It's over a month since, but my efforts to introduce non-shooters to the sport of airgunning as part of May's National Shooting Week have, actually, paid off! Last week, my teenage son asked "Dad, can I go shooting at the weekend?"
Result!
So, under complete and constant shooting supervision - besides not being 14 yet and therefore not legally allowed to shoot unsupervised, this was also his first outing with an airgun - he enjoyed a 'by choice' plinking session at the farm. Okay, it didn't last much more than 40 mins before he wanted to do 'something else', but the seed may well have been sown. We've even gone since - again at his request - and I suspect there will be many more outings ahead.
Even if he's not as keen as I was in my teenage years, the likelihood of him 'returning' to airgunning when he's in his twenties or thirties is now much higher - and, albeit in a small way, this is another positive step in securing the future of our sport. It's so important that today's airgunning 'Dads' encourage their kids to follow suit and at least 'try' shooting. It ain't easy competing with the PS3, but as my son said: "This is actually a lot better than shooting stuff on Call of Duty."
We did some target stuff, but he got most enjoyment from spinning tinnies. So did I - but I got the most pleasure just from teaching him the rudiments of safe shooting and watching his reaction at each well-delivered strike. (He was actually much better than I was when I first started shooting.)
And the gun? Well, a truly fanstastic 'starter' model from Sportsmarketing - their all-new SYNTARG, price £99.95.
It comes with a synthetic stock that's rugged enough to withstand any teenager's rough 'n' tough handling. It's been skeletonised to keep weight down, and the 'shark fin' butt really looks the business - no matter what age eyes you're seeing it through!
Its break-barrel action is mid-powered and easy enough to break open and cock - and the trigger, though non-adjustable, breaks consistently. It's not too light to be dangerous in the hands of a novice, but not so stiff as to be a hindrance. The gun's dimensions are perfect for a teenager, and though the finger reach to the trigger appears to be a bit long, it's fine once the blade has been pulled into its pre-slip position.
Along with an auto-safety, it comes with fully-adjustable open sights that incorporate fibre-optic elements to make aiming fun as well as easy. There are two green dots on the rear leaf which you line up either side of the red, foresight 'bead'.
The SYNTARG's receiver has also been grooved to take a telly - and I put on one of SMK's 4 x 28 models (£24.95, incl. mounts) which kept the weight down. Four-times mag is perfect for a rookie shooter and this scope has the added advantage of a longer-than-average eye-relief. There will be no cut eyebrows with this optic!
What's more, the receiver has an arrestor plate fitted. If you bolt the rear mount tight up against this, the scope won't creep. Guns that lose zero quickly are the perfect recipe for making a newbie shooter lose interest, so this is a real bonus feature on the SMK.
ive got the smk synxs which is basically the cheaper version of this but the stock looks much cooler with this one! and its probably a bit more powerfull
ReplyDeletebut my smk synxs is a nice air rifle for starters!!
also i am 13 so i know what it is like to shoot an air rifle at your sons age! yes, exiting!!
I LOVE the SynXS and was testing one quite recently. It's more than a nice starter rifle - it's a superb one! I wish I'd started with something as good as that. You are right, though - the SynXS is slightly more powerful as it's aimed more at the adult market.
ReplyDeletei have a smk syntarg and its really good for starters i know how your son feels when he shoots his gun and hits something,i feel the same way,its excellent for starters and for boys who like to have a bit of fun and adventure(just like myself) but most of all for excitement,i am 12 and go shooting with my dad every now and again. please reply.
ReplyDeleteYes - excitement and fun is what it's all about. I'd have loved a gun like this when I was 12! (I had a Diana G74 - nothing like the SMK.) Toby also wants to add something: hi. dont get me wrong, but i like all my gaming n stuff. the airgun is well cool tho and is learning me 2b a better shot
ReplyDeleteI no its nothing like the game on call of duty, although its good, its better in real life so you know what its like to shoot a gun and have a better shot on your gun like you said,smks are good to have fun with,i like the smk because its made out of carbine fiber,i have the same gun as yours the very same one,its good for us starters.please reply.
ReplyDeletecall of duty is good and it gives me a feel as if i'm actually sniping on the game. I alsohave to agree that the gun is good for peple who want to start shooting (like me)
ReplyDeletetoby.
i have a question? I have a smk, were do you get the sight you mentioned above. (£24.95, incl. mounts)
ReplyDeletei live in the north west
I'm thinking of either buying a SYNXS .177 Synthetic Stock Target Rifle,or Rat Controller .22 Air Rifle (synxs)(not sure if these are the real names of the guns) , or even the SMK QB38 Underlever Rifle .22. does anyone have anything to say about these guns like accuracy, power, weight. needs to shoot about 30 meters to about a 2pence accuracy.
ReplyDeleteQB36-2 (XS36,QB38) or smk xs19? which one is more accurate at long distance and which is less likely to break on me?
ReplyDeleteAll the SMK models you talk about will give 2p accuracy at 25-30 yards in the right hands... and I'd like to think none would 'break'! To be honest, they're really as accurate as each other - but the 38 has a fixed-barrel while the 19 is a break-barrel. I prefer the XS19 purely because it's so much more manageable in the field - the XS36 is a longer, heavier model. (But if you're able to shoot prone, it would probably have the extra range.)
ReplyDeletethanks this has been very useful, think we might go for the xs19 after seeing your vid (great vid by the way). 1 more question my gun shop is quoting £109 for the xs19 is this a good price?
ReplyDeletethanks again
Good price... and well worth it as the 19 is an excellent rifle. The XS19 has the post and notch open sghts; the XS19-18 the fibre-optic versions. The standard XS19 is normally £130, BTW. I can' remember how much the Custom XS19s are (available in standard and Carbine) - more, though, because of the stock - and the Custom Carbine Hunter is the most expensive because you get a silencer on its 16-inch barrel, too. (But no foresight.) ATB
ReplyDeletehi nigel im a keen airgunner but ive got a prob i stay in a small town/village my mum and dad say im not allowed a airrifle. im a member of my local rifle and go every week what should i do about the prob
ReplyDelete(ps love the vids on utube best vids on utube)
thanks james wallace from perthshire in scotland please reply on wallace6810@hotmail.co.uk
hi nigel gr8 reviews on you tube an in the shooting mags. ive got a synxs .22 i bought it brand new frm my local smk stockist for £50 and it is the best gun ive shot 4 the value of money up to £150. ive just fitted a nikko stirling 4-12+50 mount master scope. im hiiting up to 43 yes 43 yards!!!! easy with it. wb big D
ReplyDeleteim 15 and looking to buy a break barrel air-rifle like this syntarg, i was thinking of getting a b2 again and tuning it myself. i had one and sold it and a few guns later now i have a airarms s200 mk3 (with silencer), i want to get another spring because i have one i can just mess around with and its not too bad if it gets rough and i can have free air! so can just shoot as much as i want, also if a friend comes round we can both go and use the aa for lamping, although i prefer using the lurcher nowadays. the most important for me is the balance of the gun ans the open sights can i have some more detail on these?
ReplyDeletei have a qb36, cheapo chinese gun. it is very heavy but its also as accrurate as heck
ReplyDeleteI just bought a brand new .22 SYNXS today, and I have to say, it's a mile away from your review model Nigel.
ReplyDeleteMine's pushing 6.12ftlbs at 481 fps using RWS Hobbies ( the lightest .22 pellet I have )
I tried some JSB Exact, but that was much worse, as where RWS Superdomes ( 14.3gr ) only showing around 5.48ftlb
The cocking action is dog-rough and over easy, so I'd expect a poor result from that alone.
I guess your review model was hand picked and tuned beforehand.
I think my only option is to strip the rifle down for inspection and relube, before resorting to shimming the spring ( if it's even possible seeing as there's a very thin roll pin on the end of the maintube, and I'm not sure how that'd come out )
any idea's ? I dont really want to take it back to the shop as the retailer didn't seem very clued up, and he insisted it was near 11ftlbs but was only going off your review in the SMK brochure!
If it's rough to cock and got such a low power output, it sounds to me like there is a problem. Mine was doing around 10.5 with JSBs, and over 11 with Hobby, Milbro Select and U-Bolts. You sound like you have the expertise to strip it (and maybe fit a new/different spring?) - although it might be worth querying it directly with the supplier (rather than the retailer). They are Sportsmarketing - 01206 795333. Mention about my Blog and the catalogue etc. - it might get you past the switchboard! ATB. N.
ReplyDeleteThe user guide that comes with the synxs states .22 470 fps so theres no way this is an 11 ft/lb rifle, i put it on the chrono and was getting 5.5 ft/lb with superdomes 14.5gr even with lighter pellets its never going to get up to 11 and changing the spring wont help as the rifle only has a short cylinder for the spring.
ReplyDeleteYou can mention any one you like smk DO NOT talk to you unless your a trader ive tried many times
Note: This review is of the SYNTARG - why are your comments relating to the SYNXS, which is a totally different air rifle? Anyway, assuming you're talking about the SYNXS, are you sure you have bought a UK-regulated version through the correct distribution channel? Sportsmarketing - the official UK importers of the SYNXS - quote the XS model as being 600fps in .22 (800fps in .177), which is much more powerful than what you quote. The SNYNXS model I tested some while back (not for this Blog) recorded 587fps with 14.4-grain Crosman Premier pellets - a muzzle energy of 11.02 ft. lbs. HTH - Nige
ReplyDeleteit was sent to an rfd by smk{uk} synxs, you are reading the spec they gave you and advertise in their brochure(new)the rifles are brand new and not what smk claim, i posted this as the last post was about a synxs
ReplyDelete???? I'm not 'reading the spec they gave me', anonymous. My earlier comment related to factual information I recorded when testing the SYNXS; these are the notes I recorded when actually testing the rifle.
