which 1911 airgun is most like the real thing?

easily this one:
h**ps://w w w.replicaairguns.ca/kwc-tanfoglio-witness-1911-a1-blowback-gun

KWCKMB-76AHN_1_.jpg


KWC all metal. Blow-back action, fully functional controls including mag and mag release (CO2 canister is in the mag). Even take down is very realistic.
$220 though
 
^^X2
I've got the "blackwater" model, same manufacturer but it's more like the "tactical" 1911s you see these days with forward slide serrations, extended safety and flat backstrap. I think it was about $175 on sale when I picked it up.
 
The Umarex 1911 looks the part and is a more accurate shooter (pellets) but is basically a revolver as far as function goes. Also, the one I had suffered from a much too heavy grip safety. I have bought - and then sold - the KWC twice... It is good but I then got a KWA airsoft version which I much prefer for indoor shooting as it is much more accurate than a steel BB shooter and less prone to ricochet all over the place.
 
I have a Umerex Colt Commander blowback 1911 (which is made in same factory as KWC) Weighs the same as my son in-law Norinco 1911 unloaded, around 2lbs. Can even be field stripped like a real one. Pricey around $140 (last year). The slide even locks open on last shot! BB only though, no pellet.
 
The tangfolio fits a real 1911 holster and the mags fit in the mag holders and grips can even be replaced with real ones. Pretty fun for practicing your mag changes too. I love the blowback recoil too.
I also have the Sig x-five which I like better with a robust holster and mags it’s really fun to go fast with and cheaper than 9mm
 
thanks guys the reason i asked was because im thinking about picking up a norinco 1911 as my first restricted, but with no range membership in my immediate future im limited to the bbguns for now

didnt realize you could end up spending more for an air version than the powder burner
 
Actually, I'd be reluctant to even shoot my 1911 bb air gun outside.

If you want realism in handling but shoot safely indoors, maybe consider the same gun in 6mm airsoft
 
Odd Shot said:
Actually, I'd be reluctant to even shoot my 1911 bb air gun outside.

If you want realism in handling but shoot safely indoors, maybe consider the same gun in 6mm airsoft
Click to expand...

I had an all metal 1911 replica for airsoft that I did just that with. Treated it like a trainer, learned how to grip on it, site picture all that good stuff. Even had an 'accidental discharge' which would of cost me at least a couple of fingers had it been real.

Training with trainers is a great idea, especially for beginners. But experienced people too should do it from time to time to stay fresh on the cheap.

And Odd Shot, back in the day, I wasted countless hours of my life on Mech Warrior 3 and 4 :D
 
Mechwarrior was my favourite game and the only reason to get a more and more powerful computer once 3D acceleration hit the scene :)
 
Odd Shot said:
easily this one:
h**ps://w w w.replicaairguns.ca/kwc-tanfoglio-witness-1911-a1-blowback-gun

KWCKMB-76AHN_1_.jpg


KWC all metal. Blow-back action, fully functional controls including mag and mag release (CO2 canister is in the mag). Even take down is very realistic.
$220 though
Click to expand...

please tell me me were i can buy this fine piece of art
 
I have the made in Taiwan 1911. I get the impression the factory makes the same gun for several different distributors. Mine is marked COLT Commander (but it is a gov't size) complete with the prancing horse.

If someone is a new shooter, one of these will help you develop a good grip, find a sight picture and break a clean shot.

For someone like me, new to IPSC, it is perfect for shooting strong hand and weak hand. I have shot so much weak hand recently that it no longer feels so weird.

BB accuracy is not as good as pellets, but it is good enough to show up good shots and bad shots. That is good enough for training.
 
Ganderite said:
I have the made in Taiwan 1911. I get the impression the factory makes the same gun for several different distributors. Mine is marked COLT Commander (but it is a gov't size) complete with the prancing horse.

If someone is a new shooter, one of these will help you develop a good grip, find a sight picture and break a clean shot.

For someone like me, new to IPSC, it is perfect for shooting strong hand and weak hand. I have shot so much weak hand recently that it no longer feels so weird.

BB accuracy is not as good as pellets, but it is good enough to show up good shots and bad shots. That is good enough for training.
Click to expand...

Yeah it is the same company. IIRC it's KWC. They've been making airsoft guns for years but say about five years or so ago their guns started showing up as steel BB guns. I'm not sure exactly how the branding and licensing goes, but I assume a company (umarex for example) will order a batch of pistols from KWC and have the licensing they have permission for put on them, so everything from no brand to Colt and everything in between is slapped on the side of them.

Good idea using them for weak hand practice. I've mostly used mine for just general cheap target practice focusing on the fundamentals. I'll have to grab some more CO2 cartridges and give weak hand a go :cheers:
 
I have one that was in a Winchester package. I bought it on sale at CT. I have a Norinco 1911, but I haven’t actually held them side by side, but it sure looks close. I love shooting mine. It is a bit of a learning process getting a new CO2 cartridge in without blowing the whole thing off in your face. :p But, I’ve only wasted two - so far.

Edit - I just checked mine. It is marked WINCHESTER" Licensee Daisy Outdoor Products etc on the left side of the slide. On the right side of the frame - BRD 18 JAHRE & ALTER Made in Japan. On the slide there is the usual lawyer stuff.

Other than the cheesy plastic grips, it is a nice enough pistol.
 
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There are a few online articles and videos that address this. The winner in the one I read was the tanfolgio model. I am still hoping to pick one up at a decent price.

I bought several BB/air pistols this summer, been shooting them since the early 70s, so it was fun to see what they had come up with since that time. My experience with a cheap Umarex striker type pistol, and a Sig 320 that has the new 30 round belt mag, is that shooting the BBs is a better experience. I really wanted the pellet version since my bias is that BBs a kinda toys. But both BB guns shot through steel cans at 10 yds, and were very accurate. BBs are non-toxic, and seem to shoot very accurately at the ranges involved, and they seem to use a lot less gas.

Back in my day we were trying to shoot sub dime paper bullseyes at 10M, offhand. That requires a very fine pellet pistol. But for blasting IDPA type targets at 5-12 yards, the BBs guns are as accurage as the cartridge guns, and offer some of the same experience. The main downside is shooting steel, which can be dangerous with steel BBs.
 
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