Umarex Gauntlet Review & Guide

The Umarex Gauntlet is an affordable PCP air rifle that is accurate, reliable, quiet, magazine-fed, and regulated. In particular, the HPA supply is regulated, which allows for a high number of consistent shots without experiencing the “shot curve” common to most unregulated PCP air guns. At this cost, it’s a major improvement.

The Gauntlet Umarex, long established in the CO2 industry for its inexpensive break barrels and historically accurate (and immensely entertaining) replicas, has recently entered the PCP market.

It is one of the most interesting firearms to come out in recent memory, thanks to a host of capabilities that were previously only available on very costly airguns. The Gauntlet is an airgun that will force all other manufacturers to up their game in terms of shot count, power, and accuracy.

The price of PCPs has dropped to the point where even the most frugal air rifle can afford one.

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Specifications:

CategoryDetail
ManufacturerUmarex
Max Caliber.177, .22, .25
Velocity1000 FPS, 900 FPS, 900 FPS
Ammo TypePellets
ActionBolt action
Barrel StyleRifle
Fire ModeRepeated
Gun Weight8.50 kg
Overall Length46.00 inches
Barrel Length23.50 inches
Loudness3-Medium
Magazine Capacity10 rounds
MechanismPCP
Rail11mm dovetail
SafetyManual
Front SightsNone
Rear SightsNone
Shots Per Fill 60
Trigger AdjustabilitySingle-stage
Trigger Action0
UsePlinking, target practice, hunting
RecoilNone

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Umarex Gauntlet Rifle Details

Gun Type

The Umarex Gauntlet, a Pre-Charged (PCP) air rifle with a 10-shot rotary mag. This rifle includes a 13-inch cubic air reservoir and the regulator allows you to shoot at most 70 shots with a .177 caliber, 60 shots with a .22 caliber and 25 shots with the .25.

Stock

The Umarex Gauntlet rifle’s stock is synthetic and has a durable matte-black finish that won’t easily be scratched. To keep noise levels low, the forestock is covered in a battle shroud that can be easily removed to change tanks.

The grip is similar to a pistol’s and has a cheekpiece that can be adjusted to allow you to feel comfortable when shooting.

Speed and Accuracy

Using the lightest Gamo Platinum PBA alloy pellets, the Umarex Gauntlet PCP air rifle tested by us achieved a maximum Muzzle Velocity of 931.86 FPS. Maximum velocity at 864.63 FPS was achieved with lead pellets and RWS Hobbies. The Gauntlet’s muzzle energy averaged 19.62-foot pounds, making it a good choice for hunting small animals.

With the H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 Grain pellets, the PCP shot a maximum Muzzle Energy of 22.20 Ft/Lbs, which is quite high for a pellet rifle of this type. Our Team was quite impressed by the precision. Neither the lighter undomed lead pellets nor the conventional test pellets performed poorly, while the heavier domed lead pellets performed much better.

The “one hole” groups created by the JSB Exact, H&N Field Target Trophy, and H&N Baracuda Match pellets were all but indistinguishable from one another. It was tough to determine which team had the better performance overall, but we ultimately gave the nod to the Barracudas.

The table below shows the Umarex Gauntlet’s accuracy and speed with various pellets:

PelletFPEVelocity (FPS)Accuracy
H&N Field Target Trophy Green (10.03)15.86 FPE843.85 FPSGreat
Crosman Premier HP (14.3 Grain)19.73 FPE788.16 FPSGood
H&N Field Target Trophy Green (14.66 Grain)20.2 FPE787.71 FPSGood
JSB Jumbo Exact (14.35 Grain)20.75 FPE806.91 FPSGreat
RWS Hobby (11.9 Grain)11.9 FPE864.63 FPSGreat
Gamo Raptor Platinum (9.7 Grain)18.71 FPE931.86 FPSBest

Trigger

When we put a Umarex Gauntlet PCP air rifle through its paces, it found that its trigger pulls weight was consistently light and light. On average, it weighed 3 pounds and 2 ounces to lift. This hauling mass is perfectly fine. Without a doubt, the Gauntlet’s weakest link was its trigger, which was delivered to the company in its factory-default condition. That it just has one working stage is not necessarily a drawback. In addition, the trigger itself has a metal blade, a feature that is appreciated by many. However, the journey was very lengthy and bouncy.

The sear release seemed to break free simply and reliably once the breaking point was reached. Yet, it was a struggle to reach that stage. The trigger on my new Umarex Gauntlet PCP air rifle seems fine for hunting as is. It’s not terrible, but it won’t cut it for a target.

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But the trigger is adjustable, making it, unlike many other inexpensive PCPs. Setscrews allow for customization of pull weight, sear engagement, and overtravel. Adjusting the trigger as described in the user manual is something we plans to try in a future update to see if any further improvements can be made. Pete Shooter, on the other hand, pulled the trigger on his Gauntlet like he was using a “war rifle,” and he was pleased with the results.

The trigger guard’s forward face features manual safety. If you turn this, the gun will go into safe mode. The safety lever protrudes in front of the trigger to provide a visual cue that the firearm is unloaded and secure.

Cocking and Loading

Umarex Gauntlet, a bolt-action gun, is simple to use but can be quite difficult to use as some reviews have indicated.

It can be difficult to pull back the bolt and it can be stiff. It is adjustable and comes with a manual, which many users find difficult to put in place.

Image Source: hardairmagazine

The Gauntlet can fire 10 shots in a row, and magazines are very smooth and easy to load. The Gauntlet also features tiny numbers that show which shot you are currently on. This is an extra detail you will love about its design.

Sight & Scope

The Gauntlet does not come with a bundled scope and it is one of the drawbacks of the Gauntlet. It would be difficult to choose one, and many bundled scopes are poor quality. Weaver or Picatinny rings will not fit on the rifle since it has standard airgun rails.

To test we installed a Leapers 4 – 16 x 40 AO scope. This was a great addition to the overall weight and balance of our air rifle and proved efficient in its usage.

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Loudness

There is a muzzle cover on the barrel of the Umarex Gauntlet PCP air gun. The resulting report is more manageable for those reading it in their backyards.

The overall noise level was slightly greater than Benjamin Marauder, the reference model for us. However, it is still obviously considerably lower than the levels audible from an unshielded barrel.

Shootability

Its Umarex Gauntlet PCP air rifle is long, measuring 46 1/4 inches overall. This is about 3 Inches larger than a Marauder for instance. It weighs in at 10lbs 3 Oz, as determined by us using the Leapers UTG 4 16×40 AO scope Swivels for slings and slings.

The lightweight alloy HPA tank is comparatively lightweight and short. That means the Gauntlet even though it is long isn’t have a heavy muzzle in comparison to different PCP air rifles.

The sling’s swivels enable shooters to wrap a sling around their forearm to ensure stability in the field. But, the gun is only able to be carried muzzle-down when carried across the shoulders.

The comb adjustability of the buttstock permits a great cheek weld by using Gauntlet for the majority of people. This is an additional useful feature that’s a major contribution to improving the accuracy in the field.

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It’s not surprising that its regulation of the air supply which gives this Umarex Gauntlet PCP air rifle the most shootability advantage.

Simply filling it up with 3000 PSI and then no need to worry about the amount of air needed for 70 steady shots is a great feeling! This is the case for any PCP airgun, however Gauntlet gives you that feeling of freedom to a completely new level.

The magazines function in the same way as the magazines from The Benjamin Marauder and so are quick to load and familiar to many.

Maintenance

You need to maintain the Umarex Gauntlet as a PCP. The rifle works well with all bullets, and it is safe to travel or jam clear.

It also features a controlled design and a low 1150 PSI which maintains pressure. This makes it very flexible for HPA filling. To get the best performance, the tank does not need to be filled at 3000 PSI.

Accessories

The Umarex Gauntlet doesn’t need any additional tools to improve its performance. It is a well-built rifle.

The Umarex Gauntlet Starter Combo is a great accessory. This includes a scope measuring 4-12×40 inches, slings, rings, and an Air Venturi MK4 handpump that fills your Gauntlet with air.

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If you want to maximize your PCP’s performance, a pump is a great accessory.

To enhance your experience with the Gauntlet, you can use a scope or bipod if you already own a pump. The Gauntlet works best when used with a Tactical Bipod and a Heavy Duty Bipod.

Price

The Umarex Gauntlet comes in a reasonable price at $329.99, which is great value for the many features it offers. This rifle is a great deal for the price.

Manufacturers claim that the Umarex Gauntlet PCP performs in the same manner as air rifles priced at $1000 or more, but at a lower price.

Where does Umarex Gauntlet lack?

Both of the Gauntlet’s rifle stocks are somewhat chunky, which is one of the few things I can find wrong with them. The air reservoir is hidden by the design of the forestock, yet the ergonomics aren’t compromised.

Despite its size, the rifle is comfortable to use for most shooters. The regular Gauntlet Stock has a cheaper look and feels to me, but that is to be anticipated given the price.

The bolt action works fine and automatically indexes the magazine, however, it is rather labor-intensive to cock. Most marksmen won’t find this to be an issue. But smaller shooters may have trouble with it.

In my opinion, this is a great rifle for beginners, although it may be too big for others. The Gauntlet 2’s broad, knurled cocking handle is significantly more ergonomic.

Although the Gauntlet’s controlled feature is amazing for the price, it cannot be adjusted outside of the factory. This airgun is up there with the best of them, and it might be the one for you if you’re looking to take down some squirrels.

However, you may feel constrained in your ability to fine-tune the rifle for a variety of pellets to achieve maximum consistency.

What the Umarex Gauntlet Does Best?

I’ve put in a lot of quality time with both the Gauntlet and the Gauntlet 2, using them for plinking, target practice, and actual hunting.

My research and personal experience have led me to conclude that the gauntlet is an excellent choice for a light to medium game hunting set. Both the Gauntlet and the Gauntlet 2 have sufficient knockdown power for small games, but their power profiles are distinct.

If you’re interested in purchasing this rifle, it’s important to think about how you’ll be using it so you can choose the model and cartridge that will work best for you. For instance, a regular Gauntlet chambered in .22 will give you roughly 60 bullets and produce around 25 ft-lb of force.

This has a range of over 50 yards and outstanding field accuracy, making it ideal for hunting squirrels and rabbits. Nearly 100 ft. lb. of force may be delivered by the Gauntlet 2 in .30 calibers. A well-placed headshot may anchor a coyote or small hog at the same distanceg.

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Umarex Gauntle vs Other Rifles

Umarex Gauntlet vs Air Venturi Avenger

CategoryUmarex GauntletAir Venturi Avenger
ActionBolt ActionSidelever
Barrel StyleRifleRifle
Fire ModeRepeating shotsRepeating shots
Dimensions48.75 x 9.75 x 4.2542.75 x 22.75
Loudness3-Medium3-Medium
Magazine Capacity108
Shots Per Fill6024
MechanismPCPPCP
Velocity900 FPS (.22 cal)900 FPS (.177 cal)

Umarex Gauntlet vs Gamo Urban

CategoryUmarex GauntletGamo Urban
ActionBolt ActionBolt Action
Barrel StyleRifleRifle
Fire ModeRepeating shotsRepeating shots
Dimensions48.75 x 9.75 x 4.2545 x 3.5 x 8 
Loudness3-Medium3-Medium
Magazine Capacity1010
Shots Per Fill6030
MechanismPCPPCP
Velocity900 FPS (.22 cal)800 FPS (.177 cal)

Umarex Gauntlet vs Gamo Coyote

CategoryUmarex GauntletGamo Coyote
ActionBolt ActionBolt Action
Barrel StyleRifleRifle
Fire ModeRepeating shotsRepeating shots
Dimensions48.75 x 9.75 x 4.2512 x 45.1 x 4.2
Loudness3-Medium3-Medium
Magazine Capacity1010
Shots Per Fill6030
MechanismPCPPCP
Velocity900 FPS (.22 cal)1345 FPS (.177 cal)

Umarex Gauntlet vs Benjamin Marauder

CategoryUmarex GauntletBenjamin Marauder
ActionBolt ActionBolt Action
Barrel StyleRifleRifle
Fire ModeRepeating shotsRepeating shots
Dimensions48.75 x 9.75 x 4.2542.82 x 20.00
Loudness3-Medium2-Low-Medium
Magazine Capacity1010
Shots Per Fill6032
MechanismPCPPCP
Velocity900 FPS (.22 cal)1100 FPS (.177 cal)

Conclusion

When it comes to PCP air rifles, the Umarex Gauntlet stands alone. This is the first time a firearm of this caliber and price has ever been made available. It’s got almost as many bells and whistles as the industry standard bearers, and it’s accurate, too. As soon as you get your hands on the Gauntlet, you’ll see why it’s called that.

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