Some of My Current Favorites
Do you ever play The Perfect Airgun Game? I sure do. Sometimes when I’m drifting off to sleep at night I think about what would be “the perfect” airgun. Of course, you don’t have to think about the whole idea for very long before you realize that what constitutes perfection depends a whole lot on what you intend to do with it – what the mission profile is. The airgun that is awesome for Olympic 10-meter shooting is going to be a lot different from the airgun that excels at long-range varminting, and very different from the airgun that is just great for family backyard fun.
I get to play with a lot of airguns, and over time I find myself turning to certain ones over and over again. So, here are some of my current favorites, and the reasons I like them. This list is drawn from currently available airguns that I have first-hand personal experience with.
Beeman R1 – This is a big springer that seems overbuilt for the job and shoots very pleasantly right out of the box. Lots of people hunt with them, and I have had good success shooting one (.177 cal.) in field target competition.
Beeman R7 – This diminutive, low-power springer is a favorite of many shooters because it is easy to shoot well. I have spent many happy afternoons plinking in the back yard with my R7. You can hunt small game with an R7, provided you keep the distances short and the shot placement precise.
HW35E – This springer is a classic in its lines, incredibly smooth performance and its barrel latch. If someone held a gun to my head and said, “You can only have one springer, choose!” I think the HW35E would be at the top of my list.
Crosman Nitro – The Nitro Piston Short Stroke rifle has a lot going for it: gas-ram powerplant, good accuracy, no twang or vibration, and you can leave it cocked, ready to deal with those Wascally Wabbits in the garden.
RWS 54 – In my view, this is the king of the long-range self-contained varmint air rifles. Its recoilless action shoots like a PCP and is satisfyingly accurate.
RWS LP8 – This springer pistol, with a red dot mounted, is currently my go-to pistol. It cocks easily and is great fun to shoot, but I would be less than honest if I didn’t admit that any of the HW45 pistols or Beeman P-series pistols are just as much fun.
Single-stroke pneumatic pistols – I like the Daisy Avanti 747, the Gamo Compact, and the IZH-46M, and I can’t really pick a favorite among them. They are all accurate and fun, but if you want to mount a red dot, but Gamo is the easiest.
Crosman 2300S – This CO2 pistol qualifies for IHMSA “product class” silhouette competition (as does the Daisy 747). It’s wickedly accurate. Drop a scope on it, and you have an “instant” pistol suitable for pistol field target competition.
Wow, I’ve chewed up my space for this time and haven’t even gotten to PCPs!
How about telling me what some of your favorite airguns are, and why?
Til next time, aim true and shoot straight.
- Jock Elliott
I get to play with a lot of airguns, and over time I find myself turning to certain ones over and over again. So, here are some of my current favorites, and the reasons I like them. This list is drawn from currently available airguns that I have first-hand personal experience with.
Beeman R1 – This is a big springer that seems overbuilt for the job and shoots very pleasantly right out of the box. Lots of people hunt with them, and I have had good success shooting one (.177 cal.) in field target competition.
Beeman R7 – This diminutive, low-power springer is a favorite of many shooters because it is easy to shoot well. I have spent many happy afternoons plinking in the back yard with my R7. You can hunt small game with an R7, provided you keep the distances short and the shot placement precise.
HW35E – This springer is a classic in its lines, incredibly smooth performance and its barrel latch. If someone held a gun to my head and said, “You can only have one springer, choose!” I think the HW35E would be at the top of my list.
Crosman Nitro – The Nitro Piston Short Stroke rifle has a lot going for it: gas-ram powerplant, good accuracy, no twang or vibration, and you can leave it cocked, ready to deal with those Wascally Wabbits in the garden.
RWS 54 – In my view, this is the king of the long-range self-contained varmint air rifles. Its recoilless action shoots like a PCP and is satisfyingly accurate.
RWS LP8 – This springer pistol, with a red dot mounted, is currently my go-to pistol. It cocks easily and is great fun to shoot, but I would be less than honest if I didn’t admit that any of the HW45 pistols or Beeman P-series pistols are just as much fun.
Single-stroke pneumatic pistols – I like the Daisy Avanti 747, the Gamo Compact, and the IZH-46M, and I can’t really pick a favorite among them. They are all accurate and fun, but if you want to mount a red dot, but Gamo is the easiest.
Crosman 2300S – This CO2 pistol qualifies for IHMSA “product class” silhouette competition (as does the Daisy 747). It’s wickedly accurate. Drop a scope on it, and you have an “instant” pistol suitable for pistol field target competition.
Wow, I’ve chewed up my space for this time and haven’t even gotten to PCPs!
How about telling me what some of your favorite airguns are, and why?
Til next time, aim true and shoot straight.
- Jock Elliott
posted by Jock Elliott at
1:21 AM
6 Comments:
I agree with you on many of your favorites. One I like that you did not list is the BSA Lightning XL. This little rifle is a great gun out of the box, and has got to be the quietest spring gun with moderate power.
Frank,
Well, you're right: the BSA Lightning XL is a neat little air rifle.
fx royale 400 is my favorite.. just waiting for you guys to get them in LOL... Your customer service is awesome. Shane has been very helpful.
I am drooling to go out hunting with it.
Hi Jock,
My favorite springer for the last year or two has been my old style BSA Lighting. It's light weight, short, and I shoot it accurately. It also doesn't seem to care how I hold it.
Other favorites springer rifles of mine are the Diana 27 and Beeman C1. For PCPs, I only have two and I like both of them, A .22 Gladiator and a .177 Cyclone. Both have variable power and I almost always shoot both on low power and get a ton of shots from each.
My favorite C02 guns all come from Tim at Mac1, a special QB22, Sears CR180 with HW barrel, and my LD with wire stock by Mike Reams.
My favorite springer pistol is a BSA Scorpion pistol which looks a lot like the new Browning pistol.
David Enoch
Anonymous,
Thank you for the kind words. Shane is a great guy, and knows a lot about the product. It doesn't hurt that he owns several good ones and uses them often!
David,
As vintage sporting pistols go, the BSA Scorpion pistol is a great gun. It is too bad they are not still available as they would compete well with the Diana and HW pistols.
Guys, I saw that you updated your site recently and I was hoping that you acquired some Daisy model 1894s.The last time I checked with you ,by phone, you said they were on order. I'll gladly purchase one if they are available. I had one as a kid.. the plastic version, and I can't afford to shoot my "94" anymore...I have one in .357 but it jamms every shot.
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