Rowan Engineering Company Review

I’m sure many remember that Rowan first made our pages with a retrofit multi-shot conversion kit for the Air Arms S400. As I watched the company grow, with bigger premises and CNC machines, they’d obviously hit on a market eager for their wares. They certainly hooked me in when they began concentrating on custom trigger units and alternative bolt handles. To me these are the two main areas than can be improved on a PCP. What follows are my personal experiences with my favoured hunting air rifles and the difference certain Rowan products have made.

ROLL OF THE DICE
The 10-shot manual magazine for the S400 transformed the HFT shooters perception and saved them money, as they didn’t need two rifles to compete and hunt. Later Rowan’s one-shot clip for the S410 evened it up, so in no way did you need a pair of guns whether you owned an S400 or S410. The success of the magazine kit was such it has spawned many others being made for a host of single-shot only rifles. So they got one product right first roll of the dice.

I’m using my custom stocked Air Arms S410K and Weihrauch custom stock HW100K as examples of the difference changes you can now make by using Rowan’s retrofit parts and how they affect the overall performance of the air rifle.

TRIGGER TIME
As for triggers, Rowan has all bases covered, so deciding which to fit is dependent on what design you prefer. You can choose adjustable with the blade set back, or their latest ultra set-back blade which is mainly made for the HW range of springers. The set back blade on my S410K has made a huge difference; positive, just where I want it, and with a let off like a set trigger.

BOLT
When operating a multi-shot PCP technique is all. So to be able to cycle the bolt smoothly every time for a slick reload is an equally essential skill as shooting straight. So with the trigger sorted, what do Rowan offer in the bolt department?

Rowan had already thought of this and eventually settled on the two main differences in a cocking bolt. If it’s more substantial then operation feels more assured, if it is ‘longer’ (standing prouder of the side of the action) then it’s easier to grab hold of as you cycle the action. Rowan offer a stainless bolt handle for those who prefer the feel of a heavier material than aluminium (as used on the Air Arms S400/410 originals. Another example is Rowans bolt for the BSA S10; it is far easier to operate being longer and having a large diameter ball end.

BARREL BANDS
The options of barrel band are another of my preferred modifications, as if you fit a meaty silencer it’s advisable you fit their sturdier support. I’ve found no accuracy problems, from semi-free floating to the more rigid hold the band I use now has on my S410K.