by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Umarex Synergis underlever repeating gas piston rifle.
This report covers:
- Scope
- The test
- Best pellet
- Artillery hold
- Smooth!
- Rested directly on the sandbag
- A different pellet?
- Summary
Today I shoot the new Umarex Synergis at 25 yards and finish the series. I’ll tell you up front, the Synergis is a fine air rifle and worth your consideration.
Scope
As you remember from Part 3, I said the scope was not clear at 10 meters. Since it doesn’t have parallax adjustments I had hoped it would clear up at 25 yards. Well, that didn’t happen. It was still blurry at 25 yards on the full 9 power. It was clear enough to see a pellet hole in the white target paper but not inside the black bull. If I was going to shoot this rifle a lot I would plan on getting a different scope, though I think you will see that the one that comes with the gun is very useable.
The test
I shot from a sandbag rest at 25 yards indoors. I started with the artillery hold that I will describe and then switched to resting the rifle directly on the bag. Since I made changes as I went, I will tell you how many pellets were fired at each target as we go.
Best pellet
Umarex sent me a tin of JSB Exact 8.44-grain domed pellets that I thought might be the best ones to shoot. So far they have been, so they are the pellets I started this test with. After Part 3 the rifle was sighted for 10 meters, so at 25 yards I expected the pellet to rise, and indeed it did. The center of the first group is about 1.25-inches above the aim point, which is the center of the bull. It’s also hitting about an inch to the left.
Artillery hold
As you know, I found in the last test that the artillery hold worked best when my off hand was back touching the triggerguard. So that was the way I shot the first group. The first shot landed above the bull and to the right and the second pellet nailed the bull at 12 o’clock. Those two shots are the two that are farthest apart in the 9 that I shot. I meant to shoot 10, but when I removed the magazine there were three pellets still in it and the Synergis mag holds 12, so I must have miscounted the shots. I can see 9 pellet holes, too.
Nine pellets went into 1.426-inches at 25 yards. Before you start criticizing that, remember what I just said. The first and second pellet landed the farthest apart, which means the other seven pellets are in a group measuring 0.598-inches between centers. Now, that is a lot more like it!
The shot at the top right was the first pellet and the shot at the top of the black bull on the lower left is the second. Between these two shots the remaining 7 pellets went into a group measuring 0.598-inches between centers. As I shot I was settling down and shooting better. And through the scope I could see the small group in the center of the two wide shots, which encouraged me to concentrate.
Smooth!
It was this first group that alerted me to the fact that maybe my artillery hold isn’t best for the Synergis. Actually, it was those first two shots, because when I settled down the shots stayed together. I have commented several times on how smooth this underlever feels when it shoots. That means smooth for a gas piston — not for a coiled steel spring. A gas spring cycles so much faster than a coiled steel mainspring that it always feels a bit harsher. But the Synergis is one of the smoothest ones I’ve shot. Perhaps only the ASP20 is smoother. That lead me to wonder if the rifle could be rested directly on the sandbag instead of my hands! That would help settle the rifle down.
Rested directly on the sandbag
Yes — it can! This time 10 pellets went into 0.697-inches at 25 yards. This is real accuracy for a repeating spring rifle! For the remainder of the test I rested the rifle directly on the bag.
The Synergis put 10 JSB 8.44-grain domes into 0.697-inches at 25 yards.
The group is still high and slightly left of the aim point so I adjusted the scope down by 9 clicks and right two clicks. At this point in the test I wondered if perhaps I relaxed more it might tighten the next group, so instead of 10 shots on ther next target I shot just 5, because relaxing takes a lot more concentration and preparation. But it didn’t help. Five of the same JSB pellets went into 0.676-inches at 25 yards. Yes, that is slightly smaller than the last group, but it’s also half the number of shots. I don’t see any advantage there.
Five JSB domes went into 0.676-inches at 25 yards.
