This is not exclusive to Airguns since trends of Airguns are highly influenced by what type of Real Steel Pistols are popular to people. This is often based on what people see portrayed in movies and TV Series, and also promoted online. There is for sure an overlap in what is popular and it is hard to say what is influencing what? Is it the popularity of Pistols out in the real world that influences what we see being used in the movies and on TV? Or is it what we see in Movies and TV that influences our choices of pistols out in the real world? Perhaps it is a combination of both?
My list is based on my own personal experience and does not represent the entirety of types of Pistol designs available.
Airguns are generally cheaper to buy and for sure cheaper to shoot. Airguns can cost as little as $50-100 to buy while real guns in similar models will cost many time more. Cost of ammo is so much less expensive than Real Gun ammo by a mile!
Difficulty to Obtain:
Airguns in most countries do not require any licensing or registration. Generally there are more available options in Airgun choices than Real Gun choices as restrictions often prohibit many Real Guns to be obtained.
Places to Shoot:
Unless you live in a super remote locations and your laws allow you to shoot Real Guns in those locations, then in most cases you can shoot an Airgun almost anywhere within reason. You can even shoot certain Airgun models in your basement. Airsoft is a great option for indoor shooting as the plastic ammo does not carry very much energy so with minimal effort you can make a backstop that will trap the ammo very well.
Trigger Time:
Because ammo is much less expensive and places you can shoot are easier to find, you can get a lot more Trigger Time under your belt which will also improve your shotgun with Real Guns and after all it’s just fun to shoot guns even if they are Airguns.
Safety:
I am not talking about safety in terms of protection. I am talking about safety as in if you do something stupid and your Gun goes off accidentally. If you accidentally fire your Airgun indoors, the bullet will not travel through floors or walls and potentially harm or kill someone on the other side. If you do manage to shoot yourself with an Airgun, the consequence are much less severe than shooting yourself with a Real Gun. That said, always treat an Airgun as if it was a Real Loaded Gun, as server injury and even death can occur even with an Airgun.
Ware Games and Training Situations:
There is no way you can use a standard Real Gun to shoot at people, unless extensively altered with special parts that make the Real Gun unusable to shoot live ammo. With Airguns you have the choice of using an Airsoft or Paintball gun that are both designed specifically for this purpose.
Pest Control:
If you have the need for pest control in an urban area where you do not want a stray bullet to travel too far or penetrate buildings if a shot where to go awry, then an Airgun designed for accuracy and power may be perfect for the job. Accuracy with target and hunting Airguns is on par if not better than many Real Guns and are have powerful enough to kill a pest humanely without having too much power for the job and having to worry as much about your background.
Prop Guns:
As mentioned already, Airguns can look a lot like Real Guns, so they are perfect to be used as a stand-in or Prop Gun when you need to simulate the look and function of a Real Gun. Again they are easier and cheaper to obtain and if something does go wrong, the consequences are much less severe.
Social Stigma:
Unfortunately Real Guns and perhaps any gun these days are looked upon with a social stigma as being the cause of the Crime rather than a tool used in a Crime. And so people blame Guns for these crimes rather than the people committing these crimes. If a person is motivated enough to do something bad, they are going to do it either way and will use whatever means is available to them to commit these Crimes. Including other means like: Knives, Blunt Objects, Poisons, Vehicles, Explosives… Sad but true! Airguns are not used in homicides or mass shootings as they are completely underpowered for a crime like this. They can however be used in crimes as a show of threat, as they do look a lot like real guns, generally people that use Airguns for real crimes, if challenged will give up immediately as they are completely outgunned. Don’t bring an Airgun to a Real Gun fight, you have better chance with a knife!
I have made a fair amount of video reviews for the Dan Wesson Line of AIrguns that encompass Table Top and Field Test Reviews on several versions of the Dan Wesson line: BB, Pellet, Airsoft, in a variety of barrel and color choices. It has been a while, so why not make another Review Video to revisit the Dan Wesson Line and so this time here we have the Steel BB version in a 2.5 inch barrel length. As always I will test they CO2 Revolver to find out what the velocity is and how accurate it is shooting at a paper target. Also make sure to watch my Table Top Video for specifications, details and closeup video.
Here we go with the Velocity test! I placed a brand new CO2 in the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver and shot a cylinder full of 4.5mm steel BB’s that weigh 5.1 grain through my Chronograph. The temperature was average so about room temperature. Only the last 4 of my shots registered on my Chronograph as it was acting up a bit on me at first two shots but I did manage to average 332 fps with the last four. The first two shots would have been a little bit faster had they registered on my chronograph so this may have brought up the average a bit to say around 334…
I then placed a fresh paper target 30 feet down range and proceeded to unload a full 6 round cylinder into it, I was shooting in single action with the hammer cocked back between shots. I was also using a semi rested shooting position with my hands resting on a sand bag up front and seated in the back for stability. Generally speaking even with Steel BB’s I can get close to a 1-2 inch grouping with hess Dan Wessons but this time my 6 shot grouping only produced a 3 inch group? It was probably me as there is always some human error involved and each test can result in different results so keep that in mind. The grouping was well centered out of the box but the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver does have fully adjustable sights in case yours is a bit off.
It never get’s old loading up the shells with ammo and placing them in the cylinder followed by either quick action shooting or more relaxed and accurate single action shooting, then repeating again and again… The original Dan Wesson line of revelers has been around for a long time now and if I am not mistaken was the first Airgun revolver to use reloadable shells. We now have more refined 715 version of the Dan Wesson which does have some improvement but the original versions still hold strong and are very capable and fun shell loading revolvers that come it a bit lower price tag then the newer 715 versions so no matter which version you get you will have lot of fun shooting and reloading these enjoyable Airguns!
Type: BB Revolvers. Manufacturer: ASG Model: Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold Materials: Mostly metal. Weight: 1.9 pounds. (862 grams) Barrel: Metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Revolver, single and double action. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds (removable shells). FPS: 327
Trigger Pull: The ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver shoots in true modern revolver style offering single and double action. The double action has a bit of friction to it since the cylinder is being rotate during the first part of the trigger pull and there is a spring fed metal gasket between the barrel and the cylinder that creates a seal but does add some resistance to the trigger pull in double action. Single action is much lighter as expected since pulling the hammer back turns the cylinder removing that friction point from the equasion.
.Accuracy: So far I have not done my Filed Test Shooting Video for the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver, but I plan to in the near future as a revisit since I have made a lot of similar Field Test Videos for the Dan Wesson line of products in 4.5mm Steel BB and 6mm Airsoft, here is a link to me shooting the 8 inch a while back in my old setup. Wow, this one goes back to 2014 almost 10 years ago!
Build Quality: The ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver overall is really well built with good weight to it and a nice fit and finish, I do like the Gold version in this 2.5 inch version. It is almost all metal with the exception of the grips which are made of a semi hard plastic. One beef I have with the original ASG Dan Wesson line of revolvers are how the grips slide back to access the CO2, closing them can be a bit of a chore as they can come off their track super easily. The other complaint I hear about them is the play in the trigger and hammer side to side.
Realism: The ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver like all the other ASG Dan Wesson Revolvers is very realistic with its realistic pop out cylinder and 6 removable shells you can reuse and load up for numerous rounds of shooting. You can also buy additional shells and have them preloaded and ready to go in the Speed loader to speed things up. Two things about the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver that take away a bit from the realism would be the non recessed barrel and the rather large space in front of the hammer. A real steel Dan Wesson or even most revolvers do not have this large space. I believe they did this to allow for the internal valve system. The newer Dan Wesson 715 however was designed with a smaller space in front of the hammer.
Pros:
It's a revolver with actual shells! Gives you the feeling of a real 6 shooter.
Almost all metal design with good weight and feel.
Lots of detail in this gun, very well made, fit and finish is very good.
Good power and good accuracy. (going off of already done older reviews)
Fully adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Can add the included accessory rail for more options (optical or red dot sight…).
Dan Wesson licensed via ASG.
Gold finish is unique. (Gold is the Best!)
Moulded and textured pistol grips.
Grips fully hide CO2 screw.
Can shoot in both double and single action for action shooting or more accurate shot placement.
Cons:
Plastic CO2 screw tab.
Plastic grip setup can be a bit awkward to close.
2.5 inch does not have the recessed barrel.
Hammer and trigger are a bit sloppy compared to 715 version.
Comments:
It’s been a while since I reviewed one of the first generation ASG Dan Wesson Revolvers and the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold CO2 BB Revolver does bring back some memories for me going back almost a decade. If I’m not mistaken this revolver was the first one to implement actual removable and reloadable shells making Airgun Replica Revolvers a lot more interesting and realistic! I do kind of prefer the newer 715 version as they are even beefier than the original ASG Dan Wessons and ASG has fixed the sloppy hammer and trigger along with the space in front of the hammer has been reduce making the 715 even that much more realistic.
Watch my Vimeo Video Table Top Review for the Dan Wesson 2.5 Inch Gold BB Revolver:
In this Preview Review Video I take a look at 4 newer products now in our Replica Airguns Online Store. One is a 4.5mm Steel BB Revolver, two are 6mm Airsoft Pistols and one is a .68 caliber Paintball Shotgun.
The first item I take look at in this video is the Umarex HK30 AEG Airsoft Pistol, this product is pretty entry level with analyst all plastic build and is very light to hold. It does however shoot in both semi and full auto since it is an AEG Airsfto Pistol (not many of them out there). The fps is rather low at a claimed fps at just under 200, the Umarex HK30 AEG Airsoft Pistol also comes with two 16 round remove; plastic magazines. Who knows, maybe it will be fun?
Next I take a look at the ASG Dan Wesson 2.5 inch 4.5mm Steel BB Gold Revolver. This is a CO2 powered shell loading BB revolver very much like similar ones I have reviewed in the past but in Gold finish. Will the gold finishes make it perform better, well I guess we better find out!
I then take a look at a “Glock Like” CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol for KJWorks called the KP13. It has a full size drop out metal magazine that holds the CO2 along with 24 rounds of 6mm Airsoft BB’s. The KJWorks KP-13 has a metal slide, metal magazine and polymer frame with a velocity over 360fps using the included barrel extension.
Last but perhaps the most interesting for me is the Umarex T4E HDB which is a lower cost Paintball/Rubber Ball Shotgun which could possibly be used for home protection? The T4E HDB is a mostly plastic constructed rifle with decent weight to it and uses an internal spring fed 16 round magazine. You will find all kinds of mounting points for accessories and for a sling on the Umarex T4E HDB and again at much lower cost than similar T4E rifle based Paintball/Rubber ball Airguns.
This review shows that low cost Airguns can perform just like higher priced Airguns. They may not be as realistic and all made out of metals for that added weight and feel but in terms of power and accuracy they can still get the job done as is with the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun! In this Field Test Shooting Review I do just that, I test the power and accuracy first by shooting 5 rounds through my Chronograph to find out what the real world fps is, I then I shot 10 rounds down range at a fresh paper target to see what kind of grouping I can get and if the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun is sighted in on the target out of the box.
Starting with the velocity test I first placed a brand new 12 gram CO2 into the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun and loaded up the 10 rounds rotary magazine with Daisy Zinc Coated 4.5 mm Steel BB’s. The temperature was around 22 degrees Celsius which is 72 degrees Fahrenheit in the sea can indoor shooting range so not too warm or cold. The claimed fps from Umarex is 450, I was able to get an average of 403fps with the fastest shot hitting 425fps and the slowest shooting down to 388fps. So a bit under the Umarex claimed velocity but in the ball park.
Next I performed the accuracy test for the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun and since the sights are non adjustable you kind of hope that where you aim is where the shots go but if they don’t then you will need to adjust your aim point just a bit. Out of the box the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun did shoot a bit low but was fairly bang on side to side so when shooting at around 30 feet out you will need to aim just a tad over the intended target. Out of 10 shots, 8 rounds where all within a nice 1.5 inch grouping with a couple of flyers that I kind of want to keep out of this test because it was probably more me than the gun causing them to go off a bit. 1.5 inches is very good for a 4.5mm Steel BB Airgun!
All in all the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun shot right around 400fps which is for sure a step up for something like a Red Ryder BB Rifle that at best can shoot 300fps. You also don’t have to work the pump as hard as you would the lever on a Red Ryder since the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun is CO2 powered rather than spring powered. I also feel like the Umarex NXG Pump Shot was more accurate than the Red Ryder at least for me but that said some people can hit a nickel all day long with their Red Ryders! There are not a lot of Pump Action Looking Airguns out there in 4.5mm Steel BB versions and in more compact easier for younger or smaller shooters so if you fall into that category and want something in a shotgun format then the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun may be perfect for you.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun is pretty decent, there is a short task up and fairly easy release as the pump action not only turns the rotary magazine but also cocks the internal hammer/striker system. So you will need to pump it before your first shot and after each shot.
Accuracy: I have not Field Test Reviewed the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun yet but will be making a full Fields Test Review this week to find out what to expect in terms of accuracy and velocity. So we will find out if the fps is closer to the on the box specs of 450 fps or the mostly online specs of 490 fps. Perhaps somewhere in-between?
Build Quality: The Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun is almost all plastic which is not a bad thing in terms of quality and durability. The fact that it only weighs in at 2 pounds may make it feel kind of light and cheap but in a drop or fall situation it means it will most lily not sustain any damage because of the light weight. Most of todays airguns when made out of metals generally are made out of pot metal or zinc alloy which is a nice heavy metal that looks and feels great but is not super strong so when you drop a heavier gun made out of this material it can easily get damaged.
Realism: The Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun looks like a traditional pump action shotgun and even has a little bit of a recessed barrel to make it more believable but it is smaller in size since it is designed more for younger and smaller shooters. The light weight is not only a giveaway but makes ti feel more like a toy than a real gun. If you can ignore that then hopefully you can enjoy the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun for what it is which is a low cost compact BB rifle made for customs interested in Airguns liek the Red Ryder but that perhaps want a bit more power.
Pros:
Low cost CO2 rifle great for all ages and sizes.
Has a fiber optic front sight.
Comes in a nice looking two tone Black/FDE color scheme.
Fairly easy to pump since the pumping action is not required to activate a spring or compress air.
Built in manual thumb safety.
Stock and high check rest position feel good and a good size length for smaller younger shooters.
Rotary drop out magazine holds 10 4.5mm steel BB’s for quick follow up shots.
Trigger feels pretty good, short and fairly light.
Full ambidextrous design.
Perhaps a step up for entry level shooter over a Red Ryder type BB rifle in terms of power.
Overall a decent looking air rifle.
