Blaser F3 Trap Shooting

52NEWGUNBlaser of Isney, Gemany, with USAheadquarters in San Antonio,Texas, has added a newly designedTrap model to its F3 range – nodoubt influenced by input fromRichard Kaysa and his strong biastoward trap shooting. The actualname of the gun has not beendecided on as yet but the basicsof the new gun were shown toshooters at the Grand American –and are indeed impressive. Thosethat visited Blaser in the Vendorbuilding had the opportunity toshoot a prototype of this exciting newmodel. There are many technicaladvances and improvements butthe substance of the new model isthe adjustable weight system andthe adjustable rib for POI changes.I was offered the opportunity toshoot a prototype and didn’thesitate! Before I even picked it up, Iwas impressed with the clean lines,wood to metal fit and quality of thestock. Upon shouldering the gun Idiscovered it fit me just aboutperfect – which is rare for me. Itpointed very well, felt balanced andthe new pistol style grip with thedeep cut palm swell felt morenatural than usual. Looking downthe rib I had no issue with seeinganything but the mid- point andBLASERTO LAUNCH NEWTRAP GUNTHOUGH THE NAME IS UNDECIDED SAYS AL HAGUEL TO R: NORBERT HAUSSMANN (CEO BLASER USA) AND MATHIAS KNEPPLER.front beads. I wondered to myself ifit would shoot as well as it seemedfrom first touch.Out at the demo trap I decidedI’d start at the 16 yard line. Breakingthe action was effortless andloading the shell in the mono barrelwas quick and easy. Just to test the‘feel’of the gun, I started with stockdown when I called for the target.When the trap sent a straightawaytarget, the gun came up on point,resulting in a solid hit. I continued toshoot five at each post with onlyone miss – and that was simplybecause I was lazy.The adjustable rib had been set forme at about 70/30 and I was smokingthe targets. Felt recoil was more thancomfortable and could have been lessif I had taken the time to adjust theinternal weights.The ejector wasstrong and efficient without beingover strong. Since I am essentially a‘feel’shooter, I would have loved tobring this gun home with me.A gentleman by the name ofSteve“Doc”Ollock came out to the27 yard line with the intent ofputting this new F3 model throughits paces. I watched him moveTRAPSHOOTINGUSA

NEWGUN 53STEVE ‘DOC’ OLLOCK TRIES OUT THE NEW GUN.responsible for the design of thenew barrels and the overall designof the adjustable rib.effortlessly from post to post –hitting every bird. When he finishedI asked him for his impressions. Hequickly smiled and gave me ashopping list of superlatives.“Greatbalance, points very well and lovethe adjustable rib. It’s great valueand a great gun.”(Doc shared withme that he was a AAA shooter, livesin Mainesburg, Pennsylvania andshoots a K-80.)THE ADJUSTABLEWEIGHT SYSTEMThe adjustable weight system hastwo components and places to addor shift weight. First, tungsten platesof varying weight can be added tothe barrels and are hidden fromview when the gun is assembledand the fore-end is in place. Thetask of adding weights is verysimple, they come in a package ofdifferent weights and are added tothe barrels with a simplescrewdriver. Changing them is easyby simply removing the fore-endand switching the plates to matchyour best feel and comfort.The second part of the system isan adjustable weight carrier insidethe stock. Weights can be movedforward or back by simply removingthe stock with the stock removaltool provided. You then have accessto the weights that can be movedon the shaft by loosening a setscrew, sliding the weights in eitherdirection to obtain the balance thatfeels best. Each of the weights havea rubber o-ring that prevents anyvibration or noise inside thestock. These designs came fromthe head designer, SergejPopikov, who has been withBlaser for 12 years. He has alsobeen responsible for theejector system, and has been adesign contributor to Mauser.Mathias Kneppler is the manADJUSTABLE RIB AND EXTENDED BRILEY CHOKES.INTERNAL WEIGHT SYSTEM.BARREL SETS. TOP SHOWS WEIGHTS.INNOVATIONSGreat appearance when new is verycommon – but the test is how willthe finish hold up over the longhaul. Blaser has addressed thoseissues with some innovativetreatments. The barrels are Plasmatreated for hardness and thereceiver is PVD coated for hardnessand to resist common scratches. Theadjustable rib is aluminum and thebarrels (32" O/U and 34" unsingle)are fully chrome lined. The Trapsingle and double barrels can bemade to weigh the same with theuse of the weight system. The singleTrap, without weights added,weighs 9 pounds but felt a bitlighter to me because it was so wellbalanced. As our illustrations show,the new barrel hanger systemeliminates the solid center rib. Thebarrels come with a set of Brileyextended chokes and at this time,Blaser is not releasing photographsof the new adjustable part of the ribuntil the design is final. The fore endiron is a new push button design toeliminate the hot spot whenshooting. The checkering is donevery well and the new model offersa factory approved butt pad.VALUEThe gun shown has grade fourwood. The new Trap F3 is expectedto price at under $10,000 for thetwo barrel set and under $7,000for the single – with a 10 yearwarranty. Having seen and shotthis new model, the value iscertainly there. Expect to hearmuch more about the new BlaserTrap in the coming months. Formore technical information visitwww.blaser-usa.com or call210-377-2527. ■TRAPSHOOTINGUSA