pellet

Umarex Origin

 For some time, I had been thinking about getting into a high pressure air rifle. I was looking for something in .22 caliber, possibly for use on small game or anything else interesting. After looking around some, I came across the Umarex Origin. After a bunch of questions to Umarex, here we are with a great all around pcp air rifle. The Origin also comes in .25 caliber, if that’s your thing.

  Umarex has been making air guns for some time. In fact, they have all different types and styles, from spring air style through Pre-Charged Pneumatic, or “PCP” as they are commonly referred to. The Origin is a PCP style air rifle with a few unique attributes. The most notable attribute is Umarex’s “Ever Pressure Tank” system. The EPT allows you to fire a shot without having to fully charge the high pressure air tank. One might ask “How do you charge the Origin?” In this case, it’s from a high pressure hand pump. Think bicycle style air pump, but for pcp air guns. The Umarex Origin can be purchased with or without the pump. I received the version with the pump. Without it, you would need a high pressure air tank to get filled at an industrial or scuba store. Because it takes around 140 pumps to completely fill the Origin’s air tank, this is where the EPT system comes into play. If you only need 1 shot, you only need to put around 13 pumps into the Origin’s tank. If you completely fill the Origin’s tank, you can expect around 30-40, usable, full pressure shots.

  Even though the Origin is considered an entry level pcp air rifle, it is not. The Origin will do pretty much anything more expensive pcp rifles will do. For instance, it has a 1:19 twist rifled barrel that will shoot standard 22 caliber pellets, as well as 22 caliber slugs. The slugs are essentially a bullet and don’t have your normal pellet look to them. I did some experimentation and found that this particular Origin will fire up to, and including, 23 grain slugs with decent accuracy and velocity. More on that later. The Origin also has a built-in scope rail. This rail is unique in that it will accept 11mm dovetail mounts as well as standard picatinny/weaver mounts. A huge advantage of pcp air rifles is that any scope can be used. There is no need for a special air gun scope with a pcp rifle. Lastly, this not so entry level pcp has an adjustable trigger. You can adjust the trigger pull weight down to around 2.5lbs. It also has a “travel” adjustment, which is kind of like pre-travel. Then there is also an over-travel adjustment. Even with this adjustment, the trigger has more of an entry-level feel to it. It is not as crisp as I would have liked it to be. The Origin also comes with 2 ten round magazines. 

  Now that we have the general rundown of the Umarex Origin, let's get into it. The Origin is a side lever bolt action style, but only kind of. The cocking handle actually rotates out and back to cock the rifle. Pushing the charging back forward, loads one of the rounds from the magazine. When the magazine runs dry, the Origin won’t allow you to push the cocking handle forward, thus letting you know that it’s time to change magazines. The safety is behind the charging handle and is pretty self explanatory. The magazines worked well for me, though I do need to get 2 more of them, for a total of 4. The reason for more magazines is that I can get 40 full power shots out of a full air charge. The stock on the Origin is polymer and resembles a varmint style full length stock. I found the stock to be comfortable even though I don’t care for the semi-finger grooved pistol grip. The length of pull might be a tad long for some people. There are no sling studs or QD mounting points in the stock, so carrying it in the field might present a challenge. The complete rifle is fairly long also, at just over 43”. The air cylinder sits below the barrel and extends out to the end of it. It kind of gives the Origin an over/under shotgun look. The air fill port is on the bottom of the stock, just in front of the trigger. There’s a plastic dust cover that goes over it. The tab holding the cover from being lost, broke after about 5 uses. The dust cover still holds on, but no longer is attached when filling the tank. 

  The Origin performed far beyond my expectations. It is super accurate with the right velocities and pellet weights. I mounted up an Athlon Optics 2.5-15 and it is a phenomenal scope on the Origin. Part of the reason I chose the 22 caliber is the availability of pellets locally. The Crossman 14.3gr are everywhere. At full velocity, these can reach 1000 fps. Heavier H&N 21.14gr pellets average 950 fps. The Origin does have adjustable shot pressure so you can tune in velocities. I found accuracy improved if I backed this adjustment screw out 1 to 2 turns. These settings dropped the velocities about 50 fps, so not very much. Just like normal rifles, find the pellet or slug weight that works best for accuracy in your particular gun. I was getting under 0.5” groups at 25 yds with just about anything I put through the origin. With this accuracy, getting small game, like a rabbit, at 50 yds should be easy. My best group size was with 21.14gr H&N pellets. I shot a .258” 5 shot group with those. These shoot spectacularly out of the Origin. They also have a respectable velocity of 920 fps. The 21gr slugs also shot very well out of the Origin. They aren’t quite as accurate, but close. They have an average velocity of 880 fps. The slugs also have a way better ballistic coefficient. So much so that they are still going about 700 fps at 100 yds. For me, the 25gr and heavier slugs would keyhole at 25 yds, probably because of the barrel's slow twist rate. Because the Origin has little to no recoil, you can actually witness the pellet trace in the scope. PCP air rifles are not quiet, but they are hearing safe. The Origin is actually louder than I would have guessed, but it is not uncomfortably loud. It does have a built-in “moderator” which helps mitigate a little bit of the sound. 

  Filling the Origin with the included pump will help you burn some calories. The hand pump is easy to use, but requires a bit of actual strength to fill the Origin up completely. I actually had to put a bit of weight on the pump for the last 30-40 pumps. You are pumping up to 4500 psi in the Origin’s tank, so I get it. To attach the pump to the rifle, there is a little quick connect style fitting that you plug into the fill port. The Origin’s tank has a one way valve, so air in the tank won’t leak back out. I really wish the hose from the pump was longer, because you essentially have to lay the rifle on the ground next to the pump to fill it. The pump has a pressure relief screw on it. Take my word on it, release the pressure in the pump, with this screw, before removing the fill tube. Pressure will stay in the Origin’s tank almost indefinitely. So charge the rifle before you store it away. Then it will be ready to go when you want to use it.

  If you are looking at getting into PCP air rifles, you can’t go wrong with the Umarex’s Origin kit with the pump. It has everything you need to get started and costs under $400. The Origin is a fantastic air rifle with great accuracy. I am thoroughly impressed by what Umarex has done with the Origin. I never expected to like the Origin so much. If you are into air rifle hunting, or just want to have fun at the range, definitely go take a look at the Umarex Origin.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Entry level PCP air rifle with non-entry level performance

Target Market:

New PCP air gunners 

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Super Easy to Use .22 Caliber Multi-Pump PCP

  • Patented Pre-Pressurized Air Chamber Design

  • Shoots at Full Power with Fewer Pumps

  • 120 Pumps Per Fill

  • 40 Shots Per Fill

  • Develops a Full Power shot with 13 Pumps

  • Automatic Overpressure Air Release

  • 3-stage, 4,500 PSI HPA Hand Pump and Fill Probe Included

  • (2) Auto-Indexing 10-Shot Rotary Magazines Included

  • Compact Side-Mounted Cocking Lever

  • Combination Picatinny and 11mm Dovetail Optics Mounting Rail

  • Two-Stage Adjustable Trigger

  • 1,000 FPS with .22 Caliber Alloy Pellets

  • Barrel length - 23 inches

  • Overall length - 43.1 Inches

  • 1:19 twist rifled barrel

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

No included air pump  

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars at Umarex.com

Perfect first PCP

"Coming from a .177 brake barrel to the Origin .22 has been really satisfying! The gun is a pleasure to shoot and having a rotary magazine compared to using a break barrel is game changing. I did have trouble at first when I double fed the gun so don’t be an idiot like me can be very careful not to **** the gun twice and push two pellets into the barrel. I suggest purchasing an air gun cleaning kit with a rod to go with your new air rifle. I shoot in my backyard at 25 yds the accuracy is a huge step up from my Benjamin Vaporizer. Recoil is virtually nonexistent and with a suppressor on the muzzle the impact of the pellet seems louder than it leaving the barrel. Pumping the gun from empty to full takes about 120 pumps and I get three mags out of it (30 good shots) before I need to top off. Using the pump is fairly easy but I can tell I’ll want a tank or compressor soon. Overall I’m very happy with my Origin .22 it is exactly what it needs to be. "

Link to other reviews:

Airgun Depot  

Price point:

MSRP = $379.99

Retail = Same on Amazon 

I need it now! Availability:

Umarex or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Includes hand pump

  • Ever Pressure system

  • Accurate

  • Combo scope rail

  • Price

  • Compatible with air gun slugs

Cons:

  • Trigger

  • Doesn’t include single shot tray

  • Fill port dust cover

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  Boyds At-One stock review 

Crosman MAR177 PCP AR-15 Upper Receiver Conversion Kit

MAR177-PCP.jpg

Crosman MAR177 PCP

Have you ever considered a conversion kit for your AR-15 platform rifle or carbine? Perhaps a 22LR kit that snaps onto your lower receiver and allows you to shoot the economical 22 Rimfire. How about a conversion kit that shoots an even more economical round and keeps your guns clean?

Let me preface this with telling you that I am NOT the target market for this conversion kit.  This product is designed for the precision rifle competition shooter, so from my point of view the price point was a real shocker at first. However, I do see value in more than just a competition setting. This could be a really good training option for any AR-15 shooter. I would compare it to a 22LR conversion in some ways. Yes, it’s more expensive, but the ammo is way cheaper than even 22LR. You can purchase 1,250 (177) caliber pellets for about $14. So over time you may break even with a 22LR conversion kit. One of the big benefits of an air rifle upper is that they are very CLEAN, you will rarely, if ever, have to clean this. Not something you can say about 22LR conversion kits.  My one big issue is that fact that you have to manually charge the action every time you take a shot. I’m sure this is not an issue for the intended users since they mostly shoot bolt guns in small bore competitions. Overall I'm very pleased with this conversion kit, it leaves a smile on my face each time I shoot it.  Whether you're training for 10-meter rifle matches, plinking cans or shooting apples, I would recommend taking a serious look at the Crosman MAR177.

Claim to Fame: The MAR177 conversion kit replaces your existing AR-15 upper receiver and converts it into a PCP(Pre Charged Pneumatic) .177 caliber competition air rifle.  Designed to support 10 meter match air rifle competition.

Target Market: The MAR177 is built for National Match Air Rifle competition shooters

Features & Benefits

Key Features

  • Match grade accuracy
  • Ready for competition out of the box
  • Meets the National Match Air Rifle competition requirements
  • More range time - even indoors
  • Low noise and minimal recoil
  • Up to 120 shots per fill

Key BenefitsCrosman MAR177 PCP Pop Cans

  • Practice with your competition AR-15 Trigger Group
  • Use the same lower, stock and pistol grip of your AR-15 Rifle
  • It’s possible to put an optic on the rifle
  • Very accurate
  • Affordable clips $14.99

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? Only Black

What others are saying?

  1. Review by Jim on Crosman’s product page - “I sold off one of my NM uppers to buy this air rifle conversion so I could train in the off season. The cost was a little high but well worth it. I pinned the rear sight and now it works a lot better. The winters are not going to be as boring as they used to be. Thanks for a really good item.”

  2. Review by “The Truth about Guns”

Price point (MSRP versus actual retail)MAR177 PCP 177 Clip

MSRP = $650.00 from the Crosman Corporation

Retail = $600.00 on Pyramyd Air Gun Mall

I need it now! Availability In stock at the above places as well as: Amazon.com for currently $600

Our Rating If the price point was a few hundred dollars less I would give this 9 stars out of 10 since it would open it up to the 22LR conversion market with comparable price points.

+ Rifled Lother Walther steel barrel + Good alternative to a 22LR conversion kit + Fun to shoot + Very accurate for even a rifle noob like myself + Velocity up to 600 fps + Built in pressure gage

- Very heavy and bulky - Must be charged from a scuba tank or a VERY high pressure hand pump (1,000 to 2,900 psi) - Expensive

75

Score (7.5)

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