BSA Lightning XL Reviews
Latest Reviews
★★★★☆
“Review of the tactical version”
Written on: 09/12/2012 by Prodave91 (1 review written)
Whilst I agree with many others when they say this rifle is fantastic, light, point able and very powerful for its size, I would say that it isn't for beginners as a first rifle, the recoil from this gun can be off putting and it isn't as quiet as some would Lead you to believe. Once you know this airgun however and are a little experienced with springers it's a fantastic hunting tool. Mine is the tactical.. I wish I bought the walnut. The tactical stock isn't all it's made out to be and... (read more)
★★★☆☆
“lighning xl”
Written on: 19/03/2012 by nospod
bought this gun when my webley PCP developed an air leak as i didn't want to be without a gun. The gun is very powerful nice and short but the recoil is horrendous. I cant hit anything with it. I even changed scopes thinking the Gamo scope was losing the zero. I now have a BSA Panther scope but not much different.Redbeck gun shop says they are all like that due to so much power in such a small gun but if I can master it i can shoot any springer.Twice I have shot at magpies at 10/15 yards and... (read more)
★★★★★
“hi.i want to buy bsa xl lightning ,but i dont know...”
Written on: 10/12/2011
hi.i want to buy bsa xl lightning ,but i dont know what caliber bether to buy 177 or 22 please help me. (read more)
★★★★★
“Highly recommend”
Written on: 28/08/2011 by Westie147 (1 review written)
What can I say that most of the other reviews have not said already, the BSA Lightning XL is the best Springer I have ever had, and believe me I have had a few. Accuracy, power, weight and reliability, all I can say is brilliant, I have had my Lightning for about 3 months, got the .177 for range, and boy has it got range, recently head shot a rabbit at 55 yards,all I would say is choose your scope wisely, I have a Simmons Whitetail Classic 1.5 x 20 on my Lightning and it suits the gun... (read more)
★★★★★
“termite review of the xl”
Written on: 13/07/2011 by termite (6 reviews written)
picked it up suprised how light it was, 177 version, scanned it over thought quite well made, loaded it and took aim. god this feels good, could hold this rock steady at any angle, so easy. squeased the trigger, nice feel. bang bit of a noise then its a springer,loads of power, very accurate. makes 850 magnum look sick. theres a lot of gimic guns out there dont be fooled as i was, stick with well respected makes such as bsa etc and you will save yourself a lot of pain and expence. Hope this... (read more)
Guest's Response to termite's Review
Written on: 17/07/2011
Your right about that I realised this when i got a crossman phantom now I'm lookin for a proper air rifle
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Guest's Response to termite's Review
Written on: 17/07/2011
Good review. I like BSA. The lightening is a very nice gun and the stock helps you get it into the shoulder quickly. The monte-carlo stocks are okay for target but not sporting. I don't kill because I can gain experience without taking the life of an innocent creature. I would sooner snap string using open sights. It's harder but that's what gaining experience is all about. BSA are very nice guns. Keep safe.
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★★★★★
“Amazing power and really easy to move around while...”
Written on: 21/05/2011
Amazing power and really easy to move around while hunting due to carbine. Takes rabbits and pigeons at 50yrds no problems. Top rifle for serious shooters. (read more)
★★★★★
“well what can i say. what a epic gun. never looked...”
Written on: 03/03/2011
well what can i say. what a epic gun. never looked back. brought it for 150 and had a hard wood stock and got 5 tins of pellets and a 9x40 scope and a gun slip. awesome accuracy, handling and value for money.
highly recommended for for all shooters, beginners and pro's
(read more)
★★★★★
“What more can I say, if you are looking for a good...”
Written on: 17/01/2011 by ArtsApart (2 reviews written)
What more can I say, if you are looking for a good little Air rifle then look no further than the BSA Lightning it ticks all the boxes for the level of shooting that I am at and although I am not professional I am a keen shootist. I would strongly recommend a BSA Lightning to anyone. (read more)
★★★★★
“Bought the mk1 lighting of a mate of mine and wot a...”
Written on: 16/01/2011 by mallyzxr750 (3 reviews written)
Bought the mk1 lighting of a mate of mine and wot a gun it hits wot ever i aim at , had loads of rabbits out to 30 yards all head shots was that inpressed with it i bought the xl and its even better it lite enoughh to carry around all day , would highly recommend to anyone TOP HUNTER (read more)
★★★★★
“i have had this gone for 2 years now and it is an...”
Written on: 18/11/2010
i have had this gone for 2 years now and it is an awsome powerd gun the only problem is that it has a hel of a recoil compaired to every other gun i have shot but i need to get the power checked it isnt very quiet from close but from 10yrds its silent overall exellent gun and can knock down rabits at 35yrds plus easy got two simmons scopes 3-9 X 44 and a 3-12 X 50 and hey help alot having a decent scope (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 118 Reviews
★★★★★
“i bought my BSA lightning 3 weeks ago and its back in...”
Written on: 29/10/2010
i bought my BSA lightning 3 weeks ago and its back in the shop getting fix !
i cocked it and snapped the stock, how in the world can you snap a stock in 3 weeks a only went out about 4 times in that 3 week, i am not happy at all and i REGRET buying it
(read more)
★★★★☆
“Ok I have shot for years and had several HW's and...”
Written on: 03/09/2010
Ok I have shot for years and had several HW's and originals amongst others. However I bought an HW57 recently and it was rubbish so I took it back and got the latest BSA Lightning XL in .177. It felt right as soon as I picked it up and sits beautifully in the shoulder. I have had it down the gun club a few times now and found it extremely accurate. I have been using flat headed target pellets and they group superbly. Cant say I think the silencer works well but its a nice cocking tool. Also... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Just bought this rifle and went out and shot my first...”
Written on: 10/08/2010
Just bought this rifle and went out and shot my first rabbit with it. The lightness and length makes this gun ideal for hunting. Its also very quiet.
Buy one you wont regret it.
(read more)
★★★★★
“I purchased the lightning xl recently for £250 and a...”
Written on: 23/06/2010
I purchased the lightning xl recently for £250 and a combo pack with a 3-9x50 hawke AirMax scope, pellets, mounts and bag for £60 more (city air weapons Lincoln). I mounted the scope and zeroed it at 25 yards in about 15 shots(.177) and found the range and accuracy amazing. The length is nice and manouverable not too short though and the cocking is smooth with the 'silencer' acting as a cocking aid. (I say 'silencer' because it's a springer, it's gonna be loud) all in all it's great the wood... (read more)
★★★★★
“hey the bsa lightning 22 caliber is a awsome gun if u...”
Written on: 21/06/2010 by poonilahead (2 reviews written)
hey the bsa lightning 22 caliber is a awsome gun if u have a good scope on it
i would just like to know what is the fps of the .22 caliber?
i recomnent this gun!
go now and buy it.
(read more)
★★★★★
“Gave my bro my XL TAC 1.77 for his birthday...”
Written on: 25/05/2010 by joeytsuperblue15 (11 reviews written)
Gave my bro my XL TAC 1.77 for his birthday (gutted)but bought a Lightning XL 1.77.After zeroeing the sights i have to say this is much better than the TAC in every department.Pellet on pellet at 30 yrds no prob's.If you want a gun for every occasion the Lightning XL is the one (read more)
★★★★★
“Had it for nearlytwo years still owning rabbits crows...”
Written on: 11/05/2010
Had it for nearlytwo years still owning rabbits crows and watever ! (read more)
★★★★★
“hello this is a very good gun amazingly acurate and...”
Written on: 09/05/2010
hello this is a very good gun amazingly acurate and barley any recoil (read more)
★★★★★
“i bought this gun second hand and i love it. i zeroed...”
Written on: 31/03/2010
i bought this gun second hand and i love it. i zeroed it in with in about 2 hours of use using webley acupell .177 pellets. its a loveley looking gun and has a great feel and balance. my other air rifle dosnt even penetrate a football but this goes through and out the other end. the only trouble is that the silencer dosnt do anthing what so ever (read more)
★★★☆☆
“when i first got this gone i loved it, but in time...”
Written on: 06/03/2010 by COOK13 (2 reviews written)
when i first got this gone i loved it, but in time all i had was problems. i had it chroned and it was borderline at 11.8 flb and the recoil is rediculous making it very inaccurate. also the silencer moves and after every shot the zero moves!!!
overall im very dissapointed with this gun and wouldnt reccomend itt.
(read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 11 - 20 of 118 Reviews
★★☆☆☆
“hello, i have a bsa lightening tactical with the black...”
Written on: 18/01/2010 by buster2484 (1 review written)
hello, i have a bsa lightening tactical with the black stock- i am just gettin into air gunning and saw that you can fit the gas ram conversion to the gun to reduce recoil. after purchasing the gas ram from theoben i found that it would only slide half way down into the clinder of the gun, it seemed the diameter was smaller half way down stopping the gas ram goin in? does any body know why this is? or what i have to do to get my gas ram to fit? many thanks tom (read more)
★★★★★
★★★★★
“love it easy to load great trigger action and looks...”
Written on: 06/12/2009
love it easy to load great trigger action and looks the part (read more)
★★★★★
“Absolutely amazing gun zeroed it in the dark and went...”
Written on: 08/11/2009
Absolutely amazing gun zeroed it in the dark and went out and shot 14 rabbits in 15 shots all head shots at about 20 yds - 45 yds. Only thing is slight twang as the shot goes off but hardly noticable to bunnies. Didnt put a brilliant scope on but still was excellent... Great gun Buy it.!!!! (read more)
★★★★★
“ The bsa lightning XL is an extrondinary Air rifle....”
Written on: 24/10/2009
The bsa lightning XL is an extrondinary Air rifle. The gun is handmade with true care which you can see on the gun. The power is great and can take a rabbit out quickly and harmlessly. The downside is if you are a beginner this gun can be intricate and hard to handle so you need experance with guns to get the most out of it. Overall this gun is a great gun but can be tricky if you are new too the sport. (read more)
★★★★★
“since my last review I have made a few additions to my...”
Written on: 01/10/2009 by leechy01 (4 reviews written)
since my last review I have made a few additions to my gun, a new scope (simmons 4-12 X 40) and was amazed by how well the gun reacted to this scope, within 1 hour the scope was dot on for 30 yards.
A few months later I decided that a theoben gas ram was in order. Well now it is unbeatable in power and accuracy and all other aspects of shooting. the gas ram really does make a phenominal difference to the guns power and accuracy and noise. After fitting the ram i wasted no time in trying it...
(read more)
★★★★★
“The BSA lightening XL is for me the perfect gun as far...”
Written on: 17/09/2009
The BSA lightening XL is for me the perfect gun as far as springers go. It's lighter than most which is nice when trekking through the woods, it is easy to cock with the silencer also acting as a cocking aid and in terms of price is excellent value for money. The only downside (which was easily rectified) was that the stock screws started to shake themselves loose over a few sessions, this happened twice and so a bit of loctite on the screws and perfect. Also the trigger was a bit heavy but... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Brought a BSA Lightning XL owened it for 1 week, took...”
Written on: 19/08/2009
Brought a BSA Lightning XL owened it for 1 week, took it back. BSA own brand pellets were so tight in the barrel it was impossible to put them in without damage to the skirt, this caused a seriouse accuracy problem of 3" groups if you were lucky even at 10 meters!! gave the gun to a hft shooter (a good one) to try with differen pellets, he agreed it had a serious problem, when i took it back the guy in the shop said the guns have been rubish since being made in spain and he has had a lot of... (read more)
★★★★★
“I went out to buy a springer that would allow me to...”
Written on: 15/08/2009
I went out to buy a springer that would allow me to kill rats and rabbits. The German gun I fancied was lovely, but heavier and more expensive than this BSA. When I tried the Lightning, it just felt 'right'. It comes to the shoulder naturally and has all the power I need - rabbits just keel over with barely a twitch. I'm still running the gun in but it has all I need without the extra air bottles or pumps; just break, load, aim and fire. It may not be as quiet as a pre-charged gun, but so... (read more)
★★★★★
“My first air rifle is a BSA Lightning. Very Accurate,...”
Written on: 25/06/2009 by aaronlindley2k51989
My first air rifle is a BSA Lightning. Very Accurate, stopping targets to 50 yrds. Pigeons and squirels have already fallen to its power. What do you want from your springer? Fantastic gun. (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 21 - 30 of 118 Reviews
★★★★★
“WOW! what more can i say.? ”
Written on: 16/06/2009 by leechy01 (4 reviews written)
WOW! what more can i say.?
The BSA Lightning XL is a fantastic rifle with exceptional power. i haven't got one of these 'top of the range' scopes on it, i have a simple hawke 4X32 sport HD. the results are fabulous. i've put 500 pellets through it and its settled into its self like a dream, its smooth cocking action, quiet to be shot, the list could go on. . .
(read more)
★★★★★
“The BSA Lightning XL is well made and accurate with...”
Written on: 13/06/2009
The BSA Lightning XL is well made and accurate with good handling in tight corners ie ratting in the barn (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“ i bought my BSA Lightning XL new , with a sweet 17...”
Written on: 26/04/2009
i bought my BSA Lightning XL new , with a sweet 17 3-12x40 scope, cant hit anything with it.many people hve tried it , even a local rifle club,
get rid of it was the verdit of the many who tried it. is it the scope or is it the gun?
(read more)
★★★★★
“I like the brake barrel system on the BSA Lightning XL...”
Written on: 26/04/2009 by elliot396 (3 reviews written)
I like the brake barrel system on the BSA Lightning XL i think it is very smooth and i also like the accuracy but i dont like the wieght of it or the size but the silencer could also be better. (read more)
★★★★★
“ The BSA Lightning XL is a all round awsome air rifle...”
Written on: 25/04/2009 by elliot396 (3 reviews written)
The BSA Lightning XL is a all round awsome air rifle good for shooting targets never tryed it with hunting so dont now about that. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“The BSA Lightning XL is the worst rifle I have ever...”
Written on: 13/04/2009 by waspfan (4 reviews written)
The BSA Lightning XL is the worst rifle I have ever owned.
After about a month of usage the power dropped to under 8flbs sent it back same again after a bit of usage, I admit it ' s pretty to look at but that about it buy it as an ornament as a gun its pants
(read more)
★★★★★
“Excellent accuracy out to 75 yards for a one shot,head...”
Written on: 29/03/2009
Excellent accuracy out to 75 yards for a one shot,head shot and lethal kill of any prey out to 75 yards. The accuracy of this rifle is equal to my nylon 66 22. cal, but with 1/3 of the noise and much less travel potential of a stray round. I recommend this BSA Lightning XL rifle if you want to gain confidence in your shooting ability with a rifle. You will surely improve your accuracy as you customize the adjustable trigger as well. Also tried and returned the Gamo Whisper, etc rifles,... (read more)
★★★★★
“I've owned my BSA Lightning XL for about 18 months now...”
Written on: 06/02/2009 by tennooge (3 reviews written)
I've owned my BSA Lightning XL for about 18 months now and have probably shot over 2000 pellets through it. I have stripped and cleaned it regularly and have never had any problems.
The gun shoots superbly; I find the best accuracy at 25 meters. The trigger is perfect and fully adjustable.
I decided to go for the Lightning in .177 as BSA claim it can shoot at 1000fps, thought it might have the ability to reach quarry at further distances and still carry out a humane kill. It does this...
(read more)
Stu Pot's Response to tennooge's Review
Written on: 13/06/2009
I agree i just got one three weeks ago in .177, i'm killing rabbits real clean with one shot at 40--45 meters no probs.
<br/>i was told to try the hatsun .22 mos 60s which i did and would not recommend this gun to anyone for target or hunting as the trigger is pants and the weight is massive.
<br/>bsa lightning xl is the best springer i have i think it out performs the hunting ability of my air arms s410 precharge .22 which was twice the money..
<br/>
<br/>great gun great review
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Trokey92's Response to tennooge's Review
Written on: 28/07/2009
I found this review very helpful because... im looking to buy one i have only just bought a second hand smk xs78co2 and its a good gun but i want a new better gun, and iv fallen in love with the BSA lightning XL its good looking and had has good reviews which has pushed me towards savin up for 1..is it under the leagal limit like u can own it with out any kind of licence etc.
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★★★★☆
“When I first saw this gun in Airgunner Magazine I...”
Written on: 04/01/2009
When I first saw this gun in Airgunner Magazine I thought I must get one. Due to working away it was a while before I used it then to my horror the safety did not work, the gun would go off as I brought up the barrel after cocking it with a pellet in the barrel. The dealer I got it from thought I was joking till it happened to him when he fired it in his shop range. You should have seen the look on his face, he sent the gun back to BSA who repaired the safety and sent the gun back it has... (read more)
★★★★★
“I think you should buy the BSA Lightning XL air rifle...”
Written on: 29/11/2008 by Urie
I think you should buy the BSA Lightning XL air rifle because it is low priced but still incredible and it is also one of the top guns you can have without a licence (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 31 - 40 of 118 Reviews
★★★★☆
“At first glance this looks like the best spring rifle...”
Written on: 16/11/2008 by Crom1971 (12 reviews written)
At first glance this looks like the best spring rifle ever, however i bought pellets for my rifle which was a .177 and hardly any would fit the barrel, very very annoying, even BSA's own pellets wouldnt fit. the rifle was quite loud as well when fired. Also i chrono'd my gun at my club and it was only firing at a maximum of 10.6 ft pounds power. overall the rifle looks good but does not live up to its looks. (read more)
★★★★★
“On my first day out with this rifle i bagged 3...”
Written on: 03/11/2008 by banehunt
On my first day out with this rifle i bagged 3 woodies. 2 magpies a rabbit and a squirrel. The BSA lightning in not too heavy, very comfortable to carry round and there's not too much backfire. It isnt as powerful as I had hoped. (read more)
★★★★★
“The BSA Lightning XL is a really good gun for your...”
Written on: 31/10/2008
The BSA Lightning XL is a really good gun for your money. You get a lot of power for a spring gun, the accuracy is also pretty good. Onwe thing to improve is to put a better moderator on it. (read more)
★★★★★
“i bough the BSA Lightning XL today and once I had...”
Written on: 27/10/2008
i bough the BSA Lightning XL today and once I had zeroed it in it was brilliant. The accuracy was brilliant and it took practically no time at all to zero in. There are no bad points with this air rifle. (read more)
★★★★★
“Get back to basics with this fantastic rifle. I bought...”
Written on: 27/09/2008
Get back to basics with this fantastic rifle. I bought one 4 weeks ago and now i've sold my pre charge!!!!! Great springer, accurate and easy to carry. Stops bunnys dead!! (read more)
★★★★★
“Excellent all round gun will kill first time, the...”
Written on: 21/09/2008
Excellent all round gun will kill first time, the accuracy is almost like cheating it is great, i have a 2.2 and my brother bought the 1.77 and we havent let anything escape back to its hole since (read more)
★★★☆☆
“Generally a sound, good quality rifle for the money....”
Written on: 15/09/2008 by Jackrafta (1 review written)
Generally a sound, good quality rifle for the money. My personal criticism is as with most of BSA's guns, its not available in true left hand design but it can be shouldered in its rt. hand form,
unlike the Tactical which I would have purchased had it been available left handed.
I accidently "chewed off" the breech seal by placing a longish scope on the rifle. Upon cocking, the seal impacted with the scope object bell damaging it permenantly. WATCH THIS!
Overall I'm still forming an opinion...
(read more)
★★★★★
“The BSA Lightning XL is an cool all round gun, cheap,...”
Written on: 29/08/2008
The BSA Lightning XL is an cool all round gun, cheap, reliable and very powerful. i installed a theoban gas ram which greatly increased the power. and have had my stock resprayed to a mirror black finish. i reccomend the BSA Lightening XL to anyone! (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Not long after I got it had a bent barrel according to...”
Written on: 24/08/2008 by richtowers (2 reviews written)
Not long after I got it had a bent barrel according to BSA and the seal in the barrel was dodgy, we sent it back and got it repaired but I seem to think it ' s terrible whilst other people seem to think it ' s really good, which leads me to think that mine was still dodgy. Suppose it was better than my other gun, a Crossman something can ' t remember but it was pneumatic pump, it took 10 pumps for one shot. (read more)
★★★★★
“I would highly recommend it to anyone due to its size...”
Written on: 03/08/2008 by brett1991 (11 reviews written)
I would highly recommend it to anyone due to its size and power, like the meteor, it possesses all the qualities you look for in a springer (read more)
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Showing 41 - 50 of 118 Reviews
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Baggus's Response to nospod's Review
Written on: 08/05/2012
continuing this revue i still was not happy with this gun and traded it in for air arms tx 200 its still early days but the tx is very heavy and it seems to have a lot less recoil. the lightning xl was a very nice looking gun very light but i could not hit anything with it. with my fx2000 i could make 1 inch groups at 35 yards. i hope the tx is similar. i dont think the bsa is a bad gun but there are far better ones out there but also more expensive.