Impact M3

[Fidelity44]

I've been looking through this forum trying to find some information specific to the Impact M3 and I'm coming up short. I want to know some basic information that any beginner might benefit from knowing.

1.) Is there a website that offers a good deal on one?
2.) What is the best ammo to start with?
3.) What are the best upgrades and is it worth upgrading off the bat or is it good as is?
4.) Every vendor seems to have some feature or add on that just adds confusion. On Utah Air Guns, what is a Power Block and why aren't they talking about it if it's something that is different from every other vendor?
https://www.thepelletshop.com/products/fx-impact-m3-sniper?variant=40735453282493 - These guys also mention power block but also offer something called DonnyFL upgrade...what is that and why can't they be more specific. I am aware of several moderators from DonnyFL...so what are they selling?
5.) Are there any vendors to stay away from?

Anything other advise you guys/gals can add would be greatly appreciated. I'd also like to buy used to save a few bucks...but that isn't going to happen for a newbie like myself.

 

[rsfrid]

Try contacting Tom Simmons at High Pressure Pneumatics ( https://myhighpressureair.com/) and see what he says. Has lots of used stuff and maybe a used M3.

 

[EDventure]

Consider what you want to use it for like plinking, hunting, or bench rest, and the distances you will shoot. Set a budget plus or minus $500. Then call Utah Airguns and share that info. They'll likely have other questions to steer you in the right direction. Lastly, be open-minded as they might have other FX models or brands that would be a better fit.

 

[DBlue]

I just recently bought a new MK3 a couple months ago...First off, you will not go wrong buying one from The Pellet Shop, that's where I bought mine and I can highly recommend them, Excellent service and fast shipping and after the sale service or any questions you might have, just a phone call is all that's needed.
The Donny FL upgrade is for the moderator that comes on the gun....you can upgrade it to the Donny FL made one or the plain factory one that comes with the gun.
I got a .25 cal sniper 700mm barrel with an Athlon 8x24x56 scope with the Infinity adjustable rings,Saber Tactical bottom rail, Accutac Bipod, they installed the bottom rail and scope and sighted in the scope for no charge and free shipping and no tax as I'm in Virginia.....I will say this, buying a MK3 is the start of a long journey down a very deep rabbit hole....if you plan on shooting as much as I do, be prepared as there will always be something else you will need for it, just a couple days ago I ordered a new Air Marksman backbone rail for it and it was worth every penny I paid for it. Yes, they are expensive rifles but you get what you pay for and every time I take it out on my range and start shooting targets at 50 & 100 yards....it puts a smile on my face and to me that's priceless.....

 

[Chukar60]

If you have your heart set on an M3, buy one and then don’t monkey with it until you fully understand the gun, how it works and why it works.
All the snake oil sold for an M3 is not necessary. They shoot just fine without backbones, CF liners, different hammer weights etc.
If what it has to offer bone stock is not enough, then by all means by the add ons.
It never ceases to amaze me how so many people think an M3 needs all the additional goodies to be a good gun. It doesn’t.

 

[Aardvark]

I've been looking through this forum trying to find some information specific to the Impact M3 and I'm coming up short. I want to know some basic information that any beginner might benefit from knowing.

1.) Is there a website that offers a good deal on one?
2.) What is the best ammo to start with?
3.) What are the best upgrades and is it worth upgrading off the bat or is it good as is?
4.) Every vendor seems to have some feature or add on that just adds confusion. On Utah Air Guns, what is a Power Block and why aren't they talking about it if it's something that is different from every other vendor?
https://www.thepelletshop.com/products/fx-impact-m3-sniper?variant=40735453282493 - These guys also mention power block but also offer something called DonnyFL upgrade...what is that and why can't they be more specific. I am aware of several moderators from DonnyFL...so what are they selling?
5.) Are there any vendors to stay away from?

Anything other advise you guys/gals can add would be greatly appreciated. I'd also like to buy used to save a few bucks...but that isn't going to happen for a newbie like myself.

1.) Is there a website that offers a good deal on one?
-Not really. Tax, shipping, Bullesye Bucks and any other promo that a vendor offers is as good as it gets, unless you find a nice used one from someone you trust.

2.) What is the best ammo to start with?
-Pellets. Don't be swayed by the "slug hype" until you get a feel for your M3, It's tuned for a happy time for pellets out of the box.

3.) What are the best upgrades and is it worth upgrading off the bat or is it good as is?
-You won't know what you need/want until the M3 is in your hands. Upgrades are eminent, be patient.

4.) Every vendor seems to have some feature or add on that just adds confusion. On Utah Air Guns, what is a Power Block and why aren't they talking about it if it's something that is different from every other vendor?
-As of the beginning of the year all M3's have the "power block", A more efficient design implemented by FX to increase power and consistency.

https://www.thepelletshop.com/products/fx-impact-m3-sniper?variant=40735453282493 - These guys also mention power block but also offer something called DonnyFL upgrade...what is that and why can't they be more specific. I am aware of several moderators from DonnyFL...so what are they selling?
-DonnyFL upgrade is referring to the FXDonnyFL moderator as an option to your purchase.

