Xisico XS-B20, .177 cal Review

Overall Rating

Accuracy, trigger, general metal and wood finish

Trigger, receiver/stock fit, non-resettable safety.

Generally speaking, my Xisico XS-B20, .177 cal is a very decent rifle with just enough flaws to give it an 8 instead of a 9.

The gun is as accurate as anything I've got, and while the power is a bit shy of a Shadow (about 40fps with the same pellet) it is still quite adequate. Cocking's a bit tougher than the Gamo, but not objectionable.

This gun generally gets good ratings for the quality of its wood and metal work, but for some reason it is common to find about a .1" gap between the stock and the rear of the receiver. I believe this exacerbates the common springer problems of loosening stock screws, and the receiver has more room to jump around.

The big pull of this gun is, of course, the Chinese copy of the Rekord trigger. It works reasonable well except for 2 caveats: 1) the main adjustment screw tends to back out with use, and 2) when it does, the gun can go off unintentionally when the safety is off. The safety doesn't just block the trigger, it actually disengages the trigger from the sear mechanism... and I suspect that's why it's designed like this.

Speaking of the safety, it is an automatic safety that comes on whenever the gun is cocked - but (unlike the B21 and the Daisy 1000) that's the ONLY way of engaging it. Take the safety off, and you have to "recock" the gun to get it back on.

I know that the gripes about the trigger and stock fitting can be fixed, but I have a hole in a wall because of the trigger issue - and that's almost unforgivable. The only other gun I've had do this was a $20 B2. But the gun is a very decent shooter otherwise. Loktite or an additional spring should settle the trigger screw issue - but to the new owner that first "keep an eye on the trigger" lesson can be a real bummer....

Members' Comments onvinceb's Review

• Sifu456 on 24th Mar 2006

  Take the safety off, and you have to "recock" the gun to get it back on. Thats the way its designed the R9 does this too. Most of what you spoke of is just preventative maintenance for the B20. I toatlly agree that the space between the receiver and stock is poor quailty control and may add to the receiver and stock shaking loose. It is accurate and has some QC problems not that it is uncommon that you don't have to tune a $325 Beeman R9. Good review.