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Andy, I’m 75yrs old & love listening to your straightforward revues . . . . I’ve been a firearms licence holder on & off since I was 18yrs old including full bore handguns before Hamilton & Ryan until got them banned . . . keep it up Andy, it’s good that you include Mrs AAR from time to time.
As a total newbie at 64 years young, I’m growing more towards a break barrel traditional looking air rifle. There’s something beautiful about the simplicity, and traditional look. I guess once you buy one, you then want a PCP also, but it seems perfect for a first ever air rifle. (The GRT especially) Maybe your enthusiasm is catching, but I can see why people get into the sport. In a complex world there’s something simple and absorbing about shooting targets, as one might at the fairground rifle shoot stalls throughout childhood perhaps.
I can’t remember seeing you ever bursting out with laughter over a break barrel. Or enjoying one so much. Like you said why wouldn’t you have one in your collection. And they just get smoother and more accurate. Superb gun
I have an older lightning, over 20 years now and still enjoy using it 👍👍
Thanks for posting and reviewing! I own the GRT Version in .22 version for 5 years now. It is realy a nice airgun and had no regrets ever buying it. I also own a HW 35 and HW 90 from Weihrauch wich are also great guns. Greatings from The Netherlands.
I have the hw 35 in 1.77 and love it but it's noisy lol so don't use for hunting . I use my AAS410 carbine for that And thinking of GRT in .22 👍👍👍😜🏴🦄🦕😁✌🤞
I own one too! Love it and will never sell it.
I own both .22 & .177 springer versions in the USA. The .177 is over 900 fps and I haven't cronied the .22 . Expect 700+. Excellent rifles with enough oomph for small game. Buy one.
I think my sons rifle was HW75 or HW77 at 78 my memory isn’t that good but then 22years. My brother in law fired 1 shot and hit the bull, dead centre he said I won’t try again because I won’t beat that. Then he said he was classed marksman in the KSLI. Put me in my place, uncle John couldn’t be bettered. Until my son wanted a car. lol.
I once had this break barrel GRT, in a synthetic stock, I didnt get on at all with it, I swapped it for a HW99s for just over £200, solid construction, very accurate with a quality scope and a faux moderator as an anti barrel flip weight. I now also own a HW57, a lighter weight underlever as well
I own a BSA Meteor .177 that I bought in 1972. I chrono it last year and it still made 360 fps.
I have owned the GRT for over five years. After an initial set-up, it is superbly accurate and has never needed adjustment since. Highly recommended.
How many shots does it need to bed in
@@paulrobinson7156normally 1 to 2
Just purchased a Lightning SE, absolutely loving it, such a good quality gun and I got it brand new for £250, real bargain, please keep us the good work
Great stuff Andy, always a pleasure. You should definitely get yourself one for the collection, time spent shooting a springer (or a gas-ram) is never wasted, it tightens up your PCP shooting like nothing else.
Andy one of the traits to firing a springer is to not have it resting on a hard surface. Either rest it on your hand or a bean bag.
Very good little budget rifles, I own the BSA Lighting XL Tactical and am amazed at its accuracy and power delivery, I use the Powerpell pellets from Webley in .22, they make a very good combination. Also a couple of decades ago I put a Theoben Gasram in my old BSA Lightning, standard, using Accupell .22's and that was also a very good combination, can't fault a BSA. They both wore a 3-9 x 40 mid range scope.
Hi Andy, Good honest review. Thank you! I own the XLSE springer and love it. No problems or malfunctions. Makes a great pest and small game gun which I am able to hunt with here in Pennsylvania, USA. Mine is the .22 caliber and is not fussy on pellets.
As an old git, I am a springer shooter - been contemplating a BSA Lightning, you've convinced me 👍
How did you get on? I’m getting 2” groups at 30m. Trading for a HW90k
I love my GRT version, I’ve owned it for about 2 years. I bought it because I wanted to get back into shooting after a long time away from this fun hobby. I’m glad you liked this gun also Andy 👍
Lovely to see you really enjoying shooting break barrels.
