This article is a comparison of two popular break-barrel pellet air rifles. We have compared them for balance, noise, trigger feel and what you get in the box for parts and accessories.
Both of these rifles are aimed at the same price point and recommended to the same type of air rifle user, but they are not identical in terms of how they perform. Both are pellet air rifles and therefore are to be used with pellets, not airsoft ‘replica’ shots, in accordance with the rules governing such activity and in the places where it is permissible.
Balance and handling
The balance of the Blackhawk is far better as it has a heavier stock which gives the rifle a solid feel when shouldered. The Silent Cat is much longer and has a greater front of center weight than the Blackhawk due to the moderator and this makes it more difficult to hold steady when shooting from the shoulder.
Noise
This rifle is quieter than the Blackhawk Air Rifle as the sharp crack is muffled by the moderator. If shooting in a garden then this would be more important than any other specification on the box.
Trigger and consistency
- Blackhawk: two-stage adjustable trigger, slightly lighter let-off
- Silent Cat: Heavy with long take up.
- Both rifles are hold sensitive, use a consistent cheek weld when shooting for accuracy.
- Both: need to be shot with heavier pellets to develop a proper barrel groove and shoot well.
Which one
A Silent Cat is better for loud places, a Blackhawk is better for target practice as it has a better trigger and more balanced stock for holding at shoulder. As springers, neither will be able to beat a good target rifle but they are good fun in their own right.
Use a repeatable test
A good test will use the same weight of BB shot, the same distance to target, same environmental conditions etc. Write down how many attempts it took to get a good group and take note of any problems you encountered along the way. Create a short written test log to reference later when trying to work out why something has gone wrong or needed maintenance/upgrade in the first place.
Maintenance should be proportional
Maintain it by cleaning it, checking it, storing it and – most importantly – only doing as much repair work as can be done with tools provided (and skills learned) to prevent making a worse situation.
How to evaluate the advice
In evaluating advice try and remember to separate out test results from the testee’s preferences. The player’s weight, length, number of magazines etc can be easily measured and compared, but factors like the trigger feel, balance etc are matters of opinion. Try to get the full story behind any recommendations for use and accept that another user might form a different conclusion based on the same test results.
A sensible next step
Your initial field test could be a short stroll around a local park and simply a recollection of the brief you were given i.e. a couple of field limits, the game role you shall be playing and a problem or two you wish to overcome. One modification to test in each case.
Legal and practical responsibility
Your Airsoft replica must be handled with due care and consideration when in public. It is your responsibility to check local laws concerning the purchase of Airsoft replicas, display of replicas in public, and any other relevant issues. We recommend replicas are locked when not in use, stored in a suitable case when traveling, and never displayed in a threatening manner in public. Check with the relevant authorities, or venue owner, for current rules before going out on the field.
Read specifications in context
Manufacturer’s numbers for velocity, range and accuracy need to be treated with a healthy dose of skepticism. Most guns will not perform anywhere near the published figures under test – and this is often due to a variety of reasons outside of the manufacturer’s control, such as BB weight, temperature, the way the gun’s hop system has been set up, and the quality of the gun’s inner barrel. All of these factors can be hard to quantify in a magazine test, and, as with so many things, the best way to get a true sense of a gun’s performance is via repeatable field tests and owner reports, stated in the context of the owner’s typical use – and bearing in mind the gun’s dimensions including any optic, bipod, sling etc, plus a full load of BBs and any other accessories as well as magazines.
Plan upgrades in stages
First of all establish a solid base by using the airsoft gun in its standard form. Clean it, set the hop up correctly for the BBs you are going to use and test their speed with a chronograph over a number of shots to get an average reading. Then as you add various upgrade parts test the gun in the same way to see if there has been any improvement. This way you will be able to see what has made the improvement and also be able to revert to the previous setup if necessary. Many upgrade parts can alter the balance of the gun, making it uncomfortable to hold and shoot, so it is wise to add cosmetic parts last.
Make the equipment easy to live with
The airsoft equipment a player uses during games should be easy to be transported to and from games, be easy to be prepared for games and be easy to be cleaned and to be maintained. Therefore, fasteners, sling, scopes, etc. should be checked for any damage before games are to be played. Magazine labels, batteries or gas etc. should be stored in the best possible manner according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. In addition, a small repair kit with cleaning equipment, etc. should be packed in order to make any small repairs during games if necessary.
Field checklist
- Confirm the venues Energy Limit and Minimum Engagement Distance for the upcoming match.
- Confirm the venue’s energy limits as well as shortest minimum engagement distance and get familiar with this setup before starting to play.
- Test with the BB weight and hop setting you intend to use.
- Record changes so that a useful adjustment can be repeated or reversed.
- Don’t use damaged airsoft guns until they have been checked and possibly repaired.
Final perspective
Ruger Blackhawk vs GAMO Silent Cat is ultimately a comparison of a portion of a complete airsoft playing system. So rather than look at lots of specifications and hopefully choose the best one, it is better to test them out as you would intend to use them, find out which is most reliable, most suitable and safest and then play with that. Play with your airsoft as you would play with it on the field and choose the ones that are most useful to you.
