Type: Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by KJ Works. Model:M9A1 TBC. Materials: Mostly all Metal. Weight: 2.1 pounds (926 grams). Total Length: 9.25 inches (23.5cm) Barrel: 4 inches (10.2cm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto blowback, SA & DA trigger. Ammunition Type: .6mm plastic Airsoft BB’s. Ammunition Capacity: 24 round drop out full size metal magazine. FPS: Claimed 360+.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KJWorks M9A1 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is single and double action. When the hammer is back and it is in singe action, the trigger is short and light with about a quarter inch take-up before the release which is crisp and fairly light. You can decock the hammer and shoot in double action which does make the trigger pull much longer and a bit heavier but it is still very usable. There is also a semi cock-option where the hammer is partially cocked. This keeps the hammer off the firing pin and allows for a safer double action trigger pull.
Accuracy: So far I have not shot the KJWorks M9A1 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol or made my Field Test Shooting Video. I have shot lots of KJWorks Full Blowback Airsoft Pistols in the past and they have in general performed as expected. So I am confident when I get to the Field Test Shooting Video for the KJWorks M9A1 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol, it should perform well for me!
Build Quality: The KJWorks line of Airsoft Guns are known for their excellent build quality, the KJWorks M9A1 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is another example of a well made Airsoft Pistol with lots of metal parts including the slide, frame, inner and outer barrel, magazine, trigger, safety, slide catch release, take down lever and magazine release. The only real plastic I can see is the grips, butt plate, and CO2 gas nozzle. Fit and finish is really good. There is just a little bit of slide wiggle, but all the mechanical parts work well.
Realism: Most Full Blowback Airsoft Pistols are built to be as close to a real steel pistol as possible with similar dimensions, weight and feel. The blowback action gives a Blowback Airsoft Pistol the required slide action to allow for chambering of an Airsoft BB along with the reseting of the hammer, so true single action shooting is possible. Other than shooting a real steel Beretta M9A1, the KJWorks M9A1 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is as close as you can get to it. Holding this pistol in your hand, it would be hard to tell it is not the real deal.
Pros:
Pretty much all metal pistols with good weight to it.
Full heavy blowback operation.
Excellent fit and finish as always with KJWorks pistols.
High capacity full size drop out magazine that holds the Airsoft BB’s and CO2. (Can get Green Gas mags)
Comes with threaded outer barrel for adding a compensator or mock suppressor.
Comes with barrel extension for higher velocity shooting.
Easy to add accessories to under barrel picatinny rail.
White dot sights front and back.
Ambidextrous safeties.
Two toned tan and black finish looks good.
Field strip-able.
Cons:
Sight are non-adjustable.
Grips may be a bit wide for some small handed people.
Extended magazine makes it a bit bulkier.
You need an Allan key to adjust the Hop-up.
Comments:
The Beretta M9 is a classic Semi Auto Pistol that has been used in military and police for decades and has proven itself over time. I would say it is right up there with the classic 1911 as being recognized as a dependable and solid semi auto pistol. I still kind of prefer the 1911 but I’d take a Beretta M9A1 any day of the week. You really can’t go too wrong with the KJWorks M9A1 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol, it has it all… Almost all metal build, full blowback operation with both single and double action shooting options. You have a picatinny rail for adding accessories and easy to see white dot sights front and back. This is probably one of my favorite Beretta M9’s in terms of looks and features.
Type: Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by KJ Works. Model:KP-19. Materials: Mostly all Metal. Weight: 1.9 pounds (850 grams). Total Length: 10.6 inches (270mm) Barrel: 4.25 inches (108mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto blowback, SAO trigger. Ammunition Type: .6mm plastic Airsoft BB’s. Ammunition Capacity: 25 round drop out full size metal magazine. FPS: Claimed 360+.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KJWorks KP-19 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is excellent, it is super short and light as you would expect from a 1911 trigger, the makeup is almost non-existent with a super light release. Out of the box I find it perfect but you have the option of adjusting it with the supplied Allen key since it has competition adjustably. Like I said, out of the box it felt perfect to me so there is no real need to mess around with it.
Accuracy: At this point I have not shot the KJWorks KP-19 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol or made my Field Test Performance Video. I have shot my fair share of KJWorks Full Blowback Airsoft Pistols and they have in general performed very well for me, so I am confident when I get to the Field Test Shooting Video for the KJWorks KP-19 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol it will do a great job!
Build Quality: The KJWorks line of Airsoft Guns is known for their excellent build and overall quality and the KJWorks KP-19 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is no exception. You will find all metal for the most part including some CNC Aluminum parts like the barrel and compensator, the slide and frame are metal along with the magazine and most of the controls. The pistol grip and trigger guard is all in one and the main plastic you will find on the KJWorks KP-19 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol. Weight, feel and balance is really good.
Realism: The KJWorks KP-19 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is a double stack modern tactical 1911 in design. All of the controls and the overall design are that of a 1911 and so if you are use to shooting 1911’s, then you will be accustomed to this Airsoft Pistol. The full length blowback simulates the shooting experience along with some recoil feel and also allows for that true single action only trigger we are use to with 1911’s with its short and super light trigger pull. The KJWorks KP-19 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is fully field strippable which allows for easy to get to hop-up adjustments. I did notice that the Back-strap safety is non-functioning and just there for show, I am not sure why they did not make it a working safety?
Pros:
Lots of metal parts with good weight to it at nearly 2 pounds.
Full heavy blowback operation.
Excellent fit and finish as always with KJWorks pistols.
High capacity full-size drop out magazine that holds 25 rounds.
Picatinny rail underneath for adding accessories.
Adaptor plate for adding a red dot to the rear of the slide.
I like the green dot fiber optic sights, super easy to see on all backgrounds.
I like the two tone CNC aluminum barrel finish you can also see through the slide cutouts.
Super short and light skeletonized adjustable trigger looks and feels great.
Can use CO2 or gas magazines.
Field strip-able.
Cons:
Grips are wide, may not fit the hands of small shooters.
Not all controls are ambidextrous.
Rear sight is not adjustable.
Back-strap safety is non-functioning.
Comments:
I’ve mentioned in many of my videos how I really like 1911 styled pistols and of course ones with full blowback operation, so the KJWorks KP-19 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol for me is a winner even before I even try it. Of course how it performs is going to be the real deciding factor, even if I am rooting for it. What is not to like though? It is almost all metal, has full blowback operation, easy to see fiver optic sights front and back, the ability to add a laser or tac light up front with a red dot on the back by installing the adaptor plate so you can really dress this one up and make it your own at the end of the day.
Type: Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by KJ Works. Model:KP-13 TBC. Materials: Metal & Polymer. Weight: 1.7 pounds (770 grams). Total Length: 8.25 inches (210mm) Barrel: 3.7 inches (95mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto blowback, SAO trigger. Ammunition Type: .6mm plastic Airsoft BB’s. Ammunition Capacity: 22 round drop out full size metal magazine. FPS: Claimed 360+.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KJWorks KP-13 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is what you would expect from a true Single Action Only Trigger, which is nice and light and relatively short. There is some initial take up but you can feel the point near the back where the release kicks in which is extremely light and predictable with no play in it. Of course you will have to rack the slide in order to place a round in the breach and fire the first shot, after that the blowback action will do all the slide cycling for you.
Accuracy: At this point I have not shot the KJWorks KP-13 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol or made my Field Test Performance Video. I have already made a full Field Test and Shooting Video of the non-TBC version which is virtually the same Airsoft Pistol but without the threaded outer barrel extension. You can watch that Filed Test Video here where I get around 350 average fps and close to a 2 inch grouping shooting at a paper target setup 30 feet down range. Stay posted for my Full Field Test Shooting Video for the TBC version down the road.
Build Quality: The KJWorks line of Airsoft Guns is know for overall good quality so I expect the KJWorks KP-13 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol to be just the same. From my testing with the non TBC version and my initial first impressions, everything looks really good, fit and finish are excellent and as expected you will find metal parts and polymer parts in all the same places you would find them in a real steel modern semi auto pistol.
Realism: The KJWorks KP-13 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is not an exact replica of a specific semi auto pistol but you could say it looks a little bit like a Glock ;) You need to be careful when it comes to Glock as they do not like it when companies copy their guns and rightly so. There is enough differences with the KJ Works KP-13 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol so it should not set off any red flags over at Glock. It’s good that there are various color options, tan, grey and black. It does seem that only the Tan and Grey two tone versions are available in the TBC version while the black version we seem to have available in the all black non-TBC version.
Pros:
Metal and Polymer with decent weight and good feel to it.
Heavy Full blowback operation.
Excellent fit and finish as always with KJWorks pistols.
High capacity full size drop out magazine that holds the CO2 and 22 rounds.
Well hidden safety incorporated into the serial number under the barrel.
Working trigger safety.
Super easy to see in all conditions fiber optic sight up front.
All working components like the real steel Glock styled pistol.
Comes with extended threaded outer barrel for adding a possible compensator or mock-suppressor.
Comes with barrel extension for higher velocity shooting.
Would make a good training weapon if you are use to using Glocks
Comes in Tan and Grey two tone options also.
Can use CO2 or gas magazines.
Field strip-able.
Cons:
Sights are not adjustable.
Would have liked the addition of white dots or outline on the rear sight.
Slide spring could be slightly heavier.
Comments:
Let’s be clear, the KJWorks KP-13 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is not a Glock Replica. It is different in many ways, the idea here is that it is close enough to be a good alternative if you are use to shooting Glocks and want something to train with that looks, feels and functions a lot like a traditional Glock. I am hoping the TBC version performs as well as the non-TBC version shot for me when I made my original Field Test Shooting Video back in 2023. For me the KJWorks KP-13 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol checks all the boxes… Full blowback operation, a very good trigger, lots of realism and I am sure good performance based on my past review.
Type:Airsoft GBB Rifle. Manufacturer: Novritsch. Model: SSQ22. Materials: Metal and plastic. Weight: 4 pounds (1.8 kg). Total Length: 32.7 inches (83cm). Barrel Length: 14.6 inches (37cm). Barrel: Metal non-rifled. Propulsion: Green gas. Action: Semi auto single action only trigger. Hop-up: Adjustable top mount hop-up. Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 36 round full size drop out plastic/metal magazine. FPS: 400+.
Trigger Pull: The Single Action Only trigger pull on the Novritsch SSQ22 GBB Airsoft Rifle is a lot like what you would find on a real steel Ruger 10/22. It is short and light in action making it light and quick enough for action shooting or sniping with accuracy from long range. You will have to work the bolt to load an Airsoft BB in to the breach and ready the single action trigger for the first shot, but then the blowback action will do that for you for the rest of the shots.
Accuracy: I have not shot the Novritsch SSQ22 GBB Airsoft Rifle or tested it out so far, so I don’t really have much to say in terms of accuracy or if it is close to the claimed 400+ fps, but I will be making a full dedicated Field Test Shooting Video for it a bit down the road when I get caught up with my Field Test Shooting Videos. So until then we will have to wait and see,
Build Quality: Novritsch is a new product line for me so I have not had much hands on with any of their guns so far. My first impressions are that they make very good quality Airsoft products using high quality materials with well thought out designs. The Novritsch SSQ22 GBB Airsoft Rifle is not super heavy even though it does incorporate a fair amount of metal components including CNC machined aluminum.
Realism: The Novritsch SSQ22 GBB Airsoft Rifle is not an exact copy or Replica of a Ruger 10/22 22LR Rifle but it does share a lot of its design and mechanical functions. Most people when they buy a base Ruger 10/22 generally do a lot of upgrading and modifications to them that ultimately make it look a lot more like the Novritsch SSQ22 GBB Airsoft Rifle at the end of the day. As it is Gas Blowback it functions very similar to the real steel version with working blowback action which does give a bit of recoil to it and allows for a very nice short and light single action trigger.
Pros:
Mostly all metal design.
Gas-efficient nozzle assembly, CNC machined Hop-Up chamber, and Maple Leaf 60° bucking with a large nub surface.
Easy to access and adjustable hop-up, up to 0.46g BBs out of the box.
Multiple M-LOK Mounting Options (Sides and bottom).
Three preinstalled QD Sling mounts on each side.
Front groove similar to gas pistol mags. You can see how many BBs are left in your magazine.
Skeletonized stock with a rubber pad that is attached to a Picatinny rail.
Nice GBB recoil with each shot.
Compact and light weight, easy to carry on the filed.
Ruger 10/22 owners will be use to this design.
Cons:
Does not come with any sights, will need to add one.
Only shoots in semi auto to conserve ammo.
Has preinstalled orange tip but can be removed.
Comments:
I am always a sucker for Gas Blowback Airguns in general and with Airsoft Rifles the vast majority tend to be AEG’s, so when I get the chance to review a GBB Airsoft rifle, I am always a bit excited to do so. The Novritsch SSQ22 GBB Airsoft Rifle has a lot going for it, there are lots of metal parts where you want them to be, a great single action trigger, mounting options for a red dot or optical sight along with M-LOK on the sides and bottom for whatever accessories you plan to add to it. It’s nice that it starts out pretty light as the addition of a scope, perhaps a foregrip, maybe a taclight and or laser will bring up the weight. I most certainly am looking forward to the Field Test Shooting Video so I can see how this one performs.
In this months Replica Airguns Mystery Unboxing Preview Video, I take a look at 4 new items that showed up at my door. Two Airsoft Rifles, one being AEG and the other one a GBB. I also received two accessories for the GEM Alias super tiny multi ammo CO2 Pistol, A .50 caliber Paintball Barrel for it and and a 12 gram CO2 Adapter.
Both Airsoft Rifles are new to me from a company called Novritsch which is a higher end brand so the pricing is not cheap for either Airsoft Rifle. It was nice to get an AEG and GBB to review, the Novritsch SSR77 AEG Airsoft Rifle is a Replica of the Steyr AUG while the Novritsch SSQ22 GBB Airsoft Rifle is essentially a custom modded Ruger 10/22 copy, at least from what I can tell, it is solid and really well built.
I have already made a Table Top Video for the GEM Alias CO2 Pistol but I have been waiting for the .50 Caliber Paintball Barrel to show up so I can test out all 4 barrel ammo options. I also really wanted the 12 gram CO2 Adapter so I don’t have to use the small 8 gram CO2’s which are harder to find and not as cost effective as the 12 gram CO2. So now I am totally ready to make the GEM Field Test Shooting Review.
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 had the pleasure of interviewing Mark from Umarex again at SHOT Show 2025 and Mark went over some of the new products from Umarex coming out this year. Make started of by showing me two new MOS (Modular Optic System) Gen 5 Glocks in a Glock 17 and Glock 19 versions. Both come with Umarex based red dot sights but you can change them up for something different if you choose to down the road. We then took a look at the new Umarex AER16 AR AEG Rifle in 4.5mm Steel BB rather than 6mm Airsoft similar to the Barra e400 that came out last year. In a nutshell it is a battery/spring operated 4.5mm Steel BB Full Auto AR Replica. Mark then showed us some A&L AK based AEG Airsoft Rifles they are now distributing that feature Full steel body construction with high-quality real laminated wood handguard and skeletal folding stocks. These are one to one in terms of size and weight adn very detailed. We then finished up the interview taking a look at the Legends Saddle Lever Action Shell Loading Rifle and the Umarex Smith & Wesson Competitor Shell Loading revolver.
Luckily I was able to find some time with James again this year and James gave us all the new details on some of the KWA updated and new products. Starting with the KWA ATP-Z Blowback Airsoft Training Pistol added recently to the KWA lineup, James also showed us a few versatile Carbine Pistol Kits made specifically for the ATP-Z and ATP-GT Pistols. Not yet fully released, James went over their updated TAC-9 hopefully coming out this year. We then got a nice tour of the updated Radian Model 1 AEG Airsoft Rifle with built in recoil system also built into KWA’s Q10 AEG Airsoft Rifle.
It was nice to run into ASG (Action Sports Games) right away and talk with Bob for ASG. Bob always has a great understanding of the ASG product line and each year I Interview him and find out all the news and updated product in the ASG lineup. This year Bob’s goes over the new ASG CZ P-10 C CO2 Blowback BB Pistol, the Action Army C1 Pro Bolt Action CO2 Airsoft Rifle, ASG’s new Frag Impact Sound Grenades, along with some new additions to the Shadow 2 Series of Airsoft Pistols. Was a great start to this years SHOT Show 2025!
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…
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.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is a single action only trigger as 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 a metal bolt style safety just above where the trigger releases that is ambidextrous, push it forward for safe and back for fire.
