View fullsize

Today I am testing out the Crosman 2240XL Special Edition here in the Sea Can indoor shooting range. It is getting a bit colder and raining outside, but the Sea Can is sitting at a comfortable 19 to 22 degrees Celsius, providing a great baseline environment for testing a fresh CO2 cartridge. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the dedicated Table Top Review for all the specifications and build details on this model. For this field test, our focus is entirely on performance: running it through the chronograph for real-world velocity and testing the downrange accuracy.

Chronograph & Velocity Performance For the velocity baseline, I used a brand new CO2 cartridge and loaded up some heavier .22 caliber Crosman Premier Hollow Points, which sit around the 14 to 15-grain mark. Crosman claims around 460 FPS on the box, but keep in mind that is typically achieved using the lightest possible ammunition.

Here is how the 5-shot string performed through the chronograph:

• Shot 1: 329 FPS

• Shot 2: 330 FPS

• Shot 3: 337 FPS

• Shot 4: 335 FPS

• Shot 5: 335 FPS

View fullsize

The Crosman 2240XL Special Edition settled in nicely around a 333 FPS average. Because this is a bolt-action setup rather than a fast-firing semi-auto, the CO2 doesn't cool down too rapidly between shots, which helps keep the velocity remarkably consistent across the string.

Downrange Accuracy & Target Testing Moving over to the accuracy test, I set up a fresh paper target 30 feet downrange. For this setup, I decided to mount a bit of a monstrosity of a 4x optical magnification scope using the dovetail mounts, which I pulled right off another gun just for this test.

I took about 9 shots from a rested position on the table. The first two shots were close together, but the grouping eventually opened up to about 2 inches, including one major flyer that I definitely didn't feel like I pulled. Honestly, I wasn't super impressed with this particular grouping. The 2240 platform is famous for its accuracy, so this spread might be down to a few different factors: potential nicks on the pellets during loading, the cheap optical sight I attached, or just user error while trying to stabilize it.

View fullsize

Handling Notes & Optics Fitment One of the absolute highlights of the Crosman 2240XL Special Edition is the trigger. It has a very nice, light, and short pull with essentially zero break required. However, shooting a pistol with a magnified scope from a rested position proved to be awkward. Trying to pull a pistol-length platform close to your face for proper eye relief (using a rifle scope rather than a pistol scope) can make everything feel quite shaky.

If you plan on running a larger optic like this, I highly recommend adding a shoulder stock to help stabilize the gun. Alternatively, swapping the massive scope out for a compact red dot or sticking to standard pistol sights would make this much more comfortable to shoot in its stock pistol form.

Final Thoughts The Crosman 2240XL remains an incredibly highly modifiable platform, fitting right in with the various pumper and .177 caliber variants available on the market. While my grouping today wasn't the tightest, the potential of this gun is massive once you dial in the right optics, ammo, and perhaps a stock for better stability.

Where to Buy

• 🇨🇦 Buy the Crosman 22040 XL .22 Caliber CO2 Pellet Pistol in Canada

• 🇺🇸 Buy Pellet Pistols in the US

View fullsize

Welcome back to Replica Airguns. I get asked all the time about which airguns hit the hardest, but a lot of people focus on the wrong attributes. They often look strictly at velocity instead of the raw energy and blunt force required for different tasks.

In this guide, we are breaking down the four main types of airgun ammunition: Airsoft, steel BBs, lead pellets, and rubber balls. The goal is to show you exactly what each ammo type excels at and where they fall short so you can choose the right tool for your specific needs.

View fullsize

6mm Airsoft: Safe Training and Plinking

Airsoft guns fire 6mm round balls, which are generally made of plastic, though you can find copper or zinc-coated variants. Because these are some of the lightest projectiles, ranging from 0.20 to 0.45 grams, they have the lowest overall energy and often lower velocities.

• Best For: Airsoft is ideal for force-on-force skirmishes (with proper eye protection) because the lightweight rounds sting but do not penetrate the skin.

• Practical Uses: They are great for safe indoor garage shooting without the risk of breaking windows, or for humanely chasing nuisance crows or vermin out of your yard without causing them permanent harm.

• Platform Tech: Heavier airsoft rounds utilize backspin, or "hop-up", to float straight through the air for better accuracy, and they are typically fired from highly realistic, full-blowback gas or CO2 replica pistols. Most rifle Airsoft guns are AEG’s using a battery and spring setup which allows for easy semi and full auto operation.

• Worst For: These are entirely ineffective for pest control (extermination) or any scenario requiring deep penetration or high impact energy.

View fullsize

4.5mm Steel BBs: Fast-Action Shooting

Steel BBs are 4.5mm in diameter, which translates to a .177 caliber round ball. Weighing in at approximately 5.3 grains, they are much denser than Airsoft rounds.

• Best For: Steel BBs are fantastic for fast-action plinking, breaking glass bottles, and tearing up pop cans.

• Platform Features: These are often used in 1-to-1 replica blowback pistols with drop-out full size magazines, giving shooters an authentic firearm feel for tactical manipulation practice.

• The Dangers: Steel does not deform upon impact, meaning these BBs are highly prone to dangerous ricochets if you shoot at hard surfaces indoors or up close.

• Worst For: Steel BBs lack the blunt force for home defense and are unethical for pest control as trey are a bit under powered and generally not as accurate as similar pellet guns.

View fullsize

Lead Pellets (.177 and .22 Caliber): Precision and Pests

Unlike round BBs, pellets are designed to be fired through a rifled barrel. Common sizes include .177 caliber (4.5mm, weighing 5 to 10 grains) and the much heavier .22 caliber (5.5mm, weighing 12 to 16 grains).

• Best For: The soft lead engages the spiral grooves in a rifled barrel, providing unmatched precision and accuracy.

• Terminal Ballistics: Because lead is soft, it expands and flattens upon impact, transferring its heavy kinetic energy directly into the target.

• Practical Uses: This improved energy transfer makes pellets the ethical choice for small pest control.

• Worst For: Pellet platforms are rarely designed as rapid-fire action shooters; they typically utilize slower single-shot (bolt actions) or rotary magazines that can require a bit of trigger finger strength to shoot quickly.

View fullsize

Rubber Balls (.43, .50, and .68 Caliber): Less-Lethal Blunt Force

This category represents the heavy hitters, firing massive projectiles that range from soft sponge rubber to dense steel-core balls, dust balls, and pepper balls.

• The Power Factor: A .68 caliber home defense marker can produce upwards of 20-50 Joules (or roughly 15-35 foot-pounds) of energy with dedicated home defense styled Rubber Ball Guns.

• Best For: The .68 caliber and high-powered .50 caliber options are explicitly designed for less-lethal home defense.

• How They Work: Instead of penetrating, these massive projectiles dump incredible raw energy and blunt force directly onto the target, effectively stopping threats through extreme pain.

• Training Options: The smaller .43 caliber variants are frequently chambered in realistic blowback replica pistols, making them excellent for tactical and paintball-style force-on-force training.

At the end of the day, picking the right Airgun comes down to matching the ammunition mass and energy to your target. You can find all the gear discussed here, from Airsoft replicas to less-lethal launchers, at the Replica Airguns Canada and US stores. Make sure you are subscribed to our channels across Rumble, YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, X and Facebook for more detailed reviews and field tests.

• Buy Replica Airguns in Canada

• Buy Replica Airguns in the US

View fullsize

In this table top review, we are taking a close look at the Crosman 2240XL Special Edition, a .22 Caliber CO2 Pellet Pistol. While I haven't shot this exact model yet, I have shot the standard 2240 non-XL version, and they share a very similar firing mechanism. The biggest draw to the XL version is the factory-upgraded metal breech with an 11mm dovetail rail, and the threaded muzzle for added versatility.

View fullsize

Key Specifications:

• Model: Crosman 2240XL Special Edition

• Type: Pellet Pistol

• Caliber: .22 caliber lead pellets

• Power Source: 12-gram CO2 (1 cartridge)

• Velocity: Up to 460 FPS

• Action: Single-Shot Bolt Action

• Safety: Cross-Bolt Safety

• Barrel: Rifled Steel Barrel, Threaded muzzle (1/2" x 20 threads)

• Stock/Grips: Plastic grips

• Construction: Mostly metal (steel breech, barrel, loading chamber) with plastic grips

• Weight: 1.8 lbs

• Overall Length: 12.5 inches

• Sights: None included

• Optics Rail: 11mm Dovetail Rail

View fullsize

First Impressions & Build Quality:
The 2240XL brings a much-needed factory upgrade to the legendary 2240 platform: a full steel breech. This alone is a huge addition, making the gun stand out and providing a much higher quality feel. The gun is almost entirely metal, including the barrel, CO2 loading chamber, bolt, and breech. The grips are plastic, which is fairly standard, but one of the best things about the Crosman 2240 platform is how highly customizable it is. There are countless aftermarket parts available, and you can even easily swap out the grips fro wood grips or for a Crosman shoulder stock to turn it into a backpacker-style carbine.

Weighing in at 1.8 pounds and measuring 12.5 inches long, The Crosman 2240XL Special Edition has a solid feel in the hand. The threaded barrel comes with a thread protector and gives you options for adding mock suppressors or other attachments.

