The first new rifle is the XS46U, it looks much like the TF-99/97 but has a longer cylinder and should put out more power, factory specs are 1000 in .177 and 800 in .22 (no idea what pellet they used) look for 900 and 750 with real pellets. The rifle has a bear trap safety that can only be released by a button on the upper rear of the reciever much like the safeties on some rim fires. You can't close the cocking lever until it's released and it won't release unless the rifle is fully cocked. The trigger safety is just ahead of the trigger inside the guard. The rifles look hefty and balance well, should have one for testing in a week or so...
The second new rifle is the XS60C, it's based on the QB-78 but with a much better design. No more upper reciever and lower tube, the reciever and valve, fireing mechanism is housed in a solid piece of metal, the barrel is tight and doesn't move even when you get real frisky and pull on it hard from side to side. The valve has the side slots cut to allow more gas flow into the valve and the probe is the single wire type. There is an adjuster screw for the hammer spring that should make minor velocity adjustments possible. And now drum roll please....it comes with a gas cap that includes bulk filling or cylinder use...I will have one of the prototypes here in a week or so to test...the trigger is a clone of the 78's with a safety on the side of the reciever...everything in and on the rifle looks to be a step up from the 78.
Next is the XS25, it will now come with dual barrels and a laminated bamboo stock (XS25sfb) or the regular wood (XS25sf) these are the sniper type with the big cutout in the shoulder area. The dual barrels are easy to swap, one set screw to loosen. I hope both the barrels are good as that seems to be the big problem with the other dual barrel set ups. I figure the owner will have to do some adjusting of the barrels to get both of them to print in close to the same place but thats easy...
The new XSP180 pistol is a springer modeled much like the Diana and Browning pistols, shoots around 500 in .177 and 400 in .22 according to the factory specs...once again take these with a grain or two of salt...it has a picatinny rail under the barrel for you guys who like to hang stuff on the pistols...has an easy to use safety and seems to be well made, I will know more once I can dig into one and see whats inside..
The pellet factory is working on improvements to the Peak pellets, we may see a better product in the near future..
I tried to get to all the air guns booths at the show but wasn't able to hit them all, I did notice that the only rifles shown at the Beeman booth were the ones from the Shanghia factory...looks like AOA might be the go to folks for the HW stuff. As the people at the Beeman booth were more interested in drinking coffe and shooting the bull among themselves rather than talking to me I really don't know what is happening there so...with a gain again..
Those of you who like the Eley Wasp pellets will be glad to know that they are still going to be making them when they have time, the .22 rim fire stuff is keeping them busy.
I know there is more to tell you but the orders piled up while I was gone and they really need to be attended to, I'll check back later and answer questions if I can...
