As reports continue to come across from the 2017 IWA show in Nurnberg, Germany, we keep hearing buzz about the FX Crown. So let’s piece together the information in a collective article and share what we know as well.
FX Crown Laminate with Optional Scope
The new FX Crown air rifle uses a 480cc Carbon Fiber air bottle for its reservoir and refills via a quick disconnect port. This interchangeable bottle supplies air to the pressure regulator, which is externally adjustable and features a pressure gauge which shows bottle pressure and another which shows the regulated pressure. This feature alone is useful for dialing up or down your power, but the FX Crown does not stop there!
Crown Air Gauge for Cylinder and Regulator Pressures
The rifle also features a multi-step hammer stroke adjuster, externally adjusted with ball-detent steps. This allows the shooter to dial in the efficiency and consistency of the shot cycle. To top it off, the FX Crown also has a Power restriction wheel, which allow the shooter to quickly increase or decrease the power of the rifle while in the field. This feature is perfect for pest control, where your backdrop can go instantly from a 100 yard open field to a 20 yard enclosed barn, and the power can be limited to ensure safe dispatch of the pests. It also works well for the back yard shooter, who wants to keep the full power settings, but needs more shots at low power for the afternoon in the back garden. Needless to say, the FX Crown is fully adjustable, all externally, and it does not stop there!
Hammer Stroke Adjuster and Power Wheel
The Crown comes with a beautifully shaped, Italian made stock available in Walnut or Laminate, each with an adjustable butt pad. As an upgrade, an adjustable cheek piece is available as well.
Optional Adjustable Cheekpiece
The target trigger is adjustable with an extremely smooth and predicable pull. The Crown also features a manual safety which is easily switched on/off near the trigger.
Safety Switch on side of stock near trigger.
The FX Crown uses FX’s High Capacity magazine, but inserts at an angle which reduces the height for lower profile scope mounting. It is also compatible with the standard magazines for those who want ultra low scope mounting.
The FX Crown’s barrel is shrouded in a full length moderator, which can be extended for even more sound moderation, taking the rifle from quiet to extremely quiet! The advantage of this feature, apart from noise, is that the length can be instantly reduced to put the rifle back into a standard gun case. And, while we talk about the barrel, we need to call out the biggest feature found on the new FX Crown…the Smooth Twist X barrel!
Nearly Silent Barrel Shroud
Building upon the proven Smooth Twist technology, FX Airguns has pushed the design further with the new X barrel system. The barrels start with a highly polished tube, clear and free of any cuts or grooves. Using a patented procedure, FX presses the entire length of the OUTSIDE tube with “grooves” that translate through the metal to impart twist on pellets when fired. This Smooth Twist spins the pellet much like rifling, but it does not cut the lead or leave markings on the pellets. This makes the pellet more stable in flight and more resistant to air turbulence. Furthermore, FX has developed this design to allow for a variety of “Twist” rates and the barrel on the FX Crown allows these inner liners to be changed out easily.
So, if your new FX Crown arrives, and after tuning the valve, regulator, and hammer you find it shoots exceptionally well with JSB Exact Heavy pellets you are happy. But, like many other airgunners, if you insist on shooting the heavier H&N Baracuda pellets despite the rifle loving the JSB’s, you can simply experiment with other barrel sleeves that impart different twist rates, and in no time, you have a rifle that suddenly loves the heavier Baracuda pellets! Never before has a shooter been able to tell the rifle which pellet to shoot best!
Photo courtesy of The Airgun Gear Show
But wait there’s more!!! While you are swapping out your twist rate barrel sleeves, why not jump into a different caliber altogether? Maybe its time you take your .22 and install a .30 barrel for some high power hunting. With the Crown design, this is possible! You simply swap out the sleeve in the Smooth Twist X barrel to .30 caliber, easily change out the bolt probe in the breech, switch out the magazine and you are all set to dial in the power and consistency for the .30 pellet of choice. Oh, and if you want to further perfect the accuracy, grab a couple alternative twist rates in .30 caliber while you are experimenting!
And this Smooth Twist X barrel system is what truly sets the new FX Crown apart in such a unique way!
Now, we know everyone wants to hear more about the length, weight, power, shot count, accuracy, etc. But that will require some hands-on testing, which we are prepared to do once the rifle arrives here. That leads us to the big question, which is WHEN?? FX tells us they will deliver the first guns to the USA mid-April 2017. So, hang in there and we promise to deliver all the information as it becomes available. Meanwhile, feel free to order yours now to hold your place in line. We anticipate the Crown to stay on pre-order status for quite a long time, much like its ever popular cousin the FX Impact!
Until next time,
Get out and shoot!