Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ASG Bersa BP9CC is light due to its true blowback operation that cocks the internal striker back with each shot taken. For some reason there is a slight creepiness in the trigger when the metal magazine is loaded, but it does not effect the lighter weight of the trigger pull. There is also a fair amount of take-up but the reset is short.
Accuracy: I shot the ASG Bersa BP9CC Blowback Airgun at a target from 20 feet away in a semi rested position, and it performed well getting a 2 inch grouping fairly centered on the target. The sights are non-adjustable, but for me there was no real need to adjust them. My initial Chrony testing puts this gun right in the 350 fps range.
Build Quality: ASG did another great job with the Bersa BP9CC, quality and build characteristics are very similar to my CZ 75 P-07 DUTY reviewed earlier. Everything that should be metal and polymer is the same on this as the original, and the fit and finish is very good in general!
Realism: The ASG Bersa BP9CC BB gun is as close as you can get to the real steel version while still retaining a good overall working airgun, the only real giveaway is the slightly longer but-plate on the magazine (most likely to allow for the CO2 screw tab). It looks very much like the real deal right down to the licensed Bersa trademarks and the 9x19 caliber markings on the slide and ejection port.
Good power and decent accuracy for a blowback gun with good usage of CO2.
Very well made, fit and finish is very good.
Very usable white dot sights.
All metal dropout magazine.
Gun feels great in the hand, love the thin profile.
Cons:
Magazine but plate is a bit on the long side, only telltale sign. also has strange moulding marks on it.
Trigger is a bit creepy when you have a loaded magazine and if you very slowly pull the trigger a BB can drop out of the barrel if holding downward.
Blowback is mild because of the lighter slide and reduced blowback movement.
Comments:
There are few smaller blowback air pistols that not only look great but perform well, this is one of them! I love the thin profile and overall operation of this pistol, for that very same reason the real steel version is doing exceptionally well here in North America which would make this airgun version a must have for any owners of the 9mm Bersa BP9CC. I highly recommend the ASG Bersa BP9CC 4.5mm BB Blowback Pistol to anyone looking for a very good quality and realistic BB pistol that does not compromise performance and build quality.
I am happy to report back to you on all the new cool stuff I got to see at this years 2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Make sure to also watch my Vimeo video at the bottom of this post for some first person styled play by play of my experience at the Vegas SHOT Show 2013. (like you're there with me ;)
First up I want to cover a new gun from ASG, I have been wanting to get my hands on the 4.5mm Bersa BP9CC and I finally got to, not only did I get my hands on it but ASG was kind enough to supply me with one to take home for review. You can get the Bersa BP9CC in both Blowback and non-blowback versions and also in either BB or Airsoft. I opted for the 4.5mm BB Blowback version. I will be reviewing this BB gun very soon!
ASG also had a very cool prototype of an Airsoft CZ Scorpion EVO 3A1 hopefully coming out soon.
While roaming around SHOT Show 2013, I came across an interesting booth from FlashFog Security. I often get people asking me about using an airgun as a home defense weapon and I strongly advise against this. If the intruder is not scared off by the gun there is little an airgun can do to actually stop them. The FlashFog system works by rapidly filling a room with dense fog combined with a strobe light effect which blinds and disorients intruders completely. There is little an intruder can do other then try and get the heck out of there!
UPDATE: FlashFog just added a new section to their website specifically for School Security to help keep our schools safer from potential safety threats! So check it out: School Security Smoke Screen
I was a bit surprised by Gamo this year, they tend to stay away from actual Replica's and generally make BB/Pellet guns that look like popular guns but not any gun in particular. Gamo has a new BB/Pellet MP9 based machine pistol that uses a similar mechanism to their P-25 and PT-85 so it can shoot both 4.5mm BB's and .177 caliber Pellets using a double ended 16 shot rotary magazine. It also has an internal blowback system so it should have some recoil feel to it! I am pretty sure it is semi auto only but still a nice addition to their lineup!
Gamo also brought out a new 4.5mm BB Blowback pistol called the C-15 which has a metal slide and plastic frame, it kind of reminds me of the Umarex HPP in how it looks and feels.
Umarex had several new products that I am sure everyone is going to like! One that I think will do really well is the Steel Force, the Steel Force is designed around the 4.5mm BB shooting Steel Storm platform so it has a 6 round burst blowback operation and holds the 2x12 gram CO2 in the magazine while the BB's go in a 300 round hopper that feeds into a 30 round spring fed internal magazine. Like the Steel Storm it will shoot around 430 fps. The Steel Force has the advantage of being styled after the AR platform so it has a collapsible stock which will make shooting very easy.
Another often asked for airgun replica is the historic German Luger. This year Umarex stepped up to the plate and introduced the Umarex P.08 4.5mm BB pistol. Sorry, no blowback or even a working slide on this one but it is all metal and has a very good weight and feel to it.
If you're a fan of the entry level Umarex XBG then you may be interested in the new Umarex T.D.P. 45 which is very similar to the XBG in looks and features but with a slightly different look to it.
If you've ever wanted to turn your pistol into more of a PDW styled gun, you may be able to depending on which Umarex gun you have? Umarex added a very cool accessory called the T.A.C Converter that converts your Umarex HK USP (BB-Airsoft), SW MP40 (BB), XBG (BB), CZ Enforcer (Airsoft) and Walther P99 DOA (Airsoft) into more of a tactical (PDW) or Personal Defense Weapon complete with for-grip, adjustable rear sight, lots of rail options and a foldable stock.
I am assuming the Crosman M4-177 Pellet/BB Rifle has been doing well for Crosman as they have expanded with some more similar assault styled air rifles. The Crosman MSR77NP pretty much looks like a classic M16 but is in fact a Nitro Piston break barrel pellet rifle able to shoot .177 caliber pellets at 1200 fps (I hope there is a 499 fps Canada version planned too?).
A new takeoff of the M4-177 is the MK-177 which also shoots .177 caliber pellets and 4.5mm BB's using a multi-Pump System but it uses an upgraded more efficient pump system that squeaks out more fps with less pumps. The Crosman MK-177 is designed after the FN SCAR and is available in an adjustable iron sight version or a Red Dot equipped kit version.
One thing you can never get enough of in my opinion is another 1911 pistol! Crosman is introducing their GI Model 1911BB Blowback 4.5mm CO2 pistol, the one they had on hand was more of a prototype so the slide was not operational but it will feature an all metal design, blowback operation, 450 fps and a 20 round drop out magazine. I am sorry to say but it looks like the Crosman C51 has been dropped from Crosman's lineup but if you want a similar styled gun you can checkout the KWC SW40F which is a very close airsoft version.
We recently started carrying G&G Armament Airsoft guns, you can checkout my review of the Xtreme 45. I did stop by their booth and they had some new products on display, the M1 Grand (all wood stock) Airsoft had it's magwell all wrapped up as G&G had a propriety magazine system they did not want their competition to see. G&G also had some very interesting targets that light up, when shot they would react by individually turning off so you could see if you hit it or not.
There was a rather large crowd at the KWA booth but it was a shared booth so it's hard to say what everyone was looking at, the KWA area was pretty full, I did talk to the KWA rep and asked him point blank if KWC and KWA where the same or sister companies and the answer was not at all. There are often a lot of guns that look like they could be from the same company, I guess there is a lot of copying going on ;) One gun from KWA I would love to get my hands on is the Kriss SMG!
Now keep in mind many of these guns I have highlighted today are not available yet and a lot of them should be coming out in the spring time frame so please try to refrain from repeatedly asking when I will review them and have them in the store, it takes time and as much as we all want them now, they get here when they get here!
Watch my Vimeo video of the Replica Aiguns at SHOT Show Vegas 2013
I've already done a KJWORKS review on the KP-02, KP-07 and Elite 1A and they turned out to be very high quality Airsoft pistols so the extra price does get you a higher quality gun. So in this preview we are simply looking at some more models that from the looks of things I expect to be more of the same in terms of high quality and excellent functionality.
The KJWorks models we are looking at today are the KP-05 (1911 HI-CAPA), the KP-09 (CZ 75) and the M9 (Beretta M9). Even though none of them are licensed, they are very detailed and realistic copies of the original real steel versions with full blowback operation, heavy metal drop out magazines and lots of metal throughout. You would be hard pressed to tell them apart from the real powder versions.
All version in this preview load CO2 in the magazine along with 6mm Plastic Airsoft BB's, none of them have any orange markings or translucent parts as they fall into the uncontrolled firearms category here in Canada.
I look forward to doing my full review of these three very nice KJWorks Airsoft pistols.
I know I have been talking about this gun for some time now (Since last years SHOT Show) but the truth of the matter is Umarex did not release it all that quickly and when it did finally come out several months ago there was a recall and so the stock that came in quickly left again. So here we are now and I finally get to show everyone this very nice Umarex made Walther P38 BB shooting replica pistol.
At first glance it looks a lot like the Crosman C41, when I was at the 2012 SHOT Show visiting the Umarex booth, I thought they had just rebranded the Crosman's C41. When I took a closer look I could clearly see the difference and realism found in the Umarex Walther P38 version; like full Walther P38 licensing, blowback operation, working safety and slide catch. Pretty much everything that was missing from the Crosman C41. The Umarex P38 is a very accurate copy of a real steal P38 in almost every way.
All in all it looks to be another welcome and very realistic looking blowback BB Replica pistol and in this case one with a history that goes back to the way to World War II.
I have talked about how KWC and Cybergun are really the same product and that Cybergun and KWC products in many cases are really the same gun but with some versions having slightly different markings on the guns themselves.
Today I show you a new 4.5mm Steel BB gun we just brought into the store very closely related to the Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness 1911, or otherwise known as the KWC Model 1911. This new airguns is a Tactical version of the Model M1911 and it goes by the name Model M1911 A1 Tac. It shares the same internal parts as the Tanfoglio Witness 1911 including the 4.5mm Steel BB magazine but the Tactical version is all black and has several updated modern parts that you would not find in a traditional 1911 A1 45 auto replica: Like the tactical trigger, hammer, adjustable white dot sights and accessory rial. This gun would make an awesome IPSC trainer for sure.
At this point there is no 6mm Airsoft version but you can get the KWC Model 1911 and M92 in 6mm Airsoft all metal versions.
I also compare my GSG 92 4.5mm Steel BB pistol I reviewed in the past and show you that it is identical to the KWC same M92 version with the exception of some marking on the slide. Many people even prefer the KWC branded models as they do not have the rather offensive white warning instructions all over them.
So if you're in the market for one of these super popular KWC/Cybergun blowback ultra realistic BB and Airsoft pistols you do have some options to consider...
Watch my Vimeo Video Preview for these very popular KWC/Cybergun Blowback Pistols:
This Update video addresses the similarities between the KWC and Cybergun product lines, specifically the KWC Model 1911 vs. the Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness 1911 and the KWC Taurus PT99 vs. the Cybergun GSG 92. In a nutshell, they are all made by KWC and are exactly the same with the exception of some of the licensing and branding that goes on the slides. Cybergun simply contracts KWC to make the guns for them and add some slight different printing. All parts are interchangeable.
I also show you the Silver Finish Blowback Airsoft KWC Desert Eagle and mention again that the licensing on this one is kind of hit and miss depending on what KWC sends us. So when you order one there is an additional surprise waiting for you when you open the box :)
Lastly, I show for the first time a G&G Airsoft product, the G&G Xtreme 45 Blowback that looks an awful lot like the Umarex Colt Special Combat chambered in 4.5mm Steel BB. The main differences are that the Colt Special Combat is a BB gun and the Xtreme 45 is an Airsoft gun. The G&G has blowback where as the Colt Special Combat does not have blowback.
