How the rifle fits you is a very important thing. Dependability is another. The USFT is most likely THE most dependable air gun ever built. It's more adjustable to fit your shooting position than any other air rifle I know of as well. I have heard a lot of stories about a Steyr blowing regs and seals during matches or just before..
But the thing I like best about my USFTs is the low fill pressure, (1,300 to 1,500 psi.. any tank that can't fill a Steyr... can still fill your gun)... ever been at a match where all the tanks to fill your rig were under 3,000 psi??? I have...
And I really like the ease of changing and "indexing" the barrel.
You can buy or build a USFT with a bottle and reg if you like, and you still win this air fill battle, because the bottle reg is usually set at 1,150 or so, (sometimes 850 psi) SO, you can still fill your tank to 2,000 or 2,500 psi and shoot the match.. usually twice without another fill. I get two hundred shots on a 2,800 fill on my 12 fpe bottle USFT. Did you ever forget to fill your gun during a match??? How many points did it cost you??
Lock time is what most folks don't like about the USFT, it does take a little better follow thru... but that is something one gets used to and needs to do to shoot well anyway. And I add heavy fore stocks to mine and they sit very steady on my knee or fist offhand... follow thru is not a problem for me.
So, that's my two cents..
Wayne Burns,
Match Director,
Ashland Air Rifle Range
Those mentioned are 2 possible choices for me to buy currently listed on the classifieds.
I recently got a 177 Red Wolf. Haven't put it through its paces yet.
Afraid to take it outside to shoot. Trying to learn the electronics for now.
A set it and forget it kind of guy.
HA
Left is 55. Right is 25. Off a bench.
That is awesome!
HA
I really like the low fill requirement for the older USFTs but the newer ones use the
regulated bottles. I wonder why can't other manufacturers besides Crosman produce
a low pressure gun?
HA
What I was saying above is that the new bottle USFT has a real low setting on the reg on the bottle... mine at 850 psi... so you only need a 2,000 psi fill to get 80 to 100 shots at 12fpe on that low pressure fill in your bottle gun. If you want to and or can get 3,000 psi out of the fill tank, then you can get 200 shots from the fill. Think about not having to fill your big tank as often... there are a whole lot more fills in a tank when you can still use it a 2,000 psi!
Wayne
I really like the low fill requirement for the older USFTs but the newer ones use the
regulated bottles. I wonder why can't other manufacturers besides Crosman produce
a low pressure gun?
HA
What I was saying above is that the new bottle USFT has a real low setting on the reg on the bottle... mine at 850 psi... so you only need a 2,000 psi fill to get 80 to 100 shots at 12fpe on that low pressure fill in your bottle gun. If you want to and or can get 3,000 psi out of the fill tank, then you can get 200 shots from the fill. Think about not having to fill your big tank as often... there are a whole lot more fills in a tank when you can still use it a 2,000 psi!
Wayne
Got it! Sounds like one of the most air efficient airguns on the market.
HA
I really like the low fill requirement for the older USFTs but the newer ones use the
regulated bottles. I wonder why can't other manufacturers besides Crosman produce
a low pressure gun?
HA
What I was saying above is that the new bottle USFT has a real low setting on the reg on the bottle... mine at 850 psi... so you only need a 2,000 psi fill to get 80 to 100 shots at 12fpe on that low pressure fill in your bottle gun. If you want to and or can get 3,000 psi out of the fill tank, then you can get 200 shots from the fill. Think about not having to fill your big tank as often... there are a whole lot more fills in a tank when you can still use it a 2,000 psi!
Wayne
Exactly. Mine (which is the one in the yellow classifieds) is set up for about 18 fpe and has a tank and still gets north of 100 shots on a fill.
I had Tim build me one in the fall of 2017. I opted for a "Hunter" version with the upright grip vs the canted grip on the USFT. I also opted for the tubed version over the regged/bottled version.
I love mine.
I get 45 shots within 2% extreme spread. I have SCUBA tanks and the amount of fills I get off a 3000psi fill is insane.
Amazingly accurate gun with the poly LW barrel. I use it for field target and it is one of few guns in my cabinet that is on the "never sell it" list.
My Mac1USFT is the most accurate gun I have ever shot. I haven't shot the Steyr. I wish my back could take open class seating position. That's why my USFT is in the classifieds. ?
Could you make a reference in quietness or loudness what would it compare to?
If you shot it in the basement from a table where the cat is sleeping under, will he wake up?
It would be safer (for the cat) that way as opposed to moving the sleeping cat in between or right next to the target.
I searched for your ad and see what looks to be a small LDC at the end, that is the reason I asked the question.
HA
I had Tim build me one in the fall of 2017. I opted for a "Hunter" version with the upright grip vs the canted grip on the USFT. I also opted for the tubed version over the regged/bottled version.
I love mine.
I get 45 shots within 2% extreme spread. I have SCUBA tanks and the amount of fills I get off a 3000psi fill like insane.
Amazingly accurate gun with the poly LW barrel. I use it for field target and it is one of few guns in my cabinet that is on the "never sell it" list.
I would sure like to see pictures of that Hunter!
HA
Here's a pic. I asked for a solid rectangular piece of wood instead of the round knee cup for the hamster, just personal preference.
Average fps of a 45 shot string is 925 with JSB 10.34gr, for right under 20fpe. Pressure from 1550 to 1350. I played with the hammer tension and transfer port restrictor around 8 months ago to get it here. FPS are about what they were before, but it was needing a fill of 1650-1400. I decided I wanted to reduce the top end of fill pressure so I decreased the hammer tension (1/2 turn of an Allen screw) and opened up the transfer port restrictor (3/4 turn of a different Allen screw).
I'm not sure what Time did to the poly barrel on here but it is the most wind resistant barrel I've shot. I've compared other guns on the same windy day by shooting one shot from each gun at a time, holding on the same point, at 55 yards, for a total of 10 shot groups from each gun (my assumption being that that method would capture a roughly similar cumulative wind effect). The aim points were in a vertical line, and the poly barrel on my MAC1 drifted 1/2 as far, in equal winds, as a similar powered Brocock with an LW barrel, and the Taipan with CZ barrel, also at 20fpe (but with .22) drifted 3 times as far. That was the only semi scientific experiment but much anecdotal experiences shooting the gun in high wind conditions have been had to impress me with the fact that it laughs in the face of stiff breezes, in comparison to other airgun barrels.
I had Tim prep a LW .22 barrel for it as well. I've had it on the gun twice but only for tinkering's sake and went back to the .177 after just a few shots. With the settings that produce 20fpe in the .177 barrel, the .22 barrel gets 24fpe with jsb18.1 gr so I guess that supports the argument that guns make power more efficiently with larger calibers.
The gun, as a platform, is very consistent. The combo of that heavy 16mm barrel clamped into the big beefy breech block seems to lead to a very constant poi vs poa. I've yet to have it get knocked off and need rezero'd. I marked the barrel so that it could be indexed to the same place when removed and settings are repeatable even after removing and replacing the barrel.
Yes, it's loud and needs a husher of some sort. Any airgun at 20fpe will. Mine has an adaptor made by Rocker1 and a Hogan Decimeter and is very quiet. I have considered getting Neil Clague to make a full length shroud but.... if it ain't broke......
As far as the lock time....I have heard this argument before and hadn't ever really noticed until it had been pointed out. Of course, I shoot springers a lot, and sometimes even in Open Class so I'm used to long lock time I guess. I haven't ever felt like the lock time of the MAC1 has negatively affected my score.
A good airgunning buddy sold me on the reliability and other attributes of the USFT/Hunter. He has had one for around 15 years (if I remember right) and has had to do very little with it. He is also quite the airgun mechanic, rebarrelling guns and other machine work, he's probably been inside more airguns than the FX repairmen at AOA (back when they were in a relationship), and he was/is thoroughly impressed with the simplicity of the design. I don't remember the number but I've heard him remark numerous times, how few parts the guns have. There simply isn't much to go wrong (partly why I went with an unregulated version).
The trigger is great, by the way.
They're not aesthetically pleasing. No laminate stock. But they can be made to fit just how you want, and they're bulletproof.
Yes, the Thomas gets all the play in the FT circles these days, but it'll run you nearly double ($$$) what a new MAC1 will. And to find a used USFT for sale, even better.
Although this sounds like an advertisement, I do not know the member selling his. I'm just a big fan of the gun and wanted to share my experiences.
(PS: A RAW would be on my list before a Steyr or Thomas or Red Wolf)
I have an old USFT Hunter with left handed canted stock. Mine is number 12 of the Hunters.
I think mechanically, a USFT is as accurate as anything. I think the USFT is a little top heavy and that could make it harder to shoot than a more compact rifle.
I would love to have another USFT, a super lightweight hunter, like LD's 6 pounder, but I doubt that I will ever buy one.
My favorite thing about my USFT is swinging open the breech and cocking the exposed hammer. I just like the rhythm of shooting it. It is very soothing.
David Enoch
I have an old USFT Hunter with left handed canted stock. Mine is number 12 of the Hunters.
I think mechanically, a USFT is as accurate as anything. I think the USFT is a little top heavy and that could make it harder to shoot than a more compact rifle.
I would love to have another USFT, a super lightweight hunter, like LD's 6 pounder, but I doubt that I will ever buy one.
My favorite thing about my USFT is swinging open the breech and cocking the exposed hammer. I just like the rhythm of shooting it. It is very soothing.
David Enoch
Hi David & Al,
A couple years ago, LD built me a carbine in 12fpe that's a bottle gun regulated at 800psi. I fill to 2,600 even though I could to 3,000 psi. It gets about 150 shots with a 2,600 psi fill, so why stress the regulator.... LD is an amazing builder and tuner.
I asked him to add a 1"x3"x 8" long block of aluminum under the barrel block. It works great for bench rest. But, it also acts to counter the top heavy effects, especially with a big Nikko or the like on it. I added some dense foam to the bottom of the aluminum block so it can sit on my knee for low angle shots and the adjustable knee riser attaches for uphill angle shots. The gun and scope weigh about 16lbs, but offhand it feels light, when I get my elbow on my hip.. it's really solid. I think it's because it's not nose heavy and so compact.
I've shot and collected USFTs for along time and this is by far my favorite. The shorter barrel helps with the lock time issue. The slow twist poly barrel loves the 10.34 AA and they seem to really do a lot better in the wind than the 8.4s
I'm getting old, and I'm not nearly as steady as I used to be, but this gun is very forgiving and the pellet goes where it was pointed when I break the shot... as I'm moving thru the kill zone. I'm scoring a lot better than I have in a long time and it's all about this rig! Thanks again Larry!
Wayne
I am posting this for Airgunmanart. This is the rifle from his post above with all of Tim’s latest tweaks. I don’t know all the details he sent it home with me last week to play with.
I have not checked it over a chrono to check actual numbers or shot count but it is just under 20ftlb. It has dual regulators and is an absolute laser beam. 59 yards is the furthest I can stretch out in my back yard and at that distance this rifle is not even challenged.
Which ever has the better re-sale 🤣
The Steyr has really nice styling, but Tim isn't gonna be around forever.
Didn't he die last year? 🙄 (if you missed it, there was a thread)
I think the USFT over time will be better for resale. It is simple to work on with simple parts. Doubtful anything will break that can’t be easily fixed. Other guns are a different issue; when parts dry up…that’s it
