Replica CO2 Airgun Collection

*S&W M&P 45 (by Umarex)*
	S&W M&P 45 (.45 ACP)
Info: Manufacturer/Model: Made in Taiwan for Umarex, S&W M&P 45 Replica Of: S&W M&P 45 (.45 ACP) Made In: Taiwan Caliber/Ammunition/Feed: .177, lead pellets, 8-shot clip (.177, steel BBs, 8-shot clip) Air Source: CO2, 12 g Powerlet Accessories: 8-shot clips for both lead pellets and steel BBs Recommended Pellet or BB: RWS Hobby (7.0 gr), Crosman Copperhead BBs (5.1 gr) Weight (lb)/Length (in): 1.36, 8.0 Body Material/Finish/Grips: plastic, black, plastic Barrel Length (in)/Material/Rifled: 3.38, steel, yes Trigger Action: DA and SA Trigger Pull (lbs)/Adjustable: 8.0 (DA), 5.5 (SA), no Sights (front/rear): fixed, adjustable for windage only Velocity (fps): 360 (manufacturer does not specify pellet or BB) Sound Level (dB): 98 Thickness of Pellet Holder (in): 0.275 Manufactured Dates: 2011 - present Condition/Manual/Box: 98%, yes, yes (backer card) Serial Number: 11D17748	Comments: The S&W M&P 45 air pistol, made in Taiwan for Umarex, is an excellent replica of S&W's .45 caliber firearm of the same name. Except for differences in the styling of the outer plastic shell, the M&P 45 is basically the same airgun as the Walther P99 Q. The only significant difference between the two designs is that the back part of the slide on the M&P 45 can be pulled back to cock the gun for firing in single-action (SA) mode. The finish is generally very nice, although some seams have noticeable ridges. The plastic appears to be a high-grade engineering plastic that should be very durable. Most of the external controls are molded into the shell with the only working control being the slide release lever on the left (the lever on the right side that looks like a slide release is actually the safety). Pushing down on the slide release causes the front half of the slide to move forward so that the 8-shot clips for pellets or BBs can be loaded. This is a non-blowback design, so the slide does not move when the gun is fired. The trigger is both DA and SA. In DA mode, the trigger pull is long and fairly smooth with little of the catch that is typical of Umarex 8-shot clip designs. (Many Umarex pistols have a distinctive catch in the trigger pull associated with the trigger mechanism rotating the clip.) The pull becomes noticeably harder as you approach the breaking point. In SA mode (the gun is cocked by pulling the back half of the slide to the rear), there is a short first stage followed by a fairly crisp break for the second stage. The M&P 45 can fire both lead pellets as well as steel BBs. A standard Umarex 8-shot metal clip is supplied for use with lead pellets and a plastic 8-shot clip is used for BBs. Pellets are loaded in the metal clip from the side with the ratchet. BBs are loaded in the plastic clip from the side opposite the ratchet. CO2 cylinders are loaded by pulling down on the lever at the base of the grip (it looks like the base pad for a magazine). This causes the backstrap to flip open exposing the CO2 chamber. Pushing down on the backstrap closes the CO2 chamber as well as the "base pad". The S&W M&P 45 has acceptable accuracy with lead pellets (0.71", RWS Hobby). However, unlike most dual-ammo airguns, the M&P 45 actually performs better with steel BBs (0.59", Crosman Copperhead), at least at short distances. The measured muzzle velocity was very close to the advertised value of 360 fps and changed very little between DA and SA shooting. About 60 good shots were obtained from each CO2 cylinder. The S&W M&P 45 is a decent plinker with good build quality. Given its ability to shoot both lead pellets and steel BBs as well as its DA/SA trigger, it represents a good value in this crowded price range. Owner's Manual for S&W M&P 45 (.pdf) Pyramyd Air Report on S&W M&P 45 (Part 1) Pyramyd Air Report on S&W M&P 45 (Part 2) Pyramyd Air Report on S&W M&P 45 (Part 3) Performance (lead pellets): Measurements were made on 10/12/2011 at a temperature of 73 ºF and 5000' elevation. A ten shot string was fired from a bench rest at 15' using RWS Hobby pellets (7.0 gr). The highest velocity measured was 365 fps, the lowest was 328 fps (average of the 10-shot string was 342 fps, s = 11). A five-shot string fired with open sights grouped at 0.71". Click the thumbnail below to see a larger image. Click here for a description of the measurement methods. The S&W M&P 45 was tested with the following pellets: Gamo Match (1.45"), JSB Match Diabolo (0.76"), H&N Finale Match Pistol (1.18"), Crosman Premier Super Match (1.21"), and RWS Hobby (0.71"). All groups were measured center-to-center. The smallest groups were produced with the RWS Hobby pellets. Click the thumbnail image below to see the test targets. Performance (steel BBs): Measurements were made on 10/12/2011 at a temperature of 73 ºF and 5000' elevation. A ten shot string was fired from a bench rest at 15' using Crosman Copperhead BBs (5.1 gr). The highest velocity measured was 363 fps, the lowest was 339 fps (average of the 10-shot string was 352 fps, s = 7). A five-shot string fired with open sights grouped at 0.59". Click the thumbnail below to see a larger image. Click here for a description of the measurement methods. The M&P 45 was tested with the following BBs shown with their respective six shot group sizes: Daisy Avanti (1.05"), Crosman Copperhead (0.59"), RWS Match Grade (1.28"), and Daisy Precision Max (1.34"). All groups were measured center-to-center. The smallest groups were produced with the Crosman Copperhead BBs. Click the thumbnail image below to see the test targets.
	Right Profile: The safety lever is located on the right side of the gun. Press forward and down to engage the safety and forward and up to disengage. The back of the slide can be pulled back to cock the gun for firing in single-action mode.
	Front View: All of the external controls of the M&P 45 firearm are accurately duplicated on this replica. However, only the slide release is functional. The safety on the air pistol, located on the right side, is not a replica of a control on the firearm.
	Rear View: The front and rear sights are marked with large yellow dots. The front sight is fixed but the rear sight can be adjusted for windage by a screw located on the top of the sight.
	Right Side Markings:
	Left Side Markings: Umarex is an official licensee of Smith & Wesson trademarks.
	Loading Pellets and BBs: Lead pellets are loaded into the metal 8-shot clip from the ratchet side. Pellets must be seated so that the tail of the pellet is even with or slightly below the face of the clip. Steel BBs are loaded into the 8-shot plastic clip from the side opposite the ratchet. BBs are held in the clip by friction.
	Loading CO2: The CO2 cylinder chamber is accessed by pulling down on the front edge of what looks like the base plate for the magazine at the bottom of the grip. This causes the backstrap to flip up exposing the CO2 chamber as well as the piercing screw. Once a gas cylinder has been loaded, push down on the backstrap to close things up.
	Packaging: Owner's Manual for S&W M&P 45 (.pdf)