The question comes up often about which Airgun to buy. Customers are wondering when they are looking at a specific Airgun and they see several similar products but from different companies, are they the same gun and if so which one should they decide to buy?
One of the biggest Airgun suppliers out there is for sure KWC, their BB and Airsoft guns are redistributed through companies like Umarex, Crosman, Sig Sauer, ASG, Gletcher and more. Often times the companies that redistribute KWC Airguns hold licensing agreements with real gun manufacturers like Smith & Wesson, Glock, Colt, Beretta, Sig Sauer, Taurus to name a few… KWC makes the Airguns in their Taiwanese factory but they are not allowed to put a real gun manufacturer license on the Airguns they distribute directly so KWC distributed Airguns will generally be all black.
I have also seen companies like Umarex distribute a new KWC Airgun that I have not seen yet from KWC, I believe KWC works with these big name Airgun companies directly and will build a new gun or variation of an existing KWC Airgun for them and give that Company an exclusive for a period of time. KWC will eventually regain the rights to sell that Airgun model directly after 6 months to a year.
Now that you know a little bit more on how it all works let’s get back to whether you should buy a KWC branded Airgun or other Brands same Airgun. It really comes down to I would say three factors. Do you want a Licensed version of the Airgun you are buying? Is there a price difference? Which gun is available to buy when I am ready to buy?
When you buy the Licensed version of the KWC Airgun redistributed through a third part Airgun Company you will often get a lot more writing on the Airgun than just the Gun Manufacturers name. Warning information comes to mind and does not look all that attractive on the slide where it is usually found in bright white lettering. If you like a cleaner look and don’t mind the lack of licensing then the KWC distributed version will generally be all back, nice and clean looking.
You would think buying the KWC Version that is sold more directly to the end customer would be the less expensive of the options because less hands are involved in the selling process. This is not always true, it is more about supply and demand, if more people want the cleaner looking KWC version but it’s harder to get ahold of than the price of the KWC version may actually be higher than say the Umarex or Crosman version. So shop around if price is the deciding factor as the guns are going to be mechanically the same with just some slight cosmetic differences between them.
Lastly, availability maybe what eventually leads you to buy a KWC version over an Umarex, or Crosman or Sig version since if the gun is not in stock well you may have limited options and so the one in stock is going to be perhaps your only option! Don’t feel like you got short changed, again these guns are virtually all the same at the end of the day no matter if you buy it from KWC, Umarex, Crosman, Sig Sauer, ASG, Gletcher or whomever.
Here we go again with another Favorite Airgun Video of 2018, this time I show you my Air Rifle Favorites! There are usually a lot less Air Rifles that come out than Air Pistols but this year was’t too bad for new and interesting Ari Rifles. As per usually there where more 4.5mm Steel BB Rifles and I am sorry to say nothing really came out at least in the Replica Air Rifle department but of course there where 6mm Airsoft rifles too.
I do mainly focus on the 4.5mm BB rifles but throw in the group a very well made and ultra realistic Airsoft Rifle that was for sure in this years Top Five!
Next in this video I take a look at what I can say was my number one pick this year, the Crosman DPMS SBR Steel BB Rifle! When Crosman announced the Crosman DPMS SBR Steel BB Rifle at SHOT Show I was a bit surprised since Crosman is not known best for their Replica Airguns. Not only did Crosman decide to come out with an M4 Replica Air Rifle but they in fact made what I believe is the best one out there at least in 4.5mm Steel BB. It covers all the check boxes I am looking for. It’s very well made, shoots in semi and full auto with a working internal blowback bolt. All the mechanical parts work in the same way as a real M4 including being able to take apart the upper and lower receivers. I really hope Crosman took note of how popular this style of Airgun is and keeps making more product like the Crosman DPMS SBR Steel BB Rifle.
