Edgun, Taipan, Vulcan, Ataman, Kalibrgun, Kral owners - what's your experience?

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DHart

Member
Jul 7, 2018
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AZ, United States
The Russian, Ukrainian, Czech, Turkish, eastern block air rifles seem to have growing popularity around here.

How are these guns for accuracy and reliability? Do they compare favorably to Daystate, FX, AirArms, and RAW?

And where do they go when they need warranty work?

For same price, would you prefer one of them over a Daystate or an FX, for example?

It seems that most of the east european bullpups have lever action at the rear - are any of them now using side levers above the trigger? (Preferred location for me.)
 
Vulcan2 and some edgun shaved the lever above the trigger. I have an FX Streamline and was wanting a impact but after a lot of reading I will probably go Vulcan 2
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I can understand that. I've been wanting an FX myself, but have read and heard so many horror stories about problems with FX that I've expanded my scope of interest to include eastern european rifles. That's why I'm interested in this thread.
 
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I've own a cricket, edgun, and now a wildcat. The mid cocking side lever of the wildcat is sweet but I would say I shot the cricket and edgun just as good with the wildcat just a little bit faster. With the vulcan's ability to switch it's lever on both sides of the gun and now with the new edgun's ability to cycle the mag on both side of the gun, this would be my dream gun to have. The ability to cycle the mag and not have to move your trigger hand/finger would be awesome. I think with repetition and developing your motor skills, one can cycle any one of these guns just as fast. If I had to choose my next gun between the vulcan and edgun, I would choose the edgun because it has the ability to shot the 34 grain jsb above 900 fps with Brian's magic.
 
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I have two Crickets ,And One Veteran, and one Mutant, Just bought a Vulcan 2 in 177 caliber.

I bought a 177 caliber Kral from PA a while back, Everything about the gun felt cheap, I could not get the trigger adjusted to my liking,It had a cheap sounding twang , I sent it back ASAP. But it was accurate out to 48 yards , Its all I tested it to,

The rear cocking is not a big deal for me I have adjusted, Now I am trying to adjust to the front cocking of my Vulcan,

The Cricket and Veteran/Mutant magazine loading will spoil you big time, Just so easy to load, Did I say everyone loves the Magazines and loading them. Putin the magazine in the Cricket can be a little harder, But Donny that makes our grate LDC for so many guns makes a little side plate for the Cricket, Helps with loading the magazine in to the gun.

I can only talk about the guns I have owned and shot.

Mike

Mike
 
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How are these guns for accuracy and reliability? Do they compare favorably to Daystate, FX, AirArms, and RAW?

Answer: TIE

I own a Taipan Mutant, two EDgun R5's, a Kalibrgun Cricket, Daystate Huntsman Regal, FX Crown, BSA R10, and two Air Arms S500's.
I can say that the European guns are every bit as accurate as the British counterparts, maybe more depending on the shooter. Expect 1/2" or better groups at 50 yards from either when you do your part. As far as reliability, none of my European guns gave me any trouble, same as the British guns. I did have a Compatto that had some issues with a slow leak and an older Brocock that had issues with the magazine cycling, but that's all I can report on my guns. 

And where do they go when they need warranty work?

Taipan/Vulcan/Kalibrgun - Talon Airgun or Charlie Frear at Georgia Airguns that I know of

EDgun - Brian @ Edgunwest or you can service them yourself - very easy to work on the new R5's

For same price, would you prefer one of them over a Daystate or an FX, for example?

I prefer the European guns over FX simply due to their reliability and lower cost of ownership due to fewer mechanical problems. I prefer Daystate over FX due to their 5 year transferrable warranty. I prefer the European guns over Daystate when price is the only factor - aside from the Daystate Huntsman Regal XL, most of their guns are in the $1500+ range unless you buy used.

It seems that most of the east european bullpups have lever action at the rear – are any of them now using side levers above the trigger? (Preferred location for me.)

Kalibrgun Cricket - rear cocking

Vulcan - side-lever cocking, reversible

Taipan Veteran - rear cocking

EDgun R5's - side-lever cocking



I can't comment on the Kral or Ataman as I don't own them.
 
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How are these guns for accuracy and reliability? Do they compare favorably to Daystate, FX, AirArms, and RAW?

Answer: TIE

I own a Taipan Mutant, two EDgun R5's, a Kalibrgun Cricket, Daystate Huntsman Regal, FX Crown, BSA R10, and two Air Arms S500's.
I can say that the European guns are every bit as accurate as the British counterparts, maybe more depending on the shooter. Expect 1/2" or better groups at 50 yards from either when you do your part. As far as reliability, none of my European guns gave me any trouble, same as the British guns. I did have a Compatto that had some issues with a slow leak and an older Brocock that had issues with the magazine cycling, but that's all I can report on my guns. 

And where do they go when they need warranty work?

Taipan/Vulcan/Kalibrgun - Talon Airgun or Charlie Frear at Georgia Airguns that I know of

EDgun - Brian @ Edgunwest or you can service them yourself - very easy to work on the new R5's

For same price, would you prefer one of them over a Daystate or an FX, for example?

I prefer the European guns over FX simply due to their reliability and lower cost of ownership due to fewer mechanical problems. I prefer Daystate over FX due to their 5 year transferrable warranty. I prefer the European guns over Daystate when price is the only factor - aside from the Daystate Huntsman Regal XL, most of their guns are in the $1500+ range unless you buy used.

It seems that most of the east european bullpups have lever action at the rear – are any of them now using side levers above the trigger? (Preferred location for me.)

Kalibrgun Cricket - rear cocking

Vulcan - side-lever cocking, reversible

Taipan Veteran - rear cocking

EDgun R5's - side-lever cocking



I can't comment on the Kral or Ataman as I don't own them.
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Such a good point on “lower cost of ownership”.
 
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How is the sound levels of the r5m compared to your other guns? What ldc would you compare the stock r5m too?
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One thing no one really talks about is Ed’s ability to quiet a gun down. The R5M is crazy quiet... even at full power. The hammer spring has a good ting to it, as it’s right in your ear, but there is nothing out the front except impact... I have a video somewhere that you can hear it, and then impact 25 yards later... I’ll find it and include it in my next compliation video. 
 
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How is the sound levels of the r5m compared to your other guns? What ldc would you compare the stock r5m too?
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One thing no one really talks about is Ed’s ability to quiet a gun down. The R5M is crazy quiet... even at full power. The hammer spring has a good ting to it, as it’s right in your ear, but there is nothing out the front except impact... I have a video somewhere that you can hear it, and then impact 25 yards later... I’ll find it and include it in my next compliation video.
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I didn’t see an aftermarket ldc for it, so I’m guessing pretty quiet. I’ve got a sumo on my streamline and it is deceptive how quiet it is. 
 
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How is the sound levels of the r5m compared to your other guns? What ldc would you compare the stock r5m too?
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The R5 platform is the first PCP I didn't feel I needed to add on an aftermarket moderator. My Cricket .25, while an amazing gun, is louder than my R5M at the same power level, with the sound output noted to be a high pitch.

I regretted the Cricket purchase for two reasons - one being that the standard shroud requires some expertise I don't have in removing the epoxied end cap in order to fit an aftermarket adapter to allow for an extra moderator be installed, and weight. The Cricket .25 is longer than the R5M standard and is heavier, especially in the synthetic stock, which I owned. OWNED, as in I sold it last week to purchase another PCP, the Daystate Wolverine R.

So figure that an R5 is fine without any extra sound moderator purchase. You can make them even quieter but tuning them down, if needed, like Tim did with his R5M.

The Taipan Mutant/Veteran is another very quiet PCP in stock form, but I own the .22 shorty version so I can't compare that caliber to my R5M. The R5M in .25 is as quiet as the Crown .25 with extended shroud, maybe a little quieter. The "ping" near your ear is what you'll hear as the shooter, which to some people may bother them. It certainly doesn't cause your ears to ring or become painful or unbearable. It's just there because of head position. Not a dealbreaker for me.
 
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I have a Vulcan1 Gen2/3, along with a FX bobcat and FX streamline. I had a problem with my vulcan, contacted Evgeny Pigrov the owner of the company AGT and he sent me a brand new updated reg, the full oring set, degassing tool for free. Now that is service! I had an issue with my Bobcat POI shifting. I contacted AOA where I purchased the gun. They told me to contact FX USA, they were kind enough to give me the number. I got to speak with Ernest Rowe, everyone knows who Ernest Rowe is in the airgun industry if you have watched any DIY videos on airguns. Ernest was very helpful and willing to share his knowledge, but it was still up to me to figure out what the issue was, with his guidance of course. Great guy by the way. I did get it figured out, but I had to do the work, no parts sent or offered by FX. (not saying they would not have, if I had not figured out the issue, but just stating the facts)

I would summarize that what I have seen of the Vulcans, you can't go wrong. Local service has already been touched on by other threads, but dropping an email to the owner, got me a package here in 2 days. I had to sign for it, and the mailman mentioned it was not a "cheap" package for them to send, so my hat is off to the VULCAN.

So tongue in cheek I ask? Why don't we hear more about the Vulcans in the forums? Answer: We Vulcan owners are too busy out shooting them to be driving the keyboards talking about them.lol. PS, I'm heading out right after I hit "submit".

I have pulled the trigger on a Cricket .25 that was modified by Charlie at Georgia Airguns and I will admit it was sweet. Ten shots at 100yds in a 1.25" to 1.5" group in the Texas wind. That gun can shoot. The owner has reported no problems with this gun as far as I know. Trigger was pretty darn nice to boot. Not to mention he wins our local BRS competitions with this Cricket.

It comes down to do you want a gun that is reliable, that can shoot, or do you want something that just looks good. Vulcans, Edguns, Taipan, and Kalibrguns may not win any beauty contest at first glance, but they are well made and shoot! To me that makes them "BEAUTIFUL"!

Hope this was helpful. Sure don't mean to bash the Daystates or the FX or anyone else. They are fine guns, everyone just has to decide for themselves what "they" like. Hence why I have a "collection", much to the chagrin of my wife. Or as I tease her, her "SHE-Grin".
 
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I'll keep this short and to the point.

I have owned a.22 Kral Puncher Breaker for close to 2 yrs. now. I knew going in that it would most likely need fine tuning. It did. I upgraded the cocking arm and valve stem. It will provide 3/4 to 1/2 inch 12 shot groups at 50yds. all day long and a minimum 40 shots per fill.

No,it wasn't perfect out of the box,but it's never given me one single problem and the cost was $500 to $750+ less expensive than some of the other brands mentioned.

I'm satisfied with my purchase.

Mike.
 
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I own an EdGun which was purchased this spring and after reading for two years about the quality of these rifles, I expected big things. However it is not on the same page or even in the same book as my Daystate or FX rifles when it comes to operation (including the trigger), the quality of the fit and finish, or the accuracy. I know this may fly in the face of what many on the web say, but I have put 7,000 rounds through my EdGun since late April and I know it well. I would not sell it as it serves a purpose and does so quite well, but it is not an FX or Daystate!!!
 
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How adjustable is the power level for the Vulcan and the Edgun? I have a Mutant currently, and it can easily be adjusted down to 12 FPE for back yard pesting or plinking and up to 30 FPE for longer range hunting. Would love a Vulcan or Edgun but I haven't been able to determine if they're as adjustable as the Mutant or not.
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The EDgun R5 is very easily adjustable. If you leave it in stock form with factory reg, you just pop the stock off and you have access to the HST for adjustment using a 10mm allen wrench. If you want even more adjustability, remove the factory reg and replace with Huma reg which now allows you to dial in a specific reg pressure, in addition to tweaking the HST. Super easy to do it with just allen wrenches.
 
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I actually prefer the Eastern Block Guns. As I said before, some have a cult following of sorts. I choose the Kalibrguns due to my proximity to Charlie Frear. Check out some of these links:

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/intenseaty22s-g-a-cricket-mini-carbine/

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/taipan-report/

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/new-to-me-cricket-mini-carbine-22/

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/cricket-mini-at-111-yards/

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/22-cricket-mini-carbine-52-yard-groups/

I do recommend that you get one from a reputable tuner like Georgia Airguns or Ernest Rowe. They are not perfect out of the factory and require a little tweaking. 




 
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