What makes the impact so unreliable, yet so desirable?

I am absolutely thrilled with my Impact II. It took a number of years to even consider buying one due to cost and all the negatives I have read about them. It's not perfect in everyway, but is very close IMHO. The negatives are that it is not as comfortable as what I am use to (traditional stocks), but I bought a AAA .357 Slayer before this gun and had already got use to this type of feel when handling it. The other negative is that the trigger is not quite as good as my Marauder trigger, which I did work on a bit. I'll tackle the trigger on the Impact at some point, too.

The positives I have experienced are a long list:

1. Very accurate and very repeatable accuracy.
2. Very long barrels, but gun is still as short as my Marauder, even with a Shogun LDC attached to the Impact and no LDC on the Marauder.
3. So that brings up awesome design
4. Quiet report.
5. Powerful! I'm currently at 70 FPE in .25 cal. I will be close or over 100 FPE in .30 cal. soon.
6. That brings up flexibility in calibers.
7. The exterior tuning capabilities are a huge plus.
8. Externally controllable valve travel. (This is a major plus)
9. Forward cocking.
10. Super easy cocking force (less that 3lbs).
11. High capacity magazines (28 count in .25 caliber (someone pinch me).
12. Great service from FX. They are very responsive to questions.
13. Lightweight. I put a sling on mine and it works very well
14. Aftermarket accessories. It has clearly taken the top spot from the Marauder here.
15. Reliable first shot of the day. I can hunt with this gun. I have checked the first shot of the day countless times. It is spot on and up at correct speed each time.
16. Consistency. Very low ES numbers. I'm talking down to 3 FPS typically with lots of duplicates showing up on the chrono. I do sort and size.
17. Super easy degassing. I really like this compared to other guns.
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    This has been a gun for me for sure. I really am happy I didn't listen to the naysayers. I know every one is unique and have their own unique experiences and opinions, but now you have mine. I haven't had one hint of a leak, and I have had this gun apart a number of times installing upgrades. It still doesn't leak a drop, and if it did, that would be fun to find, too. I have 25 full replacement kits of O-rings at the ready and love to tinker, but so far no joy there. This gun is solid and so much easier to work on than my Marauders. Just a small number of Allen keys is all that is needed basically. It is a really well designed gun in many ways. I absolutely love it.
    
    As a Christian, I typically make it a point to not follow the main crowds. I bought my .22 Marauder during the height of the .22 Marauder bashing on many forums. My first PCP. I took that gun to a GTA competition and came in first place. Glad I didn't listen then to the naysayers. I wasn't even going to compete because I was intimidated by the FX and Daystates I would have to shoot against, but got talked into it by my friend. It was my first competition as well.
    
    I say find the gun you think will work in most areas for you and get it. Limit your bashing of someone else's gun that doesn't fit you as well. It's good to read other opinions, just not the bashing that is uncalled for. This is especially true for those that have never owned an Impact. Yes, they are out there giving baseless opinions.
    
    In full disclosure, I bought this Impact used. It is ~ 13 months old. You would think there would be issues with its age. There isn't any. It's a work horse of the highest caliber, IMHO.

Lucky you have the mechanical inclination and cognitive dexterity and motivation and time and Will and spirit and drive.

Just think about the others who are not.

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Maybe I'm weird, but thinkering to make something work... Sure, I'll do it to keep an old motorcycle (that was given to me) running. 

But if I'm going to pay a premium (yes, $2K is not that much money compared to a motorcycle, but in the airgun world it's getting up there) I would expect to operate tinkering-free.

You've got to give FX credit. They rocked the industry and forced other manufacturers to up their games.

• Bullpup were somewhat of an oddity before the Impact came along. 
• Few airguns, even to this day, offers so many possibilities for adjustment

Lucky you have the mechanical inclination and cognitive dexterity and motivation and time and Will and spirit and drive.

Just think about the others who are not.

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Maybe I'm weird, but thinkering to make something work... Sure, I'll do it to keep an old motorcycle (that was given to me) running. 

But if I'm going to pay a premium (yes, $2K is not that much money compared to a motorcycle, but in the airgun world it's getting up there) I would expect to operate tinkering-free.

You've got to give FX credit. They rocked the industry and forced other manufacturers to up their games.

• Bullpup were somewhat of an oddity before the Impact came along. 
• Few airguns, even to this day, offers so many possibilities for adjustment

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No.