I then shot another 5-shot group that was larger, at 0.751-inches, and followed that with a 10-shot group that was 0.994-inches between centers. Clearly I was getting tired and losing concentration. I’m not showing those larger groups because they were my fault and not the rifle’s. But there was one more thing I wanted to try — even if I was tired.
A different pellet?
I wondered if the JSB Exact RS pellet that’s lighter than the pellet I have been testing might work in the Synergis. I only shot 5 shots, but look at the group I got. Five went into 0.862-inches with four in just 0.386-inches. The Synergis can shoot — even when I can’t!
This group of JSB Exact RS pellets was good until, on the 4th shot, I dropped one. Five in 0.862-inches with 4 in just 0.386-inches at 25 yards.
Summary
We have spent some time with the Umarex Synergis and discovered that it is a great new air rifle. A repeating underlever at a price that can’t be beat? What’s not to like? Though it has a gas spring it cocks easily enough and shoots smoothly to boot. The trigger, though simple, works wonderfully and the power is right where we want it to be.
The magazine loads easily and works as it should. In fact the only minor detractor in the combo is the scope that isn’t adjusted for parallax at 25 yards. But we can overlook that because the Synergis offers features that would previously have cost $100 more, and it’s a repeater! If you have been tracking this one, it’s worth the wait.
B.B.
What scope companies does Umarex own? I said it before and I will say it again, “Shame on them for putting a non-usable air rifle scope on an air rifle.” Hey B.B., maybe it would work better if you mounted it backwards?? lol.
-Y
Yogi,
Blame the bean counters for the scope. Marketing wise nothing wrong from their point of view. You are selling a rifle with a score for Walter Mitty sniper wannabes. That’s alright for them. They just don’t realize how much higher their sales can be of they sell a proper scope (that might cost a few more dollars) along with an accurate rifle adding to word of mouth advertisement of the enjoyment the buyers obtain instead of complaints of a useless score that will only be thrown into a drawer full of useless junk.
Siraniko
I’ve kind of come around to the fact that if it comes bundled with a scope the bundle is likely a poor choice. There are exemptions as always, like the old Beeman combos or hopefully the asp20. But every rifle/scope combo other than the Beeman was of poor or not great quality for the rifle and scope.
WRONG.
This is an entry level airgun if initial experience is bad, and having a bad scope leads to a bad experience, Remember there are no open sights…
Think customer may be gone from airguns for good. and that is bad!
How much really does a bad airgun scope cost? Maybe $5 more that what is on there.
-Y
PS Hatsan bundles a bad airgun scope on their bundles, but at least it is an airgun scope!
Siraniko
I totally agree. Umarex should just lower the price by the cost of that cheapie scope. Market it at a slightly lesser price and let the consumer know that is does require a scope. Let the consumer choose a quality airgun scope, such at UTG. This airgun appears to deserve a better scope. If I were to purchase the Synergis and was not able to get a clear image using the bundled scope, I would first attempt to adjust the front lens to make it clear at closer ranges. If that didn’t work, it would definitely be thrown in a a drawer, or sold in a garage sale.
Geo
Yogi,
The air rifle is made by a Chinese company that likely will remain nameless. The scope is made by another Chinese company that will also remain nameless. They are bought by purchasing agents at Umarex for the lowest price that could be negotiated and shipped to distributors around the world with the Umarex name stamped on them.
Umarex may or may not have some design input for this air rifle. Umarex may or may not have some quality control input for this air rifle. Of this I certainly do hope. I have some experience with rebranded airguns. That experience has not been good. I have read many reviews of rebranded airguns. Some have been good, some have not been good. It is almost a hit or miss with each airgun.
To be fair, some of the Chinese companies are starting to actually respond to quality issues by improving their products. These companies have come to realize that if they want repeat business, they need to do such.
