So it’s Monday and SHOT SHOW 2015 starts tomorrow, January 20th. I did not make the cut off for media day at the range, so I decided to have a quick lunch with the folks at Inovairtech instead. They are the creators of the MAC35. I’ve had the privilege of working with David, inventor of the MAC system, and Paul, his business partner, since they were first developing this new system, so it was great to catch up with them on their plans for 2015.
Meeting with David and Paul from Inovairtech – creators of the MAC35 Airgun.Not terribly new and yet totally different?
The idea of standalone cartridges is not completely new. The way Inovairtech has developed their system is VERY new and is a fully patented design. The concept of the MAC (Magnum Air Cartridge) is to create a viable alternative to gun powder. Rather than using a chemical reaction to launch a projectile down range, they’ve created individual, reusable, cartridges that are pressurized with up to 4500 psi. You simply add your projectile of choice into the front end of the cartridge, load the ready MAC cartridge into the breach, close the bolt, and fire when ready. It’s just like a single shot, bolt action firearm. The advantages are: no recoil, variable power based on fill pressure, greatly reduced noise, and reduced costs because the cartridges are reusable. Moreover, because each cartridge is its own air supply, shooters can fill several MACs before heading out into the field and leave their tanks and other gear at home.
MAC35 Airgun PlatformHow are they doing so far?
The concept of producing the MAC35, the first platform to use the MAC system and chambered for .35 caliber, was discussed about a year ago and was something that both Paul and David had a passion to see brought to the US market. Later that year, around August, I received my prototype MAC35 for testing. By December, Inovairtech was filling orders direct to customers. They are currently manufacturing their second run of MAC35s.
As an airgun purist, I had to wrap myself around the concept of individual air cartridges, but it did not take long for me to fall in love with the whole system. Because each cartridge is individually filled, there’s very little pressure deviation between shots, which equals consistent velocity from shot to shot. When I say consistent, we are talking 4 to 6 FPS extreme spread. Inovairtech recently delivered to me a production MAC35 for testing. I’ll be putting it through the paces once I get back to Havasu after SHOT. I can’t WAIT!
MAC35 Cartridge Loaded and read to go.So what’s next?
So here’s the big news. Inovairtech has several new models that are in various levels of prototype development and testing. There’s the MAC35 Repeater, the MAC35 Tactical Repeater, the MAC35 Sporter (wood stock 7 to 8 pounds, etc.), and also the MAC25 which is a .257 (currently testing the prototype). The repeaters will have a box magazine and will be 5 shot rifles. We don’t yet know if that be 4+1 or 5 in the mag, but it will bring a smile to a lot of guy’s faces that have been looking for an airgun that acts and shoots just like a traditional bolt action firearm. In .35 it will have the power to bring down most medium and smaller large game with ease. Personally, I’m doing my best to twist o’l David and Paul’s arms to let me take back the .257 for some long range testing. On paper, this should be a true, consistent 1 MOA airgun. And, the price tag will be the same as the MAC35 at around $1000.
MAC35 Repeater Design ConceptAnd SHOT hasn’t even started yet!
It’s Monday and SHOT officially starts tomorrow. I can’t wait to see what else we airgunners are going to be able to get our hands on in the near future. Stay tuned to the blog and to Airgun Depot’s Facebook page for up to the minute photos and stories!
