REXIMEX LYRA

I’ve now tested a few rifles in the Reximex range, and they have a knack for leaving an impression. If you haven’t yet become aware of this brand, they hail from Turkey and have been producing PCPs since 2015, so it’s fair to say they’re a relatively new name on the scene. Their stock in trade is to offer distinctive-looking guns that are great value and crammed full of features.

Best value

On test here is the latest edition to the Reximex product range, the Lyra, and at the current asking price, on paper at least, it represents the best value yet. Turkish Walnut is sourced for the ambidextrous sporter stock, and that’s always a great start in my book. However, there’s also a raft of features built in to satisfy the enthusiast.

First impressions

Opening the protective box, my first impressions are of a super-stylish airgun with some surprisingly refined detail. It’s that walnut woodwork that first grabs the eye, and my test gun displayed some lovely grain through the matte finish applied. OK, the final wood preparation and finish aren’t fantastic, but given the RRP, I have to stop myself nitpicking. There is laser cut chequering on both sides of the pistol grip and the forend, and this adds genuine grip as well as enhancing the visuals. Sling swivel eyelets are fitted as standard, and there’s also a plastic Picatinny accessory rail which can be bolted to the underside of the forend if deemed necessary. The cheekpiece is prominent, yet I like the way that all unnecessary wood is removed to keep weight down, contributing in no small part to the Lyra’s distinctive profile.

Metalwork

The 22.85” barrel has been chemically blued and to a reasonable standard. However, all other metal surfaces are given a basic, dull matte black finish. I’m not complaining, merely pointing out where some of the production costs have been saved. There’s a screw-on knurled muzzle finisher included, and it can be removed so that a silencer can be fitted via the ½” UNF thread.

Side-lever cocking is here courtesy of that neat, biathlon-style drop-down lever. There’s a power adjuster, a side-mounted manometer, Picatinny mounting, a two-stage adjustable trigger, a multi-shot magazine system with two magazines, a single shot tray, and an in-guard manual safety.

Shot count

Something that crossed my mind the minute I saw the Lyra, was that beefy 280cc cylinder up front, and just what sort of shot count was on offer. I always run a chronograph check as part of my testing regime, but I do often check marketing specifications first, to give me some idea as to what to expect. Official specs seemed to suggest 110 shots in .22 calibre as a guide, so we’ll bear that in mind for later.

Get set

As mentioned, two cassette-style magazines come supplied, and my .177 version holds 14 shots, whilst the .22 takes 12. Filling the mag is easy - just twist the clear cover anti-clockwise all the way around, and holding against spring pressure, insert pellets head first into each chamber, then snap the cover closed. Now we need to charge the Lyra, and that’s pretty straightforward too, since it comes with the most common Foster valve fitting. Pull off the push-fit front valve cover, snap on the adaptor/airline, and gently charge up to 200 bar. As always, go by the manometer on your charging kit, as this is normally superior quality and thus more reliable than those fitted to most guns themselves. Where the Lyra’s gauge is concerned, be mindful that pressure is shown in psi rather than bar.

As for mounting a scope, Picatinny rails still seem overkill on a PCP airgun, but there’s no doubt they’re trendy, so here they are.

Next up is the 2-stage trigger, and this unit is actually advertised as being 4-way adjustable. Given the minimal stress imparted to a trigger from a PCP action, there’s never really an excuse for having a poor trigger, and I’ve never had any complaints with Reximex thus far. To be perfectly honest, my test gun came supplied with the trigger set to a reasonably light, predictable let-off, so I took the view - why touch it? Take a close look at the Lyra’s trigger and you’ll notice the match trigger shoe, which can be set for height and angle to suit the individual. Another detail that is over and above, given the RRP!

Business end

And so, to work. It’s one thing looking pretty, but can this sleek Lyra deliver anything of note? The first stop was the range, as I was eager to see for myself what sort of accuracy was possible. Pulling back the well-shaped side-lever is a pleasant experience, and whilst cocking effort is a little more than some, it’s still smooth and fairly easy. The magazine snaps into position from the right side, which is satisfying, and for the record, everything cycled faultlessly over the time of my test.

I should add that all grouping was done using the magazines, rather than single-shot mode. When I did slot the single shot tray in for a quick evaluation, I have to say I concluded the pellet channel is a little steep and more fiddly than necessary. Anyhow, starting at 30 yards, it soon became clear that my gun was just a little pellet fussy. The all-conquering Air Arms Diabolo Fields were strangely out of sorts, but once I chambered JSB Exact RS Diabolos, a slightly lighter pellet at 7.33-grains, the Lyra began to show what she could do.

Moving back to a more challenging 40 yards was a measure of my growing expectations with this gun, and the results were impressive. ¾” groups with the AAs (still not bad and giving a comparison), and just ¼” clusters c-t-c with the RS Diabolos! That’s serious accuracy in anyone’s book, but from a sub £400 rifle, all the more satisfying.

Shot count revisited

Right, time to see what the shot count actually is. So, after a quick top-up back to the full 200 bar, the results are as follows. The first 112 shots recorded a total velocity spread of just 9 fps, and carrying on through to shot 168, the total spread came out at 24 fps! That’s quite astonishing, especially given that there were another 28 shots taken with the velocity dropping to 723 fps. Basically, pick your spot, and cream off the most consistent shots, or blat away and enjoy a large number of shots regardless. Anyhow, the claimed figures were well and truly blown out of the water.

Now, let’s not forget there’s a power adjuster feature built-in with this model, and with all the main testing done, I was keen not to overlook checking this out. On the left side of the receiver, you’ll see a small + and - scale, and this has a basic knob on the right side to make the adjustment. With the indicator dialled to the midpoint, velocity only marginally dropped, down to around 750 fps, equating to 10.5 ft/lbs. With the dial wound right down to the minimum, it then registered 550 fps, for approximately 5.6 ft/lbs. Now, on this setting, the shot count will of course go through the roof, so a great feature bringing versatility for informal fun sessions etc.

As an aside, it’s also worth pointing out that the Lyra generates quite a crack on firing, so I would definitely fit a silencer if this were my rifle. Do that, and the muzzle report is instantly muffled to a whisper, a characteristic of PCP air delivery when compared to that of a springer. You may find that extra weight up front improves balance too. OK, the gun may then seem overly long, but I would say the refined feel thereafter easily outweighs such shortcomings.

Conclusion

Well, what a rifle is all I can say. Those shot count figures and impressive consistency totally belie the asking price of sub £400, to the point where to be honest, I had to make a call to Range Right, the UK distributor for Reximex, just to check that this model wasn’t fitted with a regulator. Their response was to confirm that it wasn’t and that the valving setup was just pretty efficient. Er…..yes, you could say that chaps, and if my test gun is anything to go by, the Lyra looks set to ruffle more than a few feathers where competitors are concerned. Stylish, distinctive, great handling, and a level of performance that we have no right to expect in this price sector.

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