In this Comparison video I go through the benefits and shortcomings of both Blowback and Non-Blowback Airguns. I focus mainly on Airguns but there is a definite crossover with Airsoft guns.
Here are some basic statements that best describe both Blowback and Non-Blowback Airguns.
Blowback Airguns:
Blowback Airguns usually have a movable slide that moves back and forth with each shot.
Sometimes the blowback operation is internal (Internal bolt) so there may not be an external moveable slide.
Some CO2 is used to move the slide rearwards in a Blowback Airgun.
The Blowback motion of the slide with some blowback airguns can also cock the hammer or internal striker allowing for true single action trigger pull. But not always!
Some Blowback airguns have the potential for full auto capabilities since they can have a true semi auto action.
There is some noticeable recoil from the Blowback action simulating the recoil of a real gun.
Non-Blowback Airguns:
Non-Blowback Airguns can have fixed or movable slides but they will not cycle back and forth with each shot.
Non-Blowback Airguns tend to have less working parts since no Blowback valves are required or even a moveable slide.
There are some Blowback and Non-Blowback Airguns that field strip similarly to their real steel counterparts but this is most commonly found in Blowback Airguns.
Non-Blowback Airguns require the shooter to cock the hammer for single action shooting or use a double action trigger pull for semi auto like performance.
Pros:
Blowback Airguns:
Blowback Action causes a noticeable recoil which makes the airgun feel more realistic.
Blowback Airguns in some cases have true semi auto action with true single action triggers which mimic the authenticity of the real steel versions of the guns they replicate much better making them better training tools.
Having some recoil makes blowback Airguns potentially better training tools.
Blowback Airguns look really cool when shooting them and are great action prop guns.
Non-Blowback Airguns:
Non-Blowback Airguns tend to have less working parts so less to go wrong and more reliability.
Non-Blowback Airguns can be more accurate since the recoil from the blowback is not a factor.
Non-Blowback Airguns have more potential power and more shots per CO2 since no CO2 is robbed for the blowback operation.
Cons:
Blowback Airguns:
Blowback operation can rob some of the power and will also rob how many shots you get from the Airgun.
Blowback Airguns are effected even more by cold weather and the cool down effect.
The recoil from Blowback Airguns can effect accuracy for some shooters.
Non-Blowback Airguns:
Non-Blowback airguns are generally double action when shooting semi auto and so the trigger pull will be longer and heavier.
Non-Blowback Airguns do not replicate the recoil action of a real gun.
Non-Blowback Airguns do not look as cool to shoot and are not as good of an action prop gun.
I stopped by the ICS Booth, we don't sell too much of their products but have carried a few items from time to time. ICS caries some nice quality Airsoft guns including the M1 Grand with real wood stock, and some AK & AR variants.
One of our suppliers had the new FN Herstal Five-seveN Blowback Airsoft pistol, I believe made by Marushin. Like the real FN Herstal Five-seveN, the pistol is pretty much all polymer including the slide and frame. This pistol also uses CO2 in the full size drop out magazine which should make it fairly powerful.
Looks like there is another Dan Wesson contender available now in the form of a Swiss Arms S&W 357 Magnum 4 inch and 6 inch barreled version, they look really nice and like the Dan Wesson have the realistic reusable brass shells that hold the 4.5mm Steel BB's.
Ever considered owning a mobile Gunsmith vehicle, look no further, I came across this pimped out Firearms Van complete with machine guns mounted in the front :) Inside was a complete firearms workshop.
Last but not least, we had some fun while in Vegas. I go down for the SHOT Show for business but I also bring my wife and we make time for some non business related activities. I generally stay at the WorldMark resort each time and this year the weather was pretty nice so we where able to get some sun by the pool a couple of days and I even got a tan line! Of course the food and entertainment is always awesome in Vegas.
We carry a lot of the G&G line and perhaps have as much in stock as you would find at the G& G booth ;) I did see a few items we do not have in stock so I will have to see what I can do about that. Some products that I hope to see added to our Canada Replica Airguns Store would for sure be the M1 Grand and our Canadian Military Colt C7A1/2.
One company I took notice of was Inokatsu, they make super high quality Airsoft guns. I was drawn to their Sig Sauer P229 and 1911 pistols that by the way are made out of real steel and as close to the real version as possible without it being a real gun. The Inokatsu pistols I looked at are not cheap and will set you back over a grand but are as close as you can get to a real sidearm as possible in an Airsoft version. They feel amazing to shoot with heavy blowback and that sound real steel makes when the slide snaps back.
Let me know if you're like me and would be willing to part with a substantial amount of money for one of these treasures?
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!
