Air Arms TX200 Mk111 review.

[Ravman]

Hi everyone.
Newbie here - here's my review of the TX200 Mk111.

Some background....
I'm new to airguns (fired my last gun 20-odd years ago), and fancied trying FT, but didn't want to spend loads on a PCP.
My short list of springers was either the TX or HW 97,77 or 57. However, when I first went to the FT Club (Purley Chase) I was offered a 2nd-hand TX which had only had 50 shots through it, + mounts and a Hawke scope for £250, so thats what I ended up buying.

That was a few weeks ago, so I've had the chance to shoot a bit, and tried the HW 97 and 77 too. Here's my impressions.
First off, these are all heavy guns, and there is definitely a technique in loading them, never mind shooting them. If you don't hold the gun vertical when pulling down the underlever, you run the risk of straining your elbow (as I did first time out).
The TX is a solid piece of kit with a superficially nicely finished stock. Close examination however reveals that it could be finished better. Perfectly adequate, but one of my first jobs on the gun when I get the time.
Loading. Easy-peasy.
Ease of aiming and shooting. No problem at all. The weight definitely helps here.
Accuracy. Bearing in mind this is a new(ish) gun, very accurate.
Power. I haven't chrono'd it, but (using AA Field pellets) it seems as powerful as any of the guns at the club, perhaps a little more than some.

Overall impressions - solid and well-made gun, I like it better than the two HW's I've tried. Seems very good value, even bought as a new gun.

I like it - a lot!:D

Cheers,
Ravman

[cinstone]

Hello Ravman.

I've had my TX for about a month & I am very pleased with it. I must say that the weight does get to me after a while. Other than that it is a very good piece of kit.

Have you joined the Air Arms Owners Club? There is a link below, but you may have trouble with the site at the moment as it was playing up earlier.

Fill in your profile too. You'll get more response from other folk if they know a little more about you.

Welcome to the forum :)!

[Rapidnick]

Welcome aboard Ravman. If you fill in your profile we will all get to know you even better!:D
The TX series are truly excellent rifles and 'out of the box'-that means without spending any money having them tuned-they shoot really well. On balance an excellent rifle at a great price-well done!
As a matter of interest have you tried the HC version (shorter, harder to cock but some find it handles better) or the Pro Sport??

[Ravman]

I've had my TX for about a month & I am very pleased with it. I must say that the weight does get to me after a while. Other than that it is a very good piece of kit.

Have you joined the Air Arms Owners Club? There is a link below, but you may have trouble with the site at the moment as it was playing up earlier.



Cheers Rapidnick and Cinstone!:)

Rapidnick,
You asked:
"As a matter of interest have you tried the HC version (shorter, harder to cock but some find it handles better) or the Pro Sport??"
No, but I'm looking forward to if I see anyone with these guns at the Club (PurleyChase FT).


Cinstone, I agree about the weight - still, what doesn't kill me will only make me stonger!:D

Tried to join the AA Owners Club a few times over the last two days. Good news that there are problems that end - thought it was me:eek:


Ravman

[dunn220]

hi,

good review on the tx, ive a mk2HC (not rich enough for a new un:( ), its been away at a gunsmiths for a service for 3 weeks got it back today:D .....

they must have done summat right coz how smooth does it shoot now??? never like this before (and ive had it less than a month before that)????? even though its @11.7fpe too:D :D .....

great guns.....nicley balanced, not overally heavy, HC is a bu66er to cock though:o, still we all need bigger biceps eh?

good luck with your purchase... you made the right choice......

regards
Paul

[cinstone]

Hello again Ravman.

I think you should be able to browse the AAOC forum anyway. Check out my first impressions & review update of the TX 200 MK III. Once you register with the forum, give the postal shoot a try. You can't be any worse than me :D!

[Fluff]

dunn220: "...HC is a bu66er to cock..."
Yes the TX-HC mk2 is quite hard to cock for a 12ftlb springer and is no use at all for FAC.
The mk3 has much reduced cocking effort (and is OK for FAC), but the mk3 is not as accurate as the "fast-lock" mk2.
;)

[dunn220]

dunn220:
Yes the TX-HC mk2 is quite hard to cock for a 12ftlb springer and is no use at all for FAC.
The mk3 has much reduced cocking effort (and is OK for FAC), but the mk3 is not as accurate as the "fast-lock" mk2.
;)


i bet it dont help that mines a .177 either:( .........oh well i need the exercise....... "fast lock" eh? perhaps i wont upgrade to a mk3 after all.....:D
plus their too common at the club (4 of em in total):p .....common for a very good reason though;)

Cinstone= looked on your AAOC, pretty impressive review:),got any room for another owner on the site ????
Ravman= keep us updated with your stock finishing exploits...

cheers all

Paul

[cinstone]

Everyone welcome on the AAOC, especially if you have a AA rifle.

[mr_green]

there good as they are but much better when there tuned:rolleyes:

[Ravman]

Hi Cinstone,
You said:
"I've had my TX for about a month & I am very pleased with it. I must say that the weight does get to me after a while. Other than that it is a very good piece of kit."
Saw your review (nice one :) ) and comments on the TX on the AAownersforum.

I agree that the TX is a weighty piece of kit.
Horses for Courses - the TX is great for FT, and probably shooting live quarry where not much walking is involved. For strolling around fields I would definitely go for a lighter gun.
BTW, how many pellets have you put through your TX now?
Mine has had coming up to 500 though it, and it is noticably looser and nicer to shoot.
Cheers,
Ravman

[cinstone]

Afternoon Ravman!

Good question about the amount of pellets i've put through the TX. I'm not at home at the mo'. Will let you know for certain tomorrow. I think it's about 150-200. It's been sweet since it was out of the box.

I think I said that i'd post another chrono' session after 500 pellets on the AAOC.

I'll let you know tomorrow.

Cheers!

[Rapidnick]

Hi Cinstone,
You said:
"I've had my TX for about a month & I am very pleased with it. I must say that the weight does get to me after a while. Other than that it is a very good piece of kit."
Saw your review (nice one :) ) and comments on the TX on the AAownersforum.

I agree that the TX is a weighty piece of kit.
Horses for Courses - the TX is great for FT, and probably shooting live quarry where not much walking is involved. For strolling around fields I would definitely go for a lighter gun.
BTW, how many pellets have you put through your TX now?
Mine has had coming up to 500 though it, and it is noticably looser and nicer to shoot.
Cheers,
Ravman

You will need about 1000 pellets to get your new rifle really smooth and sweet. On the subject of tuning a great deal has been posted on here. Clearly money spent on tuning usually results in improvements-whether you get enough of an improvement to justify the spend is entirely a matter for you. I have tried many AA rifles and also their main 'rival' the HW97 in various states of tune. I currently own a factory standard unmodified Pro Sport, a Venom tuned TX200 Mk 2 and a Weihrauch HW97 Venom Custom. The most accurate rifle for target use in my hands is the TX but I will admit that the stock (a Gary Cane laminated thumbhole target stock) is just so fantastic it feels as though it was made for me. Too heavy for field use though! The Venom Custom is lovely but is probably not run in enough. The Pro Sport is really lovely and just amazing value for money. From the offerings of AA and Weihrauch the PS would be my personal choice for an all purpose legal limit air rifle.
Good shooting with whatever you use!!:D

[cinstone]

Morning Ravman. Forgot to get back to you about the amount of pellets i've pt through my TX.

Well after today foray down the range, where I shot another 75 pellets, the total is up to 290. My efforts were below average at best though.


Hello Rapidnick.

So far so good with my TX & if it doesn't get any smoother after 1000 pellets I won't complain! Excellent straight out of the box.

[Ravman]

Hi Cinstone,
Up to the Club on Sunday so that should take me to 700 pellets through my TX200 Mk111. Took off the butt-pad yesterday (oo-err missus!) and cleaned that up a bit (stock varnish all over the place). Stock is next - good degrease and then a smooth and glossy varnishing (since I'm not going to use this gun for critters).

Sent you an email about land to shoot over...:)
Cheers.
Ravman

[cinstone]

Morning!

Have read your email & have returned one to you explaining a recent attempt to start a new club.