Today reader Ian McKee, whose blog handle is 45Bravo, tells us his experience with the Umarex Zelos after using it for one year. Today is actually Part 4 of his Zelos report.
If you’d like to write a guest post for this blog, please email me at blogger@pyramydair.com.
Take it away, Ian
My thoughts on the Umarex Zelos one year later
by Ian McKee
Umarex Zelos.
This report covers:
- First impressions
- A personal note
- Back to the Zelos
- Shot count
- Reliability
- No leaks
- The pellets
- Distances
- Others’ impressions of the Zelos
- POI shifts
- The downside
- Trigger
- Would I recommend it to anyone?
- BB’s note
First impressions
Last year I wrote a three-part blog about the Umarex Zelos. At the time of writing Part 3 of the series it had about 1500 rounds through the Zelos with nothing done to it. I didn’t even clean the bore when I first got it. I just filled it, mounted an optic and started having fun.
A personal note
You may have noticed I have not been contributing as much content to the blog as I had previously. Nor have I had as much time to shoot this year as I had in previous years. My wife changed jobs, we moved across town, and my work schedule changed temporarily, giving me only one day off a week.
My work schedule is going back to Monday – Friday and we are buying a house with ample room to shoot in the back yard. Hopefully things will get back to normal.
Back to the Zelos
This is going to be a little different: part four (today’s blog) will be my thoughts and observations within the first year. And issues I have read about and discussed with people I know and trust within the industry that have had hands-on experience with the Zelos.
Shot count
As of this writing, I am closing in on the 5000-pellet mark. I have still done NOTHING to it in this past year, I have not adjusted the regulator, nor have I adjusted the trigger.
I did move the Picatinny bipod mount forward along the pressure tube to a place that felt good for me, but I don’t think that should count as an “adjustment.”
Reliability
Using the factory Umarex magazines I have encountered no failures or malfunctions that were magazine related.
I have also used both a single shot loader and a magazine from CARM-Magazines located in Croatia, that have performed well too.
Surprisingly, I have not noticed any degradation in its accuracy, so I have not had the need to clean the bore.
I did notice the locking ring for the regulator adjustment had loosened, but the regulator itself did not shift. But other than that, nothing else, no loose screws, no shifting points of impact.
No leaks
And most importantly, as of this writing, NO LEAKS!.
All I have done is fill it (with a drop of silicone lube in the fill probe every couple of fills.) and shoot it.
While I have not shot it in actual “competition”, there have been plenty of after work “therapy sessions”, and several Sunday backyard get-togethers with friends and family.
The range of shooters has covered the entire spectrum, from ages 6 years old, to over 80 years old. Their experience ranged from expert marksmen, to first time trigger-pullers. (We will teach them to be marksmen.)
We have shot animal crackers, Tic-Tac candy, empty .22 LR shells, feral soda cans, steel silhouettes, knock down field targets and the list goes on.
The pellets
During this past year, I have mainly used four pellets in the Zelos:
AEA 18.3 grain Center Punch Domes
JTS 18.1 grain Dead Center Domes
Benjamin 14.3 grain Single Die Domes
Crosman Premier 14.3 grain Domes
Distances
The lighter Crosman & Benjamin pellets were used for plinking at shorter ranges under 50 yards. Past 50 yards, we used the heavier pellets for everything. This rifle has been used to blast targets at 10 yards, as well as ringing a nine-inch metal frying pan at 150 yards.
Others’ impressions of the Zelos
The majority of the shooters liked it. A few were less than enthusiastic by the tactical look of it though. Some didn’t like holding the pressure tube instead of an actual forearm, but that opinion was versed by one or two of the ones that were shooting it offhand. From the bench on a bipod or a bag, there were no complaints.
POI shifts
Online I have read of some shooters having shifting POI (Point Of Impact) issues, and Umarex designed a barrel band for the .25 caliber Zelos to alleviate the problem. But personally I have not had any issues with the POI changing on my .22 caliber Zelos.
The downside
The Zelos is a bullpup with a non-adjustable length of pull. Smaller-framed shooters like kids find it difficult to get the correct eye relief when the scope is set for an adult-sized shooter.
Until I moved the Picatinny rail closer to the muzzle end of the pressure tube I sometimes found the rail uncomfortable in my hand.
Trigger
While I have not adjusted the trigger on my particular rifle, the biggest shortcoming I have seen and heard voiced by owners in the last year is this—if you do want to adjust the trigger or hammer spring to tune the gun you must partially disassemble the outer shell around the buttstock.
While not a deal breaker, it does involve a few screws. It is straightforward, but it is something potential owners should be aware of.
Many owners have mentioned that while they have the outer shell off and they are making their adjustments, they drill a larger hole in the rear of the shell under the adjustable buttpad. That way they can adjust the hammer spring by merely sliding the buttpad up or down to access the adjustment screw.
I will cover both the hammer adjustment mod and how to adjust the trigger in a future blog.
So there you have it, my first year with the Zelos.
Would I recommend it to anyone?
Absolutely!
When I go to shoot airguns, I tend to grab the Zelos first. Only then do I choose choose what other ones to bring.
My normal “Picnic Pack” normally involves three airguns: the Zelos—the most accurate, quiet and trouble free airgun I have, a high end airgun for people that have a more champagne budget (Air Arms or Daystate) and a vintage airgun (pistol or rifle) that allows them to see where we have progressed from.
In part 5 we will revisit the accuracy. I will shoot groups with the rifle as it is (uncleaned) and I’ll use the same pellets I used in part three. Then I’ll clean the bore and then shoot them again, and we’ll track the number of shots it takes to go from a clean bore to an accurate bore.
Do any of you have any experience with the Zelos? If so let us know what your experiences are in the comments.
Shoot safe, and have FUN!
Ian
BB’s note
Every time the subject of the Zelos comes up in our conversations, Ian raves about it! That’s why I specifically asked for this report.
I don’t care for the tactical look, but if a Zelos sporter were to become available I think I would want it. I would certainly test it!
Tom and Ian,
I’m just jealous that the Zelos is available to you over there. Although it doesn’t turn you into a zealot it seems to be a very competent air rifle good enough for most activities. I very much doubt if it will ever remade as a sporter. It does remind me of the AirForce line of guns but capable of shooting from a clip.
Siraniko
There are a lot of Hi-Tech Tactical PCPs out there and I researched all that I could find before deciding on a Western Sidewinder. Having a full-auto option and larger regulated air plenum sold me.
Most all are accurate so it seems to come down to design, options or adjustability in deciding which to get.
If you have decided jump into the high-end tactical PCP, cost is probably not a problem and you are aware of exactly what you want. But this one seems to have opened the market to the hard pressed for cash gang.
I look at it as a blank slate for a real Tac-T-Kool conversion upgrade myself. They should have at least had a three-rail weaver mount. But there are lots of aftermarket products and if you just want a bipod, there you go. A sliding one at that. Gotta’ cut cost someplace. Fortunately, it was not on the barrel 😉
Well it sounds like you have really enjoyed your experience so far.
I hope it continues.
-Yogi
Thanks for the well-done report Ian and BB. When I get ready to try a bullpup type gun, this one will definitely be on the short list. I noticed at the bottom of the description on the PA web page for this gun that the adjustable hammer spring feature has been discontinued. What’s up with that? Does anyone know?
Elmer,
I do not know, but more parts mean more cost. It also required disassembly to get to it. Not many customers really need to adjust the hammer spring, most especially on a regulated airgun. That adjustment on a regulated airgun also requires a large plenum to really have any effect.
This is all a wild guess on my part.
RR
“ Not many customers really need to adjust the hammer spring, most especially on a regulated airgun. That adjustment on a regulated airgun also requires a large plenum to really have any effect.”
