I’m not sure if I should call this an FN8 review or a LW8 review. The following gun started out life as an FN8 pistol. In pistol form, I found it to be a bit awkward and difficult to shoot accurately without aid of a rest. Still, it was powerful and a repeater so I hung on to it. Off the bench it was superb.
?t=1183341918
I ended up putting a LW stock on it after an unfortunate shipping mishap that damaged the factory grip and find that I shoot it far more now than I did.
?t=1183341948
History
The current Falcon lineup can be quite confusing. The classic series is the FN guns, consists of the FN6 and FN8 pistols with two grip options, the FN12 and FN19, and the Lighthunter series, LW8 and LW12. The number designation is the barrel length in inches. The Falcon guns come in various stock configurations including Beech, Walnut, and laminates. The Lighthunters also feature a skeleton stock.
The Prairie series currently offers the PF18 and PF25, again, with two stock options as well as proprietary moderators or a shrouded barrel option.
The Falcons all have either single shot actions or two versions of a multishot, the Hawk and Raptor action. The Raptor uses a bolt to index the magazine as well as cock the action whereas the Hawk action is a two part cocking where you must manually cock.
The LW8
For all intent and purposes, I will review this gun as a LW8 Lighthunter in .22 caliber. My LW/FN has the Raptor action. It uses an 8 shot rotary magazine that feeds all normal sized pellets flawlessly but specialty pellets such as the Eun Jins and Predators are too large for the magazine.
Fit and finish of this gun is flawless, as should be expected for an airgun at this price point. The bluing is rich and deep and all parts are finished well enough to pass as a tuned gun.
?t=1183341982
The stock is a skeleton stock with an adjustable butt pad. I was a bit surprised to see a Falcon decal on the stock rather than something inlayed in the stock, especially given the price. Perhaps I’m picky, but I thought a decal was a bit cheesy. Still, the stock is comfortable and the gun points well.
?t=1183342002
The small 55cc air tube fills to 2900psi with minimal stokes from a hand pump. I normally shoot 3 magazines of 8 before refilling, which takes around 50 strokes of the hand pump, including the 13-15 strokes to pressurize the hose.
Attached at the muzzle is a brake from Rich in Mich. Classy work from a classy artisan.
?t=1183342023
Velocity can be adjusted, I am told, but mine came from the factory shooting spot on at 12fpe in .22 caliber and I’ve left it at that.
The trigger is adjustable and was a bit heavy from the factory. Adjusting it proved to be a bit challenging, but a simple call to Van at Airhog, where I bought the gun and stock, made things clear. I must interject here that Van it top notch. Always willing to help not only during the purchase, but afterwards as well. I’ve had nothing but good service from Van. My trigger now breaks cleanly at around 2lbs. I went a bit lighter with it at one point, but prefer the 2lb pull for this particular gun.
Accuracy out of the LW8 is superb. Out to 30 yards, I can pretty much do ragged hole 5 shot groups from a rest. At closer ranges, easy one holers are common. Out to 50 yards, the lower power shows through in the amount of holdover, but good groups out to 50 yards are still achievable.
?t=1183342101
?t=1183342121
All in all, I enjoyed my FN8, but do prefer it in its carbine form. It’s light, handy, points great, and is quickly becoming my favored carbine for light duty, short range work.
?t=1183342143