I will also be following up my Table Top video with a Field Test Shooting Video to see what possible advantages and disadvantages the Air Venturi 3000 PSI with Stock & Adapter Aluminum Tank has in a real world test of its performance, hopefully all advantages!
Pros:
Compact and is the perfect size to use as a rear buttstock for various 88 Gram and or HPA rifles.
Smaller tank means if you are using a foot pump it won’t take all day to fill up :)
Comes with adapter so can be used with regular HPA and 88 Gram CO2 systems.
Regulated to 1100 psi so should perform better in terms of max velocity and consistency compared to CO2 which is around max 800-900 psi with velocity being effected by cool down.
Not effected by colder temperatures compared to CO2.
Once you have this tank the cost is virtually nothing to shoot compared to expensive 88 Gram CO2 cartages. You just need to buy your pellets or BB’s.
Cons:
Still takes a while to pump up using a foot pump system.
Higher initial cost ($195) than simply buying 88 gram CO2 cartages when you need them.
Will need access to a pump or compressor to use it.
Doesn’t look as good as the supplied buttstock at least with the Sig Sauer MCX and MPX.
Comments:
I guess the question is who is this for? If you are a casual shooter that perhaps owns the Sig MPX or MCX or even another 88 Gram CO2 Air Rifle that the Air Venturi 3000 PSI with Stock & Adapter Aluminum Tank would work with then this may be a bit expensive especially if you don’t have a way to pressurizer the tank at home. On the other hand if you already have a foot pump or air compressor or easy access to one and maybe you have other HPA or CO2 based airguns this tank will work with then it’s kind a no brainer to get it. Maybe you juts want a system that gives you maximum and consistent velocity no matter how cold it is outside. All good reasons to get one in my books.
In this Update Preview Unboxing Video I take a look at 5 products that came across my table and that I have not reviewed so far on the Replica Airguns YouTube channel.
First I show off an HPA tank from Air Venturi that works perfectly for the Sig Sauer MPX and MCX Pellet Rifles allowing for more consistent fps and I would image a higher overall fps? We will find out when I test it out in the replica Airguns Indoor Sea Can Airgun Range.
13 Oz Aluminum
10 Inches Long
2 Inches Diameter
Integrated Pressure Gauge
Includes Buttstock
CO2 Adaptor Included
3000 PSI Fill
1100 PSI Regulated
Next I take a look at the KJWorks M9A1 GBB Airsoft Pistol, I hover revived the CO2 version before but this version comes with the Gas magazine rather than the CO2 mag for those that prefer gas operated Blowback Airsoft Pistols. Because of the slightly lower FPS the Gas version comes with a barrel extension to make it Canada import friendly.
6mm Airsoft BB’s
Green Gas / Propane
370 fps
25 Round Magazine
2 Pounds
Probably one of the most interesting product I look at in this video at least for me is the EMG JW3 Combat Master GBB Airsoft Pistol. This Airsoft pistol is mainly aluminum with some polymer based off of the 2011 STI and was featured in the 2019 John Wick 3 Film. I’m really looking forward to testing this one out in the Sea Can Replica Airguns Airgun Range!
6mm Airsoft BB’s
Green Gas / Propane
9.4 Inches
366 fps
28 Round Magazine
2.4 Pounds
Moving along to another Air Pistol I finally get my hands on the Crosman P1 which is really just a KWC PT92 4.5mm Blowback CO2 BB Pistol but with Crosman Branding and an included laser. Since I have never shot a PT92 BB Pistol with a laser I will probably make a Field Test Shooting Video to see how well it performs.
4.5 mm Steel BB’s
CO2 x 1
4.2 Inch Barrel
330 fps
19 Round Magazine
2.4 Pounds
Comes with Laser Sight
Last up I take a look at the ASG TAC-6 which is pretty much the exact same ASG TAC-4.5 CO2 Air Rifle I tested a while back but in this case the 6 refers to it being a 6mm Airsoft Rifle rather than a 4.5mm Steel BB Riffle. I am not sure I will do a full Table Top Video since these guns are virtually identical but just in different Ammo types but I hope to get outside and see how well it performs shooting at a bit more distance than the 30 foot indoor range I usually test my Airgun in.
Here we go again, another round of SHOT Show videos brought to you direct from Replica Airguns!
As always I like to start off with a Teaser Video with a few quick clips of some of the new products I had the opportunity to take a look at at this years SHOT Show 2020 Las Vegas.
