by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
- ASG
- X9
- Ingram M11
- Dan Wesson revolvers
- Xisico
- Turkish PCP?
- Orion from AirForce International
- Beeman
- Hatsan Riptor
- Summary
This will be my final report on the 2017 SHOT Show. When I began I said 2017 is the biggest year for airguns that I’ve ever seen, and with seven reports to cover it, I think you must agree. It just seems that this year airguns have exploded! Some product announcements were perhaps a bit premature, but many of the guns and products I saw will be available early in the year. Let’s get to it.
ASG
I stopped at the ActionSportGames USA booth to see what new airguns they will bring out this year. The first one they showed me is a pistol they call the X9 that looks very much like our military M9 sidearm.
X9
The X9 BB pistol looks like a Beretta model 92F, on which our military’s M9 is based. It has the blowback shooters want. It’s more than just a basic air pistol that fires using a 12-gram CO2 cartridge.
X9 from ASG is a great replica BB pistol.
One more nice feature about the X9 is it fully disassembles! If realism is what you’re after, this may be one to consider. One is on its way to me now for testing.
X9 disassembles like the firearm.
Ingram M11
Next up is the Ingram M11 BB SMG (submachine gun). This one is fully licensed from Ingram and is a close copy of the Ingram MAC M11 chambered for .380 ACP. It does not have blowback. The stock does fold and extend to give you a good shoulder stock.
The Ingram M11 is a full-auto BB machine pistol with extending stock.
Dan Wesson revolvers
Finally we come to the new Dan Wesson revolvers. They exist in both 2.5 and 4-inch barreled versions and two different finishes — steel gray and silver. They are exactly like the 6-inch barelled Dan Wesson revolvers I already tested for you last year, except for the barrel lengths.
The new Dan Wesson revolvers come with 2.5 and 4-inch barrels. They will be BB (steel gray at top) and pellet (silver) .
I held both guns and they do feel remarkably realistic. I talked to Bob Li of ASG about creating a Pistol Pac for these, and he knows that would be a wonderful idea, but these airguns cannot be made with interchangeable barrels because they aren’t made of steel. But I got him thinking about it! One of each type is on its way to me for testing now.
Xisico
My next stop was the Xisico USA booth, where I met John Mooney, their vice president of sales and marketing. He showed me their new wood-stocked Xisico XS Sentry — an 8-shot repeating PCP available in .177. Their catalog says it also comes in .22 and .25 calibers, so perhaps they are in the works as well. Aside from the semi black rifle look the Sentry has a pistol grip stock and adjustable cheekpiece. It’s said to get 30 powerful shots per fill to 3,000 psi.
The XS Sentry from Xisico is an 8-shot repeater in .177 caliber.
Turkish PCP?
Sometimes I see things that may never be available in this country but are interesting all the same. Next to the ASG booth was a Turkish maker, Turqua, who was displaying a PCP that was gorgeous to look at. I show it to you now, but don’t expect to see one soon in the US.
I thought this PCP from Turqua is beautiful. We may never see it in the U.S.
Orion from AirForce International
AirForce International sells airguns that are imported from offshore manufactures. The Orion is a PCP that I have followed for some time. I’ve watched AirForce work with the manufacturer to improve the trigger, accuracy and to lower the cost until this year they have a competitive PCP repeater.
AirForce International brings out the Orion bullpup this year to augment the standard rifle (below).
The photo doesn’t show it, but the wood on the bullpup is so highly figured that I had to ask whether it was wood or plastic. It’s wood with a figure you won’t find on firearms costing less than 4 figures!
I have an Orion to test for you soon. It’s a .22 caliber standard rifle. If you look at the price you’ll see why I am so excited!
Beeman
I always stop at the Beeman booth, but rarely do I find anything worth a look. A couple years ago I found that strange Double barreled rifle that I tested for you last year, but that was all. The Beeman booth sells the low-priced Beeman guns that are sold in discount stores, while Air Venturi continues to import the high-end Weihrauch brands airgunners identify with.
This year was different. On the display table this year was a precharged pneumatic! The lineage was obvious — it has a QB78 ancestor, but we know that airgunners have been converting that platform to high-pressure air for several years, and it does work. And the QB is itself a copy of Crosman’s highly successful model 160 rifle that has a very adjustable crossbow-style trigger. Accuracy can be fine, though the barrel is the biggest risk you take with these rifles.
