by Moondog
Most players use (Green) Gas Pistols rather than CO2 pistols, probably because there are so many more Gas Pistols or for one reason or another. CO2 pistols use the same steel cartidges as BB/Pellet guns and their performance is roughly similar to most other gas pistols.
PRO
• CO2 cartridges are small so you can easily carry spares in your pockets or pouches
• CO2 cartridges are cheap (as low as 25¢ each)
• CO2 cartridges have higher pressure gas than Green Gas, so CO2 pistols generally fire at a higher FPS
• CO2 works better in cold weather than Green Gas
• CO2 doesn't smell and isn't flamable
CON
• Some GBB can use special CO2 magazines but most of these are elongated to accommodate the cartridge in its base and stick out of the handle in an unattractive and non-MilSim way.
• CO2 is higher pressure and your pistol will experience more wear and tear
• Some CO2 pistols are converted BB/pellet pistols with the CO2 cartridge chamber in the handle of the gun and thus, do not have realistic looking magazines.
• Some CO2 pistols are only NBB (Non-Blowback) designs and do not have hop-up
• There are relatively few CO2 pistols, so your choices are limited
EXAMPLES OF CO2 PISTOLS
KJW M1911 dual-use C02/Green Gas GBB
http://www.evike.com/m1911-full-metal-t ... 28652.html
The KJW 1911 is a combo design, CO2 and green gas pistol. It is a high quality replica of the famous Colt Gov. Model 1911. The hi-capacity magazine holds 25rnds and the cartridge with a slightly enlarged base plate. It features an adjustable hop-up and a realistic take-down to access the hop-up unit, barrel and other internals for replacement and upgrades under the slide. It is essentially identical to KJW's standard gas version except that the magwell is enlarged to accommodate the extra width of a CO2 cartridge. KJW also makes a tactical 1911 and a M92f which are also dual gas designs but the mags are not interchangeable. The dual gas models can use regular green gas magazines as well. You can generally get about 2 reloads of BB's per cartridge (50rnds!). The heavy slide and strong blowback use more gas than the Non-Blowback designs below.
FirePower/Tippman Tactical 1911 (NBB)
http://www.airsoftpost.com/airsoft-1911 ... 24970.html
FirePower also make a CO2 Glock, M92f and USP whose performance are identical though their magazine designs are incompatible. The mag holds 15rds of BB's and the CO2 cart so it has a thicker and less realistic looking base plate to accommodate the cartridge screw. Max range about 100ft despite having no hop-up, so you will have to tip-up the barrel to compensate for ballistic drop but the horizontal accuracy is very good. A review on the Tippman branded version here: http://www.airsoftretreat.com/reviews/s ... php?cat=60
TSD M92f (NBB)
http://www.evike.com/matrix-powered-non ... 24934.html
A pellet gun design that's been up-bored for airsoft so the CO2 canister is hiddin the grip, which slides back to allow access. The mag holds about 22rds and a CO2 cart will fire about 6+ mags worth of BB's without a drop in FPS. Max range about 100ft despite having no hop-up, so you will have to tip-up the barrel to compensate for ballistic drop but the horizontal accuracy is very good. FPS is in the 360-380fps range. The Tactcail 1911 version uses the same magazine which is interchangeable.
WE/Homland Defender Walther PPK (GBB)
http://www.airsplat.com/Items/GP-WE-PPK-HOME.htm
This GBB pistol is modeled after a Walther PPK with an elongated grip. It has an adjustable hop-up which is very strong, so you must use .25g BB's heavier or your shots will curve upward beyond 50ft. The pistol is very compact with an obviously very short barrel, so long range accuracy suffers despite it's 330-350fps power. The C02 cartridge is hidden in the grip, so the mags are skinny, plastic and hold 12rnds but are very inexpensive. Depot 53 has the best prices on them. http://www.depot53.com/Gas+-+Pistols+Ri ... Elite.html
HOW TO LOAD A CO2 GUN
• The cartridge goes into a chamber in the pistol handle or the magazine which has a metal nipple/needle at one end and a screw/bolt on the other. Tightening the screw pushes the cartridge into the nipple which pierces
cap and feeds air into the system.
• Tighten the screw until you hear a hiss, then gently tighten until no hiss is heard
• DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN as you may cause more gas to leak or damage the washer around the nipple.
• To unload, you just slowly unscrew it
FINAL WORD
Space is the primary reason I went CO2 was that I don't have to cart around a green gas bottle. Plus NY aparments don't have a lot of storage space for spare propane tanks. An amazing thing about the TSD NBB M92f is that I forgot to unload the cartridge from my last game. I chrono'd it at another game and that same cart was showing 380fps after a month in storage in the gun! (not recommended obviously.)
