http://www.airgunshooting.co.uk AIRGUN WORLD 19AIR ARMS PRO-SPORT
synthetic bearings. At the time of its launch,
the promotion blurb declared the Pro Sport
‘ready-tuned, straight from the box’, and it has
to be said, that’s just how it shoots.
SUBTLE CHANGES
Of course, nothing stays the same over a
quarter-century of history, especially in the
world of high-performance airguns, and like
every product in the Air Arms portfolio, the
Pro-Sport has benefitted from the company’s
‘rolling development’ program. The changes
have been few, more tweaks than full
upgrades, and hand on heart, I can’t say I
notice them during shooting, but Air Arms saw
fit to include the following micro-upgrades.
First, the rifle’s piston stroke was altered to
maximise efficiency, and later, some key
internal components were strengthened. Then,
the cocking lever and its pivot block were
slightly re-jigged to improve the retention of the
lever after it’s returned once the rifle is cocked
and loaded. That’s it. Not bad for a spring-
powered flagship’s 25-year service.
A STUDY OF THE STOCK
I opted to test the walnut-stocked version,
mainly because I prefer the way it looks, rather
than for the very slight weight saving over the
lacquered beech example. This stock positively
invites its owner to massage oil into it, as much
for the satisfaction of the process, than the
pleasure of seeing the result.
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My own Pro-Sport’s stock has darkened
through time and the application of some
magical unguent given to me by another
genius, the much-missed Mick Dawes. I
haven’t a clue what Mick’s stock oil recipe
contains, apart from alkanet and linseed, but
the scent of it reminds me of the great man, so
using it has become a ritual of remembrance.
All Pro-Sport owners should equip
themselves with a stock oil of some sort, which
should be used sparingly and often. When you
do, you’ll find yourself smiling in the mosttragic way imaginable, I assure you. Please
resist the urge to overdo the amount of oil you
apply, or you’ll risk gumming up the lavish
panels of laser cut skip chequering at the grip
and fore end. That said, don’t forget to anoint
the unseen faces of the fore end underside,where the cocking lever lives, but again,
moderation in all things, OK?NICE TOUCHES
The Pro-Sport’s stock is fixed, fore and aft, to
an aluminium chassis, to impart rigidity and
strength and to also provide an anchor point
for the Pro-Sport’s underlever ‘pivot block’.
Back to the stock, and I especially like the
rosewood grip cap, with its white-line spacer,
and like the Pro-Sport itself, those flutes at the
fore end tip are practical and pretty. Theright-hand configured cheek piece incorporates
an accommodating rollover at its top line,
which combines with the gentle downward
taper to encourage correct eye-scope
alignment. Notice also, that the stock, indeed
the whole rifle, tapers purposefully from its“I opted to test the walnut-stocked version,
mainly because I prefer the way it looks”
Direct-to-barrel loading, without getting your
thumb greasy, plus there’s a slot below the breech
to let fumbled pellets drop through. Perfect.
Gold-plated finish - solid gold performance.
Hold the lever firmly until the cocking/loading process is complete.