Stoeger XM1 Bullpup

When Stoeger (a brand that’s part of the Italian Beretta Group) first launched their first ever PCP, it was known as the XM1. As it turned out, it was deemed by many (me included) to be a well-designed air rifle by way of features that allowed you to tailor it to your preferred requirements. It had a reliable and familiar style of self-actuating magazine, and overall, had what is best described as a sporter design. It also came in a combo format bundled with a Stoeger branded scope, mounts, 2x magazines, a single-shot loading tray, 2x Picatinny accessory rails, a sound moderator, and a filling probe. Overall, a very comprehensive package.

On test, I have the XM1 Bullpup. It’s an airgun that’s been available in the company’s XM1 series of rifles for quite a while, but it’s not long reached these shores. I for one am glad to see it. While the bullpup doesn’t come in combo format, it does, however, include a host of other interchangeable parts and useful accessories. More of these later.

Familiar format

As alluded to earlier, those clever people at Stoeger have once again given us quite a few interchangeable options, but first to the obvious. The ambidextrous synthetic stock’s aft section is quite slim, which is surprising considering it holds a removable/interchangeable cheekpiece, and of course, the magazine is also housed there. It features a low to medium-height cheekpiece, which can be replaced for a higher version (included), plus a black rubber butt pad with 2x removable spacers (coloured) to enable you to alter the length of pull. The rifle also comes with a black or blue pistol grip cover that is held in place by a single recessed grub screw. The difference in palm swell is noticeable, and by my reckoning, most will prefer the generous grip the black option affords.

To the front

Overall, the XM1 Bullpup has a very ergonomic stock. The forend itself shows a wider profile and offers up yet more options to change. It boasts a generously sized run of fluting along the top edge, while the underside is relatively flat, with rounded edges. Plus, along these lower edges, the company also use what they call their ProAdaptive Chequering, which offers a very assured hold.
At the front is another very clever design feature, as it’s here you have the option of interchangeable tips. You can fit the flat option, which is basically a continuation of the forend, or opt to use the very capable and relatively substantial, drop-down grip. It has been thoughtfully designed to angle slightly back, and is very comfortable in the hold, enabling a high level of stability, plus quick and assured handling. It was certainly the one I preferred during testing.

There are also some pre-drilled holes on either side of the forward section of the forend, and these are for the fitting of the Picatinny accessory rails, which, incidentally, are also capable of holding the included spare magazine. This simply slots into the front of either rail, where it’s held in place by the magazine’s base magnets. More on these as we come to the operation of the magazine itself.

Chequered past

Incidentally, both choices of pistol grip have side panels of standard style chequering, while the interchangeable forend uses both styles. However, what is of particular interest is at the top/rear of the pistol grip, as those familiar multi-directional grip aids have been applied for upper thumb stability. This grip pattern is also unusually applied to both sides at the very lower/rear of the aft section of the stock. Now, this isn’t purely cosmetic, as this is where the rifle meets the side of your body adjacent to the shoulder, so is quite functional. It’s here you’ll also find a single predrilled hole for sling attachment.

A fill-up

The rifle has a forward-facing, colour-highlighted manometer (air gauge) to help you keep track of your air reserves. The gun can be filled via a fill probe inserted into the inlet hole at the front of the air reservoir, which is cleverly hidden under a pull-up metal collar at its tip. The cover is also spring-loaded, so it returns back into the closed position once you remove the probe.

From a recommended 200 bar fill, the regulated action returns approximately 50 full power shots in .177 (as per the rifle on test) and 60 in .22 calibre.

Cocking & magazine

The XM1 uses a biathlon-style side-lever to run the Perspex-fronted, self-actuating magazine. The lever is very well-engineered and articulates outwards. While in full operation, it draws back the cocking mechanism, which is the steel bar positioned directly above the barrel. This ensures precise operation and stability for the lever, plus is very smooth in use.

When the side-lever is pulled fully rearwards, the magazine can then exit from the right-hand side of the rifle. It’s such a neat affair that it’s almost totally enveloped by the housing, and to remove it, you simply push it out with your thumb or finger from the left.

To load the magazine, ensure the cover plate is facing you, then turn it anti-clockwise until it reaches a natural stop. Next, reverse the magazine so the back is facing you and place a pellet, skirt first, into the exposed chamber. This holds the magazine in place so you can fill all the other empty chambers in the normal way, with the cover plate facing you.

The mag is inserted back into the action, where it’s held securely in place by two strong magnets in the base of the magazine. These mate up with two in the housing. The mag itself holds 11 pellets in .177 and 9 in .22. Obviously, pushing the side-lever forwards directly loads a pellet into the barrel, and you’re then good to go.
Reach forward

For scope fitting, the rifle has a reach-forward, raised Picatinny rail that’ll accommodate any size of scope you require. It’s while scoping up that you will notice this gun is just as much at home with a compact optic on board, as it is with a general spec or even a larger day/night scope. For the test, I used a Walther ZF 3-9x40AO scope with an illuminated reticle. It was fitted using high, Picatinny-compatible Sportsmatch Mounts.

Trigger & safety

Unusually, the rifle has a non-adjustable, single-stage trigger unit that shows a nicely curved metal blade. Plus, there is a cross-bolt-type safety positioned top/rear of the blade itself. Push it in from the left to put on SAFE and from the right for FIRE. Although a single-stage trigger, it lets off shots cleanly and very predictably, time after time.

A noteworthy feature regarding the performance of the rifle is the large barrel shroud, and the bonus here is it works as a very capable primary silencer. At the rear, adjacent to the front rail post, you can clearly see a multitude of vent holes, which obviously allow air to be directed down the inside of the shroud, away from the muzzle upon firing. It does an excellent job of taming report and I’d have no qualms hunting with it. If you do require total silence, the muzzle is threaded ½” UNF, so you can fit an additional silencer. The threads are protected by a protective metal cap.

During testing, the rifle showed itself not to be overly pellet fussy, and while using H&N FT Trophy pellets, I achieved ragged pellet-sized clusters out to 25 yards. These groups opened up to just over ½” c-t-c when I pushed out to 35 yards.

Conclusions

The Stoeger XM1 Bullpup has quite a unique and well-thought-out design that sets it apart from many other pups on the market. The balance is a huge bonus with this airgun, as although most of the felt weight is towards the rear, the balance point is actually at the pistol grip. Also, the design of the broader stock section above the grip, means the XM1 bullpup sits on top of your hand when holding the pistol grip.

I think it would be true to say bullpups are now on the wane in terms of the number of new models that are being launched, but the XM1 Bullpup is a very captivating model that shooters of this style of air rifle shouldn’t ignore.