Umarex T4E TP50 Gen 2 CO2 Paintball Pistol Field Test Review
The Umarex T4E TP50 Gen 2 continues to impress as one of the more powerful and practical compact less-lethal pistols currently available. In this field test review, I tested the all-black version using .50 caliber rubber-steel core rounds to see how it performs in terms of velocity, energy, and real-world accuracy. The black version is essentially the same as the orange-marked variant, just marketed a bit differently, with a more tactical appearance that may appeal to those looking for a serious training or home defense-style option.
For ammunition, I used the steel-core rubber balls rather than standard solid rubber rounds. These projectiles are slightly heavier and seem to carry noticeably more energy downrange without sacrificing too much velocity. In my opinion, they are probably some of the best ammunition choices for these types of pistols if maximum impact energy is your goal.
Velocity testing through the chronograph produced some very impressive numbers. The TP50 Gen 2 delivered readings of 319 FPS, 304 FPS, 310 FPS, 300 FPS, and 308 FPS, averaging just over 308 feet per second. With the steel-core rubber rounds weighing approximately 2.7 grams, the pistol produced roughly 12-13 Joules of muzzle energy using the Steel Core Rubber Balls but would have been closer the projected 15 Joules with all Rubber Balls, which is extremely respectable for a compact CO2-powered .50 caliber launcher. You can really hear and feel the power when firing this pistol, and it even generates noticeable recoil-like kick during shooting.
Accuracy testing was performed from 30 feet downrange using the six-round internal magazine. Paintball-style projectiles are naturally less precise than pellets or BBs due to their softer construction, surface ridges, and aerodynamic inconsistencies, but the Umarex T4E TP50 Gen 2 still delivered surprisingly solid grouping performance. After adjusting my aim slightly low due to the pistol shooting a little high initially, the remaining shots grouped well into the center portion of the target and produced clean, sharp holes through the paper target with about a 3 inch grouping.
In practical terms, this pistol clearly delivers enough impact energy to strongly discourage an attacker or aggressive threat. The steel-core rubber rounds hit extremely hard, especially considering the combination of high velocity and projectile mass. While heavy clothing would certainly absorb some impact, anyone wearing lighter clothing would absolutely feel these rounds. The all-black appearance also adds to the realistic tactical styling, which alone could act as a deterrent before a shot is ever fired.
Overall, the Umarex T4E TP50 Gen 2 proved to be accurate enough for close-range defensive-style use, delivered excellent power, and offered reliable operation throughout testing. The trigger feels good, the pistol handles nicely, and the performance with steel-core rubber ammunition was impressive across the board. For anyone looking for a compact CO2-powered less-lethal launcher with strong energy output and solid build quality, the TP50 Gen 2 is definitely worth considering.
You can find the Umarex T4E TP50 Gen 2 and other Airguns, BB guns, Airsoft guns, Pellet guns, Blank guns, and accessories at: