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Walther CP88

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Walther CP88 Competition Part 1

After more than 15 years this is still the top 8-shot 4.5mm target pistol

By Dennis Adler

The Umarex Walther CP88 is a true competition derived pistol design based on the 9mm P88 Champion model, which used a 6-inch competition barrel and single action trigger.
The Umarex Walther CP88 is a true competition derived pistol design based on the 9mm P88 Champion model, which used a 6-inch competition barrel and single action trigger.

There’s an old belief that if you do things right the first time you don’t have to do them over again. A little more than 15 years ago Umarex and Walther did something absolutely right called the CP88, and it is still one of the very best 4.5mm multi-shot pellet pistols you can own.

The 9mm semi-auto it was based upon, the Walther P88 was, at one time, one of the top ranked semi-autos in Germany for law enforcement use, a finely crafted, high-capacity 15+1 pistol with exceptional handling and accuracy. It was, however, an expensive handgun for law enforcement use and was only produced in its original version from 1987 to 1993, when it was replaced by the slightly smaller and less expensive P88 Compact. The lower manufacturing cost was due to minor changes in the pistol’s design which simplified some of its features. The Compact version was discontinued in 2003, by which time the new polymer-framed, striker-fired Walther P99 had replaced the P88 in the holsters of most German law enforcement officers. read more

Optics

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Optics

Dialing in your objective

By Dennis Adler

With blowback action air pistols that have cartridge-firing counterparts, most of the accessories will work on the .177 caliber models, including optics like this C-More STS red dot competition sight. While the C-More sight can cost up to $400, roughly four times as much as the Tanfoglio air pistol, it can be switched between guns and it built to handle the recoil of large caliber pistols.
With blowback action air pistols that have cartridge-firing counterparts, most accessories will work on the .177 models including optics like this C-More STS red dot competition sight. While the C-More sight can cost up to $400, roughly four times as much as the Tanfoglio air pistol, it can be switched between guns and is built to handle the recoil of large caliber pistols.

Airguns can be anything from inexpensive plinkers for punching holes in tin cans and paper targets to Olympic competition pistols. Somewhere between those two extremes are blowback action semi-auto air pistols and BB or pellet cartridge loading revolvers. These are excellent training guns, and even suitable for .177 caliber competition (with models like the Tanfoglio Gold Custom) but a far cry from the pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) competition .177 caliber (4.5mm and 5.5mm caliber) target pistols on the market, which are an entirely different level (in operation and price) than 12 gr. CO2-powered semi-autos and revolvers. The difference with guns like the Tanfoglio Custom and Gold Custom, the S&W TRR8 and Dan Wesson air pistols, for example, is that they all have cartridge-firing counterparts and the .38/.357 magnum, 9mm and .45 ACP models have been in the hands of world champions. They also have the advantage of being equipped with optics, and that very same advantage crosses over to the air pistols, in fact, as I will point out in a couple of examples, you can use the very same optics for training with air as are used in competition. read more

Umarex Colt Commander Model 1911. Part 2.

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Umarex Colt Commander Model 1911

The training experience

Part 2

by Dennis Adler

In a blowback design air pistol, the CO2 capsule performs two functions, first propelling a BB down range at an average velocity of 325 fps (feet per second) and second, operating the recoil of the slide to re-cock the hammer and chamber the next BB. The pistol’s all-metal construction (including the magazine) provides a hefty feel in the hand (34 oz. loaded) approximating a real Colt Model 1911.

The Colt Commander safety on the airgun is marked with an S and F and an arrow. This helps to lean familiarization with use of the manual thumb safety. Also note the airgun comes with a modern skeletonized trigger and Delta-style skeletonized hammer.
The Colt Commander safety on the airgun is marked with an S and F and an arrow. This helps to learn familiarization with use of the manual thumb safety on the cartridge-firing models, which do not have an S or F printed on the safety lever. Also note the airgun comes with a modern skeletonized trigger and Delta-style skeletonized hammer.

The Colt Commander features a modern skeletonized trigger and Commander-style hammer, fixed front and rear white dot tactical sights, checkered raised mainspring housing, black diamond checkered hard plastic grips, fully operating beavertail safety, thumb safety, and slide release. It also has a military-style tether ring at the bottom of the backstrap. Every aspect of handing the 1911 airgun is a training experience. read more

The Umarex Colt Commander Model 1911. Part 1

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Umarex Colt Commander Model 1911

The training experience

Part 1

By Dennis Adler

The Umarex Colt Model 1911 is a top choice for 1911-style airguns as well as an ideal option for training. All of the operating features of a .45 Colt Model 1911 are accurately duplicated on the airgun.
The Umarex Colt Commander Model 1911 is a top choice for 1911-style airguns as well as an ideal option for training. All of the operating features of a .45 Colt Model 1911 are accurately duplicated on the airgun.

In terms of training exercises there are numerous advantages to owning the Umarex Colt Commander Model 1911 blowback action air pistol, as this duty-sized handgun operates in the same fashion as a cartridge-firing Colt .45 ACP semi-auto. Specific 1911 training regimens can be practiced with this blowback action air pistol right down to loading the magazine, chambering the first round and pulling the trigger. This helps to improve skills such as trigger control and sight reacquisition, particularly with this type of air pistol since the slide functions with each shot just like a .45 ACP semi-auto. All that is missing is the recoil and report. read more

The Model 1895 Nagant Revolver

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The Belgian-Russian Connection

Part 1

The Model 1895 Nagant Revolver goes CO2

By Dennis Adler

Gletcher offers two versions of the legendary Model 1895 Nagant revolver. The original .177 caliber BB version (left) available in matte black or nickel, and the new pellet model (right) with rifled barrel. (Copy of Russian Nagant holster and belt courtesy World War Supply)
Gletcher offers two versions of the legendary Model 1895 Nagant revolver. The original .177 caliber BB version (left) available in matte black or nickel, and the new pellet model (right) with rifled barrel. (Copy of Russian Nagant holster and belt courtesy World War Supply)

There is an almost inexplicable attraction to early military revolvers and semi-automatic pistols that has not diminished with the passing of years. Aside form the Colt Model 1911, most are of foreign origin and you can count them on one hand; the German Mauser Broomhandle, Luger P.08 Parabellum and Walther P.38, the British Empire’s venerated .455 caliber Webley Mk VI revolver, and the Belgian Nagant 7-shot revolver carried by Russian soldiers in two World Wars. The amazing thing is that they are all available today as .177 caliber CO2 airguns with virtually every feature accurately reproduced! read more