Sumatra Carbine .22 carbine Review

Written by: Matt Sasso

Handling
The first thing you notice as you pick up an shoulder the Sumatra carbine for the first time, is that it is very well balanced and snugs up nicely and naturally. Your hand slips loosely into the lever and the gun holds steady almost effortlessly. One begins to picture taking fast running game on the fly and working that lever like a true western rifleman. This gun was designed ergonometricly which cannot be said about all air rifles. The Sumatra is designed for right or left handed shooters and one of the most notable observations about this gun is that everyone I have let try it has shot well with it immediately. There is a very low learning curve to get the feel of it. In addition, it also passed my spot shooting test. Spot shooting is done with both eyes open and focused on the target. The gun performed amazingly well and I was able to shoot quarter sized groups from a standing position.
What does that mean? It means the stock and barrel are aligned with a natural shooting position. I have a very expensive German gun that could never do that!!

Finish and craftsmanship
The Sumatra is built surprisingly well for the low purchase price. I was very happy when I first opened the box. The blueing is smooth. The metal parts work together firmly and the finish on the stock and butt are simple and even. I could not find any flaws with mine. Keep in mind that I do not purchase guns to hang on the wall. I expect them to look reasonably well and shoot awesome. I know I have already put a few dings in the stock and I am sure there will be a few scratches over the years but that is the life of a field gun.

Function
The Sumatra carbine is built on a very simple premise and that is to shoot heavy pellets very fast and very accurately. The six shot rotary magazine loads very quickly and simply snaps into the gun with the lever fully open. The Sumatra’s rotary magazine will take any .22 cal pellet on the market with no adjustment. A shooter can squeeze off six shots as fast as he can work the lever and pull the trigger. The trigger is somewhat adjustable although it will remain a “Crisp” pull at the lowest setting.



The Gun carries a nice size air chamber approximately 290cc under the barrel. This is filled to 3000psi using a scuba tank or high pressure air pump. At the end of the lower air chamber a rotating dust cup reveals the air fill port which the fill probe fits into.

I have had no problems with the well over 300 fills I have put into my gun. One question I often receive about this gun is how many shots do you get? I keep the gun set to shoot a little lower than maximum power and it seems to shoot 3 magazine or 18 shots without a drop in point of impact. That is a perfect match for field hunting and with the Sumatra you really need only one shot to take game to the size of a large raccoon.

Adjustable power
The adjustable power wheel is a really nice feature on the gun and it is located on the underside of the receiver. The wheel will adjust the power of the gun from almost zero to 1200 fps. Next to the power wheel is a compact PSI gauge which is a fantastic feature to have on a PCP rifle. However, the Sumatra gauge does not read accurately and a 3000psi fill may read 1000psi. The gauge works, it’s just that the numbers inside of it are not calibrated properly. So once you know your gun you can tell from the position of the needle whether or not you have a full fill or it is time for a refill.


Factory peep sight
The last feature I should discuss is the factory peep sight. This is the worst rear sight I have ever used and it would require a bit of drilling to actually be able to see through it. I think it would have worked fine as the front adjustable sight is built well and adjusts easily.

However, I had intended to drop a scope on this gun so I didn’t bother. I mounted a Bushnell banner 3x9x50 on the gun because I had one laying around. I used standard mounts and it works fantastic but I plan on switching it out for a compact Leapers mildot at some point.

Accuracy and shooting
The most surprising thing about the Sumatra is that it will shoot almost any pellet accurately. I have tried Eun Jins, Crosman Premiers, Predators, Kodiaks and Crow Magnums. All but the Crow Magnums shot perfectly and you can expect quarter sized groups at fifty yards although I regularly take game out to 80 yards with it.

I spent some time using the heavy 30 grain Eun Jins and I absolutely love them for hunting. They hit very hard and accurately although it takes a lot of air to push them out straight for the long shots and I found myself using Kentucky windage for the 90 yard shots. I have since switched back to Kodiaks for all game smaller than a fox. The Kodiaks shoot exactly the same as the Eun Jins only they shoot flatter and farther and you shouldn’t require any scope adjustment between the two. At a moderate power setting the Kodiaks should stay fairly flat out to 70 yds.

