SMK XS19 .177

[NitroGary0]

Hello, this is the first of a series of reviews of some of my chinese manufactured airguns. This first installment is for a SMK XS19 in .177.
Like most of the "better" chinese airguns, the XS19 cost's over a hundred pounds and with the current financial climate this will rise as protectionism creeps into the market place.
The XS19 is a break-barrel (a .177 in this case, they are available in the non-eco' version of .22) My version came with the conventional (plastic) iron sights. Fully adjustable, for windage and elevation, micrometer style rear sight and a moulded muzzle/hooded front sight. I dont like this particular version as the front "blade" is quite wide and not the easiest to see round. The action is quite well finished, though the bluing is thin and "flat" on the barrel. The Barrel is unchoked and fully rifled and securely fitted to the main chamber of the action with the tried and trusted notched pivot with security screw. The stock is a generously proprtioned "beech" lookalike piece of wood. The finish is a I assume, dipped finish as it is quite hard and durable, though not as pretty as the upgraded "custom" version. I have got three of these guns and both the .177 have a "out of the box" 11.4 fpe. I use RWS superdomes as a benchmark. I usually use Hawke scopes and with one of these affordable scopes fitted, the gun cosistantly hits a 40mm knockdown at 40mtrs.
So far so good then.
Now the bit I dont like, the trigger is dire, far too much creep and indiscriminate release. The one redeeming feature of the trigger unit is the lack of an automatic safety, this one is a manual one. There is nothing wrong with the way the trigger feels as it feels like a Rekord jobby off of a HW, this is only the way it feels to your trigger finger, not the way it works. Luckily there are RFD's that are sympathetic to Chinese guns and one, Woodfiels GCP of Swansea distributes a WW trigger for these guns, it's the same trigger unit fitted to Gamo's Remmington' and Crosman Quest's to name a few. The replacement trigger transforms the way the gun performs, it make it's feel like a proper two stage trigger but only "feels like one" but the upside is for £20 you get great feel and predictable release, making the gun more accurate.
I fit a good quality spring to all my Chinese rifles as the springs have a reputation for failure, I personally dont know of any breakages in a XS19, but I do it for peace of mind. I use Spring kits from Woodfield GCP and those from Lyn Lewington.
I remove the sights as the are redundant with a scope fitted, but always keep them for competitions for open-sighted guns.

All in all, a good reliable and affordable airgun for minimal outlay I paid £109 for the gun (solware) and around £50 for the tuning kit and trigger, and around £45 for the 3-9x50AO scope. A whisker over £200 for brand new set up. Got to be a good deal.

xs19 008.jpg


Thanks for reading
Gary

[Andy]

Great review.

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[Punterj]

Great review Gary. I have often wondered about buying one of the SMK range of guns and there are a lot of opinions out there (both good and bad) about them.

I'm sure they would have trouble competing with the more recognised higher end brands but, surely for value for money, they should be given consideration. Especially if you are looking to go shooting on a budget; and let's face it, in the current financial climate more and more of us are looking to do that.

It's good to get some honest, unbiased comments.

Thanks.

[sfbm]

Hi,

Great review Gary, look forward to the next installment. I've an xs19 in .22 with a WW trigger and think they are great rifles, 11+ ft/lbs from new, great value for money.

sfbm

[howlin 2.2]

i have the .22 version of this but the hunter carbine version (one with fitted silencer) and for £189 the gun is brilliant full power rifle the finish is great for the price stock feels and looks nice no shoddy metal work (unlike cheaper b2 rifles ect) the trigger can feel a bit weird sometimes tight other times not but apart from that an all round exellent entry level weapon for someone who hasnt a huge budget but wants to start hunting live quarry

[sfbm]

i have the .22 version of this but the hunter carbine version (one with fitted silencer) and for £189 the gun is brilliant full power rifle the finish is great for the price stock feels and looks nice no shoddy metal work (unlike cheaper b2 rifles ect) the trigger can feel a bit weird sometimes tight other times not but apart from that an all round exellent entry level weapon for someone who hasnt a huge budget but wants to start hunting live quarry

Hi,

Save for the ultra cheap b2/b4's the SMK's are decent rifles offering very good value for money, they are mostly copies of other very successful rifles. The 19's are clones of a gammo so the trigger is very replacable see http://www.woodfield-gcp.co.uk/a-custom-parts.htm for the trigger and this http://www.woodfield-gcp.co.uk/WWTI-video.htm for a video guide, fit the trigger and it'll feel a totally different rifle all for £20.

sfbm

[howlin 2.2]

thanks sfbm think i will actually try that (dad will fit the trigger as i am as mechanically minded as a spoon)

[sfbm]

Hi,

Well worth the small outlay, transforms the trigger.

sfbm

[Jay Jay]

Despite ongoing thread I do LIKE some Chinese guns this is one. Good looking gun and worth £100 plus price tag with a bit if fettling be ones a very good breakbarrel. It's better than most Gamos and z very accurate gun needs a good two tins to bed in get rid of that dieselling going on. See I will give praise where it's deserved I'm not anti Chinese I actually am an expert in Chinese shaolin fist boxing!!!


Sent from somewhere on this planet on some electronic device.

[Keith10284]

I recently bought one of these and I plan on doing her up. Excellent rifle out of the box with good accuracy and it's built proper solid. Great value for money and a perfect platform for a bit of custom work. I don't like the factory trigger one bit though and I've heard a few horror stories about the springs but that's nothing that can't be sorted for not a lot of money. I reckon it could hold its own both in the field and on the range. I've heard that when done up right, the XS19 can print half inch groups at 40 yards no problem providing the person behind it does his bit.

As you said, the trigger is dire but I guess that's where the Chinese cut corners. I had a feeling the trigger would be naff when I saw how the blade was made (stamped metal bent into shape) but that'll be sorted soon enough. I'll be giving mine the full WW treatment as the XS19 is a great little gun, spring and trigger aside. I don't resent the outlay as I got mine brand new (still has that new gun smell) with a Hawke 3-9x40 Sport HD mil-dot and Pro Mounts for only £160 so I might even fit a Crosman Quest stock (which are a direct fit) as they're lighter and look quite nice. All in all I'm very happy with mine.