British Air Arms S510 Carbine test: only 97 cm long, light, handy and highly accurate

In this article, I will introduce you to the many special features of the S510 Carbine from Air Arms and show you why it is one of the best options on the market. With an overall length of just 97 cm and a weight of 2.8 kg, the S510 is a compact and lightweight PCP (Pre Charged Pneumatic) air rifle. This low weight makes the gun ideal for longer shooting sessions, as it is also comfortable to transport over a longer period of time. Shooters who value mobility and flexibility will particularly appreciate the ease of handling of the S510 Carbine. Calibers available are .177/4.5 mm and .22/5.6 mm – our test gun was in .177/4.5 mm.

The centerpiece of the Air Arms S510 Carbine is the 39.5 cm long Lothar Walther Matchgrade barrel. This barrel is one of the best available on the market. The manufacturer's name Lothar Walther stands for the highest quality and accuracy, which is reflected in the excellent hit groups that can be achieved with the S510 Carbine. The barrel is fully silenced, which considerably reduces shot noise. This makes the gun suitable not only for the shooting range, but also for use in the garden at home without disturbing the neighbours.

At the end of the barrel shroud is a cap that can be unscrewed to expose an internal thread. This thread allows a 1/2" UNF silencer adapter to be fitted. With this adapter other common silencers can be fitted. The air bottle of the Air Arms S510 Carbine has a maximum filling pressure of 190 bar. This provides enough energy to fire numerous shots before refilling is necessary. I expect to fire between 150 and 180 rounds, similar to my Air Arms S400 (both model series are based on the same system).

Air Arms S510 Carbine PCP air rifle, also available with other stock options

The gun stock supplied by Italian wood specialist Minelli is both functional and visually appealing. The rubber recoil plate provides additional comfort and prevents slipping when aiming. The S510 Carbine is available in different stock versions: Superlite Traditional Brown stock (like the test gun), Beech, Superlite Hunter Green, Walnut and Walnut Thumbhole. 

The contact surfaces on the pistol grip and the fore-end have a laser-engraved checkering to ensure a non-slip grip.

The adjustable, two-stage trigger is already familiar from other Air Arms air rifles. The same applies to the 10-round rotary magazine used in other versions of the S510, which makes reloading quick and uncomplicated. These high-quality magazines are robustly made and easy to handle. The loading mechanism of the rifle is particularly smooth-running.

The S510 Carbine's 11-mm optic rail makes it easy to mount a riflescope. This allows you to customise the rifle to your individual requirements and use different optics. The affordable and precise HELIX HDLR 2-16x50 SFP APR-1C MRAD riflescope from Element Optics was used for the combo tested, but we also mounted a higher-quality 5-20x50 FFP APR-1C MRAD from the NEXUS series for a few test shots, although at just under €1,500 it exceeds the purchase price of the rifle. Almost anything is possible: the mounting blocks can be either high or only medium-high, so that the scope does not touch the magazine, which protrudes slightly at the top.

Air Arms S510 Carbine air rifle technical specs and price

AirGhandi's review of the Air Arms S510 Carbine

I was immediately impressed by the Air Arms S510 Carbine, in particular by the combination of accuracy, low weight and quiet firing. These features make the gun one of the best options for shooters who value quality and versatility. The ability to precisely adjust the power of the gun to the pellets used also sets it apart from other models. The factory-silenced barrel ensures that you can concentrate fully on shooting without having to worry about disturbing noises.

I can recommend this rifle to anyone who is looking for a high-quality and versatile air rifle. The Air Arms S510 will not disappoint!