Air Arms Pro Sport Review

New models come and go, some are quietly dropped, yet others possess that magic ingredient that marks them out as a ‘classic’, earning them a permanent place in the product catalogue. We’re talking ‘enduring appeal’ here, and the Pro Sport from Sussex- based Air Arms has it in spades!

Properly made

Based on the specialized TX200 internals, the Pro Sport offers a fixed barrel configuration, recessed underlever, gold-plated 2-stage trigger, shrouded barrel, chequered factory walnut stock (beech is available), automatic safety catch, built-in silencer and an internal safety system around the cocking mechanism. That’s a quick listing of the onboard features, but of course, what really sets the Pro Sport apart is that delicious profile. For, unlike the TX200, where the lever is up front, the Pro Sport sees the under-lever set further back and completely recessed underneath the forend. The lever itself is deliberately left in the white (bare aluminium) and this contrasts nicely with the deep, rich chemical bluing of the action. Add in that oversized, shrouded bull-barrel and the stylish sporter stock, and we have a super-slick looker, with possibly the cleanest lines of any airgun currently available. I have often likened this model to a properly made Airsporter, and that’s praise indeed, given the sublimely graceful lines of that classic old BSA. Build quality overall is indeed top-class, with finely engineered CNC components, socket heads throughout and a level of finish to rival anything on the market. Wood to metal Industry favourite, Minelli, manufacture the stock in Italy, and the precision of the operation is excellent. However, I must say the quality of the walnut sporter on test was fairly bland compared to many examples I’ve seen, plus the chequering seemed a little shallow. Wood-to metal fit, however, is faultless. In the aim though, the combination of that extended forend, fluted tip and prominent cheekpiece all play a part in perfect shot placement and ultimate control. The grip is quite large, but I have large hands so all felt fine. As for the rosewood cap and thick rubber butt pad, they look the part and do their job perfectly. Incidentally, the stock is right-hand dedicated, and for the record, Air Arms famously are one of the few manufacturers that will cater for lefties. Synthetic bearings Air Arms shroud the barrel on the Pro Sport, and the last few inches in the shroud actually form a small expansion chamber, so what small muzzle report there is, is minimized. However, there is so much more to this model than meets the eye. Top airgun designer, Ken Turner was famously drafted in to devise a spring powered action that could operate with minimal friction and stress, plus effectively offer a ‘factory tuned’ feel straight from the box. The result was an ingenious system, whereby the compression chamber and piston are fully supported on synthetic bearings. This, in conjunction with a balanced mainspring and spring guide, eliminates metal-to-metal contact and makes for a far smoother cocking stroke and firing cycle.

Hands-on

Shoulder the Pro-Sport and it feels every inch the pedigree piece of machinery that it is. I’ve always loved a matte Walnut stock and the understated subtlety still has enormous appeal. But, of course, it’s the technical ingenuity, coupled with engineering integrity, that really impresses here. Just flip out that perfectly recessed under-lever and it flicks into position. Now, with the butt firmly supported in the groin, the lever can be cocked all the way, until that satisfying noise is heard at the end of the stroke. This signifies that the safety button at the rear left of the cylinder has engaged and popped out. Now, whilst keeping a safe grip on the lever, a pellet can be pushed home into the barrel and at this point, it’s worth highlighting a really clever feature. Of course, being able to load directly into the lip of the rifling is ideal, as we can sense if a pellet is too tight or too slack, but the Pro Sport also features a machined-out slot in the bottom of the breech area. If you fumble a pellet, it just drops away, out of harm’s way, instead of jamming up the mechanics. On the negative side, fail to cock the lever hard enough, and the mechanism is cocked but the safety catch doesn’t engage. If this happens, the lever will not return all the way, which is irritating. So, the lesson is to be bold with the cocking stroke. Because of a built-in internal safety system, around the cocking mechanism, the Pro Sport can dispense with that slightly annoying Safe-Lok bar, required on the TX200 series. Cocking effort is fairly significant with the Pro Sport and the fact that the lever is mounted lower makes for a slightly more awkward stroke when compared to an HW77/97K or Air Arms’ own TX200 models, where more leverage is afforded coming down from the front. That said, technique makes a difference, so mount the support hand higher on the action. Once you get into a regime with the Pro Sport, it all falls into place. Flipping out that under-lever (there’s no catch) and allowing it to flip up under its own steam at the end of the stroke, never fails to bring a smile. Over-centre engineering is apparently the term, and until you encounter a Pro Sport, and play with that lever, it’s perhaps difficult to appreciate the subtlety involved. Maybe I should get out more!

Feel in use

The CD (Computer Designed) trigger unit fitted to these rifles is another great feature, and easily a rival for Weihrauch’s famous Rekord design. Making it gold-plated not only adds to the looks but adds a real touch of class too. Fully adjustable and capable of surprisingly light settings, I was getting ready to play with an Allen key or two, only to find the factory had set it perfectly, ready to trip with the slightest coaxing. Fire the Pro Sport and the slick, super-smooth and significantly muted feel of the action is simply stunning, with all the ingenuity of the internal set-up instantly laid bare. Quite simply, this is one of the mildest-mannered spring-powered airguns I have ever shot, and that even includes those Airmasters Mastersport specials of the ‘80s. Praise for sure, but shoot one and you’ll get the idea.

Facts & figures

And so to performance figures. Interestingly, I did find that this particular specimen benefited from a quick warm-up. Ten shots into the session over the chrono and velocity had climbed by 20 fps and then completely stabilized, so subsequent 10 shot strings were recorded from that point. Most readings were very similar but pellets were used straight from the tin. Air Arms’ own Diabolo Field pellets (8.44-grain), made by JSB, gave a 12 fps total spread, whilst this dropped to just 7 fps using JSB Exact RS Diabolos (7.33-grain). Accuracy with AA Diabolos was as expected, excellent, with sub 3/8” c-t-c clusters over 25 yards when shot from my FT over-arm, padded sitting position. In short, the Pro Sport is a mini-masterpiece and a perfect example of just how far a spring powered airgun can be pushed. One indeed for the connoisseur. Salutary lesson Before I sign off, here’s a sad tale that’s a lesson to us all. I used to see the late Ken Turner, the airgun genius behind much that you see before you here, on a fairly regular basis around the country, at Field Target events, back in the day, and shortly after the launch of the Pro Sport, he agreed to hand fettle a fine specimen for me, handpicking the slab of exhibition grade walnut, checking over the action, even fitting a custom made straight blade match trigger, just to my liking. This work of art was subsequently collected, and probably within the year, my temperamental mind had decided that there wasn’t enough weight at the front and it was sold on. Selling on any super accurate airgun is foolhardy in the extreme - this was criminal. Sorry, Ken, I’ve regretted my terrible mistake ever since.