This reviews won't be laid out like a standard review, as this is a compilation` of everything i have collected about the Hudsons different M3 variants (Im a certified hudson fan boy, and want to document these.). Which means unfortunately if you're wanting to only learn about one of these replicas, you're in for a long ride.

Who was hudson?

Hudson was originally a model gun manufacture in late 80s-early 90s japan. They rose to popularity for producing very high end, full metal models (like shoei.), This list includes; AK-47s, S&W M76s, as well as of course the m3a1. Later on hudson expanded into the airsoft industry with a line of very cool, but niche replicas (M3, TT33, Jericho941, etc). Hudson also did Gas blowback model guns such as a shell ejecting M1 garand and M14.

The M3

Unfortunately i've been unable to track down an exact date, but going off of their history the first model gun M3 is assumed to have released in the late 80s/early 90s. The majority of these first generation replicas were ABS plastic, however a few full metal models exist, as well as some very rare HW variants. These were shell ejecting, blowback PCP cap guns. they used 7mm caps and had a nice recoil, sound, and feel. They disassembled like the real gun and are beautiful for collectors if you can hunt one down. 

Hudsons villain arch started when airsoft started rising in popularity, so as any company wishing to turn a profit would, they started producing airsoft guns, Their first ever airsoft gun was indeed a Hudson M3. this was a shell ejecting, spring powered replica, reminiscent of the FTC series which released shortly before hudson. These held 1 bb per shell and had an included "cocking lever" That could be threaded into the bolt if racking the bolt via the signature M3A1 cut was too much.

Its safe to assume that they made a correct choice by releasing that springer model, as they continued to expand into the airsoft market, and bring us even more replicas. There next venture was in partnership with Maruzen (which seems to have been a fruitful relationship.). Hudson released a BV (Bullet valve) M3A1 in the mid to late 90s. These replicas were designed internally by maruzen (Who had also gotten into "BV" style guns). but Hudson manufactured the bodies, and reused a lot of the Model gun bodies. These BV models were available in HW (Heavyweight )and ABS only. The latter being the most commonly found ones. These didn't last long and there weren't many made, as JAC (Japanese Airsoft Corp.) released their own BV M3 which proved to be superior over the Hudson produced one. Below is a very butchered M3 BV model. seems the previous owner removed the stock and made a custom suppressor

Airsoft kept advancing leading hudson to their next model, a NBB M3.. yes you heard that correctly. these are about on the same rarity level as the previously mentioned ones. These were designed in house by hudson (not outsourced to maruzen.) These Replicas were very well built and only available in the HW configuration. and used a fairly simple double action design. Gas was fed through an external air hose into the replica to power it.

And that brings us to today. The legendary Hudson M3a1 GBB (Gas blowback) model was released. (Circa early 2000s). These replicas are the coolest out of all previous models (in my opinion.) They were internally designed by maruzen, who used their BVS (Butterfly Valve System.) The replica had a full travel bolt and super realistic takedown. They had a fault that the magazine was made in 2 parts that were pinned together (LIke maruzen Type U magazine.) This inevitably causes leaks over time. THe replicas were available in both HW and ABS, the replica did not feature an adjustable hop-ups unfortunately, but one thing it did have over its predecessors is that it came in the :Suppressed configuration if desired. this one a very rare attachment used during the vietnam war.

Conclusion

So in conclusion, these replicas have a ton of cool history behind them, with all the different models it does make me wonder how HUDSON ended up going defunct, i would normally have concluded they were doing well on their own, but as their last batch was made in 2007, it seems not...

 You can pick up your own hudson- HERE

Video review- HERE