80 Grit’s surrender to the Darkside (AAA NEW PICS 30yards.)

I was a wee bit of a PCP enthusiast combing through the vast recesses of the internet when I came upon this unique looking black rifle. I read the words, with a twinkle in my eye, “the most powerful air rifle” commercially available, or something like that, and they kept playing over and over in my mind.

I read some more and before the hour had passed, then I strategically moved for my wallet—positioned 10 yards from my computer; five yards from my wife.

She stood with that look upon her face that I had seen a million times before. Not a word need pass between us, for she knew exactly what I intended. I can only assume she was saying to herself, “what is he going to buy this time”.

Little did I know that this purchase would thrust me headlong into a hobby, nay, a sport, nay a lifestyle that would prove to be consuming!

When the box finally arrived from the man in brown, the words from that 80’s song (you know which one I mean, all you old heads) “Ohhhhhh, yeah…, Ohhhhh yeah…, kept playing over and over in my head as I took box cutter to cardboard.

I went over to the coffee pot and poured myself a nice cup o’ Joe, removed C.O.D. modern warfare from my xbox 360 console, and slid in the accompanying airforce cd. I have to admit, it was kind of hard to get past Mr. Gaylord’s presentation of the facts as I was expecting some dude in full S.W.A.T regalia to whip me into shape, and thrust me headlong into the world of the “Darkside”.

After the c.d. ended, I made my way to the bedroom where I had my newly acquired used scuba tank. I filled my rifle, set up my indoor target (16 yards), cocked the knob, put one in the breech…and then paused for a moment. In that brief pause, I allowed doubt to enter into my hopeful mind. I was setting myself up for failure. I didn’t want my proverbial “bubble” to be burst by squeezing that trigger and finding out that this rifle was no different from any other air rifle I had ever fired.

Nonetheless, I had to find out. I acquired my target and set the butt into my shoulder as I gently caressed the trigger. Took a short breath in, exhaled, and sent it!

CLAAAAAAAPOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy crap! I said to myself, as I jumped up to see what kind of damage the EJ did to the 2×8′ positioned 16 yards away. I arrived on scene to discover splintered wood all over my wifes, “beloved” laundry room. I made a note to self to be sure to clean up the mess that would soon follow after 10, 20, or I think it was 30 more rounds into pressure treated lumber.

My excitement that day was hardly containable. It was later on that night, when surfing the net—trying to find men of like enthusiasm—that I discovered it.

TalonAirgun.com Unbelievable! You mean to tell me that their is an entire community of “darkside” enthusiasts out there? Thank you, Lord, were my exact words. From that moment on, life seemed to take on new meaning.

I spent my first few weeks on TAG getting slapped around by those who knew much more than me, and moreover, by those who were kind enough to point out—in a merciful manner—that I didn’t know JACK SQUAT! And in the fond words of GTBJ, I was told to, “shut up, and spend some time reading and learning from those who know what they’re talking about”! Great advice for any aspect of life, wouldn’t you say?

As time went on, I learned more and more about these peculiar black sticks of pressurized thunder, and my excitement grew even more. Then it happened; just what I needed, or should I say, didn’t need, because there are those who would argue that want and need are at times diametrically opposed.

There it was, right beneath the page banner, a smaller, unassuming banner: “TALON TUNES”

I had read about the unreal power of this thing called a AAA condor, but I had allowed the rational side of my brain to file it away along with the countless other “Holy Grails” in my mind.

I continued to enjoy my .22 condor. I tore up every piece of spare lumber I had laying around from the past five “projects”. I endured the trials of county Sheriff’s deputies showing up saying that a neighbor had called in and reported the sound of gunfire coming from my property(I don’t have a shroud), I even spent time at the local range proving to a number of rimfire enthusiasts that, yes, this “BB” gun can outshoot your Ruger! Money on the wood! But time and time again, I found myself clicking on that unassuming banner beneath TalonAirgun.com, and each time I did, I barely succeeded in convincing myself that I wouldn’t need more than 60 ft lbs of energy….

One day while combing through the “posts since last visit”, I discovered these odd looking slugs that reminded me more of a 55 gallon whiskey barrel with bands wrapped all around them trying to contain all that “elixar”. Needless to say—Jerry—time would prove that this initial impression wasn’t that far from the truth. Elixar’s of energy they would prove to be indeed!

I sent Jerry a pm and before you know it, I had what seemed like 50 pounds of 6, 7, and 9 ring slugs sitting on my front door step. What the hell was wrong with me??? I didn’t have anything to shoot them with. I wasn’t surprised, for in the past I was known to put the cart before the horse time and time again. There was only one thing left to do. Where’s my telephone?

It rang and rang, but he didn’t answer, nor did I expect him too. I mean I would have been disappointed to find out he wasn’t out there on the anvil hammering away forging some other Darksider’s “Holy Grail”.

Tony called me back the next day, and I have to admit, I haven’t been that excited about receiving a phone call since; well, that’s another story.

He asked me what I wanted? I answered, “power and accuracy”, of course, but no shroud”. I am allowed by law to fire “air rifles” in my yard providing I do not send a round beyond my property line.

Tony told me work was 10 to 12 weeks out. Lets just say it was a little longer than that. No worries, though, you just can’t rush quality work, not here, not anywhere!

When the brown man finally delivered my AAA condor, that old song stared playing again in my head, “OHHHH YEAH…OHHHH YEAH”!

I broke out that box cutter and took it all in slowly. Tony’s test shot string was very nice, and his groups looked excellent @ 38 yards. It was time to fill this baby up.

I fired at the same 16 yard target (indoor) and man did she kick like a mule. I kind of expected that with that heavier hammer and ported valve, etc. I managed to fire some pretty tight groups, but I had an occasional flyer that was somewhat anticlimactic.

I wanted to see what she could do at 50 yards, so I headed for the range. I brought along my condor.22 and my BSA .22 scorpion for company. I fired the AAA from 50 with kodiaks for 20, ej’s for 20 and Jerry’s 7 rings for 10. To make a long story short, I was frustrated with the accuracy of my new AAA. I talked it over with Tony, he made a few suggestions, etc. but no matter what I tried, I couldn’t seem to get this thing to group.

No worries, Tony told me, “just pack it up and send it back and I will figure out what’s going on”. Tony got right on it and a few days later we talked and he said that he polished the spring, re-crowned the barrel and opted for a new tank. The next day, I received the rifle back (we only live 3.5 hours apart) and proceeded to do a preliminary accuracy test (as I do with all my rifles, from 16 yards: indoors). I mounted a bipod far up towards the end of the frame for use, as well as to counteract any potential “jump”, or “recoil” because this beast is putting out some energy!

After two shots to sight in the scope, I started to shoot four five shot groups with the new JSB Exact Kings (25.4’s). I don’t think any of my rifles ever grouped this good! Shooting off a bipod I managed some serious groups. See photos below!

this is the best group. Five shots “Hole in Hole”
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ctc 1/8″
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YEAH TONY!
Now, for some crony testing. After-all, the order of the day was accuracy along with power. And man, did Tony deliver. Read these numbers and weep my darkside bruthas!

SP 2900 psi
JSB Exact Kings (25.4gr)
PW 8, TH .70
1115
1091
1101
1107
1120
1082
1087
1082
1084
1091
1087
1084
1058
1081
1077
1076
1057
1058
1053
1058
End Pressure 2400
HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!
At this point I didn’t even need to see anymore, but I decided to put some heavy stuff through her just to see energy output.
Jerry’s 7 rings (70.6gr)
782
790
798
790
786
That’s up to 100 foot pounds!!! Man, I’m getting a great big boner as I type this! 😆 okay, not big 😳
Same string but switched to EJ’s 34.9 domed
999
1002
972
984
983
EJ’s put out 77 ft lbs, New Jsb exacts kings put out 68 ft lbs, and Jerry’s cans broke 100 ft lbs.

Needless to say, next week I will test it at 50 yards, but I can almost promise extraordinary results. I will push it to 100 as well to see what she can do.

The moral of this rant is Tony, as most of you already know, is awesome. Not only does he do some phenomenal work, but he stands behind his work. He came through with flying colors. Man, I can’t say enough good things about the man. Thanks again Tony, I appreciate your skills!