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Other Quiet, pcp, semi auto bday gift for my son?

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Kcbubb

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May 18, 2024
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I’m new here and I’m lost in this pcp world of guns and would really appreciate your help. I need a gun for my son’s bday with the following characteristics.

- pcp
- semi auto
- less than 7 lbs
- must be quiet for backyard shooting
- my son is small, so a smaller gun would be better but it doesn’t have to be a pistol
- reliable
- I was hoping for a $500 budget but it may have to be $800?

I ordered the hatsan sortie but I cancelled bc I was afraid it would be too loud. We have a Benjamin marauder and we love it but it’s not a semi auto and it’s really heavy. He’d like something he could walk around with and shoot. And if you have an idea but it’s too expensive, let me know anyway. I may have to increase my budget. I’d really appreciate your advice! My son thinks the sortie is on the way and I haven’t told him I cancelled it yet! I need to find something. Anything I can do to help keep my kids outside and off screens is greatly appreciated.
 
cmatera said:
Huben K1 is the obvious choice.
Click to expand...
Huben K1, not an owner but the spec's say 7 1/4 pounds (bare gun).

Like the Huben K1 Rifle, this is above your proposed budget, particularly after you put a stock & suppressor on it, but you asked===> I would (and am going to) opt for the Huben GK1 Pistol. Runs $1,250. If needed due to budgeting concerns and desires you can wait to add a carbine stock and a suppressor (until then hearing protection will be needed). Search this site for Huben GK1 or just Huben and you can see what others have done with theirs (stocks & suppressors). By all accounts it's a quality gun. I plan on buying mine from Kraz Cool Air guns. I would suggest 22 caliber, as he is going to go through a lot of pellets - and they cost less than 25 caliber (about the same price, but you get 500 per tin vs. 300).

Kcbubb said:
Anything I can do to help keep my kids outside and off screens is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
That's a common theme and a challenge. Been there; archery, airguns, rimfire guns (I'm lucky to have a 50 yard range on my place), hiking, woodcraft skills, reading, art, etc. Best advice I had was for every hour doing something else - they can have 1/2 hour on the screen.

Bolt or side lever guns open up a lot of lower budget options and you won't go broke buying pellets. Search this forum for the Umarex Notos for instance - under $300.

I don't know what age & skill level your kids are, but I highly recommend an emphasis on safety and adult supervision.

Jerry
 
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Thanks. Any options that are cheaper? I have to have the suppressor and that’s really more than double my budget with the suppressor but the huben k1 looks amazing. And yes, my son is really excited to get outside and shoot. I thought about putting a suppressor on the sortie but I’m concerned with it affecting the guns ability to cycle properly. And I’ve read about a lot of problems with hatsan in general.
 
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He is your son and he is small,,, what is the wanting a semi-auto for backyard plinking?
get him a springer HW30
Hatsan is not what the newbies think they are, I started with ONE, a gladius, I move on from it rather quickly
and semi for a child, depends a lot on his maturity,,, semis are over rated for a little fun, but a side lever is a better choice for pcp in my world and I own a Huben
 
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He’s 5’6 and 135 lbs. He’s pretty lean in his build. And yes, he wants to be able to use it at home for backyard plinking and also to take it hunting. He’s really excited about the semi auto. It’s probably my fault. I told him that the semis have too many problems but we watched some videos of the semi’s and he got excited and I caved. What about the AEA SF compact?
 
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If this is His/Your 1st "serious" dip into airguns I personally would suggest looking at a side lever or even a bolt action rifle as stated by several others you will get a Lot more gun for the money.

Now If you insist on going semi auto maybe look into the Sig Sauer co2 guns as a starter semi auto.
www.pyramydair.com

SIG Sauer Air Rifles | Pyramyd AIR

Shop for SIG Sauer Air Rifles at Pyramyd AIR. World's largest airgun retailer.
www.pyramydair.com www.pyramydair.com
Will it be as accurate as a PCP, no...But it is a helluva a lot cheaper up front, it will teach your son the basics of handling and shooting a semi auto Properly and if he gets bored with it, or happens upon other hobbies you are not out a small fortune as you would be with buying a Quality semi auto PCP....

I just saw yur post on the Marauder semi... There are some quirks with that gun
1) fairly hard to cock
2) after a pretty short time of shooting the small, plastic, detent ball under the cocking arm will start wear and square off making cocking even worse...
 
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bfloyd1095 said:
If this is His/Your 1st "serious" dip into airguns I personally would suggest looking at a side lever or even a bolt action rifle as stated by several others you will get a Lot more gun for the money.

Now If you insist on going semi auto maybe look into the Sig Sauer co2 guns as a starter semi auto.
www.pyramydair.com

SIG Sauer Air Rifles | Pyramyd AIR

Shop for SIG Sauer Air Rifles at Pyramyd AIR. World's largest airgun retailer.
www.pyramydair.com www.pyramydair.com
Will it be as accurate as a PCP, no...But it is a helluva a lot cheaper up front, it will teach your son the basics of handling and shooting a semi auto Properly and if he gets bored with it, or happens upon other hobbies you are not out a small fortune as you would be with buying a Quality semi auto PCP....

