Yet another guy new to PCP looking for help

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md_kc

md_kc

Member
Feb 16, 2017
14
0
West Virginia
I am in the market for an entry level PCP rifle/pistol so I have read many threads on this topic with great interest. I've read a lot and watched a lot of videos about the Maximus, the Marauder pistol/carbine, Gamo Coyote, AA S200 Hunter, and others. I have changed my mind a bunch of times, usually after reading of someone's good or bad experience on a forum. I don't have any access to any of PCP guns so I am looking for suggestions and pros/cons from those with experience. If my needs/wants list below is unreasonable, let me know that too.

II have done some springer shooting as well as lots of muzzle loading shooting, modern rifle hunting and a little bow hunting so I am not a newbie to shooting, just new to PCP.

My choice is driven by the following needs/wants:
1) I expect to be using a pump so I am looking for something that works well with a pump
2) I would prefer a lighter rather than heavier rifle or pistol [needs to be less than 10 lbs with scope and mounts - 70 year old eyes make a scope a requirement].
3) Strong preference for a rifle/pistol with traditional looks... bull pups do not appeal to me
4) Primarily a paper shooter but I won't rule out the occasional squirrel or varmint
5) I would like to stay under $1000 for the package [gun, pump, scope, mounts - the further under the better without sacrificing quality too much]
6) Backyard friendly
7) I'm OK with buying used
9) I prefer .22 caliber but .177 or maybe even .25 would work
10) I want a gun that is good right out of the box. I don't have the skills or desire to do a lot of tinkering..
 
How big are you? I am 225, 47yo. I pump up a small Airforce Escape to 3000 psi and it is not fun but it is not super hard either. But you are 20 years older than me. So you have to take that into consideration. Maybe look into a gun that you only have to pump up to 2000 psi. My Benjamin Discovery (2000 psi) is much easier to pump up but the quality is not that great. I did a lot of work to it to make it a better gun like adding a BNM breech so it will have a magazine and also a full shroud to quiet it down. These things increased the price from $379 for the gun and pump to around $550. I really love my Airforce, but for mostly plinking I would think a magazine is a must. Also if I was plinking I would get a scuba tank. Pumping 5 or 6 times in a session would get tiresome. 

I am sure you will get more help soon enough from more experienced shooters. 
 
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I think you are going to have to go used. Maybe used on gun, scope and pump. Lucky for you air gunners are always buying new guns and need to sell their old ones to finance new purchases. If you want to stick with new it is very hard to get all you want for under a grand. Maybe look at the package deals on Pyramyd.

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/BSA_Buccaneer_SE_Air_Rifle/3589/7311

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Puncher_Mega_Walnut_Sidelever_PCP_Air_Rifle/4192/7998

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Kral_Arms_Puncher_Pro_PCP_Air_Rifle/4191/7995

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Hatsan_AT44W_10_Air_Rifle/2892
 
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The gun that everyone on here will suggest would be the Benjamin Marauder. It's in the $405 range (with AGNATION coupon code) , plus $200 for the pump, and then you have another $350 left for the scope. IF later down the line you decide you want better accuracy or more shots per fill you can modify it some. If you're looking for a "traditional" gun then the Marauder even comes in a wood stock.

There is no other PCP that will stay under the $1000 mark for the whole package. Most people on here spend $1000+ on the rifle alone. I have an FX Impact ($1900), Athlon Argos Scope ($445), Scope rings ($55), SCBA tank ($500), and Bipod ($35-250). That's a $3000 setup. Now my setup will outshoot a Marauder (most likely), but you get the same level of accuracy that you pay for (unless it's a Steyr [I've had bad luck with them]).
 
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There's a video on you tube about how to pump airguns with the high pressure pumps. Search for it and watch it. I pump my Wildcat from 150 bar to 220 and it takes about 125 strokes. I do it in three increments with a little rest in between and its not too bad. I'm 67 but am over 6 ft and 225 lbs. But I only shoot pests with my pcp and a full cylinder can last me a week or more. If I was shooting paper or plinking all that pumping would put me right off. If you get a pump ... buy the Hill.
 
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+1 on the Marauder. It's a great one-hole shooter. I have two and really enjoy them. Only downside is that if you shoot a lot, you'll go from 3000 psi down to 2000 psi before you know it. When I started out, I used a hand pump, That got old - fast. So I spent the money and bought a carbon fiber tank (66 cu.ft) and a Shoebox compressor to take it up to 4500. Now, I use the CF tank to re-charge my Mrods - takes a fraction of a second. Best move I ever made was getting the CF tank and Shoebox.

