Is this rifle still available under any brand?
The B26 clones that Mike at FDAR had were priced about $180 for awhile, but then there was a price drop and they all sold out, I regret only buying one.The last batch were high comb versions, which could be reshaped or removed.The Remington express looks very much like a clone from the pictures I’ve seen, but since I don’t have one I can’t say for sure.
The Remington Express came in a couple of flavors. Wood, synthetic, tactical and my version was the Remington Express "XP". Not sure what the "xp" stood for but it is rated 100 fps faster than the regular rem express. Had integrated silencer, pressed engraved wood. My XP swept volume is very close to the RWS 350. I do not know if the regular express has same swept volume or not. All expresses had 28mm compression chambers. Length of action between models is what I don't know...The Remy Express models I am referencing (not the Hunter/B19) do all share the following attributes:Resettable safety (no balk fires), clone Rekord trigger, RWS ball lockup, 28mm tube.I have a B26 (HW95/R9 clone). Different gun than Remy Express. Neither gun is available CONUS far as I know. Maybe still available in UK under "SMK" brand, but dunno.Unfortunately the good ones fade away and the B19 just can't die. Why is beyond me?
Mike dropped the B26 long before Covid. I got one of the last ones out his door three years ago or so. It was a 26-2 in .22 The Remington Express is an interesting gun. I forgot to mention it had an articulated cocking arm and the resettable safety is supposedly very similar to the FWB Sport. Not having a Sport, I cannot vouch for that notion but I do very much like it on the 26-2. Wished I had it on some more guns...I've spoken to Mike a few times over the years on the phone. He said he had to buy the guns in large lots (a full shipping container) and I'm sure that set him back a pretty penny. What I am guessing is a bad economy (at the time) coupled with a decreased demand for springers and a significant financial outlay was enough to keep him from stocking more.I like the B26 and Remy .177, I tuned them both, but will at some point in the future thin the herd with them on the list.The trigger and barrel pivot is what holds the B19 design back. Gamo much imptoved the trigger with the CAT (custom action trigger) but the pivot is still the weakest link in an otherwise fun gun to shoot. Fine for open sights but the wandering pivot can ruin repeatability for a scoped gun.