I will be rolling out Interview Videos as quickly as I can edit them and put them together for the following Airgun Related companies:
Sig Sauer
Umarex
Crosman - Velocity Outdoors
ASG
Air Venturi
Chiappa
So sit back and enjoy this years Replica Airguns SHOT Show 2020 Las Vegas Teaser Video!
We had a lot of great new Airguns that I reviewed this year at Replica Airguns. Some of them really stood out to me and so I made a video showing my Favorite Replica Airgun Picks of 2019. Of course there where many other Airguns that could has just as easily made this video but I had to draw the line somewhere and pick the ones that in my opinion where the best of 2019. Make sure to watch my Vimeo video where I go into some more details on why I liked each Airgun.
Below is a list of the top Replica Airgun Picks of 2019:
In a way I have already Field Tested the Air Venturi TR5 .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle, well at least in the Baikal version. The Air Venturi version is pretty much a knock of of the Baikal IZH MP-61 which not only look a lot alike but also performed very similarly for me, checkout my Baikal YouTube Video Review for comparison. All that said we can not get Baikal products here in North America anymore so it’s great that Air Venturi has recreated a very similar product for us to have in Canada and the US.
Moving on to the Field Test Review for the Air Venturi TR5 .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle, I first placed 5 shots through my Chronograph to see if the Air Venturi TR5 .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle did in fact shoot around 500 fps and in fact I was able to get all 5 shots up and over 500 fps averaging around 513 fps. Still within our Non-regulated firearm laws here in Canada since we where still under the 4.2 foot pound energy limit using 6.9 grain pellets.
As mentioned before when I shot the Baikal IZH MP-61 I was able to get very similar results but I did have an optical scope on the Baikal IZH MP-61 as compared to the Air Venturi TR5 .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle where I just used the open sights. In my opinion the Air Venturi TR5 .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle is good value for your money offering a unique design with excellent performance and getting as much power out of a pellet rifle as you can get here in Canada without requiring a firearms license.
Pick one up in our Canada or US Online Replica Airguns stores!
Here we have three very different products I Unbox and Preview for everyone. A Spring Piston multi-shot .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle, a single action BB/Pellet revolver that’s not a Colt! And a really nice looking Semi Auto Blank Pistol in a Chrome finish.
Let’s start with the Air Venturi TR5 Spring Piston 5-shot .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle. I think this is a really well thought out Air Rifle. It’s “almost a Bullpup” in design but it does actually load in front of the trigger just a bit, that said most of the spring piston is behind the trigger setup making it really compact yet with a longer than normal barrel compared to regular Break Barrel Spring Piston Air Rifles. The Air Venturi TR5 Spring Piston 5-shot .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle also has a side lever cocking mechanism along with a 5 round auto indexing magazine which makes it much quicker to cock and reload for fast follow-up shots, again compared to a standard Break Barrel Air Rifle, not to mention no barrel droop! The Air Venturi TR5 Spring Piston 5-shot .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle has a claimed fps of up to 500 so we are getting the max amount of velocity possible for our Canadian laws without making it a regulated firearm and requiring a PAL license. And by the way the Air Venturi TR5 Spring Piston 5-shot .177 Caliber Pellet Rifle does come in both a Lime Green and all Black version just in case you are not a fan of the Lime Green finish I show in this video.
Moving onto the Schofield No. 3 BB/Pellet 6 Shot Revolver Replica, if you like single action revolvers then take a look at the Schofield No. 3 BB/Pellet 6 Shot Revolver Replica. It’s a lot more bulky than a Colt Single Action Revolver and also has that top Break design that makes reloading quick and easy. The version we are selling inner Replica Airgun Online Store is the kit version that comes with 6 BB shells and 6 pellet shells so you can take your pick on ammo types. The barrel is not rifled so Steel BB’s will not hurt the Airgun and since pellets are skirted they do not need a rifled barrel to fly straight and true. You can expect around 445 fps for the Schofield No. 3 BB/Pellet 6 Shot Revolver Replica.
