Thoughts on my Artemis PP700

[anti-squirrel]

So I received my Artemis/Onix PP700 pistol- courtesy Krale.  It arrived in a timely fashion, UPS didn't maul the box, and Krale did a wonderful job packing.  Opened the box- a fill probe, some documentation, and a pack of O-rings.  The cylinder was a teensy bit loose and obviously empty.  I inspected for damage, found none, and promptly attached the fill probe to my Benjamin pump.  I've had the pump over 2 years- unused, waiting for me to purchase a PCP pellet-flinger.  60-ish methodical pumps later, I had a hair under .2 megapascals (190 bar or so), I grabbed some CPHPs and CroMags and went outside.

The rolling-block action is smooth, the trigger is decent and has a nice action.  Long first stage but pretty well defined.  Pellets load very easily, and the little pistol has a pronounced bark.  I wouldn't call it backyard friendly in most suburban neighborhoods, but in mine I think I'll be fine.  Think of a pneumatic roofing nailer.  No pictures as we all know what they look like (plus I am averse to starting a photo-sharing account when I never take photos)... though maybe down the road.

The pistol is actually comfy for my hands.  I have short fingers but my palms are wide for my size.  It balances decently, and the dovetails are well machined.  I am impressed with the quality overall, and for the cost, I am considering picking up the M22 rifle if it has qaulity inline with this pistol.

If anybody has some insight on Must-Do mods to this pistol, I'm all ears.  I'm already thinking of a different grip to turn this into a carbine, but I'm more interested in reducing the bark.  I suspect moving to heavier pellets all by itself will help.

[fatmatic]

I dont have anything to add but wanted to ask who and where you got it from? I thought the Artemis was overseas and I havent been able to find that design here in the states. I would be interested in purchasing one but I dont want the one with the green grip.

[anti-squirrel]

I picked mine up from Krale-Shietsport in the Netherlands.  You can also buy it from Aceros-de-Hispania in Spain. 

I am even more thrilled after some brief testing.  Ruger Pointed 8.2 grain pellets group not-quite-hole-in-hole at 14 yards- call it dime-sized groups, using a Caldwell rifle rest and a quickly-mounted Optimus 3x9 scope set at 6x.  Crosman CPHPs are not grouping well enough to factor.  3/4" groups maybe?  Crow Magnum 8.8 grain pellets are affording hole-in hole accuracy when I do my part-  cloverleafing with 10 shots- 6 shots at some point of aim, a switch to the other pellets, then a switch back and 4 more still hit point of aim.  This pistol is more accurate than I am currently, especially after pumping back up to .18 MPa.  I'm running low on Crow Mags, so I'll be ordering some more as well as other heavier .177 pellets.  Crow Mags are fantastic on pest birds and small rodents, so I have a sneaky suspicion this pistol will end up in my signature soon.  I need to put a better scope with something resembling a pistol's eye relief, but for identifying what this pistol likes to shoot, the current set-up works well.

My thoughts at this time: this pistol as is or maybe set up as a compact carbine with a red-dot (my current red-dot won't work without using my weaver adapter), reflex, or maybe a 2x or 3x pistol scope, will be more fun than a box of puppies on Christmas.  Heavier pellets are the rule unless I tune it down some.

[toine]

Here's my review, including what I've done to get a better shot count.

http://www.airgunsarp.com/2016/01/28/best-bang-for-your-pcp-pistol-buck-reviewing-the-mrodair-airmax-precision-match-pcp-pistol/

I have it setup so I can either use it as a 12fpe or 8fpe target pistol, in .22. I believe some have drilled a vent hole near the back of the shroud to help the shroud work more effectively, but to be honest, at 8fpe it is more than quiet enough for my winter time indoor use.

[anti-squirrel]

Alrighty... a few days of fiddling with my Artemis PP700 has revealed some stuff.

It shoots everything I stuff in the breech with some level of accuracy.  However, much to my surprise, it does NOT like brown-box CP Domes- the 10.5 grain that every airgun shoots well.  Accuracy at 25 yards was over an inch shooting the sweet spot on the regulator, which is from about 190 bar down to 110.  It does, however absolutely love Silver Arrow 11.57 grain pellets.  One of my targets is a Gatorade bottle cap on a string 30 yards out- it sits flat so it looks like a hockey puck.  After sending 18 shots at 25 yards with 3 holes total (first 2 were fliers), I took some shots at the bottle cap and hit it until it fell off the regulator.  I am not a good shot with a pistol, but I can definitely say this little gun is more accurate than me. 

My only complaints thus far are it still barks, and after 80 % of the shots when I roll over the breech I hear a tiny puff and the breech o-ring has a tiny section roll out.  I'm guessing it needs some tuning to be a little more efficient, so any insight would be appreciated. 

As it is, I'm still getting 24+ shots without any problem shooting the sweet spot, and, given toine's suggestions, if I can tame the noise a little and maybe bring up the efficiency, this will be a potent little pesting tool.  As it is, it pumps up easy with my 2nd gen Crosman pump.  The trigger could stand some tweaking, but it still puts Silver Arrows wherever the crosshairs indicate. 


EDIT: Thanks a bunch for the link, Tony- just scanning it I found some good tips.  I'm impressed enough with my .177 I can say with confidence I'm will be getting the .22 at some point.  This pistol is an amazing deal.  Anybody who is holding out on getting one- stop already and just do it.

[toine]

So the puff is normal. The guy behind Huma Regulators have me a good amount of hte advice on tuning it and he was never quite able to get the puff to stop. Some airguns just do that sometimes.

That shot count screams too much hammer. The only things I've adjusted on mine was to open the TP restrictor on the rolling block to full open, then adjust the hammer spring tensioner until I was able to get the FPS i wanted. Once I had that, it was all TP restrictor to go from 12fpe and 35 shots down to 8fpe and I think over 60!!!

[anti-squirrel]

Looks like I need to start my Winter Project chronograph sooner than expected- would help my tuning more than guesstimating.  I can live with the tiny puff given the spot-on accuracy.  The best part of it all is my wife likes the pistol too.  I'd probably have to mount a red-dot for her- she prefers open day-glo sights like on her powderburners, so that might also be a possibility using an accessory rail- would be a trick or two, but it is doable.  I can say with confidence if I get another, she'll end up with my .177. 

a shot count approaching 60 in .22 on under 70cc of air- I'd say that's on the Good Side of efficiency.

[anti-squirrel]

I spent an hour or so fighting gusty winds today (variable 10 to 25 MPH crosswinds) while the power was out by going through all my .177 pellets with this pistol.

It is sighted in at 25 yards with Beeman Silver Arrows, and can print 3/8" groups without much fanfare.  My trigger needs some smoothing out, as I pulled a fair number of shots.  I'd love to blame the wind given how gusty it is, but I'm only shooting 25 yards.
So... here's the groups thus far in these conditions

H&N Excites: grouping at 3/4"
Crow Magnums: 3/8"
Skenco Newboys: 1/2"
Barracuda Extremes: 3/8"
JSB Heavies: 1/2" as it fell off the regulator

I've never owned any type of airgun that was so indifferent to what I loaded.  My Eun Jin pellets are grouping at about 1 1/2", CPHP are doing the same along with Crosman Destroyers, and the CP Dome 10.5 (in the box) are acting like the Norica Match Domes, 2 to 3 inch groups. 

The pistol shows a lot of promise for being what it claims: a match-capable pistol.  Once the residual weather from Matthew is gone, I'll see about some more groups with the good pellets and get some pictures posted.  You get a lot for the money with this pistol. 

[fatmatic]

This makes me really want to get one but that green grip just isn't doing it for me. I just picked up an Ocelot but didnt have time to shoot it or anything. I can already tell that it is too heavy for my liking and the grip is too big for my small hands to shoot comfortably.

The artemis is attractive at 12 fpe but no open sites and that green grip... custom grips maybe?

[toine]

There are a few in europe making custom grips and stocks.

[anti-squirrel]

This makes me really want to get one but that green grip just isn't doing it for me. I just picked up an Ocelot but didnt have time to shoot it or anything. I can already tell that it is too heavy for my liking and the grip is too big for my small hands to shoot comfortably.

The artemis is attractive at 12 fpe but no open sites and that green grip... custom grips maybe?

Embrace The Green!  LOL

It's a harder polyethylene plastic- should take paint very well if you mask the rubber part of the grip off.  Another member here painted his grey, and somebody has made a wood custom grip that accepts AR-style rear ends.  I grabbed a piece of poplar and started working on a stock for mine just as something to tinker with- the wood is far too soft but this is more an experiment than anything else.  Since wood is cheap, I'll probably play with a couple different designs, though I'd really like a metal grip that accepts wood scales and can attach a collapsible (or hinged?) butt-stock.  Call it yet another winter project.

I can't praise this pistol enough, especially for the low entry fee.  under $230 delivered to my door in a regulated form.  Sure, I wish it was a multi-shot, but the rolling breech design and bonafide hammer make it a pleasure to shoot.  I've also been looking on Amazon for accessory rails that mount to the dovetail, but honestly, this pistol is definitely worthy of some quality glass on top.  I have a Tasco 2.5x10 I'm toying with mounting, but it is as large as the pistol, and the intention was a woods-walker/plinker I could shoot that my wife also enjoyed shooting.  As it is, a red-dot, reflex sight, or pistol scope will afford good short-range pesting up to maybe 30 yards.  I haven't stretched it any further, though I'm sure tuning for power will give it more range at the cost of shot count, but if I'm hunting, that's fine.

I can also say with confidence I will be ordering the .22 at some point. 

[fatmatic]

This makes me really want to get one but that green grip just isn't doing it for me. I just picked up an Ocelot but didnt have time to shoot it or anything. I can already tell that it is too heavy for my liking and the grip is too big for my small hands to shoot comfortably.

The artemis is attractive at 12 fpe but no open sites and that green grip... custom grips maybe?

