Gunpower Stealth MkIII

Gunpower do things differently, and their range of PCPs are in some respects, a breath of fresh air, but it’s also fair to say they well and truly divide opinion. A combination of space age materials, and Sci-Fi movie looks, certainly get their products noticed, but the introduction of the oversized Texan model with an extended body tube, and FAC energy levels of, wait for it, 500ft/lbs, gave the brand added cache by association.

Several different models are in the line-up, but viewed from a distance, they all look fairly similar; due in no small part to the company, having arrived at a winning formula, understandably building each model around much the same configuration. Admittedly, that distinctive, Star Trek like profile may well offend some traditionalists, but if those radical lines appeal, then hang in here, whilst we do a tour of the technicalities.

Specification

On test here is the Stealth MKIII, which has proved a popular seller for the company over the last few years. I tested their Shadow model a few years back, which featured an integral silencer within a longer main body tube, doubtless intended for markets where additional, add-on moddys are outlawed. The Stealth is technically very similar, just a few inches shorter at the muzzle end, and is designed to accept Gunpower’s own screw-on silencer, sold as an optional extra, but supplied for review. I also had sent along for the test, a Gunpower branded 4-16x50 scope and mounts, did not know they did glass too. However, I suppose in this day and age it’s a smart move, as there are many optical companies out there, happy to supply a badged scope for any manufacturer willing to pay.

Take-down

As supplied, the Stealth comes in a deceptively small carton, broken down into its constituent parts, the main action assembly, buddy bottle/ butt assembly, and silencer.

The package also comes inside a soft kit bag, which can then be used to carry the Stealth around in its semi dismantled state. A series of Velcro straps are used in this kitbag, but it does need additional padding if the action is to be carried about with the scope still in situ (desirable in order to maintain zero). The advantage of what is effectively a take-down rifle, is that with the gun broken down and neatly stowed away, the case, being unusually small, would attract little attention, enabling the shooter to maintain a low profile on a permission for example, where anti shooting types could otherwise kick up opposition. I can already hear the inevitable argument that we shouldn’t hide away, and I agree we have the right to pursue our legally allowed hobby. However, and with anti-gun feeling running higher these days, sometimes, a discreet presence is a prudent move regardless, and this neatly stowed Stealth allows just such an approach.

Specification

The main body is machined from aircraft grade aluminium, whilst the forend and drop down pistol grip are moulded from polymer. The buddy bottle doubles up as the butt and here Gunpower have been clever, as they also provide a foam rubber sleeve to stop your cheek getting cold as the air is used. They also provide a clamp with a slim recoil pad that fits around the base of the bottle that gives a better fit and feel in the shoulder. A sliding breech, auto safety, Lothar Walther barrel, and 2-stage trigger, are also included.

One big factor in why these guns are so popular, is in the simple, fool-proof way they operate. That said, I was initially confused as to which part of my diver’s bottle valve needed to be unscrewed, to allow the large Gunpower filling adaptor to connect. Just look at the thread size, and it really is obvious, but hey! The bottle needs to be filled to a pressure of 3000 psi or near as damn it 200bar, and to do this, the bottle screws into its adaptor, then this assembly screws straight onto a diver’s bottle. The valve is opened up slowly for a good consistent, air fill, bleed the line, and unscrew the bottle.

Assembly of the Stealth is equally simple, just screw the bottle into the back of the main body and hand tighten. The chunky threads are such that everything grips and tightens evenly and easily, with the butt automatically lining up on completion. At this point, it’s worth stating the obvious, that the short action remains inoperable until the power supply is reconnected; thus, any legalities concerning pistol length assemblies producing 12 ft/lbs energy figures are suitably by-passed and negated. Fitting the optional silencer is simplicity itself, as it just screws straight on at the muzzle, once the blanking cap has been removed.

Fit & feel

Shoulder the Stealth, and the minimalist stock configuration makes itself felt. That said, the synthetic material used for both the forend and the pistol grip lends a soft ‘rubberized’ feel, so everything is quite cosy to the touch. The grip moulding is OK, but a slightly more sophisticated, beefier shape, perhaps with finger grooves, would be an improvement. As for the butt, the metal clamp screws can be slackened off, and the bracket assembly can then be moved forwards or back, to alter length of pull. Likewise, the butt plate has three fixing holes, and again, can easily be altered. It’s a simple design, but it works. A rubber, padding sleeve over the buddy bottle keeps the face warm too!

As mentioned, the Stealth was supplied with a Gunpower-branded scope and fixing this in place is easy. Given the lengthy dovetail rail incorporated into the body of the rifle. One observation with this set-up though, is that the sight-line is quite low, so higher mounts may be preferable to give the necessary head clearance. Look lower at the muzzle, and a small stretch of accessory rail means this model could be fitted with a laser or lamp of some sort. The trigger is specified as two stage, but the mechanism is nonadjustable, save for the actual position of the finger shoe; altered by slackening and tightening the small bolt.

Range time

With all the adjustments made, it was time to see how the Stealth performed. To cock the action, the small padded lever just above the breech, needs to be pushed forwards, cocking the hammer and exposing the breech. Direct feed a pellet into the barrel, then pull the lever rearwards and rotate is slightly either left or right to keep it locked.

An automatic safety is now set, (the metal tab just forward of the trigger, and this first needs to be nudged forwards. Then squeeze off the shot when ready. The trigger is fairly basic, with a small amount of creep, but final release weight is very acceptable, and doesn’t detract from the pleasant firing cycle.

The Stealth issues a satisfying ‘snap’ when it fires, and I soon had reasonable groups forming down range. Half inch clusters over 30yards, with both Air Arms Diabolo Field, and Webley Mosquito pellets, seemed to be the norm, and the fact that you can feel the pellets and how slack or tight they are in the breech, is a reassuring feature.

With a 490cc buddy bottle on board, shot count should be a few hundred, although with an unregulated action, the consistency on offer, is to be honest, no great shakes. Chronograph readings were much as I have seen with other Gunpower products, with velocities dropping by around 70fps over the first 130- shots, down to residual pressure for the record, of 140bar. For more serious shooting, the first 50-shots from the 200bar fill showed a respectable 26 fps total spread, and over the first 80 shots, total spread was 46 fps. As always, the caveat stands, that other examples of this model may well vary, but results as shown, were recorded with the test rifle.

Appeal

Gunpower have a big following in the States, largely through their models that produce those whopping energy figures, but if the Star Trek styling doesn’t put you off, the slick firing cycle, loading system, and impressive accuracy, coupled with a highly original feel overall, all add to the brand’s immense appeal. Yes, there are more technically competent airguns out there, but there’s something about the Stealth that just makes you want to pick it up and shoot for the hell of it, and that, surely, says it all.