Air rifle Kral Smersh 125 N 11 (4.5 mm, plastic)

History of Kral rifles

Speaking about how the famous Kral line of hunting rifles was born, I would like to mention that the arms factory was not always involved in the production of air guns. Initially, the company created ordinary smoothbore shotguns intended for shooting wild animals. However, with the advent of the first pneumatic models in the world, the company decided to take part in the arms race, and it so happened that its main competitor was another Turkish plant - the world-famous Hatsan.

In order to attract the attention of potential buyers, I decided to focus on the production of highly specialized rifles. Thus, almost every model produced in the late 90s and early 2000s was intended for hunting. This allowed the arms factory to break out into the top 10 in the world. However, the company was in no hurry to part with the traditions developed over the years. Even if the weapon passport of the new model stated that the main purpose of the rifle was sport shooting, the technical characteristics were still very similar to hunting ones.

In 2015, the company released the first rifle with a preload mechanism (PCP), which allowed many people to look at the products from . In addition, over the years of work, engineers managed to improve not only the performance characteristics, but also the design of the weapon. Now each rifle looked unique and differed from the boring “classics”. In addition, the arms factory did not hesitate to install fundamentally new systems on weapons that took its products to a new level: Blowback, sound moderators, Quat Trigger, combined sighting bars, and so on.

Currently, the Kral company is mainly engaged in the production and modernization of rifles intended for hunting. Over the entire period of its operation, the arms factory managed to sell more than 50 thousand samples of unique models, and also achieved enormous recognition among buyers (today the company ranks eighth in popularity throughout the world). The company always listens to the feedback of its customers and tries to release new modifications based on the opinions of the owners of previous models.

Advantages and disadvantages of Kral rifles

Despite the fact that the Kral company is a fairly well-known and respected company, to say that its air rifles are completely free of shortcomings is to be lying. However, it would be extremely wrong to talk only bad things about weapons. Based on this, we have compiled a special block that lists the main pros and cons of the Kral rifles. We strongly recommend that you read this information before making a purchase at a gun store:

Of course, for some potential buyers the listed advantages or disadvantages may seem insignificant, but it is these nuances that owners usually talk about when it comes to the ratio of the positive and negative aspects of a weapon. We also remind you that some shortcomings can be dealt with with your own hands using modifications. For example, poor ergonomics can be corrected by replacing the stock with a more comfortable one, as well as by installing additional rear pads.

Characteristics of the Kral Smersh 125 N 04 (4.5 mm) air rifle

Air rifle Kral Smersh 125 N 04 (4.5 mm) buy in the Popadiv10 online store. Air rifle Kral Smersh 125 N 04 (4.5 mm) at a low price of 11,990 rubles. You can pay for your order by mail upon receipt in any part of the Russian Federation. Before placing an order, be sure to check the price and contents of the product by phone (during business hours) or by e-mail and feedback system (at any time convenient for you).

The information on the product “Air rifle Kral Smersh 125 N 04 (4.5 mm)” is for informational purposes only and is not a public offer determined by the provisions of Article 437 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation; characteristics, appearance, color and equipment may be changed by the manufacturer without notice.

Models of the Kral air rifle

Over the entire period of its existence, the Kral company has released 12 different models of rifles (not counting modifications to them), intended for hunting or target practice. In our article we will analyze only the most interesting samples, which are popular among residents of Russia and the CIS countries, have the most positive reviews on the Internet, and also have unique systems that we would like to talk about in more detail. In the following sections you will find a brief overview of the top 5 steal models according to users:

Kral 125 N11 Arboreal Smersh

The Kral-125 air rifle is the most popular weapon among all models. However, the Kral-125 N11 Arboreal Smerch modification has the most positive reviews, and is also distinguished by the presence of interesting design features, so it deserves much more mention. Here are just the most significant nuances:

1. The weapon is made of weapon steel with a high carbon content (cold forging method), as well as plastic with a large amount of polymer (the material is made to look like wood). This guarantees that the weapon will last for a minimum of 3 years or fire 3000 rounds. In addition, high-quality materials allow you to modernize the rifle’s trigger system without fear that the parts will become unusable with increased power.
2. Lightweight stock with a comfortable pistol grip. Thanks to the presence of such parts, the rifle perfectly combats the main disadvantage of most models - poor ergonomics. Also worthy of special attention is the presence of two cheek rests, which allows the rifle to be used by both right-handed and left-handed people. They will be especially useful for those people who like to use a sniper scope.
3. The presence of a combined aiming bar. This device is used to mount an optical or collimator sight on the barrel, which are designed for mount at 11 (dovetail) or 22 (Picatinny) millimeters. Also, an additional body kit can be placed under the barrel - for this there is a Weaver sighting rail (16 millimeters). In general, you can modify weapons as you please.

