I wanted to share this with you.
Umarex Legends Air Rifles and costs of BB Guns – November 5, 2023
I have owned the MP-40, M1A1 Thompson and M3a1 Grease Co2 BB guns for about two to three years now and they are fun to shoot! I do not have any problems with the Crossman C02 cartages. However, the Umarex SMGs do like the steel BBs; they seem to work better with the Umarex SMGs.
I did have a problem, I kept having to reload the darn magazines so I bought extra magazines for each BB gun. It was a big pain to reload the magazines while playing the game, not to mention just shooting the Umarex guns with automatic fire all of the time. BBs everywhere especially trying to hold the spring-loaded BB spring nub catch to stay open while loading,
I designed and built a way to load the magazines very fast, it only takes about 1/2 second to load each magazine (any size from below 10 to 30 or 60 or more BBs) with no spilled BBs. (Design and manufacture of device is NOT included in costs). I also bought 5” and 7” inch long arm Allen 6mm wrenches, it is now a breeze to load and un-load the C02 cartridges with only one hand. I also noticed that I found it was the moisture from the CO2 causing frost (moisture) that jammed the Umarex guns.
The solution is simple, I use 100% Silicone oil on the clips (spray and drops) head and BBs. Silicone oil not only is Very slippery but also it disperses moisture (no frost, no water, no jams) and it also coats rubber, synthetic rubber and vinyl and will not affect any metal or plastic and it is impervious to Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun and does not absorb Co2. It also ensures that no rust can affect the guns in storage when not in use usually for months.
I do not use WD-40 as it leaves a “gunk” behind and is a petroleum product. As petroleum products will deteriorate rubber or synthetic rubber over time. The death knell for air or Co2 chambers. I use only 100% silicone on all my BB guns, Air rifles, Co2 rifles and pistols. Even my old Air pump and Co2 guns I bought back in the 80s and they still work.
My friend and I made had made a War Game back in the late-....well when we were at College.
The game is patterned after the board game “Panzer Blitz” by Milton Bradley that we played at college. Our game uses molded Plaster of Paris WWII tanks (1/35th scale) using Crossman Nitro .177 cal. pellet rifles. We have 14 different plaster tanks models we use. We tried Co2 pistoles but they were ineffective (Lugers, P-38, 1911 etc.)
We found that we needed a close in weapon for our game and the Legends MP40, Thompson M1A1 and M3a1 grease gun Co2 SMGs are prefect.
We play the game on about a 1/2 acre of land and produce maps and a movement grid for play.
The 1/35 tanks are hollow and have thickness of walls that are appropriate thickness of the tanks involved. I have videos of the game in action. The Tanks painted and have the appropriate decals and markings (The Tanks must look good it is more fun shooting the tanks that way).
If you are interested let me know I will give the links to you.
Purchases – Umarex SMGs
MP-40 Purchased January 6, 2020
M1A1 Thompson Purchased March 23, 2020
M3a1 Grease gun Purchased November 30, 2022
Costs of UMAREX Legends Automatic Co2 BB Guns
Legends Guns Cost
MP-40 SMG $329.72 (4X Magazines)
M1A1 Thompson SMG $430.00 (4X Magazines)
M3A1 Grease Gun SMG $423.73 (4X Magazines)
Sub Total Cost $1,183.44
Extra Items - Extra
(Replica Carry bags - $65.00 x 3) $165.00
Total Cost $1,348.44
Now the cost does NOT include slings (replica) and tools like longer 6mm wrenches (6mm 7” long arm), other assorted tools and BB loaders, silicone oil, BBs, Co2 cartridges, or the plaster tanks and molded plastic parts etc. The plastic parts are cannon barrels and running gear (cannot make cannons and running gear out of Plaster of Paris). The treads are made of molded black silicone seal rubber.
So; @ 1,348.44 dollars is the conservative estimate of my investment and I want to protect that investment.