I sold that hand pump.

Bobby
 
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ebigham, I am 6 ft tall, weigh in around 200-210 lbs and am in generaly good health. I have watched some videos on how to properly use a pump. It looks do-able, at least in the short term.

I intend to buy a Hill pump based on all the info I have seen. When I retire I may be moving to a place in the country so getting a tank refilled may be hard to do.

The Marauder looks good but the weight worries me a bit. It weighs in around 8 plus pounds and a scope & rings will take it over 9 lbs. On the pro side, I have seen lots of praise for it. Does the Marauder pistol/carbine pump up easier?
 
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I just ordered the FX Ranchero, i had a lot of good recommendations on it. One gun that i have been looking at a lot lately is the " Edgun Leishy" really sweet pistol, this one is gonna be on my to buy list in a few months, very impressed with the specs. 

I would recommend so far the Benjamin Maurader pistol, you can get it for 350 dollars and pimp it out with a scope or red dot sight. Hope this helps
 
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The marauder pistol which comes with the rear stock to make it into a lightweight carbine could be just what you're looking for. The marauder rifle would also be on the short list although, as you mention, it's fairly heavy. One great thing about the marauders is that there is a large aftermarket for tinkering and customization. Another is that Crosman support is super good, parts are readily available, high quality, and dirt cheap. They're relatively easy to work on and if you buy used and later decide to sell, you won't lose much. Even if you buy new and sell you won't lose much because they're so reasonably priced to begin with.
 
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Give the Daystate Regal XL some serious consideration. It has classic lines, lightweight, VERY accurate, and has a small air tank which should be easy to fill using a hand pump. Despite the small tank, it is very efficient and you will get 40 shots per fill for a .22. This is a large step up from a lot of "entry level" PCPs for not a large step up in price. They are now selling for $999.
 
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Brocock Concept S6 Standard $395 or Contour $495 in .22 and a TKO or Neil Clague LDC for their M10X1.0 threaded barrels... 

I just picked up a Contour G6 from a forum member, awaiting its arrival, cant wait. Everyone who has one or has owned one has nothing but positive things to say about them. Very accurate 25-35yrds (one member said it gives his RAW a run for the money at shorter to medium ranges) easy to fill with a pump, and very backyard friendly with an LDC mentioned above. Only shortcoming is relatively low shot count (sweet spot of about 20 shots) lower power (~16ft lbs for Contour with some being a little "hotter" at ~23ft lbs, Concept S6 Standard ~21-23ft lbs), and the Huggett that comes on the Contour models is not very effective.

See:

http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/my-brocock-xl-s6-review/

http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/any-one-shooting-the-brocock-concept-s6-standard/#post-145462

http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/just-received-my-first-pcp-brocock-contour-s6-elite-22/

http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/brocock-contour-questions/

 
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Looking at your requirements for a less costly traditional, light weight rifle in .22 cal. and the ability to shoot some small game the Brocock Concept S6 Standard fits your needs. The .22 caliber versions has more power than the Marauder pistol and will give you more range and be more effective for the occasional small game hunting. The rifle also has the more traditional looks you want. Pair it with an UTG/ Leapers or Hawke scope for $100 to $150 and you have a good low cost set-up. So right now the rifle and scope combo is running about $495 to $545. Like some have mentioned you can use a pump to charge up these rifles but when doing a lot of target shooting nothing beats an CF 4500 psi tank to fill your rifle. I would consider getting the 71 cu. ft Tiger Shark tank from Air Tanks For Sale at a price of $589 add the cost of your rifle and scope set-up and your at a total of $1084 to $1134 which is not much more than your budget of $1000. This rifle I see does not have an moderator and I am not sure if the muzzle is threaded but if it is a TKO or Neil Clague moderator is not much more than a $100. Now if you want a moderator included on the rifle the Brocock S6 with cut-out stock which is not as traditional looking and puts out only 16 fpe but is shorter and lighter yet at 34.5" long and only weighs in at 4.8 lbs. Bill

www.airgunsofarizona.com/precharged-pcp/brocock-concept-s6-standard-.22/

www.airgunsofarizona.com/precharged-pcp/brocock-contour-s6-.22/ 

http://www.airtanksforsale.com/ 
 
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