View fullsize

How It Works:
This is a single-action, bolt-action pellet pistol. To operate it, you must first cock the bolt and manually load a .22 caliber pellet into the chamber. Once the bolt is pushed forward and locked down, the trigger is engaged and ready to fire. Powered by a single 12-gram CO2 cartridge housed in the lower tube, it is capable of firing up to 460 FPS depending on the weight of the pellets used. Because it's a single-shot bolt action, you'll need to manually load a pellet for every shot, but you won't need to pump it since the CO2 provides the power.

View fullsize

Pros:

• Upgraded steel breech from the factory provides a robust build and premium look.

• Built-in 11mm dovetail rail makes adding a red dot or magnified optic easy.

• Threaded muzzle (1/2" x 20 threads) with an included thread protector for attachments.

• Solid CO2 power at up to 460 FPS.

• Highly customizable platform with endless aftermarket parts available.

• Excellent light single-action trigger with very little take-up.

• Mostly metal construction ensures long-lasting durability.

View fullsize

Cons:

• Does not come with any open sights, an optic is required out of the box.

• Relies on CO2, meaning velocities will fluctuate as the gun cools down during rapid fire and potentially as CO2 volume lowers.

• Standard plastic grips are somewhat basic.

View fullsize

Final Thoughts:
The Crosman 2240XL Special Edition takes an already proven pistol and adds the features most shooters end up buying aftermarket anyway. Having the steel breech and dovetail rail right out of the box makes mounting an optic straightforward, and the threaded muzzle is a fantastic touch, even if it’s just mainly for looks. If you're looking for a powerful .22 caliber airgun for small pest control that can be modified to your exact liking, the 2240XL is a superb starting point.

Stay tuned for the Field Test Shooting video coming up down the road.

Available at:

• 🇨🇦 Buy the Crosman 22040 XL .22 Caliber CO2 Pellet Pistol in Canada

• 🇺🇸 Buy Pellet Pistols in the US

We are halfway through September, and another unannounced delivery just showed up at the door. This box was surprisingly compact but incredibly dense, hinting at a hefty amount of possible ammunition inside. Cracking it open revealed a massive 4,000-count bottle of BBs and an updated classic from Crosman.

Gear Stock 4.5mm Copper-Coated Steel BBs

The sheer weight of this package came from a bulk 4,000-round bottle of Gear Stock 4.5mm steel BBs. These specific rounds feature a copper coating, which looks great but comes with a few historical caveats.

• Copper vs. Zinc: In my experience, copper-coated BBs can tarnish over time. Unlike zinc, which stays relatively clean, older copper coatings can oxidize and leave a dark, powdery residue on your hands and inside your airgun's barrel.

• Quality Check: If you burn through your ammo quickly, the tarnishing won't be an issue. We will have to see if modern manufacturing has improved the coating durability on this Gear Stock batch, but I typically lean toward zinc-coated BBs for long-term storage and cleaner shooting.

• Buy Gera Stock BB’s in Canada

• Buy Gear Stock BB’s in the US

View fullsize

The Crosman 2240 XL .22 Caliber CO2 Pellet Pistol

The main event in this box is the Crosman 2240 XL. The 2240 platform has been a staple in the airgun community for decades, and the XL version finally addresses the most common pain points shooters had with the base model out of the box.

• Core Specs: The 2240 XL is a CO2-powered, bolt-action, single-shot pistol chambered in .22 caliber. It weighs in at 1.8 pounds, features a rifled steel barrel, and utilizes a standard 12-gram CO2 cartridge.

• The Metal Breech Upgrade: The standard 2240 and its multi-pump cousin, the 1322, utilize a plastic breech. Mounting an optic on those older models requires clamp-on barrel adapter rings, which can easily twist out of alignment. The 2240 XL ships with an upgraded all-metal breech featuring a milled 11mm dovetail rail, allowing for a rock-solid red dot or scope mount straight from the factory.

• Threaded Muzzle: The front of the barrel has a threaded muzzle cap. You can unscrew the tip to attach 1/2" UNF aftermarket compensators or moderators, adding another layer of customization.

• Buy the Crosman 22040 XL .22 Caliber CO2 Pellet Pistol in Canada

• Buy Pellet Pistols in the US

View fullsize

Customization and Practical Application

Because the 2240 XL features a dovetail rail instead of iron sights, it is built specifically for optics. This plays perfectly into the massive aftermarket support for Crosman’s 22xx and 13xx platforms.

I own a heavily modified "backpacker" setup on one of my personal Crosman .22s, featuring a skeletonized rear shoulder stock and a magnified scope. At sub-500 FPS, a .22 caliber pellet is highly effective for close-range pest control. When dealing with nuisance animals like crows attacking songbirds, an ultra-high-velocity pellet will often pass straight through the target, wasting its kinetic energy. A heavier .22 pellet moving at moderate speeds dumps its full energy upon impact, providing a much more immediate and humane dispatch.

The full tabletop and field test shooting videos for the Crosman 2240 XL are coming up next. Make sure you are subscribed on Rumble, Vimeo, X, Threads, or TikTok to catch the full performance breakdown when it goes live.

View fullsize

Today, we are putting the Marksman 1018 Spring-powered BB/Pellet Pistol through its paces in the indoor shooting range. Don't get too excited, this gun isn't going to blow your socks off with crazy power, and I highly doubt we'll be seeing sniper-level accuracy. I also only test it out using standard 4.5mm steel BB’s in this Field Test.

If you're looking for the nitty-gritty details, specifications, and close-up angles, I have already done the dedicated Table Top Video Review for this gun, so be sure to check that out. For this session, we are strictly focused on performance: getting it on the Chrony and seeing how this spring-powered plinker handles when we actually put some 4.5mm BB rounds downrange.

Chronograph and Velocity Testing Starting things off with the chrony test, I wanted to see what kind of speed we could get out of this basic springer. Marksman claims it can shoot up to 200 FPS on the packaging. To test this, I loaded up the built-in BB reservoir to see if it could hit those numbers. Let's see how it performed:

• Shot 1: 111 FPS

• Shot 2: 110 FPS

• Shot 3: 107 FPS

• Shot 4: 115 FPS

• Shot 5: 108 FPS

• Shot 6: 108 FPS

• Average 110 FPS

As you can see, the numbers were very consistent, hovering right around the 110 FPS mark. While it is incredibly consistent, it falls well short of the 200 FPS claim. Because of this exceptionally low velocity, I decided to scrap my usual 30-foot target test. The gun just doesn't have the power to push BBs effectively at that distance without a massive arc, so I moved closer to the paper target at around 20 feet.

View fullsize

Accuracy Downrange at 20 Feet Next up, from 20 feet out, I took aim to see what kind of grouping the Marksman 1018 could pull off on a fresh paper target.

Shooting the Marksman 1018 Spring-powered BB/Pellet Pistol requires a bit of an adjustment. Out of the box, the fixed sights were shooting rather high and significantly to the left. I was aiming dead center at the bullseye, and the rounds were lofting up and striking far left of the center ring. Because you are dealing with completely fixed sights on a low-velocity plinker, you're going to have to rely heavily on "Kentucky windage", meaning if you want to hit your target, you'll need to aim well to the right and a bit lower to compensate. At 30 feet, those BBs would just be arcing even more dramatically, so 20 feet (or even 10 feet) is definitely the sweet spot for this pistol.

Shooting Feel and Features Despite the low velocity and accuracy quirks, the physical shooting experience has some redeeming qualities. The loading mechanism works flawlessly; it draws from the internal reservoir consistently without missing a single beat while cocking as long as it is fairly full.

Cocking the spring is incredibly easy, and the trigger actually isn't half bad for such a basic, entry-level gun. Since it's spring-powered, there is no need for CO2. This means it will work in absolutely any environment, rain or shine, and it’s incredibly cheap to shot.

View fullsize

Final Thoughts Ultimately, the Marksman 1018 Spring-powered BB/Pellet Pistol is exactly what it looks like: a real basic, inexpensive plinker. It’s not meant for long-range accuracy or high power. It's designed for casually plinking pop cans in your backyard or basement at 10 to 20 feet. For just a few bucks, you can grab a bottle of BBs and have some cheap, casual fun without ever worrying about buying or running out of CO2 cartridges. It is inexpensive to buy, inexpensive to shoot, and incredibly easy to operate.

Where to Buy

• Buy the Marksman 1018 Spring BB - Pellet Pistol in Canada

• Buy Airguns in the US

Thanks for tuning in! Make sure to head over and follow the Replica Airguns channels on Rumble, Vimeo, and YouTube. We are uploading as much content as possible to Rumble right now, and your support means the world as we keep building up our video community! Until next time, take care.

View fullsize

First Look & Overview In this table top review, we are taking a look at the Marksman Spring BB / Pellet / Dart Pistol, an inexpensive and versatile option for backyard and basement plinking. This model is primarily constructed with a plastic exterior shell, housing a single-stroke spring-piston power plant. Coming in at around $50 CAD, this is not a high-end replica, but it offers a highly accessible shooting experience with the ability to handle multiple types of ammunition.

