I was a bit surprised by the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol, it actually shot a lot better than I was expecting it to perform. I did have to aim rather low since the Umarex DX-17 BB Pistol likes to shoot on the high side but if you are shooting at closer in ranges then you won't have to adjust your aim point so high.
Getting into my performance testing for the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol, I placed 5 shots through my Chrony Chronograph and averaged 210 fps which again was very close to the Umarex claimed 200 fps, even a little bit higher! he DX-17 is a single shot repeater but because of the BB reservoir you can quickly reload follow up shots by simply point the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol a little upward while pulling the slide back and pushing it forward to active the spring piston and load a BB at the same time.
As I mentioned the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol shot on the high side, at 30 feet it's a good 8-9 inches high but I have a feeling that this is about as high as the BB's will rise since they are not going that fast and gravity will start bringing them back down. At about 10-15 feet out from a target the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol seemed to shoot about 3-4 inches high so not nearly as bad and this can be adjusted pretty easy by simply aiming a bit under the target you are shooting at. In terms of a 10 shot grouping theUmarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol got about a 4 inch grouping which I have to say kind of surprised me as I was expecting a much larger spread.
So for about $20 you kind of get what you pay for but I really think with the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol you perhaps get a little more! It has a really good trigger, seemed to be built pretty tuff, shot exactly right on the claimed fps mark and was even able to keep a reasonable grouping. And to keep costs down even more you never need to buy CO2 so that's another bonus.
I was originally planning on working out some of the magazine feeding issues with the Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun as other reviewers had mentioned that the steel 4.5mm BB's can jam up a bit in the magazine. The only thing I did with my Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun was to add a little bit of dry Jig-A-Loo lubricant to the magazine feeding track and make sure all my BB's where properly double stacked.. Other than that my Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun is stock with no magazine spring mods.
I did find that my RWS Zinc coated Steel 4.5mm BB's had a tendency to bind a little in the top part of the magazine where the BB's go from a double stack to a single stack configuration. Now my RWS 4.5mm BB's are a bit older and I have found that older Zinc and Copper coated steel BB's will corrode a little which could cause some friction problems.
So for my Shooting Field Test I selected some brand new Umarex Zinc Coated Steel BB's and they did seem to work a little better for me as I did not get any magazine feeding issues during my testing of the Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun. I did notice that when I did a magazine dump that the bolt cycle started to shorten up due to some cool down effect causing the bolt to lock, a quick 5 second break and she was good to go again to finish off the mag.
In terms of feet per second velocity Umarex claims around 450 fps for the Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun, this may be possible with brand new CO2 on a warm day but I got closer to a 400 fps 5 shot average under normal testing conditions, this is perfectly fine for a blowback BB airgun.
When I performed the accuracy test from my standard 30 foot out position on paper targets I got a very tight 1 inch group shooting in semi auto. just a light bit high and to the left but very close to the center bullseye. When I opened up and went full auto the group did largen a little since the Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun does rock a little back and forth with it's internal bolt blowback operation but the remaining 40 rounds did stay within the most part within a 2-3 inch grouping.
The Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun is a really sweet air riffle with a legendary look, blowback operation, semi and full auto capability, decent fps, great accuracy and at the end of the day is simply a ton of fun to shoot!
Trigger Pull: The single action only trigger pull on the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol is actually pretty good. It's fairly short with only a little bit of very light take up and then an easy release that has no added friction. So you will have to get use to when and where the release happens but it is a really decent trigger for such an inexpensive airgun.
Accuracy: I have only shot the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol a few times to get use to the mechanical operation of using this spring powered pistol since there is a very specific order in which you need to cock and load the Umarex DX-17 for proper operation. I did find the DX-17 shot a bit high for me at 30 feet out so I had to adjust my aim point about 5-6 inches lower to hit targets at this range. For further out shooting you many not need to do so since the fps is fairly low and I would expect the BB to drop pretty quickly. In terms of power being that the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol is only rated at 200fps, well it seems sufficient enough for plinking away at targets and should have no problem getting through a pop can.
Build Quality: I was expecting this $20 low cost BB airgun to be fairly low quality in general but when I took it out of the plastic clamshell packaging I was pleasantly surprised by the overall quality and how the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol felt in my hand. It has a good weight to it and the fit and finish are really good. Mechanical parts tolerances feel snug and the plastic used feels of good quality.
Realism: The Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol as far as I know is not a replica of any specific real steel gun in production but it does kind of remind me of a Browning Hi-power at least the back half and the way the frame angles up a bit in front of the trigger. Other than that it looks the part of a real gun. The DX-17 has what looks like real working parts on it with the slide catch, magazine release and magazine but plat all moulded into the airgun. Available at the:Replica Airguns Store
Pros:
At $21 Canadian its great value for a target plinker.
It actually looks and feels pretty good in person, better than I expected build quality and weight to it.
No CO2 required so very cheap to shoot.
Single action trigger is actually really decent, better than most airguns.
Accessory rail for adding a red dot or perhaps a tactical light.
15 round reservoir makes followup shots quicker and no fumbling around loading BB’s in-between shots.
Lower fps means if you do do something stupid you are less likely to have to make a trip to the doctor
Cons:
Pretty low fps so don’t expect any long range shooting or great penetration.
Sights are not adjustable and it seems to shoot kind of high.
Why not rifle the barrel and make pellets an option?
Comments:
I rarely review these super low cost airguns especially spring powered ones with low fps, it almost seems like why would you want any of that? But you know the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol is actually a great little airgun and you really can't beat the price tag. You are also going to save a bunch of money not having to buy CO2 and once you load 15 rounds into the BB reservoir you can empty the DX-17 fairly quickly. Sure the power seems a bit low but it gets the job done and like I said if there was an accident, you are less likely to break that window or require medical attention. I think this would be a great add on to an existing order you might be making with us, that way you wouldn't have to pay for shipping for this one item and you get a fun little plinker for only $20 more.
My Vimeo Videos for the Umarex DX-17 Spring Powered BB Pistol:
Type: Air Rifle / Machine Gun. Distributer: Umarex Model: Legends MP 40. Materials: Mostly Metal build. Weight: 7.7 pounds (3.5 kilograms) Barrel: 10 inches - smooth bore steel. Propulsion: 2x12 gram CO2. Action: Internal BoltBlowback single action. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 52 round full size drop out magazine. Max FPS: 465.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun is single action only and even though I have seen it tested at around 10 pounds pull, in person it does not feel that heavy and is actually fairly smooth. You will need ti charge the bolt for the first shot just like you would on the real steel MP 40.
Accuracy: I have not done my official Field Test Shooting Video for the Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun but did take it outside for a quick test run. Like others have reported back you really need to take your time loading the double stack magazine properly or you can have some feeding issues. it may even be a good idea to use a little lubricant in the magazine to help with BB smoothness. I will know more after I ahed played around with the Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun a little more and worked out the BB feeding issues.
Build Quality: The Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun is pretty much all metal other than the stock and pistol grip. Pretty much everything that is black is going to be metal on this airgun. It weighs in at a hefty 7.7 pounds which is only a punt off form the real steel version. Overall the fit and finish is really good, all mechanical parts including the retractible stock work flawless.
Realism: The Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun is a 1 to 1 replica of the real steel German made World War II Machine Gun. It is very authentic looking and has very similar operation. The BB version does have the ability to shoot in semi auto mode which the real steel version did not but this is a good feature for saving on CO2 and BB's It would have been nice if the bolt was abel to lock all the way back and up but since the movement is shortened this is not possible. Still the Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun is a really nice replica and almost every way.
Great to have another full size Rifle / Machine Gun available to purchase in a BB gun version.
Mostly all metal design with good overall weight.
Semi and Full auto select-ability.
Dual CO2 design for increased shots and less cool down effect.
High capacity full size drop out metal magazine.
Great looking replica of the real steel MP 40 in looks, operation and weight.
Internal bolt blowback will give a bit of recoil feedback feel.
Adjustable rear sight for shooting at different ranges.
Price point is reasonable for this type of full size mostly metal rifle.
Cons:
Sights are not adjustable for windage.
Bolt does not go all the way back to the lockout position.
Some reviewers have said that a full mag load does not always work well in full auto mode.
Comments: When I first got my hand on the Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun at this years SHOT Show I immediately knew it was going to be a hit. The Umarex Legends MP has a lot going for it... High fps, semi and full auto, nostalgia of being a war replica and super great build quality and fit and finish. The questions is really who wouldn't want one? Especially being a replica BB rifle which has to be one of the more limited areas when it comes to airgun replicas. I look forward to shooting this offering from Umarex a little more and sharing my experiences with everyone.
My Vimeo Table Top Review of the Umarex Legends MP 40 Blowback CO2 BB Machine Gun:
What's not to love about the Umarex Legends MP 40 CO2 Blowback 4.5mm Steel BB Full Auto Machine Gun? It's pretty much all metal weighing in at close to 8 pounds, The Legends MP has a max fps of up to 465, shoots in both semi and full auto and has a high capacity all metal 52 round magazine that holds not only 1 CO2 but 2 CO2 for close to 200 rounds of semi auto shooting or about 140 shots in full auto. I really look forward to my Field Test Shooting Review of the Umarex Legends MP 40!
Not to be out shadowed or forgotten in the preview video, I also show off another 2017 SHOT Show CO2 Blowback Air Pistol, the Umarex Beretta APX! Right away the Umarex Beretta APX feels nice and solid in the hand weighing in at around 1.5 pounds with a heavy metal slide and really high quality plastic or polymer frame. You will find some nice details like a cut out ejection port and recessed barrel and of course full Beretta licensing from Umarex. The Umarex Beretta APX CO2 Blowback BB Pistol has a pretty decent claimed fps of close to 400 and a 20 round stick magazine that when inserted has that full size magazine look to it.
