On with the show… First I shot five rounds through my Chronograph using a brand new CO2 in what I would consider to be room temperaterer (20C or 70F). Sig Sauer claims their MCX Rattler shoots around 325 fps and in my testing I got a five shot average of 318 with my slowest shot hitting 298 and my fastest shot hitting 346. So I would say Sig is right on the mark here.
I then setup a fresh pepper target 30 feet away and loaded up a full magazine (30 rounds) for my accuracy test where I first shot in 10 rounds in semi auto and then the remaining 20 rounds in three round burst. I would say I was able to get around a 2 inch grouping in semi auto but I did have to shoot aiming on the bottom of the rings and I was using the flattened sights rather than the pop up sights as you have two options with the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle. Once I switched the selector to three round burst, my grouping really did not change all that much, maybe 3 inches at most and that was with 20 rounds.
The Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is a lot of fun, it is by far not the most powerful blowback full auto-ish Blowback BB Rifle out there but it performs decent and looks really good. The internal blowback action does give you a slight tapping feel and it does allow for a true single action trigger. If you want a rather compact Blowback BB Rifle with Sig licensing and branding along with Sig quality then take a look at the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle. Did I mention it was really affordable too?
Type: Non-blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Bear River. Model: Bear River BR45. Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: 1 pounds (454 grams). TotalLength: 8 inches (203mm). Barrel: 4.72 inches (120mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto non-blowback, DOA trigger. AmmunitionType: .4.5mm steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 20 round drop out metal stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 410.
Trigger Pull: The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol has a double action trigger commonly found on lower cost NBB CO2 BB Pistols with a long trigger pull that requires more length and effort to pull, but I would say is still usable for action shooting. Your finger will get worked a bit after several magazines of action shooting. The Bear River BR45 trigger pull makes the internal metal barrel move forward and out of the front of the barrel opening but as it has a recessed barrel you don’t really see it protruding out of the front. When you reach the release point the barrel snaps back into the BB Pistol acting like the hammer and releasing CO2 and shooting a BB.
Accuracy: I have not shoot the Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol yet or performed my standard Field Test Shooting Video, so I can not comment at this time on the actual performance other than what is claimed in terms of fps (410fps). I have shot several similar CO2 BB Pistols which share almost the exact same internal components but have a different external skin on them. One bonus is that all this style of metal stick magazines are the same so they will be interchangeable. My previous experiences with similar BB Pistols is that they will get mid 400fps velocities and in general will shot around a 2 inch grouping or so. It is hard to say how close the Bear River BR45 is going to shoot to the bullseye, as out of the box it may shoot a bit high or low or left or right. We will find out during my shooting test.
Build Quality: The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is an almost all plastic moulded Airgun with only a few metal parts I can pick out. The trigger and magazine are metal along with the inner barrel and the area where the CO2 goes in. Because of the plastic build, it is rather light weight at around 1 pound which can actually be good if you were to drop it on a hard surface as the mass is low resulting in less damage. Scratches will also be less noticeable on an all plastic exterior Airgun over a metal Airgun as the material on a plastic Airgun is going to have the color throughout the material rather than a painted surface that will show blemishes a lot more. The simplicity of the design means you should get a lot of use from the Bear River BR45 before encountering any issues.
Realism: The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is not a replica of an exact real steel gun in production but it does take after a Sig Sauer or H&K looking at the basic shape and features. There are few external mechanical working parts on the Bear River BR45 other than the trigger, safety, magazine and inner barrel. The barrel is well recessed and the CO2 tab is sunken in the grip which helps in terms of it looking more realistic.
Pros:
Nice size BB pistol, feels good in the hand.
Decent FPS rating of 410.
Picatinny rail on frame for adding on accessories.
Non-blowback should get lots of shots per CO2.
Easy to see white dot sights front and back.
CO2 tab is recessed and somewhat hidden under the grip.
Double action trigger pull is long but not too firm.
Uses a generic all metal stick magazines commonly found in lower cost BB pistols.
Recessed barrel looks that part.
Simple design with not a lot of moving parts will make it reliable for a long time.
Cons:
All plastic gun for the most part.
Not many working parts, pretty much all moulded gun.
CO2 tab a bit hard to use for people with bigger fingers.
Comments:
The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is a basic mostly all plastic NBB CO2 BB Pistol very simple in design which makes it dependable and reliable as there is a lot less to go wrong as compared to a blowback metal BB Pistol with lots of moving parts. Also keep in mind the metal in Airguns is not as hard or strong as you find in a Real Steel Pistol so all of these moving metal parts will wear over time and some may eventually fail. Other advantages of a NBB CO2 BB Pistol are that it will have a decent velocity rating and it will also get more shots per CO2 as compared to blowback Air Pistols, so not only is the initial cost of a simple NBB Air Pistol going to be less but also you will not need as much CO2 to operate it. I do like the size of the Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol as it is a bit larger than similar NBB Replica Air Pistols which for me and my larger hands is a good thing.
Type: Non-blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Barra. Model: Barra 380. Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: .93 pounds (422 grams). TotalLength: 6.89inches (175mm). Barrel: 4.25 inches (108mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto non-blowback, DOA trigger. AmmunitionType: .4.5mm steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 20 round drop out metal stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 410.
TriggerPull: The Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol has a typical double action trigger with a longer trigger pull that requires more length and effort to pull, but I would say is still usable as an action shooter. Your finger will get a bit tired after several magazines of action shooting. The Barra 380 trigger pull makes the internal metal barrel move forward and out of the front of the barrel opening enough to see it clearly, then when you reach the release point it snaps back into the BB Pistol acting like the hammer and releasing CO2 and shooting a BB.
Accuracy: I have yet to shoot the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol or even performed my standard Field Test Shooting Video as of yet, so I can not comment at this time on the actual performance other than what is claimed in terms of fps - 410fps by the way. I have shot several similar CO2 BB Pistols which share almost the exact same internal components but have a different external skin on them. One benefit is that all this style of metal stick magazines are the same so they will be interchangeable. My previous experiences with similar BB Pistols is that they will get mid 400fps velocities and in general will shot around a 2 inch grouping or so. It is hard to say how close theBarra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is going to shoot to the bullseye, as out of the box it may shoot a bit high or low or left or right. We will find out during my shooting test.
BuildQuality: The Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is a pretty much almost all plastic Airgun with only a few metal parts I can see on it. The trigger is metal along with the inner barrel and the area where the CO2 goes in. Because of the plastic build, it is rather light weight which can actually be good if you where to drop it on a hard surface as the mass is low resulting in less damage. Scratches will also be less noticeable on a plastic Airgun over a metal Airgun as the material on a plastic Airgun is all tan/black throughout the material rather than a painted surface that will show blemishes a lot more. The simplicity of the design means you should get a lot of use from the Barra 380 before encountering any issues.
Realism: The Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is not a replica of an exact real steel gun in production but it does take after a compact Beretta when you look at the open barrel and similar trigger guard. There are few external mechanical working parts on the Barra 380 CO2 NBB BB Pistol other than the trigger, safety, magazine and inner barrel. The barrel is slightly recessed and the CO2 tab is hidden in the grip which helps in terms of it looking the part.
Pros:
Nice compact size BB pistol easy to transport.
Decent FPS rating of 410.
Should get lots of shots per CO2 as it is non-blowback
Picatinny rail on frame for adding accessories.
Does have a white dot sight up front.
Finger groves on pistol grips for a secure grip.
CO2 tab is well hidden within the grip.
Double action trigger pull is long but not too firm.
Uses a generic all metal stick magazines commonly found on lower cost BB pistols.
Simple design with not a lot of moving parts will make it reliable for a long time.
Cons:
All plastic gun for the most part.
Not many working parts, pretty much all moulded gun.
Grip can pop of kind of easy if you pull a bit hard.
Sights are non adjustable and no white dots on the rear sight.
Comments:
I often mention how I prefer blowback Airguns that have a more solid weight and feel to them with more working parts, but again there is a lot more that can go wrong and complex parts wear out over usage a lot quicker than a more simple design as in the the case of the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol. Price is also going to be a lot less when looking a more simplified Air Pistol like the Barra 380, as the plastic build is a lot cheaper to produce over more expensive metals. Another bonus with non-blowback CO2 airguns is that they do tend to have a higher velocity with more shots per CO2 than a similar CO2 Blowback Pistol, so less expensive to shoot over time. It really depends what you are really looking for? A couple other strong points to mention about the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol would be the compatibility with other similar styled CO2 BB pistol metal stick magazines and if you like the look of a Beretta then you may also like the look of the Barra 380.
Type: Non-blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Crosman. Model: MK45. Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: .63 pounds (281 grams). Total Length: 7.25 inches (184mm). Barrel: 4.5 inches (114mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto non-blowback, DOA trigger. AmmunitionType: .4.5mm steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 20 round drop out metal stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 480.
Trigger Pull: The Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol has a typical double action tiger with a longer trigger pull that requires more length and effort to pull, but I would say is still usable as an action shooter. The Crosman MK45 trigger pull makes the internal metal barrel move forward and out of the front of the barrel opening a bit, then when you reach the release point it snaps back into the BB Pistol acting like the hammer and releasing CO2.
Accuracy: I have yet to shoot the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol or performed my standard Field Test Shooting Video, so I can not comment at this time on the actual performance other than what is claimed in terms of fps. I have shot several similar CO2 BB Pistols which share almost the exact same internal components but have a different external skin on them. The good news is the metal stick magazines for all of these type NBB CO2 BB Pistols are the same so they will be interchangeable. My previous experiences with similar BB Pistols is that they will get mid 400fps velocities and in general will shot around a 2 inch grouping or so. It is hard to say how close the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol is going to shoot to the bullseye, as out of the box it may shoot a bit high or low or left or right. We will find out during my shooting test.
Build Quality: The Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol is a pretty much an all plastic Airgun with only a few metal parts I can find on it. The trigger is metal along with the inner barrel and the area where the CO2 goes in. Because of the plastic build, it is rather light weight which can actually be good in a fall as the mass is low resulting in less damage if you were to drop it on a hard surface. Scratches will also be less noticeable on a plastic Airgun over a metal Airgun as the material on a plastic Airgun is all tan/black rather than a painted surface that will show blemishes a lot more. The simplicity of the design means you should get a lot of use from the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol before encountering any issues.
Realism: The Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol is not a replica of an exact real steel gun in production but it does share a lot of cosmetic characteristics as what you would see on a Sig Sauer or even H&K Pistol. The magazine release on the Crosman MK45 looks and works a lot like what you will find on an H&K Pistol. There are few external mechanical working parts on the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol other than the trigger, safety and inner barrel. The barrel is slightly recessed and the CO2 tab is hidden in the grip which helps in terms of believability.
Pros:
Desert tan with black grips looks really good in my opinion.
High FPS rating of 480.
Picatinny rail on frame for adding on accessories.
Non-blowback should get lots of shots per CO2.
Easy to see fiber optic sights front and back.
CO2 tab is nicely hidden inside the grip.
Double action trigger pull is long but not too firm.
Uses a generic all metal stick magazines commonly found on lower cost BB pistols.
Ambidextrous magazine release.
Simple design with not a lot of moving parts will make it reliable for a long time.
Cons:
All moulded plastic BB gun for the most part.
Not many working parts, it’s pretty much an all plastic BB gun.
Grips are fairly loose, they don't really snap into place.
Sights are not adjustable.
Comments:
I personally prefer blowback Airguns that have a more solid weight and feel to them with more working parts, but again there is a lot more that can go wrong and parts tend to complex parts wear out over usage a lot quicker than a more simple design like in the case of the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol. Price is also going to be a lot less when looking a more simplified Air Pistol like the Crosman MK45, as the plastic build is a lot cheaper to produce. Another bonus with non-blowback CO2 airguns is that they do tend to have a much higher velocity and also generally you will also get more shots per CO2 than a similar CO2 Blowback Pistol. It really depends what features you want more and in this case you also get a more cost effective Air Pistol with plenty of shooting enjoyment. A couple other strong points to mention about the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol would be the fiber optic sights front and back and its sharp l looking two tone layout.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver like pretty much all of the 357 type Crosman Revolvers is rather nice in single action with virtually zero take-up and it has a not too light weight with a predictable feel to it. In double action it does get much longer and heavier but still very usable. If you have larger thicker finger then you may want to start off in single action as the finger opening is a bit tight.
Accuracy: I have not specifically tested out the Crosman Triple Threat so far but I would be very surprised if it was any different than the standard Crosman 357 and the Crosman Vigilante I have already done Field Test Reviews for. Other than the shape of the outer barrel, both of these guns are virtually the same including the frame and the 6 inch barrels. Back in 2012 when I tested out the Crosman 357 I averaged around 400 fps using mid grain lead pellets and was able to get a 1 to 1.5 inch multi-shot grouping at 30 feet away from my paper target. I will be making an update Field Test Shooting Video so we will see if I can replicate these results with the standard Crosman 357 and Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver.
Build Quality: The CCrosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver is a fairly basic pistol that incorporates a variety of length plastic outer barrels and inner steel barrels (3/6/8 inches), the grips are also plastic as expected and so are the magazines and sights. Most everything else is metal including the receiver, trigger and hammer. This line of Crosman 357 pistols has been around for decades so you can expect hours of fun and reliable shooting with their multi-barrel dual ammo version.
Realism: There are for sure a lot more realistic looking Replica Revolvers out there with swing out cylinders that eject the shells just like their real steel counterparts, but where the Crosman Triple Threat shines is in performance, reliability and consistency. You will get more shots per CO2, higher fps and better accuracy with the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver over other more realistic Revolvers on the market.
Pros:
Inexpensive Pellet revolver with a proven track record that goes back decades.
Good usage of metal parts where you need them most. (Metal trigger, hammer, frame, barrel, CO2 Tab screw
Single and double action trigger for action and more focused shooting.
Excellent accuracy and good power with a reasonable amount of shots per CO2 (based on similar versions).
Fully adjustable rear sight.
Riffled steel barrels (All three of them).
3 different barrel choices (3/6/8 inches) depending on the look and how compact you want it to be.
CO2 and tab are nicely hidden and use all metal.
Come with both a Pellet and BB magazines..
Cons:
Outer barrels are plastic but very solid. Metal would have added a bit more weigth perhaps better balance?
Grips and trigger pull length may be a bit long for smaller handed people when shooting in double action.
Not your most real revolver out there in terms of replicas out there but probably more usable then most.
No white dots on the sights.
Comments: The Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver is basically another reskinned Crosman 357 at the end of the day with a ton of options including 3 different barrel lengths that will change the look, size and power depending on your needs. You also have the choice of what ammo you want to use, cheaper 4.5mm Steel BB’s or more accurate and even higher velocity lead pellets for greater downrange energy and precision. If you are not sure which Crosman 357 type revolver to get? The standard 357… the Vigilante or the Triple Threat, maybe go with the Triple Threat at the end of today as it offers the most options and variety of configurations.
Type: BB Rifle. Manufacturer: Sig Sauer ASP Model: Sig Sauer MCX Rattler Materials: Metal and Nylon Fiber build. Weight: 4.6 Pounds (2.1 kg). Barrel: 7 inch (17.8 cm) steel non-rifled. Propulsion: Single 12 gram CO2. Action: Semi auto and 3 round burst with internal blowback (single action only trigger). AmmunitionType: 4.5mm Steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 30 rounds spring fed. Velocity: Claimed of 325 fps.
TriggerPull: The trigger pull on the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is a single action only trigger that requires initial activation of the charging handle, after the first shot the internal blowback action will do this automatically for each followup shot. The single action only trigger is fairly short with a light pull and predictable release, great for action shooting. You also have the option of shooting in true semi auto (one trigger pull and one shot) or selecting 3 round burst mode which allows for one pull of the trigger with 3 rounds in full auto.
Accuracy: I really don’t have much feedback to give here as I have only shot a single magazine so far with the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle in a very uncontrolled format as I was not so much testing it out but rather just having some initial fun to see what it was all about. I will of course be following up this Table Top Review with a Field Test Review shortly to find out what the actual velocity is and see how accurate it is in both semi auto and 3 round burst mode.
BuildQuality: The build quality for the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is really good considering it is mostly all plastic on the outside. It does feel solid and well built when holding it in the hand. From what I can tell the metal parts would include the barrel, the charging handle, the main controls and also much of the internal components inside both the rifle and the magazine. I would have liked to have seen a metal flash hider and perhaps the pop-up Iron sights could have also been metal.
Realism: The Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is a 1 to 1 scale very realistic Replica of the real steel Sig Sauer Rattler normally chambered in 5.56 NATO. It would have been nice if the dust cover opened up when charging the Airgun for realism but most of the other controls work as expected, like the charging handle, selector switch, magazine release and I am not sure but maybe even the bolt release, I will know more when I make my Field Test Shooting video for the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler.
Pros:
Perfect size and weight for a fun BB semi / full auto shooter.
Fully adjustable pop up sights that are usable in both the down and up position,
Lots of accessory mounting options with the picatinny top rail and MLOCK in the sides and bottom.
Folding rear stock allows for a compact size and much easier transportation.
Ambidextrous selector switch.
Can shoot in both semi and 3 round burst modes.
Very solid AR15 type magazine that holds the 30 4.5mm steel BB’s and the single 12 gram CO2.
Reasonably priced at around $250 at the time of this video.
Sig Sauer licensing.
Cons:
Only uses a single CO2, two would have been better in a fast action shooter like this to maintain fps.
325 fps seems a bit low.
Lots of plastic but build quality does feel good.
Comments:
The Sig Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle reminds me a lot of the Umarex Steel Storm and Steel Force which are both Compact AR type Semi and Burt mode 4.5mm CO2 Blowback Airguns. Where the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle shines, is in the quality and realism as compared the Umarex counterparts. I do like that both the Umarex Steel Storm and Steel Force use dual 12 gram CO2 cartridges which I feel allows them to have more consistent velocity and performance as compared to the single CO2 in the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle. My First impressions without really testing the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler are all pretty positive but it will really come down to how well it performs and so I will put my recommendations on hold until I actually test it out!