The Beeman PCP was a surprise this year.
The QB 78 heritage is obvious when you see the receiver. Expect a good adjustable trigger, and we hope an accurate barrel to go with it.
But wait — there’s more! This rifle was built to operate on a fill to 2,000 psi, rather than 3,000. So a hand pump is all that’s needed to fill it! And the suggested MSRP will be just $200! That’s a huge win for those wanting to enter the precharged world at the lowest possible risk.
Hatsan Riptor
One new Hatsan airgun I haven’t shown yet is their new Riptor BB pistol. It’s not a copy of anything and features a a light rail under the front of the frame. The gun has what I will call a carbon fiber look to it, which intrigues me. It offers blowback and I hope to test one for you as soon as I can.
The Hatsan Riptor is a new look for a BB gun and sharp eyes will note a lighter plastic BB they plan to offer.
If you read the sign above the Riptor you’ll see that Hatsan has a new plastic BB that must be lighter. Given the problems Daisy had with aluminum BBs in the 1940s, I will be very curious about the performance of this one!
Summary
I think you now understand why I said 2017 is the biggest airgun year ever. We have innovative designs, prices dropping, new air compressors and new ammo. There is so much to take in! Make no mistake, this year is a banner year for airguns.
The plastic BB may be technologically possible now.
In the last couple of decades with the massive surge in airsoft popularity, the plastic (and biodegradable) projectile market has improved greatly.
You take a 6mm .20 gram airsoft projectile that weighs nominally 3.09grains.
A .176 a plastic BB (4.47mm) would weigh considerably less.
Just think biodegrade nontoxic projectiles, tracer ammo, (glow in the dark plastic like the airsoft tracer units use)
Ammo that shatters instead of bouncing back!
Yes I know about the H&N smart shot.
I hope they can do it, it many have its place,
But a 1.3 grain BB wouldn’t carry much energy, but it would be fast!
Not for me . Have no interest in seeing steel bb reduced to airsoft ,
I think I already have the Mac 11, however it is a generic version without a trademark. Model KM-55HN-45 made in Taiwan. All ABS plastic, 39 rounds 12g CO2. Very light ‘toyish’ looking with plastic seams all around. It is very sturdy though, except for the outer barrel which is fairly loose.
The only thing that is movable is the safety forward of the trigger, the rest is molded in. The retractable stock is all metal and totally removable by pushing in the button under the receiver. The upper section can be removed and it contains pretty much everything including the trigger. The trigger needs to be pulled a little to clear the lower receiver cut out hole.
Very simple operation, the trigger retracts a sliding brass inner barrel into the mag to capture a BB and surround the gas valve tube and at the same time cocks the hammer back with a bar that simply slides off the bottom of the spring loaded hammer to fire. Trigger is firm and smooth.
The CO2 mag has a large brass air valve up top, is very sturdy ABS but the spring loaded follower is very shallow and hard to keep down lacking a detent, not physically hard to retract, but you need a finger nail to hold it down. It is the best fitting mag I’ve seen in a ling time, absolutely no play in any direction yet easy to slide in and out. It will not drop free when unlocked. .You grip it and use your thumb to unlock it anyway
Mine came in a nicely printed up box but to be honest a bubble pack would probably be more fitting. I would call it a simple well made sturdy plinker. Only one small well recessed assembly screw can be found aft of the front sight, aside from the grip back but the highly visible seam running around the entire pistol is very distracting and keeps it from ever being considered a quality replica, especially compared to a full size all metal Airsoft M11 I have. If this is the same M11 the Ingram trademark may just be an extra to justify the price.
I have not even shot it yet but if BB has any plans to review it I’ll leave it up to him. Otherwise there may be a follow up, but not too deep. Forgot to mention it has no full auto option.
Evidently there is a new symbol to identify a .177 metal BB firing gun, an S inside a circle for steel ?
Bob M
BB perhaps you know better but I believe everybody has wrongly identified the short Ingram/Mac. It looks more like the .380 “M12”. Did someone make a short M11 ?
Bob M
Bob,
I’m just repeating what I was told. I didn’t show the reverse side but that is what it says.
B.B.
Bob, you are correct on the m12 in .380.
But everyone has m11 stuck in their mind, and I never correct them.