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KSC M11A1 GBB Airsoft Machine Pistol is pretty much exactly what you would expect from this fast firing single action only semi and full auto machine pistol, it has a really short take-up and then a nice crisp light trigger pull. Since it is an open bolt system, you will need to pull back the bolt for the first shot, releasing the trigger releases the bolt, just like with a real M11A1.
Accuracy: At this point because I received this gun from another collector in used condition, it is not working 100%, the hop-up bucking was damaged and the new ones I ordered are not the correct versions for this Airsoft gun. It does shoot but it is temperamental, sometimes the bolt will not cycle all the way and I have no idea how this is effecting the fps and accuracy. It would not be fair to test it in this condition, hopefully I can find the right hop-up bucking for it and do the Field Test Shooting Review at some point.
Build Quality: MyKSC M11A1 GBB Airsoft Machine Pistol has been used a fair bit so it is somewhat battle scarred, still it looks pretty good and other than the Hop-up bucking problem I am having it should be in working condition, unfortunately without the correct hop-up bucking, this gun will not work properly. Hopefully I can find a hop-up bucking? Even though much of this machine pistol is plastic externally, it has held up very well, the metal parts do also help to balance it off and give it a decent overall 3 pound weight which feels good considering it is such a small gun.
Realism: The KSC M11A1 GBB Airsoft Machine Pistol is a very close copy of the real steel Cobra M11A1 Machine Pistol, all the parts appear to function just like the original Cobra RPB Industries M11A1 and it even field strips in the same manor. The full licensing and trademarks also help to make this replica very believable.
Very realistic and accurate replica with full Cobra RPB Industries licensing.
Even though there is lots of external polymer, it still has good weight to it.
Full metal 40 round drop out magazine, holds BB's and Gas.
Everything works like the original, field strips and lots of mechanical parts.
Shoots in both semi and full auto.
Cons:
Hard to get here in Canada and hard to get parts here in Canada.
Mostly plastic main build - Limited usage of metal and steel.
Have no idea how it will perform because it is not functioning at 100%.
Comments:
Well I've pretty much said everything I can say without actually shooting it? Even though my used KSC M11A1 GBB Airsoft Machine Pistol is not in 100% working condition, I still like having it as I like the replica aspects of owning it, how else would I get my hands on a .380 caliber full auto machine pistol here in Canada ;) And you never know, I may just luck out and find the proper hop-up bucking for it and then have the chance to do my Field Test Shooting Review for you all :)
My Vimeo Table Top Review of the KSC M11A1 GBB Airsoft Machine Pistol:
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the G&G AR styled Airsoft CM16 Raider is very smooth, the CM16 Raider uses a mechanical trigger that once the charging handle has been pulled back or "charged", works in a single action only manor with a slight bit of take-up and then a light predictable release. Each time the closed bolt gas blowback system shoots a round in semi or full auto, the internal action is ready for the next single action shot.
Accuracy: So far I have not tested Version 2 of the G&G CM16 Raider, but I have tested Version 1 so here are the result I got with Version 1 until I do my official Field Shooting Test with Version 2. When shooting from a 30 foot distance I did get some nice closely grouped shots from the G&G CM16 Raider Gas Blowback but when shooting in full auto it did spread apart somewhat, maybe from the GBB recoil? Version1 of the G&G CM16 Raider GBB shot an average of just over the 325 fps, I was using .25 gram BB's and it was a cool day so you can expect higher fps out of the G&G CM16 Raider when conditions are better.
Build Quality: The G&G CM16 Raider GBB being built on G&G Combat Machine Platform is targeted more for the price conscience person. The quality is consistent and good and I did not mind having more plastic in the G&G CM16 Raider GBB as my plan from the beginning was to add a lot of extra accessories and starting out with a somewhat lighter footprint made the gun still relatively usable even when all geared up with extra accessories. I also feel the plastic or polymer fiber upper and lower receiver and RIS rail system will also wear better than steel as it is more likely to flex rather than break in many situations, not to mention metal will show scratches and wear more over time.
Realism: Airsoft AR rifles in my opinion are very realistic in general, even the AEG versions work just like the real steel AR's with working charging handles, dust covers, bolts, magazine, adjustable stocks and sights, but I would have to give the advantage to the gas Blowback systems like the G&G CM16 Raider GBB as it has a full internal bolt with some decent recoil, it can also be field striped very similarly to a real AR15 rifle. The shot count is more like what you would find in an M16 or AR rifle which means you will need to consider ammo shot assuage and reloading more carefully when using it in an Airsoft game.
Super affordable Gas Blowback Airsoft AR M16 styled Rifle.
