After a LOT of lusting and waiting, I finally got my hands on a TDR and promptly fitted it with a Hawke Eclipse 4-16x50 AO IR Mil-dot (which is excellent for the price, especially with the two colour adjustable brightness illuminated reticule).

This was my first experience of the new mail order law where it is delivered to a local RFD. Although it wasn't the fault of the company I purchased the rifle from, it wasn't an entirely brilliant experience, as my local RFD turned out to be a joke. I was welcomed with rudeness immediately, and had found that my rifle had been removed from the outer box, had been handled and the accessories were out of their package. I was asked to check everything was there, while the owner scattered my accessories onto the counter, stuffed them back into the package, and shoved them right against the stock. My friend also asked how much a rifle slip was as he had just bought one himself, to which he had the reply 'Well this one will cost more than yours' and that was that!

Anyway, once home I flicked through the manual, which all seemed to be perfectly clear aside from a couple of points. The recommended grease for the loading bolt doesn't seem to exist (maybe a trade only type), but an alternative was easily found. The exploded drawings illustrating spare parts could be much clearer, as the part codes are small and fuzzy, but diagrams can be found online.

I took it out for the first time this morning and zeroed my scope (which was incredibly easy as it turned out). Loading the mag is a breeze, as the pellets drop right in without any fuss, and the red marker letting you know when you have chambered your last pellet is a nice touch.

Being new, I had heard that the bolt will take some breaking in. I found most of the time it was fairly slick, but shooting in quick succession I sometimes found it a bit stiff to pull right back and I had to sit up and give it a good pull. I've been told that 500 shots should sort it out.

The moderator works well enough, much quieter than most I've heard, but I was next to someone with a moderated HW100 that sounded whisper quiet whereas the TDR produced a muffled crack. It is certainly quiet enough that you could shoot indoors without disturbing the neighbours (given the space obviously!). The only issue I had with it was probably down to me being over cautious. I read in the manual that you shouldn't turn the thumbscrew too tight or else the end of the barrel may become burred. I spotted one pellet after a few mags tumble well shy off my aim point, which made me check the moderator. Although it didn't seem like the pellet clipped it, it had slipped off about 10mm.

After filling to 190 bar, it was apparent to everyone on the range that my first mag of pellets were hitting targets very hard, and every mag after seemed to level out with less power. I have only had it on the chrono for the first mag and it is running at an average of 11.35 ft/lbs. While I'm sure power levels are still fine across all shots, it is noticeable, but I still hit every target where I wanted to on successive mags with more than enough power to slam a steel target over at 30 yds.
Someone may be able to advise about fitting a regulator (although this is an anti-tamper model).
I think I was probably getting around 60 shots from a full charge before refilling (I'll make a note to check for certain next week). Although the manual states a refill pressure of 110 bar, I only noticed a shift in trajectory at around 80 bar. It would be nice to have more shots per fill, but would obviously mean a bigger cylinder, and wouldn't be an issue while hunting anyway, just target shooting where I'm flying through pellets.

Assembly is extremely easy and fast, simply pushing the stock into the action while turning a large thumbwheel and slipping the moderator on which is secured by a small knurled screw.

The 2 stage trigger worked perfectly straight from the box, but is adjustable for weight and length of pull.

Woodwork looks very high quality and feels comfortable to hold, especially with the stippling on the grip. I have found a slight flaw near the trigger guard on one side where it feels rough, but you can't tell by looking at it. Bluing on the other hand is completely flawless.

The case is very nice and holds everything in place with fabricated sections for the rifle itself, stock, moderator, quick fill adaptor, hex keys and a pocket at the bottom for a Napier VP90 anti corrosion sachet. While there is a space included for the scope so that it doesn't have to be removed, it is limited in size. My 4-16x50 seems to fit perfectly, but I don't think anything much bigger would fit (certainly very high mag target scopes).

Apart from the limited scope size (not an issue for me personally), there are two things that I don't like about this case at all, with a possible third for practical reasons. The first is that although it comes with shoulder straps to carry it like a backpack, they lack enough adjustment for me to carry it comfortably and I'm by no means extremely broad shouldered or stocky. Second is that the barrel has poked a hole through the inside of the case and punched a flap through to the outside. I find this very irritating on an otherwise lovely case, as while most of it is waterproof, rain will now be creeping right down my barrel! I plan on either filling the hole with hot glue, or finding some kind of patch that will seal it up. I find it incredible that this has been an oversight when a simple piece of plastic inside the lining would have stopped this happening. I may even speak to Air Arms about it.
Although I don't mind it, I do see the irony in having a takedown rifle fitting into a discreet non gun shaped case, but having an air arms badge stuck to the front of it! As it is stitched on, there's no chance of neatly removing it.

On a side note, I see that new rifles are coming with a security cable type lock. I find it ludicrous that the only way of properly using this is screwing two eyelets into a wall, leaning your rifle against it and passing the cable through. First of all, it's keeping it on display instead of being safely packed away, and secondly it's terrible quality. I would have thought that a trigger lock would have been a better choice.
On another note while I'm at it, I'm quite disappointed with the quality of the tin of Air Arms pellets I have. It's an old tin but never been knocked around. There is quite a pronounced pair of lines on every skirt from the die, and I was pulling out more than a few completely mis-shapen ones. I compared them to a very cheap brand which seemed better quality than the AA's. My friend was using Daystate Li's which in comparison had perfectly smooth skirts and looked far cleaner.

Overall, I am as happy as I expected to be with this rifle. A time proven action in a take down format definitely works for me. If it wasn't for the niggles with the case (mainly the hole) and the lack of regulation I would deem it perfect for me.