The newer MKIII wildcats are more adjustable with better barrels than your old one but the feel of the gun is exactly the same- you can recapture that old magic!. Plus the STX superior liner can shoot pellets and slugs with the click of your rear hammer spring adjuster. The cocking handle is in the perfect place so you can keep your eye on target for follow-ups.
Taipans are much talked up, but that rear bolt placement was a non-started for me when I was looking to upgrade from my wildcat MKI. Looked around and went with the MKIII and never looked back. I had the synthetic stock hydro dipped too, something that's not possible on your wooden veterans and matadors.
FYI if you want a carbine- there is a nice affordable Ataman collapsible stock carbine on refurb at PYR [at least as or earlier today] for like $800.
When I first saw those rear placements, I thought it was no big deal. Then I thought it was the worst thing in the world. Then I thought I didn't know, but depended on your own particular body and the rifle's ergonomics, and how those things worked together. But still thought it was completely unacceptable, in my tender heart-of-hearts.
Got a Kalibrgun Cricket because I thought so many other good things about it would maybe overcome that one negative. Turns out I don't even think about that one negative. If I had a worse gun, I might. Same if I had a bad Taipan I suppose. But I see very few complaints about Taipans even though this forum normally seems like FX headquarters/fan club. And my Cricket is so satisfying that as much as I love the idea of ALWAYS having a forward cocking lever(AND NO BOLTS) for any future buys ... I have to admit it's not so bad if you really like the gun.
Granted if you don't, it's just one more on your list of why you need to sell it or rank it lower. Fair enough.
Anyway, even on a really good gun, we're probably STILL making compromises somewhere. Even if it's just on something external or seemingly external, like the plenum, or the moderator, or the availability or iron sights, or the scope? Anything might make you turn away from any particular gun or feature or shooting package.
I'm just saying try to balance it out when weighing your alternatives. Some things leap to the fore as absolutely great that you may later find just okay, and sound ugly or catastrophic that are really no big deal. You may only be able to figure it out once you have a gun with similar features in your hand.