View fullsize

Specifications

• Caliber: 4.5mm Steel BBs, .177 Caliber Pellets, & Darts

• Action: Single-stroke spring piston, break-barrel style loading

• Magazine: 18-round BB reservoir (single-shot for pellets and darts)

• Power Source: Spring piston

• FPS: Maximum 200 FPS

• Weight: ~1 lb (454 grams)

• Overall Length: 9 inches

• Construction: Mostly plastic exterior with internal metal components

• Sights: Fixed fiber optic sights (front and rear)

• Safety: Cross-bolt safety

View fullsize

Build Quality & Design The Marksman Spring BB / Pellet / Dart Pistol features a lightweight, predominantly plastic external construction. While it lacks the substantial heft of full-metal replicas, weighing in at just 1 pound, it feels quite comfortable in the hand. The grip has a nice texture and isn't overly thick, making it suitable for shooters with smaller hands even though the pistol maintains a slightly bulky, blocky 1911-style appearance. Despite the external plastic shell, the internal spring piston system and critical mechanical components are made of metal.

View fullsize

Magazine & Loading System Loading this pistol is a unique process. It features a built-in 18-shot internal reservoir for 4.5mm steel BBs. To fire, the rear section of the slide is pulled back to activate the spring piston. Pushing the top portion forward opens the breech in a break-barrel fashion, allowing access to the loading bay. When using BBs, they drop in from the internal reservoir. If you are shooting pellets or darts, you will load them one at a time directly into the breech. An included rubber speed-loader accessory lets you easily drop BBs into the reservoir by simply pinching it, a convenient feature that saves loading time.

Handling & Controls Operating this spring piston pistol requires manual cocking before every shot. The slide is used to cock the internal spring, and the trigger features a skeletonized design within a built-in fairly heavy trigger guard. The trigger pull is decent but requires a deliberate press. The cross-bolt safety effectively locks the trigger, ensuring that the pistol cannot be fired once cocked and loaded until you have disengaged it. (Mine did have an issue)

View fullsize

Sights & Optics The Marksman Spring BB / Pellet / Dart Pistol comes equipped with fixed fiber optic sights on both the front and the rear. This makes target acquisition noticeably easier, especially against various backgrounds or in lower light conditions. The sights are fixed and non-adjustable, and the pistol even though it looks like it does, it does not include accessory rails for mounting aftermarket optics or lasers.

Performance Expectations This airgun is not built for shattering power records, boasting a maximum velocity of around 200 FPS. Because of its low power output, it is very quiet to operate, making it ideal for close-range indoor plinking or backyard target shooting where noise is a concern. The spring piston action means there is no CO2 to buy, keeping your operating costs extremely low.

Pros

• Very affordable (around $50 CAD)

• No CO2 required; low ongoing operating cost

• Versatile ammo compatibility (shoots BBs, pellets, and darts)

• 18-round internal BB reservoir

• Included quick-load pinch accessory for BBs

• Fiber optic sights front and rear

• Lightweight and easy to handle for various hand sizes

• Quiet operation ideal for indoor or backyard shooting

Cons

• Low velocity (max 200 FPS)

• Predominantly plastic exterior construction

• Requires manual cocking for every single shot

• Fixed, non-adjustable sights

• No accessory rails

View fullsize

Final Thoughts The Marksman Spring BB / Pellet / Dart Pistol isn't about raw power or ultra-realistic blowback action. It's an accessible, budget-friendly airgun that doesn't require extra CO2 purchases. With the ability to shoot multiple types of ammo and a convenient included BB loader, it delivers straightforward, simple fun. Stay tuned for the upcoming field test shooting video to see exactly how this performs down range.

Be sure to check out our exclusive long-form video content on YouTube, Vimeo and Rumble and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

• Buy the Marksman 1018 Spring BB - Pellet Pistol in Canada

• Buy Airguns in the US

We’ve got yet another box on the table today for our August Mystery Unboxing. It took a while to arrive, but it was absolutely worth the wait. We’re diving into four highly anticipated products across the BB, Pellet, and Airsoft categories.

Here is a quick first look at what’s hitting the review table soon!

View fullsize

Marksman Model 1018 .177 Caliber Air Pistol

First out of the box is the Marksman 1018. This is a very budget-friendly (around $50), 1911-inspired spring-actuated pistol. It features fiber-optic sights on the front and back, making it an excellent, quiet option for basement or backyard plinking. While it can technically shoot darts and bolts, we'll be sticking to BBs and pellets for our tests.

Basic Specifications:

• Action: Single-stroke spring piston

• Caliber: .177 Caliber (BBs and Pellets)

• Capacity: 18-shot internal BB reservoir

• Velocity: Up to 200 FPS

• Weight & Length: 1 lb / 9.0 inches

View fullsize

Umarex Glock 17 Gen 5 MOS CO2 Blowback BB Pistol

Next up is a beauty from Umarex, the Glock 17 Gen 5 MOS. If you love ultra-realistic replicas, this is it. It features a heavy full-metal slide spring, a recessed barrel, and classic white dot sights. The "MOS" means it comes ready with all the mounting plates you need to attach your favorite red dot sights. It runs on a full-size, drop-out 17-round metal magazine and utilizes a full blowback system for ultra realistic blowback operation.

Basic Specifications:

• Action: Semi-auto full blowback, single CO2 cartridge

• Caliber: 4.5mm (.177) steel BBs

• Capacity: 17-round drop-out metal magazine

• Velocity: Approximately 300 FPS

• Weight & Length: 1.5 lbs / 7.95 inches

View fullsize

A&K M1873R M-LOK Lever Action Airsoft Gas Rifle

I'm incredibly excited to finally do a proper field test on this one. This is a replacement for a previous model that had a leaky loading valve. This gas-operated, "Mares Leg" style lever-action rifle is heavily modernized. It features a gorgeous real wood stock, an enlarged lever loop, a Picatinny top rail, an M-LOK handguard for accessories, and a mock suppressor on the front.

Basic Specifications:

• Action: Gas Non-Blowback Lever Action (Green Gas)

• Caliber: 6mm Airsoft BBs

• Capacity: 25-round internal magazine

• Velocity: 360 - 390 FPS (with 0.20g BBs)

• Weight & Length: 3.7 lbs / 24.5 inches

View fullsize

Specna Arms SA-E10 PDW Edge AEG Airsoft Rifle

Finally, we have an absolute powerhouse in a tiny package: the Specna Arms SA-E10 PDW. This is a super-compact AR-style AEG with a polymer-metal build and a telescopic stock. Specna Arms goes above and beyond with the box contents on this one. Along with the rifle, you get two S-MAG mid-cap magazines, an additional M90 drop-in spring to easily lower your FPS for indoor fields, a Deans adapter, and a vertical foregrip.

Basic Specifications:

• Action: Electric (AEG) with Pre-installed MOSFET

• Capacity: Includes two 125-round mid-cap S-MAG magazines

• Velocity: 375-390 FPS (Drops to ~310-320 FPS with included M90 spring)

• Length: Minimum 505 mm (approx. 19.8 inches)

• Inner Barrel: 160 mm precision 6.03mm barrel

Stay tuned to the Replica Airguns channel, as I'll be doing dedicated tabletop and field test shooting videos for all of these very soon.

View fullsize

The Steambow B08 .68 Caliber Tactical Crossbow offers a unique and entertaining option for target shooting. In this field test review, I tested the Steambow B08, a .68 caliber launcher that is designed to shoot paintballs, rubber balls, or foam balls. I wanted to test this 35-pound bow to see how it performs in terms of velocity and real-world accuracy at 30 feet downrange.

For ammunition, I tested two different types of projectiles: black rubber balls and soft yellow foam balls. These projectiles are very light, which means firing them feels almost like you are dry-firing the bow all the time. However, using them makes for a cheap way to have some fun plinking around, and you can easily collect and reuse the ammo.

Velocity testing through the chronograph produced some incredibly consistent, albeit unusual, numbers. I fired six shots in total, using three rubber balls followed by three foam balls. The Steambow B08 delivered readings of exactly 129 FPS for all six shots. Seeing six duplicate velocity readings in a row across two different types of ammo is something I don't think I've ever seen before! This suggests that the projectile weight is less important here, as the bow string only moves so fast. For those looking to get more energy downrange, you will definitely want to use heavier projectiles, like a steel ball, and swap out for a heavier limb. (The Steambow B08 comes with a 35 pound limb for reference).

View fullsize

Accuracy testing was performed from 30 feet downrange on a fresh paper target. I loaded the eight-round magazine with four black rubber balls and four soft foam balls. The Steambow B08 .68 Caliber Tactical Crossbow was hitting quite low at this 30-foot distance, forcing me to aim up at the top of the target just to get the shots on paper. The grouping was somewhat scattered all over the place, indicating that this is a launcher you probably want to be working with a little closer in, at around 20 feet would be better in terms of accuracy. Aiming is done using a built-in little green dot at the front, but there is no real sight adjustment to dial it in or change it. Optimally I would sugest putting a simple red dot sight on the picatinny rail.

Overall, the 35-pound Steambow B08 is built primarily for target shooting and is a great way to have fun with your buddies outside or even inside a garage. I definitely wouldn't want to shoot this for pest control unless you plan to upgrade to a heavier limb and denser ammo. For anyone looking for a cheap, fun plinker with reusable ammo, this launcher is a very entertaining choice.

