by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Range Days at the 2020 SHOT Show
2020 Shot Show Day One
2020 Shot Show Day Two
2020 Shot Show Day Three
This report covers:
- Here we go again
- Crosman
- Ravin R29Xcrossbow
- 1077 FreeStyle
- Air Arms
- Diana’s modular platform
- Gamo
- New JSB Knock Out
- Elsewhere at the show
- Summary
Here we go again
I said I would return to finish reporting on the 2020 SHOT Show and today is the day. The 2020 SHOT Show was the best one I have ever seen for good reasons. From my perspective, most airgun companies brought out a whole boatload of new products. I talked to several vendors in booths who told me they thought there were fewer people in the aisles, but each of them had more money they were willing to spend. I’m talking about placing orders for the whole year’s worth of goods, because that is what this commercial trade show is about. It’s not for the public, though they do attend. It’s for the stores that want to tie down their business for the coming year and also for vendors who are always looking for new customers.
We have a lot to look at so let’s get started. There is no particular order to today.
Crosman
I saw three PCPs in the Benjamin side of the Crosman booth that they are importing from Turkey — the Cayden, Akela and the Kratos. The Cayden is a .22-caliber 12-shot repeater that cocks via a sidelever. It fills to 3,000 psi and gets up to 60 shots per fill They say it will get up to 1,000 f.p.s. in .22. The stock is Turkish walnut and the suggested retail is $600.
The Akela is a 12-shot .22-caliber bullpup repeater that also cocks with a sidelever. It’s long for a bullpup and again the velocity is supposed to be 1,000 f.p.s. Same 3000 fill and 60 shots. The stock is Turkish walnut. The price will be $650.
The Kratos another conventional repeating PCP that will be offered in both .22 and .25. It holds 12 shots in .22 and 10 in .25. Velocities are 1,000 f.p.s. in .22 and 900 f.p.s. in .25. The fill is to 3000 and they say 60 shots. The price will be $700.
The Benjamin Cayden is a beautiful new PCP with a Turkish walnut stock.
The Benjamin Akela (top and Kratos are two more new PCPs from Crosman.
The bullpup Akela is large and stunning to look at.
What does BB think? Well, he’s a little overwhelmed right now. Even if I never write another historical article this year there probably isn’t time to test every new airgun. But these three intrigue me. Talk among yourselves and I will listen.
Ravin R29Xcrossbow
Matt Hedberg of Velocity Outdoor showed me the Ravin R29X crossbow. It’s one of the slimmest crossbows on the market, at just 7-1/2- inches uncocked. This year it shoots bolts at up to 450 f.p.s. and it has earned the reputation of being one of the most accurate crossbows on the market.
What I like best is the silent windlass that’s built unto the right side of the butt. You can cock it quietly while sitting in a high seat or blind.
I have no business looking at crossbows for an airgun blog, but what can I say? I am fascinated!
Matt holds the new Ravin R29X. The windlass connection is the circle to the left and above the name.
1077 FreeStyle
The Crosman 1077 we all know so well has been given a facelift. The new rifle is called the FreeStyle and features a three-tone color styling, a new beefy buttplate and a magazine design. Functionality remains the same as always, which is a good thing.
The Crosman 1077 FreeStyle has a new look for an old friend.
Air Arms
I enjoy visiting the Air Arms booth because they make airguns I never need to make excuses for. This year the news is big. They are finally finished with three years of testing and modifications on their new XTi-50 field target rifle that is postured for World Field Target Federation open class competition. It is bang-on, at just under 12 foot-pounds to both meet the WFTF rules and also to be legal as an unregistered air rifle in its United Kingdom homeland. When last I shot field target I shot a PCP and I can see the incredible value in this one. It would raise the score of even a duffer like me, I’m sure!
I’m sure we will hear a lot about the new Air Arms XT1-50.
All of the many adjustments have convenient locks to make them ever-so-easy to change, and when you are in a match that is a blessing. You don’t have time to fiddle with Allen keys. An offhand shot follows a sitting shot by one lane and only a few minutes of time. You need to be ready.
I could spend an entire blog on this one rifle, but I’ll focus on just one feature. Up front there is a built-in level that swings to the side when needed and back for storage. I don’t know why it has taken this long to appear.
Air Arms has put a retractable level (arrow) on the XT1-50. Why doesn’t every manufacturer do that?
