Taipan Manufacturers - When are you going to make a forward cocking side lever?

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tommyb

tommyb

Member
Feb 20, 2018
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North Carolina, United States
Hey guys

You have a great following and you make an excellent air rifle. When are you going to make a forward cocking side lever?

A lot of folks want to buy your rifle, but the rear cocking lever is an issue. 

Call or PM me and I will gladly explain the issue.

Thanks 

Tom 

919-260-7280
[email protected] 

p.s . AGN Nation - please weigh in. I don’t mind the naysayers.
 
Taipan has an instagram page and will occasionally hint at something big coming in 2021. I suspect that forward/mid cocking is at least one of the big changes coming. 

Yes, there was the Mutant before the Veteran, but I think the only changes made to the Vet were how the barrel attaches to the breech, and the anti-double load feature. Other than those minor changes, the Mutant/Veteran platform has changed very little. Even when they went to Minelli for the laminate stocks, they kept the same profile/shape of the stock. 

Personally, the rear-cocking is not a deal-breaker. I don't even feel like it's a niggle. It doesn't seem or feel awkward or even like a slightly unnatural movement. I've found that it works great to keep the trigger finger/hand on the grip and reach over the top and cock and load (if using single-shot tray) it with my left hand. I considered swapping the lever to the left side since I'm cocking with my left hand but that would put the lever in my cheek, it would also make the gun need to come out from the shoulder more to get enough room for the cocking lever to make its full travel distance. With cocking lever on the right side of the gun and using the left hand to reach over, I can keep the gun shouldered for cocking. 

I think the gripe about rear-cocking is sorta like giving the gun a 9.9 instead of a 10, cuz people just gotta find SOMETHING to keep from saying the gun is perfect. Oh, as long as we're LOOKING for something wrong with the Veteran, let's not forget to say that the stock looks blocky or like a 2x6 or etc etc etc. 
 
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A well-motivated person would see the opportunity presented here. Design and produce a retrofit forward cocking lever mechanism. A tidy profit to be made by someone clever. Picture small OD aluminum tube stock threaded internally on the ends with heim joints inserted, Some form of pivot point forward lever to accomplish the forward/backward or backward/forward transfer of cocking motion, secured with clever clamping to the barrel between the clamping braces, possibly utilizing the space under the scope tower. Maybe even passing the cocking lever to the opposite side of the gun, under the barrel, so cocking action is accomplished in front of your face using your forestock hand, without having to come out of the sight picture, or trigger hand off the grip. The possibilities are endless, the world is someone's oyster. The Taipan intelligentsia who currently own the world's sum to now thousands of rear cocking misfit, ugly 2x6-stocked bastard rat of a bullpup, yet most long-term reliable non-POI shiftin', no warranty department ever been needed pinch me I can't believe I own a Taipan and no I ain't sellin' this SOB owners (of which I number myself) would beat a path to his door. 

Naaaw. Sounds like work. Let's just go fishin' instead... 
 
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Taipan has an instagram page and will occasionally hint at something big coming in 2021. I suspect that forward/mid cocking is at least one of the big changes coming. 

Yes, there was the Mutant before the Veteran, but I think the only changes made to the Vet were how the barrel attaches to the breech, and the anti-double load feature. Other than those minor changes, the Mutant/Veteran platform has changed very little. Even when they went to Minelli for the laminate stocks, they kept the same profile/shape of the stock. 

Personally, the rear-cocking is not a deal-breaker. I don't even feel like it's a niggle. It doesn't seem or feel awkward or even like a slightly unnatural movement. I've found that it works great to keep the trigger finger/hand on the grip and reach over the top and cock and load (if using single-shot tray) it with my left hand. I considered swapping the lever to the left side since I'm cocking with my left hand but that would put the lever in my cheek, it would also make the gun need to come out from the shoulder more to get enough room for the cocking lever to make its full travel distance. With cocking lever on the right side of the gun and using the left hand to reach over, I can keep the gun shouldered for cocking. 

I think the gripe about rear-cocking is sorta like giving the gun a 9.9 instead of a 10, cuz people just gotta find SOMETHING to keep from saying the gun is perfect. Oh, as long as we're LOOKING for something wrong with the Veteran, let's not forget to say that the stock looks blocky or like a 2x6 or etc etc etc.
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Frank

You are forgetting left handed shooters.

Just like you, we don’t want the rear side lever in our cheek when we shoot, A forward side lever eliminates the problem. And yes, the stock is blocky to me! I already posted a previous post on the stock and I realize this was thoroughly vetted. Many like the stock as is; some would like to see some new ideas. It’s a forum and opinions are neither right or wrong .

I did say the Vet is a great rifle, please don’t misunderstand my post.







 
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Taipan has an instagram page and will occasionally hint at something big coming in 2021. I suspect that forward/mid cocking is at least one of the big changes coming. 

Yes, there was the Mutant before the Veteran, but I think the only changes made to the Vet were how the barrel attaches to the breech, and the anti-double load feature. Other than those minor changes, the Mutant/Veteran platform has changed very little. Even when they went to Minelli for the laminate stocks, they kept the same profile/shape of the stock. 

Personally, the rear-cocking is not a deal-breaker. I don't even feel like it's a niggle. It doesn't seem or feel awkward or even like a slightly unnatural movement. I've found that it works great to keep the trigger finger/hand on the grip and reach over the top and cock and load (if using single-shot tray) it with my left hand. I considered swapping the lever to the left side since I'm cocking with my left hand but that would put the lever in my cheek, it would also make the gun need to come out from the shoulder more to get enough room for the cocking lever to make its full travel distance. With cocking lever on the right side of the gun and using the left hand to reach over, I can keep the gun shouldered for cocking. 

I think the gripe about rear-cocking is sorta like giving the gun a 9.9 instead of a 10, cuz people just gotta find SOMETHING to keep from saying the gun is perfect. Oh, as long as we're LOOKING for something wrong with the Veteran, let's not forget to say that the stock looks blocky or like a 2x6 or etc etc etc.
Click to expand...

Frank

You are forgetting left handed shooters. Just like you, we don’t want the rear side lever in our cheek when we shoot, A forward lever eliminates the problem. 





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Lefties can do the opposite of what I do. Swap the cocking lever to the left side and reach over with non-trigger hand to cock. The Veteran stock (and breech since that's where the cheek goes on these guns) is completely symmetrical. 

Without any thumb shelves, cheek swells, finger grooves, or any of the other things that make a gun fit a righty or lefty better, the Veteran is actually probably one of the better designs for a lefty. Especially since the cocking lever can be swapped. Heck, even the mags and single-fed pellets aren't "handed" in that they drop into the breech from above, not right or left like lots of guns. 

Like a lot of things in life though, the only way to know if it suits you is to give it a try. Everybody is different with varying tastes. PERSONALLY, I don't have any issues with the rear-cocking. If someone was to make an aftermarket forward-cocking contraption I wouldn't buy it. Even if Taipan was to come out and say something crazy like we'll mail out a free "upgrade" kit to make all Vets forward-cocking I wouldn't take them up on it. They just cock so smoothly and effortlessly as-is, and it's completely ergonomic for me in its current location, that I don't see this as an area that needs improvement. Again, that's me and my opinion. Obviously many other airgunners consider the rear cocking insufferable b/c this comes up pretty often.
 
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Mutant 22, Veteran22 , Veteran 25, Cricket 22, all rear cocking guns, Vulcan 177 Right hand forward , Prest 25 left hand forward cocking, 

I try and shoot each gun a week then switch to the next, Takes six weeks to get to the last gun,,, I do get confused on the cocking sometimes , 

Reach for the back and not the front. Reach for the left and its to the right,,, 

I too would take ZX10 advice

Mike
 
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I have a Veteran, and it might be my favorite rifle. It's certainly the most robust, consistently accurate, and with a totally dependable POI. Forward cocking adds a long linkage that detracts from the simplicity of the current design. The cocking lever is reversible for left side operation, which I believe is the best option for lefties. Forward vs. rear cocking is a personal preference, no right or wrong. IMO, the rifle is so good, I'd be hesitent to mess with it. 
 
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When I was looking to buy my bullpups I immediately ruled out rear cocking mechanisms. Seems very antiquated to have to reach back to cock the rifle. Ergonomically it's terrible. Especially when there are very good choices that have a forward cocking setup. Made it a no-brainer for me. Then again I also require magazine fed for my uses and maybe if you prefer single loading it doesn't matter?

Currently I'm taking a hard look at the new Kricket II mostly because of the forward cocking. 
 
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Rear cocking isn't an issue for me...very easy to get used to, I would like to see an OEM check rest something simple and reversible L/R hand. For the life of me I don't know why there aren't more reviews of these Taipan Veterans. Those of you who are holding back because of the cocking lever "issue" don't know what your missing!

Thanks Taipan for such a well designed well built product!!! My personal favorite!!!
 
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I've been hoping for a forward cocking version of the Taipan for two years. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. My original model Taipan Mutant is left hand configured and would be the absolute perfect bullpup with a forward positioned cocking lever. The rear lever is my only minor issue with an otherwise fantastic air rifle. I've had mine for five years and the only changes I've made are a custom walnut Michal Osyda stock and Papy Yosh cheekpiece and biathlon side lever.

The only suggested modifications I'd request for a new Taipan bullpup are threefold. 1. Forward positioned biathlon style reversible sidelever. 2. 1/2 UNF threaded muzzle cap on the shroud. 3. Wood or synthetic ambidextrous cheek rest. The metal cheek rests are uncomfortable in temperatures below 50 degrees F or 10 degrees C.

Also, the factory stock shape is a plus for me and I wouldn't change a thing about the design. It may look blocky to some in pictures but it fits like a glove. Their laminated stocks are much nicer than the beech or black factory stocks. It would be worth paying extra if the newer standard stocks came in walnut or a higher grade wood.
 
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I will say it would be the cherry on top for them to offer a side lever but with as accurate and powerful as the platform is and as great of a trigger they have it would in NO way dissuade me from purchasing one....

I LOVE my .25 Vet Long and reaching back to chamber the next pellet is a small price to pay for a gun as consistent in every way as the Veterans are...



Mine:

FullSizeR1.1605804773.jpg
FullSizeR6.1605804773.jpg

 
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Is it really that difficult? Maybe hire someone to cock it and since they are standing there they may as well pull the trigger too.



Click to expand...

Like I said before, "a great rifle" and the other posters' feedback was very helpful, which is what I was originally probing for here. That said, hopefully Taipan may happen to monitor the AGN threads from time to time. That was my sole interest.

I guess switching the side lever to the left side is a possibility for a leftie, but if there is a chance of a 2021 announcement, I'll wait.
 
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