Good Starter gun for FT?

if you go maurader use the crosman 25%off ,,,,,free friday shipping a reg can be added 

I started shooting FT a few years back. Mostly local and some travel. I'd like to do more but I have a life, a wife and two college age kids. I could afford to go "top shelf" but I've elected to stay simple and fun. I don't want my hobby to own me.

But I digress....

For starters, you will need to pick a class. My suggestion is to consider Hunter class.. It's an affordable beginner class where you can learn, have fun, be successful and not have to take out a second mortgage. WFTF Open IMHO is the money class. You need the best money can buy to be competitive (skill is on you) 

As for what gun, I'm fairly sure, well, almost positive, the following brands will be recommended; 

Steyr

RAW

FX

Daystate

Air Arms

Thomas

(did I leave any >$2000.00 guns out??)

You had mentioned the Marauder and the fact it's not regulated. You can get it regulated in the Field and Target model. Or you can install a Huma or equal regulator for about $100 plus about 15 minutes of your time. The bolt is reversible and I too am left handed but have left the bolt on the right-hand side. The only thing I have done to mine is to turn the velocity screw in 1/4 turn to bring it below the 20FPE rule. And in doing so, I get almost 40 shots without hardly any drop in POI at 45 yards. You don't have to go the whole match without having to put additional air in the gun. I carry a 90ci pony tank and bump the pressure back up at about half way though a 60 shot match. 

The Marauder has a superior trigger to the Gauntlet out of the box. As for caliber, I've shot both and it does seem the .177 has a flatter trajectory with less hold over/under throughout the target distances. 

As for the optics, the UTG 3-12 I don't think it is the best magnification nor reticle. Great scopes just not a FT scope.

I have those scopes on other guns and for one, the mildots are just too big to be practical shooting at say a 2" KZ at 55 yards. You really need a much thinner reticle (etched is strongly recommended) and the max allowed magnification is now 16 power. Personally I have a Hawke Sidewinder 1/2 mildot 6.5-20 (the half mildots are a nice feature) I bought used. A scope with a large sidewheel will be a huge plus so you can mark up a yardage tape for range finding (don't rely on the factory yardage on the sidewheel) This really helps with determining correct hold over/under. But there are plenty other scopes to choose from. Let your AmEx be your guide.

Best of luck, keep us up to date on your decision and experiences.

You will get many many opinions on what to get. get the best rifle you can afford and remember that in FT the scope is just as important as the rifle. The scope depends on what division you are shooting in however, check the rules on AAFTA.org. Rifle must be capable of shooting into a 1.5 inch kill zone at a maximum of 55 yds.

.177 is the best caliber for FT and the bigger ones are better for hunting and killing stuff. My guns are all regulated but don't get hung up on that as lots of guys shoot great scores with unregulated pcp rifles and with springers as well. Don't get hung up on power either but you do need a gun that shoots with at least 11+ fpe.

I suggest you go to a few matches and see what is being used and talk to the shooters as well. Great sport, good luck.

Rick B.

Just do it.

Owned both, I've shot FT before and understand getting started.

Grab one. Doesnt matter ,tho a regulator makes things easier you can get by either way.

A well experienced trigger snob type ( no offence intended) will often choose the marauder a true 2 stage that will go down in the ounces. Gauntlet is a single stage that will go down in the ounces. 

Balance/stability in the seated FT position goes to the Gauntlet.

Shot count, naturally gauntlet.

Groups - seen over 20 marauders but only 2 .177 gauntlets , accuracy of poor sampling goes to Gauntlet. Gauntlet uses many many pellets well, Crosman is said to have a redesigned ( new tooling run ? ) barrel I haven't tried.

Ergonomics Gauntlet. 

The only reason "I" would choose a marauder over a gauntlet is weight , too many broken vertebra . Hopefully youn dont have that problem and weight is steady. Gauntlet will just be more enjoyable and it's a dollar cheaper.



What club are you shooting at?



John.

Regulated marauder is very good starting choice.

Reach out to match director, they might have loaner rifles for you to try.

You can find pretty good deal on used Marauder already with regulator set up for FT if you are patient.

Also I have spare 20% off coupon from crosman custom shop. PM me if you decide to order custom shop regulated.

Go to a match and observe or shoot a club loaner gun. Ask around at the match, sometimes club members have an extra FT gun you will never see advertised that they might part with for a song to a new competitor. 

Find a used Marauder and roll with it. Marauders are so simple. A few o-rings will keep the rifle going for a lifetime. A used Marauder is not an issue. You can replace every wear part for less than $15. The only wear parts are Home Depot o-rings and a couple springs. The main thing is to get a rifle and get started. Dam straight there are great rifles and scopes that cost a bunch that will help your score. Right now your score is zero because you aren't shooting FT. Find a used Marauder, Discovery, Maximus, etc. Stick a 4-16x UTG side focus scope on it and roll. Keep putting some money a side and later after you have been shooting you have a wad of cash saved up to throw down on a deal that comes along. By then you will know more about what you want.

I have the Daystate Huntsman Regal in .177 non regulated. VERY good rifle and very consistent. They have a regulated model that just came out as well.

It might take a couple hours but is worth the drive to SMGC airgun club in Kalamazoo Michigan. I drive from N.E. Indiana, great place to shoot.

Good job. Your post said you were looking for a good starting FT rifle. Finding a used Marauder is your best bet. It will take you far. They are very reliable but so cheap and easy to work on if you develop a leak or something. Be sure to get a single shot load tray if it did not come with one. My experience with a handful of Marauders is they shoot more accurate with the single shot tray. At some point when you get you feet wet and think you want to put a regulator, Walther barrel, etc. on your Marauder I encourage you to pause and figure out what the cost will be vs. what you can sell your Marauder for vs. what a new rifle would cost the has a reg and Walther barrel.

I'm looking for the same. A good starter gun for FT. I have a Discovery that I've been working up. But it's a .22 . I call it polishing a turd. But it is a good shooter. It's just hard getting that .22 pill in the little holes! So, I'm looking for a good used .177 pcp.

Are you looking to upgrade your rifle for something better? I'll buy you old rig from you!

Or do I save my paper route money for a Red Wolf?

Lol

Seriously, I'll pay cash for a good shooter, no matter what it looks like!

Paul 

I have the SynRod in 177 and the UTG 3-12 Swat with the 80mm side wheel... I am also a lefty and this gun with that scope is a lefty's dream!! LOL my right handed buddys dont really like shooting a "backwards" gun.. So no worries about having to share.... That scope really needs the extra 80mm side wheel, with out it, the side focus is pretty stiff

I know what you mean about the funds. I've had been saving up and stuff kept hitting the fan.....Finnaly last xmas i pulled the trigger on it... Oh yeah if you feel you can hold out til black friday, cyber monday or the xmas/after xmas sales thats what I did saved about $200 all together on the gun scope and hand pump

I feel all your pain. I had to save and save and save. Really nice thing is I had done my research and had my short list of guns. My number on choice dropped from 499 to 248 one day and I was right there to make it happen. 2 days later back up to 369 where it has stayed. So ye a keep your eyes open and put yourself in a position to make it happen. once you have the gun in hand then the real fun begins.