SIG’s Spartan BB Training Pistol is based on the Spartan 1911 center fire pistol. The CO₂-powered, semi-automatic 1911-style BB pistol has a realistic blow back action and a full-metal slide and frame. It has a bronze finish with the Greek words “MOLON LABE” engraved on the slide. It fits in a standard 1911 holster, has a 1913 accessory rail and it mimics the weight and controls of a traditional 1911.

Removing the intimidation factor of the loud noise and recoil let’s any shooter focus on learning trigger control and sight alignment. The low noise and recoil makes the 1911 Spartan BB Pistol perfect for new shooters to learn firearm safety and basic fundamentals in a quiet, and safe environment.

Training is a must for all shooters, regardless of skill level, and this new SIG SAUER 1911 Spartan BB Pistol is an effective training tool for beginners and experts alike,Our airguns are an inexpensive alternative to live-fire training for those who want to practice but can’t make it to the range as often as they would like, and the fact that the 1911 Spartan BB Pistol fits in a regular 1911 holster allows shooters to practice drawing in addition to accuracy.  Shooting enthusiasts are really embracing SIG SAUER airguns as an additional method of training, and these airguns are also an excellent way to teach beginners firearm safety and how to shoot for the very first time.”

Joseph Huston, Vice President and General Manager of the SIG SAUER Airgun Division

The Spartan has a cam lever CO₂ loading port under the grip to easily and quickly load 12gr CO₂ cartridges. Depending on on temperature and altitude, this pistol is capable of shooting up to 410 fps. CO2 guns are fairly consistent shot-to-shot if not fired too quickly. CO2 works differently as a propellant than pressurized air. The entire volume of compressed air remains a gas. The CO2 cartridge contains a mixture of liquid carbon dioxide and CO2 gas under pressure.

As each shot is fired, CO2 gas is released from the cartridge and a fraction of the liquid CO2 in the cartridge vaporizes to compensate for the drop in pressure. Because the vapor pressure of CO2 is constant at a given temperature, the pressure released is constant as long as there is any liquid CO2 remaining. The vapor pressure of CO2 changes dramatically with changes in temperature. At 0 degrees F, CO2 has a vapor pressure of a little more than 300 psi. At 80 degrees F, the vapor pressure of CO2 is just under 1,000 psi.

To get the best performance  your CO2 cartridge must be fully pierced, if it is not, you may experience low velocity and weakened blowback.  To avoid this, back off the tightening screw in the bottom of the magazine slightly (about 1/4 turn) once you initially pierce it. Then simply tighten the screw back down, this should fully pierce the CO2 cartridge.

If you zero your CO2 gun on a warm day and later shoot on a cold day, your zero will be off. Each shot of a CO2 pistol cools the CO2 cartridge and valve. Unless you wait for the temperature to stabilize, your shots won’t be consistent. CO2 guns are better suited to short range shooting, the longer the range, the more effect a change in pressure has on shot placement, so . CO2 is ideal for indoor target shooting where distances are short and temperatures are constant.

I have used Sig’s CO₂ pistols to help new shooters learn gun safety and marksmanship. I have also used the Spartan 1911 for my own practice. While they lack recoil, they can be used to work on presentation from the holster, multiple hits, multiple target engagement, trigger control and unconventional shooting positions.

The Spartan has all the accuracy needed to make one ragged hole at 15 feet. This is more than adequate for defensive pistol training. You have to be careful choosing targets for BBs. I have used pellet traps, but BBs can bounce back at you so this is not recommended. Shooting glasses are just as important here as with firearms. The safe and quiet choice is a pellet trap using ballistic putty.

The 16-round magazine holds 4.5mm steel BBs . CO2 cartridges and BBs are widely available but if you want good results, you need to use quality supplies. Never reuse BBs as they deform and may damage your barrell. A CO2 cartridge will gave me about six magazines of shooting at 70 degrees. The hits were usefully consistent through the life of the cartridge.