Make sure to checkout my Vimeo video of this product update for even more info!
I got a few sample products I wanted to quickly share with everyone :) First off Bolt Airsoft, a Taiwanese based company, sent me one of their B4A1 (M4A1 Copy) AEG Airsoft rifles featuring BRSS - (Bolt Recoil Shock System) which has Blowback with simulated recoil.
The Bolt B4A1 is designed after the M4A1 and looks and works like most AEG Airsoft rifles giving you sustained performance and the use of high capacity magazines but Bolt has added their BRSS - (Bolt Recoil Shock System) which gives you the feedback and recoil you would normally only get with a true GBB (Gas Blow Back) Airsoft gun.
I will be doing a full review very shortly so watch for it!
I also received from ASG (Action Sport Games) a few Mock Airsoft Suppressors, all of them are B&T (Brügger & Thomet) derivatives. It was nice that they sent me the version (MP9 QD) that fits perfectly on my ASG/KWA MP9. The other tow are the ROTEX-IIIA and ROTEX-IIIA Compact that fit perfectly on to a standard flash hider and even include one with them.
Check out my Vimeo Preview Video of these Review items from Bolt Airsoft and ASG:
I've had lots of requests to review the Daisy Winchester Model 11 and to give my opinion how it stacks up with the Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness 1911. I will be doing a full review of the Daisy Winchester Model 11 Colt 45 1911 replica shortly but wanted to kick things off with my comparison portion.
Your best off to simply watch my Vimeo Video Comparison of the Tanfoglio Witness 1911 and Winchester Model 11 but here are my thoughts on some of similarities, strengths and weaknesses for both 1911 syled airguns.
Similarities:
Both are good replicas of the classic Colt 45 1911 semi auto pistol.
Both shoot 4.5mm Steel BB's and use standard 12 gram CO2.
Both are mostly metal and weigh close to 2 pounds with the Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness weighing about 40 grams more.
Both come in a nice cardboard box.
Both have blowback operation with slides that lock back after the last shot.
Both have true 1911 styled single action only triggers.
Strengths:
The Winchester Model 11 has the higher feet per second rating and gets more shots per CO2 (410fps vs 320fps).
The Tanfoglio Witness 1911 has a full size drop out metal magazine that holds the BB's and CO2.
The Winchester Model 11 is more economical to buy and shoot.
The Tanfoglio Witness 1911 has a more realistic "full" blowback operation.
The Winchester Model 11 has less intrusive warning markings on the slide.
The Tanfoglio Witness 1911 has a working Grip Safety.
The Winchester Model 11 is made in Japan.
The Tanfoglio Witness 1911 can be field stripped similar to a real 1911.
Both have fairly high capacity magazines (16 BB's for the Winchester and 18 BB's for the Tanfoglio).
Weaknesses:
The Winchester Model 11 has a funky extra button on the thumb safety?
The Tanfoglio Witness 1911 tends to use a lot of CO2 with less average fps.
The Winchester Model 11 has more free-play (wiggle) in the slide.
The Tanfoglio Witness 1911 magazine are more expensive and can be hard to find at times.
All in all I really like both guns, and what really counts is how they feel and shoot and after a quick outside testing with the Daisy Winchester Model 11, it seemed to shoot and work pretty good for me. Realists may prefer the Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness 1911 because it is more realistic in terms of how it's built and how it functions but as a daily shooting gun, the Daisy Winchester Model 11 hits harder and gets more shots per CO2, all while still giving the shooter a very realistic 1911 styled shooting experience.
Watch my Vimeo video Comparison of the Daisy Winchester Model 11 vs the Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness 1911:
I first want to say this isn't exactly a review, more of an overview. I do show you around this Chinese made Norinco Type 54 Model 213 9mm Tokarev copy but I don't shoot it or even talk too much about shooting it. I have shot my Norinco M213 and it's quit nice, especially when you consider this gun was designed back in 1930. The Original Russian made Tokarev was built to replace the aging Nagant M1895 revolver that the Soviet troops used as their sidearm.
