Entries in Repeater,8mm

Airgun Power Source Pro’s & Con’s

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Power Sources Covered in this review: CO2 - Spring Piston - Variable Pump -HPA (High Pressure Air)

Pro’s:

  • CO2 Airguns allow for fast repeat shooting, great for action shooters, generally CO2 Airguns will supply a medium power range. No need to pump or cock your CO2 powered weapon in-between shots and a CO2 power source can allow for a very realistic action of the gun you are shooting.

  • Spring Piston Airguns are best suited of single shot situations, they can provide low to high power output depending on the spring used. Spring Piston Airguns are very low cost to operate since you only need to buy the Pellets or BB’s. Spring Piston Airguns are not greatly effected by outside temperatures.

  • Variable Pump Airguns allow you to decide how much power your gun will have and can offer very high power output depending on the Airgun. Variable Pump Airguns are very low cost to operate since you only need to buy the Pellets or BB’s. Variable Pump Airguns are not greatly effected by outside temperatures. Variable Pump Airguns generally have very low recoil and vibration.

  • HPA (High Pressure Air) Airguns generally do not require pumping or cocking in-between shots and some even come in semi automatic or bolt action. HPA Airguns can have very high power output and even be used on larger game using large caliber ammunition. HPA Air Rifles have lower recoil and low vibration. HPA Airguns can be charged ahead off time so they are ready for use when you need them.

Con’s:

  • CO2 Airguns require the additional cost to buy the CO2 as they do not function without it. CO2 Airguns have a limited power output and lose power as you shoot and use up the CO2. CO2 Airguns are effected by hot and cold temperatures and will have less power in colder temperatures and may not even work in super cold environments.

  • Spring Piston Airguns require cocking before each shot. Spring Piston Airguns can have a lot of recoil and vibration, so much so that special optics must be considered when buying an optical sight. The action of the spring recoil can effect accuracy, especially if you are not use to the vibration and recoil or have spent some time practicing using a Spring Piston Airgun.

  • Variable Pump Airguns will require multiple pumps to achieved maximum power output which can take some time in-between shots. So you are going to have to work for each shot.

  • HPA (High Pressure Air) Airguns require the use of a manual pump to fill their built in air tank to maximum pressure and it does take a lot of time to manual fill an HPA tank. Alternatively you can have the air tank filled at a shop or buy a pressurization system similar to a scuba tank out paintball setup, the cost of this setup can be very high but will save you the castle of manually pumping air in to your HPA Airgun. HPA Airguns are generally a little more bulky then other Airgun systems since they have to accommodate fairly large air pressure tanks.

Categories: .20 cal, .22 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Blowback, Break Barrel, Bulk Air, CO2, Multi-pump, PCP, Pellet, Pistol, Repeater, Revolver, Rifle, Semi Auto, Single Shot, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags:

SM Mod 110 8mm Blank Pistol Table Top Review

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Type: Blank front firing pistol.

Manufacturer: SM.

Model: Mod 110 8mm.

Materials: Mostly metal with plastic grips.

Weight: 11.75 Ounces (332 grams) Unloaded.

Barrel: Front firing.

Propulsion: Gun powder.

Action: Semi auto, single action only

Ammunition Type: 8mm P.A.K. blanks.

Ammunition Capacity: 5 rounds.

FPS: NA.

Trigger Pull: The trigger on the SM Mod 110 8mm Blank Pistol is single action only so you will need to rack the slide to not only chamber a round but also cock the internal hammer / striker, follow up shots will case the slide to cycle on it own allowing for single action shooting. The trigger is rather nice with just a slight bit of take-up followed by a light release.

Accuracy: NA.

Build Quality: The SM Mod 110 8mm Blank Pistol was made in West Germany sometime back in the Mid 70's so this pistol is 30-40 years old and still looks great. Mine does have some slight pitting on the right side I am assuming from sitting in the box up against the manual which more than likely may have an acidic property to it. Even so this pitting is minor and the gun is in good condition overall. Like most blank pistols much of the gun is made out of pot metal (a zinc alloy) but it does have hardened steel parts where they need to be (Barrel, ejector, hammer, pins, screws and magazine).

Realism: The SM Mod 110 8mm Blank Pistol is not a true replica as far as I can tell is not an actual replica of any real steel semi-auto pistol in production but it does look a bit like the American Derringer LM5. In terms of looking like a gun it looks like what you would expect a small caliber sub compact pistol should look like and all operation is exactly like a semi auto pistol with the exception that the SM Mod 110 only shoots blanks since the barrel is obstructed with a metal rod.

ROHM Guns Available in the: Canada Replica Airguns Store

Pros:

  • German made with high quality materials.

  • Very small and compact.

  • Front firing.

  • Nice light and short single action trigger. 

Cons:

  • Hard to find one in North America.

  • Only holds 5 rounds.

  • Slide does not stay back when empty.

Comments:

I really like unique blank guns since they are so hard to locate here in Canada. When I saw this sitting on the table at my local gun show I kind of wondered if someone had accidentally left out a prohibited firearm but once I inspected it I quickly realized it was a blank shooter and decided right there and then I had to have it. I did pay close to $200 for it but to me it is worth it simply because this little blank shooter is a rare find and it was also in really good condition and even came with the original 8mm self defence pepper blanks. The SM Mod 110 8mm Blank Pistol is for sure a blank shooter I will be holding onto for some time...

My Vimeo Table Top Review for the SM Mod 110 8mm Blank Pistol:

rohm gun.jpg
Categories: 8mm, Blank Gun, Comparison, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: SM Mod 110

Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver Table Top Review

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Type: BB air revolver.

Manufacturer:UmarexUSA.

Model:Brodax

Materials: Mostly plastic with some metal construction.

Weight: 1.3 pounds (586 grams).

Barrel: 5.5 inches, non-rifled.

Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.

Action: Revolver, single & double actions.

Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.

Ammunition Capacity: 10 rounds.

FPS: 375.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver is actually rather nice. If you decide to cock the hammer back and shoot it single action style then you get a little bit of that SAA Revolver like ratcheting sound. The trigger pull in single action mode is short with virtually no take-up and on the light side. Double action shooting with the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver is not overly long or heavy either so action shooting is totally possible with this BB shooting CO2 revolver.

Accuracy: I can not comment so far on the shooting performance for the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolversince I have not shot it yet. The weather is getting nicer outside so that should happen pretty soon. The claimed FPS for the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver is stated at only 375 which I find seems a bit low for a none blowback fairly straight forward BB pistol with an almost 6 inch barrel so hopefully my testing shows performance up into the 400's which I am hoping for. The open sights are non adjustable but there are tons more options by taking advantage of the two rails top  and bottom for adding either a red dot or laser to increased target shooting ability.

Build Quality: The Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver is pretty much an all metal pistol with the outer shell being made up of plastic, there is a fair bit of internal metal going on along with the trigger, hammer and of course the inner barrel made out of metal parts. Mechanically the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver feels solid and even though it only weight in at 1.3 pounds it feels much heavier in the hand.

Realism: The Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver as far as I know is not an exact replica of any real steal gun currently in production. It's basically a spin off of an ultra tactical .44 magnum revolver with a super beefed up front barrel assembly sporting all kinds of accessory option to be placed on the top and bottom rails. I like that Umarex made sure to recess the barrel opening so it has a more realistic barrel size. Like many new CO2 airguns coming out these days the CO2 is not only well hidden inside the grips but a handy Allen key is built into the handle.

Available in the:Replica Airguns Store

Pros:

  • Not the heaviest revolver on the market but it feels really nice in the hand and has good balance, the weight is not bad at all and feels heavier than 1.3 pounds.

  • Trigger action is really good in both single and double action, short light single action trigger and totally usable double action trigger.

  • CO2 is well hidden with built in Alan key in the handle.

  • Rails top and bottom for all kinds of accessory add on options.

  • Barrel is recessed for that larger caliber look.

