Cometa Fenix

It seems quite a while since I reviewed a Cometa air rifle and where better to reacquaint myself than with the popular Cometa Fenix 400S. It must be said, Cometas of times past could be real ‘graunch mongers’ in the cocking stakes, attention to detail wasn’t of a standard most like myself required, and accuracy was only at times just scraping them in the frame, even then only at medium range. So to say testing this rifle was a revelation and a refreshing surprise is an understatement. What we have now is a gun manufacturer which is seemingly reinventing itself to stay ahead of some of their peers.

Good Wood

The stock is the first striking feature that catches the eye and that’s saying something with the chunky moderator sat up-front on the now much shortened 9” barrel.

The nicely grained walnut is very light in colour, with a deceptive looking butt section. The cheekpiece looks low but swells out to form a reasonable sized rest for head to scope alignment. The thick rubber butt pad seats comfortably in the cleft of the shoulder. This ‘optical illusion’ for want of a better term is due to it having very rounded edges where it curves off the pad to meet the rest of the slim stock.

The neck is quite narrow leading to the well crafted and twin chequered panel pistol grip. Here it offers a comfortable hold for the rifle and equally comfortable hand position for optimum trigger control, making the relatively lengthy 14.2” reach to pull feel less. The stock carries forward with a slim forend that slowly tapers upwards towards the rather stark ‘angled back’ tip.

Unusually designed twin panels of chequering catch the eye, hand positioned almost midway along either side of the stock. As the rifle is scope only, I decided to fit a KONUSPRO-M30 1.5 – 6 X 44mm Series optic in the relatively short run of dovetails.

Cocking and Loading

A solid tap is needed with the palm of the hand to release the détente. The cocking stroke is certainly aided by the fist filling can, and the operation to sear engagement wasn’t as strenuous as I’ve experienced on certain other brands of short barrelled air rifles. There was some graunch, but not nearly the same as experienced in the past. Once locked back, the trigger safety automatically engages. Positioned at the rear of the action it’s a rather crude T-bar style ‘pop-out’, having bent back outer edges. It can be pulled back manually if you’ve pushed it in to take a shot, then decided to hold off so need to re-engage it. However, it’s got one and it works – so I’m nit picking!

The upper section of the forend is interestingly ‘recessed back’ away from the breech on either side, more on the right than left. I did much ‘head scratching’ over this until I began realising how un-hindered direct barrel loading is. On this Cometa you can feel your way easily to the exposed barrel breech, so in the dark you could load this easily by touch without looking. So full marks Cometa on giving us this easier loading bay.

When closing the action, the barrel swings back up and locks solidly due to the large stainless steel ball catch detente lock. A layout that’s becoming rarer as the years pass, but when it operates as solidly and securely as this, why change? 

Shooting Time

Certain aspects of the 2-stage adjustable trigger unit are possible the least cosmetically appealing features of the rifle. Don’t get me wrong, the broad lengthy ABS trigger blade is certainly strong and better than previous models, as the unit lets shots off without creep and had a predictable release.

Using H&N FT pellets I’d soon zeroed the.22 calibre ‘400S’ and it was grouping like a good un’ as after shooting a 5 pellet string I was consistently producing sub one-inch c-c pellet strikes. My initial concern that the slim, weight saving stock might not absorb the firing cycle were soon dispelled. However, at 6.6lbs un-scoped, and measuring 41” from butt to muzzle, the very robust action and even with the ‘tank busting’ Konus scope on-board it still balanced out nicely, so recoil is felt but manageable. I’m also pleased to report the ‘can’ works as the muzzle report was a suitable level for a springer such as this, and again I’m sure it’s generous proportions aid cocking while also serving as a muzzle weight/muzzle flip compensator. 

Conclusions

Incidentally, whilst cocking, loading, firing and then fine tuning my 25-yd zero it reminded me of my much missed Theoben Fenman! Maybe it was the chunky silencer, short tube, also the handling and punchy firing cycle. Who cares?  Because Cometa have come up trumps with the 400S. It’s got the looks, it’s accurate, handles very nicely and packs a killer punch at sensible airgun hunting ranges.

PRICE: SRRP £250 approx