Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2021 i Airgun Shooter

From the St Valentine’s Day Massacre to the sands of Iwo Jima, the Thompson submachine gun has become one of the most recognisable firearms in the world, and two versions of this seminal shooter are now available from Umarex. The gun seen here is the M1A1 Legendary Black, which has a slightly distressed battlefield finish, but shooters wanting more bling for their buck can choose the Legendary Gold version instead. Both models are CO2-powered BB-firing blowbacks, while the vast majority of powder-burning Thompsons were chambered in .45 ACP, although some were converted to fire 10mm Auto for use with the FBI. Civilian and law enforcement versions of the Thompson could accept 20- or 30-round stick magazines, or 50- or 100-round drum magazines of the type usually associated with the mobsters…

“A gold star for you, Jim,” said the marshal, “just for turning up. Grab yourself a bench, before they float away.” I gazed out over the range. It had never looked less inviting. The rain was hammering down, as it had been for the previous 12 hours. The metal targets dripped forlornly and some optimistically pinned-out paper benchrest sheets were dissolving and disintegrating before even a shot was fired. On one side of the range was a puddle so large it had a seagull on it. It was nearly nine on a Saturday morning and I was there for my hour-long pre-booked slot. Waking up 90 minutes earlier to hear the rain splattering against the window, I’d been tempted to go back to sleep. But I realised that if the…

Optics HAWKE SIDEWINDER 30 SF 4.5-14X44 Rifle scopes are being packed with more features to meet the increasing demands of the modern air rifle shooter, typefied by Hawke’s brand new Sidewinder 30 SF 4.5-14x44. This precision scope is perfect for multiple shooting disciplines as it’s parallax-free from nine metres to infinity, assisted by an index-matched rangefinding sidewheel. It has locking turrets with 1⁄10 milliradian clicks, plus a witness window giving you an instant visual guide to your elevation turret’s position. WWW.UK.HAWKEOPTICS.COM PAO F1 5-20X50 IR PA FIRST FOCAL PLANE RIFLE SCOPE The F1 5-20x50 IR PA First Focal Plane Rifle Scope from Professional Airgun Optics may have a long name, but it’s backed up by a long list of features including two-piece mounts, a sunshade and flip-up lens covers. This…

AIR ARMS DIABOLO FIELD Air Arms Diabolo Field are regarded as a ‘go to’ pellet for many airgun shooters, and that’s with good reason. Part of the attraction is the fact that this ammo will at least be good in pretty much any gun that you try it with, and will truly excel in some others. With a name like Diabolo Field, this pellet is clearly geared towards the airgun hunters among us, but our test results prove that it’s versatile enough to be taken to the range as well. WWW.AIR-ARMS.CO.UK PREDATOR POLYMAG SHORTS US firm Predator International commissions some of its pellets from JSB, but Polymags are quite different to the Czech manufacturer’s regular airgun ammo, as these pellets combine a hollow head with a pointed polymer tip. Polymag…

KWC M1911 A1 TAC Colt’s iconic M1911 has been around for well over a century, and while plenty of firms around the world are making powder-burning versions of this American classic, KWC’s M1911 A1 Tac brings the design bang up to date when it comes to CO2-powered BB-firing blowbacks. The A1 Tac is a full metal design with an aggressive grip pattern that’s been made out of ABS. It also has an under rail system for lasers and torches. WWW.JUSTAIRGUNS.CO.UK SIG SAUER P365 SIG Sauer’s P365 is a CO2-powered BB-firing blowback that’s based on the company’s 9mm powder-burner. It’s truly tiny, with an overall length of just 146mm (5.75”), but somehow still manages to pack in a detachable 12-round magazine. Being such a small gun for a blowback action it’s…

I know several shooters who’ve tried lead-free pellets, only to find their performance lacklustre. But I recently tested Field Target Trophy Green in .177 from German firm H&N and found myself surprised by their performance, so thought it only fair to try another lead-free pellet from the same stable, this time the Baracuda Green in .22 calibre. Lead is still the preferred material for making both pellets and slugs as the mass and density of lead airgun projectiles tend to make them ballistically superior to those made from other materials. However, while we are still free to shoot lead pellets at the moment, it’s useful to at least know what’s out there. H&N describes the Baracuda Green as a lead-free, lightweight, high-velocity pellet with maximum accuracy for competition and hunting,…

The BSA Cadet was a starter air rifle for so many airgun shooters from the end of the Second World War right through to the present day because so many of them survived in very good and usable condition. Whilst they were built on a simple design, they were treated to proper craftsmanship and solid materials. The Cadet first appeared towards the end of 1945 and continued in production through to 1962. The early models had a section of cross-grained wood inserted into the pistol grip to add strength, as seen on this example from 1946. The BSA logo embossed into the left-hand side of the stock was another feature of the first few years of Cadet production. The aesthetic lines are very pleasing and have a bit of art…

