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Stephen: So were other HPA hand-pumps out
there back then?
Fredrik: Mainly people used SCUBA tanks. I
needed to get air into my own air rifles, so I
made a thin air pump. Then I made a thicker
pump and pumped air from that into the
thinner pump. Then I pumped air out of the
thin pump into the gun. After a while, I had the
idea of putting the thin pump inside the thick
pump. I struggled like crazy with the idea, then
I thought of using a sealing ‘O’ ring as a back
valve. Now I could transport the air from the
big pump to the smaller pump. That was the
key!
Stephen: How do you come up with new product
ideas?
Fredrik: I start with a wish, then look at the
products we have. Because I’m an active
airgunner that gives me ideas. Other people
can think up similar ideas, but when
something is very hard to achieve, I think most
other people give up – I don’t!
Now I have so much experience and
confidence from previous projects, it’s much
easier for me. I let my brain go bananas about
it and then out pops the idea, but I’m not
working for months on each product concept.
For example, I created the Impact, the Wildcat
and seven other guns in one week, at least as‘computer products’,
working with my son,
Johan. When I got stuck
on one gun, I’d work on
another, then go back to
it, and so on. At that point, the
Impact had all the features, but it was
a butt-ugly rifle! We had no intention to
produce it then, but a few months later, I
jumped back in and we finalised the design.Stephen: It’s interesting that you work so closely
with your son, Johan. How does that work out?
Fredrik: I find it very inspiring. Of course, we
have our disagreements sometimes, and I
think I’m a very tough father, but I really enjoy
having him there. He inspires me a lot. Of
course, I’m very proud of him! Working under
me, that can’t be an easy thing for him.
(Fredrik laughs)Stephen: What is your personal favorite FX
airgun for hunting?
Fredrik: Probably the gun I haven’t made yet! I
like the Impact, the Crown and the Dreamline
... I like the Wildcat. It’s hard to say. The
Wildcat is a good hunting gun. It’s really hard
to make a choice. That’s probably why most FX
owners have more than one!Stephen: Your favourite for target shooting?
Fredrik: The Impact because I can put a
700mm barrel on it and it’s still not a long gun.
I like the combination of .30 calibre and the
700mm barrel. The bullpup configuration still
makes it a very comfortable gun to shoot.Stephen: FX Airguns attends Extreme Benchrest
and the Rocky Mountain Airgun shoots in the
USA in force. What are the benefits of this large
investment in time and money?
Fredrik: It’s needed because you have InternetHe’s familiar with every
component and its function.The Impact is a hi-tech shooting machine- and a worldwide best-seller.
The FX Dreamlight - full performance
from a lightweight package.