Type: BB air pistol. Manufacturer: Air Venturi - KWC. Model: Springfield Armory 1911 Mil-Spec. Materials: Pretty much all metal build. Weight: 2 pounds (907 Grams). Barrel: 4.38 inchesBrass, non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x1. Action: Semi auto blowback, single action only. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 18 rounds. FPS: 320.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Air Venturi Springfield Armory 1911 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is like all the other KWC made CO2 full blowback 1911's, it's exactly what you would expect from a real steel 1911 single action only pistol which helps to make this replica 1911 a great trainer or show piece. So in other words the trigger pull is super short, super light with very little take-up and a nice crisp break.
Accuracy: I have not shot this "exact version" of the KWC Air Venturi 1911 but it will undoubtedly perform very much like all the other incarnations. I can expect decent under 2 inch groupings from 30 feet out and will get a little over 300 fps on a full CO2 cartridges as long as it’s decently warm out. Depending on how fast I shoot off my magazines, I should expect to get around 3 good mags and if I slow things down a bit I should get a forth magazine so anywhere from 50-70 good or so shots per CO2 out of the Air Venturi Springfield Armory 1911 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol. I may or may not make a Field Test Shooting Video for the Air Venturi Springfield Armory 1911 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol…
Build Quality: Very good, with almost all metal construction, good weight and craftsmanship, the KWC 1911 line of pistols have proven themselves over time, that said they will not last forever since these are not expensive guns made out of high quality metals. You will find most of these KWC pistols in general have a rather thin coating for a finish and so they tend to wear a bit on the high spots but over time this has been improving with KWC made Airguns.
Realism: This is as close as you can come to the look, weight, feel, and action of the real 1911 in virtually almost every way including the ability to field strip this pistol exactly the same! All the mechanical parts work just like they do on a real steel 1911 including the grip safety. On top of all of this Air Venturi has licensed the Air Venturi Springfield Armory 1911 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol with very realistic Springfield branding thought the Airgun.
All metal construction - Good weight and solid feeling gun.
Heavy blowback action with that 1911 sluggish feel.
Very Accurate 1911 A1 styled replica in pretty much every way.
True 1911 Single action trigger, excellent pull, very smooth and light.
Working backstop safety
3 dot white sights help with target acquisition on darker backgrounds.
Could mix and match other KWC 1911 parts.
Springfield Armory licensed by Air Venturi.
Good accuracy, not too bad amount of shots for this style of gun about 3 good magazines.
Cons:
Non adjustable sights.
Sacrifice fps and shots per CO2 because of the heavy blowback action but worth it.
Not Available at time of video.
Comments:
I really never get tired of making reviews for the KWC 1911 line of CO2 Blowback Airguns, sure they are all made from the same base KWC 1911 Aigun but each one has its own unique look and customization to it. I really like the Faux plastic wood grips with the deep Springfield Armory licensing on this version. And the matt black slide and frame with the chrome barrel and silver barrel bushing really look sharp on this 1911 BB Gun. Even though the Air Venturi Springfield Armory 1911 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is basically a standard 1911 A1, the added touch of the White Dot sights will for sure help when shooting this Blowback BB Gun at what ever target you point it at.
My Videos for the Air Venturi Springfield Armory 1911 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol:
In this Field Test Shooting Review Video I test out both the 3.8 Compact and 4.5 Full Size Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM Blowback CO2 BB Pistols to see how they perform in both velocity and accuracy. I thought it would be interesting to see how the shorter and longer barreled versions compare side by side and if we sill see a difference in power and down range accuracy…
As always I use a brand new 12 gram CO2 along with 5.1 gran zinc coated steel BB’s for my testing and on this day the temperature in the Sea Can Indoor Airgun range was around 24 degrees Celsius or 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watch my Video for all the main differences but in short here they are for those reading this post:
Steel BB version uses CO2 while the Airsoft version uses Green Gas or Propane.
There is no orange tip on the Steel BB version while Airsoft versions come with orange tips installed.
Steel BB versions have 20 round full length magazines for both the 3.8 and 4.5 inch versions, while the Airsoft 3.8 compact comes with the shorter 14 round magazine and the Airsoft 4.5 comes with a longer 25 round magazine.
FPS for the Steel BB versions are 270fps for the 3.8 and 325fps for the 4.5, comparably the Airsoft 3.8 is claimed to have 280fps with the 4.5 version a bit higher at 330fps. (Keep in mind that steel BB’s weigh more at around .33 grams compared to the .20 gram plastic Airsoft BB’s used for testing).
I did notice that on the sliver slide version, my earlier Airsoft 4.5 had more of a parkerized metallic finish while my same Steel BB version I received at a later time had more of brushed stainless look to it. Air Venturi has since informed me that all silver slide version will now have the brushed stainless finish.
It felt like Christmas the other day when a bunch of Springfield Armory new products showed up at my door! So first off thanks to Air Venturi for sending me these new products for review. I already got my hands on the Springfield Armory XDM 3.8 and 4.5 GBB Airsoft version but have been wanting to also review the CO2 Blowback Steel BB versions.
In this video I show all these new Springfield Armory CO2 Blowback BB guns quickly but will of course be making dedicated Table Top and Fired Test Shooting Video for them upcoming.
Type: Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol. Manufacturer: Air Venturi Model: Springfield Armory XDM 3.8 & 4.5 Inch Materials: Metal slide & Mag with Polymer frame. Weight: 1.75 & 1.9 pounds (794 & 861 grams). Length: 7.25 & 8.25 inches total length Barrel: 3.8 & 4.5 inch Metal non-rifled smooth bore. Propulsion: Green gas or propane. Action: Blowback, single action only. Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 14 & 25 rounds. FPS: 280-330 fps.
Trigger Pull: The single action only trigger pull on the Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM GBB Airsoft Pistol is pretty much what you would expect on a striker fired SAO pistol. There is very little take up with a light release which should make for great action shooting and help with accuracy when slowing things down a bit.
Accuracy: This time I actually have done my Field Test Shooting video for the Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM GBB Airsoft Pistol and it did pretty good, getting a 2 inch 10 round grouping from 30 feet away shooting just a bit low on the target, nothing a bit of hop-up adjustment shouldn’t be able to account for. The claimed fps is 330 for the 4.5 inch version and I was able to average right around 300.
Build Quality: At SHOT Show this year I commented on the Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM Pistols and how great they looked and felt. Nothing really different now that I have them in my hands for review. I did notice that my AIrsoft version with the Silver Slide had a kind of metallic parkerized finish while my BB Silver Slide version has a more stainless steel look. I prefer the Stainless Steel look a lot more and feel it makes the Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM Pistols look higher quality. Hopefully Air Venturi sticks with the Stainless Steel finish? Build quality and finish are good thought the gun.
Realism: The Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM GBB Airsoft Pistol is really one of the best 1 to 1 copies I have seen out there. It looks pretty much identical including all the licensing and markings in all the right places. It also is full blowback with a full size drop out metal magazine and all the mechanical working parts work the same as the real steel version including the trigger safety, grip safety, slide catch release, take down leaver and magazine release. Field striping is done just like the 9mm big brother allowing for easy hop-up adjustments.
Lots of metal parts where the real steel version would also have them.
Fully Field Strippable.
Adjustable Hop-up.
Easy to use sights, fiber optic up front and white dot on the back.
Springfield Armory fully Licensed.
Working serial number, trigger and backstop safeties.
Comes with different sized back straps for small to large hands.
Rail for adding accessories.
Warning instructions are nice and discreet!
Your choice of compact or full size versions also in all black or silver slide.
Performed well in my Field Test Shooting Review getting a 2 inch 10 shot grouping and close to the claimed fps.
Cons:
Comes with the orange tip we all love but should be pretty easy to remove.
Sights are non-adjustable. Can use Hop-up to bring shots up or down.
Silver Slide Airsoft version finish is not my favorite.
Comments:
Like I said at SHOT Show this year I was super impressed with the entire Springfield Armory lineup and now that I have them in my hands I am still just as impressed with the Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM GBB Airsoft Pistols. You are getting pretty much what everyone looks for in a Replica Airgun: 1 to 1 size and similar weight, full blowback action, full size drop out metal magazine, fully licensed, adjustable hop-up, filed strippable and similar build materials you would find as compared to the real steel 9mm version. I also like that you have a ton of choice offered by Air Venturi: Airsoft or BB, 3.8 inch compact or 4.5 inch full size, silver or black slide and even short lower capacity or longer high capacity magazines for the 3.8 inch version.
My Table Top Review of the Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM GBB Airsoft Pistol
Using .20 gram BB’s I loaded up the Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM GBB Airsoft Pistol with propane gas and placed several rounds through my Chronograph to see what the feet per second average would be. The last 5 shots I took where actual the fastest averaging 290 fps, a little bit slower than I was expecting but just about right for close quarters Airsoft games.
