Type: Blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Umarex. Model:HK VPN. Materials: Metal & Polymer. Weight: 1.42 pounds (644 grams). Barrel: 4.13 inches, metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto single and double action trigger. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 18 round drop out full size metal magazine. FPS: Claimed 350.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex HK VP9 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is fairly decent. When the slide cycles it sets the internal striker ready for single action shooting but there is a first stage of the trigger that moves the CO2 nozzle in the magazine forward pushing a BB into the breech area of the barrel while also sealing off the magazine into the barrel allowing for more effect CO2 usage and extra power. This movement of the magazine nozzle does add a slight bit of friction to the first stage of the trigger pull but not a lot. Keep in mind the trigger pull is a bit longer than most single action triggers to account for this.
Build Quality: TheUmarex HK VP9 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is a well made gun which we have come to expect from Umarex. The Umarex HK VP9 is made of metal and polymer similar to the real steel version with a metal slide and polymer frame. You will find more metal parts in the Umarex HK VP9 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol as in the slide catch release, magazine ejector, barrel, magazine and also several internal parts. Fit and finish is good, I had no issues shooting the Umarex HK VP9 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol when I tested it out.
Realism: The Umarex HK VP9 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is a very close copy of the real steel H&K VP9 9mm pistol, you will even find HK licensing throughout the gun. Some details that make the Umarex HK VP9 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol very believable are the blowback action, full size drop out metal magazine, the cut out ejection port with 9mm markings on it, the recessed barrel, a working slide catch release and trigger safety. One giveaway that the Umarex HK VP9 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is not the real deal is the safety switch on the right hand side of the frame. It is fairly small so it does not catch the eye to easily. Available From: The Replica Airguns Store.
Pros:
Nice Crisp blowback action.
Full size drop out all metal magazine.
Metal parts where where you would expect them to be: Slide, magazine, barrel, slide catch/release, magazine ejector and of course several internal parts.
Fairly accurate looking replica of the original HK VP9.
HK Licensed via Umarex.
White dot sights easy to sight in your target on most backgrounds.
Working trigger safety.
Rail for accessories like lasers and tac lights.
Warning instructions are nice and discreet!
Well priced for what you get.
Cons:
Not a fan a of the clamshell packaging, makes the gun seem cheap even before you actually hold and feel it.
Sights are none adjustable.
Did not perform great in my accuracy test, a bit spread out.
Comments:
The Umarex HK VP9 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol reminds me a lot of the ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol in terms of how it operates, they both have that same full size dop out metal magazine that has that moving nozzle for more efficient CO2 usage. Both BB guns also both have that “half” or reduced cycle blowback operation which again probably increases CO2 efficiency and power. The Umarex HK VP9 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol looks and feels great in the hand and has a nice snappy blowback operation with easy to use sights and a smooth trigger. I just wish I was able to get a little bit tighter grouping during my field test shooting video but sometimes it’s just me, sometimes it can just be that specific gun. Let me know how yours performs for you?
First off, this will be the last video where I try and use my Chrony Chronograph to determine the fps velocity for one of my airguns. It's time has come and I am officially retiring my Chrony or should I say setting aside for later destruction by means of many rounds of airgun ammo fired at it... I just need to locate and order a replacement solution, perhaps I will reach out to Chrony and see if they can help me out since they should really look into restoring my faith and many of my viewers faith in this product ;) If the airgun I am testing has blowback operation then I generally also record some slow motion video and place it in the end of the video while I am talking it out.
Moving on with my Field Test for the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol. If you have not already checkout my Table Top Review for it then make sure to do so for some close up video and the main features and benefits.
As per normal my Field Test Shooting video is composed of a Chronograph test which in this case resulted in pretty much no data other than one recorded shot which may or may not even be accurate? I also step back 30 feet and shoot 10 rounds on a paper target with my Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pisto to figure out how close of a grouping I can get for the sake of accuracy purposes. I do us a somewhat rested shooting position which allows me to in most cases get pretty decent results with less human factor involved.
In terms of FPS for the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pisto, all we can really go on are the claimed fps specifications which are 400, I would say based on how quickly rounds get to the target and how hard they hit that 400 fps is about right, perhaps even a little more? Maybe once I get my new Chronograph I will have to revisit this gun and see what it can do.
