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I have been designing and building air rifles of a slightly different nature since 1993, having built my first one long before that. A few have been reviewed; one in Airgun World 93 by Terry Doe, and the other in Airgunner 95 by Nigel Allen. As you will see all the models I make do not have the long European stocks so loved by UK manufacturers, but have a more American flavour to them, with their short butt stocks. All the models shown are hand-built, nothing is made out of house. Triggers, valves, all made to my tried and tested designs, Nylon seats, and coned brass heads to fit perfectly. Time consuming and frustrating at times, but once set they need no maintenance, unlike 0 rings which require to be changed periodically with special tools etc. Old fashioned perhaps, but still very efficient and simple. I buy in barrels as rifled blanks, machine them, and hot blue them myself. Stocks I buy in as rough hardwood blanks, re-work the wood to form the shape I want, sand, stain and varnish etc. The only component I can honestly say I do not alter, is the rubber recoil pad, but even that has a minor alteration carried out to it. I have moved away from compressed air, much preferring the new Co2 propellant, I personally think it has a lot going for it, as the Americans well know. It’s consistent, easily carried, as powerful as compressed air given the right valve, and the valving and firing mechanisms do not have to be made so strong. It is a popular belief that Co2 is not as powerful as compressed air. I have not found this in experimentation. As stated, it all depends on the valve, and the number of shots. When compressed, CO2 turns into a liquid, when water boils it turns into steam, expanding vastly. It’s the same for Co2, size for size it leaves compressed air standing in the wings. Just imagine the equivalent powerlet 12g bulb filled with compressed air - not many shots I expect, even if it could hold the pressure. All the models I make now use two 12g powerlet bulbs. The valve is fitted into an expansion chamber so the Co2, when released, enters behind the pellet as a gas, not as a liquid. You might have noticed if you fire a Co2 repeater rapidly it ices up. It has not had time to turn into a gas and expand. Every rifle I make will give 60 consistent full power shots on the UK legal limit even in Winter. All the valve cylinders are housed in a thermal sleeve. If anyone wishes I can take commissions for your own rifle design. If it can be made I will try and make it. All BAR rifles can be had with interchangeable barrels of both calibres, but only when ordered with the rifle, they cannot be had later, unless the original barrel is returned to be used as a template. The folding stock rifle has a fixed barrel. Models marked with a D are no longer made. As stated Co2 cannot be advocated enough. No large scuba tanks to buy and haul around, no compressed air bottles to overfill your pockets, and the danger is a lot less then high pressure air, consistency is better then compressed air. I believe many UK manufacturers will go down the Co2 road eventually. By phoning or Emailing you can get up to date prices etc., waiting time 4 weeks No FAC models, though this could change in the future.
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