Brocock/BRK American Air Arms EVOL Mini .22 vs Brocock and other compacts questions

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Sound Tribe

Sound Tribe

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Jun 27, 2015
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I know similar posts have been made, but I want to see the most up to date answer.
I'm in the market for a Compact PCP

I used to have a Brocock Specialist in .22 a long time ago and really loved the gun for my backyard setup, was pretty accurate and the extreme lightweight was great.
I haven't done any "airgunning" in almost 7~ years! I've recently been getting back into it and am amazed with all the new innovative guns and trying to catch up on the information out there.

I've read/seen different things about Brocock lately, has the quality or performance changed overall in the past years? What do you think would be a good compact .22 to go for if I'm excluding FX airguns and bullpup designs?

I've heard amazing things about American Air Arms, and the Mini 22 looks great but I am wondering at the differences in price point how much better are they truly than a Brocock or similar setups.
The Brocock Ranger XR appeals to me purely based on the tactical look and the Pathfinder isnt too far behind...

So TLDR, what would you guys recommend for some compact models or is the American Air Arms Mini 22 nearly the best option out there?
 
I don’t know what TLDR means but I have an EVOL mini. I didn’t consider the Brococks only because I just wanted an EVOL. Not because the Brococks are not good enough. If you truly know what you want out of a gun down to the last detail, your answer should be clear. It’s not clear when your head is still in the clouds just wanting something small. If you don’t absolutely need some of the slight advantages and are willing to deal with some of the inconvenience of an EVOL, then a Brocock will be easier on the wallet and still take care of business. Is a Evol worth that much more money than a Brocock? Probably not. Unless you’re a devil in the details guy.
 
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AAA makes a very nice rifle but they are not invincible. They can take a beating but I've seen several with leaks. They are supposed to be simple and easy to work on from what I hear. I have a bunch of compacts and can say it is tied with my .22 uragan 2 compact in a carbon fiber stock and taipan vet compact. I truley don't think you can go wrong with the compacts you listed from brk. Raw makes a compact also. People seem to like the fx panthera compact hunter from what I've been reading.

The evol mini will be top contender but it will also cost the most. If you can find a used 1 I would say for sure try them out, unless you have no budget then grab 1 and a brk and compare them yourself. I didn't even consider them because of the price until I snagged a deal on a used 1.

Things I like about the evol mini.
- trigger
- accuracy
- durability :meaning you can drop it and bang it around and it will hold up to the abuse (but I've owned alot of pcps and this is the only 1 that has ever leaked on me)
- foster fill
- ergonomics
-MADE IN AMERICA sorry I forgot to list this 1 earlier so editing this post.

Things I don't like.
- louder than about all other compacts I've been shooting
- stock mags are not my favorite, but the carm mags are nice
- price
- scope rail is split and not solid although I fit low rings without an issue it limits scope placement
- the cocking handle does not stay back when cocked to load a mag. Not a big deal but don't think you'll be loading mags in it with the barrel towards the ground unless you hold to probe back.

Everyone usually sings mostly praise for the evol and its top notch but not flawless depending on what your expectations are. I dont have personal experience with the brk's but a gentleman on the HAM forum loves them and they seem to be well accepted.

Hope this helped in some way.
20230819_095650.jpg
 
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I can't comment on your full question, but I do have a Brocock Atomic and an EVOL Mini .22 .

While the Brocock is a nice gun, you get what you pay for in the EVOL guns (all versions). There is a video in YouTube that does a pretty good job of torture testing three guns. I don't recall two of them (they were modern, available guns), but the third is one of the EVOL guns. The guy beats the crap out of the guns. Way more than any normal accidental harm would cause.
The EVOL was the only one of the three that "lived" through the testing. Way over and above falling off the tail gate of your truck, it continued to shoot and shoot well, at the end of the test.
So yeah, the AAA EVOL line of guns, is one of the higher grade brands on the market. Owners don't tend to sell them !! I've changed the grip, and the stock, to better suit my likes. A great, solid little gun.

