In this part of the review I test the Smith & Wesson 357 CO2 Pellet Revolver using my Chronograph to see what the 5 shot feet per second average is using a brand new CO2. I got pretty close to the factory (even a bit over) claimed 425 fps using RWS 7 grain lead pellets on this rather cold day so you can expect better fps on a nice warm summer day.
I also take the Smith & Wesson 357 686 CO2 Pellet Revolver back 30 feet and shoot it at a target using a semi rested position (sand bag up front, standing in the back) and again although I did not get teh same half inch grouping I got in my preliminary testing, I did manage to get a nice tight grouping , keep in mind the Umarex Smith & Wesson 357 is an action shooter but is capable of target pistol like accuracy.
All in all the Umarex Smith & Wesson 357 686 CO2 Pellet Revolver performed very well. That said I was able to get tighter groups and higher fps so expect this Umarex high grade CO2 pistol to perform very well for you.
Watch my Field Test Shooting Vimeo Video Review for the Umarex Smith & Wesson 357 686:
It would not be the end of another year without another Airgun, Airsoft Gun and Blank Gun Collection video for you. This year I'm not showing all my guns, I started to take them out and quickly realized there where just way too many and this years video would have been several hours long and would have taken most of the week for me to shoot and edit...
So this year I have hand picked some of my top favorites and most notable replica Airgun, Airsoft Gun and Blank Guns. They may not all be the best made or hardest shooters or even all that accurate but each one has some significants to me.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Smith & Wesson 357 686 Revolver is very light and smooth in both single and double action. Single action is much shorter and a bit lighter with just a very short take up to it. In double action it does get a hair heavier and much longer as is expected but still very usable and easy to shoot quickly and with accuracy.
Accuracy: I found the Umarex S&W 686 pellet revolver to have some of the best accuracy I have tested out of a pistol, getting about a half inch grouping from 30 feet out in a semi rested position (sand bag up front, standing in the back). I also put 5 rounds through my Chrony Chronograph and the Umarex 357 686 averaged right around 450 fps using RWS 7 grain lead pellets which is even better than the claimed 425 fps from Umarex.
Build Quality:The Umarex Smith & Wesson 357 686 CO2 Pellet Revolver is almost entirely metal with the acceptation of the rubber grips and front removable sight, it has a very substantial overall weight and feel to it coming in at just under three pounds. Keep in mind this is one of the higher end German made Umarex guns and you can tell in the workmanship and fit and finish. All the mechanical parts work flawlessly and have very tight tolerances, the finish is also superb. Yes the price is up there but this is a an airgun you will most likely be passing down to future generations one day as a collectors item, and I would imagine also in working condition.
Realism:The Umarex S&W 686 is a replica of the real stell Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum and overall looks pretty similar in shape and style. It would have been nice to have seen a full swing our cylinder but this would have meant a more complicated design with potentially less performance? In a perfect world, loadable shell casings like the Dan Wesson would have been very cool but keep in mind this is an airgun that really performs in terms of power and accuracy. Mine was the silver version, I would have liked to have seen a color matched magazine but since it is metal it could be color matched after the fact. The Smith & Wesson licensing and markings along with the heavy weight, hidden CO2 Tab and recessed barrel help to give the Umarex S&W 686 a very believable look and feel.
Pretty much all metal, has a nice solid feel and good weight.
Higher than claimed fps (right around 450 fps)
Amazing accuracy, one of my best pistols tested to date.
Very high quality German made workmanship.
Very comfortable rubber grips.
Fully adjustable rear sight (windage and elevation).
Well hidden CO2 tab.
Full S&W licensing, good overall replica.
Single and double action with a nice trigger in both SA and DA.
Magazines are removable for easy loading and have a high 10 shot load capacity.
Cons:
A bit on the expensive side of things.
Rotary magazine is not color matched on the Silver version.
On the low side of shots per CO2 (About 60-70).
No rail mount for a accessories of any type.
