What is a rugged PCP rifle on the low end of the price range?

What about the Umarex Gauntlet 2? They look like they could take some abuse. Umarex sells a decent scope and compressor. Maybe a little more than the budget but close.

Rugged scope to put on the rifle would be a SWFA fixed power.

i wouldnt want to beat any of them up too much ... i like the way the benjamin cayden is built though, pretty solid .. put a westhunter scope on it, chinese pump, and a donny and you probably still have enough left over for a few cans of premeirs, and itl hit grasshoppers out to 50 prolly no problem ..

I could swing my bullboss by the barrel with no poi changes. Hatsan rifles are sturdy. go figure.....

Everything is relative. How rough is rough, how big is your target, and at what distance do you need to shoot it? Generally speaking, PCP air rifles aren't made for hard use. The only rifle I own that might meet your test is a Taipan Veteran. But, it's a little over your budget.

Pre-order a Guantlet 30 ... or if you don't want that much power grab a G2 in .22 or .25

See my review thread for more info. I haven't even touched another air gun in my collection since I got this in a few weeks ago.

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/gauntlet-30-testing-results-pellets-slugs-etc-review-and-discussion-thread/?referrer=1

I'm fairly sure its about as durable as anything out there. I have the .25 caliber G2 as well and the only thing that wears out are the probe o-rings (which can be replaced with a Hajimoto "no-ring" mod).

Leaving money for a pump and a scope I don't think you can find a better gun.

@bryanh I guess an answer depends on a few things. Are you looking for a bundle/package deal? What type of shooting do you plan to do with it? Which calibers are you interested in? Off the top of my head I’d probably look at a Crosman/Benjamin PCP. The .357 Bulldogs are pretty rugged and reliable big-bores, and I don’t know if I’d want to hand pump one. A Benjamin Marauder Pistol/carbine (Prod) would make for a decent .22 caliber woods walker. They can be hand pumped fairly easily up to 2800-2900 psi. They’re pretty light as well. As for how rugged they are, not sure. I fell with mine the other day. Still have to test POI to see if anything has changed. I’ve seen them around $400-$425 on average viewing a few sites. They come with a basic carbine stock that can be attached to the pistol that’s about 18” long without it attached. I have an AR stock on mine and it’s around 30”-32” with it. I’ve read good things about the Benjamin Craftman line, but I have no experience with those guns. 

Keeping the price of a rifle, pump, and scope under $1,000, is there an option that offers some honest reliability, durability, and consistency?

I am speaking specifically to the mating of barrel to receiver and consistent point of impact given some fairly rough handling.

Click to expand...

Are you wanting a classic style rifle or bullpup?

I just got an email from Pyramyd Air. 20% off all Umarex. They have the original Guantlet on sale as part of this for $263.99.

Or if you want to preorder that Guantlet 30 today would be the day to do it for sure!

Coupon UMAREX20 expires 5/19/22 at 3 am ET

To my mind, Benjamin Marauder or Armada. They are sturdy, easy to work on, parts and upgrades relatively cheap compared to others. Great warranty and support. These are mine. One is a Marauder, the an Armada, both .22, and as you can see, neither is in factory dressing. I bought the Armada off Amazon last year. It came with bipod and 4-16×40scope, both decent. It is on there now for $669.00 and compressor was under $300 for 4500 psi with adjustable auto shutoff.  Meet Thelma & Louise, one under 20 fpe, one at 35 fpe. 

Sumatra

'nuff said...

Click to expand...

i wouldnt want to beat any of them up too much ... i like the way the benjamin cayden is built though, pretty solid .. put a westhunter scope on it, chinese pump, and a donny and you probably still have enough left over for a few cans of premeirs, and itl hit grasshoppers out to 50 prolly no problem ..

Click to expand...

This right here, mine has been a tank, accurate, reliable. Good first choice, plus backed by a 5 yr warranty.

One of the Kral rifles or something from their sister companies. The barrel is held with two grub screws. I don’t know that I’d swing it by the barrel, but I promise my guns get some of the worst treatment on a regular basis and are functionally unscathed. They’re helping me teach 5, 7 and 10 year old boys to shoot. They’ve all got knicks and scratches in the shrouds, scopes, stocks and suppressors. They’ve been dropped, banged and probably dragged. Get used almost everyday and I’ve never had an issue. They hold their poi just fine and are very accurate. Super easy to work on, my Puncher Break makes 43 fpe in 22cal with little work. thammer will talk them up better than me, and he’s a guy that could do the tuning if you don’t want to. Good prices and everything he’s done for me has been good. I can just offer a little insight on their ruggedness, the four I have have been great. Hope this helps.

Beau

Edit: Amazing walnut stocks these guns! 

Sumatra

Click to expand...

Well he did ask for a rugged rifle... those things are freaking cannons.. other good uses are. golf club, hammer, baseball bat, jack handle or pry bar. Yeah they are built like tanks

The craftsman series isn’t an exact rebrand of the Krals, maybe one of the other companies in the family. I think it’s pretty close though, and parts availability is better being in the Benjamin line. Kral has the puncher mega which is a good looking sporter. I’ve seen a lot of guys now swap the air tube and barrel out for the shorter NP03 tube and barrel. Poor man’s huntsman revere. They’re good rifles especially for the money. I can’t imagine anyone being upset with the way mine have performed.

Sumatra

Click to expand...

Well he did ask for a rugged rifle... those things are freaking cannons.. other good uses are. golf club, hammer, baseball bat, jack handle or pry bar. Yeah they are built like tanks

Click to expand...

Yup. Not gonna "out-durable" these without spending a lot of coin. I have a ShinSung 9mm built like the Sumatra and between that and my Leshiy Classic, I could use the two for war clubs. TBH, a Sumatra with iron sights would be effective to 50 yards unless you're trying to splatter flies on paper.

he only drawback to a Sumatra is owners don't really like selling them often. If you can find a used one with a Will Piatt tune, you can buy it, a pile of ammo, and some decent glass for under a grand.