Umarex's Colt 1911 Air Pistol

Everyone who has been born since the last century, and who has even a passing interest in firearms, will recognize the Colt 1911 pistol. It is a classic that has been copied so many times that I'm not sure there is an accurate count as to the number of variations on this gun. And if you enjoy shooting airguns, you now have a very good copy that is powered by CO2 that allows you to practice inside the house or in your yard with a realistic copy of the firearm version.

Umarex has been putting out quite a few firearm copies lately, and they serve a purpose for the shooting enthusiast. Just imagine, in the dead of winter, with snow on the ground, you can practice your drawing and shooting disciplines with a very close copy of the firearm this gun copies from the comfort of your own home.

With an 8-shot revolver-style magazine, the Model 1911 will copy the shot count of the original firearm. All the safety and magazine buttons are present, though they do different things. The slide release on the CO2 gun actually opens the slide for the magazine to be released. The magazine release pops off the right-side pistol grip, allowing one to insert a new CO2 cartridge.

In the kit that I received to review, there was a mock suppressor included, as well as a Walther reddot sight. Batteries are included for the sight, and the mock suppressor screws on like a real one, giving a military/special forces look to the ensemble.



The velocity readings on the gun I tested were in the mid 300's, though the manual states that pellets will approach the low 400's. With lighter pellets and a warmer day, I see no reason to disbelieve this claim. I was shooting outside in cooler weather with mid-weight .177 caliber pellets.

The reddot sight was useful. I prefer open sights on pistols, but this one came installed, and it worked just fine. This gun isn't meant for target shooting, but for quick plinking and practice. Accuracy is reasonable for such activities, but I wouldn't use the gun for anything but practice. It is a little low in power for pest control and small game hunting, so refrain from using it for those purposes.



So all you Colt 1911 fans out there....here's a good copy you can shoot indoors with minimal fuss to stay in good shooting condition for the competition season, or for practicing self-defense scenarios. And for the rest of us....well, it's just plain fun to shoot!