Best sub-$100 break action airrifle?

[Third_Rail]

I've been browsing over at Pyramydair.com for a relatively nice air rifle $100 or less... I haven't really seen any that catch my eye.

I'm looking for one that has open sights, no scope mount is needed.
Hopefully, over 600 FPS and relatively (within 25 fps) consistant.
Cocking safety is a must.
Cocking force can't be over 40lbs (if they even come that high for relatively low FPS)
Caliber .177 (600fps or so) or .22 (450+ fps)

Does such an airrifle exist?

[Yukon Gold]

I just had the same question, but was willing to spend a little more.

The discussion thread I originally posted:
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=55722&highlight= led me to this site:

http://www.compasseco.com/



Their TechForce line of airguns are clone imports from China.  They check them out, replace the springs with top of the line US springs, then send them out to you.

You can see my review of the one I purchased - a high end one for about $130. They have several at a lower cost.

Anyways, best $$ I spent for the value of the air-rifle.  I'm still happy with mine

[Third_Rail]

Hm, I may go with one of those, then....

I won't be using this for hunting anything, but may kill a pest here and there. Should I go for a .22 or a .177?

Any particular model better than another besides velocity? Trying to stay sub-$100, excluding pellets, shipping, etc.

Also, would one model be better for using easily available pellets? I don't want to have to mail order Chinese pellets to use it if I can avoid it - lead is heavy!

[Yukon Gold]

I purchase the Model 99Mag primarily for its power in the .22cal.  My purpose was for hunting.  Accuracy is very good.  My holes consistently overlap at 15 yards - accurate enough for my needs.

I would recommend you PM Lawdog (you can find his posts on my topic thread (mentioned in my first post to this thread).  He seems to be a guy in the know.  He had mentioned he purchased a TF97, and is quite happy.  That model meets all your qualifications, and costs about $79.00.  If you go to their site, you can also find some 3rd party evaluations of the air rifle - they are pretty good.

Concerning pellets - all Techforce models shoot the standard .177 or .22 cal pellets, which you can get anywhere.  You do not have to order special pellets.

I went with the .22 cal for hunting, however, the .177 cal pellets are far easier to find.  They are sold everywhere (any sporting goods, wallmart, k-mart etc.)  The .22 is a little tougher, but only because they are not as popular.

I am still a nubie with air-rifles.  I have one pneumatic and one spring-piston.  With spring-piston, consistency is key, that's what I found out.  If you can shoot one of those well, you can shoot anything!

Again, if you have technical questions - give Lawdog a PM, I am sure he can answer it, or point you in the right direction.

[Lawdog]

Third_Rail,

Seeing that you are not going to be hunting then I would go with the Tech Force M97 in .177 caliber, $79.96.  Go to http://www.compasseco.com/shop/products.html?maingroup=Tech%20Force%20Air%20Guns&secondgroup=Air%20Rifles to view the line of Tech Force rifles available at Compasseco. Inc.  You can read a review done by Tom Gaylord about the model 97 at http://www.compasseco.com/article_tf97_flagship.htm.  One thing I would add to the Model 97 is to pay the added amount for Compasseco to install a MacCari spring.  It’s the best $25.00 you’ll ever spend.  Pellets are available everywhere pellets are sold(Wal-Mart, Kmart, Big 5 Sports, etc.).  My advice is to purchase a pellet sampler which has many different types of pellets because pellet rifles will tend to shoot a certain type of pellet better than others.  Usually target type pellets are best for target purposes and will work on birds better than domed or pointed type pellets.  I bought the 97 for my sister to keep control of the pests in her garden.  With it she has taken crows out to 35 yards(the farthest distance across her garden) and gophers and Ground Squirrels.  Even a couple of Jack Rabbits have made the mistake of looking for an easy meal.  Lawdog
 

[crosmanfan]

i would get a b4-2 or b-19 the b4-2 is a $30 rifle that has good power. the b-19 is powerful an nice looking. :-D  have fun  :twisted:  :twisted:
you can get the b4-2 at southsummit.com

[Lawdog]

i would get a b4-2 or b-19 the b4-2 is a $30 rifle that has good power. the b-19 is powerful an nice looking. :-D  have fun  :twisted:  :twisted:
you can get the b4-2 at southsummit.com

First let me Welcome you to Graybeard Outdoors.  The best forum on the net for hunters/shooters going today.  Now about the b4-2.  It doesn't have any safety to keep the underlever from snapping shut on your fingers during loading of a pellet into the chamber.  It is not a very safe rifle, especially for beginners.  The b19 or BAM is somewhat better but still noit worth the $85.00 or so they are asking for them.  These rifles are known for their sub-par accuracy and power.  Lawdog
 

[Airsporter]

IMO, the Slavia 630 is the best buy available:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=29993148

[Jason]

I have the Techforce 97 and the Slavia 630 mentioned above. There's no contest in which is the better-made rifle. It's the Slavia by a long shot. It also has much better sights. The sights that came on the TF97 are junk, especially the front plastic one. I use the Slavia 630 to practice for my rimfire silhouette matches and it's doing great. It's a lot easier to load pellets into than the TF97 is, too. The only real drawback with the Slavia is that it has a 13.5mm or so rail for scope mounting, which takes special rings, where the TF 97 has the standard 3/8" rimfire and airgun rail.

As I said, I'd advise you to get the Slavia over any of the Techforce rifles. If you want a TF97, though, I'll make you a heck of a deal on one.

[Lawdog]

Jason,

Third_Rail stated that a "Cocking safety is a must." so can you tell us how the one on the Slavia 630 works?  Lawdog
 

[LittleJerry]

The Slavia sounds interesting.  Does CZ offer one in .22?  Any higher powered versions?  

Whats a good place to purchase them online?  Seems like comparatively the Tech Force rifles are a good bit cheaper.  The Tech Force 22(.177, break barrel, 700fps) is only ~$40.

Is the Slavia really worth more than twice the M22?

[Lawdog]

The Slavia sounds interesting.  Does CZ offer one in .22?  Any higher powered versions?  

Whats a good place to purchase them online?  Seems like comparatively the Tech Force rifles are a good bit cheaper.  The Tech Force 22(.177, break barrel, 700fps) is only ~$40.

Is the Slavia really worth more than twice the M22?

LittleJerry,

The Slavia 630 has been discounted and supplies will be shortly gone.  Slavia dumped it for the newer 631( a POS in my book).  You can see them both at http://www.compasseco.com/shop/products.html?maingroup=CZ&secondgroup=Air%20Rifles.  They are only offered in .177 caliber.

Is the Slavia really worth more than twice the M22?

The simple answer to that is not in my opinion as the 630 is discounted and the 631 isn't near the same rifle.  Lawdog
 

[sillywetshooter]

i have aslavia 630 that shoots great so far and i only paid 74.00 +sh

[Jason]

Actually, the Slavia airguns aren't made by Slavia. They are made by CZ. The Slavia 630 and 631 are just model names. The 631, the better gun with better stock and better trigger, got discontinued in the USA first. The Slavia 630, the lower end gun, has now been discontinued. In this case, discontinued really only means that CZ-USA stopped importing them. The reason that I have heard is that there wasn't enough profit on the guns to justify the expense of importation. That is just a rumor though.

Here's the website for CZ-USA, the importer of CZ guns into the US. As you can see from that site, the only airgun still listed is the Slavia 630 and it is noted as being discontinued. The Slavia 631 was removed from that website quite a while back.

http://www.cz-usa.com

Here's the website for CZ, the parent company of CZ-USA, in the Czeck Republic. As you can see on that website, both the Slavia 630 and 631, as well as the more powerful Slavia 634, are listed.

http://www.czub.cz/index.php?lang=en

The Slavia 631 is not the "newer" version of the Slavia 630. It's the "Lux" version whereas the 630 is the "standard" version of the same basic design of gun.

As to the safety mechanism of the Slavia 630, the only safety that is has is the one that blocks the trigger from being pulled. It is automatically pushed to safe when the barrel is opened and cocked. It is a button that is pushed out the rear of the receiver that must be pushed back in before the trigger can be pulled to fire the gun. The Slavia 630 does not lock the barrel in place after it had been cocked and loaded like the Slavia 631 does.

Lawdog,

If you know of a place that still has the Slavia 631s, please let me know. I have the 630 now and would really like a 631. If you know of someone who has one they want to get rid of, I'm interested in buying from an individual also. I can also trade a Techforce 97, and some cash if necessary, for a Slavia 631.

[Lawdog]

Jason,

Lawdog,

If you know of a place that still has the Slavia 631s, please let me know.

Sorry but I just checked and the only place that I knew that had a few are now out and only a few 630's are left.  Please forgive an old man for when I said;

The Slavia 630 has been discounted and supplies will be shortly gone. Slavia dumped it for the newer 631( a POS in my book).

it should have read, "The Slavia 631 has been discounted and supplies will be shortly gone. Slavia dumped it for the newer 630( a POS in my book)."  This is what happens when you get in a hurry.   :oops:  Lawdog
 

[antlery]

I have the Techforce 97 and the Slavia 630 mentioned above. There's no contest in which is the better-made rifle. It's the Slavia by a long shot. It also has much better sights. The sights that came on the TF97 are junk, especially the front plastic one. I use the Slavia 630 to practice for my rimfire silhouette matches and it's doing great. It's a lot easier to load pellets into than the TF97 is, too. The only real drawback with the Slavia is that it has a 13.5mm or so rail for scope mounting, which takes special rings, where the TF 97 has the standard 3/8" rimfire and airgun rail.

As I said, I'd advise you to get the Slavia over any of the Techforce rifles. If you want a TF97, though, I'll make you a heck of a deal on one.

Do you still have the TF 97 and what kind of deal would you do?