Daystate Pulsar Bullpup

I am aware that Graham Allen looked at the Pulsar a few months ago in this magazine and I know he was very taken with it. However, this one is a little different, as I asked the Editor if he would be interested in something from me about it, as I elected to buy one. Hopefully it will give that bit more insight into the pros and cons of using what is a unique, computer-controlled PCP.

MULTI-ROLE

For me, the Pulsar needs to fulfill a multitude of roles, from vermin control to all target disciplines; a rifle for all seasons is how Daystate portray it. So does it do what it says on the tin? I hope to answer that question in this two part review, and already there have been a few surprises. Mostly pleasant, but a few frustrating!

The Pulsar has replaced the more conventional Mk4 and retains the electronic trigger, which lends itself perfectly to its Bullpup design. No sloppy linkages from the forward set trigger unit. A big plus point for me! It can be used with the 10-shot magazine or the single shot tray provided. Clever improvements over the Mk4 system should make it a much more ‘shooter-friendly’ rifle. This month I will give you my first impressions and next will go into more detail on scope set up, ballistics, and shooting a course FT-style.

ERGONOMICS

The first impressive thing is the short case it comes in. Matt black, with the Daystate emblem in the centre, it is only 35” long with two snap catches each side of the handle. Well padded and snug within lies the rifle. While it may well be an acquired taste to some, there is no doubting the short, business-like style and quality it portrays upon first sight.

This is the laminate stock model in Forest Green, with carbon fibre inserts each side. The 17” barrel is hidden inside a matt black metal shroud, which is fully floating and threaded for a sound moderator. The scope rail sits on top of the shroud giving 1¼”of height from center of barrel before mounts are added. In the back of it sits a neat spirit level, which could be adjudged compulsory on a Bullpup with its high scope position. A slim cheekpiece, designed to slide fore and aft, is mounted on the action above the laminate stock. Cleverly designed, it fits on a standard dovetail mount behind the breach.

Initially I was concerned that it offered no height adjustment but the action actually gives ½” of rise above the stock and I find it perfect. At the rear is an adjustable shoulder pad, allowing everything except length to be tweaked and I soon had it set in the ball park. The 300cc air cylinder and filler valve is shrouded by a stylish black nylon fore-end. I like the large screw cover, which when removed, reveals the snap-on filler valve.

Underneath the forend is a very useful 14mm Picatinny rail for accessories. It won’t need a laser, as that’s already built in. More of that later!

HEY GOOD LOOKING!

The short laminated stock in Forest Green looks gorgeous. All the bumps are in the right places but I think Daystate have missed a trick here, as there is no provision for shooting ‘thumb up’ as a thumb rest is conspicuously absent. I feel that on a rifle with this price tag, an important aid like this should be included in the design.

Underneath is the one-piece trigger guard/pistol grip from Israeli Industries and used on their AK series of rifles. It incorporates a push button safety and also opens up from below providing access inside the handle. This led me to my first frustrating moment; more of that next month!

The grip is well shaped, grippy, and suits my average sized hand well. The trigger on this models is a fully adjustable target type shoe offering 1st and 2nd stage travel/ weight adjustment with the ability to also ‘fine tune’ the finger reach and angle.

COCK OR NOT?

The stock is ambidextrous and the only difference between left and right is the digital information window on the left. The cocking lever can be changed over to suit. All previous Daystate’s have used a bolt-action, but the pulsar has a side-lever, which is a new development for them. Perhaps ‘cocking’ is the wrong term as this lever doesn’t actually cock anything but activates the computer and when it’s closed again you’re ready to fire. This must be done each time in the normal manner. This is an improvement over the Mk4 system, which had a permanently live trigger without the need to activate the bolt.

It’s very comfortable to operate from the shooting position, although having no resistance, it feels strange initially. Unlike its predecessor the Mk4, it does not require a key to activate the electronics. To check the info screen, simply push the button safety ON and OFF. This will light up the screen and give info on charge pressure remaining and what power level has been selected. The rifle remains de-activated or ‘un-cocked’. There is also a small red L.E.D. at the rear of the stock just under the cheek piece which will illuminate when the rifle is ‘live’ with no safety on but hardly visible to the user. I will go into greater detail next month!

COMPUTING MADE EASY

As the Pulsar is the most sophisticated electronic air rifle ever produced a certain amount of button, or in this case, trigger pressing is to be expected. Daystate have worked on this system for some years now and have actually made things much simpler in terms of menu selection and options, in effect de-cluttering the programme. The options on the menu are High Pwr, Mid Pwr, Low Pwr, Magazine On/Off, and Laser On/Off.

For example, choosing the magazine ‘on’ option will operate the rifle for 10-shots before closing down. The count is shown on the digital readout. Removing the empty magazine and inserting a fresh one re-sets the counter automatically. Loading two pellets from the mag is also a thing of the past, as it will not cycle until the previous shot has been fired. Very clever!

The counter can be re-set to 10 at any point during the cycle in a few simple trigger pulls with the cocking lever open. In the ‘off’ position the rifle supplies uninterrupted shots with a visible ‘low pressure’ warning on screen at around 120bar. The laser function is clever in its operation and as this rifle may well be used in a close quarter, rat in a barn situation, it has a few tricks up its shroud. Here’s the clever bit!

LASE AWAY

With ‘laser on’ selected in the menu, it will automatically come on when the rifle is cocked. Applying the safety button will turn it off. Pushing the safety off, the laser will activate until the shot is fired and remain on for approx 1.5 seconds before switching off. Next time the action is cocked the laser comes on and so on. Should I wish to use it, the function is spot on and should work well in the right situation. The projected beam is far too big to be accurate at anything over 25yds and it’s a real pain to set up on point of aim, requiring a fiddly and inaccurate method of adjustment. Achievable eventually but room for improvement.

STRIP DOWN

Stripping the Pulsar for maintenance/ cleaning and battery replacement is quite simple and requires the removal of only two items. The Allen head screw behind the pistol grip and the end cap over the filler valve.

After ensuring that the button safety is in the ON position, where it lines up with a recess in the stock, simply slide the stock down and clear. The nylon shroud slides forward and off the end of the cylinder. The other big user-friendly improvement is the battery pack. From the factory it holds 6 x AA cells; good for thousands of shots. Rechargeables can be used or lithium options are available from Daystate. A visible warning will show up on screen when the voltage drops to 7volts.

SUMMARY

There is no doubt that there are real advantages in this design as far as compactness and balance are concerned and although I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to rifles, at my age I need all the help I can get! Just feeling that 4.9kg all but disappear when shouldered standing helps keep my ‘Pulsar’ under control; see what I did there? As to be expected, the finish and build quality is excellent and there is just something about owning the most sophisticated PCP ever built. I am hoping it lives up to my expectations.

Next month I set it up for Field Target and run the ballistics. Good Shooting

PRICE: £1995 RRP
CONTACT:  Daystate. www.daystate.com