New to air guns

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Alderman

Member
Nov 16, 2020
313
11
Oregon, United States
Hello,

New member looking at air guns for the first time. I have a fairly long history with centerfire and rimfire firearms but other than the old BB guns and pump up Crosman pellet gun I have just taken an interest in a possible purchase in a PCP gun. 

My interest was raised due to a purchase of a Hawke scope for centerfire and rimfire use and I started reading about their use on air rifles. 

Im currently looking to possible purchase a used Air Arms 510 that is unregulated. 

As a first time user who will be using the gun for plinking and personal target shooting is a regulated gun worth the extra money? I’m thinking just for fun there is no need to get a rifle that is more complicated than it needs to be but am open to any advise people may have to offer



Thanks




 
Welcome to the addiction. Nothing wrong with regulated guns at all. Yes, they are slightly more complicated but they make tuning much easier. The 510 is a great gun from all I have seen and heard over the years. But it will not likely be the last gun you will purchase once the addiction sets in. Still the 510 will probly survive as a keeper in your collection many years from now.

Don't forget how you will be feeding your gun air it is likely the most expensive thing you will have to deal with next to the many thousands of pellets and or slugs your gun will be digesting.

I would suggest the inexpensive Yong Heng compressor in the Hardcopy or Set Pressure versions. Don’t buy the others.
 
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I would buy that AA S510 if it's 177 or 22. Just fill to 2750psi and count 30 shots then refill. I prefer the simplicity of unregulated guns. One less thing that will eventually need servicing or throw off your first shot at potentially any unwelcomed time. Matter of fact my most accurate long distance PCP guns (300 yards) aren't regulated. AA S510 Power wheel should be set between 2/3 to 3/4 max for typical best accuracy. Max only for super heavy pellets in their caliber.

$600 max shipping included with extra magazines would be a fair price for an unregulated one. I have seen them as low as $500-$525 used. The predessor AA S410 bolt action seen them go for as little as $300 used and are just as good.
 
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Good choice in guns. My first pcp is/was the single shot variety of the gun you are considering; the s500. Also not regulated but will give 30 very consistent shots for 50yd work with 16g pellets. For 35yd targets or closer and say 14g pellets you can get about 40 rounds from a fill. Factory rated to 2900 psi fill but I would recommend no more than 2700 or so otherwise the first 5-8 shots hit low. Full pressure the hammer has a hard time overcoming the 2900 psi to open the valve to launch the pellets . Mine is .22 so if you’re looking at .177 it’s probably going to be a little different. Very accurate guns and very nice triggers no matter the caliber. 
 
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Nice gun, accurate & good price quality ratio. I would get it in .22 which is a bit more wind resistant and versatile (suited for hunting as well) and still gives good power. Having said that my real go-to caliber is .25, but perhaps not in this model -- I have been told the power is thwn somewhat wanting but I don't have that first hand 

After overcoming, not so long ago, my own aversion to "pumping up a gun" and acquiring my first PCP, I started out with a couple 2-stage hand pumps of around 30 bucks each. They work fine, help you familiarize yourself incrementally with PCP airgunning. After that first stage, you may find yourself looking into a 250-300 usd young heng compressor, especially if you shoot a lot and your collection grows. Some people also shell out for a compressed air bottle + implements, but they are not cheap and you then find yourself dependent on a diving or other outfit for filling.

🐦
 
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If plinking and target work is what you are after the .177 is the way to go, you don’t need high power either 800fps with a 8.4grain Diablo pellet is super accurate, quiet (if fitted with a moderator) and good shot count.
The advantage of unreggulated are less to go wrong, easier to repair if they do, cheaper to buy, no first shot variation due to reg creep 

The disadvantages, lower shot count, potential power curve if you over fill, not so much bragging rights while comparing guns when at the range.



Bb
 
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Personally, I only own regulated air guns. 

- I want consistency and simplicity. Having to count shots, to remember where the "sweet" spot is, is not something I want to do.

- Then again, I mostly shoot in my backyard/basement, at sub 500fps velocity, at distance between 10M-20M

- I only own .177's. Availability/$ of pellets. Flatter trajectory, for the days I want to play Field-Target. 

- 16J (12 foot-lbs) is enough power to humanly dispatch the odd pest.



Full disclosure: I have a secret crush on the AA 510TDR 💋


 
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