Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison

Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison

Stephen Archer,
Archer Airguns Inc.
29 November, 2010

“The Stoeger X10 and the Crosman Quest 1000X are ʻthe sameʼ air rifle, so why
does the Stoeger Cost over $20 more than the Crosman. And is it worth it?”

These are the questions this comparison aims to address.

Summary:
The Stoeger X10 is a clearly superior air rifle with:
1. Better performance (muzzle velocity and accuracy).
2. Mounted scope (Quest scope is un-mounted).
3. Better quality stock (superior quality wood, finish and shape).
4. Automatic safety (Quest is manual only).
5. Much better open sights.
6. A far superior scope stop.
7. Far better “feel” and appearance.

So, is the X10 worth the $20.00 premium over the Quest? That must be a personal
decision, but in my opinion the answer is clearly “yes!”. For most users, that premium is
probably justified just by having a mounted, sighted-in scope fitted to the gun so it can
be shot “right out of the box”.

Pricing:
Crosman 1000X Combo Stoeger X10 Combo

Stoeger MSRP N/a $159

Pyramyd “List” $150 N/a

Crosman.com Price $129.99 N/a

Pyramyd Selling Price $115.99 N/a

Stoeger MAP N/a $139

So, the Crosman Quest 1000X (Model C1K77X) costs $23 (17%) less than the Stoeger
X10 Combo (Model 30015). How can the Stoeger X10 be worth that premium?
Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

Manufacturer:

Both air rifles are manufactured by BAM in China. Both are based on the B18/B19
platform and have similar specifications with many identical BAM part numbers. But
there are clear differences in the detail specification and manufacturing finish of these
air rifles. The Quest 1000X is clearly designed and manufactured to achieve the
minimum possible cost (and hence selling price). The Stoeger X10 is designed and
manufactured to provide a superior quality air rifle - but, of course, this is only achieved
at a higher price.

Specifications:
Crosman 1000X Combo Stoeger X10 Combo

Model C1K77X 30015

Weight Without Scope 5 lbs 13 oz 6 lbs 6 oz

Scope 4 x 32 Unmounted 4 x 32 Mounted

Rings Two piece Two piece

Length 44.25 inches 42.625 inches

Barrel Length 18.42 inches 16.5 inches

Pull Length 14.5 inches 14.5 inches

Performance:

A sample comparison of one Crosman Quest 1000X and one Stoeger X10 Wood
Combo (chosen at random) shows that the X10 provides a significantly higher muzzle
velocity than the 1000X and improved accuracy.

Test targets for these guns are reproduced on the following pages. The X10 target was
the only one I shot. The Quest 1000 target is the best of three shot immediately after the
X10 target. The same pellets and scope (Leapers 3-9 x 40AO set at 9x magnification)
were used for both guns to make as fair a comparison as possible.

Note that the X10 was still dieseling while the Quest 1000 was very dry. This is a part of
the reason for the difference in muzzle velocity, also for the much better Standard
Deviation shown by the Crosman gun. This table shows the results compared to typical
figures achieved over dozens of Archer Airguns “Gold Service” tests on “dry” Stoeger
X10 and X20 models. (The X10 and X20 are exactly the same, apart from stocks and
scopes).
Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

The tested X10 will undoubtedly settle to somewhere around the average X10/X20
performance over time. But it will still be around 100 fps faster than the Quest.

Crosman 1000X Stoeger X10 Stoeger X10/X20

Combo Tested Combo Tested Average

Muzzle Velocity 856 fps 1,049 fps 950 fps

Muzzle Energy 12.9 ft/lbs 19.36 ft/lbs 15 ft/lbs

Standard Deviation 4.79 fps 21.33 fps 5 - 6 fps

The accuracy achieved by both tested guns was in the sub 0.5-inch CTC range for 10
shots using Crosman Premier Light pellets from the same tin, as was expected and is
normal for the average Stoeger X10 and X20 under “Gold Service” testing.

But note that the Crosman target is the best one out of three that I shot, and that “sub
half inch” accuracy is obtained only by excluding the two “fliers”. I had great difficulty in
preventing vertical “stringing” of the shots with the Quest 1000X.

In contrast, the X10 test target gave excellent accuracy immediately. As I have proved
from other testing, group sizes fall as the spring air rifles stop dieseling (and muzzle
velocities become more uniform), so I would expect the tested X10 to provide even
better accuracy in future shooting.

Trigger pull weights were 4 lbs 10 oz for the Quest and 5 lbs 3 oz for the X10. Again,
experience proves that the trigger pull weight reduces marginally as the gun is shot and
the trigger parts have residual roughness worn away. So, I would expect the tested X10
trigger pull to fall with further use. Both triggers fall into the typical X10/X20 tested range
of around 4.5 to 5.5 lbs pull. The trigger pull is long and - although far from the worst
found on low-cost spring air rifles - continues to be the weakest element of the basic
B18/19 platform and the air rifles based on it.
Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.
Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.
Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

Scope and Rings:

The Quest 1000X and the Stoeger X10 both utilize apparently-identical scopes and
rings. This scope is a 4 x 32 model, without Adjustable Objective (“AO”). These scopes
provide adequate optical performance, but they are focussed for use at 100 yards. Of
course, most air rifle shooting takes place at much closer ranges and so the scope
gives a “soft” image for airgun use.

Archer Airgus re-focuses the Stoeger X10 Combo scopes before shipment to give a
sharp image in the 10 - 40 yard range that is suitable for airgun use. Thatʼs much better!

Of course, thereʼs a big difference between the X10 and the Quest here as the Stoeger
has the scope already mounted and ready to shoot “out of the box”. Archer Airguns
provides final sighting-in prior to shipment. So, the Stoeger X10 is ready to shoot “out of
the box”. As many people - particularly novices - find scope mounting and sighting a
somewhat difficult process, the Stoeger X10 scores heavily over the Quest 1000X in
this regard. But the cost for scope mounting at the factory needs to be paid for: again
hereʼs an increase in the cost of manufacture for the Stoeger compared to the Crosman.

Another scope-related benefit for the X10 is that the Stoeger guns have a milled slot in
the top of the receiver to receive the scope ring stop. This provides a completely solid
solution to the fierce recoil of spring-powered air rifles and the pre-mounted rear scope
ring is set with its scope stop screw engaging this slot. The Crosman Quest also has a
scope stop, but this is a separate piece of steel screwed into the top of the receiver. The
rear of the rear ring bears against this part. Itʼs obviously a cheaper solution to the
problem, but itʼs clearly less elegant and the screws holding these scope stops have
been known to loosen over time, on occasion.
Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

Safety:

Both air rifles are fitted with similar anti-beartrap devices to avoid accidental discharge
during cocking. But the beartrap lever roller on the Quest is 7.5mm long, compared to
the 10mm length of the Stoeger. A small point, I agree, but again it shows that the
Crosman version is being manufactured to a lower price point than the X10.

The Quest 1000X is provided with a safety inside the trigger guard, in front of the
trigger. Itʼs easy to operate, but provides much less space for gloved fingers in Winter
than does the X10ʼs larger trigger guard and safety location at the rear of the receiver.

A very significant difference between the two guns is seen in how the safety operates.

The Stoeger safety automatically sets every time the gun is cocked and has to be
released before firing. This is an excellent safety precaution, particularly for novice
shooters and the safety on the Quest 1000X simply does not work automatically in this
way. The Crosman safety is completely manual and only works if the shooter engages
the safety him/herself. Thereʼs no automatic safety on the Quest and - in my view -
Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

thatʼs a big disadvantage compared to the X10 for many of the shooters who will
consider this air rifle.

Obviously the Stoeger automatic safety costs more money to manufacture and
assemble, particularly as it positively blocks trigger engagement with a solid steel part,
compared to the spring-operated manual safety of the Quest 1000.

Open Sights:

Although both air rifles are sold mainly as combos with scopes included, both also
include open (or “iron” sights). And here there is a significant difference between the
Crosman and Stoeger models.

The Stoeger X10 is fitted with a robust, mainly steel rear sight assembly which adjusts
with positive clicks. The Crosman sight is obviously a cheaper part. Itʼs entirely plastic,
smaller and operates with much less well-defined click adjustments.
Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

An even bigger difference is seen in the front sights. The Quest 1000 is fitted with about
the cheapest possible front sight assembly, with the barrel machined down to accept it.

In contrast the front sight assembly of the X10 is a relatively massive - and expensive -
plastic part, combining front sight and textured cocking grip. Itʼs additionally secured
with a setscrew and it fits a full-diameter barrel. Even the length of the fiber optics in the
front sight is different: 20mm for the Crosman, 29mm for the X10. Do these things
matter? Maybe not, but theyʼre yet another indication that the Stoeger model costs more
to manufacture than the Crosman and every $0.01 in manufacturing cost counts when it
comes to selling price.

This is for sure, however. After cocking the X10 with itʼs comfortable, large diameter,
textured cocking grip, the Quest feels a very poor relation as you grasp the metal of the
spindly-seeming barrel to perform this task.
Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

Stock:

The stock is another significant area of difference between the X10 and the Quest.
Again, the stock on the Crosman gun is clearly cheaper than that of the Stoeger.

As the table shows, there are many differences in design. The X10 stock may be simple
when compared to that of the X20, but it obviously requires more complex machining
compared to the Questʼs stock to achieve the more shapely, curved appearance. And
again, every machining step costs money during manufacturing.

Crosman 1000X Combo Stoeger X10 Combo

Weight 1 lb 10 oz 1 lb 12 oz

Wood Light, glossy, “orange” Dark brown, matt finish

finish

Forend Short Long

Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

Crosman 1000X Combo Stoeger X10 Combo

Comb Short Long

Shaping Simple More complex

Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

Other Points:

Although both guns have nominally-identical barrels of 15mm diameter, that of the
Quest is undersized - 14.86mm, while that for the Stoeger X10 is oversized at
15.10mm. All the other Stoeger X10s that I measured were between 15.00 and
15.10mm. So, again, it looks as if we have another indication of the Crosman
manufacturing cost being held down to the minimum.

And while it may not make any practical difference, just look at the contrast between the
printing on the Quest - itʼs almost illegible - and that of the X10, bright, clear and bold.

In the photo below, the Quest is above and the X10 below.
Stoeger X10 and Crosman Quest 1000X Comparison Stephen Archer, Archer Airguns Inc.

Conclusion:

So yes, both the Stoeger X10 and the Crosman Quest 1000X are “the same gun”, as
both are manufactured by BAM and based on the same B18/19 platform. But at almost
every stage of design and manufacturing, the Stoeger takes more expensive options.

The X10 is a higher-quality product and justifies itʼs higher price for anyone whose
purchase decisions are not based on price alone.