54 SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
AIRGUN | GUN TEST
importers, I consulted the handbook. ‘Tap
the barrel’ was the instruction, and a swift
jolt thereafter had me feeling sheepish. What
we can deduce from that general ineptitude,
is that this Stoeger possesses a fi rm barrel
lock-up where it matters!
The cocking stroke does take signifi cant
effort; it has to be said, despite being
extremely smooth and free from spring
graunch. As usual though, the best approach
to this type of gas-ram power plant has to be
a positive, all-in-one sweeping action. Get
momentum on your side, and the task
seems a little easier.
As per Stoeger’s X20, a neat automatic
safety catch sits to the rear of the action,
which is in the perfect position to be nudged
off with the thumb. Thereafter, take up the
fi rst stage of the pseudo 2-stage trigger, and
squeeze through the inevitable creep. Trying
to adjust it (an operation hinted at by the
instruction manual) proved a thankless task,
but to be fair, triggers are often fairly basic
on rifl es within this price bracket. On theplus side, the blade is at least nicely shaped,
fairly broad, and trips the mechanism after a
modest amount of pressure.NOISE REDUCTION
As for the action, all I would say is don’t get
too excited by the ‘Dual Stage Noise
Reduction System’ (DSNRS). The simple fact
is that the shot cycle is a little harsh and
fairly noisy, in the big scheme of things -
undermining much of the perceived benefi t of
the DSNRS set-up!
Interestingly, my test model proved to be
pellet fussy over 30yds, with a proven
sample of Air Arms Diabolos (JSB) (slightly
loose in the barrel as it happens) printing
groups over an inch, whilst SMK’s BS55 .22
Black Domes all but halved that. Half inch
c-t-c clusters were satisfying, and proved the
ATAC Suppressor was highly capable with its
preferred diet. Consistency was extremely
good too, with pretty well any pellet
chambered, proving for the record, how the
gas-ram power plant compares against
spring power over a chronograph. Basically
there’s little in it. Pass it on!CONCLUSION
Is there any major benefi t in practise, of a
gas-ram powered rifl e over its conventionally
sprung counterpart? In short, in the vast
majority of cases, other than the obvious
absence of spring twang, the answer has to
be no. Despite this heretical fi nding, many
just feel the gas-ram is more modern and
therefore an advance in itself.As for an overall verdict, I reckon the
ATAC Suppressor will undoubtedly appeal to
an army of airgun enthusiasts, who have a
taste for military-style kit. It offers as
mentioned a modern specifi cation, a stylish
all-in package, a host of on-board features, a
unique feel - given that dense, pleasantly
‘grippy’ synthetic stock, and all importantly,
some half decent performance. Add the
bipod, and the ATAC becomes a tactical gun
that turns heads.
It’s fairly weighty mind, for a rifl e of this
type, so get down to your local dealer for a
hands on experience.TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
■ Model Stoeger ATAC Suppressor
■ Type Break barrel sporter
■ Power Gas-ram
■ Calibre .22 on test/ .177 available
■ Weight 7.5lbs /8.75lbs including scope
■ Length 42.5”
■ Barrel 10.5” (17” shrouded)
■ Stock Synthetic sporter including accessory
rails and adjustable butt
■ Trigger 2- stage adjustable
■ Velocity: SMK Black Dome: Air Arms Diabolo:
■ High 568fps 530fps
■ Low 555 526
■ Ave 565 528
■ Spread 13fps 3fps
■ (10-shot strings) (10-shot strings)
■ Energy: 10.6ft/lbs 9.8ft/lbs
■ RRP: £275 guide price, including 3-9x40
Stoeger scope and mounts. Bipod is sold
as an optional extra –guide price £43
■ Contact: GMK Ltd, 01489 587500
■ http://www.stoegerairguns.com
■ http://www.gmk.co.uk▲
Cocking the ATAC’s action requires significant effortThe Suppressor
and bipod will
appeal to lovers
of tactical kit