ASG STI Duty One

Nice replica, shame about the trigger… The ASG STI Duty One is a fairly typical product from Danish distributor ASG – it’s well made, well finished and a good replica of the original pistol.  However, it does have a couple of idiosyncrasies which you need to bear in mind if you’re thinking of buying one.

ASG produce two replicas based on the STI Duty One – one has blowback and one doesn’t.  Apart from blowback, the two appear to be identical (though the non-blowback version is a little cheaper to buy). The ASG STI Duty One is also available in both 6mm and 4.5mm form. I have owned three examples of this replica and all were 4.5mm, blowback versions, so that’s what I’ll mainly be talking about here though I believe that the other versions are similar in function.

Real steel background

In the early 1990s, Texan gunsmith Virgil Tripp started building custom 1911 pistols for the growing IPSC market.  His attention to detail and the quality of his products quickly brought commercial success and in 1993 a young engineer and Computer Aided Design (CAD) specialist called Sandy Strayer joined Tripp Research Inc.  With Tripp’s pistol knowledge and Stayer’s engineering skills, the two revolutionised the 1911 market when they introduced their 2011 range in 1994.  This provided a modular frame using fiber-reinforced plastic for the trigger guard, grip, and magazine well which was attached to the metal upper portion of the frame.  The STI 2011 frame was strong and reliable but less than half the weight of a conventional all-metal 1911 frame.

One of the STI International 2011 range

The company changed its name to Strayer-Tripp, Inc. (STI) in 1994 and focused on two distinct lines of pistol – the 1911 range which provided pistols with a conventional frame based on the 1911 design and the 2011 range which used the new modular frame.  In 1997 the company was bought over by the owners of electronics company Tessco, Inc., and was re-named STI International.  The STI 1911 and 2011 ranges continued to be popular and by 2007 STI International was the third largest exporter of guns in the USA.

The STI International Duty One

The Duty One is one of the most popular pistols in the STI International 1911 range.  However, unlike many STI pistols, this isn’t primarily intended as a target shooter.  It’s a practical carry gun with fixed sights which is available with 3″, 4″ and 5″ barrels and chambered either for the .45 ACP round or the 9x19mm.  The Duty One features a patented STI International lightweight trigger and a commander style hammer and is supplied with a distinctive matte blued finish.  An ambidextrous thumb safety is provided in addition to the grip safety.  The Duty One is available in standard and “lite” form, which incorporates a lightweight aluminium frame.  The Duty One was redesigned in 2014 and current versions feature distinctive “grid” pattern slide grip serrations and a revised grip.

The ASG STI Duty One

The ASG STI Duty One is a CO2-powered licensed replica of mostly metal construction with a stick type drop-out magazine and a short under-barrel accessory rail.  CO2 is retained inside the grip and accessed by removing the backstrap and grip base.  This replica is manufactured in Taiwan on behalf of ASG and is available in 4.5mm and 6mm.  ASG produce two versions of the STI Duty One – one with blowback and one without.  The figures below and the information in this article is based on my experience with the blowback version.  The non-blowback version looks very similar, but I haven’t tried it.  I believe that the 4.5mm version is available in matte black finish only though there is a two-tone version of the non-blowback and the 6mm blowback versions with a polished slide.  All versions include full STI markings.

Two-tone 6mm version

The slide moves through less than the full range of travel during blowback and locks back when the last round is fired.  The thumb safety, magazine and slide release work as per the original but the grip safety is moulded in place and has no function.  The ASG STI Duty One cannot be field stripped. ASG also produce CO2 powered replicas of several other STI handguns including the Lawman, Tac Master, Combat Master and the tiny Off Duty.

Packaging and presentation  2.5/5

The ASG STI Duty One is provided in a card box with a single magazine and a short user manual.

Visual accuracy  8/10

STI Duty One (left), ASG STI Duty One (right)

The ASG STI Duty One is generally a good visual replica of the pre-2014 STI Duty One.  Grips, markings, finish and overall shape and profile are very good indeed and all controls are a good visual match for the original.  The main visual difference is the trigger – the ASG replica uses a pivoting style trigger rather than the sliding 1911 style trigger seen on the original.

Functional accuracy  11/15

The version tested is a blowback replica with a drop-out, stick-type magazine.  The trigger operates in single action only and the slide locks back after the last round is fired.  The slide catch, magazine release and thumb safety work as per the original weapon.  The slide moves through restricted travel compared to the cartridge version.  The grip safety is moulded in place and has no function.

The slide release catch on the cartridge version can be extracted to the left side to allow the slide to be removed.  On this version the slide release cannot be extracted and the slide cannot be easily removed.

Shooting  30/40

The CO2 chamber is accessed by pressing a button in the base of the grip, which allows the plastic panel which forms the base and rear of the grip to be removed.  CO2 can then be inserted and tightened and pierced using the plastic tab at the base of the grip.  The tightening tab is a little small and quite fiddly for use with large man-fingers, but with a bit of practise this can be done without too much drama.  It can sometimes be difficult to remove the used CO2 cartridge.  Even with the cover plate removed and the tab loosened as much as possible, it can take a fair bit of shaking to get the used CO2 to drop out.  Re-fitting the cover panel can also be a little fiddly, though it’s nice to see that this completely conceals the loading tab once it’s in place.

Loading the stick type magazine reveals the first of this replicas’ idiosyncrasies.  The follower locks down, which makes it easy to load BBs in to the port at the top of the magazine.  However, if you then release the follower, the BBs will spray back out of top of the magazine.  To prevent this, you must cover the holes at the front and rear of the top of the magazine with your fingers as you release the follower.

When you have CO2 and BBs loaded, the ASG STI Duty One feels good.  The chunky, deeply serrated rubberised grips and angular frame allow a firm and consistent grip.  STI International obviously knows a great deal about how to make a handgun that handles well, and the ASG version replicates this nicely.  This feeling is reinforced when you pull the trigger – a loud bang and strong blowback make this feel like a powerful and purposeful shooter.

However, pulling the trigger also reveals the second odd issue with this pistol.  Like many blowback replicas, the blowback action cocks the hammer, but it doesn’t queue the next BB for shooting.  This is done during the long first part of the trigger pull and the movement of the BB can clearly be felt.  The problem here is that if you pull the trigger fairly slowly towards the release point, the BB can roll out of the front of the barrel if the pistol is pointed level or slightly down.  The solution is to pull the trigger firmly and fairly quickly (the manual actually warns that the trigger should be pulled “in one swift motion“), but this doesn’t help with accuracy.  This issue does seem to be variable – on one of my Duty Ones, BBs regularly fell out of the end of the barrel before I was ready to shoot, but the other two seemed less prone to this.  And if for any reason you pull the trigger halfway back and then release it without firing, when you next pull the trigger you will load a second BB into the breech and you’ll then fire both at once.  The trigger action on this pistol is a problem and it’s notably worse than, for example, the ASG CZ75 (though it’s identical to the trigger on the ASG CZ P-07 Duty, which has the same fault).  You really must develop a style where you pull the trigger quickly and confidently every time if you are to avoid issues.  Being tentative will lead to double loading or losing the BB before you shoot.

The loud bang and strong blowback make the Duty One feel powerful, but the numbers don’t really back this up.  I have owned three 4.5mm examples of the ASG STI Duty One and all chronoed at around 325 – 350 fps dependent on temperature.  Perfectly respectable figures, but well short of the 436fps claimed by ASG.  Accuracy was also average without being great.  Even though they lack white dots, the sights are clear and easy to read but grouping with two of my Duty Ones was around 1½” – 2″ at six yards – fair but not great.  The third example was notably worse, grouping at 2″ – 3″ at six yards.  These aren’t terrible figures, so perhaps it’s just because the ASG Duty One feels like it’s so powerful that they seem a little disappointing?

CO2 consumption is fair for a blowback replica with three magazines (60 shots) of full-power shots available from a single CO2.  If you continue to a fourth magazine, you’ll gradually run out of puff until the CO2 is completely exhausted somewhere around the 70th shot.

Other than the issues noted, the ASG STI Duty One appears to be reliable.  The slide locks back every time and I had no mechanical problems or failures with any of the examples I owned.  Because the slide and magazine releases and the thumb safety are on the left side only, this isn’t a particularly great pistol if you’re left-handed.

Quality and reliability  13/15

The overall fit and finish of the ASG STI Duty One are very good indeed.  Everything fits well without rattles or movement and seams are well concealed. The rubberised grips are a particularly nice touch and the matte black finish seems more durable than the finish on many replicas (which sadly isn’t difficult).  I have heard of owners who have had the front sight come loose on this model, though I didn’t experience this on any of mine.

The operational issues noted in the Shooting section seem to be design flaws rather than manufacturing defects, and this does seem to be generally a high-quality replica which is available at a very reasonable price.

Overall Impression  11/15

This is a great looking, well made and well finished replica but for me, trigger action is at the heart of how much I enjoy shooting a pistol.  On the ASG Duty One, the trigger action is flawed, which I found very frustrating.  This replica looks good and feels great, but for me at least, the shooting experience just doesn’t deliver what is promised.  I ended up buying three different Duty Ones, in the hope that I’d find one which shot as well as it looked and handled.  I failed, and I’m not sure that I’d buy another.

Conclusion

I’m a big fan of the 1911 platform and I generally like updated 1911s.  There is a lot to like here and in most ways this is a great replica of a modernised 1911.  It’s certainly a good looking and well-made pistol and it’s relatively inexpensive.  However, I found its shooting ability to be fairly poor and the trigger action rather disappointing.  And after all, the ability to shoot is the reason we buy this type of replica rather than a non-shooting wall ornament.

If you can find one that shoots well, or if you’re willing and able to modify your shooting technique to overcome its inherent issues, you may enjoy the ASG STI Duty One.  If not, there are probably better ASG products and better modernised 1911 replicas to add to your collection.

Pros

Nice looking and handling replica

Feels solid and well made

Finish seems to be more durable than average

Strong blowback

Cons

Trigger action

Accuracy and power aren’t all that great

Non-working grip safety

Not lefty friendly

Total score: 75.5/100

Related posts

ASG CZ75 review

ASG CZ P-09 Duty review

Replicas vs. firearms

Ryan from the US owns a number of firearms. However, he also has a large collection of replicas. Here he explains why…

I have been a firearms enthusiast for as long as I can remember. My Grandfather was a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, and he indoctrinated me on the finer points of the Colt 1911A1. I was also exposed to firearms at a young age in the Boy Scouts of America, and was an avid Trap (clay target) Shooter in high school. However, I’ve always been most fascinated with pistols and revolvers. Coming of age as a boy in the 1980’s, I had a Crosman 357, and in the 1990’s, a Daisy 45. However, at the onset of adulthood, I moved away from airguns and focused on shooting and collecting rimfire and centerfire handguns. Several factors have brought me back to the wonderful hobby of shooting and collecting Replica CO2 Pistols in both 4.5mm and 6mm.

Here in the United States, the Sandyhook Elementary School shooting tragedy occurred in December of 2012. New gun control measures were proposed, but not adopted. Ammunition promptly disappeared from shelves due to panic buying. Now, more than a year later, centerfire ammunition can sometimes be found at stores, but the supply is spotty. .22 Rimfire ammunition is generally nowhere to be found. Supply cannot keep up with demand. Ammo prices in general have also doubled in the last ten years or so. Much like other commodities, such as gasoline, it costs a lot more than it did just a few years ago. Also, there have been many new people that have become firearms owners due to the media attention, increasing demand. Simultaneously, there has been a rekindling of the Survivalist Movement of the 1970’s and 1980s, now called “Prepping,” which advocates stockpiling of ammo.

As an avid shooter and member of a gun club, I have turned back to my roots and am now shooting and collecting Replica CO2 Air Pistols. I’d like to briefly compare and contrast four firearm types along with their 4.5 and 6mm replica counterparts. A few of my favorite firearms include the Beretta 92FS, the 1911, the Russian Makarov and Smith & Wesson Double Action Revolvers chambered in .38 Special. These won’t be full reviews, but rather my thoughts on the efficacy of each replica as it compares to the “Real Steel” firearms that it mimics.

From the top: 4.5mm Daisy Powerline 617, 9mm Beretta 92FS, 6mm KJ Works M9 Government

The Beretta 92FS is the standard sidearm for the United States Military. Growing up, I saw it prominently used in films such as the “Die Hard” and “Lethal Weapon” series. I have owned a U.S. Made Beretta 92FS since 2006; it came with two 15 round magazines. The U.S. Made Beretta 92FS’s are not as nicely made as the Italian Made 92F’s that were imported in the 1980’s. The Italian pistols had chrome lined barrels, all metal parts, and were generally more accurate than my specimen. Some of my favorite Replica CO2 Air Pistols happen to be modeled after the Beretta 92FS. The Daisy 617x actually has a six shot revolver mechanism housed within its Beretta inspired chassis. While it shoots either 4.5mm BB’s or Pellets, I shoot it with wadcutter pellets to maximize its rifled steel barrel. It is not blowback, but can be manually cocked much like a double action revolver. I tend to shoot it double action only, and it’s accuracy is phenomenal. The only downside is that it only holds six pellets compared to the higher priced Umarex Beretta 92FS which holds eight. My 6mm Airsoft version of the Beretta 92FS is a KJ Works M9 Government. This model is probably the best replica of a “real steel” firearm, that I own. If it wasn’t for the Blaze Orange Barrel Tip, which is mandated by U.S. Federal Law, I wouldn’t be able to distinguish it from the real thing. It is a Blowback Airsoft Pistol that is available with both a CO2 and a Green Gas Magazine. This also happens to be my most accurate 6mm pistol.

From the top: 4.5mm Winchester (Daisy) Model 11, 9mm Taurus PT-1911, 6mm KJ Works Hi-Capa 1911

Moving onto the 1911 pattern of pistol, I personally own a Stainless Steel Taurus PT-1911. Mine happens to be chambered in 9mm Luger. My grandfather would roll over in his grave, as it is sacrilegious to have a 1911 that is not a .45. However, the Taurus has a lower recoil impulse, and 9mm ammo is lower priced than .45 ACP.   My analog 4.5mm airgun is the Winchester (Daisy) M-11 Blowback. I am really impressed with the airguns that are made in Japan, and this pistol is no exception. It’s recoil impulse is similar to a .22 Rimfire, and the attention to detail is pretty decent. The engineers really did a good job with it. My 6mm Airsoft 1911 is a KJ Works Hi Capa. I have both a CO2 and a Green Gas Magazine for this Hi Capa. It is a good shooter, but shoots a little high to the point of aim.

From the top: 6mm KWC Makarov PM, .380 acp Baikal IJ-70, 4.5mm Umarex Legends Makarov

In recent years, I have become enamored with the Russian Makarov pistol. Mine is a Baikal IJ-70 chambered in .380 ACP (9x17mm) as opposed to the usual 9mm Makarov (9x18mm) caliber. I purchased this model used, as it was imported into the U.S. during the 1990’s. The 8-shot single stack magazines are interchangeable between the two calibers. The Makarov is a robust design that points well, is very accurate, and has low recoil. My 4.5mm “Mak” replica is a Umarex Legends BB Pistol. It is not to be confused with the Makarov Ultra Blowback model recently introduced. The non-blowback version is very accurate and has great attention to detail. It’s paint finish is a little glossy, but it looks very close to my Baikal. It is a pleasure to shoot. It can be cocked, but I choose to shoot it double action only. Its sights are fixed compared to the adjustable sights on my Baikal IJ-70 .380ACP. My 6mm version is a KWC Makarov PM CO2 replica. Like the 4.5mm, it is also a non-blowback model. In fact, the trigger action of these two Makarov replicas are very similar even though they are of different Taiwanese manufacturers. I feel that they both replicate the handling qualities and pointability of a real Makarov.

From the top: 4.5mm Umarex S&W M&P R8, .38 spl S&W Model 10, 6mm TSD/WG 708

Lastly, I am a big fan of Smith & Wesson Double Action Revolvers chambered in .38 Special. These were the standard for American police forces for decades. I like the low maintenance qualities of a double action revolver. I own a Smith & Wesson Model 10 .38 Special with a 4” Heavy Barrel. It was purchased used, and has some honest holster wear. It was likely a police trade-in. They are great firearms that are under appreciated in today’s era of semi-automatics. My 4.5mm version is a Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P R8 CO2 BB Revolver. This is an impressive eight shot replica by Wingun. While it is rendered in high grade plastic, it feels and functions like a genuine Smith & Wesson “Hand Ejector.” The accuracy is quite good, and the grip just feels right to me. My 6mm Airsoft Revolver is a TSD (Dan Wesson) 2.5” Snubby which is also made by Wingun. While not very accurate, they’ve certainly captured the essence of how a revolver works with the use of actual brass shell casings and included speedloader. I’d go with a little longer barrel if I had to do it all over again. However, given it is a revolver, it is not picky about its 6mm fodder and I often recycle previously fired BB’s which may account for its accuracy issues.

I find that Replica CO2 Air Pistols are a good “under study” for the firearms that inspired them. If I had to pick a favorite genre, I’d pick the pellet shooters which allow the use of Crosman Lead Free Pellets for shooting in the garage of one’s home. Here in the U.S., Airsoft skirmishing has increased in popularity with young men. I find that Airsoft Gas Pistols lend themselves to shooting in the basement, if there is proper ventilation. The 4.5mm BB Pistol category has benefited from designs that started out as Airsoft Pistols. Here in the U.S., the benefit of the 4.5mm versions is that they don’t have the pesky orange barrel tip like their 6mm brethren. These 4.5mm pistols, as typified by the Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness Blowback, can be the epitome of realism in both form and function. I don’t feel that shooting Replica CO2 Air Pistols replaces actual firearms training, but that it augments it. I think that gun owners should still practice quarterly or a semi-annually with their firearms if they are to remain proficient with them. However, shooting Replica CO2 Air Pistols is just plain fun, whether one owns firearms or not, and I would encourage anyone to share this hobby with others, and to get out there and enjoy it!

Ryan

Related pages:

Baikal MP654K review

Tanfoglio Witness review

Dan Wesson revolvers review

Tokyo Marui M1911A1

It was 2008 and having re-discovered my passion for shooting as a sport, as well as having made a number of visits to my local shooting range in Thailand, I was on the lookout for a 1911-style replica to shoot when not at the range. I already had a Tokyo Marui catalogue which I pored over every day and so, encouraged by the review offered by Snowman at “Just Pistols”, I decided on the Tokyo Marui M1911A1… and was very glad I did!

Tokyo Marui M1911A1 “Colt Government”

A full description and history of John Browning’s legendary Model 1911 can be found as part of  Steve’s review of the Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness in the 4.5mm section.

The 6mm Tokyo Marui “Gas Blow Back (GBB)” version was introduced sometime around 2005 (it is listed in my catalogue as being a “new model” along with their Glock 17 which was already available in 2007). I think it would be unfair to say this pistol is similar to other replicas; let’s just say some others are similar to it!

Whilst having a plastic (I assume ABS) frame and slide, both are reinforced in all the important places using (a resilient) metal alloy. It features a full-size “drop-out” magazine and authentic “parkerized” finish.

Spec;

Calibre: 6mm

Magazine capacity: 24

Propellant: HFC-134a (recommended) / HFC-22 (aka green gas or propane, but at the discretion of the user)

Barrel length: 122mm / 4 ¾ inches (approx. inner barrel from breech)

Weight: 800g (pistol = 600g, magazine = 200g)

Overall length: 220mm (measured)

Sights: Front post and rear notch (Patridge sights), non-adjustable (the yellow dot has been added by me!)

Action: Single action gas blow back

Hop-up: Variable

Packaging and presentation  5/5

I’ve always considered this to be one of the best presented airsoft replicas available; the lid itself is a work of art with authentic “Colt” trademarks (this is Tokyo Marui, after all!) and full specifications covering the cartridge firing pistol on which it is based. Inside, the gun is set in a dark green cloth with cut-outs for the pistol, magazine and a rather smart “box of shells”.

There is also a manual with parts listing (in Japanese), some targets (again, a nice touch) and a cleaning rod (useful). The box of shells contains a small bag of 6mm BBs, a bushing wrench and muzzle cap. Whilst the manual is mainly in Japanese, there are two very interesting sections which have been left in English.

The first is a diagram on the inside of the front cover explaining the differences between a 1911 and a 1911A1:

The second is at the back and details the various stamps to be found on the gun (full marks, there!).

Visual accuracy  9.5/10

As to visual accuracy, it’s difficult to know where to start since it’s “the spittin image”! The colour chosen is meant to represent a “parkerized” finish and I think it does so very well indeed. Various patent, inspection, proofing and other marking stamps along with a (fake) serial number may be found as indicated in the previous diagram (when I say “fake” serial number, I mean it is copied on all versions and is not unique to this pistol; according to the manual, this s/n would have been found on a pistol made by the Ithaca Gun Company in 1943). All stamps are positioned correctly using the correct fonts. Comparison photographs are given below (photo courtesy of “Icollector.com”):

Please note that a few years ago I dropped the magazine thereby breaking the protruding lip at the bottom of the magazine and have repaired this using an epoxy adhesive, strengthening the join using a small coin (25 satang!).

The grips are made of brown plastic and are of the correct design for an M1911A1. They are weighted and held securely in place. The outer barrel is made of black plastic. Bearing in mind the plastic slide and frame, the pistol still has quite a realistic “heft” to it with the magazine inserted. The only seam I can find – and that’s only if you look very carefully – is on the back of the hammer.

One slight difference (hence 9.5/10!) – and something that I don’t suppose could be avoided – is that on the right hand side of the frame it reads “ASGK Tokyo Marui Made in Japan” instead of “United States Property” where ASGK refers to “Air Soft Gun Kyōkai” which is the manufacturers’ association in Japan (photo courtesy of “ColtAutos.com”).

Again, the attention to detail is amazing. For example, the stamp on the left hand side of the grip in the photo above is the “Ordnance Bomb” – pretty darn close, I’d say!

Functional accuracy  14/15

The pistol is loaded by either “pouring” BBs into the base of the magazine or by loading via the “lip” at the top. Coincidentally, and although varying to some degree, I’ve found that about eight balls may be fired in quick succession without a significant reduction in muzzle velocity – this would equate to a full “real-steel” magazine of seven rounds plus one “in the spout”! The magazine has a solid feel to it and fits securely in place; pressing the release button will allow the magazine to fall under its own weight.

The sights are non-adjustable although the rear “notch” is not moulded as part of the slide. The pistol is single-action only and both the grip and trigger safeties are identical to the original. However, unlike the original (if I remember rightly?), the hammer cannot be fully de-cocked – only moved to a “half-cocked” position. The slide locks-back after the last round is fired and may be released by either pressing down on the slide stop or by pulling back further on the slide thereby causing the stop to fall. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a jam or misfire with this pistol and there is no indication of any fatigue where the (metal) slide stop interfaces with the (ABS) slide.

The Tokyo Marui M1911A1 may be field stripped in a similar fashion to the cartridge firing original, the only real difference being that if the barrel bushing is rotated with the spring assembly in place the plug will not slide out. Instead, to disassemble the airsoft version, you first remove the magazine, then align the slide stop with the notch in the slide, remove the slide stop, separate the slide and frame, remove the spring and guide rod followed by the plug, rotate the bushing (a tool is provided, but finger strength is all that is required) and finally slide the barrel assembly out the front (I should like to note that should you wish to proceed further – for example in removing the blowback assembly – then a much more detailed link courtesy of “OhioAirsoft” is given at the end of this review).

Shooting  32.5/40

Gas is filled via the valve in the base of the magazine. Although Tokyo Marui recommend HFC-134a (aka Freon), I’ve found the metal reinforcements in the slide and frame allow for the use of HFC-22 (aka green gas or propane). Having said that, I have in the past generally used what is labelled “Freon” (or, in fact, “FLON GAS” under the company name “Bombe” Power-Up 500), but since conducting this review have found there to be little difference between the two (due to the tropical climate, no doubt). However, please don’t “do as I do” and if at all uncertain I would always suggest keeping with what is recommended by the manufacturer. There is a burst of gas from the valve when the magazine is full.

The magazine holds its charge well (for weeks at a time!), although recently I’ve found it to leak occasionally when filling; I think this is due to the filling valve getting stuck because it is an intermittent occurrence and soon rights itself following a quick spray of silicon oil and a fresh charge. Still, not at all bad for a well-used gas blowback pistol purchased over six years ago!

The targets shown (designed by “Vin0114”, a fellow member of the Umarex Boys Club and based on the “Police Pistol” targets used in our competitions) have been shot using both gases; I would suggest that propane gives a louder report and has a slightly stronger recoil (but that could just be my imagination). Either way, the pistol is good fun to shoot with a more than satisfactory “blowback” action bearing in mind the plastic construction and that it’s “powered by gas”!