Is it worth talking about the shortcomings of a weapon that will cost only 8,000 rubles, but will bring a lot of interesting things? Well, except that I would like to mention the technical characteristics that are not the best, which are not always suitable for hunting animals. The muzzle velocity of the bullet is only 200 m/s with a muzzle energy of 7.5 J. This is enough to kill almost any bird, but is unlikely to be enough to kill anything larger than a hare. However, this drawback can be easily combated by replacing the standard coil spring with a reinforced one.

Kral Puncher Maxi 3

Perhaps the best rifle with a pre-pumping mechanism from Kral. The weapon is intended for hunting and training shooting. Unlike the previous model, it has improved technical characteristics, has a 10-round magazine, and is also equipped with a biathlon cocking mechanism, which simplifies the reloading process. There is also a built-in sound moderator at the end of the barrel, which significantly reduces the noise level that occurs during a shot.

What will be especially pleasant for hunters is the fact that in addition to the wide base for modification, the rifle comes with a 4x range optical sight, which can be mounted on a Picatinny sighting rail. As for the open sight, it is a classic diopter, used for training and competitive shooting. During hunting, such a device will not perform well, as it blocks most of the shooter’s view, so the company decided to add optics, albeit inexpensive, to the kit.

Now a little about the technical characteristics of the rifle. Since the power of the weapon depends on the pumping level of the gas cylinder, the muzzle energy and muzzle velocity of the bullet can fluctuate greatly. With the maximum number of atmospheres, the numbers will be as follows: 300 m/s and 30 J - enough to kill a medium-sized fur-bearing animal, for example, an adult beaver. By the way, pumping is carried out by a pump built into the rifle, so the weapon does not have to be constantly assembled and disassembled. Well, to monitor the pressure inside the cylinder, there is a barometer on the body.

As for the disadvantages of weapons, it is customary to single out only one - the rather high cost. A rifle in the cheapest configuration will cost a potential buyer 33 thousand rubles, which is quite expensive for a resident of Russia. It is also fair to note that for such a price you can find many interesting analogues that are not inferior to the Puncher in terms of technical characteristics. Despite this, the rifle continues to be in demand among hunting enthusiasts for more than 10 years.

Kral Puncher Armor

The most powerful air rifle from Kral among the entire range. A muzzle energy of 60 J, as well as a ballistic projectile speed of 380 m/s, is enough to kill even an adult wolf, since the weapon does not use standard pneumatic bullets (4.5 millimeters), but a special hunting projectile with an increased diameter and weight ( 6.5 millimeters).

One of the main distinguishing features of the rifle is its bullpup stock, which not only lightens the weight of the weapon, but also speeds up the aiming process several times. Also worthy of attention is the side lever cocking, which is much more suitable for hunting than the classic biathlon one. The standard magazine capacity is 12 rounds, but it is possible to buy a kit that includes an additional tank for 16 bullets.

Considering that Puncher Armor uses more expensive shooting cartridges, using the weapon for training purposes would not be the best idea. It would be much more practical to learn how to shoot from some simple 4.5 mm rifle, and only then buy this “monster”.

However, do not think that the weapon is without its shortcomings. In addition to the high price (38 thousand rubles), the owner must also be prepared for the fact that his weapon will have high recoil - the other side of the coin from a bullpup stock. This nuance will be especially unpleasant if you install an optical sight on your weapon instead of a standard one. Although the situation is partially saved by the rubber butt plate installed on the back side of the butt.

Kral 100 N-01W Smersh

A rifle for lovers of sport shooting and classic design. The weapon is not much different from the legendary MP-512 or IZH-22 in terms of design and appearance, but has improved technical characteristics, which allows it to be used for hunting. The initial speed of the bullet is 250 m/s, and the power of the muzzle energy fluctuates around 7.5 J. These indicators are quite enough to kill an adult fox or other smaller fur-bearing animal.

The Kral 100 rifle is equipped with a standard optical sight (front sight + rear sight) with adjustable capabilities. In addition, fiber-optic thread is applied to the edges of the sighting bars, which allows shooting even in poor lighting conditions - this nuance will be useful for both athletes and hunters. But the presence of a wooden stock and stock is great news for collectors who value the appearance of a weapon.

Despite the fact that the rifle is superior in performance characteristics to the Kral 125 (1st place in the top), it has several disadvantages that have significantly reduced its popularity among buyers. The first of them is poor build quality - the bolts begin to loosen after almost every shot fired. The second is the low level of ergonomics - the rifle hits the shoulder with the butt, and also has a rather uncomfortable semi-pistol grip. However, if you do not pay attention to these shortcomings, then the model can be called quite worthy.

The Kral 100 uses a coil spring with increased stiffness as the main energy source. If desired, it can be shortened in order to reduce power, thereby extending the life of the weapon. However, practice shows that people rarely resort to such a procedure. So the best solution to combat poor-quality assembly remains the manufacture of additional fasteners.

Kral Puncher Pitbull

Well, our top air rifle is closed by the “Puncher Pitbull” model - a weapon designed for the needs of professionals and having a fairly high cost (45 thousand rubles). Despite the fact that pneumatics use 5.5 mm caliber cartridges, the bullet speed is 330 m/s, and the muzzle energy ranges from 7.5 to 45 J. The pre-inflation mechanism integrated into the rifle makes it possible to “refuel” right during the hunt, which is a nice bonus.

The main distinguishing feature of the Pitbull is its unusual appearance, as well as good ergonomics. The weapon is equipped with a wooden stock, but has a plastic telescopic butt with 5 positions for adjustment. The standard sighting device is a classic rear sight and front sight, slightly raised on the dovetail sighting bar. And although the kit does not include an optical sight, installing it will not be difficult, because most of the body kits are made specifically for the 11 mm rail.

The Pitbull rifle is also professional because it is equipped with the Quat Trigger system, which allows you to adjust the rigidity of the trigger. Most beginners will find it useless and will try to get an accurate shot by pulling the trigger with great force. The same applies to the mechanism for adjusting the center of gravity - only a pro will feel from which position it is most convenient for him to shoot and why.

Among the shortcomings of weapons, most often they highlight not the best equipment. Instead of a classic magazine, the rifle is equipped with a drum, which is inconvenient to load while sitting in the forest. The weapon is supplied in a plastic case, rather than a regular cardboard box, which is essentially useless, but increases the cost of the kit significantly. Well, the most controversial part of the set is the bipod, which comes with no optical sight and is only useful for zeroing in pneumatics. In general, you have to buy too many unnecessary things when buying a rifle for hunting.

arbalet-airgun

It seems that in recent years the Turks have seized the initiative even from the Chinese, steadily expanding the ranks of pneumatic manufacturers. True, the absolute majority of them essentially invaded this niche with firearms (see the last chapter of this article, entitled “Turkish Guns”). Once upon a time it was “Hatsan” and indirectly “Stoeger”, not so long ago “Kral” and “ATA Arms” were added to them, and “Akdaş Makina Silah Sanayi” appeared literally before our eyes. There is some confusion with the brand of the latter, which is discussed below.

The magic letter, or “Saibergan” There is discord between “Saibergan”

When I discovered this news on the website of Izhevsk Guns LLC, I wanted to follow Ivan Vasilyevich in exclaiming, “You didn’t get trawled!” And in Turkish...

Fans of recreational pneumatics (gas-cylinder samples and airsoft) are well aware of the products, which are geographically located in France, but place orders, as a rule, in the countries of Southeast Asia. And then suddenly: “SiberGun” is a new brand on the Russian hunting market. European quality at an affordable price." At first glance, we didn’t immediately notice the difference in the spelling of the manufacturers’ names.

So, “ SiberGun ” is a trademark located in the town of Huglu. By the way, the Turkish rifle brand “ Huglu ” has also recently become quite well known to domestic hunters, but, as far as one can judge, these are different manufacturers (and the direction of thoughts and actions of the residents of this remote village in the recent past is interesting).

“Akdaş Makina Silah Sanayi” also has a number of models of classic over-and-under and semi-automatic machines in its assortment, but this is not about them now (for those interested, take a look at the last chapter of the article). Izhevsk Guns LLC reports that SiberGun pneumatics have just passed Russian certification and will go on sale in the very near future.

You can see it in the photo from the company’s official website, which has just appeared (and is still under development). Alas, there are no details yet, but the appearance almost completely coincides with the Stoeger X20, well, or the Katran, which is based on the Turkish Strong S 450 (see “New IR-615 Katran air rifle”) , to put it mildly, the original is not a sample of brilliant quality.

The rifles, it seems, will be available on the Russian market in both the traditional 4.5 mm caliber and the “hunting” 5.5 mm caliber. The latter, presumably, is in a version weakened to the legal 3 joules.

That's all for now, comrades. We hope that in the near future the intrigue will become a thing of the past and the first owners of New Cybergans will share their impressions with us.

Huglu pneumatics: a fellow countryman sees a fellow countryman from afar

Known for its guns - fellow countryman "Akdaş Makina Silah Sanayi" (both of them are located in the small Turkish town of Huglu) - also did not stand aside. Back in 2017, she demonstrated her first own PCP development, called “Effecto”. And at the IWA 2022 that ended in Nuremberg, the production, and updated, model “Effecto PX-5” was shown.

It was not possible to find detailed information about this quite nice example in a Turkish walnut stock, and pneumatics are not yet available as a class on the official website. It is known that it is produced in .22 caliber (5.5 mm), has a 10-round magazine, and the number of shots per load reaches seventy-five.

Air rifles "Kral": who is who?

First, a little about the more or less common and user-tested rifles with pre-pumping from this Turkish company.

PCP rifle “Kral Puncher Armor” - we’ve already met somewhere...

There has been a stir around Turkish products lately. The situation in the niche of spring-piston pneumatics is further aggravated by the fact that, for example, in the name of the model “Smersh 125 N-11” the already familiar signs of the great and terrible countryman “Hatsan 125” and the Chinese “Smersh” are mixed together. Moreover, the whole trinity has nothing in common with each other. The confusion is terrible, but it attracts attention, and how. In the PCP segment, things are more favorable.

PCP specialists have different opinions regarding pre-pumped Kralov rifles, but in general they are quite favorable in terms of price/quality ratio. At the same time, facts of tank ruptures are cited, which is followed by rebuke from fans of the brand in the sense that if your hands are not sharpened for something...

But today we are not talking about that. Here in the photo is a new product - “ Kral Puncher Armor ” performed by “Black” (there are also cheerful orange and blue ones).

Do what you want, but where the Turks copied the appearance of this very “Armor” is immediately evident. Take a look at one of the articles where the long-known model “EVANIX Rainstorm Bullpup” is briefly described.

And in general, when looking at the Kral model ranges, it’s impossible to get rid of the thought that you’ve already seen all this somewhere. And not only from famous foreign manufacturers, but also from the domestic ROC (“Russian Arms Company”).

Well, okay, even the Spanish “Gamo”, which traditionally produces models of its own design, when putting large-caliber heavy-duty rifles of the “TC” series on the conveyor, did not disdain to borrow from the same “Evanix”. Apparently, the time is now...

Form does not always determine content

So, as emphasized above, from the very moment the spring-piston rifles of the Turkish arms appeared, they raised a lot of questions. The price turned out to be attractive, even too attractive, and potential buyers instinctively expected a catch.

The use of brands and indices from other manufacturers also added to the confusion. For example, the name of the model “ Kral Smersh 125 N-07 ” clearly hinted at a relationship either with the Chinese clones, known in Russia under the “Smersh” brand, or with the famous product of its fellow countryman - also the supermagnum “Hatsan 125”. However, almost immediately there was a noticeable connection with a completely different arms brand - the Spanish “Gamo”. The 125 N-07 line is very similar in internal content to the Stoeger X50 supermagnum with a 29x120 mm compressor. That is, something based on the old “Gamo Hunter 1250”. A newcomer recently appeared in this lineup. Here it is below - “Kral N-07 Wood”.

Until now, all Kral spring-piston rifles came exclusively in a polymer stock. At the top of the photo we specifically placed “Kral 125 N-07 Arboreal Smersh”. He, like his brothers, is also in plastic, only with a wood look. The N-07 Wood has a stock made of Turkish walnut. It turned out much nicer, and in the hands (we know from our former “Hatsan 135”) it feels completely different.

Nevertheless, airgunners, in particular, readers of our site, still had one more question - about the quality of the Kralov. If today there is one way or another clarity regarding PCP pneumatics, then the Králova PPP, due to its still low prevalence, has remained a thing in itself. And now the master Gnom, well-known in the weapons community - for the umpteenth time - shed light on the problem in his review “Kral N-08, aka Smersh 110“. Oh, there really is something to read and admire there!

As you can see, Vitaly, for clarity, examines the N-08 in comparison with the “source” - the Spanish “Gamo CFX”.

Update November 2022.

Air rifles "Ekol": nice to meet you

To be honest, I had never even heard of these until recently. And, most likely, he would have remained ignorant - thanks to one of the readers who asked a question about “ Ekol
Thunder”
(pictured) in a comment to the article about the characteristics of compressors and gas springs. And this is what we managed to dig up...

So, products under this brand, as it turns out, have been produced by Turkish companies for 20 years, which, unlike most of their fellow countrymen, are based in the country’s largest city, Istanbul. In addition to spring-piston samples, there are production lines of pneumatic gas cartridges, PCP rifles (in the photo below one of the versions of “Ekol ESP 3550H”)...

...as well as almost “firearm” :)) pistols - both signal and chambered for Flaubert (with which the company most likely began).

The latter are banned in our country, but are available to, say, Ukrainian buyers. Apparently, with pneumatics it turned out a little similar - on Russian commercial Internet resources, Ecolay offers are extremely rare, and discussions on thematic forums, etc., unlike Ukrainian ones, are practically absent.

But, in a nutshell, the aforementioned “Ekol Thunder” turned out to be another Turkish clone of a Spanish rifle, only this time not the “Gamo Hunter”, but the “Norica Dragon”. That is, we have a 26x100 mm compressor and an extremely simple design, primarily the trigger mechanism. In general, this is a very budget-friendly one, but still a “magnum”. And indeed, in all three online stores found, the price of this model did not exceed 10 thousand rubles - something at the level of the “Hatsan Striker Junior”.

Moreover, surprisingly, in the review video of one of these establishments, when unpacking the rifle, the kit also included a “reinforced” (that is, the original Magnum) spring, which, alas, is no longer found on everyone’s beloved “Hatsan”. And the polymer stocks turned out to be quite decent - for such and such a price - it is no coincidence that Izhevsk Guns LLC, using Turkish samples as the basis for its new models, corrected and replaced many parts there, including barrels, but the stocks were left original, because the quality was satisfactory.

By the way, gas-cylinder pistols, for example, the pneumatic clone of one of the Brownings “Ekol ES66”, are far from being a plastic craft, but, as they say now, “made of metal,” a fairly powerful sample.

Brief conclusions

To be honest, Turkish Pneumatics as a phenomenon is not an easy thing. It’s one thing for products from the oldest manufacturer, which literally became a bestseller in the budget segment of the Russian market (see “Hatsan air rifles. Part 1”). Over the past decades, this company has done quite serious work to improve the quality of its products, and the existing problems are probably known to everyone, as are the ways to eliminate them, and you can simply ignore those that cannot be eliminated :)).

It's more difficult with beginners. However, we will not repeat ourselves, everything is described above. Let us only note that the Italian-American “Stoeger” mentioned at the beginning of the article (see “Stoeger air rifles”), having a well-functioning firearms production in Turkey, nevertheless organized the production of its pneumatics in China. Probably not by chance.

So, we have every right to assume that for the Turkish arms industry it is a kind of secondary sector, as, indeed, for our IzhMekh. At least their main products - that is, firearms - are noticeably different from their counterparts for the better. Even “Hatsan”, which was almost a monopolist in the budget segment of pneumatics before the mass entry of Chinese manufacturers into the world market, which means it produced very respectable volumes of such products and made a good profit from them.

Instead of an afterword: Turkish guns

But here, comrades, the situation looks the other way around - Turkish guns are deservedly popular, and not only in our country, because their price/quality ratio is quite good. The same “Stoegers” and “Hatsans” came to the domestic market almost simultaneously, about twenty years ago, and turned out to be in great demand not only by hunters, but also, say, by various kinds of security structures (the popular “Hatsan Escort” is pictured).

Above is the “Escort Guard” that remains in service to this day, below is the “Escort DF12-TS”:

Someone will say, yes, they are quite decent guns, but still nothing more than “consumer goods”, competing in this price niche mainly with mass-produced products from Izhevsk. And what? Most of the new cars running on Russian roads (well, if you don’t take, perhaps, “my dear Moscow”) are also by no means premium or at least the middle segment, but “Grants” and “Vestas”, “Logans” and “Dusters”, “Rio” and “Solaris”, etc.

In addition, for example, the Turkish “Akdaş Makina Silah Sanayi”, which produces for Russia under the “SiberGun” brand described at the beginning of the article both pneumatics and over-and-under shotguns plus a wide selection of semi-automatic weapons (pictured above - “Sibergun Momento”), does not especially advertising this, it produces weapons for Smith & Wesson, Webley & Scott and Browning. And they, accordingly, sell it as if on their own behalf, under their own brands and at their own price :)).

Moreover, I won’t say anything about the name, because I don’t want to upset those who bought a gun for about a million or two from another legendary British company that produces weapons exclusively to order, I’ll only say that it may well turn out to be from the hands of Akdaş craftsmen. . Naturally, with the quality corresponding to the big name, but often such purchases are not caused by this consideration, but sometimes even by ordinary “show-off”. That's it…