The Malta Grand Prix 2017 took place from June 10 to June 18 at the Malta Shooting Sport Federation (MSSF) ranges at Bidnija, a tiny village in the northern part of Malta. The MSSF was established in 1908, and in 2008 it produced a book, A Century of Organised Shooting Sport in Malta. In his introduction, president Saviour Portelli says that the work of the MSSF “makes shooting sport the primary sport in Malta, and thus our country expects shooting to provide the first Olympic medal”.
In temperatures reaching 30°C, Amy and her fellow competitors shot daily from 9a.m. to 7p.m. For a whole week, the athletes spent most of their time in each other’s company, and, despite an abundance of competitive spirit within the group, there was plenty of camaraderie and bonhomie. Amy told me, “Training and competing alongside these excellent shots gives me inspiration to push forward.”
Amy with seasoned shooting coach, Iain McGregor
Malta wasn’t Amy’s first experience of shooting in intense heat. In the summer of 2016, Pellpax funded her trip to Málaga, where she trained hard and competed in the Junior Grand Prix, winning Gold in the Junior Ladies event.
Amy is trained by coach Iain McGregor, who is based at Auchterhouse, in Dundee. Iain has been coaching for more than 30 years, and has achieved all three levels of International Sports Federation Coaching Certificates. He is one of the most highly qualified and experienced shotgun coaches in the UK, and holds international qualifications at the highest level.
Amy’s first step on her shooting career ladder was success at the Target Tokyo trials, after being scouted by an APSI (Association of Professional Shooting Instructors) coach during the summer of 2015. Since then, she has competed in the British Championships, the Captain’s Cup, the Grand Prix in Holland (winning team gold and high gun and shooter of the competition), and international competitions in Serbia and at Bisley Shooting Ground, in Surrey. In the past nine months, Amy has won a Gold in Málaga and a Bronze in Malta – her first senior competition.
May receiving her trophy
Results like these don’t come easily. Amazingly, Amy is studying for a degree in Law at Northumbria University, in Newcastle. Despite a heavy study workload and a gruelling training regime, Amy is a regular visitor at the campus gym, where she works out to build and maintain her stamina and upper body strength. (“It’s vital to maintain a high level of training at all times.”)
In her pursuit of excellence, Amy has had to tackle many mental challenges. Travelling to new places and living among strangers can be daunting, but Amy doesn’t give in to nerves. She continually pushes herself to her limits, overstepping the bounds of her comfort zone.
“It’s made me mentally stronger and more capable of holding my nerve in competitions.”
Amy’s next competition will be in Finland, mid-July. We all wish our Pellpax Girl every success!
Pellpax can announce that it has become a member of the Gun Trade Association (GTA).
As a member of this association, Pellpax is an integral part of a nationwide network of organisations, dedicated to ensuring the safe use of guns and the continued health of shooting sports and professions.
The Gun Trade Association has been promoting and protecting the UK gun trade since 1912. Working closely with police and governmental authorities, the GTA offers its members support and advice in all areas of the trade, from licensing and insurance queries to issues of transportation and storage. As a council member of the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC), the GTA co-operates with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Countryside Alliance (CA), representing the gun trade in matters of legislation.
The GTA works closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Home Office, the Department of Trade and Industry, Firearms Licensing Departments, and HM Revenue and Customs.
The present GTA chairman is 77-year-old John Batley, a professional pigeon shooter since 1984 and author of The Pigeon Shooter: A Complete Guide to Modern Pigeon Shooting. This elegantly written book, first published in 1996, is as engaging to the layman as it is to the expert, and Mr Batley’s vast knowledge of the wood pigeon, in regard to both anatomy and habit, is testimony to his many years of dedication to the sport. In his introduction, he writes, “The wood pigeon has enabled me to feed and clothe my family, travel to fascinating places and meet many, many people.”
John Batley says, “The GTA exists today primarily to defend the interests of the gun trade by working closely with all official bodies that could influence or damage the industry.” He goes on to say that the GTA’s protection of the UK gun trade is, by definition, in the interests of all those who shoot in this country.
The GTA’s Code of Practice sets out clear parameters:
The safety of the public shall be a priority for the Association and its members.
All members must be acquainted with the relevant law and comply with it in all respects.
A primary aim of all our members is to give good service to their customers and to the public.
All members shall take responsibility for the products that they sell.
Members shall conduct themselves in a proper and professional manner in their dealings with other members of the trade and the public.
Members’ advertising shall be designed and worded so as not to bring the trade or its products into disrepute.
All members shall abide by the stated aims and objectives of the Association as published.
Members shall be held accountable for their actions by the Association.
Pellpax’s Managing Director, Darren Kirk, explained why it was important for Pellpax to be a member of the GTA:
“Membership of the GTA gives access to tools that help us promote the safe use of guns in this country, and we’re proud to be a part of maintaining the good reputation of the trade.” He added, “Safety of the public is our main priority in every aspect of what we do.”
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.
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…
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 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
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.
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 :
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
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.
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 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
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 choiceas 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.
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.
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.
From July this year, Pellpax will be stocking two super new PCP air rifles, both made by the Ukrainian company, Zbroia, based in the city of Kharkov.
Joe Meakin and Ross Mitchell, from Pellpax, visited Badersfield Air Rifle Club in Norfolk with samples of the Hortitsia, made by Zbroia since October 2015, and the Kozak, which first appeared in October 2014. Club members were keen to try them out.
The Kozak side lever model is a bullpup design, which means that the gun’s action is situated behind the trigger, decreasing the rifle’s overall length and weight without compromising the length of the barrel.
