Tanaka, an airsoft company recently released a new airsoft shotgun: Tanaka Winchester M1897 Trench Gun

While it's not the specific airsoft M870 Remington shotgun that we all desire for our M41A Pulse Rifles, it does have a unique airsoft technological advancement that is so freakin' cool that it needs to be brought to everyone's attention.

One huge issue with the current Maruzen gas-powered M870 is that the gas tanks for the M870 are a pain in the ass to relocate within the Pulse Rifle. The tanks are pretty big regardless of whether you buy the bullpup version (in which the gas tank is within the pistol grip) or if you buy the full stock version (in which the gas tank is within the stock).

The Maruzen spring-powered M870 obviously doesn't have a gas tank issue, but it does have that unsightly extended magazine which hangs out the bottom of the loading port below the receiver.

What's great about the Tanaka Winchester M1897 Trench Gun, is that it is gas-powered, however the gas is directly injected into each individual shotgun shell instead of a main gas tank!!!

You can also buy additional shells. Each shell holds 3x 6mm BB. Powered by HFC134a

While this isn't the M870 shotgun, I just pray they have the good sense to make one using the same technology.

-Alex
"The M41-A. When you absolutely, positively have to kill every mofo in the room. Accept no substitutes."

Nice!!

Now the only problem is taking apart a beautiful gun like that, I know I couldn't.....So buy two!

Ripper
_____________________________________________________________________


"Frag fast, die last."

G&P does make these shorter magazines for the Maruzen CA870 that fit flush with the bottom of the receiver:

www.tokyo-model.com.hk/trade/productview/3423
That along with a metal body kit (includes metal bolt cover) would work pretty well if you really want a working shotgun. Only fires one BB at a time, but that's still more than a non-working Maruzen M870.
Exo2

My Props Website

I knew I wasn't sniffing glue the day I saw those short mags.

Exo, do you have one of those? I'm wondering what the bottom of the mag looks like.

Russ



"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."

Good lord those prices rival if not eclipse real guns!

Norinco knocks off the 870 as well as that trench gun.

Speaking strictly airsoft then I guess you're stuck...
Youre also stuck scrounging for your spendy shells in a plastic BB firefight...

For the guy with his heart set on an airsoft 870 in this configuration then I guess it's the only glimmer of hope. Lets pray that they see the wisdom in producing the 870 in that format next, and not a benelli or something similar. Of course an Ithica would be nice, it would cover the SST Morita builders as well as the Hicks enthusiast.

A nice double barrel coach gun would be nice in that format as well.

M
[img]http://hometown.aol.com/mattworsdell/images/mcorplogo10023.gif]

I don't have a CA870...yet...but here's what the bottom looks like (borrowed from eBay)

[img]http://www.ehobbyasia.com/ebayphoto/magazine/gp_ca870mag_1.jpg[/img]
Pretty convincing IMO
Exo2

My Props Website

Interesting. It looks pretty decent. The review I read suggests only loading like 16 out of a possible 22 rounds, but 16's better than nothing in my book.

And it's a lot better looking than the hanger magazine, and makes it more of a possibility in a pulse rifle. Besides, as an addition to a skirmish weapon, it would only be used as a last ditch "Oh S#!t" weapon anyway. The only remaining hang up to using it would be the loss of battery storage.

@Matsuo: I don't know about a coach gun, but I'm STILL waiting for someone to make a functional Mad Max style scattergun. And No, the existing one doesn't count. That thing has less function than some single shot spring pistols I own.

Russ



"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."

My thoughts exactly. I keep wanting to get one along with a full size M16 and use one of the Masterkey bodies to do the same thing. When the CA870 is upgraded with the APS-2 springs it will reach over 400 fps. Combined with a tightbore barrel, it could make a nice alternate sniping weapon as well. Far quieter to fire than the M1A1 or M16 up top (Depending on whether we're talking PR or Masterkey).
Exo2

My Props Website

Wow! That short CA870 mag is sweet looking!

* Edit: Just found the same mag over at DenTrinity for only per mag $8!!!

I didn't realize these things were that cheap!

The good thing about putting them in a Pulse Rifle is that you don't have to go the extra step of getting a metal outer receiver shell for it because (a) it's going straight into the SPAS12 cage anyway and you're never going to notice whether it's metal or plastic so why waist the money, (b) a metal receiver probably adds a lot to the overal weight of the heavy PR...

Personally, I would buy the Maruzen CA870 Sawed-Off which is the cheapest variant ($98 ) Maruzen currently offers and use that for the PR. To me, that seems like a better option than even the Maruzen M870 (gas-powered) shotgun as you don't have to worry about spent shells. Still, you're left with the age old question of what to do with the battery...

I wonder how the pump action of the CA870 feels and sounds like compared to the M870? I just loved the solid feel of the M870 and the sound is exactly what you'd expect. The CA870 on the otherhand, I assume is a much tougher pump action because you're compressing a much stronger spring to fire a BB instead of loading a shell.

* Edit: Just noticed something... Do all the CA870s have a black ejection port and not a chromed silver ejection port?

-Alex
"The M41-A. When you absolutely, positively have to kill every mofo in the room. Accept no substitutes."Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=uscmcorps>uscmCorps[/url] at: 12/2/05 1:03 pm

All the ones I've seen.

Also, if you're slumming you could get the UTG M87SA for about $35 or so. All reports give it high marks for a knockoff of the Maruzen, even so ar as out of the box power (260 fps w/ .2g bbs) and the ability to upgrade it like the CA870. Plus it's supposed to have adjustable hop up, an uncommon trait in a spring gun.

Russ






"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."

The reason I suggested the metal body kit is that it comes with a chromed ejection cover.

From what I've heard the short mags for the CA870 will not fit into the UTG version. I can't say for certain however. UTG's knockoff of the TM MP5 is very close, and most of the parts interchange. It isn't as durable or reliable however...but much much cheaper.
Exo2

My Props Website

Yep, about $100 cheaper (if the Marui is new and imported from HK).

It's possible one could adjust the short mags with a little filing or some such to make them fit. Their low cost makes them a good choice for experimantation.

Russ



"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."

I just saw the thing at Modern Model Company. It is a long ass shotty though. Also, I just realized that each shell has a capacity of 1 shot. Though the velocity is much better than the springers, this is still short of my dream of a mini BB-shower with 3mm BB's.... . Bit pricey too, perhaps too much so to pick one up just to try it.
[img]http://www.scifimilitary.com/MAA/SFMsig.jpg[/img]

While in Hong Kong, I talked with a few airsofting buddies, and the consensus was that it would be highly unlikely that Tanaka would come out with a M870 variant that uses the gas fed shell system, due to copyrights. However, that's not to say that Hong Kong based airsoft manufacturers such as G&P wouldn't come out with a design. But this is unlikely as well because, the CA 870 design is much more popular with skirmishers right now as you don't have to worry about loosing shells and you can carry multiple magazines for it.

I noticed that redwolf airsoft is now selling the base version of the Maruzen CA870 for US$85 ($7 cheaper than Dentrinity). Assuming that you can take the gun apart... you can probably take out the ejection port out, and spray it with a chrome type spray paint, clear coat it with a crystal clear sealer and then reassemble. Add the short clips, and you should be good to go. Actually... that sounds pretty damn good. I think I might buy one to experiment with over the next couple of days. I'll let you guys know how badly I get reamed on the shipping.

I also found out that not only is G&P making metal body kits as an after market addition to the Maruzen CA870, but apparently they're also releasing the entire shotgun in a few varients prebuilt. Whether that means that they're buying Maruzen CA870s and modifying them, or if they are making the rifles from scratch themselves... I'm not sure.

-Alex
"The M41-A. When you absolutely, positively have to kill every mofo in the room. Accept no substitutes."

I'm glad you didn't try using the words "G&P" and "Cheap" in the same sentence.

Have you tried one of the UTG M870s Alex? They're less than half the cost of the Maruzen, and are getting pretty good reviews, quality and power wise.

Russ



"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."

Ok, so how wide is the CA870? Does it fit into an original SPAS cage?

Cheers,
Stefan