You can find the Steambow B08 and other Airguns, BB guns, Airsoft guns, Pellet guns, Blank guns, and accessories at:

• ReplicaAirguns.ca

• ReplicaAirguns.us

View fullsize

The Sig Sauer P320 Spectre Comp CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistol takes the already popular P320 platform and adds a more tactical, competition-inspired look with the Spectre Comp styling. In this Field Test Review, I focused mainly on real-world shooting performance including velocity, accuracy, trigger feel, blowback action, and overall handling. If you want all the detailed specifications and close-up overview footage, make sure to also check out my Table Top Review video for this model.

For this test I used standard Sig Sauer lead pellets, estimated around 7–8 grains rather than lightweight alloy pellets, giving a more realistic idea of what shooters can expect during normal use. Despite some chronograph frustrations during testing, the pistol delivered fairly consistent velocities once everything settled down. Average readings for my five shots through the Chronograph came in at 270 FPS, with highs reaching about 286 FPS during the initial shots and my slowest shot was 260 FPS. Considering the cooling effect common with CO2-powered airguns, the consistency was actually quite respectable for a blowback pellet pistol.

Accuracy testing was performed at 30 feet using a standard paper target. I fired a full 10-shot group and overall results were solid for a blowback pellet pistol with a higher-capacity belt-fed magazine system. Most shots grouped within roughly 2 inches, although the full spread opened up closer to 2.5–3 inches when including a couple lower shots likely caused by slight velocity variation from CO2 cooldown. Horizontal consistency was very good, with only a slight tendency to drift left. For a rapid-fire capable CO2 pistol with blowback, the accuracy was more than acceptable.

View fullsize

One thing worth mentioning is the trigger feelof the Sig Sauer Spectre Comp. Since the trigger system also advances the pellet belt during firing, there is naturally a bit more friction and a slightly longer pull compared to some rotary magazine designs. Even so, the trigger never felt excessively heavy or unpleasant. Rapid follow-up shots were still easy to manage, and the realistic blowback action adds a lot to the shooting experience.

The 20-round belt-fed magazine system is one of the biggest advantages of the Spectre Comp over many traditional rotary magazine pellet pistols. Instead of dealing with smaller 8-shot or flip-around style magazines, you get a much more enjoyable shooting session with fewer reload interruptions. Combined with the realistic weight, solid balance, and satisfying blowback recoil impulse, this pistol ends up being a very fun and practical option for target shooting and action-style plinking.

If you are looking for a realistic training-style pellet pistol that combines blowback action, higher magazine capacity, and solid handling characteristics, the Sig Sauer P320 Spectre Comp CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistol is definitely worth checking out. It offers a nice balance between realism and shooting fun while still delivering respectable accuracy and consistency for casual target shooting.

You can find more information about Airguns, BB guns, Pellet guns, Airsoft guns, Blank guns, and accessories over at Replica Airguns Canada and Replica Airguns US.

• Buy the Sig Sauer P320 Spectre Comp CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistol in Canada

• Buy Sig Sauer P320 Blowback Pellet Pistol in the US

View fullsize

First Look & Overview

In this table top review, taking a detailed look at the Sig Sauer P320 Spectre Comp CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistol, a modern, competition-style airgun replica that closely mirrors its real steel counterpart. This model stands out with its aggressive styling, compensated muzzle, and optics-ready slide, making it one of the more premium-looking pellet pistols currently available.

This is a pellet-only airgun with blowback action, designed more for realism and handling than raw velocity. If already familiar with the Sig Sauer M17 pellet pistol, this one shares a lot of mechanical similarities, including the magazine system.

Specifications

• Caliber: .177 Pellet

• Action: Semi-auto, blowback

• Magazine: 20-round belt-fed rotary system

• Power Source: 12g CO2 (tool-free cam lever system)

• FPS: Claimed 340 FPS

• Weight: ~2.3 lbs

• Overall Length: 8.5 inches

• Barrel Length: 4.6 inches (rifled)

• Construction: Metal slide, polymer frame

• Sights: Fixed white dot front and rear

• Optics Ready: Yes (SIG Air RMR compatible)

• Rail: Picatinny accessory rail

• Safety: Ambidextrous manual safety

View fullsize

Build Quality & Design

The Sig Sauer P320 Spectre Comp CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistol delivers a solid mix of metal and polymer construction. The metal slide gives it realistic weight and feel, while the polymer frame helps keep things balanced. At around 2.3 pounds, it has a substantial presence in hand without feeling overly heavy.

The grip features enhanced texturing along with a flared magwell, adding to both aesthetics and usability. The slide includes light porting and is optics-ready, allowing for easy installation of a SIG Air RMR red dot.

One standout visual element is the compensated muzzle, which adds to the competition-style look. However, it also impacts field stripping, you’ll need to remove it to fully disassemble the slide.

View fullsize

Magazine & CO2 System

This pistol uses a 20-round belt-fed rotary magazine, which is housed within a drop-out mag body. Loading is straightforward:

• Remove the rotary belt insert

• Load pellets into each chamber

• Reinsert into the mag

CO2 is loaded using a tool-free cam lever system, which is fast and convenient compared to traditional screw-in designs.

Important note: the magazine needs to be firmly seated. A light insertion may not lock it properly, and due to the weight, it could fall out if not fully engaged.

Also worth noting, while the outer mag housing has some polymer components, the internal structure is mostly metal. Still, avoid dropping it on hard surfaces.

View fullsize

Handling & Controls

• Ambidextrous safety works from both sides, though visual indicators are only clearly marked on one side

• Trigger feels closer to double-action due to the rotary magazine indexing

• Slide cycles with blowback but does not lock back when empty

• Takedown lever is present, but full disassembly is limited by the compensator

The trigger has a solid feel and requires deliberate pull due to the indexing mechanism. This is normal for belt-fed pellet systems.

View fullsize

Sights & Optics

The pistol comes with fixed white dot sights, which are effective for quick target acquisition. However, they are not adjustable.

For those wanting more precision, the pistol supports SIG Air RMR optics, replacing the rear sight with an included plate.

Performance Expectations

The claimed velocity is 340 FPS, which is typical for blowback pellet pistols. Expect slightly lower speeds with lead pellets (recommended) compared to alloy pellets.

Blowback operation will also consume more CO2 than non-blowback models, trading efficiency for realism.

If looking for a performance reference, similar results can be expected to the Sig Sauer M17 pellet pistol due to shared internals.

View fullsize

Pros

• Excellent replica accuracy of the P320 Spectre Comp

• Realistic blowback with metal slide

• Good weight and balance (~2.3 lbs)

• 20-round high-capacity pellet magazine

• Tool-free CO2 cam lever system

• Rifled barrel optimized for pellet shooting

• Optics-ready (SIG Air RMR compatible)

• Flared magwell and enhanced grip texture

• Picatinny rail for accessories

• Magazine compatibility with M17

Cons

• Lower FPS compared to non-blowback pellet pistols

• Higher CO2 consumption due to blowback

• Fixed (non-adjustable) sights

• Pellet-only (no BB capability, though this protects rifling)

• Slide does not lock back when empty

• Field stripping requires compensator removal

View fullsize

Final Thoughts

The Sig Sauer P320 Spectre Comp pellet pistol is a strong option for anyone prioritizing realism, handling, and modern styling over raw power. It delivers a premium look with solid functionality, especially for training, backyard shooting, or collectors wanting a high-end replica.

While not the most powerful pellet pistol available, it excels in design, usability, and realism, especially if already a fan of the P320 platform.

For those in Canada, availability may already be live, with US availability likely to follow.

• Buy the Sig Sauer P320 Spectre Comp CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistol in Canada

• Buy Sig Sauer Airguns in the US

View fullsize

A surprise “tiny box” delivery turned out to be a solid addition to the lineup, the SIG Sauer P320 Spectre Comp Pellet Pistol. Despite the small packaging, this is a full-featured CO2-powered pellet pistol with a strong focus on realism and competition-style design.

Right out of the box, the Spectre Comp feels substantial, coming in at around 2.29 lbs with a metal slide and polymer frame. It features a semi-auto blowback action and uses a 20-round belt-style pellet magazine, typical of SIG’s higher-capacity pellet systems.

Key highlights include:

• CO2 powered (.177 caliber pellet)

• Blowback action (semi-auto)

• 20-round belt magazine

• Approx. 340 FPS velocity

• Optics-ready slide (RMR plate compatible)

• Ambidextrous safety and controls

• Flared magwell for faster reloads

• Picatinny accessory rail

• Field-strip capable design (with compensator removal)

View fullsize

The pistol leans toward a competition-style setup, featuring a skeletonized trigger, ported slide, and a compensated front end for aesthetics. While the slide does not lock back (common for belt-fed pellet systems), the blowback adds to the overall shooting realism.

Loading is straightforward thanks to the tool-free CO2 system and two-piece magazine design. The trigger pull feels more like a double-action due to the belt cycling, which is typical for this platform.

Overall, the P320 Spectre Comp CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistol looks to be a well-built, feature-rich option for those wanting a realistic training pistol with added competition styling. A full tabletop review and field test shooting results will follow once it’s put through proper testing.

• Buy the SIG Sauer P320 Spectre Comp Pellet Pistol in Canada

• Buy Sig Sauer Airguns in the US

View fullsize

In this review, we are looking at two crossbows that honestly shouldn’t really be compared, but that’s exactly why this comparison is interesting. On one end, we have the Steambow M10, a compact, magazine-fed, fast-shooting crossbow built for fun, training, and high repetition shooting. On the other, the CenterPoint AT400, a full-size, high-powered compound crossbow designed for serious hunting applications.

