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I wrote this for a Airsoft-Barracks. Thought I will share this with you guys...

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I finally got off my lazy arse and took some pictures between the old M9 and the new M9 PTP. This is a comparison review only. If you want to know the different between the old M9 vs. the new M9, you are at the right place. Otherwise, for a detail review on the M9 PTP look somewhere else (or look here sometime soon).

Introduction

KWA is very well known for their GBB series. Especially their M series (*Ahem* Glock or the G series) Their M9 is a little less known in my opinion as there are quite a few competitors in the GBB market. From the lower tier like KJW, HFC to the upper tier like KSC, TM and WA. Many of of you will probably say... wait a sec, isn’t KSC is the same as KWA? Well, the answer is “Same, but Different”. KSC isn’t KWA, different company and different owner. However, KSC contracted KWA to make some of their guns. Simply put, KWA is the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for many KSC products. Confused?! Took me a few years to figure that out.

KWA recently entered the professional training market and they have retooled their manufacturing process, redesigned some of their existing product line, and have even developed a few AEGs of their own. Their target customers are Law Enforcement, Military and Professional Training Organizations. The latest M9 designated as PTP (Professional Training Pistol) is just a first example of what they are designing for the airsoft market.

As I have mentioned before, the original KWA M9 isn’t new, it has been on market for quite sometime. Honestly, the original is not very impressive, ABS body/slide, and it’s sub-par performance compared to some of the lower tier manufacturers. The new M9 PTP; however, is a world apart in terms of performance.

Before I get to the comparison, there are few M9 variants that I know have existed in the consumer marketplace.

Original Blow Back system
M9 with a ABS frame and ABS slide - Original
M9 with a ABS frame and Metal slide - Hybrid

New Blow Back system
M9 with a ABS frame and Metal slide - Hybrid
M9 with a Metal frame and Metal slide - PTP

This comparison review is base on the Original ABS frame and ABS slide model, and the new PTP (metal frame and slide). The two hybrids can cause some confusion in the market as both have metal slide. After reading this review you will be able to tell which blow back system is in your KWA M9.


Old vs. New - External

- Magazine
Let’s start with the magazine first. The PTP magazine has been redesigned to accommodate the new blow back system. They are not interchangeable between the old and new gas system. See pictures below.

Left Original M9, Right M9 PTP





PTP mag have an exposed spring in the BB housing.


Notice the Original has wider feed lips.


Another difference between the Original and the PTP is the fill valve. The PTP has an o-ring around it so it’s more quiet when filling up the gas. And when it’s full it won’t spill over like the Original does.

- The Gun
Moving on to the gun. Externaly, both the original and PTP look exactly the same, there are no markings anywhere on the gun, so there are no external clues to tell the difference between the two. However, the PTP is definitely more hefty.





Once you rack the slide back, you can tell there is a different immediately.

Top right M9 Original, Bottom left M9 PTP




The Original M9 has a long metal nozzle, like their USP model. The PTP on the other hand uses am ABS nozzle, very similar to a TM Hi-capa.

Old vs. New - Weight distribution

M9 PTP + Mag

Net weight 2 lb 5 oz

M9 Original + Mag

Net weight 1 lb 13 oz

M9 PTP Frame


M9 Original Frame


M9 PTP Slide


M9 Original Slide


As you can see, the fame weight is very different. However, the slide is only a 1/2 oz lighter. And don’t forget the Original slide is ABS, the PTP uses a metal slide. The two slides have a similar weight, but the PTP's metal slide is extremely rigid. That’s one of the main reasons a good metal slide is extremely important.

Old vs. New - Internal

- Frame
At first glance they look exactly the same as well, the measurements are even the same. You can swap the slide between the guns and it will fit.





However take a close look above the trigger area, near the magazine feeding area, you can see that the PTP has a notch, where the original does not.




- Slide
Underneath the slide, you can see the difference between the two blow back systems.

Top M9 Original, Bottom M9 PTP




Pulling the nozzle out shows the piston.

M9 Original


M9 PTP


There is a orange color o-ring around the piston on the PTP. I didn’t remove the beech and completely disassemble the blow back unit. On first impression the new PTP gas system is very similar to Hi-capa.

- Outer Barrel

Both M9s use am ABS plastic outer barrel. According to KWA, it causes less stress on the barrel and the slide over using a metal outer barrel. I’m not sure if it’s true, but I don't have a personal preference in this matter.

Top M9 Original, Bottom, M9 PTP

Old vs. New - FPS
Here is the fun part. Using a Madbull Chronograph, Airsoft Elite .20g, outside, with an average temperature of 67 degrees, around 5:30 pm. The Sun was almost set, and it was starting to cool down.



The PTP is first










Average of 344 FPS, quite impressive for outdoors and temps below 67 degree. Makes me wonder what the FPS will be like in the hot summer days.

The Original is second










An average 282 FPS, that is a whopping 60 fps difference between the Original and PTP gas system. There is absolutely no doubt that the PTP shoots much harder than the original design.

In Summary

Both guns looks the same externaly, but it’s completely different internally and in terms of performance. From the weight, nozzle, blow back system to FPS. It’s like a whole new gun. Personally, I think if the M9 had trademarks (KSC?) it would probably out last and out perform the TM. I’ll be interested to find a TM and WA for comparison but for now I’m really enjoying shooting the PTP.

HI where did you get your PTP at i am bery interested

He got his M9 from KWA...of course!

Mr. allizard is wired pretty tightly with the KWA folks, for those not "in the know".

Nice, I want one but I need trades on mine! My KJ M9 runs out of gusto after about 12 shots unless its a very hot day, but it has nice trades. I should value performance over looks I guess.

The KWA m9 PTP is DEFECTIVE for this reason:

The Mags are all weak in as far as the thin rails that hold the mag base plate onto the mag. These two micro thin ridges are all that hold the plate onto the mag. These edges are very small and snap off with very little use. After less than 1 hour of basic practice on one and less than 10 reloads on both others, all three mags have failed in exactly the same place. Once the plate falls off the mag will become stuck in the magwell to the point where a tool must be used to dislodge it and remove it from the pistol.

Now this is just target practice, no speed reloads combat based scenarios or field play. just simple target practice in class.

The Fit and finish of this pistol are very nice but this one weakness will very quickly render your expensive "training" pistol inopperable.

As much as I need this pistol to work specifically for training. It is completely unreliable as it is. Until an after market mag or some retooling of the current mags (small screw on the bottom to screw the plate directly to the mag would do it) it is an extremely unreliable training aid.

Word to the wise.

Hi..
Get one that u like better, for me, i would get the kwa m9 ptp because
i already have a 1911
Overall they are both the same but in different aspects