Author: Pellpax

Crossbow Face Off : Barnett Raptor FX3 vs EK Archery Torpedo 185lbs

 

This month’s Face Off is a crossbow special. We take a look at these beasts from Barnett and EK Archery, to see which is best…

Barnett and EK Archery have been vying for position in the compound crossbow market for many years so today we are going to take two of their crossbows and compare and contrast to find out who is the ultimate winner.

First Impressions : 

The first thing you notice when picking up the Barnett is it is incredibly light. The specs say it weight around 6.4 lbs but in all honestly it feels a lot lighter than this because of its excellent balance and angled foregrip that enables a precise grip with the front hand leading to easier movement and aiming. Good balance like this is an aspect that is often overlooked with lower priced crossbows that often tend to favour raw power over actually accuracy. Largely in part due to the uninitiated thinking that the higher numbers on the box, the better their crossbow will be.

One thing that detracts from the Barnett however is the colouring. The shape of the crossbow looks great but I’m not to keen on the camouflage look even when its done well and here it seems so unnecessary. Paper targets don’t often notice predators so I don’t known who you are meant to be hiding from. And OK, I can concede that maybe the camo is to help our more trigger happy friends across the Atlantic ocean, but then why then is there giant orange lettering down the limbs? Ah well.

The EK Torpedo looks much more to my taste, black, straight lines and a more tactical appearance. I can even forgive the limbs which feature a carbon fibre effect despite being fibreglass (why?) because the overall appearance of the crossbow is good. However, the Torpedo feels heavier than the Barnett particularly at the front end and the grip at the front is not as nice leading to an unbalanced front end. This could potentially negatively affect accuracy as well as tiring your leading arm faster than average.

I’m inclined to give the win to the Barnett here as how your gun, or in this case bow, looks in comparison to how it shoots so it is the light weight of the Barnett that tips the balance in its favour. Just make it black next time please.

Winner : Barnett Raptor FX3

Features

The EK Archery Torpedo

The Barnett is well equipped with cocking rope, quiver, bolts and a 4×32 scope with mounts. While this is all nice to have and allows you to get shooting straight out of the box,  if serious target shooting is what is required an upgrade to the scope, to a Hawke or Meopta maybe, and definitely an upgrade to the bolts, which are not very good quality at all, would be required.

The Barnett also features an adjustable buttpad which is a nice touch allowing to to fit snugly into the shoulder and is also equipped with an easy to use safety and an anti dry fire mechanism which prevents the crossbow from firing unless a bolt is loaded. A key mechanism as dry firing is the leading cause of crossbow malfunction. There are some reports on the internet of the original Raptor snapping strings due to the recoil from the limbs being too large. This particular problem seems to be have been fixed with the FX3 as the string used is much tougher and I have had no problems with strings during testing.

The EK comes equipped with the same items as the Barnett although the scope is somewhat nicer being a 4×32 IR or illuminated reticle that can be lit up to allow for easier targeting and better performances in bright sunlight or night. The stock of the EK is also extendable in a similar fashion to a M4 or AR15 which grants snug shouldering for shooters of all sizes. Also the quiver of the Torpedo will hold 6 bolts as opposed to just 3 held by the Raptor. The Torpedo is also fitted with an anti dryfire system which is always appreciated. Also my Torpedo came with a little tube of string wax which was a nice touch as preventing your string from drying is one of the key components of maintaining an effective tool.

Both crossbows are pretty well equipped in their own way so I’m going to call this a draw.

Winner : Draw

Shooting

The Barnett has a draw weight of 150lbs meaning it is able to be drawn by hand. I would almost always recommend drawing the crossbow with a cocking aid however as it provides a more reliable and even draw. The Barnett will shoot 20 inch carbon bolts at around 330 FPS which makes the Barnett accurate to around 50 yards and will require some pretty thick padding to stop the bolts. Trust me, a foam target will not be enough. I have heard horror stories of bolts going though garden fences and also the car behind it so always ensure you know what is behind your target.

The Torpedo however is even more powerful with a draw weight of 185lbs and, using the same 20inc carbon bolts produced and average fps of 356. This gives the Torpedo an effective range 60+ yards with better accuracy than the Barnett. Seriously, this thing shoots exceptionally well. I was bowled over with the performance, 1 inch groups at 50 yards is something a thousand pounds worth of airgun can’t achieve so to see it in a crossbow that is under £400 is frankly amazing. And yes I know that FAC airguns will shoot this far but you have to go out and acquire a license for one of those. A crossbow is available over the counter, providing you are over the age of 18, just like a sub 12ft/lb gun so must be compared against those.

The trigger on the Torpedo is also fantastic. It is crisp and clean with a predictable let off and enhances the precision of the crossbow. Also the Torpedo is £50 cheaper than the Raptor so this is an easy win for the EK to be honest.

Winner : EK Archery Torpedo

Conclusions

Having not been much of a crossbow shooter before having to test them for Pellpax I am consistently impressed by their power and accuracy, and also amazed they remain unlicensed. The UK government is notorious for clamping down on anything they consider “dangerous” so I would imagine it is only a matter of time before these were clamped down on but, as things stand, proof that you are 18+ is all that is required.

The shot for shot performance you get from one of these is simply not available elsewhere without an FAC and the ease of which these crossbows are operated makes them a real viable choice for people looking to get into target shooting. In all honestly the only advantages a 12ft/lb airgun has over one these is the price of ammunition and the ability to be able to shoot vermin.

You can get the Barnett Raptor FX3 here for £649.99.  You can get the EK Archery Torpedo here for £398.99. 

A Guide to Airsoft Guns

Photograph courtesy Tohico

This month, Steph Brooks takes a closer look at the world of airsoft equipment – specifically the airsoft rifles and pistols that form the core of this exciting sport.

The sport of airsoft is extremely competitive, with many enthusiasts spending thousands of pounds on the right equipment and gear. Some go further than others. I’ve seen videos on YouTube of attack helicopters fitted with miniguns that fire airsoft BBs, and if you think you’re going to be able to combat that with a £30 spring rifle, I have some news for you: you won’t. No, to go from so-so to soldier, you’re going to need the best rifle you can get your hands on.on.

