life expectancy of air rifle?

[anweis]

What would be the life expectancy of a spring air rifle? How many shots or years of use can i expect?
I am almost certain that i want to purchase a Beeman R9 or or some other high quality rifle with good trigger, mostly for target shooting and inexpensive training for the centerfire rifle, but is it worth?
If something breaks in a quality rifle, is it repairable?

[deerhunter]

I also have an R9, I got it about 8 or 10 years ago, maybe more.  I can't count how many thousands of rounds I put thru it.  With a quality springer like the R9, I do not think you could wear it out.  It only seems to get smoother.  I believe that Beeman would always be able to repair it if you needed, and I would think that any good gun smith could replace a main spring in it.  If I recall reading some air gun enthusiests used to install their own main springs.  I think the got them from Marconi?  There was some person that used to sell tuned parts for the popular models.

They can last the rest of your life if you take care of it.  And the most important thing to do, is only oil it SPARINGLY.  Like 1 drop of beeman oil in the chamber a year or every 5000 rounds.  I think that was what was printed in my Beemans manual.

I just ordered a Benjamin 392 for nostalgia.  I still have the B392 I had since I was 8.  I'm 48 now.  My old one leaks and I dont shoot it, but I bet if I replaced the seal, it would work.

I think that is one of best things about airguns.  They keep going and going.

Get an R9, you will love it.

[His lordship.]

Quality is often a primary aspect on these.  I have owned cheapies (early Chinese) and top notch (RWS).  The Chinese stuff did not hold up well, but I traded the 2 German RWS ones off on a pistol and they were just fine.  I used to shoot alot of old model kits with them once a year and they got a work out on that, shooting all afternoon as fast as I could load them, and hunting too.

I have never replaced the springs on any of them, kept them properly oiled and well stored when not in use.  I have a Beeman P-1 springer pistol that is still tight and shoots well after 900 rounds have been put through it.  I don't use it much anymore as I now use my Benjamin 392 for pest control due to its better site radius and hitting power.  I have heard that eventually the spring will need to be replaced on the Beeman, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

[Knucklehead]

I got an Diana .22 in 1969 from my dad.   Just shot it the other day, still punches a neat hole in a pine board.    42 years and counting, never been apart. Buy quality, its worth it.

[kmbrown]

I've got a Beeman C1 that I've had since 1985.  Probably been shot 8 or 9000 times.  Replaced the mainspring a couple years ago but other that, it's still shooting great.

[dave]

A quality spring rifle will last for many years with proper care. Springs and seals do wear out though.  They are considered expendable and are easily replaced. As long as the gun is used properly, not abused, correct ammunition is used and the gun is maintained as it should be it should go for years without a major overhaul.

[pme166]

When I was competing, my Beeman 400 was shot about 500 rounds every 3 or 4 nights.  I did that for about 4 years straight and rarely if every missed a night of practice.  I still have the gun, now 30 years later and I still shoot it.  Yes it has seen service but the gun itself should last decades.

[Victor3]

  If I recall reading some air gun enthusiests used to install their own main springs.  I think the got them from Marconi?  There was some person that used to sell tuned parts for the popular models.

Jim Maccari. This is his website. I've orderd several springs/seals/lubes from him over the years...

http://www.airrifleheadquarters.com/page/page/251327.htm

One thing to avoid with spring guns is dry firing them.

[tuck2]

Deerhunter.....Your old pellet rifle can be tuned up by replacing the intake and fireing valve plus a few other parts. The parts plus the special took cost about $ 45.00   

[IOWA DON]

My 30 plus year old 124 FWB (break-over springer) has had the seal replaced twice, only because I fired it without a pellet in the barrel. It had to have several thousand pellets threw it before the first seal replacement a couple years ago. My 30 plus year old FWB 300 (side-lever recoiless springer) match rifle has lots of thousands of pellets though it and shoots like it did when new, which was very accurately. The 5MM Sheridan pnumatic my brother and I bought in about 1962 was OK for 20 years or so when a seal went bad and it would no longer hold air. Last year I had it rebuilt and improved with a steriod kit, put a new stock on it of very fancy wood, and gave it to grandsons. I think all these guns will with some seal replacements will still be working 50 years from now.

[tuck2]

The compression chamber parts were replaced in my Benjiman Mdl 312  22 Cal last year. The 312 dates back to 1940 s . If the owner manual maintence instructions are followed  an air rifle should with some repairs last a shooters  lifetime.   

[keith44]

Just to add to the list, I went with the Beeman RS-2 (Sportsman Series etched on the action body) it is a break barrel springer that's about 4 years old.  It is built under contract in china. Cleaned out the assembly and shipping lube, and put in moly grease on the spring, and piston seals.  So far I have fired 2,300 rounds. (based on pellets purchased and what remains)  It is accurate and powerful enough for hunting out to at least 60 yards.  This with the factory parts.  Beemans seem to be somewhat over built, but others should last also.