Today we have the second part of our exclusive Hard Air Magazine interview with KalibrGun’s Richard Janoušek.
In this part, Richard gives us a lot of “behind the scenes” information about his company. He also explains some of the design choices that the company makes and the background behind them. It’s fascinating stuff!
Oh! And we had fun too…
If you have not yet read Part One of this interview, you can find it here.
Stephen Archer: KalibrGun has more stock types for the Cricket than any other airgun manufacturer! This is great for customer choice, but what is the design thinking behind each different stock?
Richard Janoušek: Yes, Steve, you are correct! KalibrGun offers more stock options for the Cricket than any other airgun manufacturer. This is not a coincidence, but a result of our approach to design and production.
Below. The Cricket 2 Tactical. Photograph Matt Coulter.
You see, we have our own stock production and design bureau. This gives us complete freedom to experiment with different types of wood, designs and finishes.
We use this in-house capability to test new ideas. For example, to improve the ergonomics and aesthetics of our guns, taking into account the preferences of shooters with different styles and needs.
Our goal is not just to offer a choice, but to give each shooter the opportunity to find the stock that suits him (or her!) perfectly in feel, balance and appearance. This is why KalibrGun offers the widest range of stocks for its rifles on the market.
Stephen Archer: Richard, please tell me! What is the “must buy” reason for anyone thinking about KalibrGun airguns?
Richard Janoušek: The main reason to choose KalibrGun is the impeccable quality and reliability of our air guns. We do not compromise: we buy only the best materials, use the best components and work on modern equipment. Together, this gives our products exceptional strength, durability and accuracy.
Below. Matt Coulter testing a Cricket 2 Tactical for Hard Air Magazine.
In addition, each KalibrGun air rifle is the result of many years of experience, careful quality control and the pursuit of perfection. We create airguns that you can rely on in any situation, be it sports, hunting or recreational shooting.
If you are looking for more than just an air rifle, but a tool that will serve you for many years, KalibrGun is your choice!
Stephen Archer: Does KalibrGun manufacture and assemble its air rifles in-house?
Richard Janoušek: Yes, unlike many other airgun companies, KalibrGun has its own production facility. We manufacture and assemble our air rifles ourselves in the city of Prague, in the Czech Republic.
All components are manufactured and assembled in one area, allowing us to fully control quality at every stage. Our production facilities include:
🔹 A production shop with high-tech machining centers. These include 20 CNC machines, plus 3 laser processing machines and 5 EDM (Electro Discharge Machining) machines. That’s a good-sized shop, for sure!
🔹 Plus we have an assembly shop including assembly and testing equipment. This provides a production capacity of up to 500 air rifles per day.
🔹 Then there’s the woodworking shop with 5 CNC machines with two processing heads.
🔹 And a paint shop for finishing parts.
🔹 Finally there’s our quality control workshop, where every detail, every rifle is checked before being shipped to customers.
Actually, we have a KalbrGun video tour that would be of interest to your readers. It’s on YouTube and gives a brief overview of our facilities. Please link to that in your story.
So Steve, as you can see, we manufacture everything except the barrels! This approach allows us to guarantee the exceptional quality and reliability of our rifles. In addition, we can quickly introduce innovations without depending on third-party manufacturers.
Stephen Archer: How are KalibrGun air rifles tested before shipment?
Richard Janoušek: I’m glad you asked about that! One of the key aspects of our quality control process is the rigorous testing of air cylinders.
Below. Shooting the KalibrGun Snipe 2.
Of course, each cylinder is checked for air leakage before assembly. But at KalibrGun, we go way above and beyond. After that, we let them sit for three months – yes, really! – to ensure there are absolutely no leaks over time.
Once the cylinders pass this phase, we meticulously test the regulator’s performance. This means measuring its stability in maintaining consistent velocity and power output. You can see the results in the consistency graph of your recent Snipe 2 review.
Finally, every rifle undergoes accuracy testing by our skilled technical specialists and shooters. Only after passing all these quality checks do our rifles get approved for packaging and shipment.
Stephen Archer: KalibrGun uses CZ barrels in many models, but Lothar Walther barrels in others. How do you decide which barrel manufacturer to choose for each model?
Richard Janoušek: Most companies strive to save money – they test analogs, try to produce barrels themselves. But for us there is a law: we unconditionally use the best of what is available!
Below. The Cricket 2 Tactical.
The choice between CZ and Lothar Walther barrels depends on the specifics of the model and the tasks it must perform. CZ has proven itself as reliable, stable and durable. Lothar Walther is famous for its precision accuracy.
We carefully test each configuration to ensure that the barrel used reveals the maximum potential of the airgun.
Our priority is the highest quality and accuracy. That is why we do not seek compromises and use only proven, best components!
Stephen Archer: Richard, I see that many KalibrGun air rifles have “no choke” barrels. Why do you do this? Is it to make them more suitable for slug shooting?
Richard Janoušek: Yes, exactly! The “no choke” barrel design is specifically aimed at making our air rifles more suitable for slug shooting.
Traditional choked barrels are optimized for pellets, providing better accuracy by constricting the barrel slightly towards the muzzle. However, when shooting slugs, especially those with a larger and more robust design, this constriction can negatively affect the trajectory and overall performance.
By using a “no choke” barrel, we allow for the smooth passage of slugs, which helps in maintaining accuracy and consistency over longer distances.
This design also ensures that the slugs are not deformed or disrupted as they travel through the barrel. It makes them a better match for the advanced precision and power capabilities of KalibrGun air rifles.
So, the “no choke” barrel is a deliberate choice to enhance performance with slugs, which have become increasingly popular in modern airgun shooting.
Part Three of this exclusive interview with KalibrGun’s Richard Janoušek will be published in Hard Air Magazine tomorrow. You can catch-up on Part One here.
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