by B.B. Pelletier
I’m sure many of you long-time readers remember back when I did the CF-X “test” before actually shooting the rifle. That was back in January 2006. A month and a half later, I actually tested the rifle and discovered that a few of my assumption were off the mark. The rifle surprised me by being better than any Gamo rifle I had ever shot.
That should have prepared me for Mendoza, but I have to admit – I never saw this one coming! Several readers have commented that they don’t find their Mendozas to be all they expected, and the forums are similarly split as to whether these rifles are good or bad. Therefore, I was prepared for the worst, and I have refused to comment on the rifle until testing them. However, I have mentioned several times the bad things other shooters have said about them.
Now, I take it all back! Either Mendoza has changed their quality greatlyn or those shooters all got lemons! The rifles I’m now examining are beautiful! Today, I want to walk you around the RM-200 – a rifle Mendoza says is for young adults, but which I think all adult shooters will enjoy. This is a carbine-sized airgun with a length of 41″, a weight of 6.6 lbs and a pull of 13.5″. It’s sized for an adult, but it’s compact. It puts me in mind of the wonderful Beeman Webley C1 carbine!
Even better than the compact size is the caliber. This is a .22! It’s supposed to spit out pellets at 600 f.p.s., but the rifle I’m testing is over-lubricated at the moment, so the velocity is varying from a low of 550 to a high of 707 with Crosman Premiers. RWS Hobbys range from 522 to 1028, but the bulk of them hover around 750-850.
It’s going to take some shooting to get rid of the excess chamber lube, but I expect the gun to settle down pretty close to the published velocity after that. We’ll see.
Fit and finish
Remarkable at twice the price! The blued steel parts are nicely polished. The wood stock is nicely fitted to the action, but the contour will seem a little strange to most shooters. The pistol grip region is taller and less deeply sculpted than other rifles – resulting in a stronger wrist. They made the wood thin through the cross section at this point, but the grip still fills your hand and makes the rifle feel substantial. The Beeman Webley C1 stock was similar, but they did it with a thick wrist.
The end cap is plastic, but every other black piece on the outside of the gun is steel with the exception of one of the two trigger blades. I believe that one is aluminum. The end cap is also a perfect scope stop, so no need to buy one of those. Just butt the rear ring against the end cap, and it will stay put.
The end cap is also a scope stop. Butt the rear ring against the end cap, and it can’t go anywhere. The safety is ambidextrous.
Two trigger blades?
Yes, there are two trigger blades! But only one trigger. Now, how is that possible? Well, this is the strangest trigger I’ve ever seen. The two blades are set side-by-side, but the blade on the right (the aluminum one?) is slightly ahead of the one on the left. When the rifle is cocked, it moves further ahead of the other one. The forward blade is responsible for the first stage of the trigger pull and the rear blade is the second stage. I tried just squeezing the rear blade and nothing happened, so this design is a safety feature. The first stage must be pulled for the second stage to work.
Front trigger blade is the first stage. When it gets even with the rear blade, the second stage kicks in. Unusual design, but safer than a single-bladed trigger because a slight pull will not fire the rifle. It looks like the front trigger is longer than the rear, but they align when the front one swings back.
Trigger-pull
I’m still getting used to the feel of puling two thin blades instead of one thicker one. I can’t say I like the feel of this trigger, yet, but I don’t dislike it. It’s just very different. However, stages one and two are differentiated. The rifle I’m testing has a 1-lb. first stage and goes off with 3 lbs., 6 oz. of pull. The trigger is not adjustable, but it’s light enough and crisp enough to do the job.
Tomorrow, I’ll cover the rest of the physical parts of the rifle for you.
B.B.–it appears the trigger set up copies the double trigger that appeared on the older black powder rifles. Mine was in a kit form from cva and you had to pull the 1st trigger to set the second in order to fire.–Going on to other matters the space station was a little far fetched. Heck women get to go away to spa’s for a couple of day’s why can’t a shooting spa be set up for the guy’s. Another point-I ordered the compact leapers scope with the side wheel–my gun is the rws 350–there wasn’t enough distance for proper eye relief–adding this in so noone else makes the same mistake-I have since ordered the full size model. That side wheel for adjusting for paralex is greater than sliced bread-once you use it you’ll never want to be without it again-Scott
Hello B.B.,
Good to hear about one of the Mendoza offerings. This brand has been on my list of considerations. If you get a chance, would love to hear your thoughts on the RM-2003. Like the idea of having .177 and .22 barrels that can be quickly interchanged without tools. Its a shame they don’t take the time to checker the pistol grip and/or forearm or their models.
Thanks for your time.
