BSA Scorpion 22 review, Big Dan's Airguns

[@DavidMcKay-z9n]

Dan, I dont often leave reviews (i.e. never), so this is a first. That was an excellent review, thanks!

[@leevespa4564]

Thanks Dan,my names lee.....at 55 and now living in kent for the last three years (from Merseyside,where the only places to shoot were post offices lol)decided to get back in to,air rifle hunting....years since I did it,and the prices of some of the pcp guns.....well a lot out of my price range....but tell you what mate,really impressed with the review of the little beezer...so thats definitely one to put in the pot,to finally make up my Mellon....and get one,cheers bud,be great if you could do a few more in comparison....of the more AFFORDABLE,but well mades gun's,cheers bud👍🏻

[@stevebailey2419]

Great review Dan, that’s cracking accuracy from a brilliant little rifle, well done mate. 👍🇬🇧

[@Woodgate425]

Fab review as always Dan and so please you liked the rifle. I have an Ultra and R10 and absolutely love them and l think I’m now going to have to add a Scorpion to the gun cabinet. Keep up the good work, your reviews are the best on KZbin.

[@bigdansairguns83]

Thanks Woody it really means a lot. I don't understand some of the hate in the comments to be honest. It's a £500 gun that can punch sub 1/2" groups at 45 yards and is more consistent than some regulated PCP's.

[@davymac9866]

Hi Dan, Great review, would love to see more BSA reviews. Definitely comparable to S410 groups and I have owned both Air Arms and BSAs 🤘

[@Titus9508]

After a year of testing my best groups have been with QYS Domed.

[@andydowden8117]

BSA scorpion pistol in the 70s seriously overpowered back then!

[@anthonyemery3953]

Top review as always Dan. 👍

[@bigdansairguns83]

Thanks Anthony!

[@snipperukandy3158]

👍 Great review After many years of various pcps I recently bought an ultra se and glad I did Cracking little rifle also loves ftt's .... Think it's a keeper as the gauge is in the right place 😁

[@bigdansairguns83]

There's nothing wrong with an Ultra, great little rifles and laser accurate too. I wish I knew why BSA moved the gauge to the end of the cylinder with this Scorpion.

[@kevowski]

I’ve got 2 T10’s which were the predecessor to this model and I really like the design and function. My .22 produces 1 hole groups at 27 yards with Crossman domed but I’ve yet to find a .177 that groups as well in the other rifle ( tried A LOT).. Great review Dan👌🏻 and I’m glad to BSA going from strength to strength👍🏻

[@jaytoppo1670]

How times have changed eh Dan lol. The last BSA Scorpion I owned was in the 1980's and it was actually a pistol in .22, can't recall if they had a rifle variant back then. I believe it was one if not thee most powerful air pistol of it's time. I do remember it was a cracking pistol, very accurate, quite bulky for a pistol as you'd expect from an old springer pistol.

[@Theshropshireratter]

Nice pistols just got hold of a battered meteor looking forward to its rebuild

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hoo yes Jay, it's the same as with Webley. The Eclipse used to be an underlever and a seriously pretty one at that.. nowadays it's a PCP pistol...thing.

[@richardbrooks1488]

I believe the bsa hornet was the closest to the scorpion in rifle version 👌

[@garywheeley5108]

I think th buccaneer was a carbine version of the scorpion but think power was the same as the pistol though 🤔

[@jefferydoubler2870]

Now that I like lovely looking gun and I for one don't believe the reg is needed. I got the AAS510 ULTIMATE SPORTER NO Reg and no reg in my s400 both spot on Nice review Dan

[@bigdansairguns83]

Cheers Jeff! I agree mate. If you're getting a good amount of shots off and with a little power curve like here and with your AA's then the reg is just another bit to potentially go wrong. I genuinely didn't expect this to go on for as many shots as it did and so consistently!

[@simontanner]

Really interesting review Dan keep up the good work 👍

[@BenBallard13]

I do wish (some) air rifle manufacturers would get wise to what contemporary shooters require? One thing being pic rails! In my opinion a pic rail to the 6 o clock position should be standard. Static pest control at distance requires a bipod for that definite pellet placement, range shooters also require it, home bench shooters also need it. As for the scope mounting, dovetail is pretty much outdated as a pcp mounting option. You don't need dovetails, as it's not a springer and doesn't produce as much recoil scope creep. This is why companies like Reximex offer the best choice for scope mounting. They give you a dovetail/pic rail combo, thereby not isolating their customer base into buying new mounts for their scopes. As we all enjoy shooting safely and it's at the forefront of airgunners hobby, it really is time that manufacturers took this aspect of the hobby seriously. It seems to me that they're cheaping out when it comes to manometer placement. If they put their manometer placement on the side of the rifle or on the underside of the forestock, ANYWHERE that doesn't have you staring down the business end of the rifle..... Then this gives you a base level of added safety measures on which to overlay you're own personal safe shooting regime. They should be leading by example. Companies such as BSA that have a long and well esteemed history of arms manufacturing, should especially be at the forefront of this manufacturing habit. Personally if I had a choice between a PCP from a well known named brand that had the manometer on the business end, or, a PCP from a lesser known manufacturer with the manometer in a safer place on the rifle - I will go for the safer option every time.

[@Biffo1262]

Just fit the Eaglecamvision 13mm/Pic rail converter which only increases the rail height fractionally. Simple and best of both worlds.

[@stigg333]

Great review and that looks like a really nice rifle.

[@bigdansairguns83]

Thanks Stigg! Pretty unbelievable accuracy for a £500 gun.

[@Gyronamics]

It's a modified BSA Buccaneer SE. It's over 10 years old but never stopped being sold, rebadged with a different stock as a Gamo Coyote and also sold as shorter barrel/tube lengths as Phox etc. Now BSA has binned the more complex Scorpion/Ultra SE and is selling the Buccaneer SE design again under new BSA names. They attached the synthetic stock and trigger/safety of a Scorpion/Ultra SE, tweaked the fill port cover and deleted the muzzle brake and barrel band - but only last minute as some promotional pictures of the Scorpion TS showed the barrel band. For a good laugh take note that when this design is sold as a Gamo the full length barrel/tube design on the GX-250 costs the most and you pay less for the shorter barrel/tube GX-40 but as a BSA when the barrel and tubes are sawn down from the full length Scorpion TS you pay a premium and it's called the Ultra TS. Everything around the barrel and tube is the same in both cases and its all made in the same factory... Anyway the Buccaneer SE design is still fine, it's being dug up to get the entry level rifle price down.

[@stephenhowe3143]

Bought one last year had to change from paper targets to toothpicks and matches. Really didn’t expect it to be as accurate as it is.

[@bigdansairguns83]

They're a great gun aren't they Stephen.

[@beleif]

Great video. Cheers Dan.

[@bigdansairguns83]

You're welcome beleif.

[@clangerbasher]

If the stock is a new moulding it is a shame they didn't take the opportunity to cast in some pic rail at the front.

[@bigdansairguns83]

To be fair you do have the sling stud in the front so you could just unscrew that and fit a rail.

[@drleighmj]

Assuming the chronograph test was with unweighed pellets the actual mass can affect the results and tighten the energy spread. Using the nominal mass for each calculation can give an artificial energy spread since velocity may be changing due to the mass rather than the gun energy release. Great review and really helpful 👍

[@richardbrooks1488]

Definitely one of the better bsa’s 👌👌👌

[@mikegleeson7646]

Dan mentions a single shot tray. I have the 0.177 version and BSA say there is no single shot tray option for the Scorpion TS, only for the earlier BSA Scorpion. However, with a little modification the single shot tray from the original Scorpion can be made to fit. Inside the magwell on the bottom right (looking in from the left hand side) you should see a small triangle of plastic, part of the mag holder. This will stop the BSA SCorpion single shot tray from fitting, as the single shot tray is square on the inside edge, unlike the curved end of the magazine. Very careful removal of that triangle of plastic will allow the original Scorpion single shot tray to fit and does not hinder fitting the standard magazine in any way, although may cause issues if you need to return the rifle for any warrantee work. Mine now works fine with a single shot tray option. Also, mine isn't ammo fussy and will group well with almost any pellets put through it, with only a PoI change evident because of the different ammo weights and characteristics.

[@stevej4847]

Another great and very informative video from yourself. It did get me wondering about barrel length on a sub 12. Is there any advantage to having a longer barrel than a shorter barrel, such as the barrels found on the various bullpup guns?

[@vipernight2]

Great video would just like to say for those who like to have the single shot option also there is a guy on ebay that 3d prints single shot mags for these.

[@bigdansairguns83]

Thanks Viper!

[@winstonchurchill6506]

That rifle stand looks as though its been through a few wars dan have a good bank hols

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hey Winnie! The stock texture in the lighting makes it look scratched to heck but it's just the odd lighting around the farm. The metalwork is lovely. I was going to say if the troops are wasting too much ammunition with the Sten's offer them Scorpions instead.

[@DannyBaron-h3t]

Hi Dan, great vid ! How would you attach a bipod on the front sling stud/what bipod could you fit to that? Cheers, viewer dan ;)

[@PH12364]

Good review Dan, Walther RM8 UC or BSA Scorpion TS can’t make up my mind ?

[@bigdansairguns83]

For me it's the BSA. Plenty of shots without the reg and far less to go wrong. Simple to strip if needed and a much better trigger. Also considerably nicer to shoulder. An RM8 is accurate but it's no more accurate than the Scorpion in my opinion.

[@PH12364]

@@bigdansairguns83 that was my thoughts, the reg let’s the rm8 down for me…thanks for reply Dan

[@nickwebb9290]

Always like your reviews, they’re excellent 👍 but….that pressure gauge does not have to be viewed right from the very end of the barrel to check the pressure. Look again, the lens is cleverly angled so the gauge can be viewed easily without having to be in front of the dodgy end.

[@jonathanlee8942]

Dan, when is the review of the RTI being done.

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hi Jonathan, as soon as I can get my hands on one.

[@g.m.3285]

I think the scorpion is much better choice that the ultra , it's only slightly longer and has much better shot count. Thanks Dan , I'm obviously not the only one.

[@bigdansairguns83]

I agree although I do love the Ultra, the Scorpion still isn't a heavy rifle and as you've said the shot count gains are superb.

[@Mjk10957]

These new scorpions , seem like a cheapen down version from my BSA Scorpion SE version , no mag retaining catch , the air gage has been moved to the front the old scorpion has it underneath the stock , it be good to see a video of this version off the scorpion vs the older SE version if you have one floating around

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hi MJ! That'd make an interesting video for sure. I was also thinking about a Cometa Orion vs Scorpion face off. I much prefer where your gauge is it must be said. It might be a more wallet friendly version but the accuracy on offer is absolutely mega.

[@lyndenhodder5655]

Hmm looks like a rebadged Gammo to me, possibly the Coyote.

[@Biffo1262]

​@@lyndenhodder5655 The Gamos are the copies. These and the Ultra were on the market when Gamo bought BSA. You have it the wrong way round.

[@g.cotter4256]

The trigger shows this is pure BSA and not a Gamo.

[@Biffo1262]

Maybe mine is an older Scorpion stock but my gauge is underneath.

[@bigdansairguns83]

The older Scorpions have the gauge in the right spot, the newer ones they just chuck them on the end unfortunately Biffo.

[@Biffo1262]

The problem with the mags is they are far too easy to double load. Polish the sears before adjusting the trigger. Mine loves RWS Superfield though AA Field are very marginally better over 35 yards. However the are also a hell of a lot more pennies and for hunting it isn't worth the extra as the RWS do the job. For HFT the AA Field every time.

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hey Biffo. It's interesting how barrels from the same rifle can have such different tastes. This rifle didn't do all that well with AA or JSB but loved the harder lead of the RWS and HN. I find RWS pellets are somewhat underrated.

[@JamesDavis-mb9pc]

Is the Scorpion £100 better than a Gamo GX250? Don't know what the situation is now but upmarket trendy BSA were bought out by down market no name Gamo. Can't help thinking we are being charged extra for the BSA name. Just about everyone has reviewed the Scorpion but not many have soiled their hands with a GX250.

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hi James! I'll get the GX250 done when I can, I like most Gamo PCP's and I don't have any doubt it'll be a good gun. In regards to being charged extra for the BSA name I'm not so sure, the BSA has a superior trigger along with what I'm willing to bet is a different valve setup.

[@JamesDavis-mb9pc]

@@bigdansairguns83 Thanks for the reply. I'm sure such technical niceties would be lost on back garden plodder like me. Love your reviews for the back ground info and tech explanations.

[@christopherball5203]

I'm about to buy a pcp and I'd narrowed it down to the reximex pretensis, now you throw this one in the works! So with your own cash which would you honestly recommend??

[@bigdansairguns83]

Ahh don't do this to me Christopher.. I even said in the video I can't choose between them!! Looks wise Pretensis.. in regards to actual handling though I'd be tempted to give it to the Scorpion.. for nostalgic reasons I prefer the bolt to a sidelever, accuracy is a dead tie as is shot count I'd be willing to wager. Out of the box the Pretensis trigger is better but with some light tweaking the BSA trigger to me might just edge it but it's so close. I think this one may be on you Christopher as now I'll be thinking about this all day and it's all your fault. 😂 I genuinely can't choose between them.

[@Yoodaawg69]

Currently in the same boat what did you go with in the end ?

[@markhomer5704]

Got the Goldstar SE, based on the scorpion I believe, one of the most, if not, most accurate rifle I own, that includes the Redwolf, it truly is fantastic, doing seals in filler unit at the moment, I've owned it for years and never took it to the range, so this coming Sunday will be it's debut, a fantastic vid Dan, on a great rifle, just do me a favour, give the Debin stand a quick wipe over, looks like youve dug it out of a ton of cow $h¡¥ 😂

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hey Mark! Haha it's the farm stand! It wouldn't look right if it was all pristine it has to blend in with the farm, by that I mean smothered in rust and falling apart. They're a fantastic rifle Mark they really are. I know the flagship is the R12 but I genuinely don't see it being any better than this.

[@markhomer5704]

@@bigdansairguns83 Also own an R12, and yer right, it isn't as accurate as the Goldstar SE, by a long chalk.. Not too say the R12 isn't accurate, just that the scorpion ( GS ) is better.. It just is.

[@kevingingell4493]

Dan please try the ata airborne

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hi Kevin! As soon as I get my mitts on one I'll get to filming for you. Thanks for the suggestion Kevin.

[@kevingingell4493]

@@bigdansairguns83 thing is dan there are only so many air gun salesman I would trust to give an honest review, and as the others didn't reply.....lol only joking bud would love to see your take on it

[@johnballantyne6853]

I had one for 6 months but I took it back, the gun was nice and it handled great….. but it shot terrible😡. My grouping point moved every day I used it, sometimes as much as an inch from my zero point. I used dozens of different pellets but it just shot bad. I was told it was sent back to BSA and they replaced the barrel on it. Just my luck I guess..☹️

[@bigdansairguns83]

That's a shame John, sounds like you had a Friday night job. How was the Scorpion when you received it back or did you get a different rifle?

[@swiftdetecting]

is this old version or new one?

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hey Swift! This is a TS later Scorpion.

[@swiftdetecting]

@@bigdansairguns83 would you say this this better than FXGun Classic dreamline one ? which would be lighter ? and would both shoot same distances ? is on better in air count? and which better for LEft handed

[@badaltitude3598]

Mmm, Gx40, phox, coyote, absolutely brilliant rifles,anybody notice there's no barrel band?.. Eh big Dan..

[@markhomer5704]

Great shooting, bit of exercise won't hurt keep setting the targets, personally I'd get auto reset ones, basically because I'm a lazy git. 😂

[@bigdansairguns83]

Resetting the targets is the okay bit.. it's the tedious wait for the heartbeat to calm down that's the issue. Still though I'm sure I could do with the exercise! 😂

[@xWILZTAx]

Just like the gamo phox is the most accurate 22 ive ever shot but everything else feels cheap and clunky. Wouldn't be seen dead with a bsa air rifle.

[@Biffo1262]

😂 Well that's fine by me. You pay your hard extra earned cash to hit the same target as the Scorpion and see how it fares in the woods. Give me a robust and reliable workhorse every time.

[@bigdansairguns83]

Why wouldn't you be seen dead with a BSA just out of interest? I think the Scorpion is an incredible little gun. It doesn't use the same bits barring the barrel as the Phox and the trigger is a much better unit. Not that I'd slate the Phox though, it's a fantastic little rifle at the price as you've mentioned and once again made in the UK.

[@Amack1966]

My daughter has one and (when she lets me shoot it) seriously challenges everything I have!

[@MudMaxMetalDetecting]

Never understand the logic of making a synthetic stock on a budget rifle with a right handed bias. A fully ambidextrous is really not likely to put off right handers at this price but could discourage a few lefties. Makes no sense to me. Apart from that, looks like a good lower budget pellet pusher. ATB MMMD

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hey MudMax! To be fair the stock on the Scorpion wouldn't be an issue at all for the lefties but I do agree I don't understand why there's that very slight shaping/bias to the right handed shooter. You can see the shape in the comb hopefully in the video.

[@strawman3059]

Wasn't the point of this rifle from bsa to produce a budget high quality pcp that's made in ENGLAND! 💥🥊

[@bigdansairguns83]

Hey Strawman! The Scorpion is indeed made in Birmingham. Only the BSA springers are made in Spain.

[@strikenowfishing1406]

Looks like my Gamo

[@bigdansairguns83]

Modern Gamo PCP's (barring some exceptions) are made by BSA! So there's good odds that your Gamo is the brother/cousin to the Scorpion.

[@rapalaron6348]

Seems to be a Gamo Coyote with a cheap different model stock and BSA name on it. Good old BSA is history when since they got involved with Gamo..... Gamo is using the well known BSA name to sell a lot of rubbish. Good example is the BSA Spitfire 10, it's a 100% Gamo with BSA name on it, and than there is the Gamo CFX underlever what is a cheap build and bad shooting BSA superstar copy. Both brands are nowadays a no go for me and i'm buying only the vintage quality BSA's if i can get my hands on a very nice one😁

[@bigdansairguns83]

The Scorpion isn't a Coyote as far as I'm aware, completely different valve setup as well as a different block. If I were to get pedantic the Gamo's are based on BSA blocks not the other way around. They can all trace their roots back to the BSA Buccaneer.

[@clangerbasher]

Only 20 minutes!!!!!!! Have we upset you?

[@bigdansairguns83]

😂 Hahaha hey Clangerbasher! I kept this one a bit shorter by editing out the pellet testing as sometimes they went on a bit long. I'm guessing you preferred the longer videos. 😆 I've got a twanger to review next so I'll see what I can do with that one.

[@clangerbasher]

@@bigdansairguns83 😀

[@alanvaughan4143]

Looks like a dressed up Gamo

[@clangerbasher]

@@alanvaughan4143BSA made PCP for Gamo.

[@bigdansairguns83]

@@alanvaughan4143 Well Gamo do use BSA's action or a derivative of it depending on the model. So I guess an accurate term is that a Gamo is a dressed down BSA.

[@TurkishTinkerer]

Closest to babe station I’ve ever been 🫠