Another 4.5mm Steel BB M4 Replica that came out in 2018 is the Air Venturi HellBoy CO2 BB M4 Air Rifle. The HellBoy may not be as full featured as the Crosman DPMS SBR but it is worthy of this years Top Five. The Air Venturi HellBoy CO2 BB M4 Air Rifle is similar to how the Cybergun AK 47 BB rifles are built, using a magazine design that is basically the bulk of the working mechanism, it hold the CO2, CO2 Valve, BB’s, and even part of the trigger mechanism. The Air Venturi HellBoy CO2 BB M4 Air Rifle may not be as ultra realistic as the Crosman DPMS SBR but it’s an excellent full metal M4 Replica with decent shooting performance.
My only Airsoft contribution to this years list is the KWA LM4 RIS PTR Full Metal GBB Airsoft Rifle. I just love this Airsoft Rifle, It may not be the cheapest M4 GBB Airsoft Rifle out there but it sure is worth it. When you pick it up it just feels like quality and when you shoot it you know it’s quality, the shooting performance is awesome for a GBB Rifle. I barely noticed any cool down even when shooting off the entire magazine in full auto. If you want the most realistic M4 Air Rfile out there than the KWA LM4 RIS PTR Full Metal GBB Airsoft Rifle is going to be the one.
Last up to showcase in this years Favorite Air Rifles is the Umarex Legends MP40 CO2 BB Weathered Submachine Gun. I know the Umarex Legends MP40 CO2 BB Submachine Gun kinda came out last year but I did not get my hands on the Weathered version till only recently so I decided to put it in this years Top Five pick. The Umarex Legends MP40 CO2 BB Submachine Gun is another fine 4.5mm Steel BB Rifle in this case it’s more of a Submachine Gun. The Umarex Legends MP40 CO2 BB Submachine Gun also offers semi and full auto select fire and is a very close replace to the real steel MP40 in almost every way. The Weathered Finish and included Leather Sling really finish it off to make it super believable.
In this Field test Shooting Video of the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle I test out its velocity in feet per second and also what kind of accuracy I can get shooting at a paper target 30 feet away from a rested seated position with a sand bag up front.
Starting with the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle’s power I first placed 5 shots through my Chronograph using a brand new 12 gram CO2 and RWS 5.1 grain zinc coated steel BB’s. The lowest fps shot was 334 and the highest was 363 fps, averaging 344 for the 5 shots. Not all that fast for a CO2 BB rifle but keep in mind the inner barrel is the same length as the shorter barreled Gletcher M1891 which actually shot a m much higher average fps of 428. I was shooting the Gletcher M1891 on a much warmer day which will effect velocity with CO2 airguns but by nearly 100fps? Seems a little bit off?
Next I cleared my shooting bench and setup a fresh paper target 30 feet back and proceeded to see what kind of grouping I could get with the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle. I did not sight the gun in so I was only really interested in how close the BB’s would place together, not so much if I could hti bulls eyes. Perhaps I should have made sure I was close to the bulls eye since out of the box I was noticeably shooting low and to the left. It is really easy to adjust the sights to shoot higher but not so much for windage. That said I got about a 4 inch 10 shot grouping shooting the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle. Again compared to the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off little brother version the Gletcher M1944 didn’t perform as well in this test since I was able to get closer to a 2 inch grouping with the Gletcher M1891 in my earlier testing.
So what did I learn today? Maybe bigger is not always better? There are all sorts of things to consider when performing these test. Temperature, CO2 and BB’s being used but probably a lot of times it’s just me not exactly on my game that day. For me the main reason why I would buy the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle is not as much for how it shoots but more because where else can you get a historic bolt action BB rifle like this. And for some people that may be the only version they may are able to buy where they are located or if they don’t want the hassle of getting a firearms license.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant is single action only, the bolt cycle does most of the work setting up the loading of a BB into the chamber and pre-cocking the bolt spring. The take up is minimal and the release is about medium to light weight. The bolt snaps forward firmly and with a nice clanking sound, you can even feel the weight of it as it moves forward.
