistol but still challenges the shooter in terms of getting the best possible accuracy out of it and at the end of the day trigger time is trigger time! If you are looking for something a bit different than your CO2 Air Gun then maybe the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow will fill that requirement.
In this Preview Unboxing Vimeo Video I take a look at five very different products! A Spring Piston .177 Caliber Pellet Pistol, an Airsoft GBB Pistol, a Compact Crossbow, a full auto CO2 Blowback BB Pistol and a PPC .22 Caliber Pellet Rifle.
First up is the Umarex Ruger Mark IV Spring Piston Pellet Pistol which is a single shot replica pellet pistol that shoots .177 caliber pellets at up to 320 fps using a spring piston break barrel system. The Umarex Ruger Mark IV Spring Piston Pellet Pistol is a target plinker with fully adjustable fiber optic sights and should be a lot of fun to shoot!
Next I take a look at a Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol from Action Army that closely resembles the Ruger Mark IV pistol with perhaps a more compact look. The Action Army AAP-01 GBB Airsoft Pistol is full blowback a full size drop out magazine and fiber optic sights. It also come with a threaded barrel and barrel extension for adding a longer barrel and much suppressor.
Next on my list of new items is the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow which is a 2.2 pound compact bolt shooting crossbow that sports a rail system with included adjustable iron sights that also allow for a red dot if you want to really customize it. The Bear X Desire XL Crossbow has a 60 pound draw and shoots arrows/bolts at up to 175 fps.
Another AR BB Rifle/Pistol from Crosman is the Crosman A4-P Full Auto CO2 BB Pistol which is essentially a pistol version of the AR Platform. If you like the Crosman DPMS SBR, R1, PDW then you will probably also like the Crosman AP-4. Like the others it uses dual CO2’s and shoots 4.5mm Steel BB;s in semi or full auto at 1400 rounds per minute until the 25 round magazine is empty.
Last included in this preview video is the Air Venturi Avenger Regulated PCP Pellet Rifle. I’m a bit uncertain about this one as I am pretty sure it is the non detuned PAL version that requires a firearms license here in Canada as it shoots at full velocity (.22 caliber pellet at 950 fps). If that’s the case then it will not be available in our Canada Replica Airguns Store but may be available in the US Replica Airguns Store. If it is the detuned version or a detuned version becomes available in Canada then I imagine we will at some point have it in the Canada replica Airguns Store. That said the Air Venturi Avenger Regulated PCP Pellet Rifle uses compressed air and shoots either .177. .22 or .25 caliber pellets using a latch system and rotary magazine.
In this Vimeo Replica Airguns Update Video I take a look at three CO2 Airguns, one is a 4.5mm Steel BB revolver distributed by Barra and two are CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistols distributed by Umarex. All of these CO2 Airguns I have previously reviewed in slightly different versions either barrel length and finish or Steel BB as compared to 6mm Airsoft So checkout why other reviews on similar version Airguns.
The Barra Barra Schofield CO2 BB Revolver is a replica of the Schofield No. 3 single action revolver and utilizes 6 reloadable shells for a very realistic shooting experience. It is very solid in construction bing made mostly out of metal and weighs in at around 2.4 pounds. This version shots 4.5 mm Steel BBs at a velocity of up to 400 fps. It comes in a variety of barrel lengths and finishes so amen sure to have a look in our Online Replica Airguns Store for what we have available…
Next up from Umarex is the fully licensed Beretta Pietro Mod. 92 A1 CO2 Blowback Semi and Full Auto Airsoft Pistol, this product is distributed by Umarex but is made by KWC. Another solid metal pistol with a hefty 2.4 pound weigth that holds 21 rounds in its full size drop out metal magazine and offers both semi and full auto shooting at the flick of a switch!
Again from Umarex I showcase the Elite Force 1911 Tac CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol and like the Beretta Pietro it too is made in the KWC factory for Umarex. The 1911 Tac as the name suggest is a tactical version of the standard Colt 1911 but with some upgrades like a skeletonized hammer and trigger along with an ambidextrous safety, white dot sights front and back and a picatinny rail on the frame for add ons. You can expect velocity to be somewhere in the 400 fps range and the full size drop out metal magazine holds 15 Airsoft BB’s.