You'll also find other nice details like white dot sights front and back and a working slide catch release. My only gripe with the Beretta APX is the trigger, it does not ahed the trigger safety you would find on the real steel Beretta APX and the action is very long and perhaps a bit heavy. Other than that the Umarex Beretta APX looks to be a really nice replica airgun.
Another 4.5mm Steel BB Field Test Shooting Review from the new Sea Can Airgun Shipping Container Shooting Range. Yes it's a Crosman but it's really made by KWC and is based on the KWC Beretta / Taurus M92. Depending on which version you get, it came in either semi auto only or semi auto and full auto selectable. The Crosman version does shoot right out of the box in both semi and full auto which is nice.
On to my performance results with the Crosman PFAM98 Taurus PT-92 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol. My feet per second velocity results using a brand new CO2 in a 22-23 celcius environment where right up around 333 fps from a 5 shot string. This is about what we are use to from KWC full blowback CO2 BB Pistols.
Moving on to accuracy, I shot 10 rounds at my paper target which is setup about 30 feet away. I was also using a rested seated shooting position with my hands and gun resting on a sandbag upfront. I did have to reset this test as one of my cameras did not cooperate the first time around and this may have effected the accuracy juts a bit as velocity spread can make the BB's spread out a bit especially high and low on target. I did get a nice 5 shot group that was in a tight under one inch group but some of the other 4.5mm Steel BB's did shot higher and lower leaving the tighter grouping.
When I put the Crosman PFAM98 Taurus PT-92 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol in full auto mode and released the last 10 or so BB's they of course sprayed the target randomly. This was expected with the heavy blowback and fast shooting.
Last but now least to show you in this update video is the ASG CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1. This product was developed by ASG in cooperation with CZ and is made to give the Airsoft Player the closest shooting experience they can possibly get to handling and shooting a real CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1!
First off, I want to thank Crosman for providing these two guns for review! Now they're not exactly new guns by any means but for sure worth showing and doing some update reviews for.
Starting with the Crosman PFAM98 Taurus PT-92:
The Crosman PFAM98 Taurus PT-92 is essential a KWC made M92 also branded as the same gun as the Cybergun GSG 92 and the Swiss Arms P92.
So for all intense and purposes if you have watched any of my other revise on this line of KWC Beretta /Taurus BB pistols and even Airsoft versions then this BB gun should be really familiar to you.
History of the Taurus PT-92:
It is often referred to as a Berate 92 copy but in fact it is a Taurus PT-92 replica. The Taurus PT-92 is a product of Brazil, Taurus actually bought the entire Brazilian Beretta factory back in 1980 including drawings, tooling, machinery, and a very experienced work force to make the guns. Taurusimmediately sought to improve on the Beretta design, resulting in the popular and acclaimed Taurus PT-92.
Specifications for the Crosman PFAM98 Taurus PT-92:
Crosman use to make a similar version of the Crosman American Classic P1322 called the Back Packer which had a slightly longer barrel and came with a removable stock. You can kind of replicate this gun by adding the stock but it will have a shorter barrel. Keep in mind there are a ton of mods available for this series of Crosman airguns including barrels, bolts, trigger, Internals stocks, scope mounts…
PHOTOSpecifications for the Crosman American Classic P1322:
Metal and plastic construction.
Pneumatic pump.
.22 caliber lead pellets.
Single shot bolt action.
Rifled metal barrel.
Single action only.
Up to 460fps using lead pellets (10 pumps).
1.88 pounds (853 grams)
Keep posted for my full update reviews for these airguns...
I've already done Table Top Video Review for both the ASG CZ Scorpion VZ61 and the ASG B&T BT5 AEG 6mm Airsoft Guns so make sure to checkout both those videos.
What I hav not done so far is make a Filed Test Shooting video for either gun since this winter has been rather brutal here in BC Canada. Today I did manage to get outside and put some rounds through both the ASG CZ Scorpion VZ61 and the ASG B&T BT5 AEG 6mm Airsoft Guns so at least I can report back to everyone on how they performed for me. Sorry still no actual shooting video as my outside time was kind of limited due to it still being cold, we are even expecting some more snow tonight and over the next few days and it's March!
Getting back to my preliminary shooting testing, the ASG CZ Scorpion VZ61 only shot a slight bit higher then 250 but it was the more accurate of the two AEG Airsoft Guns getting close to a 1 inch 10 shot grouping using my standard 30 foot back semi rested shooting position. It did shoot a bit low but perhaps a hop-up adjustment should fix that problem.
