Not exactly new is it.
That being said though i guess most have never seen the innards of these things and as evolution of our dear pcp´s push on.. Well let´s just say the 5A is limited in todays market.





This then a 22 flavor. The Steyr is no doubt a top tier gun and spoiler alert.. it shows. From a pure design point of view there´s in my mind absolutely nothing to come down on. In true German fashion (although Austrian but from this respect, same same really) it´s designed and made 100% sans any flaws. It really is that simple.



No. Barrel is not threaded and i believe Steyr offered a similar collar setup to be able to install a moderator. Ie; a 1/2"-20 UNF thread out front. No matter, i made my own from steel and brass thinking it might be a nice blend for the rifle. Thing is set with an o-ring within and is in turn held in by 3pcs of M4 allen stop screw, thereby being able to be adjusted for linearity vs the barrel (zero runout on the moderator).



In contrast to most pcp´s the amount of machining going into this piece isn´t to shake a stick at. In essence the machining needed has been been regarded as such that a minimum of parts to a degree and in turn on three given "lines" on the main receiver.
In pic the valve assy, as you can see out of stainless steel. The poppet on a 1.5mm shank with an aluminium hat that has an o-ring set into it. The bearing surface on the actual valve housing is a tad limited but this is again catered to in that the "top hat" there (which is part of the anti bounce system) holds the end of the poppet shank and that top hat is set with minimal clearance vs the valve housing.
Note the a´la Hatsan multiple exhaust ports, which in turn are rather large seeing the caliber.



These are offered in an array of power levels. From the German "frei" 7,5J and upwards, ending in 40J/29,5fpe. Transfer port carries an end plug that´s a M6 allen stop screw and as M6 is threaded on a 5mm dia hole it stands to reason that the transfer port is on that, 5mm dia.
Power is adjusted by an allen stop screw that sports a through hole and this through hole is what varies power output. The transfer channel is the sealed off by yet an allen stop screw, sealed with Loctite.
That being said then if you remove the "power insert" what sets the limit on these units is twofold. First up the valve seat is on a mere 4,3mm and in turn - if my calculations are on the money - approx 17cc´s of plenum volume.
In other words to make a Hunting 5A reach more modern levels these are the two things to adress.



Poppet return spring is a rather stiff proposition. In turn it at one end sits on that plastic guide rod, and this rod runs the length of the plenum volume. Note the green colored o-rings used through out, these are harder than the regular Buna 70 ones we encounter, why i presume they´re 90s.?



The mags. Might look a bit peculiar but nor is the setup new by any measure and nor is it especially stupid. So called "harmonica" mags were at one time all the rage back in the later 1800´s and i guess Steyr took it from there.
These fit into a mag well, of course, and the fitting of them is minute to say the least. However, end shake is really set by how you install the barrel, as that pushes directly on them. In short end shake is "variable" , as it were.
This particular gun i picked up used and as i got to try it out with a moderator out front it soon enough became evident that she leaks at the rear of the mag well setup, so need to adress that.
I know from previous that when stunts like this are pulled the actual "leak" induced by the clearance between the mag and the mag well they can be set REAL tight and thus the setup become real silent too - spite that clearance.



Hammer then. A very short very light offering. If memory serves on a mere 21 grams? (will have to double check that figure). Hammer rides on two "rods" running the outside of the receiver, which brings that the hammer can´t really but run in a very linear fashion. Small spring in turn, part of the anti bounce as you can figure.
Rods are screwed to the hammer on two points for each side.



"German efficiency". Indeed. That there is the regulator and the tube/tank threads directly to it. By altering the belleville washers within base regulator pressure is varied at will. In turn that small screw ya see there is where each setting can be dialed.
On that note i find it a bit peculiar there´s no reg pressure gauge really.? Dunno why that is, these days there certainly would be one present. (Gun was made in 2018 btw)

So.
What gives?
Well. As the opportunity presented itself with this semi i thought it´d be a neat gun to use on the rats. That´s mainly what i keep all my pcp´s for so, yeah. This brings that the piece will see a rather elaborate moderator out front, noone appreciates a high note airgun.
Still compact, REAL compact even (this is the shorter Scout model) and as such.. Would 40J suffice for the task at hand? I guess, but why risk it really as i´m then and again presented with shots that can extend a bit.
Thus i will make power jump a tad on this unit. Nope. No fire breather by any measure, just jump.

It has been claimed that these ain´t "slug guns" and be that as it may nor is THAT a first either. As i checked 30 grain pills fit the mags no issue, it miiiiight be there´s room in there for a 32. Dunno as of this writing.

This being said the Hunting 5 has become slightly of age, and i guess it shows. To cope with customer demands i have a real hard time seeing how anyone would pick a 40J stonewall pcp up today, and especially at the hang tag these one carries.
In essence, to large degree, it was put into market together with other similar guns, like the BSA R-10 and what not.



Yeah well, one of them came through my hands as well, again a puff claimed not to cater to slugs. This then an "export" version. Well, hogwash. It toss´s slugs like noones business and does so the north side of 1000+fps all day. Yes, it now sports a stand alone plenum. Very very accurate with slugs and an absolute delight to use.

EDIT : I STILL HAVE IT. MONITORING IT FOR A VERY SLOW LEAK. SO PULLING IT FOR NOW



I have an excellent condition wildcat BT. Shoots great and holds air great. Has a 420cc carbon bottle, 25 mm Sekhmet digital gauge and saber bottle clamp. Also comes with complete setups for .25 caliber and .30 both 600 mm. Minor blemish in the 25 caliber shroud pictured. Small ding. Only ding in the gun. I have 3 QD Fox 25 cal mags and one stock FX 30 mag to go with it. Scope not included. Looking for 1100 shipped. Reduced

Looking for 50gr (49.5) Altaros Smooth slugs. Let me know. Thank you.

Long/short could someone at FX consider manufacturing a selector for the DRS Tactical that operates as the AR-15 platform it is patterned after? I bought one of these and like it but having decades of experience with the M16/AR-15 platform I can say the reversed configuration on the DRS Tactical is problematic for those of us who have the “muscle memory” ingrained into us. This has personally caused me some issues when shooting the rifle and I have to take extra care to remind myself “safe” isn’t safe on this thing. At least with my Impact M3 I was able to buy an M2 selector to swap out but I haven’t seen an equivalent for the DRS.