My Table Top Review of the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle:
Type: GBB Airsoft Pistol. Manufacturer: Made by EMG. Model: TTI JW4 2011 Pit Viper. Materials: Aluminum & polymer components. Weight: 2.26 pounds (1025 grams). Length: 8.5 inches (2167mm). Propulsion: CO2/Green gas. Action: Semi auto blowback, single action only trigger. AmmunitionType: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's. AmmunitionCapacity: 28-30 round drop out full size metal magazine. FPS: Claimed 370-390.
Trigger Pull: The single action only trigger pull on the EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol is really great, there is virtually zero take-up with a light, crisp and easy release. You can double tap with ease making the EMG TTI STI 2011 Combat Master a great action pistol. One of the shortest and smoothest 1911 triggers I have tested, similar to the EMG TTI JW3 Combat Master.
Accuracy: At this point I have not shot the EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol so I have no idea what the actual real world fps is going to be and how accurate it proves itself so my comments for this part of the review will have to wait till I perform my Field Test Shooting Video coming up shortly. I do however expect it to perform very close to the EMG TTI STI 2011 Combat Master I already made a Field test Video Review for so you can check that on out in the mean time…
BuildQuality: The EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol is for the most part an all metal gun with a CNC Machined Aluminum Slide and aluminum barrel along with mostly metal parts throughout including much of the frame. Parts of the frame are polymer including the grip area and trigger guard. The fit and finish is awesome on the EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol with attention to detail everywhere.
Realism: The EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol is based off of the Pit Viper TTI, a replica of the John Wick pistol used in the John Wick 4 movie and is virtually the spitting image to it. You will find licensing and trademarks where you would find them on the real steel version. Of course all the mechanical parts work like the real version and the EMG TTI STI 2011 Combat Master can be fully field stripped allowing for quick and easy hop-up adjustments.
Pros:
Super crisp, light and short SAO trigger.
Fit and finish is excellent, very little slide wiggle.
extremely close replica of the Pit Viper 2011 pistol used in the John Wick 4 movie.
Rear sight is fully adjustable and sits very flush with the slide.
Fiber optic front sight helps with quick targets acquisition.
CNC machined Aluminum slide and barrel with polymer frame.
Flared magwell for easy quick magazine reloading.
Full size high capacity 30 round double stack metal magazine.
Ambidextrous thumb safeties.
Working grip safety as you would expect on a 1911 based gun.
Most Mechanical parts work just like a steel version and can be easily field stripped to access hop-up.
Nice snappy and fast blowback action, great for action shooting.
Licensing all over this gun true to the real steel version.
Cons:
Comes with the red tip but can be remove pretty easily.
Getting magazine but plate off is a bit tuff.
No white dot’s or fiber optics in the rear sight.
Comments:
The EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol is another great Replica of a John Wick pistol and has a less squared and smaller stature than the EMG Combat Master and a smoother overall look to it. What’s nice is that the magazines are interchangeable between the EMG TTI JW3 and JW4 versions so if you already have one then you will get additional magazine options, perhaps one in Green Gas and one in CO2. I like the slightly bulkier feel to the Combat Master but the Pit Viper is also a decent size, but again slightly more compact and less edges to get caught on your surroundings. Either way, both are awesome options if you are John Wick fan.
I love making these Mystery Box Unboxing Videos as many of the items inside are actually real mysteries to me, some I may have an idea of but even these items are new to me so it’s fun to open them up and check them all out. In this October 2023 Mystery Box Video I checkout 9 items ranging from AEG Airsoft Rifles to Airsoft , BB and Pellet Pistols. There is even a new Steel BB product from Sig Sauer that is a compact rifle with a 3 round burst option when shooting.
30 feet is not really a long enough distance to test out a Spring Piston Break Barrel Air Rifle but it’s been pretty rainy outside as the weather here in British Columbia has progresses into full on rainy fall weather. So we will have to make do with the 30 foot limitation I have here in the Replica Airguns Sea Can Indoor Shooting Range. At least it is warm and the lighting is perfect :) In this Filed Test Shooting Video for the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle I test out the velocity in fps along with the accuracy at 30 feet away. For both of these tests I use 15.43 grain .22 caliber Gamo lead pellets. If you are more invested in details and specifications along with some closer up video then watch my Table Top Video for the Beeman Black Panther.
Beeman claims just under 500 fps for the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle but it is unclear if this is with .177 caliber or .22 caliber pellets and what kind of pellet are being used? Light weigth Alloy or standard Lead pellets. I decided to go with the .22 caliber barrel for all my testing but may try out the .177 caliber barrel in a future update Field Test Video. I placed 5 shots through my Chronograph using the 15.43 grain .22 caliber lead pellets and was able to get an average velocity of 422 fps. The slowest shot was 418 fps with the fastest shot hitting a max of 429 fps so all fairly close together. In terms of energy output, a pellet that weighs 15.43 grain travelling at 422 fps has a foot pound energy of 6.1.
I am not the best shot when it comes to sprig Piston Air Rifles, but I did my best here. I shot a total of 8 shots on the paper target and the main group was about 1 inch in diameter, this consisted of 6 pellets in that main group with 2 pellets that came out one shot a bit high and one shot a bit to the right. I was using the built in post and notch fiber optic sights rather than installing the 4x32 scope. After all the target was only 30 feet away. I am pretty sure one could easily get a .5 inch grouping at this range with perhaps a 1 inch grouping at distances closer to the 50-60 foot mark, which should make this a decent pest control option when using the .22 caliber ammo as I feel it would get the job done with a bit more authority.
The Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle comes with two barres offering the ability to shoot using .177 caliber pellets or .22 caliber pellets with a quick barrel change. .177 caliber pellets could be used for smaller pest control but I would mainly use the .177 barrel for basic target practice as .177 caliber pellets are definitely cheaper than .22 caliber pellets. When you do require that slight additional stopping power, then go with the .22 caliber barrel for sure!
Type: Pellet Rifle. Manufacturer: Beeman Model: Black Panther Dual Caliber. Materials: Metal and Synthetic Plastic. Weight: 7.2pounds (2.3kg). Total Length: 44 inches (111.8cm). Barrel: 16.75 inches (42.5cm). Propulsion: Spring Piston. Action: Single Action Single Shot. AmmunitionType: .177 & .22 Caliber Pellets. AmmunitionCapacity: 1. MaxFPS: 495 Claimed.