Hunting
This is where the Sumatra Carbine shines. It is a hunting rifle made for field use. Its short compact build makes it perfect for maneuvering through brush and vines and almost disappears when tucked into the hunter’s body. I have taken many coons, a few foxes, rabbits, squirrels, pigeons etc. with this gun. If you hit something with the Sumatra the extra power is really unforgiving and even if your shot is off a bit you can expect deep penetration and massive damage.
I went coon hunting with a friend of mine and he was carrying a very nice Logun. We came across a couple of coons and when he saw me take a large coon with the Sumatra he said about his gun, “I have to get one of those, my gun is just a toy compared to it”. In many ways he is right. The Sumatra will handle the full range of airgun hunting from pesky starlings to Foxes and coons.

I had an experience while doing some pest control on a farm. I came across four coons at a feeder. They were all about 30 yards out and I took careful aim at the one closest to the woods. I dropped him cold then in the confusion I dropped the next one before he was aware of what was happening. The third coon fell as it darted for the tree line. Number four had taken a few wrong steps in the wrong direction when the commotion started and now he was headed up a tree. I dropped him midway up his climb. It was over in 6 or 7 seconds and I still had 2 rounds left in the gun. I took a total of 10 coons that night and the gun worked flawlessly. Oh, and I also took a running possum at 80 yards on the same night. You might say I am a great shot but I would contend that a good shooting team consists of the shooter and his rifle and both need to be able to do their part reliably.

The Sumatra is a little loud for regular back yard use. However, I have shot it many times with the power dialed way down and it is barely audible. At higher power you are going to get a fairly loud “Crack”.


Recommendations
If you are going to hunt with an airgun or you are looking for your first PCP then the Sumatra is for you. It is at the lower end of the Price scale and offers some great features. I guarantee you will love its simplicity, power and handling. The Sumatra carbine is to airgun hunting what the Winchester was to the old west. One gun for all occasions.


Factory Specifications

Model Cal. .22 Sumatra Carbine .22
Total Wt. Overall Length Velocity fps Muzzle Energy Cocking Method Cocking Effort Power Plant


7.0 lb
35.5" long

Lever Action
* New fully adjustable power
62 fpe
* quick fill adapter,
* Threaded Barrel
(10 x 1mm)
* Includes: 2 magazines,

* Installed scope rail
* Faster shut off for hand pumps
* 5/8" ctc at 50 yards using
Eun Jin pellets
* Adjustable 2-Stage Trigger

Sumatra Carbine Takes Some Squirrels

A Tired Deerhunter Hunts for Squirrels

It' late November and two months of archery season have passed. While there is still another month to go, I don't have a big rack to show for all my effort. I've spent hours and hours sitting in treestands only to be foiled by the crazy Noreast winds and abnormally hot weather this fall. There were also the equipment failures I did not anticipate. A broken bowstring, a damaged sight and some ridiculous broadheads I should never have purchased. All the while, the squirrels, seemingly in their hundreds have been scurrying about collecting acorns and enticing me back to my airgun roots. And so it was this Thanksgiving weekend that I decided to abandon my compound bow and fill up the airguns for some fast action on the bushytails.

For the last two months I had been mentally marking the prime squirrel spots. In one spot alone I counted no less than 12 squirrels at one time within 30 yards of my treestand. In another spot, I would always come across a half dozen when I was on stalk and now that the leaves were down I was looking forward to some long shots in the hardwoods. I new the time they would be out and exactly where I would find them. Of course when I arrived in the woods the damn wind had kicked way up again blowing leaves and branches and masking any movement that was occurring in treetop or leaf litter.

I decided to settle in against a large Oak and watch. As soon as I had become comfortable I noticed a couple tree hoppers in a large tangled pine over 50 yards away. There was no shot through the leafless limbs and the stalk was on. The wind did serve to mask my movement and noise as i crept from tree to tree making my way in range. Shooting at multiple squirrels is a bit like a game of pool. You want to anticipate the escape route the second squirrel will take once you fire and drop the first one. My Sumatra carbine in .22 was loaded with heavy Eun Jin pellets so any hit on these squirrels would mean they would be anchored. I raised the Sumatra to my shoulder and even though I was concentrating on the shot, I still sighed at the comfortable and familiar fit of my most trusted rifle. I'll continue with the story but I just have to say that the Sumatra carbine is one of the most versatile and best designed hunting rifles I have ever owned. Short, manuverable, accurate and powerful; what else is there to say?

The wind was gusting again as I took aim. I love this shot as you wait for the wind to move the branches and provide a clear path for your pellet. Wait , watch , anticipate and fire....the familiar crack of the Sumatra and the almost immediate sound of the pellet hitting home. Quick work on the lever action to load another pellet and back up to my shoulder, eye on the crosshairs waiting for the second squirrel to halt his escape. He stopped two trees away high atop an Oak. A touch to the crisp trigger and he was falling to the forest floor.

It was good to get out and feel successful again. I think that's what's best about any small game hunting. There is always more game to be had and a better chance to take some home. But of course, you can only guess that on my way out of the woods I came across a nice Buck not 15 yards away. I really think he knew he was in no danger because he only trotted off. Ah well, that's how it goes. I guess it's just better to get what you get and to appreciate all of it.

Written by: Matt Sasso

Talon SS, Squirrel Hunting And A Christmas Eve To Remember

This is the story of a Christmas Eve hunt with my Talon SS. I have written many stories about hunting with this gun but I have particularly fond memories of this hunt. Maybe it was because it was a cold, crisp December morning. Or maybe it was because I had the world; or a small piece of it; a winter wood; all to myself.

I'd like to say my beautiful wife told me I could go hunting this morning. But that would have implied I even asked her. I snuck out at O'dark thirty and hit the local woods hoping for some squirrel action. It was windy and brisk with an icy crunch to the leaves. I completely missed the first bushytail I saw. I must have knocked the scope out on my Talon. A few test shots and I was back on zero. That's the good thing about a gun you trust. If you miss you know something is wrong.

This wood is mostly big Oaks with lots and lots of holes that the squirrels hide in. In fact, there is barely one nest up in the trees. If you didn't know better you would think there were no bushy tails to be found.

I redeemed myself on the next shot. It was about 30yds out and I had snuck up on him a bit to get a better shot through the tangle of bare winter branches. He peeked his head out from behind the massive grey trunk and took his last breath. One on the ground.

The next two were chattering high up in a huge Oak. I had to watch them for a while to get a clear shot at either of them. They were about 75yds out so I new I would have to hold a little high. Finally, one of the nutters exposed himself to a clear line of sight. I placed the first mildot under center on his head, pulled the trigger, waited as the pellet traveled its course. I then heard the tell tale "whack, crunch" and down he came.

The second squirrel got mad and started to chatter louder and climbed to the top of the tree maybe 75’ off the ground. I was really looking forward to him taking the “fastevator” all the way to the ground once I popped him. I held over him and struck true. He hung on for a moment then just let go and fell fast alongside the grey trunk. There was a small white pine about 30' tall alongside the bottom of the great Oak and he disappeared as he fell through it.

Excited, I walked on over to collect my prize and was puzzled as I found only one squirrel. I new both shots were dead on center and I couldn't figure out where the second squirrel was. The ground was clear so I started looking to see if he got stuck in the pine. Nothing, then I noticed that the Oak's first massive limb had died and rotted off. This sometimes will form an upward facing hole and this one was probably about 14" wide. And you guessed it. Through the scope I could see a few hairs from the tip of the squirrel’s tail peeking up out of the basket.


Writen by: Matt Sasso

Airforce Talon SS Review

In the past, I have done a few video reviews and long forum explanations of the Airforce Talon SS and as such I did not realize that I never actually completed a full written review of this rifle. I need to begin by saying I have owned a Talon SS for several years now. And at this point there is no sense in disguising my affection for this rifle. It’s probably better if I tell you why it has become the “go-to” gun.

