Evanix Viper vs Huben GK1 - the clash of the Titans!

[nikvanorton]

I came across an Evanix Viper the other day. I’ve always been curious about them but never seen any for sale in the UK, so when it cropped up, tempataion was too much and I bought an ‘F’ marked .22. Interesting to put it alongside my GK1 and make a few observations.

Both are self-indexing, i.e. just pull the trigger until the mag’s empty. By most measurable criteria, the GK1 is the better gun. The biggest problem with the Evanix is the sights. Fitted open sights are non-adjustable (??) and the picatinny rail where a red dot would go is on the part of the slide that pulls back to cock the action which has to have a little bit of play. In practice this doesn’t cause too much of a problem but it’s not ideal.

Fit and finish is superb on the Evanix, probably a little better than the Huben (bear in mind that it’s VERY good on the GK1) and although the mags are lower capacity, they are interchangeable. It also feels quite a lot smaller in the hand, although in real terms it’s not that much. You can use the (crappy) open sights with pretty much any silencer, unlike the GK1. Having a Foster connector attached to the gun is a great idea - no hunting for probes.

The GK1 is a Meccano gun - you can spec it as a carbine, change grips, sights, and there’s a ton of 3d printed bits available, wheras the Evanix is not supported in that way. If you like messing about, the Huben is the clear winner. Accuracy wise, both are exceptional.

These pistols are at the very cutting edge of current air gun technology and the self-indexing systems work flawlessly. If I could only have one it would have to be the GK1, but I’m very glad that I’m lucky enough to be able to have both.

(In the pics below, the GK1 has an aftermarket 1911 style grip and a stock adapter fitted).

View attachment 764932View attachment 764933

 

[Cozzamec]

Both look very nice, not heard of the viper, tho for me personally I'm not a fan of the permanent fill probe, both for looks and the possibility of collecting dust/dirt.

 

[nikvanorton]

Both look very nice, not heard of the viper, tho for me personally I'm not a fan of the permanent fill probe, both for looks and the possibility of collecting dust/dirt.

I know what you mean, but paintball guns tend to have exposed connectors and don't seem to have issues. It's dead handy though, especially with a small tank and the need for frequent fills.

 

[Cozzamec]

I know what you mean, but paintball guns tend to have exposed connectors and don't seem to have issues. It's dead handy though, especially with a small tank and the need for frequent fills.

Thinking about it tho, you could have it connected to a small hpa bottle in a pouch on your side or back, via a longer line, similar to Airsoft hpa set up?
Thus increasing the shot count alot

 

[nikvanorton]

Great idea

 

[nikvanorton]

I think it's looks are significantly improved by fitting a Tatsu

View attachment 765981

 

[NEJ]

I came across an Evanix Viper the other day. I’ve always been curious about them but never seen any for sale in the UK, so when it cropped up, tempataion was too much and I bought an ‘F’ marked .22. Interesting to put it alongside my GK1 and make a few observations.

Both are self-indexing, i.e. just pull the trigger until the mag’s empty. By most measurable criteria, the GK1 is the better gun. The biggest problem with the Evanix is the sights. Fitted open sights are non-adjustable (??) and the picatinny rail where a red dot would go is on the part of the slide that pulls back to cock the action which has to have a little bit of play. In practice this doesn’t cause too much of a problem but it’s not ideal.

Fit and finish is superb on the Evanix, probably a little better than the Huben (bear in mind that it’s VERY good on the GK1) and although the mags are lower capacity, they are interchangeable. It also feels quite a lot smaller in the hand, although in real terms it’s not that much. You can use the (crappy) open sights with pretty much any silencer, unlike the GK1. Having a Foster connector attached to the gun is a great idea - no hunting for probes.

The GK1 is a Meccano gun - you can spec it as a carbine, change grips, sights, and there’s a ton of 3d printed bits available, wheras the Evanix is not supported in that way. If you like messing about, the Huben is the clear winner. Accuracy wise, both are exceptional.

These pistols are at the very cutting edge of current air gun technology and the self-indexing systems work flawlessly. If I could only have one it would have to be the GK1, but I’m very glad that I’m lucky enough to be able to have both.

(In the pics below, the GK1 has an aftermarket 1911 style grip and a stock adapter fitted).

View attachment 764932View attachment 764933

I was trying to find out if the Evanix was a shot through mag self indexer like Steyr, Huben etc so UK legal. I found a thread somewhere that said it has a bolt and probe so each shot pulls bolt back, mag rotated under spring tension then probe pushes next pellet in anyone know ?

5) Diverted Air System

Air is used from the reservoir to cock the hammer. The bolt and hammer are connected so that each time the hammer is cocked the bolt moves back to allow a spring loaded mag to rotate for another shot. This system is used in mechanical semi autos manufactured by Evanix

 

[nikvanorton]

I was trying to find out if the Evanix was a shot through mag self indexer like Steyr, Huben etc so UK legal. I found a thread somewhere that said it has a bolt and probe so each shot pulls bolt back, mag rotated under spring tension then probe pushes next pellet in anyone know ?

5) Diverted Air System

Air is used from the reservoir to cock the hammer. The bolt and hammer are connected so that each time the hammer is cocked the bolt moves back to allow a spring loaded mag to rotate for another shot. This system is used in mechanical semi autos manufactured by Evanix

This is how it works:
When the gun is cocked, the bolt is back and the pellet is still in the mag. Pull the trigger and the bolt goes forward, loads the pellet from the mag into the barrel and at the same time the hammer (separate from the bolt) hits the valve which opens and releases air to push the pellet out. So the pellet is fired from the magazine hence it is self indexing, they just call it semi auto in every other country.

