Bought another bullpup (Utah Airguns) -
The Caiman (.22 cal.) is a proper bullpup, as it's only 22-5/8" lg. They also have a slightly longer Caiman X. The Caiman is about 1.0" shorter than the BP17
It's got some design cues from other guns/brands in it. The magazine is a mini Air Arms (Uragan). It's machined aluminum, works and looks just like the Uragan magazine, only a slightly smaller scale. It's got some design thoughts from the Ataman BP17. I've read that the main guy behind the design of the Caiman is a past designer from Ataman, among other gun companies. .
The Caiman shares the second shortest bullpup position with the Taipan. It's 0.3lbs heavier than the BP17 at 5.4lbs.
The overall feel at the shoulder is much like the BP17 and I assume also like the Taipan and a few other "short" guns, although the grip is slightly angled more to the rear like the BP17. The CG is slightly behind the grip, so it's very easy to let it sit at your shoulder while aiming. The stocks shape is very comfortable, I guess you could say "ergonomic". Even with the magazine placed in the right side of the stock, it's far enough, in, and back to not be in the way of a left handed shooter. The stock design itself is suited to both right and left handed shooters. The cocking handle comes to the owner on the left side of the gun. Being a right handed shooter, this is a positive thing. No need to remove your trigger hand from the grip. The action of cocking is very smooth and positive. No loose, or waisted motion in the handle. The cocking handle/lever part sizes appear to be well sized to have a very long life. The cocking handle can be moved to the right side of the gun. The instructions for that are included in the manual (one sheet of paper). While the stocks overall design was done very well, it's finish is not up to the wood stocks from Italy. A little sanding and refinishing would bring it up to those who like "pretty" stocks. Its finish is a semi-gloss finish, smooth everywhere. No stippling of any kind. The grip is very comfortable, if just slightly tight for my hands (3x motorcycle gloves).
The trigger is mostly nice. I do not have a gauge, but the first stage is light and smooth. After a short pull, it hits a solid wall, then the let-off is clean and crisp. As nice as most all bullpups (I now have 8). It does have...a long rearward movement after the let-off. The stop after the let-off, is a ways past where it should be. It's not a big deal to me, but I can see after reading posts here, some like things to be as near "perfect" as possible. As I said, up to the let-off, this one is very nice, just has a long over travel afterward. The trigger mechanism is designed "vertical" (not horizontal as in all other guns) behind the breach. I'd guess this is one reason that the gun is short. I have not removed the stock yet, so I do not know if there is any trigger adjustments. Like making the overtravel...shorter. The reach to the trigger should suit most people easy enough.
I have a short range, abut 18yrds. I also shoot offhand, standing, no resting anywhere. So me saying much about the accuracy is very subjective. If I open the back door and stand outside, I can lean on the the door jam, I could probably do a little better, but after sighting in my Holosun Red Dot sight, a 10 round magazine hit rate is just a paper tear larger than a quarter. In the four magazines that I've put through it so far, not every pellet grouping is without is "flier" or two. Fully my doing, not the guns. The barrels are made by CZ. I do not have a way of verifying the pellet speed (working on it).
The silencer is very quiet. While not "mouse fart" quite, it's one the the quietest in my collection. You can also buy additional "modules" to add to the existing barrel. You can hear the hammer hitting the valve pin/spring, even though it's encased in wood. It's louder than the shot sound.
The pressure gauge appears to be pretty accurate according to the big gauge on my SBCA tank, easy to read, although it sit on the opposite side as the fill probe hole. There is no probe opening protection. So if the gun is to go outdoors and or hunting, I think I'd be making some sort of plug/cover. I wish this gun makers would get together and make...ONE" probe to fit all guns. Or...put just the "male quick disconnect" with ALL guns. Follow what Daystate (some FX) does, at least with the Renegade and Pulsar. The gun is not regulated, not a concern to me.
I'll do some more shooting in the next day or so to see how well things hold up to the above information. So far...happy.
Mike
The Caiman (.22 cal.) is a proper bullpup, as it's only 22-5/8" lg. They also have a slightly longer Caiman X. The Caiman is about 1.0" shorter than the BP17
It's got some design cues from other guns/brands in it. The magazine is a mini Air Arms (Uragan). It's machined aluminum, works and looks just like the Uragan magazine, only a slightly smaller scale. It's got some design thoughts from the Ataman BP17. I've read that the main guy behind the design of the Caiman is a past designer from Ataman, among other gun companies. .
The Caiman shares the second shortest bullpup position with the Taipan. It's 0.3lbs heavier than the BP17 at 5.4lbs.
The overall feel at the shoulder is much like the BP17 and I assume also like the Taipan and a few other "short" guns, although the grip is slightly angled more to the rear like the BP17. The CG is slightly behind the grip, so it's very easy to let it sit at your shoulder while aiming. The stocks shape is very comfortable, I guess you could say "ergonomic". Even with the magazine placed in the right side of the stock, it's far enough, in, and back to not be in the way of a left handed shooter. The stock design itself is suited to both right and left handed shooters. The cocking handle comes to the owner on the left side of the gun. Being a right handed shooter, this is a positive thing. No need to remove your trigger hand from the grip. The action of cocking is very smooth and positive. No loose, or waisted motion in the handle. The cocking handle/lever part sizes appear to be well sized to have a very long life. The cocking handle can be moved to the right side of the gun. The instructions for that are included in the manual (one sheet of paper). While the stocks overall design was done very well, it's finish is not up to the wood stocks from Italy. A little sanding and refinishing would bring it up to those who like "pretty" stocks. Its finish is a semi-gloss finish, smooth everywhere. No stippling of any kind. The grip is very comfortable, if just slightly tight for my hands (3x motorcycle gloves).
The trigger is mostly nice. I do not have a gauge, but the first stage is light and smooth. After a short pull, it hits a solid wall, then the let-off is clean and crisp. As nice as most all bullpups (I now have 8). It does have...a long rearward movement after the let-off. The stop after the let-off, is a ways past where it should be. It's not a big deal to me, but I can see after reading posts here, some like things to be as near "perfect" as possible. As I said, up to the let-off, this one is very nice, just has a long over travel afterward. The trigger mechanism is designed "vertical" (not horizontal as in all other guns) behind the breach. I'd guess this is one reason that the gun is short. I have not removed the stock yet, so I do not know if there is any trigger adjustments. Like making the overtravel...shorter. The reach to the trigger should suit most people easy enough.
I have a short range, abut 18yrds. I also shoot offhand, standing, no resting anywhere. So me saying much about the accuracy is very subjective. If I open the back door and stand outside, I can lean on the the door jam, I could probably do a little better, but after sighting in my Holosun Red Dot sight, a 10 round magazine hit rate is just a paper tear larger than a quarter. In the four magazines that I've put through it so far, not every pellet grouping is without is "flier" or two. Fully my doing, not the guns. The barrels are made by CZ. I do not have a way of verifying the pellet speed (working on it).
The silencer is very quiet. While not "mouse fart" quite, it's one the the quietest in my collection. You can also buy additional "modules" to add to the existing barrel. You can hear the hammer hitting the valve pin/spring, even though it's encased in wood. It's louder than the shot sound.
The pressure gauge appears to be pretty accurate according to the big gauge on my SBCA tank, easy to read, although it sit on the opposite side as the fill probe hole. There is no probe opening protection. So if the gun is to go outdoors and or hunting, I think I'd be making some sort of plug/cover. I wish this gun makers would get together and make...ONE" probe to fit all guns. Or...put just the "male quick disconnect" with ALL guns. Follow what Daystate (some FX) does, at least with the Renegade and Pulsar. The gun is not regulated, not a concern to me.
I'll do some more shooting in the next day or so to see how well things hold up to the above information. So far...happy.
Mike
