Description
Novritsch SSP18 GBB Pistol, Grey
If you want a sidearm which is designed for pure performance, the Novritsch SSP18 is calling your name! This is the GBB variant, based on the EU-series design but with some notable enhancements to provide the incredible performance Novritsch Airsoft guns are known for.
Not content with redesigning the exterior of the EU18 platform to fit the unique Novritsch aesthetic, a 6.01mm tightbore inner barrel has been fitted along with a fixed FXB outer barrel. This means that the barrel no longer tilts to simulate the action of the real pistol; instead, it stays fixed to maximise accuracy and get the most out of the pre-installed tightbore.
During our tests, we were able to get some phenomenal results from the SSP18, with rifle-like range and exceptional accuracy, especially when you consider that this is a gas blowback platform. Whether you are a sniper looking for a compact sidearm which doesn’t compromise on firepower or you want to run pistol only and still go toe to toe with the big boys, the SSP18 is one of the best options for the role!
Starting at the front, we can find a steel thread protector which conceals 14mm CCW male barrel threads beneath. This means tracer units and suppressors are a go, and you can even mount some of the longer and heavier options thanks to the fixed FXB outer barrel system. The fixed outer barrel means your choice of tracer or suppressor won’t affect gas efficiency anywhere near as much as with a standard EU-series pistol and you can use the SSP18 exactly as Novritsch intended.
The iron sights are located on the top of the slide, offering a light-enhancing front sight with a green insert paired with an anti-glare rear sight. These sights are a great choice by Novritsch, allowing for fast acquisition of the sights and improved low-light utility. The slide is reprofiled at the front to allow for easy reholstering and is also adorned with deep serrations at the front and rear, offering plenty of grip and a swept-back design with lends itself well to the speedy overall look of the SSP18.
On the top of the outer barrel/chamber, we can find recessed markings reading “FXB”, denoting the fixed nature of the outer barrel in the spot usually reserved for calibre markings. The outer barrel also features a spiral-fluted design which is visible when the slide is locked back and through the slide ports on either side and the top of the pistol. The spiral fluting is another Novritsch stylistic choice, consistent with his SSG-10 platform and many others, and the slide ports help reduce the weight of the slide for improved gas efficiency and a faster cyclic rate.
The fire selector switch can be found on the rear left of the side, and offers two positions; semi-automatic and fully automatic. Its hexagonal shape is another Novritsch aesthetic change, ensuring your pre-upgraded and fine-tuned EU18 stands out next to the standard pistol. Each fire mode is denoted with an engraved marking on the slide, with a single projectile for semi and a projectile with lines behind it for full auto. Unlike many full auto GBB pistols, the SSP18 is actually quite effective when fired in bursts, though semi-automatic is the mode to choose for the best accuracy.
The frame of the SSP18 has been completely redesigned, featuring an extended beavertail at the rear of the grip, trigger guard undercuts and Novritsch’s unique oblong texturing to provide optimal grip. The extended beavertail prevents a high grip from causing “slide bite”, and the trigger guard undercuts allow a higher-than-usual grip which assists with recoil control and makes pointing the pistol far more intuitive.
The front of the frame also features a 20mm Picatinny rail, ready for any tactical flashlight or laser aiming module you choose to mount. The magazine release is a low profile design, meaning you are far less likely to accidentally bump the magazine release when drawing the pistol and drop your magazine at a critical moment. Many of these enhancements mimic the “Timberwolf” style of EU series frame, well known in the real steel world for its vastly improved ergonomics when compared to a standard EU series frame.
From a performance standpoint, the SSP18 is set to impress, boasting more than its fair share of pre-upgraded internals with a focus on accuracy and range, as we would expect from Novritsch. The inner barrel is a 6.01mm tightbore constructed from aluminium and stabilised inside the outer barrel using o-rings to maximise the improved accuracy potential gained from the fixed FXB outer barrel. The pre-installed HOP-up bucking is a Maple Leaf Autobot 50° bucking which provides an incredibly strong HOP-up effect, thus the recommendation from Novritsch and ourselves to use 0.32g BBs to get the most from the platform.
The sear engagement surfaces have also been enlarged to provide a longer lifespan when used in fully automatic, and great care has been taken when designing the trigger to provide a realistic audible and tactile reset so you can minimise unnecessary trigger finger movements and get the fastest possible double taps. The trigger itself has also been redesigned, boasting a flat profile for increased speed and style points with a central blade which functions as a safety, as it does in the standard EU series pistols.
Whether you need a sidearm that is lightening fast for CQB or one that can reach out and touch the enemy at incredible range, the SSP18 will do it all! The slick, high speed slide setup, fixed outer barrel and exceptional pre-upgraded internals make this THE sidearm to have if your Airsofting experience is all about performance!
Features
- Full metal construction
- 6.01mm Tightbore inner barrel – O-ring Stabilised for supreme accuracy
- Maple Leaf Autobot 50° HOP-up bucking – Strong HOP-up effect (0.32g BBs recommended)
- 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel – Tracer units and suppressors are a go!
- Steel thread protector – Keeps your barrel threads fresh when not in use
- Forward slide serrations – Easy to rack from wherever you prefer
- 20mm Picatinny frame rail – Ready for laser aiming modules or tactical flashlights
- Ported slide – Reduced weight, improved gas efficiency, speedy looks
- Light-enhancing front iron sight with anti-glare rear sight – Easy to acquire in low light
- Trigger guard undercuts – Encourages a high grip for improved recoil control
- Extended slide release – Easy to reach, even for those with smaller hands
- Low profile magazine release – Minimal chance of accidentally dropping your mag
- Fire selector on the rear left of the slide – Semi/full automatic
- Flat trigger with trigger safety – EU-series style safety, flat trigger for style and speed
- Extended beavertail – Timberwolf style frame, minimises the chances of “slide bite”
- Fixed outer barrel – No tilting barrel = Improved accuracy
- Gear adjustable HOP-up unit – On the outer barrel, accessible with the slide removed
- Ergonomic pistol grip – Novritsch’s unique oblong gripping texture on the sides, front and rear
- Compatible with EU-series GBB magazines – WE, Raven & VORSK
- Novritsch spare magazine available <here>
Package Includes
- Novritsch SSP18 Gas Blowback Pistol
- 24rnd Green Gas Magazine
- User manual
- Valve tool
- Polymer carry case
Special Instructions
Novritsch states that the SSP18 is compatible with a wide range of high power gas but we recommend only going for red or black gas when the ambient temperature is below 10° Celsius to prolong the life of the pistol. The SSP18 is also compatible with CO2 magazines but they are only recommended in temperatures below 15° Celsius as stated on the Novritsch website.
