Cometa Fenix

When the Cometa Fenix 400 was first introduced into the UK it was available in FAC format only and was a full length sporter including open sights. Quite an oddity seeing as the majority of airgun hunters here use air rifles within the 12ft lb legal limit. Not surprisingly demand for the rifle was very low and it was soon realised the 400 needed de-tuning to make it a much more viable proposition.

Even though the 12ft/lb Fenix 400 rifle is still available, a shortened version which omitted open sights for an integral silencer - the 400 Carbine - was added to the roster. Since then, although the upgraded Cometa ‘Fusion’ models have also been added to the range, in my opinion it’s the standard Fenix 400 carbine model that any frugally minded hunter should consider.

No Doubt It’s a Carbine

The relatively ‘chunky’ light satin stain beech wood stock has a generous amount of chequering at the pistol grip, a relatively shallow low cheek piece and slim neck with a rubber butt pad. The forend tapers upwards to end in an angled back tip and sports two very stylish panels of chequering along either side. However, some rifles I’ve seen very recently don’t have any chequering on the forend so whether this is a definite design change or not I’m unsure. At times gun manufacturers do have stocks made for them by other suppliers when demand for a rifle is high so do check on this when purchasing.

Whether it’s the change in dimensions - the carbine measuring 39.9” from butt to muzzle and weighing 7.1lbs – it feels rock solid in the hold, balancing and handling well in any shooting position. Even when taking fast ‘snap’ shots, due to the weight of the action being brought back more towards the shooter it comes quickly up to aim. Also, the Fenix has that reassuring feel that it’ll stand up to plenty of ‘rough and tumble’ that a very well used rifle can be subjected to out in the field.

The relatively short 14” barrel doesn’t only benefit from the chunky silencer as a cocking aid it virtually demands it. This is certainly no ‘boys gun’ as it takes some heft to cock and once unlocked from the closed position the cocking stroke does feel rather graunchy.

In its favour is the fact that the lock up at the end of the cocking stroke is positive and it returns to its original position with a very reassuring sounding clunk – though you do need to use the momentum of the barrel on its return ‘swing’ to help this along the way to closing. When you look more closely at the breech of the rifle its little wonder it has such a solid détente lock; the stainless steel breech ball bearing catch has to be one of the largest of this type I’ve seen

In The Field

The 400 Carbine has quite noticeable ‘snappy’ recoil - but once used to the ‘thump’ that this powerhouse delivers on discharge, recoil is manageable. The muzzle report was also far lower than I expected so full marks go to that generously sized can that almost sleeves right back along the barrel to end only a few inches from the breech. It takes some moderator to quell the discharge from such a short tube so full marks to Cometa for taking the trouble to sort this area and for general hunting it’ll suit most shooters looking for a rifle in this price bracket.

I scoped up using a KonusPro M30 1.5 – 6 X 44IR a great optic that ideally complimented the size of the carbine. The reasonable length of well-cut dovetails allow for a wide range of scope mounting options so you shouldn’t experience any problems fitting almost any optic you personally prefer. 

The 2-stage trigger unit fitted to the rifle is far better than I expected. It boasts a nicely curved and ridged blade for better ‘trigger feel’ and tripped the sears cleanly and predictably shot after shot with ragged 1” groups easily attainable out to 25yds. It’s also adjustable for weight of pull and length of travel.

A nice touch is the automatic re-settable safety catch positioned at the rear of the compression cylinder.  This workmanlike metal catch projects rearward on cocking the rifle, automatically engaging the trigger safety and ideally sited to be pushed forward to put the rifle on fire mode with the thumb of your trigger hand. 

Nothing new in this placing for a trigger safety but I must admit the sharp metal wings your thumb is cradled between as you operate it do make it look rather crude. But in its favour, it works as it should.

Conclusions

There’s no denying that Cometa have come a very long way in the last couple of years dispelling the image that their rifles are little more than budget priced plinking fun guns. With this rifle in your hands you can forget tin cans because you’d be a threat to any legal quarry that runs, flies or scurries!

To sum up - the Cometa Fenix 400 Carbine is a solidly built rifle that will prove to be a reliable workhorse out in the field and has a lot of nice features – particularly the handling, silencer and trigger.