A picture of mountain hares in the Cairngorms took top prize at this year’s Julian Gardner Awards for nature and wildlife photography. Jenny Hibbert won the adult category with her photo of the hares, while 16-year-old Katy Read scooped the prize in the junior section with a close-up of a robin with its feathers fluffed up against the cold. The Julian Gardner Awards are run by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and are open to amateur photographers. Entries should relate to the GWCT’s research and advisory work, taking in all aspects of the UK countryside, including the people who live and work there as well as game animals, wildlife, their habitats and landscape. Jenny said of her photo: “It was taken in the Cairngorms in February at around…

LETTER OF THE MONTH BRAVO .20! I just wondered why we do not hear more of the .20 calibre? There is lots of debate about the benefits of .177 versus .22 and vice versa, but .20, which was once touted as the ideal calibre, is left on the sidelines. I know that guns can be bought in .20, but they are usually special order and the ammunition is not very readily available. I have always thought that I would like to try .20, but never have done and perhaps that is the same with most people. It means buying something different and if you don’t like it, you are stuck with it. John Strain, Tyne and Wear This is certainly a more specialist kind of calibre, and is one for…

0DB 110C AND 160S The 0dB (pronounced zero dee bee) range of silencers consists of two models, the 110C (110mm) and the longer 160S (160mm). Both are made from CNC-machined high-grade aluminium. The moderator tubes are ventilated and finished in a stainless steel mesh which helps reduce the noise of the shot. Both the 110C and 160S are available in a variety of colours. WWW.0DBSILENCERS.COM HUGGETT ASTILLE Huggett moderators have a reputation for being solidly built and near-silent, as well as being aesthetically bold and beautiful. The company has taken that reputation to dizzying new heights with the uniquely shaped Astille. Matt black anodised spacer rings sit either side of the main chamber, but brass, red, blue and silver spacers are optionally available. If its space-age looks aren’t enough to…

FX HYBRID SLUGS FX Hybrid Slugs are quite a bit different to a standard air rifle slug. While they have similar external dimensions to a slug with a high ballistic coefficient of a much heavier weight, they also have a completely hollow core and a deep recessed base, making them lighter. The Hybrids are designed to deliver a flatter trajectory with less wind drift, while benefiting from more retained energy and greater long-range accuracy than a regular pellet. WWW.SPORTSMANGUNCENTRE.CO.UK RANGEMASTER JUGGERNAUT A real heavyweight has joined Daystate’s line of airgun ammunition – the Rangemaster Juggernaut, in both .22 and .25 calibres. This hollowpoint solid-body projectile has been performance-tested both on the range and in the field. It’s been shot by Daystate’s Accuracy Research Team in both high-power Daystate and Brocock…

A&M CUSTOM GUNSMITHS A&M’s huge portfolio includes custom stocks, anodising and barrel work, and the firm also has a line of moderators of varying sizes and materials offering function as well as form. The original Twink, Marksman and Titch perform well, and as with other products in the A&M range, there’s a purposeful simplicity in their design. They’ve been joined by the Twink C, Nelix and the new Xtreme, meaning there really is something for everyone. WWW.AMCUSTOMGUNSMITHS.COM PRECISION RIFLE SYSTEMS Precision Rifle Systems, better known as PRS, works with some of the leading airgun manufacturers to develop high quality, CNC-machined rifle parts, such as adjustable butt hooks. PRS teamed up with Daystate to produce accessories for the Delta Wolf, including a forend accessory extension, butt hook designs and a cheekpiece…

I recently compiled a list of the guns that I currently use and why I chose them. Usually the main reason for purchasing a new gun, in my case anyway, is because we think it will either perform better than what we already own, or that it will in some way make it easier for us to enjoy laser-like accuracy when we take it to the range or into the field. Often, if the truth be known, we purchase a new gun just because we like the look of it, or that it might hold some type of mystical reputation for consistently being able to drop a pellet on top of a pinhead at sensible ranges, and sometimes further than that. Usually, at least in my case, these new purchases…

Handling an air pistol accurately can be tougher than shooting an air rifle. Some pistol shooters go for size, while others feel small is beautiful, so let’s open the matchbox and take a closer look inside. A heavy rifle absorbs movement and because a springer recoils, some airgunners like the dampening effect of weight. Some target shooters even add lead inside their stocks to tip the scales even more. Air pistols are different. Too ungainly and the pistol will not allow adequate grip. My old fantastic and powerful BSA Scorpion was a combat-style two hands and hold on job for sure. If it’s a springer, you then have the recoil factor. Follow through, or keeping on aim after the shot is released, can then be a chore. An air pistol…

When it comes to affordable starter combos, airgun shooters have never had it so good – we really are spoilt for choice. The Ruger Targis Hunter from Umarex is a great example of the sort of airgun setup you can pick up for sensible money. It certainly is the complete package, and apart from a full-power gas-ram airgun, you also get a zoom scope, two-piece mounts and a basic sling. Distributed in the UK by John Rothery Wholesale, it has a recommended retail price of just £299.95. FIRST IMPRESSIONS Although the Targis Hunter combo is affordable, my feeling is that it is geared towards adults rather than young shots. It measures 113cm from muzzle to butt, tips the scales at 3.4kg unscoped and has a 36cm length of pull. It’s…

