I'm new to PCP air rifles. I've had break barrel rifles and multi pumps over the years. I recently purchased a QB78 deluxe for plinking, and love it. All that being said I feel as though I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things. I have a budget of around $800 with some wiggle room if warranted. I am not by any means a serious hunter, but I would like the ability to dispatch pests with ease. I would love to hear some recommendations on which rifles I should consider, please feel free to recommend optics as well.
What PCP for a first time buyer?
- Thread starter nyenthusiast
- Start date
I had the same budget you have when I started $800 back in 2015
at the time I didn't know about this page just YouTube
I went into amazon bought the following
1 Benjamin marauder .22 $500
1 extra mag $12
2 JSB 18.13 tins $24
1 zebra 90ci 4500 psi with 3000 psi output valve $300
( can't remember but I think I used to get like 5 fill from 2000 psi to about 2900 psi )
1) range finder used ($70)
I had a scope but I think I paid about $70 zero at 40 yards and use holdover for longer distances cause the scope was cheap it came with rings
so my started set up came to about
$970 ( $170 over budget)
now if I had to start all over again I'll do the following
1 find about 5 guns under $1000 I would buy USED on this site if it came with scope even better
2 look for a 70 CF carbon fiber tank to get more fills or a scuba tank to save money
now this will push your budget over $800 but you will have a better gun and if you chose the right one a better mechanical performance and accuracy.
at the time I didn't know about this page just YouTube
I went into amazon bought the following
1 Benjamin marauder .22 $500
1 extra mag $12
2 JSB 18.13 tins $24
1 zebra 90ci 4500 psi with 3000 psi output valve $300
( can't remember but I think I used to get like 5 fill from 2000 psi to about 2900 psi )
1) range finder used ($70)
I had a scope but I think I paid about $70 zero at 40 yards and use holdover for longer distances cause the scope was cheap it came with rings
so my started set up came to about
$970 ( $170 over budget)
now if I had to start all over again I'll do the following
1 find about 5 guns under $1000 I would buy USED on this site if it came with scope even better
2 look for a 70 CF carbon fiber tank to get more fills or a scuba tank to save money
now this will push your budget over $800 but you will have a better gun and if you chose the right one a better mechanical performance and accuracy.
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Check the hatsan AT44 long QE, cost the same ,I have a Marauder also but to my opinion is better the performance of the hatsan.
Regards
Regards
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I just watched some YouTube videos on the Benjiman Maximus it is getting nice
groups at 25 & 30 yards even out to 50. For under $200. Add a pump & scope
and you are well under budget. It's loud but you have room in your budget for
a moderator. You only fill to 2000 psi so it's easy to pump. You can get it in .22
or .177. Or the Benjiman Discovery for $250.
Mark
groups at 25 & 30 yards even out to 50. For under $200. Add a pump & scope
and you are well under budget. It's loud but you have room in your budget for
a moderator. You only fill to 2000 psi so it's easy to pump. You can get it in .22
or .177. Or the Benjiman Discovery for $250.
Mark
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I bought the Maximus Hunter from Crosman's website using the 25% coupon provided on AEAC YouTube channel. The AO scope that comes with the package is more than adequate for this rifle. The glass is CLEAR, but the crosshairs aren't quite perpendicular. Even with flaw it's a very nice scope. Shooting well at 50 yards. Shooters ability falls off after that. This is a .22 cal. Not available in .177 with this package.
Out the door with pump, rifle, scope, and shipping; it's less than $350.00. Highly recommend the purchase.
Out the door with pump, rifle, scope, and shipping; it's less than $350.00. Highly recommend the purchase.
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I bought my first PCP (Benji Dico) after owning 3 Springers and I really like the Disco. Im new to the sport but this gun fills my needs.
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Keeping in what you like, Archer Airgun converts QB78s to PCP and are available new. I like QBs too and have bought from Steve Archer. Looks good
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You can dispatch pests with nearly any 22 PCP gun.
is the $800 for just the gun or does it need to cover the tank, optics and bipod etc? it makes a big difference in what you can get.
I don't think I am over-generalizing by saying that most people (who can afford a repeater) start with a Marauder or AT44 QE. Both are solid first timer PCP guns. They are quiet enough to use in the backyard and accurate enough to get you nicely addicted to the hobby.
I started with an AT44 QE 22. If I was doing it all again, I would have skipped this stage and gone straight to a Cricket or Mutant. The old buy once / cry once philosophy but that's easy for me to say now. I had no idea what I really wanted at the time.
If you are going to start with one of the no frills guns, I would express a slight preference for the Marauder 22 due to the awesome number of aftermarket upgrades available. It's the only gun I know of where an amateur could turn it into one with high-end performance over time with easily available drop-in parts like the MarMot Milotia barrel upgrade and the JDS tank adapters etc.
