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Should I buy a BSA Lightning CLX???

Sicapp

Sicapp

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I'm thinking of going back to basics (and my childhood) and getting a break barrel springer. I have a couple of PCP's, including a Red Wolf and a AA S410, and fancy something different (and challenging). I've seen a BSA Lightning CLX .177 in absolutely mint condition with a walnut stock (which I think the walnut is limited) for about £350.
I've seen some very good reviews, and some not-so-good reviews of this model. I know there are some German alternatives, but this BSA looks absolutely lovely and seems a decent buy.
Just wondering if anyone ownes or shot one, or any thoughts on it as a nice alternative to the PCPs.
 
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I had number 3, and was very excited to try the latest BSA break barrel as I also have a 1985 BSA Mercury Challenger (my first air rifle). Sadly the BSA CLX lasted 54 shots before destroying itself on the 55th. My 1985 BSA Mercury Challenger is still going very strong.

CLX looks nice, but then so does the Challenger. Maybe I'm lucky in that my childhood break barrels were the Challenger and the ASI Paratrooper repeater; and I have them both now.

On the higher end break barrels I have the AA Pro Elite and a tuned HW80k. Both are very good. So is the Challenger but very different and only to 30yrd or so for 1" accuracy. the trigger buggers it for longer ranges but a 40mm paddle is quite generous!
 
…However, I have 2, one in each calibre. Yes the triggers aren’t perfect (they’re not to Rekord standards) but they are acceptable. I’d class them as a goodish sporting trigger. Certainly a lot better than a standard Gamo trigger. If you want to strip it and polish you can, but you don’t have to.

I’ve not had issues with (apparently) bending cocking linkages or shattering plastic shoes.

They do handle beautifully and look great. The stock is fantastic.

My biggest gripe was the ‘shock-absorbing’ rail fitted to the cylinder grooves, so I removed it and fitted the scope mounts directly to the cylinder.

If you want to get technical you can modify the transfer port, but again it works without the changes.

It can be tuned, but fundamentally it works (but can be improved relatively easily if you wish).

I’d suggest you’d try it and see how it handles for you. If you like it, buy it.
 
bootneckbob said:
I had number 3, and was very excited to try the latest BSA break barrel as I also have a 1985 BSA Mercury Challenger (my first air rifle). Sadly the BSA CLX lasted 54 shots before destroying itself on the 55th. My 1985 BSA Mercury Challenger is still going very strong.

CLX looks nice, but then so does the Challenger. Maybe I'm lucky in that my childhood break barrels were the Challenger and the ASI Paratrooper repeater; and I have them both now.

On the higher end break barrels I have the AA Pro Elite and a tuned HW80k. Both are very good. So is the Challenger but very different and only to 30yrd or so for 1" accuracy. the trigger buggers it for longer ranges but a 40mm paddle is quite generous!
Click to expand...
I'm looking for an ASI Paratroper repeater. It was my second air rifle when I was a kid, and I loved it. I sold it to get a Diana Mod 52 (which I still have). They seem difficult to come by, especially the repeater model in good condition.
 
Sicapp said:
I'm looking for an ASI Paratroper repeater. It was my second air rifle when I was a kid, and I loved it. I sold it to get a Diana Mod 52 (which I still have). They seem difficult to come by, especially the repeater model in good condition.
Click to expand...
They pop up occasionally on here. I had one that I thought was good for its age but then another one popped up a few months later even better so I bought that one and ended up selling the other.
 
Ashf9999 said:
…However, I have 2, one in each calibre. Yes the triggers aren’t perfect (they’re not to Rekord standards) but they are acceptable. I’d class them as a goodish sporting trigger. Certainly a lot better than a standard Gamo trigger. If you want to strip it and polish you can, but you don’t have to.

I’ve not had issues with (apparently) bending cocking linkages or shattering plastic shoes.

They do handle beautifully and look great. The stock is fantastic.

My biggest gripe was the ‘shock-absorbing’ rail fitted to the cylinder grooves, so I removed it and fitted the scope mounts directly to the cylinder.

If you want to get technical you can modify the transfer port, but again it works without the changes.

It can be tuned, but fundamentally it works (but can be improved relatively easily if you wish).

I’d suggest you’d try it and see how it handles for you. If you like it, buy it.
Click to expand...
Ive also got one of each,mine are in walnut but pretty much agree with all you've said,they ain't a Herman but they do what they say on the tin
Richie
 
No idea if they are any good or not, but I've brought two rifles I liked the look of so much I couldn't resist, one a BSA GRT the other a Brocock Compatto and they were both by far the worst rifles I've ever owned. I no longer buy on looks alone 😂
 
Looked forward to the launch of the Lightning CLX since first seeing the pre-production version showcased at the Shooting show the previous year,so when my local RFD got a couple in stock i jumped at the chance to get one.
I found that they where a good looking gun and well balanced and also handles really well in the shoulder.
For me,that was where it ended,once out in the field i found the trigger not as the advertised two stage and fairly poor in operation,the firing cycle would be best described as harsh and when stripped down to its bare bones it was essentially just a re-hashed original Lightning wearing a new coat.
Overall I was disappointed with the new Lightning clx and felt it was a missed opportunity to really compete with the other break barrel manufactures.

Personally i would recommend looking at either older bsa springers or going down the Weihrauch route.
 
They are fantastic looking gun, beautiful profile…

Two mates bought them based on reviews, one broke and the other was sold due to issues with accuracy.

I just wish BSA would get their act together and make a decent springer!!!’

Buy German 🇩🇪
 
I desperately wanted these to be good after seeing them at the shooting show in 2024, but reviews were quite mixed and then I shot one at the show this year. Two in fact, one in each calibre.

They were both very harsh and the triggers heavy. I haven’t bought one.

They’ve been fine for some people, though.
 
BSA make excellent PCP’s but sadly their springers & rammers are just not as good. You might be lucky and get a good one but I’d say you were better off looking for a secondhand Weihrauch.
 
Latest BSA springers are like their pcp guns …if you get a good one keep it but majority are troublesome.. low power . Accuracy is poor. Buy a weirauch springer .
 
Shrew said:
Latest BSA springers are like their pcp guns …if you get a good one keep it but majority are troublesome.. low power . Accuracy is poor. Buy a weirauch springer .
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Sorry, but I can’t agree with you there. BSA PCP’s with their cold Hammered barrels are as accurate as any other air rifle on the market in the same price bracket and have no more quality issues then other manufacturers. It’s been Gamo that has let down their range of springers.
 
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