FX Are expensive PCPs worth it?

[L.Leon]

I have had guns up to 3k. Was it worth it ? Not really. A $3000 gun with garbage service from the dealer is as good as a $250 gun.

You must call out said dealers, particularly to save others the same fate…

To the OP , I voted a subjective yes, as its all highly dependent on who’s doing the buying. The price level may not buy “increased performance“ but the quality of fit and finish? Handling, fondling and ogling are all part of the experience too. My $250 Gamo Urban killed critters just as efficiently as my Ghost Carbine or Pathfinder XR. That said, it just couldn’t at its price point, measure up to all the other “attributes” that a 2K PCP brings to the table… Thankfully there is a broad spectrum of choices…

 

[PasadenaMike]

You must call out said dealers, particularly to save others the same fate…

To the OP , I voted a subjective yes, as its all highly dependent on who’s doing the buying. The price level may not buy “increased performance“ but the quality of fit and finish? Handling, fondling and ogling are all part of the experience too. My $250 Gamo Urban killed critters just as efficiently as my Ghost Carbine or Pathfinder XR. That said, it just couldn’t at its price point, measure up to all the other “attributes” that a 2K PCP brings to the table… Thankfully there is a broad spectrum of choices…

lol I’ll get put in AGN jail if I point fingers lol. Luis is absolutely correct about what he said. Basically it’s the law of diminishing return.

 

[addison]

That is either genocide or lunch.

You do not need an FX for squirrel genocide.
Using a air gun to kill squirrels is way to easy to be a sport.
Manly men do it with a slingshot or a bow and arrow or just chase them in the trees.

Me and my daughter use a blowgun for chipmunks. Once we are extremely good we will get a squirrel!.

 

[daddypaddy]

If you're wondering if I regret purchasing inexpensive units to start? That is a hard NO! They all have a purpose and I use them all.

Now then, I was never 100% content until I purchased high end units. Trust me, there is a difference but, if it sits in your gun safe unused then, it is a total waste of cash that could have been used for other things.

You gatta use them!

perfectly said. this is why i only own a k1 and a notos. both from opposite ends of the spectrum

 

[boscoebrea]

I usually buy used,thus I save a lot of money.I also shoot lefty,I want a comfortable rifle...I would not get an FX just because .. I like English better. No expensive is not worth it for me,though I may buy an expensive rifle cheap

 

[L.Leon]

An example of a budget gun, capable within its value parameters. Which was “frankengunned” into something unmanageable. Who would buy this as opposed to adding a few more bucks for something substantially better right out the box? Simply add $500 and you get into much nicer options. The link just posted as an example…

PCP Rifle - The ULTIMATE CUSTOM NOTOS! $950 SHIPPED

This is possibly the most accurate NOTOS in the world… or at least one of them! I’m not sure I even want to sell it but I just need to pay some bills so I’m listing this up here for y’all. This was built by Terminador Industries. It comes with both the Buck-Rail folding stock in the photos AND...

www.airgunnation.com

 

[nobody1]

I have 6 pcps, 5 that cost less than $500 and one that cost $1400. My favorites are the 3 P35s which cost less than $500 each. They are lighter than any high end gun I am aware of and my P35-22 is just as accurate as my Caiman X (both have given me one 200 on the 30 yard challenge). The Caiman is obviously better machined and it's trigger pull is more consistent but it's significantly heavier and while with the right projectile it could be more powerful with the one it prefers it is tied with the P35-22 (both with essentially the stock tune). The Caiman also arrived with a terribly adjusted trigger and a badly assembled regulator that stopped working. My P35-22 has been with me a year longer and hasn't even needed an O-ring. Maybe there used to be a big gap but now I think cheaper guns are functionally equivalent for most purposes.

Air gunning for me is a hobby.

I am happy if I hit my targets 80-90% of the time, or 25% on the days with wind.

 

[nobody1]

lol I’ll get put in AGN jail if I point fingers lol. Luis is absolutely correct about what he said. Basically it’s the law of diminishing return.

