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Air Guns A fresh look at the Umarex Notos: Part Four

A fresh look at the Umarex Notos: Part Four

Notos
The Umarex Notos.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

This report covers:

  • Where we are
  • Scoped
  • The test
  • Sight-in
  • First group — Benjamin Bullseyes
  • Second group — JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy
  • Discussion One
  • Third group 
  • What gives?
  • Leaker
  • Discussion Two
  • Decisions
  • Which “generation” Notos do I have?
  • Summary

Today we look at the accuracy of my .22-caliber Umarex Notos. I have heard wonderful things about this little pistol/carbine. Today we start finding out.

Where we are

We spent time looking at the features of the Notos in Parts 1 and 2, so Part 3 was where we looked at its velocity. You will remember there was a wide disparity of velocities given by other sources — from 700 to 780 f.p.s. We saw a top velocity of 794 f.p.s. with the JSB Exact Jumbo RS pellet. That pellet averaged 790 f.p.s., so the velocity of 780 f.p.s. given on the Notos box and in the manual proved correct.

We saw a shot count of around 30 good shots per fill, using the gauge on the Notos instead of the gauge on my fill tank. After all testing was finished I refilled the Notos and set it aside for today’s accuracy testing. Seven days passed before I returned to it and the tank gauge showed a loss of 1000 psi. I thought I used oil when I filled the gun the last time but this time I made certain. The Notos fill probe makes oiling difficult, but not impossible. But now the reservoir was full and the test could begin.

Scoped

I scoped the Notos with a UTG Accushot 4-16X44 SWAT scope. Mine is a model no longer made but it looks a lot like this one. The scope came with rings that fit the Notos’ Picatinny rail.

The test

I shot 10-shot groups with the pellets I tested and since the Notos replacement rotary magazine I got from Maple Custom Products only holds seven, I used their single-shot loader instead.  It worked flawlessly throughout the test.

I only shot two different pellets because of how the test transpired. I’ll get to that in a moment.

I shot from 25 yards with the rifle rested directly on a sandbag.

Sight-in

Sight-in took 8 shots. I started at 12 feet and moved back to 25 yards after three shots had been fired. The Notos shot low, so the elevation had to be raised a lot, and that may be a reason to run this test again. I had to turn the elevation knob three full turns to get the pellet on target at 25 yards and the scope’s erector tube spring may have been too relaxed.

Stock up on Air Gun Ammo

First group — Benjamin Bullseyes

I sighted-in with Benjamin Single Die pellets that I call Bullseyes, and the first group was shot with them as well. The first four pellets went into a small group and then shot five went wild. The Notos put ten into 0.674-inches between centers at 25 yards. But without shot number five the group measures 0.438-inches between centers.


The Notos put ten Benjamin Bullseyes into a 0.674-inch group at 25 yards. Without the flyer the group measures 0.438-inches.

That flyer bothered me, but I was just getting started. Perhaps the next pellet that many forums said was very accurate would be better.

Second group — JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy

The second pellet I shot was the 18.13-grain JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy that many shooters tout for the Notos. These did group slightly better but still had a lone flyer. This group measures 0.665-inches between centers with nine in 0.423-inches between centers.

Notos JSB Jumbo group
The Notos put ten JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy pellets into a 0.665-inch group at 25 yards. Nine are in 0.423-inches between centers.

Discussion One

At this point in the test I knew something wasn’t right. The Notos was throwing shots wild and the groups were larger than anticipated. After this much shooting I knew one thing for certain — the trigger pull was breaking too hard! So I stopped shooting and adjusted the trigger. Since I didn’t know how I read the manual and followed it exactly. Only one problem — the trigger became harder to pull — not easier. 

Notos trigger adjust

That is from the Notos manual. But when I adjust the trigger on my Notos, the pull weight INCREASES when I turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise (anti-clockwise for the Brits) and it DECREASES when I turn the adjustment screw clockwise. I figured this would be a topic of discussion on the internet but nobody seems to have noticed it. 

I adjusted the trigger much lighter and found a spot in the adjustment where things were very sensitive. I adjusted to the safe side of a light pull. In Part One I measured it breaking at 4 pounds. It now breaks at 15.5 ounces.

I couldn’t believe that the manual was wrong so a day later I adjusted the trigger again and saw the same thing. Either I don’t know what counterclockwise means or somebody who wrote the Notos manual doesn’t. I’d like to hear from those who own the rifle.

Third group 

I refilled the rifle for the third group. I figured after the 8 shots of sight-in and the 20 shots for the first two groups it made sense to refill. This time the trigger was working very well, so that wasn’t an issue. I selected the JSB Exact Jumbo Heavys for this group because everyone said it was a good pellet. 