I just saw yur post on the Marauder semi... There are some quirks with that gun
1) fairly hard to cock
2) after a pretty short time of shooting the small, plastic, detent ball under the cocking arm will start wear and square off making cocking even worse...
Click to expand...
Thanks! Which sig would you recommend?
 
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Kcbubb said:
What about the AEA SF compact?
Click to expand...
Was interested in AEA guns until I read multiple reviews of problems. But just about anything can be fixed, a good skill to develop... but it's very frustrating when you spend more time working on your gun than shooting it.

Unfortunately the quality semi-autos are quite expensive. And the budget ones are a disappointment.

Besides opening up a LOT of options that are within a semi-reasonable budget, The best reason to look at bolt or side lever guns, is it is easier to focus on safety and marksmanship.

I and others have mentioned the Umarex Notos, there are a lot of threads on it here (by the way, they're 20% off and ship for free today only at at Pyramid Air with the code; sprinkle). Also, there is the Benjamin Marauder Pistol (P-Rod), I had one and considered it good for hunting out to 25 to 30 yards. It comes with (or used to) a carbine stock. I liked mine and regret that I sold it, a lot of fun to walk around and plink with.

Jerry
 
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Read your wish list, don't know your son's experience with airguns or his age.

I usually recommend a good quality SINGLE SHOT for young/new shooters.

Single shot for safety, single shot to slow down the shot cycle, to teach him to make the first shot count.

Hard to beat a good quality springer (one of the Weihrauchs) in suitable weight and power.

Lots of time for PCPs and repeaters/semiautomatic

Cheers!
 
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Kcbubb said:
Thanks! Which sig would you recommend?
Click to expand...
I bought the original MCX gen 1 back when they 1st came out.
It was fun for what it was, again the accuracy is not anywhere near what you would see with a PCP.

One issue I ran into with it was if you fired the gun too fast, dumped a 30 round mag, it would freeze orings causing a leak. This is due to the co2 as a power source.
I am not sure if the gen 2 has addressed that, frankly I don't see what could be done to stop it, other than slow your shots down.

The only other suggestion I can add would be maybe look into some of the electric powered guns, but again your accuracy will be terrible compared to the PCP.

I hate to keep harping on it but do yourself a solid, save up your money and either buy a Huben K1 rifle or the New GK1 Pistol if you insist on semi auto, you will thank me later.
I own a couple of the K1's and they have been flawless.. and I shoot them A LOT!
 
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jerryd said:
Was interested in AEA guns until I read multiple reviews of problems. But just about anything can be fixed, a good skill to develop... but it's very frustrating when you spend more time working on your gun than shooting it.

Unfortunately the quality semi-autos are quite expensive. And the budget ones are a disappointment.

Besides opening up a LOT of options that are within a semi-reasonable budget, The best reason to look at bolt or side lever guns, is it is easier to focus on safety and marksmanship.

I and others have mentioned the Umarex Notos, there are a lot of threads on it here (by the way, they're 20% off and ship for free today only at at Pyramid Air with the code; sprinkle). Also, there is the Benjamin Marauder Pistol (P-Rod), I had one and considered it good for hunting out to 25 to 30 yards. It comes with (or used to) a carbine stock. I liked mine and regret that I sold it, a lot of fun to walk around and plink with.

Jerry
Click to expand...
Thanks Jerry. If I get away from the semi, That pistol might be the best option. I like the shoulder stock option for him. What do you think of this? Seems cheap.

www.airgunrevisions.com

Benjamin Marauder Pistol P-Rod - Airgun Revisions

The Marauder Pistol boasts raw power, pinpoint precision, and unmatched reliability—all in a compact package that fits comfortably in your pack. Depend on the PCP Marauder to handle squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and other small game and varmints. It’s the ultimate deer stand air gun for taking...
www.airgunrevisions.com www.airgunrevisions.com
 
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bfloyd1095 said:
I bought the original MCX gen 1 back when they 1st came out.
It was fun for what it was, again the accuracy is not anywhere near what you would see with a PCP.

One issue I ran into with it was if you fired the gun too fast, dumped a 30 round mag, it would freeze orings causing a leak. This is due to the co2 as a power source.
I am not sure if the gen 2 has addressed that, frankly I don't see what could be done to stop it, other than slow your shots down.

The only other suggestion I can add would be maybe look into some of the electric powered guns, but again your accuracy will be terrible compared to the PCP.

I hate to keep harping on it but do yourself a solid, save up your money and either buy a Huben K1 rifle or the New GK1 Pistol if you insist on semi auto, you will thank me later.
I own a couple of the K1's and they have been flawless.. and I shoot them A LOT!
Click to expand...
I like your idea of stair stepping with him. We have a side lever pcp already. And he does want a semi. I’ve been looking at the sig and what about the pcp version of the mcx? I realize that it won’t have the accuracy but this is mostly for fun, not too serious. The pcp version of mcx is like $260? What do you think? See below. I think he’d have a lot of fun with this sig as long as it doesn’t break. That’s why I’m here. And thanks for your help.

 
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