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Reviews
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Date of last review
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2
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18546
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4/6/06
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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100% of reviewers
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£101.00
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8.5
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My Goodness, My Guinness!
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Guinness
My Goodness, My Guinness!
Registered: October 2005
Location: God's retirement home, Crackerville, Florida!
Posts: 1,590
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Review Date: 13/1/06
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: £112.00
| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Western Arms new SCW 3 system for $100 bucks!
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Cons:
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This isn't the WA build quality your used to.....
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Western Arms 'Magna-Tech' SCW 3 1911 Military
Western Arms 'Magna-Tech' 1911 Military SCW3 after final visual treatment (bottom) Western Arms 1911 Military SCW (top).
Background
Well, if you don't already know the background of the Colt 1911 pistol....you must have just fallen to earth! I am not going to spend any valuable realestate going into the real-steel here.
Instead I will spend some time on the Western Arms line of 1911 frame weapons. The "Magna-Tech" line of pistols marks the entry of the well respected Western Arms house into the 'Budget Battle'. In an apparent tactic to gain market share back from the WE's, KJW's and HFC's of the world with their recent successful strategy of bringing to market higher-quality, metal bodied Airsoft weapons, Western Arms has introduced two new "economy" handguns modeled after their very successful 1911 Military and Mk IV Series 70 sidearms.
Western Arms has been producing "reference quality" Airsoft Replica's for many years now, with a seeming obsession for the .45 Colt 1911 frame....and that is not necessarily a bad thing mind you, but at last count, there were less actual real-steel handguns on the streets than the number of different versions of 1911's made by Western Arms. 
The Replica
Presentation
I have purchased a few Western Arms guns in my time, from most of the well known retailers. This was the first time I have recieved the old 'inside-out' box on a WA gun though. As well, somewhere along the line, I'm not sure if it was at WGC or maybe even the Customs Office, the trademarks on the box and documentation were cut out.
-A fiend of mine translated the Japanese characters, its says: "If you can read this- Your too close"
Talk about 'plain-brown wrapper'
Of course, true to WA standards, the gun came with all the usual accoutrements a nice box, a manual, a lovely stryrofoam insert, and of course your first pack of BB's and the barrel collar tool.
I own several Western Arms weapons. I own a SCW 1 1911 Military and have installed the metal slide and upgraded internals. Unfortunately, that weapon has developed a crack in the frame under the thumb safety, and although I have super-glued that section, I was considering purchasing a replacement sidearm and discovered to my dismay that most all the retailers have sold out of the SCW 1 and SCW 2 examples of of the quite popular WWII Colt handgun. I was even considering buying direct from Western Arms with all the dangers that entails for the American customer. Permanent trade removal is one of the horror stories. That is when I discovered the "Magna-Tech" line of pistols and the other new SCW 3 products.
Of course, all product shots by a manufacturer are going to be great looking, and honestly, I did notice some things in both the WA Gunnet Western Arms Gunnet and the retailer sites about the new 1911 that concerned me- but the thing that really caught my eye was the price. A Western Arms brand new SCW 3 system pistol....hang on, a 1911 Military for a little over $100 USD???
What could I lose? Of course by now I had read some initial reports that the external quaility perhaps was not the usual WA that we are all used to but I was thinking at very least, I could see if my metal bits would switch over and for that price, even if I didn't like the finish on the new one, I could retro it into a new body!
-SCW 1911 Military (left), Magna Tech 1911 Military (right)
Replica Quality Impressions
Well......I gotta be honest right?
From the second I saw the weapon in the box, I had my doubts. The terms "plasticky"..."Like a cheap springer" have been offered as a description of the new gun.......Yes.
Again......$100 bucks......Brand NEW WA- not a used, used up piece that is missing bits.
And it's the version 3 SCW system.
I was willing to fight back my disappointment with her looks.......for now.
Further Inspection
I will tell you right now, I'm a gun whore- ok there I have said it and I feel better
Some guys have hobbies that include the purchase of boats, ATV's, Cars, many varied and expensive testosterone-retaining objects- me? I like my Japanese Airosft Replicas- I won't bore the reader with my rant as to why Airsoft is the best hobby out there, but suffice to say I indulge my obsession just as much as the car-nut that has all the latest performance upgrades or the fly-fisherman that has all the most expensive, rare and breed-specific flies, to fish in the stock pond on the way home from the office.
My point is, I use my disposable income, meager as it is, to buy Airsoft guns because I think they are fun to collect and a great Father-Son activity. What I don't do so much is get into the details of how they are built and how they differ mechanically from one model to another, or one manufacturer to another. That said, I do have an understanding that there are differences and I would assume improvements between the SCW 1, and the SCW 2's and obviously the same would be true with this newest edition.
But don't ask me to know what those differencs are.
I have read right here in Arnies forums posts from folks that are experts on the hammer configurations, magazine design, and more- I will reference those guys information here:
Arnies WA 1911 mil type SCW3
Be sure to read gooseman's treatise on the subject as well as sacairsoftsn00py's works. thanks to Tef for starting that thread.
Visual Inspection and My Thoughts on Quality
Well, let's just get down to it-
Do I think this gun represents a value?
......Yes
Do I think that everyone will be happy with the gun?
......Maybe
Do not buy this gun if you are expecting the usual build and appearance quality Western Arms has built their reputation on.
Do purchase this gun if you want a solid example of WA quality internal Airsoft weapons design and manufacturer and want to get a high-end performance weapon at a very attractive price.
I believe the quality is definately there, it just happens to be on the inside.
The qualifying question to ask yourself- Am I buying this weapon to use in a skirmish, or to look good on a shelf. If the first answer is closer to the truth, this gun should make you smile.
What I like, what I dislike
Pros
- SCW 3 System
- Trademarks including Ordnance Depot stamp that is not on regular line 1911 Military
- Price
- Western Arms Quality
- As with all WA guns, metal parts include: Hammer, Trigger, Magazine, Outer Barrel, Grip Safety, Thumb Safety, Hammer Spring Housing and Slide Catch.
- Serial Numbered
- Cost
- Will use older model magazines.
- Did I say this is a WA for under $150? it's even under $120!
- Magna Tech 1911 Military (top), Original slide from SCW 1911 Military (Bottom) note difference in slide catch notch,
Cons
- Less weight than 'regular' line
- 'Plastic' 'Springer' appearance
- Not a 'parkerized' tone, not even gray really- Black
- Trades appear to be 'stamped'
- Metal parts do not include front or rear sights
- Slide has mysterious dull appearance on both sides, even the side w/o trademarks. Possible result of heat when trades were stamped? This is visible in all product shots oout on the internet.
- Slide catch notch has no 'backing' like regular 1911 Military for reenforcement for that area. Creates hole that you can see internals through.
-Would have preferred if the gun was not going to have a Parkerizing, that it would have had a 'blued' tone- would have been more correct.
Shooting Impressions
So far I have loaded her up once. As usual, no shots of the target test but I can report that there were no suprises here- Usual Western Arms accuracy and groupings, the new SCW 3 blowback system is very crisp and impressive- feels like my metal-slide equipped SCW 1 on green gas honestly. Will update with target result shots
-Father and son- Western Arms SCW 1911 Military (top), Western Arms 'Magna-Tech' 1911 Military post-repaint (bottom)
Conclusions Part 1
What can I say- When I decided to buy this pistol, I had three goals:
- See if the new SCW 3 system was a big improvement-
- If the gun looked like crapola, see if there was a potential to upgrade to a metal frame and slide- As the hammer is different than a SCW 1, the answer is no. That would have been a great deal though- $100 dollar 1911 into $230 metal armor....oh well.
- If all the above did not work out, would it be a good starter pistol for my Son.
......well as Meatloaf said, 2 outta 3 ain't bad
Conclusions Part 2
Ok, I now have a 'final product' After removing the blaze orange I became aware of some problems that just would not do. As you will see in the following photos, the prep for the customs paint really knackered the front end-
Here are few more pictures that I took after I removed the blaze orange from the muzzle-
So when I removed the lovely orange paint, I noticed that the retailer, WGC, used something pretty strong to 'prepare' the front-end for painting- I'm thinking 'Goof-Off' or something like that. I used 'Goo Gone' to try and even the 'damage' out some, but it's no where near the same strength of solvent that the goof off is- You can see what I'm talking about in these pics-
See how not only can you see where the 'line' is where they painted, but how the actual texture and finish are different? where the goof-off had been applied, it is smooth and almost mirror-like- not bad actually, if only the whole slide was like that. You can see on the second picture how they over sprayed and damaged some of the finish further back on the slide- grrrrr 
Well It only took me a minute of seeing that before I decided that I would be painting the gun I used my old standby, Model Masters Metalizer in "Gunmetal" to achieve this, old worn steel effect- It's a shade lighter than the SCW 'parkerized' model, but like I said to me it looks like the old, worn-in veterans .45's that you see around. I like it. This pistol is officially done
This may seem like a lot of effort for a $100 dollar 'economy' pistol- but I think it really shows the potential this weapon has- it turned a potentially 'ugly duckling' into a really nice looking piece. This was purchased for my Son as his primary WWII sidearm.......thinking I may have to get another one now....so he actually gets a pistol ....I may try to 'blue' the next one 
-Guinness
(Thanks to Western Arms, WGC, Arnies Airsoft, WW2AA, COASG and Col. Samuel Colt)
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"Objects in Mirror" ...are behind you!
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Chrissyg
Air Cav!
Registered: March 2005
Location: Ultimate Wargames.
Posts: 4,180
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Review Date: 4/6/06
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: £90.00
| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Lovely kick, superb range, accuracy, and very nice power, cheap!
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Cons:
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Not as heavy as I would have liked, no real wood grips, metal slide/frame is £150+!
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GENERAL
Well, as this is my first WA pistol, upon opening up the box in the car when I arrived at home (couldnt wait until I got inside)I was stunned by the look of this replica. Many people have said it looks quite plasticy, but I dont feel it is. Only thing I could complain about is the front end is a bit light, and the fact that this pistol doesnt come with wooden grips as standard, however I have already started making my own out of rosewood.
The box it came in was really nice on the outside being very simple, with just the "Colt" logo on the top. And on opening, I found the gun was seated very snugly in the moulded polystyrene, and I saw the sticker covering the trademarks and fearing the worst that it would be impossible to get off, I started trying to peel it off. Infact it came of very easily leaving no sticky traces of glue anywhere.
IMPRESSIONS
Damn nice, best and nicest pistol I have owned/own. Definitely worth the £90 shipped including customs charges, from Redwolf airsoft who did a fine job in getting it to me in 4 days, from ordering it on sunday evening and arriving on friday.
And, as Guiness has also said, its the SCW3 version perfectly capable of taking green gas out of the box giving a power (chrono'd at 301 fps) in 23 degrees.
A few loverly pics. If anyone wants more specific pics of certain places of the gun, just ask!
SHOOTING
Now this is the stupidly fun part.
Loading up the mag, with gas and BBs (takes 21+1) and inserting it in the magwell, I cocked the gun. It sounds really nice, but not on par with my metal slided G19. One really good thing about this pistol, is that you dont have to rack the slide to make the gun fire, all you have to do is pull the hammer back which means you can carry the gun unloaded but quickly load it ready to shoot.
Anyway, pulling the trigger the first time. BANG. This gun is loud on green gas, and the recoil is extremely crisp and satisfying. All I can say is buy one of these and experience the kick!
It is the most accurate pistol I have had, and at 20 metres I hit one guy whilst out skirmishing in the head with a quick double tap.
Well, its just a quick review. Basically reinforcing what Guiness said, but its a bloody good pistol and one I would certainly reccomend to anyone. I cannot stand berettas, so this makes a lovely change.
I can't fault this gun for what it is, and Ill be making those custom wood grips and getting that metal frame the moment I have the cash!
Thanks for reading.
Anymore questions, dont hessitate to ask!
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†RIP Kenny† - You will be greatly misssed by the UW community, but always in our hearts.
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Registered: October 2005
Location: God's retirement home, Crackerville, Florida!