Friday, February 25, 2011

Review of the New APS Catapult Sights

You know - I saw these a while back and thought they were pretty cool looking. Now that I've got them on my KWA SR-10, I can say I'm glad I bought them.

You can get these guys at Evike.com for $30 (for both front and rear rights) - here's the link: http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?products_id=31762

Now let's take a look at these guys up close and personal.

First off, they are made of a nice metal. I don't know exactly what it is, but it's solid and the finish is quite nice as well. Secondly, they are QD sights so with a twist of the knob, they are off.

The rear sight (seen below here) is kind of like a "peep" sight you would find on a PDW or a SCAR. In general, I was not a huge fan of these, but after reviewing the WE PDW and now seeing these guys, I don't mind them.

The rear sight folds down completely (as is shown here) and then pops up as well. The knob on the right-hand side of the rear sight allows you to adjust it as needed for windage. Unfortunately, they are not really 'fully adjustable', but they will do the job for most airsofters I think.


Here you can see the front sight. This one can pop up to two different settings, meaning it can be totally down, part way up, and then completely up.

Here's a shot of them on my KWA SR-10.

And looking down the barrel.

I like these guys. They certainly are one of the most unique sights out there, and for only $30 a set, it's a pretty great deal.

Rear sight flipped up...

and flipped down.


OVERALL:
Looks - 9. Very unique and just over a great addition to an AEG.
Build - 8 - solid metal construction, the fact that they are QD is nice as well.
Function - 7 - a little disappointing that they are just partially adjustable, but they'll do the job I think.

Keep on firin',
Carp

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Face Protection Reviews sponsored by Evike

Hey CQB Radio fans,

I thought we'd try something a little different and start with some written reviews here on the website. First off, thanks to Evike for their support of these CQB Radio Reviews.

Now, let's get into the review. First up is the Koei Tactical Airsoft Face mask.

Here's where you can find it at Evike: http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_154&products_id=33302

Ok, so what can I tell you about this mask. First off, it's pretty inexpensive at only $15.00. Secondly, it's light-weight. Thirdly, I like it. This mask has that totally expressionless look - it's like someone sees you in the woods as you approach and that person just starts to whimper.

To put it on, you slide the elastic band around the back of your head. When I put it on, I found it stayed in place very nicely and do note that the elastic is adjustable. This picture below show me with ESS goggles on, and these ones have that extra Cortex clip for extra nose coverage. If you can't tell by now, you NEED EYE PROTECTION - this mask has open holes for your eyes so you need goggles to go on top of the mask.

The mask is made of a super light-weight polycarbonate and it fit my face very comfortably. The nose holes do allow you to breathe out easily, and there is a little space in the mouth to exhale as well. Needless to say, since it's plastic and covering your entire face, you will get a little warm, but that's the price you pay for keeping safe.

You can also see in the pictures that this guy will not protect a small part of your jawline and also your neck and ears. That's true for some other face masks, but keep that in mind.


"Hello noob. I am here to eliminate you from this op."

Now this mask can take a hit of over 500 FPS up pretty close (up to 650 FPS at a normal range ~100 feet +/-). Bottom-line is that it will keep your face safe when properly combined with goggles and something to cover your neck/ears.


Ok so overall for looks - 10. I think this guy looks so intimidating - just a blank stare.
For build, I'll give this guy an 8 - the elastic seems solid enough but could be a little stronger, and I'd love to see an eye-safety insert as well, but that would jack up the price. For function - 9. If you put it on properly and combine it with other safety equipment, you'll be very happy with this mask. It's the Koei mask from Evike and here's the link again: http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_154&products_id=33302

Next up is the Matrix Skull Iron Face lower-half mask. Here's the link to it: http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_154&products_id=33193

Here's the packaging:

Ok, so again - you NEED goggles with this bad-boy - I hope that's pretty obvious to everyone because if it's not, you're going to need more than just a mask to protect you in life.

When I tried this on and showed my wife, she was like, "That's creepy - take it off." That's when I knew that it was a good airsoft mask. I mean let's be honest - part of what we love about airsoft is looking the part and looking like we mean business. This mask helps communicate that.

Here you can see me with the skull lower-face mask and my ESS goggles with Cortex clip as well.
Overall, from the front = total protection. The mask is lightweight and has an adjustable elastic strap to put it on.

Here you will see, like the koei mask above, that your neck and the back side of your face are not protected, so you'll need something additional to keep that part of your head safe.

One thing they could have made a little bigger are the nose holes. They kept them small for safety (so BBs don't slip through), but they do make it more likely to fog up goggles. If you have a fan in your goggles you'll be good to go.

This mask can take full-on hit at high FPS. It's a little soft so it will also absorb the BBs velocity without breaking the mask.

