Being a bit of an FN nut there are two pistols I would like to add to my collection, these are the Browning Hi-Power and the 'Five-Seven'. Well, now is my chance to buy what is being touted as an instant classic, as Tokyo Marui has launched it's replica of the later of these rather unique side arms.

While my experience has made me skeptical about the practicality of GBB pistols for skirmishing here in Britain (because of our lousy weather), I do like the idea of owning GBBs as backyard plinkers and for 'practical pistol' type events. The sheer delight one gets from the weight and solid recoil from a good GBB is probably the major factor as to why these unpractical items are so popular.

In this case, the TM Five-Seven illustrates another reason pistols are still sold in the numbers they are within the airsoft community - certain replicas are the perfect compliment to particular makes of long arm or complete a specific loadout. The Five-Seven is the perfect companion to the FN range of weapons - of which there are now a wide selection - and more particularly the popular P90 bullpup design.

I won't go into the rather intruiguing history of the Five-Seven itself (see links below), but will say that it's forbidding look is the ideal way to put the hoards of 1911 clones in their place! Dare I say it, but I think even the legendary John Moses Browning - designer of both the HP and 1911 model pistols - would have been impressed with the Five-Seven.

Related links:

> Tokyo Marui web page for it's Five-Seven (Google translation)

> Wikipedia entry for FN Five-Seven

> Wikipedia entry for John Moses Browning

> Official web site for Fabrique Nationale de Herstal