Start off with a nice breakbarrel R-1 or RWS, plenty of nice ones to see if you truly like airgunning
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Need Opinions on what is the best Airgun to Buy?
- Thread starter pgdune
- Start date
Thanks for all the addition replies everyone.
Still can't make up my mind on either the FX Wildcat or the Impact?
Have all the issues with FX impact really gone away or is it hit and miss with the Impact?
Patrick.
Still can't make up my mind on either the FX Wildcat or the Impact?
Have all the issues with FX impact really gone away or is it hit and miss with the Impact?
Patrick.
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FX Air gun Additional Questions?
Does the FX Impact and the FX Wildcat come with a scope or is that a separate purchase? If it does come with the scope is it a cheap one?
I am just trying to put the final budget together for this purchase and I am try to figure out all the extra costs.
example good quality air compressor, high quality scope, additional mag's, ect..
Patrick
Does the FX Impact and the FX Wildcat come with a scope or is that a separate purchase? If it does come with the scope is it a cheap one?
I am just trying to put the final budget together for this purchase and I am try to figure out all the extra costs.
example good quality air compressor, high quality scope, additional mag's, ect..
Patrick
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Most high quality guns come without scope or much else. (As is the case with the WC or impact)Try calling the dealer for prices and details. High quality compressor can be upwards of $1.8K. You can get an AV compressor or booster, & spend less, but will need water filters. A tank will cost about $550 new, some guys get them cheaper from ebay. Most of that info is already posted here if you search for it you will find it. I don't own either gun, so have no clue. I do however understand that the impact is a complex machine and may not be best suited if you can't put the time into it. Good luck.
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Can't agree with this more. There are a lot of suggestions for $2000 PCPs here, but if you're looking for your first, it needs to be something you can use as a foundation to expand your knowledge of airguns, i.e. something that you can easily apart, maintain, and reassemble. If you have never taken an airgun apart before, a $2000 gun is, frankly, one of the worst places to start. Every PCP I have ever owned has been in pieces at some point, and if I had an external regulator on my first one I probably would have damaged the unit by adjusting it to a lower pressure with air in the tube. Whatever you decide to get, make sure it is something within your skill set.
Tim
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I bought a used Wildcat off this forum in .25 caliber. GREAT gun! Mine had the Atlas rail attached as well as the spare magazine holder that fits in the stock and a spare magazine (you will want at least 1). I started with a cheaper UTG bipod and have recently ponied up for an Atlas. I also started with a cheaper UTG scope, but looking to upgrade as well. Solid shooter. Very very accurate. Backyard friendly, but I don't press it if my neighbors are out. Yes, have taken a number of squirrels from 15 to 60 yrds. You won't regret the rifle. If you go cheap on accessories, you'll likely upgrade over time (like I did), but the cheap stuff still worked and held a zero, etc. and was limited by the shooter, not equipment.
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Btw, I started (aside from bb guns as a kid) with a Hatsan AT44 .25QE 2 years ago, then upgraded to a used Wildcat last year. I'm also now putting the Hatsan up for sale...and thinking about selling the Wildcat to possibly upgrade for an Impact. Let me know if you want to talk about either...
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Btw, final budget planning is good. Like I said previously, I started out much less ambitious: Hatsan, cheap scope, cheap bipod, hand pump...after 6-9 months, got tired of pumping so got a carbon tank set up. After a year, upgraded gun to the Wildcat, after another upgraded bipod & scope (yes, the nice stuff is nicer, but won't say my misses were ever the equipments fault). Now after another 1.5 years, still love the Wildcat and been taking little pests since day 1...but, yes, the itch for an upgrade to the Impact and/or start adding a pistol or two have now been seeded. Just don't know that you want to blow a couple grand on a gun, a couple more on a compressor and another grand or two on tanks/accessories without getting something, living with it, seeing if its what you want/like/need in terms of power, accuracy, portability, etc. Always trade offs whatever you get...even from rifle style to bullpup.
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It's been said but Opinions on best Airgun to buy is tuff, it all depends on your budget and how far you want to go,myself I put close to 3k into 5 basic guns and two hand pumps not including ammo or scopes or bipods. Just put 900.00 into 2 new tanks, 500.00 into a regulator set up to tether tank to gun and now I just bought a AV compressor for 1299.00 so there is a lot to budget for when you want a PCP Airgun.
Here is a example of a good Airgun.
HMx with rail option about 2300.00
Vortex scope basic Viper HST 579.00
Rings for scope low side 59.00
Good Bipod for rifle Atlas 107 269.00
So right there a good Airgun is costing about 3200 plus tax and that's just the gun set up.
Go for a New 74cf tank and that's 579.00
Add a Armadillo tank kit that's 69.00
Now your over 3800.00 just to shoot a good Airgun now add the 500 for a good tether and 1299.00 to 2900.00 for a compressor and your around 5600.00 just to shoot that one Good Airgun.
Granted this is going all out and having the ability to fill your own tank and have the freedom to shoot whenever you want...
Or you could buy a proven lets say 25 caliber rifle with scope and hand pump for around 700.00 if you don't mind pumping air by hand...
So finding a budget is the very 1st thing you need to do and once you know what your finances can handle go from there, a lot of expensive airguns out there that run well over 3k but then there are also good airguns for 300-500 dollars it's up to what you can afford.
Here is a example of a good Airgun.
HMx with rail option about 2300.00
Vortex scope basic Viper HST 579.00
Rings for scope low side 59.00
Good Bipod for rifle Atlas 107 269.00
So right there a good Airgun is costing about 3200 plus tax and that's just the gun set up.
Go for a New 74cf tank and that's 579.00
Add a Armadillo tank kit that's 69.00
Now your over 3800.00 just to shoot a good Airgun now add the 500 for a good tether and 1299.00 to 2900.00 for a compressor and your around 5600.00 just to shoot that one Good Airgun.
Granted this is going all out and having the ability to fill your own tank and have the freedom to shoot whenever you want...
Or you could buy a proven lets say 25 caliber rifle with scope and hand pump for around 700.00 if you don't mind pumping air by hand...
So finding a budget is the very 1st thing you need to do and once you know what your finances can handle go from there, a lot of expensive airguns out there that run well over 3k but then there are also good airguns for 300-500 dollars it's up to what you can afford.
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Do you not see my fx impact post on this section!?!
http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/listnon-quality-checked-fx-impact-problems-brand-new-from-aoa/
I am an ordinary customer just like you and received a potato from aoa. Granted it was an unchecked potato but an potato nonetheless! Not just internally but externally too. I can't even think of a way to argue that it was possibly used. I am losing sleep over this airgun! You buying an impact will be a hit or miss. Definitely get testing done on it before them shipping if you do get an impact. Hey I thought they would fix everything by now but I knew what risk I was taking buying one. I mean look at 3/10 of the post in the pcp airgun section.
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I so wanted an FX Impact after watching videos of guys on youtube with custom-made barrels from the manufacturer 
.. then you read the forums and the reliability issues. For 2k that's insane. I got a Cricket from Georgia Airguns, maybe not as ergonomic but I love the accuracy, simplicity and the track record (many many happy owners) straight out of the box.
.. then you read the forums and the reliability issues. For 2k that's insane. I got a Cricket from Georgia Airguns, maybe not as ergonomic but I love the accuracy, simplicity and the track record (many many happy owners) straight out of the box.Upvote 0
Exactly! Good to know there is a Georgia Airguns though."kenzaoe"I so wanted an FX Impact after watching videos of guys on youtube with custom-made barrels from the manufacturer
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Edgun matador R3M or Rapid Air Weapons HM1000X (both .25).... i have had most of the pcp brands and these two are the ones that performed better. cricket .25 is also a great pcp but i had to choose one to sell and that was the cricket.
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i have had wildcat .22 and .25 and also impact .25 and all three came to me with quality problems..... missing orings, leaking, power adjusting isues, regulator issues.... if you are going to pay more than 1300 bucks for a rifle, you expect it to come without problems.... also if you read this forum, a lot of people are complaining about fx pcps.
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OK, let me put in my two cents, and that's about what this is worth -
There are a couple ways to look at that first PCP.
1. Buy the best NOW, live with it as long as you can and trade it later if you don't like it.
2. Prototype.
Prototype may sound strange, but that usually means buy bare bones, use the bare bones and LEARN from it. That's what I did and have never regretted it.
At the time I bought my first PCP, low end consisted of Discovery and Marauder. I bought the .22 Marauder and have never regretted it. From the factory, it shoots single hole 5 shots groups at 25 yards with Crosman Premier Domes. Does it have draw backs? Absolutely, but it's a $400 gun. With Premier Domes it packs abut 22 fpe at the muzzle. My next goal is to stretch it out to 50 yards and see if the groups open up. I don't shoot a lot, and I melt in the 100 degree plus weather we are having at the moment.
If I were buying my first PCP today, I'd buy the Benjamin Maximus, and probably in the Euro model unless hunting in the main goal. Why?
1. Reviews say it's an excellent, accurate gun with the right ammunition.
2. it's cheap to get started. The Maximus and pump combo's are around $300, or if you use the Crosman AGNATION Code, the gun is $165, The pump is $142.50. With the Maximus 2000 PSI fill, the pump is perfectly adequate. Order on Friday's and should be free shipping. That puts you in the game for $300 and gets you shooting.
Drawbacks? Almost all reviews list the crappy trigger as usable, but not wonderful. Single shot, no magazine so, strictly single
Why 12FPE European model? Quiet, accurate, and 60-ish shots per fill, so less pumping per shot.
Buy a gun like that, learn the idiosyncrasies and learn to shoot a less than stellar gun. Get shooting and hunting, and then by an FX Royal (My next gun if all holds) or something similar that can drive tacks at 100 yards.
So, to me, prototyping is working well. I can shoot, and learn while saving money for my next gun.
As for caliber, I like the .22, but that's me. Enough striking power, but less expensive than .25 and such. I don't hunt, so .22 is probably overkill. Just me -
Lastly, before you buy, if you are within 100 miles or so of a shop where you can go and cradle the gun in your arms, GO and shop in person.
I thought the FX Impact would be my next gun, until I held one. I hated it. It just didn't feel right. It wasn't the short (liked that) it was just not good for me personally. Great gun, just for someone else.
The folks at Utah Airguns let me hold a Streamline, it was OK, then they handed me a Royal. Love at first tough. It just felt right. He let me shoot his PERSONAL royal, and the trigger is so smooth, the gun is beautifully balanced and the rest. Go touch, feel, and experience the gun if at all possible. This is a big decision, it's worth a day on the road to get the right gun. Impact dropped off my list immediately. The Crown will probably be available before I have the cash for the Royal, so I'll reconsider at that time but the Royal is top dog right now in my book. Now, I have the same problem you do. Making sure I get the right caliber. Decisions, decisions.
There are a couple ways to look at that first PCP.
1. Buy the best NOW, live with it as long as you can and trade it later if you don't like it.
2. Prototype.
Prototype may sound strange, but that usually means buy bare bones, use the bare bones and LEARN from it. That's what I did and have never regretted it.
At the time I bought my first PCP, low end consisted of Discovery and Marauder. I bought the .22 Marauder and have never regretted it. From the factory, it shoots single hole 5 shots groups at 25 yards with Crosman Premier Domes. Does it have draw backs? Absolutely, but it's a $400 gun. With Premier Domes it packs abut 22 fpe at the muzzle. My next goal is to stretch it out to 50 yards and see if the groups open up. I don't shoot a lot, and I melt in the 100 degree plus weather we are having at the moment.
If I were buying my first PCP today, I'd buy the Benjamin Maximus, and probably in the Euro model unless hunting in the main goal. Why?
1. Reviews say it's an excellent, accurate gun with the right ammunition.
2. it's cheap to get started. The Maximus and pump combo's are around $300, or if you use the Crosman AGNATION Code, the gun is $165, The pump is $142.50. With the Maximus 2000 PSI fill, the pump is perfectly adequate. Order on Friday's and should be free shipping. That puts you in the game for $300 and gets you shooting.
Drawbacks? Almost all reviews list the crappy trigger as usable, but not wonderful. Single shot, no magazine so, strictly single
Why 12FPE European model? Quiet, accurate, and 60-ish shots per fill, so less pumping per shot.
Buy a gun like that, learn the idiosyncrasies and learn to shoot a less than stellar gun. Get shooting and hunting, and then by an FX Royal (My next gun if all holds) or something similar that can drive tacks at 100 yards.
So, to me, prototyping is working well. I can shoot, and learn while saving money for my next gun.
As for caliber, I like the .22, but that's me. Enough striking power, but less expensive than .25 and such. I don't hunt, so .22 is probably overkill. Just me -
Lastly, before you buy, if you are within 100 miles or so of a shop where you can go and cradle the gun in your arms, GO and shop in person.
I thought the FX Impact would be my next gun, until I held one. I hated it. It just didn't feel right. It wasn't the short (liked that) it was just not good for me personally. Great gun, just for someone else.
The folks at Utah Airguns let me hold a Streamline, it was OK, then they handed me a Royal. Love at first tough. It just felt right. He let me shoot his PERSONAL royal, and the trigger is so smooth, the gun is beautifully balanced and the rest. Go touch, feel, and experience the gun if at all possible. This is a big decision, it's worth a day on the road to get the right gun. Impact dropped off my list immediately. The Crown will probably be available before I have the cash for the Royal, so I'll reconsider at that time but the Royal is top dog right now in my book. Now, I have the same problem you do. Making sure I get the right caliber. Decisions, decisions.
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"FukoChan"
Do you not see my fx impact post on this section!?!
http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/listnon-quality-checked-fx-impact-problems-brand-new-from-aoa/
I am an ordinary customer just like you and received a potato from aoa. Granted it was an unchecked potato but an potato nonetheless! Not just internally but externally too. I can't even think of a way to argue that it was possibly used. I am losing sleep over this airgun! You buying an impact will be a hit or miss. Definitely get testing done on it before them shipping if you do get an impact. Hey I thought they would fix everything by now but I knew what risk I was taking buying one. I mean look at 3/10 of the post in the pcp airgun section.
Just to play devil's advocate here... any mass produced item can have issues. I've bought $30,000 cars that have had warranty issues within the first month of ownership.
Airguns are more complicated than powder burners so there's a higher chance for failure which I didn't realize when I moved into this hobby from shooting only powder burners. The Impact is even more complicated than most other airguns which unfortunately gives it more points of failure. I will agree that it seems that FX is having trouble meeting demand and QC may have slipped.
However, once you get the Impact tuned right it's a kick ass rifle. I had to send mine back to AoA for trigger issues but they fixed it up fast and it's on the way back to me now. Don't be afraid to get a high end rifle just be sure to ask the shop to give it a thorough inspection and test firing first. Remember, these guns have a warranty and if you buy from a good shop they will take care of you if any problems arise.
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"FukoChan"
Do you not see my fx impact post on this section!?!
http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/listnon-quality-checked-fx-impact-problems-brand-new-from-aoa/
I am an ordinary customer just like you and received a potato from aoa. Granted it was an unchecked potato but an potato nonetheless! Not just internally but externally too. I can't even think of a way to argue that it was possibly used. I am losing sleep over this airgun! You buying an impact will be a hit or miss. Definitely get testing done on it before them shipping if you do get an impact. Hey I thought they would fix everything by now but I knew what risk I was taking buying one. I mean look at 3/10 of the post in the pcp airgun section.
did you get a knew gun did they replace it seems to me you not sure whats going on aoa always has been great to me and many others
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If you are troubled whether its a Impact or Wildcat????
Are you into 0.25cal or 0.30 cal???
If you are a Newbee? I would take the Wildcat..
No way to go wrong here at all..
If you are into Air Rifles and maybe have a few already?
Oh hell yes get an Impact....
It is the finest Rifle for what it is period...
Impact is the Standard for what the Finest Air Rifles are compared to today...
Or pre Order the New FX Crown....
I am currently looking at the Crown myself to add to my small collection.
I have a Daystate Huntsman MK2 FT, and a Theoben Rapid 20 also.
Both shoot superb...
My Wildcat out performs them both shooting JSB King Heavy MK2s and the Benjamin Domed..
I did not think it could be possible...
Are you into 0.25cal or 0.30 cal???
If you are a Newbee? I would take the Wildcat..
No way to go wrong here at all..
If you are into Air Rifles and maybe have a few already?
Oh hell yes get an Impact....
It is the finest Rifle for what it is period...
Impact is the Standard for what the Finest Air Rifles are compared to today...
Or pre Order the New FX Crown....
I am currently looking at the Crown myself to add to my small collection.
I have a Daystate Huntsman MK2 FT, and a Theoben Rapid 20 also.
Both shoot superb...
My Wildcat out performs them both shooting JSB King Heavy MK2s and the Benjamin Domed..
I did not think it could be possible...
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My advise to a newbie from one?.
Do lots of research related to the shooting you want to do. Educate your self with the technology. I would never buy a non regulated gun again. Good place to start learning. These are not .22 rimfires, Way more involved and advanced and more accurate. That's what makes it interesting. Educated yourself about parallax, you will need to understand this in buying a scope.
There's more LOL Pellet weight. Brand ect ect
Welcome to our game.
Do lots of research related to the shooting you want to do. Educate your self with the technology. I would never buy a non regulated gun again. Good place to start learning. These are not .22 rimfires, Way more involved and advanced and more accurate. That's what makes it interesting. Educated yourself about parallax, you will need to understand this in buying a scope.
There's more LOL Pellet weight. Brand ect ect
Welcome to our game.
Upvote 0