I've had my Mini .22 for over a year now, with no air leakage, no other problems of any kind. Although I've also had my Atomic for 8 or 9 months and it's also holding air, and doing well. But I'd also bet (I know) that it would NOT have withstood the torture that the EVOL withstood in the testing.

I have a lot of different brands of guns. I'd say that most "any" modern, "brand" name, gun that you choose, will withstand your desires for a usable, adjustable, accurate gun.

Mike

Here's the test I mentioned above -
 
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I don’t believe you would go wrong with either of your fine choices. Most of the guys here know that I love my Atomic XR, it has served me well. I’m also really liking my Pathfinder XR, but if I had to choose only one? The Atomic… My first, a Compatto was my intro to the awesome BRKs. The Evol Mini is more expensive, but it also generates more power than the Atomic and is really “Made in America”. Don’t know if already saw this video…

 
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MikeVV said:
I can't comment on your full question, but I do have a Brocock Atomic and an EVOL Mini .22 .

While the Brocock is a nice gun, you get what you pay for in the EVOL guns (all versions). There is a video in YouTube that does a pretty good job of torture testing three guns. I don't recall two of them (they were modern, available guns), but the third is one of the EVOL guns. The guy beats the crap out of the guns. Way more than any normal accidental harm would cause.
The EVOL was the only one of the three that "lived" through the testing. Way over and above falling off the tail gate of your truck, it continued to shoot and shoot well, at the end of the test.
So yeah, the AAA EVOL line of guns, is one of the higher grade brands on the market. Owners don't tend to sell them !! I've changed the grip, and the stock, to better suit my likes. A great, solid little gun.

I've had my Mini .22 for over a year now, with no air leakage, no other problems of any kind. Although I've also had my Atomic for 8 or 9 months and it's also holding air, and doing well. But I'd also bet (I know) that it would NOT have withstood the torture that the EVOL withstood in the testing.

I have a lot of different brands of guns. I'd say that most "any" modern, "brand" name, gun that you choose, will withstand your desires for a usable, adjustable, accurate gun.

Mike
Click to expand...
Not true, the Atomic XR is fired and groups, after all that torture. It held up just fine compared to the Evol…
 
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Nealgl1985 said:
AAA makes a very nice rifle but they are not invincible. They can take a beating but I've seen several with leaks. They are supposed to be simple and easy to work on from what I hear. I have a bunch of compacts and can say it is tied with my .22 uragan 2 compact in a carbon fiber stock and taipan vet compact. I truley don't think you can go wrong with the compacts you listed from brk. Raw makes a compact also. People seem to like the fx panthera compact hunter from what I've been reading.

The evol mini will be top contender but it will also cost the most. If you can find a used 1 I would say for sure try them out, unless you have no budget then grab 1 and a brk and compare them yourself. I didn't even consider them because of the price until I snagged a deal on a used 1.

Things I like about the evol mini.
- trigger
- accuracy
- durability :meaning you can drop it and bang it around and it will hold up to the abuse (but I've owned alot of pcps and this is the only 1 that has ever leaked on me)
- foster fill
- ergonomics

Things I don't like.
- louder than about all other compacts I've been shooting
- stock mags are not my favorite, but the carm mags are nice
- price
- scope rail is split and not solid although I fit low rings without an issue it limits scope placement
- the cocking handle does not stay back when cocked to load a mag. Not a big deal but don't think you'll be loading mags in it with the barrel towards the ground unless you hold to probe back.

Everyone usually sings mostly praise for the evol and its top notch but not flawless depending on what your expectations are. I dont have personal experience with the brk's but a gentleman on the HAM forum loves them and they seem to be well accepted.

Hope this helped in some way.
View attachment 392068
Click to expand...
Yes, very helpful info for sure and an awesome little collection you got there! I have heard great things about the Taipans and Uragans. I really dig the Vixen's looks. And I remember when the first Lelya came out, I had just purchased a new Matador at the time. How do you like it? I know I said I was sick of bullpups but something about the compact ones draw me in :)

I was also considering an Edgun Leshiy, I love the tactical look with the M-Lok rail...but I have seen a lot of them for sale and mixed comments as well so I put it on the back burner.
 
