Page 13 - Benjamin Trail NP XL Reviews

First, this review is based on only a few dozen shots from aprox. 20ft. Second, I would like to state the importance of purchasing the 10 for 10 service. This ensures your gun will be everything you are hoping. I could not be happier with this rifle right out of the box especially after comparing it to a Remington NPSS .22 . The NPSS's ($364.00 plus tax @ Cabellas)were flying off the shelves and I wanted another rifle to compare to the XL. By comparison the XL .22 is quieter, far more powerful, and, with only a few dozen shots so far, seems to be even more accurate. Contrary to many other reviews I could not be happier with the trigger action. It was smooth as silk, easy to pull, had a reasonable travel and consistently fired when expected. Again this probably has to do with the PA techs making sure you are getting a good quality controlled gun. The scope is more than adequate for this gun. The rail mount screws may need to be occasionally tightened and depending on the amount of shooting may need to be locktighted to avoid constant retightning but I will update this issue after the break-in period. Again, by comparison The NPSS could barely make it thru 1/2" plywood w/a pointed pellet whereas the XL went right thru a 3/4" plywood and two 5/8" sheets of sheet rock w/a domed pellet. This thing is simply a BEAST!!! - can't wait to start hunting with it. Will update shortly

Definitely nothing major. Perhaps the screw tightening issues but even so this would be a very minor issue to fix.

This is one of the most powerful, quiet and accurate guns for any amount of money and is especially recommended for hunting small to medium game. Recommend purchasing any other rifle in it's class for comparison purposes then prepare to return it after being amazed at the superior performance of the XL. Thank you PA for providing such an extreme value in this rifle.

It is very powerful. It shoots through 1lb. propane tanks tanks with Gamo Raptors.

A little loud.

Overall a great value.

Accuracy, weight, scope/mount, bull barrel and surprise surprise the trigger that everyone complains about works great for me. Maybe I just got lucky but I won't be upgrading triggers to the GRT III as most people have done. Cocking effort is also much easier than you would believe from other reviews.

First let me say, I don't think there is anything that needs to be changed. But that being said I'm going to change the recoil pad as it just doesn't fit right against my shoulder. Also I'm not fond of the finish/color of the stock so i will refinish it to my tastes.

.22cal. Accuracy is great, I put maybe 50 cheap canned pellets through to season the barrel a little, then switched to the 14.3 domed in box from crosman adjusted my zero to 85yds and began drilling the chicken eggs I had put out. Would like to get this rifle out to 125yds but until i have the funds for the new scope 85yds will have to do.

Great quality air rifle. Very quiet. Hard hitting and very accurate with the artillery hold.

Synthetic stock option. Make it a little lighter. Trigger for sure. Mine has broken in and gotten better.

I have a Grt3 trigger on its way and I hope it helps. This thing already shoots great but with a trigger job it will be even better. The xl is a heavy beast but manageable. 4x16 40 or 50 is a must. Taking out crows at 70-100 yards with a medium weight pellet Jsb exact jumbo heavy is very easy. Under 50yards I use H&N crow magnum,absolutely devastating to small game. Love this gun.

Just got my second 1100, first one is from a couple months after they hit the market. The new one has a lighter stock (different wood and also not as bulky as the first), build quality is solid and tight. I liked my durst one so much I got another, enough said!

The trigger isn't so bad, it's the sears made of stamped metal with edges left jagged. That can't cost much to the company to take care of

Just like my first 1100 this one also likes Polymags, JSB's, and Premiers. Some say their gun doesn't like lighter pellets but they just require more follow through, the shot cycle is noticeably different for pellets of different weights but I've yet to find a pellet my first one doesn't like (besides Gamo TT-22 or w/e, JUNK!) and this new one seems to be following suit

Very good wood and finishes

Nothing. It is an excellent weapon

It is lightweight despite its size

this is my first air rifle, and i love it. it shipped so fast to me and im in south ca. the packaging was grate so i had no extar wories with damage. and right out of the box ready. spent 30 min zeroing the scope that came with rifle with baracudas 23 g domed at 25 yd and bam i wa sgeting 1/2 in groupings on a small pricetag sticker.

the triger rides to long, so i have to exhale as i align my shot. so i will invest on a new triger soon.

the exelent wood finish and all the metal parts on this rifel make it heavy, and it is long. it is quite quiet so night hunting is in par. will soon get an nd3 sub light.

Very powerful and great acuracy

The sling was made really cheap (failed in one day under the weight of the rifle)

Very pellet picky, but as soon as you find the right one it shoot tight little groups

Great gun. I purchased a Ruger Air Hawk .177 and returned it after finding out it was a piece of junk. I replaced with the Benjamin, what a difference. Benjamin is a great gun. After firing @ 600 pellets I've got the thing sighted in and shoot 2 inch groups at 100 feet. In the past week I've killed at least 10 squirrels, 2 at @120 feet 8 @90. The gun is quite and I can't imagine anyone having a problem with the scope, maybe shooting lessons are in order. I love this gun. If ya want junk buy the Ruger. If ya want a quality pellet rifle spend a little extra (you'll thank yourself later)buy this one. As for the trigger, it is a little stiff out of the box. Run @ 600 pellets through it and you notice a huge difference.

Nothing

Stick with the gun, break it in and you'll love it.

The wood and finish on the wood are excellent. A very nice feel. I like the thumb hole stock. Scope is very good quality

For such an expensive gun it should come with a better trigger. This trigger has a lot of travel and it creeps and crawls the whole way.

always check that the barrel locked after cocking. It did not lock a couple of times and it makes a very loud sound then.

Great looking gun with plenty of power to get the job done. Love the nitro piston! Makes it feel more like a firearm. Build quality on mine was superb. Weaver rail is a plus for rock steady scope.

Nothing. Its a beast! Trigger is even smooth.

I got this gun in .22 after exchanging a gamo whisper dx .17 for it. What a difference in power. The xl makes the whisper seem like a toy. It picked a hole through my metal burn barrel from 15 yards! Was using cphp. Seems to shoot them very well. 1 inch groups at 30 yrds that eventually turn into one big hole. Mounted a bsa stealth tactical 3 by 9 scope and what a killer combo. Also added flashlight scope mount to make it also deadly at night. A little heavy but well worth it with loois and performance.

Outstanding knock down power,Cocking effort is not a problem cause that's what you get when you buy a quality "Hunting Air Rifle". I have shot thousands of rounds thru mine from PBA to EunJin 32.4 grain pellets and I love the 32.4 grain pellets power and speed out of this air rifle. I can also turn right around and load the Benjamin Discovery 14.4 Grain pellets and shoot bulls eyes using the 1st dot above center cross hair on the scope that came with this rifle.

A better trigger. Also the 2 front stock bolts, the barrel pivot bolt and the 2 trigger guard bolts will come loose due to the lack of lock tite. They come with blue lock tie applied on all the bolts but do yourself a favor and re lock tite them with the red lock tite. Just do not use but a drop per screw. Those 4 bolts will mess with your accuracy alot and you will not be able obtain zero on your scope until all these are retightend. Mine kept coming lose after 20 to 30 rounds. Thought at first it was my scope but ended up being the loose bolts. Had to rezero my scope every morning i went out to shoot. Fixed the bolt issue and now it shoots like a dream.

Took a crow out of a tree at 1000 feet with a benjamin discovery 14.4 gr pellet. For close range (30 to 50 yards) I use the EunJin 32.4 grain pellets. I have my scope zeroed to the 32.4 gr pellets and can turn right around and load the benjamin discovery 14.4 grain pellets and still shoot bullseyes without changing anything. I just use the 1st mil dot above zero (Center Crosshairs)for 30 to 40 yards and the 1st mildot below zero (Center Crosshairs) for 50 to 75 yards.

Everything!

Nothing.

I bought the Benjamin Trail NP Xl 725. This air rifle has a punch! first air gun that i have owned that actually has a slight kick. It is kinda hard to cock, but once you do it a few times your fine. Great stopping power. The .25 cal pellets are great! I recommend the H&N Baracuda 31.02 grain round nose pellet. They shoot great out of this gun. Great buy!

Good looking gun and powerful. Smooth cocking motion and a lot of potential.

Obviously the trigger could be improved and perhaps the scope. A better locking mechanism on the spring.

If you are one of the owners who are experiencing a loose barrel or barrel droop, it is easy to remedy. Disassemble and remove the "alive jam" (what it's called on the diagram), it is possible to take a little off the back of the notch with a file or dremmel so that the jam can protrude a little further. Just a little works and the barrel will stay firmly in place. Download a parts diagram from the crossman website before you start. Be cautioned however, this may void your waranty.

The power is in a league that we all wish we had, that's why we bought it...right??? The weaver rail and sling mounts are great

The quality control. I use a center fire rifle scope mounting kit and a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 scope. After getting the barrel level (using a level) I checked the scope rail and it was off! I was like "huh?" After playing with multiple things, I realized the stock wasn't perfect and was pushing the barrel up about an 1/8" so when the barrel was level, the front of the rail was about an 1/8" higher than the back. Think an 1/8" isn't alot? Go ahead and dial that scope in, you'll run out of elevation adjustment before you get anything close to the bullseye. I finally had to take the stock off and "re-seat" the action to sit level. Finally it was hitting home but after about 50 shots, the stock screws back out and throws accuracy out the window. Absolutely a nightmare. This thing is going back

This thing HATES Predator Polymags (which I love) - Best groups came with heavier pellets. Crow Magnums, H&N Barracudas and JSB Jumbo Exact Heavy were the best I found. Seems the extra velocity ruins lighter pellets.

The gun is just a wonder! Clean lines shots hard. The knock down power is all i had hoped it would be.I do look forword to hunting with it soon. so far over all it is a fine gun.

The trigger sucks crossman NEEDS TO OFFER A FREE REPAIR and replacement.it is a BAD trigger! there just is nothing good to say about it. crossman need a fix on this-- and I think they know it.

TRIGGER BAD gun good not a kids gun

I bought the XL 725 .25 cal. First thing I like is the POWER! When I say the .25 cal has POWER I mean it!!!! It blows squirrels and birds out of the trees literally at about 25/30 yards. It packs a wallop! The scope package it comes with to me is a good scope with the purchase, nice, adjustable and clear. The hardwood stock looks very nice and the textured grips just add to the comfort of the rifle. The cocking of the gun is smooth. I really like the sling and sling mounts it makes a hunting trip more enjoyable than having to hold the gun the whole time.

Wieght, the gun is heavier than i expected. It possess a problem in free shooting/hunting having to hold the gun for a longer period of time waiting for a good clean shot. Recoil/kick, the gun puts a kick on you when firing and from experience being to close to the scope and not a firm grip will land you with the bridge of your nose bruised and beat up. Because of the kick it will take some shooting to master consistant accuracy with the gun in the .25 cal. The trigger is a little rough. To me the stages are hard to use so i just use a one squeeze motion becuase it seems softer that way( thats my personal opinion on it though).

The .25 cal is not a plinking gun. It was made for hunting and that only. One ammo isn't a walk in the store and buy type deal. I have had to order mine. Second, the accuracy of the .25 cal doesn't seem quit consistant enough. If you want true knock down power the .25 cal is the break barrel to buy hands down.If you want knock down power along with more consistant accuracy go with the .22 it seems to have the best of both worlds. I just think the .25 ammo isn't up to par for consistancy.

accuracy is improving after 150 shots sling is great for this gun

offer with a better scope after 75 shots scope would not stay on target replaced with a simmons aetec i had on hand

i like this gun, big step up from my old ruger spring gun

: All the features of the std NP trail carried forward into this bigger model. Weaver rail, shroud, sling, etc are all nice touch’s. It really doesn’t kick as hard as had I anticipated . It’s extra size and weight help tame that recoil. Felt Recoil is not light but not as stiff or harsh as a RWS 350 Mag either. It hits HARD yet is still relatively quiet. ( Not as quiet as my std power NP trail but backyard friendly.)

this is my third NP and the trigger on all of them is awful. Replacing the trigger adjustment screw with a slightly longer 3x8x.50 metric machine screw did wonders to getting a crisper break and more predictable pull. Stock finish is still BLAH but 4-5 coats of a paste wax ( Butchers brand!) helped ALLOT. It’s a bit heavy, long and difficult to cock ( with 40+# effort) but that’s the price to pay for this kind of power in a “Springer”. As with nearly every “Springer” on the planet,, advertized velocities/power are over estimated by a good 10-15%. I’m getting 24-25 Ft-LB energy with most pellets not the 30 ft-lb advertized. The XL is ALLOT more hold sensitive than the basic NP Trail. A LOOSE artillery hold is a MUST but counter intuitive in shooting this brute.

The XL is ALLOT more hold sensitive than the basic NP Trail. A LOOSE artillery hold is a MUST but counter intuitive in shooting this brute.Pellets above 15 gr seem to perform most consistently in my gun. This is a real nice rifle if you need this level of power and are willing to take the extra time and effort required to master it. However, it’s a bit more than the average person needs ( or may be able to comfortably handle) for garden protection/plinking duty. It’s really a specialized hunting tool where longer ranges and / or the NEED to hunt bigger game quietly is the plan. IMHO, the std power ( 16 ft-lb energy) NP trail is considerably easier to haul around ,cock and shoot accurately while still being plenty capable able to stop the charge of a man eating squirrel.

Smooth cocking, quiet (but not supper quiet) hits hard!

Maybe it’s just the nature of the beast, but it would be nice if it wasn’t so hold sensitive. I sent it back and ordered a RWS 54

At 10 yrds, easy one hole groups, about 3/8 CTC, but at 25 yrds, hard to hold 2 inches CTC. It could be mostly my technique having much more experience with powder burners. The center point scope that comes with the gun, was much nicer than I expected, and it’s a great mounting system. But magnum spring are hard to master. I traded it back and ordered a RWS model 54… more money, but hoping it will be easier to shoot for this old powder burner.