If the $800 is for just the gun, take a look at the JKhan guns. The Krosa bullpups start at around $800. If I had around $800 to spend on air gun, that is what I would get. I would suggest paying for the regulator upgrade option though.
is the $800 for just the gun or does it need to cover the tank, optics and bipod etc? it makes a big difference in what you can get.
I don't think I am over-generalizing by saying that most people (who can afford a repeater) start with a Marauder or AT44 QE. Both are solid first timer PCP guns. They are quiet enough to use in the backyard and accurate enough to get you nicely addicted to the hobby.
I started with an AT44 QE 22. If I was doing it all again, I would have skipped this stage and gone straight to a Cricket or Mutant. The old buy once / cry once philosophy but that's easy for me to say now. I had no idea what I really wanted at the time.
If you are going to start with one of the no frills guns, I would express a slight preference for the Marauder 22 due to the awesome number of aftermarket upgrades available. It's the only gun I know of where an amateur could turn it into one with high-end performance over time with easily available drop-in parts like the MarMot Milotia barrel upgrade and the JDS tank adapters etc.
If the $800 is for just the gun, take a look at the JKhan guns. The Krosa bullpups start at around $800. If I had around $800 to spend on air gun, that is what I would get. I would suggest paying for the regulator upgrade option though.
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You also may want to consider the Umarex Gauntlet. It's $299, that will leave you with enough room for all the essentials.
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One thing to look at, depending on what you intend to use the gun for, is the fill pressure.
If you intend to purchase an air tank, gun fill pressure doesn't really matter. Most guns fill to 3000 PSI or a bit more. The Air Venturi or other brand carbon fiber 90 cubic inch tank with fill works great and a new tank runs about $300. I do not recommend a pump in this case. In my Marauder, it's about three pump strokes per shot. Those last few strokes getting to 2900 PSI are real bears. You really have to throw your weight into it.
If you purchase something like the Benjamin Maximus, it only fills to 2000 PSI. the pumps work very well for that type of gun. I've not shot it, but the reviews are very good.
Using the AGNATION code (from the banner above) you can buy the Maximus and pump for as others have said for under $350. Free shipping on Fridays saves another $20.
However, The Maximus is adequate for dispatching any pest and reviewers say it's a good 15 to 50 yard gun. Not really a 100 yard gun from what I can see.
After 25% off, the gun, pump, target combo is $350 - 25% = $262.
If you think you will like a nicer gun later, the pump is only temporary and probably a waste. might as well take the $150 for the pump and apply it to a $300 tank and fill assembly. I went through that routine, so now have both the pump that just sits around and the tank that I use regularly.
That first PCP is a hard decision due to the infrastructure (tanks) to make it more fun. Also, check to see where you can fill a tank locally. That might be another limiting factor. Tank doesn't do you any good if you have to drive 100 miles. In that case, Maximus with a pump is a good choice.
Good luck whatever you decide.
PCP's are addictive. Just ordered a Crosman 1701P pistol. It's a PCP, and since I have all the gear, and used the 25% off from AGNATION, saved over $100 and used free shipping Friday, so saved another $16.
I think I'd spend my money on the scope if I could. You will probably want to move up in the world later, and a good scope can move from gun to gun. Just my opinion.
If you intend to purchase an air tank, gun fill pressure doesn't really matter. Most guns fill to 3000 PSI or a bit more. The Air Venturi or other brand carbon fiber 90 cubic inch tank with fill works great and a new tank runs about $300. I do not recommend a pump in this case. In my Marauder, it's about three pump strokes per shot. Those last few strokes getting to 2900 PSI are real bears. You really have to throw your weight into it.
If you purchase something like the Benjamin Maximus, it only fills to 2000 PSI. the pumps work very well for that type of gun. I've not shot it, but the reviews are very good.
Using the AGNATION code (from the banner above) you can buy the Maximus and pump for as others have said for under $350. Free shipping on Fridays saves another $20.
However, The Maximus is adequate for dispatching any pest and reviewers say it's a good 15 to 50 yard gun. Not really a 100 yard gun from what I can see.
After 25% off, the gun, pump, target combo is $350 - 25% = $262.
If you think you will like a nicer gun later, the pump is only temporary and probably a waste. might as well take the $150 for the pump and apply it to a $300 tank and fill assembly. I went through that routine, so now have both the pump that just sits around and the tank that I use regularly.
That first PCP is a hard decision due to the infrastructure (tanks) to make it more fun. Also, check to see where you can fill a tank locally. That might be another limiting factor. Tank doesn't do you any good if you have to drive 100 miles. In that case, Maximus with a pump is a good choice.
Good luck whatever you decide.
PCP's are addictive. Just ordered a Crosman 1701P pistol. It's a PCP, and since I have all the gear, and used the 25% off from AGNATION, saved over $100 and used free shipping Friday, so saved another $16.
