Dani Navikas of Beeman Precision Airguns displays the X12.5, a 1250 FPS Rifle in their line.
Anschutz is a major name in shooting, and have a line of airguns to complement their firearms, which have long dominated the fi eld of biathlon competition. Anschutz expects the use of airguns in biathlon to continue to grow, as they permit younger shooters to enter the sport.
Top to bottom: The Air Wolf MCT, the Air Ranger, the Huntsman Midas Grade, and the Mk 4 from Daystate.
Following up on the success of their BENJAMIN Discovery and Marauder series, Crosman has brought out a .25 caliber version of the Marauder, their top-of-the-line PCP rifle. The new Marauder operates at 2500 PSI, moving a heavy .25 caliber pellet at 850+ fps, generating 45 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, a significant increase over the .22 caliber version introduced last year. It has a “choked” (tapered bore) barrel to enhance accuracy and uniformity of velocity, will run on CO2 as well as air (the so-called “Dual Fuel” option), and a built in pressure gauge. The handsome hardwood stock is checkered, and a two-stage, adjustable trigger is standard equipment. The .25 Marauder is intended for the varmint hunter and pest control airgunner who needs high levels of power; the big pellet is more effective, with superior knock-down power for larger animals.
Crosman introduced the Silhouette, a PCP handgun for target shooting.
Named for the Outdoor Channel’s TV series, the “Bone Collector” is new from Gamo.
The Hatsan Rifles feature the “Quattro Trigger” for improved pull and crisper let-off than is typical of break-barrel Rifles.
Crosman hasn’t neglected the air-powered handgunners, either. They have introduced two new PCP pistols, the Silhouette and a one-hand version of the Marauder. The Silhouette is offered in .177, the Marauder pistol in .22. The 10-shot Marauder pistol utilizes the same internal technology and sophisticated trigger system that the rifle version does, and Crosman offers a detachable shoulder stock as an optional accessory. The smaller-caliber Silhouette has a barrel made by Lothar Walther and Crosman claims it will shoot quarter-inch groups at 30 meters. Velocity of the Silhouette is approximately 450 fps. It meets both International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association and NRA standards for competition.
Crosman Corporation also has partnered with REMINGTON (which also owns Marlin) to produce new branded products. The MARLIN Cowboy is a traditionally-styled lever-action BB gun with an “Old West” look and feel that will appeal to kids. It has numerous safety features that guns of a previous era lacked, though: notably an anti-snapback system to prevent the cocking lever from pinching hands if it’s accidentally released. With a velocity of 350 fps, the Marlin Cowboy is an ideal entry point into shooting for young people.
A Remington-brand break-barrel rifle using Crosman’s Nitro Piston technology will be available with a number of features to appeal to the small game hunter: a synthetic all-weather stock with a ventilated butt plate, enhanced trigger, and a Crosman CenterPoint 3-9x40 scope.
Crosman is also producing airsoft guns under the BUSHMASTER brand, with applications to gaming and law enforcement training. The Bushmaster Predator and Carbon 15 airsoft guns are very realistic electrically-driven rifles suited to law enforcement training scenarios. The Game Face airsoft line has also been expanded to include three very realistic models marketed to the gamers.
Hatsan also has an extensive line of conventional spring-pistol break-barrel designs.
The prototype for Cometa’s new value-priced PCP rifle, which is slated to enter the US market in the Spring of 2010.
Crosman has introduced Verdict Marker Pellets for use in all airsoft guns. These are coated with a chalk-like substance that leaves a mark when it impacts a player at 60 fps or more – a feature especially useful in law enforcement training activities, where there must be confirmation of a hit. The Verdict pellets are seamless and environmentally friendly, as they are biodegradable. Biodegradable pellets are also sold under the Game Face label.
Low-powered guns ideal for training new shooters are Marksman’s specialty.
Located in the UK, DAYSTATE is one of the world’s premier manufacturers. They are offering rifles on the cutting edge of airgun technology that incorporate proven systems and first-class workmanship. This year they have introduced the Air Wolf MCT, a PCP rifle, available in both .177 and .22 caliber. In the UK, air rifles are limited by law to energy levels of 12 foot-pounds or less, but the Air Wolf is intended for the American market and is far more powerful, producing muzzle energy of 17 foot-pounds and 40 foot-pounds depending on which caliber is chosen. The Air Wolf uses a patented Harper “slingshot” valve, designed to reduce the “hammer bounce” usually associated with PCP rifles and to permit very high power levels thanks to the use of what Daystate calls “Map Compensated Technology” (MCT) system. The Air Wolf is a very high-tech rifle, designed with the needs of the airgun hunter and fi eld target shooter in mind.
The Air Wolf MCT is a 10-shot repeater with a 230-Bar (3335 PSI) air tank that can provide up to 70 shots at 40 foot-pounds and as many as 400 at 12 foot-pounds before a refill is needed. MCT uses an on-board computer to monitor the firing cycle on a micro-second basis, feeding the information back into the main firing valve control system to produce consistent velocity from one shot to the next, by adjusting the valve output and lock time. Continual regulation of the power output results in a fl at power curve as well as absolutely controlled air release. No air is “wasted” by this very precise, computer-controlled air regulation, producing more shots per tank. An LCD display screen shows the rifle’s status continually.
Justin Biddle, Marketing Manager for Umarex USA, displays the new “EBOS” (Electronic Burst of Steel) CO2-powered full-auto BB gun.
The on-board computer also permits the shooter to choose one of eight distinct firing modes and to choose one of two pre-programmed power levels. Another version (cataloged as the Air Wolf MVT) permits the shooter can select the level of velocity and power desired. The Air Wolf is available in a left-hand model, as well as in rifle or carbine length. Other features include a sound moderator system, adjustable electronic trigger, and a keyed safety “Power Isolator” switch.
The MCT technology is also used in Daystate’s MK4 iS-S and ST rifles, also available in rifle or carbine length. The MK4 series guns are fully programmable, and equipped with handsome walnut stocks, with the option of conventional (S) or thumbhole (ST) styles.
Also on display was the latest version of Daystate’s famous Huntsman rifle, the Huntsman Midas LE Grade. This beautifully upgraded Huntsman is to be made in very limited quantities: only 100 will be produced for worldwide distribution. The number to be sent to the USA has not yet been determined. Airguns of Arizona, Daystate’s importer, said they