I then switched over to .32 gram Airsoft BB’s since they tend to be a bit more accurate out at longer ranges. Using a fresh paper target and shooting from a rested and seated position 30 feet away, I took 10 shots with the Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM GBB Airsoft Pistol. The result was a 10 round grouping of about 2 inches with one straggler just outside the main group. The Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM GBB Airsoft Pistol did shoot a little bit low at 30 feet but I am sure the hop-up can be adjusted for this. It was well centered left to right which is a good thing since the sights are non-adjustable.
I really like the Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM GBB Airsoft Pistol, it looks and feels very solid with a nice balance in the hand. The Single Action Only Trigger is short and light making follow up shots quick and responsive. The blowback action is crisp with good simulated recoil. I look forward to trying out the Steel BB version of the Air Venturi Springfield Armory XDM GBB Pistol as soon as I get my hands on one which should be pretty soon. Take your pick, Airsoft or Steel BB, either is a great choice!
Again I have some new products to show everyone. Some we got a bit of a preview of when I was at SHOT Show 2019 earlier this year but now I have them in my hands to show off and of course will be doing full Table Top and Filed Test for anything new as soon as I can get to them.
Starting with Sig Sauer, they sent me their brand new Sig Sauer P365 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol. This was probably one of my favorite new Air Pistols at SHOT Show simply because it is so small and somehow Sig was able to find a way to put a full size drop out metal magazine that holds both the CO2 and BB’s in it. This is one I am really looking forward to testing out in the Indoor Sea Can Airgun Shooting Range.
Another fantastic product is Crosman’s DPMS Full Auto CO2 BB Rifle which was pretty much perfect the first time around. Well at SHOT Show this year Crosman updated it a bit mainly with some cosmetic changes and now is offering the Crosman MPW, a slightly shorter version of the DPMS and now with an AR Compatible Stock for customizing your Crosman’s MPW Full Auto CO2 BB Rifle.
So maybe not as exciting… I also take a look at a NBB CO2 BB Makarov from KWC that is pretty basic but is much less expensive and will offer higher FPS and more shots per CO2 being that it is Non-blowback Airgun. It will be interesting to see how it compares performance wise to the KWC Full Blowback CO2 BB version.
Last but also super cool and I know it’s not really as Airgun related but still something I think everyone will be interested in is the Pocket Shot Pro Arrow Pouch with D-Loop. I reviewed the Pocket Shot “Slingshot” a while back, this new product allows you to use standard Arrows with their new Arrow Pouch getting around 40 pounds of pull and it comes with a trigger release. By the way the Pocket Shot Pro Arrow system is legals to hunt deer with in most US States, I’m not sure about Canada but perhaps here too?
Air Venturi announced their new Springfield Armory lien of BB and Airsoft guns at SHOT Show 2019 and of course I stopped by to talk with Scott and see what these new products where all about!
First off we have the Springfield Armory M1 Carbine Rifle. You will be able to get it in either 4.5mm Steel BB or 6mm Airsoft versions. Both will have full drop out metal magazines that hold the 12 gram CO2 and either 15 BB or Airsoft rounds. You can expect around 40-60 shots per CO2 since the Springfield Armory M1 Carbine is a full blowback Airgun. The standard version will come with a synthetic wood stock that is very believable but for around $100 more you will have the option of a real wood stock which does add a bit to more weight to the rifle.
Continuing on with some more Springfield Armory Airguns. Air Venturi will be distributing the XDM pistol in a compact and full size configuration, again both 4.5mm Steel BB and Airsoft versions. There will be a solid black version and a two tone silver slide version so lots of options to pick from. The 4.5mm Steel BB version will use a 12 gram CO2 while the Airsoft version will allow for Green Gas or CO2 mags.
I wanted to mention one more product Scott showed me that is still in production, a reactive target system called the Bata-Bang that connects to your phone via Bluetooth allowing you to time your shooting and play shooting games with it and others even online. Hopefully we see this product soon from Air Venturi!
I am happy to say that the first Field Test using my new Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph went really well for me today. Perhaps I have found a new brand of Chronograph that will last longer than a year or so and give me reliable results that I can count on...
So other than that one chronograph reading error for the day which may have been an alignment issue on my part, the Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph performed excellent for me. I would also like to note that I was using the same Caldwell LED Lighting System I have been using in my Sea Can Indoor Airgun range which as expected fit perfectly onto their own Chronograph system and worked well.