Accuracy: I have not recorded my Field Test Shooting Video for the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow and so I am not sure what to expect so far. 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, I expect the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow to have a bit more power over the Bear X Desire XL as it is rated to have a 75 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 10 bolts.
Build Quality: The Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is well made but does consist of mostly plastic or polymer, that said it feels sturdy enough when holding it and is one of the heavier compact recurve Crossbow systems at 4 pounds. 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 and sling ring 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
Realism: The Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow 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 it. I do think there is a crossover product in terms of interest with people that are also interested in Airguns. 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. 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 it.
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.
Comes with bow pre-strung and ready to mount.
Lots of Picatinny rail mounting options for sights and accessories.
Fiber optic front sight with two rear sight options (grove and peep).
Ambidextrous bolt safety easy to engage and disengage.
20 bolts included to fully load both 10 round magazines.
190-200 fps (11-12ft/lbs).
Comes with upgraded fore grip.
6 portion AR compatible adjustable rear but stock with cheek adjustment.
Cons:
Fairly expensive.
Sights are not adjustable.
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 M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is an interesting product, the autoloading system with 10 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. Having quick follow up shots is necessary just in case the first shot does not quite get the job done. The upgraded add on accessories you get with the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow really give it a quilty feel and it is nice you not only have a fully adjustable AR compactly rear stock with a cheek rest but you have the option of a peep or grove rear sight to line up the fiber optic front sight. The price is on the high side but if you want the most ultimate Compact Recurve Crossbow auto loading system with maximum ammo then this is for sure the product for you.
I did my unboxing vide for both the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical and M10 Tactical already which is generally a preview of the products I am unboxing but with these types of compact crossbows, they generally need a bit of setup before they are complete and ready to view and use.
For that reason I wanted to make a quick combined Preview Video for Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical and M10 Tactical Crossbows so you can see what they look like all put together, and what the main differences are between the two of them. This way you can figure out which one might be the best choice if you are in the market for a product like this.
Let’s go over the main specifications and differences to determine what you get with each one:
Distributed by: Steambow GmbH Austria.
Materials: Mostly plastic with some metal parts.
Weight: M10 4 pounds / AR-6 2.6 pounds.
Lengt: M10 24.2 inches / AR-6 22 inches.
Width: M10 17.5 inches / 17.5 inches.
Magazine Capacity: M10 10 bolts per external magazine / AR-6 6 bolts per internal magazine.
Another Mystery Box to share with everyone but this time I peaked a bit so it’s not as much of a mystery for me, but it will be for you. I was glad I peaked as the items inside where not the usual assortment and it was good I was able to get a bit of pre-intel on them before I jumped into this unboxing, as there was a lot to discover about each of the three items in the Mystery Box. I hope they appeal to some of you, I think they are very interesting and after checking them out, some of you may decide to add one or two of them to your collection.
The first two items I looked at are from an Austrian based company called Steambow. They are both compact crossbows that offer a unique reloading system with built in Magazines that hold either 6 or 10 rounds depending on the version you buy. The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical is the less expensive yet still “kind of expensive” version with a built in 6 round magazine While the AR Series Steambow M10 Tactical has an upper that accepts 10 round magazines you can preload. The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical comes with a 55 pound pre-strung bow that produces around 10 foot pounds of energy, while the Steambow M10 Tactical come with a 75 pound pre-strung bow which should produce close to 12 or more foot pounds of energy. Both incorporate fiber optic slights, lots of rail mounting options, AR style rear stocks which shoulder mount easy and quick cocking to make the most of the automatic bolt loading systems.
Another Archery based item also in this months Mystery Box was the Umarex AirJavelin FishR PCP based arrow launcher designed for anglers. It is intended to work with a fishing real of your choice and comes with a single retrievable barbed arrow, so a lot like bow fishing but with a PCP propulsion system. The Umarex AirJavelin FishR has a built in 4500 psi tank that is regulated to 800 psi and the arrow is a whopping 1250 grain to cut through the water with ease. The entire system is salt water resistant so you can use it in both fresh and salt water conditions. There are both picatinny and M-LOK mounting options for sights and accessories.
