Air Arms S400 Classic

[simesgee]

First of all let’s set the scene for this review. I think this is important as the merits of the gun have to be considered against what it is expected to do. Right, as someone returning to shooting after a twenty eighth year break I first purchased a Lightning XL in .22. It’s been a very good gun so far – an excellent hunting tool. However I wanted a .177 as well, and decided to try a pcp – this being a new development since my last interest. So, bear in mind I’m new to pcp’s. I wanted the gun for target shooting/plinking and also some rabbiting. So why did I decide on the A400 Classic? Several reasons:


Good previous reviews
Bolt action
Good charge capacity
Good handling and accuracy

I would probably have gone for the carbine version if I was going to use it predominantly for hunting, but the Classic seemed a good compromise.
The other reason was the private sale of a mint example with scope, silencer and air bottle form the board, so that settled the matter!

So, first impressions. It’s obviously a very well made bit of kit. Easy to handle, maybe a bit heavy but well balanced so the weight isn’t really noticed. On shooting I suspect like many who fire a pcp after a lifetime of springers – I strafe across a target at consistent height from left to right. I guess I’m pulling to one side to counteract the recoil that isn’t there? Relax a bit and the groupings improve. It’s now snowing and cold so practice ceases but I’m confident that this is a very accurate gun and I’ll soon be able to shoot good groups at 25yrds and beyond.

Charging is pleasantly easy. I was a bit nervous playing about with air at extreme pressure – obey the instructions, take your time and all is well.

So, all good news then? Well there are some niggles. Loading a pellet is fiddly. I can see why some pay the extra for the multishot. No doubt .22 is easier, but those little .177’s seem to want to turn round in the breech. Practice will no doubt help here but I can’t help wondering why there isn’t some sort of channel that you can just push the pellet along to get it to slide into the breech cleanly.

Another niggle which is subjective is the pattern on the stock. For some reason AA have decided to put some pretty figuring into the carving. Now this may well suit a Purdy or some other high end shotgun, but on a functional bit of kit such as this it just looks silly. I admit some may well like it, but I don’t!

However, I’m saving my main gripe for last. The safety catch. If you consider what the point of a safety catch is, then I am at a loss to what AA were thinking when they incorporated it into the trigger. No, really – I had a FWB Sport years ago – cocking the gun made a little paddle type lever appear automatically which put the gun into safe mode. It could be easily pushed inwards while aiming and was, in my opinion, a very well designed safety. Even the Lightning, where the safety has to applied manually is well positioned and can be applied without placing a finger anywhere near the trigger. So, please tell me why you would put a safety catch on the very part (the trigger) that the safety is designed to immobilise? Now you may well say, ‘ah yes but you apply the safety after you have fired and before you load’. And I would agree, in a perfect World that is what you would do. But suppose you don’t take your shot and then re-apply the safety? I really don’t think that the catch should be on the trigger. Again, my opinion and I’m sure others will disagree.

So, in summary – The AA400 gets an overall thumbs up. Well made, accurate and good overall handling. Bad points – poncy figuring on the stock and dubious safety catch. I think it’s going to grow on me – maybe I’ll post an update after it’s been in the field a few times!

[owen2dogs]

Nice review, I've just bought the s400 carbine in .177, moving up from a Gamo shadow .22.
Superb rifle so far, very accurate, much flatter trajectory (main reason for switching calibre).
I agree with the pellet loading, very fiddly, the pellets do seem to flip over quite often when loading, but it is improving with practice.
The Rowan mag looks very appealing, especially when out hunting in recent temperatures when I've had to keep my right hand ungloved in case I need to reload quickly.
The position of the safety is a little odd, it works ok and for hunting I load a pellet without cocking the rifle and have the safety on, then cock and remove safety when I'm about to take a shot, neither click has been a problem.

[simesgee]

Yes - that's exactly how I figured I'd use it. It's easy to silently de-cock the gun too.
Still cold and horrid here so still no more practice!!

[Blackbaronfish]

A magazine can be foun here http://www.rowanengineering.com/
They are very well made:)

[Ripper]

I use the S400 classic in .177 with the Rowan mag and overall it has been a very good upgrade.

I think I posted the same safety catch gripe on the AA forum a few days ago....it annoys the hell out of me particularly when out at night with cold fingers. Someone said you can take the button out but I haven't explored this option yet. I have a S410 in .22 without a safety catch and it is better insofar as I know that if it is cocked it is ready to fire, there is no debate over it being "safe" or not.

[ryan427]

My safety button fell out and was lost. I've just bought the parts to replace it.

I was recently at my house showing a friend my S410 and as he shouldered it to take a look through the scope, as you do, it went off :eek::eek:

I must have cocked it when I last removed the mag, it wasn't loaded but it made us both jump and left me feeling a bit of a c**k. Luckily no harm done but from now on, the safety will be on unless I'm actually using it !