I have fun even when shooting a Beeman P17 or Crosman 13xx (actually lots of fun).

If I hit my target all the time I would call myself perfect and quit the hobby.

I am happy to say that I am far from that moment

 

[BABz58]

I don’t own a 2k plus Airgun. It’s not because I don’t think they are worth the money.
But I have bigger priorities in life at this time that take precedence.

The most expensive one I own is a GK1. Very hard to pull the trigger on that purchase . But the quality, power, accuracy have me with zero buyer remorse.

So some day I will buy me another high cost Airgun.

So yes they are worth it. But that doesn’t mean I need do buy one anytime soon.

My reasons are: the economy is struggling, interest rates are high, inflation is through the roof. I’m 3 years from retirement.

 

[BABz58]

I have fun even when shooting a Beeman P17 or Crosman 13xx (actually lots of fun).

If I hit my target all the time I would call myself perfect and quit the hobby.

I am happy to say that I am far from that moment

Lol on the perfect part. All I have to do to see my lack of perfection/pretty good is to simply stand up and shoot 100% unsupported.
I seem to almost wobble or so it seems looking through the scope

 

[daddypaddy]

Lol on the perfect part. All I have to do to see my lack of perfection/pretty good is to simply stand up and shoot 100% unsupported.
I seem to almost wobble or so it seems looking through the scope

isnt that wobble a natural figure 8 “tremor” when shooting unsupported? i accept that it’s there and i tend to see my poi shift to the 5 o’clock when i shoot unsupported

 

[NorCal David]

I am just a normal guy who makes mistakes every now and then. I buy cheap stuff until I know what else I need and learn the ropes. Do I knock the AG over and need a better table, shooting bags, or a Lead Sled? A sling when hunting? A case? Better tools? You get the idea. I do not want to abuse an expensive AG and I may not even need one for my purposes. It is a lot more fun to shoot knowing my mistakes are not a big deal. Fun is the key word here. Enjoy whatever you choose.

 

[Deleted member 58109]

It's all opinion
Started out with the less expensive like.my Noto's had a blast learning with it and i give kudos for the members here that helped along the way good site, but The Noto's i learned is accurate and fun to shoot it's not going to handle shooting 25+ g pellets at 970 980 fps pushing 50+ fpe eventually it's going to break they just can't handle it that long material strength and design just isn't there it does well for what you can do to it but there is a limit like everything.
Pp750 same thing so i sold it vs building.
I think for those shooting these at 60 70 90+ fpe on a weekly basis you have to spend some money on a quality made gun which in reality are worth 7/10 their price in my book, that's my opinion
Don't matter which brand you buy they all have their own quirks as i now have a few, so to say there is A perfect gun lol you're dreaming.
I got out of pro drag racing after 25 30 years
So, I have some extra$$ seeing the car trailer motor home support vehicle are all gone now and only a memory.
This is a new later in life hobby that i stumbled on and like the fact their air powered rather than powder burner
and being air powered temp humidity barometric pressure etc. really do come into effect more so than i had thought.
more noticeable when shooting at higher power.
i see 3 levels of shooting plinking hunting and accurate target shooting 50 100 300 yds well 4 competitions shooting.
it's to what level you decide there all fun to shoot after all isn't all about enjoying the hobby?


Tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

 

[weevil]

It would be even more interesting to pose this question in the UK, where many high end AGs are castrated for sub 12 regulations. What’s the point of buying a Ferrari with 6 cylinders deactivated? Much purchasing is driven by psychological rather than practical needs.

 

[Deleted member 58109]

It would be even more interesting to pose this question in the UK, where many high end AGs are castrated for sub 12 regulations. What’s the point of buying a Ferrari with 6 cylinders deactivated? Much purchasing is driven by psychological rather than practical needs.

Lmao Ferarri 6.cyls down but true.

 

[nobody1]

It would be even more interesting to pose this question in the UK, where many high end AGs are castrated for sub 12 regulations. What’s the point of buying a Ferrari with 6 cylinders deactivated? Much purchasing is driven by psychological rather than practical needs.

