Follow-Up Review: Crosman M4-177 (Chrony, Accuracy, Photos, etc.)

[SmilinKev]

A month ago, I posted an initial, positive review of the Crosman M4-177.  I’m offering this follow-up – with new chronograph and accuracy results, as well as a couple of photos – to complete my review.  The “bottom line”:  it’s definitely a winner!

After I had about 300 shots through the M4-177, I decided to go through my Straight Shooters .177 pellet sampler and see if there was a pellet that it particularly liked.  Seven different pellets into the review, I found the M4-177’s “soul mate”:  the RWS R10 Match 8.2 grain wadcutter.  It consistently produced groups that were noticeably tighter and, like everything else I tried, was easy to handle for the gun’s 5-shot magazines and its shot cycle.

A week ago, I set up my Chrony (Beta model) on my indoor, 10-meter lane.  I took 30 shots (6 magazines), with unweighed R10’s straight from the tin.  Each shot was taken after giving the M4-177 six pumps.  The last 10 shots were taken while using my Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge.  Here are the results of the shooting session:

Shot 1: 492.9 fps
Shot 2: 492.4 fps
Shot 3: 491.9 fps
Shot 4: 488.7 fps
Shot 5: 492.4 fps
Shot 6: 491.8 fps
Shot 7: 486.8 fps
Shot 8: 488.3 fps
Shot 9: 486.3 fps
Shot 10: 488.0 fps
Shot 11: 489.4 fps
Shot 12: 488.9 fps
Shot 13: 487.7 fps
Shot 14: 489.2 fps
Shot 15: 490.4 fps
Shot 16: 490.2 fps
Shot 17: 486.7 fps
Shot 18: 489.0 fps
Shot 19: 490.5 fps
Shot 20: 490.1 fps
Shot 21: 493.8 fps
Shot 22: 488.8 fps
Shot 23: 489.2 fps
Shot 24: 490.4 fps
Shot 25: 489.4 fps
Shot 26: 494.3 fps
Shot 27: 491.8 fps
Shot 28: 494.3 fps
Shot 29: 488.8 fps
Shot 30: 490.1 fps

The mean muzzle velocity was 490.18 fps.  [The Chrony was placed 24” in front of the muzzle.
The standard deviation was 2.19 fps.
The muzzle energy was 4.38 ft lbs.
The trigger pull weight was 3 lbs 11 oz (average of 10 pulls).

Earlier this week, I gave the M4-177 some better optics:  a UTG/Leapers 4-16x40 AO Varmint/Predator scope with an illuminated red/green reticle.  There are a couple of photos (below) of the final package.  The scope has excellent glass and functionality, given its low price point, and I think it looks good on the M4-177.  Although, the scope adds a bit more weight, the rifle still balances nicely and pumps easily. 

The 6x32 AO scope that I had initially mounted was adequate for casual plinking, but I wanted to see just how well the rifle could do if I was trying to “aim small, miss small.”  Yesterday, I began to find out.  I’ve included a photo (below) of the 20-shot/4-magazine series of pellets I sent downrange on my 10-meter indoor lane, with each one fired (after six pumps) with the forearm of the rifle resting on a Caldwell front bag atop my shooting bench and the UTG/Leapers scope at 16x.  To summarize the results, I measured the distance (using a General Instruments Model #147 digital caliper) between the center of each shot and the center of its individual target.  I’m NOT a great shooter – and I know that I jerked the trigger (which is smooth and consistent, but has a very long pull) on at least one shot.  The outcome of my testing should take that into account:

Target/Shot 1:  .27”
Target/Shot 2:  .12”
Target/Shot 3:  .17”
Target/Shot 4:  .19”
Target/Shot 5:  .26”
Target/Shot 6:  .12”
Target/Shot 7:  .41”
Target/Shot 8:  .11”
Target/Shot 9:  .44”
Target/Shot 10:  .27”
Target/Shot 11:  .38”
Target/Shot 12.  .49” – I know I “jerked” this one!  I made a note right after the shot.
Target/Shot 13:  .18”
Target/Shot 14:  .23”
Target/Shot 15:  .36”
Target/Shot 16:  .22”
Target/Shot 17:  .23”
Target/Shot 18:  .32”
Target/Shot 19:  .24”
Target Shot 20:  .13”

I think the overall results of this session are best described by offering two different kinds of “averages”:  the mean (which is the kind of average we usually compute, but which is sensitive to the value of extreme results like my “jerky” .49” on shot #12) and the median (which is also an average, but is simply the value of the score that falls in the middle of the group of scores – arranged in ascending or descending order – and which is NOT changed by the size of extreme scores).  For this group of 20 shots, the mean was .257”, with a standard deviation of .112”, and the median was .235” (in other words, the “middle score” was halfway between the recorded scores of .23” and .24”).

As I continue to work with the Crosman M4-177 and, especially, develop a consistent spot against which to make a precise “cheek weld” on the minimal tubular stock, I’m confident that I’ll be able to get the accuracy down to a median of .18” - .20”.  Even the present level of accuracy is highly commendable, in my opinion, for an air rifle and scope combination that cost me less than $150!  And, because the M4-177 is just so darn fun to shoot, while indulging all sorts of “stealthy sniper” fantasies, I’m going to be keeping it in the group of air rifles that I shoot almost every day.

In the hands of a better shooter, I’m sure that the M4-177 can approach being a .15” center-to-center air rifle, if not even better.  If you are in the market for an air rifle that can serve as a “shoot all day” backyard plinker for airgunners from 8 to 88 – and also hold its own for casual target shooting and small pest control (at 20 yards or less) – then I encourage you to consider the exceptional value offered by Crosman in the M4-177.

Keep shootin’ and keep smilin’,
Kev

Here are photos of:

1.  the array of 20 targets I shot.  The sheet of targets (a photocopy on plain 8.5” x 11” paper) was taped to a cardboard backing sheet.  For the photo, I laid the target sheet on top of a piece of colored paper to highlight the holes punched by the pellet.

2.  how the M4-177 looks with its UTG/Leapers 4-16x40 AO Varmint/Predator scope.

Enjoy!

[rebel415]

I read your first review in July and just read your second review last night. Both are excellent. Lot of information here. You took a lot of time and effort.

I purchased one online at walmart about 2 months ago, kept it a week, couldn't get it to group to my liking, so I returned it. And I am not really a multi-pump guy.

After finding your second review and noticing last night that amazon had just reduced their price to 65 bucks shipped free I went ahead and ordered again. I decided to give it another try as I did like the way the gun felt in my hands and loved the looks. Hopefully I will get an accurate one this time.

I do appreciate both reviews very much. They led me to take the plunge again.

Thanks

[Suburbanairgun]

great review and gun