First impressions of the NPSS Part II
Before we see how the NPSS behaves on the range, pay heed to something that Crosman apparently feels is very important. No less than three times in the owner’s manual, the following statement appears: “There may be up to a 100 shot break-in period. During this period accuracy may be inconsistent and your gun may seem loud. This will improve as the nitro gas piston breaks in.”
Now, back to business: take aim and pull the first stage out of the trigger (This requires about 3 lbs 6 oz of effort). Squeeze some more, and at just a hair over 5 lbs, the sear trips, and the shot goes down range.
An aside – recently I spoke with an airgun enthusiast who is also a military shooter. He offered the observation that a lot of airgunners are (his term, not mine) “trigger Nazis,” meaning that if they don’t get a match trigger that can be adjusted down to ounces, they declare the airgun to be garbage. My informant pointed out that there are an enormous number of military shooters who achieve spectacular accuracy with very heavy triggers, and that shooter discipline is the key to getting the job done. So, while I would prefer a somewhat lighter trigger in the NPSS, I found that the trigger is crisp enough and predictable enough for my tastes, and I enjoyed shooting it.
The NPSS launches 7.9 grain Premier pellets at just over 900 fps, producing around 14.7 foot-pounds of energy. While the NPSS box claims “30% Quieter!” I found the report to be comparable to other spring-piston airguns of similar power.
I started testing the NPSS for accuracy before it was fully broken in, and I quickly discovered that I was woefully out of practice for shooting a recoiling spring-piston air rifle. I found I could put three shots into a half-inch ctc group at 20 yards, after which my technique would go to blazes, and the group would widen. How did I know it was my technique? Easy – I tried the same thing with my tuned R7, which is a known tackdriver, and got very similar results. I surmise that a skilled springer shooter could do substantially better.
One thing that is remarkable about the NPSS is that shot cycle is absolutely vibration-free. There is no buzz or twang, and no apparent torque. Subjectively, the shot cycle appears to be very quick – whack! – and the shot is downrange. The pulse of recoil is fast, strong, and gone in an instant.
Recently, I had a call from a friend who wanted a recommendation for a rifle he could cock, load, safe, and keep behind the kitchen door for dealing with pests in his yard. He didn’t want to deal with the hassle of a PCP or pump-up gun. This where the NPSS shines; it’s the perfect be-ready-in-an-instant air rifle for pest control, hunting, or other applications. In all, I found that I really enjoyed shooting the NPSS, and I think that a lot of springer shooters will enjoy it as well.
A footnote: after I finished this blog, the NPSS called to me again, and I took it into the yard for a 15-minute vacation. From a sitting position at 35 yards, I put three out of five shots within an inch of each other. I think the NPSS is breaking in . . . . or maybe I am.
Til next time, aim true and shoot straight.
- Jock Elliott
Now, back to business: take aim and pull the first stage out of the trigger (This requires about 3 lbs 6 oz of effort). Squeeze some more, and at just a hair over 5 lbs, the sear trips, and the shot goes down range.
An aside – recently I spoke with an airgun enthusiast who is also a military shooter. He offered the observation that a lot of airgunners are (his term, not mine) “trigger Nazis,” meaning that if they don’t get a match trigger that can be adjusted down to ounces, they declare the airgun to be garbage. My informant pointed out that there are an enormous number of military shooters who achieve spectacular accuracy with very heavy triggers, and that shooter discipline is the key to getting the job done. So, while I would prefer a somewhat lighter trigger in the NPSS, I found that the trigger is crisp enough and predictable enough for my tastes, and I enjoyed shooting it.
The NPSS launches 7.9 grain Premier pellets at just over 900 fps, producing around 14.7 foot-pounds of energy. While the NPSS box claims “30% Quieter!” I found the report to be comparable to other spring-piston airguns of similar power.
I started testing the NPSS for accuracy before it was fully broken in, and I quickly discovered that I was woefully out of practice for shooting a recoiling spring-piston air rifle. I found I could put three shots into a half-inch ctc group at 20 yards, after which my technique would go to blazes, and the group would widen. How did I know it was my technique? Easy – I tried the same thing with my tuned R7, which is a known tackdriver, and got very similar results. I surmise that a skilled springer shooter could do substantially better.
One thing that is remarkable about the NPSS is that shot cycle is absolutely vibration-free. There is no buzz or twang, and no apparent torque. Subjectively, the shot cycle appears to be very quick – whack! – and the shot is downrange. The pulse of recoil is fast, strong, and gone in an instant.
Recently, I had a call from a friend who wanted a recommendation for a rifle he could cock, load, safe, and keep behind the kitchen door for dealing with pests in his yard. He didn’t want to deal with the hassle of a PCP or pump-up gun. This where the NPSS shines; it’s the perfect be-ready-in-an-instant air rifle for pest control, hunting, or other applications. In all, I found that I really enjoyed shooting the NPSS, and I think that a lot of springer shooters will enjoy it as well.
A footnote: after I finished this blog, the NPSS called to me again, and I took it into the yard for a 15-minute vacation. From a sitting position at 35 yards, I put three out of five shots within an inch of each other. I think the NPSS is breaking in . . . . or maybe I am.
Til next time, aim true and shoot straight.
- Jock Elliott
posted by Jock Elliott at
1:02 AM
7 Comments:
Nice report Jock,
Yep ya can't put down the springer type rifles for to long,the pneumatic's will spoil you in a heart beat.I think I'll wait and see what transpires with the NITRO before buying one.But I do like the ease of a springer,,,just cock and load no tanks,bottles or pumps.And the plus side of the nitrogen gas spring is you can keep it loaded for as long as you want.
BBGun Bob
SE Mich.
BBGun Bob,
Years ago, Leigh Wilcox, who ran Airgun Express, said to me, "Airgunners seem to have a love-hate relationship with springers. They start out with springers, then they'll go away because of they're hard to shoot. Then then come back because of the convenience and the challenge of shooting them."
I agree with you: springers have a lot to offer, but if you ignore them for too long, you have to relearn how to shoot 'em.
I'm an "early adopter" of the NPSS (.177 cal) and am loving it so far....no regrets whatsoever. I've only owned two other air rifles, a very old Daisy 880 and a Remington Vantage 1200 prior to adding the NPSS, but I've shot several RWS and Beeman rifles over the (many) years. It handles great and the Center Point scope has been a perfect match for the gun.
The NPSS is now incredibly accurate after only few dozen Crow Magnums pellets went through it for break in...if it's even broken in yet I don't know. I can get quarter size or smaller groups outdoors at 20-25yds and although it puts out under 900fps muzzle velocity with the Crow Magnums (avg 869fps to be exact) there is little variance in that velocity.
The NPSS is quiet for its power output and is only marginally behind in muzzle energy to my Remington Vanatage 1200 (910fps avg with Crow Magnums) but makes up for it with noticeably better accuracy. The BEST part is the gas ram "spring"; I can sit and wait for nuisance ground squirrels or chipmunks for a long time without worry about killing the spring.
This was my first purchase from AoA and there will certainly be many more thanks to their excellent email and phone support and competitive pricing.
gr8 review i think ill get one soon.
i have a power line 901 [great gun] and would like 2 upgrade 2 a more powerful gun.
the npss in carbon fiber is 1 of the best lookin guns iv seen. which crosman pellet works best for this gun? i cant wait 2 see this gun on youtube.
With two anonymouses (anonymice?) to respond to, it's hard to distinguish between you, so I'll reply to both at once.
It's great to hear that others are having the same positive experience with NPSS.
I've found the Crosman Premier Light 7.9 gr pellet to work pretty well with the NPSS.
Anyone tried a different trigger ? I heard from one fellow who said he got a Nitro trigger from AOA, not sure what that is, he said it's alot better. Call me a trigger nut if you will, but most all of us will shoot much better with a trigger that fires the gun when it moves, instead of 1/4 to 5/16" of travel later.
Anonymous,
Unfortunately, I have not tried he Nitro trigger.
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