I caught up with Mark at the Umarex booth to check out a stack of new releases for 2026, ranging from backyard BB “fun guns,” to a major upgrade for the Thompson, plus a dual-fuel hunting/pest-control PCP concept and some serious less-lethal / training options.
Storm Line BB Rifle (dual CO2, full auto): A traditional, “tamer-looking” BB rifle that’s anything but tame.
Capacity: 400-round main reservoir + 25-round ready magazine
Action: Full auto
Vibe: Affordable, high-volume backyard fun, while keeping the styling less “tactical,” which could help for markets like Canada.
Ridge Tech Lever Action (CO2): Lever actions are hot, and this one leans modern while staying simple and budget-friendly.
Feed system: 8-round magazine + 120-round reservoir built into the mag
Use case: Tin-can plinking and family backyard sessions, “CO2 Red Ryder for adults” energy.
Thompson M1A1 Drum Magazine Upgrade: The #1 request finally landed: a drum mag for the Thompson.
Capacity: 400 BBs
How it runs: Wind as needed to keep feeding similar to Airsoft High cap magazines
Best part: The drum magazine is planned to be sold separately and should work with the older stick-mag Thompson versions too, so existing owners can upgrade without buying the whole gun again.
Outpost (25 cal) “Dual Fuel” PCP Concept: One of the most interesting items in the booth, a platform aimed at practical use over pure plinking.
Power source: Runs on a nitrogen cartridge or as a traditional PCP-style setup out of the box
Caliber: .25 only
Design notes: Side lever, folding stock for compact carry, onboard spare-mag storage (prototype shown)
Positioning: Built for small game / pest work and “preparedness” minded buyers
Canada angle: CO2 use (if supported) could drop velocity, but in this form it sounded like it may currently be on the “too fast for Canada” side, so detuned / CO2-focused variants were discussed as a possibility.
S68 (68 cal, CO2, ~16J): Compact launcher format with real punch for its size.
We made it to the Barra Booth here at SHOT Show 2026 and once again I caught up with Jacob to check out what’s new for 2026, lots of “modern western” energy this year, plus some serious PCP development and even a very functional slingshot.
New “cowboy” premium single-action revolver (PCP cartridge-powered): Unlike most revolvers in this category that run on CO2, this one uses refillable air cartridges (small pressure chambers) filled to ~2000 PSI. You load a pellet into the nose cone, charge multiple cartridges at once using a charging manifold (up to six at a time), then drop the loaded cartridges into the cylinder just like shells.
Caliber shown: .22
Hand pump fill estimate: roughly ~10 pumps (quick top-offs), with a tip to pump → degas → pump againfor more consistent cartridge pressure.
Frame/version: brass frame first, with other versions planned.
Positioning: premium / highest-quality cowboy-style item in their lineup; made in Italy.
Early price talk: roughly $400–$500 range (with cartridges), but still TBD.
1866 CO2 Lever Action – Tactical version (launching this year): Built off their popular CO2-powered 1866 lever action (two CO2 cartridges in the buttstock, shells load into the gun, lever cycles and ejects).
Updates: black stock, M-LOK fore-end, larger Picatinny section, and paracord wrap on the lever for comfort.
Calibers: .22 is the focus (with .177 also planned/available).
New slingshot (with internal grip magazine): A compact, foldable slingshot that stores ammo in the grip and feeds by gravity—engineered so it releases one steel shot at a time.
Uses flat bands (easy to swap/upgrade for strength/velocity).
Sighting: built-in sight plus fiber optic references for left/right-handed use and different ranges.
Replica-style break barrels (AK + M16 formats): Two new break-barrel rifles styled after an AK and an M16 with non-functional replica controls, but standard break-barrel operation.
Sights/optics: adjustable iron sights plus Picatinny rail for optics.
Calibers mentioned/planned: .177 / .22 / .25.
New PCP platform: “300Z” (pre-production prototype in hand): A more serious, modern tactical PCP design with:
Rotary magazine (prototype shown in .30 cal, 8 rounds)
Power testing target: up to ~80 ft-lb in .30 cal
Notes: barrel shroud look—not a suppressor; Canada discussion included licensing/detune possibilities.
Updated PCP: “270Z” (built off the 250Z, redesigned internals): A redesigned system meant to feel more like a traditional bolt action, with increased plenum volume (machined from a solid block of aluminum) targeting ~20% more power than the 250Z.
Features: adjustable cheek rest, M-LOK fore-end
Timing: Q2 target for the 270Z; Q3 target for the 300Z.
Jacob also emphasized an ongoing push toward higher workmanship, better materials, and improved performance, and it shows, especially in the new premium western revolver and the next-gen PCP lineup.
We visited the ASG booth with Bob (his 13th SHOT Show) to check out what’s new for 2026, with several updates aimed at Canadian buyers.
New budget AR AEG line (April/May target): three versions planned (all-polymer, polymer receiver w/ metal rail, and all-metal). Target pricing is about $150 USD (polymer) and $210–$220 USD (all-metal). Includes battery + charger, plus two springs (one outdoor/Canada-legal and one ~330 FPS), with easy spring swaps. Some models include an ETU.
GL06 40mm launcher: an older favorite that keeps selling, highlighted for its durable build, long barrel, and long firing pin designed for better reliability with a wider range of shells.
Canada-focused HPA solution (in development): ASG is working on an HPA setup to help gas blowback models meet Canada’s import threshold (they referenced 367 fps) so more options can be brought into the country.
Canada version P-10 CO2 (March/April target): updated with a higher-velocity valve aiming around ~380 fps, making it Canada import legal. Comes in black and FDE, full blowback, and includes an optics plate for red dots.
Blaster BBs refreshed: BB lineup is consolidated into Blaster / Alpha Blaster (premium) / Beta Blaster (budget/field), with options like bio and tracer. US availability is expected early February.
I just got back from SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas, and let me tell you, it was an action-packed trip! Over on our channels, we’ve just dropped a fast-paced highlight reel that captures the best moments of our week long stay.
The SHOT Show took place at the Venetian Convention Center, and you’ll see plenty of footage capturing the scale and energy of the event itself: busy show floors, massive booths, indoor and outdoor areas, and the overall atmosphere of one of the largest firearms and shooting-sports events in the world, with Airguns and related gear naturally woven throughout.
But it’s not just airguns, we’ve got slices of Vegas! You’ll catch us strolling Fremont Street, lounging poolside, and soaking up those iconic Vegas vibes between interviews. Whether you’re here for the Airguns or the atmosphere, this video’s got it all, music, cuts, the show floor, and a taste of Las Vegas. Check it out now and immerse yourself in the SHOT Show experience!
I was in Las Vegas last week for SHOT Show, filming content for Replica Airguns, but I wanted to post a quick update so you know what I was up to.
I went to SHOT Show to connect with people in the industry and record a bunch of interviews with vendors and companies, Airgun and aintball brands included (and more). I ended up filming about seven interviews, and now that I’m home I’ve got a lot of great footage to go through.
I was in Vegas with my buddy Steve (the guy behind the camera). Once the filming was wrapped, we spent some time enjoying the city after a busy week. We also did a few things outside of SHOT Show, because if you’re in Vegas, you might as well experience it.
In this video, we’re at the Montecristo Cigar Bar inside Caesars Palace, winding down with a nice port and a cigar.
Stay tuned,now that I’m back, I’ll start editing and posting those interviews. If you want to watch the SHOT Show interview series, head over to Replica Airguns or watch on our Vimeo and YouTube channels as I post them…
I tested another Steambow model in this Field Test Shooting Video, the Steambow AR Series M10 Tactical Crossbow. Like my other Crossbow Field Test videos, I recorded the Chronograph velocity while I was shooting the target so there was no need for separate segments, everything was done in one go with four cameras rolling. I didn’t put a dedicated camera on the Chronograph because I wanted a camera on the target; my camera glasses generally pick up the chrono readings anyway. I only have so many cameras, but everything recorded as planned. If you want the full specs and a closer look at the M10, watch my dedicated Table Top video.