Cons:
Mostly plastic, so a bit on the light weight side.
Sights are not adjustable in any way.
May be a bit cramped for larger shooters.
Comments: The Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun is not going to win any prizes for quality and realism but keep in mind it is really designed more for entry level younger shooters getting into the Airgun hobby. For them this will be not so intimidating as a larger, heavier more realistic version of a replica Shotgun. I think it will be realistic enough for most new Airgun Shooters and in terms of performance and features it is for sure a step up form something like a Red Ryder BB Rifle. I am looking forward to my upcoming Field Test Shooting Review out what the actual velocity is and what kind of groupings I can get shooting 30 feet down range on a paper target.
My Table Top Video of the Umarex NXG CO2 BB Pump Shotgun:
Sights for guns in general are the same for Airguns as is with real steel guns for the most part and can be mixed and matched with a couple of exceptions. Spring piston rifles for instance are an exception because of the unique vibration the spring makes and how it can damage a standard optical sight, so in this case you’re best to use an optical sight designed for a spring piston Airgun. In most other cases sights can be used on all types of guns.
In this Airgun Sights video I will go over the various types of sights that either come as part of the gun design or can be added afterwards using a rail or mounting system.
Types of Airgun Sights most commonly used.
Iron Sight (Fixed or removable).
Iron Sight (Adjustable).
Iron Sight (White Dot, Fiber Optic).
Come in Post/Notch, Post/Aperture (Peep).
Common on Pistols and Rifles
Laser Sight:
Generally added to a rail or can sometime be integrated into the design of the gun.
Common on both Pistols and Rifles.
Red DotandHolographic:
Generally not magnified.
Most common on Rifles but can be used on Pistols.
Optical Magnified (Telescopic)
Come in a variety of magnifications for different shooting ranges.
There are many types of magazines used in Airguns and some of this is dependent on the ammunition used.
For instance a stacked type of magazine often used for Steel BB and Airsoft can not be used for Pellets as pellets tend to deform when stacked in such a way since there is no metal casting protecting them from mashing into each other.
So what type of magazines do we generally see in Airguns? The most common Airgun magazines are as follows:
Simple Stick Magazine
Mostly used with Steel BB but also found in some Airsoft Airguns.
Some Pellet Airguns use a type of stick magazine with a rotary magazine on each end.
Used in non-blowback and blowback Airguns.
Can be made from plastic or steel or a combination of both materials.
Full Size Drop Out Magazine
Used with Steel BB and Airsoft guns.
Generally you will find these types magazines hold both the BB’s and CO2.
Used in non-blowback and blowback Airguns.
Commonly used with Airsoft Rifles in mid to high capacity.
Can be made from plastic or steel or a combination of both materials.
Rotary magazine
Used with Steel BB, Airsoft and Pellet Airguns.
Used in non-blowback and blowback Airguns.
Can be made from plastic or steel.
Can often use mixed ammo types as in both 4.5mm Steel BB and .177 caliber pellet.
Belt Fed Magazine
Like rotary magazine belt fed magazine can accommodate Steel BB, Pellet and Airsoft but are most often used with Pellet Airguns.
Usually found in a full size magazine that also holds the CO2.
Used in non-blowback and blowback Airguns.
Can be made from plastic or steel or a combination of both materials.
Internal Magazine
Used with Steel BB, Airsoft.
Can have a hopper built in hat feeds a spring fed magazine.
Usually found in lesser expensive Airguns but not a rule.
In this Video I go through each type of Airgun Magazine and talk about their differences and uses.
For this Video 2 Accuracy Test I shoot all of the above listed Airguns at a paper target setup 30 feet down range using a semi rested shooting position with my hands resting on a sand bag up front and seated on a stool in the back. It’s not perfect but works well enough. I didn’t take a ton of time with each gun since there where 4 to shoot in this Field Test Shooting Video so accuracy may have been a bit better if I took a little more time with each gun.
In Video 2 I test the power and penetration of each Airgun option shooting at a pop can, a soup can and a toilet paper roll so make sure to watch that video if you have not already watched it.
For this Video 1 Power Test I shoot all of the above listed Airguns first at a pop can, then a soup can and then a toilet paper roll. The ides is to test penetration abilities with the pop and soup can and then raw force shooting the toilet paper as it will absorb all the energy from each airgun round and by gauging how much the toilet paper reacts or moves it should tell us which airgun has the most raw power or energy.
In Video 2 I will be testing accuracy using my standard 30 round paper target setup in the Replica Airguns Sea Can so stay posted for that upcoming video shortly…
In this Field Test Shooting Review I test out the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver in the Replica Airguns Sea Can Indoor Shooting Range to find out its velocity and accuracy using both 4.5mm Steel BB’s and .177 Caliber Lead Pellets. The version I am using is the BB version but my viewers have informed me that the BB version may in fact shoot just as well as the pellet version using pellets even without the rifled barrel due to how pellets are shaped not always requiring a rifled barrel to fly true. So let’s find out!
Starting with the velocity test, I shot 4 rounds of each ammo through my Chronograph using a fresh CO2 cartridge. Umarex claims the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver is able to get a maximum fps of 420 using standard 4.5mm steel BB’s and I was able to average 396 so every close. In warmer conditions 420 fps should be possible. Switching to the .177 caliber lead pellets the fps lowered a bit to an average of 323 fps as expected since the pellets are much heavier (around 7 grain versus 5 grain). I would expect the energy of the pellets to be a bit higher and also keep that energy out to further ranges so if you plan to shoot longer ranges perhaps go with the lead pellets over the BB’s as long as they are similar in accuracy which I test next.
For the accuracy portion of the test I again started off with the 4.5mm Steel BB’s and fired 6 rounds into my paper target setup 30 feet down range. I shot the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver using a seated shooting position with my hands resting up front on a sand bag to help with stability but it’s not perfect and there is always some human factor to consider. That said I was able to shoot a 1.5 inch 6 shot grouping with the BB’s and if I remove one outlier from the group that reduced it to closer to around an inch so not too bad for a BB shooter. I then switching up to the .177 caliber lead pellets and was a bit surprised that even without a rifled barrel the pellets seemed to perform better than the Steel BB’s getting a solid 1 inch grouping with no real outliers in it!
Unfortunately I do not have the actual rifled barrel version of the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 Revolver. Perhaps in the future I can compare the BB verso to the Pellet version using pellets to see if there is an improvement with the addition of the rifled barrel. I can say the BB version without the rifled version shoots pellets just fine at least up to 30 feet so feel free to shoot whatever ammo you want to with it and not be worried about compromising accuracy or velocity.
Type: BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Umarex. Model: M29. Materials: Metal & plastic. Weight: 2.5 pounds (1135 grams). Barrel Length: 8.375 inches (Smooth bore). Total Length: 12.13 inches. Propulsion: 12 gram CO2 cartridge. Action: Revolver, single and double action. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's (Also available in 6mm Airsoft). Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds. FPS: 420fps claimed.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver is light in single action but not too light, there is virtually no take up and the release is predictable. In double action the trigger pull is heavier as the cylinder and hammer are both actuated manually by the trigger but even so the pull is not what I would call heavy for a double action revolver. The double action trigger pull is nice and even and will not tire out your finger too much firing all six rounds quickly.
Accuracy: At this point i have not made my Field Test Shooting portion of my review for the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver but I expect to get close to the 420 fps claimed velocity and I also expect to shoot around a 1 to 2 inch grouping based on my past experienced with similar Shell Loading BB Revolvers. I may even pull of a 1/5 inch group if I am on my game and so is the gun… We will have to all wait till next week when I record the shooting portion of my review for the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver.
Build Quality: Overall the all metal build quality of the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver is very good. The black chrome finish looks really nice but does show every finger print and any grease from your hands. The imitation wood grips look just like real wood and with only the exception of a small scratch or crack in the front plastic red sight, the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver was flawless.
Realism: The Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver is the same revolver used in one of the Dirty Hariy Movies and really looks exactly the same. As with all the shell loading BB/pellet/Airsoft Revolvers, they look and perform exactly like the real steel versions other than recoil of course. The only give away for the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver would be the diameter of the shells as Umarex decided to repurpose the 38/357 shells used in their other smaller caliber shell loading revolvers. It would have been nice to have a larger 44/45 caliber sized shell that they could use in both the Colt 45 Single Action Army Revolvers and this 44 Magnum version of the Smith and Wesson M29 Revolver. The barrel opening is closer to that of a 44 Magnum so they did get that part right.
Pros:
Classic iconic 44 magnum movie revolver.
Mostly all metal build.
Good overall weight, it’s big so expected to weigh a fair amount.
Lots of detail, well made, fit and finish is very good.
Fully S&W Licensed via Umarex.
Love the black chrome look but prone to finger prints.
Simulated wood grips look real enough.
Should have good overall power, accuracy and shots per CO2 (claimed around 80 per CO2).
Adjustable rear sight for windage/elevation with red dot front sight.
CO2 Allen key built into grip.
Recessed barrel true to 44 magnum opening size.
Nice Trigger pull in both single and double action.
Cons:
Shells are closer to 357 not 44 magnum in size.
Don’t like the white writing on the right side.
Black chrome finish shows lots of finger prints and grease.
Comments:
I really like that Umarex decided to give us this more classic Revolver to add to our collection of Airgun Revolvers! I was a big fan of the Dirty Harry Movies so this gun is for sure going to be part of my Airgun collection and even if you are not a fan, you should probably be a fan of the Smith and Wesson M29 which was considered to be one of the most powerful revolvers back in its day. Right now you can get it in 4.5mm Steel BB and 6mm Plastic Airsoft but hopefully there is a .177 caliber Pellet version on its way at some point.
My Table Top Video of the Umarex S&W M29 8 Inch Barrel Shell Loading CO2 BB Revolver:
I have a nice Airgun Pistol Update Unboxing video to checkout where I take a look at 5 Airguns four of which are Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistols and one is a CO2 BB Revolver. I don’t go into a lot of details here on each Airgun as this is mainly just a preview video to let everyone know we have these products in our Online Replica Airgun Stores and give a you a quick look at them. I will be following up with individual Table Top and Field Test Videos where I go into more details and also show you how each gun performs in the Replica Airguns Indoor Sea Can Shooting Range.
Type: Airsoft Rifle. Distributer:ASG. Model:Action Army T-11. Materials: Metal and polymer build. Weight: 3.9/4.5 pounds. Barrel: 11.8 inches, non-rifled. Total Length: 34.7/43.3 inches Propulsion: Spring Action: Bolt action repeater. Ammunition Type: .6mm plastic Airsoft BB’s. Ammunition Capacity: 50 round magazine. FPS: 400-430. Type: Pistol and Rifle versions.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on ASG Action Army T-11 Spring Powered Bolt Action Airsoft Gun is light, short and crisp. There is virtually no take-up and the release point has no creep to it. I would say it is not too light but for sure one of the lighter trigger s I have tested on a Airsoft rifle.
Accuracy: I have not performed my Field Test Shooting Video for the ASG Action Army T-11 Spring Powered Bolt Action Airsoft Gun so stay posted for that. ASG claims around 400-430 fps velocity depending on the version which is kind of weird since both have the exact same barrel length internally and I would assume both use the same mechanical part throughout? I don’t have the rifle version to compare to but I will for sure test the velocity using my Chronograph for the pistol version when I do my Field Test Shooting Review along with accuracy performance.
Build Quality: The ASG Action Army T-11 Spring Powered Bolt Action Airsoft Gun is well built for sure, it feels really solid in the hadn't and has good overall weigth to it for it’s size. You will find lots of metal parts where they need to be as in the inner and outer barrel, receiver, bolt, trigger, magazine release and I am sure most mechanical internal parts. Fit and finish is also very good.
Realism: The ASG Action Army T-11 Spring Powered Bolt Action Airsoft Gun is not a replace of any gun I know of but does have tab least the pistol version does look like a sawn off shotgun more than a sniper rifle. The gun overall all is very modern and ergonomic looking but in terms of being a replica of any specific real steel gun in production I don’t know of any it would resemble?
Pros:
Top and bottom rails for lots of accessory add on options.
Can swap over to a rifle version by adding on an interchangeable but-stock.
Mock magazine allows for storage and transport of tools plus extras.
Safety switch is in a great location for right handed shooters.
Comes with included hand stop.
Solid construction with lots of metal parts where they are important.
Ability to add side rails.
Great option if you are looking for a more compact sniper rifle.
Comes in Pistol and Rifle versions.
Cons:
Has an orange tip.
Does not come with sights, will need to add some sort of optical or red dot sight.
Does not come with speed loader, would have been nice.
Comments: I am looking forward to performing my Indoor Field Test Shooting Video for the ASG Action Army T-11 Spring Powered Bolt Action Airsoft Gun. I won’t be able to test it out perhaps as far range as I would like to since I will be shooting it in the Replica Airguns Indoor Shooting range which allows me to test at 30 feet. That should give us a good overall idea on at least what it may be capable of since if we can get a tight group at 30 feet we should also be able to get a tight group at longer ranges with proper hop-up and BB selection. I like the option of being able to choose either the Pistol or Rifle version and both should perform about the same. Having the Pistol version will allow for a much more compact Sniper Rifle option much better suited for shooting in a variety of situations.
My Vimeo Videos for the ASG Action Army T-11 Spring Powered Bolt Action Airsoft Gun:
Make sure to watch my Table Top Video Review where I go into more detail about the specifications and details along with some nice close up video of the Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle.
In this Vimeo Video Field Test Review I test out the Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle in the indoor Replica Airguns Shooting Range to see how accurate it is and what kind fo velocity we can expect from it.
Starting with the velocity test I averaged out 8 rounds through my chronograph using 8.18 grain lead pellets using the dual 12 gram CO2 setup and I was able to average 445 fps which is not bad as these are mid grain weight pellets, lighter weight pellets would for sure get closer to the 490 fps claimed by Umarex. The temperate was about average room temp so not overly cold or warm.
Moving on to the accuracy test I placed all 9 rounds from the rotary magazine into a fresh paper target setup 30 feet away. I use a reseted seated position in the back with the Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle resting on a sand bag up front and I was using the 4 power scope for this test which I setup earlier. My final result was for sure an under one half inch grouping, I did feel like I pulled one shot a little bit but I am sure this Airgun can get quarter inch groupings at 30 feet and I would expect half inch groupings at 50 feet so perfect for mid range small pest shooting.
Umarex does adversities this Air rifle as being very quiet but in Canada we are not allowed to have any type of suppressor even on airguns so I believe this Canada version has been disabled in that regard but the Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle is fairly quiet for sure with its long barrel and slightly lower fps than the US version. Overall the Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle is a lot of bang for the buck with the added 4x scope, included magazines that hold 9 rounds each and the ability to use either a dual 12 gram or single 88 gram CO2 setup. It also looks really cool and performs just as good!
Type: Pellet Rifle. Distributer:Umarex. Model:Fusion 2. Materials: Metal and polymer build. Weight: 6.5pounds (2948 grams). Barrel: 22.5 inches, rifled. Total Length: 40.3 inches Propulsion: 12 gram CO2 x2 or 88 gram CO2 x1 Action: Bolt action repeater. Ammunition Type: .177 caliber pellets. Ammunition Capacity: 9 round rotary magazine x2. FPS: 490.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle feels pretty good, it is fairly short and light having a claimed 3.5 pound release which is believable. You will need to obviously work the bolt for each shot that precooks the internal hammer/striker allowing for the short and light trigger.
Accuracy: I have not performed my Field Test Shooting Video for the Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle so stay posted for that. Umarex has claimed a velocity of around 490 FPS for the Canada version I will be testing, the US version has a claimed velocity of up to 700 for those in the US purchasing this Rifle. I am sure the included 4x32 optical scope once setup will help in the accuracy department when I test this CO2 Air Rifle out on a paper target setup 30 feet down range.
Build Quality: The Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle is a fairly low cost target pellet Rifle when you consider it comes with a decent optical scope along with two 9 round magazines but even so the build quality seems very solid coming in at 6.5 pounds. The stock is plastic of course but there is lots of metal where you want it to be as in the bolt, trigger, safety and most other mechanical parts.
Realism: The Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle is not a replace of any gun I know of but does sport a very modern ergonomic look with its pistol grip and molded full stock. I like the built in picatinny rail which even though it does not offer any type of open sight configuration will allow for a variety of scope mounting options for near or far shooting.
Pros:
Low cost for a full featured Air Rifle with included scope.
Nice ergonomic modern looking design.
Ability to use either 12 gram or 88 gram CO2 cartridges.
Comes with 4x32 optical scope and all mounting hardware needed.
Come with two 9 round rotary magazines.
May be very quiet if the SilencAir technology is not disabled here in Canada?
Single action 3.5 pound trigger fells good.
Safety is large and easy to use.
M-LOK slots for mounting additional hardware.
Cons:
No iron sight option if you would prefer that.
Limited to under 500 fps (Canada version).
Not sure about the functionality of the SilencAir technology in Canada?
Comments: I am looking forward to performing my Indoor Field Test Shooting Video for the Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle to see if it performs as good as it looks. I’ll probably use the duel 12 gram configuration for this test since I don’t plan on shooting 300 rounds with it for my testing. We should also find out if the SilencAir technology has been disabled or not with my Canada version but even so, a 500 fps Air Refile is not going to be all that loud either way at the end of the day. There are not a lot of Bolt Action multi shot pellet Air Rifles out there especially in this price range so I am really hoping it hits a home run when I test it so stay posted for that video…
My Vimeo Videos for the Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 .177 Caliber Bolt Action Pellet Rifle:
In this Vimeo Replica Airguns Update Video I take a look at three CO2 Airguns, one is a 4.5mm Steel BB revolver distributed by Barra and two are CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistols distributed by Umarex. All of these CO2 Airguns I have previously reviewed in slightly different versions either barrel length and finish or Steel BB as compared to 6mm Airsoft So checkout why other reviews on similar version Airguns.
The Barra Barra Schofield CO2 BB Revolver is a replica of the Schofield No. 3 single action revolver and utilizes 6 reloadable shells for a very realistic shooting experience. It is very solid in construction bing made mostly out of metal and weighs in at around 2.4 pounds. This version shots 4.5 mm Steel BBs at a velocity of up to 400 fps. It comes in a variety of barrel lengths and finishes so amen sure to have a look in our Online Replica Airguns Store for what we have available…
Next up from Umarex is the fully licensed Beretta Pietro Mod. 92 A1 CO2 Blowback Semi and Full Auto Airsoft Pistol, this product is distributed by Umarex but is made by KWC. Another solid metal pistol with a hefty 2.4 pound weigth that holds 21 rounds in its full size drop out metal magazine and offers both semi and full auto shooting at the flick of a switch!
Again from Umarex I showcase the Elite Force 1911 Tac CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol and like the Beretta Pietro it too is made in the KWC factory for Umarex. The 1911 Tac as the name suggest is a tactical version of the standard Colt 1911 but with some upgrades like a skeletonized hammer and trigger along with an ambidextrous safety, white dot sights front and back and a picatinny rail on the frame for add ons. You can expect velocity to be somewhere in the 400 fps range and the full size drop out metal magazine holds 15 Airsoft BB’s.
