Brocock Bantam Sniper......disappointed?????

I almost bought the Sniper HR partly because of this. Utah Airguns had a custom 25 caliber that I would have bought for sure if it was a 22.

tsmith,

About 10 pages worth of Brocock Bantam Sniper kabitzing right here...

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/brocock-bantam-sniper-hr-information-thread/

Justin

I just got into PCP rifles this year, but have been shooting springers and PCP pistols for decades. Thus far, I have purchased a Daystate Red Wolf and the Brocock Bantam Sniper HR. Of the two, I think I actually like the Sniper, better. It is a better field gun, which is my intended use for air rifles- hunting vermin!

The reviews, information, and videos I used to make my decision-

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/brocock-bantam-sniper-hr-information-thread/

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=chpGw9oFWIo&feature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2hhnZ2tV3DI

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi-ZyvNEOOc

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AXidyy1zvhI&feature=youtu.be

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HT0ZT3TgnGw

The one thing I do not like, about the Sniper, is the fact that the bolt does not have a catch when it is in the closed, or down position. Hunting is not always done on a level plane, and I find the slop in the bolt disconcerting. I would like to find a way to latch it in the down position, when it is closed. Anyone have any ideas?

It runs these mags:
https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/daystate-red-wolf-hp-22/page/8/#post-422248

This thread, and especially how Daystate doesn't see a problem and AOA showed up and just slammed it shut to silence it, really sours me to the Daystate/Brocock brands TBH. Food for thought anyway. Full disclosure I don't own one, but god knows I'd have wanted to see this thread before considering buying one. 



*edit* My mistake, slightly different mag. Thanks for pointing that out remnar. 

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/mags-clips-loaders-holders/daystate-spare-magazine/
https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/mags-clips-loaders-holders/brocock-compatto/bantam-magazine/

With luck the mag problems which plague the Daystate will not be applicable to the Brocock. Worryingly though, when googling for the AOA mag links I discovered "brocock bantam mag problems" is the top search query auto-complete. Yikes. :/  

The Sniper HR mags and the Red Wolf mags have significant differences and are not interchangeable. It would make sense if they were interchangeable, though. Seems silly, that they are not, as they are the same company's products.

I've wanted a Bantam since the first time I saw one. I still do. Unless something better comes along, I'll probably end up getting one eventually. I have personal reasons for not considering FX but they are personal and shouldn't matter to anyone but me. However, if there is one thing I've learned from years in the technology business, it is that everything has it's flaws. The biggest for air guns, especially PCP rifles, is that you are putting down a huge amount of money and if you're not happy, there isn't much that can be done. Would be nice if they were popular enough that it would be easier to rent or borrow a tester, but that's rarely the case. Looking at posts here, even the most loved guns have plenty of flaws. It's just a matter of deciding which ones you can live with. That being said, it would be nice if the manufacturers were a bit more responsive, but I can tell you from personal experience that there will always be problems in the field that just don't show up during testing during the design and manufacturing process. If they have any trouble duplicating it, they tend to ignore or deny it's existence. Sucks, but it seems to be human nature.

I will be doing a FULL review on mine in the coming weeks ...Spoiler alert . it's the best PCP rifle I've owned PERIOD. After 5 Kalibergun Crickets , 1 Very tricked out Marauder , 4 Air Arms PCPs , Daystate Harrier Custom , and a few other odd and end PCPs . Ken at Spaweapons is putting the finishing touches on it in next couple weeks ...The groups he is shooting with it WOOOW !! 

I thought this thread was about how you were disappointed with YOUR Sniper. That said I have one on my long term radar. Seems to get positive reviews from its owners. I own a Compatto and it is a dandy little gun, only thing I would change is to increase the shot count. 

Happy enough I bought my test gun. Super accurate for me and well I’ll let the review share the rest.....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=scdLx-3hsN4&t=209s

I just ordered one after talking to Larry live and in person at AOA. Listen his opinion is still only one individuals. I told him my intended use was knocking pigeons off silo’s. I was expecting him to recommend the much more expensive Red Wolf HP he said the sniper HP is proving to be just as accurate and powerful. Hard to spend the extra money . Said the gun was much simpler and easier to tune and fix then the Red Wolf . They take care of repairs. The FX and again his opinion good gun that typically takes at least one trip back to NC (or SC) to get and keep it right .

Ive got a Red Wolf ( standard power) which I like a lot a cricket in 25 and in early Feb I’ll get the sniper. I’ll let you know. The cricket seems to shoot real acuratedly and Hard but I’m not completely sold on the bull pup configuration. I’m not going to keep them. 

" The FX and again his opinion good gun that typically takes at least one trip back to NC (or SC) to get and keep it right . "

But gosh a while back when they were the FX repair station this was never heard of from them, odd. Maybe FX changed something, or Daystate , or Brocock .

Which model had the most in inventory stock the day you chatted?

Good thing all airguns are fun.



John

There are VERY FEW reviews or videos of this gun! Where is the hype? I went back and forth between wanting this gun and an FX wildcat. I went with the wildcat. There are many reviews and videos on the wildcat. And the few I saw on the Bantam sniper didn’t impress me.

Any sniper owners want to chime in?

Click to expand...

Tsmith, i put a data post of performance of these exact 2 guns in 25 cal. listing accuracy with 4 different pellets at 2 different distances on this very site a 4-6 weeks ago. plus my observations of handling and feel of both. I love my brocock sniper, but i also love my cat! you can't go wrong with either.

" The FX and again his opinion good gun that typically takes at least one trip back to NC (or SC) to get and keep it right . "

But gosh a while back when they were the FX repair station this was never heard of from them, odd. Maybe FX changed something, or Daystate , or Brocock .

Which model had the most in inventory stock the day you chatted?

Good thing all airguns are fun.



John

Click to expand...

That no doubt is a valid point and of course to be considered 

After owning two bullpups and a bunch of other full size rifles, I like the semi-pup the best for all around shooting and hunting. Those would be the Sniper and the Cricket Mini-Carbine. I don't feel that these are guns that I would use in any kind of competition due to their shorter size, even though they are very accurate. I think the Sniper would be perfect it it were a side-lever. However, I have too many guns already and just can't justify another at these prices. I've said elsewhere, that my opinion is that all PCPs are about $200-300 overpriced.

After owning two bullpups and a bunch of other full size rifles, I like the semi-pup the best for all around shooting and hunting. Those would be the Sniper and the Cricket Mini-Carbine. I don't feel that these are guns that I would use in any kind of competition due to their shorter size, even though they are very accurate. I think the Sniper would be perfect it it were a side-lever. However, I have too many guns already and just can't justify another at these prices. I've said elsewhere, that my opinion is that all PCPs are about $200-300 overpriced.

Click to expand...

The base price is reasonable but by the time you add the suppressor and some pellets you’re into it another 300 easy 

I'm with you L.Leon! I have a Compatto and I love it. The mags are FANTASTIC! All metal and they work flawlessly. Are the Bantam mags different?