This Article is not intended to explain which type of gun is better or worse, it is only to point out what makes each gun different and how these differences can effect their performance and usage. I personally like all types of guns and respect other peoples choices in which guns they prefer to use. If you have a strong opinion about one type of gun being the "only gun" for everyone, then keep it to yourself please or it will be deleted!
For those "Special People" out there that like to call other people names for their interest in BB and Airsoft guns, here's an idea… go take your 9mm and shoot off a full magazine in your residential backyard and then see what happens? Also take note of how much money that magazine of 9mm ammo cost compared to the $5 that 2400 BB cost.
And please don't tell me to get a real gun because I probably have more real guns than you do! Like I said I appreciate and respect all types of guns.
What is the difference between a BB gun and an Airsoft gun?
In short BB guns (airguns that shoot a steel or lead BB) have been around for a long time so they get to keep the name of being called a "BB gun", even though many people refer to Airsoft guns as "BB guns". And yes Airsoft guns shoot a plastic BB but they do not inherit the name as it is reserved for the long standing… well BB gun!
BB guns generally shoot a 4.5mm or .177 caliber steel BB but some can also shoot lead BB's.
BB guns are most often used for target practice and training, some high power BB guns can also be used for pest control.
Airsoft guns generally shoot 6mm plastic BB's ranging in weights depending on what they are being used for. There are also larger caliber Airsoft guns available but they are not the norm.
Airsoft guns are most commonly used for tactical simulation games but can also be used for target practice and training, there are also Airsoft leagues that conduct IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) competitions.
Both BB and Airsoft guns can use Springs, Air, Gas or CO2 as a means of propulsion.
Both BB and Airsoft guns can be made out of a variety of materials depending on the grade and use of the gun.
Realism
I would have to give the edge to the Airsoft guns in this category, the entire hobby is bases on how real the gun looks and functions. Most Airsoft guns are near impossible to tell apart from the real steel versions, even on close inspection.
That is not to say that there aren't any highly realistic BB guns available, there most certainly are but the focus with BB guns is not always on realism. It is often more on performance and so compromises are made that can effect realism.
Power!
BB guns generally have more power (energy) and carry that energy out further down range, but both BB and Airsoft can shoot up into the 500+ fps ranges.
BB guns have a smaller but denser and harder ammo so they tend to penetrate deeper into objects which can be good or bad depending on what you want to do with the gun. (War Games vs target and Pest control)
Accuracy
Both BB and Airsoft guns can be very accurate and this surprised me when I started reviewing and testing Airsoft guns. I had the impression that Airsoft guns would not be nearly as accurate as a BB gun but I was impressed with the results I got from a well made and tuned Airsoft gun.
With that said I still feel that a BB gun takes this category, not so much for close up shooting, but when shooting out at range a BB is less susceptible to the elements and will be more accurate further down range.
One advantage Airsoft guns generally have over BB guns is the hop up that gives the BB some backspin and allows it to keep a more level trajectory which can help with long rang shots. (Kind of like the backspin a tennis player uses to make the ball float deeper into the court.)
Shooting Environment
Because of the material and energy levels of both projectiles, BB and Airsoft guns are best used for different shooting situations and with different levels of safety implemented. Always use eye protection with either gun but be aware that a steel BB will cause more damage when it hits an object and that object could be you. BB guns require a heavier backstop and will also ricochet off of objects with much more force than an Airsoft plastic BB would so you need to be careful around windows and breakable objects.
Airsoft gun can be a better solution for indoor shooting or even sometimes when doing some backyard shooting where you may live close to buildings.
Airsoft guns are obviously the better choice when being used in war games as the plastic BB's are designed to hit but not harm, keep in mind that proper clothing and protection is required and limits to the FPS are often employed to keep everyone safe.
Do not even think about using a standard Steel BB gun for war games unless you want to make a trip to your local emergency for BB removal.
Hunting
I rarely recommend BB or Airsoft guns for pest control, I prefer larger caliber pellet guns that shoot at as high a velocity as you can obtain in your area. This is the most humane way to take care of small varmint if this is required, or for hunting to put meat on the table.
There are a few exceptions, some furry critters that do not like to stay still like squirrels and chipmunks can be alleviated with a high powered BB machine gun. A customized full auto Drozd can pump out 1200 rounds per minute with velocity up into the 800 fps range.
