As with practically every other industry in the world, Covid-19 rocked the airgun world as it pertains to parts shortages, production halts, transportation delays and so forth. One of the few bright spots was Umarex’s ability to intro the second generation of their extremely successful Gauntlet PCP rifle. That model led the charge for bringing accurate and affordable PCPs to the market.
This new Gauntlet2 offers multiple upgrades and design changes while coming in at the same weight of 8.5 pounds. Starting at the back, there is a thicker black hard rubber buttpad attached to a new precision-shooting style Flat Dark Earth color stock. An adjustable cheek riser in contrasting black is also part of the stock. This was redesigned to be adjustable via two hex head screws as opposed to the original Gauntlet which required loosening of the rear sling stud to adjust the cheek rest. The new stock has a thinner cross-section up to the point where it flares to accommodate the pressure gauge and new, larger 24 cubic inch air tank. This new air tank also handles 4500psi compared to the 3000psi tank on the first-generation Gauntlet. Coupled with the regulated valve set to 1900psi, this combination yields over 50% more power than the original. The drawback is that the longer bottle makes the Gauntlet2 more muzzle-heavy. The cover that doubles as a forearm now incorporates several M-Lok slots on the sides and bottom for accessory mounting.
The aircraft aluminum receiver houses an improved hammer and spring, reducing the cocking force by 15% according to Umarex. The hammer spring is still quite stiff and cocking effort remains stout on this model so Umarex added a knurled, oversized cocking knob in order to aid in cocking. For the additional power, most buyers would find this acceptable. It is currently available in .22 and .25 calibers, both using a spring-loaded rotary magazine. The magazine in .22 holds 10 rounds and two are provided with the rifle. For those who purchased a first-generation Gauntlet, those magazines will work fine in the Gauntlet2. However, if you regularly shoot Predator Polymags or longer waisted pellets, they will be too long for the magazine and you’ll have to revert to using the provided single-shot tray.
The barrel is rifled steel and 28.25 inches long. It is surrounded by a shroud incorporating a new four baffle design to make the Gauntlet2 even more quiet than the original, which it does quite effectively. When shooting outdoors it should not be necessary for the shooter to wear hearing protection. No provision is made for attaching additional suppression; however, the original Gauntlet spawned a bunch of aftermarket mods included threaded barrel adapters. Some of those mods may work on the Gauntlet2 and if they don’t, I’m certain it won’t be long before a slew of mods are available for this version. At an overall length of 47-inches, additional suppression may or may not be desirable.
The trigger is the same single-stage as on the original Gauntlet with adjustments for overtravel, weight and sear engagement. The average trigger pull on my sample gun was a mere one pound, 15.9 ounces out of the box! Since adjusting the trigger requires removal of the action from the stock, I was glad no adjustment was necessary as I prefer not to disassemble loaner guns. The safety is a rotary type in the front of the trigger guard and disengages the trigger. It is easily manipulated by the trigger finger, at least for right-handers.
The Gauntlet2 comes without any sights, as was true with the original. An MTC King Cobra FFP 6×24-50mm with Illuminated Reticle scope reviewed here last month was installed on the 7.5-inch combination dovetail/picatinny rail using a no-name mono-mount in my possession being mindful that the rotary magazine projects above the receiver by ½-inch. At 14.4 inches long, the 30mm tube gathers additional light, yet added 25 ounces to an already long and heavy rifle, but was manageable. It is a very nice scope that works well with this more powerful air rifle and even though I was not able to reach out past 25 yards during my testing, this combo should work well for Field Target or long-distance precision shooting.
AofA was kind enough to provide some of the new Norma pellets that they just started carrying (so new they do not have them up on the website yet). The Gauntlet2 seemed to like all but the Superpointstrike pointed pellets. Umarex touts this air rifle as capable of sending .22 lead pellets over 1000fps and that was my experience with the Normas under 16 grains. The Golden Trophy FT domed pellets at 15.9 grains averaged 1017fps with excellent accuracy. The Norma S-Target Match Flat points at 14 grains travelled at 1061fps and yielded very good accuracy. These “mid-range” pellets yielded over 35 foot-pounds of energy. Several of the heavier pellets tried generally exhibited excellent accuracy as did lightweight Predator flat point lead-free GTOs at 11.75. The drawback with the lightweight pellets is that they break the sound barrier at 1118fps, increasing the crack of the rifle and making it less backyard friendly.
The MSRP lists out at $449. AofA does not currently show this model on their Gauntlet page as Umarex is just now able to start filling backorders due to the aforementioned Covid-related problems. However, I’m sure they can advise customers as they come back into inventory.
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