Webley MKVI .455 Civilian Revolver

When Webley launched the airgun version of their world-famous Service pistol a few years back, it proved a triumph of design and execution. Celebrating one of the main pistols issued to British and Commonwealth troops is a worthy cause indeed, and the options available for this airgun are indeed many and varied, which is another factor in its runaway success. For a start, it can be specified as BB or pellet firing, and there’s a choice of barrel length too. There’s the full 6” barrel Service model, the 4” Police, and my test gun with a 2” snub-nose, which is effectively the Civilian derivative.

Choice of finish
The final choice concerns the finish, and here the action can be specified in Black, Silver, or Battlefield/Aged. They all look great, but I really do like the authentic look of my civilian model, and since I can’t abide by the erratic nature of BB rounds, unsurprisingly, I’ve opted for a pellet-firing version.

Originality
Select the Service Pistol specification and Webley supplies the gun with a small reproduction of a training manual from 1937, but with my Civilian test gun, this isn’t included. However, the attractive box does contain a basic user manual, which intriguingly lists all the films that the Webley revolver has been featured in. Webley is understandably keen to stress that this airgun version has been built from original blueprints, meaning it loads, cycles, fires, and ejects, all as per the live original. There are also original 1915 markings, stating the model on top of the chassis, and ‘Webley MK VI patents 1915’ is stamped along the bottom left. It’s a pity that Webley sees fit to stamp safety guidelines in garish white on the right side, yet this piece of wanton vandalism aside, it’s still hard not to be mightily impressed with the visuals.

Getting started
Right, time to gas up and get started. One 12-gram CO2 capsule powers the system, and as with so many CO2 pistols, the capsule is hidden away inside the grip. Look to the bottom edge and there’s a small indent that allows the finger to ease underneath, then the left grip half can be removed to reveal the chamber. Drop a fresh capsule into the cavity and use the bottom tension bolt, cleverly doubling up as the lanyard swivel ring, to tension and pierce the capsule. Snap back the grip and we’re done here.

Pellet loading
Six dummy .455 calibre cartridges are supplied with this Webley, each carrying a small nylon liner that makes loading a pellet a really smooth operation. To break the action, first press the large barrel catch, falling to the thumb on the left side, and the cylinder falls forward, automatically activating the extractor mechanism, which ejects the six cartridge cases. At this point, we have two options. We can either remove the cases, insert a pellet into each one, and then reload them, or we can operate the barrel catch more gently to avoid triggering the extractor. After that, we can insert a pellet into each cartridge while they are still in the cylinder. Either way, when all are primed, snap closed the mechanism, and we are ready for action.

Hands-on
The robust build and feel of this pistol are a big part of the appeal, and whilst the cast sights are fixed, the sight picture afforded is just about perfect when held at arm’s length, with a small border of light showing around the foresight post within the rear notch. With regards to the trigger, this pistol is designed to be shot in either single or double action. Opt for the former, and as usual, it’s just a little easier to shoot accurately, as the trigger mechanism moves less through the shot. To set the single action, pull back and cock the hammer, which moves in a slick manner. Thereafter, the trigger pull is wholly acceptable and predictable. On test, shot using single action, groups of 1.5” were easily attainable over 10 yards, and for the record, my test version shot just over 1” low at this distance. Aiming accordingly high, soon had me connecting with all manner of targets, and with a fairly mild muzzle report, despite that snub 2.5” barrel, shooting this Webley is nothing if not civilized.
Consistency isn’t particularly relevant with this type of airgun, but some interesting figures obtained from my test are as follows. The maximum velocity was around 284 fps on test, which equates to 2.9 ft/lbs, and returning to the chronograph periodically showed that reasonable consistency was maintained for at least the first 30 odd shots. I recorded 84 shots from a 12-gram CO2 capsule, and over 10 yards, accuracy held up well, but expect better results from the first half of the charge. Velocity dropped to 180 fps towards the end of that run, but as usual, it pays to monitor certain pellets in certain conditions and stick to an outer limit. This then minimizes the chance of exhausting CO2 reserves mid-shoot. But hey, remember this pistol is primarily about informal fun shooting, and there’s plenty of that to be had with this well-thought-out replica. Set up the cans and get blasting!

Verdict
At 2.2 lbs, this Webley just feels right in the aim, and the solid construction and full functionality are a big part of the draw. Owning and handling a pistol like this allows us to connect with our past, and the affection for the Webley brand and its rich history is obviously another big factor for airgun enthusiasts and aficionados worldwide. This Webley MKVI Civilian represents great value for money, is immensely satisfying to shoot, and there’s even a 3-year warranty.
Thanks to Range & Country Shooting Supplies in Sleaford, Lincs., for the kind loan of this pistol.