I would not consider an Airsoft gun for pest control or hunting period! If you want to scare off your neighbors cat, well that's another issue.
Cost
Both BB guns and Airsoft Guns can range dramatically in cost and so comparing quality to quality they are about the same to buy and also the cost of use is about the same as ammo is fairly close in price, perhaps steel BB's are a bit cheaper but not by that much.
Some BB guns can get up there in price, I have spent as much as $1000 on my full customized Drozd Blackbird with all the bells and whistles. A high end competition Airsoft gun can also cost well over $1000 to even $2000 or more when all is said and done.
So I hope this Video helps you understand the differences and practical uses of both BB Guns and Airsoft Guns and wether you deiced to get one or the other or maybe some of each. Just remember to use them with respect and always shoot safely and you will have a great time doing so!
When it comes to Airguns and Blank Guns, it's not often that an item is actually more money to buy in the US but with the Webley Alecto, it was actually more money in the US so I got to thinking, why not ship our Canada version to our US customers so they can save a few bucks! Both the US and Canada Webley Alecto are the same with only one exception, the Canada version has been detuned but this can be easily rectified with a simple valve modification (Instructions delivered after purchased from Replica Airguns).
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!
The classic Webley Tempest is now available in the Replica Airguns Canada Store and let's set the record straight right from the start. This is a the latest made in Turkey version and it really smokes! From most peoples reviews the fit and finish are comparable to previous versions and we will just have to take their word for it as I have never had a Webley Tempest to compare one to? I can tell you the new Turkish made Webley Tempest is very well made air pistol and when it comes to power this gun take it right to the edge in terms of what is legal as an unregulated airgun in Canada.
I tested both the .177 caliber and .22 caliber Webley Tempests and they both shot very hard, keep in mind, with added velocity there is also added cocking effort and the .22 caliber definitely uses a stronger spring as it also has more energy behind the fast moving .22 caliber pellets. The .22 is not for everyone because it take a lot for work to cock this bad boy!
These are the results I got shooting the Webley Tempests using my Chronograph:
.177 Caliber
6.9 grain pellets used
499 fps
3.8 foot pounds
5.2 Joules
.22 Caliber
11.9 grain pellets used
400 fps
4.2 foot pounds
5.7 Joules
Here is some more info on the new Turkish Webley Tempest:
This is the latest and most powerful (made in Turkey) version of the original barrel over cylinder design that made Webley pistols world famous. Positively locked barrel using the famous Webley revolver type stirrup.
The Webley Tempest is a spring-operated, single shot; break barrel air pistol fitted with a precision-rifled barrel primarily suited to waisted lead pellets. The gun is available in either .177 or .22 caliber. The gun incorporates many additional design features, which include: adjustable trigger, manual safety catch (i.e. selective use), adjustable rear sight with vertical and horizontal adjustment. Handle is designed to fit the hand, with a thumb rest and checkered grips.
I have been very eagerly waiting for my King Arms Colt M4A1 to show up and it finally did. I have wanted an M16 - M4 for some time and to be honest I didn't really care if it was a 4.5mm steel BB shooter or 6mm plastic Airsoft gun. I just wanted it to look the part and hopefully perform well too.
Well I was definitely very happy with the King Arm Colt M4A1 All Metal Airsoft rifle. It looks amazing, has good weight, metal in all the places you would find metal on the real steel version, working bolt assist, working charging handle and both semi and full auto fire modes. My King Arms Colt M4A1 even has a removable carry handle.
And as for performance, it shot right on the money in both fps and accuracy, I don't want to give away too much since I will be doing a full review very soon but you will not be disappointed with this one!
One question I get asked often is "Which are my favorite airguns?" or "What are my top 5 gun choices?" I have done my best to avoid answering this question because it's a very hard question to answer and to be truthful on any given day I may come up with a different selection of guns as there are just so many great airguns out there!
So today I took a bunch out and shuffled through them all to see if I could come up with five of my top picks, well at least for today that is, and I'm pretty happy with my selection (Umarex Desert Eagle - ASG CZ 75 P-07 Duty - Baikal MP-654K Makarov - Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness 1911 - ASG Dan Wesson 6 Inch Sliver). I know for a fact they are some excellent choices and if you happen to own or plan on buying one then I'm sure you will agree wiht me.
