Webley Nemesis

Webley has a long history in the production of air pistols and air rifles. In fact, the company (as they were back in the day), created the first production air pistol over 100 years ago. However, just like many airgun manufacturers, Webley no longer manufactures anything in the UK. However, as a brand, the name carries on thanks to Highland Outdoors, who ensure that any gun bearing the Webley stamp continues to represent a quality product in both build and performance.

Incidentally, air pistol fans will remember that this isn’t the first Webley pistol of this name, as the original Nemesis was a single-shot PCP and a very fine one at that. What we’re now presented with is a much more versatile CO2-powered pistol and one that can certainly still stand up against the opposition.

Built to last

The Nemesis has a substantial but lightweight toughened polymer and metal build, resulting in it feeling very solid in the hold. The stippled, slab-sided combat style grips are made comfortable by the slight front finger ridging and the top has a full thumb shelf on both sides. This contoured recess allows the forefinger to make its way to the trigger unhindered and your thumb to comfortably wrap around the other side as you hold it. At the upper rear of the grip, the main frame is styled and curved to reach back, so it passes over the top of the shooting hand. The top of the frame has a full run of dovetails for mounting an optic, plus there’s also an underslung Picatinny rail at the very front for mounting accessories, such as a laser or light.

To give you even more options for versatility, the barrel protrudes and is threaded to accept a standard ½” UNF silencer. The good news is that Webley produces the QGS4 Silencer, which fits the Webley Nemesis and Alecto, plus the Sig Sauer pistols, due to it being supplied with suitable adaptors.

Not the norm

Like all pistols of this type, the Nemesis takes power from a single 12-gram CO2 capsule. However, unlike many other pistols that use this power source, the capsule isn’t housed in the grip. Instead, the grip holds a few vital components, like the tandem multi-shot magazine. Also, when the retaining cover at the base of the grip is slid out, it not only reveals the hollow grip compartment but is an important piece of kit in itself - a 6mm Allen head bit. This vital component is used to remove the front retaining plug that screws into the lower part of the mainframe, which is also the CO2 capsule housing.

Using the key/bit, you need to unscrew the cylindrical metal cover so that a capsule can be placed nose-first into the housing. Refitting the housing cover both secures the power source in place and pierces the capsule, so gas can flow into the system.

Action stations

The Nemesis can be used in singleshot mode with the specified tray or as a multi-shot with the unique and cleverly designed, double-sided tandem magazine. This twin drum rotary magazine is configured so that they are in line but oppose each other. Each drum holds 7-shots in .177 calibre and 6-shots in .22. So, for the pistol on test that’s a full payload of 12-pellets.

To load the magazine, you do so one side at a time, which entails having the Perspex cover plate facing you and rotating the inner drum anticlockwise against spring tension. Then, you drop a pellet in nose-first as each empty chamber comes in line with the aperture in the cover. Next, reverse the magazine so that the other drum now has its Perspex cover plate facing you and repeat the process. There’s no risk of inserting the magazine into the action incorrectly because, with one of the Perspex cover plates facing you, this can only be slid in from the left as an elongated recessed slot has been formed in the forward face of the unit to mate up with the breech collar. When one side has been shot through, you draw back the bolt, remove the magazine, then turn it around until the Perspex cover of the other side now faces you, then slide this in as before.

Either side

The bolt that cocks and probes a pellet into the tube is ambidextrous, due to the fact it has the ability to be fitted to the left or right of the pistol body. Full marks to Webley as this is a very thoughtful and consumer tempting feature. The bolt requires you to first turn it up from its front keeper slot before it can be pulled to the fully rearward position, where it locks solidly back in place for reloads.

In use

As well as the dovetails for scope or red dot fitting as mentioned earlier, the pistol also has a set of fibre optic enhanced open sights. These consist of a raised green fibre optic front sight bar and set behind at the very back of the mainframe, are two red fibre optic bars flanking the square- shaped notch of the non-adjustable rear sight. The sights are low set, fitting in with the combat styling of the pistol and also the length between the front and rear units is such that they easily allow you to attain a quick and very precise sight picture. They’re very useable for informal plinking and with practice, you can easily attain sub 1” groups out to 10-12 yards.

However, there is a problem if you decide to fit certain silencers, as certain ones may obscure the sightline of the opens. Yet, I’m reliably informed that if you use the recommended QGS4, they’re still a usable sighting option. If you want to get optimum accuracy from the pistol, a scope or red dot is the way to go, especially if you want to shoot at targets that are further away.

Trigger & safety

The 2-stage adjustable trigger has a broad polymer blade, and the manual cross-bolt safety button is positioned directly above the middle of the integral trigger guard on the lower side of the mainframe. This pushin button is in the ideal position for disengaging with the forefinger if right-handed and/or engaging from the other side if shooting with the left.

Without any ancillary kit added, the pistol handles and balances wonderfully well and feels very comfortable in the hold. The feel in the hold of course is due to the design of the slab-sided and very ergonomic grip. The trigger is a superb unit as it comes set from the factory and I really liked it. Not a hair release, but one that you can easily control without the fear that the pistol will inadvertently tilt to one side or the other as you squeeze off a shot. I’d say that it deserves high praise, as experienced pistol shots will be able to shoot the gun one-handed, just like the competitive match boys do using precision paper punchers.

So, with no recoil and an optic on board, plus adopting a two-handed hold, I’d say that with lots of practice that most could tighten those groups up considerably. Incidentally, a very pleasant surprise is that even without a silencer fitted, discharge on firing was very acceptable.

Conclusions

Although the CO2-powered air pistol market is a very saturated one, it’s good to see the Webley Nemesis is a model that still stands out from the crowd. Usually, it’s because of cosmetic appeal but in this case, it’s not only due to its stylish appearance but also because of its very user-friendly function, performance and versatility.

It has a very well-considered ergonomic design, is as accurate as any comparable pistol, plus is ideally balanced and weighted. Also, it’s got every base covered should you want to fully trick it up with an optic, silencer or light/laser etc.

In fact, the Webley Nemesis is a gas-powered pistol that can be recommended for most CO2 air pistol shooting disciplines and one that will give a lot of years of service and enjoyment.