Page 94 - ODUNovAndDec2018

and is sometimes difficult to get lined up properly once the cartridge is inserted.

While on the subject of the magazine, it will hold 15 rounds, which is the
second problem. They are somewhat difficult to load, in that the follower
has to be held down to about halfway of the magazine to have access to the
loading port. A strong thumbnail is a must for this task, as the follower will
not lock down as with Umarex’s stick magazine found in other models.

Having a spare magazine would be nice, but this means that both have to
have a C02 cartridge loaded.

I’ve used five brands of BBs in this gun but recommend two - the Hornady
Black Diamond and Umarex Steel. Both of these performed about equal,
with a very slight edge going to the Black Diamond.

Velocity is in the 300-fps range. With that I would recommend not planning
on a lot of center shots past 10 yards, although I did get a few in the center
at 15 yards. The best range is the 5 to 7-yard line, but I prefer the 7 and 10.
Of course if you are just plinking then center shots aren’t that important.

In regard to the operation of this model it is great. You slide the full-size
magazine in place, which has a normal release button, and load the first

round by pulling back the all-metal slide as with the real pistol. It even has a
teardown release where the slide can be removed, and slide lock back as in
the actual S&W M&P40. Even the blowback is harder than many airguns,
and stays open after the final round is fired, as with the real one. This even
adds a bit of a recoil.

A drawback to the realistic blowback is that the C02 is used up quickly. Only about 3 to perhaps 4 full
magazines can be fired on a single cartridge, and by the last one shot are pretty weak and falling low on
the target.

As for the C02 cartridge, I recommend the Umarex High-Grade, and using a drop of RWS oil on the tip of
the cartridge. This drop of
pellet oil does two things –

provides a better seal and
lubricates the barrel and
chamber area when fired.

The overall weight of the
gun definitely adds to the
realism, as does the three-

dot sight system (rear fixed,
front adjustable for
windage). At this point it
should be noted that I did
not have to adjust the sight
for windage but did
have to learn where to place