Accuracy: I have not shot the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle yet but have had the opportunity to shoot the M1891 Sawn Off version. I had mixed result with the Gletcher M1891 BB Rifle since you can not shoulder the gun making it a bit unsteady while it waves around out in front of you as you aim it. When shooting it rested I was able to get much better results shooting a fairly tight 1.5 inch 10 shot grouping in my Sea Can Airgun Range. By the way my velocity testing on the Gletcher M1891 BB Rifle resulted in an average of 430 fps.
Build Quality: The Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle is really well made, you can tell by it's robust weight and how solid the action feels when you draw the bolt back and release it the first time. Everything that would be metal on the real Mosin Nagant is metal on the Gletcher M1944 including the full size dropout magazine that holds both the BB's and CO2. Yes the stock is imitation wood but it looks very close to real wood and will fool most people until very close inspection. The overall finish on the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle looks great.
Realism: I've never actually put my hands on a real steel Mosin Nagant Rifle but from the photos I viewed online, the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle really accurate in terms of being a BB replica. Of course the magazine has been adapted to fit CO2 and BB's but once placed in the gun it is nearly impossible to tell it from a real Mosin Nagant. The weight of this rifle (8.2 pounds) gives it the feeling of genuineness. I have read online that a real Mosin Nagant stock can be adapted to fit the Gletcher M1944 so that would indicate that it is fairly true in size and construction to a real Mosin Nagant Rifle.
Pros:
Very Unique BB gun.
A piece of history you can shoot in your back yard.
Mostly all metal gun.
Nice heavy 8.2 pound weight to it.
Adjustable rear sight, at least for elevation.
Nice single action trigger.
Bolt action feels great and has a firm release.
Full size drop out metal magazine that holds both the BB's and the CO2.
More fps than claimed and decent accuracy, I expect to get lots of shots out of a single CO2 because of the magazine design.
Imitation wood is very believable.
Comes with sling.
Breaks down similarly to the real steel version, so maybe able to upgrade parts like the stock with a little bit of work.
Cons:
Stock is plastic but looks good considering.
No real way to adjust windage and the rear sight does wiggle a bit from side to side which could throw off the aim.
Bayonet may scratch the stock a bit?
Price point may make it out of range for some buyers?
Comments:
The Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle is a great option for anyone looking for a historic bolt action Rifle but in a BB version. It for sure looks and acts the part but in a much quieter and backyard friendly version. Sure yo can get the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off version ofr about half price but to really get the full Mosin Nagant experience you are going to want to have the larger full size Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 BB Rifle, no two ways around it. Being abel to shoulder the gun makes it way more natural and easier to shoot.
My Vimeo Table Top Video of the Gletcher M1944 CO2 Replica BB Rifle:
There has been some confusion when it comes to the KWC made Mini UZI regarding semi and full auto abilities and also when it comes to build materials. But before we get into that if you have one of these Mini UZI Blowback BB or Airsoft guns then most likely yours is made by KWC even if it was distributed through RWS, Umarex, Gletcher, Cybergun or some other company. When it comes to the build materials used they are all made by KWC so they are all built the same with plastic and metal in the same places.
Let’s first talk about why some of these Mini UZI’s only come in semi auto with the Full auto selection not available out of the box. This is most likely because in some countries a full auto BB and/or Airsoft gun can be illegal so to play it safe many airguns that are originally made to shoot in both semi and full auto are modified to only shoot full auto. This is the case with most of the companies that redistribute the KWC Mini UZI under their own brand name. That said if you buy the KWC Mini UZI in either 4.5.mm Steel BB or 6mm Plastic Airsoft from our Replica Airguns Canada or US Online Stores, you will be getting a full auto ready out of the box airgun!
If your MINI UZI Airgun is not full auto ready then checkout my Full Auto Mod Video but make sure before you do this modification it is legal in your country to do so or you could be looking at jail time :(
When it comes to build materials the KWC Mini UZI is often described on websites as being full metal which is close but not entirely true. It is accepted that most full metal airguns will have plastic grips but the KWC Mini UZI also has a plastic shroud around the main receiver that is am all in one piece that makes o=up the front and back sights. This might lead you to think that the gun is mainly plastic which is far from the case since all other parts like the receiver block, bolt, top plate, barrel, rear stock, trigger and magazine are metal. This give the KWC Mini UZI its sold 4.8 pound weight. The heavy metal internal bolt really makes this blowback airgun rock when you shoot it simulating very close recoil action to a 22LR. The KWC Mini UZI for sure has the most blowback recoil out there.
