Glock 26C - KWA/KSC
hkssr20det kindly provided his review of the KWA Glock 26C.
He is based in the United States, hence the blaze orange slide end on the gun, which is not required in other markets.
You can read his other reviews at Airsoft Barracks.
Up for review this time is the KWA G26C (or M26C depending on where you purchase it). Based on the sub-compact Glock 26, the KWA G26C is a select fire, gas operated pistol. In real steel the Glock 26 does not come in a compensated form or with the full auto option like the KWA. Smaller than the compact framed G19, the G26 is chambered in 9mm and is often used as a concealed carry or back up weapon. The same frame is used in the G27 (.40 S&W) and the G33 (.357 Sig).
Like most KWA Glock replicas the G26C comes equipped with a metal slide and outer barrel, and is completely devoid of any trademarks to comply with US copyright laws, as well as a true blaze orange muzzle permanently painted onto the slide (the barrel is left black). Purchased new from Airsoft Extreme, Oakland, this particular model cost $135 and was purchased almost a year ago from the time of review. While the test piece has been in use for a decent length of time, over all use is still probably less than 1,000 rounds. All testing was done at the time of review to ensure reliability.
In the Box
The G26C comes packaged in the traditional KWA Glock box. With a glossy picture of a G26 (semi auto only) on the cover and the obligatory warning label, this is standard fair for a KWA. As an interesting aside, if you look at the small red tag after the G26 script on the lower right hand side, you see that this model is in fact a "KSC Type C", just food for thought.
On the backside of the box top you have three "KSC Practical" targets. Why anyone would shoot the top to the box, I don't know. The gun is held firmly in place in a white, Styrofoam bed. Inside a separate cutout are the usual assorted bits and pieces which come with any new KWA Glock. These include a loading tool, a small bit of medium weight lube, the hop up adjustment tool, and the all important allan wrench to tighten the grub screw that holds the selector switch steady. If purchased new the package would also include an instruction manual, as well as a small bag of bbs.
First Impressions
The G26C is a sub-compact Glock model, and the first impression has to be how tiny it is. Much smaller than even the Glock 19, the 26C isn't much larger than a Walther PPK. The second thing that strikes you are the prominent openings in the top of the slide, which allow you to see the exposed barrel and the compensator ports (thus the "C" designation). The rear of the slide also sports a cutout for lower weight, but the black blowback unit sits right below this opening. Since the frame is so tiny, the addition of the extended magazine somehow makes the over all look of the gun a bit lopsided. I much prefer the look when equipped with the short magazine that sits flush with the bottom of the frame. The gun comes equipped with the extended magazine (Glock 19 length), but short type replacement magazines are available with multiple but plates (one flat, one with a finger grooved extension).
Like most KWA Glock replicas, the G26C come equipped with a metal slide and outer barrel stock. Most of the internal workings of the gun, the slide stop, and the selector switch are also made out of metal. Like the RS Glock, the G26C has a plastic frame (not the heavy weight material of the G19) and trigger. The recoil guide rod on the KWA model is produced from metal, unlike the real steel and KSC Glocks.
Weighing in at 621 grams (1lb 5.9oz) the G26C is a chunky little gun, while the weight might seem light at first glance, it is in fact heavier than a RS G26 (unloaded) by over a 100 grams. With the metal magazine weighing in at 274 grams (9.7oz) the balance of the gun in the hand is good, since the gun has such a short fore end, the weight turns out be very balanced.
Closer Look
Like all KWA guns in the US the G26C comes completely devoid of trademarks (European KWA guns often include trademarks). Finished in a nice solid black, the G26C is a serious looking little gun, but the lack of trademarks does limit the realism.
KWA has chosen to add a made up serial number on the frame. Interesting since I think the DEA actually uses a Sig Sauer.
The slide on the G26C has ports cut into the forward and rear portion of the top of the slide. The front port shows off the compensated barrel, while the rear's sole point is to lighten the slide, increasing the ROF.
The G26C is a single action, select fire replica. This means that you must cock the internal hammer before a shot can be fired. One thing to take note of is the lack of the Glock safe-action trigger. KWA has chosen to eliminate this feature to comply with US Copyright laws.
The G26C is a select fire replica, which means that it can be fired in both semi-auto only mode, as well as fully automatic. The left side of the slide (in the rear) includes a selector switch which allows you to toggle between the modes. One thing to remember is that when you set the toggle to safe mode, you can't select either fire mode without pulling the slide back (preferably locking the slide open).
A common problem for fully automatic Glocks is that the selector switch loosens over time. This problem can be easily cured by tightening the grub screw that holds the selector plate in place. Underneath the rear sight blade is a small allan screw. Using the supplied allan wrench just tighten this screw down as part of your basic maintenance.
The KWA sights are standard Glock replicas. The front post has a prominent white dot, while the rear sight has a white "U" shaped line ringing the cut out. The rear sight is dovetailed into the slide, and is adjustable for windage. The front post is stationary. Nothing exciting or revolutionary here, just your standard combat sights which do the job well, but be careful that you don't lose the front sight. Since it is secured by two little plastic tabs, it is a common problem with a skirmishing gun. I would look into more securely gluing it in place if it loosens up on you.
The G26C comes with an adjustable hop up. It works via a metal ring surrounding the outer barrel, but inside the outer barrel. Accessible via the ejection port, using the supplied tool, you can adjust the hop up without field stripping the gun. Turning the dial counter clockwise increases the hop, clockwise turns it down. Personally I still prefer to remove the barrel assembly to more accurately adjust the hop up, but if it needs to be done in a pinch, the tool makes it possible.
The G26C comes with a metal recoil guide rod assembly. Assembled as one assembly, the little compact uses a multiple spring recoil guide rod due to the available space. Interestingly the Detonics (another sub compact) also uses a multiple spring system.
Another common "problem" owners run into is not seating the recoil guide rod correctly when putting the slide back together. If you don't get it right, the slide will lock up on you, and it is a pain to remove the slide to fix it. Here is the correct positioning, with the rear of the guide rod on top of the outer barrel legs, seated firmly against the front post of the feed ramp.
The G26C comes with a standard Glock 19 sized magazine. Since this magazine is longer than the frame on the G26C, KWA has added a plastic bumper that fits over the body of the magazine and perfectly fills the empty space, and allows for a full finger grip.
Made out of metal, the magazine holds 20 rounds, and can be filled easily due to the locking follower. Like many KWA guns, the follower has the ability to be locked at the bottom, in it's fully compressed state. Once the follower is locked down, bbs can be poured through the feed lips (being sure to maintain the double stack) or you can use the supplied loading trough.
Gas is loaded through a fill valve in the base plate. Unlike KSC Glocks, the KWA has an open fill valve (rather than requiring you to remove the base plate).
One of the most striking features has to be the lack of an external hammer. Designed to aid in concealed carry, and to fully remove the possibility of snagging, all Glocks share in this design feature. There is still a hammer, but it is fully enclosed in the frame and can only be seen with the slide removed.
Shooting Impressions
So how does this pint size powerhouse shoot? Rather nicely I must say. The metal slide adds enough weight to give the shorty some decent kick. Not as heavy as a full size pistol, but more than you would think from the dimensions. The cycle speed is really nice, adding a real snappiness to the firing. On full auto the gun does move around on you. It is a very fun gun to shoot.
Remember the Glock is single action, so you must rack the slide to cock the hammer before firing. Also be sure that the selector switch is in the appropriate mode before firing. If you forget, and then need to rack the slide you run the risk of loading another bb. Also be sure that the follower is no longer locked at the bottom, this has caused me a few worries.
Chrono testing was done inside at 70 degree F (Around 19C), using a XCortech X3200 chronograph (Editor : This can also measure ROF), KSC .20 bbs, a fresh magazine of green gas; 10 shots for the fps results followed by another 10 shots for the ROF.
The short barreled G26C delivered an impressive average of 297.92 FPS
| Shot | FPS |
| 1 | 308.3 |
| 2 | 295.5 |
| 3 | 306.9 |
| 4 | 313 |
| 5 | 298.7 |
| 6 | 281.2 |
| 7 | 295.1 |
| 8 | 284.2 |
| 9 | 298.7 |
| 10 | 297.6 |
Rate of fire was recorded at 1272 RPM or 21 RPS.
Yes - the gun shoots very fast on full auto. Your mag will be gone in one second if you aren't careful. Plan accordingly.
Accuracy testing was done indoors, from 5 meters, using KSC .25 bbs and green gas, six shots on the target, off hand with the large green dot representing the point of aim.
The full 6 shots grouping was 2" in diameter. Remembering just how short the barrel is, this is a pretty good grouping, unfortunately the hop up lives down to the traditional KWA results, it just is not as good as a TM hop up. If we throw out one flier then the grouping drops to a pretty respectable 1.25". On the whole it will never be an IPSC contender, but it never was supposed to be.
Click on image for bigger version in separate window.
For the full auto test I shot an 8 shot burst from 5 meters using KSC .25 bbs and green gas.
At 5" in diameter, this test target was easily the best of the four I shot. Most had a long string of shots leading up off the page. Again the green dot was the point of aim, as you can see the recoil slowly lifts the muzzle of the gun. Ignore the X in the lower corner, that shot was from an earlier target located below this one.
Take Down
Field stripping the G26C is almost exactly the same as any other Glock replica. The first step is to remove the magazine, cock the hammer (by pulling the slide), and remember to be sure the selector switch is in the safe/field stripping position (center).
Located on the front of the frame are a pair of tabs (one on each side) that need to be firmly pulled down at the same time.
Once these are pulled down, the slide can be pushed forward off of the frame. A word of caution here; often the select fire Glocks have a tendency to hang up on the internal hammer. In the picture below you can see this situation. Just add some force and it should slide past it, but don't force it too much, the rear plate is in fact made out of plastic. If it doesn't want to move, then use a small allan wrench to apply pressure to the hammer until the slide moves past.
Once clear of the hammer you have field stripped the Glock.
To further strip the gun, remove the recoil guide assembly from inside the slide. Then you can pull the barrel assembly out the same way. You will need to push the barrel assembly off of the front of the nozzle first.
Conclusions
I have to say that the KWA G26C is a fun little gun. Small, with big gun performance, the G26C is probably my favorite Glock model. A few words of caution, full auto Glocks are notorious for breaking when used frequently. I guess you could buy it and shoot on semi most of the time, but to me the whole point of this gun is the insane ROF. Accuracy is certainly decent, and is good enough to be used as a true back up on the field. With the addition of full auto, the G26C is probably the perfect hide out gun.
There are a few downsides. The limited bb capacity is a drag when using full auto. Of course you can use the 50 round Glock extended magazine, but the ability to holster the gun disappears. The trigger is smoother than other KWA Glocks I have fired, but is not the silky smooth pull of a 1911. I really think this notchines is just a by product of the trigger design. Some might be turned off by the lack of trades and the orange tip is pretty much impossible to remove without refinishing the entire slide, but this does mean the gun is legal for transportation and sale, no matter what.
Weight : 620g (275g magazine)
Realism : ***
Quality : ****
Power : ****
Accuracy : ***
Read hkssr20det's other reviews at Airsoft Barracks.
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