I really like the Vixen platform. Have owned both lengths, but kept the long. Both in .22 cal.
The Vixen is no powerhouse - was never meant to be. But it is a pleasure to shoot due to its light weight combined with very smooth shot cycle. Accurate, quiet, good triggers, good magazines (and they provide 2), never a real issue with either of them.
I ended up selling my standard (short) model to someone who needed the lower power it generated due to its short barrel. Some data: My standard seemed to about max out with HS adjustment at about 780 fps with 15.89's/Hades. My long model works better for me (since I'm not shooting in a barn, etc). My long model shoots the same pellets more in the 890 fps range.
Of course, not everything is beer & Skittles with the Vixens. The front Keymod piece is really nothing to me other than a bit of a bottle protector. If it was made from aluminum it would be more functional, to me. I guess that one could mount a small flashlight onto it if needed. And it gives the gun a stronger 'tactical' appearance...
My buttstock split/broke, which was quickly replaced free of charge by AoA. They told me that this was not the first time they had seen this, and had spoken with AGT about maybe redesigning the part. In the mean time they warned me to make sure the stock was a little loose on the bottle when filling the gun, to allow for expansion of the tank. No issues since.
The design of the gun/buttstock means, to me, that it will never be as stable on the bench as some other guns when shooting off a bipod/rear bag. Excellent for walk & stalk usage, and it can still transition pretty well to benchtop plinking out to 40-50 yards. But will never be the most accurate shooter for me off the bench.
AGN member
tscktran showed me some beautiful work he did 3D printing a different style of buttstock (as well as some other accessories) on his Vixen. His new buttstock would likely resolve any potential breakage issues with the OEM stock, and looks like it would also allow the Vixen to be much more stable on the bench. If you get a Vixen and have access to a 3D printer, you might want to reach out to him for his files.
So those are my thoughts. My likes about the Vixen far outweigh any dislikes. It would be a great gun too, for anyone who needs or wants something lighter in overall weight as compared to so many other guns.
