Brief Development History of the Razorfang

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