Snow Wolf SW-06 M3A1 Grease Gun AEG; Full Metal

Snow Wolf
Code:
£229.99
  • Full metal construction
  • Steel receiver - Hefty with a realistic finish
  • Electro-mechanical blowback system

If you are after a caveman simple WWII SMG and the STEN is a bit too unconventional, the M3A1 Grease Gun should suit you well! Derived from the STEN but with a vertically oriented magazine and tanker-style sliding stock, the M3A1 was the US Army's solution to the need for accelerated SMG production during the Second World War.

The Snow Wolf M3A1 is patterned after the original M3A1 Grease Gun, the second Grease Gun variant which saw the ratchet style charging handle deleted. In Airsoft terms, this means the Snow Wolf M3A1 is realistically limited to full automatic only, with the dust cover functioning as a safety catch, just like the real thing. The Snow Wolf M3A1 has a very realistic weight and feel thanks to its majority steel full metal construction and gun metal grey finish. If you love a simple classic the Grease Gun has your name on it!

Full description

Description

The Grease Gun entered service with the US Army in late 1942 but served through the Korean War and Vietnam right up until the 1991 Gulf War in the hands of tank crews who needed something more compact than a standard service rifle when bobbing in and out of tank hatches. Known for its relative reliability and favoured by Special Forces for the ease of suppressing the .45 ACP cartridge, the Grease Gun may be a stamped steel t00b gun, but it was far more well liked than its cousin across the pond, the STEN.

The M3A1 Grease Gun was named for its looks, mimicking the grease guns issued to tank crews in WWII thanks to its super simple utilitarian design, and though there may not be much thought put into ergonomics with this design the priority was to design an SMG that can be rapidly built in the millions for practically nothing compared to the SMG it replaced in service, the M1A1 Thompson.

Starting at the tip of the 8-inch alloy outer barrel we can find a smooth and straight barrel profile, leading back to the knurled barrel nut at the front of the receiver. The Grease Gun does not have a threaded barrel as the real steel suppressor for the Grease Gun attaches in place of the barrel itself.

Other than complete disassembly there is little reason to do it, but as a nod to realism the Snow Wolf Grease Gun barrel is removable in the exact same way the real one is; by pulling the steel retention tab at the front of the magazine well down and away from the knurled section of the barrel and unscrewing it. There are no aftermarket suppressors for the Grease Gun that we are aware of but using realistic barrel disassembly leaves options open for the more technically inclined.

At the front of the receiver, we are greeted with an authentic looking weld bead, adding to the overall look of the Grease Gun and avoiding tell-tale signs that this is a replica and not the real deal. The magazine well is positioned at the front of the receiver on the bottom, right where it should be (sorry STEN!). The magazine release is on the left side and sits right beneath the thumb if you grip the Grease Gun by the magazine well, making for easy reloads with little chance of accidentally dropping the magazine thanks to the mag release's protective fence.

The receiver itself is tubular as is the case with almost all generation 2 submachine guns, and has a pair of sling bars welded to the left side of the tube, ideally placed for an M1 Carbine/M3 Grease Gun replica sling, or any other two point sling if you are less concerned with authenticity. The top of the receiver features the Grease Gun's aperture iron sights which are fixed and welded in place.

The sights aren't the best, but for a weapon that is intended for close-range combat they are more than adequate, and the same goes for Airsoft simulated combat. The front sight is a straight blade which is unprotected but substantial in size to eliminate the chance of knocking the sights off if the gun is dropped or bumped against an obstacle. The rear sight is a fine aperture which is great for short to medium range, giving more instinctive aiming qualities than open sights found on earlier SMGs.

On the right side of the receiver tube we also have the mock ejection port, complete with a massive steel dust cover which can be opened by hand. With the dust cover open you can pull back the mock bolt using the recesses in its design, revealing the slider adjustable HOP-up unit inside. The slider is derived from the AK style HOP-up which is a great design, but the M3A1 HOP-up unit is unique to this SMG. The HOP-up rubber and nub are fully compatible with aftermarket alternatives for AEGs, which is great news for those who like to add range and accuracy upgrades.

