Does The Umarex Komplete Shoot CO2? – Surprise!

Does the Umarex Komplete Shoot CO2? That’s one of the main questions I have been asked since Hard Air Magazine published our test review of this air rifle. So – of course – I had to check it out.

The short answer is “yes”. The Komplete actually works very well shooting CO2. It really is a “dual fuel” airgun. It works as both a PCP and a CO2-powered gun.

But there was a number of surprises involved in this test – for me at least – and we’ll cover them below…

First a reminder. In the Umarex Komplete we have a complete “PCP in a box”. There’s no need for a HPA tank, hand pump or compressor.

The power is provided by a screw-on, disposable NitroAir cartridge that’s pre-filled with 32 Grams of Nitrogen. It’s a revolutionary new take on the PCP air rifle concept.

In our HAM review, the Komplete earned a Gold Award. At less than $200, it is incredibly-well priced for a regulated, magazine-fed, sidelever action PCP with a shrouded barrel.

And now there’s more. It also works well on CO2!

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

Umarex Komplete NitroAir PCP Rifle 0.177​

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Does The Umarex Komplete Shoot CO2? – Surprise 1​

The HAM test review of the Komplete was undertaken four months ago – in May 2024. As I had always intended to come back to this gun, I had left it with the Axeon scope mounted and the NitroAir cartridge in place.

In fact, the Nitro Air cartridge that I had used for the shootdown test was still in the Komplete.

Surprise one was that the Komplete had held pressure for four months! Of course it was not full pressure, but the Muzzle Velocity of a half dozen pellets fired downrange confirmed that there had been little or no pressure loss since I completed the previous test.

I was surprised and impressed by that!

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Does The Umarex Komplete Shoot CO2? – Surprise 2​

Given that the Komplete is designed to work on Nitrogen regulated to a pressure of 1,800 PSI, I wasn’t sure that it would work with CO2. After all, CO2 guns typically work at somewhere between around 800 and 1,100 PSI, depending on temperature.

So my expectation was to be disappointed with the CO2 performance. I expected the hammer spring to be too strong to work well with the lower pressure gas.

My “Plan B” was to make a first attempt with CO2, but then to replace the hammer spring with that from the Umarex Fusion 2 – a dedicated CO2-powered gun.

Would the Fusion 2 hammer spring fit the Komplete? Dunno. However, both models are manufactured in the same factory, so there had to be hope. And I had a donor gun available and ready to hand.

Surprise two was that “Plan B” was unnecessary! The Komplete worked using the 88 Gram CO2 cartridge as its power source with no modifications at all.

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Does The Umarex Komplete Shoot CO2? – Surprise 3​

The next surprise was that I had forgotten how good the Komplete is to shoot!

With its combination of accuracy, pleasant trigger, easy sidelever cocking, compact size and light weight – not to mention the regulated action – this has to be by far the best-shooting air rifle at anywhere near its $200 selling price.

Of course that regulator is not used when shooting with CO2. But even so, I had forgotten what a great little gun the Komplete really is!

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Does The Umarex Komplete Shoot CO2? – Surprise 4​

Now to the main part of the test. How the gun shot.

Following instructions, I de-gassed the Komplete using the built-in degassing screw. Then I removed the NitroAir cartridge – then closed the degassing screw again before installing the Umarex 88 Gram CO2 cartridge. Most important, that!

By using the same gun, for this test I already had a baseline of performance with it working as a PCP on Nitrogen (N2). For consistency, I also decided to use pellets from the same tin. HAM Gold Award-winning H&N Field Target Trophy 8.64 Grain ammo was used for both tests.

As some of you will know, I have long experience with CO2-powered air rifles. So I was careful to “season” the gun and CO2 cartridge for several hours at the range temperature of 67 degrees Farenheit before starting the test.

Then – due to the cooling properties of CO2 – I fired the Komplete at a fairly steady rate, waiting 10 – 15 seconds between shots.

First, let’s remind ourselves of how the Komplete performed as intended. Here’s our test results firing the gun as a PCP with NitroAir power.

Here we see a very consistent shot string with 60 “good” shots before the gun comes off of the regulator.

Now let’s see the performance from the same gun, unchanged, with the same pellets using an 88 Gram cartridge of Umarex CO2.

Wow! Now we have 150 “good” shots from the one CO2 cartridge. True the Muzzle Velocity is less consistent than when using NitroAir. But it’s still pretty good, in my opinion.

Why the dip between shots 1 and 40? I have no idea!