Best of all, the retail price is slated to be just $2,500 retail. I know that is a lot of money, but for this level of quality and performance it really isn’t. It’s like saying that new Corvette sells for $30,000. I think the competition needs to be concerned!
Diana’s modular platform
Okay, several of you (RidgeRunner) keyed in on this before I was ready to report it. Diana has redesigned their popular model 34 breakbarrel, yet again. But this time the changes were large and noticeable. They call it their Easy Modular System (EMS). I’ll start with the elephant in the room — barrel alignment! Yes, sports fans, Diana has finally seen that barrel droop is not a good thing, and they give you the ability to adjust it out with shims. Please forgive the photo that follows, but they put everything inside a plexiglass case and photography is quite difficult!
Here you can see two of the redesigned Diana 34 features. The cocking link is now articulated and Diana provides shims to adjust the barrel droop.
Besides the droop issue they have made the barrel changeable and threaded the muzzle with a silencer-friendly 1/2-inch by 20 UNF thread. The sights are also changeable. Better still, the rifle can be converted to a gas piston, if desired. Wow — it’s almost as though they know what we want!
Gamo
I went to the Gamo booth twice, but this year was a repeat of all the years past, except for last year. There were Gamo reps in the booth, but they were busy in small clatches, talking to each other and showing no interest in telling me anything. Joe Syring, the VP of sales who was so helpful at last year’s show, was nowhere to be seen.
I looked at all the guns on display and decided they were re-skins of their past airguns. Some, like the Swarm Bone Collector with its wood stock, were attractive, but I saw nothing that was really new. It may have been there, but I didn’t see it.
New JSB Knock Out
On the last day I stopped by the Predator International booth and saw the new JSB Knock Out hollowpoint that had just arrived. It’s a hollowpoint solid heavyweight lead-free pellet that’s sized at 5.49mm for easier loading. It’s tin, which is harder than lead, so you don’t want to push it through a lot of deep rifling. It’s made for very powerful air rifles like the AirForce Condor that also has a leade in the breech to allow chambering solid pellets. I want to test it for you.
The new JSB Knock Out pellets are nice and shiny. They won’t be inexpensive, but let’s hope their performance is worth it.
Elsewhere at the show
Yes, there were a lot of other airguns at the show that I didn’t cover. I did in years past, but I got tired of these upstart companies coming and going without ever bringing their products to market. Heck — the big guys do enough of that. We sure don’t need to waste time with the wannabees! So, go ahead and get goofy over that new Russian Akula if you want; I will wait to see if it ever becomes real.
Summary
The 2020 SHOT Show is over. It was the best show, out of the 22-23 shows I have attended. What made it good were all the new products. The companies that are forging ahead are listening to their customers and applying what they hear.
The firearms side of the house can lament the “Trump slump” (a falloff in gun sales because the US social and political environments have stabilized) all they want — it hasn’t crossed over into the airgun community. I did hear a lot of comments to the effect that airgun companies are “runnin’ and gunnin'” just to stay abreast of the marketplace, but that’s just life. Alice learned all about it from the Red Queen in Through the Looking Glass.
I am looking forward to a watershed year for airguns.
Cool stuff coming out.
The bull pup is nice looking.
I do wish the side lever was moved forward, instead of in your shoulder pocket.
I have never found the lever in that position to be comfortable to reach with the rifle still shouldered.
It it just may be me.
The Russians already have an Akula class submarine,
A submarine I can see naming a shark.
But an airgun called a shark?
I guess Guess there was a little too much vodka during the Airgun naming meeting.
What am I saying?
in Russia there is no such thing as too much vodka.
Ian.
Wish the lever was mounted on the left. That way you do not need to remove your trigger finger from the trigger guard to recock.
-Y
Ian,
It is what I refer to as a Gen 1 ‘pup. Take an air rifle, make a trigger linkage and put it in a stock. Not much extra engineering involved. No thank you.
Gen 2 the cocking lever is over the trigger. Much more better good.
What I call Gen 3 is the semi bullpup like the Brocock Compatto. Was on my very short list until the price increase.
Gen 4 is where the cocking mechanism is where it is easily reached by the front hand such as on the Ataman BP17 and the Edgun Lelya 2.0. Now we are talking bullpup.
RR I agree with your generations. I did not use a term like that as my reply already was kind of long, and didn’t want to bore people.
Personally, I prefer the lever over the trigger.
yes the Compatto WAS on my list at $600-700, but not at $1000.
