For the past few weeks, I've been field testing an incredible little carbine from a new airgun outfit called Prestige Airguns - and I'm very sad now that I've had to return it! You'll be able to read my full, five-page feature test in July's issue of the new-look Air Gunner magazine (out the first Thursday of June), but for now, here's a sneak preview...
The rifle's called the Kub - and it's available in three versions: the Kub-SB, Kub-RB and Kub-SL. The suffixes relate to differences in the cocking system - side-bolt, rear-bolt and side-lever. I've played with all three and, essentially, they're the same gun. My favourite (and, therefore, my test reports) are of the side-bolt which has got to be one of the most beautiful looking bolt-action combos on the airgun market today.
The Kub comes in delightful thumbhole or sporter woodwork (both walnut and both ambi) and its all-up weight - unscoped - is just 6.5 lbs. (3.1 kg). With my Hawk 3-12 x 44 AirMax on-board, I got a couple of ounces change out of 8 lbs. - and as well as the Kub-SB being a nice field weight, it's also beautifully balanced in your shoulder
As you can see from these scoop photos - a few more of which are on the Prestige Airguns website, along with detailed specs - the Kub is a very streamlined rifle. There's elegant chequer panels on the grip and fore-stock and despite the rifle's compact weights and measures, it's laden with lots of great features.The firing valve has a special secondary air chamber which controls air-output in a pseudo-regulator way, and my .22 test sample actually gave me 120 usable shots per charge. In my case, a charge was 180 BAR down to 80, although Prestige quote 200 BAR as the maximum fill pressure.
I was well impressed with the Kub's two-stage trigger and its down-range accuracy was enough to tempt me into reaching for my wallet! With features like quick-fill charging (rotary cover), on-board manometer, 11/22mm scope grooves and adjustable butt, it's easily worth the money Prestige are asking for it. Prices range from £549 (for the Kub-RB Sporter) to £639 (for the flagship Kub-SB Thumbhole shown here).
Kubs are scheduled to arrive in gun shops around mid-May 2009 and I'm hoping to have another sample soon on which to undertake further field tests. When I do, you can be sure I'll be blogging about my hunting trips with the Kub... but for the meantime, remember to get your copy of July's Air Gunner for the exclusive first airing of this cracking little carbine.
Nice article.
ReplyDeleteIt looks a bit like the Hatsan at44,and if that is the case, probably also like the new Webley (maybe sharing similar components?).
I wonder, does it have the same anti double cocking mechanism?
It's not really like the Hatsan AT44/10, which is made in Turkey. The Kub comes from the same factory as the Webley Sidewinder/Cobra models in South Korea (Evanix). A few components are the same (as you'd expect from a common supplier), although the look and feel of the respective rifles is very different.
ReplyDeletehatsan is rubbish
ReplyDeleteHatsan makes a better Hatstand!
ReplyDeleteHatsan is indeed Rubbish, they should make Hatstands!!!
ReplyDeletewhy is the prestige website not working?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletePrestige Website now working.
ReplyDelete2cm groeps at 75m with my at44 10
ReplyDeleteif no wind
just another koreon rifle...not up to the quality of air arms or hw.....
ReplyDeleteI love my hatsan at44-10, im sure most of the people putting them down either have never fired one or fired the early models. I have a later model one and I have to say its bloody brilliant (for the price).
ReplyDeleteObviously I cant compare it to an S410 as the AA gun is twice the price but by no means is the plucky turk half as good. All mine needed was a recrown and then I was off shooting any groups you like at any range you like and im a pretty poor shot!
I have a Hatsan 44-10 and it is a very good rifle. 10 shot groups @35yards under the size of a five pence!
ReplyDeleteand drops rabbits hard.
It realy is a great huntting rifle.
now that prestige isnt going anymore
ReplyDeletewhere can parts be got from
ive messaged evanix direct but no reply
You could try AC Guns - since May 2013, they are now the UK retail distribution centre for Evanix-made PCPs
DeleteIt's relay great and excellent post.Don't worry, as I mentioned in the post, I will be using the best quality pellet gun for pest control, getting rid of rats at the farm .
ReplyDeleteIf you want to invest in completely safe shooting training, I highly recommend that you need a top rated air rifles which is help you safely complete your shooting training .
ReplyDelete