Comments:
The Umarex Smith & Wesson 686 CO2 Pellet Revolver is not for everyone and I say that because the $250 plus price point is going to be just too much for many buyers. If you can find a way to get past the price then you will have a very high quality German made air gun on your hands, not only are the Smith & Wesson 568/686 CO2 Pellet revolvers very well made but they also perform as good if not better in terms of accuracy and velocity then even some dedicated target air pistols I have tested. Looks will not let you down either and I would not be surprised that this gun if well taken care of can be passed down to future generations as a working collectors item. If you are looking for a high quality, excellent performing replica pellet revolver then make sure to consider the Umarex Smith & Wesson 586 and 686 line of CO2 replica pellet revolvers.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex HK G36 KVis fairly short and light as it is essentially just an electrical on off switch for the internal electronic components. You can shoot the G36 very quickly in semi auto mode, and in full auto it cycles very quickly giving a high rate of fire.
Accuracy: In my brief pre-testing without any sighting in, the Umarex Heckler & Koch G36 KV shot just a bit off center to the right from a 30 foot semi rested position and produced a nice 2 inch grouping. In full auto the grouping opened up a bit but still punched a nice 1.5 inch hole in the target with most of the BB hitting there.
Build Quality: The Umarex HK G36 KV is very well made, yes it has lots of polymer but so does the real version and the plastic seems very durable, the fit and finish looked great and there is a lot of metal in and around the G36 where it would be on the real steel gun and where it is really required to be. Like the trigger, top rail, pins, selector switch, barrel, gearbox and gears.
Realism: Similar to my WE G39C reviewed earlier, I bet if you had a real Heckler & Koch G36 sitting beside the Umarex HK G36 KV, you would be hard pressed to tell them apart? The Umarex is also fully HK licensed and trademark throughout even including the 5.56mm NATO markings.
Excellent attention to detail with lots of working parts.
All metal internals and metal external mechanical parts.
Semi auto & full auto selectable.
Full HK licensing and markings.
Accurate 2 inch 10 shot group from 30 feet out.
Nice high 450+ FPS.
Full ambidextrous, even the charging handle can be switched side to side.
High capacity magazine (400 rounds)
Built in 3x optical sight with ability to add a Red Dot for close quarter shooting.
4 position adjustable folding stock.
Easy access to hop up system.
Cons:
Does not come with a battery or charger.
Came with the orange tip, you may want to replace it or paint it black?
May be too powerful for close quarter skirmishes without some detuning.
Comments:
This is my first Umarex Airsoft rifle product review and I have to say it really seems good so far, I have not had a lot of hands on time shooting the Umarex HK G36 KV but right out of the box I was getting very good results, nice high 450+ fps and good groupings even out at further range. The fit and finish are all very good and the realism is as good, if not better than other Airsoft AEG I have reviewed. I like the built in 3x Optical Scope and the addition of an upper rail to accommodate a Red Dot, this gives you the ability to acquire quick close up shot placements using a Red Dot while also being able to focus in on further out targets using the magnified optical scope. I look forward to my official Field Test shooting review.
Sometimes we all get caught up in which gun is brand new and has the most realistic features. I wanted to put the focus back on a few high quality German made Umarex Airguns that where designed from the ground up to be very good replicas but also take into consideration that yes, they are airguns and so they should be designed to operate like an airgun and have excellent build quality, and performance. Quality and performance sometimes gets sacrificed on newer guns that just go after realism and can sacrifice form over function.
Sure these German made Umarex air pistols are not cheap, but hold one in your hand and shoot it and you will quickly see that they are built to last a lifetime, these guns are an investment!
I have already reviewed the Colt Government 1911 A1 (Satin version), I wanted to also show you how it looks in the all black model. Two other Umarex German made guns I have been asked often to review are the Walther CP99 and Smith & Wesson 586/686 Revolvers. I am happy to inform you that I have these guns on hand and will be reviewing them shortly for you.
You can watch my Update video to see a bit of a preview of these very fine German made Umarex pellet shooters:
These are the 7 shot .22 caliber blank front firing versions, very high German quality, come in a nice presentation box and include the flare adaptor! Grab yours before they are gone again...