In this video I test out the Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol to see what we can expect in terms of accuracy and velocity. I first shoot several rounds through my Chronograph to get an average fps fooled by an accuracy test where I shoot 10 rounds at a paper target setup 30 feet down range to see how tight of a grouping I can get and if the Airgun out of the box shoots relatively on target.
Starting with my Velocity Test I shot about 9 rounds through my Chronograph to get a 6 shot average using a brand new CO2. The first three shots seemed to be a bit low as the Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol is brand new and this was probably the CO2 valve settling in a bit. After the first three shots all the rest of the shots where in the 350-360 fps ranges with an average of 359 fps, fairly close to the Umarex 375 claimed fps on the packaging.
Next I setup a brand new paper target 30 feet down range and placed 10 rounds carefully on it from a seated and rested shooting position. I was able to get close to a two inch grouping that was a bit to the left of the bullseye but well centered vertically. The sights are not adjustable so at least with this gun I would need to aim juts a little bit to the right to nail targets consistently.
Overall I am impressed with the Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol, the fps was right in the ballpark giving better performance than most full blowback BB guns which will ams translate to more shots per CO2. The accuracy was also on point, it just would be nice if some of these lower coat airguns had adjustable sights to get them dead canter. I did find the trigger to be better than expected, it is a bit long as the first part of the trigger is used to shutle a BB into the breach for the magazine but usually this porting of the trigger pull can have a bit of friction to it, not the case with the Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol as it felt really smooth. The actual trigger release does require a bit more force but once y9u figure it out the guns world well and would make for good action shooting.
UPDATE: All Umarex Glock 17 Gen 4 and Glock 19 Gen 3 GBB Airsoft Pistols now ship with the Shorter Barrels!!
Type: Blowback GBB Airsoft Pistols. Manufacturer: Distributed by Umarex. Model:Glock 17 Gen 4 & Glock 19 Gen 3. Materials: Metal & Polymer. Weight: 1.66 Pounds (642 grams) / 1.64 Pounds (634 grams). Barrel: Smooth bore 10.8 inch barrels. Propulsion: Green Gas or Propane. Action: Semi auto blowback, single action only trigger. Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 22 / 19 round drop out full size metal magazines. FPS: Claimed 410 with .20 gram Airsoft BB’s.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Glock 17 Gen 4 and Glock 19 Gen 3 GBB Airsoft Pistols is fairly short with only a little bit of take up, the release is light and crips. The blowback action resets the internal Hammer / Striker with each shot for that true single action trigger and it’s also nice that the trigger does have a working trigger safety like the real steel versions.
Accuracy: At this point I have not shot either of the long barrel Umarex Glock 17 Gen 4 and Glock 19 Gen 3 GBB Airsoft Pistols so I can only quote what Umarex is saying in terms of FPS which is around 410 using Green Gas or Propane. These longer barreled versions should shoot fairly hot compared to the much shorter barreled versions and since i do have a short barrel Glock 17 Gen 4 I may also compare it at the same time to see what the actual barrel length does in terms of fps velocity. Of course my Field test Shooting video will also focus on accuracy add see what can be accomplished shooting a 10 shot grouping at 30 feet down range.
Build Quality: TheUmarex Glock 17 Gen 4 and Glock 19 Gen 3 GBB Airsoft Pistols seems well made overall. It does seem a little bit underweight but still feels solid enough in the hand, Glocks are not known for being all that hefty. The Slide is metal but has a bit of an unusual finish that makes it look a lot like the plastic frame rather than a more shiny metal look. All the parts seem to fit nicely, maybe even a bit snug at first as I noticed the side had a bit of friction to it but seems to be working in nicely now.
