As little as five years ago, if you had an interest in airguns and wanted to step up to the pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) variety, you were looking at a hefty investment. The airguns were expensive, and you needed to add items such as High-Pressure Air (HPA) handpumps or SCBA tanks. Then there was the question of who could fill the tanks or if you should purchase an expensive home compressor. However, options like the Stoeger XM1 air rifle makes things a little easier.

The Stoeger XM1 S4 PCP Air Rifle

Jumping into the PCP game is no longer so daunting. This is because, in the past five years, more manufacturers have entered the PCP arena and introduced portable HPA compressors. Competition and economies of scale opened the market to more affordable PCP airguns, handpumps, and compressors than ever before.

While high-end PCP airguns continue to command prices in the four-figures, entry-level PCPs are available starting below the $200 mark. For a little more, some offer packages that include a handpump so you can get started without other accoutrements.

The Introduction of the XM1

Stoeger Industries was founded in 1924 in New York as a gun store, firearms purveyor, and publisher. Now a subsidiary of Benelli USA group in Accokeek, Maryland, in turn, part of Beretta Holdings, they formed an airgun division more than a decade ago and began importing airguns.

The XM1 is their first foray into the PCP realm. And because Stoeger is known for their quality in value-priced firearms, it chose to introduce an entry-level model. The XM1 design was handled by the Benelli design team in Italy. As a result, the lines of the airgun are incredibly sleek and sporty.

Advanced ergonomics are incorporated into the design and utilize what the company calls “Proadaptive Checkering” consisting of raised “Thridion” markings that add to the tactile grip.

The XM1 S4 is the suppressed version and, in full disclosure, was given to me for this review. It came well packaged in a colorful cardboard box having foam lining, which protects it in transit.

Along with the owner’s manual, there were baggies containing the rear sight, short picatinny rails and screws for mounting. Also, a seven-round rotary magazine, single-shot tray, brass fill probe, and additional O-rings.

The XM1 also comes with a taller cheekpiece and larger hand grip that is easy to swap out. Colorful spacers in the buttstock can be removed to shorten the length-of-pull. The magazine, single-shot tray, and one Picatinny rail have embedded magnets for proper alignment with the breech. Not to mention a clever way of storing up to three magazines along the side.

Digging Deeper

Starting at the muzzle is the permanently affixed, patented S4 suppressor system. This latest evolution of their “S” line of sound suppression consists of a decompression chamber in front of six baffles. This works in concert with the company’s compensator technology, all housed in a polymer barrel sleeve. A red fiber-optic front sight sits atop the suppressor.

Adding about 6 inches to the length of the standard XM1, the S4 does its job well. I would rate this .22 as “backyard friendly.” The barrel is 21 inches of rifled steel mated with an aluminum receiver. Underneath the barrel is the non-removable air cylinder. Rated at 200 bar (2,900 psi) fill pressure, a manometer gauge resides at the muzzle end with the fill port just behind it.

The two supplied picatinny rails attach to either side of the forearm, which also has a sling stud hole molded into it. A wide and curved, two-stage metal trigger is only adjustable for the pull length. Surprisingly smooth, it broke at a nice, light average of 2 pounds, 8 ounces. A cross-block safety is in the front of the trigger guard.

Handling the XM1 S4 PCP Air Rifle

The vertical pistol grip is part of the polymer buttstock making this a thumbhole-style stock. A second sling attachment hole is molded into the toe of the buttstock. It is finished off with a soft rubber buttpad with a molded-in ergonomic design for additional comfort in the shoulder pocket.

Back on top, the oversized bolt head is uniquely shaped and covered with the “Thridion” checkering. I found it very comfortable as it lends itself to nestling between the thumb pad and the first knuckle joint of the forefinger.

Cocking occurs when pulling the bolt back, and travel is smooth and easy. There is not a lot of real estate on top for scope mounting, with the rails being typical 11mm-wide dovetails found on many airguns.

Cool Runnings

I topped my sample rifle with an MTC brand Mamba-Lite scope on medium-high Sports Match rings. Higher rings are necessary in order to provide clearance for the rotary magazine. It was a great matchup, and the accuracy I achieved was surprising.

PCPs don’t usually need a break-in period like other types of airguns might, and this thing shot well right out of the chute. Most airguns can be very picky as to what they shoot well. This XM1 took everything I put through it, yielding excellent accuracy with all but a couple of the pellets I tried. So far, I’ve tried nine different pellets from five brands.

Stoeger Airguns rates the XM1 in .22 as a 900-fps air rifle. However, it did slightly exceed that velocity when using 11.75-grain Predator GTO lead-free pellets. Heavier lead pellets in the 14.5 to 18.21-grain weights shot between 840 fps and 725 fps, respectively, at 6,000 feet above sea level.

The shooter can expect to average 35 shots per fill with heavier pellets before velocity drops off.  This particular airgun showed the most accuracy shooting Predator and Sig-branded pellets, with the prize going to the new Predator Hades.

These 15.89-grain pellets knocked out one ragged hole at 20 yards. With this kind of accuracy and punch—over 20 foot-pounds of energy at launch—the XM1 will make a great small-game/pest-hunting tool as well.

The Upshot

This little rifle really surprised me. For this price point, I did not expect the accuracy and consistency I experienced. Lots of nice touches like extra O-rings, extra magazine storage, preventing bolt closing on an empty magazine and the effectiveness of the suppressor along with the ergonomics of the rifle were all pluses.

My only reservations about this rifle are minor in nature and include the owner’s manual being inadequate. Additionally, it needs more rail for scope mounting. Also, rather than a plug that has to be removed each time you want to insert the fill probe, a rotating collar to keep dust out of the fill hole is preferable.

The XM1 also comes in .177 caliber, and the black version lists for $200 with the scoped kit MSRP at $230. A .22 caliber-only Realtree Edge kit, including a 4x32mm scope, retails for $250. Stoeger Airguns offers a warranty with five-year limited coverage for the original owner.

For more information, please visit StoegerIndustries.com.

Stoeger XM1 S4 PCP Air Rifle Specs

Caliber: .22
Action: Pre-charged pneumatic
Overall Length: 45.5 inches
Weight: 5.8 pounds
Stock: Black (or camo) synthetic
Sights: Fiber-optic front, square notch rear
Finish: Black or Realtree Edge
Capacity: 7
MSRP: $230

This article originally appeared in March-April 2022 issue of Tactical Life magazine. Get your copy or digital subscription at OutdoorGroupStore.com.