Colt Special Combat is one of the most popular models of air pistols

Umarex Colt Special Combat Air Pistol Review

The Colt Special Combat from Umarex is considered one of the most popular models of air pistols. Everyone dreams of such a weapon, the highest quality of which cannot be overestimated, regardless of their experience in the field of shooting.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the general characteristics, the following advantages of the Colt Special Combat can be highlighted:

• Durability of the structure (the model is made of metal).
• Balanced weight.
• Attractive design.
• Adjustable sighting device.
• The full-size magazine (drop-down, metal) is equipped with a compartment for balls and a gas cartridge.

Disadvantages of weapons include:

• When shooting with self-cocking, you have to put in more effort.
• The linings on the handle are plastic, not wooden, which distinguishes this model from the combat prototype.
• Blowback (the function of moving the shutter during shooting) is missing. However, the bolt does not move during shooting.
• When installing an optical sight, the weight of the pistol increases, which is not very convenient for beginners.

Photo of the Umarex Colt Special Combat air pistol

Purpose

The Colt Special Combat air pistol is used for recreational shooting as well as for sports skill training. In order to increase the rate of fire and have maximum fun, many shooters purchase an additional magazine and use two magazines at the same time.

In addition, this classic model will be an excellent anniversary gift for a real man.

Umarex Colt Defender Air Pistol Review

The Umarex Colt Defender model is produced by a German company that has been on the market for quite a long time. A characteristic feature of this brand of air gun is its high similarity to the original pistol. That is why the company's products are very popular. It should also be noted that the Umarex company is also engaged in the production and sale of combat accessories for air guns, ammunition, and optical devices.

Advantages and disadvantages

The gas-type pneumatic gun is distinguished by high build quality and ergonomic design. The weapon magazine holds sixteen shells at a time, so there is no need to reload too often. The initial bullet speed can reach 135 m/s, which is a fairly high result for a weapon of this type.

The compact structure of the weapon and the relatively low weight of the pistol ensure maximum ease of transportation.

The body of the product is made of a high-strength metal alloy, so the gun is resistant to direct mechanical impact. With economical consumption of compressed gas, this model of pneumatic weapon is characterized by good accuracy.

During operation, many users have questions regarding the quality of the fuse switch located on the right side of the case. The holes for fastening the screws are not made very well, so the case may become loose during intensive use. Some amateur shooters noticed the lack of a drop-down magazine. This element could make the shooting process as convenient as possible.

Another problematic point is that the cartridge case ejection window is sealed with plain foil. It would be most expedient if a metal plate were used instead of this material.

Advantages of the Umarex Colt Defender air pistol:

• ergonomic design;
• high build quality;
• high initial bullet speed (up to 135 m/s);
• minimum weight (760 grams);
• durable metal case.

Disadvantages of the model:

• no drop-down magazine;
• poor design of the fuse switch;
• low quality of fastenings for screws.

Photo of the Umarex Colt Defender air pistol

Purpose

To expand the scope of use of such weapons, the pistol must undergo a modernization procedure. The Umarex Colt Defender out of the box can be used for sporting and recreational shooting. Some hobbyists use this gun for plinking.

Specifications

Shooting from such a pistol is carried out with steel explosive balls, which are fed from a sixteen-round magazine. You should pay attention to the design features of this element - the magazine is built into the handle. This design eliminates the possibility of its loss, but makes the operation process not entirely practical.

The body of the weapon is made of a high-strength metal alloy. Plastic with original corrugation was used to make the handle. This design prevents the hand from slipping during a shot.

The bolt stop lever, safety and trigger are completely copied from the original model of the weapon. The pistol barrel is made of smooth weapon steel. When fired, it moves forward and then returns back.

The double-action trigger mechanism allows self-cocking firing. A smooth and long trigger guarantees maximum shot accuracy.

Technical characteristics of the Umarex Colt Defender air rifle:

Modifications

Colt Special Combat has two versions: classic (Classic) and a model with an optical sight (Xtreme). Both pistols are made entirely of metal alloy (except for the grips) and are of high quality. Elements of the weapon such as the slide stop lever, safety, hammer and full-size drop-down magazine are functional.

