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I had the chance to take the KWC 18 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol out for some shooting today to see how it performs. It’s a Glock-styled 4.5mm steel CO2 BB pistol with full blowback and selectable semi and full auto. It’s not an officially licensed Glock, but if you own (or have shot) Glocks, the controls and overall feel will be instantly familiar.

I’ve already done a close-up tabletop video for the KWC 18 covering specs and details, so if you want the up-close visuals and feature breakdown, make sure to check that out first.

For this session I concentrated solely on performance: a quick 5-shot chronograph run in semi-auto to record velocity, a 10-round semi-auto group at 30 feet, and then a full-auto mag dump to get a practical feel for controllability and “real world” accuracy—right out of the box (no tuning).

Velocity Testing (Chronograph)

For the chronograph testing, I ran five shots in semi-auto with a brand new CO2 in the magazine. The numbers came in at 293, 294, 282, 290, and 282 fps, for an average of about 288 fps. The spread was tight and the pistol felt extremely “snappy” while shooting, there’s a lot of pop in the blowback and you can feel it cycling hard.

One important note: this is a single-action-only style system, so you do need to rack the slide to cock it before it’ll fire (ask me how I know…).

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Accuracy Testing (30 Feet)

For accuracy, I put a paper target out at 30 feet and fired 10 rounds in semi-auto. After a quick adjustment (the pistol was hitting very low at first), I aimed higher and got a roughly 3-inch grouping. The group was well centered left-to-right, but the pistol was still shooting noticeably low overall.

This is the kind of thing you’d simply keep in mind while shooting, and depending on the setup, you may be able to tweak elevation a little (but with steel BBs at short range, don’t expect miracles).

Full Auto (Mag Dump)

Then I loaded up and did a full-auto mag dump. As expected, it was basically spray-and-pray at 30 feet. The rate of fire is insane, and between that and the strong blowback, it was extremely difficult to keep rounds on target. I may have only landed a couple hits on paper.

Final Thoughts

All told, the KWC 18 is a really fun Glock-style blowback BB pistol if you want something that feels familiar in the hand and delivers a crisp trigger with serious recoil-like blowback. In semi-auto it’s manageable (even if it shoots low out of the box), but in full auto, at least at 30 feet, it’s more about the fun factor than practical accuracy.

• Buy the 18 CO2 Blowback Steel BB Pistol in Canada

• Buy 18 CO2 Blowback Steel BB Pistol in the US store

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In this Table Top Review, we’re taking a detailed look at the KWC 18 CO2 Blowback Steel BB Pistol. This model is part of KWC’s long-running lineup of Glock-style pistols—some licensed through Umarex and others, like this one, produced without official Glock markings but clearly inspired by the platform.

As always, this is a Table Top Review only. A full Shooting / Field Test Video will follow shortly.

I've reviewed many Glock-style CO2 blowback pistols over the years—Gen 3, Gen 4, Gen 5, Airsoft, Steel BB, full blowback, semi-blowback—you name it. KWC manufactures a large percentage of these frames and blowback systems, often for Umarex’s officially licensed Glock models. So while this KWC 18 isn’t a licensed Glock, it’s built by the same people behind many of the Umarex-branded models.

Let’s get into the details, compare it briefly to a couple of Umarex Glock versions, and then talk pros and cons.

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Specifications

• Manufactured By: KWC – Made in Taiwan

• Power Source: 12g CO2

• Ammunition: 4.5mm Steel BBs

• Action: Full Blowback (Semi & Full Auto Selectable)

• Magazine: Full-size dropout metal magazine, 18 rounds (Model AAKC MM19)

• Trigger: Single-action-only style, short and light (Glock-like)

• Length: 203mm (8 inches)

• Barrel: 102mm (4 inches), smoothbore

• Weight: 1.7 lbs (771 g)

• Velocity: Up to 314 FPS under optimal conditions

• Sights: Front white dot; rear white half-rectangle

• Safety Systems:

  • Trigger safety (Glock-style)

  • Secondary safety located in the “serial number” plate under the barrel

• Hop-Up: Adjustable hop-up (rare for steel BB pistols)

• Rail: Under-barrel Picatinny rail for lights/lasers

• Field Strippable: Yes – Glock-style takedown system

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In the Box

• KWC 18 CO2 Blowback Pistol

• 18-round full-size dropout metal magazine

• Allen key for CO2 tightening

• Small sample pack of steel BBs

• Instruction manual (loading, CO2 installation, hop-up access, takedown, jam clearing)

• Product guide / brochure

The packaging is similar to many Umarex Glock boxes—clean printed box with an internal molded insert.