Unfortunately, on “racking” and releasing the slide there is a lack of “metallic” realism in the sound produced (it’s for this reason, plus the fact that more powerful full-metal CO2 blowback pistols are now available, that I’ve decided upon 32.5/40… but then it wouldn’t do to have full marks all round!). The trigger is excellent and the gun feels comfortable when shooting one-handed as well as with a two-handed grip.

Accuracy is good and using an unsupported, two-handed stance at 6yds it should be possible to obtain a grouping in the region of 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches with outliers at two inches using good quality ammunition (remember, this is using the low-profile sights associated with an M1911A1 of this era).

Using a selection of different brands of 6mm BBs (FireFly, “TK” and GoldenBall) and an Xcortech X3200 chronograph I’ve observed muzzle velocity readings in the region of 90m/s +/- 2m/s over eight shots in relatively quick succession using a propane/ silicon mix at 30° Celsius. Using 0.36g (green) FireFly BBs in 36° Celsius I’ve recorded 77m/s +/- 3m/s over eleven shots with six shots fired at target as if shooting a UBC Police Competition (this was using the “Bombe” Power-Up 500 gas).

The magazine will hold up to twenty-four 6mm balls, but as I use this pistol for target shooting as against to skirmishing, I very rarely do this. As to the number of shots per “full tank of gas”, I have managed approximately 15 good ones, but generally for my paper-punching would restrict this to eight as the muzzle velocity tends to fall-off after this (obviously the effect of the magazine cooling-down after rapid shooting will come into play here so these figures should very much be considered “ball-park”).

I should also like to point-out that the hits on the pair of targets in the middle may well have been using 0.40g FireFly BBs (I had a bit of a mix-up at one point as FireFly produce both weights in black, only realising this because of surprisingly different velocity measurements) and that I tend to get slightly better results (at 6yds) using heavier ammunition. However, the last target was definitely shot using 0.25g BBs with none scoring less than an “eight” and nearly 75% scoring a “nine” or better 🙂

At longer ranges the hop-up comes into its own and a 20cm diameter target can be hit easily most of the time shooting 0.25g BBs from 20m with the balls flying straight and true for probably twice that distance.

Quality and reliability  14/15

Having had this pistol for over six years, and several (a few thousand?) rounds later, I would say it is both a reliable and well made pistol. It is extremely well finished and I feel that Tokyo Marui have done a remarkable job in reinforcing the plastic slide and frame (no doubt forced upon them by Japanese legislation) in order that people purchasing this gun will have something that stands the test of time.

Metal parts include the sear and trigger assembly, spring housing, the hop-up and inner barrel, the slide stop, spring guide, plug, bushing and piston housing. The plastic parts are made of a thick, durable plastic (ABS?) which appears to be especially robust where the plug fits into the slide (what is particularly important is that the rear of the plug comes into contact with metal in the frame when the pistol is fired, thus protecting the plastic from the shock of the blowback action, indicated by the arrows in the following photo).

I assume the metal parts are made of some kind of alloy since they are not attracted to a magnet. Over time, they have become slightly discoloured, but still remain perfectly smooth and have proved to be very hard wearing (I think at some point I must have applied a small amount of Moly-lube to the metal rails).

A minor comment – and something the sharp-eyed may have noticed – is that the little “knob” on the slide-stop which protrudes from the right-hand side of the frame is not quite right; in fact, it is the head of a small nail which I had to use to replace the original which came loose and fell out (would you believe it, but of all the “interchangeable” parts between the Marui 1911 and the rest, this isn’t one of them… I think there’s a law beginning with “S” which accounts for this!).

Overall Impression  13/15

As to my overall impression, I think the total score speaks for itself! The pistol is marketed as being “Hi-Kick and Hi-Grouping” and it is both of these (bearing in mind the predominantly plastic frame and slide)…. and this is without any of the upgrades which are readily available for so popular a gun. It is a pleasant pistol to shoot and one which stands alone when it comes to visual authenticity.

Total score: 88/100

Guest review by Adrian-BP

Links:

Airsoft Ohio

Related pages:

Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness review

Umarex Colt 1911 review

Best replica pistols – part 2