The pistols are equipped with movable bolts. The Blowback function is absent in both models - the movable bolt only simulates a shot from a military weapon for the initial cocking of the hammer.

The sighting device on the Umarex Colt Special Combat Xtreme model is protected by special plugs on both sides. The optical sight is adjustable and requires some skill to use, so it will be difficult for beginners to get used to it. The weapon is equipped with a “weaver” rail, on which you can attach a tactical flashlight, laser pointer and other equipment.

Photo of the Colt Special Combat Xtreme air pistol

Among other things, the models differ in the color of the handle and the bolt (in the classic version it is made “like wood”, and with an optical sight it is black). Shutter: in the first case, the bolt is chrome-plated, and in the second it has the appearance of blued metal.

Differences from the combat prototype are plastic linings on the handles, a trigger (in the analogue model it is flat), a safety lever on the back of the handle (in the combat version, the shot is fired only when the hand and handle are in close contact, and in these models there is only an imitation - a plastic influx ).

Specifications

Technical characteristics of the Colt Special Combat air pistol:

Description

Pneumatics are supplied to Russia in a gray-brown version, a metal body with plastic lining on the handle. They are the only difference from the Colt of the First World War. Otherwise, the Gletcher clt 1911 air pistol is a complete simulation of the original. There are no strips, external mounting screws, or inscriptions on the case. The Blowback function is a delay of the barrel when firing, simulating the recoil of a military weapon.

Pneumatics are intended for game target shooting and historical reconstructions of military operations. Not applicable for sport shooting.

Design

The main parts of the weapon are made of metal. According to the principle of operation, the Glacier Colt 1911 is a semi-automatic air pistol. The removable 12 gram CO2 cartridge is completely recessed into the handle and secured with a hexagon. Single action trigger mechanism. The sight is classic - made of a rear sight and a front sight.

The full-size magazine holds 19 shots. The chamber is loaded from the rearmost position, the balls have to be poured under the spring. When installing the cylinder, you need to tighten it tightly with a hexagon. The pistol is equipped with two safeties. The first is non-automatic, flag-operated, traditionally located on the bolt frame, the second is hand-operated. It holds back the shot until the handle is tightly clamped, even in the position where the first safety is off. When the magazine is empty, the pistol is set to the slide stop.

Peculiarities

Pneumatics differ from military weapons in several elements:

• The trigger length of the Glacier 1911 is shorter than that of the Colt 1911. This is done for ease of shooting.
• The front of the trigger has a notch for a finger hook.
• The safety lever in the protrusion area is enlarged for ease of cocking.
• The rear sight groove on the sight is thicker, the front sight is slightly wider than that of a combat pistol.
• An additional fuse is installed on the pneumatic gun, reducing the risk of an accidental shot.

Performance characteristics

Due to the metal parts, the weight of the pistol is decent - 900 grams. Length – 220 mm. Beginners do not immediately get used to weapons. The bolt is movable, the barrel is unrifled, smooth, and accuracy decreases with increasing distance. The weapon is designed for short distances. The shot power is average for an air gun.

Ballistic characteristics:

• caliber 1.77, corresponds to 4.5 mm;
• chamber capacity – 19 charges (metal balls coated with an anti-corrosion compound);
• maximum muzzle energy – 3 J;
• average charge speed –110 m/s.

The pneumatic type is gas, the ball is driven by a stream of carbon dioxide. The canister is designed for 60 shots.

Device

The body of the air pistol is made of metal, which indicates significant weight (1600 g) and reliability. The handle has plastic linings made in the style of natural wood. The barrel, bolt and internal structural parts are made of steel.

A CO2 gas cylinder is installed in the pistol magazine, which is the source of energy for firing the shot. One filled canister is enough for about 80 shots. It is placed in the magazine, after which it is necessary to press the balloon to full compression using a thumbscrew.