Overview: The first thing you'll notice when seeing a Talon up close for the first time is its simplicity. The bulk of the gun is made out of aluminum with the exception of the 12”walther barrel. Though it has a very simple construction the good folks at Airforce have done as much as possible to make the most of the surface area and geometry of this rifle. The Aluminum full barrel shroud hosts 2 standard scope rails on the top and bottom of the shroud offering innumerable combinations of gadgets that can be attached. Lights, lasers and bipods are just a few of the things I have seen mounted on these handy rails. Over time, I have chosen to mount a simple mini-mag light on the bottom scope rail of my rifle using a standard scope mount. The mag light has come in handy on more than one night hunt. Its ability to focus light at long distances has meant doom for more than one raccoon and many many rats.

The Aluminum is finished in a nice flat black that is for the most part non-reflective and as I have found very durable. I do not baby this gun and it has yet to show any real scratches on it. The fore grip and pistol grip are made of a hard durable plastic and the simple factory steel butt stock mounted to the tank is indestructible. The forward cocking bolt is one of the easiest cocking mechanisms on any rifle anywhere and the large loading port allows even the biggest hands to load the single shot rifle with ease. The power is completely adjustable via a dial on the left side of the gun that contracts the hammer spring. The high scope rail, yes a third but primary scope rail is approximately 8” long offering the shooter a wide array of choices for scopes. The 490cc tank easily detaches from the rifle making the whole unit fit intro a small paintball case or back pack. The Talon SS is only 32.75” long when assembled so I prefer a more compact scope in keeping with the guns theme. However, the standard Talon with an 18” barrel and the high powered condor model (24” barrel) enter the realm of sniper capabilities with longer potential ranges and are deserving of more apt optics. Incidently, all of these Airforce models are built on the same frame and have interchangeable parts. So adding a longer barrel or a high flow kit is as simple as placing an order.  Airforce has also done a good job of manufacturing their own accessories. Scope mounts, open sights, bipods, sling studs and even a tri-rail are available. It shouldn’t be surprising that the sturdy Talon has become one of the most modifiable PCP rifles on the market. In fact, this rifle has spawned several user sights and forums of its own just to capture all the cool things that are being done with this gun.

            Price: At $500 (avg), the Talon SS is still in the economy range. With Modern PCPs reaching into the $1,000s this is not a bad way to get a precision rifle at a decent price. The Talon SS comes out of the box bare bones and you will need to factor in a few accessories like scope rings, a scope and high pressure fill equipment (Talon High pressure hand pump or scuba refill clamp).     

Setup: The fill method is exceptionally simple on this rifle. Unscrew the 490cc tank from the rifle, screw on the fill adapter and fill the tank with 3,000psi of high pressure air using a high pressure hand pump, or scuba fill adapter. In the world of airgunning, a 490CC fill reservoir translates into a lot of capacity and lots and lots of shots per fill. Extra tanks are also available with this rifle

You’ll absolutely need optics on this rifle as it does not come with any sites. I wanted to use this rifle for hunting and I wanted to maintain the compact theme so I looked for something simple and small. I have become partial to the Leapers scopes. They offer a great deal of value for the money. I chose the Leapers 3x12x44mm SWAT. This scope is extremely compact and has great magnification, mildot crosshairs and illuminated recticle. The geometry of this rifle dictates that the user’s cheek needs to rest on the curve of the tank when shooting. The eye is forced to a high position and the natural sight range moves with it.  You will need high mounts and I chose a pair of simple and sturdy steel B-square high mounts for this application. I also recommend a mildot for this rifle as it will shoot straight and the mildots give you great points of reference at very close ranges and very long ones as well.

Performance: My Talon is in .22 caliber and I have tried a variety of pellets in it. As a hunter I am always partial to the 21gr Beeman Kodiak and mine shoots them solidly and consistently at 753 fps. A standard 14.3 gr Crosman Premiere will travel at about 850 fps but I prefer the anchoring ability of the Kodiak and they seem to shoot very nicely out to 50 yards. Once you understand this rifle much farther shots are easily in reach and I have on more than one occasion dropped squirrels at 85yds with it. Like I said that mildot scope comes in handy. Also noted: I have yet to find a pellet that the Talon SS won’t shoot well and Predator pellets work fantastic in this gun.

On the bench, it performs very well. Using the Kodiaks I am able to keep the pellets in close to the same hole at 30yds and at 50yds it will easily shoot half inch groups. At full power, I get about 30 or so shots without any noticeable drop in point of impact. It may actually get more than this but 30 shots is about where I like to refill the tank. More a manner of habit than necessity.

The trigger is crisp but reliable and the narrow pistol grip creates a great level of comfort with this very light 5.25lb gun. If you tend to over pull your trigger on a shot you’ll find you probably won’t do it with this gun. The pistol grip and weight ratio maintain the hand in a very relaxed position.

There isn’t much else to say about performance. The action works flawlessly and it hits the target every time.

Target: The Airforce rifles are known for exceptional accuracy and with a 24” barrel they are more than capable of hitting accurately out to 100yds. The Talon SS and its 12” barrel will outshoot many rifles despite its short barrel. It isn’t the most ergonometric rifle on the market and resting your cheek over that tank takes some getting used to. I actually mounted a custom butt pad on mine to change the geometry of the gun and make it a bit more comfortable for large shoulders and my inflexible neck. Most owners stay with the stock butt plate and shoot very accurately and comfortably. With the bipod attached any of the Airforce rifles become an instant sniper rifle.

Hunting: I have taken every manner of small game with this gun from sparrows, rats and pigeons to squirrels, rabbits, raccoons and fox. All those rails to mount lights make it a natural night hunter and its compactness makes it a go anywhere gun. I also like the Talon SS for back yard and warehouse pests. The variable power and quiet report offer stealth and safety.

Written by: Matt Sasso

Air rifle, BB gun eye safety

Or how I almost shot my eye out!

One year ago yesterday, I was sighting in an air rifle at ten yards using a steel pellet trap when I experienced a severe sharp pain in my left eye followed by a fierce burning.  I had forgotten to don my shooting glasses which were right there in front of me on the bench.  I informed my wife who told me we were going to the ER right now. She told me she could see a fleck of metal in a rapidly expanding bloody hemorrhage in my left eye. So I jumped into the passenger side of the truck and off we went. 

At the Hospital we experienced the usual long wait and the eventual necessity to repeat my story at least six times (and I was to tell this story at least one hundred more times since).  Between the irritation and the intermittent excruciating  pain I began to wonder if I was going to lose my eye.  I prayed that I wouldn't lose my sight.  Of course everyone on staff had to enter the exam room and take a look. Being afraid to mess with it they sent me to a local eye surgeon.

The surgeon was concerned that the pellet fragment had penetrated my eye ball and was plugging a hole that would have to be sewn closed in the operating room.  So he probed it with needle like tweezer.  Luck (more likely providence) would have it the fragment hadn’t done more damage than to break some blood vessels in the sclera.  He was able to remove the piece, write me a prescription for an antibiotic and send me home.  

I have had some time to think about what had happened and what I can do about it.  Mostly how important my eyesight is to me and my family.  I need both eyes to work in the career I have chosen, see my son, read a book, watch a movie or enjoy a sunset.  All this because I was in too much of a hurry to put on a pair of safety glasses that were less than two feet away. I count myself lucky.  My wife told me she would ban air guns at our house forever if she ever saw me shooting without eye protection again.  I didn’t lose an eye, it has healed.  My sight is fine but the picture of that big red dot in my left eye reminds me. Wear your safety glasses!

Rick Klages

Airforce Air Rifles

Condor, Talon and Talon SS air rifles.

Some things just work and some things just work really well.  The Airforce family of air rifles is an example of taking a good idea and running with it.  In this case taking an operating principal and applying it to a family of air rifles.  The DNA this family shares starts with the frame. And even though the frame length is shorter on the Talon the Condor has an extension to its sight rail the mechanical function is the same. The Talon SS has the same frame length frame as the Condor. The trigger unit including the safety, and the bolt is in fact the same on all three.  What’s not the same is the extent of the specialization of each of these models.  

The Condor is for long range and high power.  The Talon is the handy powerful all around air rifle and the SS is all about keeping things quiet. What is more amazing than this is the ability for hobbyists to blur the lines between them.  You could start with a Condor and install a 12 inch barrel, a low flow tank valve and the proper frame cap and have a Talon SS more or less. And  in less than 20 minutes!

One of the keys to these rifles versatility is the ability to vary the power and conserve air.  All three rifles make use of a side mounted power adjustment wheel.  Airforce explains this power adjustment  falls into three ranges and it functions by adjusting the pre load on the hammer spring.  At the lowest setting you can make the most of the large 490cc  air tank.  On high power you can expect about 30 or so very powerful shots from the Condor.  On low power the number can be well above 100 on the two Talons.

The three rifles all load in the same way.  Center the bolt and push it forward until you hear and feel the action “cock”.  then place the appropriate caliber pellet into the breech end of the barrel. Pull the bolt handle back and at the end of its travel place it either left or right of the center line to lock it closed.  To shoot a pellet requires letting off the safety which is located in front of the trigger guard.  Push it in toward the muzzle end.  The trigger is a good one.  A multi link design that has two stages and a reasonably crisp let off at about three pounds.  When the action is “open”  you can view a part called the “top hat” (it’s the silver object in the picture) which is the part the hammer works on through the body of the bolt.  The top hat is connected to the valve stem and adjustable in addition tho the power wheel.  Start with the factory settings if you are new to this.  The difference here between  both Talons and the Condor  is the inclusion of a high flow valve in the latter.  

The Condor has a 24” barrel, the Talon has a 18” barrel and the Talon SS has a 12”  all by well known  Walther Lothar; a supplier of match grade barrels to the world.  Airforce rifles are available in .177, .20 and .22 cal.  .25 is being offered by aftermarket suppliers if you need or have a desire for it.  The short barrel on the SS  ends well inside the frame and coupled with a frame cap allows for lowered discharge sound levels.  An interesting fact is that many scopes are in fact longer than the barrel on the Talon SS! This short barrel doesn't reduce accuracy in the least.  This rifle is capable of some very precise shooting indeed. 

A very exciting thing about these rifles is the wide variety of aftermarket parts.  It would be a simple thing to personalize any one of these to your hearts content. In addition to the .25 cal barrel previously mentioned custom stocks are available and soften the military or “tactical” look. Lights, lasers and bipods are all easily mounted on these rifles full length mounting rails both on top and below the frame.

I found the Talon SS that I had for a couple of weeks to be a very fun rifle. My favorite calibre is .177 but I have become convinced this rifle family might be best in .22.  I tested The .177 SS using a large number of pellets finding no surprise in the discovery it prefers heavy hitters like Beeman kodiaks.  I really appreciated the large loading port on cold January days.  Accuracy was everything I have come to expect from Lothar Walther barreled airguns.  One feature sure to bring joy is that it’s made in the USA.  It’s also inexpensive by Pre Charged Pneumatic  (PCP) standards; the price of the SS at the time of this review being just over $500 (US). The hard part is deciding which one you want first!

Rick Klages

Daisy Buck BB gun air rifle trainer plinker

       As a nod toward the long and noble history of the Daisy airgun company and the acknowledgment that more and more (little?) people are looking to buy their first air gun I hereby humbly submit this review. A member of the most iconic air gun family ever made and smaller sibling of a true movie star let me introduce you to the Daisy Buck!

     Is it small you ask! any smaller and it would be a pistol!  But wait! Daisy has decided to grace this diminutive air gun with two important innovations.  The first is necessary for proper handling and shooting education.  Yes it has a safety!  Back in my red rider days a safety wasn’t even considered (at least by me). Now  It has a cross bolt safety located behind the trigger.  Its plastic and a little hard to see but it works.

     The other modern touch is the tru glow front sight insert!  Sacrilege! you say, where is my folded over sheet metal front sight? It’s now a bright red reminder to novice shooters to be aware of the direction the muzzle is pointing (like away from me).  The bb loading port is just behind the front sight on the left side of the barrel. You can get a lot of bb’s in there but don’t ask I didn’t count. Rear sight is fixed (as opposed to broken, missing or adjustable).

  The metal finish appears to be some sort of electrostaticly applied black paint and I imagine it will prove to be fairly durable.  The wood (yes wood!) does have some grain and is finished with a light stain.  The Buck logo stands proud on the right side of the butt stock and appears to have been applied by a press and black paint applied in the resulting depression. Its attractive and Im glad to see some wood instead of some wood grain poly chemical compound substitute. 

