by B.B. Pelletier
First, a thank you to BobC in NJ. The book arrived and Pyramyd brought it to me in Las Vegas. It looks very interesting and covers many guns I had no information on. I know it’ll occupy an important slot in my gun library. Thanks again!
AirForce Airguns…item #1
Okay, here is your first look at the 2008 SHOT Show. AirForce Airguns has determined that their valves and seals can operate with nitrogen, so they’re now authorizing fills with either air or nitrogen. They are aware that many shooters have access to nitrogen from paintball facilities as well as industrial gas suppliers, so they’ve taken this step to support those shooters. The regular air tanks are now okay to use with nitrogen fills, as well. No modifications are required. No gasses other than air or nitrogen may be used to fill these rifles.
AirForce Airguns…item #2
I saw the new Edge target rifle in the AirForce booth, and it appears to be nearly ready for production. AirForce will supply their own rear aperture sight, which should also be available as a separate item for those wanting something nicer than a budget sight but more economical than a costly European precision aperture sight.
AirForce also recognized Pyramyd Air as their Top Gun airgun dealer for 2007. AirForce owner John McCaslin presented an engraved award to Pyramyd owner Josh Ungier in the AirForce booth on Sunday.
Ruger air rifles
A lot of you have expressed interest in the new Ruger Air Hawk, and I saw it in the Umarex USA booth. I was quite impressed with the quality. The workmanship looks clean and sharp to me. The price should be very reasonable.
The Walther Falcon Hunter is a breakbarrel that’ll be available in both .22 and .25 calibers for under $300. I predict there’ll be a lot of interest in this one!
As you know, Umarex USA is also RWS USA, and they’re planning on introducing a modern version of the Diana 24 youth rifle…the Schutze. It’s a light, handy rifle that’ll appeal to adults as well. Though shown on the website, a few more details need to be ironed out before this one will be coming in. When it does, it should be a pip!
That’s all for now, though there is more to tell. I’ll get back to you at least one more time with the latest news from Las Vegas.
The Falcon Hunter looks nice.
Hope you’re having fun at the SHOT Show B.B. I wish I was there.
mech
B.B
Just a quick question about the Falcon Hunter.The cocking effert is only listed at 27 lbs,but the fps is nearly the same as the patriot in 25cal.How could 27lbs do what it takes the patriot 50lbs to do?
Jake,
The cocking effort of the Falcon Hunter will be in the 30-pound region. A longer stoke can increase power without increasing cocking effort, but let’s wait for the real numbers.
B.B.
Details! We want details about the Edge…
I find myself hoping Air Force goes with a low-pressure format. That would make it a fun gun…
Target gun? I bet they’ll go low pressure. I also bet on the Giants yesterday so rest assured.
BB,
It was my absolute pleasure to send you the book.Good reading, and enjoy the show. I am on cloud nine after my G-Men victory, plus it was A very good and exciting game.
BobC NJ
P.S. to Shorty: I would agree with that. It would seem that low pressure IS the way it’s going.
Congrats to Pyramid Air on their Top Gun award – they’re obviously doing their job well!
BB – I asked a while ago about a blog sometime for us new shooters about technique for shooting from a bench – I don’t think I missed it, but thought I would post a friendly reminder. I’ll look forward to it sometime after you finish whetting our appetite from the show!
seems to me using nitrogen is a no brainer being that that the air we breath is about 78% nitrogen
B.B.
Thanks for the update on the SHOT show, and I’m looking forward to hearing more about the Air Force Edge. Iguana it may be, but it looks very interesting. They aren’t selling it in that pink color on their website are they?
To all, I’d like to give some impressions of the B30, that arrived recently after much anticipation. When PA posted that quantities were limited, all resistance collapsed and I ordered it. It turns out that he sights on this bit of Chinese “clunk” are misaligned. With the windage all the way left, I’m about an inch to the right at 20 feet. And the vertical adjustment is such that I need to really grind my face into the stock to get a sight picture although I’m still fiddling with the vertical adjustment of the front sight. Has anyone had problems like this with the B30 or the RWS 48 which it is supposed to be copying? (squirrelkiller where are you?) The comb on the Monte Carlo stock seems pretty high, or maybe this is just a problem with sight alignment.