Trigger Pull: The trigger on the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is single action only requiring you to break the barrel and compress the internal spring piston before you can shoot it. This will also engage the safety which you have to disengage for each shot manually as an added security measure. The actual trigger pull is I would say a medium pull with an easy first stage then a more firm second stage. I am pretty sure the Black Panther uses the Sportsman tigger setup which does have some adjustment for trigger pull as far as I am aware of. Once I get a chance to shoot the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle I will be able to tell you more about how the trigger feels.
Accuracy: I have not performed any shooting tests with the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle so far, I will be making a Video Review next in the next few weeks “weather permitting” as I want to get outdoors for this test to be able to shoot the Black Panther at longer ranges. I expect the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle to perform well in the accuracy department using the 4x32 optical scope. In terms of power the spring does seem to take a bit of effort so I am hoping for a decent fps in both .177 caliber and .22 caliber!
Build Quality: The Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is made in China but looks to be fairly well made. It is mostly metal including the front and rear sights with a synthetic plastic stock and feels good to hold resting the cushioned rubber butt-pad to your shoulder. The stock and trigger guard are a one piece design, that said the trigger guard is fairly thick so it should stand up to some abuse.
Realism: The Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is not a copy of any real steel gun in production but does have that overall rifle shape to it so it looks like a gun but most people will be able to immediately see that it is a Pellet Rifle and that is exactly what it is since it is not trying to be a Replica Airgun or copy of any real steel rifle in production.
Pros:
All Weather durable ambidextrous synthetic stock.
All metal front and rear fiver optic sights.
Can shoot both .177 and .22 caliber pellets for multi purpose shooting.
Sportsman trigger (adjustable) with automatic safety system.
Comes with included 4x32 scope and mounts.
Very solid build at 9.92 pounds.
Nice cushioned rubber butt-plate looks good and adds to shooting comfort.
Has a scope-stop so your scope will stay nicely in place.
Cons:
Hard to tell if the claimed 495 fps is for .177 or .22 caliber lead or alloy pellets?
Hard to find this exact gun for info, not even on Beeman’s own website.
Made in China.
Comments: The Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is designed to be a more affordable Break Barrel Spring Piston Pellet Rifle with metal where it counts and a synthetic stock for durability and resiliency to weather conditions. You do have the option of shooting either .177 caliber pellets for a faster flatter trajectory or if you use the .22 caliber barrel, you benefit from perhaps a bit more downrange energy and less effect from windy conditions. You can also choose between shooting with the open fully adjustable metal sights or install the 4x32 scope for longer range shooting. You for sure get a versatile Spring Piston Air Rifle with the Beeman Black Panther Dual Caliber Break Barrel Pellet Rifle at the end of the day.
Type: Paintball Gun. Manufacturer:Umarex - T4E. Model:T4E HK VP9 Materials: Metal & Polymer. Weight: 790 grams (1.7 pounds). Barrel: Smooth bore. Power Source: 1x12 gram CO2. Action: DAO Semi-Automatic with blowback action. Ammo Type: .43 Caliber Paintball / Rubber Ball / Pepper Ball. Ammo Capacity: 8 Rounds. FPS: 300.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol feels a lot like a double action trigger mainly because when you pull the trigger, the inner barrel travels backwards into the magazine placing a paintball round in the barrel which seals the barrel with the magazine so less CO2 is wasted. This does make the trigger a little bit longer and heavier than a single action trigger because of the added friction. The internal hammer/striker is engaged from the blowback action which does help lesson the overall triggers pull weight.
Accuracy: So far I have not had the opportunity to test the Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol, so stay posted for my upcoming Field Test Shooting Video where I will see what kind of velocity and accuracy we can expect from the Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol. For now you can watch my Field Test Shooting Video for the Umarex T4E S&W M&P9 M2.0 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol as it is very similar in design and should for the most part perform in a similar manner.
Build Quality: The build quality of the Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol is good overal, you will find metal parts are where you would expect them to be, in the slide, slide catch, barrel, magazine and most internal parts giving the Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol a decent overall weight of almost 2 pounds with the magazine in which makes the Paintball version feel comparable to a real steel HK VP9 (710 grams - 25 ounces). The T4E HK VP9 does have a polymer frame but again this is normal with todays modern guns and helps keep the weight down. Fit and finish is also very good!
Realism: The Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol is a fully licensed replica of the real steel HK VP9 via its Umarex Licensing. The Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol is made specifically as a training tool for owners of similar real steel HK Handguns so for that reason it is made to replicate its powder burning counterpart very closely. You will find that the slide cycle distance is a bit shorter than it would be meaning that when the side catch is engaged the slide does not go as far back in the 9mm version. Field stripping the Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol will requires some tools and pin removal.
Pros:
Accurate weight and solid feeling gun.
Full Metal slide that locks back on the last shot.
All metal heavy full size drop out magazine adds some additional weight to the gun.
Good for real steel H&K VP9 owners looking for a similar training weapon.
Everything works pretty much like the real gun so again great as a training tool.
Easy to see white dot sights front and back.
Working trigger safety
Fit and finish is very good.
Magazine spring release pops the magazine out just enough to grab it but not drop it on the floor.
.43 caliber barrel opening, adds to realism.
Warning instructions are a lot more discrete under the trigger guard and not super white in color.
Comes with additional grip parts to customize to various hand sizes.
Cons:
Magazine only holds 8 rounds, so you are going to need extra magazines for sure.
Blowback action is not full blowback, more like a typical half blowback BB gun.
Sights are non adjustable.
Comments:
The Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol is mechanically very close to the Umarex Walther PPQ M2 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol and the Umarex T4E S&W M&P9 M2.0 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol in how it functions as a Paintball Pistol so I expect all of them to shoot very similarly and that’s not a bad thing since previous versions I have tested so far have performed rather well for me in the Replica Airguns Sea Can Indoor Shooting Range. If you are an HK fan then the Umarex T4E HK VP9 .43 Cal. Paintball Pistol is about as close as you are going to get in a Replica Paintball Pistol. Owning the paintball version will allow for a lot more opportunities to get some trigger time in and hone your shooting skill with a very similar gun to the one you my own, and at a fraction off the cot to 9mm ammo.
