Airsoft: Realism/Comparison USP

[PILMAN]

Anyone amazed by the quality of these things? I've bought some of the higher end quality stuff from manufacturers overseas as many of my friends are military and enjoy airsoft just as a hobby. Many of us own firearms and were very surprised with how realistic these things are. One of the guys I believe had a SL8 with a G36 body kit and had it side by side with his airsoft G36, they felt pretty much identical. I'm just curious how many people own airsoft guns and what they think of them compared to their real steel? Would you feel they are pretty similar replica wise?

I own a few airsoft replicas and firearms but here are side by side pictures of the real USP next to the airsoft variant.



Next I do a comparison again side by side, the real USP is on top, the airsoft variant is on the bottom



Next we take a look at the bottom of the gun, markings are correct down to the magazine release and the trigger guard.

Airsoft Version


Real Steel


Next I take photographs of the handgrip from the back of the gun with a comparison shot. The only difference appears to be the hammer, even the grip feels a little similar.

Airsoft version


real steel


Next I do a side by side comparison of the magazines, they are actually quite similar in look except the top of course, the airsoft magazine is heavier than the real steel version. The real steel version feels very light however is metal. Something to notice, on the bottom of the real steel magazine it says USP .45, on the airsoft version it says H&K which does not appear anywhere on my real steel magazine however it does say Heckler and Koch on the side noting it is a preban magazine stating "Law Enforcement Only"
Airsoft on the left, real steel on the right


Real steel


Bottom of airsoft magazine (note the H&K, difficult to see as the picture is bad)


Bottom of real steel magazine (note it says USP .45, no H&K)


I've got some more comparison pictures. Higher quality, better lighting.
Left is real, right is airsoft


Bottom is real, top is airsoft


Left is real, right is airsoft


Left is real, right is airsoft



Bottom is real, top is airsoft



Real


Airsoft


Overall i'd say they are pretty similar. The airsoft variant is made by a Japanese company called KSC. They go for 99 dollars to 140 dollars imported. You can get them in the US with a metal slide though it is marketed under "KWA" and it doesn't have the H&K trademarks if sold in the US. You can get aftermarket H&K branded diecast aluminum slides or zeke metal though they are not actually produced by H&K. Still I am quite amazed by the realism of these things. Shooting the replica is fun too, slide blows back and locks in place (its powered by propane in the magazine), heck they even replicated an error with the USP, when you slam the magazine in loaded the slide closes automatically.

 

[tegemu]

I have been planning to give some serious consideration to getting one in 1911 style for draw and shoot practice in my home. There is a gun show this weekend, in Jax, and I just might bring one home with me.

 

[PILMAN]

I have been planning to give some serious consideration to getting one in 1911 style for draw and shoot practice in my home. There is a gun show this weekend, in Jax, and I just might bring one home with me.

I'd recommend it, check the manufacturer on it. I generally remove the orange tips on mine with some rubbing alcohol or I buy an aftermarket slide from wgcshop.com or dentrinity.com which generally include the trademarks. My replica USP has actually helped me quite a bit in mastering the real gun. Both break down the same, the recoil spring and inside as well as the barrel look very very similar, heck i'm sure some of the parts are interchangeable though I wouldn't try it. I would think a real slide on a replica USP would be much too heavy for a small burst of propane to move.

It's quite interesting how gas blow back airsoft guns work. The gas fills in from the bottom of the magazine and when you pull the trigger, it hits a little nozzle on the back of the magazine which releases gas from the top of the magazine forcing the bb out the barrel, as a result the pressure forces the slide to move back and chamber another round. There are 2 different gases, most Japanese manufacturers recommend you use 134a gas which is like duster gas as most of their guns are made out of an ABS plastic though I have run most of them on green gas/propane without any problems. I find the duster gas to be a bit too weak. Personally I like to dryfire my replica. There is another guy I know of who owns a real Springfield 1911 as well as a airsoft replica, the replica is metal and one would have a difficult time telling one apart from the other without very close observation.

 

[nswtex]

Wow I wouldnt want to hear a bump in the night and have to reach for a 50/50 chance at grabbing my lifesaver.

 

[PILMAN]

Wow I wouldnt want to hear a bump in the night and have to reach for a 50/50 chance at grabbing my lifesaver.

Yes keeping them seperate is a must. Wouldn't want to accidently grab my real steel for an airsoft game either, otherwise i'm afraid we wouldn't have any players return.

 

[popaye85]

recommendation

Any recommendations (with links) for suppliers of good, high quality, replica guns?

Interested in revolver replica's if they make them also.

 

[PILMAN]

Any recommendations (with links) for suppliers of good, high quality, replica guns?

Interested in revolver replica's if they make them also.

Personally, I bought mine from redwolfairsoft.com however customs has been hot on them because they are claiming the guns have to have a "permanent" orange tip on them to be imported. That is not exactly possible as the guns weren't really meant for the American market therefore the retailers have to paint the tip orange. Also they been cracking down on trademark infringement.

Personally I recommend http://www.dentrinity.com , they have pretty good prices and accept paypal. http://www.wgcshop.com is also a good place, they cover the trademarks with a "putty" which just peels off or comes off with a blowdryer. You can remove the orange tip with rubbing alcohol or just order a metal aftermarket slide and it won't have the orange on it if you order that seperately. Both are based in Hong Kong but are pretty reliable companys, I order from them all the the time.

There are some US shops as well though their prices are a huge markup.

It depends what your looking at really, heres a list of quality manufacturers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Airsoft_Manufacturers

Basically high quality brands are Tokyo Marui, KSC, Western Arm (very realistic revolvers) Classic Army, G&P, ICS, etc.

Heres my collection to give you an idea on quality brands

G&P M4 (diecast aluminum receiver)



Tokyo Marui Desert Eagle


Maruzen TEC9


MMC L85A1/Asahi internals


KSC USP


FTC Galil


Try to avoid most Chinese mainland companys (With the exception of G&P, they are quality). For rifles, most are electric so those are fine, but for handguns, you will probably want gas blow back to simulate the slide moving back and forth. Springers and Electronic Blow Back aren't recommended for realism.

 

[MikeH]

Some of these high-quality airsofts cost more expensive than the real deal. I get a kick whenever I tell my friends back in Taiwan how much I spent for my RC Mauser vs. their Tokyo Marui Kar98k.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Bought an airsoft P99 to teach my wife initial gun handling, worked GREAT.

Also bought an airsoft Desert Eagle .50 AE because I like the look of the design but have no interest in spending the $$$ to buy the real thing.

 

[PILMAN]

Some of these high-quality airsofts cost more expensive than the real deal. I get a kick whenever I tell my friends back in Taiwan how much I spent for my RC Mauser vs. their Tokyo Marui Kar98k

I paid about 300 for the M4

350 for the TEC9 (which sadly is made better than the real TEC9)

140 for the desert eagle

99 for the USP

550 for the L85A1

650 for the Galil (Nearly impossible to find as well)

Some of them cost more than the real deal, no doubt.

 

[Punkermonkey]

Never mind the AirSoft, where did you get those pillowcases!! Those are GREAT!!

 

[Gendaito]

I have a KWA Glock 19, it was about $100 at a local gunshow. As with PILMAN's USP, the airsoft version is pretty much identical to my real one. Good for dryfire practice, more fun anyway. Fits the same holsters as my real one.

I left the orange paint on, just a safety precaution. The two are so similar it definitely helps to have another way to tell them apart.

It's definitely worth getting one for practice.

 

[G36-UK]

I had a Marui Desert Eagle, but I traded it for a KSC SOCOM.

I used to have one of the MP7 AEPs, but I traded that for a Marui M3 Shorty.

Anyone know if the top-folding stock on the real M3 will fit the Airsoft one?

 

[Zero_DgZ]

What kind of Tec-9 is that? The only airsoft version I've ever seen is a shoddy spring one.

 

[PILMAN]

G36, there is no reason it shouldn't fit. Most airsoft parts are 1:1. I was able to put a real galil stock on my replica.

What kind of Tec-9 is that? The only airsoft version I've ever seen is a shoddy spring one.

It's a Maruzen KG9. It's gas powered, they stopped making them in 1993 I believe. You can find them for sale occasionally on classicairsoft.net though they are somewhat uncommon. Magazines are difficult to find as well.