A bit of a heads up, one of our most poplar BB and Airsoft Pistols, the Dan Wesson line is for the most part fairly well stocked right now in the Canada Replica Airguns Store and ready for the Christmas rush! With that said don't hold off too long because we always run out of at least a few of the most popular versions...
As with most new items I pickup, I like to share them with everyone. I am checking into some more ROHM blank guns, an RG-59 and RG-88, the RG-59 is a lot like the ROHM RG-56 .22 caliber blank revolver I sell in the Canada Replica Airguns Store but in .380 caliber and the one I show off here is a 5 shot two-tone model. Other than that they use the same frame and mechanical parts throughout.
I also received a black/blued ROHM RG-88 which is kind of like a Walther PPK in design, it field strips the same, has a similar safety setup and even has a similar size and look to it although it is definitely not a replica of a Walther PPK. I am impressed with the overall quality of the ROHM blank guns, material used, fit and finish is very good.
Lastly, I acquired a pre-owned Umarex CP99 CO2 Pellet Pistol from a customer of mine. It is in pretty much in new condition and is one of the Umarex guns I was missing in my collection and have been looking to add. The Umarex CP99 is a pretty good replica of the Walther P99 and uses the standard Umarex metal 8 shot rotary magazines and shares the same CO2 grip fed magazine as the CPSport. The CP99 is German made so it's not one of the lower cost Umarex pistols out there but you do get what you pay for ;)
For my Canadian Blank Gun collectors, I'm not going to list these ones as Silent Auction items this time around so if you're looking for an EKOL blank gun, I have one of each of the following versions for sale:
Model:ME Ranger (1873 Colt 45 Single Action Army).
Materials: Mostly Metal with wood grips.
Weight: 2.2 pounds.
Barrel: Cylinder venting with fully plugged barrel. (No Red Tip)
Propulsion: Gun powder.
Action: Single action only.
Ammunition Type: .380 Crimped.
Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.
FPS: N/A.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Bruni ME Ranger Colt 45 Single Action Army Revolver is very light as it is a single action revolver and most of the effort is done by pre-cocking the hammer. All you are doing is releasing the hammer which with the ME Ranger is nice and light with next to no creep.
Accuracy: NA.
Build Quality: The overall build quality of the Bruni ME Ranger is nice an believable. It has good weight to it and the finish is not perfect but you would not expect and Single Action Army styled revolver to be perfect. All the mechanical parts felt tight and functioned perfectly for me.
Realism: The Bruni ME Ranger Blank Revolver is a pretty decent replica of a real Colt 45 Single Action Army Revolver in terms of size, weight and most general appearances. It does lack the 45 caliber larger more open Cylinder holes as it is chambered in .380 caliber but you can only see this when looking from the forward position of the ME Ranger. My version also had the plugged barrel so all flame and gasses emit from between the cylinder and the back of the barrel, it would be nice to un-plug this barrel so some of the gasses and flame would come out the front of the barrel.
Purchase from: A private collector.
Pros:
Well made, materials fit and finish is all very good.
True to the original 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver.
Real wood grips.
Nice light single action trigger.
Made in Italy.
Cons:
Not fornt venting.
9mm P.A.K. blanks do not fit - too long.
Wood grips are a bit bland.
Comments:
As my first replica Old West Single Action Blank Revolver, it is a nice addition to my collection. It would make an awesome prop for any cowboy or cowgirl costume, maybe I can convince my wife to go as a cowgirl this year for halloween ;) Overall I really like the Bruni ME Ranger and I plan to perhaps open the barrel up so that I get a more realistic shooting experience with flames and smoke coming out the front of the barrel. That and perhaps some work on the grips to give them a more rugged and weathered look.
My Vimeo Full Video Review for the Bruni ME Ranger Blank Revolver:
I already posted that I recently hit 10,000,00 YouTube video Views but I have been hinting about there being another Giveaway/Contest. After much thought I wanted to have a way that more than just one person could benefit from this. So I decided to list a bunch of my Canada Store products on sale. (Sorry US customers but I have a lot more restrictions in the US when it comes to what I can do with my pricing).
These Canadian sales will be in effect from now until October 10th and to make things even better, one lucky shopper during this time will get their entire order for free (This includes US Customers too).