AEG Guns (Automatic Electric Gun)

The first and most common form of gun that you will find on the battlefield is basically powered by an electric motor or AEG. This stands for Automatic Electric Gun, and pretty well describes what these airsoft guns are all about. Inside the gun, there’s a battery that has to be charged, which powers a motor that can continually engage the firing mechanism. Often either single shot, burst fire, or fully automatic, AEG guns give you great flexibility on the battlefield, allowing you to pick out individual targets at long range, or flip the switch to full auto and soak an area with continuous fire.

AEG guns also have the ability to be easily upgraded with bigger batteries, better gearboxes, and more durable internals, all readily available. Just be aware that airsoft sites will have a specific power limit, usually around 1.3J and under for full auto guns, and 2.5J for single shot only guns, and going over these limits will prevent you from playing. AEG airsoft rifles also tend to be cheaper than other types, so if you’re new to the world or airsoft, or you’re planning to go to war, or are looking for something that’s able to be customised completely, inside and out, then an AEG rifle might be for you.

One thing of note when buying an AEG airsoft gun: get one with a metal gearbox. Plastic gearboxes are OK for a while, and if you are just going to be shooting tin cans in your back garden, they will probably hold up, but they are just not resilient enough to stand up to the test of the battlefield on a regular basis. Metal is the way to go.

GBB (Gas Blowback) Guns

The second type of airsoft gun is what’s called a gas blowback or GBB. These guns are powered by gas canisters, which fill a reservoir and propel the pellet out at great speed. Of course, this ties you to buying canisters of gas every time you need a refill, but all but the very cheapest of guns are quite efficient with their gas, so refills shouldn’t need to be too frequent.

The main reason people plump for gas rifles is the added realism that comes with the blowback mechanism. This is where a portion of gas moves part of the gun, such as the slide or the cocking handle, to give the gun a better sense of recoil and more closely imitate what it would be like to fire a real gun. This will obviously affect the gun’s accuracy, as there’s a large kick, so that’s something to bear in mind if you’re intent on shooting competitively.

Another advantage the gas-powered guns have over AEG rifles is that they are able to be refilled almost instantly. If you’re at a skirmish site and your battery runs flat, you either need to change the battery or wait a couple of hours for yours to charge, but with a GBB gun, just top it up with some gas and you’re good to go again, often in less than a minute.

Gas guns are for shooters that prefer their guns easy to use and refill, ready at a moment’s notice, and able to be shot at any time. From my experience, people tend to use gas guns for their sidearms, i.e. pistols or small SMGs, and AEG guns for their main weapon of choice; but there’s some debate in the airsoft community about what is best.

Below, I’m going to take you through some of my personal favourites, in detail, to give you an idea of what to expect.

Airsoft Guns : Four Of The Best

E&L MK18 Mod1 AEG : An AEG that is customisable to suit any situation

Made by E&L, this airsoft rifle is equipped with four extended weaver rails that allow you to fit a large variety of attachments to the gun. The gun is also capable of semi-automatic fire as well as full auto, meaning that whatever battlefield role you wish to perform, the MK18 is right there with you.

For example, the gun can be equipped with a foregrip, laser sight, and red dot reflex … and switch to fully automatic with the stock retracted, and you have the ultimate assault rifle that can clear trenches and buildings with ease, and is light and responsive with a great trigger.

Alternatively, switch to semi-automatic fire, extend the butt stock, trade in the laser sight for a rangefinder, and swap the reflex sight for a rifle scope or night vision, and you have a great sniper rifle that can easily pick off individual targets in the distance. There are two versions: Elite and Platinum.

WE Big Bird Full Auto GBB : A sidearm that can compete with the best of them

The WE Big Bird Airsoft 6mm is an impressive Gas Blowback gun

From WE Europe comes the Big Bird. It’s both gas blowback and fully automatic, making it great fun to shoot. Its shape means it fits into most hip, leg, or shoulder holsters, and the gun, when fully loaded, weighs less than half a kilogram, which makes it ideal for carrying as a sidearm.

The pistol is fully automatic and therefore capable of emptying its magazine very quickly, so it’s good news to hear that there’s a variety of spares available, including a 50-round version that can take the gun from sidearm to primary weapon, especially if you have a couple of them stocked with you.

The Big Bird is also capable of carrying a torch or laser, thanks to its weaver rail, which is located under the barrel, to add a little customisation. The gun is well made, durable, and will serve any skirmisher well.

LCT TX-5 AEG : A modern take on a classic

The LCT brand is perhaps one of the most well known in all of airsoft, thanks to their uncanny ability to provide high grade airsoft guns at competitive prices, and the TX-5 is no different.

Based on the ever-popular AK74 design, the gun has instant recognisability, although instead of using a folding stock or a static wood design, the TX-5 is fitted with a retractable M4-style stock that adds flexibility and sheds weight.

The LCT is also capable of both semi and fully automatic fire, as well as being fitted with multiple rails that allow for a variety of attachments. The adjustable hop-up unit allows for perfect accuracy, while the gun’s metal body makes it almost as indestructible as the real thing.

ICS CXP HOG Tubular SDSR AEG : The ultimate professional

Looking similar to the famous Honey Badger, the CXP HOG is an AEG rifle for those who prefer stealthy play. The inbuilt silencer provides excellent muzzle noise reduction, and, capable of both semi and fully automatic fire, this rifle is great at any range.

The gun itself has a multitude of great features, including a modular stock design that features an adjustable cheekpiece and butt pad to ensure a comfortable shooting position for skirmishers of any size. The gun itself is able to perform at any range, and its barrel is exceptionally well made, ensuring great accuracy.

Although fitted with flip-up iron sights, the CXP HOG has a top-mounted rail that can carry either scopes, lasers, or red dot sights to ensure you always have a clear shot on your target.

To check out our full range of airsoft guns, head to the Airsoft section of our store. 

