www.airsoftoutletnw.com

 Written by Josh Beran

Nearly every airsofter has at one point sought after a gas blowback (GBB) Submachine gun (SMG). The appeal is obvious: the small size, the rapid angry popping when you fire it, the feel of the blowback jumping around in your hand, and the realistic operation of the replica. Nothing that runs on a spring can match the GBB SMG for raw “cool factor”. Known usually for their ability to put a huge amount of plastic downrange but not for their accuracy, the GBB SMG is primarily utilized as either a close-quarters replica or as a backup to an airsofter’s primary replica. They are short, easy to maneuver and carry, and are capable of putting a sometimes staggering amount of plastic downrange very quickly. In this article, we will be discussing seven popular models from the newest releases to some tried and true veterans. Many factors are considered, from velocity to rate of fire, to cost and consumption of gas. Almost all data is collected first hand, and as little as possible was gathered from unknown sources. While not technically considered to be submachine guns, some fully automatic GBB pistols are included in this article.

Statistics Breakdown:

• Velocity – 0.20g BBs. Five shots through a Mad Bull Chronograph on FPS (Feet Per Second), with fifteen seconds between shots. All five readings are averaged and rounded to the nearest 10.
  
• Rate of Fire – 0.20g BBs. Three short 5-7 round bursts through a Mad Bull Chronograph on BPS (BBs Per Second), with fifteen seconds between bursts. All three readings are averaged and rounded to the nearest whole. RPS(Rounds Per Second)/RPM(Rounds Per Minute). 
• Accuracy – 0.20g BBs. Five shots are fired in semiauto at a marked point on an 8.5”x11” piece of paper at 25 feet with ten seconds between shots. Distance is measured in inches between the two farthest apart hits. On models with folding or telescoping stocks, accuracy is measured with stock extended. 
• Magazine Capacity – How many BBs fit in the magazine. Lowcap/Hicap. 
• Accessories – Mounting hard points for external bolt-on accessories (lights/lasers/optics). 
• Notable Features – Built in features.
  
• Gun Cost – Price of replica before shipping. 
• Magazine Cost – Price of magazines before shipping. Lowcap/Hicap. 
• Weight – How heavy the replica is in pounds, with the unloaded magazine that comes with it.

Umarex/KWA MP7 NS2

The Umarex/KWA MP7 is the newest of our test models, and has been eagerly anticipated by many. It will not disappoint. The replica is licensed by H&K, so it carries full trades and is manufactured by KWA so it feels hefty and should be as sturdy and reliable as KWA’s other products. The MP7 features a folding front vertical grip, telescoping stock, multiple rail mounts and flip-up iron sights. It fires from a closed bolt, which increases accuracy but slightly lowers the rate of fire. However, the MP7 still ties for second place in ROF.

Pros: Ambidextrous, ergonomic, and versatile. Looks and feels great.

Cons: Somewhat expensive, has not been extensively tested for reliability and performance over for an extended amount of time. FPS is slightly high for a CQB gun, but can be downgraded. By far the heaviest of the replicas we are comparing.

• Velocity – 340
  
• ROF – 18RPS/1080RPM 
• Accuracy – 2” 
• Magazine Capacity – 20*/40 
• Accessories – Top/Left/Right Rails 
• Notable Features – Folding Foregrip, Telescoping Stock, Flip-up Sights
  
• Gun Cost - $255 
• Magazine Cost –$50 
• Weight – 4.6LB

KSC G18C

The smallest replica, the KSC Glock 18C is by far the easiest to carry and conceal. The design is tried and true, and has been around for years with only some minor updates. The Newest models sport metal slides, and sturdy resin frames. These will fit in most universal holsters, and many manufacturers make fitted holsters specifically for them. Will fit most pistol lights or lasers.

Pros: Small, easy to carry. Readily available magazines and holsters. Surprisingly accurate.

Cons: No stock or forward grip, so not as controllable as others in fully automatic fire. Fire selector is somewhat cumbersome to operate.

• Velocity – 330
  
• ROF – 14RPS/840RPM 
• Accuracy – 1.75” 
• Magazine Capacity – 25/50 
• Accessories – Pistol Rail 
• Notable Features – Small size 
• Gun Cost - $180 
• Magazine Cost - $35/$59 
• Weight – 1.4LB

KWA M11A1 NS2

The undisputed king of rate of fire. The KWA M11 has been around in one form or another for years and years, and was one of the first fully-automatic GBB submachine guns. The newest versions are all metal, and feature an incredible rate of fire that nothing else even comes close to. However, to achieve this rate of fire the replica fires from an open bolt which negatively affects accuracy. There are no attachment points for accessories built into the replica, only threads on the barrel for mounting a suppressor .

Pros: VERY high rate of fire, good availability on magazines and parts.

Cons: Magazines empty very quickly on full auto, controls are not very intuitive. Like the MP7, FPS is slightly high for CQB at some arenas.

• Velocity – 340 
• ROF – 27RPS/1620RPM
  
• Accuracy – 2.75”
  
• Magazine Capacity – 48 
• Accessories – None 
• Notable Features – Telescoping Stock 
• Gun Cost - $140
  
• Magazine Cost - $49
  
• Weight – 2.8LB

WELL MP5K

The WELL MP5K is an entry level GBB gun, which shows in the price and the performance. The only Chinese offering, the MP5K has an excellent price tag on it, but can suffer from quality control issues. The WELL is a clone of the older Maruzen GBB MP5K, which means that parts and magazines are compatible. Maruzen magazines are an excellent (if somewhat expensive) option to increase reliability, as the WELL magazines are usually at the source of any issues. These problems can also be minimized by re-lubing or replacing the seals inside the magazines. The cost is quite attractive however, as you can get the replica and one spare magazine for less than the cost of most of the other GBBs alone.

Pros - Low cost, Maruzen clone

Cons - Spotty reliability

• Velocity – 260 
• ROF – 18RPS/1080RPM 
• Accuracy – 2.75”
  
• Magazine Capacity – 35 
• Accessories – Can add top rail for optics
  
• Notable Features – Low Price, Built in Forward Vert Grip 
• Gun Cost - $110 
• Magazine Cost - $38 
• Weight - 3.2LB

KWA M93RII NS2

Another remake of a classic, the M93R was initially produced by Maruzen and then later by KSC, which then continued it under their KWA name. The M93R is perhaps best known in it's modified form as Alex Murphy's gun from the Robocop movies. The only GBB in this article that is capable of a three round burst as well as fully and semiautomatic fire, the M93R is easily controllable and can make one magazine last much longer than some of the others. It is also easier to carry as a secondary than some of the larger SMGs, as it will fit in many generic pistol holsters.

Pros - Small size, 3 round Burst as well as full-auto

Cons - Not as accurate as some, lower rate of fire in full-auto

• Velocity – 350 
• ROF – 16RPS/960RPM 
• Accuracy – 3” 
• Magazine Capacity – 32/48
  
• Accessories - Folding Stock 
• Notable Features – Folding Forward Vert Grip, Small Size 
• Gun Cost - $170 
• Magazine Cost - $60/$73
  
• Weight – 2.4LB