Here is my official Field Test Shooting Video Review for my KWC Sigma SW40F CO2 Blowback BB Pistol. Make sure to checkout my previous Table Top Review for more details on the KWC SW40F 4.5mm BB version where I also did a pre-test showing some similar results.
My 5 shot Chronograph test resulted in a somewhat expected 285 average fps while my accuracy test shot from 20 feet out in a semi rested position received a slightly wider 3 inch group this time but with most shots being within 1 inch of each other. In terms of shot placement the KWC SW40F 4.5mm BB Pistol shot very well centered but just slightly low. I also only got 2 full magazines this time around so don't expect a lot of shots per CO2 with this 4.5mm BB pistol.
Overall, the KWC SW40F 4.5mm BB Pistol is a really fun gun to shoot with a very crisp heavy slide that gives a nice firm blowback snap to it. It is one of the nicer sounding slides with a less tinny sound than most. The fps and shots per CO2 is a bit low but other than that performance is very good, you will have no problem nocking down cans and acquiring other miscellaneous targets.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KWC Sigma SW40F CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is single action only which generally produces a very light trigger, on the SW40F it is a bit firmer than most single actions but still decent with a short take-up and firm release. You will need to pull the slide back (which also chambers your first round) to cock the internal hammer, after which subsequent shots you will not have to pull the slide back as the blowback action does this for you.
Accuracy: When I shot the KWC Sigma SW40F from 20 feet out in semi rested position I was able to get nice clean results. I placed 10 rounds within about 2 inches with the shot placement being very well centered. The KWC S&W Sigma SW40F seemed to keep the rounds tighter from top to bottom over side to side for me. I also noticed when I field stripped this gun that there is a built in hop-up (rubber bar) that sits inside the barrel, this will produce some back spin which will keep the BB's trajectory a bit flatter when shooting further out and is also probably there to stop BB's from rolling out of the barrel once chambered.
Build Quality: The build quality is about the same as all other KWC guns, tolerances seem tight and everything is working as it should, you will get some wear marks (paint wear) on the high spots over time which is normal on just about any (type of gun, real or air) but what I like about the SW40F is that the barrel is polished and since this is the first area to lose paint, it really does not matter since no paint is on the barrel.
Realism: The KWC Sigma SW40F CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is a replica of the real steel S&W Sigma with the exception of the licensing and it really is a bang on Replica, you can field strip this gun exactly like a real Smith & Wesson Sigma. All the mechanical parts work just the same and I like the fact that without the licensing, this gun is very clean looking with no obtrusive warning instructions on it.
Lots of metal in this gun with very good weight to it.
Very accurate S&W Sigma replica.
Heavy crisp blowback feel.
Predictable single action trigger.
Shots where well centered, got good accuracy.
White dot sights for quick target acquisition.
No ugly warning markings.
Full size drop out magazine holds BB's and CO2.
Like the polished barrel and ejection port.
Fully field strip-able.
Cons:
I only got two magazines in my pre-test for some reason?
FPS is not super high?
A bit finicky when loading BB's
Comments:
Just like my Airsoft review of the KWC Sigma SW40F, this blowback Air Pistol was a lot of fun to shoot, with it's super snappy heavy slide and ultra realistic shooting characteristics. It did seem to go through a lot of CO2 very quickly which is not uncommon for this style of full blowback heavy slided airgun, and to be honest I don't really mind since it shot well, felt good in the hand and backs it up with great looks. And heck it's still so much cheaper to shoot than a real 9mm hand gun ;) For those of you looking for something that is similar to a Glock in terms of looks and operation, the KWC Sigma BB or Airsoft pistol may be your only real option here in North America now that the Umarex SA177 is history.
My Vimeo Table Top Review of the KWC Sigma SW40F Blowback CO2 BB Pistol:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull for both KWC blowback single action pistols is very good, the Desert Eagle is a bit better with less play and a lighter pull while the Sigma SW40F still feels very good but has a little bit more take up and a slight bit more pull required.
Accuracy: I shot both guns from 20 feet out in semi rested position and got similar results. I was able to place 10 rounds in a 2.5 to 3 inch group and both guns shot well centered. I have full confidence that I could easily hit a man sized target from 50 feet away. Both KWC Airsoft pistols got right around 400 fps (5 shot average chrony testing) with the Desert Eagle only 10 fps higher than the Sigma SW40F and this was using .20 gram plastic Airsoft BB's.
Build Quality: The build quality for both guns is pretty much the same, both have a metal slide and barrel with a polymer frame and plastic grips, the Sigma SW40F had a plastic magazine release and trigger while the Desert Eagle used metal in these parts. The KWC Sigma SW40F seemed to wear a bit better as the painted finish seemed more durable. I found the metal on metal areas on the Desert Eagle where losing the paint and also in some of the high spots. Over all the guns worked very well and had good fit and finish.
Realism: The KWC Desert Eagle .50 and Sigma SW40F are very accurate replicas of their real steel counterparts, with the Desert Eagle also having the full licensing on it for added authenticity. The workings of both Airsoft guns are pretty much just like a real gun with full size drop out magazines and very heavy full blowback operation. The slides on each gun give a nice metallic sound when operating.
Very believable replicas of the real steel versions.
Cons:
Paint wear in high spots noticeable on the Desert Eagle.
Non adjustable sights.
Both go through CO2 fast.
No trademarks on the Sigma SW40F.
Comments:
It's wonderful to get these KWC blowback Airsoft guns here in Canada finally and have the ability to review them for everyone. They remind me a lot of the Cybergun 4.5mm Steel BB blowback pistols very much and this is probably because there are Airsoft version of these guns also distributed by KWC. Whether you want one of these very nice Airsoft pistols for plinking and target practice or to use in battle on the Airsoft field, either gun would make a great choice. I am really loving the fact that I now have more guns I can review and Airsoft or 4.5mm Steel BB it really doesn't matter to me, I'm having way to much fun to care ;)
