Air Rifles

F

FieldMaster

Joined
Oct 22, 2001
Messages
6
Anyone know a good (and cheap) site for air rifles or pellet guns, I dont really like Firearms so im going with a air gun, but i dont have all that much money. So can anyone help?
 
I don't now of any sites right off the top of my head, but you could easily do a search and find some.

As to a good, inexpensive (as opposed to cheap) pellet rifle, look no further than a Benjamin 397 or 392. Both are basically the same rifle, except for caliber; the 397 shoots .177 pellets, while the 392 shoots .22. Check around your local area and see what caliber of pellets are stocked in greater quantity, and let that be your guide as to which gun to choose. I have the 397 (both guns should run about $120.00 to $150.00, depending on area), and have used it to take a lot of small game. It is very powerfull (800fps with an 8 grain pellet), as well as extremely accurate. It WILL kill rabbits, but you need a realy good head shot. I have been using pointed pellets, but I'm ging to be trying some HP pellets, if they ever get here. With the right pellet, and a good shot, you can easily take quail and small squirells. Rabbits and the like will take GOOD pellets and excellent marksmanship, but are well within reason. Y9ou might also consider the Sheridan Blue Streak, but it's something of an oddball in .20, and you might have trouble finding pellets locally. It also costs about $25.00 more than the 397. There are more powerful pelet rifles out there, but you're going to be paying $75.00 to $100.00 more to get an extra 200fps. Also, I would stay away from the spring-piston guns, as I prefer pneumatics, because you can adjust the power with a pneumatic; with a springer, one pump gets you max power, and nothing else. Versatility is greater with a pneumatic.
 
As VS said, Benjamin-Sheridan makes great airguns. You might also check out:

Crosman @ www.crosman.com
Gamo @ www.gamo.com/ushome
RWS/Diana @ www.dnrws.com

You'll need to decide between .177 and .22 calibers. .22 definitely has more "knockdown" but .177 is usually available in greater quantities, varieties and at lower prices. I would also advise you to select pump compression rather than CO2 cartridges for a survival scenario of any longer than a weekend. I have an unsophisticated $35.00 Crosman 760 with less than 600fps power that has dispatched many squirrels.

If you opt for a pistol rather than rifle, understand that you will probably be giving up at least 20% of your muzzle velocity. Find your balance between packability and power. Crosman makes a "backpacker's" model with a removable shoulder stock. I believe it is a .22 powered by CO2, but they also make a .177 pump pistol that will accept the shoulder stock if purchased seperately.

Whatever you settle on, get an extra gasket or two, always carry oil and NEVER over-pump it.
 
Check out a company called "Airgun Express" . They have a web site and a mailer
they send out that's a kick to read. They always have sales and cosmetic seconds
that sell reasonable. Give them a try.
 
Straightshooters.com Excellent guys who know their stuff. But its actually harder to make a good air rifle in many respects than a much more powerful .22 rimfire. Cheap crap ends up to be no bargin in the end. The sheridan silver and blue streak at about 100 to 125.00 dollars are the most inexpensive yet powerful airguns available that can still do the job. After that to get anything good it climbs to above 250.00 dollars pretty quick. There is a lot to it and this site explains many things you should know.
 
You can EASILY spend more on a quality air rifle than a powder gun. repeating, pre-charged pneumatics are especially spendy. But, the option of multiple shots of .22 or .30 pellets at surprisingly high velocities IS intriguing. Theese typs of guns were once used by European nobility as hunting rifles, for large game... in the 15 and 16 centuries. "There is nothing new under the sun".
 
During the early days of firearm develoment the airgun played an important
role in warfare of the day. The air rifles of the day were so powerful that
various countries used them as sniper weapons. The air rifles snipers were
so feared that if caught they were hanged on the spot. It's interesting to see
how most people today think of air powered guns as toys. The ADULT
versions are anything but toys. One German company (RWS) even sells
a sniper version today. Factor that along with no need for FOI registration,
no loud report when fired and a little practice and it is indeed possible to
be VERY effective using a well equiped adult air gun.
 
I agree that Mac1 has some great prices on great guns, but is it just me, or does he not answer ANYBODY else's e-mails? I've been trying to get him to quote me a price on some work for my 397 for the last 2 months, and I've yet to get a reply. If he does business the same way he DOESN'T return e-mails, I wouldn't give him my business. Which is too bad, really, because I was really wanting him to do a steroid tune and mount a peep sight on my 397.
 
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