Hey everyone!
Welcome back to the blog! Today I have another review for you and we'll be looking at my new side-arm: the new RAVEN EU 18 pistol from Nuprol! The RAVEN EU Series 18 pistol is one of the new gas blowback airsoft pistols manufactured and built by NUPROL as part of their RAVEN EU G-Series pistol range.
Before we get into how it performs, let’s first chat about the construction! The pistol features a polymer frame and an alloy slide, meaning it's super lightweight but also durable. On the grip, there is a stipple-like texture, a fire selector and also an extended magazine release.
Like the WE G18C, the EU 18 features a selectable fire GBB system, meaning that it is capable of both single shot and full auto. Out of the box, the pistol has square sights already fitted which allows the player to acquire their target quickly by simply lining up the pistol with their field of view and still maintain accuracy.
What about size? The EU 18 has a Gen 4 frame which allows the grip to fit snuggly in the player’s hand and because it also comes with interchangeable backstraps the fit can be modified for players with even tiny hands – which is really handy for younger players and female players. The grip also features a stipple-like texture which gives it a little more grip and definitely helps when wearing gloves. The frame also features an extended mag release which is super helpful when finding it under fire and makes it easier to release the magazine quickly.
What’s the performance like? I tested mine in almost freezing conditions during an outdoor skirmish and it performed well. It didn’t vent, which can be an issue during cold weather which I was pretty impressed with. I didn't warm the mags before the first test but did afterwards to prevent any possible issues. There were no misfeeds or jams. It fit snuggly in my hand with the small backstrap. What I would like to see, would be a rougher stippling texture and for the stippling to be consistent all over the grip and cover where the trades would be.
The pistol comes with a magazine so you’re ready for the field and extra back straps for different hand sizes. In the box, you also get a spare nozzle and O-ring seals kit, which means you can replace parts of the weapon if they wear down over time. One thing I really like about the EU 18 is that it is also compatible with the WE Europe G-Series parts and accessories so I can use my WE Europe G18C mags with this pistol too – although they do fit a little snugger than the Raven mags.
What’s the cost? The cost of the Raven EU 18 is around £89.99 and the spare magazines retail anywhere from £18 - £25 depending on which airsoft retailer you buy from. The pistol definitely has a great price point, which makes it, in my opinion, a great choice for beginners or players on a budget.