Type: Paintball Gun. Manufacturer:Umarex - T4E. Model:T4E TR68 Materials: Metal & Polymer. Weight: 773 grams (1.7 pounds). Barrel: 6.5 inches (165mm) ,Smooth bore. Total Length: 13 inches (331mm). Power Source: 1x12 gram CO2. Action: Revolver - Double action only trigger. Ammo Type: .68 Caliber Paintball or Rubber Ball. Ammo Capacity: 5 Rounds x 3 magazines. FPS: 230-300.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is double action only but not very long with a much smoother feel than the TR50, so maybe Umarex did some improving here. without any ammo in it the T4E TR68 trigger feels responsive for a double action trigger. We will have to see when I do my Field Test Shooting Video how it performs and if fully loaded up and primed, if it feels the same?
Accuracy: So far I have not had the opportunity to test the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver out, the only other similar product that may compare would be the Umarex T4E TR50 but I have a feeling both these guns will perform rather different since the ammo is a lot larger on the TR68. Also with the way the different triggers feel, I expect this to help with performance on the Umarex T4E TR68.
Build Quality: The build quality of the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is good overall. It is a mostly plastic build with some metal parts where they need to be internally. It is essentially two plastic halves held together by small screws with few actual mechanical working external parts. You have the trigger with its working trigger safety, the removable magazine and magazine release and of course the quick puncture CO2 screw knob. The hammer is internal. The Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is not very heavy but it does feel really solid in the hand because of its very large size.
Realism: The Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is not really a replica per say of any real steel gun that I know of. It does share a lot of similarities with the Crosman Vigilante which is a CO2 BB/Pellet Revolver with its main design going back several decades. The Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver looks similar to what a modern looking large caliber revolver such as a 357 or 44 magnum looks like. It is not going to fool anyone up close that you actually have a real steel revolver but then again I don’t think if you are shooting it at anyone they are going to want to get all that close to you :)
Pros:
Hoping to get a bit more raw energy out of the T4E TR.68 than the TR50 as it uses larger heavier ammo. (TR50 averaged 328 using rubber balls for reference).
Lots of mounting options for accessories like a tac light, laser or other sighting option with it’s upper and lower picatinny rail setup.
Quick CO2 pierce system so you can leave a CO2 in it ready to go any time with no worries about CO2 leaking out while in storage.
Working Trigger Safety.
White dot sights super easy to see on targets of varying colors and shades.
DOA Trigger feels pretty decent, not too long or heavy.
Comes with 3 total magazines you can preload ready for use.
Super non-complicated design. Once loaded with CO2 and Paintballs or Rubber Balls, all you need to do is hit the CO2 knob and then pull the trigger.
Build quality feels good, the gun is fairly beefy but not overly heavy.
Grip is normal size even thought the gun itself is fairly large.
Cons:
Mostly all plastic build.
Sights are not adjustable so hopefully it is well centered out of the box.
Do not expect a lot of shots per CO2. Will find out when I do my Field Test Shooting Review.
Comments:
The Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver is an interesting Paintball gun, overseas versions are marketed as the HDR86 which stands for “Home Defense Revolver”, while the North American or Canada version is marketed as the TR68 for “Training Revolver”. This is mainly because in Europe most countries are not allowed to own real handguns but can own “Self Defense handguns”. In the US real handguns are very easy to obtain and can be used for self defense. Just across the border here in Canada we can not really purposely have on hand anything that we plan to use as a weapon for self defense so the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver, like the TR50 is marketed as a Training Revolver. What’s the difference? Not much, our North American 230+ fps version is a lot like the lower powered German versions in terms of power but you can also get more powerful versions in the UK. All that said, the Umarex T4E TR68 .68 Caliber Paintball Revolver at least here in Canada is made and marketed as a Training Paintball gun maybe not all that suitable on the field? What you decide to do with it is up to you.
In this Replica Airguns Unboxing Video I take a look at 6 Airguns consisting of 2 Paintball Pistols, 3 Airsoft Rifles and one Pellet Rifle. This is not a full review in any way but is rather a preview of what i will be doing full Reviews for over the next several weeks.
This is not exclusive to Airguns since trends of Airguns are highly influenced by what type of Real Steel Pistols are popular to people. This is often based on what people see portrayed in movies and TV Series, and also promoted online. There is for sure an overlap in what is popular and it is hard to say what is influencing what? Is it the popularity of Pistols out in the real world that influences what we see being used in the movies and on TV? Or is it what we see in Movies and TV that influences our choices of pistols out in the real world? Perhaps it is a combination of both?
My list is based on my own personal experience and does not represent the entirety of types of Pistol designs available.
Last week I individually tested out the Barra Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 and the Krytac LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifles here in the Replica Airguns Indoor Sea Can Shooting Range to see how well they would perform. I was very surprised at how closely they performed considering the Barra Black Ops is around a quarter of the cost of the Krytac LVOA-C.
My testing in the Indoor Sea Can is a bit limited in terms of range as I can only set a target to about 30 feet away given the limitations of my 40 foot Sea Cam. I really wanted to take both of these AEG Airsfot Rifles and test them out at much longer ranges to see if the much lower cost Barra Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 could compete with the Krytac LVOA-C Airsoft Rifle at 50 feet and 100 feet respectively. So that’s exactly what I did! I did use a bit heavier Airsoft BB’s (.28 gram) for the longer range outdoors and much windier shooting conditions but I do have to say it was a bit windy on my testing day which I am sure played a roll.
I did place a few pre-test shots downrange at my 100 foot target to get an idea of where I needed to place my aim point and this did help me a bit to get in the ball park but by no way was a bang on in terms of sighting in. Because of this I did have to make some on-the-fly adjustments as I tested but was able to get rounds on paper at 100 feet even with the wind gusts.