   There is no fore stock just the forward extension of the receiver more or less where it would be. There is a fair amount of plastic but it’s not obnoxious.  In all it’s slim and just a little bit winchester -ish with its “lever” action loading and cocking.  Daisy call for us to listen for the 11 (?) clicks  that will advise you that it’s ready to shoot!  The action is light enough for a six year old but be prepared for disappointment as it fails to feed a bb on occasion.  The remedy is to crank the lever again!  And you will want to again and again! So how does it shoot!    It has enough for through and through penetration when engaging empty pop cans! 

 So what use is this little pop gun?

    I know that some of you have little folk in your lives who may be ready to join the ranks of happy (safe, well instructed, polite, well behaved) air gunners.  And when you get tired of your multi mega dollar air wonder with your SCUBA tanks, hoses and fittings and want to remember the smile a simple air rifle gave you, you might want to pick up something like this and go right back to the very beginning. 

Rick Klages

PS. Don’t forget the safety glasses!

Gamo Recon Rifle

Give Gamo credit for thinking of perhaps the most important end users in the air gun hobby.  Our kids. Offered as a replacement for the Gamo Cadet Delta;  the Gamo Recon is perfect for young shooters. And even though your seven year old can cock your Beeman R7 the pull, that is the relationship between the end of the stock and trigger is too far.  Let me tell you about a very grown up air rifle for the youth market.  I had a ball with the Recon, its overall light weight, light cocking effort, ambidextrous all weather stock are ready for the great outdoors.  Gamo has filled a very important niche here!  First!   The cocking effort is light and actually quite smooth.  Cranking the barrel and loading is a breeze and is probably a good indicator when a kid is ready to shoot this pellet rifle.  If you can cock it you can shoot it. Missing is any sort of open sights which is in my opinion unfortunate, the Recon comes equipped with a 4x20 scope. Most kids want scopes nowadays. 

Although I’m not a big fan of Gamo triggers I do find this one appropriate to the rifle.  The shot cycle is short and crisp with no vibration.  The gun is very pleasant to shoot.    The safety is in front of the trigger guard in the Gamo manner and is resettable.  An important safety feature in my opinion. I wish that Gamo would offer spacers for the stock to bring it up to adult size.  I’m not kidding when I say this little rifle is a lot of fun and is even a little bit like a Beeman R7 in its sweet forgiving nature.  The finish is plastic.  It’s not much to look at but it will be durable.  You are going to like the Recon as much as the kids will.

Rick Klages

Benjamin Discovery still the best entry level PCP air rifle!

The Top end hobbyists are forever and always going on and on about their “PCP” (pre-charged pneumatic) air guns. So why do you or I need this “new” technology and what is it anyway?  First it’s anything but new.  The principles that are in action in this class of air gun were well known to the ancient Greeks; though they didn’t build any air guns. Around the time of Napoleon they were in use.  Even the historic journey of exploration of the American West led by Louis and Clark includes the historical use of a pre-charged air gun. So what makes this different from other air guns?  The difference is how the air gets into the gun and how many shots it can contain.  Instead of pumping after every shot or having to cock a heavy spring the Discovery can shoot many times from one fill up. It is available for sale bundled with a hand pump.  This pump and rifle combo provide an inexpensive gate way into what was once the realm of advanced air gunners. It includes everything you will need to get out on the range.   


My .22 test “Disco” shoots at 800 feet per second with crosman premiers (14.3 Gr) and doesn't need to be pumped again for many shots (30).  This is a powerful Air rifle!  Unlike Co2 air guns the discovery is not affected by the cold and you don’t have to buy power-lets big or small. Unlike spring piston air guns it has absolutely no hold sensitivity and for all practical purposes is completely recoilless. It has no mainspring that will wear out and weaken.  It requires no special shooting skills to master.   It should be stored with air in it.  Filling the Discovery is a breeze.  Many high end PCP air guns require air pressure around 3000 psi.  That would be a lot of pumping!  Most advanced hobbyists use dedicated air tanks filled by scuba tank compressors just to avoid this chore. The Discovery only requires 2000 psi to reach full pressure and I have found is at its best around 1800 psi.   It takes a bit over 100 pumps to completely fill from empty but only 25 pumps or so after 20 shots.  Filling up is accomplished by removing the plastic end cap and connecting the quick connect foster fitting between the rifle and the pump. This is done by pulling back on the spring loaded collar on the hose filling and slipping it over corresponding part on the rifle.  After that just watch the pressure gauge on the pump so as to not overfill.  When the appropriate pressure is achieved the pump can be removed after using the knob found directly under the air hose connection on the pump to bleed off the pressure in the hose. Pull back on the spring loaded retaining collar on the hose end fitting and you are ready to go.   


