The Barra 270z PCP air rifle was announced back at the SHOT Show in January 2026. But now it’s here and it looks like it was definitely worth waiting for!
The 270z is an upgraded version of the very popular, HAM Gold Award-winning Barra 250z. We like the 250z a lot as it an interesting combination of new and unusual – the “round the barrel” HPA reservoir – combined with a retro-style bolt action. Plus all the “must have” features for any modern PCP such as magazine feed, adjustable regulator and multi-adjustable stock.
Ditto for the 270z, but with improvements.
The Barra 250z and 270z air rifles both have design elements that are covered by a US Patent. The patent number – 10161703-B2 – is marked on the underside of the air tube and prominently on the outside of the box.
There we find that this patent covers the design of a PCP air rifle with the HPA air reservoir around the barrel. The patent was filed in 2017 and issued on 25 December 2018, so it’s not a new concept.
The inventor is named as Mr Xu from Shaoxing Lingfeng Air Gun Manufacturing Co. Ltd in China. That’s Snowpeak Airguns to you and me. They designed and build the 270z. The HPA tube around barrel concept is their idea. Barra sells it in the USA.
Barra 270z PCP Air Rifle – Opening The Box
The 270z offers surprises from the moment the package arrives. Instead of a long, thin “rifle-shaped” package, there’s a much more shorter, wider box than I was anticipating. The reason for this is soon obvious.
You see, the Barra 270z is sent to you with the action and stock separated. You simply put them together using two machine screws, following the excellent instructions supplied.
This is a genius move by Barra and I expect we will see it implemented by more airgun manufacturers in future.
That’s because UPS and FedEx charge an additional, substantial handling fee on any package longer than 48 Inches (it can add as much as $100.00 to retail shipping costs). And the 270z – like many air rifles – is long enough so that the packaging for the full-length gun exceeds that 48 Inch limit.
Packaging the action and stock separately saves significantly on shipping costs and so benefits the consumer – you and me – in the price we pay for our airguns. Well done Barra!
Barra 270z PCP Air Rifle – First Impressions
So – having assembled the gun – what did I think?
Well my first impression is that it’s big. This is a long – 47 1/2-Inch – heavy – 7 1/2 Lbs plus scope – air rifle.
The second is difficult to explain. But I feel that the Barra 270z has a certain presence. The design and finish look immediately impressive, in a way that the 250z does not to me.
Maybe it’s the beech hardwood stock, with its cleverly-integrated Picatinny rail forend cap. Maybe it’s the excellent, adjustable contrasting black cheekpiece. Maybe it’s the substantial, unashamed bolt handle.
At a time when sidelever actions are de rigeur for PCP air rifles, the Barra 270z not only has an “old fashioned” bolt action, it actually flaunts it as a feature. That’s design confidence for you and I like it!
Oh, and the bolt handle can easily be modified by the user for left-hand operation, too.
There’s an expanded plenum built-in to the gun. Improved power is the result. It’s highlighted by being enclosed in what looks like a box magazine. That’s another difference from the 250z.
So far, I have mounted a 4-16 x 50 Hawke Sidewinder 30SF scope using Leapers UTG Pro rings. The combination works well together and that’s how the HAM Team will be testing it in future.
Up-front, a Leapers UTG Goliath bipod seemed the appropriate compliment to the 270z. The appearance matches well and it provides substantial support for this large air rifle.
Hard Air Magazine has received a Barra 270z PCP air rifle in .25 caliber. We look forward to testing it in the near future.
Stay tuned!
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Barra 270z PCP Air Rifle 0.25
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