Kral Puncher Maxi

Well, after checking my records, it was around six years ago that the Turkish manufacturer, Kral, took the plunge into the world of PCPs with their highly appealing Puncher model. I tested it back then, but plenty of derivatives have filtered through along the way. While models such as the ‘boxy looking’ Puncher Armour would divide opinion because of controversial styling, there are no such qualms with the rifle on test here.

Maxi by name

Welcome to the Kral Puncher Maxi, and a rather attractive little airgun it is too. Much of the same Puncher action is utilized, but there’s more bling in the form of the contrasting silver side-lever, power adjuster and safety catch. A big selling point with this model has to be the synthetic sporter stock, which features an adjustable cheekpiece. However, the features don’t stop there, for we also get 2x cassette-style magazines, a single-shot tray, an adjustable 2-stage trigger, Picatinny accessory rails, a dual scope rail mounting system, barrel finisher, threaded muzzle, manometer, valve cover, filling adaptor and adjustable power. That’s quite a spec sheet, especially as this model currently comes in at under £400!

Basics first

The action is a straightforward, knock-open valve system and is non-regulated. To charge the cylinder, Kral provides a probe-style filling adaptor. Once attached to the airline cable, just rotate the smooth dust cover at the front of the gun’s cylinder, and with the valve exposed, fully insert the probe adaptor. Slowly charge to the recommended 200bar, bleed the line, remove the probe and close the dust cover. Job done.

OK, time to scope up, and here, thanks to the clever dual rail system, you can choose to mount up using either the inner standard dovetail rails or the outer Picatinny system. It’s a neat and versatile system.

Set to align

With the scope in roughly the right position, it’s now time to get everything set in terms of eye/scope alignment and this is best done without even firing a shot. A combination of the fine tweaking of the scope position in the mounts and moving the cheekpiece should result in a perfect sight picture and mild pressure/support of the cheekpiece on the face to maintain it.

The Kral Puncher Maxi features a neat, spring-loaded, push-button adjuster and this means instant adjustment is possible in the field or on the range, without the need for a fiddly Allen key. The moveable comb can go as high as 1.5” out of position, but the mechanism snaps and locks securely at a maximum of 1.25”. That’s still bags of adjustment and a massive asset. Take your time, and as usual, my advice is always to make fine adjustments over a few sessions, to get everything just so. You’ll know when it’s right, as the sight picture will effortlessly fall into place and be repeatable.

Multi or single-shot?

I remember quite clearly the overly complicated and frankly rather rough first effort from Kral regarding their magazine system, but I’m pleased to say that those early teething problems are long sorted, with the latest cassette-style magazine more akin to the old Theoben design, which is definitely a compliment.

My test gun came in .177, with a 14-shot magazine (.22 gets 12). To fill the mag, first twist the clear lid clockwise, all the way around against spring pressure. When one chamber is exposed, drop a pellet in head-first, making sure it doesn’t fall right through. This will now hold the drum and a pellet can be dropped into each chamber in turn, until full. Now, pull back the side-lever until the hammer is cocked, and then the magazine can be inserted. Unusually, the mag locates from the right side, wide section first, and you can see a raised moulded line which has to locate with the corresponding groove in the receiver slot. On test, the mags did prove a bit of a tight fit, which was a tiny bit irritating. That said, once snapped into position, the cycling of the side-lever action, and magazine indexing, all proved faultless. Maybe there’s a fraction too much play in the lever when open (certainly on my test rifle), but again, the actual performance was hard to criticize.

Don’t forget that a moulded single-shot tray also comes in the box, and this can be simply pushed into the slot, in place of the magazine. Take this route, and a pellet then needs to be rolled across, which then gets chambered as the lever closes.

Power to the people

Kral’s now regular feature of a power adjuster is here, and that should be set via the silver knurled knob. On test, it proved a bit stiff and awkward to turn, but no worry. Look to the left side of the receiver and the rear of the adjuster can be seen, complete with markings for min and max settings. Take care with a small screwdriver and fine adjustments can be made. On test, minimum power came in at around 380 fps, equating to 2.7 ft/lbs. Dial-up to the max and an average of 11 ft/lbs is on tap.

Look to the trigger, and what we have here is a competent, adjustable 2-stage unit. The match blade is another really nice touch and can be rotated around the pillar for ultimate comfort and feel.

Handling & feel

In the aim, the sporter stock just feels right. Even the accessory rail underneath the forend didn’t really spoil things, but this can be easily removed if necessary. A quality rubber butt pad that actually has some give in it always helps, and that’s what we get here. But it’s the styling, configuration and quality of the moulding that elevates this synthetic stock above many rivals. With the adjustable cheekpiece gently pressing me into the right position, and the super, slimmed-down pistol grip playing its part, shooting the Puncher Maxi ends up being a very pleasurable experience.

For the test, I have to admit to spinning on a silencer for the duration, in place of the barrel finisher. The standard barrel end looks very smart, I don’t deny, and looks familiar, given that it cheekily mimics Air Arms’ styling. Switch to a moddy and you instantly kill any muzzle crack and add front weight. So, a win-win situation, which I couldn’t resist.

On the range

So, after all that prep work, how did the Maxi shape up at the business end? Well, let’s remind ourselves, firstly, that this PCP isn’t regulated, and secondly, that it costs less than £400. I’m qualifying the results purely for emphasis, but in terms of accuracy, I think it’s fair to say this neat little sporter did itself proud. Genuine, single, ragged holes at 30 yards were joined at 40 yards by clusters that were barely half the diameter of a five-pence piece! In short, that’s excellent accuracy in anyone’s book. The lack of a regulator dictates shot count and consistency to an extent, and here, from the 200 bar prescribed fill pressure, I ran the shot cycle over the chronograph until I had shot down to a residual pressure of 140 bar. At this stage, velocity was dropping off significantly.

As for my findings, a total of six magazines worth (84 shots) were clocked (with the Maxi set to full power) and these had a total spread through the charge of 51 fps. That’s not bad, but if more serious shooting is on the cards, such as hunting or HFT competition, then use the top of the charge. The first four magazines worth (56 shots) showed a total spread of just 26 fps, which is highly usable.

Endearing

On test, the Puncher Maxi did prove a little pellet fussy and just slightly more accurate when shot in single-shot mode. Yet, with the right ammunition, it proved blisteringly accurate and a joy to shoot. As mentioned, niggling details, such as the slightly slack side-lever when open and the tightness of the magazines, detract slightly from the overall score, but this Kral is still unlikely to disappoint. A measure of its character, all-around appeal and inherent capabilities.

Thanks to Range & Country Shooting Supplies in Sleaford, Lincs., for the kind loan of this rifle.