The Talon SS with an optional 24" barrel

by Harley Ayre

... and the question is: What is the best PCP value available today?

Why the Talon SS?
Why not? It gets up to 25 foot-pounds in .22 caliber and delivers about 35 shots at that power before needing a fill. It's also quiet - something that can't be said about most other precharged airguns. It's accurate - a one-inch group at 50 yards is the claim from AirForce, but veteran shooters know they can get half-inch groups when they shoot JSB Exact domed pellets on a calm day. Yes, there are other rifles that sometimes do a little better; but when you get to this level of accuracy, the shooter and the pellet matter more than the rifle.

It has adjustable power
You can dial down the power wheel for hundreds of accurate indoor shots or dial it up all the way to hunt raccoons, jackrabbits and woodchucks. To be honest, the Talon SS is not as finely adjustable as you might wish because of that short 12-inch barrel. If you install the optional 24" barrel, you'll have a rifle that adjusts as nicely as anyone could hope. The lows get lower and the highs get higher with that longer barrel.

45 foot-pounds from just a barrel swap!
It's true! Install a 24" .22-caliber barrel, and the top velocity of a Crosman Premier goes from around 830 f.p.s. to over 1,000 f.p.s. That isn't even the best part! With the extra power, the SS is now capable of shooting a heavy 28-grain Korean Eun Jin pellet around 850 f.p.s., where it becomes stable out to 50 yards and beyond. Power like that makes the SS a completely different air rifle, and all it costs is $150 for the optional barrel.

But it's not a repeater!
No, it isn't. Neither was Matthew Quigley's Sharps and neither is any benchrest rifle worthy of the title. Accuracy comes from careful handling of the projectile, and you don't get that with a repeating mechanism. That's why serious sniper rifles are all bolt-actions. If this is still a turnoff, you need to be aware that all AirFoirce air rifles are single-shots. The company has been talking for years about making a repeating mechanism that can be owner-installed, but nothing has been seen and I wouldn't advise buying a rifle with that in mind.

No. 1 accessory
After the scope, the No. 1 accessory for any AirForce air rifle is the bipod. It's lightweight and folds out of the way for carrying; but when you need a steady platform for accurate shooting, it's ready in seconds.


AirForce bipod makes a handy shooting platform wherever you happen to be. It tilts, and the legs adjust independently for length.

Why is AirForce the best value?
There are cheaper PCPs out there. Some are from China, and the jury isn't in on their reliability. If and when they need repairs, what will you do if the dealer you bought from has gone out of business? AirForce Airguns are made in Fort Worth, Texas, and all warranty repairs are done at the factory. The company is behind you all the way. That's why Airhog has made these airguns their entry-level guns. They know what a great value they offer.