In this Preview Unboxing Vimeo Video I take a look at five very different products! A Spring Piston .177 Caliber Pellet Pistol, an Airsoft GBB Pistol, a Compact Crossbow, a full auto CO2 Blowback BB Pistol and a PPC .22 Caliber Pellet Rifle.
First up is the Umarex Ruger Mark IV Spring Piston Pellet Pistol which is a single shot replica pellet pistol that shoots .177 caliber pellets at up to 320 fps using a spring piston break barrel system. The Umarex Ruger Mark IV Spring Piston Pellet Pistol is a target plinker with fully adjustable fiber optic sights and should be a lot of fun to shoot!
Next I take a look at a Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol from Action Army that closely resembles the Ruger Mark IV pistol with perhaps a more compact look. The Action Army AAP-01 GBB Airsoft Pistol is full blowback a full size drop out magazine and fiber optic sights. It also come with a threaded barrel and barrel extension for adding a longer barrel and much suppressor.
Next on my list of new items is the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow which is a 2.2 pound compact bolt shooting crossbow that sports a rail system with included adjustable iron sights that also allow for a red dot if you want to really customize it. The Bear X Desire XL Crossbow has a 60 pound draw and shoots arrows/bolts at up to 175 fps.
Another AR BB Rifle/Pistol from Crosman is the Crosman A4-P Full Auto CO2 BB Pistol which is essentially a pistol version of the AR Platform. If you like the Crosman DPMS SBR, R1, PDW then you will probably also like the Crosman AP-4. Like the others it uses dual CO2’s and shoots 4.5mm Steel BB;s in semi or full auto at 1400 rounds per minute until the 25 round magazine is empty.
Last included in this preview video is the Air Venturi Avenger Regulated PCP Pellet Rifle. I’m a bit uncertain about this one as I am pretty sure it is the non detuned PAL version that requires a firearms license here in Canada as it shoots at full velocity (.22 caliber pellet at 950 fps). If that’s the case then it will not be available in our Canada Replica Airguns Store but may be available in the US Replica Airguns Store. If it is the detuned version or a detuned version becomes available in Canada then I imagine we will at some point have it in the Canada replica Airguns Store. That said the Air Venturi Avenger Regulated PCP Pellet Rifle uses compressed air and shoots either .177. .22 or .25 caliber pellets using a latch system and rotary magazine.
For this Field Test Shooting Video I actually had to go outside and use my field so in order to have an appropriate amount of distance to properly test the Umarex AirJavelin Archery CO2 Arrow Rifle. My Indoor Airgun Shooting Range is only 30 feet long and my metal backstop was simply not usable for the arrows.
I setup a make ship arrow backstop using a large bag of bark mulch with a rubber matt over top. This setup seemed to work really well for the Umarex AirJavelin Archery CO2 Arrow Rifle allowing the arrows to stick in most of the way. My target was setup around 55 feet away and I was using rested but standing shooting position for my testing.
I decided to combine the Chromo and Accuracy portion of my Field Test Shooting Video for the Umarex AirJavelin Archery CO2 Arrow Rifle by recording each shot on my chronograph while I placed shots on target, why not right? I placed 6 arrows on target with 5 of my shots being recorded by the chronograph. The average fps was only 156, the highest being 183 and lowest being 136. I did experience a bit of a CO2 leak when I first placed my 88 gram CO2 in the Umarex AirJavelin Archery CO2 Arrow Rifle. I believe this was because I did not pull the bolt back which allowed the valve mechanism to be open slightly. I realized this fairly quickly and pulled the bolt back which saved most of the CO2 but I did lose a some. This may have lowered the fps a little bit but I was surprise that the Umarex AirJavelin Archery CO2 Arrow Rifle was recording about half the fps claimed by Umarex. That said the effectiveness of the arrows and penetration into the backstop would for sure get the job done if I was trying to eradicate some small to medium sized pests.
In terms of accuracy I was very impressed with the Umarex AirJavelin Archery CO2 Arrow Rifle. At 55 feet or so I was able to get 5 of the arrows all within 2-3 inches of each other, I did have one arrow drop a little bit lower than the main grouping. I’m not sure if I would want to shoot a pest out at 50-60 feet but it could be done with the Umarex AirJavelin Archery CO2 Arrow Rifle especially if you where to add a nice red dot or optical sight to it. I would think the Umarex AirJavelin Archery CO2 Arrow Rifle would be best suited shooting small to medium game at 30-40 feet which should allow for sub 2 inch groupings.
Type: Archery. Manufacturer: Umarex. Model:AirJavelin & AirSaber. Materials: Metal & polymer construction. Weight: 3.9 pounds / 6.3 pounds no scope. Foot Pounds Energy: 34 ft/lbs / 124 ft/lbs. Total Length: 34 inches / 41 inches. Propulsion: 88 gram CO2 x1 / PCP 3625 PSI, 250 cc. Action: Bolt single action. Ammunition Type: Carbon fiber 190 grain / 350 grain arrows (Field tip can be swapped over to broad-head) Ammunition Capacity: 1 Arrow. Max FPS: 300 / 450.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on both the Umarex AirJavelin and the Umarex AirSaber are both single action that require the bolts to be pulled back in order to shoot them. The Umarex AirJavelin trigger is not as short, light or crisp as the Umarex AirSaber, the Umarex AirSaber for sure feels higher quality as expected.
