Take out the slide lock.
Pull the slide off and the frame is separated. On the debut model, the slide and frame were a little different from the TM model. The CA cut back on quality and did not have the extra groove to reinforce the slide. Well this one does and now the slide and frame are TM compatible. Again more on that later...
Here we have the slide with everything in place... Let's take it apart!
Remove spring guide, spring, and bearing. Notice that they are all very well constructed and more reinforced than the debut ones. Also notice that the spring guide has a hole like the TM model...
Twist and pull out the bushing...
Pull out the outer barrel/inner barrel/hop up unit assembly. I also took this apart and re-lubricated everything. Notice that the assembly as the rod which the spring guide fits on like the TM model. The debut CA model did not have this. Also notice the blue hop up wheel. All the internal plastic is painted blue and is very good quality unlike last years model. The hop up wheel's teeth are not brittle.
Here we have the slide and loading muzzle.
The loading muzzle plastic so it's blue and seems very strong. I don't expect it to break soon.
There have been a lot of changes from the debut model without increasing the price. All the major problems seemed addressed and I think it is something to give credit to CA for. The magazine does not leak anymore, the slide and frame are TM compatible, the three plastic internal parts have been upgraded and are very sturdy now, the spring guide is very strong, and the outer barrel now has a rod for the spring guide to rest on. That's a lot of improvements in one year and their second year of making GBBs. Before, about 75% of the gun was TM compatible, now I think everything is TM compatible. This is a real plus as there are tons of parts and upgrades you can put in this thing.
But let's hold off on the summary for a minute and look at a shooting test. Remember, looking for precision in this test, not so much accuracy.
At the time of the test, only about 60 BBs had been fired through it. So the hop up has not completely settled in yet. I took 10 shots with the gun rested at 25 feet away in a closed place. Unfortunately, there was a drift to the left as air had been circulating through the basement drying wet snow close, so my shots were left some. They were also lower as the hop up was off.
At 25 feet, I got a 2.25" grouping with 7 shots; the other 3 did not land on the paper and were probably just left. Still, the majority of the shots were pretty damn close. And better than those of my KWA Glock 26.
As all double stack 1911s, unless it is pretty hot out, you will not get the whole mag fired off with one gas filling. At about 62 degrees Fahrenheit, I was able to get off 19 shots. The magazine holds 25 BBs (I know it says 24+1 but mine can fit 25+1 with ease) so you can do the math...
Overall, I am extremely impressed with my purchase. The gun is cheaply priced($85 shipped!), full (?) TM compatible, no leaky mag, great metal quality, correct color of the paint, and shoots very well. My two minor complaints are that I wish the outer barrel had better paint (but that is easy to fix with bluing), and that the plastic internal parts are blue (though I feel confident that soon they will change that as they only did that to more physically show the public all the changes they've made). As of now, I'd say that this definitely the best alternative to spending $400 on a full Guarder kit and TM M1911-A1. I've only put about 150 BBs through it so far... Time will tell how the pistol lasts, and I will keep this thread updated, but from what I've seen so far, this 1911 will have a bright future.
My upgrades planned are buying 2 mags, a Mad Bull tight-bore, and an Action Stainless-steel spring-guide and set.
I highly recommend these pistols and Cobra Airsoft.
Thank you for reading.
