Good quality airgun?

Airguns are usually spring or pre-compressed air driven. They are further categorized by sub 500fps or greater. Over 500 fps means that you need a license, since the AG are then treated as a firearm once you exceed 500 fps. Price points tend to be sub-$400 for the former, and $600 to $2,000 for the latter. Springers are usually lever cocked or break barrel and single discharge, while PCP airguns will have a magazine so repeat and follow-up shots are easy and quick. For the sub 500 AG, HW springers are a solid mainstay with very high machining quality; HW97 or HW77 are the stalwarts. For the over 500fps crowd look at Fx, Daystae, Air Arms and Benjamins in this order. The real answer to your question though, is it depends on what you are using it for an how much effort do you want to expend to own a quality AG.

Brian.
 
Airguns are usually spring or pre-compressed air driven. They are further categorized by sub 500fps or greater. Over 500 fps means that you need a license, since the AG are then treated as a firearm once you exceed 500 fps. Price points tend to be sub-$400 for the former, and $600 to $2,000 for the latter. Springers are usually lever cocked or break barrel and single discharge, while PCP airguns will have a magazine so repeat and follow-up shots are easy and quick. For the sub 500 AG, HW springers are a solid mainstay with very high machining quality; HW97 or HW77 are the stalwarts. For the over 500fps crowd look at Fx, Daystae, Air Arms and Benjamins in this order. The real answer to your question though, is it depends on what you are using it for an how much effort do you want to expend to own a quality AG.

Brian.
 
Update on my junk Remington Express synthetic. I ordered a new piston seal for a Diana 34. Replaced the factory one which was completely mangled from improper installation at the factory. Just got it back together a couple nights ago. It's a whole new beast now. Very accurate and consistent. I guess this was the only issue with them. Assembled in China and no QC. So if you need a good cheap gun, these are 150$. Buy a new seal for $20, and you have a good shooter. They are near identical to a Diana 34.
 
Weihrauch and Air Arms make the best spring piston air rifles. The latter are only in fixed barrel with under lever cocking. Weihrauch makes both break barrel and fixed barrel springers. The fixed barrel models are more expensive but Weihrauch break barrels are very accurate. Diana (and Diana RWS) makes "magnum" springers such as the 350 and 48. These will have more of the springer's characteristic two-way recoil and this often makes accuracy more challenging. A key to remember is that higher velocities do not equate to greater accuracy. Your budget may determine which model is most suitable. If on a budget that doesn't allow for a Weihrauch or Air Arms, the Diana 34 is a reliable, powerful, and budget-friendly air rifle. Avoid air rifles made in China unless cost-saving is paramount.
 
I am seriously considering a Weihrauch HW 95 . The HW97 I think is a little heavy for off arm shooting and I would like open sights.
 
HW 80/.22 HW 77 /.22 RWS 34/.22 RWS 350/.22 I have a HW80K /.22 and kill anything up to 20 lbs many grouse, pigeons and crows PAL
 
I have the Gamo Nitro. It's no longer available but there are other models.
It has successfully engaged with two raccoons, 30 grey squirrels, 1 red squirrel (didn't want to but it got aggressive and began eating my garage door to get at the bird seed) 1 rabbit, 3 Stellars Jays and 4 rats.
.177
1000 fps
Gamo scope 3-9x40
edit: The RWS Hyper Velocity pellets work amazing!
 
prairie lover said:
why buy a springer when they make nitro piston?
Click to expand...

Among the best gas ram air rifles were Theoben rifles, made in England. Unfortunately they are no longer in business. Weihrauch makes a gas ram, the HW90, and it is very powerful but expensive. The inexpensive Benjamin, Crosman, Gamo, and Hatsan varieties are alternatives. The main advantage with a gas ram or gas piston air rifle is that it can be left cocked for long periods of time without suffering any problems. Many shooters report that gas ram rifles are harder to #### and that they can be harder on scopes.

If looking for a quality air rifle and the HW90 is not within the budget, the obvious choice is a spring piston model. The Weihrauch and Air Arms rifles have a well-established reputation for quality, long life, and accuracy. No target rifles were made using gas rams, but many spring piston target air rifles have been produced. Now, of course, the cream of the crop are PCP's.
 
Well, I think allot rests on your desire (or lack of desire) to spend money...and on whether or not the desire to shoot an air rifle is serious enough to subject yourself to what's involved with PCPs. Clearly, there are guys who hold airguns above all else, even in places like Canada. I'm not one of those people, but to each their own. So the first decisions are usually budget, PAL-rated or not, action-type (maybe the biggest decision) and then size/weight. The last item is usually a function of how it will be used, how far it might be carried, # of shots you expect to take during a session, accuracy expectations, etc. I've been shooting airguns on/off for most of my life (over 40 years) and for ME...I simply don't get enough from the experience to warrant either spending allot, OR, getting involved in compressed air/CO2. I'm continually amazed at what's out there though...almost enough to rattle that opinion I've held for so long!

For pest control, I've come to the realization, based on experience, that heavier pellets...even if moving slower...usually work better. For that reason, I sold-off my .177 stuff...even my Chinese HPA rifle in .22 that shot pretty hard...in favor of a non-PAL-rated Diana 24 in .22. I don't own a chronograph, but the 24 shoots about 425 or so according to the specs/internet reports. I've zeroed it at 25 yards using Hobby pellets and it can shoot dime-sized groups or better off a rest with no wind at that distance. Might not sound stellar, but I'm looking for minute-of-barn pigeon neck at distances no greater than that..so I'm confident it'll do what I need it to. Spring piston guns are also among the most quiet, which can't be said about gas guns of any kind. At least in the great white north where sound moderators are a huge no-no.

I almost didn't chime-in on this thread, because my own tastes are pretty pedestrian when it comes to air guns. To my way of thinking, the higher the costs go chasing accuracy/power/consistency...the more complicated and louder the guns themselves tend to get. Whenever I've been tempted by high-power PCP air guns...I imagine a super-expensive rifle+air tank+compressor/pump...beside a single-shot 22 shooting CCI Quiet-22. The latter can cost as little at $100, and while it likely wouldn't have an accuracy edge over a top-shelf PCP gun...it may be all you need for your application..and be quieter too.

Just this guy's opinion. I'm really liking my Diana 24, it's the second one I've owned over the years.
 
TrxR said:
squirrel more than anything.
Click to expand...

My Benjamin Prowler (NP!) in .177, with a DECENT scope and mount (meaning, throw out any glass and rings that comes with the rifle) is very deadly on squirrels. Mostly one-shot, (body shot) kills. I use 9.7 grain Czech-made "Diabolo Boxer" pellets and it has been sufficient under 30 metres.
 
grauhanen said:
Weihrauch and Air Arms make the best spring piston air rifles. The latter are only in fixed barrel with under lever cocking. Weihrauch makes both break barrel and fixed barrel springers. The fixed barrel models are more expensive but Weihrauch break barrels are very accurate. Diana (and Diana RWS) makes "magnum" springers such as the 350 and 48. These will have more of the springer's characteristic two-way recoil and this often makes accuracy more challenging. A key to remember is that higher velocities do not equate to greater accuracy. Your budget may determine which model is most suitable. If on a budget that doesn't allow for a Weihrauch or Air Arms, the Diana 34 is a reliable, powerful, and budget-friendly air rifle. Avoid air rifles made in China unless cost-saving is paramount.
Click to expand...

∆ ∆ ∆ Yup, what he said.
 
justaplinker said:
Yep I am one of those. Take a look.
View attachment 167389
Click to expand...

That's sweet! But, aren't you selling it? Swear there is one just like it on EE.

My PCP arsenal is 4 + 2 (if you consider hipac PCP but I've run the course with hipac and think I would like to sell them). Airguns are quite fun, very accurate, growing in power (what, a 50 cal air gun isn't enough power for ya?) and in popularity.

I enjoy shooting, period. And it could be an air gun, a bow, a sling shot or cold peas across the dinner table at my kid who has his face in his phone. It's a great sport and air gunning is part of that. Stacking pellets at 50 yards is quite a nice skill to develop and will only translate into powder burning improvements as well.
 
I have two Weihrauch that work well, HW50 and HW80...both are .177 and I had airgunsource rework the spring in the HW50. As a Verifier,
I have now registered the HW50 as it is over 500 fps.
All my optics are Bushnell, good for air or rimfire.
I remember back around 2009 sending an email to Weihrauch complimenting them on their workmanship and received a nice reply.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom