Airsoft pistols for training

[TheResearcher]

I am looking for a airsoft pistol that I can practice with instead of the real one. Preferably gas blowback all metal, any one have any experience or suggestions?

 

[Dr-Science]

KJ Works MKII is supposed to be nice. Or how about that CO2 BB Makarov thing?

 

[devildog32713]

What pistol are you planning to carry/use? Ergonomics are very similar, would be nice to use same, www.airsoftmegastore.com has some nice choices, most are cheaper quality though. www.airsoftgi.com has higher quality more expensive choices.

 

[Sunray]

Airsoft pistols are toys. A good quality air pistol is a different thing.

 

[smince]

Airsoft pistols are toys.

I've used Gas Blowback Airsoft pistols in several force-on-force training classes. 'Toys' won't stand up to the kind of abuse mine has been put through, including take-away training.

 

[PzGren]

Airsoft is used by topguns to sharpen their skills

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?act=idx

 

[Random Discharge]

Visit the Crosman Custom Shop

It will not meet your need for a blowback, but if you can be satisifed with something that gives you trigger time and practice, with the added bonus of accuracy, quality and value well beyond an airsoft pistol...

http://www.crosman.com/custom_store/

You can choose options to build a custom Crosman 2300KT CO2 pistol, similiar in pointing and outline to a Ruger Mk II 22 LR pistol, and be very happy. Barrel length, pellet caliber (177 or 22), sights (notch, peep, red dot, scope), grips, you choose. A couple weeks later, you shoot. Depending on options, it will run you between $120 and $200.

One 12g CO2 cartridge (about $0.50 each in bulk) is good for about 60 shots (50 if you get the 22 caliber pellet version). A tin of 500 177 wadcutter pellets runs about $6. Shooting expense isn't an issue. Get the 22 version if you might chase critters with it sometimes, otherwise go 177.

 

[devildog32713]

some airsoft guns are toys, (anything from walmart) stuff from Airsoft GI are super duper high quality "abuse-me" toys/tools depends how you want to use.

 

[Vonderek]

Are the trigger pulls on the Airsoft clones similar to the real guns they are copies of?

 

[devildog32713]

some, it really depends. The Crosman C11 airsoft is non blowback, a little less realistic, but a little bit more punch with less CO2 use, it has similar trigger pull to the Beretta Cougar, maybe a little bit more, which it is loosely designed off of.

 

[9mmepiphany]

a good airsoft (not the spring operated ones) are a good training tool and have been adopted by large agencies when the cost of using sub-munitions has become excessive for force on force training. while the balance may be a bit off...depending of which gun you are comparing them to...a good 1:1 copy will have all the controls in the correct location and the grip will have the same feel

i personally use a KJW Sig 226 at home for practice on presentation and manipulation drills...this was the same model that Sig was selling for 3x the price. within their usable range the airsoft pistols are very accurate. it lets me retain muscle memory when i can get to the range...it's easy to do a few draws and mag changes a couple of times everyday

 

[devildog32713]

yeah, KJW is a good brand, KWA is better, but more expensive.

 

[possum]

i agree that they are good for FOF but i have little else use for one.

 

[TheResearcher]

Thanks for the info, I am looking at a KWA 1911. Anyone know about that one?