UHC M9 Heavyweight

Manufacturer: UHC

Model: M9 Heavyweight

FPS: 250-260

Cost: $17-$25

Introduction: The UHC M9 is a very popular spring pistol. It is commonly availible at airsoft retail stores and is very nice. Note that there are two different versions- the normal and the heavyweight. The normal is supposedly much weaker and less well built than the heavyweight replicas (I have only handled heavyweight models).

Externals: The pistol's build quality is very nice and feels very solid- no creaks. The pistol also features an open ejection port. It feels like very nice quality ABS plastic. Overall, there really isn't much to say about the pistol's external build other than that it has good weight, nice build, and overall looks very impressive for a low-cost replica.

Metal Parts: There are no metal parts other than screws, the spring, the barrel, and other various internal mechanisms of the replica.

Safety: The pistol does not feature a reaslitic safety; rather, it uses the slide lock as a safety.

Magazine: The magazines feel very solid and tend to hold around 10-12 bbs. They are loaded very simply, though in a slow manner. Again, the simplicity of the replica and its parts is what makes it stand out as an excellent low-cost replica.

Firing: To fire the UHC M9, cock back the pistol till you hear a click and guide the slide forward. The cocking processes can only be described as clunky and not smooth- it feels like sliding two sheets of metal against each other. Once you do that, the trigger should shift indicating the replica is cocked. The trigger pull is very light and response. The replica has excellent range and power, easily reaching anything within 60-70 feet and possibly hiting targets up to 100 feet. Overall, the pistol is a joy to shoot and operate.

Conclusion: An outstanding spring pistol- it definately is worth it's low cost. It is very durable due to its simplicity and solid build. I highly recommend the HEAVYWEIGHT version to any beginner or airsofter looking for a side arm.

Airsoft Springers Reviews:
Externals: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
Accuracy: 5/5
Range: 4/5
Power: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

UTG/DE M87

Manufacturer: UTG/DE

Model: M87

FPS: 280-290

Cost: $20-$30

Introduction: The DE M87 is an extremely common rebranded shotgun that is often sold under the brands UTG and Cybergun. Note that Crosman also makes a cheaper version of this replica with slightly lower quality internals. It is availible at virtually every sporting goods story, airsoft retailer, and large department stores.

Externals: The M87's externals are acceptable. The M87 itself is availible in 3 variants- a pistolgrip replica, a telestocking grip replica, and finally a full-stock replica. The externals are essentially the same on all of them. They feature a confortable textured grip. It features a removable RIS system. There is a slight wobble in the pump, but otherwise the replica feels very solid. The telescoping stock functions very well, but note that the full-stock variant should be handled with care to prevent the replica from snapping in half at the grip (a major replica weakpoint). While they are essentially based on the looks of the mossenberg, the rails must be removed to have a decent realistic look, but it reveals a plethora of screw holes. Ultimately, the externals of this replica are nothing special but well built.

Metal Parts: There are few metal parts on this replica. They are limited to the inner-barrel, pump guide, and pump tube. Everything else is ABS plastic.

Safety: The safety is a simple push button safety located next to the trigger that prevents the trigger from being pulled. Note that after some use the safety may or may not become broken in that it refuses to lock completely into a firing postion, creating a slight resistance to the trigger pull. This has happened to a couple of the replicas I have examined.

Magazine: The magazines are very simple and use either the included loading tool or speedloader to load the standard 17 rounds into the magazine. Alternatively, a Hi-cap magazine is also availible to carry up to 150 rounds. While the lo-cap magazines are built extremely well and feel solid, the hi-cap magazines feel slightly weak and plasticy, and may face some resistance feeding into the gun. They must be winded well in order to function properly. Ultimately, the low-cap magazines exchange stability for lower mag capacity, while the high-caps are vice-versa.

Firing: To fire this replica, pump the replica, find your target, and give a firm trigger pull. Note that there are no included iron sights on this replica- you must either sight your targets by eye or buy an optic to mount to the replica's RIS. The barrel is prone to scratching from the pump handle. While this replica can slam fire, it is highly unrecommended as it severely damages the replica's internals. The replica is accurate within 100 feet with .20s after some adjustment with the hopup. Hop up is adjustable and is a simple slider to turn hop up on or off and with varying degrees inbetween.

Conclusion: An excellent replica for any beginner, the M87 replica offers great performance and durability allowing it to be a great starter's replica. Note that .12s should not be used in this replica; only .20s and above are recommended. While this replica's externals are nothing special, the relative simple mechanisms inside the replica allow it withstand much wear and tear up to several years of excellent performance if maintained and treated properly.

Airsoft Springers Reviews:
Externals: 3/5
Durability: 5/5
Accuracy: 5/5
Range: 5/5
Power: 4/5
Overall: 4/5