Embrace The Green!  LOL

It's a harder polyethylene plastic- should take paint very well if you mask the rubber part of the grip off.  Another member here painted his grey, and somebody has made a wood custom grip that accepts AR-style rear ends.  I grabbed a piece of poplar and started working on a stock for mine just as something to tinker with- the wood is far too soft but this is more an experiment than anything else.  Since wood is cheap, I'll probably play with a couple different designs, though I'd really like a metal grip that accepts wood scales and can attach a collapsible (or hinged?) butt-stock.  Call it yet another winter project.

I can't praise this pistol enough, especially for the low entry fee.  under $230 delivered to my door in a regulated form.  Sure, I wish it was a multi-shot, but the rolling breech design and bonafide hammer make it a pleasure to shoot.  I've also been looking on Amazon for accessory rails that mount to the dovetail, but honestly, this pistol is definitely worthy of some quality glass on top.  I have a Tasco 2.5x10 I'm toying with mounting, but it is as large as the pistol, and the intention was a woods-walker/plinker I could shoot that my wife also enjoyed shooting.  As it is, a red-dot, reflex sight, or pistol scope will afford good short-range pesting up to maybe 30 yards.  I haven't stretched it any further, though I'm sure tuning for power will give it more range at the cost of shot count, but if I'm hunting, that's fine.

I can also say with confidence I will be ordering the .22 at some point.

Lol I love the color green but as a pistol grip I just can't. Maybe some truck bedliner paint?? at $230 bucks I might just buy it anyway and return the Ocelot if I find it too cumbersome to shoot. I wanted to wait for the Ataman AP16 but it seems like that is never coming out and it is also 1000 bucks so we'll see.

[Ribbonstone]

Paint. 


Specifically, the spray paints made to be plastic friendly.
Can pick whatever color you'd care for it to be.  I went with battle-ship gray, but there a multitude of colors (and textures).

[fatmatic]

Well I just ordered one lol

I am already thinking the truck bedliner paint for the black look and textured grip. Did you just spray on directly, no priming or sanding needed?

[Ribbonstone]

Didn't use truck bed liner....suspect it would work about the same.

Had been shooting the pistol, so the green grip needed to be cleaned/degreased and let dry (used mineral spirits)
Masked off the black rubber panel.
Slightly roughed the grip surface with steel wool just to give it some texture for the paint to bite into.
Degreased it again and let dry (just used Dawn and water).
Thin coat, followed by a 2nd coat about 45min later (didn't want the first thin coat to really dry/cure, wanted the two layers to bond).
Let dry 2 days.

Seen a lot of sweaty-handed use while testing/adjusting, but the gray is holding up just fine.

[toine]

What do you have on that for optics Ribbonstone?

[Ribbonstone]

Really old/cheap Taso MiniDot that's refused to die over the years.  Tested a few other Red Dots, all larger, but liked the little one.  If I hadn't have had that at hand, would have looked for a different little one (likely one of the Holo sights)

Did collect parts to make a set of iron sights that worked out...and did try scopes.  For my use as a pistol that can be used as a pistol, it's either iron or a little dot.

Truth is, I like it better with iron sights.  The original posters PP700 has at least some form of iron sight (as well as a rectangular shroud with mount/ rail cuts), which would be a semi-plus for me (want the sights, can live without mounting anything on the shroud).

[anti-squirrel]

Those are good looking sights!  I've played with red-dot as well as holographic/red-dots, but currently prefer the scope for what I'm doing.  However, my wife- a key factor in why I chose this model- wants iron sights.  This gives me something to look for

About the grip- I'm cool with The Green.  I'm also considering a couple ideas for carbine stocks, though.

I hope we can spur more people buying these.  It's a great pistol

[fatmatic]

Really old/cheap Taso MiniDot that's refused to die over the years.  Tested a few other Red Dots, all larger, but liked the little one.  If I hadn't have had that at hand, would have looked for a different little one (likely one of the Holo sights)

Did collect parts to make a set of iron sights that worked out...and did try scopes.  For my use as a pistol that can be used as a pistol, it's either iron or a little dot.

Truth is, I like it better with iron sights.  The original posters PP700 has at least some form of iron sight (as well as a rectangular shroud with mount/ rail cuts), which would be a semi-plus for me (want the sights, can live without mounting anything on the shroud).

I like that even more w the iron sights. What parts did you use? Now I can't wait to get this pistol lol

[Ribbonstone]

Junk box sights. Just used what parts I could find.

Rear is a Chinese sight, likely for a rifle (but in production).

Cut a length of thin steel tubing that happened to have an ID real close to the shroud's OD.  Split the bottom of it so it wouldn't touch the air tube.  Soldered and screwed a steel front sight onto the tubing.  Ground the screw off flush on the inisde.
Think that hooded front came from a Crosman 99 (lever action co2 .22)

Anyway, they'll go on and come off without marking the metal work, and if you slot the bottom of that mounting band just right, will not touch the air tube, but will self center.