  • Nice and discreet safety.

  • Comes with three 10 shot easy to load rotary magazines.

  • Low cost with high fun factor.

Cons:

  • Grips are a bit hard to remove to get at the CO2, may work-in over time?

  • All black sights are not great on dark backgrounds and are non adjustable.

  • Would have liked to see fps into the 400 range. 

Comments:

The Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver when I first picked it up did not appeal to me all that much, maybe knowing it was for the most part yet another mostly plastic BB revolver with those thin pop in disc magazines didn't help me take notice much. But as I have been playing around with the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver it has grown on me a lot. I think it has a really cool look that is also very usable in terms of putting juts about any accessory you want on this CO2 revolver. The hammer and trigger action are also both excellent for not juts an inexpensive Airgun but even a higher end airgun. And right out of the box, or should I say clam-shell plastic wrap, you get three rotary disc magazines which is a nice bonus.

My Vimeo Table Top Review for the Umarex Brodax CO2 BB Revolver:

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, CO2, Comparison, Pistol, Repeater, Review, Revolver, YouTube Video Tags: Brodax, Umarex

Daisy Powerline 400 BB Pistol - SM Mod 110 8mm Blank Pistol - Stun Baton Flashlight Preview

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I try and make it to my local gun show which is held in Chilliwack BC about this time each year. It is put on by the Historical Arms Collectors Society of BC and there are generally a lot of used long guns (rifles) some pistols, lots of accessories, knives, hunting gear, knick·knacks and even some antique items. I tend to be looking for airguns or blank guns that are rare or a good deal.

This year I came across a few items that caught my eye. The first item was a Daisy replica 4.5mm BB pistol, I am not a big fan of Daisy replica gun in general as they are usually a far cry from the originals but this Daisy Powerline Model 400 was actually a really good copy of a Desert Eagle in size and looks. Sure it had a lot of plastic in it but it was made in Japan and even being around 20 years olds was holding up really well. This Daisy Powerline 400 even had Blowback which back then was not all that common.

The Daisy Powerline 400 BB Desert Eagle has a 20 round removable magazine that fits along the top of the barrel and it has a claimed fps. It is almost all high grade plastic with the exception of the single action only trigger, safety, hammer, barrel and several internal parts.

The next interesting item I found was a little compact 8mm blank shooter originally made in West Germany. So this blank gun is close to 30 years old. The SM Model 110 8mm Blank Pistol kind of reminds me of my EKOL Tuna in terms of size and functionality since both have the same half slide and magazine release system.

The SM Mod 110 8mm Blank Pistol is front venting and pretty much all metal with reinforced steel areas, it has a 5 round single stack magazine and shoots in single action only.

My last purchase for this show was a new item, here in Canada we generally are not allowed much in the way of items specifically labeled for self defense. There are some work arounds for instance we can carry a knife as long as it is not concealed entirely and we only intend to use it as a tool. We can also carry pepper spray again only for use on animals. Generally speaking we have not been allowed stun guns or tasers here in Canada and even importing them can land you in a lot of trouble! Again it seems a work around has been made, as long as the Stun Gun or Taser is at least 480mm in length then it is not considered a concealable weapon and as long as you have it out on display and only intend to use it on animals that may be a threat to you then all is good :)

The Stun Gun I purchased is basically a baton with a flashlight on the front and a 1 million volt taser on the front of it. You have several options with this device if harm is eminent. You can try blinding the threat with the built in flashlight which is not all that powerful but good for finding your way in dark areas, you can give the attacker a whack with the baton baseball bat style and if none of that is working well let em have the 1 million volt sandwich! We should be getting some of these Stun Baton Flashlights in our Canada Replica Airguns Store at some point so stay posted for that item.

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, 8mm, Accessory, BB, Blank Gun, Blowback, CO2, Comparison, Flashlight, Non Airguns, Pistol, Replica Airguns News, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Daisy, Powerline 400, SM Mod 110, Stun Gun

Mike's Personal Guns For Sale - Blank Guns

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I will be showcasing here on the Replica Airguns website and over on the Replica Airguns YouTube channel a series of videos I will be making for the purpose of selling some guns out of my personal collection. I simply have no more room for the new guns and in some cases I either have duplicate guns or very similar versions so there is no need to have both. Some guns I am less attached to and as I already stated I need to make room for some of the new stuff I will be reviewing.

To start this series off my first video is to highlight the blank guns I am selling, there are only 4 of them, all of which are really hard to get here in Canada so I am not going to let them go cheap. By the way I am only selling to Canadian residents since shipping cross borders is a little sketchy.

Make sure to watch my above YouTube video to see the blank guns I am selling and instructions on how you can take part in the sale and purchase of them.

Here is a list of the blank guns I am selling from my personal gun collection:

EKOL ASI 9mm Full Auto Front Firing Blank Machine Pistol $725

EKOL Lady Chrome 9mm Front Firing Blank Pistol $400

EKOL Arda 8mm Blank Front Firing Compact Revolver $200

Bruni ME Ranger 1873 SAA .380 Blank Revolver $300

Categories: 380, 8mm, 9mm, Blank Gun, Full Auto, Pistol, Revolver, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: ARDA, Bruni, Colt Single Action Army, EKOL, EKOL ASI UZI, Lady, ME Ranger

Airgun Do’s & Don’ts

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When I say Airguns, I am referring to pretty much all BB, Airsoft, Pellet, Paintball and even Blank guns for most of the topics listed here.

Do’s:

  1. Treat your Airgun just like you would a real gun. If something goes wrong, perhaps the outcome will not be as severe but do you really want to take a trip down to your local emergency ward to get a BB or Pellet removed?

  2. Always assume your airgun is loaded, for some reason it always seems those empty guns are the ones that do the most damage.

  3. Be discrete, If it looks like a gun other people will think it is a gun so don’t flash your airguns around in public. Keep it in a case when transporting and shoot it in an area that will not alarm other people.

  4. Always wear eye protection when shooting your Airgun. Do you really want to shoot your eye out? No Joke!

  5. Be aware of your surroundings like windows, hard objects that could make your ammo bounce back at you. Make sure you are shooting your Airgun in a safe direction at all times, know your target and beyond.

  6. Use Airguns to teach others and learn how to safely and effectively shoot a gun. Airguns can be less intimidating then a real gun (Not so loud and very little recoil) and make for great start out and transitions guns.

  7. Use Airguns to get more inexpensive trigger time and become a more experienced shooter. Airguns cosy only pennies per round to shoot and can be shot in way more areas than a real gun can, practice makes perfect so get shooting!

  8. Use Airguns in areas where real guns may not be allowed or safe to use. Again, Airguns can be shot in all kinds of places, in your back yard or even in a properly setup indoor home range.

  9. Use Airguns with adequate power for safe and humane pest control where real guns may be prohibited.Airguns are quiet and less likely for the bullet to travel long ranges which makes them ideal for close range pest control in areas where real guns are too loud and to powerful.

Don’ts:

  1. Do not assume because it is an airgun it is not dangerous or simply a toy. Many Deaths have been caused by Airguns along with a lot of pain and suffering so treat your Airgun with respect. It is not a toy or you would find them in the toy department at your local store along with yo-yos and stuffed animals.

  2. Do not point or shoot at people unless of course you are using an Airsoft gun in an Airsoft field or facility. Yes Airsoft guns are meant to shoot at each other (with appropriate attire like eye protection and full body clothing), but steel BB and Pellet can cause serious injury especially at close range and on direct skin contact.

  3. Do not leave your Airgun loaded, you never know who is going to come across it and accidentally discharge it. Remember, a loaded gun is a dangerous gun in the wrong hands. You may know better than to assume the gun is undulated but children and even adults without any gun training will most definitely handle the airgun without consideration of the danger it poses.

  4. Do not use an Airgun for self protection. See my related video. Simply put, Airguns are not practical for self defense because they rarely have enough Stopping Power. The ones that do have enough power need to be pre-charged and in most cases are only single shot meaning if you miss or don’t get the job done no the first shot then you are done.