Face Off : FX Wildcat vs Daystate Renegade

daystate renegade

 

This month, Steph Brooks takes a closer look at the FX Wildcat, to see how it matches up against the Daystate Renegade. 

Today in the face-off, we’re testing the FX Wildcat and the Daystate Renegade, which total nearly £2,500 worth of airgun. It makes a nice change from testing cheap CO2 pistols, but I do feel some pressure to help you make the right choice. Not many people, especially in today’s climate, have the money to spend a thousand pounds on the wrong rifle, so with that in mind, let’s continue.

Origins

Both of the rifles have somewhat similar beginnings, with the Renegade being created from the Pulsar, while the Wildcat’s design has its origin in the FX Bobcat. The Renegade differs from the Pulsar in that it features a mechanical action instead of the computer-controlled solenoid of its older brother. This means the Renegade houses a hammer that is cocked and then latched onto a sear, similar to a traditional rifle, although it does retain the electronic “mouse click” trigger of the Pulsar.

However, it’s worth noting that where the pressure gauge is located on the Renegade, there’s a circular Daystate logo on the Pulsar. This makes me think that Daystate had always planned to release the Renegade, and perhaps it was even designed alongside the Pulsar. This suggests that there’s a demand out there from people who like their rifles more conventional than computerised.

The Wildcat, from FX, has a more defined origin, being spawned from the FX Bobcat when people were asking for a smaller, more consistent version of the rifle. The resulting Wildcat, as well as the Bobcat MK II, released around the same time, are almost completely different guns, with the Wildcat in particular having an all-new cocking system and completely redesigned stock, as well as many other components. This has led to the Wildcat sitting alongside the Impact as one of FX’s most popular models.

First Impressions

The Renegade looks like a Pulsar. In fact, the design is so close you would be forgiven for thinking they were one and the same. There are some subtle differences, such as the lack of the LCD screen and the added pressure gauge near the pistol grip, but essentially, if you like the unique styling of the Pulsar, you’ll like the Renegade. It does, however, lack the inbuilt laser of the Pulsar, which is a little disappointing.

The Renegade comes in a greenish synthetic stock, although that can be switched for any of the Pulsar’s stock options, as they’re made to order and are essentially the same shape. The rifle is nice and compact, if a little heavy, but I have always thought the pistol grip looks somewhat odd with these bullpups. It just kind of sticks out with no connection to the stock. But hey, looks are subjective, and I have colleagues who tell me they love the design.

Perhaps it would have been nice to have something to differentiate it from the Pulsar, but I suppose that defeats the object of what the Renegade is supposed to be.

fx wildcat rifle

No such problem with the FX, as it looks significantly different from its originator, with a minimal skeleton stock design that’s available in black soft touch, walnut, or grey laminate. We tested the black model here, and, despite my unhealthy love for a deeply stained piece of walnut, I have to say the feel here is absolutely exceptional. The soft touch stock is easily gripped, and almost velvety to the touch. The rifle is around half a kilo lighter than the Renegade, despite being considerably longer. This leads to great balance between the hands, and this is something to consider, especially for hunters who are likely to carry their rifle around and shoot without a rest.

The thumbhole is large, without looking oversized (I’m looking at you Brocock Bantam), and the whole rifle strikes a great balance between modern and classic designs. The Wildcat loses to the Renegade, though, with its lack of weaver rail, meaning any accessories, other than a scope, are going to be a struggle. Also, although neither rifle is fitted with swivel studs, I would be much more comfortable drilling into the Renegade, as its stock is rubber over wood, as opposed to synthetic, which has a habit of splitting. I have to say I didn’t try drilling either, so this is really just from personal experience.

Despite all of this, I think I’m giving the win to the Wildcat. It looks better, it feels better, and it’s much lighter than the Daystate. It’s also around £300 cheaper, which is not to be sniffed at. This seems insignificant, compared to the price of the gun, but that’s the cost of a good scope, about 50 tins of pellets, or the weekend away you have to buy your missus when she finds out you just spent a grand on a new rifle.

Winner : FX Wildcat

How it all works

So, as stated before, the Renegade is a more mechanical version of the Pulsar, but it has retained one electric feature. The trigger still fires a solenoid, but instead of hitting the valve, this just pulls down the sear, releasing a traditional hammer. This makes the trigger of the Renegade as light as a feather and is one of its key selling points.

The trigger on the Wildcat is fully mechanical, and, while it’s a good mechanical trigger with a particularly clear second stage, it doesn’t hold a candle to the crispness and lightness of the Daystate. Once in a while, an innovation comes along that completely changes the game, and if it wasn’t for the cost, I could see this trigger system installed on every mid-ranged and above rifle across the planet – it is that good.

The Renegade also wins out with its 10-round magazine, compared to the Wildcat’s 8. Eight seems unusual for a .177 PCP magazine, but the magazine is well made, with the pellets held securely in place by a pair of O rings. It’s worth stating that the Wildcat magazine is a big improvement over other FX models, like the Royale, where the first pellet has to be loaded backwards (just why?). Both indexed with no problems, with the Renegade being indexed pneumatically to prevent double loading – a nice touch that would be welcome on the FX, where double loading is a possibility.

Both use a sidelever cocking action, with the Wildcat’s in particular being very easy to operate. It seemed lighter and less clunky than the Daystate, which needed a firmer grip to move, as opposed to the fingertip lightness of the Wildcat.

The safety of the Wildcat is manual, which is my preferred choice anyway, and, as with all parts of this rifle, it’s easy to move with just your fingertips. The only quibble I have here is that maybe the safety is too easy to move; the groove in the stock that the switch sits in slopes towards the fire position, and I can see this potentially being moved by accident.

A little feature I really liked with the Renegade was its inbuilt spirit level. Now, the Renegade is quite a tall rifle, even for a bullpup, which means there’s a larger distance between the end of the scope and the end of the barrel. This can easily be adjusted for when shooting in a straight line, but it means that tilting the rifle, even slightly, can throw your accuracy off to a larger degree than shorter guns. Daystate thought of that with a spirit level located just under the scope. It’s in a great position too, allowing you a quick glance, when the rifle’s shouldered, without having to move your head.

The winner here is the Daystate. It has a lot of little touches that set it apart from the crowd. The FX is nice, with the sidelever action in particular being really light, but the exceptional mouse-click trigger on the Daystate is what finally tipped the balance for me.

Winner : Daystate Renegade

Down the Range

So once again I find myself down at our very own shooting range with nearly two and a half grand’s worth of air rifle to play with all day. I hope you all understand the troubles I go through to bring you such in-depth reviews. Both rifles are chambered in the .177 calibre and are set to sub 12 ft/lb levels, although there are other options available.

Filling the FX Wildcat is quick and easy and uses the quick fill push probe that pushes into a hole behind the pressure gauge, making filling with air quick and easy. The Renegade is filled by unscrewing a cap and screwing on a Forster fitting, a bit more time consuming, but nothing to write home about.

Tested using the .177 Daystate Kaiser pellet, the Renegade pulled in at 11.3 ft/lbs, whereas the FX was shooting slightly above that, with an average of 11.45. There was also very little deviation when it came to FPS, either with a 5 FPS deviation for the Daystate or 8 FPS for the Wildcat. Hmmmm … Maybe the best way to separate these rifles is hitting targets. I set up a 30-yard range and was comfortably hitting ½” groups with both.

Maybe the Renegade’s grouping was marginally tighter, but from my estimations, there is no real difference between them when it comes to accuracy. Maybe, if you were hunting, you’d take the Wildcat, as it packs a slightly larger punch. but not so much to be really that noticeable. I have also read reports on the Internet that the smooth twist barrel on the FX is useless and makes the gun inaccurate. Don’t believe them. The gun performs well at range and I would trust it for either rabbits or targets.

Both rifles also feature a well-shrouded barrel that reduces muzzle noise quite significantly. And there are specific silencers available for both, but it’s more for people who want less muzzle noise than need it, as both rifles are already pretty quiet.

Well, that was a pretty close round, I have to say. In terms of actual performance, the rifles are almost identical and really are at the top of the PCP market when it comes to performance, as you might expect, considering the price. Both are absolutely ideal for hunting and target shooting, and either will outperform 95% of any other air rifles you are likely to encounter.

If you were to ask me which of these I would choose to shoot again, I would have to go for the Daystate. If for nothing other than its little touches, such as the adjustable cheekpiece and others that I’ve already mentioned. If I was to live with one, I believe the Daystate would suit me better, but it’s close.

Winner : Daystate Renegade

 

In the end

So, in conclusion, I have come around – starting off wondering why the Renegade was created, but after shooting it, I can understand now. The Pulsar is more complicated and more expensive, and the Renegade strips it of these and focuses on what the Pulsar did best in the first place: shooting.

In fact, despite my initial scepticism, I would be seriously tempted by one of these over the Pulsar. The price difference is a lot for what is: basically extra bells and whistles.

The FX is also a very effective gun and possibly a better choice for hunters, as it was slightly more powerful and also considerably lighter. It was a close-run thing, to be sure, but there you have it: my winner (and next purchase) is the Daystate Renegade.

Winner : Daystate Renegade

For more reviews and airgun information, make sure you keep it locked here at Pellpax.

You can purchase the Daystate Renegade .177 here, and the FX Wildcat .177 here. 

The Bullet Goes On Tour!

Here at Pellpax, we have been putting together a very special touring exhibition stand called ‘The Bullet’, for some time.

It’s finally ready to go, and so we took it out on its inaugural journey last weekend 24th-25th June to the Suffolk Armed Forces Weekend. We’re happy to report that we had a busy stand throughout the two days.

The reason we were invited is because we are proud sponsors of the Royal Marines Association (Norfolk Branch). Their president, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Rundle has agreed to speak to us for an interview for the blog, so watch out for that in coming weeks!

We will be endeavouring to attend more events during the rest of the summer, so keep an eye out for announcements. In the meantime, here are some pictures from the event.

 

 

Brand Focus: Hatsan

Hatsan make air rifles, PCP rifles, and shotguns
The logo of Turkish gunmakers, Hatsan

Hatsan are a large company based in Turkey who produce a range of firearms from shotguns to air rifles and pistols, meaning their product range stretches across a whole host of different shooters and disciplines.

Hatsan have been producing firearms from around 1976 and pride themselves in being totally self-sufficient in that they produce everything in their factories from the stocks to breech blocks and the barrels. This way they can ensure the best quality at every step along the way and there is no chance of sub-standard materials being included in the final product. Hatsan use the latest in CNC machines along with their 650-strong work force to ensure a high output of their range of airguns and shotguns, which is distributed to over 90 countries across the globe, with 95% of its production being exported.

By exporting all around the world, Hatsan are able to invest a large amount into design and research, so that they are at the forefront of quality and innovation, which is displayed each year at the IWA show in Nuremberg. Here in the UK, a lot of Hatsan’s latest releases aren’t imported due to restrictions with either power output or demand in the UK market, but the items that are imported are a real hit.

PCP Rifles

One of Hatsans latest rifles which has caused a splash is the Gladius which is a Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) rifle in the Bullpup, style which basically means that the action is seated right at the back of the stock to allow a full-length action, but with a much shorter overall length. The Gladius incorporates multiple unique features such as a super quick, tool-less adjustment of the cheek piece, multiple magazine holders bolted onto the stock, as well as much more to make it a very high spec rifle for the price point. The rifle also has a 3-stage power adjustment although this feature is mainly aimed towards the FAC power levels, and cocking and loading is done through the smooth and precise side lever action.

The Gladius is based on a similar to action to the AT44, which has probably been one of Hatsans best-selling PCP rifles over the past years thanks to its easy operation, high quality, and competitive price point. The AT44 was also Hatsan first PCP to come to the UK and has been improved over the years to improve both the accuracy and the overall feel of the rifle, and is available today in several different stock options. The most popular is the Synthetic Thumbhole and the Synthetic Tactical which has a very striking appearance, as well as adjustability for the length of pull to accommodate all build sizes. The AT44 uses the same 10 shot magazine as the Gladius which is quick and easy to load and pellets are fired down the steel rifled barrel, all made on site at Hatsans factory.