Accuracy wise I was able to fire 10 rounds within a nice 2 inch grouping, they did shoot a bit left for me but the good news is that the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pisto has an adjustable rear sight for windage so this can be corrected for each user. The blowback Action is pretty hard on this gun, very quick and snappy, it is also fairly loud when using a new CO2. There is a fair bit of trigger take-up since the first stage of the trigger pull also chambers a round into the barrel form the full size drop out magazine. Once you get to the break point of the trigger there is a bit of extra tension followed by a distinct release. It may not be the smoothest trigger I have used but it does work just fine.
Overall the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pisto has a lot going for it, good looks, blowback operation with a full size drop out magazine, an adjustable rear sight, decent power and accuracy and it is an excellent replica for the real steel ISSC M22.
I wanted to make a quick update video to let everyone know what I will be up to over the next few weeks since it will effect my video production just a little bit, that said I will do my best to keep the videos coming...
If you remember last year around August, I entered a Fitness contest where I competed in Men's Physique. Well I did fairly well and placed 1st in two divisions, Masters and Open. What this means is I am now qualified to compete in my local Provincial Finals this year which is coming up in less than two weeks. The event is called the Vancouver Pro Am and it will be held in Vancouver BC Canada.
To get to the point, my contest prep especially the last couple of week is fairly taxing on me physically and mentally, it also takes up some of my time. So my videos may not be as regular and they may not be as put together since my mind is not working 100% right now due to the lack of food and carbs I am not eating ;) Anyway I will do my best! You can follow my Fitness journey over at www.GetFitOver40.com.
I also talk about two new Sig products I will be picking up next week to review, the Sig Sauer P250 and Sig Sauer P226 CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistols. I hope to at least have a preview video for you later on next week.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is pretty decent overall. Unlike the original 22LR ISSC M22 that is single action only, the BB version shoots on both single and double action. When shooting in double action, the trigger pull is a little bit heavier since the hammer is not pre-cocked but shooting in single action does require full trigger pull length since the first stage of the trigger pull chambers a BB into the breach area. The second stage when shooting in single action releases the hammer.
Accuracy: I have only shot the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol briefly, and only using a free standing position shooting at some pop cans. I did notice the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol shot a little bit low at 20 feet but was well centered side to side. The BB's seemed to travel pretty quick and the blowback action was snappy and allowed for some pretty decent rapid fire action. I will be following up this table top review with a field test shooting video down the road.
Build Quality: I was impressed with this pistol right out of the box, being an owner of the real steel 22LR version, I was actually rather surprised at how accurate of a reproduction in terms of build quality the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol was. The BB ISSC M22 has a good weight and feel to it and metal and plastic parts in pretty much all the same places you would find them in the 22LR shooting version. The plastic frame feels solid and well made while the metal slide has very close tolerances and the black satin finish looks good and seems to be wearing pretty well.
Realism: Again as an owner of the first generation real steel 22LR ISSC M22, and placing these guns side by side, they are nearly undistinguishable other than the changes Glock had ISSC make to the current versions so yes there are some cosmetic differences between my first generation M22 and the current version of this replica BB ISSC M22. That aside if you are an owner of the 22LR ISSC M22, then you are going to have to have one of these Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol to go along with it for even cheaper cost per shot then 22LR ammo. In terms of working parts, everything is the same except for the de-cocker since the BB model de-cocker is moulded into the slide and none functioning. I wish the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol was easily filed stripable but I guess you can not have everything :)
Pros:
Really great overall replace of the 22LR ISSC M22.
Metal and plastic parts in all the same places as the 22LR ISSC M22.
Full blowback operation with single action trigger.
Full size drop put metal magazine that holds the CO2 and BB’s
Almost all mechanical parts work the same as the 22LR ISSC M22. (exception of slide safety)
ISSC m22 licensed.
Adjustable rear sigh for windage.
Accessory rail for addons.
One of the closest 4.5mm Steel BB pistols to a Glock that we have available to us.
Cons:
Does not seem to field strip at least easily.
Slide safety is module into slide and none functioning.
Comments:
All in all this may just be my new favorite blowback BB pistol, I obviously like the design since I already own the 22LR version and it does look a lot like a Glock so that may be a benefit to you Glock lovers out there. The Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol really does seem to have a lot going for it... Blowback operation, a full size drop out metal magazine that holds the CO2 and BB's, decent fps and accuracy, an adjustable rear sight, working parts where they are supposed to work on the real steel version and that Glock look and feel but without the worries of Glock coming after you for violations of their copywrite since this is a licensed ISSC M22 replica.
My Vimeo Video Review for the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol:
