by Tom Gaylord, a.k.a. B.B. Pelletier
The Umarex MORPH 3X is many airguns in one!
Please don’t be confused. This is Part 3, but today we’re going to look at the velocity of the Umarex MORPH 3X pistol and rifle. This gun morphs into three different guns, so the introduction took longer than it normally does.
The Morph 3X is a BB gun powered by a single 12-gram CO2 cartridge. The cartridge fits in the grip, which opens by sliding the backstrap down and off the grip. The piercing screw must be adjusted all the way out to allow the new cartridge to fit in the space, then it’s turned in until it pierces the cartridge. I gave it an additional half-turn for security, but no more because that’ll make the cartridge tear the thin face seal it bears against. As with all CO2 filling operations, I always put a drop of Crosman Pellgunoil on the tip of each new cartridge to keep the internal seals lubricated and sealing.
Two power levels — two barrel lengths
The Morph has two power levels — high and low. I’ll test each of them for you. The Morph also has a barrel extension that increases the overall length of the barrel and boosts the velocity, so I’ll test the long-barreled version on both power levels, as well. I’m only going to use one type of BB — the Umarex precision steel BB, which is very uniform and accurate.
Pistol — low power
I started with the pistol set to low power, which is with the adjustment screw all the way in (to the right). The average was 308 f.p.s., with a range that went from 301 to 321 f.p.s. At the average velocity, the 5.1-grain BB produced 1.07 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. The pistol was also very quiet at this setting.
Pistol — high power
Next, I adjusted the screw all the way out (to the left). The owner’s manual says this takes 1.5 turns of the screw, but on the test pistol it was closer to two full turns. I shot once to settle the gun at the new power level, then I shot another string of 10 to get the average velocity. On this setting, the power averaged 478 f.p.s., with a range that went from 417 to 502 f.p.s. That’s a big spread, but perhaps the gun is set up better for the low-power setting. The average muzzle energy was 2.59 foot-pounds. The noise and muzzle blast were significantly increased on this setting.
Buntline pistol — low power
Adding the barrel extension did not increase the velocity over the pistol — it decreased it! I guess the gas pressure drops too low before the BB leaves the longer barrel and the extra friction slows it down. The average velocity was 244 f.p.s., and the range went from a low of 208 to a high of 277 f.p.s. — a much higher spread than with the pistol barrel, alone. The gun was very quiet at this power setting, but it should be. The BB had nearly a third less velocity when it left the muzzle. The average muzzle energy was 0.67 foot-pounds.
Buntline pistol — high power
High power was meant for the Buntline configuration! The average velocity was 621 f.p.s., and the range went from 612 to 636 f.p.s. So, the spread on high power is much tighter with the barrel extension in place. The average muzzle energy was 4.37 foot-pounds. While the gun is louder on high power than on low power, the Buntline barrel extension does quiet the gun a little more than the pistol.
Trigger-pull
Several reviews said the trigger on the Morph 3X is hard to pull; but for what it is, it really isn’t. It’s a light double-action pull of about 7 lbs., 4 oz., which is very light for a double-action pull. It stacks near the end of the pull, which should make it possible to control the gun better.
Shot count
If you think about it, you’ll realize that I can’t give you a 100 percent accurate shot count with this gun because it depends on how you have it set up. What I can do is tell you what I did, which was to fire 22 shots on low power and 58 shots on high power before I was certain the power was falling. I probably could have fired another 10 shots on high power before the BBs started to stick in the bore.
I have no idea of how many shots you’ll get on low power, alone, but I’ll guess that it’s well over 100. The gun really seems to conserve gas on low power; and since that’s enough for indoor target shooting, this is a very economical gas pistol. Of course, with the double-action-only trigger, you’ll have to work harder for your good scores than you would with a good single-action trigger. If you shoot mostly double-action pistols or revolvers, this will be a better trainer.
One thing I noticed while watching the BB magazine during shooting is that the last few BBs aren’t visible in the window, but there’s still a way to know if there are BBs in the gun. The follower won’t go all the way to the right end of the window/slot until the last BB has been fired. If you see the follower handle standing away from the right end of the slot, you know the gun is loaded.
When the magazine is loaded, you can see BBs through the slot.
When the magazine follower handle is not all the way to the right of the slot, as in this photo, BBs are still loaded in the magazine.