Realism: The Umarex Glock 17 Gen 4 and Glock 19 Gen 3 GBB Airsoft Pistols look the part of these Glocks all day long. Other then the slightly lighter weight it would be hard to tell off hand until you remove the magazine and take a closer look. All the parts work as you would expect them to, similar to the real steel version and you can even fully field strip the them which makes getting to and adjusting the hop-up easy enough to do. Available From: The Replica Airguns Store.
Pros:
Decent weight and feel to them, build quality seems good.
Really nice looking replicas of the original Glock 17 Gen 4 / Glock 19 Gen 3.
Fully Glock licensed via Umarex.
Easy to see white dot sights front and back with rear sight adjustable for windage.
Recessed barrel for added realism when cut down.
Accessory rail for adding a laser or tactical light.
Full size drop out metal magazines that holds the Green Gas and 6mm Airsoft BB’s.
Warning instruction are nice and discreet under trigger guard.
Nice light SAO trigger as the blowback action pre-cocks the internal hammer/striker.
Working trigger safeties.
No red tips and more realistic outer barrel size.
Cons:
Only comes with the longer barrel so you need to either cut it down or replace it with a shorter barrel.
No way to put a mock suppressor on it to keep extended barrel.
Comments:
Getting the Umarex BB versions of the Glock 17 and Glock 19 has for sure been a bit easier since fps velocity is not a factor. So it’s great that we at least have a way to import these two Umarex Glock GBB Airsoft Pistols into Canada! Yes some home modifications may be required to cut down the inner barrel as the long extended barrels are certainly not practical for every day shooting. That said with the extended long barrels I did get out and shoot a few rounds through them and the added barrel length really does allow for a much faster velocity Airsoft BB making these Umarex GBB Airsoft Glocks more like snipper pistols :)
UPDATE: All Umarex Glock 17 Gen 4 and Glock 19 Gen 3 GBB Airsoft Pistols now ship with the Shorter Barrels!!
In this YouTube Update Preview Video I go over a couple new Umarex Glock Licensed GBB Airsoft Pistols that I feel require a bit of explaining. Essentially we already stock these same Umarex Glock Blowback Airsoft Pistols, but in the CO2 magazine versions. The Umarex Glock 17 Gen4 and Umarex Glock 19 Gen3 I highlight in this video come with Green Gas Magazines and both have extended inner barrels to allow for Canada import to increase the velocity to our over 360 fps using a .20 gram Airsoft BB.
Usually Green Gas Airsoft Pistols with extended inner barrels will have the ability to unscrew the extension and will even come with a shorter replaceable barrel but in this case all you get is the longer one piece inner barrel. My suggestion is to either cut down the long inner barrel to fit within the out barrel or purchase a short inner barrel when they are available.
At the moment we do not have either one of these Airsoft Pistols listed in our Replica Airguns Stores but they should pop up shortly!
In this Preview Update Video three newer products, two Umarex Airsoft CO2 Blowback Pistols and one CO2 Blowback BB Pistol from Crosman. This is far from a full review which I will remaking for all of these Airguns in the near future. I simply go over some of the main specifications and show you quickly around each Airgun.
If you have been watching my Video Reviews you may have picked up on the fact that I am a bit of a 1911 fan! Perhaps it goes back to my Magnum PI day, I am sure I have watched every episode a bunch of times as a kid and growing up, Tom Selleck’s side arm of choice was the classic Colt 1911 A1 and I guess it brushed off on me. I just like the look and feel of the classic 1911!
There have been a number of BB firing Airguns that have come out over the years so I thought I would go over a few of my favorite versions and talk a little bit about their history and cover a few different version most actually made by KWC based off of their original full blowback CO2 1911.
Here are links to my YouTube Video Reviews for the CO2 BB Airguns I show and discuss in this video:
Type: Blowback BB Pistol Manufacturer: Crosman Model:Night Stalker Materials: Metal and Plastic. Weight: 1.6 pounds (726 grams). Barrel: 4.75 inches rifled. Length: 7 inches. Propulsion: CO2 x 1 Action: Blowback , single action only trigger. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 20 Rounds. FPS: 420.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol with Laser is single action only and therefor is fairly light in general. It does have a longer take-up then most single action only triggers but has a predictable and crisp release to it. You will need to rack the slide for the first shot in order to pre-cock the hammer but then the blowback action takes over this process for you.
