I was personally confused about some of the similarities and differences between several models of KJWorks Beretta M9 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistols, so I decided to make a video where I go over 4 models of KJWorks M9 Pistols and point out the commonalities and differences between them.
Here are the 4 versions of KJWorks Beretta M9 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistols:
All of them come with interchangeable 25 round CO2 Magazines.
All of them shoot around 360+ fps.
All have a metal slide and frame.
All weigh close to the same weight (2.1 - 2.4 pounds).
All shoot in single and double action.
All have ambidextrous safeties.
All have white dot sights.
Prices range from $184 -$200.
Here is a list of the differences between them:
The VE, Vertex and M9A1 come in a semi gloss finish while the Tactical is more of a matt black.
The VE and M9A1 have rails for accessory attachments while the Vertex and Tactical do not.
The Vertec, Tactical and M9A1 have laniard loops while the VE does not.
Some slight trigger guard differences between the models but very subtle.
The Vertex and M9A1 share the same style classic Beretta pistol grip, The Tactical has a tactical finger pistol grip and the VE has it’s own unique pistol grip.
Make sure to watch my Vimeo video where I cover this information in detail:
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:
This Vimeo Video Preview covers three really nice CO2 Pistols recently added to our Replica Airguns Canada Store. One is a pellet pistol from Gletcher called the Gletcher NGT R which is for the most part the same as the standard 4.5mm Steel shooting NGT but the R model is made to shoot .177 caliber pellets so it also has a rifled barrel. I am expecting pretty decent accuracy with this pistol!
Last but perhaps the best or at least most anticipated gun I am showing off today is the Umarex S&W M&P40 Full Blowback CO2 BB Pistol. This is a really nice acurate replica of the real steal S&W M&P40 with full licensing and pretty much every part operational like it would be on the .40 caliber version.
Here are some basic Specifications for all of these fine Co2 Airguns...
Action: Semi and full auto blowback, single and double action.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 18 rounds.
FPS: 310.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Beretta Mod. 92 A1 BB Pistol is like what you would expect from a real Beretta 92 A1, it offers both single and double action but most of the time you will be shooting in single action since the blowback cocks the hammer after each shot. Single action has a little bit of take-up but has a predictable release that is not overly light or heavy. Double action shots are longer and heavier which is as expected.
Accuracy: I have not shot this "version" of the Umarex Beretta Mod. 92 A1 but it will undoubtedly perform very similar to the many other full blowback CO2 pistols I have tested like the KWC and Cybgergun M92's, 1911's and Sigs. I did notice the slide spring on the Umarex Beretta Mod. 92 A1 CO2 Blowback 4.5mm BB Pistol to be very firm so I am expecting it to have pretty good blowback action. One other consideration is this CO2 airguns offers both semi and full auto shooting options but with the heavy blowback, don't expect much accuracy when shooting in full auto mode :)
Build Quality: Very good, with almost all metal construction, good weight and craftsmanship. Don't quote me on this but I have a feeling the Umarex Beretta Mod. 92 A1 CO2 Blowback 4.5mm BB Pistol may be made by KWC, if this is the case then we know to expect the same quality as we have found with other KWC full blowback airguns which is pretty good overall. There may be some wear in the high spots of the finish over time but I kind of like this since it gives the gun a more realistic look.
Realism: This is by far the closest Beretta Model 92 out there, even the magazine butt plate looks the part, the safety is true to form and it is full licensed and trademarked throughout the gun via Umarex. I'm not sure if the real steal Umarex ever offered full auto or not but we can look past this for the sake of how much fun it is going to be shooting in full auto! The only negative aspect in terms of realism is the white warning writing on the left side of the slide.
Your choice of shooting in either semi auto or full auto mode.
Really nice replica of the original Beretta 92 A1.
Great weight and feel to it.
All metal design, fit and finish is very good.
Strong slide spring so it should have heavy blowback action.
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 Beretta 92 A1.
Fully Beretta licensed.
Cons:
Will probably eat CO2 especially in full auto mode.
Non-adjustable sights.
Ugly white warning instruction on the slide.
Comments:
I know the KWC M92 and Cybergun GSG 92 have been out for a while and the Umarex Beretta Mod. 92 A1 CO2 Blowback 4.5mm BB Pistol is along the same lines, but I do like that it is a true Beretta Replica rather than the Taurus copy. I like that Umarex went the extra mile and made the magazine look the part with a much shorter butt plate and adding semi and full auto right out of the box with a dedicated selector switch is pretty cool too. I am really looking forward to testing this gun out and seeing how the blowback action combined with the full auto ability is going to recoil, I have a feeling it's going to kick like a mule!
My Vimeo Videos for the Umarex Beretta Mod. 92 A1 CO2 Blowback 4.5mm BB Pistol:
Type: Pellet Rifle. Manufacturer: Sig Sauer ASP Model: Sig Sauer MPX ASP Materials: Metal and Nylon Fiber build. Weight: 7 Pounds (3300 Grams). Barrel: 8 inch steelrifled. Propulsion: 88 or 90 Gram CO2. Action: Semi Auto,double action only. Ammunition Type: .177 caliber pellets. Ammunition Capacity: 30 rounds belt fed. FPS: Up to 600 fps (When shot by a Unicorn)
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Sig Sauer MPX ASP .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle is actually pretty decent when you consider the first part of the trigger pull is used to advance the belt fed 30 round magazine. One would think that there would be a lot of added friction from the belt but this does not seem to be the case. There is some internal blowback action going on but it is only used to cock the internal hammer/striker which does lesson the overall amount of trigger pull required. The trigger pull is shorter than expected with all that is going on and it's not overly heavy so quick and predictable action shooting is very possible with the Sig Sauer MPX ASP .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle.
Accuracy: So far I have not done my official Field Test Shooting Video for the MPX ASP .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle but I did have the chance to get out and shoot some rounds down range at my Sig provided Quad Shooting Gallery that I had setup about 35-40 feet away. Even though I did not have my red dot all perfectly sighted in I was still able to hit the smallish metal targets fairly well using the Sig Sauer MPX ASP. In terms of velocity you can expect from the Sig Sauer MPX ASP .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle, 600 fps is a bit optimistic. Sig did send me a real world fps performance spread sheet they had conducted using both 5.25 grain alloy pellets and 8.18 grain lead pellets shooting 8 rounds and averaging out the fps. The 5.25 grain pellets averaged in at just over 500 fps while the heavier 8.18 grain pellets came in with an average of just under 450 fps. Pretty much what I would expect from a shorter barreled CO2 rifle.
Build Quality: The build quality for Sig Sauer MPX ASP .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle is excellent, you can tell Sig Sauer had a lot of hands on in the design and production of this Pellet Shooting Air Rifle! The materials used and fit and finish are top notch and the mechanical function again is really good, I am kind of amazed at how well their belt fed rotary magazine design works in terms of feeding and operation. So far I have not experienced any pellet feeding problems at all using both lead and alloy flathead pellets.
Realism: The Sig Sauer MPX ASP .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle is for the most part designed to be used as a side by side optional training aid for the real steel Sig Sauer MPX Rifle. Sig wanted the pellet version to look and feel as close as posable and Sig has done a good job with this. Other than the lessor recoil and noise factor, the Sig Sauer MPX ASP .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle works and shoots much the same as a real steel Sig Sauer MPX Rifle.
Pros:
Has to be the best semi auto pellet rifle replica I have seen and shot to date.
Near perfect replica of the real steel Sig Sauer MPX including licensing and trademarks.
Awesome build quality, lots of metal parts and the nylon parts are true to form and very solid.
Rifle has been tested to shoot over 15,000 rounds reliably.
30 round full size belt fed magazine has super high capacity and works flawlessly.
Decent fps performance, about what I would expect from a multi-shot CO2pellet shooter and totally usable.
Trigger feels really good, not too long or to heavy and very consistent feel on every shot.
Fully adjustable pop up front and rear sights.
Lots of rails for your pick of sight options and other add on accessories.
Very accurate with it’s 8 inch rifled barrel.
Cons:
Rear stock is none adjustable so the gun may feel kind of cramped for larger shooters.
Internal blowback action does not advance the belt fed magazine but does cock the internal hammer.
FPS claim of 600 fps seems a bit optimistic compared to real world testing.
Comments:
I have been waiting to get my hands on the Sig Sauer MPX ASP .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle for some time now and the wait has been worth it for sure. There are really no other guns out there right now other than perhaps the Umarex CX4 Storm that compare to the Sig Sauer MPX ASP .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle and even so I feel the Sig Sauer MPX is by far the better of the two CO2 Air Rifles. OK so the MPX does not really come close to hitting 600 fps but did you really believe that in the first place? Still consistent 450 fps from a decent grain lead pellet is about what you would expect from a short barreled CO2 rifle. If you do want more fps then look at the MCX with over double the barrel length of the MPX, this will easily get you an additional 100+fps for those of you who thrive on velocity performance. I am fine with 450-500 fps since this is all that is needed to accuracy shoot and nock over most targets at a variety of ranges.
My Vimeo Table Top Review of the Sig Sauer MPX ASP .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle:
Materials: Mostly plastic with some metal construction.
Weight: 1.3 pounds (586 grams).
Barrel: 5.5 inches, non-rifled.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.
Action: Revolver, single & double actions.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 10 rounds.
FPS: 375.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver is actually rather nice. If you decide to cock the hammer back and shoot it single action style then you get a little bit of that SAA Revolver like ratcheting sound. The trigger pull in single action mode is short with virtually no take-up and on the light side. Double action shooting with the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver is not overly long or heavy either so action shooting is totally possible with this BB shooting CO2 revolver.
Accuracy: I can not comment so far on the shooting performance for the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolversince I have not shot it yet. The weather is getting nicer outside so that should happen pretty soon. The claimed FPS for the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver is stated at only 375 which I find seems a bit low for a none blowback fairly straight forward BB pistol with an almost 6 inch barrel so hopefully my testing shows performance up into the 400's which I am hoping for. The open sights are non adjustable but there are tons more options by taking advantage of the two rails top and bottom for adding either a red dot or laser to increased target shooting ability.
Build Quality: The Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver is pretty much an all metal pistol with the outer shell being made up of plastic, there is a fair bit of internal metal going on along with the trigger, hammer and of course the inner barrel made out of metal parts. Mechanically the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver feels solid and even though it only weight in at 1.3 pounds it feels much heavier in the hand.
