Need advise on purchase of a New Air Rifle

[Mckie Hollow]

I'm looking to purchase a new air rifle. It will need to be powerfull and very accurate. Use would be mostly target and small pests. I've heard bad things about the popular Gamo??? Thinking of the Walthers, Beemans, or RWS. I see that the Sportsman's Guide carries the Walthers. Are these quality rifles? are they refurbs? Where are the other places to shop? .177 or .22? I have a .177 Benjamin Pistol Pump that's about 40 years old. High quality but not accurate. Any support would be appreciated.

[dave]

what are you looking to spend? What sort of rifle - spring, gas, PCP?
Most of those Walthers are Chinese. Gamos are generally not well regarded but are popular none the less despite their many problems. If you don't mind spending a few bucks look at the R-9 from Beeman for a good spring rifle. Other options are the Benjamin Discovery from Crosman, and excellent entry level precharge rifle, or any of the Benjamin/Sheridan pump rifles in .20 or .22 cal. RWS/Diana rifles such as the model 34, 48, 52 or 54 are also  good choices with a fairly wide price range. Compasseco has a good selection, so does PyramidAir.

[Mckie Hollow]

Thanks - Dave. It would be a break barrel. Beeman and Benjamin are some of My top choices. Don't mind spending a few bucks, but I don't need to go for the top. RWS seems to be a little too much

[lamerabbit]

You can still get an RWS 34 for less than 200 bucks, and that is what I would buy!  I had one that was 20 years old, and the mainspring broke.  RWS replaced it for not cost!  They will fix any problem for the cost of shipping, that to me is worth the extra money.

Jim

PS buy crosman premiers 7.9 grain round nosed, or the 22 caliber version, or the JSB's for best accuracy.

[Dand]

I really like Straight Shooter's whole website. They discuss the models they sell in great detail. I have had great service from them as well.  You can find them with a google search.  Also, if you don't want to buy new, check out Brad Troyer's American Airguns classified ads. I have a Beeman R7 I love for indoor shooting - very quiet and accurate. I've even taken some grouse with it but its very marginal for power.  I read the R9 is a very good choice for more power with accuracy and moderate cost.  It still amazes me how air rifles can be so expensive but I'm convinced its worth buying quality.

[Lazermule]

I picked up a dual caliber Beeman (.177 and .22) for around $100.  It came with 2 barrels and a 4x scope.  It seems ok, it does say made in China on it though.  I was just looking for a decent starter for my 14 yr old son.

Anyone had experience with these?

[Ahab]

I have had no problems with my Gamo Shadow 1000 and it's more accurate than my neighbors RWS.

[brownhipower]

When looking at adult airguns forget about name brand and fps and look at country of origin and ft lbs. Many importers import the worst guns and the best(beeman  or RWS). It is difficult to buy a bad gun from germany or england. Many cheap guns advertise 1000 fps but often shoot 600 fps with actual hunting pellets. I like guns made by Theoben, Weihrauch, bsa, diana, in that order.
The guns made in Turkey, Spain, Russia, China and Mexico can often work but quality is sketchy to say the least. I thnk the gamo guns from spain are the best of this group by far.

The Straight Shooters website is a great source of accurate info. Check the used gun ads in american airgun and the yellow classifieds to pick up decent deals.

thanks
steve

[White Foxx]

I like the Beeman R9 best of all the break barrel spring guns.  With the RX coming in a close, but very hard to cock second.  The RWS 34 is a good buy, but if you want the very best for little money, I saw a 22 caliber Logon Solo over at: http://www.network54.com/Forum/79574/

This is not a low cost gun, but then good ones never are.  However, I have never lost money buying a pre-charged air rifle, but the spring guns I have owned.......

My pcp's are now worth twice what I paid for them.   That and they are the best shooting guns I have ever owned, bar none!

While I would rather shoot a 22 rimfire, or a centerfire it is hard to beat some of these pre-charged air rifles, least wise out to about fifty yards

White Foxx

[Autorim]

I personally prefer the Beeman R7 .20 cal. IME it is powerful enough for squirrels within 25 yards or so. The first scope on it was a Gamo. It performed well for quite some time, but I eventually shot the reticle loose or something. I could not hit anything with it and replaced the scope with the RWS 3x9x44 Night Pro which is just fine. It is a very high quality rifle - accurate with a great trigger.

I think the .20 cal. is a good caliber and I use the same pellets in my old Sheridan which I have had for probably 40 years. It still shoots good too.

[kevinsmith5]

RWS HAmmerli 850 Air Magnum. Mine is .177, but .22 is an option.  Uses Air Source CO2 (200 shots per cylinder) and has an 8 shot rotary clip.  Air gun depot has it in set that comes with scope and 2 mags.  (I got that)  I regualry get sub-1/2" 3 shot groups at 35 yards. Have killed in excess of 75 squirrels with it in the year since I got it.