My one experience with a Mendoza wasn’t good. Bought the rifle and the spring was no good. Rifles were still available at Cabela’s so it was pretty current model but when I called Mendoza there were no parts available. That’s poor customer support if you ask me. The fit and finish was nice on it, however, if the thing doesn’t work and there aren’t any parts available within two years of manufacture, what good is it. Fortunately Cabela’s has a liberal return policy so I exchanged it and added a bit of cash to get an RWS 34.
On a Mendoza related topic, any idea when the Mendoza peep sight will be available and what the cost will be?
This is more like it. Reporting on GUNS. Guns that are not PCP’s. Antiques, new, don’t matter. Just stick to guns, please.
Hi B.B.,
Does an over-oiled chamber usually result in velocity variations that great? I just changed the spring and piston seal and my accuracy seems to have gotten a little flaky, and have not yet taken enough shots to clean all the oil out. I know that I over-oiled during reassembly rather than risk damaging the new seal. Maybe a mistake?? I’ll set the chrony up tonight and see what the numbers look like.
Thanks again to you and Pyramyd for providing this great resource.
Pestbgone
B.B.
This question is off subject.
Going to buy new reifle but torn between 392 and Silver Streak. Want rifle to shoot and enjoy but also want one that I can leave to my grandchild in twenty years that is still desirable. Your ideas, please.
Thank you very much
Bill D,
The silver streak and the 392 are the same gun just in a different caliber and one is silver.
They are the same quality.
I got the 392 (.22) because I know I can get them easily compared to .20.
Another option if you still want .20 but dont like the silver finish is the blue streak, which like its name suggests, is gun blued type color (black..).
Do we have to change to the google login to keep using our blogger name? I just lost my comment because of that signup change! It doesn’t give you an option to skip it!
I also chose the 392 because there are more .22 cal. pellets to choose from than .20 cal.
Anonymous said…”Do we have to change to the google login to keep using our blogger name? I just lost my comment because of that signup change! It doesn’t give you an option to skip it!”
—
I’m not sure I understand your question, but may be this will help.
As I understand it, the “Word Verification” process was added to prevent posting access by automated posting programs… ‘spam-bots’ or whatever. That ‘word’ must be entered correctly.
When I take too long to compose a comment the verification ‘word’ seem to expire. When I ‘send’ my comments it’s not sent. I end up with my comments intact, but the login info. is wiped clear, and I’m presented with a new verification ‘word.’
I simply re-enter my login info., enter the new verification ‘word,’ and send my comments a second time. That works for me.
I hope this helps with the issue you’re having. If not, may be B.B. or someone else understands the issue you’re having.
Cheers,
GH
I thought someone may find this interesting. The blog comment window may need to be widened to see the entire URL.
/model-schematic/m/mendoza-rm-200/980
Cheers,
GH
to gadgethead:
Ok, so I feel dumb. I pasted the URL and viewed the schematic, no problem, cool. But I couldn’t find it cold from the Pyramyd home page. What did you click to drill down to the schematic? That makes me think that there is a lot of reference info on the pyramyd site that I’m not even aware of!
Thanks,
pestbgone
GadgetHead,
No, I am getting a “Get started with the new Blogger” screen. It wants me to change over to use a Google account.
B.B.
Since I was a noob when I tried an RM-2000 (posts under /blog/2006/6/rws-850-airmagnum-part-3/), I am very curious about the RM-200.
Here are some questions.
1) How bad is the vibration?
2) How are the accuracy and velocity after it settles down?
3) How does it do with Mendoza solid skirt, hollow point pellets versus other pellets?
4) It looks like the rivet holding the plastic scope stop might cause the scope stop to crack after a while. Does it look like that to you?
5) Is it only possible to have the safety on after it is cocked?
Thanks,
.22 multi-shot
Sorry guys, I own 2 392LE’s and 15 Blue/ Silver Streaks. I really like the Benji’s but as you prolly guessed LOVE the Sheridans & can’t stop collecting them. All of my Streaks were made before 1976 and the ols .20’s are all aspirin busters with open and peeps. I can’t say anything bad about the 392 exept it just doesn’t ‘do it’ for me like a Streak….MarylandSteve
Thanks for the info on the upcoming Umarex/Hammerli “1250 Dominator” Chris!
SEE
http://www.umarex.com/index.php?id=products&L=en&haupt_id=1&unter_id=3&variante_id=465.00.70&cHash=8b81ae8471
At first glace I don’t particularly like the look of the Dominator. It looks like they went for an inexpensive conversion with that gap between the air cylinder and barrel. However it might be easy to improve the look with some kind of spacer.
I like the output energy! Given the joule output, it looks like 1250 probably indicates the rated velocity for .177. They must have modified the valve to get there.
I am very curious what the price will be ($320 or more)?
.22 multi-shot
Duh, 360 m/s is approximately 1250 f/s. LOL!
.22 multi-shot
BB – can you recommend a scope and mount for this rifle?
