I don't have any gas rams and I'm thinking about adding one. So what are some elite gas ram guns?
What are some great gas rams?
- Thread starter blackdiesel
- Start date
If it was we, and "somewhat" budget conscious, the Weihrauch HW90. You would be getting the best around, It does come with a hefty cocking weight, but the weight comes with the performance. Otherwise, think Hatsun or Umerex Octane.
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For what's on the market these days the HW90 is the cream of the crop!
Unless you go on a search for a discontinued Theoben! They are the ultimate but out of production since 2012.
My Evolution .177 set to 12.5fpe and a serious tack driver with 10.3 JSBs!
Unless you go on a search for a discontinued Theoben! They are the ultimate but out of production since 2012.
My Evolution .177 set to 12.5fpe and a serious tack driver with 10.3 JSBs!
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I shot a friend's Webley Patriot today which has me thinking about a gas ram. I need to kick myself because a couple of years ago I could have gotten an Eliminator for dirt cheap from a friend but decided I didn't need a powerful spring/gas ram gun.
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Has anyone personally tried a BSA Lighting gas ram? If so, how does it compare to the HW90?
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That gun in the Pellets and Pistons video is actually my BSA Meteor that I sent Kevin to demo on his channel. In his limited use of the gun he basically came to the conclusion that he wasn't a huge fan.
After I got the gun back I noticed the usual faint odor of dieseling. I let it slide but about 300 pellets in I got a big puff of smoke and then at about 500 pellets in I decided something was definitely wrong. Chrono readings were off and the smoking never really stopped. I tore the gun down and the first thing I realized was that internally its basically just a Gamo. Gamo trigger (
compared to a Rekord) and Gamo piston.Well, the piston looked like it had been forced into the tube during assembly and tore an edge on the cocking lever slot. The gun was then overlubed so every time the piston went back it pulled some grease forward when shot. Long story short, it was never going to stop dieseling until I replaced that seal and did some cleanup. As luck would have it I had a TX200 piston seal on my shelf. It was a direct fit so I was able to fix it quickly.
Long story short, even though it isn't the exact BSA that you are looking at, my experience with this gun would not allow me to recommend any BSA break barrel. Even after being repaired the gun just really isn't all that great. For what they cost in the US you can get a much better gun from either Diana or Weihrauch.
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We can't be talking about great gas rams without talking about the no longer in production SIG ASP 20.
23 fpe magnum with a cocking effort of a 17fpe gun and short no buzz shot cycle.
23 fpe magnum with a cocking effort of a 17fpe gun and short no buzz shot cycle.
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ELITE= "A select group that is superior in terms of ability or quilities to the rest of a group." That usually translates into "expensive"...and/or difficult to find. Theoben gas rams fall into this "ELITE GROUP". Having owned many of them I prefere the Evolution and SLR 98 set at 12 and 14 fpe, for enjoyable shooting and would stay away from the high power monsters like the Eliminator and even the Crusader...these Theobens have pretty muched become collector items...competed for by serious collectors...there is an Evolution .177 and SLR 98 .22 carbine up for auction right now on ebay...good luck with that...The next best alternative is the HW90 if you have to have a gas ram...BTW if you ever get your hands on a Theoben you will be glad you did!
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Power is the last thing I am looking for in a non-PCP. I've seen good things about the Sig but I wouldn't really want one since they are out of production. I have run across a few in the past and decided to pass on them. The same shooting buddy who has the Patriot also has a Sig. I have several 22 cal PCPs close to 90 FPE so I don't want/need a gas ram/spring piston for power. 1st priority is accuracy and the second is looks.
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Gas Ram rifles are distinct in that they can remain cocked without issue. Makes them great for hunting.
I own many. An old .25 Kodiak, a Turkish Patriot .25 conversion, a .25 Eliminator, and a bunch of SLR98s. I used to own more but sold them off.
The other advantage to these style rifles is the incredibly fast lock time. The pellets are out of the barrel before the recoil can interfere with the accuracy.
I'd recommend at least one gas ram for every collection. Here's a few pictures of my Beeman SLR98 carbine on. 22. Enjoy!
I own many. An old .25 Kodiak, a Turkish Patriot .25 conversion, a .25 Eliminator, and a bunch of SLR98s. I used to own more but sold them off.
The other advantage to these style rifles is the incredibly fast lock time. The pellets are out of the barrel before the recoil can interfere with the accuracy.
I'd recommend at least one gas ram for every collection. Here's a few pictures of my Beeman SLR98 carbine on. 22. Enjoy!
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....Nice looking rifles too.
Ditto on the Theobens. I've owned a few over the years and the one I kept is a .177 SLR98 carbine (Hyedua wood stock) shooting at about 11.8 ftlbs. Phenomenal gun.
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Sold one last week..
NOT even in the same class.
Hold sensitive. Balance Feel and over all composition of the gun felt more like a VERY Good spring with Tune job.
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I have a BSA Lightning xl converted to a ram as well as a couple of Webley Trackers. Both of these guns are much nicer with rams than a spring, particularly the Lightning XL.
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