Does your head spin?

[Snead360]

Noob to this level of airguns. I have been scouring the WTS PCP's and learned you can spend crazy amounts of money on airguns. I started looking at retailers sites....just so much!
I enjoy shooting and it is so nice to be able to shoot in my neighborhood backyard.
My big question is....how do I figure out what I need and can you try out different types of brands and models anywhere local?
I would like to be able to hunt squirrels and nuisance animals. Plink/target. I have easy access to SCBA compressor and cascade.
I am thinking .22 or .25 and around $500 to get started.
Any suggestions?

 

[3Crows]

Well, I would write off anything from China* and Turkey. The Euro stuff is great but it costs a lot of money but if you have the money and want to spend it, FX**, Daystate, RTI etc. That leaves us poor folks with the Benjamin Marauder or possibly the UK built Gamo Urban.

(*) Some China guns may be okay, like the Notos, Zelos, possibly Avenger (mine leaked), some Umarex stuff (mine were leaky)
(**) With FX, having nearly pulled the trigger on one several times, scared off by leaks and the apparent need to spend $2,000 for the gun and then another $2,000 to get it to shoot to the same POI reliably. So now I am thinking Blackwolf.

Or just stay with my four .25 M-Rods and my two Urbans and be happy. I really do want a .30 caliber air rifle that can shoot in the 100 fpe +/- range.

Having two regulated and two non-regulated M-Rods, I would say, get a M-Rof .25 from AGR and have him do the hybrid air tube mod on it to reduce weight and improve balance and install his SSG and then go kill some squirrels and stuff with it. I do like cutting off the shroud to barrel length using a Tim Hill short shroud, improves handling in the brush where the squirrels live. The .25 M-Rod is more accurate than the .22 unless you splurge on the WL barrel available for the .22. I do not know why this is the case but it seems to be, the Crosman .25 barrel is accurate, the .22 Crosman barrel is less so. I would also get the synthetic stock which along with the AGR hybrid tube will make the gun a joy to carry. Also get the $12 AGR thumb rest installed because then cocking will be a joy as well.

 

[Snead360]

I believe you can caliber swap the Zellos but it is a bit overbudget I think. Seems like a good gun, however. The M60B is about the same thing but I think the price is similar.

The Avenge X can also caliber swap and it doesn't cost a lot to change calibers. Looks like the classic tube version is about $500, the tactical a few dollars more. I have an original Avenger in 25 caliber and after I got the leak it had when it arrived fixed it has been reliable. The externally adjustable regulator with a gauge is nice, especially in this price range. My 25 is not as accurate as my SPA guns but others have reported great accuracy with theirs.

You cannot really caliber swap them but I really like Snowpeak (SPA) bullpups. They also make the Stoeger Scout and Ranger long guns. The long guns should be well within your budget, around $350. A P35X (Krale) or Bullshark should be under $500. The regulator is inside but it can be adjusted if you are reasonably handy. I think they are a bit better made than my original Avenger but I haven't handled the long guns. The Avenger documentation is far better but I've explained SPA trigger adjustment on here several times, it is not difficult. The hammer spring is right out where you can see it and easily adjust it. The SPA guns are simpler with less "bells and whistles" but they shoot great and mine have been very reliable.

You didn't seem to say if the $500 is gun and scope or just the gun. If it needs to cover the scope too then a Scout or Ranger with a Hawke Vantage scope would fit and would be a nice gun.

Just the gun. Accessories can come after

 

[L.Leon]

Well, I would write off anything from China* and Turkey. The Euro stuff is great but it costs a lot of money but if you have the money and want to spend it, FX**, Daystate, RTI etc. That leaves us poor folks with the Benjamin Marauder or possibly the UK built Gamo Urban.

(*) Some China guns may be okay, like the Notos, Zelos, possibly Avenger (mine leaked), some Umarex stuff (mine were leaky)
(**) With FX, having nearly pulled the trigger on one several times, scared off by leaks and the apparent need to spend $2,000 for the gun and then another $2,000 to get it to shoot to the same POI reliably. So now I am thinking Blackwolf.

Or just stay with my four .25 M-Rods and my two Urbans and be happy. I really do want a .30 caliber air rifle that can shoot in the 100 fpe +/- range.

Having two regulated and two non-regulated M-Rods, I would say, get a M-Rof .25 from AGR and have him do the hybrid air tube mod on it to reduce weight and improve balance and install his SSG and then go kill some squirrels and stuff with it. I do like cutting off the shroud to barrel length using a Tim Hill short shroud, improves handling in the brush where the squirrels live. The .25 M-Rod is more accurate than the .22 unless you splurge on the WL barrel available for the .22. I do not know why this is the case but it seems to be, the Crosman .25 barrel is accurate, the .22 Crosman barrel is less so. I would also get the synthetic stock which along with the AGR hybrid tube will make the gun a joy to carry. Also get the $12 AGR thumb rest installed because then cocking will be a joy as well.

I would second the Gamo Urban, my first, it has a proven BSA barrel and performed outsize to its price range, mine was simply stellar. A handpump kept it fed and it was deadly out to 80+ yards for me. I still regret letting go of mine… A simple, vetted, no nonsense PCP.

 

[3Crows]

I would second the Gamo Urban, my first, it has a proven BSA barrel and performed outsize to its price range, mine was simply stellar. A handpump kept it fed and it was deadly out to 80+ yards for me. I still regret letting go of mine… A simple, vetted, no nonsense PCP.

I have two of them. This one is de-pickled, has a larger TP, the HS is in 14 turns (? I think?), carbon fiber barrel sleeve for looks, eBay threaded adapter and printed suppressor from a GTA member ( OC_ ):



It is a squirrel, HOSP, starling, rabbit killer. It prefers JSB Exact 18 and 15 but does just fine with CPHP, new and old. Here 25 yards with CPHP;

 

[Vetmx]

What did you recommend to you friends?

I will tell you that I did not hook them up with a change caliber gun. I sold the one a RTI that you can change calibers with but he has zero interest. They are powder burner guys so they never changed their .223 into a 300 mag so the trying to have five guns in one is a battle I didn’t have to fight with them. The list? Taipan vet .25. RTI Prophet .25. Custom built Kral Jumbo .22. Three JTS Airacuda Max’s one .22 a .25 and a .30. And finally one Zelos .25. Oops, and a Gamo Urban .22 was the RTI guys first gun I got him. He still has it. Great bang for the buck. Bad bang for the buck for the guy who wants to constantly try to make the gun something it’s not. Very very accurate for a simple unregulated gun.

 

[rcarlisle]

I started with a Marauder, hand pump and cheap scope. I spent every penny of my $1000 budget. To be fair, nearly $300 went to a Hill hand pump. A $50-100 hand pump on Amazon is fine to start (assuming you're able-bodied and don't mind physical labor). So figure $800 to get the gun in .22 cal, a cheap hand pump and a cheap scope. I still have and shoot my (Gen 1, unregulated, .177 cal) Marauder after 12+ years of ownership, so probably some of the best value for my dollar in this hobby so far.
I bought a DreamTac a few years back because I thought I'd like to be able to change calibers and stock configurations. I've had the damn thing for 4 years and I've done none of that. Thankfully, I've also not spent any money on the extra stuff I'd need to do it either. So no regrets... it was worth the money. I love the gun but it will probably never wear a walnut stock nor a different barrel. Both things I was pretty sure I'd enjoy when I bought it.
If you can possibly swing new equipment, you really should go that route. You're going to put significant $$$ toward even a used gun. You should have a proper warranty the first time out. You can buy used stuff when you have a better grasp on what you're getting into. If you must buy used, the classifieds here are probably as good as it gets once you're past the 10 day goal posts.

 

[Ranchibi]

All great advice above! Try waiting and looking for a used Umarex Zelos .22 or maybe a used but upgraded/modded bottled Notos which will be similar to a Zelos with perhaps a little less power.

 

[JimD]

I assume bad opin ons about Chinese airguns is based upon negative experience predating my entry into this sport in 2020. These days I don't know how you can maintain that opinion. The Red Panda is made in China although assembled in the U. S. and wins 100 yard competitions regularly. It's getting harder and harder to avoid made-in-china stuff. Both my compressors were made there and 6 of my 8 PCPs. The Chinese built PCPs I own are as accurate and reliable as my one eastern European airgun and my one U. S. built airgun. I don't try to make political statements with my purchases but I won't buy things that I think will not work or hold up. Chinese made airgun products are OK from my point of view. Not my first choice for place of manufacture but definitely not on the "do not buy from" list.

 

[Chukar60]

What did you recommend to your friends that are one and done? I like the idea of being able to switch barrels. Not sure if I would need to.

Switching barrels is not what it appears on the surface. I bought the FX sales pitch on that . It is possible and it does work. It is also enough of a pain that I just bought another gun in the calibers I wanted

 

[RickH]

I bought a Gauntlet 2 in .25 and it’s been very good. The hand pump gives plenty of exercise but I’m well under $500 purchasing through the classifieds here.

