Fx Swift/Cutlass

[airkrazy]

Ok, for years I've looked at these guns and wondered how they handle. These is not much on them as far as reviews and videos. The self returning cocking lever is what has me taken along with the power adjuster. I'm leaning more toward the sythetic version. I wonder about shot count, weight and loudness seems like this would be a nice pest gun for multiple targets. Looking for some hands on encounters Both .22 and .177.

 

[FearnLoading]

"airkrazy"Ok, for years I've looked at these guns and wondered how they handle. These is not much on them as far as reviews and videos. The self returning cocking lever is what has me taken along with the power adjuster. I'm leaning more toward the sythetic version. I wonder about shot count, weight and loudness seems like this would be a nice pest gun for multiple targets. Looking for some hands on encounters Both .22 and .177.

The cutlasses synthetic is about 2.5 kg. You can add another shroud to it which does make the rifle quieter with a mild increase in weight. It has 3 power settings. On high you can expect about 30 consistent shots. Power at high will be about 34 fpe. On medium and lower power you can get more shots and about 25 fpe to 15 fpe. This is for the .22 version. On the .177 version shot counts the same with lesser power. I think high power will give you about 19 fpe and medium and low power gives you about 16 fpe and 12 fpe. The Cutlass is a good gun but I would still go with the new wildcat in .22 because it's lighter and is regulated which is a must have for consistent shots. Check the industry announcements page of the forum for wildcat specs. Fx recently posted the specs there. The cocking lever of the gun is in the middle as compared to the cutlass. It makes reloading for a quick second shot far easier without having to move your eye off the scope. 

Additionally for pest control I would look for a minimum caliber of .22 for smaller pests. That too if I am a really good shot. Else I would go for the .25 which is a bit more forgiving if shot placement goes wrong since the power itself gives a clean kill and prevents wounding the animal which would be the case if one is using the .177 or .22. 

 

[BRS]

The FX Cutlas (which was called Swift/Superswift) is a very handy pesting airrfile - the synthetic stock to my eyes looks better than the Walnut and is obviously far more practical. I have the shrouded barrel type which does make a small reduction to overall 'DBs' but is not anywhere as efficient as the later barrel shrouds (which have a greater internal capacity for better sound proofing).

They are based on the FX Cyclone Biathlon actions which are very quick & easy BUT dont offer a single shot ability per se just the standard FX simple magazine. The cocking lever has a return spring which pushes the lever back to the parked position, its not really needed as this type of action is very smooth anyway, its there if you want it, but I find all my Cyclone Family rifles just as quick (if not quicker) than the later side lever type.

The FX website has all the specs for these rifles but they are considered a bit 'old hat' now, if you can find a quality secondhand example you will have a fine, practical pest control gun

 

[MP44]

My only complaint with the Cyclone/Swift/Cutlass is that without the barrel band, the shrouded versions barrel whips around like a fly rod. 

 

[BRS]

???

The shroud leaves all of 1.5MM (approx) clearance from the air cylinder. As a hunter more than target shooter I do appreciate the need to safeguard the barrel BUT my SuperSwift is one of the few rifles not to have a barrel band fitted (obviously there are diff. ID barrel bands needed).

I asked Ben Taylor (theoBEN Taylor & latterly an FX retailer) to fit a barrel band to one of my Cyclones, he tried his best to convince me not to go thro' with it on the grounds that a barrel band connecting the air cyl. to the barrel is a Bad Thing - he fitted it (& I paid him ) about a year later I had cause to remove the band and I have to admit he was right! (there was a small improvement in accuracy).

Having said that most of my rifles have barrel bands fitted.

 

[MP44]

"BRS"???

The shroud leaves all of 1.5MM (approx) clearance from the air cylinder. As a hunter more than target shooter I do appreciate the need to safeguard the barrel BUT my SuperSwift is one of the few rifles not to have a barrel band fitted (obviously there are diff. ID barrel bands needed).

I asked Ben Taylor (theoBEN Taylor & latterly an FX retailer) to fit a barrel band to one of my Cyclones, he tried his best to convince me not to go thro' with it on the grounds that a barrel band connecting the air cyl. to the barrel is a Bad Thing - he fitted it (& I paid him ) about a year later I had cause to remove the band and I have to admit he was right! (there was a small improvement in accuracy).

Having said that most of my rifles have barrel bands fitted.

The shrouded version has a 12mm barrel, without the band, if you place the rifle level to the ground and use a feeler gauge to measure the gap between the shroud and air tube then tilt the rifle at a 45 degree angle and measure again, you will notice the gap increased. Not good when you sight in at the bench then go hunting elevated quarry.