I’m lucky enough to have a SOCOMGEAR M9A1 SOF here to test and take some shots of (thanks Simon!).
Once again (for those that missed it) here’s the manufacturer’s specs for the M9A1 SOF:
Features:
- Full Aluminium Metal Slide, Body
- Desert combat TAN color camouflage coating
- High capacity double stack magazine
- FREE Licensed 9mm Gemtech Trinity silencer ($40)
- (USA: Light weight dummy version)
- Strong blowback recoil
- Tactical rail adapter for flashlight and laser
- SOCOMGEAR pistol grip panel
- Functional Safety Switch (ambidextrous safety)
- Quickly Disassembles
- Attachment Loop for Retention Lanyard
- Authentic engraving, includes: “SPECIAL OPERATION FORCES S.O.F. ; LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND”
Specifications:
- System: Gas Blow Back (NPB)
- Gas Type: Green Gas
- Magazine Capacity: 26+1
- Muzzle Velocity: 320-340 FPS
- Package Includes: Gun, magazine and a FREE Licensed Gemtech Trinity Silencer (USA version is a dummy light weight can)
Here’s a bunch of photos of the new GBB (I’ve not had a chance to use it outside as it is so darn cold here at the moment). Out of the box the level of detail and finish is impressive. The logos and lines are clean and well cut. I’ve taken some close-ups so you can see how well it has been built.
The fit and finish is what you’d expect and the logos and paint is up to a good standard.
Personally I love the finish and colours, however as you can see in a few shots the downside of a tan finish is that you will get some transfer of paint on the lighter areas such as where the magazine fits and on the slide areas.
This is one heavy pistol coming in at 825g for the pistol itself and 255g for the magazine. That’s a combined weight of 1080g in the holster. Whilst it may seem like a lot, the real M9 clocks in just over 1kg fully loaded so we’re not far off in realism here.
For those of you interested in what the guts look like here’s a few photos.
As you can see from the outer barrel shroud area the parts are painted rather than anodised.
The SOCOMGEAR M9 is compatible with TM parts so I’m told, however I don’t have a TM M9 here to strip and compare at this moment. The magazines should certainly be compatible as with WE magazines. Seeing as WE have just launched the CO2 M9 magazine I can see I may have some fun with this one at the next local game! I’ll get some range and accuracy details up at that point.
SOCOMGEAR’s products continue to impress and the M9A1 is a great addition to anyone’s SOF/operator load out.
