R5M Matador - Standard or Long? Trigger ok?

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nugria

nugria

Member
Sep 7, 2019
169
5
Florida, United States
Hi All,

I'm seriously thinking of picking up an R5M Matador in 22. Most of my shooting is plinking but the green iguana down here in Florida are certainly tempting for doing some hunting. Just a few questions.

Is the trigger decent? I've been shooting an FX Dreamline Classic Walnut for awhile and I'm concerned the bullpup trigger might be creepy.

I'm thinking of getting the long for efficiency and shot count. Does anyone have reservations about the standard length velocities or shot count?

Thoughts?

Nugria

ps. And then there is the Impact for $200 more. What a hobby.
 
If you want more power and of course a higher shot count, go with the Long version. Later on down the road, you can also purchase a Huma power regulator with the bigger plenum to increase velocity and shot count with efficiency. I have a R5M Standard in .25cal so I'm not sure what numbers other folks who have them in .22 are getting. If you like to keep things short, go with the Standard version. In regards to the trigger, it's a two stage and is adjustable. I have no problem with mine which breaks at about a pound and a half. I've never missed a shot because of the trigger. If you decide to take out in the field for some hunts, rest assured that it's a durable platform. I can grab both my R5M Matador and Leshiy by the barrel sideways and not lose POA/POI.
 
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I own both the R5M 22 long and R5M 25 standard as well as an R5 30 and Lelya 25.
The R5M Long feels at home on a bench or shot from some sort of rested position. If you’ll be plinking a majority of the time, the long is the way to go. The long isn’t as comfortable or maneuverable for off hand shooting as the standard. 
I prefer my standard for hunting. I prefer my long for bench shooting. 
The long offers higher velocities right out of the box. Mine was shooting the 18’s at 1180 fps before backing down on the HST. It’s more than capable at shooting slugs in this configuration. 

 
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The trigger can be adjusted to have no creep. You aren't going to make it a super match grade, break at 12 ounces or under trigger. I've found if you try that it is not reliable and can be dangerous as it can be bump discharged. With that said, I've gotten them to 1 pound pulls that are safe and reliable. This is fine for me.
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I agree (in my experience) it is a hunting trigger. I played around with mine for a long time and the trigger can easily be made dangerous, going off with a bump. It is not a match grade trigger by any stretch of the imagination. I finally got mine safely down to about 1.5 pounds with 2 stages. Long first stage and a clear crisp break with very little creep on the second stage. Once I got it there I put nail polish on it to keep the screws from backing out or moving in any way and it has held for about a year. How Steve came to the conclusion in his review that it was a match grade trigger, I have no earthly idea. Hunting trigger yes … match grade, not in reality. If Ed were to make this a true match grade trigger, he would NEVER be able to make enough guns to keep up with demand

The gun is capable of pretty good accuracy with the norm being approximately .5" at 50 yards. I did have trouble with the accuracy for a long time until I was informed by several members of this forum that the 12mm barrel tension lug … easily accessed by taking the moderator off … played a huge role in the accuracy department. My tension lug was so tight that it was pulling the shroud down almost to the point of touching the air tube. I backed it off to about 10 lbs of torque and the accuracy dramatically improved at once.

I love my gun, the looks, the feel, the accuracy, the ruggedness, the ease with which it can be worked on, the simplicity of the design, the accuracy of the EDMU, the shot count … the gun has a lot going for it, however the trigger IMHO is the only element that could be worked on to make this the best gun in your arsenal
 
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When I sold my Taipan Veteran Standard the idea I originally had was to buy a Taipan Veteran Long. I was looking for the extra power and shout count. Usually I shot iguanas from prone position so the long was not really a problem, and if you watch the two versions you will notice the difference is length is not that big.

I haven't used a Matador yet (and boy I want one!) but if I'm buying one I was thinking going with the Long version, although in the Matador if shot count is a problem the day you go hunting you can fill to 300 bar and get 70 shots out of the standard, this is mind blowing! With this information I was thinking the other day do I really need a Matador Long? If I get 70 shots in .25 cal out of the Standard, how many shots I get out of the Long?

These are some things to I was considering coming from a Taipan Veteran and looking into the Matador:

  • Matador Long and Standard they have same price, Taipan Veteran Long you pay more vs going standard
  • I like the Magazine mechanism way more on the Taipan, the anti-double feeding makes de-cocking just a no-brainer, just decock and when ready to take a shot cock again and no other mechanism need to be accessed
  • Taipan has the cocking lever on the back, and this for some people is a deal breaker
  • Even when I haven't used a Matador R5M, it seems the cocking on the Taipan is way better than the cocking on the Matador
  • For the Taipan you pay less, even if you with the Long version
  • Matador can be filled to 300 bar
  • Matador no need extra LDC, Taipan in .25 has a bark to it, in .22 is quieter I had mine with a Sumo
  • Taipan can adjust the Hammer Spring Tension without taking the rifle appart. Edgun need to remove the stock but not a big deal, but it's a difference
  • I haven't tested the trigger on the Matador, and from Steve video looks that you can adjust it to a nice setting, on the Taipan, out the box, best trigger I have tested so far.
  • They both can be a bit heavy when adding scope and my case the cameras and bipods, I can imagine the Long version (on both) will be even heavier!

I think those are the main things I've come to learn while researching the EdGun Matador after I sold my Taipan Veteran Standard. I know this post is about the Edgun but this information might come useful for you if you haven't look into the Veteran. That was my iguana killer #1 rifle.




