FX Impact: The Wait and Anticipation

I've had my .25 silver Impact since December. I have never been more excited about any other gun (including all the firearms I've bought). AOA switched out the barrel and tightened the pressure gauge on the 2nd day. They usually air up the guns and let them sit over night and I think they also put them through the chrono before they ship them to make sure they aren't losing air and shooting well. But I live just down the street and didn't want to wait for them to test mine So I came back to the shop the next day and they fixed everything for me real quick (AOA has always been great to me). I'm still liking my Impact and I have a Cricket in .22 and a Benjamin Marauder Pistol in .22 as well. The Impact is pretty accurate/ has pretty tight groupings but the POI from one grouping to another will randomly change on me. I'm thinking it might be due to the collapsible LDC effecting the trajectory a little bit differently each time I collapse and extend it but sometimes it will do it mid magazine. I'm thinking the LDC might be a little loose or barrel isn't sitting tight enough. I know I will eventually figure it out after time. So far i've only got 600 shots of 25 gr JSB pellets through it. Also, the .25 Impact does better at longer ranges than the .22 Cricket I have. Have shot quite a few Arizona desert rabbits at long range and California ground squirrels (with some nice head shots between 75 and 120 yards). I have a Hawke sidewinder and use an Atlas bipod (I think you will be happy with your scope and bi pod purchase as well) when target shooting but use shooting sticks and a Nikon Aculon laser range finder when hunting. I use a single point sling when out in the desert because the Impact is heavy compared to my Benjamin Prod (4 pounds with scope vs. 8.5 lbs with scope). I went with the .25 over the .30 mainly because of the higher shot count and mag capacity. If I got another barrel, it would be the .177 since I love to punch paper in the backyard and could use the extra shots and not fill up my lead traps as fast. Anyway, I think you'll be pleased. I'm interested to hear back from you after you get the gun to see how you like it and if any of the issues others have had, have been addressed (rail spacing, air inlet, barrel screw, cocking lever pin, etc)

The collapsing moderator is one item that turned me off. The second was the changeable barell system. Both seemed like if production isn't perfect issues may arise, and we have seen some. I'm not interested in changing pellet size, and adjusting the moderator, I'd rather have them fixed. I went for the Wildcat, AOA is waiting for shipment and I look forward to another cool air gun.

I had an Airstream and now a Neil Clague LCD on my AirWolf. I did not experance a POI shift when removing them or changing from one to the other. Just my experance with one rifle.

The Impact is a great concept. Being first is fun but you also have to bear the risk of new rifle hiccups. I'd like an Impact in a .177 caliber. What Id really like to know is if you could easily change it to a .25 or .30 caliber and that it would throw a .177 or a .30 with an easy adjustment.

I need to know if the shroud will work with all calibers, if the barrel tightening screw really works (seems a bit too simplistic) without affecting POI, if the air volume knob (or whatever its name is) can be made to stay on tight and allows a wide range of air volume adjustment, and any additional first gun issues arise. ALL new guns have teething issues so it wont keep me from buying one, I just will wait a bit to have these questions answered, then I'll throw my money down on one.

I own FX guns now (Verminator .177 and Wildcat .22) and have owned five other FX rifles (two FX400, FX500, FX Elite .22 and .25). They all are good rifles and I've never had a problems. (Knock on wood!!)

"Scott_MCT"I had an Airstream and now a Neil Clague LCD on my AirWolf. I did not experance a POI shift when removing them or changing from one to the other. Just my experance with one rifle.

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Same with me. NC made me an LDC for my .25 Career 707 and there is no POI shift as long as it is kept clean. Having tried a number of different LDCs, I have to say that NC makes a great product. Measurably much better than 4 other brands I tried. He actually made my 707 backyard friendly which I was convinced was impossible.

I thought Ted opted for a fixed LDC on his impact because it had better noise control than the telescoping model that everyone else got. A shift in POI kinda takes away the convenience of a telescoping design as you don't want to adjust your scope every time you extend it. 

Maybe cleaning the LDC or barrel might fix the issue. If the POI randomly shifts between groups, cleaning is the first thing I would try after checking the barrel is firmly screwed in. 

Is there any clipping on the LDC or barrel?

im waiting before fx will fix all the issues in impact. and i love that fixed ldc on this gun. not the telescopic thingy. i heared they will be for sale too soon

There isn't any clipping that can be seen on the Impact telescoping LDC. I have cleaned the barrel and cleaned the LDC (twice so far) but left the majority of the silicon grease intact in the sliding mechanism until I can find out what type of grease is being used. My Marauder LDC from Neil Claque changes the POI if I screw it on the barrel too tight. I put a line (small scratch) on the barrel and on the LDC so that it lines up the same each time I put the LDC back on.

"FieryPellets"First time posting, long time AGN reader, long time air rifle hunter/plinker with occasional AR15/AK47/shotgun fun. Just wanted to drop by and say hello. Also......

I just ordered the black FX Impact in 22cal from http://www.straightshooters.com/. Free shipping! Spoke directly with Craig. He said the next shipment won't be in until the end of February. So far I am the very few that ordered the air rifle in 22. When the shipments come in, I have a better chance of getting it sooner while others will wait longer for the other two calibers. I'm deciding whether I should get the .25 or the .30 upgrade for this rifle.

Anyone ordered one or have one already? What is your experience with it? I also put in an order for the same bipod and scope as Teds.

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same as you...ordered the .25 FX Impact from them also...can't wait to receive it and start shooting.

I think the Impact should be the talk because FX has been more leading edge than anyone else lately. With that being said I'm a one holer guy and work in an engineering world. ANYTHING that has a changeable barell and sliding moderator simply can not replicate what a fixed system can do (assuming same quality). Maybe when the component is new, but the bass locking system on the barell will eventually wear if you like changing calipers and a sliding moderator may induce POI shifts simply because its design is to change the level of moderation. Each time it slides there is wear. If the Impact was one caliber only and had a fixed moderator I would have dived in, but the Wilcat was more down my Ally.

Thats worth a +1!! Scott, you have made a great point that I have yet to read or think of myself. I am not in the market, but the overall design and idea of the Impact is really cool. However, your point should be strongly considered for those contemplating an Impact!!

The impact will have barrels with fixed shrouds as seen in teds video review. I put my deposit down today for a black .25 and will wait for them to receive the fixed shroud barrels before having them ship it.

Might wait for Michael because I believe he has one, but I believe it is brass.

I was notified by precision that the next order is due to show up sometime this month. They have not received any information in regards to the quantities of what calibers and or colors. They appreciate everyone's patience with the preordered impacts. Craig and Nancy are top notch on customer service. 

- Mike 

"APerfectMiss"I was notified by precision that the next order is due to show up sometime this month. They have not received any information in regards to the quantities of what calibers and or colors. They appreciate everyone's patience with the preordered impacts. Craig and Nancy are top notch on customer service. 

- Mike

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Precision are just resellers for AOA. In the event that there is an issue with an FX or Cricket you buy from them and you need to use your warranty, they will just direct you to AOA. As nice as Craig and Nancy may be, they can't or won't do anything to help with any issues on those guns. 

My Cricket arrived with a horrible scratch on the anodized metal from them. AOA said cosmetic damage is "normal" on their guns so Nancy wouldn't help me with it. I had to go directly to Kalibrgun myself to get a replacement part. Luckily for me, Kalibrgun stood behind their product although it took forever.

I have an indexing issue now on that Cricket and I am very nervous about sending my air rifle to AOA given that my transaction was with Precision. If AOA can't fix it or damage it, it's not like they are going to give me a refund (even though it's under warranty) as I bought it from Precision).


There is only one air gun vendor that actually has good after-sales service when you have an issue and that is Pyramyd Air. They return all guns no questions asked, even if they have no issues. If there is an issue, they pay for return shipping and immediately dispatch a replacement.