This time the Notos put ten pellets into 0.694-inches at 25 yards. While this group doesn’t seem to have any fliers the group was very open as it formed. This is the largest group of the test.

Notos JSB Jumbo Heavy group two
The second time I shot JSB Jumbo Heavys ten went into 0.694 inches at 25 yards.

What gives?

I’m no great rifle shot but when the rifle is rested and the distance is only 25 yards my groups are usually smaller than what you see today. Just last week I shot 10-shot groups with an HW 97 that were all smaller than these!

When a rifle that’s supposed to be accurate has unexplained fliers one place to look is inside the silencer. I did and found shiny spots on all the baffles.

Notos baffles
I see shiny spots on the Notos baffles.

The thing is, there are shiny spots on ALL the baffles and on both sides of each baffle. They are exactly opposite each other. In other words, every baffle has a shiny spot on both its sides. I’ve never seen a pellet that clipped the baffles in such a perfect pattern — straight lines and all! Plus, I went on the internet looking for complaints from Notos owners about clipped pellets I could not find a single one. So I don’t think the baffles have been touched by the pellets.

Speaking of the baffles though I will say the Notos is QUIET! I am shocked every time I shoot it and mine has no aftermarket silencer. It’s running just what the factory installed

Leaker

After the accuracy test that I completed on Saturday (two days before I wrote this) I filled the Notos to full (3625 psi / 250 bar) again. I oiled it when I did. This morning the pressure read 2500 psi, so just over 1,000 psi leaked out in two days.

Discussion Two

I have a brand new precharged pneumatic air rifle that hasn’t yet shot accurately, leaks air and might be clipping pellets in its silencer. 

However
1. The scope might have been adjusted too high for good accuracy.
2. I’m the ONLY person to mention the marks on the baffles.
3. There are MANY entries and You Tube videos on the internet that speak of an air leak at the fill port and the easy way to cure it.

Decisions

I know many of you would just send the rifle back, and that thought occurred to me, too. But from my research I see that there may be things I can do that will resolve all these issues and one of them (the scope’s elevation adjustment) is a problem any air rifle can have. I will not defend the Umarex Notos if I discover that it is faulty, but I also will not report bad things that aren’t warranted.

What I will do is,
1. Correct the scope issue by shimming.
2. Try the main online recommendation for fixing the fill port leak.
3. Rerun today’s test a second time.

Which “generation” Notos do I have?

Reader Kevin asked which generation Notos I have He said, “There are 3 generations of the Notos. Which one do you have? Notos generation l guns had two tapped holes on top of the receiver, tighter barrels, were accurate but the bores lacked polish and often needed hand lapping to tighten them up. The Gen ll guns lost the second drilled/tapped hole on top of the receiver but the barrels were a little better made and didn’t foul as quickly. The Gen lll have very deep, tapered crowns, some 1/2″ (12mm) or more. These barrels are even looser but pretty smooth.”

Kevin, I don’t know which “generation” I have. My research shows that there is a lot of talk about different generations but not a lot of solid information. All I know is, I bought my rifle in September of this year and Pyramyd Air sells a lot of them, so I assume it is the latest one.

Summary

This is an interesting airgun. There seems to be a lot to learn and I am looking forward to it.

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.

40 thoughts on “A fresh look at the Umarex Notos: Part Four”

  1. Tom,

    That is not an auspicious start for a carbine that already has a lot of supporters. Maybe you should ask Pyramyd Air what is the return rate of the Notos compared to other PCPs? Won’t you do 4. Enlarge the baffles? I know you mentioned they appeared symmetrically clipped but I don’t think you would skip this in the interest of accuracy. Of course the alternative is for you to simply shoot it until the baffles are enlarged enough by the passage of pellets.

    Siraniko

  2. BB,
    BB to Yogi: “I’ve learned there are so many things of which I was not aware.”

    For someone who fusses with air guns as much as you do, to say the above is an inspiration. There is so much we don’t know, even about subjects that we think we are well versed in. That is going to be an idea to keep in mind today so I can remain open to more solutions. Good luck with the Notos, you’ll win this one.
    Regards,
    Will

    • Will S.,

      Wait a minute! I know everything! Just ask me and I’ll tell you!

      I wish I could say that with a straight face. At my home, Mrs. RR and I frequently joke that between her brother, her and myself, we know everything. It used to be between her brother and herself until I came into the mix. If asked something he did not know, my brother-in-law would state such and then say “That must be one of the things that she knows”. Of course he lives several hundred miles from here, so how can one dispute that?

  3. If you have a small enough borescope you could take a much closer look at the silencer and the entire barrel. But one small enough for 22 cal is not that common.

    If this little carbine was available when I got my Marauder pistol I would have gotten the Notos. The price is a fraction of what I have put into my Prod to make a carbine. Now that I have added an Impulse Air 1200 to make it even quieter the total could get 3 Notos carbines fitted out.

    My wife frequently scolds me about how much money and time I spend with what she calls my toys.

    But I have decimated the local squirrel population and the crows know to stay away.

    Mike

    • bmwsmiley,

      I myself frequently here such remarks from Mrs. RR, although I must give credit where due. It is the dog which keeps the crows at bay and the squirrels on their toes.

      • The is in the range of acceptable but I still need to convince myself that I need or could actually use it. I have two 22 cal airguns, three 177 airguns, and a 9mm PCC with a short upper and a 16 inch upper, and a much older KG99. I did get a Teslong borescope but it’s about 8.5 mm diameter and works well with my iPhone 15. It was USB-c and only $25, I bought it for one specific task and as such have only used it once since July.

        The rifle size usb borescope specifically say not compatible with iPhone. If I decide to get one it would have to be one with Wifi so I could use my phone and not drag out my laptop.

        Mike

  4. BB,

    I will do my best to not throw the baby out with the bath water, but this is not the first time we have heard so many proclaim how great their personal purchases have been and the truth just does not support what they have said.

    I am certain that we will learn why your particular one does not support such accolades and I am truly looking forward to your investigations and “fixes”. Despite what some may think, I do hope that this thing can be made into something accurate.

    Now, if I could just get back into that sproinger thing.

  5. BB: Wow, I am so glad that you decided to adjust the trigger. My manual also reads clockwise to increase trigger pull weight and counter-clockwise to decrease trigger pull weight. And the actual way to adjust it also appears to be the opposite (like your experience).

    My trigger pull weight was about 3.5 lbs from the factory. I had previously attempted to adjust it lower by using the way the manual describes. When it didn’t decrease, I think that I returned it back where it was from the factory. Due to a lack of experience adjusting triggers, I decided to research it before attempting to adjust it further. However, I continued to shoot it and got used to the trigger and forgot to research the trigger adjustments.

    Fast forward to this morning when I started checking the trigger weight adjustment screw in order to provide some requested feedback, I was surprised to see that the adjustment screw appeared to have backed itself out and there were a lot of threads showing outside the trigger blade. Being concerned that it might fall out, I turned it clockwise so the screw was back inside the trigger blade. I turned it about five full turns until I felt a slight resistance. When I tested the trigger weight it was at about 12 ounces. I felt that it should be increased a bit and adjusted it back out to around 1-pound six ounces. However it would not stay there and began to increase. Currently I have it working at right at one pound. I hope that it will stay there and not work itself back out. I will report back once I know what it is going to do.

    For what it is worth, my Notos seems to like the JTS Dead Center 18.1 grain pellets for accuracy. I normally use the single shot tray that came with the rifle. But it also appears to work well with the factory magazine. And the rifle has held air pressure without any noticeable issues so far (knock on wood).

    Looking forward to your next report. Crossing my fingers that you solve the problems without a lot of trouble.

    • Blue Locktite for that screw? What do others think? Will it work on plastic triggers or does it wreck the plastic threads? I’m assuming the Notis has a plastic trigger where the adjustment screw goes.

      At least, you might paint a witness mark on the screw where you like the screw to be so you can get back to that spot easily.

      • RoaminGreco,

        For this type of issue i use purple LOCTITE® 222 :

        “LOCTITE® threadlockers come in three strength grades: The low-strength LOCTITE® 222 works on all metals, and is especially good for applications that may require disassembly. The medium-strength LOCTITE® 243 offers a good general-purpose solution to seal and secure assemblies.”

        NB, that the 243 offers some thread sealing but usually not enough for hpa.

        shootski

        PS: 425 works with plastic threads.
        https://next.henkel-adhesives.com/us/en/products/industrial-adhesives/central-pdp.html/loctite-425/BP000000153569.html

        • Thanks for the suggestions RG and Shootski. The adjustment screw goes into metal threads (not plastic). It appears to be staying in place (so far) at the one pound trigger weight setting. I plan to see if I can get used to the trigger at that set point. It takes a 1.5 mm Allen wrench (which is pretty small). I would be concerned about stripping out the socket for the Allen wrench if using LOCTITE. The low strength (purple) one might be worth trying if I find it necessary.

          BB, my Notos is not all that quiet. That makes me wonder about the suppressor on your rifle. Mine might be using more air than yours though. If I remember correctly I only get about 21 shots per fill of air (three of the 7-shot magazines). And also (if I remember correctly) that number of shots (21) is pretty typical. It is interesting that you appear to be getting similar velocities. However, that might be due to you using the gauge on the rifle which is about 10 percent lower than your tank gauge (again, if I remember correctly from your earlier reports) while I tend to fill to a slightly lower pressure (around 3500 psi).

          • Elmer Fudd,

            B.B. wrote: “My fill tank gauge that I know to be accurate said the Notos gauge was reading about 300 psi low at 3625 psi” so if Tom fills his Notos to that gauge he would get something like 3,925 psi on the fill. Of course the 10% is likely a +/- so your gauge might be indicating as much as 600psi difference. IF the regulator in both your guns is actually delivering 1,900psi (i doubt they are giving exactly the same output.) then the correct answer to the Math Word Problem is: WHO KNOWS!
            There are too many potential variables between your stuff and Toms along with the unknown error STACKING; additive — subtractive — cancelling for any conclusions on why both your performance values are different.
            EVEN If you filled from the same source (gauge reading) there is still the question of each guns regulator output and actual hammer spring preload!
            What this causes is the DarkSide worst nightmare of falling for anything reviewers and owners say about their PCPs as being devine gospel!

            Sorry to drop that reality on you Elmer. Ask me how long it took to learn the reality of comparing like PCP platforms.
            It will make me start crying…i don’t do that all to often these days!

            shootski

            • Thanks Shootski, the differences in shot counts, etc can be chalked up to differences in fill pressures and possibly other settings as you suggest. I didn’t make the point I was trying to make very clear. The sound level of BB’s Notos seems to me to be a possible clue. Here’s a quote from BB’s part four report:

              “Speaking of the baffles though I will say the Notos is QUIET! I am shocked every time I shoot it and mine has no aftermarket silencer. It’s running just what the factory installed.”

              My Notos is not shockingly quiet by any means. I sat my iPhone on the bench near my Notos rifle and measured 102 dB. I then looked back at part three and saw where BB measured 97.5 dB for his Notos. In part three BB doesn’t say his Notos is shocking quiet, just “not that bad.” The marks BB shows on the baffles are umm, baffling (pun intended). All of this makes me wonder if there might be a problem with the baffles in BB’s Notos. I wonder if BB’s Notos is still producing a 97.5 dB discharge sound. If I remember correctly, 3 dB sound increase is supposed to be double the perceived sound level. So the difference between what BB measured and what I measured might be significant (or possibly due to different sound meters, and/or methods & conditions).

  6. BB,
    I finally could get a little time with the Notos. I adjusted its trigger for the first time, with the following results:
    .- The original pull weight (using a Lyman digital gauge) was 4 Lbs 15 oz.
    .- The screw goes in (CW) 8 turns in until a faint resistance is noted. At this point it doesn’t engage the hammer.
    .-At 4.5 Turns out from bottom it barely engages and releases with 1Lb 6 oz. In my view it is dangerous.
    .- At 6.5 Turns out it measured 3 Lbs 4 oz.
    .- Finally, I left it at approx. 6T out, producing 1 Lb 10 oz. Seems a fine trigger now.

    I haven’t fired it for accuracy, but assume it is going to improve some.

    Finally, I agree with the members who said that some soft Loctite could be a good idea, adding a degree of stability and safety. I will get some soon. Also, my Notos has not leaked – yet. Time will tell.

    Henry

    • Henry, thank you for the very helpful information. My trigger seems to have a lot of what I will call slack (a lot of travel without any significant resistance) when it is set between around 1 pound and about 3.5 pounds. That slack seems to disappear outside of that range of settings. Does that seem to be normal in your experience with adjusting this trigger? I ordered some of the purple LOCTITE 222 MS, and expect it to arrive in a few days.

      • Yes Elmer, in the active section of the screw where it moves the trigger from heavy to nothing there is no resistance, it seems like a loose screw. It needs some way to provide friction so it can’t move with time and vibration. The tiny 1.5mm size prevents using anything other than a thread locker in my limited experience. BTW, I have to order some 222 because I do not anything similar.

        That said, I like the Notos. It is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it is short, light, with good balance between power and shot count, and it SEEMS (jury still out until I can increase distance) accurate enough.

        Henry

  7. I may have missed something but, BB is the rifle still in the return window ? Brand new leaker, I would not hesitate to return it. I like working on “BB” guns but not to the point of fixing leaks on brand new ones.

    • Well, this may help those of us who discover a leak after the return window or warranty expires. I purchased an AR2078 (a Chinese CO² rifle based on the venerable Crosman 160) and the seals looked like they were made of tofu soon after the warranty ran out.

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