The lower section of the receiver includes the pistol grip and steel trigger guard but is otherwise relatively featureless, save for the plate which covers the trigger mechanism in the real SMG. There is no semi-automatic function on the Grease Gun, and the same goes for the real thing which was limited to full auto fire to keep things simple. To make the SMG safe, close the hinged dust cover and to unleash heck on Jerry, open it up again. 

The pistol grip is part of the stamped steel body and has texture to give it some grip and keep the Grease Gun from slipping from your grasp in wet weather. The trigger guard is made from stamped sheet steel and provides plenty of room for gloved users, and the trigger is a solid wedge-style trigger, just like the real deal. The trigger has a nice feel thanks to the microswitch trigger internals which give a nice click when the trigger is pressed, making for a refreshing departure from the usual feeling-less AEG trigger. The microswitch also gives a cracking response, helps improve electrical efficiency and eliminates the corrosion which inevitably forms on conventional copper contacts from use, which should extend the lifespan of the Snow Wolf Grease Gun considerably.

At the base of the pistol grip, you will find a hexagonal nut with a knurled top which provides access to the battery compartment inside the pistol grip. The nut is in fact not a nut, it is instead a sliding catch disguised as a nut. To access the battery compartment you will need to pull this nut/catch rearward and the baseplate will come off, revealing the mini-Tamiya battery connector inside. The battery compartment is quite limited, but should fit small 7.4V LiPo stick batteries for PDW style M4 stocks, and should also fit 8.4V small NiMH block batteries. Depth-wise, you have slightly less than 11cm to work with.

Just above the pistol grip on the right side, we can find a protruding button which can be pressed to extend the steel sliding stock. Pressing the button and pulling the stock out will lock it into place, and just like the real thing, the stock has two adjustment positions; fully collapsed or extended. The stock also has a steel hook arrangement welded between the stock bars which functions as a loading tool for the real Grease Gun magazines which were reportedly very hard to load by hand. This won't be of much use for Airsoft purposes but is nonetheless an essential part of a realistic Grease Gun, signalling the "waste not, want not" design concept of the original SMG.

Internally, the Snow Wolf M3A1 has a unique gearbox shell style to facilitate its unconventional shape, but is compatible with M4 style nozzles, version 2/3 pistons and uses the long shaft motor type. The trigger is a microswitch type, meaning no need to worry about conventional contacts developing corrosion and requiring replacement. The HOP-up unit is also unique but is compatible with standard AEG inner barrels, HOP-up rubbers and nubs. The best internal feature of the Grease Gun is by far its electro-mechanical blowback system which cycles the mock bolt with each shot, giving off a metal on metal "clank clank clank" to drown out the distinctive AEG muzzle report. The EBB doesn't really provide much recoil but does make the Grease Gun a thrill to shoot, especially if you are accustomed to the usual AEG experience.

So, if you are a WWII reenactor or you have a taste for the classics, your collection is not complete without a Grease Gun! The Snow Wolf example is one of the best replicas on the market, and is considerately designed without the need for any weird stuff like battery in mag configurations, and doesn't stray so far from the usual AEG internal set up that it cannot be upgraded for those who seek the absolute best performance!

Features

  • Full metal construction
  • Micro-switch trigger system
  • Slider adjustable HOP-up unit - Behind mock bolt
  • Dust cover functions as a safety - Closed is safe, open is fire
  • Steel sling bars on the left side of the receiver - Ready for replica M1 Carbine/Grease gun replica sling or two point
  • 2 Position sliding stock - Adjustment button on the right side of the stock base
  • Battery compartment inside the pistol grip - Push the nut rearward and the baseplate will pop off
  • Battery space limited - Recommended battery 7.4V LiPo short stick type (under 10cm overall length)
  • Knurled barrel nut with quick removable barrel - Pull the steel retention tab down and unscrew
  • Magazine release on the left side of the magwell - Perfect for easy access using magwell grip
  • Unique gearbox type - M4 AEG Nozzle, V2/V3 Piston, Long shaft motor
  • Aperture iron sights - Low profile sights, detailed weld and mock weld beads
  • Mock loading tool on the stock - Just like the real thing
  • Spare magazines: 520rnd High-cap mag130rnd Mid-cap mag

