Phoenix Arms Hyscore Sporter

[Abasmajor]

I recently added this neat little .22 Hyscore ‘Sporter’ to my collection in its original ABS case and complete with dummy silencer, unopened ’Hornet’ pellet tin, spare barrel and barrel removal key.

http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/...psqhupsxcp.jpg

http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/...pst8xmxvlv.jpg

http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3hk4xoga.jpg

As I’m sure most of us know, the ‘Sporter’ was a resurrection of the ubiquitous American Hyscore spring powered air pistol and produced by the Phoenix Arms Co for a short period between 1989 and 1991 at Sandwich in Kent following their purchase of all the associated tooling and spares.
The pistol is shorter than the USA made 700 & 800 models, but slightly longer than their 803 & 804 ‘Sportster’ models with which it is sometimes confused.
The ‘Sporter’ is finished to a much higher standard than the American version with a greater use of machined steel castings rather than steel pressings which were a deliberate feature of the original design.

The two main features of the pistol that stand out for me, are the trigger and the loading gate. The Hyscore is the only spring air pistol that I’m aware of that can be dry fired without risking damage. This is only possible due to an extremely innovative design using a two stage trigger with the first stage setting the trigger separately from the sear which only engages when the pistol is full cocked. The result is a nice crisp trigger release of somewhere between 3 or 4lbs due to the energy of the mainspring not acting directly on the trigger itself.

The second unique feature of the Hyscore is the loading gate, which uses a rotary shutter device turned anticlockwise to reveal direct access to the breech. Once the pellet has been inserted, clockwise rotation of the shutter hermetically seals the breech without the need for a breech washer.

I have just been testing the pistol for power and accuracy with the following results:

Chronograph recordings using .22 Hobby pellets (11.9 grns)
Average Muzzle Velocity = 336 fps.
Average Muzzle Energy = 3 ft lbs

I’m normally happy with a springer such as this if I can hold the black aiming area (60mm) of the NSRA AIR 4 target using a single handed stance at 10 metres. The ‘Sporter’ consistently achieved this fairly easily, with the best group surprisingly measuring just 35 mm C to C.

For some reason the pistol came with a spare barrel of the same calibre (.22) as that fitted to the pistol. So, If anybody out there has a .177 barrel they might want to sell or exchange for a .22 barrel please let me know.

Regards

Brian

[ccdjg]

Thanks Brian for an interesting and concise review of your latest acquisition. Although not yet exactly vintage, the Sporter is now rarely seen and as such is a very collectable UK-made air pistol. It is nice to have a review that includes details of performance.

[thisisdonald]

every time I see one of these I wince with the pain of having let one go years ago, along with a host of other goodies - far far too cheaply.... gutted. Mine wasnt very accurate, but it was a solid attractive pistol and I frequently picked it up, out of about a half dozen other pistols I had.

[Rob M]

I love these pistols! Proper classics, they're well made, work well, are safe and good fun to boot, plus they're an unusual but clever design.

A gunsmith or a competent lathe engineer should be able to modify a Webley Nemesis barrel to fit the Hy-Score, they're exactly the right length, and are pretty good barrels too. I wanted a .177 barrel for one of mine and had this done. Failing that you may still be able to buy Hy-Score spares from Robert Beeman in the states, the Sporter barrels are exactly the same as Sportster barrels apart from the knurling which can be easily removed by anyone with a lathe.

[fatttmannn]

Yes like these pistpls myself, have 3 of them. 2 US made and one of the latter UK. One of the US made is the multi -shot which is great fun, enjoy.

[Abasmajor]

Yes like these pistpls myself, have 3 of them. 2 US made and one of the latter UK. One of the US made is the multi -shot which is great fun, enjoy.

Hi,

Do the multi-shot pistols allow for much quicker shooting as having to rotate the end cap between cocking strokes would seem to take almost as much time as inserting individual pellets ?

Regards

Brian

[fatttmannn]

Hi,

Do the multi-shot pistols allow for much quicker shooting as having to rotate the end cap between cocking strokes would seem to take almost as much time as inserting individual pellets ?

Regards

Brian

never really thoght about it to be true, tell you what I have a few hours spare on Weds so will take them to the club and do some tests and get back to you I love a bit of reasearch me.

[Troubledshooter]

Brian,
If you prefer I start another thread, please let me know.


I have three of these 'Phoenix' Hy-score pistols that I wish to sell:

An original cased model with spare barrel and silencer as supplied when new, and in superb condition.

A boxed .22 pistol only in good condition.

A boxed chrome plated .177 pistol and silencer. This one has the beige grips and is in as new condition.

Can anyone please give me an idea as to value ?

Pictures now added:

http://mynetimages.com/44d963b588.jpg
http://mynetimages.com/3642107d9d.jpg
http://mynetimages.com/fe7e7a51d4.jpg
http://mynetimages.com/674bf421a0.jpg
http://mynetimages.com/4336db1a83.jpg
http://mynetimages.com/df53300a8d.jpg
http://mynetimages.com/3bdb0e1eed.jpg
http://mynetimages.com/f5f06b68b1.jpg
http://mynetimages.com/dff4db40d7.jpg
http://mynetimages.com/694b30fa48.jpg

[hyscore100]

Brian,
If you prefer I start another thread, please let me know.


I have three of these 'Phoenix' Hy-score pistols that I wish to sell:

An original cased model with spare barrel and silencer as supplied when new, and in superb condition.

A boxed .22 pistol only in good condition.

A boxed chrome plated .177 pistol and silencer. This one has the beige grips and is in as new condition.

Can anyone please give me an idea as to value ?

Not sure of values,do you have you pics of the chrome one?

[Abasmajor]

Brian,
If you prefer I start another thread, please let me know.


I have three of these 'Phoenix' Hy-score pistols that I wish to sell:

An original cased model with spare barrel and silencer as supplied when new, and in superb condition.

A boxed .22 pistol only in good condition.

A boxed chrome plated .177 pistol and silencer. This one has the beige grips and is in as new condition.

Can anyone please give me an idea as to value ?

Hi David,

No problem. As a rough guide, I paid £220 for the above first series set from a local dealer.

It would be nice to see some pictures of your Sporters which would no doubt also help with the valuations.

Regards

Brian

[Abasmajor]

I love these pistols! Proper classics, they're well made, work well, are safe and good fun to boot, plus they're an unusual but clever design.

A gunsmith or a competent lathe engineer should be able to modify a Webley Nemesis barrel to fit the Hy-Score, they're exactly the right length, and are pretty good barrels too. I wanted a .177 barrel for one of mine and had this done. Failing that you may still be able to buy Hy-Score spares from Robert Beeman in the states, the Sporter barrels are exactly the same as Sportster barrels apart from the knurling which can be easily removed by anyone with a lathe.

Hello Rob,

Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't really have access to the necessary machinery or the willpower to attempt to import a barrel from the states. Interesting possibility though and should a Nemesis barrel appear, I might reconsider.

Thanks again.

Brian

[thisisdonald]

ask and ye shall receive Brian - PM me your address and Ill post you a .177 nemesis barrel when I get the chance!

[Abasmajor]

ask and ye shall receive Brian - PM me your address and Ill post you a .177 nemesis barrel when I get the chance!

Hi Donald,

Unable to send PM as Your mailbox seems to be full.

Regards

Brian

[thisisdonald]

Cleared mate

[Troubledshooter]

Pictures now added on post #8.