First impressions of shooting the Falcon Prairie.

[cactusrat]

I got off work a couple of hours early today and the wind was only about 10 mph. I decided to sight in the new Falcon Prairie in .177.

The stock is thin like the FX Cyclone and fits good in the hand. It is thinner than the Air Arms S400 and 500.

Loaded up the eight round magazine with JSB Heavies 10.2g. It was easier to load than the Cyclone. The pellets just drop into the mag. On the Cyclone the pellets are held in by an o-ring and have to be pushed into the mag.

I put the first target at 10 feet (just about can’t miss the paper at that distance) and fired off the first round.

The report didn’t seem loud about like the AA 400/500 or the Cyclone. I’ll let you in on a little secret, I can hear worth beans. So I’m not a good person to judge sound. I don’t have to worry about how loud a BB gun is. While shooting today someone was blasting away at doves behind me and down the road a 22 rim fire was banging off.

Back to the Prairie. The trigger is a little stiff. It’s adjustable and I might have to tinker with it to get it more like the AA 400/500. But it is nice and smooth with a crisp release.

Six shots and it was sighted in where I wanted it. Than I moved the target out to 15 yards and popped off the last two pellets and doped the scope.

Loaded up another mag of JSB 10.2s and popped then off at a new target. A dime easily covered all 8 shots.

Working the bolt is kind of rough, like it needs some grease. I might be that I’m use to a side leveler, witch is smooth and just about effortless.

Loading and unloading the magazine into the breech easy and getting the first pellet to line up is a lot easier than on the Cyclone. When all eight pellets have been fired, the bolt will not cock, so you don’t end up wasting air on a empty chamber.

Guess what? I forgot to clean the barrel before I started shooting. I guess the barrel wasn’t every dirty.

Just to put lead down the barrel I shot a magazine of each of the following pellets. Crosman Premier Heavies, Crosman Hollow Points, JSB Exact 8.4, JSB Match 8.2s, Beeman Kodiak Ex Hy 10.6 and Beeman Kodiak Match Ex Hy 10.6. The JSB Predators even fit into the magazine without any problems.

Shooting a mag of each of the above pellets at the 15 yard targets, all groups were easily covered by a dime. The Kodiak Match made the tightest group and the JSB Exact 8.4 were a close second.

I have an order of pellets coming in next week, so the real testing for what the Prairie like to eat will have to wait.

The start fill was 2900 psi and after 40 shots. When I refilled the gun the POI was still holding. I didn’t catch now low the pressure had dropped.

Tomorrow I plan on setting up the chrony and see what numbers the Prairie will make and to find the shot curve.

First time shooting the Prairie makes me think this is a keeper. My gut feeling is telling me this might be the best shooter in the herd, but it is really to soon to tell.

Stay tuned for more to come.

Man, I’m so far behind. The CZ S200 was shipped today and will be here at the end of next week. That new blue AF Talon SS is going the be an collector’s item before I even get the first shot down the barrel.

Edit: It didn't happen without a picture. So here's one.

[redone1992]

Good review.

[FWBGBS]

Nice write-up Glenn.

I keep telling myself either the s510 carbine or the Falcon Praire will be my next PCP.

Comparing AA to the Falcon which one do find shoulders quicker?

[cactusrat]

Nice write-up Glenn.

I keep telling myself either the s510 carbine or the Falcon Praire will be my next PCP.

Comparing AA to the Falcon which one do find shoulders quicker?

Not much difference in between the two as for shouldering. The length of pull is 14 inches on the Prairie and on both the S400 and S500. If I had to pick one, I would pick the Prairie, the forearm of the stock is a little bit slimmer on the Prairie, which fits my hand a little better.

The magazine system on the Prairie I really like. No springs to mess up. Can load one or anything up to 8 pellets and it is easy to load in to the gun on a full chamber.  Unlike the FX Cyclone when the last pellet is fired the bolt will not close, saves you from dry firing.

On the AA S4xx/5xx I like the side leveler better. It is so much smoother and easier to cock.

I’ll do a review later on and compare the Cyclone and the S400/500 with the Prairie.

I’m already thinking about getting a Prairie in .22 cal.

Man, I’m sick. I done bought three guns this month and I’m thinking about another. Even havn't shot two of them.

Please someone, tell me the cure for this sickness.