The m11 is long and skinny, the m10( .45acp) is short and boxy, the m12 has the same lines of the m10, but proportionally smaller & thinner.
My first hands on machine gun experience was with a friend of my dad’s m12 with suppressor when I was about 10-11 years old. That thing was the cats meow!
I learned everything I could about that thing after firing it.
I lived and dreamed about that thing until the next time I got to shoot it..
To this day, I still have a soft spot for the m12, yes I own a full metal airsoft version with all the correct trademarks.
It hangs over my desk on a plaque.
No, they aren’t Even close to accuracy of a regular handgun, but they are sure a load of fun.
And if you have the money to buy it, and feed it, you should be able to enjoy your fun to your hearts content..
45 Bravo
I made an entry below, looks like Ingram / MAC made an M11-A1 and Cobray / SWD called it an M12 …Same small 380.
BB and Fellow Airgunners
Yes indeed 2017 looks to be a banner year for new airguns of all types. I noticed that those folks who are big bore fans have the most to cheer about. And if you fancy bullpups, you have even more to cheer for. It’s hard to believe that just a half dozen years ago, you were limited to two, or three companies if you were interested in purchasing an airgun over .30cal. Bullpups were practically nonexistent. With a limited amount of accurate shots, and a price tag rivalling a decent powder rifle, only time will tell if these large bore. airguns are a fad, or they’re here to stay.
I also remember quite a few people were saying that .25cal pellets were going the way of the Dodo. JSB, and H+N proved that an accurate .25cal could be made,
Sorry, accidentally hit reply.
It will be interesting to see how many of these large bore airguns make it to the Canadian market. Our antiquated gun laws prevent people from owning bullpups at present.
I was hoping to see the venerable Weihrauch HW77 replace the spring for a gas piston that would be in the 12ftb range. Since introducing the ambidextrous stock, I’ve been hoping Weihrauch would have something new to replace the rather old spring piston power plant. Oh well, maybe next year.
Ciao
Titus
Titus,
I know that Tom Gore of Vortek has a gas spring for the HW 77. Weihrauch is very closed to outside influence, but Tom thinks he might produce these for retrofits. He does not display at SHOT.
B.B.
BB
I have used V-Mach spring kits on a few of my Weihrauchs. They are noticeably smoother then the stock springs Weihrauch uses, but the price is much too steep at around $150.00 Canadian. I have found a dealer in Eastern Canada that sells the Vortek line of spring kits for under $100.00. I have read good reports concerning the Vortek spring kits, so I would think the results should be equal to using the V-Mach kit. My HW50 at about 12fb, is the only airgun my wife, and daughter prefer when we have a backyard plinking competition. I think a 12fb HW77 would be ideal, and would simply give them another option of airgun to use. The extra weight wouldn’t be much of an issue as we all use the Caldwell Rock, Jr. gun rest. Shooting an airgun they both can easily cock is a big plus for an hour or two of family fun. The gas piston option is merely something I am interested in trying out.
Thanks BB, for the Vortek information, and the incredible seven part Shot Show blog series.
Ciao
Titus
Titus Groan,
I do not believe there is such a thing as a V-Glide kit for the HW30s, but imagine if there were! It would be a pricey rig, but it would be the absolute Holy Grail of short-distance, low power plinking. Accurate, lightweight, 15 pounds to cock, A+ trigger, 98 percent as smooth as a PCP, and no pumping, tanks, bottles, or other nuisances.
Michael
Titus
I do believe the .25 caliber is here to stay. And from personal experience I have to agree with you about the .25 caliber JSB’s and H&N pellets.
B.B.,
Whew!,…. that was quite the ride! Your 7 part series has left my head spinning! Thank You for taking all of the time and effort to bring your loyal minions the latest and greatest. No doubt that you will have a very full “plate” this year!
Chris
I think Beeman is coming to the party late. A PCP QB is nice but Umarex with the Gautlent is the better buy. Regulated, multi shot, and shrouded for only $100 more is the better buy. The Beeman I think will displace some of the Discovery/Maximus sales because price point, wood stock, and better trigger.
A question, will you be testing the Kral puncher breaker Bullpup anytime soon? I could see this as my next airgun if it is accurate with good shot count. Thanks
Scott,
I do hope to test one of the Krals soon. A bullpup would be fine.
B.B.