Here at Pellpax we can offer the Hatsan AT44 Tactical combo which comes as a complete set including the rifle, a Bushnell 3-9×50 scope with mounts, a Caldwell AR bipod, and a high-quality silencer making it the perfect choice to get started with a PCP rifle.

Spring Rifles

Hatsan also produces a fine range of spring powered break barrel air rifles which are priced in the mid-range of spring rifles, one of which being the Hatsan Breaker 900X. This rifle is a full powered spring air rifle, with a standard break barrel making it simple and easy to use. The 900X Breaker has a rifle steel barrel for great accuracy and precision, and is fitted with a moulded-on silencer to reduce the muzzle report when fired. This all adds up to make it a great hunting/pest control rifle, as well as a day at the range. The rifle comes with open sights as standard, although a scope can be mounted on the standard 9-11mm scope rails to allow greater precision on those long-range shots.

Another model in Hatsans spring rifle range is the Hatsan Striker 1000X which is the bigger brother of the Breaker 900X, so is slightly larger in overall size. Other changes are a more ergonomic walnut stock with fine checkering to the cheek piece and fore stock, as well as a raised comb on each side for excellent ambidextrous eye to scope alignment. The action has a longer barrel with a muzzle break to improve accuracy, and make cocking the rifle quick easy. The muzzle break also means that you are not having to touch any metal work, to prolong the overall finish of the rifle to keep it in great shape. The Striker 1000X is also available as the Hatsan Striker 1000S which has a synthetic stock as opposed to wood, and is available with different coloured inserts to suit your tastes.

Shotguns

Hatsan is probably best known by most people for producing a range of robust and reliable shotguns, at a very competitive price in the shotgun market. One of the most popular in their range is the Hatsan Escort which is available in both synthetic and walnut stocks, as well as black barrels and actions, and a Marine silver.

Over the past few years the Escort has always been reviewed as a basic but functional shotgun that just does what it says on the tin and gets on with the job. This is perfect if you’re looking for a solid workhorse that won’t let you down when shooting and one that you’re not afraid to get out in the field and put to use.

Colt M1911 Pistol – A Buyer’s Guide

If you’re looking for an attractive and instantly recognisable replica handgun, then the M1911 has to be on the menu. This month Steph Brooks take a close look at this classic weapon in a buyer’s guide.

The Colt M1911 is one of the enduring pistol designs and is instantly recognisable to anyone who knows about guns, and even to some who don’t, thanks to its prevalence in movies, TV shows and video games. The reason for this love affair with the M1911 is simple. To many Americans it is the pistol that won the Second World War, so its role throughout Hollywood as the hero’s weapon of choice was sealed.

Even in real world applications, the 1911 remains incredibly popular. The Colt M1911 was meant to be replaced with the Beretta M9 in 1986, but due to its popularity it has never been phased out completely, and modern variants of this classic pistol are still used by section of the US navy and Marines.

So, where does that leave us? Well, here in the UK we take quite a different approach to firearms, especially pistols and trying to get your hands on a real 1911 is either going to be very hard or very, very illegal but for those looking to capture some of the feel of holding one of this iconic pistols in air pistol form, there are several options available, particularly in 12g CO2. Let’s have a look at the options below…

Colt M1911 Pistol Replica
The Umarex Legends 1911 is an affordable version of this iconic weapon

3rd Place: Umarex Legends 1911

By far the most affordable 1911 pistol on the site, this German made 1911 feels very sturdy and well made. The slide on the top of the pistol is metal and the whole pistol is moulded around a metal frame, giving great strength and a realistic weight. In fact, picking this pistol up, I was surprised at how good it feels especially compared to other pistols of a similar price. The only downside to the feel was the trigger, which did have some lateral movement straight out of the box.

The pistol also features an under mounted weaver rail, which is a nice touch, and allows for use of a laser or torch to be easily attached to the gun. The pistol also looks great, finished in black. There is not too much writing down the side of the pistol, unlike some other models.

Considering the price, I can’t complain about this too much, but it would have been nice to see more metal involved in the pistol’s construction. More and more guns these days are from polymer or plastic, but the 1911 represents a time when metal was the only viable option, and it would have been nice to see that reflected here.

The 1911 is also a non-blowback semi automatic action. What this means the air pistol will fire as fast as you can pull the trigger but only the hammer will move, not the whole slide. This increases accuracy as well as CO2 efficiency, allowing you to get more shots per refill but I have to say, the Legends is not going to win any target shooting competitions, as it is smooth bore. A blowback action would have been quite nice to give a bit more realism.

Pros : 

+ Low price
+ Overall good build quality
+ High shot count
+ Weaver rail

Cons :

– Main body is plastic
– Non Blowback
– Smoothbore barrel

2nd Place: Remington P-1911 RAC

Remington P-1911 Air Pistol
Remington P-1911 RAC

Remington are a well known and well respected brand that have been manufacturing high quality airguns for many years and their take on the world famous pistol is one of the best on the market. Straight out of the box the care an attention to detail is obvious. Full metal, big plus from me there, and the finish is excellent. It’s almost like a power coat over the top of the metal giving it a suitably dull, gun metal colour. It just looks great… except for one thing.

For some reason plastered down side of the slide is a big warning saying you must read the manual, don’t point it at your face blah blah blah. It seems so insulting to be to put that on there, like the automatic assumption is the person shooting the gun is going to be either a criminal or a child. If you are old enough to buy the gun you are old enough to know better, so next time Remington, just put it in the manual instead please, it’s ugly.

The gun is smooth bore and fires 4.5mm BBs, with a realistic semi automatic blowback action, kicking the slide back and making the pistol feel powerful. If you are looking for a fun and capable pistol, the Remington M-1911 is great choice although the smoothbore barrel and 4.5mm BB ammunition limit its use for much else. The pistol is also pretty limited in terms of offering accessories, as it has no rail to speak of which is a shame.

