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We are back on the indoor range for another dedicated shooting assessment, shifting gears to focus entirely on the Barra 1866 Tactical Lever Action CO2 .22 Caliber Pellet Rifle. This is a .22 caliber lever-action pellet rifle that uses CO2 and features authentic shell-ejecting and shell-loading mechanisms. For this session, the focus turns squarely to downrange performance, tracking velocity consistency over the chronograph and a dedicated paper target test to evaluate its accuracy. if you haven’t already checked out my table top review for the Barra 1866 Tactical, you can do that here

Chronograph & Velocity Baseline

The Barra 1866 Tactical is powered by dual 12 gram CO2, and for this test, we started with brand new cartridges in slightly chilly conditions just under room temperature. To establish our velocity baseline, the rifle was run with fairly heavy grain (15.43 grain) Gamo Match Diablo .22 caliber pellets across a standard testing string.

Here is how the shot string registered over the sensor:

• Shot 1: 321 FPS

• Shot 2: 349 FPS

• Shot 3: 353 FPS

• Shot 4: 333 FPS

• Shot 5: 337 FPS

• Average of 339 FPS with 4 foot pounds of energy

The rifle turned in an overall performance generally hovering around the mid-300 FPS mark in these slightly cooler conditions. Previously, the non-tactical brass version achieved closer to 400 FPS, suggesting that warmer temperatures and lighter pellets might yield higher velocities.

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Target Accuracy & Grouping Results

Moving to the paper target, the Barra 1866 Tactical Lever Action CO2 .22 Caliber Pellet Rifle was aimed using its factory open sights at a distance of 30 feet. While a pistol red dot was initially placed on the back, a dead battery meant sticking to the standard open sights. Aiming just below the bullseye, the sights centered perfectly left and right.

Cycling the lever and ejecting the shells proved to be an engaging experience. The shots struck a bit high on the target, but the rounds clustered decently once the proper zone was found. The pellets generally wanted to group about an inch and a half away from each other. Despite shooting slightly high, the rifle delivered noticeable impact energy and a solid "wallop" downrange even managing to make the target pop off the pellet backstop.

Shooting Impressions & Operational Notes

Running the Barra 1866 through a shooting sequence highlights a few distinct mechanical characteristics:

• Shell Ejecting Mechanism: The shell-loading and ejecting action is highly enjoyable, adding a fun and realistic element to the shooting rhythm.

• Lever Cocking Safety: A crucial operational note is that the lever must be pulled tightly to the stock to disengage the secondary safety. If the lever is not pulled tight against the stock, the rifle will not fire.

• Sights: The open sights function well and center perfectly left and right, though they may shoot slightly high depending on the range.

Final Thoughts

The Barra 1866 .22 Caliber Tactical Lever Action Pellet Rifle proved to be a tremendously fun shooter. Delivering respectable velocities with heavy pellets and decent accuracy out of the box, it stands out as an engaging option for lever-action enthusiasts. For shooters seeking a realistic plinker, it remains a highly enjoyable choice.

Available at:

🇨🇦 Buy the Barra 1866 Tactical in the Canada Replica Airguns Store

🇺🇸 Buy the Barra 1866 in the US Replica Airguns Store

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In this table top review, we are taking a close look at the Barra 1866 Tactical CO2 Lever Action .22 Caliber Pellet Rifle. While the original classic version featured a gold receiver and faux wood stock, this updated model brings a modern tactical aesthetic to the classic Winchester 1866 platform. The biggest draw to the Tactical version is the black synthetic stock, the M-LOK handguard, and the multiple Picatinny rail options for adding modern accessories.

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Key Specifications:

• Model: Barra 1866 Tactical.

• Type: Pellet Rifle.

• Caliber: .22 caliber pellets.

• Power Source: Dual 12-gram CO2 cartridges (housed in the rear buttstock).

• Velocity: Claimed 450 FPS.

• Action: Single-Action Lever Action Repeater.

• Safety: Thumb safety behind the hammer and a secondary grip safety built into the lever.

• Barrel: 18-inch rifled steel octagonal barrel.

• Construction: Mostly all-metal construction with a black synthetic stock and handguard.

• Weight: 6.5 lbs (2.9 kg).

• Overall Length: 38.5 inches (90.7 cm).

• Sights: Flip-up rear iron sight (featuring a peep notch and a lower notch).

• Optics Rail: Removable short Picatinny rail over the receiver and a long continuous Picatinny rail on the handguard.

• Magazine Capacity: 10-shot tube magazine (comes with 10 silver shells designed specifically for the .22 caliber version).

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Handling & How It Works: Weighing in at 6.5 pounds and measuring 38.5 inches long, the Barra 1866 Tactical has an incredibly solid feel thanks to its heavy metal receiver and barrel. This is a single-action lever action repeater, meaning you must manually cycle the lever to cock the hammer and load a shell into the breach for every shot. To fire, you load the individual shells into the tube magazine, rack the paracord-wrapped lever downwards to chamber a round, ensure the lever is squeezed snug against the stock to disengage the secondary safety, and pull the metal trigger. When you rack the lever again, the empty shell ejects straight out the top of the action just like the real deal.

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Pros:

• Excellent heavy weight and realistic feel thanks to the nearly all-metal construction.

• The sleek black synthetic stock and M-LOK handguard completely update the classic platform into a modern tactical rifle.

• Very few replica rifles are available in .22 caliber, which offers fantastic downrange energy and impact.

• Abundant mounting options: M-LOK slots and multiple Picatinny rails make it incredibly easy to add red dots, flashlights, lasers, or bipods.

• The custom paracord-wrapped lever handle looks great and improves grip comfort during cycling.

• Dual 12-gram CO2 system provides a very cost-effective power source with less cool-down effect than a single cartridge, allowing for extended shooting sessions.

• Operating the lever and watching the empty casings eject vertically makes this gun incredibly rewarding and fun to shoot.

• The claimed 450 fps gives you plenty of power for mid-range target shooting and small pest control.

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Cons:

• Because the empty shells eject vertically straight out of the top, you cannot easily mount a traditional magnified rifle scope directly over the receiver; an offset red dot or long eye-relief pistol scope mounted further forward is required.

• You will inevitably lose some of the ejecting shells if you shoot outdoors in the grass, so picking up a spare set is highly recommended.

• The lever must be held firmly snug against the stock while shooting, otherwise the built-in secondary safety will prevent the trigger from pulling.

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If you are looking for a fun, realistic lever-action repeater that combines nostalgic shell-ejecting operation with modern tactical accessory compatibility, the Barra 1866 Tactical is a fantastic option. Stay tuned for the Field Test Shooting video coming up shortly.

Available at:

🇨🇦 Buy the Barra 1866 Tactical in the Canada Replica Airguns Store

🇺🇸 Buy the Barra 1866 in the US Replica Airguns Store

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Getting a mystery box from the Canadian Replica Airguns warehouse feels a lot like Christmas and we are getting closer to Christmas... Today's unboxing was a tall package, and while it contained some excellent accessories, including Gear Stock 6mm airsoft BBs, a UV-activated Airsoft tracer unit, and a LiPo safety bag—the real highlights were two very distinct lever-action rifles.

Barra 1866 Tactical Lever Action CO2 .22 Caliber Pellet Rifle

The first rifle out of the box is the Barra 1866 Tactical CO2 Edition. It takes the classic 1866 lever-action platform and gives it a highly modular, modernized upgrade.

Initial Thoughts & Basic Specs:

• Ammunition & Power: This model is a .22 caliber pellet rifle that runs on a dual CO2 system housed in the back.

• Realistic Operation: It features a fully functional shell-ejecting system and includes ten metallic shells.

• Smooth Action: Operating the lever action on this rifle feels incredibly smooth.

• Tactical Upgrades: The tactical design includes top and bottom Picatinny rails and an octagonal barrel.

• Sighting: The rifle comes with a front sight and a versatile rear sight that functions as a notch or flips up into a peep sight.

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Daisy 499B Match Grade Champion Lever Action BB Rifle

The second rifle is the Daisy 499B Match Grade Champion, famously billed as the world's most accurate BB gun. It feels essentially like a highly enhanced Daisy Red Ryder on steroids.

Initial Thoughts & Basic Specs:

• Premium Build: This is a full-sized rifle featuring a beautiful, fully wooden stock and forend. It is noticeably longer and more robust than a standard Red Ryder.

• Action: The metal lever produces a heavy, satisfying clunk when cocked during a dry fire.

• Competition Sights: Built for precision, it utilizes a front peep sight and a very small rear peep sight.

• Extras: A heavy-duty shooting sling is included in the box.

• Target Audience: While it is a fantastic platform for younger shooters, its larger size and premium quality make it highly suitable for older youths and adults.

I am incredibly excited to put both of these lever actions to the test. I will be producing full tabletop and field test shooting videos for both rifles very soon, so stay tuned.

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We made it to the Barra Booth here at SHOT Show 2026 and once again I caught up with Jacob to check out what’s new for 2026, lots of “modern western” energy this year, plus some serious PCP development and even a very functional slingshot.

• New “cowboy” premium single-action revolver (PCP cartridge-powered): Unlike most revolvers in this category that run on CO2, this one uses refillable air cartridges (small pressure chambers) filled to ~2000 PSI. You load a pellet into the nose cone, charge multiple cartridges at once using a charging manifold (up to six at a time), then drop the loaded cartridges into the cylinder just like shells.

  • Caliber shown: .22

  • Hand pump fill estimate: roughly ~10 pumps (quick top-offs), with a tip to pump → degas → pump againfor more consistent cartridge pressure.

  • Frame/version: brass frame first, with other versions planned.

  • Positioning: premium / highest-quality cowboy-style item in their lineup; made in Italy.

  • Early price talk: roughly $400–$500 range (with cartridges), but still TBD.

• 1866 CO2 Lever Action – Tactical version (launching this year): Built off their popular CO2-powered 1866 lever action (two CO2 cartridges in the buttstock, shells load into the gun, lever cycles and ejects).

  • Updates: black stock, M-LOK fore-end, larger Picatinny section, and paracord wrap on the lever for comfort.

  • Calibers: .22 is the focus (with .177 also planned/available).

• New slingshot (with internal grip magazine): A compact, foldable slingshot that stores ammo in the grip and feeds by gravity—engineered so it releases one steel shot at a time.

  • Uses flat bands (easy to swap/upgrade for strength/velocity).

  • Sighting: built-in sight plus fiber optic references for left/right-handed use and different ranges.

• Replica-style break barrels (AK + M16 formats): Two new break-barrel rifles styled after an AK and an M16 with non-functional replica controls, but standard break-barrel operation.

  • Sights/optics: adjustable iron sights plus Picatinny rail for optics.

  • Calibers mentioned/planned: .177 / .22 / .25.

• New PCP platform: “300Z” (pre-production prototype in hand): A more serious, modern tactical PCP design with:

  • Folding stock, 1913/Picatinny rear, dual gauges, 2-stage trigger

  • Externally adjustable regulator

  • Ambidextrous side lever (convertible)

  • Rotary magazine (prototype shown in .30 cal, 8 rounds)

  • Power testing target: up to ~80 ft-lb in .30 cal

  • Notes: barrel shroud look—not a suppressor; Canada discussion included licensing/detune possibilities.

• Updated PCP: “270Z” (built off the 250Z, redesigned internals): A redesigned system meant to feel more like a traditional bolt action, with increased plenum volume (machined from a solid block of aluminum) targeting ~20% more power than the 250Z.

  • Features: adjustable cheek rest, M-LOK fore-end

  • Timing: Q2 target for the 270Z; Q3 target for the 300Z.

Jacob also emphasized an ongoing push toward higher workmanship, better materials, and improved performance, and it shows, especially in the new premium western revolver and the next-gen PCP lineup.

Watch the Full Interview Video:

In this Vimeo Replica Airguns Update Video I take a look at three CO2 Airguns, one is a 4.5mm Steel BB revolver distributed by Barra and two are CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistols distributed by Umarex. All of these CO2 Airguns I have previously reviewed in slightly different versions either barrel length and finish or Steel BB as compared to 6mm Airsoft So checkout why other reviews on similar version Airguns.

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The Barra Barra Schofield CO2 BB Revolver is a replica of the Schofield No. 3 single action revolver and utilizes 6 reloadable shells for a very realistic shooting experience. It is very solid in construction bing made mostly out of metal and weighs in at around 2.4 pounds. This version shots 4.5 mm Steel BBs at a velocity of up to 400 fps. It comes in a variety of barrel lengths and finishes so amen sure to have a look in our Online Replica Airguns Store for what we have available…

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Next up from Umarex is the fully licensed Beretta Pietro Mod. 92 A1 CO2 Blowback Semi and Full Auto Airsoft Pistol, this product is distributed by Umarex but is made by KWC. Another solid metal pistol with a hefty 2.4 pound weigth that holds 21 rounds in its full size drop out metal magazine and offers both semi and full auto shooting at the flick of a switch!

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Again from Umarex I showcase the Elite Force 1911 Tac CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol and like the Beretta Pietro it too is made in the KWC factory for Umarex. The 1911 Tac as the name suggest is a tactical version of the standard Colt 1911 but with some upgrades like a skeletonized hammer and trigger along with an ambidextrous safety, white dot sights front and back and a picatinny rail on the frame for add ons. You can expect velocity to be somewhere in the 400 fps range and the full size drop out metal magazine holds 15 Airsoft BB’s.