The Air Arms Pro Sport represents the pinnacle of spring-piston air rifle engineering, combining elegant design with outstanding performance. This detailed review explores every aspect of this premium air rifle, from its heritage to its real-world performance.
Heritage and Positioning
The Pro Sport’s lineage traces back to the legendary Venom Mach II, a handmade masterpiece by Ivan Hancock that commanded over $4,000 in the 1990s. While the Pro Sport may not quite match its illustrious ancestor, it brings much of that premium DNA to a more accessible price point. At $780 (without scope) or approximately $1,030 fully equipped, it positions itself as a premium option in the modern air rifle market.
The most frequent comparison is with its sibling, the Air Arms TX200 Mark III, which costs $150 less. This price differential raises an important question: does the Pro Sport justify its premium positioning? The answer lies in its unique combination of features, performance, and aesthetics.
Design and Construction
Aesthetics and Build Quality
The Pro Sport immediately distinguishes itself through its exceptional finish and construction. The metal parts feature a deep, mirrored black finish reminiscent of a Colt Python Royal Blue, while the wood stock (available in either beech or walnut) showcases precise checkering and elegant lines. The Monte Carlo comb and scalloped cheekpiece are expertly carved, though it’s worth noting that the stock is designed exclusively for right-handed shooters.
A unique feature is the hidden underlever system, following a design philosophy pioneered by BSA’s Airsporter series in the 1940s. This creates an exceptionally clean profile, with the cocking lever completely concealed within the forearm when not in use. This design choice necessitates splitting the forearm nearly in two, requiring additional stock screws to maintain structural integrity. That’s why the Air Arms Pro Sport is one of the best spring air rifles for the money
Weight and Balance
At 9 pounds without scope, the Pro Sport is a substantial rifle. While this mass helps dampen recoil, some shooters note that the rifle feels slightly light in the muzzle, which can affect stability during precision shooting. The overall balance, however, remains good, with the rifle settling naturally into shooting position.
Performance
Velocity and Power
The Pro Sport demonstrates impressive velocity capabilities across various pellet weights:
- Maximum velocity of 1,100 fps with lightweight alloy pellets
- 961 fps with 7.0 grain RWS Hobby lead pellets
- 909 fps with 7.9 grain Crosman Premiers
- 830-850 fps with 8-8.5 grain pellets
Most experienced shooters, particularly those involved in Field Target competition, prefer the 850-900 fps range with medium-weight pellets, where the Pro Sport shows optimal accuracy and consistency. Moreover, the Air Arms Pro Sport is one of the best air rifles for pest control
Chrony tests
| Calibers | Pellets | FPS | FPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| .22 | H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr | 720 | 16.88 |
| .22 | Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14.3 Gr | 728 | 16.83 |
| .177 | JSB Match Diabolo Exact 8.4 Gr | 755.9 | 10.66 |
| .177 | JSB Diabolo Heavy 10.34 gr | 770 | 13.62 |
| .22 | JSB Diabolo Heavy 18.13 gr | 635 | 16.24 |
| .22 | H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr | 717 | 16.74 |
| .22 | Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14,3 gr | 704 | 15.74 |
| .22 | Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14,3 gr | 710 | 16.01 |
| .22 | JSB Hades Diabolo 15.89 gr | 620 | 13.57 |
| .22 | JSB Exact Jumbo 13.43 gr | 675 | 13.59 |
| .22 | Predator GTO Lead Free Pellets 11.75 gr | 805 | 16.91 |
| .22 | JSB Hades Diabolo 15.89 gr | 665 | 15.61 |
| .22 | JSB Jumbo Heavy 18.13 Gr | 583 | 13.69 |
Accuracy
Accuracy tests
| Calibers | Pellets | Distances | Groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| .22 | H&N Terminator 16.36 gr | 40 yards | one hole |
| .22 | Air Arms Falcon 13.43 gr | 35 yards | dime size |
| .22 | H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr | 35 yards | dime size |
| .177 | JSB Match Diabolo Exact 8.4 Gr | 25 yards | 0.25" |
| .177 | JSB Diabolo Heavy | 40 yards | one hole |
| .22 | JSB Diabolo Heavy 18.13 gr | 35 yards | 1/2" |
| .22 | Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14,3 gr | 30 yards | one hole |
| .22 | Air Arms Diabolo Hunter 16 gr | 23 yards | 0.75" |
| .22 | JSB Hades Diabolo 15.89 gr | 30 yards | dime size |
| .22 | JSB Hades Diabolo 15.89 gr | 25 yards | 0.33" |
| .22 | JSB Exact Jumbo 13.43 gr | 25 yards | 0.32" |
| .22 | Predator GTO Lead Free Pellets 11.75 gr | 25 yards | 0.21" |
| .22 | JSB Hades Diabolo 15.89 gr | 50 yards | 1.29" |
| .22 | JSB Jumbo Heavy 18.13 Gr | 35 yards | 3/8" |
| .22 | H&N Baracuda Match 21.3 gr | 35 yards | 3/8" |
The rifle truly shines in accuracy testing, delivering exceptional groups across multiple pellet types:
- 0.256 inches at 25 yards with Crosman Premiers
- 0.317 inches with Air Arms Falcon pellets
- 0.365 inches with JSB Exact pellets
Notably, the Pro Sport shows a preference for lighter pellets, performing best with projectiles in the 7-8.5 grain range. This characteristic makes it particularly suitable for Field Target competition, where precision at known distances is paramount.
Trigger System
The trigger mechanism is a sophisticated evolution of the renowned Weihrauch Rekord design. Factory-set at 1 pound 5 ounces, it offers extensive adjustability for pull weight, sear engagement, and first stage travel. The gold-plated trigger blade is perfectly shaped, providing excellent tactile feedback and a clean, predictable break.
Operational Considerations
Cocking System
The hidden underlever system, while aesthetically pleasing, presents some operational tradeoffs. The cocking effort measures 41 pounds – 6 pounds more than the TX200. This higher effort isn’t solely about force; the lever’s fulcrum position, necessary for the concealed design, reduces mechanical advantage compared to traditional designs. Additionally, the Pro Sport cannot be de-cocked once cocked, requiring the shooter to either take their shot or safely discharge the rifle.
Noise Characteristics
While featuring a baffled barrel shroud, the Pro Sport produces average noise levels for a spring-piston rifle in its power class. It’s generally backyard-friendly with standard lead pellets, though using high-velocity alloy pellets that break the sound barrier will significantly increase noise levels. The shrouded barrel helps manage the report, though it’s not as quiet as some PCP rifles like the Benjamin Marauder.
Scope Mounting and Sights
The rifle comes without iron sights but features a standard 11mm dovetail rail with three holes for a vertical scope stop pin. This system proves robust and user-friendly, accommodating a wide range of optics. Testing with various scopes, including Hawke and Nikon models, demonstrated excellent compatibility and zero-holding ability.
Shooting Characteristics
The Pro Sport exhibits some hold sensitivity, typical of high-performance spring-piston rifles. Optimal accuracy requires:
- A consistent, loose hold
- Careful attention to left hand positioning
- Practice with the specific rifle’s balance and recoil characteristics
The rifle’s weight and recoil pad effectively manage recoil, producing a solid “thunk” rather than the spring twang common to lesser spring-piston rifles. The shooting cycle is clean and predictable, though mastering the platform requires dedication to proper technique.
Value Proposition
Despite its premium price point, the Pro Sport offers compelling value for the serious airgun enthusiast:
Strengths:
- Exceptional build quality and finish
- Outstanding accuracy potential
- Sophisticated trigger system
- Elegant, clean-lined design
- Excellent consistency
Considerations:
- Higher price than the similar-performing TX200
- Significant cocking effort
- Right-hand only configuration
- Some hold sensitivity
Features
- Max Velocity: 950 fps
- Overall Length: 40.5″
- Buttplate Ventilated rubber
- Function: Single-shot
- Weight: 9.03 lbs
- Trigger Pull: 3.0 lbs
- Scopeable: 11mm dovetail
- Safety Automatic
- Suggested for Small game hunting/target practice
- Caliber: .177 – .22
- Loudness: 3-Medium
- Barrel Length: 9.5″
- Shot Capacity: 1
- Cocking Effort: 39.6 lbs
- Barrel Rifled
- Front Sight: none
- Rear Sight: none
- Trigger: Two-stage adjustable
- Action: Underlever
- Powerplant: Spring-piston
Pros and Cons
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Conclusion
The Air Arms Pro Sport represents a fascinating blend of form and function in the premium air rifle market. While its price point places it firmly in the upper echelon of spring-piston rifles, its performance, quality, and unique design features justify the investment for the serious shooter. It’s particularly well-suited to Field Target competition and precision shooting, where its accuracy potential and consistent performance can be fully utilized.
The choice between the Pro Sport and its less expensive sibling, the TX200, ultimately comes down to personal preference – particularly regarding the hidden underlever design and aesthetic considerations. Either way, the Pro Sport stands as a testament to Air Arms’ commitment to excellence in air rifle design and manufacturing.
For the shooter seeking a premium spring-piston air rifle that combines classic aesthetics with modern performance, the Pro Sport presents a compelling, if expensive, option. Its combination of accuracy, build quality, and unique design ensures its position as a coveted choice among discerning airgun enthusiasts.
