Looking For First PCP

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brawler1588

brawler1588

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Sep 15, 2015
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Mahopac, NY, United States
I think I have it narrowed down to these three options but can't decide all will be in .25 and would prefer hand pump friendly. The umarex gauntlet, hatsan flash qe and the Seneca Aspen. This will be used for hunting small game and pest control including rats, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, woodchucks and similar sized game all shoots will most likely be at 50 yards and under. The gauntlet and flash can get about 25 shots before performance falls, the Aspen I have read best to take 4 shoots at than pump to max but with the on board pump you can do it without taking other things into the field. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
I think the Gauntlet is well worth the money and there are videos and booklets out there on how to make them better shooter. Hand pumps are a killer way to start. Even if you a body builder it will take the fun out of shooting. Get a tank and find a place to fill it or save up for a cheap compressor.
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I have read different reports that the pumps are not bad and than other times people say that it's hard. I'm a stay at home dad and money is tight and my wife is ready to pay for another obsession. The tanks are so expensive and I always have SHTF on my mind and don't really have a place to fill locally but still open to it.
 
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On the Seneca Aspen , I personally wouldnt recommend it for a first airgun. Does sound like a fun rig but is still unproven with some issues reported from owners ( if you are super handly at repair and dont need a warranty this might be a non-issue). On rifles returned under warranty parts not being available to the Importer other rifles are/were scraped for parts.



The hatsan has no regulator ( and some reports of not Golden barrels on that model esp.) but is light.

The Gauntlet is a value rig in any cal. . Has a regulator esp. as a hand pumper in that you dont need it fully filled with air, any psi above regulator psi and your shots will be on target, the other 2 rigs you'll need to know your (psi ) "sweet spot" and keep psi in that range. The fps difference between those 25 shots you mentioned is great w/out a reg. Gauntlet should stay around 10fps ES but the flash will have well over a 50fps ES.

Money being tight, do NOT buy the top shelf hand pumps. Most of the $50+ hand pumps are every bit as good. I use a taousa and read Hatsan has theirs ( same fine QC) for under $100.00. 

Hand pumping is all technique. Lift handle, keep back straight & push down untill your elbows lock then ( quickly) drop all your body weight on the handle & repeat. A 100lb person can do it. YES if shooting a lot or any big bore use pumping get old but it is very doable.

ATI does make a regulated model, same deal with parts/service though.



And the very best advice, are there any other airgun folk near you? Getting together with another airgunner will explain more in minutes than you'll learn reading for ages.

Keep us posted on whatca get.



John






 
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You do not want a .25 for what you described. .177 or .22 will work, be cheaper to feed , and use less air. Pumping to 3,000 psi gets old pretty quick. I still do to top off because I have an aluminum tank, so only a few full fills come of it. I end up topping off the last couple hundred if I need to with the hand pump and get my tank refilled when it gets below 2500.
 
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I did look into it but wasn't sure if the extra cost compared to the others would be justified, any idea on shot count before it looses speed? I should be on my list but would like to know some more info
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Shot count depends highly upon the power level the rifle is shooting at, but 30 to 40 shots per fill is a doable range. 

I owned a Gauntlet and did many things to improve it. In the end it was pretty good after I put some time and extras into it, but at no point did it equal any of the Marauders I have owned.
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Stock to stock is one better gauntlet over Marauder not looking to modify anything for a while. 
 
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I would listen to these guys. The Marauder is a solid platform. Every part for it is only a phone call away. I am not going to bash the other guns on your list but I believe someone's first PCP should be a good one. Buy it and shoot it. If a problem arises, it should be a gun that there is a wealth of knowledge available instantly. The Marauder holds lots of air for a hand pumper but you don't have to wait until you are at the last psi of usable air before you pump it. Top it off after 30 shots. As far as you wanting a .25, if money is tight, they are not the most economical gun to shoot. But if you are only breaking it out to zap an animal here and there, it wont matter. I have learned that some PCP's from certain manufacturers are project guns. Not to be confused with fun to modify guns. Certain manufacturers guns should only be purchased by guys who want to work on a gun to make it right.
 
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I also like the Marauder in .25 it was my first PCP. I also used a Benjamin hand pump for about a year. If I remember right I’d get around 25-30 shots and then with about 70 pump strokes it would be full. Someone mentioned that pumping was all technique and that’s what I found. It’s not so bad if you use body weight and not arm movement.

As far as caliber goes I’d stick with the .25 especially if you want to shoot skunks and raccoons. Way more impact because of the pellet size. I was able to consistently hit a 4 inch disk at 100 yards with the Marauder! Can’t say that it was a tight group... but pretty impressive for a newbie to experience. They are pretty darn quiet too. Have fun!!


 
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... and what would you use a .25 for?
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I wouldn't use a 25 for anything. They make good benchrest rifles between 50 and 100 yards, but like I said are expensive to feed and are going to use a lot of air. I do most of my shooting with a .177, but .22 is okay also. It does fine for plinking, field target matches, and pesting. If I am going for deer or pigs I would use my .50, but a .357 or .45 would do. The .25 and .30 are in between calibers that I don't see much need for.
 
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I shoot 25gr pellets out of my .25 gun going 880fps. My .22cal gun will also shoot a 25gr pellet 850fps. All the raccoons and skunks I laid out can’t tell the difference. If my .22 would not shoot a heavy pellet fast and well, my .25 might be more useful. I never had a .22 gun that wouldn’t shoot an 18gr pellet. That’s usually good enough if it’s hauling butt.
 
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I also agree the Marauder is a great first pcp. A 10.5 grain pellet traveling 900-950fps is enough to take those pest at 50yards with a well placed shot. A 22 is more forgiving, and maybe required in your state. Like here I can't shoot at a rabbit with anything smaller than a 20Gage but can hunt coyotes with a red Ryder.

25 cal pellets are more expensive than the same tin in 177 or 22. Also I have only seen 25 in a store 1 time and was 15.99 per 200. You will most likely need to order ammo. One thing with the MRod is they shoot crosman pellets very well, and you can find 177 & 22 in just about every sporting goods store/section.

Hard to beat Crosmans customer service. They have all the parts list and diagrams you need right on their web site. You can just call or email for parts/help. Emails are answered so quickly you would expect it to bean auto reply, but no a humans fingers pushed those keyboard keys.

As far as hand pumping, you don't need to be the increadible hulk, it's easy with the right technique. Just refill when you get to the velocity drop point and not when the reservoir is at 0psi. I fill mine with a hand pump, two years now. I fill to 3000psi and refill at 1700ish and get about 40 shots in 177
 
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