The tinkering is not to "make something work" on the Impact. The tinkering comes with tapping into the guns versatility. I.e. changing calibers, adjusting velocity and using a variety of ammo, e.g. pellets, hybrid slugs and slugs of different weights etc.

I own Impacts and I think much of the criticism is unwarranted.

Purchased but haven’t received my dream lite bottle .25. Should I expect the same sort of issues with it? I love tinkering and ‘improving’ my PCP’s but this my first FX. Wondering what to expect. Is the design just as complex as an Impact? The parts diagram seems less complicated.

i wonder how much high reg pressure has to do with these failures. Adding power plenum and lowering the reg seems like it would extend the life of all the o’rings.

Lucky you have the mechanical inclination and cognitive dexterity and motivation and time and Will and spirit and drive.

Just think about the others who are not.

Click to expand...

Maybe I'm weird, but thinkering to make something work... Sure, I'll do it to keep an old motorcycle (that was given to me) running. 

But if I'm going to pay a premium (yes, $2K is not that much money compared to a motorcycle, but in the airgun world it's getting up there) I would expect to operate tinkering-free.

You've got to give FX credit. They rocked the industry and forced other manufacturers to up their games.

• Bullpup were somewhat of an oddity before the Impact came along. 
• Few airguns, even to this day, offers so many possibilities for adjustment

Click to expand...

No.

The tinkering is not to "make something work" on the Impact. The tinkering comes with tapping into the guns versatility. I.e. changing calibers, adjusting velocity and using a variety of ammo, e.g. pellets, hybrid slugs and slugs of different weights etc.

I own Impacts and I think much of the criticism is unwarranted.

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+1



if you want a set and forget it gun then go buy an older wildcat, veteran or Daystate. Buy it, find its favorite ammo, chrono it, put sticker on the turret or create a chart and shoot it. Impact can absolutely do that but that’s not why you pay extra for an impact for. 


If you like to change things up then Impact and newer FX guns are for you. I have 2 calibers, 4 liners, amost 10 types of ammo and their tune in a spreadsheet and I know some members have way more than that. That’s what we mean by tinkering not to get it to shoot. 


example: been trying .22 slugs for hunting and decided on 2 tunes, 50 yards and closer @ 800FPS and 50 plus yard tune @950FPS. Why? At 800FPS the trajectory is very flat between 20-50 yards, .4 Mil under so I set mind at .2 Mil and aim dead center at every shot to 50 yards. @950FPS at 100 yards drop is 2.2 mils vs 6 mils, either dial or hold over would be very easy and better in the wind. This is type of flexibility and capability you get with Impact and other guns that can be fine tuned/tinkered with. This is why Impact is $2k and turned the airgun industry upside down. People who get it and use it love them, people will don’t get it simply hate them. 

No.

The tinkering is not to "make something work" on the Impact. The tinkering comes with tapping into the guns versatility. I.e. changing calibers, adjusting velocity and using a variety of ammo, e.g. pellets, hybrid slugs and slugs of different weights etc.

I own Impacts and I think much of the criticism is unwarranted.

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Adjusting/fine tuning a rifle is not thinkering, to me at least.

When I think of the Impact and thinkering. People changing o-rings, while chasing leaks comes to mind... Maybe it was pushed to the market a little too soon. The MK2 seems to have less issues, then again, my interest in them as gone done... so I don't read as many of the post

No.

The tinkering is not to "make something work" on the Impact. The tinkering comes with tapping into the guns versatility. I.e. changing calibers, adjusting velocity and using a variety of ammo, e.g. pellets, hybrid slugs and slugs of different weights etc.

I own Impacts and I think much of the criticism is unwarranted.

Click to expand...

Adjusting/fine tuning a rifle is not thinkering, to me at least.

When I think of the Impact and thinkering. People changing o-rings, while chasing leaks comes to mind... Maybe it was pushed to the market a little too soon. The MK2 seems to have less issues, then again, my interest in them as gone done... so I don't read as many of the post



That's what I am thinking. The gen 2 has addressed the tolerance issues that may have plagued the gen 1's.

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There is the kid that takes the computer apart to see how it is built, it will learn it and make it even better.

And there is the kid that just wants to play the video game.

If you're the second don't buy an Impact.



A formula one car is not a car to just pick up and drive, it is to super perform and so it needs to be tuned for that.

Fx Impact is formula one, if you want easy driving then buy a hyunday, it's even cheaper.

But then don't complain it doesn't drive like a formula one car.



