Why the bias for Air Force airguns?
Alright, I admit I’m a newbie and I don’t yet own an AF rifle. I also admit I bought a very nice foreign made PCP to get my feet wet, but since then I’ve been wanting to step up for both power and quiet to hunt more. I’m involuntarily retired so I have a lot of energy to channel and I read a lot of forums, articles, etc. I also shoot my CZ almost every day. I almost always at least look at fellow newbie posts to see what other people are asking and looking for so I don’t leave something out on my next purchase. To me that’s part of learning the game? Why is it that when I see a post for “high end airguns” or an “I want to spend “X” amount of dollars (usually $1000’s) to hunt and shoot targets” post that I never see AF rifles suggested or recommended?
I realize we live in a global economy and I’ve been fortunate to have been able to sample some of the best England, Sweden, Germany, The Czech Republic, and Tennessee have to offer, most costing in excess of $1000. They make some really nice rifles! Almost all needing some degree of modification to up the power or quiet the noise or whatever?
I’m a Texan and a lifelong hunter and the cost, reputation for both power and quiet, and the further degree of improvement available from and for AF seems like a no brainer to me? I know I’m becoming a bit of a curmudgeon, but is it the jarhead coming out in me or am I missing something when AF’s aren’t represented?
Sorry for my Buy American rant, when I drove a tractor on the Katy prairie I had an “Eat More Rice” bumper sticker on my pickup truck. It’s what I am!
👿 Will 😈
All Replies
I have always liked the looks, the modding potential, and the power and ACCURACY that results from “user input”.
I was initially drawn to “Made in America” and I still love to support an “American Company”…but nowadays that is a vague venture as a some Toyota’s have 75% American made parts comprising their whole and some Chevrolet’s can claim only 40% American parts so which one is more “American”????
In short, I have owned over two dozen PCP’s from many different countries. I currently own only two PCP’s and they are both Air Force!
I have had many nice airguns over the years what makes the AF guns different and unique for me is “They are a take down rifle with ridiculous power” take that away and it looses the attraction for me. Also it is a tough gun that can go bush whacking without worrying a $500 stock is going to get scratched.
When I go hiking I for obvious reason can not bring my AA410 on the trail, but I can but the AF in the back pack and hike the trail with everyone else and then go off trail and shoot all day. When I return to the car I do not have to worry about having someone calling the cops that I have a rifle.
I really like that take down feature. Taking that away to me is like welding the top on a convertible car.
Some people also have a problem with the forum because they are more comfortable in a PG 13 world instead of an Pub with hooligans and boobies
The accessories included were worth as much as the gun.
The second rifle (sig pic) I basically assembled for nearly nothing. The frame was free and I had everything else except the trigger parts for a second rifle.
After several years of tinkering and shooting them, they are my go-to rifles.
…………..
If there is a bias toward AF guns, its due to their mod-ability. You can get creative when designing your gun, and that is difficult with something like a Thoeben or AirArms or FX for example.
With this come the NECESSITY to love to tinker. If you like to change things, with these rifles its a never ending process.
With tinkering sometimes you get everything messed up. Trial and error is modus operandi with AF guns.
Once you get it though, they are as accurate as ANY rifle out there and can be as powerful as you desire.
If you do not want to tinker, stay away from AF rifles.
Good info and input on the modablity, one of the reasons I am going AF. 😀
Besides, it only takes one shot. I’ve only had to shoot an animal twice ONE time, but the second was for humane reasons the animal was down.
Absolutely correct. One shot is all it takes and single shot can be reloaded fairly quickly. In all my airgunning I have only found one instance where multi-shot really was a nice benefit multiple quarry in groups, Dairy Farm Rat Safaris. In the dark amongst 1500 head cattle and literally thousands of rats with a quick action like the FX/Logun Biathalon followup shots is a nice a bonus. When they congregate in groups of 5+ a quick follow up shot can dispense a second vermin, on very rare occasion even with my not fast reflexes could dispatch a third, (3rd only happened with the Logun Gladiator and its quick biathalon action). My AA S200-B with 10 shot mag I could two down in a group on occasion, usually just one as my reflexes aren’t that quick nor is the bolt all that quick to cycle, add to that I’m a bit clumsy loading single shot in the dark by brail.
Again, this is only one not typical scenario where multi shot has an advantage, outside of that scenario I agree 100%, single shot can and will keep up.
Not a lot of that here. 🙂
Jealousy? Not the gun, the skills and patience needed to get the power and accuracy inherent in the design. I’ve noticed that the sort of folks who make a career of stomping around and criticizing on forums have significant but inverted social skills, and damned little capability otherwise. Like, oh, actually putting in the time and effort to learn to shoot.
I’ve noticed that the most critical type suddenly drops off a thread when confronted by actual knowledge rather than opinion gleaned by plagiarism. Add kids who haven’t yet learned the difference between smart and smartass, and that explains what passes for discussion on a lot of forums.
John
Other forums are biased against AF because they cant stand the adult based discussions that go on here.
They all want the candy-assed, sugar-coated, ass-kissing bullshit “oh look how special you are” type of responses.
I know yellow when I see it.
LOL I knew someone would ask this, I’m glad it was you. What I asked was why were some of the other forums seemed biased against Air Force guns, but I understand where you’re coming from, eh?
Thanks, Will
This used to be an AIRFORCE forum.
Would you expect it to be otherwise?
A couple of mods to consider with AF guns.
Frame-flex causes major issues with new-to-AF shooters. Ergonomics just plain suck.
Learn the quirks and adjust shooting habits and its a non-issue.
Use a Maddog stock or similar, and most of that flex is eliminated.
Loc-tite is your friend. Once you have things dialed in, KEEP it dialed in.
The biggest drawback to a tinkerer is him/her self.
If its shooting like you want it, DONT FUCK WITH IT.
Loc-tite seems to deter those wandering instincts to turn screws.
I only disassemble the gun a few times a year, and just to clean the internals.
The gun shoots as well as almost any other at hunting ranges, typically 35-75 yards. The only limitation is the pellets, some do quite well at much longer ranges, some do not.
I’ve taken the eye out of a squirrels head more times than I can count, and that’s really what FT is about for me. 😉
I’ll agree with both of your points, I was originally put off my AF’s AR/spacegun look and I do equate fine firearms with fine woods. The nicest of the “other” rifles I’ve had a chance to shoot was the TM1000. It’s also a single shot, but being basically a Theoben clone/evolution that doesn’t seem to be something that will always be.
I guess what got my attention with AF was cost! Looks aren’t everything, chrome won’t get you home and Mr.Rutterford wants $2000 to start for his TM. It’s a 10# rifle that is VERY accurate and I have not yet shot an AF rifle but it has been my experience through many years of firearms ownership that most if not all firearms are capable of outshooting their owners. Perhaps AF is an exception to this, I don’t know.
Other than asthetics/ergonomics and multi-shot capability is AF really that far behind the pack? After looking at TalonTunes and RL Air Guns websites there seems to be many ways to improve the AF with the $1300 difference in price. Please don’t mistake my playing the devils advocate as bashing any other brand of air gun, I’m not. I’d love to have a safe full of air rifles, presently I can’t afford to. I’m planning on “upping my game” soon and I’m trying to glean as much information prior to making that decision as possible!
Thanks for your inputs, Will
I don’t know if its bias per se, but I chose AF because I got the rifle used at a great price.
The accessories included were worth as much as the gun.
The second rifle (sig pic) I basically assembled for nearly nothing. The frame was free and I had everything else except the trigger parts for a second rifle.
After several years of tinkering and shooting them, they are my go-to rifles.
While its true there is no multi-shot option, I can reload and be on target pretty damned quick so its not really an issue for me.
Besides, it only takes one shot. I’ve only had to shoot an animal twice ONE time, but the second was for humane reasons the animal was down.
If there is a bias toward AF guns, its due to their mod-ability. You can get creative when designing your gun, and that is difficult with something like a Thoeben or AirArms or FX for example.
With this come the NECESSITY to love to tinker. If you like to change things, with these rifles its a never ending process.
With tinkering sometimes you get everything messed up. Trial and error is modus operandi with AF guns.
Once you get it though, they are as accurate as ANY rifle out there and can be as powerful as you desire.
If you do not want to tinker, stay away from AF rifles.
Best guess is AF’s weakest point, especially from a marketing stand point, no multi shot option. 😐 Personally for me, if AF offered multi-shot it would’ve been my first PCP and maybe my only. Single is nice and I appreciate the character that single shot gives any rifle though for my needs and I assume most others as well, the option for multi-shot would draw a LOT more attention and sales, maybe 2+ fold?…..
My $.02
Paul
Airforce guns are nice, there are alot nicer made guns out there! I cut my teeth on a talon ss and a condor!
I have since purchased and Edgun and a Daystate then a custom made big bore. I like the traditional rifle wood stock PCP.
Many start with Airforce and move on to other guns. I owe all my knowledge (what little I have) to this site. Great bunch of guys with great information.
Hats off to this forum for letting EVERYONE post about EVERY gun! Thats what makes this forum great!
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Very well Put, John in Texas! 😉 😀
Walter, your supposed to read the post before responding ot it. 😆 🙄
I like boobies! 😈
Now about the Guns. The AF platform is no where near as refined as the Euro offerings.. But do their job very well indeed. Kinda like an american musle car isn’t nearly as refined as many Euro offerings. BUT, You dont’ see many Americans growing up with Euro Trash at the local Drag Strip either. 😆 And if they did, it would be a hoot!
Which brings me to Hot Roding. It’s an American tradition. A AF Gun is like a Chevy Nova of old. Kinda plain, and a fine grocery getter at best. But let one of us Hot Rodders get ahold of it and Holy Shit! 😯 “This thing is Bad Ass”
Take a look at what RoachCreek, Tufastfou, and my self, KnifeMaker, along with others here have done with the AF Platform in .257. (Hell, there is even our very own Grumpy old Walter :lol:)
Doug=Dyotat100 is the Carol Shelby of the AirForce Air Gun. There is only one Euro gun that can touch what these Hot Rodded Air force Guns can do. It’s called the Drummen Sinner, and is the Ferrari of the AG world..
And cost like it too! 😯 Like 3000.00 usd+ just to get started. And thats’ jsut the gun. Nothing else!
When the Euro guns can hit a 2-3″ target at 400+ yards with strong terminal balistics, I may go back to them again.
Make mine a AF in .257 Please!