Realism: The Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver as far as I know is not an exact replica of any real steal gun currently in production. It's basically a spin off of an ultra tactical .44 magnum revolver with a super beefed up front barrel assembly sporting all kinds of accessory option to be placed on the top and bottom rails. I like that Umarex made sure to recess the barrel opening so it has a more realistic barrel size. Like many new CO2 airguns coming out these days the CO2 is not only well hidden inside the grips but a handy Allen key is built into the handle.
Not the heaviest revolver on the market but it feels really nice in the hand and has good balance, the weight is not bad at all and feels heavier than 1.3 pounds.
Trigger action is really good in both single and double action, short light single action trigger and totally usable double action trigger.
CO2 is well hidden with built in Alan key in the handle.
Rails top and bottom for all kinds of accessory add on options.
Barrel is recessed for that larger caliber look.
Nice and discreet safety.
Comes with three 10 shot easy to load rotary magazines.
Low cost with high fun factor.
Cons:
Grips are a bit hard to remove to get at the CO2, may work-in over time?
All black sights are not great on dark backgrounds and are non adjustable.
Would have liked to see fps into the 400 range.
Comments:
The Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver when I first picked it up did not appeal to me all that much, maybe knowing it was for the most part yet another mostly plastic BB revolver with those thin pop in disc magazines didn't help me take notice much. But as I have been playing around with the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver it has grown on me a lot. I think it has a really cool look that is also very usable in terms of putting juts about any accessory you want on this CO2 revolver. The hammer and trigger action are also both excellent for not juts an inexpensive Airgun but even a higher end airgun. And right out of the box, or should I say clam-shell plastic wrap, you get three rotary disc magazines which is a nice bonus.
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver:
Action: Semi auto, single action only with blowback.
Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 16 round full size drop out magazine.
FPS: 370.
Trigger Pull: The Single Action Only trigger pull on the Umarex Elite Force Blowback CO2 Airsoft Race Gun is what you want when looking for a gun made specifically for IPSC styled shooting. The trigger is nice and light with a very short take up and crisp release. Exactly what you would be looking for when wanting to shoot accurately and quickly as in with IPSC competition shooting!
Accuracy: I have not done a field test or shooting video for the Umarex Elite Force Blowback CO2 Airsoft Race Gun so far, I am just waiting for the weather to get a little bit better but that should be soon! I woudl expect this pistol to get close to 400 fps on a warm day and pretty decent shots pre CO2 with its shorter blowback action and magazine design that seals the Airsoft BB in the breach. We will have to wait and see ot be sure...
Build Quality: The Umarex Elite Force Blowback CO2 Airsoft Race Gun is well built, it's pretty much entirely metal except for the grips and part of the full size magazine. It weighs in at a hefty 2.5 pounds so be prepared for a relatively heavy pistol but with good balance that will offset the weight of it. The tolerances are very good with very little slide wiggle the slide spring is nice and firm and the slide catch release seems to function really well, I like that the slide racking handle can be switched to either side of the gun depending on your shooting preference.
Realism: The Umarex Elite Force Blowback CO2 Airsoft Race Gun is not based on any one gun that I am aware of but overall looks the part of a real gun with all the working parts and features of a semi auto pistol of this type. You will find a full size drop out magazine is sprung to eject with force when you press the magazine release which is great for IPSC shooting. The slide catch/release will also lock the slide back on the last shot and with rails top and bottom you have several options for adding accessories.
All metal construction - good weight and very solid feeling gun.
Heavy snappy blowback action, good recoil spring tension.
Fit and finish is really nice.
Well balanced, so even with heavy blowback the gun should stay on target.
Really light, short and smooth single action trigger, for quick follow up shots.
Can take the sight rail off and install one of the two included adjustable open sight options.
Expect it to get a decent amount of shots per CO2 because of the limited blowback action and magazine design.
Would make a nice IPSC trainer.
Cons:
Comes with a red tip but may be able to take it off.
Not sure about the hop-up setup, believe it has hop-up but no way to adjust it that I could find.
Has that white waring instruction labeling on the slide, at least it is in very small print.
Comments:
Overall the Umarex Elite Force Blowback CO2 Airsoft Race Gun is a really nice competition shooting pistol and I am looking forward to getting some shooting time in with it to see if it performs as good as I believe it will. I am also hoping with it's slightly shorter blowback action and magazine design that not only will it get good fps but also a reasonable amount of shots per CO2. At this point I am not sure if am going to put a Red Dot on the sight rail or take the sight rail off and go with open metal sights, either way I pretty sure to expect fast and accurate shooting with this IPSC inspired Race Gun.
My Vimeo Video Review for the Umarex Elite Force Blowback CO2 Airsoft Race Gun:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Colt M45 CQBP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol is like the original 1911 semi auto pistol a single action only trigger. That said the Colt M45 CQBP SAO trigger is notably longer than a true 1911 trigger would be but still pretty decent overall. There is a fair bit of take up but once you get to the release point the trigger weight is about a medium pull and should allow for pretty fast action shooting with not too much finger fatigue.
Accuracy: I have not shot this "version" of the Umarex Colt M45 CQBP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol but I have high expectations that it will get much better fps and CO2 efficiency than the similar looking KWC versions out there. 400 fps for a blowback is pretty good and if it can get about 5-6 magazines worth of shots that would be close to double of what a KWC 1911 blowback gets! In terms of accuracy only time will tell when the weather perk sup here a bit and I can get outside and make some shooting videos...
