Review:
BSA Scorpion TS 5,5mm

BSA took the path of least resistance in this case and used its existing technology to build a simple and functional PCP air rifle. If you take a closer look, you will see that it uses elements and parts compatible with the BSA Buccaneer SE (Gamo Coyote, Phox, GX 40, 250, Chacal…), especially the block, barrel, overflow valve, percussion mechanism, magazine storage and locking system, but also parts from BSA Scorpion SE, Ultra SE, Tactical, R10 SE, TEN…trigger mechanism, tactical stock, 10 round magazine. Yes, it's kind of a „what the warehouse gave“ at first glance, but on the other hand you have to admit that it works, so why invent something new, moreover if you have a warehouse full of parts that can't be used in the new BSA CLX product line. The workmanship here is exemplary and you won't find any burrs, uncleaned surfaces or imperfections anywhere. Everything works as it should. The tension lever of the straight pull bolt does not jerk anywhere and has a clearly defined path of movement and locking. The magazines are the old familiar ones, working on the principle of tensioning when inserting the diabolas, so you don't have to twist anything and pre-tension the mechanism as is common with Turkish and Chinese PCPs. Personally I find it more user friendly. Plus, the magazine has a steel base, so there is no problem in terms of durability. The capacity is 10 shots for the 4.5 and 5.5 mm, and the 6.35 mm 8 shots has an indexing of remaining shots and a last shot warning. Accuracy is not a problem. Contributing to this is the cold forged barrel from BSA, which is also mounted as a floating barrel, so there is no sleeve in the front to connect to the cartridge. The big advantage of this gun is the two-stage, fully adjustable trigger. The length of the first and second phase and the trigger resistance can be adjusted. The trigger is smooth and has a nice action with a clear response. It is not a sporting trigger, but it is clearly one of the best you can get in this class of guns.
The stock looks cheap at first glance, but it is made of good quality material and its ergonomics are good. It will shoot both left and right handed shooters. The only complaint about the stock is the low cheek piece. Since the gun has no sights, you are forced to use an optical sight with an 11mm rail mount. The axis of the scope then comes out high, and in short, without the additional cheekpiece, you won't have sure and steady support for your face. This is a bit of a shame, especially since the design of the gun allows for low mounts when the rail is continuous throughout the block and the magazine does not protrude here as it does on other guns. The gun is sold in the FP version, i.e. maximum, unlimited power, which in the 5.5 mm calibre is almost 40 J. The disadvantage for many may be the impossibility of easy power adjustment, because for example in the garage to shoot at full power is a massacre, moreover the number of full shots is maximum 30 in this version and the gun has no regulator, so one has to take into account larger variations in consistency. If you would like to reduce the power, you will have no choice but to reduce the preload of the percussion spring and, if you have the possibility and the skill, to change the transferport (the FP has a 4 mm bore diameter, for 20 J power 2.4 mm is enough). The 16 J version is capable of giving up to 120 full shots per load in 5.5 caliber, with consistency within 15 m/s. That's already very respectable.
I also consider it important to specify the parameters of the weapon, which even the publisher states differently from reality! The overall length is about 940 mm, the barrel length is 470 mm, the rail for mounting the optics is not 13 but 11 mm and the power is higher than 16J. The truth is that I would not expect such unprofessionalism from the English, especially if this model is to replace the existing Scorpion series and become the basis of PCP produced by BSA. Well, we BSA fans don't mind so much and will gladly forgive such a transgression, but new customers might be disappointed. Still, the BSA Scorpion TS is a nice and hilarious PCP rifle that offers much more than other manufacturers for the price of around 12k. What I like about it is mainly the use of traditional materials – metal, where except for the stock and sealing rings you won't find any plastic on the main parts of the gun. I also like the use of tried and tested design elements. So long life and reliability can be expected. In conclusion, just a small complaint about the seller. It's a pity that TSka are not offered in other manufactured calibers 4,5 and 6,35 mm, I believe they would certainly find their buyers :-).

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