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Overview
I am reviewing a Pinty Vanguard .22 carbine purchased for less than $150 (after coupons) all included.
I already have 2 Pinty Buster which use the same magazine as the Vanguard.
Regulator pressure on mine (using the pressure gauge) is around 120 bar.
Build
Build quality is good, mostly metal, only stock, trigger guard and barrel band are polymer.
Magazines are good, work as expected.
The glass on the pressure gauge was blurry with some marks, gauge was still useable.
For a carbine it feels short and light, around 4-5 lbs, easy to shoot offhand.
Trigger
The trigger was great out of the box, did not asjust anything.
It has clear 2 stages, feels light and predictable.
It is adjustable if needed.
Hammer spring
I have another post on changing and tuning the hammer spring:
Pinty Vanguard 22 guide to changing and tuning the hammer spring
The hammer spring is not adjustable.
The stock hammer spring is way too strong.
With the stock hammer spring I got 18 regulated shots around 820 FPS with CPHP 14.3 grains.
Very inefficient, wastes air, loud (has a snap sound) even with a large moderator.
To increase the number of shots the spring needs to be changed.
After replacing the hammer spring I am getting now 50+ shots around 750 FPS with CPHP
Shot string
From 250 bar (max pressure) to to 120 bar (regulator pressure),
with the stock spring I got about 820 FPS consitently for exactly 18 regulated shots.
I have more shot strings in the hammer spring post:
Pinty Vanguard 22 guide to changing and tuning the hammer spring
Noise
It comes with a 1/2-20 threaded barrel.
The moderator it comes with is small, thin and has a very large bore.
The stock moderator is almost useless.
With the moderators I 3D print it becomes very quiet, after changing the hammer spring.
Accuracy
So far I have about 200-300 shots only with CPHP pellets.
They seem to be accurate to my 50 yards spinners.
If I miss it usually is the wind or myself causing that.
What I would change
Make hammer spring externaly adjustable and provide a weaker hammer spring which allows velocity adjustments.
Include a better moderator, or do not include any moderator and reduce the price.
Conclusion
I really like it for the $150 price.
Being so light and short it can be a great hunting carbine,for smaller game.
In stock form is around 21 FPE with CPHP, heavier pellets should bring more power.
As a bonus I can also share magazines between the Buster and Vanguard.
There is nothing like the Vanguard for this low price.
The Vanguard is similar enough to the Diana Stormrider (have the Bandit which has similar action), but is lower priced, regulated, has 2 magazines, better overall.
The JTS Airstryke is more expensive and the receiver itself is made of polymer (really).
The Beeman Raider (have 2 of them) are unregulated and have a polymer receiver, they need 2 barrel bands to keep the barrel stable.
Both Stormrider and Airstryke have a 200 bar fill pressure vs Vanguard's 250 bar, more shots for the Vanguard for the same air capacity.