Aside from both launching bolts/arrows, these two platforms sit at completely opposite ends of the spectrum. The goal here is not to declare a winner, but to help you decide which one actually fits your use case, or if you might want both.

Key Differences Overview:

Steambow M10

The Steambow M10 is a compact repeating crossbow designed more for fun, training, and high-volume shooting. It uses a magazine-fed system that can hold 10 bolts, allowing for very fast follow-up shots. Depending on the limb setup, it can reach speeds of up to around 200 FPS and produce approximately 10 to 15 foot-pounds of energy. Its lighter draw weight options and easy cocking system make it beginner-friendly and much less physically demanding to use. Overall, the M10 is best suited for target shooting, casual use, and potentially small game with the right setup.

CenterPoint AT400

The CenterPoint AT400 is a full-size compound hunting crossbow built for serious power and hunting use. Unlike the M10, it is a single-shot platform that focuses on accuracy, penetration, and range rather than fast repeat shooting. It sends arrows downrange at about 400 FPS and delivers close to 150 foot-pounds of energy, putting it in an entirely different class. With its roughly 200-pound draw weight, it requires much more effort to cock and reload, usually with a rope or crank system. This makes it better suited for medium to large game hunting, where power and shot placement matter far more than speed.

Side-by-Side Summary

If you want something lightweight, compact, fast, and easy to shoot often, the Steambow M10 is the better fit. If your main goal is hunting and you need maximum power, longer range, and serious downrange performance, then the CenterPoint AT400 is clearly the more appropriate choice. Even though both are crossbows, they are built for very different types of users and very different shooting experiences.

Power & Performance

The biggest separation between these two comes down to raw power.

• The Steambow M10 delivers up to about 10–15 foot-pounds of energy, depending on limb configuration and bolt weight. It’s comparable to higher-end airguns or paintball-level power.

• The CenterPoint AT400, by contrast, produces close to 150 foot-pounds of energy and launches arrows at around 400 FPS.

That’s not a small difference, it’s an entirely different category.

Real-world comparison:

• M10 = backyard shooting, small game potential

• AT400 = deer, and potentially even elk with proper shot placement

This is essentially the difference between a BB gun vs a hunting rifle in terms of role and impact.

View fullsize

Shooting Experience:

Steambow M10

• Magazine-fed (10 bolts)

• Extremely fast follow-up shots

• Break-action style cocking (very quick)

• Great for drills, repetition, and skill building

• Minimal effort required

You can realistically fire 10 shots in about 10 seconds, making it a very engaging and fun platform.

CenterPoint AT400

• Single-shot system

• Requires rope cocking or crank system

• Significant physical effort (200 lb draw)

• Slow reload (often 30–60+ seconds)

This is a deliberate shooting experience, not something designed for volume or speed.

Use Case Breakdown:

Steambow M10 – Best For…

• Backyard shooting (with proper backstop)

• Target practice

• Tactical-style drills

• High repetition training

• Casual and frequent use

• Lower-cost shooting (especially with rubber ball version)

View fullsize

You can even use:

• Rubber balls (low cost, reusable)

• Lightweight bolts

• Indoor-friendly setups (with proper safety)

CenterPoint AT400 – Best For…

• Hunting (deer and potentially larger game)

• Long-range accuracy

• Maximum penetration and power

• Purpose-driven shooting

This is not a casual-use product, you typically bring it out when it matters.

Ease of Use & Physical Demand:

Steambow M10

• Very easy to cock (even at lower draw weights)

• Beginner-friendly

• Lightweight (~compact platform)

• Minimal fatigue

View fullsize

CenterPoint AT400

• High effort required

• Needs cocking tools (rope or crank)

• Physically demanding

• Slower workflow between shots

Key takeaway:
Anyone can pick up and use the M10 easily. The AT400 requires more commitment, strength, and practice.

Size & Portability

Steambow M10

• Compact and lightweight

• Can be partially disassembled easily

• Backpack-friendly

• Ideal for mobile use

CenterPoint AT40

• Large, fixed structure

• Not easily transportable without a case

• Designed for field carry, not casual portability

Ammo & Cost of Ownership:

View fullsize

Steambow M10

• Bolts are smaller and cheaper

• Rubber ball version = extremely low cost

• Less wear and tear overall

• High reusability

CenterPoint AT40

• Arrows are larger and more expensive

• More prone to damage/loss at high speeds

• Requires maintenance and replacement over time

Value Consideration:

Interestingly, both fall into a similar price range (~$400–$500), but value depends on usage frequency:

• M10 → Likely used often → Higher practical value

• AT400 → Used less frequently unless hunting regularly

If something sits unused, its value drops regardless of price.

View fullsize

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose the Steambow M10 if you…

• Want fun, fast shooting

• Plan to shoot frequently

• Prefer low effort and ease of use

• Don’t need high power

• Enjoy tactical or training-style shooting

Choose the CenterPoint AT400 if you…

• Are hunting (especially deer or larger game)

• Need high power and penetration

• Value accuracy and range

• Don’t mind slower reload times

• Are comfortable with physical effort

View fullsize

Final Thoughts

These two crossbows are not competitors—they are tools for completely different jobs.

• The Steambow M10 is about frequency, fun, and versatility

• The CenterPoint AT400 is about power, precision, and purpose

If anything, this comparison highlights that you may not need to choose one over the other, you might actually benefit from having both ends of the spectrum covered.

If neither fits perfectly, then the real answer may be to look for something in the middle.

Where to Buy

Both of these crossbows (or similar models) are typically available through:

• Buy Steambow M10 in Canada

• Buy CenterPoint AT400 In Canada

• Buy in the US

View fullsize

Specifications:

• Type: Compound Crossbow

• Manufacturer: CenterPoint

• Model: AT400 Composite Crossbow

• Velocity: Up to 400 FPS

• Energy: 142 ft-lbs

• Draw Weight: 200 lbs

• Weight: 7.5 lbs

• Cocked Width: 14.5 inches

• Construction: Composite Stock & Rail, Quad Limb (Compressed Fiberglass)

• Scope: 4x32 Fixed Crossbow Scope

• Cocking System: Detachable Silent Crank (with sled system)

• Included Accessories:

  • 3x 20” Carbon Arrows (0.003 tolerance)

  • Quiver

  • Cocking Rope

  • Crank System

  • Foregrip

  • Hardware & Tools

Introduction

The CenterPoint AT400 Composite Tactical Crossbow is not something I review very often. Most of what I normally cover is backyard or basement-friendly, BB guns, pellet guns, airsoft, that kind of thing.

This is completely different.

The CenterPoint AT400 is a serious piece of equipment. This is not for casual plinking. This is designed for hunting and real-world applications, and based on the specs alone, it’s capable of taking small to medium game, potentially even deer.

With 400 FPS and 142 ft-lbs of energy, this is in an entirely different class compared to the compact crossbows I usually review.

Initial Thoughts (Before Shooting)

At the time of this review, I have not shot it yet.

Reason being, this requires a proper archery-rated backstop. This is not something you casually shoot in your backyard without the right setup.

I do have the space, but I would need:

• A proper target

• A safe shooting environment

This is something I plan to revisit once I can set it up properly.

View fullsize

What’s in the Box

• 3x carbon arrows

• Detachable quiver (mounts underneath)

• Crank cocking system

• Manual cocking rope

• String wax

• Allen keys and hardware

• Spare mounting components

Assembly is required, but it’s fairly straightforward:

• Expect about 30–60 minutes

• Mostly attaching the limb and securing hardware

Cocking Methods

This crossbow has a 200 lb draw weight, so you are not pulling this back by hand.

Two Methods:

1. Manual Cocking Rope

• Hooks attach under the string

• Make sure to loop string on rear part of the crossbow

• Foot goes into the stirrup

• Pull using your lower body

• Requires strength, especially in the lower back

2. Crank System

• Mounts into rear slots

• Much easier and controlled

• Recommended if you have any physical limitations

View fullsize

Design & Build Quality

This is a compound-style crossbow, featuring:

• Quad limb system (2 per side)

• Pulley/cam setup for efficient energy transfer

• Composite stock and rail

• Compact profile (14.5” cocked width)

Key Features:

• Roller Arrow Retention Spring
  Keeps the arrow securely in place

• Picatinny Rail System
  For mounting optics (comes with 4x32 scope)

• Oversized Stirrup
  Makes cocking more stable

• Ergonomic Grip & Foregrip
  Comfortable handling

• Integrated Quiver
  Holds 3 arrows + 1 loaded

• Safety System
  Engages when cocked

View fullsize

Walk-around Highlights

• Polymer/composite one-piece frame

• Rubber butt plate

• Large trigger guard (good for gloves)

• Protective hand guard (keeps fingers safe from string)

• Transparent scope lens covers

• Compact and tactical design

This is clearly built for real-world use, not just recreational shooting.

Performance Expectations

Even without shooting it yet, the specs tell the story:

• 400 FPS is extremely fast

• 142 ft-lbs delivers serious impact

• Designed for:

  • Hunting

  • Outdoor shooting

  • Controlled environments

The CenterPoint AT400 Composite Tactical Crossbow is not comparable to pistol-style or compact crossbows.

View fullsize

Pros

• Very high power (400 FPS / 142 ft-lbs)

• Compact 14.5” cocked width

• Quad limb system for durability and efficiency

• Silent crank system (ideal for hunting scenarios)

• Solid composite construction

• Includes everything needed to get started

• Roller retention system improves arrow consistency

• Good ergonomics and handling

Cons

• 200 lb draw weight (requires effort or crank use)

• Heavier than smaller crossbows (7.5 lbs)

• Fixed stock (no adjustability)

• Requires proper shooting setup (not backyard-friendly)

• Arrows require maintenance and eventual replacement

• Price (~$749 CAD)

View fullsize

Final Thoughts

This is a serious hunting-grade crossbow.

It’s not a casual product, and it’s not meant for beginners without proper setup and understanding.

What you get is:

• High performance

• Solid build quality

• Practical hunting capability

If you’re looking for something compact but powerful enough for real-world use, the CenterPoint AT400 fits that role.

Where to buy

• ReplicaAirguns.ca (Canada)

View fullsize

In this table top review, we take a close look at the Steambow B08 .68 Caliber Tactical Crossbow, a compact and versatile system designed for shooting rubber balls, paintballs, or foam projectiles. This model is particularly suited for controlled environments like indoor ranges (such as a sea can setup or even basement or backyard), thanks to its relatively moderate power and flexible ammunition options.

A full shooting test will follow separately, but for now, let’s break down the specifications, features, and what comes in the box.

Specifications

• Model: Steambow B08

• Caliber: .68 (rubber balls, paintballs, foam balls, etc.)

• System Type: Recurve crossbow

• Draw Weight: 35 lbs (standard included limb)

• Velocity: Up to 260 FPS (manufacturer claim)

• Energy: Approx. 7 ft-lbs (up to ~15 ft-lbs with stronger limbs)

• Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds (removable)

• Weight: Just under 4 lbs

• Length: 24.2 inches

• Width: 3.15 inches (body, excluding limb span)

• Height: 8.3 inches

• Materials: Fiberglass, metal, and polymer construction

• Stock: AR-style adjustable (6-position) with cheek rest and rubber butt pad

The B08 is distributed by Steambow GmbH (Austria) and is built on a modular platform compatible with other Steambow systems like the M10.

View fullsize

Key Features

Modular Platform

One of the standout aspects of the B08 is its modular design. The lower receiver is identical to the Steambow M10, meaning you can swap uppers to shoot either:

• .68 caliber balls (B08 upper)

• Crossbow bolts (M10 upper)

This gives users flexibility to adapt the platform for different uses.

Quick Change Limb System

The included 35 lb limb is easy to swap out:

• Secured by a single bolt

• Can be upgraded up to heavier options (up to ~120 lbs available)

• Allows tuning for power vs. ease of cocking

Magazine-Fed Repeater System

• 8-round removable magazine

• Spring-fed system with follower

• Auto-loading mechanism (not semi-auto, but fast cycling)

The system works by “breaking” or pulling back the stock, which:

• Cocks the string

• Loads the next round

• Prepares the trigger

Cocking Mechanism

• Shoulder-supported operation

• Pull stock inward to cock

• Very easy with 35 lb limb

• Allows relatively fast follow-up shots once familiar

Sighting System

• Fiber optic front sight

• Rear alignment via top trough channel

While simple, it works well for close-range shooting. However, the included Picatinny rails (top and bottom) allow for:

• Red dots

• Scopes

• Tactical accessories

Build & Ergonomics

• Polymer lower with reinforced components

• AR-style adjustable stock

• Adjustable cheek rest

• Rubber butt pad

• Included foregrip (user-installed)

Overall, the Steambow B08 .68 Caliber Tactical Crossbow has a solid, lightweight feel while still maintaining good handling characteristics.

What’s Included in the Box

The B08 comes well-packaged with multiple internal boxes and includes:

• Steambow B08 main unit

• 35 lb limb

• Foregrip

• 8-round magazine

• 25 “foam” balls (closer to hard nylon in feel)

• Protective shooting glasses

• Allen keys (for assembly and adjustments)

• String wax

• Extra string

• Mounting hardware

• Instruction manual

View fullsize

Note:
A small locking component for the upper assembly may come separate and is not clearly explained in the manual, but is required for proper function.

Operation Overview

• Load magazine with up to 8 rounds

• Insert magazine into front housing

• Cock by pulling stock inward

• Fire using single-action trigger

The ball is held in place by a simple groove and string system, guiding it forward during firing.

Performance Notes (Initial Impressions)

• Smooth and reliable operation

• Easy to cock with 35 lb limb

• Suitable for indoor shooting environments

• Compatible with various projectile types

Heavier limbs will:

• Increase velocity and energy

• Require more effort to cock

View fullsize

Pros

• Lightweight and compact (under 4 lbs)

• Modular system (compatible with M10 platform)

• Magazine-fed repeater design

• Easy cocking with included limb

• Quick-change limb system

• Picatinny rails for accessories

• Comes with useful extras

• Quiet operation

• Reusable ammunition options

Cons

• Higher price point

• No traditional rear sight included

• Learning curve for efficient operation

• Included limb may feel underpowered for some users

View fullsize

Final Thoughts

The Steambow B08 offers a unique blend of crossbow mechanics and tactical styling, combined with modular flexibility and relatively safe indoor usability. It’s especially appealing for users who want:

• A reusable ammo platform

• Quick follow-up shots

• Expandability with other Steambow systems

While the included 35 lb limb keeps it easy to use and accessible, upgrading the limb will unlock more performance potential for those looking for higher energy output.

Availability

Available through Replica Airguns:

• Buy the Steambow B08 .68 Caliber Crossbow in Canada

• US Archery Buying Options

A full shooting test and performance breakdown will follow in a separate review.

View fullsize

In this April 2026 unboxing, there’s a solid mix of power, realism, and variety straight out of the box. Even before opening it up, the size and weight of the package hinted that this wasn’t going to be a light or basic shipment. As usual, this is more of a first look and overview rather than a deep dive, with full tabletop and field test reviews coming later.

CenterPoint AT400 Compound Crossbow Kit (400 FPS)

The first item out of the box is easily the most substantial: an AT400 compound crossbow kit. This is not one of the smaller, backyard-friendly crossbows—it’s a full-sized, high-powered unit designed for serious use.

• Velocity: Rated around 400 feet per second

• Energy: Approximately 142 ft-lbs

• Features:

  • Detachable silent crank system for easier cocking

  • Picatinny rail for mounting optics or accessories

  • Full kit setup with multiple components included

This level of power puts it well into small-to-medium game hunting territory, making it more than just a recreational piece. Because of its size and power, testing it indoors isn’t really practical, so this one will likely get a detailed tabletop breakdown rather than a traditional shooting demo.

View fullsize

Umarex T4E TP50 Gen 2 (.50 Cal Tactical Pistol)

Next up is the Umarex T4E TP50 Gen 2, this time in the all-black tactical version rather than the more recognizable orange training model.

• Caliber: .50 caliber

• Velocity: Up to 465 FPS

• Ammo: Rubber balls (included in the box)

• System: CO2 powered with quick-pierce activation

This version stands out for a couple of reasons. First, the higher velocity suggests noticeably more energy compared to earlier or training-focused versions. Second, the all-black design gives it a much more realistic look, closer to a traditional firearm aesthetic.

Functionally, it uses a spring-fed internal magazine and a preloaded CO2 system, allowing you to keep it ready without gas leakage. When needed, a quick strike activates the CO2, making it immediately usable.

Based on typical .50 cal projectile weights and that velocity, this likely lands somewhere in the mid-to-high teens or possibly around 20 ft-lbs of energy, though exact numbers will be confirmed during testing.

View fullsize

E&L AKS-74N AEG Airsoft Rifle (Legends Series)

The final item in the box is a standout for realism: the E&L AKS-74N AEG airsoft rifle, branded under the “Legends / Legendary Perfection” line.

This is clearly built to replicate the real AK platform as closely as possible.

• Construction:

  • Real wood stock

  • Stamped steel receiver and metal components

  • Folding stock (magnetic lock)

• Operation:

  • AEG (Automatic Electric Gun)

  • Semi and full-auto firing modes

  • Adjustable rear sight (elevation)

• Extras:

  • Deans connector compatibility

  • Included specs sheet with velocity in m/s

The weight is immediately noticeable, estimated around 7–8 pounds, which adds to the realism. The combination of real wood furniture and steel construction gives it a very authentic feel compared to lighter, polymer-heavy Airsoft rifles.

The included magazine is polymer, but it should be compatible with standard AK-style AEG mags, meaning upgrades or swaps are likely straightforward.

Final Thoughts

This unboxing delivers a strong mix across three very different categories:

• High-power archery platform (AT400 crossbow)

• Compact CO2-powered .50 cal pistol (TP50 Gen 2)

• Full-metal, real wood AEG rifle (E&L AKS-74N)

Each item targets a different type of user, from tactical training and backyard use to collectors and realism-focused Airsoft enthusiasts.

As always, this is just the first look. Full tabletop reviews, comparisons, and field tests will break down real-world performance, usability, and value.

For availability and full write-ups, check:

• ReplicaAirguns.ca (Canada)

• ReplicaAirguns.us (USA)

• ReplicaAirguns.com (reviews and videos)

View fullsize

Today’s unboxing, we’ll call it the March 2026 Unboxing Preview!

I had no idea what was in this box, and honestly, I like it that way. It makes every delivery feel a bit like Christmas. A box shows up from the warehouse, I crack it open, and my job is to let you know what’s inside and what might be coming soon to the store. A lot of the time these are products we’ve never carried before. Not always, but usually there’s at least something new or unexpected in the mix.

As usual, getting into the box was its own little challenge. Good thing I had my “box cutter “ handy. Once I finally got through the packaging, it was clear right away this one had some interesting stuff inside.

What was in the box?

View fullsize

1) Annie Oakley Lil’ Sure Shot BB Rifle

First out of the box was something a little different: the Annie Oakley Lil’ Sure Shot.

This one is brought to you by Air Venturi / Western Justice, and it’s essentially a Red Ryder-style lever action BB rifle with some nice Western-themed touches. Right away, it stood out with the stained solid wood stock, wood forearm with engraving, and engraved Annie Oakley artwork.

Here are some of the listed specs and features:

• Ammo: .177 caliber / 4.5mm steel BBs

• Action: Lever cocking, spring piston

• Barrel: Smoothbore

• Overall Length: 36.25 inches

• Capacity: 550 BBs

• Claimed Velocity: Up to 350 FPS

• Weight: 3.3 pounds

• Max Shooting Distance: 212 yards

Once I opened it up, it definitely gave me that familiar Red Ryder / Marlin Cowboy vibe, but it feels like it may be just a bit bigger overall. Maybe a slightly longer stock, maybe just a bit more substantial in the hands. I’ll have to compare it side-by-side with a Red Ryder later to know for sure.

A few things I noticed right away:

• It has a metal lever

• Metal frame

• Metal barrel

• A plastic muzzle tip

• A rear sight that appears adjustable

• And surprisingly, a Weaver-style rail on top for mounting an optic

That top rail is actually a nice touch. You could absolutely throw a small scope on this if you wanted to, and why not? It makes for a fun little plinker, and the engraving gives it some real visual appeal too.

I’ve always had a soft spot for these little lever-action BB rifles. They’re just fun. They’re simple, classic, and a great way to introduce younger shooters to safe rifle handling. Rifles like this tend to be a bit easier for beginners since they’re not as quick to wave around as a pistol.

So yes, this one looks like it should be a lot of fun, and I’ll be doing both a Tabletop Review and a Field Test Shooting Review on it soon.

View fullsize

2) .68 Caliber Nylon Balls (100 Count)

Also in the box was a pack of 100-count .68 caliber nylon balls.

These feel noticeably heavier than the rounds I was using in my earlier T4E TC68 review. The previous ones were around the 2.8 to almost 3 gram range, and these new ones feel more like they’re getting up into the high 3 gram to 4 gram area.

That added weight could make them especially interesting to test in the TC68, since more projectile mass can sometimes translate into more energy on target, even if velocity comes down a bit.

So these should be fun to test out, and as it turns out, they may have arrived for a very good reason…

3) Steambow B08 / .68 Caliber Rubber Ball Crossbow Platform

This was the big surprise in the box, and definitely the highlight item.

If you watched my SHOT Show coverage, then you may remember this one from the Steambow booth. It’s a really cool product: basically a magazine-fed rubber ball shooting crossbow-style launcher in .68 caliber.

I had already gotten a chance to try it at SHOT Show, and Steambow was great about letting us check it out there. So it was pretty exciting to see one show up here for review.

Some of the box highlights:

• Detachable magazine

• 8-shot capacity

• .68 caliber projectiles

• Includes 25 foam balls

• Comes with a 35-pound limb

• AR-style adjustable buttstock

• Protective shooting glasses included

This product has a lot going on in the box. Once I opened it up, there were multiple components and accessories packed inside, including:

• Main body / receiver section

• Foregrip

• AR-style buttstock

• Upper receiver section with included magazine

• 35-pound limb

• Bow string and related accessories

• Lubricant / wax for the string

• Mounting hardware and tools

• Protective glasses

• 25 included foam balls

There’s definitely going to be some assembly involved before I can do a full review, so that will be part of the tabletop video.

The main unit itself feels solid and substantial. It has some good weight to it, and overall it looks like a very cool design. The included 35-pound limb should offer a decent balance between usability and performance. At SHOT Show we were only using a lighter 25-pound setup, which was very easy to draw, great for casual target practice, but obviously not the high-performance option.

One of the things I like about this platform is that it gives you that crossbow-style shooting experience while using reusable .68 caliber balls. That can make it easier and cheaper to shoot compared to bolt-style systems, where each arrow or bolt can get expensive fast, especially if you miss the target and damage one.

And since I now also have those heavier nylon .68 caliber rounds from the same box, I should be able to test both the included foam balls and the heavier options to see how they compare.

This one should make for a very interesting review.

Final Thoughts

So that was the March 2026 mystery box. We’ve got two very different products here:

• The Annie Oakley Lil’ Sure Shot, which looks like a fun, classic lever-action BB rifle in the Red Ryder tradition

• And the Steambow B08 / .68 Caliber Rubber Ball Crossbow Platform, which is something a little more modern, tactical, and definitely unique

Both of these are getting the full treatment, so expect Tabletop Review and Field Test Shooting Review videos for both products.

The Annie Oakley should be a blast to shoot, especially if it performs anything like the other Red Ryder-style guns I’ve reviewed over the years. And the Steambow system looks like it could be a really practical and fun way to enjoy crossbow-style shooting without the cost and fragility of traditional bolts.

I’ve still got a few earlier products to finish up as well, but I’ll be getting to these as quickly as I can.

Thanks for watching another Replica Airguns video. Don’t forget to subscribe, and check the links in the description for products available in our Canada and US stores.

For Canada, visit ReplicaAirguns.ca
For the US, visit ReplicaAirguns.us

And if you’re looking for other products including Airguns, BB guns, pellet guns, airsoft guns, blank guns, and accessories, be sure to check out both stores as well.

View fullsize

In this Video I perform the field test shooting review for the SIG Sauer P229 pellet pistol. If you’re interested in the full specifications, features, and a closer look at the pistol itself, make sure to check out my tabletop review where I go over all the details on this gun.

For today’s test I’m going to be shooting SIG Sauer lead pellets, roughly 7–8 grains. Because these are standard lead pellets and not lightweight alloy pellets, they’re not going to produce the highest velocity numbers this pistol can achieve. With lighter alloy pellets you will definitely see faster readings.

You could also shoot steel BBs through this gun, but BBs sometimes don’t seal quite as tightly in the barrel as pellets do. When that happens, some of the CO₂ can slip around the BB as it travels down the barrel which can actually reduce velocity slightly. BBs also generally don’t carry energy to the target as well as pellets, so pellets are usually the better option for accuracy and performance.

With these pellets, I’m expecting roughly around the 300 FPS range, so let’s see how it actually performs.

View fullsize

Velocity Test

For the velocity portion I’m going to put five shots through the chronograph to see what kind of numbers we get.

Chronograph Results:

Shot Velocities: 320 FPS - 296 FPS - 303 FPS - 286 FPS - 277 FPS (Average of 296 FPS)

As you can see, the readings are right about where expected, generally around the 300 FPS mark, with a slight drop toward the last shot. That’s fairly typical for CO₂ powered blowback pistols, since some of the gas is being used to cycle the slide.

View fullsize

Accuracy Test:

For the accuracy portion I’ve set up my paper targets at 30 feet downrange.

The SIG Sauer P229 pellet pistol uses a dual rotary 8-round magazine, so instead of the usual 10 shots I normally use in these tests, I’m going to fire eight shots to keep things simple and consistent.

One thing I like about this pistol is the trigger operation. When you start the trigger pull, the first stage rotates the rotary magazine. This part of the pull is very light and smooth, so there’s very little double-action feel. Once that’s done, you reach the single-action hammer release, which is nice and predictable.

To keep the trigger as light as possible I’m going to pre-cock the hammer, which eliminates most of that initial rotation effort and gives you a much lighter break.

View fullsize

Accuracy Results:

After eight shots at 30 feet, the group measured approximately 1.5 inches.

That’s actually pretty good accuracy for a blowback pellet pistol.

The pistol was shooting slightly low out of the box, roughly about two inches low and just a little to the left at this distance. My aim point was just underneath the bullseye so I could see the target above the sights.

The sights on this pistol are fixed, so you can’t adjust them directly. The easiest solution is simply to aim slightly higher and a bit to the right if you want to hit the bullseye consistently at this range.

View fullsize

Sight Upgrade Options:

If you want more precise adjustment, you do have a couple of options:

• Install a slide-mounted red dot using the removable optics plate

• Add a laser to the accessory rail under the barrel

Either of those options would allow you to dial in your point of aim exactly where you want it, which is a nice upgrade path for this pistol.

View fullsize

Shooting Impression

The trigger feels really good, and the blowback action is solid and snappy, though not overly fast.

The slide actually has a bit of that heavier, slightly slower 1911-style blowback feel, which I personally like. Some blowback pistols cycle extremely quickly and can feel a bit artificial, but this one feels more substantial because of the heavier slide weight.

