I felt it was time to do a review of some of my favourite air rifles but rather than being a technical article I will give you my humble thoughts on the fit, feel, looks and more importantly weather it does what I want it too.  I won’t go into all the technical stuff as you can read that a hundred times over else were on every forum known to man and to be honest that is not my bag at all.

Before we get going I will put my hands up and confess that this piece is all about my Air Arms rifles as yes I can stand up and proudly say “MY NAME IS ROB COLLINS AND I AM  AN AIR ARMS FAN BOY”

I started off with a love for Air Arms back in the late 80s early 90s with a rifle called The Air Arms Camargue. This gun was smooth and to be frank I have not used an Air Arms Rifle yet that is not been smooth like a well-oiled British made machine.

I know I have sang their praises from the roof tops but credit were credits due and they have never let me down.  This is unlike some of the foreign makes including a well-known German brand which literally fell apart in my hands.

I expect a gun to not only be smooth but take a pounding and give me 100% reliability.  I hunt in all weathers from high heat to freezing cold and monsoon rains and the Air Arms range has never failed me not once yet.  I do look after them with a regular service.  I also clean and oil them before and after every hunt which keeps them in tip top condition. My Pappy (grandfather) always taught me to look after your gear and it will look after you.

The four main air rifles I use are of course all Air Arms, each one in both  .177 & .22 calibres.  These are (in no particular order) TX200 (Springer), S200 (PCP), S510 (PCP), S410 (PCP).  I have both the Sub 12 ft lb and the FAC versions of the S410.  It is well documented that my favourite air rifle is the Air Arms S410.  Be it the sub 12ft lb or FAC it matters not, that gun is a sweet lady and feisty to boot.

This gun is very heavy I find this good as it helps with any recoil but I would not say this is a good starting gun for a Kid or Lady (oh dear perhaps I should not say that).

This is what I call a Man's Air Rifle. She is pretty on the eye and as feisty as an Italian house wife, but as my Pappy always taught me hold your woman firm and treat her right she will show you passion like no other.

This is so true of the TX200 as whatever you decide to shoot weather a live target or paper when you squeeze that trigger she whispers a voice like a passionate kiss from a lover in your ear and sends the pellet straight and true to target.  As you can tell I am a pretty big fan of the spring powered TX200 and weather its in .22 or .177 when you hear the impact ahhhhh its like sweet music.


The TX200  is pretty on the eye accurate, reliable and powerful. Loading can be a little tricky at times with cold fingers but you will get used to that.  Because of its weight if you are out hunting I would say get a sling put on it. But all in all a great all-rounder for the target man or hunter alike.

Wow what a sweet little gun light, pointable, durable, reliable and deadly accurate. This gun punches way above and beyond its weight.   After using one I liked it so much I bought my daughter Emilie one to use. She loves it above out of all her shot guns and other air rifles and actually I have written several articles about her with that sweet little gun and how successful she is with it weather on the target range or out hunting with her old dad.

I would say this is a good starter gun for any kid or indeed anyone for their first PCP (Pre Charged Pneumatic).  It is packed with all what I have come to expect from a Brilliant British Company although this one is made for them in Czechoslovakia. But don’t let this put you off by any means. Emilie often out shoots all the others in the club with it and now her older brother wont shoot against her as she beats him every time, well that will teach him to take the micky out of her and call her gun a toy gun.

My final words on this gun is whether multi shot or single shot in .177 or .22 you won’t find anything better for your starter gun or life time one as she sure is an addictive little gun that you can pick up at an amazing price.

Above all this is my favourite gun in the Air Arms range as it feels like a big bore rifle in your hands and it looks stunning.  When it catches the light it looks like a chestnut mare (female horse) in a sun glazed Autumn paddock.  This gun is pure class in my eyes, she mounts like putting on your favourite slippers with that ahhhhhhhhh factor of comfort.  I am sure you guys will know what I mean with this when I say this gun just simply fits well and if I did not know better I would say it was tailored to fit me by Savile Rows finest.

To the eye she looks like a proper hunting rifle but would be as easily at home on the target range, in the hunting field were we dance together time and time again we are called upon by landowners to go and deal with vermin problems each and every time the S410 does the job asked of her with grace elegance, power and deadly.

The smoothness of the Air Arms magazines are one thing that has always impressed me as I have chunky hands they are easy to load even when freezing cold and I can’t feel my fingers. The smoothness of the action loading each pellet time after time I cannot fault.  Saying this I keep my guns well serviced and have no problems but I have heard of those that don’t and do have problems? Again I suppose this comes down to what my Pappy taught me.

My Final words on the S410 weather in sub 12ft lb or FAC, it's simply a must have for any air rifle shooter. I am hearing constantly people telling me it’s the worst thing they ever did swapping in their Air Arms for something else.  Well what can I say there will always be one in my gun cupboard.  As a proud Englishman this brings a smile to my face as we are in my opinion still a world leader in the design and manufacture of air rifles and this no small part to my beloved Air Arms.

Well there is not much I can add to this gun that I have not already said about the S410, except that is this gun is a side leaver unlike that of the S200 and S410. The S200 and S410 being bolt action.

It is as I have come to expect smooth as silk when using and re loading, So I cannot as get a cigarette paper between the S410 and S510.

But for me it has to be the S410 as I love the bolt action of a traditional gun.  My final word on the S510 is, It's every bit as good as the S410 so you will be hard to beat it with anything else.

I am often asked what are my favourite pellet and that answer is simple the Air Arms Field Diablo 5.52 in .22 16 grain and in .177 8.4 grain 4.52, (that’s about as technical as I get). Its quite simple they do what it says on the tin and kill humanly every time for me. On the occasion I shoot targets well they are the nail that gets hit in the hole every time.

I am always happy to have a go with anything and will give my honest personal opinion every time, but like I say these are what work for me what work for you may be different.

I have not been paid by anyone to say this about my beloved Air Arms guns but love them so much I could talk your ear off all day about them.

What I will say though is if you are new to air rifle shooting or an old hand coming back, try starting off with an Air Arms and you won’t look back,

Air Arms Review

By The Ole Hedge Creeper

Aka: Rob Collins.

The Ole Hedge Creeper was asked could I cast my eye over 4 DVD 's sent over from www.onelife-productions.com entitled The Knowledge Of Hunting. Now I am not one for watching TV or listening to the radio or even reading a newspaper as its all pretty much the same rubbish all the time. There for if I do spend time in front of the TV I do like to watch something either field sports, conservation related or possibly cooking related.

DVD 1 - The Knowlage Of Hunting part 1

This DVD is entitled The Knowlage Of Hunting part 1 and it covers a vast range of traditional skills from Air Rifle Hunting both day and night to Ferreting. It even shows ratting with Plumber Terriers. It follows a day on a chicken farm when they catch well over 500 rats with these Tenacious little Plumbers. One thing that really caught my eye in this heart stopping DVD was something I had never seen done before?

Well that was using ferrets to bolt squirrels to the gun, I was on the edge of my seat as my hunting genes kicked. In fact the whole DVD had me right there with them. The squirrelling was fast action and really got my adrenalin pumping.

This is an awesome DVD and I must have watched this 20 times now and love it every time.

DVD 2 - The Knowledge Of Snaring And Ferreting

This DVD is entitled The Knowledge Of Snaring And Ferreting. I couldn’t wait to see this one if it was as good as other DVD's from these guys.

It covers traditional rabbit control which is a real passion for me above every other field sport. I love Traditional ferreting the most and I was not disappointed with this DVD. Although it was a little slow to start the action soon kicked in and again had me out there in the field with them. I could see myself running the long nets, laying the purse nets, running the the dogs as well as laying and checking the snares. I must admit I really did enjoy this one as it took me back to my child hood hunting with my Pappy (Granddad) and the rest of my family.

DVD 3 - The Knowledge Of Ratting

This DVD is entitled The Knowledge Of Ratting and again with the tenacious Plumber Terriers and as the title says its action packed ratting mania. As the rats bolt the terriers fly in like bolts of lightening dispatching rat after rat. The DVD shows both day and night hunting with the terriers on the lamp. This was a new one on me and I am now excited to give that a go myself. Actually the more I watch these Plumbers in action the more I want a pair in my kennels as they really have caught my eye in a big way. The hooking out of rats out of walls with a special tool was awesome. I wont tell you anymore as I don’t want to tell you the best bits, but what I will say is “GET THIS DVD” and see for yourself. I am now looking into a fine pair of Plumber pups as I write


This is one of the best ratting DVDs I have seen to date.

DVD 4- The Knowledge Of Chickens Cobs And Running Dogs

This DVD is entitled The Knowledge Of Chickens Cobs And Running Dogs. This DVD took me back to my youth when I would help my uncle on his farm with the Gypsy Cobs Game Cocks. During these trips he instilled a passion for the running dog and those of you that have read my article about Running Dogs rabbits and Romani's will know what I mean.

This DVD really passes on some knowledge as well as some of the finest animals I have ever seen with some proper characters too.




This DVD should grace the collection of every true countryman who loves tradition in its purest sense, with some amazing interviews and real life characters that are now a dying breed.

My Final words are that this set of DVDs has The Ole Hedge Creepers seal of approval together with a massive thumbs up. They quite simply do what it says on the tin boys and in fact I am going to get a gallon of cider, light the log fire and watch the set all over again.

Its a proper job I telle boys.


THE OLE HEDGE CREEPER


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Phil Smalley (Owner)
One Life Productions
Web: www.onelife-productions.com