New Umarex Airguns At The 2018 SHOT Show
In this report, we’ll take a good look at some of the many new Umarex airguns to be seen at the 2018 SHOT Show.
Of course, all eyes were on the new Umarex Hammer big bore air rifle. That’s it in our heading photograph, being held by Umarex USA Marketing Manager Bradley Burgin. Bradley took me through all the new Umarex airguns for this report. Thanks Bradley!
The Hammer is a .50 caliber, regulated PCP air rifle that the manufacturer clams to be the most powerful big bore in the world. This year’s prototype on display was much smaller – and clearly much nearer production than the version displayed at the 2017 SHOT Show.
For full details on the Hammer, check out this earlier story in Hard Air Magazine.
The Umarex Gauntlet was also being launched in .25 caliber. This has a high Muzzle velocity claim of 1,000 FPS, for a Muzzle Energy of more than 45 FT/Lbs. Availability should be in the first Quarter of 2018. We’ve all seen many photographs of the Gauntlet and the .25 cal version looks pretty well identical to the other calibers, so we’ll stick to photographs of other new Umarex airguns at the 2018 SHOT Show in this report…
The company is very excited to be adding CO2-powered Glock pistols to the range of new Umarex airguns. Here, Bradley shows us an early prototype of what we can expect to be seeing as a blowback, field-strippable air pistol by around mid-year 2018.
Another interesting model among the new Umarex airguns at the 2018 SHOT Show was the Umarex Legends Cowboy Rifle.
This CO2-powered gun uses individual cartridges, each of which is loaded with a BB – just like you find on so many CO2-powered revolvers. These cartridges are loaded into the Legends Cowboy Rifle through the side loading gate – it holds 10 – and ejected out of the top of the action after fifing. Just like the cartridge firearm, of course!
HAM’s Ron Jones is an enthusiastic Cowboy Action Shooter. I’m sure he will not be able to wait to check out this new model for us!
Below Bradley loads a cartridge and shows the ejection capability for us.
In another development for new Umarex airguns, Umarex USA will be introducing versions of the long-running RWS/Diana 34 break barrel air rifle – the Model 3400 and 3500. The differences here are new stocks and the fact that these RWS air rifles will be assembles in Umarex USA’s Fort Smith facility from German-manufactured parts.
The American-manufactured RWS 3400 and 3500 models will both be available in both .177 and .22 calibers.
An entry-level model among the new Umarex airguns at the 2018 SHOT Show is the Umarex Syrix. This is a sub-$100, 1,200 FPS break barrel springer that’s bundled with the obligatory 4 x 32 scope.
Finally for today – and NOT associated with Umarex – is news that the Brazilan pellet manufacturer Rifle says that they hope to announce a significant US distribution agreement shortly. We’ll wait for formal confirmation that Rifle pellets will become generally available in the USA, but here’s a look at some of the large range of what appear to be high quality Rifle pellets.
There’s more, much more, to follow. Phew!
