The best airgun (Part 2)

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Tominco

Tominco

Member
Apr 1, 2015
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Colorado, United States
Shooters,

I consider "Best" and "Favorite" to be two different things. When I put the 1st video together I had to look at things from a very wide perspective and consider as many attributes as I could think of. My favorite rifle is definitely going to be a very good rifle but, it's not necessarily going to be one that I would call the best ever created. From the responses I was getting both here and on YT, I feel as though many of you understood best to mean favorite and I wanted to distinguish the difference between the two and add some clarification. 

So now I'd like to hear from LOTS of you... What is your FAVORITE rifle, and why is it held it in such high regard with you? :) 

Happy Shooting! 

Tom



https://youtu.be/t6HLwYVYceg


 
My favorite of the guns that I have is my .177 Thomas and it's the gun I shoot the most. Probably put over 8,000 pellets through her in the last 3 years. But my new 2nd favorite is my FX Boss .30 that I just acquired . It's taken me 5 years to find a gun that I can shoot sub MOA at 100 yds and the Boss is the one that finally made that happen for me. What's not to like about that? My 3rd favorite would be my Colibri just for the fun factor and shooting grapes at 50 yds is always fun!

Fuss
 
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Well stated , Tom. I had a Royale 500 that was everything you said, as well. Difficult decision to say a favorite with so many great ones to chose from. After quite a bit of contemplation, I would say my favorite is also what I would consider the best ever made.... Theoben MK1. My particular one is in 177 and I wouldn't mind a 22, but I feel it is the rifle a LARGE number of current models are based on, especially the magazines. It's very simple in terms of number of parts and very robustly made, yet slick to operate and VERY consistent .... without a regulator. Not certain, but it may be the first to use a bottle for air storage. Anyway it's a wonder and everything that you enjoy in yours is what I enjoy about my MK1.

Btw, Not sure if the Impact would have been a big splash without the EBR or something like it though. Not a great hunting rifle and a little finicky overall. BUT... the Royale, Impact, RAW and others have certainly moved forward our expectations of what an air rifle can do. You know, a Career 707 can shoot that well and as farand is from the mid 90s so maybe I'll have to re-think that. It was just never promoted by a big event.

Bob
 
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Your first video I personally understood as "This is THE best airgun ever built bar none, period" If the goal is to garner a lot of attention or traffic to the channel, then calling the video The Best Airgun Ever will definitely do it. But, if just sharing YOUR favorite airgun, I think you did a fantastic job and very compelling argument for the gun to be the very best gun for you. 

As for mine, right now I would have to go with the Kalibrgun Cricket Mini Carbine as it's my top performing PCP. Even then it's not perfect, there's quite a few things I would change or improve on. I also don't have the luxury or knowledge to work on my own guns, and I hate the thought of shipping them cross country to get fixed, so I choose a local dealer to me that has a great reputation and always backs up his work. 
 
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1561647081_11103812345d14d7e989f714.27959767_Veteran 22 standard and 25 long.png
1561647367_12321513785d14d907dcf564.74206563_IMG_2706.JPG


The FX Wildcat: THE GOLD STANDARD in BULLPUPS!

The Taipan Veteran: Exquisite trigger----> excellent accuracy. In .25 Long version (with Lothar Walther barrel), shoots 34.7 grain slugs as if it was designed expressly for that purpose. Quiet. Easy power adjustability [sic]. Buttery smooth cocking. Anti-double load. WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT THIS TACK DRIVING POWERHOUSE? 

*These are like my kids. I cannot pick one over the other!

*Excuse me while I go out to my deck and target shoot at 30, 40 and 50 yards...with the pictured Taipan Veteran .22 Standard, of course. So quiet, the neighbors will never know.
 
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My favorite, and it might well be the most awesome FT rig ever made, has been my 1st Gen MAC1 USFT (no Reg to fail). Simple, ROCK solid reliable. and accurate. The wife's Gen 2 has been the same. 

Well I have another special mention, favorite in a different way, basically for the joy of plinking, is my Steyr LGB1 biathlon trainer, 6ftlbs and it's just a super fun rifle! One time I hit a 3" spinner at 100Y 4 fer 5!!!

Almost every other airgun I've had needed work of some kind or another. You can name a problem and it's probably happened to me. My FX Impact, was "VERY" frustrating to get to where it is today. Thankfully a friend here on AGN located them and fixed it up.

I could name about 5-6 dishonorable mentions with other airguns, pointing out some glaring and extremely cuss worthy faults, that's for darn sure!
 
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My favorite of the guns that I have is my .177 Thomas and it's the gun I shoot the most. Probably put over 8,000 pellets through her in the last 3 years. But my new 2nd favorite is my FX Boss .30 that I just acquired . It's taken me 5 years to find a gun that I can shoot sub MOA at 100 yds and the Boss is the one that finally made that happen for me. What's not to like about that? My 3rd favorite would be my Colibri just for the fun factor and shooting grapes at 50 yds is always fun!

Fuss
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Outstanding Jimmy! Congratulations in a BIG way! I've been a distant fan of the Thomas' and have owned a Boss in the past. The .30 was just too much for me at the time. 
 
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Well stated , Tom. I had a Royale 500 that was everything you said, as well. Difficult decision to say a favorite with so many great ones to chose from. After quite a bit of contemplation, I would say my favorite is also what I would consider the best ever made.... Theoben MK1. My particular one is in 177 and I wouldn't mind a 22, but I feel it is the rifle a LARGE number of current models are based on, especially the magazines. It's very simple in terms of number of parts and very robustly made, yet slick to operate and VERY consistent .... without a regulator. Not certain, but it may be the first to use a bottle for air storage. Anyway it's a wonder and everything that you enjoy in yours is what I enjoy about my MK1.

Btw, Not sure if the Impact would have been a big splash without the EBR or something like it though. Not a great hunting rifle and a little finicky overall. BUT... the Royale, Impact, RAW and others have certainly moved forward our expectations of what an air rifle can do. You know, a Career 707 can shoot that well and as farand is from the mid 90s so maybe I'll have to re-think that. It was just never promoted by a big event.

Bob
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That's a heck of a statement coming from a shooter such as you Bobby! Theoben rifles certainly had a huge influence in airguns. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to get behind one for any length of time. Thank you for commenting here and sharing your insight and experience with us. It says a lot about the MK1! 
 
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Your first video I personally understood as "This is THE best airgun ever built bar none, period" If the goal is to garner a lot of attention or traffic to the channel, then calling the video The Best Airgun Ever will definitely do it. But, if just sharing YOUR favorite airgun, I think you did a fantastic job and very compelling argument for the gun to be the very best gun for you. 

As for mine, right now I would have to go with the Kalibrgun Cricket Mini Carbine as it's my top performing PCP. Even then it's not perfect, there's quite a few things I would change or improve on. I also don't have the luxury or knowledge to work on my own guns, and I hate the thought of shipping them cross country to get fixed, so I choose a local dealer to me that has a great reputation and always backs up his work.
Click to expand...

Sure.. there was little bit of attention getting but, I really do feel as though that rifle was/is the catalyst to a turning point in the industry. I'm really glad you enjoyed Part 2 as well! The "best" has to consider so many different things at once. But, the "favorite" seems to be a much simpler, personal, and elegant explanation. 

I came VERY close to getting a Cricket right when the Wildcat was introduced. I'm glad I went with the WC but, I've always wondered about how the Cricket would have worked out. Thanks for sharing your opinion. :)

Tom
 
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My favorite, and it might well be the most awesome FT rig ever made, has been my 1st Gen MAC1 USFT (no Reg to fail). Simple, ROCK solid reliable. and accurate. The wife's Gen 2 has been the same. 

Well I have another special mention, favorite in a different way, basically for the joy of plinking, is my Steyr LGB1 biathlon trainer, 6ftlbs and it's just a super fun rifle! One time I hit a 3" spinner at 100Y 4 fer 5!!!

Almost every other airgun I've had needed work of some kind or another. You can name a problem and it's probably happened to me. My FX Impact, was "VERY" frustrating to get to where it is today. Thankfully a friend here on AGN located them and fixed it up.

I could name about 5-6 dishonorable mentions with other airguns, pointing out some glaring and extremely cuss worthy faults, that's for darn sure!
Click to expand...

Nice to see the MAC1 USFT get mentioned! They seem to be a little on the rare side for being talked about lately. I believe there's a lot of work and care that goes into each one that's made and it shows when you meet someone that owns one. Thanks for posting up your opinion!

Tom
 
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All my airguns are my favorite but again they all have their different attributes, my Kral Mega Marine .25 is a very nice Quiet shooter at 60.7 FPE but then so is my Wildcat Patriot in .25 but not to outdo my Bully ,30 which is no slouch at 995fps with 44.75’s then my Texan 357 is a hammer at 100 yards with NSA 127’s but then my Bulldog .357 has its place to, my Texan 45 is a sludge hammer but is also a air hog but it’s my favorite.45 and now I Just became the owner of a lightly used Rainstorm .30 which I’ve wanted for sometime and so far it’s what I’ve expected. So as you see I have many favorite airguns but if I had to call one my very Favorite at this time it would be the...



FX Wildcat Patriot in .25. It has the right feel, right power and it’s just plain nice to shoot.
 
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I think the definition of the word "favorite" that apply's here is the one that refers to "a person or thing or class of things that is preferred above all others...to the exclusion of all others." For me that definition applies perfectly to my two FX Wildcats...I guess this is what it must feel like to be in love with two beautiful women! One that has little petite .25 caliber pellets, and another one that has huge .30 caliber pellets! 😍
 
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I ask myself that every day, "if I had to keep just one"...first of all I have an Impact X .25 700mm and it's a powerful interesting air rifle, and I do agree with "best one over all" it will never be my favorite, I'm an FX fan and I love the five FX's I have and could be content with any one of them. Until recently it would have been a toss up between my Wildcat Mk1 .22 walnut and my Streamline .22 laminate. Like the three power settings on the Streamline but the Wildcat just has a warm close comfortable hold that I just love, the Wildcat .22 would be my number one favorite. About a month ago I made a trade with a trusted member for a gun I knew little about except the company that made it. I was after a .177 PCP somewhat lower power than the .22's and .25's for safer backyard shooting the trusted member gave it high ratings said I would like it, I only had .177's in springers never a PCP didn't know what to expect, well that was a month and almost FOUR tins of pellets ago!... this gun has taken over second place from the Streamline!!! It's not even an FX!!! I have fallen head over heals in love with this "sweet little .177", it's quiet, accurate great shot count easy to fill with a pump, about one pump per shot great stock and trigger, ( is the only air gun I didn't have to adjust the trigger ) not pellet fussy very light and well built, happens to be an unregulated Daystate Huntsman Regal. When you talk about sitting out on the porch (deck) and just shooting because it's what you love to do these two guns give me what I want, a close bond between man and (well built) machines
1561694715_15553987305d1591fbabff64.92695349_fav.jpg
, I had to give a shout out to Daystate and Daystate fans, how impressed I have been, and how much FUN the Huntsman is to shoot!!!
 
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@RM100GUY - The challenger has arrived!! LOL! I never had a WC in .22 but, I've held them and shot them a few times. I can imagine exactly what your referring to when you say "Warm close comfortable hold". The .22's are comfy little bullpups that bring a smile to my face every time I hold one. 

I also have a Huntsman. But, it's a special edition #30 of 50 made. I'll try to remember to post a picture of it for you tomorrow. That's really cool that a rear bolt action is challenging a side lever for the top spot in your collection! That's a pretty pair of rifles there, my friend. Thanks for sharing your story and thank you for your service! 

Tom
 
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Hi Tom, your videos seriously never cease to amaze me!

I personally consider you and Steve (AEAC) to be the two truly independent personalities on YT (excepting Joe of course).

That was until I saw the video of the Impact and then shortly after the sale of the RW video!

TBH I thought that like many others at RMAC you had apparently succumb to the high levels of sponsorship that the industry is finally attracting and why not, money brings interest and interest sells product, I'm glad manufacturers are realising that, a bit like how the Impact has brought the industry forward I agree! (and so has the Redwolf IMO).

But on watching part 2 it appears that you are still very honest about your opinions and I really respect that.

Please keep on making great videos and enjoying a drink on the porch with your favorite gun, who wouldn't with that view! (personally I prefer sugar cubes and a 12FPE energy gun).

Now all we have to do is get Matt to do a video shooting a Redwolf!
 
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