Wingun Nagant M1895 CO2 Revolver Review by Booligan
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Table of Contents:
Introduction
Ordering
Basic Gun Information
First impressions/Packaging
Included
Gun Specifications
Externals
Trademarks
Magazines
Performance
Internals
Modifications
Pros/Cons
Overall
Introduction:
Soviet era handguns are a bit of a rare commodity in the airsoft market, so when a company comes out with something previously unseen, such as this Nagant M1895 revolver, it's a cause for glorious celebration! This Wingun revolver follows their standard formula of high velocity, CO2 powered, full metal construction, but with the same funky design decisions such as a total lack of a hop-up. I'll be going over this thing inside and out, so keep reading for all the info on this unique pistol!
Ordering:
I obtained the Nagant revolver through Airsplat, who has it available HERE, priced at $123.99 at the time of this review. That price more than qualifies it for Airsplat's free shipping deal for orders over $89. I've seen the gun available in black and in a polished finish, but I think Airsplat only has it available in black right now. I want to extend a huge thanks to Airsplat for their continued review support both for Airsoft Retreat and Booligan Airsoft!
Basic Gun Information:
As mentioned before, the Wingun Nagant M1895 is a full metal, CO2 powered double action revolver. It's a pretty damn faithful replica of the real M1895, at least cosmetically, making it a great option for a range of reenactors, or anyone looking for a sidearm that's different than other guns on the market. Unfortunately, it's not the best skirmish piece for reasons that I'll go through in the performance section, but for collectors, reenactors, or fans of Soviet era guns, this thing will certainly fill their needs very well!
First impressions/Packaging:
I was surprised to see that the M1895 came in a black plastic hard case instead of the normal cardboard box that most guns come packaged in. The hard case has foam inner lining, making it a fantastic option for storing the gun long term. When I first pulled the gun out of the plastic case, I was very happy to feel that it had some heft to it, while still keeping a decent weight balance. It was surprisingly comfortable, despite its narrow grip design.
Click on the individual thumbnails to see the full size photos
Carrying case
Included:
Wingun includes, well, nothing extra with the M1895. The package includes the gun, 7 shells, and nothing else. You'll need to supply your own 12g CO2 capsules and BBs before you can use the gun.
Gun Specifications:
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Length: 9.5"
Width: 1.5"
Height: 5.5"
Sight Radius: 6.25"
Externals:
As mentioned before, the Nagant revolver is a full metal replica, as everything that would be metal on the real gun is metal on this replica. The only part of the gun that isn't metal are the grip panels which have a brown, faux wood finish. The rest of the gun has a dark, metallic, almost gray colored finish applied to it. I would prefer a glossier finish, like the real gun, but I suppose that's what custom modifications are for!
Overview, right side
Overview, left side
The pistol grip is thin and slightly oval shaped, but the angle and textured grip panels make it surprisingly comfortable to hold. The left side grip panel pops off to access the CO2 compartment, and needs a healthy push to lock back in place. There is a small lanyard loop on the bottom of the grip which is used to tighten the 12g CO2 capsule inside the gun.
Pistol grip
CO2 capsule compartment
The frame acts as the backbone for the whole revolver, and it does a damn good job keeping everything secure and wobble-free. There are no markings, however, the right side of the frame has a few screw holes that look kind of tacky. Also, the hardware used in some places isn't period correct (hex screws vs. flat head screws), but that can be rectified if you are really bothered by it.
Frame, left side
Frame, right side
The cylinder is very well machined and, like the real gun, is loaded via a swing down Abadie gate located on the right side. It's very slow to load, but so was the real gun, so it is what it is.The cylinder rotates clockwise (as viewed from the rear of the gun) when you fire it, and it can be rotated by hand as needed.
Cylinder
Abadie gate opened for loading
The M1895 is a double action design, allowing you to fire it just by pulling the trigger, or by cocking the hammer back before firing for a lighter trigger pull. You can also de-cock the gun if you want by slowly lowering the hammer back into the frame. Trigger pull in double action mode is long and heavy, a few pounds at least, but in single action firing mode, you only need to pull it back a few mm with very little required weight to fire the gun.
Hammer
Hammer pulled back, note the shortened trigger pull
Double action trigger resting point
Single action resting point
The outer barrel is made of metal and is fitted with a plastic orange plug for federal requirements. There are no inner threads in the muzzle, but I was able to cut some using a WE threaded insert. I'll talk about why I did this in the "Modifications" section.
Outer barrel
Aiming the Nagant is easily done using the VERY simple blade and groove style iron sights. They are entirely non-adjustable, as the rear is molded into the frame and the front is molded onto the outer barrel. They're not exactly the most tactical design, but they're pretty quick to acquire in high lighting conditions.
Rear sight
Front sight
Trademarks:
There are no trademarks to be found on the M1895, however, there is a small serial number located on the right side of the frame. I'm not sure if the serial number is unique, but it looks like it might be. The left side of the frame is totally free from any markings, making it ripe and ready for your own custom engraved manufacturing cartouches.
Magazines:
There are no magazines to speak of with the M1895, instead, it holds 7 brass shells, each holding one BB. Reloading it the traditional way is a time consuming process, requiring you to flip down the Abadie gate, let the shell fall free, and then manually rotate the cylinder, allowing each cylinder to fall out. The BBs are inserted into the front of each shell, meaning that you can load them without ever removing the shells from the gun, which is my preferred loading method with this revolver.
The included shells
Individual shell
BB gets put here
Plastic base allows for better airseal
Performance:
Performance after a 100 round break-in, using Crosman 12g CO2 capsules and Airsplat .20g ammo is as follows:
High FPS: 420.6 FPS
Low FPS: 408.9 FPS
Average FPS: 415.1
Range and accuracy are, sadly, disappointing, but to be expected given that this gun has no hop-up at all. Its velocity is consistent, so you can certainly predict when it'll start falling to try and arc your shots for the best range, but don't plan on hitting anything past 80-90' or so. It's kind of a paradox with this gun, as the gun shoots too hot to engage closer than 75' or so, but it's not accurate enough to hit anything past that distance.
My next test is going to be using one of PPS' reusable gas capsules which resemble CO2 capsules in form and function, but you can fill them with whatever gas you want. Using the PPS capsule filled with propane/green gas, it SHOULD shoot at a low enough velocity to be usable in CQB. I'll update this review once I can test it out.
Gas efficiency is great, as with most CO2 revolvers that I've reviewed. I'm clocking about 100 rounds per 12g CO2 capsule, on par with the last Wingun revolver I reviewed.
Internals:
Like most CO2 revolvers, this gun has extremely simple internals and shouldn't ever require much, if any internal maintenance. There's not even a swing-out cylinder to keep lubricated, and since CO2 is a "dry" gas, you don't need to internally lubricate it like other pistols. Just keep the gun clean and it should pretty much last forever. The valve knocker is located just in front of the hammer and is actually hit by the hammer itself, firing the gun.
Modifications:
One of the coolest things about the real Nagant M1895 revolver is the ability to fit a suppressor on it, due to the ammunition it fires, in addition to the moving cylinder, which seals up with the barrel with every shot. I used a WE barrel insert to attach a 14mm- threaded muzzle adapter, allowing me to fit a mock silencer. Frankly, I think it looks awesome!
Fitted with mock silencer, looking good
Threaded insert allows for easy installation of the can
Pros:
Pretty much the only M1895 replica
Full metal construction
Realistic loading/unloading procedure
Double action allows you to essentially fire it semi-automatically
Reliable firing system is basically maintenance free
With a little work, you can fit a can, a feature shared with the real gun
Cons:
No hop-up at all, limits usable range
Shoots too hot to safely be used within its accurate range
Screw holes on the right side of receiver look a little tacky
Slow loading procedure
Overall:
My love of Soviet weaponry sometimes trumps my common sense and love of practicality, and unfortunately, this revolver isn't particularly practical for a skirmish piece. It's beautiful, accurately resembles the real gun, and is incredibly unique, but due to its high velocity and low range, its not terribly useful on the field. With a lower velocity, this gun would be a VERY useful close range sidearm, and I think that the PPS capsule adapter will do that job very nicely. For now, running on a 12g CO2 capsule, it shoots just too hot, and the lack of hop-up make it too inaccurate at safe ranges. That being said, I love the design, construction, and overall look and feel of the M1895, I just wish it was a little more skirmishable.
Many thanks again to Airsplat, and of course, Airsoft Retreat!
