Condor SS – My impressions 500 shots in

First off, I have to mention again how happy I am that I switched my pre-order over to R&L. Randy was quick to answer my questions and gave me a nice discount on a gun returned by another customer because it was “beat up”; the thing was immaculate, and it was nice getting a charged tank rather than empty.

My first shot I was expecting the gun to be loud. Having read every review available from prototype up to post-release reviews I was under the impression that the gun was going to be borderline backyard-unsafe as far as making neighbors think I was shooting a firearm, but that is not the case at all. I have a Champion steel pellet trap, and the impact of the pellet on the trap is WAY louder than the actual gun. I also own a Gamo Big Cat .22 break barrel, and that is definitely louder than this gun (although the pellet impact on the trap is a joke compared to this).

After zeroing my UTG 3-12×44 Compact Accushot scope and mounting my UTG bipod, I adjusted the power wheel to 4 and put lead to paper. I needed to make a few minor adjustments to the scope, but was quickly amazed at the accuracy of this gun! My backyard range is approximately 25 yards, and I can consistently put the pellet within a half inch of my target, and would probably be closer if I was a better shot (although I am getting better). Having never owned a pcp before, I’m shocked at how accurately I can shoot even with my shakiness. One of my concerns with a gun this powerful was whether there would be any ricochets out of the trap, especially when shooting heavier pellets at higher power wheel settings. However, after testing with JSB 25g and Eun Jin 32g pointed, both at max power, the trap stopped everything. A little bit of lead is getting sprayed back through the paper target, but unless someone is standing right next to the trap breathing in the dust there is no danger at all. I also tested it indoors on my rubber-mulch trap, which is just a 5-gallon painters bucket from home depot packed full of rubber mulch. I shot some lighter pellets and a couple Eun Jin 32g (the Eun Jin were shot at max power) and nothing made it out the back of the trap.

There are a few things about the gun I don’t like. I bought a foregrip and would like to use it, but putting it on the lower rail it is too far away to be practical. That’s not a big deal, but the butt of the gun is a joke! If you wonder why you hear people on here CONSTANTLY talking about owning a Wokbutt, it’s because YOU NEED A WOKBUTT WITH THIS GUN! How Airforce can put out their quality product with this flat, uncomfortable, non-ergonomic piece in constant contact with your shoulder baffles me – they obviously copied Wok in changing the butt piece on the Condor SS, but they missed the most important part of it! I ordered my “New Wokbutt” today and Wok shipped it like an hour later (on a Saturday!) The last part I don’t like is the sharp edges in the cutouts in the frame below the scope rail. This is the obvious place to get leverage to push the bolt forward, but it is uncomfortable to repeatedly push into the sharp edge.

Other than that, I’m in love with this gun! I don’t have a chronograph so I won’t be including any numbers or pictures of groups, but at power 4 I am getting around 40 shots per fill from 2800psi down to 1600psi. I had originally ordered a pump, but changed my mind and bought the scuba adapter and picked up two 80 cu ft. aluminum tanks used at my local scuba shop for $110 each freshly hydro’d. I’ve filled the gun like 10 times so far, and the 80 cu ft. tank is down to 2400psi (from 3100). Definitely beats the hell out of pumping, I can’t imagine trying to shoot straight after having to pump the gun up to 2500+ psi.

I originally pre-ordered a red gun, but the gun I bought from R&L is black, which I’m very happy with. It does look like a firearm especially at a distance, but as someone who prefers the tactical look to the old school wood-stock style, I think it looks great! I’m very glad I got black, as the gun matches the scope and the bi-pod. With all the rails and accessories attached the gun is fairly heavy, but I don’t plan on shooting without the bipod much so that’s no big deal.

So to summarize, I am incredibly happy with my Condor SS .22, however if you plan on buying one go ahead and order the Wokbutt at the same time and save yourself the pain of shooting without it. If your neighbors are dicks I might think twice, but otherwise this gun is definitely backyard-friendly: I live in the suburbs on a half-acre surrounded by other houses and it’s no problem at all. Also, if you plan on pumping exclusively, I would seriously reconsider and see if there’s a scuba or paintball shop near you that can fill tanks (or fire station)

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

-TreeburnerCT