The Air Venturi OmniStorm.
This report covers:
- Unboxing
- I’m ready!
- Set?
- Description continued
- Sights
- Adjusting the gas spring
- Trigger
- How did they do it?
- Summary
Yes, the Air Venturi OmniStorm breakbarrel rifle is finally here. Worldwide shipping is still presenting problems, so this has taken longer than expected, but the wait is now over. The one I am testing was air-freighted in and more rifles are en route now.
Unboxing
I will show you the box first, then what’s inside. I don’t do this very often, but this time I think it’s right.
The OmniStorm box.
Open the box.
The OmniStorm comes with a OmniTuner hand pump to change pressure in the gas spring and a 4X32 scope that’s already in the mounts.
I’m ready!
We have waited all year for this air rifle and now we get to test it. I can’t wait!
Description
The rifle is a breakbarrel with a spring-piston powerplant. This one has a gas spring that gives it the real benefit I will describe in a bit.
The rifle comes in either .177 or .22. I asked for a .177 because I’m always testing .22s and I wanted to give the 17 caliber a fair shake.
I have no idea what power level it’s set to out of the box but I can tell you it’s not difficult to cock. Yes, it will take an adult to cock it, but it was much easier than I was expecting. Of course when I test the velocity we’ll find out where it’s set.
Set?
Yes, the OmniStorm has user-adjustable power. That’s been offered before in spring-piston rifles but never at a price of only $200 retail. You read that right—$200. If you want to get one at that price (RidgeRunner) you’d better buy one soon because I have a feeling they are not making any money at that price. And yes, RR, I just broke my promise to not refer to you as cheap!
For your money you get not just the rifle but also the OmniTuner hand pump to change gas spring pressures and a 4X32 scope. AND THE RIFLE HAS OPEN SIGHTS! Unless it falls flat on its face, this is a tremendous deal! And my test will help determine that.
Back in 1998 I paid about $1,000 for a Beeman Crow Magnum (Theoben Eliminator) and another $150 for the hand pump. I may have gotten a deal on the rifle, because I believe they were retailing for $1,200. That’s how far this OmniStorm has come!
Description continued
The rifle is 46.5 inches long with a 14.5-inch length of pull. That makes it an adult air rifle And you’ll have to forgive me saying this but the stock reminds me of the stock on the Sig ASP20—a LOT! This one is synthetic and very slim, which no doubt factors into the 6.75-pound overall weight.
The stock is finished matte and grips the hands nicely. The metalwork is also finished matte, which I think is the right way to go. No need to make everything shiny because at this price nobody expects it to compete with a TX200.
Sights
The OmniStorm comes with open sights front and rear. Yes, they are adjustable and yes, they both have fiberoptics. The front is a post and bead inside a globe that cannot be removed and the rear adjusts in both directions.
The OmniStorm rear sight adjusts in both directions.
The OmniStorm front sight.
Adjusting the gas spring
To change the pressure in the gas spring connect the OmniTuner hand pump to the OmniPiston fill port, located at the right rear of the spring tube. We will do that in later testing, but I first want to see where the rifle is set as it came from the factory.
The fill port. The protective cover has been removed for this photo.
To raise gas spring pressure pump air in with the OmniTuner. To lower pressure press in the Schrader valve pin inside the fill port.
The description says the air pressure in the gas spring runs from about 205 psi to 550 psi, which in .177 gives you about 500 to 1,100 f.p.s. with a 7-grain lead pellet. That would be an RWS Hobby. In .22 an 11.9-grain lead pellet (another Hobby) should give you 500 to 850 f.p.s.
As far as the cocking effort goes, that’s something I will test for you. We really need to correlate the rifle’s power to that effort.
Trigger
The trigger feels single-stage. It seems to release easily enough, but I will test it for you in a future report.
The safety is a “Gamo-type” lever that comes back for safe and moves forward to fire. It does come on automatically when the rifle is cocked.
How did they do it?
“They” is Tyler Patner, so it’s no surprise things are as nice as they are. I bet there are many other folks who also worked on this, but I’m pretty sure he was the main guy.
Is everything the way I want it? No. I could do without the fiberoptic sights and the automatic safety, but those are personal preferences. Tyler knows what sells, plus he has to consider liability that I do not.
Summary
I have been waiting for this one all year. Can you tell? I hope the OmniStorm tests well because I think it is a watershed design. Either way though, I will tell you.
Tom,
I can tell you are excited about this rifle by the number of capitalized words there are. I think you are also ready to pull out the pompoms if this rifle also shows acceptable plinking accuracy.
What is an acceptable group size for plinking and at what range? Should there be a minimum group size? I believe most will accept if the rifle can keep hitting a soda can sized target up to 20 yards or should it be farther? I think that would be a good article one of these days.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
I’d like to see groups that range between 3/4 and one inch at 21 yards.
BB
Tom,
So a US quarter might be added to the line-up of coins for group sizes?
Siraniko
Siraniko,
Ha! 🙂
BB
Siraniko,
Only I am such a bad shot with a sproinger that I would use a quarter for such things.
B.B.,
I’m looking forward to this set of reports; this could be a lot of airgun for the money…
…provided you are able to wring some decent accuracy from her. 😉
Blessings to you,
dave
Time to pop some corn, I think I will pop some in Bacon grease or Ballistol . Nah Bacon grease will do.
ssc,
That sounds good. Be sure and eat some for me.
BB,
ROTFWL! I just knew you could not stand it! I am not upset by your jabs. Hey, I have Scottish blood.
Although that is indeed a great price, as far as I am concerned that is still too much for me. For one thing, it is made by one of Uncle Xi’s cohorts. The primary reason though is I have yet to try out the HW90 that I just acquired from Fawlty Manuel.
Yes, the price tag was quite a bit higher. Yes, the weight is a considerable bit higher. Right now, it sports a Williams rear peep and a TruGlo front globe, which happens to be the only glowy thingy sight I can stand. It is also a .25, which if I wish to change will cost me a considerable bit, but could still be done.
I shot the .177 Hatsan Galatian I just acquired this weekend yesterday. It is not the tack driver as my newest BSA is, but will make a superb small game hunter, and look good while it is doing it.
Hopefully the HW90 will get to the range some today.
RR, remember to eat your Wheaties before that planned range session with the HW90. 😉
FM,
I for one am not daunted by this HW90. What will be nice is I can make it a bit easier if I so wish. 😉
Frugal
Economical in the use or appropriation of resources; not wasteful or lavish; wise in the expenditure or application of force, materials, time, etc.; characterized by frugality; sparing; economical; saving.
ssc,
There you go. That is what a bit of Scottish blood will do.
Good Morning, BB and all!
Hopefully, the velocity can be tuned to the particular pellet and the quarry. I do not predict it will shoot every pellet well at one particular pressure setting. But as long as it can shoot cheap, light pellets well at the lower end of the velocity range for basement target shooting in the winter and then can be pumped up to shoot heavier pellets for popping the occasional pest or game in the warmer months, you definitely will have a winner.
That front sight looks atrocious! It looks like it would cover 5MOA, or more.
Roamin,
I think the front sight covers a LOT more than 5 MOA!
BB
RG,
I would cut that horrible thing off and mount a decent scope like a BugBuster.
Power wise, you will need a whole lot less than you may think. In the UK, unless you have a FAC (firearm certificate), they are limited to less than 12 FPE (that is foot-pounds of energy). fuzzy-tailed tree rats, wabbits and such fall prey to that power level all the time.
What many do not seem to realize is that the original airgun shooters over there recommended that power level to the UK government as a safe level for humans, but lethal for small game.
It is also true that we who want “MORE POWER!” have destroyed quite a few Theobens over the years by over-pressurizing the gas springs in them, causing them to leak and/or burn up the piston seal.
Just in time for Christmas….
B.B.
Is the safety resettable?
-Y
Yogi,
Yes.
BB
Congratulations to Tyler Patner and whoever else contributed to this rifle’s development. It looks to me like it should be a very versatile and popular one. I am looking forward to BB’s upcoming reports.
Elmer,
So does BB who hasn’t yet fired shot number two!
BB
BB
Many of us including RR have been asking for a popular priced adjustable gas springer. But RR has made the plunge at Hickory for a Weihrauch. Innovative designs is one reason I have so many airguns in my shooting rotation. I still shoot my Synergis Elite even though it is a scatter gun because it’s my only under lever. If accuracy is sub 1 inch at 21 yards I may have to get one if it has a scope or dot mount. Glowy things are useless for shooting paper.
Hope the next report comes sooner than later.
Deck
Deck,
The next report WILL come sooner than later because BB believes this to be a watershed design. I just hope it holds up, performs as advertised and is reasonably accurate!
BB
BB,
I bet pellet testing for this gun could get really complicated. Do you have a plan on testing different velocities with the same pellet to see how accuracy changes? Just wondering.
Thank you for all your insight and hard work in the Airgun world.
Sincerely,
Erik
Erik,
I thought this was going to be a long and involved test. And then Roamin Greco says I should try “tuning” the power to each pellet!
ARRRRGH!
BB
No problem…I volunteer to be your intern. When you are done with your reports, I can do follow ups with pellets at different velocities, which by itself may be interesting to explain why some airguns like certain pellets. I have quite a variety of .177 pellets, a 10 yard basement range, and winter coming….
BB,
What would you think of test where you take the 2nd or 3rd best pellet from your initial test run and ran that pellet at higher and lower spring pressures?
We have so many quality pellets available right now that I’m curious if, with an adjustable ram, we could see more improvement in accuracy from a pellet that isn’t the stand out in initial testing. I understand that there are many, many variables that contribute to accuracy besides velocity, but I am be curious about the idea of trying to improve a particular pellet.
The scenario I imagine for example might be setting up a back door pesting gun for hunting pellets- polymags, crow magnums, etc.- that shoot mediocre groups on initial testing. Could a ram be tuned to bring a 3/4″ group @ 20yds to a 1/2″ group?
I always wonder if there is some degree of luck in the initial accuracy test with pellets because the baseline for “best tested” is whatever power the gun happens to be set up for at the moment of testing.
Could we pick a pellet and make it shoot?
ProfSteelToe,
Now that (2nd or 3rd best pellet) is a suggestion I might take!
BB
That’s a great suggestion!
ProfSteelToe,
“Could a ram be tuned to bring a 3/4″ group @ 20yds to a 1/2″ group?” Since it works on PCPs and even to a lesser degree on Multipumps it should work on an adjustable Gas Spring.
Even though the pressure profile is drastically different in a Spring Powerplant it will result in changes to the Muzzle Velocity, projectile RPM, and likely barrel harmonics as well.
I’ll probably need to switch from the popped in Bacon Fat Popcorn to my Air Popper for this Series of Tom’s tests or be endangered of weight gain in all the wrong places ;^)
shootski
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
or
Ski, ski, ski your butt
Gently up the hill
or
You could just lug this HW90 around some. 😉
RidgeRunner,
My EPIC 18X Sport kayak hull is too efficient especially when i use my Mid Twist paddle to burn those extra Bacon Fat Popcorn calories :^p
My wax job on my skis is too fast and the kick wax is usually enough to climb. If the hills are really too steep for my kick wax or the distance to cover is to great to herringbone i use my skins for climbing!
I even use skins to go downhill on my Snowshoes.
Also a BIATHLON Sling is the only way to carry a rifle when, hiking in, skiing, or snowshoeing. My .22 ASP20 with synthetic stock and a few other powder rifles have QD Cups that work with my sling: https://www.tabgear.com/products/biathlon-sling-2-0
Actually anytime you carry a rifle.
shootski
Hey Erik!
Any of the flooding in Alaska affect you guys?
Hey Erik!
Any of the flooding in Alaska affect you guys?
Kevin,
No flooding here on the Kenai peninsula. Feel for the small communities near Bethel.
Hope all is well with you. Look forward to getting back to Colorado next summer and we can shoot this new to me LGR.
Erik
Kudos to Tyler and the folks at AV for bringing this up. Even if it is not as good as we hope – most of the readers are in this forum have typically high expectations, myself included – it would still be a step forward in spring gun technology. You have to start somewhere.
Regarding the product itself, at this price point I can accept the plastic and the safety. Not so sure with the glowy sights and definitely not with the scope. My gut feeling is that at every step in pressure there will be one favorite pellet, particularly considering the low weight. We shall see in the next installment, soon I also hope.
Henry
Henry,
This is nothing more than a cheapened copy of the Theoben air rifles of yore. I am sure that BB will step in some time, but my rememberer seems to recall that BB was testing an adjustable gas spring for an HW95/Beeman R9. Now that would have been nice.
In truth, I hope this does well. An adjustable gas spring in a well-made air rifle would indeed be a step forward. The plastic stock is not a deterrent to me. The weather resistance of such could indeed be a great benefit.
The lack of mass is more of a concern of mine. Although easier to lug around, there is nothing to absorb the massive recoil that is inherent with a sproinger. Once upon a time, I had PA convert my Gamo CFX to a gas spring. I had them convert it back. I quickly became tired of having it slap me side the head each time I shot it.
Feinwerkbau, Diana, Umarex and others have been working on the recoil issue but apparently have not solved it without the use of mass. Maybe a joint venture so they could get around each other’s patents would work.
I do have a solution, but it would require convincing the world’s largest airgun market to go along with it. Europe has shown us we do not need all of that power. Accuracy is what counts. Though I will not be buying one as I now have an HW90, it is my hope that this air rifle will help to lead the way to lower power levels.
For those of you who are considering buying one of these, I predict there will be bunches for sale on the used airgun sites soon as the owners will strive to inflate these higher than they should and destroy the seals as they did with the Theobens.
RR,
I am much closer to your way of thinking that I you can imagine. I wanted to congratulate Tyler in bringing inexpensive innovative airguns to the market. This is always a risky proposition and I am glad they are doing it. That said, it is not for me. My favorite rifles are an old German Diana 34 and my HW-30S. Wood, steel and precision manufacturing, wonderful for a few but not a good recipe for sales to the newbee market. Yes, I have a few PCPs, and they are great in their own way, but I keep coming back to a traditional springer.
I am glad that you are enjoying your HW90 – I’ll admit I am a bit jealous – so please keep us informed on your testing and discoveries. It is a magnificent gun and we can learn with you.
Henry
B.B.,
It is Friday so i will forgive you this once for: “And you’ll have to forgive me saying this but the stock reminds me of the stock on the Sig ASP20—a LOT!”
Added to that is that you no longer have your SIG ASP20 at hand to do a direct comparison.
I did take notice in the advertising literature of the 25-to about 50 pound cocking effort on this rifle.
Just please don’t compare them again until you mark up some target paper with this rifle; even limited to just the very best 10 shot group at 21 yards ;^)
Bacon fat popcorn popped singleshotcajun; :^)
shootski
PS: I hope they sell many and that Tyler gets a BIG FAT BONUS!
I am procuring the bacon grease as I type. Got to cook bacon to have bacon grease so Wife and I get bacon eggs and grits this AM, the things I do for love. Bacon fat popcorn for when the next report comes out.
singleshootcajon,
It is a real hard task to eat the bacon no doubt ;^)
On the eggs, is that over-easy or sunnyside up?
GRITS too!
But someone has to do it…
shootski
PS: I’ll be right over.
Sunny side up for me , punched and cooked hard for the Misses . Eggs are from a friend at church , He brings us home grown eggs I bring them home made hot sauce and pepper sauce, made a big batch of Tabasco/garlic pepper sauce today.Grits are Old fashion cooked low and S. L. O. W. With plenty butter. Weekdays we eat a healthier breakfast but splurge Saturday and Sunday.
ssc,
I am on my way! I absolutely like that kinda breadfast! All you Yankees who have never had a bowl of grits topped with eggs and a couple of slices of crispy bacon have no idea what you are missin’ out on.
singleshotcajun,
As a kid my family ate grits before i knew they were grits…we called them Polenta.
My wife came late to Southern Grits in my early twenties when we lived in LA (Lower Alabama/far Northwest Florida) across the street from Mr. and Mrs. Delmar; they introduced all the glorious Southern Cooking to a pair of Yankees as RR is want to calls us. The food and the Delmar front porch unfailing hospitality converted us in no time.
We like our grits stone ground and slow cooked in white, blue, or yellow corn. The blue corn works well for us with shrimp. :^)
shootski
RidgeRunner,
Some Yankees eat grits and don’t even know it!
We served grits and a woman guest of ours exclaimed, “How trendy we are having Polenta!”
My wife and i just laughed.
Reminded me that my family has eaten Crepes, Quiche Lorrain, and a bunch of other foods before, during, and after they were deemed trendy by folks.
Gas Spring airguns have been TRENDY before too! ;^)
As have PCPs….
shootski
In 1997 the company I worked for in Mississippi sent me to Chicago to the International tool trade show. I took my breakfast where I stayed in the Parker House Hilton. I saw grits on the menu and on a lark I ordered some, they brought it in a bowl with a spoon 😉 it was porridge .
I like to get my grits from farmer’s markets right after they stone grind it in lieu of that I get it from Palmetto farms in South Carolina
https://palmettofarms.com/product/yellow-stone-ground-grits/
They also sell it as a mix of yellow and white 50/50 The best deal considering shipping is on that Amazing zon place. Palmetto State Arms for AR parts and Palmetto farms for grits 😉
Be sure to freeze the dry grits and all other grains including rice as this will kill the weevil eggs.
No matter if it is Quaker original or gourmet grits my method is about the same.
Bring two and a quarter cups water to a boil and whisk in a half cup of grits immediately remove the pot from heat and stir in a quarter stick of real butter then cover and place on extremely low heat (I use the “melt” burner on an electric stove) for at least thirty minutes. Season to taste and enjoy tender grits you eat with a fork. I will try Polenta . I grew near Thibodaux,LA and lived in Virginia for one year then twenty years in Central MS now for the last twenty-four years in TX. I added a healthy dose of Tex-Mex and Czech cuisine to my repertoire. I knew Czechs made great firearms and now know they make the best sausage.
FM went with some of his college friends to a Kiwanis/Circle K Club convention in Chicago back in ’71. At the Sheraton where the convention was held, several of us went to breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant one morning. One of our lady members asked the waitress for grits. “Honey,” replied the waitress, “we’re not in the South anymore.”
Not braggin’ but FM can cook up a decent helping of shrimp-and-grits; prefer yellow grits for that. Even Mrs. FM will eat them and she IS from the South.
I have loved eating grits since I was an infant (according to my parents). They serve delicious grits at one of our favorite Sunday brunch places. I asked them if they used milk in the grits. They said that they use heavy cream. Anyway, we ordered some of the Palmetto Farms grits and are looking forward to eating some. Thanks!
“I hope they sell many and that Tyler gets a BIG FAT BONUS!”
shootski,
Yes, Tyler did a good thing here, God bless him!
He worked to bring out an innovative rifle at a decent price.
If one spends enough time playing with different pellets and power levels, there’s bound to be some sweet spots where this rifle will shine; and if anyone can wring out some accuracy from this thing, surely BB can. 🙂
Looking forward to the future reports,
dave
I wonder if the pump for this runs gas ram could be adapted to pump up RidgeRunner’s HW90. That might be a product worth making in limited runs.
Yes Sir, that sounds like it could prove useful to RR and others like him. 😉
thedavemyster,
I believe SRAM/RockShox already has that covered: https://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/models/tl-pump-hp6-a1
shootski
Cool; I learn something new every day; thank you. 😉
Roamin Greco,
There are two standard valves: Schrader which is the one most automotive wheels use and Presta which is found on most/many racing bicycle wheels. You don’t really need a special pump. Ridge Runner could use an airgun hand pump, compressor or one of his tanks with an inline delivery pressure gage and the proper fitting for the airguns valve.
Why spend more money on another specialized pump to go missing or break?
shootski
In the refinery we have Nitrogen charged Dampeners on lots of equipment. I routinely have to check the pressures and charge as necessary. We two types if Schrader valves, I just call them inneys and outies also we have no standardization with them often have both kinds on the same piece of equipment.
Roamin Greco,
https://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/models/tl-pump-hp6-a1
;^)
shootski
B.B.,
I thought about your Watershed Design to Decksniper comment on and off as i dismounted my four Summer Street Slicks and installed my four Snow Tires and this stuck in my head: IF your surmise proves true does Tyler have an upgraded (more refined) version design on his drive or at least in his head. Perhaps one with more designed in quality, better sights (no bundled scope), lower effort cocking design engineering, better (PICATINNY) scope mounting system?
Oh and! A stock with palm swell and less of the carved from a TREX® 2×4 board look ;^)
shootski
shootski,
I for one do hope that you are correct. Many in the “airgun community” have experienced the initial attempts of manufacturers to rush a product to market. I am one who has always waited until all of the bugs are worked out before “shucking out the bucks”. Sometimes, as in the example of the ASP20 it has cost me. I usually get over it though.
I have to thank you concerning some of the ideas you have put forth about this HW90. I will likely buy the correct pump and gauge for this air rifle, but I am hoping this pump or other methods will work also. We shall see.
Ridge Runner,
Only reason i can think of buying the whole Kit & Kaboodle: Is selling an air rifle as a complete system, with all the bits and pieces, and of course with the original box seems to get the seller way more money.
shootski
shootski,
Oh, this is likely not going anywhere. I just would like to have the complete “Kit & Kaboodle” for me.
Uh, I think that my be the TX200.
By the by, I spent much of my life in Eastern Kentucky, where grits were the norm for breakfast and bacon or hog shanks were the main meats for dinner. All these years later, and I still hanker ’em.
Now for Tom: will this latest and greatest surpass the Dragonfly, also from Air Venturi? Orv.
Doc,
That’s difficult to say.
BB
Doc,
Hey, the TX200 and the HW97 are top shelfers also. I would have brought them home with me if my wallet had been thicker.
Hoppalong Doc,
Schweinshaxe!
Served with Sauerkraut and Kartoffelknödel ;^)
shootski
My experience with gas springs is very limited. Twelve years ago I bought two TF-99 rifles one standard and one that was modified by Pyramid using a Crosman Nitro piston. I was able to tune the standard one into a nice shooting well behaved piston rifle, the one with the Nitro piston is just harsh and always will be. I like the idea of being able to adjust the pressure.
ssc,
Once upon a time I had PA convert my .177 Gamo CFX to that Crosman Nitro piston. Fortunately, they converted it back for me.
I was looking closely at the front sight. I agree it is huge and ugly. I also noticed a small hole that could be a set screw. Can the front sight be easily removed and replaced with a Daisy Globe sight?
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/daisy-globe-front-sight-insert-3-8-dovetail?a=2785
Or something like Air Venturi Muzzle brake?
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/air-venturi-muzzlebrake-with-grooves?a=5875
Mike
Mike,
I think that would be superb if the front sight could be removed. I have two TruGlo front globes if such can be used on this thing.
https://www.amazon.com/Truglo-Polymer-Housing-Universal-Dovetail/dp/B001V8NL7E/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3QMME7MU52U8N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6Oz7TfIBuIPAOk1n0Jr0sjs-Bicqh4ZiHNDDPirNwpZXgJfHAzZiR6_slg_18-iwJOIzulT9vOWzLogvH-zeEgGpDPm5d-3W7MH8xtkXgEkbn1-ahncX4NEzE4TaeQTCcLxloK1ZLRsjI2uHdLrtYC-osew3_pqZbINH6pjs8SP7Ln_kg1xGWjM-maHpf3uj8rF1Vhmo9Uk7_JWYFmo9r3j3GVjQkXVJaESqJu09rTQGRKpnt5DIQLVkHf9kXC_FaWyIph5WQgjC0k4RdSUHkZfdva8mHx0fUls9mySZiKg.UFv95lMbfoxMuM0Uug4x3dzThtJ4XHpdFqRewFWIO14&dib_tag=se&keywords=truglo+globe&qid=1760793773&sprefix=truglo+globe%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-4
GollyGeeWhiz that sure is a long link!
Mike,
Another suggestion I have is pitch that worse than useless scope over the hill and get a decent one. I know, it is to lure the newbies into buying a “complete” package.
My biggest concern with any gas spring is the ability to repair it in the future. Are they serviceable? What happens in 5 or 10 years?
I know that I can buy a Weihrauch–even a 40 year-old used model–and find a variety of spring and piston options.
Why should I consider this type of power plant?
Derrick,
Theoben gas springs are serviceable. Expensive, but serviceable.
Derrick,
Some are user serviceable as RR notes.
It looks to me that there are enough companies that have enough stock versions of the Gas Springs, (Gas Rams/Dampeners/Lifts) or offer custom builds/modifications that replacement will be possible for the foreseeable future of most if not all.
A good machinist can actually build a replacement (or many) from scratch for a price.
shootski
I knew the Theobens were repairable, I wasn’t sure about the Benjamin or Crosman NPS air springs. I did a quick Google look around and it does seem like there are replacement parts out there.
I’ll have to polish up on my machining.
BB, FM and all,
I have just spent some range time with the HW90 I have acquired from FM. All I can say is “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE!”. If I had this airgun many years ago, I would not have spent so much money on PCPs. I would probably be more like Yogi.
FM,
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!!! I can see where someone of your stature would have some difficulty with this big, heavy honker. So far, I have found it to be quite enjoyable to shoot.
All,
This is a very expensive air rifle. The pump and gauge that is made for this air rifle is not cheap either. That’s OK. Of all the sproingers I have shot over the years, this is the one modern sproinger for me. This one receives the much-coveted 3R (RidgeRunner Recommended) rating. BB and others may think that this thing he is writing about may be worthy of his breaking out his pom-poms, but it has a llllloooooonnnng way to go to top this.
I am not saying that the Air Venturi OmniStorm Air Rifle is not worth owning. What I am saying is it is not an HW90. The only way I am likely to shoot one is for someone to send me one to try. Now, if you do feel inclined to get one of these things, I would personally wait until at least the second generation of these came out.
RR,
Ahhh! And another pair of eyes has opened! 🙂
BB
BB,
It is not that my eyes have been opened, but it was necessary for me to open the wallet. I did try to get my grubby little paws on a walnut stocked TX200 and an HW97, but I ran out of money.
It is kind of funny to have gone around full circle. I started out on this journey with a sproinger. Now here I am many years later singing the praises of another sproinger. I can see a few PCPs that will be for sale in the future.
RidgeRunner,
Fickle?
Bet you wouldn’t sell a Girardoni…even if it was a PCP!
shootski
RidgeRunner,
Only a few Replies ago: “Only I am such a bad shot with a sproinger that I would use a quarter for such things.”
My Oh My…how quickly the Fickle flip-flop… ;^)
shootski
shootski,
Huh?
RidgeRunner,
My reaction to your:
“I have just spent some range time with the HW90 I have acquired from FM. All I can say is “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE!”. If I had this airgun many years ago, I would not have spent so much money on PCPs. I would probably be more like Yogi.”
Especially the last sentence ;^0
shootski
You are welcome, RR and happy to make you happy. For FM the issue with the HW90 was not so much the cocking effort – going to the gym has to be useful for SOMETHING, right? – but more to do with how accurately FM could shoot it. Also, it seemed the .25 was not necessarily the ideal caliber for this type air rifle. This is strictly FM’s opinion based on his experience with this particular HW90. Have said so before, will say it again – perhaps the .22 version would have made for a more satisfactory experience. As always, different strokes for different folks and Your Mileage May Vary.
Nothing says there won’t be a .22 HW90 residing in Casa FM someday but for now, will continue to appreciate and enjoy the two “sproingers in residence,” the .22 HW95 and the .177 HW30. FM can shoot those two passably and they’ve been good enough to take down an iguana or two.
I too have an HW95 (technically a Beeman R9) in .22. It is a wonderful rifle with HN Field Target Trophy pellets with the 5.53 mm head size. 5.52 mm and 5.54 mm are significantly worse in my rifle. I bought it refurbished from P.A. It is in perfect condition.
Don’t recall using HN FTT in that head size with the “95” – may have to put those on the order cart for next time. FM can actually hit targets with this Weihrauch so it has been a keeper since Day One.
What are the chances that a gas piston that leaks down would shoot like a mild-mannered springer? For a while anyway. Might be something to consider checking out with this OmniStorm. Reduced or eliminated cheek slap?
Try Bacon French Fries, Fried Chicken, I got plenty of good comments from surprised customers, drunk servicemen and female locals, after the Airman’s Club closed and the restaurant stayed open for ‘Mid-Rats’ (Midnight Rations- Breakfast)
Part time short order cook job I had while in the USN in England. Saved up enough to buy a new ’68’ BSA 650 cc Mk IV Spitfire motorcycle. Life was good, no great, back then! Got me married. Need to rethink that now.
Bob M,
You need to try making a BaconBlueCheeseBurger and some BlueCheese Fries.
shootski
PS: the SIG ASP20 doesn’t do cheek slap as far as i can tell. It may have something to do with the torque of a coil spring is all i can think of.
Shootski,
I was referring to a powerful gas piston being slap happy. So, I just took out my Umarex Octane and shot it to get a better idea of what is happening. To my surprise there was little to no cheek slap … and I was using it as the prime example of it. Apologies to UMAREX.
