What's going on with Air Arms?

[efem09]

Hi,

I remember 10-15 years ago, Air Arms would be considered the holy grail of PCP air guns, everyone wanted to have one, just like before FX took the storm with the Impacts.

I believe the newest gun is the Galahad? and it wasn't a big success, because it really didn't sell well, their best rifles are the S410/S510 rifles i believe.

Is it the lack of innovation? because the guns are still very accurate and good looking, but we didn't see a new gun for a long time. The only thing they did was a another stock series of their rifles.

I kinda compare it to Nokia, lack of innovation and design but keeps selling the same guns, over and over again. I believe there are now air rifles that match the accuraccy, and cost way less, maybe it's that.

What do you think?

 

[Jasonmc]

I agree... 10-15 years ago AA (and daystate) was the benchmark of what a PCP should be. . I bought a AA 400 carbine 22 then. Shoot count sucked by todays standard.. Very good shooting rifle though. they definitely haven't been innovative in these past few years..

 

[mobilemail]

They may not be a gimmick of the week company, but I am quite happy with the performance and build quality of my S510. I guess you're a nothing company if you aren't an EBR darling...

 

[qball]

AirArm is still the holy grail of airgun you know 15 years ago. Literally!

While they shoot the ammo from 15 years ago just fine like 15 years ago, a lot of people have moved o to different areas of airguns not thinkable 15 years ago. Those who want to keep AA going already have an AA, they were well made and durable.

 

[woogie_man]

Lack of innovation in my opinion. They really haven't came out with anything new in quite some time. Their new ft rifle looks promising, but they have been teasing that rifle for a few years now.

 

[efem09]

Don't get me wrong, they are still very accurate and beautiful too look at.

Daystate was in a similiar position, but they developed their designs massively, Wolverine, Redwolf, Delta Wolf. They went on with the new direction airguns are going, but Air Arms didn't do anything, just an ugly Bullpup that is massively overpriced.

I just look at their TDR model with synthethic stock, and it goes for 1.550 dollars at airgundepot, and thats on sale price. For 100 dollars more you can get a Wildcat MKIII BT Compact at 1.650.

Honestly, i think their guns are massively overpriced, for the gun you get.

 

[efem09]

They may not be a gimmick of the week company, but I am quite happy with the performance and build quality of my S510. I guess you're a nothing company if you aren't an EBR darling...

They are still nice guns, maybe not EBR quality accuraccy wise but their innovation is really behind. I believe Hatsan came to the US market, early 2010? and they are even developing future air rifles, that go with now a days trend.

 

[Scotay42]

Don't get me wrong, they are still very accurate and beautiful too look at.

Daystate was in a similiar position, but they developed their designs massively, Wolverine, Redwolf, Delta Wolf. They went on with the new direction airguns are going, but Air Arms didn't do anything, just an ugly Bullpup that is massively overpriced.

I just look at their TDR model with synthethic stock, and it goes for 1.550 dollars at airgundepot, and thats on sale price. For 100 dollars more you can get a Wildcat MKIII BT Compact at 1.650.

Honestly, i think their guns are massively overpriced, for the gun you get.

My s510 shoots anything i put through it very well. I can drop in a mag of h&n snipers and tag my .22 spinner at 100yds with the whole mag. Next mag, 23g javelin .218, 2 in drop compensation, and it slaps the spinner for all 10rds as well. Only elevation change. No need for a different barrel or liner, switching from slugs to pellets.

 

[jps2486]

Oh yeah, the new rifles are all black or plastic. Sure, they shoot more powerful slugs and cannonballs, but look like an escapee from the plumbing shop. I'm getting tired of tactical rifles and still like nice walnut and blue steel. I know a lot of folks brag about shooting aspirin tablets at 300 yards (BS) blah blah, but I'm afraid that I'm still of the opinion that airguns and rimfires do their best work at 100 yards or less. Maybe have to get another S510.

 

[Scotay42]

Oh yeah, the new rifles are all black or plastic. Sure, they shoot more powerful slugs and cannonballs, but look like an escapee from the plumbing shop. I'm getting tired of tactical rifles and still like nice walnut and blue steel. I know a lot of folks brag about shooting aspirin tablets at 300 yards (BS) blah blah, but I'm afraid that I'm still of the opinion that airguns and rimfires do their best work at 100 yards or less. Maybe have to get another S510.

Not to mention, that they have timeless beauty.

 

[efem09]

Oh yeah, the new rifles are all black or plastic. Sure, they shoot more powerful slugs and cannonballs, but look like an escapee from the plumbing shop. I'm getting tired of tactical rifles and still like nice walnut and blue steel. I know a lot of folks brag about shooting aspirin tablets at 300 yards (BS) blah blah, but I'm afraid that I'm still of the opinion that airguns and rimfires do their best work at 100 yards or less. Maybe have to get another S510.

Yeah that's true, every manufacturer is going with the tactical look now, more plastic and more soft touch finishes on guns. The old walnut stocks and guns are getting out of fashion.

Air arms stocks are one of the best looking stocks, i must admit.

 

[HubenK1Sniper92]

I kinda wanted the Galahad when it came out, liked the forward cocking handle idea on them but I never go around to getting one, had a S510 and it was a nice shooter

 

[AirShot]

AA is gonna have a difficult time keeping up with third world countries with labor rates of one dollar an hour !! Many of the new tech guns are nothing but a bunch of parts machined by a robot and assembled by non skilled labor. You dont see any hand rubbed wood stocks and the testing and QC that AA and others go thru.
Similiar to todays fancy phones made in China. China does not allow QC inspectors from the companies that buy them. Only one in five I phones pass quality control standards when they reach our shores....four are returned, junked and another 5 come in for QC inspection. The phone costs a thousand dollars, not because they cost that much to make, it costs that much to sort thru and find one that passes inspection and works!!!

 

[boscoebrea]

AA Does what it does looking good while doing it good.
I like wood,I like rifles,I like old Ladies to.

 

[djna]

I love my Air Arms rifles / PCP and springer. My Old AA 410 still going strong- and My Pro Sport is also very accurate and well made. I do hope Air Arms does not fade away, they do make good Airguns. Maybe they’ll come out with something new in near future.

 

[Ranchibi]

With their build quality, just adding some new valving, larger plenum, newly engineered HS system would appeal to the newer generation of airgunners I believe.

 

[Struckat]

I really like mine. Full size rifles are much easier for me to shoot than the tiny things I am drawn to. This is so smooth.

 

[mobilemail]

I believe AA is more popular in field target and sporter/precision. I have seen articles about a new running/shooting thing they are doing with kids that I might try if I didn't hate running so much. I'm waiting for a shooting/bicycling competition so I can lose but have fun at it.

 

[orangeokie]

I am trying to decide right now whether to get an S510 or a Wolverine R High Power. I really like both rifles, but I am torn between the two. Will probably end up getting both someday.

 

[napairgunner]

I think AA is very focused on the UK market and the non FAC world there. Yes they make 30+ plus fpe rifles but pursuing power and innovation is not their approach. They want to do a few things really well and just keep doing them. Relative to the competition these days the value is not the same as it used to be. I agree they are overpriced by comparison but they are still very nice rifles but I'll stick with my FX's.