I think I'd spend my money on the scope if I could. You will probably want to move up in the world later, and a good scope can move from gun to gun. Just my opinion.
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The edit feature sucks...
Lets try again.
Get as big of tank as you can. Look at your local Scuba shop, they may have 4500 psi tanks for a lot cheaper than the expensive PCP designed ones. I paid almost $700 for a 100 cu ft Omega tank with fill regulator. Scuba shop said they probably can get them for $200?
Lets try again.
Get as big of tank as you can. Look at your local Scuba shop, they may have 4500 psi tanks for a lot cheaper than the expensive PCP designed ones. I paid almost $700 for a 100 cu ft Omega tank with fill regulator. Scuba shop said they probably can get them for $200?
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Yes I would get a good air source first then with what's left go after a rifle.
I would be looking for a 88 cf air tank with a few years left on it and a fill station as to prolong your shooting experience.
I would bet you could do that for around 250 to 350$ outta your budget and still have say 450 to 500$ for a PCP and scope.
It can be done.
To me whats needed is
Tank
Fill station
Rifle
Scope
Rings
First tin of pellets (Walmart .177/.22 6 dollars)
Worry about extra mags and high end pellets later get what's necessary first .
You can sub tank and fill station for hand pump but personally I would go tank and fill station.
I would be looking for a 88 cf air tank with a few years left on it and a fill station as to prolong your shooting experience.
I would bet you could do that for around 250 to 350$ outta your budget and still have say 450 to 500$ for a PCP and scope.
It can be done.
To me whats needed is
Tank
Fill station
Rifle
Scope
Rings
First tin of pellets (Walmart .177/.22 6 dollars)
Worry about extra mags and high end pellets later get what's necessary first .
You can sub tank and fill station for hand pump but personally I would go tank and fill station.
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Shop on the Bay for a tank or a reputable dealer for a used one. If you go with the bay, make sure you know what you are getting. Make sure it is DOT certified. Check the valve to make sure it will work with your fill equipment. I overspended on my first tank and am close to getting a tank for much much cheaper. 2008 SCBA seems to be the sweet spot. And this sounds sacrilegious, but the mrodair 199 pcp is not bad. It was my first rifle too.
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I just went through this in September.
I went from a Trail NP2, to a Maximus, to a PROD, to an Armada.
If I could do it all over again, I would have just started with a Hatsan Bullboss.
I obviously like the FX Impact and WIldcat, but can't bring myself to spend that kind of money.
Especially when I see even FX owners having issues with their guns.
So, I finally decided on a Bullboss .25 and a Wildfire .177 for plinking.
Good luck.
I went from a Trail NP2, to a Maximus, to a PROD, to an Armada.
If I could do it all over again, I would have just started with a Hatsan Bullboss.
I obviously like the FX Impact and WIldcat, but can't bring myself to spend that kind of money.
Especially when I see even FX owners having issues with their guns.
So, I finally decided on a Bullboss .25 and a Wildfire .177 for plinking.
Good luck.
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OH yes I started with an inexpensive PCP, quickly got an inexpensive pcp pistol from the same guy. Then an Air Arms, Taipan Mutant (I'm not a bullpup guy), now streamline and recently a RAW .30. As long as you are having fun that is all that matters!
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You don't hear a lot about them, they've been around forever-not powerhouses. But accurate, light, compact, good trigger, low fill pressure and small tank making them scuba or pump friendly. The AA/CZ s200! Comes in a few different power levels, very quiet with an aftermarket moderator, around 600-700 depending on power level. Great little guns IMO.
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Well,I actually started shooting a edgun r3m then a cricket carbine both in .22 and yes build quality is better but did they shoot better than my .22 bullboss now? Answer no they didn't .My bullboss shoots just as good .I went high-end first and actually regret doing so as I felt for the money you get short changed .I mean come on 600$ vs a 1200$ to 1600$ high-end and all you get for the big bucks is a regulator and a better trigger for 600$ to 1000$ more ,yes the build quality is better and more shot count per fill but to me just not worth it.(been there done just that)
I recently let my .177 gladius go in a trade to become air independent but man that gun was accurate and 4 mags before a top off.
Watch Midway they have nice hatsan sales time to time.
I got my gladius for 595$ shipped.
I'm not trying to push Hatsans but for my money invested they make me happy.
Everyone has suggestions and opinions but in the end go with what would make you happy.
I recently let my .177 gladius go in a trade to become air independent but man that gun was accurate and 4 mags before a top off.
Watch Midway they have nice hatsan sales time to time.
I got my gladius for 595$ shipped.
I'm not trying to push Hatsans but for my money invested they make me happy.
Everyone has suggestions and opinions but in the end go with what would make you happy.
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