Pete Wadeson revisits Air Arms unique take down rifle (TDR)

[ airguns ]
W
hen I first heard Air Arms decided
to produce a ‘take-down’ rifle
based on their popular S410 it
immediately stirred my interest. At the time
it was only available in .22”, but I was so
enamoured I got one anyway, with the
intention of eventually having it modified to
.177 by John Sykes at Hydrographics as he
had seen the potential too!
Just as I was about to send it off, Air
Arms released a .177 gun after ironing out
the niggles the smaller calibre threw at
them. Main one being the shot count would
be miniscule so the reservoir would have to
be longer (as it now is) to accommodate
more air and the barrel lengthened
accordingly. However, most other features
remain the same and as Air Arms have
moved forward in some design features on
standard S400/410 series these have been
incorporated into the build of the new TDR.
These include the upgraded fill point and
latest 2-stage trigger with manual safety. But
first - what’s in the bag?
silencer, all of which fit into a black, carry
case made by Napier and included in the
package. Opening the zippered lid shows an
egg shell foam lining that protects the rifle
along with two Velcro straps that keep the
components in their shaped compartments.
It can be hand carried like a suitcase along
with single strap or full shoulder harness,
these two are detachable.
To assemble; the butt section pushes
into the rear of the action behind the pistol
grip where three steel prongs locate into
mating holes in the action. It’s then secured
by pushing in against spring tension and
turning the large, aluminium, knurled-edge
securing wheel just forward of the adjustable
rubber butt pad. The moderator slides on the
AA spigot on the muzzle and secures
underneath with a finger screw. Assembled it
measures 40.5” long and weighs 6.7lb
un-scoped. That’s only 2” longer than the
bag man
The TDR breaks-down into three separate
sections - butt, action/mainframe and
.22 calibre version and a measly 0.2lbs
heavier. It’s then just a matter of fitting a
scope and zeroing in, but first a closer look
at the stock arrangement.
The walnut stock is in two pieces, the
butt is nothing more than a vestigial wooden
cheek piece/comb on the alloy tube. On the
underside it carries two spare magazines,
which is a practical touch. The rest consists
of a short forend and pistol grip attached to
the barrelled action. Though looking a little
odd it doesn’t feel awkward in the slightest.
The butt to all intents and purposes is
ambidextrous and offers good cheek weld
and head positioning. Incidentally don’t go
thinking you can use this as a high power
pistol as it has been designed not to
function with the butt removed, so you can’t
break the law!
short and grippy
The pistol grip is near vertical and stippled
for hold and the short forend is deep in
profile though quickly tapers upward to run
parallel with the air reservoir. Though quite
sparse it’s so designed that it affords a
well-crafted chunk of wood for the leading
hand. There’s also an accessory rail in the
The Air Arms S410 TDR
in .177 calibre – it’s lean,
mean and a serious
hunting machine…
Wearing
Well?
Pete Wadeson revisits
Air Arms unique take
down rifle (TDR) and
still reckons it has
what it takes
40
SHOOTING SPORTS MAGAZINE
underside for fitting bipods etc, set back
from this is an air gauge. The rifle now fills
like other new models in the range by the
super safe, sintered bronze valve that
ensures no dirt or grit enters the air
reservoir. It comes supplied with the brass
cap adaptor that pushes over the T-bar
ended inlet valve, so twist to secure and
slowly fill to a recommended 190bar. The
rifle, even in the small calibre is very air
efficient now having a longer air reservoir
giving approximately 55 full power shots in
the .177 calibre and 40 in .22. As the TDR
uses the S410 multi-shot action, it’s a time
proven and reliable. The layout includes an
un-sprung, 10-shot magazine that’s easy to
fill, along with a railed action block for scope
fitting and an ergonomic alloy bolt.
When both sections
of the stock are
mated together
they combine to
offer a rifle that’s a
joy to use
updated
The TDR’s 2-stage trigger is the same
up-graded version found on other new
S400/500 series rifles. If you ever wondered
what the milled slot in the underside of the
guard was for, it allows access to the three
grub screws that adjust the trigger. These
give first and second stage pull weights and
sear engagement. Safety is provided by a
manual cross bolt integral to the blade. It
always seems a bit of an afterthought but it
works - providing you remember it’s there!
There’s the same amount of rail on the
action block, as ever a bit short in front of
the magazine but there’s usually no
problems dropping any scope on this rifle.
Mine has held many scopes and I’ve now
gone back to the Hawke 3 – 9 X 50 Airmax®
with Map 6 Ballistic Reticle and even with a
larger optic such as this on board the TDR
feels solid on aim and still light and handy.
Clever is the fact the carry case is
configured to take the action with scope
fitted, so no problems on losing zero when
transporting and reassembling the rifle!
As for accuracy – do you really need to
ask? Feed the TDR quality ammo and like its
fully formed relative it gives stunning results
out to 40yds with thumbnail sized groups
easily achieved from a rested position. The
15.75” barrel is still a top quality, semi-freefloating Lothar Walther tube with an O-ring
insert ‘strengthening band’ – while the Pro
76 silencer does a superb job of taming
muzzle report to a whisper.
In my opinion, in .177 calibre the TDR is
a desirable yet specialised air rifle. Although
I like these trimmed, modular-type guns,
there is good reason at times to have one,
should your shooting dictate. Mostly when
discretion is of importance, so the neat and
innocuous nature of the case it comes in will
pay dividends. Just don’t spoil the effect by
being head to toe in camo!
The detachable butt section simply pushes into
the rear of the action where three steel prongs
locate into mating holes
w e r e c ko n
n Great take-down design should
you need one
n Get BEST-FITTINGS
mini-charging bottle and you’ll
enjoy this rifle wherever you go
n Get a 177 version
The forend has an integral accessory rail for a
bipod etc, behind is an air gauge
Technical Specifications
Call that a cheekpiece? Well with
the sliding adjustable rubber butt
pad it’s surprisingly comfortable
and affords a rock steady hold
n NameAir Arms S410 TDR
n Type multi-shot PCP
n Capacity 10 (DM)
.177 on test, .22 available
n Calibre Walnut
n Stock N
n Sights n Grooved for scope mounting
Y
n Barrel
15.75”
n Price £651 including bag
n Spare magazines £29.50
n Contact
Air Arms 01323 845853
www.air-arms.co.uk
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