The Top Three Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century

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…

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

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.

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

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.

 

[pan60]

I will say first
1: the Benjamin Marauder it was indeed a breakthrough gun for all the reasons you mentioned @@hameditor it seems to me it was and is a blueprint for some many others.
2: I have to say the AAA I think the EVOL line of guns have to be the highest quality guns I have ever laid my hands on and what Tom has done with these is many case is revolutionary and he is still doing thing no other is as his work is over and above.
3: Daystate / brocock I am lumping them in the same bucket I like the the bro guns and feel they are producing a high qaulity gun that seems to be just want the customer is wanting.

I want to give FX a mention. if for nothing else name recognition its a name know by anyone in the industry although I have never had one I will say I have almost bought one a number of times and almost done so just based on how much you hear FX

 

[SpindleB]

I'd include the
Career 707
The 3 Smooth Twist: Bobcat, Royale, Boss

And most importantly
AirForce Utility Platform: Condor, Talon, Escape

 

[Ezana4CE]

I’d have to suggest the Huben K1 with its hammerless design. It’s revolutionary in terms of semi-automatic function, wide power range, and 5000 psi max fill pressure making it a versatile hunting tool. Hubens are just built tough. Its design has influenced the LCS and Western Sidewinder/Rattler. Now it appears that the GK1 is doing something similar for PCP air pistols.

We also need a big bore. For that I’d nominate the Airforce Texan. The power produced is incredible and the simplistic design harkens back towards the Girandani design with the way that the reservoir is incorporated into the stock and is aligned with the barrel for a virtual 180 degree flow of air from the reservoir to the projectile.

I’d keep the Marauder and it’s tough to argue against the influence of the FX Impact.

 

[SpindleB]

I’d have to suggest the Huben K1 with its hammerless design. It’s revolutionary in terms of semi-automatic function, wide power range, and 5000 psi max fill pressure making it a versatile hunting tool. Hubens are just built tough. Its designed has influenced the LCS and Western Sidewinder/Rattler. Now it appears that the GK1 is doing something similar for PCP air pistols.

We also need a big bore. For that I’d nominate the Airforce Texan. The power produced is incredible and the simplistic design harkens back towards the Girandani design with the way that the reservoir is incorporated into the stock and is aligned with the barrel for a virtual 180 degree flow of air from the reservoir to the projectile.

I’d keep the Marauder and it’s tough to argue against the influence of the FX Impact.

No other design has lasted as long as the AirForce platform. It isnt even close. Simple, robust and easy to maintain. Over 2 decades later they are still selling well. Just look how fast the .25 were all gone at DFL yesterday.

 

[hameditor]

I’d have to suggest the Huben K1 with its hammerless design. It’s revolutionary in terms of semi-automatic function, wide power range, and 5000 psi max fill pressure making it a versatile hunting tool. Hubens are just built tough. Its designed has influenced the LCS and Western Sidewinder/Rattler. Now it appears that the GK1 is doing something similar for PCP air pistols.

We also need a big bore. For that I’d nominate the Airforce Texan. The power produced is incredible and the simplistic design harkens back towards the Girandani design with the way that the reservoir is incorporated into the stock and is aligned with the barrel for a virtual 180 degree flow of air from the reservoir to the projectile.

I’d keep the Marauder and it’s tough to argue against the influence of the FX Impact.

Great suggestion about the Huben! But what exactly has been the influence of the Texan? I don't see its influence elsewhere, unless it's the big bore concept itself.

 

[Solo1]

I would suggest you add a price point or 2. I agree to a point with the marauder but isn’t it really a copy of a huntsman basicly?
And yes the fx was truly a leap forward but in my personal opinion brk did it better with the ghost which against the gaunlet in my opinion the ghost is better but the ghost and huntsman revere are more expensive than the others which is why i suggest 2 price points

 

[Ezana4CE]

Great suggestion about the Huben! But what exactly has been the influence of the Texan? I don't see its influence elsewhere, unless it's the big bore concept itself.

@hameditor I’m glad you asked. The Texan has demonstrated (or re-presented) the ability of responsible hunters taking medium to large sized game with capable airguns. It was the rifle that influenced Texas legislature to add big-bore air rifles of .30 caliber or greater shooting a projectile of 150 grains or more traveling at least 800 fps or a combination of a .30 cal or larger projectile and velocity producing 215 FPE or more. This is my understanding from my reading and conversations with other airgunners. Other states such as Louisiana appear to have followed Texas’ lead in this regard. So the influence broadens the exposure of airguns to a base that may not have considered shooting an airgun because they may have thought of them as nothing more than a child’s toy. Texans are now known more as hunting tool - primarily for whitetail deer. Now we have the Western Bushbuck, Umarex Hammer, and Hatsan Piledriver, the Bintac MCAR and a plethora of AEA big-bores competing with the power and market share of the Airforce Texan. With the new Airforce Tex-Rex producing over 1000 FPE, Airforce big bores are still some of the most powerful production big-bore airguns. Considering that they are made in America, they have an appeal to the traditional center fire and rimfire crowds as not only a capable hunting tool, but for competition, and as a more affordable option to shoot medium-range distances (100-300 yards) in inflationary times or when cartridges, bullets, and reloading component prices fluctuate. This is a huge domestic market in the USA.


These factors broaden the appeal of airguns thus broadening the overall airgun market because neophytes then learn of small-bore airguns capable of shooting 100 yards and beyond as even more affordable shooting options from an ammo perspective. The way I see it, the Texan is highly influential. What other airgun was able to have sort of impact prior to the introduction of the Airforce Texan?

 

[Joey 69]

I still wouldn't trade my ghost for one.

 

[Pumacarl]

You got the Mrod getting everyone hunting with them; the first price point PCP (Gauntlet) getting people an affordable option to try a regulated one; and the modular, upgradeable, pesting, target, slug, do-all, bullpup, Uber gun for the fanatics. Not a bad list HAMeditor.

I love the Mrod but I would not include it because it was too much of an evolved product itself to be influential across the board. My list would replace this with the EdGun bullpups. Absolutely influencing everybody. Keep the Gauntlet and the Impact.

 

[hameditor]

@hameditor I’m glad you asked. The Texan has demonstrated (or re-presented) the ability of responsible hunters taking medium to large sized game with capable airguns. It was the rifle that influenced Texas legislatures to add big bore air rifles of .30 or greater with a projectile of 150 grains or more going at least 800 fps or a combination of a projectile and velocity producing 215 FPE or more. This is my understanding from my reading and conversations with other airgunners. Other states such as Louisiana appear to have followed Texas’ lead in this regard. So the influence broadens the exposure of airguns to a base that may not have considered shooting an airgun because they may have thought of them as nothing more than a child’s toy. Texans are now known more as hunting tool - primarily for whitetail deer. Now we have the Western Bushbuck, Umarex Hammer, and Hatsan Piledriver, the Bintac MCAR and a plethora of AEA big-bores competing with the power and market share of the Airforce Texan. With the new Airforce Tex-Rex producing over 1000 FPE, Airforce big bores are still some of the most powerful production big-bore airguns. Considering that they are made in America, they have an appeal to the traditional center fire and rimfire crowds as not only a capable hunting tool, but for competition, and as a more affordable option to shoot medium-range distances (100-300 yards) in inflationary times or when cartridges, bullets, and reloading component prices fluctuate. This is a huge domestic market in the USA.


These factors broaden the appeal of airguns thus broadening the overall airgun market because neophytes then learn of small-bore airguns capable of shooting 100 yards and beyond as even more affordable shooting options from an ammo perspective. The way I see it, the Texan is highly influential. What other airgun was able to have sort of impact prior to the introduction of the Airforce Texan?

Great justification, thank you!!!

 

[RicL]

Mrod for sure, talon/condor over the gauntlet / impact

 

[Pumacarl]

Mrod for sure, talon/condor over the gauntlet / impact

You bring up an interesting point with the Talon/Condor because I had always looked at that gun and knew a lot of people were using it, but I never got one until a few months ago. So I guess (mostly because of its Star Wars look) it didn't do enough to get me to buy it, especially at it's price point, but the sub-$300 Gauntlet did. Knowing NOW what the TalonP can do, I can see why you put it over the Gauntlet in your list for sure. I still think the EdGun trumps all, it changed everyone's thinking, and the Impact most probably wouldn't have been designed as a bullpup without it's existence.

 

[Ezana4CE]

You got the Mrod getting everyone hunting with them; the first price point PCP (Gauntlet) getting people an affordable option to try a regulated one; and the modular, upgradeable, pesting, target, slug, do-all, bullpup, Uber gun for the fanatics. Not a bad list HAMeditor.

I love the Mrod but I would not include it because it was too much of an evolved product itself to be influential across the board. My list would replace this with the EdGun bullpups. Absolutely influencing everybody. Keep the Gauntlet and the Impact.

@Pumacarl Good point on the significance and influence of introducing the bullpup design.

 

[Pumacarl]

I would suggest you add a price point or 2. I agree to a point with the marauder but isn’t it really a copy of a huntsman basicly?
And yes the fx was truly a leap forward but in my personal opinion brk did it better with the ghost which against the gaunlet in my opinion the ghost is better but the ghost and huntsman revere are more expensive than the others which is why i suggest 2 price points

I think after you have been influenced is when you get a top Daystate/BRK product. The Impact influenced itself big time because of one guy on YouTube, Ted Bier. All the other guns get people shooting and addicted but I don't think many start at the refined English anything level. It's a nice place to end up though.

 

[Danman]

Hmmm influential....in no particular order here would be my top 3:
-When someone says big bore airguns the Texan rifles first come to my mind, American made and powerful, many manufacturers are now running the bottle on the back in some of their newer pcps for easy power gains.

-The FX Impact is UNDENIABLY on the top 3 list. It's major downfall? It's TOO customizable, with many adjustments, small parts & o-rings. Many look-alikes have followed (and many do it better) but none got near the coverage the impact did.

-Honestly, for the last one I believe the Air Arms 400/500 series rifles may just make it in, not in the U.S. mind you, but across the pond and Canada definitely more so.... Matt Dubber started with an Unregulated S510 and many British shooters, smaller YT channels were using them for FT, pest control, etc, esp in sub 12 versions.

- Honorable mentions: goes to the Edgun Matador and the Huben K1.

 

[Doc Holiday]

View attachment 15057

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…

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

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.

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

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.

I would cast a vote for the Benjamin Discovery. It brought pcp in for the masses. Cleaver design uses only 2000 psi so easy to use with a hand pump. Very cheap (for then) price

 

[Pumacarl]

I would cast a vote for the Benjamin Discovery. It brought pcp in for the masses. Cleaver design uses on 2000 psi so easy to use with a hand pump. Very cheap (for then) price

This was why I couldn't pick the mrod, this gun really led the way for that and the Maximus, at least in this country. I can certainly understand this being on your list. I still stand behind my picks, but I like to figure out why people choose different.

 

[Solo1]

I think after you have been influenced is when you get a top Daystate/BRK product. The Impact influenced itself big time because of one guy on YouTube, Ted Bier. All the other guns get people shooting and addicted but I don't think many start at the refined English anything level. It's a nice place to end up though.

I started with an air arms ev2 it was over 2k.

 

[Pumacarl]

I started with an air arms ev2 it was over 2k.

Congratulations, most don't.