Best "survivalist" airgun

[The ROC]

With todays and yester-years quality springers the chance of the spring breaking is far from few. But someone with a pcp will run out of air eventually in a SHTR situation and those that own one will know that a hand pump can and will cease up when it over heats.

Bottom line is a PCP will become a close range club when you run out of air or the hand pump ceases up. Plus too much stuff to carry around in a SHTR situation.

That's why it's a springer with open sights, several tins or more of ammo and a multi tool will keep you going.

 

[sirjeigo]

A springer is limited to fpe. The biggest caliber for a springer is .25 but it travels very slow. Probably better using a slingshot cuz David did against Goliath.

People in the past used pcp airguns in battle but they cost to much compared to powder burners. Pcp airguns were more accurate, faster loading and had no muzzle flash.

People go safari hunting with pcps and carbon fiber tanks. Not often have I heard someone bringing a springer.

 

[Levi Garrett]

A springer is limited to fpe. The biggest caliber for a springer is .25 but it travels very slow. Probably better using a slingshot cuz David did againsy Goliath.

People in the past used pcp airguns in battle but they cost to much compared to powder burners. Pcp airguns were more accurate, faster loading and had no muzzle flash.

Some chony numbers on the .25 HW97K, Feel free to stand in front of these numbers, not I Bull on the accuracy thing ! easier for folks that can't shoot a spring gun maybe.

The following velocities are the average of a ten shot group:

1 - Diana magnum Domes - 580 FPS.

2 - H&N Match - 576 FPS.

3 - H&N Hollow Point - 531 FPS.

4 - H&N Pointed Diabolo - 529 FPS.

5 - Beeman Ram Jet - 540 FPS.

6 - Beeman Silver Arrow - 522 FPS.

7 - Beeman Crow Magnum - 503 FPS.

 

[The ROC]

A springer is limited to fpe. The biggest caliber for a springer is .25 but it travels very slow. Probably better using a slingshot cuz David did against Goliath.

People in the past used pcp airguns in battle but they cost to much compared to powder burners. Pcp airguns were more accurate, faster loading and had no muzzle flash.

People go safari hunting with pcps and carbon fiber tanks. Not often have I heard someone bringing a springer.

I too have the 1st edition of AirGun Digest and to sum up the history lesson is that those old PCP were again very limited to the number of shots to fire those .30 and .50 cal bullets and not the easiest to pump up again.

You should read up on the AA Pro-Sport and TX200 MkIII.... legal in Canada and is quieter than my AA S410 by about 20 decibles because of it's shrouded and baffled barrel and they're very accurate.

20 FPE is more than enough to dispatch small game to survive. I'm not out hunting large game... heck... I can't even finish off my 1/4 chicken dinner without putting the rest away in the fridge. Heck... I'd then have to worry about defending that extra food. And what happens if you have to flee your place of shelter... will you have time to gather up PCP and your scuba tank/ handpump AND that Antelope you took down and don't forget your remaining suvival gear?????

Another case in point... You loose the o-ring to your air source, what now???
Another.... you have a hand pump instead but somehow you've been injured and pumping any more then 10 pumps and your spent and beginning to get hungery with a springer 10 pumps/cocking the rifle means 8 - 10 meals on the plate.
Another.... Most PCP if not all require a scope... damage the scope and you couldn'd hit the side of a barn even if you stood 20feet in front of it.

We can go on and on but PCP is not a wise choice for a survivalist airgun. To many variables that render that beautiful 100000000 FPE air rifle useless. Having a 12 ft/lb tried and tested springer that can get me that rabbit stew or BBQ squirrel on my plate... PRICELESS!

 

[The ROC]

Bull on the accuracy thing ! easier for folks that can't shoot a spring gun maybe.

Hehe... you soooo bad... what are you insinuating... hehe...

 

[sirjeigo]

One thing about a springer is that it won't work on high attitude places because the air is too thin.

I prefer a 1 shot 1 kill kind of weapon. The power, precision and point of impact a pcp has to offer is ultimate.

 

[SandRoad]

For survivalist airgun would be a springer .22cal @ about 1000fps with open sights, scope optional.

Forget pcp, co2 or pumps... WTF.... lug around a hand pump or a scuba tank or those co2 powerlets?!?!?! When you run out of air don't come crawling to me in hunger wanting to borrow my reliable springer.

We can go on and on but PCP is not a wise choice for a survivalist airgun. To many variables that render that beautiful 100000000 FPE air rifle useless. Having a 12 ft/lb tried and tested springer that can get me that rabbit stew or BBQ squirrel on my plate... PRICELESS!

I have to agree, a springer is the only way to go for a survival type gun. The LAST thing you need is to waste time pumping up a PCP. Survival may be difficult enough without worrying about all the "accessories".

A Diana .22 would be my choice with a few extra parts/spring/seals, etc... that would make the gun usable for AT LEAST 10 years or so of near daily use.

 

[SandRoad]

One thing about a springer is that it won't work on high attitude places because the air is too thin.

I prefer a 1 shot 1 kill kind of weapon. The power, precision and point of impact a pcp has to offer is ultimate.

Well there won't be much food to shoot at if the altitude is that high. So how much small game have you taken with a pellet rifle?

I can confirm that lots and lots of squirrels and small rabbits fell before my 177, 500 (or so) fps springer when I was young. And a Diana Model 48/52 will reach 1,200 fps with standard weight 177 pellets. (chronographed) and penetration is just under 2 x 1" spruce boards (actual 3/4" thickness)

The other thing about a PCP, is that I would guess that the pumps, reservoir and the air metering mechanism will be all but useless in the winter because of condensation freezing. It happens with ALL air compressors, they create condensation. (Boyles law of partial pressures). So you also need to carry alcohol to keep everything from freezing, and then oil/corrosion protection to protect from the corrosive effects of the alcohol...

 

[Grantmac]

A correctly designed and maintained springer will outlast several lifetimes, it would be my weapon of choice for putting small game on the table. Probably something in .177 with diopter sights.
Anything larger I would use my traditional bows. Faster to reload, infinite ammunition, much greater power and about half the effective range.

-Grant

 

[olegs69]

If you put a Leopold on it, you can have a pretty decent bear defence rifle. Head shots are critical though.

 

[nabiul]

If you put a Leopold on it, you can have a pretty decent bear defence rifle. Head shots are critical though.

Head shots? Don't you mean eye shots with incendiary poison tipped pellets?

 

[The ROC]

One thing about a springer is that it won't work on high attitude places because the air is too thin.

Very true but PCP is still no better off, the question is still asked again... what do you do when your air tank(s) runs out of air and there is no place to refill? Then it looks like we're both SOL

I prefer a 1 shot 1 kill kind of weapon. The power, precision and point of impact a pcp has to offer is ultimate.

So does everyone else and that can be had from a springer AND... The power, precision, RELIABLITY, UNLIMITED air source (no need to run off to the dive shop for a refill... Ooops... DANG... the shops are all closed and looted cause we're in a SHTF situation) and point of impact a springer has to offer is ultimate

 

[rb_roadrace]

I picked up a Crosman Medalist 1322 pump pistol 20+ years ago with the survival scenario in mind, spurred on by an article by Dean Ing, who, as us old guys will remember, was at one time a contributer to Mel Tappan's survivalist newsletter way back in the days before the media (and not a few psychos) made "survivalist" a pejorative term. After 20-some years of frequent use and scanty maintenance it still dispatched a troublesome skunk in the front yard this fall with one shot without disturbing the neighbors and still chrono's at 500fps. I have a stock of "hunting darts" for it but have never fired one in earnest. Pointy-tipped Ruko .22 pellets are quite effective. The optional shoulder stock is, I believe, still available as well as optical sights if anyone feels the need.

 

[sirjeigo]

Very true but PCP is still no better off, the question is still asked again... what do you do when your air tank(s) runs out of air and there is no place to refill? Then it looks like we're both SOL



So does everyone else and that can be had from a springer AND... The power, precision, RELIABLITY, UNLIMITED air source (no need to run off to the dive shop for a refill... Ooops... DANG... the shops are all closed and looted cause we're in a SHTF situation) and point of impact a springer has to offer is ultimate

Simple. Carry a hand pump.

 

[nabiul]

Simple. Carry a hand pump.

Dude I know you love your pcp guns, but c'mon, carrying a handpump when you are in a survival situation?

Hell I wouldn't even carry one if I wasn't dying. Several pounds of equipment that are heavier than a soldier's rifle and ammo, and special pellets can be replaced by a pump pistol and a tin of .177. How do you end up in a survival situation with a pcp handy any ways?

From the first shot you take, the reservoir on a pcp begins to empty and must be recharged to maintain pressure, mix in dirt and the dry cold of winter and you have dead seals pretty fast. When was the last time you abused one of your airforce guns? You carry them in huge padded cases with soft covers for the scuba tanks, and every one who has bought a hand pump has sold it after a few uses.

I'd take a .22 rimfire and a couple of bricks of ammo over a pcp any day, or any firearm for that matter. The only advantage of having an airgun is that it's quiet and ammo is light.

 

[The ROC]

Simple. Carry a hand pump.

And when that hand pump ceases up/ locks up on the down stroke from over heating what then... use lung power???

Your not gaining any points...

You should have from the get go stated that a multi-pump pneumatic was a good choice as a survivalist airgun if stored properly then I may not have debated.

 

[The ROC]

Dude I know you love your pcp guns, but c'mon, carrying a handpump when you are in a survival situation?

Hell I wouldn't even carry one if I wasn't dying. Several pounds of equipment that are heavier than a soldier's rifle and ammo, and special pellets can be replaced by a pump pistol and a tin of .177. How do you end up in a survival situation with a pcp handy any ways?

From the first shot you take, the reservoir on a pcp begins to empty and must be recharged to maintain pressure, mix in dirt and the dry cold of winter and you have dead seals pretty fast. When was the last time you abused one of your airforce guns? You carry them in huge padded cases with soft covers for the scuba tanks, and every one who has bought a hand pump has sold it after a few uses.

I'd take a .22 rimfire and a couple of bricks of ammo over a pcp any day, or any firearm for that matter. The only advantage of having an airgun is that it's quiet and ammo is light.

LOL... soon he'll say he's got a portable air compressor he bought from AoA and gas can be had anywhere and strapping it onto his back is not a big deal. LOL!

sirjeigo.... just 'ing ya.

 

[40cal]

I am with Levi Garrett on this one.........a 22 rimfire would be much more practical.

If I were to choose one for simplicity it would be a VERY good .22 springer. That would be a ton of weight though.

I will play the devil's advocate here..........I looked into the safes and asked myself that same question. One of the guns that I really leaned toward will really cause some controversy here. It was a Benjamin 22 pump gun. Not just any Benjamin, but a Mac1 steroid Benjamin with a Williams peep sight. Built like a rock, and will shoot .22 premiers at over 800fps easily. Very light, short, and dependable. Won't break the bank either. Just needs a little workout to make her really go.

Some may chime in about cups, and maintenance..........bull. These things have been around for decades, and many of them decades old are still original. They aren't tackdrivers, but accurate enough for hunting and stone cold reliable.

 

[SandRoad]

I am with Levi Garrett on this one.........a 22 rimfire would be much more practical.

I will agree that a 22 can be much more useful, but in a survival situation you have to count on lots of small game. 25,000 pellets weight substantially less than 25,000 rounds of 22 LR.

Here is a picture of 1,500 rounds of 22LR beside 25,000 rounds of 177 pellets.

And NO, I am not going to show you what 25,000 rounds of 22LR looks like.

LOL... soon he'll say he's got a portable air compressor he bought from AoA and gas can be had anywhere and strapping it onto his back is not a big deal. LOL!

sirjeigo.... just 'ing ya.

So just HOW much pumping would it take to fire 25,000 pellets from a PCP?

 

[The ROC]

So just HOW much pumping would it take to fire 25,000 pellets from a PCP?

... at once... beats me... such a waste thou, shooting all 25,000 in one shot.... so sad

But with my springer... I can only load one pellet at a time so that would be 1 stroke for 1 pellet but I'm hoping the SHTF situation will be over waaaaaaay before I reach pellet number 25,000.