Scotty, you probably shouldn't just go buy some recommendation like: "Go buy yourself model X from brand Y. Trust me, it's really good!"
You probably should buy a gun that fits
your requirements — for
your type of shooting — for
your budget.
The same applies to a scope. I just started several thread about scopes — and
I am startled and disgusted at the types of scopes people declare as their favorites — "disgusted" because I would never buy a scope like that, not for 50% off...!!
This tells me that (1) my opinion and my likes is just that:
MY perception of what's appropriate for
ME. (2) People are probably startled and disgusted at the type of scopes and guns I consider "the best"
— because they are "best" for
me only — and not for
them....
I'll list some of the criteria that will move you to one type or another type of gun.
In the end you'll have to weigh each one — which are more important to you.
(1) One Universal Gun — or Several Specialist Guns (eventually)? Will you eventually buy a gun+scope for every use that you have? Be HONEST to yourself...!
—A gun for target shooting to 100y
—A gun for the varmints in your yard
—A gun for .....?
If that is eventually what you'll do, buying several
specialized guns — your gun+scope choosing gets easier! — because you don't need to buy a
univeral gun "that does it all" — and still keeps your marriage in tact when the credit card bill arrives....
Believe me, I tried to buy a
universal gun on a marriage—preserving budget — you don't have many to choose from.....
(2) Consistent Challenge to Hold the Gun Just Right — or Consistent Shooting? Do you like the constant challenge to hold the gun
just right in
the artillery hold — with
just the right amount of pressure, the hands placed
just so — in order to hit the target? ➔ Then you are fine with
springers.
If you get frustrated that once you learn how to hold gun A
just right — you now need to re-learn how to hold gun B just right, and if you want to hold your airrifle the same way as your powder burners:
➔ Then you might be better off with a
PCP —
or a
recoilless springer (like AirArms TX200, Diana/RWS 54 or 56).
(3) Long Range (100y) — or Mid Range (50y)? Will you get bitten by the long range bug? 100 yards? 125 yards? 200 yards? ➔ Then
PCP is the only answer (unless you have a long range indoor shooting range or a factory building or long closed off barn to shoot in).
(4) Loudness — Is it Tolerable — Or Is QUIET a Must? Will the loudness of the gun be
important? ➔ Then
PCP is the answer, especially at higher power levels, because with shrouds and silencers (if they are legal in your loc) you can get them to quiet down much more than a springer.
(5) Do You Want to Tinker — or "Not Mess Around Much, Just Shoot" If you were born with two left hands — meaning if you are not so good with mechanics and machines, or simply don't enjoy tinkering, changing o-rings, making adjustments to some spring or regulator — or simple don't want to send the gun off to an airgun tuner/fixer:
➔ Then a
springer will be your friend, because even the best PCPs need maintenance.
(6) Straightforward and Simple — or Sophisticated Options For shooting, do you like it straightforward and simple — "grab a gun and a can of pellets and hit the woods"?
Or do you like sophisticated (and sometimes complicated) options and features — that require additional accessories and gear?
If it's the first ➔
Springers If it's the second ➔
PCPs (a hand pump* from China for $40 is all you truly
need, however an airtank ($400) or air compressor (twice that $, or more) make the filling a lot more
convenient. (*If you hand pump, you might want to limit yourself to PCPs with 250bar or less in the airtube, as it gets a lot harder with higher pressure.)
(7) Weight Is it important that the rifle is light (because you plan to carry it on extended hunts)? ➔
PCPs are on average lighter, my bullpup weighs 6lbs — as compared to springers with 9, 10, or more lbs.
(8) A Person Easily Content — or one With High Expectations ▪If you are an easy going person, content, easily satisfied — don't allow other people to make you feel bad for buying a gun for X dollars (X being too cheap and low quality in their own mind).
▪But if are a person who is
not easily satisfied, someone who keeps
pushing for more, with
high expectations — you might just want to save up your money and buy a $1000 or $2000 gun, instead of the $300 or $500 gun....
You've heard the slogan: "Buy once — cry once" — I learned that little piece of wisdom in the airgun universe....
(Maybe a clever sales manager put it out there...?)
But it holds true for the second type of person. You might never get satisfied with the Chinese knock-off, you'll always deeply desire that other four-digit-sticker-price gun. Well, in that case, you might as well skip the cheap Chinese and go for that other gun/ scope.
The options on the gun market and scope market are huge — and they keep growing.
When you have made up your mind about some of your most basic requirements and values in guns — you'll be able to have a more focussed search and can weed out the guns that don't fulfill your requirements.
Happy shopping!
Matthias