The Tokarev looks a lot like the Browning FN Model 1903 and was more than likely based off of it but it is different internally utilizing a short recoil dropping barrel similar to what is used in a 1911. The original Tokarev was not normally chambered in 9mm but rather the Russian made 7.62mm round. Being that the original 7.62 round is longer than a 9mm Lugar, Norinco had to place a block inside the magwell to accommodate the smaller magazine. I think it's a good tradeoff so I can use my readily available 9mm rounds in it. Each magazine hold 7 rounds as they are single stack design, this does make the profile of the entire gun very slim.
Another feature to note, that is found on the Chinese Norinco Type 54 Tokarev copy is the addition of a safety. The original Tokarev did not have a safety on it. The safety is similar to what you would find on a Makarov.
I have several Norinco guns and from what I have seen, people either love them or hate them and it's usually the people that own them that love them and the people that don't own them that don't like them. This may be based on first impressions as many Norinco guns are not as refined as what you would see in a Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer and many other higher end firearms. With that said the Norinco firearms kind of remind me of many Russian made guns which are more about how they work and less about how they look. The Norinco metal is tuff as nails and has a very high nickel content in it which is what makes it harder to refine.
Even today the Tokarev is a decent gun and I really love the history behind it, once you get used to it's unusual looks it really does start to grow on you and you can pick one up for pretty cheap these days, I only paid just over $200 for mine and it even came with 4 magazines.
Watch my Vimeo Video Overview of the Norinco Type 54 Model 213 9mm Tokarev:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Beretta 90two is respectable in both single and double action, I found the 90two to be good shooting in both actions but preferred the feel of single action for more precise shooting. In double action you fire off a lot of shots quickly but the trigger is fairly long so you need to use a full pull or you may miss a shot here or there.
Accuracy: The results I got shooting my 8 round group from 20 feet out where excellent, coming in at just under a 1 inch group which is about as good as you can expect from a BB pistol of any quality. I also got well over the factory claimed 375 fps at an average of closer to 400 feet per second.
Build Quality: The Umarex Beretta 90two does use both plastic and metal in its build with an all metal slide and feels solid in the hands but I feel it would of felt even better if it had a another half pound to it or so. I had no problems with it in terms of function and the fit and finish where very good but there is always that feeling you get when you hold something with some weight to it in your hands. I do have to credit Umarex for working in a moveable slide and full size drop out magazine.
Realism: The Umarex Beretta 90 two is very realistic and includes Beretta licensing and markings throughout. As mentioned before, the moveable slide and full size drop out magazine along with the recessed barrel makes this air pistol version look very close to the real steel Beretta 90two. The only real giveaways are the exposed CO2 tab on the bottom of the magazine and the somewhat out of place safety switch on the right side of the gun.
Full size drop out magazine that holds BB's and CO2.
Full Beretta Licensing and markings.
Single and double action trigger.
Rail for adding accessories.
Above claimed fps with good usage of CO2 and excellent accuracy.
Cons:
Gun could be a bit heavier for added realism.
Non adjustable sights.
CO2 tab is plastic and exposed.
Comments:
Right off the bat I have to say the Umarex Beretta 90two is a step up from the Elite II, not that there is anything wrong with the Elite II, but given the choice I would go with the Beretta 90two as it's simply a more realistic version of the Beretta 92 with its working metal slide and full size drop out magazine that holds both the BB's and CO2 in it. On the performance side of things, the Umarex Beretta 90two also met or exceeded my expectations so the 90 two is not just built for show. If your a beretta fan looking for a realistic Beretta styled air gun and don't want to spend the big bucks for the all metal German made Umarex version, then the Beretta 90two is an excellent option to consider adding to your collection or even as a first time BB gun purchaser!
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!
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.
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!
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...
