EB Arms XV2-RS - EB Evolution

Edgar Brothers is a big distributor in the shooting industry, and the introduction of EB Arms, their own brand, has already proved a popular move. Building on the success of the tactically styled EB Arms XV2, which featured a sizeable buddy bottle configuration, the new XV2-RS offers a comparatively slimline 230cc straight cylinder. This new model allows for a completely different configuration of the forend, in place of the buddy bottle, and that cleverly appeals to another slice of the market.

Practical tactical
The XV2-RS is a side-lever-operated multi-shot PCP, and it definitely sits in the tactical bracket. It features an AR-compatible rubber pistol grip, an aluminium forend with M-LOK, and a fully adjustable synthetic rear section. First impressions are very favourable, and for me, the streamlined profile is a huge step up from the buddy bottle look. It’s personal taste here, but one thing is for sure - this model has been well thought out. Inside the box, we get two magazines, spare seals, a filling adaptor, oil, Allen keys, and instructions. It even comes complete with an Edgar Brothers branded OptiMate 3-12x50 scope and mounts. So, we’re up and running straight from the box, so to speak.
Pick up the XV2-RS, and the bold visuals are instantly confirmed by the apparent robustness on offer. A sizeable aluminium block sits at the heart of the rifle, and this imparts rigidity to the setup from the off. All the metalwork gets a matte black finish that’s smart and practical in the field, and there’s plenty of it. Indeed, the all-metal construction forward of the trigger lends a feeling of precision and quality in the hand. The aluminium chassis, as mentioned, has M-LOK cut-outs, so the mounting of multiple accessories is on the cards. Likewise, the addition of two Picatinny rails on the underside of the forend means versatility at every turn. Much of the rear butt assembly is synthetic, but this is par for the course in the tactical world.

Filling time
OK, let’s deal with charging and the magazine system, then we can take a closer look at those features in turn. It’s always reassuring when manufacturers make the filling pressure obvious, and given the high pressures we are dealing with when it comes to modern PCPs, it’s pretty basic stuff to spell out for safety alone. In the case of the XV2-RS, the cylinder is stamped with “max 200bar”, so no confusion here!
Charging is via the small probe adaptor, and this just needs screwing to the air supply via a doughty seal in the usual way. I tend to use quick connectors from Best Fittings, and if you own several PCPs, this is the way to go for stress-free charging. Thereafter, it’s just plug and connect, with no spanners. It’s a small detail, but EB Arms seem to have lost interest when they got to the inlet valve at the front of the cylinder, as there’s no dust cover. It’s a minor irritation, yet a surprising oversight, given how PCPs really don’t like grit and dirt in the workings.
Right, let’s talk magazines. The XV2-RS comes with two, and these are very similar in appearance to the old Theoben style. Simply wind the clear front cover in the direction of the arrow, against spring pressure, and drop the first pellet head-first into the aperture. This holds the drum, and the rest can then be filled in turn, moving back until it’s full.

Fully adjustable
Now, before we fire a shot, we need to set the shooting position. Let’s first lock the EB OptiMate 3-12x50 scope in place on the Picatinny rail. The mounts feature a chunky nut, so it’s easy to hand-tighten the scope in place, ready to move if need be.
Moving to the tactical rear stock, this features an adjustable cheekpiece and is also adjustable for length of pull. The rear section is the now highly popular synthetic stock configuration, where the assembly is mounted on a buffer tube. Grip the spring-loaded catch halfway along the bottom edge, and then slide the butt assembly backwards or forwards to the desired length. There’s a full 3” of adjustment too, so plenty of scope to set everything perfectly for the individual. The benefit of such a configuration is that once correctly set, the trigger will just fall to the pad of the finger, without strain or muscle flexing. Combine this with the adjustable cheek section, and eye-scope alignment should also drop into place.
To adjust the cheek section, first slacken off the small wing nut at the base of the right side of the butt, then slide the cheekpiece up or down to the desired height. There’s even a graduated scale as part of the moulding, meaning you can make a note of the setting. When all is good, lock off the wing nut. Likewise, when the final shooting position and the eye/scope alignment seem spot on, return to the scope mounts and nip these up a bit harder. Comfortable, stress-free shooting should be the result.

Handling
Tweak the neat drop-down side-lever and it flies back under pressure, effectively assisting the operation. Pulling it back further to cock the action and set the hammer and trigger, requires minimal effort. The magazine can now be located in its slot from the right side, and it snaps into position in a very satisfying manner. All in all, everything feels precise and slick.
There’s never really an excuse for a PCP to have a poor trigger, given the low loading they have to deal with, certainly compared to a spring gun! I’m pleased to report that the XV2-RS doesn’t disappoint in this regard. However, the trigger blade itself is a bit too narrow and curved. In fact, it looks very similar to early Air Arms S400 triggers, even incorporating that naff safety catch. Locating the safety in the actual trigger is a curious decision, and I’m duty-bound to whinge. This apart, the function overall is perfectly acceptable, with a fairly light release.
As for the muzzle report, this isn’t a whisper-quiet PCP. But then again, it isn’t harsh. The configuration features a full-length 18” barrel shroud. The barrel itself is around 16”. Then there are a couple of spring-loaded baffles, an expansion chamber, and a restricted channel/cone to silence the crack. It definitely works.

Test bench
For the record, the Opti-Mate scope supplied is well above average, and whilst not adjustable for parallax, the clarity and image quality are hard to fault.
The XV2-RS has a regulated action and comes fitted with twin manometers. One sits in the front of the cylinder, displaying the residual pressure, whilst the other is mounted on the right side of the action. This one permanently displays the regulator pressure. Edgars specify a claimed shot count of between 200-250 on their website, but this does seem a bit hopeful. Charged with a 200bar fill, I ran the XV2-RS through the chronograph and clocked nine magazines worth, so 108 shots, just stopping when the residual pressure dropped to 100bar. OK, so the reg pressure gauge showed 90bar, meaning there will be a few more shots, and the shot count will vary slightly with a change of ammo, but I would still say ignore the claims. Regardless, 108 shots is pretty impressive from the slimline cylinder, and with a total spread of 33fps, that’s very usable consistency too.
So, how about down-range performance? Glad you asked. Over my initial 30 yard test, ½” groups were easy to come by using Dead ‘Center’ pellets. Rangemaster Sovereigns closed this to sub 3/8”. Moving out to 40 yards, the Sovereigns still stayed within sub ¾”, so pretty impressive overall. Where pellet compatibility is concerned, this model did show a preference, slightly favouring Rangemaster Sovereigns over JTS Dead ‘Center’ ammo. So, as usual, it’s always worth doing some research. As for the mechanism, the side-lever and magazine system all felt extremely positive and proved totally reliable throughout. So yes, an enjoyable and rewarding experience overall.

Verdict
It’s difficult not to like the XV2-RS unless you have a total aversion to military-styled hardware. The onboard features and quality of execution are very impressive. The rifle is highly capable and has oodles of character, and the built-in adjustable features will help you get that perfect setup.