Stay posted for my Table Top and Field Testing Video Reviews coming shortly…
In this Indoor Field Test Shooting Video, I put the EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol through my usual performance shooting test by first finding out what the velocity is by shooting 5 rounds through my Chronograph using a fresh CO2 along with .20 gram Airsoft BB’s. I follow this up with a 10 round accuracy test, again using .20 gram Airsoft BB’s and shooting at a paper target setup 30 feet down range, while seated on a stool in the back with my hands rested on a sand bag up front. This generally works pretty well and helps me get the most out the gun I am testing. If you are also interested in details and specifications than make sure to watch my Table Top Video I already made for the EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol.
So how did the EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol do in my testing? Not bad! Starting with the velocity fps test I shot 5 rounds through my chronograph with a brand new 12 gram CO2 cartridge and while EMG claims around 400 fps, I only averaged 321 fps with my fastest shot hitting 323 fps and my slowest shot hitting 318. So relatively close in terms of fps but not close to the 400 claimed fps. Totally fine for Airsoft games, perhaps in super hot temperatures, it can do better but in standard room temperatures this is what I got.
Next up I tested out the EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol’s accuracy from 30 feet away and put 10 rounds down range as best as I was able to do with my slightly aging eyes. I was happy with the results with most of the rounds staying within about 2 inches of each other and just slightly to the right of the bullseye, but pretty much perfect in terms of elevation. There where a couple of rounds that came outside of the base 2 inch grouping, which increased the grouping to about 3 inches total.
I am a huge 1911 fan and so a 2011 design only tuns up the dial that much more. The EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol performed without a glitch for me and I love the extra heft and snappy blowback action along with the crips light and short single action 1911 trigger. I was a bit surprised by the lower 323 fps velocity, but to be honest this is more than a capable velocity for a combat close range Airsoft Pistol. The EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is a real looker for sure, it just needs that eye soar of an orange tip removed to perfect its look. If you like the look and feel of a 1911/2011 in your hand, and if stainless steel is your color of choice, then I would say go for this one.
Type: GBB Airsoft Rifle Manufacturer:Umarex / KWA Model:HK 416 A4 Materials: Mostly all metal. Weight: 7.75 pounds (3.5 kg). Total Length: 31.1-34.4 inches (79-88cm). Barrel: 15.4 inches (39cm) non rifled. Propulsion: Gas Blowback. Action: Single action semi & full auto. Ammunition Type: .6mm plastic Airsoft BB’s. Ammunition Capacity:30 round magazines. FPS: 400 fps.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex HK 416 A4 GBB Airsoft Rifle is typical of a single action only trigger found on the AR platform. It has a very slight take up with just a little bit of resistance part way, and then a predictable light break. The reset has a noticeable click to it and it is also very short allowing for very fast semi auto shooting. Of course you can always put it in full auto and let her rip, but you will have to restrain yourself since there are only 30 rounds in the magazine like you would find in a standard AR.
Accuracy: Like most of my Table Top Videos, they are made prior to shooting the gun I am reviewing, so we are all going to have to wait until I make my official Field Test Shooting Video for the Umarex HK 416 A4 GBB Airsoft Rifle. Where I will be testing out the velocity in fps using my Chronograph, and I will also shoot the Umarex HK 416 A4 in both semi auto and full auto to see how tight of groupings I can get at least at 30 feet away. I fully expect the Umarex HK 416 A4 GBB Airsoft Rifle to perform well as this is a very high quality product made by KWA.
Build Quality: The Build quality on the Umarex HK 416 A4 GBB Airsoft Rifle is outstanding with metal everywhere you would find it on a real steel AR. Of course the rear adjustable stock is plastic. Because of all the metal front to back, the Umarex HK 416 A4 is on the heavy side at 7.75 pounds, so packing it around all day may be a bit tiring but well worth the joy and pride when holding it. Fit and finish is also excellent, you will pay more for this GBB Airsoft Rifle but the material are nothing but quality.
Realism: The main thing you get from a GBB Airsoft Rifle over an AEG Airsoft Rifle, is not just quality components and build materials, but the user experience which is so much more realistic than shooting an AEG. The Umarex HK 416 A4 GBB Airsoft Rifle just feels so real in weight, how the controls all work, the full cycling of the bolt with a nice heavy and snappy blowback recoil on your shoulder. Even the way the buffer tube spring rings after each shot just makes this GBB Airsoft Rifle a joy to shot and experience. Sure it only holds 30 rounds per mag and shot consistency will vary depending on your shooting environment as all gas guns can be temperamental in colder weather. That said, a real AR does not hold 500 rounds in a mag and they can also be a bit finicky on the battle field.
