The 5 Top Selling Historic Air Gun Replicas

Rediscovering Legends: The 5 Top-Selling Historic Air Gun Replicas

Air guns have a rich and fascinating history, dating back centuries. Today, many manufacturers pay homage to iconic firearms by creating detailed air gun replicas.

These historic air gun replicas not only offer a fun and safe way to experience shooting but also allow enthusiasts to own a piece of history. In this article, we delve into the world of historic air gun replicas, exploring the top 5 best-sellers that have captured the hearts and minds of collectors and shooters alike. From classic revolvers to iconic rifles, these air guns offer a unique blend of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and shooting enjoyment.

This article will go over the following airsoft guns: 

1. Rio Bravo Cowboy Rifle

2. Thompson M1A1

3. Kalashnikov 4.5mm CO2 Powered AK47 Air Rifle

4. Walther PPK

5. Mini Uzi

1. Umarex Legends Rio Bravo Cowboy Rifle

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Pros:

• Realistic feel and look: This replica Winchester under lever style rifle feels terrific, has a beautiful antique metal finish, and looks very real.
• Shoots pellets and BBs: This rifle can shoot both pellets and BBs, making it versatile for different shooting applications.
• 10-round rotary magazine: The 10-round rotary magazine is easy to load and allows for quick reloading.
• Easy to load CO2: The CO2 is easy to load, making it convenient to use.
• Fun to shoot: This rifle is fun to shoot, thanks to its realistic feel and action.

Cons:

• Lower power output – Lower than other guns, but still powerful
• May jam shells – Reviewers have found the gun to occasionally jam
• Less durable shells – You may find you need to replace the shells more frequently than other airsoft guns.

Overall, the Umarex Legends Cowboy Rifle is a fun and affordable way to experience the thrill of a lever-action rifle. Its realistic look and feel, combined with its decent accuracy and power, make it an appealing choice for plinking and target practice. While the occasional jamming issue can be a minor inconvenience, it’s a small tradeoff for the enjoyment this replica provides. Whether you’re a history buff, a Western enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun plinking gun, the Umarex Legends Cowboy Rifle Underlever Lever Action at £399.99 is definitely worth considering.

2. Umarex Legends – Thompson M1A1

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Pros:

• Realistic feel: The gun is a good weight replica of the original and despite not being made of wood, the faux wood feels very realistic. It also has a blowback action, which adds to the realistic feel.
• Fun to plink with: The gun is not super powerful, but it is fun to plink with and fires around 500 feet per second with standard 5.4 grain steel bbs.
• Collectible: This is a great gun for collectors as it is a realistic replica of a historical weapon.
• Affordable: The retail price is £349.99, which is considered to be a good price for a replica gun of this quality.

Cons:

• Not for long range shooting: The sights are not designed for long range shooting and the gun is not very accurate over 50 yards.
• Blowback action not realistic: Ironically, the comment around the original was that due to its weight it didn’t have a great deal of recoil and kick back to it, so the blowback action on this replica is not entirely realistic.

In conclusion, the Umarex Legends M1A1 is a great replica of the iconic Thompson submachine gun. It is well-made, feels solid, and is a lot of fun to shoot.

3. Kalashnikov 4.5mm CO2 Powered AK47 Air Rifle

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Pros:

• Replica fire arm: This airsoft gun is a replica of the classic AK-47 Kalashnikov rifle. It looks realistic because it has a wooden stock, wooden grip, metal dust cover, metal receiver, and metal barrel.
• CO2 powered: This airsoft gun is CO2 powered, which means it uses CO2 cartridges to propel the BBs.
• Magazine fed: This airsoft gun has an 18 round magazine, just like a real AK-47. This adds to the realism of the gun.
• Affordable: £279.99 for a very accurate AK47 replica.

Cons:

• Not very accurate: Lacks some accuracy in comparison to other weapons at longer range
• Non-blowback: This airsoft gun is non-blowback, which means that the gun does not simulate the recoil of a real gun when fired. This can make the gun feel less realistic to shoot.
• Long trigger pull: This airsoft gun has a quite long trigger pull. This can make it more difficult to shoot accurately.

The Cybergun Kalashnikov AK47, while a faithful replica of the iconic firearm, presents a mixed bag for potential buyers. Its realistic appearance and CO2-powered semi-automatic action offer a satisfying shooting experience, especially for enthusiasts and collectors. However, its lack of accuracy, non-blowback mechanism, long trigger pull, and expensive magazines may deter those seeking a high-performance or skirmish-ready airsoft gun. Ultimately, the decision to purchase this replica boils down to individual priorities and whether the appeal of owning a realistic AK-47 outweighs its functional limitations.

If you were looking for a smaller AK similar to this, for a slightly lower budget, consider the Short AK Rifle.

4. Walther PPK

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Pros:

• Realistic look and feel: The Umarex Walther PPKs is a faithful replica of the iconic Walther PPK, featuring a mostly metal construction that gives it a substantial weight and authentic feel.
• Blowback action: The blowback action adds to the realism of the shooting experience, simulating the recoil of a real firearm.
• Easy to load and operate: The magazine holds 13 BBs and is easy to load, while the CO2 cartridge is also simple to insert and secure.
• Decent accuracy and power: For a BB gun, the Walther PPKs offers decent accuracy and power, making it suitable for target practice and plinking.
• Good value for money: The air pistol is relatively affordable, offering good value for its features and performance.

Cons:

• Fixed sights: The fixed sights cannot be adjusted, which may limit accuracy for some users.
• Plastic handgrip: The handgrip is made of plastic, which may not feel as premium as the rest of the metal construction.

Overall, the Umarex Walther PPKs air pistol is a solid choice for those seeking a realistic and enjoyable replica for plinking and target practice. While it has some minor drawbacks, its positives outweigh the negatives, making it a worthwhile addition to any air gun enthusiast’s collection.

5. Mini Uzi

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Pros:

• Realistic Replica: The Umarex Mini Uzi closely resembles the iconic firearm used by the Israeli military, making it a desirable item for collectors and enthusiasts.
• Lightweight and Compact: Weighing only 1.35 kilograms and featuring a folding stock, this airgun is easy to handle and transport.
• Customizable Length: With three different length options, users can adjust the Mini Uzi to their preference, making it versatile for various shooting scenarios.
• Affordable: Compared to the exorbitant cost of a real Uzi, this replica is significantly more affordable at £119.99, making it accessible to a wider range of buyers.
• Blowback Action: The blowback feature enhances the shooting experience by simulating the recoil of a real firearm.
• Plinking Fun: With decent power for a CO2-powered airgun, the Mini Uzi offers enjoyable plinking and target practice sessions.

Cons:

• Fixed Sights: The fixed sights cannot be adjusted, potentially limiting accuracy for some users.
• Limited Magazine Capacity: The 28-round magazine might require frequent reloading during extended shooting sessions.
• Limited Power: While suitable for plinking, the power might be considered insufficient for users seeking higher velocities.

Overall, the Umarex Co2 powered Mini Uzi offers a fun and affordable way to experience the iconic firearm. However, potential buyers should consider its limitations regarding power, materials, and magazine capacity before making a decision.

Conclusion

The world of historic air gun replicas offers a captivating blend of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and shooting enjoyment. The top 5 best-sellers discussed in this article exemplify the enduring appeal of these iconic firearms, providing enthusiasts with a chance to own a piece of history and experience the thrill of shooting in a safe and accessible way.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a history buff, or simply someone looking for a unique and enjoyable shooting experience, these air guns offer something for everyone. As technology continues to advance and manufacturers continue to refine their craft, the future of historic air gun replicas looks brighter than ever, ensuring that these legendary firearms will continue to captivate generations to come.

You May Also Be Interested In…

• M16 Rifle (Co2 Powered – Black) by Huntsman Arms, 4.5mm
• M4 RIS Tactical Rifle (Co2 Powered – Black) by Huntsman Arms, 4.5mm
• AK47 Kalashnikov (Co2 Powered) Air Rifle by Cybergun, 4.5mm
• FAL Rifle(Co2 Powered – Black) by Huntsman Arms, 4.5mm
• Our incredible UMAREX range of beautiful, high end air guns.

Discover our top air guns and pistols for 2024 buyers guide plus a special mention for the Borner Panther 801 with its laser pointer.

Click here for our best-selling UK air guns.

Click here for our best-selling PCP air rifles.

Click here for our best-selling air pistols.