ReplyDeleteok Nigel sorry, im not getting at you its just a bit strange how you get that one to test and now smk seem to be selling them at a very lower power.
ReplyDeletethey quote you in their brochure and then people are buying them to find out the power is way down.
google smk synxs and see what buyers have been saying, something seems to be amiss
I know you're not getting at me - and understand your frustration. I can only report the facts - and the SYNXS I tested was plenty-powerful enough. (I guess you need to take issue with the supplier, though appreciate the difficulties you have had.) ATB. Nige
ReplyDeletei have an smk synxs and its a nice starter air rifle and i have been looking for while now at silencers and not found any ...... do you have any ideas where i can get from ? many thanks will
ReplyDeletehi i have an synxs air rifle it is not great but not too bad. i have been looking for a silencer for it for a while now but no luck and ideas where i can get one from......? thanks will
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering If you could help me decide between an SMK SYNTARG or the SMK SYNXS, I am 12, but I am fairly strong and when I get better I may want to hunt small pigeons, could you recommend a calibre as well, The other thing is, I have a fairly big garden: 50 metres long, I was wondering if I would be able to shoot pidgeons in my garden ? would I have to have a licence or would a need to shoot on a farmers field (with permission) Many thanks Alistair, (please could you reply, Our family has never owned a rifle so we don't know anything about them)
Safe :D
ReplyDeleteMay I say this is an excellent blog site, have just come across it. :)
I was looking at my local surplus at the SMK gun your son toby has, and was going to buy it but his license needed to be renewed so, i went else where. Got the SYNXS today for £110, kit, inc. 4x32 scop, mounts, silencer, 500 pellets and a padded bag (worh £15) good deal? its more powerful than the other gun is was going to get from the other shop and was a £30 saving apparently. Im finding the gun very nice, but am having trouble 0 in the SMK scope, theyre fiddly dials :/ and the silencer screw has made a small imprint on the barell (gutted) Also may i reccomend flecktarn camoflague, in my opinion from ferreting its a good pattern. Cheers.
how do i take old spring out please
ReplyDeletepelletsairrifles.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteCheck out my blog for hunting tips and air rifle news!
I am new to the whole shooting experience as i haven't got my gun yet but I am going to get the same gun as your son I am also 13 and wondered if you had any other suggestions of websites to use
ReplyDeleteThis rifle is sold at many gun shops in the UK. II probably a good idea to check out your local gun dealer - because, of course, you cannot now buy an air rifle on the Internet (even if you were 18). The transaction must be face to face - and you will need an adult to purchase it for you (in the UK) as you are under 18.
Deletei just bought the smk synxs yesderday it was £110 where could i get a good scope for it
ReplyDeleteplease reply to nottzlad@gmail.com
i just bought the smk synxs yesderday it was £110 where could i get a good scope for it
ReplyDeleteplease reply to nottzlad@gmail.com
Bought the SynXS yesterday for £85 BARGAIN! Any recommendations for the best pellets to use?
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for a good gun for shooting rabbits would the synx s be up for the job but you hear so many bad reviews about smk guns it puts people off not everyone has hundreds to spend on air guns
ReplyDeleteI bought the SYNXS combo (Scope, silencer, bag etc etc). I took it to the range and was disappointed with the accuracy and grouping. I was using blacks (Flat and domed) and the groups were all over at 35 yrds, a little better at 10yrd but no ideal. Also the output on an 8 grain (I think) Weihrauch F&T special was only 5.5 ft/lb on the .177. The website quotes 800ft/s but the booklet with the gun shows 600ft/s - I was getting 530 max. I am going to try to re-zero the scope and see if a few hundred shots smooths out the results. Ditto to Michaels post, what pellets are the best for the SMK SYNXS?
ReplyDeleteread thorugh near enough every comment not asking my question soooo ............... what is the range i would have to shoot with the synxs to kill a rabbit ????
ReplyDeleteWhile i first shot a BSA lightning in .22 (bad starter), My first gun was a SYNXS in .177. I'm going to be 13 soon, and I can see a PCP/LGU coming my way!
ReplyDeleteAlso, what happened to airgun TV?
What a great original article & also this follow up, both of which convinced me that the "Syntarg" in .177 was the right rifle for my small 8 year old nephew to use. Once zeroed he was hitting sub inch groups at 16 yards (with a Hawke 4x32 mil-dot scope). After about 20 minutes practice he was able to cock & load without any help.
ReplyDeleteWe used the "Syntarg" with "JSB Exact Diablo RS" pellets straight out the box. Which over the chronograph gave us 576 ft/s & 5.37 ft/lb, which is low but perfect for a youngster as it produces little to no recoil.
We just need to get him out on the HFT course now.