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.
Type: Pellet & BB Revolver Manufacturer: Crosman Model:Vigilante Materials: Metal and Plastic. Weight: 2 pounds (908 grams). Barrel: 6 inches rifled. Length: 11.36 inches. Propulsion: CO2 x 1 Action: Revolve , single and double action trigger. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's / .177 caliber Pellets. Ammunition Capacity: 6-BB / 10-Pellet round rotary magazines. FPS: 465-BB’s / 435-Pellets.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver is rather nice in single action with virtually zero take-up and it has a not too light weight with a predictable feel to it. In double action it does get much longer and heavier but still very usable. If you have larger thicker finger then you may want to start off in single action as the finger opening is a bit tight.
Accuracy: I have not specifically tested out the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver so far but I would be very surprised if it was any different than the standard Crosman 357 I tested back in 2012. Other than the shape of the outer barrel, both of these guns are virtually the same including the frame and the 6 inch barrels. Back in 2012 when I tested out the Crosman 357 I averaged 402 fps using 6.9 grain pellets and was able to get a 1 inch multi-shot grouping at 30 feet away from my paper target. Not sure if this was the entire 10 round mag or not? I will be making an update Field Test Shooting Video so we will see if I can replicate these results with the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver.
Build Quality: The Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver is a fairly basic pistol that incorporates a plastic outer barrel and inner steel barrel, the grips are also plastic as expected and so are the magazines and sights. Most everything else is metal including the receiver, trigger and hammer. This line of Crosman 357 pistols has been around for decades so you can expect hours of fun and reliable shooting with it.
Realism: There are for sure a lot more realistic looking Revolvers out there with swing out cylinders that except shells just like their real steel counterparts but where the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver shines is in performance. You will get more shots per CO2, higher fps and better accuracy with the Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver over other more realistic Revolvers on the market.
Pros:
Inexpensive Pellet revolver with a proven track record that goes back decades.
Good usage of metal parts where you need them most. (Metal trigger, hammer, frame, barrel, CO2 Tab screw
Single and double action trigger for action and more focused shooting.
Excellent accuracy and good power with a reasonable amount of shots per CO2.
Fully adjustable rear sight.
Can mount a bunch of accessories on the picatinny barrel top and bottom rails.
CO2 and CO2 tab are nicely hidden and use all metal.
Comes with both a Pellet and BB magazine.
Cons:
Outer barrel is plastic but very solid. Metal would have added a bit more weight and perhaps better balance?
Grips and trigger pull length may be a bit long for smaller handed people when shooting in double action.
Not your most realistic revolver in terms of replicas out there but I would say more usable than most.
No white dots on the sights.
The Crosman Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver is basically a reskinned Crosman 357 at the end of the day but I have to say it is my favorite looking Crosman 357 out there with its aggressive barrel design. And the added bonus are the top and bottom Picatinny rails which make for mounting accessories like Red Dots, Lasers and Tac Lights super easy! if you’re looking for function over realism at a price point that is more than fair then pick yourself up one of the Crosman Vigilante’s from our Replica Airguns Store!
Perhaps you might call this a followup video since I already made a full Field Test Shooting Video of the all black version of this pistol and you may wonder if the color of a gun could in some way effect how it performs? Well I don’t think color would really matter but it has been over 6 years since I did my original Field Test Shooting video fo the Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver and so perhaps some things have changed, maybe my shooting is better or worse? At any rate let’s find out.
Starting off with my Chronograph test I was able to get an average 6 shot velocity of 348 fps which is about 40 fps less than my testing 6 years ago of 390 fps, perhaps the temperatures where a bit different? Perhaps the valve setups of the guns was not the same? By the way the temperature was 23 degrees Celsius in the indoor Airgun Sea Can Shooting Range and I was using a brand new 12 gram CO2 along with 5.1 grain zinc coated steel BB’s.
Moving on to the accuracy test, surely I would get a similar 1 inch 6 shot grouping from the Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver, after all it’s been 6 years and I must be a much more advanced shooter… Well there again the Chrome Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum CO2 BB Revolver did not perform as well as the black one from my 2014 Field Test? Again maybe the steel BB’s I was using where not of the same quality? Maybe I simply had one too many espresso shots? As the video shows this time around I was only able to get about a 2 inch 6 shot grouping from the Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver. Still not bad but I was hoping for better result or at least the same as before.
