BSA Lightning XL Tactical?

Danger Mouse

Danger Mouse

Super member
Joined
Jan 29, 2024
Messages
314
Reaction score
504
Location
New Zealand
Although I have the Anschutz 9015 I have a hankering for a break barrel too.
Found a BSA Lightning XL Tactical locally. Has the plastic stock.
I would bung on my Falcon T50i scope (probably).
But are they worth considering? I would like an accurate springer, but maybe break barrel not the way to go?
Am I better with something in the under lever style?
Probably this is more to be a fun thing, not deadly serious 9015 type of accuracy but I don't want a shotgun type 'group' either.
Parts still available (seal kit, etc)?
Thanks.
 
Had one for short range hunting of rats and squirrels many years ago and I could hit what I aimed at under 25 yards. But that was generally all it was good for so you might be disappointed 😥
 
DONT DO IT

Please don't buy a Lightening, yno why it's got that name?
Because it never hits the same spot twice!

It's a festering turd of a rifle and I'd only recommend it if you have a sloping driveway and you've lost the brick you put under the rear wheels of your car.
For that it would be ideal, or if you've lost a boat anchor.

All joking aside I've had to service 2-3 of them before and they're a cheap, nasty, outdated, underengineered relic from the 80's, it doesn't even have shim washers on the breech block!
And don't get me started on that maxigrip (poxygrip) scoperail, the man who invented that hates airgunners for some reason.

You're far better off with something like a Weihrauch HW95, yes it's not as flashy but it'll work properly and give years of service, bit like the size 12 at the bar you're ignoring because the size 6 next to her looks like a go'er, but you'll get a dose from that one trust me.
 
Best go the underlever route, personally i would go with a British built tx200, it will last a lifetime, if the price new is a bit steep then good used examples are on here regularly.
 
I have shot a lovely lightning, I have also shot an awful lightning.
Try before you buy if possible.
 
My first rifle was a little used BSA Tactical Lightning, totally stock. It introduced me to this addiction. And it is still the rifle I'll turn to for pest control. It has done many hundreds of miles being lugged about. I was still able to hit a can at 150ft + freestanding.
I won't get rid of mine.
 

Attachments

  • 0b94f57a-d862-433f-8030-954bc33185c8.webp
    0b94f57a-d862-433f-8030-954bc33185c8.webp
    216.7 KB · Views: 39
In break barrels I have a short stroked HW80, AA Pro Elite, BSA Mercury Challenger, Umarex M4 and ASI Paratrooper repeater. Listed in order of accuracy over range too.
Also I have a 9015, Steyr, AA Pro Target and as of this weekend AA XTi. In the underlevers HW97, AA TX200SR and BSA Airsporter. In the back garden, all of these can hit a 18mm spinner kneeling so don't go dising the break barrel! I would avoid a new BSA though. I bought the new BSA Lightning CLX and it fell apart after 55 shots; very disappointing.
 
Alex S said:
My first rifle was a little used BSA Tactical Lightning, totally stock. It introduced me to this addiction. And it is still the rifle I'll turn to for pest control. It has done many hundreds of miles being lugged about. I was still able to hit a can at 150ft + freestanding.
I won't get rid of mine.
Click to expand...
Hope you’re grouping a 5p at the ranges you’re actually pesting — knocking over a can at 50 yards doesn’t really tell you much about accuracy.

This is a x4 shot group at 55 yards from my TXHc .22 - underleavers are CRAZY accurate

IMG_2770.webp
 
Greylag80 said:
Hope you’re grouping a 5p at the ranges you’re actually pesting — knocking over a can at 50 yards doesn’t really tell you much about accuracy.

This is a x4 shot group at 55 yards from my TXHc .22 - underleavers are CRAZY accurate

View attachment 845687
Click to expand...
Having both a Walther LGU, a Transitional BSA Model D, and a couple of Airsporters, I agree. But my Lightning was my first rifle, and it taught me to shoot. Closer range pest control, I'll use it or my Accumax on ironsights.
 

Attachments

  • 23a6bbf1-3881-4b98-95ba-e53eeee1f09a.webp
    23a6bbf1-3881-4b98-95ba-e53eeee1f09a.webp
    275.6 KB · Views: 20
I bought a new Lightning XL tactical in .177 for my son, must be over 10 years ago now. It was horrendous, we did getting shooting ok at one stage with a decent top hat but it didn’t last long. It shat the bed and broke the spring, the trigger was awful, I eventually got rid of it on freeads it was that long ago. Looked great and handled beautifully but jeez it was sh1te.
 
Greylag80 said:
Hope you’re grouping a 5p at the ranges you’re actually pesting — knocking over a can at 50 yards doesn’t really tell you much about accuracy.

This is a x4 shot group at 55 yards from my TXHc .22 - underleavers are CRAZY accurate

View attachment 845687
Click to expand...
I don't pest control much, especially now that I'm mostly in the North. Before you or another member questions my own ability or ethics. I can assure you that, firstly, I shot over well over 1500 pellets before I took out my first pest. Within the range that I was shooting, which was really close due to where I was, I could get pellet on pellet.
Like all responsible air rifle owners, not only is safety paramount, but when dealing with pest control, humanity is as well. Personally. If I were not sure of a shot, I wouldn't take it.
My Walther LGU is crazy accurate, and if I require to pest control at anything but the closer ranges that I do in Cornwall, that would be my preferred choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top