Walther Talon Magnum with Nitro Piston

Walther barrel quality, power, quattro trigger. I've shot 1000's of rounds out of this air rifle and it has become my favorite go-to of all time (I don't shoot any pre-charged, only pump air rifles). It is high enough quality, the right weight, and ammo is so cheap that it has been invaluable at refining my shooting skills for all types of firearms. I can shoot for hours a day and air rifles are generally so demanding of proper technique that the Walther Talon Magnum with a nitro piston is a great training tool for any shooter. The trigger pull, breathing and holds that I developed with the Walther Talon Magnum have amazed friends and onlookers when I go to the shooting range with other rifles. I've been accused of not shooting all of the required rounds in competition (because so many went through the same hole) and I've even out shot people the first time I've picked up THEIR rifle. The quality of the Walther Talon Magnum allowed me to develop these skills.

The detent should be improved that locks the barrel into place after cocking. Otherwise, the barrel will not settle into the same orientation relative to a receiver mounted scope. The barrel will be pointed somewhere else after the shot, due to the harsh recoil, even with a nitro piston. I proved the importance of settling the barrel by analyzing hundreds of test shots with a barrel mounted laser, co-witnessed with a good quality scope. It can move if you walk around or change positions/holds after cocking so you need to settle the barrel by pushing it up firmly before I take a shot. Otherwise, variance created by the barrel detent is the weak link that can negate the full value of the top notch trigger and Walther barrel. You are fine if you understand this and adopt a good cocking routine. I think a gunsmith can correct this. Good luck getting Umarex parts.

Kodiak copper 21grain is definitely the best I've found for this rifle, when inserted to consistent depth in the breech using a pellet pen or similar tool. The weight of the heavy pellet ensures knock down power while keeping the velocity subsonic for accuracy. Subsonic is paramount for accuracy. I've polished the trigger sears to a mirror finish and used a premium grease/lubricant to get the best from the Quattro trigger group. This has a very good benefit in your groups because air rifles are so sensitive to hold and trigger technique. At the muzzle velocities of a pump air rifle (even THIS one) the pellet is still in the barrel when recoil, hold and trigger technique can affect trajectory. I embedded a custom recoil arrester in the stock, using urethane foam and mounted a laser on the barrel that doubles as barrel break to control barrel whip. These mods improved my groups at 75-100yds and will shoot the heart out of a sparrow at 75yds from a bench rest every time.

solid sturdy

the scope was poor quality

this air rifle is very hold sensitive to achieve accuracy

Barrel quality is excellent. So is the Quattro trigger. The trigger adjustments give a good range of adjustability in both stages. Hard to find these features in a air rifle in this price range. Hits very hard! Heavier pellets worked best for me. Accuracy at75 yds is amazing when i follow a few steps I've developed for loading and sighting. .

The second stage pull is still just a hair strong for my personal taste. I wish they would either drop the scope or just put a nice one on the rifle. This is a complaint against most of the package air rifles out there that I've bought. The included sights are excellent, though.

I've tested several types of pellets using a combo of a barrel mounted green laser and a Leapers scope. Some pellets are a tighter fit than others and may sit just proud of the receiver when you close the breech. The pellets can get pinched and you will have no accuracy. Use a pellet pen or similar device to seat pellets at EXACTLY the same depth into the barrel and you will be nicely rewarded with consistent range. The break barrel does not "click" into the exact same position each time it's cocked. I learned that I need to push it upward and settle the barrel into position to get the barrel mounted laser and scope to line up. Otherwise accuracy sucks, even with the excellent barrel. If you do this the same each time you can get very nice groups at 75 yards! The nitro piston is outstanding after 1000 rounds. The precision of the break barrel pivot is good but it's still the #1 weakness in this otherwise incredible rifle. As it is, it is still excellent and maybe a couple of gun smith tweaks away from being the only air rifle I'll ever want to shoot again. My best results so far have been with RWS domed 14.5g, seated with the skirts at 1.5mm depth inside the barrel, using artillery hold. At night, the pellets always hit the laser (again, which is BARREL mounted) at 30 yds. At 75 yards the air temperature and air movement need more compensation. The rifle blasts through 1/2 inch plywood with ease. Hard to cock unless you put the butt against the ground.