Canada Store KJWorks Products Back in Stock
We recently recieved a KJWorls shipment so make sure to take a look at the full line of top quality KJWorks items we have in our Canada Replica Airguns Online Store.
We recently recieved a KJWorls shipment so make sure to take a look at the full line of top quality KJWorks items we have in our Canada Replica Airguns Online Store.
This is my Official Field Test Shooting Review video for the Gletcher Grach NBB CO2 BB Pistol. You can also checkout my Table Top Review of the Gletcher Grach NBB where I show you around this Russian Replica BB Pistol and talk about the specifications and features. I even do a field strip for the Gletcher Grach.
In this Field Test Shooting video I test out the performance of the Gletcher Grach NBB using my Chronograph to get a real world Feet Per Second rating, I also take aim 30 feet back and shoot 10 rounds at a paper target using a semi-rested position (Sand bag up front and standing in the back).
In terms of velocity the Gletcher Grach NBB CO2 BB Pistol performed a little lower fps then I expected shooting just under 350 fps. It was about 15 degrees celsius on this day but I also kept the pistol indoors where it was nice and warm right up till shooting time. I used a brand new CO2 and my ammo of choice was RWS 5.1 grain zinc coated BB's.
Stepping back 30 feet and shooting at a paper target, the Gletcher Grach NBB CO2 BB Pistol produced a very tight 10 shot 1 inch grouping, not many BB's pistols have been able to get in that 1 inch grouping at least for me! The Gletcher Grach did shoot a little to the left and a bit low but not far off the bullseye. The sights are not adjustable so you will have to slightly adjust your aim point if you find yourself not exactly dead center.
I found the Gletcher Grach NBB to be extremely quite so if you are looking for a discrete backyard shooter then the Grach would be a good choice. I also found the trigger to be very good in both single and double action but when the BB mag is loaded to the max, the trigger first stage will be very heavy since the follower spring is holding the BB's in place and creating friction while a BB is loaded into the chamber. To fix this problems simple don;t load as many BB's in the magazine.
I really like the Gletcher Grach Non-blowback CO2 BB Pistol and hope to get my hands on the Blowback version at some point to see if it performs as good.
This is my Official Field Test Shooting Review video for the ASG CZ 75 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol. You can also checkout my Field Test for the KJWorks Airsoft Version which by the way is pretty much the exact same Pistol but in 6mm Airsoft and distributed by KJWorks rather than ASG.
In this Field Test Shooting video I test out the performance of the ASG CZ 75 CO2 Blowback 4.5mm BB Pistol using my Chronograph to get a real world Feet Per Second rating, I also position myself 30 feet back and shoot 10 rounds at a paper target using a semi-rested shooting position (Sand bag up front and standing in the back).
In terms of velocity the ASG CZ 75 BB Pistol shoot fairly conservative at just under 300fps. The noise this CO2 Licensed Replica Pistol makes is fairly quiet making it a good choice for the backyard if you have neighbors to consider. I also found the blowback to be mild since the amount of CO2 being released with each shot seems to be minimal.
Stepping back 30 feet and shooting at my paper target, the ASG CZ 75 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol produced a decent 2-2.5 inch 10 shot grouping that was just a little to the left and a hair low. The trigger is super light and the release is crisp, I actually had to get a bit used to how light the trigger was as I was shooting a bit early and before I was ready since only a slight bit of pressure is required.
I would like to see just a bit higher fps from the ASG CZ 75 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol, that would also give it a little bit more blowback kick but even the 300-ish fps out of the box, the ASG CZ 75 is a really nice pistol to shoot with it's super responsive trigger!
This is my Official Field Test Shooting Review video for the Gletcher SS 2202 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol. You can also checkout my full review including a Field Test for the KWC SP 2022 which by the way is pretty much the exact same BB pistol but distributed by KWC rather than Gletcher.
In this Field Test Shooting video I test out the performance of the Gletcher SS 2202 Metal Slide using my Chronograph to get a real world Feet Per Second rating, I also step back 30 feet and shoot 10 rounds at a paper target using a semi rested position (Sand bag up front and standing in the back).
In terms of velocity the Gletcher SS 2202 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol performed very close to the KWC SP 2022 review I did earlier shooting as high as 468 fps. I did have some chronograph miss-readings that made the average come down a bit but I would say a flawless string of readings would have been around 450+ fps.
Stepping back 30 feet and shooting at my paper target, the Gletcher SS 2202 CO2 BB Pistol produced a respectable 4 inch grouping that was just a little to the left but not by too much. I really like the trigger on the Gletcher SS 2202 CO2 BB Pistol, for a double action only pistol it is very smooth, light and not overly long! The release is very predictable and there is zero stickiness in the first stage.
The fairly high fps for a shorter barrel pistol is most likely due to a more than average amount of CO2 released per shot but even so you can expect close to 100 shots per CO2. If you plan on using the Gletcher SS 2202 in your back yard, keep in mind that it is louder than most CO2 BB pistols, it really gives a nice loud crack with each shot.
All in all a real decent performance out of the Gletcher SS 2202 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol, if you are a Sig Sauer fan like I am then this Sig Pro replica is a no brainer to have in your collection!
Type: BB Pistol.
Manufacturer:Gletcher.
Model:SS 2202 Metal Slide (Sig Pro SP 2022 Replica)
Materials: Metal & plastic.
Weight: 1.54 pounds (700 grams).
Barrel: 4 inches, smooth bore.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.
Action: Non-blowback - double action only.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 21 rounds.
FPS: 393fps (120m/s)
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher Metal Slide SS 2202 is double action only but is very smooth and fairly light, it does allow for some pretty quick shooting even though it is double action only. When you pull the trigger the internal barrel moves back into the magazine while the internal hammer moves rearward and then releases forwards striking the CO2 valve releasing CO2. It is a very simple yet effective design.
Accuracy: I have not done any preliminary shooting with the Gletcher SS 2202 Sig Pro Replica so other than how the trigger feels I can not comment too much on the performance. If I where to base my result on the performance of the Cybergun Sig Sauer SP 2022 I tested previously, then I can expect very high fps and good overall accuracy, we will have to wait and see...
Build Quality:Build quality was very good, I was extremely pleased with the fit and finish of my Gletcher SS 2202 BB Pistol! The metal slide and polymer frame along with the all metal full size drop out magazine gave this BB air pistol a really nice balance and weight to it. I would expect it to feel in weight and balance very similar to the real steel version since they are both constructed similarly.
Realism: The Gletcher SS 2202 Air Pistol is very close to the look, weight, and feel of the real Sig Sauer SP2022 Sig Pro! For a lower cost airgun, I was very impressed with all the details and closeness to the real steel Sig Pro. There is no actual Sig Sauer licensing on the Gletcher SS 2202 but other than that it is pretty much identical in appearance. It would have been nice to have a working slide and slide catch release but at least you have the ability to take the slide off for cleaning and oiling if required.
Pros:
Good weight and solid feeling gun.
Metal slide.
Full size all metal magazine.
Very Accurate Sig Sauer SP2022 replica without licensing.
May have good FPS! Fingers Crossed!
Fairly affordable.
Nice light and quick double action trigger.
Picatinny rail for accessories.
Cons:
No blowback - slide does not move either
Hammer does not move at all.
Non adjustable rear sight.
Comments:
I have always been a big Sig Sauer fan so I like the look and feel of the Gletcher SS 2202 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol. I would love it even more if it had a working slide with blowback action but then again the non-blowback version keeps things simple so should be super reliable and have good power. I am optimistic about the fps performance of this pistol since I got such good results when I tested my Cybergun distributed version a while back. Stay tuned for my Field Test Shooting Review for this pistol to find out how it does...
My Vimeo Table Top Video of the Gletcher SS 2202 Metal Slide CO2 BB Pistol:
Type: BB Pistol.
Manufacturer:Gletcher.
Model:Grach NBB (Non-blowback)
Materials: Metal & plastic.
Weight: 2.12 pounds (960 grams).
Barrel: 4.25 inches, smooth bore.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.
Action: Non-blowback - single & double action.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 20 rounds.
FPS: 377fps (115m/s)
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher Grach NBB is nice in both double and single action modes. Double action is fairly light as the hammer spring tension is moderate but there is a fair bit of trigger pull length, Racking the slide or pre-cocking the hammer will allow for single action shots which reduces the trigger pull but you still have the full range of trigger take-up before the hammer is released.
Accuracy: I have done no preliminary shooting with the Grach NBB BB pistol so other than how the trigger feels I can not comment too much on the performance. I would expect to get pretty close to the factory claimed fps based on my other testings with Gletcher products. With it's single action trigger and white dot sights I am hoping for a fairly tight grouping when I perform my accuracy test later on.
Build Quality: The Gletcher Grach NBB CO2 BB Pistol is well made, the black semi-gloss finish looks really nice and the fit is good, not much of slide wiggle to speak of and pretty much the entire pistol is metal including the frame, slide, trigger, slide catch-release, safety, hammer, magazine and inner and outer barrel. The only plastic parts would be the grips and some internal seals and o-rings.
Realism:The Gletcher Grach is a 1 to 1 replica of the Russian Yarygin (MP-443 Grach), all the mechanical parts function just like you would find on the real steel version. The only indicators that it is not a real Yarygin would be the smaller barrel opening since the 4.5mm BB barrel is not recessed at all. Even the weight is near identical to the original MP-443 Grach coming in only 10 grams heavier.
Pros:
Good weight and solid feeling gun, over 2 pounds
Pretty much an all metal pistol
Full size all metal magazine
Working slide that also locks back
Very Accurate Yarygin (MP-443 Grach) replica without licensing
Fairly affordable
Nice light and quick double action trigger, also shoots in single action.
Field Strippable.
Cons:
No blowback
Barrel is not recessed.
Non adjustable rear sight.
Comments:
Without shooting this gun so far all I can comment on is how nice it looks and feels, the Gletcher Grach NBB really is a well made and detailed CO2 air pistol mirroring the original real steel Yarygin (MP-443 Grach) almost exactly. Pretty much everything is metal on this pistol helping it come in only 10 grams off again of the original. I like the single and double action trigger / hammer and the working slide and slide catch release that locks back when the BB magazine is empty. I am really looking forward to giving this gun it's field test shooting review!
My Vimeo Table Top Video of the Gletcher Grach NBB CO2 BB Pistol:
In this preview Update Vimeo Video I take a quick look at the following ASG Airsoft and BB Guns...
ASG Marsushin Deringer Chrome Gas Airsoft Pistol:
Ammo Capacity: 2
Green Gas
Weight: 215 gram (.5 pounds)
Power: 77 m/s (252 fps)
Plastic Frame / Metal Grips
ASG MK2 Dual Tone CO2 Airsoft Pistol:
Ammo Capacity: 15
12 Gram CO2
Weight: 790 gram (1.8 pounds)
Power: 127 m/s (417 fps)
Metal and Plastic
ASG CZ 75 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol:
Ammo Capacity: 17
12 Gram CO2
Weight: 950 gram (2.1 pounds)
Power: 95 m/s (312 fps)
Mostly Metal
ASG US Marine MEU Limited 1911 Gas Blowback Pistol:
Ammo Capacity: 15
Gas Blowback
Weight: 1020 gram (2.3 pounds)
Power: 86 m/s (283 fps)
Mostly Metal
ASG CZ Scorpion VZ61 AEG Airsoft Machine Pistol:
Ammo Capacity: 58
Electric AEG
Weight: 1220 gram (2.7 pounds)
Power: 81 m/s (266 fps)
Metal and Plastic
Ammo Capacity: 100
Electric AEG
Weight: 2400 gram (5.3 pounds)
Power: 95 m/s (310 fps)
Metal and Plastic
ASG Franchi SAS 12 Pump Action Airsoft Shotgun:
Ammo Capacity: 30 (3 Shot Burst)
Spring Pump
Weight: 1200 gram (2.7 pounds)
Power: 85 m/s (279 fps)
Metal and Plastic
In this preview Update Vimeo Video I take a quick look at the following Gletcher CO2 Pistols...
Gletcher BRT 84 CO2 4.5mm BB Pistol:
Mag Capacity: 19
12 Gram CO2
Weight: 700 gram (1.54 pounds)
Power: 120 m/s (394 fps)
All Metal Construction
Gletcher SS 2202 CO2 4.5mm BB Pistol:
Mag Capacity: 21
12 Gram CO2
Weight: 700 gram (1.54 pounds)
Power: 120 m/s (394 fps)
Metal Slide & Magazine - Plastic Frame
Gletcher Grach NBB CO2 4.5mm BB Pistol:
Mag Capacity: 20
12 Gram CO2
Weight: 960 gram (2.12 pounds)
Power: 115 m/s (377 fps)
All Metal Construction
Gletcher CLT B25 CO2 4.5mm BB Revolver:
Ammo Capacity: 6
12 Gram CO2
Weight: 905 gram (2 pounds)
Power: 100 m/s (328 fps)
All Metal Construction
Gletcher SW R25 CO2 .177 Caliber Pellet Revolver:
Ammo Capacity: 6
12 Gram CO2
Weight: 800 gram (1.76 pounds)
Power: 100 m/s (328 fps)
All Metal Construction
Gletcher SW R8 CO2 .177 Caliber Pellet Revolver:
Ammo Capacity: 6
12 Gram CO2
Weight: 1040 gram (2.29 pounds)
Power: 110 m/s (360 fps)
All Metal Construction
Here is my official Field Test Shooting review for both the EKOL ES 66 and ES 66C CO2 4.5mm BB Pistols. Make sure to watch my Table Top Review for more information on the Features and Specifications for both of these all metal Turkish made air pistols.
As with my standard Field Test Shooting Reviews, I shoot 5 rounds through my Chronograph to get a real world Velocity reading in feet per second. I also shoot 10 rounds into a paper target using a semi-rested position from 30 feet away. Since I had two versions of the EKOL ES 66, the long and short barreled versions I decided I would test pistols both on the Chrony and just the long barrel version for the accuracy testing.
So how did the EKOL ES 66 and ES 66C CO2 BB Pistols both do? In terms of fps, they both got into the 400+ range with the shorter barreled ES 66C version averaging 402 fps from 5 shots and the the longer barreled ES 66 getting a 444 fps 5 shot average. I was expecting the longer barrel ES 66 to outperform the shorter barrel ES 66 so this was no surprise. The temperature was not all that warm on this day but I did keep both guns fairly warm inside right up till I went outside and shot them. On a warmer day I would expect even better results.
Now for the accuracy results and don't hold your breath on this one... I have to say that the EKOL ES 66 was one of the worst BB guns I have shot to date in terms of accuracy at 30 feet. I could actually see the BB's curving after about 20 feet out, almost like they had some random spin on them? Perhaps the rifled barrel was catching a bit of grip on the smooth steel BB's and making them spin? Because this was so random it was hard to predict where the BB's where going. I also found that the EKOL ES 66 was sighted in way to high so at 30 feet I needed to aim very close to the bottom of the target and even still, about half of the BB's went well over and did not find the paper target. Perhaps actual lead BB's may be better in this pistol?
One thought I had was to somehow smooth out the rifling on the barrel as perhaps it needs to be worked in before more consistent shots can be obtained?
It was really too bad that I did not get the accuracy results I was looking for with the EKOL ES 66 Series of CO2 BB Pistols, I really like the overall quality and design of these Turkish made CO2 BB Pistols. Again perhaps some barrel work could improve the accuracy and make this a more well rounded BB gun.
This is the Field Test Shooting Review for the Gletcher P08 Luger CO2 Blowback BB Pistol, to view my Table Top Review with features and specifications click on this link.
During this Field Test Shooting Video Review of the Gletcher P08 Luger CO2 Blowback BB Pistol, I test the actual real world velocity using my Chronograph and then conduct an accuracy test using paper targets from a controlled shooting position.
I shot 5 rounds through my Chrony Chronograph and got an average of 374 fps which was pretty decent for a blowback CO2 BB pistol on a not so warm early spring day (Around 10 degrees Celsius) I could see this Gletcher P08 BB Pistol getting around 400 fps on a warm summer day. I should be able to get around 80-100 shots from a single CO2 cartridge.
Next I performed my accuracy test from 30 feet back in a semi rested position, I was able to get a 1-5 to 2 inch grouping with 10 shots. The Gletcher P08 Luger CO2 Blowback BB Pistol does have a single action trigger which makes the release smooth and light but there is a bit of a sticky rough early trigger stage where a BB is loaded. When shooting fast this will not be as noticeable but when slowing down your shooting for accuracy it is noticeable for sure. I didn't seem to effect my accuracy all that much which was nice and I was able to get a pretty well centered grouping (just a tad to the left) with the none adjustable sights.
This Field test of the Gletcher P08 Luger BB Pistol goes to show that a blowback CO2 BB pistol can have both good feet per second performance and accuracy.
If you have not already watched my Baikal Makarov MP-654K CO2 BB Pistol Table Top Review, make sure to do so so for info on features and specifications.
During this Field Test Shooting Video Review of the Baikal Makarov MP-654K, I take a look at the actual real world velocity using my Chronograph along with some accuracy testing using paper targets with a controlled shooting position.
I shot 5 rounds through my Chrony Cronography and got an average fps of 306 which was not super high but just fine for plinking. I would expect to get well over 100 shots with my Baikal MP-654K Makarov since the CO2 being released with each shot is fairly conservative. The temperature on this day was under 10 degrees Celsius.
Moving on with my accuracy results from 30 feet back in a semi rested position, I was able to get a 5.5 inch goruping with 10 shots. The Baikal Makarov CO2 BB Pistol does have a rifled barrel which may work better when using lead BB's but you would have to be careful not to load too many at a time since the magazine follower spring is rather heavy and could deform the softer lead BB's making them jam in the gun. Hard Steel BB's do not deform or jam in the gun but are not optimal for rifled barrels since they do not grip the rifling very well and can give sporadic results. My grouping was also centered a bit to the right but not by too much.
The 2013 Baikal Makarov MP-654K CO2 BB Pistol may not be the best performer I have tested in terms of velocity and accuracy but it is for sure one of the best built and most realistic BB pistols I have reviewed.
We have some new BB guns from Umarex arriving shortly in our Canada Online Store and we are taking pre-orders on a first come first serve basis.
We are also offering FREE SHIPPING this weekend so make sure to take advantage of both Replica Airguns Canada Store offers!
Umarex Colt Single Action CO2 BB Revolver.
If you have not already watched my Gletcher TT Tokarev CO2 Blowback BB Pistol Table Top Review, make sure to do so so for info on features and specifications.
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.
Make sure to watch my full Table Top Video Review for the Gletcher APS Stechkin CO2 Blowback BB Pistol where I go into details about the features and specifications and also show you around this pistol.
This video focuses only on the shooting performance of the Gletcher APS. I test the (FPS) Feet Per Second performance first using my Chronograph to see what the actual real world velocity is and then I take my Gletcher APS Blowback BB pistol out to the 30 foot range and shoot 10 rounds on a paper target from a semi rested position.
So how did the Gletcher APS Stechkin CO2 Blowback BB Pistol do? Pretty decent overall. Gletcher claims around a 400 fps max velocity and got an average 5 shot reading of 394 fps on what I would consider to be a rather cool day (under 10 degree Celsius). I was of course using a brand new CO2 to get optimal results.
When I tested the accuracy for the Gletcher APS Stechkin from my standard semi rested 30 foot position, I got failry typical results for a BB pistol at right around a 2 inch grouping, more than adequate enough for shooting small to medium sized targets around the yard.
The Gletcher APS Stechkin CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is bigger than I thought it would be, you can see this in my Table Top Review where I show it side by side to my 2013 Baikal Makarov BB Pistol. The Gletcher APS weighs in at over 2 pounds and has larger than average grips so small handed shooters may not be comfortable shooting the Gletcher APS. I found the blowback action to have a nice firm snap too it and the trigger pull was long but had a good feel and nice and easy to predict release point.
Overall I found the Gletcher APS Stechkin CO2 Blowback BB Pistol to be a really fun gun to shoot, it felt good in the hand with nice blowback operation, fairly high fps for a blowback gun and decent accuracy.
Keep in mind I have already made a Table Top Video Review for the Gletcher NGT Silver CO2 BB Revolver where you will find all the specs and of course a nice close up walk around showing off the detail on this very beautiful classic revolver.
I always like getting and shooting the airguns I review and the Gletcher NGT CO2 BB Revolver was no disappointment! The Gletcher NGT is a fairly small air revolver and so pretty much anyone should be able to shoot this air pistol even if you have smaller hands, I did find that pre-cocking the hammer for single action shooting was a bit of a stretch when reaching over with the thumb, but you can just as easily shoot in double action, both trigger pulls are nice and light with the double action being a bit longer.
Loading the 7 round cylinder will take longer than your standard stick magazine BB pistol since you first need to pop some 4.5mm Steel BB's into each shell and then individually load each shell into the Gletcher's metal cylinder while you index it.
In terms of FPS performance, the Gletcher NGT Silver CO2 BB Revolver shot right about where I thought it would shoot getting about a 342 fps average 7 shot velocity. Claimed is up to 350 so the NGT hit it's marks in this category even on a rather cool day. I found that the little Gletcher NGT had a pretty loud crack to it and could even feel a small amount of push back with each shot.
I really felt comfortable using the rather old school fixed open post and notch sights, the sliver finish on the white background of the targets I was using did make it a bit tuff to line up but I was able to get a pretty nice close to 2 inch grouping that was very well centered on target. the Gletcher NGT Revolver would be great for knocking pop cans off of fence posts :)
I would definitely recommend the Gletcher NGT CO2 BB Revolver in either silver or black, what ever your preference? Not only is it a real looker but it also has the performance to back it's looks.
I have already done a Table Top Review for the Dan Wesson 6 inch Silver & 8 inch Black Pellet Revolvers so make sure to check that review out if you are interested in some close up video of these two ASG Pellet Revolvers, I also include the specifications for both CO2 Pistols.
You may also want to take a peek at my head to head test between the Dan Wesson 8 Inch and Umarex S&W 327 4.5mm Steel BB versions as a comparison between Pellet and BB performance using similar Airguns.
So getting back to this ASG Dan Wesson 6 inch Silver & 8 Inch Black Pellet Revolver Field Test Review, how did they perform? Well not that well in my books, the fps performance was just way too low and way too inconsistent, with a 6 shot Chronograph Test I got an average fps of 259 for the 6 inch and 188 for the 8 inch, that's right the longer barrel revolver actually performed worse! My explanation is that just not enough CO2 is being released by the CO2 valve to get the heavier and more snug lead pellets to a high enough velocity. And having a longer barrel is actually creating more resistance slowing down the lead pellets. If more CO2 was introduced, more expansion would take place which would take full advantage of the longer barrel.
Once I setup 30 feet back for my paper target testing, I kind of had a felling that I was not going to see great results, pellets moving inconsistent around 200 fps are not going to shoot as accurately as more consistent pellets traveling at 300+ fps. The variation in velocity from both Dan Wesson Pellet Revolvers I was getting really effected the elevation of the pellets landing on the target. Because of teh slow velocity of the pellets, there was a really long delay between shooting the gun and the actual pellets hitting the target, I could even hear variations in this delay as the fps fluctuated up and down :(
I did want to mention that the temperature was not overly warm on my test day but I did keep both guns nice and warm inside prior to my testing them, on a hotter day there would be a slight increase in fps performance but not a radical one that would make a huge difference.
If you are wondering if perhaps the problem may be due to the CO2 I used or my Pellet selection? ASG was kind enough to send me some of their CO2 and Diablo approved Pellets to use for this Field Test Shooting Review.
To be perfectly honest, I would rather shoot the Steel BB version of the Dan Wesson Revolvers since they performed much better in terms of feet per second velocity and target accuracy. Even loading the BB versions is much easier and quicker for more time spent shooting.
I generally like to focus more on the good and less on the bad when it comes to the guns I review and sure the Dan Wesson Pellet Revolvers are really sexy Airguns but when it comes to actual shooting results I was disappointed with them. I think ASG needs to take another look at their Dan Wesson Pellet Revolver design and perhaps work on some higher fps and more consistent fps performance.
Watch my Full Vimeo ASG Dan Wesson 6 inch Silver & 8 Inch Black Pellet Revolver Field Test Review:
What is a Blank Gun?
The best way to describe a Blank Gun is to imagine it as a real gun in just about every way except one… There are no dangerous bullets flying out the front of it. That’s right, a Blank Gun just like a real gun uses a brass or metal shells, loaded with a primer and gun powder, but for what ever reason reason, some rocket scientists forgot to put a bullet at the end of the Blank shell.
Why Would You Want a Blank Gun?
Isn’t the entire purpose of a gun to shoot something? So why on earth would you buy a gun that doesn't shoot anything at all, what purpose would it serve? Even Nerf guns, water guns, potato guns all shoot something…
One way to look at a Blank Gun is to imagine it as a cap gun, but for grown ups. Similar to how kids like to shoot their cap guns because they go bang and sparks and smoke fly out of them, Blank Guns do the same thing but on a much grander scale and in most cases they look and sound a lot more like a real gun than a cap gun does.
So Blank Guns don’t actually do the main function of a real gun (that is to shoot a bullet), but they do look and sound the part of a gun. So how could this be of practical use to anyone?
Signalling Devices:
First off, have you ever heard of a Starter Pistol or a Flare Gun? Blank Guns have been historically used to signal the start of races. Many Blank Guns also have the ability to shoot flares by adding a flare adaptor to them so a person can shoot a flare into the air to signal distress if they are lost or hurt.
Gun Handling and Training:
Since many Blank Guns look, operate and feel almost exactly like real guns, Blank Guns are a great place to start out when training a person on proper gun handling and operation. If they make a mistake while using a Blank Gun, the consequences are far less severe than with a real gun. There is also much less kick from a Blank Gun so shooting a Blank Gun is less scary or intimidating for new shooters.
Dog Training:
Dogs used for police, military and hunting are required to stay calm around loud noises like gun shots, trained dogs also need to get used to the presence of guns and even how to attack the gun hand of a person who could be a potential threat. Again using Blank Guns in this training situation is a much better option than using a real gun for obvious reasons.
Movies, Video TV and Stage:
Introducing live ammunition on a movie set would be ridiculous, there is absolutely no need to shoot a bullet in this type of situation. Blank Guns make perfect stage props since they again look the part and sound the part without the dangerous bullets flying all over the place…
Collectors:
Many collectors want to own guns but for reasons like gun restrictions in their area, they may not be able to own a real gun or certain types of real guns. Blank Guns can offer a person with heavy gun restrictions in their area the ability to own similar Blank Gun versions. Perhaps they can own real guns but just simply don’t want to go through the licensing and registration hassle of owning a real gun. Blank Guns can generally be purchased for far less money than a real gun which is appealing to collectors who in many cases may not even shoot them.
Celebration:
In places like Turkey, people celebrate holidays and events by shooting Blank Guns into the air, at one time they actually shoot real guns, but people where getting injured or even killed by the falling bullets. Because of this, Blank Gun production became an industry in places like Turkey as Blank Gun manufacturers like EKOL, Retay and Zoraki (also know as ATAK Arms) are Turkish companies.
So now you know some of the reasons why a person would want to own a Blank Gun. I have Blank Guns and I also own real guns too. One reason is because there are many Blank Guns I own that I can not own in their real steel versions because of Canadian gun restrictions so obtaining a similar version in a Blank Gun allows me to own these models.
If a Blank Gun is not for you, then by all means get a real gun, but please understand that there is a place for Blank Guns, and in those environments, a Blank Gun is actually a better choice than a real gun.
First off let’s get one thing straight! What I’m looking for in a BB gun is more than likely going to be way different than what someone else is looking for in what they think is the “Best BB Gun” available.
Many people will determine the Best BB Gun as the BB gun that has the highest price tag, usually you get better quality the higher the price goes up but not always, there are times when perhaps you are paying for a name brand or cosmetic add ons that don’t always make the gun better or the best.
On the other hand, some people will determine the best BB gun as the one that is the least cost since they may not have a lot of money to spend, and an expensive BB gun is a BB gun that that person would not be able to afford or even own, far from an ideal or the Best BB Gun for them.
Many people only look at the specifications to determine if that particular BB gun is the outright best BB Gun. One specification that people seem to fixate on is how powerful is the BB gun in question? If it has the highest FPS then surely it must be the best BB Gun! That Pop can never saw it coming! What about cost of operation, so things like reliability and how many shots per CO2 you can get out of a BB gun. All important features to consider when picking out the Best BB Gun!
Style is another important part of what makes a BB Gun the Best option for you, are you wanting a classic BB Pistol? Perhaps a Modern BB Gun, Maybe even a BB gun that you can not get in your area because of gun laws? Style is a very individual preference and what looks good to me may look terrible to someone else.
One aspect that is very important to me, is realism, does the BB Gun operate the same and does it have similar metal and plastic parts as the real steel version? Does the BB gun I am considering have blowback operation and a true single or double action trigger like it’s big brother? What about a full size drop out magazine and the ability to field strip the BB Gun?
Some people want their BB gun for simple backyard good old fun shooting and so as long as it shoots pretty straight and works as it’s supposed to, then that is all they care about. Many real steel shooters want a BB Gun to operate exactly like their real steel version, so they can practice with it to get in more trigger time when going to a gun range is not an option.
Of course there are aspects like Reliability, Performance, Fit and Finish, Licensing and Build Quality that all determine what makes the Best BB Gun and again it really depends which of these qualities are most important to you that will determine which BB Gun is the best BB Gun.
So how do you determine which is the Best BB Gun? Make a list of what you are looking for in a BB Gun. Attributes like Cost, Performance, Build Quality, Style, Realism, Availability…
Once you have narrowed down your Best BB Gun list, get as much information on each BB Gun you are considering, to narrow the list down even more. There are tons of Youtube videos you can watch for your Best BB Gun final short list to help you determine your ultimate choice.
So please don’t ask me what the Best BB Gun is? I can not even tell you which one I like the best since my wish list changes from day to day…
Not Airsoft:
First off we are not talking about 6mm Plastic Airsoft Guns but rather 4.5mm Steel BB versus .177 caliber Pellet.
Same but Different:
Generally speaking a BB CO2 Pistol and a Pellet CO2 Pistol are very similar, they just shoot a bit different types of ammo, that will determine a couple mechanical differences in both guns. You may come across a CO2 Pistol that can shoot both Pellets and BB's but these are not as common.
Magazine Types:
The fist main difference is usually the magazine design, since lead pellets don’t stack on top of each other very well compared to steel BB’s, action CO2 BB and Pellet pistols will have a very different types of magazine designs. Pellet CO2 Pistols will generally use a rotary type magazine while BB Pistols will use a stick or stacked ammo magazine. In terms of realism, a stick or stacked magazine is better suited than a rotary magazine. Some Action Pellet Pistols will have what looks like a stick magazine, but the stick will actually have two rotary magazine on either side. You will often find higher capacity magazines in BB CO2 Pistols since Rotary magazines usually only offer around 8 rounds (16 on a double sided stick style).
Another downside to a rotary magazine is knowing when you are out of ammo, a rotary magazine does not allow for this, it will just keep turning around and around no matter if there is ammo in it or not, so you need to listen to the the sound of the CO2 gun to determine when a rotary type magazine is empty. BB Action shooters do not have this problem since in most cases the magazine BB spring follower acts exactly the same as real steel gun follower locking back the slide on the last shot, stopping any follow up shots from happening.
Ammo Size:
Steel BB’s traditionally only come in 4.5mm which is the same as .177 caliber. Lead pellets can come in a myriad of sizes, the most comma being .177, .20 and .22 caliber but they can go as large as 50 caliber for PCP air rifles used to hunt even large game.
Barrel Rifling:
Another common difference between BB and Pellet CO2 Pistols is the rifling inside the barrels. Lead pellets need to spin in order for them to shoot straight. Steel BB’s on the other hand fly pretty true thought the air weather they spin or not. Rifling is most often not used in steel BB pistols because the hardened steel can damage the rifling and since there is little to no benefit in adding rifling to a BB guns barrel in terms of accuracy, then why even have it. Pellet pistols with their softer lead ammunition need to have the rifling in order to create the spin that keeps the pellet true and straight while in flight.
Accuracy:
Even though many BB CO2 Pistols can shoot accurately at close to medium ranges, they are not as accurate as a Pellet CO2 Pistol, especially as the distance become greater to your target. Not only does the spinning of the pellet help accuracy, but also the added mass of the lead pellet keeps them from being as effected by cross winds and airborne debris.
Hunting and/or Pest Control:
In most cases I do not recommend using a pistol for pest control because, plain and simple they are harder to shoot accurately. This is because there is no stock on a pistol to help steady the gun, and the front and rear sight are much closer together on a pistol than compared to rifle sights which means there is more margin for error when signing in a target. Pistols are generally lower powered than rifles which also plays a roll when considering a pistol for pest control since it may not have enough power to get the job done humanly. That said, there are pellet pistols deigned with power in mind, usually these are spring piston, or pressurized air powered air guns which can have a lot more power than a standard CO2 BB or Pellet Pistol.
Pistols versus Rifles:
This is not the forum for a full pistol versus rifle comparison. I can tell you that you will find a lot more pellet rifles than your will find BB rifles, they both exist but for the most part rifles are geared more towards target shooting and hunting. Most of the BB rifles available would be styled after replicas so the focus is not necessarily on power and or accuracy in these models.
Abundance:
In terms of Replica Action Shooters, BB Pistols outweigh the Pellet pistols by a land-slide. BB’s just work better in action pistols because the round hard steel ammo operates much easier and more reliably than the softer lead pellets, at least for action shooters. And the point of Replica Action Shooters is not so much power and accuracy but more so towards rapid fire good old back yard fun shooting.
Which is Best?
Well… Neither one is best, it just depends what you are looking for.
Do you want accuracy at longer ranges - if so maybe get a Pellet CO2 Pistol.
Do you want more realism in terms of magazine loading and your slide locking back on the last shot - then you may be in the market for a BB CO2 Pistol.
Do you want more power down range - heavy pellets are going to hit harder and truer than lighter Steel BB’s.
Do you want trouble free shooting - hard steel BB’s rarely miss-feed or misfire compared to softer Lead Pellets especially in action shooters.
The best is what’s best for you and not always what's best for me…
Type: Blank revolver.
Manufacturer:RÖHM.
Model:Little Joe Belt Buckle.
Materials: Mostly metal with plastic grips.
Weight: .3 pounds (134 grams).
Barrel: Front firing.
Propulsion: Gun powder.
Action: Revolver, single action only
Ammunition Type: .22 caliber crimped blanks (6mm Flobert).
Ammunition Capacity: 5 rounds.
FPS: NA.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull for the Little Joe blank revolver is single action only, you must pre-cock the hammer first to rotate advance the cylinder and ready the hammer to fire. I very short medium weight trigger pull with virtually no take-up is required to fire this tiny revolver at that point.
Accuracy: NA.
Build Quality: Even though in general blank/signal guns do utilize scaled down metals like zinc alloy (not high pressure gun steel), the ROHM line of blank pistols are made very well and many of the internal mechanical parts, pins and screws are solid steel. The fit and finish is excellent and when I tested my none belt buckle Little Joe it shot flawlessly for me. Don't expect much recoil from the small acorn .22 rounds.
Realism: The ROHM Little Joe Belt Buckle 6mm Flobert Blank Gun is not a true replica of any real steel revolver in production but it does look a bit like the North America Arms NAA22s Mini-Revolver chambered in .22 short. North America Arms even has a belt buckle version of their own!
ROHM Guns Available in the: Replica Airguns Store
Pros:
It’s a blank gun that fits into a belt buckle!
German made Quality.
Like the satin or stainless finish.
Pretty much all metal gun with some steel in a few areas.
Front firing revolver that will fir a flare adaptor.
Uses inexpensive 22 Acorn blanks (6mm Flobert)
Kind of rare in Canada, cool if you own one :)
Cons:
Hard to get the Belt Buckle version here in Canada.
Not sure about legalities actually wearing the belt buckle in Canada?
Comments:
I already thought the standard ROHM Little Joe Blank firing mini revolver was a really cool gun, to actually find one that fits into a belt buckle is even cooler! I wish we had these for sale in our Canada Replica Airguns Store but it's probably best we don't since I know some people will decide to wear theirs which is bad news since it's only a matter of time before a call is made and a lot of explaining is in order... The good news is we do sell the none belt buckle version of the Little Joe .22 Caliber (6mm Flobert) Mini Revolver in our Canada Replica Airgun Store along with many other ROHM German quality blank pistols so check them out for sure!
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the ROHM Little Joe Belt Buckle 6mm Flobert Blank Revolver: