There is a difference between “I want” and “ I need”. If you saw the list high end airguns I’ve had over the years you might understand where I’m coming from. Everything has been less than $2500, and I just can’t swallow the quantum leap to $3500-4000.
I have a compact Wildcat Mk3 but I really like my VP. Perfect barrel length. I replaced the 400cc aluminum tank with a 480cc CF tank and saved 10 oz in weight plus I have a little more air.
I don’t like changing calibers and re-tuning, that’s why I have 15 air rifles. I tried tuning a Crown fom a high power down to .177. It was a disaster. Reg failed because of drastic change from 150 to 90 bar.
FX Maverick or Wildcat MK3 which is the same gun essentially. You have a choice of 3 barrel lengths. I personally prefer the VP with the 600 mm barrel but I replaced the 400 cc tank with a 480 cc CF tank and saved 10 oz in weight plus gained a bit more capacity. The VP is compact enough but...
I assume the Swedes at FX purchase some parts from foreign suppliers. Air tanks from Korea, regulators from UK, stocks from Italy or Turkey. Do they also pay tariffs to those countries??
The best things to do is contact Tom at Vortek, or Macarri and ask them. Better yet, go on the English airgun forum and ask the Brits. There's a wealth of information there on springers, especially old ones. https://airgunforums.co.uk/
The M3 is a fine rifle. I use mine for 100 yd BR shooting. I likes AEA 45 gr pellets. I have not succumbed to the urge to fiddle fart with all of the knobs on this thing. Just enough to adjust the velocity to the sweet spot of 885 fps. The only significant difference between this and the M4...
This is my .177 cal HM1000X that Martin built for me to shoot 100 yd BR. It likes 13.4 gr Zan slugs at 1010 fps. I also have a 22 cal barrel and probe in case I want to change.