I’m looking at getting a PCP to teach my son the fundamentals of shooting and to have fun plinking with something that’s much quieter than my 22lr. I want to keep the price as low as possible but still receive a quality and accurate gun. If there is any advice on recommended scope and ammo to go with the gun I’d appreciate that too.
Need advice on entry level PCP
- Thread starter watb21
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There are a few PCPs out now, or coming soon that are more affordable. Look around here or YouTube and you will find a few (Gauntlet, Stormrider, etc) for not much more a Marauder or even a P.Rod. The questions will be how to fill the gun, it starts getting expensive unless you pump. How inexpensive? How accurate? How quiet? He may benefit from learning these principles with a quality Springer, may cost less in the end. Will probably give him more discipline. Just some thoughts.
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The HW30 is easy to cock, but I don’t know about the length of pull. How old is the child? Maybe some other guys can chime in.
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I could recommend many PCPs but as some have said, the start-up is pretty pricey. If you want a springer that will offer accuracy close to PCP with decent power I would recommend a RWS Diana 54 Air King. It has a great trigger and a recoilless system so it's not as hold sensitive as most springers. There are other springers that is very accurate but the Air King has good power to go along with the accuracy.
As for PCPs, I would recommend a Hatsan Nova or Kral Jumbo. Both have high shot count and power. The Nova is a better 25 cal option since the Kral 25 cal are a little underpowered for a 25 cal. The negative on the Nova is that you will need a good fill system since it has a 500cc bottle and 250 bar (about 3600 psi) fill to take advantage of the high shot count. The Jumbo has a 200 bar fill and 425cc bottle. It still get a lot of shots in both 22 and 25 cal and easier to fill if you are hand pumping. Both are very accurate and have good adjustable triggers.
You can also go the route of the Benjamin M-Rod but expect lower shot count and a need to refill more often. Most guns in the price range have great accuracy and decent power. Or you can jump on a Umarex Gauntlet. It has a high shot count, small tank but not a lot of power if you want to hunt medium critters.
As for PCPs, I would recommend a Hatsan Nova or Kral Jumbo. Both have high shot count and power. The Nova is a better 25 cal option since the Kral 25 cal are a little underpowered for a 25 cal. The negative on the Nova is that you will need a good fill system since it has a 500cc bottle and 250 bar (about 3600 psi) fill to take advantage of the high shot count. The Jumbo has a 200 bar fill and 425cc bottle. It still get a lot of shots in both 22 and 25 cal and easier to fill if you are hand pumping. Both are very accurate and have good adjustable triggers.
You can also go the route of the Benjamin M-Rod but expect lower shot count and a need to refill more often. Most guns in the price range have great accuracy and decent power. Or you can jump on a Umarex Gauntlet. It has a high shot count, small tank but not a lot of power if you want to hunt medium critters.
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Have you considered a multi-pump such as the Benjamin 392 or 397?
If you must go PCP, a Maximus or Discovery and pump will teach the value of careful aim!
My 2 cents-get a HW30 or R7. With some care it will last forever, it's accurate, light and easy to cock, and if he loses interest you can keep it for yourself or sell it and get good resale value.
If you must go PCP, a Maximus or Discovery and pump will teach the value of careful aim!
My 2 cents-get a HW30 or R7. With some care it will last forever, it's accurate, light and easy to cock, and if he loses interest you can keep it for yourself or sell it and get good resale value.
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if its a pcp .you can go wild money wise ,,on the other side ,if you get a pos of a starter gun expect the same for fun,,wont be there ,,ill mention 3 the benjaman marauder is approx $420 if you use the coupon for 25% off from crosman in the banner above ,free ship fridays awesome gun ussually the number 1 seller in the U S wood or synthetic 177 22 25 cal accurasy over 100 yards ,,second would be the KRAL puncher breaker $450 to$499 depending where u get it its a bull pup might be a better choice for your boy ,,check out AEAC steve does real good videos on both,, hatsan bull boss is last $ 450 a good buy , dont get a crappy scope youll regret it at least spend $100 on something like theUTG bug buster good scope comes with rings for right at a hundred good luck pm me and i can answer any ?s pat
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Remember guys, this gun is for a child, don’t know yet how old. Not sure how heavy or ease of use for a child some of these guns may be.
This one is coming out soon. Weighing 5.3 Lbs, may be able to pump just fine, not sure.
https://www.crosman.com/new-for-2018/new-for-2018-airguns/rifle-fortitude-22-cal
This one is coming out soon. Weighing 5.3 Lbs, may be able to pump just fine, not sure.
https://www.crosman.com/new-for-2018/new-for-2018-airguns/rifle-fortitude-22-cal
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Crosman 1300KT Pump Carbine in the custom shop, weights about 3lbs.
I just ordered two $420 shipped, with LW 14.6" barrel in .177 and most all the bells and whistle, for the kids to start their safety training and proper shooting. Depending on how you set it up it can be as low as $150
I just ordered two $420 shipped, with LW 14.6" barrel in .177 and most all the bells and whistle, for the kids to start their safety training and proper shooting. Depending on how you set it up it can be as low as $150
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Couldn’t go wrong with a Benjamin Discovery or “Disco” as we like to call them. I’ve had two and they’re great. Could probably pick up a used Disco and a hand pump for under $400. Careful though, you’ll be hooked on pcp guns and it only gets more expensive from there. Umarex gauntlet looks great for the money and is a huge step up from a Disco.
As for springers, +1 on the RWS Diana model 54. Was my favorite springer. Very accurate. Mine was .22 and loved 21gn Kodiaks. HEAVY gun though, about 12 lbs with scope.
HTH,
Brian
As for springers, +1 on the RWS Diana model 54. Was my favorite springer. Very accurate. Mine was .22 and loved 21gn Kodiaks. HEAVY gun though, about 12 lbs with scope.
HTH,
Brian
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He’s turning 5 in a few months. I have many rifles for him to build on through the years from a 22lr through a 300wsm. I feel like I could start him on the 22lr but me and the wife don’t see eye to eye on when to start him. As far as she’s concerned this is just a BB gun.... although I have zero experience with a accurate/powerful air rifle I know these aren’t anything like the B.B. gun I grew up with. I have a tremendous amount of respect for kinetic energy and I’ll make sure he does as well
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Thanks for all the advice everyone. Time do some research on my end and see what seems like it will be the best fit. I’m leaning heavily towards a PCP because although I’ll be training him on it, they just seem like a little more fun. I’m not too concerned about weight because I’ll get a bipod and either be prone or on a bench with him.
Great first experience in this forum!!
thanks
Great first experience in this forum!!
thanks
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Take a look at the Benjamin P rod it's a .22 pistol- carbine the stocks are pretty cheap, and easy to modify. You"ll see pictures of cut down stocks with a small piece of wood epoxied on. Making a stock with a custom length of pull is easy. You can add a 1/2 dowel and a couple of screws to raise the comb for a custom fit for the little guy. Crosman Friday deals 25% off and free shipping puts you a little over 300 before taxes. A Chinese pump, Hand pumping small tube not differcult . There are countless posts on tuning and tweeking the gun. Another stock and you have a nice gun for small game- pesting out to 100 feet. A bugbudter 3-9x32 is great little scope. Amazon or PA they weigh about 13 ounces.
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I just bought my first PCP, the Umarex Gauntlet .22 cal. It’s extremely accurate, with a 60 shot count. As for a 5 year old, it weighs over 10 lbs. I weigh 210 lbs, and getting the last few pumps into it is a chore with a hand pump. I paid $242 for the gun at SG (with joining the club, I got a discount). I bought the Umarex handpump for $131. I purchased the UTG 3-12x44mm AO SWAT Compact for $116 and another $17 for the one piece mount. It shoots pretty good with the Crosman Premier 14.3 grain Hollow Points, which are available in stores at about $9 a 500 tin. It shoots incredibly well with JSB Diablo Exact Heavy Jumbo 18.1 grains, $25 a 500 tin online. Obviously, this is not “cheap” per se, but quite inexpensive as far as venturing into the PCP realm. I’m retired, and I tend to go WAY overboard into researching a purchase such as this. The Umarex Gauntlet won every head to head challenge in the online venues, and is an excellent choice for an adult. It would be a great rifle for Dad, to teach his son to shoot with. From that angle, you could make the decision whether he is physically big enough for this rifle. It has almost no recoil, it’s very quiet- not scary to shoot. It’s cumbersome and would be impossible for him to pump up himself. Any pump gun, break barrel or PCP is going to require Dad’s help. Maybe he could be a bit more autonomous with a CO2 weapon. As a final thought, you MUST keep in mind that the Gauntlet has a regulator, which inherently makes it VERY accurate. The trigger leaves something to be desired, as well as the bolt will be hard for a 5 year old to pull back, but Dad is going to be amazed what a pellet gun can accomplish. Sorry about the length of this comment.
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I started the downward spiral into PCP with the P-Rod and Hill hand pump. My son and daughter could easily handle it when shooting off hand or a bench. The small air tube is topped off from 1800-3000PSI in about 45 or so pumps. Good luck.
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Coming from a dad with a 5 year old Wait. There is no making them shot bench rest for paper targets. It you want a PCP for him do a wild fire or a disco. My mistake was pushing my interest of on him.
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Go Dad!
No springer for youth starters - at least not most springers- teach him with something decent.
A Umarex Qauntlet is a value and, is a large/heavy rig, regulated is good. With your assistance it should be usable. I have worked with 5yr old's that had to put the stock under there arm on a bench but learned to use a 30x scope just fine. I have also shot with a National FT winner who was 10 yrs old and not a large person at that, he learned young and shoots well.
Very 1st rifle, maybe, a $ 75ish QB78. Co2 rifle, cheap, decent trigger and hopefully enough accuracy to get him started. Just adjust the LOP ( saw ) and he will be all set.
Then, the AA or CZ200! THAT is a youth rifle. The red laminate one peice stock closed out last year at %525.00. - just a reference- Pilkguns had a use target model ( ? ) 2, piece stock & adjustable used for around $400 last week. Look at things along the CZ 200 line.
Keep us posted on what works out.
John
No springer for youth starters - at least not most springers- teach him with something decent.
A Umarex Qauntlet is a value and, is a large/heavy rig, regulated is good. With your assistance it should be usable. I have worked with 5yr old's that had to put the stock under there arm on a bench but learned to use a 30x scope just fine. I have also shot with a National FT winner who was 10 yrs old and not a large person at that, he learned young and shoots well.
Very 1st rifle, maybe, a $ 75ish QB78. Co2 rifle, cheap, decent trigger and hopefully enough accuracy to get him started. Just adjust the LOP ( saw ) and he will be all set.
Then, the AA or CZ200! THAT is a youth rifle. The red laminate one peice stock closed out last year at %525.00. - just a reference- Pilkguns had a use target model ( ? ) 2, piece stock & adjustable used for around $400 last week. Look at things along the CZ 200 line.
Keep us posted on what works out.
John
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