Hunting with an air-powered gun is a great way to maximize your experience. The benefit of near-silence allows you to take shot after shot without disturbing the woods and lets you work closer to dwellings without disturbing the neighbors. Some would argue that this is also a terrific application for stringed archery, but they would be dismissing the millions of outdoorsmen and women who simply cannot draw a bow or cock a crossbow. Umarex was on top of this from the start with the introduction of the AirJavelin, a CO2-powered airgun that fires arrows. While CO2-operated devices offer an instantaneous start into air gunning (or air bowing?), many shooters are already set up with an air management system at their home or range. For those looking to launch arrows PCP-style, Umarex just introduced the AirJavelin Pro.
Just like its predecessor, the AirJavelin Pro flings zippy little bolts with just the press of a trigger; except now, shooters and hunters can keep 4,500 PSI of pressure on board via the refillable tank. This spells an increase in muzzle velocity and energy as well as more shots before a resupply of air is needed. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to keep a stock of 88-gram CO2 cartridges at the ready. The AirJavelin Pro also features the most up-to-date attachment systems to include an MLOK for bipods, flashlights or slings, as well as a full-length Picatinny rail to mount your favorite optic.
At the 2022 SHOT Show, I had the opportunity to pick one up at the booth and my first impression was how extraordinarily light it was. After bringing it to my shoulder, I gained a thorough appreciation for the overall ergonomic, as it felt very much like an AR-15. This was thanks to the pistol grip and adjustable stock which allows it to be tailored to different sized shooters. I liked the traditional position of the cross-bolt safety as well as the pressure gauge mounted on the left side of the gun quite a bit too. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to fire Umarex’s new offering at their booth (hey, sometimes you can!) so that means that I am just going to have to request one for an in-depth review sometime in 2022. Stay tuned!