Steambow quotes about 190–200 fps for the AR Series M10. My six chrono readings were 189, 191, 189, 189, 190 and 191, which worked out to a 190 fps average. Using the included 142-grain, 6.5-inch aluminum bolts produced roughly 11.4 foot-pounds of energy, so both velocity and FPE were basically on target with Steambow’s numbers. That’s adequate for small pests, but humane shots always come down to accuracy, you’ll want head or shoulder placement, and I’m not ready to declare any compact crossbow a guaranteed solution for that. Test accuracy for yourself.
For accuracy I shot six rounds at a paper target 30 feet downrange from my usual seated in the back, hands rested up front shooting position. The first shot from the Steambow AR Series M10 Tactical Crossbow was a few inches low, so I adjusted my point of aim up and ended up with an impressive 1-inch, 4-shot group just left of center. One bolt missed the target entirely, could have been me or a bad bolt (I’ll blame the bolt on that one). Still, for a compact crossbow this was an excellent result, comparable to some pellet rifles.
Overall the Steambow AR Series M10 Tactical Crossbow performed really well. I like the cocking and bolt-feeding system, cocking is simple: shoulder the stock, press the release, then pull the front down using the foregrip for leverage. Even with the higher power of this model you don’t need a lot of strength, and with practice follow-up shots can be quick. I’d add a red dot to the rail to help dial in accuracy and buy a few extra bolts for target practice and hunting. The M10 is one of Steambow’s pricier offerings, but it also has the highest ammo capacity and the most customization options. If you want the ultimate compact crossbow setup, the ability to preload multiple bolts and have extra 10-shot magazines on hand makes the M10 the one to consider.
I’ve tested a few compact crossbows before, but nothing with a multi-bolt loading system like the Steambow setup I’m testing in this video. As with my other Crossbow Field Test videos, I recorded Chronograph velocity at the same time I was shooting the target so I didn’t need two separate segments, I did it all in one pass with lots of cameras rolling. I didn’t dedicate a camera to the Chronograph for this test because I wanted a camera focused on the target; my camera glasses usually capture the Chronograph readings for me. I only have so many cameras, but everything was captured fine. If you want to learn more about the specifications and details of the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II, then watch my dedicated Table Top Video located here.
Steambow lists 180 fps as the claimed velocity for the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical. I consistently measured right around 160 fps, pretty close to the claim. Using the included 142-grain, 6.5-inch aluminum bolts my chrono readings ranged from 159 to 164 fps, averaging 163 fps, which is very consistent. That produced about 8.4 foot-pounds of energy, so both velocity and FPE were a little under Steambow’s stated numbers. That’s enough for small pests, but humane shots depend on accuracy, you’ll want head or shoulder placement, and I’m not fully convinced this bow is always up to that task. You’ll need to judge its accuracy for your own use.
On elevation (up and down) the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II was fairly accurate. Where it struggled more was windage: I had to aim noticeably to the right to move bolts toward the bullseye. The sight is very basic (a single fiber-optic post just behind of the Picatinny rail), which likely contributed to the windage issue. Despite that, I managed a roughly 4-inch group at 30 feet, with one bolt behaving like a flyer.
Overall the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II performed well. I really like the cocking and bolt-feeding system — cocking is easy by shouldering the stock, pressing the release, then pulling the front of the bow down using the foregrip for leverage. You don’t need to be super strong to do it, and with practice you could get very quick at follow-up shots. I’d definitely add a red dot to the rail to help dial in accuracy, and I’d buy a few extra bolts for target and hunting. The AR-6 Stinger II is pricier than some basic models, but the ability to preload multiple bolts in the built-in clip and unleash six shots in seconds makes the extra cost worth it to me.
I also got a few accessor items from a company called GEAR STOCK, Some CO2 in 12 and 88 gram along with some 6mm aluminum Airsoft BB’s. A very cool rechargeable red and green laser that comes in a nice hard shell case and it has a picatinny rail on the bottom she you can stack a second accessory under it.