Next up I tested out the ASG B&T BT5 MP5 PDW Replica and it did have a little more power hitting closer to 300 fps but it was not as accurate as the CZ shooting a bit high and to the left with most shots within about 1.5 inches, still pretty decent from 30 feet back.
Overall both AEG Airsoft Guns where fun to shoot and when I did let them lose to shoot in full auto mode they performed as expected laying down a stream of Airsoft BB's till the mags where empty :)
Materials: Steel, aluminum and plastic (polymer) construction.
Weight: 3.22 pounds (1460 grams).
Length: 15.7 inches (398mm).
Propulsion: AEG.
Action: Full auto only.
Ammunition Type: 6mm Airsoft BB's
Ammunition Capacity: 90 round magazines (Comes with 2).
FPS: 360+.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the RWA KG-9 AEG Airsoft Machine Pistol is what you would expect form an AEG pistol as it is basically an on/off switch. Since the RWA KG-9 AEG Airsoft Machine Pistol is full auto only it is not easy to shoot a single shot, it can be done with a very short trigger pull but even then you get the occasional multiple shot. The RWA KG-9 AEG Airsoft Machine Pistol like the real steel original version is full auto only and that's what makes it so fun!
Accuracy: I did get a chance to take the RWA KG-9 AEG Airsoft Machine Pistol outside and put some rounds through my Chronograph and down range at a paper target. I averaged just under 340 fps using .20 gram 6mm Airsoft BB's which is about perfect for this compact machine pistol. I also placed about 10 rounds down range 30 feet back using my standard semi rested shooting position while trying to shoot in semi auto and got a pretty decent 1.5 to 2 inch grouping that was a little high but well centered left to right. Elevation could be adjusted using the hop-up.
Build Quality: The RWA KG-9 AEG Airsoft Machine Pistol is really one of the best made Airsoft guns I have seen in a while, all the metal parst are going to be real steel or aluminum, not your standard zinc alloy found in most airguns these days. The full upper is stamped steel along with the 90 round magazines, the lower is plastic with a few aluminum parts here and there. The fit and finish is also excellent!
Realism: The RWA KG-9 AEG Airsoft Machine Pistol is a replica of the Swedish made Interdynamic KG9 Open Bolt SMP, not the ntratec Tec-9 which was the American version of the KG9. For the most part the RWA Airsoft version is exact with the exception of the barrel shroud being slightly longer to accommodate the 7.4v LiPo batteries.
Pros:
Lots of steel in this gun including full upper, barrel, pins and magazines.
Very high quality build with a solid weight and excellent fit and finish.
Fairly high rate full auto fire.
Comes with battery and two magazines.
Has almost perfect usable working rate of fire averaging around 340 fps with decent overall accuracy.
Working cocking handle.
Fully Licensed.
Cons:
No blowback but there is some recoil feel from the heavy spring action.
No semi auto mode, full auto only.
Sights are not adjustable, can only use hop-up to adjust elevation.
Limited on battery choices.
Comments:
The RWA KG-9 AEG Airsoft Machine Pistol is a really cool looking Airsoft gun, it is a bit larger than most hand guns but could still be used like one since it does not have a stock and can be used for similar shooting situations. The advantage is you have 90 rounds of full auto ammo at your disposal in a size format that is super compact and easy to manoeuvre. You also get some pretty decent power for longer range shooting and the accuracy out of the box at a variety of ranges is also really good. You could even use the RWA KG-9 AEG Airsoft Machine Pistol easily as a primary or even kick ass backup gun as it is super versatile.
Watch my Vimeo Table Top Review of the RWA KG-9 AEG Airsoft Machine Pistol:
This year at SHOT Show 2017 in Las Vegas, I found there wasn’t a lot of new Airgun products but as always there are some that stood out for me. If you want more info on each Airgun Company then make sure to watch my full interviews for this years SHOT Show 2017. So without prolonging this video any longer let’s get right into it…
Umarex Legends MP CO2 Full Auto German MP40 Replica Machine-gun:
What’s not to like about the Umarex Legends MP? It has lots of metal parts weighing in at 7.7 pounds, a 60 round steel BB magazine with a dual 12 gram CO2 system. You also get your choice of shooting either in semi auto or full auto at up to 400 fps. Personally the Umarex Legends MP was the most interesting Airgun at the show this year for me and I really think it is going to be a hit!
Umarex SA10 Blowback Pellet and BB CO2 Pistol:
Another interesting product from Umarex this year was the SA10, I am not really sure what it is exactly styled after, it’s more of a futuristic looking gun with slide venting and a thread barrel for adding a mock suppressor or compensator. What appealed to me most about the Umarex SA10 was the new magazine design that incorporates a full size drop out metal magazine with 4 rotary 8 round magazines that can be loaded with either pellets or BB’s. When you empty one 8 shot magazine you simply drop the entire mag out and swap your empty 8 shot rotary magazine for a full one. The SA10 has a nice weight of around 2 pounds and shoots up to 426 fps.
Sig Sauer ASP P320 CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistol:
Sig Sauer introduced their new Sig Sauer ASP P320 CO2 Pellet Pistol this year that will be replacing the P250. Like the P250 the Sig P320 has a metal slide and polymer frame but instead of a double sided 16 shot rotary magazine, the Sig ASP P320 has a newly designed and very unique 30 round belt fed magazine. That’s nearly double the capacity without having to flip the magazine around part way through shooting. It’s great to see innovations like this happening in the airgun market.
Crosman Remington 1875 Shell Loading CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver:
Crosman introduced their own Single Action Old West Revolver this year in the form of the Remington 1875. Like the super popular Umarex Single Action Army Revolvers, the Remington 1875 is also shell loading and uses 12 gram CO2. You have the option of shooting either Pellets or BB’s out of its smooth bore barrel. I expect the Crosman Remington 1875 Shell Loading Revolver to be another popular Old West Airgun Revolver.
Crosman PSM45 Single Shot Spring Powered BB Pistol:
The Crosman PSM45 at first glance may not seem that interesting, after all it’s all plastic on the outside and only shoots about 200 fps! On the plus side it kind of looks like a Glock and we all know how hard it is to find airguns these days that resemble a Glock. I also like the fact that there is no need for any CO2, and most springers out there look like springers while the Crosman PSM45 looks like a real semi auto pistol. The PSM45 even has pretty decent weight to it since there are lots of internal metal parts and a full size drop out metal magazine which was a real surprise in such an entry level low cost pistol. If you’re looking for a fun inexpensive replica plinker than the Crosman PSM45 should fit the bill. On a side not the PSM45 would also make a really great low cost prop since the slide does work and it has that full size drop out magazine!
ASG Dan Wesson 715 2.5 and 4 inch Shell Loading CO2 Revolvers:
The ASG Dan Wesson Revolver has always been a popular choice, and then the Dan Wesson 715 came out improving on the design by adding extra weight and smoothing out the mechanics. How do you top that? Well by giving us some more options like barrel lengths. You now have your choice of a 2.5, 4 or 6 inch barrel for the Dan Wesson 715 and of course you will be able to buy your 715 pick in 4.5mm Steel BB, 6mm Plastic Airsoft or .177 Caliber Pellet ammunition versions. My personal choice may be the 4 inch Dan Wesson 715 since it has the addition of an integrated accessory rail machined into the outer barrel for lasers or tach lights.
Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nogant CO2 BB Rifle:
The Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nogant CO2 BB Rifle is not a new replica gun this year but it has been a hard one to get your hands on. In fact up until SHOT Show 2017 I had never seen one in person and so the Gletcher M1944 is new to me. I was very impressed with the quality of the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nogant, it has a lot of metal parts including the swing out bayonet and even the simulated wood stock looks like real wood. I even had to take a second look and ask before confirming that the stock is in fact plastic on the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nogant. I am looking forward to reviewing this rifle in the future when I do finally get one!
Of course there where other interesting products at SHOT Show 2017 this year but those are the products that stood out the most for me. Again make sure to watch my full interview videos to find out more about all the new products at this years SHOT Show.
And finally my last Vimeo video from SHOT Show 2017 in Las Vegas! Sorry there is no Interview this time with KWA but I did talk a lot with the KWA folks over at SHOT Show this year and I even got to test out their Laser Targeting System designed to be used with several specifi KWA guns by laser-ammo.com.
Unfortunately we don't carry the KWA brand in the replica Airguns store, a few models sneak in when being distriubted by another company like ASG in the case of the ASG MP9. I would love to carry KWA Airsoft Products in the future since they really do make very high quality Airsoft guns.
KWA has a great selection of Airsoft pistols and rifles in both Gas Blowback and AEG formats. The quality reminds me of the KJWors Airsoft guns we sell in the Replica Airguns Canada Store, you can really feel the quality when you pick them up and hold them for yourself.
Enjoy my latest SHOT Show Interview with Jesse Caster from Crosman. Jesse shows me Crosman’s latest old west single action revolver, the Remington 1875 which shares a lot with the super popular Colt Single Action Army revolvers. Jesse also goes over some new airgun pistols with me, a CO2 powered non blowback 1 to 1 replica of the Remington RP45, a very interesting single shot spring piston “Glock-ish looking pistol called the PSM45. And last but not least, Crosman has now got on the Beretta / Taurus bandwagon and added the PFAM98 to their lineup.
Crosman’s new Remington 1875 should be a welcome addition for anyone looking to add something new to their Old West Airgun lineup. The Crosman Remington 1875 like the Colt Single Action Army Revolver is shell loading, shoots in single action only and has that super slick ratcheting cylinder we all love. The Crosman Remington 1875 shoots both .177 caliber pellets and 4.5 mm steel BB’s from its smooth bore barrel, but Jesse has gone on record to claim that the pellets work well and shoots pellets and BB’s accurately at ranges typical for this type of Airgun.