The Remington is also quite Co2 hungry thanks to its blowback action getting you around 40-45 shots on a good day, and less if its cold, meaning you will be having to change CO2 capsule after every 2 magazines, if you are planning on using the pistol a lot that may be something to bear in mind when shooting.

Pros : 

+ Full metal
+ Powerful blowback action
+Great finish
+18 round magazine

Cons :

-Ugly writing
– Gas hungry
– No accessory rail

1st Place: Umarex Colt 1911 A1 Government

Colt 1911 A1 Government Replica Handgun
Umarex Colt 1911 A1 Government

Made by Umarex and licensed by Colt, this pistol looks about as close to the real thing as any of us are likely to see with the all black version in particular looking absolutely fantastic. This version of the 1911 is pellet firing and fully rifled and so is suitable for target shooting, unlike the others mentioned. It is also non blowback and while I would normally say this is a downside in BB firing models, when it comes to the A1 with its fully rifled barrel, accuracy is one of the main selling points of the pistol. Minimal recoil is the name of the game.

Adding to this accuracy is the power of the pistol, shooting at around 2.5 ft/lbs it is around double the power of other 1911’s you can buy leading to flatter trajectories and better range. Pellets have better aerodynamics than BBs anyway and are far less likely to ricochet, meaning that you are more likely to be able to be allowed to shoot them down your local airgun club.

The build quality of this pistol is again fantastic and the overall weight and feel is spot on, finding a balance between not feeling too “toy like” and being too heavy to aim properly. The trigger in particular on this model is great, solid and robust without being clunky or imprecise.

The trigger is double action although the hammer can be cocked by hand for a single action shot making the trigger lighter. I found this to be the best way of shooting the pistol and was happily putting pellet after pellet thought the gun with no problems. The grouping was quite good at ranges of around 10m and with my tin of ProShot Practice pellets I was having great fun.

The Colt 1911 A1 features standard Umarex 8 round rotary magazine that is seated inside the main slide which is maybe not as many shots as other pistols, these type of rotary magazines have been around for many years and are unlikely to go wrong.

Pros : 

+ Accurate shooting
+ Pellet firing
+ Great build quality
+ Reliability

Cons :

– Only 8 shot magazine
– More expensive than others
– No accessory rail

Conclusions

 

There you have it, the 3 best 1911 air pistols available on the market today. Hopefully with this guide you can pick which one is for you. For all the latest news and product reviews keep checking our blog here at Pellpax.

Brand Focus : Gerber Gear

Gerber Multitools and Knives
Gerber Gear Logo

This month’s brand focus takes a closer look at US blade and multitool makers, Gerber. 

Gerber were founded in 1939 in Portland, Oregon, on America’s west coast. Here, the frontier spirit called for a range of knives that were capable of roughing it in the wild, and although that’s what Gerber eventually became, it started off as something entirely different.

Joe Gerber’s family owned an advertising company, and, as an offshoot of their promotional business, began giving away kitchen knives to potential clients. The knives were of such good quality and so well received, that demand for the knives grew faster than the advertising work. And so Gerber Legendary Blades was born.

Now just operating under the Gerber name, the company has grown from strength to strength, and is now one of the most recognisable names in the industry.

Gerber have some truly prestigious names working for them at one time or another, including the late great Bob Loveless, one of the most innovative modern knife designers, who designed and popularised many modern knife-making methods. Loveless is famed for saying that he would not pay $3,000 for a knife “if it were autographed by Jesus Christ himself”, and so worked closely with Gerber to create blades that were both effective and affordable.

The partnership between the two was a huge success, and, in 1966, the company had to relocate to a much bigger factory to help keep up with demand. The company is now owned by Fiskars of Finland, and supplies a variety of products – not just knives – to suppliers throughout the world.

Lets have a look at some of their products below :

Gerber Zip Hex

Designed to be small and compact, but still extremely useful, the Zip Hex features five of the most common hex fittings used in all sorts of equipment. Bikes, boards, skis, ATV’s … they all need repairing from time to time; and when they do, the Zip Hex is your best friend.

What I really like about this little tool is the quick release clip that allows you to quickly grab the Hex when you need it. And when you don’t, you can just attach it back onto your belt loop or bag, and the tool is so light, you don’t notice it.

Gerber Paraframe II

lightweight, stainless steel design : the Gerber Paraframe 2
The Gerber Paraframe II does not compromise

This is a slightly larger version of the classic Paraframe knife, and the name of the game here is lightness. Since the skeleton handle of the Gerber Paraframe II is made from steel, the lightness is not compromising strength.

The knife has a little stud on the blade, which is a fantastic little feature, as it means the knife can be opened and shut easily with one hand, even with thick winter gloves on. The knife is available in various sizes, and with either a straight edge or serrated/straight edge combo. I myself prefer the serrated version, because it’s more versatile, and with the larger knife, there’s more blade to fit in.

Gerber Gator Machete

The Gerber Gator Machete is an intimidating piece of kit that’s designed for clearing large swathes of land of any kind of vegetation. The Gator is well balanced in the hands, and features texturing on the handle that’s meant to be reminiscent of an alligator’s scales, hence the name; how much it does, I don’t know, but it does give a good grip in the hands for an assured swing.

The back of the blade is a serrated sawtooth, which means there is actually very little that the Gator can’t get through. Comes with a surprisingly nice sheath as well.

Gerber Fixed Blade DP – SE

One of my all-time favourite knives from Gerber, this little knife is just so tough. Again, it has the serrated/straight edge combo and features an incredible full tang construction; most of the knife is just one piece of metal. This makes it strong, rigid, and, most importantly, easily manoeuvrable.

The Gerber Fixed Blade DP – SE also has a large cut-out for the fore finger, aiding precision, whilst the yak hide texturing on the handle ensures a secure hold, even in wet conditions. The 3.3-inch blade is titanium nitride coated, which, after some Googling, is an extremely hard ceramic metal that’s over two-and-a-half times harder than steel itself, so you can expect that cutting edge to last.

Check out our full range of Gerber Gear here. And to experience more of the brand, head to our Gerber Knives  & Multitools collections page. 

Brand Focus: Gamo Airguns

Gamo airguns logo
The logo of Gamo, the popular airgun maker

This month’s Brand Focus is on Gamo, the hugely popular Spanish airgun maker. Gamo are probably the biggest air gun manufacturer in the world, and also one of the largest producers of pellets and BBs in the world. They started trading in 1955 as El Gamo.

The origins of this company started back in 1889 as company ACSA, who were founded to produce high quality lead based products, and then refined in 1950 to produce high precision air gun pellets, thanks to great success in the European markets.

The Beginnings of Gamo

In 1961 after continued growth and investment, El Gamo launched a range of airguns into Spanish market, which were received with great enthusiasm as they were simple, reliable and excellent quality. The aim for Gamo was always high production numbers and interchangeable parts at a medium price point to make it appeal to a wide range and number of shooters. This aim has definitely worked over the years and Gamo still stick to this principle to allow even more people to purchase a good quality, high quality air rifle at an affordable price. Our resident airgun expert Allan says, ‘They are an excellent entry level product, and provide some of the best value for money on the market today in their ranges of pistols and rifles’.

Expansion into UK, Europe & Americas

In 1963, the first of Gamo’s new products started to be imported into the UK, as well as other European countries, after a successful run at various trade fairs. This was then followed by a thorough distribution network in 1970 to products to enter markets in over 40 countries. 10 years later collaborations were formed with several similar manufacturers across USA, the UK, Germany and Brazil to permit new products and expansion in all markets.

In 1982 Gamo was going from strength to strength, and moved the pellet factory to a larger industrial estate for greater production, as well as their wood processing plant where all the rifle stocks were produced. In 1986 Gamo then acquired the assets and rights to British gunmaker BSA, who were being liquidated at the time. They have continued to run BSA’s Armoury Road factory in Birmingham operational ever since. Read our other Brand Focus article on BSA here.

Since then Gamo have grown and expanded across the world, and have a large presence in the USA to serve the American market, particularly with their high-powered spring and gas ram rifles, which they have continued to develop over the years. In around 2008, Gamo started to make a real push to introduce new technology to the airgun world, with new features such as ‘Whisper’ noise dampening technology and new gas ram systems to reduce recoil and increase power. The gas ram system is called IGT which stands for Inert Gas Technology and Gamo developed it themselves to work specifically with their rifles.

IGT Rifles

Gamo Whisper GT
Gamo Whisper IGT

One of their best-selling IGT rifles available today is the Whisper IGT which is a break barrel rifle with a thumbhole synthetic stock. This synthetic stock also makes it very light so it’s the perfect choice for a lightweight hunter, or as a beginner rifle for younger shooters. The IGT action provides full power performance and can easily dispatch targets at ranges up to 45 meters and the Whisper technology on the end of the barrel helps reduce muzzle noise.

Another of Gamos leading edge technologies is the Smooth Action Trigger which is also fitted to this model, and ensures a smooth and precise trigger pull each shot. Here at Pellpax we offer the Whisper IGT either as the rifle on its own, or as a complete kit to get you shooting at a great price.

The IGT system has also been implemented into a lot of other rifles and pistols throughout Gamo’s range, such as the Gamo Camo Rocket IGT, and the Gamo P-900 IGT air pistol. The latter is a great choice as a pistol for airgun clubs and scouts, as the gas ram unit does not lose power over time as the spring equivalent would.

Spring Rifles

As well as the IGT rifles, Gamo offers a great range of spring powered air rifles, which start from junior rifles such as the Gamo Junior Hunter .177 – great for youngsters and clubs as a starting rifle. The next stage up from there is the Gamo Whisper Sting, which is a full power break barrel spring rifle and makes a great choice for hunting and target shooting. Just like the Whisper IGT, it is very lightweight, and so it’s great for all ages.

One of Gamo’s latest rifles to be released features a unique multi shot system on a break barrel rifle which has only been attempted a few times before. This rifle is called the Gamo Maxxim Elite and has a 10 shot magazine which fits into a special arm attached to the barrel. When the rifle is cocked, a small probe loads the next pellet and through our testing it is very reliable and just works! This makes it a great choice for hunters as to get multi shot functionality. Before it had to be a PCP, but this rifle really changes the game.

PCP Rifles

Gamo Coyote Airgun
The Gamo Coyote

Speaking of PCP rifles, Gamo has a few PCP rifles in its offerings, namely the Gamo Coyote (see above), Gamo Coyote Tactical and Gamo Phox. These rifles are all based on the same 10 shot bolt action system, with the main differences being in the stocks and the barrels. The Gamo Coyotes have a threaded barrel with a muzzle break fitted as standard, although this can be removed to fit a silencer. The Gamo Phox comes complete with a moulded on Whisper silencer from the factory. Another bonus of the Gamo Phox is that is comes as a complete package with the rifle, scope, bag, pump, as well as pellets and targets when purchased from Pellpax!

Of course, PCP rifles offer the best in accuracy and consistency as their recoil-less actions are smooth and simple to shoot, so if you’re looking for the very best in Gamo’s range then I would consider one of the above choices.

Air Pistols

Gamo also produces a wide range of high quality Co2 pistol, which are great fun for casual target shooting and plinking. Their range of Co2 pistols starts from the lower end with the Gamo GP20 Combat, which is a 4.5mm BB firing pistol, with a double action trigger – perfect for getting started with pistol shooting. The next step up is the Gamo P-25 which is a .177 pellet firing pistol with a blowback action which increases the realism factor significantly. The bigger brother of the P-25 is the Gamo PT-85 which is very similar, just with a larger frame size which allows a bit extra power. They also produce the PT-85 as a tactical model called the Gamo PT-85 Tactical which comes complete with a longer barrel, red dot sight, torch and laser for a much more striking appearance.