Nick Bowen is one of Badersfield’s founding members and has been shooting for 45 years. He immediately took to the Kozak.
“This short rifle is good for manoeuvring among trees. I could shoot all day with that and never get an arm ache. It’s incredibly comfortable – sitting down or standing up.”
The safety catch on the Kozak is positioned on the side of the barrel, where it can be reached and operated without having to lower the rifle from the shoulder. An adjustable cheek piece contributes to sustained comfort and, consequently, accuracy.
There was a lot of praise for the trigger action on the both the Kozak model and the Hortitsia bolt action sporting rifle. Phil Hurman said of the Hortitsia: “The trigger pull is lovely – very light and sensitive.”
Even though Nick had formed a firm attachment to the Kozak, he liked the Hortitsia too. Having taken a few shots, he said, “It’s nice to hold; well balanced; sensitive trigger.”
Founding member, Pat Gray, who has been shooting since childhood, was impressed with the smooth insertion of the probe into the magazine, describing it as “crisp and clean”. He remarked on the quietness of the rifles. Joe explained that both models include an integrated barrel shroud for very effective silencing.
The design criteria of these two rifles are accuracy, quality, reliability, and ergonomics, which, between them, just about encompass every possible area of exceptional performance.
Not everyone, of course, is looking for the same qualities in a product, and therefore the Zbroias won’t fit the bill for everyone.
But when it comes to ergonomics, these two rifles – each with an easy magazine drop-in, sensitive trigger, relatively light weight, and smooth probe engagement – are champs. Both the Hortitsia and the Kozak are available in .177 and .22 (4.5 and 5.5) calibre.
The new Zbroia air rifles will be in stock as of July 2017. If you have any questions about them, or about any of our other products, just give us call or contact us via this website.
This month, our intrepid reporter Hazel Randall visited a local shooting club close to the Pellpax HQ. This is her report on the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at Badersfield Air Rifle Club.
The grounds of RAF Coltishall, now known as Badersfield
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, along with Joe Meakin and Ross Mitchell from Pellpax, I visited Badersfield Air Rifle Club, located on the old RAF Coltishall air base in Norfolk.
After its closure, RAF Coltishall, which operated from 1938 to 2006, was renamed Badersfield as a tribute to Sir Douglas Bader, one of the most famous and respected airmen of all time, who lost both legs in a crash when he was just 21 years old. Bader was stationed here during WW2, but was captured by the Germans in 1941 after bailing out over occupied France. The 1956 feature film, Reach for the Sky, based on the biography by Paul Brickhill and starring Kenneth More, was a box office hit, and in the 1976 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Bader was appointed a Knight Bachelor for ‘services to disabled people’.
Foundations
Badersfield Air Rifle Club was founded in 2013 by Pat Gray. Paying for the development out of his own pocket, Pat, with help from friends and family, worked hard on the site, which had run wild during seven years of neglect. He described the clean-up operation.
“First we had to clear away the vegetation and level the ground. I hired an excavator and got a professional tree surgeon in to deal with the larger trees. The site had to be decontaminated by removing all the lead debris.”
The clubhouse is an old RAF building, which blends nicely into its surroundings. With so many of the original military buildings still intact, the RAF Coltishall site is frequently used as a film set. A few hundred meters from the club stands an old American ambulance; and apparently it’s not unusual to witness a car chase or a simulated shoot-out.
One our our staff, Ross Mitchell, tests out his Hortitsia at the range.
Dedicated Members
Badersfield Air Rifle Club began with 15 members and has grown to a membership of 53. The site is maintained by dedicated club members who have, bit by bit, added facilities and made this a really nice club to belong to. One of the latest additions is flood lighting.
“We’re hoping to introduce regular evening sessions soon,” Pat told me.
There are two ranges at Badersfield – the indoor 35-meter range and the long range, where targets stand at varying distances up to 50 meters. To make life interesting, the targets are of different types, including knock-down targets, paper square targets, and spinners; and every now and then there’s the tinkle of a bell target being hit.
Two of the club’s founding members are father and son, Peter and Nick Bowen.
Founding member, Nick Bowen, pictured.
“Dad’s 88,” Nick Bowen told me, “The oldest member of the club. He did his national service in the RAF and he’s one of the few people left who’ve served in an RAF Lancaster crew. He was a wireless operator.”
Nick, who worked for 34 years as a railway engineer, is club ambassador and a keen promoter of disabled shooters. Coping with his own physical disabilities, Nick is acutely aware of the needs of those with limited mobility or dexterity. But he’s also very much aware of the inclusiveness of the sport when it comes to physical ability.
Welcoming Environment
“You could be short, tall, fat, thin, fit, unfit … it makes no difference to shooting. Anyone can do it.”
Another of Badersfield’s founding members was John Stubley, who was suffering from terminal cancer. John loved shooting, and despite pain and sickness, he continued to take an active part in club life until very shortly before his death. Now, in memory of John, there’s the Stubley Cup, an annual competition held in August and won last year by our very own Pellpax man, Joe Meakin!
Another Pellpax man, Ross Mitchell, is a regular shooter at Badersfield.
“It’s a nice friendly club. When I first went, I didn’t feel like an alien. They treat newcomers the same as long-standing members. The ranges are good, and you can shoot all year round, especially now they’ve got floodlighting. And the weekly competitions and social events are fun – very relaxed.”
Badersfield Air Rifle Club are based at RAF Coltishall, Norwich NR10 5AJ. They can be contacted via Facebook, and on 07885 412 414. New members of all ages are welcome. Having met some of the leading club members, I really can guarantee a warm welcome and a fantastic shooting experience.