Scott,
while you may be correct about the Gauntlet, keep in mind that people like me who currently don’t own a pcp, but is wondering about them, want in for less money (to start). The Disco/Maximus does have advantages too. Like open sights for one (big on my list). Also the fill pressure is 2000 psi. That’s another big one, cause more than likely we’ll be using a hand pump. I know the Gauntlet is a 3000 psi gun, that is said can be filled to just 2000 psi. But until B.B. does it (or whoever) and reports on the # of shots with just 2000 psi, I’m on the fence with that. Last, but not least, Parts and support. Crosman will supply parts and support. Will Umarex? Some say yes, some say no and have no luck. Time will tell.
I will give Crosman props for customer service. Umarex not so much. The Gauntlet has a regulated tank, in the reports I saw I think to 1,000-1,100 psi. Most people shoot Discos from 2k to about 900-1000 so shot count should be the same. The Gauntlet uses a bottle just like I have on my qb79 for pcp use.
Turqua? Never heard of them…
Why do I always want what I can not have?
-Y
Wow, looked at the price of the Orion like you said and I see the reason for the excitement.
Think it will compete with the Marauder?
Belgrath04,
That’s what I’m thinking, though I didn’t say it.
I remember when the Orion was going to cost nearly $1,000. AirForce worked with Cometa to lower the price that far, simultaneous with improving the design. It took several years, but what you see today is the result.
B.B.
How does Airforce International which makes the Orion fit in with the Airforce that makes the Talon and Texan?
Belgrath04,
AirForce International is a division of AirForce Airguns. They import and distribute the guns that are made offshore.
B.B.
The Marauder can get about 30 shots per fill, the Orion is advertised as 13 shots per fill on the PA website. Maybe that’s a typo, but based on those numbers I’d say meh. Then again, if the Orion shoots accurately…
I saw some information that the Beretta model 92F is being replaced by a version of the SIG 226. It’s a good gun but perhaps they would have been better off with the Glock or Smith & Wesson.
Mike
Big Iron,
The Army just awarded Sig a contract for the next sidearm for the military. It will be the Sig P320.
B.B.
The Sig 320 firearm for the Army, is that the one Sig just replicated in their new pellet pistol with the 30 round belt magazine?
Charles,
That’s the one.
B.B.
Oh boy! I just can’t wait for your review of that one! Ever since I saw the first report of the 30 round belt magazine, I’ve thought that the Sig P320 is a must have for those who like CO2 powered replica pistols.
Charles,
Sig has been very good to get me guns to test as soon as possible. I expect to see this one in a month or two.
B.B.
B.B.,
I read in a mainstream press article that the Pentagon contract with Sig requires that the arms, replacement parts, and accessories be made by Sig in the United States. Sig is not at all restricted from producing civilian products there, so as of now they intend to make many North American market items there and pass some of the reduced costs on to the consumer through lower MSRPs. This is how/why you will finally be able to satisfy your “jonesing” for a P210 and pay just $1650 for it instead of, gulp, $2500 or so.
I know that some of the U.S. military investigative agencies have used Sigs for years, so I wonder if the whole arrangement might save taxpayers a bit of cash there as well. (O.K., the tax money would not go back to the taxpayers, but I would be fine with me if it could go to something else, like hiring more USPS Inspectors or expanding the USCG.)
Michael
Thanks BB, that will work.
Mike
Does the Ingram have blowback ,and what is mag capacity? You state that the ASG revolvers will be silver in pellet and steel gray for bb . That would be the reverse of current offerings in the six inch barrel version. When will they be available? Tough decision , I may have to buy both pellet versions.
Michaelr,
I think the M11 does not have blowback and the mag capacity is 27 rounds.
The Dan Wesson revolvers are out now, or at least I have samples on the way.
B.B.
Michaelr
The new KWC BB MAC 11 I have is totally identical to the one pictured above. The mag has the same elongated oval detent and triangular notch at the top and holds 39 BBs. (On the box too) Perhaps an Airsoft version holds 27. There is no blowback or any moving external parts when fired. There are full auto ‘Airsoft’ versions but I believe the one above is not, unless they have incorporated some totally new design.
The mag pictured has no provision for a BB to stick up and be stripped off like most Airsoft do to fire full auto.
I briefly explained the operating system, in the one I have, in a prior comment above. The hammer is cycled by trigger pull so it’s not even a real semi auto.
