Benjamin New guy here! Just ordered my first "grown-up" air rifle

[AlanMcD]

For easier and more consistent cocking, you can lube the hammer, but it is best to use a dry lube like moly or titanium disulfide powder to do so, as liquid lubes and greases will smooth things out but induce variability in hammer strike as the temperature changes (as the viscosty will change with temperature). If you only shoot at a pretty constant temp, the a little moly grease could work out OK.

I'd say the ultimate improvement in ease/smoothness of cocking comes by swapping the hammer to a nylon based one, like JSAR makes and sells. Of course these are lighter than stock, so you might need more spring to get the performance back.

Another great thing that you could do that is more involved is to debur the cocking slot and also polish the inside of the air tube where the hammer slides with a ball hone. You'll need to take the gun apart down to the bare tube to do this right, and of course doing so will void the warranty and remove the surface treatment on the tube so be sure to lube it properly to prevent rust after you do it. One like this what I used (not exactly this unit) in 320 grit and it worked wonders: https://www.amazon.com/Research-BC100800BC-FLEX-HONE®-Diameter-Abrasive/dp/B0C39LMCG9/

Doing all three puts the gun in a whole other class . . .

 

[cavedweller]

As a kid, I had a Crosman 761XL, and it was "da bomb." Stolen from our house in a burglary. I wish I could replace it for nostalgic purposes. I've looked, but the vast majority of vintage 761XL (with gold receiver) are in very poor condition.

Since then, I've been a big "gun" guy with a pretty decent collection of firearms. I like me some guns!

I've been wanting to add a "real grown up" air rifle to the collection for a while. And I finally placed the order yesterday (Pyramyd Air)!

I ordered a Benjamin Marauder Regulated (aka "Field & Target") in .22. Wood stock. Lothar Walther barrel.

View attachment 566030

Also ordered:

Hawke 4-16x44 Airmax 30 SF Compact Rifle scope, Ill. AMX IR, 1/10 MRAD, 30mm​

Air Venturi Mini Wingman, 100 cu in PCP tank

Also an assortment of pellets to try and four extra magazines.

That ***t adds up to some serious $$$! But I can't wait to play with it!

A year ago, a dude at the range had an FX Impact M3 that attracted my attention. He let me shoot it. At 25 yards, I put 5 pellets in one hole. Not a "cloverleaf." ONE hole! Oh, baby... I gotta have one of those! Well... that rifle (alone) is $2100. Sooooooooooooo.... I'm starting with the Maruader!

I see Lots of fun in your future!

 

[Racer88]

A new "portrait" of my rifle. Going to the range for the 3rd time tomorrow.

 

[Racer88]

Time to load the magazines (for tomorrow's range trip).

Done!

Also... time to number the mags!

 

[Racer88]

I have an app on my laptop that tracks my guns, ammo inventory, and logs my range trips.

I just looked at my typical range day ammo costs... never really paid attention. I'll list the five range trip ammo costs BEFORE I got the air rifle and then range trips with the air rifle.

"Powder Burner" trips:​

$121.00
$93.36
$63.07
$82.94
$127.98
----------------------------------------------

Air Rifle trips:​

$7.28
$9.34
$8.42

Holy Toledo! "Honey! Look at how much money I'm saving with air rifles!"

 

[Hisson]

Great to hear you bought a Marauder as your first airgun.
That's what I started with nearly 20 years ago.
I still own a Marauder .22 pistol with an AR stock. Love the gun. Shoots one hole groups at 30 yards all day.
Happy shooting!

 

[Racer88]

Even though I'm trying to pay particular attention to cycling the bolt fully, I am still occasionally short-stroking it which fails to charge the gun with air. Dead trigger. At least I do remember to remove the magazine so I don't double-load the chamber before I cycle the bolt again. Fire that shot then put the magazine back in. Perhaps it's the speed that I'm cycling the bolt? I tend to rack it the same way I do with a firearm... quickly. I think I need to learn to be slow and deliberate.

The other thing I haven't gotten used to is thinking to check the gun air pressure as I shoot. I just keep shooting and the I'll have a shot or two drop WAY low on the target when it finally dawns on me, "Oh! I'm out of air!" Duh! As a very long-time firearms (powder burner) shooter, that aspect of air gunning hasn't sunk in with this air-gunning newb, yet! LOL!

 

[NTA New To Air]

Welcome, and nice place to start with that Marauder.

You have already found that it may be a lot easier to shoot very accurately with an air rifle as compared to a firearm. Amazing the capabilities of today's air rifles.

Just one thing to think about - So many of us still had our pellet or BB guns from when we were kids, and (at least a lot of the city folks like me) still had 1/3 of the original box of ammo left.

You may well find yourself shooting a LOT more with your new Marauder - so stock up when you find the pellets it likes best.

This is just one box of empty pellet tins in my garage:
View attachment 566037

I have a full one just like it out in the shed. Can't say that they are all mine (we have a weekly shoot in my back yard with up to 8 other air gunners), but by far the most in these boxes were emptied by me.

So another question always remains in my mind- If you can figure out a use for these nice metal tins after we empty them. I can't get myself to throw them away!

Welcome and hope you enjoy your newest shooting hobby. Lots of great info and folks here.

Pack each half tin ( bottom half and top half lid ) full of Duct Seal Compound use 3" or smaller splatter burst targets on them and they make nice silent pellet traps for .25 / .22 / and .177. You can screw / nail them to the board next to each other before filling them with duct seal.

 

[Oceanminded]

Congrats!

 

[3Crows]

Even though I'm trying to pay particular attention to cycling the bolt fully, I am still occasionally short-stroking it which fails to charge the gun with air. Dead trigger. At least I do remember to remove the magazine so I don't double-load the chamber before I cycle the bolt again. Fire that shot then put the magazine back in. Perhaps it's the speed that I'm cycling the bolt? I tend to rack it the same way I do with a firearm... quickly. I think I need to learn to be slow and deliberate.

The other thing I haven't gotten used to is thinking to check the gun air pressure as I shoot. I just keep shooting and the I'll have a shot or two drop WAY low on the target when it finally dawns on me, "Oh! I'm out of air!" Duh! As a very long-time firearms (powder burner) shooter, that aspect of air gunning hasn't sunk in with this air-gunning newb, yet! LOL!

You need to purchase or buy a thumbrest to assist cocking. It makes the M-Rod bolt easier to cok and more tactile. This one from AGR on my Gen 1 .25:



Place thumb on rest, place forefinger or first two fingers around the bolt as close to the breech/barrel center of axis as possible (not out on the end) and squeeze your hand as if squeezing a rubber ball.

 

[Racer88]

You need to purchase or buy a thumbrest to assist cocking. It makes the M-Rod bolt easier to cok and more tactile. This one from AGR on my Gen 1 .25:



Place thumb on rest, place forefinger or first two fingers around the bolt as close to the breech/barrel center of axis as possible (not out on the end) and squeeze your hand as if squeezing a rubber ball.

Got one (discovered here on the forum). I like it. I think it helps a bit. But I think maybe my problem is cycling the bolt too quickly.

 

[3Crows]

Got one (discovered here on the forum). I like it. I think it helps a bit. But I think maybe my problem is cycling the bolt too quickly.

View attachment 589992

Ha! It could be that. I like to squeeze my hand smoothly until I feel the bolt come to stop. I have large hands and as a result of turning wrenches, I do have a grip!