Another Remington Licensed Airgun from Crosman this year is the Remington PR45. The PR45 is a 1 to 1 replica of the real steal Remington RP45 but in a CO2 non-blowback 4.5mm BB shooting version. The Crosman PR45 has a metal slide and polymer frame with a drop out all metal stick magazine. Some other notable features for the Crosman PR45 are a working trigger safety and white dot sights front and back.
If you are looking for something a little different from Crosman this year then checkout the single shot spring piston PSM45. This super affordable air pistol kind of looks "similar" to a Glock and lord knows how many times I get asked what is available in an airgun that resembles a Glock. The Crosman PSM45 is not going to win any fps awards (shoots around 200 fps), but there is no need to buy any CO2 and you can shoot this airgun in virtually any temperature for only the cost of steel BB’s. The frame and slide on the Crosman PSM45 are plastic but it does have decent weight do some internal metal parts and an unexpected full metal full size drop out magazine.
Crosman this year is adding a Beretta/Taurus full metal and full blowback CO2 BB Pistol to their product lineup. You may have already guessed it, it’s essentially a KWC Beretta / Taurus which really isn’t a bad thing since the KWC Blowback Beretta / Taurus has been very popular with replica airguners. A nice little treat with the Crosman PFAM98 Beretta / Taurus is that right out of the box it shoots in both semi and full auto using the ambidextrous selector safety switch.
Barrel: 3 inches, metal non-rifled with internal Hop-up.
Propulsion: Spring Piston.
Action: Single Shot, Single Action Only.
Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 11 shot full size drop out magazine with 60 round reservoir.
FPS: 280 using .12 gram BB's.
Trigger Pull: The single action only trigger pull on the Umarex P99 Compact Clear Spring Airsoft Gun is a bit heavier than I expected since generally speaking single action triggers simply just need to release the hammer or striker. There is a little bit of take-up initially but then the release is fairly crisp, just a tad firm but since this is not an action shooter and a full rack of the slide is required to pre charge the internal spring, having a heavier trigger pull is not a big deal and did not seem to effect my accuracy in any way.
Accuracy: I didn't get a lot of shooting time with the Umarex P99 Compact Clear Spring Airsoft Gun but I can say it seemed to be shoot fairly accurately. I tested it out shooting on a paper target from 20 feet back using a non rested standing position. The Umarex P99 Compact Clear Spring Airsoft Gun did shoot a bit high and to the left but my 10 shot grouping was within 1.75 inches with the exception of one stray that shot a little more to the right. I was using .20 gram BB's but they did seem to get to the target pretty quickly and penetrate the paper fairly well. I would say they were traveling well over 200 fps.
Build Quality: The Umarex P99 Compact Clear Spring Airsoft Gun is about a $25 gun so you can't really expect too much in terms of quality materials but that said, the gun does feel solid and well put together. I had no issues shooing it and for the price you should get plenty of good use out of it.
Realism: The Umarex P99 Compact Clear Spring Airsoft Gun is realistic in terms of its shape, operation and even the Walther P99 licensing and trade marks. But as is expected being a clear plastic gun it falls short in terms of feeling and looking the part of a real gun. But that's kind of the point here, this gun is supposed to clearly look like and Airsoft gun and not a real gun including the orange red tip.
Super low cost and even come with an extra mag and some starter BB’s.
Full size drop out mags are nice.
All the parts feel pretty tight, does not feel hokey, even has some metal parts where they are needed.
Has a rail for accessories.
No CO2 required, just your Airsoft BB’s.
Walther licensing and Trademarks.
Slide stays back when out of BB’s.
Has internal Hop-up.
Has a floating barrel like the real steel version would.
Makes a good starter pistol for someone getting into the hobby that may not want a gun that looks too realistic.
Cons:
Is kind of on the light side at about half a pound.
The single action trigger is a bit heavy but works fine, you're not going to be shooting rapped fire with this one anyway.
Being a clear gun obviously takes away from the realism but that is the point of this gun so as not be confused with a real gun.
Shoots a bit high and to the left.
Comments:
Right from the get go I was not expecting much from the Umarex P99 Compact Clear Spring Airsoft Gunbeing a bit of an Airgun snob and personally tending to stay away from the like of these clear plastic non-blowback super low cost Airsoft pistols. But after playing around with it for a bit I could really see how a first time Airsoft buyer could really enjoy the Umarex P99 Compact Clear Spring Airsoft Gun. It shoots just fine and costs next to nothing to buy and shoot. And I know there are many younger folks that watch my video reviews and perhaps their parents may be sitting on the fence about allowing them to buy an Airsoft gun out of fear that so many of them look so real. The Umarex P99 Compact Clear Spring Airsoft Gun clearly looks like an Airsoft gun which makes it pretty hard to get in trouble with yet you can still enjoy the Airsoft shooting experience without freaking your parents out!
