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
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.
Type: BB Air pistol. Distributer:Umarex. Model:Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0. Materials: Metal and polymer build. Weight: 1.45 pounds (658 grams). Barrel: 3.6 inches, non-rifled. Total Length: 7.5 inches Propulsion: CO2 x1. Action: Semi auto blowback, single/double action. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 18 rounds. FPS: 375.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol is about medium weight and is on the longer side to allow for the internal mechanism that pushes a BB for the magazine into the breach of the gun with each pull of the trigger. This does add a bit of additional resistance especially when the magazine is full of BB’s. As the magazine empties the spring resistance becomes less and makes the friction on the trigger less noticeable. When the slide blows back this does cock the internal hammer/striker allowing for less trigger pull then if the hammer is not actuated but I would say the trigger feels more like a double action trigger than a single action trigger even though most shots will be fired in single action.
Accuracy: I have not performed my Field Test Shooting Video for the Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol so stay posted for that. Umarex has claimed an velocity of around 375 FPS adn this Airgun shoudl be abel to achieve that with it’s partial blowback more effect use of CO2. In terms of accuracy well I guess we will find out when I make my shooting review…
Build Quality: The Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB 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.
Realism: The Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol in terms of looking like the real steel version of its counterpart is very close for sure, would be hard to tell without further investigation. Umarex has done a great job of making this Blowback Airguns look believable by covering the CO2 screw, recessing the barrel and even working the manual safety into the right side slide catch release. In terms of operation the Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol functions as you would expect other than it can not be easily filed striped and the blowback operation does not cycle back as much as a full blowback gun would.
Pros:
Very accurate replica of the S&W M&P 9 M2.0.
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 and manual safety and working slide catch and release.
Full size dropout metal magazine that holds 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.
Higher fps and more shots per CO2 than full blowback versions.
Cons:
Not full blowback but uses partial blowback.
Manual safety worked into right side slide catch release (Maybe good, maybe bad).
Sight are not adjustable.
Trigger is more like a double action trigger.
Comments: Overall the Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol makes for a nice replica Blowback Airgun version of the S&W M&P 9 M2.0. There are some compromises with this version mainly the partial blowback operation that does make the trigger a bit heavier and longer than a true single action trigger would be, the slide does not cycle as fully as expected either and y9ou can not easily field strip this version. That said the shorter blowback action and the way the BB is pushed forward into the breach before each shot means that the Umarex S&W M&P 9 M2.0 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol will have a high FPS and will also get more shots per CO2. So you decide what may be more important to you at the end of the day? True realism or better performance?
My Vimeo Videos for the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol:
Type: Paintball Gun. Manufacturer:Umarex - T4E. Model:S&W M&P9 M2.0 Materials: Metal & Polymer. Weight: 763 grams (1.7 pounds). Barrel: Smooth bore. Power Source: 1x12 gram CO2. Action: Semi-Automatic with blowback action. Ammo Type: .43 Caliber Paintball or Rubber Ball. Ammo Capacity: 8 Rounds. FPS: 290.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on Umarex T4E S&W M&P9 M2.0 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol feels a lot like a double action trigger mainly because when you pull the trigger the inner barrel travels backwards into the magazine which seals off the barrel form the magazine so less CO2 is wasted going it not the magazine and also placing a paintball round in the barrel. This does make the trigger a little bit longer and heavier than a single action trigger. I believe the internal hammer/striker is engaged from the blowback action.
Build Quality: The build quality of the Umarex T4E S&W M&P9 M2.0 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol is really very good, metal parts are where you would expect them, the slide, slide catch, barrel, magazine and most internal parts giving the Umarex T4E S&W M&P9 M2.0 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol a nice near 2 pounds (1.7 pounds) of weight with the magazine in which makes the Paintball version a little heavier than the real steal version (1.54 pounds) but once the real steal version is loaded with a full mag this may even out a bit. The Umarex T4E S&W M&P9 M2.0 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol does have a polymer frame but again this is normal with todays modern guns and helps keep the weight down. Fit and finish is also very good!
Realism: The Umarex T4E S&W M&P9 M2.0 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol is a near perfect replica of the real steel S&W M&P9 M2.0 Pistol, from the fully licensed markings to the large .43 caliber diameter barrel. If you placed the Paintball version side by side with the real steel version I doubt you could tell them apart unless you start inspecting it really close up and working the action. You will find that the slide cycle distance is a bit shorter than it would be meaning that when the side catch is engaged the slide does not go as far back as it the real 9mm S&W M&P9 M2.0. Field stripping the Umarex T4E S&W M&P9 M2.0 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol will requires some tools and pin removal.
Trigger Pull: The single action only trigger pull on the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is very nice, there is some take up required be for the release but the release or break point is very smooth, perhaps a little too smooth since there is no real noticeable resistance so you will have to get use to the range in the trigger pull in which the release takes place. Since there is no external hammer you will need to draw the slide back in order to cock the internal striker.
Accuracy: Make sure to checkout my full Field Test Shooting Video for the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol where I test out this fun S&W M&P40 BB shooting replica by shooting some BB's through my chronograph and also at a paper target to find out how it performs. In summary I was able to get an average of around 300 fps and accuracy in the 2 inch size groupings from 30 feet away. Not bad for a full blowback short barrel CO2 BB pistol. It did shoot a little low so some manual target sighting adjustments may be required.
