Definitive Guide to Stoeger XM1 Scout

The Stoeger XM1 Scout is a shorter version of the Stoeger XM1 Ranger to accommodate shooters that prefer a more compact PCP. It is available in .22 and .25 calibers that are perfect for plinking, pesting, or small game hunting. The only difference between the two is the overall length. The Ranger measures a total of 43.2", and the Scout measures 37.7". Keep in mind that both of these have removable stock shims to change the length of pull, which will alter the overall length.

Here's what to expect when removing the air rifle and the included accessories from the box. A pleasant surprise when you realize the Scout weighs seven pounds, and its all-weather stock contours are a perfect fit for the human body.

If you find the length of pull, cheek weld, or grip is not suitable, Stoeger has included adjustment options. For the length of pull; the shims in the butt stock are removable to reduce the LOP to better fit the size of the shooter or adjust for seasonal clothing layers. The cheek weld is also adjustable, and the two small and large textured grip adapters allow for a comfortable fit for small or larger hands.

The trigger guard houses the two-stage adjustable trigger and the push-button manual safety. The out-of-the-box trigger pull is just over a pound at 1 lb 2.2 oz. If that's not your cup of tea, be sure to follow the instructions to make adjustments. The trigger has a clean break, making it a more confident shooting experience and less of a guessing game.

You'll notice two air gauges: one is on the belly of the gun or the flat-textured forearm, and the other is at the end of the 200cc air cylinder. The gauge on the forearm is the regulator that regulates the amount of air per shot, creating consistency in velocity, accuracy, and muzzle energy. The set pressure out of the box is 150 bar and is not externally adjustable.

The gauge on the end of the air cylinder is where the shooter can monitor the air pressure of the air cylinder while shooting and filling. The 200cc air cylinder fills to a max fill pressure of 3,625 PSI or 250 Bar.

To keep dust out of the fill port, it has a spring-loaded dust cover.

The straight pull cocking handle is easy to grip and pull for a quick and sure engagement. It locks in the rear position to assist in inserting one of the two eleven-shot rotary magazines in .22 and 9-shot magazines in .25.

Just before the end of the synthetic forearm are three sets of threaded holes to install the three picatinny rails to allow the shooter to attach the desired accessories that best assist them in their shooting goals.

The 18.5-inch free-floating, rifled, and shrouded barrel is equipped with a threaded muzzle to dampen the report with your preferred airgun moderator.

The split picatinny optics rail allows the shooter to mount an optic of their choice. Open sights are not an option on this one.

Setup & Operation

In order to get the Scout to the range and functioning, the shooter must first make some decisions. Do any adjustments need to be made? If so, get your Allen wrenches out and customize the rifle for you by adjusting the LOP, the cheek riser, the grip, and the trigger.

Next, decide what optic you are going to mount and mount it for greater accuracy and performance. Whatever air source you are using, attach the fill probe to it, pull the spring-loaded dust cover away from the air cylinder, and fill the rifle to 250 bar. Bleed the valve and remove the probe.

Then, choose your ammunition and load the magazine with the appropriate shot count for that caliber. Finally pull the cocking handle to the rear position, insert the magazine fully from the left side of the airgun, push the cocking handle to the forward position, take aim, disengage the push button safety, and squeeze the trigger.

Performance & Accuracy

It is important to know your rifle and how it performs before taking it into the field. Here are some results from the test we ran so you can decide whether the Scout XM1 is suitable for your goals and what caliber fits best.

The Stoeger XM1 Scout PCP rifle's cocking handle is easy to grip and gives one smooth movement from front to back locking in place in each direction. The breach is accepting without squabble to the magazine, and the magazine cycles each pellet smoothly without issue. The disengagement of the safety proved to be simple, though for a left-handed shooter, it may not be as convenient. The trigger is smooth, assisting in consistently accurate shots.

The pellets used to test accuracy at 35 yards were the .25 caliber JSB Exact King Heavy MKII 33.95 grain pellets and the AEA Center Punch 33.9 grain dome pellets. The Scout produced a quarter-inch five-shot group with the AEA's and about a half-inch ten-shot group with JSB's. With a full air tank, you can expect to get about fifty shots in .22 and about 35 in .25 caliber.

The Stoeger XM1 Scout air rifle is absolutely sufficient for pests and small game, producing above 40 FPE with the tested ammo. When reviewing the velocity, keep in mind the hammer spring is adjustable, which allows the shooter the option to increase or decrease the power for specific ammo preferences.

JSB Exact King Heavy 33.95 grains pellets results at 35 yards:

• High: 757.8 FPS / 43.3 FPE
• Low: 745.5 FPS / 41.9 FPE
• Average: 752.3 FPS / 42.6 FPE

AEA Center Punch 33.9 grain pellets results at 35 yards:

• High: 751 FPS / 42.45 FPE
• Low: 747 FPS / 42 FPE
• Average: 748 FPS / 42.1 FPE

JTS Dead Center 25.39 results at 35 yards:

• High: 861 FPS / 41.8 FPE
• Low: 854 FPS / 41.1 FPE
• Average: 857 FPS / 41.4 FPE

Summing Up

The Stoeger XM1 Scout is a PCP perfect for multiple applications. Are you an airgun hobbyist who prefers some backyard plinking? Maybe you're the necessary airgunner requiring a tool to remove unwanted pests? You're neither of them. Are you a small game hunter who enjoys rabbit stew or crow pie? Regardless of what kind of airgunner you are, in either caliber .22 or .25 this platform is perfect.

The adjustable length of pull with the removable shims gives the shooter a comfortable shouldering. The height-adjustable cheek riser allows for the perfect cheek weld and field of view through your optic. Then, the interchangeable grip inserts assist in a comfortable trigger placement and pull.

For seated or prone shooters, the accessories rail allows the use of a bipod and, for the necessary pester, the ability to mount lights and lasers. An additional accessory that is suitable for every application to create a backyard-friendly plinker or a quiet hunter is an airgun moderator attached to the threaded muzzle.

The Stoeger XM1 Scout PCP pellet rifle is sleek, affordable, and customizable. It allows the shooter to get comfortable in every aspect with a regulated, all-weather, compact, lightweight, great-performing airgun.