For many airgun enthusiasts, including me, there will always be a special regard for BSA; a company with a rich history of gun-making, that's been a reassuring constant in the background, spanning generations. I was lucky enough to have a 'behind the scenes' look around their hallowed premises a while back, and just standing on Armoury Road, and taking time to appreciate the scale of the original factory, when the company supplied the British Army, was an emotional experience, for sure.
Today, BSA are purely airguns, but with all the PCP models still produced at the Birmingham site, it's definitely a cause for celebration, and testament to the energised marketing team that are the modern driving force behind the company.
All Change
So when Beeza hit their landmark 160th anniversary in 2021, the launch of the brand-new Ultra CLX, (CLX is ‘160’ in Roman numerals) was a fitting celebratory model. A new era was heralded in, with new prototyping processes and facilities, and especially designed automated testing equipment, which this famous old brand was eager to publicise. Apparently, all new models now get 50,000 test shots through them, which is impressive in anyone's book, and on test here is the next new model to emerge from this new-found confidence – the BSA R12 CLX Pro Carbine.
Natural Evolution
So, first impressions? Well, stating the obvious, it all looks rather familiar, and BSA have inevitably come in for criticism from some who demand a more radical approach, but having had several conversations with Jon Hatton, BSA's UK Sales & Marketing Director, the idea was to produce a new gun, that was visually, unmistakably a BSA, yet subtly evolves the system. Consider this – only six components remain from the original R10 TH, on which this new baby is obviously based, so I think it's time to evaluate properly.
I'm pleased to say that I still get excited when taking delivery of new guns to test, and seeing that retro’ box design was a great start, reminding me of my special edition Airsporter a good few years back! Basics first, and the clue’s in the name; R12 signifies a new 12-shot magazine instead of 10, so we get the new mag’ lifted from the Ultra CLX. This is a multi-shot, buddy-bottle-fed PCP, available either in contoured walnut, like my test gun, or Black Pepper Laminate, which will appeal to many, I'm sure. Laminate is technically superior simply by virtue of its inherent strength and stability, impervious to weather, and warp-free in extreme temperatures. All stocks feature an adjustable cheekpiece and an adjustable butt pad, too, and we'll return to these elements in due course.
The R12 is one of those guns that you need to look at closely because it's all about the detail. At the heart of this new beauty lies the same CNC-machined breech block, referred to by BSA as their 'mono block platform', as utilised in the new Ultra, and since this requires fewer components, and incorporates higher grade materials, it's a vast improvement over the rather basic-looking breech block on previous models. CNC means pin-perfect machining, and the level of finish and slick design is aesthetically pleasing, as well as reassuring.
Dishy Side
At this point, it's time to start drooling over the new sidelever cocking system also on show here, and again, whilst some may consider the departure from a traditional bolt a step too far, the reality is that, in terms of real-world operation, sidelever configuration just about blows it out of the water. It's all beautifully made, and with gentle relief into the side of the walnut, allowing for the lever's movement – again, subtlety is the recurring theme.
The R12 CLX Pro sports a regulated action, utilising an all-new regulator, and with a sizeable 288cc buddy bottle up front, shot count should be impressive, as well as consistency, and we can evaluate all this down the line. As for other notable features; we have BSA's own cold hammer-forged barrel; sling eyelets are provided as standard, and there's a competent, fully adjustable, two-stage trigger, manometer, new manual safety catch, an upgraded version of the CCS Customer Configurable Shroud system, and a rather clever 'cocked action indicator'. A burgeoning spec’ sheet then – so let's delve deeper.
Filling Regimen
Charging the buddy bottle is carried out in-situ, and to do this, first remove the really neat magnetic valve cover that sits around the manometer on the underside of the action. A gentle prod dislodges it, and the supplied filling probe adaptor can then be inserted into the exposed valve. Charge to the prescribed 230 bar, remove the airline, and snap back the valve cover.
Now to fill the 12-shot magazine, which incidentally, is all metal, and feels well made. The inner drum is colour anodised for each calibre; my test gun is in .22 calibre, so a red drum, but blue if specified in .177. Filling the magazine is easy, needing no pre-tensioning. Just push a pellet head first into each aperture as they are exposed, twisting anti-clockwise to reveal the next empty chamber. At this stage, though, I would recommend gently seating pellets to reduce friction, just using the head of the following pellet. Note that the small 'available shot' window now shows '12', signifying a full mag’. With everything flush, we're ready to go.
BSA's CCS system
I'm a fan of BSA's CCS (Customer Configurable Shroud) system, and that has been slightly tweaked and carried over to the R12. The basic concept is that the R12 can either be shot with the now ported shroud and silencer in place, or just the silencer. To switch to just silencer, first unscrew the silencer from the shroud, then undo the Allen screw at the breech, and the shroud will now slide off. Unscrew the rear cap on the silencer, and the additional collar can then be screwed onto the end of the silencer. Finally, just screw the silencer into place on the thread at the muzzle.
Admittedly, it's largely a cosmetic exercise, but being able to change the profile of the gun adds variety, and with the option to fit different weights of silencer or fittings at the muzzle, the barrel's harmonics can be subtly tweaked, too. Either way, if you're someone who needs a visual change now and again, the CCS system allows for this and some experimentation, and on that basis alone, should be applauded.
Just Swell
Let’s focus on that glorious woodwork for a moment – yes it's the handiwork of Italian stock maker, Minelli, and the workmanship is difficult to fault. That swell across the fore end has become the signature style for BSA, and it looks and feels sublime in the aim. Rosewood caps on both the fore end and pistol grip are a classy touch, but for me, the graduated chequering (flattened dots) doesn't quite work, just looking pre-worn, and offering slightly less grip where it's needed.
Focusing on the positives, the feel of the slimmed down pistol grip in the aim, coupled with the contoured fore end, is hard to fault. Whilst the stock configuration is very close to what we've seen before, as well as the new chequering, the aperture at the front has been increased, so owners of the R12 obsessed with shot count, can fit a larger 400cc buddy bottle further down the line if required.
Dovetail rails run along the top of the block, and I soon had a scope bolted in place. At this point, take time to play with both the adjustable cheek and butt pad, to get shoulder contact, and eye/scope alignment just so. One chunky bolt controls each element, so it's an easy task. The result should be just the right amount of gentle pressure into the cheek to maintain a consistent scope picture, and everything else should fall into place.
Familiarisation
OK, it’s time to hit the range. Pull back that sidelever and it flicks back under spring pressure, assisting the operation. A small tweak further, and the action is cocked. The magazine can now be slid into its slot within the action from the left side, pulled in by a small magnet. Close the lever, and the shot is ready. As mentioned, there's a manual safety catch should it be needed, at the rear of the action, and this is super-positive, and perfectly positioned for thumb operation. A red dot shows ‘live’ mode.
At this point, familiarisation with the feel and operation of the R12 should be falling into place. Setting up the two-stage trigger is the last main task, and with the blade even adjustable for position and angle along the support, final feel and let-off can be tailored to suit. My test gun came with a fairly light and predictable release, so I left everything as it was.
Final Range Report
So to performance – you can't fail to be impressed with the new sidelever, it’s spring-assisted and fairly effortless in operation. The shape is perfect, and it all feels extremely well made. However,
during the course of my test, whilst chronograph testing, I did experience a couple of shots where I had cocked the action, but at this point, the magazine hadn't rotated to line up the next shot, firing just air as a result.
In order to combat cocking the gun for a second time accidentally, which would chamber two pellets, BSA have come up with a very neat feature, (lifted from the Ultra CLX) which is a small indicator at the breech to show that the action is already cocked. Look to the right side, and a small window shows red when cocked. That's a great idea, yet I would still recommend adopting a positive cocking action when pulling back the sidelever, and checking that the shot counter window in the magazine has clicked to the next shot is the foolproof approach.
Shot count is specified as 280 in .22, which is loads, and I ran nine magazines’ worth – 108 shots – over the chronograph, just to gauge the efficiency of the new regulator. A total spread of just 12fps, using BSA's own Goldstar pellets straight from the tin, is slick performance to say the least. Accuracy was equally impressive, blowing out the centres on a match card over 30 yards, and for the record, stretching to 40 yards returned sub-half-inch clusters.
Conclusion
From the kneeling position, instinctive real-world shooting just fell into place, and I was left with the impression that, based in the time I have spent with it, this new R12 CLX Pro is a rather classy hunting rifle that just feels natural in the aim. Balance is sublime; build quality has gone to a new level, and in short, it's a fitting new flagship to the famous BSA line-up.
Tech specs
Model: BSA R12 CLX Pro Carbine (Walnut)
Manufacturer: BSA Guns Ltd, UK
Type: Regulated buddy bottle PCP
Calibre: .22 on test; .177 available
Weight: 8.3lbs
Length: 40”
Barrel: 15.5” as tested/ Super Carbine 12.25”
Stock: Ambidextrous thumb-hole walnut, Soft Touch adjustable cheek piece & butt pad
Trigger: 2-stage adjustable
Power Source: 288cc buddy bottle
Fill Pressure: 232 bar
Shot Count: .22 calibre 280 shots .177 calibre 250 shots
Velocity: On test, .22 calibre - first 108 shots tested (9 mags)
BSA Goldstar pellets
High 595fps
Low 583fps
Ave 590fps
Spread 12fps
Energy: 11.3 ft.lbs.
RRP: £1215 includes filling adaptor and 2x 12-shot magazines
Options: Available in Black Pepper RRP: £1265
400cc bottle to be available as after-market accessory
Action also available in Super Carbine length, same RRP
Contact: BSA Guns
RRP: From £1215