Stoeger ATAC Suppressor

The Stoeger brand of airguns has gathered apace in recent years, and as part of the world famous Beretta group, sound marketing and wide distribution have certainly helped the cause. Break barrel spring powered models have been the mainstay so far, but all that looks set to change, as Stoeger widen their range with a gas-ram powered option.

On test here is the brand new ATAC Suppressor model, which not only incorporates a gas-ram piston, but also offers a full-on tactical specification into the bargain.

Trendy Practicality

Trends abound in the airgun scene, and with an ever growing number of manufacturers introducing their own take on the theme, Stoegers adoption of the gas-ram system, should come as no surprise. Fitting a gas-strut in place of a conventional mainspring is deemed to bring several advantages in certain quarters, but it really is all about execution. Rarely have I shot one that rivals the smoothness of Theoben’s set-up (once they had refined their original design I hasten to add); yet a plethora of manufacturers now boast such a model in their line-up.

Stoeger have indeed gone the whole hog with this ATAC model, kitting it out in a Tactical black synthetic stock, but before we evaluate their efforts, a quick break down of general gas-ram specification is in order, for those unfamiliar with the term. Break the barrel, and the cocking stroke actually compresses a sealed chamber of air (sometimes a gas such as Nitrogen) which sits where the mainspring would normally be in a conventional spring/piston rifle. As the action fires, this sealed chamber of air expands rapidly, forcing the piston forwards, compressing the air forward of the piston, to propel the pellet in the normal way. With no mainspring on board flying around and vibrating, the shot cycle should be smoother, with less vibration and resonance.

Mean Machine

Back to the Stoeger, and the full Tactical furniture is eye-catching from the start. There’s a dense feel to the black synthetic compound used, unlike many hollow rivals, so a serious impression prevails. The ATAC comes bristling with features too, all coming together to give this radical looking model a unique profile.

Stoeger’s ‘Dual Stage Noise Reduction System’ has been lifted straight from their standard spring powered X20 model, and really looks the part. The design sees a multi-baffled expansion chamber, and an air flow restricter, which reverses some of the spent air - all contained within a full length synthetic barrel shroud. The visuals are certainly distinctive and purposeful. As for the performance, more of that shortly.

The well defined drop-down target grip, is nicely shaped, managing to offer finger grooves, a thumb-up shelf, and palm recess - all within a fully ambidextrous specification. No mean feat, and with that scalloped away butt section, flared fore-end, and extensive Picatinny style rails, the configuration has a touch of ‘sniper’ about it.

Whilst focusing on the stock, the design allows for the length of pull to be altered by removing that spacer plate just forward of the butt pad itself. Two Phillips style cross head screws hold the pad/spacer assembly in place, so anyone can make the switch. As for the stylish cheek-piece, that definition is just cosmetic, with no movement possible.

Fancy a bipod, (and many will with this model), and Stoeger’s two-piece design, sold as an optional extra, can be clamped onto the side Picatinny rails. Again, it’s a simple matter of clamping into place - so no special tools needed. Shooting a recoiling gun from a hard surface is never recommended of course for ultimate accuracy, but at least with spring loaded feet to soak up some recoil, Stoeger’s bipod design is better than many.

It should be noted at this juncture, that the ATAC Suppressor comes supplied as a complete kit, with a Stoeger branded 4-16x40 Mil Dot reticle scope, and two piece Picatinny style mounts, all part of the deal. Herein lies a curious detail. As previously mentioned, Picatinny style rails feature on this rifle, for the scope rail itself, and those twin side rails, but one observation which became apparent during my test concerned the exact specification, since the rails are actually non-standard. This only happened to come to light when a one piece mount designed for Picatinny came through for testing, and failed to mate up with the top rail.

That said, single bar attachments, such as the bipod legs and the two-piece scope mounts provided, all work and locate perfectly, so it should only ever be an issue with a one piece mount, where the spacing of the gaps within the rail, to receive the small cross bars, is critical.

Test Report

Bolting on the Stoeger scope soon revealed that the parallax range markings (in keeping with many budget scopes) didn’t tally up with reality. In use, viewing a target at 25yds came in at 18yds on the dial. A minor detail, and no real problem since home markings are the best route on any scope. More importantly, clarity was pretty good through the ranges, and turrets adjusted with a positive click.

When I first took delivery of this model, I suspected a blocked breech, as I literally couldn’t shift the barrel from its détente. However, in desperation, and before making an embarrassing phone call to the UK importers, I consulted the handbook. ‘Tap the barrel’ was the instruction, and a swift jolt thereafter had me feeling sheepish. What we can deduce is that this Stoeger possesses a firm barrel lock-up where it matters.

The cocking stroke does take significant effort, it has to be said, despite being extremely smooth, and free from graunch. As usual though, the best approach to this type of gas-ram power plant, has to be a positive, all-in-one sweeping action. Get momentum on your side, and the task seems a little easier.

As per Stoeger’s X20, a neat automatic safety catch sits to the rear of the action, which is in the perfect position to be nudged off with the thumb. Thereafter, take up the first stage of the pseudo two stage trigger, and squeeze through the inevitable creep. Trying to adjust it (an operation hinted at by the instruction manual) proved a thankless task, but to be fair, triggers are often fairly basic on rifles within this price bracket. On the plus side, the blade is at least nicely shaped, fairly broad, and trips the mechanism after a modest amount of pressure.

As for the action, all I would say is don’t get too excited by the ‘Dual Stage Noise Reduction System’. The simple fact is that the shot cycle is a little harsh and fairly noisy in the big scheme of things - undermining much of the perceived benefit of the DSNRS set-up.

Interestingly, my test model proved to be pellet fussy over 30yds, with a proven sample of Air Arms Diabolos (JSB) - slightly loose in the barrel as it happens - printing groups over an inch, whilst SMK’s BS55 .22 Black Domes all but halved that. Half inch c-t-c clusters were satisfying, and proved the ATAC Suppressor was highly capable with its preferred diet. Consistency was extremely good too, with pretty well any pellet chambered, proving for the record, how the gas-ram power plant compares against spring power over a chronograph. Basically there’s little in it. Pass it on!

CONCLUSION

Is there any major benefit in practise, of a gas-ram powered rifle over its conventionally sprung counterpart? In short, in the vast majority of cases, other than the obvious absence of spring twang, the answer has to be no. Despite this heretical finding, many just feel the gas-ram is more modern and therefore an advance in itself. 

As for an overall verdict, I reckon the ATAC Suppressor will undoubtedly appeal to an army of airgun enthusiasts, who have a taste for military style kit. It offers as mentioned a modern specification, a stylish all-in package, a host of on-board features, a unique feel - given that dense, pleasantly ‘grippy’ synthetic stock - and all importantly, some half decent performance.  Add the bipod, and the ATAC becomes a Tactical gun that turns heads.

It’s fairly weighty mind, for a rifle of this type, so get down to your local dealer for a hands on experience.

PRICE: £275 guide price, including 3-9x40 Stoeger scope and mounts. Bipod is sold as an optional extra –guide price £43