But what a great shooting gun this is. Even with my glasses misting, face ground into the stock, and adjusting to the trigger pull which seemed to initially be set at 10 pounds before I changed it, the rifle shot tight groups with numbers of pellets disappearing into the same hole (at 20 feet). And the duct seal was doing its thing, swallowing up those pellets with no problem. I’m going to exchange the rifle and hope for better luck with the sight alignment.
Matt61
What’s the best way to attatch a tri-rail to an AF Condor? Does the AF Tri rail Base allow for 11mm scope on top and 11mm on the sides or does it convert to 3/8 to attatch a leapers tri-rail scope mount. Will a leapers 3/8 tri-rail widen out enough for the condor?
PA used have a picture somewhere with one decked out with all the goodies. Perhaps you could post it and list the exact options used. It was about the best set up I’ve seen.
The only tips I’ver hear is that it like tall scope mounts.
One thing I noticed on the two new Walthers was the nice weaver rails. I like this because it prevents the need for scope stops. Why don’t all companies do this? And also, I was wondering if you thought that the new falcon could compete with the 34 panther. (Will it be as accurate.) I understand it wont be out for a few months but I was just wondering.
BB,
I just finished the podcast, and I was wondering if you could tell me about the new smith and wesson M&P. Will it be a blowback that would be in the region of the px4 and cp99 compact. When will this gun be available?
BB, you have just wedged me in ye’ old rock and hard place. First, you hand us the Discovery, and now you give us the .25 Walther Falcon Hunter (which, I assume is NOT for hunting falcon, right?). Anyway, I was all about the Discovery, but have been looking into .25 to go after bigger game, or to ensure that pesky squirrel lands in the pot like he should have back when…. Anyway, since the price on the Walther looks very affordable, I want to know when you test one, preferably in .25. Also, a question on power: higher velocity rifles, high numbers are not always good, but how does a high velocity rifle usually act when you stuff a heavier pellet in it. Slower velocity is a given, but what effect does it have on the rifle over time? JP
Ozark,
Please remind me again after Feb 14?
B.B.
Matt61,
Bright colors are what the ten-meter crowd demands. They will be available in a rainbow of colors.
B.B.
ajvenom.
Most people mount the trirail so the front slope continues up the trirail. There is no special technique required.
3/8 and 11mm are nearly identical, so they usually interchange. The goodies are installed wherever the shooter desires. There is no set place for them.
B.B.
Michaelo,
The new Walthers don’t have Weaver rails. They are 11mm with keyways. Nothing like them before!
They will mount normal 11mm mounts.
I hope the new Falcon will be very accurate, but that’s what testin g is for.
B.B.
The S&W M&P is not blowback, but should cost about half of what the PX4 costs.
It should be available within three months, or so.
B.B.
JP,
A heavy pellet doesn’t cause problems unless it doesn’t jibe with the spring in a spring gun.
B.B.
bb.
Thanks as usual. Where are the new Walther air rifles made? Does the Benjamin Discovery have provision for mounting a scope?
George
Thanks for the info BB. Just didn’t want to blow out a seal trying to shoot heavy pellets. If you don’t hear from me again, then my wife found out I’m planning to purchase both the Discovery and the Walther….. JP
George,
The Walthers are being made in Turkey.
The Benjamin Discovery has a 9-inch 11mm scope rail.
B.B.
BB, I’ve just thought of something. Is a gas ram compatible with the Walther Falcon, and is it something that can be installed individually, or would it be a factory install? If a factory install, would they send the old spring mechanisms as well (as spare parts)? JP
JP,
It’s too soon to tell whether the Walther Falcon Hunter can accept the current gas spring unit. No doubt one can be developed for it, but until the measurements are checked, we won’t know if what currently exists can be used.
B.B.
What do you think about Walther falcon hunter edition? Did you check it out yet?
Falcon Hunter,
I have a .25 caliber rifle on ordcer. I didn’t want the .22 because of the .25.
B.B.