Umarex co2 replicas; which is the best?

[evert]

As in the title, which of the Umarex Co2 pellet firing replicas is best?
I'm thinking of the guns like the CP88, CP99, Beretta 92, 1911, S&W 586 etc? (BB guns excluded)

[gingernut]

1 Smith
2 CP88
3 Beretta
4 Colt
5 CP 99

[sutton]

I would say the S&W 586. Nice trigger, adjustable sights and the ability to swap barrel lengths.

[Josie & John]

Not an easy one, as I guess most answers will be subjective. Here's my take.

I bought a CP88 within days of them coming off ticket and soon followed up with a 1911 and Beretta 92FS. I've also shot the SIG and S&W at the club range.

I enjoyed some competition success with the CP88 at club shoots, particularly as I was able to source a fully adjustable rearsight back in the day. I know others will disagree but the CP88 lacked character to me and I saw it as more of a tool than a favourite arm, despite its good performance down range.

The Beretta 92FS was wrecked when I had it converted to .20 cal and I sold the 1911 as I could not get on with the grip safety.

I did not like the grips on the S&W, as there is no beavertail style projection for the web of the hand. I know this is the same on the firearm but I like my hand to be secure and not move when I'm firing multiple shots.

I liked the de-cocker on the SIG but never owned one of these pistols. A club mate loved his and shot very well with it, as I recall.

Having sold my clones when I stopped competing, I ended up buying a new Beretta 92FS last year as I am a fan of the design and today's variants have a more subdued finish that looks more like blue than gloss paint.

I also bought a new 1911 as I like those too. The grips are a little wider than a cartridge firing 1911 but other than that, the clone is reasonably accurate.

That said, my own personable favourite remains the Beretta - a solid heavy design with a 5 inch barrel. My example shoots accurately and consistently, whilst resembling a favourite firearm in terms of looks.

Kind regards,

John M

[evert]

Thanks everyone!
I have the 586, intended as a trainer for live firing DA revolver shooting (They are legal here), but the trigger on the Umarex is a bit of a disappointment.
The old Daisy 44 is actually better, but still not good enough.

[SkullSeeker]

As in the title, which of the Umarex Co2 pellet firing replicas is best?
I'm thinking of the guns like the CP88, CP99, Beretta 92, 1911, S&W 586 etc? (BB guns excluded)

Why are you limiting yourself to just Umarex ? What's the matter with ASG or Gletcher ?

My list would be (out of Umarex, ASG or Gletcher guns).....

#1 - ASG Dan Wesson 715 6" version
#2 - Umarex Colt Python, the metal version (you can use Colt SAA pellet shells in it)
#3 - ASG Schofield or the Crosman Cowboy (can't decide between them)
#4 - Webley mkVI in the battlefield finish
#5 - Umarex Colt SAA 5½" barrelled version

Honourable mention - This goes to the Gletcher Nagant revolver, a stunning little 7 shot revolver.

Yeah, they're all revolvers ! Nothing wrong with a revolver, lol

[evert]

Why are you limiting yourself to just Umarex?

Because the CP88 come up for sale at a good price once in a while, and I need to know why I shouldnt buy one
But serioulsly, what I have seen of the ASG stuff has not been very promising. Tried an ASG CZ75 bb gun some years back, and found it very inaccurate.

The Baikal Makarov looks interesting, but they are not that common second hand.

[Josie & John]

The Baikal Makarov looks interesting, but they are not that common second hand.

Now that is one of my favourites. Most of mine were bought used and only 4 out of 11 were sourced brand new. All are boxed or cased, so they are out there. I think an early one sold through the Sales section recently and several through Crawfords' Gunst*r ads. I also bought a very nice one through I-HVnter over the last week, which has turned out to be the most accurate Mak I have ever owned. I've seen several for sale at Kempton fairs in the past and being as the next fair is on Sunday 19 July, it may be worth attending if your're after one.

The Mak is not as accurate as a Umarex but is solidly made to the same standard as Russian built firearms. The pistols can also be upgraded and there are many after market accessories available such as holsters, silencers, barrel extensions, grips, etc. They are also easy to service/repair due to their robust nature.

Kind regards,

John

[arjimlad]

I too bought CP88 when they first became legal. It was a great little pistol, I bought a rail for it & with a Webley Speedpoint red dot I could hit the 45mm disc at the bottom of the garden range (10yds) most times. I used to blat polo mints with it.

I then had a S&W 586 3-barrel set which was fantastic too. I've moved away from CO2 now, just good old air now, but I do miss the rapid-fire thing. Almost hankering for another go at CO2.. but is there an air-powered alternative yet ?

[Mark D]

Years back when I used to shoot combatively on the IPAS stage a CP88 was a good tool for the job.
One of the fastest and most accurate lads was a lefty called Andy and he used a CP88 to great effect. The triggers can be tuned and so can the action to get a bit more fps out of them. A number of guys specialised in working on Umarex pistols and it became a real cottage industry.

Find a nice early example in gloss blue or the nickel with wood grips and you will love it.

There were some ltd edition PPC1500 models about which add some interest

[gingernut]

I used a CP 88 on steel plates.
Usually won.

My mate Baz took 1.50 seconds off me with his Baikal 651K

Sulk

[evert]

Years back when I used to shoot combatively on the IPAS stage a CP88 was a good tool for the job.
One of the fastest and most accurate lads was a lefty called Andy and he used a CP88 to great effect. The triggers can be tuned and so can the action to get a bit more fps out of them. A number of guys specialised in working on Umarex pistols and it became a real cottage industry.

Find a nice early example in gloss blue or the nickel with wood grips and you will love it.

There were some ltd edition PPC1500 models about which add some interest

Now this starts to sound interesting!
Any info on the trigger tuning?
And is there any difference between the Beretta 92 and CP88 in how good the trigger can get??

[Mark D]

Trigger tuning was mainly de burr and polish/lube on the transfer bar and the linkages plus the index bar. Cant remember if there are many differences between the 92 and 88. Never saw anyone shoot one competitively in comps as they sit too high in the hand. There is a lot (or there was ) of info on the CP88 and Colt 1911 over on UBC by a lad called Geoff.

[gingernut]

Triggers on Umarexs have to rotate the mag so I doubt they can be made wonderful

[Josie & John]

I'd be wary of tuners - I sent a new Beretta 92FS to be converted to .20 cal back in the day and it came back ruined. For an advertised increase in muzzle energy, the power and consistency both decreased dramatically.

John