Double Bell 304 Burgundy Viper Hi-Capa GBB Pistol

We don't know how to put this, but this pistol is kinda a big deal. Based on a highly popular top-tier competition shooting pistol we all know and love, the Double Bell 304 Burgundy Viper offers a more affordable alternative to the licenced models with the same cutting-edge aesthetic, a full metal build and a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel to top it off.

With a 20mm Weaver optics mount included in the hard pistol case the Burgundy Viper is supplied in, this pistol is remarkably feature-rich for the price. The finish isn't quite burgundy and isn't quite bronze, sitting somewhere in between the two with a slight metallic sheen, giving you an exciting and unique look for the price of a plain Jane 'capa. If your budget is limited and you want the fanciest Hi-capa you can get your hands on, the Double Bell 304 Burgundy Viper Hi-Capa GBB is the one to go for!

Starting at the front end we can find a unique single-port compensator with a dynamic, swept-back look and bevelled edges for easier holstering. The compensator looks fantastic and gives the Burgundy Viper a super modern, high-speed look. Iron sights have been completely omitted from the design in favour of an optics-ready slide machined to allow for the included 20mm Weaver mount to be fitted. The mounting position is at the rear of the slide and is covered by an alloy cover plate.

To fit the mount you'll need to remove the pre-installed cover plate via the two Allen bolts at the rear, index the plate included in the box at the front of the now open recess then press the rear of the plate down until it pops into place. With this done, reinstall the Allen bolts and your plate is mounted!

The 20mm Weaver rail mount works similarly to 20mm Picatinny but uses rounded slots instead of squared-off slots. This means only certain 20mm red dot sights will fit, specifically those without a squared-off recoil lug underneath and those that use rounded weaver-style mounting bolts. We recommend the ASG Micro Red Dot Sight as it conveniently uses a 20mm Weaver mount with the mounting bolts perfectly spaced to fit the Double Bell mount.

The lack of iron sights on the Burgundy Viper reduces snagging potential and gives you a clearer sight picture once you have your red dot installed. The mount is located at the rear of the slide and is recessed to provide as small a bore offset as possible, meaning less need to compensate when shooting rapidly at close range.

The slide follows directly after the compensator and matches its dynamic, angular look with both the front and rear gripping serrations. Having serrations at the front and rear gives you plenty of options when it comes to manipulating the slide of the pistol and their depth means you don’t need to worry about your hand slipping off the slide when working in wet conditions whether you wear gloves or not. The rear slide serrations mimic those at the front with their angular shape and deep cuts for extra grip, bringing the whole design together as a completed piece.

On either side and on the top of the slide we have a pair of ports machined in which reduce the weight of the slide for a faster cyclic rate and better gas efficiency. These ports also look fantastic, showing off the contrasting black finish of the outer barrel beneath. The subtle contrast between the burgundy bronze finish of the slide and frame and the black outer barrel keeps the Burgundy Viper interesting to look at and allows it to blend well with any natural environment.

At the rear of the slide, we can find the optic mount, allowing you to mount a red dot sight to the Burgundy Viper and benefit from faster target acquisition and greater accuracy at range than comparable pistols with iron sights. As mentioned, the included plate is compatible with 20mm Weaver red dot sights and we recommend the ASG Micro Red Dot Sight for an easy fit.

Moving downwards we come to the frame which is where we can find the controls. The manual safety catch is located at the rear of the frame and is present on either side to allow for easy use for both left and right-handed shooters. Each safety lever is textured for optimal grip and effective wet-weather use and can also be used as a thumb rest for the strong hand thumb for more effective recoil control and faster target-to-target transitions.

The rear of the frame is where we can find the skeletonised hammer which is finished in black to match the outer barrel and chamber. This hammer is significantly skeletonised to reduce weight and add to the high-speed looks of the pistol. The trigger is also skeletonised, shaving off a few extra grams of weight and adding to the lightning-fast looks of the Burgundy Viper.