My Vimeo Video Review for the Umarex P99 Compact Clear Spring Airsoft Gun:
This Vimeo Unboxing Preview Video focuses on two AR M4 styled AEG Airsoft Rifles. The G&G CM16 Rifles are all pretty much the same other than the barrel lengths and come in the following versions, the CM16 SRS, CM16 SRL and CM16 SRXL. I also showcase the Umarex HK M27 which is distributed by Umarex but made by VFC which is knwo for their high quality products. I will be following up this Preview Unboxing Video with individual more detailed Review videos for each AEG AR M4 rifle.
This Unboxing Preview Video focuses on three Bullpup designed AEG Airsoft Rifles. The two Steyr Aug Bullpups are distributed through ASG while the IWI Tavor 21 is distributed via Umarex. In this Unboxing Preveiw video I take each gun out of the box and go over some basic specification and show you around each AEG Bullpup Rifle a little bit. I will be following up this Preview Unboxing Video with individual more detailed Review videos for each AEG rifle.
Here are some of the basic Specifications for each AEG Airsoft Rifle.
Power Sources Covered in this review: CO2 - Green Gas / Propane - Spring - AEG / AEP (Automatic Electric Gun - Airsoft Electric Pistol)
Pro’s:
CO2 Airsoft Guns allow for fast repeat shooting, great for action shooters, generally CO2 Airsoft Guns will have a little more power then Green Gas Airsoft Guns. There is no need to pump or cock your CO2 powered Airsoft gun in-between shots and a CO2 power source can allow for a very realistic action of the gun you are shooting.
Green Gas (Propane) Airsoft Guns operate much the same as CO2 Airsoft guns so they all make for great action shooters and the Green Gas powers the mechanical operation allowing for very realistic operation. Green Gas (Propane) Airsoft Guns can cost a little bit less to operate that a CO2 Airsoft Gun especially if you plan to use Propane as it can be cheaper to buy than the smaller 12 gram CO2 Cartridges.
Spring Airsoft Guns are generally fairly basic and low cost so they are the usually the most affordable Airsoft guns to buy. There is no need to buy CO2 or Green Gas or even a Battery and Charger Setup so the cost to shoot Spring Airsoft Guns is only going to be subject to the Airsoft BB’s you plan on buying.
AEG (Automatic Electric Guns) have the most consistent power as they use a spring internally that the electric motor draws back before each shot, the internal spring will essentially apply the same force to the Airsoft BB’s with each shot. AEG (Automatic Electric Guns) are a great option when you are wanting a Full Auto Airsoft gun since there is no cool down effect and as long as your batteries are charged and you have Airsoft BB’s in your magazine, the gun will simply keep shooting. AEG (Automatic Electric Guns) allow for the highest capacity magazines and often hold as many as 500 Airsoft BB’s in a single magazine. So if you’re looking for raw firepower an AEG or AEP Airsoft Gun is your best option. Once you have purchased your AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) and a battery and charger setup, they are fairly inexpensive to operate since no CO2 or Green Gas is required.
Con’s:
CO2 Airsoft Guns require the additional cost to buy the CO2 cartridges as they will not function without it. CO2 Airsoft Guns have a limited power output and lose power as you shoot and use up the CO2. CO2 Airsoft Guns are effected by hot and cold temperatures and will have less power in colder temperatures and may not even work in super cold environments. CO2 Airsoft Guns will have a more conservative ammunition capacity since too high of a capacity magazine would freeze up the magazine and even the gun.
Again since Green Gas (Propane) Airsoft Guns work much like CO2 Airsoft Guns, they are effected by cool down and lose power when shoot quickly or as the Green Gas or Propane runs low. Green Gas does not expand as much as CO2 so it will not be as powerful and even less effective in colder temperatures. Green Gas Airsoft Guns will have a more conservative ammunition capacity since too high of a capacity magazine would freeze up.
Spring Airsoft Guns are not the best action shooters since you need to manually operate the slide to pullback the spring prior to each shot, this does work well with Pump, Lever and Bolt Action Airsoft guns but is not the best option for pistols since most real steel pistols operate in semi auto mode.
If you plan to use your AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) in a battle then it will require a multi battery setup which does cost a bit more upfront. AEG (Automatic Electric Guns) are know to not operate as realistically as a CO2 or Green Gas Airsoft gun since CO2 and Green Gas Guns do allow for the same realistic mechanical operation which can give very believable blowback operation, this is hard to replica with an AEG Airsoft Gun.
Power Sources Covered in this review: CO2 - Spring Piston - Variable Pump -HPA (High Pressure Air)
Pro’s:
CO2 Airguns allow for fast repeat shooting, great for action shooters, generally CO2 Airguns will supply a medium power range. No need to pump or cock your CO2 powered weapon in-between shots and a CO2 power source can allow for a very realistic action of the gun you are shooting.
Spring Piston Airguns are best suited of single shot situations, they can provide low to high power output depending on the spring used. Spring Piston Airguns are very low cost to operate since you only need to buy the Pellets or BB’s. Spring Piston Airguns are not greatly effected by outside temperatures.
Variable Pump Airguns allow you to decide how much power your gun will have and can offer very high power output depending on the Airgun. Variable Pump Airguns are very low cost to operate since you only need to buy the Pellets or BB’s. Variable Pump Airguns are not greatly effected by outside temperatures. Variable Pump Airguns generally have very low recoil and vibration.
HPA (High Pressure Air) Airguns generally do not require pumping or cocking in-between shots and some even come in semi automatic or bolt action. HPA Airguns can have very high power output and even be used on larger game using large caliber ammunition. HPA Air Rifles have lower recoil and low vibration. HPA Airguns can be charged ahead off time so they are ready for use when you need them.
Con’s:
CO2 Airguns require the additional cost to buy the CO2 as they do not function without it. CO2 Airguns have a limited power output and lose power as you shoot and use up the CO2. CO2 Airguns are effected by hot and cold temperatures and will have less power in colder temperatures and may not even work in super cold environments.
Spring Piston Airguns require cocking before each shot. Spring Piston Airguns can have a lot of recoil and vibration, so much so that special optics must be considered when buying an optical sight. The action of the spring recoil can effect accuracy, especially if you are not use to the vibration and recoil or have spent some time practicing using a Spring Piston Airgun.
Variable Pump Airguns will require multiple pumps to achieved maximum power output which can take some time in-between shots. So you are going to have to work for each shot.
HPA (High Pressure Air) Airguns require the use of a manual pump to fill their built in air tank to maximum pressure and it does take a lot of time to manual fill an HPA tank. Alternatively you can have the air tank filled at a shop or buy a pressurization system similar to a scuba tank out paintball setup, the cost of this setup can be very high but will save you the castle of manually pumping air in to your HPA Airgun. HPA Airguns are generally a little more bulky then other Airgun systems since they have to accommodate fairly large air pressure tanks.
Power: Generally speaking a longer barrel is going to allow for more power. If you compare most CO2 pellet pistols to CO2 Pellet Rifles, you will find that the CO2 Pellet Pistol will generally shoot about 300-400 fps using a standard lead Pellet. On the other hand many CO2 Pellet Rifles can get up to as high as 600 fps which is much better speed for humanly shooting some smaller pests.
If you are talking about Springer or Variable Pump Air Pistols versus their Air Rifle counterparts, again the Air rifles will generally shoot with much more power. I have seen some none CO2 Air Pistols shoot up into the 500-600 fps range but again compered to none CO2 Air Rifles, they can even double these numbers.
Some of you may ask about Steel BB Pistols and Rifles. I personally would never really sue this type of ammunition for pest control simply because most BB Rifles have much less raw power than Pellet Rifles and steel BB’s will not be as accurate at any type of longer distance.
Stability: When holding any rifle from the shoulder, you have three point of contact with your body spread out in a much longer distance than a two handed pistol grip. Holding steady even without a rested position is much easier using a rifle. Even when using a rested position, the rifle will more stable.
Accuracy: A big factor in accuracy is stability but there are also other factors to consider. Barrel length its self does not make the gun more accurate, you only need a few inches of barrel length to get constant accurate results from a gun. What makes longer barreled guns more accurate is the distance between the rear and front sight. The closer the sights are together, the more margin for error there is, the longer you spread out the sights from each other, the more accurate the sighting system becomes.
Overall More Humain: When you consider Air Rifles tend to have higher power, better accuracy and overall more consistency than shorter barreled Air Pistols. The logical choice for humanly shooting a Pest is to use the Air Rifle. The last thing you want to do is make any animal suffer, even if it has been causing a lot of havoc around your home or farm or place of business.
It has been a while since I picked out some of my favorite guns, after all my favorite gun picks change on a daily basis since there are so many awesome guns out there to pick from.
This Vimeo video is a little different since I pick out my favorites from a bunch of mostly replica gun categories including Steel BB, Pellet, Airsoft, Revolvers and Blank Pistols.
You may notice most of my picks happen to be blowback guns but to me airguns are all about being as realistic as possible and having blowback operation to me help to simulate the realism that much more. The exception in this video is in the pellet gun category since I decided on a pellet gun that was more about function and purpose over being any type of real replica.
Hopefully you take the time to watch my entire Vimeo video since I also bring out some close runner ups but here is a list of my top picks on this day, tomorrow it could be a completely different list of guns ;)