And I have no problem with a 12ftlb Uk model.
Ian
Exactly. I may add though that the Gen5 is here; Evanix Cloud and Max semi auto as well as Huben are already sold.
Bill
That is true, but, I personally do not feel the features/accuracy of the guns, warrant the price of the guns.
Some people drive a Bentley as a daily driver, some people drive a Dodge…
They both get you from point A to point B.
Ian
Indeed Ian. I just wanted to give the whole picture RR described. I myself as a matter of fact drive a SEAT, that is a Cometa Orion Mini in .25 caliber. Old design but an affordable and powerful 23 inches Bullpup.
Bill
I understand the old part.
my daily driver is a gun power stealth it’s a UK legal sub 12 foot pound Air Force design this one is made in 1998 and has a 3 digit serial number.
My other one is a CZ 200s.
Setup for field target.
Ian
Bill,
I guess the semi and selective could be considered Gen 5.
Still nothing new from the Koreans? That Cayden certainly looks nice, but my guess is it’s not the brute that the Seneca Eagle Claw is. I think Koreans make better hunting rifles and I need to replace the Blizzard. The the Eagle Claw reminds me of the old battle-iron air-hog Career Infinity – huge tank, heavy payloads, and a thumb-wheel by the trigger to keep the power up. Perfect for for groundhog control and nutria eradication.
Can anyone tell what scope is on the Crossman rifles pictured?
regards,
Jane Hansen
Jane Hansen,
I saw your post to B.B. the other day and was going to reply but changed my mind. I just flip flops again! Have you seen this company in your searching:
http://www.cap-guns.com
B.B. probably can speak on this since he has talked with them directly at the Shot Show. But their science looks right and then your targets they might have something to your liking.
I HATE NUTRIA!
shootski
Hi Shootski,
This is certainly interesting but they don’t really explain what the “technology” is, beyond telling us it “breaks the sound barrier of air”, (which makes no sense). This is a reworked Sam Yang Dragon Claw, so they couldn’t have done too much to it: Larger tank capacity, higher pressure, smaller gas molecules, larger/faster transfer valving, stronger hammer spring, slower rifling, etc – usual stuff. They run their comparisons with N2, which will always perform somewhat better than air, (which is mostly N2 but lots of other molecules to interfere).
I don’t like the name. “Constant Acceleration Pneumatic Gun” How is this any different than current air guns? All pellets “constantly” accelerate all the way down the barrel, (unless someone made it too long), and then stops accelerating as soon as it leaves the muzzle.
This is starting to remind me of the great conversations we had 10 years ago about how fast an air rifle could send a pellet, and what the “sound barrier” really means, and I think we agreed back then we could make pellets go very fast if we put enough energy behind it.
Not surprisingly, Cap-guns has no rifles currently for sale.
We shall see….
Thanks for the note – meanwhile, Nutria and ground hogs will be out soon, and I am too weak to be hand-pumping any monster PCP rifle, and too poor to buy a good compressor!
regards,
Jane Hansen
Jane
This might be a solution to your pumping problem. Had trouble posting
Coduece –
I actually tried something like this years ago. My neighbor made a similar setup out of scrap wood for me. It was not nearly as nice as this one pictured, and did not work very well. It was so embarrassing for him that for several months he volunteered to pressurize my rifle once each weekend for me. Is this something you made?
Jane
Yes it reduces the final pumping effort to about 40 lbs effort for a 3000 psi fill using a Crosman pump. It works pretty well to fill my marauder. Your the exact type person I had in mind with your slight build.
Chris
That’s the best compliment I’ve had in awhile. And yes slow and steady
Carl
Coduece,
I had forgot about that whole concept. But yes,… that would be my go-to first thought if hand pumping. The only caution? might be,… since it is so much easier,… overheating seals could become an issue,.. which I understand is a bad thing.
We think a lot alike,…. I think,………. 😉
Chris
Chris
I replied see commment above
Coduece,
I did see. You are too kind. You got out there and DID IT,.. when the rest of us just talk about “IT”. Still lovin’ my Coduece spinners. I do not use them near enough.
Chris
Shootski,
Are you kidding?! I think I will buy from PA.
/product/dragon-claw-dual-tank-air-rifle?m=2500
Hi Guys…
There is something a little odd here. The Dragon Claw is a 50-cal rifle.
The numbers that CAP-Airguns show are for what are obviously .22-cal pellets, (9.8 gr, 14.4, 27, 37)
One thing is for sure, if you just change the Dragon Claw barrel down to .22 cal, you will see a whopping increase in velocity over most PCPs, The stock transfer valving is already delivering 230ft lbs of energy, so it’s not like anyone is pushing the laws of physics here. Of course, the stock set-up is only good for about three shots…..
curiouser and curiouser….
Jane
Jane,
I did not notice pellet size. I was looking at the price of their Dragon Claw versus the PA price. No matter what the caliber, that is a bit rich for my blood.
Shootski, Jane and RR,
Go back to the link http://www.cap-guns.com and start the video, it is from the 2019 Shot Show and is qued to start at the Cap Arms video.
He says they are launching a 37 gr .22 long rifle slug which means they have a .22 cal powder burner barrel in a Dragon Claw rifle. How they would shoot pellets in that I do not know.
And what about accuracy? Not mentioned.
Mike
Mike,
It is still too rich for my blood. Very likely you could have an insert made to fit in the Dragon Claw and it would still be cheaper.
RR,
Yes, too rich for me as well, heck the PA Dragon Claw is alot too.
I was just thinking out loud about what it is and why, I would like to see it out as another excursion into what you can do with airguns and there are some folks that might have the monies to get it. But if you want rim fire power why not just get a rim fire rifle?
There are quality .22 powder burners for even less than the Dragon Claw.
Mike
Mike,
Please read B.B.’s post about Life Gas:
/blog/2020/01/range-days-at-the-2020-shot-show/
shootski
Mike,
Some people live in areas that do not allow powder burners.
Jane Hansen,
Please read B.B.’s post on Lite Gas:
/blog/2020/01/range-days-at-the-2020-shot-show/
shootski
Shootski,
Now I think I understand my confusion. The web site http://www.cap-guns.com is referencing a .22 cal from Shot Show 2019 and B.B. was looking at a big bore .50 cal? B.B. did not say.
Mike
RidgeRunner,
Read B.B. post about Lite Gas:
/blog/2020/01/range-days-at-the-2020-shot-show/
shootski
Shootski,
I have looked into the use of light gases. they can provide almost unbelievable power from an airgun. There is the issue of cost though. My compressor was expensive enough. Bottles of helium, etc. sitting around also? Naaa.
RidgeRunner,
With a nickname with Rocket in it Jane is either a former dancer from NYC, or a Rocket Scientist, or for some other appropriate reason capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound! She should have a powerful Airgun!
In all seriousness I think we need more folks that keep pushing the envelope with airguns! I like all my Big Bores but I know that they are capable hunters at relatively short ranges. I do know how to shoot them at targets out to well beyond 500 but not to hunt with! Animals move too much for 1/2 second flight times to be ethical shots. I look forward to reports on the new AirForce valve and .50 barrels. I think a plenum and perhaps a version of a Sabot round could be very interesting. I think we need an Airgun Specific sabot with different design and material and not use a design/material meant to work in a firearm.
shootski
shootski,
Jane is a rocket scientist. She used to post here a lot many years ago.
B.B.
BB,
We need us a good Shootski and Rocket Jane debate/conversation on some topic in the future. I would enjoy that very much,… though I will say,… maybe comprehend only 1 ~ 10% of it! LOL! 😉
Can anyone calculate the FTE (Foot Tons of Energy) of a rocket?
Chris
B.B.,
Thank you for the heads-up. I will mind my Ps & Qs!
shootski
Shootski,
I think the idea of a sabot is doable. There are sabots made for black powder that may work in air rifles that do not have silencers. It would not be fun to have a sabot jammed in your baffles.
RidgeRunner,
Baffles would be bad. Even the approach that Donny FL uses for his internals wouldn’t work with the typical Sabot with the petals held closed by the bore. That’s one reason we need a different design for airguns.
shootski
Shootski,
The issue with the sabot is it needs to fall away quickly to prevent it from affecting trajectory. With an air rifle that could be significant.
Most, but not all big bores do not have silencers, so that issue is no biggie. Many of the big bores that do have silencers, they can be removed.
B.B.,
Wow, I’m thrilled to hear about the Diana 34 EMS!
When will it hit the market and has a recommended retail price been announced yet?
Any idea how much additional barrels will sell for?
Bob,
This is a major move for Diana so I would imagine it will be third quarter or later this year. Price of the rifle and parts was not mentioned.
B.B.
B.B.,
In that case, I sure know what I want for Christmas 2020!
I wonder if the 34 EMS is only intended for markets where there are no power restrictions, or how they would tune it for, say, a 12 ft-lb limit market such as Britain.
Am I right in thinking that a 34 EMS sprung for 11.9 ft-lbs in .177 would produce well above 12 ft-lbs in .25, due to the lower drag of the larger bore?
If so, the 34 EMS would have to be tuned to a point where a lightweight .25 cal pellet (do they make RWS Hobby in .25?) came in at just under 12 ft-lbs.
Bob,
I am with you man!
This has a potential to be a major step forward in sproingers. The Beeman conglomerate has played around with dual caliber air rifles for some time, but they are not very good in any caliber. You have been able to change calibers on other sproingers, but it has not been easy or cost effective.
I myself have a sproinger from the Thirty’s that barrels could easily be swapped, but if you find one of these they are expensive and extra barrels are almost nonexistent. If close attention is given to quality, these could be a real game changer.
R.R.,
The EMS is quite possibly the most exciting development in springers since Umarex launched the modern Walther LGV range back in 2012.
If Diana get it right, they will capture a huge chunk of the springer market with this new 34. I bet the announcement has put the wind up other major springer manufacturers.
Just think how great it would be to be able to switch between calibres: .177 for plinking, .22 for hunting and .25 for close range ratting. In recent years that flexibility has only been available to owners of some high cost PCPs (FX for example).
I just love the fact that Diana have given an option to overcome barrel droop without having to faff about with scope shims or expensive droop compensating mounts. And that the muzzle is threaded. And that you can swap between fibre optic and tunnel front sights. And that you can drop in a gas piston.
Tinkerers like us are going to be kept busy trying out all the combinations and permutations!
What make is that 1930s barrel swapping springer of yours?
Bob,
/blog/2019/01/webley-service-mark-ii-part-7/
RR,
Thanks for the link. It must be fun to shoot old classics like that.
Bob,
Indeed it is. I shoot these old gals around here more than anything else.
Bob,
It may be that the stroke is what gives the Diana rifle its power — not the spring. If that is the case, Diana can’t tune it back to the legal limit for you, because your Home Office will say that since it has the stroke for above 12 foot-pounds it must go on an FAC, no matter what it actually develops when tested. Ivan Hancock explained that to me.
The 1930’s barrel-swapping springer of mine was a Webley Mark II Service that RidgeRunner now owns.
B.B.
B.B.,
So why do they allow the HW80 in the UK? It has the stroke for above 12 ft-lbs too.
Bob,
Although we were talking about a Webley Patriot, I was working on a Mag 80 Laza kit and Ivan specifically told me that the HW80 in the UK was an FAC airgun. Either that or there is a special HW80 version for the UK that has a shortened stroke and your Home Office is okay with it. I believe the TX200 SR had a short stroke UK version that could not be pushed past 12 foot pounds. And the first HW 97s to come into the US were all UK spec. I owned one and it could not be pushed past 12 foot-pounds — or even much past 11 foot pounds.
B.B.
B.B.,
There is a short-stroked version of the HW80 in the UK. It is called the HW35! 🙂
The HW80 has long been a very popular hunting springer in the UK and a top choice for FAC conversion. The standard 12 ft-lb model has always been known for hold sensitivity, due to the sluggish locktime that results from the combination of long stroke and weak spring. It is often noted that the gun performs at its best when tuned to about 17 or 18 ft-lbs. with a stiffer spring.
I chuckle to myself when I read on UK forums about the trouble and expense British airgunners go to to short-stroke their 12 ft-lbs HW80’s. They could have had the performance they desire by simply buying a HW35e instead. One costs less than a HW80 in the UK and has the benefit of a beautiful walnut stock, barrel locking mechanism and fitted sling swivels.
B.B.,
Those are rather interesting PCPs. I wonder what is in them to make them worth their price? There is no description of the Kratos but from the picture it’s probably the Cayden using a bottle instead of a tube,as a reservoir for the compressed air. How does the shim work with the Diana EMS? I can’t imagine where those shims are supposed to be inserted.
Siraniko
PS: Section Crosman Second paragraph First sentence: “The Akela is a 12-shot .22-caliber bullpup repeater that also cocks wioth (with) a sidelever.”