Accuracy testing comes next. From what I read, the Morph should be pleasingly accurate.
Good morning all, i feel the idea and presentation of the Morph to be quite innovative but Crosman are trying their best to be like this it would appear(see what they did with the 2240). To sell in one package all variations of this multi per pose gun instead of selling the, say ,the basic rifle and then other parts separately as some companies may do.
What I’m not sure on is how the next BB is cycled, but that doesn’t really matter as I’m sure its the same as many BB pistols,but with it having a smooth bore it should tick all the right UK legal box’s and sell like hotcakes when, and being made by Umerex, when it is available over here. It’s not really my sort of gun but there is big market for these types of BB guns here amongst the 18 to 30 bracket mainly, the gun really has that tactical look that is so popular now.
I bought a crosman 1077 a while back which was sold with a smooth bore then i read that the ones sold in other countries had rifled barrels, i have come across some rifled versions here but they’re 2nd hand. So i posted on an airgun forum about ideas about changing the barrel to a rifled .22, and redesigning and casting a new magazine which I’m capable to do just about. A lot of responses were about repeating air rifles only being legal if they have a smooth bore, but with the next pellet being indexed in a rotary magazine on the 1st stage of the double action trigger just threw the whole legal problem into a gray area. Semi auto air pistols with rifled barrels are allowed it would appear, just that self indexing, semi auto, pellet firing rifled barreled air rifles are a strict no-no(confusing).
Back to the Morph, with all its many, many setups this is a fun gun to cover everyone’s tastes.As you’ve said the low power setting makes it ideal for indoor plinking and a lot of buyers here will most likely not have a back yard as a lot of people live in communal housing blocks with a shared garden. It packs down small to be carried around to more acceptable outdoor areas to shoot, which is good because even though it’s still legal to carry an air rifle out doors(as long as you’re taking it to a legal place to use it), it doesn’t stop an Armed Responce Police Unit jumping on you if you did this in a heavily residential area. Such are the joys for a lot of air gun enthusiasts in the UK, I’m one of the lucky ones as i have a 30 yard back garden and permission from the local farmer to hunt on his land, also living in a small village miles from the nearest town helps.
Anyway sorry to waffle on so much, its a very attractive package that a lot of people will get a lot of enjoyment out of. Looking forward to the accuracy tests, but as long as it hits a pop can from 25 feet most buyers will be happy i reckon.
TTFN best wishes, wing commander Sir Nigel Tetlington-Smythe
B.B.,
Is it possible to attach the barrel extension without using the plastic sleeve? Also, regarding the barrel extension, is the actual metal barrel muzzle close to the end of the barrel tube, or does it end quite a bit short of the end of the barrel tube, such as the barrel in the TX200 MK III?
Michael
Michael,
Yes, the barrel extension can be attached without the forearm extension. And the barrel does butt right up to the pistol barrel — there is no gap or any great significance.
B.B.
B.B.,
One thing I’ll be eager to see sometime is a photo of the Morph in Buntline mode without the plastic sleeve. I have always been a sucker for the look of the actual Buntlines, as well as those old Stevens single shot .22LR pistols with the ultra long barrels.
My second question had to do with the muzzle end. Is it a few (or more) inches shy of the end of the metal tube a la the TX 200 MK III and late model FWB 10 meter guns (600 series, etc.), or does the actual, functional muzzle come right up to the fake flash hider?
Sorry if I’m not wording this in a clear way, and thanks much,
Michael
Michael,
Okay, a photo of just the pistol with the barrel extension attached.
Just for you.
Yes, the actual barrel is much shorter than the shroud that is around it.
B.B.
I would also be interested in that pic! I can’t help myself with these pistol that can be turned in rifles.
My HW45 with the Beeman shoulder stock is my favorite springer and my 1701P with the shoulder stock is my favorite PCP and the only multi-pump I kept is my old trusty 2289.
Thank you for taking such good care of us!
J-F
Is the hw45 shoulder stock still being sold? Thanks.
Sadly it’s not. Some people make their own and sell them on the web, I was very lucky and found one on eBay! It has seen better time but it’s still in very good working condition.
J-F
/product/weihrauch-hw45-shoulder-stock-cherry-or-oak-lh-rh?a=80
PA has been moving availability date every day for a long time now without any explanation.