Oh, and I'll obviously check it's not cocked next time I hand it to someone, newby lesson learnt before you all jump on me.

Ryan

[Munst]

My safety button fell out and was lost. I've just bought the parts to replace it.

I was recently at my house showing a friend my S410 and as he shouldered it to take a look through the scope, as you do, it went off :eek::eek:

I must have cocked it when I last removed the mag, it wasn't loaded but it made us both jump and left me feeling a bit of a c**k. Luckily no harm done but from now on, the safety will be on unless I'm actually using it !

Oh, and I'll obviously check it's not cocked next time I hand it to someone, newby lesson learnt before you all jump on me.

Ryan

Yeah my safety fell out after I'd had mine for a few weeks (from new) luckily it was at the range and I found it all, put it back together with a dab of loctite and that sorted it.

[simesgee]

Been practicing with it and it's pretty amazing. Very accurate and a pleasure to use. I'm recovering from a broken leg at the moment which means only garden use. :( However I should be up and running and introducing it to the bunnies in a month :)!

Bought a chrono and it's putting out 10.83 with AA fields. Doesn't seem to matter if its 4.51 or 4.52, silencer on or off. Not sure how this changes over the pressure as I topped it up before measuring. I'd prefer a 11 point something though so may take it to BTAS if it stays at this. or I might not bother as I'm sure it's enough for hunting at 30yrds!

A good gun! Oh, just for interest -0 my BSA Lightning XL in .22 puts out 11.38;) Not bad as it's still running in!

[Munst]

Been practicing with it and it's pretty amazing. Very accurate and a pleasure to use. I'm recovering from a broken leg at the moment which means only garden use. :( However I should be up and running and introducing it to the bunnies in a month :)!

Bought a chrono and it's putting out 10.83 with AA fields. Doesn't seem to matter if its 4.51 or 4.52, silencer on or off. Not sure how this changes over the pressure as I topped it up before measuring. I'd prefer a 11 point something though so may take it to BTAS if it stays at this. or I might not bother as I'm sure it's enough for hunting at 30yrds!

A good gun! Oh, just for interest -0 my BSA Lightning XL in .22 puts out 11.38;) Not bad as it's still running in!

Yeah mine was putting this kind of power out when it was new, it rose to about 11.3/11.4 in the heart of the fill after a couple of thousands pellets which was fine for me.

Try filling up, then shooting about 30 shots then test the power.

[Steve C.]

Hi mate, I can recommend a BTAS tune for your s400. It gives a greater shot capacity, flatter power curve, and the bolt locks down better and doesn't flap about.:)

Steve C.

[simesgee]

Hi Steve,
Hmmmm. That sounds tempting. I want to get everything sorted while my leg fixes! The S400 is a year old but I got it from Big Gav (Nice bloke indeed) and he assures me he just never got time to use it - maybe 50 shots or so. To be honest it is so mint I believe him, so, looking at the other nice posts I may let it run in. That said, yeah, the bolt does flap about a tad!

If I ring them I'll end up doing it - so - before I spend even more hard earned can you tell me approx how much and how long they took? !:D

Cheers,
Simon

[Steve C.]

Hi Steve,
Hmmmm. That sounds tempting. I want to get everything sorted while my leg fixes! The S400 is a year old but I got it from Big Gav (Nice bloke indeed) and he assures me he just never got time to use it - maybe 50 shots or so. To be honest it is so mint I believe him, so, looking at the other nice posts I may let it run in. That said, yeah, the bolt does flap about a tad!

If I ring them I'll end up doing it - so - before I spend even more hard earned can you tell me approx how much and how long they took? !:D

Cheers,
Simon

Er, I had mine done last year and it cost £75 and took about 4-5 days.

Steve C.

[Munst]

Er, I had mine done last year and it cost £75 and took about 4-5 days.

Steve C.

Yeah the BTAS tune is worth it absolutely but remember that if its only a year old it maybe anti-tamper which means that they either won't touch it or you'll be charged extra for removing the anti tamper fixings.

[uk litehammer]

I cannot believe the stories I read on here, safety's fallen out, bolts flappin' about, blueing that falls off.:eek: You'd think that for the price of these things, they'd at least stay in one piece. Even my CHINESE B26 hasn't had anything fall apart or come loose yet, AND it's got decent bluing on it.:D

[simesgee]

Hello and thanks for that!

Actually, why not do a review of your rifle? I honestly don't know much about the Chinese offerings.

Just one point though. When I wrote my review it was deliberately meant to be objective and critical. It is all to easy to say I bought such and such and it's brilliant blah accurate blah best thing since sliced bread blah blah etc. There is, quite frankly an incentive to do this - after all, nobody wants to say, "I spent a packet of hard earned on this and it's cr*p", do they?
However, I believe nothing is ever perfect in this World, and airguns fall into this criteria.
Invariabley they are a compromise. Accuracey, handling, power, cost etc are all factors that have to be considered. As an example, I now learn that BTAS can do a great tune up for this gun (fitted regulator etc) but it's £225. Is it worth that? Depends on the use of the gun and perception of value for money.
Similarly, when I pointed out the safety catch issue it was my opinion (which seems to be shared by some on the forum) and hopefully, you never know, Air Arms get to see this and take note. The safety catch isn't "Cr*p", the Bolt doesn't flap about, but both could be 'improved'. Air Arms may say, "yeah, we can make it better, but at £££ cost" It's that compromise again.
So, write a review of your own gun - Value for money, accuracy and how long you've had it (reliability) and then I can add a reply!
Cheers,
Simon

[uk litehammer]

Hello and thanks for that!

Actually, why not do a review of your rifle? I honestly don't know much about the Chinese offerings.

Just one point though. When I wrote my review it was deliberately meant to be objective and critical. It is all to easy to say I bought such and such and it's brilliant blah accurate blah best thing since sliced bread blah blah etc. There is, quite frankly an incentive to do this - after all, nobody wants to say, "I spent a packet of hard earned on this and it's cr*p", do they?
However, I believe nothing is ever perfect in this World, and airguns fall into this criteria.
Invariabley they are a compromise. Accuracey, handling, power, cost etc are all factors that have to be considered. As an example, I now learn that BTAS can do a great tune up for this gun (fitted regulator etc) but it's £225. Is it worth that? Depends on the use of the gun and perception of value for money.
Similarly, when I pointed out the safety catch issue it was my opinion (which seems to be shared by some on the forum) and hopefully, you never know, Air Arms get to see this and take note. The safety catch isn't "Cr*p", the Bolt doesn't flap about, but both could be 'improved'. Air Arms may say, "yeah, we can make it better, but at £££ cost" It's that compromise again.
So, write a review of your own gun - Value for money, accuracy and how long you've had it (reliability) and then I can add a reply!
Cheers,
Simon

I have discussed my Chinese B26-2 on previous occasions on this forum, and apart from the few people who were genuinely interested, it got the usual slating from the usual culprits on here, non of which have ever layed eyes on one, as they are not even available in this country. I have now owned it since last June and it is performing beautifully. I had to detune it at first, as it was putting out some 16ft/lbs, but with a kit supplied by Maccari it is now settling at 11.25-11.28ft/lbs. It puts it's pellets where I point them, and is a very well mannered springer. I also own a Weihrauch HW35, so I know the difference, but I'm more than happy with my B26-2.:D

[simesgee]

Thanks UK-L.:)
How much did you pay for it, and where did you get it from?
It's a pity that the responses put you off further posts. I'm intersted in the 'if you can get this for this much, why can't XXX do it better' point of view.

My local gunshop says he won't stock Chinese offerings bacause the quality control is poor. This may be true. It may be though that lower cost=lower profits....

Anyway, thanks for posting!:D

[uk litehammer]

Thanks UK-L.:)
How much did you pay for it, and where did you get it from?
It's a pity that the responses put you off further posts. I'm intersted in the 'if you can get this for this much, why can't XXX do it better' point of view.

My local gunshop says he won't stock Chinese offerings bacause the quality control is poor. This may be true. It may be though that lower cost=lower profits....

Anyway, thanks for posting!:D

I imported it from Best Airguns in Texas. At the time (last June) it cost me £116 delivered to my door.:)

[Jamie Norton]

I agree with UK Litehammer, you shouldn't let snobbish opinions put you off. If other members of your club snub you because of your choice of gun, change club rather than gun.

Anyway, good review of S400. I owned one for a couple of years before trading 'up' to a BSA Superten. Simisgee's right about compromise - there is no such thing as the perfect gun. My S400 was pre-tamperproof and therefore came with no safety catch at all. Although I was disappointed about this at first, I came to realise that safetys are, at best unnecessary. Safety comes from correct gun handling; always knowing when your gun is / isn't loaded and always aware of where its pointing. The way I see it, if you're relying on a safety device you're not 'gunsafe' yourself. I've never used the safety on my BSA.

As for the question of reasonable quality / price for the many airguns available, I firmly believe that we would have much better quality and value if it wasn't for the fact that the airgun press (consisting of 2 magazines owned by the same publisher) is so sycophantic toward their advertisers. Despite charging the best part of 4 quid for a magazine that's 75% advert and 25% struggling to 'pad out' articles, they remain faithful to the manufacturers and importers rather than their readers. Consequently, there is no incentive for the manufacturers to get their act together or any meaningful feedback to allow them to make improvements - whatever crap they peddle, the mags will tell us is fantastic and the best ever. How else would Air Arms get away with a trigger safety that falls apart (or BSA with a £600 gun that cannot have it's (leaking) bottle safely removed, etc.)?


Better to read your reviews on here.

[Magicmalc123]

Do I buy one or not. Im very keen because everyone in our club rave over the 400 and say theres no other gun at its price to match it.