GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => PCP/CO2/HPA Air Gun Gates "The Darkside" => Topic started by: dhc8guru on February 27, 2013, 10:07:25 PM
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This will be worth reading if your tired of Disco and M-Rod modification threads. ;D I couldn't find any mention of this gun on the forums so, I thought I would post a mini review.
First off, what peaked my interest in this gun was a video on youtube by Makhobby where here ran 220 shots through the gun on one C02 cartridge. I was skeptical but thought it is possible. I have several other C02 pistols that I read reviews by other people who make some pretty wild claims to how many round they get out of a C02 cartridge only to find I got no where near the same results.
I am a bit new to the airgun world and I am learning there is a wide range of what people think accurate is.
So let me tell you how the XBG faired in these two categories. Makhobby was spreading no wild claims. I can confirm getting 220 shots out of a single cartridge is no lie. From the first shot you will not see any C02 getting wasted into the atmosphere all the way to the last shot. Let me say something about that last shot. That last shot was traveling fast enought to bury itself in my pellet trap at 30'. I'm guessing 200fps. So, I removed the C02 cartridge and there was barely a hiss. Which tells me this gun can have almost no pressure and still send a volley down range. The last shot was at about 230. So, 220 - 230 were not reliable accurate shots and didn't pack much of a punch.
On to accuracy. This gun is slightly more accurate then my other C02 pistols. I was standing at 30' with an unsupported two handed hold, from a standing position. I got for the most part a 2 1/2 "- 3" group with a few flyers. I was using Daisy zinc plated BB's. The first 10-15 shots were all wild till the C02 pressure dropped a bit. Then it settled into a nice groove. I backed up to 60' just for fun to see if I could hit a 16oz water bottle. No problem, five shots and they all hit solid.
I'm not going to say much about how it feels in the hand because everyone will have a different opinion. I have medium sized hand a it felt good. Trigger pull isn't bad but it is long as with all guns of this type. For those not familiar, when you pull the trigger, you are feeding a BB into the chamber and cocking the hammer. My caliberated finger tells me about an 18 oz pull.
I can say that after 230 rounds the hang nail on my index finger was starting to get irritated.
Looks and build quality: Overall, its not bad. Yep, its all plastic other than whatever internals need to be metal. The BB magazine is all metal, along with the C02 cartridge frame. A quick noe on the magazine; it is fairly easy to load but I found that poking my Air Venturi pellet pen into my BB bottle to fill it full of BB's and then using it to feed the BB's into the magazine made for much easier and faster loading.
I would say the fit and finish is on par with other guns in the $60 to $100 range.
As far as looks go, to me its pleasing. Even though it doesn't replicate any production firearm, it has a Glocky, Smith & Wessony look about it. I prefer replica's but I also appreciate manufactures coming up with there own look.
This is a no frills gun, add BB's and C02, switch off the safety and pull the trigger. No slides to cock, no hammer to cock. I like doing those things so not having those added steps does take away from the shooting experience. On the other hand I think some people will appreciate the simplicity.
A few final notes: Unlike other C02 pistols that can use a "rest" in between shots to keep the C02 performance up or under rapid fire will expel the C02 at twice the normal rate. This gun seems uneffected by either of those things..if you can pull the trigger as fast as an auto, the C02 will last just as long and pretty much so fire the BB at the same normal rate.
Obviously, Umerex is using there latest internal technology in this gun. I have a Umerex Beretta FS 92 and it has no better accuracy and I only get 90 shots out of a C02 cartridge.
I have the feeling this is a gateway gun for Umerex and suspect they are using as a test bed. So, who knows how long it will be produced. All I really can say is to pass spending $30 on this gun is a mistake and you may end up regretting not having one in your collection. I rate this gun a 10 on cheap plinking fun and overall a pretty stellar gun.
Don't think that just because of its low price and blister pack packaging its going to be a "toy gun"
I'll run some rounds through the chrony and post some FPS figures later.
Cheers.
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:D
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As far as what it looks like...
Looks a lot like a Ruger SR22.
Which by the way is a fantastic semi auto .22LR
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The XBG is a replica of the Springfield armory XDM I believe the compact to be exact. I have an XDM.
Great review. 220 shots is no joke and it sounds like accuracy is pretty darn good as well
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I put another 400 rounds through it last night, the accuracy keeps improving. I cleaned the barrel last night for the first time and although it does require removing the "slide", its only one screw to remove. I noticed that the inside of the barrel is not polished like my other pistols. But my other C02 pistols are pellet only or BB/pellet capable and are rifled. I'll see tonight if cleaning the barrel makes any difference. I may later try polishing the barrel a little. I am a bit apprehensive about doing that as it may reduce the clearance between the BB and barrel and decrease velocity. It really is a pretty fun little gun.