Build Quality: I am very impressed with the build quality for the Umarex Colt M45 CQBP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol. In many ways it may even be better than the KWC 1911's as it seems to have a much more durable finish and the mechanical parts fit together very snug with virtually no slide wiggle at all. This little rather inexpensive 1911 blowback BB pistol should last you a long time and perform well doing it.
Realism: Up to now I have been almost preferring the Umarex Colt M45 CQBP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol over the KWC Blowback 1911 series but when it comes to realism the tables turn a little bit in favor of the KWC 1911 version. On first look it is hard to tell them both apart so yes they both look and feel very much like real steel 1911 pistols. Once you get into some more of the mechanical aspects the Umarex Colt M45 CQBP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol does make some compromises choosing to take away a little bit of the realism in favor of increasing performance. These area are the range of motion of the blowback action. On the Umarex Colt M45 CQBP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol the slide range is a bit shorter which will save on CO2 usage and the magazine is a stick mag setup which again allows for a more enclosed system again taking advantage of all the CO2 being used. Most of the mechanical parts work as you would expect them to on a real 1911 with the exception of the grip safety. The barrel is even nicely recessed ti make the barrel opening look like a real 45 auto. Lastly the trigger even though it is a true SAO trigger does extend out from the gun a lot more than a true 1911 trigger would.
Build quality and finish seem really good, excellent tolerances.
Nice snappy blowback action with a pretty heavy recoil spring.
Overall Accurate 1911 tactical styled replica in most ways.
Does have a single action only trigger, but is longer than most.
Fully Colt Licensed.
Like the white dot sights, machined hammer, ambidextrous safety and accessory rail.
Cool that the Alan key is built into the handle.
Has a believable recessed barrel.
Finished coating seems to be more durable than the actual KWC versions.
Warning instructions are color matched and not so intrusive.
Cons:
Trigger action is notably longer than a real 1911 trigger but is single action only.
No working grip safety.
Not easily field strippable.
Does not have a full size drop out metal magazine but rather a metal stick mag.
Comments:
I can never seem to get enough of the Blowback 1911 BB pistols when I have the opportunity to review them. Most of them have been just different reskinned, rebranded and redistributed version of the original KWC 1911 so it was kind of nice to get the Umarex Colt M45 CQBP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol since it offers that 1911 look with blowback action and from the looks of things it should have improved performance in the shooting department. If you have been after a Blowback 1911 BB pistol but wanted one with some more power and that you can get a decent amount of shots out of a single CO2 then the Umarex Colt M45 CQBP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol may be just what you are looking for.
My Vimeo Videos for the Umarex Colt M45 CQBP Blowback CO2 BB Pistol:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher GOLD APS Stetchkin is nice in both double and single action modes. Double action is fairly light as the hammer spring tension is moderate. The blowback operation will of course pre-cock the hammer allowing for single action shooting on almost all of your shots but the trigger pull length remains the same in both single and double action. The only difference is that in single action mode, the first part of the trigger pull, or should I say the take-up portion is much lighter until it gets to the hammer release point where you will notice more pressure and a short crisp release point.
Accuracy: I have already done a field test shooting review for the standard blowback Gletcher APS Stechkin which other than the finish is the same gun and will perform exactly the same. Make sure to checkout that shooting review for more info on how the Gletcher APS performed. In summary, I was able to get very close to the claimed 400 fps even on a rather cool early spring day (under 10 degree Celsius). I also shot with around a 2 inch 10 shot grouping from my standard target setup of 30 feet back in a semi rested position.
Build Quality: The Gletcher GOLD APS Stechkin CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is well made, the Gold and black etched finish looks really nice but may not be to everyones personal taste, kind of a love it or hate situation when it comes ot Gold guns ;) The fit is good, not a lot of slide wiggle and pretty much the entire pistol is metal including the frame, slide, trigger, slide catch-release, safety, hammer, magazine and inner barrel. The only plastic parts would be the grips, outer barrel and some internal seals and o-rings.
Realism:The GOLD CO2 BB Gletcher APS is a 1 to 1 replica of the Stechkin Soviet Military sidearm, all the mechanical parts function just like you would find on the real steel version other than the full auto mode located on the safety, which has been disabled, perhaps for the European markets where full auto airguns are not allowed. The barrel opening and the stick magazine are the real only tell-tale signs that this is the airgun version rather than a real Stechkin.
Pros:
Come in a nice Velvet lined Wooden Box.
Gold Plated with etching )either love it or hate it)
Very solid and weighty gun. Mostly all metal.
High capacity 22 round all metal stick magazine
Blowback operation is pretty heavy, slide locks back on last round.
Operational parts all work like they should (slide catch, safety, hammer, elevation adjustment, mag release)
Field Strippable.
May be able to attach a stock on it?
Shooting performance, good trigger pull, around 400 fps and got about a 2 inch grouping from 30 feet away.
Cons:
No reassessed barrel opening.
Would have liked to have seen full size drop out metal magazine on this gun.
Full auto feature disabled on safety.