To be even more fair Crosman and others do the exact same thing. If you check the reviews and customer comments you will find these companies will rush a product into a competitive market. Then they will carefully listen to the rantings and ravings of the unhappy, unwashed masses and attempt to correct those issues and bring out the gen 2 version, hoping the unwashed masses will have quieted down and once again buy their products.
Back to the scope. It is made by a Chinese company at a very low price. The parallax of most of these very low priced scopes are usually at 100 yards. Why? Because they are also bundled with cheap firearms. Likely the cheap firearm bundle business is larger than the cheap airgun bundle business, to they win. On top of that there are companies that buy these cheap firearm scopes and put their names on them. The purchasing agents do not care. They are cheap, allowing a larger overall profit margin.
These are not for the experienced. Umarex and others know that if they market a good air rifle, the experienced will buy them, throw this cheap scope into the back of the drawer, buy a decent scope and move on. This is for the newbies who have yet to realize that this inexpensive “bundle” is inexpensive because the “bundle” is not worth owning.
It is our own fault that companies such as Umarex and others supply cheap scopes with these air rifles. We buy them. By our purchasing their products, we justify what their marketing personnel have been saying and approve of what they are producing. This is the main reason I will not buy new airguns that can be “fixed up” to be nice airguns. I will not help support the companies that are doing this type of marketing and manufacturing.
Some companies understand this, some do not. Some companies will not release a new product until it is “right”. These are the ones that I like to do business with.
Once again, back to the scope. Companies that do it “right” very, very rarely “bundle” a scope with their air rifles. They know better. If they happen to do such, it is usually a nice scope with their name on it and they will stand behind that name.
You will now be returned to your regularly scheduled program.
RR
Nice rant 🙂 When I purchased my Diana RWS 34P back in 2013, it came with a nice Hawke 3-9x50AO scope with an illuminated etched glass reticle. I knew this was a good scope and in this case the bundle was very good. But that is the exception rather than the rule. I believe that Hawke scope retailed for $189 at the time.
My Gamo Urban PCP has no fixed sights either, but fortunately they didn’t bundle a junk scope on it. I bought a nice UTG 3-12x44SWAT Compact scope with an illuminated etched glass reticle. Makes a very nice bundle 😉
Geo
Geo,
I can sure run off at the mouth sometimes, can’t I? 😉
NICE bundle! Your bundle with the 34 and the Hawke was a dealer bundle and not a manufacturer bundle. These are offered all the time by dealers and can be a good way to get a decent bundle at a decent price, if you know what you are looking at.
I myself took advantage of a dealer bundle a couple of years back. An airgun dealer located in the SW had put together a bundle I could not refuse. They had a stock of Webley Tomahawks they could not sell. These air rifles were made by Hatsan. They had nice Quatro triggers and real nice walnut stocks. PA had them listed at $280.
The reason no one would buy them is the poor quality control. Webley had beat down Hatsan so much on the price that there was no real quality control. It was so bad that people would buy them and send them right back without even shooting them.
The one I ended up with had burrs along the top, back of the barrel block and the fingers of the receiver block are of different widths and thicknesses. This indicates the slot for the barrel block in the receiver block is offset to one side, not centered. If I had paid full retail, I would have sent it back without shooting it also.
The company I bought mine from had a “get rid of this stuff” sale of their stock of these for $100 each. For an additional $35 they would bundle it with an Hawke 2-7X32 AO IR etched glass reticle scope and mounts that retailed at $105. Basically, I bought the air rifle for $30. The stock is worth more than the entire price. The newest model of this scope sells for $145 at PA. I can tinker with this air rifle all I want and not lose any money.
Leapers makes a decent scope. I have a few of them myself, including the one you mentioned. That low powered Hawke spoils me though. I have been slowly digressing to my youth and moving toward lower powered scopes. In these hills clear, light, low powered optics just work better.
RR
You got it with the low power scopes.