When it comes to accuracy, match grade pellet pistols are going o be your best bet, not always the most powerful but they are sure good at driving pellets down range with super small groupings. The Air Venturi V10 Match Pellet Pistol is no exception to this statement and considering all that it offers it is fairly reasonably price for a match grade pellet pistol of this caliber.
Right off the bat I have to admit that my Chrony Chronograph stopped working, all I get is gibberish on the screen (Strike two for Chrony!). So I was not able to get any personal Chronograph results even though I even tried using my Airsoft Chronograph without success :( I did however watch a few other Youtube Video reviews where users tested out the FPS using a similar Chronograph and the Air Venturi V10 Match Pellet Pistol should get right around 390 fps using 7 grain lead pellets, this is close to the 400 fps claimed velocity.
Now for my shooting results that I was able to deliver on... I shot about 6-7 rounds downrange on a fresh paper target setup around 30 feet away. Sitting with a sandbag up front for stability, my Air Venturi V10 Match Pellet Pistol shot 6 out of the 7 rounds all in one hole that stretched out to about 1/4 of an inch. I did get one flyer that extended the grouping to about an inch, but this gun is a accurate no doubt even with my limited shooting skills.
The Trigger, sights and even the pistol grip on the Air Venturi V10 Match Pellet Pistol are fully adjustable so you can setup your Air Venturi V10 Match Pellet Pistol pretty much any way you like but it is made for a left handed shooter, at least the one I had tested out. The trigger is very light weigth out of the box and should be good to go for most people. It's also nice that you only need one pump for full power which saves you a bit of time in-between shots. All in the Air Venturi V10 Match Pellet Pistol is a great well priced match grade target pistol ready to drive virtually anything you point it at!
In this table top preview video I take a look at three new products from Air venture that we are now carying in our Online Replica Airguns Store.
First off is yet another rebranded KWC 1911 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol, this time with John Wayne Licensing in the classic 1911 A1 version with a distressed look. What can I say, people just can't get enough of these KWC 1911's and with all the choices out there you are sure to find something you like!
Last up but perhaps the most unique product from Air Venture is the HellBoy CO2 BB Firing M4 Air Rifle. The Air Venturi HellBoy has an all metal receiver, magazine, carry handle, buffer tube and barrel with only plastic used for the stock and fore grip which is to be expected. The Air Venturi HellBoy shoot in semi auto only with a double action style trigger and does not have blowback action. You can expect to get 18 4.5mm Steel BB's in the all metal magazine that holds the CO2 as well and a top velocity of 495 fps. Did I mention you can fully field strip the Air Venturi HellBoy?
It's been a great year for Replica Airguns and I wanted to share with everyone some of my favorites that I reviewed this year. In this Vimeo Video I show some of my top Replica Airgun picks for 2016 and talk a little bit about each one and what I like about it.
Here is a list of the Replica Airguns in this lineup:
First off, this will be the last video where I try and use my Chrony Chronograph to determine the fps velocity for one of my airguns. It's time has come and I am officially retiring my Chrony or should I say setting aside for later destruction by means of many rounds of airgun ammo fired at it... I just need to locate and order a replacement solution, perhaps I will reach out to Chrony and see if they can help me out since they should really look into restoring my faith and many of my viewers faith in this product ;) If the airgun I am testing has blowback operation then I generally also record some slow motion video and place it in the end of the video while I am talking it out.
Moving on with my Field Test for the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol. If you have not already checkout my Table Top Review for it then make sure to do so for some close up video and the main features and benefits.
As per normal my Field Test Shooting video is composed of a Chronograph test which in this case resulted in pretty much no data other than one recorded shot which may or may not even be accurate? I also step back 30 feet and shoot 10 rounds on a paper target with my Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pisto to figure out how close of a grouping I can get for the sake of accuracy purposes. I do us a somewhat rested shooting position which allows me to in most cases get pretty decent results with less human factor involved.
In terms of FPS for the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pisto, all we can really go on are the claimed fps specifications which are 400, I would say based on how quickly rounds get to the target and how hard they hit that 400 fps is about right, perhaps even a little more? Maybe once I get my new Chronograph I will have to revisit this gun and see what it can do.
