11-Sep-2026
The Air Arms S510 has been the UK’s benchmark sporting PCP for long enough that most shooters have either owned one or borrowed one. What has changed in recent years is the number of versions. Alongside the classic walnut-stocked S510, you will now find the S510 Tactical with its adjustable synthetic chassis, the XS Ultimate Sporter with a laminate thumbhole stock, and the various carbine, rifle, and regulated options that sit underneath each name. Searches for “S510 Tactical” have climbed sharply this month, and listings for all three are moving quickly.
This guide explains what separates the three main versions, who each one is for, and what to check when buying used. Air Arms has revised the S510 more than once, so we describe the models in general terms rather than quoting figures that may not apply to the rifle in front of you.
What all S510s share
Every S510 is a sidelever, multi-shot, pre-charged pneumatic built around the same proven action and the same magazine system. They all take a scope on a standard dovetail; they all have the two-stage adjustable trigger Air Arms is known for, and they all come in .177 and .22. Most current versions are regulated, which keeps velocity consistent across the fill and improves shot count; older guns may be unregulated, and that is the first thing to establish from a listing. The differences between the versions are almost entirely about the stock, the handling, and the intended use.
Browse: Air Arms S510 · Air Arms S410 · Air Arms S400 · All Air Arms air rifles · Air Arms TX200
Air Arms S510 Carbine and Rifle: The classic
The standard S510 in walnut or beech is the version that made the model’s name. The Carbine is the shorter, handier gun and the one most UK shooters choose for hunting; the full-length Rifle gives a longer barrel and a slightly steadier feel for range work. Both have a traditional sporter stock with a right- or left-handed cheekpiece, which is one of the S510’s quiet strengths; Air Arms have always looked after left-handed shooters properly.
This is the version to choose if you want a rifle that looks like a rifle, will be at home on a farm or a club range, and will hold its value best among traditional buyers. The used market for standard S510s is the deepest of the three, which makes it the easiest place to find a well-priced example. Because they are so popular for pest control, many have been used hard, so condition varies more than you might expect for a premium rifle.
Browse: Air Arms S510 · Weihrauch HW100 · BSA R10 · Daystate Huntsman · Air Arms S410
Air Arms S510 Tactical: The adjustable chassis
The S510 Tactical replaces the wooden stock with a folding, fully adjustable synthetic chassis. The length of pull, cheekpiece height, and butt pad can all be set for the individual shooter; there is a pistol grip rather than a sporter wrist, and the forend carries accessory rails for a bipod, torch, or lamp. Folded, it packs into a much shorter bag than the classic rifle, which is why it has found a following with shooters who travel to permissions by car or who shoot from a vehicle or a hide.
The appeal is fit and flexibility. If you have never had a rifle that fits properly, the Tactical’s adjustability can be a revelation, and the rails make mounting night-vision or thermal kit far easier than on a wooden stock. The trade-offs are weight; it is not a light gun once accessorised, and appearance, which some traditional shooters simply do not like. Neither is a fault; they are just reasons the Tactical suits some people and not others.
The Tactical is newer than the standard rifle and therefore rarer used. When one is listed, it is usually well specified and has often been sold as a package with a scope and accessories, so compare what is included rather than just the headline price.
Browse: Air Arms S510 · FX air rifles · Thermal and optics · Torches · Gun parts and accessories
Air Arms S510 XS Ultimate Sporter: The laminate thumbhole
The Ultimate Sporter sits between the other two. It keeps the traditional layout of the classic S510 but in a laminate thumbhole stock with an adjustable cheekpiece and butt pad, so you get most of the fit benefits of the Tactical in a gun that still looks like a sporting rifle. Laminate is also more stable than walnut in wet British weather and shrugs off knocks that would mark a wooden stock.
It is the version that many hunter field target shooters gravitate towards, because the thumbhole and adjustable comb give a consistent head position behind the scope, and it doubles happily as a hunting rifle. It is a little heavier than the classic and a little more expensive, both new and used. If you want the adjustability without the tactical look, it is the obvious answer.
Browse: Air Arms S510 · Air Arms Pro-Sport · Weihrauch HW110 · Daystate Wolverine · BSA R12
Which S510 should you buy?
For walked-up pest control and general use, the classic S510 Carbine remains the sensible default and the easiest to sell on. For a rifle that will spend most of its life on a bipod, wearing a thermal or night-vision scope and shooting from a hide or a vehicle, the Tactical is the better tool. For a shooter who wants a fitted stock for range consistency without giving up the sporting look, the Ultimate Sporter is the one to choose.
Calibre is a separate question. In a regulated PCP at UK power, .177 shoots flatter and is the usual choice for target disciplines; .22 remains popular for pest control at short ranges. Both are widely available in all three versions, so choose the calibre for the job rather than for what happens to be listed first.
Browse: Air Arms S510 · Air Arms S410 · Weihrauch HW100 · BSA R10 · All air rifles for sale
Buying a used S510: What to check
Ask whether the rifle is regulated and whether it has been serviced; Air Arms recommends periodic seal replacement, and a rifle that has never been serviced may be due one. Check the fill gauge holds pressure over a few days, that the magazine indexes cleanly, and that the sidelever cycles smoothly without excessive force. Look at the muzzle crown and the barrel shroud for damage, and make sure the scope rail and any accessory rails are straight.
On the Tactical, work every adjustment and check the folding hinge locks positively. On the Ultimate Sporter, examine the laminate for delamination at the edges. On a walnut classic, check for cracks around the action screws and at the wrist. A rifle sold with its original box, fill probe, and manual has usually been cared for.
Browse: Air Arms S510 · Air Arms air rifles · Moderators · Safes and cabinets · Gun parts and accessories
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Air Arms S510 and S510 Tactical? The action is the same. The Tactical swaps the wooden sporter stock for a folding, fully adjustable synthetic chassis with accessory rails, making it heavier but far more configurable and easier to fit with night-vision or thermal equipment.
Is the S510 Ultimate Sporter worth the extra over the standard S510? If you value an adjustable cheekpiece and a weatherproof laminate stock, yes. If you shoot mostly on the move and are happy with a fixed sporter stock, the standard S510 gives the same performance for less.
Is the Air Arms S510 regulated? Current versions are regulated. Some older S510s are not, so check the listing or ask the seller, particularly on a second-hand rifle.
How much is a second-hand Air Arms S510? It depends heavily on version, age, condition, and what is included. Standard carbines are the most plentiful and usually the most affordable; the Tactical and Ultimate Sporter are newer and tend to command more. Browse current listings to see today’s market rather than relying on quoted figures.
Find your S510 on Rightgun.uk
Rightgun.uk brings together Air Arms S510 listings from private sellers and registered dealers across the UK, so you can compare the classic, Tactical and Ultimate Sporter side by side, see which come with scopes and accessories, and contact the seller directly. Start on the S510 model page and filter by calibre and price.
Further reading: Air Arms S510 review, Air Arms S510 Tactical review, Air Arms S510 vs Weihrauch HW100, Best PCP air rifles in the UK by budget and Air Arms air rifles UK range guide.