So make sure to get in on the savings and the chance to get your order free!
In this "Update Video" I also show off some new previously owned guns added to my collection, an Airsoft ASG shell ejecting CZ 75, a no-name KSC Airsoft shooter and a Gamo Combat .177 caliber pellet revolver. And if you're into spring piston break barrel pistols, make sure to watch for my customized Exisco XSP180 .177 caliber Verminator!
Ten Million Video Views Giveaway Plus CZ 75 - Glock Airsoft - Gamo Combat Pellet Revolver
Here is a sample of some of the items on sale right now...
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman 357 is decent in both single and double action. Single action is much shorter and lighter but not overly light with just a very short break to it. In double action it does get heavier and much longer as is expected. People with small hands may have to adjust their grip so they will have enough extension for the entire trigger pull, this is partially because of the larger grips that sit far back on the revolver frame.
Accuracy: I found the Crosman 357 pellet revolver to have excellent accuracy, getting about a 1 inch grouping from 30 feet out in a semi rested position (sand bag up front, standing in the back). I also put 6 rounds through my Chrony Chronograph and the Crosman 357 averaged 402 fps using RWS 6.9 grain lead pellets.
Build Quality:The Crosman 357 CO2 Pellet Revolver uses a combination of metal and plastic and has a good overall weight and feel to it. There could be more metal (like in the outer barrel) but Crosman used metal parts where they really needed to be like in the main frame, trigger, hammer, CO2 area and inner barrel. This air pistol has been around for a long time and so you can count on all the bugs being worked out. You will not find a great amount of detail in the Crosman 357 and some of the joints seem a bit unrefined but overall it is a nice looking airgun and feels well made.
Realism: The Crosman 357 is a replica of the Colt Python 357 Magnum and overall looks similar in shape. I would have liked to have seen a full swing our cylinder but this would have meant a complete redesign and the Crosman 357 main design goes back to the early 80's. Yes there are some newer revolver styled airguns like the Dan Wesson that have full swing out cylinders (BB only) but I still would have liked to have seen this, maybe on a future updated revision?
Inexpensive Pellet revolver, not really any other pellet revolvers out there to compare to.
Good usage of metal parts. (Metal trigger, hammer, frame, barrel, CO2 tab screw).
Single and double action trigger.
Excellent accuracy and good power with a reasonable amount of shots per CO2.
Can mount optics on the dove tail railed barrel.
High capacity 10 round removable magazine.
Fully adjustable rear sight.
Cons:
Outer barrel is plastic.
Grips and trigger pull length may be a bit long for smaller handed people when shooting in double action.
Some of the finish detail could be better (seems).
A slight recess on the inner barrel would have added to the realism.
Comments:
Reviewing this fun Crosman Pellet revolver was a bit of a walk in the past for me. back when I was in my early teens I had one and it went with me on just about all of my back woods adventures. I'd have to say I learned how to shoot with this pistol and it felt right at home back in my hands after all these years... Back in the day I didn't do any scientific testing with my Crosman revolver but I can tell you it shot hard and true then, just like it does now! I'm not sure why I held out so long getting another one, the price is right and if you are looking for a nice multi-shot pellet pistol with excellent accuracy and good power for well under $100, the Crosman 357 might just be for you.
Sorry for not posting any videos for almost a week but the kids are back to school and I was also away in Whistler on a short family get away for the first half of the week. So I thought I would put together a quick Update video to show off some new products added to the Canada Replica Airguns Store and also an upcoming product review of a Crosman Pellet Revolver.
In this video Update I show you around two KWC Airsoft pistols, the Sig Pro SP2022, and the Taurus PT 24 (24/7), both of which I just added to the Canada Replica Airguns Store. I also show you a very nice alternative to the Cybergun Sig Sauer P226 X-Five - the KWC Equivalent which almost exactly the same but with an adjustable rear sight, flared magwell and an unlicensed slide.
One air pistol I get asked to review over and over again is the Crosman 357 .177 caliber pellet revolver and so I contacted Crosman and they where kind enough to send me one for review, so keep checking back for that one, it will be coming up soon.