5.) Are there any vendors to stay away from?
-Any vendor that will not provide at least 100% solid customer support, before and after the sale.

 

[Bigragu]

1.) Is there a website that offers a good deal on one?
-Not really. Tax, shipping, Bullesye Bucks and any other promo that a vendor offers is as good as it gets, unless you find a nice used one from someone you trust.

2.) What is the best ammo to start with?
-Pellets. Don't be swayed by the "slug hype" until you get a feel for your M3, It's tuned for a happy time for pellets out of the box.

3.) What are the best upgrades and is it worth upgrading off the bat or is it good as is?
-You won't know what you need/want until the M3 is in your hands. Upgrades are eminent, be patient.

4.) Every vendor seems to have some feature or add on that just adds confusion. On Utah Air Guns, what is a Power Block and why aren't they talking about it if it's something that is different from every other vendor?
-As of the beginning of the year all M3's have the "power block", A more efficient design implemented by FX to increase power and consistency.

https://www.thepelletshop.com/products/fx-impact-m3-sniper?variant=40735453282493 - These guys also mention power block but also offer something called DonnyFL upgrade...what is that and why can't they be more specific. I am aware of several moderators from DonnyFL...so what are they selling?
-DonnyFL upgrade is referring to the FXDonnyFL moderator as an option to your purchase.

5.) Are there any vendors to stay away from?
-Any vendor that will not provide at least 100% solid customer support, before and after the sale.

Great advice here listed by AARDVARK. The little I want to add is this- you are starting with a fresh barrel and two brand new regulators. Most everyone will tell you first things first, clean off all the manufacturing gunk out of the new barrel, and know that once cleaned it’ll take a good couple of mags worth of pellets to get re seasoned. The regs will need breaking in, so if your groups aren’t where you would like at first, keep shooting at least two to four mags worth of pellets(for barrel) and two to three tins(for reg break in). If after that the groups don’t tighten up then start the experimentation process with different types of ammo.
For break in after a cleaned out barrel I like to use inexpensive Ammo like the vortex strikes, rather than waste high dollar Ammo for the first few mags.

Any stellar owner of an impact keeps a dedicated notebook for that gun, and you should, also. Aside from the two regs, you have the power wheel, valve adjust, and hammer tension adjust. This is what makes the impact what it is. Take good notes on what happens when you twist knobs. Note down the factory settings so you can always go back. Take pics of the settings if that helps. On page one of your notebook, very first items to be listed, are WHAT NOT TO DO WITH YOUR IMPACT, and here’s one- don’t pull the trigger with the cocking arm pulled back, not even accidentally! I can’t believe people do this, as the impact to me is a series of steps that each follow in a sequence. If you pull the trigger with the cocking arm back it’s because you weren’t staying focused, or worse yet, you loaned your gun out to someone without supervising! Either way, something will break!

There’s more, and I’ll let you research those. Good luck with your new impact.

 

[Boomerang66]

Don't forget that you will need to set a side about $500 for an air compressor if you don't already have one.

 

[Fidelity44]

Don't forget that you will need to set a side about $500 for an air compressor if you don't already have one.

I purchased the Vevor Type C compressor after another forum member made a video about it. I figured I couldn't go wrong for the price.

 

[Fidelity44]

Thanks everyone for the good information. My uncle is the reason I became interested in the Impact M3 after shooting his. He has a slew of upgrades and recommended Utah Air Guns as his preferred vendor.

Everyone asks the question of caliber and I keep going back and forth between .25 and .30. My main motivation for purchasing the gun is fox control. I have chickens and keep loosing them to the local fox population. I originally purchased two air guns from Gamo and they're great little toys but definitely not accurate or powerful enough at the 125-150 yard range..although to be fair I never tried a better scope. I know that's probably asking a lot for an air gun but I need enough punch to be able to hit the fox with a body shot and drop them...which makes me lean towards a .30.

 

[.20calguy]

Thanks everyone for the good information. My uncle is the reason I became interested in the Impact M3 after shooting his. He has a slew of upgrades and recommended Utah Air Guns as his preferred vendor.

Everyone asks the question of caliber and I keep going back and forth between .25 and .30. My main motivation for purchasing the gun is fox control. I have chickens and keep loosing them to the local fox population. I originally purchased two air guns from Gamo and they're great little toys but definitely not accurate or powerful enough at the 125-150 yard range..although to be fair I never tried a better scope. I know that's probably asking a lot for an air gun but I need enough punch to be able to hit the fox with a body shot and drop them...which makes me lean towards a .30.

I was going for the Impact M3, myself, then I thought, I'm going to miss having a nice wood stock! I veered into the Crown Mk2 lane, but none were available. So I started shopping for used M2's. I bought a used Crown Mk2 .30 cal broke in, sighted in, and ready to shoot. Thanks for the help UA.

 

[Boomerang66]

Thanks everyone for the good information. My uncle is the reason I became interested in the Impact M3 after shooting his. He has a slew of upgrades and recommended Utah Air Guns as his preferred vendor.

Everyone asks the question of caliber and I keep going back and forth between .25 and .30. My main motivation for purchasing the gun is fox control. I have chickens and keep loosing them to the local fox population. I originally purchased two air guns from Gamo and they're great little toys but definitely not accurate or powerful enough at the 125-150 yard range..although to be fair I never tried a better scope. I know that's probably asking a lot for an air gun but I need enough punch to be able to hit the fox with a body shot and drop them...which makes me lean towards a .30.

If fox is your primary target, then I would go 30 cal.

 

[7Green]

Vulcan 3 in .30 might be a nice option too.

 

[jps2486]

I have an FX Impact MKII Sniper in 30 cal. It is a phenominal shooter. With the reg set at 125, it shoots 44.75 gr JSBs at 940 fps. I also have an M3 in .22 cal. It's nice gun too, but way too complex. Too many things to fiddle with. I prefer the MK2 instead. The other good part is that you can save $500-600 or more on a used one. Just look for one that hasn't been torn apart an meddled with it. No reason too.

 

[Trucker3573]

Just got an m3 myself and am really liking it so far. The newer tune system is really easy and fast to use once you get the basic concept. You will get a 3 year warranty and between this forum and fx USA all the support you should need will be close. Like others have said just start with pellets as that is what the gun will be set up for from the factory. You really don’t need all the upgrades either. The only negative I will give to the stock impact is if you like to shoot off a bipod the little pic rail on an stock impact sucks. I put a saber tactical bottle clamp on mine. It is a clamp that fastens to the air bottle and has a pic rail on the bottom for your bipod. It’s the only thing I plan on adding to mine. The moderator upgrade is completely a personal thing. Mine is a 600mm 25 cal and I just use the standard fx one and I think the gun is crazy quiet. However, I don’t use moderators on any of mine and have always found the fascination weird. Why moderate something that is already quiet? I guess because they aren’t regulated like on powder burners so it’s easy? For me they would be an utter waste of money. I’m in the country and don’t need hearing protection to shoot my airguns so they ain’t loud to me. Finally, if going after fox 30 cal is probably the better option. Only downside is for plinking as the price increase from 25 to 30 for ammo is significant.

 

[goatee]

Just got an m3 myself and am really liking it so far. The newer tune system is really easy and fast to use once you get the basic concept. You will get a 3 year warranty and between this forum and fx USA all the support you should need will be close. Like others have said just start with pellets as that is what the gun will be set up for from the factory. You really don’t need all the upgrades either. The only negative I will give to the stock impact is if you like to shoot off a bipod the little pic rail on an stock impact sucks. I put a saber tactical bottle clamp on mine. It is a clamp that fastens to the air bottle and has a pic rail on the bottom for your bipod. It’s the only thing I plan on adding to mine. The moderator upgrade is completely a personal thing. Mine is a 600mm 25 cal and I just use the standard fx one and I think the gun is crazy quiet. However, I don’t use moderators on any of mine and have always found the fascination weird. Why moderate something that is already quiet? I guess because they aren’t regulated like on powder burners so it’s easy? For me they would be an utter waste of money. I’m in the country and don’t need hearing protection to shoot my airguns so they ain’t loud to me. Finally, if going after fox 30 cal is probably the better option. Only downside is for plinking as the price increase from 25 to 30 for ammo is significant.

where do you shoot? im in harrison twnp. i have a taipan veteran long in .25 but i want an m3.

 

[Trucker3573]

where do you shoot? im in harrison twnp. i have a taipan veteran long in .25 but i want an m3.

Brighton/Howell area.Shoot mainly in my yard when I find some free time.

 

[goatee]

i was just in howell the other day for work.

 

[nakoa05]

Consider what you want to use it for like plinking, hunting, or bench rest, and the distances you will shoot. Set a budget plus or minus $500. Then call Utah Airguns and share that info. They'll likely have other questions to steer you in the right direction. Lastly, be open-minded as they might have other FX models or brands that would be a better fit.

I done this exactly and wound up with a crown and love it. I called them back a year later and told them what I wanted to do. They suggested same caliber and same gun. So I bought another one with different stock. It's tuned for what I want and all I have to do when it gets here is shoot it. Can't beat that.

 

[nakoa05]

I have an FX Impact MKII Sniper in 30 cal. It is a phenominal shooter. With the reg set at 125, it shoots 44.75 gr JSBs at 940 fps. I also have an M3 in .22 cal. It's nice gun too, but way too complex. Too many things to fiddle with. I prefer the MK2 instead. The other good part is that you can save $500-600 or more on a used one. Just look for one that hasn't been torn apart an meddled with it. No reason too.

I don't own one but this is an ongoing theme that I keep reading about. The MK2 being easier to just shoot instead of playing with.