Gold version is a lot more expensive than the standard blowback version. ($349 versus $179)
Comments:
When I saw this pistol in the Gletcher catalog, I did not realize how large it actually was, I was expecting the Gold Gletcher APS Stechkin to be a bit larger than the Makarov but it really does dwarf the Makarov. Being that it is a large pistol it does have some weight to it but it does not feel heavy for its size. The grips are long front to back but not overly thick side to side so even medium sized hands should be OK shooting this BB air pistol. I am really happy to see another historic airgun added to the available Replica Airguns at our disposal and it's a bonus that we also get this one with blowback operation. You do have your choice when it comes to what you are looking for in terms of finish and operation, there is of course the APS GOLD blowback BB Version being reviewed in this video, the standard black/grey none blowback APS BB version, the black/grey blowback APS BB version which again is mechanically exactly the same as the GOLD. If your prefer Airsfot you can even find a Gletcher APS Blowback Airsoft model to fit your needs. All you have to decide is which one is for you!
My Vimeo Table Top Video of the Gletcher APS Stechkin CO2 Blowback BB Pistol:
I try and make it to my local gun show which is held in Chilliwack BC about this time each year. It is put on by the Historical Arms Collectors Society of BC and there are generally a lot of used long guns (rifles) some pistols, lots of accessories, knives, hunting gear, knick·knacks and even some antique items. I tend to be looking for airguns or blank guns that are rare or a good deal.
This year I came across a few items that caught my eye. The first item was a Daisy replica 4.5mm BB pistol, I am not a big fan of Daisy replica gun in general as they are usually a far cry from the originals but this Daisy Powerline Model 400 was actually a really good copy of a Desert Eagle in size and looks. Sure it had a lot of plastic in it but it was made in Japan and even being around 20 years olds was holding up really well. This Daisy Powerline 400 even had Blowback which back then was not all that common.
The Daisy Powerline 400 BB Desert Eagle has a 20 round removable magazine that fits along the top of the barrel and it has a claimed fps. It is almost all high grade plastic with the exception of the single action only trigger, safety, hammer, barrel and several internal parts.
The next interesting item I found was a little compact 8mm blank shooter originally made in West Germany. So this blank gun is close to 30 years old. The SM Model 110 8mm Blank Pistol kind of reminds me of my EKOL Tuna in terms of size and functionality since both have the same half slide and magazine release system.
The SM Mod 110 8mm Blank Pistol is front venting and pretty much all metal with reinforced steel areas, it has a 5 round single stack magazine and shoots in single action only.
My last purchase for this show was a new item, here in Canada we generally are not allowed much in the way of items specifically labeled for self defense. There are some work arounds for instance we can carry a knife as long as it is not concealed entirely and we only intend to use it as a tool. We can also carry pepper spray again only for use on animals. Generally speaking we have not been allowed stun guns or tasers here in Canada and even importing them can land you in a lot of trouble! Again it seems a work around has been made, as long as the Stun Gun or Taser is at least 480mm in length then it is not considered a concealable weapon and as long as you have it out on display and only intend to use it on animals that may be a threat to you then all is good :)
The Stun Gun I purchased is basically a baton with a flashlight on the front and a 1 million volt taser on the front of it. You have several options with this device if harm is eminent. You can try blinding the threat with the built in flashlight which is not all that powerful but good for finding your way in dark areas, you can give the attacker a whack with the baton baseball bat style and if none of that is working well let em have the 1 million volt sandwich! We should be getting some of these Stun Baton Flashlights in our Canada Replica Airguns Store at some point so stay posted for that item.
Type: BB air pistol. Manufacturer: Umarex - KWC. Model: Colt Combat Vet Limited Edition 1911. Materials: Pretty much all metal build. Weight: 2 pounds. Barrel: 4.38 inchesBrass, non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x1. Action: Semi auto blowback, single action only. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 18-19 rounds. FPS: 320.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Colt Combat Vet Limited Edition 1911 is like all the other KWC made CO2 full blowback 1911's, it's exactly what you would expect from a real 1911 single action only pistol which helps to make this replica 1911 a great trainer. So in other words the trigger pull is super short, super light with very little take-up and a nice crisp break.
Accuracy: I have not shot this "version" of the Umarex - KWC 4.5mm BB 1911 but it will undoubtedly perform exactly like all the others. I can expect decent under 2 inch groupings from 30 feet out and will get a little over 300 fps on a full CO2 cartridges. Depending on how fast I shoot off my magazines, I should expect to get around 3 good mags and if I slow things down a bit I should get a forth magazine so anywhere from 50-70 good or so shots per CO2 out of the Umarex Colt Combat Vet Limited Edition 1911.
Build Quality: Very good, with almost all metal construction, good weight and craftsmanship, the KWC 1911 line of pistols have proven themselves over time and even though some of the original first run units had some CO2 valve issues, this seems to have been fixed over the years. You will find most of these KWC pistols in general have a rather thin coating for a finish and so they tend to wear a bit on the high spots but with this weathered Umarex Colt Combat Vet Limited Edition 1911 that really isn't a concern!
Realism: This is as close as you can come to the look, weight, feel, and action of the real 1911 in virtually almost every way including the ability to field strip this pistol! All the mechanical parts work just like they do on a real steel 1911 including the grip safety. I'm not sure what more you could ask for? The Umarex Colt Combat Vet Limited Edition 1911 even has that real gun wear and tear look to it which in my opinion even adds to the realism.
Extremely realistic airgun replica of an original Colt 1911 A1 styled 45 auto.
All metal construction - Good weight and solid feeling gun.
Would make an excellent training gun as it functions just like the real steel 1911 45 handgun.
Blowback action is very firm adding to the realism of shooting this weapon.
Field strips just like the real 1911 45 auto.
True 1911 Single action only trigger, excellent pull, very smooth and light.
Working grip safety.