Build Quality: Very good, with metal and plastic construction where you would find it on the real steel S&W M&P40. I am fairly certain the the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is made by KWC which has produce some other nice quality examples of other full blowback replica BB and Airsoft pistols. As with most KWC powder coated airguns, you will get some wear in the high spots of the finish over time but this is true even with real steel blued guns.
Realism: This is by far the best example of a 4.5mm BB shooting Smith & Wesson M&P out there, I have had several real steel M&P40 owners comment on how accurate this BB copy really is including how the barrel drops from its locked position and angles down and up during blowback operation. You even get interchangeable grip backstraps to accommodate different sized hands. And of course all the mechanical parts function as you would expect them to including being able to fully field strip the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol.
Most accurate looking steel BB shooting replica of the S&W M&P40 to date.
Good weight and feel to it.
Metal and plastic parts where you would find them on the real steel version.
Realistic working safety and working slide catch and release.
Full size dropout metal magazine that holds BB's and CO2.
Can be field stripped like original Smith & Wesson M&P40.
Fully Smith & Wesson licensed via Umarex.
Rail for add on accessories.
White dot sight with adjustable front sight for windage.
Comes with three sizes of interchangeable grip backstraps.
Cons:
FPS may be low for some people that like the more powerful CO2 pistols.
Shoots a bit low out of the box.
Ugly white warning instruction on the slide.
Comments:
Many of us have been waiting for a blowback Smith & Wesson M&P and now we have one. Thanks to Umarex, we also get it in a fully licensed version to make it even more realistic! Everything about the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is so very accurate to the real steel version other than of course the fact that it shoots 4.5mm Steel BB's using CO2 but isn't that why we are interested in it in the first place? If you are a Real Steel S&W M&P owner than you are going to have to get yourself one of these as a low cost and easily accessible training alternative. A great choice fro anyone else looking for an ultra realistic 4.5mm CO2 blowback pistol what ever your purpose is.
My Vimeo Videos for the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol:
In this Field Test Shooting video I take out my Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol and put five shots through my Chronograph to see what the real word velocity performance will be, I also test the accuracy of the Smith & Wesson M&P40 by placing ten shots down range at a paper target setup 30 feet back using a semi rested shooting position(Pistol rested on a sandbag while standing in the back). I also include some slow motion video of the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Pistol blowback action close up for you to see how it cycles.
For my Feet Per Second portion testing I inserted a brand new CO2 cartridge along with 5.1 grain RWS nickel coated 4.5mm Steel BB's. The temperature outside was 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit), so not overly warm or cold, On a warmer day I would expect a little higher fps for sure. Umarex claims a velocity of 310 fps from this pistol, As my Chronograph was misbehaving a little I was only able to get a three shot to record but was able to get a fairly realistic average of 299 which was pretty close to the claimed fps for the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol.
Moving on to the Target Accuracy portion of my Field Test, all 10 shots landed within a 2 inch grouping, not bad for a full blowback BB pistol. I did notice the shots where a little low so some sight placement adjustments would be required depending on your shooting range since the sights on the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol are non-adjustable for elevation, they are however adjustable for windage using the front sight to make adjustments. The blowback action is nice and heavy and the single action only trigger release is fairly light and kind of sneaks up on you a bit til you get used to it. You should be able to get around 4 magazines out of the Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol as long as you take some time in-between loading up your magazines to let both the magazine and gun warm up a bit from the cold CO2.
I have been waiting a while for this version of the Full Blowback Smith & Wesson M&P40 CO2 BB Pistol, and I am happy to say I am not disappointed in the least, it's a really great replica from Umarex and a must have BB pistol in my books!
In this 2016 SHOT Show Interview I talk with Nichol Goines from Umarex USA. Nichol and I discuss some new and somewhat revised products from Umarex like the Full Blowback Smith & Wesson M&P40, the soon to finally be released Beretta Model 92 A1, a new Pellet version of last years Colt Single Action Army Revolver and a reappearance and revision of the Walther PPK CO2 Blowback BB pistol.
Last year Umarex introduced their Colt Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolvers and I would say last year they where on of my highlight airguns for the show. They have been selling like gang-busters! One question people have been asking is if there will be a pellet shooting version? Well now there is and like the Steel BB version the pellets load from the back of the shell making it super easy to reload the removable brass shells. The new Pellet SAA Revolver also has a rifled barrel to help with accuracy.
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I would have to say this years gun highlight well at least from Umarex is their new Smith & Wesson M&P40 full blowback CO2 BB Pistol. It is a perfect copy of the real steal version complete with a full size drop out magazine and full Beretta licensing. I really hope this one ships soon and does not get delayed like the Beretta Model 92 A1 introduced last year and still yet to be shipped :(
Speaking of the Beretta Model 92 A1 CO2 Blowback BB pistol. It is finally getting released this February and like the S&W M&P40, is a virtual identical replica of the original Beretta Mod. 92 A1 complete with full blowback, a full size drop out magazine and of course all the trades and licensing in all the right locations.
Last and not least but still worth noting is the CO2 Blowback BB shooting Walther PPK. It kind of dropped out of productions which is a real shame since it was the replica BB pistol that got all of this started for me several years back and to this day is still a lot of fun ot shoot! Even James Bond went back to the PPK for the latest 007 movie! Well it's back and this time Umarex got rid of the ugly CO2 tab and replaced it with a discreet Allen key screw. Saves us all from doing the CO2 screw mod :)
