Review of the Crosman Optimus R8-C01K77X air rifle
This is a rifle of a spring-piston design with a barrel that “breaks” for loading. Caliber 4.5 mm, steel barrel, with trapezoidal rifling.
Advantages and disadvantages
A weapon with a real beech stock at an affordable price is a rarity. If an optical sight is installed on it as standard (not the coolest, but still) - then doubly so. Add to this that the speed of a rifle bullet is close to the speed of sound, and all that remains is to sing hosannas to those who created it.
When you calm down a little and, as they say, get used to this Chinese magnum, you will discover a number of shortcomings. The first thing that catches your eye is the plastic rear sight and front sight. Although they are equipped with fiber-optic threads, and the rear sight is even adjustable, plastic is not exactly what I would like to see on the aiming line.
The bypass joint seal is made of rubber. At the first opportunity, it should be changed to fluoroplastic, from Gamo (the rifle is very similar in design to the products of this Spanish arms company). There is no lever for pre-unlocking the breaking mechanism, so (given the power of the Magnum spring) the force when loading will have to be quite significant.
The butt plate is equipped with a rubber shock absorber, but it is not adjustable. Rail for dovetail optical sights. It is only indicated by two grooves on the surface of the compressor. Firstly, this is not a very reliable basis. Secondly, there is a suspicion that the piston body is weakened.
The mechanical safety lever is located in the same way as on Gamo rifles - under the guard, in front of the trigger. The trigger itself is soft and adjustable, which is good news.
The rifle is light! Just 2.7 kilograms. This is more than that of hunting single-barreled guns, but a very good indicator for pneumatics.
And one more plus - when you decide to upgrade it and start disassembling it, you will find that this is the simplest air rifle among all air rifles. Three screws and one pin are all that separates you from its insides.
Photo of Crosman Optimus R8-C01K77Х air rifle
Where can it be used
The rifle is powerful and can be used to hunt all sorts of small things. It is suitable for sports and recreational shooting. It is doubtful that children will be able to “break” it, but this is not the equipment that should be used for initial training.
Analogues and prices
| Model | Short description | price, rub. |
| Crosman Fury R8-CF1K77NP | Simulates military weapons. Easy to use and powerful rifle. The gun is single-shot, with a spring-piston mechanism. The product has a Nitro Piston system. That is, instead of a classic spring, a gas spring is installed. Thanks to this technology, the sound of the shot and the level of vibration are reduced by 75%. The gun has a mass of 3000 g and an initial speed of 305 meters per second. Platooning occurs due to a fracture of the barrel. Plastic composite body. The bed is ergonomic. The barrel is rifled, made of high quality steel. The forend and handle are equipped with a large number of grooved points, this allows for better grip on the rifle. Length – 1.13 m. Front and rear sights are installed, which have fiber-optic fibers. There is a possibility of mounting optics. Automatic fuse. The trigger mechanism is adjustable. | 10500 |
| Crosman Inferno | Spring-piston single-shot rifle. Small in size, but has strong recoil. During cocking, the gun is automatically put on safety. Shoots with lead bullets, rifled steel barrel. The safety is located behind the muzzle box. Speed – 185 meters per second. The stock is made of plastic composite. In addition to the classic stock, a pistol grip is installed. The butt has a rubberized butt pad. Steel body. "Dovetail" allows you to install an optical sight. Weight 1970 g, total length 1050 cm. | 5800 |
| Hatsan Striker Edge | A distinctive feature of the rifle is its low weight - 2900 g. This is a clear advantage, especially for people who are just starting to shoot. Khatsan achieved this indicator by replacing a number of parts with high-quality plastic. Front sight with fiberglass fibers. If desired, you can install the optics on a dovetail. The company's products are characterized by good quality and affordable prices. | 7600 |
| Hatsan Striker Alpha | A powerful rifle from a Turkish manufacturer, which is famous for producing excellent models of pneumatics. Good for both beginners and advanced shooters. The weapon is lightweight due to the use of high-quality and durable plastic in its construction. The dovetail mount makes it possible to install a powerful optical sight for better efficiency and high accuracy of shots. The Hatsan is equipped with an automatic safety lock, which prevents accidental shots. The rubberized butt pad makes it possible to reduce vibration when shooting, as well as reduce recoil. Lead bullets are used as ammunition. The caliber is standard and is 4.5 mm. The initial speed is 305 m/sec, this is a good indicator for a model of this class. A single-shot shotgun weighs 2900 g. The product is quite convenient to transport. At the same time, it is powerful, despite its light weight. This is a classic “breaking point”. The cocking mechanism has a spring-piston system. Even children can perform cocking while shooting. | 5000 |
| Crosman 1077 | Pneumatics are light and simple, the energy source is a CO2 cartridge, it is enough for 50 shots. The cylinder is installed inside the forend. Convenient location, allowing you to easily unscrew the screw. The body is made of plastic composite, which is 85% of the gun. The barrel has 14 grooves. The parts of the trigger mechanism, the muzzle box, and the butt are made of polyamide, and the magazine is made of polystyrene. The rifle is equipped with open sighting devices. Flight speed is 180 meters per second. In addition, there is the possibility of attaching optics to the gun. It should be noted that pneumatics are charged from the back of the drum. Shooting can be done by self-cocking. | 6800 |
Specifications
Technical characteristics of the air rifle Crosman Optimus R8-C01K77Х:
| Characteristics | Indicators |
| Mechanism type | Spring-piston |
| Spring in factory version | Steel, twisted |
| Caliber (mm) | 4,5 |
| Trunk | Steel, rifled |
| Loading | Trunk fracture |
| Bullet speed (m/s) | 305 |
| Stock material | Beech |
| Fuse | Mechanical, under the trigger guard |
| Descent | Single stroke, adjustable |
| Rear sight and front sight | Plastic, with fiber optic threads |
| Optics rail | Dovetail (11 mm) |
| Wholesale scope included | Eat |
| Rifle length (mm) | 1140 |
| Weight, kg) | 2,7 |
Specifications Crosman Optimus R8 C01K77
| Characteristic | Parameter |
| Factory spring | Twisted, steel |
| Weapon type | Spring-piston rifle |
| Trunk | Rifled, steel |
| Caliber | 4.5 mm |
| starting speed | 305 meters per second |
| Charging method | Trunk fracture |
| Fuse | Manual |
| Bed | Beech |
| Front sight and rear sight | Plastic, with fiber optic fibers |
| Trigger | Adjustable |
| Optical sight | Supplied complete |
| Sighting bar | Dovetail |
| Weight | 2700 g |
| Length | 1.14 m |
Design
Crosman Optimus R8-C01K77X is a classic rifle of a spring-mechanical design with a barrel that can be broken for loading. Caliber 4.5 mm, steel barrels, trapezoidal rifling.
The breaking mechanism does not have a pre-release lever. The connection between the barrel breech and the compressor bypass hole is plane to plane.
The stock is semi-pistol, made of beech; the butt plate is equipped with a non-adjustable rubber pad for shock absorption. Finish: matte polished.
USM with mechanical fuse. Its lever is located under the guard, in front of the trigger. The hook stroke is single, adjustable.
Sighting devices - rear sight and front sight, equipped with fiber-optic threads. They are made of plastic. The rear sight is adjustable in two planes.
To install optical sights, two recesses are used on the surface of the compressor, forming a dovetail strip. The distance between the grooves is 11 mm.
Options and packaging
The rifle is packaged in a cardboard box with a color print, where it is depicted on a yellow-brown background (view on the right) and the main technical characteristics are indicated. The packaging is neat - the weapon is in a plastic bag, there are foam pads for shock absorption. If the rifle is weakened, then on the box there is the inscription Does not exceed 7.5 joules.
There are two configuration types:
- optical sight plus spring (if the rifle is supplied loose);
- optical sight only (wait, rejoice, check the battle on the chronograph);
In any case, Russian-language instructions are included.
Video review of the Crosman Optimus R8-C01K77Х air rifle:
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.
Operating principle
The rifle is loaded in the same way as all “breaks” - by applying force to the front muzzle. There is no pre-release lever, which is found on weapons from the Izhevsk plant, so the force for breaking can be significant, especially if the spring is strengthened or replaced with a gas one.
While loading, rest the butt plate of the butt against your thigh, tightly grasp the fore-end with your left hand, and firmly but smoothly break the barrel with your right hand. The process should not be stopped before a distinct click is heard. If you suddenly release the barrel before it, you risk getting a front sight in the forehead.
Lead bullets are used, with or without a jacket; models with pyrotechnic effects are allowed. For shooting from a weakened rifle, it is better to use those whose weight does not exceed 0.5 grams.
The rifle has a mechanical safety. If you are not going to shoot immediately, then slide the lever in front of the trigger back. Transfer to the “Fire” position – shift forward.
The use of an optical sight when shooting is optional. Both the optical sight and the rear sight can be adjusted in two planes – horizontally and vertically.
The video shows the Crosman Optimus R8-C01K77Х air rifle in action:
Disassembly
Compared to other air rifles, the Crosman Optimus is the easiest to disassemble. Before this process, get a tensioning machine. Even a weak spring is dangerous.
Disassembly is carried out in the following order:
- Remove two screws on both sides of the forend and one at the rear branch of the trigger guard (through the hole in it). Separate the mechanism from the stock. Remove the “U” shaped bracket (plastic) connecting the halves of the cocking lever.
- Unscrew the clutch behind the trigger.
- Install the barrel with the mechanism in the tensioning machine and press the rear plug of the compressor so that the pin can be removed freely by pressing a screwdriver or bit.
- Remove the plug from the guide, the spring, and the piston weight.
- Break the barrel, disconnect the cocking lever and the trigger rod, removing the fixing bracket and the spring.
- Remove the trigger by sliding it back and at the same time pulling it away from the compressor.
- Remove the piston.
Do not overdo it with the tightening force - there is a plastic cover on the steel plug, which may burst.
Which optics should you choose?
The rifle comes standard with a Center Point 4×32 optical sight, the mounts of which are designed for a dovetail rail. The quality of this product is not very high, and the twisted spring and double recoil quickly disable it (the lenses begin to wear out). You can replace it with models with the same type of mount (bar width 11 mm) and not bother purchasing diopter optics - after all, the Optimus’s sighting range is not a kilometer.
For example, the Sightmark SM 13003 CDT red dot sight. Its body is made of aircraft aluminum, the mount is designed for installation on dovetail bars without additional rings. This reduces the chance of you tearing it off if it gets caught on branches or uneven terrain. Has a waterproof design. Four types of aiming marks, seven gradations of brightness. The lens is crystalline, with a multi-layer brightening coating, its size is 33 x 24 mm. The weight of the sight including the battery (CR2032) is 120 grams.
Photo of the Center Point 4×32 optical sight
Modernization
Thanks to the ease of disassembly, it would be foolish not to try to upgrade Optimus. It is best to replace the spring with a gas one. There are no standard ones for it, but you can use a trick by using ones that almost match the diameter of the piston and are of sufficient length to provide a pressure of 3–5 mm.
- Disassemble the rifle.
- We install the non-standard gas spring not with the rod in the piston, but with the body. For centering, we use ordinary blue electrical tape, which must be wound around the spring body so that it fits tightly into the piston and does not dangle there.
- Remove the coil spring guide from the metal plug. It comes out through the hole in the back.
- Please note that when installing the gas spring “in reverse” there is a danger of scratching the rod with the trigger sear. Therefore, when installing the trigger mechanism, you need to tie this part so that it does not dangle. Having installed the trigger in the compressor housing, connect it to the charging lever (a spring and a fixation ring are installed). After this, the thread can be cut and pulled out, freeing the sear.
Another way to upgrade is to replace the bypass seal and piston cup. The cuff is installed without any screws, by tension on the slot.
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.