Will pass . Have anUzi ,and will wait for the Umare MP40
BB, you have mentioned that as spring guns breaks in they increase their velocities. In my gun, the velocity had increased and remained so for abot 2000 shots , but after 7000 shots the muzzle velocity has reduced by almost 40 fps. Shall I change the mainspring?
How many of these new guns do you plan to test BB?
Riki,
That is a tough call. You didn’t mention the model of gun, but if it is a Diana I know they often break their brittle mainsprings and lose velocity at around 1000 to 2000 shots. However, they seem to shoot smoother, so I would keep on shooting it.
I will test a lot of the new guns, but not all. The ones that are the most different are at the top of my list.
B.B.
B.B. Are you implying that the QBs are not usually accurate? I have been accuracy testing the one I just bought and after 5 or 6 brand/types I still haven’t found any that groups better than 3/4 – 1″ at 12 yards. I have many more pellets to test but am I likely to be disappointed?
Oh,I forgot to say that my velocity has been nearly 100fps short of advertised , even with RWS Basics. Is that common with these guns (at 70 F)?
Halfstep,
Your experience is not the same as mine. Most QBs I have tested would shoot 1/2 inch or better at 10 meters (11 yards). The bad ones shoot like you describe.
Also they usually nail their advertised velocity.
Stephen Archer used to offer a service that tested each QB and he sold the ones that were the most accurate for a premium. I didn’t find that service listed on his site, but it does speak to the variability of the barrels.
B.B.
Halfstep
Being the owner of a QB77 Id like to add my comments. I bought my QB77 from MAC 1 in Calif. several years ago. According to the imprinted receiver, it was made (imported?) by Sportsman Airguns. Someone told me that QBs were actually made in Korea, but I dont know for sure since I cant find the country where it was made anywhere on the gun. My specimen has been a real shooter. On any of our hot summer Kansas afternoons when the temp. is anywhere between 90 and 100, it will shoot Crosman Premier Lights at 760-780 fps. (7.9 gr.). Advertised speed is 750. Of course, no complaints there. Is it accurate? Well, from a sandbag rest and with a fixed power 4x scope mounted and no wind, I have hit houseflys with it from a distance of 50-60 ft. Not when they’re flying of course, but when they land on my paper target downrange, they’re inviting targets. I missed most that I shot at, but did hit a few, and there is more of a thrill in that than hitting a paper bullseye.
I would suggest loading a pellet in the gun and then take a .177 cleaning rod (Im assuming your gun is .177) and stick it in the muzzle and push the pellet back out, then check the pellet for gouges or deep marks that it picked up when it was pushed over the CO2 exhaust port during loading. If its gouged or marked, then the exhaust port probably has a burr, and thats probably the cause of the accuracy problem.
Reallead,
The QB77 was a different animal than the QB78. The 77 was very closely monitored for quality control by the American developer, Henry Harn, who worked with Tim McMurray to copy the Crosman 160 and its best features.
The QB78 was China’s knockoff answer to the 77. It sold for way less money but quality was iffy. If you got a good one, it was and still is great. But as I mentioned, those barrels were a big crap shoot.
In fact, that suggests a good blog! Thank you!
B.B.
BB,
Thankyou for straightening out the difference between a QB 77 and QB78 for me. I had long forgotten about all that played out. One thing I never found out about my QB77 was what kind of wood was the stock made of? Ive never seen wood like that.
Reallead,
I don’t know what wood it was. It had some figure, but I don’t think it was a species of walnut.
B.B.
BB
Ok.
Reallead,
Thanks for the input. My gun is shooting better than I first reported. I’ve tried 36 different pellets and have gotten many of the 1/2″ groups BB referred to,RWS Miesterkugeln Pistol being the best at .415″X.095″ ctc at 12 yards.They also gave highest avg. velocity at 597 fps. The standard deviations and extreme spreads are impressive for most all the pellets but surprisingly the most stable velocities did not usually produce the best groups (at this distance, anyway). still concerned about velocity shortfall since advertised for my gun is 650fps. Think I will try your tip for checking for damage with the pellets that weren’t accurate, since I don’t get any feedback on pellet fit in the muzzle on closing the bolt.(All I feel is the spring trying to push the bolt back open.) Thanks again for that.
