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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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More videos coming soon!

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Some more stuff came in and I just had to show it off before moving on with the reviews. I know you're going to like it so here we go again...

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First off the super anticipate Umarex Glock 19 CO2 BB Pistol has arrived and is now available in our Canada and US online Replica Airgun Stores so get yours while we still have them, if we still have them? No this version is not a blowback or even working slide version and yes it has the dreaded stick mag! That all said the Umarex Glock 19 CO2 BB Pistol feels really solid and well made and heck it's the first licensed Airgun Glock ever so it's a good start. Umarex has said that more elaborate blowback versions will be coming out down the road. There are full blowback Airsoft version licensed by Umarex but the FPS is too slow right now for us to import them into Canada, hopefully there is a fix for this at some point...

I have been waiting at least three months now for my AW Custom AG-HX2003 Double Stack Tactical 1911 Full Blowback CO2 BB Pistol to show up. Canada Customs got their hands on it and felt it needed to be processed for three months before delivering it to me. at least I did end up getting it without a fight!

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AW Custom is primarily an Airsoft gun manufacturer but is moving into the 4.5mm Steel BB market and has a few 4.5mm Steel BB offerings which have interchangeable parts with their Airsoft guns if you need them. I will making a Table Top and Field Test Sooting Video for the AW Custom AG-HX2003 Double Stack Tactical 1911 Full Blowback CO2 BB Pistol, my list is getting pretty huge now but I am excited I have all these new products to review for everyone!

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Last on my Update list is a rather pricey one but not something I have ever revised on this channel, It's the Umarex T4E HK416 .43 caliber Paintball M4/AR Rifle made specifically for m military and police training. This gun is super realistic with similar working parts to its real steel counterpart. Check the Umarex T4E HK416 .43 caliber Paintball M4/AR Rifle in our Canada and US Online Stores.

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Umarex presented at SHOT Show this year a license I think we all thought was never going to happen! That would be Glock, for years Glock has been steadfast about not allowing their handguns to be licensed by anyone other than them. Glock has been very protective about their brand and intellectual properties as they are entitled to. I'm not sure what Umarex said to Glock but somehow they where able to get Glock to agree to letting Umarex license Glock pistols to be made into BB and Airsoft versions. The first BB and Airsoft models I was able to checkout at this years SHOT Show are pretty basic in design and are styled after the Glock 19.

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The new Umarex Glock 19 licensed BB and Airsoft pistols are CO2 powered as expected but don't have blowback operation and have a fixed metal slide and a drop out stick magazine. The new Glock Licensed Umarex pistols do however look and feel really good, picking them up you would think you are holding a real steel Glock until you try and rack the slide or drop the magazine. Umarex did indicate there will be more licensed models coming out down the road with full blowback operation and full size drop out metal magazines, we just need to be patient as Glock is very particular about the quality control.

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Another show stopper for me at the Umarex Booth was the Legends Cowboy Lever Action Shell loading BB Rifle. I love shooting my Red Ryder BB Rifle but I have to admit the Red Ryder kind of looks a bit like a kids beginner airgun. The new Umarex Legends Cowboy Lever Action Shell loading BB Rifle look, feels and operates like the real deal so it's not only going to be super fun to shoot but an awesome replica to own especially if your into the old west guns.

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The Umarex Legends Cowboy Lever Action Shell loading BB Rifle uses two 12 gram CO2 cartridges and can hold 10 BB loaded shells in its tube styled magazine, working the lever action elects the empty shells. Umarex claims around 410 fps so the Umarex Legends Cowboy Lever Action Shell loading BB Rifle will be Canada legal without the need for a PAL. I thought the stock was real wood but was correct, it's actually made out of plastic, but I think just about anyone looking close up would have a hard time believing Umarex didn't use real wood.

Thanks to Mark Davis from Umarex for making himself available to interview!