When you spend 2000$ dollars on a rifle that has so much tunability and requires learning and you're not really willing to learn, then you're making a mistake one way or another. But don't blame the rifle because you can't make it perform.

I never read on the manual that the rifle auto tunes itself, maybe some people have a different manual than mine..

Just saying..



Good luck.

There is the kid that takes the computer apart to see how it is built, it will learn it and make it even better.

And there is the kid that just wants to play the video game.

If you're the second don't buy an Impact.



A formula one car is not a car to just pick up and drive, it is to super perform and so it needs to be tuned for that.

Fx Impact is formula one, if you want easy driving then buy a hyunday, it's even cheaper.

But then don't complain it doesn't drive like a formula one car.



When you spend 2000$ dollars on a rifle that has so much tunability and requires learning and you're not really willing to learn, then you're making a mistake one way or another. But don't blame the rifle because you can't make it perform.

I never read on the manual that the rifle auto tunes itself, maybe some people have a different manual than mine..

Just saying..



Good luck.

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AMEN, and I would bet that most owners don't see it as unreliable. Starting with me.

Bought an FX Impact Compact in .22 in May of 2020. No problems with it, but it was gone in July 2020. Over hyped, a problem waiting to happen, a tinkerers dream (a tinkerer I am not, when things work, I leave them alone). I think a lot of the perceived need for an Impact comes from this silly talk of EBR (gun games using guns by big name salesmen that are usually highly modified), and shooting something at 200 yards (bird size only since there's only enough power for it at that distance), without consideration for one of the main reasons for an airgun-safety.

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You can kill more than birds at 200y when a 30 cal slug still has 63fpe at 200m. But hey don't let the facts get in the way.

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If all you want to kill is birds-I think that’s what I said.

Bought an FX Impact Compact in .22 in May of 2020. No problems with it, but it was gone in July 2020. Over hyped, a problem waiting to happen, a tinkerers dream (a tinkerer I am not, when things work, I leave them alone). I think a lot of the perceived need for an Impact comes from this silly talk of EBR (gun games using guns by big name salesmen that are usually highly modified), and shooting something at 200 yards (bird size only since there's only enough power for it at that distance), without consideration for one of the main reasons for an airgun-safety.

Click to expand...

You can kill more than birds at 200y when a 30 cal slug still has 63fpe at 200m. But hey don't let the facts get in the way.

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If all you want to kill is birds-I think that’s what I said.

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You don't need to try and guess what you said. It's quoted, and it's a false narrative. 

"bird size only since there's only enough power for it at that distance"

No problems with my Impact, shoots great right out of the box with the factory tune. Accurate, consistent, well designed with excellent fit and finish.

I don't think the Impact is any less reliable than any other air gun of similar capability and complexity,. If anything the design has shown to be robust considering the modifications and power levels it is used at. 

Air leaks in a new rifle would be annoying but I feel that the dealer should be checking every gun before shipping - I know that Airgun Source here in Canada does.

There "seems " to be an impression that the Impact is unreliable, it might put things in perspective if we knew how many Impacts have been sold. Maybe FX will share that information. 

Just saying. 

I won’t take a body shot on a raccoon (head shots I will) with too much less than 100 ft/#’s of energy at the muzzle, and usually only to 50 yards or so. Everyone’s interpretation of ethical, humane and safe hunting is their own. 63 ft/lbs is enough to hurt a neighbor or his property. Not an issue at my last house on 477ac but now it is, so back to airguns. Some powderburners are actually safer and kill more humanely than todays airgun hurling a slug. I can shoot a 20 gr bullet out of my .17 HMR suppressed at 2,375 fps. It’s hardly louder than most airguns, and a miss or pass thru that hits the ground will almost always cause the bullet to disintegrate. You can hear slugs just like a .22 Long Rifle ricicheting off in the distance. If Ihave to go to a range to shoot safely, I’ll be using a powdrburner. None of the airguns I own is to try and make it struggle to do what a powderburner can do easily, without refilling with air, worrying about a creeping reg affecting my first shot, or chasing an air leak, at about 5x the price of the gun alone.

No problems with my Impact, shoots great right out of the box with the factory tune. Accurate, consistent, well designed with excellent fit and finish.

I don't think the Impact is any less reliable than any other air gun of similar capability and complexity,. If anything the design has shown to be robust considering the modifications and power levels it is used at. 

Air leaks in a new rifle would be annoying but I feel that the dealer should be checking every gun before shipping - I know that Airgun Source here in Canada does.

There "seems " to be an impression that the Impact is unreliable, it might put things in perspective if we knew how many Impacts have been sold. Maybe FX will share that information. 

Just saying.

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Iknow others have, but I have not had any reliability issues with any of the 6 or 8 FX’s I have owned, with reasonable care. One guy said his FX was not well built because it got damaged when he forgot it on the tailgate of his truck and drove off-really?

This is the Desirable part for me. When you can do 10 shots in a 1" square, I'm good. Am also sure I'm not the only one...

This is the Desirable part for me. When you can do 10 shots in a 1" square, I'm good. Am also sure I'm not the only one...

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What is the distance? Any distance beyond 25 yards with that accuracy is stellar.

Distance makes a big difference and also caliber as well. 177 is easier to do than a .357.

This is the Desirable part for me. When you can do 10 shots in a 1" square, I'm good. Am also sure I'm not the only one...

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What is the distance? Any distance beyond 25 yards with that accuracy is stellar.

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Does 27yds count...It is what I have in my yard and it gives me a baseline for long distance tunes.

Here is my 3 shots in 2" @ 200yds with a 500mm original smooth twist and JSB .22 Knock Outs.

The FX Impact is a phenomenal platform to work with.

They’re great airguns, but I’d never buy one. Main reason, price.. I know myself, and if I spent 2 grand and bought all the bells and whistles for that thing (which I know I would) I’d be in it for 4, 5, 6 grand. Only for FX to release a new version likely that same year. Making my gun seem like yesterday’s news. After all the investment. I personally like tuning up there other less expensive models making them perform above and beyond out-of-the-box specs it’s fun, and the overall price is lower. Then I have something to be proud of. But, once again, I think they’re great just not for me. Just think of the dough/money FX makes off these Impacts? It’s amazing! At $2,000 a pop for a Impact, if they sell 500 of them that’s $1,000,000. Not hating, it’s a genius business model. FX Airguns are the Apple Computers of airguns! Good on them!!!



$$$$$



My opinion, not fuel for a argument...



JoeKool, Sir.

Your observation is respected, and, I use your shared tuning knowledge to tune my Impact.

Thank you.

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There is the kid that takes the computer apart to see how it is built, it will learn it and make it even better.

And there is the kid that just wants to play the video game.

If you're the second don't buy an Impact.



A formula one car is not a car to just pick up and drive, it is to super perform and so it needs to be tuned for that.

Fx Impact is formula one, if you want easy driving then buy a hyunday, it's even cheaper.

But then don't complain it doesn't drive like a formula one car.



When you spend 2000$ dollars on a rifle that has so much tunability and requires learning and you're not really willing to learn, then you're making a mistake one way or another. But don't blame the rifle because you can't make it perform.

I never read on the manual that the rifle auto tunes itself, maybe some people have a different manual than mine..

Just saying..



Good luck.

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WesleySniper(like your forum name, Blade!) I’d like to piggyback on your reply, which is so true-

no different than buying a house. Some folks think by buying a new house that there won’t be anything to do to it. Wrong! The minute you start wall papering rooms, building a deck, add an insta hot hot water dispenser in the sink, added a 220 circuit for a jacuzzi, you’ve modified it, or let’s just say you’ve upgraded the house with these mods. Some people like doing that stuff, some don’t. But don’t look down on the ones that choose to upgrade.

I look at my mods to a gun as upgrades. Upgrades that I’ve carefully researched and chosen. That’s why I would never buy a new gun that came with a scope and rings. I know all here would agree to that one, lol.

Then there’s maintenance. Gotta caulk and paint after a few years, patch cracks in the wall, address any dry rot, leaking water fixtures.....if you don’t, then bigger problems arise. More costly problems, and if you’re not the handy dandy type, you’re hiring it out at $80/hour, if not more. Relating this to the impact, if you’re not capable of maintaining it past the three year warranty, well, you’ll be calling on FXUSA or SPAW to fix it.

A gent told me yesterday it’s silly to buy an Impact and do this and do that, and pretty soon your up to the amount of money to just buy a $2800 Evol. Buy the Evol, Just pull it out of the box and shoot it, nothing else needs to be done, and just settle for the 40-45 ft lbs it comes at from the factory in 25 caliber.

I already know everyone that has contributed to this tread won’t leave a gun stock, because there’s something in that gun that won’t suit them. Wether it be the trigger, or the gun coming with a 40/40 tune out of the factory, it will be modified, no matter which platform and no matter the cost of the gun.