Crosman Optimus R8 C01K77 air rifle review

The Crosman Optimus R8-C01K77X rifle is an excellent example of how a Magnym-class model with factory-installed optics and a beech stock can be affordable to a large number of people who love this type of weapon. But for this, Crosman allowed it to be made in China, which did not affect the quality of the product.

Specifications Crosman Optimus R8 C01K77

Spring-piston air rifles "Crosman"

Perhaps the most popular among airgun enthusiasts are spring-piston rifles. Such a weapon can be considered a classic - the role of the impact mechanism is played by a spring, and reloading occurs using a special piston. In common parlance, such models are called “perelomki” and are used both for hunting small game and for sports or training shooting. In the following sections you will find a detailed overview of the two most popular models of this type from Crosman.

Crosman Inferno

This “hellish rifle” is one of the most budget models among the classics (will cost about 6.5 thousand). The weapon is easy to use and has virtually no recoil. Conventional lead bullets of 4.5 mm caliber are used as cartridges. The initial speed of the ballistic projectile is 190 m/s with a barrel power of 7.5 J (more than that of the Baikal, but less than that of the Khatsan). The total length of the rifle is about 1 meter, and it weighs only 1970 grams.

One of the main features of Inferno is that it is suitable for both right-handed and left-handed people. In addition, the weapon has an 11-mm dovetail sighting rail, which allows you to change the standard rear sight and front sight to optics or any other device. The buttstock, which has the ability to install a rubber butt plate, was also not ignored, but this part will have to be purchased separately.

Crosman Benjamin Titan NP

Another example of a classic rifle, which is in great demand among hunters, despite the cost of 14 thousand rubles. Such a price tag hangs on a pneumatic gun simply because it has a four-fold optical sight installed, as well as a wooden stock (walnut). The weapon looks simple and stylish, and its technical characteristics make you think about purchasing:

• rifle length - 1130 mm;
• weapon weight with sight – 3100 g;
• power – up to 31 J;
• initial bullet speed – 305 m/s;
• targeted shooting – up to 80 m.

Thus, the buyer receives a weapon ideal for hunting small fur-bearing animals (hare, fox), as well as medium-sized birds (pheasant, partridge). However, it should be noted that in Russia weapons are sold only with the appropriate license (power exceeds 7.5 J). But the rifle is easy to operate (to disassemble you only need to unscrew 1 bolt) and does not require the installation of an additional body kit.

Design

This is a classic type of rifle with a spring-mechanical cocking and a broken barrel for loading. The caliber is 4.5 mm, the rifling is made in the shape of a trapezoid, the barrel is made of weapon steel. There is no pre-cocking lever. The stock has a semi-pistol type, beech, the butt plate is equipped with a non-adjustable rubberized gasket.

Trigger mechanism with manual safety. Its lever is located under the bracket, near the trigger. The trigger stroke can be adjusted. The front and rear sights are equipped with plastic fiber-optic fibers as a sight. The rear sight is adjustable horizontally and vertically. A dovetail is installed for mounting optics.

The model is quite powerful; you can go hunting small game with the gun. The rifle is suitable for sport shooting and outdoor entertainment. It is unlikely that children will be able to “break” it, but this is not a product that needs to be used to gain shooting skills.

The gun is loaded in the classic way - by applying physical force to the top of the barrel. When loading, you need to rest the butt against your leg, firmly grasp the fore-end with one hand, and firmly, but carefully, break the barrel with the other. The procedure does not need to be completed until a characteristic click is heard. If you accidentally release the barrel before this, you can get injured as it moves back to its original position.

Ammunition - lead bullets, you can use models with Berthollet salt. For shots with a factory spring, it is recommended to choose those whose mass is no more than 0.65 g. Installation of optics during shooting is not considered mandatory.

Crosman gas-cylinder air rifles

In such models, a compressed carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinder is used as the main energy source. Typically, pneumatic guns do not have much power, so they are used for training or recreational shooting. It also requires regular replacement of the air tank as it loses its power over time. But such rifles are often equipped with an automatic or semi-automatic cartridge feeding mechanism, so you don’t have to worry about running out of ammunition. The following sections provide an overview of two completely different, but approximately equally popular models.

Crosman Comrade AK

Have you always dreamed of having your own Kalashnikov assault rifle at home? Your wishes can come true if you are willing to spend about 6,000 rubles on the purchase of this gas pneumatic model. The weapon is an almost exact external copy of the AKS-74U and even has an automatic cartridge feeding mechanism. Here are some features from the technical specifications:

• type of ammunition – 4.5 mm balls;
• magazine capacity – 150 pieces (hopper);
• weight of the “automatic” - 1040 grams;
• weapon power – 5 J;
• bullet speed – 130 m/s.

For many people, it may seem that the weapon has too little power and bullet speed. However, the manufacturer does not hide the fact that the main purpose of the model is training and entertainment shooting. In addition, weapons are in great demand because they have a large base for modification (you can install not only sights, but also various gadgets under the barrel). Also, if desired, you can purchase Comrade AK complete with straps for comfortable wearing.

Crosman 1077

Such a simple name for the rifle symbolizes the fact that the model also has a fairly simple device and is not difficult to operate. In appearance, the Crosman 1077 looks like an ordinary “breaker”, but it still has an automatic cartridge feeding mechanism. In addition, the model is equipped with a magazine for 10 rounds, and ordinary lead bullets (4.5 mm) are used as ammunition.

Despite the fact that the energy source is a gas cylinder, the initial speed of the bullet is kept at a quite acceptable level - 180 m/s. The power of the barrel is 7.5 J. Also, many owners were pleased with the fact that the front and rear sights are equipped with fiber-optic threads, allowing shooting even at dusk. Despite the fact that the main purpose of the weapon is sport shooting, many hunters use it to hunt quail or squirrels.

Modifications

Crosman Vantage Copperhead is one of the modifications of the manufacturer of the same name. The gun fires using a gas coil spring, power up to 7.5 Joules. The design features of the model make it possible to replace the factory spring with a reinforced one; as a result of this modification, the initial speed of the bullet increases to 305 meters per second. The barrel is rifled; you can choose lead bullets or copper-plated balls as cartridges. Charging is performed by manual cocking. In this modification, the barrel also acts as a cocking lever.

Muzzle box made of metal, stock made of beech. The wood is treated with special compounds for protection. The presence of a rubberized butt pad on the butt allows you to dampen the recoil of the gun during shooting. Length 1140 mm, weight – 2700 g.

Crosman multi-compression air rifles

Multicompression is one of the newest technologies, which is not used by every company. Its main principle is that the owner does not even have to pump the tank with air himself - the system does everything independently. Well, since the weapon does not have to be equipped with additional mechanisms, its cost rarely exceeds the price tag for classic “breakdowns”. In the following sections you will find an overview of a couple of multi-compression models that have an excellent appearance, copied from American military weapons.

Crosman M4-177

One of the most accurate replicas of M4A1 firearms. The model weighs only 1.6 kilograms and its length is 860 millimeters. At the bottom of the rifle there are several mounting straps that allow you to install a beam target designator or flashlight on the rifle. Well, optics or the famous ACOG sight can easily be attached to the dovetail. As for the technical characteristics of the weapon, they look quite good:

• type of cartridges – lead balls (4.5 mm);
• maximum bullet speed – 200 m/s;
• muzzle energy – 6 J;
• Magazine capacity – 5 rounds.

It is immediately worth noting that one of the main disadvantages of the rifle (due to which it is cheap) is the need for constant reloading using the bolt. In addition, since the magazine only holds 5 bullets, the weapon will have to be reloaded quite often. The situation is saved a little by a container mounted on the rifle body that allows you to store up to 350 balls. However, the model does not imply the possibility of using a bunker. Therefore, shooting rifles is not very convenient.

Crosman MK-177

The famous American SCAR-H assault rifle served as the prototype for this model. The manufacturer took into account that the previous model (M4-177) was not the most successful in terms of reloading, so it decided to equip the weapon with a fully automatic system. And although the standard magazine continued to hold only 5 rounds, owners had the opportunity (obligation) to install a hopper for an additional cost.

As for the technical characteristics of the weapon, they have also undergone some changes. For example, the initial speed of the bullet increased to 230 m/s (the power remained the same - 7.5 J). The rifle itself was slightly heavier - up to 1700 grams, although the total length was reduced to 800 millimeters. Despite the fact that the rifle has the ability to install an optical or collimator sight, not many people use it - the owners really like the unusual open sight copied from military weapons.

What is included

The gun is in a colored cardboard package, on which it is directly depicted and technical data is indicated. The rifle is in polyethylene, there are foam balls for protection against impacts.

There are two types of kit:

• optics only;
• spring and optics (if the gun is sold in a weakened version).

In any of the options there are instructions in Russian.

Possibilities for increasing power

The Optimus model can be easily improved by simple disassembly. It is recommended to install a gas spring. There are no factory data on this matter, but you can use almost all that are suitable in size for the piston and have the required length to create a pressure of 4-6 mm.

The non-standard spring is placed with its body in the piston, and not with the rod. For centering, insulating tape is used; it is wound around the spring body so that it fits securely into the piston and does not create backlash.

Attention: When installing the spring “in reverse,” you can accidentally damage the rod with the sear of the trigger mechanism. That is, when installing the trigger, you need to tie this element so that it is firmly in place.

Another improvement option is to install a new piston collar and bypass seal. The cuff is installed without any bolts and is pulled onto the slot.

Disassembling the Crosman Optimus air rifle

Unlike other pneumatic models, Optimus is easy to disassemble. But before this procedure, you need to acquire a tightening machine. Even a not very strong spring can pose a danger.

Disassembly consists of the following steps:

1. Remove two bolts from both sides of the forend and one near the rear of the shackle. Remove the structure from the stock. Remove the plastic bracket that connects the two parts of the cocking lever.
2. Unscrew the coupling on the firing mechanism.
3. Clamp the barrel into the machine and squeeze the back of the compressor plug so that the pin can be easily removed by pressing a screwdriver.
4. Remove the plug, guide and spring.
5. Break the barrel, disconnect the cocking lever and the trigger rod.
6. Remove the trigger by pushing it towards you.
7. Remove the piston.

Which inexpensive Crosman air rifle should you buy?

So we gradually approached the question of which air rifle from Crosman should you buy. It is worth noting that many inexperienced owners choose a model solely based on appearance (in this or that price range) - there is no need to do this. Otherwise, you risk purchasing a weapon that does not meet some requirements. Therefore, before going to the store, we recommend answering a few questions for yourself:

1. For what purpose do I need a rifle - hunting, target shooting or airsoft.
2. Can I get a gun license - some models are sold only with one.
3. What kind of budget do I have? It’s not worth buying a model that costs 2-3 salaries.
4. Will I install modifications? It is also important to consider the cost of the body kit.
5. What type do I need - spring, gas, multi-compression or PCP.

Only after answering all these questions can you begin to inspect models that suit your individual requirements. For a beginner with a budget of up to 10,000 rubles, the following options are perfect: Recruit RCT525X (multi-compression with optics), Optimus R8-C01K77 (classic “breakthrough”), 1077 Wood Stock (gas model with a wooden stock). In addition, do not forget about the possibility of finding a suitable model from other manufacturers. Here are some interesting models that are suitable for beginners:

As you can see, the American Crosman has more than enough competitors. However, the company is not going to give in to other factories, so it regularly produces fundamentally new designs that are unlike anything else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juwVDr_93EQ

Analogues and prices

arbalet-airgun

Attention. As of 01.07.21, amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Articles 222 and 223) came into force regarding pneumatic weapons with muzzle energy over 7.5 J. If previously liability, and only administrative responsibility, was provided for carrying, transporting and shooting at borders of populated areas, then from now on criminal prosecution with quite serious sanctions is provided for the sale, as well as illegal production, alteration or repair of such samples (see No matter how tight the string is, or New “anti-pneumatic” laws). So, when reading articles written in a completely different era :)), keep in mind the newly discovered circumstances...

I’ll tell you a terrible secret - almost all spring-piston air rifles from the same manufacturer are no different from each other except for their appearance. Therefore, when choosing, it is better to rely not so much on reason, but on the criterion of “like-dislike” and take what your eye settles on, what falls into your hands. Of course, taking into account your financial capabilities and your goals (see “Air rifles for hunting” and “Choosing your first rifle”).

As a rule, this applies to the most common relatively budget “breakthrough” rifles of the “magnum” class. Elite products from leading companies, as well as relatively few “supermagnums” are much more unique in design and performance characteristics.

Air rifles "Crosman"

Let's take such a well-known pneumatic manufacturer as Crosman . Let's try to choose a rifle from the mass of proposals. So:

1. Do you like the military style:

"Crossman MTR77 NP"

Read more about him and his twin brothers in the article “Pneumatic copies of military weapons.”

1. Do you prefer a classic look?

"Crosman C1K77 Quest 1000"

(Remember this rifle - it once became a landmark in the appearance of the entire line of magnums from Crosman, and we will return to it soon.)

1. Classics are classics, but you would like something “fresher”:

"Crosman Optimus R8-C01K77X"

1. Are you crazy about pistol grips like *TN* and thick “match” false barrels:

"Crosman Trail NP 8-BT1K77WNP"

1. The same as the previous version, but in a weather-resistant polymer stock:

"Crosman Trail NP 8-BT1K77SNP"

Not very similar to each other, right? However, they are essentially the same rifle. All hardware and, accordingly, performance characteristics are almost identical, the main difference is in the stock. Well, there are also various sighting devices, including open ones; on some models the manufacturer installs a proprietary gas spring in the base (they come with the index NP - “nitropiston”). The price varies considerably: from 10 thousand for the Quest 1000 to 17,000 for the MTR77 NP and 23 thousand for the Trail NP 8-BT1K77SNP.

All of them belong to the magnum class. It’s quite easy for a beginner to determine this: in the product description, sellers always indicate the bullet speed; for magnums, the standard is 305 m/s (1000 fps). Another thing is that in reality the speed indicators are somewhat different (see “Pneumatic bullets and shooting features”).

Read about new spring-piston pneumatic products from 2022 in the article “New models of pneumatic weapons.”

By and large, almost all mass-produced Crosman magnums are in one way or another clones of the Spanish Gamo Hunter 440. The first sign was “Crosman Quest”, initially an almost exact copy of “Hunter”. Then, on its basis, the entire current line of magnums of this company arose.

And further. The answer to the question tormenting novice airgunners about the place of assembly of this company’s products (as, by the way, “Stoeger”) can be found in the article “Where are Crosman pneumatics manufactured.”

Air rifles "Stoeger"

The same is true for products from another well-known armory . There, however, they did not bother with extravagant external design options and actually produced one model, slightly different in the stock.

"Stoeger X10 Wood Combo" and "Stoeger X20 Wood Combo"

As you can see, the 20th model has a more elaborate stock, a forend with notches, and the butt has a pronounced “comb”. Otherwise it's one rifle. Options with a polymer stock are also available, both with camouflage coloring and in traditional black color (pictured).

"Stoeger X20 Synthetic"

The price range, as one would expect, is insignificant: from 10 thousand for the “X10 Wood Combo” to 12 thousand for the “X20 Wood Combo”. And without optical sights they even cost less than 10 thousand rubles.

More recently, the A30 series has appeared in the product line of this company with a modified design, both in a wooden and in a polymer stock. This model stands out in particular:

"Stoeger A30 S2"

As you can see, it is equipped with an integrated muffler in the base - like the Spanish ancestors from . Abroad, the new model costs about 180 dollars, that is, for us, with all the markups, it will be something on the order of 14 thousand rubles - approximately at the level of the “Gamo Black 1000 MAXXIM”, which is discussed in the next chapter.

Update, autumn 2022: (see new article “Stoeger air rifles”)

Air rifles "Gamo"

But what about “Gamo” itself, the creator of the prototype of all the rifles listed above. The Hunter-440 model appeared a long time ago and turned out to be so successful that it gave rise to a whole wave of imitations. All magnums with a 25x100 mm compressor (about 20 J of energy) and a lower piston hook are essentially its clones. And the 440 itself is still in production and is popular.

It must be said that the company has created dozens of different designs based on such a successful design. The basic hardware itself is almost the same, but when it comes to design options for the stock and barrel, the imagination of the Spanish gunsmiths has run wild. Judge for yourself…

"Gamo Hunter 440"

"Gamo Hunter IGT"

This version is equipped with an already adjustable buttstock and a pre-installed proprietary IGT nitrogen-filled gas spring.

Samples of magnums in a polymer stock are even more varied in shape, although they are the same in content. Here is a simple (and very cheap) basic version of the famous “Shadow”.

Gamo Shadow 1000

Or differing only in the design (and price level) of a rifle with an under-barrel cocking of the CFX/CFR and “Big Cat” series:

Read more about the differences between these lines in the article “Air rifles of the Gamo Big Cat series.”

Now let’s admire the representative of the pseudo-hunting series under the general name “Viper” (viper).

"Gamo Viper Desert"

And these are models for lovers of the military style. First, a representative of a whole line of Whispers equipped with silencers (from the word “whisper”):

"Gamo Whisper IGT"

And now - a typical SOCOM tactical series magnum:

"Gamo Socom Carbine Luxe"

And in fact, it’s all the same good old “Hunter-440”! Albeit in a completely new guise.

In the photo below is the new model “Gamo Black 1000 MAXXIM” with a completely budget price of 13 thousand rubles. By the way, compare it with the Stoeger A30 S2 discussed above.

The price range for Gamo magnums is as wide as that of Crosman: from 12 thousand for Hunter 440 to 19 thousand for Socom Carbine Luxe. But the rifles are still much more significantly different in appearance and the number of bells and whistles than those of the Stoeger.

Keep in mind that literally in the last two or three months the range of Spanish pneumatics has been radically updated - see “Gamo air rifles”.

Attention! If the article breaks off at this point, temporarily disable your ad blocker. Some of them manage to cut off the actual advertising screensavers along with the rest of the text. Moreover, they block the viewing of videos with stories about weapons, scenes of shooting or hunting.

Air rifles "Diana" and clones

The leading manufacturers of spring-piston pneumatics (mainly German) have rifles that, as a rule, differ significantly from each other. Models of the same design generally have the same or almost the same digital index, like, say, “Diana-31” in a plastic stock and “Diana-34” in a wooden one.

"Diana 31" and "Diana 34"

In addition, they may differ in the presence of a “silencer” (more precisely, a muzzle), and barrel length, which is also indicated in the name of a particular sample. The simplest “Diana 31” costs about 30 thousand rubles. “Diana 34” in the database is not much more expensive, but with optics, a muffler and other options it can cost 40 and 50 thousand. But it's worth it (see "Diana Air Rifles").

Clones of these German magnums are produced in China under the brands of various manufacturers, such as Ruger or Smersh.

"Umarex Ruger Air Hawk"

"Smersh R3"

The same is true for supermagnums. Thus, an almost authentic copy of the “Diana 350” is known under the name “Smersh R10”, and its version in a polymer stock is even under two – “Smersh R4” and “Ruger Black Hawk Magnum” (pictured).

But the cost of clone rifles, although several times lower than that of the German prototypes, differs very noticeably from each other. “Rugers”, due to a much more well-known brand, are correspondingly more expensive than similar “Smershas”, sometimes almost twice as much. For more details, see the article “Powerful pneumatics: the Smersh R4 rifle.”

All the clones, whether Gamo or Diana, are somewhat inferior to the prototypes, at least in terms of the freshness of their technical solutions. This mainly concerns patent-protected trigger mechanisms. Otherwise, American products, although assembled in China, are quite consistent in quality with Spanish prototypes. Regarding Chinese copies of German rifles, the picture, of course, is not so rosy, but their price niche is completely different.

Air rifles "Hatsan"

The powerful Hatsan rifles (magnums have a 27x100 mm compressor, energy up to 26 J) are extremely popular, especially among beginners. This Turkish arms company, for which I sincerely respect it, always tries to follow its own path, albeit a little crooked. Now we will not analyze the advantages and disadvantages of this manufacturer’s products; we will look at them in the light of the topic raised in the article. So, all magnum models from the 50th to the 90th series are essentially the same rifle. And the exterior is extremely similar. Here they are:

"Hatsan 55s"

"Hatsan 70 Camo TR"

"Hatsan 85 MW"

"Hatsan 90 MW TR"

The relatively new Stryker model stands out somewhat from the general lineup. The quality of the polymer stock is much better than that of others. However, the trigger mechanism used here is not (copied from the Germans), but from Gamo rifles, and a rather old model that was discontinued by the Spaniards a long time ago - exactly the same as that of the Stoeger and Crosman..

"Hatsan Striker Edge" and "Hatsan Striker 1000S"

"Strikers" in a wooden stock are practically indistinguishable from the "Stoeger X20 Wood". Only more powerful due to the larger volume of the compressor. All “hatsans” are noticeably cheaper than most competitors - Turkish magnums cost from 7 to 9 thousand rubles.

And now - more modern versions, created at the end of 2018 on the basis of the same Stryker. This is the " Hatsan AirTact ":

As they say, find ten differences from the “Striker AR”... But they still exist. First of all, an updated trigger mechanism (as on the entire Stryker line since 2022), a barrel with a casing and sound moderator, as well as a modified barrel locking unit.

There is also a “ Hatsan AirTact ED ” version:

This is essentially the same classic “AirTact”, only it has lost particularly striking “tactical” features, such as a telescope stock, and is stylistically close to the “Stryker Edge” prototype, on the basis of which it was created. The existing version of the “ AirTact PD ” is distinguished by a simple barrel without a casing and a “muffler”.

Attention : from 2022 to the requirements of Russian legislation, the maximum for unlicensed pneumatics is 7.5 J of muzzle energy. AirTacts are weakened not by an F-spring, but by a narrowed bypass.

* * *

So, a short conclusion from the above. When choosing mass-produced magnum-class spring-air rifles from one manufacturer, it is enough to focus on your own aesthetic preferences and the fullness of your wallet. Without going into too much technical detail.

Attention: if handled carelessly, even a 4.5 mm air rifle can pose a threat to the life and health of others (for details, see the article “Bow, crossbow, pneumatics: fakes, injuries, crime...”). Be careful.

More on the topic: - New models of air guns. Part 1 - New models of air guns. Part 2 - New budget air rifles from leading manufacturers - Multi-shot air rifles "Gamo" - Air rifles "Hatsan". Part 1 - Turkish pneumatics: a united front - Gamo air rifles - Diana air rifles - Stoeger air rifles - New IR-615 Katran air rifle