If you are looking
for a lightweight, deadly accurate, multiple shot air rifle with
tremendous power you don't have many choices. The FX Cyclone and
the FX Superswift are the only air rifles which meet all of these
criteria. These guns literally have no competition. Furthermore,
because they operate on compressed air there is no recoil which
seriously enhances their accuracy. The new version of the Cyclone
(Aug. 2003) seems to have overcome the earlier mechanical problems
of this system. The guns come with the longer high capacity air
canisters and a factory installed barrel shroud (at a price).
The shroud is beautiful and makes the guns very quiet. The Superswift
is the meaner looking of the two but the stock does not have an
expensive look or feel. The Superswift has a spring loaded cocking
mechanism which makes it slightly more difficult to pull back
but it returns automatically. I personally don't think it's worth
the trouble but the spring is easily adjusted or removed. The
Superswift also has a thumb hole which cretainly enhances the
stability of the rifle when fired without any support such as
a bipod. The Superswift has a very useful hole in the stock to
hold three pellet magazines. The Cyclone has a nicely finished
stock which looks and feels good because of the soft neoprene
inserts and has a very comfortable feel and cheek support. The
Cyclone is certainly a more traditional look and feel. Choosing
between the two rifles is a matter of personal preference because
the weight, power, ease of use and accuracy is the same for each
rifle. The mechanism which is a part of the pin that holds the
pellet magazine in place on the Cyclone is a beautiful brass circle
integrated into the cocking arrangement. The same mechanism on
the Superswift is a little flimsy looking and feeling, is not
brass and is not incorporated within the cocking arrangement.
The Cyclone easily accepts a B-square bipod whereas the Superswift
requires removal of the front underside rail ( i.e. sawing it
off) in order to mount the bipod because the rail is not as wide
as the bipod mount and the bipod would look pretty stupid sticking
out on each side. With either rifle I recommend drilling a 1/4"
hole in the bipod mounting plate and that you install with epoxy
a helix coil screw insert in the stock. Then the mounting plate
can be attached with a substantial 3/4" long 1/4 panhead
screw to the stock and it is very sturdy. The coil inserts are
available at most hardware stores in packages of various sizes
and with all required tools and instructions. This step is necessary
because the material used in the stock is very soft. I have both
rifles and in my experience they are essentially the same guns
with the minor differences mentioned above. The biggest difference
is in the look of the guns. Do you want the assault rifle look
or a more traditional but elegant look? I have the FX compressor
and the handpump. I am amazed at how well the handpump works especially
if you pump up the canister every time it drops to about 100-150.
I have tried Simmons, Swift, ASO, Leupold and Bushnell Elite 4200
scopes with these guns and I can tell you without hesitation the
Bushnell is the best thing out there.