Accuracy: I actually have performed my Field Test Shooting Video for the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol with Laser and in terms of power I did manage to get really close to the claimed 420 fps with my results being 405 in medium warm temperatures. Accuracy was not as goods as I was hoping for with a 10 shot grouping of around 3 inches. It would have been nice to get closer to a 2 inch grouping. The laser will need to be adjusted out of the box to line up the aim point with the shot placement.
Build Quality: The build quality for the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol with Laser is good overall, the Airgun feels really solid in the hand and even though it is not super heavy it is also not a large Airguns so it feels solid enough being mostly made out of metal. You will find it has a metal slide, frame, trigger, hammer and also the stick magazine giving the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol with Laser a nice balance to it. Fit and finish is also good with only a little bit of slide wiggle.
Realism: The Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol with Laser is not an exact replace of any real steel gun in production that I know of but it does kind of look like a larger Walther PPK that is a bit more squared off and modernized. I would say closer in size to a Makarov which also has some PPK looking traits to it. The blowback operation does also help in terms of realism but it is very snappy and quick, almost too fast for the eye to see.
Pros:
Pretty much all metal gun feels good in the hand.
Snappy blowback operation.
Decent single action trigger (has a bit of take-up but fairly light release).
Comes with integrated laser which is easy to sight in using the supplied Allen key.
Stick mag is all metal with good weight to it.
Laser does not impede the rail so you can still add on accessories..
White dot sight on the back sight.
Cons:
Sights are not adjustable but laser is.
Blowback feel is very slight.
CO2 tab is slightly exposed.
Stick mag rather than full size magazine.
Comments: I do really like the look and feel of the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol with Laser, it has a nice size and weight to it and balances nicely in the hand. The integrated laser keeps this airguns streamline and even allows for the addition of a tac light or other rail accessory to be added. Blowbacks action is slight but does allow for single action only trigger which makes it lighter than a double action trigger and more responsive for action shooting. The Velocity is up and into the 400 fps range which is good for a blowback CO2 BB Pistol, I would just like to see the accuracy tighten up a little bit but perhaps my test results could be improved with more trigger time using the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol.
At SHOT Show 2019 Crosman rolled out their new CO2 Blowback BB Pistol called the Night Stalker. Not be confused with their CO2 Rotary Magazine Pellet Rifle also named the “NightStalker” which was discontinued a while back. Today I actually got my hands on one of Crosman’s pistol version Night Stalkers and so I took out through its paces in the Sea Can Replica Airguns Shooting Range to see how well it performs…
Starting with the velocity, Crosman claims 420 fps which perhaps seems a bit high for a blowback CO2 Pistol but my test results yielded very close to that claim with a five shot storing averaging 405 fps in medium warm testing conditions so in a bit hotter environments 420 fps is for sure possible at least on a brand new fresh CO2. The blowback action is incredible fast and snappy, you almost can’t even see it happening but you can feel it for sure. I was even getting some blasts of CO2 coming back at me so the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol seems to be dumping a fair amount of CO2 with each shot.
For the accuracy portion of my test I of course wanted to use the built in guide rod based laser, out of the box the laser was point rather low and to the right at least when I lined tings up with the iron sights. A quick Allen key adjustment and I was able to line up the laser exactly with where the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistols iron sights where pointing. Unfortunately the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol shoots rather low so in hind sight I would want the laser to actually be pouting under the iron sight point in order to bring up the Steel BB’s about 56 inches or so to line up with the bullseye. Not a problem as a quick Allen Key adjustment and I can point the red dot anywhere I want it to go. I was able to get about a 3 inch 10 shot grouping that spread out more left to right rather than up and down.
The Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is a really nice looking Airgun, kind of like a bully Walther PPK, I like the built in guide rod laser that still allows for the use of the Picatinny rail for adding in a tac light. With a little bit of laser adjustment and practice I am sure the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Blowback BB Pistol would, be more than accurate enough for back yard planning at 20-40 feet away.