Undoubtedly one of the best looking air rifles ever. That stock and the short length just look wonderful. I think I would keep things simple and have the steel spring version. I am suspicious of gas rams.
Greetings from Argentina. As you know, BSA belongs to GAMO Group. That's why the RRR accessory is added to the scope mounting. Anyway, beautiful rifles. Piece of Art ... !
Hi Andy. Thankyou for this review on the XL se. I've owned the Springer version for around a year and I've got to say... It's my favourite rifle. I own an ultimate sporter, r10se and an ultra se. Yes all my pcps are easier to shoot and dare I say more accurate at longer distances but none of them give me a greater sense of achievement when pest hunting or a greater smile on my face when I shoot that perfect shot! Thankyou again and keep it up!
i brought one when they first come out in .177 still got it still use it not even changed the internals still shoots as good as the day i got it
Love springers and have just ordered another; a Weirauch 97k. I must say that the quality of air rifles available is generally excellent and these new guns from BSA are no exception.
If BSA put a metal trigger on these rifles to a similar standard to Weihrauch rifles, then they would be selling like hot cakes.
Thank you Andy! Both BSA's look great!
Always informative and totally enjoyable videos! Thanks for being such as asset to the airgun community!
I own the GRT Version in .177 and it's a fine gun. You would shoot it even better with your non trigger hand on the rest bag under the forend. This goes for most springers and gas ram rifles fixed or break barrel. Use it as if you were shooting freehand and your groups will tighten up noticably. 👍😎
I have this in .25 grt..build and finish is beautiful. I love this little sledge hammer ,super smooth omg!
Had a BSA Lightning in .22 for many years, and it came with a 3-9x40 scope already fitted. Took lots and lots of rabbits with it. Head shots with hollow points were deadly. Haven’t used it for a while, think the barrel needs a good clean.
Thanks Andy for a nice review on the BSA Rifles, A Joy to watch at 73 I might Just go for one.
I have just sold my shotguns, surrendered my licence and bought both of these, they are way more fun and feel luxurious. Found your review amazing and informative. Keep up the good work 😊
I have the GRT in 177 , I think it's a truely great little sporter , but the barrel is somewhat pellet fussy . I'm a big gas ram fan , due to having Theoben air rifles . I highly recommend this little gun its a beauty. Totally agree with the review ... Keep up the good work , really enjoy the channel . Thanks .
I have the springer version myself and i love it. Big fan of BSA as a brand so this is one that i will not part with and will remain in my collection for years to come :) Great to hear someone else other then myself's thoughts on these. Cheers Andy.
where did you get it from
@@tjsmite Hi mate. I got mine from Solware in Tamworth, the package i got totalled £415 and included a good quality; Hawke Scope, mounts, rifle bag and pellets. Very helpful in there and large variety of stock. Well worth a trip if you are in the West Mids area. ..... Louis
I have a .22 spring version. Great little air rifle. Can see a GRT one joining it soon.!
I can't understand all the haters. It's a cracking little rifle for the price, and I guess it's like any other tool. It's only as good as the person using it
I have owned a .177 XL SE , which looked fantastic, I even worked on the trigger to get rid of the 2nd stage creep, tried loads of different pellets but still couldn't get it to group under an inch consistently past 25y , I'm a Huge springer fan so know how to shoot them and can get under 5p groups at 35y with my walther LGU . but just couldn't get on with the lighting had no confidence in it past 20 yards .