East Devon Field Target Club held their first competition since the first lockdown, and though it had to be run according to government restrictions, it attracted plenty of shooters. The Max 80 FT Memorial Trophy was a day that offered decent weather, a perfect ground and good camaraderie amid like-minded shooters. The shoot consisted of two separate 40-target FT courses set out in the woods, and competitors had to shoot both, with the combined score counting towards the result. The competition consisted of FT, HFT and Open FT events, with the FT competition attracting an ex-world champion and a former European FT champion, as well as multiple South West champions. There was a wind in the woods, and this got stronger as the morning progressed, but the competition was still…

Smith & Wesson’s powder-burning M&P 9 M2.0 was created for the military and police market, hence the “M&P”, but it also attracts plenty of interest from civilian enthusiasts too, and airgun shooters have now been added to the list thanks to this fully licensed CO2-powered blowback from Umarex. This particular M&P 9 M2.0 fires 4.5mm steel BBs and uses a drop-out magazine with a capacity of 18 rounds, which also houses the 12g CO2 capsule. Like the original pistol, there’s a Picatinny rail for accessories such as a torch or laser, as well as the ability to change the backstrap to better fit hands of different shapes and sizes. A medium backstrap is included with the handgun, with a full set of three sizes available to purchase separately. Part of…

AIR ARMS ULTIMATE SPORTER R This air rifle is a solid performer and simply oozes quality, and the inclusion of a regulator in the Ultimate Sporter R brings another degree of refinement to an already brilliant airgun. The engineering and finish of the metalwork are flawless, and although the stock is ambidextrous, there’s plenty of potential to tweak it to achieve the perfect fit thanks to the adjustable cheekpiece and butt pad. WWW.AIR-ARMS.CO.UK COMETA LYNX SPR Cometa has extensive experience in the manufacture of spring-powered air rifles, and the Spanish gunmaker has put this experience to good use with the Lynx SPR, a regulated multi-shot PCP that’s been equipped with a cold hammer-forged barrel. One thing we really rate here at Airgun Shooter is gun fit, and the ambidextrous stock,…

ATN X-SIGHT 4K PRO 3-14X50 ATN’s X-Sight 4K Pro gets as close as a day/night scope can to being the best of both worlds without being a compromise on either. In daylight, the colour image is crisp and clear. In night mode, and with the IR torch switched on, it’s so good it’s almost cheating. While the X-Sight has been around for several years, this current version is a significant leap forward in terms of features, function and usability. WWW.HIGHLANDOUTDOORS.CO.UK PARD NV008P LRF Pard may be relatively new, but the NV008P has quickly established itself with airgun shooters. It’s a zero eye relief day/night digital scope that attaches to a Picatinny rail. It weighs 450g, including the integrated laser rangefinder, and measures 162mm long. And with all the features of…

With winter upon us and the nights drawing in, hunting for most means going out after dark. In my book, that’s a good thing. However, although many airgun species are more active at night, hunting them is likely to involve an investment in specialist gear. Last month we looked at some of the best infrared (IR) scopes on the market. In this issue we’re examining thermal scopes. Although prices are slowly coming down, it’s fair to say that in general, thermal technology demands deeper pockets. Many will argue that going thermal is unnecessary and that IR scopes are more than up to the task when it comes to airgun hunting. Having spent many hours with the products in last month’s test, I’d have to acknowledge there being some truth to…

Hawke recently refreshed its line-up of Sidewinder scopes, offering a series of brand new models. Any of these would appeal not just to air rifle shooters, but rimfire and centrefire shooters too as they are capable of taking on both short and long-range assignments – and anything in between. Several models are available in both First Focal Plane (FFP) and Second Focal Plane (SFP) formats, and the one I’m looking at here is the Sidewinder 30 FFP 4-16x50, which is equipped with a dedicated FFP reticle. The sidewinder is a type of snake that moves sideways, which is the fastest and most efficient way for it to travel. In terms of scopes, the Sidewinder has a side focus control, which is the fastest and most efficient way to adjust parallax.…

FOR SALE: Theoben Sirocco .22 with Bushnell scope. Excellent condition as little used. £400. No offers. Brian White (Suffolk). Tel: 01977 661671. FOR SALE: Weihrauch HW100 .22 rifle, 3x magazines, 1x single shot loading tray, Hawke Airmax 4x16x50 scope, 7 litre air bottle (in test), Harris bipod, sling and gun bag. All in very good condition. Email for photos. £675 ono. Anthony Griffiths (Hertfordshire). Tel: 07742 292208 or email atg.bushey@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: FAS AP 604 in .177 calibre. A quality target pistol from the 1980s, this has recently been rebuilt with new seals, and shoots very well despite its age. It comes with a period attache-style, foam-lined case and a spare set of seals. £275 ono. Collection in person preferred. Nigel Beesley (Norfolk). Tel: 07976 935884. FOR SALE: Vintage BSA…