Benjamin Katana Arrived Today

[Gene_SC]

The wait is finally over....:)

Where do I start? First of all it was packed in three boxes. Great job by Pyramid. First thing I did was clean the barrel and man was it dirty. Took over twenty patches and some GooGone to be able to pull a clean patch through. Then I inspected the crown and it looks great. I then proceed to mount a new Simmons White Tail Classic on her. 6.5-20X50 AO Mil Dot. Took her outside and set up to shoot. First fill was 2100 psi. I had set up some targets the day before for shooting and was using them. I started off with JSB .22 Exacts. Was getting a wild and wooly pattern around a 4" spread. Then I tried some RWS Super Points and the groups got a bit tighter but still not consistent. Then I tried some Beeman Silhouettes' and those were worse..:( I do not shoot .22 air guns much except my Cyclone and do not have a large selection of pellets. So I went out to the shop and found some Beeman Kodiak Extra Heavy. Those gave me a nice 1.5" patter but I am still not satisfied. This gun is supposed to have a choked barrel and normally a PCP shoot great with most any pellets. This is my first experience with a new PCP that is picky and shoots erratic. The Beeman Kodiak's held a decent group at 30 yards but I know I should be seeing some clover leaf patterns.

As far as the finish goes the Kantana has the same wood that is used on the Marauder with the exception of no checkering. I like the way the stock shoulders and my hands fit great. The trigger is exactly the same as the Maurader with the exception of the funky trigger guard..:( That has to go..:) I weighed her and she comes out just under 8 lbs with the Simmons scope mounted.

The metal work is exactly the same as the Disco and Marauder. Not allot of expense in the finish. But I feel that is ok because at the price of the Disco and the Kantan you get one heck of allot of gun for the buck..:)

Now for the chrony numbers. I did not do a string but did run the Beeman Kodiak Extra Heavies and the five shots averaged about770 fps. I ran some JSB's across and the numbers jumped up to the mid 800 fps range.

Remember that I have not done any adjustments at all to this gun yet. It was tested being completely stock. I feel that the numbers I am getting are right in line with the advertised fps. I am sure if I ran some Crosman CP's across the chrony she would of hit real close to 900 fps. Not bad for a .22 that cost less than $400.00..:) I used the 10% discount coupon and my total with shipping was under $380.00.

I wished the Kantana had shot clover leafs out of the box but I guess you cannot always get a winner out of the gate..:)

Here are some pictures that I took. I will try and put some up with the Marauder and Kantana together so you can geta better idea of the size and shape difference of stocks.

[Crzyfrlss1]

Nice pics.

I think you need try out some Crosman premier and benjamin HP's as well as some of crosmans cheaper offerings.

One of those choices oughta work at least.

[HILMAN76]

Shes definitely a looker, except the trigger guard.
keep us posted on any mods or tweaks ya' do
Thanks for sharing Gene

[dk1677]

Yes thanks for the pix and review! Looks nice!

[Gene_SC]

Well I forgot to mention that I tried the CP's and they were as bad as the Beeman Silhouettes. I was kinda put off by that because most of my high end springers love the CP's...:) In .177 though. Even my FX Cyclone .22 enjoys the CP's and I get very good groups with them as well.

I will keep trying different pellets until I find the ones that give me clover leaf or one holer's..:)

[shearload]

Gene, I'm pretty sure I have a barrel issue with my new .22 Marauder.  I hear rumors on other forums that Crosman is currently having issues with choked barrels.  I know removing the bolt on the Katana is more trouble than it is on the Marauder, but, if it doesn't get better, try pushing a pellet through the bore and see if you get the same result I did.

My other PCPs haven't been real particular about pellets; this one is a first for me.  I've never had one throw four-to-six inch groups with any pellets.

Dale

[Gene_SC]

My Marauder shoots very straight with most any of the pellets I mentioned. What is the issue with the barrels?

[longislandhunter]

Sounds like something isn't right.........

Keep us posted on the upcoming tests buddy.......

I was thinking about ordering one but now I'm thinking perhaps I should just order that TX instead  :)

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

Hmmm Jeff, you are looking for a TX-200?...:)

[shadow]

She is a LOOKER! bro and from what I see on the stock it has some nice grain to it.:) I love the lines but agree on the trigger guard, they give the stock some nice lines the put a boxy trigger guard on it, doesn't flow.:( Have you tried the FTS's bro I've had great success with them in most of my shooters and plan on trying em out on some "live" target's. I'm sure you have some plan's for her, CONGRAT'S! on the new shooter and know you'll work out the accuracy issues.:) Ed

[chuckster750800]

That's a good looking shooter Gene. Keep us posted.

Chuck,

[longislandhunter]

Yeah Gene,,,,, for the past 2 weeks I've been eyeing a   tx ,,,, I'm "this" close to hitting the order button on a walnut stocked .177

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

Take a look at this Jeff. Maybe it will push you over the edge..:)

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22850&posts=1#M181529

[longislandhunter]

Gene,,,,, if I was any closer to "the edge"  I'd already be falling     :)

Jeff

[jake]

Thanks for the pics and review! is it as loud as the disco?