AIR ARMS S510R CORE – Real performance!

Sussex-based Air Arms has been in the game for a while, celebrating its 40-year landmark back in 2023, and the brand has gone from strength to strength. Hugely successful in outdoor competition, be that Field Target or HFT, it’s the combination of ‘race-bred’ features, precision engineering, and a classy finish that maintains its elevated position within our industry.

Looks familiar
On test here is the Air Arms S510R Core, and whilst this is a new name on the product list, the company is at pains to stress that this is not a new model as such, but rather a variation on a theme. The Core satisfies the call to combine the features of the S410 and S510, and I have to say that, in this regard, it all works rather well. Inevitably, negative types will insist this is nothing new, merely rehashed old designs, but that rather misses the point.
What we get here is the thinner barrel of the S410, supported with a soft ‘O’ ring in a figure-of-eight support, with no shroud, but then the side-lever action of the S510. The ‘R’ in the name signifies that the action is indeed regulated, and with an upgraded silencer as part of the package, the result gives Air Arms a simplified, super-compact, lightweight hunting rifle with regulated power from the off.

Value for money?
My initial reaction was that the Core looked a bit on the pricey side, but a quick glance at current retail prices soon showed it made sense. Firstly, bear in mind the bolt-action S410 in walnut now retails for just shy of £1000, which comes unregulated without a silencer. Then we have the S510 Carbine in walnut with a side-lever, shrouded barrel, but again, an unregulated action, and this comes in at £1079.
So, my test model–the S510R Core in walnut–makes sense at £1159, as it comes with the latest silencer and a factory-regulated action. Consider that quality after-market regulators can cost £200-£250, and it all begins to compute.
Alongside the rifle, we also get a charging adapter, three magazines, a silencer, Allen keys, and an instruction book. Again, offering three mags is generous, so this needs to be factored in.

S-Tec spec
The Core just screams quality, with deep, rich chemical bluing; classy, detailed walnut; and precision CNC-machined components–this is what we are paying for compared to many cheaper rivals.
Fitted up front on the Core is Air Arms’ brand-new S-Tec silencer, which not only looks the part but works rather well too. Inside, there are a series of baffles and significant wadding, all designed to eat decibels and reduce the muzzle crack to a muted hiss. Interestingly, the S-Tec comes in 15% lighter than its predecessor and, all-importantly, 5% quieter! The old Q-Tec was good, so this really is quite an achievement, and this is great news for anyone wanting to take it into the field.
If you remove the silencer, the relatively short 15.5” Lothar Walther barrel produces a noticeably loud crack, making the silencer essential. Additionally, it provides the Core with perfect balance, in my view.

Filling station
With this model featuring the factory-fitted regulator, Air Arms specifies a higher maximum fill pressure of 250bar. Unscrew the stylish valve cover up front, snap on the adaptor cup supplied, and slowly charge. Peace of mind comes with the locking ‘T’ bar, and with an in-line 20-micron filter built in, we’re talking attention to detail for sure. A clearly marked, easy-to-read manometer is neatly recessed into the underside of the fore-end, but, as usual, standard guidance is to follow the manometer on the charging gear initially.
During my test, my bottle was slightly low on air and maxed out at 235bar, which I used. However, under normal circumstances, I would recommend sticking to 200bar to reduce strain on the rifle over time. You’ll still get plenty of shots either way.

Magazine feature
To be honest, I’ve always thought that the Air Arms magazine system looks clumsy, with the side-plate mechanism looking like an afterthought. And I think I’m right, but I’m also aware that is purely in terms of aesthetics. Once you ignore the looks, it’s hard not to conclude this is actually one of the very best magazine systems on the market—brilliantly simple, precise, and extremely reliable.
Firstly, the cassette magazines feature a drum that can be filled at any time and turned in either direction. No spindly internal wind-up mechanism here—just insert a pellet and fill the chambers as and when. Secondly, the magazine snaps into the breech and sits flush against the side support, which holds it tight and true. The result is no play in the system, and it works really well.

Old friend
Familiarity is a recurring theme with the Core, given that it is effectively a derivative. The best features of the S410 and S510 combined form the sales brief, and as someone who needs two hands to count my S400 variants previously owned, it’s fair to say I’m a fan. My special Nick Jenkinson-prepared S400 is the best air rifle I have ever owned, winning me a hatful of silverware, despite being designed as a hunting rifle! As for the standard S400/S410, the design team just got the ergonomics right from the off.
This Core sports the same walnut sporter stock, and whilst the design is arguably a bit long in the tooth, the detailing and execution are faultless. A pronounced high cheekpiece, a comfortable, right-hand dedicated grip, and the graceful rosewood-capped fore-end all combine beautifully, bringing comfort and control where it’s needed.

Competent two-stage
The usual two-stage trigger is utilised, which is an upmarket unit and a genuine (rather than pseudo) two-stage mechanism, i.e. the sear engagement begins to move on the first stage. Not so welcome is the push-button safety, which is built into the blade itself! No one is denying it’s neat, but it’s just not ideal to be touching the trigger when trying to apply the safety. At least it’s manual, so just ignore it.

Effortless
Pulling back the side-lever is smooth, easy, and reassuringly precise. The magazine snaps in from the left side, and the lever is returned. Being able to cycle the next shot so easily while in the aim is great for hunting, and during testing, everything proved faultless.
I did have a shock, thinking I had my first malfunctioning Air Arms rifle on test at one point, as the lever wouldn’t return, only to discover that someone at the factory, in their haste to get me the test gun, had sent a .177 magazine by mistake. However, fitting a .22 magazine soon restored order.

Results
Air Arms’ pedigree in outdoor competition means they have nothing to prove in terms of accuracy, and with a quality Lothar Walther barrel installed, I was pretty confident going into the test. Air Arms Diabolo Field pellets in .22 were used, and being made by JSB, these have just the right amount of antimony in the mix, making them softer than some, which is particularly noticeable when pushing them flush in the breech of a springer. Here, they chambered in the magazine with ease, and with a few shots to zero, I settled down for some serious grouping.
Over 30 yards, my test rifle tore enlarged holes that could hold a pellet, which is to be expected with this grade of gun, but extremely satisfying, nonetheless. Moving back to 40 yards, and with little preparation, I could still regularly post 5p clusters with ease, using ammo straight from the tin. Excellent results, but as usual with Air Arms, it’s perhaps the manner of how we arrive at the results, and the refinement overall, that really impresses.
For the power/consistency test, I chose to clock the first 100 shots over the chronograph, and the results were impressive. A total spread of just 8fps over 100 shots is as consistent as any airgun out there, quite frankly, and proof that the factory-fitted regulator was ticking over nicely! Indeed, this has to be one of the most consistent readouts I’ve had through my test bench.

Verdict
I can’t deny that I’m a huge fan of the Air Arms brand, and their enthusiastic following worldwide is well-deserved. This S510R Core is all about increasing choice for the customer, and if the specification appeals, then it certainly delivers on the design brief for a simplified, lightweight hunting rifle, stripping unnecessary weight, adding regulated power, and capping it off with a state-of-the-art moderator.
Yes, it’s all very familiar, but the function, handling, build quality, and performance are top-class.