My Ataman P16 may be an exception. You may recall when BB tested this very pistol it was loud. When I received it yep it was indeed too loud for backyard shooting. Someone, I think Gunfun1, suggested reducing hammer spring tension. Being easy to do I took it to about a half turn from minimum. The result was indeed wonderful. Velocity went down to 497 fps using AA 16 grain domes from an interpolated 650 fps (BB didn’t test the velocity on the AA16 grain pellet, just the accuracy. He did test an 18 grain and a 13 grain pellets velocity). Accuracy was phenomenal at 25 yards and sound was neighborhood friendly. I never touched the regulator. Several readers said I should never change anything so long as accuracy continued. This pistol continues to shoot sub 2 MOA at 25 yards with 10 shots everytime. I have gotten sub 1 MOA a few times. I shoot rested and with a suitable scope so it’s the pistol, not me.
Deck
I have reached out to Umarex about that change I will get back with you when I find out more.
Ian
Elmer Fudd,
I just received an email from Umarex concerning the hammer adjustment of the Zelos.
Here is their response.
“ I verified with our product management team, we have not altered the Zelos to “remove” the hammer spring adjustment.
I remember our first shipment or two, maybe three, did not have access to it without partially taking it apart as you indicated.”
So that’s good, I would hate to see them start counting pennies on the Zelos.
It over delivers in both performance and value for the money spent.
Ian.
Thank you very much Ian. I wondered whether or not the note on PA’s product page was correct. It just appeared questionable to me. Now we have an answer directly from the manufacturer that clarifies this.
Well, either the Zelos is not popular, or it is very popular as I did not see one at the NC Airgun Show this year. The truth is, I have yet to even see one other than in pictures. This is probably a good thing as it might just tempt me, which in truth would be a bad thing. I could stand to get rid of some of my airguns as it is, not acquire more. I have three airguns I picked up at the NC Show this year that I have yet to shoot.
Of all of the tacticool airguns I have seen over the years, this one is the best looking one IMMHO (in my most humble opinion). While many have added features over the years, this one has become even simpler.
What has kept me out of the new tacticool market has been the cost of some of these things. It seems that the new race is not the speed of the pellet, but the rising price of the airgun. FX has always been expensive due to the Swedish Welfare Tax. I guess the others figured out that if the airgun world was willing to pay such outrageous money for a FX, maybe they will pay that for their stuff also.
Also, the tacticool look means the manufacturers can do away with the stocks. Let’s offer less for more.
Do not get me wrong, I have quite a few tacticool air rifles here. That look has been around for a very long time. Many of mine have walnut buttstocks, but not all.
FM believes – unless he is hallucinating – there was one for sale at one vendor’s table during the West Palm Beach Fairgrounds gun show a few months ago. The problem for FM is, he’s not built for bullpups/tacticools which he verified when shooting your grandson’s bullpup at the NC airgun show.
FM,
You did get to shoot it, great! I shot it some myself. I was not impressed with the location of the cocking mechanism. At this point in the game, I would think the cocking mechanisms would all be located close to the trigger instead of at the shoulder.
Ian,
I thank you for telling us of your continued experiences with the Zelos. I for one do hope you continue to enjoy this air rifle for many years. I am looking forward to reading more of your reports on this apparent gem.
Thank you Ian for another nice blog. I do not ‘need’ another PCP but this bullpup is indeed interesting. Good luck with your new Shooting range (backyard) and work changes. I am looking forward to the pre and post cleaning accuracy test. The Zelos seems to be a good platform for it.
Best,
Henry
There are many things we don’t “need”.
But we end up with them anyway…
Ian.
No leaks…that’s worth something.
2-3000 PSI is worth something also. 😉
Ian,
I have been squirreling away for either a Zelos or a Microstrike for a while, and I am as yet undecided.
I have pested and hunted for years with a PRod carbine that is just about my favorite thing ever. But the PRod is a 30-ish yard squirrel gun and I’m looking for something with more fpe, more reach, carbine length, quiet, and durable enough for “truck gun” designation.
The Zelos seems to be a much more feature rich choice, but I wonder about durability and abuse. I’m not going to leave it in the rain in the back of a pickup, but the gun I’m looking for needs to become Ol’ Reliable more than I need it to be a bespoke pneumatic weapons system.
What are your thoughts on durability? Is the pressure tube a solid fit? Is it sensitive to bumping?
ProfSteelToe,
Think Rifle Case. At least a soft padded one. That pressure gage is out in harm’s way.
Bob M,
You could cut a short piece of neoprene foam HVAC line split tube to protect that reservoir pressure gauge hanging out on the end exposed to bumps. But then…
I would probably eliminate the tube (Solves the exposed gauge problem) and go with a Carbon Fiber bottle modification for better balance and double or more the volume (500 cc+) of hpa and perhaps a bottle regulator to step down the pressure to the on board regulator for more consistent pressure and the likely smaller MV spread.
shootski
ProfSteelToe,
Perhaps you should go with something that was designed to be a truck gun in the first place? Perhaps you should give serious consideration to the AirForce TalonP Carbine?
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/airforce-talonp-carbine?m=5084
Do not forget a case of some sort.
RidgeRunner,
Truck gun…i know rear window rifle racks are no longer PC but doesn’t anyone use a rifle scabbard any longer? Synthetics have come a long way but if you plan on using it on a horse as well they prefer them to be made of COWHIDE ;^)
shootski
Shootski,
Ha! Whoa there cowboy- I never said I was looking for a horse mounted cavalry rifle.
I’m not specifically looking for a truck gun. But “truck gun approved” is the highest grade you give an air rifle for the type of shooting I do.
ProfSteelToe,
Forward HO!!
When i’m not wearing my steel toe flight boots: https://www.bellevilleboot.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=188
i usually wear a Roper: https://www.lucchese.com/collections/men-boots-shop-all/products/tanner-chocolate?_pos=2&_fid=01e4c135e&_ss=c
and when i need something dressy: https://www.lucchese.com/collections/men-boots-shop-all/products/devin-black?_pos=3&_fid=19a55a62b&_ss=c
shootski
RR,
I have thought long and hard about the TalonP for many years.
But I have a Condor (hard-hitting, long reach), and a PRod (little, quiet, perfect yard gun). And I do love a short and handy carbine like the TalonP. But the Zelos has some interesting features that those guns don’t.
And, if I’m being honest, it’s also just very different from the other two and sort of fits in the middle.
Man, the lengths we will go to to justify just one more airgun…
PROFSTEEL,
While I have not been harsh on my Zelos, I also have not pampered it.
It has been knocked off of tables twice landing on the ground, and dropped once.
As to the Microstrike, I handled one at SHOT SHOW I liked what I saw.
And want to test one.
I since it’s an Air Venturi product, I am sure one will be covered in the blog.
Ian.
Ian and Pro Steel Toe,
Yes, the MicroStrike report series will start soon.
BB
BB,
Timely indeed. I look forward to it.
45Bravo,
Ian good luck with all the changes hopefully they will all prove to be beneficial for the long haul!
Enjoying your continued guest blog on the Zelos.
I have a question or two.
Do you know if there is a plenum and if so what is the volume?
Can it be enlarged or swapped out easily?
I’m thinking .30 caliber barrel upgradeability.
Thank you,
shootski
That I don’t know.
They do make it in .25 caliber.
I am sure some enterprising Airgunners out there have tried to take it to .30, but I don’t know.
Ian
Shootski,
I did not see any mention of a plenum anywhere online and a .30 Cal could probably use one. I don’t have a .30 Cal but something like this, powered up for the .30, at this price, would receive strong consideration.
No, I would actually get it.
Not being a plinker a smaller mag would not be a problem.
Ian,
That is the extra endorsement I was looking for. The Zelos has a minimalist design that I really like but I can’t get a feel from photos if it is sturdy or fragile or sensitive, ie. is the unsupported barrel touchy, is the pressure tube solidly mounted or does it wiggle around, etc.
Surviving a good drop or two and still on target is a gold star in its favor.