So checkout this Vimeo Video Review where I go through them and explain what I like about each gun, and why they made my Top 5 Airgun Pick.
One question I get asked all the time is to give my feedback on guns and in most cases I am asked to compare two or three guns with each other and come up with a definitive answer as to which on is the best or "which one should I buy?"
In this Vimeo Video I talk a bit about how I feel answering these questions because in many situations the guns being compared can not always be ranked on a scale as one being better then the other. Many times each gun offers its own set of positive and negative features and it really comes down to what features are most suited to your needs. Your needs may be very different then mine
Often it can be as simple as what style or look do you prefer because the guns in question may share the same features and benefits.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical semi auto pistol is fairly heavy at the start of it's life at close to 10 pounds! This is a bit distracting but it has been reported that as the metals harden and the gun breaks in (Closer to the 2000-3000 round mark), you can expect a much lighter trigger pull of closer to 5 pounds.
Accuracy: I put about 500 rounds through the Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 and took some time getting used to how it felt and also shot several groups on target before I did my final test group. I shot two full magazines (20 shots) and was able to get a 6-7 inch group from 10 yards out (30 feet). I was shooting in a standing unrested position using the open sights unadjusted and my grouping was well center but just a tad bit high and to the left. Interestingly enough I had a nice tight 5 shot sub-group that all landed within each other almost dead center on target.
Build Quality: The Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical 22LR is not built out of the same hardened steel material (with the exception of some key high stress areas) as you would find in a large caliber hand gun as it is not necessary with the lower pressure of 22LR rimfire ammunition, but it is an almost all metal gun and seems to have decent fit and finish. Chiappa utilizes a special proprietary metal they call Chiappalloy throughout much of the pistol to make the 1911-22 look, feel and weigh about the same as a conventional 1911 45 auto.
Realism: The Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical looks the part for sure of a real 1911 A1 styled 45 auto. It even feels about the same weight and has a similar balance to it. On the outside you can tell because of the smaller diameter .22 caliber barrel and the lack of a working grip safety. Internally the 1911-22 has a fixed barrel which is not true to the original 1911 design but it does make the 22LR version more accurate and simpler in design.
Purchased From: Wholesale supplier.
Pros:
Inexpensive to purchase and shoot but still has that "1911" look and feel.
Came with two 10 round magazines.
Comes in a nice hard shell case.
Can add an accessory rail under the barrel.
Adjustable rear sight for windage.
Fixed barrel for better accuracy and less moving parts.
Nice realistic weight adn ballance to it.
Very easy to take down and clean.
Similar dimensions to a real 1911 and should fit most holsters and add-ons.
Has a secondary "tool based" firing pin lock for safe storage.
Trigger is very heavy at first - needs to be broken in!
Slide spring is very light which can lead to some cycling problems if you are not careful.
No working grip safety like the real 1911.
Plastic magazines.
Comments:
My Chiappa - Puma 1911-22 Tactical first impression was that it kind of had a blank gun look and finish too it which is not a bad thing but I wondered if it would take the abuse of constant 22LR rounds being shot through it and it most certainly did. Chiappa has put hardened steel where it needs to be and used their proprietary Chiappalloy where it is best suited. after about the first 100 rounds the 1911-22 stated performing consistently for me using a couple of brands of 22LR I brought with me and cycled both 22LR Standard Velocity and High Velocity just fine. I did notice it started to act up at around the 400 round mark but on inspection, the Chiappa 1911-22 just needed a cleaning to clear the debris that was forming in the breach area. I would also suggest keeping the magazines loaded up fore a few weeks to decrease the spring tension which helps with chambering the first couple of rounds out of a new magazine. Overall, I am really happy with my Chiappa 1911-22 purchase and plan to shoot this gun often and extensively!
