Dynamic Air Rifles (DAR)

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opschief

opschief

Member
Mar 25, 2021
48
13
Oregon, United States
I've posted a couple of articles recently, trying to educate myself about what is, and is not, credible in decent affordable to lower priced mid line PCP's.

Due to advancing years I am transitioning from springers to PCP's, (shameless plug - anyone want a test fired only .177 Webley Tomahawk or Patriot)...?

I have acquired a small stable over the past few weeks ranging from an entry level Diana Stormrider Gen II up to AV Avenger and Benjamin Akela and Caydens. All are .22 caliber.

In addition to the ones just mentioned, DAR kept subconsciously "calling to me". They appear to have better than average walnut (or faux walnut) furniture for an entry level PCP, and have what appears to be metal finished to an acceptable level of quality. None of the folks that I deal with carry them, and none were willing to say why. Uhh, Red Flag...

Their website appears to be professionally produced and everything works like it should.

https://www.dynamicairrifles.com/

Click on their "view our rifles" link on the main page, and one is presented with three Gen 2 models. They range from .177 to .25 and are priced at $269~ - $299~. The other listing on the page is for one of their magazines. Problem? With the exception of the mag., everything else is out of stock...

I then started looking at other forums. Most all dated 2020 - early 2021. Early, pre-production run reviews were enthusiastic. I then read a few reviews from buyers. Those reviews were like a rose bush; thorns encountered.

Anyone out there actually have hands on with owing the Gen 2? I'd love to hear actual real world reviews before I commit to buying one.










 
I've seen reports of leaks from gen 2 guns like most anything in the budget category, though I've been lucky with my .22 cal that has been trouble free for the 2+ years I've had it and it is as accurate as anything I've shot in its price class Whether plinking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXfDq-8LSUE

...or pesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnHnjUIAZLg


 
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I recently purchased one used off this forum for a friend. I took the gun apart and lowered the reg, opened up the barrel port a little and built a SSG for it. Tuned it for 14.3gr pellets at 850fps for 60 shots. I really enjoyed shooting the gun while I worked through the process. Main things I liked? Ergonomically comfortable and light. Not a heavy gun at all. Noise level is not loud but not quiet. The SSG reduced the report down to just a snap but it’s not a silent gun. Build quality was surprisingly good. Everything came apart and went back together nicely.
E5531A56-2F55-4B47-B04B-B443E8A29F15.1643604801.jpeg

 
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The only thing I don't understand about these guns is, why do they have the little squishy rubber ends on the stock? 

These guns produce essentially zero recoil. So they can't be recoil pads. IMO they'd be aesthetically more pleasing with those removed.
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Recoil is not always the problem. Slippery butt stocks/stock butts(?) and short LOP are. I have a Benjamin Fortitude Gen2 that has a really slippery butt stock. I had to add a slip on butt/recoil pad not only to extend the LOP, but also to keep the butt from slipping around on my shoulder.

In any case, the rubber butt stock on the DAR is quality and well done.

I guess to each their own, but I see no problem with the DAR butt stock.
 
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Anyone out there actually have hands on with owing the Gen 2? I'd love to hear actual real world reviews before I commit to buying one.
Click to expand...

I have owned one in .177 for about 6 months. It shoots too hot for my purposes, but I still have not taken it apart (and voided the 1 year warranty) so that I can bring it down to ~12fpe or less for my backyard purposes. Build quality, fit and finish are way above the price range.

The baffles are a problem as they do not fit the shroud precisely. Wrapping them with thin tape will improve this and virtually eliminate the clipping... almost.

The DAR is a gun that, if you get one that performs well out of the box, is best left alone and shot. If you get one that does not perform well out of the box, although the design is simple, it is not for those who do not like to "tinker" with their airguns. For that matter, it really isn't designed for those who LIKE to tinker either.

Just my humble opinion. YMMV

For the money, the DAR is about as high quality, dollar for dollar, as you can get in this price range. But, I can't recommend it for the reasons briefly touched upon above.

DAR customer service leaves MUCH MORE than a LOT to be desired. Getting someone on the phone who actually knows ANYTHING about airguns is a feat in itself...

While "Joe" is supposed to be the "airgun guy", you most likely will NEVER get to speak to him. I never have...

The DAR airguns are brought us by the same folks who brought us the Aim Sports Alpha 6 4.5-27x50 30mm scope.

So, take anything you hear about the DAR airguns with the same grains of salt you would concerning the AS scopes.


Of course, I could be wrong... this is all JMHO...

How's that for a totally honest and totally confusing review? (chuckle)
 
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I bought a Gen 2 25 cal. The bleed screw wouldn’t stop leaking after first refill. Ended up putting some pipe dope on it which seemed to work the short time I owned it. This led to problem number two. When the gun completely de gasses the poppet will not seal when you try to refill, at least with a hand pump. Every single time I had to take the air tube out and manipulate the poppet with a wrench while pumping it to get it to seal. PIA. The trigger was terrible and the accuracy with fx 25 cal pellets was terrible. I did clean the barrel but not 100% thoroughly. The wood is completely cheap looking and feeling. I sold it for a loss pretty quickly. Pretty sure the guy who bought it trashed everything but the barrel. Only bonus is they are super easy to tear apart and work on. They are a disposable gun though in my opinion. Couldn’t give me another one. My Chinese beeman and avenger were much better guns. 
 
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I bought a Gen 2 25 cal. The bleed screw wouldn’t stop leaking after first refill. Ended up putting some pipe dope on it which seemed to work the short time I owned it. This led to problem number two. When the gun completely de gasses the poppet will not seal when you try to refill, at least with a hand pump. Every single time I had to take the air tube out and manipulate the poppet with a wrench while pumping it to get it to seal. PIA. The trigger was terrible and the accuracy with fx 25 cal pellets was terrible. I did clean the barrel but not 100% thoroughly. The wood is completely cheap looking and feeling. I sold it for a loss pretty quickly. Pretty sure the guy who bought it trashed everything but the barrel. Only bonus is they are super easy to tear apart and work on. They are a disposable gun though in my opinion. Couldn’t give me another one. My Chinese beeman and avenger were much better guns.
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What do you mean by "pipe dope"???
 
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I bought a Gen 2 25 cal. The bleed screw wouldn’t stop leaking after first refill. Ended up putting some pipe dope on it which seemed to work the short time I owned it. This led to problem number two. When the gun completely de gasses the poppet will not seal when you try to refill, at least with a hand pump. Every single time I had to take the air tube out and manipulate the poppet with a wrench while pumping it to get it to seal. PIA. The trigger was terrible and the accuracy with fx 25 cal pellets was terrible. I did clean the barrel but not 100% thoroughly. The wood is completely cheap looking and feeling. I sold it for a loss pretty quickly. Pretty sure the guy who bought it trashed everything but the barrel. Only bonus is they are super easy to tear apart and work on. They are a disposable gun though in my opinion. Couldn’t give me another one. My Chinese beeman and avenger were much better guns.
Click to expand...

What do you mean by "pipe dope"???
Click to expand...

Thread sealer for gas applications. Probably not the best choice as it isn’t designed for such high pressures but it did work for the time I had it. I suspect it wouldn’t have held up. I have read many instances of this problem with the dar guns. I would honestly recommend people just jump to the avenger. It is a much better all around gun by far. 
 
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I have had my DAR Gen2 .25 for about a year now. I really like it. Nice having a wood stock instead of composite. The side lever is smooth and works great. It's not too big or overly heavy. It's pretty darn accurate. About even with my .25 Marauder at 50 yards. I'm getting around 850 fps with JSB Exact King 25.4 pellets and about 24 shots on a fill. If I could think of anything I don't like about it it would be that it uses a fill probe instead of a Foster fitting. Not a deal breaker, but I prefer the Foster fitting. I haven't touched the gun out of the box other than install some sling studs. I have a Athlon Talos 4-12x40mm mildot scope on it that works perfectly. I have never had a problem with it. All in all a nice gun for the money. I was thinking about getting the 22, but they have been out of stock it seems like for forever now. Stupid supply chain issues I bet. 
 
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I have a 22 Gen 2 and it's been trouble free for the 9 months I've had it. It's very accurate and makes good power. I was wanting to buy some extra magazines and possibly a 25 version, but everything has been out of stock. I ended up buying an Avenger in 25 and I'm pleased with the power and ease of adjustability it offers. The DAR is more accurate and feels much more solid than my avenger. If DAR replenishes their stock, I still plan to try a 25 from them. 
 
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