GF1,
Really. Unless you are shooting FT or targets like BB is, a high power scope can actually be a hinderance. Like BB was saying about that Meopta and how hard it is to hold on target. Your heartbeat can move your shot one MOA. It can drive you nuts trying to hold the reticle on target. Also, it is awful hard to find those furry tailed tree rats up in the branches with a scope that is better suited to shooting target at 500 yards.
RR
I shoot target and plink and don’t need it.
Heck I put my Tasco red dot on my old Winchester 190 semi-auto .22 rimfire a while back. I was shooting spinners, target and plinking at some corn cobs I picked. The kernals and cob is real hard right now. Picked two of them and broke them in half and threw them out in the yard. We use to do that as kids. Great interactive targets. They explode nice when hit. Heck who needs scope. 😉
GF1,
Most of my shooting is done with these old gals here at RRHFWA. Unless you have a special mount made, there is no way to put scopes on these ladies.
Shooting sproingers with open sights can teach you a lot about shooting.
Might have to get me some corn cobs.
RR
Shooting (any) gun with open sights can teach you alot about shooting.
GF1,
Oh indeed. You do have to admit though that a sproinger is the most difficult rifle to shoot.
RR
As far as air guns go. Yep springers and nitro piston guns.
B.B.
Great review, thank you for a great series! I purchased a Synergis after reading Part 1 of your review. I’ve had it a couple weeks now and it’s starting to settle in. I did do some light polishing to the trigger and added some better lube. BTW, it’s all metal, no plastic parts in the trigger assembly! It was gritty and heavy when I started, but it’s much smoother and lighter now. It also made a huge difference in accuracy when you don’t have to fight the trigger. I’m still testing pellets to see which one it likes best, and I had not tried the JSB RS yet, so I will give those a try. So far I am happy with my purchase and I believe with time it will become a great shooting rifle!
Ptarnuzzer,
Thanks for your info. A heavy trigger, eh? Maybe mine was hand-picked.
That looks like a takeoff on an older BSA trigger design. They can work very well when they are sorted out.
B.B.
2 things an airgun scope MUST do:
Focus from 10-100 yards.
Have a reticle with holdover and under points.
It does not have to do them well, but it must be able to do them or they are completely unusable for me!
Rant over…
-Y
Yogi,
With you there,…. but would a newbie even know what those hold over/under points are for and how to use them?
Chris
B.B.,
Looks good. I think one will be included with my next order. Bummer on the scope, but for the price, I would expect it. I would try adjusting the front lens if it were mine. If it works, great. If not, no big loss. As I recall, the Center Point that came with the Maximus was ok. I remember thinking about leaving it on. Front AO as I recall, maybe not. It might even still be around. I did the front lens thing too with the uber cheap scope that came with the 880.
Good Day to you and to all,……. Chris
Chris
My first airgun was a Crosman Nitro Venom gas spring breakbarrel. It came with a Center Point 3-9×32 scope that had no adjustable objective lens. The front of the scope has a ring that easily unscrews which then reveals two slots on an inner ring. It only required a small adjustment to that ring to bring the focus sharp at 25 yards. It’s okay for a cheap scope. I didn’t know enough at that time about adjustable objective lens which are very much needed when used on airguns. This blog is a great source of information and learning that hopefully newbies find before making that first airgun purchase. It will save time and money, as well as much frustration. Been there, done that, and got the tee shirt 😉
Geo
Geo,
I tend to lean towards waiting for a Gen II of ((anything)). If,… there is none,…. then 1) The performance was really bad. 2) It was promoted poorly 3) ?,… fill in the blank(s). 😉
Even the iconic Red Wolf was upped very soon after with the Red Wolf Safari line. (20% more power with different electronics)
I am no need of ordering as this Summer has used very little air gun resources. So,… I will continue to watch this one. If it sticks around,… or there is a Gen. II,… it is 99% sure that it will be on my next order. It seems well worth the price. My only complaint that it is a bit on the heavy side. Good,… meaning that there some real metal in it. Bad,…. in that the Maximus comes at 5# something un-scoped and is very pleasant to handle.
