chris u'5 Posted October 24, 2017 Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 Hello Guys, I have been away for many years and have lost track of what is going on the World of Airsoft and I was wondering what the story is with Western Arms? It seems their website is still being updated but all of the 'usual' retailers either no longer stock them or are out of stock of all their models. Just interested to know what has been going on as there are two 1911 models I am desperate to add to my WA collection. Many thanks in advance. Chris Link to post Share on other sites
hitmanNo2 Posted October 24, 2017 Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 I can't remember exactly but I don't think they're really shipping to retailers out of Japan these days. Someone on the WA group on FB explained it a while back. Increases in exchange rates have killed a lot of the market for them. Someone in Japan should be able to get you what you want. Or you could try buying directly from their site but I have never tried that. Link to post Share on other sites
Gunnman Posted October 24, 2017 Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 If you are interested in buying an Western arms pistol or rifle, I can hook you up with a broker who can purchase it off their site. PM me if you are interested. Link to post Share on other sites
chris u'5 Posted October 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 Thanks hitman, I remember you from back in the day and being amazed by your WA knowledge and collection I hope you still have them! Gunman - Ill be in touch! Thanks very much guys. Link to post Share on other sites
hitmanNo2 Posted October 24, 2017 Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 Heh. Yeah. Still a WA guy. Glad to see another WA fan is out there. Link to post Share on other sites
chris u'5 Posted October 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 Unfortunately I sold most of my WAs when I hit some hard times, still feel sick about it I did keep two though, a Colt Series 70 and a Colt 1911, both in WAs beautiful 'Carbon Black' finish. For the Series 70 I got hold of a genuine Colt pistol case, genuine Colt cocobolo medallion grips and a copy of the original instructions and for the 1911 I sourced the cardboard box that Colt used when they reproduced the original 1911 a few years ago and a reprint of the original user manual from the year 1911 Do you have pictures of your collection anywhere? I seem to remember you had a beautiful Kimber Raptor?? Link to post Share on other sites
hitmanNo2 Posted October 24, 2017 Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 Nice. I need to consolidate my pics really. They were scattered in the 1911 pic threads but now knackered thanks to Photobucket's BS. Yeah, I have a Raptor. Sadly the re release without the really nice finish. But it does have RS grips which were/are difficult to get hold of though. Link to post Share on other sites
Gunnman Posted October 25, 2017 Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 Yeah, there is something special about the WA 1911. Been working on and collecting WA's for awhile now Link to post Share on other sites
BigAl Posted October 28, 2017 Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 Another reason for there scarcity these days is the TM 1911 Line and the readily available metal kits, along with KWA/Elite Force,KWC and other cheap Full Metal 1911’s. Most people would rather have a cheaper 1911, fools. lol Link to post Share on other sites
Dentonboy Posted November 4, 2017 Report Share Posted November 4, 2017 I've always fancied a mini Beretta... Link to post Share on other sites
icolater Posted November 4, 2017 Report Share Posted November 4, 2017 Loved my WAs, only had a few 1911s, a para ordnance and a couple of kimbers, two had the carbon black finish and one had a stainless steel glass bead blasted replicated finish that was so real looking it was amazing. They lacked performance though and the positive pressure valves in the nozzles were a bit inconsistent, also the plastic while looking great was a bit flimsy, I really regret not getting MBKs for them but felt that it was a shame to waste the really great looking plastic frames and slides. Link to post Share on other sites
castigador Posted November 4, 2017 Report Share Posted November 4, 2017 WA is, atleast in Japan, still going strong. I visited their shibuya store around this time last year and it was seriously difficult to buy just 3 pistols (2 1911's and a beretta m1934). I'm going back to Japan next year and hope to do some nice shopping again. Link to post Share on other sites
icolater Posted November 6, 2017 Report Share Posted November 6, 2017 Their are so many cool steel 1911 these days from PAC, rwa, at tech, mafioso, creation etc that Buying a WA and kitting it up just isn't worth it. Link to post Share on other sites
Gunnman Posted November 6, 2017 Report Share Posted November 6, 2017 Their are so many cool steel 1911 these days from PAC, rwa, at tech, mafioso, creation etc that Buying a WA and kitting it up just isn't worth it. I would say you really don't have to kit up a WA, they run fine on green stock. If co2 is your thing, then yeah, look elsewhere Link to post Share on other sites
icolater Posted November 6, 2017 Report Share Posted November 6, 2017 Had a WA kimber tle/rl pro explode on green gas after only a few mags, it was indoors but still. I never shot any of my WAs on green after that. But they do look nice! I love going on wagunnet to see what's new from them, so many cool and interesting models available. Link to post Share on other sites
allizard Posted November 17, 2017 Report Share Posted November 17, 2017 I don't know about WA going strong honestly. WA don't sell direct to overseas and not many exporter in Japan interested selling them outside of Japan. The market demand just not there according my source (multiple) in Japan. TM still rank top when it comes to GBB pistols sales. Link to post Share on other sites
Gunnman Posted November 17, 2017 Report Share Posted November 17, 2017 True, they are prone to only limited runs to keep cost down. TM did ruin WA's sale, along with TM clones. As much as I like the TM, their selection is pretty bad and most metal kits don't replicate anything I'm interested in. Link to post Share on other sites
allizard Posted November 17, 2017 Report Share Posted November 17, 2017 True, they are prone to only limited runs to keep cost down. TM did ruin WA's sale, along with TM clones. As much as I like the TM, their selection is pretty bad and most metal kits don't replicate anything I'm interested in. That is incorrect. The only way to cost down is to make by large volume and cutting cost on manufacturing process. WA tried that with KWC for the MagnaTech series. That didn't go anywhere. Making a limited run actually is quite expensive. Then again, your sales volume / demand isn't there so there is no growth with the company. Link to post Share on other sites
hitmanNo2 Posted November 17, 2017 Report Share Posted November 17, 2017 I don't know. They seem to be doing OK in Japan. I gather there is a significant number of die hard collectors/WA enthusiasts. I keep an eye on their site and they release a handful of new models every couple of months. The WA and TM markets are completely different. Like a luxury car brand versus an everyday brand for instance. Ferrari doesn't care how many Focus' Ford sell. Link to post Share on other sites
Gunnman Posted November 18, 2017 Report Share Posted November 18, 2017 The WA and TM markets are completely different. Like a luxury car brand versus an everyday brand for instance. Ferrari doesn't care how many Focus' Ford sell. But they did, and probably still do to some degree. As Allizard said, WA did try the TM market and failed. They did once own the whole 1911 market, even if they were a little pricey. A lot people wait to buy WA guns second hand for a better price, some guns are so collectible, they resell for more than what WAGunsite asked for; then there are others that no one cares about. There is a whole market just for stock WA parts on auction sites. Things like Heinie rear sights sell from 30 to 50 USD (More if they have the white dot)! WA knows their market, so they know 1911 fanatics eat up guns from new and old gunsmiths (Like Swenson, Hoag, Clark and Chow), video games, film and manga. While TM takes up the rest, with a whole aftermarket support. Allizard: That makes sense, I'm not really well versed in manufacturing. Link to post Share on other sites
icolater Posted November 18, 2017 Report Share Posted November 18, 2017 WA scw3 is outdated, Marius perform better and with a nova kit also look better. This is why no one really cares about WA any more. Plus the fact that green gas kills them and duster is useless unless you live in a hot country. Like what was said before, they have a very niche market in Japan with collectors, that's it really. Link to post Share on other sites
tomjolly Posted November 18, 2017 Report Share Posted November 18, 2017 Might be a bit off topic, but if I was selling a WA pistol would it be better trying to sell it on a Japanese site? Or is it just not worth it? Link to post Share on other sites
icolater Posted November 18, 2017 Report Share Posted November 18, 2017 Try it on Arnies, but DONT under sell it, these dudes on Arnies are sharks!!! Link to post Share on other sites
tomjolly Posted November 18, 2017 Report Share Posted November 18, 2017 I’ve been a lurker for about 15 years and only created my account a few months ago when I started playing again so I still don’t have enough posts to access the classifieds. But when I do I’ll post it their first. I figured it was more a niche gun to sell and thought the usual classified sites might not be the best place so I’m glad I asked. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
AliceHKfan Posted November 18, 2017 Report Share Posted November 18, 2017 I just saw this today and want one, looks like it'd be a great target gun and easy to shove in a longer inner barrel http://www.wa-gunnet.co.jp/product_info.php?cPath=3&products_id=1422 Link to post Share on other sites
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