If you are looking for the most bad ass and action packed full auto BB or Airsoft Gun then I would highly suggest you consider getting one of these KWC Mini UZI’s. Just be sure to have lots of CO2 and BB’s on hand because you will go through both like crazy…
Some other very cool news, we are now selling KWA Airsoft Guns, I have been a big fan of KWA for a long time and enjoy visiting their booth at SHOT Show, they have excellent high quality detailed Airsoft guns and carry a great combination of Blowback and AEG Airsoft Guns. Once I get through my Crosman and Gletcher reviews I will focus on showcasing the new KWA lineup we are selling.
In this Classic Legends Airguns comparison video I look at a number of different Classic or Legendary BB Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I personally feel is the best . My final choices are of course based on my own personal opinion and in this video I end up picking two as they where kind of each in their own class.
In this Makarov comparison video I look at a variety of different versions of Makarov BB Airguns and compare them to each other to determine which one I feel is the best in their class. My final choice is of course based on my own personal opinion and even then I found it hard to pick a clear winner.
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.
So I decided to revisit the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle CO2 BB Gun and retest the accuracy in my new Sea Can using paper targets setup 30 feet away using a rested and lated shooting position. I also redid my Chronograph velocity test siren my new Chromo setup is working so well.
I did get very similar results with my velocity Chromo Test, my first test I averaged about 430 fps and this time I got 428 fps shooting a 5 shot string. Moving onto the accuracy potion of my Field Test Shooting Review for the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle CO2 BB Gun, I did notice that it was shooting a little bit to the left, elevation was bang on but unfortunately with the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle CO2 BB Gun you can only adjust elevation and not windage?
Even so I was able to get about a 1.5 inch grouping with 10 shots on target with the Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle CO2 BB Gun. But there was one mystery shot that seemed to for sure hit the target but left no indication of where it hit, perhaps I hit the same hole as my first shot?
The Gletcher M1891 Sawn Off Mosin Nagant Rifle CO2 BB Gun is a really cool rifle, I would love to test out the Gletcher M1944 longer version but so far I have not been able to get my hands on one and have only seen it so far at SHOT Show. Keep checking our Replica Airguns online stereo for stock as our Gletcher inventory does go in and out of stock at times.
This year at SHOT Show 2017 in Las Vegas, I found there wasn’t a lot of new Airgun products but as always there are some that stood out for me. If you want more info on each Airgun Company then make sure to watch my full interviews for this years SHOT Show 2017. So without prolonging this video any longer let’s get right into it…
Umarex Legends MP CO2 Full Auto German MP40 Replica Machine-gun:
What’s not to like about the Umarex Legends MP? It has lots of metal parts weighing in at 7.7 pounds, a 60 round steel BB magazine with a dual 12 gram CO2 system. You also get your choice of shooting either in semi auto or full auto at up to 400 fps. Personally the Umarex Legends MP was the most interesting Airgun at the show this year for me and I really think it is going to be a hit!
Umarex SA10 Blowback Pellet and BB CO2 Pistol:
Another interesting product from Umarex this year was the SA10, I am not really sure what it is exactly styled after, it’s more of a futuristic looking gun with slide venting and a thread barrel for adding a mock suppressor or compensator. What appealed to me most about the Umarex SA10 was the new magazine design that incorporates a full size drop out metal magazine with 4 rotary 8 round magazines that can be loaded with either pellets or BB’s. When you empty one 8 shot magazine you simply drop the entire mag out and swap your empty 8 shot rotary magazine for a full one. The SA10 has a nice weight of around 2 pounds and shoots up to 426 fps.
