Looking for a decent pellet gun/air rifle?

[Vegetaman]

I used to have an old Crossman .177 pellet/bb gun (I guess they call them air rifles?) that would let you go up to like 10 hand pumps per shot. Used it a lot as a kid and was really my first actual gun, and it was older when I got it. Well its a long story but I don't have that anymore (haven't had it since high school, actually), and was thinking about getting another one just for doing some light plinking with and figured you guys would be good for suggestions. Are Crossman's still decent? Other brands that are good? I would like one that is fairly sturdy (plastic doesn't bother me as long as it doesn't feel and work like junk that falls apart) and that allows me to pump it up several times to achieve decent distance shots. Suggestions?

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have a Gamo. Shadow mdl. I think. I keep it at my lake house to shoot in the back yard. Its held up well for me.

 

[pharmer]

I like the RWS 34 out of many I have owned in the past. I still have a 5G pistol that I have owned for 30 years. It needed service about 25 years ago (used to shoot it daily) and I sent it back. Came back repaired, N/C. I'd go with a .22 as the lower velocity is quieter. Joe

 

[Camster]

Once you own the pump ups,the springers just don't appeal,unless you go high end,with a recoiless version.Those recoiless guns have now faded away-it's mostly compressed air tank guns now.
I don't know if Benjamin still makes a rifle-I believe that they still offer a pump up pistol.
Check the website of pyramidair.

 

[Vegetaman]

Yeah, having used a spring one, I'd never go that route again. The pump ones just give you so much more control. Neighbor had a compressed air one. Will do some digging.

 

[Cyrano]

I sure like my springer, a Feinwerkbau 300S (pictured). It's the one in which the barrel and receiver move back to compensate for recoil. It's a lot more accurate than I am, and powerful enough to go through eight thicknesses of corrugated cardboard. However it's a pure target rifle. For plinking, I'd get a Sheridan; all sorts of power and plenty of accuracy too.

 

[686-380]

Gamo varmit hunter, with scope, light and laser...

 

[Fishinfool]

A spring piston gun like the RWS 34 is really a good choice. Accurate, hits hard, reliable...

Problem with the pump up guns is that it is actually more effort to charge them with multiple pumps than a single motion like a break barrel springer. And you will never get the same kind of accuracy with a pump gun as you will with a springer. Every "pump" changes the velocity of your pellet, hence where it will hit in relation to the sights.

For plinking, just avoid the "magnum" models. The 800 or so fps models with a 177 pellet are easier to cock, have less recoil and noise, and will realistically do what ever you need done. Ruger makes an inexpensive one (China?) that a buddy has, and it is a nice rifle, with the Ruger warranty.

Larry

 

[RobertJ.]

It's not a rifle, but I bought a Crosman 2240. It's a single shot, .22 caliber CO2 pistol, my first CO2 in fact. I got it so I could target practice indoors on a rainy day. I'm extremely impressed so far, it's accurate out to 30 yards and a little beyond for plinking. I was never sold on the idea of needing to buy CO2 cartridges, but I found a pretty good deal on Amazon, and now won't have to buy any for a while.

My last air rifle was a Benjamin pump .177, and it was a decent shooter.

 

[Jaymo]

For a multi-stroke pneumatic, I'd go with a Benjamin.
For.a.Springer, I'd go with a Weihrauch HW30S.

 

[Andyd]

Cyrano,

I noticed your good taste in firearms before. You also have good taste in airguns! I love the FWB 300S and the pistols, the FWB 65 and 80. I have a Gamo, chinese AK trainers, Anschutz 275, and a Weihrauch HW 35E.

The HW35E is fun to shoot and very accurate. It is also my longest rifle, sorry. My youngest son's longest rifle now. He loves it. I keep my FWB 300S's.

 

[Yorkie Man]

Sheridan 5mm

 

[loutent]

I picked up a Hamerli springer a couple of years when it went on sale at Midway - very effective at dispatching garden pests - I added a scope after I took these pics:

 

[Jebus35745]

Nice thing with the springers is you can open them, insert a pellet and leave it open till you see a chipmunk or whatever. The pump up ones, you'll have to discharge to take the pressure off the valve. Pumping them to shoot will scare the rodent. The Sheridan has great power if you go to a pump gun over the 22 pump up pellet guns. Just got a Feinwerkbau 65 pistol last weekend and have only shot it once. Can't imagine the accuracy out of the rifle they make. Good luck, Larry

 

[Mule Packer]

I have an RWS Model 350 Diana that came with a scope. Once I got it dialed in, the thing is more accurate than an atomic clock!! I can't count how many crows it's taken down over the years.

 

[FloridaFlier]

I shoot a Beeman R-1 and an Air Arms TX-200 (both in .22) and a Beeman P-1 pistol in .20 cal, and a Beeman R-7 in .177 cal. If you really just want to plink and have fun, I'd go with the R-7, assuming you'll be shooting at about 25 yards or less. Any more than that, either .22.

Modern springers are one cock, and a very accurate, hard hitting pellet. Lots of fun to shoot, and no cleanup.

 

[Rick_A]

Benjamin/Sheridan for a multi-stroke pneumatic.

RWS for a magnum springer:

 

[Cyrano]

Andyd,
I have a Feinwerkbau 65 too. i can get about 18 yards from my utility room to the front of my garage, and can hang the Crossman 8 inch target-backing cube of styrofoam off the garage door. I haven't shot out my windshield yet. The 300 is very user friendly off hand; the 65 eats my lunch. I think the light barrel is harder to shoot than a S&W 41, for instance. At any rate, it really lets you know when you have errors of aim, and any jerk of the trigger is almost off the paper.

 

[Andyd]

Cyrano,

I have the FWB 65 with the barrel weight and adjustable match grips. That airpistol retailed new for more than a S&W M41 and ruled competitive airgun shooting for a long time.

I have used it as a training aide when I still shot ISSF rimfire pistol.

Airguns make great training devices, save on driving time to the rrange, ammo cost and cleaning time.

 

[Boogsawaste]

I bought a crosman nitro venom .22 for $150 new and I've had no problems for the couple years I've had it. Got it for squirrels which it dispatches humanly. It's a break barrel nitrogen piston (same as a springer, but piston instead of a spring). Mine has been extremely accurate and I play with it at the 100 yard rifle range on occasion! I can get a 24" "group" at that distance and stick most of them into the plywood. I always get people laughing when they see me shooting it there figuring the pellet won't even reach the backstop. It hits plenty hard and I love to plink with it as the pellets are cheap and always available.