Armorer Works HX26 Hi-Capa 4.3 A.W Custom GBB Pistol; Optics Ready

Starting at the front, we can find a "bull barrel" profile 4.3-inch outer barrel with an 11mm CW female barrel threading at the tip. Bull barrels are often found on real steel "race guns" designed for rapid fire, but in Airsoft, this snazzy barrel design simply adds to the high-speed aesthetic.

The 11mm CW female barrel threading means you can customise the build with a tracer unit or suppressor using a thread adapter. We recommend going for the shortest and lightest suppressor or tracer you can find to maximise gas efficiency.

At the front of the slide, we can take note of the deep serrations, providing plenty of traction for easy racking in wet weather or when wearing gloves. The front sight sits on the top, a green light-enhancing sight which is easy and fast to pick up in low light, and pairs fantastically with the anti-glare rear sight notch machined into the rear of the slide. This combination of sights is easy to acquire and align, eliminating the possibility of mixing up the sight dots when working under pressure.

The red dot plate at the rear of the slide allows an RMR footprint red dot sight to be fitted, enhancing target acquisition speed and adding to the race gun aesthetic. The plate is machined as a part of the slide, ensuring it won't loosen up under recoil force. On either side, the plate features serrations, allowing the slide to be easily manipulated from the rear, even with a red dot mounted.

The hammer can be found at the rear of the slide, attached to the frame. Its skeletonised design and reduced profile shape go hand in hand with the speedy looks of the build overall, finished in matte silver to match the trigger and mag release. On the top, we have a textured section to provide positive control for when the hammer needs to be manually cocked.

Next up, we reach the frame of the pistol, which is constructed in standard Hi-Capa fashion, with a metal upper frame containing the internal parts and a lower pistol grip/trigger guard module made from polymer.

The upper frame includes a 20mm Picatinny rail, perfect for a tactical flashlight or laser aiming module designed for use on a pistol. On each side, we also have machined weight-reduction grooves which align perfectly with the slide serrations for a stylish, completed aesthetic.

The slide catch/disassembly lever is located on the left side of the pistol and has a slight extension to its upper surface with serrations for extra grip, providing assurance that you can operate this control effectively from a firing grip with no risk of slipping off and slowing down your reload.

The adjustable HOP-up is accessible when the pistol is field-stripped, located on the outer barrel as we would expect for a GBB pistol based on Tokyo Marui's designs. To field strip the Hi-Capa, first remove the magazine, then rack the slide so the hammer is back.

With this done, pull the slide back until the rear of the slide lock/release aligns with the semi-circular cutout on the slide, just to the rear of the slide locking cutout. With the slide held in this position, push the slide lock through from the right side, after which the slide can be removed from the front of the pistol. The gear HOP-up adjuster is on the bottom of the outer barrel, ready to be adjusted for the flattest possible trajectory with your chosen ammo weight.

To the rear of the slide release catch, we find the manual safety, which is ambidextrous and sits comfortably within reach of the shooter's thumb when holding the pistol in a firing grip, whether you are right or left-handed. This safety allows the Hi-Capa to be carried "cocked and locked" safely, with only a very slight movement required to remove the safety before taking the shot.

Also included at the rear of the frame is the hallmark 1911/Hi-capa beavertail grip safety. This safety ensures the pistol can only be fired when it is properly gripped, preventing accidental discharges. This example has an extended surface to ensure it is always deactivated as soon as you've gripped the pistol.

The magazine release can be found just below the slide release catch and is an extended design with a prominent textured button, so you never miss the release at a critical moment. This is of great benefit for a competition shooting pistol and can be an asset to any skirmisher who values a swift and easy reload with their sidearm.

At the bottom of the grip, we can find the magazine well extension, providing a wide flare to assist in reloading when you are pushing yourself to maximum speed, or you are positively shaking with adrenaline. The extension is constructed from alloy, a wide flare ideal for speedy "eyes-up" reloads on the move.

The pistol grip/trigger guard module of the Heracles is a one-piece unit, as it is with other Hi-Capa pistols. The grip itself features Infinity-style dot texture on the sides and front, with crackle texture on the hammer spring housing at the rear. On each side, we also have an Infinity-style "mobius cut", adding a hint of high-end real steel racegun looks which suit the rest of the build perfectly.

The trigger itself is a skeletonised design, styled similarly to the popular "puzzle trigger", with a smooth front face and puzzle-style engraving on each side. The trigger, as with many other Hi-capa and 1911 variants, has a very small amount of take-up before you get to the wall, and resets with a satisfying audible and tactile click with practically no overtravel.

The trigger is what makes real 1911 and Hi-capa pistols so popular with competition shooters, and fortunately for Airsofters, this perk has translated well to the Airsoft equivalents! If you are shooting for speed, whether in a skirmish or for target shooting, you can't do much better than a Hi-capa trigger!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 11mm CW female-threaded outer barrel - Tracer-ready if you add a thread adapter
• Front & rear slide serrations - Easy to rack from the front or back
• Light-enhancing green front sight - Easy to pick up in dark conditions
• .45 ACP Chamber markings - Realistic looks, precise engraving
• Anti-glare rear sight - Keeps the notch visible in bright sunlight
• "Optics ready" slide - Red dot plate built-in, compatibility to be confirmed
• Skeletonised low-profile hammer - Adds a touch of custom styling
• 20mm Picatinny frame rail - Ready for a tactical flashlight or aiming laser
• Trigger guard undercuts - Encourage a consistent hold for better accuracy
• "Puzzle" style trigger - Stylish looks, matches the hammer perfectly
• Ambidextrous manual safety catch - At the rear of the frame, great for left or right-handed users
• Dot textured grip module - Grippy and stylish, similar looks to the "Infinity" grip
• Beavertail grip safety - Prevents the pistol from shooting unless gripped correctly
• Flared magazine well - Helps guide your magazine in for easy reloads
• Compatible with WE/Armorer Works Hi-Capa magazines:
  • WE 25rnd Standard Mag
  • AW 40rnd Extended Mag
  • WE 350rnd Drum Mag; Black & Green
  • AW 350rnd Drum Mag; Black & Red
• Compatible Red Dot Sights:
  • WADSN EFLX Micro Red Dot Sight
  • Theta Optics Rugged Reflex Sight
  • AIMO SRO Micro Red Dot Sight

Package Includes

• Armorer Works HX26 Hi-Capa 4.3 A.W Custom GBB Pistol; Optics Ready
  • 25rnd Green Gas Magazine