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Yeah the Atomic seems like a great little gun, I just skipped over it purely due to the smaller 50cc cylinder. It seems to be the same as the Ranger XR just with less shots per fill?

Any particular reason to prefer an Atomic over the Pathfinder? I personally am not a huge fan of front end bottle guns so the Ranger XR seems to be the sweet spot in the middle for me.
 
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oledawg said:
Does this interest you? $800 off
View attachment 392079
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Oh man, I've always admired Daystates but from afar only ;) It seems like a sweet little rig, but pretty much every top end PCP I've had was during the bullpup craze so I'm trying to avoid them. If I was going for a Daystate I couldn't pass up one a model with one of the traditional wood stocks.
 
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Sound Tribe said:
Yeah the Atomic seems like a great little gun, I just skipped over it purely due to the smaller 50cc cylinder. It seems to be the same as the Ranger XR just with less shots per fill?

Any particular reason to prefer an Atomic over the Pathfinder? I personally am not a huge fan of front end bottle guns so the Ranger XR seems to be the sweet spot in the middle for me.
Click to expand...
The Ranger and the Atomic “are the same gun” the Ranger has the triple picatinny rails a 0dB moderator and a folding stock. They both have 60cc cylinders.
 
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Sound Tribe said:
Oh man, I've always admired Daystates but from afar only ;) It seems like a sweet little rig, but pretty much every top end PCP I've had was during the bullpup craze so I'm trying to avoid them. If I was going for a Daystate I couldn't pass up one a model with one of the traditional wood stocks.
Click to expand...
Like this
IMG_2046.jpeg
IMG_2045.jpeg
IMG_2055.jpeg
 
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I personally think the Evol Mini is well worth the money. I bought @zx10walls mini. It's really hard to beat the power and efficiency they can put out with a 10.5" barrel and 135cc of air. For me personally I find it to be the best airgun out there. Just my opinion not a fact. The BRK seem really nice but the lack of power and shot count push me away. However the Evol Mini is my main airgun. If it wasn't then maybe the BRK would interest me way more. My only other airgun is tye Umarex Notos. I enjoy shooting it just as much as my evol. It's so fun to shoot. Great for close range pesting inside 30yds.
20230926_174210.jpg
 
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L.Leon said:
The Ranger and the Atomic “are the same gun” the Ranger has the triple picatinny rails a 0dB moderator and a folding stock. They both have 60cc cylinders.
Click to expand...
Gotcha, I couldn't find info on the exact size of the Ranger's cylinder.

I'm hoping some of these will popup on the classifieds soon. I know I'd snag up a used Evol Mini if someone was looking to sell :) Maybe I should look into the FX Panthera Compact Hunter also.



I keep hearing good things about the Notos also. That's a good idea to have as a 2nd for when friends want to shoot and/or a truck gun
 
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Sound Tribe said:
New question... How does barrel length affect sound report? or is it just dependant on the energy output and moderator used?

I've had regular length .25cals that are completely silent... Can I still do that with compact guns and be backyard friendly?
Click to expand...
Several variables. Valve dwell is a big one. Hammer bounce can make a gun louder as well. However, in rare instances I believe it can also somehow make a gun quieter. I have an old brocock grand prix that is far too quiet. (Some of these were sold under the atomic name as well) Only reason I can figure is that hammer bounce is somehow making it quieter. I tuned it and put a stiffer/shorter spring in it to try and eliminate bounce. I did reduce it but I can still hear the faintest bit of it. I reckon the pressure impulses are interacting with eachother in such a way that they somehow reduce the overall signature.

PSX_20230130_222524.jpg


Generally speaking, a longer barrel should be quieter. A quick actuating Valve utilizing higher pressure should be quieter versus slower actuation, lower pressure/higher volume. Ideally no Valve bounce. Some of these things you can dial in. Some guns have limiting factors.

Moderator volume and design will also play a role. As well as shroud design (if there is one)
 
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