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About Nibecker ARMS |
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My old Benjamin had been gathering dust for many years when I read an article in a hunting magazine about the upper limit of air rifle power. The article stated that, for all practical purposes, it was impossible to drive a .22 caliber pellet of reasonable mass at over 1000 fps. At the time the article was written, the 'world's most powerful air rifle', a Beeman Crow Magnum, was advertised at a peak power of 21 ft-lbs using a .22 caliber pellet. That article was published about 14 years ago. As a mechanical engineer with over 35 years design experience, it was obvious that the industry needed a new air-rifle power plant. The power plant described in this site is the result of the challenge posed by that article. Besides greatly exceeding the power barrier of the spring-gun technology, the objectives for the new power plant were to reduce the force required to achieve high-power output while eliminating the vibration inherent with the spring gun power plant. Additionaly, the new air rifle would be totally self-contained: no external pumps, cartridges, or tanks would be required to charge the gun. Nor shall the gun's rated performance be dependent on the ignition of lubricating oil in the firing chamber. Using the new power plant described in this site, guns have been produced which exceed 44 ft-lbs. At this power setting, light .22 caliber pellets exceeded 1,150 fps and heavy 28.5 grain pellets exceeded 835 fps. This pictured gun was the last produced and is now completing testing and evaluation. At 35 ft-lbs with eight pump strokes and less than 21 lbs per stroke, an individual of average strength may easily charge this rifle. The final marketed gun will be the optimum trade-off between high-power and charging ease. The ideas and methods incorporated into this air rifle are covered by a number of US patents; with other US and foreign patents pending. My intent is to produce custom-built, high-quality air rifles on a very limited basis. From my marketing efforts, it was apparent that the larger American manufacturers were devoted to mass-producing basic air rifles. The market for this gun will be different: Less than 25 guns are scheduled for the first year of production. The aim is for a truly unique 'generational' gun: An air rifle of unsurpassed power and accuracy which lasts the life of the owner and is passed on to his/her children. At this point, I welcome input from air gun enthusiasts.
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Most of us began hunting with an 'air rifle'. These were adventurous,
exciting times. If something was brought home which could actually
be eaten, we were heroes. Now these same hunters can fill the air
with bird-shot, or cleanly bring down a nice buck at 200 yards;
but the challenge of hunting with an air rifle remains a premier
attraction to the avid hunter.