Putting both graphs together at the same scale, we can see the comparison well.

Obviously the Komplete is much more powerful when fed it’s intended diet of Nitrogen. It’s also more consistent. But there’s a ton more shots available using CO2.

Another feature of CO2-powered airguns is that they shoot faster with increasing temperature. In fact I have found that the increase is around 2 FPS per change of one degree F temperature. PCPs have very small differences due to temperature changes.

Typically also, CO2-powered guns attain a condition called “valve lock” at a temperature of above 90 degrees F. At that point the Muzzle Velocity falls precipitously due to the increased pressure of the CO2 overcoming the strength of the hammer spring.

Given the design of the Komplete as PCP-powered air rifle, it’s possible that valve lock may not happen with this gun as it is designed to accept a higher gas working pressure. But I didn’t test this.

At any event, we can expect that the Komplete will shoot 46 FPS faster at 90 degrees F than in our 67 degree test range. We can now compare the results as follows.

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Does The Umarex Komplete Shoot CO2? Summary Comparison​

If we now calculate a few averages, we can see the N2 and CO2 results for our Komplete testing. As follows…

Results	Temperature	N2 Performance	CO2 Performance
Number of Consistent Shots	67 degrees F	60	150
Average FPS For Consistent Shots	67 degrees F	976 FPS	685 FPS
Average FPS For Consistent Shots	90 degrees F	976 FPS	731 FPS (calculated)
Average Muzzle Energy For Consistent Shots	67 degrees F	18.28 Ft/Lbs	9.0 Ft/Lbs
Average Muzzle Energy For Consistent Shots	90 degrees F	18.28 Ft/Lbs	10.25 Ft/Lbs (calculated)

So that’s it! In answer to our question “Does the Umarex Komplete Shoot CO2?”, the answer is a definite “Yes”!

The Komplete is a real “dual fuel” air rifle. You could use it on CO2 for plinking and short-range targets, for example. While for hunting and longer-range work is well within its capabilities using the NitroAir N2 cartridges.

Either way, it’s a great little gun!

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

Umarex Komplete NitroAir PCP Rifle 0.177​

The post Does The Umarex Komplete Shoot CO2? – Surprise! appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[Beanflip]

That’s an attractive feature. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Pumacarl]

Nice job on the test. The gun certainly fills a niche. It will be interesting to see how it sells. I guess we won't really know until after the Christmas shopping season.

 

[Farmplinker2]

CO2 for summer, Nitro for winter? Also, folks might want to check out The Sportsman's Guide for airguns.

 

[Doc Holiday]

This is so sweet. Now if she just came with irons. So since she will dance with C02, I assume a 12gr C02 adapter will work too? Maybe a C02 saver on the big bottle? Starting to like her.

 

[Shortcut]

Having the ability to shoot CO2 will add a lot of value to this interesting air rifle.

 

[MountainSportAirguns]

Funny how when I asked them flat out in the beginning if it would....they said NO!! With all the hype they put on the Komplete you would think that would have been the biggest selling point to the gun. Use Co2 for plinking around and then use the nitrogen cartridges for hunting or cold weather. Either way I'm happy people have another option instead of having to purchase those nitrogen cartridges.

 

[Chief55]

Funny how when I asked them flat out in the beginning if it would....they said NO!! With all the hype they put on the Komplete you would think that would have been the biggest selling point to the gun. Use Co2 for plinking around and then use the nitrogen cartridges for hunting or cold weather. Either way I'm happy people have another option instead of having to purchase those nitrogen cartridges.

I do not pretend to know anything about the law but they might be afraid that people will try to use the nitrogen cartridges in regular CO2 guns and have some kind of an accident that they could somehow be found liable for. I am actually a little surprised that they are interchangeable for that reason but I also think it could bring other manufactures on board with more guns using them. I was thinking possibly Crossman would until their shift.

 

[MountainSportAirguns]

I do not pretend to know anything about the law but they might be afraid that people will try to use the nitrogen cartridges in regular CO2 guns and have some kind of an accident that they could somehow be found liable for. I am actually a little surprised that they are interchangeable for that reason but I also think it could bring other manufactures on board with more guns using them. I was thinking possibly Crossman would until their shift.

The answer I got was because they didn't know it would work haha, if I was in the marketing department that would be my very first question to the development team. This would be critical as to strategize the campaign of promoting the product. Think about how many sales they lost from this blunder...but apparently they are selling like hotcakes.

 

[Farmplinker2]

The answer I got was because they didn't know it would work haha, if I was in the marketing department that would be my very first question to the development team. This would be critical as to strategize the campaign of promoting the product. Think about how many sales they lost from this blunder...but apparently they are selling like hotcakes.

Not that I should have to explain this but: "has marketing degree, loves shooting" doesn't mean they know squat about airguns. And the loving shooting part isn't that common.

 

[jB1Dad]

Not that I should have to explain this but: "has marketing degree, loves shooting" doesn't mean they know squat about airguns. And the loving shooting part isn't that common.

Hello gentlemen. Your comments are being read and are being learned from on the premise that none of us should ever stop learning and growing. We chose to market a product a certain way and not everyone agrees with it. And you are correct, someone on the marketing team was not well-informed, or was confused, or misspoken. Regardless, I take fault for that. The people I work with are humans, and I'm fond of every one of them. Quite a few of them participate in shooting and hunting regularly. What's next is irrelevant, but here it is anyway—when I started working in the airgun industry (after being in the fishing industry for nine years), I was not a shooter. I was not a hunter. I liked to fish, that's what I did and grew up doing with my dad and grandmother. Today, I don't shoot every day or every week, and sometimes, a month goes by without having shot at a target, yet I do enjoy it and have bought several "target tools" over the years. No, I don't participate to the extent of some individuals who make content because it's their passion or sit and shoot a tin of pellets every week, day, or weekend. I enjoy the outdoors—camping, kayaking, hiking, fishing, shooting, and hunting. I've got access to a private piece of land, and I'm learning about its deer so I can more effectively hunt (I was skunked last year) with an airgun. I don't have a paid-for degree from an educational institution in business marketing, but I've worked my tail end off learning along the way, and fortunately, someone appreciated it. Here's to hoping the wind is in your favor. Respectfully, JB

 

[hameditor]

Hello gentlemen. Your comments are being read and are being learned from on the premise that none of us should ever stop learning and growing. We chose to market a product a certain way and not everyone agrees with it. And you are correct, someone on the marketing team was not well-informed, or was confused, or misspoken. Regardless, I take fault for that. The people I work with are humans, and I'm fond of every one of them. Quite a few of them participate in shooting and hunting regularly. What's next is irrelevant, but here it is anyway—when I started working in the airgun industry (after being in the fishing industry for nine years), I was not a shooter. I was not a hunter. I liked to fish, that's what I did and grew up doing with my dad and grandmother. Today, I don't shoot every day or every week, and sometimes, a month goes by without having shot at a target, yet I do enjoy it and have bought several "target tools" over the years. No, I don't participate to the extent of some individuals who make content because it's their passion or sit and shoot a tin of pellets every week, day, or weekend. I enjoy the outdoors—camping, kayaking, hiking, fishing, shooting, and hunting. I've got access to a private piece of land, and I'm learning about its deer so I can more effectively hunt (I was skunked last year) with an airgun. I don't have a paid-for degree from an educational institution in business marketing, but I've worked my tail end off learning along the way, and fortunately, someone appreciated it. Here's to hoping the wind is in your favor. Respectfully, JB

@jB1Dad thanks for your message. I would like to add a few words...

In my opinion the marketing launch of the Umarex Komplete was the best that I have ever seen in the airgun industry. I laid out the reasons for that statement in this HAM post.

I see no reason to change that opinion. However the capability of the product being able to shoot using CO2 is clearly an added benefit that can be of value to knowledgeable airgunners.

But. We need to remember that the Komplete is being marketed as "the PCP you can have instead of a springer" (my own words) to buyers in big box stores. Many of these customers are not airgun-knowledgeable. So the Value Proposition of the Komplete being "the PCP you can have instead of a springer - oh and it also can work using CO2 if you want" could be confusing to this audience.

As I made clear in my test of the Komplete using CO2, I was surprised at how well it performed. Could Umarex USA have made a similar test prior to launch and included the results? Well, yes. But hindsight is a wonderful thing and it's understandable that with the focus on the groundbreaking "PCP" aspect, such a test was not made among the Zillion other things involved in the product launch.

At least it's understandable to me, having a background in such activities (even if it was years ago with computer peripherals and not airguns).

Thanks for reading what HAM Community members write. And thanks for taking the time and effort to respond. Whatever our views on this discussion, I know that we all appreciate that

For the record, I continue to be impressed with the Komplete. It's a great little air rifle, whether shooting on Nitrogen or CO2. Umarex USA is going to sell a boatload of these...

 

[Farmplinker2]

Hello gentlemen. Your comments are being read and are being learned from on the premise that none of us should ever stop learning and growing. We chose to market a product a certain way and not everyone agrees with it. And you are correct, someone on the marketing team was not well-informed, or was confused, or misspoken. Regardless, I take fault for that. The people I work with are humans, and I'm fond of every one of them. Quite a few of them participate in shooting and hunting regularly. What's next is irrelevant, but here it is anyway—when I started working in the airgun industry (after being in the fishing industry for nine years), I was not a shooter. I was not a hunter. I liked to fish, that's what I did and grew up doing with my dad and grandmother. Today, I don't shoot every day or every week, and sometimes, a month goes by without having shot at a target, yet I do enjoy it and have bought several "target tools" over the years. No, I don't participate to the extent of some individuals who make content because it's their passion or sit and shoot a tin of pellets every week, day, or weekend. I enjoy the outdoors—camping, kayaking, hiking, fishing, shooting, and hunting. I've got access to a private piece of land, and I'm learning about its deer so I can more effectively hunt (I was skunked last year) with an airgun. I don't have a paid-for degree from an educational institution in business marketing, but I've worked my tail end off learning along the way, and fortunately, someone appreciated it. Here's to hoping the wind is in your favor. Respectfully, JB

Thanks for the information! Hope you can contribute more here!

 

[Doc Holiday]

Hello gentlemen. Your comments are being read and are being learned from on the premise that none of us should ever stop learning and growing. We chose to market a product a certain way and not everyone agrees with it. And you are correct, someone on the marketing team was not well-informed, or was confused, or misspoken. Regardless, I take fault for that. The people I work with are humans, and I'm fond of every one of them. Quite a few of them participate in shooting and hunting regularly. What's next is irrelevant, but here it is anyway—when I started working in the airgun industry (after being in the fishing industry for nine years), I was not a shooter. I was not a hunter. I liked to fish, that's what I did and grew up doing with my dad and grandmother. Today, I don't shoot every day or every week, and sometimes, a month goes by without having shot at a target, yet I do enjoy it and have bought several "target tools" over the years. No, I don't participate to the extent of some individuals who make content because it's their passion or sit and shoot a tin of pellets every week, day, or weekend. I enjoy the outdoors—camping, kayaking, hiking, fishing, shooting, and hunting. I've got access to a private piece of land, and I'm learning about its deer so I can more effectively hunt (I was skunked last year) with an airgun. I don't have a paid-for degree from an educational institution in business marketing, but I've worked my tail end off learning along the way, and fortunately, someone appreciated it. Here's to hoping the wind is in your favor. Respectfully, JB

Thank You so much for the honesty of your answer. I appreciate people like you and your coworkers in the industry. I would much rather hear an honest answer than just a lot of corporate fluff. Looking forward to see what you guys do next. But while we are on the Komplete, maybe open sights

 

[Farmplinker2]

Thank You so much for the honesty of your answer. I appreciate people like you and your coworkers in the industry. I would much rather hear an honest answer than just a lot of corporate fluff. Looking forward to see what you guys do next. But while we are in the Komplete, maybe open sights

JC at Airgun Detectives said it best, "Drop the package scope and replace with iron sights".
I would love a version with a peep sight!

 

[Doc Holiday]

One thing I would caution on, if you use C02, do not use any pellgun oil, ATF or any petroleum oils on the tip of the C02 bottle or in the gun itself. Only pure silicone die to the high pressure of the Nitro bottle. Petroleum oils and HPA/PCP is a big no no.

 

[elwoodblues]

If you are running Nitrogen the is NO chance of detonation from petroleum based oils onlt with air because of the oxygen

 

[Doc Holiday]

If you are running Nitrogen the is NO chance of detonation from petroleum based oils onlt with air because of the oxygen

I didn’t think of that. But out of habit I still would just use silicone. Just me

 

[Hateful McNasty]

JC at Airgun Detectives said it best, "Drop the package scope and replace with iron sights".
I would love a version with a peep sight!

Sights on a gun today is a big no , no ..
Don't you think being stranded to a optic and pay extra to be able to aim and shoot it best ? Come on man get real ..


Someone will come up with a adaptor to throw a refillable bottle on and eliminate that disposable costly mess ..

 

[Firewalker]

Sadly, this is just another subscription gun with no innovation. All of the technology has already been to market and this is just an expensive way to shoot.

With CO2 or Nitrogen disposable tanks, the price per shot very quickly eclipses the price of a comparably priced true PCP and a hand pump.

Supporting another waste stream is untenable.