Never mind the AirSoft, where did you get those pillowcases!! Those are GREAT!!

I can't recall, my mother bought them. I can find out though

 

[aig1]

I own several AirSoft guns (mostly high quality Beretta 92 versions (KSC)) and besides the general looks and dissasembly, they have got nothing to do with the real gun. i was hoping to use them for dryhandling drills, for safety, but now it seems like a bad idea to me. this may not be try for other brands/types of guns but here are my observations

First of, the balance of the weapons is different: the AirSoft has most of its weight in the handle.

The trigger pull is WAY too light, and not as crisp as the real thing.

The recoil of the toy (being called heavy by the AirSoft community) is no- where close to that of the 9mm real gun.

i do not want to get accustomed to the KSC toy, which really has a different trigger pull (that is what bothers me the most).

I must admit, plunking with the AirSoft gun is a lot of fun (and cheaper), though I 'd rather shoot the real deal.


In terms of realsm, I recomend MGC products. The MGC beretta is the closest repro of Beretta 92 I have seen. the trademarks are licenced, so it looks and weighs ~100% as the real deal, and the trigger pull is very similar. The balance is still a bit off since the gun is made of plastic-zink alloy. I do some of my dry practicing with this gun.

Look here for other model guns: http://www.modelguns.co.uk/pistols.htm

the internal mechanisms (except the falling block which is there but just for looks) are identical to the real gun (de-cocker, firing pin safety, safety, two part firing pin, etc). The one nagging propblem is that these cost a lot for a toy. I bought mine for ~$230 (including S&H from Taiwan). that is 1/2 the price of the real deal


Alexi

 

[PILMAN]

Are those the airsoft or cap guns? I know MGC also makes some high quality cap guns.

I know some of the airsoft guns have been critisized for feel and stuff like that, it's quite hard to replicate the recoil of a 9mm. If you want more weight they do make aftermarket metal slides which definitely help in realism with weight. The USP I've opened it up and it looks pretty similar with the exception that the real one has a firing pin and the airsoft version does not, barrel is quite different of course as a real USP barrel is polygonal rifling. Overall it feels quite similar to me, trigger is quite similar as well though the real deal, it seems like it's a bit harder to activate the slide release and moving the safety to fire is a bit stiffer on the real gun. I haven't noticed many large differences in terms of weight though, the magazine seems to weigh more than the real magazine unloaded though I think they made it feel similar in weight to a loaded magazine.

 

[aig1]

Are those the airsoft or cap guns? I know MGC also makes some high quality cap guns.

The MGC's pictured are cap guns They do have functioning firing pins though, unlike the airsoft guns But shoot no projectiles, although they eject spent cartridges.

I do not want to sound too harsh about the difference between the AirSoft and real guns. One is a toy the other one is not. I am OK with everything except the trigger pull.

I am considering changing the trigger and main springs of the KSC 92fs AirSoft gun with real Beretta springs to see if that improves the trigger pull, to the point where I can use it for dry-fire practice.

I have metal slides and barrels which makes the guns (I have 92fs and an Elite AirSoft guns) a bit nicer.

Alexi

 

[hankdatank1362]

20 pics to compare an airsoft to a real handgun?!?!?!

Boy, you sure are thorough!!!


Just giving you a hard time. They're very similar.

 

[Wasz]

I love airsofting. Chance to use tactics etc. I think I saw your comparison pics on one of the airsoft forums a little while back?

When I got my chance to start going to the range monthly and shooting in a little league, I started messing with my airsoft pistols more. Just to work on simple stuff, kind of like using a .22 to build skill. Granted its not the same and isnt a replacement, but just a little refresher and its fun to be able to do some shooting in the basement

 

[mmike87]

Movie theater. Late night showing. Not too many folks in the theater. Group of 8 or 9 urban youths talking, yelling, and horseplaying throughout the movie. Manager refused to do anything.

Walking out of the theater, two of these youths we chasing each other up and down the theater. Something falls out of one of the kid's pockets. A gun. It fell very close to me, and I could tell it was an Airsoft pistol (one of slightly lesser quality than the one depicted in this thread.) The kid quickly picked it up and ran off.

