FX FX Panthera Barrel Conversion VS Hunter Compact

[Echo]

Hi all,
I am new to air guns and to the forum.

I purchased an FX Panthera 500 in 22 cal last year and mainly use it for hunting squirrels and other small critters. I like the rifle it shoots great and has great accuracy with pellets. But it's a little heavy and to long for my purpose. I am debating if should sell it and purchase the FX Panthera Hunter Compact or if I should just do the barrel swap? Ultimately I would like to have the folding stock and a short barrel (300 mm barrel).

Any input on what route I should take would be greatly appreciated.

 

[R0B]

I have a Dynamic 300 compact (which I believe is a UK only model). I am currently messing about with the stock. I have put a 300cc CF bottle on the front and taken the rail off to do so. I have bought the FX folding stock bracket, and the cheek height was good, but the folder was a bit cheap. I have since bought the K&L buffer tube bracket. The quality is amazing, but I think the stock will sit too high for my cheek weld. I am currently thinking about going back to the FX unit. As for the cost of another barrel, I don't think full kits are even available here yet. If you can engineer, you could cut both the barrel and barrel housing down to 300mm. This would just leave you needing the shorter shroud and possibly a different plenum. ...I dont know what is fitted to the 500mm version.

 

[Echo]

I have a Dynamic 300 compact (which I believe is a UK only model). I am currently messing about with the stock. I have put a 300cc CF bottle on the front and taken the rail off to do so. I have bought the FX folding stock bracket, and the cheek height was good, but the folder was a bit cheap. I have since bought the K&L buffer tube bracket. The quality is amazing, but I think the stock will sit too high for my cheek weld. I am currently thinking about going back to the FX unit. As for the cost of another barrel, I don't think full kits are even available here yet. If you can engineer, you could cut both the barrel and barrel housing down to 300mm. This would just leave you needing the shorter shroud and possibly a different plenum. ...I dont know what is fitted to the 500mm version.

Someone suggested me to just buy the liner and the shroud to do the conversion since both the 500 and the hunter compact have a 62cc plenum. I did an online search to see if I could find the shroud for the 300mm but I haven't found it.

 

[darknes]

The Hunter Compact has a 120cc plenum while the 500 only has a 62cc plenum

 

[Echo]

The Hunter Compact has a 120cc plenum while the 500 only has a 62cc plenum

I believe it's a 62cc plenum for the 22 cal on FX website and a 120 for the 25 and 30 cal.

 

[Chukar60]

If you are adverse to length, look at a bullpup.
I have a Panthera in 600mm and I was committed to selling it. Superbly accurate gun but the length was not really what worked for me because I hunt. The problem is that every time I shoot it, I am impressed by its performance.
It has a couple specialty jobs that it excels at, but for everyday shooting I much prefer my Impact and Maverick.

 

[Echo]

If you are adverse to length, look at a bullpup.
I have a Panthera in 600mm and I was committed to selling it. Superbly accurate gun but the length was not really what worked for me because I hunt. The problem is that every time I shoot it, I am impressed by its performance.
It has a couple specialty jobs that it excels at, but for everyday shooting I much prefer my Impact and Maverick.

Thank you for the suggestion but I would like to stick to the Panthera platform since I am used to bolt action rifles and I feel the Panthera has a more natural feel to what I am used to.

 

[Barzor]

When will they start having barrel kits trying to go other way hunter compact to full out Panthera. Europe airguns sell most if not all the parts but it’s hard to tell going by the parts list what I will need ie including o rings as well.

If I’m going from 22 Hunter compact to 30 call slug gun I will need all the parts of the barrel ie liner, sleeve and barrel cover, transfer port, and the part that becomes the thread to lock everything down. Then the plenum and shroud. I forgot also bolt probe and heavier hammer. Am I missing something else??? Oh yes the o rings.