Category Archives: Firearms

Air guns, Airsoft, Airsoft, Firearms, Pistols, YouTube

KWA M226 (Sig P226 Replica)

KWA is a manufacturer of airsoft guns. More specifically, KWA manufactures very accurate replicas of real firearms – both rifles and pistols.  I have several of their products and like them very much.  My latest is their replica of the Sig P226 and I’ve made a little video using it.  See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdjO72pfunA .

An oddity, to me anyway, discovered during testing is that the velocity from the M226 is low after first charging the magazine. After the first few shots, velocity increases and then remains relatively constant.

I plan to do some additional testing with heavier BBs and varied charging techniques.

Air guns, Airsoft, Airsoft, Firearms, Pellet guns, Pistols, YouTube

Handgun Safeties

Real and replica guns showing safeties

 

I’ve made and posted a video about various safety mechanisms used in hand guns. Now, I’m no expert on guns – not even an Internet Expert.  In fact, much of what is shown was unknown to me until relatively recently.  Realizing my ignorance about safeties, I studied up a bit.  Realizing that many others were also confused, I decided to put my findings into this video.  After all, a good way to learn something is to prepare to teach it to others.

This is not a video about gun safety features such as drop safeties or even gun safety rules and procedures.  It is just an overview of hand gun safety mechanisms.

To demonstrate the various types of safeties, I’ve gathered a hodge-podge of real firearms and replicas. All of the guns shown have been safety checked and are unloaded.

I have to say that making a video — even a YouTube video — is not easy especially if you choose to use two cameras, an external audio recorder and mix in some PowerPoint slides.  I learned a lot while making the video and plan to do a few more.

Air guns, Firearms, Pistols, YouTube

Schofield #3 Top Break Revolver

Schofield #3 Replica Revolver
Schofield #3 Replica Revolver

I enjoy collecting and shooting airgun replicas of real pistols. My most recent addition is the Schofield #3 top break revolver.

About 1870, Smith & Wesson developed a top break revolver. An Army Ordnance officer, Major George W. Schofield of the 10th Cavalry, modified it to fit his needs and Smith and Wesson incorporated his modifications into the design in 1875.  They named the new design the “Schofield”.  Smith and Wesson produced variations of their #3 revolver until 1915.

Replica

This airgun replica of the Schofield No. 3 Revolver is imported from Taiwan by Bear River. It has:

  • 8 Inch Barrel
  • BBs
  • 435 FPS
  • 12g CO2 Powered

The Schofield actually preceded the famous Colt Single Action Army pistol which was introduced 1873. Colt’s Single Action Army (and it’s clones and reproductions) is still being manufactured.

Years later, another top break revolver, the Webley Mark I, was adopted by the British Army in 1887 and was manufactured until 1963.

Here’s my YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op97x1Eptgw

References

Bear River Description and Specifications: http://www.bearriveroutdoors.com/collections/pistols-revolvers/products/schofield-no-3-vintage-revolver

Pyramyd Air Review: http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2016/07/schofield-number-3-bb-revolver-part-1/

Pyramyd Air Ratings: http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Schofield_No_3_CO2_BB_Revolver_Full_Metal/4159

 

Firearms, Pistols

Loading the 12 Shot Uberti Cattleman

Load 3

The Uberti 1873 Single Action Cattleman is a replica of the famous 1873 Colt Single Action Army (SAA) revolver that became known as the Peacemaker. Whereas the original Colt held 6 rounds of .45 caliber cartridges, this particular Uberti replica is chambered in 22 Long Rifle and holds 12 rounds.

Like the original, this replica has the firing pin mounted on the hammer. And it is possible to have the firing pin sitting on a live cartridge. For safety, the recommended practice is to load the gun such that the firing pin rested on an empty chamber.   For a six shooter, the recommended loading procedure is “load one, skip one, load four more”.  This is sometimes called the “John Wayne load” because John Wayne referred to loading only five rounds in his movie “True Grit”; however, the practice of loading five predates the movie.

The instruction manual for the twelve shot Uberti 1873 Cattleman is actually for the six shot version and even includes the “load one, skip one, load four more” procedure. However, this is not the correct procedure for the 12 shot version.  For the 12 shot version, the loading procedure should be “load three, skip one, load eight”.

Here’s my video showing how to load the 12 shot version of a Uberti Cattleman so that the firing pin rests on an empty chamber.

Load 3, Skip 1

For more information, see

http://www.uberti.com/1873-cattleman-22-revolver

History of the Colt SAA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Single_Action_Army

Airsoft, Buck family, Firearms, General, Pistols, Retirement

Retirement and My 1911 Pistol

Since I already had a watch, I combined my retirement gift certificates and got this very nice Springfield Armory Type 1911 45 caliber pistol. Took it to the range yesterday and really liked shooting it — even hit the bull’s-eye a few times!

This “1911” should be somewhat like the one my dad carried while in Central America during WWII. I think he would have liked it.

 

1911 gb150217 - 107 (LR)

During World War II, my dad was a radar technician.  He was assigned to building and then maintaining radar stations in and around Central America.  The main concern was that the Japanese might bomb the Panama Canal.  My dad liked to tell the story that, while stationed on a small remote island, he was the only person who had a 45 pistol but 45 caliber ammunition was part of the standard monthly re-supply shipment.  He would sometimes walk around the shore taking target practice and became a good shot.

I had never shot a 1911 but it seemed a good idea to get one.  In keeping with my growing interest in replicas, I first got a M1911A1 replica manufactured by KWA.  As shown below, the replica (with red tip on the barrel) is a close match to the real steel M1911 A1.  The replica even weighs about the same although the weight distribution is obviously different.  The replica uses propane gas and holds 21 rounds of 6mm plastic BBs.  The replica felt good in my hand and I fired several hundred shots in my garage with it.  The replica even has a functional slide and gas blow-back system (of course, the replica has very little “kick” when fired).

1911 gb150217 - 110 (LR)Having gained confidence with the replica, I researched various 1911 manufacturers and models before deciding on the “Loaded” model from Springfield Armory.  So far, I’m very pleased with mine.