There is a lot of superstition surrounding the number 13, but KJ Works ignores this by naming its replica KP13. It moves away from known handgun designs such as Colt, Sig or CZ and offers something new. What we liked: The design, as it is different from what we've seen hundreds of times; the blowback, pure power especially when using the CO2 magazine; and its grey colour, is grey trendy now?
THE WEIGHT OF POWER
Why is the material of the slide important? Simply because it's heavier as it is made of metal (250g out of the total 770g) and that the mass moved in each shot provides a stronger blowback feeling. And few things we players like more than feeling the kickback power when firing. Something that makes KJ Works clearly stand out from other Japanese brands, also very popular, which use plastic.
THE PRESENT IS GREY, THE FUTURE BLACK AND TAN
The frame, unlike the slide, is made of plastic composite that lightens the whole set, with a finish that emulates a non-slip texture but that is purely aesthetic, so it might be better to use "sniper tape". Initially the gun will be available in grey, but in a near future it will also be released in TAN and black, according to KJ Works.
TWO STAGE TRIGGER
This system inside the trigger is a kind of small trigger that functions as trigger safety. Unless you pull this second lever the main one cannot be fired, something you should not worry about because both will be pulled consecutively in the same movement with a firm grip. But it works well to prevent accidents.
HAWKEYE
When shooting with a handgun we often do so intuitively, not really using the aiming systems. But the front optical-fibre sight are welcome, as it helps us to capture more light to highlight the line of fire and lets us aim more easily without having to focus the eyes on the sights. So aiming becomes easier, and we would be the only ones to blame if we miss the shot.
HOLD ME TIGHT
This design includes areas marked to help place your hands. There are many theories and practices when it comes to holding the gun, but you can find marks for the most common ones:
1 · Area to rest your trigger finger off the trigger.
2 · Area to rest the thumb of the support hand.
3 · Area to rest the thumb of the firing han
4 · Non-slip area to rest the fingers of the firing hand.
5 · Non-slip area to rest the palm of the support hand.
6 · Lowered area for better placement of the middle finger of the firing hand.
7 · Non-slip area for the index finger of the support hand (this is not very common but it does exist)
And as the design of the body is symmetrical you can find the same marks whether you are left or right handed.
THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
The hop-up design is a vertical wheel under the hop chamber, a classic TM that we have seen in other KJWs such as the KP-11 or the KP-01. Our experience with this hop design has been outstanding, setting it at the minimum we recorded a straight 30 metres flight with 0.20g BBs. If we add more hop or increase the weight of the BBs we can get other results, but you will rarely have to shoot at more than 30 meters with your sidearm.
BEWARE OF THE MEASURES
When measuring the performance of a GBB there are certain parameters such as temperature, type of gas, fire rate that come first ... just to be able to make a fair comparison. We have tested this gun with gas and CO2 magazines and this is the data we’ve collected:
The power and the configuration will be adapted to the country's regulation and to the ambiant temperature.
TEST CONDITIONS
· Room temperature 22.5 ºC
· Green gas Duel Code/CO2 12g Duel Code
· Fire rate: 2 seconds between shots and 20-30 seconds to reload
RESULTS
Power
· Gas: Average of 311 FPS in 10 shots (315 FPS maximum power, 301 FPS minimum power)
· CO2: Average of 316 FPS in 10 shots (331 FPS maximum power, 301 FPS minimum power)
Autonomy of gas load
· Gas: 36 shots on average (2 magazines)
· CO2: 78 shots on average (4 magazines)dores)
WHAT'S NEXT?
If you take a look at the KP13 magazine you can figure out what the long-awaited releases will be by the Taiwanese manufacturer KJ Works.
