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RAW TM1000

RAW TM1000

I’m lucky enough to get to play with most of the world’s top airgun hardware, and for the most part, I’m not denying it’s highly enjoyable. Whilst many models are high quality, well made offerings, it’s still a rarity that I feel compelled to try and keep the loan rifle, because basically I’m content with my own Air Arms s400. Few guns convince me that they will do the job any better to be honest, irrespective of price, but just occasionally, a gun emerges, that sets the pulse racing.

The RAW TM1000 is just such an item. Of course it very much depends on what type of airgun turns you on, but as a highly competitive individual, it’s match grade fare that normally sets off my nervous twitch.

Anticipation

The TM1000 is basically (hardly a relevant word here) a top flight FT rifle, designed with outdoor Field Target (and HFT) shooting in mind. Of course it’s all about supply and demand, and the level of interest that this gun is generating, speaks volumes for the manufacturers appreciation of the airgun market.

‘Eagerly awaited’ is one way of putting it, as getting one’s sweaty mitts on one of these ‘specials’ is no easy task. The TM1000 is manufactured in the USA by Rapid Air Weapons (RAW) - then sent through to their sole UK distributor, Mike Tawn, at Michael Tawn Airgun Supplies. The waiting list is growing by the day, but one look at the merchandise reveals why.

Chunky, bold styling is the order of the day here, as the TM1000 is constructed with robust components, that have a distinctive look about them. And, if you detect a touch of Theoben in there somewhere, it’s no surprise, as Martin Rutterford, the man behind the venture at Rapid Air Weapons, was of course the MD at Theoben for a time - the now sadly closed iconic British air rifle manufacturer.

Serious Job

Right from the outset, it’s obvious that this rifle has been built with a serious task in mind, and my test rifle looks particularly sleek and professional, coming supplied in the Black Laminate Target stock specification. Dimensions are significant all round, and with that long sweeping fore-end (incorporating a recessed accessory rail) and full target grip, the profile is rather reminiscent of the classic Theoben Vanquish model.

The highly attractive laminate itself is of course recognized as the ultimate in stable target stocks - resistant to warping and swelling in extreme weather and temperature change. The down side is the sheer weight of the stocks, being formed and shaped from bonded individual layers of wood.

I’m no fan of butt hooks, but many target shooters are, and the fully adjustable design of the version incorporated here is an exercise in precision engineering.

Overall then, the result is undeniably stunning, and whilst a matter of taste (and I’m personally a devotee of walnut) I defy anyone to find this entire gun anything but mouth watering.

Specification & Construction

Built as a single shot pre-charged pneumatic, these models feature direct feed, side-lever cocking, a regulated action, match trigger, and as stated, target furniture. My rifle came fitted with a pressure gauge, although this is treated as an optional extra.

Every component of this beautiful creation plays its part, and the way it is put together is reassuringly solid and precise. Three socket screws hold the barrel in place within that seemingly bomb proof breech block, for example, whilst the ported barrel shroud has an air of understated class that sets this rifle off nicely. The stainless steel shroud is a precision reamed fit for the barrel. Extreme rigidity is the result, which in theory should aid final down-range performance.

The block and main cylinder are constructed from aluminium, and given a protective coating, and the visuals overall are top notch.

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Fill ‘Er Up

Consensus of opinion now acknowledges that quick fill is better than having to remove the main cylinder before charging, and getting air into the TM1000 couldn’t be much more civilized. Just unscrew the attractive knurled valve cover at the front of the cylinder, and snap on the Foster style female valve coupling (supplied with the rifle) from the external air supply. Fill pressure is 200bar, and from that you should get around 120 shots at full power.

My test rifle came with the power set just below 11ft/lbs, but this can be set slightly higher at the time of collecting the rifle. I clocked a generous shot count of over 140 shots, all within 20fps using JSB pellets straight from the tin.

Smooth Operator

Shooting this target orientated model is a refined experience overall, and that superbly designed breech set-up of course plays a major part. The quite exquisite side-lever is very similar to the Air Arms EV2 in operation, and it takes very little effort to pull it backwards to cock the action. Loading a pellet doesn’t get better than this either, as it’s directly fed into the lip of the barrel. Feeling the pellet connect with the rifling, instantly reveals a slack fit or an overly tight shot, which can be called or discounted.

The large cut-out in the breech block affords easy access, and the precision engineering of the loading probe is impressive.

Trigger design and quality on a rifle of this class, is a key consideration for many, and whilst the blade doesn’t allow for positional adjustment and rotation, as so many rivals do, the flat facing surface and superbly precise breaking point, are enough for me to get excited. A minimum release pressure of just 2oz shows serious intent by the manufacturers, to placate some of the fussiest shooters out there, and if I’m satisfied, I can’t think who wouldn’t be!

One fly in the ointment for me though has to be the significant muzzle blast, from the ported shroud. It just seemed unusually obtrusive and irritating. An enclosed carbon fibre shroud option exists though, and I would definitely opt for that, given the choice. The design incorporates an expansion chamber in order to reduce the muzzle report, and certainly looks the part, with the usual snazzy appearance only carbon fibre can give.

Range Results

With a gun of this class, accuracy testing needs to include an assessment over a significant distance, but the TM1000 didn’t disappoint. Over the initial 35yds zero range, tight clover leaf clusters were easily achieved, with c-t-c readings of a quarter inch. Moving back to 45yds, the groups enlarged only slightly, and with 50 yard results falling into the sub half inch bracket, I’d say text book accuracy just about sums it up.

Handling is excellent, courtesy of that sublime woodwork complete with thumb shelf and thumb-hole, but the weight, as mentioned does have to be a consideration.

Options

Options do exist with these models, and if the frankly superb laminate stocks just don’t appeal, then some rather more traditional walnut is possible. Also available as an option, is an adjustable rubber butt pad, fitted in place of the butt hook, and these changes combined, will significantly reduce the overall weight, not to mention the cost.

Conclusion

As it stands, this is an exceptional gun. The sheer mass, as previously mentioned, has to be a major consideration, but if full blown target style machinery appeals, then the TM1000 has to join the elite shortlist. As stated, I would personally go for the Carbon Fibre shroud, as that muzzle note was my main criticism. For pure engineering, and precise shot delivery though, these rifles will take some beating, when they inevitably appear en masse at top flight Field Target competitions - or even HFT events, much to the chagrin of the ‘keep it basic’ brigade.

To be honest though, having witnessed some stunning shooting on the national Hunter Field Target circuit over the last season or so, the test gun had little to prove. James McLachlan has been one of the first to compete with these accuracy machines, and you just don’t nail his startlingly consistent results, with anything other than a supremely accurate rifle – and the Rapid Air Weapons TM1000 is just that, and for the sheer stripped out raw functionality of the thing, I have nothing but praise. GM

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gun
features

  • Model: RAW TM1000 FT
  • Manufacturer: Rapid Air Weapons
  • Type: FT Match Rifle
  • Calibre:: .177 on test; .20, .22, and .25 available
  • Weight:: 10lbs unscoped
  • Overall Length:: 39.5inches
  • Barrel Length: : 19inches
  • Stock: : Laminate Thumbhole
  • Trigger:: Match grade 2-stage unit down to 2oz
  • Power Source:: External air supply (bottle or pump)
  • Fill Pressure:: 200 bar
  • Shot Count:: 120shots approx at 12ft/lbs manuf. claim
  • Average Velocity:: 760 fps
  • Velocity Spread:: Max.20fps over 140 shots using Air Arms Diabolo pellets
  • Average energy:: 10.8ft/lbs on test
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