Description
Double Eagle ST8 AEP Pistol (USP – M81)
The Double Eagle ST8 (model M81) is an electric pistol (AEP) styled on the well-known USP service pistol. Electric pistols run from a small rechargeable battery rather than gas, so they keep working in cold weather when gas pistols struggle, and they cost very little to run once you have a battery and charger.
Double Eagle is a long-established maker of affordable airsoft replicas, and the M81 USP-style AEP has been a popular choice for years with players who want a simple, low-cost sidearm or a pistol for target practice at home.
Design and handling
The M81 follows the familiar USP shape, with a chunky frame and a full-size grip that fits the hand well. As with most AEPs, the slide does not move when firing, so the mechanism is simple and quiet.
Its size makes it a sensible sidearm for players who want a full-size pistol without the weight and running costs of a gas blowback model.
How it works
Inside, a small electric motor drives a miniature gearbox and piston, just like a scaled-down AEG. Pull the trigger and the motor compresses air to send the BB down the barrel. The M81 is reported to fire in semi and full-auto, which gives you a useful burst of fire at close range.
Because power comes from a battery, the pistol behaves the same on a cold winter morning as it does in summer.
Getting started
Read the manual first to see how the battery fits and how it should be charged. Charge the battery fully, fit it, load the magazine and fire a few shots at a safe backstop or BB trap.
Practise with the safety and fire selector so you know exactly where they are, and ask your site to chronograph the pistol before you use it in a game.
Key features
- USP-style electric pistol (AEP)
- Double Eagle model M81
- Battery powered, so unaffected by cold weather
- Low running costs
- Full-size grip
- Simple fixed-slide mechanism
- Reported semi and full-auto fire
Compatibility
AEPs use small, model-specific batteries, so check the manual for the correct battery type and connector and buy a battery and charger made for this pistol. Spare magazines should be Double Eagle M81 magazines. Holsters made for USP-size pistols are a good starting point, but check the fit.
Care and maintenance
Clean the inner barrel now and then with a cleaning rod, use good quality seamless BBs of a consistent weight, and keep the pistol dry. Avoid dry-firing for long periods with an empty magazine, and leave internal repairs to an experienced technician.
Disconnect and remove the battery when you have finished shooting, and charge it only with a suitable charger while you can keep an eye on it. Never leave a LiPo battery charging unattended or store it fully flat.
Who is it for?
The ST8 M81 suits newer players wanting an inexpensive electric sidearm, garden target shooters with a safe BB trap, and anyone who plays through winter and wants a pistol that does not rely on gas.
Please note: please check the listing images and box contents for whether a battery and charger are supplied; BBs are not listed as included. Always wear suitable eye and face protection when using airsoft replicas.
