Type:Airsoft Gas Rifle. Manufacturer: KJWorks. Model: MK1 Carbine. Materials: Metal and plastic. Weight: 2.71 pounds (1.23 kg). Total Length: 33 inches (83.8cm). Barrel Length: 17 inches (43.2cm). Barrel: Metal non-rifled. Propulsion: Green Gas. Action: Semi auto double action only trigger. Hop-up: Adjustable metal Hop-up. Ammunition Type: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 17 round full size drop out metal magazine. FPS: 450+.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KJWorks MK1 Carbine Green Gas Airsoft Rifle is double action only which will make it a bit longer and heavier than the real steal Ruger MK1 as it is Single Action Only. The trigger is smooth however and does have a nice satisfying click to it that sounds like a firing pin being release. The unfortunate part is that the real steel version has an amazing single action only trigger so the contrast between the Airsoft and 22LR version may make this gun not as practical is an optional training tool if you own the 22LR version.
Accuracy: This part of the review is yet to be determined as I have not done my Field Test or Shooting Test for this carbine, so stay posted for my official Field Shooting Test. For now you can watch my Ruger MK I Gas version Field Test Shooting Review to get an idea on how the KJWorks MK1 Carbine Green Gas Airsoft Rifle version should perform, as they are very similar with the Carbine version having a longer barrel and shoulder stock added to it with should increase the velocity and perhaps the accuracy a bit.
Build Quality: KJWorks as usual distributes quality Airguns, the fit and finish on the KJWorks MK1 Carbine Green Gas Airsoft Rifle is very good and there is good use of metal where it needs to be like with the upper receiver, the inner and outer barrel, the bolt and other internal mechanical parts, the trigger, the safety, the rear fully adjustable sight and the full size drop out metal magazine that holds the Gas and the Airsoft BB's.
Realism: The KJWorks MK1 Carbine Green Gas Airsoft Rifle is based on real steel Ruger MK1 and looks very close to it for the most part. There is no blowback operation or bolt operation so that means that only a double action trigger is possible, this is a bit unfortunate since the real Ruger MK1 has an absolutely beautiful smooth and light single action trigger. On the positive side you can field strip the KJWorks MK1 Carbine Green Gas Airsoft Rifle just like the real version but you will need to remove the rear stock that covers the area you need to get to to field strip it.
Pros:
If you own a real Ruger 22LR you will be use to the design layout.
Adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Metal hop-up for backspin tuning.
Full size all metal drop out magazine that holds the Airsoft BB’s and gas.
Satisfying trigger sound, sounds like a real firing pin a bit, not clanky like many other Airguns.
Full Metal upper and barrel.
Metal rear sight, bolt, trigger and magazine.
Non blowback helps with velocity and gas efficiency.
Field strips like original MK Series (will need to remover rear stock).
Cons:
No blowback so longer DAO trigger not like the real steel Ruger MK 1.
Some reviewers claim the hop-up is hard to adjust.
May be a bit too powerful for use in close quarters Airsoft games.
Comments:
The KJWorks MK1 Carbine Green Gas Airsoft Rifle is really just a modified MK1 Pistol by adding a longer barrel and rear shoulder stock to the pistol grip. I guess it is a good use of an already popular pistol design to give us a light weight and somewhat compact Airsoft sniper rifle for Airsoft games as it does have a fairly high velocity claim. Because of the high 450+ fps I would not recommend it to anyone playing in close quarters as it could injure other players so keep that in mind. If you are looking for a lower cost and fairly compact Sniper Rifle for some outdoor shooting, then it might be just the right pick for that. I am hoping my upcoming Field Test Shooting Video showcases it nicely so keep checking back for that Review Video down the road a bit.
Type: Break barrel pellet rifle. Manufacturer: Umarex USA. Model:Ruger Explorer. Materials: Metal and polymer parts. Weight: 4.45 pounds (2.5 kg). Barrel: 12 inches, metal rifled. Propulsion: Spring piston. Action: Single shot. Ammunition Type: .177 caliber pellets. Ammunition Capacity: 1. FPS: 495.