  5. Do not use an underpowered Airgun for pest control. See related video. Using a low powered BB pistol for pest control is cruel, you will only injure the animal making it suffer unnecessarily. Use a high powered pellet rifle to get the job done.

  6. Do not take your gun apart, in most cases this will void the warranty and the reality is that airguns rarely need to be cleaned since no dirty gun powder is used. lead pellet rifles may require occasional barrel cleaning to keep the rifled barrel free of debris.

  7. Do not over oil your Airgun, a little goes a long way and too much oil will just attracted dirt, use the right airgun oil and just enough to keep part functioning smoothly.

  8. Do not over pump an Airgun. Over pumping an Airgun can cause damage to valves and seals and in a worse case situation a rupture the air pressure reservoir or even cause the airgun to explode!

Categories: .20 cal, .22 cal, 380, 4.5mm / .177 cal, 6mm, 8mm, 9mm, AEG, Airsoft, BB, Blank Gun, Blowback, Break Barrel, Bulk Air, CO2, Full Auto, GBB, Gas, Multi-pump, PCP, Paintball, Pellet, Pistol, Repeater, Revolver, Rifle, Semi Auto, Single Shot, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags:

Top 10 Most Common Airgun Questions and Discussions

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Categories: .22 cal, .43 cal, .68 cal, 380, 4.5mm / .177 cal, 6mm, 8mm, 9mm, AEG, Airsoft, BB, Blank Gun, Blowback, Break Barrel, Bulk Air, CO2, Comparison, Full Auto, GBB, Gun Law, Gun Safety, Multi-pump, Non Airguns, PCP, Paintball, Pellet, Pistol, Real Gun, Revolver, Rifle, Semi Auto, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags:

Browning - Ruger - Daisy Spring Piston Air Rifle Preview

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I don't often review target and or hunting rifles since for the most part Replica Airguns is all about well... replica airguns :) I have reviewed some of my own personal spring piston and pump rifles since I have them and there is a cross over in folks that like both the replica airguns and airguns meant for target and or hunting purposes.

We do have a small selection of spring piston rifles in our Replica Airguns Canada store suitable for target and small game so I thought I would point some of them out in this preview video.

Daisy 1938 Red Ryder BB Rifle

  • Type:BB rifle

  • Manufacturer: Daisy

  • Model: Red Ryder.

  • Materials: Stained solid wood stock and forearm, leather saddle thong.

  • Weight: 2.2 pounds.

  • Barrel: 10.85 inches, smooth bore.

  • Propulsion: Spring.

  • Action: Lever Action.

  • Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's.

  • Ammunition Capacity: 650 rounds

  • FPS: 350.

Ruger Explorer Youth Air Pellet Rifle

  • Type: Pellet rifle.

  • Manufacturer: Ruger

  • Model: Explorer.

  • Materials: All-weather composite black stock, metal.

  • Weight: 4.5 pounds.

  • Barrel: 15 inches, rifled

  • Propulsion: Spring piston.

  • Action: Break barrel.

  • Ammunition Type: .177 caliber lead pellets.

  • Ammunition Capacity: 1 round.

  • FPS: 495.

Ruger Air Hawk Combo Pellet Rifle with 4x32 Scope

  • Type: Pellet rifle.

  • Manufacturer: Ruger

  • Model: Air Hawk.

  • Materials: Wood, metal.

  • Weight: 8.16 pounds.

  • Barrel: 18.7 inches, rifled

  • Propulsion: Spring piston.

  • Action: Break barrel.

  • Ammunition Type: .177 caliber lead pellets.

  • Ammunition Capacity: 1 round.

  • FPS: 495.

Browning Leverage Pellet Rifle with 3-9x40 Scope

  • Type: Pellet rifle.

  • Manufacturer: Browning

  • Model: Leverage.

  • Materials: Wood, metal.

  • Weight: 8.6 pounds.

  • Barrel: 18.9 inches, rifled

  • Propulsion: Spring piston.

  • Action: Under lever.

  • Ammunition Type: .177 caliber lead pellets.

  • Ammunition Capacity: 1 round.

  • FPS: 490.

Browning Gold Series Synthetic Pellet Rifle with 3x9x40 Scope

  • Type: Pellet rifle.

  • Manufacturer: Browning / Umarex

  • Model: Gold Series.

  • Materials: All-weather composite black stock, metal.

  • Weight: 8.4 pounds.

  • Barrel: 14 inches, rifled

  • Propulsion: Spring piston.

  • Action: Break Barrel.

  • Ammunition Type: .177 caliber lead pellets.

  • Ammunition Capacity: 1 round.

  • FPS: 495.

 
Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Pellet, Repeater, Review, Rifle, Scope, Single Shot, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags: Air Hawk, Browning, Daisy, Explorer, Gold Series, Leverage, Red Ryder, Ruger, Umarex

Why Would You Want a Blank Gun?

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What is a Blank Gun?

The best way to describe a Blank Gun is to imagine it as a real gun in just about every way except one… There are no dangerous bullets flying out the front of it. That’s right, a Blank Gun just like a real gun uses a brass or metal shells, loaded with a primer and gun powder, but for what ever reason reason, some rocket scientists forgot to put a bullet at the end of the Blank shell. 

Why Would You Want a Blank Gun?

Isn’t the entire purpose of a gun to shoot something? So why on earth would you buy a gun that doesn't  shoot anything at all, what purpose would it serve? Even Nerf guns, water guns, potato guns all shoot something…

One way to look at a Blank Gun is to imagine it as a cap gun, but for grown ups. Similar to how kids like to shoot their cap guns because they go bang and sparks and smoke fly out of them, Blank Guns do the same thing but on a much grander scale and in most cases they look and sound a lot more like a real gun than a cap gun does.

So Blank Guns don’t actually do the main function of a real gun (that is to shoot a bullet), but they do look and sound the part of a gun. So how could this be of practical use to anyone?

Signalling Devices:

First off, have you ever heard of a Starter Pistol or a Flare Gun? Blank Guns have been historically used to signal the start of races. Many Blank Guns also have the ability to shoot flares by adding a flare adaptor to them so a person can shoot a flare into the air to signal distress if they are lost or hurt.

Gun Handling and Training:

Since many Blank Guns look, operate and feel almost exactly like real guns, Blank Guns are a great place to start out when training a person on proper gun handling and operation. If they make a mistake while using a Blank Gun, the consequences are far less severe than with a real gun. There is also much less kick from a Blank Gun so shooting a Blank Gun is less scary or intimidating for new shooters.

Dog Training:

Dogs used for police, military and hunting are required to stay calm around loud noises like gun shots, trained dogs also need to get used to the presence of guns and even how to attack the gun hand of a person who could be a potential threat. Again using Blank Guns in this training situation is a much better option than using a real gun for obvious reasons.

Movies, Video TV and Stage:

Introducing live ammunition on a movie set would be ridiculous, there is absolutely no need to shoot a bullet in this type of situation. Blank Guns make perfect stage props since they again look the part and sound the part without the dangerous bullets flying all over the place…

Collectors:

Many collectors want to own guns but for reasons like gun restrictions in their area, they may not be able to own a real gun or certain types of real guns. Blank Guns can offer a person with heavy gun restrictions in their area the ability to own similar Blank Gun versions. Perhaps they can own real guns but just simply don’t want to go through the licensing and registration hassle of owning a real gun. Blank Guns can generally be purchased for far less money than a real gun which is appealing to collectors who in many cases may not even shoot them.

Celebration:

In places like Turkey, people celebrate holidays and events by shooting Blank Guns into the air, at one time they actually shoot real guns, but people where getting injured or even killed by the falling bullets. Because of this, Blank Gun production became an industry in places like Turkey as Blank Gun manufacturers like EKOL, Retay and Zoraki (also know as ATAK Arms) are Turkish companies.

