Making its entrance into the rapidly-expanding “Low Price PCP” market, the new Beeman Raider is an aggressively-priced new air rifle. It’s selling for just $159.99 at Pyramyd right now.
At first glance, the new bolt-action Raider distinguishes itself in two primary respects. It features a hardwood stock and it’s available in .25 caliber. These are both unusual features in the low price PCP market and usefully differentiates the product from others.
Wood stocks definitely appeal to many shooters. They are rare in this price range as they cost more to manufacture than synthetic stocks. (On the other hand, there’s minimal up-front tooling costs, compared to the expense of creating the molds for synthetic stocks).
Recent low price PCP air rifle introductions have been available just in .22 caliber – think Crosman 3622 and Umarex Iconix). So the availability of the Raider in .177 and .25 calibers as well will be an attractive selling point for many.
Another somewhat unusual feature is that the Raider is equipped with open sights, instead than the 4×32 scope that accompanies most low-end air rifles. Either way, most owners will be well advised to acquire a half-decent riflescope to achieve the accuracy potential of this rifle.
With a fill pressure of 3,500 PSI and an apparently quite small HPA tube, the Beeman Raider will likely be easy to fill using a hand pump. However the shots per fill will likely be correspondingly relatively low. (Specifications do not seem to be available for this yet on either the Pyramyd or Beeman websites).
Other good features are that the shrouded barrel includes a noise reduction system. Also, the built-in pressure gauge is located on the underside of the stock where it’s easy and safe to read.
The magazines are the same as used in the HAM Gold Award-winning Beeman Model 1358 underlever PCP air rifle. Two are supplied with the gun. Magazine capacities are 12 in .177 caliber, 10 in .22 and 9 in .25 cal.
At a weight of 5.9 Lbs and 40 Inches overall length, this is another PCP air rifle that’s likely to be good to shoot due to its compact dimensions.
Peak Muzzle Velocity specifications are 1,050 FPS in .177, 900 FPS in .22 and 800 FPS in .25 caliber.
The main feature omission in the Beeman Raider is that there’s no regulator. However that’s not surprising at this price point.
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Beeman Raider PCP Air Rifle
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