It did pull my cheek a bit forward as the piston slammed home. They claim 1250 fps with alloy pellets; I used a .22 Crosman Premier.
It claims to have a “Reaxis gas piston” with less vibration and is smoother with quieter recoil. Soo, I may have mixed up my air rifles or held my cheek on it in a different way. It was not bad at all. May depend on the hold? I just used the artillery hold tonight but usually I rest on the side of a building.
If I recall right, I have two of the same magnum rifles, not sure what kind now, one a metal coil spring and the other a gas piston and the gas piston version slapped hard when shot.
I’m definitely a burger guy, grew up on White Castle and a local Greek restaurants’ homemade burger with a red onion sauce and my friend’s Polish grandmother’s secret ingredient burgers, think it was beef and pork mixed. Then it was the Spam Burger in the UK and the best, boiled in butter, Mushroom Burger ever in this Alameda CA place in the 70’s. Had turn of the century decor with big screen vintage movies playing all the time. Will look into a Bacon Blue Cheeseburger. Sounds good!
And then there was this place in Florida that specialized in foot long hot dogs, boiled in beer, of every kind imaginable. One dog was a meal.
Bob M,
When I tried a gas spring in my CFX, it became very slap happy.
Now if the two of you would just stop talking about food, I just might lose some weight.
Just so all of you know,
I am not ignoring you, well most of you anyway. I have not been receiving any notifications of when I have a response to my posts on this site. I do not know if something is broken or someone decided to save a little money, neither of which would really surprise me.
A bit off-topic but yesterday did some shooting with the .22 Mrod to re-zero the scope which had been necessarily tinkered with by a guest shooter a few weeks ago. After re-zeroing, using Crosman 14.3 grain HP pellets for the purpose, decided to see how it would shoot Nielsen .218 hollow-point bullets/slugs. Needless to say these had to be loaded singly and without a shot tray, it was a bit of a fiddly exercise during which FM thanked the Lord for his smallish hands and fingers.
At 25 yards found that there was a drop of about 4″ from the designated aiming point; fired five “slugs;” once the drop was calculated and compensated for, the last two made a 3/4″ group which, for FM, is good or “good enough.” The bullets fed a little tight into the bore, but not excessively so and appeared to seal well.
FawltyManuel,
Does your Marauder have a choked barrel?
If it is a Lothar-Walther it very likely is and even a Crosman barrel is probably chocked to some degree. The frequently stated opinion is that choked barrels don’t yield the best accuracy with bullets/slugs; i sort of agree but also believe every barrel is a thing unto itself.
But 3/4″ grouping is plenty for iguanas at 25 yards.
shootski
You are probably correct, shootski. Don’t think slugs/bullets are a good choice for this rifle.
Ridge Runner,
When my mother was raised, around the depression times, being able to eat three times a day was a sign of success and being provided for by a responsible family. She made sure I had, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then the Navy did the same. I was lucky and could eat anything forever and never gain a pound.
Then at about 60 years of age I gained 30 pounds and toped 200. I hated my stomach jiggling and ended my food splurge and eating three or more times a day. My body metabolism obviously changed.
My simple solution … Don’t eat till you are hungry!! … No more scheduled meals. Easy to do being a procrastinator. Back to 170.
Also cut back on unhealthy snacks. replace with healthy snacks like a cup oatmeal, fruit, bananas and such. Keeping your stomach ‘Small’ with smaller portions avoids the pain of hunger when it starts to shrink. It becomes a new lifestyle, and you really feel and function better. No special diet necessary. Good luck!
When you get that old fat burner system kicking in you too may be able to say, “Holy crap, it’s 7pm and I forgot to eat anything today”.
Shootski,
I was looking around for any new airgun stuff and found this Desert Eagle BB Pistol to Carbine Conversion Kit.
I remember you asked if I could let you know about this Select-fire Cybergun Pistol. I have not shot it yet. Hate to waste a CO2 cartridge just to take a few shots. When it comes in, I will plan a shooting session and cover both.
It really is a big pistol but not too heavy for all metal. The entire outer barrel, slide and mag are anyway; they get cold. Surprisingly manageable with its finger griping design. It appears to be another outstanding realistic Airsoft conversion. I can actually get my fingertips around the grip.
Bob M,
Looking forward to seeing the rest of it!
shootski