Rick H.

 

[Ratzy]

Niksan Ozark-TW from DonnyFL
$380 new
Well made, adjustable power, walnut stock, adjustable butt plate. Comes with case and 4 magazines.
Accurate out to 50 yards
Only .25 left in stock

Probably need a compressor too

Niksan Ozark-TW

DonnyFL Airgun / Stock Synthetic-Walnut / Barrel Length 55cm or 21.65 inch / Total Length 97cm or 38.18 inch / Air Tank Volume 425cc / Fill Pressure 250 bar / Muzzle 1/2” UNF / Weight 3.15kg or 6.94 pounds / Velocity 5.5mm or .22cal: 850 FPS 18.13gr JSB / Magazine Type 4.5mm or .177cal: 14...

donnyfl.com

 

[Struckat]

I will tell you that I did not hook them up with a change caliber gun. I sold the one a RTI that you can change calibers with but he has zero interest. They are powder burner guys so they never changed their .223 into a 300 mag so the trying to have five guns in one is a battle I didn’t have to fight with them. The list? Taipan vet .25. RTI Prophet .25. Custom built Kral Jumbo .22. Three JTS Airacuda Max’s one .22 a .25 and a .30. And finally one Zelos .25. Oops, and a Gamo Urban .22 was the RTI guys first gun I got him. He still has it. Great bang for the buck. Bad bang for the buck for the guy who wants to constantly try to make the gun something it’s not. Very very accurate for a simple unregulated gun.

The part in that about making the gun something it’s not is key. Thats why one of the most important things to consider is your usage. What will you do with it for your normal shootin?

Banging steel at 100 calls for a very different gun than the on e needed for stalking chippers @ 30 feet.

Most of mine are very low power due to my environment. The more powerful are for Safari away from home.

 

[Struckat]

Niksan Ozark-TW from DonnyFL
$380 new
Well made, adjustable power, walnut stock, adjustable butt plate. Comes with case and 4 magazines.
Accurate out to 50 yards
Only .25 left in stock

Probably need a compressor too

Niksan Ozark-TW

DonnyFL Airgun / Stock Synthetic-Walnut / Barrel Length 55cm or 21.65 inch / Total Length 97cm or 38.18 inch / Air Tank Volume 425cc / Fill Pressure 250 bar / Muzzle 1/2” UNF / Weight 3.15kg or 6.94 pounds / Velocity 5.5mm or .22cal: 850 FPS 18.13gr JSB / Magazine Type 4.5mm or .177cal: 14...

donnyfl.com

I wonder if it could shoot slugs in 177?
“Synthetic walnut“ LOL

 

[DesertSilver]

Is your shooting going to be mainly in the back yard? How close are your neighbors? A .177 Cal is cheaper to shoot and uses less air per shot . It also doesn't carry far so if you are shooting at a squirrel and miss you don't have to worry about hitting someone or something and damaging them or it. You need to take into consideration how much hand pumping to shooting is acceptable.

 

[Avator]

All I can say is that I would hate to be a new comer to airgunning today... There are way to many options available and many will fit specific needs. Add to that the fact that everyone has an opinion on what is better than another.
But wait... it gets worse...
Many look to online reviews to help them choose.. so misleading are these guys pumping out these great reviews in the hopes of getting the next free gun to play with. Have you ever seen Guy Fieri on Tripple D spit something out and claim it tastes like crap? Well, maybe an egg.
I think I would just have to jump in and grab something that appeals to me. Then I would hang out on one of these forums and listen to the real World users with an open mind. Makes some friends. Many of us are more than happy to have fellow airgunners over to try out our guns... we are proud of them.
A range that permits airguns is another good place to join and hang out.

 

[Ratzy]

I wonder if it could shoot slugs in 177?
“Synthetic walnut“ LOL

Slugs, probably not, choked barrel

Synthetic-Walnut
Dash is important
Tactical butt stock is Synthetic
Stock is Walnut

 

[PGinsandiego]

Is your shooting going to be mainly in the back yard? How close are your neighbors? A .177 Cal is cheaper to shoot and uses less air per shot . It also doesn't carry far so if you are shooting at a squirrel and miss you don't have to worry about hitting someone or something and damaging them or it. You need to take into consideration how much hand pumping to shooting is acceptable.

^^^^^^This advice from DesertSilver could save you $$$$$, time, fustration, and neighborhood peace!^^^^^^​

IMO, If your backyard is in a more suburban area then a .177 is cheaper, quieter, and safer. A Gamo Urban in .177 would be ideal.