Pros:
It’s GBB, love the realism of GBB Airsoft Rifles, it doesn’t get any more fun.
Tons of metal all over this rifle weighing in at almost 8 pounds.
Lots of accessory mounting options with the Precision CNC machined Quad Picatinny top side and bottom rails.
Full adjustable metal pop up sights.
H&K Lisence via Umarex.
6 position adjustable AR compatible rear stock.
Trigger feel is awesome, feels like a real steel AR trigger, you can’t even get close with an AEG.
Ambidextrous selector switches for left and right handers.
The threaded barrel can attach a silencer or other flash hidders.
All parts work just like the real steel version.
Can filed strip just like a real steel AR.
Cons:
Low magazine capacity as compared to an AEG.
Will be subject to cold weather conditions and cool down.
Very expensive to have and own such realism.
Comments:
The Umarex Umarex HK 416 A4 GBB Airsoft Rifle is for sure not going to be for everyone as it is with out a doubt a very expensive Gas Blowback Airsoft Rifle. It may not even be your best option out on the Airsoft Field, as more than likely you are going to get out gunned by everyone else using an AEG with their 500 round magazines and endless torrent of BB’s coming at you. If you just want the most realistic Airsoft Experience, than look no further than the Umarex HK 416 A4 GBB Airsoft Rifle, as it does not get more realistic than this and if you want to replicate your real steel AR perhaps for training and practice sessions, than there is no way you can beet the Umarex HK 416 A4. For those with deep wallets that want the ultimate and most realistic AR you can get, you can’t go wrong with the Umarex HK 416 A4 GBB Airsoft Rifle.
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the Umarex HK 416 A4 GBB Airsoft Rifle:
Here we go with another unboxing video this month, and this is a big box, so no doubt the mystery items are going to be big too! As always with new products, I will be following up with dedicated Table Top and Field Test Videos for each of them so make sure to check down the road for those videos for a lot more information and actual performance results…
Don’t look below if you want to just watch the video and be surprises by what’s inside the mystery box but if you want a quick peak before hand then checkout the basic specs below for all three new items I will be reviewing soon.
Here is Bonus Video Five in my series of Full Auto Fun videos I make each summer where I pick a few Full Auto Airguns and record some fun outside shooting with them. In this years Full Auto Fun Video series I do a bit of a walk around on my property and shoot a bunch of water filled pop cans. Maybe this doesn’t sound super exciting but I do use some really creative camera angles to capture it all which makes it lot more interesting to watch for sure!
In this Fifth Bonus Full Auto Fun Video I bring out a past Full Auto Fun Airgun that I just couldn’t resist takin out for some full auto fun once again. The WE AK74UN Gas Blowback Full Auto Airsoft Rifle has got to be one of the hardest blowback Airguns I have shot, I would say even a bit more blowback feel than the KWA Mini UZI! The WE AK74UN Gas Blowback Full Auto Airsoft Rifle also does a great job of keeping Airsoft BB’s on target even in full auto with all that recoil as you will see in this video as I dial it in part way through my walk about. Unfortunately we do not sell anything like this anymore at least in Airsoft, the closest thing to it is the Crosman AK1 Blowback CO2 Full Auto BB Rifle which is still a lot of fun with a bit less recoil but a higher rate of fire.
I have only tested out another similar Crossbow setup one other time so this is not my normal Field Test Review. Like last time when I made my Bear X Desire XL Crossbow Field Test Video, in this Field Test Video I record my Chronograph velocity for the CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow at the same time as I shoot at the target so I did not have to make two separate video segments and basically did it all in one go. I did have a bit of a brain fart and forgot I needed to setup two separate cameras, one on the Chronograph and one on the Target, as I generally only need one camera at a time for my usually two segment Field Test Videos. So getting to the point, I did not have dedicated camera on the target while shooting and in hind sight it would have been better to have the camera on the Target rather than the Chronograph as my camera glasses generally record the Chronograph readings for me too. I do walk up to the Target at the end of the video so we do get to see exactly where all the bolts landed, so I can show you the final result at the end of the day.