Chris
Chris,
LOL! You do not need to worry about a gen 2 with your Red Wolf. Companies like that do not release gen 1 to the public to see what is wrong with their design. Their stuff goes through rigorous testing and evaluations before the public even sees it. The Safari is not really a gen 2, it is a different model, or think of it as a sub-species such as a red wolf and a gray wolf. They are both wolves and can interbreed.
After shooting that Red Wolf for a while, you will not likely be content with the Maximus. You will likely want to upgrade this, that and the other thing. Now, the Regal XL may be your cup of tea. I am looking at one in .22 myself to go along with my HM1000X. 😉
Hi Chris
A little off topic but I know you have the Daystate Red Wolf and thought of you as I watched this video on Airgun Advisor. He’s shooting a golf ball at 208 yards with a .25 cal Red Wolf. It’s the Long Ranger Challenge”. Thought you might enjoy it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AONajS2SDzY&feature=em-uploademail
Geo
Geo,
Thank you,… as always. That poor guy really needs to work on his video skills. That is really pushing it. With enough practice and a lot of misses,… you can get pretty close. After that,… the conditions better be perfect and it is down to pure luck at that point.
Thanks again,.. Chris
Yeah, that wasn’t his finest video. I have watched some of his airgun review videos and he does a much better job on those.
Putting a useless scope on a rifle without sights should be punishable by bankruptcy.
I remember the total frustration I had trying to zero a 100 yard parallax scope on a pellet gun. I gave up and it was 25 years before I tried it again.
Think it is unfair to mislead and take advantage of customers that don’t know any better. Don’t they realize that if they turn off a customer to make a couple of extra pennies that they stand to lose the dollars that they could make in the future? Guess that the customers are partially to blame, if they don’t research the products they are going to buy they are bound to have unpleasant experiences.
Companies should know that whatever their advertising budget is, regardless of how much they spend on pretty packaging, they will never be able to compete with word of mouth and the internet. Within hours of the release of a product anybody with a cell phone can make a video and publish it to the WORLD! Whether that is a positive review or a negative review depends on the quality of what was packaged and how well it met with the purchasers expectations.
Happy Friday!
Hank
Hank,
If nobody is willing to pay for their junk, sooner or later it sinks in. This is why they go after the unwashed masses who have not learned yet. This is also how people who should know better end up with closets full of airguns, or whatever else they get excited about.
RR,
Yeah, hear you. I just get upset when companies prey on the innocents who don’t know any better. It may be legal but it is not (to me) ethically right to take advantage of anybody – a good deal is one that benefits both parties. Misleading someone to get their money is a SCAM.
I get excited about things but rarely impulse-buy. Every purchase is considered and major purchases are researched in detail.
Point in case. I hunt small game on a couple of the farms around here and they have nuisance pigeons the landowners would like to get rid of. I can get a couple then the rest become (rightfully) nervous and keep their distance. Consequently, I am in the market for a long range bench/sniper rifle. My current focus is on a 2nd generation .25 FX Crown (FX is not calling it 2nd Gen but there is a “new and improved” Crown available – the ones with the picatinny rail) with a slug barrel. From what I have researched, the Crown is good for CONSISTENT sub 1 inch groups out to almost 100 yards with pellets and quite a bit farther than that with slugs.
Impulse buy a Crown – no! Been looking at them for months, seriously researching them for weeks and will probably not purchase until next spring. …I also need the time to sell off a couple of assets to fund the project LOL!
Cheers!
Hank
FRET. FRET. FRET.
I like the review and your recommendation but the last four words are my biggest concern. “It’s worth the wait.”
I may like a certain brand of pizza and order my favorite toppings, but after waiting and waiting and waiting for it to arrive, I just decide to walk out and go to a different pizza parlor. If Umarex “waits” long enough, then another manufacturer may come out with a similar and actually available product. WITH A GOOD SCOPE!
With all the discussion about the low quality of the bundled scope, the next question is “what scope(s) does BB suggest and recommend for this nice airgun?” Considering that this is an under $200 airgun, it would be foolish to mount an $800 super-duper scope. Any thoughts on a nice airgun scope that can handle a gas piston rifle and not break after a few hundred rounds? What would be a reasonable scope for the purchaser to make a nice aftermarket “bundle”?
Bob,
I recommend any good (Leapers/UTG, Hawke, Centerpoint — etc) variable scope of 3-12 power. I think that would be ideal on this airgun. Want it more specific? I recommend this one:
/product/leapers-utg-3-12×40-ao-hunter-rifle-scope-ez-tap-illuminated-mil-dot?a=5194
You can use the rings that come with the rifle because this scope has a one-inch tube. However, It comes with Weaver rings that are probably better. It’s just over $100, so watch for the bargains.
No Bug Busters on this rifle because the eyepiece might be too far forward for you to see the entire image.
B.B.
B-I-L
I think this one is cheap enough and would look pretty cool on this gun. It even comes with its own sorta bundle, in a way. 😉
https://www.amazon.com/Rifle-Scope-Combo-C4-16x50EG-Holographic/dp/B01LFJLRI8/ref=sr_1_40?crid=2FK1VY9I7XF4J&dchild=1&keywords=scopes+for+air+rifles&qid=1570197747&sprefix=scopes%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-40
Half
Half,
HEY — It’s not April first!
My brother-in-law has been burned by Chinese scopes enough to know this is a joke, but some new guys may not spot it.
B.B.
BB,
Sorry if I mislead any Newbies, but I didn’t know how to make a “tongue-in-cheek” Emoji. I would also like to point out that you guys, new or old, should never take my advice. In general, I’m only allowed to comment here for comic relief.
Half
Half,
I wrote that remark just to alert the guys who don’t know the difference. I’m not upset. The joke was fine.
B.B.
Geeze, and I was just about to order one of these 🙁
Geo,
While I do not play golf,… but I think it would be real riot to pull out one of those mounted to a driver or even a putter. Of course,… talk it up a couple of weeks prior and give little hints along the way. And,.. pull it out from a cover or even a hinged case! 😉 The “guys” would be rolling in laughter and you be remembered for years to come. That would be a little glimpse into my sense of humor. 😉
Chris
Half,
LOL! How about you buy one of those things and write a review for us!
“Look everybody! It slices! It dices! It minces! It chops! It even purees!”
What is really amazing is that it is probably overpriced.
And, it guaranteed to take a hit from a “Sledge-o-Matic”.
Geo,
That would probably be it’s highlight.
The air gun video community has been under severe restrictions from YouTube and not too long ago we came very close to losing the channels that review airgun products and promote our sport.
Just wanted to mention that there is a new server dedicated air guns that has recently been launched that is being well supported by the people we know. I have been surfing the server and find that it is nice to have all the channels I frequent collected together and not to be bothered with totally irrelevant YouTube “Recommended for You” suggestions.
If you watch airgun videos you might want to visit Airgun101 ( https://airgun101.com/index.php ), check it out and consider subscribing (its free) to show your support. PyramydAir is already there!
Hank
Hank,..
I just suggested that idea to Geo a short while back. I saved the link and look forwards to checking it out. I need something like that as I do have the time to search around.
Thanks,…. Chris
Yup…good idea. I have it bookmarked, as I do several other airgun sites. At least with airgun101.com, if YouTube screws with airgun videos and reviewers, there will be a good option in place thanks to Giles, who initiated this site.
Geo,
That I did not know. That is good. I just love watching him and his sense of humor. Even though there may be a better review on something (or not),…. he has to be my favorite to watch!
Chris
Correction: “…. do (not) have the time to search around”.
