Before I ever got into, or knew about, airsoft skirmishing, I was very naive about pistols and makes. I bought a Mauri P226 spring at RIAT (Royal International Air Tattoo) last year which is fantastic, for a springer. I have never had any problems with the 226. However, after a while I wanted something a bit more expensive and a lot more interesting.

When I came to uni in Brighton, I found out that Stringtown Supplies was only half an hour up the road so I thought I would go and take a peek. Into the shop I went. I didn't really have any clue what I wanted to buy so I talked to the blokes in there and they showed me almost every pistol in the shop. I was attracted to the Browning because I have fired the real thing. The GBB seemed good and meaty, and very heavy, almost as the real thing. The rep let me have a play with it and it seemed to be a good pistol. Theres loads of metal on it including the mag, top slide and trigger mechanism which added nicely to the realism.

I thought "right I'll have that!". I took it home and had some tremendous fun with it in and around my halls of residence. The action is fantastic. The blow back gives a nice kick and you can cane out the bb's in no time at all. Its only a 13 round mag which lasts about 2 seconds. All went well until a pin inside failed and the top slide broke. Arse I thought. Took it back to Stringtown and they got it replaced for me which was good.

Just after that I started Skirmishing at Combat South. I took the Browning and the 226. People umm'd and arr'd at it and commented on the weight. They asked who it was made by and I said I didn't have a clue, it is apparently Hsu Wei which is supposed to be a bit dodgy.

In the field the weapon worked like a dream and saved my arse twice when I was trigger happy with the M16 when in the middle of a defence game.

Range wise it is not too bad. I crono'd the pistol and it was doing about 295 fps which, I was told, wasn't bad at all. The top slide stays to the rear when the last round goes out just like the real thing which is cool. It has a nice satisfying metallic click when you release the moving parts and when cocking the pistol.

The replacement, touch wood, hasn't gone wrong yet. There was a small problem similar to before but I just smacked it (I was in a bit of a rush i.e. two of the Dolphins bearing down on me with an M60 and I had no ammo for my main weapon!!!) and it seems happy enough now.

Would I recommend it to anyone else? Yes I suppose so, assuming you get one that doesn't go wrong. Overall it is well built and the weight is excellent. Go for the Tanaka one if I were you, supposed to be more realiable.

 

Range 6/10

Blowback 10/10

look's 10/10