John
24th September 2005, 01:37
Gents,
The subject of this thread, was actually the reason, why these Airsoft Forums were included in our board, in the first place. What I wanted to know, from first-hand experience, is whether or not these pistols can be used for improving one's shooting skills, and for practicing in the privacy (or just the convenience) of one's home (or back yard).
So, if you would allow me, I'll start this thread, by posting my findings, after my initial exposure to those pistols, and after some limited playing with them.
1) Most of these pistols (at least the most expensive ones) immitate nicely the real things. In other words, handling them is very much the same as handling a real 1911. The later model your pistol is, the better its resemblance to the real thing will be. The most popular pistols are well represented in the Airsoft manufacturers product lines, so I am sure it will not be a problem finding your favorite pistol in Airsoft form. The 1911 is of course very well represented, with pistols ranging from a standard mil-spec 1911 to some of the most expensive custom pistols the well-known gunsmiths produce. Double-column magazine pistols immitating the Para Ordnance/STI/SVI models exist as well. From the other popular guns, Tupperwares are also very well represented, so are CZ-75, Browning Hi Power, Beretta 92, USP, etc.
2) For most of the pistols, the controls are at the correct places, as on the real thing. So if you want to familiarize yourself with a pistol (and you do not want to do it with the real thing or you want to continue your familiarization process by firing the pistol, in your living room), these pistols are great.
3) One difference you will immediately notice, is that the controls on these pistols are "lighter" than those of the real thing. For example, the recoil spring is very light compared to even a 12 lbs 1911 spring. So racking the slide for the first shot, will be much easier with the Airsofts, than with your real pistol. Also the safeties, although they click in and out of the safe position with authority, they do not come close to the feeling of a real 1911 one. So be prepared for this difference.
4) Accuracy-wise, all the pistols tested so far (with the exception of the Tanaka S&W Model 19 revolver), were accurate enough for self-defence and IPSC drills up to a distance of 15 meters, with reduced targets. I haven't tested them at longer distances, so I can't say what happens at 25 meters, but I am sure that you can use the Airsofts for such drills up to 15 or 20 meters using standard-size targets, without an issue. Just make sure you do not frustrate your wife, as you storm through the living room, pistol in hand and fire BBs at some expensive china. One thing to keep in mind here. The Airsoft magazines are heavy and delicate (compared to the real ones). So if you plan on practicing quick mag changes, do yourself a favor and do not drop the "empty" mag to the floor. A pillow or a box with some foam in it, will cushion the drop preventing dents on your wooden floor and damage to your mags.
5) Bullseye practicing. Even though some of the pistols I've tried are very accurate, please do not think that these pistols have the same intrinsic accuracy as a competition air pistol. So do not expect to have one-hole 5-shots groups at 10 meters. They are however very suitable, for sight alignment and trigger releasing practice. You may set up a firing line easily in your home and practice firing them, even while sitting on your couch. As we all know, repetitive firing (like dry-firing) is the key to become a better shooter and as my friend Hawkmoon says throwing a projectile downrange is a much better practice than dry-firing.
6) These pistols are extremely useful for trying man-to-man drills with your friends, associates or partners. The proverbial 7 meters (21 feet) rule can be easily proven in your back yard (see this thread) (http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=4806). If you do try such exercises, please use protective gear, being hit with a BB at close range is painful!
7) Even though these are low-powered guns, please think safety above anything else. Follow the same safety rules as with your real guns. Never ever mix real and Airsoft guns, in your training area. If you train with Airsofts, do not allow real guns anywhere near the range. Even though I hate those orange tips or marks on my Airsoft pistols, if you plan to train with others, it's a good idea to leave these markings alone, so that the range master (or whoever is responsible for the training session) can easily distinguish a real gun from an Airsoft one.
Folks, these are initial thoughts, following my limited experience with these pistols, and of course, they are open for comments (that's why they were posted here).
I would appreciate if others, with more experience, can jump in and give us their thoughts.
The subject of this thread, was actually the reason, why these Airsoft Forums were included in our board, in the first place. What I wanted to know, from first-hand experience, is whether or not these pistols can be used for improving one's shooting skills, and for practicing in the privacy (or just the convenience) of one's home (or back yard).
So, if you would allow me, I'll start this thread, by posting my findings, after my initial exposure to those pistols, and after some limited playing with them.
1) Most of these pistols (at least the most expensive ones) immitate nicely the real things. In other words, handling them is very much the same as handling a real 1911. The later model your pistol is, the better its resemblance to the real thing will be. The most popular pistols are well represented in the Airsoft manufacturers product lines, so I am sure it will not be a problem finding your favorite pistol in Airsoft form. The 1911 is of course very well represented, with pistols ranging from a standard mil-spec 1911 to some of the most expensive custom pistols the well-known gunsmiths produce. Double-column magazine pistols immitating the Para Ordnance/STI/SVI models exist as well. From the other popular guns, Tupperwares are also very well represented, so are CZ-75, Browning Hi Power, Beretta 92, USP, etc.
2) For most of the pistols, the controls are at the correct places, as on the real thing. So if you want to familiarize yourself with a pistol (and you do not want to do it with the real thing or you want to continue your familiarization process by firing the pistol, in your living room), these pistols are great.
3) One difference you will immediately notice, is that the controls on these pistols are "lighter" than those of the real thing. For example, the recoil spring is very light compared to even a 12 lbs 1911 spring. So racking the slide for the first shot, will be much easier with the Airsofts, than with your real pistol. Also the safeties, although they click in and out of the safe position with authority, they do not come close to the feeling of a real 1911 one. So be prepared for this difference.
4) Accuracy-wise, all the pistols tested so far (with the exception of the Tanaka S&W Model 19 revolver), were accurate enough for self-defence and IPSC drills up to a distance of 15 meters, with reduced targets. I haven't tested them at longer distances, so I can't say what happens at 25 meters, but I am sure that you can use the Airsofts for such drills up to 15 or 20 meters using standard-size targets, without an issue. Just make sure you do not frustrate your wife, as you storm through the living room, pistol in hand and fire BBs at some expensive china. One thing to keep in mind here. The Airsoft magazines are heavy and delicate (compared to the real ones). So if you plan on practicing quick mag changes, do yourself a favor and do not drop the "empty" mag to the floor. A pillow or a box with some foam in it, will cushion the drop preventing dents on your wooden floor and damage to your mags.
5) Bullseye practicing. Even though some of the pistols I've tried are very accurate, please do not think that these pistols have the same intrinsic accuracy as a competition air pistol. So do not expect to have one-hole 5-shots groups at 10 meters. They are however very suitable, for sight alignment and trigger releasing practice. You may set up a firing line easily in your home and practice firing them, even while sitting on your couch. As we all know, repetitive firing (like dry-firing) is the key to become a better shooter and as my friend Hawkmoon says throwing a projectile downrange is a much better practice than dry-firing.
6) These pistols are extremely useful for trying man-to-man drills with your friends, associates or partners. The proverbial 7 meters (21 feet) rule can be easily proven in your back yard (see this thread) (http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=4806). If you do try such exercises, please use protective gear, being hit with a BB at close range is painful!
7) Even though these are low-powered guns, please think safety above anything else. Follow the same safety rules as with your real guns. Never ever mix real and Airsoft guns, in your training area. If you train with Airsofts, do not allow real guns anywhere near the range. Even though I hate those orange tips or marks on my Airsoft pistols, if you plan to train with others, it's a good idea to leave these markings alone, so that the range master (or whoever is responsible for the training session) can easily distinguish a real gun from an Airsoft one.
Folks, these are initial thoughts, following my limited experience with these pistols, and of course, they are open for comments (that's why they were posted here).
I would appreciate if others, with more experience, can jump in and give us their thoughts.