In this second video I test out the more expensive of the two AEG Airsoft Rifles, the Krytac LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle to see how it compared to my previous Barra Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 test. I was a bit surprised at the results expecting the Krytac LVOA-C Airsoft Rifle to be the clearly superior option. As it turns out there was actually very little difference at least in term of accuracy out of the box. That said the Krytac LVOA-C had a much more responsive trigger with virtually no delay between pulling the trigger and actual BB’s being fired. This also makes full auto shooting a completely different experience as the Krytac LVOA-C rounds per minute is out of this world!
Last week I individually tested out the Barra Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 and the Krytac LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifles here in the Replica Airguns Indoor Sea Can Shooting Range to see how well they would perform. I was very surprised at how closely they performed considering the Barra Black Ops is around a quarter of the cost of the Krytac LVOA-C.
My testing in the Indoor Sea Can is a bit limited in terms of range as I can only set a target to about 30 feet away given the limitations of my 40 foot Sea Cam. I really wanted to take both of these AEG Airsfot Rifles and test them out at much longer ranges to see if the much lower cost Barra Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 could compete with the Krytac LVOA-C Airsoft Rifle at 50 feet and 100 feet respectively. So that’s exactly what I did! I did use a bit heavier Airsoft BB’s (.28 gram) for the longer range outdoors and much windier shooting conditions but I do have to say it was a bit windy on my testing day which I am sure played a roll.
I did place a few pre-test shots downrange at my 100 foot target to get an idea of where I needed to place my aim point and this did help me a bit to get in the ball park but by no way was a bang on in terms of sighting in. Because of this I did have to make some on-the-fly adjustments as I tested but was able to get rounds on paper at 100 feet even with the wind gusts.
In this first video I test out the cheaper option Barra Black Ops M4 Viper MK5 AEG Airsoft Rifle on its own, my next video will be exclusively the Krytac LVOA-C AEG Airsoft Rifle in which I will wrap up with my conclusion of both AEG Airsoft Rifles. I think you will be surprised at the results but you will have to wait a bit to find out!
As always I placed a brand new C02 in the Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol to get maximum power and the temperature was around 21 degrees Celsius or about 70 degrees Fahrenheit which is warm enough to get good velocity results but not hot enough for maximum fps so keep that in mond. I deiced to shoot 4 Steel BB’s, and 4 Lead Pellets through my chronograph and averaged the velocities out for each ammo type. The Steel BB’s weigh about 5.1 grain while the Lead Pellets weigh a bit over 7 grain so I was expecting to see higher numbers with the BB’s which is exactly what I got but not near as high as the claimed 495 fps.
My actual velocity result for Lead Pellets was a 4 shot average of 332 fps with the slowest being 313 and the fastest shot hitting 359. For steel BB’s I was able to average 346 fps so not a lot faster at the end of the day but close. My slowest Steel BB Chronograph reading was 342 with the fastest shot at 356 which was actually just a bit slower than the Lead Pellet fastest velocity reading. Lead Pellets tend to seal in the barrel better than Steel BB’s so even though they are a bit heavier they still get pretty close velocity readings to BB’s since the less CO2 blows by the ammo with Lead Pellets.
Sine the Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol has a double sided rotary magazine that holds 8 rounds on each end, I loaded one side with BB’s and one side with Pellets and proceeded to see how tight of a grouping each ammo type was capable of with 8 rounds. As expected again the Lead Pellets performed better getting about a 1.5 inch grouping well centered up a down on the bullseye but a tad to the left of it. The Steel BB’s did spread out somewhat getting closer to a 4 inch grouping that this time was better centered side to side but a little bit low of the Bullseye. Out of the box the sights seem to be fairly well centered which is nice since they are not adjustable.
So the Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol isn’t the flashiest Replica Airgun out there, maybe not the most powerful or accurate Airgun either but it is fun to shoot and does offer more options in terms of ammo choices when shooting. Velocity is really close between Steel BB’s and Lead Pellets and since the Lead Pellets are about 2 grain heavier they will have more energy downrange when they hit a target. The Lead Pellets also performed better in the accuracy department and shot a respectable 1.5 inch 8 shot grouping so if this was my Airgun I would probably go with Lead Pellets as long as I had some on hand, but if all you have around is Steel BB’s than at least you can keep on shooting which is what it’s really about at the end of the day.
You may be thinking, not another KWC 1911 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol Review! I get it, there are so many renditions of this 1911 Air Pistol either direct from KWC or distributed through almost all the big Airgun companies with their unique branding and licensing. Is there anything different about this version? In terms of performance not really, they all shoot about the same which is good. Not the highest fps but great triggers, nice heavy blowback operation and pretty consistent and decent accuracy. Really the only difference with the BARRA 4006 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is it is a bit chunkier than most other KWC based 1911’s which is mostly from the more beefy picatinny rail. You can watch my Table Top Video Review for more details and specification along with more close up video of the Barra 4006 here.
Getting right into the Field Test part of this Review video, I shot 5 rounds through my Chronograph using a brand new CO2 in average room temperature conditions and I was able to average 292 fps with the slowest velocity hitting 286 fps and the fastest velocity hitting 300 fps. The general claimed fps for Full Blowback CO2 BB KWC 1911’s is around 330 as a best case most likely in very warm conditions. 300 fps is all you need to shoot pop cans and paper targets 30 feet away and feel like a champ doing so.
When it comes to the accuracy of the BARRA 4006 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol, I was not surprised to get around a 2 inch 10 round grouping at 30 feet away shooting at a paper target. This is pretty much exactly what I get from all the KWC Full Blowback 1911 BB shooters out there. Out of the box I did shoot a tad bit to the left but in terms of elevation the BARRA 4006 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol was up for the job at 30 feet out. Since the white dot sights are non-adjustable, you will have to shoot just slightly to the right to drop pop cans consistently but this again is going to be the case with just about any BB or pellet pistol that does not have adjustable sights. They rarely ever shoot perfectly dead center on the bullseye. You could add an adjustable laser sight to the picatinny rail if you do want more precision aiming.
