Kalibrgun and shot
where’s waldo…?
..as you can see in the above photo the Colibri is missing. I had a long talk (nearly an hour) with Marek about the past present and future of the Colibri.
The past: First off the short Colibris we see in old photos and vides were prototypes. Only 5 exist in the whole world and they have been dismantled to look at wear of the internal parts. I asked if they would make a short one in .177 and .22 and Marek answered no. They will only ever come in the longer version we currently have. So you’ll have to let that one go, Marek was totally firm on that one
Present: The Colibri is not in current production. Marek admitted that the Colibri was not ready for public consumption and they rushed it out. He was embarrassed that the Colibri gave Kalibrgun a bad name. Reliability is a big thing for Kalibrgun. I can tell you he was visibly upset about the Colibri issues. He said that Kalibrgun offered refunds to customers who had bought the Colibri.
Future: I am not sure if he finally told me yes just to get rid of me or if the Colibri will really make a comeback( I can be pretty persistent). I was relentless on him. After an hour he broke and told me that a new air rifle from Kalibrgun will be featured at IWA. It might be the Colibri or anther gun (semi-auto) that they are working on. He said no manner what gun is displayed at IWA it won’t come to market until late 2016. The Colibri will return in some form to the Kalibrgun line-up. MarekI honestly believed that airguners don’t like the Colibri. I think Kalibrgun may have gotten that impression from it’s dealers. Until today I don’t think they knew it had such a cult following. The whole Kalibrgun crew became very happy that I loved the Colibri. :rofl: If the Colibri comes back they plan on adding .177 and .25 to the Colibri lineup when it makes it’s return.
In closing I told Marek about the Beretta 391. The 391 was the most popular gas operated semi-auto shotgun ever produced. A few years ago Beretta stopped making the 391. I was at SHOT and I had a chance to look at the new A400 and I asked the managing director from Beretta why they stopped making such a popular design. The director replied ” we have gotten to the point where everyone who will ever buy a 391 already owns one or they have owned one, because it was so popular the gun ran it’s course”. I relayed to Marek that I thought the Cricket fell into the same category as the 391 Beretta. They have to update it.
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I’d like to add that I was told by a Kalibrgun dealer the Colibri will go into production this summer. No details on changes were discussed. Darryl
The fact that the Cricket’s design is unchanged since 2009 and still going strong means that it was years ahead at that time….
One thing Keyser could have mentioned while talking to Kalibrgun representatives is the magazine design, this “fiddling design” which is the only thing that really needs improvement on the Cricket IMHO. Since apparently the magazine mechanism is much better on the Colibri probably they could just use the same mechanism also on the Cricket.
And since apparently the “distributors” are not providing 100% feedback, also letting them know that people loves the skeleton stock could have helped to bring them back.
Last but not least, letting them know that by dropping the Compact they just dropped the best they had IMHO.
:2cents:
I´m Always right – even when i´m wrong. :darth-vader:
What did i tell you .. 😎
Right as always, I will never doubt you again :bow: :bow: :bow: :rofl:
What did i tell you .. 😎
Keyser, I still miss the feel of the Colibri in my hands. Ownership was short and bittersweet. i should remove the pictures from my PC, but the gun was so right for me. I hated to part with it but it could not be made to work at that time (early buyer here). So I’m happy to read that Kalibrgun is rethinking it’s introduction to it’s product line. Maybe one day a new version. I hope it comes with a regulator that has a much range of adjustment ala Edgun. Yeah, I miss the Hummingbird.Thanks for setting Kalibrgun straight on customer perceptions (mine notwithstanding).
Darryl
Brain thanks for posting and talking with Kalibrgun on our behalf. You did an excellent job. I hope you asked them to join TAG so they can post info, answer questions and interact with REAL Kalibrgun enthusiasts. Something like Ed does in the Edgun section.
Are you going to IWA 2016?
Keyser, Thanks for the update on Kalibrgun. Was concerned w lack of news. I would be first in line for a Colibri in .25 semi or not!!
I was really hoping for some news about getting a lighter stock for the Cricket.
Wish they would bring back the skeleton as an after-market option.
Bravo Keyser,
Apparently the dealers don’t “represent” us as well as you do. Glad you cheered them up so they can hop to it!Well done, my good man! :8:
Darryl
Many thanks for the report, Keyser. Unfortunately nothing really exciting. Can understand Kalibrgun wanting to hold the big news for IWA, but it makes me wonder why they made the expensive trip to SHOT if they’re not going to give us something to raise the excitement if it’s only a lightweight stock.
I fixed the errors in my post, I was seeing double when I wrote it.
Thanks for passing this info along….
Awesome stuff Keyser. Thanks for being the one to tell Kalibrgun that we NEED a Coibri or similar from them. Now lets wait for IWA :whistle:
Cricket has not been changed since 2009.They only added second fixing bolt to the grip.
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One thing Keyser could have mentioned while talking to Kalibrgun representatives is the magazine design, this “fiddling design” which is the only thing that really needs improvement on the Cricket IMHO. Since apparently the magazine mechanism is much better on the Colibri probably they could just use the same mechanism also on the Cricket.
And since apparently the “distributors” are not providing 100% feedback, also letting them know that people loves the skeleton stock could have helped to bring them back.
Last but not least, letting them know that by dropping the Compact they just dropped the best they had IMHO.
:2cents:
The Compact was indeed the best. Maybe they’ll bring it back again one day . .?