If you look here, you can see that without the Cortex clip on my goggles, there is a space that a BB could slip through in the front. You can force the goggles to be snug to the mask but I found that they would move. That may just be the shape of my mug, because I've seen other pics that show them pretty snug. To make them stay that way, you can also wear the mask up a little higher on your face.

Overall, a nice option for lower-face protection.

For looks, I'll give this guy a 9 - scary, intimidating. For function, a 7. The space between the goggles and mask concern me a bit but as I mentioned that might just be me. They will keep you safe though. And for build - 9 - very solid and the elastic if strong and adjustable. This is the Matrix Skull Iron Face lower-half mask and here's the link to it: http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_154&products_id=33193.

Hope you enjoyed these reviews.

Keep on firin',
Carp

Thursday, February 3, 2011

CQB Radio: Episode 23 - Shot Show and More

One of the first drafts of a CQB Radio logo (made by Ox).


CQB Radio: Episode 23 is out. You can find it on iTunes or at http://www.cqbradio.libsyn.com/
EMAIL: CQBRadio@gmail.com
WEBSITE: Your are on it
WE ARE ON: Skype, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter

CQB Radio: Episode 23 - Shot Show and More
- Introduction and Welcome
- Word On The Street: Airsoft ops in New England
- Assessment: Echo 1 M28, TSD SD97 and 98, WE PDW, and G&G GR16 with blowback
- Tricks of the Trade: Booligan's report from Shot Show 2011
- Loadout: Condor plate carrier and lipo batteries
- Retailer Review: LA Police Gear
- Just In: Latest Airsoft items on the market
- Closing

Thanks for your vote - CQB Radio won "Best Airsoft Podcast" from Popular Airsoft.

Congrats to Travis Skillin - he's been picked to win the H&K G36C from Ares. Travis, you've got 72 hours to get in touch with me to claim your prizes.


WORD ON THE STREET

Check out GMSOG for their season passes (http://www.gmsog.net/)

At RPC, check out The Battle of Stalingrad (http://www.rpcairsoft.com/).

The Ultimate Battleground in Mass. has ops coming up (http://www.theultimatebattleground.webs.com/)

The Citadel (http://www.citadelairsoft/) has CQB training coming up soon.

ASSESSMENT

First up is the Echo 1 M28 Counter Sniper rifle from Pyramyd Air. Amazing deal - click on the link to check out more info on this amazing airsoft gun: http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Echo_1_M28_Airsoft_Sniper_Rifle/2374?utm_source=CQB&utm_medium=Site&utm_campaign=M28


Here you can see the nice fluted outer barrel.



And the VERY nice Harris-style bipod that's included with the rifle.



Your bolt, chamber, and rail for optics.



And your stock - adjustable and, just like the rest of the gun, made with a super solid polymer. This is my FAVORITE sniper rifle that I've ever reviewed.


Second up was the TSD SD97 from Airsoft Station.

Here's the box.

Info on the TSD box.

Here's the gun before it's all put together.

The SD97 put all together.

Rails included.


The crazy cool stock.

JBU scope from TSD - nice deal.

TSD SD 97

Airsoft station carries all kinds of BBS - TSD .23-.28s and even King Arms .43s





Next the TSD SD98 from Airsoft Station.

Here's what the box tells you about the SD98.

What you get.

The nice JBU 3-9x40 scope.


Here she is.

LE stock.

Rails for optics.

Bolt and safety.

This guys ready to take a bipod.

A nice sniper rilfe from TSD.


Next up, the WE PDW. Click on this link for more info:
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/WE_PDW_Compact_Gas_Blowback_Metal_Rifle_Tan/2305


Ready to be unboxed.

Here is the WE PDW - ready to go.

The PDW mag - very cool, very unique.


The PDW comes with flip-up sights.

Dimpled outer barrel and a Knight Arm.-style flash hider.

Comfortable pistol grip.

The PDW with stock folded.

Last up in Assessment was the G&G GR16 with blowback - here's the link:
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/G_and_G_GR16_Carbine_Blowback_AEG_Desert_Tan/2274


A description of the blowback system.

What you get with the gun.

Nice BBs from G&G included.

Here's the G&G GR16.

G&G logo.

The interesting flash hider.

Nice, solid seal on the pistol grip.

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

We talked in TOTT with Booligan from Airsoft Retreat about his experience at Shot Show 2011.

LOADOUT

The Condor Plate carrier from Airsplat - a great piece of gear (www.airsplat.com).

The back of the plate carrier.

Drag handle.

Inside the back - padded for comfort and air flow.

And it's adjustable.

Then we talked about lipo batteries from Airsoft Fix (www.airsoftfix.com)


RETAILER REVIEW

In our review here we talked about LAPolicegear.com


JUST IN

Eric told us about a lot of new items during Just In.

The Echo 1 M240B is now available.

Airsoft Extreme (www.airsoftextreme.com) has too many new items to list - check out their site.

Evike has new BDUs available.

And that's all.

Keep on firin',
Carp