The pistol itself also has good weight and balance, coming in a bit over two pounds, giving it a very realistic feel in the hand.

Overall, it’s a solid, well-built pellet pistol, and like many of the SIG Sauer Airgun products, it feels like a lot of attention went into the design.

SIG doesn’t actually manufacture these Airguns themselves, they design them and partner with manufacturers to produce them, but the quality across their pellet pistols and rifles has generally been very good.

View fullsize

Final Thoughts

The SIG Sauer P229 CO₂ blowback pellet pistol delivers:

• Around 300 FPS velocity with lead pellets

• Realistic blowback action

• Good weight and handling

• Approximately 1.5 inch accuracy at 30 feet

• Multiple options for optic or laser upgrades

Overall, it’s a very enjoyable pistol to shoot and a solid option if you’re looking for a realistic blowback pellet pistol.

Don’t forget to subscribe, and check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

If you’re interested in buying Airguns, BB guns, Airsoft guns, Pellet guns, Blank guns, and Accessories, be sure to visit our online Canada and US Stores.

Available in our Canada Replica Airguns Store. Also check out:

• Buy the Sig Sauer P229 in Canada

• Buy the Sig Sauer P226 in the US

In this Table Top Review we’re taking a close look at the Sig Sauer P229 CO2 Blowback Pellet Pistol. This is the tabletop portion only, no shooting in this review as my Field Test Shooting Video will follow later on.

If you’re familiar with the Sig Sauer ASP P226 platform, the P229 version is the same general system in a more compact package, with one major upgrade: it’s optics-ready!

View fullsize

Specifications

• Manufacturer: SIG SAUER

• Power Source: 12g CO2

• Ammunition: .177 pellets (also supports steel BBs)

• Action: Semi-auto, blowback

• Trigger: DA/SA (double action / single action)

• Magazine: 16 rounds (twin 8-shot rotary clips, loaded on both ends)

• Barrel: Rifled inner barrel

• Sights: White dot sights

• Safety: Manual safety lever with de-cocker function

• Claimed Velocity: up to ~380 fps (real-world varies with temperature and cadence)

• Shots per CO2: roughly 50–60 (varies with temperature/cadence)

• Weight: 35.2 oz / 1.0 kg (2.2 lb)

• Overall Length: 7.7 in (P229)

• Optics: optics-ready slide / SIG AIR reflex-sight mounting provision

• Muzzle threads: M14x1 CCW

View fullsize

In the Box

• P229 CO2 blowback pellet pistol

• Manual

• Sight/plate parts for the SIG AIR reflex mounting setup (for red dot use)

P226 vs P229 - What’s Different?

These two share the same general operating system (CO2 blowback, DA/SA, rotary-mag that works with pellets/BBs), but the P229 version changes a few important things:

View fullsize

Key Differences

• Size: P229 is shorter (7.7 in) vs P226 (8.25 in).

• Weight: P229 is lighter (35.2 oz / 2.2 lb) vs P226 (~39.1 oz).

• Optics: P229 is optics-ready (SIG AIR reflex mounting provision); P226 platform is typically not.

• Muzzle threads: P229 uses M14x1 CCW (P226 commonly uses a different thread direction/size).

Bottom line: if you liked how the P226 handled and performed, the P229 should feel very familiar, just more compact, with the bonus of being set up for a dot.

Walk-Around & Handling

The P229 has that classic SIG profile and a very “real pistol” feel in the hand, helped by the mostly-metal build and full weight.

View fullsize

Notable features and controls:

• DA/SA trigger system: long/heavier first pull in double-action, then lighter single-action after the slide cycles.

• Safety + de-cocker lever: functions like the real-steel concept — you can decock the hammer and run it DA/SA.

• Accessory rail: for a light/laser (training-style setup).

• Optics-ready slide: set up to accept the SIG AIR reflex-style mounting system (sight sold separately).

CO2 System and Magazine Notes

One of the standout features on this platform is SIG’s cam-lever, tool-less CO2 loading system, designed to make cartridge swaps quick and easy.

The magazine is a 16-shot design using twin 8-shot rotary clips. Practical tip: make sure pellets are seated properly in the rotary clip so they don’t hang up during cycling.

View fullsize

Pros

• Mostly metal build with realistic weight and solid feel

• Compact P229 size (shorter than the P226)

• DA/SA trigger + functional safety/de-cocker system

• Blowback action for realism/training value

• Rifled inner barrel (pellet accuracy potential)

• Tool-less cam-lever CO2 loading system

• Optics-ready slide (big upgrade over older-style setups)

• Accessory rail for light/laser

Cons

• Fixed/non-adjustable sights

• CO2 performance is temperature + cadence sensitive (rapid fire cools the system and drops power)

• No last-round hold-open on this style of rotary-mag system

• Rotary clips require good pellet seating to avoid occasional feeding issues

View fullsize

Final Thoughts

The Sig Sauer P229 blowback pellet pistol is a very “SIG-like” training/plinking platform: realistic controls, DA/SA operation, snappy blowback, and a compact duty-pistol footprint. The biggest tabletop takeaway is the optics-ready slide, which makes this version feel more modern than older CO2 pellet pistol designs.

Field test shooting (chronograph + accuracy) will follow in the next video.

Available in our Canada Replica Airguns Store. Also check out:

• Buy the Sig Sauer P229 in Canada

• Buy the Sig Sauer P226 in the US

It’s been a little while since I’ve done an unboxing, so we’ll call this the February 2026 Mystery Box Unboxing Video.

First up: SHOT Show is officially wrapped on my end, interviews, teaser, the whole run. There should be a playlist available so you can binge everything in one place. Now that the heavy editing grind is done, I’m getting back into regular reviews, unboxings, tabletop breakdowns, and full field tests.

Also: we’re back on YouTube and I’m uploading like crazy. I’m moving the library over from Vimeo one-by-one (lots of clicks, lots of time). We’ve got roughly 1,300 videos total, and I’m already around 500 videos in, so if you’re hunting for something specific, use playlists and search because new uploads can get buried fast. If you can, subscribe and share the channel with other Airgun enthusiasts so we can build momentum again.

What was in the box?

View fullsize

1) SIG P229 (.177 Pellet, blowback)

I initially called it a P226, but it’s the P229 (compact). This is a pellet version (not BB), with:

• 16-round rotary stick magazine (8 per side)

• Blowback, semi-auto

• Claimed 380 FPS

• 3.9" barrel, 7.7" overall length

• 2.2 lb, hefty all-metal feel (mag is plastic)

No slide lock-back due to the rotary setup, but it looks great in-hand. Tabletop and field test videos are coming, and I’ll run it on typical lead pellets to see real-world performance.

View fullsize

2) T4E TC68 (.68 cal, CO2/HPA capable)

This is the TC68 trainer that shoots .68 caliber rounds (rubber, powder, paint, pepper ball options depending on what you choose). Specs and highlights:

• Claimed 330 FPS and 16 joules

• 20-round magazine-fed setup

• Supports dual 12g CO2, 88g CO2, and HPA options

• Includes multiple configurations (stocks/adapters) plus a hopper-fed option

I’ll confirm operating modes, setup options, and performance in the upcoming tabletop and field tests.

• Buy the Sig Sauer P229 Pellet Pistol in Canada

• Buy the T4E TC 68 Paintball Rifle in Canada

View fullsize

We didn’t catch this one at the Steambow booth, we were out at the SHOT Show indoor range checking out Steambow again, Tyler walked us through their brand-new-for-2026 B08: a magazine-fed .68 caliber ball launcher/crossbow that’s just starting to hit availability.

• New B08 .68 cal “ball launcher” platform (2026): This is a .68 caliber system designed to run .68 spherical projectiles (paint, foam/nylon, and pepper/irritant-type balls were all discussed as compatible options, depending on local rules).

• 8-shot, removable, pre-loadable magazine: The B08 uses a spring-fed 8-round magazine that inserts at the front. Tyler’s demo made it clear you can pre-load multiple mags and keep shooting quickly.

• Simple, repeatable action (easy to learn fast): The manual of arms is very “repeat-and-go”: load the mag, cock it, shoot, then cycle and repeat. Steambow describes the system as their familiar AR-Series quick-tilt/quick-clamp style for fast reloading.

• Ships mild, but can be upgraded for more power: The one I tested was using a 35 lb limb, but it’s built to accept other AR-Series limbs (stronger options sold separately). Tyler specifically said swapping to a much heavier limb can turn it into a high-velocity setup (he referenced up to a 150 lb limb and around 300 fps in his talk).

• Projectile flexibility is the whole point: If you already have .68 cal paintballs or similar at home, that’s the target “ecosystem” this is built around (so long as they’re spherical).

• Important safety + legal reality check: Steambow is very explicit that once you move beyond the “low power + soft balls” envelope, the B08 can become very dangerous, they warn that harder/heavier projectiles (including steel balls) raise risks like severe injury/lethality and ricochets, and that irritant/pepper-type rounds may be legally restricted depending on country.

Tyler’s range demo made the main selling points obvious: magazine speed, easy operation, and a huge range of .68 ball options. If we can get it lined up for Canada, it looks like a very versatile multi use platform, especially for anyone who wants .68 cal fun adn then some, without relying on CO2 or HPA.