Package Includes

  • Snow Wolf M3A1 Grease Gun SMG AEG
  • 450rnd High-capacity magazine
  • User manual

Specification

General

Weapon Construction External
Weapon Type
Submachine Gun
Over 18 Only Icon
Over 18
Yes
Icon UKARA - United Kingdom Airsoft Retailer Association
Defence / UKARA Required
Yes, No,
FPS Icon
FPS (Feet Per Second), using 0.20g BB
Approx. 295fps ± 10%, using 0.20g BB
Site Legal Icon
Site Legal, using 0.20g BB
Yes
Screwdriver Icon
Pre-Built
Yes
Package
Included Items
Magazine
Skill Level Icon
User Skill Level
Regular Player
Patrol Base - Warning Icon
Warnings
Li-Po - Never Leave Charging Unattended
Li-Po - Only Use Approved Chargers
Li-Po - Charge in a Fire Safe Area

Weight and Dimension

Weight KG Icon
Weight (KG)
Approx. 2.9kg
Weapon Length Collapsed
Length (Collapsed)
58cm
Weapon Length Extended
Length (Extended)
75cm

Construction

Colour Wheel Greyscale
Primary Colour
Gun Metal Grey, Pre Two-Tone Blue ,
Construction Icon
Construction
Steel receiver, stock, sights, dust cover and magazine well. Alloy outer barrel and trim parts
Weapon Construction External
External Construction
Alloy
Steel
Gearbox Icon
Internal Construction
Polymer
Alloy
Aluminium
Steel

Weapon Specific

Power Source Icon
Powered By
Electric
Blowback Icon
Blowback
Electro Mechanical Blowback
Weapon Platform
M3 Grease Gun
Magazine Style Icon
Magazine Style
M3 Grease Gun
Fire Select Icon
Fire Selector
PatrolBase | Fire Select Safe
Safe
Patrol Base | Full Automatic
Full Automatic
Weapon Safety Features Icon
Safety Features
Trigger Disconnect
Shooter Configuration Icon
Shooter Configuration
Right Handed
Weapon Configuration Icon
Weapon Configuration
Standard
Weapon Scale Icon
Weapon Scale
1:1
Suggested BB Weight
0.25g

Hop-Up

Hop-Up Unit Icon
Hop-Up Unit
Yes
Hop-Up Unit Adjuster Icon
Hop-Up Adjuster
Slider
Hop-Up Unit Location Icon
Hop-Up Location
Behind mock bolt carrier, accessible when the dust cover is lifted and the bolt is pulled back by hand.

Furniture

Weapon Furniture Icon
Furniture
  • Sliding Stock
  • sling points front and rear
  • Aperture iron sights
Rail System Icon
Rail System
None
Icon Stock Positions
Stock Setting
Sliding
Weapon Length Extended
Stock Positions
2 Position
Sight Type Icon
Sight Type
Iron Sights , Aperture Iron Sight,
Sling Plate Icon
Sling Options
Loop , Receiver ,

Barrel

Outer Barrel Length (in)
8''
Inner Barrel Diameter
6.08mm
Inner Barrel Length
190mm

Magazine Specific

Magazine Type
High Capacity, Wheel Wound, AEG,
Magazine BB Capacity
Approx. 450 Rounds
Magazine BB Fill Method
Fill Window
Magazine BB Fill Location
Top

Electric Gun Specific Information

Gearbox
Wiring Icon
Gearbox Wiring
Rear Wired
Motor
Airsoft Motor Icon
Motor Type
Standard
Battery Specific
Battery Connector
Patrol Base | Icon | Mini Tamiya
Mini Tamiya
Compatible Battery
Compatible Battery Type
Li-Po
Compatible Battery Configuration
Stick
Compatible Battery Voltage
7.4v

Product Testing Data

Notepad Icon
Test Description
295 FPS +/- 10%
Notepad Icon
Tested Using
0.2g ASG BLASTER
Notepad Icon
Test Date
31/01/2023

Size guide

Joule Charts

Special Instructions

These table can be used as a reference to see if the BB weight you are using will be over acceptable Joulage limits at some Airsoft Sites in the UK. To check if the weight can be used chrono your weapon using the BB you intend to use, and then compare it to the chart.

FPS, Power and Joule Limits can vary from site to site, so please get in touch with where you're going to play with in advance to avoid disappointment.

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, with a 350fps limit for Automatic Replicas, 400fps for Semi-Automatic Replicas, and 500fps for Bolt Action Replicas.

Tap the tabs below to open the relevant chart for your replica.

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, and is the equivalent of 350fps, using 0.20g BB resulting in an upper limit of 1.14j.

Velocity BB Weight (Grams)
FPS 0.20 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.36 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.50
250 0.58 0.73 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.05 1.16 1.25 1.31 1.45
260 0.63 0.79 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.13 1.26 1.35 1.41 1.57
270 0.68 0.85 0.95 1.02 1.08 1.22 1.35 1.46 1.52 1.69
280 0.73 0.91 1.02 1.09 1.17 1.31 1.46 1.57 1.64 1.82
290 0.78 0.98 1.09 1.17 1.25 1.41 1.56 1.68 1.76 1.95
300 0.84 1.05 1.17 1.25 1.34 1.51 1.67 1.80 1.88 2.09
310 0.89 1.12 1.25 1.34 1.43 1.61 1.79 1.92 2.01 2.23
320 0.95 1.19 1.33 1.43 1.52 1.71 1.90 2.05 2.14 2.38
325 0.98 1.23 1.37 1.47 1.57 1.77 1.96 2.11 2.21 2.45
328 1.00 1.25 1.40 1.50 1.60 1.80 2.00 2.15 2.25 2.50
330 1.01 1.26 1.42 1.52 1.62 1.82 2.02 2.18 2.28 2.53
335 1.04 1.30 1.46 1.56 1.67 1.88 2.09 2.24 2.35 2.61
340 1.07 1.34 1.50 1.61 1.72 1.93 2.15 2.31 2.42 2.68
345 1.11 1.38 1.55 1.66 1.77 1.99 2.21 2.38 2.49 2.76
350 1.14 1.42 1.59 1.71 1.82 2.05 2.28 2.45 2.56 2.85
355 1.17 1.46 1.64 1.76 1.87 2.11 2.34 2.52 2.63 2.93
360 1.20 1.51 1.69 1.81 1.93 2.17 2.41 2.59 2.71 3.01

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used at Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, and is the equivalent of 400fps, using 0.20g BB resulting in an upper limit of 1.49j.

Velocity BB Weight (Grams)
FPS 0.20 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.36 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.50
250 0.58 0.73 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.05 1.16 1.25 1.31 1.45
260 0.63 0.79 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.13 1.26 1.35 1.41 1.57
270 0.68 0.85 0.95 1.02 1.08 1.22 1.35 1.46 1.52 1.69
280 0.73 0.91 1.02 1.09 1.17 1.31 1.46 1.57 1.64 1.82
290 0.78 0.98 1.09 1.17 1.25 1.41 1.56 1.68 1.76 1.95
300 0.84 1.05 1.17 1.25 1.34 1.51 1.67 1.80 1.88 2.09
310 0.89 1.12 1.25 1.34 1.43 1.61 1.79 1.92 2.01 2.23
320 0.95 1.19 1.33 1.43 1.52 1.71 1.90 2.05 2.14 2.38
330 1.01 1.26 1.42 1.52 1.62 1.82 2.02 2.18 2.28 2.53
340 1.07 1.34 1.50 1.61 1.72 1.93 2.15 2.31 2.42 2.68
350 1.14 1.42 1.59 1.71 1.82 2.05 2.28 2.45 2.56 2.85
360 1.20 1.51 1.69 1.81 1.93 2.17 2.41 2.59 2.71 3.01
370 1.27 1.59 1.78 1.91 2.03 2.29 2.54 2.73 2.86 3.18
380 1.34 1.68 1.88 2.01 2.15 2.41 2.68 2.88 3.02 3.35
390 1.41 1.77 1.98 2.12 2.26 2.54 2.83 3.04 3.18 3.53
400 1.49 1.86 2.08 2.23 2.38 2.68 2.97 3.20 3.34 3.72
410 1.56 1.95 2.19 2.34 2.50 2.81 3.12 3.36 3.51 3.90

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used at Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, and is the equivalent of 500fps, using 0.20g BB resulting in an upper limit of 2.32j.

Velocity BB Weight (Grams)
FPS 0.20 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.36 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.50
250 0.58 0.73 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.05 1.16 1.25 1.31 1.45
260 0.63 0.79 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.13 1.26 1.35 1.41 1.57
270 0.68 0.85 0.95 1.02 1.08 1.22 1.35 1.46 1.52 1.69
280 0.73 0.91 1.02 1.09 1.17 1.31 1.46 1.57 1.64 1.82
290 0.78 0.98 1.09 1.17 1.25 1.41 1.56 1.68 1.76 1.95
300 0.84 1.05 1.17 1.25 1.34 1.51 1.67 1.80 1.88 2.09
310 0.89 1.12 1.25 1.34 1.43 1.61 1.79 1.92 2.01 2.23
320 0.95 1.19 1.33 1.43 1.52 1.71 1.90 2.05 2.14 2.38
330 1.01 1.26 1.42 1.52 1.62 1.82 2.02 2.18 2.28 2.53
340 1.07 1.34 1.50 1.61 1.72 1.93 2.15 2.31 2.42 2.68
350 1.14 1.42 1.59 1.71 1.82 2.05 2.28 2.45 2.56 2.85
360 1.20 1.51 1.69 1.81 1.93 2.17 2.41 2.59 2.71 3.01
370 1.27 1.59 1.78 1.91 2.03 2.29 2.54 2.73 2.86 3.18
380 1.34 1.68 1.88 2.01 2.15 2.41 2.68 2.88 3.02 3.35
390 1.41 1.77 1.98 2.12 2.26 2.54 2.83 3.04 3.18 3.53
400 1.49 1.86 2.08 2.23 2.38 2.68 2.97 3.20 3.34 3.72
410 1.56 1.95 2.19 2.34 2.50 2.81 3.12 3.36 3.51 3.90
420 1.64 2.05 2.29 2.46 2.62 2.95 3.28 3.52 3.69 4.10
430 1.72 2.15 2.40 2.58 2.75 3.09 3.44 3.69 3.86 4.29
440 1.80 2.25 2.52 2.70 2.88 3.24 3.60 3.87 4.05 4.50
450 1.88 2.35 2.63 2.82 3.01 3.39 3.76 4.04 4.23 4.70
460 1.97 2.46 2.75 2.95 3.15 3.54 3.93 4.23 4.42 4.91
470 2.05 2.57 2.87 3.08 3.28 3.69 4.10 4.41 4.62 5.13
480 2.14 2.68 3.00 3.21 3.42 3.85 4.28 4.60 4.82 5.35
490 2.23 2.79 3.12 3.35 3.57 4.02 4.46 4.80 5.02 5.58
500 2.32 2.90 3.25 3.48 3.72 4.18 4.65 4.99 5.23 5.81
510 2.42 3.02 3.38 3.62 3.87 4.35 4.83 5.20 5.44 6.04