Accuracy: This is going to be very interesting as I have never shot anything like this before but from what I was told at SHOT Show this year I can expect very accuracy results from both the Umarex AirJavelin and the Umarex AirSaber Archery CO2 and PCP Arrow Rifles. I’m not sure if I will test the Umarex AirSaber unless I can make a safe shooting range for it, luckily I live out on average so as long as I can setup a good backstop I should be able to test them both.
Build Quality: The build quality of the Umarex AirJavelin and the Umarex AirSaber Archery CO2 and PCP Arrow Rifles is very good overall, the Umarex AirJavelin is mostly plastic and is not very heavy but the fit and finish is good all round. The Umarex AirSaber on the other hand has a lot of metal used in the construction, the only real plastic found on the Umarex AirSaber would be in the stock. The Umarex AirSaber is for sure a step up in quality over the Umarex AirJavelin but will cost you almost double in the end.
Realism: This is going to be pretty short section since both the Umarex AirJavelin and the Umarex AirSaber Archery CO2 and PCP Arrow Rifles are not replicas of any actual gun in production. Their primary use is going to be for hunting and or pest control I would say.
Pros:
Only Canada non PAL Airguns with enough power to hunt medium and larger game.
Overall price point is good, nothing like this to compare to.
Arrows are propelled from the front, no archers paradox when aiming.
Arrows come with field tip arrows but can be unscrewed and replaced with broad tip arrows for hunting.
Easy to use cross bolt safeties.
Pistol grips allow for easy hold and control.
Fit and finish is very good and excellent on the AirSaber.
AirJavelin: 88 Gram CO2 for quick easy use.
AirSaber: PCP for more power and larger game options.
AirJavelin: White dot up front with fully adjustable peep sight on back.
AirJavelin: M-Lock on sides for adding accessories.
AirSaber: Picatinny rails on top for scope, sides and bottom for accessories.
AirJavelin: Adjustable AR-style rear stock.
AirJavelin: Rubber buttplate for added comfort.
Cons:
No scope or sights with base model AirSaber so you will need to get one for it.
Not a lot of shots per 88 gram CO2, will need a pump for the PCP AirSaber.
Arrows are not cheap so make sure of your shots.
Comments: The Umarex AirJavelin and Umarex AirSaber Archery CO2 and PCP Arrow Rifles are very interesting in that they are really the only Canada legal “firearms” that can actually put down small, medium and even large game without requiring a firearms license (PAL). This is because they do not exceed 500 fps, they do exceed the foot pound energy limit of 4.2 foot pounds but since both of these rifles do not exceed the 500 fps limit they do not exceed both requirements to place them in the regulated firearms category that requires a firearms license. This is great news for anyone in Canada without a PAL license that wants to be able to hunt various game or take care of pests humanly. Umarex has also been kind enough to bring us two variations on this design. The Umarex AirJavelin more economical and easier to use CO2 powered version designed for small to medium sized game and the Umarex AirSaber higher quality PCP powered big brother version designed to be used even for larger game. Both are great, all you need to do is pick which one is right for you!
My Table Top Review for the Umarex AirJavelin and AirSaber Archery CO2 and PCP Arrow Rifles:
This year at SHOT Show 2020 Mark from Umarex had a nice variety of new product to go over with us. Mark first went over the new CO2 Blowback Pellet firing Glock 17 which has a similar magazine and loading system as the Umarex SA10 Pellet Pistol.
We then took a look at another Glock replica, the Glock 18C Full Auto GBB Airsoft pistol with extended magazine, this one is sure to be a lot of fun with its selectable full auto feature and high capacity magazine. Perfect for hammering targets downrange or used as a very capable backup Airsoft pistol in the field.
Probably one of my favorites at the Umarex Booth this year was the Umarex Thompson M1A1 Legends Series CO2 Blowback Machine Gun. And yes it’s full auto capable along with blowback operation and a full size drop metal magazine that holds the CO2 and Steel BB’s. A nice addition to the Legends series of Pistols and Rifles.
Something really different this year for Umarex are the AirJavelin and AirSaber, two arrow firing rifles, the AirJavelin is CO2 powered and more tactical looking but still has more than enough power to shoot medium sized game, great for pest control while the bigger and (480 fps 178 foot pound) more powerful AirSaber is PCP powered and can be used for larger game like deer and wild bore. And it even looks like we will be selling these Arrow firing rifles in our Canada Replica Airguns Store with no PAL firearms license required!
In this 2016 SHOT Show Interview I talk with Chip Hunnucutt from Crosman Corporation. Chip was eager to show off Crosman's new Airbow which is a essentially a hybrid PCP Air Rifles combined with a Crossbow. SO take away the bow and replace the power source with a 3000 PSI compressed air system that is capable of shooting standard archery arrows at 450 fps with 160 foot pounds of energy using 375 grain arrows.