So now you know some of the reasons why a person would want to own a Blank Gun. I have Blank Guns and I also own real guns too. One reason is because there are many Blank Guns I own that I can not own in their real steel versions because of Canadian gun restrictions so obtaining a similar version in a Blank Gun allows me to own these models.

If a Blank Gun is not for you, then by all means get a real gun, but please understand that there is a place for Blank Guns, and in those environments, a Blank Gun is actually a better choice than a real gun.

Categories: .22 cal, 8mm, 9mm, Blank Gun, Comparison, Full Auto, Gun Law, Gun Safety, Pistol, Real Gun, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags:

Best BB Guns

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First off let’s get one thing straight! What I’m looking for in a BB gun is more than likely going to be way different than what someone else is looking for in what they think is the “Best BB Gun” available.

Many people will determine the Best BB Gun as the BB gun that has the highest price tag, usually you get better quality the higher the price goes up but not always, there are times when perhaps you are paying for a name brand or cosmetic add ons that don’t always make the gun better or the best.

On the other hand, some people will determine the best BB gun as the one that is the least cost since they may not have a lot of money to spend, and an expensive BB gun is a BB gun that that person would not be able to afford or even own, far from an ideal or the Best BB Gun for them.

Many people only look at the specifications to determine if that particular BB gun is the outright best BB Gun. One specification that people seem to fixate on is how powerful is the BB gun in question? If it has the highest FPS then surely it must be the best BB Gun! That Pop can never saw it coming! What about cost of operation, so things like reliability and how many shots per CO2 you can get out of a BB gun. All important features to consider when picking out the Best BB Gun!

Style is another important part of what makes a BB Gun the Best option for you, are you wanting a classic BB Pistol? Perhaps a Modern BB Gun, Maybe even a BB gun that you can not get in your area because of gun laws? Style is a very individual preference and what looks good to me may look terrible to someone else.

One aspect that is very important to me, is realism, does the BB Gun operate the same and does it have similar metal and plastic parts as the real steel version? Does the BB gun I am considering have blowback operation and a true single or double action trigger like it’s big brother? What about a full size drop out magazine and the ability to field strip the BB Gun?

Some people want their BB gun for simple backyard good old fun shooting and so as long as it shoots pretty straight and works as it’s supposed to, then that is all they care about. Many real steel shooters want a BB Gun to operate exactly like their real steel version, so they can practice with it to get in more trigger time when going to a gun range is not an option.

Of course there are aspects like Reliability, Performance, Fit and Finish, Licensing and Build Quality that all determine what makes the Best BB Gun and again it really depends which of these qualities are most important to you that will determine which BB Gun is the best BB Gun.

So how do you determine which is the Best BB Gun? Make a list of what you are looking for in a BB Gun. Attributes like Cost, Performance, Build Quality, Style, Realism, Availability…

Once you have narrowed down your Best BB Gun list, get as much information on each BB Gun you are considering, to narrow the list down even more. There are tons of Youtube videos you can watch for your Best BB Gun final short list to help you determine your ultimate choice.

So please don’t ask me what the Best BB Gun is? I can not even tell you which one I like the best since my wish list changes from day to day…

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, 6mm, Airsoft, BB, Blowback, CO2, Comparison, Full Auto, GBB, Gas, Pellet, Pistol, Q&A Video, Repeater, Revolver, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags:

BB Guns vs Pellet Guns

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Not Airsoft:

First off we are not talking about 6mm Plastic Airsoft Guns but rather 4.5mm Steel BB versus .177 caliber Pellet.

Same but Different:

Generally speaking a BB CO2 Pistol and a Pellet CO2 Pistol are very similar, they just shoot a bit different types of ammo, that will determine a couple mechanical differences in both guns. You may come across a CO2 Pistol that can shoot both Pellets and BB's but these are not as common.

Magazine Types:

The fist main difference is usually the magazine design, since lead pellets don’t stack on top of each other very well compared to steel BB’s, action CO2 BB and Pellet pistols will have a very different types of magazine designs. Pellet CO2 Pistols will generally use a rotary type magazine while BB Pistols will use a stick or stacked ammo magazine. In terms of realism, a stick or stacked magazine is better suited than a rotary magazine. Some Action Pellet Pistols will have what looks like a stick magazine, but the stick will actually have two rotary magazine on either side. You will often find higher capacity magazines in BB CO2 Pistols since Rotary magazines usually only offer around 8 rounds (16 on a double sided stick style).

Another downside to a rotary magazine is knowing when you are out of ammo, a rotary magazine does not allow for this, it will just keep turning around and around no matter if there is ammo in it or not, so you need to listen to the the sound of the CO2 gun to determine when a rotary type magazine is empty. BB Action shooters do not have this problem since in most cases the magazine BB spring follower acts exactly the same as real steel gun follower locking back the slide on the last shot, stopping any follow up shots from happening.

Ammo Size:

Steel BB’s traditionally only come in 4.5mm which is the same as .177 caliber. Lead pellets can come in a myriad of sizes, the most comma being .177, .20 and .22 caliber but they can go as large as 50 caliber for PCP air rifles used to hunt even large game.

Barrel Rifling:

Another common difference between BB and Pellet CO2 Pistols is the rifling inside the barrels. Lead pellets need to spin in order for them to shoot straight. Steel BB’s on the other hand fly pretty true thought the air weather they spin or not. Rifling is most often not used in steel BB pistols because the hardened steel can damage the rifling and since there is little to no benefit in adding rifling to a BB guns barrel in terms of accuracy, then why even have it. Pellet pistols with their softer lead ammunition need to have the rifling in order to create the spin that keeps the pellet true and straight while in flight.

Accuracy:

Even though many BB CO2 Pistols can shoot accurately at close to medium ranges, they are not as accurate as a Pellet CO2 Pistol, especially as the distance become greater to your target. Not only does the spinning of the pellet help accuracy, but also the added mass of the lead pellet keeps them from being as effected by cross winds and airborne debris.

Hunting and/or Pest Control:

In most cases I do not recommend using a pistol for pest control because, plain and simple they are harder to shoot accurately. This is because there is no stock on a pistol to help steady the gun, and the front and rear sight are much closer together on a pistol than compared to rifle sights which means there is more margin for error when signing in a target. Pistols are generally lower powered than rifles which also plays a roll when considering a pistol for pest control since it may not have enough power to get the job done humanly. That said, there are pellet pistols deigned with power in mind, usually these are spring piston, or pressurized air powered air guns which can have a lot more power than a standard CO2 BB or Pellet Pistol.

Pistols versus Rifles:

This is not the forum for a full pistol versus rifle comparison. I can tell you that you will find a lot more pellet rifles than your will find BB rifles, they both exist but for the most part rifles are geared more towards target shooting and hunting. Most of the BB rifles available would be styled after replicas so the focus is not necessarily on power and or accuracy in these models.

Abundance:

In terms of Replica Action Shooters, BB Pistols outweigh the Pellet pistols by a land-slide. BB’s just work better in action pistols because the round hard steel ammo operates much easier and more reliably than the softer lead pellets, at least for action shooters. And the point of Replica Action Shooters is not so much power and accuracy but more so towards rapid fire good old back yard fun shooting.

Which is Best?

Well… Neither one is best, it just depends what you are looking for. 

  • Do you want accuracy at longer ranges - if so maybe get a Pellet CO2 Pistol.

  • Do you want more realism in terms of magazine loading and your slide locking back on the last shot - then you may be in the market for a BB CO2 Pistol.

  • Do you want more power down range - heavy pellets are going to hit harder and truer than lighter Steel BB’s.

  • Do you want trouble free shooting - hard steel BB’s rarely miss-feed or misfire compared to softer Lead Pellets especially in action shooters.

The best is what’s best for you and not always what's best for me…

Categories: .20 cal, .22 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Blowback, Break Barrel, Bulk Air, CO2, Comparison, Full Auto, PCP, Pellet, Pistol, Repeater, Revolver, Rifle, Semi Auto, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags:

Bruni Mod. 92 Top Venting 8mm PAK Blank Pistol Shooting Test

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My last Blank Gun Shooting video went really well, my iPhone 6 plus 720p 240 frames per second slow-mo video worked awesome and so did my newly acquired ME8 General 1911 Front Firing 8mm blank pistol.

I was hoping my Bruni Mod. 92 Top Venting 8mm PAK Blank Pistol would also perform just as well and as luck would have it, it did :) I did notice on the last round the shell kind of stayed in place and got re-chambered, not really sure what happened there but all 4 rounds fired which was my main goal and of course I caught it all in slow-motion HD!

Enjoy my Shooting Test Video of the Bruni Mod. 92 Top Venting 8mm PAK Blank Pistol and if you have not already checked out my Table Top Review of the Bruni Mod. 92 then make sure to do so.

Bruni Mod. 92.jpg
Categories: 8mm, Blank Gun, Field Test, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Beretta, Beretta M 92 FS, Bruni, Bruni Mod. 92

ME 8 General 1911 8mm PAK Blank Pistol Shooting Test

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I was really looking forward to not only shooting my recently acquired Front Firing ME 8 General 1911 8mm PAK Blank Pistol and making sure it worked as promised, but I also want to checkout the new 720p at 240 frames per second slow motion video feature on my new iPhone 6 plus!

Everything went pretty much as expected, all rounds chambered, fired and ejected without a hitch. No slide lock back on the last round but this blank gun is not designed to do that so I was not expecting this to happen :)

Enjoy my Shooting Test Video of the Front Firing ME 8 General 1911 8mm PAK Blank Pistol and if you have not already checked out my Table Top Review of the ME 8 General, then make sure to do so.

blank  8 general.jpg
Categories: 8mm, Blank Gun, Field Test, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: ME, ME 8 General, Model 1911

Bruni Mod. 92 Top Venting 8mm PAK Blank Pistol Table Top Review

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Type: Blank Pistol.

Manufacturer: Bruni.

Model:Mod. 92 (Beretta 92).

Materials: Mostly Metal with some steel parts.

Weight: 2.8 pounds unloaded. (1274 grams)

Barrel: Top Venting. (No Red Tip)

Propulsion: Gun powder.

Action: Single and double action.

Ammunition Type: 8mm P.A.K. Blanks.

Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds.

FPS: N/A.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Bruni Mod. 92 Top Venting 8mm PAK Blank Pistol is fairly decent on both single and double action with a fairly long take-up in double action and of course a much shorter lighter take-up in single action mode.

Accuracy: NA.

Build Quality: The overall build quality of the Bruni Mod. 92 Blank Pistol is good, mine does show some wear since it is an older previously owned blank gun but for the most part the wear and tear is cosmetic only, the mechanical parts all seem to be in excellent working order. Most of this blank shooter is made out of a zinc based metal with a few steel parts, mainly the screws, pins and springs. But it has an impressive weight to it! The grips seem to have been replaced with wrap around rubber grips that may actually be for a real steel Beretta M92.

Realism: The Bruni Mod. 92 8mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol is a very realistic looking Beretta 92 in terms of overall looks and true to scale size and weight. Most of the parts work as you would expect them to on the real steal version including the double and single action trigger, safety, locking slide catch release and magazine release button. The only exception really is the fact that this version is top venting so there is a small hole just in front of the breach that allows the full discharge of the blank round to escape out the top of the blank gun. The barrel is actually fully plugged but seems to have been partially drilled out to give the impression of being a front firing gun.

Purchase from: A private collector.

Pros:

  • Well made, materials fit and finish is all very good even though very little use of hardened steel.

  • 15 round double stack magazine is nice hi-capacity.

  • For a used gun it is in very good working condition, some minor wear mainly on finish.

  • Barrel has been partially bored out to look like a front firing gun.

  • Grips have been replaced with what looks to be real Beretta grips.

  • It's a very close Beretta Model 92 replica!

  • Made in Italy.

Cons:

  • Top venting instead of front firing

  • No actual take down lever for easy field striping

  • Finish is a bit worn.

Comments:

In terms of being a very accurate Beretta Model 92 replica, the Bruni Mod. 92 8mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol is very close in almost all areas. Sure I would have liked it to of been front firing but the reality is, I rarely get around to shooting my blank guns. My blank pistols are mostly for show and since actual replica only guns are prohibited, being a blank gun skirts around our Canada laws allowing for ownership. Don't forget we sell the ROHM Blank guns here in our Canada Online Store and they are very good quality guns so check them out if you are in the market for a blank shooter.

My Vimeo Full Video Table Top Review for the Bruni Mod. 92 8mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol:

Bruni Mod. 92.jpg
Categories: 8mm, Blank Gun, Comparison, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: Bruni, Bruni Mod. 92

ME 8 General 1911 8mm PAK Blank Pistol Table Top Review

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Type: Blank Pistol.

Manufacturer: ME.

Model:ME 8 General 1911 (Colt 1911 A1 Replica).

Materials: Mostly Metal with some steel parts.

Weight: 2.9 pounds loaded. (1355 grams)

Barrel: Front firing. (No Red Tip)

Propulsion: Gun powder.

Action: Single action only.

Ammunition Type: 8mm P.A.K. Blanks.

Ammunition Capacity: 10+ rounds.

FPS: N/A.

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ME 8 General 8mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol is exactly what you would expect from a single action only 1911 styled semi auto pistol, short and light. But not super light, it's far from a hair trigger, perhaps more of a medium pull weight for a 1911 SAO.

Accuracy: NA.

Build Quality: The overall build quality of the ME 8 General 8mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol is really very good, nothing fancy at all going on with this pistol and a lot less actual moving parts than you would find on a real steel 1911 so much less to go wrong but the metal quality and fit and finish are very good overall. You will not find a lot of actual steel in this gun other than the magazine, screws, pins and springs but again the metal is good quality and the ME 8 General 8mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol even sports real wood grips.

Realism: The ME 8 General 8mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol is a very realistic looking 1911in terms of overall looks and true to scale size and weight. As mentioned already, many of the parts are not operational but actually moulded into the gun. Like the Safety, side trigger mounted magazine release and back strap safety. You will find the actual magazine release on the bottom of the pistol grip and even thought the slide catch release is operational, there is no spring assist to lock it in the up and open position when the magazine is empty so if you want to lock the slide back you will need to manually do this.

Purchase from: Private collector.

Pros:

  • Well made, materials fit and finish is all very good even though very little use of hardened steel.

  • 10+ round single stack magazine is very hi-capacity.

  • For a used gun it is in very good condition, not many rounds through it and well kept.

  • Front firing and came with flare adaptor.

  • Real wood grips.

  • Made in Italy.

  • It's a 1911!

Cons:

  • Slide catch release, must be engaged manually.

  • Many working parts are simply moulded into the gun.

  • Not easily field strip-able.

Comments:

So the ME 8 General 8mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol is not the most accurate replica of a 1911 in terms of all parts being operational but it hits the major ones for me like: It's front firing, the slide will lock back, it has a true 1911 SAO trigger and for the most parts it looks and works like a 1911. Finding 1911 blank guns here in Canada is super hard and I am a big fan of 1911's so when the opportunity to pickup this gun came around I was interested even if it was not cheap. Blank guns are getting harder and harder to find here in Canada and I guess that's what is making them so appealing. Don't forget we sell the ROHM Blank guns here in our Canada Online Store and they are very good quality guns so check them out if you are in the market for a blank shooter.

