Description
Colt Combat Unit 1911 Tactical Rail Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol (EMG/Army – R48)
This is the Colt licensed Combat Unit 1911 with a tactical rail, a gas blowback pistol made by Army Armament for EMG and listed with the model code R48. It is styled on Colt’s Combat Unit, a Government-size 1911 with a modern accessory rail, combining the timeless 1911 shape with the practicality of a mounted light.
EMG holds licences for a range of real-world firearms brands, and these Colt 1911 pistols are built by Army Armament, a maker known for well-finished gas blowback pistols at a sensible price. Retailer listings under the same model codes describe these pistols as T8 models, with T8 upgrade parts already fitted.
Build and design
Those listings describe a full metal build with textured polymer grip panels, and a steel hammer group (hammer and strut, sear and disconnector) for durability. The hop-up is adjustable and fitted with a T8 70-degree hop-up bucking, which is aimed at consistent performance with heavier BBs. The pistols are listed as semi-automatic, running on green gas with a 26-round magazine.
A retailer listing for the Combat Unit (R48) describes it as a Government-size 1911 based on the Tokyo Marui 1911 gas blowback system, with Colt-authorised markings. It lists a 1913 Picatinny under-rail, an 11mm clockwise threaded outer barrel, a length of about 230mm and a weight of about 0.95kg. That listing describes a black finish; please check the product images for this version.
How it shoots
In a gas blowback pistol the magazine holds both the BBs and the gas. When you pull the trigger, the hammer strikes a valve in the magazine and releases a burst of gas: part of it sends the BB through the hop-up and down the barrel, and the rest drives the slide back, cocking the hammer and loading the next BB as the slide returns. The result is a pistol that cycles and recoils much like the real thing.
The 1911’s short, crisp single-action trigger makes it easy to shoot accurately, and the weight of a full metal pistol helps keep the muzzle steady between shots.
Handling
The Combat Unit keeps the familiar 1911 controls: a thumb safety, a slide stop and a push-button magazine release. The rail makes it simple to add a pistol light, and a slim single-stack grip suits a wide range of hand sizes.
Before the first game, read the manual so you know the controls and the safety arrangement. Fill the magazine with the gas the manual recommends in short bursts, holding the can upright, and let it settle for a moment. Load BBs, fire a few shots at a safe backstop with the hop-up off, then add hop gradually until the BBs fly flat.
Key features
- Colt licensed Combat Unit 1911, built by Army Armament for EMG
- Government-size frame with tactical rail
- Full metal construction (per retailer listing)
- Steel hammer group (per retailer listing)
- Adjustable hop-up with T8 70-degree bucking (per retailer listing)
- 26-round green gas magazine (per retailer listing)
- 11mm CW threaded outer barrel (per retailer listing)
- Based on the Tokyo Marui 1911 system (per retailer listing)
What’s in the box
- Combat Unit gas blowback pistol
- 26-round green gas magazine (per retailer listing)
Compatibility
Retailer listings state that the T8 1911 range is compatible with Tokyo Marui-based 1911 parts and some Tokyo Marui-based Hi-Capa parts, and that it takes Tokyo Marui-based 1911 green gas magazines as well as Army Armament 1911 green gas magazines. Fit can still vary, so test any new magazine before relying on it in a game. Use good quality seamless 6mm BBs and the gas recommended in the manual.
The under-rail takes most compact pistol lights, and holsters made for railed Government-size 1911s are the place to start. The 11mm clockwise thread suits tracers and silencers made for that thread.
Care and maintenance
Put a drop of silicone oil on the magazine’s fill valve and seals every few fills, and store magazines with a little gas in them so the seals stay tight. Do not overfill, and in cold weather let magazines warm up naturally rather than heating them. Wipe the slide rails and moving parts with a thin film of silicone oil now and then, clean the inner barrel with a rod and patch, and use good quality seamless BBs. Never use petroleum-based oils or solvents on seals, and store the pistol unloaded and dry.
Who is it for?
The Combat Unit suits players who want a classic full-size 1911 with a modern rail, collectors of licensed Colt replicas, and anyone after a dependable, metal-built sidearm.
Please note: Gas and BBs are not included. Always wear suitable eye protection when using any airsoft replica, and have it chronographed at your site before play.