My slingshot can shoot 12 FPE (1/2" steel balls, 130 grains at 200 FPS).
I could get that even higher if I cared about FPE.

Why do they need anything else besides slingshots in the UK?

Actually, the UK target shooters should do archery.
I assume there is no power restriction for that.
Unless they hate Robin Hood.

 

[NotCutleryLover]

There's always a point of diminishing returns when considering performance relative to cost. There are a lot of people who will overbuy beyond their skill and knowledge level and be upset when they cannot achieve results that vastly exceed that of a less expensive rifle. Build quality, refinement and serviceability are other factors that come with price and are not easily quantifiable. In my opinion, the Dreamline, Maverick and Wildcat are very easy to appreciate and offer a lot for their price.

As someone who's gone from modified budget rifles to higher end rifles (FX in specific), it's my opinion that they are worth the investment. The build quality and forethought that goes into the design is apparent when compared to rifles in the $500-$800 price range. For your situation, a Maverick or an Impact would be more than suitable and you're unlikely to regret either of them. The Maverick is more user friendly for tuning than an Avenge-X, which you'll appreciate particularly for slug usage. I haven't used a maverick, but I suspect it's not the most pleasant rifle for offhand shooting (compared to a wildcat for example), so you may want to keep that in mind. One of the under bottle rails may remedy that situation though.

 

[gxs]

I'll say what I always say....

I have guns ranging from 300€ - 3000€ and there is a difference. BUT it depends on you. Each of my rifles shoots lead just fine. Each of them also hits whatever I want it to hit and does it well. Sure the more expensive guns can pull off a single pellet hole at 50m if I really try and have a terrific day with no wind and perfect conditions. But at the end of the day it depends on me and my performance not the guns.

The difference is mainly in the build quality (I love the smooth action of the mid range FX Crown or the trigger of a high end Daystate) but my Effecto rifle is not far behind and that gun is on the low end of the budget. Sure the trigger is not as nice and the action is stiffer but it can shoot all the same.

So to end my rant. The difference is there but they re not so big so it's up to you if you're comfortable with spending the money for them or not. I love all my guns but they are all different to each other and I enjoy shooting all of them just not on the same days (it depends on the mood).

 

[Back_Roads]

I have sub 500 dollar guns out shoot my higher end guns, at factory out of the box settings.

 

[EPG]

OK, my response to the OP’s question: Are expensive PCPs worth it?

Answer: It is highly dependent on your Use Case for the rifle. Generally, I’d say they are not worth it. The law of diminishing returns certainly applies to PCPs.

Rationale for answer: If your use case is competition shooting and you require the highest accuracy and performance available, then an expensive PCP may be “worth it” to achieve your goals.

If your use case is backyard plinking or pesting or squirrel hunting, then the performance, accuracy and reliability of many modestly priced PCPs will be more than adequate.

Support for rationale: I must have 15+ “expensive“ PCPs (FX, Daystate, RTI, Taipan, Weihrauch, etc.). My 1st PCP was a .177 Umarex Gauntlet. I still have it. I paid $199 for it from Pyramyd Air.
I filled it with a $50 hand pump from eBay. I still have it. The regulator and hammer spring are NOT adjustable. It shoots inexpensive Crosman Premier 10.5g domes amazingly well. It has still never leaked. In 2023 I put a Sightron target scope on it one afternoon and shot consecutive Thirty Yard Challenge cards of 198, 196, 197 with the $199 rifle and Wal*Mart pellets. The 10-ring on the TYC target is .125” (1/8”) diameter.

How much more accurate is a PCP costing 10x more ($2,000) than my .177 Gauntlet going to be - and do you absolutely require higher performance? Very diminishing returns here...

Summary: Expensive items such as PCP air rifles, cameras, cell phones, watches, autos, etc are “worth it” if you get the level of enjoyment that you were hoping for… but they are often not “worth it” from a pure performance perspective.

Just the opinion of a guy who now has so many PCPs that he has lost count (truth).. but who is enjoying the heck out of them, lol - so “worth it” to me.

-Ed