The rear of the grip also includes a secondary safety known as the “beavertail grip safety” which needs to be pressed in to unlock the trigger. This feature is derived from the legendary 1911 platform and has remained throughout its development and is still present to this day in most modern Hi-capa 2011 pistols. This works fantastically to prevent snags and negligent discharges and is very low profile in shape which makes it a pleasure to hold.

The slide release catch is located on the left side of the frame, right where we would expect it, and is an extended design with a large contact surface to make dropping the slide after a reload easy and intuitive. The magazine release is just below, where the trigger guard meets the grip, and is a large circular button which is easy to find with the adrenaline pumping, allowing for super-fast reloads when time is of the essence!

The shape of the trigger guard matches the standard Hi-capa squared profile, allowing for extra recoil control by positioning the weak side trigger finger on the front of the guard in what is known as the “European grip”. Just ahead of the trigger guard, we are treated to a 20mm Picatinny frame rail, allowing you to deck the Burgundy Viper out as a primary pistol with a tactical flashlight or laser aiming module if the mission requires it. This rail is nice and long and covers the entire dust cover but only has a single attachment slot in the perfect position to keep the controls of your flashlight well within reach when holding the pistol in a firing grip.

The trigger is a skeletonised design with 3 ports and is a straight-back pull like other Hi-capa and 1911 pistols, making for an easy transition from older pistols of the same family to this ultra-modern platform. The trigger pull is light and crisp like other Hi-capa offerings, providing some serious rapid-fire potential for this slick and quick design.

The grip itself is textured to improve traction during wet weather and when wearing gloves but isn't as aggressive as other similar Hi-capa platforms, making it comfortable to use without gloves with far less of the "cheese-grater effect". At the base of the grip, we have an aluminium extension known as a “magazine well flare”. Present on many race gun style Hi-capas, the magazine well flare is designed to help guide your magazine into the pistol during a reload and has a very wide opening to eliminate fine motor movements and effectively allow you to throw the magazine into the magwell when your ammo supply runs dry. The magazine well flare also functions as a palm rest, keeping your hand in the perfect position to access the controls and control the snappy recoil of the Burgundy Viper during rapid strings of fire.

On the inside, the Double Bell 304 Burgundy Viper is based on the Tokyo Marui Hi-capa design, meaning plenty of aftermarket options if you're willing to do some custom work. The inner barrel is a 6.03mm tightbore, meaning a slight improvement in gas efficiency and accuracy when compared to the standard 6.08mm bore. Mag-compatibility-wise, we've had good luck with Army Armament standard Hi-capa magazines, VORSK/RAVEN Hi-capa magazines and WE Hi-capa magazines, all feeding and cycling perfectly.

If you like scotch and hair that smells like cinnamon, the Burgundy Viper is the sidearm for you. While it may be closer to bronze than burgundy, this is the most affordable way to get the iconic look of the real steel pistol with a hefty full metal build, optics-ready slide and that irresistible ultra-modern silhouette!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.03 Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• Compensator pre-installed - Aggressive racegun styling
• Slide ports at the front - Reduced weight, faster cyclic rate
• 20mm Picatinny railed frame - Ready for tactical flashlights or laser units
• Optics ready slide - 20mm Weaver Rail plate included in the box
  • Recommended sight: ASG Micro Red Dot Sight
• Forward slide serrations - Easy to rack the slide from the front or rear
• Ambidextrous manual safety - Accessible for both left and right-handed shooters
• Beavertail grip safety - Prevents the pistol from being fired when not gripped firmly
• Hand-stippled grip - Very grippy texture, perfect for gloved or ungloved shooters
• Trigger guard undercuts - Allows for a higher grip for better recoil control
• Skeletonised trigger & hammer - Modern Hi-capa styling, reduced weight
• Flared magazine well extension - Helps guide your mags in, speeds up reloads
• Tokyo Marui compatible internals - Ready for aftermarket upgrades, compatible with TM mags
• Supplied in a hard pistol case - A nice touch, looks very smart!

Package Includes

• Double Bell 304 Burgundy Viper Hi-Capa GBB Pistol
• 28rnd Green Gas magazine
• Spare nozzle
• Cleaning rod
• Hard pistol case