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Comparison to Umarex Glock Models

To give this pistol some context, here’s how it stacks up against a couple of current Umarex licensed Glock variants:

Umarex Glock 17 Gen 5 (Semi-Blowback)

• Has the MOS-style removable optic plate

• Features a semi-blowback system with shorter slide travel

• More efficient gas usage, higher FPS

• Double-action-style trigger (not Glock-accurate)

Umarex Glock 17 Gen 4 (Full Blowback)

• Full blowback with full travel slide

• Uses the same style of full-size dropout metal magazine

• Much closer in function to the KWC 18

• Fully licensed Glock markings

KWC 18

• Same full-blowback feel as the Gen 4

• No Glock markings (unlicensed)

• Adds full auto mode, which the Glock 17 models do not have

• Very similar weight, ergonomics, and trigger feel

• Slightly different slide shape, trigger guard, and frame cuts to avoid trademark conflict

If you’ve handled Umarex Glock models, this KWC 18 will feel instantly familiar.

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Walk Around

The KWC 18 is extremely Glock-like in shape and ergonomics, with only small cosmetic changes:

• Slightly longer and differently shaped slide cuts

• Altered trigger guard shape

• Modified rail and frame geometry

• No Glock-branded markings anywhere

Controls are where you expect them to be:

• Slide catch/release on the left

• Trigger safety

• Takedown levers in the Glock position

• Selector switch for Semi / Full Auto just above the trigger area on the left side

• Under-barrel safety disguised as a serial number plate

Sights are classic Glock style:

• White dot front

• White “goalpost” style rear

The full-size dropout metal magazine fits tightly and locks back after the last shot. The slide feel is excellent—strong spring tension, clean metal-on-metal sound, no cheap clanking.

Field Strip

Field stripping is Glock-simple:

1. Lock slide slightly back

2. Pull both takedown tabs down

3. Slide comes forward and off

(Note: KWC pistols are often tight from factory, so the first removal may require a solid tap.)

Inside you’ll find:

• Full metal slide

• Return spring/guide

• Removable inner barrel

• Accessible hop-up wheel

• Fire control components including the semi/full auto mechanism

Reassembly is straightforward once parts are aligned correctly.

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Pros

• Excellent weight and feel – solid, realistic, and well-balanced

• Full blowback provides snappy recoil and realistic slide movement

• Single-action Glock-like trigger is short, light, and crisp

• Full-size metal magazine for realistic reloads

• Semi & Full Auto modes (rare for BB pistols)

• Adjustable hop-up — unusual but useful for slight elevation tuning

• Field strippable, great for maintenance and realism

• Picatinny rail for lights/lasers

• Good trainer option for Glock owners thanks to similar ergonomics

• Minimal branding gives it a clean tactical look

Cons

• Full blowback reduces FPS and CO2 efficiency

• Full auto burns CO2 extremely fast

  • Expect maybe one strong magazine and a partial second depending on temperature

• CO2 cooling effects occur quickly during rapid fire

• Tight factory tolerances make the first field strip a bit stiff

• No official Glock markings (a con only if you want licensed branding)

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Final Thoughts

The KWC 18 CO2 Blowback Steel BB Pistol is a very solid performer for anyone who wants a Glock-style CO2 pistol with full blowback realism—and especially for those who want the fun of full auto.

The build quality is strong, trigger feel is excellent, the slide operation is smooth, and the ergonomics match real Glock pistols closely enough to make this a legitimate training or plinking option.

If you already own Umarex Glocks, this model will fit naturally into your collection and may even share some compatible magazines (listed as AAKC MM19).

A full Shooting / Field Test Review is coming soon—these KWC/Umarex Glock-pattern pistols are always a blast to shoot.

