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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Guns And Related Accessories Review Gates => Air Gun Review Gate => Topic started by: gene_sc on July 28, 2011, 11:41:15 PM

Title: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: gene_sc on July 28, 2011, 11:41:15 PM
To start off with I received the Retay 135X Air Gun, right on time from Richard Lynch "AirScopes" for evaluation. I thank you Rich for honoring me with my take on your possible new air gun purchases. After all this is based on my opinion of this new model springer.
At first glance from pictures on line I assumed it was another B-19 clone. Well kinda but not close...:)

First thing I noticed after opening box was a very well made synthetic stock. It is IMO as nice if not nicer than my FX Cyclone synthetic stock. Well made and material used is unlike anything I have ever held. I am not a thumbhole stock kinda guy but this stock would probably be my first thumbhole I would ever of liked and shouldered. Plenty of room for my meathook thumb knuckle for sure. Material used for stock is really neat to touch. Very nice rubber grip and cheek weld. Not cheap hard plastic.

The lines of the stock are very smooth and it appears to be a heavier than normal 1000 fps air gun. Well it is...:) Solid as a rock I might add. The butt pad and adjustable comb are ergonomically well thought out. The design of the adjustable comb was pretty neat. The knurled knob on bottom of rear stock turns counter clockwise to raise cheek pad. It is all a spring loaded affair and very solidly made. The molded cheek weld fits my cheek very comfortably.

OK like I said at the beginning, i had assumed this was another B-19 clone. Well I was sadly mistaken. The tube on this is 1 3/16" OD. Looks to be a shade bigger than Gamo's Hunter tube and also Crosman's Trail XL tubes.  This tube packs allot of volume for sure but it is not harsh at all to shoot. In fact I took a few shots with it before tearing into it and was very surprised at the overall cocking and shooting cycle for a fresh gun out of the box. The trigger is awesome as well.

The  weaver scope mount system is a fine ad on. It is not welded but has three screws that hold it down to tube. Very well secured I might add. This is a nice feature over the older 11 and 12 Mil railes which can be a problem with a springer due to scope and mount movement. The weaver is a solid mounting system.

The metal work on the gun I am evaluating is above average. I can say that it is much nicer than any Gamo or Crosman metal work I have seen. As nice as some of the RWS's I have seen or equivalent.

The barrel breech block is exactly the same as the Crosman line of breech blocks. Instead of steel pivot bushing it has a brass bushing insert. Even my GRS- NP and XL brass thrust washers fit perfect. The original stock washers are the same plastic washers that Crosman specs there springer's and gas rams with. The gun is also equiped with a very nice muzzle brake. It is more of a barrel flip compensator which in design helps improve accuracy. Weighs approx 2 lbs. This gun was equiped with a rear site. I think that was a mistake. It is obviouse that this particular model is strickly a scoped version.

The compression tube also is threaded at the end like the Crosman XL guns. No spring compressor needed. Very easy to disassemble, repair or tune. The main spring is still the same length as the Crosman springer's. Same I/D, O/D and uses a metal spring guide and steel top hat. Just what I see here is a lot of room for modding. Piston is a larger I/D than your standard Gamo and Crosman pistons.
In fact if I had to guess this gun was made in Turkey. Has mixed design between Chinese, Spanish and Turkey guns.  They have made some significant design improvements over the latter.

The trigger is a redesigned Theoben trigger. The blade and bottom sear and safety are all new and allows for very nice feel and adjustments. I also see allot of room for modding this trigger as well. Very nice feel and pull. Probably less than 3 lbs at most.

Without shooting this gun for accuracy and fps I am absolutely sure it has the potential of being one of the nicest air guns that will hit the US shores soon.. Just to nice of a gun not to come here...:)

I do hope that we all get the opportunity to own one or at least shoot one of these babies.

I took some pictures but did they did not come out good. Not nearly as nice as looking at the Retay with your bare eyes. Very nice eye candy indeed with the design to back it up. A solid designed and built springer. IMO.  And it looks to be manufactured in Turkey..:) Richard can fill us in on this.

Thanks again Richard for letting us all have a first glimpse of a very well made break barrel pellet gun.

Gene Curtis
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: Joshua A. on July 29, 2011, 01:10:18 AM
Nice, I'm glad to hear that this gun looks to be a promising new product. I was afraid it was going to be a less than average type gun, but it appears that's not at all true. It looks and sounds like a very solid designed, and better than average quality rifle. Thanks for the great review Gene, I've been waiting to hear something about this gun.

J.Austin
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion
Post by: gene_sc on July 29, 2011, 01:18:48 AM
For sure Josh.. If I could buy this one I would grab her in a minute..:) I sent Rich an email asking him if this one was up for sale.

I can't say enough about the build on this baby. Have not seen one negative thing yet. But I will keep looking...:)
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: Joshua A. on July 29, 2011, 01:23:59 AM
I got a question. When you said that you saw "room for modding" what do you see that could be done? I understand what you probly mean when you were referring to the trigger group, but you said it before that when you were referring to the ID of the tube. Maybe a gas ram kit?

J.Austin
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: gene_sc on July 29, 2011, 02:20:27 AM
That will be determined on the GS Mod. Initial measurments look promising. Also there is room for a larger spring as well. Not to mention other small detailed mods to keep this gun with the smooth shooting and cocking cycle. The trigger is very impressive, especially the pull.

I will be releasing Part 2 of my review as soon as I put her back together and get some numbers n such.
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: AirScopes on July 29, 2011, 06:43:15 AM
Gene, thanks for the review. I am sure we can work something out on the gun.

Definitely manufactured in Turkey. The company claims to be just 2 years old.

The rear sight on your Sniper version is an oversight... The model 135x (non sniper) has a front sight. The two guns are exactly the same as far as I can tell but for the muzzle attachment. The sniper has the extended muzzle brake, and the standard model has a more 'designed' and shorter front sight. I would imagine they are interchangeable.

Anyone looking for a Retay, I have 2 underlevers that are not spoken for (model 100x).

Richard
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: Bullit on July 29, 2011, 11:05:34 AM
Nice review Gene...Thanks.
Richard, when are we gonna see some reviews on the underlever?
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: RatRacer on July 29, 2011, 11:55:00 AM
Nice build/ feel review Gene. That has a very aesthetically pleasing look to it, being a synthetic stock fan. I would like to know the weight.
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: gene_sc on July 29, 2011, 12:30:09 PM
Looks like this company did there home work Rich. They have taken designs of different manufacturers builds that have worked well for years and put them in one nice package. The stock and trigger are just fantastic..:) And I nomally do not care for thumbhole or synthetic stocks. The Retay has put a very nice package together here.

Gene, thanks for the review. I am sure we can work something out on the gun.

Definitely manufactured in Turkey. The company claims to be just 2 years old.

The rear sight on your Sniper version is an oversight... The model 135x (non sniper) has a front sight. The two guns are exactly the same as far as I can tell but for the muzzle attachment. The sniper has the extended muzzle brake, and the standard model has a more 'designed' and shorter front sight. I would imagine they are interchangeable.

Anyone looking for a Retay, I have 2 underlevers that are not spoken for (model 100x).

Richard
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: Brutuz on July 31, 2011, 03:39:18 PM
Great review Gene  8)

Haven't been able to test one myself yet, but did read a review on a Dutch forum and the owner was very happy with his Retay.
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: ezman604 on August 22, 2011, 03:40:28 PM
I finally got a chance to put my paws on a 135X Sniper. I'm impressed to say the least. It's actually the most comfortable stock (pb or AG) that I've ever settled a cheek onto. It fit like a glove. And the adjustable cheek piece is great to adapt any scope height to anybodies line of sight. It's a tad on the heavy side but personally, I like a heavy gun to absorb recoil.
There are a couple of comments I'd make though. Richard says the irons may be an after thought on this model. The standard 135X model HAS a complete set but the 135X Sniper only has the rear sight. My suggestion is lose the rear sight or add the front blade. The rear only looks strange and out of place since it's useless as configured.
The other suggestion is for the muzzle brake. On the 135X Sniper it's a fairly heavy chunk of metal. That's not the problem with it, since it serves as a good counter balance, but the problem I see is it only has one set screw. In the 25 or so rounds I fired, the screw vibrated loose twice. I suggest you add one more set screw and actually use loctite on the threads. This can easily be done by the end user but...
The gun was a REAL pleasure to handle and shoot. It slammed a Predator VERY hard into my 1-1/2" wooden backstop with determination. And I used H&N Field Target 16.32gr rounds to get a group of .27" at 25 yards. VERY impressed with the gun!!!!
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 8)
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: gene_sc on August 23, 2011, 02:01:22 PM
Great feedback on the Retay 135X Dave. I kinda overlooked the issue with the rear site since Richard said it was an after thought. It serves no purpose as it is.

The muzzle brake does help allot wiff any barrel flip though. And yes it should have two set screws.

Like you I was very impressed by the way both model Retays shouldered and the accuracy. I love the Retay Sport underlever. Even thinking of buying Richards last one...:) It is fire engine red. Retay 100X Ferrari..

Gene
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: Bullit on August 23, 2011, 04:00:25 PM
Gamecock Red? ;D
Title: Re: Retay Model 135X Review and Opinion - Part One
Post by: redone1992 on October 30, 2011, 06:16:09 PM
Thanks for the report