Another "Which Gun" Question....From Dave in Flori

[Dave1]

Forum

At the present time I know little about these airguns except that BB guns played a large role in my early life and help mold me into the hunter and outdoorsman that I am today.  I loved those guns.

I would like to buy a good quality air rifle to use for backyard target shooting, pest control, and maybe even try to eliminate some of the neighborhood terrorist squirrels/coons.

I see that some air guns require multiple pumps and some are break down barrel types.  I think I would prefer a gun that does not require multiple pump strokes.  How do they compare in performance, quality, price, etc.?  What kind of accurate consistent range is possible?

Quality, durability, and accuracy means alot to me so I expect to pay a little more for it but don't want to spend needlessly.  Not sure how much but guessing from what I have read here $200 or so is not uncommon for a good rifle.  Scope?  Probably later.

What guns would you reccomend as my best choices ?  What caliber and why??  What scope and mounts would be solid and trouble free???

Thanks for any feedback and opinions.

Dave
davisalf@aol.com

[D Pete]

The break barrel is the way to go for what you're going to use it for. Out of my 2 rifles RWS34 and Beeman R9 in .177 both are quality accurate guns but the R9 has better balance and fits me better. You should handle a few to see how they feel. They both have Bushnell Sportsman 3-9x32 AO so far so good. I had a BSA airgun scope that could'nt take it. There are other good guns out there my experience is with these two. Good luck DP

[Lawdog]

Dave1,

I would like to buy a good quality air rifle to use for backyard target shooting, pest control, and maybe even try to eliminate some of the neighborhood terrorist squirrels/coons.

Because of you having trouble with those terrorist coons, like my daughter does, I would suggest you go with a larger caliber like the .22 caliber pellet rifle.  A good springer like the break barrel types(Beeman R9, RWS 34, etc.) are good choices as are the side cockers like the RWS 48, and others.  Both types are very accurate and very powerful.  Raccoons can be a tough customer.  My daughter gets by with a .177 caliber but almost all of her shots are under 20 yards, usually 10 yards and closer.  RWS 34 and the RWS 94 will come under the $200.00 limit you would like but not including scope.  A good quality scope is essential to bringing out the accuracy that a quality adult air rifle is capable of.  Good luck in your search and let us know what you get.  Lawdog

[Carl l.]

Dave 1, Lawdog gave you good advice. They are a lot of good air guns out there and you will have to make your own choice. I have had good luck with the RWS-34. I have had it for 3 yrs or better and have had no problems with it. Have fun with your choice. Carl L.

[Dave1]

Thanks for the replies and information about the air guns.  

I haven't ever seen a side cocking gun, is it essentially the same as and/or work on the same principle as the break down barrel type guns?

What occurs when you break the barrel down on one of these type guns??  I am guessing it has a piston and compresses air in a chamber that is released at trigger pull to propell the pellet.  If this is true, is the single stroke of a break down barrel type gun as powerful and speedy as a pump up type gun??  Is either type gun more durable or accurate than the other?

I thought these guns would be fairly quiet, but I read on the forum where somebody mentioned these guns do have some  muzzle blast noise.  I live in town in residential neighborhood,  have a large fenced back yard, but do have neighbors on each side.  Is the noise loud enough that it could be heard by and/or be disturbing to neighbors especially in the middle of the night when the coons are prowling around??  Should I consider less gun or smaller caliber to keep it quiet?

Please forgive my ignorance and basic principle questions.  You are helping me to learn.

Dave1
davisalf@aol.com

[Dand]

Really, as I found out just last year when I decided to get my first real air gun, the air gun world is as diverse or even more so than the fire arms world.  And the prices can be equally diverse.  In fact I think its easier to find yourself in the high dollar range in air guns (over $600) than for firearms.  I have become really fascinated - since with 2 little boys at home I just haven't been able to indulge my firearms shooting like I used to.

Break barrel spring air guns use the barrel as the lever to compress the spring.  And, when the barrel is open, the breach is open to insert the pellet.  Some models of break barrels tend to have barrel "droop" which is most disconcerting to accuracy oriented  firearm shooters- it took me a long tome to accept that SOME droopy looking air rifles can still be accurate - by one needs good sight adjustment and with scopes may need a specially designed mount system.  Break barrel guns can be very sleek and trim for easy recreation and hunting carry - some are way too light for me to get any accuracy.

In side cockers, the barrel is fixed, potentially a little more accurate.  A separate "side lever" is used to compress the spring and open the breach - some of the very serious target guns use this system.  Also some of the more powerful recreational guns like the RWS 48/52/54 and Chinese clones of these guns.

There is another spring system - under lever - which again leave the barrel fixed for potentially better accuracy.  I say potential because there are quite a few break barrel rifles that are incredibly accurate.  Underlevers have a different breach opening system - sine I don't have one and haven't handled any I can't describe them.  

Under levers and side lever guns tend to be a little heavier and bulky than break barrels - hence the popularity of break barrels for light recreation and hunting.

There is an outfit Straight Shooters who have tested the sound output of a range of  high quality air rifles - they won't sell guns they don't consider high quality.  You can look up their web site on Google. The quietest gun they rate is the Beeman R7 - which is very mild.  But the guns that shoot pellets close to or slightly over the speed of sound can produce a crack every bit as loud as a 22 long rifle.  How your neighbors react is likely to depend on their attitude towards guns and hunting in general.  

Hope this helps - I'm still learning lots every day.  I'm pleased that this forum is getting livlier.  There are other sites but this one has a nice balance of hunting type users who aren't caught up in the super high end guns that are out of my $ range.  

Check out some of Echochap's posts - he does a lot of hunting with modest price guns.  Maybe he'll chime in on this one and provide more info as to what's effective and affordable.

[Deaf Smith]

a BSA Supersport in 22 caliber  they are avaiable thrugh presision sales and at the american airguns classifieds there is a used one for $150. There are the best of the beginner springers and powerful enough for most small game . Being a 22 you have the power avaiable should you need it. Check it out and ask about the gun few people who have them sell them ask about the gun shoot one if you can its well worth it as a hunting gun
jim

[Dand]

I've nabbed that gun Deaf.  After shooting a couple grouse with my R7 I've thought a little more power would be better and  sent my money order to Mr. Minho Lee Friday.  But if you watch that American Air Guns Classified long enough some great deals come along - a loth more often than on the auctions.

The BSA Supersport was recommended to me by several different folks.  Now Straight Shooters is offering a Webley Long Bow that is a bit more spendy but sounds like its very nice and in the same power range - maybe a little more potent.

[Deaf Smith]

Its really a nice powerful and compact gun. I don't think you will find a better gun anywhere close to that price range or even somewhat higher. I would'nt even think of selling mine and I have two full cabinettes full of airguns. The RWS model 48 would go first.
jim

[Dave1]

Is the droopy barrel problem common on the break down barrel guns??  Never thought of that.

Seems that all sights whether open or scope would have to be mounted on the barrel and not the reciever of a break down barrel gun...never thought about that either, now you got me to thinking.  Break down barrel guns don't seem to have as much appeal now.  :-(

Dave

[Dand]

Its my understanding that some models are more prone to it than others.  From what I've gleaned, some of the RWS (as well as Chinese and other cheap break bbls) guns show this tendency most - wish I could remember the RWS models.  Its one of the things that kept me from buying an air gun for some time. But if its a good model gun and properly handled, the droop isn't necessarily a problem and they can still be accurate.  

Maybe one of the more experienced break bbl users could chime in here.

I know I'm very happy with my Beeman R7, lots of folks seem to like their RWS 34s, Beeman R9s, R1s, R2, BSA Super Sports etc.  Don't let it stop you from buying a break barrel.  Just as Deaf says, they are still much lighter and more convenient to use than most side levers and probably a little (or a lot)  less expensive than the under levers.

[klorbekld]

I will have to ask, how much are you looking to spend and what is the main purpose of the rifle. I bought a winchester 1000x, was disappointed at first over the harsh 12lb. trigger pull, took it apart threw the extra spring under the trigger away, and stoned the trigger blade down, gave it a good lubing, and was off to the races, trigger pull is now a acceptable 6lbs. of pull and getting very smooth with the break in process, I only have about 600 rounds through it, and what i've read, atleast a 1000 for proper break-in. I bought this rifle to punch paper and get rid of the nasty critters in the back yard. After eating 2 pairs of aluminum scope mounts, went and bought a good steel set( just because you can tighten them more) and a scope stop. Using a bushnell 3x9x40 air rifle scope, punching 1inch group at 30 yards with rws 8.2 superpoints. Now that the gun is almost to were I want it, I want to hunt with it, small game of course, since it is hunting season,I wanted more knockdown power so I ordered a rws .22 model 34 today, cost about 140 bucks as a demo,
http://www.airgunexpress.com/
Here is a link to the place I love, lots of demo to chose from and some beeman blems, my winchester has taken 5 squirrel and 2 rabbits since I've have owned it(about 3 weeks now) decide what you will really want to use this gun for and dont worry yourself on underlevers, side cockers, pcps, it is the matter of taken care of it, making it work for you, rws has lifetime on most all the guns they sell, the quality has been there for generations, upgrades are available at reasonable prices(but voids warranty) take care of your rifle and it will take care of you. If hunting I would recomend something in .22 cal, .177 will take squirrels and rabbits, but I sure the .22 will really take em... :wink:

[Dave1]

I would like to have a good all purpose rifle and figured would have to spend $200+- to get a decent good quality rifle.  More concerned with quality and durable design than the few extra dollars.  Back yard target shooting and ridding the yard of the squirrels, coons, etc..  22 cal would probably be my choice.

Last night I stumbled onto the Quackenbush high powered air rifles.  I couldn't believe they are killing deer, hogs, and varmits at 100+ yards with those things.  Now that is an AIR RIFLE!

Dave1

[Dand]

Dave - check out the "Need Help Fast" discussion on this forum for info on how to deal with droop.

One thing about the RWS34 - it is droopy and it doesn't have a recoil pad. You might want to look up www.StraightShooters for their extensive discussions and testing of a wide range of quality air guns.

[Deaf Smith]

look at the 36 Itsnthe same exact powerplant and bareel but with a much upgraded stock with a cheek piece and recoil,pad. also check out Airgun Express for their RWS demo models there are returned guns repaired and reconditioned they are often more than 1/2 pirce off  retail and come with a new gun warrenty, Excellent buy if you want a RWS. About barrel droop all springers have it to some extent nothing to worry about just buy adjustable scope mounts to correct any problems. I still thing the BAS supersport in 177 or 22 is your best bet. Its an extreme quality airgun and very well balenced. Again as I said befour I love mine. Scope are easy enough provided you use the correct equipment. the scope rails are 14mm and require special mounts.
These are easily avaiable from Russ Best . He can be reached from the fun suppily forum . Get the BSA you will be very happy with it even over the RWS 36. I should know I have both as well as a RWS48 side lever. the BSA still gets the nod mode of the time. JMHO