B.B.,
I really like the Synergis, even though as a strictly paper-puncher and plinker I’m not likely to ever end up with one. But somethng you wrote really stood out to me: “Accuracy for a repeating spring rifle.” No matter how good and accurate they are, these repeating springers are always at least a little less accurate than some single-shots at the same price point.
I have to think that if I were in the market for one of these, I would do what youth coaches of BB gun competitors would do in the days before the Avanti 499. You have written about how they would buy a bunch of shot tubes for the Daisy Model 99, find the couple that were most accurate, and then return the rest to Daisy. So, buy a Synergis along with many additional magazines. Then quickly find the one or two magazines that are most accurate and return the rest.
I call that consumer-performed quality control. :^)
Michael
No matter how much I think I like it. I keep finding myself not liking it. The gas spring instead of a conventional spring is a big turn off to me.
My big thing right now is I want to see what happens when more people start owning them. No more Tr5 syndrome for me.
Looking for some kind of good track record first. I watched how the Gauntlets was doing before I got mine. Kind of where I’m at with the Synergis.
Good strategy, and one that I will always use after my experiences with airguns. I have found the written reviews to be somewhat misleading on some web sites. I prefer the YouTube reviews done by credible reviewer such as AEAC and Airgunweb.
Geo
Yep that’s what I did with the Gauntlet. Watched video reviews of reppable people and even people I never heard of. I wanted to look at different people to see what was matching up and what wasn’t.
OK folks, here is my two cents worth concerning the Umarex Synergis.
1) This is the first Umarex air rifle I have given serious consideration to owning. With the others there have been one or more “features” that I could not deal with, mostly the trigger and safety.
2) This air rifle design is based on the Air Arms TX200 with the underlever, sliding compression chamber, centered barrel, etc. Hatsan made their version of it with the Dominator and Dominator Carbine. They were not quite there, but they could be upgraded to where they were almost there.
3) This air rifle has a multi-shot magazine that is probably the best of the bunch, sproinger wise. K.I.S.S. It will end up biting you if you do not. To be fair, the Gamo is pretty good if for no other reason that should it start messing up while in the field, it can be removed and the air rifle will still function well as a normal single shot break barrel sproinger. Think Gamo Hornet Maxxim. This one would be very hard to load as a single shot.
4) The power of this air rifle is low enough that it can be quite accurate. As your power goes up with a sproinger, your potential accuracy goes down. It is the nature of the beast. There are laws of physics that cannot be ignored. If you do not believe me just look throughout this blog or ask BB about his R1. I myself have attempted to ignore reality throughout the years, but have been forced by such to see the truth.
There are a few air rifles out there that seem to be exceptions to this, but the truth is a lot of engineering has gone into compensating here and there to achieve the results that such have. A prime example is the ASP20. It is a top shelf sproinger along with the TX200. Neither is cheap. You ARE going to pay for the engineering and manufacturing costs.
No, this is not a TX200 Mk3. Neither is the price tag.
RR,
Well,… you are in “top form” on posting a comment! Well done!
I agree with all of your points. On “form”/”style”,…..
1) What is up with that clunky looking lever release? The muzzle end should be sleek and flowing in line.
2) I am a fan of a more vertical grip. Just me.
3) I am also a fan of a cheek riser. Have one,.. adjust one,.. use one,.. and you would be a fan too.
4) Magazines? There is always the chance that they could be an issue. That is the price (risk) you pay for convenience.
Other than that,…. I like it a lot and it seems well worth the admission price.
Chris
RR,
Well,… you are in “top form” on posting a comment! 😉 Well done!
I agree with all of your points. On “form”/”style”,…..
1) What is up with that clunky looking lever release? The muzzle end should be sleek and flowing in line.
2) I am a fan of a more vertical grip. Just me.
3) I am also a fan of a cheek riser. Have one,.. adjust one,.. use one,.. and you would be a fan too.
