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So, I've decided to invest in an airsoft pistol to train on. I figured I will need it on a force on force class I want to take in the near future anyway. So far here are my thoughts.
When I picked up this airsoft,it felt very close to the real thing. The slide and receiver is made of aluminum I believe because it's no where near the weight of a blue steel 1911.
Which one is the real thing?


There is definitely a difference when I rack the slide of the airsoft. The recoil spring doesn't have the heft compare to the real thing. The plunger spring is also weak because safety doesn't feel quite right. Only part of the pistol that is heavier than its real counter part is the magazine. The magazine can load up to 15 bbs and it does recoil similar to the real thing.

Overall I think it's a good training tool. Not quite like the real thing, but close enough I guess.

It disassembles similar to the real thing as well.

The key to shooting faster is seeing faster.

Airsoft is an excellent and cost effective tool to accomplish this goal, and unlike live rounds, can be utilized anywhere, anytime.

While there is no substitute for live fire, there are supplements that are more effective than others, and airsoft is near the top of the list.

if you dont mind me asking...where did you pick that up? Thats pretty cool!

fecnik wrote:if you dont mind me asking...where did you pick that up? Thats pretty cool!

In the past, I've purchased airsoft 'firearms' from http://www.redwolfairsoft.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Specifically, that looks exactly like this model: http://redwolfairsoft.com/redwolf/airso ... l_1911.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's TONS of internet sites however, and be sure to read reviews on anything you want to purchase. The market is flooded with horribly made Chinese junk, but there's some good stuff out there as well.

fecnik wrote:if you dont mind me asking...where did you pick that up? Thats pretty cool!

I got it from airsplat.com
http://www.airsplat.com/Items/GP-WE-1911-MEU.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I like it so far. Another thing I notice is the trigger is much lighter than the real thing. If I have to guess, it's probably like 1.5 - 2.0 It does serve its purpose though.

My son is really into Airsoft, to the extent of participating in a weekend long Airsoft exercise at the Fort Hood MOUT facility last month. His Airsoft weapons are all extremely realistic looking and include a 1911 pistol, an MP5 subgun, and an M4 carbine.

The pistol is remarkable, for what is essentially a toy. The two things that give the impression that it is not a real firearm are A), the total weight is just a tad light for a real 1911, lacking the heft of even an alloy framed gun; and B) the recoil spring tension is fairly light, so racking the slide is real easy. Otherwise, it is mechanically - at least externally - in every regard a 1911 pistol. The removable magazine is even where the Airsoft BBs go. The trigger breaks cleanly with a light pull, just like a real pistol. It has a light rail which fits his tactical light.

About the only thing that gives it away at a glance as not being real is the orange painted muzzle on the slightly extended barrel.

I'll try to post a link to a photo gallery from that operation when I can find it. There are all kinds of guns involved, from realistic looking pistols to M249 SAWs.

Also, just for everyone's general information, it is not illegal to have an airsoft gun without the orange tip.

Law requires they have the orange on them to be transported in commerce or sold, but once you own it, it is completely legal to repaint the tip, take off any orange cover, or replace the barrel with a non-orange one.

This is despite what any police officers may tell you to the contrary (Which I have heard so many times, it's just annoying that they don't know the law now.)

Info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft#Or ... un_muzzles" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Code Reference is here: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/te ... .1&idno=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They don't give those things away but they are a lot better quality than they used to be. I bought a DPMS marked airsoft AR at Academy that I am going to let my grandson learn some basics with at Thanksgiving. They had a Sig 556 that was really a looker for $249. That's $140 less than I bought my Sig 522 for! A good training tool whether it be a pistol or a rifle.

My assistant and I both keep airsoft pistols here at the office (we are a 2-man office) and shoot
them as anti-stress on those days where we need to.

We tried a bunch of cheapo ones and the best one I found was a M&P40 model that is CO2
powered. It is heavy, not quite the same as its real counterpart, and very accurate considering
it is basically a blunderbuss with no rifling and a round ball projectile.

I thought it would be expensive to shoot a CO2 model, but the cartridges last a decently long
time each.

And yes, I'm a newbie to pistol shooting and I believe that shooting the airsoft and acquiring a
sight picture has helped me a lot with my range accuracy when I get to go to the range.

Much cheaper than practice with any caliber, including 22LR, and the sticky targets stop every
round. A cardboard box behind the target stops any strays, so backstop issues are non-existent.

To me, airsoft practice is a no-brainer.

You guys are way ahead with closely modeled airsoft pistols.

I stumbled onto a GAMO (Spanish brand) BB pistol about 4 months ago. It has a heavy trigger pull like a DAO gun. I cleaned and greased the mechanism to ease the pull but it didn't help much - just like real. After about 1000 pulls I was strong enough to handle any pistol or revolver.
It has a full-size magazine that takes handloading of 15 'rounds', carries the CO2 cartridge and requires the same slap into the frame. The magazine release is in the standard place and works just like real.
It has a rifled steel barrel - just like real. After 10,000 rounds it still shoots pretty darn good. I am able to hit that can from fifty feet about one out of four shots. It shows wear now. Just like real.
Unlike a Sigma or Glock it has an external safety. That is useful for practice draw for my Taurus carry gun.
With this gun I practice almost every day everything that I do at the range for real. And for a helluva lot less cost.

I'm very happy with this gun.

I got a Glock 18C in airsoft a long time ago. It's the full-auto glock with a selector switch. While I agree they are quality in feel...I'm not sure they really give you much practice for the real thing.

I think something like this is more useful, I'm contemplating getting one, so I can't comment yet on it's actual use. http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-LaserLyte-Pisto ... 2007wt_967" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Annoyed Man wrote:My son is really into Airsoft, to the extent of participating in a weekend long Airsoft exercise at the Fort Hood MOUT facility last month.

Bulldog? Is he on NTA? If so what's his callsign, I may know him

Oh, I've also bought one of the cheap $10 chinese airsoft guns. They are really funny, on this one when the trigger was pulled the slide would electronically cycle and at some point a BB would "eject." It would also travel so slow through the air that it seemed like it was floating (and gave the perception of not travelling in a straight line!). Friend and I could actually dodge them with reasonable success. Makes for fun "bullet time" practice to feel like you're in the Matrix. :)

If I lived where I couldn't shoot when I wanted I would get a good airsoft. Just don't neglect your dry fire and range time thinking these toys can replace shooting and training. Those little differences in weight and trigger pull as well as the lack of recoil make a big difference. They are good tools as far as supplements go. Most know that but some may not.

I dont have anything that nice. Ill admit I initially picked up my M9 airsoft gun for a halloween custume a couple years ago but I quickly found a use for some light in-house target practice. Even though its a cheapie that has to be manually cocked for each shot its great for draw/acquire/fire drills.