DONGSAN REVIEW
M70 Black Shadow Rifle
This is based on the pre-64 model and thus would be ideal for Vietnam and later themed
loadouts. Feeling nice and chunky, weighing in at 2.8kg, finished in black ABS furniture
with metal barrel and working parts, it’s a very sleek looking rifle. It also comes with scope mount and
rings as well as a 22 BB magazine. Again, the instruction manual is informative and easy to follow. Cocking action is
very smooth and the safety selector is conveniently located on the bolt itself. The hop up is easily adjustable and I was
getting consistent results of between 289-295fps. At this time, I am not sure as to what upgrades are available or if other
manufacturer’s parts are compatible, but with a little tweaking this has all the potential of making a really good skirmishable
sniper rifle.
Spas
12 Custom
More up to date is this airsoft version of the ever-popular Spas 12. This is
the full stock version and majority of it is of ABS construction. Picking it up, you
realise how light it is, weighing in at 1.8kg. The magazine for this holds 60 BBs, plus nine
can be held in the chamber. The great thing about all the Dongsan shotgun range is the
selectable one- or two-shot firing mechanism. On the Spas, the selector is located on
the top of the receiver and is a simple slide back and forwards to select the option you require. The pump action is easy
enough to do, but you must ensure that the grip goes all the way forward before firing. Velocity results were not disappointing at all, with a respectable 275-290fps on single shot. Overall, I was really impressed with the quality of the Spas,
and how easy it was to use.
Winchester M1873
Carbine and Randall
Feeling a little bit out of my comfort zone
in saying that I think these two models are awesome, the 1,873 Carbine weighs in at
2kg, which is about half of what the real thing weighs. It has a 37 BB mag capacity and
comes with a spare mag in the box as well. Safety selector is located on the underside
of the stock. The furniture is good old wood effect ABS, but the barrel, working parts and lever
mechanism are zinc diecast. The official blurb says that this surface has been specially treated so
that the more you use it the more it will look like the real thing. Cocking the weapon using the lever mechanism, takes
some oomph, so only real cowboys can operate. The look and feel of this made me want to go home and watch the original
True Grit all