Impact air guns???

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Z

zebra

Member
Sep 29, 2015
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New York
Just to make the world slightly more confusing than it already was, there seems to be a new air gun brand that is claiming to be the new Theoben. 

I thought RAW had bought the old the Theoben business including the designs etc....

Not to be confused with the FX Impact, this company is called "Impact Air" and is based in the old Theoben factory in England. They have hired the old Theoben staff and they are selling PCP guns that look very similar to the Theoben guns. They are also offering to service the old Theoben guns and sell spare parts. They are clearly hoping to trade on a little of the old good will and brand recognition. 

The actual rifles seem very unremarkable in the current competitive landscape. They appear to be unregulated and use metal bottles instead of CF. The price in America is as high as some of the FX and Daystate guns but I can't find anything in the product descriptions to give me a clue as to why they think people will pay that much for a brand nobody has heard of. That doesn't mean there isn't a reason. They could be the best thing on this green earth for all I know.

Does anyone here own one, thinking of buying one or know anything about them?
 
I addition to the PCP guns, they're reviving the gas piston breakbarrels-AOA has them. 
RM100.png

https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/

Here are the PCPs on the Penchetta Site
impact200.png

http://www.penchetta.com/store/air-guns/impact-air.html 
 
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"BRS"Impact Air launched their business at exactly the same time as RAW.

The rights to the Theoben designs were sold in the following order:

UK - ImpactAir

USA - RAW

&..er.. I would imagine that's it on regional business zones.


('Theo' sadly died about the time that 'Ben' finally retired).
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Isn't it strange that Impact guns are for sale in America then (if RAW bought the U.S. rights)?

It doesn't say that they are out of business on the Impact site. It looks like they are still taking orders for new guns.

Maybe they saw what RAW was charging over here and how well they were doing and thought people would be just as happy to pay the same premium for their product. 

The important lesson here is: just because you shot Jesse James, it doesn't make you Jesse James! I.e. Just because you bought the Theoben building....

The thing I think new air gun companies need to understand is that if we purchase an FX, Daystate or Kalibrgun, they have good value retention. If I bought an FX Wildcat and decided next month it wasn't for me, I could easily sell it and only lose $100 or $200. I am not sure I could sell a used Impact air rifle for $500 less than I paid. That makes them worth less even if the shoot identical groups. 
 
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Dear Zebra,
The RAW guns are probably the strongest air guns made. They are built like a TRUCK so to speak. Martin owns the business and he checks every gun that goes out. He shoots each one also. The guns are made in a small shop in Tennesse and there was a two to three month wait about a year ago when I bought my .25. I have two of his guns. They are both HM1000X's. One is in .25 and the other .22. (the HM 1000X is not normally made in .22, it was a special order). Both guns are regulated. He also offers carbon fiber bottles for these guns, which I have. You can see the guns on his website. They make a FX gun look, and is quite fragile. I also have a FX Bobcat in .25 cal. I have shot sub 5 shot quarter inch groups at 50 yards with the .25. Sub half inch groups are common for the .22. Wind is always the problem for both. His guns are heavy but they will last a life time. They are very solid guns.

John
 
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"hotair"Dear Zebra,
The RAW guns are probably the strongest air guns made. They are built like a TRUCK so to speak. Martin owns the business and he checks every gun that goes out. He shoots each one also. The guns are made in a small shop in Tennesse and there was a two to three month wait about a year ago when I bought my .25. I have two of his guns. They are both HM1000X's. One is in .25 and the other .22. (the HM 1000X is not normally made in .22, it was a special order). Both guns are regulated. He also offers carbon fiber bottles for these guns, which I have. You can see the guns on his website. They make a FX gun look, and is quite fragile. I also have a FX Bobcat in .25 cal. I have shot sub 5 shot quarter inch groups at 50 yards with the .25. Sub half inch groups are common for the .22. Wind is always the problem for both. His guns are heavy but they will last a life time. They are very solid guns.

John
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And we'll be back after these messages...
 
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Nothing in common between Rapid Air Weapons and impact. Yes they have for several years now ( and more than one dealer in the US tried to sell them) played heavy on the old theoben name. Ben is now Gone. Martin took all his skill & knowledge to TN and set up an outstanding shop & crew. 

I have handled and impact (rapid copy) it was not nearly what theoben used to make.

Jhn

 
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"spysir"Nothing in common between Rapid Air Weapons and impact. Yes they have for several years now ( and more than one dealer in the US tried to sell them) played heavy on the old theoben name. Ben is now Gone. Martin took all his skill & knowledge to TN and set up an outstanding shop & crew. 

I have handled and impact (rapid copy) it was not nearly what theoben used to make.

Jhn

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Was it regulated? I'm not thinking of buying one, just curious.

i've never held a Theoben. I know they had / have a following and were respected at the time. Air guns are only as good as the people making them now though. Borrowing a design or some brand recognition doesn't mean much.



 
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From Impact's Facebook page:



As of today, we have made the decision to focus on spares and repairs for Theoben and Impact rifles and to cease manufacturing complete guns. This was a difficult decision to make but we feel as a small business we can support our customers needs better with a range of great spares to keep these awesome guns going. We are also moving to better suited premises, details to follow shortly…...

We do appreciate all your continued support.

Thanks

The Impact team
 
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"scrane"From Impact's Facebook page:



As of today, we have made the decision to focus on spares and repairs for Theoben and Impact rifles and to cease manufacturing complete guns. This was a difficult decision to make but we feel as a small business we can support our customers needs better with a range of great spares to keep these awesome guns going. We are also moving to better suited premises, details to follow shortly…...

We do appreciate all your continued support.

Thanks

The Impact team
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How strange. Hard to believe a business could survive focussing entirely on spare parts for an air rifle that is no longer made or sold. It sounds like one of the worst business plans ever. 

 
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