Making Sense of China Imports -- TF89 / BAM B26-2

[thebookdoc]

I know there are a bunch of companies importing rifles from China, and that the same rifle will go by different names -- or might even look the same and have somewhat different features. Ever since I found Shanghai Gun Factory was producing an AR2000FC, I wanted one, and assumed I'd be able to get it from Tech Force. The big draw seemed to me that it was some type of update  to the TF89 with a thumbhole stock that shot even harder...Or a more powerful BAM XS B26-2. I also see that the Beeman Bear Claw looks to be about the same rifle, but is not available in .22 -- which I definitely want.

SO...the dilemma continues. I was just about to get a TF89 (RS2, AR1000, S1000?, BAM B28?!) and totally customize it when I took one more search and found the XISICO BAM B 26-2 (AR2000?) in .22 (http://www.xisicousa.com/xs-b26-2.html) for $159...I can get the TF89 in .22 for $149. Because I'll be customizing either rifle at this point, I need to know the following:

* Is the power plant for the TF89 the same as the powerplant in the BAM B26-2?
* Does anyone have experience with both these rifles? If so is one preferred?
* The B26-2 seems to have a different safety and drilled scope stops. The latter seems an advantage. Is the former?
* Difference and/or preference for the barrels?
* Difference or preference for the triggers?

The Beeman is about $50 more than either of these and is apparently only offered in .177, and I think they are the older models -- so they are out. I've read good things about a tuned B26-2 (apparently Mike Melleck does a lot of these) and didn't realize that SOME of these were the newer ones with the increased capacity chamber. I know there are a few people here with the expertise to set me straight! I have and love my Gene-tuned TF89 in .177, but wonder if there is any advantage to the B26-2.

Opinions?

[D R Greysun]

O'boy, I may get spanked over this. Hi Doc, The XS28 IIRC is a supposed copy of an FWB/Beeman R9 with the TH stock! In any case the 'XS' 'XISICO' (see http://www.xisico.us/index.cfm) rifles are made at a different factory than the SAG (Shanghai Air Gun Factory) rifles. XSB18,B19,Quest 1000, XS1000, XSB21 or maybe it was B20, B26 &  XS B28 etc. are made at: I seem to have lost the link but this may help,
https://bluebookinc.com/info/PDF/Airgun/TradeMarkIndex.pdf
you will find the address for the 'Factory BAM' (XS) and 'Industry Brand' (SAG). Confusing to say the least and I believe intentionally done. Crosman bought an exclusive for the XS-B19/Quest 1000 etc. and it would appear Compasseco has an exclusive for the AR1000Mag/TF89 etc. Marksman/Beeman is mixed up in there with there SS1000, RS1, 2, 3 etc. rifles as well. For a while even RWS was peddling re-badged Chinese rifles.
The fact is the Chinese market share was gobbling up the domestic & European markets. It became sink or jump into the boat and they did. China lost nothing and Marksman/Beeman, Crosman,  FWB, RWS/Diana are still around. My guess is Gamo, Norica & Cometa took the biggest hits.

D R

[Gene_SC]

I know for sure that the B-28 is a close copy of the RWS-350. Not sure about the XS series Chinese springer's though. The B-21 and B-26 is a clone of the R-9 for sure. The TF-89, AR-1000, Hammrii Titan and a few of the Beeman models are all the same power plants and triggers. It seems to me these models are in the same league with FPS, and FPE as the RWS-350 and B-28 springers. Completely different designs of course.

And D R is correct when he says Gamo, Norica and Cometa are taking the loss. Crosman springers for instance are mere clones of the Gamo etc. These are made in China. One thing for sure is the springers I have seen that have come out of Turkey are junk compared to the Chinese clones.

[Evo|ve_S|66]

Hey Gene, isn't the XS-B21 a clone of the RWS/Diana Model 48?

-Jarred

[onemountain]

Yep, both the B21 and B30 are Diana 48 clones

[Evo|ve_S|66]

Alrighty, thanks for the clarification =]

And yeah, the B-21 is based off of the RWS/Diana 48 whereas the B-30/B-30-1 is based off of the RWS/Diana 52. Same thing, different stuff....blah blah blah. Cheaper = better in my book

-Jarred