Crossman 760, so disappointing.

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J

Jalan

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May 8, 2025
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Hello All,
I recently decided it was a good time to introduce my 8 yr old daughter to shooting. Great time to teach safety, more safety, and some shooting basics.
When I was about her age (granted it was 40+ years ago), I got the Crossman 760 Pumpmaster. I loved it. My Gpap taught me everything. I had it for 10+ years when it finally gave out. I couldn't think of a better way to introduce my daughter than to get that same rifle.
Disappointment is a major understatement. The thing is $40 so it is what it is, but compared to the one I had really isn't even a comparison.
Beyond just the general flimsy feel there are problems that really are awful. Thought I'd list just a few:
The barrel itself can turn/twist +/- 60°, putting the sights near sideways.
The pump handle being completely light plastic feels like it'll break any second.
The bolt/ breach are a little misaligned meaning you need to shove it into place.
Like I said, I didn't expect much but I'd like to at least think it'll last during this early beginner time. The old ones had a metal handle and linkage to pump. That's my biggest issue here. It takes more force now as the handle is short, less leverage. Guaranteed it'll break.

Oh well, things get cheap and corners cut over time. Stay profitable, compete, etc I get it. Mostly it's just me. Memories of this thing are some of my best as a kid at my GPa's house. I want to share that with my daughter but this isn't going to do it.
I'm wondering if I should just grab the Red Ryder and go from there 😊.
That's for listening, mostly I just had to vent. That said, I'm definitely open to suggestions of what might be a solid choice for her.
All the best.....
 
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I’m sorry for the disappointment but I did enjoy your post. I too had a Crosman 760 as my very first air rifle. I received it as a Christmas gift in 1979. I shot that rifle as often as I could and there is no telling how many unfortunate birds fell to that pump gun. I still have it in my safe; although it does need a re-build so it can hold air again. I am sorry to hear how the quality has declined over the years, but thanks for the post and for bringing back some fond memories.
Kenny
 
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Here's how they made them 57 years ago...........(1968)............in the good ole USA !

KIMG3263 (1).JPG
 
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joeayv said:
this was 72-73.. all wood and metal. really nicely made back thenView attachment 568080
Click to expand...

That's exactly the one I had in 1979. 761XL. I had a scope on it, and at the time it was "da bomb." I had the coolest "BB gun." It was stolen in a home burglary.

Since then, I've tried to find a good one to buy.... with NO luck. I'd pay good money for one (in good and working condition). My other "first gun" was an H&R Topper 12-ga single-shot shotgun. Got that in 1980, and lost it in a house fire. It was also discontinued, but I found one a couple of years ago online and was able to recreate that sense of nostalgia.

It's true... "They don't make them like they used to."

And just this week, I got my first "grown-up" air rifle... the first since I lost my 761XL. It only took me 45 years! ;)

For my kids (now grown), who I started shooting at age 8 (son) and age 10 (daughter)... we started with .22LR rifles.
 
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.20calguy said:
I truly felt sorry for all my freinds who got those 760's. I had one of these.

View attachment 568184
Click to expand...
Ha ha…You are correct sir….My friend had a Sheridan and the first time I shot it, it was like a howetzer compared to the 760… lol
but they We’re very loud… I grew up in a 1/4 acre plot in suburbia…. I could shot my 761 xl all day. I eventually got a Sheridan and I had to limit my shooting…. And I like you have many Airguns and many .20 calibers today…👍👍👍👍
 
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joeayv said:
Ha ha…You are correct sir….My friend had a Sheridan and the first time I shot it, it was like a howetzer compared to the 760… lol
but they We’re very loud… I grew up in a 1/4 acre plot in suburbia…. I could shot my 761 xl all day. I eventually got a Sheridan and I had to limit my shooting…. And I like you have many Airguns and many .20 calibers today…👍👍👍👍
Click to expand...
That was my grand daughter with the 65 Bluestreak. Here is her little brother with the 49 Benji. I have fun with these kids. 👍
Screenshot_20250520_145352_Gallery.jpg
 
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Jalan said:
Hello All,
I recently decided it was a good time to introduce my 8 yr old daughter to shooting. Great time to teach safety, more safety, and some shooting basics.
When I was about her age (granted it was 40+ years ago), I got the Crossman 760 Pumpmaster. I loved it. My Gpap taught me everything. I had it for 10+ years when it finally gave out. I couldn't think of a better way to introduce my daughter than to get that same rifle.
Disappointment is a major understatement. The thing is $40 so it is what it is, but compared to the one I had really isn't even a comparison.
Beyond just the general flimsy feel there are problems that really are awful. Thought I'd list just a few:
The barrel itself can turn/twist +/- 60°, putting the sights near sideways.
The pump handle being completely light plastic feels like it'll break any second.
The bolt/ breach are a little misaligned meaning you need to shove it into place.
Like I said, I didn't expect much but I'd like to at least think it'll last during this early beginner time. The old ones had a metal handle and linkage to pump. That's my biggest issue here. It takes more force now as the handle is short, less leverage. Guaranteed it'll break.

Oh well, things get cheap and corners cut over time. Stay profitable, compete, etc I get it. Mostly it's just me. Memories of this thing are some of my best as a kid at my GPa's house. I want to share that with my daughter but this isn't going to do it.
I'm wondering if I should just grab the Red Ryder and go from there 😊.
That's for listening, mostly I just had to vent. That said, I'm definitely open to suggestions of what might be a solid choice for her.
All the best.....
Click to expand...
All is not lost: your daughter just opened an airgunnation account asking about the specs on an Air Arms S510. You’re doing something right!
 
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greg1978 said:
Realizing it's not a repeater, won't store BB's, have you considered a 1377? With a stock you have an excellent shooter for a small one. Accurate and easy to pump for a child...
Click to expand...
With a Chinese barrel support they'll accept a 1/2 20 moderator too. This is an old rear cocker 1377 American classic I don't know the actual age of I turned 22. It was my dad's gun and then I got it in the mid 90s. A steel breech, an optic and a moderator keeps it relevant for me still and it has the old brass valve and regular pump piston, if you pump enough it will do 500 fps with cphp in 22 and it's one of my quietest. Not having a repeater taught me some good practices for aiming and then I got a 392 for Christmas years later.

The daisy 880 is fun and disposable, the crosman 2100 was also decent but I dunno what is going to happen with crosman now that daisy bought them and it's all going chinese.

20250506_054302.jpg
 
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