Accuracy wise I was able to fire 10 rounds within a nice 2 inch grouping, they did shoot a bit left for me but the good news is that the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pisto has an adjustable rear sight for windage so this can be corrected for each user. The blowback Action is pretty hard on this gun, very quick and snappy, it is also fairly loud when using a new CO2. There is a fair bit of trigger take-up since the first stage of the trigger pull also chambers a round into the barrel form the full size drop out magazine. Once you get to the break point of the trigger there is a bit of extra tension followed by a distinct release. It may not be the smoothest trigger I have used but it does work just fine.
Overall the Air Venturi ISSC M22 CO2 Blowback BB Pisto has a lot going for it, good looks, blowback operation with a full size drop out magazine, an adjustable rear sight, decent power and accuracy and it is an excellent replica for the real steel ISSC M22.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's. or .177 cal. pellets.
Ammunition Capacity: 6 rounds.
FPS: (BB 410) (Pellet 380).
Trigger Pull: Trigger pull on the John Wayne Duke Colt SAA BB and Pellet Revolver is the best I have ever come across in an airgun. Being that these Single Action Army Revolvers are single action only, most of the work is done while you pre-cock the hammer. The trigger pull is under 2 pounds and has virtually no take up with a crisp release. I love the ratcheting sound as you pull back the hammer just like using a real SAA Revolver!
Accuracy: I have not yet tested these John Wayne Duke Colt SAA BB and Pellet Revolvers so far but expect the BB version to perform for the most part just like the Umarex only versions I tested previously. Here are my notes from my previous testing:
"I tested both 4.5mm steel BB's and 4.7mm Lead ball BB's in the Umarex Colt Single Action Army Shell Loading BB Revolver. With the Steel 4.5mm BB's I shot just under a 2 inch 6 shot grouping when shooting from a 30 foot distance using a semi rested position (Sand bag up front, standing in the back). The shots where pretty well center hitting the paper target just a little bit high, they did seem to stray a little more left and right rather then up and down. When I switch ammo to the 4.7mm Lead BB's I got a similar 2 inch grouping but they hit the target a bit lower and tended to shoot tighter from side to side with more variation up and down, perhaps because the lead BB's did not seem to shoot at a vary consistent velocity. My Chronograph testing for the Steel BB's was right around 400 fps while the Lead BB's being heavier shot a bit slower at just under 300 fps."
Build Quality: The John Wayne Duke Colt SAA BB and Pellet Revolvers have a mostly all metal construction other than the plastic grips and any seals. The fit and finish is excellent with a great overall weight in the hand. Whether you get the Nickel or Weathered version. The mechanical action of the hammer and trigger feels just like it would on a real single action army revolver.
Realism: In terms of replicating a real steel Colt Single Action Army Revolver, these guns are absolutely amazing replicas. It's really hard to tell the airgun version from the real steel version, except for the smaller in diameter shells and the discreet safety switch located under the frame. Even the barrel is nicely recessed and has some fake rifling twists in it to give the appearance of a large caliber round. The CO2 is well hidden with the Allen key built into the handle so no ugly CO2 screw tab hanging down.
Still the best airgun reproduction of the Single Action Army Revolver, a very accurate replica of the real steel old west version.
Recessed barrel has the look of a large caliber bullet.
Great weight and feel in the hand.
Shell loading design that loads from the back so no need to remove shells if you wish not to.
Hammer and trigger action is about perfect, no take-up, very crisp and super light (under 2 pounds).
Finish on both the Nickel and Blued is very nice.
Colt and John Wayne Duke licensing.
Very well concealed CO2 with built in Allen key.
Discreet safety location.
If you prefer pellets over steel BB, now you have the option.
Cons:
Still has the warming instruction on the right side of the barrel but not super obvious especially on the Nickel version.
Real version would shoot 45 caliber, dummy shells are actual closer to 357 so a bit smallish.
Wood grips to me look a little fake up close but the John Wayne emblem kind of makes up for it.
Comments:
Shell loading BB and Pellet revolvers have been out for a while now and have changed the way many of us feel about airgun revolvers. Airgun revolvers used to be kind of overlooked because they where not the most exciting replica airguns out there but now we have not only the new Dan Wesson 715 shell loading revolvers but also these Colt Single Action Revolvers with Colt and John Wayne Duke licensing on them available in both BB and pellet shooting versions! There is something special about these old cowboy day classic revolver that makes them so elegant and just a real work of art you can not only own and look at but also take out and shoot whenever the spirit moves you to do so!
My Vimeo Table Top Review for the John Wayne Duke Colt SAA BB and Pellet Revolver:
