(Part 2) Top products from r/airguns

I'm new at this, but I just bought what I think is the Compact version of the same UTG 3-12x44 AO scope:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KRA4YG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8

I like it so far. It's a little heavier than I was expecting, adding noticeably to the weight of the rifle. And it would be helpful if I could mount it further back, closer to my eye. I bought a 1-piece mount, so I can't slide it further back (the mount really only fits in 1 position on the scope).

The non-Compact version probably extends closer to your eye, so might be easier for mounting comfortably.

I am wondering if that 3-9x32 BugBuster might be a better fit for my needs. It's lighter, at least, and I don't think I need the 12x magnification. I was more interested in the larger objective, figuring that would let in more light, and I thought it provides benefits for eye relief as well.

Hmm. I don't know that people really scope match rifles so I wouldn't recommend it personally. I guess it depends what you're planning to do with them but I'd scope the hw55 if they were mine. Even with in .177 you should be able to easily reach out to ~50 yards without heavy winds. For me it's still a toss up between the 3-9 and the 4-12, I have both and love them both. I really like my 4-12 though - even at close distances of 10-15 yards - because I like being able to zoom in and pick out my target. The 3-9 is more than enough for casual plinking though.

[3-9 Leapers UTG AO] (https://www.amazon.com/UTG-3-12X44-Compact-36-color-Mil-dot/dp/B004KRA4YG)
This is by far the best value with many premium features for about $100.

[Hawke 3-9 AO] (http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Hawke_Sport_Optics_3_9x40_AO_Sport_HD_Rifle_Scope_30_30_Duplex_Reticle_1_4_MOA_1_Tube/4405)
People swear by Hawke and this is a good entry level one. They have some really great scopes in the 200 - 300 range too.

No problem. I always consider it better to write too much and send someone off with too much information, than write too little and send someone off uninformed.

I don't know if you can "improve" the gun. The iron sights are great - the rear sight is adjustable and the posts are large and easy to see, although you may want to dip some paint on the sights for better target acquisition. For optics, you could get a cheap underbarrel laser, or a red dot sight. Or both if you want, I suppose. I have a Daisy Electronic Point Sight that I have mounted on it once but never actually fired. That sight is cheap but functions well, and is perfectly suitable for backyard plinking. Just don't bash it into anything because it feels as cheap as it costs. It's my opinion, though, that any optic you put on it is really just a sidegrade rather than an improvement, as the gun is fantastic on its own.

As for the trigger, I don't think anyone offers any upgrades. But I don't think it's necessary either. I love the 357's trigger, and I feel that any aftermarket parts you could add to the trigger wouldn't make enough of a difference to be worth the money or time.

Hatsan makes plenty of gas piston or spinger .25 cals; but not at that price of course.

http://www.amazon.com/Hatsan-Rifle-Combo-Walnut-Stock/dp/B008DZHN1I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419431684&sr=8-1&keywords=hatsan

There's one with Turkish walnut stock and "decent" 3-9x32 scope for $141 with free shipping.

Mod 95 with Vortex gas piston:

http://www.amazon.com/Hatsan-Rifle-Combo-Vortex-Spring/dp/B00K6PPLYE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419431777&sr=8-1&keywords=hatsan+vortex

.25 Hatsan for $113 with Free shipping (this is missing the nice Quatro trigger the better Hatsans come with):

http://www.amazon.com/Hatsan-Striker-Rifle-Combo-Black/dp/B00CSAAT2O/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1419431908&sr=1-6&keywords=hatsan+vortex

But MY next purchase is going to be the Mod 85 Sniper Vortex while I'm waiting for the AT44 in .30 cal:

http://www.amazon.com/Hatsan-Sniper-Vortex-Rifle-rifle/dp/B00DBECEEC/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1419432083&sr=1-1&keywords=hatsan+85+sniper+vortex

https://www.amazon.com/Hatsan-Rifle-Combo-Walnut-Stock/dp/B008DZHN1I/ref=sr_1_1?s=hunting-fishing&ie=UTF8&qid=1498279305&sr=1-1&refinements=p_36%3A-16000%2Cp_89%3AHatsan&th=1&psc=1

its 20 dollars more expensive than your budget, but has scope, and comparing to some of your suggested choices hatsan 95 is a much better league. It has excellent trigger and with a little bit of tuning it will give you great results.

How did we go from "I feel a .22 would be too loud and could potentially end up in someone's backyard" to "go get a .50 cal, man!"? :-)

​

You do not say what your range will be. If you are sub 30 yards, you might look at the Crosman Custom Shop. A 2400KT CO2 Air Rifle with a 14.6" Lothar Walther barrel in .22 Caliber will run you about $150.00. (Order on Friday for free shipping). A simple moderator off Ebay will run another $30.00. You can put the balance in a scope and you will have a nice, quiet gun that will be deadly for squirrel and rat size game and smaller.

I have this exact gun with a cheaper scope. It is fun to shoot and gets about 25 shots at an average of 491 fps (8.4 fpe) per CO2 cartridge with JSB Exact Jumbo Diablo 15.89 pellets. Groups are 5/8" to 3/4" at 20 yards.

Good Luck,

Traqker

Oh, good to know.

In that case I think I'll start saving for this. It's still more money than I was expecting to spend walking into this, but I suppose it's worth it because I need the power of the nitro piston without the price that comes with a PCP or a CO2 rifle.

Thanks a lot for your help.

I don't have that exact scope, but I do prefer the 6-24 x50 for long range plinking and have several cheap scopes in that size.

That being said, I personally prefer the sidewheel focus and seriously wish all my scopes had it. I'll probably go with this scope next: https://www.amazon.com/UTG-4-16X44-Scope-36-color-Mil-dot/dp/B005NHA122

Wish it was 24x but I can't have it all in my current hobby budget. Lol

I have the Hogue grip on my P17. It's a tight fit to get it on but once you manage to do it, it greatly improves grip and feel.

$11 at amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014VRS22

https://www.amazon.com/Hatsan-HC9522VORT-Vortex-Piston-22-Walnut/dp/B00K6PPMM0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1569141537&refinements=p_89%3AHatsan&s=hunting-fishing&sr=1-3

Sure thing. This one would work just dandy, is very powerful and well within your budget.

Crosman makes pretty good inexpensive pouch
https://www.amazon.com/Crosman-Airgun-Pouch-Holds-Pellets/dp/B0017X3EKM

I have a Gamo Silent Cat and have put well over 2,000 rounds through it. Still dead on accurate, can hit a quarter over 50 yards away.

DO NOT use they give you. This goes for Crosman and pretty much all air guns. Here is a GREAT scope: http://www.amazon.com/NcStar-3-9X40-Black-Scope-SFB3940R/dp/B000FHBQWO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369864165&sr=8-2&keywords=airgun+scope

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Diana_Stormrider_Multi_shot_PCP_Air_Rifle/4449 thats the same gun but branded as a diana. you will need an air souce for it though. you can get a pcp pump for around 60 bucks on amazon that will work fine. https://www.amazon.com/Pressure-Stirrup-Charging-Silicone-Included/dp/B01MZ6O0ZA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1527074294&sr=8-10&keywords=pcp+pump

I got these for my Marauder and they work well.

I tried 6 different scopes (including Gamos included junker) and 3 brands that were supposed to be air rifle rated. Including 2 utg bug blaster scopes. None would keep 0 but my current scope.

Here's the winner along with this scope ring.

I also peeled the tape off the rings because I've had issues with them moving around. Instead I used a very thin layer on my rings of this stuff which has held fantastic and left me not having to worry about over tightening my rings.

In over 400 shots I've barely had to re center at all and I can shoot 5 dimes in a row at 25 yards using a rest.

My Gamo is a 1300 fps piston rifle .177
I shoot H&N 9.57gr hunter extreme pellets. Found they're most accurate for my rifle so far.

You want these.
https://www.amazon.com/UTG-Airgun-Picatinny-Weaver-Adaptor/dp/B007BNHFLQ
I've got mine to clamp a truglo 2x42 dot sight onto my PP700S-A.

think its a b3 http://www.amazon.com/Pellet-Rifle-5-5mm-Caliber-Safety/dp/B009GLXCWW

You can use a Picatinny quick release clip and some swivel sling screws

so i bought this steel breech off crosman website (http://www.crosman.com/steel-breech-kit-22-cal) but the tasco red dot ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GF1HKQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00) i bought doesnt attach. the locking nut on the bottom is too wide. would i need to buy something to make it attach or am i doing this completely wrong?

You can't mount anything to the plastic breech natively. You would first have to get the intermount kit (https://www.amazon.com/Crosman-459MT-2-Pc-Intermount-Dovetail/dp/B000FEUUCY)

That add's dovetail without changing the breech.

You're definitely not going wrong with a .22, I started thinking ".177 is so much better. It'll shoot straighter since It's lighter and I won't have to worry about drop and I'm just doing it for fun anyway" I hadn't taken into account that wind would push the pellets around easier.

I got a gamo springer that shot at 1,100 FPS. Worst mistake ever hands down. The gun was awful. There was so much vibration in shots, the scope ended up grinding the mount after a while and was a huge waste.

I ended up getting a .22 hatsan vortex and the difference was night and day. The first one's break barrel had an issue with the stock interfering and causing it to scratch / take a lot of effort. I just replaced it through amazon and the new one was amazing.

The only con is, like I said It's a little heavy, but all around a solid pellet gun and only about $170

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K6PPMM0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You may have a blown seal or stuck valve.

1. Regularly oil it. EVERY TIME you shoot it you should put a drop of pellgun oil on top of the CO2 cartridge. They also make "lubrication cartridges" which are special cartridges that have oil in them. Good to use one of those every few thousand rounds.
   
   
2. DO NOT leave an unspent (but pierced) CO2 after you finish shooting. That can damage the seals. Unscrew it and release any extra gas when you're done.
   
   So, I would try one of the lubricating cartridges and see if that fixes it. If not you'd have to take it apart and see what's happening. I have only seen this happen to guns that are not routinely maintained (other than defective). The third option is that it's a lower end Umarex, and they definitely break/malfunction sometimes.
   
   EDIT: They sell Crosman Pellgunoil at Walmart. You will probably need to buy the lubrication cartridges online.
   
   Pellgunoil
   
   Cartridges
   
   

There's a gun that has been specifically designed to do exactly that:

The [Marksman 1010] (http://www.amazon.com/Marksman-BB-177-Air-Pistol/dp/B00069PQ5Y).

In the sub-$600 range there is literally Gamo and Gamo only. At sub $100 there's some brand called "Meteor", I can't find anything about it so I just assume it's trash (here's one of their models).
PS: Ok, so it seems I hadn't seen a few models (they were hidden deep within the stores' websites). There's also:
CROSMAN Quest 800X for ~$80 lower than the Gamos
Hatsan 125 Sniper for ~$20 lower than the Gamos
Hatsan Model Torpedo 155 for ~$10 lower than the Gamos
Hatsan Model Torpedo 150 for ~$40 lower than the Gamos
HATSAN Mod. 135 XRD for ~$10 lower than the Gamos
HATSAN Mod. 135 SP for ~$50 lower than the Gamos
Diana 21 5,5mm for ~$100 lower than the Gamos (but I've heard really good stuff about Diana)
Slavia 634 for the same price as the Gamos

And for reference, the Gamos cost $241 and that's the maximum amount I'm willing to spend. I'm no pro shooter (as you can probably tell), I'll usually be shooting at cans and pests at around 10 to 30 meters (almost the same in yards), sometimes 50. I am willing to sacrificy a teeny bit of accuracy for power

^^^edit ^^^for ^^^formatting

One more tweak to the products added to the breech seal and compression chamber air transfer port:

Use Permatex High Tack Gasket Sealant over the air transfer port, and use Elmer's No-Wrinkle Rubber Cement over the breech seal. This not only improves the seal just a little bit, but also keeps your thumb cleaner since you are pushing down on dried rubber cement instead of tacky gasket sealant when you load the pellets.

I'm now getting between 560 and 580 fps using 7.2 grain .177 Daisy Pointed pellets. That's about 5.2 FPE, which is not too shabby for a gun that can be found for $65.

My only problem now is that one of my two guns shoots high, even with the rear sight adjusted all the way down. This is the opposite problem that many reviewers deal with, where the sight won't go high enough, because the gun shoots low. I guess I'll try some heavier pellets in that gun and see if that brings the POI down. Not a bad problem to have though, I think.

BTW, I'm also posting stuff on the GTA Forums under the pseudonym "Whirligig." The Crosman folks suggested that I post my experiments and experiences with the Benjamin Trail Nitro-Piston air pistols there.