AirArms s400

[Arthur John Smithsplease]

I have just gone back to pcps after a 10 year break.

In the past I have had a Daystate Mk3 Thumbhole, EX2, Air Arms Protarget Mk3, three S400s, and a BSA Hornet and a couple of Feinwerkbau 700 Alu 10m jobbies .

Keeping all my old 6fpe German springers but getting rid of all but one of my 12ft lb ones, it was a no brainer which pcp to get.

Another S400 Classic in 177.

They are still as good as ever. Uncomplicated, reliable, well balanced and nice looking. No magazines to worry about or go wrong and no regulator to create problems. Even with a power curve I can get 70-80 good shots from a fill of 180bar. I could probably get a few more but always refill when the dial gets close to 100 bar.

I agree about the skinny barrel, but I only shoot at a range and can put up with it.

Compared to the range hire guns - very nice Daystate Regals - I find the s400 a better fit, and prefer the wider loading area, trigger and the extra weight.

As a bonus, mine, purchased from BAR, came with the most beautiful walnut stock I have ever had on an AA. All the walnut stocks on my previous AA pcps and springers were bland by comparison. Just luck of the draw really. Lloyd opened the box, and I immediately knew I had to have it.

[g6hoq]

I have a few rifles yet my favourite is my S400 MPR FT, it did have a silly short lop which I have extended now by at least 40mm using a couple of pieces of similar wood, sanded and stained to match the original. The trigger is nothing short of superb, and the black straw tube has been replaced with a much fatter one on the MPR, still only 14mm though (actually my FTP900 has the same 14mm barrel). Clean crisp cocking but I might yet have an A&M cocking lever mod as there is no way I can see me parting with this gun.
I do fumble with loading pellets though, they always seem to go backwards, then its another fumble to rotate them, if only the tray was lower and we could just push them into the barrel.
Out of the FTP900, S510 Ultimate Sporter, & S400 MPR FT, my favourite? S400 MPR FT!

Steve

[Arthur John Smithsplease]

I agree.

I wish they still made the MPR.

All they needed to do was improve the stock a little, rather than bring in the HFT 500.

[twiddler]

i have just bought an old s400 classic and it is faultless.i was always sceptical about air strippers but gave the rowan one a go and after a lot of adjusting it has tightened up the groups to an almost unbelievable level.
mine works best filled to 160 and shot down to 110,i get about 50 shots out of it.i can hit 15mm spinners at 50 yards with ease.