 
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My only complaint on my r5m long is I don’t like the safety location. After shooting my Uragan compact I really prefer the safety location on it. Other then that the trigger is a good hunting trigger, I’ve got the bat moderator and I’m pushing mk2s at 58 ftlb. I want to add the HUMA and decrease hammer spring tension to lower the ping with the same speed. I’ve also got a fx streamline and it’s got the best trigger of my 3guns and smoothest cocking. 
 
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Here are my edguns , I my self bought all long models and I am a hunter , I also wanted the longs for extra shot count and extra power , I feel they have more to offer and if you shoot at a lower power you will have alot more shot count in the longer models .

R5M LONG .22 cal

R5 long 25 cal single shot

R5 super long .30 caliber

LELYA2.0 .25 caliber

LESHIY 350mm barrel ,22 cal

P/S If I had none and was starting to buy now , I would still buy the long versions , I find also with longs if you shoot at lower powers there is 0 harmonics , I seen people talking about the triggers , When I got my first one it was hard to use but now I love the trigger and yes it is a HUNTING trigger , , They are durable guns and alot of power and shoot most any ammo well , in 22
 
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The trigger can be adjusted to have no creep. You aren't going to make it a super match grade, break at 12 ounces or under trigger. I've found if you try that it is not reliable and can be dangerous as it can be bump discharged. With that said, I've gotten them to 1 pound pulls that are safe and reliable. This is fine for me.
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I agree with Derrick, if anyone I know can adjust a trigger to perfection, its Derrick. That being said, the .25 R5 SM that I got from Derrick has a "good" trigger, probably in the 1.5 pound range, and a good hunting trigger, but certainly not match grade. There isn't nearly as much adjustment on these as there is on the other Eastern European guns (Cricket, Taipan, AGT). That being said, somehow Derrick tuned the trigger on my .22 R3 Long to be every bit as good as my Vulcan2 or the Taipan Veteran that I had, and better than any of my FX airguns. Not sure how, but it is a match grade trigger in every sense of the word. Steve's review was very good, but nothing was said about the loud ping next to your ear when you shoot...
 
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Hi Everyone,

Thank you very much for the honest and accurate reviews of the R5M. Several issues were brought up that I had not thought about.

I had not even thought of the hammer/valve being right next to the ear when shooting. I imagine if you drop the regulator pressure about 30 bar and back off on the HST, the ping might lighten up a bit also.

Nugria
 
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After reading this thread it seems to me the TAIPAN Veteran is a better option. Better trigger...no ping in ear...just as robust plus you have a single shot tray if u didn't want to use magazines. Only downfall if it matters is rear cocking and the Matador is probaly easier to work on. Both great guns but the Taipan trigger is something to behold in a bullpup. Forgot to mention the Taipan is about $300 cheaper even with the upgraded laminate stock option and also comes in 3 sizes...compact,standard and long.
 
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I was lucky enough to get one of the laminate stock versions, the last yellow and black one from EDgun West. It's an R5M standard in .25. I wanted to have the short overall length bullpup for easy/quick handling in the EDgun padded green soft bag storage bag and in the field hunting.

The shorter length makes it a bit more wobbly when shooting offhand, requiring good technique or an object to brace against. Brian at EDgun West can install a short picatinny rail on the forearm very inexpensively to which you can attach a bipod that adds mass to the frame to smooth out some of the wobble and of course for shooting from braced/ rested positions.

It's a hunting trigger as already thoroughly described, I made several adjustments until I was happy enough with it. Have not tried polishing the sear engagement surfaces - that may come sometime in the future. I have been satisfied with it as it is.

The smaller reservoir of the standard is relatively easy to top off with a Hill MK IV hand pump, which was important since I do not want or own an electric compressor at this point. My companion Leshiy (.22, 350mm barrel-awesome with JSB 14.3 BTW) is even quicker to fill with a hand pump.

The stock comes off quickly with 2 screws for HST adjustment. The hammer spring adjustment screw is detented, allowing you to count clicks for reliable power changes. Be sure to keep notes on how yours is set or you can use a chronograph for repeat adjustments. The rear bolt block removes easily with one extra screw to allow barrel cleaning and polishing. I had to do some careful filing and fitting of some folded metal on the bushing of the rear bolt block to allow it to slide on and off the breech without tapping. The moderator unscrews from the muzzle end very quickly and conveniently for the same purposes.

I had a little trouble with the electronic gauge at first. The battery had run down and I had to replace that, then reset it a couple of times after installing a new battery. I don't find the advanced electronic functions helpful at all, I just tap it every now and then to read the pressure in BARS.

I mounted a vortex diamondback 6 to 24 by 50 ffp scope with moa reticle and adjustments. Very nice setup.

Some other nice features include slots for storing 3 magazines inside the scope rail and the lugged stock which makes a nice upside down carry handle.

1576762717_4572083495dfb7d5de72648.22672039_The Hornet 20190704.jpg

 
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Hi Everyone,

Thank you very much for the honest and accurate reviews of the R5M. Several issues were brought up that I had not thought about.

I had not even thought of the hammer/valve being right next to the ear when shooting. I imagine if you drop the regulator pressure about 30 bar and back off on the HST, the ping might lighten up a bit also.

Nugria
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The HUMA allows you to run a lower reg pressure to get the same speeds. I’m hoping to get one for Christmas... I have set my gun to shoot 45ftlb and it was much quieter and still accurate with the 25.4s. I just wanted more power since I’ve had a coyote creeping around and I’ve got other guns at 28-33 ftlb
 
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