by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Kral Puncher Pro PCP. The test rifle’s walnut stock is not as blonde as this one.
This report covers:
- I am impressed
- Kral and I go back
- Comparison
- Adjustable power
- Adjustable trigger
- Manual
- Dual scope base
- Magazines
- Fills with a probe
- Word on the street
- Summary
Today I’m starting a test of the new Kral Arms Puncher Pro PCP rifle. This one is serial number 161101 6372, and is in .22 caliber. It also comes in .177 and soon in .25. It has a walnut stock that fits me almost like a glove! The woodwork is dynamite! The one hangup I have is an edge that doesn’t fit at the thumbrest, and if I owned this rifle I would sculpt away some of the wood there.
I am impressed
To quote the 18th century British seaman — I’m impressed! Kral has written on the receiver the fill pressure as 200 bar or 2900 psi. This is the first time I have seen an airgun company get it right! They usually write 200 bar/3000 psi, which is just like calling a BB a 4.5mm projectile, when it’s 4.3mm all day long.
Kral and I go back
I’ve tested other Kral airguns in the past. They were breakbarrel springers and were crudely made. And, they fired when the safety was taken off, so I was asked to destroy them. There is a new crop of Kral spring guns at Pyramyd AIR, but it will take some time before the bad taste leaves. Their PCPs, on the other hand, are a different proposition. Now that I have one (several, actually) in hand and can examine them closely, I can see why Pyramyd AIR is so excited. The workmanship appears top-drawer, leaving me to wonder if Kral perhaps has two different factories.
Okay, the Kral Puncher Pro is a 12-shot (.22) repeater that retails for $550. Let’s see — are there any other repeating PCPs that sell for about the same money? Hmmm!
Comparison
Yes, there will be comparisons made between the Kral Puncher Pro and the Benjamin Marauder. And I guess I will be making some of them. It’s hard not to; the Marauder has been the standard for so long. So, let me get started.
The rifle I’m testing is a .22 caliber. It has a slender Turkish walnut stock (there’s a difference) with a finger groove on either side of the forearm. Nobody else offers Turkish walnut on a basic rifle. The bottom of the forearm is deeply stippled, with the logo and name of the rifle in high relief. The pistol grip has a deep thumb groove that feels wonderful to me. The woodwork is flawless. On a premium European PCP, this stock would add at least $200 to the price.
The bottom of the forearm is deeply stippled.
The rifle weighs 8.6 lbs. Overall length is 41.3-inches, which isn’t long for a full rifle. The barrel is 22.8-inches long. The length of pull is 13-3/4-inches. The action is a bolt and the magazine is spring-loaded to advance to the next pellet (there’s a similarity).
Now, where have we seen a magazine like this before?
Adjustable power
A knob on the right side of the receiver allows the shooter to adjust power. The knob on the test rifle is hard to turn and doesn’t have detents. There are power markings on the left side of the receiver. I will test several settings in the velocity test.
On the left side of the receiver the power adjuster shows the level selected.
Adjustable trigger
The trigger is 2-stage and adjustable. After reading the manual I have no clue exactly what adjusts, but I will look into it for you.
Manual
Speaking of the manual, it’s written in broken English, but it’s also very comprehensive and even thoughtful. For instance, they tell you what pellet was used to test velocity of the .177 version. They also include several pages of an illustrated parts breakdown that hobbyists will enjoy.
It’s nice to get a test sheet like this. It’s serialized to this rifle! The values given to each pellet hit are from ISSF 10-meter rifle competition.
And they sent a test report with the manual that is serial-numbered to this rifle. It has a graphic (not a picture) of the test target and 6 shots with the velocities. It shows 6 shots in a 4mm center-to-center group at 10 meters. That’s pretty good news, I think.
Brass female screw threads in the forearm are there for a bipod. I will try to find out what fits.
Dual scope base
Of course the rifle needs some kind of optical sight (a scope), so the top of the receiver is dovetailed. But on this rifle there are dovetails for both 11mm and Weaver scope ring bases. Either one will fit. The receiver is divided for the magazine that sits proud, so 2-piece rings are a must.
The scope base includes both 11mm and Weaver dovetails.
Magazines
The rifle comes with two 12-shot magazines and a single-shot tray! Those things are options with most PCPs.
Fills with a probe
On the negative side, the rifle fills with a probe. A probe is quick, but if it is proprietary like this one, you need to change your fill hose each time you fill. I wish companies would just standardize on the Foster fitting that is so fast and easy to use!
Word on the street
So far the Kral PCPs are getting great ratings. Pyramyd AIR can’t keep them in stock, and when you consider the huge price differential between this rifle and the top end European airguns that offer equivalent features, the reason should be clear. The .22 caliber gun appears to be the one to get. So for once I’m testing a rifle the public wants.
