Hard Air Magazine has just received what are - I believe - the first samples of the Beeman Dual air rifles in captivity in the US. These guns are the first production examples of a new dual-barrel concept first shown by Shanghai Airguns at the SHOT Shows in 2015 (as a raw prototype) and (with more development) in 2016. The Shanghai factory has obviously put a ton of time and effort (= money) into developing these new products. There's no question that they show very innovative thinking, but I'm struggling to understanding the practical benefits. I'd welcome everyone's thoughts...
The Beeman Dual models are break barrel, spring-piston air rifles. What's unique is that they feature two barrels, permanently mounted on the gun. There are two versions.
1. The Beeman Dual 2016DB model has a .177 cal barrel and a .22 cal also. This means that you can shoot it in .177 cal and then immediately cock, load and fire a .22 cal pellet, changing caliber simply by rotating a knob on top of the gun. What's more, it can be configured to fire BOTH a .177 cal pellet and a .22 cal pellet at the same time!!!!!
2. The Beeman Dual 2016S model has two .177 caliber barrels. The only firing mode is that it shoots TWO .177 cal pellets at the same time when the trigger is pulled.
I have to say that my brain has been hurting, thinking about these guns and how they would be used for practical shooting. I'd welcome your comments
To set things rolling, here's a few of my thoughts/questions:
- OK, so I can shoot two calibers consecutively on the 2016DB. But how do I adjust scope windage and elevation quickly, easily and consistently, so that the gun shoots to the point-of-aim in both cases at, say 20 yards?
- And the same question, but now think about about different ranges (10 yards, 40 yards)?
- And the same question again, but how about using different pellet types, even in the same caliber? (Different pellets have a different point of impact, as we all know, even when shot from the same gun).
- What are the practical applications for being able to shoot .177 cal and .22 cal pellets from the same air rifle?
- And, the big one. Why would I want to shoot two pellets AT THE SAME TIME from an air rifle, either both .177 cal, or one .177 and the other a .22 cal?
There's more details on the Beeman Dual - with photos - here: http://hardairmagazine.com/news/product-news/new-dual-beeman-air-rifles-2/
Stephen Archer
Hard Air Magazine
The Beeman Dual models are break barrel, spring-piston air rifles. What's unique is that they feature two barrels, permanently mounted on the gun. There are two versions.
1. The Beeman Dual 2016DB model has a .177 cal barrel and a .22 cal also. This means that you can shoot it in .177 cal and then immediately cock, load and fire a .22 cal pellet, changing caliber simply by rotating a knob on top of the gun. What's more, it can be configured to fire BOTH a .177 cal pellet and a .22 cal pellet at the same time!!!!!
2. The Beeman Dual 2016S model has two .177 caliber barrels. The only firing mode is that it shoots TWO .177 cal pellets at the same time when the trigger is pulled.
I have to say that my brain has been hurting, thinking about these guns and how they would be used for practical shooting. I'd welcome your comments
To set things rolling, here's a few of my thoughts/questions:
- OK, so I can shoot two calibers consecutively on the 2016DB. But how do I adjust scope windage and elevation quickly, easily and consistently, so that the gun shoots to the point-of-aim in both cases at, say 20 yards?
- And the same question, but now think about about different ranges (10 yards, 40 yards)?
- And the same question again, but how about using different pellet types, even in the same caliber? (Different pellets have a different point of impact, as we all know, even when shot from the same gun).
- What are the practical applications for being able to shoot .177 cal and .22 cal pellets from the same air rifle?
- And, the big one. Why would I want to shoot two pellets AT THE SAME TIME from an air rifle, either both .177 cal, or one .177 and the other a .22 cal?
There's more details on the Beeman Dual - with photos - here: http://hardairmagazine.com/news/product-news/new-dual-beeman-air-rifles-2/
Stephen Archer
Hard Air Magazine