My Vimeo Full Video Table Top Review for the ME 8 General 8mm P.A.K. Blank Pistol:

blank  8 general.jpg
Categories: 8mm, Blank Gun, Gun Safety, Pistol, Review, Semi Auto, YouTube Video Tags: ME, ME 8 General, Model 1911

CO2 Versus Spring Versus Pump Airgun Comparison

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In this Comparison Video I go through the benefits and shortcomings of CO2, Spring Piston and Pump Airguns. I focus mainly on Airguns but there is a bit of a crossover with Airsoft guns.

All three systems (CO2, Spring, Pump) create pressure that forces the ammunition with a high force out of the barrel. Similar to how gun powder is the source of energy for a bullet.

Here are some basic statements that best describe CO2, Spring Piston and Pump Airguns.

CO2 Airguns:

  • CO2 Airguns use the expansion of CO2 gas to create the pressure required for the ammo.

  • CO2 Airguns generally store enough CO2 for multiple shots per cartridge.

  • CO2 Airguns have a limit as to how much power they can produce since CO2 has a set vapor pressure of 850 psi, or about 56 bar at room temperature which is around 25 C or 77 F. CO2 Gas also requires a warm environment to expand so warmer temperature and longer barrels help with power.

  • Some CO2 guns can also use pressurized air tanks in place of CO2.

Spring Piston Airguns:

  • Spring Airguns use the release of a pre-cocked spring and plunger system to compress air to power the ammo.

  • Spring Piston Airguns require the cocking of the spring between each shot so they are single shot only.

  • Spring Airguns are limited to how much effort is humanly possible to cock the spring into position. If you make the spring to strong then not everyone will be able to use the Airgun effectively. Too week of a spring and the Airgun will lack power.

  • Spring Piston Airguns are known for having a fair amount of recoil and vibration when the spring moves both forward and backwards quickly inside the Airgun.

  • Spring Airguns can use either a mechanical spring or a gas spring.

Pump Airguns:

  • Pump Airguns (either Single or Multi-Pump) store air pressure in a chamber that when released, powers the ammo.

  • Most Pump Airguns require at least 1 or more pumps, often up to 10 pumps for each shot and you generally only get one shot per set of pumps. Not to be confused with PCP Airguns (Pre Charged Pneumatic) which have large pressure tanks that are recharged with a high volume of pressurized air that is capable of shooting multiple shots per charge.

  • Pump Airguns are also somewhat limited to how much effort is humanly possible since the higher the chamber pressure, the harder it will be to pump the Airgun. 

Misc Airguns:

  • Generally speaking both Spring and Multi-Pump Airguns have more potential power than a CO2 guns since CO2 has a set peek pressure limit.

  • Pump and CO2 Airguns are know to have very little recoil since the pressure is stored in a chamber and then released by a valve. No slapping back and forth of a large internal spring.

Pros:

CO2 Airguns:

  • CO2 Airguns allow for multiple shots per CO2 cartridge for more realistic action shooting.

  • CO2 Airguns do not require any human effort to charge the gun other than loading the CO2 and Ammo into the Airgun.

  • CO2 Airguns allow for true semi auto shooting ability. 

Spring Piston Airguns:

  • Spring Airguns have the potential for high velocity since the larger and stiffer the spring, the greater the output force.

  • Spring Airguns do not require anything other than your ammunition, typically either a Pellet or BB.

  • Spring Airguns are mechanically very simple which makes them very reliable and less expensive to produce than other types of Airguns. 

Pump Airguns:

  • Pump Airguns have the potential for high velocity since more pumps equals greater output force, only limited by the users strength and the pressure rating of the Airgun.

  • Pump Airguns do not require anything other than your ammunition, typically either a Pellet or BB.

  • Pump Airguns have next to no recoil which makes them very easy to shoot and highly accurate.

Cons:

CO2 Airguns:

  • CO2 Airguns require the purchase and use of CO2 or they simple do not work.

  • CO2 Airguns are very susceptible to temperature changes, especially cold temperature since CO2 needs a warm environment in order to expand. Cool down effect also plays a role in power output.

  • CO2 Airguns have a maximum set amount of power output.

Spring Piston Airguns:

  • Spring Airguns require the pre-cocking of the spring for each shot.

  • Spring Airguns can take some getting used to since the spring recoil/vibration requires a very lose grip (Military Grip) to shoot accurately with them.

  • Spring Airguns should not be stored pre-cocked since this can damage the spring, less so with gas spring versions. 

Pump Airguns:

  • Pump Airguns require pre-pumping to pressurize the air chamber for each shot.

  • Pump Airguns, especially Multi-Pump Airguns take the most amount of human effort for each shot.

  • Pump Airguns need to stored with at least one pump in them or the seals can get damaged over time.

Categories: .22 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Break Barrel, CO2, Comparison, Multi-pump, PCP, Pellet, Pistol, Repeater, Revolver, Rifle, Semi Auto, Spring Piston Tags:

My Airgun, Airsoft Gun and Blank Gun Collection Favorites for 2013

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So it's 2014 but I still needed to make my 2013 Airgun, Airsoft Gun and Blank Gun Collection Favorites for 2013. It's become a tradition I guess you could say. No I do not show all the guns in my collection but I do cover most of my favorites and also some new guns I picked up in 2013.

Here's a peek but make sure to watch the YouTube video bellow where I go over all my top picks for 2013. You can also buy many of the guns I show in this YouTube video over in our Canada and US Replica Airguns Store!

2013 BB Pistols

2013 Pellet Pistols

2013 Airsoft Pistols

2013 Blank Pistols

2013 Rifles

Categories: .20 cal, .22 cal, .43 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, 6mm, 8mm, 9mm, Airsoft, BB, Blank Gun, Blowback, Bulk Air, CO2, Full Auto, GBB, Multi-pump, Paintball, Pellet, Pistol, Review, Revolver, Rifle, Semi Auto, Single Shot, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags:

Crosman MK-177 Pellet-BB Multi-pump Air Rifle Table Top & Shooting Review

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Type: Pellet/BB Multi-pump Air Rifle.

Manufacturer:Crosman.

Model: MK-177.

Materials: Plastic with some metal.

Weight: 3.5 pounds.

Barrel: 16.75 inches, rifled.

Propulsion: Multi-pump.

Action: Single shot - bolt action with manual advance magazine.

Ammunition Type: .177 caliber pellets & 4.5mm steel BB's.

Ammunition Capacity: 5 shot pellet magazine - 18 shot BB internal BB magazine - 350 round BB hopper.

FPS: 750 with Pellets and 800 with BB's for the US version (Up to 495 with Canada version).

Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman MK-177 is medium length and fairly light. The trigger mainly releases the bolt so no pre-cocking of the trigger is required. The trigger is plastic but seems to work just fine as there is no real load on the trigger when shooting, you do need to get used to where the release point since there is some take up well before the trigger releases.

Accuracy: I found the Crosman MK-177 Air Rifle to be a very good shooter, getting about a 1 inch 10 shot grouping from 30 feet out in a semi rested position (sand bag up front, standing in the back). I also put 3 rounds through my somewhat failing Chrony Chronograph using 3,5 & 10 pumps and the MK-177 with the maximum 10 pump shot as high as 631 fps using 6.9 grain RWS lead pellets. I would expect the Canadian detuned version to shoot well below the 500 fps Canada limit much like my Canadian Crosman M4-177 I reviewed a while back.

Build Quality: The Crosman MK-177 Multi-pump Air Rifle is mostly molded plastic, but for a $100-ish Military Styled Replica Air Rifle it hits the mark in terms of affordability and if it was an all metal airgun you would more than likely expect to double or tripple this price point! Even though plastic is used throughout this Air Rifle, there are some internal metal parts where they need to be, the fit and finish seems to be good and I do not get the feeling the Crosman MK-177 is cheaply made in any way. The fact that most parts are molded means there is very little that can snap or break off and will make this air rifle even more durable longterm.

Realism: The Crosman MK-177 is a lose replica or copy of an FN SCAR Assault Rifle or ACR. It is not exact in terms of true dimensions to accommodate the pumping mechanism, You will not find very many working parts as just about everything is molded into the plastic on this Crosman MK-177 rifle. Unlike the Crosman M4-177 the lower magazine area is not removable and the rear stock is also none adjustable, I am not sure why Crosman didn't add these features to the MK-177 like they did to the M4-177? I am glad to see another Replica Assault rifle on the market as so few of them are available in Pellet or steel BB shooters.

Available in the:Replica Airguns Store.

Pros:

  • The only SCAR Pellet/BB rifle I know of?

  • Fairly well priced.

  • Excellent accuracy!

  • Very easy to pump.

  • None red dot version comes with detachable and adjustable iron sights.

  • Rails on top and sides for accessories.

  • Option of shooting pellets or BB's, I would stick to pellets and save the barrel since it is not semi auto.

  • Feels super solid since there are very few moving parts that could break.

  • Looks like the Crosman M4-177 Pellet magazines are compatible.

Cons:

  • Mostly plastic and just about everything is molded into the gun.

  • Bolt and magazine are on opposite sides?

  • Would of been cool if Crosman made a dedicated BB magazine?

Comments:

The Crosman MK-177 Multi-Pump Pellet/BB Air Rifle is very much like it's brother the Crosman M4-177 with a few plusses and a few minuses when comparing the two of them together. On the plus side the MK-177 has a bit more power and also the pumping is much easier while yielding higher internal pressures. On the downside the Crosman MK-177 is almost entirely molded plastic with no removable lower magazine or adjustable stock, and the bolt has been switched around to what I feel is the wrong side since now you need to index the magazine on one side and work the bolt on the other requiring a less efficient approach. Either way it is nice to have another replica air rifle on the marker and for the relatively low price you get a nice accurate pellet rifle, great for target shooting and even small pest control.

Watch my Vimeo Full Video Review of the Crosman MK-177 Pellet/BB Air Rifle:

Categories: 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Comparison, Field Test, Multi-pump, Pellet, Repeater, Review, Rifle, Scope, YouTube Video Tags: Crosman, MK-177

What are the Types of Airguns, Airsoft Guns and Blank Guns?

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I wanted to cover some basic Airgun, Airsoft Gun, Blank Gun and Paintball Gun information on what do they all shoot, what makes them shoot and some other miscellaneous info thrown in along the way...

Your should also watch the video attached at the bottom of this post as it goes into a fair amount of detail.

Let's begin with the types of ammo used:

Airgun Ammo

  • Airgun ammo for the most part is broken down into BBs and Pellets, the most standard size BB and Pellet is the 4.5mm or .177 caliber Steel BB and Lead Pellet. You can also get Pellets in other calibers and even other materials other than lead such as steel or aluminum, some can have plastic skirting around a metal interior.

  • Pellets also come in a variety of caliber's like .177, .20. 22. 25 and even larger but then I would start considering them to be bullets as they will take on the shape of a bullet when they get into the larger sizes.

  • Airgun Ammo is not be fired at people, it is primarily used for target and hunting small game.

  • Airguns can use Spring Pistons, CO2, Compressed Air and Multi-pump propulsion systems.

Airsoft Gun Ammo

  • Airsoft Guns for the most part shoot round 6mm (.22 caliber) plastic BBs which come in a variety of weights ranging from .12 grams up to .48 grams. There are larger Airsoft BBs such as 8mm and even larger.

  • There are biodegradable and even tracer florescent Airsoft BBs available.

  • Airsoft Ammo is traditionally used for Airsoft battles and can be fired at people using protective gear. Airsoft Ammo can also be used for target shooting.

  • Airsoft Guns can use Spring Pistons, Spring Piston - AEG (Electric Motor) CO2, Gas (Green, Red, Propane) and Compressed Air propulsion systems.

Paintball Gun Ammo

  • Paintball Guns or "Markers" have been historically used for the sport of Paintball but their whereabouts came from the need of ranchers and forestry workers to mark trees. Hence the name "Marker"

  • Paintball ammo comes in a variety of sizes ranging with the most common being .43 and .68 caliber. They are generally made from a gelatin outer coating containing primarily polyethylene glycol, other non-toxic and water-soluble substances, and dye, they are usually biodegradable.

  • Paintball Guns can also shoot a variety of Paintball Ammo that can be made out of Rubber, Plastic, Glass and they can also contain Powders and even Pepper for use in non lethal defense.

  • Paintball Guns can generally use either CO2 or Compressed Air as their propellant.

Blank Gun Ammo

  • Blank Guns are just like Real Guns but without the dangerous bullet at the end of the brass shell. Other than that they work exactly the same as a Real Gun!

  • Blank Guns are used when a bullet is not required or even wanted. For instance... Gun safety, gun training, training animals to be around guns and/or loud noises, Props for Movies - Stage -  Film - TV, Collectors that do not want the red tape associated with owning a Real Gun or when owning a Real Gun is prohibited.

  • Blank Guns can shoot a variety of sized ammo, most common are .22 caliber crimped, .380 crimped, 8mm P.A.K. and 9mm P.A.K.

  • Blank Guns use gun powder as their means of operation.

Here are the most common forms of propulsion used in the guns we discussed earlier:

CO2

  • CO2 is the most common propellant in Airguns (BB and Pellet), it is also used in Airsoft Guns and Paintball Guns.

  • CO2 is a compressed gas which expands when released, it requires a warm environment to fully expand and tends to cool it's surroundings quickly when shot fast or in full automatic which can slow the velocity of the projectile and even freeze up the gun being used.

  • The most common reusable CO2 cartridges are 12 and 88 gram but you can get larger CO2 tanks in a variety of sizes that can be refilled with CO2.

Gas

  • Gas is used primarily in Airsoft Guns, I have not personally seen an Airgun that is made to use Gas other than CO2.

  • Gas is similar to CO2 in that it is a compressed gas that expands when releases, it also cools down the gun it is being used in and requires a warm environment.

  • Gas comes in a variety of names, Green Gas, Red Gas and Propane Gas. Green Gas contains Propane as it's base but has additives in it like silicone for lubrication .

  • Red Gas is know to be a bit more powerful than Green Gas as it has Chlorodifluoromethane or HCFC-22, R22 or Freon 22 used in refrigeration which turns to a liquid under a slightly higher pressure giving you slightly higher fps.

  • Many people use propane gas with an adapter that allows the mixture of silicone as propane is cheaper to buy.

Compressed Air (HPA)

  • Compressed Air (HPA - High Pressure Air) is most commonly used in Airguns and Paintball Guns but some people use it for their Gas based Airsoft guns.

  • The compressed air comes from high PSI tanks that can be purchased in a variety of sizes and contains compressed air at pressures up to 5000psi.

  • These tanks are reusable and usually need to be refilled at a paintball or scuba shop, some people buy their own compressors or large scuba tanks for refilling purposes.

  • Some Compressed Air (HPA) guns have their own built in tanks that can be filled with a compressor or even a manual pump.

  • Compressed air does not cool down the gun it is being used in and is a great option for high output or fully automatic guns.

Multi-Pump Pneumatic

  • Multi-Pump Pneumatic systems are most commonly used in Pellet and/or BB guns.

  • Multi-Pump Pneumatic guns use the same principle as HPA - High Pressure Air guns in that they require pressurized air as the propellant. The main difference with Multi-Pump Pneumatic guns, is that you do all the work by pumping the gun between shots. Generally speaking you pump the gun 3-10 times, take a shot and repeat this process.

  • Multi-Pump Pneumatic guns are not effected by air temperature and are great for target and small pest control.

Spring Piston

  • Spring pistons are generally found in Pellet Rifles and Pistols but some Airsoft Guns also use a Spring Piston System and generally speaking Spring Piston Guns are single shot only or in other words, the Spring needs to be drawn back before each shot. Spring Piston Guns can have magazines that allow for quicker repeat shots.

  • Spring Piston Guns come in many cocking configurations, Brake Barrel and Side lever to name a couple.

