JSAR Raptor Mini vs FX Wildcat MKII

[UCChris]

So, looking for a gun for farmyard/backyard/plinking use. Criteria is .177, quiet, compact, lots of shots, in order of importance. Having a really hard time figuring out if I should get the Wildcat MKII right now, which will end up with ~80 shots tuned at 18 fpe and ~34" OAL. Or do I order the .177 Raptor Mini from JSAR, wait an unknown (minimum of 10?) weeks for it, then have a gun that will shoot, potentially, 150+ shots at 18 fpe and an OAL of ~40".

I've always wanted a bullpup and the Wildcat seems like a really nice one with the forward cocking and FX X liner system. However, I've also always wanted a semi-custom gun from Travis ever since he was with WAR. I think the Raptor Mini is the better overall product, but who knows about parts support vs FX.

[Dairyboy]

Raptor Mini. There actually about 37" OAL. And parts support and customer service from FX USA has been lacking greatly. Lots of complaints about it recently.

[UCChris]

Raptor Mini. There actually about 37" OAL. And parts support and customer service from FX USA has been lacking greatly. Lots of complaints about it recently.

Thanks for the info. The product page says 37" OAL with DonnyFL. I would be putting a Ronin on it, so I gave it a few extra inches since I don't know which DonnyFL they are talking about on the product page.

[wimpanzee]

Personally I have had very good support from FX USA. Timely emails, phone calls answered, parts shipped under honored warranty.

In comparison, I have received mostly defective or blemished products from JSAR. I think 4 out of 6 items ordered from there were unsatisfactory, including my dreamline, which got returned and after they tried to sell me a damaged refurb as new. The replacement had blemishes on the moderator as well, but I kept it rather than further engaging with the vendor.

[UCChris]

Personally I have had very good support from FX USA. Timely emails, phone calls answered, parts shipped under honored warranty.

In comparison, I have received mostly defective or blemished products from JSAR. I think 4 out of 6 items ordered from there were unsatisfactory, including my dreamline, which got returned and after they tried to sell me a damaged refurb as new. The replacement had blemishes on the moderator as well, but I kept it rather than further engaging with the vendor.

Thank you for your input. This is what I worry about when considering a small shop that is completely overwhelmed. There's certainly pro's and con's with big established brands vs boutique makers.

[gendoc]

Personally I have had very good support from FX USA. Timely emails, phone calls answered, parts shipped under honored warranty.

In comparison, I have received mostly defective or blemished products from JSAR. I think 4 out of 6 items ordered from there were unsatisfactory, including my dreamline, which got returned and after they tried to sell me a damaged refurb as new. The replacement hellent supad blemishes on the moderator as well, but I kept it rather than further engaging with the vendor.

I also have had excellent support and CS from
FX USA 

[UCChris]

Personally I have had very good support from FX USA. Timely emails, phone calls answered, parts shipped under honored warranty.

In comparison, I have received mostly defective or blemished products from JSAR. I think 4 out of 6 items ordered from there were unsatisfactory, including my dreamline, which got returned and after they tried to sell me a damaged refurb as new. The replacement hellent supad blemishes on the moderator as well, but I kept it rather than further engaging with the vendor.

I also have had excellent support and CS from
FX USA 

Have you had any issues with any of your guns? How were they resolved?

[anti-squirrel]

Chris, you could always opt for a bullpup that almost never needs anything other than air and pellets: the Taipan Mutant.  We've all heard about how good their triggers are, and the CZ barrels are lasers.

[oldpro]

Personally I have had very good support from FX USA. Timely emails, phone calls answered, parts shipped under honored warranty.

In comparison, I have received mostly defective or blemished products from JSAR. I think 4 out of 6 items ordered from there were unsatisfactory, including my dreamline, which got returned and after they tried to sell me a damaged refurb as new. The replacement had blemishes on the moderator as well, but I kept it rather than further engaging with the vendor.

Absolutely no truth in that statement we NEVER sold a refurb as new and we dont carry FX guns in stock we get them directly from FX so you got exactly what they sent us.

[UCChris]

Chris, you could always opt for a bullpup that almost never needs anything other than air and pellets: the Taipan Mutant.  We've all heard about how good their triggers are, and the CZ barrels are lasers.

This was the top of my list, but it doesn't come in .177

[wimpanzee]

Personally I have had very good support from FX USA. Timely emails, phone calls answered, parts shipped under honored warranty.

In comparison, I have received mostly defective or blemished products from JSAR. I think 4 out of 6 items ordered from there were unsatisfactory, including my dreamline, which got returned and after they tried to sell me a damaged refurb as new. The replacement had blemishes on the moderator as well, but I kept it rather than further engaging with the vendor.

Absolutely no truth in that statement we NEVER sold a refurb as new and we dont carry FX guns in stock we get them directly from FX so you got exactly what they sent us.

Sorry, but when you tell me you "personally replaced the barrel because it was bent from the factory" (This from SilentMatt) that makes it a refurb. It was refurbished from factory condition. I won't let you get away with this sort of behavior and call me a liar. I can show the emails I still have from the GTA PM's where Matt told me he refurbed the gun, as well as failed to notice the damage when it was shipped.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

There is an FX Wildcat MK2 in .177 listed in the Member's Classified right now.  Personally, I have had great luck with CS from both FX and JSAR.  So, IMHO, it's really a toss up between the two.  A new Raptor Mini is cheaper than a new Wildcat in .177, if you don't add any extras, but the one in the classifieds is cheaper than the Raptor and comes with some extras.  Another plus with buying used from a reputable GTA Member is the fact they probably already worked out the bugs and tweaked it for top performance! 

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=164381.0

[JBinCO]

Well this is not fun.... but it is worth taking notice that JSAR and Raptor is making the biggest spenders on the block a little nervous in my view.... well done Travis and the boys now get back to working on my 30 cal ez edition with FFP scope upgrade lol


Nobody wins when a diverse group must pick a single winner
Just shoot and enjoy!

[Loren]

Well this is not fun....
Nobody wins when a diverse group must pick a single winner
Just shoot and enjoy!

Ditto!!

[Long_Gun_Dallas]

Personally I have had very good support from FX USA. Timely emails, phone calls answered, parts shipped under honored warranty.

In comparison, I have received mostly defective or blemished products from JSAR. I think 4 out of 6 items ordered from there were unsatisfactory, including my dreamline, which got returned and after they tried to sell me a damaged refurb as new. The replacement hellent supad blemishes on the moderator as well, but I kept it rather than further engaging with the vendor.

I also have had excellent support and CS from
FX USA 

Same.  My crown synthetic stock cracked.  Not sure if it was mfg defect, my fault, or someone else's fault (I had returned from a trip)  they replaced it promptly, no questions asked. 

[ranchibi]

Chris, don’t think you could go wrong with either! I can only comment on the Raptor as I have had one in my hands for a couple of weeks now, a full size .22 with TJ slug barrel. It has more than exceeded all of my expectations, it is built so solid, accurate, powerful and oh so quiet shooting JSB 18.13 @ 950fps..doesn’t need a larger LDC...my AF Escape in .25 NEEDED a Ronin! LOL! The Raptor is a custom made PCP built to your specs, caliber, barrel, grip. The magazines and single shot loading shoot the same. I get well over 100 shots with the 500cc reservoir (haven’t shot it down with counting..too many), the mini has no upgrade for the bigger bottle but in .177 will be plenty! I have a Daystate Regal .22, Brocock Compatto .22, and an AF Escape .25, the Regal is built emaculately but the Raptor is built the same but much more solid..tensioned shroud and machined parts galore! JSAR’s warranty is I believe as long as you own it!? The ability to tune it to shoot any weight pellet up to heavy slugs is a tuners dream! Can you tell I luv this thing!? Trigger is better in my opinion than my Regals which was the best mechanical trigger I’ve had the pleasure of pulling. I also thought about JSAR being a small, first run model but spoke to Dillon and both came to the conclusion that they helped design, build other high end PCP’s (WAR) as you know and that made it a no brainer for me at least. I’ve called called/texted Travis and company personally many times, great PR to be able to speak directly to the owners/builders. I was looking at RAW, WAR, Brocock Bantam HP, Taipan Veteran...so glad I chose this Raptor. Have shot Impacts, RAWS and many others, this one is built sturdier and shoots as accurately as any I’ve shot. Like you said, you’ve always wanted a custom build from Travis..here is your opportunity at a potentially lower cost than an FX. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me! Sorry for being so long winded!

[oldpro]

Personally I have had very good support from FX USA. Timely emails, phone calls answered, parts shipped under honored warranty.

In comparison, I have received mostly defective or blemished products from JSAR. I think 4 out of 6 items ordered from there were unsatisfactory, including my dreamline, which got returned and after they tried to sell me a damaged refurb as new. The replacement had blemishes on the moderator as well, but I kept it rather than further engaging with the vendor.

Absolutely no truth in that statement we NEVER sold a refurb as new and we dont carry FX guns in stock we get them directly from FX so you got exactly what they sent us.

Sorry, but when you tell me you "personally replaced the barrel because it was bent from the factory" (This from SilentMatt) that makes it a refurb. It was refurbished from factory condition. I won't let you get away with this sort of behavior and call me a liar. I can show the emails I still have from the GTA PM's where Matt told me he refurbed the gun, as well as failed to notice the damage when it was shipped.

The liner was replaced by us that doesnt make it refurbished your taking things way out of context. We do our upmost to help everyone even with other manufactures products. end of rant. I wont reply to this again its a moot point. BTW a refurbished gun is one that was sold and used and sent back for repairs and resold not a new gun from the factory that had a problem that needed addressed by the dealer. Now my rants over LOl

[ssbn617]

Folks,
  Please don’t let  this topic to be locked. Facts only concerning the products being talked about . Pms for opinions towards each other. No need to do your laundry in public .

Mitch

[Nomadic Pirate]

There's a Cricket .177 right now in the classified.

[oldpro]

 Couple good deals here.

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=164381.0