I could do this test again and get completely different results using perhaps another brand of CO2 on a warmer day with higher quality Steel BB’s and just maybe with me on my game a little bit better? At the end of the day 350 fps is perfectly fine for putting holes in pop cans and a 2 inch group at 30 feet will get you on most targets every time so I’m not going to sweat it too much. If you are looking for a shell loading CO2 BB Revolver the Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver is for sure one of my top picks.
Type: BB air revolver Manufacturer:Umarex. Model: Colt Python 375 Materials: Almost entirely all Metal. Weight: 2.75 pounds (1218 grams). Barrel: 5.5 inches, metal non-rifled. Propulsion: 12 gram CO2. Action: Revolver, single & double actions. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 6 round cylinder. FPS: 400.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver is good in both single and double action, it’s nice that you have the shorter lighter single action trigger for slower more accurate shooting but you can also blast away in double action when you feel like it. The hammer on the Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver is firm with not very much wiggle which some other revolvers in this category do have.
Accuracy: Based on my results shooting the Umarex Colt Python 357 which is essentially the same gun in a different finish. The results I got shooting my 6 round group from a 30 foot out semi rested position where good overall. Vertically there was about a 2 inch spread while horizontally there was about a 1 inch spread. I did find the plastic tips on the brass shells seemed to be a bit tight at first and this is when I did most of my Chronograph and target shooting. I believe the tightness effected the consistency of the FPS which also effected the accuracy especially up and down. I did get one shot out of the Umarex Colt Python 357 well over the claimed 400 fps but again the fps was rather erratic most likely because of the snug BB fit due to shell break-in.
Build Quality: The Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver being mostly metal has a very good build quality and is on par with the Dan Wesson 715 shell loading revolver. It has a nice weigth adn balance to it and feels really good in the hand! The only real plastic I could find was in the grips and the shell tips. Fit and finish was also good with no noticeable chrome wear or sloppy workmanship. It will be interesting to see how the Chrome finish wears over time compared to the black finishes fodun on most KWC made Airguns.
Realism: TheUmarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver overall is a close copy a the real steel Colt Python 357 styled revolver. I did notice the rear portion of the receiver (between the rear cylinder and hammer) to be a bit longer perhaps to accommodate the CO2 valve length, but other than that, this pistol is super close to the original Colt Python 357 styled revolver it is based on. Again being all metal gives this CO2 BB revolver very realistic weight and feel and the loadable brass shells make using this gun almost exactly like using a real shell loading revolver but for much less cost per shot and of course a lot less recoil on the hands and noise to be had.
Pros:
Shells loading revolver give you the feeling of loading and shooting a real revolver.
Mostly all metal design.
Lots of detail, well made, chrome looks nice, not sure if it will wear better than the black finish found on most KWC made pistols?
Good overall weight, almost 3 pounds.
Should have good overall power, accuracy and shots per CO2 (based on my previous Colt Python testing).
Fully adjustable sights.
Well hidden CO2 Screw.
Recessed barrel.
Nice Trigger pull in both single and double action.
Cons:
Grips are a bit rough and wood grain is only OK.
Grips may be a bit large for people with small hands.
Decent enough Colt Python 357 replica but the frame is a bit long between the cylinder and the hammer.
Comments:
It’s been a while since I reviewed a Shell Loading Airgun and this one is pretty much the same Airgun I have reviewed in the past in both the KWC and Umarex Distributed forms. It has been almost 6 years since I took a look at one on my table and it still hods up today. I plan on performing another Field Test Shooting Review for the Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver to see if I can replicate the same good results I did back in 2014 when I tested it out on my deck. If you’re looking for a shell loading revolver in the 357 design then for sure checkout the Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver as an option.
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the Umarex Colt Python 357 Magnum Chrome CO2 BB Revolver:
This may be a bit confusion to some of you but Crosman has done a bit of a rebrand and is now going by the name of Velocity Outdoor. This is because Crosman has been acquiring more and more products over the years that are not necessarily airgun related and felt that putting all the brands under the name Velocity Outdoor made more sense from a company stand point. Of course in this video we are going to focus in on the Crosman Products within Velocity Outdoor.
So what’s new? Well an even better Crosman DPMS SBR! How can you make the Crosman DPMS SBR even better? By creating an updated or version 2 called the Bushmaster MPW. It comes in two tone black and false dark earth with a shorter hadnguard yet it keeps it’s barrel leith by extending the barrel right to the end of the mock suppressor. Tis can also swap out the but stock with any AR but stock and the Bushmaster MPW comes with a red dot sight. Internally the Bushmaster MPW and the Crosman DPMS SBR are the same.
Some of you may remember the Crosman Night Stalker CO2 Pellet Rifle? That product was retired years ago but Crosman has used the name in a new CO2 BB Pistol called the Night Stalker. The Crosman Night Stalker Pistol has a built in guide rod styled laser, has blowback operation along with a stick magazine. This should be a fun plinker with its laser sight.
Going even further back to the old Crosman 357 days, this revolver styled CO2 air pistol just seems to live on and on being revamped just a little each time by Crosman. Now you can get it in their Triple Threat package. Basically it’s the same Crosman 357 frame that comes with three barrels you can swap out as needed. You get a three inch snub nosed barrel, a six inch barrel similar to the Vigilante and then an eight inch Dirty Hairy styled barrel. Who says you can’t have it all?
In this Revolver comparison video I look at a variety of different types of Revolver Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I feel is the best Revolver styled Airgun. My final choice is of course based on my own personal opinion.
I have often been asked which of the Shells for the Shell Loading Revolvers work in which Shell Loading Revolvers? After all many of them look a lot alike so can you mix and match Shells for the various types of Shell Loading Revolvers?
In this Vimeo Instructional Video I test out a bunch of Shells to see which ones actually will work or not work in several of the most popular Shell Loading Revolvers.
Some of the Shell Loading Revovers Tested in this Instructional Video are:
Trigger Pull: The ASG Dan Wesson 357 Revolver has a smoother trigger than the previous non 715 Dan Wesson Revolvers. There seems to be less of that friction while the cylinder rotates past the spring engaged inner barrel. Even the Hammer has a nicer fell to it with less side to side wiggle. Single action is really nice with a very short take up and light release point.
Accuracy: I have not had a chance to test out the ASG Dan Wesson 715 6 Inch Silver CO2 BB Revolver so far since the outside whether has been rather cold and wet. In terms of accuracy I would expect at least a 1-2 inch grouping from 30 feet out and the clamed fps of 430 seems to be in line with what we should see from the 4.5mm BB shooting Dan Wesson 715. I guess we will have to find out later on when I do my Field Test Shooting video to be sure...
Build Quality: I thought the previous generation Dan Wesson Revolvers where built really nice but the new Dan Wesson 715 takes this up several notches higher. All you need to do is pick this gun up and immediately you are in a state of wow! You almost need to ask yourself if it is in fact the Real Steal Dan Wesson 715 357 Magnum Revolver it feels that good. ASG has beefed up the barrel assembly to a solid component that adds a lot of forward weight which would be just like what you would expect from the 357 Magnum shooting version. To balance it all off the forward weight, the grips section is also reinforced with metal underneath the Hogue Styled rubber finger grips which again are another huge improvement over the plastic pistol grips found on previous models of the ASG Dan Wesson's. The stainless finish is of course awesome and this guns simply looks and feels great!
Realism: Again referencing the new ASG Dan Wesson 715 6 Inch Silver CO2 BB Revolver to it's predecessors, the Dan Wesson 715 is a true replica of the Dan Wesson 715 357 Magnum Revolver in almost every aspect and not just the Dan Wesson name. I could tell you everything that was the same but it's simply much easier to point out the only real difference I was able to point out and that would be the two pins that connect the barrel assembly to the frame of the BB version of the Dan Wesson 715. Not a deal breaker by any means and the pins really don't take away from this gun in my opinion.
Another great shell loading revolver, perhaps one of the nicest modern BB revolvers to date!
Almost all metal design, super heavy, feels like a real gun in the hand.
Lots of detail in this gun, very well made, fit and finish is excellent.
Dan Wesson Licensed and an excellent replica overall.
Adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Rubber Hogue style finger grips, huge improvement over previous Dan Wesson grips.
Well hidden CO2 screw and Allen key built into the removable grip.
Much improved hammer and trigger action, smoother trigger and less wiggle in hammer.
Barrel opening is very realistic, even has simulated rifling.
Safety design is well hidden and easy to use.
Cons:
Two pins to attach the barrel assembly to the frame are not in line with the real steel version.
Trigger still has a bit of that initial friction in double action mode because of the spring loaded internal barrel.
Comments:
I was already a big fan of the Dan Wesson line of Revolvers, this new 715 version of the Dan Wesson takes it to a whole new level! In terms of the modern shell loading CO2 Revolvers out there the ASG Dan Wesson 715 6 Inch Silver CO2 BB Revolver is by far my new favorite. ASG completely redesign their new ASG Dan Wesson 715 6 Inch Silver CO2 BB Revolver basing it entirely on the real steel version and capturing the quality, look and feel nearly exactly. if you already have a Dan Wesson Revolver and think that perhaps you can pass the new version by, well I would think again or you may be missing out on one of the best BB Revolvers out there at this time.
My Vimeo Video Table Top Review for the Dan Wesson 715 CO2 BB Revolver:
Materials: Mostly metal with some plastic construction.
Weight: 2 pounds (900 grams).
Barrel: 2.25 inches, non-rifled.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.
Action: Revolver, single & double actions.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.
FPS: 328 fps (120 m/s).
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher CLT-B25 357 2.5 Inch CO2 BB Revolver is good in both single and double action, even better than the Dan Wesson and S&W 327 TRR8 shell loading revolvers, most likely because the spring tension that pushes the inner barrel to make contact with the cylinder is noticeably lighter on the KWC - Gletcher 357's. Even the hammer is smoother and has less wiggle, just a better trigger and hammer mechanism overall.
Accuracy: In terms of power and accuracy, you can checkout my full Field Test Shooting Video here. I did get a nice 2 inch 6 shot grouping on my paper target setup 30 feet away from my standard semi-rested position (sand bag up front and standing in the back). Accuracy was a bit lower than the factory claimed 320 or so fps coming in at an average of 280. I did perform my field test back in May so the weather was not all that warm perhaps effecting peek fps performance somewhat.
Build Quality: The Gletcher CLT-B25 357 2.5 Inch CO2 BB Revolver being mostly metal has a very good build quality, perhaps even better than the Dan Wesson and S&W 327 TRR8 shell loading revolvers, even the weight of the KWC 357 is noticeably more! The only real plastic or rubber I could find was in the grips and the shell tips. Fit and finish was also good with no noticeable wear or sloppy workmanship.
Realism: The KWC - Gletcher CLT-B25 357 2.5 Inch CO2 BB Revolver overall is a close copy a the real steel 357 styled revolver. I did notice the rear portion of the receiver (between the rear cylinder and hammer) to be a bit longer perhaps to accommodate the CO2 valve length, but other than that this pistol is super close to the original 357 styled revolver it is based on. Again being all metal gives this CO2 BB revolver very realistic weight and feel and the loadable brass shells make using this gun almost exactly like using a real shell loading revolver but for much less cost per shot and of course a lot less recoil on the hands that a real 357 magnum or even when shooting 38 special shells for that matter.
It's a revolver with actual shells! Give you the feeling of loading and shooting a real revolver
Mostly all metal design
lots of detail, well made, fit and finish are both good.
Good overall weight, even for this short 2.5 inch barrel version.
Fully adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Well hidden CO2 Screw.
Recessed barrel.
Nice Trigger pull in both single and double action.
Tactical fingered grips look good and allow for a firm hold.
Cons:
Grips are a bit rough, not as rubbery as they look.
Grips may be a bit large for people with smaller hands.
All black sights not great on dark backgrounds.
FPS could be a bit higher!
Comments:
The Gletcher - KWC CLT-B25 357 2.5 Inch CO2 BB Revolver is yet another addition to the increasing lineup of shell loading revolvers available today in both Steel BB and Airsoft versions. The 2.5 inch reviewed here is meant to be the compact version with its snub nosed barrel but I would have to say it is not a small gun at all coming in at 2 pounds and with rather large grips and a pretty large cylinder to pack around. But then again, that may be just what you are looking for? The shorter barrel does effect the fps performance since longer barreled versions of this same pistol I have tested do shoot much hotter but that is to be expected with pretty much any short barrelled CO2 pistol.
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the Gletcher CLT-B25 357 2.5 Inch CO2 BB Revolver:
This is my Official Field Test Shooting Review video for the Gletcher CLT B25 CO2 BB Shell Loading Revolver. This pistol is actually made by KWC and is the same base gun that Umarex uses in their Licensed Colt Python 357 6 inch barrel version.
In this Shooting video I performance various Field Tests on the Gletcher CLT B25 using my Chronograph to get a true live performance reading of the velocity in fps. I also shoot 6 rounds at a paper target positioned 30 feet from my semi-rested position (Sand bag up front and standing in the back).
Velocity wise, the Gletcher CLT B25 CO2 BB Revolver shot a little low while using standard 5.1 grain zinc coated steel BB's coming in with a 5 shot average of 280 fps. the claimed the fps from Gletcher is 100 m/s which works out to 328 fps so there is room for some improvement, perhaps on a warmer day I may see these numbers?
I then moved back to my 30 feet shooting position to test out the accuracy using paper target, the Gletcher CLT B25 CO2 BB Shell Loading Revolver produced n OK 6 shot grouping that was just over 2 inches in diameter. Not supper but also not too bad considering the short barrel and how tight the front and back sights are together. I'm pretty sure I can do a bit better as one of the shots did pull a bit out form the rest making the grouping larger than it could have been.
Overall, the Gletcher CLT B25 CO2 BB Revolver shot pretty has a nice feel to it when shooting, the trigger/hammer setup is nice in both single and double action, the grips and balance feels good and overall this is a very fun shell loading BB revolver to shoot.
Materials: Mostly metal with some plastic construction.
Weight: 2 pounds (900 grams).
Barrel: 2.25 inches, non-rifled.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.
Action: Revolver, single & double actions.
Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.
FPS: 360+.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KWC 357 2.5 Inch CO2 Airsoft Revolver is good in both single and double action, even better than the Dan Wesson and S&W 327 TRR8 shell loading revolvers, most likely because the spring tension that pushes the inner barrel to make contact with the cylinder is noticeably lighter on the KWC 357's. Even the hammer is smoother and has less wiggle, just a better trigger and hammer mechanism overall.
Accuracy: This is yet to be determined but I did notice on the KWC Airsoft versions of their shell loading Airsoft Revolvers, that they do have a built in preset Hop-up by way of a small rubber bar that goes along the top of the barrel just inside the rear portion. This will create some backspin which will keep the Airsoft BB's trajectory more level but should also help them stay more accurate in general as compared to a plastic Airsoft BB that is not spinning but rather just floating through the air.
Build Quality: The KWC 357 2.5 Inch CO2 Airsoft Revolver being mostly metal has a very good build quality, perhaps even better than the Dan Wesson and S&W 327 TRR8 shell loading revolvers, even the weight of the KWC 357 is noticeably more! The only real plastic or rubber I could find was in the grips and the shell tips. Fit and finish was also good with no noticeable wear or sloppy workmanship.
Realism: The KWC 357 2.5 Inch CO2 Airsoft Revolver overall is a close copy a the real steel 357 styled revolver. I did notice the rear portion of the receiver (between the rear cylinder and hammer) to be a bit longer perhaps to accommodate the CO2 valve length, but other than that this pistol is super close to the original 357 styled revolver it is based on. Again being all metal gives this CO2 Airsoft revolver very realistic weight and feel and the loadable brass shells make using this gun almost exactly like using a real shell loading revolver but for much less cost per shot and of course a lot less recoil on the hands that a real 357 magnum or even when shooting 38 special shells for that matter ;)
Pretty all the parts work as they would in a similar real steel revolver of this type.
Good overall weight, Very dense because of the shorter barrel.
Should have good overall power, accuracy and shots per CO2 (based on Colt Python testing).
Fully adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Well hidden CO2 Screw.
Recessed barrel.
Not much white writing on the gun.
Nice easy Trigger pull in both single and double action.
Cons:
Short 2.25 inch barrel will rob power but the Dan Wesson style long barrel Airsoft revolvers are know to be a bit hot for some Airsoft games so this may be a good thing.
Grips may be a bit large for people with small hands.
All black sights with no white dots are not great on dark backgrounds or low lighting.
Comments:
The KWC 357 2.5 Inch CO2 Airsoft Revolver is yet another addition to the increasing lineup of shell loading revolvers available today in both Steel BB and Airsoft versions. The 2.5 inch reviewed here is meant to be the compact version with its snub nosed barrel but I would have to say it is not a small gun at all coming in at 2 pounds and with rather large grips and a pretty large cylinder to pack around. But then again, that may be just what you are looking for? The shorter barrel will lower the fps a bit which may bring it back in line with the requirements of some Airsoft fields and the addition of the built in preset Hop-up, this pistol should shoot pretty well out at medium and even longer ranges.
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the KWC 357 2.5 Inch CO2 Airsoft Revolver:
Materials: Mostly metal with some plastic construction.
Weight: 2.75 pounds (1218 grams).
Barrel: 5.5 inches, non-rifled.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.
Action: Revolver, single & double actions.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.
FPS: 400fps.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KWC 357 6 Inch CO2 BB Revolver is good in both single and double action, even better than the Dan Wesson and S&W 327 TRR8 shell loading revolvers, most likely because the spring tension that pushes the inner barrel to make contact with the cylinder is noticeably lighter on the KWC 357. Even the hammer is smoother and has less wiggle, just a better trigger and hammer mechanism overall.
Accuracy:Based on my results shooting the Umarex Colt Python 357 which is essentially the same gun in a different finish. The results I got shooting my 6 round group from a 30 foot out semi rested position where good overall. Vertically there was about a 2 inch spread while horizontally there was about a 1 inch spread. I did find the plastic tips on the brass shells seemed to be a bit tight at first and this is when I did most of my Chronograph and target shooting. I believe the tightness effected the consistency of the FPS which also effected the accuracy especially up and down. I did get one shot out of the Umarex Colt Python 357 well over the claimed 400 fps but again the fps was rather erratic most likely because of the snug BB fit due to shell break-in.
Build Quality: The KWC 357 6 Inch CO2 BB Revolver being mostly metal has a very good build quality, perhaps even better than the Dan Wesson and S&W 327 TRR8 shell loading revolvers, even the weight of the KWC 357 came in close to a half of a pound more! The only real plastic I could find was in the grips and the shell tips. Fit and finish was also good with no noticeable chrome wear or sloppy workmanship. It will be interesting to see how the Chrome finish wears over time...
Realism: The KWC 357 6 Inch CO2 BB Revolver overall is a close copy a the real steel 357 styled revolver. I did notice the rear portion of the receiver (between the rear cylinder and hammer) to be a bit longer perhaps to accommodate the CO2 valve length, but other than that this pistol is super close to the original 357 styled revolver it is based on. Again being all metal gives this CO2 BB revolver very realistic weight and feel and the loadable brass shells make using this gun almost exactly like using a real shell loading revolver but for much less cost per shot and of course a lot less recoil on the hands.
It's a revolver with actual shells! Give you the feeling of loading and shooting a real revolver.
Mostly all metal design.
lots of detail, well made, Chrome looks nice, not sure if it will ear better than the black finish?
Good overall weight, heaviest out of all the shell loaders.
Should have good overall power, accuracy and shots per CO2 (based on Colt Python testing).
Fully adjustable sights for windage and elevation.
Well hidden CO2 Screw.
Recessed barrel.
Nice easy Trigger pull in both single and double action.
Cons:
Grips are a bit rough.
Grips may be a bit large for people with small hands.
Black rear sight may not be great on dark backgrounds or low lighting.
Comments:
The ASG Dan Wesson shell loading revolvers reintroduced me to the joy of loading and shooting a revolver which up until that point was not that realistic of an experience when using a BB or Pellet revolver. The KWC 357 6 Inch CO2 BB Revolver like the Umarex Colt Python 357 has taken it up a notch by adding just a bit more overall weight, a smother trigger and hammer mechanism and styling this revolver on the Classic 357 magnum platform. And all of this for even less than the cost of the original Dan Wesson shell loading series CO2 BB revolvers. If you're a revolver fan, make sure to grab one of these, the Chrome finish is really eye catching and would make a great addition to your revolver collection for sure.
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the KWC 357 6 Inch CO2 BB Revolver:
Some more CO2 pistols I will be doing Table Top and Field Test video reviews for in the near future. Some of them I have already reviewed in different caliber versions, either 4.5mm Steel BB or 6mm Plastic Airsoft.
From KWC I show off two revolvers styled after the 357 and if you watched my Umarex Colt Python 357 Review then you will notice the similarities between these KWC made revolvers since they are all made by KWC. The Model 357 6 inch version is finished in Chrome and made to shoot 4.5mm Steel BB's while the KWC Model 357 2.5 inch shoots 6mm Plastic BB's and is in all black. At this time I do not have these KWC revolver listed in the Replica Airguns Canada Store but should have them listed fairly soon...
Materials: Mostly metal with some plastic construction.
Weight: 2.75 pounds (1218 grams).
Barrel: 5.5 inches, non-rifled.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.
Action: Revolver, single & double actions.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.
FPS: 400fps.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Colt Python 357 CO2 BB Revolver is good in both single and double action, even better than the Dan Wesson and S&W 327 TRR8 shell loading revolvers, most likely because the spring tension that pushes the inner barrel to make contact with the cylinder is noticeably lighter on the Umarex Colt Python 357. Even the hammer is smoother and has less wiggle, just a better trigger and hammer mechanism overall.
Accuracy: The results I got shooting my 6 round group from a 30 foot out semi rested position where good overall. Vertically there was about a 2 inch spread while horizontally there was about a 1 inch spread. I did find the plastic tips on the brass shells seemed to be a bit tight at first and this is when I did most of my Chronograph and target shooting. I believe the tightness effected the consistency of the FPS which also effected the accuracy especially up and down. I did get one shot out of the Umarex Colt Python 357 well over the claimed 400 fps but again the fps was rather erratic most likely because of the snug BB fit due to shell break-in.
Build Quality: The Umarex Colt Python 357 being mostly metal, you would expect it to have a decent build quality and I am happy to say it does, perhaps again even better than the Dan Wesson and S&W 327 TRR8 shell loading revolvers, even the weight of the Colt Python came in close to a half of a pound more! The only real plastic I could find was in the grips and the shell tips. Fit and finish was also good with no noticeable paint wear or sloppy workmanship.
Realism: The Colt Python 357 CO2 BB Revolver overall is a close copy of the real steel Colt Python 357. I did notice the rear portion of the receiver (between the rear cylinder and hammer) to be a bit longer perhaps to accommodate the CO2 valve length, but other than that this pistol is super close to the original revolver it is based and licensed on. Agin being all metal gives this CO2 BB revolver very realistic weight and feel and the loadable brass shells make using this gun almost exactly like using a real shell loading revolver but for much less cost per shot and of course a lot less recoil on the hands.
It's a revolver with actual shells! Give you the feeling of loading and shooting a real revolver.
Mostly all metal design.
lots of detail, well made, fit and finish is very good.
Good overall weight, heaviest out of all the shell loaders.
Good overall power, accuracy and shots per CO2.
Fully adjustable sights for windage and elevation.
Well hidden CO2 Screw.
Recessed barrel.
Nice easy Trigger pull in both single and double action.
Cons:
Grips are a bit rough.
All black sights not great on dark backgrounds.
FPS seemed to fluctuate a bit
Comments:
The ASG Dan Wesson shell loading revolvers reintroduced me to the joy of loading and shooting a revolver which up until that point was not that realistic of an experience when using a BB or Pellet revolver. The Umarex Colt Python 357 has taken it up a notch by adding just a bit more overall weight, a smother trigger and hammer mechanism and styling this revolver on the Classic Colt Python platform. And all of this for even less than the cost of the original Dan Wesson shell loading series CO2 BB revolvers. If you're a revolver fan, make sure to grab one of these and if you're not a revolver fan, this pistol may just change your mind :)
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the Umarex Colt Python 357 CO2 BB Revolver:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Smith & Wesson 357 686 Revolver is very light and smooth in both single and double action. Single action is much shorter and a bit lighter with just a very short take up to it. In double action it does get a hair heavier and much longer as is expected but still very usable and easy to shoot quickly and with accuracy.
Accuracy: I found the Umarex S&W 686 pellet revolver to have some of the best accuracy I have tested out of a pistol, getting about a half inch grouping from 30 feet out in a semi rested position (sand bag up front, standing in the back). I also put 5 rounds through my Chrony Chronograph and the Umarex 357 686 averaged right around 450 fps using RWS 7 grain lead pellets which is even better than the claimed 425 fps from Umarex.
Build Quality:The Umarex Smith & Wesson 357 686 CO2 Pellet Revolver is almost entirely metal with the acceptation of the rubber grips and front removable sight, it has a very substantial overall weight and feel to it coming in at just under three pounds. Keep in mind this is one of the higher end German made Umarex guns and you can tell in the workmanship and fit and finish. All the mechanical parts work flawlessly and have very tight tolerances, the finish is also superb. Yes the price is up there but this is a an airgun you will most likely be passing down to future generations one day as a collectors item, and I would imagine also in working condition.
Realism:The Umarex S&W 686 is a replica of the real stell Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum and overall looks pretty similar in shape and style. It would have been nice to have seen a full swing our cylinder but this would have meant a more complicated design with potentially less performance? In a perfect world, loadable shell casings like the Dan Wesson would have been very cool but keep in mind this is an airgun that really performs in terms of power and accuracy. Mine was the silver version, I would have liked to have seen a color matched magazine but since it is metal it could be color matched after the fact. The Smith & Wesson licensing and markings along with the heavy weight, hidden CO2 Tab and recessed barrel help to give the Umarex S&W 686 a very believable look and feel.
Pretty much all metal, has a nice solid feel and good weight.
Higher than claimed fps (right around 450 fps)
Amazing accuracy, one of my best pistols tested to date.
Very high quality German made workmanship.
Very comfortable rubber grips.
Fully adjustable rear sight (windage and elevation).
Well hidden CO2 tab.
Full S&W licensing, good overall replica.
Single and double action with a nice trigger in both SA and DA.
Magazines are removable for easy loading and have a high 10 shot load capacity.
Cons:
A bit on the expensive side of things.
Rotary magazine is not color matched on the Silver version.
On the low side of shots per CO2 (About 60-70).
No rail mount for a accessories of any type.
Comments:
The Umarex Smith & Wesson 686 CO2 Pellet Revolver is not for everyone and I say that because the $250 plus price point is going to be just too much for many buyers. If you can find a way to get past the price then you will have a very high quality German made air gun on your hands, not only are the Smith & Wesson 568/686 CO2 Pellet revolvers very well made but they also perform as good if not better in terms of accuracy and velocity then even some dedicated target air pistols I have tested. Looks will not let you down either and I would not be surprised that this gun if well taken care of can be passed down to future generations as a working collectors item. If you are looking for a high quality, excellent performing replica pellet revolver then make sure to consider the Umarex Smith & Wesson 586 and 686 line of CO2 replica pellet revolvers.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman 357 is decent in both single and double action. Single action is much shorter and lighter but not overly light with just a very short break to it. In double action it does get heavier and much longer as is expected. People with small hands may have to adjust their grip so they will have enough extension for the entire trigger pull, this is partially because of the larger grips that sit far back on the revolver frame.
Accuracy: I found the Crosman 357 pellet revolver to have excellent accuracy, getting about a 1 inch grouping from 30 feet out in a semi rested position (sand bag up front, standing in the back). I also put 6 rounds through my Chrony Chronograph and the Crosman 357 averaged 402 fps using RWS 6.9 grain lead pellets.
Build Quality:The Crosman 357 CO2 Pellet Revolver uses a combination of metal and plastic and has a good overall weight and feel to it. There could be more metal (like in the outer barrel) but Crosman used metal parts where they really needed to be like in the main frame, trigger, hammer, CO2 area and inner barrel. This air pistol has been around for a long time and so you can count on all the bugs being worked out. You will not find a great amount of detail in the Crosman 357 and some of the joints seem a bit unrefined but overall it is a nice looking airgun and feels well made.
Realism: The Crosman 357 is a replica of the Colt Python 357 Magnum and overall looks similar in shape. I would have liked to have seen a full swing our cylinder but this would have meant a complete redesign and the Crosman 357 main design goes back to the early 80's. Yes there are some newer revolver styled airguns like the Dan Wesson that have full swing out cylinders (BB only) but I still would have liked to have seen this, maybe on a future updated revision?
Inexpensive Pellet revolver, not really any other pellet revolvers out there to compare to.
Good usage of metal parts. (Metal trigger, hammer, frame, barrel, CO2 tab screw).
Single and double action trigger.
Excellent accuracy and good power with a reasonable amount of shots per CO2.
Can mount optics on the dove tail railed barrel.
High capacity 10 round removable magazine.
Fully adjustable rear sight.
Cons:
Outer barrel is plastic.
Grips and trigger pull length may be a bit long for smaller handed people when shooting in double action.
Some of the finish detail could be better (seems).
A slight recess on the inner barrel would have added to the realism.
Comments:
Reviewing this fun Crosman Pellet revolver was a bit of a walk in the past for me. back when I was in my early teens I had one and it went with me on just about all of my back woods adventures. I'd have to say I learned how to shoot with this pistol and it felt right at home back in my hands after all these years... Back in the day I didn't do any scientific testing with my Crosman revolver but I can tell you it shot hard and true then, just like it does now! I'm not sure why I held out so long getting another one, the price is right and if you are looking for a nice multi-shot pellet pistol with excellent accuracy and good power for well under $100, the Crosman 357 might just be for you.
Sorry for not posting any videos for almost a week but the kids are back to school and I was also away in Whistler on a short family get away for the first half of the week. So I thought I would put together a quick Update video to show off some new products added to the Canada Replica Airguns Store and also an upcoming product review of a Crosman Pellet Revolver.
In this video Update I show you around two KWC Airsoft pistols, the Sig Pro SP2022, and the Taurus PT 24 (24/7), both of which I just added to the Canada Replica Airguns Store. I also show you a very nice alternative to the Cybergun Sig Sauer P226 X-Five - the KWC Equivalent which almost exactly the same but with an adjustable rear sight, flared magwell and an unlicensed slide.
One air pistol I get asked to review over and over again is the Crosman 357 .177 caliber pellet revolver and so I contacted Crosman and they where kind enough to send me one for review, so keep checking back for that one, it will be coming up soon.
Oh-yh, one more thing. I briefly mention an upcoming contest/giveaway that will coincide with my 10,000,000 YouTube Channel Video View that should be happening in the next couple of week!
