First PCP for around $300, which of these three would you get?

Hi you might want to take a look at the the umarex gauntlet 
jhst a suggestion 

Dave 

I like the idea of the gauntlet, but there is not enough evidence that it will be a real shooter. Sounds like your friend will be stretching things out a little.
Trying not to be biased
a) The Disco (or Maximus) sounds like a viable option. Easy to pump to 2000 and can be quite accurate at 50+ yds; with a little polish! Single shot could get old but it doesn't bother me.
b) Pumping a Marauder might be a little much, but doable. Then there is the barrel lottery!
c) The idea of a HPA Hammerli 850 that is regulated and tuned sounds great and something that has crossed my mind on more than one occasion... but again pumping might be a little much.

I'd get the Hammerli. Think it will be lighter and more accurate than the Marauder. Definitley more accurate than the Discovery. 

Marauder hands down. It is the most adjustable, tunable gun on the market. The parts to replace or upgrade are available and cheap. If he doesn't like, for the price he won't loose a penny. I can't say the Disco will retain it's value when bought new. The 850 started life as a CO2 gun so there will always be an issue here or there that can't be fixed with the just the turn of a screw. My unbiased opinion.

That budget is too tight. Discovery maybe, but what about scope, mounts pellets and shipping? No used and or modified stuff that's asking for trouble. Consider a Crosman 2400kt 

Maximus. It's the same gun more or less as the Disco but cheaper. With the AGNation code it's less than $200.

The Maximus and Benjamin pump come out to just over $300. I think they still have free shipping Fridays for orders over $150. There's also a $20 rebate on the pump so you'd be under $300. 

Maximus($165):
http://www.crosman.com/maximus-22

Pump and rebate ($169 after rebate):
http://www.crosman.com/airguns/airgun-accessories/benjamin-pcp-pump
http://www.crosman.com/general/rebates

I have the Marauder and it's good but with a pump, not so sure. Getting any gun to 3000 PSI is a chore. Getting a gun to 2000 PSI is a different story. I've considered buying a Maximus just for that reason. If you buy used, Make sure it's a Gen 2 and Shoot it first to make sure it's accurate and ready to go. You can always add the regulator later.

​Gotta go with ztirffritz on this one. Maximus is $165 on crosman's site with AGNATION code. That leaves room for a scope and pump, and that all important first tin of pellets.

​Also agree witih Birdo, no used or modified for first gun, unless you have people and resources to fall back on for help when problems arise. If you get a chance to shoot the Marauder, maybe, but the Hammerli conversion really makes me nervous. Why start with a Frankengun for a starter?

​Reports are that the Maximus shoots well, is light, though has a fairly heavy trigger pull at 4 pounds or so. Not bad for a hunter. Kit on crosman site with .22 Maximus, pump. pellets and a gong target is $349 - 25%=$263. It has open sights, so you could start shooting immediately and pick up a nice piece of glass later. Since the Marauder MUST have a scope, that could be a problem. (http://www.crosman.com/maximus-kit-22)

​The big difference in the Maximus is the pumping required. The last 600 or 700 PSI really take a toll on those of us not in perfect physical condition. The extra resistance the pump gives towards the higher pressures is much more difficult than one thinks, and it really slows down a good day hunting or target shooting. I bought the pump first, but bought a bottle almost immediately after If found out how difficult 3000 PSI is. 2000 was a cinch!

Just my opinion.

That Maximus Starter Kit that Saltlake58 suggested is the way to go! That's a great deal.

The Maximus is actually more powerful than the disco I think. I've never needed to de-gas a gun so I don't think that's such a big deal if it's true, but I doubt that is the case. There has to be a way. I just think it would be a mistake to not consider the Maximus. I also feel that a synthetic stock is far superior to wood in most instances. It isn't a piece of furniture. It's a tool. I want my tools to be durable and low maintenance. But to each his own.

Degassing - if it's like my Marauder, they sell a "Degassing Tool" that screws into the back, and allows depressurizing of the chamber. Otherwise, just shoot it until it's empty. No damage like springers, it's just a valve letting air out.

​The Discovery in .22 shows 900 FPS with lead pellets. Approximately 25 FPE.

​The Maximus shows 850 FPS with 23 foot pounds at the muzzle. It's 2 FPE difference. Not sure that's a deal-breaker for me. 

The hardwood stock on the Disco increases cost, and weight. If hunting, I like the synthetic better as I'm not afraid to scratch it up, but to each his own.

​To show how closely related the guns are, they share the same owners manual

​I suspect the difference is specs is just due to variations in testing, or possibly test pellet weight. 

And, yes, the owners manual shows the de-gassing tools in use for both guns.

​If I had to guess, I'd say the Maximus is just a cheaper version of the Discovery, mostly in synthetic stock instead of wood, and not a whole lot else.

​I still stand by:
​Used Marauder - Gen 2 only, and only if I get a chance to send a hundred or so pellets downrange
​Discovery with pump - no, I'd get the Maximus with pump instead. Fundementally the same gun, lower price.
​850 - for a first gun, no, don't care who put it together, need a community to fall back on, and Marauder and Maximus both have communities.

​Disco and Maximus have reputations for low maintenance, which is something important for a newbie, so considering how complete the Maximus kit is, and value for price, that's still where I'd go. 

​If I hadn't just purchased a 1701P, I'd probably be buying the Maximus Eruo version. At $165 I could set it up as an entry level field target gun.

As always, just my opinion. Had the Maximus been available before I bought the Marauder, I'd probably be a proud Maximus owner instead of a Marauder owner.

Thank you all for the input and suggestions. I am almost certain that i will be getting the Maximus in .22 more then likely just the basic model with nothing with it, I will ebay a pump since i have heard that they are as good if not better then the benjamin pump. And for a scope i will get one that has mill dots and a bit more distance then what comes with the hunter package.The 2000 psi seems like it will be the best option over pumping to 3000 psi.

Maximus all the way. Its just the better gun unless you just really love wood... And degassing? Cock and dry fire it till its done. Its not that many shots. My maximus hits the brass of 12 gauge shotgun shells at 50 yards easily. I never used it with iron sights, but they are there. 

Maximus and if noise were an issue get a TKO. Recent anecdotal evidence that newer ones coming off the line have barrels from Crosman's new improved process based on reports of outstanding accuracy out of the box.

:-( waiting is the hardest thing!

Look at a Hill Pump. Sometimes Pyramid and Airgun Depot have sales.

At about 3:50 into the video - - they do a "Pump Off" between a Benjamin and Hill pump. Hill wins handily.

Avoid cheap import pumps, get one that can be rebuilt if needed as the o-rings will wear out. Either Benjamin or Hill can be rebuilt.

Good luck - it's a great way to spend an afternoon.

Its looking like i got the scope and pump all set up thanks to my good freind Smuag. Off to a good start! I also want to thank all of you for you input.