Benjamin Marauder Regulated .22 Video Review by AEAC
- Thread starter AEAC
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Nice review, Steve. If it was offered in .25, I'd be sorely tempted. With the camo synthetic stock to save some weight. And, a more power - less shots tune would definitely suit me better as a hunter. But, thinking about 100 shots on a fill from the perspective of a guy who's hand pumping a Disco is pretty sweet! Being in the market for a new gun, I really appreciate your reviews which give me a good idea of what I can expect if I buy a particular rifle. It's a great service to us, thanks. Maybe, even if they don't figure the .25 would be a good fit with the regulator, they'll offer it in the custom shop unregulated version.
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I've been looking forward to seeing the gun in action for at least a year, since Crosman took it off their site, and finally they got around to making it happen. Must admit though, one aspect of the Marauder I like is the adjustability. With a regulator, seems like the ability to adjust for various pellets is gone. The regulator spits out whatever it spits out, so the hammer spring and hammer throw don't matter any more. Is there any ability to adjust by the end customer, or once it's setup at the custom shop, it's set?
Nice gun all the way around, but with all the other low cost and now regulated Gauntlet and Fortitude, does this gun really have place in the market? We'll have to see. Even comparing to the new Crosman Fortitude, it seems the main advantage of the Marauder is a better trigger. Fortitude is regulated, gets 90 shots, and uses a much smaller air cylinder. The market is changing rapidly and I question the Marauder's position long term. Hope Crosman keeps it strong for the long term.
Nice gun all the way around, but with all the other low cost and now regulated Gauntlet and Fortitude, does this gun really have place in the market? We'll have to see. Even comparing to the new Crosman Fortitude, it seems the main advantage of the Marauder is a better trigger. Fortitude is regulated, gets 90 shots, and uses a much smaller air cylinder. The market is changing rapidly and I question the Marauder's position long term. Hope Crosman keeps it strong for the long term.
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meh, the smart choice imo would be a streamline every day. Sound suppression is about the only thing the marauder is better / just as good as?
Maybe the pic rail has merits if you like to switch around scopes.
Maybe the pic rail has merits if you like to switch around scopes.
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Wow wish Crosman would have come out with this sooner rather than later after the Gen2 day-view. I'm more into Lite Carbine PCP guns now. But I see Crosman Fortitude is in the works ...? Didn't look like a carbine but looks Lite.
Does Crosman now include a degaser with it ? I could never quite understand them cheaping out on not including one if nothing else do it in the name of safety.
Second question is it still tuneable like the Gen2 ? It wasn't mentioned in your description.
Many thanks for the MRod Gen3 review.
Does Crosman now include a degaser with it ? I could never quite understand them cheaping out on not including one if nothing else do it in the name of safety.
Second question is it still tuneable like the Gen2 ? It wasn't mentioned in your description.
Many thanks for the MRod Gen3 review.
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Looks like Crosman views this gun as a Hunter Field Target solution & the data Steve provides suggests they did a pretty good job. I'm particularly interested in a tear down of this rifle....are the regulator & hammer energy adjustable? Serious Marauder enthusiasts will be quick to point out they have already achieved the new guns efficiency levels with currently available aftermarket regulators. They will have achieved similar function with lower total cost & weight than the new gun. Still a great offering by Crosman.
Steve -
I laughed hard at your trigger comment, you could not have made that point any better. Well done!
Steve -
I laughed hard at your trigger comment, you could not have made that point any better. Well done!
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This gun is not for me. It seem to preform very well but the looks of the beach stock just turns me off. I will Crossman Would offer this with a walnut stock. This is just me but I would rather spend some extra money for a decent wood stock. I have only owned 1 Crossman, a .25 S rod that would never shoot consent. At the most this seems to be only a 50 yard gun at the most.
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As a Marauder owner, and being in the market for a new gun, would I buy this one? Gotta say, probably not.
I just priced one with the regulator and Crossman barrel. $639. A full priced Marauder (without regulator) is $479 on Pyramyd Air, but they do have 10% off sales regularly, and if Crossman brings back the 25% discount for AGNATION, the Marauder on the Crosman retails at $540 (synthetic), and discounted is $405. So basically adding a regulator adds over $200 to the cost and eliminates adjustability.
The fortitude still isn't on the Crosman site, but if it retails for $300, the discount would give a final price of $225. Probably a crappy trigger, but the rest will be very similar to the regulated Marauder. Pricing is so tight in this area now, it is really a challenge to differentiate the guns.
As a first gun, without knowing anything about PCO's, I'd probably go with the Maximus because of the cost. If I were buying a second gun in the low end, probably a Fortitude as it competes directly with the Gauntlet and seems if the reviews hold up, will be equal to or better in some important aspects, like weight.
The regulated Marauder just isn't accurate enough for the field target bunch. Little targets at 40 and 50 yards require very accurate shooting. While it may get more accurate with age, the review just didn't show the required accuracy.
The low end is sooooooo crowded these days, I suspect this may be the Marauder's last hurrah as it's probably an expensive gun to machine. In the beginning when the Disco and Marauder were the low end, that was OK, but now with downward price pressures, the Marauder just isn't as profitable and needs a new position or needs to be retired. Hope not the latter.
Only time will tell.
I just priced one with the regulator and Crossman barrel. $639. A full priced Marauder (without regulator) is $479 on Pyramyd Air, but they do have 10% off sales regularly, and if Crossman brings back the 25% discount for AGNATION, the Marauder on the Crosman retails at $540 (synthetic), and discounted is $405. So basically adding a regulator adds over $200 to the cost and eliminates adjustability.
The fortitude still isn't on the Crosman site, but if it retails for $300, the discount would give a final price of $225. Probably a crappy trigger, but the rest will be very similar to the regulated Marauder. Pricing is so tight in this area now, it is really a challenge to differentiate the guns.
As a first gun, without knowing anything about PCO's, I'd probably go with the Maximus because of the cost. If I were buying a second gun in the low end, probably a Fortitude as it competes directly with the Gauntlet and seems if the reviews hold up, will be equal to or better in some important aspects, like weight.
The regulated Marauder just isn't accurate enough for the field target bunch. Little targets at 40 and 50 yards require very accurate shooting. While it may get more accurate with age, the review just didn't show the required accuracy.
The low end is sooooooo crowded these days, I suspect this may be the Marauder's last hurrah as it's probably an expensive gun to machine. In the beginning when the Disco and Marauder were the low end, that was OK, but now with downward price pressures, the Marauder just isn't as profitable and needs a new position or needs to be retired. Hope not the latter.
Only time will tell.
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Steve,
Great review! Thanks for always being upfront and honest (and not a commercial). You do it in a very respectful way that truly gives the consumer the facts and also gives the manufacturers honest feedback. This is a true gift and is why you have become so successful!
I agree 100% regarding tuning to 28 FPE with 40-50 shots. Combine that with a Lothar Walther barrel and you have an out of box kickass rifle at a great price. Someone at Crosman should have spent time on this Forum and the Marauder forum and see what MOST of the Marauder owners are doing..........exactly what you stated you would do. Most other high end rifles (in the US) are offers a .22 rifle shooting 28-32 FPE and shooting 40 shots (and more). It is easy to coach from the bleachers and I am sure the Marauder is in the "hot seat" with all the new entry level rifles........ and they have to sell rifles. Setting yourself apart from the crowd is important, however, Is Crosman seeing something different or are they off the mark? Also, if they have a true custom shop, they should be able to offer the Marauder at different power levels. Like the trigger, it should not be hard to do. Looking forward to a .25 Renegade HP review!!!!!????
Enjoy your reviews as always,
Doc
PS- I guess I'm stupid silly but I get a kick on seeing the squirrel roar every time! lol
Great review! Thanks for always being upfront and honest (and not a commercial). You do it in a very respectful way that truly gives the consumer the facts and also gives the manufacturers honest feedback. This is a true gift and is why you have become so successful!
