BSA Meteor Air Rifle
The BSA Meteor is a break barrel spring powered rifle first made in Birmingham, UK, by Birmingham Small Arms Company in 1959 and was the first BSA air rifle to have the ability to fit a telescopic sight,[1] and remains one of the worlds best selling powered weapons with over 2 million sold worldwide. Marketed as an introductory rifle for plinking, hunting and firearm training. it is available in either 4.5mm (.177) or 5.5mm (0.22) caliber with a choice of either standard or carbine length barrels.
| BSA Meteor | |
|---|---|
| Type | Rifle |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | BSA Guns (UK) Limited Gamo |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.6 kg (5.7 lb) |
| Length | 1040mm |
| Cartridge | 4.5mm (0.177cal) or 5.5mm (0.22cal) Lead Air Pellet |
| Action | break barrel, spring powered |
| Muzzle velocity | 550 ft/s (168 m/s) |
| Sights | Adjustable |
Specifications
| Rifle | Carbine | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 104 cm (42 in) | 97 cm (39 in) |
| Barrel length | 45 cm (17 in) | 38 cm (15 in) |
| Weight | 2.6 kg (5.75 lb) | 2.6 kg (5.75 lb) |
Meteors Mk's may be identified by the serial number prefix on the underside of the breech.
- Mk1 = N & T 1959/62
- Mk2 = NA & TA 1962/68
- Mk3 = NB & TB - NG & TG 1966/73
- Mk4 = NB & TB - NG & TG 1974/79
- Mk5 = NH & TH 1979/93
- Mk6 = ZE & WE 1993/2012
- Mk7 = QF 2012
Operation
The spring and piston were compressed by breaking the barrel through 125° before loading a pellet directly into the breach. The barrel is then returned into place and secured with a detent lock. The single-stage trigger is adjustable for pressure. The sights are plastic with the front sight being able to be switched from a bead to a blade and the rear adjustable sight could switch between a "V" and "square notch". The cylinder had two shallow grooves to accept a telescopic sight. The top of the barrel was stamped BSA GUNS LTD ENGLAND followed by a BSA piled arms symbol and the air chamber was stamped BSA METEOR between the scope rails.
The rifle was packed in a polystyrene tray with a printed cardboard sleeve. The standard kit included a bottle of oil, a small tube of Eley wasp pellets and a pressed steel target holder with a few targets. The Meteor was a light and easy to use rifle with a " muzzle energy" of about 10 ft•lbf (13.6 J) of energy (for a good example) so range was limited to about 30m, with 15m being the maximum hunting range.
The rife was upgraded several times over its production, including the "Super Meteor" in 1968, some of these upgrades were merely cosmetic with slightly different sights and finishes. The latest (and final [2]) model designated the Mk7 is a full power variant with an anti-beartrap safety mechanism, manual safety catch and hi-visibility open sights. The gun is now manufactured by Gamo (UK) Limited
See also
External links
References
- "BSA Chronology". Archived from the original on 2011-10-10. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
- "Meteor Mk7 at BSA's website". Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-10-08.