Air Arms Shamal REVIEW

The rifle is not to large but the walnut stock adds a bit of weight

 

Well it's been two weeks since my last blog so it's about time I did the promised review on my .177 Air Arms Shamal. I've mentioned bits and pieces about it in previous blogs but it's time to do a more complete review.

Looking sexy with swivel mount sling and scope

   This was Air Arms' first attempt at a PCP air rifle (Daystate brought out the first) and is a rather sexy bit of kit, although it's quite large and heavy compared to most PCP's available today. Filling it to the max 207 bar, you don't really get a levelling off of the power curve till about 30/40 shots in - this still leaves me with about 35/40 fairly consistent shots, at which point the curve rises again briefly before dropping off again.  With no pressure gauge on the rifle itself, you have to rely on the pressure gauge on the pump. So I tend to fill it to about 180 bar and i'm ready for 40 constant shots, and thats where I have my scope zeroed in to 30 yards using Air Arms Diabolo's(8.4gr). I have an old Nikko Sterling 4-12-40 silver antler scope and the image was very misty, I was scratching my brains tring to work out what the problem was and believe it or not it was just a dirty lens and there's me thinking I was going to have to invest in a new scope (numpty).

Max fill and breach

Teat shots taken with slight gusts of wind

Bolt twists and pulls back, plenty of space under the scope

   The Shamal is a single shot rifle with a slightly tapered hole in the breech to place the pellet which means I have to point the rifle down slightly otherwise the pellet just slips back out again, but now i'm used to this it's not a problem. The bolt pulls back by a knob at the rear and there's no safety on the rifle, but I have always found that the best safety is my trigger finger - I don't place it on the trigger till a shot presents itself, and with a two stage trigger which is superbly built I have no trouble reaching the second stage with its nice crisp release of the sear. I believe it's the same 'olympic trigger' you find on the 100 series - having seen an exploded view of the 100, although most of the exterior is very similar, the internals are very different, such as having a regulator and different valve design, though the hammer and spring are the same with an allen key adjustment to adjust the spring tension slightly http://guns-nn.ru/manuals/manual_airarms_njr100_en.pdf .

Olympic trigger

Bolt locked

Bolt cocked

  

Now apart from the rare flier (which is down to me) this rifle is unbelievably accurate. At 30 yards it can put 10 shots on 2 pence piece and that's with me just supporting my forearm, so with a bipod it should be quite devastating to the local bunny and woody population. However what looks like a moderator is actually a long muzzle break but is still moderately quiet, this is attached to the fill port cap and comes off as one unit by unscrewing a cover for the 1/8 fill port as no adaptor is needed on this early model (00071). Once this is removed, you can remove the muzzle break by undoing a small screw, and a custom made moderator could replace it (though the inner barrel is wider than the 10mm you find on the 400 series), The loudest sound I hear is the spring and hammer release when fired.

Muzzel break

Muzzel break and fill port cover come off in one to reveal 1/8 fill port

  

The stock is made of walnut and is sculpted with a craftsman's eye. There is chequereing on the pistol grip and along the forearm, with a raised unique comb which fits perfectly to my cheek - just as well i'm right handed as i 'm not aware of Air Arms ever doing a left handed version! The buttplate adjusts up and down  making it ideal for me to shoot comfortably and handle for quick aquisition of target (i'm sure this is a Bisley aftermarket product).

Adjustable shoulder pad

Thumb rest on stock

 

Though the gun is heavier than most, it's quiet which makes it perfect when using in a hide even though it's 45 inches long, and thank god it has a sling for those stalking moments in the winter months. This rifle is not everyone's cup of tea but I love it, you know you've got a piece of kit in your hands that will last for generations to come, just like my Weihrauch HW35 Luxus.

Taking advantage of a still winters day shooting

 
This rifle is brimming with character and that is what I look for in a rifle. The good points far outweigh any little niggles I have come across  - in fact I find them quite endearing.

 Taking that 30 yard shot

   TTFN

   Wing Commander Sir Nigel Tetlington-Smythe O.B.E

  

  

THE LONG AWAITED ARTICLE OF DESIRE

Thanks to the lovely owners of Allsports of Gloucester I was able to get my new air rifle by paying in installments, bless them. My wife got it for me  as a joint Xmas and birthday present and as money is usually pretty tight it was a big sacrifice, you just got to love her, there's no two ways about it.

So here it is, my new (2nd hand) Airarms Shamal .177. I paid £300 for her and I know there's always someone who would have said, "stone me mate you could have had mine for 200". But no this was the 'one'. Like all 90's Airarms she is expertly engineered, the walnut stock is perfectly shaped, scope sight is acquired the moment you put your cheek to the monte carlo style raised butt, fitting like a glove. However I now have to save up for a foot pump.

Now down to business. Using AA Diabolo Fields I set up the back garden range at about 27 yards, and sitting on an old stool with my forearm resting on the fence support (this would be close enough for hide conditions) I squeezed off the 1st shot. 1/3 of an inch above aim point, let off a 2nd and couldn't see that one anywhere, so i tried a 3rd and I noticed the 1st hole enlarge a little to the left. Shots 4 thru to 10 could all be covered by 5p piece, I was truly blown away, I even managed to shoot a piece of string holding a can aloft. Now I realise the scope had been sighted for maybe another 10 yards and once i'd adapted, it was no problem. She will be a dream to shoot for HFT and hunting dinner will be morally satisfying with this gun. (bound to do some accuracy tests at some time in the the future)

She came with a green hesian quick detatchable sling and a Nikko Sterling Silver Crown 4x12x40 scope, the sling is professionally mounted and the scope, mounted on medium height quality mounts, is in wicked condition considering it was bought when the gun was new. Although the zoom ring was stuck at first, a little TLC had it working. I cannot seem to find a safety on the gun as yet, but that is of no major inconvenience to me. The shoulder butt can be adjusted up or down and is set 1 or 2 settings down, which is perfect for me (don't fix if it ain't broke). Compared to the PCP's on the market nowadays she is a little heavy (9lbs with scope) but she's a wonderfully engineered piece of art (to me) and thats what matters, thats why I love my Weihrauch hw 35 so much, they are so overdesigned and will last generations.

Maybe in time I might remove the cocking toggle and replace it with a cocking bolt, even replace some parts with brass. But truth be told she is best off as she is, with maybe a little non glare camo tape here and there, and wiped down with a little gun oil after each use, she is after all a tool to be used in responsible hands and I intend to use her to her full capabillities.