Opinions On A Moderately Priced Spring Gun

[DeeGee]

I'm well into my 70's and have been a center fire shooter most of my life.
I'd sure like to sound out some of you experienced spring piston shooters for a recommendation on a very inexpensive air gun.  I have a number of CZ center fire rifles and that quality just might carry over to their CZ631 model?  Opinions on the CZ or perhaps a recommendation of an other manufacturer of similar quality for about a $100 air gun? Not sure if I'll mount a scope on this unit or not.  Perhaps a peep sight?  

I plan on shooting basement targets, 10 meters?, and perhaps a starling or a sparrow or two.  Nothing larger than a pesty bird.  About 800 fps and .177?

Any advantage of a side cocking gun over the barrel break?

Thanks for reading this query and would appreciate a comment or two.

DeeGee

[Lawdog]

DeeGee,

Either of the offerings from CZ may not be what you want.  CZ does not make these but has them made by another firm and puts their name on them like many other importers do.  There are a number of rifles that would be better suited for your stated uses.  One I can recommend is the RWS line.  Airgun Express has the RWS 34 on sale in their demo department for $140.00 and that is a great bargain.  Go to,

http://www.airgunexpress.com/rwsdemosrifles.htm

RWS/Diana back their products with a good warrantee and service is easy to find.  You might also check into the offerings from Crosman/Benjamin company.  They have some break barrel models that may fit into your budget as well.  Also go to the Compasseco, Inc., at

http://www.compasseco.com/

and check out their products.  They handle many different makes of air rifles/pistols.  I am ordering a Tech Force M99 from them just after the first of the year.  Hope this helps you and Welcome To The Wonderful World of Adult Air Rifles.  Lawdog
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[dave]

I don't know where that info came from, but as far as I have heard, the 630/631 is made by CZ. As a matter of fact, CZ has announced that they are being discontinued soon. Get one now while you still can.  The 630/631 is one of the great deals in the airgun world. It has the accuracy and build of a much more expensive gun. Expect velocities in the low 600s. For what you want, the 631 is the ideal gun, and there are many, many 631 owners and shooters who would agree. Scope mounts are an oddball size, but if you want a set I can point you in the right direction.

[Dand]

I think if you get into google and search for Ian Pellant's review of the CZ 631 you'll find him saying good things about it  - much like Dave above but in greater detail.  The RWS 34 is much more powerful and may be more than you need for the use you plan.

[Lawdog]

dave,

I don't know where that info came from, but as far as I have heard, the 630/631 is made by CZ.

From a phone call to CZ two years ago talking to one of their technicians.  He told me they didn't do the manufacturing.  Lawdog

[dave]

CZ/Slavia has been making airguns for many, many years. As far as I know, and I have not heard anything to the contrary until now, the 630/631 line is made at the Ceska Zbrojovka, Uhersky Brod (Czech Arms factory, in Uhersky Brod) located outside of Brno in the Republic of Czechoslovakia. Slavia is a trade name thats been associated with CZ since the 1930s. Who exactly did you talk to, and were they associated with the above factory? Could it be that the tech you talked to just wasn't connected to the part of CZ that makes airguns, and was refering to another division of CZ?

[Lawdog]

dave,

I originally called to ask about their 550 Magnum in .416 Rigby and the possibility of getting one with an American style stock instead of that "Hog Back" style.  You want me to remember a guy's name after over two years?   :-D   I was talking to him at CZ-USA in Kansas City, KS.  I no longer have the number as I was not interested in their products after being told that the hog back stock was all that was available on their magnum model at that time(I see that has now changed).  What you say may very well be true but I have to go by what I was told on the phone until I see proof other wise.  As their air rifles don't meet what I want from an air rifle I have no interest in them to check them out.  My main interest air rifle wise is in PCP's.  Actually I am spending a lot of time at the Quackenbush and Barnes web sites.  What is not to like about their air rifles.  Have a Great 2004     Lawdog

[Dand]

I found my link to Ian Pellant's review of the CZ631.


http://home.hiwaay.net/~ispellan/Airguns.html

Mr. Pellant seems like a thoughtful and well informed shooter.  I almost bought a 631 but stumbled on a great deal on a Beeman R7. I think the 631 shoots slightly harder than my R7 according to Pellant's report. For the $85 or so I see the 631 advertized on Gun Broker it sounds like a great deal.

[big6x6]

"I'd sure like to sound out some of you experienced spring piston shooters for a recommendation on a very inexpensive air gun."

Well, there are two I can think of.  Neither is going to get you to 800fps.  The first is the Russian-made IZH-61.  SPECTICULAR $100 air rife.  Accuracy at 10M you wouldn't believe.  I put a Williams receiver sight and R-1 front sight on mine.  Can you say tackdriver?  But, any way you look at it, it is STILL a 500fps gun.  The other is the Slavia CZ 631.  I bought one when they were first available over here.  Really a good air rifle for the money.  Most of its' negative points are completely cosmetic.  The stock looks exactly like it was carved out of a 2X4.  The metal finish is okay, but certainly not the even, deep blue on the better air rifles.  The rifle is also WAY long for the power it produces.  It does have a locking breech and a good, adjustable trigger.  The sights are also very good.  I tried a Williams sports aperture sight with the stock front sight and the front sight is a good bit too short.  I think I paid $75.00 for this rifle.  I'm getting 611fps with Crosman Premier 7.9gr pellets.

Tthat's about all I can come up with on $100.00 spring air rifles.  I rather see you spend another $78.50 and get a Beeman HW-30.  You'd never look back.

[mod29]

I can understand being on a budget.
However, do not be afraid to invest in a quality air rifle.  Many people think that because it's a "BB"-gun, spending more than X-amount for them is stupid.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I own many firearms of all types, and can tell you that my German made spring-piston air rifles and pistols are some of my most cherished and used.  
Take a look at the Beeman line.  Maybe something like the R-7 in .177 with standard stock.  http://www.beeman.com/r7.htm
Lightweight, low cocking effort, excellent accuracy, good power, German made.
You can find them for around $270.00.  
Yes, I know that's more than double your stated price range.  Just throwing some options at ya.
Hell, we've ALL spent more on guns than we intended, haven't we?
Jim    :-D         :-D

[big6x6]

"Take a look at the Beeman line. Maybe something like the R-7 in .177 with standard stock."

The HW-30 is basically nothing more than a R-7 without a Rekord trigger and with a less fancy stock.

"You can find them for around $270.00."

$270.00 is rather high for an R-7.  $239.00 is more like it.  Still  $178.50 for an HW-30 is the lowest figure one can step into the better Beeman lineup.  Well worth it.

[sixgunSal]

You can get a RWS 24 or a 34 for less then $150 from http://www.airgunexpress.com/rwsdemosrifles.htm,  both are real nice rifles and depending on your need for speed  :]  will fit your needs quite nicely.

Jim

[dougotis]

Airguns I would suggest would be BSA Super Sport break barrel, Diana 20 or 24; Gamo 440 . I would prefer a break barrel rifle. I have a large collection of airguns and buy and sell airgun literature. It can be viewed at www.bigspringguns.com

Write me at my email address for more info. Did you say you lived in northern Illinois? I was born andn raised in Pontiac, Ill., 100 miles south of Chicago on old 66.
Doug