Blackpool AirGuns of the UK to stop selling Gunpower/Stealth
_Seems that Blackpool Airguns of the United kingdom/England is having major problems with Gunpower/Stealth products as a result of poor customer service with bad attitudes and accuracy problems, will no longer sell Gunpower products once the current inventory is exhausted?
_Copied from Blackpool Air guns web site : http://airgunbuyer.com/webnews.asp?ID=777
Gunpower….We give up – 06/12/2012
_After many years of stocking Gunpower I think we have now got to the stage where we can´t make any more excuses for the shoddy service and generally terrible performance recently of these guns. Delays in repairs , bad attitudes and now to top it off, problem after problem with accuracy has put the nail in the coffin. We are discontinuing all the guns immediately, accessories will be available whilst stocks last.
_This decision hasn´t been taken lightly, but we feel we can no longer sell goods that don´t meet our customers high standards.
Can someone from the UK let us know what brought this about and is Blackpool air guns the only distributor for UK/Europe?
Sam 😕
All Replies
By the way, the above is just my conception on the AF rifles’ design and purely an opinion-based articulation, so I don’t think I should put on my fireproof suit, yes? 😆
Having said the above, nevertheless, I’d like to say to you Airforce guys if you’re reading this: You can add Spin-Locs, anodized colors, pressure gauges, quick-fill nozzles, and all kinds of “new-and-improved-valves,” but these don’t do anything to improve accuracy. COME ON MAN, DEVELOP THE RIFLE FURTHER AND FIX THE DARN DESIGN FLAW THAT YOU KNOW EXISTS! YOUR GUN’S PLATFORM AND DESIGN HAS REMAINED THE SAME FOR YEARS AND OBVIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE REWORKED!
Spinj,
You have made some sound observations there that could explain some of the poi shifting that we have all had at one time or another with these guns.
AFs guns are not out of the box tack drivers like some of the Euro guns, but they are a moders/tinkerers dream. 😀
They are also very powerful which resinates with Man child in all of us
When properly tuned they are plenty accurate for hunting, but on my Condor’s best day I wouldnt be picking any fights with an FX or Daystate 🙄 and on its worst day It still shoots better than a Benjamin Rogue!
LURKER #1 wrote:
Is this it?
Mercedes Sprinter, filter and oil change.
Looks to be same location for the Vito.
Which is yours?
Found using a Google search for Mercedes Van oil filter location
😆 😆 😆
You probably have to drop the exhaust manifold or something “tricky”… 😯 😆
Or maybe it doesn’t have one! 😕
Ever change the plugs in those small Ford pickups? One of the plugs comes out from inside the wheel well!
I forgot to mention imagine trying to tune an AF rifle without an adjustable tophat or a power wheel…?! Pretty much eliminates the large majority of adjusty thingys that we use to get these rifles working perfect. The Stealth has no pw or th in order to comply with UK regs… 😉
Did you get shot at while hunting?! 😯
Personally, I think the AF design is rather a crude one in that it is primarily made to be one which allows for great versatility. However, there is one great design flaw that the AF rifles have because of this, and that is the contact between the barrel and the breech. The breech transfers force from the impact it receives from the hammer. Almost all of the other superior/supremely accurate rifles have a barrel that does not come into contact with an impacting unit. Instead, they are isolated so that only pressurized air gets transfered to it. Notice too that on these guns, the barrel is in complete isolation from the valve/hammer components of its entire assembly. With the AF guns, theoretically, when the hammer strikes the breech, which in turn strikes the valve, there is a force or vibration being imparted or transferred onto the barrel; even the slightest of movement due to impact, obviously, will affect the point of aim. So, during this cycle – again, bearing in mind the breech comes into contact with the valve and barrel – the (slight) movement is going to influence the point of impact. Due to this, another problem arises, which is the breech twisting or turning during the shot cycle, thus interfering with accuracy even more. You can easily perceive this by noticing the cocking knob moving from its original position before the gun was fired. In sum, shoot at greater distances and the variance (of POI) will be greater. This is why people say that AF rifles deliver sub-par performance over the European quality rifles at distances of 50 yards and beyond. Look at rifles from Daystate, Air Arms, Theoben, Steyr, et cetera. Notice that the barrels on those guns have no contact whatsoever with the hammer or impacting unit.
By the way, the above is just my conception on the AF rifles’ design and purely an opinion-based articulation, so I don’t think I should put on my fireproof suit, yes? 😆
Having said the above, nevertheless, I’d like to say to you Airforce guys if you’re reading this: You can add Spin-Locs, anodized colors, pressure gauges, quick-fill nozzles, and all kinds of “new-and-improved-valves,” but these don’t do anything to improve accuracy. COME ON MAN, DEVELOP THE RIFLE FURTHER AND FIX THE DARN DESIGN FLAW THAT YOU KNOW EXISTS! YOUR GUN’S PLATFORM AND DESIGN HAS REMAINED THE SAME FOR YEARS AND OBVIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE REWORKED!
I agree but what company does this? While you and I think it is a good idea it isn’t the norm.
Does GM, Ford, Chevy teach it’s customers how to fix their cars, to modify their cars? Chilton and other companies write the repair books. Good luck getting a factory repair manual or expect to pay hundreds of dollars for one.
I think AF expects people to find a place like this to learn to work on the rifles. They certainly come here to learn how to improve their product line. 😉
Gunpower is the UK version of AF, if it wasn’t for the power limit in the UK everyone would get the AF rifles. Gunpower’s market IS the UK.
The AF line is the best rifle for being able to go from 177 to 25 (or way larger for those willing) in less than ten minutes or to go from a shooting a lightweight pellet to a heavy pellet of the same caliber with minimal fuss. They are far from being super accurate (the benchmark for “super accurate” is consistent, five shot, 3/8″ groups at 50 yards).
But for a being a versatile and accurate hunting rile they rock and get the job done. They also happen to be a great and relatively simple rifle to mod in many ways. Even if they have some issues their versatility outweighs the small problems by a long shot. But take away the versatility (the Gunpower Stealth) and what is left really? The issues then stand out and none of the things that make the AF rifle great are there.
I resisted buying a SCBA tank and wish I had from the very beginning! Any moisture in the air will create corrosion buildup in the aluminum AF tanks where the brass inserts touch the steel springs. Now with the Shoebox on the market it’s so easy to home fill it’s not even funny!
I totally agree, Tony is a true artist and his work on these rifles is top notch! WOK’s stuff is the cat’s ass too. They both offer upgrades the ALL AF rifle owners should have!
I haven’t hunted for nearly 45 years because of little enforcement and a bunch of drunken idiots in the woods of up state Michigan with high power rifles.
Enforcement must have taken care of that or our laws would be as restrictive as the UK.
PS I’m lookink for a manual for my Mercedes RV/van. Where the hell did they hide the oil filter 😯
I agree but what company does this? While you and I think it is a good idea it isn’t the norm.
Does GM, Ford, Chevy teach it’s customers how to fix their cars, to modify their cars? Chilton and other companies write the repair books. Good luck getting a factory repair manual or expect to pay hundreds of dollars for one.
I think AF expects people to find a place like this to learn to work on the rifles. They certainly come here to learn how to improve their product line. 😉
Gunpower is the UK version of AF, if it wasn’t for the power limit in the UK everyone would get the AF rifles. Gunpower’s market IS the UK.
The AF line is the best rifle for being able to go from 177 to 25 (or way larger for those willing) in less than ten minutes or to go from a shooting a lightweight pellet to a heavy pellet of the same caliber with minimal fuss. They are far from being super accurate (the benchmark for “super accurate” is consistent, five shot, 3/8″ groups at 50 yards).
But for a being a versatile and accurate hunting rile they rock and get the job done. They also happen to be a great and relatively simple rifle to mod in many ways. Even if they have some issues their versatility outweighs the small problems by a long shot. But take away the versatility (the Gunpower Stealth) and what is left really? The issues then stand out and none of the things that make the AF rifle great are there.
I resisted buying a SCBA tank and wish I had from the very beginning! Any moisture in the air will create corrosion buildup in the aluminum AF tanks where the brass inserts touch the steel springs. Now with the Shoebox on the market it’s so easy to home fill it’s not even funny!
I totally agree, Tony is a true artist and his work on these rifles is top notch! WOK’s stuff is the cat’s ass too. They both offer upgrades the ALL AF rifle owners should have!
Perhaps Gunpower/AF needs to move away from the volume retailers in the UK.
We know there are capable tuners in the UK that can even stabilize a 12 fpe Gunpower/AF PCP.
These immensely versatile PCPs require customer education as well as quick technical support and replacement parts.
That’s not to say that AF shouldn’t improve a couple of things like the safety, the trigger group, etc. Although the last AF pump I received under warranty appears to be an improvement, maybe they could cut a deal with Hill at least in the UK. I believe the Hill pump cost me nearly $100 more than the AF but I got it with rebuild parts. Obviously the key for Hill was to educate and facilitate the customer to properly rebuild and maintain there great pump that sometimes needs attention.
Here in USA TalonTunes has facilitated the AF customer and because of this web site I bought my 1st AF Condor not tuned. I have added Mods, made my own modification and tuned to my hearts content. Again, thanks to TalonTunes I have learned a great respect Tony’s modified and tuned parts so I now can justify spending more for an expert fully tuned .25 AAA Condor. It will come with some WOK mods too ❗
you must be an apologist for someone.
I didn’t say a darn thing about groups. Fact is my grand daughter took one shot at 50 yards and hit the squirrel target between the eyes. I saved that target and she proceeded to do pretty good at 50 yards. Oh, I must be a liar.
Next you’ll have someone else jump in here to attack me.
Anything else you or your friends say is just sour grapes.
You took it from a one-sided arguement complaining about AF to a personal attack on my abilities. That is purely a diversion from the topic. For what purpose do you continue to attempt to discredit my abilities:?:
YOU went off about Blackpool being greedy… You may want to think about the BS you spewed first in attacking a retail outfit who was looking out for their customers. Talk about a diversion from the facts.
You are being an apologist for AF 100%. The rifles have a junk trigger, they have issues with wear on the hammer after time. They have frame flex, they have shouldering issues, they have cheek weld issues. Sorry that is simply the truth yet you refuse to believe these things.
I’m trying to get you to understand the statement written in plain english about a company that is not willing to sell bad stuff to it’s customers just to make a profit. You misread the whole damned thing AND you haven’t cared to read up on the issues with the Stealth rifles.
Never mind WOK’s input, he must be just as ignorant as me right? 🙄
AND, if these retail outfits that you think are better and educate their clients on the AF platform then why does this forum exist. Why does TT exist to get these rifles shooting like they should?
Another of your diversions was boasting about how your custom TT tuned rifle was so great. What exactly does that have to do with a stock GUNPOWER STEALTH?
Shoot a five shot group at 50 yards, good luck covering it with a dime… One shot is not a test of accuracy, otherwise it is simply luck and totally irrelevant in this discussion because it is custom tuned.
Gunpower in the UK is legendary and has been for years of having horrible customer service…. if any at all.
No shop wants to take on the responsibility the manufacturer is responsible for.
synopsys,
you must be an apologist for someone.
I didn’t say a darn thing about groups. Fact is my grand daughter took one shot at 50 yards and hit the squirrel target between the eyes. I saved that target and she proceeded to do pretty good at 50 yards. Oh, I must be a liar.
Next you’ll have someone else jump in here to attack me.
Anything else you or your friends say is just sour grapes.
You took it from a one-sided arguement complaining about AF to a personal attack on my abilities. That is purely a diversion from the topic. For what purpose do you continue to attempt to discredit my abilities:?:
BS, sorry, not buying your fairy tale shooting story for one second… A Condor valve shooting 177 caliber pellets out of a 12″ barrel, with a precision most ultra high end regulated 24″ barreled rifles cannot repeat…
Not to mention you are shooting the FURTHEST thing from a dead stock UK produced Stealth rifle right from the factory. Take a STOCK Talon and try it.
How much does a fully tuned TT Condor cost compared to a stock Talon? Yeah… 🙄
I think you need to reread the statement.
They never once mentioned “big price”, “big profit”? You are assuming that this is the issue, why? It’s not in the article yet you are positive it’s the reason? Proof?
Not qualified to use anything more than a $200-$300 rifle? What? Either a rifle works or it doesn’t, anyone who can shoot a $300 Discovery can shoot a $1800 AW… You load it, point it and pull the trigger, it works or it doesn’t.
Perhaps you are totally clueless about the hammer issues AF has been having where a BRAND NEW rifle would fire when the safety was released? Is that the fault of the retailer who sold it? Should they walk the customer through a FACTORY issue? Absolutely not, never, ever, ever.
They explicitly state that Stealth IS NOT TAKING CARE OF IMPROPERLY WORKING RIFLES…
Since when does a retail outfit need to walk a user through how to fix a rifle to get it to work properly anyways?
Do you mean educate like PA’s Gaylord who said for years that the bungled Condor valve was just fine and then they produced a new one to replace the “perfect” one? Or who recommended that PCP users lube their fittings with oil that was a hydrocarbon and could cause an explosion?
There is a reason why retailers don;t “educate” people how to fix broken merchandise when it comes to rifles and pistols that can hurt someone or explode if used or maintained improperly.
Or perhaps you like AoA that sends out USED rifles as new so they DON’T HAVE TO SHIP THEM BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THEY HAVE ISSUES…?
What planet do you live on? 😯
..
I wouldn’t think they would have a problem if they had trained sales personnel and a good technicial staff backed by the company.
They probably lowball the price for maximum sales without providing the customer with Pre and After sale support.
I don’t know what their business model is but I suspect they haven’t the foggiest idea what an AF rifle is capable of.
Or it’s simply not cost effective to fix new rifles to get them where the paying customer’s want them…
Why do you think the retailer is responsible for shitty products?
It states that the makers of the rifles are not servicing them to the proper standards that the customers expect.
I’d reckon most customers are not very keen on paying MORE money after the initial purchase. And there is no reason for Blackpool to take a financial hit when it’s the manufacturer that isn’t supplying the proper equipment and service.
I’d also venture a guess that the supplier is raising prices and cutting Blackpool’s margins on a product that is already causing them headaches… Or the quality of the parts is going downhill in order to keep the prices steady.
You can’t really fault a distributor for dropping a product that is costing them money when the manufacturer isn’t steeping up to the plate to fix the problems…
Oh and IF you think you understand the AF system, tune your rifle to get 12fpe and under and then see how it works. 😉
I double dare you… 😉 😉
GUESS WHAT ❗ ❗ I have my Condor HighFlo valve polished and ported but using it with a 12″ .177 TT barrel. I’ve tuned down for quiet operation as low as 11 FPE and enjoy it much. It can shot a squirrel size target between the eyes at 50 yards. So much for your DOUBLE DARE ❗
Back to the topic:
I don’t know anymore about Blackpool than I read here in this thread.
They indicate they are a big deal(er). But have obviously over sold the AF rifle to customers not qualified to handle more than the run of the mill $200-to-$300.00 entry level air rifle.
Nothing is said about trying to qualify their customers or there company attempts to provide ongoing education.
So, I assume they are not capable or willing to do any more than deliver a box for a big price.
I don’t like retailers that don’t at least attempt to help educate the customer. All that is said here is that they are tired of wining to AF and choose to sell just boxes for big profit.
I wouldn’t think they would have a problem if they had trained sales personnel and a good technicial staff backed by the company.
They probably lowball the price for maximum sales without providing the customer with Pre and After sale support.
I don’t know what their business model is but I suspect they haven’t the foggiest idea what an AF rifle is capable of.
Or it’s simply not cost effective to fix new rifles to get them where the paying customer’s want them…
Why do you think the retailer is responsible for shitty products?
It states that the makers of the rifles are not servicing them to the proper standards that the customers expect.
I’d reckon most customers are not very keen on paying MORE money after the initial purchase. And there is no reason for Blackpool to take a financial hit when it’s the manufacturer that isn’t supplying the proper equipment and service.
I’d also venture a guess that the supplier is raising prices and cutting Blackpool’s margins on a product that is already causing them headaches… Or the quality of the parts is going downhill in order to keep the prices steady.
You can’t really fault a distributor for dropping a product that is costing them money when the manufacturer isn’t steeping up to the plate to fix the problems…
Oh and IF you think you understand the AF system, tune your rifle to get 12fpe and under and then see how it works. 😉
I double dare you… 😉 😉
You mean you brits want quality from a US product???? 😆
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I do not know anything about the UK distributor, but I can understand the problem.
When compared to the European guns, and the lower price they sell for in europe, the AF guns trying to make 12 FPE would be a distant second class rifle compared to FX and Daystate and AA to mention a few.
We use them here in the USA because of their power mostly, and in the UK they do not have that luxery.
And if as WOK says the distributor does not service their rifles it can only serve to make the distance between the european and AF rifle more distinct.
RC