The Crosman Airbow on a full 3000 PSI charge can deliver 8 consecutive shots @ the regulated 450 fps. The Airbow also weighs in at 7 pounds and being that it is a Bullpup design it is only 33.5 inches long so nice and compact for an arrow shooter.
Since the power is generated by the PCP compressed air system there is no heavy cocking rope so a simple lift of the ambidextrous cocking bolt is all that is needed to charge the Crosman Airbow. The Airbow also comes standard with a CenterPoint® 6x40 mm scope specially designed with the Airbow in mind.
Since the Crosman Airbow is technically an under 500 fps airgun, it should be considered an uncontrolled firearm here in Canada which means no PAL license will be required to buy and own the Crosman Airbow in Canada. In terms of using the Airbow for hunting as it is not a bow but rather an Airgun, that is yet to be determined here in Canada.
This is my SHOT Show 2016 Teaser Video! You will get to see some new gun highlights from companies like Umarex, ASG, Crosman, Sig Sauer, KWA and ISC. I will be following up this video with some interview videos very soon so do make sure to check back for those uploads. All I can say about the show is it’s huge! So much to see, so much walking and too much to take in…
ASG:
As always, ASG had some new products this year. The all new Dan Wesson 715 357 Magnum shell loading Revolver! This gun feels absolutely amazing in the hand and will be available in Steel BB, Airsfot and even Pellet shooting versions. Also new are the CZ P-09 and CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow Full Blowback BB and Airsoft Pistols.
Crosman:
Big at Crosman this year was their PCP Airbow, Crosman put a lot of focus on this product and even had a lot of crossbows on display to go with their new PCP Airbow. Crosman also introduced their low cost entry level Benjamin Maximus PCP rifle in .177 and .22 calibers offerings. Not really much in the way of replica pistols from Crosman this year, but then again last year was kind of the same?
Sig Sauer:
I finally made it to the Sig Sauer Booth this year to checkout their new CO2 Pellet gun line. All new Sig Airguns are made true to size and weight with similar trigger actions as their real steel versions. The Sig MPX is their more compact (shorter barreled) pellet shooting CO2 rifle with internal blowback and belt fed 30 round magazine. The Sig MCX is the longer barreled rifle version but built much the same as the MPX. Sig also introduced two new pellet shooting CO2 Blowback Pistols, the P226 and the P250. Both use similar double ended rotary magazines as the Umarex PX4.
Umarex:
Umarex always seems to have some new exciting Airguns products to offer at SHOT Show. The PPK is back with a few updates including no more ugly CO2 tab sticking out of the bottom! And yes the Beretta Model 92A1 will finally be shipping soon, I believe in February! My favorite product this year from Umarex would have to be the Full Blowback, Full size drop out magazine S&W M&P 40 CO2 BB Pistol. Umarex released yet another 1911 on the market, this version does come with a stick mag and sports pretty high fps and more shots per CO2 then the KWC based 1911’s. The super popular Colt SAA Revolver is now available in a pellet shooting version with a rifled barrel :) Umarex had on display another low cost revolver, the ultra futuristic looking Brodax CO2 BB Revolver.
KWA:
KWA always has really nice high quality products to showoff at there booth each year, we may even start carrying some of KWA's products this year, fingers crossed on that one… New to the KWA line are some AEG rifles with simulated blowback action, I really liked the Blowback AEG AK they had on display. KWA also released a new Airsoft shell loading revolvers that had some of the nicest looking brass and aluminum shells. On display under a glass cover was a very solid Gas Blowback Thompson Machine-gun with real wood stock, it was absolutely gorgeous!
ISC:
ISC known for their top quality AEG internals, had their full line of high quality Airsoft rifles on display. And new this year to ICS was their first ever Airsoft pistol, the blowback BLE Alpha. The BLE should be out mid year and looked and felt really nice. The trigger on it was super short and light.
I have some really awesome Interview videos I’m working on, I will be uploading them shortly so stay tuned for those…
I wanted to show off a few new items that I will be reviewing, one being the Crosman MK-177 Pellet and BB pneumatic multi-pump air rifle that was very graciously provided to me by Crosman for review. And the other item is something kind of new in terms of the type of gun, since it is not really gun but rather a bow, or crossbow to be exact. We hope to be adding to our Replica Airguns Store a couple variations of the Avalanche Trailblazer 150lb Crossbows in wood stock and polymer stock versions.
Here are a couple key points about each item being looked at in this update video and then I will leave you with some detailed photos to drool over and of course my YouTube Update Video to watch...
Crosman MK-177 multi-pump bolt action .177 caliber BB/pellet air rifle:
Shoots both .177 caliber pellets and 4.5mm Steel BB's
Maximum 800 FPS (US Version being reviewed here)
5 shot pellet magazine and 300+ BB reservoir
Multi-pump single shot bolt action
3-10 pumps per shot
16.75 inch rifled barrel
3.5 pounds
Mostly plastic with some internal metal parts
Avalanche Trailblazer 150lb Crossbow with Wood Stock: