Didn't know if this was the right place to post. I'm new to Airgunning seeing the Benjamin Marauder and Texan Big Bores got me excited about Airguns but also even more so my favorite Caliber .22 and being able to shoot in my urban back yard is amazing to me! I've been doing a bunch of research from Gamo Urban to The Avenger but I believe I've settled on my first entry I've been told I probably wanna go regulated if I can. But the Benjamin Semi Automatic is what I think I will have the most fun with and be able to take to my neighboring state to hunt with as well! If you guys have any advice I really appreciate it or any other directions you think might be good for me to check out! Thanks and God bless!
Hey guys! (New here)
- Thread starter Ninjavitis
- Start date
The only concern I have with that is filling the air tank. Well actually that's one concern I could easily use a hand pump on the others at 300 bar but with the Avenger to not use it's full pressure would makee feel like I wasn't using the full gun. Other concerns I have are leaks being reported and other issues. I love the gun love how it looks absolutely love the side lever on it. I also. Not the biggest fan in the world of buying Chinese if I can help it even if that means me spending more money. My last concern after watching an in depth review was the regulator settings and how finicky they are. I wanted that compared to the gamo urban but I'm mainly concerned it's really hot or miss right now. The very limited warranty doesn't comfort me either lol.
Upvote 0
The problem with the Avenger is the poppet is soft and will fail, just like the Freedom, Liberty and Aspen which are all based on the same exact design.
They are very good on accuracy, but you will end up buying an after market poppet and valve and the only one I know of who makes them now is darkcharisma.
Do the research on all of the above and you will see what you can expect from the Avenger for the most part.
In my limited experience, filling the gun to the max psi is not always optimal depending on what you want to do with it. I never filled my Freedoms over ~2900-3000psi because above that pressure the accuracy was unpredictable. The "sweet spot" for me was from ~2900 - ~2200psi. Each AG is different. Even within samples of the same brand and model.
Good luck with your selection!
They are very good on accuracy, but you will end up buying an after market poppet and valve and the only one I know of who makes them now is darkcharisma.
Do the research on all of the above and you will see what you can expect from the Avenger for the most part.
In my limited experience, filling the gun to the max psi is not always optimal depending on what you want to do with it. I never filled my Freedoms over ~2900-3000psi because above that pressure the accuracy was unpredictable. The "sweet spot" for me was from ~2900 - ~2200psi. Each AG is different. Even within samples of the same brand and model.
Good luck with your selection!
Upvote 0
I'm waiting on Crossman to get the Benjamin Semi Automatic in stock again! I almost bought the Kratos instead today that side action looks smooth but I just know I'm going to have more fun with that SAM. It's quiet as well. I wish I could find out an approximate idea of when Crossman will have stock in anything almost bought a pistol from them as well but out of stock 
. I did alot of research on the Avenger and it just doesn't seem like the right fit for me maybe after alot more experience and tinkering and the inner workings etc. But I think it's best to wait it out and see what updates are made by company and or fans if the gun.
. I did alot of research on the Avenger and it just doesn't seem like the right fit for me maybe after alot more experience and tinkering and the inner workings etc. But I think it's best to wait it out and see what updates are made by company and or fans if the gun. Upvote 0
I'm waiting on Crossman to get the Benjamin Semi Automatic in stock again! I almost bought the Kratos instead today that side action looks smooth but I just know I'm going to have more fun with that SAM. It's quiet as well. I wish I could find out an approximate idea of when Crossman will have stock in anything almost bought a pistol from them as well but out of stock. I did alot of research on the Avenger and it just doesn't seem like the right fit for me maybe after alot more experience and tinkering and the inner workings etc. But I think it's best to wait it out and see what updates are made by company and or fans if the gun.
Go with the side lever. Semi-auto is relatively new for AG's, but side lever kicks bolt action's behind by MILES! With the Freedoms (side lever) I could keep my sight picture while operating the side lever. Now, with a Fortitude bolt action, that is impossible.
p.s.
I agree with you on the Avenger, but unless you think you have to have Semi-auto, whatever you buy... go with a side lever. It is vastly superior to bolt action, IMHO.
Upvote 0
New guns usually have their teething issues. Once they have been figured out they are much better units. As the Marauder semi-auto is new to the Crosman line it will likely be the same.
As far as compressors go, the best you will find, for less than $1000 @ $300-$400, is the Yong Heng. To get a compressor, not made in China, you will have to spend quite a bit more than that $1000. Be aware that being inexpensive and made in Chine there will be QC problems with a number of any you purchase. This QC problem includes many of the airguns as well as a large portion, of many brands, are just rebadged Chinese guns.
I have two Yong Heng compressors. One lasted two years even when it was badly mistreated. The back up I got just in case the mistreated did not last and died in two months of QC problems. A $12 part, readily available for the Yong Heng, and an hour of werq put it back in service.
As far as compressors go, the best you will find, for less than $1000 @ $300-$400, is the Yong Heng. To get a compressor, not made in China, you will have to spend quite a bit more than that $1000. Be aware that being inexpensive and made in Chine there will be QC problems with a number of any you purchase. This QC problem includes many of the airguns as well as a large portion, of many brands, are just rebadged Chinese guns.
I have two Yong Heng compressors. One lasted two years even when it was badly mistreated. The back up I got just in case the mistreated did not last and died in two months of QC problems. A $12 part, readily available for the Yong Heng, and an hour of werq put it back in service.
Upvote 0
Welcome! Nothing beats the sheer fun factor of (reliable) Semiauto PCPs. Benjamin has a 5 year warranty for added piece of mind.
Buy an LCS SK19 if your budget allows or a Huben K1 if it doesn't since its a couple hundred bux cheaper. Otherwise the Semiauto Marauder is the cheapest in comparison with relatively good accuracy.
The $135 Benjamin Maximus on sale at MidwayUSA only requires up to 2000psi max and I personally recommend it as a light weight hunting gun that won't make you feel too bad when you drop it or gets knocked about while hunting or tossed in the back of your pickup truck. The TKO22 LDC makes it really quiet too and optional OEM Crosman Challenger match trigger upgrade if you want a very nice trigger later just make a DIY shim gasket from a gift card. Total with everything mentioned around $250 to shoot it with open sights. I own several of these and many Discovery rifles as well and like them a lot even if they are cheap they are reliable and very easy to work on and simple design. In fact I shoot my Maximus more often than my high end PCPs. I recently put a Leupold EFR 6.5-20x40AO on my primary Maximus shooter to keep the weight down. 2 inch spinner targets at 100 yards. Nickle sized groups at 60-65 yards. Easy to hand pump and you can use your tank down to really low pressure when shooting these 2000psi guns. You can Even tether it connected straight to the tank once it's at 2000psi or lower to shoot it down to around as low as 1000psi and even lower if you wish and still act like a regulated gun before needing to have your main tank refilled. At least you still get to shoot a PCP a lot even when your tank pressure is low where you would have already needed to get it refilled using other 3000psi+ guns.
Buy an LCS SK19 if your budget allows or a Huben K1 if it doesn't since its a couple hundred bux cheaper. Otherwise the Semiauto Marauder is the cheapest in comparison with relatively good accuracy.
The $135 Benjamin Maximus on sale at MidwayUSA only requires up to 2000psi max and I personally recommend it as a light weight hunting gun that won't make you feel too bad when you drop it or gets knocked about while hunting or tossed in the back of your pickup truck. The TKO22 LDC makes it really quiet too and optional OEM Crosman Challenger match trigger upgrade if you want a very nice trigger later just make a DIY shim gasket from a gift card. Total with everything mentioned around $250 to shoot it with open sights. I own several of these and many Discovery rifles as well and like them a lot even if they are cheap they are reliable and very easy to work on and simple design. In fact I shoot my Maximus more often than my high end PCPs. I recently put a Leupold EFR 6.5-20x40AO on my primary Maximus shooter to keep the weight down. 2 inch spinner targets at 100 yards. Nickle sized groups at 60-65 yards. Easy to hand pump and you can use your tank down to really low pressure when shooting these 2000psi guns. You can Even tether it connected straight to the tank once it's at 2000psi or lower to shoot it down to around as low as 1000psi and even lower if you wish and still act like a regulated gun before needing to have your main tank refilled. At least you still get to shoot a PCP a lot even when your tank pressure is low where you would have already needed to get it refilled using other 3000psi+ guns.
Upvote 0
Buy the best airgun you can afford. The one that makes you pace back and forth before you say the H$** with it. I'm going to do it.
BUT, NOT UNTIL YOU DECIDE HOW YOU'RE GOING TO AIR THIS MONSTER!
Welcome to the rabbit hole.
Incidentally, I just pulled the trigger on a Maverick. Hot of the line.
BUT, NOT UNTIL YOU DECIDE HOW YOU'RE GOING TO AIR THIS MONSTER!
Welcome to the rabbit hole.
Incidentally, I just pulled the trigger on a Maverick. Hot of the line.
Upvote 0
That's my thoughts on the marauder that 5 year warranty is plenty of time for bugs to be fixed (sorry computer talk is hard to break) lol. Using AGNATION and getting that discount considering I have to buy hand pump or compressor I was thinking MK5 by Hill and scope ammo etc gonna be around a grand or alittle more so I can't go to much higher as I'm just getting into it.
Upvote 0
The $30-$40 Chinese pumps work as well as the more expensive ones. My cheap pump is way better than my Benjamin pump.
Upvote 0
Also wow checked out those rifles and that FPS is intense!!!! Those are a bit out of my price range maybe in the future that light be a goal and the Marauder might be a good test to see if I want something like that. With the 25 percent off I feel like I'm not gonna be able to hear that deal of that gun for that money especially as an entry PCP. I really love the Kratos I've been told by people I for sure want regulated so that's another point that's swayed me but mostly seeing someone shoot it semi auto was awesome. Also I love single shot bolt action powders I think they are cool but in an airgun I want it for quiet shooting and I wanna go for a new feel.
Upvote 0
Regulated is a double edged blade. Take a look at all the drama here about regulator failure, creep and leak. There are tons. For the guy who loves to toss lead at targets in his yard, regulator is over hyped IMHO.
If you are looking to walk into the world championship scene, yes a good regulator can make a difference. Most times when chasing the fabled one hole gun, the man is more important than the machine.
Welcome to AGN. Shoot'em good and tell us all about it.
+1 to the compressor talk above. Air is free, compressed air is expensive. It sucks to have a gun with an empty tank.
If you are looking to walk into the world championship scene, yes a good regulator can make a difference. Most times when chasing the fabled one hole gun, the man is more important than the machine.
Welcome to AGN. Shoot'em good and tell us all about it.
+1 to the compressor talk above. Air is free, compressed air is expensive. It sucks to have a gun with an empty tank.
Upvote 0
Would you chose the Kratos over the semi auto benjamin? It has a 5 year warranty so I'm honestly not to worried about failures. Regulated is going to give me good shot counts and good accuracy. I don't care about being one hole accuracy mostly just something I can shoot fast and is accurate enough and reliable enough the 5 year warranty gives me alot of comfort.
Upvote 0
Shot count is can actually be lower with a regulator. Accuracy is not affected by regulator. My unregulated gun goes 100 shots with a ES of 16, SD of 3. The 64 shot plateau of that shot string is ES of 8 and SD 1. Again, just IMHO.
Don't believe everything on the first read. It takes a while to learn to sort the good information from the chaff.
Don't believe everything on the first read. It takes a while to learn to sort the good information from the chaff.
Upvote 0
Hmmmm I feel like the above comments are correct and a regulator does effect accuracy but I'm not in competition. The main appeal is a gun built on a very reliable gun and moddable. Benjamin marauder* then making it semi auto and selling it just as cheap as the Kratos (basically) out of those going with the marauder seems like the better option. The side lever looks amazing but both guns are to new to really say. The semi seems like more shots accurate and powerful enough to do what I need with them. I feel like it's a better value for the money considering features I could be dead wrong and am certainly open to learning if I am haha.
Upvote 0
Well, choose wisely and enjoy your new hobby. I won't try to make you drink. The journey is the reward.
A regulator will not overcome a bad tune, a bad barrel or valve, sloppy scope or poor shooting technique. Be careful of free advice, as it is sometimes worth the cost.
A regulator will not overcome a bad tune, a bad barrel or valve, sloppy scope or poor shooting technique. Be careful of free advice, as it is sometimes worth the cost.
Upvote 0
I used to swear by regulated. Sure, the gun acts more civilized. Less action stress, less noise, more consistent ... BUT
As you said, reg creep is usually a factor, and that first unreliable shot is a killer for a hunter. Plus turning an unregulated rig into a well functioning regulated one takes some serious tuning. I really enjoy PCP tuning, don't get me wrong. But I like first-time accurate head shots even more ...
Case in point: encountered 3 shrieking feral parrots busily shredding golden delicious yesterday on a walk on my property. Ran back to the house to grab an accurate & reliable lead spitter. Which one did I reach out for in my diverse (and partially regulated) PCP collection ? Yes, my modest and unregulated Gamo Urban ! One stress-less and accurate 35 yd head shot later another invasive pest had been relegated to history.
Upvote 0
Seems that you have a lot of advice on your inquiry, so I'll just state:
WELCOME to the AGN Forum! Its a great place for the sport and a friendly, knowledgeable crowd.
You'll should enjoy your time here.
mike
WELCOME to the AGN Forum! Its a great place for the sport and a friendly, knowledgeable crowd.
You'll should enjoy your time here.
mike
Upvote 0