My Vimeo Video Review for the Chiappa 1911-22 Tactical .22LR Pistol:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ISSC M22 semi auto pistol is fairly light at about 4.4 pounds and it has a nice predictable break point. Some people claim the trigger itself is a bit edgy but I did not find this the case for myself at least when shooting off several hundred rounds at a time. No blisters for me :)
Accuracy: I put about 500 rounds through the ISSC M22 and took some time getting used to how it felt and also shot several groups on target before I did my final test group. I shot two full magazines (20 shots) and most of my shots (17 out of 20) landed within a 3 inch group from 10 yards out (30 feet). I was shooting in a standing unrested position using the open sights unadjusted and my grouping was well center but just a tad bit high. I was very happy with these results.
Build Quality: The ISSC M22 is a very well made pistol in just about every way. The materials are very good and the fit and finish is excellent. There is nothing cheap about this gun and even after over 500 shots through the M22, it still looked brand new (after a well needed cleaning of course) with barely any wear marks to speak of. I especially liked the solid aluminum magazines. I have no doubt this 22 caliber pistol will last me for a long time.
Realism: The ISSC M22 may not be a bang on copy of a Glock but it certainly looks the part with only a few exceptions like the rear hammer, safety and fixed internal barrel. I have even heard you can use real Glock accessories with this semi auto pistol! Even the kick kind of surprised me, I was using high velocity 22LR rounds and they gave me a nice crisp recoil that of course was not as hard as a 9mm but never the less it was enough for working on double taps and rapid sight acquisition.
Purchased From: Wholesale supplier.
Pros:
Inexpensive to purchase and shoot but still has that "Glock like" look and feel.
Came with two 10 round magazines.
Very well made - no quality issues as far as I can tell.
Accessory rail under the barrel.
Very usable sights similar to a real Glock. (also fully adjustable).
Ambidextrous safety and de-cocker.
Similar trigger safety as a real Glock.
Very easy to take down and clean.
Nice compact and light weight.
Similar dimensions to a Glock and may work with many of the same accessories.
Some Glock users may not like the external hammer and safety setup?
Some people have commented on it being a bit picky with certain ammo and the trigger being a bit edgy.
Comments:
I really fell in love with the ISSC M22 22LR Glock copy. I know this gun is going to get a lot of use and to be honest I'm not even worried about it. With the low cost of 22LR ammo I will be shooting this gun more than any of my other pistols simply because it's totally fun, and gives me almost the exact same experience as my larger caliber semi auto shooters at about 1/10th the price to shoot. I'm pretty sure I will even get out to the range more often knowing that I can shoot the entire day for about $20! I found the M22 to be reliable, accurate and comfortable while shooting so as far as I'm concerned the ISSC M22 is a real winner!
My Vimeo Video Review for the ISSC M22 Glock Copy .22LR Pistol:
As you know I have been doing some reviews of my 22LR "Real Steel" guns and I added a couple more to the collection I want to share with you all. From my past experience, airguners also like the low cost 22LR guns for a variety of reasons including reduced operating cost, low recoil, lots of places to shoot them and so on...
I took both these guns to the gun range and put several hundred rounds through them and by the end they where both shooting very reliable using inexpensive box Blazer 22LR ammo. I stuck with this ammo because it seemed to be working well. The Chiappa 1911-22 was a bit pickier at first but I think it was mainly to do with a rather stiff magazine spring, making it difficult for the first couple rounds to chamber, again most of this sorted itself out by the end of the shooting day.
My ISSC M22 really performed well, the slide was a bit tight at first creating a few failures to chamber and eject but after a few magazines it settled right down and would hammer through all 10 rounds with no problems. I am really loving this little 22LR Glock replica!
Stay tuned for my full reviews on both of these guns and enjoy my Vimeo preview video for now!
Good things come in pairs so I figured I'd get a Glock 22LR to go with my 1911 22 LR and since I already had another rather nice ISSC 22LR product the ISSC MK22 SCAR 22LR I picked up something familiar and went with the ISSC M22 22LR Glock-Styled semi auto pistol.
From first inspection it is really well made pistol, very similar in design to a Glock but with a few differences like the hammer and safety but still close enough to satisfy many large caliber Glock shooters. I am looking forward to shooting this one for sure!
Yes this is mainly an Airguns and blank gun website but every time I post something regarding my 22LR Firearms, I get lots of great feedback and it seems airguners are also into the small caliber firearms for many of the same reasons... cheaper to buy and shoot, can also shot them in more locations. Less recoil means less fatigue at the end of the day too.