I contacted Weihrauch directly when I was looking for one and they (Mr. Weihrauch is apparently replying to emails personnaly) told me it had been discontinued and there was no plan of bringing them back.
J-F
joe u,
I’ve asked Pyramyd AIR if the shoulder stock is discontinued or just temporarily unavailable.
Edith
If this pistol/rifle is accurate I’ll have to add it to my wish list it will probably end-up near the very top.
Pics of the 2013 Crosman have surfaced on the yellow, that SCAR and thos AR break barrel are looking good! Wonder how much that synthetic Marauder weights?
J-F
I haven’t seen any SCAR style airguns from Crosman. Is it airsoft or a regular air rifle? Where did you see that thing?
It’s an airgun, just like the M4-177 it’s built on the 760 plateform. It’s called the MK-177.
Looks like the MAV77 is still coming! I just read the thing (the first time I just looked at the pics while drooling a little) and the weight for the synthetic M-Rod is 6.2lbs… interesting!
Like I said someone posted the pics on the Yellow Forum, here is the link:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/message/1357686268/Crosman+2013+catalog+just+came+in+(pics)
J-F
Ok. that MK77 is definitely making my gotta have it list despite Crosman being on my list of American sell out companies. I already have the M417 and TR77MP. I like everything about the TR77MP EXCEPT that miserable trigger which I will be replacing. If that helps I just might marry the thing!
I think the MAV77 did show itself rather briefly but disappeared off my radar rather quickly. I thought they obsoleted it like they did the centerpoint HD action cam and remote switches for the action cams.
But I am quite happy to see that MK77. I just wish it was co2 with a belt clip like the Berretta magazine has. That would be awesome? I could turn something like that into a pcp gun.
Quite a unique gun but how wobbly is it in rifle mode? If you ever used a crosman 1399 stock on a 2240 or a 1377 you will know what I’m talking about. Does the stock have up and down play or is it solid? That vertical play is very off putting in the crosman guns which is why I rarely ever use them opting for a stock adapter and a Tippman 98 stock when i mod one. I’d likely use a gun like this in rifle mode and break it down James Bond style in a case when it’s not in use. I’m not much of a pistol person.
John,
It’s not the least bit wobbly. My AR-15 firearm wobbles more than the Morph.
B.B.
Then it might be worth a look. I’ll have to check in on it since it’s no secret UMAREX is a chinese built gun. As I said before I don’t mind chinese built as long as it’s not an american company selling out their product to them.
Ok. I must ask this since it’s an issue I just can’t seem to work my way around. I have a tech force 6. I bought it new and thought it to be a very cool look with that under folding stocks. Problem is the stock has a full inch of play when it’s extended. This makes my accuracy about non-existent and getting a repeatable sight picture near impossible since the gun tends to shift all over the place. How do you deal with something like that aside from throwing the gun in the trash in aggravation?
Only 10 ways that I can think of, but some are not quite as good as throwing it away, and some are much cooler. First, I’ll start with a classic everyone should know.
1. Duct Tape. Just wrap till your gun looks like a shiny new low budget sci-fi movie prop.
2. Use it as a prop in a low budget sci-fi movie and make enough money to buy a new stock.
3. Stick a wood chip or washer in there.
4. Check the fasteners holding the stock on and tighten if needed. If it’s still loose, tighten more. If it’s still loose, tighten more. If it’s still loose, repeat until tight and careful not to strip the threads.
5. Remove the problematic stock and throw only that away. That way, you still have the gun.
6. Use it for kindling because winter can be cold and depressing. Maximize that potential!
7. Ask a professional Russian to take care of it. With any luck, you might get to see it and a block of C-4 go boom or something cool on Youtube that will entertain you and brighten your spirits.
8. Super glue the stock into place. If that doesn’t work, just drop it in wet cement and forget it. The cement will secure your stock and protect your gun. No worries and no wiggles.
9. B***h out the manufacturer in person after throwing the stock in THEIR trash can, going to their bathroom and not lowering the seat. Vengence is good for the world. It worked for God??
10. As long as the stock wiggles, make it dance! It’s more fun that way, and makes shooting it look way cooler and more interesting. Please let me know how you like it and post the video?
