Thanks to everyone who participated!  The information was invaluable in helping us decide where to focus our product efforts; we will be posting some additional information regarding this in the near future.

Although we have concluded our research from this poll, we will be leaving it available for those who would still like to vote.

As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments, and/or other feedback!

Thanks again!

Sage

It has come to our attention that some of our reply e-mails are getting filtered and/or routed to people's junk mail folders. If you've sent us an e-mail and haven't received a reply, please be sure to check your junk mail (we respond to all reasonable e-mails).

If you've sent us an e-mail more than a few weeks ago and haven't yet received a reply, it's likely that our reply was filtered and/or routed to your junk folder and possibly deleted by your system (depending on your e-mail setup). Thus, if you haven't received a reply please let us know and we'll re-send it.

If you're having this problem, be sure to add us to your contact list to avoid such issues in the future. This is especially important for those requesting early roster notification; if you don't receive the early notification e-mail you could miss out on a roster slot (which means you could miss your chance for getting a Razorfang).

So, please be sure you're configured to receive our e-mails. I would recommend adding both automaticairgun@live.com and info@libertyairguns.com so that you'll be set up to receive any communications from us.

Sage

After designing and building the X177-MPA we decided on another iteration. While the X177-MPA is certainly a great gun, we wanted to take it to the next level. We felt that we could make it better: more reliable, easier to maintain and upgrade, more flexible, more powerful, more accurate – just better overall. We wanted to employ the same advanced, highly efficient methods we used in the X177-MPA, and we wanted to make it easier to build at the same time. Clearly, this was no small feat.

Over the course of the next several months we implemented technologies to accomplish the goal; we then spent the next several months after that doing testing and experimentation, developing nearly 20 Ajax prototypes of various configurations. And, towards the end of 2009 our work culminated in the mainline brass board predecessor to the awesome Ajax X177-X2B, aka Razorfang.

During the first several months of 2010 we concentrated on magazine development. We built everything from sticks to powered drums and hoppers. The earlier X177-MPA had some very large magazines, but they posed too much fabrication for the casual builder. As with the project in general, the challenge was not in developing functional magazines, it was in developing magazines that the home builder could make without special machining.

At first I considered using a fixed magazine because of simplicity – but 30 or even 50 rounds were not enough for a non-removable magazine. So, I designed a few fixed pan loader prototypes of 120 rounds - to load, you wound the pan and poured in the BBs.

I had also built a shake-style loading magazine a few years before (the idea was sparked from the older Crosman 66 Powermaster, which used a type of shake loading magazine for BBs). I built another one for the Ajax; it was 50 rounds and the hopper held about 1000 rounds. It worked, but no one liked it and it was tricky to build without a mill (and as people who have used shake loaders know, shake loading leaves a lot to be desired).

Powered hoppers were another option; we had designed several, but they required enough fabrication complexity that we decided such would be an add-on kit in the future.

Of the remaining available options, our team wouldn't have either. Everyone loved the pan but hated the pour in reloading with fixed configuration, and similarly hated the shake loader all around. And both were difficult to make. One of us grabbed four pencils and said “look, just four would be enough for 120 rounds! And I can carry two dozen of these in my pocket!” And he was right.

We could do the same thing with our 30-round stick magazines – if they were quick swap. And, it would take less room on the gun and be smaller and more convenient to carry. So the fixed magazines became a dead end, and quick swap it was. I developed several methods and we chose the simplest for the X177-X2B.

As an additional benefit, we now had the option of using any other magazine type as well, and in the quick swap format. So, I developed a simpler large capacity flat pan magazine and a few drum styles also – but the 30-50 round stick magazines remained the favorite with everyone.

Why? Because with quick swap, you get essentially infinite capacity (up to the capacity of the tank and ammo you can carry). I can load 20 of the 50 round magazines and put them in my back pocket – that's already 1000 rounds. And they swap out in a fraction of a second. I quickly realized what a great decision this was: a fraction of a second swap after dozens of rounds is trivial for nearly all shooting and became my preferred method by far. And, stick magazines are simple to build. As a bonus, the larger pan magazines became quick swap also (I can load up a few 150 rounders and plug them in the same way as the sticks). And in the future, one can opt for other magazines as well, such as powered hoppers or any other style.

The magazine issue solved, we wanted to build a receiver that would be just as impressive as the expected performance. Without special machining this was a trick; it took some time to get the setup just right but we were able to devise a beautiful “mill and lathe free” design that looks both awesome and fantastic; including the possibilities of using custom molded hand grips, upper and lower accessory rails, collapsible stocks, and much more – all with clean tactical styling. And, it's simple to build as well!

We also needed a superior trigger mechanism that could match the rest of the gun. This immensely important component connects the shooter's consciousness to the gun; it's a huge factor in both shooting accuracy and the overall enjoyment of the entire experience itself; a bad trigger can practically ruin the experience. So unlike the clunky, crude trigger mechanisms found on many airguns, we devised a special, wonderfully elegant multi-stage trigger with a smooth and beautiful ultra-lightweight action. This unique trigger system greatly enhances accuracy and takes the user experience to completely new levels. And remarkably, virtually anyone can build it!

We outfitted our earlier prototypes with tank stocks, but on this gun we opted for a remote air setup. Using a remote is an improvement over a tank stock – it's unobtrusive and allows for much larger air storage tanks (as well as configurable stock options). Of course, it's possible to equip the gun with a tank stock, but we chose the remote.

Our results even impressed us. With velocities above 800 fps, the Ajax carbine had far more punch than other automatic .177 airguns. We shortened the barrel to full SMG length, and were still launching metal missiles at over 700 fps. For target shooting, we dialed the velocity adjustment down to about 600 fps (a great all-around speed) and we still had the best in-class power for .177 automatics. Accuracy was excellent across the board.

When adjusted and tuned for power, and using an extended barrel, we achieved an astounding 1000+ fps with the Razorfang. We settled on a conservative 900+ fps max rating with an extended barrel, a velocity which should be achievable by most similar builds when properly constructed and tuned for power. Expect up to a blazing 700 fps with the compact SMG configuration included with the kit, and much higher velocities with extended barrels and advanced builds.

And of course, the Ajax Razorfang does all this in semi-auto, burst, or continuous full-auto, with an on-demand adjustable rate-of-fire that covers the range – from a 250 round per minute target shattering hammer to a 1400+ round per minute over-driven chainsaw. Whatever you're experience desires, it's got your optimum rate-of-fire (and above, below, and beyond what you'll probably ever want!).

By now you've likely had the chance to see the amazing Ajax Razorfang X177-X2B in action. If you haven't watched the video, please do so! The Razorfang is a fantastic looking airgun with excellent performance – and we're very proud of it.

Sage

First, I wanted to thank everyone for their excellent support over last year's development cycle. I really appreciate the fantastic comments, e-mail communications, and great feedback! Thanks!

As you know, it's been about two years since I updated this blog. Many people have been asking what's happening with Liberty Airguns and the Ajax X177. Well, the introduction of the Ajax Razorfang should make it pretty clear!

It's remarkable that our small company has been able to go from concept to product so quickly. Through literally hundreds of designs and dozens of prototypes, we have created the world's best automatic airguns with our Ajax series. And, all this was done without using our “magic wand” and “insta-make automatic airgun powder”! Yes, that's right! We did it the old-fashioned way, through actual work. And, we're very excited about it

When it comes to engineering, creating a simple, elegant design is far more difficult than just creating “anything” – and creating a simple, elegant design that requires no special machining (no lathe or mill) on the part of the builder is far more difficult than that. Add to this the fact that the patent pending methods used in the Ajax represent the most air efficient automatic airgun methods in the world, and that the Ajax also represents best in-class power and accuracy, and one wonders how it's possible to even create such a thing. But, we did!

Although we do not yet have a final price or release date, I can say that kits will be priced similarly to mid-level pre-charged airguns.  Be sure to get on the roster notification list if you want a chance at getting an early batch kit.

Thanks again to all of you who have been helping make this effort a great success!

Sincerely,

Sage

Sage – Lead Engineer, Ajax Automatic Airgun:

I spent nearly all of last year developing government proposals, including a new type of rocket pump, devices to enhance the accuracy of 40mm munitions, novel types of projectile propulsion, and several others. At some point during the development of my projectile propulsion system, I realized I simply needed to have a fully automatic gun – I mean, it was a “need.” And, that started this!

Now, as we all know, machine guns are hard to come by (well, for the good guys at least!). In fact, they're illegal without a special license and too cost prohibitive for most of us. But, I am a “superfan” of guns. From the very fundamental ideologies of gun ownership and the Second Amendment, to the raw enjoyment of shooting, there are not many topics that I gravitate to more strongly.

I'll be really straight here. I completely disagree with the federal laws and limitations on most classes of arms, including machine guns. Not only does the Second Amendment say that arms shall not be infringed (without limiting the type of arms), the entire concept of restrictions is both ridiculous and a complete travesty of the Constitution. It makes absolutely zero sense. But, unfortunately, it's the frustrating position we're in today (hopefully we can change that). Even worse though, most of us cannot just “go outside” and shoot our guns! The recent pro-Second Amendment ruling notwithstanding, there are so many restrictions and ordinances from place to place, it's amazing that we can still shoot anywhere with all the rampant authoritarianism.

Given that, I decided I needed a legal automatic gun that I could shoot in my yard. My earlier research found that airguns are not considered firearms and do not fall under the 1968 Federal Firearms Act. More recently, I learned that airguns are also not considered weapons (so long as they are not used as such, similar to the status of a baseball bat). I also discovered there are federal statutes that prevent the states from barring the sale of airguns, or even grouping them together with firearms. So, this combined with my practical knowledge of airguns and previous efforts developing powerful gas-based projectile propulsion methods meant that I simply had to build an automatic airgun.

Before I set out on this quest, I took a look at what was already out there. And, there was pretty much nothing! Well... there was Airsoft, but that was nothing like what I wanted (and nowhere near going to cut it). As cool as some of the Airsoft guns look, even the high end guns were just too weak, not to mention way too expensive, and those plastic projectiles... well, they kinda suck the fun out of it. There were also “blower-type” BB machine guns, the Casleman Air Machine Gun, and the Drozd.

I took a look at some of the “blower-type” BB machine guns. The $250+ “Strafer” is one of these; there were also plans for similar units grouped by operation type (i.e.,vortex, cloud, etc.). They all tend to shoot at a frustratingly non-adjustable rate of roughly 4000+ RPM, which is unfortunately (and obviously) too high for target shooting, etc. Even more unfortunately, the firing speed is somewhat related to the projectile speed in these devices. Thus, if you want a higher projectile speed you wind up with a higher firing rate (which makes things even worse). There is no concept of selective-fire/semi-auto at all; each pull blows about 20 rounds, minimum. But the worst part is that they require a tremendous amount of airflow; basically a connection to shop air is the only practical way to use these things. Connecting them to portable bulk air is also possible, and it's a great way to unload some cash if you're over-rich in the green (and then you'll quickly be back to shop air as you blow through a 20oz CO2 tank in about 30 seconds). Needless to say, that also didn't get close to cutting it for me.

I then looked into the Casleman. This was better, but the information for building the Casleman was really not sufficient, and one basically needed a reasonably well-equipped machine shop (and an equally well-equipped pocketbook) to do it. And that's why so few were ever built; I think nearly all of them by Casleman himself. In addition, you needed to cast your own projectiles for the gun, which was fine in some circumstances, but certainly not fine for high-volume everyday shooting in the yard!

The Drozd was much more in line with what I wanted. Something that I could shoot everyday that was automatic. But, several things quickly dulled the excitement. First, the stock Drozd uses 12g CO2 cartridges. Now, this has way better gas usage than a “blower-gun” but still – at the rate at which you're shooting ammo, you're pouring through cartridges like a river! So, you discover that you can adapt it to use bulk gas... Which then quickly brings us to the second thing I didn't like: You go though the expense of converting to bulk air or CO2 for just a 30 round magazine (and an extra magazine is $45, ouch!). The third depressing thing was when I found out that the Drozd is burst-mode only (mainly due to the CO2 freezing up the gun); so the fully-automatic is only sorta/kinda fully auto, and I also didn't like the stock firing rate selections. Of course, you could fix this problem by modifying the electronics in the gun; but then to take advantage of that you would need the bulk air and a bigger magazine – the latter of which which doesn't exist! Fourth, there's the noise. It's enough when you are shooting full-auto, let alone at the “it-can't-be-any-friggin-louder” level. Almost everyone, everywhere, and on every newsgroup and forum wanted to find a way to legally suppress the Drozd so they could shoot it without problem (not much luck there). Now, I don't mind some reasonable loudness, but the Drozd (like some CO2 pistols) is just too loud for many areas. Add the $300+ it would cost to get the gun and do the mods and then only have a 30 round magazine... well, it was still tempting – but, I thought I could do better if I designed one myself...

So, seeing that I was already working on alternative projectile propulsion systems, I set out to build my own version of an automatic airgun. And, I wound up actually building several. Some were super powerful large-bore autocannon type devices (which led to the powerful CX-Autocannon Series), a few were smaller-bore devices, some were very exotic designs, and another was the X177.

To give you a little history on the X177 itself, during my airgun experimentation, I set out to design something that could be replicated without any special tools or special parts. Something simple and inexpensive, yet effective. It quickly evolved into this lofty “pie-in-the-sky” concept about making and automatic airgun “for the people.” In other words, something that almost anyone could build. Something that the builder could learn from, modify, customize, and experiment with. And as I read through the forums, I realized that almost everyone wanted something like this. But, many people said it simply couldn't be done without special machining. Well, I didn't buy that reasoning, and the X177 became the fruit of that labor.

The X177 design is deceivingly simply, yet astoundingly reliable. My original X177 prototype has now fired well over 30,000 rounds with no sign of degradation. This basic, “low-power” build can fire rounds at over 400FPS and put a BB cleanly through one side of a strong steel soup can from several meters (often though both sides); aluminum cans behave as if they were tissue paper from that range. I can shoot at ranges beyond 20 meters with accuracy, even on low power fills, and can hit a Necco wafer practically every time at 10m. Selective-fire, single shot up to 1200RPM (continuously variable), it sports a range of magazine types, including super high-capacity types (200+ round magazines have been tested), and can fire all these rounds on a single, relatively low-pressure air fill. In fact, it can fire off a 60+ round magazine with a relatively low-pressure fill via a small air tank (one of my personal favorite configurations), every round surpassing 360FPS. And, it only takes a minute or two to both load the magazine and fill the tank! Not bad for something that cost about $40 in parts!

I can say that, given all the firearms and airguns I have, this is by far the most fun gun to shoot, hands down. Unlike most commercial airguns, it gives you the power and flexibility of semi and fully automatic modes. The semi-automatic mode by itself is great for target shooting because you don't have to reload and/or cock each time you shoot, and you have many more rounds than most repeaters. Moreover, I shoot when I choose and where I choose! Everyday! I just load it up, fill it up, go outside or in my basement and shoot. And, while it can be customized to work with bulk air, I like the idea that I never have to worry about propellant. Just stock up on Daisy Ultra-Smooths and I'm good to go.

For the near future, the only way to get an Ajax may be to build it.  Believe me though, if you like to build projects, you'll like building this!  Also, you'll be able to customize it.  So, if you want to start having fun sooner rather than later, be sure to send a note to Liberty Airguns telling them you want my plans (and also vote in their poll)!!

~Sage

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