If revolvers are more your thing when it comes to air pistols, the Gamo GR Stricker would be a great choice  as it comes with an 8 shot revolving cylinder which takes pellets. The frame of the pistol also differs from others in that it has weaver rails to the top and the bottom to permit accessories such as red dot sights and lasers to be added on for aid with accuracy.

All in all, Gamo offer a massive range of rifles and pistols, so there is something for everyone, as well as their range of accessories to compliment everything perfectly. If you’re looking for your first rifle or pistol, or are an experienced shooter needing a stable workhorse, then Gamo is definitely a brand to consider.

Check out our range of Gamo products here. And learn more about Gamo on their collections page. 

Face Off : Walther CP99 Special Agent vs Gamo GF MP9

The Walther CP99 is an iconic and robust air pistol

This month, Steph Brooks takes a closer look at two very special air pistols…..

We have 2 new air pistols to test in the office today, the Gamo GF MP9 Carbine and the Wather CP99 Special Agent. Two 177 air pistols designed for target shooting and plinking. Both air pistols use 12g CO2 capsules for maximum effectiveness and to power their semi automatic action. Both pistols are also inexpensive, with the CP99 costing £129.99 and the Gamo costing £20 more, ideal for a practice gun and certainly not going to break the bank.

Looks

The Gamo pistol is made to a tactical, almost sub-machine gun design, whereas the Walther is more of a classic tactical side arm design. Both are modern and reminiscent of something an the bad guy would carry during the opening of an Arnie movie. The Gamo in particular comes with multiple rails, a folding skeleton sock and a silencer making this gun in particular perfect for crawling through the jungle.

The Walther is more of a standard pistol shape with a textured finger grip that is finished in a Olive Drab military style colour, which looks suitably tough. The slide and front end of the gun look great and there is even an under mounted rail that is perfect for lasers and torches, although the gun lacks the serious customisation available on the Gamo pistol. The downside is the words “Special Agent” that are printed down the slide and would seem like a bad idea to have on your gun, especially if you are actually a special agent. Maybe it’s in case you forget? The large safety switch is also quite ugly and detracts from the likeness the gun has for the P99, the pistol’s live firing cousin. But having said that, I definitely prefer the classic pistol shape and with Gamo’s over use of plastic I’m going to have to give this one to the Walther.

Winner : Gamo GF MP9

Handling

When handling the guns the guns, it’s apparent that there is a difference in weight between them. The Gamo weighs in at around 1.3kg, quite a lot for a target air pistol, where as the Walther comes in just shy of the 750g mark, nearly half the weight. Both are a majority of polymer around a metal frame with the Walther also having a metal combo slide for added reliability.

Both are built around a metal frame, but the Gamo does have a lot of plastic on the outside, even when taking the price into account. The Gamo is also advertised as a blowback, but nothing actually moves on the outside of the gun when it is fired. You here the blowback and more importantly, you feel it, but it would have been nice to see something visual on the outside. The Walther has a split slide that is made of metal and feels chunky and robust in your hands, giving it the edge here.

Winner : Walther CP99

Shooting

Both are CO2 pistols and shoot hovering around the 2 ft/lb mark. The Gamo comes in at 2.11 ft/lbs, with the Walther maxing in at 1.99 ft/lbs. Not much difference in power at all, but it does limit the use of these pistol to strictly target shooting or plinking, neither are anywhere near powerful enough to be suitable for pest control. It would be excellent if they made a semi automatic capable of it, but to my knowledge one doesn’t exist yet. If you are listening SMK… there is a gap in the market.

The Walther exclusively shoots .177 pellets where as the Gamo is advertised as being able to shoot both .177 pellets and 4.5mm BBs. The Gamo is also advertised as having a rifled barrel though and I imagine firing 4.5mm BBs down a rifled barrel is not much of a good idea, it’s just going to blow the rifling straight out the end. Lead pellets are soft and made to fit the rifled barrels. A steel BB is going to be just as hard as the rifling inside the barrel and is going to wear it down further and further, so I would opt for using only lead pellets in either and the choice to include a BB firing option is somewhat confusing to me. Not much between them to be honest going for a draw here.

Winner : Draw

Conclusion

The winner has got to be the Gamo both are nice pistols and actually pretty similar in terms of power and accuracy. The main deciding difference from me comes from the extra customisability that the Gamo offers, but the better looks of the Walther and its smaller compact size give it the edge in this head to head.

Winner : Walther CP99

Event: The Game Fair, 28-30 July 2017

The 59th Game Fair heads to Hatfield House in Hertfordshire between 28 and 30 July later this year.

With a wide itinerary of events that includes country pursuits, a focus on land and gardens, activities (including archery, 4×4 driving, helicopter flights, debating theatre and much more), it should prove to be a great summer weekend for families and those with a passion for hunting, the countryside and outdoor pursuits.

Gun and Accessories Brands In Attendance

Major gun and accessory brands will be in attendance including Croots, Elderkin & Son, Holland & Holland, Hull Cartridge, Sporting Shooter magazine, Airgun World magazine, Nitesite, and Weihrauch, as well as many others.

The event is sponsored by Subaru, who will be holding all wheel driving demonstrations during the weekend. Visitors will be able to jump aboard a Subaru Forester, Outback or XV, and experience the show’s specially designed off road course, which includes various obstacles and inclines.

The George Digweed Pigeon Challenge

Fieldsports Magazine will be launching the George Digweed Pigeon Challenge, where members of the public will be given the opportunity to beat shooting scores set by two of the best shots out there, on a grouse and pheasant range designed especially for the occasion. Top Gun will take away a special array of prizes, and to enter you simply have to head to their stand.

For animal lovers, there will be various other outdoor pursuits on display including falconry, gundogs, horse and hounds, pugs and fishing.

The event includes camping facilities and you can even enjoy premium eating and drinking facilities by upgrading to a Gold or Platinum package.

You can buy tickets for The Game Fair here. Learn more about the event by heading to their official site.