I am interested in buying a .22 pellet rifle, I need to choose between break barrel and pump. I'm looking at a pump Benjamin and a break barrel Ruger or Gammo would consider others not "techy looking" ones though. I definitely want open sights although some include a scope. It will be used for the Grankids plinking and for me to get rid of some pesky birds maybe a squirrel or two. I live in a rural area so noise is not a problem.
Any and all suggestons/comments welcome!
Thanks
Steve W

Pumping up a gun at least 3 times can get old quick and that's all you need for kids. Make sure you don't store the gun pumped, it may ruin the seals.They don't need 10 pumps to shoot casually. I prefer the break open rifles.
The chipmunk gun I had was broken open with a pellet in the bbl. When I saw one, I would close the bbl and shoot at it. This was on the back porch where I used to smoke and would watch for them, the gun was on the table that I used to read while smoking. Good luck and have fun with the kids, Larry


I would have a scope on it so the kids hit what they are shooting at. This way they stay enthusiastic with shooting guns.

I highly recommend a break barrel rifle over the multi-pumps. Having owned several makes and models of both, the break barrels just keep shooting and shooting with just an occasional drop of oil at specific points. One caveat, with a spring powered break barrel, the cannot be fired without a pellet! Severe damage to the piston and spring will result as the air in the chamber is the only cushion between the piston and end of the air chamber.

The new Crosman Optimus .22 break barrel with 4x32 scope is around $110 from Pyramid Air and gets good reviews for an entry level, traditional looking .22 pellet rifle.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

The Ruger is a Chinese copy of the Diana (RWS) model 34. The German made 34 is available for not much more money. Benjamin pumpers have spotty quality control these days.

R.W.S. model #48 side cocker it is awesome. watch some youtube videos.

I have a 30 year old RWS Model 36 1200 1200 fps .177 cal and a 25 year old RWS Model 24, 625 fps .177 cal. Both rifles are out of production, but the RWS Model 34 is similar to the 36.
You can't beat RWS/FWB or Weihrauch for quality in the $250 to $650 range.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

I second the break barrel. A .177 caliber may be easier for a small person to cock. And it's all you need for plinking & small pests. About any Crosman/Benjamin or Daisy break barrel in .22 or .177 that fits your budget is a good place to start. The world of Airgun's is growing rapidly at the moment.


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I've shown these Benjamin pellet rifles before. I'm old school
and like the vintage Benjamin pump pellet rifles. The top
one is a 347 from 1970 in .177 cal. There are two 312's in
.22 cal. and one 310 in BB cal. The last three are from the
1960's. All are original, in excellent shape, accurate, and have
been resealed a number of years ago. Got the ones from the
1960's off of gun Broker 10+ years ago, and the 347 at a local
gun show here in Las Vegas, NV. We used a 312 as kids to
shoot doves back in Hawaii in the 1960's.

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When I was younger, I had a Crosman pump up that had a max of 10 pumps in .22 cal. My friends Dad bought him a Sheridan in 5mm with a max of 8 pumps. His hit way harder then mine did. If I lived more rural, I would have the Sheridan for the kritters around the house with a scope on it.


Actually, the RWS and the FWB are very accurate shooters for kids if you can afford one. They are easy to replace seals if needed in the future.

I've been an avid airguns enthusiast for 40+ years. This WAY to complex a subject to cover here but I'll pass on a few thoughts:
First, shop at Pyramid Air (and don't forget the ever present 10% off coupon). Read the reviews in detail, compare the specs, see what pellets they like, have realistic expectations of what the rifle can/can't do. (Realize that most of these guns have inflated ratings for power/velocity obtained with useless ultra light pellets.)
Second, I'd stick with the better names: Crossman, Benjamin, if you have a bit more $ to spend, RWS, FWB,H&W... etc. These tend to have better consistency in operations and manufacturing quality than that the off /cheaper brands (including many of the Gamo's). Often, aftermarket trigger upgrades/kits can be had for these common brands if you ever want to upgrade.
Third, go with a break barrel of moderate power and don't look back. It will be MUCH less tiring to cock and more accurate due to consistent velocities. One with a gas piston is a good choice as it will have a smoother firing cycle among other benifits.

All that said, here is what I would recommend for an inexpensive but decently performing starter rifle these days.

Benjamin Trail NP2 Air Rifle, Black. Air rifles - PyramydAir.com
Benjamin Trail NP2 Air Rifle, Scope, Wood Stock. Air rifles

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Dave

The 48 is a bear for anything other than a grown man. I had a 52 (48 with Monte Carlo stock). Have to really be careful to block the cocking lever with an elbow while loading a pellet. They've been known to amputate thumbs!

I'd somewhat agree. Great quality rifles but the power on the RWS 48's and 52's drive them to be the size and weight of an M1 Garrand. This can take some of the joy out of the field experience for even a grown man (and makes them overkill for teaching younger shooters.) They are awesome vermin killing machines if that is what you need though.

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Dave

Excellent advice. I've purchased from Pyramid Air several times with excellent service. I also agree on the two rifles, in fact I'm going to get one myself because my RWS 36 is .22 LR loud and I can never shoot it in my neighborhood.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

I have owned many and now only one........RWS Diana 34
Awesome rifle, top quality and deadly accurate!

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Regards
Paul

I have owned many pellet guns and did a lot of research and recently bought a RWS M34 with synthetic stock in .22 caliber. I think it was about $190 from Manventure outpost and it is a very high quality rifle with a great trigger. I put a Hawke 4x air rifle scope with adjustable objective and am very happy with it and scope and mount were under $100. The mil dots are nice since the pellets really drop after 50 yards.

I'm on my 2nd Gamo, I gave the 1st one to my nephew. My .22 Whisper Fusion is great for plinking and pest control.

It's funny, when I shoot it around my dog, he gets crazy excited looking for raining dead squirrels!

I have a Bejamin 310 given to me for my 12th birthday, so I've owned it for 52 years ! Send back for new seals about 1990. I'll probably go to Hell for the number of birds taken with that gun, but still shoots great and keeps the squirrels (tree rats) from taking over my yard Most of the finish has worn off so the brass patina has a pleasant "vintage" eye appeal. Long live the older Tootsie roll guns.

The NPs should be notably quieter than the 34. Especially if you shoot slower/heavier pellets. Still, it's not truly silenced so expectations should be tempered.
The new NP's have an upgraded trigger but you can get a "Charlie the tuna" upgrade for the older versions.

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Dave

My older brother is big into the air rifles, he's taken a lot of pests with a break barrel. He's upgraded to a Benjamin cannister rifle now with a suppressor.
Those are definitely several levels above a pump action.

Thanks to all who replied! Lots of material to review, not ready to make the decision just yet.
Steve W

cant stand break action/ spring piston guns. the piston moves forward kinda giving a reverse "recoil" effect and that ****** little unpleasant "duuuunh" sound. i have a older RWS DIANA that i rarely ever use.

vastly prefer C02 guns. especially the older benjamin .22 and .177 pistols. the quality has nosedived on those though.

i have a benjamin 392 and also the discontinued 392AS which uses the large paintball C02 canisters.

Airguns. You can't own just one.


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My son bought a Gamo Whisper to start each of his three boys shooting before moving them to firearms. They've used it to very neatly dispatch several good-sized groundhogs. Packs a considerable wallop.

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Oh well, what the hell.

You got that right! I have two, both 177 FWBs that I bought used. Both are a lot more accurate than I can hold or see, but they make for great indoor practice. When I was playing with backstops for the rifle, it shot through 8 thicknesses of corrugated cardboard, so I don't shoot it at anything i don't want to hurt.

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I have co2 guns that I like as well. But they are mostly useless in winter.


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