In this Field Test Shooting video I test out both the Daisy Powerline 5501 and Daisy Powerline 5502 CO2 Blowback BB pistols to determine what the real work velocity is and also how well they performs in terms of accuracy. To test velocities for both Airguns I use a my Chrony Chronograph and do my best to get 5 good readings which I then average out. I always use a brand new 12 gram CO2 cartridge and generally use 5.1 grain Zink Coated Steel BB's for my entire Field Testing. For my accuracy test, I set myself up 30 feet back using a semi rested position, to do this I place a sand bag up front to rest my hands and gun on and then stand securely in the back while I place 10 rounds on a paper target. There will obviously be some humane factor involved since I am not perfect but I can usually get a good idea on how accurate a given gun is using this method.
During my Velocity or FPS Chronograph testing, I managed to get 4 good readings out of 15 shots with the Daisy Powerline 5501 scoring an average of 367fps. Amazingly my first 5 shots with the Daisy Powerline 5502 all ready perfectly on my Chronograph even though they where moving a good 50fps faster, go figure? My average velocity for this 5 shot sting of shots was 417fps.
For my accuracy testing I was expecting both guns to perform about the same since mechanically they arevirtually the same other than a longer barrel on the 5502. The Daisy Powerline 5501 however seemed to struggle with consistency, it did group well left to right and up and down on the target but the spread was about 5 inches and it should of gotten closer to 2-3 inches in my books for a blowback pistol like this. The Daisy Powerline 5502 did perform better in terms of accuracy getting closer to a 2-3 inch grouping so overall I have to give the Powerline 5502 the advantage in both velocity and accuracy.
Another noteworthy point to mention is how much quieter the Daisy Powerline 5502 is in person! I am assuming the longer barrel along with the compensator perhaps muffling the sound a bit plays a roll in this. Both Daisy Powerline CO2 Blowback BB Pistols have a nice solid blowback action simulating some recoil and the triggers on both are fairly decent being that they simulate more of a double action feel with their long medium weight pull.
I do like the look of the more simplified Daisy Powerline 5501 with it's chrome frame but the performance and accessory option of the Powerline 5502 are a definite benefit for this model.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Daisy Powerline 5501 is about average, a bit long but fairly smooth and about a medium pull weight. The first part of the action loads a BB into the chamber and the second part releases the hammer which give the pistol a bit of a creepy first stage.
Accuracy: I was not impressed with how my Daisy 5501 performed in the accuracy portion of this review, it got about a 3 inch 8 shot group from 20 feet out in a semi rested position, in comparison many of my BB pistols can easily get a 1 inch grouping shooting this way. I may try a different brand of BB's even though the RWS BB's I used where of high quality, they just may have not suited this pistol? FPS velocities where a bit under the manufacturers claimed ratings but very close at a respectable average of 386 fps with my 8 shot test shooting on a somewhat cold day. Not bad for a blowback pistol!
Build Quality: The Daisy Powerline 5501 is a pretty much all metal pistol with what looks to be very good build quality. The 5501 is made in Japan, I have found most Japanese made guns to be well made in the past. The frame, slide, trigger, safety, slide catch, CO2 screw, and de-cocker are all metal and of course many of the internal parts too. The only plastic parts to speak of are the grips and the magazine. I would have liked to have seen the magazine with more metal in it but for the most part it is protected within the gun so you should be OK.
Realism:The Daisy Powerline 5501 is loosely styled after the Sig Sauer in combination with a Walther semi auto pistol. It is lacking a cut-out ejection port that would have added greatly to its realism. I would have also liked to have seen a metal magazine as it's seems a bit cheap compared to the rest of the pistol. I do like the fact that the barrel tip has a large diameter opening making the gun look more like the larger caliber weapon it is styled after. It's also one of the few BB pistols with a working de-coker on it.
The two-tone look is very nice with a stainless look to the frame.
Accessory rail makes adding a tactical light or laser easy.
Warning instructions on slide are color matched to be more discreet.
Very well designed CO2 tightening system and also well hidden.
Cons:
Did not shoot very accurately for me with the BB's I used.
Ejection port is not cut out, takes away from the realism a bit.
All plastic magazine.
No white dotes on rear sight.
Comments:
All in all I liked this Daisy Powerline 5501, other than the poor results I got in terms of accuracy using my chosen zinc platted RWS BB's, the Powerline 5501 was really very good in all other aspects. I think it is a rather nice looking gun with excellent build quality throughout with lots of metal giving the 5001 a nice 1.5 pounds weight. The Daisy 5501 had very heavy and snappy blowback while retaining decent shots per CO2 and respectable close to 400 fps real world velocities. This Daisy Powerline 5501 blowback BB pistol is priced at well under $100 making it very good value in my mind.
My Vimeo Video Comparison Review for the Daisy Powerline BB Pistol:
It's always good to start the week off with an update video so everyone knows what's happening short-term and long-term...
I recently acquired a couple new items that I will be reviewing in the near future (along with several other reviews that I will be trying to get to ASAP!) First off is the Crosman M4-177 which is basically a multi-pump pellet and BB shooting replica of an AR or M4 styled carbine used by the US military. The Crosman M4-177 is mostly plastic on the outside but on first inspection seems to be built fairly well. It has removable metal sights and the magazine is also detachable but is not used as a magazine but rather a compartment for storage. The unit I have is the Canadian detuned version which shoots .177 caliber lead pellets and 4.5mm steel BB's at under 500 fps.
I also received my first old west blank shooting revolver (M1873), I have wanted one of these for a while and finally got my hands on one :) Unfortunately this one has a plugged barrel so it vents out of the cylinder area which may get a bit messy. I may see about making this one a front venting gun if possible and of course as long as it's within the law as I plan to make sure the cylinder stays semi plugged so no actual rounds could ever be shot out of it. The Old West M1873 Blank Revolver holds six .380 crimped blanks and is an all metal and wood construction. This should be a fun review!
I also touch upon a few other guns on the list of items I need to review and by the way in an attempt to get caught up I will be doing my Table Top and Shooting reviews combined.
Here are some of the guns that I will be reviewing over the next while...
Gamo P-25 & PT-85 .177 Caliber Blowback Pellet pistols (This one will get done this week!)
I wanted to make a quick video to showcase a few items I will be reviewing and some of which are also for sale in the Replica Airguns Store.
First off we have a few of the new front firing Kimar Model 85's (Orange Slide) left in Canada. I stated out with 9 and I am not down to 3 so hurry on this one if you want one in Canada. If you are in the US, I also have them for sale in my US Replica Airguns Store in both Black and Nickel.
Next up I just wanted to show you a Kimar Lady K that will show up some time down the road in a video review, this item is now in my personal collection and sorry it is not for sale in either my Canada or US store at this time.
I have had lots of requests to review the Daisy Powerline 5501 and to be honest I have wanted to get this one for some time and even though it is available for sale in our US Replica Airguns Store I have not had the opportunity to pick one up until now so look forward to that review again some time down the road...
Last but not least I wanted to give you a closer look at the new Turkish made high powered Webley Tempest I have available in the Canada Store, these ones shoot as hard as legally possible within our Canada limitation to be classified as uncontrolled firearms and they make great compact pest control pistols that you can keep handy for when required.
OK, so that's it for now and be sure to watch the full reviews of these guns when I get to them shortly!
