R&L Condor .25 - First Impressions.

[Perry99]

Got my Condor today at 3pm.  UPS tried to deliver it yesterday, but no one was home to sign for it.  Gun was ordered on the 9th...so call it a week from phone call to gun here!

My order was as follows:

Black .25 Condor 24" LW Barrel
Full Shroud
No 'tune' on the gun...just stock settings
Spin-Loc tank.  The new Tank from AirForce that has a pressure gauge, and quick fill port (foster fitting)
Scope - UTG 30mm SWAT 3-12X44 F.S. IE Scope with AO Mil-dot, 36 Colors EZ-TAP
Side Wheel
BKL Tri-Rail mount
NcStar Drag Bag case

First, this gun is cool!  Randy was very good about setting it up for my desires and also my body size (I'm very tall), so it also fits me very well.

NOTE:  I'm embedding about 12 photos in this post.  I've had issues with photos in the past so let me know if you don't see a LOT of images in this post.

Initial impression

[smg id=809]

Some assembly required.  But that was easy.  The gun came with a printed sheet from R&L (Including large photos) of how to install the shroud.

The AirForce documentation is excellent.  The gun came with a very clear owners manual, a handsome color offset print brochure of AirForce products, and a DVD with a full explanation of the gun and how to handle, install scope, etc, etc, etc....I think the video is something like 55 minutes in length.  I only watched a bit of it and it is well produced, clear, and 'friendly'.

[smg id=813]

The gun feels "tactical" and I like it.  All business.  The scope was pre-mounted so all I had to do was position it on the rail and set eye relief.  The side wheel was a tight fit and I feared mashing it on to hard and hurting the scope so I may have not got it on completely.  I might think about putting some lubricant on it and reinstalling.  I really like the scope too. 

I had to call Randy about one facet of the shroud installation.  He was there and helped me understand how things went together...so, no problemo.

[smg id=814]
[smg id=815]

The new Spin-Loc air tank system goes in easily and is very cool!!!  Foster fitting and a very clear, easy to read air gauge.  I love it. 

I got it assembled, filled it with air, and did some sighting in at 30 yards.

No Earplugs Required

This gun is quiet.  Very quiet.  I need to do a side-by-side but I'm thinking it's quieter than my .22 Mrod. 

It is quiet.  HOWEVER,  I was shooting it at somewhat less than full power, and underfilled....That is also the reason why there are no Chrony results yet.

So I'll have to compare it to the Mrod after I get my scuba tank re-filled so I can max the Condor.  ooooh.....daddy.......yeah!

"Feel"

The rifle is somewhat heavy with all the stuff I have on it.  It feels lighter than the Mrod, and a tad heavier than the Sam Yang 909 twin tank.  the .177 pneuma is definitely lighter.

[smg id=816]


The condor has good balance and a very slim feel to it.

The pistol grip is great in my very large hand.  I am definitely an pistol grip and/or thumbhole man.  I love it.

[smg id=817]


It is long, 44".  The butt plate feels like &^^& in my shoulder (wearing a tshirt only).  I need more pull length (due to my height) so I'm gonna fabricate an extension pad for it, then see how it feels. 

I understand that the safety is unusual, but it's not a problem for me yet.  Being a noob, I don't know what to say other than I just don't get all the hoopla over the safety.  Cocking effort is easy, loading is easy...plenty of room to get my large hand in there and set a pellet properly.

[smg id=818]
[smg id=819]
[smg id=820]

The trigger pull is "funny" to me.  Odd.  First stage is smooth, and kinda long.  Second stage has a sorta 'grinding' feel to it.  Release was a surprise on every shot, so good there.  I'll have to shoot it more and tell you more about it later.  But that's what I felt from it first time around.  After I shoot it a bunch I'm going to call Randy about the trigger pull.  He set the trigger pull up for me...so I just need to work with it, see how he wanted it to work for me...then give him feedback on how it felt to me.  Nothing uncomfortable about this, it is smooth and working well, just...well, odd.

My scuba tank is down to 2800 psi so that's all I could get into the Condor.  Randy had it set below full power.... 8.5 out of a max setting of 13.

My cheek anchors VERY well to the air tank and the scope is in perfect position.  Better than any other air rifle I own. 

I shot a few of these pellets.

[smg id=811]

And got pretty close to the "X" on the 2x6

[smg id=812]


R&L Airgun Supply

Randy is great.  I cannot say enough positive things about his great service.  He is responsive to all my dumb questions and concerns.  He is not willing to spend a client's money needlessly.  When I called, he answered...and that is great, great, great.  He did a lot of talking with me and helped me understand things about the gun, the pellets, shooting, the scope, bags.....everything.  He also was willing to try out several pellets for me and then I bought the ones he felt shot well in the gun.  He also warned me off buying some things explaining how there was a better way.

Emotional Reaction

I hope my initial excitement is well placed.  This gun feels like a machine.  And I mean that in a good way.  It feels precise, and it feels like the way you might view a Doberman....that it could be REAL dangerous.  I like that.  I like it a lot.  This is my very first time handling .25 pellets.  Something awe inspiring about them.  Yes, I've handled the .45 roundball and semiwadcutters for the Yang....but that is like a cannon....the mind goes in another gear with that caliber.

With the .25 I'm thinking "bone crushing pellet"....."no wonder guys talk about vaporizing birds with them".  Yeah, ok, I kinda get it now.

I've been shooting the .177 Pneuma lately.  Really cool gun!  but after looking at THOSE holes thru the spotting scope....and THESE GAPING HOLES....well....just "dang".

[ezman604]

EXCELLENT review Perry. Appreciate you sharing (Jedi bow) and congrats on the new addition!!!!
Looks and sounds like a real winner.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[MustangMike]

looking good dude, great review.. cant wait for my 25 condor

[Ken13]

Nice review perry. Sounds like a winner.

[EKIM]

Excellent write up! I'm looking forward to your performance review once you've put it through it's paces 

[only1harry]

Very nice!  Good luck with it!  I like the new AF tank with the guage and foster fitting on it.  No need for the AF fill-adapter.  I will have to get me one of those

Are you sure the length is only 44"?  That's not bad at all with a full length shroud.  Your Condor probably feels a little heavy because it is..  The 30mm scope you have weighs a good amount, plus the tri-rails adds a little to it (but it's a must), PLUS I believe the R&L shroud is made of STEEL, not aluminum like most others.  If it is steel, then your Condor is probably heavier than most with a similar configuration but different shroud.  Is yours alum. or steel?  I have both the Airhog and Talon Tunes ones.  The "Airhog" Condors are 46" long and the TT ones 50.5" long, but that is with the Wokbutt (shoulder piece) that I highly recommend. It extends the LOP and is vertically and sideways adjustable. It adds maybe 1" to the OL of the gun.

If you only have a Scuba (3K psi) tank, then start saving for a 4500 tank.  You 'll need it!

[Perry99]

OK,  Did a chrony test, just 3 shots in mid power and full power, wanted to hear it more than check speeds.

[smg id=823, width=800]

Did 3 rifles. 

I measured decibels using a decibel meter app on my iPhone and I can assure you I have no idea what those numbers are telling me.  The actual sound was different than the numbers reflect.

Bottom line.....Ad the "above middle" power setting the gun arrived set at, the sound is just slightly louder than my .22 mrod.  At full power I went stoopid and forgot the numbers were telling me I was breaking the sound barrier...but it was much louder and kicked more. 

[smg id=821, width=500]

I'll have to redo that high power shooting with my heaviest pellets and see what I get.

Harry,

I'm sure the rifle is 44" long, I used a tape measure and, if anything "rounded up".  I called Randy and, yes, the shroud is steel.  I've looked into those Wokbutts and I really like what I see.

[Perry99]

NOTE: speed of sound calculated at 1128fps during my shooting.  OAT 70 degrees F.

[Addictedtoair]

Really well written review Perry and the pics came out great as well. Glad you are so pleased with your purchase. It is an awesome air rifle. In twenty five caliber it has to be a real hammer! Congrats and I hope the experience just gets better for you. Happy shooting!

Brett