If I am remembering correctly in a prior post you recomended using JB Bore compound with a brass brush, for steel barrels. I just wanted to check with you on this, because it seems at times I have heard people warn against regular brash brushes for airguns. Am I remembereing your advice correctly? Thanks.
Brass brushes are fine for steel barrels. Just don’t use them on brass barrels. But JB Bore Compound shoun’t be used on brass barrels, either
B.B.
Scope,
For a rifle with these specifications you want a low-powered scope. A Bug Buster or a fixed-power scope would be ideal. Use 2-piece rings with a Bug Buster.
B.B.
Bill,
More .22 pellets than .20s is my answer.
B.B.
Bob,
I expect the peep sight in another month or so.
B.B.
Yes, but they only had like 16 airguns on their site. I would still prefer Pyramid’s customer service and selection over saving a couple dollars. You’re the kind of person who doesn’t tip extra for good service, aren’t you?
Anyway, BB, great article on the Medoza rifle. I bought one back when Pyramid just started carrying it, and really love it. Even my wife, who airguns a little bit, loves shooting it, and takes it from me everytime I pull it out. I know when you test the accuracy, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. We shoot it with open sights, and it’s great. Looking forward to the closing statement.
P.S. Thanks again for the Big Bore help. It is working fine with the right probe.
Jimmy K.
Jimmy,
I sure have heard from a lot of readers on the Mendozas. I was planning on doing another report tomorrow, but a more pressing issue made me postpone it until next week.
B.B.
Pestbgone said… “…What did you click to drill down to the schematic? That makes me think that there is a lot of reference info on the pyramyd site that I’m not even aware of!”
LOL! Just dumb luck on my part, Pestbgone. After reading BB’s blog, I was wondering if the two triggers Mendoza uses on their products could be considered a new innovation. You know, something truly new and exciting in the airgun industry.
I performed a Google search, from the Google site, on “double trigger airgun” and got a hit with this in it… “www.airgun-express.com/mendoza_schematics/mendozarm-600.asp” which led to my finding this web page… “/schematics/index.asp” for which I also have not found a direct link, on the Pyramyd Airgun Mall (PAM) web site.
You’re right. I’ve discovered interesting/helpful web pages on PAM’s web site that have no direct links, from the PAM web site. I suspect some of these ordinarily inaccessible web pages are due to the slow-going process of ‘moving’ Airgun Express web pages to PAM’s web site.
I first noticed this phenomenon while reading blogs from the Pyramyd AIR Report archives… blog article’s hypertext links to discontinued products on the PAM web site product pages.
As I understand it, the “Double-Set Trigger” is mostly only found on vintage competition target airguns. IMHO, the two triggers on Mendoza products isn’t that kind of trigger mechanism. I suspect that’s why B.B. carefully refers to the Mendoza trigger mechanism as “two triggers,” because the foremost trigger appears to be a safety device.
So, that’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it. 😀
Cheers,
GH
Anonymous said… “GadgetHead, No, I am getting a “Get started with the new Blogger” screen. It wants me to change over to use a Google account.”
OK, sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. Now I understand the problem you’re having, but unfortunately I don’t know anything about that issue.
I’m not much of a ‘joiner’ and don’t Blog much, so I never bothered with registration for a Blogger account. I have a Google account, but for personal security reasons only use it on the Google web site.
‘Here,’ I just use the “Other” choice, and have my browser set up to ‘remember’ web form entries.
Cheers,
GH
GadgetHead said…
“LOL! Just dumb luck on my part.”
Well, Gadgethead, I think it’s probably more like experienced luck. Thanks for the feedback. I guess Google had that link cached from a previous time when it was active, but there is currently no direct link for it on the Pyramyd site. Website maintenace and updating is very time consuming (my wife does that another site), and linking those schematics, etc, to the current site are probably low on somebody’s packed priority list. Guess we’ll just have to rely on our “dumb luck” for some things. LOL
Pestbgone
GH,
You said, “Now I understand the problem you’re having, but unfortunately I don’t know anything about that issue.”
Thank you for trying!
Pestbgone,
Yes, PAM’s web site crew have a big job to do. I think they’re doing a great job.
Your wife, and others like her, probably don’t receive nearly enough praise for the tedious, time consuming jobs they do.
Cheers,
GH
anonymous said… “… Thanks for trying!”
—
You’re welcome. May be a forum or FAQ at the Blogger web site that is helpful…
https://www2.blogger.com/start
I notice the web site uses a Google “G” favicon, in their URL. I thought it used to be a Blogger “B” favicon, but I may be mistaken. Also, I notice in the top right corner of Blogger’s web page is the message, “Haven’t switched to a Google Account? Sign in to old Blogger.”
May be ‘they’ do require users to register for a new account, to use the most recent version of Blogger software.
Good luck!
Cheers,
GH
Thanks GH,
It does look like I have to convert to a Google Account if I want to continue using my blogger account.