So with the inability to buy ammo and reloading supply's, Has anyone been thinking about getting an air rifle? I have been, just not sure what one I want. I know that I do want one in 22cal and in a break barrel action, at around 1000 fps and not real loud so I can shoot it in my yard without disturbing the neighbors. There are a lot of options and makers to choose from, this might take some time. Any info on models would be greatly appreciated.

I've got a litt'l ole Benjamin Charger..So called "Nitro" piston in .177.

It's the single barrel brake...It's scoped and I like it, for most part...Hind site, I wished I would have got it in the.22..The .177 is hard to load, because the pellets are so small...But it is powerful...And really not as quiet as you'd think...I can shoot a .22, using either sub sonic, or shorts, and they're quieter. But it will do the job just fine on squirrels.


WuzzFuzz


WuzzFuzz

Have not gotten into the rifles yet, but I am enjoying the pistols. The one pictured is a Crosman 2240 with a red dot scope. All in under $100.00 and tons of basement fun, I have had it about 3 weeks and already 600 shots down range in the basement. Bought a 2nd. 2240 for open sight shooting. Made the pellet trap out of a skid and foam from work.Only shooting about 7 yards, but why not.

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Recently I watched a Brit Rat Hunter on YouTube.
He was out at a Dairy Farm at night using an apparently very accurate Air Rifle with a Nightscope.
Somebody had a bunch of dead rats to remove!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Several years ago, I purchased the RWS 350 magnum Diana grade in .177 caliber. I have a scope on it and even though it's only a .177 caliber, it has done the trick on crows, rats, and other varmints. The projectile is traveling around 1250 fps. I think if I had it to do over again, I'd probably go for the .22 caliber, but for right now, the .177 seems to be okay for what I need. It's German made and extremely accurate.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

I've had a boat load of different air (pellet) rifles over the years. From the ol' el-cheapos, to high dollar ($800-$1000). .177, .20, and .22. No PCP's, all beak-barrel's an/or under lever, or. side cockers. Since I do more target shooting with air rifles then I do hunting with them, I currently have a .177. I've killed plenty of small varmints and pests with a .177 since I was a kid. My current .177 air rifle is an Air Arms Pro Sport with a walnut stock. A beautiful work of art. All hand built and factory tuned in England. A bit on the heavy side, but, man can it shoot! Topped it off with a Weaver V16 Classic AO scope. Check out Pyramydair (Shop Air Guns and Accessories | Pyramyd Air). They usually have a good selection of air rifles/pistols/pellets/accessories.

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

If you can qualify these are great airguns and very accurate. I bought one about 15 years ago at the North Store. Works like new and shoot it fairly often. The neighbors have never complained.

Sporter Air Rifles - Civilian Marksmanship Program


DAISY M853 .177 CAL. (PNEUMATIC) USED AIR RIFLE
The CMP is selling reconditioned Daisy 853 Sporter Air Rifles to promote the development of more new junior shooters. This program can be especially important to new junior programs and summer camps that are seeking to acquire target air rifles suitable for marksmanship at an affordable price. For more information, or to find out if your program is eligible to purchase rifles through this promotional program, please contact Tommy Whitten, [email protected] or 419-635-2141 ext. 713.

ITEM #
DESCRIPTION
PRICE
Daisy M853 USED
Used Daisy 853 with seals replaced and Chronographed to meet factory velocity requirements.

Includes: Front and Rear Sights, Sling and Buttplate Spacer

Regular Stock or Monte Carlo Stock

The used Daisy 853 Sporter Air Rifle is not eligible for the delayed payment program.

Shipped by CMP

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I researched air rifles quite a bit a few years ago when I was ready to make a purchase and here's what I learned. First the velocity they advertise is with an extremely lightweight pellet, a normal lead target/hunting pellet would be about 30% slower. Also .22 pellets are much easier to handle and load since they're much larger, I've probably dropped more .177 pellets on the ground than I've ever shot. Most of the air rifles under $180 can't really be worked on if they have problem, they are throw-away-guns. I bought an RWS M34, a design that has been around many decades and shoots a .22 pellet at about 770 fps and is very accurate and has a great trigger. The only negative with break barrel guns is with shooting a scope, sometime the hinge will loosen and the barrel will droop throwing throwing off the elevation of the hit slightly.

I am shooting paper with mine as will most people. If it is going 600 fps or 850 fps does not matter to the paper. For the money these are accurate pieces. If you want pinpoint accuracy then open the wallet wide and shell out quite a few more bucks. These can be repaired, CMP has already replaced the seals(after all they are used guns). For the money they are good and the funds go to the shooting sports.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I have a FWB 124D in .177, I bought ANIB in 2008 (still had the hang tag attached). Had it rebuilt by a very respected builder (Charlie da Tuna), since the leather seals had long since rotted away. It is a left hand stock, but Bob (CdT), said NBD, just ignore the Monte Carlo on the wrong side and shoot it like a sporter. Got to shoot it about 10 times then took a fall that shattered my right shoulder. Got my kid to cock it for me, ran some lightly oiled cleaning patches through it and into the safe it went. Our new house has a 35' basement and I was going to set up a range. 'Make plans, God laughs'.

My Marlin Mountie shooting shorts is much quieter than the FWB (It is advertised as a 'Magnum'), and certainly has a crack.

Sadly, not many are interested in high end airguns, but prefer stuff like Gamo's and the like at Wally World, the throw aways.

Rob

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Strange days have found us

Air Rifles! Did you know that the Lewis & Clark Expedition carried .50 cal repeating air rifles way back then? They were made in Italy. Apparently some European armies carried them. Quite a story. According to the story they could bring down a buffalo. I've considered one too. Like you I haven't made up my mind.

Knew that. Also they still make large caliber air rifles. A friend has three that are filled from a scuba tank. A .22 Cal., a 9 MM and a .50 Cal.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Remember I told the tale about the Tow Truck Driver down in S Miss bringing down the rampaging Bison.
He used what he had.
It was a 22 Hornet.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Capstick writes about a South African Farmer that killed an elephant with a .22 LR.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I had a .177 break gun and a .20 caliber, also. They aren't quiet, just quieter compared to a .22 lr. i shot a squirrel with the .177 at close range, right behind the ear and he fell in his tracks. But as a pest rifle, it required a very precise range estimation. They will ruin a scope as well.

i enjoy watching those in England shoot paper and pests, though. (even air guns are restricted to FPS0. And like to see videos of shooting paper. I'm fascinated by them to an extent, but I'd rather see them than invest money in buying another.

I have my old Crosman 400 10 shot .22 repeater from when I was a kid that must have thousands of rounds through it. I bought a Crosman target pistol a few years back to shoot in the basement, but even that low noise bothered
the dogs.

If there is a run on airguns, will the cost of air skyrocket and we all suffocate? Willyboy

That is possible, especially if the government gets involved!

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Read that in a book. To see some from that era and the 1800s visit the Post Museum at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Va. Great collection of firearms there!!!

I've used an air rifle to practice my off hand position for NM high power match shooting for years. I've used an international match El Gamo (wore it out) in 17 caliber that was very accurate, but I'm now using a 17 Caliber RWS with aperture rear sight. For vermin, I use a .20 caliber RWS side cocker with an aperture sight. Both rifles give one the feel of a high power rifle (and cost about the same).

If you scope it, make sure the scope is capable of spring-piston-air-gun recoil.

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Keep your powder dry.

I have a 124D my father bought me new in the 70's. It was a magnum in it's day, but is pretty much a low to medium velocity rifle now compared to newer rifles. It's a great little rifle to shoot around the house. Plenty of power for most pests, but lighter and much quieter than most of the modern magnums. I have a number of more powerful German airguns, but the Finewerkbau remains my favorite.

I currently use a Remington break barrel in .22 to control our iguana population. I generally aim for the head to dispatch them "humanly" and miss a lot as a result. I'd love to find a semi-automatic rifle that would allow me a couple shots before they escape. But I don't think CO2 has the power, and PCP seems a pain to deal with high pressure air tanks/pumps. Any thoughts?

You got a much hotter than normal one if you're getting 770 fps with a lead pellet. My 22 caliber 34 chonographs about mid 600's to mid 500's with various weight lead pellets which seems to be about the normal range for them.

I keep a Gammo(1000fps) at the lake house to shoot as to not disturb the neighbors. Had worked for years. Recently purchased a fun toy. The Crosman/DPMS SBR. It's a CO2 powered bb gun built like a short M4. It has semi AND full auto capacity. Clip hold 25 BBs and 2 CO2 cartridges. FUN FUN. Full auto is 1400 rds per minute. Ditched the flimsy sights and mounted a red dot on mine. This looks and feels(weight) like a real SBR M4.