Sig Sauer ASP P320 CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistol:
Sig Sauer introduced their new Sig Sauer ASP P320 CO2 Pellet Pistol this year that will be replacing the P250. Like the P250 the Sig P320 has a metal slide and polymer frame but instead of a double sided 16 shot rotary magazine, the Sig ASP P320 has a newly designed and very unique 30 round belt fed magazine. That’s nearly double the capacity without having to flip the magazine around part way through shooting. It’s great to see innovations like this happening in the airgun market.
Crosman Remington 1875 Shell Loading CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver:
Crosman introduced their own Single Action Old West Revolver this year in the form of the Remington 1875. Like the super popular Umarex Single Action Army Revolvers, the Remington 1875 is also shell loading and uses 12 gram CO2. You have the option of shooting either Pellets or BB’s out of its smooth bore barrel. I expect the Crosman Remington 1875 Shell Loading Revolver to be another popular Old West Airgun Revolver.
Crosman PSM45 Single Shot Spring Powered BB Pistol:
The Crosman PSM45 at first glance may not seem that interesting, after all it’s all plastic on the outside and only shoots about 200 fps! On the plus side it kind of looks like a Glock and we all know how hard it is to find airguns these days that resemble a Glock. I also like the fact that there is no need for any CO2, and most springers out there look like springers while the Crosman PSM45 looks like a real semi auto pistol. The PSM45 even has pretty decent weight to it since there are lots of internal metal parts and a full size drop out metal magazine which was a real surprise in such an entry level low cost pistol. If you’re looking for a fun inexpensive replica plinker than the Crosman PSM45 should fit the bill. On a side not the PSM45 would also make a really great low cost prop since the slide does work and it has that full size drop out magazine!
ASG Dan Wesson 715 2.5 and 4 inch Shell Loading CO2 Revolvers:
The ASG Dan Wesson Revolver has always been a popular choice, and then the Dan Wesson 715 came out improving on the design by adding extra weight and smoothing out the mechanics. How do you top that? Well by giving us some more options like barrel lengths. You now have your choice of a 2.5, 4 or 6 inch barrel for the Dan Wesson 715 and of course you will be able to buy your 715 pick in 4.5mm Steel BB, 6mm Plastic Airsoft or .177 Caliber Pellet ammunition versions. My personal choice may be the 4 inch Dan Wesson 715 since it has the addition of an integrated accessory rail machined into the outer barrel for lasers or tach lights.
Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nogant CO2 BB Rifle:
The Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nogant CO2 BB Rifle is not a new replica gun this year but it has been a hard one to get your hands on. In fact up until SHOT Show 2017 I had never seen one in person and so the Gletcher M1944 is new to me. I was very impressed with the quality of the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nogant, it has a lot of metal parts including the swing out bayonet and even the simulated wood stock looks like real wood. I even had to take a second look and ask before confirming that the stock is in fact plastic on the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nogant. I am looking forward to reviewing this rifle in the future when I do finally get one!
Of course there where other interesting products at SHOT Show 2017 this year but those are the products that stood out the most for me. Again make sure to watch my full interview videos to find out more about all the new products at this years SHOT Show.
My last Interview for SHOT Show 2017 in Las Vegas, well at least till next year and I am already looking forward to going back and doing it all over again :) I met with Boris Shekhman from Gletcher and Boris showed me several of their Gletcher Airguns along with a new accessory introduced this year.
Probably the highlight at the Gletcher booth was the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant CO2 4.5mm Steel BB Bolt Action full stock air rifle! I already reviewed the Gletcher M1891 short stock version but have been really looking forward to seeing the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant in person. Interestingly, Boris was asked by the SHOT Show staff to remove the Gletcher M1944 Mosin Nagant from his display because the real metal swing out bayonet was a concern for them. Boris was kind enough to bring out the Gletcher M1944 for me to see and video for everyone. The full stock however is not real wood but you need to look super close to figure this out as the reproduction is incredible.
We took a look at another Gletcher Airgun I have reviewed in the past, the Gletcher NGT and Gletcher NGT R which are very acurate Steel BB and Pellet shooting reproductions of the Belgian Nagant Revolver. Both these BB and Pellet shooting NGT's are getting a slight make-over with the addition of a safety on them, the real steel versions do not have a safety but some dealers felt it was a concern so Gletcher moving forward will be including a safety on all new NGT's. So if you want a more original Gletcher NGT Nagant Revolver then hurry up and pickup the older non-safety versions while they are still available!
Last on the list of new products from Gletcher are some really great looking leather holsters that not only work for several Gletcher airgun products but can also be used for the same real steel versions. Some of the pistols these new leather holsters will accommodate are the Gletcher TT Tokarev, 1911, Grach, PM 1951 Makarov, and the Stechkin.
I already made several review videos for both Gletcher NGT (4.5mm Steel BB) and the Gletcher NGT R (.177 Cal Pellet) Revolvers, including table top and shooting videos. So make sure to check those videos out for more information on both versions of Gletcher NGT and NGT R Revolvers.
I did however miss some noteworthy details that I wanted to cover in this video. Firstly, the real steal Nagant M1895 Revolver this Gletcher NGT is styled after has a very unique gas-sealing system that the Airgun version does not replicate or really require but it is worth mentioning.
Here is some more info on how the original Nagant M1895 Revolver Gas Seal System works:
(From Wikipedia) The M1895 by contrast, has a mechanism which, as the hammer is cocked, first turns the cylinder and then moves it forward, closing the gap between the cylinder and the barrel. The cartridge, also unique, plays an important part in sealing the gun to the escape of propellant gases. The bullet is deeply seated, entirely within the cartridge case, and the case is slightly reduced in diameter at its mouth. The barrel features a short conical section at its rear; this accepts the mouth of the cartridge, completing the gas seal. By sealing the gap, the velocity of the bullet is increased by 15 to 45 m/s (50 to 150 ft/s.) This feature also eliminates the possibility of injury through the dangerous expansion of gases from the cylinder behind the barrel, which are easily capable of severing a finger if the user holds the gun incorrectly (with a finger positioned in front of the cylinder during fire) - a noted safety-issue in conventional revolvers.
Moving on to some of the features incorporated into the Gletcher NGT NGT-R CO2 BB and Pellet Revolver that I did not point in any of my previous videos. There is an extractor rod that can be used to extract a shell, this is not really necessary on the airgun version since the shells do not expand and tighten on the cylinder as they would n the real steal Nagant M1895 Revolver built is nice that we can replicate this feature with the Airgun version. You can also remove the cylinder completely from both the BB and Pellet shooting Gletcher NGT NGT-R CO2 Revolvers. The cylinder is actually very heavy and adds a lot of weight to this compact 7 shot Revolver.
It is always nice when an Airgun is built in such a way that it replicates the real steal version as closely as possible and the Gletcher NGT NGT-R CO2 BB and Pellet Revolvers do this nearly perfectly.
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:
This Vimeo Video Preview covers three really nice CO2 Pistols recently added to our Replica Airguns Canada Store. One is a pellet pistol from Gletcher called the Gletcher NGT R which is for the most part the same as the standard 4.5mm Steel shooting NGT but the R model is made to shoot .177 caliber pellets so it also has a rifled barrel. I am expecting pretty decent accuracy with this pistol!
Last but perhaps the best or at least most anticipated gun I am showing off today is the Umarex S&W M&P40 Full Blowback CO2 BB Pistol. This is a really nice acurate replica of the real steal S&W M&P40 with full licensing and pretty much every part operational like it would be on the .40 caliber version.
Here are some basic Specifications for all of these fine Co2 Airguns...
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher GOLD APS Stetchkin is nice in both double and single action modes. Double action is fairly light as the hammer spring tension is moderate. The blowback operation will of course pre-cock the hammer allowing for single action shooting on almost all of your shots but the trigger pull length remains the same in both single and double action. The only difference is that in single action mode, the first part of the trigger pull, or should I say the take-up portion is much lighter until it gets to the hammer release point where you will notice more pressure and a short crisp release point.
Accuracy: I have already done a field test shooting review for the standard blowback Gletcher APS Stechkin which other than the finish is the same gun and will perform exactly the same. Make sure to checkout that shooting review for more info on how the Gletcher APS performed. In summary, I was able to get very close to the claimed 400 fps even on a rather cool early spring day (under 10 degree Celsius). I also shot with around a 2 inch 10 shot grouping from my standard target setup of 30 feet back in a semi rested position.
Build Quality: The Gletcher GOLD APS Stechkin CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is well made, the Gold and black etched finish looks really nice but may not be to everyones personal taste, kind of a love it or hate situation when it comes ot Gold guns ;) The fit is good, not a lot of slide wiggle and pretty much the entire pistol is metal including the frame, slide, trigger, slide catch-release, safety, hammer, magazine and inner barrel. The only plastic parts would be the grips, outer barrel and some internal seals and o-rings.
Realism:The GOLD CO2 BB Gletcher APS is a 1 to 1 replica of the Stechkin Soviet Military sidearm, all the mechanical parts function just like you would find on the real steel version other than the full auto mode located on the safety, which has been disabled, perhaps for the European markets where full auto airguns are not allowed. The barrel opening and the stick magazine are the real only tell-tale signs that this is the airgun version rather than a real Stechkin.
Pros:
Come in a nice Velvet lined Wooden Box.
Gold Plated with etching )either love it or hate it)
Very solid and weighty gun. Mostly all metal.
High capacity 22 round all metal stick magazine
Blowback operation is pretty heavy, slide locks back on last round.
Operational parts all work like they should (slide catch, safety, hammer, elevation adjustment, mag release)
Field Strippable.
May be able to attach a stock on it?
Shooting performance, good trigger pull, around 400 fps and got about a 2 inch grouping from 30 feet away.
Cons:
No reassessed barrel opening.
Would have liked to have seen full size drop out metal magazine on this gun.
Full auto feature disabled on safety.
Gold version is a lot more expensive than the standard blowback version. ($349 versus $179)
Comments:
When I saw this pistol in the Gletcher catalog, I did not realize how large it actually was, I was expecting the Gold Gletcher APS Stechkin to be a bit larger than the Makarov but it really does dwarf the Makarov. Being that it is a large pistol it does have some weight to it but it does not feel heavy for its size. The grips are long front to back but not overly thick side to side so even medium sized hands should be OK shooting this BB air pistol. I am really happy to see another historic airgun added to the available Replica Airguns at our disposal and it's a bonus that we also get this one with blowback operation. You do have your choice when it comes to what you are looking for in terms of finish and operation, there is of course the APS GOLD blowback BB Version being reviewed in this video, the standard black/grey none blowback APS BB version, the black/grey blowback APS BB version which again is mechanically exactly the same as the GOLD. If your prefer Airsfot you can even find a Gletcher APS Blowback Airsoft model to fit your needs. All you have to decide is which one is for you!
My Vimeo Table Top Video of the Gletcher APS Stechkin CO2 Blowback BB Pistol:
Another preview video with some pistols from Umarex, ASG and Gletcher. Two of these Airguns I got to see whiel I wa sin SHOT Show this year so it was nice to be able to spend a bit more time with each one now that I have them in person for review :)
Lets start off with the ASG Dan Wesson 715, mine happens to be the Stainless version in 4.5mm Steel BB. What an upgrade over the original Dan Wesson Revolver and I thought those where already really good! The all new ASG Dan Wesson 715 is super solid coming in close to three pounds with its mostly solid metal construction.
Next up is the Umarex Combat Vet 1911 which is essentially a KWC 1911 distributed and Colt licensed via Umarex. The Umarex Combat Vet 1911 is a limited edition product made to look weathered and used and it does look amazing!
Lastly the Gletcher Stechkin in a Gold finish shipped in a real wood box with velvet lining. This is the same Airgun as the Gletcher APS but blinged out a bit, the Gold finish is lined with black etching to really make this gun look unique.
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:
Ammunition Capacity: 19 round metal stick drop out universal magazine.
FPS: 394 fps 120 m/s.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gletcher BRT 84 is rather long and a bit on the heavy side but it is smooth and predictable. The release point takes a while to get to but once you figure it out you can get really accurate shot placement with this Beretta Model 84 replica. As with many low cost simplicity designed CO2 Air Pistols, the Gletcher BRT 84 uses the barrel like a hammer. When you pull the trigger, the inner barrel moves forward and out of the outer barrel allowing a BB to move into the breach area, then the barrel snaps rearward hitting the CO2 valve releasing CO2 and shooting the BB.
Accuracy: I tested the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol from 30 feet back shooting at a paper target using a semi rested position I was able to get a near 1 inch 10 shot grouping on two separate occasions with this rather small and unassuming airgun. In terms of feet per second performance the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol is rated at 394 fps, my Chronograph results shooting 5 rounds through the Chrony using a full CO2 and 5.1 grain Steel BB's was a respectable 421 fps, even a bit higher then the factor claim of 394.
Build Quality: Being a pretty much all metal gun, makes the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol feel solid and sturdy even for such a small pistol. The only plastic parts on the Gletcher BRT 84 are the grips, the CO2 tab and perhaps an internal part like seals and such. The painted finish is a nice dark grey and seems to be wearing really well. Since the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol is basically a one piece solid metal moulded airgun, there is really nothing to go wrong and no fit problems to speak of. Yes it is basic but it is also really well made.
Realism: The Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol is a replica of the real steel Beretta Model 84. It is an extremely close copy in terms of looks and feel, but does not have very many moving parts other than the trigger, magazine release and safety. So no slide movement or blowback, no working slide catch release, not even the hammer is functional. That said, not much to go wrong if what you are looking for is a gun that looks like a Beretta model 84.
Very solid all metal construction, good weight and feel.
Stick magazine is universal and can be used in many other guns.
Very accurate with good fps performance.
Grips feel nice, almost have a rubber like texture.
Simple design so not very much to go wrong with this airgun.
CO2 tab is hidden internally.
Reasonable price tag for well built all metal airgun.
Cons:
Very few working parts.
Trigger is a bit long and heavy, not ideal for action shooting.
Sights are non-adjustable
No Beretta Licensing
Comments:
I am usually not a huge fan of non-blowback basic airguns, especially when they do not have many working parts on them. However the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol has some strong points that makes it worth considering, like it's solid all metal build, excellent accuracy and nice high fps performance for such a small sized airgun. It all feels really good in the hand ergonomically and based on the way it's built in such a simple no frills manner, the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol should last a long time if taken care of.
Watch my Vimeo Review for the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol:
In this Field test Shooting Review I get out from under my deck roofing and take my Chronograph and target shooting onto the pool area. Why not? The weather has been great and the pool is officially open and looking good :)
My pistol of choice for the Field Test Shooting video is the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol. As per my usual Field Test Shooting Video Reviews, I test out the real world velocity for the Gletcher BRT 84 BB Pistol by shooting 5 rounds through my Chronograph using a brand new CO2 and 5.1 grain RWS zinc coated Steel BB's. I did have a few Chronograph issues but got a solid 4 readings giving me an average of 421 fps.
I then stepped back 30 feet and shot 10 of the same RWS Steel BB's on a paper target to see what kind of accuracy I could get shooting the Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol. I was impressed to see a close to 1 inch grouping shooting from a rested position. I actually performed this test twice because the first time I forgot to record with my camera glasses but I still got similar results both times.
The Gletcher BRT 84 All Metal CO2 BB Pistol is a bit on the louder side with a nice cracking sound when fired. The double action trigger is decent, nice and predictable but a bit on the long and heavy side since it is double action only. The sights are none adjustable but the Gletcher BRT 84 CO2 BB Pistol shot pretty true to the center of the target, juts a bit low and to the right but not by much. Overall for under $100 and being all metal this is a nice replica Beretta 84 BB shooter with good pereormcane.
