Type: Break barrel pellet rifle. Manufacturer: Umarex USA. Model:Ruger Explorer. Materials: Metal and polymer parts. Weight: 4.45 pounds (2.5 kg). Barrel: 12 inches, metal rifled. Propulsion: Spring piston. Action: Single shot. Ammunition Type: .177 caliber pellets. Ammunition Capacity: 1. FPS: 495.
Trigger Pull: I found the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle to have a fairly light trigger, there is some initial take up with a smooth almost undetectable break or release point, I found that as I shot the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle the trigger seemed to be breaking in a bit which made it a bit hard to figure exactly when the trigger was going to release but I feel over time and once the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is broken in the trigger will become more predictable.
Accuracy: Since I have already made a shooting or field test video for the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle, I can comment on its performance n this review! With 6 grain lead pellets (on the lighter side), I was able to get a 5 shot Chronograph average velocity of 485 fps. Using heavier 7-8 grain pellets the velocity slowed down a bit to around 400 fps. In terms of accuracy the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle performed well getting about a 1 inch 10 shot grouping on my paper target setup 30 feet down range. I know the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle can do better than this once the trigger settles down a bit since some shots went off unexpectedly.
Build Quality: The Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is not an expensive air rifle and is more or less an entry level spring piston pellet shooter. That said it is built fairly well with a metal receiver, barrel and trigger setup. The modern looking stock is polymer and the steel barrel is coated in a synthetic soft plastic to help with long term durability. The real fiber optic sight is plastic so you will have to be careful with it as it does protrude a bit from the air rifle.
Realism: Since the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is not a replica realism is not really a factor here but it does look like a gun so treat it as if it was a real gun since most people will not know the difference. Always transport and store any airgun safely and discreetly.
Pros:
Really great looking air rifle with a modern look to it.
Finish is very durable with its polymer stock and plastic/rubber coated barrel.
Fully adjustable fiber optic sights are easy to sight in and use.
Receiver is notched for ring mounts so you can add an optical sight or red dot to it.
Trigger is fairly light, just need some break in time with it.
Cocking effort is fairly easy at 16.5 pounds.
Great size gun for all ages.
Power and accuracy were good for an entry level air rifle.
Cons:
I did find the trigger break/release point to be a bit unpredictable but I feel this is a break-in issue and will become more consistent over time.
You have to remember to push that safety in with ever shot.
Comments: The Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is marketed as a Youth air rifle but in reality it would be great fun for all ages. I am a fairly large person at 6 feet tall and I had no problem dealing with the slightly shorter configuration. The trigger guard is nice and open and allows for large fingers which is not always the case with airguns designed for smaller individuals. The overall quality you get with the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle for the lower entry level price tag is very good and in terms of performance I feel you for sure get your monies worth with the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle.
I don't do a lot of Springer (Spring Piston) Air Rifle shooting tests or even reviews for that matter. Mainly for a couple of reasons: Number 1, my content is mostly focused around Replica style Airguns and Number 2, it's kind of hard to test out the longer range airguns in my 30 foot airgun range. That said I felt the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle would be a really great airgun to review since it is both affordable and even though it is targeted for the youth market, it really does make a great shooter for all ages.
I have not done a Table Top Review for the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle but plan to shortly so stay posted for more detailed info on the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle down the road in that review.
So how'd we do during my Field Test Shooting Video for the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle? Not bad I would say! Using about 6 grain rather light weight .177 caliber lead pellets I was able to get really close to the 500 fps claimed fps mark coming in just under at a 5 shot testing average of 485 fps. I did put a couple heavier grain pellets through my Chrony Chronograph and got closer to the 400 fps mark, still not bad for this lighter sprung spring piston air rifle.
In terms of accuracy, shooting at my paper target setup 30 feet down range in my Sea Can Airgun Range, I shot about a 1 inch 10 shot grouping. I was finding the trigger break-in to be a bit unpredictable during this testing which led to some premature shots going off so I do feel once the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is broken in and me getting use to the trigger break, I should be able to improve on this result.
Overall the Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel Pellet Rifle is a really nice entry level airgun perfect for all ages and not just the youth market. It looks really cool, is easy to cock and has a very resilient finish. Oh ya it shoots pretty good to!
In this Field Test Shooting Reviews I test out the ASG Ruger MK II CO2 6mm Airsoft Pistol and put five rounds through my Chronograph to find out what the average fps is using .20 gram BB's and a brand new 12 gram CO2 cartridge. ASG claims 417 fps, I was expecting to get pretty close to that but did average a little bit lower at right around 399 but it was only about 7 degrees Celsius or 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Kind of a cold one!
I also shoot the ASG Ruger MK 2 CO2 6mm Airsoft Pistol from the 30 foot range since I hadn't had a chance to shoot it yet. While shooting from a semi rested position at 30 feet back, I was able to get a 5 inch 10 shot group but did notice that the bulk of the shoots seemed to all hit within a 2 inch group with two outliers that shot a bit low and to the right. The other 8 shots all hot really close to dead center on the target. All the ASG Ruger MK pistols have both adjustable hop-up and a rear sight that is adjustable for windage so you should be able to dial this gun in for your shooting style. The trigger pull on the ASG Ruger MK II CO2 6mm Airsoft Pistol is double action only and kind of on the long side but it is pretty smooth and has a nice satisfying metallic click to it when released, I found it pretty easy to shoot but it does take some practice time to get the feel for it.
If you are a Ruger MK series 22LR shooter than you may just want to get your hands on one of these and have the freedom of being able to shoot it just about anywhere for even cheaper than using 22LR ammo!
My Vimeo Field Test Video Review for the ASG Ruger MK2 CO2 6mm Airsoft Pistol:
I don't often review target and or hunting rifles since for the most part Replica Airguns is all about well... replica airguns :) I have reviewed some of my own personal spring piston and pump rifles since I have them and there is a cross over in folks that like both the replica airguns and airguns meant for target and or hunting purposes.
We do have a small selection of spring piston rifles in our Replica Airguns Canada store suitable for target and small game so I thought I would point some of them out in this preview video.
Ammunition Capacity: 15 round full size drop out metal magazine.
FPS: 417.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ASG MK II is double action only which will make it a bit on the heavy and longer side when compared to a real steel Ruger MK II, it is smooth however and does have a nice satisfying click that sounds like a firing pin being release. The unfortunate part is that the real steel version is a single action only trigger and one that is super short and light so the contrast between the Airsoft and 22LR version may make this gun not practical is an optional training tool if you win the 22LR version also.
Accuracy: This part of the review is yet to be determined as I have not done my Field Test or Shooting tests for this pistol. I will put a link in here when I have done my official Field Shooting Test. For now all I can go on is some feedback from others that have claimed very high fps and excellent accuracy, I am looking forward to finding out for myself! You can watch my Ruger MK I Gas version Field Test Shooting Review to get an idea on how the ASG Ruger MK II version might perform.
Build Quality: ASG as usually distributes quality guns, the fit and finish on the ASG Ruger MK II Dual Tone CO2 6mm Airsoft Pistol is very good and there is use of metal where it needs to be like with the internal mechanical parts, the trigger, the safety, the rear fully adjustable sight and the full size drop out metal magazine that holds the CO2 and the Airsoft BB's. Thee MK II version has a metal upper which adds additional weight over the MK 1's plastic upper.
Realism: The ASG MK II is based on real steel Ruger MK II with the fluted barrel in a two-tone finish and looks very close to a real Ruger MK II. There is no blowback operation or bolt operation so that means that only a double action trigger is possible, this is a bit unfortunate since the real Ruger Mark II has an absolutely smooth and light single action trigger. On the positive side you can field strip the ASG Ruger MK II Dual Tone CO2 6mm Airsoft Pistol just like the real version.
If you own a real Ruger 22LR it would be nice to have for some backyard or basement shooting.
Adjustable rear sight for windage.
Adjustable Hop-up for Elevation.
Full size all metal drop out magazine that holds the CO2 and Airsoft BB's.
Metal upper barrel, Metal trigger, metal safety and many metal internals.
Very satisfying trigger sound, sounds like a real firing pin :)
Field Strips just like the real steel Ruger MK Series.
Cons:
Plastic sights front and back, plastic trigger.
No blowback (Would have allowed for a true single action trigger)
Double Action Only, unlike the real steel version that is single action only.
Comments:
Compared to the my previous review of the ASG Ruger MK I, the MK II for me is a big improvement. The metal upper barrel assembly makes all the difference in terms of weight and feel and with the two-tone look it is for sure a very attractive looking pistol. I also prefer using CO2 for the increased performance of higher fps and less cool down effect over a gas system. I am hopping my Field test Shooting video goes well and the ASG Ruger MK II Dual Tone CO2 6mm Airsoft Pistol performs on point for me.
My Vimeo Table Top Video Review for this ASG Ruger MK II Airsoft Pistol:
