SMK TH78D aka QB78D with the 'Thumb Hole Stock'

“SMK TH78D aka QB78D with the 'Thumb Hole Stock'”

Written on: 04/04/2012 by ukbikerbuyer (4 reviews written)

I wanted to get a cheap .22 CO2 rifle, and after lots of research, I decided on the SMK TH78D. SMK do other variants based on the '78' range, but the TH78D is the 'top of the range' The basic '78' line up starts with the XS78 (average UK new price £80) the QB78D, same as XS78 but with gold/anodised bolt and trigger (average UK new price £130) and the top-dog, TH78D which has a thumb-hole stock, adjustable rear stock-plate and gold/anodised bolt and trigger (average UK new price £180) I managed to negotiate a TH78D with a 4x32 scope with my local gun shop for £159!!! Happy with my purchase, I chuckled all the way home... Out of the box I found the rifle to be light, short and well balanced. The thumb-hole is ambidextrous, however the cheek-piece is right-handed, as in on the 'left'. The thumb hole fits really nicely, and rifle butt plate slides up and down, I adjusted mine up. The stock is beautiful, faultless. The barrel and metalwork is blued very nicely, and the anodised bolt and trigger look good, look like brass. The bolt action was a little stiff, have to push forward with the right palm, not fingers. Power comes from 2 x 12g CO2 powerlets, back-to-back. I fired empty the first half a dozen shots, to get up to power, then put some .22 Crosman Premier Ultra Magnums through the rifle, nice 'crack' from each shot, no recoil, trigger a bit heavy but predictable and constant. The bolt remains a little stiff, but in time I'm sure will bed-in. I've heard you should put a tim (500) of pellets through these rifles before adjusting or modifying. I did notice a little bit of gas escaping from the breach/barrel join on each shot, and I know the standard breach seals from manufacture are not very good, so wasn't suprised. I've put half a tin through the rifle now, bolt is getting slicker or maybe I'm getting used to it, first 8 to 10 shots not consistent/accurate, but the next 30 are good, then the power drops off. Takes another 20 dry-shots to clear the CO2 before you can remove the powerlets. (As expected) I wanted a 'powerlet' CO2 rifle as I'd only use it for 30 - 60 shots anyway, and I wouldn't want to leave any un-used CO2 in the rifle between shooting sessions. Once I've finished off the rest of the tin of pellets, I'll order an O ring tuning seal kit, including breach seals and strip the rifle down, polish out any burs, re-seal and lube and see if accuracy improves - I'm sure it will, as everyone recommends doing this! Overall I'm very happy with this rifle, I expected I'd need to service it, and I am even looking forward to needing to do this anyway! Straight out of the box is fine, but just needs a little 'refining' - Build quality is superb, you'd find this finish on a rifle twice the price!