Spring Vs Pneumatic Vs CO2 what's your choice

John Y Cannuck

John Y Cannuck

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I've owned all three over the years.
The CO2 had tons of power for the first ten shots, then pathetic. (22 cal) It was a Crosman handgun, so accuracy can't be compared to the rifles, still I'll rate it as terrible. Gave it away to a local actor, for a western production. Many years ago.

The break action spring powered rifle, I still have. It's a Slavia, it would at one time (1965 or so) shoot through both sides of a steel can. (177). Today, it will shoot through one side of an aluminum can (sometimes). It was also reasonably accurate.
Less so today.

The Pneumatic, was a Crosman pump. It was powerful, if you pumped the crap out of it, even though it was a 22, but not terrifically accurate. It died after about a decade of use. Gave it away, for parts.
 
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I forgot, My father's very battered old Red Ryder BB rifle.
Forget it, not for sale.
Manages to get a bb out maybe ten feet before it hits the floor. But that's pretty good I figure for an air rifle bought new about 1932, and used hard by eight kids, from what my father told me.
 
Pneumatic hands down. They have almost zero recoil and can be had with very efficient pump systems.

CO2 is an added expense and changes point of impact with temperature.

Springers recoil funny and need a different hold than other guns. Springs can take a set and will lose power after awhile.

Mind you, I have owned them all at one time or another.
 
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CO2 on bulk supply (paintball tank) for pure fun and relaxation.

Costs are reduced to tiny fractions of the cost for CO2 Powerlets, provided you can source bulk CO2 or are willing to track down a 20 pound bottle, or have an "in" with a local restaurant to scam a little CO2 from their soda fountain or draft machine.

Springers are great if you want to have reliability and a fairly fast follow-up shot.

The good multi-pump pneumatic guns are pretty decent. Power on demand. If you buy a decent one, they can be a lot of fun, and they don't cost much to keep running, once you figure out your own maintenance. For the Crosman 140/1400 series, it amounts to keeping a fair number of quad seals around for when they start to get chewed up.

As with alll these things, if you buy quality, it'll last longer.

I like them all, pretty much. Old Crosman stuff in particular. Mostly standard O rings, and an occasional quad seal or valve seal to deal with. Easy!



Cheers
Trev
 
You can't beat a good quality springer. It make you a better shooter if you shoot firearms. I found that it's sensitivity to consistent hold and follow thru really improves shooting. It's that moving spring during the shot that forces you to be consistent.
 
PCP (Pre Charged Pneumatic). is the new way to go these days. can easily get over 1300fps, deadly accurate, beats many of the 22's in my opinion. don't need to buy Co2, don't need to work out at the gym to develop muscles to pump.
the only draw back is the initial set up, its pricy.
do a google search for air force air guns, they are just one of the brands out there.
my next air gun will probably be a PCP i just need to save up for a few years........
 
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Over the years my favorite has been the springer. One pump(less work than multi pump pneumatics), one powerful shot, low cost as their no CO2's to buy and more than accurate enough for general shooting. I personally don't understand the accuracy issue some people talk about. The key to any good airgun is a great trigger!

I do want to get myself a Crosman Backpacker 2289 as I have never owned a multipump, but am interested in this one for it's compact size, modability for increased power, light weight, and it's larger .22 pellet.
 
I have 4 .22 PCP rifles, one PCP pistol and one springer.:D The springer never gets used. The PCP guns are as good as any powderburner I own and in some cases miles ahead in quality. My Sumatra is even so loud it requires hearing protection and shoots .22's at 1200fps. Zero recoil and accuracy beyond what even the best shooters could do offhand.:runaway:

Only problem is they are a bit expensive. The air reservoirs vary in size from gun to gun but you can usually expect at least 30 really good shots (except for pistols, maybe 10) before you see a marked decline in performance. A hand pump or a scuba tank will remedy that situation in short order. I run two scuba tanks and have never used my hand pump. To scared of a heart attack:p.

These are my PCP guns. From top... down

Airforce Talon .22 (900fps)................. ... Pistol is a Falcon FN-W8 (490fps)
Falcon FN-19 .22 (850fps)
BSA Ultra .22 (825fps)
and finally "The BEAST"... my Sumatra .22 (It'll go through a 2x4 long ways) (1200 fps)


ag1.jpg
 
Ah the old Slavia 620 .177. I got this for a Xmas present many moons ago. Like Johnny mine used to do both sides of an applejuice can (steel). It is sacked now but in its day it wacked a crap load of critters. I have shot the old sheridan pump 20 cal monsters and they are every bit as powerful as a 22 short.

Brian
 
Mine are old spring models, but top quality made by Feinwerkbau back in the 70's & 80's. The match grade model 300 is recoilless in that the entire top unit, barrel piston and cylinder release and slide back to counteract the recoil impulse of the mainspring being releasd.

I think if I were buying now I might look at one of the single stroke pneumatics.
 
Is there a difference between PCP and CO2 airguns, or are they synonymous? I've shot many CO2 and springs, and have always been a fan of the latter. Had a Slavia 620 as well - a good tough airgun for a kid to have. Now I shoot Beeman and Gamo .177 springs at around 1000 fps. Good for everything from target practice to coons and porcupines.
 
I bought the very first Condor PCP for sale in Canada. It's an awesome rifle, but I hate the pump. I see there is a CO2 adapter available which I may buy, but would only use for plinking and not Crow eradication. 1200FPS with .22cal pellets and a match grade barrel is pretty good medicine for flying vermin.:D
 
For consistancy I'd have to vote toward the pneumatic, with a few caveats,

1 In good (new) condition
2 Of a single "pump" style charging

One thing I disliked was disturbing my shooting position each shot when competing, but a good one can group quite nicely.

That said, my favorite air rifle is a hand-me-down 70's BSA Meteor in .177, adjustable trigger pull and very smooth break action with good power. A 4X scope makes it handy pest control.

I also have an old Crosman AIR-17 (AR15 styled) that is a single pump pneumatic, a nice curio that's fun to plink with. Still have my Red Ryder, shoots 2" to the right, just like it did when I got at age 10.

For hangguns, CO2 really offers a lot of fast fun for plinking, I have an old Crosman 357 and a older crosman 38C. Never done dedicated competition or target with air pistols so no experience there.

I never really got into the bulk bottle CO2 stuff though, that's an entire industry on it's own, one of those cases where you step away from a hobby for a bit and technology seems to outpace you overnight.
 
HPA & Springers are my favourite.. Springers were always my favourite when it came to airguns but after getting into HPA (High Pressure Air) you can't match the power with anything else.. If you're a hunter and want serious stopping power, well serious for an airgun that is then HPA rifles are the top.. A good magnum class springer in .22 can produce 20-30ft/lbs which is lots for most small game... I have both and they have their uses.. The springers make alot less noise than the loud HPA rifles and don't require a remote line and bottle. You can run a PCP rifle that takes no line or bottle, the gun itself is charged and away you go..
It all comes down to what you prefer.. Some of the PCP guns get up there in price and to me that kind of money can be spent on a real firearm .. For the price of a high end British PCP rifle you could pick up a decent sporting firearm..
 
i've been goin back and forth but today I have decided that my spring powered hw45 is better than any of my co2 pistols, I own a few quality co2 pistols but their velocity is not very consistant. As for rifles... I wont even bother now that I have my PAL and a few boomsticks, pal rated airguns are pretty much useless to me until I own a bit of land
 
Sly Old Fox said:
A 50 year old Sheridan, beautiful walnut butt and lever, .20, newly rebuilt, comments, please.
Click to expand...

Good solid, well made guns. Watch the pivot points on the pumping mechanism, and keep a little lube on the felt washer that lubes the pump cup.

Ammo selection is pretty limited. Used to be just the Sheridan brand 20 cal pellets, now there are a few more. Not commonly stocked, whereas a guy looking for 177 or 22 cal pellets can get them in just about any small town.

Good stuff, overall, if you can live with that.

Cheers
Trev
 
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