Here are some links and specs for the Airguns I show off in this mystery box video:
We recently picked up the Steambow line of Compact Crossbows and I have already made a Table Top Review for some of their products. So far I had not shot or tested any of the Steambow product line yet and so it was nice to get the chance to shoot a few different models over in the Archery Pavilion at SHOT Show and also talk with Tobias their product specialist. I did get the chance to drop by the Steambow Booth and talked with the Steambow team and founder about some of their new products coming out including a new Rubber Ball crossbow they are working on that should be coming out in the near future.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark from Umarex again at SHOT Show 2025 and Mark went over some of the new products from Umarex coming out this year. Make started of by showing me two new MOS (Modular Optic System) Gen 5 Glocks in a Glock 17 and Glock 19 versions. Both come with Umarex based red dot sights but you can change them up for something different if you choose to down the road. We then took a look at the new Umarex AER16 AR AEG Rifle in 4.5mm Steel BB rather than 6mm Airsoft similar to the Barra e400 that came out last year. In a nutshell it is a battery/spring operated 4.5mm Steel BB Full Auto AR Replica. Mark then showed us some A&L AK based AEG Airsoft Rifles they are now distributing that feature Full steel body construction with high-quality real laminated wood handguard and skeletal folding stocks. These are one to one in terms of size and weight adn very detailed. We then finished up the interview taking a look at the Legends Saddle Lever Action Shell Loading Rifle and the Umarex Smith & Wesson Competitor Shell Loading revolver.
I spoke with Jacob from Barra and he went over a lot of new products adn updated products Barra is introducing this year. We discussed some new PCP Air Rifles with Canada import options, Jacob went over some new updates to their 1866 Muti-pump BB and Pellet Lever Action Rifle, and he went over Barra’s Gen 2 400e AEG BB rifle which include a higher capacity magazine, an increased velocity and unproved internal tolerances for smoother BB flow. Lastly Barra is introducing high grade 4.5mm BB’s that a re procession ground to be more uniform for improved accuracy and better BB feeding. Great for full auto guns.
It was nice to run into ASG (Action Sports Games) right away and talk with Bob for ASG. Bob always has a great understanding of the ASG product line and each year I Interview him and find out all the news and updated product in the ASG lineup. This year Bob’s goes over the new ASG CZ P-10 C CO2 Blowback BB Pistol, the Action Army C1 Pro Bolt Action CO2 Airsoft Rifle, ASG’s new Frag Impact Sound Grenades, along with some new additions to the Shadow 2 Series of Airsoft Pistols. Was a great start to this years SHOT Show 2025!
I’m back from SHOT Show 2025 Las Vegas and finished transferring and uploading all the video from all the cameras we shot it all on. We had a great time, we met a lot of great folks at the booths and it’s now time to put it all together and make some videos for everyone so I can share the experience!
I always like to put out a “Teaser Video” with some quick clips of the entire experience including some of the travels, a bit of the resort we stayed at, shots of Vegas and of course lots of the SHOT Show 2025 experience along with the booths we visited. Enjoy this quick preview and stay posted for my upcoming Interview Videos shortly…
Type: Multi-Ammo Pistol. Distributer:Alies Airguns. Model:GEM. Materials: Mostly metal with some plastic build. Weight: Barrel dependent. Total Length: Barrel dependent 3.5 inches (89mm) with BB and Airsoft Barrels. Barrel: Barrel dependent 2 inches (51mm) with BB and Airsoft Barrels Propulsion: 8 or 12 gram CO2 (12 Gram CO2 required adaptor sold separately). Action: Break Barrel / Single shot. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's / 6mm Airsoft BB’s (Can also purchase .117 Pellet, .50 & .43 cal Paintball, 9mm Arrow Barrels) Ammunition Capacity: 1 round. FPS: up to 400 using 4.5mm Steel BB’s.
Trigger Pull: The Alias GEM Multi Ammo Mini CO2 Airgun is a true single action only pistol that requires the pulling back of the hammer for each shot. This does give it a very nice trigger action that is short to medium in length with an easy release. The makeup is about medium for a single action trigger with a bit of an unpredictable release as there is no point in time that you feel it breaking on you. This can be good or bad depending on how you like your triggers as it is hard to tel when ti will actually release but the smoothness makes it a good trigger overall in my opinion
Accuracy: I have not shot the Alias GEM Multi Ammo Mini CO2 Airgun at all so far as it requires 8 gram CO2 and so I am waiting on the 12 gram adaptor for it before I can even give it a quick try. I will be making a full Field test Review for it swapping between a bunch of barrel options to see how each barrel adn ammo type performs in terms of power adn accuracy so stay posted for that video down the road a bit.
Build Quality: Build quality for the Alias GEM Multi Ammo Mini CO2 Airgun is very good with an almost all metal build other than the front and back sights, the trigger, the safety adn the barrel release. I kind of wish these parts were also metal as the rest of the Airgun is so pristine! The weight of this pistol feels very dense as it is so small yet has a good weight. The fir and finishes is all very good with the chrome finish on most parts and even the inclusion of what I believe are real gem stones on each side of the grips. The mechanical parts are also smooth and precise.
Realism: As far as I know the Alias GEM Multi Ammo Mini CO2 Airgun is not a replica of any production real steel gun that I am aware of. It looks to me like some sort of futuristic compact laser pistol? In terms of gun shape and what we are use to in terms of what a gun is it checks most of the boxes but it is it’s own design for sure.
Pros:
Super compact design, probably the smallest Airgun available.
Multiple quick change barrel and ammo options.
Mostly all metal build, very high quality materials.
Nice smooth and light SAO trigger.
Able to also use 12 gram CO2 with optional adapter.
Comes in different colors (red or black).
Decent velocity up to 400 fps depending on ammo type.
Eye-catching chrome and gemstone detailing make it a collector's piece.
Cons:
Uses 8 grams CO2 standard, harder to get and more expensive.
Only a single shot, not an action shooter.
On the pricy side at over $300 Canadian.
Comments:
I have to say that the Alias GEM Multi Ammo Mini CO2 Airgun is not going to be for everyone as the price point is up there a bit for such a simple single action gun. That said it is super unique and the quality adn design is top notch. It may in fact be the smallest CO2 Airgun on the market adn you can literally put it in your front pocket easily. That combined with all the barrel and ammo options makes it super flexible if you plan on shooting a variety of different ammo types. Like I said in the video you may even be able to get away with buying it as a gift for your wife or girlfriend since it technically can be defined as being jewelry with the imbedded Gem stones in the grips. That may be a bit of a stretch unless she is also an Airgun fan.
This video was made right at the end of December 2024 but I am posting it in the new year so we will call it a late December video… That makes two Mystery Box Videos for December 2024 which means a lot of new products on my plate to review this new year. Hopefully I can get a bunch of them done before I head out to SHOT Show this year in a couple of weeks as I will have a lot of videos and interviews to post for SHOT Show as is always the case when I get back.
At least in this unboxing videos I can give you an idea of some of the new products we have in the Replica Airgun online Stores usually in both the Canada and the US Replica Airgun Stores. In this Unboxing Video I received 5 new products to show you. A Less Lethal Pistol and Spring Piston BB Pistol from Umarex, a Carbine Airsoft Rifle from KJWorks, a Multi-barrel super compact Airgun from Alias Airguns out of Canada, and Bug Exterminator from a company called Skell Inc. Here are some of the basics for each of them:
Type: CO2 Air Pistol. Manufacturer:Alias Airguns. Model: Gem. Caliber: Multi Barrel Comes with 4.5mm Steel BB adn 6mm Airsoft. Power Source: Single 8g CO2 Cartridge or 12 gram with adaptor. Magazine Capacity: Single shot. Buy the .50 Caliber Paintball Barrel Set: AA1002. Buy the Rocket Barrel Set: AA1003. Buy the 12 Gram CO2 Adaptor: AA1004.