I don't have much to tell you about my recently purchased Chiappa 1911-22 Tactical 22LR semi auto pistol but I will be doing a review on it down the road just a bit so stay tuned. So far it looks pretty nice and has the size and weight of a 1911 45.
I wanted to get this video out to you a bit sooner but I have been really sick the past three days and so I have not had a lot of time to put this YouTube Video together. It's a pretty simple compilation of some photos and videos I took during my time walking around the 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, not all of it is to do with airguns but most of it is. I even took a few touristy shots since it wasn't all work ;)
OK, so I took a day off to appease the wife and did some "shopping" but then today it was back to business and I made the wife come along for the ride, she was a good sport about it so it all worked out!
I went back to Umarex and Crosman, just to verify a few things, first of all, the Umarex P38 is in fact a blowback pistol and it has a nice 400 claimed fps. I am looking forward to testing this one!.
I also went back to Crosman to checkout the C51 and the C*TT to see if the C51 Glock-ish looking replica had a polymer frame which it does and also to see if the C*TT is blowback which it is not :( But it is mostly metal and has a working slide so there is hope for the C*TT.
I dropped by the ASG booth but there was nothing really new there. I already have pretty much all their 4.5mm BB guns but they do have a nice selection of Airsoft guns, and speaking of Airsoft guns I am spending a significant amount of my time these days looking into the Airsoft market and what I can bring into Canada for sale. I have been talking with several suppliers and we should have some nice offering for us Canadians shortly so stay posted on this one...
Lastly, I have a few 22LR guns coming my way that I will be reviewing. yes I know they are not airguns but whenever I review a 22LR gun, I get a lot of questions and if you are like me, and you have your PAL, the 22LR guns make a nice addition to your low cost guns that you can buy and shoot for a fraction of the cost of the larger caliber guns out there.
Today I stopped by Chiappa and checked them out. I have a 1911 Tactical 22LR on the way that I will be reviewing and I may get some more 22LR from Chiappa down the road if the 1911 reviews well. By the way I also have a 22lR M22 ISSC "Glock" styled pistol also on it's way for review!
Well that's it from the Vegas SHOT SHow 2012 for now, see you on the flip-side!
Here it is by popular demend, a video of all my Air and Blank Guns, many of which where added in 2011. Thank you to everyone for your suport, without you all, this would not have been posible!
Here is a list of all my Air and Blank Guns so far...
Pistols BB:
Umarex PPK/S Nickel platted 4.5mm Blowback CO2 BB Pistol (Full Auto Mod).
Umarex PPK/S 4.5mm Blowback CO2 BB Pistol.
Umarex CP99 Compact 4.5mm Blowback CO2 BB Pistol.
Umarex CP99 Compact Recon 4.5mm Blowback CO2 BB Pistol.
Umarex H.P.P 4.5mm Blowback CO2 BB Pistol.
Umarex SA177 4.5mm Blowback CO2 BB Pistol.
Umarex Steel Storm 4.5mm Blowback CO2 BB Machine Pistol.
Umarex Makarov 4.5mm CO2 BB Pistol.
Umarex H&K USP 4.5mm CO2 BB Pistol.
Umarex Colt Defender CO2 4.5mm BB Pistol.
Umarex Colt Special Combat CO2 4.5mm BB Pistol.
Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P 4.5mm CO2 BB Pistol.
Umarex Beretta Elite II 4.5mm CO2 BB Pistol.
Baikal IZH MP-654K (Makarov) 4.5mm CO2 BB Pistol (Nickel).
Cybergun P226 X-Five 4.5mm Blowback CO2 BB Pistol.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Beretta CX4 Storm and the Crosman Night Stalker are both pretty decent and weigh in at 8.5 pounds for the Beretta CX4 and 7 pounds for the NightStalker. This is a bit surprising since the Umarex Beretta trigger only releases the action while the Crosman NightStalker has to rotate the 12 shot magazine with each trigger pull.
Accuracy: This is still to be determines in a later field test review but from my past shooting experiences with both these guns I found them to be pretty good and even though the Crosman NightStalker is a far cheaper built and priced gun then the Umarex CX4 Storm, I think it may have the edge on the German made counterpart.
