AA 410 and 410erb?

[Zzyzx]

In looking I see both models of 410 rifle. Maybe I am not looking close enough or don't know what I am looking at. What is the difference?

Am looking for a PCP with very fast follow up shot capability and have been checking out the FX Revolution. But complexity might mean more problems a few years down the road. So the FX Cyclone and the AA 410 are two I am also looking at. Which would have the quickest follow up for shots after the first and second?

I understand the quality of both are excellent and like the adjustable power of both. Any real reason to choose one over the other?

[TCups]

The AirArms S410 comes either as a bolt action (AA S410 Classic) or side lever (AA S410 ERB).  It was confusing to me too, when I purchased.  The carbine version has a shorter pressure tube and maybe a bit shorter barrel.  The sidelever model is available with either a roll over comb stock or thumbhole stock.  My S410 Sidelever is marked AA S410 FAC XTRA, FAC meaning fire arms certificate -- required in the UK -- and I believe the XTRA implies the larger pressure tube with adjustable power setting.

I have shot both the FX Cyclone and the AA S410 ERB (full size, adjustable power) in .22 cal.  I own the latter.  Gene has a FX Cyclone.  Both are great air rifles.  The Cyclone has a vertical bar on the RH cocking lever than can be flicked with  the right index, middle and ring finger.  Very fast and easy to cock.  The AA has a curved hook on the sidelever, and can be pulled with the index finger overhand or the little finger underhand.  Also very fast and easy to cock.  The Cyclone has a synthetic ambidextrous stock with a padded insert on the forearm.  Very comfortable to shoot left or right handed.  The AA S410 comes with a heavier walnut stock, but my thumbhole is also a dream to shoot.  Either will shoot 1-hole groups at 30 yards all day long and either will spit out heavy pellets (JSB Jumbo Extra Heavy or Beeman Kodiaks) with 25-30 FPE, enough to absolutely flip any small varmints.  The AA S410 has adjustable power output, and I believe but don't recall with certainty that the FX Cyclone also has a power adjustment.

Either rifle is a superb hunter.  Both are completely shrouded and very quiet.  It comes down to a matter of taste -- synthetic ambi stock or walnut rollover or thumbhole.  The AAS410 is heavier than the Cyclone.

Anecdotally, shooting lefty off a front rest, with the RH bolt action on my AA-S410, with a bit of practice, I could drop ten of ten 2-inch round targets on an arcade-style moving target setup at 40 yards.  Pretty impressive.  I am sure the Cyclone would do as well. Both are smooth as butter.

[HNT5]

The 400/410 usually are/were 12 ft/lb models. "E"stands for export, those higher powered models which if purchased in England and other countries would require a FAC or some other form of  license. Several years ago Pomona Airguns started installing power adjuster screws on the 400/410E, which allowed the user to adjust the power by means of a setscrew. You could buy the rifle w/ the adjuster or send yours in for a refit. Air Arms later released the bolt action "ERB" which has a factory power adjusting wheel. The "RB" of "ERB" stands for Rada and Boris, 2 guys who helped design the rifle. Then AA realeased the sidelever cocking ERB. I have a bolt action version of the ERB. The cyclone uses a 3 position power adjuster, "hi", "medium and "low". The ERB adjuster wheel is more like a volume dial, that can be turned up and down (there are no detents or stops). Like Tommy said, both the sidelevers (FX and AA) should shoot very quickly and with some practice you should be able to empty a magazine quickly. My bolt action rifle is most likely slower than the sidelevers. FX rifles are available with synthetic, beech or walnut, AA are only wood. Both are excellent quality, rock solid proven designs and extremely accurate.  Both use LW barrels, both have shrouds. FX rifles seem to be a little bit more pricey. Both have excellent resale value if you ever decide to sell/trade them.
Either way you can't go wrong. It mainly comes down to personnal preference.

HTH

Regards
Nathan

[daved]

Most of it's been said, but I'm going to add some more.  Based on my experience with one of the older, non adjustable power bolt action 400's, the Cyclone will give more shots on less air, and is a little bit more consistent.  The price for that is slightly lower power, my .177 Cyclone did 21 fpe with CPH's, and the S400 did 23.  The magazines on the Cyclone are pretty foolproof, and quite a bit cheaper than the 410.  I've heard that some have had problems with the 410 mags.  If you happen to be a south paw, the Cyclone's "bolt" can be pretty easily reversed, making it much more friendly.  And finally, for a hunter, I'd strongly recommend the Cyclone synthetic stock.  It's light, tough, and very comfortable.  Add a nice compact scope like the Burris Timberline and you've got one hell of a hunter.

One more thing, getting back to your original statement of wanting very fast follow up shots.  Have you looked at the Evanix Renegade?  If not, go check out my review on it in the Product Reviews.  Other than noise level, I'd put it on par with the AA for quality, and it's a much faster shooting rifle than either the 410 or Cyclone.  It's also a little more powerful, my carbine is doing just under 40 fpe, but because of that, the shot count is much lower.  My Cyclone was good for 60 shots on a fill, although I usually kept it to 40, the Renegade is only good for 20-30.  And for the icing on the cake, it costs half (or less) what the other two sell for.  If you haven't totally made up your mind, you might want to give it a look.  Later.

Dave

[Zzyzx]

I have looked at the Renegade but am on the fence with it. I have a Blizzard I really like. A damn nice rifle that shoots well and handles well.

I have looked at the FX Revolution but one thing holds me back on it. Problems down the road. With complexity comes complication. The Cyclone and 410 look to be a lot less complicated.

Sorry to pester with so many questions but I am working through answers and gradually going through all the old posts, page by page, on here and a few other sites before making a decision. The purchase of the Blizzard was a good one. Got it from Nikki, who ID's as SwampHunter on these boards. He was honest in his assessment of its condition, shipped it well packed and did so quickly. The rifle is everything he said it was and I really enjoy it. Now... to get a shooter with fast follow up in .177 cal to complement it. Adjustable power is a real plus along with quality. Both a big reason I am looking at Cyclones and 410's. Both have a rock steady reputation and for now I am leaning toward the Cyclone with the composite stock. It will be spending time in the pickup and on a few tractors and farm machines. I know beautiful wood stocks last well but from experience I also know they get dinged and scraped in my use. So, the composite stock looks good to me.

Thanks for the replys, all the information helps.