Very high rate of fire in full auto.
Polymer shell is both light and very durable, does not show scratches or wear as easily as metal.
All most every part is operational - Fully Ambidextrous now.
Can be fully customized, lots of mounting points on the RIS Rail system.
Fully adjustable Crane Stock.
Removable rear Iron Sight can be swapped out for other sighting systems and hardware.
Version 2 is a significant upgrade from Version 1.
Internals can be swapped over to make it an AEG gun.
Cons:
Some people may not like the polymer RIS rails and upper and lower receiver?
Would have liked to have seen some sort of a plate over the pistol grip to finish it off.
Comments:
I already really liked Version 1 of the G&G CM16 Raider GBB Airsoft AR Rifle and even bought a bunch of magazines and gear to sport mine up for use in some local Airsoft games, the upgrades and improvements found in Version 2 are the icing on the cake! I am hoping the internal performance enhancements will increase the FPS just a bit and Gas efficiency somewhat over Version 2 but will find out when I give it a thorough testing shortly. If you have been a bit scared off by the higher prices of some GBB Gas Blowback Airsoft rifles then perhaps take a look at the G&G Combat Machine Platform CM16 Raider in GBB, it may just change your mind about Gas Blowback Airsoft rifles!
My Vimeo Video Review for the G&G CM16 Raider Airsoft GBB AR Styled Airsoft Rifles:
Every so often I come across some interesting guns that people are willing to trade or sell me, if the price is right or the trade involves a gun I can part with, then I go for it and hopefully end up with something I may not be able to get new or that for me is hard to acquire in Canada.
My most recent trade added two new guns to the collection, a KSC M11A1 Airsoft Machine Pistol and a Daisy Power Line 2003 .177 Caliber Pellet Pistol.
Both of these guns are very hard to get since the KWC Airsoft M11A1 shoots a bit too week for import into Canada, and the Daisy 2003 is no longer in production.
The KSC M11A1 is a 6mm Airsoft pistol that shoots in both semi and full auto using a Gas Blowback open bolt system, it is a replica of the .380 Caliber Cobra RPB Industries M11-A1. Mine came with a mock suppressor and 7 magazines, although not all of them are in working condition. The KSC M11A1 is in working condition but needs a new Hop-up Rubber Bucking which I have on order.
The Daisy Power Line 2003 seems to be in really good condition but still needs to be tested, it is one of the only true blowback semi auto pellet pistols I know of, what I mean by this, is it has a true blowback system with a true single action trigger which means it can be converted to full auto which is one of the reason Daisy may have discontinued it. The Daisy Power Line 2003 uses a very interesting 35 round rotational magazine. Some say it is loosely styled after a Browning High Power pistol.
Stay posted for reviews on both of these pistols down the road.
You may wonder why I am doing another video on the G&G CM16 Raider Gas Blowback Airsoft AR Rifle? That's because the one I have here in this Update Video is Version 2 and yes there is a difference. So far I can only tell you about the obvious stuff since I really have not tested it out to see if there are any other performance gains with Version 2 over Version 1.
G&G has made some improvement with Version 2 enhancing several areas:
First off, there is now a selector switch on both sides of the receiver allowing for left or right handed use.
Carrying on with the ambidextrous theme, G&G also added a magazine release to the left side of the receiver.
Another missing feature was a bolt lock out when your magazine was empty, this has been added and so the bolt will lock back about 1/3 the way back locking out the gun and letting you know when you are out of ammo.
The bolt release on Version 1 was just for show and did not function. On Version 2, with the bolt lock, G&G also added a working bolt release.
Those are some pretty significant improvements to the G&G Armament CM16 Raider GBB Version 2 in my books! So now it's time to test it out and see if full auto mode has been improved. I found with Version 1, that when using full auto, the G&G CM16 Raider GBB would have some trouble getting through a full mag dump but when shooting very quickly in semi auto had no problems at all.
We just received an order of KWC products so if you've been waiting for some out of stock items then go take a look! By the way, the KWC Beretta / Taurus full metal blowback BB and Airsoft versions now come semi and full auto enabled!
I originally made this Field Test Review Video a few months ago but had to pull it down because it featured two WE Products. The WE AK74-UN and the WE G18C which unfortunately looks a bit like a Glock. If you are not familiar with the video I made on the Glock Trademark Infringement Cease Order I received then you should probably watch that video, it will fill in some of the gaps on why I had to cut out the WE G18C portions from this video and repost it with only the parts that showcase the WE AK74-UN.
Anyways you can still read my Original Field Test Review post minus the video and photos of the WE G18C.
Action: Semi & full auto, single action only with full blowback.
Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 16 round full size drop out metal magazine.
FPS: 280+.
Trigger Pull: The Single Action Only trigger pull on the Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol is kind of what I would expect form the real Smith & Wesson M&P 9C, fairly light with a small amount of take-up and creep but still fairly short. And the trigger safety actually works just the same as the real steel Smith & Wesson M&P 9C!
Accuracy: I have already done my dedicated Field Test Shooting Video for the Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol so check out the link here, This very short barreled pistol is not going to win any target shooting contests but it faired well and even shot a bit tighter groupings and higher fps than I expected. Most importantly it worked exactly as it was supposed to without any problems.
Build Quality: The Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol is extremely well built and you will find metal and polymer in pretty much the same places as you would find on a real S&W M&P 9C. Fit and finish and quality of materials seems really good, I am really happy with the work VFC is doing with their guns, at least from what I see here with their Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol.
Realism: The Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol is based on the real steel version Smith & Wesson M&P 9C and I have to say this is one of the most bang on replications of any gun I have seen, you would have to get right up close to tell the difference and only then if you looked at either the magazine or you could see the inner Airsoft barrel. This gun is juts that realistic. There is Smith & Wesson licensing and marking all over this gun and even the white warning instructions on the right side of the slide. Of course this Airsoft Replica Pistol field strips and functions just like the real Smith & Wesson M&P 9C Pistol.
Very good weight and solid feeling gun for being so compact.
Full size drop out metal magazine.
Nice snappy blowback action.
Excellent fit and finish.
Extremely accurate looking and working Smith & Wesson M&P 9C - Fully licensed..
Rear sight is adjustable for windage.
White dot sights for quick target acquisition
Working trigger safety
Fully field strip-able.
Cons:
Comes with an orange tip not required for Canada.
White dot sights need to be install?
Right side slide catch-release is for show only - non-functioning.
Comments:
Overall the Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol as I said is really a wonderful replica in terms of realism in looks and function, I wish all Airsoft guns and Airguns paid this much attention to the details. But more than that, the Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C is really well put together and even though it is small it feels tuff and well made. I could see myself using this exact pistol as a backup gun for some future Airsoft battles :) I hope to have the opportunity to review more guns made by VFS down the road...
My Vimeo Video Review for the Cybergun - VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol:
Action: Semi auto, single action only with full blowback.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 20 round full size drop out metal magazine.
FPS: 300+.
Trigger Pull: The Single Action Only trigger pull on the Cybergun - KWC Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol is what you would expect for a gun made specifically for IPSC styled shooting, it is nice and light with a very short take up and smooth release. Exactly what you would be looking for when wanting to shoot accurately and quickly!
Accuracy: I have already done my dedicated Field Test Shooting Video for the Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB pistol so check out the link here, I can tell you it shot a very nice tight grouping and stayed on target between shots very well, it also got a bit higher than claimed fps which is always nice for a Blowback steel BB shooter.
Build Quality: The Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol is well built being that it is pretty much entirely metal (even the grips), It weighs in at almost three pounds so be prepared for a heavy gun, the tolerances are very good with very little slide slop and the seems are virtually non existent on this air pistol, the golden brown color is unique and I kind of like the way the writing on the gun blends into the color of the gun so it does not stand out too much.
Realism: The Cybergun - KWC Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol is based loosely on a CZ 75 styled pistol, Cybergun - KWC has taken some liberties in restyling it to some degree and really made this pistol look the part of a dedicated target shooter. In terms of functioning and looking like a real gun it has it all, full size drop out metal magazine, full blowback operation, full slide lock back and of course it can be field striped if need be.
All metal construction - Good weight and very solid feeling gun.
Full size drop out metal magazine.
Heavy and snappy blowback action.
Good fit and finish.
Well balanced, so even with heavy blowback the gun stays on target.
Light and smooth single action trigger for quick followup shots.
Very Good accuracy, and a bit better than claimed fps.
Come with sight rail for mounting a red dot sight.
Would make a nice entry level IPSC trainer.
Cons:
Does not come with iron sights of any kind.
Not a lot of shots per CO2 about three magazines.
Sacrifice fps and shots per CO2 because of the heavy blowback but worth it.
Need to remove compensator to field strip the gun.
Comments:
Overall the Cybergun - KWC Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol is a great gun to shoot, I found it to be one of the nicest balanced guns I have shot to date which allowed me to shoot this blowback BB pistol really quickly and yet stay right on target even with the heavy and snappy blowback operation. I was pleased to see it even come in a bit higher than the claimed fps from Cybergun. The heavy all metal three pound weight and good fit and finish makes this airgun a nice choice if your looking for an action shooter that performs very well.
