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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: jakeadks on December 18, 2021, 06:33:10 PM
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After several months of owning a Leshy 2, I must shed light on multiple significant issues with this airgun to save other enthusiasts and hunters from making the mistake of purchasing one. These issues are in no way related to user error. They are intrinsic products of the design.
Edgun markets their products as hunting tools for "discerning outdoorsmen". In the words of Fred Bear, inarguably a discerning outdoorsman of the highest order, "A rainstorm isn't a reason to quit the hunt, it's a reason to stay.” ... Don't let a little poor weather dictate your hunt's outcome. It is in "poor" weather that the MAJOR, FATAL design flaws of the Edgun Leshiy 2 present themselves. I will first describe multiple issues that are severe, but not fatal. I will then describe the fatal flaws of this design.
The first set of problems can be experienced at any time; they are not limited to rainy or snowy conditions. First, with the factory normal angle grip (as opposed to a zero-angle grip), the wrist of the hand you operate the trigger with will frequently hit the foremost corner of the lower air tube of the stock, eventually creating a bruise. Not a fatal flaw, but annoying, especially considering the price. A similar issue occurs with the lower of the two hinges that allow the stock to fold; it repeatedly digs into the top of your thumb's first knuckle, eventually causing a bruise. These two issues may be mitigated, though not solved entirely, by using an aftermarket zero-angle grip that offers your thumb and wrist more clearance from the offending hardware. A third non-fatal issue has to do with the trigger and valve. In order to operate this assembly correctly, you must move decisively through the trigger pull. Pulling slowly allows a pre-mature seep of air to escape the valve, potentially affecting the relationship of pellet, magazine,and barrel, and thereby decreasing the consistency of that shot in relation to others where the trigger is used correctly. Those of us who cut our teeth on guns with hammers and trigger sears will have to re-learn their approach to the trigger pull in order to find consistency with the Leshiy 2. Each of these issues are annoying, but they can be overcome, and would not prevent me from purchasing this gun had I known about them ahead of time.
The second set of issues are more severe, and pertain to the gun's usability and function during any precipitation, be it rain, snow, or any other wintery mix. The Leshiy 2 uses a small portion of a shot's discharge of air to cycle the magazine. It is worth noting that I have never experienced a failure of the magazine to cycle, even in icy precipitation that causes the problems that are forthcoming. One of these problems is that, in any precipitation situation, the discharge of air that has cycled the magazine causes a spray of water (in rain) or icy snow to hit you directly in your face and eyes with every shot. This is similar to the spark-and-smoke-to-the-eyeballs issue that plagued flintlock muskets with powder pans and heralded the invention of the percussion cap. This is a completely unacceptable design flaw, and would have prevented me from purchasing this gun had I known of it in advance.
A second issue stemming from the ports through which air escapes after cycling the magazine also presents an absolutely fatal flaw of the Leshiy 2. These ports allow water to enter the valve assembly. If the temperature is below freezing, this can cause a complete failure of the trigger and valve assembly. Loaded, pressurized, and with the safety off, the crisp initial stage of the trigger disappears completely and the gun entirely fails to fire or cycle when the trigger is pulled until it is left in a warm environment for some time. This is a completely unacceptable and fatal design flaw that prevents the Leshy 2 from being reliable in any winter setting. The latch that locks shut the folding stock that must be opened to reload the gun can also freeze up, preventing the action from locking closed or opening easily.
It is worth noting that these issues all occurred within an hour of this gun being used during a mild snowstorm, well above the advertised minimum operating temperature of 15 degrees fahrenheit found in the owner's manual.
The consequence of these issues is that the Edgun Leshiy 2 is unusable in any precipitation. This is completely unacceptable to any serious hunter, the target market of this piece. If I could return this gun, I would, but BE WARNED, all sales of guns by Edgun West are final.
The irony of a Russian-designed gun failing in snowy winter conditions does not escape me.
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Wow, sorry you are unhappy with the L2. Just for record though, when you pull the trigger, slowly, it does not release air into the firing path. It actually vents to atmosphere whether you pull it fast or not. It is the way this valve is designed.
As for water getting into working parts, then freezing and making the mechanism inoperable, I believe we could duplicate that scenario on most all arms. Admittedly, not all manufacturers advertise ‘all weather’ conditions.
I wish you were happier with your purchase. They are definitely pricey and it would be nice if ‘satisfaction’ was guaranteed.
Dave
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This is when the Hatsan comes out and L2 stays in the safe :) it’s like taking a Mercedes G wagon rock crawling. I’ll take my Cherokee instead and not care
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more money should equal less worries and more thought in design, not more compromises. Good to know about the valve venting to atmosphere, thank you!
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Sorry to hear you are not happy. We dont have snow here so i have not had problems. If you have the Repr version with the external adjustable regulator you can PM me.
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Yeah I wouldn’t be happy to pay all that money and have issues in bad weather considering it’s made in Russia. I would think the design would be based on severe Russian winters. I’m still druling over one but I live in SoCal where we don’t have any severe winters.
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I look at all this different. Like I said, you would be hard pressed to find ANY gun that is reliable without fault at all. Especially when it comes to water that freezes AFTER it enters a mechanism.
Take the ol single shot shotgun for example, you don’t let water enter the muzzle on a rainy day then let it freeze, then shoot it.
You are calling some very extreme conditions fatal flaws. The spit of air/water is inherent to shoot through mags, you could have found that out before purchasing.
Sounds like you need to sell and move on. Sorry again for your disappointment.
Was there anything you did like about the gun?
Dave
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Dave,
the spray of water in the face comes from small ports behind the action mechanism, not the actual slight gap around the magazine. I'd describe this as not similar to the blast around the cylinder of a revolver. I have plenty of other guns, powderburner and air, and none of them have ever had these sorts of issues with snow and ice. At worst a bolt will stick or a seal will develop a slow leak (this happens to my 392 in severe cold) but these are acceptable. The issues with the L2 are much more severe and develop much more readily in comparison to my others.
Pasednamike, I agree, in that environment you should be just fine
SB327, up here a 25 degree snow day is balmy and beautiful, hardly extreme. It hardly took any time in this setting to show problems. There are many things I like, such as the symmetrical charging port with the rotating cover which is very smart, the 20 MOA tilt to the pic rail, the compatibility with various AR grips, etc. The barrel itself is very stout and locks down with the four set screws with absolute security, which is a breath of fresh air compared to my flimsy Gauntlet. I like that the placement of the pressure gauge does not require me to point the barrel at my face. I love the steadiness with which the gun can be shot offhand due to the heavy stock and pistol grip, and of course semi-auto brings smiles all day. This love serves to magnify my frustration, like when a beloved dog rolls in feces or carrion.
Thanks for reading my rant guys
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anyone useing the Edgun Leshiy 2 since this thread was posted?
some other input from users pros and cons
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anyone useing the Edgun Leshiy 2 since this thread was posted?
some other input from users pros and cons
Yes I am :) I love mine I want the 250 mm in .30 now:) need a pocket canon
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i spoke with one of the guys over there and they where supper helpful.
i am on the fence but really likeing what i have seen so far. no clue on reather i would want a .30 cal or not leaning to the .22 but sure i want the added power but would most just be take small came and some bench shooting.
from what i read not the best gun for bench but i dont plan to get more then one gun and the bench my take a back seat.
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i spoke with one of the guys over there and they where supper helpful.
i am on the fence but really likeing what i have seen so far. no clue on reather i would want a .30 cal or not leaning to the .22 but sure i want the added power but would most just be take small came and some bench shooting.
from what i read not the best gun for bench but i dont plan to get more then one gun and the bench my take a back seat.
.22 is plenty good that’s what I have. It’s definitely not a bench gun it’s a hunting gun. The trigger is a non adjustable light trigger. You’re not manipulating a seer rather opening a small valve so the feel is different. You can’t slowly squeeze the trigger you will hear air escaping you have to be somewhat abrupt in your trigger pull nothing you can’t get used to. The gun is accurate for me at my 25 yard range. I have mine adjusted to shoot Hades at 850 which makes for a quiet gun and 3 mags worth from a 250 bar fill probably even more. You won’t regret it
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so you say you cant squeeze the trigger ( wich o have read ) can you aply pressure or does it leak when you touch it? how sensitive is it?
i dont think it feeling difernat then a seer breaking wouldnt bother me but not sure i could adjust to going from nothing to instant squeeze if that make sense?
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so you say you cant squeeze the trigger ( wich o have read ) can you aply pressure or does it leak when you touch it? how sensitive is it?
i dont think it feeling difernat then a seer breaking wouldnt bother me but not sure i could adjust to going from nothing to instant squeeze if that make sense?
It’s predictable let’s just say that. You’ll know how not to squeeze so you won’t hear air hissing. You pull, come to a wall and a gentle pull all the way back and that’s it. You can’t match grade trigger gently squeeze .Watch the Edgun Leshiy dude you’ll see on YouTube also theres a few others showing side videos of the shooter pay attention to the trigger pull. Also listen to the latest Airgun Geeks podcast they mention the trigger the host and the guest both have one. I really enjoy it . It’s the easiest gun to own no hammer spring adjustment or anything. Hope that helps
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very helpfull!
not familure withe Airgun Geeks podcast but i will do a search for it.
thanks pan
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very helpfull!
not familure withe Airgun Geeks podcast but i will do a search for it.
thanks pan
Yeah check them out they’re very fun and informative to listen to
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The trigger is just different than what most expect. I use the very tip of my finger and slow squeeze. The ‘springiness’ of my finger reacts to the drop in pressure holding the ball closed and this creates a follow through type pull. Works fine for me.
A fantastic gun for sure and built like a tank.
Although I will not say it is a bench gun, it doesn’t do too bad from a bench. Quite accurate.
Dave
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Figured I’d update here after putting a year in with the ol’ L2
All in all I love the gun. I don’t choose to use it when it’s very cold which clears up the ice issue. I put some tape over the vents that blew air at my face. Not elegant, but effective, and it still cycles fine. I polished the face of the barrel that meets with the magazine gently with a knife strop. I very rarely have cycling issues. It seems like there was an extended break-in because these days the thing shoots lights-out accurate with CPHP 850-950fps, JSB 18s 860-900fps, and also NSA 20.2s in the .2195 diameter up over 915fps. The SD is a little higher than I’d like but that’s not a huge issue. The NSA will stay around an inch at 60 yards which blows me away considering the size and action of the gun. Incredible power for the barrel length too. Gun took some learning but is a keeper. Highly recommend adding the bottle, especially if you’re pushing slugs.