I realize that electric pistols aren't too popular yet, but I decided to get one as a sidearm. And when I heard of this one with blowback, I figured I'd check it out, especially since it's dirt cheap. After a few days of having it, firing randomly inside my room, I think I'm ready to write a review for it.
Realism:The CM.018A2 is supposedly a copy of the real steel pistol, the
Desert Eagle. Nowhere on the box do they say that, but if you know anything about real world guns you'll figure it out from the looks. As a Desert Eagle replica, it's not very impressive. It really lacks in realism. There are no realistic markings (not even the words "Desert Eagle" etched into the slide or anything). The weapon feels light and most of the weight is understandably at the grip of the gun. But since it's cheap, I don't really care about that. o_o
The movable parts from the real gun aren't movable here except for the trigger. There is no working safety switch or any of the other adjustments. Even the way the slide moves is different. But that's understandable, since moving the entire slide may be harder to do. That's probably their reason (I hope).
To fire the weapon, you have to press a little safety button just below the trigger guard, which feels natural when you're gripping the gun. This works as its safety feature. With the button depressed, you can fire the weapon normally, but when it's released, the trigger just makes a clicking sound. This is unrealistic, but I guess they had no space inside the weapon to place a better or more realistic safety switch.
The cocking mechanism is a nice touch, though useless and merely for looks. I appreciate adding it though. Makes more sense than those fixed hammer pistols like a lot of other pistols. Though I wish it made a better clicking sound, and were more difficult to cock back, just like the real gun.
Performance:Supposedly 180-200 FPS out of the box, which isn't bad, and is pretty much the standard for spring pistols. Just make sure not to use .20 BBs like I first did (out of habit). The BBs that come with the gun are fine (they're .12s) and it's easy to find more .12s, which are also dirt cheap. With .12s, the gun performs quite nicely and has a respectable range and accuracy. My pistol seems to fire straight for about 6-10 feet then the BBs drop suddenly. This may sound bad, but take note that this is a sidearm and is used for very close quarter situations. This is especially useful for people like me, who use long rifles (I use an M14) as a main weapon.
The magazine, a unique, curved magazine, can hold 15 rounds. It's difficult to load BBs into them, but no harder than regular springer pistols. If you can somehow get your hands on more mags, though, they'd be very easy to carry around since they're light, small and thin. You can easily carry 5 extra magazines in one of your pockets and it wouldn't encumber you at all.
Supposedly you can mod it to fire in full auto, and I can see how, but I have no intention of using it that way. Pistols are meant to be fired in semi-auto, and 15 rounds goes down too quickly in full auto.
It also runs on 4 AAA batteries (included) rather than those thin stick batteries used by other AEPs. This can be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. Good thing because it's easier to find AAA batteries, and they're really cheap, even the high quality rechargeable ones. Bad thing because if you somehow need to change your batteries during a game, you'd have to carry 4 rather than just one more stick. At least the batteries last very long if you fire in semi-auto like you should, and they charge quickly with the supplied charger.
Finally, it also comes with a removeable lower railing for using tactical lights or laser dots. It comes with a low powered blue LED light, which uses 4 button batteries. I don't recommend using it unless you're trying to make yourself an easy target in the dark. If you ask me, you don't really need to attach anything, though a tac light may be useful in some situations if used smartly.
Inside:Dismantling the gun is easy. Needs a small Phillips screwdriver (included) and some knowhow. I didn't bother opening the internals, since I'm no expert and I might not be able to put it back again, but I did get to see how they did the blowback. It's pretty neat.
I did notice however that the internal barrel is very short. It stops about 5 cm or so before the end of the gun. A longer barrel may have helped its accuracy a bit, though it may also require a tougher spring to make it work.
Pros:-
CHEAP! Very important to me.
- Lightweight
- Blowback; adds realistic feel to firing
- Uses AAA batteries
- Comes with lower railing (for laser dots or tactical lights)
- Comes with many things you need for the gun (cleaning rod, screwdriver, charger, BBs, and cheap eyewear)
Cons:- Special parts make it difficult to upgrade
- Special magazine means you have to find more of the same to carry spares
- Unrealistic exterior/finish
- Unrealistic slide movement
- Unrealistic weapon functions (custom safety feature, etc.)
- Cocking mechanism feels weak
- Plastic: potentially easily broken
- Cheap eyewear: do not use in games!
All In All:Don't let the balance of Pros and Cons fool you! This is a good weapon for its price. More importantly, it's a good alternative to springer pistols as a sidearm, since you can fire in semi-auto, and an alternative to small SMGs like the MP5K or the P90 since it's smaller and easier to maneuver. And since it's not gas, you don't have to worry about some game sites not allowing it. And blowback is a nice touch.
I like this weapon, and I'm thinking of getting the other CYMA electric pistols. Maybe dual electric pistols would make a badass.
Rating: 7.2/10Pictures/video to follow.