Buy the KWC 18 BB Pistol

You can purchase this item from our Replica Airguns online stores:

• Canada

• United States

We carry a large selection of Umarex Glocks, KWC Glock-style pistols, airguns, BB guns, airsoft guns, pellet guns, blank guns, and accessories.

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Type: Blowback CO2 Airsoft Pistol.
Manufacturer: Distributed by KJ Works.
Model: KP-18 TBC.
Materials: Metal & Polymer.
Weight: 1.7 pounds (770 grams).
Total Length: 7.9 inches (20cm)
Barrel: 4 inches (10.6cm) metal non-rifled.
Propulsion: CO2 x 1 (Gas mags available).
Action: Semi & full auto blowback, SAO trigger.
Ammunition Type: .6mm plastic Airsoft BB’s.
Ammunition Capacity: 22 round drop out full size metal magazine.
FPS: Claimed 410 (with barrel extension).

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Trigger Pull: The trigger on the KJWorks KP-18 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol behaves like a true Single Action Only unit, pleasantly light with a fairly short travel. There’s a bit of initial take-up, but you can clearly sense the crisp break near the rear where the release occurs, extremely light, consistent, and free of any noticeable slack. Remember you’ll need to rack the slide to chamber the first BB; after that the blowback mechanism handles all subsequent cycling.

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Accuracy: I haven’t yet fired the KJWorks KP-18 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol or produced a Field Test Performance video for it. However, I’ve already completed a full field and shooting test for the very similar KJWorks KP-13, so I’d expect comparable on-target performance between the two. I’ll post a full field test and shooting video for the KP-18 TBC down the road, stay tuned.

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Build Quality: KJWorks pistols are generally well made, and I expect the KP-18 TBC to follow that pattern. Based on my hands-on time with the KJWorks KP-18 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol and my first impressions of the KP-18, fit and finish look excellent. As with other models, you’ll find metal and polymer components positioned where they would be on a real modern semi-auto pistol, which contributes to the solid, authentic feel.

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Realism: The KJWorks KP-18 TBC is a close visual replica of the real-steel Glock G18-style pistol, albeit without official licensing. Umarex holds the Glock license for many BB and Airsoft models, and the fact that a green-gas magazine from the Umarex Glock 17 full-blowback fits the KP-18 suggests KJWorks may be manufacturing some Glock-pattern airguns for Umarex. Glock has historically objected to unlicensed replicas in North America, so how this will play out remains unclear. For now, both licensed and unlicensed options exist for buyers.

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Pros:

• Metal and Polymer with decent weight and good feel to it.

• Heavy Full blowback operation.

• Excellent fit and finish as always with KJWorks pistols.

• High capacity full size drop out magazine that holds the CO2 and 22 rounds.

• Well hidden safety incorporated into the serial number under the barrel.

• Working trigger safety.

• White dot front sight and white outlined rear sight for easy target acquisition.

• All working components like a real steel Glock styled pistol.

• Comes with extended threaded outer barrel for adding a possible compensator or mock-suppressor.

• Comes with barrel extension for higher velocity shooting (Possibly for easier import into Canada).

• Would make a good training weapon if you are a real steel Glock owner.

• Has a semi and full auto selector toggle located on the left rear of the slide.

• Can use CO2 or gas magazines.

• Field strip-able.

• No orange tip.

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Cons:

• Sights are not adjustable.

• Full auto will use CO2 like crazy but may be worth it.

• Not a licensed version.

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Comments:

If you’re a Glock enthusiast seeking a realistic training piece, you can shoot more affordably and in more places, there are more choices than ever. If official licensing matters, Umarex is the go-to option, although I haven’t seen a full-auto Glock from them yet. For those who prioritize a full-auto-style experience, the KJWorks KP-18 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is as close to a real-steel Glock full-auto feel as you’re likely to find. I also appreciate the magazine interchangeability with some Umarex Glock mags if you already own a Glock 17 Airsoft pistol for instance. Whatever route you choose, it’s great to see more Glock-pattern airguns coming to market.

• Buy the KJWorks KP-18 TBC CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol in Canada

• Buy Glock Airsoft Pistols in the US