Webley Patriot-a review

[Vulcanator]

I find it ironic the Patriot tends to get its bad reputation courtesy of the British! Think about it, most UK airgunners deal with 12ft/lb weaponry, when they fire the Patriot for the first time it's a bit of a shock to the system. The transition from that to a 30ft/lb springer takes some getting used to. In the USA, the UK Patriot (or Beeman Kodiak) is revered and respected, secondhand examples still command prices that match or exceed what they cost new.

In terms of the build quality, I have not seen an air rifle or many firearms that top the superb quality and luster of the bluing. Out of the box the Patriot can be a bit twangy but it can still deliver the goods-check this target out I shot at 25yds with my Kodiak using a Hawke Airmax 3-9x40 and Dampa mount:

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...0/Target-1.jpg

Overall the Patriot easily can stand its ground with an Eliminator and should be on any persons shopping list considering an FAC springer.

[Rapidnick]

I find it ironic the Patriot tends to get its bad reputation courtesy of the British! Think about it, most UK airgunners deal with 12ft/lb weaponry, when they fire the Patriot for the first time it's a bit of a shock to the system. The transition from that to a 30ft/lb springer takes some getting used to. In the USA, the UK Patriot (or Beeman Kodiak) is revered and respected, secondhand examples still command prices that match or exceed what they cost new.

In terms of the build quality, I have not seen an air rifle or many firearms that top the superb quality and luster of the bluing. Out of the box the Patriot can be a bit twangy but it can still deliver the goods-check this target out I shot at 25yds with my Kodiak using a Hawke Airmax 3-9x40 and Dampa mount:

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...0/Target-1.jpg

Overall the Patriot easily can stand its ground with an Eliminator and should be on any persons shopping list considering an FAC springer.

I agree with most of what you have written. I am pleasantly surprised by the performance of my Patriot although mine has been tuned. For the low price it represented amazing value.
Whether it can 'stand its ground' with the Eliminator/Crow Magnum I'm not so sure. To compare the two you need to have rifles in the same calibre delivering the same power. Doing that I found the Eliminator smoother and more refined. The problem comes from the ease with which the gas ram can be pressured UP. This tempts some shooters-unwisely in my opinion-to pump the ram up to increase power. If you were to compare an 'average' Patriot with an over-pressured Eliminator then I could understand the point but properly set up, the Eliminator has the edge-to me anyway. In my view there is little worse in the shooting world than shooting an over pressured gas ram rifle and this has led to shooters condemning the system itself rather than just that individual rifle.
Anyway, as you say, the Patriot has its place and I now have no intention of selling mine.

[lionel]

Hey Nick - how about this for a project for the New Year - I detune my .25 Eliminator to 26fpe and bring it down for a side-by-side comparison?

[Rapidnick]

Hey Nick - how about this for a project for the New Year - I detune my .25 Eliminator to 26fpe and bring it down for a side-by-side comparison?

Fine by me old cock. Happy Christmas to you and yours by the way.

[Vulcanator]

When it comes to refinement, an out of the box Eliminator has the edge only due to its powerplant. A gasram is always going to be smoother than a spring. My Kodiak puts out 28-29ft/lb and my target bears out its capability. In the field or on the range I'll be very surprised if the eliminator can exceed such performance, as Lionel suggested tune the Eliminator to your Patriot's power level and shoot them back to back.

Merry Christmas.

[Rapidnick]

When it comes to refinement, an out of the box Eliminator has the edge only due to its powerplant. A gasram is always going to be smoother than a spring. My Kodiak puts out 28-29ft/lb and my target bears out its capability. In the field or on the range I'll be very surprised if the eliminator can exceed such performance, as Lionel suggested tune the Eliminator to your Patriot's power level and shoot them back to back.

Merry Christmas.

And to you too.
Actually I shot Lionel's rifle before he did when another friend owned it. I remember that at the lower levels this particular Eliminator was very smooth indeed thus my comments because I have never owned a .25 Eliminator only .20 and .22. I have also only owned a .25 Patriot so it will be interesting to do the back to back as suggested.

One thing I do disagree with you on though is your assertion that a gas ram will always be smoother than a spring. Most of the shooters you talk to in the UK complain that the gas ram is too snappy. That can be as a result of over-pressuring it and it very often is. However, disregarding that, most of my friends much prefer to shoot a tuned springer rather than a gas ram. Also bear in mind that the price difference between a gas ram rifle and a quality springer leaves you enough money to tune the springer. OK perhaps not to top standard but I have yet to meet a shooter who would prefer a legal limit gas ram to a lazaglided springer but I'm sure they do exist.

[air-tech]

Just joined the Patriot club.

Would like to have the original open sights on this. Does anyone have any info as to what other Webleys were fitted with the same sights as the Patriot? And of which years?

I'm guessing that looking for "Patriot" open sights may be limiting somewhat but I'm pretty certain that what the Patriot had was shared with quite a few if not all of Webley's then current open sighted offerings, but would like confirmation / advice.

Thanks...

[verminhunter]

All Iam gonna say on this is that you get alot of rifle for the money.

[brian747]

Hi air-tech, i hope you enjoy the patriot ,i will shortly be enjoying a .20 eliminator i am getting from Nick, once my fac variation comes through , really looking forward to this should be great fun, i have no problem cocking these guns , and lots of practise will improve my handling for consistant accuracy .
atvb brian

[Vulcanator]

Just joined the Patriot club.

Would like to have the original open sights on this. Does anyone have any info as to what other Webleys were fitted with the same sights as the Patriot? And of which years?

I'm guessing that looking for "Patriot" open sights may be limiting somewhat but I'm pretty certain that what the Patriot had was shared with quite a few if not all of Webley's then current open sighted offerings, but would like confirmation / advice.

Thanks...

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