Brocock "Hype"

To me my Brococks have always been solid working class girls. Not high maintenance types. They work and work without fanfare. The latest offering the Atomic XR seems to be jumping on the "hype train" when it doesn't need to. Because it's solid without the marketing hype. Too big as a pistol....? Under twenty foot pounds as a carbine? "Hey lets combine the two... And let's market it as a two for one deal." And while I know the Brits do wonderfully with their barely twelve foot pound PCPs. This is America the land of bigger, better, bolder...😀 As a pistol? Unless used in very specific ways, (benched, shooting sticks, etc), it will always be too big to carry around. So to carry it practically in the field? Two hands at all times or a sling or giant arse holster? At that point might as well use it as the mini carbine it is.

Recently, at the dairy I was shooting in some tight quarters where my Bantam felt too long. The Atomic as a mini carbine in the same situation would've been sweet. As a pistol in the field, hunting, pesting ? Not so much. @crosman999, (Dana) did an "in the field review" of the Atomic. He showed it to be quite capable in his hands as a "mini carbine". He could've taken it out as a pistol but did not. Though he is an awesome reviewer and shot, he knows how much harder, much, much harder, it is to bag game with a big arse pistol with a scope atop. He does mention that he did not envision using it as a pistol. Link below.

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/brocock-atomic-xr-review-pictorial-video/?view=all#post-1011011

On the other hand you have another reviewer @airgunadvisor, who states "it's the best he's ever shot a pistol"?, while shooting off the bench, giant bipod, etc. Of course he doing great with the XR out to 50 yards. It's a Brocock after all.😀 But! On the bench it still looks like he's holding "half of a carbine."🤓 Link below.

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/brocock-atomic-xr-first-trip-to-the-range/?view=all#post-1011510

This little gem is being hampered by the "giant pistol" hype. Take a poll to see how many actual prospective buyers would use it as a pistol or mini carbine. Those using strictly as a pistol would be in the minority, those switching over constantly (pistol/rifle)? Less so. As opposed to those who would use it as the mini carbine it is? Majority? I want one without the extra bits for a pistol I'll never use as such. The combo hype on this one is unfortunate. With FX I expect hype... Brocock seems to be following that hype train with the Atomic XR.
 
I heard from my AOA contacts that the Atomic was in the developmental stages a while back, at least a year and a half ago (that gives you an idea of time for something like this to come to market). At the time this came up we were talking about pistol offerings for Pistol Field Target. Which is an aspect of this situation that you didn't address above. 

I've been half-way interested in picking up a field target legal pistol for awhile now, and the Atomic fits in there.

For a field target competitor that is going to need/use a pistol at only one or maybe a couple of the larger grand prix ft matches in a year, the Atomic is a cool option because the rest of the year it can be used as a low powered back yard or generally close quarters carbine. Other than Pistol FT, I simply don't have much interest in shooting pistols (I like accuracy and precision too much), so I would be get some use out of the carbine for the 99% of the gun's existence when it isn't being used at the one match a year that I go to that has a pistol match. 

Niche market for sure. 

As for the hype, it is simply what the airgun industry (and our society at large) has morphed into. Social media has created an altered reality situation in many aspects of our lives, not just our fun airgun hobby. Just the other evening on a walk with my wife we were talking about how crazy it is that people are not only supporting themselves, but living extremely opulent lifestyles by doing nothing but being social media influencers. It blows me away that these people are contributing nothing meaningful to society, no goods are produced, no services rendered, but somehow we (consumers and retailers) are falling at their feet in the form of our undivided attention, emulation, and (in the case of retailers) throwing products at them so they'll market them in a good light.

Sorry, bit of a rant there about the state of the world. 

Yeah, there's been some hype on the Atomic, but creating excitement about new-to-market products is just how the world rolls these days. That doesn't detract from the fact that the Atomic delivers a package of features that I'm not aware of any other company. supplying at this time. 


 
L.Leon, I am so happy to see you offer an opinion that is not "pro-Brocock" on this. If one was to read many of your posts they might almost apply the Bocock fanboy moniker to you. But you have proven here this is not the case, and once again why contributors like yourself and so many others make this forum a valuable resource!

The Atomic XR platform is to me just plain down fun. I have taken many starlings with my PP750 now but really enjoy it for plinking more than anything else, While I'm sure the Brocock will outshine the PP750 in (probably) every way, not at more than 6 times the price! If I had 6 times more money than I do, I might splurge on one ❕
 
L.Leon, I am so happy to see you offer an opinion that is not "pro-Brocock" on this. If one was to read many of your posts they might almost apply the Bocock fanboy moniker to you. But you have proven here this is not the case, and once again why contributors like yourself and so many others make this forum a valuable resource!

The Atomic XR platform is to me just plain down fun. I have taken many starlings with my PP750 now but really enjoy it for plinking more than anything else, While I'm sure the Brocock will outshine the PP750 in (probably) every way, not at more than 6 times the price! If I had 6 times more money than I do, I might splurge on one 
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I’m still a big fan of the brand... they just perform. As a mini carbine it rocks. As a giant pistol? Maybe for some... not me.
 
Okay, I am a Brocock fan too, and no one can argue about the quality and accuracy of the guns. It is a working girl’s gun, following along @l.leon comment. ;)

HOWEVER, I don’t see the Atomic making a foothold in the US market because of the price vs. power standpoint. yes, you do get flexibility and I love hunting with handguns, but not at that price range. If they had just a carbine option maybe with a 22-23 ft/lbs capability in the $1100ish price range I think Brocock couldn’t keep the thing on the shelf. The easily adjustable hammer spring and the power adjuster, and I think they said adjustable regulator, cool!

I felt Brocock has done an FX media blitz with the Atomic. As other here, I really respect Dana’s review, because he does give his honest opinion, but I felt it was a little “padded.” When Dana mentioned negative points my ears perked up, then I really didn’t hear anything negative, minor irritation points in my point of view.
 
No, I’m not happy to see you, it’s my Brocock.....Atomic.😳





yeah, no one does honest reviews anymore....not that many did to start with, everyone is out for a few bucks. So much for hobby and passion, nothing but passion for few bucks or just some freebies. Rather affordable integrity for the manufactures that’s for sure. Giles from airgun gear show is probably as honest as it gets when it comes to review and even he is very careful around negatives. 
 
I think the hype to a product is essentially put onto the individual reviewer. I personally could care less if people buy anything I review, my only job is to show basic features and how they might apply to use in the field. I believe this is an awesome little gun setup in carbine form, checks most of my boxes for that. Definitely accurate, durable and well made. I actually prefer this power level for work around the farm, close quarter hunting for less liability. People complain about price on everything but yet have no problems going out and purchasing multiple inexpensive guns that they immediately trick out with aftermarket parts etc, This is really not one of those guns you need to invest in after it's been purchased. Strong, durable and accurate with good fit and finish all around. This isn't a gun meant to cater to everyone, just another option that might only fit someone's specific needs. I will say that shipping and export cost has gone up from my dealing with multiple manufacturers, this cost gets reflected unfortunately over a wide range of Airgun related products. 
 
I like cool guns. Hell I jumped on a Leshiy when it was invented. But for $1,500, it better have some horsepower under the hood. A $1,500 gun that can only put in the same work as a regulated Prod just doesn’t interest me. Now the Atomic for $1,000? I’d pay that just for the quality upgrade in that power range. For now it can just stay in its weird little gun world and not in my safe.
 
@vmaxpro, it is an awesome little gun. I could see it becoming my main sub 50 yard pesting rig, short, light, solid build... I'm really liking this one hence all my hen pecking. That it would be hand pump friendly makes it even more attractive. Only thing wrong with this gem is how it's being marketed.

Ooohhh yea Im thinkin new night time rat gun! I agree though, get rid of the pistol marketing. It will sell on its own just for the name itself.