Summary
I see a lot to like in this rifle, and if the reviews of the Kral PCPs are any indication, it’s a good one. This will be an interesting test.
B.B.
What a beautiful stock! Do you happen to have the length-of-pull, and the drop from cheek weld spot to shoulder height? Great shape, WOW.
-Yogi
13-3/4-inches is the length of pull according to the article.
John,
My bad! I should reread the articles in the morning before I post.
-Y
“To quote the 18th century British seaman — I’m impressed!”
That is a nice, obscure joke. After reading Dudley Pope’s Ramage series I “get it” but many won’t.
Seantheaussie,
I have been telling that joke for 40 years and you are the first person to get it! Brits say they like dry humor, but you have to know history to get this one.
B.B.
There were some American Sailors that could say the same thing about the British Navy!
Mike
Yep! The Brits lose the War of Independence and still shanghai Americans into the Royal Navy. That takes bone deep arrogance.
B.B.,
I’m going to have to put that series down on my reading list.
Siraniko
Ha….impressed……boy, a long time has passed since I took all those history courses in college.
.
I retired in January of this year.
After watching me shoot my pellet guns in the basement for the first 2 months, my wife decided to ‘impress’ me with activities that she felt were more productive.
.
Randy
What activities could be more impressive than airgunning? I’m genuinely curious.
Matt,
Momma feels that my rifles are too heavy. She does not enjoy joining in the fun when I go downstairs to shoot them.
She does seem to enjoy having someone repaint rooms and replace kitchen counter tops.
I still get to shoot in the evenings, but only after my arms are tired and shaky.
Randy
I don’t get it. Is this joke by understatement like, “Dr. Livingston, I presume?”
Matt61
Matt,
Impressment was the British Navy’s way of getting sailors several centuries ago. They were kidnapped and then “pressed” (forced) into service. Once you’re on a sailing ship, it’s hard to get away until you make port.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressment
They used to teach this in primary school. I guess it’s no longer on the curriculum?
B.B.
That”s right! My wife is a teacher,they barely teach American history
I just learned today from my 13 year old grandson that he has never conjugated a verb or diagrammed a complex sentence. And he can’t write in cursive which means means he probably can’t read the ” Declaration of Independence ” or the “Emancipation Proclaimation” in their original form. Cryin’ damn shame !!!
Thanks for reminding me.They don’t teach cursive anymore either.My two twenty plus sons cannot write in cursive.There signature is a joke,It is a shame.
So it turns out that lots of people “got it”… they just jumped out of the pub’s side window as the gang came in the front door and guarded the back, and remain… unimpressed.
B.B,
Wow. I am impressed as well. It (almost) make me wish that I did not have the .25 M-rod. I am glad you are testing the .22 which will be nicer for a 50 yd. (+?) test.
Please define ( “several, actually” ). While not likely, it would be nice to see this one get put on the “fast track” with 2 or even 3 articles in one week. Looking forward to more.
Chris
Chris,
At present I have 2, but 2 more are on their way. When I return from Ohio I may have 4. I’ll tell you what they are when I report them.
B.B.
B.B.,
Nothing like being set up proper. The way it should be! 🙂 Looking forward to seeing what the new boy’s on the block can do. Since “they” do listen to you,.. all I have to say is ambi. cheek please #1. Second would be cocking/bolt flip capability. The rest I can overlook. That goes for all maker’s.
BB,
It is indeed sounding quite impressive. I for one think it is a very attractive air rifle, most especially in this price range. If it will shoot there will be a lot of other companies scrambling to catch up.
At the 2009 Roanoke show you had two Kral copies of the Gamo CFX. One had a wood stock and the other synthetic. I looked at them and was not impressed with the quality of their work. It seems Kral has come a long way since then. Perhaps you should consider testing one of their new break barrels. This one in particular has my attention.
/product/kral-arms-n-07-breakbarrel-air-rifle-wood?m=4293
If the quality is there and they have figured out how to make a trigger, this company is going to set the airgun world on it’s ear.
RR,
I agree on the looks. At the fps ratings, it looks like it could be a thumper,… and I do not mean that in a good way.
On todays featured item,… no ambi. 🙁 Hatsan is pretty aggressive with lots of innovations. It looks like the Turkish makers are getting into the game in a real way.
“…length of pull is 13-3/4-inches.” The other will need to be checked.
This Puncher is a far cry from the break barrel Krals, that’s a fact!
Odd, I didn’t mean to be repetitive- when I posted my reply above, no other posts were displayed except the very first one.
Looks like an interesting rifle and I am pleasantly surprised that it come with two magazines and a single shot loader.
Wish that the magazines were simple like the ones for the HW100 with no moving parts. I can reload the 14-shot Weihrauch magazine in 30 seconds where it takes me a couple of minutes (and considerable fumbling) to load the FX 11-shot magazine.
IMHO, simple is better. Will be watching for the next part.
Hank
Hank,
I’m with you. K.I.S.S.
That is a right nice looking stock. I would have to strip it, reshape the fore stock a bit to suit me and then stain it a little darker, but that is all personal taste. If this girl can cook, she just might get invited on a date.
Is the stock ambi or handed?
Per Tyler on the Pyramyd site, it is r-handed only at this time, both bolt-wise and cheek-piece wise.
The Benjamin Rogue is Back!!!
/product/benjamin-rogue-np2-sbd-air-rifle?m=4320
Well, the name is anyway.
Ridge, that Rogue sounds pretty good to me.
Doc
Doc,
This was my poor attempt at satirical humor. You may recall that the original Rogue was Crosman’s first attempt at a big bore PCP. It did not do so well.
Now they are reusing the name on something that is nothing more than a Trail in a better stock. I will admit that if I did not have a 1906 BSA and a Diana 46E and a Webley Tomahawk, I might be interested in it, especially since I am pretty sure I can fix the trigger.
Who knows? For some reason I have interest in that Kral sproinger. Maybe one day I will end up with a Crosman.
I too would like to see the Kral Arms N-07 BB AR, wood tested, also Benjamin Rogue NP2 SBD Air rifle, I have also went with lesser PCP Rifles for better pricing, that I can compare to the Kral Puncher and Break barrels, except for the woodwork on the Kral? I thought at one time in my life I would always buy American? That change along time ago after living in Europa! May I mention for the Old Sailor RR? Heartland Militaria Show, June 24th-25th 2017, Chickasha, Oklahoma, sponsored by retired CPO USN! Semper Fi!
ARRGH Mate! Underway’s the only way! Land is a navigational hazard! Sailors were made for ships and ships were made for the sea!
Good. The Kral line is certainly nice to look at, and I was wondering how they perform.
FrankBpc, thanks for your kinds words. As a matter of fact, my new shooting student is a complex case. He is a nice kid and smart but, for that reason, something of an underachiever because he thinks he has everything figured out. I tried to introduce him to the Isosceles Triangle stance for handguns because it is the simplest, but he ignored it and went with a version of the modern Weaver stance with one arm straight and the other bent. That’s okay except that his right rear leg was crossed over behind his left front leg, and I couldn’t get him to change. He also was casual about the safety rules and didn’t seem to see the point of them. I’m fine with experimentation, but I will have to get him to understand that this is not airsoft, which he is coming from.
In other news, I think I may have figured out my slump in knife sharpening. As I move the blade up and down my sharpening stone at right angles to the edge, there has always been some lateral movement along the edge. Over time, this has increased until I think I was mostly moving the knife along the edge and getting less contact. I changed up and got better results with my last effort, so I may be on a comeback.
Matt61
Matt61,
I was going to congratulate you on the new teacher/student scenario. After reading your above post, I wonder. I am afraid I would have a very short fuse. 1 time, a reminder. 2 times, a second reminder (and) that strike 3 means your out. 3 times,… and your out. Period. End of story. Bye. Come back in a year.
You are after all,.. playing with the “real” deal. My 2 cents.
Oh,… and on my 3 strikes rule,… it only takes 1 time.
Matt…..I would humbly suggest that you turn one blade into a pass/fail test to provide you with vital feedback
on your technique.Trust me on this….take the blade you are willing to “wager” with and remove the cutting edge.Yes……I said remove it.Draw it over a cup or plate edge (ZERO PRESSURE) until it will not cut paper.
Then begin the progression of stones,preferrably in one setting……this way you will know for certain that the bevel is set to your stroke and style.This is just plain good fun to do from time to time…..:)
BB
This is all you need for the fill probe. Then you can use it with your Foster female quick disconnect on your fill devices hose.
I’m positive this has been brought up in the past with different guns that use probes.
/product/air-venturi-male-quick-disconnect-1-8-bspp-female-threads-steel-rated?a=3550
Here is a example of the web page. You would click on PCP Hookup. That shows you all the fill devices and correct adapters to use for this gun.
Description
Specifications
Customer reviews
Q & A: 11 answered questions
PCP Hookup <– click on this on the webpage
GF1,
How does that fitting fit a proprietary fill probe???
B.B.
BB
Here is one example that’s on the guns webpage if you have a Benjamin buddy bottle if you click on “PCP Hookup”. The buddy bottle comes up and the buddy bottle. The fitting screws right on the male threads on the probe.
Here let’s see if this works.
PCP Hookup
To fill your PCP gun:
1.Pick a source of air shown at right
2.If an adapter is needed, one will be shown
3.Add both to your cart to get hooked up
Kral Arms Puncher Pro PCP Air Rifle with 1/8″ BSPP connector (2M)
Tank fill calculator
Air Venturi Scuba Tank, 80 cu ft, Aluminum, Deluxe Valve, 3,000 psi, Black
$199.99
Benjamin Carbon Fiber Tank, 90 cu in, Gauge, Hose w/Female Quick-Disconnect
$429.99
Air Venturi Carbon Fiber Air Tank & Fill Station, 4500 PSI, 90 Cu In
$299.95
Air Venturi Carbon Fiber Charging Station, 4500 psi, 98 cu ft
$749.99
Air Venturi Carbon Fiber Tank, 4500 PSI, 74 Cu Ft
$549.99
AirForce PCP Hand Pump, for AirForce Rifles, Incl. Hose + Adapter, Pumps up to 3600 psi
$212.95
Benjamin Hand Pump, Fits Crosman & Benjamin PCP Guns
$179.99
Hill Pump MK4, Up to 4000 PSI
$289.99
Air Venturi G6 Hand Pump, 4500 PSI
$199.99
ShoeBox Compressor Freedom F10 ShoeBox Electric Air Compressor, Max 4500 PSI
$1,149.99
Nardi USA Atlantic P Air Compressor, Electric, 4500 PSI/300 Bar
$3,195.99
Air Venturi Air Compressor, Electric, 4500 PSI/310 Bar
$1,299.99
Air Venturi Air Compressor
Electric
4500 PSI/310 Bar
1-year limited warranty
This is what’s on the guns webpage. If this link works you should be able to click on one of those fill devices and it will show you the correct fitting to attach to the probe that comes with the gun. Again it’s on the Pyramid Air webpage for the gun your reviewing.
Nope it didn’t come up as a link you can click on. But it will if you click on your picture up on the top of your review here.
Click on PCP Hookup on
GF1,
I just drove 750 miles and am having problems with my diabetes. This is too heavy for my head right now. I’ll try to look at it when I return.
B.B.
BB
It’s all good. Just take care of yourself. You can check it out whenever you have a chance.
BB
I’m posting this now. I have a lot going on too. But I want you to see this just incase we forget.
Here is a report you did some time back. Look at the second picture down and you will see the propriotory fill probe attached to a a pump line by the end fitting nut.
/blog/2011/03/bsa-scorpion-pcp-air-rifle-part-1/
Now I’m going to post a link of the propriotory fill probe for the Kral.
/product/air-venturi-replacement-probe-fits-select-kral-arms-evanix-hatsan-guns?a=3985
Now here is the fitting that would screw on the end of the probe for the Kral.
/product/air-venturi-male-quick-disconnect-1-8-bspp-female-threads-steel-rated?a=3550
So after you would screw the fitting on the probe. You would insert the probe in the gun as normal and hook your Foster quick disconnect fitting to the fitting you screwed on the probe.
Kind of like this.
https://goo.gl/images/a997QV
Hope I did better this time.
Forgot this image if it works.
http://s11.photobucket.com/user/RickFi/media/DSC_1792_zpsi9jb21n8.jpg.html
GF1,
Yeah, that should work.
B.B.
BB
Didn’t expect you to answer back already.
But yep it works out nice. You just unhook from the fill hose and store the probe in your favorite place.
I had my Hatsan PCP and FX Monsoons probe set up with that screw on foster male fitting on the probe. Just click in the hose and fill away like any other gun that uses the foster fitting. Does make life simpler.
Enjoy your trip. Will be waiting to hear what you bring back. 🙂
I was looking at how to lubricate a Webley Tempest pistol and it said to oil the rubber seal that shows when the pistol is cocked. Is that silicone chamber oil or the Webley Oil they recommend that I have no idea what it is? Should I use the silicone chamber oil on this gun at all? Where would I put it?
Would it hurt the pistol to lubricate the linkage with lithium grease with moly graphite?
Docteur Ralph,
Either will do. The Tempest isn’t that powerful. Use what you have.
B.B.
B.B.,
I am unimpressed. Right-handed only. The Marauder and Gauntlet are ambidextrous. The Punchers in stock at Pyramyd AIR are righty only, so I assume they make a lefty one every now and then, but I wonder if like Air Arms they charge more for left-handed ones.
Just from the photos I’ve seen so far, Turkish walnut looks like alder, kinda plain-grain.
Michael
It’s a very handsome rifle but has it’s share of growing pains. More so than I feel safe in recommending it or buying one.