The RAW is a solidly engineered gun with precision manufacturing, topped off with assembly and tuning by the number one expert on RAW airguns in the world. I recently bought a .22 HM1000 wit the standard stock in red laminate. It is not flashy. It is more purpose driven.
Unfortunately, due to an extremely lousy winter here in Boise I have not had a chance to shoot the gun outside. I have never heard anyone complain about RAW's accuracy, though.
Shooting a short string with JSB 18.13 Diablos I get the following numbers: 852, 850, 850, 847, 847 for 29 fpe. It is 44 3/4" long and weighs 9 3/4 lbs with an old Weaver T10 steel scope. It looks pretty much like the .30 HM1000x above except the fore end of the receiver, where the front ring is mounted, is about 3/4" shorter. The difference is due to the larger pre chamber on the x, making the x suitable for larger calibres/ energies. I especially like the standard stock as above for comfort and control. The X is $275. more, though. One thing about the Raw is the ease of swapping barrels.
Although long, the RAW is well balanced . handles well, and feels lighter than it really is.
I will be using my .22, and another .25 RAW I have for sniping ground squirrels over grass/ sage. So I don't really mind a longer gun. Last year I was using a Cricket BP, but I just couldn't warm up to it. RAWs are starting to show up on the used market at attractive discounts. Call RAW about a shorter barrel. I'm sure they can offer some advice.
I don't think you'll find the RAW as pretty as the Daystate or the FX. It has a certain industrial quality to it.
