Air Arms S500 XS Xtra FAC, Regulated PCP Air Rifle

Everything about the Air Arms s500 screams quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. The fit and finish are superb. The bluing on the air cylinder is an amazing mirror polish. The stock is beautiful with no discernable dings or defects. The machining on every visible part is perfection. The barrel to dovetail alignment is near perfect. The cocking is smooth at 4.5 lbs. The trigger is perfect out of the box at 1lb 6 oz. There is no play in the power selector once it clicks into place. Loading is extremely easy due to the size, shape, and machining of the loading area. The regulator is very consistent with max spreads of 7-16 fps depending on the pellet. First shots after mounting an optically centered scope had near perfect vertical alignment at about 10 cm low at 25 m. It turns in average CTC group sizes of 4-5 mm at 25 m with Crosman Premier Domed Ulta Heavy 19 gr, H&N Field Target Trophy, Air Arms Diabolo Field, Diabolo Field Heavy, Falcon, and Predator GTO pellet

The power selector positions could be more even at decreasing velocity. Numbering the positions from 1 as low to 5 as high, the velocity change from 5 to 4 is minimal, followed by a sizeable drop when dropping to position 3. Position 2 is another sizeable drop, and position 1 is only usable with alloy pellets or for 10m or less range shooting. With 14-15 gr pellets, Position 5 averages 950 fps, 4 averages 920 fps, 3 averages 790 fps, 2 averages 600 fps, and 1 averages 230 fps. These velocity changes are consistent in percent reduction from max velocity across everything I have tested from 11 gr to 22 gr.

According to the description, it gets a maximum of 55 shots at 32 ft/lbs. I get that many on full power with a 205 bar fill. If I fill to 250 bar, I get 70. If I reduce power to 3, 115 shots. Using pellets over 20 gr, I get over 32 ft/lbs energy. The s500 uses a proprietary fill adapter. It is threaded 1/8" BSPP male, and you will need an Air Venturi Male Quick-Disconnect Air Venturi Male Quick-Disconnect, 1/8"... if you have a female foster fitting on your compressor/bottle/pump. The adapter is unique, but is not difficult to use, if it isn't attached to a hose. Be sure to apply a very small amount of pure silicone grease inside the fitting and to the o-rings on the air tube, line up the T on the air tube with the slot on the adapter, and slide the adapter on. Attach the air hose and fill. Bleed the fill line and disconnect the hose from the adapter. Finally, rotate the adapter back into alignment with the T on the air tube and slide it off.

The whole package is great. Comes up to shoulder, mine at least, really well. I've started doing some testing and got to the range with a Hawke 6-24 by 50mm sidewinder scope on top. Weather is miserable so I only spent an afternoon getting zeros for 745 ft/sec with crossman premiers, 14.3 grain, and it shoots pretty flat. I plan to use this for field target matches so I'm looking for under 20 ft pounds. I got these zero: +3 MOA at 10 yards, 0 at 15, -1/2 at 20 and 30, up 5 at 45, up 8 from 15 yard 0 at 50. I like 2 stage triggers so this is a great feature. All kinds of adjustments. Shooting it for the 1st time I left it untouched. I like the fact that the power is externally adjustable. Chrono'd today in the house and nice shot count at 50 with velocity at 780 ft/sec with 14.3 gr pellets with good consistency before falling off.

Ok - the power adjustment is insanely sensitive - at it's lowest 445 ft/sec for corssman 14.3 gr pellets - about 1/3 up for 19.x ft pounds. It would be nice to have a good solid way to lock it place - I plan on some clear nail polish. Aslo the trigger as it came to me was kind of heavy - didn't measure it. I lightened it as much as possible - feels ok now but I'm not sure of the weight but guess around a pound and a half - no creep or lumpyness and goes quickly.

Great rifle in 22 - wanted one for a while, seems to shoot really well. A bit heavy for off hand but off the knee - no problem. Will make a hell of a silhouette rifle too. You need to get Air Venturi Male Quick-Disconnect, 1/8" BSPP Female Thread to use the fill probe - the probe doen't have tapered pipe threads.

Awesome air rifle that delivers excellent accuracy, easily adjustable power, fine workmanship and quality. The power wheel allows low velocity for 10m shooting and high velocity for extended ranges beyond 50 yds. Also, the rifle gives a high number of shots per fill on half power with very useable velocity to 40 yards. The rifle does not seem to be pellet fussy. Accuracy at 20 yds and 40 yds has been impressive. The balance, feel of the rifle, length of pull, and comb height are spot on. Pyramyd customer service has been second to none.

Noise reduction could be improved through a better baffle system. The location of the safety needs moved off the trigger, as others have said. The fill adapter fits tightly when new; a foster style fitting would be preferred. Offer a version with a true match trigger.

The trigger is decent from the factory but still has some sticking points which are very predictable. It is good for a sporter rifle, but not at the level of competitive match rifles or custom triggers. This model is a single shot and it is very easy to load the pellet evenly each time without worrying about alignment tolerances of rotating magazines. If you require fast follow-ups, get the S510 repeater.