My Vimeo Video Review for the Cybergun - KWC Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol:
All references, photos and video claiming that any item in this review/video looks like a Glock or is a Replica of a Glock in any way shape or form have been removed from this post as requested by Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
I almost forgot to do my field test review for my WE AK-74UN & WE G18C Tactical GBB Airsoft Pistol and Rifle! I decided to do them both together on this one but I still did my usual full testing for both guns which consisted of my Chronograph, Target and Can destruction along with some high speed slow motion of the blowback action of both guns in full auto mode.
Photo of WE G18C Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
Your best bet is to watch my Youtube video and see how both of these WE Airsoft guns perform. Overall they are both rally nice and super realistic, the WE G18C Tactical is definitely the full auto monster here while the AK-74UN is the bull in the China store with its crazy heavy blowback action, it has so much recoil that when shooting in full auto it kind of runs our of steam near the end, not so with the WE G18C as it did not slow down even with the 50 round magazine loaded up!
The WE AK-74UN even with it's crazy recoil holds on target very well in semi and full auto and of course has the superior fps performance. I found when shooting the G18C in full auto, I needed to hold my aim-point low as the blowback and super fast cycle rate wanted to pull the gun up and over my target, same would be true with a real gun so no surprise here.
Photo of WE G18C Removed by Request from Glock "Renzulli Law Firm"
I filmed this video Field Test Shooting Review of my Cybergun VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol alongside my Cybergun Tanfoglio Gold Custom which I already posted, both guns performed very well for me. I am supper impressed with the realism of the Cybergun VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C and was hopping that the testing would prove this Airsoft pistol to be equally as good of a shooter as it is a looker and I was not let down. It's not going to win any awards for super high fps or tight accuracy but it did a nice job overall and most importantly it worked without any problems whatsoever.
I shot this Cybergun blowback Airsoft pistol using .20 gram Airsoft BB's through my Chrony Chronograph and got just under 300 fps which is not bad for such a compact short barreled GBB Airsoft pistol. I also shot 5 rounds first in semi auto at the target from 20 feet out using a semi rested position (resting on a sand bag up front and kneeling in the back) and the S&W M&P 9C shot a respectable 2 inch grouping. When I switched over to full auto and blasted the last 10 rounds it was pretty much a spray and pray but who cares it was fun and if anyone was standing in front of that they where gonna get hit for sure.
I really like the Cybergun VFC Smith & Wesson M&P 9C GBB Airsoft Pistol , not just because it really looks the part, it also feels solid and well built, everything about it seems to be very high quality and the shooting performance is no letdown either. This may even be one of my favorite Airsoft pistols! Look forward to my upcoming Table Top Review for this very fine Cybergun Airsoft Pistol...
As per usual I shot this blowback BB pistol through my Chronograph and actually got a much higher than the 300 claimed 5 shot average fps of 341. I kind of had a feeling right out of the box this gun had more in it! I also shot 10 rounds at the target from 20 feet out using a semi rested position (resting on a sand bag up front and kneeling in the back). Again the Cybergun Tanfoglio Gold Custom Blowback BB Pistol performed very well shooting a tight 1 inch grouping. When I free handed it and rattled off the remaining 7-8 rounds left in the magazine the grouping only widened to about 2 inches, this may be in part to the heavy weight and good balance and stability of the Cybergun Tanfoglio Gold Custom.
Since this 4.5mm Steel BB pistol does not come with any iron sights, you will need to purchase a red dot, I was fortunate enough to find a very nice silver matchup at my local surplus store that worked out well with this airgun. The magazine does claim to hold 18 rounds but 17 is a bit better fit, I was able to get off three magazine s before the CO2 fizzled out. One of the nicest traits this guns has to offer is the very smooth, short and light single action trigger which in part I am sure helped me get that 1 inch 10 round grouping. Another factor that may help the accuracy of the Tanfoglio Gold Custom is the fact that even though the blowback is decent, the 3 pounds of steel holding this airgun in place keep movement to a minimum.
All in all this is a really great IPSC styled BB shooter with a unique and ultra modern look, kind of like a CZ 75 on steroids you could say. It shot very nicely for me and even performed better than claimed and better than expected. Although I did have an idea this CO2 Blowback BB Pistol was going to impress!
I received some review BB and Airsoft guns and as I often like to do, I made a quick Update Vimeo Video for you. This way I can show them off real quickly so you get at least a bit of a taste of what's in store...
Below are the guns I show you in todays Update Video!
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.
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:
We have added some items to the Canada and US Replica Airguns Stores, most are completely new items and one is a Canada only item we added to the US store!