BB,
Fine report with a bit of BB perspective tossed in,… always a good thing. 😉
Good Day to you and to all,…….. Chris
Siraniko,
I have no idea of how the shim works. Diana even put a picture of how it fits in the rifle in their catalog, but the photo is too dark and obscure to see any detail.
Fixed the typo. Thanks,
B.B.
B.B.
Others have said that the Shot Show was boring this year. Not from what you have shown us.
EMS could be the future for springers!
However, “Even if I never write another historical article this year “, hope this is not true. History Fridays is the best blog article of the week! Don’t do it!
-Yogi
Yogi,
Don’t you worry. I like those articles as much as anyone! 🙂
B.B.
Still broke.
That new AA field target gun xt1-50 is a steal at 2500.00 I thought for sure it was gonna be an near 4000.00 gun. And an ambi option, everything you could need or want right out of the box. And drop dead gorgeous to boot they should have named it Claire.
Coduece,
LOL! I guess it is a matter of perspective. To me, although it is a nice piece of eye candy, I cannot see paying that much for it. I am not saying that is not a fair market price. All of the bells and whistles on that air rifle are not cheap. I am certain that it is superbly accurate. I am just not into FT. I would be more excited about a “long ranger”. Others are really into “tacticools” and are willing to pay a premium for those.
Is it not great that we have so many different choices?!
R.R.
More power and more caliber choices would be optimal, remember I’m a .22 guy. The Color choices are a definite plus I always wanted a gun to match my truck. I like the fact it doesn’t have an electronic trigger imho a reason I won’t get a Redwolf.
Carl
Codeuce,
I couldn’t agree more. I also guessed $4,000. And, ditto on the name! 😉
B.B.
BB,
Let’s see now…
The Cayden has my attention. So does the Diana EMS. The Avenger/Invader/Liberty looks to be very promising. I will likely investigate as to whether that new RAW “tacticool” stock will fit my HM1000X .357. It sounds as if UTG is exploring the use of glass etched reticles more. There are a plethora of other new airguns I am really looking forward to hearing, seeing, reading about this year. I am so looking forward to our history lessons also.
It is indeed a great time to be into airgunning.
RR,
You are loading up my mind for the future. Good for you!
B.B.
B.B.,
“Loading.” I caught that one. ;^)
Michael
I’m glad you had a good time at the show, B.B..
The Benjamin PCPs look pretty good, there is a new style to the woodwork that is progressive; a flat-sided fore end with routed-out style lines on an oar-shaped butt. The lines are OK, but not killer.
The Cayden, that shoots a .22 pellet up to 1000fps without a shroud makes it loud! I think that today, all but price point PCPs need a shroud or a canister at the end of the barrel to make it quieter for back yard shooters. That’s just me.
People seem to love their Diana 34s, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the new, modular Diana 34 looks and behaves. One of those might have to come my way. Thanks for giving us the scoop, it will be fun to see how the public reacts to this year’s new crop of goodies.
B.B.,
A few take-aways from me: Diana is showing up the other air gun makers. Everyone else should pay attention to their desire to innovate and improve, and then take notes.
On the subject of taking notes, I hope some higher-up at Gamo reads your comment about the reps standing around and talking to each other rather than attendees. That is the quickest way to anger a marketing executive or on-the-ball sales manager. They need to be taught that they are not sent there on the company’s dime to socialize with each other. They can do that back home on their own time.
Finally, JSB will probably charge a pretty penny for their Knock Out pellets, but look at the packaging for them! Every pellet maker should do that for every pellet they make. Outstanding.
Michael
Michale,
That is exactly why I wrote my report that way. The attitude of those Gamo reps in the booth was abysmal. I got better service when I looked at jewelry and women’s purses in other booths.
Gamo is a fine company with tremendous potential, but all the reputation and money in the world won’t be enough if they keep this up!
You are also right about Diana. They do care and are trying their best to do the right things. This new modular approach proves it.
B.B.
B.B.,
What is your reaction, on the other hand, at Shot Show when you’re walking along and a sales rep from a small booth calls out, “Tom Gaylord? Say, are you Tom Gaylord? We here at YADDAYADDA Industries are finally jumping into innovative, high-end air gun accessories. Would you please let me show you our new line of air gun related products? We think we are really onto something.” Every single trade show rep should be on the lookout for not just retailers, but also (especially, perhaps) the press. They should try to attract people to their booths and drum up interest. That is why trade shows exist.
And I agree wholeheartedly about the modular emphasis Diana is pursuing. Just look how cottage industries sprung up for modding certain Crosman pistols. Crosman finally realized they should get on the boat rather than just watch it sail past, but more than that Diana seems to be encouraging customization, which is a great way to make aftermarket brand-name parts a big part of the business (and a high-margin one at that). Your description of how they still view the iconic 34 as something to be improved upon speaks well of their approach to running a company.
Michael
Michael,
I get the Yadda Yadda Industries approach a lot. And I like it — to a point. Not if they are trying to show me folding dog kennels or dream catchers, but if they have something related to airguns and they want to reach out, I am there for them.
On the other hand, the cold shoulder approach just raises my hackles — not because I take it personal, because I don’t. But if they treat the press like that how do they relate to the customer? The two usually correlate tightly.
B.B.
B.B.,
Gamo missed the boat big time. Don’t they realize that you represent a huge airgun community. They should have been eager to show you their goods. Apparently, they don’t know who you are!
I have read reviews regarding Gamo’s customer no-service. I experienced a little of that myself when I first bought my Gamo Urban. I was having issues with misfires and with the magazine. I emailed their customer service, twice, and never received a response from them.
The more experienced airguners here in the blog helped me figure out what I was doing wrong, and I haven’t had an issue since. But, Gamo’s customer no-service will be a consideration when I make my next airgun purchase. I can already anticipate that if, and when, I need parts or service for my Gamo Urban, I may be out of luck. When I have a bad experience with a company, I don’t usually go back for seconds. 😉
Geo
BB
I was going to say something last year on the lines lets see how long that lasts.
As it goes. Time will tell.
BB,
Based on your reports on this SHOT show I have to agree with you that this promises to be an outstanding year for airguns enthusiasts. I would like to make a few comments:
I like the Benjamin PCPs in their nice wood dressing but I wonder about all that raw power, noise, weight, etc. An external adjustable regulator would be a nice addition to those models IMO, particularly at that price point.
From a Diana 34 owner, kudos to Diana for keeping raising the bar with its articulated link and modular concept. Although not exactly revolutionary in nature, making improvements to an already fine product should serve as an example to other companies. There is always risk to any change but there is also a risk when not making changes. I hope these efforts pays good dividends to them.
I am not into FT but I have to admit that Air Arms is another company showing the way, which is what leaders do. That rifle is a real beauty, with nice details all over. Did you notice the execution of the air stripper? Congratulations to them.
And the best for last: “I got better service when I looked at jewelry and women’s purses in other booths.” – I got a bit laugh out of that statement. Having attended many industry shows I ‘have been there, done that’.
Thanks for a great report and please keep the historical report coming, it is always a pleasure to read them.
Henry
Michael,
I understand that Diana is “improving”, but I wouldn’t say innovate. Have you looked at the Sig A SP20? That is innovating. Just me.
Doc
Doc,
Fair enough. :^)
Michael
B.B.,
On AA XTi-50’s extendable level is there a spot to easily fasten a wind telltale?
“I’m sure we will hear a lot about the new Air Arms XT1-50.”
So are you B.B.! Is it XTi-50 or XT1-50? Both photo captions may or may not need correcting.
shootski
B.B.
Great show report..
Did you run across the “New FX Hybrid Slugs from FX Airguns”? I saw a report before the show over on https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/. Looked intriguing
.
David
Michael,
I understand that Diana is “improving”, but I wouldn’t say innovate. Have you looked at the Sig A SP20? That is innovating. Just me.
Doc
Crosman,
I understand giving the 1077 (Freestyle) a face lift. But that orange magazine cover? NO. Just NO. It looks like my grand kids Nerf gun. Please don’t make it look like a toy.
Doc
Doc,
It does indeed look like a toy. I do admire some thoughtfully,… well applied,.. color accents,… but that is just wrong.
Chris
Shame on Gamo. That is saying a lot coming from someone that is a show veteran. 1 year of some good interaction? Out of how many? 20+.
If commissions for sales reps are involved?,… they could have missed out on some real big $ had you been a buyer.
I will second Geo’s comment about not ever expecting much from Gamo on service,.. after his experience.
Hopefully someone(s) gets their butts handed to them,… on their (final time out) the front door! No excuse for that type of behavior.
Chris
PS: Anyone from Gamo?,… feel free to chime in,…….. at anytime.