Build Quality: Both of these Beretta CX4 Storm looking guns have plastic shells with internal metal parts but they are night and day when comparing the build quality. Don't get me wrong, the night Stalker is not a badly built rifle but when sitting side by side with the Umarex CX4 Storm, you can really see the extra quality that went in to the German made Umarex version. It has much heavier and thicker materials and the fit and finish is excellent, pretty much what you would expect to see on the real Beretta CX4 Storm.
Realism:The Umarex Beretta CX4 Storm is obviously a replica of the real steel Beretta CX4 Storm and it really is an excellent replica in almost every way with the excepetion of the screw holes one side. The pellet shooting version even includes the hard shell case that looks to be the same one the real CX4 comes with. So what about the NightStalker? The Crosman NightStalker is a look-a-like for the replica Beretta CX4 Storm but not really a replica. It still looks very good and makes for a a decent rifle if your looking for something that has that CX4 Storm look and feel.
Purchased From: Private Sale.
Pros for Umarex Beretta CX4 Storm:
Very well made - made in Germany.
Almost perfect replica with lots of detail.
Comes in a nice hard-shell case.
Adjustable sights for windage and elevation.
Has built in picatinny top rail.
Large capacity 30 rounds belt-fed pistol grip loading magazine just like the real CX4 Storm.
True Blowback operation.
Lots of shots per 88 gram CO2.
Pros for Crosman NightStalker:
Made in the USA.
Inexpensive yet a very respectable shooter.
Adjustable sights for windage and elevation.
Can mount rails for sights and add on accessories.
Decent capacity 12 round rotary magazine.
Lots of shots per 88 gram CO2.
Cons for Umarex Beretta CX4 Storm:
A bit on the expensive side!
Canadian detuned version is very underpowered.
Trigger pull is a bit hard for a true blowback gun.
Cons for Crosman NightStalker:
Kind of simple and basic in design!
Canadian detuned version is very underpowered.
Would have been nice if it came with a top rail of remounting a scope.
12 shot magazine a bit tricky to load till you get used to it.
Comments:
I don't do a lot of rifle reviews as there seems to be a lot less replica air rifles when compared to the vast amounts of replica air pistols available. So it's kind of nice to have these two air rifles that I can show you. Of course if money was no object, then I would recommend the Umarex Beretta CX4 Storm over the Crosman NightStalker especially since the NightStalker does not seem to be in production anymore - kind of a shame since it is really a very respectable multi-shot blowback air rifle for the money. Neither one of these air rifles are made for hunting but I suppose if you have the non-Canadian version that have not been detuned then they may have enough power for small pests. Either way these guns are meant for fun times, and they are fun to shoot rapid fire on targets so if you want a very believable CX4 Storm for a lot less money then the real steel version not only to buy but shoot, then look no further...
Ammunition Type: .22 caliber pellets. (Also available in .177 caliber)
Ammunition Capacity: 1 round.
FPS: 400+.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Xisico XSP180 is amazing right out of the box. You actually have to be very carful because it doesn't take much to release it. I like mine setup this way but you can adjust it to your shooting style.
Accuracy: Very good, I was expecting to do much worse as I am far from a spring piston expert shooter. Even though I'm not as comfortable on the springers, I found the XSP180 easy to shoot even with the heavier spring piston kick. From 30 feet out I was able to get a tight 1 inch group shooting from a semi rested position. The Xisico XSP180 surprised me yet again with 470 fps average velocities even in the large .22 caliber version I was using.
Build Quality: The Xisico is priced on the lower end for a target pistol and because of this uses perhaps a bit more plastic then similar styled pistols. That said I found the plastic to be good quality and the gun had good overall weight to it. There are times when plastic is better suited then metal and I felt it was used well in this gun. Of course there is metal internally and externally but the main shell is primarily made out of plastic. All the moving parts worked well and felt nice and tight. I did not feel any concern that this gun would let me down.
Realism: The Xisico XSP180 is not a replica of any gun that I know of but it does have a modern look to it with its elongated design and ergonomic features.
