This report covers:
- Daisy 499B
- Beeman P17
- Beeman P3
- Daisy 880
- Crosman 760
- Summary
Before we start I want to update you on something I was testing that I can’t complete. The new Leapers 20, 30, and 40 MOA drooper scope mounts can’t be mounted to any airgun I know of. It turns out they have five Picatinney crossbars, not the three I mentioned, and no airgun receiver I know of will accept them.
The problem is if the airgun has a Picatinny base that accepts the mounts, it will be a repeater and the mount won’t clear the magazine or the single shot loader. If I try to use Picatinny to 11mm dovetail adaptors the mount bases won’t accept them because the Picatinny crossbars are too close.
I suppose they would work with a scout scope that can be mounted ahead of the receiver. That would work, I suppose. But not that many shooters use scout scopes on their air rifles. It could demonstrate that the concept works, but they will never be used by mainstream airgunners.
I spent an hour checking many airguns, only to discover these mounts will not work. Leapers is aware of this problem and is looking at the mounts to try to rectify the situation. They didn’t make the mounts for airguns anyway but they now understand that we need them as well as the AR-15s. Now let’s get into today’s report.
I have to admit when I was younger I liked style and flash almost as much as accuracy, but that changed as I grew up. A 4,000 f.p.s. bullet that misses its target isn’t half as impressive as a 1,200 f.p.s. bullet that connects!
Someday I hope to see a movie in which the bad guys are fighting with full-auto guns, sprayin’ and prayin’ as hard as they can. Then, the hero drops them with a single bullet each. The movie, Quigley Down Under was something like that, wasn’t it?
If you’re a shooter you know about accuracy. In fact, accuracy is probably one of the things you value most about your guns.
Daisy 499B
So, what’s good in an afforable airgun that’s also accurate? Well, how about a BB gun that can group 10 shots on a pencil eraser at 16 feet? That’s with the shooter firing from the offhand position! If you think it’s easy to do, try it some time.
I’m talking about a real BB gun, not some German gallery rifle, shooting precision lead balls through a rifled barrel. Well, for many years, Daisy has made such a gun and they still do. The Avanti 499 is billed as “The World’s Most Accurate BB Gun,” and I haven’t seen anyone refute that claim.
Daisy’s 499B is a super-accurate BB gun!
Is it expensive? I don’t think so. Any time you can buy a precision target gun for under $200 and have enough left to take two adults to a matinee, I think that’s cheap! Daisy created this unique single-shot MUZZLELOADING BB gun for the national BB gun championship program that they co-sponsor with the Jaycees. Millions of young boys and girls have competed in this program and most of them used the identical 499 BB guns that you can purchase for about one month’s gas money.
A competitor usually gets special equipment that the public can’t buy at any price. You don’t think they drive stock cars in stock car racing do you? But the 499 allows you to own the same level of performance that this year’s U.S. champion will be shooting, and you can do it for a less money than you paid for last year’s cable or satellite television service.
Beeman P17
You can have an accurate pellet pistol for cheap, too. Here are several bargains in the lead-launcher category. Let’s begin with the Beeman P17 target pistol. It’s lightweight, super accurate and has great sights and a very usable trigger. It’s a $300 single-stroke pneumatic pistol stuffed into an under-$50 package. As an added benefit, it is VERY light, so if weight is an issue, this is one to consider. On the downside, it does have fiberoptic sights, so consider that as well. A black Sharpie can set things straight though.
The Beeman P17 is a Chinese copy of the Beeman P3
Beeman P3
If your wallet is a little thicker look at the Beeman P3. It looks identical to the Chinese-made P17, but it’s made in Germany and has a better trigger. It also has fiberoptic sights as well, so be aware of that.
As far as accuracy goes, I’ve seen great groups from both airguns. You would think the more expensive P3 would beat the P17 but that doesn’t agree with the test results I’ve seen.
The next airgun isn’t quite as accurate as the P17, but it is more powerful and still doesn’t cost a lot of money. The .22-caliber Crosman 2240 is a bolt-action single shot that’s powered by CO2. It’s modular and can become almost anything you desire, from a pistol to a carbine—even a full-fledged rifle! It can be converted to run on high pressure air, as well, and that boosts the energy potential a lot.
Daisy 880
The Daisy 499B is a long gun, but what about an inexpensive pellet rifle? Are there any available? Well, their starting prices are higher than the budget air pistols, but let’s look at what there is. I’ll start with the Daisy 880. It’s inexpensive but a great multi-pump pellet rifle. The barrel is rifled. The front sight is fiberoptic, but the rear sight isn’t so only a single sight to color black.
The 880 does shoot BBs as well and carries them in an internal magazine. The hand pump is very easy to operate.
Crosman 760
Another inexpensive multi-pump is Crosman’s 760. That one is a smoothbore which means you can add darts to the ammo mix, but because the loading trough is short they will have to be loaded at the muzzle.
Seneca Dragonfly Mark 2
If you want to step up in power and looks the Seneca Dragonfly Mark 2 is just $200. It’s considerably more powerful than the airguns we just discussed, especially in .22.
Summary
I’ve given you some excellent low-cost airguns to consider today. You may still want that super-magnum critter-gitter you’ve been saving for, but I’d be willing to bet you would shoot any one of these about five times as often as your fancy airgun. Isn’t more shooting what it’s all about?
I’d throw in the Crosman 362 as well. And if you get lucky, some of the Spanish and Chinese airguns are pretty accurate as well.
Also, Diana two forty.
Recently I re-discovered the Ruger Mark IV pellet pistol (at the moment 75EUR). I put some more weight into the grip space area, tuned a bit that hard trigger, give it a proper lubrication and it is so much fun to shot. The power is not inside but with E0 up to 2,5J it is enough for plinking and even 10m target shooting. It can be damn accurate. So easy to cock and load – no need for CO2 capsules.
Of course the Makarov (Umarex Legends) replica without blowback – still under 70EUR. Recently tested in a 15y-20y range and I was amazed, this is still accuratre enough and pretty powerfull for a BB pistol this size. I have 6 cartriges so I can shot approx. 100 shots and the CO2 capsule is not empty… It makes real fun, looks good and feels right.
BB,
“…most of them used the identical 499 BB guns that you can purchase for about one month’s gas money”. Are we talking Biden gas money or Trump gas money? 😉
On the subject of Chinese made clones, have you ever thought of testing their copy of the Diana 34? It is sold under various badges, such as the Ruger Blackhawk, Hämmerli 800 and SMK Synsg. I have seen them selling for as little as $99.
By the way, what ever happened to Air Venturi’s IZH-61 clone, the TR5? It was released with great fanfare a few years ago, but seems to have gone quietly into that good night.
Bob,
I noticed that the TR5 is no longer with us. I don’t know why.
BB
Bob,
I’ve had a clone of the Diana 34 for years. Never thought of testing it for you guys.
BB
BB,
I had one of those things for a bit many moons ago. I would not mind knowing what you think of it.
BB,
How’s about a dance-off between your Chinese pretender and RidgeRunner’s real McCoy? (assuming yours is a .177 also)
I wish GF1 was still hanging around here. He’d say something about the TR5. lol.
Fish,
Good point. Where is GunFun1 hiding?
Breaker one niner. GF1, got your ears on? Come in good buddy! Four ten?
Bob,
All I ever heard of the TR5 was not good. I have never even seen one at an airgun show. I have seen IZH-60s and 61s. I have even seen an IZH-61 with the Russian conversion kit to convert it to a PCP.
From what I have seen and heard over the years is the IZH-60 and IZH-61 were really “cult” airguns and were only raved about by “cult” members. I like the concept, but I think the execution is lacking.
Now, if Putin decides to extract his head, we may see them again.
More likely it will be putin who’ll need “surgical” extraction before things will settle down; not trying to be “Debbie Downer.” FM is just a real realist. Speaking of realism, the 499B is really starting to grow on BB.
FM,
Yeah, he is an accuracy kinda guy. I like my 99. I can load it up with a few hundred bbs and shoot until I am tired of shooting. It is not quite as accurate as the 499, but almost. It is also not a single shot muzzleloader. My lever both loads and cocks it. 😉
IHZs are gone… How about this: https://www.pyramydair.com/product/benjamin-397?m=206 , made in USA? After all, it might happen, soon…..
Fish,
I have a Crosman 101. Benji 397? Not for me. They are not made any more anywho. With Gamo buying Crosman, I do not expect much in the way of innovation from them.
RR,
Well, in that case, count me as a member of that cult.
The HW30s is the last airgun I’ll part with, but they’ll also have to prise the IZH-61 from my cold, dead hands.
Bob,
I will not part with my 46M either.
I have in my meager “collection” a 1959 Daisy 99. It is one of the forerunners of the 499 and is a superlative bb gun. I used to hunt carpenter bees with it.
Odds are, you are not going to win a gazillion dollars at EBR. If for some strange reason you do happen to do so, how much have you spent to do such? First you have to have spent an incredible amount on your airgun. Next you have likely spent an incredible amount on your optics. Do not forget what is likely your custom-made airgun rest. How much have you spent to get there and back? What of your entry fee? How much time have you devoted to practicing?
Over the years I have purchased and traded for and gotten rid of some of the superb critter-gitters that BB refers to in his summary. There is a place for some of them here at RRHFWA, but if you want something that you are likely to shoot often, stay away from these overly expensive airguns and get you an everyday shooter and get out there and kill some feral soda cans.
If you wear it out, so what? Get another one. As I have said, I do own some very nice airguns, but there is always room for that cheap feral soda can killer.
“…if you want something that you are likely to shoot often, stay away from these overly expensive airguns and get you an everyday shooter and get out there and kill some feral soda cans.”
RidgeRunner…sound wisdom there…
…most all the cans here are shot full of pellet holes prior to going to the landfill, LOL! 😉
Dave,
I am glad to read that! The more dead feral soda cans, the better.
rr, how is it going, my friend?
Fish,
Dead feral soda cans everywhere.
If you are looking at the Daisy 880 but don’t like the fiber optic sight, for $10 more dollars you can get the Daisy 5880 Shadow Kit. It will be black, come with a cheap scope and open sights that aren’t fiber optic!
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/daisy-5880-shadow-kit?m=338
Another cheap pump rifle that is decent and easy to pump is the Barra Cowboy Series 1866
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/barra-cowboy-series-1866-177-bb-pellet-air-rifle?m=5007
Something about finding a cheap air gun that is accurate just makes me smile. I’ve had a few that are way more accurate than they should be.
Doc
The Barra rifle is on my list. I have had a very good experience so far with their 250z.
Elmer,
It’s one of many on my list too. They did a little upgrading on it this year (slot to make loading pellets a little easier and so on). If you get one, let me know how she shoots!
Doc
Thanks for the link for 880 kit. I’d still ask though, before ordering…
B.B.
Buy quality once. They last a life time. Cheap guns just fill up the land fill.
Hopefully, the tariffs will end the run a cheap junk guns!!
-Yogi
Yogi,
Wow. So people without much income would not be able to afford one? I’m not saying all cheap guns are good, but geez I still have my first Red Ryder. I have a working Daisy 200 from way back when. I have a Daisy 4500 that is probably 30 years old? And I have others that are still going. But I oil them when I should. So maybe get rid of junk guns, but not cheap (as in price) guns. Just me,
Doc
What’s up Doc,
I sure hope none of your guns have a 9lbs trigger pull…..
-Y
So, we might be paying $900 for hw30 soon?! lol
Better than paying $400 for a hunk of junk!
-Y
Or hw30 equivalent springers made in USA… I wonder how much something like that would be.
The Crosman 760 is the least expensive pellet rifle shown on PA website (if you specify pellet rifle and sort from least expensive to most expensive). I have one and, coincidently, was recently shooting it at five pumps for normal 10-meter distance target shots. So far here are some results (these are 5-shot groups each):
JTS Dead Center 7.87 grain wad-cutter = good accuracy 1.6”
Excite Econ II wad-cutter = good accuracy (best tested) 1.1”
RWS R10 Match 8.2 grain wad-cutter = good accuracy 1.3”
Crosman Premier Piranha 10.5 grain = terrible accuracy 3.8”
It seems to me that the wadcutter pellets are working pretty well in this smooth bore gun. I do want to try some more different pellets. If I find any pellets that are much more accurate than the ones above I will let y’all know.
I think that (for me anyway) shooting the less expensive guns is good experience in that I can see that my shooting techniques have improved. And any bad habits tend to show themselves because they will probably be exaggerated when using a less expensive gun. For example, the trigger pull force is relatively high on this gun; and if I am not pulling straight back it shows up with the red/green dot sight moving slightly and the point of impact varying accordingly.
I’ll add the Daisy model 25 in the smiles per dollar category.
singleshotcajun,
I second that. I have the “newer” China made one. I like it much better (shooting wise) than my old Red Ryder. Yes I wish it was made in the USA, but it’s good.
Doc
Ditto. I like being able to stay on the sights and run it .
Guys
I would have to agree about the Daisy Model 25 . I still would like to see a comparison against the Diana Neo 30.
Neo 30 $1,400 USD vs Daisy Model 25 $49.00 USD, Carnival gun range 10 feet. Just need to pick the target.
Just curious as to how it performs against the best in class carnival gun.
Kind Regards
jda001
Is the internal shape of the trigger guard on the P17/P3 a stylistic choice or is there some purpose or inspiration for it?
Jared
Plinky,
I have found some, more or less, straight triggers can force your finger tip down between the guard and the bottom of the trigger when pulled and pinches it between them. That shape may be the cure.
I believe I modified one pistol I have to avoid that by shortening the trigger some and smoothing out the trigger guard inner surface. It had a sharp line in it.
Another painful area of concern I find on some is the sharp edge at the top of the trigger opening just in front of the pistol grip that cuts into your trigger finger. A little filing will cure that. On plastic pistols anyway where most of the problems exist.
Thank you Bob. I have indeed encountered both of those problems and corrected some with files. The shape of the trigger guard makes sense now.
Jared
There is scene in one if the Lonesome Dove episodes where the Robert Duvall character is in big trouble. His horse was killed, and t he bad guys have him pinned down, and he uses his dead horse for cover. The bad guys are a long ways off, and Duvall has a brass framed lever action rifle. The bad guys are a rotten mix of renegade Indians, and scavenger white dudes. One bad guy has a long range rifle, with a very long scope. Duvall is out gunned. One of the scavengers stands up and taunts Duvall, figuring, no way he can hit me. This us more than Duvall can take. He pulls out that lever action. Checks wind direction, raises his elevator open rear sight, and takes his time making the shot. He nails the taunter with a gut shot, who, after being hit gets an incredulous look on his face. The badassest indian, Blue Duck, showing no loyalty to the dieing taunter, scalps him on the spot. I think the standoff continues until after dark, when Duvall escapes.
A good short series with great actors, and a hell of a story. What caliber could that old lever action have been? 44-40 maybe? I have an old Marlin Model 1894 in .357 magnum/.38 special which I will never sell.
birdmove,
I think the character was Gus withe a Henry 1860 and he shot (pretend) his own horse!
I bet Robert Duval (Gus) was shooting “Hollywood” 44-40 or 45 Colt BLANKS and likely rimfire…NOT like some more recent actor who’s gun went OFF on its own with real bullets….
shootski
Sorry if I forgot that about Gus shooting his horse to use it to block the flying bullets. At 71 years of age, my memory sometimes gets me in trouble. But, a great short series. My favorite western movie is the Unforgiven. Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman.
I learned about long range shooting with handguns competing in IHMSA 200 meter matches with my Thompson Center Contender in 30-30 caliber. That’s 220 yards with open sights. Steel targets which must be knocked over for a point, at 50, 100, 150, and 300 meters. Guns were big boomers. Lots of fun. Lots of reloading ammo.
birdmove,
No worries! I’m 76 years young :^)
I learned Long Range (LR) shooting from my Dad, GySgt. Litzler, and then ELR from a Mr. M61A1 Vulcan. Later i learned all about OTH-T (Over The Horizon-Targeting) from the Outlaw Shark Program.
shootski
I think that the Daisy 499B must be about the best deal in ‘airguns’. Where else can you get a brand new, world class match gun, plus a whole bunch of ammo, for under $200? That gun can shoot much better than I can (offhand position) but I keep practicing.
I have high hopes for the Umarex Markpoint and look forward to BB getting out his pom-poms.
The Crosman 1377 is one of my all time favorites. Inexpensive, accurate, highly modifiable and an American classic.
It’s all about bang (Pfftt?) for the buck.
Bill
Spot on about the 499.
1377 / 1322 could be on today’s list as well.
Daisy Avanti 747 pistol and Daisy Avanti 753 rifle were single stroke pneumatic tack drivers suitable for beginner level competitors. They sold for $200-$250. For hunting, target accuracy and overall handling features the Gamo Urban .22 is tops. For accuracy and sweet spot adjustability the Avenger easily is (or was) the best target shooting buy for the money.
Just my thoughts.
Deck
753 goes little over $300 nowadays. It’s a little overpriced to be on today’s list.
second thought, 753’s price should be comparable to 10m pcps, so yeah, in conparison to those prices, it’s petty affordable.
Fish
The Avanti 753 can’t compete with 10 meter target rifles, even the vintage ones. It scores about even with my Weihrauch 30S and 50S at 10 meters. But it is a bit less expensive. The Lothar Walther barrel and being a pneumatic are pluses. But its trigger is no Record.
Deck
I don’t think Avanti can compete 10m PCPs either. From “good in an afforable airgun that’s also accurate” perspective, for what it was created for, and comparing it to those price-wise. I mean 880 cannot compete 30S either, but it’s on this list. Comparing the prices – but still enjoying some accuracy.
B.B. and Readership,
The Affordable Airgun
I DON’T buy cheap guns i buy guns that meet my shooting requirements but do not break the bank.
An affordable gun is the one you can buy without paying a bunch of interest that inflates the total cost. You can budget your money better, do a bit of scrimping, and saving and buy a gun like Yogi suggests.
“Isn’t more shooting what it’s all about?” Could be as long as the gun meets YOUR requirements; if it doesn’t you just wasted that money or the amount lost trying to sell it off.
just my take on AFFORDABLE ;^)
shootski
You can also take a look at what you have, decide what you no longer need and sell or trade so you are able to acquire that must-have airgun. Unfortunately for FM, he’s not there yet; when he arrives at that crossroads, the Gamo Whisper Fusion may be the first one to go “adios.”
FawltyManuel,
Sounds like a good plan.
Hope you get a good price for the previously owned GWF ;^)
shootski
BB’ list today is still a good list, not just for the price; they all are solid and have proved themselves in time.
Fish,
I Never said they B.B.’s list of airguns wasn’t a good list.
Simply a case of that at this point in my airgun life i have no personal need for any of them.
For those new to airguns they could be a good point to start in the various powerplants; he could have added one CO2 and a PCP for good measure.
shootski
I see…
shootski, how r u doing lately, buddy?
Fish,
I am content with my 76 years and look forward to as many fit and healthy years to come.
Still doing two HIIT workouts per week and cardio at every opportunity.
How is your Watermanship doing?
shootski
My workout routine is not going well. My job has become full work-at-home, no more offices and lots of overtimes. No time for water fun really. Sometimes I hit the gym, but not enough. Putting on weight here, at the home office.
Fish,
Get a BOSU BALL® It will be the best investment (they cost about US$150 so not cheap but oh so worth every penny) in your health you ever make for at-home fitness workouts.
Checkout: PUSH-UP BOSU BALL BURPEES. Do 3 sets of 10 of them in the morning and at Noon to give yourself an afternoon boost. If you can’t do ten at first find the number you can barely get through. In two weeks you will be increasing the number of reps and by day thirty you will start seeing the impact on your body composition as well as how much better you will look in a bathing suit…maybe even a SPEEDO®
After thirty days you will be hopefully hooked and eventually find yourself doing 150/day/5 days/week with two days for ACTIVE RECOVERY.
shootski
Shootski,
I decline to comment on affordability. It is no longer part of my airgun decision-making process and would be of no help.
Ain’t it great when a plan comes together. 🙂
Bob M,
Absolutely!
shootski
Bob M
Excuse my poor use of the English language but what is the exact meaning of your comment? That you can spend any amount of money on an airgun as long as you like it? Or something else that I missed?
Bill,
That’s about it. I went overboard in preparing for retirement, just in case.
Grew up in a relatively poor environment in Brooklyn NY and watched how the family eventually grew out of it.
I am now a retired debt free, financially secure homeowner. Nothing great just an old mobile home on some acreage in SoCal I paid cash for, but it’s good for me. I choose it and can fix everything that comes up myself.
With two pensions, Social Security, 401k, IRA’s and savings, I make 500% more than I need every month. So yes, I have lots to spend on my hobbies, and desires, and the future is covered…The ‘Plan’.
I live well below my means in an area of similar minded independent responsible caring people who “Live and Let Live”. Wouldn’t change a thing.
My advice to others, Plan ahead, pay yourself first (Save), take responsibility for your actions, and strive to do the best you can at work. It will reward you.
Bob M,
“Plan ahead, pay yourself first (Save), take responsibility for your actions, and strive to do the best you can at work. It will reward you.”
Very good advice.
Siraniko
!!! Wow
B.B.,
“The new Leapers 20, 30, and 40 MOA drooper scope mounts can’t be mounted to any airgun I know of. It turns out they have five Picatinney crossbars, not the three I mentioned, and no airgun receiver I know of will accept them.”
https://www.leapers.com/products-utg-air320moa.html
For detailed information and images of the bottom side of the base.
I believe they would work on SIG PICATINNY rails.
shootski
BB,
I wonder if you could ask Crosman if they are planning to bring the 367 into being. I saw conversion kits being sold that turn the 362 into .177 cal and many folks talking about the 367 all over the Internet. I think it’ll sell. A little attention to details, it may even turn into the 27 of the pump PCPs.
Fish
Fish,
I did ask them and the answer I got was no. The 362 hasn’t sold well enough to justify bringing a 367 to market.
BB
Was looking at a video about the 3622 by Alaska Airguns and the author made a comment implying Crosman might have introduced the 3677, which friend RR is looking for, as far as my rememberer remembers. This appears to be a “wishful thinking false alarm.”
FM, a guy who works at Benjamin told me over at HAM that once the moving gets sorted out, a 3677 is a project they’re going to do.
BB,
Thank you for that info. Crosman has done everything right with both 362 and 3622 – right features, right specs, at very right prices. I thought they would become best sellers. We might never have them in .177, but it’s okay. Sometimes, it is not about what we wish to see in the market, it’s about what we currently have on the shelves.
Fish
Guys, how about 500 percent tariff for anything that comes with fiberoptics… 🙂
How about a tariff, based on weight, on politicians and government bureaucrats, worldwide? Alternatively, it could be referred to as an OT – Obnoxiousness Tax. The money collected would go into an education fund designed to help people who wish to attend trade school and learn to do useful things with their hands, such as gunsmithing. 😉
FawltyManuel,
You Sir should run for President in the next election!
shootski
Thank you for that endorsement shootski but. as said Henry Clay…
“I’d rather be right than be president.”
Love the 499 first experience was when my son was using them for the 4H bb team. Needless to say they were well broke in, so I got a couple of our own to use.
While practicing at an indoor range someone gave me information about a ball bearing company that made a ball bearing just a slight bit bigger i’m talking thousandths of a difference. However, as if it wasn’t accurate enough already it put it on a whole other level with the “match” grade bb’s.
I wish I still had that company info, I passed the box on to the next parents when my son aged out and went to the 22 team. I can’t remember the exact amount but I had to buy a crazy amount to get them to sell to me, the box probably weighed 25lbs or better when I ordered them.
So with thinking about the past, I was looking up the ball bearing and it seems there was a big issue around 2018 regarding using ball bearing instead of daisy bb’s. Glad it time was just before tire controversy.
With that said we were using 11/64’s precision ball bearings.
Folks,
For a time Crosman was making good barrels for their Maximus. Reaming the barrels before rifling and providing good quality assurance on those barrels. Based on what I have seen since then Crosman decided to make a couple of bucks and went back to their old ways with hit and miss on the accuracy of their barrels. Seems like more miss lately. The big difference to me between the Dragonfly easy pump version and the Crosman 362 is the accuracy. For me the pumping difference is not a big deal. The accuracy is. I put a good Maximus barrel on my 362 and the accuracy was as good as the Dragonfly.
It looks to me like Crosmas is going to be milked dry and then sold off at a loss or let die on the vine.
Don
Benji-Don,
Sadly all too prophetically ACCURATE!
shootski
Agree on the accuracy of the Maximus barrels, based on the experiences with the ones residing at Casa FM. Guess the best you could do now with Crosman along those lines would be a Marauder with a Lothar Walther barrel?
Hmm…. Just read your comment and looky, looky, folks!
https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/1099611975
Get thee behind me, RG The Enabler! Had to peek…birthday coming up. Confess FM had been “trolling” for another Maximus on Gunbroker and, had he found one, would have given RR the first shot at it, pun intended. The one listed is almost too good to pass up; wish it were wood-stocked but can’t have everything. Thanks for sharing?
Someone recently sold a wood stock for a Marauder. https://www.ebay.com/itm/296987816732?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Af8C3YqYQi-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=g1VQzXcdTNm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
#matchmadeforFM, as the kids say nowadays.
I’ll keep my eyes open:
-maurauder
-wood stock
-lothar Walther barrel
-what caliber?
RG,
That is up on the Pyramyd Air site over here https://www.pyramydair.com/product/benjamin-marauder-air-rifle?m=1774#9238 at about 680 bucks 2 left in stock as of now. Interested to see how the Gun Broker Marauder works out. My guess is it will sell for right about that price, it does have a bipod and a fat boy and that may take it over the top. We will watch and see.
Mike
.22 works, though have given some thought to acquiring a .25, more so since already have a .25 caliber airgun at home – HW90; kinda like the harder-hitting capability when it comes to reptile control around Casa FM.
Oh, here is the one I was thinking of:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1091521954
FM could not help himself and placed a bid – currently the highest but still well under what this offering should fetch at retail, given what is included. “We” shall see…thanks again for the link, RG – sincerely meant.
I hope you win it.
Make sure you set an alarm and watch the last 15 minutes or so of the auction. These auctions are like basketball games, all the exciting action happens in the last 2 minutes.
For sure – FM has set his limit; bid is still under it but not going to go crazy with bidding. If it can be had at the “rat price” fine, otherwise there will be other ladies to dance with at the party eventually. 😉
Good philosophy. I try to stick to my guns too. I snagged many an airgun recently for good prices.
Beeman P17.
If those glowie thingies for sights really bug you the earlier issues came with regular black ones. Might find one at a swap meet but to be honest who would want to get rid of one? Perhaps to trade up.
A little more to my reply to Bill above. There can be a drawback to living your life as you see fit, and contrary to the norms of society. At least here in Southern California where you have the ultra-rich living in close proximity to the somewhat impoverished.
If I drive one of my old economy cars I used for transportation to work, with no hubcaps, in a ritzy part of town, I can expect to be pulled over by the police for being a suspicious looking thief.
On the other hand,
if I drive one of my somewhat exotic cars in close proximity to the southern border where I live. I can expect to be pulled over for being a suspected drug smuggler.
Drivers in T shirts and blue jeans don’t fit the Border Patrol / Police profile for owning expensive cars or belonging in a ritzy neighborhood.
Just came across a BB pistol I forgot I had, still looking for my misplaced Ruger Mk IV pellet pistol. Turning brain dead, I guess? 🙁
A Gamo V3 CO2 BB pistol. (Blog dated Oct 3, 2007). It was sold as having a blowback action, but it happened as you pulled the trigger, not after. The slide is part of the linkage cocking the hammer as it slides back with a trigger pull. A one-off collectable. Very nice grip with detachable mag and over 400 fps indicated.
Looks like I have a week of Spring in the forecast. Time to catch up on some shooting.
And it looks like part #2 of that 3 part blog has been deleted.
The Daisy 953 was a lesser but more affordable version of the 753 \ 853. Unfortunately none of these are rifles are still offered, and while a bit brisk to caulk they were all “one and done” being single pump pneumatics. I would guess about the same effort as pump number “8” of the model 880 with the power equal to 5 pumps. (100% conjecture ) That said, I have a 953 that needs some love (seals, bolt, maybe rear sight ) and and I was wondering if anyone knows of a repair shop that works on them ? The Daisy website unfortunately doesn’t offer these parts anymore, and they haven’t replied to my emails. I clearly don’t have BB’s clout. Many thanks.
Volvo,
Howdy! Long time no hear.
The 953 and 853 powerplant are identical, so the 953 can be rebuilt with 853 seals. The construction of the rifle makes the job very fiddly, but here is me doing it to an 853:
https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2016/06/the-daisy-853-part-4/
BB
Thanks BB!
I should have known that you would have done this already. Hope all is well.