  • The Spring can be a Mechanical Spring or a Gas Spring.

  • Spring Piston Guns are not effected by temperature and are often used for small game hunting and target shooting.

Automatic Electric Guns (AEG)

  • Automatic Electric Guns  are generally found in Airsoft Rifles but there are some Airsoft Pistols (AEP) that use this same system.

  • Automatic Electric Guns use a similar system to a Spring Piston gun but have an electric motor that does all the work of drawing back the spring. You can even have fully automatic AEG guns.

  • The power for the electric motor comes from removable batteries, so it is a combination a battery supplying the motor with the power to draw back the spring that creates a pillow of air that shoots the BB.

  • AEG Airsoft Guns are great for situations when you require high capacity magazines with full auto capability. 

Gun Powder

  • Gun powder is used in Blank Guns, in the same manor that it is used in a Real Gun, the charge from the Gun Powder supplies the force required to operate the blowback in most semi auto Blank Pistols, it also creates the sound of a live round along with the muzzle flash which makes Blank Guns great for training and as Props for Movies and Film.

  • Because the kinetic energy from a blank gun is the same as a real gun, blank guns can be very dangerous when used in close proximity to an object, see my "Are Blank Guns Dangerous Video"!

Some other Gun Relevant Terminology:

Blowback

  • Blowback operation is when some of the force of the propellant is used to move the slide backwards, which in most cases cocks the hammer for single action and can also pickup and chamber a round into the barrel.

  • The slide spring supplies the energy for the return to the forward position of the slide.

  • Blowback Guns do rob some power from the bullet force and in the case of CO2 or Gas Guns the also reduce the amount of shots per CO2 or Gas fill.

Revolver, Semi Automatic

  • Revolver: Revolvers feed ammunition via the rotation of a cartridge-filled cylinder, in which each cartridge is contained in its own ignition chamber, and is sequentially brought into alignment with the weapon's barrel by a mechanism linked to the weapon's trigger (double-action) or its hammer (single-action)

  • Semi Automatic:  semi-automatic pistols use the energy of one shot to reload the chamber for the next. Typically recoil energy from a fired round is mechanically harnessed. After a round is fired, the pistol will cycle, ejecting the spent casing and chambering a new round from the magazine, allowing another shot to take place immediately.

Single Shot, Repeater, Semi Automatic & Fully Automatic

  • Single Shot: A Single Shot Gun needs to be reloaded each time it is shot.

  • Repeater: Repeating action Guns are single barreled guns containing multiple rounds of ammunition. These rounds are loaded from a magazine by means of a manual or automatic mechanism, and the action that reloads the rifle also typically re-cocks the firing action. The term repeating rifle is most often applied to weapons in which the next cartridge is loaded by a manual action, as opposed to semi-automatic rifles, in which the force of one shot is used to load the next.

  • Semi Automatic: A semi-automatic, or self-loading, firearm is a weapon that performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing.

  • Fully Automatic: A Gun that uses either its recoil or a portion of the gas propelling the projectile to remove the spent cartridge (in the case of a gun-shell), fire again repeatedly, as long as the trigger is held down or until the magazine is exhausted. Automatic Guns are distinguished from semi-automatic Guns in their ability to fire more than one shot in succession once the trigger is pulled.

Single, Double Action, SA/DA

  • Check out my post explaining Single and Double action!

  • Single-Action (SA): trigger performs the single action of releasing the hammer or striker to discharge the firearm each time the trigger is pulled.

  • Double-Action (DA): The trigger both cocks and releases the hammer or striker

  • SA-DA:  A SA/DA firearm combines the features of both mechanisms. You can pull the trigger in Double Action when the hammer is down which cocks and releases the trigger or you can cock the hammer with your thumb and then release the trigger using Single Action to fire the weapon. 

Lever Action, Pump Action, Bolt Action

  • Lever Action: In a classic lever-action firearm, rounds are individually loaded into a tubular magazine parallel to and below the barrel. A short bolt is held in place with an over center toggle action. Once closed, the over center action prevents opening solely by the force on the bolt when the weapon is fired. This toggle action is operated by a hand grip that forms part of the trigger guard. When operated, a spring in the tubular magazine pushes a fresh round into position. Returning the operating lever to the home position chambers the round and closes the breach.

  • Pump Action: With a pump-action firearm, the action is operated by a movable fore-end that goes backwards and forwards to eject, extract, and chamber a round of ammunition. Pump-actions are usually associated with shotguns.

  • Bolt Action: The bolt opens and closes the breech end of the barrel and contains the firing pin. The bolt is held in place with a lever that fits into a notch. Moving this lever out of the notch will release the restraint on the bolt, allowing it to be drawn back. An extractor removes the spent cartridge, which is then ejected through the lever slot. A spring at the bottom of the magazine pushes up the reserve rounds, positioning the topmost between the bolt and the chamber at the base of the barrel. Pushing the bolt lever forward chambers this round and pushing the lever into the notch locks the bolt and enables the trigger mechanism.

Magazine vs Clip

  • Magazine: A magazine is an ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating firearm. Magazines can be removable (detachable) or integral to the firearm. The magazine functions by moving the cartridges stored in the magazine into a position where they may be loaded into the chamber by the action of the firearm. The detachable magazine is often referred to as a clip, although this is technically inaccurate.

  • Clip: A clip is a device that is used to store multiple rounds of ammunition together as a unit, ready for insertion into the magazine or cylinder of a firearm. This speeds up the process of loading and reloading the firearm as several rounds can be loaded at once, rather than one round being loaded at a time. The term "clip" is also frequently used to refer to a detachable magazine, though such usage is incorrect.

Categories: .20 cal, .22 cal, .43 cal, .68 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, 6mm, 8mm, 9mm, AEG, Airsoft, BB, Blank Gun, Blowback, Break Barrel, Bulk Air, CO2, Full Auto, GBB, Multi-pump, PCP, Paintball, Pellet, Pistol, Repeater, Revolver, Rifle, Single Shot, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags:

Personal Pre-owned Airguns for Sale

3 Comments

ALL GUNS ARE NOW SOLD - THANKS FOR THE AWESOME RESPONSE!

This is a first for me but I guess you could say I have to make room for some more guns ;) I have some duplicate guns and a couple I juts don't have a need for anymore so instead of having them sit around collecting dust, I thought I would offer them up for sale and get them in the hands of someone who can really appreciate and get some use out of them...

Here is a list of the items up for sale: 

  • Baikal IZH-61 .177 Caliber Spring Piston Pellet Rifle: $115
  • Baikal MP-655K Pellet/BB CO2 Pistol (missing pellet magazine): $125
  • Umarex CP99 Compact CO2 BB Blowback Pistol: $50
  • Swiss Arms Sig Sauer GSR 1911 CO2 BB Pistol: $30
  • ASG CZ 75 P-07 DUTY Dual Tone CO2 BB Blowback Pistol: $125
  • Umarex Beretta M92FS .177 Caliber CO2 Pellet Pistol - Nickel with Wood Grips: $200
  • (2x) AK47 BB Gun Magazines: $50 Each
  • Crosman 2240 .22 Caliber CO2 Pellet Pistol (14 inch barrel, RJMachine Breach/Brass Bolt, Wood Grip, NcSTAR 6x32 Scope): $225

Shipping/Handling is $15 Canadian and $25 to the US and you must be 18 or over to buy. You will need to email me at mike@replicaairguns.com to let me know what gun/guns you want to buy - first come first serve, I will send a PayPal request to the person with the first offer to buy and give them 24 hours to pay or I move on to the next buyer.

You can watch my YouTube Video to get a good look at each pre-owned item up for sale:

Categories: .22 cal, 4.5mm / .177 cal, BB, Blowback, Break Barrel, CO2, Pellet, Pistol, Repeater, Replica Airguns News, Rifle, Scope, Semi Auto, Single Shot, Spring Piston, YouTube Video Tags: