Posts Tagged ‘review’
The Crosman Venom .22 Product Review
Airgunweb and Crosman Part Company
Hello everyone. I wanted to take a moment and make a statement that I’ve had a heart to heart with Crosman about continuing to work directly with their company. I’ve been going round and round with them about being able to review their products for the past 5 years. What I’ve been asking is that they send me products to review that I keep as compensation for my time. Here is an excerpt of my lastest email with their PR department:
As a corporation, we do not pay for product reviews. The professional outdoor writers, editors and and gear reviewers we associate with do not expect to receive product at no charge. They either return the product to us when they have finished reviewing it, or they pay us for the product at our writer’s discounted price. In most cases, they also allow us to review their editorial before publishing or printing. That way, we are able to confirm that factual information and specs are indeed correct. This protects consumers from the potential of receiving contradictory or confusing information.
Crosman is willing to extend our discounted pricing to you in exchange for editorial consideration before your reviews air. We will simply confirm that the factual information is correct. This arrangement will apply to every product Crosman provides you at the discounted price (35% off Crosman internet prices).
If this is acceptable to you, please respond. If not, we suggest you continue to obtain your product from another source such as Pyramyd Air.
So.. here is my response:
Thank you for getting back to me. I think at this point I’ll keep working the way I’ve been.. There is literally no incentive on my end to review Crosman products under your conditions and then also give you editorial review of the final materials. My guess is that the folks you usually work with are paid by a third party for their writing/reviews. I don’t think anyone does it “free of charge.” I’m in the unique position of having some great sponsors, both monetary and product providers, that see the value of my honest reviews and their benefit to the average consumer. I do understand that I don’t fit your model. I’m ok with that, but I do wish your model was a bit more flexible.
If things ever change on your end and you’d like me to look at your products, please let me know. I’m still open to it, just not under your conditions.
I recently received the following comment from a viewer. This really says it all with regards to my intentions with my reviews:
“btw, Rick, thanks for everything you do on here. i’ve been semi-subscribed (checked the channel for episodes) for the past 2 years now and i’m still amazed that even though you now have all these sponsors and company ties, yet you aren’t afraid to speak the absolute truth about a product or company. it’s so awesome to see that you care about us, the customers, and not looking good in the companies’ eyes. that’s just priceless. cheers to you as well, and keep up the great work!”
Airguns are now my full time job. I love the work. I love talking to people about airguns and working with great companies like PyramydAir.com, Leapers.com, and Gamousa.com. They “get it.” I may not always see eye to eye with every vendor that I work with, but I need them to see the value of having someone that has the courage to “tell it like it is” about their products. In the end, if they listened, they could take the praise when given and use the criticism to improve their products for the benefit of the consumers.
I’ll certainly still be looking at Crosman / Remington / Benjamin products as I can work them in. Maybe some day in the future they’ll change their policy and we can do more with them.
For now, this is Rick Eutsler with AirgunWeb.com, “Keeping it honest, Keeping it real”
Gamo’s new CFR Whisper Combo
Ok.. let me just say this right now.. Run.. Don’t walk to your computer and just get one. In fact, here’s the link: To Order your Gamo CFR Click here! Read more to know why!
Gamo CFR Whisper - First Look
When I first took the CFR out of the box I was very UNPLEASANTLY surprised. It felt like a cheap copy of the CFX that I’ve grown to love and respect. It was clunky and felt rough to operate. BUT, knowing that all spring guns take a little time, I started shooting some pellets down range. After about 50 shots or so the roughness started to smooth out and the rifle settled down.
Gamo CFR Whisper - Adjustable Cheek Piece
The rifle is really a “mashup” of several guns; The SOCOM Tactical, The CFX, and of course the Gamo Whisper. I’m not sure where the pistol grip came into play, but it is a great fit for this rifle. This rifle has the normal Gamo fiber optic sights with the rear sight being fully adjustable.
Gamo CFR Whisper - Front Sight and NDS
Gamo CFR Whisper - Fully Adjustable Rear Fiber Optic Sight
Gamo’s bundled scope was a cheap 4×32 scope that had noticeable distortion and was an insult to this gun’t potential. I tossed it and added a Leapers 4-16×40 MD, IR, AO scope. What a difference. Of couse I always have to run into at least one snag and this was it. My CFR had noticeable barrel droop. That was quickly handled by shimming the rear rest and I was back in business.
Gamo CFR Whisper - With Mounted Leapers 4-16x40 AO, MD, IR Scope
Being that the rifle was a fixed barrel design like the CFX, I expected good accuracy and I was not disappointed. Before we get there, let me mention the trigger. The trigger is still Gamo’s “new” trigger which is much smoother than Crosman’s counterpart, but still has a very long 2nd stage. Too long really. Gamo does this for liability reasons and really who can blame them. There are options out there if you really want a better trigger and then the liability is on you. Just a note, the adjustment in the rear of the trigger adjusts the length of the 2nd stage. IF the screw were LONGER, you could reduce the length 2nd stage down to something more reasonable. Again, liability and safety issues are why Gamo doesn’t do this already.
I tossed the “PBA Platinum Pellets” aside and went straight to a pellet that worked wonders in my CFX, the Gamo Red Fires. What a dream to see each pellet hit one after the other almost tearing a perfect hole in the bullseye. The shots bellow were from 10 yards and shot indoors.
Gamo CFR Whisper - Red Fire Pellets, 10 Yards, .137" CTC
Velocity with the CFR is less than the rest of Gamo’s line up. That is just fine with me. With its accuracy and an average of 848 FPS equaling 12.98 ft-lbs (with the Gamo Red Fire pellets) anything inside 20 yards would have a very short life expectancy. I achieved a tiny .137″ CTC 5 shot group at 10 yards.
Gamo needs to do a few things to make this gun a little better.
- Stop shipping that crappy PBA ammo.. Ship it with Red Fire pellets that can do the job
- Smooth out some of the rough edges before shipping.. I shouldn’t have to waste 200 or 300 pellets for the gun to stop feeling “crunchy.” A $300 dollar gun should not start out feeling like an $80 Wal-Mart special.
- Include a decent scope. BSA makes some nice variable powered scopes with AO and Mil-Dot features. Include one of those with the CFR and not a disposable 4×32.
- Lastly, how about an IGT version with just a touch more power?
Despite my above wish list.. I’m in love with the CFR. Like Goldilocks and the three bears.. Not to hard, not to soft, just right. We will have a more in depth look at the CFR coming up next month!
Until then, Thank you reading.
Keeping it honest, keeping it Real – With Rick Eutsler & AirgunWeb.com
Remington Vantage 1200
Airgun Review Written By,
Rick Eutsler
Editor / Owner www.AirGunWeb.com
editor@airgunweb.com
Review Product & Supplies
Provided by: www.pyramydair.com
Today we are going to look at the new Remington Vantage. At first glance the Vantage looks like any other simple break barrel rifle. In fact it looks very much like the Crsoman Quest but with a much nicer looking stock. Fortunately, the similarities between the Crsoman Quest and the Remington Vantage end there.
The stock of this rifle is a beautifully rich hardwood that is far removed from the “yellow” wood stocks seen on many Chinese imports. It is very simple and fully ambidextrous with a slight raise to the cheek piece that works for righties and southpaws alike. The rifle is not very heavy, but also not too light, it is just right. The majority of the gun is all metal and wood. The few exceptions are the trigger guard and the front and rear sights. The bluing is even and looks very good for a rifle in this price category. The barrel of the Vantage is very ridged and unlike many break barrel rifles, actually worked really well with our Dragon Claw Bi-pod.
The Remington Vantage comes with an industry standard set of open sights. The front and rear sights are basically plastic with fiber optic inserts. The front sight sports a bright green rod, while the rear sight uses two red rods for contrast. If open sights are your thing, then you will love how these sights look. The rear sight is fully adjustable with easy micro-click adjustments.
Mechanically, the Remington stands out over other rifles in this price range, specifically with how they choose to hold the barrel in place. I’ve seen several different ways to “lock” the barrel back in place after cocking and loading. The three basics that I’ve seen are the (1) ball detent, (2) opposing wedges with one spring loaded to apply pressure (please forgive me for not knowing the technical term), and (3) one spring loaded wedge and a metal bar that the barrel rest on. The lesser expensive rifles use the last method. Some good examples are the new Gamo SOCOM Tactical as well as the Crosman Titan GP. The problem with this method is that they create a wear point at a critical part of the rifle. Eventually, something is going to wear out and there goes your accuracy. If the break barrel mechanism does not apply active pressure to hold the barrel in place, you will have movement and your shots will wander.
The Remington Vantage uses two opposing metal wedges with the one in the barrel spring loaded to “hold” the barrel tight against the receiver. Your better made, more expensive rifles, the Beeman R9 for example, use this method. While others like the RWS 34 and RWS 350, use the ball detent method. (Also a good method as there is pressure actively holding the barrel closed.) This is something to remember the next time you’re out shopping for your next break barrel rifle.
No rifle is complete today without some sort of optics, at least that what most airgun companies seem to believe. In the case of the Vantage, Remington included a simple 4×32 CenterPoint scope by Crosman. Unfortunately, the scope fell apart during the break in period. I’d rather they NOT put ANY scope on the gun and lower the price. Seeing as both the scope and the rings had issues, I replaced them with a one piece Crosman scope mount and a working 4×32 CenterPoint scope. I wanted to stay as true as I could to the “out of the box” Remington Vantage 1200. This scope worked pretty well and I was able to shoot some respectable groups at 20 yards.
The scope was not our only sour note. The trigger, oh the trigger… This is Remington’s “improved” trigger. Well, the trigger still needs more improvement. Because of the trigger, you’ll need a lot of practice to reliably shoot tight groups with this gun. The barrel and the power plant can do it, but the trigger pull is so long and rough, that holding a good sight picture through the 2nd stage takes a lot of work. It should not be this hard. The good thing is that you can replace this trigger fairly easily with a GRT III drop in trigger. If you want a better trigger, spend a few bucks and order one. You won’t be disappointed.
Performance wise, the Remington Vantage 1200 did reasonably well. Remington says it should shoot 1000 FPS with lead pellets and 1200 with lead free pellets. Well, our tests put it a little under those numbers, but we were fairly close. The RWS Hobby pellets at 7.0 GRN, averaged 937 FPS generating 13.65 FTLBS. The standard weight Crosman Premier Lights, at 7.9 GRN, came in at 873 FPS generating 13.37 FTLBS. The most accurate pellet in the Remington Vantage was the JSB Diabolo Exact Heavies which weigh 10.2 GRN, travelled an average of 741 FPS, and generated a modest 12.44 FTLBS.
The best groups averaged just under .5” CTC at 20 yards. With only a 4x scope, I was very happy with these results.
All in all, the Remington Vantage, regardless of the scope & trigger issues, may be one of the best values on the market today. At only about $137 from PyramydAir.com, you get an accurate, attractive, classic break barrel rifle. I really enjoyed shooting this with the Dragon Claw Bi-pod attached, which will run you about $22 more, as it really helped while shooting from the bench. The rifle’s mechanics are sound and the parts that bugged me are easily upgradeable. As a starter rifle or a back yard small pest eliminator, definitely consider the Remington Vantage 1200.
Written By, Rick Eutsler
Editor / Owner www.AirGunWeb.com
editor@airgunweb.com
Copyright 2010, Dog River Design, LLC – All Rights Reserved.
Beretta PX4 Storm Recon – C02 Repeater
The Beretta PX4 Storm Recon is a CO2 powered semi-automatic pistol that has the weight and shooting feel of a real pistol. This version comes complete with a Walther “head-up” sighting system, tactical flashlight, removable compensator, and a “two headed” clip that holds 8 of your favorite pellets or bb’s at each end. When you are done with your first 8 shots, simply drop the clip, rotate it 180 degrees, reinsert it in the grip and fire your next 8 shots.
The Beretta PX4 Storm Recon arrives in a retail “blister pack” which requires Ninja-like strength and cunning to open. If you are able to achieve nirvana and open the package without harming yourself or the pistol you will have reached the 7th level of knowledge and harmony with the universe. Ok, seriously, why do they have to ship these things in packaging that is certain to necessitate a trip to the emergency room?
The physical characteristics of the PX4 Storm Recon impressed me right off the bat. Before I even took it out of the packaging I knew it was going to be drastically different from other CO2 pistols that I’ve tested. The first clue was the weight. It is easily twice as heavy as the Crosman C11 that I like so much. Once out of the box, I just fell in love with this pistol. The feel, weight, and firing action, are so realistic that I forgot I was shooting a pellet pistol.
The pistol is made from composite and metal parts. Unlike some other, less expensive, pistols that I’ve tested, all the parts fit and work perfectly. Sitting on the table, someone would be hard pressed to know this was not the real thing, even after they picked it up.
With the pistol and all its accessories out and ready, assembly takes about 10 minutes including a quick look at the user’s manual to learn how to adjust the “heads-up” sight. The pistol comes with a pressure switch for the flashlight, but I prefer to just turn the light on and off when I need it rather than having to squeeze the pressure switch on the handle to activate the light. Either way, the light is fairly bright although the ability to adjust the focus would be really helpful as this particular light has a dark spot in the middle of the beam. At night it looks like a circle on the wall rather than a bright spot of light. With that said, it still works and definitely lights up the intended target.
This is the first time that I’ve had the chance to work with a “heads-up” sight and my first impression was that I found it tough to use. However, once I spent some time behind the trigger I found that I was able to find the dot quickly and sighting became second nature. I like this sight much better than a red dot “tube” as it seemed to be more intuitive for me.
Setting up and shooting the PX4 Storm Recon is very straightforward. You load the CO2 in the handle, load pellets into the “two headed” clip (there is an 8 shot cylinder on each end of the clip), insert the clip, turn on your Walther sight, release the safety and start shooting. Before you start, make sure that you’ve got plenty of CO2, pellets, and things to shoot at. You get about 3 full clips worth of shots before you need to swap out the CO2. While that may be 48 shots, they go much faster than you might think. We went through several tins of pellets during our testing.
Firing the PX4 is a real joy. The first pull of the trigger reminds me a lot of my Ruger P89, heavy and deliberate. The following shots are much easier. In fact there is a “pause” in the pull where you know your next ounce of pressure is going to release the hammer. Having such a distinct trigger pull helps accuracy.
What makes the Beretta PX4 Storm Recon really special is the blowback slide. With every shot, the CO2 discharge pushes the slide back to re-cock the hammer and provide that “real gun” tactile feedback. I had a friend of mine, who happens to be on our local police force, test this and he absolutely loves it. It was his first chance to try out the “heads-up” sight and while it took him some time to get used to it, he came to really like it. He loved the accuracy and the potential of having a quality training tool that he did not have to go to the range to use.
As far as velocity is concerned, the PX4 Storm Recon is slightly better than average. With RWS Hobby pellets the first shot is usually about 400 FPS with the 8th shot around 320 FPS. You will have this drop unless you pause for 5 or 10 seconds between each shot to let the CO2 temperature equalize. But we all know.. when we are holding a semi-auto pistol, we aren’t going to be waiting between shots now are we….? When I saw just how many pellets I was going to be going through, I quickly switched to Crosman Wadcutters. They are inexpensive, relatively accurate, and great for punching perfect little holes in paper targets.
In summary, I can’t find a single thing that I don’t like about this pistol. It feels great, shoots great, and can hit quarters at 25’ all day long. I’ve tested about a dozen different CO2 pistols and this is the 2nd most accurate of the bunch with only the Crosman 2300S shooting better. With the Beretta PX4 Storm Recon you just put the green dot on the target and pull the trigger. Thanks to Beretta for making this great pistol and another special thanks to PyramydAir for sending us one to review. Also, if you’d like the PX4 without all the extra “gear,” click on this link to the Beretta PX4 Storm over at PyramydAir.
Written By,
Rick Eutsler
Editor / Owner www.AirGunWeb.com
editor@airgunweb.com
Copyright 2008 www.airgunweb.com & Dog River Design, LLC.