On the way out of the theater, in the lobby, we confronted the manager. We explained, again - the inappropriate conduct of the youths. I also mentioned that one of them had an Airsoft pistol that could certainly injure someone, or worse, get the kid shot by someone. Manager didn't care. "There's nothing I can do" he repeated.

Youths saw us complaining about them to the manager, and immediately became belligerent. Argument ensued, with them blocking the immediate exit. The kid with the Airsoft backed out the door and stayed behind the other verbally abusive youths.

I of course am armed.

The situation defused peacefully shortly thereafter, me my calling the manager a wimp and stating I'd never set foot in his theater again.

Afterwards, the Airsoft pistol really, really bothered me. What if the kid pulled the Airsoft during the confrontation? What if I had NOT seen the gun close up and known it was Airsoft? At a distance of more than a few feet, even this cheaper Airsoft would look real. At the distance they were from us in the lobby, it absolutely would have looked real. If he had pulled it, I would have shot him had I not seen the gun close up prior to the incident.

Now, I believe Darwin was right and say what you will I could care less if some idiot gets shot doing something really stupid like that. But I would have shot a kid with a BB gun. My life would probably be over, at best my family bankrupt at worst I'd be in prison for shooting an "unarmed" kid.

Sorry, kids do not need to have these realistic looking toy guns. I'm not against toy guns ... my kid has several. But these things look so real kids just shouldn't have them, for their safety and ours.

Just thought I'd share that. I'm not anti-Airsoft in anyway, but it's something to keep in mind while marveling at how realistic these things are.

 

[gudel]

I don't think the theater manager gives a rats ass about you not coming to the theater.


As for confusing real USP vs airsoft, I have my real USP under my pillow, and its got night sights. Can you put night sights on your airsoft?

 

[PILMAN]

mmike87 I understand your concern. I have stated my opinions on the airsoft forums that airsoft needs to be an adult hobby for 18 years old +. Seeing these cheap models in walmart really bother me. The average poster on some of these airsoft forums are 14-15 years old. Many times you will run across a child much younger sometimes as young as 12 and they will consistantly ask "wut iz teh best gun!11one1!". They will generally go for the cheapest gun they can and express how they feel airsoft guns "cost" too much. Many of the serious players who spend money on the quality items are not going to go around in public showing their guns.

I treat my airsoft gun like a real gun, I keep it in a case while transporting, and I avoid displaying it in public for whatever reason. Many of the police have indicated they will treat an airsoft gun like a real gun.

It's a shame we have kids with the attention span of a fruit fly running around with cheap airsoft guns from walmart thinking it is ok, even the orange tip is not enough to be considered safe as it certainly wouldn't stop one from painting an orange tip on a real gun.


The reason airsoft is classed as a "toy" is liability purposes, because it's classed as a toy the replica gun is required to have an orange tip and to avoid liability.

I don't think the theater manager gives a rats ass about you not coming to the theater.


As for confusing real USP vs airsoft, I have my real USP under my pillow, and its got night sights. Can you put night sights on your airsoft?

Yes nightsights will fit on the replica airsoft version. I keep my real USP as a nightstand gun, the "airsoft variant" is kept in a seperate room. I keep the magazine out of the airsoft version as well. I'm sure using a airsoft gun on a would be criminal would just piss him off more after having a dinky pellet hit him.

 

[DogBonz]

how do you know which ones are the good ones?

I think that these are great training tools, but I have been leary to buy one because I have seen them form about $20 up to $300. It seems like there is a wide range of quality. Any one know what the good brands are?

 

[Wasz]

All depends on what you want as to what the amount you need to spend is. You can get ones that are all metal etc... the weight isnt exactly the same, but I know for a fact that SWAT teams and the like are using airsoft as training devices. There is a large CQB facility in VA AirsoftCQB (google it if you wan to see their webpage) that local SWAT use for training.

Airsoft should be for adults only, in the same way paintball is. It is indeed dangerous and very easy to mix up the two. People wouldnt sell a 12 year old a BB gun or a paintball marker, but for some reason "soft-air" guns are thought of as toys so often the minimum wage minimum effort wal-marters dont even blink as they scan them. Make sure that I have my ID to buy that R rated movie though...