Icon Logo Gun Mart

Air Arms S410 Classic

Air Arms S410 Classic

To use the words ‘all time classic’ may well fit this gun test, as the S410 action is now undoubtedly accepted as a classic in design and function. No one can doubt the efficiency of the S410 action, I’ve several Carbine models in my armoury but until now haven’t tested the full length rifle version of this award winning multi-shot. The Classic rifle - now with the optional silencer fitted – is 43.8” in length; that’s almost 3” longer than the Carbine model. So theoretically from the outset, besides a higher shot capacity, just what appeals to those who purchase this version over the Carbine?  Here’s what I discovered.

Time Tested Woodwork

The stock is exactly the same design Air Arms changed to almost 4-yrs ago – boy, time flies! The rich brown lacquered finish beech wood has a high right hand roll over cheekpiece that positions your head perfectly for this scope only rifle. The forend is slim and tapers forward being ideally proportioned for most shooters leading hand and tapers nicely towards the front to end in a stylish Schnabel tip. The ‘fleur-de-lys’ enhanced ‘skipline chequering’ is ideally positioned and in sufficient quantity to afford the maximum grip for those times the rifle stock is damp or if shooting ‘un-gloved.’ Staying with the chequering, a similar amount is applied underneath the forend so your leading hand feels the full effect. The relatively steep drop down pistol grip even on the beech version now boasts a rosewood end cap with maple spacer, not forgetting being finished at the shoulder with a ventilated rubber butt pad.

The neck at the pistol grip is quite slim making this a very easy rifle to handle and hold. Again, chequering has been thoughtfully and generously applied here at just the right area with the ‘fleur-de-lys’ styling being brought rearward to produce one very grippy and attractive piece of woodwork.

In my opinion this is still a very well designed stock and the full length rifle balances well in it, despite the extra length over the Carbine model. A walnut stocked version of the Classic rifle is also available at extra cost.

Action Stations

story continues below...

On the underside of the stock positioned just forward of the trigger guard you’ll find the small air pressure gauge telling you at a glance the status of the air pressure in the S410 Classic’s lengthy looking cylindrical air reservoir. To fill the reservoir you unscrew the front inlet valve cover and simply push the brass cap quick fill adaptor onto the stainless steel inlet valve. Internally there’s a special ‘cinted disc’ for filtering any undesirable elements such as dirt, moisture or grime. Filling to the recommended 190-bar will give up to 80 full power shots in .177 calibre and just over 100 in .22 calibre (as per test rifle.)
 
Cocking and cycling the action of the Air Arms S410 Classic is via an ergonomically shaped ball end cocking bolt. This big fist filling matt finish aluminium lever is ideally positioned on the rear of the action. To remove a magazine for loading you simply lift the bolt up, pull fully rearward where it locks back to allow you to pull the magazine out from the left of the action.

With the magazine removed and Perspex cover plate facing you, it’s a simple matter of popping a pellet into the each of the ten empty chambers via the loading ‘hole’ as you rotate the inner aluminium rotary disc around manually. Then the magazine slips neatly back into the left of the action – push the cocking bolt forward, turn down to its original position and the rifle is cocked loaded and ready to go.

The magazine itself is ‘un-sprung’ meaning the bolt-action mechanism of the rifle indexes the central alloy chamber of the magazine around for each and every shot. Pulling back the cocking bolt not only primes the rifle but also indexes the rotary magazine around to bring the next pellet in line with the breech. Push in the bolt and this probes the pellet directly into the free-floating Lothar Walther barrel.

Range Testing

For the test I mounted a Hawke Map Pro 4 – 12 X 50AO scope with Map 6 reticle set in high two-piece mounts to clear the magazine; this was a neat looking set-up and proved a perfect pairing. Now although it’s been with us some time now, the manual trigger safety still stands out due to its unique design. The small steel push in button fitted ‘through’ the trigger blade itself, doesn’t hinder trigger feel due to its discreet design and clever positioning. The way it functions is when pushed over from the left it actually blocks trigger movement by fouling the top of the metal trigger guard - basic but a practical solution and better than no safety at all. The upgraded 2-stage fully adjustable trigger unit is known as the ‘Third Element Trigger.’ This is because there’s a third sear in the trigger mechanism helping to totally eradicate creep and resulting in a trigger that can be adjusted very precisely.

The silencer is an optional extra but as a hunter I personally feel it is a necessity. The Air Arms Pro 76 moderator is so efficient that I’ve no reason to use an adaptor to fit any other unit. I say this as the AA moderator is specifically designed to slip snugly onto the turned barrel end spigot. Also, when fitted the tapered rear end of the silencer mates up perfectly with the barrel. Very neat, stylish and incredibly effective at reducing muzzle report. As for accuracy, this isn’t an issue as any version of this rifle will outshoot the shooter.

After now having experienced all the S400/410 series of air rifles in all formats, I can say with a fully informed view that they’re all very accurate, top performing, stylish and equally practical PCP’s. Classic by name and quite frankly a classic by nature…

PRICE: £532.80 (walnut stocked version - £597.92)
CONTACT: Air Arms 01323 845853

  • Air Arms S410 Classic - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Air Arms S410 Classic - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Air Arms S410 Classic - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Air Arms S410 Classic - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Air Arms S410 Classic - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Air Arms S410 Classic - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Air Arms S410 Classic - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Air Arms S410 Classic - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Air Arms S410 Classic - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Model: Air Arms S410 Classic
  • Type: Bolt Action multi-shot PCP
  • Magazine: 10 shot rotary
  • Calibre: .22 on test (.177 available)
  • Stock: Beech wood sporter
  • Sights: No open sights but grooved for scope mounting
  • Barrel: 19.45”
  • Options: Air Arms Pro 76 Silencer £38.50p
Arrow