In terns of velocity, CenterPoint claims a velocity of 191 fps. I was able to get consistently just over 180 fps so pretty close. My Chrono readings using the included 147 grain 6.5 inch aluminum bolts ranged from 180 to 182 fps so very consistent. This gave an overall Foot Pound energy of 10.61 foot pounds so velocity and foot pound energy were just a little bit under the claimed rating! 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, and I am not sure if this bow is up of the job? You will have to see how accurate it will be for you and make that decision for yourself..
In terms of accuracy I found the CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow to be fairly accuracy on the windage side (left and right), basically with all the bolts only being about 2 inches apart side to side. Where it did not perform as well was in elevation with the bolts ranging about 8 inches top to bottom. I am not sure why this was the case as the velocity is very consistent and generally less consistent velocities account for elevation changes. All the bolts hit the target using the included red dot with no pre adjustments but it did shoot just a bit to the right and maybe overall a bit low. This can easily be corrected using the red dot windage and elevation adjustments.
Interestingly the CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow has a higher claimed velocity over the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow I tested a while back, yet the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow actually shot a bit faster hitting 190+ fps, not a huge difference but an interesting observation. The CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow does come with a red dot but both have Picatinny Rails so Red Dots will fit on both Crossbows no problem. I am going to address the elephant in the room, if you compare both of these Crossbows they are virtually the same with the exception of the branding and distribution of them. So I would say get either one, the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow is actually less money as it does not come with an included Red Dot but at least right now it is out of stock so your only option may the the CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow, both are a lot of fun and pack a lot more punch than your standard non regulated Air Rifle.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow is a single action only trigger as you need ot 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 it so there is a bit of friction and I would say it is about 10 pounds maybe a bit less. The safety is also engaged when you cock the bow requiring you to take the CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow off safe before shooting as an added layer of safety.
Accuracy: I have not made my Field Test Shooting Video for the CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow and so I am not sure what to expect from it. I have shot a similar bow, the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow so it should perform similar to that one if you want to check that Field Test Shooting Video out, but I expect the CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow to have a little bit more power as it has a rated fps and draw weight a little bit higher than the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow, we will see?
Build Quality: The CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow is actually made pretty decently, yes it is mostly plastic and light weight but feels sturdy enough to hold, the bow itself is fiberglass and 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 only part that does not feel up to par with the quality is the included red dot, it is fairly entry level but I am sure it will get the job done, and if it stops getting the job done at some point you can upgrade it then, or simply use the included rear iron sight which is fully adjustable.
Realism: The CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow is not a Replica as is what I usually review here on the channel. But I think there is a crossover in terms of interest for a product like this with people that are also interested in Airguns. The other benefit is that it has a lot more power than a non regulated Airgun as the CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow uses nice heavy 146 grain bolts traveling at almost 200 fps which gives an energy rating of around 12 foot pounds. So if raw power is what you are after, then this is your best option for something still compact if you do not have a firearms license.
Pros:
Fairly inexpensive.
Super light weight and compact.
More power than an Airgun yet still quiet to shoot so you can use discreetly just about anywhere with a good back stop setup.
Easy to draw the bow using the stock for leverage.
Safety is automatically engaged.
Picatinny rail already has iron fully adjustable rear sight and comes with a very basic red dot sight to get you started.
Fiber optic front sight.
3 bolts included.
191 fps (12ft/lbs).
Comes with fore grip.
5 portion adjustable rear but stock.
Cons:
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.
Careful not to wash you hadn't or thumb with the string (Ouchy).
Comments:
The CenterPoint Hornet Recurve Compact Crossbow is a nice crossover product that appeals to Airgun enthusiasts as it does not require a firearms license and can be used in a lot more locations than a standard gun. It also has decent power as compared to a non regulated Airgun hitting 12 foot pounds which is at least 4x more than most non regulated Airguns can achieve. In terms of pest control, it does have the power required for small pests but accuracy is not going to be as good as an Airgun so hitting the rather small sweet spot on a small pest is not going to be easy and you want to be humane about it, so make sure if you do plan on using this for some sort of pest control, that you practice your accuracy and are confident in your shot placement. Personally I would just enjoy shooting it as a target bow that literally cost you nothing after purchase as long as you don’t lose the bolts.
