Spanish manufacturer, Cometa, now has a full line-up of airguns that includes PCPs, but they are perhaps best known for their springers. The Fenix 400 has been a firm favourite in one guise or another for years. Just recently, I tested the USC (Ultra Short Carbine) version, which has a super-short barrel and grey laminate furniture. However, there are now several variants of the 400 available as Cometa refreshes its range, and on test here is another highly attractive proposition - the Fenix 400 Compact Star. It’s a break barrel, spring-powered airgun that’s designed to appeal to a variety of shooters.

Detailed spec

‘Traditional’ best describes the configuration, and the sporter stock is particularly attractive. Cometa offers a ‘Fusion Premier Star’ model which sports walnut, but this Compact Star is fashioned from hardwood. That said, it’s extremely slickly done. The panels of laser cut patterning (we can’t call them chequering in the accepted sense) are effectively raised dots, and these look both distinctive and smart, and certainly add grip where it’s most needed, so around the forend and pistol grip.

The adjustable cheekpiece is, of course, a key feature here, but there are plenty of other details and features designed in. Fibre optic open sights are fitted as standard, with the foresight actually fixed to the silencer. Elsewhere, there’s an adjustable breech, dovetail rails, and a 2-stage trigger.

Fit & feel

The wood-to-metal fit is extremely good, and with recessed cross bolts and well above-average build quality, these rifles feel solid and reassuringly well-made. Chemical bluing covers all the metalwork and is carried out to a high standard. Indeed, the only plastic/ synthetic components are parts of the rear sight, the trigger, and its guard. Even these are well done, and whilst a synthetic trigger may not sound like a good idea, in use, the shaping and precision of the moulded parts leave little to be desired.

This is an adult airgun, so there’s a long cylinder to generate power, yet the dovetail rails are unnecessarily short, at 5.4”. However, holes are drilled for an arrestor pin of some sort, so mounting a scope shouldn’t be too challenging.

Cheeky

Two large Allen bolts hold the adjustable cheekpiece, and they just need to be slackened so that the cheek section can still be gently elevated or lowered. Do this in tandem with the scope’s position on the rail, and the end result should be near-perfect eye/scope alignment, which should fall into place each time. A basic trick is to shut the eyes when mounting up, then open them and see if the full circular picture is there through the scope, with no effort. Keep making fine adjustments and repeating the process over a few sessions, until it all falls into place, with gentle but firm support from the stock against the face.

Shot cycle

Cometa is one of the few airgun manufacturers that still actually make their own barrels. At 12.5”, the barrel on the Compact Star is still pretty short, and that compares against 10” for the USC version. That sizeable silencer up front means the amount of leverage should be improved for the cocking stroke, as it can double up as a cocking aid, but the only drawback is that care needs to be taken to avoid falling foul of the large orange foresight element, that I can’t help thinking looks a tad vulnerable at the muzzle. In practice, the silencer is sufficiently long to be gripped further back, so comfort isn’t the issue, but a small hooded surround here would still make sense.

With quite a stiff lock-up, the barrel needs to be jolted free. Take a look at the side of the jaw, and you’ll notice there’s an adjustable bolt and even a keeper screw. This means that any sign of the breech wearing or needing to be tightened, years down the line, then it’s possible to do so.

As for the cocking stroke, it’s extremely smooth. Push a pellet home, flush into the breech to avoid deformation, close up the breech, and the shot is ready. The automatic safety catch to the rear of the cylinder looks the part, and this just needs to be nudged forwards to make the shot live. Squeezing the trigger revealed a pleasantly light first stage, and then squeezing through a small amount of creep, it is possible to sit on or near the point of release. The end result is a very acceptable trigger that is well-shaped, comfortable in use, and light enough to add to the overall shooting experience. For the record, on test, the shot was more of a satisfying snap, with little spring resonance to speak of.

Range results

If using the open sights, then the fully-adjustable rear sight works a treat. It all offers a good sight picture, but for my extended session, I soon moved to testing with glassware onboard, just to maximize any potential. Accuracy over 30 yards was par for the course, with groups measuring just under 1” c-t-c, with a variety of pellets.

Over the chronograph, the Compact Star proved pretty consistent, with the Weihrauch FT Exact Jumbos returning a total spread of 16 fps. That’s pretty good stuff using pellets straight from the tin. Switching to BSA Goldstar ammo trimmed that down to just 11 fps, with an identical average energy return of 11.6 ft/lbs. Great consistency then, but the power levels are still a bit too near the legal limit for my comfort, given the margin of variation.

Modern classic

Pick up one of these rifles and the stylish design, great build quality, and finish overall, just sets them apart from the average fare. OK, accuracy wasn’t blistering on test, but the results were well within the acceptable levels for this grade of hardware, and the way the Fenix 400 Compact Star delivers the shot, can’t fail to impress. Spend more time trialling other pellets, and I’m sure those groups would improve further. As it stands, this model remains a great choice as a general-purpose tool, designed for years of service.

Thanks to Range & Country Shooting Supplies in Sleaford, Lincs., for the kind loan of this rifle.