Training with a real firearm involves not only financial costs but also legal restrictions, making it difficult to practice regularly. In Germany, opportunities for civilians to train with live firearms are quite limited, and the associated costs can be significant. To find an alternative, I chose an airsoft gun and have been using the UMAREX Glock 17 Gen 5 for my training.
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| Here is a picture of my Umarex Glock 17 Gen 5. In Germany, it is not mandatory to attach a color part, so please don't misunderstand. |
After about two months of practice, I recently had the opportunity to shoot the real Glock 17 Gen 5 at a live fire range. In this post, I will compare the key specifications of both guns and discuss the most noticeable differences I experienced.
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| I visited a live ammunition shooting range and shot a Glock 17! If you want to know more about my experience, check out this post. |
Specification Comparison
| Specification | UMAREX Glock 17 Gen 5 (1J) | Real Glock 17 Gen 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ~675g (with magazine) | ~704g (empty mag) / ~945g (loaded) |
| Length | ~202mm | ~202mm |
| Magazine Capacity | 6mm BBs, 22 rounds | 9mm rounds, 17+1 rounds |
Key Differences
1) Size and Weight
Since the UMAREX Glock 17 Gen 5 is designed to match the dimensions of the real firearm, it feels very similar in hand. However, the weight difference is noticeable. When fully loaded, the real Glock 17 Gen 5 feels significantly heavier, providing a solid grip and a more substantial presence in the hand. In contrast, the airsoft version is much lighter.
2) Spring and Internal Durability
Another major difference lies in the internal components. The recoil spring and internal stopper mechanisms of the real Glock are far more robust. Racking the slide on the real Glock requires considerably more force due to the stronger recoil spring, designed to handle the high pressure of live ammunition. The airsoft gun, on the other hand, operates on gas pressure and has a much smoother and lighter slide action. This makes it easier to handle but also means that the internal components may wear out faster over time.
3) Trigger Pull
Trigger weight and feel also differ significantly. When shooting the full-metal version of the Glock 17, I initially thought something was wrong because the trigger pull felt quite heavy. However, when I tried a polymer-framed version, the trigger was noticeably lighter and smoother, though still heavier than the airsoft version.
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| Umarex Glock, which replicates the Glock's trigger safety mechanism. |
The UMAREX Glock 17 does a decent job replicating the trigger feel, including a noticeable "wall" before the break. However, the trigger pull feels somewhat inconsistent and lighter compared to the real Glock. The actual firearm provides a much more distinct and weighted pull, making each shot feel more controlled. While the airsoft version can be useful for training trigger discipline, shooters should be aware that the transition to a real firearm will require an adjustment period.
4) Magazine
This is where the fundamental difference in operation becomes most apparent. The real Glock 17 fires by striking the primer of a live round, causing an explosion that propels the bullet forward while cycling the slide to eject the spent casing and chamber a new round. In contrast, the UMAREX airsoft gun uses a gas blowback system, where gas is released to propel a BB and cycle the slide.
The airsoft magazine has a gas reservoir and requires manual loading of BBs, making it more complex than the real magazine. Interestingly, an airsoft magazine feels heavier than an empty real Glock magazine, but when both are fully loaded, the real firearm’s magazine is significantly heavier due to the weight of the ammunition. Loading 9mm rounds into a real magazine also requires much more force than inserting BBs into an airsoft mag.
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| This is a picture of me loading 9mm ammunition. The strength of the spring is incredibly strong in comparison. |
5) Recoil
One of the biggest differences is recoil. While the UMAREX Glock 17 Gen 5 has a gas blowback system to simulate recoil, it is nowhere near the force of a real firearm. The real Glock 17 produces a strong and noticeable kick, especially on the first shot. If a shooter is not properly gripping the gun, the muzzle rise can significantly affect accuracy. In contrast, the airsoft version has minimal recoil, making it easier to maintain sight alignment and control during rapid fire. This means that while airsoft training can help with trigger discipline and basic handling, it does not fully prepare shooters for the recoil management needed with real firearms.
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| This is a picture of me shooting at a tourist shooting range in the Czech Republic. You can see the recoil causing the gun to jump. |
Conclusion
Airsoft guns serve as an excellent training tool before handling a real firearm, but certain differences must be considered. Weight, recoil, trigger feel, and magazine handling all differ significantly. Most importantly, the experience of firing live ammunition cannot be fully replicated with airsoft guns.
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| Results of my shooting after training with an airsoft gun for two and a half months. (15m) |
That said, airsoft training is still valuable for learning fundamentals like trigger control, sight alignment, and target acquisition. The key takeaway is that while airsoft training can help shooters transition more smoothly to real firearms, live fire practice is still essential for developing full proficiency.
For those looking to train but facing limitations due to cost and legal restrictions, airsoft remains one of the best alternatives for practicing firearm handling skills. However, if the goal is to be fully prepared for real firearm use, incorporating live fire training when possible is crucial.
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