To remove the magazine, you need to press the button provided on the left side of the pistol body (at the junction of the trigger guard and the handle).

The magazine is multi-charged and full-size, holds 20 bullets (balls) of 4.5 mm caliber. The pistol fires steel or lead ammunition. Loads into the front of the magazine in a row.

As in the combat prototype, the pneumatic model is equipped with a rear sight and front sight as an aiming device. The rear sight can be adjusted only in one plane (horizontal and vertical adjustment). The rear sight is adjusted using 2 screws.

On the bottom of the pistol body there is an additional guide on which you can install a laser sight or tactical flashlight. The safety (flag type) is installed on the rear of the weapon on the left side. It locks the shutter from movement while in safe mode.

The Colt Special Combat is equipped with a sliding bolt, but the design does not include a blowback. The pistol will lock onto the slide stop if you jerk the bolt. A mechanical delay is installed on the left side of the weapon. Both the pneumatic version and the combat model have the same safe and combat positions: safe lower and combat upper.

Video review of the Umarex Colt Special Combat air pistol:

Possible tuning

The traditional way to improve any air gun is to install a more powerful mainspring. The main disadvantage of this upgrade is that as a result of such actions, the load on the trigger increases. In order to improve the performance characteristics of an air gun, you can enlarge the holes in the exhaust valve or make the diameter of the seal larger. The latter is located behind the needle for piercing the balloon. In this case, you should be as careful as possible, since a diameter that is too large will cause the needle to constantly fall out. Additionally, there is a need to fix this element.

Video review of the Umarex Colt Defender air pistol

Operating principle

The balls (bullets) are fed by a spring feeder with a fairly tight spring. In order to load the gun it is necessary to fix this feeder in the lower position.

The valve assembly is very similar to the MP-654K, which indicates identical tuning methods. The seat and valve may not fit tightly together due to a soft spring, so in some samples gas bleed is sometimes observed.

The bolt stroke is quite large; the hammer is cocked by retracting the bolt. The drummer moves around the axis of the holder and is pressed against the valve by a spring.

To fire a shot, you must perform the following steps:

1. We remove the store.
2. There is a spring on the magazine, which we pull down and load the balls from above one by one.
3. We install the cylinder into the magazine and secure it with a clamping screw.
4. We return the magazine to the pistol.
5. Remove the safety lock.
6. We fire a shot.

The pistol is a double action pistol, so shots from the Colt Special Combat are fired both by pre-cocking the hammer and by the bolt cap.

Video of Colt Special Combat in action:

Disassembly

In order to disassemble the pistol you must:

1. Remove the shutter. To do this, unscrew 2 screws in the back. After this, the rear stop is separated and the bolt moves forward. Further, the entire structure of the pistol is made on pins.
2. Separate the smooth steel barrel.
3. Remove the striker and take out the spring. To remove the spring, simply knock out the pin located in the handle (at the bottom).

During the process of disassembling the pistol, the numbering of all parts is very convenient, which is perfect for novice shooters when first getting acquainted with Colt Special Combat.

Colt Special Combat pistol disassembled

Upgrade

Tuning and fine-tuning the Colt Special Combat air pistol allows you to reduce turbulence (turbulence of the gas flow during the firing process) and stop gas leaks.

To upgrade your weapon you will need:

• Bore the valve to increase the power of the gun (up to 140 m/s).
• Polish the trigger mechanism.
• Finish cutting the barrel.
• Remove internal burrs.
• Install the barrel gasket (cast). To do this, you need to drill out the barrel for the gasket and place it on special glue.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among middle-class air pistols, the Colt analogue is considered the safest weapon. The Gletcher clt 1911 BlowBack air pistol has a good sighting range - at least 20 meters. The trigger mechanism completely simulates combat shooting. The gas system requires improvement: the vacuum valve is too mobile, the gas in the cylinder is not consumed economically.

Later models are improved, the chamber volume is increased to 22 charges. But due to the increased speed of the shot, it feels less like a Colt 1911 when shooting.