In this Field Test Shooting Video I test out Crosman’s latest version to the 357 line of CO2 Revolvers and perform both my Velocity and Accuracy test using both .177 caliber Lead Pellets and 4.5mm Steel BB’s to see which ammo has better velocity/power and is most accurate. Also make sure to watch my Table Tope Video Review where I go ver specifications and features and show the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver up nice and close.
Starting with the velocity portion of my Indoor Field Test Shooting video I placed a brand new 12 gram CO2 into the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver and tested out some 7 grain .177 caliber Lead Pellets. I was able to average 389 fps in what I would consider normal indoor temperature ranges so you can expect a bit higher velocities in outdoor weather conditions. Moving on the 4.5mm 5.1 grain Steel BB’s, I averaged a bit lower at 360 fps which may seem confusing since the Steel BB’s are lighter than the Lead Pellets? The Lead Pellets fit the barrel much more snug stoping any CO2 from getting around them which helps increase the fps over the 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 my accuracy porting of the the Indoor Field Test I was going to place 6 shots from each magazine into my paper target setup 30 feet down range but ended up using all 10 rounds for the pellet magazine, perhaps because I was just having too much fun :) Since the BB magazine only holds 6 rounds my shot grouping for BB’s only included 6 shots so keep that in mind for the final results. All said and done the Lead Pellets outperformed the Steel BB’s once again getting about a 1.5 inch grouping over the 2.5 inch grouping for the Steel BB’s. And I know the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver is more than capable of getting a .5 to 1 inch grouping from previous Field Tests I have made using similar 357 type Crosman Revolvers.
The Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver is just one of those must have old school classic Air Pistols I think everyone should own at least some sort of version of. I do like the look of the Vigilante barrel with it’s more modern and aggressive design and functional top and bottom rails for adding on accessories. The ability to choose what ammo type you want to shoot is also a plus and the price point is bang on for a nice CO2 Air powered Revolver.
Type: Pellet & BB Revolver Manufacturer: Crosman Model:Vigilante Materials: Metal and Plastic. Weight: 2 pounds (908 grams). Barrel: 6 inches rifled. Length: 11.36 inches. Propulsion: CO2 x 1 Action: Revolve , single and double action trigger. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's / .177 caliber Pellets. Ammunition Capacity: 6-BB / 10-Pellet round rotary magazines. FPS: 465-BB’s / 435-Pellets.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver 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 Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver so far but I would be very surprised if it was any different than the standard Crosman 357 I tested back in 2012. 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 402 fps using 6.9 grain pellets and was able to get a 1 inch multi-shot grouping at 30 feet away from my paper target. Not sure if this was the entire 10 round mag or not? I will be making an update Field Test Shooting Video so we will see if I can replicate these results with the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver.
Build Quality: The Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver is a fairly basic pistol that incorporates a plastic outer barrel and inner steel barrel, 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 it.
Realism: There are for sure a lot more realistic looking Revolvers out there with swing out cylinders that except shells just like their real steel counterparts but where the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver shines is in performance. You will get more shots per CO2, higher fps and better accuracy with the Crosman Vigilante 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.
Fully adjustable rear sight.
Can mount a bunch of accessories on the picatinny barrel top and bottom rails.
CO2 and CO2 tab are nicely hidden and use all metal.
Comes with both a Pellet and BB magazine.
Cons:
Outer barrel is plastic but very solid. Metal would have added a bit more weight and 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 realistic revolver in terms of replicas out there but I would say more usable than most.
No white dots on the sights.
The Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver is basically a reskinned Crosman 357 at the end of the day but I have to say it is my favorite looking Crosman 357 out there with its aggressive barrel design. And the added bonus are the top and bottom Picatinny rails which make for mounting accessories like Red Dots, Lasers and Tac Lights super easy! if you’re looking for function over realism at a price point that is more than fair then pick yourself up one of the Crosman Vigilante’s from our Replica Airguns Store!
