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SIG Sauer GSR Pistol

SIG Sauer GSR Pistol

CO2 is a whole world of airguns in itself, and to my mind, the emphasis here is on fun shooting. On test here is Cybergun’s CO2 powered reproduction of the SIG Sauer GSR pistol, and this is a typical example of what is available in the sub £80 bracket.

The GSR comes very well presented, not to mention protected, in a very neat boxed set including the pistol, a small box of BB’s, an allen key, and a plastic speed loading tool. This model fires 4.5mm steel BB’s and features a semi-automatic action. It utilizes standard 12g CO2 capsules too, so the power source is readily available. Informal plinking sessions are what this gun is all about, and opening the neat packaging revealed an attractive pistol, that certainly looked the part.

Handle the GSR and the first impressions are of a solid pistol. Enough of the construction is metal (magazine and main top slide section) to give the GSR a satisfying weight in the hand, and it certainly feels good on aim. A tactical accessory rail features as part of the main body frame, and for those who wish to play with all manner of add-ons, such as torches and lasers etc., this could be a useful feature. Sights are non-adjustable with this model, although they are clearly picked out, with white dots on the notch and post, affording a good sight picture.

Encapsulate

Before any action can take place, a 12g CO2 capsule needs to be loaded. This is actually concealed inside the pistol’s magazine, and to gain access, just press the small button behind the trigger, to release the mag. With the magazine withdrawn, the allen key supplied needs to be used to gently release the tension. The capsule can now be removed, and replaced with a new one. As always with CO2, handle the spent capsules with care, as they can become super cold as the last of the contained liquid turns to gas. With a new capsule in position within the magazine, the allen key is again used, to take up the slack, and apply pressure, gently piercing the seal on the capsule in the process. Once you hear the gas escape with a small hiss, that should be enough, so be careful not to over tighten.

Now we’re ready to fill the magazine with BB’s. This is done by sliding the speed-loading tool into position over the mag, which in turn, pushes back the spring loaded clip. Keep a firm grip of this assembly and carefully pour BB’s into the magazine’s opening at the top, until the prescribed 21 have been loaded. With the magazine fully prepared, push it back inside the pistol until it clicks, and you’re ready to go. It’s here that the fun begins, and our inner ‘Bodie and Doyle’ takes over. Well older readers (much older readers) will know what I mean!

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BAXS?

The GSR is specified as featuring BAXS, which stands for Ballistic Accuracy Extreme System. For those unfamiliar with the world of BB guns, this is apparently Cybergun’s version of the Hop-up system. Standard Hop-up involves the BB passing through a tube which features a dimple at the top. The dimple imparts backspin to the BB, allowing it to travel further, but the downside is that this can often be at a slight angle; sending the BB off to the left or right. The BAXS system features an additional point of contact to the BB, with effectively two dimples, one at 10 o’clock and one at 2 o’clock, within the firing mechanism, which apparently leads to greater accuracy.

Performance

My initial testing was to be over 10yds. The GSR only shoots on double action, whereby the pulling of the trigger has to bring the hammer all the way back before the mechanism fires, which does mean that trigger pressures are rather heavy. Semi auto operation however, means that the fire rate is just as fast as you can pull the trigger, which is great fun for sure. If you require a safety catch, then that takes the form of the thumb bar, just below and right of the hammer. A red dot shows when the pistol is live and ready to go.

So just what can you expect from this model in terms of accuracy? Well over 10yds and shooting from a rested position, I managed five shot groups just shy of an inch, which I reckon is quite reasonable for this type of gun. Over 15yds, the best achieved was 1.5inches, so fair results considering we are talking the far less efficient steel BB here. Point of impact was rather high with shots landing around four inches high at 10yds, but of course allowances can be made at certain ranges. One point to note here, is that I would always recommend the wearing of safety glasses when shooting steel or ‘copper coated’ BB’s as they do have a greater propensity for ricochets than conventional lead pellets. I tended to overlook this at times through the testing, but it should be second nature.

On test and for the record, the GSR managed around 150 shots per capsule, which gives a good guide as to what to expect.

Considerations

Factor in the additional running costs of the CO2 capsules themselves, and CO2 shooting in general is obviously more expensive than shooting standard airguns. The major attraction for many though, has to be the fast-fire semi automatic feature, and if that does it for you, then the SIG Sauer GSR is a solid little contender. It’s neat, compact, well presented and unashamedly FUN! GM

  • SIG Sauer GSR Pistol - image {image:count}

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  • SIG Sauer GSR Pistol - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • SIG Sauer GSR Pistol - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • SIG Sauer GSR Pistol - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • SIG Sauer GSR Pistol - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • SIG Sauer GSR Pistol - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • SIG Sauer GSR Pistol - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • SIG Sauer GSR Pistol - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Model: Cybergun SIG Sauer GSR
  • Type: : Co2 Semi-auto repeater
  • Power Source:: 12g Co2 cartridge
  • Calibre:: .177
  • Magazine Capacity:: 21 BB’s
  • Ammo:: Steel BB`s only
  • Shot Count:: On test over 150 shots per 12g capsule of gas
  • Sights:: Fixed
  • Weight: 2.4lbs
  • Overall Length:: 7.3inches
  • Barrel Length:: 3.5inches
  • Velocity:: 390fps approx
  • Trigger:: Double action only

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