My first PCP was a Benjamin Marauder Pistol I call a Prod. I bought it in May of 2020 and for about six months it was my only PCP. We went through one squirrel season together. I still use it for that where it's modest power is actually a bit of an asset. I did not like the effect I saw on a couple of the first 4 squirrels I shot with it so I raised the power to about 18 fpe and have used it there since with great results. It's taken 19 for me and after the increase in fpe I have only lost one and it was brain shot and flipped into the rotted area at the base of a large oak where I could not reach it. I will attach a picture of my Prod and also a target I shot at 30 yards with it to check the zero this morning right after taking it from over 6 months of storage. The wind was blowing to the left so I left the scope where it was. The group is not impressive, I will admit, but the scope is a 2-7 so I can only sort of see the target. With a target scope, I have shot over 190 on the 30 yard challenge with my Prod.
But why is it still one of my favorite PCPs? It is not regulated, it has only modest power (won't get to 750 fps with it's favorite 14.66 grain pellet in the current tune), it has a small shot count (due to the limited air storage) and I have several other PCPs without those limitations. As usual, it is a collection of the attributes it has.
Mine weighs 5 lbs, 5.2 ounces with scope in it's current configuration. It is thus my lightest PCP. That is a nice attribute if you ever have to carry it.
It has never needed serviced. Reliability is a big deal. I know how to change O-rings and do other maintenance things but it's nice when I don't have to.
I can leave it set for six months or more and if I take it out to shoot it will shoot as it did when I put it away. I did that this morning in a pesting situation and had a one shot kill. Some of my regulated PCPs are pretty reliable but I doubt any are as reliable this way as the Prod.
It is U. S. made and has a minimum of plastic parts. As it comes the stock is plastic and I think the cap over the foster fitting is plastic. That is pretty much it.
It has a foster fitting so it doesn't need a fill probe.
The manometer is on the bottom, not on the end of the airtube. No need to look down the barrel to see your pressure.
The limited air storage, while it does reduce shot count, is an attribute if you ever have to hand pump it. That and the low fill pressure make hand pumping totally doable IMHO.
It has a nice trigger and comes with a usable manual which includes trigger adjustment instructions.
It comes with 2 very usable magazines and you do not have load pellets backward to load them.
I think the Prod gets overlooked a bit these days in favor of newer PCPs like the Notos who's attributes are similar in some ways. I have no doubt the Notos is nice too. But I still like my old Prod. Its a little hard to recommend it versus the Notos given the current price difference but if you see a used one it could be a great deal. At the same price I'd take the Prod. If it was only me using it, I might also buy another Prod if I ever have to replace it. It is not flashy and it's feature list is not up-to-date but it is dependable, accurate and fun. Definitely deserves consideration.
But why is it still one of my favorite PCPs? It is not regulated, it has only modest power (won't get to 750 fps with it's favorite 14.66 grain pellet in the current tune), it has a small shot count (due to the limited air storage) and I have several other PCPs without those limitations. As usual, it is a collection of the attributes it has.
Mine weighs 5 lbs, 5.2 ounces with scope in it's current configuration. It is thus my lightest PCP. That is a nice attribute if you ever have to carry it.
It has never needed serviced. Reliability is a big deal. I know how to change O-rings and do other maintenance things but it's nice when I don't have to.
I can leave it set for six months or more and if I take it out to shoot it will shoot as it did when I put it away. I did that this morning in a pesting situation and had a one shot kill. Some of my regulated PCPs are pretty reliable but I doubt any are as reliable this way as the Prod.
It is U. S. made and has a minimum of plastic parts. As it comes the stock is plastic and I think the cap over the foster fitting is plastic. That is pretty much it.
It has a foster fitting so it doesn't need a fill probe.
The manometer is on the bottom, not on the end of the airtube. No need to look down the barrel to see your pressure.
The limited air storage, while it does reduce shot count, is an attribute if you ever have to hand pump it. That and the low fill pressure make hand pumping totally doable IMHO.
It has a nice trigger and comes with a usable manual which includes trigger adjustment instructions.
It comes with 2 very usable magazines and you do not have load pellets backward to load them.
I think the Prod gets overlooked a bit these days in favor of newer PCPs like the Notos who's attributes are similar in some ways. I have no doubt the Notos is nice too. But I still like my old Prod. Its a little hard to recommend it versus the Notos given the current price difference but if you see a used one it could be a great deal. At the same price I'd take the Prod. If it was only me using it, I might also buy another Prod if I ever have to replace it. It is not flashy and it's feature list is not up-to-date but it is dependable, accurate and fun. Definitely deserves consideration.
