- Specialty
- PCP air rifles (1100Z, 250Z), spring, multi-pump and CO2 air rifles, air pistols, airsoft, scopes and accessories
- Category
- Air Guns
- Website
- barraairguns.com →
Our verdict
Barra builds airguns for people who want real performance without premium prices. Its 1100Z was one of the better-reviewed budget PCPs, and the Gen 2 adds the regulator, extra air, longer barrel and .25 calibre that owners asked for. Warranty and support are the areas to watch — one year, and owners report slow email replies — but the hardware is solid and the value is hard to beat. In Canada, buy through our partner Airgun Archery Fun.
Background
Barra Airguns is an American airgun brand that sells direct online in the United States and Canada and through large outdoor retailers. Its catalogue covers spring, multi-pump, CO2, PCP and electric guns, from first air rifles to hunting PCPs, plus pistols, airsoft, scopes and accessories.
The 1100Z was Barra’s first PCP. It was an unregulated .22 side-lever with a 3,000 psi fill and a breech and rail machined from one block, launched at about US$250, and it became one of the better-reviewed budget PCPs. The 1100Z Gen 2 adds an internal regulator, a 3,500 psi fill with a fill probe, a longer 22-inch shrouded barrel, a lighter hammer and a .25 option. The 250Z takes Barra’s PCP into a modular tactical chassis with an externally adjustable regulator.
How we use Barra
Our first Barra review is the 1100Z Gen 2 in .25 and Veil Camo Alpine, which scored 4.5 out of 5. We sighted it in with the OneLeaf NV100 Plus day/night scope, and it is the rifle for our coming night hunt of rats in the blueberry field. The review includes video through the scope and an animated cutaway you can cycle and fire.
Buying in Canada
High-power Barra PCPs are over Canada’s 500 fps and 5.7 J limits, so they are firearms under the Firearms Act and need a PAL. Our PCP partner Airgun Archery Fun carries Barra rifles, including the 250Z High Power, along with lower-powered options in its PCP rifles section.
What to know before buying
Barra’s warranty is one year limited, and owners report that support is mostly by email and can be slow. A 3,500 psi PCP needs a tank or compressor to fill comfortably. Shot counts for the .25 Gen 2 are not published.
Bottom line
Barra earns its place here for making a regulated hunting PCP affordable. The 1100Z Gen 2 is the one we would point a new PCP shooter to first.
Why we recommend them
Value. A regulated .25 PCP rated at 40 ft-lb for US$339.99.
Listens to owners. The 1100Z Gen 2 adds a regulator, 3,500 psi fill, 22-inch barrel and a tighter side lever.
Well equipped. Two rotary magazines, single-shot trays, fill probe, shroud with ½-20 threads and Picatinny rails in the box.
Broad range. Spring, multi-pump, CO2 and PCP rifles, pistols, airsoft and optics.
Available in Canada. Sold through our PCP partner Airgun Archery Fun, including the 250Z High Power.
Product lines
What they make.
PCP air rifles
The side-lever 1100Z (Gen 1 and the regulated Gen 2 we reviewed) and the bolt-action 250Z in a modular chassis.
Spring, multi-pump and CO2 rifles
Break-barrel spring rifles, multi-pump rifles and lever-action CO2 rifles such as the 1866.
Pistols, airsoft, optics and accessories
Air pistols, airsoft, scopes, ammo and accessories.