RAVEN R14 Hi-capa GBB Pistol w/BDS Red Dot Sight; Pre Two-Tone

If you are an Airsofter of class and refined taste and you want Hi-capa performance but not its indiscreet styling, the RAVEN R14 would suit your needs well. This pistol is based on the real steel Para Ordnance P14, the original double stacked 1911 design, and boasts the perfect combination of Hi-capa and 1911 features. The externals of the pistol are constructed almost entirely from alloy, providing that full metal feel and satisfying clank when fired, and the textured polymer grip panels provide the 1911-style classic look.

This version is what RAVEN calls the “BDS” version, which means it comes equipped with a red dot sight and raised light-enhancing iron sights straight out of the box. This means you get a slick modern sighting system without any of the issues sourcing a mounting plate and a compatible red dot.

The outer barrel of the RAVEN R14 is equipped with 12mm CW female threading, which allows a tracer unit or suppressor to be mounted using the RAVEN thread adapter if you want the stealthy look, or you want to lay down some intimidating glowing BBs to keep heads down in CQB. The outer barrel is constructed from alloy, as are the slide and frame, granting the R14 "full metal" status.

The sights of the R14 can be found at the top of the slide, and are raised in order to co-witness with the pre-installed red dot sight and also come with light-enhancing green inserts. The light-enhancing inserts mean you can easily acquire your sights in low light conditions and still take aimed shots in the darkness of a CQB site.

The sides of the slide sport serrations at both the front and rear, offering you all the options when it comes to how you handle the pistol and manipulate the slide. The serrations are deep and machined at a slight forward angle which gives the R14 a dynamic look, adding some subtle flair to this discreetly styled piece.

Moving down to the frame we can see a 20mm Picatinny frame rail on the dust cover; perfect if you are a CQB player and want to make use of a tactical flashlight or laser. The rail is also reprofiled at the front with a slight bevel to aid in re-holstering.

The trigger guard is of the standard 1911 profile, and within it, we can see the curved, ported trigger. The trigger has linear texture on its front surface which is oriented vertically to prevent your finger from slipping, even if you "slap" the trigger when firing rapidly. The magazine release is located where the trigger guard meets the grip on the left side and is a simple low profile design to reduce the chances of accidentally dropping the magazine as you work under pressure.

The slide release is positioned on the left side of the frame and is a modern extended design with texture on its surface to ensure you have no trouble releasing the slide in wet weather, or when wearing gloves. The manual safety catch is ambidextrous and is located at the rear of the frame on either side of the R14. The safety boasts the same style of texture as the slide release, tying the two pieces together and providing the same benefits when operating in wet conditions.

At the rear of the frame we can find what is known as the "beavertail grip safety". This device extends from the rear of the R14 grip and is designed to disable the trigger when the pistol is not gripped properly. This is a really useful feature for 1911 and Hi-capa pistols as their light trigger pull can sometimes result in negligent discharges on the draw when the grip safety is disabled. This secondary safety means that unless you intend to shoot the trigger will not function, preventing any protrusions from catching the trigger and firing the pistol.

Above the grip safety, we can find the hammer which will actuate with each shot for an immersive experience. The hammer has texture on its upper surface, just in case you want to cock it manually in classic movie stand-off style. This hammer is skeletonised which reduces the overall weight of the pistol and allows the hammer to move slightly faster. This means a marginal improvement in gas efficiency, but any improvement is still a good thing!

The BDS red dot sight is mounted atop the slide at the rear and requires a single CR2032 button cell (not included) to power it. To turn the sight on, simply press both of the brightness adjustment buttons found on either side of the sight simultaneously.

Installing a battery will require that the red dot sight itself is removed via the two Allen bolts on the top, but the mounting plate can stay in place. Included in the box you will find a set of standard low-profile iron sights so if you prefer to run the R14 as nature intended you can ditch the modern sight setup and put it back on when you need it.

The grip of the R14 looks like a 1911 but feels like a Hi-capa with its wider profile. Unlike the Hi-capa series, the R14 frame and grip are constructed as a single piece of alloy with polymer grip panels which attach on either side in a similar manner to 1911s. There is linear texture machined into the front strap and the same texture on the rear of the grip machined into the hammer spring housing.  These gripping surfaces pair well with the diamond-checked grip panels to give you the best chance of keeping a firm grip on the R14, with or without gloves.

From a performance standpoint, the R14 is practically what one might expect. It looks like a 1911 but it shoots like a Hi-capa, which is great news for those who don't want to sacrifice performance for the classic look. The R14 utilises the far larger Hi-capa magazine with its massive gas reservoir, meaning this pistol can handle rapid-fire, fairs well in the cold and will need topping up with gas far less frequently than the slim 1911 magazines. Just like other RAVEN GBB pistols, the R14 boasts an adjustable HOP-up unit which can be accessed by removing the slide for a field strip.

To remove the slide you will first need to cock the R14, and then remove the magazine. Next, pull the slide back to align the slide lock with the rearmost notch in the slide. With this done, you can push the slide lock out from the right side of the pistol, after which the slide can be removed towards the front. You will find the HOP-up adjustment dial on the bottom of the outer barrel. This device allows you to apply varying levels of backspin to your BBs to extend their range and tune the R14 for your ammunition weight of choice.

The RAVEN R14 allows fans of the classic 1911 look to have their cake and eat it too, all while avoiding garish Hi-capa aesthetics. Don't get us wrong, we love a Hi-capa and its looks, but it is no substitute if you want something a bit more discrete and uncommon as your sidearm. Float like a 1911 and sting like a Hi-capa, the R14 is a modern pistol with a retro form factor!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel
• Adjustable HOP-up - Accessible with the slide removed
• "BDS" Red dot sight pre-installed - Fast target acquisition
• Beavertail grip safety - Ensures the pistol cannot be fired without a proper grip
• Skeletonised hammer - Custom looks and a slight improvement in gas efficiency
• Skeletonised trigger - Looks great, reduces overall weight
• 1911 Style slide group disassembly - Outer barrel comes out through the front of the slide
• Raised light-enhancing iron sights - Get a good view over a suppressor or tracer
• .45ACP Marking on the chamber - Realistic markings for the real Para-Ordnance
• Ambidextrous manual safety catch - Easy to use for left or right-handed shooters
• Forward slide serrations for better handling - Easy to rack from the front or back
• Textured pistol grip panels with RAVEN roundel logo
• 20mm Picatinny frame rail - Ready for a tactical flashlight or aiming laser
• 12mm CW female threaded outer barrel - Adapter required for a tracer
• HI-capa mags with 1911 looks - A match made in heaven!

Package Includes

• RAVEN R14 Hi-capa GBB Pistol w/BDS Red Dot Sight; Pre Two-Tone
• RAVEN Hi-capa GBB magazine
• Low profile iron sights
• Spare nozzle
• CO2 recoil spring
• RAVEN PVC patch