I agree 100% regarding tuning to 28 FPE with 40-50 shots. Combine that with a Lothar Walther barrel and you have an out of box kickass rifle at a great price. Someone at Crosman should have spent time on this Forum and the Marauder forum and see what MOST of the Marauder owners are doing..........exactly what you stated you would do. Most other high end rifles (in the US) are offers a .22 rifle shooting 28-32 FPE and shooting 40 shots (and more). It is easy to coach from the bleachers and I am sure the Marauder is in the "hot seat" with all the new entry level rifles........ and they have to sell rifles. Setting yourself apart from the crowd is important, however, Is Crosman seeing something different or are they off the mark? Also, if they have a true custom shop, they should be able to offer the Marauder at different power levels. Like the trigger, it should not be hard to do. Looking forward to a .25 Renegade HP review!!!!!????
Enjoy your reviews as always,
Doc
PS- I guess I'm stupid silly but I get a kick on seeing the squirrel roar every time! lol
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I don't think I'd categorize the regulated Marauders as "tunable" because Crosman tells me the regs aren't really consumer friendly for adjusting and any hammer spring adjusting without reg compensation wouldn't get ya very far.
There was not an included degas tool with this one but there was with my Gen1. Perhaps Crosman can speak to this more.
Steve
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"Someone at Crosman should have spent time on this Forum and the Marauder forum and see what MOST of the Marauder owners are doing………exactly what you stated you would do".
Crosman relegated the Marauder to the Custom Shop because this is the last call for this model. While Crosman might appear to be the lost soul wandering aimlessly, one thing it knows is when a model has reached it's pinnacle and has very little market maneuver, wiggle room, left. PCP's like the Gauntlet has set the tone and Crosman and others know that. It's akin to the shot across the bow if you will.
Given the price of admission of the Marauder I don't see as many people buying it compared to the Gauntlet to tinker with. Crosmans 5 year warranty makes the statement that they want to stand by their product but it's also a double edge sword, look but warranty is void if tampered with.
The above is A.I.M.H.O .
Crosman relegated the Marauder to the Custom Shop because this is the last call for this model. While Crosman might appear to be the lost soul wandering aimlessly, one thing it knows is when a model has reached it's pinnacle and has very little market maneuver, wiggle room, left. PCP's like the Gauntlet has set the tone and Crosman and others know that. It's akin to the shot across the bow if you will.
Given the price of admission of the Marauder I don't see as many people buying it compared to the Gauntlet to tinker with. Crosmans 5 year warranty makes the statement that they want to stand by their product but it's also a double edge sword, look but warranty is void if tampered with.
The above is A.I.M.H.O .
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Thanks Doc. I like the current format too and view it as a platform to advance the industry as a whole. They win. We win.
The Pulsar HP .25 is here at the house and is schedule for review next month. AOA may send the renegade too if requested.
Best,
Steve
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Selling the Marauder on the concept of being a good choice for hand pumpers is like trying to sell a boat or RV on the merits of gas mileage, lol. I know! I've pumped one up. That being said, it is a "better" choice than many when configured this way. Steve
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Steve you nailed the changes needed in your assessment of this new Marauder. That is a regulator that gives 50 shots at 30 fpe instead of 90 shots in the low 20 fpe range, improved trigger, and the stock is still a 2 by 4. I would add accuracy. The LW barrel shot no better than my tuned gen 1.
To really make a splash at this price point the Marauder needs to shoot more of a consistent 1/2" group at 50 yards while getting the mentioned 50 shots. With a LW barrel, different regulator, and factory tuned valve it seems that a Marauder could achieve this on a mass produced scale. That would be the real game changer in the airgun industry. I would stand in line to buy one even though I already own one in each caliber.
To really make a splash at this price point the Marauder needs to shoot more of a consistent 1/2" group at 50 yards while getting the mentioned 50 shots. With a LW barrel, different regulator, and factory tuned valve it seems that a Marauder could achieve this on a mass produced scale. That would be the real game changer in the airgun industry. I would stand in line to buy one even though I already own one in each caliber.
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Thanks for another great Video, Steve. I appreciate all that you do 
I have a .22 Synrod which is nice but this new regulated model seems like a nice step up!
Matt
I have a .22 Synrod which is nice but this new regulated model seems like a nice step up!
Matt
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I have to ask why would I want one....My current Mrod with "one of those" 22 barrels shoots as well as this one...I would say better, I can adjust the power on it....and it knocks on the door of $700.
Now I look at the Gauntlet, a gun that costs half as much, will group better. Has the same shot count, a trigger that is adjustable.....what does this mrod bring to the table.....that my old one does not, or my gauntlet does not.
I also find very interesting you went back to 5 shot groups.....I would love to see 10 shot groups under this gun....I have a feeling the groups would open up even more then they already are.
Yes it is the home grown team, but they can do better....there is nothing here that would make me say I have to have one.....and the added fact that crosman has had my maximus on order from before Thanksgiving and they still have not even shipped the thing.....it just does not look good.
I am going to pass.
And your bias in the reviews is very clear......you are doing everything you can to make some guns look good and others look bad.....perhaps you could get a job at CNN with this kind of viewing of what is in front of you.
Now I look at the Gauntlet, a gun that costs half as much, will group better. Has the same shot count, a trigger that is adjustable.....what does this mrod bring to the table.....that my old one does not, or my gauntlet does not.
I also find very interesting you went back to 5 shot groups.....I would love to see 10 shot groups under this gun....I have a feeling the groups would open up even more then they already are.
Yes it is the home grown team, but they can do better....there is nothing here that would make me say I have to have one.....and the added fact that crosman has had my maximus on order from before Thanksgiving and they still have not even shipped the thing.....it just does not look good.
I am going to pass.
And your bias in the reviews is very clear......you are doing everything you can to make some guns look good and others look bad.....perhaps you could get a job at CNN with this kind of viewing of what is in front of you.
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Point 1, I do agree I probably don't want one of the regulated MRods. Mine can shoot that well OR BETTER, though only 30 shots instead of 90. I can tune it for different pellets as well. This one comes tuned for 14.3 Premier Domes, and that's pretty much it. I give up too much with the regulator to buy a custom shop version.
Point 2 - As for the bias in the reviewers work, everyone is bias to a point. If you watch a review, or Fox News and expect not to see bias, good luck. While CNN's bias may not suite you (nor me for that matter), but all reviews must be watched understanding that all reviewers are biased. It all depends if the bias agrees with your bias or not.
While the reviewer presents some guns more positively than others, my critical point is the accuracy at 50 and 100 yards. Kinda hard to bias groups and accuracy.
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I’m interested to see if the Gen 3 LW barrel will fit the Gen 2 Breech. At $105.92 for a LW barrel in .177 or .22 is a great deal.
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Not sure if I agree to this statement
Understand that it is Steve's job to promote these products. I would image it might be his last review if he trashed a product. Steve is a very pleasant man and if you listen closely he will give you both the Pros and the Cons. He critiques in a very gentle way. I have listened to more reviews than I care to admit and I would say Steve is more upfront than most. I had commented to a friend that "was there any rifle that was NOT the greatest rifle on the planet "after listening to their review.
Like anything else you have to read the small print and between the line, but more importantly, know the qualities that you want to get the rifle you want. I believe Steve does a great job in showing you what each rifle can do. +1 to Saltlake in that all rifle are tested with multiple pellets at 50 and 100 yards. The groups don't lie!
I have met Steve only once and have no affiliation to AEAC but it is my opinion he is great for promoting this hobby as well as the products he tests.
Doc
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It's a nice offering from crosman but man a regulated Marauder bullpup would have been cooler.
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