4) Magazines? There is always the chance that they could be an issue. That is the price (risk) you pay for convenience.
Other than that,…. I like it a lot and it seems well worth the admission price.
Chris
Chris,
This is all just me but, I do like the stock shape. I guess with my “long” face a riser has never been much of an issue/use of mine. Having once owned a Gamo CFX, it is kind of nice they used the latching mechanism also as a convenient handle. The magazine…as you say, the price of admission.
I would like the opportunity to play with one. As for it becoming a permanent resident, I doubt it.
RR,
Have you ever had a rifle that has had an (adjustable) cheek riser? Sure,.. anyone can adapt to a low comb area like this one has. Even better,… a raised one like the TX200, for example. Still,… both will not adapt (perfectly) to every body type and face type.
My first experience with one was when I got the .25 M-rod and got an RAI stock for it. It came with a non adjustable UTG typical AR stock. Having LOP adjustment was great,…. but I just “knew” that an (adjustable) riser would be better and a welcome addition. When I got a FAB Defense butt with adjustable riser and tried it,…. I immediately knew I was right a 1000%. With the RAI adapter, the center line of the butt can be offset from the center line of the rifle. Again,…. another custom fit option.
“They” say,… that having a repeatable cheek weld is key when using scopes, not to mention the (overall pressure) applied to the butt/rear stock/comb area and how (not) varying that pressure (there or else ware on the stock) is key to great accuracy.
Weld?,…. what does that mean to you? (Somewhere) on the face/neck area? Sure,… that is what it is and everyone will do it differently. I like to be a bit more positive than,.. “somewhere”.
2 things,…. 1) perfect riser height and 2) perfect LOP will allow quick and easy repeatability/sight acquisition. I am talking (cheek bone), not some non descript area on the head/face.
The Red Wolf is a simple 2 post up and down. Works great. B.B.’s new AA 510 goes one (2?)better in that the riser piece can also swivel/pivot (on what I assume is a ball?). That is great in that it allows some vertical axis tilt,… but also front to rear axis offset. (remember he said that it looked odd,… but,.. that it fit his head/face perfectly?)
That is my humble “2 cents” on the matter of an adjustable riser. And like I said before,… have one, adjust one, use one,.. and you will want that feature from then on out, if you can have it.
Maybe B.B. will elaborate on them more with the next 510 installment or a separate blog? Maybe Shootski or others will weigh in on adjustable risers?
Chris
Chris
Pistols with scopes don’t use cheek weld.
How important is cheek weld?
I say it’s more about the hold you put on a gun. Remember that time I placed my eye off center at various positions and still shot good groups.
GF1,
I can not speak to pistols with scopes. I do remember you conducting various tests in the past with moving your head around. Regardless,… I will take an adjustable riser any day of the week.
Chris
Chris,
With close to sixty years of shooting, I have never used an adjustable cheek rest. Until recently these were found only on competition rifles, not hunters. They would just be something else to add weight to the rifle and snag on the brush as you are trying to slip through the woods.
I am not saying there is anything wrong with using them, it is just that I never have and am not sure I want to start now. Everybody tells me I need to put a fairing, saddle bags and luggage racks all over my Harley. I ask them why? Everybody tells me I need to get a “smart” phone. Once again I ask why?
Another reason is I may like it. Now what? Buy a new stock for my HM1000X? Restock my 1906 BSA? I don’t think so. I think this is one of those times where “ignorance is bliss”.
RR,
In that case,… you are right,…. do not even go near one! 🙂 LOL We are more alike than different.
Chris
Chris
I shot many guns that didn’t have adjustable combs. Had no problems. Matter of fact something had to be pretty wrong for it not to work out.
An adjustable comb is a comfort thing to me. If it’s got it great. If not no big deal.
Guess I grew up shooting when we didn’t think about the (luxery’s) of shooting could be had. I survived. 😉