Oh-yh, one more thing. I briefly mention an upcoming contest/giveaway that will coincide with my 10,000,000 YouTube Channel Video View that should be happening in the next couple of week!
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull for both ROHM Le Petit and Little Joe blank revolvers in single action is nice and light. The action for both blank revolvers is very solid so cocking both guns requires a firm grip, the ROHM Le Petit also allows for double action shots and while it takes some force, the mechanics are very smooth and you can really feel the German quality in the hammer and trigger.
Accuracy: NA.
Build Quality: Even though both revolvers are made as blank/signal guns and do utilize scaled down metals (not high pressure gun steel), they are made very well and many of the internal mechanical parts, pins and screws are solid steel. The fit and finish is excellent and both guns worked flawlessly for me in my testing.
Realism: Both ROHM blank Revolvers are derivatives of similar real guns (Freedom Arms and RG 22) but again have been made from the ground up to be blank guns and can not be converted in any way shape or form to fire live ammo. The quality and feel is very believable, they also both fire out the front of the barrels and can shoot 15mm flares with the required flare adaptors attached.
Can also shoot 15mm flares with appropriate flare adaptor attached.
Come in gift box with cleaning rod and manuals (Le Petit RG-56 also comes with flare adaptor)
Cons:
Real wood grips would have been a nice touch but could be added later.
Little Joe does not come with a flare adaptor.
Comments:
We now have some blank guns that seem to be somewhat available in Canada... At least for now! And even though some of the other blank guns I was selling may have been more to the liking of the folks that where looking for a semi auto styled blank gun, the good news is both of these guns are very high quality and revolvers in general are very dependable. I also like the fact that both of the ROHM Blank Revolvers are fairly compact and so if you want to take them with you out on a hike or in the back country, they will not take up much room or add too much weight, but are still ready if required to scare off something bigger or more dangerous than you!
After what has been a very long absence of any new Blank (Flare Guns) in the Replica Airguns Canada Store, I managed to find a supplier for some very high quality German made .22 caliber compact revolvers. These two ROHM (RÖHM) blank revolvers are almost all metal with the exception of the grips and for their size are very hefty. The ROHM Le Petit RG-56 and Little Joe both come in a nice gift box with the manual and cleaning rod while the larger RG-56 also included a flare adaptor.
RÖHM Le Petit RG-56 .22 Blank Revolver:
The RÖHM Le Petit RG-56 22 Blank Revolver is a very high quality German made almost all metal blank gun that uses affordable .22 caliber acorn blanks. It is very compact, front firing and has an 7 shot cylinder. The RG-56 comes presented in a gift box with a manual, flare adaptor and cleaning rod.
Mostly metal construction
German made
.22 caliber acorn style blanks
7 shot capacity
Single & double action
Hefty 472 grams - 1 pound
Flare adaptor included
Cleaning rod included
Comes in a gift box
RÖHM Little Joe Ultra Compact .22 Blank Revolver:
The RÖHM Little Joe Ultra Compact .22 Blank Revolver is a very high quality German made almost all metal super compact blank gun that uses affordable .22 caliber acorn blanks. It is ultra compact, front firing and has a 5 shot cylinder. The RÖHM Little Joe comes presented in a gift box with a manual and cleaning rod.
Materials: Mostly metal with some plastic construction.
Weight: 2.3 pounds.
Barrel: 6 inches, non-rifled.
Propulsion: 12 gram CO2.
Action: Revolver, single & double actions.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.
FPS: 400fps.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8 is good in both single and double action, I wouldn't say it isn't supper light in either action but pretty decent overall. I found shooting in single action to be the most precise as the release point is instant. Shooting in double action was also fairly predictable.
Accuracy: The results I got shooting my 6 round group from a 20 foot out position where none other than impressive and I would have to say the 327 TRR8 shot the best group (just over a 1/2 inch) I have ever recorded using 4.5mm steel BB's. I'm not even sure if I have bettered these results using pellets from a rifled barreled pistol? This goes to show you how well an accurate BB gun can perform when shooting from a reasonable distance.