Colt Licensed by Umarex
Weathering gives this pistol a very authentic look to it.
Warning instructions are nicely out of the way.
Cons:
It goes through CO2 very fast as do all the KWC full blowback pistols.
Sights are non-adjustable.
Umarex decided to label the safety, perhaps for legal reasons but it detracts from the finish.
Comments:
You would think by now I would be getting tired of reviewing yet another variation of the KWC made 1911? Nope! The Umarex Colt Combat Vet Limited Edition 1911 with it's Umarex Colt licensed and Weathered appearance adds just enough to respark my interest in these awesome CO2 Blowback 1911 replicas and every time I pick one up I get a little excited and want to go out and shoot some rounds through one :) If for some reason you have not picked up one of these 1911's to date then make sure to grab the Umarex Colt Combat Vet Limited Edition 1911 before they are all gone!
My Vimeo Videos for the Umarex Colt Combat Vet Limited Edition 1911 BB Pistol:
Trigger Pull: The ASG Dan Wesson 357 Revolver has a smoother trigger than the previous non 715 Dan Wesson Revolvers. There seems to be less of that friction while the cylinder rotates past the spring engaged inner barrel. Even the Hammer has a nicer fell to it with less side to side wiggle. Single action is really nice with a very short take up and light release point.
Accuracy: I have not had a chance to test out the ASG Dan Wesson 715 6 Inch Silver CO2 BB Revolver so far since the outside whether has been rather cold and wet. In terms of accuracy I would expect at least a 1-2 inch grouping from 30 feet out and the clamed fps of 430 seems to be in line with what we should see from the 4.5mm BB shooting Dan Wesson 715. I guess we will have to find out later on when I do my Field Test Shooting video to be sure...
Build Quality: I thought the previous generation Dan Wesson Revolvers where built really nice but the new Dan Wesson 715 takes this up several notches higher. All you need to do is pick this gun up and immediately you are in a state of wow! You almost need to ask yourself if it is in fact the Real Steal Dan Wesson 715 357 Magnum Revolver it feels that good. ASG has beefed up the barrel assembly to a solid component that adds a lot of forward weight which would be just like what you would expect from the 357 Magnum shooting version. To balance it all off the forward weight, the grips section is also reinforced with metal underneath the Hogue Styled rubber finger grips which again are another huge improvement over the plastic pistol grips found on previous models of the ASG Dan Wesson's. The stainless finish is of course awesome and this guns simply looks and feels great!
Realism: Again referencing the new ASG Dan Wesson 715 6 Inch Silver CO2 BB Revolver to it's predecessors, the Dan Wesson 715 is a true replica of the Dan Wesson 715 357 Magnum Revolver in almost every aspect and not just the Dan Wesson name. I could tell you everything that was the same but it's simply much easier to point out the only real difference I was able to point out and that would be the two pins that connect the barrel assembly to the frame of the BB version of the Dan Wesson 715. Not a deal breaker by any means and the pins really don't take away from this gun in my opinion.
Another great shell loading revolver, perhaps one of the nicest modern BB revolvers to date!
Almost all metal design, super heavy, feels like a real gun in the hand.
Lots of detail in this gun, very well made, fit and finish is excellent.
Dan Wesson Licensed and an excellent replica overall.
Adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Rubber Hogue style finger grips, huge improvement over previous Dan Wesson grips.
Well hidden CO2 screw and Allen key built into the removable grip.
Much improved hammer and trigger action, smoother trigger and less wiggle in hammer.
Barrel opening is very realistic, even has simulated rifling.
Safety design is well hidden and easy to use.
Cons:
Two pins to attach the barrel assembly to the frame are not in line with the real steel version.
Trigger still has a bit of that initial friction in double action mode because of the spring loaded internal barrel.
Comments:
I was already a big fan of the Dan Wesson line of Revolvers, this new 715 version of the Dan Wesson takes it to a whole new level! In terms of the modern shell loading CO2 Revolvers out there the ASG Dan Wesson 715 6 Inch Silver CO2 BB Revolver is by far my new favorite. ASG completely redesign their new ASG Dan Wesson 715 6 Inch Silver CO2 BB Revolver basing it entirely on the real steel version and capturing the quality, look and feel nearly exactly. if you already have a Dan Wesson Revolver and think that perhaps you can pass the new version by, well I would think again or you may be missing out on one of the best BB Revolvers out there at this time.
My Vimeo Video Table Top Review for the Dan Wesson 715 CO2 BB Revolver:
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's. or .177 cal. pellets.
Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.
FPS: (BB 410) (Pellet 380).
Trigger Pull: Trigger pull on the John Wayne Duke Colt SAA BB and Pellet Revolver is the best I have ever come across in an airgun. Being that these Single Action Army Revolvers are single action only, most of the work is done while you pre-cock the hammer. The trigger pull is under 2 pounds and has virtually no take up with a crisp release. I love the ratcheting sound as you pull back the hammer just like using a real SAA Revolver!
Accuracy: I have not yet tested these John Wayne Duke Colt SAA BB and Pellet Revolvers so far but expect the BB version to perform for the most part just like the Umarex only versions I tested previously. Here are my notes from my previous testing:
"I tested both 4.5mm steel BB's and 4.7mm Lead ball BB's in the Umarex Colt Single Action Army Shell Loading BB Revolver. With the Steel 4.5mm BB's I shot just under a 2 inch 6 shot grouping when shooting from a 30 foot distance using a semi rested position (Sand bag up front, standing in the back). The shots where pretty well center hitting the paper target just a little bit high, they did seem to stray a little more left and right rather then up and down. When I switch ammo to the 4.7mm Lead BB's I got a similar 2 inch grouping but they hit the target a bit lower and tended to shoot tighter from side to side with more variation up and down, perhaps because the lead BB's did not seem to shoot at a vary consistent velocity. My Chronograph testing for the Steel BB's was right around 400 fps while the Lead BB's being heavier shot a bit slower at just under 300 fps."
Build Quality: The John Wayne Duke Colt SAA BB and Pellet Revolvers have a mostly all metal construction other than the plastic grips and any seals. The fit and finish is excellent with a great overall weight in the hand. Whether you get the Nickel or Weathered version. The mechanical action of the hammer and trigger feels just like it would on a real single action army revolver.
Realism: In terms of replicating a real steel Colt Single Action Army Revolver, these guns are absolutely amazing replicas. It's really hard to tell the airgun version from the real steel version, except for the smaller in diameter shells and the discreet safety switch located under the frame. Even the barrel is nicely recessed and has some fake rifling twists in it to give the appearance of a large caliber round. The CO2 is well hidden with the Allen key built into the handle so no ugly CO2 screw tab hanging down.
Still the best airgun reproduction of the Single Action Army Revolver, a very accurate replica of the real steel old west version.
Recessed barrel has the look of a large caliber bullet.
Great weight and feel in the hand.
Shell loading design that loads from the back so no need to remove shells if you wish not to.
Hammer and trigger action is about perfect, no take-up, very crisp and super light (under 2 pounds).
Finish on both the Nickel and Blued is very nice.
Colt and John Wayne Duke licensing.
Very well concealed CO2 with built in Allen key.
Discreet safety location.
If you prefer pellets over steel BB, now you have the option.
Cons:
Still has the warming instruction on the right side of the barrel but not super obvious especially on the Nickel version.
Real version would shoot 45 caliber, dummy shells are actual closer to 357 so a bit smallish.
Wood grips to me look a little fake up close but the John Wayne emblem kind of makes up for it.
Comments:
Shell loading BB and Pellet revolvers have been out for a while now and have changed the way many of us feel about airgun revolvers. Airgun revolvers used to be kind of overlooked because they where not the most exciting replica airguns out there but now we have not only the new Dan Wesson 715 shell loading revolvers but also these Colt Single Action Revolvers with Colt and John Wayne Duke licensing on them available in both BB and pellet shooting versions! There is something special about these old cowboy day classic revolver that makes them so elegant and just a real work of art you can not only own and look at but also take out and shoot whenever the spirit moves you to do so!
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the John Wayne Duke Colt SAA BB and Pellet Revolver:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is pretty decent overall. Unlike the original 22LR ISSC M22 that is single action only, the BB version shoots on both single and double action. When shooting in double action, the trigger pull is a little bit heavier since the hammer is not pre-cocked but shooting in single action does require full trigger pull length since the first stage of the trigger pull chambers a BB into the breach area. The second stage when shooting in single action releases the hammer.
Accuracy: I have only shot the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol briefly, and only using a free standing position shooting at some pop cans. I did notice the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol shot a little bit low at 20 feet but was well centered side to side. The BB's seemed to travel pretty quick and the blowback action was snappy and allowed for some pretty decent rapid fire action. I will be following up this table top review with a field test shooting video down the road.
Build Quality: I was impressed with this pistol right out of the box, being an owner of the real steel 22LR version, I was actually rather surprised at how accurate of a reproduction in terms of build quality the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol was. The BB ISSC M22 has a good weight and feel to it and metal and plastic parts in pretty much all the same places you would find them in the 22LR shooting version. The plastic frame feels solid and well made while the metal slide has very close tolerances and the black satin finish looks good and seems to be wearing pretty well.
Realism: Again as an owner of the first generation real steel 22LR ISSC M22, and placing these guns side by side, they are nearly undistinguishable other than the changes Glock had ISSC make to the current versions so yes there are some cosmetic differences between my first generation M22 and the current version of this replica BB ISSC M22. That aside if you are an owner of the 22LR ISSC M22, then you are going to have to have one of these Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol to go along with it for even cheaper cost per shot then 22LR ammo. In terms of working parts, everything is the same except for the de-cocker since the BB model de-cocker is moulded into the slide and none functioning. I wish the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol was easily filed stripable but I guess you can not have everything :)
Pros:
Really great overall replace of the 22LR ISSC M22.
Metal and plastic parts in all the same places as the 22LR ISSC M22.
Full blowback operation with single action trigger.
Full size drop put metal magazine that holds the CO2 and BB’s
Almost all mechanical parts work the same as the 22LR ISSC M22. (exception of slide safety)
ISSC m22 licensed.
Adjustable rear sigh for windage.
Accessory rail for addons.
One of the closest 4.5mm Steel BB pistols to a Glock that we have available to us.
Cons:
Does not seem to field strip at least easily.
Slide safety is module into slide and none functioning.
Comments:
All in all this may just be my new favorite blowback BB pistol, I obviously like the design since I already own the 22LR version and it does look a lot like a Glock so that may be a benefit to you Glock lovers out there. The Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol really does seem to have a lot going for it... Blowback operation, a full size drop out metal magazine that holds the CO2 and BB's, decent fps and accuracy, an adjustable rear sight, working parts where they are supposed to work on the real steel version and that Glock look and feel but without the worries of Glock coming after you for violations of their copywrite since this is a licensed ISSC M22 replica.
My Vimeo Video Review for the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol:
Can I use Airsoft BB's in my BB Pistol? I would have to say this is by far the number one question I get asked in the comments section of my Vimeo videos. I have made several videos where this question gets addressed within the video but so far to date I have not made a stand alone video just covering Airsoft BB use in BB Guns.
So here it is, and now I have a video I can link to this so very common question, if you where wondering about this yourself than please watch my YouTube Video on this topic as it goes into a fair amount of detail about it.
The short answer to this question is no, you can not use 6mm Airsoft BB's in a 4.5mm Steel BB Pistol or Rifle. For the simple reason that 6mm is larger than 4.5mm and so the physical diameter of a6mm Plastic Airsoft BB is just to large to fit inside of a 4.5mm Steel BB magazine or barrel.
People have commented about using a 4.5mm plastic Airsoft BB in a 4.5mm BB gun and yes this could in theory be an option but I discuss why I feel this is not a good idea based on size and mass.
In this video I feature my top five favorite BB pistols for early 2016. That said there are lots of other BB pistols I truly love and enjoy but I had to pick 5 so these are them! You may notice that many of them are blowback, I do like the blowback guns after all and this is my top 5 pick so naturally many of them will have blowback action.
Here is a list of my top 5 guns featured in this video not necessarily in order of choice:
With the popularity of the KWC - Cybergun 1911 Blowback CO2 Pistols and how super realistic they are in so many ways, it is no surprise that people often ask me if they can replace the original grips with grips made for a real 1911.
The short answer is yes you can! You will have to be prepared to remove just a little bit of material from the backside of both grips near the bottom of the handle where there is an area that has been flared out to accommodate the CO2. Not really a big deal, you can use a Dremel for the quick and easy approach or even some sand paper if you don't mind taking a little more time.
I'm getting close to uploading 600 videos now over on the Replica Airguns Vimeo channel, so there are bound to be a lot of similar questions and popular discussions. In this Replica Airguns Vimeo Video I address what I feel are my Top 10 Most Common Airgun Questions and Discussions.
Whether you like it or not, most of us have come across an Airgun with an ugly orange tip on it at some point. In most cases you will find the intrusive orange or red tips on Airsoft guns that shoot plastic BB's, in some cases you will even find them on Airguns that shoot either lead pellets and/or steel BB's.
It really comes down to where you live as to what your local gun laws have determined is required for your area. You may even live in a region where Airguns and Airsoft guns are not allowed at all! So for you a red or orange tip on the front would be welcome if it would allow you to own an Airgun or Airsoft gun. What about the entire gun being painted a bright color, well that is the case for some folks so again having a red or orange tips may not be as bad as it originally seemed...
In Canada where I live, we used to only be allowed Airsoft guns that had clear sections as our replica gun laws are very strict and all black Airsoft guns would have fallen iinto the "replica" category if they did not have large clear plastic see-through sections on them. This clear section law was revised somewhat over the last several years to allow for all black Airsoft guns here in Canada. It was determined that many Airsoft guns with higher fps limits could cause a serious injury to a human, making them less of a toy in the eyes of the law and more of a weapon. Because of this, Airsoft guns that are capable of shooting a .20 gram plastic BB at a velocity of 360 fps or "higher" are now considered to be similar in the eyes of the law to a regular steel BB or lead pellet shooting Airgun. In Canada, Pellet and Steel BB guns are actually considered firearms of a sort so this allows the higher fps Airsoft guns to be all black since it can not be a replica of a firearm if it is in fact considered to be a firearm by law.
The long and short of all of this is that here in Canada we do not require our Airsoft guns to have orange or red tips since they are considered more or less to be just like any other Airgun and our Airguns do not have red or orange tips either.
Getting back to the title of this article "No Orange Tip On Your Airsoft Gun! Are You Insane?" I often get folks from the US giving me heck for removing the orange tips from my Airsoft guns or asking me why my Airsoft guns don't have them in the first place. These people even state that I could get in a lot of trouble for this! Perhaps they think I live in the US or that US laws govern Canada as well? I am not sure but I can say for the record that I am not breaking any laws at least here in Canada where I live.
I know in the US that wholesalers and retailers by law have to sell Airsoft guns with the affixed orange tips on them, once the end user receives that gun and depending on which state they live in, it may or may not be legal to remove the orange tip. Again, you will need to look into your local state laws as they are different from state to state in the US.
In this Video Review I show you around the G&G CM16 Raider and Carbine AEG Airsoft Rifle's. Since these AEG Airsoft AR Rifles are a bit large to showcase using my traditional Table Top location I move into my gym and take each gun out of its box to have a good look at them. I talk about some of the main features and specification. The main features being these G&G CM16 AR15 / M16 AEG Airsoft Rifles are all really well priced but also very well made for their rather low overall cost. They do have a primarily all Nylon Fiber build even in the receivers but they still have a nice 4.6 to 5.7 pound weight to them, and once dressed up with a few accessories they come in at a perfect weight that is not too heavy to carry around in just about any game situation. The Nylon material in some way is a better choice in terms of getting scratched and dinged since they will not mark up as easily as painted metals will.
