Other Cocking lever location

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FireballDave

FireballDave

Member
Oct 29, 2023
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22
Utah
On my quest for the next air gun acquisition, I am all excited on the rifle until I realize the cocking lever is next to the butt pad on the rear of the gun stock. Disappointed, I move on in my search. You see, though having not shot a rifle so equipped I am nervous it would be cumbersome for me to make function correctly. So help me out please. Am I the only one with this fear of spending my money on a quality pcp only to be ergonomically disappointed? Or tell me to stop your worrying, Your making something outta nothing I will get used to it and be happy. 😕
 
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You're FAR from the only one! Rear cocking lever has always been a deal breaker for me. Probably the main reason I never bought a Taipan Vet or a Kricket (really good guns) in the past. Now that they have a forward lever on later models I'm not looking to buy anything. So, don't feel like the Lone ranger. I've had an Edgun R3 on loan to me & over time I've gotten used to rear bolt cocking (2 deal breakers for me, rear and bolt). Not that bad considering accuracy of the gun but NOT what I prefer.
 
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It also makes a difference which shoulder you shoot from. If you use the right shoulder it looks slower but totally doable to take you hand off the grip, reach back and cock. I shoot from my left and have no desire for the cocking lever to reside in my face. I like a forward lever on the right. Trigger hand doesn't move and I am right handed so cocking with that hand is welcome.
 
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While I MUCH prefer the lever being forward, I do have a few rifles with the lever at the rear. Like said above, not a deal breaker...IF...I like the rest of the gun enough !

I've learned that I can still...keep my trigger (right) hand on the grip, by just moving my left hand under my chin / over the top of the receiver, and use my fingers to complete the cocking lever movement.
While, again, not my ideal maneuver, I can do it, and still be able to keep my right hand on the grip (NOT "handle" !).
With practice, the human body CAN be retrained to do things that aren't specifically natural to them.

Mike
 
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I’ve used both and prefer forward, but I wouldn’t be exclusive. If the rifle is a Taipan or Cricket, the rifle more than makes up for it.

I’ll put it like this. I love my P35 and Bullshark, but if I could have bought a used Taipan or Cricket for the same price or close to, I’d have those rifles and just adapt to it.
 
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If you're used to a side lever it takes some getting used to . But rear cocking became second nature is a short time . Setting at a bench mostly shooting groups I do like a side lever . But for hunting and pesting it makes no difference. It's a game of patience and shot placement and I've never needed a mag full of fast follow up shots . I hunted with a break barrel for years before getting into PCP's and it worked just fine . I reach over with my left hand to cock my Taipans and my right never leaves the grip . Don't worry.
 
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Florida_Man said:
....If the rifle is a Taipan or Cricket, the rifle more than makes up for it.

....I’ll.... adapt to it.
Click to expand...

That's the kicker. Can get used to anything. When I shoot the Ghost I'm reaching for a rear cocking lever on a regular basis. Just becomes second nature, wherever it's situated on whatever you shoot the most.
 
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You're not alone on this.
I have had them all and I shoot both almost every week.

Personally I'm quite offended by some design manufacturers have. How long did they believe they can get away with it?
The very first bullpups were an attractive design but it takes a five year old to move the cocking lever to its appropriate place. I'm just saying.

When it comes to hunting, rear cocking isn't much of a problem for me. Not that I'm such an excellent shot, but rather the distances are short and there's usually abundant power. Also the P15 is compact and super light so it doesn't take much to sling it around.
Target shooting is something else. I'm not the 'one shot in one minute ' type of guy who single loads. I shoot from the magazine and I absolutely insist on having the cocking lever in the very traditional place. Just like bolt action rifle for the past one hundred years. Not over, under or on the left. That being said, I wouldn't buy something I wasn't completely sure of.

All the best
 
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Franklink said:
That's the kicker. Can get used to anything. When I shoot the Ghost I'm reaching for a rear cocking lever on a regular basis. Just becomes second nature, wherever it's situated on whatever you shoot the most.
Click to expand...
I have that with my Vet2 now also. Find myself reaching back with my left hand quite often.

Here's what I'll say. I do enjoy forward cocking. I'm sure 99% of people would likely agree if had a choice it would be forward cocking. But if the guns goof enough I can careless. Have owned plenty of great forward sidelever guns but my favorite so far of all time is a rear sidelever gun. I have it's predecessor now which is forward cocking and so far really enjoying it but will need to prove it's worth for me to consider it better.
 
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Will74 said:
You're not alone on this.
I have had them all and I shoot both almost every week.

Personally I'm quite offended by some design manufacturers have. How long did they believe they can get away with it?
The very first bullpups were an attractive design but it takes a five year old to move the cocking lever to its appropriate place. Just like bolt action rifle for the past one hundred years. I'm just saying.

When it comes to hunting, rear cocking isn't much of a problem for me. Not that I'm such an excellent shot, but rather the distances are short and there's usually abundant power. Also the P15 is compact and super light so it doesn't take much to sling it around.
Target shooting is something else. I'm not the 'one shot in one minute ' type of guy who single loads. I shoot from the magazine and I absolutely insist on having the cocking lever in the very traditional place. Just like bolt action rifle for the past one hundred years. Not over, under or on the left. That being said, I wouldn't buy something I wasn't completely sure of.

All the best
Click to expand...

"Offended"?

Wow! I've been offended by people but never a design choice.

Caveat Emptur
 
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Franklink said:
That's the kicker. Can get used to anything. When I shoot the Ghost I'm reaching for a rear cocking lever on a regular basis. Just becomes second nature, wherever it's situated on whatever you shoot the most.
Click to expand...

I've done the same on my Maverick. Reaching over with my left hand to cock the side lever. It does matter what your shooting the most .
 
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on my SPA P-15, I installed a kit from England, to make it forward cocking,,, and I just recently removed the forward kit and with back to original rear side lever, as I have apart for a leaking o-ring, still waiting for o-rings delivery,,
USPS has not stopped for 6 days first cold/ snow then callins with sickness, had an article in the local rag about it
 
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Why I bought a Thomas back in 2018...not this you have one inch to slide a pellet is like the Rapid air 1000. Full rear load can SEE what your doing and if your getting that there Arthritis , well the way to go. No regret, plus mine is a 177/22 switch barrel...Love it ! Have another on order. Opps,quite abit more than 1K though.....But,back then i owned 5 P-70's tricked out...sold two and bought the Thomas......WHY you ask ? Four screws,change em out and go from 10 meter,LV,HV,open class. all of 1 minute to change out readjust scope and your back to next relay.... sold off the other P-70's too to buy Thomas #2...
 
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