BSA R10

Introduction to the BSA R10 series

The current BSA R-10 range is regarded by many as one of the finest air rifles available, having been improved and refined over the previous mk 2 models. Comprising standard length and ‘Super Carbine’ models, the BSA R-10 SE, sometimes referred to as the mk3, is a bolt action, magazine fed and regulated pre-charged pneumatic rifle. Complementing the line up is the R10TH which was launched by the company to celebrate the marque’s 10th anniversary of production.

About BSA

BSA, or Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited to give the company its full name is one of the oldest and most respected brands, dating back to 1861. It comprised a diverse group of companies that made motorcycles, bicycles, cars, buses and tools in addition to military and sporting guns. Spanish company Gamo acquired the air rifle business in 1985 but kept the prestigious BSA brand which now comprises a range of pre-charged, spring and gas-ram air rifles.

“One of the finest air rifles available.”

“Regulated pre-charged pneumatic rifle.”

“One of the oldest and most respected brands.”

Contents hide
BSA R10
Introduction to the BSA R10 series
About BSA
BSA R10 Review
BSA R10 Product Range
BSA R10 SE
BSA R10 SE Super Carbine
BSA R10 TH and R10 TH Super Carbine
Is the BSA R10 right for me?
Best suited to?
Pros and Cons
Our Recommended Accessories for the BSA R10:
BSA R10 Specifications
Comparison with the BSA R10 range
R10 SE Standard vs R10 SE Super Carbine
R10 SE vs R10 TH
Other Air Rifles to Consider
BSA R10 disassembly

BSA R10 Review

BSA R-10 rifles, sometimes referred to as the R10 mk3, are some of the best-looking bottle PCP air rifles on the market with a comprehensive range of stocks, including left-hand options, to choose from, all of which are fitted with an adjustable shoulder pad. The R-10 SE is available as a ‘Standard’ rifle and a ‘Super Carbine,’ which is shorter but offers the same number of shots from the steel air bottle. The third product in the range is the R-10TH, which is also available in two lengths. All models feature a ‘Customer Configurable Shroud’ system which allows the gun to be used with or without the barrel shroud. Despite the lack of a carbon fibre bottle option, the R-10 SE is relatively light, tipping the scales at just over three kilos unscoped and is available in .177, .22 and .25 calibres. The R-10TH is a little heavier and comes in .177 or .22. The magazine system is very reliable taking 10 shots in .177 and .22 and eight in .25. BSA also offers a range of high-power options up to 30 ft. lbs for SE variants. The R-10TH is available in 12 ft. lbs. only. All models use a bolt to cock the action and have BSA’s renowned Cold Hammer Forged barrels. The regulator on the R-10 SE and R-10TH is uprated from earlier Mk1 and Mk2 models offering increased shot count and better reliability.

BSA R10 Product Range

BSA R10 SE

Measuring 102cm with a 385mm barrel and weighing 3.2 kilos, the BSA R-10 SE in Standard length is available in five different stocks, each of which is available in left-hand: walnut with rosewood capping on the pistol grip and forend, Realtree Xtra Cammo, Black Edition as well as Blackpepper and Ultra Cayenne laminates. A multi-directional shoulder pad and high cheek comb combine to give good alignment for a telescopic sight mounted on the 13mm dovetail rail. The post-and-shoe match-style trigger is excellent and can be adjusted for weight and length of pull. BSA provides two cassette style magazines which take 10 shots in .177 and .22 and eight in .25 calibre and are cycled using a bolt system. The Customer Configurable Shroud (CCS) system gives the option of using the barrel shroud and silencer together, or removing the shroud and attaching the silencer directly to the barrel. The steel air bottle is filled via a port on the underside of the stock next to the pressure gauge. Thanks to an improved regulator compared to earlier mk 2 models, expect 190 shots from a 232 bar fill in .177 and 250 in .22 and .25 at 12 ft.lbs. To accommodate different markets, BSA offers a range of different power specs from 5.5 ft. lbs. to 30 ft. lbs.

BSA R10 SE

BSA R10 SE Super Carbine

Measuring 940mm with a 300mm barrel and weighing 3.1 kilos, the BSA R-10 SE Super Carbine is available in five different stocks, each of which is available in left-hand as well: walnut with rosewood capping on the pistol grip and forend, Realtree Xtra Cammo, Black Edition as well as Blackpepper and Ultra Cayenne laminates. A multi-directional shoulder pad and high cheek comb combine to give good alignment for a telescopic sight mounted on the 13mm dovetail rail. The post-and-shoe match-style trigger is excellent and can be adjusted for weight and length of pull. BSA provides two cassette style magazines which take 10 shots in .177 and .22 and eight in .25 calibre and are cycled using a bolt system. The Customer Configurable Shroud (CCS) system gives the option of using the barrel shroud and silencer together, or removing the shroud and attaching the silencer directly to the barrel. The steel air bottle is filled via a port on the underside of the stock next to the pressure gauge. Thanks to an improved regulator compared to earlier mk 2 models, expect 190 shots from a 232 bar fill in .177 and 250 in .22 and .25 at 12 ft.lbs. To accommodate different markets, BSA offers a range of different power specs from 5.5 ft. lbs. to 30 ft. lbs.

BSA R10 SE Super Carbine

BSA R10 TH and R10 TH Super Carbine

To celebrate a decade of production, BSA introduced the R-10TH edition which is distinguished by an ambidextrous thumbhole stock in either walnut or two laminate finishes – Blackpepper and Cinnamon – with a multi-directional shoulder pad and adjustable cheek-piece which is finished in black soft-touch synthetic. At 125cm long and 3.66 kilos,the R-10TH Standard is longer and heavier than the Standard R-10 SE. Part of that is due to a larger 280cc steel bottle which delivers 280 shots in .177 and 340 in .22 from a 232 bar fill. The R-10TH Super Carbine is 940mm long with a 300 mm barrel and weighs 3.6kgs. There is no .25 calibre option. The regulated, bolt-operated action and post-and-shoe match style trigger are the same as other R-10 SE models as is the Customer Configurable Shroud system which gives the option of using the barrel shroud and silencer together, or removing the shroud and attaching the silencer directly to the barrel.

BSA R10 TH
R10 TH Super Carbine

Is the BSA R10 right for me?

The BSA R-10 range fills a niche for shooters who want the elegance of a traditional cylinder sporting rifle with the shot count of a bottle PCP. It is light and compact, the R-10 SE Super Carbine especially so, and will appeal to hunters thanks to excellent accuracy and consistency from the regulated system.

Best suited to?

Predominantly a hunting rifle, the R-10 SE and R-10TH will be just at home on the range and the FFT and HFT course.

Pros and Cons

Some R-10 mk 1 and mk 2 models suffered from problems with regulators that either leaked or performed intermittently. Those issues have largely been addressed with an uprated regulator which also increased shot count. 

Our Recommended Accessories for the BSA R10:

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BSA R10 Specifications

Specifications BSA R10 Standard BSA R10 Super Carbine BSA R10 TH Standard
BSA R10 TH Super Carbine
Weight kgs 3.2 kgs 3.1 kgs 3.66 kgs 3.6 kgs
Stock options Walnut; Realtree Xtra Camo; Black Edition; Blackpepper; Ultra Cayenne Walnut; Realtree Xtra Camo; Black Edition; Blackpepper; Ultra Cayenne Walnut thumbhole; Blackpepper; Cinnamon Walnut thumbhole; Blackpepper; Cinnamon
Length mm (12 ft. lbs.) 102 cm 940 mm 125 cm 940mm
Barrel mm (12 ft. lbs.) 385 mm 300 mm 381 mm 300 mm
Trigger Two stage match adjustable Two stage match adjustable Two stage match adjustable Two stage match adjustable
Regulated Yes Yes Yes Yes
Calibres .177, .22 and .25 .177, .22 and .25 .177 and .22 .177 and .22
Magazine .177 / .22 10 10 10 10
Magazine .25 8 8 8 8
Power options ft. lbs. 6, 8, 12, 15, 24 and 30 6, 8, 12, 15, 24 and 30 12, 15 and 30 12, 15 and 30
Shot count (12 ft. lbs) .177/.22/.25 190 / 250 190 / 250 280 / 340 280 / 340
Fill pressure 232 232 232 232
Safety catch Resettable Resettable Resettable Resettable
Moderator Customer configurable Customer configurable Customer configurable Customer configurable

Comparison with the BSA R10 range

R10 SE Standard vs R10 SE Super Carbine

The only difference between the R10-SE Standard and Super Carbine is that the latter offers a slight saving on weight and is a little more compact due to a shorter barrel. All other attributes, including shot count, are the same.

R10 SE vs R10 TH

Though the rifles share many of the same components, the R-10TH is larger and heavier. Aesthetically, the thumbhole stock with its adjustable features sets the two models apart. The R-10TH offers higher shot count thanks to a bigger air bottle.

Other Air Rifles to Consider

The R-10 SE and, to a slightly lesser extent, the R-10 TH bridge the gap between cylinder and bottle PCP rifles, somehow managing to retain the elegant design of a traditional sporting rifle whilst using a bottle to deliver a high shot count. Although that means the R-10 is almost in a category of its own, it does mean it competes against both cylinder and bottle alternatives. Consider the bolt action Air Arms S410 and Daystate Huntsman Regal, along with sidelever alternatives such as the Air Arms S510 and Weihrauch HW100. Bottle guns to look at include the FX Crown, Walther Rotex RM8, Daystate Wolverine R and Daystate Red Wolf. 

BSA R10 disassembly

Here you will find disassembly diagrams for BSA R-10 taken from www.bagnallandkirkwood.co.uk. All credit for these images goes to Bagnall and Kirkwood.

BSA R10 disassembly