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Strike Point oiled

Umarex Strike Point multi-pump pistol: Part 2

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by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Strike Point
Umarex Strike Point multi-pump pistol.

Part 1

This report covers:

  • A surprise is coming
  • Ugly step-sister
  • Oil a multi-pump
  • Test 1. Velocity per pump
  • Learned a lot!
  • Curiosity
  • Pump force
  • Test 2.
  • Evaluation
  • Test 3.
  • Test 4.
  • Evaluation
  • Trigger pull
  • Summary
  • CMP Coach’s Course

A surprise is coming

It’s very fitting that I announce today that I have a surprise coming for you readers. The surprise is a multi-pump, as well, and it will be presented in the historical section. I have some other reports to get through before I can get to it, but this is a surprise worth waiting for!

Ugly step-sister

You readers were really hard on the Umarex Strike Point multi-pump pistol when I introduced it in Part 1. You made fun of its looks, the trigger, the weight and everything else. Today we find out about the velocity.

Oil a multi-pump

Multi-pump pneumatics need to be oiled to obtain their best performance. The Strike Point I’m testing came to me well-oiled, but I added some Crosman Pellgunoil to that. Let me show you how a multi-pump should look.

Strike Point oiled
You are looking at a portion of the pump piston head. The pistol is on its back with the pump handle all the way up. You can see the oil film around the o-ring on the pump head.

I did not oil the pistol for today’s test. I oiled it for Part 1, back on March 28 (I write each blog the day before it publishes). The oil will last for weeks, but you do need to examine the pump head of any multi-pump frequently to see if it needs oil.

The manual says you can shoot the pistol on 2 pumps, and can also go up to 10 pumps, so that is the range I will test — 2 to 10 pumps. I don’t know of any other multi-pump that recommends shooting with just two pumps, so I am excited to get this test underway! Remember — with the Strike Point you have to cock the gun before pumping or all the air will escape.

Test 1. Velocity per pump

The Strike Point I’m testing is a .177 caliber pistol. Remember that it also comes in .22. This is an Umarex airgun, so I will use a pellet they import and distribute under their RWS USA brand — the RWS Hobby. I will pump the gun a number of times and test the velocity after each set of pumps.

I’m also going to do something new today. I will pump and shoot the gun for record three times for each number of pumps. That way you will be able to see how consistent the powerplant is. In the past I have done this test another way, but I think this will be an interesting way to go.

Pumps………Vel 1….Vel 2….Vel 3
2…………….328……329……327
3…………….388……381……382
4…………….434……439……430
5…………….467……464……469
6…………….503……501……496
7…………….514……516……514
8…………….530……517……531 No air remaining
9…………….541……543……544 No air remaining
10……..…….549……550……551 No air remaining

Learned a lot!

This string taught me a lot about the Strike Point pistol. First, it is very stable. So stable, in fact, that I doubted myself when I saw the second reading on 8 pumps. If you look at the data it looks like I only pumped it 7 times. Fortunately I counted the pump strokes aloud for every shot in this test, so there is no mistake.

Next, do you see how you can see the point of diminishing returns with a table like this? It’s pretty clear that after 6 pump strokes you are wasting a lot of energy for a small gain. Up to that point the pistol yields 30-40+ f.p.s. per stroke. After that point the yield drops to 15 f.p.s. or less.

Curiosity

I don’t know why but when I got to 10 pumps I was curious about what came next. So I found out.

Pumps………Vel
11……..…….560 No air remaining
12……..…….558 No air remaining

I could continue this way, and lots of owners do, but as you see, it’s all for nothing. The valve simply gets overwhelmed by the excess pressure. So, why was there no air left in the gun after shot 12? Since that shot went slower, shouldn’t there be some air left over? I am not sure, but maybe it escaped on the shot but didn’t add anything to the pellet’s speed. At the dragstrip there are cars that can burn their tires almost without limit and then there are the winners that don’t burn rubber as much as they grab the pavement and accelerate. As a pneumatic shooter you can “burn your tires” by over-pumping your gun, and all you do is shorten the life of the gun. Or, you can stick to the gun’s proven performance schedule and get all it has to give without wasting anything.

Pump force

The pistol is easy to pump through three strokes. Stroke four is where I noticed it starting to get harder, and stroke five is even harder. Here are the measures of effort for each pump stroke through 10 pumps.

Pumps….Effort (lbs.)
2…………17
3…………20
4…………23
5…………24
6…………24
7…………24
8…………25
9…………25
10………..25

I must admit those numbers are lower than I expected. I think the fact that this is a pistol and the pump handle is so close to where you hold it with the other hand is what threw me.

Test 2.

This is another new test. I want to see how stable the pistol is, in terms of velocity. I’m writing this on the day after the first test, so 18 hours have passed since I last shot the gun. In this test I will pump the gun a random number of times and shoot the same Hobby pellet as in Test 1 to see if I get the same numbers as in the first test. When you see the table, I think you’ll understand what I’m doing.

Pumps………Vel
6…………….471
2…………….318
10………..….539
5…………….451
3…………….380
9…………….521
7…………….494
4…………….421
8……..………510

Evaluation

What just happened? Every shot in this test was slower than the same shot in Test 1. I used the same pellet with the same number of pumps in the same gun, so what gives?

A couple shots were close to what we saw before. Two pumps, 3, 4, 5 even ten pumps were all within 15-17 f.p.s. of the first test. But the rest were 20 f.p.s. slower. Why?

I think the reason this test gave slower numbers was because the first test involved a lot of pumping and shooting. I think the pump piston head warmed up with all that work and was more efficient. And I have a way of finding out if that is right. I will run a sample of Test 2 again, for comparison.

Test 3.

Pumps………Vel
10………..….536
2…………….318
6…………….479
3…………….371

This time the numbers were much closer to those in Test 2. In one case — 2 pumps — the velocity was the same. In one case — 6 pumps — the velocity was faster in this test that in Test 2. I think we have eliminated all of the first test bias with tests 2 and 3. And we have learned that test 1 is probably not the best way of testing a multi-pump.

However, if you are just out shooting your gun, know that the more you shoot the more efficient it becomes. That’s good to know.

Test 4.

How does the Strike Point do with different pellets? In this test I will look at 3 different pellets on 2 pumps, 5 and 10.

Air Arms Falcon
Pumps………Vel
2…………….312
5…………….447
10………..….527

RWS HyperMax
Pumps………Vel
2…………….356
5…………….493
10………..….579

Baracuda Match
Pumps………Vel
2…………….265
5…………….381
10………..….448

Evaluation

The Falcon pellets look fine. I know they are accurate and deserve to be in the accuracy test.

I tested the RWS HyperMax just so we would know how fast the Strike Point can shoot. It’s advertised as a 600 f.p.s. pistol and with the lightweight HyperMax we got to within 21 f.p.s. of that. Hypermax pellets have never proved acurate in my testing, but I think I will try them once again in the Strike Point. Who knows?

The Baracudas are definitely too heavy for this pistol. But having seen how fast they go I know that a medium weight pellet like the RWS Superdome and the Crosman Premier light will probably do well. If I shoot either of them in the accuracy test I think I need to add one additional pump from whatever number of pumps I choose for the lightweight pellets.

Trigger pull

The trigger is single-stage and has a lot of travel and creep in the pull. The pull ranges from 7 lbs. 6 oz to 8 lbs. 12 oz. with a 5-shot average of 8 lbs. even.

Summary

I’m wringing out the Strike Point so you readers know exactly what to expect. I still don’t know what I’m going to do with the sights, but we will see next time.

CMP Coach’s Course

I received the following information from reader William Schooley.

I’m contacting you because, in the past, several of your blog readers have expressed interest in rifle coaching. I don’t know if you’ve seen the recent CMP e-letter, but CMP has announced several upcoming coaching schools throughout the US. Would this be something you’d be interested in announcing in your blog?
Respectfully,
William Schooley

A Level 1 Rifle/Air Rifle Coach School will be held in Newton, NC 14-15 April. Previously certified Level 1 coaches are invited to audit the class. For more information contact CDR Kevin Nash at (704) 677-0326 or email Kevin.nash@n-ccs.org.

A Level 1 Rifle/Air Rifle Coach School will take place at the Fish & Game Club of Vienna (Ohio) on May 5-6. The cost is $180 and includes materials and handouts and two year’s NRA Coach Registration. For more details, contact Russ Evans at rvevans1@juno.com.

A Level 1 Rifle/Air Rifle Coach School will be held in Centralia, WA August 18-19. For more information, contact Charles Neely at CRCJDPRES@GMAIL.COM or (360) 338-5532.

author avatar
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier)
Tom Gaylord, also known as B.B. Pelletier, provides expert insights to airgunners all over the world on behalf of Pyramyd AIR. He has earned the title The Godfather of Airguns™ for his contributions to the industry, spending many years with AirForce Airguns and starting magazines dedicated to the sport such as Airgun Illustrated.
See Full Bio

57 thoughts on “Umarex Strike Point multi-pump pistol: Part 2”

  1. B.B.,

    How did the trigger feel with pistol in your hand? Was it awkward to place your finger in the proper position? Was there any sort of adjustment in your grip to allow you to fire?

    Historical Multi Stroke Pump? You’ve done Sheridans previously and the Crosman 101 already. The 1400? But, you did have a 101 resealed previously. Could that be it?

    Siraniko

  2. B.B.,

    I like the way you changed up the testing. Re-test and verification is good. A good reminder too that past a certain point, there is diminishing returns. Nice shot of the pump seal. You even managed to get a “starburst” effect on the O-ring.

    Good Day to you and to all,…. Chris (See,… not a single negative comment) 😉

    • Chris
      Hey BB said he leaves it up to his reader’s to tell it like it is. That keeps him out of trouble.

      And as they say. Sometimes the truth hurts. But I say sometimes the truth helps.

      See I even finished my negative comment positively. 🙂

      • GF1

        I ain’t afraid to ask it. How in blue blazes are you supposed to shoot a handgun accurately with a long creepy 8# trigger pull??? This gun better have a laser-like barrel.

        Half

      • GF1,

        It got drug through the mud bad enough the first time around,… so I just did not have the heart. Besides,.. it did pretty well in the testing. The heavy pull might be the only downside today. It does look front heavy. It looks like the grip should be more forward for better balance. It might do ok rested. The sights are still an issue and I would be tempted to whip up a new rear. But,.. then that is not representative of the gun “as is”. It might bode better for accuracy testing though. How can you show accuracy potential if the open sight design does not allow them to be used properly?

        • Chris
          You went ahead and done it anyway. So much for not having the heart. 😉

          “The sights are still an issue and I would be tempted to whip up a new rear. But,.. then that is not representative of the gun “as is”. It might bode better for accuracy testing though. How can you show accuracy potential if the open sight design does not allow them to be used properly?”

          But I agree with you. 🙂

  4. B.B.,

    Interesting velocity tests. I’ve done some chrony work on one of my pneumatics and it never occurred to me to try a random-number-of-pumps test for evaluating consistency. It was all that pumping, however, that pushed me in the direction of CO2 guns.

  5. B.B.
    The velocity is nice and consistent; I’ll withhold further commentary till the accuracy testing is done.
    At that time, I’ll make a comparison to it and my Pyramydair Crosman 1377.
    Keep up the good work!
    take care & God bless,
    dave

    • RR,

      Not that I know of. And it wouldn’t make good business sense. It would be a curiosity, but double rifles are extremely hard to regulate, so they would quickly get the reputation of scattering shots everywhere.

      I have owned and shot a number of double rifles and until you get one that the Brits have made, they just don’t work. Even then they have to be loaded precisely to send the shots to the same place at close range.

      B.B.

      • BB,

        I was contemplating this yesterday evening while on a walk through the woods with my dog. My thoughts took me to .45 barrel inserts that could allow the POI of each barrel to be adjusted some at the muzzle. I think I will have a conversation with Lloyd.

  7. RidgeRunner,

    That hardly belongs in the historical society. MSP but it’s too recent to be even called vintage. I’ll just wait and see along with the rest of us when the Wizard decides to pull back the curtain.

    Siraniko

    • Don,

      Now I am certain that if one of those were to show up at the door of RidgeRunner’s Home For Wayward Airguns, I would most definitely find a bed for it.

  9. First, I am greatly looking forward to BB’s review of the new multi-pump Dragonfly. IT would be cool to see a comparison between the .177 Dragonfly and the Benjamin 397, or .22 Dragonfly and the 392. All of these airguns are very interesting to me.

    Second, I am impressed with the velocity consistency of the Strike Point. Though I don’t see one of these in my future, as I have both a 1397 and 1322, and like them both very much. I installed steel breeches on both to secure rifle scope, as the Crosman clamp on mounts did not do the job for me. I put Crosman skeleton stocks on both also. I left the standard barrels on both to for now. Outfitted this way, they make super handy short barreled carbines that are good for target shooting and night ratting. Don’t knock it if you haven’t tried one outfitted this way. I can’t really use open sights any more

    As always, I am really looking forward to accuracy tests of the Strike Point.

  10. Well now the “Comments RSS” feed is not working. Normally the comments that have been read are “blue” and the comments yet to be read are “red”. All the comments are now show in black and you can’t click on any to go directly to the comment.

    • Geo,

      Mine seems to be fine. Quick question,… my lap top has a pop up that says to turn on Window’s Firewall. I did an update yesterday and all went fine. I have Norton 360,.. so I figured a/the Firewall was already covered with the Norton.

      Is this just another case of Windows trying to push their product down my throat? And if I did, would it replace the Norton or conflict with it?

      • Chris USA,

        Your comments feed is working okay? Guess I’ll have to diagnose the issue on my computer then.

        I am not a fan of Symantec (Norton) products, or McAfee either. On older system they use so many of Windows resources that the system would slow to a craw. I quit using their products years ago. If you ever have to contact Norton’s tech support, like I have, you will be talking with someone in India. I called them one time to tell them how to fix an issue in their own antivirus program.

        Norton, and most all antivirus products, will disable Windows firewall when the product is installed. Never allow more than one antivirus program to run on your system. The Windows update may have turned the firewall off. The firewall may have interfered with Windows installing it’s updates. Open you Norton 360 program and check to see if the firewall is still enabled. If not, just enable it. Sometimes Windows 10 will not recognize a third party firewall so it notifies you that you need to enable your Windows firewall. Get ready, Windows is rolling out another major update which completely re-installs Windows. When this happens I start getting tech support calls.

        Geo

        • Geo,

          Thank you for the info.. When everything is running fine, Norton does not seem to slow anything down. Then again, I do not ask much of the laptop either. One thing I have noticed, it will be super slow and really acting stupid for a few days and then an update will be available. Once installed, everything is back to normal and running smoothly. It is like stuff is going on in the background just prior to a update.

          I saved the link that Siraniko provided and will check it out or use it to at least stay updated. Most likely I will contact HP Smart Friend services and let them prompt/do the update. That way they can avoid any pitfalls. I know you don’t think much of it, but it works really well for dummies like me.

          Thank again, Chris

          • Chris,

            “It is like stuff is going on in the background just prior to a update.”

            You are correct. Depending on your internet download speed, and the file size of the update, it may take several sessions to download the update in the background. While that is happening your system will seem to lag and be slow. I have a friend who shuts his desktop down when he is done using it for the day. The next time he starts the desktop back up, the first thing that happens is “Windows is updating”, and he can’t do much until that completes. I tell him to just leave his desktop running and then Windows can complete the download when he is not trying to use the computer. It’s not good to shut down and start up your computer constantly. When you start the computer for the day, leave it on until your are done with it for that day. Laptops can get hot because they don’t cool near as well as a desktop so sometimes it is necessary to shut them down, or at least let them go into sleep mode.

            Glad you have a technical source that works for you. But do NOT ever use the Geek Squad at Best Buy. They are more interested in selling you new hardware rather than repairing the computer.

            • Geo,

              Thanks for the info.. I use 1/4″ felt pads on the bottom to give it some extra air flow. About 3/4″ diameter. Plus, they help it to slide real smooth on a table.

      • Oh, and now my comments rss feed is working again. Don’t know what the issue was though. I use Firefox as my web browser. I thought maybe it was one of the extensions causing and issue so I opened FF in safe mode with no extensions loaded. I then opened the comments feed and it opened normally. So then I restarted FF in normal mode with the extensions loaded. When I opened the comments feed they still opened normally. So it’s fixed but I don’t know what actually fixed it. That happens sometimes 😀

  11. B.B.
    Is the reason there was no air left after 12 pumps due to the cock before pumping type valve? It seems this type of valve remains open after firing like my 101 Crosman, exhausting all the air in the chamber.
    Carl

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