My first look at the Karma Airguns lineup of offerings was pretty EPIC! They sent me out to torture test these things in the field in a real world hunt and didn’t disappoint!After three days in Puerto Rico—one for setup and two in the field—I can say this without hesitation: both the Karma SLS and Karma EQ from Karma Airguns brought serious capability to the hunt. But beyond raw performance, it was their design decisions and field-ready features that really stood out.
The Karma SLS is a purpose-built semi-auto designed for mobility and real-time response. The lightweight build made it easy to carry all day, and the folding buttstock was a standout feature—it collapsed down far enough to fit into a large hiking pack. That matters when you’re navigating dense terrain or need to move fast and light. Even under pressure, the semi-auto function never failed. Not once did I need to switch over to the side-cocking mode. If I were back on the bench shooting groups, maybe I’d toggle it, but for hunting, it stayed in semi-auto the entire time—and it worked flawlessly.
The Arca rail also came into play more than I expected. We did several high-angle shots from a tripod using a Two Vets Tripod system, and the SLS locked in stable. For fast target acquisition in awkward positions, that combination delivered. Compact, stable, and responsive—this platform checks all the boxes for a semi-auto hunting rig.The Karma EQ, on the other hand, is a different animal entirely. It wants to run hot and hard, and for my style of hunting, that’s exactly what I want. I typically run heavy-for-caliber projectiles, and this rifle is tuned for that. The 38 grain AEA slugs were downright nasty—precision matched with power and great BC.
Sub-MOA accuracy wasn’t an exception; it was the norm. The 34 grain JSBs and AEAs were even more surgical, giving me single-hole groups at 50 yards without effort.Despite its heft, the EQ is still carryable in the field, especially if you pair it with a compact optic. I ran it on Primos Trigger Sticks for extra stability after long hours of off-hand shooting, and it made a big difference. If you want to run a bipod or tripod system full time, adding a Saber Tactical bottle clamp with Arca or Picatinny adapter is the move. The rifle’s beefy design really shined when things got rough. It’s built like a tank—and in the jungle, that matters.
What both rifles share is a seriously overbuilt level of barrel rigidity, thanks to the Karma Precision Barrel System. Combined with the 360-degree transfer port, this design gives you not only repeatability but also the kind of consistency across shot strings that precision hunters demand. The high-capacity magazine system on the EQ—meant I spent more time shooting and less time reloading, which is exactly what you want in field conditions when pesting iguana or other furry critters.
Bottom line: Karma Airguns built both of these rifles for real-world use, not just bench bragging or safe queens you’re afraid to get dirty. They are tools for a job. They held zero, delivered consistent shot-to-shot performance, and handled everything we threw at them—from tight jungle stalks to long range shooting across open fields.They both get the UpNorth Airgunner two thumbs up—no question. From northern Michigan to the southern jungles of Puerto Rico, these rigs proved they belong in the field.
A deadly hunting tool as you gents demonstrated.