Airsoft Review: Our First Look at the VORSK VMP-1X GBB SMG
The VORSK VMP-1X - Our First Look
The VMP-1 platform is VORSK's first foray into the world of gas blowback submachine guns and follows on from VORSK's extensive line of gas blowback pistols styled from the ground up to provide a unique aesthetic.
The layout of the VMP-1 follows the format of the "telescoping bolt machine pistol", just like the famous Uzi, Mac-10, Mac-11 and TMP/MP9. With a short overall length, the magazine housed inside the grip and a side folding stock to more easily control recoil and improve accuracy at long range, the VMP-1 promises to be a seriously effective SMG, whether it is being used in the tight confines of a CQB site or handing from a sniper's sling, waiting for the enemy to close the distance.
As one of the privileged few organisations allowed to check out the VMP-1 before it is scheduled for release, we are here to give you the low down on the VMP-1 and condense the hype down into facts and figures, with a few opinions thrown in for good measure.
We intend to thoroughly fondle the VMP-1 to clue you in on how it works and how it is best used in game, and of course, get this bad boy on the chronograph for a 10-shot FPS test and rate of fire test to see what it is made of.
Read on if you are interested in the VMP-1 and want to know how it shoots and what we think of its features and external build quality. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!
External Build Quality
First up, how does it feel? The VMP-1 is constructed almost entirely from polymer and feels rock solid. We did our usual "squeeze the grip" test and it revealed no flex at all, pointing to a dense and strong build using high quality plastics.
The feel is very similar to polymers used on NUPROL's Defender AEG. It lacks the "fibre-reinforced" feel of polymers used in the Umarex MP7 for example but feels far more structurally solid, similar to ABS plastics used in Tokyo Marui GBB pistols. While it may not have the overly matt finish that many modern plastics have, the strength is definitely there.
The grip has a stippling style texture on each side which provides plenty of friction while being comfortable to use without gloves thanks to the considerate shape of the stippling. Those who have handled authentic stippling will know that while it is very grippy it can feel a lot like sandpaper or a cheese grater, which means gloves are essential. The VMP-1 grip texture is a great balance between the extreme gripping qualities of stippling and the comfort of standard textured grips, meaning if you like your fingers to be free during a skirmish your hands will remain baby soft.
Allowing for plenty of space for larger hands and gloved users, the trigger guard is equally well designed and keeps the trigger protected from snags while allowing fast access. The outer barrel and stock hinge are both constructed from alloy to provide strength where needed, guaranteeing reliable locking for both parts which will likely take a lot of strain over the lifespan of the SMG.
The stock itself is constructed from the same polymer as the receiver and is similarly strong, with no flex or movement to be detected other than the rotation of the butt plate which is designed in. Following our test involving folding the stock and shaking the VMP-1 like we're preparing a vodka martini we are happy to report that the stock stayed in place with minimal movement thanks to the well designed spring assisted folding mechanism. The stock is easy to fold and locks into place well, making the VMP-1 easy to wield in both folded and unfolded forms.
The rotating butt plate is a nice touch to help with cornering in a CQB situation, allowing you to turn the SMG without turning the butt plate and snagging it on your rig. This is one of those features which could have gone oh-so-wrong but thankfully VORSK's execution is flawless, providing enough rotation for functionality but keeping the stock firm so you can shoulder the VMP-1 with confidence.
The choice of butt plate is a bit of a mystery, with VORSK opting for a "pistol stabilising brace" style with a port in the butt plate matching real "pistol" platforms and their compromised but legal "brace" setup in the US. Fortunately, this aesthetic choice doesn't hinder the functionality of the stock but questions remain over why this was chosen when we don't have the ATF all over us trying to shoot our doggos. Perhaps the brace functionality will be more appreciated amongst Airsofters across the pond as a training platform, but for us on the civilised side, this is just a unique and effective stock setup. Nothing wrong with that!
Controls-wise, the VMP-1 mimics the TMP/MP9 platform and this is not a bad thing. All of the controls are intuitively placed, with some commonality with the prolific M4/AR-15 in the placement of the charging handle and bolt release catch, and similarities to Glock pistols in the trigger shape and style, and the magazine release location. The trigger feel is not quite as crisp and short as most gas blowback pistols but fits well with real steel SMGs such as the MP5 and MP9 which generally have a heavier and longer trigger pull as a safety feature.
When it comes to weight, the VMP-1 certainly has some presence when you hold it, tipping the scales at approximately 2.17 kg. This gives the platform enough weight for a realistic and high quality feel but keeps this CQB-optimised platform easy to point and move quickly with. This may not please those who like the aches and pains in the days following a skirmish, but makes the platform accessible for those with less physical strength and gives the VMP-1 potential in a secondary use; as a sidearm for a sniper, where its low weight, high rate of fire and compact nature really lend themselves to the role.
Given the compact nature of the VMP-1, all of the weight is close to the body when held and the balance point is around the grip/magazine well. This means it feels far lighter than it actually is, and means that the usual fatigue related to wielding front heavy assault rifles and SMGs is not present with the VMP-1. Even with its QD suppressor mounted, the VMP-1 is light and pointable and should be a real asset to a CQB skirmisher who wants something more compact than an assault rifle with more firepower than a pistol.
The Good
- Very strong polymer build - Should be able to take a beating
- Metal stock hinge and muzzle - Extra strength where needed
- Moderate weight - Enough that you feel it but not enough to tire you out
- Stippled grip - Comfortable and grippy, gloves or no gloves
- Well designed controls - Easy to reach, familiar to most
- Rattle free folding stock - Very reliable folding mechanism, no wobble in either position
The Bad
- Mostly polymer construction - Some prefer full metal for extra weight and realism
- Slightly shiny polymer finish - Not as pretty as some others but much stronger
Ergonomics
The VMP-1 benefits from several ergonomic features inspired by other platforms and combined to create a slick little SMG which is comfortable, well balanced and well designed in almost every area.
A major strong point of the design is the ability to reposition the side Picatinny rails to a choice of two positions; Either low on the receiver or high. The benefit of a low position is that you can more easily reach your accessories if you use a vertical grip, and the high position has the advantage of providing more clearance for those who prefer a C-clamp grip or a traditional horizontal rifle grip. The side rails can also be left off the platform entirely if you prefer a slick setup to save weight and further lean into the inherent agility of the VMP-1.
The grip is set at a comfortable angle, steering way clear of the boxy grip present on the MAC-10 and MAC-11 platforms to provide a feel that is more similar to a modern pistol despite the "mag in grip SMG" configuration of the VMP-1. The grip angle is more vertical than that of the average assault rifle but this works well when shooting in close quarters and avoids the uncomfortable wrist position of the more utilitarian MAC series.
The front end of the VMP-1 is rather boxy in shape and is definitely more suited to use with an aftermarket vertical or angled front grip than gripping it thumb over bore. Given the short length of the handguard, this is probably the better way to use the SMG, and we can forgive VORSK for the boxy form given the thoughtful functionality of adding side rails for extra accessory space.
Having a short front end also introduces an inevitable risk of overshooting the handguard when bringing your support hand up following a reload and shooting your own hand, though this can be mitigated by using a hand stop, and is more of a training issue than an ergonomic issue with the platform itself. With some practice, this will never happen. As it is with all ultra-short SMG platforms, the VMP-1 has its own issues which mirror those of the MP7 and MP9, and are all part of the balancing act between ergonomics and size.
As far as the layout of the controls goes, everything is well placed and easy to reach, as it was in the MP9 and the TMP which preceded it. The push-through selector switch is the only aspect which may take some getting used to but it is fast to actuate and is far less prone to snagging than a conventional rotary selector. The bolt release catch should be familiar both to M4/AR-15 users and those accustomed to a gas blowback pistol, meaning less time learning the ropes and quicker and slicker reloads in game.
Folding the stock requires no fine finger work, just grab the stock and pull it up and free of the folding mechanism and swing it to the side where it will lock into place. We prefer to use the VMP-1 with the stock deployed as it is short enough to use up close and makes the recoil of the SMG easier to control but in ultra tight quarters or when carried as a secondary the side folding stock makes the VMP-1 much more compact and far easier to carry along with a longer platform.
The tilting stock function is another highlight, making the VMP-1 easy to corner with and shoot from unconventional positions and avoiding potential snags on the shoulder straps of your chest rig or plate carrier. Truth be told, we would have preferred a standard butt plate over the included pistol brace style butt plate but in Airsoft terms, this is practically a non-issue and is more a matter of what we are familiar with rather than what works the most effectively.
The VMP-1 is, on the whole, a well designed and comfortable platform, but we have noticed some areas it is lacking from an ergonomic perspective.
The iron sights are only functional when the VMP-1 is used with the stock folded as it is all but impossible to get your face low down on the stock enough to align them. This is a real shame as they are light-enhancing sights with high visibility green inserts which would undoubtedly be very effective if they could actually be used.
These sights are obviously designed as backup iron sights as they are recessed into the centre of the receiver 20mm rail but since they will rarely be used the light-enhancing inserts are rather wasted where they are. We would have preferred the sights be left as simple BUIS, raised slightly so they can be used while the SMG is shouldered or left off the platform entirely as they appear to be a bit of an afterthought and don't add a whole lot to the functionality of the platform.
Sling points are a major issue for the VMP-1, with nothing at all to facilitate sling mounting built into the platform, leaving you the sole option of mounting aftermarket sling points to the rails on the SMG.
This issue is far from a VMP-1 specific flaw, plenty of guns have been designed without sling mounting apparatus built-in but given it is recently designed from the ground up with plenty of inspiration available from real firearms designs, it is a mystery why VORSK did not choose to add a sling ring or QD point anywhere on the SMG.
The V-shaped cutouts in the stock could be used to thread a paracord loop through and a sling could be mounted on this, but for a cutting-edge design, this feels a bit too improvised. A simple sling loop built into the rear of the receiver would have done the job, but the folding stock assembly could also have included a sling plate which would have cured this issue with the VMP-1.
The QD mechanism for the VMP-1 suppressor has its pros and cons. On the plus side, it requires minimal rotation to unlock when installed and can be rotated either way to install or remove. This makes it nice and quick to switch out your setup to make it either more compact or more stealthy but requires some practice to master, which brings us to the balancing factor.
It is all too easy to rotate the suppressor a bit too far and reengage the lugs on the muzzle, meaning if you are not familiar with the exact amount of turn needed to release the suppressor you can end up fiddling around a bit to get it off or on. This isn't really a big problem as most users will either run the suppressor or not, and are unlikely to switch between suppressed and unsuppressed configurations on the fly.
As with many aspects of many different Airsoft guns, this is a consequence of VORSK seeking to make the QD suppressor quicker to remove with less rotation and fundamentally stronger thanks to its 5-lug design. A bit of practice or simply installing your suppressor in the safe zone before the game should solve this one easily.
The Good
- Comfortable grip angle - Far better than most mag-in-grip SMGs
- Repositionable side rails - Gives the user plenty of flexibility with how they run the VMP-1
- Tilting butt plate - Allows for easier cornering with reduced snag potential
- 5-Lug QD suppressor mechanism - Requires a minimal turn to unlock, stronger than tri-lug or threaded systems
- Plenty of 20mm Picatinny rails - Easy to accessorise
- Side folding stock - Allows for easy carry as a secondary weapon
- Controls are easily accessible from a firing grip - No weird body mechanics to reload or change fire modes
The Bad
- Sights are not visible with the stock deployed - Should be slightly higher or removed entirely
- No sling points - Limited sling mounting options, even with aftermarket sling points
- QD Suppressor mechanism requires practice to master - Easy to turn too far, not an issue once you are familiar with the platform
- No length of pull adjustment on the stock - A sacrifice made to reduce weight and complexity
On the Range
Now for the really important stuff. We took the VMP-1 to the range to check out its performance and assess whether the reality lives up to the hype.
Our velocity test involves 10 shots on our Acetech Chronograph with a 1-second delay between each, and our rate of fire test involves dumping the magazine in full auto directly after the velocity test to provide a decent measure of the practical rate of fire in game.
We used ASG Blaster 0.2g BBs and VORSK V6 Green gas in both tests which were carried out indoors, and the ambient temperature was around 18° C at the time.
FPS/Velocity
| VORSK VMP-1X | FPS with 0.2g ASG Blaster BBs and VORSK V6 Green Gas |
|---|---|
| Shot 1 | 323.4 FPS |
| Shot 2 | 328.6 FPS |
| Shot 3 | 320.3 FPS |
| Shot 4 | 321.5 FPS |
| Shot 5 | 318.4 FPS |
| Shot 6 | 315.3 FPS |
| Shot 7 | 310.6 FPS |
| Shot 8 | 311.1 FPS |
| Shot 9 | 315.3 FPS |
| Shot 10 | 314.7 FPS |
Our velocity test reveals that the VMP-1 is surprisingly consistent for a GBB SMG, with only 18 FPS deviation over the entire 10 shot string of fire. This means while precision is not necessarily what the VMP-1 was designed primarily for, it should have excellent accuracy and the ability to one-shot targets at CQB range with decent shot-to-shot consistency for follow up shots.
Varying between approximately 310 FPS up to 328 makes the VMP-1 perfect for UK skirmish velocities when used with VORSK V6, sitting right in the sweet spot which allows it to be used at the strictest CQB sites while having enough oomph to reach out and contend with bigger platforms at longer ranges.
Definitely a step up from comparable platforms, the VMP-1 clearly has a well designed GBB internal system which is more resistant to cooldown than most and should be a great entry point to the world of primary GBB platforms, offering something which is more forgiving of trigger spam than a GBB rifle.
Rate of fire
Here is where the VMP-1 really shines. With a positively deadly 18.8 rounds per second being pumped out in full auto, this thing isn't messing around!
In AEG terms this is about where the better out-of-the-box setups reach their peak, and anything above this has to have some serious internal upgrades and care and attention paid to tuning. The VMP-1 throws an incredible volume of BBs out for an unupgraded platform, especially when you consider its price point!
The combination of its compact size and high rate of fire gives the VMP-1 some excellent potential as a secondary for a sniper rifle or DMR loadout, allowing suppressive fire to keep the masses at bay in a compact and foldable form which is easy to cart around, even with a bulky ghillie suit and bolt action rifle. If only it had a sling point built in!
By the end of our mag dump the velocity had dropped to a low of 235.9 FPS which is perfectly reasonable after a long full auto burst from a GBB SMG. If you control your trigger and fire in bursts you should be able to keep the VMP-1 shooting hotter and more consistently, enabling medium range engagements with higher hit probability.
Compatibility
Being a fresh platform, compatibility of the VMP-1 with the aftermarket is, for the most part, yet to be seen. We can however confirm that it fits and feeds well with ASG/KWA/KSC MP9/TP9 System 7 GBB magazines and uses the KWA System 7 HOP-up type.
The QD Suppressor for the MP9 platform does not fit, and if you want to add a suppressor to the VMP-1 you will need VORSK's proprietary suppressor which mounts to their unique 5-lug QD system. Tracer units are as yet unavailable but we have heard on the grapevine that VORSK have big plans for the VMP-1, including a full line of accessories, one of which will be a tracer unit.
The rails on the VMP-1 are all 20mm Picatinny compatible, meaning you can mount almost anything to it, from a simple red dot sight to a full complement of accessories. With rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock position, the VMP-1 probably has more rail real estate than any other platform in its size class, with the possible exception of the upcoming MP7 A2 from Umarex.
Conclusion
On the whole, the VMP-1 looks set to raise the bar for GBB SMGs in Airsoft. Based on the well regarded System 7 blowback system, the foundations have been laid for what could be a real game changer of a platform, provided VORSK stays true to its word and gives us a host of accessories for this beast.
Externally the VMP-1 is top-notch, constructed from dense polymers with great structural strength, at least as far as we can tell without intentionally trying to break it. While it lacks in a few areas ergonomically, it makes up for these weaknesses with additional rail space, a comfortable grip angle and a superb stock, amongst its many other strengths. The sights may suck, but we can say for certainty that most people running a GBB SMG will play to its strengths by mounting a red dot sight which should make the VMP-1 a near perfect piece.
With a high rate of fire and respectable consistency, everything looks great from a performance standpoint. The VMP-1 will be a fantastic platform however you choose to use it, but we think its true strengths lie in CQB skirmishes where the GBB trigger response will give you the edge, and as a sniper's backup weapon where its compact size, low weight and high rate of fire will make it an asset when the enemy gets too close for comfort.
While it may not be to a Milsimmers taste, the VMP-1 offers a more affordable alternative to GBB MP7s and MP5s which are truly a platform for experienced users only due to their complexity and maintenance requirements. Obviously, the VMP-1 will need maintenance like any GBB Airsoft gun, but with lower weight, more familiar and intuitive ergonomics and respectable performance right out of the gate, this should make a fine entry point into the big boy GBB world of SMGs and Rifles.