If I end up with $500 to blow this will definitely be the year I get my first PCP.
B.B.,
The Ingram has finally arrived! I am absolutely elated. I have been waiting for this one for YEARS. Seriously, if I purchase just one air gun in 2017, it will be that one.
And it’s the Mac11 on 10, which is just fine with me. That’s the Jamie Lee Curtis/True Lies model! John Wayne puhleeze. He couldn’t hold a candle to Jamie Lee! Hmmm. A Jamie Lee Curtis Tribute Limited Edition? ;^)
Michael
Michael,
For an additional $100 you get a set of steps to drop it down in slow motion!
B.B.
B.B.,
Do the stairs use a 6:00 hold? ;^)
I missed until just now the question-answer above regarding blowback. Really, no blowback? Are you certain? If there is no M11 blowback, then there’s no joy in Plinkingville — the mighty ASG has struck out.
Michael
Michael,
I’m reading it out of the catalog.
B.B.
B.B.,
Sadly, you are correct, Sr.
i just went to google video search and despite that ASG makes a mostly metal select fire blowback airsoft M11 (there are at least 3 factories making similar versions for various brands), this is all molded plastic, faux semi-auto, no blowback, no functioning anything except mag release and trigger. Oh, it probably has an inauthentic safety.
So why did they even bother?
Michael
B.B.,
Sir! Sir! Autocorrect changed my typo to Sr. You are quite likely 2 -5 years my junior.
Please accept my apology.
Michael
Michael,
No lack of stuff shooting in that movie. I must say though that Jamie Lee Curtis’ “dance” scene was memorable as well. From Dusk Till Dawn has a good one too. I flip it off after that. It just gets plain stupid beyond that point.
Chris,
Ah, Jamie Lee Curtis on one hand, Salma Hayek on the other. No, literally, one on each [rest of comment self-censored].
Michael
B.B., any idea what the deal was with the pamphlet seen in the foreground at the Turkish PCP booth titled “Shoot Like a Gentleman”. Its cover shows what looks to me like a wood stocked air rifle of some sort. Curious…
Cobalt327,
That was their catalog. They had a lot of firearms in that booth, too.
B.B.
Ah Turkey, political center of the Ottoman Empire, and a great country, culture, and people today as well.. One of the truly great societies of the second millennium. Unfortunately, their ad copy is still in the second millennium! ;^)
Somewhere I once saw the slogan “I shoot like a girl!” The image or video was of one heckuva skilled shooter who was clearly female.
Michael
Thanks for explaining. Turkey has a rich history, including firearms.
The M9 pistol reminds me of the new adoption of the Sig 320 by the army. From the time when I first read about the M9 in gun magazines upon adoption by the military, that pistol seems to have had a fairly good reputation among shooters. But it doesn’t seem to have done well in the military with a lot of criticism coming at the end of its reign. Strange.
Slinging Lead, I don’t know much personally about TR, but I agree that with the preponderance of evidence, he seems to have been a very tough guy, at the very least. I don’t know a lot about Mencken either although some of his insults, however malicious, were kind of funny. There is another image of his about someone “driving a car and throwing beer cans out the window while grinning like an idiot.” Anyway, you don’t want to underestimate the power to insult and the mean intentions of genuine talents. Some famous writer whose name escapes me wrote about the poet W.H. Auden that “his face looks like a wedding cake left out in the rain.” Ouch. On this subject, you are not a man to cross. 🙂
Matt61
The M9 is a good handgun. But, in military service, it has been used and abused for years. The issue of substandard magazines hasn’t helped either. Many of them are just plain worn out. People complained about the 1911 too. In 20 years, they will probably complain about the SIG. If you have a new or well maintained M9/91 and feed it good ammo, use good mags, it will be just fine.
Mike
Yes, I heard that about the bad magazines that were subsequently fixed. Perhaps much of the negative opinion goes back to that just as the failures of the early M16 have stayed with it. People will have a long memory of being failed in combat, understandably so. I also read something about a cracked slide almost injuring a Navy Seal; it’s one reason they converted to the Sig p226 fairly early on. But that problem was rectified as well.
One thing that hasn’t been corrected, though, is the effectiveness of the 9mm round. That is something that people have griped about. I thought that part of the reason for getting a new pistol was to get a more powerful caliber, and yet, the word is that the army is sticking with 9mm. Perhaps, they are going to change the ammunition, that is, loosen restrictions on expanding and fragmenting rounds. Or maybe this is driven by logistic concerns only.