Type: Spring Air BB Pistol. Manufacturer:Umarex. Model: DSX 45. Ammo Type:4.5mm Steel BBs. Power Source: Spring Air. Magazine Capacity: 13 Rounds (Rapid Load) with 200 Round Reservoir.
Type: Pump Action Bug Exterminator. Manufacturer: Skell Inc. Model: Bug-A-Salt 3.0. Ammo Type: table Salt. Power Source: Spring Air. Magazine Capacity: a bunch.
you need to cock the bow in order for the trigger to be engaged. The trigger mechanism basically just pushes the bow string up and over the lip of the rail releasing the bow, so there is a bit of friction and I would guess it is about 8-10 pounds maybe a bit less. There is no actual safety on the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical so you will have to practice appropriate finger control so as to not accidentally fire a bolt unintentionally.
Accuracy: I have not recorded my Field Test Shooting Video for the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical and so I am not sure what to expect. I have shot a similar bow, the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow so it should perform a lot like that one but without the auto loading bolt system. If you want, you can check that Field Test Shooting Video out here, I expect the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical to have perhaps slightly less power over the Bear X Desire XL as it is rated to have a 55 pound draw as compared to the 60 pounds of the Bear X Desire XL. In terms of accuracy I do not expect anything similar to a pellet or even BB rifles or pistol but I hope to get somewhere near a 6-8 inch grouping with the 6 bolts loaded in the internal magazine.
Build Quality: The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical is overall well made but does consist of a lot of plastic or polymer, that said it feels sturdy enough when holding it in the hand. The bow itself is fiberglass and the only real metal I can confirm is the cocking rail, mostly everything else other than the nuts, bolts, safety are some sort of plastic. Fit and finish is good. I am hoping the auto bolt loading system will perform well and be consistent but we will find out when I make my Field Test Shooting Video for it soon.
Realism: The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical is not a Replica pistol or rifle, it is a target bow that one could perhaps use of small game if you become proficient with shooting it. I do think this is a crossover product in terms of interest with people that are also interested in Airguns or target shooting. The other benefit is that it has a lot more power than a non regulated Airgun as the it uses nice heavy 142 grain bolts traveling at near 200 fps which gives an energy rating of around 12 foot pounds, the speed may be less than an Airgun but the energy is a lot higher. If raw power is what you are interested in, then this is your best option for something still compact and quiet if you do not have a firearms license or want to avoid that hassle and the legalities around regulated firearms.
Pros:
Light weight and compact.
More power than an airgun yet still quiet to shoot so can use discreetly just about anywhere with a good back stop setup.
Auto loading system for quick follow up shots.
Easy to draw the bow using the stock for leverage.
Top and bottom Picatinny rail mounting options for sights and accessories.
Fiber optic mid sight setup.
Ambidextrous bolt safety easy to engage and disengage.
6 bolts included to fully load the internal magazines.
180 fps (10ft/lbs).
Comes with standard fore grip.
5 portion AR compatible adjustable rear but stock.
Cons:
Fairly expensive.
Sights are not adjustable, mid sight is not as easy to sight in.
Will need a good backstop or will lose lots of bolts.
Takes a little bit of time to set it up but not too hard, just follow the steps in the manual.
Comments:
The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical is an interesting product, the autoloading system with built in 6 round magazines turns this from a simple target bow into a bit of an action shooter once you get the reloading down. As a potential pest control solution it for sure has the power as long as you can harness it by practicing to the point where you can get those 142 grain bolts on target and make a humane shot at the ranges you plan on using it for. Having quick follow up shots I feel is necessary just in case the first shot does not quite get the job done. If you don’t need external 10 round magazines or the upgraded accessories found on the Steambow M10 Tactical and want something a little more affordable than check the AR-6 Stinger out as it is very versatile as a compact Recurve Crossbow.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is a single action only trigger as you need to cock the bow in order for the trigger to be engaged. The trigger mechanism basically just pushes the bow string up and over the lip of the rail releasing the bow, so there is a bit of friction and I would guess it is about 8-10 pounds maybe a bit less. There is a metal bolt style safety just above where the trigger releases that is ambidextrous, push it forward for safe and back for fire.
