Daystate MK3 Review

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Daystate MK3
4.7 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.7 out of 5

From 3 ratings and 20 reviews

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cnalbers's Review of Daystate MK3

19th Oct 2004

Overall Rating

3.5 stars
  • Value for money
    0.5 stars
  • Handling
    4 stars
  • Accuracy
    4.5 stars
Good Points

Super sweet electronic trigger. Fast lock-time/firing cycle. Beautiful fit and finish. Gorgeous, comfortable stock.


Bad Points

Expensive. Heavy for a field gun. Under powered.


General Comments

When I received my Daystate MK3.22 I was dazzled by the look and feel of the gun. The bluing was exceptional, as was the entire fit & finish. The first time I shot the gun was indoors on a 60yd. range. I could not get the gun to group within 1.5-2" at 50yds. I was shooting 16gr. JSB Exacts from a sandbag rest. I was also shooting the same ammo with an FX Tarantula (with a Ripley moderator) and achieving .5" groups at the same distance. To add insult to injury, when the baffles were added to the MFC accuracy got worse. When the Ripley was added, groups went beyond 2". I was horrified. The gun was also barely shooting at 22ft/lbs.

It turns out that the design called for a free-floating barrel. I was informed by Airguns of Arizona, the importer, that others were experiencing the same problem and that the prescribed fix was to secure the barrel to the barrel band. So, back went the gun to AoA to have grub screws mounted in the barrel band to secure the MFC. This solved the accuracy problem. AoA also adjusted the electronics to increase power, barely giving me the advertised 25ft.lbs.

I bought this gun because I thought it was going to be a versatile gun with electronics permitting a wide power band. This gun was represented to me as being exactly that... versatile and capable of power in excess of 25ft/lbs (with some modification). AoA claimed that the gun could have the regulator removed and be programmed for power beyond 30ft/lbs and that Daystate was actively pursuing this option. I learned only after purchasing the gun that this was not the case and that Daystate had no interest in modifying the gun for these capabilities. I further learned from Joe Korick, the designer of the Mk3 regulator, that the design of the gun prohibited power beyond the 25ft/lb region. Needless to say, I was very disappointed to learn that the gun would never be what was represented.

All in all, the gun is a fine piece of machinery, for all its limitations (I know we Americans are power hungry!). It is a flawless performer. I truly love the firing behaviour. My only reservations are that it is heavy and under powered. I do believe the gun was released without enough testing (i.e. accuracy problem, power claims) from Daystate. The gun is too expensive for what you get.

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Members' Comments oncnalbers's Review

  • recipio Rank: Lance Corporal on 26th Sep 2005

    The Daystate is now available in FAC (firearm cert ) in the U.K. producing 30ft/lbs.giving about 45 shots.
    Does anybody know if it is possible to increase a 12 ft/lb gun to higher power levels. Before you jump in about the legality ot this, I don't live in the U.K.! I suspect it is a question of tweaking the solenoid firing mechanism.

  • wierzbin Rank: Corporal on 27th Aug 2007

    You could not group in 1,5 - 2" in 60 yards?
    Well, I easily group 1,5 -2 but cm(!) at that distance with .177 barrel.
    Pellets JSB Exact - not sorted, 10 shots - Mk3 FT stock 15J - 236m/s muzzle Vo.
    Either you hold your rifle wrong, or something bad is with your optics.