Most sorely missed airgun manufacturer?

[eyebull]

There's been a few airgun makers fallen by the wayside in the last few decades - who do you miss the most, and why?
What would have saved them from the liquidators?

I always thought Falcon knocked out some cute little rifles and almost bought one for my first PCP, but Brocock seems to be filling their niche now (is there a connection between the two?).
Never really experienced a Theoben but the owners who are happy with their guns seem to be very happy. Less said about the others the better.
I suppose Webley could also conceivably be on the list, as it is just a badge now.

[Taz72]

Both BSA and Webley. It's a pity that neither have any genuine springers of their own any more.

That said, the market was there for them, same as it was for everyone else. And BSA can at least still hold their own with a reasonable pcp if they put their mind to it.

They both still exist as far as their names go so who knows? Perhaps there's still hope that at some point they might throw out a gem, even if it's only a badge engineered one..

I bought a Falcon Prairie. It's a pretty gun, but once acquired by NSP who own Air Arms, it was a bit like going out with the looker in the class, only to find that its her plainer sister s410 who was the real catch, who could cook, you could have fun with and who goes like a train....

[angrybear]

Got to be Theoben UK.

[Steve Valentine]

Got to be Theoben UK.

For me as well. The Rapid and the Evolution are both unbeatable rifles in my eyes. The Rapid is the Ak47 of the airgun world. Pig ugly and agricultural but built to last.

[Steyr]

For me as well. The Rapid and the Evolution are both unbeatable rifles in my eyes. The Rapid is the Ak47 of the airgun world. Pig ugly and agricultural but built to last.

Yet their customer service sucked and they went belly up when the owners retired. Several reincarnations sprouted and withered even though it was still the same concept. I had a .17u in a Paul Wilson FT stock and I loved it except for the truly shite triggers Theoben used for decades.
Simple and agricultural but a solid rifle. I think they are robust and easliy fiddled and FAC they are good but so many other manufacturers have superceeded them. They claimed initiative but as far as I could see... the recipe is pretty much the same as it ever was.
A fine 4ifle that lacks any finess and died as evolution sped past.
But the triggers were really crap....

[siox07]

I miss Sharp Japanese air rifles (the Innova and Ace). Had a fair few over the years although I have sold them all regrettably 😞. I know a copy was brought out from Webley I think but I preferred the genuine Sharp Japanese models.

[jumbuck]

Got to be Theoben UK.

Yes me too.

[Blackmax]

Got to be Theoben UK.

Totally agree!

[airgunwerks]

Richard Spencer’s Genesis

[robs5230]

Impact Airguns

I reckon a springer may have saved them

[logic man]

Richard Spencer’s Genesis

Exactly what I was thinking, shame it never took off.

[les allam]

For me it would have to be Webley&Scott,the Tomahawk and Longbow rifles they produced are great looking and performing rifles.With the added input of the Venom custom shop team ,who know's what they could have produced.
It would be great if Bsa would build us some thing of quality to match Hw or AA.
Les..

[Geezer]

For me it would have to be Webley&Scott,the Tomahawk and Longbow rifles they produced are great looking and performing rifles.With the added input of the Venom custom shop team ,who know's what they could have produced.
It would be great if Bsa would build us some thing of quality to match Hw or AA.
Les..

Same here. And by all accounts their PCPs (Axsor, FX, Raider) weren’t bad either.

Springer-wise, I also wish that BSF had survived and been able properly to update its basically 1950s rifle line through the 1980s, rather than being limited to putting the S70 action in a stupid stock (S80).

[TonyL]

For me it would have to be Webley&Scott,the Tomahawk and Longbow rifles they produced are great looking and performing rifles.With the added input of the Venom custom shop team ,who know's what they could have produced.
It would be great if Bsa would build us some thing of quality to match Hw or AA.
Les..

Same here. And by all accounts their PCPs (Axsor, FX, Raider) weren’t bad either.

Springer-wise, I also wish that BSF had survived and been able properly to update its basically 1950s rifle line through the 1980s, rather than being limited to putting the S70 action in a stupid stock (S80).

For me, too.

Webley was / is part of our heritage and it's such a shame that, although the name survives, Webley no longer produce. Some classic Webleys from the past and, with the Venom influence, things were looking rosy.

BSA. Although foreign owned now and making guns in Brum, it would be lovely to see a new springer or even some modernised Mercury and Airsporter rotary breech rifles.

And just think what may have been achieved at BSF with more modern thinking and technology.

[Saxmaniac]

Like many of you, I miss Falcon and Theoben / Impact Arms.

(Impact Arms = Theoben minus the legendary customer service )