For myself, I was strongly considering getting an M9, but one thing that dissuaded me was the funky slide-mounted safety. Anyway, I’m happy with my CZ 75 SP-01.
Matt
BB
Does the gray finish on the Dan Wesson have some sort of case hardening appearance? That may lead to some nice looking six shooters .
Bob,
I like that Steel Gray finish,… a nice compromise between black and chrome/nickel. It would be nice for the Dan Wesson brand to offer that over their (entire) line. I am not sure what is up with that photo,.. but I imagine the finish is nice and even as in past offerings in that finish.
Chris
I can see a long Colt Peacemaker SAA with the frame finished in that gray and the rest in the deep blue or even the silver nickel finish !
Replicating the case hardened finish could offer an entire new series of existing guns including the likes of old western rifles.
Variety is the spice of life !!
Bob,
No, the gray finish is smooth and even. I know the pic doesn’t look that way, but I didn’t wipe the gun before I photographed it.
B.B,
Did some research to answer my own question on the Ingram MAC11.
M-10 Fat available in 45 & 9mm ….M11-A1 Smaller available in 380 ….M11/9 Small but Longer available in 9mm.
Cobray and SWD Renamed Small 380 the M-12. There are also Carbine versions of the M11/9 and M12.
Then there is the PM 11/9 a cleaned up compliance version.
So the new one pictured is like the M11-A1 and M12 both.
Bob M,
The ASG is like both of those except it is apparently a) almost 100% plastic, b) lacking functional slides, buttons, etc., c) the bolt does not move, and d) not only is it not full-auto, it is not even semi-auto; rather, it is a DAO repeater in which the trigger pull does all of the work. No blowback, no working buttons, slides, or any other protrustions.
This is a BB gun that should sell for $19.95.
Michael
Michael
All true, I own one ! Shooting steel bb’s is it’s only redeeming factor. Very disappointed with it, especially for the $75. price. I believe I was misled, and perhaps the company I got it from, to think it had full auto ability. The sales pitch I read was evidently pulled and re written. Probably used an old Airsoft description. I just purchased a metal, trademarked, select fire old SWC Airsoft model with a ‘screw on’ just to ease my mind !
B.B.,
I like the rearrangement of the right side menu. Hot stuff up top. As for old blogs, (back to 2005 I believe),… what is the best way to go back? I know some,… me included at one time,… would go back to the beginning and work their way through them year by year. It was easy to do, if one was inclined to do such. What/how now?
Chris
Chris,
The new arrangement was tempered by the requirements of SEO. So the arrangements of the older blogs had to be left as is.
Find the best way and use it is all I can tell you. It’s what I have to do, as well.
B.B.
Chris USA and B.B.,
I have gone back to March 2, 2005 and read every single report and comment from that date up to very recent ones (mid 2016). But 3/2/2005 is as far back as I have been able go, despite my attempts to do so by writing directly into the address bar.
Michael
Michael,
That was the first blog!
B.B.
B.B.,
The URL for that individual blog is /blog/2005/03/page/4/
To go to the entry for 3/3/2005 and then work your way to the present, go here: /blog/2005/03/page/3/ From there you can simply click on “Previous Posts” for seven articles in reverse chronological order.
That’s how I read my way through the entire blog in order. (Yes, I am a freakishly fast reader, which helps enormously in my work as a college English professor.)
Michael
Mr. Gaylord:
Do you know if any of the manufactures of the new lower cost PCP rifles are going to submit any of them for sporter class approval under Rule 4.2.1 of the 3P rules? While it might be a small market, I suspect that a $200 rifle with a 600 fps and 6 ft lb limit would find an enthusiastic market with 10 meter junior shooters and their parents.
Thanks in advance for any insight you might have. And thanks for all the good news you’ve brought us from the 2017 shot show.
Respectfully submitted,
William Schooley
Rifle & Pistol Coach
Crew 357
Chelsea, MI
William,
So far, nothing has been said. Only the Beeman PCP qualifies, because the Wildfire is a repeater that can’t be loaded single shot and the Gauntlet is also a repeater.
The Chinese have never been active in the American target market,. They are fixated on mass sales and I doubt club use would appeal to them.