OK, I’ll admit I didn’t mean any of that. I have way too much time on my hands and I’m tired. On a more serious note, I’ve had the same problem with a stocked airgun and I couldn’t fix it. I tried the screws and nothing. I ended up removing it, so at least I had an air pistol. The next day, I used the stock to build a really nice .50 cal. bolt action muzzle loader that fed up to 5 paper (actually cardboard) cartriges from a tube magazine. Don’t worry, it was legal and safe. The only real advice I can give is to just go with what you know. You wouldn’t believe the bad advice I’ve been given that I almost followed. The worst thing you could do is take any of my 10 suggestions as good advice. Idealy, the manufacturer or seller could help you with your issue.
As far as the Tech Force TF6, I have yet to see one of those folding stocks that doesn’t have more play in it than a 3 year old after a long nap. But I’d love to see that action tightened up so it has some semblance of accuracy so that it can hit something smaller than a boeing 747. But I suppose I’ll just have to chalk that gun up to a bad buy and let it rust in pieces in the gun rack.
You can solve the wobly 1399 stock problem with a bit of padded tape inside the stock (or directly on the pistol if you don’t use the pistol grips) when the 1399 shoulder stock came with my 2289 it had pieces of padded tape where the stock would contact the metal frame and it doesn’t woble. Simply replace the tape when you wear it down. You could also add a set screw to the frame so it makes contact with the shoulder stock it won’t woble anymore but it’s more complicated than the tape.
J-F
I actually found I could replace the rear body cap with a stock adapter and then add some very awesome tippman 98 stocks that make the gun into an entirely different animal. I can use anything from a SAW stock to AK47 stock to MP5 stock or anything else for a tippman 98 paintball gun. I have found they are far more solid and sport a power adjuster too.
The Morph seems great, but if they could only morph it into an upgraded 600 FPS Steel Storm buntline with a magazine similar to the Morph, but have 90 BB/30 pellet setup (maybe a top loading clip) with a low tension mag spring to support the ammo of choice without deforming the pellets. No hopper, though. Instead, trim that bulky top a little or add 2 more CO2 cartriges capacity from the remaining space in the top or maybe just one more in a foregrip that is activated once you slid it into a slot that retains a transfer port and tube to the main airgun valve. Then, simply widen valve ports for better flow and more power for the pellet option, maybe bringing pellets up to 650 or even 750 FPS while still retaining the velocity adjustment feature for lower velocity applications. I have air guns listed on my website, but they are more suitable as weapons. I actually find it easier to design and build new weapons than new toys, so someone else might have to try that one out. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one out here that wants to see a full auto, spring fed, high capacity air rifle to rival the FPS and power of some break barrel air rifles. For that matter, even a spring fed 15 pellet mag top loading on a 1000 FPS break barrel air rifle or an AK 47 like clip feeding over 30 in a side lever or underlever air rifle over 700 FPS might satisfy many air gunners. Also, what’s with the assumption that most spring powered air rifles must have low cocking effort, low power and shoot pellets that are 1/2 the weight of a comparable firearm caliber at 1/2 or 1/3 the velocity? Personally, I don’t see the reason. The average person can lift more than 50 lbs, so why not have an air rifle with a 50 or 60 lb mainspring? Also, anyone who can cock a crossbow or do a push-up can usually handle several 150 lb pulls on a long, easy lever, so why not make a .22 cal. air rifle that uses a 100-150 lb. spring? Depending on how much air is moved, a .25 cal. 40 grain airgun pellet travelling down a 1′ barrel with 139+ lbs of pressure behind it might be the equivalent of shooting a .22LR. I’m not saying that airguns are poorly designed. I’m saying there’s definitely some untapped potential there, and I wonder if anyone else noticed or even made sense of it.
Can i use plastic BB’s????
Elliot,
Not in the Morph, you can’t. The Morph is a true BBs gun an shoots steel BBs that are 4.5mm. The plastic BBs you refer to as 600 airsoft ammo.
B.B.
just wondering can i use plastic bbs in the umarex airgun pisol
Mikey,
Welcome to the blog.
The Morph is a real BB gun that shoots steel BBs. What you are referring to are airsoft ammunition. They are called BBs mistakenly by their Asian manufacturers, but they are larger than real steel BBs and will not work in the Morph.
B.B.