The Good, the Bad & the Real of the Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit
As someone who’s spent over a decade putting gear through its paces in environments ranging from dusty workshops to sterile labs and the wide-open outdoors, I’m always on the lookout for those small, essential accessories that can make a big difference. The Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit falls squarely into that category. It’s a simple, unassuming product designed to keep a specific air pistol fed and ready. My need for this kit arose from a common frustration: running out of ammunition mid-session and having to interrupt the flow to reload individual pellets. It’s a small inconvenience, but one that can break concentration, especially during target practice.
Upon receiving the kit, my first impression was one of pragmatic utility. The clips are constructed from a black, seemingly durable plastic, feeling solid enough for their intended purpose. There’s no complex design here; it’s a straightforward rotary clip meant to hold pellets. Compared to trying to find aftermarket solutions or dealing with flimsy, easily damaged universal clips, this felt like a sensible, purpose-built item. My immediate reaction was a quiet sense of satisfaction, a feeling that a minor annoyance had been addressed with a readily available, straightforward solution.
Real-World Testing: Putting Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit to the Test
First Use Experience
My testing grounds for these spare clips were primarily my backyard range and a local indoor airgun club. The goal was to simulate rapid-fire scenarios where swapping clips is far more efficient than individual pellet loading. I tested them in conditions ranging from bright sun to a slightly overcast evening, with ambient temperatures varying around 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit. The clips performed as expected, allowing for quick reloads of the Vigilante revolver, keeping the shooting session fluid.
The ease of use was immediately apparent. There was no learning curve; you simply load the pellets and insert the clip into the revolver. Any initial surprises were minor – the slight tactile click as the clip seated felt reassuring. The biggest win was the sheer convenience; being able to pre-load multiple clips meant significantly less downtime between shots.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of regular use, spanning perhaps 20 or more reloading cycles per clip, these spare pellet clips have held up remarkably well. I’ve carried them in a pouch, tossed them into range bags, and even accidentally dropped one on a concrete floor. Thankfully, there are no visible cracks or structural damage, and they continue to function flawlessly.
Durability seems to be a strong suit for this simple accessory. I haven’t noticed any degradation in performance; the pellets still seat snugly and are reliably fed into the revolver’s mechanism. Maintenance is practically non-existent – a quick wipe with a dry cloth if they get dusty is all that’s ever needed. Compared to some generic pellet holders I’ve used in the past that could become loose or warp, these specifically designed clips offer a much more reliable experience.
Breaking Down the Features of Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit
Specifications
The Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit comes with three individual rotary clips, each designed to hold ten .177 caliber pellets. This rotary magazine design is a key feature for rapid reloading. The clips are manufactured by Crosman and come in a standard black color.
The ten-pellet capacity is perfectly matched to the Vigilante’s cylinder size, meaning each clip provides a full cylinder’s worth of shots. This specification is crucial because it minimizes the need for frequent reloads during a shooting session, a significant advantage for maintaining focus and rhythm. The use of .177 caliber ensures compatibility with the intended air pistol.
Performance & Functionality
In terms of its primary function – reliably holding and feeding pellets – the Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit performs exceptionally well. Each clip reliably holds its ten pellets, and the indexing mechanism within the Vigilante revolver engages with the clip flawlessly, presenting each pellet for firing without issue. There have been zero instances of pellets jamming or misfeeding when using these specific clips.
The main strength is undoubtedly the convenience they offer for sustained shooting. The ability to have multiple loaded clips ready means you can quickly swap them out and get back to shooting. A minor weakness, if one can even call it that, is that the clips themselves don’t offer any protection from the elements when not in the revolver; however, this is inherent to the design and not a flaw of the clips themselves.
Design & Ergonomics
The design of these clips is dictated by their function: to be a simple, reliable part of the Crosman Vigilante’s feeding system. The black plastic construction is utilitarian and feels robust enough for repeated insertion and removal. The overall feel is smooth, with no sharp edges or protrusions that could snag on clothing or skin.
Ergonomically, they are designed to fit perfectly into the Vigilante revolver. There’s no fuss, no wiggle room; they slot in and out with a satisfying, precise feel. The rotary nature means the pellets are presented in sequence, which is a well-executed design choice for this type of air pistol.
Durability & Maintenance
These spare clips are designed for longevity within their intended use case – being loaded and unloaded, and then used in an air pistol. For a set of three clips that cost less than a cup of coffee, they offer excellent durability. I’ve already mentioned surviving a drop on concrete without issue, which speaks volumes about the polypropylene or similar durable plastic used.
Maintenance is virtually zero. There are no moving parts beyond the pellet seating mechanism that interacts with the pistol, so there’s nothing to clean or lubricate. The only potential failure point I can foresee over extreme, prolonged use might be a slight weakening of the internal indexing spring, but given their affordable price, replacement would be a trivial matter.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit itself is the accessory, providing you with three spare clips. There are no other included accessories, nor are there direct customization options for the clips themselves. Their purpose is singular: to hold and feed .177 caliber pellets into the Crosman Vigilante revolver.
However, the implied accessory is a suitable pouch or case to carry these spare clips when not in use, to keep them clean and readily accessible. Many aftermarket airgun accessory pouches would be perfectly suitable for this task.
Pros and Cons of Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit
Pros
- Includes three spare clips: Provides ample capacity for extended shooting sessions.
- Reliable pellet feeding: Each clip consistently delivers pellets to the revolver.
- Durable construction: Made from robust plastic that withstands regular use and minor impacts.
- Perfect fit for Crosman Vigilante: Designed specifically for seamless integration with the pistol.
- Affordable price point: Excellent value for money, allowing easy replacement or expansion of your kit.
Cons
- Limited capacity per clip: Ten pellets per clip, while standard, means you still need multiple reloads for very long sessions.
- No built-in protection: Clips offer no inherent protection when stored outside the revolver.
Who Should Buy Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit?
This spare pellet clip kit is an absolute must-have for anyone who owns the Crosman Vigilante air revolver and enjoys shooting it for more than just a few minutes at a time. It’s ideal for recreational shooters, target practice enthusiasts, and even those who use the Vigilante for pest control in appropriate areas. If you find yourself frequently interrupting your shooting to reload pellets individually, this kit will significantly enhance your experience.
Anyone who only shoots a handful of pellets at a time, or who doesn’t mind the deliberate pace of individual pellet loading, might not find this kit essential. However, given its low cost, it’s hard to argue against having them on hand. For optimal use, I’d recommend pairing these with a small, padded pouch or a specialized airgun accessory case to keep the loaded clips clean and protected when not in the revolver.
Conclusion on Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit
The Crosman Vigilante Spare Pellet Clip Kit is a no-brainer accessory for any owner of the Crosman Vigilante air pistol. It delivers exactly what it promises: reliable, convenient spare magazines that keep you shooting. The build quality is surprisingly robust for the price, and the performance is flawless, ensuring that reloading interruptions are minimized.
For a price that barely registers on the budget of most shooting hobbies, you get a significant quality-of-life improvement for your time spent with the Vigilante. I wholeheartedly recommend this kit to anyone looking to maximize their shooting enjoyment and minimize downtime. It’s a small investment that pays dividends in sustained fun and efficiency at the range.