Depends on your interests, If you are a pcp fan , it was exciting. If you like replica airguns, Old West airguns, and historical replicas , it was about the worst show ever. New Peacemaker,more variations of the 1894 , like maybe a rifles barrel version, antique finish. Some more handguns like the P08, Mauser 712. Nada, zippo. Da revolvers like the excellent Dan Wesson 715. Nope. Looks like there is no interest. The shining light was the long overdue Thompson
BB, did you get a chance to drop by the Barra Airguns booth at Shot Show?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef3V6zPJ-g8
Certainty wasn’t a large or elaborate booth, but these guys certainly seem to be trying. Small start-up company, but looks like they are trying to bring out a number of replica airguns. Including a number of western airguns.
Also, I agree with your comments on Gamo. It is also a shame what they are doing to a iconic airgun brand like Daisy.
BB1Shooter,
No, I didn’t stop there.
B.B.
Too bad, they seem like small guys who are trying hard. Were they part of the regular Shot Show, or were they just one of the new exhibitors on the 5rd floor, in the one day pop-up preview on Wednesday?
Looks just like the kind of products poster Michaelr, was asking for.
What do you think about the new airguns they are coming out with? I heard that their new Barra 1866 Cowboy rifle was one of Amazon’s top selling airguns in late 2019.
BB1Shooter,
Thanks for the link. I have seen this once before. Notes made and saved to Bookmarks. That is almost a guarantied to be in the cart on the next order. For the price,… it is a winner. I WILL agree with the reviewers on suggested upgrades 100%.
Chris
BB,
I am looking forward to you testing the Sig Sauer Virtus PCP. An affordable semi auto PCP rifle.
Was that you sitting at a rustic table constantly looking at your watch in the background of one of Rossi’s interviews?
Ton,
That was me.
The Virtus just arrived so it will start soon.
B.B.
RidgeRunner,
We ran out of sub-thread Reply: “The issue with the sabot is it needs to fall away quickly to prevent it from affecting trajectory. With an air rifle that could be significant.
Most, but not all big bores do not have silencers, so that issue is no biggie. Many of the big bores that do have silencers, they can be removed.”
So i’ll start a new one thread: I have played with a number of Sabots in .308/.243, .458/308, and .58/458. The plastic polymer used seems to be too hard; it is designed to hold up against far higher pressures and hot gases from the burning powder. That’s why I think we need R&D to design and fabricate Airgun Sabots. I’m thinking a good starting point would use a much softer, very light, lubricious polymer. I would speculate that would do a far better job in a Airgun Specific barrel. I don’t have any barrel end devices of any kind on my Big Bore DAQ’s currently. I did experiment with a Donny to Emperor V3: https://donnyfl.com/collections/ldc/products/2-x-10-5-inches-emperor-v3 along with the 6.5″ extender. Both worked extremely well but it felt like I was shooting a 16″ Battleship Rifle without the help of a turret! I can see it working off of a bench rest, shooting sticks, or a spendy bipod.
shootski
Shootski,
Your point on different sabot materials makes sense. I do not know much about them,.. but I find the whole concept of the sabot falling away (in a reliable manner) and not affecting the bullet (at time of separation) a hard concept to wrap my brain around.
To me,..something that contacted the plastic shell and that would strip it off would make sense. It could be 4 little nibs at the muzzle (or in a screw on device) for instance. The nibs would grab on the plastic, slowing it a bit while still allowing the slug to exit (the plastic shell) unimpeded. Separation would be insured and the plastic shell would still have enough fpe to exit the barrel cleanly.
Just an idea,…… Chris
Chris USA,
I have shot firearms with Sabots and the petals are designed in such a way that the centripetal force of the spin expands them immediately and the air past the muzzle literally blows them away and off the back. Another concept that might work is a modification on/of the shot cup that scatterguns use to carry the load tongue muzzle of a smooth bore.
Some design approach should be capable of meeting the needs of airguns with accuracy and not be all too expensive. This would obviously not be for plinking just like slugs aren’t priced for what Airgunners typically think of as acceptably priced plinking ammo.
shootski
I just read my post and noticed either I used centripetal force or the spellchecker decided to use the wrong one! The correct force that pushes the petals open is centrifugal.
shootski
Shootski,
I noticed that, but did not question it. I figured that it had something to do with the sabot opening up and releasing the bullet,…. like “petals” on a flower!!!!! LOL!!!! 🙁
Spellcheck replacement, mistake,… or whatever,… we appreciate your sharing of your knowledge.
Chris