Accuracy: I have not recorded my Field Test Shooting Video for the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow and so I am not sure what to expect so far. I have shot a similar bow, the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow so it should perform a lot like that one but without the auto loading bolt system. If you want, you can check that Field Test Shooting Video out, I expect the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow to have a bit more power over the Bear X Desire XL as it is rated to have a 75 pound draw as compared to the 60 pounds of the Bear X Desire XL. In terms of accuracy I do not expect anything similar to a pellet or even BB rifles or pistol but I hope to get somewhere near a 6-8 inch grouping with the 10 bolts.
Build Quality: The Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is well made but does consist of mostly plastic or polymer, that said it feels sturdy enough when holding it and is one of the heavier compact recurve Crossbow systems at 4 pounds. The bow itself is fiberglass and the only real metal I can confirm is the cocking rail, mostly everything else other than the nuts, bolts, safety and sling ring are some sort of plastic. Fit and finish is good. I am hoping the auto bolt loading system will perform well and be consistent but we will find out when I make my Field Test Shooting Video for it
Realism: The Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is not a Replica pistol or rifle, it is a target bow that one could perhaps use of small game if you become proficient with it. I do think there is a crossover product in terms of interest with people that are also interested in Airguns. The other benefit is that it has a lot more power than a non regulated Airgun as the it uses nice heavy 142 grain bolts traveling at near 200 fps which gives an energy rating of around 12 foot pounds. If raw power is what you are interested in, then this is your best option for something still compact and quiet if you do not have a firearms license or want to avoid that hassle and the legalities around it.
Pros:
Light weight and compact.
More power than an airgun yet still quiet to shoot so can use discreetly just about anywhere with a good back stop setup.
Auto loading system for quick follow up shots.
Easy to draw the bow using the stock for leverage.
Comes with bow pre-strung and ready to mount.
Lots of Picatinny rail mounting options for sights and accessories.
Fiber optic front sight with two rear sight options (grove and peep).
Ambidextrous bolt safety easy to engage and disengage.
20 bolts included to fully load both 10 round magazines.
190-200 fps (11-12ft/lbs).
Comes with upgraded fore grip.
6 portion AR compatible adjustable rear but stock with cheek adjustment.
Cons:
Fairly expensive.
Sights are not adjustable.
Will need a good backstop or will lose lots of bolts.
Takes a little bit of time to set it up but not too hard, just follow the steps in the manual.
Comments:
The Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is an interesting product, the autoloading system with 10 round magazines turns this from a simple target bow into a bit of an action shooter once you get the reloading down. As a potential pest control solution it for sure has the power as long as you can harness it by practicing to the point where you can get those 142 grain bolts on target and make a humane shot. Having quick follow up shots is necessary just in case the first shot does not quite get the job done. The upgraded add on accessories you get with the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow really give it a quilty feel and it is nice you not only have a fully adjustable AR compactly rear stock with a cheek rest but you have the option of a peep or grove rear sight to line up the fiber optic front sight. The price is on the high side but if you want the most ultimate Compact Recurve Crossbow auto loading system with maximum ammo then this is for sure the product for you.
I did my unboxing vide for both the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical and M10 Tactical already which is generally a preview of the products I am unboxing but with these types of compact crossbows, they generally need a bit of setup before they are complete and ready to view and use.
For that reason I wanted to make a quick combined Preview Video for Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical and M10 Tactical Crossbows so you can see what they look like all put together, and what the main differences are between the two of them. This way you can figure out which one might be the best choice if you are in the market for a product like this.
Let’s go over the main specifications and differences to determine what you get with each one:
Distributed by: Steambow GmbH Austria.
Materials: Mostly plastic with some metal parts.
Weight: M10 4 pounds / AR-6 2.6 pounds.
Lengt: M10 24.2 inches / AR-6 22 inches.
Width: M10 17.5 inches / 17.5 inches.
Magazine Capacity: M10 10 bolts per external magazine / AR-6 6 bolts per internal magazine.
Another Mystery Box to share with everyone but this time I peaked a bit so it’s not as much of a mystery for me, but it will be for you. I was glad I peaked as the items inside where not the usual assortment and it was good I was able to get a bit of pre-intel on them before I jumped into this unboxing, as there was a lot to discover about each of the three items in the Mystery Box. I hope they appeal to some of you, I think they are very interesting and after checking them out, some of you may decide to add one or two of them to your collection.
The first two items I looked at are from an Austrian based company called Steambow. They are both compact crossbows that offer a unique reloading system with built in Magazines that hold either 6 or 10 rounds depending on the version you buy. The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical is the less expensive yet still “kind of expensive” version with a built in 6 round magazine While the AR Series Steambow M10 Tactical has an upper that accepts 10 round magazines you can preload. The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical comes with a 55 pound pre-strung bow that produces around 10 foot pounds of energy, while the Steambow M10 Tactical come with a 75 pound pre-strung bow which should produce close to 12 or more foot pounds of energy. Both incorporate fiber optic slights, lots of rail mounting options, AR style rear stocks which shoulder mount easy and quick cocking to make the most of the automatic bolt loading systems.
Another Archery based item also in this months Mystery Box was the Umarex AirJavelin FishR PCP based arrow launcher designed for anglers. It is intended to work with a fishing real of your choice and comes with a single retrievable barbed arrow, so a lot like bow fishing but with a PCP propulsion system. The Umarex AirJavelin FishR has a built in 4500 psi tank that is regulated to 800 psi and the arrow is a whopping 1250 grain to cut through the water with ease. The entire system is salt water resistant so you can use it in both fresh and salt water conditions. There are both picatinny and M-LOK mounting options for sights and accessories.
Stay posted for my Table Top and Field Testing Video Reviews coming shortly…
In this Field Test Shooting Video conducted in the Replica Airguns Sea Can indoor Shooting Range, I test the Umarex Markpoint Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistol’s power in velocity using my Chronograph along with the accuracy shooting at a Paper Target setup 30 feet away. If you are also interested in details, specifications and more close up video of the Umarex Markpoint Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistol, then make sure to watch my Table Top Video I already made for it here…
When I placed 6 pellets from the Umarex Markpoint Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistol through my Chronograph, I removed the fastest and slowest recorded shots, and got an average of 290 fps, there was a fairly big range in fps as some dieseling may have been occurring, since this Pellet Pistol had not been shot before and there may have been some oils in the barrel. Here are my recored velocities for all 6 shots: 213, 286, 308, 270, 304, 298. I was using lead flathead pellets that weighed 8.2 grain each. So you will for sure get much higher velocities using 5 grain alloy pellets, probably very close to the 400 claimed fps.
Moving on to my accuracy test, the Umarex Markpoint Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistol did pretty good. I was not sure how it would shoot for me as the trigger is pretty firm, which can cause the shooter to pull a shot or two. I was able to keep my shots pretty consistent with perhaps one shot getting a bit away from me. That said, out of the 10 shots I placed on the paper target setup 30 feet down range, I managed to get 9 of them all within about 2 inches of each other with the larger spread being elevation, windage was within about 3/4 of an inch, so consistent velocity may have played a roll here. I did use a semi rested shooting position with my hands resting on a sand bag up front, and sitting on a stool in the back to help stabile me as much as possible. I was happy that out of the box the aim point was pretty well centered just a bit to the right if anything.
All in all the Umarex Markpoint Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistol performed as much as I could have expected for a $50 Canadian low cost pellet shooter. I really wish an add on sight of some sort was possible, as there does not seem to be anyway of adjusting the sights on the Umarex Markpoint Break Barrel .177 Cal Pellet Pistol, so hopefully yours shoots well centered for you also. I do not recommend this Air Pistol for people with smaller hands as it is a bulky Airgun with very wide and large grips. The trigger also does take a bit of finger strength so not a gun for younger shooters perhaps. For the price it is a very unique Pellet Pistol with a very modern and futuristic look to it which may or may not appeal to everyone.
