So which one should I choose? The Air Venturi Alpha or MicroStrike?
In late 2025, HAM was testing the new Air Venturi MicroStrike compact PCP airgun. Then – out of the blue – second compact Air Venturi PCP arrived. The Alpha.
At first, I confess to being a little confused. Two new folding-stock, compact PCP airguns from the same company at almost the same time.
Initially, I struggled with understanding the differences and positioning the two guns. But – going through comprehensive HAM test reviews on both the Alpha and MicroStrike, things became a lot clearer.
As I thought that other people might have the same confusion as me, it seemed worthwhile to make this comparative analysis. Both the Alpha and the MicroStrike are very capable airguns. But – yes – they are different. And the more you look, the more different they become…
Air Venturi Alpha or MicroStrike? – Similarities.
First, let’s start with the similarities between these two guns.
Obviously their configuration is similar, with AR-compatible pistol grips and folding buttstocks attached to vertical Picatinny rails.
Air Venturi specifications list the power in .22 caliber as being practically the same. Make that 26 Ft/Lbs for the Alpha and 27 Ft/Lbs for the MicroStrike.
Both use 10-round, rotary magazines for .22 caliber. Both have regulated, side lever-cocking actions (although the Alpha’s is on the right side, the MicroStrike’s to the left).
Going further, both have adjustable, single-stage triggers with manual safeties. Both are filled using the probe system. Creditably, both have easily-accessible de-gassing screws for easy pressure removal if required.
Again creditably, both are supplied with two magazines, a single shot tray, fill probe and a set of replacement O rings.
As you would expect, both have Picatinny rails for mounting a riflescope or other optical sighting system.
Both could possibly be used, stockless, as a pistol. But I would only ever shoot either of them as a short rifle, with the stock attached.
Oh, and both performed really well in Hard Air Magazine’s industry-leading structured test reviews. Gold Awards were earned by both!
Air Venturi Alpha or MicroStrike? – The Alpha Scores Here.
Considering where the Alpha scores, let’s start with price. At $270 – at the time of writing – it’s a cool $130 less than the MicroStrike. That alone may make the difference for some people.
Then there’s the fill pressure. At 3,650 PSI, it’s more easily filled than the 4,350 PSI of the MicroStrike. Many shooters will prefer this as it’s easier to fill full multiple times from a tank, possibly even a hand pump could be used. The MicroStrike really needs a compressor for a full fill.
Plus, the Alpha – even in short tube configuration – has a larger HPA capacity than the MicroStrike. It’s 118 cc versus 80 cc.
Many people will be happy with the Alpha’s backyard-friendly report. That’s due to the built-in silencer that’s positioned at the end of the shrouded barrel. The MicroStrike has no silencer at all, although the muzzle is threaded to accept one. With the short barrel, it’s loud.
Plus there’s a big attraction – in my opinion – in the Alpha’s ratchet-equipped magazine. That makes loading soooooo easy!
If you want to use a bipod, the Alpha’s forend is full of M-Lok slots. The MicroStrike has no separate forend – you simply grasp the HPA tube – so bipods are out.
The Alpha also has side-mounted short Picatinny rails that can be used to attach lasers, flashlights and other accessories.
Finally, the Alpha is to be available in a range of radically-different configurations. These include longer, 19.2-Inch barrels – compared to the 12.2 Inches of the compact model, adding an additional 10 Ft/Lbs to the Muzzle Energy. By comparison, the MicroStrike has just one barrel length, 10.65 Inches.
More choices for the Alpha are a long HPA tube, high capacity Aluminium and carbon fiber HPA bottles for radically-increased shot count. Yes they’re not here yet, but they’re coming soon!
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Air Venturi Alpha Air Rifle 0.22
Air Venturi Alpha or MicroStrike? – The MicroStrike Strikes Back!
But this is not a one-sided comparison. Far from it. The MicroStrike has its own range of features and benefits that make it a compelling proposition too.
First off, there’s the question of caliber. The Alpha is available only in .22 cal. If you don’t want that, you’re out of luck. That could be a deal-breaker right there.
The MicroStrike is available in .177, .22 and .25 calibers. And not only that, but caliber change kits are available so that you can start with any caliber and change to another at any time. Great versatility!
Then there’s the issue of iron sights. If you prefer these, again there’s no chance with the Alpha. It’s a scope-only gun.
The MicroStrike is supplied with some simple open sights. However it can be fitted with adjustable, folding (BUIS) – sights if required, courtesy of the vast – 14-Inch long Picatinny rail that’s included atop each barrel.
That enormous top rail also adds another benefit for the MicroStrike. Scope mounting is much more flexible than with the Alpha’s 6.75-Inch Picatinny rail. Apart from open sights, the MicroStrike can easily accommodate a red dot sight in multiple locations.
It’s also possible to mount a wide range of riflescopes on the MicroStrike, including some almost as big as the gun itself!
Despite it’s rifle genes, the Alpha’s very short top rail caused me issues with correctly mounting a scope to achieve my required eye relief. For me, a short scope was mandatory for the Alpha – particularly when combined with the short, fixed length, stock and limited 14.75-Inch pull length.
For here’s another benefit to the MicroStrike. The six-position, collapsible stock allows for a range of pull lengths all the way from 13.5 to 17 Inches. For me, that longest length was by far the most comfortable and something that cannot be matched by the Alpha in standard form.
Another operational benefit with the MicroStrike is that the magazine design includes a “block position” that prevents the gun being fired with no pellet in the barrel. The Alpha’s mag does not prevent firing on an empty chamber. That means the MicroStrike shooter has no need to count shots in the way that the Alpha owner does.
Then we come to another potential “no brainer win” feature for the MicroStrike. You can tune it!
For many PCP owners, being able to tune their gun is non-negotiable. The MicroStrike scores here because it offers externally-adjustable regulator and hammer spring settings, plus a separate, dedicated regulator pressure gauge. That’s what tuners and tinkerers demand and the Alpha offers nothing to match it.
The benefit is that the MicroStrike can be tuned for use with a specific weight pellet. It can also be tuned for a greater number of more powerful shots, or a lower number of stronger ones. These are hugely-attractive benefits that the Alpha simply does not offer.
Before moving on, we can also make two other observations…
Due to its high fill pressure, the MicroStrike specs are for 26 consistent shots per fill in .22 caliber. The comparable number for the Alpha is 20 – and HAM testing showed that the regulator set point actually caused Muzzle Velocity to drop off after shot 15.
There’s little doubt that you’ll be filling the compact tube Alpha more frequently than the MicroStrike.
Finally, Air Venturi supports the MicroStrike with a 24 months warranty. It’s 12 months for the Alpha.
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Air Venturi MicroStrike PCP Air Pistol 0.177
Air Venturi Alpha or MicroStrike? – Looks And Handling.
OK, so this is going to be the personal, emotional part of the comparison. Your mileage may vary – possibly a lot – but here’s what I feel…
First, let’s be clear. I love these compact, relatively low power PCP airguns. To me, they take air gunning back to it’s roots. They are pellet-shooters. They’re not hugely expensive.
You can shoot them at home in the yard or basement. Plinking, squirrel control and hunting feral soda cans are their natural quarry. You don’t need to go to a range because mostly they will be used on targets 20, 30 or 40 Yards away – not 100 Yards plus!
From the specifications, the MicroStrike is a little heavier than the Alpha. In fact, the difference is just 4 Ounces. It’s also somewhat shorter: actually just under 5 inches shorter with the stock fully extended. In the grand scheme of things, these are not very big differences.
But while the numbers don’t lie, there’s a huge difference in how I feel about the two guns.
To me, the MicroStrike is a chunky, stocky gun. It looks substantial and tough. Workmanlike is a description I would use. This is the sort of gun that looks like it will thrive under hard usage and be a great companion under adverse conditions.
But the Alpha is like that beautiful girl you can’t stop looking at! It’s svelte, thin and looks great in it’s stylish clothing. It feels lighter than it is and looks shorter too.
Although you ask yourself if that svelte look is actually a little anorexic and frail, you still have to keep on looking…
Actually I’m pretty convinced that I’ll find the long-barelled versions of the Alpha too scrawny of my taste. But the compact, tube version is just a great-looking gun – maybe one of the best I’ve ever seen in this price range.
Air Venturi Alpha or MicroStrike? – HAM Test Scores.
Both the Alpha and MicroStrike are easy HAM Gold Award winners. So they’re both excellent airguns.
“But” – I hear you say – “Steve, the HAM review score for the Alpha was 92%. That’s a substantial difference from the MicroStrike’s 86%. If these guns are so closely-matched, why the 6% difference in HAM scoring?”
Well, the big reason is this. Hard Air Magazine reviews guns as we receive them. The MicroStrike we received was set for a tune level that gave a high shot count at the expense of power. That lower power setting on the test gun led to a lower score.
Had “our” MicroStrike been supplied in a higher-power tune, it would have scored higher. The difference here was 20% in favor of the Alpha for that reason.
The only other significant difference in HAM scoring was in sound level. Again the MicroStrike scored 20% lower in that category as it has no silencer and the Alpha does.
With the exception of these factors, the scoring was very close for both guns. Had the MicroStrike been set with a higher-power tune, the score likely would have been 88 or 89%. That’s very close to that of the Alpha and the Alpha’s looks may just have tipped the balance!
Air Venturi Alpha or MicroStrike? – Conclusions.
Both the Alpha and MicroStrike are sophisticated, “platform product” designs. Each offers the luxury of choice to its owners. But that choice is offered in different ways…
The Alpha offers choice before the sale. Alpha customers benefit from a choice of two different barrel lengths, together with the resultant different power levels.
There’s different High Pressure Air (HPA) configurations, too. Long and short HPA tubes are available, as well as higher-capacity bottles in Aluminum or carbon fiber. These offer different shot counts, handling, price and aesthetic options.
Conversely, the MicroStrike offers choice after the sale. These include the ability to change calibers. The enthusiastic owner can tune the gun for radically-different performance envelopes for both Muzzle Energy and shot count by changing the regulator and hammer spring settings.
Overall, the difference is clear. In the end, the Alpha is a small rifle while the MicroStrike is a carbine based on pistol origins.
The Alpha is perfect for the air gunner who wants to purchase a high-performing, attractively-priced air rifle for use straight out of the box. No hassle, no fuss. For the price, you can’t go wrong.
The MicroStrike is for the tinkerers and tuners amongst us who love the challenge of wringing the best-possible performance out of their airguns with that certain special pellet. Sure, it’s more expensive, but for the enthusiastic owner, the premium will be well spent.
Whichever your preference, we need to thank Air Venturi for giving us the luxury of choice!
The post Air Venturi Alpha Or MicroStrike? appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.
. I haven’t even bothered to try and do any pellet testing yet. The Microstrike accuracy that I had was mediocre at and beyond 40yds and so I returned it. As stated above the Microstrike has a solid looking build quality and has more tuning options. The Alpha has a couple of minor quirks, but for $270 it is a winner in my view. But, like most things, everyone has different requirements, but worth looking at. My comments about the Microstrike only apply to the .22. I also found that the Alpha starts to fall off the regulator at shot 15 and drops fast. I can see my grandsons carrying the Alpha in the woods, it’s lightweight and easy to handle.
