Review Airmaks Katran .22

[Peete]

I’ve had a Edgun Leshiy 1 and FX Dreamline Tactical Compact but was never totally happy with the two. The Edgun is great quality but really misses the Multi-shot and a proper handgrip. For the FX which has those two, I just didn’t like the quality. For example, using a Atlas bipod would scratch the bottle adapter due to a lack of space and for me the overall build quality isn’t on par with the tier one airguns. But that’s personal I recon.

After a while I sold them and was orientating on what could be a replacement.

Others

I’ve had gotten the Leshiy2 but send it back because of quality issues, the chrome was falling of the hinges. Hope they fix that.

Then I found the Katran model from Airmaks and was also looking at the AGN Vixen. For me the VIXEN with the big bottle held me back. For the Airmaks brand I looked at several video’s about the bullpup they made, quality looked real good but I don’t like the bullpup format so the Katran model really exited me.

Also, the price here in Europe makes the Katran 1100 euro the best priced from all four (Leshiy1 1400euro, Leshiy2 2200euro, FX DLT compact 1200 euro and Vixen 1300euro)

Katran

So I went with the Katran. What I really like is the fact it has a mounting system for a bipod (KeyMod), AR-style grip mounting, Picatinny scope rail and a foldable stock.

The smartest things in my opinion are the low position of the magazine (16 shots) so the rail stays low, FX makes one piece mount not possible on the FX DLT. And the two coupled levers which makes the cocking lever real light and fast to operate with your hand on the grip.

Also, the trigger feels beter than the one on the FX DLT and is two stage which is again better than the Leshiy1.

Overall build quality and finish is really good, I would compare it to my RAW. One issue I found was the space in the folding stock hinge which makes it wobble. I’ve placed two pieces of black Scotch Self Bonding Electrical Tape at the top and lower faces of the hinge and now it is rock solid when you close it.

I’ve fitted my HUMA MOD40 which makes it super quiet because it already has a shroud and fitted a Dedal Stalker 6x scope which looks great on it.

Here’re some pictures:

And folded:

 

[kaylaindy]

Wow, Did you shoot it? You may get a suprise. I sure did! -Nate @ Airgun Channel

...it aint no Caiman. 

 

[Blackpaw]

@kaylaindy are you saying you didn’t get good results with your Katran? I spoke to several people that are having good results. Also, a buddy told me he shot his friends .177 Katran HP and it did great. The barrels are the same as the Caimens.

 

[PumaCarl]

 kaylaindy Wow, Did you shoot it? You may get a suprise. I sure did! -Nate @ Airgun Channel ...it aint no Caiman.

Nate, I checked your yt channel and I can't find the video where you shot the Katran. How did it go? I am very interested in this gun and would like to hear about any problems upfront. The guys at Utah Airguns seemed to have the opposite experience and said the Katrans were shooting a little better than the Caimans. I saw your Caiman X video and that particular gun was shooting lights out.

 

[Peete]

I’ve chosen the 40joule .22 version. This is enough power even 100m shooting. But I know some would want max unlimited power.

This is the .25 being used with slugs on 100 meters and explanation on the double lever etc. Also I made an other solution for the wobble in the stock which really makes it rock solid;

https://youtu.be/2Q_bV3lpkUc

BTW, they now make a dedicated High Power version of the Katran with a 700mm barrel.

 

[bconlon]

I’ve chosen the 40joule .22 version. This is enough power even 100m shooting. But I know some would want max unlimited power.

This is the .25 being used with slugs on 100 meters and explanation on the double lever etc. Also I made an other solution for the wobble in the stock which really makes it rock solid;



https://youtu.be/2Q_bV3lpkUc



BTW, they now make a dedicated High Power version of the Katran with a 700mm barrel.

What was the other solution to the stock wobbling you are referring to? Just using a bit of plastic as they did in the video you linked?

 

[Peete]

I’ve chosen the 40joule .22 version. This is enough power even 100m shooting. But I know some would want max unlimited power.

This is the .25 being used with slugs on 100 meters and explanation on the double lever etc. Also I made an other solution for the wobble in the stock which really makes it rock solid;





https://youtu.be/2Q_bV3lpkUc





BTW, they now make a dedicated High Power version of the Katran with a 700mm barrel.

What was the other solution to the stock wobbling you are referring to? Just using a bit of plastic as they did in the video you linked?

I've used two pieces of 3M Scotch 23 Black EPDM Electrical Tape, which I put on the top and bottom facing contact surfaces on the rifle side. Still works fine after a few months compression in the safe.

 

[Blackpaw]

Everyone, actually did you see the new stock design on the new compact and HP version of the Katran? The stock on the Compact and HP versions will have an integrated magazine holder, so I wonder if they , adjusted the design of the new stock to reduce wabble. HHHMMM...that is one thing that put me off on the gun when I held it at UA back in March, otherwise I think it is a brilliant gun. Very well balanced and solid feeling, the UA folks said that it shot better than the Caimen.

To me, the Katran Compact is the best looking of the group!!!

 

[Twinkees_n_Pb]

Hope they did fix that wobble. The ability to hold extra 2 magazines is a nice touch. Reminds me of my AA TDR; 3 mags ready to go on a relatively light/ skinny/ balanced rifle.

 

[Blackpaw]

Yes I think if AirMaks made put in a heavier spring or similar into the stock it would help a lot in fixing the stock wabble. I could see myself getting the Compact as a speciality rifle so close range pesting and as an alternative to the Leshiy Classic in a way.