Build Quality: With the Umarex S&W 327 TRR8 Revolver being mostly metal, you would expect it to have a decent build quality and I am happy to say it does. Everything looked and fit well, the CO2 Revolver had good heft to it and I had absolutely no problems shooting this gun. My only real reservation is the plastic CO2 screw tab but so far with my other guns that have the same type of tabs, they are holding up well.
Realism:The Umarex Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8 is very realistic in terms of looking and operating as a revolver with it's brass shell casings you load juts like a real revolver, so yes it feels realistic and even looks a lot like a S&W 327 TRR8 to some degree. With that said, Umarex has taken some liberty on this one most likely because it is built off an existing airgun frame and to make it into a true 327 TRR8 replica would have required a complete redesign. I would have to say the Umarex S&W M&P R8 is actually a closer 327 TRR8 Replica than the gun reviewed in this video.
It's a revolver with actual shells! Gives you the feeling of loading and shooting a real revolver.
Almost all metal design.
Lots of detail in this gun, very well made, fit and finish is excellent.
Excellent power, accuracy and shots per CO2.
Adjustable fiber optic sights.
Lots of places to mount accessories.
Cons:
Plastic CO2 screw tab could cause problems down the road?
Only shoots BB's - why not make a pellet version with a rifled barrel?
Actually shoots 6 rounds not 8 like the real version of this revolver.
Comments:
What's not to like about this Umarex Smith & Wesson Revolver? It's built very well, it most certainly looks good, it has the best tested accuracy I have seen so far from a BB gun, it shot even higher velocities than claimed, it gets tons of shots from a single CO2, and it loads up just like a real steel revolver but at a fraction of the cost to shoot! If you want to customize yours you have plenty of options with two weaver mounts top and bottom and it comes in at a very reasonable price tag!
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX is not too bad but I feel it is a bit heavier than the claimed 5.75 pounds. In comparison to my real steel 22LR Buck Mark, the trigger is much heavier but then again my 22LR trigger is what I would consider to be near perfection. I was able to work with the trigger as is but found I was expecting the trigger to release earlier then it actually did and I needed to apply just a bit more force than I would have liked to. Even so, with a bit of practice I was able to nail my shots.
Accuracy: Wow is all I can say, you will need to work withe the Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX a bit to get used to where the trigger breaks but once you dial it in this airgun is a tac driver. I decided to go with a non-magnified NcSTAR Ultra Compact 1x25 Red/Green Dot Sight and found it worked well with this Buck Mark pellet shooter. From 30 feet out I was able to land 4 shots pretty much right on top of each other and ended up with an under 1 inch 5 shot group, and keep in mind that I was only using a standing but rested stance (non braced).
Build Quality: Considering the very low price tag for this pellet shooting Buck Mark Replica, I was not expecting it to be as well constructed as it was, there is a decent amount of metal in teh URX giving it a nice 1.5 pound heftiness to it and the rubberized grips make this air pistol feel much more expensive than it is. My only concern is the hinge area in the break barrel portion of the gun, once cocked there seems to be some play that could effect accuracy down the road when wear appears. But once locked back into the closed position the play is all but eliminated.
Realism: The Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX is a licensed replica of the actual Browning Buck Mark 22LR semi auto pistol. Umarex did a great job making this break barrel pistol look very close in most ways to the actual Browning Buck Mark URX with the exception of the lever required to cock the spring that is located just under the back of the barrel. The barrel itself is also a tad bit long but I am sure this helps when cocking to get a bit more leverage. When you consider this is a single shot break barrel pellet shooting version, it looks pretty authentic and most importantly it feels very similar to the real 22LR version which makes it a great off range alternative for 22LR Buck Mark owners.
Some more updates for you, I received some more NcSTAR Accessories for my Canada Replica Airguns Store, some Red Dots, Scopes, Lasers, Tactical Lights, Rails, Bipods and some Vests, Slings and Holsters. I will be updating the Canada Store shortly with these very well priced items shortly so check back soon!
I also have a couple more blank guns that I will be conducting a Silent Auction on shortly: An EKOL Lady in Satin and an EKOL Special 99 in "White", which is more like a soft textured Nickel.
Lastly I also just picked up my first paintball pistol a RAM X50 and it is one I have been after for a while since I am a big Sig fan. It' basically an unlicensed Sig Sauer 226 that uses CO2 and chambers .43 caliber paintball and/or rubber balls. It is blowback and has a drop out 9 round metal magazine.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ASG AW .308 Sniper Rifle is very nice, there is very little play, once the trigger safety is flush the release is almost instant and the pull is very light but not so light that you would accidentally shoot it.
Accuracy: Being an Airsoft Rifle and a Sniper rifle in one made me wonder if you could actually get a tight grouping at longer distances? I'm sure hitting a human target at 60 feet shouldn't be too hard but what about a pop can consistently? With a bit of fine tuning I was able to get a 2 inch grouping at 60 feet out using a rested position. And with the Hop-up dialed in, my aim point was the same at 30 feet as it was at 60 feet as a result of the backspin keeping the trajectory even all the way out.
Build Quality:The ASG AW .308 is not over the top price wise so I was not expecting it to be built like a Sherman tank. It is however solid enough but also light enough to use in the field without having to lug around too much extra weight. Most of the parts that you want to be metal are metal including the barrel, bolt & receiver, trigger, magazine, strap rings and rial system. The stock is of course plastic with some added rubber and seems to be hollow in parts which I am assuming is what keeps this rifle on the lean side.
Realism: Without actually having handled a real AW .308 Accuracy International England Sniper Rifle, it's hard to say how spot on it is but it does look very similar to the photos I found online with the exception of the magazine being further forward on the stock. It is a nice touch that the actual Accuracy International England licensing is also on the ASG AW .308.
Extremely fun to shoot (Even though it's not a semi or full auto gun).
No CO2 or batteries required, ready when you are.
Excellent accuracy at most ranges.
Very nice trigger.
Good power.
Good use of metal parts.
Will not break the bank.
Cons:
Does not come with a sighting system so you need to buy something to shoot it.
Light Airsoft BB's will not give you good results, use high end heavy Airsoft BB's for best results.
Stock looks adjustable but is not, was not a problem, everything felt good!
Some things are not explained in the manual?
Comments:
I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing this Airsoft rifle, you would think that a full auto gun would be so much more fun to shoot and don't get me wrong they are fun to shoot, but there is something to be said about setting up a target well down range, getting into position to take the shot and slowly squeezing off one well placed round! And of course hitting the target. I really like the fact that all you need is a bunch of Airsoft BB's and you're ready to go, no CO2, no dead batteries to deal with. Every time a do another Airsoft review I am impressed with how well these guns shoot and how accurate they are! The ASG AW .308 took this to an even higher level and also showed me that an Airsoft BB can pack some real punch to it. All in all it was a good day and I have a feeling when I get the urge to fire off some well placed rounds just for fun, this rifle is going to get picked more often than not.
I just received some of my ASG Airsoft guns in my BC location and wanted to make an update video for you so you can see them up close and perhaps see how they stack up against their Airgun counterparts. Keep in mind many of my ASG guns are only available in the Canada Replica Airguns Store, we do have some ASG Airsoft guns for my US based customers but this time here in Canada I have more to offer my Canadian folks!
I am also super impressed with the high quality of the LMT Defender M4 Carbines, they are a serious bit of gear and have some very good heft to them, even more so than my full metal King Arms M4A1 I already sell and have done a full review of, not to take anything away from the Kings Arms product as it is very good at its price point.
I also received my first sniper rifle and have played around with it a bit to see what it is capable of. I added a bipod to the front and a 3x9 power scope as the ASG AW .308 comes pretty bare bones but ready for all you can throw at it. I can say it likes heavier Airsoft BB's, as the .20 gram ones I started with seemed to fly off in all directions due to the high velocity, even stepping up to a .25 gram BB tightened my group up significantly at 30 feet. I have heard this rifle really prefers heavy Airsoft BB's so I plan do do my review based on that information.
Enjoy my Vimeo Video Update focusing on the new ASG Airsoft lineup.