The trigger is plastic, the whole trigger group is plastic.  It does work and my rifle has a fairly crisp let off  with only a bit of creep.  It is predictable at least and is inline with the cost of the rifle. The safety is also plastic and of the cross bolt type located behind the trigger and it is positive in its functioning. It is resettable which is important for field use.  The open sights have tru glo inserts and seem to be of good quality. So what’s not to like?  Industrial looking metal finish.  The stock shape and finish are utilitarian (like baseball bat or shovel handle).  Small loading port.  Heavy long pellets like Beeman Kodiac can be fiddly to load.  A second barrel band would be nice instead of the floating friction muzzle arraignment.  The cost saving compromises have brought about a serviceable tool at a good price and most importantly its very fun!  Still the best value in the entry level position.

Rick Klages

Beeman RX2 Air Rifle

  Large, muscular, graceful and concealing a very different power plant; this air rifle makes me think of a R1 that went for a gym membership.  Not that the RX2 doesn't have any manners, it’s just practical about them. Also it’s not without subtitles.  What’s not subtle is its performance. The very first thing I noticed when turning my attention to this large powerful air rifle is the beautiful laminate stock.  The layup is in alternating layers of hunter friendly tan and brown. Acting like the isotropic lines in a three dimensional contour map the different layers of material   combine to show off every plane and curve of this very rich looking piece of wood.  In fact of all the Beeman Air rifles I think this one is the best dressed.  The metal to wood fit is great and attention to detail is evident.  See the picture looking down on the breech block.  Observe the built up laminations that fill the space between the action and the contour of the forearm. Like the stock the metal finish is also first class.  All visible metal surfaces are cleanly machined and aside of the trigger and trigger guard are treated to a  nice deep blue. When you pick up the RX2 you know your holding something substantial.

I think my second favorite feature on this rifle is the safety.  On other Weirauch built air rifles the automatic safety is only resettable by re- cocking the action.  On this air rifle the safety  is located at the front of the trigger guard.  A button on the right side is depressed to shoot.  A trigger like lever at the very front of the guard is depressed to reset the safety.  It makes an audible click which might not be so great while hunting but its action whether fire or safe is very positive.  A visible and tactile safety off indicator is located on the right side of the trigger guard. As good as the safety is the trigger is not the famous refined Rekord unit as found on other top quality Beeman air rifles.  As a trigger on an air rifle primarily designed as a hunter and pest control it’s adequate; It is set at 2 lb. The big story on this air rifle is what is living inside.  On the left side of the breech block is a stamped word:  THEOBEN.  

This is the only visible clue to the gas ram air spring installed inside. Theoben is an English company nearly synonymous with this technology.  A gas ram looks like an automotive shock absorber with the energy to propel a pellet stored in a captive volume of air. When the rifle is cocked a volume of air (or other gas) is compressed in the ram. When the trigger is pulled the captive compressed air in the ram is allowed to expand sending the piston forward compressing a different volume of air inside the compression tube.  This forces the pellet down the barrel. This air rifle has no conventional main spring and none of the problems that are associated with very powerful spring piston air rifles.  The other clue is the pronounced “Thrack” produced when the action is triggered.  It takes nearly 50 lb. of force to cock the RX2, it’s very smooth and the lockup is very positive. On the range I had some fun with this beast.  Spinners really spin and my 75 ft. target, a bronze goat bell was destroyed after a very short session with the RX2.  The factory open sights are the excellent Beeman micro click adjustable rear with hooded front. It includes a selection of front sight inserts. Gas ram rifles are the "other" pre-charged Pneumatics! 

 Beeman Field Target Specials  (11 Gr.) 20 yards.

Rick Klages