Trigger Pull: I found the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle to have a fairly light trigger, there is some initial take up with a smooth almost undetectable break or release point, I found that as I shot the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle the trigger seemed to be breaking in a bit which made it a bit hard to figure exactly when the trigger was going to release but I feel over time and once the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is broken in the trigger will become more predictable.
Accuracy: Since I have already made a shooting or field test video for the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle, I can comment on its performance n this review! With 6 grain lead pellets (on the lighter side), I was able to get a 5 shot Chronograph average velocity of 485 fps. Using heavier 7-8 grain pellets the velocity slowed down a bit to around 400 fps. In terms of accuracy the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle performed well getting about a 1 inch 10 shot grouping on my paper target setup 30 feet down range. I know the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle can do better than this once the trigger settles down a bit since some shots went off unexpectedly.
Build Quality: The Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is not an expensive air rifle and is more or less an entry level spring piston pellet shooter. That said it is built fairly well with a metal receiver, barrel and trigger setup. The modern looking stock is polymer and the steel barrel is coated in a synthetic soft plastic to help with long term durability. The real fiber optic sight is plastic so you will have to be careful with it as it does protrude a bit from the air rifle.
Realism: Since the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is not a replica realism is not really a factor here but it does look like a gun so treat it as if it was a real gun since most people will not know the difference. Always transport and store any airgun safely and discreetly.
Pros:
Really great looking air rifle with a modern look to it.
Finish is very durable with its polymer stock and plastic/rubber coated barrel.
Fully adjustable fiber optic sights are easy to sight in and use.
Receiver is notched for ring mounts so you can add an optical sight or red dot to it.
Trigger is fairly light, just need some break in time with it.
Cocking effort is fairly easy at 16.5 pounds.
Great size gun for all ages.
Power and accuracy were good for an entry level air rifle.
Cons:
I did find the trigger break/release point to be a bit unpredictable but I feel this is a break-in issue and will become more consistent over time.
You have to remember to push that safety in with ever shot.
Comments: The Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is marketed as a Youth air rifle but in reality it would be great fun for all ages. I am a fairly large person at 6 feet tall and I had no problem dealing with the slightly shorter configuration. The trigger guard is nice and open and allows for large fingers which is not always the case with airguns designed for smaller individuals. The overall quality you get with the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle for the lower entry level price tag is very good and in terms of performance I feel you for sure get your monies worth with the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle.
I don't do a lot of Springer (Spring Piston) Air Rifle shooting tests or even reviews for that matter. Mainly for a couple of reasons: Number 1, my content is mostly focused around Replica style Airguns and Number 2, it's kind of hard to test out the longer range airguns in my 30 foot airgun range. That said I felt the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle would be a really great airgun to review since it is both affordable and even though it is targeted for the youth market, it really does make a great shooter for all ages.
I have not done a Table Top Review for the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle but plan to shortly so stay posted for more detailed info on the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle down the road in that review.
So how'd we do during my Field Test Shooting Video for the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle? Not bad I would say! Using about 6 grain rather light weight .177 caliber lead pellets I was able to get really close to the 500 fps claimed fps mark coming in just under at a 5 shot testing average of 485 fps. I did put a couple heavier grain pellets through my Chrony Chronograph and got closer to the 400 fps mark, still not bad for this lighter sprung spring piston air rifle.
In terms of accuracy, shooting at my paper target setup 30 feet down range in my Sea Can Airgun Range, I shot about a 1 inch 10 shot grouping. I was finding the trigger break-in to be a bit unpredictable during this testing which led to some premature shots going off so I do feel once the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is broken in and me getting use to the trigger break, I should be able to improve on this result.
Overall the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is a really nice entry level airgun perfect for all ages and not just the youth market. It looks really cool, is easy to cock and has a very resilient finish. Oh ya it shoots pretty good to!
I don't often review target and or hunting rifles since for the most part Replica Airguns is all about well... replica airguns :) I have reviewed some of my own personal spring piston and pump rifles since I have them and there is a cross over in folks that like both the replica airguns and airguns meant for target and or hunting purposes.
We do have a small selection of spring piston rifles in our Replica Airguns Canada store suitable for target and small game so I thought I would point some of them out in this preview video.
