Pro-Target

Cocking/Loading System Super efficient and virtually effortless, the Pro-Target's cocking and loading mechanism has been acclaimed as the "slickest, most civilised way to load a airgun yet devised". Not only slick, but incredibly efficient, because the Pro-Target's unique air-flow dynamics channel air directly to the rear of the pellet. No transfer-port in the barrel means no damage to the pellet.

It seems the Air Arms Pro Target has been dominating the field target scene in England for some time now. I have yet to read an article that describes the several models of the rifle in the market. There have been articles covering individual models but let me try to describe all the models together. There are four models currently in production: Pro Target M1O, Tactical Hunter, Pro Target MK II & Pro Target MK III . Seems like I am one of the lucky few that have experience with all four versions so let me share my views on them.

First let’s start with the Pro Target M10. This is their 10 meter rifle with the trigger adjustable in every possible direction and pull and is used on all the models. To load a pellet simply press a latch downward and the bolt will open. Pull back on the bolt handle to cock the rifle, load the pellet directly into the barrel breech and push the bolt handle until it locks with a faint click. The latch and the bolt handle are the same on either side of the rifle. When finished with your shooting leave the bolt in the open position so the O ring around the bolt face will not take a set. This should be standard procedure with any pistol or rifle that has O rings in similar positions. As for the stock, it can be moved in all directions for any size and shape of one’s anatomy. The stock is similar on all models. On the M10 it is made from laminate wood or fiberglass, similar to the high tech units used with firearms. The M10 does differ in one important area and that is the air reservoir. This one is removable so it can be pumped up by hand. It can be important for a shooter to have more than one reservoir on hand. It would be a shame if a shooter went to a critical match just to find their air supply is short. This configuration will give the shooter as many spares as they can afford or find necessary. However; the shooter now has that many more reservoirs to check for air. It’s a true hardship.

Velocity proved to be similar to other 10 meter rifles. Using an 8.2g pellet I averaged 572.49 feet per second with only 7.4 fps in velocity variation. This small variation in velocity helped, I am sure, in producing some amazing accuracy.

I am aware of this model being used by the English and Swiss national teams. I also heard there has been a perfect score shot by the M10. But the world record will have to wait for a while since the competition was not a major event and could not be recorded. I tried to see how accurate this rifle really is by mounting a scope on it. It proved to be a challenge since scope blocks are not provided and the rear of the receiver is considerably lower than the front. Luckily B-Square makes a scope raiser that can be used on this rifle. All I had to do is mount just the rear block and viola, a mounted scope. This rifle made me a believer in using good pellets. Cheaper pellets, despite their markings as Match showed themselves as marketing hype. I am not sure I should write how small the groups were but the best groups would not pass a pellet they were that small. I know you have read about such groups; almost unbelievable, but there it was. I have seen it on several occasions with this rifle and to my surprise a Gamo 126, also using a scope.

The next Pro Target is the Tactical Hunter. This one is normally marketed in .22 but I have seen some in .177. This rifle is all black including the stock, it gives it that SWAT look. Until I received a gun that UPS damaged in shipment (inspite of excellent packing) I was under the impression this well finished stock was all plastic. Under that hard plastic coating is a laminated wood stock.

The barrel is only as long as the air reservoir giving it a very compact look. A bipod can be ordered with this model. Accuracy is in the same range as the M10: Amazing. Several times I found myself looking for holes far away from where I was aiming. I simply could not believe they were just barely enlarging the first hole. My only complaint with this rifle is it’s 17 foot pound energy level . Not bad for a .177 but for a .22 it seemed low. Granted I could get lot more shots than if it were a .177 but I simply do not like the parabolic trajectory. Something a better shooter would not complain about. On the other hand this power setting works very well for a vast variety of pellets, shapes and weight.

Now for the last two: Pro Target Mark II and Mark III. There in not a big difference, the MK II having a barrel shroud and the MKIII, a free floating barrel. The mechanisms and stocks are the same used on M10 and Tactical Hunter.

When I talked with the head engineer at Air Arms, I asked how much of an improvement the free floated barrel gives the Mark III; he simply replied "the public wanted a free floated barrel.". Fair enough, so I decided to test the two against one another. I mounted the same scope on them and used the same power magnification and pellets each rifle preferred. Difference: I can’t find a bit. I duplicated everything I could think of for both rifles during the testing and I could not find any difference in group size. First one rifle would shoot the best group then the next. All due to my shooting ability, not the rifle's. The public asked for and received a great shooting gun. But they had it already! Perfection can be hard to beat.

I shot both extensively at different ranges using groups of five per rifle, then I shot one rifle until I exhausted the air. That by the way is not the best thing to do.

When the air pressure gets too low the regulator will not completely seal and the air will leak out. Not a big deal, and nothing is wrong with the rifle as it is built that way. All the shooter has to do is cock the rifle and refill before all the air leaks out. So don't forget. I refill about every 20 rounds. It will shoot more but for a 40 round silhouette match, the half way point is a good place for a refill, ditto for field target.

One thing I did notice; it is easier to find a compensator for the MK III than the larger size barrel/shroud configuration of the MK II. That is the primary reason why I still shoot the MK III in competition. As far as I know there are no major changes to this design in the works. And I can't see any that I would like to see except for the stock. Perhaps one that would fit my ape like features. Never hurts to dream.