What is a Hi Capa?
The name Hi-capa originated with Tokyo Marui and their pistols modeled after the real world 2011. Tokyo Marui is the grand daddy of airsoft guns and as such, many
manufacturers borrow designs from many Marui guns with their own twist.
The 2011 type pistols are patterned after the tried and true 1911 but uses a modular wide body frame that accepts their own double stack magazines. For all intents and purposes this is a wide body 1911. You get all the benefits from a 1911, especially the smooth and light trigger but you also have a modular pistol that holds much more ammo.
In the world of airsoft, this is one popular style of gas pistol because there are many things you can do to customize it. This style of pistol is pretty good out of the box but if you wish to modify or customize your pistol at some point, this is not something that newbies can tackle in my opinion. The original pistol features a plastic slide but a metal frame but outside of the original, all Hi-Capa clones tend to have metal slides and frames. The originals did shoot great out of the box although they are tuned for a weaker gas available domestically in its native country of Japan compared to what the rest of the world uses. This does create more wear and tear on the plastic slides which eventually lead to it cracking. This is not the biggest deal if you just replace it with the original part but that also adds to the hassle and not everyone is capable of doing it. Should you decide to upgrade that TM with a metal slide, you'll find out quickly that guns that aftermarket pistol parts often require careful fitting to install. This ends up being a very expensive proposition. Thankfully there are alternatives. Today I want to talk about some Hi Capa clones that are not only full metal but also not very expensive.
For those who like the idea but aren’t looking to spend thousands of dollars, I’m not advocating for an all out custom built pistol unless you can do it yourself or afford all the things associated with a commissioned custom pistol, so I recommend that if you want a hi-capa, check out the models we currently have.
The current Hi Capa styles we offer are going to be from JAG Arms and Echo1. These are from the people at JAG Precision although they are different styles of Hi Capa.
From JAG Arms you have two distinct models: The GMX and the TTI Combat Master. The GMX is a very wild looking full-sized Hi Capa clone that features a lightened slide, spiral fluted barrel, and is just all around very cool looking. The grip section on this is aluminum, unlike the other Hi Capas, and will feature a flared magwell for faster and smoother reloads. If you were to get this same style grip for your TM Hi Capa, you could spend almost $300 by itself. You also get a green fiber optic front and blacked out adjustable rear sight. There is a picatinny rail if you wish to run a light. The barrel is fixed so as not to tilt when fired. This allows the gun to operate smoothly and quickly. Normally the barrel tilts when fired.
The TTI Combat Master version is a longer barreled version Hi Capa patterned after the Taran Tactical Innovations Combat Master 2011 as seen in John Wick 3: Parabellum. The performance and fit and finish will be very similar to the other models though you will shoot a bit harder in this pistol due to the longer barrel. The magazine release is slightly different. It has an enlarged button that you can uninstall if you don't like it and run the standard magazine release underneath.
From the Echo1 side of the house, the model being offered is known as the T.A.P. (Tactical Assault Pistol). This features a shorter slide but on a full-sized frame. At the tip is an integral mock compensator that adds a lot of style points. The TAP models feature different grips between the models but otherwise internally remain the same as the JAG Arms counterpart. You can even swap magazines.
Performance on green gas is solid across the board with these pistols. They will shoot at roughly 310-330 fps with a .20g BB and should be suitable for many CQB fields if you like to run this as a primary. The TTI Combat Master will be above 330fps due to the longer barrel.
So why would you want a Hi capa? As mentioned, many people like the huge aftermarket. I think it is a very intuitive and natural pointing gun to shoot just like the 1911. The trigger is light and overall it looks really cool. It will be a head turner at the field. The mags hold quite a few rounds compared to other pistols.
Why should you not own one? If it doesn’t fit the style of loadout such as milsim or you prefer a service type pistol, a crazy race gun might not be for you. The grip is pretty fat so for smaller hands this is a no go, but no worse than a Glock or a USP. If you live in a colder climate, this might not be the best for outdoors year around. You also have to ground your expectations in reality. Any Hi Capa, even the original, will wear out and need work eventually depending on how hard you run it. People often come into these guns with high expectations because people rant and rave about them. If you wish to dedicated yourself to using a nicer pistol, remember that maintenance is crucial and eventually the internal parts will need replacing.
That being said, I think these pistols are really nice especially for what you pay. If you intend to get one, treat it like a custom gun and perform more frequent maintenance to keep everything running smoother and leak free and you will be very happy with your purchase.
The Hi Capa series, originating from Tokyo Marui and featured for its customizable options and high-capacity magazines, stands as a hallmark among leading brands in airsoft handguns. This article highlights the versatility and performance of Hi Capa models, particularly those from JAG Arms and Echo1, showcasing their adaptability and appeal to both competitive players and enthusiasts. The emphasis on full metal construction and the potential for customization places these models at the forefront of airsoft innovation and player preference.