Axis guns-any good?
- Thread starter scollins
- Start date
Look into a stevens 200, I think they're better than the axis. Around the same price, but the stevens can be modified quite a bit. I've heard the axis is basically one solid piece, good economy rifle but can't swap out stocks or barrels or triggers. A stevens will take you farther.
- Location
- Haliburton County, Central Ontario
Having owned an Edge (now the Axis) I can tell you that I have never seen a cheaper more poorly engineered or manufactured centre fire rifle in my time. I own rifles by all the major manufacturers. My Edge shot well, but so did my Daisy bb gun in the 50s. Go with at least the Savage, which is a similar design, but more flexible in the modification department. You should really be looking at the Marlin XS7/XL7 rifles for a true bargain priced rifle. Yes, I have owned a Marlin XS7 for about a year now and I am still impressed. DO NOT buy the Axis!
- Location
- London, ON, Canada
I shot an Axis the other day in .223. It was my first time shooting a scoped rifle. The trigger was BAD, but other than that it shot pretty well. For the price, its not a bad beginner rifle.
I have the Edge in 22-250 and it will shoot sub 1 inch at 100 yards with factory ammo. The trigger is heavy and the stock is light and flimsy. There is, apparently, an aftermarket trigger assembly for it now. Its not a bad rifle for the price.
Rifle Basix, makes an aftermarket trigger for the edge/axis. but you could always put the extra 100$ toward a bit better rifle. have had two savage edge rifles and both would do the job for a hunting rifle. i still have one of the two and it has the rifle basix trigger on it.
I have an edge (axis) in camo 30-06. First, let me say this is an excellent gun for what it is. It has a very nice modern design that handles superbly. It's very light (5.5lbs), and it's simple design makes it hard to break. It's very accurate. Mine is about 1 MOA.
That said, it's simple, affordable design does limit it severely.
It's got a nice crisp clean trigger - BUT - it's a hunting trigger. That means it's heavy. It doesn't have creep but it is heavy. So it's not really a target gun. It's meant to be banged around the bush and dropped. If you practice good trigger control, you will shoot accurately with it. There are vastly superior triggers available for target shooting. The trigger group has glue on all screws and it is NON ADJUSTABLE.
The recoil lug is actually part of the stock and it mates to a gap in between the receiver and the barrel. This means the stock is NON UPGRADABLE.
You've probably figured it out by now: the edge/axis is designed as an affordable, accurate, tough, hunting gun. That's what it is. It's not built for modifications, upgrades, tuning, or target shooting.
It's fantastic at what it does. Be aware of what you're buying and you will be happy. I am.
In the affordable savage space, I also have the $399 Savage 111 FCXP. This rifle is the 110 with a synthetic stock. There are many severe issues with the bluing quality. The stock IS upgradable, the trigger IS replaceable and tunable. You get a three position safety. It's 1LB more but a better rifle overall.
On that 111/110 the trigger can be tuned down to around 3.5lbs with a simple adjustment or you can just upgrade it. I recommend this rifle aside from the poor quality bluing.
You might also consider the hunting version of the 111. It comes in only 30'06 or 270. It comes with the modern receiver and an ACCUTRIGGER.
Or, of course, just step up to a higher end savage.
That said, it's simple, affordable design does limit it severely.
It's got a nice crisp clean trigger - BUT - it's a hunting trigger. That means it's heavy. It doesn't have creep but it is heavy. So it's not really a target gun. It's meant to be banged around the bush and dropped. If you practice good trigger control, you will shoot accurately with it. There are vastly superior triggers available for target shooting. The trigger group has glue on all screws and it is NON ADJUSTABLE.
The recoil lug is actually part of the stock and it mates to a gap in between the receiver and the barrel. This means the stock is NON UPGRADABLE.
You've probably figured it out by now: the edge/axis is designed as an affordable, accurate, tough, hunting gun. That's what it is. It's not built for modifications, upgrades, tuning, or target shooting.
It's fantastic at what it does. Be aware of what you're buying and you will be happy. I am.
In the affordable savage space, I also have the $399 Savage 111 FCXP. This rifle is the 110 with a synthetic stock. There are many severe issues with the bluing quality. The stock IS upgradable, the trigger IS replaceable and tunable. You get a three position safety. It's 1LB more but a better rifle overall.
On that 111/110 the trigger can be tuned down to around 3.5lbs with a simple adjustment or you can just upgrade it. I recommend this rifle aside from the poor quality bluing.
You might also consider the hunting version of the 111. It comes in only 30'06 or 270. It comes with the modern receiver and an ACCUTRIGGER.
Or, of course, just step up to a higher end savage.
Rocket Surgery
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I looked at the savage axis because I wanted a SS DM rifle in .308, so I've got some feedback for you. The trigger on the rifle is really stiff, but it's not creepy, and non-adjustable. The stock is free floating, which was a bonus. The bolt was silky smooth on the short action. The detachable magazine was held in place by what seems like a very cheap piece of plastic, but it shouldn't matter.
For $429 with scope, I don't think this deal can be beat. I'm personally going with the 16fcss weather warrior, which has the accutrigger, accustock, and nicer magazine. If not for that rifle, I'd probably get an Axis SS DM .308
For $429 with scope, I don't think this deal can be beat. I'm personally going with the 16fcss weather warrior, which has the accutrigger, accustock, and nicer magazine. If not for that rifle, I'd probably get an Axis SS DM .308