It could happen, but I would be surprised.
B.B.
BB,
Well, based on what you have said so far about the Air Venturi Air Compressor I went ahead and pre-ordered one. I have a feeling my Hill pump is going to get very lonely. 😉
R.R.,
Well, well,…. Congratulations! 🙂 Your PCP shooting will be much more relaxing and enjoyable.
Chris,
It really wasn’t a problem before, but when I started shooting big bore it became a lot of pumping. I also ordered a 90 CF tank setup. It will indeed be so much nicer to spend the day at “the range” with the HM1000X. I had better be ordering me a bunch more pellets. Man, this hobby is getting expensive.
RR,
Well,… when you get all that paid for, the worst of the “pain” will be over. Easy sailing from there on out. Plus, you will have a top of the line set-up gun, tank and compressor. One warning though, those other PCP’s will look a lot more attractive,.. now that you have everything to support them. 😉
If there is any demand in your area for high pressure air, maybe you could get a little “side hustle” going on,…. at least enough to pay for all the lead that you will be sending down range with the HM1000X. I am happy for ya’.
Chris,
While I was at it I ordered a Sun Optics spring compressor and a Caldwell chronograph. It may be a while before I get around to buying another air rifle, but you can bet I will be having fun now. 😉
RR
BB mentioned the other day that all the bigger HPA compressor’s use the petroleum based oil in the compressor.
Glad you got one. I’m curious to see what happens after some years pass and the oil starts blowing by the rings and seals and starts making its way into the 2nd and 3rd stage part of the pump. Oh and into your buddy tank and so on.
And on a second thought. Maybe it’s some type of synthetic blend that goes in the crankcase that is not petroleum based. If it was me and I owned one I would sure be finding out what they suggest.
And I would bet that the HPA compressor’s for filling breathing tanks would be oil-less or filtered some kind of way if they do use oil in the first stage compressor.
I’m just bringing it up so maybe you can say what your manual reads when you get yours.
GF1,
The manual says to use 5w40 motor oil or compressor oil. I will be using a synthetic. This compressor has a filter on the input and the output. I am also adding an additional desiccant filter to the output. If I recall correctly, this compressor uses metal rings on the pistons. It will likely be a long time before there is oil blow by. If and when that happens, I’ll just have to overhaul it.
RR
Bet your wrong on the blow by. It don’t take long for the rings not to seal. Especially at those rpm’s.
And you know synthetic can still be petroleum based.
I think I will just wait and see how yours does before I say anymore. Or not. 😉
Pyramid and AV totally missed out getting the spring compressor out late. Just got mine from sun optics. I’ve been looking for a decade and now it is here.
Taemyks
Well, at least you have something now. I like the A.V. for it’s smaller size and general simplicity though.
Taemyks,
So did I. I just ordered one yesterday. I may still get the AV when it comes out as it is a more compact setup that will fit in my toolkit and the SO will work nicely on a bench.
Just noticed the new posting on P/A for the Benjamin Trail NP2 “SBD” and had to laugh … SBD …
Silent But Deadly? That’s the term we used to describe particularly stinky gas silently escaping from ones posterior !
OK … I thought, well, it could work if you are talking about how it relates to small rodents and pests ? SBD !
But they cleverly disguised it to mean “Silencing Barrel Device” …. Ohhh … that’s good !! 🙂
So I read on and decided they probably should have called it an “Asymmetrical Silencing Shroud” but that really would not abbreviate too well !! SBD looks a lot better now. 🙂
Bob M.,
Well,… whatever you call it,…. that thing is downright ugly! Maybe it works good and maybe it will be embraced by the “masses”,… but wow. For me, the overall styling of the rifle plays into my purchase selection process. It (is) innovative in that it allows open sights and can come apart for cleaning with patches. I will give it that.
Wow, what an amazing year coming up for airguns! My only disappointment was that the announced licensed Crosman Bushmaster turned out to be basically the MK-177–which I own and love but I was hoping for a high end PCP offering. So the Armada Magpul still tops my wish list. I have also been eyeing the Bulldog and that one now seems to have some stiff competition in the bullpup / compact category. I was also surprised that the one gun that made me think “I’ve gotta get one!” Was the little Wildfire which looks to be a ton of fun and a no-brainer if you already own a fill system. Happy, happy, happy year for airgunners!