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OK, now that we are one quarter of the way through it, let’s ask a question. What are the top three most influential PCP airguns of the 20th century? And why?
Of course this will likely be a somewhat personal choice. So I encourage you to add your suggestions in the Hard Air Magazine Community. We can discuss them there!
By limiting this question to the past 25 years, we’re excluding airguns manufactured before 2000. So the Girardoni is out. Likewise the pioneering early Daystate and AirForce designs.
Then there’s the question “what do you mean by influential?” I’ll leave that one open to leave room for some lively discussion.
So – in order of first introduction – here’s my top three most influential airguns of the 20th century. Oh, and they’re all HAM Gold Award winners…
Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century – Benjamin Marauder
First introduced in 2009, the Benjamin Marauder was a breakthrough design. Here we had a magazine-fed PCP with a shrouded, silenced barrel and considerable built-in tuning capabilities that were all externally-accessible. (Hammer spring tension, striker length and transfer port size).
There was a follow-up (BP1764 etc) model introduced shortly after. However that embodied no significant operational or performance improvements. Since then the Marauder has continued to be sold without changes: bolt action, unregulated and all.
The Marauder makes my list as it was the first really mainstream PCP air rifle in the USA incorporating features that are still regarded as essential today. Available at a reasonable price, it introduced a whole generation to the delights of PCP airgun shooting.
And it’s still manufactured where it always has been – Bloomfield New York.
BUY FROM PYRAMYD
Benjamin Marauder PCP Air Rifle, Synthetic Stock 0.177
Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century – FX Impact
The year 2016 was notable for the introduction of the FX Impact. This revolutionary Swedish air rifle set the “black gun” PCP look that has been emulated by countless other models ever since.
The modular design has allowed for great customization. Indeed this gun really kick-started the “aftermarket PCP parts” industry as we see it today.
The Impact was the first airgun to be heavily promoted using YouTube – through what are today called “influencers”. That, plus years of domination in long-range benchrest competition that is only just ending, long made it the “must have” air rifle for many airgunners.
It was also the first airgun to seriously popularize slug shooting as FX introduced a bewildering succession of barrel liners for that purpose. Today the Impact is still available in its latest M4 version, having been developed in a wide range of calibers and configurations over the years.
It’s in my list for so many reasons…
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FX Impact X, Black PCP Air Rifle 0.177
Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century – Umarex Gauntlet
First reviewed by HAM soon after its introduction in 2017, the Umarex Gauntlet had actually been announced a couple of years before that.
Nearly a decade later, it’s difficult today to appreciate the shock wave that this gun sent throughout the airgun industry. It was the first reasonably-priced PCP air rifle with a regulator – a feature that has come to be taken for granted since that time. That was a ground-breaking step forward.
So let’s quote from the 2017 HAM test review. “Umarex claims that the Umarex Gauntlet PCP air rifle offers the performance to match that of $1,000+ air rifles for less than $300. From the perspective of accuracy, shots per fill and consistent, regulated FPS, that’s a fair claim. Try to think of another PCP air rifle that’s regulated and costs less than $1,000 or thereabouts. It’s not easy…”
Since then, the Umarex Gauntlet has continued to be developed. New versions have introduced in .25 and .30 calibers, there have been new stock designs and sidelever cocking has replaced the original bolt action.
Today, the Gauntlet remains one of the few PCP air rifles to exceed 100 Ft/Lbs of Muzzle Energy in .30 caliber – we tested it to 110 Ft/Lbs – and it still does so at a value price.
The Gauntlet is in my list for its on-going combination of price and performance. It has always been the gun to beat for those wanting a “value” PCP air rifle.
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Umarex Gauntlet 2 SL PCP Air Rifle 0.22
Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century – Conclusion
So that’s my take on the top three most influential PCPs of the past 25 years.
It was really tough for me to whittle down from a much larger list of deserving airguns. I want to hear your nominations too. What guns are on your “top three” list and why?
The post The Top Three Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.