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S&W Accumulator

I have a Brocock, Compato PCP air rifle. .22 cal. It has a shrouded barrel and what they call a moderator on it. I charge it with a scuba tank. The only noise it makes is the sound of the trigger release. This was not an inexpensive air rifle, but it has killed hundreds of squirrels and rabbits as well as 3 ground hogs and 3 racoons, and I can shoot it safely and quietly from my back yard deck.

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I have a cheap .177 pellet pistol That I really enjoy. I throw cans out in my back yard and drink wine and shoot cans. I have a cheap red dot on it and it’s pretty accurate. The only drawback is you have to pump it up and that’s tough on the arthritis. For that reason I’m thinking about a co2 pistol or rifle.

I sighted my Weihrauch HW35E in with peep sights and shot it in the backyard a little bit since the ammo crisis began. I also occasionally get out my Feinwerkbau 300S again and practice at 10 m, at one time I had five of those but have given all but one away to friends and family.

Once in a while the Feinwerkbau and Walther LP53 are also shot.

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FFL08

I too, have a Wiehrauch rifle sitting in my gun room. However, it is a .22 LR. Very good target rifle.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I have weihrauch 95 lux and air arms tx200 in 22 cal.They shoot well with jsb and h&n pellets.They get heavy really fast so i mostly shoot off bags.They get a lot of what a 22lr will do done with less noise.For pest they are hard to beat and ammo savings will pay for the gun in a few years.The hw 95 is a hw97 or hw77 in break barrel form.

About 25 years ago I followed the impulse and purchased one of the Chinese training air rifles, .177 caliber, break-barrel, single-shot. About $29 at the time.

Quite accurate at modest range. Capable of killing pigeons cleanly with one shot. Great for discouraging feral cats from coming in our yard and mixing it up with wife's cats. Proved inadequate to dispatch rattlesnakes, even at very short range (garden shovel time). I felt quite safe using it in the yard with a 6-foot cedar privacy fence.

I have also used the older Benjamin and Sheridan pump rifles, which are capable of more power but also cause more noise. Compressed gases driving a projectile and escaping from the muzzle will always cause a pop or crack sound.

Other than the kid toy guns, air rifles are surprisingly loud. Generally comparable to a .22 rifle using shorts, and IMO louder than CB caps.

Anybody having success in noise reduction using a suppressor or "moderator" in airgun lingo? How about the Gamo "whisper" technology, the integrated moderator/barrel?

I'd like a PCP, as they see to be the quietest, most powerful, and highly accurate, but no way I am gonna bicycle pump the thing up, the air compressors are pretty pricey, and the scuba or SCBA tanks are not only expensive, but seem kinda complicated.

Currently I'm messin' around with a Crosman 1377, a variable power pump pistol that is darn near infinitely customizable, including adding a carbine stock, longer or more accurate (Lothar Walther) barrels, etc., etc. Base model goes for about $60 or so. It's a classic, and a bargain.

Believe it or not, even pellets are selling out in a lot of stores. I recently decided I wanted a 22 air rifle and after I bought it, started looking for pellets. Lots of stores are out of them also.

Rosewood

I have a Benjamin Marauder PCP in .25 cal and they are indeed quiet and powerful. I have a small 4500 psi tank (not cheap as you stated) and get it filled at a paint ball park for $5. It will last quite awhile. I've had several different air rifles and pistols but sold all but my RWS Diana 34 in .22 cal. and the PCP. Both are very accurate and the PCP is powerful enough to take game as large as coyotes.

You might be interested in a show playing today on the Sportsman’s Channel on direct tv at 1:00pm. The show is ‘American Airgunner’
It’s about that very thing, shooting iguanas in south Florida.

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“Look life in its iron face”

I bought a Benjamin Marauder (PCP) a couple of years ago. Built in baffle/suppressor system in the barrel shroud so it's very quiet. Rifle itself is very accurate. Fully adjustable trigger, and a joy to shoot. If you miss, or shoot poorly, it's on you, not the rifle.

Mine shoots the Crosman Premier light (7.9 gr) pellets best, which is great because they're not expensive.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Yes *I* do.

Go with PCP.

My Dad has a place in Key Largo and one thing there is no shortage of is dive shops, used tanks, and filling places. Why would you even need a pump?

Rob

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Strange days have found us

Marauder is a great gun, and I like mine, but requires peripheral source of air. I have an RWS 460 in .22 that is an underlever springer and I like it a lot. If you can live with the power limitations of CO2, guns like the Crosman 2240 (about 450 fps) and the Sheridan 160 or QB78 (or whatever the current version available is of this .22 CO2 singleshot design) (about 550-580 fos) are very good shooters.

Sounds like a good set up. If you don't mind, I've a few questions:

Looking it up, I think the Marauder is fully charged at 3000 PSI. So, if you have a 4500 PSI tank, how does this work?

I mean, do you shoot the rifle until it is down from 3000 PSI to, say, 2000 PSI, and then use the tank to raise it back up to 3000?

Can you use the 4500 PSI tank until empty, or does it stop charging the 3000 PSI reservoir when it drops below a certain PSI level?

Do you find the tank easy to use? Are there gauges on both the refill tank and the rifle reservoir so as to keep track?

How many shots do you get per fully charged rifle reservoir?

Can the rifle be stored fully charged?

Also, I've read that airguns are hard on scopes. Is that just for springers or does it apply to PCPs as well?

I have heard the same thing. It has something to do with the recoil of the rifle. Scopes are built to withstand recoil pushing rearward in a rimfire or a centerfire. Airguns is the opposite.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Just springers, particularly the high-power springers. Not so with PCP's. The air piston in springers recoil both forward and rearward. Most of your better centerfire scopes will handle the recoil of springer air rifles. Or, you need to get a scope that is rated for use on springer air rifles.

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

Get a Crosman 2240.
Accurate, cheap, and powerful enough for beer can penetration across the yard.

I do have an RWS break barrel that I won at a Friends of NRA dinner a few years ago. Only shot 3 rounds out of it so far, just to zero the scope. I do have and shoot a lot, a IZH46m .177 air pistol. It is a single stroke pneumatic, and superbly accurate. I did shoot in a Postal League for several years, and still use it in my basement 10 meter range for practice for bullseye shooting.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

For whatever reason I was sent the Sig 2021 catalog via e-mail today. As I looked through it a break barrel air rifle caught my eye. Looked nice with a wood stock.
I have an old Gammo and Beeman nothing to brag about, but effective pest control.

I had to go back for my uncle's estate at Thanksgiving. While dropping of books at a Salvation Army, I saw one of the green beasties. Easily 4' with body and tail. Creepy, LOL. They just were not a THING 25yrs ago.

Recently saw a YouTuber that hunts pythons, and 'exterminates' the iguanas for people who are sick of them. Guy bagged like 2 dozen in an afternoon with his PCP rifle, and there were more of them than he had the remaining time to handle.

Thanks. Didn't know about that show or even that channel before. Looks like it repeats on Thursday, DVR set.

Kiesler's Wholesale had Norinco AK trainers for $39 shipped before the turn of the century and I had bought two. They are a little crude but solid and quite accurate.

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FFL08

OK, here's my set up:


Here's my tank with the 2 gauges, fill valve (Black handle on top) and bleed valve (silver knob on side) and the fill hose.


This is the tank gauge, fill till it shows 4500 psi


This is the gauge to tell how much is in the rifle, open the black handle and 'slowly' fill until it shows 3000psi in rifle. Then close it tight and open the bleed valve to empty the hose. This is important because you don't want to remove the hose from the rifle with 3000psi in it. Something you'll only do once!


This is the hose connector that you attach to the rifle to fill it.


I have done a LOT of tweaking to my rifle and it is easy to do. There are a lot things to make it shoot better, such as installing a lighter hammer, an anti-bounce spring set, larger transfer tube, etc. All these mods are simple and fairly cheap. Right out of the box I filled to 3000psi and got 25 shots down to 2000psi. After changing the stock hammer with a lighter one and a few other little mods I average 38 shots from 3000/2000 . You can still shoot below 2000 with a lot of power but I refill at that point. My little tank will give me about 10 fills at those ranges. I usually get a refill when the tank gets to 2000.
I do store my rifle fully charged, never had a problem doing it.

I ran out of space in that post. There is no problem with scopes on a PCP as there is very little recoil. Springers need scopes made specifically for them as there is a forward recoil when the piston slams forward and then a reverse recoil when the pellet leaves the barrel. Here is the web site I bought my rifle and tank from. Air Tanks For Sale Discounts for PCP (Pre-Compressed-Pneumatic) Air Gun by AirTanksForSale
Lot's of good info there. I did buy Joe's 'anti de-bounce device but didn't like it and went with the Wicked Air Rifles TSS device instead. I think they changed their name since then.

Thanks for the info, Nodpete. Good stuff to know!