Anyone into air rifles - purchase advice appreciated

[PH5121]

I'd like to get my son an air rifle for his birthday. He's shot with one at scouts and loves laser clay pigeon shooting so I'm sure he'd be happy to receive one for his birthday next week.
I got an air rifle when I was 9 (BSA Meteor), and thought I'd buy him the newest updated version. However seeing the vast array of choices I don't know if that's the best course of action anymore, when I was young I cannot remember there being as many manufacturers so I don't know what is a good value / quality brand these days.

I think he can handle one the weight of the Meteor (3kg) so am not looking for a junior specific gun, I think a spring powered one will be okay, he'd be shooting targets / plinking cans on a friends farm, and there is an air rifle club 20 miles away which it may be worthwhile joining.

I had a budget figure of £200 in mind and I'd rather get a better gun with open sights than a package where the gun isn't great but comes with a telescopic sight (which he can save up and buy in the future).

The chap in a shop I visited at lunchtime was trying to steer me towards a Remington with telescopic sight for £160, but I think that was because it was all he had in stock and was waiting for his BSA stock to arrive.

Any advice on what is a good general airgun for a beginner and/or what to avoid would be much appreciated.

TIA PH5121

[liner33]

I taught my son to shoot with one of these although I think the name has changed , open sights first then a reasonable 4 x 40 scope

http://www.sportsmk.co.uk/cat/112/air-rifles-smk-a...

Its best to go to a decent shop really and get him to try them out , i can only really recommend Blackpool Air rifles

[Timmy40]

I would go pre charged pneumatic, even a cheaper pre-charged will be far better than a spring loaded gun. Quieter and zero recoil.

Have you considered a second had gun, you will get far more for your money and most air gunners are pretty anal about looking after their P&J.

Gunstar is well worth a look.

[liner33]

Timmy40 said:

I would go pre charged pneumatic, even a cheaper pre-charged will be far better than a spring loaded gun. Quieter and zero recoil.

As a first rifle ?

I personally think that spring guns (Springers) teach more about marksmanship than a pneumatic

Nothing wrong with precharged they are superior but are expensive (For something decent) and require dive cylinders to keep them filled so a lot of hassle

[Timmy40]

liner33 said:

Timmy40 said:

I would go pre charged pneumatic, even a cheaper pre-charged will be far better than a spring loaded gun. Quieter and zero recoil.

As a first rifle ?

I personally think that spring guns (Springers) teach more about marksmanship than a pneumatic

Nothing wrong with precharged they are superior but are expensive (For something decent) and require dive cylinders to keep them filled so a lot of hassle

This will come down to symantics. I'd say giving someone a spring gun to learn on is a bit like giving a new driver a car without ABS or PAS because that will teach them more about driving.

I don't really see that using a less accurate/consistent weapon helps one learn marksmanship.

Edited to add, they don't need dive cyliners, a simply styrup pump is fine unless the fitted bottle has huge capacity.

Also see comment about second hand, I'd rather get a superior second hand weapon than a new inferior weapon.

[Lee_sec]

if its for your son is he interested in plinking targets? or would it be worth considering the airsoft route? My nephew enjoys the odd go with my airrifles but much prefers coming along to a skirmish day with us all for a bit of 'real life call of duty' as he puts it

[Road2Ruin]

liner33 said:

As a first rifle ?

I personally think that spring guns (Springers) teach more about marksmanship than a pneumatic

Nothing wrong with precharged they are superior but are expensive (For something decent) and require dive cylinders to keep them filled so a lot of hassle

I had a pre-charged pneumatic for years with an 8 shot cartridge. Whilst they are more expensive they are a lot more entertaining that spring loaded rifles, especially with a multi-shot cartridge, it's a lot like a real gun, cock and shoot. You don't need a diving cylinder, I never had one, just a stirrup pump that connects to the gas chamber. Yes that is more work pumping it up, but it lasts quite a few shots and is simple to do.

[Timmy40]

Road2Ruin said:

liner33 said:

As a first rifle ?

I personally think that spring guns (Springers) teach more about marksmanship than a pneumatic

Nothing wrong with precharged they are superior but are expensive (For something decent) and require dive cylinders to keep them filled so a lot of hassle

I had a pre-charged pneumatic for years with an 8 shot cartridge. Whilst they are more expensive they are a lot more entertaining that spring loaded rifles, especially with a multi-shot cartridge, it's a lot like a real gun, cock and shoot. You don't need a diving cylinder, I never had one, just a stirrup pump that connects to the gas chamber. Yes that is more work pumping it up, but it lasts quite a few shots and is simple to do.

Also if he gets into it there is also a lot less difference between shooting a .22 pre-charged air rile and a .22 rimfire than there is between a spring .22 air rifle and a .22 rimfire.

[PH5121]

Robbo 27 said:

Will be watching this topic with interest.

I presume the advice of 'dont buy one' would not be entertained.

Curious as to your view point regarding 'don't buy one', any particular reason you feel this way?

I had one as a youngster and other than injuring a few action men, Airfix 1/32nd scale toy soldiers and old tin cans no harm ever came to any thing or any one by me having one.

[liner33]

Timmy40 said:

This will come down to symantics. I'd say giving someone a spring gun to learn on is a bit like giving a new driver a car without ABS or PAS because that will teach them more about driving.

I don't really see that using a less accurate/consistent weapon helps one learn marksmanship.

Edited to add, they don't need dive cyliners, a simply styrup pump is fine unless the fitted bottle has huge capacity.

Also see comment about second hand, I'd rather get a superior second hand weapon than a new inferior weapon.

I'd say giving a first time shooter a high end pre-charged rifle would be like teaching someone to drive in a Tesla rather than ice car

I tried a stirrup pump, it was hopeless

A quality spring rifle is capable of outshooting 99.9% of shooters , let alone a sub £200 pre-charged outfit

[Tim-D]

The Remington's are now Chinese...albeit pretty good for break barrels and if you actually test them a .177 puts out....on the 2 I've played with high 900's or low 1200 FPS...

The old meteor you had was probably indestructible..latter ones with nasty plastic fittings....

A used wiehrauch hard to beat....

My offspring got to 14 and took a likeing to my old Webley MK3....I haven't seen it since 😁

[JulianPH]

liner33 said:

I'd say giving a first time shooter a high end pre-charged rifle would be like teaching someone to drive in a Tesla rather than ice car

You should never learn to drive in an ice car, everyone knows this.

[Timmy40]

liner33 said:

I tried a stirrup pump, it was hopeless

A quality spring rifle is capable of outshooting 99.9% of shooters , let alone a sub £200 pre-charged outfit

1 - Then I suggest you either had a dud pump or hadn't connected it properly.

2 - Personal opinion, but after 35 years of shooting all types of guns I totally disagree. Even a basic pre charged will easily outperform even an expensive spring gun. That's why pre charged guns are so popular.

[Ginetta G15 Girl]

With cadets we use PCP weapons (Precharged Pneumatic). Specifically the BSA Scorpion or the Air Arms CZ 200 in .177". However these are reduced power weapons (6.5 ft.pounds) for indoor range work. They are also somewhat expensive at £459 for the BSA and £359 for the CZ (2016 prices) and that's before you budget for things like stirrup pump/dive bottle/sling etc.

TBH I doub't you'll find a PCP rifle new for less than around £450 - £500

http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/air-rifles/inexpe... although that article is from the middle of last year.

If you are looking at a spring powered weapon then the Stoeger X20 and the Hatsan 60, at around £150, get good reviews.

It's also worth pointing out that law in respect of air rifle ownership changed in 2007. If your son is under 14 he can not own an air weapon but he may fire it as long as he is supervised.

https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q325.htm

[TonyTony]

I have a co2 Beretta pistol in a cupboard somewhere that needs a new home.

[Wacky Racer]

I am a registered air gun firearms dealer and have been in the trade well over forty years, selling thousands of guns over that time.

In your circumstances, I would go for a decent spring powered gun, something like a Remington Express in either wood or synthetic, complete with a 4 x 32 telescopic sight, or maybe a BSA meteor, but the sight would be extra, (around £30.00).

You could consider a gas ram, either a Gamo Whisper IGT or Remington Tyrant XGP, both with teles, all these choices under £200.

Don't bother with PCP just yet, maybe in a couple of years.

The main thing to consider is make sure the gun is not too heavy for your son.

[trickywoo]

I've spent quite a lot of time recently researching this.

My dad got me a Weihrauch HM77 getting on for 30 years ago and its still shooting beautifully.

However, a pcp has been calling. Multi shot on a bolt action has a lot going for it over a springer.

My conclusion was that at the bottom end of the new scale a Cometa Orion SPR is hard to beat (£350 with a sound moderator but no scope). You will then need a tank too and obviously get it filled from time to time. A hand pump will work but its hard work and can introduce moisture to the gun where you don't want it leading to problems in years to come.

A Hatsan AT44 isn't a bad budget option either.

If you are looking at Weihrauch the HW100 is £800 / £900 new and you won't find a good one secondhand for less than £500 IMO. Secondhand rifles seem to have strong prices and good ones will sell quickly.

In case you didn't know you'll get a lot more shots from a .22 pcp than a .177 although the .177 is said to be a bit more accurate. I'm decided on .22

[liner33]

Timmy40 said:

1 - Then I suggest you either had a dud pump or hadn't connected it properly.

2 - Personal opinion, but after 35 years of shooting all types of guns I totally disagree. Even a basic pre charged will easily outperform even an expensive spring gun. That's why pre charged guns are so popular.

Agreed Pre charged rifles are better but we arent talking about high end competitions

1) They have not made spring rifles obsolete - a good quality spring gun like the TX200 or HW97 will be more accurate than 99.9% of shooters (thats people) , that's a fact

2) They are arguably less "fun" than Springers - Many shooters on here started on rifles like the BSA Meteor and will have fond memories of it, were they not fun, did they not sow a lifetimes interest?

3) They are expensive, with a £200 budget the OP (Which many choose to ignore) is likely going to be driven to a cheap CO2 powered piece of tat

4) This is about engaging a young lad into shooting, there is no need for the latest and greatest and a real possibility that they may try it a few times and never get enthused, a passing fad, why complicate matters?

5) Springers teach you about SAFETY as most have auto setting safety catches and also breathing , trigger control and follow through.

6) NO ONE goes from a divers bottle to a pump , they are rubbish and nothing more than a stop gap until you can afford a cylinder!

[trickywoo]

liner33 said:

1) a good quality spring gun like the TX200 or HW97 will be more accurate than 99.9% of shooters (thats people) , that's a fact

Not sure what you mean by that. A springer relies on consistency from the shooter as to how its held / aimed. The recoil affects accuracy based on how the rifle moves. If you can hold it the same way every time it'll be accurate. That is a skill. However, if you give someone who isn't highly skilled with a springer a pcp and a springer they are going to shoot better groups with the pcp.

IMO that makes the pcp option more accurate.

[liner33]

trickywoo said:

Not sure what you mean by that. A springer relies on consistency from the shooter as to how its held / aimed. The recoil affects accuracy based on how the rifle moves. If you can hold it the same way every time it'll be accurate. That is a skill. However, if you give someone who isn't highly skilled with a springer a pcp and a springer they are going to shoot better groups with the pcp.

IMO that makes the pcp option more accurate.

I mean that the rifle is capable of greater accuracy than the shooter, any shooter

Yes a pcp can reward bad habits, that a spring gun would punish

Teach someone to shoot well with a springer and they will shoot anything well , teach them with a pcp and they will shoot a pcp well

But I'm happy to wager a £200 springer against any £200 pre charged