PART 2: Air Arms HFT500

Mark Camoccio puts Air Arms’ HFT special back in the spotlight

- Mark Camoccio

Last month, we reminded ourselves how the HFT500 came about. This month we continue the tour, and see just why it’s proved so popular

SIDE ISSUE

Air Arms have used the full-length, extended air cylinder – fitted as standard to the HFT500 – originally on their FAC models, and I competed for some time with a custom S400 that the legendary Nick Jenkinson, three times World FT Champion, and consultant to Air Arms, put together a few years back. This proved a super-successful rifle, and I was intrigued when I first saw the HFT model. Balance, with that extra front weight, is impressive, whilst slick features and technical advantage are here in abundance.

Time to focus on the grey satin breech block, and that exquisite sidelever. Air Arms have used this lever on the S510 for a while, where it works a magazine system. Here, pulling back the lever takes minimal effort to cock the hammer and set the trigger, and as the HFT500 is single-shot, rolling a pellet across the loading channel is the next easy task. Nudge the lever closed and the final bit of travel is automatic as the ‘over centre engineering’ takes effect. All very subtle and smooth in operation.