To summarise, when the gun is cocked and as it’s fired, there isn't a pellet in the barrel - it's still in the mag. This meets UK 'self indexing’ requirements.

 

[NEJ]

This is how it works:
When the gun is cocked, the bolt is back and the pellet is still in the mag. Pull the trigger and the bolt goes forward, loads the pellet from the mag into the barrel and at the same time the hammer (separate from the bolt) hits the valve which opens and releases air to push the pellet out. So the pellet is fired from the magazine hence it is self indexing, they just call it semi auto in every other country.

To summarise, when the gun is cocked and ready to fire there isn't a pellet in the barrel - it's still in the mag. This meets UK 'self loading' requirements.

Thank you thats much clearer.

 

[nikvanorton]

After living with the Evanix for a while, I think it's a really nice pistol, but it's overshadowed by the 'poster child' GK1 (I know, I ended up with 2 of them!). But sadly, the biggest advantage of the Huben, it's massive power, just isn't relevant in the UK.

The Evanix is (slightly) better finished, has superbly built metal removeable mags, can be de-cocked and made safe, and operates on traditional technology (hammer hitting a valve) so will no doubt be easier to fix down the line. You can also buy it from a UK supplier in the UK which is a big deal for some people. It's also lovelyto shoot and the repeat fire works beautifully.

I was concerned originally about the rear sight (or red dot) being on a slide with some free play but then I realised that's the case with all pistols that have a slide. In practice it hasn't been an issue.

Most people know the pros and cons of the GK1 - it's a technological miracle, an amazing pistol and it makes into a brilliant little carbine (which is why I bought mine), and I love it. I'm just glad that I don't have to pick between the two.

 

[Littlejon365]

The Evanix looks good. Always been curious about the brand (in a good way) but they normally only cater for high powered markets.

 

[nikvanorton]

The Evanix looks good. Always been curious about the brand (in a good way) but they normally only cater for high powered markets.

The German spec F mark models (7.5 joules) have a different valve assembly and hammer springs. Mine is running at an nice 5.2fpe with heavy pellets.

 

[Littlejon365]

The German spec F mark models (7.5 joules) have a different valve assembly and hammer springs. Mine is running at a nice 5.2fpe with heavy pellets.

Sorry I wasn’t implying yours is high, just all the models I like are always for the FAC market abroad. Some really decent “self indexing” models out there.
This pistol looks very good

 

[nikvanorton]

Sorry I wasn’t implying yours is high, just all the models I like are always for the FAC market abroad. Some really decent “self indexing” models out there.
This pistol looks very good

Don’t worry, I didn’t think you were
I was just noting that it’s nice when they make a valve specifically for 6fpe rather than just chopping an inch off the hammer spring!

 

[Littlejon365]

Don’t worry, I didn’t think you were
I was just noting that it’s nice when they make a valve specifically for 6fpe rather than just chopping an inch off the hammer spring!

Absolutely, so many airguns get butchered getting them to UK specs.

 

[Papa_Whisky]

It looks like Evanix have come a long way, well done them, and thank you for doing a comparison @nikvanorton

 

[rkr]

Evanix has a reputation of making a long line of problematic semi-autos, starting from their electronic models that locked up and needed disassembly and knowledge to free up to the air operated models that mangled pellets and jammed up due to spring related issues. I hope they have improved but even if I own three Evanixes I would never buy another one considering all the problems I've had with these three. Their after sales support is also non existing, I'm still waiting for a replacement barrel I was promised 5 years ago.

 

[nikvanorton]

Evanix has a reputation of making a long line of problematic semi-autos, starting from their electronic models that locked up and needed disassembly and knowledge to free up to the air operated models that mangled pellets and jammed up due to spring related issues. I hope they have improved but even if I own three Evanixes I would never buy another one considering all the problems I've had with these three. Their after sales support is also non existing, I'm still waiting for a replacement barrel I was promised 5 years ago.

I’ve not seen any videos or reviews that suggest there are any significant issues with the Viper, and mine has been faultless.

As far as sales support goes, you can purchase every (and I mean every) individual Viper part from Wolfiek and have it delivered within a few days. There aren’t many guns that have that kind of backup.

 

[rkr]

I’ve not seen any videos or reviews that suggest there are any significant issues with the Viper, and mine has been faultless.

As far as sales support goes, you can purchase every (and I mean every) individual Viper part from Wolfiek and have it delivered within a few days. There aren’t many guns that have that kind of backup.

That sounds much better than what the situation was few years ago. Does Viper still use the design where probe and hammer are connected together and move as one? With high power hammer springs that design caused lead shavings and deformed pellets leading to poor accuracy.

 

[nikvanorton]

That sounds much better than what the situation was few years ago. Does Viper still use the design where probe and hammer are connected together and move as one? With high power hammer springs that design caused lead shavings and deformed pellets leading to poor accuracy.

It does, but at 6ft lbs, the hammer spring is very soft and the whole system is under stressed - one of the benefits of our meagure power restrictions! It seems that all semi-auto/self-indexing air guns are a bit of a compromise in some way - the new Taipan Slash seems to be having it's fair share of problems. Pellets are fragile little things to thwack from a magazine into a barrel.