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The Diana Chaser air rifle is not a particularly new model – it’s been around for several years. However it’s a popular and interesting CO2-powered airgun. That definitely makes it worth us looking at it… The thing that immediately comes to mind about the Chaser air rifle is that it clearly represents great value. The Street Price is just $142.99. Sure, this is not a “powerhouse” model – no CO2-powered airgun will claim that title – this is a dedicated plinker and short-range target or pesting gun. But you certainly do receive a lot for your money! Like the Umarex Notos PCP that HAM reviewed recently, the Diana Chaser Air Rifle clearly started-out life as a pistol, but evolved to rifle configuration. The main giveaway is that...

This post about how to achieve more shots from a SIG Virtus PCP air rifle appeared as the result of a question to the HAM offices. I suggested a larger capacity HPA regulated tank could work. Also I contacted SIG’s Airgun Product Manager, Rodd Rambo, for his suggestions. His comprehensive reply forms the basis of the information below. Thanks Rodd! As Steve indicated, the main thing you’ll need to be aware of when upgrading the HPA tank/bottle for the SIG Virtus is that the tank’s output pressure remains in the same range. The actual size/capacity of the tank doesn’t really matter other than just form factor. The tank which the Virtus uses is the same design used by paintball guns and technically any paintball tank could be...

The Hatsan Zada is a somewhat unusual entry into the airgun market. It’s available in .25 caliber… In fact, the Zada is unusual in a number of ways. Firstly it’s being sold at a very low price point. OK, let’s say it: it’s cheap! The selling price is just $129.99. Announced back in February, the Zada is shipping now in the USA at Pyramyd Air. Secondly, it’s available in .25 caliber. That’s in addition to the expected .177 and .22 calibers, of course. Third is it’s “black gun look”. There’s a non-adjustable, but “AR looking” rigid buttstock, combined with a “box magazine” outline to the stock ahead of the trigger and pronounced pistol grip. Doubtless these visual cues will appeal to a section of the market. Performance-wise, the...

The HAM Community is growing VERY fast! In just two weeks we already have over 780 registered members and 1,900 messages. So it’s time to share some HAM Community secrets that will help you to gain more pleasure from using the site… Firstly, let’s talk about how you see threads in the HAM Community. If you use a desktop computer or a tablet, you’ll probably see the main “Categories” in a double-column display. In fact, very much like this… If you’re using a phone, you will see a single column of Categories, so… Using the Categories, you can scroll down the screen and select the topic you wish to read about – or contribute to. Categories include FX Airguns, Other Airgun Brands, Hunting, etc. But here’s the first of our HAM...

The 2023 CMP Sporter Class Air Rifle National Championship was held on June 22-24 at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Camp Perry, Ohio. In fact, two matches were run, the CMP and Junior Olympic Three-Position National Championships, with over 150 competitors and 50 teams competing. Nation Ford High School from Fort Mill, South Carolina, won the National CMP Sporter Team Title with a score of 2194-69. They were awarded $4000 from the CMP, and this marks the sixth consecutive National Title for Nation Ford. That’s the team in our heading photograph above. WOW! That’s incredibly consistent performance from the Nation Ford team and a HUGE achievement for the retiring Coach, Col. Sean Mulcahy. Along with all the medalists, the...

Air Arms Ultimate Springers are another recent introduction from the famous British airgun manufacturer. They’re now available for pre-order at Pyramyd Air. They follow-on from the recent announcement of the XTi-50 FT PCP air rifle. These new models are versions of the long-standing TX200 and TX200 Hunter Carbine (shorter length) spring/piston air rifles. Available in both .177 and .22 calibers, these guns include stocks with an adjustable cheekpiece and buttpad. The cheekpiece is adjustable in both the vertical and horizontal planes. The 3-axis rubber buttpad for ideal fit and comfort, says the manufacturer. It also includes a ball joint for complete tilt and rotation adjustment. Another change is the incorporation of an...

Airguns of Arizona is helping you celebrate Independence day with their “Beat The Heat” secondhand deals that are launched today. There’s a total of no less than 147 lines in this sale! These include a number of real collector’s airguns, including no less than FOUR Ripleys! (That’s what I counted , anyway, there may be more if you search carefully). Then there’s a selection of classic Diana, Walther and FWB springers. This includes some of the highly sought-after “Tyrolean” models. There’s air pistols and riflescopes. The list seems almost endless… But it’s not all old models. If you are looking for a previously-enjoyed – yet lightly used – Daystate Red Wolf, there’s no less than three available. There’s even a used FX Panthera in...

The HAM Community may be only three days old, but it has gained it’s first new sponsor! American Air Arms has joined the HAM Community from today. You’ll find the AAA area at American Air Arms By participating in the HAM Community, American Air Arms has opened-up a discussion portal with its enthusiastic band of customers – and potential customers. The “AAA area” allows HAM Community members to post their experiences with the company’s products, including EVOL and Slayer. Members will also be able to ask questions about AAA products. Tom Costan – AAA’s owner – has committed to taking an active part in the HAM Community, so you will be able to communicate with AAA through posting in the Community. That’s Tom below, by the way… Of...

The 2023 Pyramyd Air Independence Day Sale is now on! You can save 12% off of your next order by using the code FREEDOM4 at checkout. For example, now could be the time to treat yourself to that Umarex Legends MP40 full-auto BB gun that you have always wanted! It’s a HAM Gold Award winner, as you can read from our review. BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR Umarex Legends MP40 CO2 BB Submachine Gun 0.177 As always there are some exceptions. The 2023 Pyramyd Air Independence Day Sale expires on Thursday, July 6th, 2023, at 3:00 AM Eastern Time, so you’ll need to hurry! This offer can be combined with free ground shipping on Orders $150 or more in the contiguous U.S. Check out these other resources to find great airgun deals… Shop Airgun Deals...

Newly available at Pyramyd Air is a new Kalashnikov BB gun. In fact, this is a replica of the AK74U model. That’s the more modern, smaller-caliber AK in ultra-compact carbine form and with folding stock. This ultra-realistic looking replica shoots standard steel BBs. It is powered by two x 12 Gram CO2 cartridges that are housed in the “banana” magazine. That magazine also holds a maximum of 18 BBs. The action is semi-automatic, with a claimed maximum Muzzle Velocity of 425 FPS. With a maximum overall length of 31.5 Inches, this Kalashnikov BB gun has a folding stock that can be rotated to shorten the length even more. With a weight of 6 Lbs 3 Oz, the polymer stock and metal barrel/receiver group has a similar weight to the original...

VALUE FOR MONEY At a Street Price of $264.99, the Umarex Notos CRK offers a huge array of features! It’s the lowest-priced PCP air rifle with sidelever cocking. Also it has magazine feed, built-in regulator and hammer spring adjuster, plus an efficient silencer. And there’s more… Consider the adjustable stock, extra-long Picatinny rail and adaptability to pistol configuration, if required. This is easy! The Notos is clearly outstanding value for money in today’s airgun market. BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR Umarex Notos PCP Carbine 0.22https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-100159921-13713383?url=https://www.pyramydair.com/product/1x32-5mm-ita-combat-red-green-dot-sight-1-2-moa-38mm-tube-riser-quick?a=3520&cjsku=PY-A-3520 SPEED AND ACCURACY The...

The Hard Air Magazine Community is launched today! It gives you the opportunity to do three things: 1. Comment on HAM news stories and reviews. 2. Talk about airgun topics and help other HAM readers. 3. Gain HAM Points by participating. The Hard Air Magazine Community is directly attached to the HAM website. You can go there either from the links on the Home Page, by clicking this link or going directly to community.hardairmagazine.com. To start, just go to the HAM Community page and look around. To gain the full benefits of the HAM Community, please register, introduce yourself and start contributing. It’s quick and easy. And – of course – it’s free! That’s the big news. There’s more information below… Why a Hard Air...

There’s still time to register for the 2023 FLFT Grand Prix! This is the third annual two-day Field Target Grand Prix that’s held in beautiful (at least at this time of year!) up-state New York. The FLFT is a two-day event with both rifle and pistol competitions being held over the weekend. Full details and registration can be found at the FLFT web page. The shoot is AAFTA-sanctioned and abides by all AAFTA rules. Not wanting to mess with success, the 2023 FLFTC will be held at the same range as in previous years. This is the Rochester Brooks Gun Club, 962 Honeoye Falls #6 Road, Rush, NY 14543. The location is on the edge of the beautiful upstate New York Finger Lakes area, not far from Rochester NY. It’s easily accessible from...

There’s another new air rifle from FX Airguns! It’s called the FX Dynamic and is described as a hunting-focused sibling to the recently-introduced, competition-focused FX Panthera. As with the Panthera, the FX Dynamic is offered in a large number of configurations. There’s four “base models”, each of which is available in multiple calibers and barrel lengths. 1. The Dynamic Express combines a rear 480cc carbon fiber bottle with a molded tank cover. There’s an Arca rail with M-LOK sections, bridge and a barricade block. 2. The Dynamic Double Express replaces the front Arca rail with an additional bottle. This allows for a huge amount of onboard air storage that can easily surpass 1,000cc of air volume, the company explains. 3. The...

The Barra BR45 BB Pistol is a new, low-cost airgun that’s powered by a single, 12 Gram CO2 cartridge. At a Street Price of just $34.99, this is a simple, basic air pistol. But that doesn’t mean that it has to be a poor shooter. HAM believes that the “BR” initials stand for “Bear River”. If that’s the case and it comes from the same manufacturer as the Bear River Boa HAM tested back in 2016 (can it really be so long ago?) it could be a cracker! The Bear River Boa was likewise a “bargain basement” gun. We purchased it for the princely sum of $26.81, including NY State sales tax. Yet the Boa turned-in Gold Award-winning performance when tested by HAM! The manufacturer says that Barra BR45 BB Pistol has metal action that’s covered...

The recent 2023 TEXtreme EFT Grand Prix Match was held in Clifton, Texas. This was the second GP event in the Extreme Field Target National Championship series, following the Oregon event you read about in HAM previously. In the following review, Ron Robinson – the Match Director – provides the words. Shepard Myers attended the event not only as a competitor, but to document it and his experiences for his TFT (Texas Field Target) site in photos and text. Take it away, gentlemen… Despite superhuman skills developed through decades of poorfessional writing, butchering every rule of English composition under cover of poetic license, and forsaking proven keyboarding techniques in the pursuit of ‘hunt and peck’ perfection, this will...

Has LCS Air Arms problems with its website? If you go to the company’s website at Announcement, you will find a strange statement on a single, “static” page. As you can read for yourself, it says – in English: “This is the original registrant and owner of the domain name, and I decided to close this domain after the law enforcement talked to me”. Using Google Translate, the Chinese characters say – twice – almost the same as the English words. “I am the registrant and owner of this domain and I have decided to close this domain due to police contact.” To be clear, Hard Air Magazine has no additional information about this situation. We have no clue as to who the “original registrant” is, nor do we have any explanation for the...

Back in 2021, HAM brought you news of STUD pellet loaders and feeders. Now we’ve had a chance to try the STUD Magazines for FX Impact – they work really well! STUD magazines for FX Impact are available in the full range of calibers from .177 to .357. Capacities are as follows: .177 – 34 shots, .22 – 28 shots, .25 – 25 shots, .30 – 21 shots and .357 – 18 shots. The STUD magazines are a direct replacement for the factory standard “side shot” magazine and work with any FX Impact Mark 2 or later. One obvious operational difference is that the STUD magazines do not require the “twisting” step of the factory magazines before removing the lid. The STUD mags have magnetic catches on either side instead. There’s also a “remaining shots”...

Pyramyd Air has announced that the Air Arms XTi-50 FT Air Rifle is now available for customers in the USA. First launched at the 2020 SHOT Show, the Air Arms XTi-50 FT is the company’s version of an ultimate Field Target competition rifle. The XTi-50 is a purpose-designed, ultra-high specification, PCP air rifle, capable of championship-winning performance straight out of the box, Air Arms claims. The rifle is built around a single-shot, fully regulated action. Also included is an “infinitely adjustable” laminated stock, together with a level of accessories rarely seen on a Field Target rifle. To give you an idea of the complexity of this airgun, it comes with a 48 – yes forty-eight! – page owner’s manual! The XTi-50 FT action...

VALUE FOR MONEY At an MSRP of $999.99, the Diana XR200 PCP air rifle is playing right into a crowded area. It’s the start of the “serious money” segment for PCP air rifles. As a premium model from Diana’s German-made “Performance Line”, the XR200 is fitted with a Lothar Walther barrel, Altaros regulator and match-grade trigger. However it’s missing some capabilities expected in the US market, such as regulator and hammer spring adjustment and has a relatively low HPA air capacity. This makes the Diana XR200 PCP air rifle rather a niche product for US shooters. But if you’re interested in shooting a quality airgun directly “out of the box” – without playing around with multiple settings – then it still could be a contender. The HAM...