Testing the Condor Fast Attachment Thread System (FATS) from AirForce Airguns: Part Three

The FATS by itself.

Part 1
Part 2

This report covers:

• Changes
• Oops!
• Scoped
• Old Condor tank
• Sight-in
• Taking my time
• 6 more shots
• The test
• I shot three different pellets
• Filled before the test of each pellet
• JTS Dead Center 18.1-grain dome—no silencer
• JTS Dead Center 18.1-grain dome—Ronin silencer
• JTS Dead Center 18.1-grain dome—TalonP silencer
• Discussion
• Summary

Today we begin looking at the accuracy of the AirForce Condor with the Fast Attachment Thread System (FATS) and two silencers. Let’s begin because there is a LOT to test!

Changes

AirForce changed the barrel on my Condor to attach the FATS—simply because over the decades the Condor has been in production there have been manufacturing changes to the rifle. Specifically, the barrels are now ground to a diameter that might be different than the barrel in my 2004 Condor. I say “might” because there is a small chance for a size difference.

More importantly, though, the barrel bushings have changed from Delrin to aluminum and they have gotten holes for any energized air to pass through. You can see that in Part 1 if you don’t remember. That allows the whole barrel shroud to be used to quiet the shot. And on that account I have a big Oops coming! Anyway—a new barrel means a new accuracy potential.

Oops!

When I started this test I knew I had to record the Condor’s power setting, since this rifle has a power adjustment wheel. And when I went to set it, I discovered that the wheel was set as low as it would go. That means the sound test I did in Part 2 is invalid and has to be run again. I couldn’t run the sound test on the AirForce indoor range because the steel walls reflect too much noise.

Scoped

I also had to mount a scope on the rifle as it did not have one. I have more airguns than scopes so I’m continually changing optics for tests. A new scope means a sight-in and an accuracy test. It’s like I’m testing a brand new air rifle.

I mounted a Meopta 3-15X50 RD second focal plane scope. Since it’s a second focal plane at least I won’t have to struggle with changing reticle sizes. And I know I can trust this scope.

Old Condor tank

When they installed the new barrel AirForce asked if I also wanted to upgrade to the newer Condor tank that has a gauge and can be filled while still on the rifle. I was very tempted because the new tank is so much easier to work with but that would change all my previous velocity testing, so I elected not to. I may regret that decision later. But I guess I can always change.

Sight-in

I sighted in at 12 feet and got the JTS Dead Center 18.1-grain pellet where I wanted in three shots. If I was testing the rifle at home that would be no great issue because I could always fix things if they went wrong, but I asked to use the AirForce 100-yard tunnel to test this rifle. That means I will be at AirForce—away from all my support equipment. The scope’s gotta work right and be sighted in correctly or the test ends.

Taking my time

I’m testing a Condor with a new barrel, so I know very little about the rifle’s accuracy potential. I’ll get used to the trigger again and watch the air use with the old tank, which is why I chose to keep it. Today I have to:

1. Get the rifle grouping on paper.
2. Discover pellets that are accurate.
3. Test it with no silencer.
4. Test it with the AirForce TalonP silencer.
5. Test it with the DonnyFL Ronin silencer.

I have to do that all at 25 yards before I try to move out farther. That’s a lot of stuff to do when I’m away from my support base. So today will be the first of probably several accuracy tests with this FATS. AirForce has a 25-yard range inside their building, and before I go to their 100-yard tunnel I want to be sure I know the rifle as much as possible. And the AirForce range is a true 25 yards.

6 more shots

It took six more shots of the same JTS pellet at 25 yards to get into the black. Then I started the test.

The test

I shot five-shot groups with each pellet, first with the rifle not silenced, then with the DonnyFL Ronin silencer on and finally with the TalonP silencer on. I set the power setting to 10, which experience with the tank and valve on the rifle have taught me give the best return of power and shot count. Not the most power—the best return for both power and shot count.

The rifle was held in a vise for all shots! This marks the first time in history I have shot a rifle that was held in a vise. It did make things easier, but as far as I can tell the accuracy was not improved.

Yes, BB Pelletier finally put an air rifle into a vise. Does that make you happy?

I shot three different pellets

Because I wanted to test the accuracy without a silencer and also with each of the two silencers (DonnyFL Romin and TalonP silencers) I shot five-shot groups. There are nine different targets to view. I only put the dime and pellet on the target that had no silencer. Let’s look at the first test.

Filled before the test of each pellet

I know my Condor tank and valve will get 20 good shots at power setting 10. Since each pellet will be shot 15 times, I filled before each test.

JTS Dead Center 18.1-grain dome—no silencer

With no silencer the 18.1-grain JTS Dead Center dome went into 0.282-inches at 25 yards. That’s pretty good and it means the barrel AirForce installed in my rifle is a good one. Also the 18.1-grain JTS Dead Center pellet works in this rifle.

With no silencer attached the Condor put five 18.1-grain JTS domes into 0.282-inches at 25 yards.

JTS Dead Center 18.1-grain dome—Ronin silencer

With the Ronin silencer the Condor became slightly more accurate, putting five JTS pellets into an incredible 0.203-inches at 25 yards. Now, the silencer didn’t actually increase accuracy. It just didn’t take anything away and I got lucky with this group.

With the Ronin attached the Condor put five JTS pellets into 0.203-inches at 25 yards.

JTS Dead Center 18.1-grain dome—TalonP silencer

When the TalonP silencer was attached the Condor put five JTS pellets into a 0.23-inch group at 25 yards. That’s very close to what the Ronin did.

The TalonP silencer put 5 JTS pellets into 0.23-inches at 25 yards.

The TalonP silencer put 5 JTS pellets into 0.23-inches at 25 yards.

Discussion

So far we have learned several things. First, we now know this AirForce Condor is accurate. I knew my old Condor barrel was accurate and these are Lothar Walther barrels so there was no reason to expect anything different, but now we know for sure.

Next, we know that the JTS 18.1-grain Dead Center dome is an ideal pellet for this rifle—at least at 25 yards. All three groups were small and reasonably close in size to each other, which is consistency we like to see.

We also know that the rifle remains accurate when either of the two silencers is attached. I checked both silencers to see if there were any lead scrapings and there were none. That means the Fast Attachment Thread System aligns with the barrel. If it didn’t it wouldn’t be worth much, and since it is an optional attachment it had to be tested. I think the FATS is a worthwhile accessory.   

Summary

I’m going to end today’s report here because it will be too long otherwise. I need some time to explain things as we go—like the Oops that was mentioned. The next report will complete this test and will have a small surprise.

Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier)

Tom Gaylord, also known as B.B. Pelletier, provides expert insights to airgunners all over the world on 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.

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