I wasn't expecting the world from this spring piston break barrel pistol because it is a more price conscience gun and yes it may not be as refined as the Webley Alecto I also reviewed but I have to say it performed well and exceeded my expectations in most every way. First off, when the manufacturer claims 400 fps from the .22 caliber version this usually means the absolute best case scenario! I used medium grain pellets and still got some amazing chronograph results from this spring piston shooter right up into the 470 fps range. Secondly, being a springer with a heavy recoil, I figured it would effect my shot placement but again I was surprised and shot as tight a group as I can expect from any pistol with open sights from 30 feet out. lastly, again if you can get your head around the plastic, this gun feels well made and I would expect a lot of good times shooting with it for many years. If you're on a bit of a budget but want a compact shooter you can target shoot with or even take down small to medium sized pests, then grab yourself a Xisico XSP180.
I am pleased to announce that we have added another target shooter to the Replica Airguns Store and this one also does not require any CO2!
The Xisico XSP180 is a very close copy of the Diana P5 Magnum and is a spring action pistol that packs the power of an air rifle within its compact, lightweight body. At under 17" in length and weighing only 2.5 lbs, the XS180P reaches muzzle velocities of up to 500fps using .177 caliber pellets and up to 400fps using .22 caliber pellets.The XSP180 is packed with performance features.
The picatinny rail underneath the barrel provides many tactical options for the shooter. The competition style hand grips gives a comfortable, natural fit enabling better accuracy. Premier fiber optic adjustable sights as well as an auto/manual safety and adjustable trigger round out the long list of features.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ISSC MK22 is fairly short with a bit of noticeable break point in it but overall is pretty light. I get the feeling that this may be a striker based action because of the slight tension before the release.
Accuracy: I put about 300 rounds through the ISSC MK22 and took some time getting used to how it felt and also sighting in the sights on my 4 power scope. Once I felt comfortable I setup a new target and placed a full magazine (22 shots) all with in a 2 inch group from 20 yards out (60 feet). I was in a seated position using and elbow based rest. I was very happy with these results.
Build Quality: To me the ISSC MK22 SCAR clone feels like the real deal, it's not till you load it up and fire off a few rounds that you can even tell you are shooting the .22 caliber rimefire version. The MK22 has a lot of metal parts and the fit and finish is very good. You do have to use quality .22 caliber ammo in this guns for the best results because it can be a bit picky and also make sure to also take a bit of extra time when loading your magazines to ensure the ammo is set well to the back of the magazine. I'm not saying you can't use the cheap box ammo but you will have to be prepared to clear a few rounds from time to time.
Realism: It doesn't get any more real than this, the ISSC MK22 is basically an FN SCAR in a smaller cheaper .22LR caliber. But if you want to spend $3000 on the real thing and several hundred dollars per day at the range in ammo then get the full NATO round firing version. Unfortunately my pocket book does not allow for this and I don't think we can even get the larger caliber versions here in Canada. I also go to an indoor range that allows .22 caliber rifles to be used alongside the pistols which makes getting out and using the ISSC MK22 that much easier.
Purchased From: ???
Pros:
One fifth the price of the NATO round firing version to purchase and operate.
Mostly metal construction with good usage of polymer in the right places to keep it light.
Lots of rails to mount just about any type of accessory you can think of.
Nice high capacity 22 round magazine to keep the shoots going.
Versatile flip up multi position sights for pistol or rifle based target acquiring.
Fully adjustable stock with three length positions and check hight position, can also be folded in.
Most bad ass looking .22 caliber rimefire rifle around.
Not the Cheapest .22LR on the market in this category but well worth the added price tag.
Can be a bit picky about which bullet's you use in it and how you load the magazine.
The rear stock cheek rest is a bit high when using the pistol sights or a low rise scope, you may need a riser under your scope.
Comments:
As you know, I don't do a lot of actual "real gun" reviews, the ones that use gun powder and shoot lead bullets. I do have a very soft spot for the .22 caliber rifles for a few reasons. Firstly, they are usually more inexpensive to buy and also to shoot as the ammo is only a fraction of the cost of the larger caliber ammo. .22 rimefire guns can also be shot in more areas and at most gun ranges so you are more likely to get better use out of it in the long run. The ISSC MK22 FN SCAR clone is definitely the most impressive .22 caliber tactical styled rifle you can get, at least in Canada and even though it is at the top of the price rang in it's category it is well worth it because it is really a very high quality gun at a reasonable price.
My Vimeo Video Review for the ISSC MK22 FN SCAR Type .22LR:
