new fx air rifle or not

It really depends on what you intended usage will be.

like all airguns you will see both good and bad reviews, As Dirty Harry would say “are you feeling lucky punk”



Bb

I got a Crown Continnium in 25 and a Impact in 30 about 8 months apart. Knock on wood I have left them as they came out of the box (I see no need to tinker, both guns are hole in hole out to 70 yards and sub MOA at 100) I have had no issues and have about 2,000 pellets through both maybe more. The flip side to this is that it is really hard for me to shoot my other guns now... they simply don't produce the accuracy results the FX guns do. I do shoot my gauntlet in 25 on occasion because it's in the ranger with my 223 for when shooting opportunities arise out on the trails.... but the Hatsans, Krals, etc haven't been shot since I added the FX units to my safe... they simply don't hold a candle.. Had I to do it over again I would have just started with the crown or impact and "not worked my way up to one". If I had all the money in my pocket I spent on 600-900 guns I could add two or three more FX units to the safe.... 

I have owned numerous FX guns dating back to 1997. Never had a problem with any of them. That said, I never drilled hacked or messed with any of them like some guys do. I bought new, from well known distributors, and in a couple cases never even cleaned the barrel, just took them out and started and kept on shooting ragged holes. Lots of guys are abusive to their equipment, then make unreasonable demands of the manufacturer/distributor, and like when a spoiled child doesn't get their way, come on forums like this and bad mouth them. I have no use for people like that. We ALL pay for losers like them. If you want to "tinker" with your gun in ways that materially alter it, YOU assume the risk of voiding your warranty, and we all should not have to pay for it in terms of higher prices.

FX guns are really good guns.

FX makes great guns . If you think you can buy them and shoot hole one at 70 yards and sub MOA at 100 even after tuning and some hands on by the most skilled people in the game you can expect to be disappointed. 

There are other guns to be considered but it comes down to personal choice. Daystate makes really nice guns as does RAW.

I would suggest buying used and that way you can trade around until you get the gun you like best . Buying new they just depreciate too much . 

For cost and ease of use right out of the box imo brocock is the one. Seems lately lots of FX users are experiencing issues right out of the box with lots of weird items. My buddy got a mk 2 impact and it had to go back within 3 days as it was not holding air after 50 shots. He did not alter anything. Was gone for 3 weeks before he got it back. I second the option for a used gun and then feel it out. 

Look at the FX Royale series. Simple, reliable and very accurate with a high shot count. 

I have a Crown, a Wildcat and a T12. No problems with any of them, nothing since I took them out of the box. Less lucky with Daystate and Brocock, had problems with all 3.

Look at the FX Royale series. Simple, reliable and very accurate with a high shot count.

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Agree 100%. IMO the Royale platform is the only one to own in the FX line. Some will ask why, since the Royale does not have a sleeve/liner system, adjustable shroud, adjustable side wheel for power settings, or an externally adjustable regulator. And my response, that's why! I had a Crown, and it shot very well, but the liner needed frequent cleaning to avoid fouling, and the rifle was subject to inexplicable POI changes, as well as being very subject to such changes with any slight mishandling. Granted, no air rifle should be banged around, but the complexity of the barrel/shroud,sleeve/liner system is not a very robust assembly. As for the adjustments, well, I find if I get a rifle where I want it, I don't fuss with it further. 

In contrast, the Royale is a solid, Smooth Twist barrel, rarely needs cleaning, and does not suffer POI changes. Not to muddy the water, assuming you are focused on FX, but you might also consider the Taipan Veteran bullpup. It's accurate, simple, built like a tank (threaded barrel shank, like most cartridge rifles). And, something not found in most rifles offering those advantages of simplicity, an outstanding trigger. It is a fully adjustable, real two-stage trigger. The FX trigger, although odd in design, works well enough, but has limited adjustability. 

Out of the box, accurate, no mechanical problems, a real pleasure to shoot … I give the nod to the Cricket Carbine, the Vulcan2 Tactic and the Veteran Long.

Not saying that some of my other guns can't be MADE to shoot much better (I am currently working on my R5M and it is making good progress). The only gun that I have pretty much given up on is the gen1 Impact. The gen1 Wildcat will hold it's own but even it has left me scratching my head from time to time.

I think you run into issues with any vendor. I do think the higher end FX rifles add a lot of levels of adjustability, and with those abilities, it brings in more opportunity for problems. Pick an industry, and you can see that sort of thing. Sort of like mentioned earlier, the Royale is not as complicated and is rock solid, but you don’t have as many tinkering options. They are always looking for ways to improve, and the aftermarket area has opportunity for the same reason on those high end rifles.

I was very hesitant to go with the Impact, because of the threads I see with problems, and have gone with other very good rifles that were simpler. I haven’t had issues with any of the brands so far, but I love my Impact. One thing that can help is where you purchase. If you choose to purchase new, and buy from somewhere like SPAW, he would have tested it and set it up like you want, so he could possibly find some problems from the factory that maybe a warehouse that is only turning it around would not find.

Regardless of what you buy, (particularly in the case of FX, your going to pay the same price regardless) let the most important thing be WHO you buy it from. Consider their customer satisfaction track record.

I picked up a .25 Crown Continuum in July. Guns been fantastic. All I’d hoped for and more. 3,000 pellets through it so far and going strong.

I have a friend with a Gen 1 Impact that he uses for pesting on his farm. This gun really sees some rough dirty conditions bouncing around on the back of a 4 wheeler. I can’t believe how well his gun has held up.

I looked long and hard at the Brocock and at the Daystate’s. Daystate just seemed to pricey for what you get, or don’t ($400 programmer).

The cocking lever on the Brococks was the deal breaker for me.

I almost bought a regular Crown but waited an extra 6 months for the Continuum. Glad I did I love the new barrel system.



Mat

Who is spaw? (Spaweapons)

Kin Hicks of Southern Precision AIRGUNS.

Google for his website.



Cheers

I think that in general you need to expect a certain level of "care" with any air gun. That being said I have a FX Wildcat MK2 in .30 cal and I love it. I had one problem with the hammer spring adjuster backing out on me which was a simple fix. Since then I have shot 1000's of rounds through it without issue. It is deadly accurate out to 100 yards and has power to spare. I would not hesitate to buy another one. Haters are going to hate.

Who is spaw? (Spaweapons)

Kin Hicks of Southern Precision AIRGUNS.

Google for his website.



Cheers

Click to expand...

He is a supporter of this site as well, so he has a banner at the top on this site that crosses the page with the other supporters. As the FX guns have fixed pricing, it is nice to have someone who knows what they are doing talk to you about how you want it set up and then set it up at no additional cost. I have had two rifles that Ken worked on and did a fantastic job, the Impact and a RW. That being said, if you can find a used rifle here, especially from some of the well known shooters and tinkerers, don’t hesitate to jump on deals they offer up sometimes. I’ve missed couple I wish I had not set hesitated on. 

I purchased two new Crowns last year, .25 & .177, they both had POI problems with the first shot. I also purchased a new Impact in 2017 and it had major accuracy issues. 

Me personally, I would be looking at Daystate. 

There isn't a brand out there that doesn't have is problems, bad examples, supporters, and detractors. I think part of the reason why there seem to be so many more complaints about FX though is that they sell a LOT more rifles than the other "leading brands" on the forum. I think the take-away from all this isn't to buy or avoid any particular brand, but to purchase from a retailer who has good service and support. Buying from the most reputable brand in the world doesn't mean a thing if it is you who got the lemon and your dealer won't support you or tells you to contact the manufacturer for support. 





Full disclosure: I run two FX Crowns and love them both. Would recommend. 

STO = Statement is very accurate +1 for you Sr.