This is not exclusive to Airguns since trends of Airguns are highly influenced by what type of Real Steel Pistols are popular to people. This is often based on what people see portrayed in movies and TV Series, and also promoted online. There is for sure an overlap in what is popular and it is hard to say what is influencing what? Is it the popularity of Pistols out in the real world that influences what we see being used in the movies and on TV? Or is it what we see in Movies and TV that influences our choices of pistols out in the real world? Perhaps it is a combination of both?
My list is based on my own personal experience and does not represent the entirety of types of Pistol designs available.
Yet another Field Test Shooting Video performed in the Replica Airguns Indoor Airgun Sea Can Shooting Range! In this Field Test I shoot the Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol to see what kind of velocity and accuracy it has shooting .20 gram Airsoft BB’s with a brand new CO2 cartridge. If you are interested in the specifications and details along with some more close up video than watch my Table Top Review Video here.
Like pretty much every Field Test Shooting video I first perform the Chronograph Velocity Test since my CO2 is the most fresh at this point. I didn’t check the temperature in the Sea Can but I generally keep it around 20-22 degrees Celsius which is 68-72 Fahrenheit. I was a bit amazed at the high velocity of the Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol in my testing as the claimed fps was 410 and most guns don’t live up to their claims exactly. The Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol shooting 5 shots through the Chronograph averaged 431 fps with the slowest shot at 427fps and the fastest shot hitting 439fps so consistency was good!
Next I setup a fresh paper target 30 feet downrange and proceeded to place 10 rounds in it using a rested shooting position with my hands resting on a sandbag up front and seated in the back. Watch the video to see what actually happened but in a nut shell the Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol shoots really high at 30 feet, at least 10 inches. So I did need to figure out where it was shooting before I actually got rounds on the paper. It was a bit hard to figure out the precise 10 shot grouping since some rounds may have even shot over the target when I was aiming at the bottom of the target but my best estimate is around 3-4 inches.
Other than the rather high shot placement which may be adjustable to some degree by adjusting the hop-up,I would say the Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol is a very nice gun. The power is really good and may even be a bit much for close quarters indoor games but outdoors where you are shooting longer ranges it should perform well in these conditions. The blowback is very strong and the trigger feels good. If you don’t mind adjusting your shooting point a bit then the Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol would be a great choice as your sidearm.
Type:Airsoft pistol. Distributer:Umarex. Model:Smith & Wesson M&P 9L. Materials: Metal and polymer build. Weight: 1.7 pounds (757 grams). Barrel: 4.75 inches (121mm), non-rifled. Total Length: 8.5 inches (215mm). Propulsion: CO2 x1. Action: Semi auto blowback, single action only Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 15 rounds. FPS: 410 Claimed.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol is fairly light weight being a single action only trigger. There is about a quarter inch of take up with an easy release that is not hitchy at all. You will need to rack the slide to load your first Airsoft BB into the breach and engage the action but on the first shot but then the blowback action does this for you until the Airsoft Pistol is out of ammo and the slide locks back.
Accuracy: I have not performed my Field Test Shooting Video for the Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol so stay posted for that video coming out in the next couple of weeks. Umarex has claimed a velocity of around 410 FPS using .20 gram Airsoft BB’s but that does seem a bit quick, well will have to see when I place some shots though my Chronograph! In terms of accuracy I expect it to shoot about the same as most Full Blowback Airsoft Pistols which generally produces a 1.5 to 2 inch 10 shot grouping from 30 feet out using a semi rested shooting position. Again we will find out when I perform my Field Test Shooting Video for the Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol.
Build Quality: The Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol build quality is fairly decent, fit and finish looks good with not too much slide wiggle and the materials used are both metal and plastic or polymer that look to be good quality. I do expect some of the black finishes ot come off on the high spots as these guns are generally electroplated and not too thick with it but this can actually make the gun look more realistic with that slightly worn in look to it.
Realism: The Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol in terms of looking like the real steel version of its counterpart is very close for sure, it would be hard to tell without really taking a close look t it. Everything about this Replica Pistol works for the most part like the real steel version including most of the mechanical parts like the slide catch release, magazine release, take down lever, trigger safety and you can even fully field strip it which gives you easy access to the hopup on the barrel. Of course the full blowback action really seals the deal in terms of making this gun shoot like a real semi auto pistol.
Pros:
Very accurate replica of the S&W M&P 9L.
Fairly accurate weight and feel to it.
Metal and plastic parts where you find them on the real steel version, fit and finish is good.
Working trigger safety and ambidextrous working slide catch release.
Full size dropout metal magazine that holds Airsoft BB's and CO2.
Warning instructions are discreet under the trigger guard.
Recessed barrel and hidden CO2 screw for more realistic look
Fully Smith & Wesson licensed via Umarex.
Rail for add on accessories.
White dot sights for easy target acquisition.
Comes with three sizes of interchangeable grips S/M/L.
Adjustable hopup so you can at least adjust elevation at range.
Comes in a box rather than a clamshell.
Cons:
Has an orange tip but could be painted black or silver to match.
Sight are not adjustable.
15 round magazine has less capacity than some other blowback Airsoft Pistols.
Comments: The Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol is a nice addition to the Smith & Wesson M&P line of Replica Airguns. I’m glad they made it in full blowback but being Airsoft based that is generally the way they lean towards. Hopefully we get to see 4.5mm Steel BB version too in the future! For now we have it in Airsoft and with the longer barrel perhaps it will shoot a bit hotter than most of the other CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistols, maybe even 410fps like Umarex claims but I will be surprised if it does. I will be happy to see something in the high 300’s to be honest. No matter what, you now have yet another Smith & Wesson option to consider when looking for your ultimate Replica Airgun!
My Vimeo Videos for the Umarex S&W M&P 9L Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol
