The Crosman Fortify BB pistol.
This report covers:
- The test
- Crosman Copperheads
- Crosman Black Widows
- H&N Smart Shot
- Dust Devils
- Discussion
- Next
- Summary
Today we test the Crosman Fortify single action BB revolver for accuracy. And before we begin I want to give credit to whichever reader said the name Fortify was a play on the caliber .45. Brilliant!
The test
The Fortify has a linear magazine, so magnetic loading isn’t an issue. I shot two steel BBs, one lead ball and then Air Venturi Dust Devils. And there is a surprise coming!
I shot ten-shot groups from 5 meters, which is 16 feet 4 inches. The target was a Daisy 15-foot BB gun target. I used a UTG monopod to stabilize my firing hand.
Crosman Copperheads
I made a big deal about Crosman Copperhead BBs in Part 2 so they were the first to be tested for accuracy today. Ten BBs went into a group that measures 1.834-inches between centers. The group is low and to the left of the aim point, which was 6 o’clock on the bull.
The Fortify put ten Crosman Copperhead BBs into a 1.834-inch group at 5 meters.
Crosman Black Widows
The second BB I tested was the Crosman Black Widow. If Copperheads are not premium BBs, Black Widows are the best of the best. The Fortify put ten of them into a 1.266-inch group at 5 meters. It was the best group of the test.
The Fortify put ten Crosman Black Widow BBs into a 1.266-inch group at 5 meters.
H&N Smart Shot
The lead BB I tried was H&N Smart Shot. The Fortify put ten of them into a 1.54-inch group at 5 meters.
The Fortify put ten H&N Smart Shot lead BBs into a 1.54-inch group at 5 meters.
Dust Devils
The Last BB I tested was the Air Venturi Dust Devil. This was the surprise I told you about at the beginning. The Dust Devil is usually the least accurate of any BB tested. Today it was the second most accurate. Ten of them went into 1.332-inches at 5 meters, in what is a very round group.
The Fortify put ten Air Venturi Dust Devils into a 1.332-inch group at 5 meters.
Discussion
All shots were below and to the left of the aim point. This will be good to know for the next test. Because the Fortify is made of plastic the front sight can’t be bent to correct for shooting off this way, so I will need to hold off.
The trigger is still heavy, but not too heavy for accuracy.
All the BBs fed reliably. And, because of the pistol’s power, they imprinted well on the paper target.
The safety is hard to take off but very easy to put on. I don’t know if that is intentional but that’s how it is.
Next
I said I would test the Fortify against soda cans at 10 meters. That comes next. I will shoot the most accurate BBs (Black Widows and Dust Devils) of today’s test.
Summary
So far the Crosman Fortify checks all the boxes. It’s inexpensive, well-made, powerful, reliable and reasonably accurate. Can’t ask for more than that.
Looking like Pyramyd is going to be getting some more of my money!
The tongue in cheek comment regarding the name “Fortify” will only be understood by those living below the Mason Dixon Line. Orv.
Let’s survey the readership to see how many reside S of Mason-Dixon, Orv. 😉
I do. And like Tina Fey’s Russia, “I can see it from my house.”
Is Texas fer enough sout? I spend time in Cal-if-orney. But the taxes are lower in Texas. Orv.
“……I’d like to spit some beechnut in that dude’s eye, and shoot him with my ol’
Fortify!”
“Good one, Frank!”…says dave, also south of the Mason Dixon line. 🙂
FM is S of Mason-Dixon at latitude 26.3683064 which is fairly far S of Mason-Dixon. Mrs. was born S of the line in Western NC BBQ country. If you have some of that, it will Fortify you.
I never saw linear magazine like this in action. It is definately reliable for all type of BB’s and independent from the gravity (no need to hold gun up during reload). You can always take a look to see how much ammo is left – also a big advantage. I’m a big fan of the cartridges to load for revolver. I have the Umarex S25 and I’m pretty delighted the way it works (after some small tuning of course). Now I might take a look for something like this one reported 🙂
BB,
You kind of covered everything about this pistol so I’m going to assume there will not be a PT4 and offer more info on it.
I ‘believe’, the inner barrel is actually the real hammer and probably the reason for the increased power. It probably hits the Co2 valve harder with its weight and inertia.
The M11 Co2 pistol has the same setup, and it too has more power than other CO2 pistols.
The big difference is the Fortify ‘hammer’ pushes the inner barrel forward when it is cocked and holds it there until the trigger releases it. The trigger is probably being dragged out from under it, working against the inner barrel / hammer spring pressure.
The M11 uses the ‘trigger’ to push the barrel forward until it slips off and allows the barrel / hammer to return and strike the air valve.
The Co2 passes from the valve directly into the barrel as it slams home.
Surprised there is little to no barrel play considering it floats around, but there must be some to let it move and it would affect accuracy to some extent.
I have not shot mine yet, but it looks like fanning is entirely possible by simply keeping the trigger pulled.
The FPS may vary depending on how far back you manage to move the hammer because it will determine how far forward the barrel / hammer moves. It may be a little rough on the heel of your hand, not to mention the inner workings of the pistol. A modified trigger like that on the ‘Ace in the Hole’ would be nice.
Thumb fanning with a two-hand grip would probably be a better option though not as dramatic. Fanning will probably shorten the operating life of the pistol or break something. Same with a real Colt SAA. They were never intended to be fired like that and in real life it was only practiced in Hollywood and stunt shows.
Yes, the trigger moves back and pops forward to engage things when cocking.
Looks like laying the pistol down on its right side may engage the safety.
Bob,
From this report, under the heading Next.
“I said I would test the Fortify against soda cans at 10 meters. That comes next. I will shoot the most accurate BBs (Black Widows and Dust Devils) of today’s test.”
The safety won’t go on when laying the pistol down on its right side unless you slam it down with force.
BB
Bob M
Fanning seems to be the way to win fast draw competitions. The ones I have seen all use that method.
I tried to provide a link to a You Tube video of “The fastest draw in the world” but apparently I don’t know how. It is a simple google search, tho.
Ed
Ed,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ2dOsH5ggo&t=112s
I don’t seem to get it to set to the start of the video, so when it comes up scroll back to the start.
BB
B.B.
With those groups you will miss the ferrel soda cans at twice the distance….
-Yogi
BB,
You go me there. In my mind I guess I separated the description of the pistol from the shooting part and disregarded the next blog statement. Should have paid more attention and worded it differently.
My safety may be easier to close. Almost no resistance compared to pulling it out. I sat it on the arm of my couch 2 times and to be honest it landed directly on the safety and closed it. The barrel and most of the grip were in the air as it rested there so the weight was fully on it. At least I used the word ‘May’. Should have said under certain conditions it may.
I will do my best to try and shoot it tomorrow and see how it reacts to fanning. It sure points well. Very easy to get on the target. Can’t say the same for the sights with my eyes.
If I lock up my arm and wrist and bring it into eye sight the sights are just about right on. Must be the grip design.
Bob,
I would be careful with the fanning. This gun wasn’t made for it — AT ALL!
You were correct that fanning destroys Colt SAAs. I had one built special as a fanner for use at Frontier Village amusement park and even it had mechanical issues. Consider the slip hammer approach that is easier on the action.
BB
BB,
You must be up early. It’s 4am here and I have not gone to bed yet. Too many naps.
I hear ya. Just a few times slow to see if it’s possible. No doubt I would get a blister if I pushed it hard enough.
I don’t think it is possible to actually pull the hammed back all the way fanning without landing on the hand holding the grip unless you went out or your way to hold the grip much lower. Possible with the thumb slip and that would be a slower firing rate.
It appears the barrel and hammer are directly connected somehow. If you lower the trigger the barrel retracts with it. So, the trigger controls both, at the same time. Which is good, so you can de-cock everything and not leave the barrel cocked alone.
BB,
Well I finally got around to shooting this pistol this afternoon and I really like it. Just plinking. It sounds a little louder than most other CO2 pistols with a bit more kick. Probably because it’s light weight but very comfortable to shoot.
I don’t think it would be better as a double action. Cocking the hammer was part of the fun and of course I tried fanning it. Was much easier than I expected. I’m not sure it would be doing too much damage as long as you don’t try to get crazy with it. I tried to avoid pulling the hammer all the way back to its stop. Just held my hand higher on the grip.
You’re not really doing anything that is not done during normal firing except not letting the trigger catch the action and of course there is no cylinder being jerked around. Slow and steady. Really jerking it around fast as you can may break something? Good luck trying to hit something small fanning it. Would probably take lots of practice. Same with fast thumb slipping the hammer.
I got that out of my system and was shooting at a 4″ diameter can at about 30 yards with good aiming. Really hard for me to keep the front sight centered with my vision when pulling the trigger. The sight groove on top the strap gets really small near the hammer. May open it up more to see the front sight better.
I will disable the safety eventually, too hard to operate. Need both hands on the pistol to work it. Hard with just your thumb alone.
I am glad got it. A fun plinker. The white print on mine is so dull it’s hardly noticeable. Doesn’t jump out and scream “Toy”.
You did your part and strongly suggested we don’t fan it, but I think if you don’t get too carried away with it and abuse it, a little fanning once in a while can add to the fun… especially when it’s accompanied by a little puff of white cold smoke when you shoot it.