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.
I will start of this Field Test Shooting video by saying that the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol is not going to be an action shooter since it is a single action only gun much like the old west 6 shooters but in this case it is not a revolver but rather what looks like a semi auto Tokarev. Once you get over that and accept that there will be no action shooting with the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol, then we can get back to having some good old shooting fun with it.
For my Chronograph Test to find out if the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol get’s close to KWC’s 423 claimed fps I loaded up the Full Size Drop Out Metal Magazine with around 10 BB’s in hopes of getting at least 5 recorded shots to determine a real world velocity. Initially the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol was shooting poorly with the velocity going up and down a lot even as low as 200 fps but as I finished off the 10 round magazine things started to improve a bit. So I loaded up another 10 rounds and gave it another go. This second time around the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol performed much better getting an Average of 370 fps which is a lot closer to the clamped fps by KWC.
You may wonder why the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol was not so good out of the box, I think perhaps the CO2 valve just needed a little bit of break in time, perhaps there was some machining residue in the valve area that was hampering things and after a bit of shooting it clear it out? Either way I did not have any more problems with the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol after the first 10 rounds. The temperature in the Indoor Airgun Sea Can Shooting Range was 24 degrees Celsius or 75 degrees Fahrenheit and I did use a brand new CO2 for this test as always.
For my Accuracy Test the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol I shot 10 rounds into a paper target from 30 feet away using a seated and rested shooting position. I was able to get 8 of the shots all within about an inch of each other with 2 of the shots coming out just a bit. One of the straggler shots I actually saw hook to the right which makes me think it may have been a BB that was a little deformed, this can happen sometimes. The KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol did shoot about 2.5 inches high and just slightly to the left out of the box and since the sights are non-adjustable you will want to aim a bit low on your target at least at 30 foot ranges.
I found the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol to be a decent BB shooter capable of 1 inch groupings at 30 feet out and getting close to 400 fps, I imagine since it does not have blowback and your shots are not going to be very rapid that you will get at least 100 shots per CO2. The trigger is Single Action Only so I was expecting it to be lighter than it was so you will have to get a bit use to it as I did have to apply more pressure than I was expecting. Overall the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol is another nice addition to the Tokarev line of Airguns and should be considered if this is what you are looking for.
Type: BB Pistol. Manufacturer: KWC. Model: TT-33. Materials: Mostly all Metal with some plastic parts. Weight: 1.54 pounds (700 grams). Barrel: Non-rifled. Propulsion: 12 gram CO2. Action: Non-Blowback - single action only trigger and hammer. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 19 rounds. FPS: 423
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol is strictly single action only, and I mean like a Single Action Only Revolver. You will need to cock the hammer manually with each shot since the trigger does not actuate the hammer as it is only used to release the hammer. And since there is no blowback action the slide recoil will also no accurate the hammer. Because fo this don’t expect the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol to be an action shooter but the trigger is decent on it since it is short and not too heavy.
Build Quality: The KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol is built well enough with a mostly metal construction. It feels very solid and the only plastic parts I can tell for sure being the grips. Everything else appears to be all metal. The entire gun is basically two separate halves joined together with screws that you can see but in terms of being well built I would have to say the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol is a very solid well built airgun.
Realism: This is one area where the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol may let a few people down, there is not working slide or blowback operation and with the screws required to join the two haves of the gun being fairly visible on the right side of the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol, it does take away form the realism. The biggest downside for me is the lack of an ejection port entirely, not even a fake one etched into the slide? On the hotter hand you do get a recessed barrel, full size drop out metal magazine and I like the way KWC worked the safety into the slide catch release rather than adding another safety somewhere on the gun where it was not meant to be.
Pros:
One of a handful of 4.5mm BB shooting Tokarev replicas out there.
Very solid and weighty gun for it’s size. Mostly all metal.
Full size drop out metal magazine that holds the CO2 and BB’s.
Recessed barrel adds to realism.
Non-blowback will increase fps and CO2 efficiency.
SAO trigger shoudl help with accuracy.
Did a good job of making the safety discreet by working it into the slide catch release.
Cons:
No action shooting since it has a SAO trigger/hammer.
No Blowback operation and no ejection port on slide?
Has the rather noticeable assembly screws on the slide.
Comments:
I like certain things about the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol and then some things make it hard for me to like it. I like the weigth and feel and almost entirely full metal build including the full size drop out metal magazine. I also expect the single action only trigger to work well for getting some decent accuracy. On the other hand having to cock the hammer on what shoudl be a semi auto pistol is a bit weird and the lack of the ejection port completely on the slide is a big oversight in my books. Maybe the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol will redeem itself when I do my Field Test Shooting video next week and sway me back to the in favor side? We will have to wait and see.
My Table Top Video of the KWC Model TT-33 CO2 SAO Non-Blowback BB Pistol:
Some new guns came in for me to highlight, some will get full reviews and some are KWC unlicensed versions of some Airguns I have already reviewed so this unboxing update video will suffice for them.
In this Classic Legends Airguns comparison video I look at a number of different Classic or Legendary BB Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I personally feel is the best . My final choices are of course based on my own personal opinion and in this video I end up picking two as they where kind of each in their own class.
During this Field Test Shooting Video Review I take a look at the actual real world velocity of the Gletcher TT Tokarev Replica using my Chronograph along with some accuracy testing using paper targets with a controlled shooting position.
My Chronograph test did not go as smoothly as I would have liked but I did get enough shots to get a realistic 5 shot average 342 fps for this Gletcher TT Tokarev BB Pistol. My 5th shot was a bit lower than the first 4 since I had already shot off about 15 shots and because of the cool temperate outside the gun had cooled down a bit. On a warmer day I would expect to get close to 400 fps out of the Gletcher TT Tokarev CO2 Blowback BB Pistol.
Again this Field Test was plagued with difficulties, I actual performed my accuracy test twice for the cameras because during my first go at it, one of the cameras ran out of battery! Hey, it happens! Perhaps I felt a little rushed on my second target shooting test, since I didn't get as tight of a group as I did on the first test. The Gletcher TT is however capable of getting around a 1.5 inch grouping from 30 feet away and the TT shot very well centered for me which is good news since the sights are none adjustable.
I like the snappy blowback action, the Gletcher TT Tokarev Replica is not an overly large pistol and for such an old school design it really feels good in the hand while shooting. I also like the traditional post and notch sights. The Gletcher TT Tokarev CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is a single action only gun but I did find that the release of the trigger was a bit heavy which will take some getting used to.
Overall, the Gletcher TT Tokarev is a really nice Blowback CO2 BB Pistol and if you are into the classic BB Replica guns then it is a must have for sure.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher TT CO2 BB Tokarev is single action only, the blowback action cocks the hammer after each shot but you will need to either draw the hammer back or rack the slide on the first shot. I did find the the SAO trigger to be rather heavy for a single action type trigger? Perhaps it will loosen up a bit over time? The take-up is kind of long since there is no real reset that takes place after the hammer is drawn back. The release point is sudden but does take some effort to release the trigger. I am not sure how this going to effect the accuracy?
Accuracy: I have only done some very preliminary shooting so far with this Gletcher TT due to some pretty awful weather conditions. Mainly just some freehand shooting to see how the blowback action felt. The blowback is rather fast and kind of mild but does offer some recoil effect and of course the ability for a single action trigger. We will have to see how well the Gletcher TT Tokarev performs once I get out and do a real test.
Build Quality: The Gletcher TT CO2 BB Pistol is really nicely made overall, pretty much the entire pistol is metal except for the grips of course. The finish looks really nice and the fit is good, not a lot of slide wiggle and all the mechanical parts function smoothly with the exception of the rather strange trigger design. You really need to watch my video to see what I mean here!
Realism: I am lucky enough to own a Tokarev type semi auto real steel pistol and looking at the two of them side by side they look very much the same. Of course my Norinco Tokarev (Type 54) Model 213 is made out of hardened weapons grade steel and so it is heavier but the Gletcher TT does feel solid in the hand with it's all metal design. The working slide catch, magazine release and hammer are all in the right places and function as they should. Gletcher even made sure to have a recessed barrel and hidden CO2 screw which adds to the realism. The only real giveaways are again that rather strange looking single action trigger and the two pins near the lower front of the slide. Not a big deal for me though. I do have to mention the way the safety was implemented on this Gletcher TT Tokarev, Gletcher placed it just inside the Slide Stop Retainer Clip in a kind of unobtrusive location.
Pros:
One of the only 4.5mm BB shooting Tokarev replicas I have come across.
Very solid and weighty gun for it’s size. Mostly all metal.
CO2 is well hidden.
Recessed barrel adds to realism.
18 round all metal stick magazine.
Blowback operation, slide locks back on last round.
Did a good job of making the safety discreet.
Shooting performance pros yet to be determined…
Cons:
SAO trigger is rather heavy.
Trigger looks a bit funky compared to a real Tokarev trigger.
Would have liked to have seen a full size drop out metal magazine on this gun.
Shooting performance cons yet to be determined…
Comments:
So far I have liked all the Gletcher guns that I have come across, it's great that Gletcher offers a lot of unique guns from the past, for me the Tokarev is near and dear to my heart since it is very 1911 like and I truly love the 1911 design. It only makes sense that I would own not only a real steel 1911 but also the Russian Tokarev. I'm not really sure how the Gletcher TT Tokarev is going to perform using the chronograph and during my paper target testing from 30 feet out but to be honest I really don't care all that much because this Tokarev BB pistol is not so much about performance or getting everything absolutely perfect, the Gletcher TT Tokarev BB Pistol is more about offering yet another BB pistol replica of one of the classic pistols at an affordable price and with quality in mind.
My Vimeo Table Top Video of the Gletcher TT Tokarev CO2 BB Pistol:
Yes! Some new guns for you, and that's always a good thing for everyone, especially me since I get to play with them! I have been waiting a while to get my hands on some of the .177 caliber pellet shooting versions of the Dan Wesson Revolvers. I was actually introduced to them nearly a year ago at the last SHOT Show back in January of 2014! That's a long wait for sure...
The Pellet version Dan Wesson's look really good, the quality of the pellet shells is top notch and even the redesigned inner rifled barrels look to be very high quality. ASG did not just do a quick part swap, they really though out how they wanted everything to fit together. I am looking forward to seeing how well they shoot and will be Field Testing them both together so we can see how the barrel lengths play an effect on power and accuracy.
Next up we have two Gletcher pistols, both are classic semi auto shooters from the past, the Gletcher TT which is a Replica of the Russian Tokarev, and the Gletcher P08 which is a Luger copy. Both pistols are blowback and shoot 4.5mm Steel BB's.
Both pistols incorporate single action only triggers, metal stick magazines and working safeties, a real steel Tokarev normally would not have a safety other than the half cock hammer, Gletcher added in a discreet switch style safety on the right side of their TT. Again, I look forward to shooting both of these blowback pistols as soon as the weather picks up!
I finally got out to shoot my Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm S.S. and it worked pretty well for me, the kick was hard but the design of this 10mm pistol helps reduce recoil so the recoil was not really all that much more than shooting a .45 or .40 caliber. If you have not watched my Wyoming Arms Parker 10mm S.S. Pistol Real Steel Overview then make sure to do so... I did have a few of my reload rounds that seemed to give me a bit of trouble but other than that the Wyoming Arms shot very well for me and was extremely accurate.
I also brought along my little ISSC M22 .22LR shooting Glock look-a-like to keep some of my shooting costs down since the 10mm are so expensive I needed to recoup some of my costs shooting the super affordable .22LR ammo. And yes I have a full Table Top Review for the ISSC M22 so check that one out if you're in the market for a fairly low cost .22LR that looks a lot like a Glock.
I had a great time and we got to shot some other guns while we where at the gun range; Walther P38 9mm, Glock 22 .40 Caliber, Sig Sauer Mosquito .22LR and the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 .22LR in all.
I first want to say this isn't exactly a review, more of an overview. I do show you around this Chinese made Norinco Type 54 Model 213 9mm Tokarev copy but I don't shoot it or even talk too much about shooting it. I have shot my Norinco M213 and it's quit nice, especially when you consider this gun was designed back in 1930. The Original Russian made Tokarev was built to replace the aging Nagant M1895 revolver that the Soviet troops used as their sidearm.
The Tokarev looks a lot like the Browning FN Model 1903 and was more than likely based off of it but it is different internally utilizing a short recoil dropping barrel similar to what is used in a 1911. The original Tokarev was not normally chambered in 9mm but rather the Russian made 7.62mm round. Being that the original 7.62 round is longer than a 9mm Lugar, Norinco had to place a block inside the magwell to accommodate the smaller magazine. I think it's a good tradeoff so I can use my readily available 9mm rounds in it. Each magazine hold 7 rounds as they are single stack design, this does make the profile of the entire gun very slim.
Another feature to note, that is found on the Chinese Norinco Type 54 Tokarev copy is the addition of a safety. The original Tokarev did not have a safety on it. The safety is similar to what you would find on a Makarov.
I have several Norinco guns and from what I have seen, people either love them or hate them and it's usually the people that own them that love them and the people that don't own them that don't like them. This may be based on first impressions as many Norinco guns are not as refined as what you would see in a Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer and many other higher end firearms. With that said the Norinco firearms kind of remind me of many Russian made guns which are more about how they work and less about how they look. The Norinco metal is tuff as nails and has a very high nickel content in it which is what makes it harder to refine.
Even today the Tokarev is a decent gun and I really love the history behind it, once you get used to it's unusual looks it really does start to grow on you and you can pick one up for pretty cheap these days, I only paid just over $200 for mine and it even came with 4 magazines.
Watch my Vimeo Video Overview of the Norinco Type 54 Model 213 9mm Tokarev:
