Marauder 22 defects???

I believe Crosman has addressed this issue however, I put a Marmot Malitia barrel ($185) and a Huma regulator on it and the rifle will hold it's own with any high priced air rifle ( out to 75 yards). I would venture to say that you should be prepared to make these modifications if considering this rifle. This adds about $300 to the purchase of the rifle. I would also recommend reading up on the FX Streamline. Although I have no first-hand experience, it appears to have addressed many of the entry level rifle "problems".
I personally like the .22 Marauder platform and the ability to modify this rifle. Because of the low price factor, I was much more willing to take it apart.

Firstly, the .22 Armada I shoot was sent to me for evaluation by Chip back when he worked for Crosman. It shoots 50 yard groups that average around 1 inch, so I think it does as well as one can expect from a budget priced PPC.

There are too many reports of poor performance from .22 Marauders to be ignored. Often the barrel is identified as the culprit. So, I bought and installed a hammer forged barrel from Jim Gaska. So far, it looks like it lives up to Jim;s claims for accuracy. Once we start outdoor shooting here in Idaho, I will be able to tell you how much if an improvement it really is.

The question is, “What does this air rifle do that I want it to do better”? In my case it was accuracy on the range. There are other uses primarily plinking and recreational shooting where shot count and power may be a deciding factor. There are aftermarket fixes to address these issues.

Of course, as soon as I decided to buy an aftermarket barrel, Crosman announced that they had upgraded their .22 barrels and added a regulator. A lot of folks are waiting to see how this turns out.

Ron 

From what I read, the .22 barrels can be a bit of crapshoot-a good Benjamin barrel will hang with some very expensive equipment. Mine (Gen 1) will do 1/2" 5 shot groups at 50 yards in good conditions. If you get a poor barrel, the Marauder is an easy gun to work on so doing some barrel work, ordering a replacement barrel from Crosman or installing an upgraded barrel is very doable. The Marauder platform is very versatile as to fill pressure and power/shot count. IF you don't mind a little hands on tweaking you really can't go wrong with a .22 Marauder in my opinion. If fantastic out of the box performance is what you need, you might look for a used Marauder that's been tuned and shoots well or spend the bigger bucks for a more expensive brand.
John

As said I think they have fixed the issue
The trick is going to be making sure you get the new version and not one out of the older stock.
I don't think crosman is recalling the older stock for exchange so you can bet dealers will be doing everything they can to move them off the shelves

"Willie14228"As said I think they have fixed the issue
The trick is going to be making sure you get the new version and not one out of the older stock.
I don't think crosman is recalling the older stock for exchange so you can bet dealers will be doing everything they can to move them off the shelves

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Best bet would be to order direct from Crosman and use the AGN discount...

"Willie14228"As said I think they have fixed the issue
The trick is going to be making sure you get the new version and not one out of the older stock.
I don't think crosman is recalling the older stock for exchange so you can bet dealers will be doing everything they can to move them off the shelves

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^ That (bolded) is the key, right there. Who wants to gamble $400+?

There's a sweet little spot between off-the-shelf entry level PCPs at $200-500 and high-end PCPs at $1k+. A tuned, entry-level PCP, with a guaranteed accuracy from the tuner. bwalton (Hatsans) and Motorhead. (Marauders) come to mind. Price-wise, they should come right in the middle, and will have properly done barrels, shrouds, triggers, actions, and tuned to your spec.

A tuned Hatsan for $800 will shoot just as well as an off-the-shelf Daystate, the difference is just in the design and stock.

Good point Smaug,
Buying a gun that has had a pro go through it and can show through testing it's performance is a lot easier and much less headache than buying a boxed gun and trying to tune it yourself.
That being said,,,,, where does entry level start?
I guess it is at whatever level and price your willing and able to start with.

get the new regulated marauder from crosman

A .22 Gen I Marauder was my first PCP.
I bought it before I found a number of Air gun sites and never knew there was a barrel issue. 
I believe I got a good one. 
I have read about many issues. I do think there was some bad one out there. I do wonder if some of those were not user error. 
If I were looking to get a .22 it would be the new FT Marauder.
I am quite happy with mine once I found which pellets it likes best, 5.52. Trigger is great, lots of mods out there if you are willing to tinker. 

Edit: If you look to the left, my avatar, that is a 5 round group at 105yrds from the sling supported prone.

"NorthLand43"A .22 Gen I Marauder was my first PCP.
I bought it before I found a number of Air gun sites and never knew there was a barrel issue. 
I believe I got a good one. 
I have read about many issues. I do think there was some bad one out there. I do wonder if some of those were not user error. 
If I were looking to get a .22 it would be the new FT Marauder.
I am quite happy with mine once I found which pellets it likes best, 5.52. Trigger is great, lots of mods out there if you are willing to tinker. 

Edit: If you look to the left, my avatar, that is a 5 round group at 105yrds from the sling supported prone.

Click to expand...

As a side note, I wonder how many "bad Marauder barrels" there actually were. Maybe folks new to shooting were reading about all these sub half inch groups at 50 yards, and expected their Marauders to do this without any care on their part with regards to a solid rest, wind, finding the right pellet, trigger pulling technique.... and it's not a matter of how good of a gun it was, but that the guys who spend much more tend to know what ELSE it takes to get those tight groups.

Or, adjust your plans, and go with a 25 caliber Marauder. The hammer forged Green Mountain barrel for the 25's have only received good reviews.

"NMshooter"I believe Crosman has addressed this issue however, I put a Marmot Malitia barrel ($185) and a Huma regulator on it and the rifle will hold it's own with any high priced air rifle ( out to 75 yards). I would venture to say that you should be prepared to make these modifications if considering this rifle. This adds about $300 to the purchase of the rifle. I would also recommend reading up on the FX Streamline. Although I have no first-hand experience, it appears to have addressed many of the entry level rifle "problems".
I personally like the .22 Marauder platform and the ability to modify this rifle. Because of the low price factor, I was much more willing to take it apart.

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My experience exactly. Buy the MMHF barrel and a WAR TSS and for $600-$700 you'll have a gun that shoots as well as the high end euro guns. The MMHF barrel is a 10 minute install and the Marauder platform has loads of aftermarket support. The Marauder is really an outstanding value. 

R

I've come to wonder if Gen 1 Marauders are better shooters than Gen 2's. My Gen 1 Marauder, at 25-30 yards, can shoot same hole all day long - supported, that is, with the PSB pellets.

I was thinking about selling my Gen 1 .22 Marauder, but have reconsidered and am going got keep it.

I also have an FX Wildcat .25 and my very newest air rifle is an FX Royale 400, which arrived today - I haven't even put a scope on it, yet - shoot, took me a little while to figure out how to load its mag - it's not a simple as loading an Mrod mag.

It'll be interesting to have a shoot-out between the Gen 1 .22 Mrod and the brand new FX Royale 400. Any predictions, if all is equal, but for the two air rifles.

Bobby

"bltefft"I've come to wonder if Gen 1 Marauders are better shooters than Gen 2's. My Gen 1 Marauder, at 25-30 yards, can shoot same hole all day long - supported, that is, with the PSB pellets.

I was thinking about selling my Gen 1 .22 Marauder, but have reconsidered and am going got keep it.

I also have an FX Wildcat .25 and my very newest air rifle is an FX Royale 400, which arrived today - I haven't even put a scope on it, yet - shoot, took me a little while to figure out how to load its mag - it's not a simple as loading an Mrod mag.

It'll be interesting to have a shoot-out between the Gen 1 .22 Mrod and the brand new FX Royale 400. Any predictions, if all is equal, but for the two air rifles.

Bobby

I don't have any predictions but sure looking forward to the shoot-out. My Gen 1 .22 Mrod shoots as good as anything I have. But I don't have the high end guns.

Jimmy

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the hammer forged barrel helped out my 22 Mrod a lot.same rest same pellets same targets but shoots great with it.but be wise and go with the 25 Mrod and install an SSG for better shot count...

If buying a .22 I would get a used or refurbished Marauder. Even if it shoots good the MMHF will probably shoot better. The cost savings will pay for at least 50% on the upgrade barrel.

If buying new I would wait for the new regulated Marauder or get it in .25 cal. 

I have the Gen 2 .22 Marauder. Very accurate at 25 yards. Just haven't stretched it further to tell at this point. The barrel problems were Gen 1 from what I understand. I get 40 to 50 shots per fill before accuracy drops. I bought new, from Pyramid air with the pump. Pump was a waste, bought air tanks shortly after.

I'm a lousy shot, and was able to put 10 shot groups at 25 yard smaller than a quarter. No flyers.

Barrel problem was addressed.

When you buy, check the prices using the 25% off coupon, AGNATION in the banner above. That means that $540 Marauder from Crosman is $405. Big difference. Friday is free shipping. That saves another $18

I would prefer the regulated version. That will take an already good rifle and make it better.

I'm a firm believer in the Gen 2 Marauder. Upgrade barrel not needed.

Negatives - long, heavy.
Pluses - accurate, shoots Crosman Premier Domes (inexpensive ammunition) extremely well.

While I want an Impact for my next gun, which is several years away, the Marauder is an excellent shooter.

Here is my best group at 50 yards with the MM barrel. Under 2 tenth of an inch. FYI- Magazinea are around $20!

[url="http://i.imgur.com/6zctvVq.jpg"][img]http://i.imgur.com/6zctvVq.jpg[/img][/url]

"Saltlake58"I have the Gen 2 .22 Marauder. Very accurate at 25 yards. Just haven't stretched it further to tell at this point. The barrel problems were Gen 1 from what I understand. I get 40 to 50 shots per fill before accuracy drops. I bought new, from Pyramid air with the pump. Pump was a waste, bought air tanks shortly after.

I'm a lousy shot, and was able to put 10 shot groups at 25 yard smaller than a quarter. No flyers.

Barrel problem was addressed.

When you buy, check the prices using the 25% off coupon, AGNATION in the banner above. That means that $540 Marauder from Crosman is $405. Big difference. Friday is free shipping. That saves another $18

I would prefer the regulated version. That will take an already good rifle and make it better.

I'm a firm believer in the Gen 2 Marauder. Upgrade barrel not needed.

Negatives - long, heavy.
Pluses - accurate, shoots Crosman Premier Domes (inexpensive ammunition) extremely well.

While I want an Impact for my next gun, which is several years away, the Marauder is an excellent shooter.

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Thanks for sharing that Crosman does free shipping on Fridays. I didn't know they do that.