Gun Trade Insider (GTI): In a nutshell, what is The RAT Works, what services do you specialise in and which brands do you partner with?
Phil Crampton (PC): There are five of us, all airgun enthusiasts with varied skills and backgrounds, coming together to improve airgun performance. Ultimately, all performance is driven by mechanics, altering those mechanics can really enhance a rifle’s performance.
To keep ourselves impartial we aren’t partnered with anyone; our customers identify what they need and we recommend from there. We do work closely with/ on several major brands supplying new tuned rifles and work on a wide range: the complete Air Arms range of rifles, BSA PCPs and Weihrauchs PCP and springer ranges, as well as target rifles and several other brands. Each rifle requires a tailored approach to tuning and setup.
GTI: What inspired you to set up the company back in 2012?
PC: Since the beginning, solving problems and developing new things has been the driving force. Over the years it has grown into several different areas, more than I could have imagined and got us into the boardrooms of the biggest companies in the industry. Along the way I have made some great friends, who I am lucky enough to work with every day. Enjoying work has been a major part of our success. The levels of service given by any company in this small niche must be good, otherwise you don’t survive, and we’re still here 15+ years on. For that, I have my team to thank.
GTI: What was your background in airgunning and the airgun retail industry prior to 2012?
PC: Absolutely zero. Before launching the business, I was learning everything I could over five years or so, starting when I was still at school, pouring over diagrams, manuals, YouTube, testing things myself and eventually modifying my own rifles. I was asked to repair a friend’s air rifle, I made some modifications to increase his shot count while I had it, he then told his friend and The RAT Works grew from there.
At the time, I was talking to Simon “Tench” Howarth, designer of the Tench Regulator, and John Bowkett, the BSA designer, as they were both offering different services at the time for rifles I had. Being 16/17 years old at the time they both saw my fascination with tuning.
After talking with John about my R10 when I collected it from him after his blueprint, we keep in touch and recommend work reciprocally.
GTI: What were the early years like at The RAT Works, how has the company evolved in that time and what were some of the quick wins you achieved/ valuable lessons you learned?
PC: Very hands-on with many long hours as I was still working my “normal” job. And plenty of learning. To be honest there still is, I never think I know everything, far from it. That is probably my most valuable lesson: humility. The biggest win is by far having all of us here working as a team, we all have different roles, The RAT Works undoubtedly wouldn’t be what it is without all of us. I am a big believer in finding people who do a better job than you can yourself and working with them.
GTI: What approach do you adopt when dealing with major external challenges to your business?
PC: Flexibility and diversity. Like most small businesses the ability to adapt is where we win. We set up a parts website through our sister company Apex Airguns supplying various tuning and custom parts, so people who do want to modify their rifles can, at a reduced cost, with 100% backup and advice if they need it, with hundreds more products to come in 2026.
Diversification has also meant we have partnered with LP Gunstocks, based in Poland. Lukasz has added his CAD/ CAM and full CNC manufacturing to our repertoire, and we are supporting him with his stocks in the UK and global sales.
GTI: Naturally there will be some occasions where you can’t tune or customise an air rifle given its limitations - that said, have you ever had a customer request that was a real challenge/ was the talk of the workshop?
PC: We’ve had plenty of those. Anything can be done, but it’s not economically viable in some instances. For example, the Air Arms S510 carbine, a compact, lightweight hunting rifle, ideal for pest control walking the farm. Not the ideal tool for plinking as it has a small air capacity. Asking for 200+ shots from it, defeats the purpose of what the rifle is designed for. Having some idea what you need from the rifle is the first step of tuning, you’re already tuning your rifle when you make an informed choice.
We do like to get into custom projects when time allows, usually for our own personal rifles, those jobs often become the talk of the workshop and that is where some of our best ideas have come from.
GTI: What is the single most valuable business lesson you’ve learned since starting The RAT Works that you would share with those just starting out in the trade?
PC: I am very aware of the privileged position we are in working in the hobby market. Reputation is built on consistency and trust is earnt, one customer at a time. Delivering the best you can is what keeps people coming back and recommending you to others.
Mistakes happen, despite all the testing and checking we do. It’s how they’re rectified that really matters especially to a hobbyist, and that’s we stand by what we do 100%, because we’re air gunners first. I suppose that’s the biggest thing to remember.
GTI: What emerging trends do you see in the airgunning world and how is The RAT Works adapting?
PC: Digital night-vision/thermal developments and the LRF technology has really pushed what airguns can achieve. The use of slugs at FAC and sub-12ft/lb has gained popularity, certainly in .177 for sub-12ft/lb and we have learnt a lot. We have had some fantastic results with both these latest trends, making the rifles an overall better tool for what customers want.
There has certainly been a shift in the customer base. Shotgunners have taken up airguns due to the rising cartridge prices and we’re seeing a big rise in precision bench shooting customers. I think the ease of access to every age group and ability is a great draw to that discipline. No thanks to Matthew Gleaves BEM and Air Ability of course, proving that if you put the time in and are passionate you can get anywhere.