I’ve had one for 4 years it’s the GRT version everything about it is excellent blueing is black probably nitrate and it’s 10/10 . the stock is a Monte Carlo and it’s excellent too. Right or left I shoot both. and after a while it gets even smoother Andy never mentioned how nice it feels and sounds when the barrel snaps shut with a lovely clunk click, rock solid and tight. some say the trigger is a bit heavy they should buy a girls gun, because its near perfect, It feels and looks like it should have cost twice what I paid. It’s a beautiful carbine. Mine has put 10 pellets through the same hole at twenty yards. And it is genuinely has good as my TX200hc The only thing I don’t understand is what took you so long to review this fantastic rifle. After 4 years of owning it. Myself and two friends who bought them at the same time Still can’t believe how good they are. and what we got for our money. I was so impressed I bought the rest of the bsa range One of the best kept secrets in shooting. I really is this good.
What calabier do you own? I have just purchased this rifle in .177with some jsb exact 8.44 grain pellets. Im reading alot of mixed reviews on this rifle so I'm a little unsure now haha.
Awesome video as always! Love your way of testing and reviewing the rifles. Keep up the good work!
Good morning Andy. I'm pleased to say I'm a lightening owner. Well the original with a shorter suppressor. It's never let me down. But I've been thinking of an upgrade but now maybe not lol.
I’ve got the .177 SE version. I love it.
Well done for recognising the financial struggles out there. 👍👍👍 it’s going to be a while until I get my hands on the S510 tactical but there are people with bigger problems out there. Great show, top work. Can’t wait for the next video. I enjoy watching them!
I almost went for a GRT about 10 years ago, but ended up with the Weihrauch HW77K .22, which I still have.
Great post I have both versions both are great rifles and very accurate.
Great review. Shout out to the Airgun Factory group 👍
I have the Springer version and find it very pellet specific so worth doing some experimentation. Also keep some Allen Keys handy as it does shoot loose after a while. Enjoy the reviews; thanks.
Super sweet ❤️😉👍. Gamo, bring the BSA Lightning XL SE to the USA.👍
bought a the XL GRT just before my father passed, so obviously it has sentimental value, but speaking objectively it is remarkably accurate, its a little on the heavy side so free hand shooting at range is a no go for me, but from a rest its lovely HOWEVER. the shroud is NOT a moderator. it has no baffles. it doesnt deaden sound at all. however baffles can be added to the shroud and makes it a little quieter. gas ram does make the gun a little quieter imo.
Thanks Andy as always a fair test and review.
i have the GRT in .22 and its a really great rifle. great video, enjoyed the break down of the two guns.
Bsa done a theoben superstar back in 88, ive still got my venom superstar, amazing rifle to shoot.
I have the old SE GRT had it for 9 years now .... never missed a beat ... apparently they can be a bit hit n miss n there is mixed feeling about these but i love mine superb gun
I came across this rather late thank you for the direct comparison between gas ram and spring.
Good video the HRT seems nice and light and at a price to get into the sport. I am not sure I would buy a springer now I have made the PCP change however, I did keep my HW97k for emergencies!
I just got the black version of the Grt Lightning in .22 after watching this review and am absolutely loving it. I love my Gamo gx40 pcp but springers are more fun which is why I've also bought the Maxxim elite.
May I ask why you say "springers are more fun"? I own a 1980's BSA METEOR Super Mk5 (springer) which I bought new and am looking at the GRT BSA Lightening against a possible Gamo GX-40.
Great review Andy . Yeah not much of a springer / gas ram man myself but I must admit I quite like these. The speed their kicking out the lighter alloy pellets is moving more towards fac speeds. 🤪. Gonna try some alloy pellets in my vulcan 3 and see what their saying over my chrono. Have a great weekend Andy . Love your work as always . 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Hi Andy, have always loved BSA, not just the heritage but the quality of the products they produce and attention to detail makes me feel all patriotic,my first proper air rifle was a brand new BSA mercury and it was amazing 🤩 it cost £67 in 1982 I remember shooting a duck with a perfect head shot from 40 yards away on water, extremely accurate rifle I loved it.thanks for the review Andy 👍 lovely rifles ATB Dave
An honest alternative experience: I had two GRT`s and could never recommend them. These rifles are undoubtedly beautiful to look at and hold. However, the shroud, definitely not a silencer, hides a very short barrel. I can't give the measurements but I was unpleasantly surprised when the shroud came loose and I found an air pistol inside. The trigger is nothing special. Now to the real issues I had. The first rifle after putting through no more than a dozen Pellets suddenly refused to engage when cocking. This made it totally inoperable. I took it back to the dealership, and a replacement GRT was order from BSA. This arrived after a few weeks, but now finally having a chance to test it's accuracy, I couldn't get the rifle to group with anywhere near the accuracy I expected. I kept the rifle for about four months primarily because I loved the look of it, but that was obviously pointless. And here is the final insult. I took it to two local dealers to sell it. Both did a crono test and both told me it was only functioning at 9ft lb. I got £120 for it. In the end I put my £120 towards a Weihrauch HW99s. The newly styled Weihrauch is also beautiful to look at, it feels well balanced, is accurate and is even cheaper. It's nice to be patriotic, but who wants a sheep in wolf's clothing. I am a Springer man, and among my other rifles I also have an Air Arms Pro Sport, so I know what we should all expect.
I too had a not-so-great experience with what was admittedly an earlier model, but still a lightning GRT. The short barrel being almost completely shrouded (as you rightly pointed out) meant that after a few months of moderate shooting and reloading, the shroud worked loose and no amount of turning of the screw or loctite-ing it down would tighten it sufficiently to stop the shroud from rattling. This led not only to an annoying rattle, but ultimately a loss of accuracy as the shroud was so much a part of the barrel that it would wander when being shot. I took it back to the dealer who was actually very understanding and gave me a replacement (still the same older model) which admittedly did last quite a bit longer, just shy of a year if I remember rightly, but then developed exactly the same issue. Another trip back to the dealer and the purchase of an Air Arms TX200 and I've never looked back. Its a shame really because when the Lightning was shooting, it was an absolute laserbeam and the compact package and overall fit and finish barring the barrel shroud was superb, I can only hope its something they've worked on with this newer itteration
You arent alone. This was practically my experience too though I managed to get 200 back. We even bought the same game changing 99s'!
Funny. I'm very happy with my Weihrauch. It's a much better rifle.
I’ve owned my GRT for 5 or 6 years now, not a problem with it.
I had the HW99 and it was an awful rifle, the barrel wasn't level it scored a big groove in the stock and made an awful twang, the dealer wouldn't take it back at first saying it was a design fault, he then offered to get it 'put right' at an extra cost, i refused and demanded my money back which he gave me a full refund, then admitted it was a common fault, he said he would repair and tune it, i said what will that entail, he laughed saying remove the swarf from the piston first.
Hi Andy, I watched your video on the Springfield armory M1A. I PURCHASED ONE FROM E BAY it's a heavy rifle, but it's accurate out of the box. I love it!
Great to see a pair of British rifles, I have the lightning se which I bought last year and it’s so dam accurate and have used it many times for pest control when I’ve felt like going back to my roots and having a bit of fun with a springer. I chose the SE simply as I preferred the look over the XL knowing that both rifles will perform just as well it was just my preferred choice and nothing more and maybe in time Andy will bring a pair of of the lightning se’s in the future for another comparison as he’s done with the XL’s. Great video Andy looking forward to next Friday for the next.
Thank you for another fantastic video, thumbs up to you from California! Sorry BSA, I'm a UMAREX man. ❤️🇬🇧/🇺🇸
Another great video Andy. I'm really pleased for you that the channel has done so well for you. Nice work mate 👍
Such a new rifle and yet not bad groups. Almost certain to improve with usage.
I like the look of these, might invest in a .177
Another classic review Andy…… thanks for all your effort. It’s always a great start to a Friday
Its the only thing worth getting up for on a Friday :-)
Nice looking pair of BSA's. With that orange shirt on, it looks like an American inmate reviewing guns 🙂
Good job Andy. I’m leaning toward the GRT. Cracking review sir
My first air rifle was a bsa Mercury then i moved up to a weirauch hw 80 It certainly needed the 2 arrestor blocks to stop scope creep😊
Very nice review. I enjoyed it so much, really beautiful guns,thanks andy.
You've out done yourself Andy with these 2 rifles love them .
I can vouch for the accuracy of the BSA air rifles having owned one since 1954 i e 68 years. My experience is of absolute accuracy consistently delivered. The gun still shoots beautifully. Over the years it is the one which I complete faith in. Of course one would not go hunting antelope with such gun. I used it often for destroying rats and other small varmints around the farmyard.
I own the GRT version and love everything about it other that the trigger is terrible, it's heavy and plastic and the adjusting bolt doesn't adjust anything, so like many others who own these rifles I put a longer bolt in and the trigger is much lighter which also helps with accuracy, though I did have to keep doing the drop test on it by banging the stock to see if it would fire the rifle, which it did, so put some washers on the bolt to get the right amount of adjustment whilst been able to make sure the bolt was tight but also preventing it from adjusting too far and making the trigger unsafe. I also tested 30 different pellet weights and brands and found 20 to 25 were scattered wide groups and 4 or 5 were about an inch to an inch half groups and two pellets pretty much pellet on pellet especially so the JSB Exact Jumbo RS 13.34 GRAIN .22 call, I was getting 5 shot groups at 6mm wide, pellet on pellet. I also tested several silencers which didn't make much difference so decided to customise the internals of the shroud and also designed my own baffles and had them 3D printed and managed to reduce the sound by 6db.
Don’t have these here , they do have the Gamo bone collector which is close.. Gamo says they are part of BSA .. I have to ask my supplier if they will be getting them in AOA . Thanks Andy for the latest and greatest first reviews! 😎👍🏻
So smooth, the only way to make it even smother would be a smoothbore😂
Hi Andy yet another great honest review by your good self really enjoy watching them of course the lady of house becomes concerned as your already responsible for my various gun purchases😁 keep them coming Andy top job👍👍
Love Fridays Thanks Andy
And some long term users have reported wobble in the barrel as there's only a split pin holing it in place as opposed to screw's on a hw95k that you can adjust
Hey Bsa ... always with quality in mind... thanks for an other great video
Just bought a second hand grt se and an well pleased with it,loves Jsb Hades pellets☺
Good heavy pellets
Great review Andy and thanks a lot.
Hi Andy, I have a place in my heart for the BSA's my first one cost me around £16 a 2.2 Super Meteor pretty new on the market back then, I understand springers nneed to bed in but after talkiing to one of the guys from Theoben way back in the day I was under the impression the Gas Ram system was pretty much at full power from the word go or would that just be the Sirocco and such like or maybe I'm getting senile 😀 Love the Channel 👍👍
Good morning Andy, very very good rifles. That aime to please 🙏 . Great prices, should have one in my collection! Cheers Andy
Nice honest review, i ended up buying the gas ram version out of curiosity as i have never owned one. fast firing cycle and nice shoulder recoil. Trigger is plastic but this isnt a bad thing as ive seen plastic triggers on high end walthers. The trigger feels as good as the one on my hw99s so i cant complain. The stock is fanastic in looks and ergonomically, impreesive for the money.
Wow, you've proper sold out! I've never met anyone that rates these guns, including me and I've had 2. They're great looking though!
Nice information between Spring power and strut power both are 🥇 winners
Hello Andy, they look amazing rifles.
If at 1st you don't succeed mate, wonderfully done
Good break barrels, I tuned a spring version and it was lovely to shoot, under 11ftbs is perfect for non fac, hw99s shoots way better imo and much better build quality.
Like the concept, but not scope friendly and my open sights days are long past, but enjoyed your show as always it's PCPs for me now, love em
I bought a Lightning GRT last year, and it is absolutely superb. Love the looks and the build quality is well above what you would expect for the price tag.
Was told they r rubbish and buy a hw 95k ??
@@Granto-ni9qw everytime someone mentions an air rifle online, you can guarantee someone will pop up and say "Get a Weihrauch!", it's like a religion. Personally I've always liked BSA guns and really like the GRT, looks great, quality is great. And it shoots well enough for me to enjoy using it. Weihrauch just trades on the myth of German Engineering - German Boasting more like 😂
@@EricTViking hi bud BSA r no longer English made ,, grt is 350 pounds can buy a hw 95k for that it was just what my local gun shop said about the BSA I do like them etc but no way for the price they are grt is same as 95k
@@Granto-ni9qw yeah, Spanish I believe but still headquartered and designed in Brum. Mine was £315 new IIRC.
@@Granto-ni9qw Turkey.
PCP air rifles are quite a nice item, but for the money a good break barrel is a must have in my opinion.. As always really enjoyed the video..
Pcp are the best 👌
@@simonnoble7589 Not if you need to grab a rifle at short notice to sort a rat, crow, or other pesky thing and you don't need the faff of charging a PCP.
@@alannorthdevonuk763 That's true , but I always have a pcp at the ready . With multiple shots ! Cheers
Nice review, I bought that grt from kieth sports in saltburn I took it straight to a spot near Whitby I go and I could not group it at all! And hated the kick when fired. Yep I took it straight back and got a refund and immediately rang bagnel sports at Newcastle ask him if he had a hw95k in 177 and he said yes so I told him not to shut shop IME setting from Redcar in my camper and bought it shuved a hawk scope on it and it group nearly pellet on pellet at 25 yards with jsb exacts. Best thing I ever did was get rid of that BSA and buy the 95k
Nice review. I'm just about to push the button on one of these, but I'll *still* have to flip a coin on the "GRT or Tradition" choice, because I do like to feel a bit of recoil. Nice to see that both guns are tolerant of large PCP-only "green" pellets, thinking of the future.
Interesting....I gonna check one of those out. Thank you 🙂👍
I've had both of these. They look fantastic, build quality is good. But triggers on both were horrible, very heavy and lots of creep. You never knew when it was going to let go and it affected accuracy. Both of mine went to the gunsmiths to have trigger sears polished and were great when they come back. Light and crisp and made gun as accurate as anything else I have. My top tip. Sort the trigger to make a good gun great 👍
Thnx fo the review Andy...indeed as Garry stated; a pity they didn't put the Gamo magzine on it....Blye me hat orange shirt looks nice...is it a hint to cheer for our Dutch national pride this winter?
I used to own the GRT model. Loved the gun, hated the trigger. It had a plastic blade which flexed and gave a feeling of creep and affected the accuracy. I've considered getting another but if the trigger unit is the same, I'll give it a miss. Great review Andy, thank you.
I'm thinking about buying one for some pest control. Great review, mate, thanks
Hi Great review as always Its just done professionally and close to a perfect balance A balance between humor, measurements in both common systems,results and honest advices which are brewed with years of experience and enthusiasm. I wish you added more poor mens airguns to review from manufacturers like kral which has delivered some very very interesting models lately
Great review Andy how did they group with the alloys would be interesting to know cheers atb
Love my springers!
Watched this and bought one, thanks
I've had the BSA Scorpion for about 17 years now. and I would never get rid of it, the rifle is superb and never lets me down. with a Weirauch silencer on it, it's sublime and accurate as you could ever wish for, I was at a company right next door to BSA in Armoury rd 2 days ago. I wouldn't buy anything else
I have a scorpion , it's a pistol
BSA is on the short list both for the quality and the looks. BSA has always seemed to have a stock designer that is more in tune with my taste. 👍😎