Cometa Fusion Spring Rifle

Any assessment of the dramatic changes that have taken place in the airgun market over the last few years, has to conclude that we really have ‘never had it so good’ ! Whether your interest is pre-charged pneumatics, or more traditional spring powered models, the sheer choice and variety of what’s now available to the modern enthusiast, is testament to clever innovation and design work.

Increasingly, Far Eastern made products are filling the shelves, and whilst they account for the most part, the budget end of the market, as their quality and sophistication slowly increases, so the established names are forced to fight harder for market share across the board. Cometa is one such brand name that has felt the impact; yet by giving their product range an effective ‘make-over’ a few years back, new life was breathed into some firm favourites.

Hey Good Lookin’

Made by the well established family run business of Bascaran in Spain, Cometa has been a famous name in airguns for a generation. On test here, is the Cometa Fusion, and it’s fair to say that it isn’t what you would term ‘groundbreaking’. What it is though, is a perfect example of traditional gunmaking, utilizing modern manufacturing techniques where applicable.

I have to admit to being a fan of Cometa, and there’s no doubting that this latest Fusion has to be one of the most attractive rifles of its type, currently available. It’s a conventional break barrel design that uses a spring powered piston, to generate power on demand, in the time honoured way. But what really grabs the eye initially, is that ultra sleek, elegant woodwork.

Both stylish and functional, the boldly configured furniture, really is pleasing to the eye. Cometa use ultra strong beech for these stocks, and by using a fairly light, matt varnish, plenty of attractive grain pattern still shows through. Highly distinctive panels of laser cut chequering, aren’t just about looking pretty either. By incorporating tiny dots within the pattern’s border, grip is enhanced- and with it, overall handling. As with most rifles of this type, the chequering would be better off employed around the fore-end tip rather than mid-way along the fore-end, but execution is impressively crisp nonetheless.

A satisfyingly angular fore-end tip, and well defined cheek piece, all add to the overall visuals, along with a nicely shaped grip and pad.

Action

Moving to the metalwork, it’s fair to say that the Cometa’s action contrasts nicely with the mouth watering woodwork. By fitting these rifles with a full length bull barrel, balance is biased towards the muzzle, with the centre of balance some six inches forward of the trigger. I happen to like my guns set up like this, but balance can be a matter of taste.

Cometa machine off the sides of the barrel around the breech area, to allow for easy clearance as the breech moves through its arc within the stock, and this feature alone, helps to add further cosmetic detail. Wood to metal fit overall is excellent, although the curious and needless cut outs around the breech area, are a little odd.

With potential wear at the breech, the biggest downside of any break barrel design, the fact the manufacturer sees fit to machining an adjustment bolt, and keeper screw, for any such eventuality, is an impressive touch.

More design flair comes with the inclusion of a permanently fixed, ported barrel diffuser at the muzzle; with the idea being that as the air expands from the barrel behind the pellet, excess unstable air is ported away, and a number of variations exist on the market to this end.

Whether this diffuser actually affects performance is highly questionable; yet for good looks alone, not mention the precise engineering exhibited, maximum points have to be awarded.

Cocking & Firing Cycle

Breaking the breech open is a stubborn affair initially with these rifles, (a problem common with many break barrels of late) and I found a firm jolt across the knee had the desired affect. Once open though, the cocking stroke itself, whilst a little rough and ‘graunchy’,  is fairly easily completed. Bear in mind of course that cocking effort benefits considerably from having the full length bull barrel as a lever, and is the main reason I would always favour a rifle of this configuration over carbine models.

An automatic safety catch comes into play with these rifles, and is reminiscent of the classic and much missed Feinwerkbau Sport; being a re-settable tab to the rear of the action. With a pellet chambered fully, and the safety tab pushed forwards, the shot is ready. For the record, once cocked, the Fusion cannot be de-cocked, so has to be eventually fired.

Trigger wise, the Fusion’s unit is very acceptable, and although the blade itself could do with a flatter surface, the way the mechanism trips and releases is all conducive to good trigger technique. Firing the Fusion reveals a pleasant firing cycle, with a fairly muted action and recoil characteristics, and over the chronograph test, some truly remarkable figures were returned. A ten shot string using Air Arms Diabolo Field, of just 3fps spread overall made a point, whilst Daystate Rangemaster Li’s hardly let the side down, with 7fps respectively.

What did slightly disappoint if I’m honest, was the down range performance, and with groups of around 1.25inches at 30yds, the norm, I couldn’t help thinking that this particular specimen just didn’t have a great barrel. I’ve shot other examples which managed half inch groups at the same range, so put this one down to experience.

To Conclude

I can’t help but love these rifles, and with so much in their favour, the Fusion in its many guises, still makes it into my recommended list. Just try before you buy, is my advice. GM