Air Guns

[Krell1]

I really never gave much thought to buying and using an air gun. Do any of you on the forum know things about accuracy and cost? I've never researched much but I do know that some of the better ones are rather high priced. Would it be an economical alternative to plinking with a .22?

Back (way back) when I was a kid we used one (Crosman I think) to shoot ducks in a gallery my uncle built. As a kid it was great fun but the gun didn't work all that well. It was CO2 powered and lost it's pressure rather quickly.

Any thoughts....suggestions.....opinions?

 

[3dots]

There are many good ones out there. I have an old Benjamin pump that is in excellent condition and I shoot it ever now and again. It's .22 cal with a rifled bore, very accurate. It's loud though, sounds like a .22 short.

 

[MORSNO]

I've found to keep noise down, keep the pellet speed down (subsonic) with heavy pellets. If I shoot really lightweight pellets, they fly fast and you hear the crack when it leaves the barrel. A heavy slower pellet is noticably quieter.

 

[litenlarry]

I had a Benjamin pump 22 cal in the early '60's..It was accurate, downside was it took 10 pumps to gain any velocity..
About 2 years ago I bought a Gamo "Big Cat" in .177 cal..
Break barrel cocking, meaning one cock and you are ready to go..I have seen these on sale this past Christmas for right at $100..
Mine is accurate, never really tried anything over 25 yds..

Big Cat® 1200 Air Rifle | Gamo USA

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Ever shoot a squirrel with the big cat?

 

[photobiker]

I also have an older, 1970, Benjamin Sheridan and mine is a 20 cal. I find mine to be very accurate as well. The newer ones might be a little more accurate than mine but it can't be much. I prefer the multiple pump rifles and pistols over the single pump/cock version because I can control the velocity I want based on my needs or wants. I also have a Crosman pump pistol that's fairly accurate for a 6" barrel.

As for a brand I can't help you there. There are so many these days and you can spend pocket change to some big bucks for one. Gamo is a big player these days as well as some others.

 

[Brian41]

I tried to buy a Gamo Whisper from Air Pyramid and learned it was not allowed in Michigan as it's considered suppressed. I guess I need to find another with plain barrel.

 

[Stubborn Dutchman]

I love my Beeman P1 pistol. It shoots .177 pellets at about 600 fps. It's styled after the 1911 and even uses 1911 grip panels. It's not cheap tho at just under $500 these days. Gets lots of good reviews on the net. It is extremely accurate.

 

[litenlarry]

Ever shoot a squirrel with the big cat?

Yes to the Squirrel , dropped like a rock..The statute of limitations on the cat's question hasn't passed ..
I also have a cheapy Crossman pump ( under 30 bucks) BB/.177 pellet rifle that I can control the velocity, for critter's I want to "get their attention" not send them to their maker..
The break barrel Gamo has one heck of a recoil and a loud report..

 

[mojave30cal]

I'm an "Old School" kind of guy. I grew up on the windward
side of the island of Oahu in the 50's and 60's. We had a .22
caliber Benjamin model 312 pump pellet gun that we used to
go hunting with. We mostly hunted doves. We had no problem
with having to pump the rifle for each shot. The rifle was very
accurate and fun to shoot.

I had always wanted to have one or more for a collection, and
about 10 years ago I found one at a local gun show here in
Las Vegas, NV. It was a 1970 Benjamin model 347 in .177 cal.
It was in 98% condition, but needed to be re-sealed. I found a
guy in Oregon, so I sent if off for the work. I got the rifle for
just $45.00.

A couple of years later I had found three more on Gun Broker
that were in at least 98% original condition. All were model
312's, two in .22 cal. and one in a BB caliber. All were made
in the 1960's, and they are all original. I had them all re-sealed,
and they are very accurate.

I haven't seen many original Benjamin air rifles in decent shape
on GB anymore. Most are junk and show much use.

Every time I look at my small collection, it reminds me of the
fun my two brothers and I had hunting with them.

 

[litenlarry]

I'm an "Old School" kind of guy. I grew up on the windward
side of the island of Oahu in the 50's and 60's. We had a .22
caliber Benjamin model 312 pump pellet gun that we used to
go hunting with. We mostly hunted doves. We had no problem
with having to pump the rifle for each shot. The rifle was very
accurate and fun to shoot.

I had always wanted to have one or more for a collection, and
about 10 years ago I found one at a local gun show here in
Las Vegas, NV. It was a 1970 Benjamin model 347 in .177 cal.
It was in 98% condition, but needed to be re-sealed. I found a
guy in Oregon, so I sent if off for the work. I got the rifle for
just $45.00.

A couple of years later I had found three more on Gun Broker
that were in at least 98% original condition. All were model
312's, two in .22 cal. and one in a BB caliber. All were made
in the 1960's, and they are all original. I had them all re-sealed,
and they are very accurate.

