The first formal announcement of the Benjamin Fortitude Generation 2 PCP air rifle was at the 2019 SHOT Show. It featured on the Velocity Outdoor booth and also in the company’s catalog produced at that time.
Now the Fortitude Generation 2 is entering production. HAM can bring you exclusive coverage of this revised model.
First, how do you determine if a Fortitude is a Gen 1 or Gen 2 model?
Well, the box shows the revised SKU. The “G2” suffix is the indicator here, as we can see for this .22 caliber gun.
Velocity Outdoor Airgun Product Manager, Phillip Guadalupe, explained to me that the primary goals for the Benjamin Fortitude Generation 2 were to reduce the cocking force and trigger pull weight.
To achieve this, Velocity Outdoor engineers re-balanced the valve, using different rate hammer and valve operating springs. Phillip told me that they had reduced the cocking force by 34% and the trigger pull weight by 20%, with the gun at factory settings.
When HAM tested the Fortitude Generation 1 in September 2018. It was good and gained a HAM Gold Award! However, we did note “heavy trigger pull” and “heavy bolt action” as downsides to the gun’s performance. Looks like Velocity Outdoors listens…
In fact, the Gen 1 Fortitude carried an average trigger pull weight of 5 Lbs 9 Oz (89 Oz). The Benjamin Fortitude Generation 2 we have here has a very consistent trigger pull of 4 Lbs 8 Ounces (72 Oz).
That’s almost exactly a 20% reduction in trigger pull weight between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 guns HAM has tested. Right on the money for the company’s claim. Great job Phillip!
The sample at the HAM offices shows the existing SKU on the breech. There’s no “G2” visible here. However, the cap at the rear of the HPA pressure tube is different. It allows for adjustment to the hammer spring of the Benjamin Fortitude Generation 2.
This capability was not a feature of the Gen 1 Fortitude and it provides the capability for the owner to easily adjust the power and shot count of his/her air rifle.
Using a 3/16-inch Allen (hex) wrench, the hammer spring preload adjuster of the Benjamin Fortitude Generation 2 can be adjusted by up to 6 revolutions. More revolutions can be applied, but they simply cause the adjuster to spin without adding any further spring preload.
The factory preload for the hammer spring of the Benjamin Fortitude Generation 2 is four turns in. Here’s the effect of adjusting the preload on Muzzle Velocity and “Effective Shot Count”.
Note that “Effective Shot Count” may NOT be the same as the number of “Consistent” shots per fill! HAM will bring you our test of this very soon…
| Preload | Preload Turns | Muzzle Velocity in .177 Cal | Muzzle Velocity in .22 Cal | Shot Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No preload | 0 | Up to 650 FPS | Up to 600 FPS | Up to 200 |
| Factory setting | 4 | Up to 850 FPS | Up to 750 FPS | Up to 90 |
| Maximum | 6 | Up to 950 FPS | Up to 800 FPS | Up to 60 |
The factory test target gives an indication of accuracy and Muzzle Velocity. Five shots at 10 yards with Crosman 14.3 Grain domed pellets were clocked at “730s FPS”. HAM likes it that an individual factory test target is supplied with each Fortitude!
The Benjamin Fortitude Generation 2 will be available very soon. Check with your favorite supplier for their stock status.
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Benjamin Fortitude PCP Air Rifle, Regulated![]()
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Benjamin Fortitude Air Rifle
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