So that brings us to the concluding of this Filed Test Shooting Video for the BARRA 4006 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol. All in all a super fun 1911 Replica Airgun with one of the best trigger out there, nice heavy blowback action, velocity that gets the job done and accuracy to match. I have a soft spot for 1911’s and I love full blowback all metal Airguns, the BARRA 4006 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol seems to have little bit more heft to me (@ 2.2 pounds) which I like in a 1911, perhaps closer to a real steel 1911 in this case. Another great CO2 Blowback BB Pistol to chooses from!
I was really looking forward to testing the ASG 1911 US-C CO2 Blowback BB Pistol in the Replica Airguns Sea Can Indoor Shooting Range, mainly because it offers a new type of system for loading BB’s into the Breach that does not require any trigger effort while still providing more efficient CO2 usage. I am happy to say that the ASG 1911 US-C CO2 Blowback BB Pistol does provide a higher velocity with this system, more efficient CO2 usage and it still maintains good accuracy with a really great feeling single action only trigger, the same as you would fid on a classic 1911! If you are mainly interested in details and specifications along with more close up video of the ASG 1911 US-C CO2 Blowback BB Pistol then watch my Table Top Video Review.
So let’s get right into the performance… As always I started out with my Chronograph Velocity Test to see what the actual fps is for the ASG 1911 US-C CO2 Blowback BB Pistol. ASG claims 420fps which is about 100 fps higher than what you can expect best case scenario from a KWC Full Blowback CO2 1911. My 5 shot average in this test was 372fps using a brand new CO2 in medium temperature settings. In a warmer shooting situation you may get a little bit higher fps but I would not expect a lot more out of this pistol. Still I would say on average about 70fps faster than the Full Blowback KWC 1911’s I have tested in the past.
Moving on to my accuracy test, I shot 10 rounds at a fresh paper target from 30 feet away using a semi rested shooting position with my hands rested on a sand bag up front and sitting on a stool in the back. My 10 shot grouping ended up being around 2 inches which is a little on the tighter side than you would expect from most Blowback BB Pistols. It did shoot a little bit low but side to side was very well centered. The trigger felt really good while the blowback action is very fast and snappy as compared to the full blowback KWC 1911’s I have reviewed in the past.
I was very happy with the performance of the ASG 1911 US-C CO2 Blowback BB Pistol overall! The trigger was short and light as I was hoping for, the velocity was perfect for a blowback CO2 Pistol getting really close to 400 fps, and the partial blowback action although not as aggressive as some otters blowback CO2 BB Pistols was still strong enough to give some good feedback while shooting. One point I would like to make with this pistol is to not take the magazine out or rack the slide between magazine reloading as you can very easily double load a BB into the breach either resulting in a double shot or possible BB jam. If you want a Blowback 1911 with that classic 1911 trigger and a little bit better performance than most other blowback 1911’s ,then the ASG 1911 US-C CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is a really great choice!
Type: Non-blowback CO2 BB and Pellet Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Gamo. Model:P-430. Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: .94 pounds (427 grams). Total Length: 8 inches (203mm). Barrel: 4.75 inches (121mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto non-blowback, DOA trigger. Ammunition Type: .4.5mm steel BB’s and .177 caliber pellets. Ammunition Capacity: 16 round drop out plastic stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 495.
Trigger Pull: The Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol is typical of a double action tiger in that it is a longer trigger pull that requires more effort to pull. The Gamo P-430 trigger is I would say good for a DOA trigger as it is not overly heavy and does allow for fairly quick rapid fire shooting. The trigger pull not only cocks the hammer, it also rotates the rotary magazine on either end of the stick magazine so there is a lot going on here but it still is not overly heavy which is nice.
Accuracy: I have yet to shoot the Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol or performed my standard Field Test shooting Video so I can not comment at this time on the performance other than what is claimed in terms of fps. Which if accurate will be one of the more powerful CO2 BB/Pellet guns, but we will see when I do my Field Test Shooting video. Accuracy is not claimed so hopefully the accuracy out of the box is as good as the claimed fps…
Build Quality: The Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol is a pretty much all plastic Airgun with only a few metal parts I can make out. The trigger is metal along with the inner barrel and the area where the CO2 goes in. Because of the plastic build, it is fairly light weight which can actually be good in a fall as the mass is low resulting in less damage if you were to drop it on a hard surface. Scratches will also be less noticeable on a plastic Airgun over a metal Airgun as the material on a plastic Airgun is all black rather than a painted surface that will show blemishes a lot more. The simplicity of the design means you should get a lot of shots from the Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol before encountering any problems.
Realism: The Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol is not a replica of a specific real steel gun in production but it does share a lot of cosmetic characteristics as a Sig Sauer Pistol such as the M17 and P226. There are few external mechanical working parts on the Gamo P-430 other than the trigger, safety and magazine release and as mentioned already the Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol is rather light weigth which takes away from the realism. The barrel is slightly recessed and the CO2 tab is hidden in the grip which helps in terms of realism.
Pros:
Claimed high velocity of 495 fps.
Expect lots of shots per CO2 as compared to a blowback Airgun.
Simple design means it will have less to go wrong over time.
Picatinny rail for add on accessories.
Can use either 4.5mm Steel BB’s or .177 caliber pellets.
Cross bolt safety to prevent accidental shots.
Has a Sig Sauer like look to it which is a good thing.
Double ended stick magazine works well and does not add too much friction to the trigger pull.
Well hidden CO2 Screw, no tools required.
Fit and warning instructions on Airgun is embossed and color matched so it is very subtle.
Cons:
Mostly all plastic Build.
No white dot sights so will be harder to see on darker backgrounds, also not adjustable.
Light weight with no blowback action so not as good realism and a cheaper feel to it.
Trigger is a bit long but not crazy heavy.
Comments:
I personally prefer blowback Airguns that have a more solid weight and feel to them, but again there is a lot more that can go wrong and parts tend to wear out over usage a lot quicker than a more simple design like in the case of the Gamo P-430 CO2 Dual Ammo BB Pellet Pistol. Price is also going to be a lot less when looking at the Gamo P-430 as the plastic build is a lot cheaper to produce. On the other hand these non-blowback CO2 airguns do tend to have a much higher velocity and also generally you will also get more shots per CO2 than a similar CO2 Blowback Pistol so you have to give to get, it really depends what features you want more and in this case you also get a more cost effective Air Pistol with plenty of shooting enjoyment.