I haven't seen many original Benjamin air rifles in decent shape
on GB anymore. Most are junk and show much use.

Every time I look at my small collection, it reminds me of the
fun my two brothers and I had hunting with them.

Very nice collection !
My brother and I shot the bejesus out of our Benjamin..Yes you could shoot it without pumping it again, but at quite a lower velocity..
If memory serves, the pump gasket was leather and required some loving and caring for, and overtime needed replacing..
We never knew what happened to the Benji, I would certainly like to have it now..

 

[ralph7]

Very nice collection !
My brother and I shot the bejesus out of our Benjamin..Yes you could shoot it without pumping it again, but at quite a lower velocity..
If memory serves, the pump gasket was leather and required some loving and caring for, and overtime needed replacing..
We never knew what happened to the Benji, I would certainly like to have it now..

They're not supposed to do that, although a lot of them do.
That means you didn't get the full charge out the first time.

 

[Erno86]

Due to the shortage of 22 rimfire ammo...last year I bought a RWS Diana Model 54 recoiless sidecocker rifle in .177. It's reputed to be the most accurate air rifle under $3,000. I bought it from Pyramyd Air for $675, which includes shipping.

I shoot quality RSB heavy pellets only, which goes around 1100 fps. I like to shoot my metal cowbell target from 25 to 100 yards at our out range --- AGC @ Marriottsville.

 

[Fishinfool]

I have a Webley Tempest air pistol. It is a break barrel single shot in .177 cal. I think they still import them at about $150.00. Very accurate, and fun to shoot. Nice adjustable sights and trigger pull.

I grew up on pump air guns, and always liked them. But, with the break open single shot piston guns, you get consistent velocity, which aids in grouping.

Larry

 

[Raider]

I love my Beeman P1 pistol. It shoots .177 pellets at about 600 fps. It's styled after the 1911 and even uses 1911 grip panels. It's not cheap tho at just under $500 these days. Gets lots of good reviews on the net. It is extremely accurate.

Agreed. The P1 is a fine air pistol. I've had mine for about 20 years.

Charlie

 

[crows]

airguns

Due to the shortage of 22 rimfire ammo...last year I bought a RWS Diana Model 54 recoiless sidecocker rifle in .177. It's reputed to be the most accurate air rifle under $3,000. I bought it from Pyramyd Air for $675, which includes shipping.

I shoot quality RSB heavy pellets only, which goes around 1100 fps. I like to shoot my metal cowbell target from 25 to 100 yards at our out range --- AGC @ Marriottsville.

So what kind of accuracy do you get at say, 25 yards?

 

[litenlarry]

Just a side note..There is a video or site that explains how to gain accuracy with a break barrel rifle.. I can't find it now..
In a nut shell..Don't hold the rifle tight to your shoulder, allow the projectile to exit the barrel, as it has a fair amount of recoil..
I have tried this method and found it to improve my accuracy..
Your shoulder may not agree with you as they have quite a recoil..
The first time I shot my Big Cat, I was surprised at the recoil..

 

[gunnails]

Last year on the Oregon coast a fellow shot a bear cub that was in his neighbors garbage can with a air rifle, the bear died.

Oregon man shoots bear in his backyard, faces animal abuse charge | OregonLive.com

 

[pharmer]

I have an RWS 5G (lower end) .177 air pistol. It's big and heavy, single shot. Before I got married, I had a range set up in my house (pic from '08). Used a nickel to put a bull on a business card. From 7 yds it made one hole, even with me shooting it. Haven't had it out in 5 years, my wife would shoot me with it if'n I was shooting it in this house. Joe

 

[BRush]

I've found that almost all quality air guns and I've owned and shot many quality air guns of each type over the years, are more accurate than I am. Quality air rifles should shoot at least 1/2 inch groups at 25 yds with the best mated pellets, which may differ from gun to gun.

That said, you will find accuracy challenged examples of each model which will require a return for exchange or "sorting" before achieve their full potential.

Otherwise the biggest cause of inaccuracy is the shooters technique. Springers and to a degree pumps require a proper technique which differs from that needed to accurately shoot a cartridge rifle.

Shooting success and comfort are also dictated by the power plant you choose. Generally the springers are the heaviest and entail the most recoil, pumps less so and pcp's the least.

Not to say there are happy proponents for all types and makers, but I for one don't like hauling a 9 t0 10 pound, 46 " air rifle around in the woods. A lighter and shorter Sherdan (now a Benjamin) or another Benjy are preferable size wise but a good pcp, air or co2 bests them all in size, ease of use (repeat shots upon cocking the bolt) and if you choose real world power. Of course you pay more for this luxury.

In any event, I suggest you visit the Pyramid Air site and check out the types and models available and the user feed backs on each. Pyramid carries most all brands and guns except the very hig end and custom makers.