why is the rapid 7 still so popular

[rapidresponse1]

what do you think makes this gun still very popular with all the modern guns that are out there today

[Shed tuner]

Positives
=================
very reliable
when a seal or (rarely) a part goes, very easy to repair yourself
good shot count
good accuracy
robust (if it gets bashed in the field)
options to enhance (regs, longer barrels, shrouds, QF adapters) to compete with more modern guns
good support knowledge
nice weight / balance
good FAC options
easy to change calibres/barrels

Downsides
=====================
So-so trigger (but with minimal fettling, they are fine)
some recoil
slightly lumpy bolt action


In summary, the positives massively outweigh the negatives.

[MrGreengrass]

Number 1 field gun.
However i sold all mine as my shooting needs changed.
I use different guns these days.
Would i buy another..no.
Had many a fine year with them and thousands of rabbits.
If i ever needed that amount of shots availiable again, i think i would go for a new Vulcan or Uragan.m just because they are newer and have the .177 CZ barrels.
But i doubt that will happen as i dont plan on returning to shoot on large N Yorks estates.

[angrybear]

Simple understandable operation, they can be stripped in 20 minutes with a couple of spanners & a set of hex keys,
Lay the parts out & it's obvious how they fit to make it all work, & how basic it actually is.

The fine tuning & fettling is another matter altogether , but the base level spring - pushes hammer - hits valve, could hardly be more basic,
I've just built one up from parts, not many guns out there that you can do that

Finally is the something that cannot be quantified,
they just feel "right"

Oh & helps that they're blindingly accurate

[Barryg]

Simple understandable operation, they can be stripped in 20 minutes with a couple of spanners & a set of hex keys,
Lay the parts out & it's obvious how they fit to make it all work, & how basic it actually is.

The fine tuning & fettling is another matter altogether , but the base level spring - pushes hammer - hits valve, could hardly be more basic,
I've just built one up from parts, not many guns out there that you can do that

Finally is the something that cannot be quantified,
they just feel "right"

Oh & helps that they're blindingly accurate

Yes you are right, shame about the looks they might be the second worst looking airgun in the world

[angrybear]

Yes you are right, shame about the looks they might be the second worst looking airgun in the world

I'm not going to argue about the mk1 but the MFR is gorgeous.

[rapidresponse1]

thanks shed tuner you know your stuff

[rapidresponse1]

god i remember the black fox guns i had a go of my mates years ago he loved it it was horrible

[harvey_s]

Made popular by John Darling...
Went out of production...

Those two alone guaranteed to give it classic status.
Even the Optima Moonlighter scope he used on his fetches good money.

[dbarnard2]

always fancied owning an MFR.....never actually got round to it.....

[Steyr]

Because despite Bens claims, its lego simple and didnt really change format for decades.

Its easy to fettle and simple to service.

Its a bit of a contradiction as simple is attractive if you fiddle but it doesnt necessarily perform as well as modern derivatives...... or does it ????

If you like paper clips and know how the mechanics work then a Rapid will probably be on your list.

They unfortunately fell out of the ugly tree and even more unfortunate, they hit every branch on the way down.

Its base technology and that is both its attraction and its achilles heel.

It was also one of the better high capacity rifles in its day.

I would class it as a classic gun.

Its biggest detriment was that it also took decades for Theoben to actually fit a decent trigger as most are basically a bit rubbish.

I had one. I loked it (except the truly shite trigger) but I wouldnt buy another one. Much more competent and efficient rifles to choose from nowadays

[Murphy]

always fancied owning an MFR.....never actually got round to it.....

Funny story.

Went into target sports with cash for a MK2 Rapid.

Got served by a complete dick.

Walked out drove to BAR.

They didn’t have a MK2 but Lloyd said we have some MFR’s.

I think they had only been out about 6 months.

Still own it now and still hunt regularly with it.

[HW777]

Because despite Bens claims, its lego simple and didnt really change format for decades.

Its easy to fettle and simple to service.

Its a bit of a contradiction as simple is attractive if you fiddle but it doesnt necessarily perform as well as modern derivatives...... or does it ????

If you like paper clips and know how the mechanics work then a Rapid will probably be on your list.

I wouldn't buy another one. Much more competent and efficient rifles to choose from nowadays

Would you care to share what you think is the better buy now days

I plan to buy a multi shot pcp, as after going prone with a springer, it was no fun at all reloading from that position.

[angrybear]

Its biggest detriment was that it also took decades for Theoben to actually fit a decent trigger as most are basically a bit rubbish.

I had one. I loked it (except the truly shite trigger) but I wouldnt buy another one. Much more competent and efficient rifles to choose from nowadays

My oldest has got the "sporter trigger" & I much prefer it to the mk4 fitted to the later models,
I just can't get enough weight on the 2nd stage of the mk4 to feel it through my glove.

[TonyL]

In terms of robustness of build, simplicity, ease of servicing / repairs, parts availability etc., which of the PCPs available new today would the PCP aficionado say is the spiritual successor to the Rapid? From someone with very little first hand knowledge, and as a (sort of) outsider, I was kind of guessing the Ultra? Or maybe something along the lines of the Crosman Marauder?