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17 December, 2010

Stoeger X50 and Benjamin Super Streak Comparison Review

Here's a review of the Stoeger X50 compared to its' close cousin, the Benjamin Super Streak.

Both the X50 and the Super Streak are manufactured by BAM in China and they're basically the same gun. Quality and performance are very similar. But some detail design decisions make the Benjamin - literally - a pain in the neck to shoot, while the X50 is comfortable and well-balanced. So, a win for Stoeger on points.

You can read the review in full in the window below. Your comments are welcomed!

Stoeger X50 and Benjamin Super Streak

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07 December, 2010

GTXaa Trigger Fits Both Stoeger X10, X20 and X50 Trigger Types



Today, I installed yet another GTXaa two-stage trigger up-grade, designed by Steve_in_NC, for a customer. (photo above). As always, I'm sooooo impressed at how much the trigger pull of the Stoeger X10, X20 and X50 air rifles is improved by the GTXaa trigger. It provides a much more defined, controllable release than the standard Stoeger trigger and makes shooting these excellent Stoeger airguns even easier - it improves my accuracy too, because the trigger release point is so well defined by the second stage of the GTXaa trigger.

But what I've not stressed enough, I think, is that the GTXaa trigger fits both types of factory trigger to be found in Stoeger air rifles currently in the supply chain. One type of factory trigger has a stamped steel blade, the other has a "solid" trigger blade. The "solid" blade version has a design that's similar to the GTXaa, but it's in no way comparable - trust me on this one!

So here's some photographs of the GTXaa installed in a "solid trigger" X20. The main change when compared to installing the GTXaa in a "stamped trigger" model is that the trigger pivot pin is removed from the opposite side of the gun. Apart from that, installation is even easier than for the "stamped" model as there's less parts to remove, only the trigger blade and spring.

Below are photos of the installation without the stock fitted.



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05 December, 2010

QB78 Deluxe Ten Yard Gold Service Test Target



This Archer Airguns "Gold Service" test target is from a QB78 Deluxe we shipped to a customer recently. This specific gun included our Two Stage Trigger Kit with a lighter than normal pull weight. It was also fitted with a replacement breech seal from our QB78 "2X" Seal Kit, giving a muzzle velocity well above the approx 600fps normally attained by these guns at around 65 degrees F.

This test was shot - as usual - using a red dot scope. Even better accuracy would be obtained using a scope.

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02 December, 2010

Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Review and Comparison

The Stoeger X10 and the Crosman Quest 1000X are "the same" air rifle. Both are manufactured by BAM in China and carry US brands. Both are based on the B18/19 platform and have similar specifications. So why does the Stoeger cost over $20 more than the Crosman. And is it worth it?

I've been asking myself these questions for some time. So, in order to answer them - at least to my own satisfaction - I compared the two guns side-by-side. Having done this, it seemed that others might be interested, too. You can read my report here.

Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X


Yes, I know that I sell the X10 and not the Quest, but I was frankly surprised in the detail differences between these two guns that are supposedly "the same" and how they add up. Here's why:

- In a side-by-side test, the Stoeger X10 provided much higher muzzle velocity and improved accuracy over the Crosman Quest 1000X.
- The X10 has a mounted, sighted-in scope. The Quest supplies the same scope and mounts but requires the customer to assemble and sight-in.
- The X10 stock is significantly superior in wood, finish and shape.
- The Stoeger has an excellent automatic safety, the Crosman's is manual only. Remembering that these air rifles are mostly purchased by shooters with limited experience, this is a big safety feature.
- Open sights on the X10 are much better than the Quest.
- The X10 has a scope stop slot milled into the receiver, compared to the screw-on Quest scope stop.
- Overall "feel" and appearance of the X10 that of a more expensive gun. The Quest looks and feels like a cheap gun.

Based on this analysis, the Stoeger X10 is clearly the superior gun. But please read and make up your own mind...

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22 November, 2010

Another Stoeger X20 Independent Test Review

An excellent, unbiased review of our Stoeger X20 has just been published on the "Yellow" Forum by the Forum owner, "Steve in CT".

As you can see, he also fits the aftermarket "GTX" Trigger (available in our store).

You can see Steve in CT's review here.

This review was posted earlier in 2010 on the GTA Forum.

Both reviews stress the excellent performance and finish for the price. Both reviews also say that an aftermarket trigger (such as the GTXaa) makes a huge improvement in the shootability of these guns.

Happy reading!

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21 November, 2010

New Parts Packs For QB78 Save Money

Just available on our "Specials" page are some new combination packs of Archer Airguns most popular parts kits to tune QB78 family air rifles, including the QB79, AR2078 and AR2079. Each pack provides significant savings on the prices of the individual kits.

The Archer Airguns Performance Pack for QB78 Family Airguns includes our XP Tune Kit to add 100fps to the muzzle velocity of a factory QB78, the HDD (Hammer Debounce Device) that provides over 40% more shots per fill of CO2, and our Two-Stage Trigger Kit that improves trigger "feel", and therefore, accuracy.

There's also a QB78 Rebuild Pack, including seal kit, workshop manual and Crosman Pellgun Oil, a QB78 Handling Pack with Muzzle Brake, Oversize Bolt Handle and sling kit with swivels.

And for the person who wants it all - or almost all - we have the Full House pack for QB78 Family Airguns. This includes XP Tune Kit, HDD, Two-Stage Trigger Kit, Seal Kit, Oversize Bolt Handle, Workshop Manual and Crosman PellGun Oil. Everything you could want to up-grade your QB78 family air rifle!


Of course, these kits also fit the corresponding Tech Force TF78 and TF79 air rifles, as well as those sold as SMK models in the UK and under different names in other countries.

Have fun!

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10 November, 2010

Free Pellets with Stoeger Airguns - a $31.00 value!



For a limited time, you can get 1,000 free .177 caliber premium pellets - a $31.00 value - when you purchase a Stoeger X10, X20 or X50 air rifle combo from Archer Airguns!

This special promotion is unique to Archer Airguns and gives you a chance to save money and try these new, premium, German-made Stoeger pellets before they officially reach the market.

For the remainder of 2010, every Stoeger air rifle combo we sell will ship with 500 Stoeger X-Power premium heavy pellets and 500 Stoeger X-Magmum ultra-heavy pellets.

The X-Power pellets are premium, copper-washed, domed, heavyweight hunting pellets weighing 10.19 Grains. The MSRP for these German-made pellets is $16.00 for a tin of 500 in .177 caliber.

The X-Magnum pellets are also German-made. These are ultra-heavy pointed pellets with a weight of 11.57 Grains and an MSRP of $15.00 per tin of 500 in .177 caliber.

So here's your chance to receive 1,000 free pellets when you purchase a great-value Stoeger Airguns combo from Archer Airguns, and be among the first to try these exciting new pellets. But be quick, this offer will not last forever!

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07 November, 2010

So does the QB78 HDD fit the Crosman 160?

Given the excitement over the QB78 Hammer Debounce Device (HDD), it's not surprising that many people have asked if it will fit the Crosman 160.

But does it? Here's what I've found through testing on my own Crosman 160 - a "Model 3" with the cast trigger guard (same as the QB78 style).

The short answer is "yes, the QB78 HDD fits the Crosman 160". But, unfortunately it doesn't work like it does with the QB78 - at least not on my Crosman 160.

Now I purchased my Crosman 160 several years ago at the Baldwinsville Airgun Show as a "leaker". I don't know what it's life was before that but I fitted it with an Archer Airguns "2X" Seal Kit and replaced the original valve with one of our replacements. It's a strong gun, giving about 580fps at 65 degrees F and has a very smooth and light trigger pull weight of 1 lb 9 oz.

As this is my only Crosman 160, I can't make comparisons with other examples of the same model. But, what's for sure is that the QB78 HDD sadly doesn't provide any benefit to my Crosman 160.

Why not?

Well we know from our extensive testing that the QB78 HDD works best with shorter hammer springs and my 160 hammer spring is long and feels stouter than the QB78 versions. It may simply be over-powering the HDD. Also, we know that the QB78 HDD doesn't work with guns that have had their hammer pin slots polished, as some people do when tuning these guns. Over the course of maybe 50 years, the hammer pin slots on my 160 have effectively been polished by firing innumerable times. Probably a combination of both factors has rendered the QB78 HDD unable to show it's 40+% improvement in muzzle energy and useable shots that we've seen in multiple test on QB78 family air rifles.

Here's the Crosman 160 / QB78 HDD test target.


As you can see, there were 66 shots - fired one every 30 seconds at 63-64 degrees F - with muzzle velocities above 300fps. That's the same as without the HDD fitted.

I wish I could say something different, but that's what I found...

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03 November, 2010

QB78 HDD test with XP Tune Kit

Here's one of the final test targets from our extensive QB78 HDD test program.



It shows a test of the HDD using just one 12g Powerlet with a 59mm (average length) spring and a very light hammer weight of 53g (which was achieved by cutting off the end of a 57g factory hammer).

The .22 caliber QB78 was fired once every 60 seconds and I was NOT AIMING at the target. The gun was on a rifle rest, but I was concentrating on exact shot timing, not the point of aim!

Anyhow, you can see that, even with just one Powerlet, 30 unaimed shots went into a ragged 3/4-inch hole before the point of impact seriously dropped as the gas was used.

Ambient temperature in the range was 65 degrees F and the gun temperature in this test held fairly constant at 61 - 62 degrees F over the first 30 shots.

Average muzzle velocity for shots 1 - 10 was 589 fps. For shots 11-20 it was 572fps and shots 21-30 averaged 522fps. The muzzle velocity did not drop below 500fps until shot 29 (still 502fps at shot 28), but then dropped rapidly.

Holding nearly 30 shots before a significant muzzle velocity and point of impact decline for this HDD plus XP Tune Kit combination with only ONE POWERLET compares to previous tests of the XP Tune Kit without HDD but with TWO POWERLETS where about 35 "good" shots were achieved.

This was one of many tests where the HDD designed by Steve_in_NC proved it's ability to provide over 40% more muzzle energy from the QB78 than without and how this translates into many more useable shots per fill of CO2.

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01 November, 2010

The QB78 HDD is Now Available!




The QB78 HDD is now available. AND IT WORKS REALLY WELL!

Our tests show that it provides between 40 and 50% greater total energy than a QB78 family air rifle in factory condition.
And that means a whole lot more shots per fill of CO2. And no reduction in muzzle velocity takes place either.

Steve_in_NC's design is highly sophisticated and produces remarkable results. Yet it looks so small and light...

I'm certain that we've given this product far more testing than any other QB78 family aftermarket accessory ever to reach the market - thousands of shots and dozens of installations. All that work has enabled us to really understand why and how the QB78 HDD works, together with its limitations - which are very few.

Here's what we find:

- The HDD will work with all QB78 family models.

- It works with the entire range of factory hammer weights. However, it performs somewhat better with lighter weight hammers (59 Grams and below).

- It works with all factory hammer springs of 62mm length and less. That's about 90% of the known population of factory springs. Shorter springs give better results. A few factory guns have hammer springs of about 66mm length and these will show a lesser improvement.

- The HDD works with 90% of the hammer pins in factory guns. For those hammer pins that are too fat, a little gentle filing will provide the required clearance. And we'll have CNC-manufactured pins to the correct dimensions available with the kit shortly.

- As the HDD requires friction against the hammer pin slots to work, it will not work in guns where the surfaces of these slots have been smoothed, such as can be done in tuning.

- It works with the XP Tune Kit. The XP/HDD combination gives tremendous performance from any QB78 air rifle without the need for an expensive tune. And you can do it yourself!

- The HDD significantly reduces temperature fluctuations in the main tube compared to a stock gun. These temperature changes are less marked due to the better use of gas and they result in less shot-to-shot differences in muzzle velocity. More consistent shooting is the result.

- Installation requires a different technique from that I normally describe. So we've written careful and explicit instructions for how the HDD should be installed.

Phew!

Thanks for your patience. I know that many of you have been waiting for this hammer debounce device. I'm glad to confirm that it's now ready for prime time. You can see it on our website.

Read more...

17 October, 2010

Stop Jawing About It and… Just Do It!

By Ron Robinson.

Recalling how excited I was to discover organized airgun competition and how quickly I jumped at the chance to enter my first silhouette match, it seems strange how many airgun enthusiasts procrastinate and/or are intimidated to enter their first silhouette or field-target competition. Perhaps it’s performance anxiety (fear of a poor showing), but many airgunners simply cannot seem to “pull the trigger” (so to speak) when it comes to entering their first match. Many are attracted enough to these airgun games to participate in on-line forums with posts and questions, yet are apparently repelled by some unexplained force.

While I can see why one might be hesitant to attempt such a demanding discipline as ten-meter competition, reactionary-targets like silhouettes and field-targets hardly lend themselves to structured venues or up-tight participants. And while I’ve heard field-target shooters referred to as “elitist”, truth is the only “elite” thing about them is their shooting skills.

After years of field-target and decades of airgun silhouette experience, I can state unequivocally that neither discipline attracts a pretentious following, and the term “discipline” is in fact a misnomer for either game. A much more accurate description than the “elitist” comment mentioned above was overheard from a spectator at a Texas State Silhouette Championship, “It’s a bunch ‘a grown men shooting BB guns at little metal animals!” How intimidating can that be?

To the silhouette and field-target-curious out there in Airgunland procrastinating their first competition out of whatever misguided fear one conjures to avoid discovering some of the best airgun fun to be had with like-minded individuals, I feel compelled to give one piece of advice.

"Try it... you'll like it!"


A pretty up-tight bunch - just look at those scowls!

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11 October, 2010

Keep Powerlets in Your Pocket, Gain 20fps Muzzle Velocity With Your QB78

Here's some test results that show why you should keep 12 Gram CO2 Powerlets in the pocket of your jeans before loading them into your QB78 family air rifle. Oh yes, and then wait for 3 minutes before beginning to shoot. It can make 20fps difference to muzzle velocity!

I made 10 tests, each time loading a QB78 air rifle with two full standard 12 Gram Powerlets. In every case, I had warmed the Powerlets in the pocket of my jeans for about 30 minutes beforehand.

The table below shows (from left):
1) The ambient (room) temperature.
2) The initial temperature of the gun before loading Powerlets.
3) The temperature of the gun immediately after the warm Powerlets were loaded.
4) The temperature of the gun immediately after piercing the Powerlets.
5) The temperature of the gun after waiting 3 minutes.

On average, the guns started at approximately room temperature - 67 or 68 degrees.

After running this test a few times, it occurred to me that I should be recording the temperature increase of the gun after I loaded the Powerlets that had been in my pocket. Duhhh...

So, we can see that the temperature of the gun rose by about 7 degrees F immediately after loading with the warm Powerlets.

Piercing the Powerlets caused the temperature of the gun to fall by 10 degrees. Gun temperature stabilized at about ambient temperature again after 3 minutes in ambient temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees F.

So, what do we learn from this data?
- Keep Powerlets warm before use.
- Wait for at least 3 minutes before starting to shoot your gun.

The reason for all this interest in gun temperature is that the muzzle velocity of QB78-family air rifles - like all CO2-powered guns including the Crosman 160 - changes with temperature. For the QB78, this change is 2fps per degree F. So we see that just piercing the Powerlets in your gun causes the temperature to fall by 10 degrees F. That represents a FALL in muzzle velocity of 20fps!

For those of us wanting the best performance from our Q78s, that 20fps makes a big difference, not just to muzzle velocity, but also to the point of impact.

Doubtless, the results would be different in higher ambient temperatures (and the differences less marked), but 70-ish has been about the best we have been able to manage in Up-State New York recently. Conversely, I would expect the effect to be more marked at lower ambient temperatures.

The gun temperature readings were made using the Archer Airguns Temperature Monitoring Kit for QB78.

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07 October, 2010

Spring Air Rifle Test Results - Stoeger X50 and QB57

As several folk sent emails saying they found previous "Gold Service" test targets interesting, here's a couple more that have just gone through the shop.

The first shows the test target for a .177 caliber Stoeger X50. Here we can see the excellent accuracy out of the box - if I do my part! - displayed by all the X50 guns I've tested so far. As with almost all of these guns, there was no dieseling at all and the Standard Deviation (muzzle velocity variation) is excellent for a brand-new springer.

The X50s shoot at approximately 1100fps with CPLs, giving 20+ ft/lbs of muzzle energy. The trigger pull weight on this Stoeger X50 was a little above average, most show less than 5lbs pull weight, but it still felt fine and gave predictable let-off.

By way of a comparison, we have a test target for a QB57 Deluxe in .22 caliber. As is Archer Airguns practice, the gun was tested with my trusty Leapers red dot scope.

Some QB57s can be very "wet" from the Shanghai factory and show considerable dieseling when first fired, but this one was nicely dry and gave outstanding figures of only 5.38 ft/sec over 10 shots. This is QB78 territory!

Trigger pull was very light, too, at only 3 lbs 3 oz. QB57 triggers have a long pull, but a little experience makes them quite predictable. And nearly 10ft/lb of muzzle energy in an accurate, controllable package is pretty good for such a compact air rifle that sells for less than $75.00 and has so few plastic parts.

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26 September, 2010

Don't try this with your QB78, folks.

Of course, you would never load two pellets into your QB78 air rifle, close the bolt and fire. But, oops! that’s exactly what I did recently when performing a Gold Service test on a QB78. My excuse is that I was distracted by a telephone call in between shots...

Anyhow, I had fired eight pellets with this .22 caliber QB78. The muzzle velocity was in the 500 - 510fps range for these shots and then - all of a sudden - there was a 290fps reading. WTF?????

So, I looked at the target and you can see the results below. I had double-loaded this QB78 and the gun fired both pellets at once. The result was the 290fps reading from the Chrony and the impact of two pellets about 1 1/2-inches below the impact point of the main group.


So, that’s what happens when you double load a QB78 family air rifle and fire it by mistake...

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23 September, 2010

There's no free Lunch! QB78 family muzzle velocity, temperature and CO2 use.

I’ve always been interested in the effect of temperature on CO2-powered air rifles, such as the QB78. But, until I developed the Archer Airguns QB78 Temperature Monitoring Kit - based on an idea from local Rochester NY airgun enthusiast Doug Wall - I didn’t have a way to measure what happens as we fire our air rifles and use the CO2.

Now, I’m going to apologize immediately for the part hand-drawn, part Excel graph, but I think it shows a behavior of QB78 air rifles that has not been recorded before.

This shows how the temperature of the Main Tube (and therefore the CO2) falls with the number of shots fired until - I believe - all the liquid CO2 is used. After that, as the gun starts running on CO2 gas only, the temperature of the gun rises again until the gas is exhausted and the muzzle velocity collapses.

It also shows how increasing muzzle velocity is purchased through the use of increased amounts of CO2. We can see how improving the gas flow causes the temperature of the gun to decline faster under constant shooting rates and how the liquid CO2 is used faster to buy the increased muzzle velocity.

This graph takes three tests on the same .177 cal QB78 air rifle and compares the temperature of the Main Tube (measured by the Archer Airguns QB78 Temperature Monitoring Kit) in three configurations.

First, I tested a standard factory gun.
Second, I modified this gun with a replacement breech seal from the Archer Airguns 2X Seal Kit.
Third, I fitted an Archer Airguns XP Tune Kit to the gun.

In each case, the gun was charged with two full 12g Powerlets and fired every 30 seconds until the muzzle velocity dropped to around 300fps.

Click the graph to enlarge for easier viewing.

As you can see, the ambient temperature increased slowly in the range as I undertook the tests - must have been all that hot air I was generating!

So, the factory spec gun was tested at 66 degrees F ambient temperature. The first shot attained a mere 536fps (this was a “slow” gun) at a Main Tube temperature of 62 degrees F. The temperature dropped steadily until it reached a minimum of 56 degrees F after about 80 shots and the muzzle velocity had declined to 503fps. Then it increased again to 62 degrees F as the muzzle velocity dropped away to 315fps after about 100 shots.

By comparison, the same QB78 fitted with a replacement breech seal from our Archer Airguns “2X’ Seal Kit, started at 64 degrees F with a muzzle velocity of 604fps, dropping to 504fps after about 55 shots and finishing down at 300fps after about 80 shots.

Fitting the Archer Airguns “XP” Tune Kit, increased the muzzle velocity of shot one to 692fps (an increase of 156fps over the factory configuration!) at 66 degrees F, but the liquid CO2 was used after only about 35 shots at 644fps. The 300fps point was reached after about 60 shots.

So, at a constant shooting rate, the QB78 cools faster with increasing gas use (ie higher muzzle velocity). The temperature of the gun increases again after all the liquid CO2 is used.

The practical application of this data is that tuned guns may need to be shot more slowly to maintain their muzzle velocity - and therefore vertical point of impact on the target. The standard factory configuration gives more consistent muzzle velocity over a much larger number of shots and the gun cools much more slowly. Lower muzzle velocity is better for paper-punching accuracy.

Below, the Archer Airguns QB78 Temperature Monitoring Kit reading 73 degrees F.

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16 September, 2010

The Crosman 88g Adapter is Available Again.

The very useful Crosman 88g AirSource to Paintball Adapter is available again!


This is very good news for those QB79 and AR2079 users who like to use the Crosman 88g tanks with their air rifles. They provide a readily-available source of CO2 for these guns with no fear of an over-size paintball tank touching the barrel. Each 88g tank provides around 220 shots when used with a QB79 or AR2079 in factory condition.

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11 August, 2010

AR2078A Air Rifle 10 Yard Test Target

Here's an Archer Airguns "Gold Service" test target for an AR2078A tested very recently. As you can see, the manufacturer's specification of 600fps was exactly met at 66 degrees F, meaning that this AR2078A has up-side muzzle velocity of 640fps at 86 degrees F.

My shooting was not too bad, with a 0.25-inch CTC group for 10 shots of unselected (and cheap) "The Peak" wadcutter pellets at 10 yards. And standard deviation was an average for QB78-family air rifles at just over 5 fps for 10 shots on a new gun.

Oh, and yes, this was shot off the target peep sights that are supplied with the AR2078A, AR2078 and AR2079A.

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09 August, 2010

Special Select Stocks Available Again for QB78 Family Air Rifles



As a new container of guns and parts has just arrived from the Shanghai factory, we now have Special Select grade stocks available for QB78 family air rifles again. As before, we have AR2078A and AR2079A stocks available, but also - for the first time - AR2078 "thumbhole" stocks in Special Select grade.

The wood on all these stocks is different, as you can see in the photo above - oops, you can also see my fingerprints on the Thumbhole stock!

Obviously these stocks are not intended to compare with custom Grade One Walnut, but they are handsome and show some grain and figuring - much more so than the fairly uniform-looking wood of standard grade stocks for these guns. And, of course the price is nothing like that asked for Grade One Walnut.

Special Select stocks are available in limited quantities and always sell out fast. I doubt that this year will be any different :-)

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07 August, 2010

Stoeger X20 Air Rifle Test Target


Here's the Archer Airguns Gold Service test target for a Stoeger X20 combo that I shot today.

As with the X50 test target posted previously, this 10-shot group shows that these are accurate air rifles! The gun was still dieseling a little at the time of the test. This means that muzzle velocity will probably settle-out to the 910 - 930fps range that's typical for Stoeger X10 and X20 air rifles after 40 or 50 shots. That's around 14.5 to 15.25 ft/lbs muzzle energy - a very handy figure for hunting small critters.

Although the muzzle velocity will drop slightly as the gun "dries out" (of course this applies to all spring piston air rifles, not just Stoeger models), the standard deviation - shot to shot difference in muzzle velocity - will probably also improve to the normal 7 - 8 fps standard deviation level over 10 shots for X10 and X20 guns. And that will further improve accuracy!

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04 August, 2010

Stoeger X50 Test Target

Well, I'm not the World's greatest spring air rifle shot, but I was quite pleased with this "Gold Service" test target that I shot recently. These Stoeger air rifles are more accurate than I am!

Apart from the good 10-shot group, you can see that this Stoeger X50 air rifle was shooting very consistently straight out of the box. A standard deviation (measure of shot variation) of only 7fps is really very good for a springer, especially for one in its first 10 shots of life! The muzzle velocity averaged well over 1000fps and the muzzle energy approached 20 ft/lb with Crosman Premier Light pellets.

And, as you can see, the trigger pull weight was only 4lbs 5 oz. Most of the Stoeger X10, X20 and X50 air rifles that we're shipping now have trigger pull weights in the 4 lb+ range, which are much lower than the X20 I originally tested some months ago. This is due to a revised trigger mechanism that can be identified by the ridged trigger blade.

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01 August, 2010

The Archer Airguns Summer Sale Starts Today!

The Archer Airguns Summer Sales starts today, 1 August. If you go to the Specials page in our store, you will find a range of air rifles, stock kits and pellet traps at very special prices.

Some of these guns are old stock, some have blemishes and a few have mechanical problems that need some tender loving care. Accuracy and muzzle velocity are not guaranteed. Look on them as ideal project guns. But all are new and shoot. Sorry, but we can't make a selection, it's first come, first served at these very special closeout prices. We have a limited number of QB36-2s available and they're sure to be popular...

The stock kits are seconds and have minor dings and blemishes, but none are badly cracked and they can be re-finished or "bedlinered" for very satisfactory service. And yes, we have some AR2078A stock seconds!

Also available are some seconds pellet traps with minor imperfections, but no serious cracks in the wood. They're perfectly usable, just not up to our very high standards for normal quality product.

Please note: at these Closeout Sale prices, we cannot accept any returns. If you cannot accept this restriction, please do not order these items.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot to mention - there's limited stock available of all the sale items. Have fun looking!

Read more...

Spring may be the nicest season, but springs in adjustable triggers aren't so nice.

By Steve_in_NC

Adjustable triggers need adjustment screws, and trigger adjustment screws (especially when used in springers) need some means of locking in adjustments. When I originally designed the GTX adjustable replacement trigger in 2004, the best means I knew of for adjustment screw thread locking was a compression spring. 


Thread locking springs work - but they're less than ideal for a number of reasons... 



1. Newly made adjustments tend to drift for several shots as the spring "settles in" to a new position, sometimes requiring frustrating repeated adjustments. 

2. Space must be provided to house the spring. In the GTX this required a bulky "spring chamber" that proved problematic in manufacture. 


3. Spring-locked adjustment screws need a head for the spring to rest on. 

All these issues can be annoying, but the worst turns out to be #3. Screws with heads are invariably designed as simple fasteners, rather than as precision setpoint adjusting screws. Consequently, the manufacturing process leaves their tips rough, unfinished and uneven.

The rough tips have an unfinished non-circular edge which... 

1. makes adjustment a hit-or-miss process, 
2. generates excess friction that creates a draggy, creepy pull, and 
3. changes trigger-pull geometry in unpredictable ways as they skid, tilt, and roll on the contact surface. 



Fortunately in the intervening years, I've had the good luck to hang around with knowledgeable people, one of whom is "Big Ed" Stack, and learned some useful things. One of these (thanks Ed!) is the availability of reusable (aerobic) polymer thread lockers (eg, ND Industries' "Vibratite") that make adjustment locking springs completely unnecessary.

The new (Generation II) GTX's trigger adjustments are designed around this technology, making possible the use of precision finished bearing-tip setscrews for adjustment, which dramatically improve the adjustability and feel of the new trigger.

One glace at these (unretouched) side-by-side photos (old GTX and screws on the left, new GTX and screws on the right) should provide all the explanation needed for why the new GTX is better than the old, not to mention better than any unauthorized knockoff.

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28 July, 2010

Now we can really understand temperature effects on our QB78 family air rifles!

I've always been interested in the effect of temperature on CO2-powered air rifles such as the Crosman 160, QB78 and Crosman 2260.

As all CO2 air rifles exhibit a change in muzzle velocity with changes in temperature - due to the physical properties of CO2 - I've tried to measure this effect in the past. In tests, I found that QB78 family air rifles - such as the QB79 and AR2078 - all show an increase in muzzle velocity with temperature of 2 fps per degree F. So, a gun shooting at 600fps at 65 degrees F will shoot at 640pfs at 85 degrees F, due to the effect of temperature alone. And I measured the point of "valve lock" on a QB78 air rifle to be at 96 degrees F.

But, like everyone else, I've concentrated on the air temperature to measure these things. Now, there's a completely new way to measure the temperature of your QB78 family air rifle. It's the Archer Airguns QB78 Temperature Monitoring Kit.

Thanks to the suggestion of Rochester-area airgunner Doug Wall, Archer Airguns has introduced a simple kit that allows you to monitor the temperature of the CO2 in the gas tube of your air rifle. This kit uses self-adhesive thermometers that attach to the main tube of the gun and, therefore, measure the temperature of the gas tube rather than the surrounding air.

These thermometers allow measurement of main tube (and therefore CO2) temperature to 1 degree F. If the temperature is highlighted in green, it's exactly the value indicated. Brown highlight shows that the temperature is just above the temperature, while bluehighlight shows a figure just below. In this way, you can see differences in muzzle velocity of 2 fps!

Here, the thermometer shows a main tube temperature of 73 degrees F.
You can use this kit to maximize the muzzle velocity of your QB78 air rifle. In testing, I found that simply piercing a fresh pair of 12 gram Powerlets in a QB78 reduced the main tube temperature by 10 degrees F. That's a loss of 20fps!

And, using the Temperature Monitoring Kit, I saw that it took 5 minutes for the temperature of the main tube (and, therefore, the CO2) to return to 65 degrees, re-gaining 10 fps in muzzle velocity in the process.

As the Archer Airguns QB78 Temperature Monitoring Kit is new, there's lots of information on the performance of our favorite air rifles that can now be explored in a way that was previously unattainable. Watch out for more data, or use the kit yourself and contribute to our increased understanding of how these air rifles really behave!

Read more...

17 July, 2010

Why the Generation-II GTX 2-Stage Replacement Trigger is Better Than All Its Predecessors. The story of a screw

Post by Steve_in_NC.

For more than a decade, one of the most popular trigger designs – adopted by such easily-recognized airgun marques as Benjamin, BSA, Crosman, Gamo, Remington, Stoeger, Tech Force, Theoben, and Xisico – has been the so-called “Gamo-style Adjustable Two-Stage” trigger.

The enthusiasm for this trigger among manufacturers is easy to understand. The design is mature, proven, reliable, robust, safe, and incorporates resettable safety and automatic anti-beartrap features. Unfortunately, the lack of enthusiasm for it among shooters is also easy to understand. In use, this trigger is heavy, rough, and creepy with an unpredictable break, and the “two-stage” feature is only simulated. In short, it’s a trigger that works reliably and well, but can pose a real obstacle to fun and accurate shooting.

This unique combination of popularity with less than ideal performance is the reason that, in 2004, I undertook the design and manufacture of the GTX replacement trigger. In the intervening years, thousands of GTXs and GTX copies (not all of them authorized) have been sold, installed, and helped to make good airguns better – some say much better. But there was still room for improvement. So in 2009 I took a hard look at the original GTX concept and design from the vantage of a half-decade of experience with trigger re-engineering. The GTX generation II is the result.

From day one (over a half-decade ago), the GTX's (including the unauthorized knock-offs) biggest shortcoming as a first-class sporter trigger, has been a 2nd stage that's too easy to pull through. 

All 2-stage triggers, by their very nature, must always have a 2nd stage with a heavier pull than the 1st stage. This difference in stage weights isn't super fussy, but it does have to be large enough for the shooter's finger to reliably detect it. Otherwise the shooter may inadvertently pull through the second stage - release the shot before he's ready - and miss. 

An ideal ratio of 2nd to 1st stage weights is at least 1.5:1.

Unfortunately, the GTX (and all knock-offs) have never achieved ratios anywhere near that large. An anemic 1.2:1 was always typical. And since designing and beginning production in 2004, I've never quite known why - until I got involved with the development of the GTX Generation-II trigger. As part of reviewing my design files leading up to its production for the reintroduction, I did some long overdue experimentation and found out that the problem all along had been the inadequacies of a rough and asymmetrical screw tip. 

Unlike all other Gamo replacement triggers, the new GTX uses an adjustment screw with a precision polished bearing tip (picture on the right), instead of an ordinary fastener-type machine screw (left).


After six years, the problem is finally fixed. The result is typical measured weight of: 


1st Stage = 14 oz. 

2nd Stage = 1 lb, 5 oz.

2nd:1st Ratio = 1.5:1. 



Nobody who shoots with the new GTX will be likely to miss the difference in feel - nor as likely to miss his target. 

The Generation II GTX Trigger is available from Archer Airguns.

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10 July, 2010

Day Two of the Crosman FT Shoot - and a "Tactical" Prototype Marauder

Day two of the Crosman-sponsored FT shoot saw an excellent shoot in perfect weather. Somewhat cooler than yesterday, there was no rain - just some wind to disturb the shooters on the more open sections of the course.

The WFTF rules contest saw Ray Apelles and Harold Rushton shoot identical scores. The winner was decided by a 55-yard "sudden death" shoot off with Harold the winner.

Below, Harold and Ray congratulate each other after the shoot off.


Above. Art Duel prepares to shoot.

Crosman supplied a wonderful range of "door prizes" that were distributed at the conclusion of the shoot. The many lucky winners - whose name was pulled out of the hat (well, actually a paper cup!) - won pellets, knife sets, Center Point scopes (not cheap ones either) and air rifles. There was also a large selection of plaques, one each for first, second and third prize winners in each category. Photo below.

And, out for pubic viewing, was the most interesting prototype "tactical" Marauder shown below. I want one!!!

Everyone who attended agreed that it was a fine shoot and that Crosman hosted it fabulously. Don't miss this event next year!

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09 July, 2010

Crosman Northeast Regional Field Target Championship - First Day

Today was the first day of the Northeast Regional Field Target Championship held at the Crosman headquarters in Bloomfield NY.

The match was directed by Hans and Ray Apelles, while Crosman supplied the venue and logistics - including much needed cold drinks as the temperature hovered in the mid 90s with high humidity until well after Noon. Those of us fielding QB78 air rifles suffered from valve lock in the intense heat!

Hans Apelles and Dave Carpenter enjoy the practice session.

The morning offered open practice on the range, which was set-up on the former Crosman paintball field. Around 64 competitors registered to shoot - by my count, at least - and many were there for the practice session.

A highlight of the day for many of us was a guided tour of the Crosman factory. Around 50 people took the tour, divided into three groups. I joined the group led by Crosman Director of Manufacturing Ed Schultz.

We were saw all aspects of the facility, from the stock making shop to pellet production, the airgun assembly lines, barrel rifling, Powerlet manufacturing - VERY noisy but so interesting, the experimental shop and the Crosman Museum.

Crosman Manufacturing Director Ed Schultz (center) guides us through the Crosman Museum.

An afternoon cloudburst cut the heat, but did nothing to dispel interest in the "Quigley Bucket Challenge" contest. That's 5 shots per competitor at a 1.75-inch bucket at 55 yards range with a 6.5 ft/lb limit muzzle energy limit and iron sights only. Amazingly, this contest went to a tie-breaking shoot out with Paul Bishop being the winner. Great shooting! I noted with interest that the only shooters to hit the target did so after it started raining - go figure!

Day two - tomorrow - is the main field target match, with 80 shots per competitor in the multiple FT disciplines, PCP, Piston, Hunter, WFTF and Offhand. They say the weather will be cooler but rainless. Crosman has donated some excellent prizes. It's going to be a great day and I'll get back there as soon as I can...

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23 June, 2010

Improved Trigger for Stoeger X10 and X20 Air Rifles



If the Stoeger X10 and X20 air rifles have a failing, it's that the two stage trigger is somewhat heavy and the second stage is not perfectly defined when firing. So we're pleased to make this replacement trigger available as the first Archer Airguns parts kit for Stoeger airguns.

This beautiful, CNC-machined, two-stage trigger replaces the factory trigger on Stoeger X10 and X20 air rifles. It provides a much reduced pull weight - typically down from about 6lbs to 4lbs or less and cleaner pull, greatly improving the shootability and accuracy of these air rifles. This two-stage trigger kit allows the shooter's finger to more reliably detect the second stage so that he (or she) does not inadvertently pull through the second stage and release the shot before being ready.

This improved trigger is available as a kit with full instructions, or fitted to your new Stoeger X10 or X20 by Archer Airguns if you wish. It's not a factory part, so please read our web page for details on warranty implications.

Look for Stoeger air rifle parts kits to be available from Archer Airguns soon. These will be original, factory parts that will help to keep Stoeger X5, X10, X20 and X50 air rifles in perfect condition.

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13 June, 2010

FPS Specs on QB78 Family Air Rifles

We received a very interesting email from a potential customer who asked "The FPS data on your site is different than that of Shanghai Air Gun Factory's, the producer of the gun, by 50 FPS... Why? Also, I'm having trouble finding any reports on your products "power"... Do you know if it's capable of taking out small pests, such as squirrels and birds?"


In answer, I replied that all CO2 air rifles - not only the QB78 family - have an "envelope" of performance depending on temperature, pellet type and aftermarket tuning. This is why the "power" of these guns is not a fixed value. In more detail...

As with all airguns, muzzle velocity will vary with pellet weight and (to some extent) shape. Heavy, flat-fronted wadcutter pellets shoot slower than lighter, pointed pellets.

And, all CO2 guns have a muzzle velocity that's dependent on temperature (higher temperature gives higher muzzle velocity at the rate of 2 fps per degree F).

I show the performance of the QB78 family air rifles as being 500fps at 65 degrees F for .22 caliber and 600 fps at 65 degrees F for .177 caliber. These are average muzzle velocity figures that will be achieved in our "Gold Service" testing with heavy wadcutter pellets - and that therefore I can prove to a customer.

Let's take a .22 caliber gun as an example. At 65 degrees F and 500fps with 13.86 grain wadcutter pellets, the muzzle energy is about 7.7 ft/lbs, which is marginal for humanely killing small pests without very accurate shooting.

Now, at 85 degrees F, the average muzzle velocity will be 540fps for .22 caliber using the same wadcutter pellets. This is due to the temperature effect already described. Now the muzzle energy is about 9 ft/lbs, a significant improvement for hunting.

If you choose to add the Archer Airguns "XP" Tune Kit, the muzzle velocity - still at 85 degrees F and with the same pellets - will be about 640fps, meaning 12.6 ft/lbs of muzzle energy. This is very suitable for hunting small critters and birds. The tune kit increases the muzzle velocity by making the flow of gas inside the gun much more free.

Read more...

05 June, 2010

Accuracy… It’s all in Your Head!

Post by Ron Robinson:

It’s been said that only accurate guns are interesting, and airgunners are perhaps more spoiled to and obsessed with accuracy than most other shooters. Truth be told, a huge majority of good air rifles and air pistols will out-shoot an even huger majority of hands holding them. Nevertheless, how we obsess!

Of course “accurate” is a relative term; at least as regards shooting. Therein lies the conundrum… how accurate is “accurate”? Thankfully yet maddeningly, it’s all in the eye (and head) of the beholder. Worse yet, it also depends on what you’re shooting at!

Most airgunners would find the accuracy of big-bore double rifles downright laughable; yet those are the preferred tools-of-the-trade of many professional hunters. One might think they would want all possible accuracy when defending life and limb, however gilt-edged accuracy rates way down the list of priorities in such “hairy” shooting situations. Minute-of-huge, murderous-beast accuracy serves their purposes quite well.

On the flip-side, center-fire bench-rest competitors define the highest level of shooting accuracy, measured in tenths of minute-of-angle. That degree of accuracy puts even the most accurate air rifles to shame.

Testing hundreds of air rifles and air pistols gives me wide perspective on airgun accuracy, but in no way makes me an authority on what the reader should consider “accurate”. That I strive for half-inch groups at fifty yards with field-target pistols makes it somewhat ironic to consider one-inch groups at ten feet satisfying; however, with an airsoft pistol, that is the case. Such “accuracy” allows excellent defensive pistol cross-training; not to mention effective (and exciting) scorpion-control at the spitting distances involved!

Just as the term “challenge” is relative to the individual and circumstances involved, so is the term “accurate” a matter of one’s own perspective and criteria. Next post, perhaps we’ll better quantify some airgun accuracy performance and potentials.

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26 May, 2010

Archer Airguns XP Tune Kit in CAR 78a Carbine


We've had several emails about the performance of our CAR78a carbine with the Archer Airguns "XP" Tune Kit, so it seems a good idea to publish this post with some details.

- A standard QB78 in .177 typically shoots about 600fps at 65 degrees F.
- The shortened barrel of the carbine reduces this to about 560fps.
- Replacing the breech seal (which I do as standard in the newer carbines) raises muzzle velocity back up to around 600fps.
- Adding the XP bolt increases the muzzle velocity to around 650fps at 65 Degrees F.

These muzzle velocities are all as shot at about65 degrees F with heavy wadcutter pellets. Shooting lighter, pointed, pellets will raise the muzzle velocity. And, like all CO2 guns, shooting in warmer temperatures will increase muzzle velocity. In the case of the QB78 family air rifles, this increase is about 2fps per degree F. So, shooting heavy, wadcutter pellets at 85 degrees F, a CAR78a will give about 700fps in .77 caliber.

Read more...

19 May, 2010

New, Free eBook on Stoeger X10, X20 and X50 Air Rifles

Book of the Stoeger X10, X20, X50 v1.0

As we've received many requests for information on the Stoeger X10, X20 and X50 air rifles, I've brought together much of the information we have in a free eBook. You can view this book here or download it as a PDF file if you wish.

Our Stoeger air rifles eBook provides much test and review information, with specifications, muzzle velocity test data and pellet-testing results. There are many test targets here and this book will give you a real idea of what these new air rifles are like - and if they will suit you!

If you have any suggestions for additional content in the book, please let me know so that I can try to incorporate it in version two!!!

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15 May, 2010

How to Remove a "Tough" QB78 Airgun Bolt Handle.

Over the past few years, Archer Airguns has sold thousands of our Oversize Bolt Handles for the QB78 family. And we're already moving into the hundreds of sales for our QB78 Family XP Tune Kit that require the bolt handle to be removed as part of the installation.

Over all those bolt handles, there have been very, very few cases where it has not been possible to remove the existing factory bolt handle quite easily once the setscrew has been removed. But, there's always an exception! And interestingly, each of these few bolt handles that have been tough to remove have been on Q78 Deluxe air rifles. Maybe there were a few oversize "gold" bolt handles in one production batch - and undoubtedly the factory folk never expected to find us shooters removing them to replace with an Oversize Handle or to install a Tune Kit!

So what should you do with a hard-to-extract QB78 bolt handle? The photo below shows how. Remove the breech assembly and clamp the bolt handle in the padded jaws of a vice. Now wriggle and pull a little and the bolt handle will come out.

It's worked every time so far!

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08 May, 2010

Industry Brand Rear Field Sight on Crosman 1377 Pistol

Guest post from "My customer Craig".

As you may know, mounting an Industry Brand Rear Field Sight on the steel breech of a Crosman 1377 pistol results in a sight too high to be adjusted down to the target.

However, this "fix" gives great results for practically no money!



You simply (carefully) drill a 1/16-in hold straight down into the Crosman front sight and then insert a small piece of nail cut to length into the hole. Trial and error will allow adjusting elevation of the new set-up and the result is a pin-point sight arrangement that I find much better than stock Crosman plastic sights.

These photos show details.




Craig, thanks for sharing your project with us!

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06 May, 2010

Stoeger X50 First Test Results


Here are the results from Archer Airguns first "Gold Service" test of a customer's Stoeger X50 air rifle. This is an excellent airgun and it was a pleasure to ship such a nice air rifle to our first X50 customer!

Standard "Gold Service" testing conditions: indoors, 10 shots at 10 yards range, muzzle velocity, accuracy and trigger pull tested.
- Average muzzle velocity 1,100.5 fps with 7.93 Grain Crosman Premier Light pellets.
- Standard deviation 5.38 fps.
- Muzzle energy 21.33 ft/lbs.
- Group size 0.5-in vertical, 0.75-in horizontal, CTC.
- Trigger pull weight 4lbs 0oz

My impressions are as follows:
- Muzzle velocity matches the claimed 1,200 fps with lead pellets fairly well.
- Accuracy is better than I can shoot it! Twice I put successive pellets through the same hole, but I'm not a good springer shot (not consistent enough) and my group drifted out horizontally as I shot. I'm sure the customer will do better than me!
- Dieseling was almost completely absent. Shot-to-shot consistency (Standard Deviation) was very good for a springer at 5.38 fps over 10 shots before the gun is broken-in - that's average consistency for a QB78, for example.
- Trigger pull was much lighter than expected. In fact I double-checked the reading to be sure.
- This is a BIG air rifle! I'm 6-ft 2-in tall and I had to stretch to break the barrel.
- Scope is fine and I obtained a good cheek weld against the Monte Carlo-style stock comb.
- Operation was smooth and good.
- Surprisingly comfortable to shoot for such a large air rifle.

The scope is pre-mounted and quite well sighted on target - certainly shootable out of the box with only minor sighting-in required for personal vision and pellet combinations.

I'm impressed with what I've experienced of the Stoeger X10, X20 and X50 air rifles so far!

Read more...

02 May, 2010

Hot-Rodding QB78 Family Air Rifles

Post by Ron Robinson:

Sweet as the Chinese QB78 family CO2 air rifles – the QB78, QB79 and AR2078 etc - are in stock form, they are equally sweet platforms for all manner of customizations. Their modest price-tags minimize the angst of defacing an expensive piece in the quest for “personalization”, while the end result of even simple modifications can be incredibly gratifying. Thankfully Archer Airguns offers many of the parts and accessories necessary to get one well on one’s way.

As in any hot-rodding, simple modifications can return satisfying performance increases. For shooters of the Chinese QB78 family CO2 rifles, the most “bang for the buck” is the Archer Airguns XP tune kit. Requiring minimal mechanical skills, the XP kit is the closest thing to simple, bolt-on horse-power. A small expenditure and simple installation will return gratifying power increases.

For more serious power-freaks, there are modifications akin to turbo-charging these Chinese CO2 rifles. Converting a QB or AR series CO2 rifle to high-pressure air, at pressures safe for the design, completely transforms the personality of an unpretentious plinker… into something of a beast! At temperatures of 90-100 degrees F., Co2 pressures exceed 1,200 PSI, at which point some Co2 guns will display symptoms of “valve-lock” by shooting less powerfully, or not at all. Employing a 3,000 PSI air bottle REGULATED TO NO MORE THAN 1,250 PSI OUTPUT on an AR-series rifle insures the gun receives pressures no higher than it would on Co2. Utilizing an appropriate burst-disc on the output side of the regulator (say 1,800 PSI) insures against catastrophe in the event of regulator failure.

While a stock .177 QB or AR moseys along at 8-10 foot pounds of muzzle energy, and modified examples may aspire to 12 foot-pounds on CO2, the same rifles operating on air can easily attain 14-15 foot-pounds. Hopped-up further, a .177 can approach 20 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, and a .22 can push 25 foot-pounds! It is entirely possible to double the power of the Chinese CO2 rifles.

In stock form, my own QB77 Deluxe maxed-out at about 9-10 foot-pounds on CO2. However, after several modifications and evolutions (into an AR bulk-tank gun), she now produces 17+ foot-pounds at a regulated 1,250 PSI (from a 3,000 PSI air bottle). Granted, such performance did not come from simple bolt-on modifications; however the tinkering, testing, and trial-and-error involved was a great learning experience that produced a rifle competitive against the finest field-target rifles in the world. Averaging just over one-half-inch groups at fifty yards, thankfully my baby lost none of her endearing qualities in the evolution from modest plinker to “spoiler” field-target rifle.

You’ve come a long way, Baby!

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24 April, 2010

Stoeger Air Rifles - New and Good!


Stephen shooting a Stoeger X50 Scope Combo.

Stoeger air rifles are new to the Internet and Archer Airguns is proud to have been appointed an official Stoeger Airguns dealer by Benelli USA. To start, we're offering the X10, X20 and X50 models. These airguns are made in China by BAM and they're really good spring-powered air rifles for the fair price that's being asked.

All Stoeger air rifles benefit from a 2 year warranty and most of them are fitted with ready-mounted airgun rated scopes that are bore sighted at the factory. This means that you can take your Stoeger air rifle combo out of its box, start shooting immediately with the scope and be on target.

And, Archer Airguns will stand behind the performance with our "Gold Service" testing - for a small additional charge the rifle will be inspected and test fired. "Gold Service" tested guns will be supplied with a test target showing accuracy, muzzle velocity and trigger pull. You can read more on our site.

The X10 and X20 models shoot lead free pellets at very close to the claimed muzzle velocity of 1200 fps, while the monster X50 model shoots them at 1500 fps.

As you will expect, I've undertaken extensive testing before introducing the X10, X20 and X50 air rifles and will share this information soon on this blog.

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13 April, 2010

So How Many Shots Do I Get With My XP Tune Kit?

This is our third post on the new Archer Airguns "XP" Tune Kit. You can see the others by using the search box and scrolling down the page.

Several people have asked for more detail on the number of shots available from one set of Powerlets when using this tune kit. The graph below shows shows the muzzle velocities for 47 shots fired from our QB78 Deluxe test gun in .22 caliber. As you can see, muzzle velocity remains fairly consistent until shot 35 and then falls off rapidly. Normally, .177 guns give more shots per fill and I would expect the same with the "XP" Tune Kit, although I've not tested that yet.

The left axis of the graph shows the muzzle velocity per shot, the horizontal axis indicates the number of shots fired.

This graph tells us that you will see about 35 "good" shots until the point of aim starts to fall significantly due to use of gas. This compares to about 50 "good" shots for a QB78 in factory condition, but of course we're using more gas per shot to obtain the increased muzzle velocity. But it's still not a bad compromise for the increased power!

This testing was undertaken at 62 degrees Farenheit, that's why the muzzle velocity hovers in the 600 - 615 fps range for most of the shots. As with all CO2 guns, muzzle velocity increases with ambient temperature, in fact by about 2 fps per degree F. Had this test been undertaken at 85 degrees F (for example), the muzzle velocities would have been in the 645 - 660 fps range instead.

Read more...

10 April, 2010

These Crosman 160 clones are great. Who’da thunk it?!

Post by Ron Robinson:

Greetings fellow airgunners, and thank you Stephen for inviting me to participate in the Archer on Airguns blog. I appreciate the opportunity to share my opinions and experiences, and hope to contribute something(s) of value to the dialogue.

Long an aficionado of Crosman collectable airguns, I was both surprised and put-off that the Chinese would have the audacity to reproduce the highly-venerated, classic Crosman 160 and 167 models with the QB line of CO2 rifles. Such heresy! However, having failed to locate a .177 Crosman model 167, I soon had a QB77 Deluxe (clone) on order.

When the first three-shot group at fifty yards went into .30” center-to-center, I knew the QB was something special. The next two groups measured .40” and .50” center-to-center, converting me from disbeliever to QB devotee in less than ten shots!



Having proven my .22 Crosman 160 infatuation more than simply a nut-case obsession in silhouette competition, I felt the incredible accuracy displayed by my .177 QB had real potential for field-target competition… if not for its mediocre power and variable trajectory (with temperature fluctuation). When a few individuals began converting QBs to high-pressure air (HPA), I took immediate notice, and converted my own at the first opportunity.



The customized QB has well lived up to all expectations; most recently capturing a strong second place at the 2009 U.S. Field-Target National Championships in Hunter Class. That the first and third place Hunter rifles were the highest state-of-the art, competition-specific field-target rifles produced today, costing SIX TIMES that of my custom QB, vindicated my QB obsession as something more than just blind faith.

In reproducing the fine classic Crosman Model 160/167, Chinese industy has gifted American airgunners with not only an incredible (and incredible-shooting) bargain, but an awesome platform for customizations ranging from simple cosmetic make-over to world-class custom competition rifles. Who’da thunk it?!

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04 April, 2010

Ron Robinson Writes for Archer on Airguns.

If you’re interested in airguns, you’ve probably heard of Ron Robinson (AKA- The Manic Compressive). And now Ron will be writing for this blog as a guest blogger.

As a staunch enthusiast of classic Crosman airguns of the 1950s and 1960s, he believes that many of those vintage models were ahead of their time. Ron enjoys customizing them to realize their highest potential, and then pits them in competition against the highest state-of-the-art airguns produced today. By natural extension, he also also values the QB78 family of airguns...

And Ron can really shoot!


An air rifle and air pistol silhouette competitor since 1986, Ron is a five-time Texas State Silhouette Champion and a holder of four NRA National Record certificates in airgun silhouette. Ron’s Sporter Rifle state championship and both Sporter Rifle Team national records were captured with a 1950s vintage .22 Sears Ted Williams “Match Rifle” variant of the Crosman 160 CO2 rifle.


As an air rifle and air pistol field-target competitor since 2004, he is a three-time Texas State Champion (Hunter Rifle class, Scope Pistol class and Iron Sight Pistol Class). The Hunter Rifle championship was won with a QB77 Deluxe - a predecessor of the QB78 - converted to HPA, and the Scope Pistol championship was won with a 1960s vintage .22 Montgomery Wards Hawthorne variant of the Crosman 180 CO2 rifle (converted to pistol).

Ron’s been writing about airguns since 1987. His books include “The Manic Compressive”, “Airgun Hunting and Sport” and “A Sporting Proposition” (all now sadly out of print). He’s also been a contributor to most airgun periodicals ever printed in the U.S., including “Airgun News and Reports”, “U.S. Airgun”, “American Airgunner”, “Airgun Illustrated”, “Rimfire and Airgun Magazine” and “Airgun Hobby”. He is currently working on another airgun book to be offered in electronic format.

Ron is the past president of the Central Texas Airgun Club and is a current member of the Yegua Airgun Club as Coordinator and Match Director of air rifle, air pistol silhouette and air pistol field-target competitions at Yegua.

Welcome Ron!

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About This Blog

This blog shares information, ideas and knowledge about air rifles. It compliments the information Stephen publishes on the Archer Airguns website, on YouTube and the Chinese Airgun Forum.

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