Type: BB Air pistol. Distributer: Crosman. Model:MAKO. Materials: Metal and polymer build. Weight: 1.71 pounds (775 grams). Barrel: 6 inches, non-rifled. Total Length: 8.6 inches Propulsion: CO2 x1. Action: Semi auto blowback, double action only. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 20 rounds. FPS: 425.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman MAKO Blowback CO2 BB Pistol is a little on the heavy side since it is double action only and it is also longer again being double action only. That said it is fairly smooth and not super heavy which shoudl allow for decent action shooting. It would have been cane if the hammer could be engaged for single action shooting but the design of the Crosman MAKO Blowback CO2 BB Pistol does not allow for this and therefore the hammer is just for show in this case.
Accuracy: I have performed my Field Test Shooting Video for the Crosman MAKO Blowback CO2 BB Pistol which can be found here. I won’t get into too much detail but overall you can expect velocity to be in the 400 fps range with a brand new CO2 and accuracy was decent form 30 feet away but could be a bit tighter. I was surprised at how snappy the blowback action was for a light weight slide with a light spring in it.
Build Quality: The Crosman MAKO Blowback CO2 BB Pistol feels solid enough in the hand and the materials used I am sure are on par with most Airguns out there but the gun may come across as being on the cheaper side as it lacks some of the more full features of more realistic functioning blowback Airguns. Just don’t let that make you think it is not well made as it is well made and may even be more reliable over time..
Realism: The Crosman MAKO Blowback CO2 BB Pistol looks the part of a beretta M92 at first glance but when you get a little closer you can really tell it is an Airgun at heart which is not a bad thing since that’s exactly what it is. You will find working parts like the magazine release and slide catch release and the slide does function since it is a blowback Airguns but the Crosman MAKO Blowback CO2 BB Pistol does have that funny inner barrel that pops out of the front every time you pull the trigger and parts like the slide safety are moulded into the slide and the hammer is just for show.
Pros:
Fairly inexpensive.
High FPS rating for a blowback BB pistol.
Easy to see Fiber Optic front and rear sights.
Multi tone color scheme looks good.
Has a pleasing tactic look to it.
CO2 tab is nicely hidden inside grip under magazine but plate.
Double action trigger pull is long but not too firm.
Picatinny rail for adding accessories.
Notched grips for a firm hold (best for larger hands)
Has a working side catch release that locks back after the last shot.
Has a surprising decent blowback action to it.
Cons:
Slide action feels clanky.
Hammer is just for show, does not do anything, no single action shooting ability.
Grips are large and will be to bog for smaller hands.
Comments: All in all the Crosman MAKO Blowback CO2 BB Pistol is a fun inexpensive CO2 Blowback BB Pistol that surprised me a bit when I actual got to shoot it. I originally though ti would feel kind of cheap to shoot but the snappy and firm blowback action and higher fps than usually found on blowback Airguns was surprising! The fiber optic sights making lining up target super easy and for a double action only shooter the trigger is not too bad so if you're a Beretta and Crosman fan then perhaps this is the pistol for you.
My Vimeo Video for the Crosman MAKO Blowback CO2 BB Pistol:
In this Field Test Shooting Video I test out Crosman’s latest version to the 357 line of CO2 Revolvers and perform both my Velocity and Accuracy test using both .177 caliber Lead Pellets and 4.5mm Steel BB’s to see which ammo has better velocity/power and is most accurate. Also make sure to watch my Table Tope Video Review where I go ver specifications and features and show the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver up nice and close.
Starting with the velocity portion of my Indoor Field Test Shooting video I placed a brand new 12 gram CO2 into the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver and tested out some 7 grain .177 caliber Lead Pellets. I was able to average 389 fps in what I would consider normal indoor temperature ranges so you can expect a bit higher velocities in outdoor weather conditions. Moving on the 4.5mm 5.1 grain Steel BB’s, I averaged a bit lower at 360 fps which may seem confusing since the Steel BB’s are lighter than the Lead Pellets? The Lead Pellets fit the barrel much more snug stoping any CO2 from getting around them which helps increase the fps over the Steel BB’s which are a hard metal and need to be slightly smaller in diameter and therefore do let some CO2 get by reducing the pressure behind them.
For my accuracy porting of the the Indoor Field Test I was going to place 6 shots from each magazine into my paper target setup 30 feet down range but ended up using all 10 rounds for the pellet magazine, perhaps because I was just having too much fun :) Since the BB magazine only holds 6 rounds my shot grouping for BB’s only included 6 shots so keep that in mind for the final results. All said and done the Lead Pellets outperformed the Steel BB’s once again getting about a 1.5 inch grouping over the 2.5 inch grouping for the Steel BB’s. And I know the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver is more than capable of getting a .5 to 1 inch grouping from previous Field Tests I have made using similar 357 type Crosman Revolvers.
The Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver is just one of those must have old school classic Air Pistols I think everyone should own at least some sort of version of. I do like the look of the Vigilante barrel with it’s more modern and aggressive design and functional top and bottom rails for adding on accessories. The ability to choose what ammo type you want to shoot is also a plus and the price point is bang on for a nice CO2 Air powered Revolver.
