Stoeger XM1 in caliber 4,5 mm

Stoeger Airguns XM1 | The attention dedicated to compressed air rifles for recreational use by the numerous manufacturing companies reveals the considerable interest in the sector and the recent products stand out for their innovation and practicality.

stoeger xm1 airguns — On the supports of the shooting counter of the Carrù (CN) shooting range, the Stoeger XM1 is ready for the first shots

After the last tests of rifled barrels of various caliber, the proposal to evaluate a compressed air rifle at the shooting range left us baffled for a moment: we abandoned this outdoor shooting formula when we were still wandering around without fear of reprimand for the campaign with the first pre-war Haenel or with the later Diana 35, purchased used. It is quick to consider how many years have passed: more than sixty. In the shooting range we went from the long gun to the various pistol disciplines, always snubbing the compressed air with which we usually collected a few points. The PS or even more the PGC was much better: our way of shooting a little on the fly had an advantage in the greater speed of the projectile. In short, compressed air was a good youth chapter and nothing more so the proposal to try one of today's realities found us curious and consenting.

In Beretta Holding there is certainly no shortage of a very well-established brand: let's talk about the Stoeger American that across the Atlantic is widespread, thanks to the wide possibilities of use, the almost non-existent bureaucracy for these weapons, the concept that it is good that the very young learn as soon as possible to handle them with safety and technical knowledge. A bit different is the story here where a similar product must comply with the same bureaucratic rules as an elephant rifle. However, there is a certain space of use and therefore of fun and it really deserves to follow it.

How the XM1 is made

Let's first read the words with which the company presents its product: “exclusive, sensual, provocative and unmistakably Italian. In fact, every Stoeger Airguns creation is entirely conceived and designed in Italy: the company has always distinguished itself as a creator of dynamic and unparalleled rifles ". So the new one Stoeger XM1 with its decisive and futuristic lines it induces sporty, elegant and innovative sensations.

compressed air rifle stoeger xm1 — On the shooting bench, various targets and the three packs of pellets used in the test

stoeger airguns xm1 — Once the two bases are fixed, the rings that hold the telescope tube are tightened

Ultimately, Stoeger's compressed air guns are the custodians of this mixture of prerogatives: fascinating design (not Italian at all), excellent functionality in shooting, innovative style, technological validity and quality in a broad sense. The description continues underlining the design of the surfaces and masses aimed at a very up-to-date aesthetic and above all ergonomics, the result of accurate anatomical studies by the group called Human Tech Design, from which a full test safety of use with gripping surfaces with different grades of grippability and softness derives: they are defined Hexacell e Thridionrespectively those on which the greatest pressure is exerted and the others on which one acts more delicately. Obviously, a weapon that is handled with natural firmness is the harbinger of a use free from risks of any kind.

Stoeger XM1 — Tinkering with the tools, the scope is easily mounted on the bases obtained from the castle: here there are no problems of stopping the spring-loaded rifles

Let's immediately give our positive response: once upon a time, at the first releases of some rifle with lines detached from tradition, we defined it in the style of Flash Gordon with a certain ideal detachment. Today the concept has also passed into our late and lazy mind and we can only approve these new lines that are completely functional and with a strong personality. Continuing with the examination, we take into account how the rifle can be held naturally in the various shooting postures: standing, kneeling or on the supports of a shooting range counter as on other improvised supports for use in the countryside.

The adaptability of some components to the physical structure of the shooter is a great advantage: we see two sizes in the pistol grip, two different thicknesses to be inserted under the butt plate, two back straps at different elevations for shooting with notch and front sight or with the optics.

viewfinder_stoeger_xm1 — For those with good eyesight, instinctive shooting with notch and front sight is always great fun: the red fiber optic bar stands out against any background

Mechanics

The thin steel barrel inserted in a die-cast metal sheath comes immediately to the eye: at least so it seems to us from the roughness and the hypothetical longitudinal seam left by the shell. Under the barrel is mounted the compressed air tank tube, equipped with the hole where to insert the valve connected to the manual pump, supplied with the weapon, also applicable to a scuba tank which greatly speeds up operations.

