Wei Tech made a full metal Luger P09 Lange Pistole replica, charged by a green gas.
BACKGROUND
Anyone interested in history of german military knows what is it all about: Artillery Luger. It got its name thanks to its designation: at the beginning it was dedicated for field gun crews. It was delivered with wood and leather holster which could work as a stock as well. It served during both World Wars.
Luger P08 in original was intruduced in 7.65mm Para Bellum and then starting from 1906: 9mm Para Bellum. It is short-recoil operated with characteristic toggle locked mechanism (jointed arm to lock). Pistol was designed on the basis of 19th century project of Hugo Borhardt. Borhardt C93 was to big and too heavy though its technical advantages were obvious enough for Georg Luger. The result of his work was Luger P08 approved in German Army in 1908. Later there were other versions with different barrel lenght, designated to Kriegsmarine and artillery. The Artillery Luger (1915) as well as other versions were using box magazine, though there were also drum magazine available. P08 today is one of the most recognisable handguns in the world.
WHAT IS IN THE BOX
Full cardboard box (not as it's common - with styrofoam bottom), has simple but aesthetic design. Styrofoam inside has additional cloth cover.
In the box: apart from the guarantee, replica's manual, you may find Polish language brief manual of GBB replica's handling and maintanance and a small target board.
What is more: set of three small Allen keys for all the replica's adjustments. Manual is pretty precise, with English explanations, though HU location & adjustment scheme might be more thorough.
FIRST IMPRESSION
Replica is quite heavy but paradoxically it seems lighter than it looks. It is well balanced - balance point is over pistol grip so even the barrel lenght it is not too heavy in the front. It is most likely thanks to the barrel shape: long but thin, so therefore not that heavy.
Pistol grip is handy even though it is pretty massive. Its abrasive texture, helps to grip firmly. Reloading action is smooth, parts are well matched, no squeaky sounds or trembling even when shaking it with a big pressure.
THE LOOK
In my opinion it is a beatiful replica. It resembles the original very well and apart from that it is just aesthetic. Black mat looks great on the most of the metal parts and some (like the joint) is in black-lead colour. Taiwanese producer did a really good job this time. Some of the most important marks characteristic for the orignal one. Paint is of a good quality - it wears through after longer usage, but only on the edges.
Rearsight can be adjusted. Inner barrel is long: it ends a bit behind the muzzle sight - so ~15mm from the muzzle.
MARKS
"15" on the body and body dismantle lever.
On the back of the body "1915" and "15" on the breech joint.
No "made in ..." marks fortunately. On the left, next to safety lock: "Gesichert" marks (safe). It is visible when replica is safe-locked and it is covered by the switch when in fire mode.
MAGAZINE
Long mag can load 15BBs. It doesn't have a BB feeder lock, so mag spring has to be pulled down, all the time while loading BBs. Of course charging the gas is made with mag upside down and the gas bottle has to be kept as upright as possible - valve by WE is pretty vulnerable.
PARTIALLY DISMANTLED LUGER P08 REPLICA
It is not convenient, but unfortunately to adjust hop-up it is necessary to partially dismantle the replica. Dismantling process is almost the same as in the real Luger, apart from the obvious technical differences. First take out the mag, push the barrel into breech (pushing back upper body a bit), then pull down dismantle lever down and remove the part which keeps the upper body in place. Next, slide off the barrel with the breech (barrel to the front).
On the picture below, HU adjustment spot.
To adjust HU you have to remove upper body with the barrel, breech and HU chamber. Then flip it over to see two hex screws: first (closer to the barrel, red colour) is one which keeps the barrel in place; second one (further from the barrel - green colour) is the one which adjusts HU. Clockwise turn is adding the HU spin.
SHOOTING TESTS
Blow back is very nice, breech travels smoothly: replica out of the box is properly oiled. After taking the last shot, breech travels and stays in the back, (the joint stays in bended position). To proceed lock it in the safe position, take out the mag and pull the joint further to the back - when released it makes the breech travel to the ready position.
Even though it is only GBB, it shakes a bit so it is better to keep it firmly while shooting. Notice that you should not pull the trigger when gas container is empty because it might get trigger pin loosen up. At least it happened like that in Tanaka's replica, in WE it is neither to tight - so it may get the same result. Replace the mag only in "safe" lever position. You may disassemble the replica only after removing the mag.
SHOOTING TESTS
1. Muzzle velocity and the energy
We have tested muzzle velocity and the energy with 0.2g BBs and for comparison also with 0.23g and 0.25g BBs.
Avarage measured velocity with 0.2g BBs: 330fps; energy: 1J
Detailed results:
Weight | fps | m/s | energy
0.2g | 330 | 101 | 1J
0.23g | 317 | 97 | 1.1J
0.25g | 299 | 1.1J
2. Accuracy and convergence on 5m, 10m, 15m and 20m distances.
Test performed on silhouette target with A4 piece of paper (21 x 29,7 cm) placed in the centre. Shots were taken with 0.25g BB. Measured with tape measure. On the distances of 5 and 10 meters - 5 shots taken, on the distances of 15 and 20 meters - 10 shots taken.
On the distance of 5 meters four out of five shots found its way in A4. Convergence closed in 65mm range. Three closest points in 35mm range.
On the distance of 10 meters all five shots in A4. Convergence closed in the range of 165mm. Three closest points in 70mm range.
On the distance of 15 meters seven out of ten shots managed to fit in A4. Convergence closed in the range of 240mm. Three closest points in the range of 35mm. All shots in the silhouette.
On the distance of 20 meters four out of ten shots managed to fit in A4. Convergence closed in the range of 120mm. Closest points were in two pairs, each point of a pair in the range of 20mm. Seven of ten shots in silhouette.
3. Maximum and effective range
Effective range is close to 30 meters. While taking a shots on 28m far target, I could get 50 percent of hits in target. Further it gets a bit worse. Maximum range is over 35 meters, single shots were reaching 40 meters.
4. Gas consumption (how many shots can be taken without refilling the gas) and effectiveness (how is muzzle velocity affected with gas level)
After refilling you may shoot two magazines. Second mag has lower muzzle velocity.
SUMMARY
Luger Parabellum P08 replica is a very successful product. Good quality and proper accuracy are its main advantages. As far as I am concerned shooting tests went really good even it was just a static target. Hitting a silhouette target on the distance of 28 meters with just 50% accuracy is a very good score for a GBB replica. GBB is affecting accuracy a lot.
I am very pleased with this purchase. It is just that HU adjustment is very unconvenient and time consuming.
Replica is a perfect choice for airsoft game purposes - especially - in historic scenarios. It might be also a choice of people interested in historic reconstruction, since this replica is perfectly resembling the original one.
(Translation by Bukhart)
