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SMK Victory PP700W

SMK Victory PP700W

It’s no easy task, striving to be different in today’s airgun market, since design traits are so often dictated by function and performance. Consider the plight of the SMK brand, with arguably the largest range of airguns in their portfolio, and the problem is magnified. Yet somehow, their vibrant design team seem to arrive at various products that well and truly fly in the face of convention.

Robust design

The Victory PP700W pistol on test is a good example of what this popular importer is all about and it represents good value for money. Quirky design and unusual features are the order of the day, and for those who just fancy something a bit different, the PP700W is an intriguing prospect.

Open the protective box and it’s not hard to work out that we need to source our own sighting system, since this pistol comes with no sights of any sort. Given the plethora of devices and options now available, this in itself is no big deal. Chunky, bold components give the PP700W a really robust feel and first impressions of this semi-match-style PCP are definitely favourable.

PCP spec

So what we have here is an ambidextrous, single-shot, pre-charged pneumatic pistol that’s available in .177 and .22. It comes fitted with a shrouded barrel, adjustable 2-stage trigger, composite grips, dovetail rails, probestyle charging, a pressure manometer, spares bag and instructions. Stand out features are the unique, sliding block breech and hammer cocking system. So let’s get hands-on!

Balanced approach

Preparation with this model starts with ruining that sleek profile, afforded by the shrouded barrel and parallel cylinder, and that’s easily done by fixing some sort of sight in place. It has to be done of course, and maybe a small red dot unit would be preferable. As it happens, I have had an SMK 2x20 pistol scope for years and this unit, sitting in ring mounts, bolted straight onto the dovetails. These super-compact scopes are still available and retail for around £28, so are crazy value. Plus, in my experience, they are the perfect companion for a pistol, offering the conventional fine crosshair image, long eye relief and minimal weight. The main consideration at this point is to make sure that any sight fitted doesn’t foul the small, square, sliding breech.

On to charging. SMK quote a fill pressure of 220bar with this model and filling is via the probe adaptor supplied. The probe is a brilliant addition, as it is one of those straightline designs that just needs to be snapped straight onto a female Foster coupler from the airline. Then, just slide open the dust cover (this was a bit too loose on the test gun) and fully insert the probe. Gently charge the system, bleed the line and remove the probe. That probe design basically means no grappling with spanners in a bid to get an air seal, and it does make the whole process very civilized.

Handling

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On the range and with the PP700W charged and sighted up, we were ready for business. Time to get familiar with the action. At 2.6lbs in weight, and plenty of it out front, this pistol sits nicely on target for me. Those grips are rather basic, and a softer surface would be nice, but as it stands, they are quite comfortable and do the job.

Loading is via that small sliding breech, and with no safety catch included, the obvious answer is to leave the breech open until you’re ready to take the shot. First, slide the small block over to the right side, to expose the chamber. Now, insert a pellet nice and flush, so as to protect it from getting crushed prematurely. Slide the breech over to the left to close. Finally, cock the rear hammer to prime the shot. This sets the trigger too. The breech is a bit fiddly here, but familiarity always helps. As the PP700W fires, it’s that hammer that hits the firing valve directly, to release a pulse of air, and with a competent, adjustable, 2-stage trigger also part of the equation, this pistol feels pretty good in the aim.

SMK give nothing away with regards to trigger adjustment, with no mention in the instruction leaflet.

My tinkering with the only obvious screw in the stem of the blade had little effect. That said, despite a small amount of creep, the release was fairly light.

Test card

The PP700W is designed to push the pistol power limit and my chronograph data certainly confirmed as much. With 58 shots recorded, the pistol produced an average of 5.4 ft/lbs. The total spread was around 55 FPS, while the figures sheet showed a classic slow rise, peak and drop off, from an unregulated action. Charge to a lower spot and the spread will invariably be tighter. Alternatively, you could just opt to walk away from the chrono and enjoy yourself! 3/8” clusters (c-t-c) when shot rested at 20 yards is pretty damn good. I was certainly left with the feeling that this SMK shoots where you point it. It’s not overly noisy either, which is always welcome, especially from a PCP setup.

Easy choice

Originality sets this model apart then, and it’s fair to say I’m now well and truly a fan. Robust, quirky design, solid construction and a level of performance that’s hard to fault. Enough said, as they say!

Thanks to Range & Country Shooting Supplies in Sleaford, Lincs, for the kind loan of this pistol.

  • SMK Victory PP700W - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • SMK Victory PP700W - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • SMK Victory PP700W - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • SMK Victory PP700W - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • SMK Victory PP700W - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: SMK Victory PP700W
  • Type: PCP
  • Calibre: .177 & .22
  • Weight: 2.6lbs
  • Length: 14.5”
  • Barrel: 8.25”
  • Stock: Composite
  • Trigger: 2-stage, Adjustable
  • Fill Pressure: 220bar
  • Shot Count: 58 on test
  • Energy: 5.4 ft/lbs (average)
  • Price: £199
  • Contact: Sportsmarketing - www.sportsmk.co.uk
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