A pressure gauge guarantees the maximum charge level and signals when the minimum threshold is reached for regular operation with the residual dose of propellant. Another very essential detail for fun is the magazine: for some time even compressed air guns have been equipped with it and the small box must be handled with care by inserting the pellets in the right direction, that is, upside down. An exercise in patience and dexterity soon rewarded by being able to make nine shots in rapid succession thanks to the sliding swivel bolt system, in the most prized style of a powder cartridge rifle.

loader_stoeger_xm1 — The round magazine inserted in its compartment behind the breech of the barrel

snap_stoeger_xm1 — In the wide guard protrudes the adjustable trigger in its position; the safety button protrudes into the front tine

The magazine must be inserted transversely against the breech of the barrel, in a special compartment from which the skirting board must be removed beforehand, which facilitates the manual insertion of each pellet if this procedure is chosen. Precisely this tiny shutter catches the attention: composed of a cylindrical chromed steel bar, sliding in the rear part of the castle, it carries the small handlebar with the inclined and flattened knuckle in synthetic material with the surface Thridion therefore intended for delicate use.

butt_stoeger_xm1 — The two replaceable thicknesses differ from the colors to vary the length of the stock adapting it to the build of the shooter. Interesting is the lower line of the stock itself with the recess for the appropriate accommodation on the rear bearing

The tuning in the Carrù polygon

With the rifle we were provided with a 4 × 32 scope, again with the Stoeger brand, which we promptly mounted on the slide obtained in the two parts of the castle. We are curious and, after inserting the pellets into the magazine and positioning it as instructed, we see how the bolt cylinder, with a section slightly smaller than the 4,5 mm (.177 ") caliber, is easily maneuvered with a flat knuckle, both in retraction, which advances when the head of the cylinder pushes the pellet into the chamber, then occluding it easily thanks to the inclination of the knuckle. At each shot, a click inside the magazine rotates the shot-holder drum, presenting a new pellet upon loading. So naturally until availability is exhausted. The alternative is to leave the plinth in place with a longitudinal recess useful for the correct posture of the shot, and then close the shutter directly.

adjustment_optical_deriva_stoeger_xm1 — The drift corrections are made: the telescope clicks are fairly sensitive

In the Carrù shooting range, a section for pistol shooting with the possibility of using the 40-meter base, we quickly fine-tuned the optics and became familiar with the trigger: even the trigger Pro Adaptive Trigger it has the greatest possible adjustment in its category with considerable excursion in length and adaptation of the release weight. In the tested situation, the weight around 800 g includes a release system roll over very suitable for the shot that we define improvised with which the Stoger XM1 ensures a lot of fun. At the apex of the under-barrel shaft, placed to the side, we find a Picatinny-type sled suitable for holding some spare magazines: it is so useful to be able to take the right time to fill them and then dedicate yourself to the shot without further stops.

A fun game

In addition to the shooting tests at 40 meters, we conducted several shots at a distance, decidedly unusual for this type of weapon, at 100 meters. On the first base we verified the adequate accuracy and that is expected from a rifle of this type, while on the second we would have had to have other targets to have a better control of the fall of the pellet and act accordingly: in any case with a bit of craft we managed to finish a few holes in the paper, without any pretense of grouping.

On the counter the three packs of 4,5 mm pellets, all produced in Germany on behalf of Stoeger itself: from the left the X-Sport Practice Target pellets of 0,48 g (7,48 gr), the X-Power Maximum Penetration 0,66 g (10,19 g) copper and finally the 0,75 g (11,57 g) X-Magnum Max Shock, High Impact. The first two packs are 500 pieces while the last is 300

compressed_air_shot_100_meters — The long of the Meopta allows a close-up image of the targets: there is already a good shot at 3 o'clock of the central yellow dot

However, this led us to linger with the owner of the plant, his friend Giorgio Rosso (347 96 92 677), who is very interested in Stoeger because he plans to obtain a hazelnut plant next to the shooting lines at 100 / 200/300 meters also a hunting course for this type of full power compressed air rifles.

Just to fix a number, the dots here reach 320 m / sec and it's not really cheap. Every now and then, to rest the shoulder, ears, wallet and a lot of attention to tighten the shot patterns, perhaps of riotous calibres, a tour of the Tiro di Campagna or Field Target as they call it across the Channel, turns out to be an exciting and fun game. especially if you compete with a small group of close friends.