AirForceOne Nero Rosa SE Trophy MKII

The total package
Mark Camoccio puts together an AirForceOne Nero Rosa SE Trophy MKII pistol
CO2 airguns are all about self-contained power, and the system allows manufacturers to make lighter models with none of the intrinsic weight of a spring-powered system, for example. The AirForceOne Trophy pistol, available via The Shooting Party, proved very popular, and the latest upgraded MKII version on test here, looks set to be another hit.

Lairy for sure

When I saw this model advertised, I was taken by the more unusual of the stock options, so my test gun has been supplied in the limited-edition, Nero Rosa livery, as opposed to the more standard, ‘Black’. OK, maybe it’s an acquired taste, but it adds a fun look, and I can’t help liking it! So, what we have here is a recoilless, CO2-powered pistol that comes complete with a host of features that give it plenty of appeal to the casual airgun shooter that wants value for money as part of the deal.

Everything comes neatly stowed in a padded box, and inside, you’ll find the pistol itself, skeleton stock, silencer, two magazines, and a single-shot tray. This Trophy MKII is limited to pistol power, so sub 6 ft/lbs, but is designed to produce energy levels close to the limit. It can be shot as a pistol, but then with the quick addition of the skeleton stock, it can be transformed into a super-compact rifle. Features include a bolt-action, the Get Shorty Silencer, micro-adjustable open sights, an adjustable trigger with a metal blade, dovetail scope rails, and even a Picatinny accessory rail. The distributors also sent me one of their hand grip/bipod devices, but it should be pointed out this is actually available as an optional extra.

Getting started

OK, the first thing is to get the power sorted. One 12-gram capsule powers the Trophy MKII and this is loaded onboard by unscrewing the valve cap at the front of the cylinder. I have to say this isn’t the most user-friendly system, and tightening the small cap is best done by inserting an Allen key into the hole at the front and using it as a bar, just to nip up or loosen the cap. Drop a capsule neck first into the chamber, then screw back the cap as quickly as possible. Nip-up as mentioned, just tight enough to prevent any hiss of a leak, and then the system is primed.

The muzzle is threaded and screwing the silencer into place takes seconds. This is worth doing as it helps balance and kills any report at the same time. Filling the magazine is easy and is done by winding the clear casing anti-clockwise. Next, drop the first pellet in skirt first, in from the back. Fill the remaining chambers from the front. It all feels precise, and as mentioned, there is also a single-shot tray to snap into place, should you so wish.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics of that ambi pistol grip work for me, and in the aim, the contours and palm shelf all combine well. The open sights are easily adjusted, but a screwdriver is needed. Shooting with open sights initially, I managed easy 5p-sized groups over 10 yards, but with that shoulder stock nagging at me, I couldn’t resist fitting a super-compact pistol scope to maximize accuracy down range. So, time to fit the stock!

As the pistol comes, there are two plastic blanking plugs - one at the top of the grip and one at the bottom. These first need to be removed to allow the skeleton stock to be connected. With my test model, there were no instructions referring to this area, but I could work out that a screwdriver was probably the best bet, to lever the plugs off. The top cap proved reasonably easy, as it just needs the screwdriver in the slot and then twisted to force the cap off. However, the bottom plug incorporates a large tang that proved very stubborn, making it hard not to mark the stock in the process. Blinking irritating, I don’t deny, but once the plugs are off, just don’t put them back on. Fitting the skeleton stock just needs it to be pushed into position, and removal is almost as easy, just needing the large spring-loaded catch to be pressed.

Incidentally, the optional mono-grip bipod is a great design, as the bipod legs can be contained and hidden within the grip. Just clamp it to the Picatinny rail, and a whole new dimension opens up.

Feel, handling & stats

Anyhow, with the composite skeleton stock in position, and the soft pad in the shoulder, handling is suddenly stabilized, and I was keen to see what sort of groups were possible. I reckon penny-sized groups over 25 yards are pretty damn good, and with fast handling and an all-up weight (silencer and skeleton stock) of just 3 lbs, you get the idea!

As for the CO2 figures, I clocked 48 shots from the 12-gram capsule, with a total spread of 125 fps. Energy started off close to the 6 ft/lbs limit and averaged around 4.7 ft/lbs, so fairly poky for this style of pistol. If you’re after the most consistent part of the charge, then the first 30 shots were within 21 fps on test, which is very usable. The caveat I would always throw in with CO2 is that a cleaning rod set is a must, to have close by, as the odd shot stuck in the barrel is inevitable when the power suddenly drops at the end of the charge. Experimentation and testing can avoid this, but it’s best to be prepared.

Verdict

Negatives? Well, the side bolt is a bit small, and maybe a little too near the mag, and it does require a fair bit of effort to operate. The magazine on test was also a bit over snug in its slot. But hey, that’s better than sloppy, and it should wear slightly in play.  Add in a fairly light trigger and great handling Sabata style, and this AirForceOne Nero Rosa SE Trophy MKII has to get the thumbs up. It’s super versatile, and a whole lot of fun in a box for sure. Opt for the Nero Rosa, and it’s something a bit different too.

Ammo           Average Velocity (fps) High (fps) Low (fps) Extreme Spread (fps)
BSA Goldstar Pellets 380           426       301       125